Greetings Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students and Community Members:

Happy Chinese New Year!

Dr. Danna Diaz – Contributed photo

I love the word new because of its meaning. A new year, new beginnings, new semester, and new knowledge. In 2017, we are starting off the year with new learnings!!

In January, we launched ParentLink. The District has partnered with Blackboard (Education and Technology Services) to expand its communications outreach with a mobile app that is now available in the online iTunes® and Google Play® app stores for free. The latest district news and information is now available on smartphones and mobile devices. Amazing!

I would like to publicly recognize the sixth grade committee. They did a remarkable job presenting to the school board the reasons why our current fifth grade students should transition into the middle school next academic year. A financial plan will be presented to the school board in February. Below you will read one of the reasons the committee favored moving the sixth grade to the middle school:

• Sixth graders in middle school have greater access to extracurricular activities. In one Michigan school district, the sixth grade will be moved to middle school beginning the 2008-2009 school year. The officials noted that at middle school the sixth graders would have access to more extracurricular activities, such as art, band, music, and athletics (click here for more)

On Saturday, February 4, a comprehensive emergency services drill will be enacted at Friday Harbor High School. This exercise is being developed through the cooperative efforts of the San Juan Island EMS, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, San Juan Fire and Rescue, Peace Island Medical Center, Skagit Valley College, Stillpoint School, Paideia Classical School, the local Red Cross membership, San Juan County Department of Emergency Management (DEM), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the San Juan Island School District.   The drill will consist of several mock exercises and activities intended to provide first responders experience in a multi-organizational response to a school based disaster or tragedy. Continue Reading

Now is the time to think about what you would like to do in your garden this year. Join the San Juan Island Garden Club’s Garden Planning Party. There will be catalogs, items to trade or give away, left handed gloves, information on what grows best here, old well-loved tools, ideas you may want to try, containers in various sizes and condition and knowledgeable people to answer questions.

• Date: February 7, 2017
• Location: Craft Room at the Mullis Community Center
• Time: 10:00 AM

Regular monthly meeting begins at 1:00 pm. Bring your items to give away and/or trade. Catalogs to add to the mix would be great. Most important of all bring your ideas, questions and enthusiasm.

Beverages, hot soup and crusty bread provided for lunch. More information about events at www.sjigardenclub.weebly.com

“The joy of gardening is sharing”

Just heard that Design Build San Juan is looking for Skilled Carpenters…

In the SJ Update mailbag we have a thank you letter from someone who wishes to remain anonymous…

An interesting thing happened to me when I was at the bank the yesterday.

My transaction was interrupted in the middle of the process, so I decided leave and complete it after I did a few errands. On my way out I must have dropped the $100 bill I intended to deposit, which had a note-to-self stuck to it, indicating it was to be deposited. Aside from that it was just a $100 bill laying on the ground, and was basically “free money” for whoever found it first.

Well, whoever found it decided not to keep it for themselves, but instead brought it into the bank and gave it to the teller. When I came back to complete my transaction the teller told me someone had found the $100 bill outside of the bank and returned it; up until that point I hadn’t even realized I had lost it! 

I was dumbstruck with shocked-surpise as I pieced together what had transpired. I didn’t feel relieved because I never went through the stress or frustration of thinking I had lost the money. Instead it felt like a huge “pay it forward,” like an unknown stranger just gave me $100. I also realized how fortunate I was to be a part of a such a fantastic community.

I would love to thank this person directly and tell them how much I appreciate their kindness, honesty, and integrity; then I realize they returned the money not knowing to whom it belonged, out of the kindness of their heart. They did it as an indiscriminate good deed that could have helped anyone in town, and in doing so “payed it forward” to the community as a whole.

So instead of signing my name to this note of gratitude, I wish to pass on my thanks to this person in an indiscriminate fashion, and simply let them know that somebody in their community really appreciates their kindness.  In the mean time, I’ll be following their lead by paying it forward at every opportunity I can.

Thank you, kind person.

