San Juan Community Theatre’s Summer Film Series
June 27th and July 4th

Fellow Film Buffs, here are descriptions of the next two movies:

Tuesday June 27, 7:30 pm
Music of Strangers
Rated PG-13
96 minutes

This film tells the extraordinary story of a renowned international musical collective created by legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The feature-length documentary follows this group of diverse instrumentalists, vocalists, composers, arrangers, visual artists and storytellers as they explore the power of music to preserve tradition, shape cultural evolution and inspire hope. Ma’s project and Neville’s film celebrate the joy that can be achieved when people put aside their regional differences to create something joyous. Judy Chovan will lead the talk back after this film. She traveled the Silk Road with an ethnomusicologist.

Tuesday, July 4th, 7:30 pm
The Red Turtle
Rated PG
80 minutes.
Silent with an exceptional soundtrack.

We are trying something completely different for the 4th of July. The Red Turtle is a poignant, wordless tale of a man shipwrecked on a desert island. Small children often experience the world as simultaneously solid and fantastical and you will as well in this film. This gorgeously drawn movie by Japan’s famous Studio Ghibli is much more than a children’s film: it’s a meditation on the very meaning of existence, identity and love. A beautiful film that must be seen. So between dinner and fireworks, bring your friends and guests to the theatre for a special treat. For this night only, free popcorn for all the kids! Continue Reading

Eleventh Annual Firecracker 5000 (5K) on July 4th

The 11th annual Firecracker 5000 is all set to go for this Tuesday, July 4. The route will remain the same, beginning at the Friday Harbor Suites, 680 Spring Street. The course is for anyone wanting to start the Holiday off with a little exercise and features some of the islands flattest terrain, except for the hills.

On-site registration begins at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 7:45 a.m., race starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. $12 per adult and $5 for kids under 16. A portion of the proceeds will go to support the Friday Harbor fireworks display.

Special thanks to Friday Harbor Suites, Kings Market and San Juan Island Fitness. For more information, contact San Juan Island Fitness at 378-4449.

Route is: Start from Friday Harbor Suites, down Price Street to Park Street (turn left), up to Marguerite (turn left), then out and back on Lampard Rd, and back to FH Suites.

Come and enjoy our annual tradition of an old-fashioned 4th of July with the Friday Harbor Kiwanis Club at the Pig War Picnic. There will be plenty of activities, live music, and the best BBQ pulled pork sandwiches you can find.

Join over 2,000 of your friends at the Historical Museum grounds, 405 Price Street, immediately after the parade for fun, food, and games. Free admission!

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, Town of Friday Harbor and King’s Market, are proud to present the 2017 Independence Day Parade. As a thrilling start to the event, two Kenmore Air Express caravan planes will fly directly over the parade route to welcome the crowd.

Joining our celebration will be the UW Husky Alumni Marching Band who consider the Friday Harbor July 4th parade a highlight to their season. This 60 member ensemble is currently celebrating their 50th Anniversary.

The award winning Keith Highlanders Pipe Band returns by popular demand. Performing internationally and throughout the Northwest, this band features the best in traditional Scottish piping.

Our own spirited Friday Harbor Community Band, under the musical direction of Cart Nelsen and Dave Eden, will feature a collaboration of both student and community musicians showcasing the pride of our island.

The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. on July 4th and will proceed down historic Spring Street through downtown Friday Harbor. This year’s theme, “America… All That We Share”, recognizes Grand Marshal, Dr. Carolyn Haugen and Citizens of Honor, Emily and John Geyman who continue to share their time and many talents to enrich our community.

Parade applications due Tuesday, June 27th, are available at the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce offices located at 165 First  Street S. or may be downloaded from the Chamber’s web site at: www.sanjuanisland.org – 4th of July Parade Page.

For additional information about participating in the 2017 Friday Harbor Independence Day Parade, please email [email protected] or call Traci Wilson, Parade Coordinator at (360) 298-7760 or (206) 595-5104.

Jim the gardener (Daniel Mayes) offers advice to young astrophysicist Felix Humble (Benjamin McFadden) – Island Stage Left photo

Island Stage Left’s production of Humble Boy, by award-winning playwright Charlotte Jones, is now playing under the stars at 8:15 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 1062 Wold Road. It’s the funny and poignant story of a young astrophysicist who returns home for his father’s funeral to find his mother already involved with another man – the father of his ex-love.

