Hello Oakies! Thom returns from back East this week and has his eye on invasives removal for this weekend’s work party as well as limbing/piling. There’s the possibility of burning the piles from our previous work parties, but that will depend on the weather. Oddly, a high of 65F is expected!

• When?
  Sunday, May 21
  10:00am to 2:00pm
• RSVP required (e-mail [email protected]).
• Where?
  Base of Cady Mountain Preserve – turn on to Cady Mountain Road off of West Valley Road. We’ll meet at the triangle junction about 100 yards from West Valley.
• What?
  Invasives Removal
  Limbing/Piling Trees
• Bring/Wear?
  Hand pruning saws
  Plant trowel or Hori Hori
  Weather appropriate clothing
  Water

Next Oak Team Work Party:
June 4

We’re Growing Significantly; Join the Adventure!

Pelindaba is seeking experienced Customer Service & Order Fulfillment representatives that are well organized and detail oriented with good phone communication skills.

Must have a team attitude.

Great opportunities for those that share our core values of a strong work ethic, attention to detail, taking pride in what we do and how we do it!

Full-time / Part-time – Seasonal / Year-round

Resumes please to [email protected]

Rod Turnbull, FHHS Athletic Director shares this post season update with you…

Below is the updated information for our high school teams post season play.

• Baseball – Our Baseball team won both of their games this past Saturday making them Bi-District Champions and they will now play in the Regional State Tournament at Anacortes’ Volunteer Field this Saturday, May 20 at 1:00. Toutle Lake, the District 4 #4 entry will be their opponent. At the Bi-District Tournament, the boys defeated Orcas 9-2 in Game 1 and then beat Concrete 10-2 in the second game. The Wolverines are now 21-0 for the season and this is the second year in a row our group will be playing at regionals. They need to win both games Saturday to move on to the final four portion of the state tournament in Centralia the next weekend. Visit our league website at http://www.nw1a2bathletics.com/ for more information on seeding and brackets. Use the baseball tab, then the post season tab to access the information.
• Girls Tennis – Weather has been a disruptive force in this year’s girls tennis season. While the girls have made the best of a difficult situation, it has been frustrating to not be able to complete some of our matches. Our girls will by-pass the district tournament this year at South Whidbey, as it conflicts with AP testing for some of the girls.
• Boys and Girls Golf – Our boys and girls golf teams competed this past week at their district tournaments. On Tuesday, two boys and one alternate qualified for the Bi-District tournament being played this Thursday, May 18 at Gallery Golf Course in Oak Harbor. Dylan Posenjak, and Levi Doenges will be playing and Ian Volk will be waiting as the 1st alternate. Each will be trying to earn their way to the state tournament the following week. Our girls competed at North Bellingham this past Thursday, and unfortunately, none of the girls qualified to move on to the Bi-District round this week. More golf post season information is posted at http://www.nw1a2bathletics.com/ . Use the golf tab to access the playoff information.
• Boys and Girls Track – Our track teams will now head to the Bi-District tournament on Thursday, May 18 & 20 at Kings High School. Most of the events will be completed on Saturday, May 20. Competition gets started at 11:00 on Saturday. Here our athletes will be competing to move onto the state tournament the following week at Eastern Washington University. Only one athlete in each event will automatically advance. Additional entries may be earned if an athlete meets the state qualifying time or distance. To see more information about track post season events go to http://www.nw1a2bathletics.com/. Use the track tab to access post season information.
• Fastpitch – Our Girls Fastpitch team completed their league season undefeated and will now begin postseason play Friday, May 19 at Stanwood High School. As Northwest 1A/2B league champions, the girls will enter the District tournament as the number one seed and will need to win two games to advance as the District 1 representative to the state tournament in Yakima beginning on May 26. The first game on Friday will be at 3:30 at the Stanwood High School’s Varsity field (lower field). The District bracket is posted at http://www.nw1a2bathletics.com/ . Use the softball tab to access the post season information.

