In the SJ Update mailbag we have this announcement from Loren DeShon at Westwind…

Westwind Aviation adds new San Juan resident to staff

Daniel Schwartz – Contributed photo

Westwind is pleased to announce that Daniel Schwartz has joined our staff. Dan and his wife Kathy recently moved to San Juan Island from the Seattle area where he was a flight instructor for a large, well regarded flight school.

Dan was involved with their Light Twin Refresher program, ATP transition-training program for military pilots, and instrument training.

Earlier in his career, as a USCG-licensed Master Mariner, he commanded research ships on missions for the Office of Naval Research, NSF and NOAA and later was Manager of Marine Operations from the University of Washington’s School of Oceanography.

Dan is available for brand new students interested in learning to fly, and can also conduct pilot flight reviews and teach advanced flight ratings including instrument, commercial and multi-engine. He brings a wealth of experience that will benefit our island pilots.

Westwind Aviation Inc. is a Friday Harbor based, family owned business, that provides Air Charter, Flight Training and Scenic Fight services. Established in 2003, Westwind has the only twin engine IFR aircraft in the area which can provide all-weather flights anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.

For more information contact Westwind Aviation (360) 378-6991

Click to enlarge

Mark your calendar to explore the world of entrepreneurship!

Good news. Here’s a chance to pursue your dream of owning your own business. Worksource is offering a free workshop for entrepreneurial training.

Get the answers to these questions at this free workshop:

• What does it take to become an entrepreneur?
• How can you secure funding to start your own business?
• Which products or services should you provide?
• How do you get the needed licenses?

Minnie Knych
NW Workforce Career Center
540 Guard Street #210
(360) 378-4662

The 2016 and 2017 Holiday Refuse Schedules available on the Town website at this link. Mark your calendar for these holidays that will affect your refuse collection. For those holidays not listed, solid waste collection will take place as regularly scheduled.

The Town reminds Customers that there will be no garbage/recycling pick-up on Monday, December 26, 2016. Pick-up for Customers on a Monday route are rescheduled for Tuesday, December 27, 2016.

Memorial Park and Spring Street lit up for the season – Tim Dustrude photo

If you haven’t yet made it into town on a beautiful December evening to see the lights, you really owe it to yourself to come and check them out. It is quite a dazzling display, especially if you experience it on foot, up close. If you can’t do that, you can at least click on any of these images to make them larger.

Spring Street Landing and Memorial Park – Tim Dustrude photo

Memorial Park – Tim Dustrude photo

Town of Friday Harbor Receives Clean Audit from State for 16th consecutive year.

The Washington State Auditor’s Office has completed the review of Friday Harbor’s 2015 financial records and has given the Town a clean audit report. This is the 16th consecutive year the Town has received a clean audit. The State auditors conduct annual reviews of each of the Town’s fund accounts including Current, Special, Debt Service, Proprietary and Fiduciary Funds.

Mayor Carrie Lacher and Town Administrator Duncan Wilson credit Finance Director Kelle Wilson and her team for the continued positive audit reviews. “I am extremely happy with the results of this year’s audit” said Mayor Carrie Lacher. “The citizens are very well served by the outstanding work of the Town Finance Department.”

Washington State law (Chapter 43.09 RCW) requires the State Auditor’s Office to examine the financial affairs of local governments. The State Auditor’s Office audits more than 3,000 governmental entities ranging from the largest counties to the smallest special-purpose districts. For more information about the SAO and to review audit reports and other relevant information, please visit their website www.sao.gov.

Jack and a little friend

Sad news from Judith Carter at Barking Bird…

After more than five years, The Barking Bird is leaving the nest! Jack and I have loved meeting people from all over the world, but mostly we treasure our local customers and their animals.

We’ve watched puppies grow up, grieved with folks when their dogs and cats died, been visited by all kinds of parrots and even a pet rat. We will miss seeing you all and helping you find wonderful gifts and good things for your pets.

We’ll be open 11-5 all week before Christmas (still not sure about Christmas Eve hours!) and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

This week, everything is 20% off, so please come and do some last-minute shopping!

And if an affordable new nest turns up later in the year, The Barking Bird just might, like the phoenix, rise again.

Thank you all for making this venture such a joy.

Noel Monin is the Firefighter of the Month – Sheila Harley photo

Noel was raised in Sedro-Woolley and after graduating high school, attempted a four-year university and spent several years in production and construction jobs in Skagit and King Counties. 

