The Island Air crew at the Great Islands Cleanup – Contributed photo

Co-organizers of the 7th annual Great Islands Clean-Up on San Juan Island — Lori Stokes, Jana Marks, and David Dehlendorf — would like to thank our island’s approximately 260 volunteers who participated this year, helping to make San Juan Island “litter-free by the sea.” Over 100 of these litter-picker-uppers cleaned our beaches and the rest cleaned our roadsides. A grand total of about 2,340 pounds of litter was collected!

Many groups provided enthusiastic volunteers: Bailer Hill Construction, Cub Scouts, Friday Harbor Labs, Island Air, Islanders Bank, Kiwanis, League of Women Voters, Leo’s Club, Lions, Mitchell Pt. Litter Ladies & Gents, Mt. Dallas Volunteer Group, Paideia School, Ravenhill Construction, Rotary, Safe Harbor Insurance, San Juan County Land Bank, Soroptimists, Spring Street International School, Stillpoint School, Trash Masters, and Washington State Ferries. These groups were supplemented by the efforts of numerous other volunteers who picked up litter near their homes or businesses, as well as by the state’s Ecology Youth Corps.

A HUGE thank you goes to Pete Moe of Orcas, Nikyta Palmisani and Nick Teague of Lopez, and Stephanie Buffum-Field of Shaw, who organized parallel clean-up events on their islands. Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw had a combined total of 210 participants who collected over 4,300 pounds of litter! Thanks also to Danielle Wheeler, who did an awesome job with online publicity.

A special shout-out goes to San Juan Sanitation for picking up and disposing of many of the collected bags of litter, as well as to Mark Herrenkohl of San Juan County Public Works, who helped coordinate the islands-wide event and supplied grabbers, gloves, vests, and bags to participants on San Juan Island.

Continue Reading

Cyclist’s Guide Maps Now Available Online

Val and Leslie Veirs share this announcement with you…

Dear family and friends,

Leslie and I are writing to let you know that Scott is taking a big step to try to improve our long-term efforts to help the whales. For 15 years we have installed and maintained a network of hydrophones and streamed, via the World Wide Web, the underwater sounds from our network of Puget Sound hydrophones to listeners near and far.

Over the past few years our hardware and software and streaming interface have aged and degraded and last fall we thought that maybe the time had come to shut things down. But, Scott has stepped up and is going to try to bring the network into the modern world with cloud computing and then restore and rehabilitate our aging infrastructure and expand to some additional sites.

The first step was announced on Earth Day. This first step is a Kickstarter campaign setup to bring in enough funds to create a new front-end to the underwater sounds that will present a seamless interface to our listeners and we will be able to support many more listeners than in the past. There will be no more waiting until someone signs off before an additional listener can start.

If this first step is successful, then latter steps will be taken to restore failed sites, improve existing sites and expand the network of hydrophones.

So, we are hoping that our listeners worldwide and our family and friends will want to help the orcas survive and help Scott and us in our conservation efforts. If so, please contribute to this Kickstarter campaign.

And, please forward an invitation to contribute to your friends and post it in whatever social media channels that you have access to.

Thanks so much for helping OrcaSound.net!

Val and Leslie Veirs

Please click here to view the Kickstarter campaign.

Researching Our History
A free workshop for anyone with a story to tell.

Join members of the Writing Our History Project (WOHP) and their partners, History Link and the Orcas and San Juan island libraries and historical museums, for a workshop on the resources available for finding information about your favorite local history topic. The workshops are free to the public.

The workshop’s presenters are local WOHP writers who will discuss the tricks-of-the-trade that they use for finding information, including genealogy websites, and local, regional, state and national archives, maps and photographs.

The Orcas workshop is Saturday, May 13th 2017, 12:30-4:30pm in the Parish Hall of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Eastsound. The San Juan Island workshop is Saturday, May 20th, 10am-4pm in the San Juan Island Library community meeting room in Friday Harbor.

WOHP is a county-wide group of local history writers, researchers and local history buffs who are documenting the yet untold stories of the San Juans. Together we use a variety of archives, local libraries and historical museums, and treasures passed down by island families to create essays and informal content published by our on-line partner www.historylink.org.

For more information about WOHP and to register for Researching Our History contact Sandy Strehlou [email protected] or (360) 622.2037.

In the SJ Update mailbag today we have this letter from Nancy Ballmann…

I am pleased to announce that the work will start on the barn again. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Jennifer Allen at the fairgrounds. We will soon be looking for volunteers to help with this project again thank YOU for you support and I know – the new barn is going to be just as special as the old one as it will have many new memories as the old one did, and because we will be using as many of the old  components into the new one. It will be a safe place for both the horses and kids 

Do you have a child who may need special help in speech, motor skills or other developmental areas? 