Go Wolverines…

Traci Walter, Naturalist and Photographer for Western Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours shares this awesome video from yesterday up at the north end of the island. Thanks Traci!

Hey San Juan update!
I just wanted to share yesterday’s encounter with you! This was taken on the north shore of San Juan Island.
Hope all is well.

Cheers,
Traci

Farhad Ghatan

Councilmember Farhad Ghatan announces candidacy for Mayor, Town of Friday Harbor

After learning that current mayor Carrie Lacher would not be seeking another term, Town Councilmember Farhad Ghatan has decided to run for the office of Mayor of Friday Harbor.

“Since joining the Council four years ago I have been privileged to serve under such a capable and committed leader as Carrie”, he said. “The forward momentum we have established regarding rebuilding our infrastructure, improving walkability, and finding new collaborations and cooperation with the County, Port and citizen groups all stem from the enlightened approach Carrie has taken as Mayor. I believe I can continue these successes as the new Mayor.”

“All of our current council members are very skilled and experienced,” noted Carrie Lacher, Mayor. “But I am thrilled that Farhad has stepped up. Farhad has proven himself to be very passionate and committed to the well being of the community. I look forward to many years of continued progress for the Town.”

Ghatan has long served the community in multiple roles. In addition to his current position as councilperson, he serves as the chair of the Friday Harbor Arts Commission, member of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Secretary of the San Juan Island Sculpture Park and board member of the San Juan Nature Institute. He has served as chair of the Friday Harbor Planning Commission, President of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, member of the San Juan County Housing Advisory Board, trustee at the San Juan Community Theatre and is currently a member of Soroptimists International of Friday Harbor. He has also worked with the San Juan Island Community Foundation on a number of advisory committees.

“My vision for the Town includes managing utility rates, taxes, growth and fostering a healthy business climate to insure an affordable and enjoyable living environment.”

This Sunday, may 21st, the Leo Club Scramble will take place at the San Juan Golf and Tennis Club.

See the attached flyer for more information. (PDF)

The scramble starts at 3:00 pm and is 9 holes.

Sign up as a team or as a single.

Please fill out the entry form and drop it off at the SJG&TC pro shop or bring it with you on Sunday and check-in before 2:30 pm.

Call to Artists: Orcas Island Film Festival open call to submit short film projects
3 winners will be awarded $5,000 each to make their films

The Orcas Island Film Festival will award grants of $5,000 to three filmmakers to explore the San Juan Islands and use it as a canvas to create short films that inspire, inform and entertain. Submissions are being accepted from May 12th to June 2nd at midnight.

The three winning independent filmmakers will have the chance to bring their film project to life, using the magic of the San Juan Islands as a backdrop during the summer of 2017. These three grant winning films will be featured at the 2017 Orcas Island Film Festival where the audience will choose a first prize winner who will be awarded a festival trophy and will have the honor of being featured in the prestigious Seattle International Film Festival in 2018.

Orcas Island Film Festival’s 2017 winning short film “Aproximada” by Kyle Carver and Dan Larson will screen Sunday, May 28th at 12:00 pm @ SIFF Uptown Cinemas https://www.siff.net/festival/aproximada. For more information about submissions please visit www.orcasfilmfest.com/submissions.

About the OIFF Festival: Continue Reading

There are many great reasons for knowing how to track down historical records and other information.

You might want to know:

• the history of the house you live in
• your own family history
• how to demonstrate that your property is eligible for landmarking
• the history of the organization you work for use with reports, grant applications, marketing
• the history of the building you do business in, history makes for great marketing text
• background for real estate brochures
• how to find information for school reports and essays

Historical research typically gets put off because we aren’t sure how to start or where to find the information in the quickest, easiest way possible.

Well, no more putting it off; let’s get it done once and for all!

