Mary Haselow – Contributed photo

Mary Haselow, Interior Designer and owner of Island Shades , is now one of the select group of professionals nationwide to earn the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation, identifying her as a Certified Aging in Place Specialist with the skills and knowledge necessary to plan and design home modifications to meet the unique needs of the older population, disabled owners or their visitors.

The National Association of Home Builders, in partnership with the AARP and NAHB Research Center, created the CAPS program, which includes training and education on the technical, business management and customer service skills essential to compete in the fastest-growing segment of the residential remodeling industry — home modifications for aging-in-place. CAPS graduates include remodelers, builders, designers, architects and others who help homeowners remain in their homes safely, independently and comfortably as they age.

Mary has a Bachelors Degree in Interior Design from the University of Houston and more than 25 years of experience in Interior Design, Space Planning and Kitchen and Bath Design. Mary has a passion to help older adults enjoy living independently in the comfort of their own homes.

She specializes in Home Assessments, Design and Planning for Aging in Place and is available for appointments in all of San Juan County.

For additional information about the CAPS program, visit www.nahb.org/caps.

Merri Ann Simonson is back with another video of lifestyle tips. This time she answers the question: “What do you guys do on an island?”

San Juan Community Theatre seeks a Director for Development (PT).  Cover letters and resumes should be sent to Bobby Ryan, executive director, by October 20.  Position Description available upon request.  [email protected], PO Box 1063, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Huge Community Fundraiser for local mom recently diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer

Islanders are being asked to come out this Saturday evening, October 8 to support long time Friday Harbor resident Nicole Harling in her fight against “Bertha” – the nickname she has given her Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer.

“I am completely blown away by all the love and support,” said Nikkie in a recent facebook post. “Sometimes it takes something terrible to make us remember what’s truly important.”

Nikkie is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments in Seattle and has revamped her diet and lifestyle to help fight her cancer. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to Nikkie and her family to help with the costs of treatments, transportation and other necessities.

The fundraiser is from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge on the corner of Second and Reed streets, above Second Act in Friday Harbor. A dinner of homemade ribs, barbequed chicken and side dishes donated by Cask & Schooner and Blue Water Restaurant will be available for a suggested donation of $20. There will also be a huge silent auction featuring many generously donated items followed by a live auction for amazing packages such as two sets of Seahawks tickets, followed by dancing and drinks with local’s favorite band the JBOTS.

To donate or for more information contact Stacey Smith at 360-317-5556 or check out the Community Fundraiser or Stop Bertha event page on Facebook. Monetary donations can also be made through an account set up at Islanders Bank or at www.gofundme.com under Nicole Harling Cancer Fund.

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

Say there. You. Yes you… the one with the t.v. remote control in your hand and the empty bag of Cheetos. I see you there on the couch in your sweat pants. I’m wondering what you might think about going for a walk. With me. Sassy.

I’m the one in the photo. I’m pretty sure you’ll like me. Everyone says I’m a very nice young lady with lovely manners. I have lots of energy and would be happy to help you get up off that couch… We could start out slow with a nice walk around the neighborhood and work our way up to Jackson Beach and maybe even a hike up Mount Young.

What do you say? Is it a deal? I wasn’t going to say anything, but those sweat pants make your butt look big.

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

Merri Ann Simonson shares these tips on waterfront properties…

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

San Juan County Waterfront Parcels
If you own a waterfront parcel in the County, or hope to purchase one, I have detailed below some items to take into consideration.   Historically, waterfront parcels were the most coveted investment in the islands but due to ever changing regulations, they are now the most confusing parcels to develop. For REALTORs they can be a challenge to sell due to our inability to give buyers concrete answers to their questions while on site.

Important Considerations

Timing
Once you purchase a waterfront lot it is prudent to move forward with your plans as soon as possible as the regulations in the future may change and what you had hoped to build at the time of acquisition may not be approved in the future. The County has said they will never render a parcel unbuildable but regulations may restrict the size of residence and dictate the location of where you can build on the lot.

Residential Plan Application (RPA)
This is a conceptual approval of the footprint for the residence under the rules that exist at the time of review. While the RPA report is non-binding on the County, constructive reliance can be used for planning your new home including the home site, setback, tree removal, the location for the driveway, and well and septic, if applicable. This is a valuable tool to utilize upfront so that your design team and contractor have solid direction from the County early on in the process.

Your designer or architect may process the RPA for you as part of their service. If not, you can hire a land use consultant. The cost to process an RPA with a land use consultant is around $900-$1400 which includes County fees. Continue Reading

Join us for the first in a series of in-house performances filled with island music and dance!

La Danse et la Musique will feature Stephen Moore and Lydia Downs in a new pas de deux based on the tale of the tin soldier and the music box ballerina; a variation from an original full length ballet debuting February 2017.

Company dancers of La Danse de la Mer, Kerry Ratza and Michelle and Ian Randall, will perform original choreography accompanied by cellist Sasha Von Dassow.