Island Stage Left has just moved the play to it’s outdoor stage after a well-received run at the fairgrounds. With a talented cast of professional actors from on and off-island, the outdoor production benefits from spectacular island sunsets.

The outdoor setting provides ample seating. No tickets or reservations are required, donations are appreciated. Humble Boy runs at the outdoor venue through July 9.

ISL co-founder and Humble Boy director Helen Machin-Smith urges theater lovers to dress warmly and be prepared to laugh, and perhaps cry a little. Continue Reading

Susan Murfin shows the ribbons she won for her entry in the Food Preservation Department – Contributed photo

By Kathleen Commins
BEE at the Food Preservation Booth during the San Juan County Fair

Okay, so you don’t think the world is about to end. But, what about earthquakes, severe storms, long term electrical outages, ferry disruptions, economic collapse, coronal mass ejections, and zombie apocalypse!? Food preservation has long been a way to survive the emergencies that arise unexpectedly. Maybe YOUR supplies are adequate, but what about your family and friends?

Emergencies aside, food preservation allows you to take advantage of the abundance of spring and summer from your own garden or from local farmers. Prices at the supermarket are generally lower this time of year, and there’s no rule against preserving what can be purchased at the store. If you’re health conscious, preserving your own food is a way to know exactly what’s in that strawberry jam you’re eating.

So what’s the bottom line? Preserve your own food for emergencies, save money on food by having a stash to eat through the winter, and know exactly what you’re eating. Then, enter examples of what you’ve preserved for the possibility of winning a prize at the San Juan County Fair Food Preservation Booth.

Dancing to the sounds of Los Bambinos – Contributed photo

Tickets are now available for a memorable Brickworks community dinner catered by Liz Varvaro (On Island Thyme) and Chef Andy Radizialowski, a no-host bar and lively music by the acclaimed Los Bambinos.

Dinner tickets are $35 each (under 18 years just $15) and can be purchased at the Community Home Trust office On Argyle Street (M-F) as well as a Market Place entry table (Friday, June 23 or Monday, June 26 or Saturday July 8 or Monday July 10-all from 10 am to 6 pm) or from individual board members and at the Saturday Farmer’s Market.

Don’t procrastinate as only 250 dinner tickets will be sold and they may not be available on Fiesta evening, July 16.

Many wonderful “Chance Auction” packaged items will be offered at $20 per ticket with winners to be drawn during dinner.

The live auction is always entertaining with great buys to be had. This will include a Puerto Vallarta Condo week, other vacation packages to Victoria, B.C. or Seattle or Orcas Island as well as home improvement, fantastic wine tastings and hors d’ouvres at your home with friends.

This is a wonderful opportunity to see old friends and meet like-minded Islanders while enjoying a fun-filled evening focused on raising funds to complete the famously unique, permanently affordable Sun Rise neighborhood in Friday Harbor.

Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church will again be offering reserved seating for the 4th of July parade to help those who cannot stand for long periods enjoy the parade.

Please call (360) 378-4544 to reserve your seat(s) or email [email protected]. Be sure to tell us the names of those coming.

When Doris Schaller got ready to quit working “she actually googled how to retire,” according to county auditor Milene Henley, “and learned that you give your boss plenty of time.” So she gave six months’ notice, and Milene really appreciated it.

Doris has been running the county elections office since 2004, at first under administrator Dan Gillespie and since 2007 as the administrator herself, with Carlys Allen as assistant.

The biggest improvement she’s seen is the switch to vote-by-mail in 2005, when San Juan was one of the first counties in the state to make the change. She says turnout is “not really up” from this change — but nationally the percentage of voters has been dropping, and during that time “we’ve held our own.”

Her first year on the job was, she feels, the most contentious — with a pick-a-party primary, which Washingtonians loathed, and then the tight governor’s race between Christine Gregoire and Dino Rossi which had a machine recount and then two hand recounts, and then a lawsuit, ending up with a 127-vote difference statewide.