San Juan Health and Community Services provides FREE screening and evaluation for children aged birth to three years if you have any concerns about their growth and development. Please call 360-378-4474 to schedule an appointment. 

San Juan Island School District can schedule free screening for children aged three to five years in motor, communication, or adaptive skills, where there may be a concern. 

Please call 370-7801 to make an appointment with Connie Domenech during the month of May or e-mail [email protected]. 

Early intervention services are available for infants or children who have a developmental delay.  Continue Reading

Introducing the 2017 WSU San Juan County Master Gardener Interns! – Contributed photo

Congratulations to the 19 community members who competed 60 hours of classroom and online training to become WSU San Juan County Master Gardeners.  As Master Gardener Interns, these volunteers will contribute 50 hours of service in their community, helping to identify plant problems, insects, and diseases, and provide research-based gardening information at Farmers Markets, Information Booths and the County Fair. They answer questions and provide guidance on a wide range of topics including vegetable, fruit and perennial gardening, healthy soil and composting, and help identify and solve plant problems.

Welcome to the following new interns:

• Lopez Island: Gail Carroll, Heike Deubner and Molly Bill
• Orcas Island:  Myla Sherburne, Tony Suruda, Leslie Hutchinson, Vicki Leimback, Jodi Spitali, Haley Winchell, Carolyn Wiltz, and Lisl Thomsen
• San Juan Island:  Mary Grove, Janet Ames, Nancy Larsen, Diane Gloe, Mo Sloane, Alexis Reifenstuhl, Sandy Ryan and Jenny Harris.

The new interns join the 80+ current WSU San Juan County Master Gardeners who work within the community to offer the following services:  Continue Reading

This is the last Community Dinner of the 2016-17 school year – Don’t miss out!

Wednesday May 3rd, from 5:30 to 7:30 in the FHHS Commons

There will be a Cinco de Mayo Celebration and a Dancing Performance by the talented Ballet Folkloriko Monarca!

On the Menu:

• Pork Carnitas – braised until tender and then roasted until crispy
• Pollo Sabroso – “delicious chicken” thighs marinated & sliced thin
• Black Beans – slow simmered with bacon and onions
• Spanish Rice – seasoned rice with onions & tomatoes
• Chili-Lime Cole Slaw – cabbage, cilantro, sweet chili sauce & lime
• Garden Salad – orange-cumin vinaigrette with pepitas
• Handmade Tortillas – made with corn masa flour
• Tres Leches Cake – a light cake made with three types of milk 

Suggested donations support the Food for Thought Lunch Program.
$15 for Adults & $7 for Kids under 12

This is the Story of the 1976 U.S. Women’s Relay Swim Team that Upset East Germany in the Final Race at the Montreal Olympics.

Narrated by Emmy-winner Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife), The Last Gold is a feature-length documentary film that reveals one of the greatest untold stories in Olympic swimming history. Forty years ago, at the 1976 Montreal Games, a team of doped East German athletes thrashed their rivals from the United States, until a remarkable final race.

The central player was a transcendent American athlete denied her due and since lost in time: Shirley Babashoff. Babashoff and her teammates were surrogates in a Cold War struggle, who battled a tragic conspiracy with a blazing honesty and a ferocious, endless tenacity.

In 1976, the U.S. Olympic swim team entered the Games in Montreal looking forward to its usual dominance. The men did not disappoint, delivering the most dominant performance in Olympic swimming history. They won every race but one, and in that race won the silver and bronze medals. For the women, it was a completely different story. They were overwhelmed by an East German machine that had emerged on the world stage in the lead up to the Games with frighteningly fast performances. Continue Reading

Click to enlarge

Cheesecake Cafe welcomes all to Grand Opening 

The Cheesecake Cafe would love to welcome all San Juan Islanders to the Grand Opening event on Monday May 1st.

Hanging basket class – Contributed photo

Don’t forget – Reservations are required prior to April 28th –

Participants in this class will assemble a 12” hanging container with growing medium, choice starter plants for sun or shade exposure and plenty of free advice. Bring your own gloves, tools, beverage and snack.

Though a container and plants are provided you may choose to bring a favorite hanging container. Together we will plant a beautiful basket perhaps for Mother’s Day, to display at the fair and defiantly enjoy all summer long.

Families with aspiring gardeners are encouraged to participate. The first basket prepared by a youth (under age 16) is free of charge.

• Date:           May 6, 2017
• Location:    Mullis Community Center
• Time:        10:00 AM
• Cost:            $35

Instructors: Marguerite Bennett and Fiona Norris

Reservations required prior to April 28, 2017

To register contact:

Kathie Forsyth – 360-378-5071 – [email protected]
Vonnie Harold – 360-298-0859 – [email protected]

For more garden club news, visit the garden club website.

