Posted May 25, 2017 at 5:44 am by Tim Dustrude
The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor has announced Tim Spaulding was the Animal Shelter’s Volunteer of the month for April.
Tim has been a regular dog-walker and kennel assistant at the animal shelter for several months and has made many furry friends in the process!
Thanks so much for your time and commitment to the animals, Tim!
Posted May 25, 2017 at 5:40 am by Tim Dustrude
Jeff and Gail Neely – Contributed photo
Dear Editor,
The May 21st, 11th Annual LEO Club Golf Scramble was another success!
We wish to thank the local businesses that generously give to our annual Golf Scramble: Harbor Rentals and Saw Shop, Friday Harbor House & Bluff Restaurant, Williams Enterprises (gravel), Friday’s Crabhouse, The Cheesecake Café, Mike’s Cafe and Wine Bar, China Pearl, Blue Water Bar & Grill, Sweet Retreat & Espresso, The Bean Café, and Joe Crisanti Glass.
We had beautiful weather for this event! We give thanks to the enthusiastic golfers and the staff at the SJI Golf & Tennis Club. Much appreciation goes to our grill chef, Lion Jeff Neely and his wife, Gail and the many volunteer LEOs. Thanks to Lion Lisa Brown for helping me before the event. Thanks also to soon-to-be Lion Stacey Smith (auction set-up), Lion Dan Sorgen, the Urbach family, Lion President Jon Zerby and his wife, Kris, for coming out to support our event.
The annual Golf Scramble and auction earns money which our high school LEO Club gives back to the community in the form of community project grants, donations to worthy causes, and the most fun donation of all: the Santa Ship event over winter holiday, where LEOs provide a toy for each child who visits our Lion Santa!
Lastly, my deepest gratitude goes to my co-advisor, John Bostrom. Without his experience, optimistic attitude, and non-stop involvement in the LEO Club, this event would not be possible.
-Lion BJ Brandli
FHHS LEO Club advisor
Posted May 24, 2017 at 5:57 am by Tim Dustrude
Madelyn Busse and Bobby Ryan show the new history sign at SJCT – Contributed photo
“An Island of the Arts,” the newest Town of Friday Harbor history panel, can be seen on the corner just outside San Juan Community Theatre. The sign celebrates the significance of the arts to Friday Harbor history and reminds us of its importance to the community’s bright future.
San Juan Islanders have enjoyed theater since the town’s beginning. During the Pig War, soldiers prized a rare night of theater in town and islanders loved getting together for live entertainment. Responding to actress Helen Hayes’ challenge: “With all this talent on this island the least you can do is put a roof over their heads,” there was a successful campaign in the 1980s to build the current theater building. “From the very beginning there has been a dedicated community supporting the performing arts,” said SJCT Board President Madelyn Busse. “That’s how our Theatre got started and that’s how it continues to be a vibrant part of island life.”
SJCT’s Executive/Artistic Director Bobby Ryan, who has been with the Theatre for two years now, says understanding that history and just how significant the Theatre and the arts in general are to so many in this community, has helped him to create a vision for SJCT’s future. “It’s about honoring and celebrating the past while at the same time creating new and fresh programs,” said Ryan. “Mindful of the various demographics and interests on our island, we are constantly asking ourselves how this can be an artistic home for everyone here and for those who visit.” Continue Reading
Posted May 24, 2017 at 5:50 am by Tim Dustrude
Liza Michaelson writes to ask for your support…
Family and Friends,
Do you LOVE the San Juan Islands? Do you LOVE our pristine beaches and fresh seafood? Do you LOVE the Orca whales who call this region home?
Next week, with 3 other hearty folks from San Juan Island, I will be joining a group of 75 Canadians and Americans who live around the Salish Sea for a 4 day walk from Victoria to the Burnaby terminal in Vancouver. Our goal is to raise public awareness and funds to support the Indigenous-led resistance against Kinder Morgan and all big fossil fuels. We need to stand strong against the risks they present to our ecosystem.
We will walk an average of 25 kilometers each day and sleep in parks and churches.
Pull Together is a campaign that is using the same strategy that beat Enbridge and protected Cherry Point, a sacred Lummi site, from being developed into a coal terminal.
We are a small but mighty group of 4 with the goal to raise $5,000 to contribute to the Canadian First Nations goal of $500,000. This fund is for the legal actions they’ve filed in federal court to protect the Salish Sea from pipelines and tankers carrying diluted bitumen from the Alberta tar sands right through the San Juan Islands.
Together with RAVEN, Sierra Club BC and the Force of Nature Alliance, we are fundraising to protect coastal waters, resident orcas, salmon populations and Indigenous rights. Learn more at http://pull-together.ca
Even a small donation will help our team of 4 achieve our goal of $5,000. The process is fast, easy, and secure. To energize the campaign even more, we’ve got a donor waiting in the wings who will match every dollar you bring in, DOUBLING your impact.
