Sue Collado and Alex Shapiro – Contributed photo

San Juan Island’s annual showcase of island and Northwest chamber musicians adds a “custom-made” composition to its repertoire in 2018.

Melodious Notes Over the Harbor will be presented at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. Highlighting the concert is the premiere of San Juan Island composer Alex Shapiro’s “Water Voyages,” for clarinet, bassoon, and pre-recorded audio.

While concert director and clarinetist Sue Collado has included several of Shapiro’s compositions in past concerts, this is the first time one was adapted specifically for the Melodious series and the first time an electroacoustic piece will be presented. This music began its life as a piece for solo clarinet more than a decade ago, and was then adapted for a clarinet duet. “When Sue told me she was looking for another of my works to perform with bassoonist Pat Nelson, I thought perhaps they’d enjoy a custom version of “Water Voyage,” said Shapiro. “We’re all very happy with how it turned out!” Continue Reading

The Arctic Raven Gallery at 130 South First Street in Friday Harbor is proud to showcase the vibrant watercolors of nationally acclaimed Oneida / Iroquois artist Lisa Fifield.

Inspired by tales of the Iroquois Spirit World, Fifield captures the intimate connection between animals and humans. Whether helping or learning from each other, transforming, or shapeshifting, this bond affirms a harmony and wisdom born of shared spiritual and physical kinship.

Fifield has an intimate understanding of the rhythms of the earth, and a particular love for birds. She is also passionate about honoring those who fell during the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890. Powerful portraits capture the dignity and integrity of these men and women.

Classically trained at the Atelier LeSueur School of Art in Minnesota, Fifield is primarily a watercolorist. A fascination with native artifacts led her to paint detailed images of native dress, bead- and quill-work, dolls, and weapons of war and trade.

She has won numerous awards, combined her stories and art in several children’s books, and is featured in museums and galleries nationwide.

Island Rec is offering another session of Adult Tennis Lessons this May with Caroline Hansen. Classes will be held on Sundays; May 6 – 27. Adult lessons for ages 16 and up are from 2:00 to 3:30 pm at the High School Tennis Courts.

Register by April 26 for the early bird special price: $63.00. (It’s $5.00 more thereafter)

For more information or registration, visit www.islandrec.org, call 378-4953 or drop by the office at 580 Guard Street Monday through Friday 11am – 5pm.

Orcas Island Lit Fest Day-Passes Go On Sale This Week
Islanders Receive 10% Discount

Due to the widespread demand, the Orcas Island Lit Fest announced today that single day pass tickets will be made available for purchase at www.oilf.org. Starting Monday, April 9, ticket buyers will have the option of purchasing 1-Day Only tickets allowing access to all Saturday and/or Sunday daytime events.  

1-Day Only Orcas Island Lit Fest tickets give festival attendees a chance to see the Lit Fest’s daytime panels, featuring an amazing lineup of Pulitzer prize-winning and New York Times bestselling authors, alongside beloved regional writers, poets, and fascinating emerging voices.

Please note that Day Only passes do not include a ticket to the Saturday Evening Main Event on the Orcas Center stage, “Words + Music: an Unforgettable Evening.” (Reserve seating for the Saturday night is available to Weekend Pass holders only.)

To purchase your Saturday 1-Day Only Pass for $35 or Sunday 1-Day Only Pass for $25, visit www.oilf.org.

San Juan County residents will receive a special 10% off discount by using the code SJCDAYPASS. To use your code, visit the tickets page at www.oilf.org, select “Buy Tickets”, and click ‘Enter Promotional Code’ in the upper right BEFORE selecting your ticket type.

To download our paperless program click here.

About Orcas Island Lit Fest
The mission of the Orcas Island Lit Fest is to bring together people who love to read books with the authors who love to write them. Along with our partner, Orcas Center, and with the help of our sponsors and volunteers, we have built a world-class literary event on one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Come join us this April 13 to 15, 2018. Information at www.oilf.org.

