Merri Ann Simonson is back at it again with another of her San Juan Island Lifestyle videos. This time it’s all about making chutney…

Deluxe Noble Wreath

Have you gotten your Holiday Wreath yet? If not, don’t worry – it’s not too late!

The seniors will be at Brickworks on Friday December 1st from 5:00-6:30 and on Saturday December 2nd from 10:00-4:00 selling the last of the wreaths! 

This is one of the largest fundraisers for the Class of 2018. Proceeds will be used to pay for Grad Night: a memorable, safe and sane graduation celebration.

Help for getting through the holidays

PeaceHealth is hosting a free event, “Getting through the holidays,” on Tuesday, December 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, 1117 Spring Street, Friday Harbor.  The event will be held in the conference room on the first floor.

Explore the topics of dealing with stress, grief and loss, family relations and holiday expectations at this informal gathering with PeaceHealth social workers, Ingrid Fabianson and Gary Waters along with PeaceHealth Chaplain, Andrea Zikakis. A light lunch will be provided, or attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch. 

For more information, please call (360) 378-1788.

OPALCO photo of pole down on Shaw Island

OPALCO Linemen Work Dark to Dark to Bring Back the Light
55 MPH Winds Sweeps Power Outages Across San Juan Islands

Sunday, November 26th was a long day for OPALCO linemen, engineers and staff members. A big wind storm knocked down transmission poles on Shaw at around 3:15 am cutting off power to Shaw, Orcas, Crane and Blakely for more than 20 hours and all of San Juan County was affected for about two hours. A crew of nine linemen worked steadily to rebuild a span of seven transmission poles and power was restored by 11:15 pm. A limb through the line at the BPA substation on Lopez shut down power to Lopez and San Juan islands during the midday, but all were restored by about 1:30pm. OPALCO thanks the membership for their patience.

OPALCO photo of pole down on Shaw Island

The event began with a tall tree across the street and outside of OPALCO right-of-way that fell and knocked down two transmission poles on Shaw Island that feed Orcas, dragging the wire from a span of seven poles. By 7:30am, nine linemen were on Shaw, having brought over the trucks, equipment and supplies necessary to make the repairs. The crew set two new poles and then strung line for about a half mile to rebuild the system. Delays were caused as the crew found additional damage on the standing poles and had to replace hardware as they strung wire into the night.

It really does take a village. Foreman Brian Swanson thanks Hardy Schmidt on Shaw for his support, equipment and tools, the Fire Department for their support and the members on Shaw who delivered bags of groceries, hot coffee and good will to the linemen who, in some cases, worked for ~20 hours straight. “Their generosity and kindness was much appreciated,” said Swanson. “They kept the snacks and sodas coming into the night.” The ferry captain, carrying a line truck and trailer with a 70’ pole, changed course to make it possible to unload on Shaw.

The real heroes of the day are the linemen who worked from dark to dark to rebuild our system and bring light and warmth back into our homes. Please take the time to thank a lineman when you see them. Their dedication and skillful work is what protects us and keeps our lives humming. Continue Reading

A scene from ISL’s Annapurna – Contributed photo

Reviews have been fantastic. Houses have been very full (in the aisles), so be sure to come and see this remarkable production!

“Powerful”, “riveting”, “superb” are some of the adjectives coming our way from patrons!

Showing Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and on the final day, Sunday at 4:00 pm in the Marie Boe Building at SJC Fairgrounds.

More photos below: Continue Reading

First Winter Family Art Days at SJIMA!

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) invites children and their parents and family members to create take-home art projects and gifts in celebration on the winter season.  Attendance is free, and all art supplies are provided.

Eight sessions are planned for Saturdays 10:00 am to noon, December 2-January 20 at SJIMA, 540 Spring Street, Friday Harbor.

The classes, for children 12 and under, will be held upstairs in the museum workshop area.  Participants will be encouraged to explore and express the activities, landscapes, and weather of winter. Themes range from Winter Sports, to Holiday Presents to Landscapes of Winter and Valentines from Fairy Tales.

The classes are taught by professionals, Lana Hickman and Alice Hibberd.

Call 360-472-0168 or (360) 370-5050 for more information and to guarantee space in these workshops.

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

So, let me get this straight…   All I need to do is behave like a proper young lady, pee outdoors and stay out of the trash, and a chubby fellow in a red suit is going to come down the chimney and bring me toys and treats on Christmas morning?

