The San Juan Community Home Trust announces the opening of the application period for the position of Executive Director. The Home Trust is a 501(c)3 non profit organization devoted to developing and building homes for ownership by low and moderate income San Juan Islanders in Washington State.

The complete job posting can be found at hometrust.org. Applications will be accepted until January 15, 2017, with the position beginning on May 15, 2017.

Salary is industry competitive and commensurate with experience.

Karina and friend – Contributed photo

Community Benefit Dinner for Karina Serna

• Wednesday, Nov. 9th
• Mi Casita Restaurant
• 4:00pm -8:30pm

Come join your fellow islanders and friends of the Serna Family and have a dinner to help Karina in her fight against breast cancer.

All proceeds from dinners purchased will be donated to Karina’s medical fund.

First-time voter – Louise Dustrude photo

Today’s the day – don’t forget to fill out your ballot and mail it or put it in the drop box  before 8:00 pm tonight!

Allison Dragon just put her ballot in the box across from the Elections office on the courthouse lawn on Second Street.

She said she was voting for the first time, “And my mother will be so pleased.”

Members of the League of Women Voters gave her (and many, many others) the “I Voted” sticker to wear.

Jake Range; APS-FH Volunteer of the Month – Contributed photo

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor has announced that Jake Range, pictured above with shelter dog, Gator, is Volunteer of the month for October.

“Jake has been helping out at the animal shelter for several months – walking and socializing dogs, helping with building maintenance and just about every odd job that comes up”, says Shelter Manager, Jan Murphy.   

Jake is on his way to Maui this week where he will begin his new job at the Pacific Whale Foundation. He will be missed by many two-legged and four-legged friends!

Thanks, Jake!

Milene Henley – Contributed photo

This is the eleventh in a series of articles about elections in Washington State by San Juan County Auditor F. Milene Henley. The County Auditor administers elections and voter registration in the County…

Almost Done: the Canvassing Board and the Certification of Elections

It’s been a long election year, and you probably think it’s over. In fact, some of the most important work is just beginning.

The Elections Office will continue to process and count ballots for the next 20 days, since Washington is a “postmark” state: any ballot envelope postmarked by Election Day and received before certification will be counted. If there’s a close race, we may also be conducting a hand recount of votes: if there’s difference of less than ¼ of a percent and fewer than 1,000 votes between candidates, a hand recount is required.

Once the ballots are all counted, there’s still one more step: the certification of the election by the County Canvassing Board. The County Canvassing Board is comprised of the County Auditor, the Prosecuting Attorney and the current Chair of the County Council. Its responsibility is to provide oversight of elections in the county. As with the County Council, all Canvassing Board meetings are advertised, and open to the public.  

The composition of the Board is deliberate. The Auditor serves as the chair of the Board and provides expertise in the elections process. The Prosecuting Attorney provides the legal perspective. And the Council Chair views the process from the perspective of a voter. In the event that a board member is also a candidate, with opposition, in the election being canvassed, that member must designate an alternate to serve in his or her place. Continue Reading

Master Gardeners – Contributed photo

Hard working Master Gardeners tend and harvest vegetables for the the Friday Harbor Food Bank from the San Juan Island Master Garden Demonstration Garden. If you are interested in being a Master Gardener yourself, applications are being accepted for the 2017 San Juan County WSU Master Gardener Training Program.

Volunteer trainees will receive over 60 hours of training, both in the classroom and on-line. The training is taught by local and regional experts and covers topics on vegetable gardening, soils, seed saving, plant disease diagnostics, plant identification and more.

Trainees will become a part of a cohort of passionate, dedicated community members who will provide educational outreach and help problem solve gardening questions. In exchange for the training, trainees provide at least 50 hours of educational outreach in their communities over a one-year period.

The 2017 training will be held on nine Tuesdays, January 31 – March 28. The approximate cost of the training is $200.

Trainings are offered biannually so don’t miss this opportunity. Expert and novice gardeners are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about becoming a WSU Master Gardener, click here.

The WSU Master Gardener Program is a nationally recognized program that trains volunteers to serve their communities through horticultural education and outreach. Everyone with an interest in gardening and volunteering is welcome and encouraged to apply for the program. Once volunteers receive training, they provide educational information to the public in home and subsistence horticulture including vegetable and fruit gardening, lawn and landscape maintenance, composting, native plants, plant problem diagnosis, pest control and many other areas.

For more information, contact Caitie Blethen, Volunteer Program Coordinator at [email protected] or call the WSU San Juan County Extension office 360 378 4414

Library Art Show: Family Time at the San Juan Island Public Library

The community is ready to enjoy your ready-to-hang art. Let us see your work or work from your home on the theme of Family Time.

