The Life Care Center of San Juan Island at 660 Spring Street – SJ Update photo

Dear Community Members,

One of San Juan County’s few nursing homes needs our help!

Urgent Community Issue:
As many of you have already heard, The Life Care Center corporation has announced that they will be closing The Life Care Center of the San Juans on November 15, two months from now. What can residents, family members, and employees expect, and what can we do to make sure that our friends and loved ones can continue to be cared for and reside near their homes?

Take Action:
Next Monday there will be a community meeting regarding this issue, and all are welcome and encouraged to attend and spread the word! Grisha Krivchenia has agreed to be the facilitator for this first meeting.

Monday Sept 25th
5:30 pm Mullis Center
Community Meeting: Save The Life Care Center of the San Juans!

We must protect this valuable resource for the elderly, ill and disabled in our community! Please spread the word and put on your thinking caps. This is a truly urgent issue!

More in-depth info on Life Care Center closing proposal: Continue Reading

Mmmmmmm Berries! – Contributed photo

Have you decided against growing berries because you think your garden isn’t big enough? Surprisingly, a relatively small area can yield plenty of strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for delicious preserves and desserts.

 Join Dr. Lisa DeVetter, WSU Assistant Professor of Small Fruit Horticulture, at the San Juan County Master Gardeners Annual Gardening Workshop to learn about growing berries in your backyard. Her topic, “Berry-ed Treasure,” covers all you’ll need to know to make the pictures above a reality.

The PNW offers an ideal environment for berry growing. Some are easy and require little from the gardener; other berries are a bit more demanding. Learn how to prepare your site, what varieties to select, when to plant, and good horticultural practices for berry success, including irrigation, fertilization and pruning. Be ready to plant your berry garden next spring! Continue Reading

Cal Ryan and the 43 pound King – Court Bell photo

Court Bell checks in to let us know the fish are still out there. Here’s Cal Ryan showing off the 43 pound King Salmon he and Court caught on Monday.

They were fishing out of Snug Harbor in Open Bay.

The season is open through September 30th.

Thanks for sharing the photo, you two!

Tim Clark, SJC Land Bank; Tina Whitman, Friends of the San Juans and land owner Jim Falconer – Contributed photo

Outdated and unnecessary dikes, berms, and ditches that once clogged a marine wetland along Lopez’s Fisherman Bay were removed last week through a collaborative effort led by Friends of the San Juans, in partnership with the San Juan County Land Bank and two private waterfront property owners.

“The flow of tidal water, habitat for juvenile fish and other species, nutrients and woody debris are now improved through the restoration of the natural grade, vegetation, and connectivity between the salt marsh and the waters of Fisherman Bay,” said Tina Whitman, Science Director with Friends of the San Juans.

Jim Johannessen, Coastal Geologic Services; and Carson Sprenger & Gaelen of Rainshadow Consulting – Contributed photo

Next steps include replanting native trees and shrubs to enhance the wetland buffer and installation of an interpretive panel on the value of connected coastal wetlands at the publicly accessible Fisherman Bay Spit Preserve.

Friends of the San Juans worked with Coastal Geologic Services of Bellingham on project design. Local contractors Rain Shadow Consulting, based on Orcas, and Midnight’s Farm, based on Lopez, implemented the restoration actions. Funding was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Rose Foundation for Community and the Environment, a participating landowner, and Friends of the San Juans’ members.

Friends of the San Juans works to protect and restore the San Juans for people and nature. Friends provides technical assistance to landowners, identifies and implements habitat restoration projects throughout the islands. For more information contact Tina Whitman, Friends’ Science Director or visit our website www.sanjuans.org.

John O. Linde Community Park – Tim Dustrude photo

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning we find this letter of thanks from the Linde family…

To Mayor pro tem Ghatan, Maddie Ovenell, Bill Cumming, SJI Park and Recreation District, SJI School District, FH Athletic Association, Don Galt, Inez Brown family, island neighbors and businesses who have given so generously of their time and treasures to bring the vision of “fields of dreams” to fruition, a heartfelt thank you from the Linde family.

This Park is the result of the compelling desire and perseverance of John and others to affect the lives of children on our island, and to provide the best of opportunities to the generations that follow. We are deeply touched by the recognition bestowed upon him.

The Linde Family

Here’s Merri Ann Simonson with more real estate tips…

San Juan County Waterfront Parcels

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

If you own a waterfront parcel in the County, or hope to purchase one, I have detailed below some items to take into consideration.   Historically, waterfront parcels were the most coveted investment in the islands but due to ever changing regulations, they are now the most confusing parcels to develop.  For REALTORs they can be a challenge to sell due to our inability to give buyers concrete answers to their questions while on site.