Summing up, she says “a lot of it has been fun. We have so many engaged voters in our county, and we’re always at or near the top in turnout.” She enjoys working with the different districts, such as the new hospital district formed this year on Lopez.

“Elections is a mine field,” Milene said; “there are so many ways you can go wrong. Doris’s attention to detail and her calm demeanor have made her a rock in this sea of politics and emotions and controversy. She’s done an unbelievably fabulous job and we will miss her.”

The public is invited to her retirement party in the Elections office this afternoon (Friday) from 2 to 4. And beginning next week she’s planning on “just enjoying my summer, and doing a lot more oil painting, and catching up with family and grandchildren.” And she’ll join the volunteer ballot processors known as the A-team, so she’ll be back in the office during coming election seasons.

The new elections administrator, starting Monday, will be Camolyn Armstrong, who formerly worked in the prosecutor’s office. Carlys will continue as assistant.

By Louise Dustrude

The San Juan Island Grange Lecture Series, in conjunction with the Setting Sun Institute (Lummi), Students for the Salish Sea (WWU), and Whiteswan Environmental (WE) is honored to host an evening of music, food, and conversation with the remarkable vocal group WAGEEYAH-I-CHX-IYABAE, Thunderbirds Raised Her.

Thunderbirds Raised Her are sisters Billie Lynn Jefferson, Danielle Kili Kennedy-Jefferson, and Katherine Val Renee Kennedy-Jefferson, who were born into the two strong cultures of Lummi Nation and Assiniboine from Carry The Kettle First Nation and are descendants of Chiefs, warriors, and resilient women.

Their original song work is rooted in their tribes and homelands, and Thunderbirds Raised Her recognize their role in bringing awareness to world issues and inspiring other indigenous youth. The Jefferson sisters’ name has flourished from their support in Lummi Nation, where they have gifted their voices to community events, spreading messages of unity, healing, resilience, and truth.

As part of a fundraising effort to support these young artists and activists in recording their first album, we invite you to join us Sunday, June 25 at 5pm for an evening of dinner, live music and conversation! Continue Reading

John Geyman, M.D. of Friday Harbor, a writer about national health care policy since 1990, has published a new 28 page pamphlet: Common Sense about Health Care Reform in America.

It takes an approach similar to Thomas Paine who in 1775-76 wrote a pamphlet, Common Sense, urging people to gain independence from England based on simple facts, plain arguments and common sense.

In this pamphlet, John Geyman examines the options for health care reform today using these same criteria.

Available at Griffin Bay Bookstore for $5.95.

Karl Kuetzing demonstrating a pelvic splint with students on John’s Island – Contributed photo

When spring arrives in the San Juan Islands, so too do young campers, camp staff, youth leaders, and outdoor enthusiasts. Before their arrival, San Juan Island EMS (SJIEMS) receives many requests from organizations desiring wilderness first aid courses. First aid responders need training tailored to the challenges of primitive settings.

To accomplish this training, SJIEMS affiliates with the SOLO Wilderness Medicine School based in Conway, NH. Classes include Wilderness First Aid (WFA), a 16-hour course, the Wilderness First Responder (WFR), an 80-hour course, and refresher classes for both courses. Occasionally in the fall or winter, SJIEMS also offers a 40 hour Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician Module. Participants in this module must be certified EMTs.

This year on June 9 and 10, YMCA Camp Orkila, one of this area’s largest camps, hosted Instructor Karl Kuetzing to teach the Wilderness First Aid course to 21 students. Just two days later, Karl and co-instructor Kaitlyn Johnson boated over to Camp Nor’wester on John’s Island to instruct 24 students in Wilderness First Aid. On June 14 and 15, a third Wilderness First Aid class was presented on San Juan Island by Kaitlyn and co-instructors Lainey Volk and Margaret Longley for 14 students from the Conservation Corps plus two other agencies. Altogether, 59 outdoor enthusiasts and youth leaders on 3 islands received three 2 day courses. Much was accomplished in less than a week’s time.

San Juan Island EMS congratulates students upon completion of their certifications supporting a safe summer for campers.

For more information on wilderness medicine classes offered through SJIEMS, go to www.sanjuanems.org.