Everyone is invited to participate. Artists with work in the Trees In All Seasons show, please pick up your work at this time.

November 12th from 10:00 am until noon
Questions? Call Diane at 370-5814

Nancy Young – Contributed photo

Nancy Young of  Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands is this month’s San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce Featured Member of the Month.

Nancy’s accomplishments include REALTOR® of the Year in 1997 and 2003. Community Service Award 1997. Member of the Million Dollar Club. Licensed since 1984, and currently a Managing Broker. Coldwell Banker Production Achievements: Diamond Society, Sterling Society, President’s Circle and Presidents Elite, the highest honor for productivity in the nation. Board member and past chair of the San Juan Island Public Schools Foundation, past Grants Committee Chair for the San Juan Island Community Foundation, past San Juan County Planning Commission member, District 1. 

“Hi, I am Nancy Young and I am lucky enough to be living the Island dream!! I have been selling properties in San Juan County since 1984. My family and I enjoy the relaxed lifestyle, beauty, and friendliness of San Juan Island living. Let me help you achieve your dream! ” 

Specialties: 

• Buyer’s Agent
• Listing Agent
• Relocation
• Short-Sale 

Nancy is consistently a top producer, hardworking and professional. She can help you through the process of buying or selling your island property. 

Nancy Young
105 Spring Street
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360) 378-2101
nancy [@] sanjuanislands.com 

Dr. Danna Diaz – Contributed photo

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

As I reflect on the past month, I am thankful for the opportunity to serve a generous and vibrant community. Last month, the San Juan Public Schools Foundation held its annual phone-a-thon. It was an honor to volunteer and call community members. The wonderful thing about the experience was watching students, parents, teachers, staff and principals make phone calls and celebrate with a hand clapper or noise maker with the excitement of the pledged donations. I would like to thank the SJPSF Board for their dedication to our students and teachers.

Collaboration is alive in the San Juan Island Community. It is evident with our Service Organizations (i.e., Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor, The Kiwanis Club, United Way, Rotary, the Lions club, etc.), our non-profits, San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, EMS, San Juan Fire District, Island Rec, local businesses, faith organizations, and institutions of higher learning. I have met with several members of our community and will continue to meet with you during the future months. I plan to have a community meeting to share our strategic plan and give you an update on where we are with our goals. It is important to keep you informed on the work that we are doing in the district.

Hence, I would like to share a story with you. Last year, I was consulting with Maddie Ovenell regarding the services Island Rec provides for our middle school youth. She explained how they are looking for more programming for our youth. I informed her of a grant I submitted to OSPI for Safe School Routes. The grant provided funding for bicycles, training, and helmets. Once I was notified that the grant was approved, I was so excited. I consulted with our principals, as well as Kristen Rezebek of the San Juan Health and Community Services, and all were on board. I consulted with our local Trails Committee and most importantly, I consulted with Maddie and she was on board. Our middle school teachers as well as Island Rec’s Lowell Jons were trained on the program.

Last month, Lowell and parent volunteers trained our students on bicycle safety. This past week, I met with Maddie and Lowell. We consulted about the bicycle program and how we can collaborate to offer our middle school students a cycling program after school and during the summer. This is what collaboration is about. Consultation, taking action and seeing the outcomes come alive! Thank you Island Rec! Did I tell you that we purchased the bicycles from our local bicycle shop? Yes, we did! Thank you to Paul Ahart and everyone engaged in making this initiative come alive.

November is a month to be thankful and I must say that I am full of gratitude to be able to serve each and every one of you. I wish for you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!

If you have any questions regarding our district, you may contact me at 360.370.7905 or email [email protected]. Thank you for your continued support.

Kind regards,

Danna Diaz, PhD
Superintendent

Misty Mountain Top – Jennifer Furber photo

As of November 1st, winter 2016-17 driving access to the summit of Mount Grant Preserve will be open, weather permitting,9am to 4pm, on the following dates:

Thanksgiving – November 24 & 26
Christmas – December 25
New Years – January 1
Martin Luther King Day – January 15
President’s Day – February 19
Easter – April 16

Everyone feels good when giving back to their communities and there were lots of good feelings floating around at the Home Trust Annual Meeting on October 27th at the Grange! Members, supporters and interested islanders gathered for music, food, an update on the last year of activity, and the election of new board members. Teddy Deane kicked off the evening with music while people socialized and then settled down with pizza and salad provided by the Home Trust. Board members and supporters supplied desserts.