If you want to take strategic action to protect coastal waters, resident orcas, salmon populations and First Nations rights from Big Oil, then join me in supporting Pull Together. Click here to donate.
Thanks so much for your support.
Glenn, Liza, John, Gretchen, and the whole SJI Team!
Posted May 24, 2017 at 5:47 am by Tim Dustrude
UPDATE – This position has been filled –
Park Aide – San Juan County Park, day parks
Spend your summer working in the San Juan Islands, a premier scenic and outdoor recreation destination. We value employees and a team approach to making a difference with people and our park lands. If you enjoy being surrounded by natural beauty, working with the public and outdoors, this position might be for you!
Basic Function: Assists Park Manager and Assistant Manager in the maintenance and operations of the County Parks. Works under the direction of the Park Manager. Responsibilities include care and maintenance of grounds, facilities and equipment; some public relations including visitor information and fa-cility rule education and enforcement. Must show initiative and ability to work independently. Continue Reading
Posted May 24, 2017 at 5:43 am by Tim Dustrude
Roberta Wallace, with Johns Hopkins CTY outreach, congratulates Lily Compton – Contributed photo
Top students celebrated for academic excellence
by Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
BALTIMORE, Spring, 2017 — Lily Compton from Friday Harbor, Washington, was honored as one of the brightest young students in the world at a recent awards ceremony sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY).
Lily, a participant in the CTY Talent Search, was recognized for scoring exceptionally high on a rigorous, above grade level test.
As part of the CTY Talent Search, advanced students in second through eighth grades take challenging tests that can reveal their true capacity for learning. Seventh and eighth graders take the SAT or ACT, the same tests used for college admissions. These students may also take advanced versions of the School and College Ability Test (SCAT) or the Spatial Test Battery (STB). Younger students take the SCAT, STB, or PSAT 8/9.
Lily, a student at Friday Harbor Elementary School, was one of more than 27,000 students from more than 65 countries who participated in the CTY Talent Search between March 2016 and February 2017. Only about 25 percent of Talent Search participants earned the High Honors designation. Continue Reading
Posted May 24, 2017 at 5:40 am by Tim Dustrude
Citizens Raise $22,300.00 for CO Detectors and Numbers Still Rising
After the tragic and untimely deaths of Kelli Ashcraft and Troy Sullivan a Go Fund Me account was set up in memoriam of Kelli, by her family, to provide the community with free carbon monoxide detectors.
Since then, the Go Fund Me has been transferred over to the San Juan Island EMT Association’s 501c3 for those who wish to have a tax benefit. From there it goes directly to purchasing carbon monoxide detectors from Browne Lumber. Browne’s has arranged an agreement with First Alert who is selling the detectors at cost for this cause.
The Go Fund Me states, “We are raising money for a campaign in Kelli’s name to purchase Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms and installation of alarms and Carbon Monoxide awareness for FREE to households that do not have them here in the San Juan Islands. We will be working with a local hardware store and professional installer to make sure that households that need this safety feature will get them installed.”
The San Juan Island Fire department has generously offered to provide installs upon request. If you would like to contribute to the fund, visit Go Fund Me. To receive a CO detector for your home contact Lainey Volk at 378-5152 ext 224. For assistance with the installation contact San Juan Island Fire Department at 378-5334.
Posted May 24, 2017 at 5:36 am by Tim Dustrude
For the 3rd time in a row and for the 9th time in school history The Friday Harbor Wolverines (18-4) fast pitch team is packing its luggage for a trip to the WIAA State Tournament in Yakima.
The Wolverines will take on the Mary Walker Chargers of Springdale. Friday Harbor beat Mary Walker 14-4 in last year’s consolation game when the Wolverines went 2-2. The Wolverines first pitch will be Friday morning at 9 am from the Gateway Sports Complex in Yakima.
In the other bracket Liberty Bell takes on Willapa/Pe Ell. The winners will play at 7 pm – the losers at 3 pm.
All of the Wolverine games will be broadcast live on Friday Harbor Radio 1650 AM and on the web at fhtinyradio.com. Oly Archibald has the live play by play and Mike Martin has the color commentary. The pre-game show starts at 8:30 AM.
Posted May 23, 2017 at 5:50 am by Tim Dustrude
Juggling… magic… music… hula hoopsters and more equal a fun-filled family evening at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m.
New Old Time Chautauqua, a unique collection of entertainers features both internationally acclaimed and Northwest performers, including the juggling comedians, The Flying Karamasov Brothers. Up to 12 show-stopping, multi-generational acts will be featured in the show, beginning and ending with a parade through the audience led by the band. The band plays a wide selection of music, from traditional marching numbers, to Teddy Bear’s Picnic, from salsa to Klezmer, and everything in between.
Founded in 1981 by a group of adventurous performers, health care practitioners, and educators, New Old Time Chautauqua was formed to revive the lively Chautauqua spirit and cultural movement of the late 1800s and early 1900s. The all-volunteer performers aim to “delight, educate, amaze and provoke the imaginations of adults and children alike.”
