EDC offers free workshop on Writing for Business

Effective business writing is not only a key tool, it defines one’s image as a business person or entrepreneur. Join the San Juan County Economic Development Council for a FREE workshop on the topic of Writing for Business, on Tuesday, November 22nd from 1-2:00 p.m. on San Juan Island.  Advanced registration is required.

The secret to effective writing for business purposes is organization, directness and simplicity. Noted management consultant and author, Mike Sanders will present five tools to allow you to double writing speed and reader’s comprehension – to write powerfully and fast. These tools include clear, familiar words, short sentences with a single point, active voice sentence construction, using paragraph headings, and employing journalistic style. Free handouts and Business Writing Certification are included.

Details:  San Juan Island, Tuesday, November 22nd from 1-2:00 p.m. at the San Juan Island Library in Friday Harbor.   Free workshop; advance registration is required. Please call 360-378-2906 to reserve your space, or email:  [email protected].  This workshop is not sponsored by the San Juan Island Library.

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

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County.  We believe a strong economy builds a strong community.   The EDC works to build an environment that helps business owners create jobs.  We serve business:  linking organizations and resources, providing valuable information, rendering assistance and advocating for an improved island business environment.   

Below is a link to another one of Merri Ann Simonson’s San Juan Island lifestyle videos.

This one is about making plum chutney which she believes is part of our lifestyle as islanders are able to take mundane tasks and turn them into fun. It is all in your perspective of life.

Northern Saw-Whet owl – Wolf Hollow photo

You’re invited to come by the Mullis Community Senior Center, Friday Harbor between 5:00 and 8:00 pm on December 9th for hot drinks and delicious holiday goodies and to share wildlife stories with Wolf Hollow Staff and Board members.

Bring an item from our wish list as a holiday gift for our local wild creatures and take home a hand-made ornament for your Christmas tree. If you’re looking for a special gift for wildlife enthusiasts in your family, our T shirts, cards and Adoption Packets will be available and might just fit the bill.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Visit our web site to take a look at our Critters Christmas Wish List.

www.wolfhollowwildlife.org/events.

A painting by past scholarship recipient Will Kromer

Will Kromer’s “thank you” to Island Artisans

Island Artisan Lauren Jawer gives a bit of background and invites you to this popular island event…

In Dr. Suess’, Horton Hears A Who, a world exists within a world that only Horton can hear with his attuned elephant ears. On our tender SJI their exists a low profile group that works year round in order to fund and acknowledge our island’s motivated High School seniors with college scholarship monies averaging $10,000 a year.

We are the Island Artisans and we are here. We have been here for 38 years.

We bring you the Holiday Market during Thanksgiving weekend at the elementary school.

This year the Holiday Market board is beside ourselves with glee that we have over 65 impressively diverse and talented artisan vendors who are working tirelessly to create visual, functional and culinary offering helping to usher in a holiday spirit. Purchases from these vendors is the primary fundraising tool for our scholarships. Each Artisan pays a $50.00 booth fee and returns 10% of their gross sales to our coffers.

Mach’tamr, a drawing by Ellery von Dassow, past scholarship recipient

Many of you attend and unknowingly are contributing to the scholarships.

As another way to shout out, blow horns and be heard we are excited to announce that Santa will be visiting us for family pictures with their PETS! Yes, I said Pets. Bring your pooch and your phones to capture this year’s moments at the market.

Alaina Scheffer, a talented recipient of our IA Scholarship will be offering Holiday Face Painting.

BB King, a drawing by Alaina Scheffer, past scholarship recipient

Paella San Juan will be preparing authentic Spanish food as a way to refresh your Thanksgiving palate and reminds us that our island hails from a Spanish name.

Our hopes are that with your understanding the full reach of supporting our island Artisans at the market, which in turn supports our island students, that you come full circle in the rich community support that is so dear to life in our islands and gives an even warmer meaning to the holidays.

Happy Holidays from The Island Artisan Board, Vendors and Scholarship recipients.

• When – Friday Nov. 25 ,10-5
  Saturday Nov. 26,10-4
• Highlights – Santa, Family and Pet Selfies Friday 2-4pm
  Saturday 1-3pm
• Face Painting – Friday 1-5pm
  Saturday 12-4pm

Like us on Facebook – 38th Annual “Island Artisan Holiday Market”

SJI Lion member Jeff Neely – Contributed photo

You’ve got plenty of notice, so get this on your calendar now…

The San Juan Lions Foundation in Friday Harbor is pleased to announce our next annual fundraising event: Friday Harbor Bike-n-Brew, taking place on Saturday September 23, 2017. This event brings together visitors with local islanders on a fun biking tour of the island followed by an evening of relaxing and microbrew-tasting.

After a hearty breakfast at the Fairgrounds on Saturday morning, approximately 200 bicyclists will have a choice of three routes around the island with varying difficulty levels. The Lions will provide support for riders including bike repair, transportation, and refreshments along the way. Points of interest include Lime Kiln State Park, Roche Harbor, and English Camp.

