Posted May 14, 2018 at 5:41 am by Tim Dustrude
The next Third Saturday Contra Dance happens this coming Saturday, May 19th at the Grange Hall in Friday Harbor.
It runs from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, and features caller Carol Piening from Olympia with music by the Possum Carvers from Port Townsend.
Donation at the door-$10, $5 students
All dances will be taught; no partner or experience needed.
Posted May 13, 2018 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
Wolf Hollow shares this notice with you about tiny fawns…
This is the time of year when we receive lots of calls at Wolf Hollow from people who find small fawns all alone and are concerned because they’re not with their Mom. But a young fawn lying curled up in the grass on its own is perfectly normal.
Most of the Black-tailed Deer fawns in our area are born in May, and for the first couple of weeks their little legs are too weak and wobbly to jump over obstacles, run away from predators or follow Mom very far, so their mothers leave them in sheltered spots while they go off to feed. The fawn’s job is to lie quiet and still and wait for her to return, protected by the camouflage of its spotted coat and the fact that it has almost no scent to attract predators.
After a few hours (up to 6 or 8 hours is not unusual) the doe returns to nurse her fawn, before going off to feed again. By the time the fawn is about 3 weeks old it is much stronger and is able to spend more time following its mother.
Each year we raise injured fawns, or orphans whose mothers have been killed by cars or dogs, but, sadly, we also receive fawns that have been “kidnapped” by well-meaning people. If you find a fawn please don’t disturb or touch it. Please stay back, keep dogs and children away and leave Mom to come back to feed her baby later. Please don’t try to care for it yourself. Fawns have very sensitive digestive systems and can quickly become sick if they don’t receive the proper diet and care. Continue Reading
Posted May 13, 2018 at 5:43 am by Tim Dustrude
Janice Peterson never shied away from a lively debate or an opportunity to prove her comprehensive command of language, art, politics, philosophy, and communication. She loved her family and friends fiercely and proved it every day of her life. She died May 7, after a long and brave battle against lung cancer.
Janice Lindsay was born in Compton, California and lived there with her father Bill, her mother Hazel, and her older brother Billy. She graduated from Manuel Dominguez High School in 1961 and attended Long Beach State College. She got a job at Disneyland and quickly became Walt Disney’s favorite Monorail driver.
1963 was a big year for Janice. She fell deeply in love with another favored Monorail driver, her husband-to-be Rich Peterson, got married, got pregnant, had a baby, and moved to Santa Barbara, in approximately that order. Rich began his career with the Santa Barbara City Fire Department, and Janice continued her education at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Janice earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and took pride in that accomplishment, because at that time they were raising two children while living in a tiny house trailer, while Rich was building their home in the mountains above Santa Barbara. Following her graduation, she became a highly respected professor of speech and debate at UCSB and later at Santa Barbara City College. Continue Reading
Posted May 11, 2018 at 4:27 pm by Tim Dustrude
Cutting the ribbon at Rookscroft Gallery. L-R: Scott Sluis, Chamber member; Becki Day, Chamber Executive Director; Steve Hushebeck, Chamber, Jayne Sirohston, Gallery Owner; Farhad Ghatan, Mayor, and Gail Schnee, Chamber President – SJ Update photo
Gallery owner Jayne Siroshton works on paintings in the studio – SJ Update photo
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Friday morning, May 11th for a new Gallery and Studio in town called Rookscroft & Company. It is a working studio and gallery of paintings, cards, and gifts created by artist Jayne Siroshton.
The paintings are portraits of 25 characters in her book, “Rookscroft – Peculiar Tales from a Land Beyond the Sea”, all of whom live in the San Juan Islands. The cover of the book says “Book One”, which hints that there may be more books forthcoming.
Jayne moved to Friday Harbor in August of 2017 with her husband Ben, a telecommuting Software Engineer, and their daughter Charlotte, who is a student at Spring Street International School.
Just opened in mid April, the gallery is just up the street from Herb’s and a couple doors down from the Toy Box at 40 First Street.
