Call for Submissions: Young Filmmakers Project

Friday Harbor Film Festival is putting out the call for films to be submitted for their Young Filmmakers Project. This is open to all students ranging from grade 7 to their first year of University or College.

Theme for 2017: Pacific Connections: Share a film with the FHFF that tells a story of how we are connected to the world around us; it can have an environmental or social justice focus. Ensure that your film has a call to action or a meaningful take-away message that can Entertain, Inspire and Enlighten audiences.

Style: Documentary or Docu – Drama (Dramatization of real life events)

Age Categories:

1. Grades 7-9
2. Grades 10-12
3. First Year of University

Prizes: Winners will receive the following prizes:

1. Screening of their film at the Friday Harbor Film Festival and other related events hosted by the Friday Harbor Film Festival
2. Tickets to the Friday Harbor Film Festival 2017
3. Posting of their film on the FHFF website, and use of the film for any promotional materials and online media at its discretion
4. Cash prize: Each winning film will receive a cash prize of $500

Deadline: June 1st, 2017

See more information on the FHFF Website.

Walter Trout, blues guitarist – Contributed photo

Blues guitarist Walter Trout’s Alive in Amsterdam tour (which stops at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.) celebrates a successful comeback for the veteran musician.  Following a bleak diagnosis of life-threatening liver failure and hepatitis C in 2013, his rebirth began with a successful transplant in May 2014.

And in 2016, his acclaimed studio album, Battle Scars, which channeled his near-death experience into raw autobiographical songs, won “Rock Blues Album of the Year” and “Song of the Year” for the album single Gonna Live Again at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis. 

A native of New Jersey, Trout arrived in Los Angeles in 1974 and quickly earned his reputation as an A-list sideman, backing John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Percy Mayfield and more.  In 1981, he joined the remaining original members of the legendary Canned Heart.  Soon British blues giant John Mayall invited Trout to become the latest in the Bluesbreakers’ lineage of guitar greats (including Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor).  Trout later formed his own solo band and became a chart-topping star in Europe. His first stateside release, 1998’s critically heralded Walter Trout, made him a fixture of the US blues-rock scene.

Trout’s most recent album, ALIVE in Amsterdam, was recorded in Amsterdam’s opulent Royal Theatre Carré and showcases a full-throttle live performance of the blues-rock legend.

The Business Partner for the concert is Islanders Bank. All reserved tickets are $27;  $5 student RUSH is available at the door. The SJCT box office (378-3210) 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.

Eugene Nicholas Kozloff, September 26, 1920 – March 4, 2017

Gene passed away on March 4, 2017, at Lighthouse Memory Care in Anacortes, Washington, at the age of 96.

He was born to Nicholas and Eugenie Kozloff on September 26, 1920, in Tehran, Iran, where his father was serving in the Russian Army that occupied part of Iran before and during World War I. The family immigrated to the United States in 1921, unable to return to their homeland after the 1917 Russian Revolution. 

Gene grew up with his older brother Nick and sister Nina in Riverside, California, where his lifelong love of animals and plants began.

After attending Riverside Junior College, he married Anne Solomon on October 20, 1944, and the couple moved to Berkeley where Gene received his Master’s and Doctoral degrees at the University of California. He then began a long career of teaching biology and invertebrate zoology, first at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and then after 1966 at UW Friday Harbor Laboratories. He also taught occasional classes for the San Juan Nature Conservancy, the North Cascades Institute, the Skagit Master Gardeners, and others. Gene (or “Koz” as he was affectionately called by students and colleagues) was an impassioned teacher and an inspiration to many of his students.

He was the author of several books, including “Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast” and “Plants and Animals of the Pacific Northwest”, and wrote many articles for scientific journals.

After moving to Anacortes in 2007, he continued to do research at Shannon Point Marine Center for several more years. “Retirement” was not in his vocabulary.  Continue Reading

L-R: Mari Peterson, Levi Doenges, Gavin Flaum, Kris McCann, Megan O’Brian, Kyle Masters, Zach Fincher and Derek Smith – Tim Burke photo

A group of FHHS kids and their teachers had a fun field trip to Seattle on Sunday. Mari Peterson, Assistant Chief Pilot at Westwind Aviation is teaching an aviation class (sort of an “introduction to aviation” type course) along with Derek Smith this semester at Friday Harbor High School. She coordinated a visit for her students down to King County International Airport (Boeing Field) so they could see firsthand what all goes on at a busy airport.

Mari Peterson – Contributed photo

Here’s Mari with the scoop…

We flew down with Kenmore and did a few circles around downtown Seattle on the way in, then landed and received a tour of the Kenmore Air Express location.