The bicycling event will end at The Brickworks where bicyclists, their families, and community members will meet to swap stories and sample beer from regional microbreweries. Two of the microbreweries are from right here in San Juan County.

Island guests may camp at the Fairgrounds, which will also provide parking. All proceeds of Friday Harbor Bike-n-Brew will fund charitable projects of the San Juan Lions Foundation, including local scholarships.

For additional local information or to be added to our email list, please contact:
Info [@] FridayHarborBike-n-Brew.org
or “like” our Facebook page: Friday Harbor Bike-n-Brew
Tickets go on sale February 1st and spots are limited.

The Town of Friday Harbor is accepting proposals for a park bench wildlife sculpture project sponsored by the Friday Harbor Arts Commission (FHAC). The artwork is to be located at, on, or in association with an existing park bench at one of three locations on Spring Street. The selected artwork will be available for sale while on display. Proposals will be accepted until January 27, 2017.

The proposal application states that the artwork is to depict local wildlife and is intended to add beauty and interest to the downtown core as well as provide an opportunity for local or area artists to display their work in a public venue. The sites have been selected by the FHAC based on their high visibility by vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Additional sites may be selected in the future. Continue Reading

The Grunch Family Musical – Tim Dustrude photo

San Juan Community Theatre’s Family Theatre production of The Grunch, A New Musical is all set for the Whittier THIS Thursday through Sunday, November 17-20.

More than 60 Island youth and adults/parents take the stage in this heartwarming and funny story of Rudy Grunch, a grumpy 6th grader who always feels like an outsider. When the entire school gets excited about the annual school musical, she comes up with a perfect plan to ruin it for everyone; she’ll steal the sets, costumes and lights the night before it opens. But will the spirit of theater prevail?

Showtimes are 7 pm on Thursday through Saturday and 2:00 pm on Sunday.  Thursday is “Pay What You Can” at the door; tickets for Friday through Sunday are available at www.sjctheatre.org or 378-3210.

Click here for more photos:  Continue Reading

The 2016 Island Carolers – Contributed photo

We’ve shined up our jingle bells, found some new tunes, polished up some old ones and put together a fun collection of holiday songs for you this year. We represent no organization and we are not collecting donations. As we’ve done for many years, The Island Carolers are offering to bring the spirit of the season into your homes and gatherings.

Our dates this year are December 16, 17, and 18. We want to start your holidays in an old fashioned way so please call Judy Bentzen at 378-3139 to reserve time on these days. We would love to sing for you.

Happy Holidays!

Family fun thrills return to the San Juan County Fairgrounds on Saturday, November 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The fifth annual FANS Carnival (Families and Neighbors Support Island Rec) features some two dozen activity/game booths, the popular “cake walk,” and inflatable experiences (the 18-foot-tall “Monster Truck Slide” and 35-foot-tall “Pirate’s Revenge Obstacle Course”).

Carnival favorites like cotton candy and sno-cones will be available and the Kiwanis’ “FAN Friendly Café” will offer hot dogs, soda and chips for sale. There will also be free face painting and fortune telling.

Admission is also free. One dollar tickets will be sold for the games (all include prizes), inflatables and food, with items ranging from $1 to $2 each.

FANS was formed in 2012 as a nonprofit group to create new opportunities for Island Rec to expand its parks, programs and services. Proceeds from the carnival help FANS in that mission.

For more information or to volunteer at the carnival, contact Cathy Kromer at 370-5315.

Flossie and the Fox – Photo Peggy Sue McRae

November is National Caregiver’s Month. In appreciation of caregivers The Mullis Center will host a Caregiver Appreciation Tea, November 23 from 12:00 noon- 1:00 pm in the Mullis Center library.

As anyone who has done it knows, caring for a loved one can be deeply challenging and at the same time deeply rewarding. When my sisters and I realized that our Mom could no longer safely live by herself we moved her into Friday Harbor’s Village at the Harbour assisted living community. As the sister living on the island I was the one who checked in on her, took her to appointments, watched Mariners games with her and eventually, when she needed 24 hour care headed up a small team to look after her. Now that she is gone I deeply cherish that time we had together.

What I’d like to share with you today is one thing that my Mom and I always enjoyed. At least once a week, as a reward after doctor appointments, if it was a nice day, or even if I just wanted to cheer myself up, I’d go get my Mom and take a drive around the Island to visit our favorite spots. I came to call this “the Mom drive”.

Here is the route: First, we would head out of town taking Cattle Point road all the way past the Cattle Point lighthouse to the concrete interpretive center. There we might get out and stretch our legs, or on a stormy day watch the crashing waves. We’d turn around there and head back taking in that incredible view of South Beach from above.

Sometimes we stopped at South Beach or we would continue on taking a left on False Bay Drive. I remember one grey February day when we were eagerly looking for signs of spring I slammed on the brakes as we turned on to False Bay Drive because there right past the corner I saw a bed of bright purple “Crocuses!” Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag today, it’s Ron Di Cristina with good things to say about Veteran’s Day Ceremonies at FHHS and FHES… 

A sincere congratulatory note of appreciation is in order for “Jobs Well Done!”