The Researching Our History workshop is one-stop shopping for learning how to do historical research. taking place this Saturday at our very own, and much loved, San Juan Island Library. There is still room to register, so invite a friend. We are not likely to repeat this workshop any time soon, so sign up now. See the agenda here (PDF). Call (360) 622-2037 for more information or to register.

Lunch will be “no host” and the options are to bring your own or to carpool down to the Farmers Market for a quick lunch—and then back to the library for the second half of the workshop. We are organizing carpooling so don’t worry about driving and finding a parking place.

Southern Resident Killer Whales will be recognized in a display on the San Juan County Courthouse and Council Chamber lawns on Endangered Species Day, Friday, May 19th. There will be 86 orca whale dorsal fins displayed representing the 78 living free members of the Southern Resident Killer Whale J, K and L pods, plus the 1 living in captivity (L-25, Tokitae aka “Lolita”) plus the 7 that died in 2016-17.

The population of our local orca whales is at a critical juncture. NOAA has declared Southern Resident Killer Whales one of only eight “Spotlight” species (out of 1,652 on the Endangered Species list). Spotlight species are considered most at risk of extinction unless immediate action is taken to stabilize and recover their populations

(see http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2015/05/05_14_15species_in_the_spotlight.html and http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2015/06/spotlight_srkw.html).

More information about Endangered Species Day:
http://www.endangered.org/campaigns/endangered-species-day/

This event is listed on this website:
http://action.endangered.org/p/salsa/event/common/public/?key=85946

For more information contact:

Dr. Deborah Giles
Research Director – Center for Whale Research
[email protected]

San Juan Islanders for Safe Shipping
Liza Michaelson
[email protected]

Shaun Hubbard
[email protected]

Frank, Ada, Frances, and Ella Mullis – Photo Mullis/McRae family

Story by Peggy Sue McRae…

There is a plaque on the outside of the Mullis Center that reads, This land is a gift to the seniors of San Juan Island to honor the memory of our grandparents George and Emma Mullis and our parents Frank and Belle Mullis – from Ina Mullis Gustin, James and Florence Mullis Lang, Wallace and Evelyn Mullis, Donald and June Mullis – December 1994. Our community built the Mullis Center but the Mullis family, in particular Don and June Mullis, contributed the property that it stands on.

Some of you may remember the most recent generation mentioned on the plaque but fewer will remember Frank and Belle Mullis and even fewer will know who George and Emma Mullis were. However, thanks to the research of Mona Meeker on Friday Harbor’s pioneer families we have a collection of early newspaper excerpts that offer a few telling glimpses into the past of these early residents of Friday Harbor.

Both George Mullis and Emma Mouttell were immigrants from the UK who met and married in Kansas where they had their first four children, Annie, Ada, Frank, and Ella. They then moved to Friday Harbor where their youngest child, Frances was born. “Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Mullis, of this city, were the happy recipients of a Christmas present in the form of a little baby girl, who put in her appearance the day before Christmas.” (Islander, 12/27/1894) George Mullis was a carpenter by trade. His work survives today in some of Friday Harbor’s most cherished historic structures. Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag we find this letter from Deb Langhans…

The arts have always represented a beacon of provocative inspiration… This gift was instantly accessible in the razzle dazzle production of “Chicago” I beheld last night at SJCT.  From the opening notes & first display of grinding hips, to the final sexy dance duet… from the sometimes electrifying elements of music, dance, costumes, sets, lighting, props… to all the invisible eyes & hands bringing it all miraculously together–even down to the numerous understated bio credits: What a nonstop kaleidoscope of creative excellence!

It seems to me “Chicago” provides us with so much more than quality community theatre entertainment.  It models essential elements worth cultivating in our country & our world today perhaps more than ever: To risk being vulnerable & truly seen… to summon the courage to reject stereotypes & celebrate ourselves & others as the multi-faceted, ever-evolving, miraculous beings we actually are… to embrace collaboration for the sake of a story larger & grander than our own egos…

Thank you, “Chicago,” for blessing our island with such commitment, skill & inspiration!