In 1996, while working as a crew member for Washington Conservation Corps, Noel moved to Lime Kiln State Park. While living and working at the Park, the Ranger at the time, Chris Guidotti, “suggested” that Noel “could” volunteer for the local fire department. 

Noel began his adventure with the fire district at Little Mountain Station (Station 33) under the leadership of retired firefighter’s Capt. Don McClasky, Lt. Alan Smith. 

After some five years of volunteering for the fire district and working in local manufacturing and as a Forest Service Hotshot, Noel was hired as a career firefighter/maintenance worker for the District in summer of 2001. He immediately settled into his newly found stability and married, assumed a mortgage, and by fall of 2002 he and his wife brought a baby girl into the world.  Continue Reading

Mayor Carrie Lacher is pleased to announce the appointment of Gail Richard to the Friday Harbor Arts Commission (FHAC). Richard, a Heritage Interpretation trainer and retired educator, brings experience in working with visual art exhibits, shows, and galleries, as well as involvement with local performing arts including volunteering with the San Juan Community Theatre and San Juan Singers.

As a board member and trainer with the National Association of Interpretation, her work took her to Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. “My work with these organizations has been focused on local art and its impact on the community at large,” Richard explained in her introductory letter.

Richard will serve a three-year term commencing January 1, 2017. She joins Macalister Arendt as the newest members of the eight-person commission. Arendt is the appointed youth commissioner for the 2016-2017 school term.

Members of the FHAC represent the interests of the Town, community, and local artists and advise the Town Council on the cultivation, selection, acquisition, and placement of public art.

Northern Lights – A painting by Pamela Hoke

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) introduces a new art program called Art for Fun, a “paint and sip” party for adults of all skill levels. The first party is set for December 22 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and the cost is only $35.00.

In keeping with the trend that is sweeping across the nation, “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.

The instructor for this first event is nature artist and instructor, Pamela Hoke, whose high energy and ebullient personality ensure an entertaining experience. The featured painting for the evening is “Starry, Island Lights” which can be viewed on the SJIMA website, www.sjima.org. SJIMA provides all art supplies. Gift certificates are available. Art for Fun is fun art, not fine art!

For more information and to register, call 360 378-0951 or email dpigman1234 [@] yahoo.com.

Did you know that Granny’s estimated birth year is 1911? She is believed to be the oldest female in J, K, and L pods at over 105 years! She is still very active and often breaches. Here are some interesting facts about Granny:

• She is the matriarch of the Southern Resident Community, known as J Clan.
• Granny is one of the whales in the “Free Willy” movies.
• She has a distinct half-moon shaped notch on the trailing edge of her dorsal fin that makes her easy to identify.
• In addition to breaching, Granny is often seen cartwheeling like she is in the Holiday Greeting above.
• She is the honorary mayor of Eastsound, Washington.
• Granny is often in the lead and sometimes the first vocalization heard over the Lime Kiln hydrophone.
• Granny also likes to come in close along the west side of San Juan Island and has on many occasions been seen changing course to come in even closer as she and others pass by Lime Kiln lighthouse. 

Over these many years, thousands of people have had the opportunity to ‘meet’ Granny. We love our Granny!

(see more from the Whale Museum here)

FH Mayor Carrie Lacher presents the plaque to SJC Councilman Bob Jarman – Contributed photo

SJC Councilman Bob Jarman was honored with a plaque of appreciation at his final meeting with the Town Council on December 15, 2016.

Mayor Carrie Lacher presented the plaque and praised Jarman for his work on key issues affecting the Town. Lacher noted Jarman’s role in working to reduce the speed limit at county transition points like Roche Harbor Road and advocating for projects like the Pear Point to Turn Point Connector Road. Lacher also acknowledged Jarman’s previous role as Fire Commissioner during the successful transition of fire services to District 3 and ensuing relationship enjoyed by both the Town and District.

“We want to congratulate him on a job well done,” said Lacher. “The Town has benefited from Bob’s hard work, experience and cooperation throughout the years.”

Jarman has attended Town Council meetings monthly since 2012 to provide SJC Council updates and discuss issues of mutual concern.

“I want to thank the Town,” said Jarman. “I‘ve enjoyed working with you this past term.”

Thank you Bob!

Two Orcas Island Ballot Measures Need Opponents

Two local taxing districts have submitted resolutions to the San Juan County Auditor to place measures on the February 2017 ballot. The Orcas Island School District is proposing a general obligation bond in the amount of $8,000,000 for the purpose of renovating or replacing existing buildings and constructing new facilities for the district. The San Juan County Fire Protection District #2 (Orcas Island) is proposing to increase the number of commissioners on its board from three to five.