Additional performances include middle eastern dancer Ferah Bakuy Uri, performance artist Cynthia Church and Ballet Folklorico Monarca led by Chelo Carleton. Musical performances by local favorites Debbie Nash Strasser, T.C. Steckler, and Joely Loucks. Please visit ladansedelamer.org for more company information.

• When: Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th at 7:00 P.M. Doors open at 6:30 P.M.
• Where: Dance Workshop 2, located next to Second Act at 15 2nd St N, Friday Harbor.

Tickets may be purchased in advance at Cafe Demeter or at the door for $10.oo*

All ages welcome.

* Your ticket purchases keep our beloved island dancers dancing!

Click to enlarge

Auditions for New Youth Chorus 

San Juan Community Theatre and music educator Joshua Boland are joining forces to form a new community choir for youth on San Juan Island.

Auditions for the Keynotes Youth Chorus for students in grades 6-12 are Monday, October 3 at 3:15 p.m. and Tuesday, October 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the PARC Building (70 Saltspring Drive).

Students should be prepared to sing their favorite song a cappella.

Once formed, the chorus will be meeting on Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with public performances to be determined.

“SJCT is always looking for ways to strengthen our arts education in the community,” said SJCT Artistic Director Bobby Ryan.  “We have a solid program for adults with the San Juan Singers… and now we are building something for our youth.”

For more information about the auditions, contact Joshua Boland at [email protected]

Greetings Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students and Community Members

Dr. Danna Diaz – Contributed photo

The fall season is here. School has been in session for a month and we are realizing the district’s new mission:

To promote excellence, engaging every student, every day, through superior instruction, high expectations and academic content that is both challenging and individually relevant.

I would like to say thank you to all the new teachers, staff, students and their families for choosing San Juan Island School District. We love to put children first and pride ourselves with demonstrating our commitment and dedication to education.

Every day I have the privilege to visit schools and greet students and teachers. I am warmed by the hard-working leaders, passionate teachers and enthusiastic learners.

While walking the halls of the schools, I hear excited voices and see our teachers motivating our students. The buildings are clean, Food for Thought personnel are busy planning healthy meals for our students and the bus drivers have done a fantastic job picking up our students and ensuring they arrive to school on time. Thank you!

Throughout our wonderful district, all teachers are teaching, children are learning and engaged in their lessons. I continue to be amazed at our teachers who reinforce the demands of a challenging curriculum. It is evident that our teachers and staff have worked hard getting this year started. I feel very confident about the start we’ve had at San Juan Island School District this year. Not only are we grateful to our new teachers and staff and returning teachers and staff for choosing San Juan Island School District but our students and their parents as well.

I would like to remind you of the San Juan Public School Foundation Phone-a-Thon, October 17 & 18. They would like to have volunteers help make phone calls but they would also like for you to consider making a donation. Your support will allow our teachers to order the instructional materials they need for the classrooms.

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

New owners Brian & Theresa Carlson, and previous owners Linda Jensen and Kevin Widmayer – Tim Dustrude photo

As promised, here’s a bit more about the new owners at Vic’s Drive-In – Brian Carlson is a former island resident who worked at the courthouse from 2002 to 2007. He has 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry mostly as Resort Manager for a number of different companies. He and Theresa owned a hotel at Cape Disappointment before moving back to the island.

Theresa grew up in restaurants, peeling potatoes for her first job and worked with her folks all the way from Vancouver BC, to the Carribbean. That was before entering the health care industry as project manager for a private cancer hospital network, doing startups and working with senior leadership.

They are both very excited to be on the island and will “carry on the tradition” at Vic’s, meaning not much at all is going to change – the menu, the prices, all will stay the same. Maybe some minor procedural changes here or there, but nothing that will be noticed by customers.

Click to enlarge – Joan Benny photo

by Shannon Dean

I signed up for a Clay Therapy session with local artist Lauren Jawer at her Belle Terre Ceramics Studio, and before it started I met with her to ask more about it so I could share it with you.

I had seen her flyer in town and it seemed like a good addition to my list of activities in my endeavor to find the “more creative me.”

I admit I had no idea what I was in for and you too may wonder what Clay Therapy is… well its not sitting around making a clay pot while you pour out all your troubles. Lauren describes it as being whatever you need it to be, “While working with clay you are able to empty your head out through your hands thus allowing you to be out of your head, much like mediation”. I think even the artistically challenged would find it difficult to mess up this process of exploration with clay.

Click to enlarge – Joan Benny photo

With a little instruction I made 2 pieces of ceramic pottery. She has a lot of stuff in her studio to help you be as creative as you want – I barely touched the tip of the iceberg of possibilities. Afterward, I dreamt all night of all the cool things I could make and now I can’t wait for next Monday.

Lauren grew up on the East coast, married her college sweetheart, had children and moved to the island when her husband was offered a job here. She told me she grew up around artists, that she comes from a family of artists and that she found her niche in textile design. At one time in her career she worked for Liz Claiborne designing scarves. She explained that her art is all about the surface (as her hands and arms moved in horizontal circles).

She describes the art community on the East coast as being very connected and integrated with one another. “There is so much to learn from each other.” She contrasts her experience here on the island where artists seem more isolated. I love that she is trying to bring that community to her work here in Friday Harbor.

