This coming Friday, May 18th, it’s The NeverEnding Story at the Fairgrounds.

Plan an outing with your family, friends, or your special someone and enjoy this throwback at the Drive-In.

Admission/Parking is first come, first served at 8:30PM, $5/person or $20 for family of 5. Movies start just after dark. Audio is tuned in through the FM dial of your car radio, larger vehicles (or vehicles with storage containers on top) will be parked in the second row or further.

Keep up with the Fair via Facebook (/sjcfair), Instagram (@sjcfair) and Twitter (@sjcfair)

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary San Juan Islands Detachment is partnering with Washington State public safety professionals May 19 – 25 for National Safe Boating Week to urge everyone to safely enjoy the natural beauty of our beautiful water.

Continue Reading

Larry Soll shares some good news for film buffs…

Well Fellow Islanders,

Good News!
The curtain is going up for the third season of the Tuesday Night Film Series at the Community Theatre. Beginning June 19th and for eleven consecutive Tuesdays, we will screen a special movie beginning at 7:30 pm in the Whittier.  I am very excited to share this year’s selections.  

Two films describe the accomplishments of amazing women, another documents the founding of a co-op by Palestinian refugees that allows them to cook and have meaningful lives.  Two classic films, one of which was suggested by community members (hint: the only film ever made in English, German, Russian and Finnish!) are highly recommended as is a chronicle of one state’s efforts to keep PAC and “big money” out of their political decisions.

Many have received awards and Oscar nominations. The complete schedule will be sent later this month but, for now just make sure your Tuesdays are free beginning June 19th., As in the past, we shall send an email each week with descriptions of the next two movies.

Even Better News Continue Reading

The view from the top of the bluff at Friday Harbor House – FH House photo

You’re invited to Friday Harbor House’s Summer Kickoff Party on Thursday, May 24 from 4pm-7pm. The party will celebrate the completion of Friday Harbor House’s new outdoor space, complete with two expansive decks and five firepits, as well as mark the unofficial start of summer.

The inn will be serving up Pacific Northwest island-inspired barbeque, spinning great summer tunes, and playing a variety of fun lawn games. The bar will be open with innovative new additions to the cocktail lineup and there will be s’mores kits available for purchase, so guests have everything they need to make the quintessential summer treat at one of the inn’s new firepits. Tickets include a plate of delicious food. They are $15 and available at the door for purchase.

More information can be found here: https://www.fridayharborhouse.com/dining_events.php

A total cardio workout to kickstart your day in a truly balanced way with Katerina Wen!

This class is a dynamic, fun and energetic package of cardio-friendly yoga poses, strong breath-work and spiraling whole body movements. An optimal self care package for modern people who seek to gain the quickest results for the least amount of workout time!

Whether your primary goal is to burn off those extra pounds, re-set your metabolism at a higher rate, give you radiant looking skin, and high sustainable energy all through the day, this class is for you!

• Tones and strengthens your skeletal muscles
• Tones and strengthens your cardiac muscles and relaxes your arteries
• Helps speed up your metabolism, gently lowering blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure
• Balances neurotransmitters and stabilizes positive emotions
• Helps generate deep, restful sleep
• Increases hydration of the skin and collagen production
• Maintains flexibility of your joints and repair of your bone matrix
• Increases your self-confidence and overall performance
• Connects you with your spiritual core

2 sessions available for registration Thursdays 8:15 – 9:15 am: June/July session, register by May 24, $41 & September only session, register by August 23, $23. Class is held at the Dance Workshop 2.

For more information and registration visit our website, www.islandrec.org or stop by the office 580 Guard St. Monday – Friday 11:00 to 5:00. 360-378-4953.

The new location for San Juans Vision Source is at 425 Caines Street, Suite B

Correction – This move will be completed next week, not today.

Eye doctor Dr. Chris White will be moving his office from 818 Mullis Street to 425 Caines Street. That’s the yellow building on the S-curve corner of Caines Street, with the parking lot just inside the bump-out sidewalk.

This move will be completed by Tuesday, May 22nd.

Call the office for more information at (360) 378-3553.

Recording fees in Washington State will increase by $25 on June 7, 2018. The State Legislature increased the surcharge to fight homelessness by $22, from $40 to $62. It also increased the surcharge for affordable housing programs by $3, from $10 to $13. The increases will generate more revenue for homelessness and affordable housing programs at both the state and the local level.