Plácido Domingo plays Nabucco – Contributed photo

Operatic powerhouse Plácido Domingo takes the title role in The Met: Live in HD’s next screening of Nabucco at San Juan Community Theatre on Sunday, January 29 at 2:00 p.m.

Under the direction of longtime collaborator Met Music Director Emeritus James Levine, Domingo makes his Met role debut in Verdi’s third opera, which tells the story of the Babylonian tyrant Nebuchadnezzar and his sacking of the temple of Jerusalem. After making his company debut in 1966 as Maurizio in Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur, Domingo has sung 678 performances to date, in addition to conducting over 150 performances with the company.

“As always, Levine delivered a passionate and moving reading of the score… Domingo sings a strong and poignant performance, especially in the demanding last act.” —Huffington Post

The drama also features  Liudmyla Monastyrska singing the tour-de-force role of Abigaille, Nabucco’s willful daughter and Jamie Barton as Fenena.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for SJCT members and $10 for student reserved. Due to a financial agreement with the Met, no SJCT coupons are accepted for these productions. Tickets are available on-line at www.sjctheatre.org or at the SJCT Box Office: 378-3210.

Spring Musical Auditions 29 & 30

Adults and teens 15 years and older are invited to audition for San Juan Community Theatre’s jazzy spring musical: CHICAGO.

Director Margaret Hall will be holding auditions at the PARC Building (70 Saltspring Drive) on Sunday, January 29 at 1:30 p.m. and Monday, January 30 at 6:30 p.m.

CHICAGO is a “musical vaudeville” set in 1927 Chicago (think prohibition, speakeasies, bootleggers, lawlessness, gangsters, flappers, jazz)!  The musical is based on a (non-musical) play written by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins in 1926 about actual criminals and crimes she reported on. The original Broadway production opened in 1975. The 2002 film version of the musical won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Audition information and perusal scripts are available at the SJCT Box Office with a $10 deposit. The box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  More information is available on-line at www.sjctheatre.org

PERFORMANCES of CHICAGO will be presented in the Whittier Theatre May 5-20.

Get Back in the Left Seat – Once a pilot, always a pilot…but feeling a little rusty?

Join fellow lapsed pilots for a *Free Rusty Pilots program. Join us at Westwind Aviation to learn about the latest topics including medical reform, flight briefing, weather, runway incursion, airspace and communications. Credit towards ground training for Biennial Flight Review.

Register at the AOPA Website: Rusty Pilot Seminar at Westwind Aviation. February 4th, 2017. 10:00am-1:00pm 740 Airport Circle Drive

*Free to AOPA members. $69 for non-members

Kay Zavislak – Contributed photo

Northwest and internationally-acclaimed pianist Kay Zavislak presents a solo concert at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Zavislak’s “Winter Moonlight” features an interesting mix of miniatures and masterworks, highlighting various musical eras and styles ranging from the sublime Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, to jazzy Gershwin and the epic Dante Sonata by Liszt.

Zavislak, who lives in Bellingham where she teaches at Western Washington, enjoys a multi-faceted career as a performer, teacher, adjudicator and clinician.  Spending her formative years in Japan, she attended the Toho Gakuen High School of Music, one of the most prestigious conservatories in Japan.  As a performer, she has given solo recitals and chamber concerts regionally and nationally, in addition to public performances in Australia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan and Poland. In collaboration with flutist Leonard Garrison and saxophonist Bill Perconti, Zavislak has also recorded two commercial CDs for Centaur Records. 

The Business Partner for the evening is Friday Harbor Grand Bed & Breakfast. Tickets are $18 for adults; $9 for student reserved, with $5 student RUSH 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., or tickets can be purchased on-line at www.sjctheatre.org

Left to right, Joan Byrne, Harry See, Mark Wagner, Erin Graham, Kyle Dodd, Ron Garner, Diane Ludeman and John McDowell. Photo by Terry Sanders

Firefighter Mark Wagner and Lieutenant Erin Graham received San Juan Island Fire Department’s highest awards Saturday night when the department celebrated the 2016 contributions of its members. The firefighters and support members were honored for their dedicated service at the annual awards banquet, which was held at Downriggers Restaurant. The annual event is presented by the Department and the San Juan Island Firefighters’ Association (which is supported by the Friday Harbor Firefighters’ Thrift House).  