After that, we walked over to Signature Flight Support (a major Fixed Base Operator – a company that services all kinds of aircraft, from general aviation to corporate jets), and received a tour. From there, we went to Flightcraft’s maintenance hangar where they explained the different parts of the jet and the kinds of maintenance they require. After that we went back to the pilot’s lounge in Signature for a snack break. Continue Reading

The Cattle Point Lighthouse will be lifted up so that a new foundation can be built underneath – Louise Dustrude photo

Story by Louise Dustrude…

Work is under way on repairs to the Cattle Point Lighthouse under a contract between the Coast Guard and Vet Industrial of Bremerton.

Over the years erosion of the surrounding sand dunes has exposed and undermined the foundation of the lighthouse, leaving the stability of the historic building at risk.

The foundation will be rebuilt and the surrounding area will be regraded to properly support the building. Native vegetation will then be replanted around the lighthouse and in the areas disturbed by construction.

Vet Industrial has subcontracted with a San Juan Islands native plants restoration business to ensure that the best choices are made with regard to seasonality and locally sourced plant and seed stock, according to Marcia deChadenedes, San Juan Island National Monument Manager.

Marcia added, Continue Reading

Robert Michael Browne November 22, 1948- February 4, 2017

To our dear family and friends, it is with great sadness that we share this news with you. Our beloved Rob, devoted husband, father and friend passed away after nearly a 3 year, valiantly fought battle with cancer, at the UWMC.

Rob was born in Seattle, to mother Inez and father Jim. He is survived by brothers, Jim and Terry, sons Ryan and Justin, wife Claudia, nieces Penny Dunn, Debbie Rishel and Candi Fryer.

Rob grew up in Friday Harbor, graduated high school in 1966. He was number 7 in the draft for the Vietnam war. He served from 1969 – 1971 and was an honored, decorated vet.

After attending Shoreline Community College he returned to Friday Harbor working for for his mom and dad at the lumberyard.

Rob married his wife Claudia in 1983, and they had many adventures travelling together. They had 2 amazing sons Ryan & Justin, and nothing gave him greater joy than spending time with his beloved family.

We invite our friends and family to a celebration of life-wake on Saturday, April 1st, 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm at Downriggers. Please feel free to bring a photo, story or memory to share. For more information, please visit his memorial website at www.forevermissed.com/rob-browne where you can share memories, thoughts, prayers and photos, as well as more information on transportation, accommodations and directions.

Mark your calendar now…

On Saturday, May 20, 2017, the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories will hold its annual Open House. This event offers a splendid opportunity to meet scientists and students at the Labs and check out the research and teaching facilities. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Labs will be open for self-guided tours. Scientists and students will showcase their marine science research, answer questions and provide demonstrations. There will be posters, marine plants and animals, microscopes, plankton sampling and observations, and activities for visitors of all ages. Families are particularly encouraged to attend.

The public is invited to learn more about marine zoology, botany, fisheries, oceanography and the equipment used by scientists in these fields. People can step aboard and tour our 58’ research vessel, the R/V Centennial, and check out its remotely operated vehicle (ROV), oceanographic tools, and sonar systems. There will also be underwater SCUBA demonstrations from the FHL dock, and scientific lectures will be presented in the FHL Lecture Hall.

Sturdy shoes are recommended because the tour route includes rough dock planks, gravel paths and trails.

In keeping with FHL Open House tradition, there will be free popcorn. Hot dogs and other snacks will also be available for purchase on the Dining Hall deck.

FHL’s website http://depts.washington.edu/fhl/ provides a detailed overview of FHL’s research, service and educational activities.

Mike Carlson shares this update on the construction progress for the new Spring Street Pocket Park…

The Pocket Park is now beginning to take shape.

Most of the underground work has been completed.  This week, the bases for the paver borders, benches and sculptures will be formed and poured.

As soon as those are completed and the weather permits, the crews will close the upper curb and install the large storm water curb inlet, then commence to place the final concrete walks and paver surface.

Finally, the saw cut grid, benches, planting soils, irrigation and vegetation will be installed near the end of March and first part of April.

– Mike Carlson (President MCE)

Start planning now for the biggest rummage sale of the year! Dropoffs will be accepted from 12-6 on Friday, March 17 at the high school.

The big sale, on Saturday March 18, will be an epic extravaganza of fabulous merchandise… and a delicious bake sale! Your donations fund a memorable and fantastic grad night for the class of 2017.

Sale is Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Friday Harbor High School Commons

EDC offers workshop on Photography for Business

67% of consumers consider image quality “very important” when making a purchase online. To turn browsers into buyers, business owners must show potential customers their products in the best possible light, and help them to connect with products and services in a way that words – or mediocre photographs – cannot. Join the San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) and photographer Mark Gardner on March 29th from 9-11:30 a.m. on San Juan Island, to learn what kinds of photos will work for business purposes, ways to use photographs through media like websites and print, and the practical aspects of producing and outputting photos.