With these increases, the recording fee for most instruments will now be $99 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Deeds of trust will increase to $100 for the first page. Surveys and plats will increase to $183.

State law requires that the County collect full fees and distribute those fees to the appropriate agencies. As a result, if a document is submitted without full payment, the document will be returned with a request that it be submitted with the correct fee.

If you have any questions about the increases or about document recording services in general, please contact Auditor Milene Henley at [email protected] or (360) 370-7558; or Kira Sable, Lead Customer Service Specialist, at [email protected] or (360) 370-7550.

Comprehensive Plan Vision: May 18 Joint Public Hearing

The San Juan County Council will hold a special meeting and joint public hearing with the Planning Commission for the purpose of receiving testimony on proposed amendments to the San Juan County Comprehensive Plan Vision.

The San Juan County Comprehensive Plan is being updated to address a 2036 planning horizon. The Vision is a statement of the community’s shared aspirations for the future.  It is a description of how the County would like to be and where the Comprehensive Plan will be used to guide goal and policy development.

Click here to read the draft recommended amendments  (PDF) Continue Reading

It’s a busy month at The Studio. We are continuing our special session educational workshops this month. We have 2 new workshops for clients that we wanted to share with you.

On Sunday May 20th, Jacquelyn Reiff will be instructing a 2 hour Pilates mat for Osteoporosis. This will focus on appropriate Pilates exercises and modifications for those with Osteoporosis or Osteopenia.

On Sunday May 26th, Liz Nelson will be instructing a 2 hour Introduction to Yin yoga. Liz is the first yoga instructor to introduce and teach Yin yoga on the island. This will also be a new class offering for The Studio this summer on Sundays at 8 a.m.

Each workshop is $45. Those interested can register at www.thestudiosji.com .

L-R: Don Eaton, Katie Loring, Karen Vedder and Ralph Hahn – Contributed photo

Kathryn (Katie) Loring has filed to stand for election to continue serving our community as San Juan County Superior Court Judge. Governor Jay Inslee appointed her to the court in 2017, and she wants to carry on her work for access to justice for all members of the San Juan County community as judge.

Loring brings diverse legal experience to the bench. She clerked for the Washington Supreme Court, practiced in both small and large law firms and served as a pro tem Superior Court Commissioner for more than a year before her appointment.

Loring is committed to maintaining a court environment where participants understand the legal process and feel they are heard and respected. “I am honored to serve the people of San Juan County as Superior Court Judge,” said Loring. “I appreciate the great responsibility of the position and I strive every day to uphold and apply our state’s laws with diligence, impartiality and compassion to the people who come before the court.”

Loring’s endorsements include recently-retired Superior Court Judge Donald Eaton and Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst.

For more information, go to retainjudgeloring.com.

EDC presents 9th Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon: The Future of Water in San Juan County

Join the conversation on The Future of Water in San Juan County at the 9th Annual EDC Economic Forecast Luncheon, held at Brickworks in Friday Harbor on Wednesday, May 23rd from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The EDC’s annual luncheon will also explore recent data on trends in the economy of the San Juan Islands.

This year’s topic is The Future of Water in San Juan County, which will examine the availability of water resources in the islands, touching on scarcity risk assessments and security and their impacts on business and industry, and will also explore trends in water transportation and recreation in our area. 

Rachel Cardone – Contributed photo

Noted water sector expert Rachel Cardone will lead the discussion on water scarcity and its effects both globally and here in San Juan County; Washington state maritime expert Joshua Berger will discuss Washington Maritime Blue, a strategy to accelerate innovation in the maritime industry, and water transportation issues and trends.

Rachel is the founder and Principal of RedThread Advisors, and works on diverse water policy and programming issues as an advisor to high profile public, private, and non-profit organizations. Prior to returning to independent consulting in 2012, she spent five years working to design and develop the Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

Joshua Berger – Contributed photo

Speaker Joshua Berger is the Governor’s Maritime Sector Lead and Associate Director in the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness in the Washington State Department of Commerce. He has served as Director of the Washington Maritime Federation and he brings decades of maritime industry experience to his position including as a merchant mariner. He has been instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Washington Maritime Blue initiative.

The 9th Annual EDC Economic Forecast Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23rd at Brickworks, 150 Nichols Street in Friday Harbor. Tickets are $29 and space is limited. For more information and to order tickets please visit www.sanjuansedc.org/luncheon. This event is sponsored by Islanders Bank and San Juan Propane.