The following firefighters were honored with special awards for their service in 2016:

• Firefighter of the Year – Mark Wagner
• Officer of the Year – Erin Graham
• Rookie of the Year – Kyle Dodd
• Driver/Operator of the Year – Harry See
• Support Volunteer of the Year – Diane Ludeman
• Ron G. Garner Wildland Safety Award – Rex Stickle
• John McDowell, Joan Byrne and Ron Garner also received awards for going above and beyond the call of duty.

In other acknowledgements, Ron Garner was recognized for 20 years of service. Joan Byrne, Mark Tompkins and Dan Tracy were recognized for 15 years of service. Ken Clark and Connie Odegard were recognized for 10 years of service. Kurt Long, Peggy Long and Mark Wagner were recognized for five years of service. Continue Reading

A comprehensive Emergency Services drill will be enacted at Friday Harbor High School on Saturday February 4, 2017, from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm. This exercise is being developed through the cooperative efforts of the San Juan Island EMS, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, San Juan Island Fire and Rescue, Peace Island Medical Center, Skagit Valley College, Stillpoint School, Paideia Classical School, the local Red Cross membership, San Juan County Department of Emergency Management (DEM), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the San Juan Island School District.  

The drill will consist of several mock exercises and activities intended to provide first responders experience in a multi-organizational response to a school based disaster or tragedy.

It is important for the community at large to be aware that Saturday, February 4, 2017, 8:30 am – 2:00 pm is a planned mock exercise and not a real emergency and that Blair Avenue may be closed for the duration of the emergency services drill.

The San Juan Island School District would like to thank our local schools, organizations, associations and agencies for their commitment to keeping our community’s children safe.

By Gail Schnee, Co-Owner of Cotton Cotton Cotton and Becki Day, Executive Director of San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce…

Happy New Year! I would like to introduce myself to those of you who don’t know me, I am co-owner of Cotton Cotton Cotton with my husband Randy, and I have been elected as the new Chamber of Commerce President replacing Lauren Cohen for 2017. We hate to see Lauren go, she did a stellar job as past president, but she promises that she will continue to be active in the Chamber and we certainly appreciate all the hard work she has put in the past two years.

Randy and I moved to the island from Orlando, Florida in October 2009 and purchased Cotton Cotton Cotton in November of that year. We had come here on vacation in 2005 and fell in love with the island and the friendly community. It was our hope that we could find a business that could sustain us and allow us to give up our jobs in Florida and enjoy all the wonderful things that Friday Harbor has to offer. It took us 4 years but we were able to sell our house in Florida which allowed us to purchase the business and start our new lives here. We feel so lucky to be able to live and work here and now represent the Chamber of Commerce as your new Board President.

What drew us to Friday Harbor was the small town feel and the friendliness of the community. Coming from a big city, where you don’t know your neighbors, and your community is the company you work for, we longed for a place to live and work where people know you, care about you, and want you to be successful.

My goal is to continue to help grow the Chamber with our Executive Director and Chamber Board Members and support the local businesses to become more successful. I would like to wish a great success to all businesses and island residents in 2017. Continue Reading

The 23rd annual Knowledge Bowl will be held on Monday, February 6, at the Community Theatre. Our fabulous Friday Harbor Jazz Band will begin performing at 6:30 and the FH High School PTA will be offering baked treats in the lobby before and during the event.

The competition begins at 7 PM. Teams consist of the 8th graders, a team of freshmen/sophomores, and one of 11th and 12th graders, going head to head with 4 local service group teams: Kiwanis, Soroptimists, Lions, and Rotary. Groups will match wits to answer tricky questions on a range of topics. The event is emceed this year again by Brent Snow, School Board member, with entertainment during intermission by the Jazz Band.