Friday Harbor High & Elementary School students, staff, parents and friends all participated in wonderful pre-Veteran’s Day Ceremonies last Thursday morning, Nov. 10, 2016, in two successive school assemblies. American Legion Veterans from Friday Harbor Post 163 were present to represent each U.S. military branch in which they had served in honor of all U.S. veterans & active duty military.

Friday Harbor High School students are commended for their mature and respectful conduct during the entire ceremony in the school gym. FHHS Band (with both high school and middle school musicians) played each service branch song as veterans stood proudly in front of all of the students. The band deserves special recognition for their professional orchestra performance under the outstanding direction of their leader, Cart Nelsen.

At the Elementary School, all in attendance were treated to young students performing with bells and harmonic choir songs, interspersed with grand cheers for all of our military. Local Legion members also gave special talks and demonstrated the correct way to fold our nation’s flag. Elementary school staff, students, parents and volunteers are all commended for a fine, respectful assembly.

At the end of the morning, I wasn’t sure if any local news media representatives were present at either event but, I hoped they were. While many in our country are out demonstrating, often with a lack of respect for other people and property, I was happy to participate with our local American Legion, Friday Harbor High School & Elementary Schools.

My sincere “Thank You” to everyone involved at Friday Harbor High School and Friday Harbor Elementary School. You touched many veterans’ hearts with kindness last Thursday.

Ron Di Cristina
USAF Veteran, Friday Harbor

Doug McCutchen invites you to this event Wednesday evening at Brickworks…

Click to enlarge

Hi everyone,

Hope you can join us. It’s last minute as we just got permission to show this film. The film company, North40 Productions, is from my hometown Wenatchee, WA and the film has a special focus on Mission Ridge, the ski area located just twelve miles from the town.

Lifted: A Ski Movie for the Rest of Us – Celebrating the love we all have for the home town hill and winter sports.

A wintertime love story exploring the universal attraction between skier, boarder and mountain. From first chair to flamingo days, from deep powder to epic corduroy, “Lifted: A Ski Film for the Rest of Us” celebrates athletes and amateurs of all shapes and styles. Have craft mountains become endangered? Or are hometown hills an eternal source of stoke and adventure for generations to come? Pull out the long underwear and grab a cold one as we follow one community’s quest to get “Lifted.”

• Brickworks – Wednesday, Nov. 16
• 5:30 Gear Swap
• 6:00 Potluck
  7:00 Film

The gear swap is not limited to winter gear and is up to the individual to manage. Pete Kilpatrick/Ravenhill Construction is helping sponsor the film.

Thanks,
Doug

The Ribbon Cutting with Gail Schnee, Duncan Wilson, Carrie Lacher, Karl Bruno, Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso, Blaine Schmidt, Lauren Cohen and Becki Day – Tim Dustrude photo

Members of the the SJI Chamber of Commerce along with Mayor Carrie Lacher and Town Administrator Duncan Wilson welcomed Blaine Schmidt and his new shoe and leather repair business with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, November 15.

Blaine opened the doors to Schmidt’s Shoe & Shine LLC in early October over in the Surina Business Park in space #705.

Blaine Schmidt, proud new owner of Schmidt’s Shoe & Shine – Tim Dustrude photo

In addition to shoe repair he can help with saddles, purses or other leather goods that need fixing. With a background in carpentry and rodeo he moved to the island in 2015 and one of the first people he met was Sam Defilipps who used to own Sam’s Shoes on Spring Street. After talking it over for a while, he acquired a lot of Sam’s old shoe repair equipment (including the front counter from Sam’s store) and created the new business.

You can reach him at (360) 298-4054. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm and Saturday, 10am – 2pm. 

Here’s the latest from OPALCO…

Access to real-time info and updates as outages occur

OPALCO’s outage management system map is now available online for updates and member information about planned – and unplanned – outages. After hours, outage calls and updates are managed by our partner CRC, a cooperative call center that serves rural electric co-ops in the nation. We can now take your calls and update outage information on the map 24/7.

The map is updated every ten minutes with updates on where power is out, how many meter points are out of power, and will let you know if the crew is responding. If an estimate on restoration time is available, it will also be included. Please take some time to explore the map so you will be familiar with it before you need it this winter!

Explore the Map 

For more OPALCO news, check out their Co-op Connector newsletter.

Local Liam Corey takes the waves at Eagle Cove, last Sunday – Photo credit:  Dan Burton

Dan Burton shares this photo. Thanks Dan!

Here’s a note from Lynn Danaher over at the Friday Harbor Film Festival after their successful event last weekend…

Free Special Screening

Due to popular demand, we will be hosting a special screening of Haida Gwaii: On the Edge of the World at Mike’s Cafe and Wine Bar on Tuesday November 15th at 7:00pm.

The screening is free, so arrive early and enjoy dinner and a film with us.

Mike’s Cafe & Wine Bar
135 2nd Street S.
Friday Harbor, WA 98250