From the mailbag this morning, here’s a plea from former San Juan County resident Bob Weaver to promote action on replacing the Life Care Center…

I’m writing about the sudden disappearance last November of our Friday Harbor nursing home, the Life Care Center, and the dispersal of its excellent fleet of nurses and staff. That was an enormous loss for our community. The most important thing this community could now do would be to organize and then facilitate the construction in Friday Harbor of a world class nursing facility. In the past we helped finance the building of the hospital, which was a huge project. Some would regard as equally important a nursing home to care for our aging population.

We whose lives are tied to these islands are now forced to go far from home and family when faced with the unpredictable debilities of advanced age. Nearly everyone will eventually experience serious illness or some degree of incapacitation, and many of us will have to seek help outside our homes. A local nursing facility properly prepared to house and care for us in our final years, near to our families and friends, is something that would greatly benefit most of us. I urge people in the islands to think seriously about this and do what they can to promote action.

Bob Weaver
911 21st St.
Anacortes, WA

The San Juan Island Fire Department and San Juan EMS would like your input on the advisability of the consolidation of the two organizations. The elected Boards of Commissioners of the two agencies, working with the town of Friday Harbor, seek to appoint a five member advisory group to continue with the evaluation of some type of consolidation of the two agencies. This work should include, but not be limited to the legal and financial considerations.

Interested community members should forward a letter of interest to be delivered by 5 p.m. on April 23, 2018. At their regularly scheduled meetings in May the Fire Department, EMS, and the Town of Friday Harbor will each select one individual from the pool of interested citizens. Those three appointed individuals will then select two more members to the Advisory Group.

The Citizens’ Advisory Group’s work will be supported by the Fire Department and EMS administrations and have funds available to engage consultants and subject matter experts. A schedule for the development and delivery of a final report will be developed with the Advisory Group once they have been seated.

Please direct letters of interest or questions to:

[email protected]

or

Citizens Advisory Group
San Juan Island Fire
1011 Mullis Street
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

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

Take if from me, Baby Face Nelson, Life isn’t about the moments that take your breath away. That’s asthma. You’re thinking of asthma.

Life, my friends, is all about finding joy in simple things. Things like chasing a fake bird on a string, or the sound of a can opener.

I, for one, enjoy time spent taking a nap in a ray of sunshine, or binge-watching all 37 seasons of Law and Order with a friend. Preferably a friend with a can opener and a fake bird on a string, but one cannot be too choosey.

If you are looking for the meaning of life, we should meet. I think I can help you with that. I’m here at the animal shelter. Just ask for Nelson.

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

Bob Erickson in his new store – SJ Update photo

The store has been open for several weeks, but now it’s official. The ribbon cutting happened this morning at 11:00 AM. Island Home Finishes is in the Heritage Bank Building (next door to Market Place grocery store) at 535 Market Street.

(Read more about Bob and the store on yesterday’s story on the SJ Update.)

The Grand Opening event has been going on since yesterday. There is music, food from San Juan Island Brewing and a chance to win prizes. Go check it out.

The ribbon cutting. From L-R: Becki Day, SJI Chamber Executive Director; Gail Schnee, Chamber President; Donnie Logsdon, Sales; Lorien Peterson, Store Manager; Chelsea Rogers, Sales; John Vert, Delivery & Installation; Michael Ausilio, Cabinet Designer, Bob Erickson, Owner; Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso, Chamber and Farhad Ghatan, Mayor of Friday Harbor – SJ Update photo

Ryan Browne on guitar and Jake Beliveau on tenor sax served up some smooth jazz for the event – SJ Update photo

Our natural world provides kids with everyday explorations that spark the senses, insight wonder, and give them tangible experiences to share through writing.

Join Tanja Williamson from the Land Bank, and Raena Parsons from San Juan Island National Historical Park, at the Westside Lake Bird Blind for tips on writing nature inspired poetry. Saturday, April 7th from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Westside Lake Loop at Limekiln Preserve

Juice and cookies will be provided.

Anticipated Impacts from Communications Disruption Night of April 12th-13th

Both San Juan County and Town of Friday Harbor Governments and local Emergency ResponseAgencies a re monitoring updates from Rock Island and Century Link regarding next week’s scheduled disruption to island communications services.