For her Fall session she has partnered with Lumi Verdugo, a Raku artist and Lauren has more visions on the horizon for her future workshops. You will be able to see one of these once her Clay House project is complete…

Click to enlarge – Joan Benny photo

In the middle of her garden is a little house made from Island clay which is being sculpted by Jayson Loon of Earthen Culture. It has decorative windows at the top made from plates she got at Community Treasures and on the side she has dedicated part of her place to a lost friend, Amy Lear. Her plan is to showcase her ceramic work inside.

So throw out your preconceptions of pottery that you picked up from the movie “Ghost” and learn why one of her students said “Hey, I thought I was gonna get messy”. Get in touch with Lauren. Her contact information is [email protected] or 360-378-9425.

Fall sessions are:
Mondays 3:00 to 5:30 pm and 6:00 to 8:30
Tuesdays 1:00 to 3:30 pm.

Classes are on going thru November and starting up again in February
open to ages 11-111

On Friday, Oct. 7 the San Juan Island Library will host its 2nd annual Campfire Pajama Storytime with special guest children’s musician Nancy Stewart.

Nancy has been a professional musician since her youth and toured nationally as a lead guitarist and vocalist. Along the way she became passionate about the connection between early literacy and music.

The festivities begin at 7:00 pm. We’ll gather around the Library’s faux campfire for music and stories. Activity and s’more treats will happen after the 30 minute program.

This free, family performance is appropriate for kids of all ages, including babies and toddlers. Wear pajamas for fun and bring blankets and pillows for comfort.

Skagit Valley College receives National Science Foundation grant for composites recycling education and training

Skagit Valley College (SVC) has been awarded a $194,076 grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop technician training under the Composite Technician Education Program (CRTEP). Through the grant, SVC will team up with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Peninsula College, and The National Resource Center for Materials Technology Education at Edmonds Community College to create curriculum for composite technicians working with composite waste stream material.

With composites industry experts, the partners will develop protocols and processes for the identification and proper handling of recaptured fiberglass and carbon fiber composite material; develop curriculum modules to educate technicians; and develop a template for a database learning tool to identify and track waste stream and scrap material. Project results will be disseminated nationally and internationally through a variety of organizations including Advanced Technical Education (ATE), an NSF organization that works with two-year colleges to promote science and engineering, the community and technical college system, the four-year university system, open source formats, and professional and standards-based organizations. Internationally, companies are seeking the methods and means to reduce waste and waste management costs, as highlighted by the European Union initiative Zero Waste Communities. The CRTEP project will show important linkages between composites recycling, environmental benefits, and economic advantages. Continue Reading

Kenmore float plane file photo courtesy of Wikimedia commons

A Kenmore float plane went down and sank near Cattle Pass this morning. All four people aboard were rescued by a nearby fishing boat. Read more at KOMO News.

Deborah Neff shares this note about volunteers doing good things last Saturday…

Last Saturday a group of community volunteers participated in United Way San Juan County’s annual Day of Caring in Friday Harbor by helping to beautify the town.

The work party pulled weeds at the Mullis Center and the Elementary School, planted trees by the high school, and cleaned up trash at Jackson’s Beach.

All residents of San Juan Island who are 60 years of age or over or disabled are eligible to vote for members of the Mullis Center’s Operations Committee. The Operations Committee is an all-volunteer advisory committee to the Mullis Center. The committee oversees the management, maintenance and use of the facility coordinating with Senior Services. Ballots will be in the October Senior Signal newsletter. If you do not receive the Senior Signal by mail you may pick one up at Mullis Center. The following are statements submitted by the candidates. The candidate’s statements are also posted on the bulletin board in the Mullis Center’s library/lounge.

Callie McKay – Contributed photo

Callie McKay – Hello! My name is Callie McKay and I am running for a board member position on the Mullis Center Operations Committee this year.

Yes, I know I look young to be a senior, but I am the future, and that is what my agenda on the board is going to be! I would like to see the Mullis Center offer more activities, look into expanding the meal service and get more community involvement at our center.

Let’s keep rolling into the future with our great Mullis Center!

Rita Weisbrod – Contributed photo

Rita Weisbrod – I am a retired sociologist; moved to SJI from Minnesota in 2001.  I have been active as a founding member of the SJ Prevention Coalition, have been active in St. David’s Episcopal Church and in the former Profitdears Investment Club.  On the Board I would work to secure the recent legacy funds we have received and want to explore new ways the senior center can serve seniors on the island.

Marie Skufeeda – Contributed photo

Maria Skufeeda – My vision for the future of the Mullis Center is a rosy one. We have a unique center here in Friday Harbor, offering a wide range of services for the community. Painting classes, quilting, exercise classes, counseling, and of course the off-island shuttle. Where would it be possible to travel off-island for shopping or a doctor’s appointment for $10? Only through our fabulous Mullis Center, that’s where.

It’s not a secret that we have the best salad bar in town, join us for lunch on Mondays and Thursdays. I’ll see you at the Mullis Center! Continue Reading