From the SJC Dept. of Emergency Management…

At approximately 7am on June 5th, San Juan County Dispatch received a report of a vessel on fire in Judd Cove near Eastsound on Orcas Island. Personnel from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, San Juan Island Fire, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue and the United States Coast Guard responded.

On scene, the MV Sanctuary, a 38 foot wooden trawler was smoking heavily and clearly on fire. There were no people on board when the fire started. The fire was unable to be extinguished, and the vessel sank in the waters of Judd Cove. The cause of the fire is not known at this time. Continue Reading

A Discussion on Contemporary Coast Salish Canoe Journeys

Sam Barr, Lopezian, Samish tribal member, and canoe skipper for Stillaguamish tribe, will be sharing information on Tribal Canoe Journeys with some perspectives on historical and contemporary practice. He will discuss the  importance of canoes as a vessel of cultural revitalization within Coast Salish communities.

June 6th from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the San Juan Island Library. Refreshments will be available courtesy of the Friends of the Library.

This event is sponsored by SJI National Monument – BLM and San Juan County Parks through a SJC Lodging Tax Grant 

San Juan Community Theatre is bringing grassroots folk to the stage, this Friday. Described as everything from indie-roots to chamber-folk, West My Friend has an acoustic blend of instruments and three-part harmonies that challenges the conventions of popular music. The band features pure and thrillingly elastic vocals with catchy arrangements of guitar, mandolin, and accordion that draw from jazz, classical, folk, and pop influences.

Inspired by artists such as Owen Pallett, Joanna Newsom, Bright Eyes, The Decemberists, and the Punch Brothers, and forged from a sonically adventurous acoustic music scene on Canada’s west coast, West My Friend is proving to be a key part of a new generation of grassroots folk music.

June 8th 7:30 pm. Tickets: Adults $22 Student Reserved $15 Student RUSH $5 (at the door)

Community Development Office Closure

Tom Starr shares this announcement about the One More Time band…

The One More Time band celebrates 40 years 

Friday Harbor’s ONE MORE TIME big band is celebrating  its 40th year. The band was started in 1978 by then music teacher Paul Dossett and some musicians in the community, along with some of Paul’s former students.

Since then the band has rehearsed and played almost continuously for dances, shows, weddings, and other civic events. For the past few years the band has had a regular gig on the last Friday of each month at the Rumor Mill restaurant, which is now under new management and called Mr. Believables Restaurant.  The band will continue its schedule with the new restaurant. 

The band consists of 4 saxes, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, guitar, piano ,bass, drums, and 2 vocalists, Jim Moe And Debbie Nash Strasser. Additional musicians are being sought. So if you are a trombone or trumpet player and would like to have some real musical fun, please call Tom Starr at 360 /378-2462.

Considered to be the most important African-American cultural contribution to the history of art in the US, the Quilts of Gee’s Bend are “Moving, Powerful and Abstract Masterpieces.”

Several artists across many mediums have been invited to express their own dialogue with the women and work of Gee’s Bend in the summer exhibition at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA), Conversations With Gee’s Bend. The exhibition opened on Friday, May 25 and continues until Labor Day weekend, September 3.

Fifteen years ago, a breathtaking exhibit of quilts by African-American women toured the country. Visitors were galvanized by the bold use of color, the improvisational designs and the stories the quilts portrayed.

The women of Gee’s Bend succeeded in creating masterpieces of art, telling their stories of strength, faith, civil rights, and a pride in an African heritage. Quilts made of necessity became something enduring and beautiful.

These quilters from the isolated rural community of Gee’s Bend, Alabama are descended from West African slaves. The remote geographical location isolated the community from outside influences. Families handed down traditions, quilt by quilt. The women were not considered artists by society’s standards. Their materials were often nothing more than worn out clothes. Continue Reading

Lucas is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

Listen. We did not get out of bed this morning to be mediocre. We got up to face the world head on, with a smile on our faces and a zest for life!

I, for one, think you’ll find life “zestier” with a true friend by your side. Plus, let me remind you; a good friend is much cheaper than a therapist.

My name is Lucas and I’m here at the animal shelter waiting for you. What time will you be by to pick me up?

Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
111 Shelter Road
(360) 378-2158

On Friday June 1st, a pretty good sized crowd showed up to help celebrate the grand opening of the new facility for Sound Maintenance, LLC, an aircraft maintenance company.

Wielding a huge pair of scissors, owner Dean Riley cut the ribbon marking the official opening of the location at 774 Franklin Drive.

Dean and his wife Brynlee King visited Friday Harbor on their honeymoon in June of 2012 and loved it so much, a year later they moved here with their kids in June of 2013, and opened the business at the airport.

But it was kind of cramped. This new space is large enough to house “4 planes comfortably” or 5 in a pinch. Along with Jake Leiker, Dean and Sound Maintenance are able to service both piston engine and turbine engine aircraft.

The Art For Fun classes at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) in Friday Harbor have begun for the summer. Especially designed for those who think they can’t paint or just want to have fun, talented instructor, Kristen Abramson, leads the classes with attention to every student.

Art for Fun is a two-hour, fun-filled art party set in a relaxed, interactive atmosphere.  It is a great way to celebrate a birthday, share a date night, create team building or just enjoy a night out on your own.  Join your friends or new friends and follow step-by-step instructions.  Everyone paints the same picture, yet takes home his or her own unique creation. The class fee is $35 per class.

Check out the calendar for your dates and topics.

June

• June 15 Art For Fun, 4:00-8:30 p.m. – Butterfly In Vogue
• June 25 Art For Fun, 4:00-8:30 p.m. – Rooster Jubilee
• June 30 Art For Fun, 9:30-11:30 a.m.  – Fix It!