You’ve gotta be kidding me. As it turns out, I LOVE toys and treats, and I’m a very good girl, so this is going to be fantastic! Now all I need to do is find a nice, cozy home with a chimney and wait til December 25th! (You were kidding about the reindeer, right?)

Come meet me at the animal shelter soon! Ask for Evie.

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

The San Juan Community Home Trust held its 16th annual meeting on Thursday, November 16th at the Grange. 50+ people who attended enjoyed hearty dishes, and were updated with the Home Trust’s progress to provide permanently affordable housing by David Gow, Executive Director and Sarah Crosby, president. A special presentation was made by Mallory Hagel of OPAL, the affordable housing/land trust organization on Orcas Island.

Crosby reviewed the Home Trust’s successes: 37 homes have been built to date in the Salal neighborhood off Carter, Sunrise I off Grover with 8 classic homes reclaimed and barged from the Victoria/Oak Bay areas on Vancouver Island in Sunrise II, also off Grover. 4 lots await more of these lovely older homes that will be barged to San Juan Island beginning in 2018 and will complete this third development. If you are interested in a tour of any or all of these neighborhoods, please call the office (360-378-5541) to arrange one.

Goals for more homes and neighborhoods are in the planning stages and will be the concentrated tasks of the returning board members Chary Caren, Sarah Crosby, Gay Graham, Bob Kleven, Bridget Nyberg and Chinmayo Ricketts. Joining them are new board members Marilyn Gresseth, Faim Melic, Chris Pope, Ashley Sherlock, AJ Tokunaga and Karen Vedder.

For more information on the Home Trust or to make a donation, please go the website San Juan Community Home Trust, call 360-378-5541 or drop by the office at 435 Argyle.

Friday Harbor Severe Weather Shelter

Together with United Way of SJC and other supporters, “Out of the Cold” Friday Harbor Severe Weather Shelter will undertake this year to provide overnight shelter to vulnerable people in Friday Harbor during periods of extreme cold weather. The goal of the SWS is to operate temporary shelters on a rotating basis, for families and individuals. We have secured one site, Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church’s 395 Spring Street location, and are waiting to hear from three more solid candidates with the hope of covering all weeks through March 15, 2019.

Today, we most urgently as the community to attend a one-time training session on December 9th, from 9am-Noon.

It is highly recommended that those interested make every effort to attend the training. Likewise, the Shelter program seeks candidates who will be paid a stipend to stay overnight in the Shelter when it is activated. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in helping in any way. And join our Facebook Group for regular updates in supporting this effort.

Program Summary
The following is a summary for the benefit of community partners who may be interested in the scope of this project or wish to get involved. It outlines our processes and is intended to encourage dialogue as we foster a network of collaboration towards achieving this goal. It is not intended to describe all of the facets of the day-to-day work of the shelter, which are unfolding, but to offer a summary of our vision and plans to date: Continue Reading

Big Turnout for 2017 Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day – Paul Hopkins photo

Zach Rowland and Nick Roberts – Louise Dustrude photo

An awesome 81 participants turned out in pouring rain Thursday for this year’s Thanksgiving Turkey Trot – the 13th annual 5K race/run/walk/stroll. It began and ended between the Friday Harbor Suites and the Catholic Church property and went out to the end of Lampard Road and back. Besides the runners, there were walkers, many of them with babies in strollers or dogs on leashes. In addition to a small sum ($5 or $2 depending on age) participants were asked to bring two cans of food for the Food Bank.

Race organizer Paul Hopkins said he does this year after year because “it’s a fun way to help the community get an active start to a family holiday.” He added, “It’s become a Thanksgiving tradition for many.”

Paul wanted to thank his family, Sam, Hannah and Sammantha, who acted as race officials, and the Friday Harbor Suites for 13 years of hosting registration and the start, along with King’s Market which is helpful in many island events.

The first two runners to come in were Nick Roberts, right, and Zach Rowland, left, who ran the race barefoot. The first woman to cross the line was Robyn Roberts, Nick’s sister.

By Louise Dustrude

Letter to the editor:

Here is a big Thank You to the San Juan Island Community Foundation for their support for the Library’s English Language Learning program!

Their generous support means that adult immigrants studying English have workbooks in which to write exercises. More important, the grant from the Foundation means that while they are at the library, the only thing parents need to focus on is learning English, because their children are engaged in an enrichment program.