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

I’m Prieta, Queen of the Animal Protection Society and Thief of Hearts.  

My idol, the great Queen Latifah once said, “Let your inner Queen’s voice come through loud and clear. Be strong, be authentic, be you, and you’ll do her proud.” That pretty much sums up how I see things. I’m trying hard to do my inner queen proud! I’m a very nice girl. I have perfect manners and love to go for walks.

As you can see, I’m very sincere, not to mention kind of regal-looking, don’t you think? Wouldn’t you like to have a little royalty in your family?

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

Wolf Hollow Thanks Women’s Fund and SJI Community Foundation

The staff and board at Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center are deeply grateful to the San Juan Island Community Foundation and the San Juan Island Women’s Fund for their support.

The Women’s Fund has generously donated funds to provide food and medical care to the injured harbor seal pups at Wolf Hollow this summer. We’re inspired by the work of this dedicated group of women. Their collective efforts have helped fund more than a hundred local nonprofit initiatives over the years, and Wolf Hollow is so thankful to have their continued support.

In addition to their help with funding, the Community Foundation staff and board have provided their time and expertise as Wolf Hollow embarked on a refreshed vision and strategic planning effort this past year. We’re proud to say that one of our major short-term goals – resuming our rehabilitation program for marine mammals – was achieved with their assistance. The Foundation staff, grant committee members and board members have been a consistent source of encouragement every step of the way.

Strong community partnerships are essential to a nonprofit organization’s ability to thrive. We’re lucky to have the Community Foundation and Women’s Fund working together to enhance the quality of life in our community on so many levels.

On behalf of the animals, thank you!

Amy Saxe-Eyler, Executive Director
Susen Oseth, Board President
Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

The San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold a Special School Board Meeting/Public Hearing on Thursday, May 18, 2017, 5:00 pm, at the high school library.

AT the Public Hearing, the Board will take input on the proposed 6th Grade Transition from Friday Harbor Elementary School to Friday Harbor Middle School for school year 2017- 2018.

Please see the agenda at right, or access BoardDocs from our website at www.sjisd.wednet.edu (then locate the BoardDocs School Board agenda access). Or go straight to the agenda itself at https://www.boarddocs.com/wa/sjisd/Board.nsf/Public

Nancy DeVaux – Contributed photo

The San Juan Community Home Trust is hosting a retirement party for Nancy DeVaux at the San Juan Island Grange Hall on Thursday, May 25th from 5pm to 7:00pm.

Come help us celebrate Nancy’s 12 years of success in developing permanently affordable homes on our island.

The event is a potluck, so please bring a favorite dish to share.

Long-Time Leader of San Juan Preservation Trust to Step Down
Search for Successor is Underway

The San Juan Preservation Trust today announced that Tim Seifert, who has served as the organization’s Executive Director for 15 years, has informed the Preservation Trust’s board of trustees that it is time to identify his successor. Accordingly, the board has launched a nationwide search for a Senior Director of Operations who could eventually replace Seifert.

To ensure a smooth transition, Seifert will remain with the Preservation Trust to help his successor meet the organization’s supporters and learn about its work—a period expected to last a year or more.

Steve Jung, President of the San Juan Preservation Trust’s Board of Trustees, emphasized that Seifert will not depart until his successor is ready to step into the position. “We are grateful that Tim has agreed to work with the board to help recruit and orient his successor through a smooth transition to what I’m confident will be a bright future.”

“Over the past 15 years,” Jung added, “Tim Seifert has brought the San Juan Preservation Trust to national prominence among conservation land trusts. Since Seifert joined the organization in 2002, it has added more than 130 properties, 28 miles of shoreline, and some 9,000 acres to the islands’ conservation network, more than doubling the amount of land that had been protected before his arrival.” Continue Reading