July

• July 9 Art For Fun, 4:00-8:30 p.m. – Guiding Light, Lime Kiln Lighthouse
• July 21/22 Art For Fun at Pelindaba Lavender Farm – Paint a Tote Bag.
• July 25 Art For Fun 4-8:30 p.m. – Picasso’s Bouquet         

August

• August 8 Art For Fun, 4:00-8:30 p.m. – Harbor Glow

Art for Fun is sponsored as part of the art education activities of SJIMA, as are the summer Family Art Days, photography workshops and the events associated with the current exhibition Conversations With Gee’s Bend where artists inspired by the Gee’s Bend quilts create their own interpretations.

The exhibition runs until September 3rd. Admission is $10 and is free to members and those under 18. SJIMA is located at 540 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA. Check the web site at www.sjima.org or details.

There is entertainment for everyone at this year’s San Juan County Fair – all ages and all genres. 

Headline Entertainment:
The San Juan County Fair is excited to announce the entertainment for 2018.  This year includes a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee – Alan White of YES and John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band fame performing with the 20+ piece Seattle Rock Orchestra.  The world’s greatest Jimi Hendrix tribute guitarist-Randy Hansen, locally based international folk duo Dave McGraw and Mandy Fer, and an evening of dance with DJ Supa Sam – official Seahawks DJ, and Comedy with Andrew Rivers will round out the line-up. 

In addition, the winner and runner up of MoPop/KEXP Sound Off Competition, Micaiah Sawyer and Maiah Wynne, plus NPR Tiny Desk Concert artist Chaquis Maliq will perform as support acts for the headliners.  Also added to help support these great acts enhanced staging and production for both the Main Stage and Community Stage. 

Family and Variety Acts:
Continue Reading

Skagit Valley College will conduct the College’s 91st Annual Commencement in June. Family and friends are invited to attend; tickets are not required. The dates, times, and locations are as follows:

San Juan Center
Wednesday, June 13; 1:00 pm
The Brickworks in Friday Harbor

Mount Vernon Campus
Friday, June 15
Dave DuVall Pavilion (gym); 6:30 pm

Whidbey Island Campus
Thursday, June 14
Oak Harbor High School Gym; 6:30 pm

Lodging Tax grant funds available to promote 2019 tourism in Friday Harbor.

The Town of Friday Harbor’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is now accepting applications for grants to fund tourism promotion of events and activities taking place within the town in 2019. Preference will be given to those operations and activities that encourage tourists to visit during the off-season. Summer activities are acceptable; however applicants are advised to give careful and strategic thought to the scheduling of their events to avoid what are recognized as high traffic weekends.

LTAC grants are awarded annually by the Town Council, and are funded with the state’s Hotel Motel Tax collected on all in-town lodging stays of less than 30 days in length. Grant proposals are reviewed by the LTAC which is made up of council members, lodging owners, and community members appointed by the Mayor. The Town Council takes the LTAC’s recommendations under advisement when determining final grant awards.

Interested parties should review the Request for Proposal (RFP) and complete the LTAC Grant Application available at Town Hall, 60 Second Street, Friday Harbor, WA, and at the Town web site: www.fridayharbor.org. Applications must be submitted to Town Hall no later than 4:30 pm Wednesday, September 5, 2018.  

The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions.

Additional information about each committee is available on the County’s website at: http://sanjuanco.com/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies.

Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or Contact the Council Office at: (360) 378-2898 [email protected]

The San Juan Island Garden Club will be hosting another excursion next week.

Sorticulture unites art and the garden in a celebration of creative outdoor living. Over 100 artists and nurseries gather to showcase distinctive hand-crafted garden art and unique plants to transform your backyard.

Learn tips and tricks from top regional gardening experts.

• Date: June 9, 2018
• Time: Eastbound Ferry 8:05
  Westbound Ferry 6:00
• Location: Legion Memorial Park Everett
• Cost: $50 Transportation includes ferry ticket
  Does NOT include food or driver gratuity

Reservations are required prior to June 4, 2018

To register contact: Kathie Forsyth at (360) 378-5071, or Vonnie Harold (360) 298-0859 .

Meeting, Classes and Excursions are open to everyone.

Island Senior is a regular column on the SJ Update written by Peggy Sue McRae…

Anna Coffelt-Kuetzing – Contributed photo

There is a new face at the Mullis Center. Anna Coffelt-Kuetzing was hired in May to be the Mullis Center’s new facilitiy manager. Anna, who hails from a pioneer island family, grew up on Lopez and has called San Juan Island her home for sixteen years. Her husband Karl is the Operations Director for San Juan Island EMS, and a Land Surveyor. Her son Conner is going to film school in Seattle.

As facility manager, Anna will be scheduling events. She’s who you will call (at 360-378-9102) to learn about availability and rental rates at the Center. She will oversee daily operations, order supplies, and coordinate with the board’s maintenance committee to make sure the building and grounds are well looked after.  Continue Reading

Tami Oldham Ashcraft was there at the Palace Theatre tonight to say a few words at the premiere of the movie Adrift, which is a major motion picture opening nationwide.

The movie is based on her book “Red Sky in Mourning”, which tells the incredible and heartbreaking true story of her survival alone at sea after encountering a category 5 hurricane while sailing a yacht with her fiance from Tahiti to California.

The movie has been getting great reviews (and her book was incredible). Tami, who says she has been waiting 34 years for this moment, will again be at the theatre tomorrow, Saturday, June 2nd to greet the audience and say a few words at both the 6:00 pm and the 8:15 pm showings. She will be arriving early, around 5:15, for the first showing to have some Q & A with the audience.

The movie is showing all week at 3:15, 6:00 and 8:15 pm.