See more photos below. Continue Reading
Posted May 11, 2018 at 5:52 am by Tim Dustrude
Belle, played by Chelsea Bliss – Tim Dustrude photo
It opens tonight at 7:30 and if last night’s dress rehearsal was any indication, this is gonna be a big hit. Humor, music, beautiful sets and a huge cast – Beauty and the Beast by San Juan Community Theatre will not disappoint.
The play continues Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m., followed by performances on May 17-20 and 24-26. Don’t miss it!
For more details, tickets, and to see a list of your friends and neighbors in the cast, visit www.sjctheatre.org
Click below to see some photos from Act One…
Posted May 11, 2018 at 5:46 am by Tim Dustrude
Tim Fry is the SJI Chamber of Commerce Member of the month…
Tim is founder of 468 Communications, which specializes in location-based marketing. The company’s 468 Insider mobile apps help communities increase visitor engagement while driving local commerce. The platform has been used in a variety of ways – from rewarding visitors to the San Juans for exploring the islands and shopping locally, to incenting heritage-based tourism across Washington State.
San Juan Islands Insider, created for the San Juan chambers as the first 468 app, is a great way for local chamber members to create incentives for customers to visit and make purchases at their places of business. Since the app became available in 2016, 20 other communities across Washington and British Columbia have licensed the platform for their own shop local programs.
A graduate of Georgetown University, Tim has been recognized with several industry awards, including Ad Age’s “40 under 40.” A native of Spokane, Tim lives in Bellingham with his wife and two children. They spent the Summer of 2016 touring Washington to promote 468 Insider and to learn about the unique heritage of the communities around the state. You can read about that adventure at www.ProjectWA.org.
Posted May 11, 2018 at 5:44 am by Tim Dustrude
From back row, far left: Julie Corie, Leslie Byron, and Shirley Reuscher. Front row left to right: Jan Gray, Rebecca Hughes, and Toni Bailey – Contributed photo
The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor is pleased to announce the Volunteers of the Month for April are the six women pictured above; the all-volunteer staff of “Treasure Hounds”, the animal shelter’s new upscale retail store located at 365-C Spring Street in Friday Harbor (next to the bowling alley).
These hard-working ladies are available Wednesday through Saturday to help you find just what you are looking for in the way of beautiful home furnishings and happy to help you with your donations of gently used household items and furniture for the store. Naturally, all proceeds benefit the animal shelter.
Posted May 10, 2018 at 5:52 am by Tim Dustrude
Breezeway Park – Tim Dustrude photo
The Town of Friday Harbor has earned the 2018 Municipal Excellence Award for Small City Success for creating Breezeway Park—the pocket park located at Spring and Second Streets.
The Municipal Excellence Awards are sponsored by the Association of Washington Cities to recognize innovative city projects that significantly improve the quality of life for their communities. Breezeway Park was awarded for creatively addressing safety issues in a congested downtown intersection by expanding the sidewalk area into the street, reducing crosswalk distances, and improving sight lines for both drivers and pedestrians. Continue Reading
Posted May 10, 2018 at 5:47 am by Tim Dustrude
Soroptimists International of Friday Harbor receives Community Leadership Award
Dr. Danna Diaz, SJI School District Superintendent and Marcy Hahn, President-Elect of Soroptimists International of Friday Harbor – Contributed photo
The San Juan Island School District was pleased to nominate Soroptimists International of Friday Harbor for the WASA 108 Community Leadership Award for Spring, 2018. WASA, Washington Association of School Administrators, Region 108, annually accepts nominations for Community Leadership Awards to recognize and honor individuals and organizations who support public education. Criteria for the award includes student benefit, leadership, motivation, success, cooperation and coordination with local school districts, recognition by others, and history of service.
As a service club, Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor enjoys an outstanding reputation for its strength of membership and fundraising abilities through event sponsorship and celebrations. To the benefit of local students, Soroptimists have consistently demonstrated enthusiastic support for education.
Besides providing scholarships and awards to women and girls pursuing education, this organization supports San Juan Island agencies who assist families and women in crisis. Soroptimists have raised and donated over $40,000 and thousands of volunteer hours each year to community projects on San Juan Island. Continue Reading
Posted May 10, 2018 at 5:42 am by Tim Dustrude
In the SJ Update mailbag this morning we find this letter to the editor from the SJC Democrats…
Have you ever looked longingly at the interesting and informative “conversations” or lectures regularly offered in Seattle and wished you could attend? But then you thought, no, too much traveling for a two hour event. Well, here is your chance to attend a conversation right on the island!