Important Considerations:

Continue reading here… (PDF)

Lynn Danaher of the Friday Harbor Film Festival shares some news and updates…

John Hopkins, director of Bluefin is attending the FHFF and doing a Q & A. He says, “It looks to be just a great festival. I heard many good things about it from my screening in Saltspring Island Fest. And I think my doc has an important message to share and insights to those who care about the sea and its wildlife and our precarious relationship to this cycle of life. I would like to speak about how we are socialized to really not understand what happens in our oceans. And why it is so difficult really look deeper into what we can’t see, being covered in water. I am off to the UK next week.”

Bluefin has been nominated for Best Feature Documentary out of 7,500 international submissions in all categories!

More info and preview here: http://www.fhff.org/portfolio/bluefin/

A Good American – Nominated as best documentary feature at multiple film festivals, including festivals in Palm Springs, Cleveland, and Nashville. An eye-opening and deeply disturbing documentary, A Good American tells the complete story of a groundbreaking, very sophisticated surveillance program – known as “ThinThread” — that was intended to gather data capable of providing clues, in real time, of potential terrorist threats. Diane Roark, who formally worked with the NSA, is attending to speak to “A Good American” per the director’s suggestion.

More info and preview here: Continue Reading

The Enchanted Forest at Mitchell Hill – Tim Dustrude photo

Join David Harsh, retired from the National Park Service, and SJI Trails members on a beautiful deep-forest walk at Mitchell Hill. The route will take us over some of the community trail projects including puncheons built by volunteers with the NPS to protect the streams.

Saturday September 23rd, 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

• Distance: 3.5 miles
• Rating: Moderate on hill trails
• Dogs on leashes are welcome

Meet at the Horse Trail Road entrance (on West Valley Road about 3/4 mile north of Mitchell Bay Road)

A puncheon over a creek on a Mitchell Hill Trail – Tim Dustrude photo

Daniel Day – Contributed photo

Great food, great beer and live music on a Friday evening in Friday Harbor. Oh yeah!

Daniel Day here personally inviting you to come out and have some fun with me on Friday, September 22nd at the San Juan Island Brewing Co.

Music from 6 to 9 “ish”.

I recommend the Porter. It’s amazing.

Hope to see you there! Love, Daniel Day

San Juan Community Theatre

San Juan Community Theatre is seeking an Executive/Artistic Director. This full-time position reports to the San Juan Community Theatre Board of Trustees and is responsible for conceiving, developing, and implementing the direction, focus and artistic vision for San Juan Community Theatre.

The Executive/Artistic Director selects and evaluates programs for the year, including local stage productions, performance groups, touring artists, school presentations, educational outreach, and HD streaming events. The Executive/Artistic Director supervises both artistic and technical personnel and frequently acts as the Theatre’s key spokesperson. Continue Reading

Volunteers are Needed for United Way of San Juan County Day of Caring: Saturday, September 23

Day of Caring touches lives. United Way of San Juan County and our partner organizations will be hosting our annual Day of Caring Volunteer Event on Saturday, September 23, 2017 on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands.

San Juan Island: Meet at United Way at 9 for assignment with Town of Friday Harbor, or go directly to the site of your choice between the hours of 9:00 to 1:00. Please bring garden gloves and tools, if possible.

• Friday Harbor Elementary School — landscaping
• Beach clean up – Jackson’s Beach
• Senior center – landscaping and cleaning 

Day of Caring on Lopez Island 

• Landscaping and Weeding at Family Resource Center and Children’s Center. Meet at 10 am at Lopez Children’s Center.

Day of Caring on Orcas Island

• Orcas Island Elementary: landscaping and weeding 9-1
• Children’s House – help paint outdoor play equipment, pick pears, 10-1
• Montessori – apple picking and gardening, 9-1

United Way of San Juan County is a local 501©(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping Islanders in situations of poverty, preventing worsening poverty, and to preserving the quality of life for all Islanders.

Volunteers show garbage collected at Cairn beach site, SJI National Historical Park – Contributed photo

Join the 2nd Annual Fall Great Islands Clean-Up Saturday, September 30th.

Please help clean-up all the summers accumulated refuse before winter closes in. Come out and volunteer for this all-islands greening event where volunteer’s pick-up litter from our public beaches and roadways.