M/V Yakima at dock – SJ Update file photo

Here’s some news from WSF about why the Yakima has been running late recently…

The M/V Yakima has been unable to keep its schedule since sustaining propeller damage on April 22, despite WSF’s efforts to repair the propeller blade. Because there is currently no standby vessel available to substitute for the Yakima, WSF has decided to keep the vessel in service until it can be dry-docked for a more comprehensive repair or replacement.

One of the bent blades on the Yakima propeller – WSF Photo

While the vessel remains in service, it must run on reduced speeds to minimize any long-term damage. Unfortunately, this means that transit times are expected to take approximately 10 minutes longer than normal, which can result in accumulated delays — especially on mid to late morning departures through mid-May and throughout the day after May 17.

Please view the online schedule to identify affected sailings, and check the VesselWatch tool to see the vessel status. WSF will send updates on the length of any extended delays via email and through our website. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we make every attempt to minimize the service disruption on this route.

http://www.wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/ScheduleDetailByRoute.aspx?schedrouteid=1697

http://www.wsdot.com/ferries/vesselwatch/Default.aspx?view=anasjsid

Merri Ann Simonson shares another of her San Juan Island Lifestyle videos…

Enjoy carbs for a cause at the Pasta Palooza dinner event, from 5-7 p.m., Friday, May 18, at Brickworks in Friday Harbor. The evening is a special carb-loading event to celebrate Orca Running’s first San Juan Island Half Marathon, which takes place the next day. Welcome and cheer on the participants. All are invited to the dinner which is catered by Market Chef with dessert provided by Café Demeter and beer contributed by San Juan Island Brewing Company.

The evening is $25 per adult or $15 per child 12 and under. The price includes dinner and dessert, while beverages are sold separately. Tickets can be purchased at The Whale Museum or at www.whalemuseum.org. Proceeds raised directly support the education and research programs of The Whale Museum. Stop by the museum in person or call 360-378-4710 ext. 30 for more information.

Special thanks are expressed to the event sponsors: Bakery San Juan, Café Demeter, Deer Hazel, Gentry Aesthetics, Island Five Element Acupuncture SJI, Islanders Bank, Kubatana Marimba, Market Chef, Morrey M. Cort, Olympic Lights B&B, Rocky Bay Café, San Juan Island Brewing Co., San Juan Holistic Healthcare, San Juan Island Cheese, and to Orca Running for their support and partnership.

The Whale Museum is located in Friday Harbor at 62 First St. N. Founded in 1979, The Whale Museum’s mission is to promote stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. In addition to providing exhibits, the museum also provides programs including the Marine Naturalist Training, Orca Adoption Program, Soundwatch Boater Education, San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and the Whale Hotline. The Whale Museum can be found at www.whalemuseum.org.

Joey and Bandit are this week’s Pets of the Week – Contributed photo

Joey: “Bandit, how did we end up in an animal shelter in Friday Harbor?”

Bandit: “I’m not sure, Joey, but I hear the folks are very nice here and everyone loves dogs.”

Joey: “Even little, chubby dogs?”

Bandit: “Especially little, chubby dogs! Remember what I told you – the more you weigh, the harder you are to kidnap!”

Joey: “Bandit, if we are ever in a situation where you are the voice of reason, we are in a very, very bad situation.”

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

Rare and Thriving Plant Collections, Woodland Trails and Formal Gardens

Heronswood Garden, Bloedel Reserve and Chimacum Gardens in one weekend. Can you just imagine? Well, the San Juan Island Garden club is hosting a TWO DAY excursion that will make your dream come true. During our travels we will walk among Heronswood rare plants, learn about rhododendron grown from seed and have a guided tour of Bloedel Reserve.

The added bonus is an overnight stay in Poulsbo during the Viking Fest days.

• Date: May 19, 2018 – May 20, 2018
• Time: Eastbound Ferry 5:45 AM
              Westbound Ferry 8:45 PM on 5/20 from Anacortes
• Location: Kingston, Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo, WA
• Cost: $250 for transportation, motel and garden entrances

NOT INCLUDED: Food, shopping and driver gratuity
Reservations are required prior to April 25, 2018

To register contact: Kathie Forsyth 360-378-5071
   or    Vonnie Harold 360-298-0859

Meetings, classes and excursions are open to everyone.

The Joy of Gardening is Sharing