The Knowledge Bowl is presented each year by the San Juan Public Schools Foundation. Through its main fundraising events, the Phone-a-Thon and Business Partnership Program in the school directory, the Foundation this year has donated over $100,000 to supplement our local public education needs!

Tickets for this fun family event are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids, and are available at the door the night of the event. Come and cheer on your favorite team!!

Reuben Tarte Park – Diana Mancel photo

Our first walk of the year will be at Rueben Tarte County Park. The walk is short and all uphill on the way back. We will share stories about who Rueben Tarte was. Bring your sketch book and we will see who can draw the best rock formation or seascape. If walking is a challenge for you, no problem – drive down and drop off passengers and return to parking lot. Dogs on leashes okay.

 Saturday, January 28, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Directions: From Friday Harbor drive out of town on Roche Harbor Road. At about 8 miles turn right on Rouleau Road. In a mile, turn right on Limestone Point Road, then in less than a mile at a “T” turn right on San Juan Drive and watch for the “Beach Access” sign and parking lot on left in less than ½ a mile.

For more information send an email to  info [@] sanjuanislandtrails.org

Selling out earliest ever on October 17, 2016, with a 100 Boat Limit ~ the 14th Annual Derby kicked off on Thursday January 19th registering a total of 347 Anglers. Weather was clear & cool with winds that kept us honest when the cannon went off Friday morning to start day one of fishing.

Friday broke the record for total number of fish weighed in at 156 (previously held by Friday in 2013 with 104 fish).

On Saturday there were calm seas with dry conditions and beautiful blue skies as they raced out for the second day of the Derby! 140 fish were weighed in on Saturday for a Record TOTAL of 296 FISH!

The results from the derby are:

100 Derby Boats; total 347 Anglers

156 fish weighed in on Friday January 20th, 2017

140 fish weighed in on Saturday January 21st, 2017

$25,000 cash prizes awarded:

$10,000   1^st Place   Jerry Thomas   Mt. Vernon, WA   18.12

$5,000     2^nd Place    Tim Linderman   Bellingham, WA    15.15

$3,000   3^rd Place   Miles Harris   Federal, WA           13.5

$2,000    4^th Place  Larry Quesnell  Mt. Vernon, WA       13.4

$1,000  5^th Place   Larry Quesnell  Mt. Vernon, WA       12.8     

$2,000  Mystery Fish  Charles Burke Mercer Island tag#1200      6.3    

$2,000  Best Boat Total Weight  Team Derek Floyd     Camano, Is, WA       68.14

BONUS$$  Lady Angler Friday   Vicky Klein  Friday Harbor, WA   11.14  $500  

Lady Angler Saturday  Brenda Schmidt  Friday Harbor, WA   11.10  $500  

Christian Thomas    Youngest Angler     9  yrs old         Puyallup, WA   His 4th RH Derby!!

Jason Smith   Arlington, WA    2018   Boat Entry drawing winner,

Sponsored by Roche Harbor Resort

There was a very large turnout for the Women’s March in Friday Harbor today. Men, women, children, babies and dogs marched in support of the Women’s March on Washington D.C. and hundreds of other similar marches across the country and around the world. 

Estimates put the number of participants at 1,500 to 1,800 hundred. Pretty good for a small island with a population of 6,894! The march ended at the middle school commons where there was not enough room to accommodate all the people so many were left standing outside, trying to hear the speakers within. 

Click to watch the video above to get an idea of what the march looked like, or click below to see a gallery of images.

Continue Reading

Dream Swan – a photo by John Miller – Click for the full size version

Local wildlife photographer extraordinaire John Miller shares another beautiful image. Here’s his description of this swan image…

The attached image was taken last week, shortly after sunrise, at Dream Lake. After photographing a gaggle of swans over the past 10 years, I believe this is the most detailed capture I have been lucky enough to obtain. It is my dream swan!
Tech side – Nikon D500 w/ f2.0, 200mm AF-S @ 1/3000 sec, f4, 100 ISO.