The fourth annual Friday Harbor Film Festival, which will be held on November 4-5-6, features a very exciting line-up of documentary films, as well as many special events that celebrate the art of filmmaking.

Richard Chew, this year’s winner of The Andrew V. McLaglen Lifetime Achievement Award, is a distinguished academy award-winning film editor and producer. The Festival will honor his 50 years in the film industry at our Opening Night Gala at the San Juan Community Theatre on Friday, November 4, at 7 pm. During the evening’s festivities, the documentary filmmakers in attendance will also be introduced along with an extended amalgam of trailers.

And on Saturday evening, this year’s Local Hero award winner, Bruce Barr, will be celebrated as someone who exemplifies a life fully lived by making each and every day count.

Pete Freeland, a successful actor, test pilot and astronaut, will be a special guest of the Festival, with plans to participate in the Q & A after the screenings of The Last Man on the Moon, share his perspectives during the Filmmakers Forum on Sunday morning, and mingle with filmgoers throughout the Festival’s three days.

This year we have two great corporate sponsors Kenmore Air who this year becomes the official airline of the Friday Harbor Film Festival and KAVU active gear.

Kenmore is offering special rates during the fall season. Our filmgoers can take full advantage to attend the Friday Harbor Film Festival. Which qualifies them for a 10% discount on the cost of their Film Festival tickets as well as a reusable stainless steel water bottle. The Friday Harbor film Festival makes every effort to be environmentally responsible and so we offer free 5 gallon jugs of water at each venue throughout the entire film Festival for refilling water bottles, supplied by Inter Island Water Company. Continue Reading

At the Rumor Mill tonight it’s Pete Kronowitt. Here are some excerpts from an artist bio from Mean Bean records…

The demand for change in America is all around us, and no artist today makes that more clear than Pete Kronowitt, a seasoned singer/songwriter who released his fourth album, A Lone Voice, in the summer of 2016. Pete’s emotive songs fuse acoustic pop and indie-folk while hearkening back to the days when musicians tackled injustice through their music, masterfully exploring themes ranging from family to socio-political struggles. His sound is a Steve Earle-Elvis Costello hybrid, a heap of alt-Americana influences.

Pete’s music resonates with truth and an unwavering belief that people can use their voice to demand common sense solutions. The people of these great United States are bound by the many things we have in common, and must reject those manufactured issues which divide us. With his revolutionary new album, A Lone Voice, Pete Kronowitt has called for a rediscovery of the protest song… and not a moment too soon.

Leslie Byron and Minnie Knych – Contributed photo

Members of Friday Harbor Grange #225 donated the proceeds of their Hawaii Vacation raffle to the Animal Protection Society building fund.

Minnie Knych president of Friday Harbor Grange presented a check for $725 to Leslie Byron director of the Animal Protection Society. Norma Mason was the winner of the raffle.

You’ve seen announcements here many times for this monthly event, but what exactly is a contra dance anyway? Well I just had to know so I asked the organizers and here’s what I found out…

It’s similar to square dancing, but you end up forming more of a line than a square. Also, each couple dances with a progression of other couples rather than with the same group throughout the dance, as is done in square dancing. You end up dancing with everyone’s partner rather than just your own.

It is a low-impact aerobic workout that is FUN! Everyone dancing is smiling and laughing the whole time. And it’s for all ages – Parents with infants in backpacks – children 10 years old partnering with 85 year-olds and everyone in between.

Contra dancing originated in New England as a kind of indigenous (American) folk dance. It has been sweeping across the country and it’s being done all over the northwest. It’s huge at Seattle’s Folk Life Festival. Here on the island it was happening around 25 years ago out at the labs but it kind of died out until recently being brought back around 2010 as the 3rd Saturday Contra dance at the Grange. (There is also a Monday night contra dance put on by Mike Cohen which is comprised of mostly local callers and musicians, and anyone can sit in). The 3rd Saturday one tends to bring bands and callers from off-island, many of whom travel the country doing so.

This weekend, Saturday September 17 at the Grange it’s musicians Clyde*, Forrest and Jerry with Amy Carrol calling. *Clyde Curley is a former San Juan Island resident who “wrote the book” on contra dancing. Yes, literally – He and some partners have written 3 music books for “contra-bands”.

Saturday, September 17 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM
At the Grange, 152 First St. N.
$10.00 donation appreciated ($5.00 for students)

At the Intersection of Art, Poetry, and Nature

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) is proud to present Hydrographs and For All We Know, concurrently running exhibitions by two innovative artists and printmakers, Nicole Pietrantoni and Dianne Kornberg.

The exhibitions will open to the public on September 17, 2016 and will end on November 28, 2016.