Here are the most critical things we’ve learned and that we’d like to make sure residents know: Continue Reading

Island Home Finishes – SJ Update photo

Bob Erickson is a 4th generation islander who’s been a general contractor for 25 years. For a long time he’s had a dream of opening up his own store and is so grateful to have finally made it happen.

He wanted a one-stop shop for people remodeling or building their homes. At Island Home Finishes, he sells Cabinets, flooring, tile, and granite. And he has teamed up with Sears Hometown to sell quality appliances. Bob says “We keep our prices low competing with the big box retailers without the big box hassle, keeping it local and affordable. Plus, we have a friendly crew, and coffee & cookies always on hand.”

A Grand Opening event is happening today and tomorrow with a Ribbon Cutting scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) at 11:00am. There will be music, food and a chance to win prizes. They’re in the Heritage Bank building on the corner of Market Street and Mullis.

See below for a rundown on the grand opening: Continue Reading

Come meet Mount Baker Planned Parenthood ​Executive Director Linda McCarthy, and Development Manager, Jennie Noskoff.

Learn about local health services in Friday Harbor, as well as new challenges for the organization under the new administration.

Linda’s slide deck presentation will go over the services provided at the Friday Harbor Health Center, as well as information on their quality family planning model and unintended pregnancies averted by outcomes statistics.

Thursday April 12th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at the San Juan Island Grange, 152 1st St, Friday Harbor.

Donations for Planned Parenthood will be accepted at the event

This is the SJI Chamber of Commerce’s “Chamber Chat” column for Spring 2018…
by Gail Schnee – San Juan Island Chamber Board President, Co-Owner of Cotton Cotton Cotton, and Becki Day – Executive Director

Spring is here and it seems like Mother Nature knows what to do! We have had some early warm weather and sunshine and now we are back to a little rain and clouds. Fortunately, we all know that the warm weather will get here soon enough!           

With spring here, we are seeing changes to businesses… we have some new ones and then some businesses that have closed their doors. We thank Paul Ahart of Island Bicycles, and Joy and Denny Sevier of San Juan Wireless for their many years in business and for their contributions to our community. We wish you all the best in your new journeys. Continue Reading

This Saturday, April 7th, the FHHS PTA, in coordination with the Senior class parents will hold their annual Spring Rummage Sale in the high school cafeteria from 9:00am-1:00pm.

All proceeds directly fund a safe and exciting adventure the night of high school graduation.

Donations of useful and reusable items for the rummage sale gladly accepted this Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the HS cafeteria.

Please contact Christine Minney at (360)-298-1925 if you have any questions or would like to donate to this worthwhile cause.

Support your local film festival and get some cool auction items at the same time.

Visit the Friday Harbor Film Festival website to bid at www.fhff.org/auction.

Here are some of the items offered:

• Vancouver Island Getaway – Airfare – 2 R/T airfares from Friday Harbor to Sydney, B.C. on Northstar Tours, and admission for two to world famous Butchart Gardens.
• Oyster BBQ & Picnic – Enjoy fresh local oysters and picnic with the FHFF Board of Directors at South Beach, SJI during summer 2018.
• Springtime Cruise – to Yellow Island aboard the Pintail.
• 3 day/2 night Cruise – for up to 4 people aboard a skippered 50′ yacht departing Friday Harbor.
• Romantic Winter Getaway – (mid-October – mid-May) 2 people in Roche Harbor. Room and couples massage included.

All proceeds support the non-profit Friday Harbor Film Festival, documentary filmmaker’s forum, free student ticket program, and Best of the Fest Film Series.

For more info please email [email protected], or call (360) 298-1939.

Merri Ann Simonson shares her Real Estate report…

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

The first quarter results for San Juan Island were a puzzle to me and required extra analysis. San Juan Island’s dollar volume for the quarter reflected a decrease of 28% as compared to the same quarter in 2017. In 2017 the dollar volume was a 31% increase over 2016 which was a 20% decrease from 2015. Similar to a rollercoaster for San Juan.

The County’s first quarter dollar volume reflected an increase of 3.3% in 2018 as compared to 2017. The transaction numbers for San Juan reflected a decrease of 27% compared to 2017. The County’s transaction number also reflected a decrease, however; it was only 7%.

Continue reading… (PDF)