Noted photographer Mark Gardner is based in the San Juan Islands and has worked as a full-service provider of individual, family and business photography for over a decade. Gardner has published two books (including one with photographer Art Wolfe) and he teaches photography workshops locally. He also maintains a website of San Juan Islands stock images; more information may be found here: www.photographybymarkgardner.com.

Workshop topics will include: Planning photographs, getting needed photos, creating photos that sell (including lighting and composition), output, and using photos to sell products and services.

Details: San Juan Island, Wednesday, March 29th from 9-11:30 a.m. at the San Juan Island Library (this event not sponsored by the library). Cost: $25; reservations required. Please visit www.sanjuansedc.org/photography to reserve your space. Questions? 360-378-2906, or email: info [@] sanjuansedc.org.

The EDC thanks San Juan County government, our ports, the Town of Friday Harbor, Heritage Bank, Islanders Bank, Island Market, and the Department of Commerce for their support of this workshop.

Island Rec is offering Tennis Lessons this April/May for youth and adults with Caroline Hansen. Classes are held Wednesdays; April 19- May 10. Youth lessons for grades 3-5, from 3-4:30pm at Cahail Park. Adult lesson for ages 16 and up are from 5:45pm-7:15 at the High School Tennis Courts.

Register before April 13th for the early bird special price; $53. $5 more thereafter.

For more information or registration visit www.islandrec.org, call 378-4953 or drop by the office at 580 Guard Street Monday – Friday 11am-5pm.

Meghan Hoffman, Gardens & Grounds Supervisor of Roche Harbor Resort will lead a tour of the “winter mode” gardens and grounds of Roche Harbor Resort. 

The pots and gardens will just be waking up. 

• Date: March 18, 2017 
• Location: Hotel De Haro entrance 
• Time: 10:30 AM 

Car pool meeting location: Mullis Center 10:00 AM 

The Lime Kiln Café will be open for those who care to have lunch. 

More information about events can be found at: www.sjigardenclub.weebly.com 

A community event conceived and planned to take care of one of our own sweet island families. Saturday, March 25 at 5:00 PM at the Fairgrounds.

Quincy Vague, a 16 year old sophomore at Friday Harbor High School was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. We, as an island, can come together to ease the financial burden to his mother Hollye Vague and show our love to Quincy, Lily, Ty, and Reece.

A Soup, Salad and Breadstick dinner with both a Silent Auction, and Dessert Auction as well as other fun surprises is in store.

Donations can be made at anytime at Islanders Bank. Just reference the Quincy Vague Benefit Fund with any teller. Financial donations as well as silent auction items can be dropped off at Ernie’s Cafe any weekday between 8am and 4pm or call 298-1925/378-6605 for pick up.

Story by Mike Martin –

It began as a routine checkup at the clinic in Friday Harbor, Washington. Hollye Vague took her 16-year old son, Quincy in for a check-up.

“Quincy was having headaches,” she said. Quincy was an offensive tackle for the Friday Harbor High School Wolverines — the season had just finished — and there are always aches and pains associated with any sort of athletics.

“He started as a freshman and was dominant,” his coach, Garrett Holmes, said. “We had high expectations for him going into his sophomore season,” but Holmes said that there was a notable dip in his performance.

Holmes understands the grind of an offensive lineman as he was a second team All Pac -10 center at the University of Oregon in 1986 and figured the performance drop was a “sophomore slump”.

Holmes was also a National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American in 1986 — during off-season workouts he could tell something just wasn’t right. Quincy began missing workout sessions; sometimes with lower back pain and sometimes with headaches — sometimes with both.

Hollye says that Quincy began to experience consistent headaches in January, but then they intensified late February. It’s not uncommon for different sinus headaches or headaches, in general, during the winter and especially during flu season.

When it turned out to be brain cancer it shocked the tiny, tight-knit island community. Continue Reading

Welcome Spring! The San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Preservation Trust invite you to the third annual MARCH TURTLEBACK MARCH, a 5 mile “Up and Over” hike on the Turtleback Mountain Preserve!

We will depart promptly at 1:00 pm from the South Trailhead parking area (Deer Harbor Road/Wild Rose Lane) on board a Camp Orkila bus to the North Trailhead. From there it’s “up and over” the mountain on an amazingly beautiful 5 mile hike back to your car.

Sunday, March 19, 2017 1:00 pm sharp at Turtleback Mountain Preserve, Orcas Island

Be sure to dress for the weather, bring water/snacks and, most importantly, friends!

Pre-registration is required; please contact Tanja Williamson at 378-4402 or tanjaw [@] sjclandbank.org.

Dave Hall passed Tuesday morning, March 7, 2017 with his wife Nadine at his side.

A Celebration of Life is tentatively set for Saturday, April 22.

A formal obituary with details will follow soon. Cards can be sent to PO Box 815, Friday Harbor.