The program began with opening remarks by Board Chair Sarah Crosby which included a “thank you” to all of the many volunteer efforts this past year, and to departing board members. Current home owners, Courtney Smith, Simona Burla and Dina Melic spoke about what living in a Home Trust neighborhood means to them and to their families. House sponsor Gary Sterner spoke about why he feels that support for the Home Trust is so important to our Island way of life.

Remarks were followed by a more detailed overview of the Home Trust’s current project, Sun Rise II, presented by Executive Director Nancy DeVaux. DeVaux then presented certificates of appreciation to departing long time Board Members Pete Kilpatrick, Sam Buck and Glen Bruels. Each of these retiring board members signaled their intention of staying involved with the organization. Continue Reading

Autumn is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

Hello there. I’m Autumn and I’ve decided to throw my hat into the ring, as they say.

That’s right – I’m running for President of the United States.   I’m asking for your vote. Write me in! My platform? Well, my platform is simple: “No Ticks, No Fleas, No Government Sleeze”. Furthermore, if I’m elected, every day of the week will be designated as “Massage your Cat Day” and Fridays will be “Catnip and Hawaiian Shirt Day”!

On the off chance I’m not elected, I will still be here at the animal shelter waiting for my new forever home. It’s ok if your house isn’t white. I’m not that picky. Vote for Autumn! I’m Autumn, and I approve this message.

Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
111 Shelter Road
(360) 378-2158

The Toy Box celebrates the 7th Annual Neighborhood Toy Store Day on November 12th – Special Activities at the Toy Store Next Door mean a fun day for families

These days, those in the know “shop local” to support the environment and their community alike.

On Saturday, November 12, The Toy Box will join hundreds of locally owned stores across the country to celebrate the seventh national Neighborhood Toy Store Day, an annual celebration in which independent toy shops kick off the holiday season with special events to introduce consumers to the benefits of shopping local. The Toy Box will offer fun, child-friendly activities such as free samples, cookies, and surprise discounts with purchase at the register!

“Specialty toy store owners are the real experts when it comes to choosing toys for kids”, said Kimberly Mosley, president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting local toy shopping and creative open-ended playtime for children. “These store owners spend time with kids day in and day out. They understand the value of play, and what types of toys will truly engage children.” Continue Reading

You can see letters from individuals at the links below. As more letters come in, this list will be updated so be sure to check back.

For Bob Jarman:
Keith Busha and Susan Williams
Jim Knych
Teagan Hudson
Rex & Lisa Guard
Dale Heisinger
Suzanne Franklin
Becky Sundstrom Shanks
Rex Stickle
Michelle Loftus

For Bill Watson:
Steve Simpson
Lee Sturdivant
James O. Robarts
Nick Bordner
Val and Leslie Veirs
David Turnoy
Jean Shreve
April Ford
Jim Slocomb
Bear and Mitzi Johnson

For Michael Durland:
Lee Sturdivant

It is November and our thoughts turn to gathering with friends and neighbors to share roast turkey, pumpkin pie and camaraderie.  Last year just over 500 people shared in the fun and food at the Community Thanksgiving Dinner  

Would you like to participate?  Consider yourself invited.  

If you would like to help out at the dinner there are many options.  You can roast a turkey, bring a pie for dessert, or help in the kitchen or dining room.  

If you choose to roast a turkey, you will pick up your pre-seasoned and oven-ready turkey at the Mullis Center on Wednesday, November 23 and choose the time that you will bring it to the Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day.  On Thanksgiving Day you put the turkey in the oven and bring it hot and ready to carve at the assigned time.  

If you choose to bring a pie, either homemade or store bought pies are welcome – any flavor.

..and there are still jobs to be done in the kitchen and dining room.  

It is a wonderful day to celebrate community spirit.  Join us for the fun!

Just click on this link:

Minnie and Jim Knych   [email protected]

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Larry Paluzzi, Fred Klein and Robin Kucklick – Contributed photo

Eric Morris – Contributed photo

San Juan County Parks sends a HUGE THANK YOU to Oddfellows members Fred Klein, Robin Kucklick, David Turnoy, Eric Morris, and Larry Paluzzi for their work restoring the Village Green grass.

Fred and Robin organized the project, taking advantage of a stretch of good weather after some significant rain. The group spent two days aerating, fertilizing, spreading three large truckloads of new topsoil and mulch, seeding, and rolling our Village Green lawn. All in an effort to recondition the turf after a dry summer and heavy use by the Saturday Market and other community activities.

With more rain following, it was a perfect time of year to get new seed to germinate before winter. The team encourages all village goers to take note of the signs: “…all we are saying…is…GIVE GRASS A CHANCE”

David Turnoy – Contributed photo