Public Comment Invited on DRAFT Stewardship and Management Plan

The Land Bank is inviting public comment on the DRAFT Mount Ben Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan. We value public input in helping guide the long term care of our County’s conservation areas. This meeting is a great opportunity to learn more about the management plan for the property, ask questions, and share comments with Land Bank staff.

The 21-acre Preserve is located on San Juan Island, at the southern shoulder of Mount Dallas, and is accessed by way of Goat Pen Road and abuts an additional 13 acres owned by the San Juan Preservation Trust. Please note the Preserve is currently undeveloped and not open to public access.

Click here to view the draft plan online, stop by our office to view it, or contact Tanja Williamson at 360-378-4402 or [email protected] for a copy to be mailed to you. We prefer written communication to be able to accurately reflect on comments, but comments can be made by phone, email, personal letter, in person, or during the public meeting.

The Mount Ben Preserve public meeting is Thursday, June 29, 5:30pm at the Mullis Community Senior Center.  Public comments will be accepted Friday, June 9, through Friday, July 7.

After the comment period closes, the Land Bank staff and commission will review comments and make edits to the draft plan. Barring unforeseen circumstance, the plan will be reviewed by the Land Bank Commission at their monthly meeting on Friday, July 21. We look forward to your input!

Repurposed crayons – Contributed photo

Eleven year-old Meg wants your end-of-the-school-year broken crayons for her recycled crayon business, Island Girl Recycled Crayons (IGRC).

This is the second year of her project. Last year IGRC created an opportunity for another local student to sell her products at the IGRC table at the holiday market, and giving both a creative entrepreneurial experience.

We want to continue the project, so please save your child’s unwanted, used crayons for Meg. Crayons do not break down in the landfill. Millions of crayons end up there each year. Help us give them another life. To donate contact Sandy, Meg’s mom and business partner at 378-8337 or write to sandy (at) Strehlou (dot) com.

Last year’s (2016) fireworks over Friday Harbor – Tim Dustrude photo

2017 Friday Harbor Fireworks Press Release Information

Thanks to a generous matching grant from Kings Market and lodging tax funds from the Town of Friday Harbor, the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce has once again commissioned local talent, Nick Gislason with the Lopez Community Fireworks, to design, setup, and fire the 2017 Friday Harbor 4th of July Fireworks Display. The 2017 fireworks display promises to be as good if not better than last year’s! The display will start at 10:00 pm after a fun filled day of 4th of July festivities.

Lopez Community Fireworks is an all-Volunteer Team, with active members from Friday Harbor, Lopez, and Orcas. The group first banded together 31 years ago to pursue pyrotechnics as their collective art form, with night sky as the canvas. The fireworks team has developed unique fireworks effects over the years that have garnered numerous awards at the Pyrotechnics Guild International Fireworks Competition, with a pyrotechnic style that is uniquely traditional.

Donations are needed so please do not delay in helping us out in making this the best 4th of July ever! All donations are welcome, no matter how large or small! Please mail them to San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 98, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250, or drop them off at our office at 165 First Street S., on the corner of First Street and Sunshine Alley.

Island Rec – 40th Annual 8.8K Loop Run!

40 Years Running!!! Island Rec and Xtreme Fitness invite you to take part in some local history and enter the 40th Annual Friday Harbor 8.8k Loop Run/Walk scheduled for a 9:00am start on Saturday August 19, 2017. People of all ages enjoy running or walking in this race. Not a runner?!? Island Rec is looking for sponsors and volunteers to help with this year’s race. Sponsors receive their logo on the promotional materials as well as on the back of the t-shirt.

Register by July 31st and pay the early fee, $15 for kids 12 and under and $20 for racers 13 and older, fees increase $5 on August 1st. All fees include race entry, a free pass into the San Juan County fair and an event t-shirt. Register online at www.islandrec.org, in person at the Island Rec office 580 Guard St.

Race number and shirts can be picked up the Friday before Race day at the Island Rec Office from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Runner check-in and day of registrations takes place in the Wells Fargo Parking Lot, located on the corner of Argyle and Spring Street from 8:00am-8:45am. The race starts promptly at 9:00 am in front of Friday Harbor Drug.

Please contact Morgan Johnston at [email protected] if you are interested in sponsorship or volunteering for this event. Call Island Rec at 378-4953 for more information and registration.