In order to ensure an informed electorate, it is the responsibility of each district to appoint committees to write arguments for and against its measures.  If a district is unable to appoint committees, that responsibility falls to the County Auditor. 

Both the Orcas Island School District and the Orcas Fire District have so far been unable to find writers of arguments against their measures. For that reason, County Auditor Milene Henley is seeking people interested in writing arguments opposing either measure.  

Up to three people (per measure) may be named as argument writers, though they may seek the assistance of as many people as needed. Statements are limited to 250 words.

For copies of the resolutions placing the measures on the ballot, please contact Elections Administrator Doris Schaller at doriss [@] sanjuanco.com or (360) 378-3356.

Contact the Auditor at mileneh [@] sanjuanco.com or (360) 370-7558, if you are interested in writing an argument against either proposal.

Christmas Cactus – Photo PS McRae

This month’s San Juan Island Senior Signal newsletter shared some tips for managing stress throughout the holidays. The article, reprinted from the website She Knows: 5 Tips For Helping Seniors Manage Holiday Stress has good advice and I recommend it. It got me thinking about how observing simple traditions can be a meaningful way to enjoy the holiday season while taking a step back from the festive frenzy.

Christmas shopping can be fun but being broke isn’t. If gift giving has become a financial burden it’s time to simplify. Baked goods, a jar of jam, or a thoughtful card are appreciated and are enough to let your loved ones know that you care. Finding and using a favorite family recipe is a fun way to share memories while creating new traditions.

You’ve been to the parties and performances and they were great but now its time to put on your pajamas, make some hot chocolate, and hit the couch for holiday home movie night. There are the classics; It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, Miracle on 34 th Street, and you can hardly go wrong with these. A few more recent films I like to watch every year are The Holiday and Love Actually. It’s fun to find a few you like and make watching them into your own holiday tradition.

Finally, journaling… whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Solstice, or none of the above, these dark nights at year’s end lend themselves to writing lists, taking stock, and making plans. Writing on a plain legal pad or in a beautifully bound journal the important thing is taking some quiet time for self-reflection. May peace be with you during this holiday season and throughout the coming new year.

Winter Window – Photo PS McRae

The Deep Blue Sea

This weekend promises three chances to warm up your winter with a variety of entertainment at San Juan Community Theatre. First, it starts off on Friday, December 16 at 7:00 pm with the dramatic production shown in HD from London’s National Theatre Live: The Deep Blue Sea.

Then on Saturday at 7:00 pm, it’s a chance for families to sing along (and enjoy free popcorn and drinks) to Disney’s popular animated film, FROZEN.

L’Amour de Loin

Then on Sunday at 2:00 pm, the medieval romance, L’Amour de Loin premieres in The Met: Live in HD series. More information and tickets are available at www.sjctheatre.org.

On display now at the SJI Museum of Art, concurrently with the Artists Registry show, it’s “More Than Meets the Eye: John F. Heric Retrospective” running until February 18, 2017.

From a young age, John Heric (1942 – 2011) engaged in art across a wide variety of mediums – sculpture, music, drawing, and painting.  His work, created in stone, steel, plastics, and bronze, demonstrates the breath of his talent and true embodiment of this principle.

His work was featured in numerous exhibitions across the United States, from Arizona to Wisconsin to Minnesota. Attracted to solidarity lifestyle, Heric moved to San Juan Island after retiring from teaching. His work continues to inspire artists of all ages today. 

Learn more at the SJIMA Website.

Here’s a work party invitation for you from Tanja at the Land Bank…

Last week’s Oakie Team – Contributed photo

Wow – I can’t believe this Sunday is the last Oakie gathering for 2016! This Sunday’s plans include the continuation of cage cleaning, as well as pruning the saplings within them. And perhaps there will be time to throw in a little thistle and blackberry removal along the way. 🙂

• When?
  Sunday, December 18
  10:00am to 2:00pm
  **Note: Check email Sunday morning if weather is questionable – Thom will make the decision to cancel or go forth into the elements.
• RSVP required
  (e-mail tanjaw [@] sjclandbank.org )
• 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?
  Cleaning existing caged oaks
  Thistle and blackberry removal
• Bring/Wear?
  Hand pruners
  Plant trowel or Hori Hori
  Small loppers
  Weather appropriate clothing
  Water

Tanja Williamson
Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator
San Juan County Land Bank
350 Court Street, No. 6
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

http://www.sjclandbank.org