The San Juan County Democrats are pleased to host a conversation about defending our democracy from racism and the radical right with Friday Harbor author David Neiwert and Senator Kevin Ranker. The event will be from 5:00-7:00pm on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at Brickworks in Friday Harbor. Q&A will follow. Tickets are $20 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the SJC Democrats.
Mr. Neiwert is the author of several books on racism and radical right groups in the USA, including the recently released “Alt-America: The Rise of the Radical Right in the Age of Trump”. He is the Northwest correspondent for the Southern Poverty Law Center and has appeared on the Rachel Maddow Show. His previous book, “Of Orcas and Men: What Whales Can Teach Us,” focused on the plight of the orcas of the Salish Sea.
Kevin Ranker, our state senator from the 40th legislative district, including San Juan County, has a long history of strong support for the protection of civil rights and the environment.
This conversation is a guaranteed to be lively and interesting. And you don’t have to travel to Seattle to participate.
Posted May 9, 2018 at 7:29 am by Tim Dustrude
In last week’s weekly update from WSF, there was this note from Amy Scarton, Assistant Secretary, WSDOT/Ferries Division. Note that if you missed their event at Brickworks, you can still see the plan and give feedback at the links below…
There’s still time to share your input for the future of Washington State Ferries. This week we joined over 150 community members in Clinton and the San Juan Islands to share information about the 2040 Long Range plan. In Clinton, we also had the chance to show plans for the SR 525 – Clinton Passenger & ADA Improvement project.
In the San Juan Islands, I joined staff on the interisland ferry for a floating open house followed by a public meeting in Friday Harbor. It was a great way to connect with our customers and to hear more about what these communities would like to see from the ferry system in years to come. I so appreciate the support from the San Juan Islands Ferry Advisory Committee, San Juan County Councilmember Rick Hughes, Transportation Commissioner Debbie Young and Mayor of Friday Harbor Farhad Ghatan who all helped with the public outreach and met with me throughout the day.
We have [one] more long range plan public meetings in Kingston and Fauntleroy – I hope you’ll join us!
Fauntleroy
Thursday, May 17
6 – 8 p.m.
Fauntleroy Church
9140 California Avenue SW
Seattle
Remember, if you’re unable to attend a meeting, view open house materials and provide comments through our online open house now until May 24. Be sure to complete the survey linked in the online open house!
Posted May 9, 2018 at 7:25 am by Tim Dustrude
From SJCT’s Director of Development
If you love what you see onstage at our Theatre – please consider joining this Theatre family as a member. Membership is one of the most effective ways to support the performing arts in the community. Annual Membership levels start as low as $25 a year – and we don’t charge extra for couples or family memberships! Member dollars make a lot of the magic happen – onstage, behind the scenes, and around the community! Member benefits include discounts, invitations to exclusive events, and the knowledge that you are essential to every show you see onstage!
Throughout the run of Beauty and the Beast, we will have membership volunteers in the outer lobby – you could sign up before the show, at intermission, or after the show! PLEASE consider joining us as a member of SJCT. Everyone signing up during our membership drive will receive a water bottle – which is extra handy since we have a bottle-filling water fountain in our lobby!
We hope you have tickets and intend to “Be our Guest” for Beauty and the Beast, and we really hope this brilliant musical will inspire you to “Become a Member!” We have an added treat for new members signing up at a performance of Beauty and the Beast – we have some special light up roses to celebrate the magic. If you aren’t going to be at the show, you may start (or renew) a membership online at http://sjctheatre.org/support/membership
And for everyone reading this who is already a member? We cannot thank you enough. (But we would like to try!) Next time you are in the Theatre and you see one of our staff members, please tell us why you are a member and let us thank you in person.