EDC offers free workshop on Succession Planning for Small Business

All business owners need to devote time and energy to developing a succession plan for their business. With a succession plan, business owners can identify a person or entity who can continue the business if tragedy strikes or when they decide to retire or sell.  Join the San Juan County Economic Development Council for a FREE workshop on the topic of Succession Planning for Small Business on Monday, May 15th from 1:00-2:30 p.m. on San Juan Island.  Advance registration is required.

A small business succession strategy is a long-term process that can take months and sometimes years to implement successfully.  Attendees will learn the strategies that will help them to plan for an effective transition of their businesses. Anyone who is planning to retire, sell a business, or are looking for ways to grow future leaders within their businesses should attend this free class.

Instructor Tony Salas is one of more than two dozen SBDC certified business advisors working in communities across Washington to help entrepreneurs and business owners who want to start, grow or transition a business. SBDC advising is provided at no cost to the client, is confidential and is tailored to the needs of each client. Continue Reading

The SJI Garden club is offering another hosted excursion…

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 Keynote Speakers Ciscoe Morris and John Christianson.

• Date:    June 17, 2017
• Ferry:   East bound 8:05 AM
  West Bound 6:00 PM
• Cost:     $45.00

Reservations are required prior to June 12, 2017.

For reservations or more information contact:                        

• Vonnie Harold – 360-298-0859 – [email protected]
• Kathie Forsyth – 360-378-5071 – [email protected]        

More information about events at: www.sjigardenclub.weebly.com

Breaking ground for the new APS-FH facility – Julie Corey photo

A little wind and rain didn’t deter around 75 people from attending the historic ground-breaking ceremony for the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor’s New Home-New Hope Shelter Project on Saturday afternoon. The event took place under festival tents, featuring display boards outlining the 35-year history of the animal shelter, as well as information about the new facility.

APS-FH Benefactors Rebecca Pohlad and Bob and Lissa McDowell were the first to put gold shovels into the ground, marking the beginning of construction on the new facility, which should take approximately one year to complete. Chris Lawson Excavation will do the excavation work and will be followed by Greenway Construction to begin work on the 5,300 square foot building.

Julie Corey photo

APS-FH Board President, Dr. Carolyn Haugen spoke to the crowd and described how construction will progress and thanked members of the community for their support. Board member, Jaime Ellsworth also addressed the gathering and gave a brief history of the organization; explaining how the new shelter will serve the community as well as continue the life-saving work the organization has been doing for over 35 years.

Dianne Hall of Island Artisans shares this announcement…

Helen and Howard Schonberger – Ian Byington photo

In the midst of spring fever, Island Artisans is reeling with the announcement that it has received a truly generous donation of $13521.75 from the estate of Howard Schonberger. Characteristically Howard continues to show his support to our unique San Juan Community. This money will greatly assist our annual fundraising for college scholarships of students pursuing the arts.

The mention of Howard’s name musters the connotation of whole community involvement. There is most likely not another person that has been more effectively and diversely involved in our community organizations as that of Howard’s enthusiastic and positive presence in groups from the American Legion to the first male member of Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor. His spirt “brings to light that which is good about humanity, and in doing so inspires others to become involved and make change in their community,” said Richard Walker, editor of the Journal from 1999 to 2011.

Howard has been a long time member of Island Artisans. So long ago that other members on the board are having a hard time remembering when he joined. Continue Reading

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) will kick of its 2017 Art for Fun program in May. Art for Fun is a “paint and sip” party for adults of all skill levels. The May classes are May 11, 17, 20 and 24. The painting “Hidden Meadows” will be painted on May 11 and 17. The painting “Paradise Cove” will be painted on May 20 and 24. The classes are from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm and are located at the museum.

The cost of each class is $35. SJIMA will provide all supplies.

Art for Fun is a two hour, fun-filled art party set in a relaxed, interactive atmosphere, with an option to BYOB. It is a great way to celebrate a birthday, share a date night, create team building or just enjoy a night out on your own.  Join friends, sip your favorite beverage and follow step-by-step instructions from experienced artists.  Everyone paints the same picture, yet takes home his or her own unique creation.

SJIMA is pleased to have local painter and sculptor, Kristen Abramson, join the Art for Fun team as an instructor. Kristen instructed for a “paint and sip” franchise in Oklahoma before moving to the island last October. Her experience is a valuable asset to this new program.

For more information, check out the website, www.sjima.org.

To register, call Debbie Pigman at 360 378-0951 or email [email protected] .