Art as a Voice Events:

Nicole Pietrantoni – Contributed photo

Nicole Pietrantoni – Fractured Landscapes, Fraught Aesthetics
San Juan Island – SJIMA, September 17 at 10am.
Gallery Talk and book signing to follow.

Dianne Kornberg – Contributed photo

Dianne Kornberg – Crossing Borders
San Juan Island – SJIMA, October 13 at 7pm. Gallery Talk and book signing to follow.
Lopez – Lopez Library, October 7 at 7pm. Book signing to follow.
Orcas – Episcopal Parish Hall, 242 Main Street, East Sound, October 14 at 7pm. Book signing to follow.

Both women utilize printmaking to question what most take for granted, adding an artistic voice to forms otherwise expressed in purely scientific terms. Continue Reading

OPALCO’s Energy Assist Program will double the monthly bill credit for participating low-income members through the end of the year. The number of members participating in this new program is lower than budgeted and the Board decided to increase the assistance for those who need it.

As of August 31, 159 co-op members have applied for and received a monthly credit on their power bill since the new Energy Assist program began in February. The doubled monthly bill credit ranges from $20/month (one person household) up to $50/month (six or more person household). Members who meet the qualifications for other assistance programs such as Federal Free Lunch, LIHEAP or OPALCO’s Project PAL are likely to qualify for the Energy Assist Program.  Members on the Energy Assist Program are also qualified for the same bill credit with Rock Island Communications for Internet services, if available in your area. Please contact Rock Island (www.rockisland.com) for more information.

The Energy Assist Program is funded through a line item on all member bills (on average of about 45 cents per month). This program is distinct from Project PAL, which provides one-time emergency grants to eligible members during the heating season only and is funded by voluntary member donations.

The application for the Energy Assist program is available online, and paper copies can be picked up at your local OPALCO offices and at island Family Resource and Senior Centers.

The Women’s Fund is a way for women to pool their monies to make a significant impact on San Juan Island.

Women’s Fund organizations nationwide bring women of all ages and experiences together who share an interest in making their communities better places to live now and in the future.

The Women’s Fund was planned to minimize structure and time obligations of members, and is a Pooled Donor Advised Fund held at the San Juan Island Community Foundation.

The first thirteen years were extremely successful, granting more than $175,000 from memberships, matching grants, and donations in honor of friends and family. An annual commitment of $100 or more is required.

We are combining and building our resources to enable us to continue making a positive impact on our Island. 90% of our member contributions go toward bettering the quality of life for those who live here.

For more information, call the Community Foundation office at 378-1001 or visit us online at www.sjiwomensfund.org.

Due to current fuel conditions and the long range weather forecast, fire danger in San Juan County has been reduced to “MEDIUM.” However, burning is still limited to recreational fires only.

San Juan Healthcare would like to announce their 2016 Drop-In Flu Clinic Schedule.

Flu Clinics begin Wednesday, September 28th , 2:00 to 4:30. Walk in Clinics will run every Wednesday* in the month of October. Flu shots will be available by appointment only outside of our scheduled Walk in Clinic.

San Juan Healthcare
689 Airport Center, Suite B
Phone: (360) 378-1338

*Wednesday October 12th, Flu Clinic will be held at the Mullis Center from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.

Sharron Matthews – Contributed photo

Aptly described as the love child of Jack Black and Bette Midler, Sharron Matthews brings her one-of-a-kind music and comedy one-woman show to San Juan Community Theatre on Sunday, September 18 at 7:30 pm.

In SUPERSTAR, Matthews delivers jaw-dropping vocals, pop-culture punches and hit- melody mash ups that defy age and gender barriers. She serves up her signature irreverent wit with music by artists such as Lady Gaga, Kiss, Styx, the Bee Gees, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Radiohead, Beyonce, Queen and many more.

After growing up in Hamilton, Ontario, Matthews moved to Toronto at age 20 and began her one-woman cabaret tours (in 2015, “Full Dark” was named Best Cabaret Performance by BROADWAYWORLD.COM). She also has had starring roles in Les Miserables, Mean Girls the movie and Global TV’s hit show Canada Sings!.

The Business Partner for Sharron Matthews’ appearance is Kings Market. Tickets are $18 for adults and $8 for student reserved: $5 student RUSH is available 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. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.sjctheatre.org

San Juan Island keeps up its strong commitment to recycling! The San Juan Community Home Trust will take delivery of the 8th of a proposed 12 homes for its new development, Sun Rise II, this Thursday, September 15th at about 5:30pm at Jackson Beach!

Composed primarily of bungalows from the 1920s and 1930s, this pocket neighborhood will be home to 12 families and singles, living, working and raising families here and committed to remaining on the island.