-Amy Price
Posted May 8, 2018 at 5:36 pm by Tim Dustrude
Zach Fincher – Contributed photo
The Town of Friday Harbor is pleased to announce that Zachariah (Zach) Fincher of Friday Harbor High School has been awarded a scholarship from the Association of Washington Cities Center for Quality Communities. Zach was the Town’s 2018 nominee for the award following a recommendation from Gordy Waite, Friday Harbor High School Guidance Counselor and Town Administrator Duncan Wilson. Zach will be recognized at the Association of Washington Cities 2018 Annual Meeting which will this year be held in Yakima, Washington on June 28th.
The Center for Quality Communities each year solicits applications from high school students across the State who have shown an interest and involvement in community and civic activities. Leadership and academic excellence are two of the important factors that go into the selection process. “Zach was one of six selected from among 47 applicants for a $1,200 AWC Quality Communities Scholarship” said Peter King, the AWC Chief Executive Officer.
This marks the second occasion where a Friday Harbor High School student has been awarded the AWC Scholarship. Zach was excited to learn of his selection and said “I owe all of my success to the great community that I am a part of. Thank you to the selection committee for this amazing honor.”
Mayor Farhad Ghatan will be present at the awards ceremony in June and stated that he is “very proud of the accomplishments of our local students. Zach was a fine choice by the committee and couldn’t be more deserving.”
Posted May 8, 2018 at 5:49 am by Tim Dustrude
A “tale as old as time” will take place in the Whittier Theatre, when San Juan Community Theatre’s Spring Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, opens THIS Friday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m.
The Broadway musical, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, tells the magical story of a selfish prince who is transformed into an unsightly creature, with his servants being turned into household objects. The Beast (Andy Urbach) must earn the love of a young woman (Belle, played by Chelsea Bliss) before it is too late for him and his castle.
Director Carol Hooper, along with Musical Director Jim Collado, and Choreographer Lisa Duke, has been leading a cast, crew, and orchestra of nearly 100 islanders to bring the wonder of this production to Friday Harbor!
Hooper believes the musical has much to teach, and says it is “not just a fluffy princess story.” Every single character, she says, has something we can identify with and think about.
The play continues Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m., followed by performances on May 17-20 and 24-26. Don’t miss it!
For more details, tickets, and to see a list of your friends and neighbors in the cast, visit www.sjctheatre.org
*Trigger warning: this production has a strobe effect
Posted May 8, 2018 at 5:47 am by Tim Dustrude
Lavendera Massage on Spring Street is pleased to announce that we have just installed a new art exhibit featuring the innovative works of local artist, Jennifer Fay Rice.
It started with a line from an old movie: “I searched the world to find inspiration, and I found it in those who live in their dreams.” For Jennifer, those were words to live by. Today those words encourage her art. As she explains, “Every time we create, we live both in our dreams and in the present and we bring forth new energy to share with those willing to join in our creations. Art invites us to take time to be present to something outside of ourselves. It speaks to each person differently, touching different emotions and sometimes healing in mysterious ways.”
Jennifer brings compassion, kindness and wit to three different series. The first was inspired years ago when she created FabricPhotos© a multi-medium platform using fabric from different countries, collage work and photography. She mixes media and imagination to create shapes and colors that speak to us and give us room to find peace, healing and let our own imaginations roam. This collection has been seen in cafes in Seattle and art shows and has been displayed at an Oregon winery.
Her two more recent series were created here on San Juan Island. Born of love of place, the “Life is Simple” and “Angels” series focus on the mood and colors of this beautiful place we call home. Continue Reading
Posted May 8, 2018 at 5:42 am by Tim Dustrude
Skagit Valley College Whidbey Island Campus seeking artists for outdoor mural project
Are you a muralist looking for a new and exciting local mural project? Skagit Valley College Whidbey Island Campus is currently seeking artists to design and paint an outdoor mural project on an exterior wall of Hayes Hall, located at 1900 SE Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor.
The completed mural will be visible from the campus commons area and will focus on history of the College property. The piece will be original and created outdoors and should require only minimal maintenance. It is a community inspired project that will be completed with student assistance when weather is suitable. It will serve as a public showpiece that reflects and celebrates the rich history of SVC and community at large.
The Request for Qualifications: Continue Reading