During last year’s event, approximately 450 islanders collected almost 5000 pounds of litter. And things looked pretty spiffy! But sadly, sometimes our refuse continues to end up as litter. Thoughtless tossing of bottles, cans, food wrappers, or cigarette butts; accidental “blowing away” of debris from unsecured loads on boats and trucks; or deliberate dumping of tires, etc., all contribute to the need to make litter pick-up an ongoing effort.

All islanders are encouraged to help pick up the trash so that residents and visitors alike are treated to a litter-free island.

Please connect with your business, school, non-profit, service or neighborhood groups, family and friends and volunteer to help. Join a group that has already been formed, or organize a group of your own! Continue Reading

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

Hello fellow felines of San Juan Island. I am Rupert and I’m looking for a new home. But first, some advice:

Believe me when I say, I have seen some of the finest cat minds of my generation destroyed by that fickle mistress known as the “Red Dot”. Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. “The Laser Pointer”, the “Red Menace”, “The Dot of Doom”, “Bouncing Betty”.  

You know how it is… you’re relaxing in the sun, dreaming about mice, and someone fetches the pointer.   That’s when you cancel your plans for the rest of the day and spend what seems like an eternity chasing the dot. You will not catch it. You can try, my friends, but the dot will NOT be caught.

My cousin once chased the dot all the way to Lopez Island and still the dot got away. Trust me –   nothing good ever comes from chasing the dot. The next time someone tries to engage you in a “nice run-around” with one of those pointers, stay strong. Reject the dot. Just say no. This has been a public service announcement.

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

Lots of Opportunities to Participate in Your Local Co-op!

OPALCO is a member-owned cooperative committed to democratic member control and community involvement. In the coming weeks, there are a number of opportunities for OPALCO members to join in conversation with the Board, staff and each other. Members are encouraged to participate!

The second in a series of board work sessions on rates is scheduled for Friday, September 22nd beginning at 10 am at the OPALCO office in Eastsound. This session will review and compare rate scenarios, examining member benefits and trade-offs. The first session, held in June, focused on budgetary issues. The series of workshops is in preparation for a comprehensive Cost of Service study in 2018.

Fall open house events are scheduled for the last week of September. These are informal opportunities for members to ask questions and engage in conversation with staff and leadership: Continue Reading

Fellow Film Buffs,

Well all good things must come to an end. This Tuesday we show the last film of our 2017 series but we are leaving on a high note. “The Wedding Plan” is a heartwarming, inspiring story of a woman who insists on doing thing “her way”. If you enjoy outstanding performances, surprises, and romance with a twist, this is one for you (see more below). If you have enjoyed our films, please thank the theatre staff and volunteers who made it all possible. Also, if you have suggestions for next year, either a specific film or genre, please send them to me.

The Wedding Plan
Tuesday September 19th at 7:30
Wedding Plan Photo
Rated PG, Running time 110 minutes in Hebrew with subtitles

Michal (played by Noa Koler), a devout Orthodox Jew, is 34 and single. When her fiancé announces that he really doesn’t love her, she resolves to proceed to get married anyway. She orders invitations, flowers, a banquet and books a wedding hall for the last day of Hanukah. This gives her only 30 days to find a husband and, not just any husband, but the right one. The film describes her quest. It is touching, humorous, and courageous. Noa Koler’s performance is truly amazing. I hope you can make it.

Admission for those who have not purchased a punch card is $8. Refreshments are available and include a “bottomless” bag of popcorn for just $2. You can also get a 10% discount on dinner before the movie at Vinny’s or enjoy the pre-theatre specials at Coho if you arrive and order prior to 5:45.

Larry Soll
Film Coordinator
San Juan Community Theatre

Long time Friday Harbor resident Sidney Thorson passed away peacefully at home with family members surrounding her on August 21, 2017. She was born on October 20, 1924 in Calexico, California to her parents Mabel and Chester Moore. Her family moved to Los Angeles, California when she was a young girl. Sidney is a graduate of University High School in Los Angeles and has a four year degree she earned at UCLA and Cal Berkeley.

Sidney and her family survived the depression while her father worked for the Western Growers Association. World War II broke out while she was in college. After graduation she worked for the USO in Europe and at the Rand Corporation in Los Angeles. Then she met her husband to be George and things changed in a big way for her.  

In the early 1980’s, with the children out of the house, Sidney and George moved to Friday Harbor where they resided ever since. Among other pursuits, they became active in boating and the development of the Community Theatre.  Sidney loved living in Friday Harbor with its great natural beauty and its wonderful people. Continue Reading