The SJC Home Trust develops permanently affordable homes for low and moderate income islanders and we invite community members to join us on Jackson Beach to celebrate our newest addition. Please join us.

Inside SVC’s San Juan Center – Contributed photo

Fall weather is here . . . A perfect time to take a personal enrichment class at the San Juan Center of Skagit Valley College. Most classes begin the week of Sept. 19th, so sign up now. Call 378-3220 for more infomation.

Energy and Society
Join Dr. Michael Balise for an exploration of the scientific basis for our conventional energy resources (fossil fuels, nuclear, hydro) and for renewable/sustainable energy resources (solar, wind, biomass etc.). Surveys the political, social, economic and environmental context of how our culture uses energy and the barriers to large-scale renewable energy implementation. Field trip planned to mainland hydro power plant. Meets Mondays and Wednesdays; September19 – December 7, 11:30AM – 2:00PM. Cost $90.00

Our American Government
A Presidential election year…perfect timing to take a course about how our government works. Join engaging expert Ralph Hahn to uncover the structure of power in the United States and the functions, sources, and uses of power in American Politics. Rediscover the mechanisms and outcomes of the policy making process in a pluralistic society. Meets Tues & Thurs, September 20 – December 8, 11:30AM – 1:45PM. Cost $90.00

The Tiny House: DOWNSIZING the American Dream
There is a resounding trend in house building and design occurring that declares that “smaller is better, more manageable, more environmentally friendly and less of a personal financial burden.” For the young who may be accustomed to retreating into a space the size of a private bedroom or student apartment, and for the senior who is looking to shed a lifetime of collected baggage, “tiny houses” have an appeal that begs for consideration. This seminar is a comprehensive discussion of the “what and how” of tiny houses. Whether the structure is built on wheels, skids or on a conventional foundation or as a core house, keen planning is required to be a success. Some sample structural and floor plans will be available for illustration. This is a time for thoughtful planning of practical application combined with ingenuity and imagination. Applicable building codes if any and other legal aspects will be discussed. A structure completely self-contained and “off the grid” will be discussed. Sat., October 8, 9:00AM – 4:00PM. Cost: $65.00

Building Codes Toolkit
Attend a one-day workshop, endorsed by San Juan County Building Advisory Council, that will help you put you in alignment with current IRC building codes into practice in San Juan County. Current codes have a new emphasis on building performance. Traditionally, structural integrity was the preoccupation of prior building codes. Durability, Efficiency, Safety, Health, Comfort, & Sustainability are now the criteria requirements. This one-day seminar is designed to familiarize the experienced contractor and carpenter, the Do-It-Yourselfer and others of interest with “the put into practice” demands of the new code. A comparison of the former codes and the new code shall be made with the focus. Sat., October 22, 9:00 AM– 4:00 PM. Cost: $65.00

In the SJ Update mailbag today, here’s an invitation from Frank Penwell…

For those who have showed an interest or concern regarding CT recycling, there is an open meeting scheduled, and anyone can attend.

I want to thank all of you for your interest in Community Treasures / CT Recycling. A lot of you have requested a meeting for discussion. Over the last several weeks, there has been a lot of misinformation circulating.

I have scheduled a community meeting on September 22nd, 6:30 to 7:30, at the Mullis Senior Center. This is not a meeting called by the CT Board, but some of the Board members may attend.

This is an opportunity for you to come and participate in a community discussion.

Thank you for your past and current support of Community Treasures and CT Recycling.

Frank Penwell

(360) 378-6473, [email protected]

San Juan Island Grange #966 will host a San Juan County Council Candidates Forum on Wednesday, September 21st beginning at 5:00pm at the Grange Hall (152 1st St, Friday Harbor). The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. The questions will be focused on those issues of importance to San Juan Island Grange #966’s membership: local agriculture, home gardening/farming, and issues related to our mission and adopted resolutions (which are all posted on our website).

For more information, please contact:

Boyd C. Pratt
2016 Master
San Juan Island Grange #966
[email protected]
378-7172

Local photographer John Miller shares this image he captured this weekend…

Tim – My wife, Victoria, called excitedly to me to come the garden and bring my camera. What a surprise to to see the following insect.

John
PS – for those who are interested: Nikon Df, 105mm manual focus macro, spot meter, f5.6, handheld at 1/200 sec and 100 ISO.

Join us for a concert of classical chamber music from various ensembles, put on by the Archipelago Collective, a group of dynamic musicians from around the country.

Archipelago Collective Chamber Music Concert
Saturday, September 17 at 8:00 PM
Friday Harbor Labs, Dining Hall
620 University Rd
Friday Harbor, WA 98250