The foundation grant supports the costs of the special program for kids. They get help with English skills, hear stories, receive homework help, and participate in activities and crafts. Thanks to all of you who support the Community Foundation and helped to make this happen.  

Laurie Orton, Director
Beth Helstien, Outreach Coordinator
San Juan Island Library

Jim and Minnie Knych at the 2017 Community Thanksgiving Dinner – SJ Update photo

Thank you for another wonderful Community Thanksgiving Celebration!

We want to give a special thank you to the 100+ volunteers who pitched in to make this wonderful Community Thanksgiving Dinner happen.  Sometimes there were a dozen people in the kitchen mashing potatoes, chopping salad, stirring gravy or washing pots.  Out in the dining room another bunch of volunteers served the food, drinks and dessert, cleared tables, and refilled coffee cups.  In order to conserve kitchen space, the “potato boilers” braved the wind, cold and rain outside.   

Just like a big family dinner there’s always another chore to be done at the Community Thanksgiving Dinner and everyone pitched in to help. The teamwork was phenomenal. Of course this is all made possible by the generous support from King’s Market, Islander’s Insurance, and our multitude of service organizations. Additionally, having a location to gather is essential.  In the early years we were able to use the Grange building and everyone enjoyed the “homey” atmosphere. As the number of diners grew, we were fortunate to be welcomed by the Mullis Community Center.  A special thanks to both locations for your many years of support. 

It is very satisfying to look around the dining room and witness the smiles as people reconnect with old friends or make new friends.  There is nothing like sharing food to bring people together. 

It is the sense of community that makes San Juan Island special. Thank you San Juan Island. 

Jim & Minnie Knych
http://communitythanksgivingdinner.weebly.com

Here are a few photos of this year’s dinner:

(all photos by Tim Dustrude for San Juan Update)

[Show slideshow]

The Friends of the Library will be holding their annual holiday book sale on Saturday, December 2nd from 10-4 pm. This year the Friends will be selling books for all ages plus many more items that will be great gifts for your holiday shopping.

We have wonderful themed silent auction baskets, jewelry, CD’s and DVD’s, books on CD’s, gifts for adults and children, puzzles, jewelry and fresh Christmas swags.

Anyone who has become a 2018 member of the friends by the end of the sale will be eligible for the special drawing for a $100 gift certificate to Griffin Bay Book Store.

Please come and support the Friends!

Friday Harbor Mayor Carrie Lacher has proclaimed this Saturday, November 25th, as Small Business Saturday!

Share with your friends and family and show some love by participating in the 8th annual Small Business Saturday, a day to support our local businesses that create jobs, boost our economy and preserve similar neighborhoods around the country.

The SJI Chamber of Commerce encourages you to do your shopping at local businesses – and encourage others to do the same!

Free Training for Contractors Working on Shoreline Properties in the San Juans

Photo courtesy of Skyline Tree Care

Thursday, December 7, 2017, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Grange Hall in Friday Harbor (152 First Street)

Friends of the San Juans is hosting a free technical training for contractors who work on waterfront properties.

San Juan County’s 400 + miles of marine shorelines support marine food webs and the local economy and people who work on these properties have a large role to play in their protection and restoration. Local and regional experts will discuss key topics related to shoreline vegetation at this workshop designed specifically for landscapers, arborists, excavators and caretakers/managers of waterfront properties.

Participants will:

• Learn from top regional experts without leaving the islands.
• Get up to speed on new county shoreline rules.
• Find out about opportunities for grant funded vegetation restoration project work on all islands.
• Free lunch, stipends provided to those who qualify.

Workshop Agenda: Continue Reading

Open Registration is going on now for Winter Quarter at Skagit Valley College. Classes begin January 3rd. Trending programs include:

• Arts
• Basic Education for Adults
• Basic Law Enforcement Reserve Academy
• Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Conservation
• Composites
• Engineering
• STEM
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Also, Business direct transfer (at Whidbey Island Campus)

Or, if you would like to earn your bachelor’s degree, complete your first two years at SVC and then transfer to a four-year university. Study close to home and save money, compared to tuition at a four-year school.

For more information about SVC courses and programs:

• Mount Vernon Campus, (360) 416-7697 or toll free: 1 844-2SKAGIT
• Whidbey Island Campus, (360) 675-6656
• South Whidbey Center, (360) 341-2324
• San Juan Center, (360) 378-3220
• Marine Technology Center, (360) 766-6282