The Business Partner for the evening is Islanders Bank. Tickets are $16 for adults and $8 for student reserved: $5 student RUSH is available at the door. The SJCT box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased on-line at www.sjctheatre.org
Posted May 23, 2017 at 5:49 am by Tim Dustrude
Lowell Jons, Recreation Specialist with Island Rec shares these race results from the 2nd Annual Hill of Thrills soap box derby…
5-8 year old-
9-12 year old –
16-adult –
And if you missed the event video, here it is again for you – just click below…
Posted May 23, 2017 at 5:48 am by Tim Dustrude
One of two full truck and trailer loads from Tuesday’s clean up day – Contributed photo
The Town of Friday Harbor had its first Spring Clean Up event during the week of May 15th through May 19th. The program was designed to help regular refuse customers get rid of larger items that would not fit in their garbage cans. This was a free program approved by the Mayor and Council to help jump start the residents’ own household spring cleaning.
Dave Smith and Mark Wagner were responsible for the curbside clean-up, in addition to their normal recycling duties during the program. A total of 12.96 tons (25,920 pounds) of junk was collected.
“Thank you to the entire refuse crew for a job well done,” said Town Administrator Duncan Wilson. “The Town appreciates the residents’ efforts to neatly stack the trash and for leaving the right type of materials. This was a great success.”
The Town Council will get an update on the event at their June 1st meeting and will discuss the viability of future events of this type.
Posted May 23, 2017 at 5:40 am by Tim Dustrude
Christianson’s Rosy Day out and LaConner
The first stop on this excursion is LaConner. A beautiful destination with museums, unique shops and fine food for brunch or lunch. Then on to Christianson’s to hear Rebecca Reed, of David Austin Roses, describe characteristics and qualities of varieties. Her talk will instill confidence and inspire you to create and expand your own rose garden.
The day peaks with Key Note Speakers Ciscoe Morris and John Christianson.
Reservations are required prior to June 12, 2017. For reservations or more information contact:
More information about events at: www.sjigardenclub.weebly.com
Posted May 23, 2017 at 5:38 am by Tim Dustrude
Do your part to protect our island wildlife
San Juan Island National Historical Park provides habitat for many species of animals. When you visit the park, you are visiting their home. The choices you make have a direct effect on the wild animals that live here. By following the simple steps listed here you can help protect these animals and help to keep wildlife wild.
Do not approach any wildlife within 25 yards (75ft). Keep a safe distance from all wildlife.
Do Not Feed Foxes or Other Wildlife
You may think you are doing wildlife a favor, but feeding them can result in harm to yourself and the animal because: Continue Reading
Posted May 23, 2017 at 5:32 am by Tim Dustrude
An annual evaluation of water quality found that all eight commercial harvesting areas in San Juan County showed exceptional water quality, resulting in no County closures. In contrast, statewide this year, six of the 105 commercial harvesting areas were closed and 16 additional areas were listed as threatened due to bacterial pollution. The County commercial harvesting areas are Buck Bay, Eastsound, Hunter Bay, Mackaye Harbor, Mud Bay, Shoal Bay, Upright Channel, and Westcott Bay.
The Washington State Department of Health uses national water quality standards to classify commercial shellfish harvesting areas to ensure that shellfish are safe to eat. Protecting and improving water quality is important for public health and keeping our shellfish harvesting areas open. San Juan County, with the cooperation of residents, protects water quality through our on-site sewage system management plan, stormwater management, critical area designations, and shoreline protection.
Posted May 22, 2017 at 11:53 pm by Tim Dustrude
Brendan Cowan, Director of the Department of Emergency Management shares this weather alert…
The National Weather Service is forecasting high westerly winds for later on Tuesday in the eastern parts of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This could mean gusts of up to 50mph in some island locations later on Tuesday afternoon and evening.
This much wind is normal in the winter, but is unusual for this time of year, especially given our recent stretch of summer like weather. Island residents and visitors, especially those out on the water, should keep an eye on the forecast and conditions on Tuesday.
NWS Special Weather Statement: http://bit.ly/2rtYlJ2
Posted May 22, 2017 at 9:57 am by Tim Dustrude
This notice just in from the Town…
Town streets are being re-striped with fresh paint on May 22, 2017. Work will include centerlines, lane/edge lines and curb markings.
The goal is to complete re-striping of most major streets, as well as some of the secondary streets on Monday.
Motorists should use caution when they encounter road striping operations. Please, DO NOT drive across the wet paint stripes.
Although the manufacturer claims the paint will dry quickly under ideal conditions, your vehicle tires will likely track the paint if crossed when it is still wet. This tracking will not only make the finished striping job look sloppy, but the paint may transfer to your vehicle paint if not cleaned off immediately.
As always, drive carefully and thank you in advance for proceeding with caution in areas where Town crews are working in the roadway. Contact Town Hall at 378-2810 with questions or concerns.