Lotus Elise at the 2015 Concours – Contributed photo

The Sports Car Club of the San Juan Islands and the Rotary Club of San Juan Island invite everyone to attend the tenth annual Concours d’Elegance at the San Juan Vineyards on Sunday, August 28 from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

The Concours is an exhibition of vintage and classic motor vehicles and will have five categories: German, American, Other Countries, Custom/Modified/Hot Rod, and Motorcycles. All vehicles will be eligible for the “People’s Choice” award.

The Concours is a charitable event with this year’s net proceeds going to Hospice of San Juan, the San Juan Island Family Resource Center, and Rotary’s PolioPlus Project. Spectators are welcome with open general admission, although a voluntary tax-deductible contribution of $10.00 is encouraged.

The Argyle Street Jazz Band will play from noon to 2:00 PM and lunch and beverages are available for purchase in the pavilion. It will be great fun for all and donations benefit valuable programs in our community.

Island artist Ary Hobbel has created an original oil portrait for this year’s poster depicting a Porsche 928, which will be seen as one of the show entrants. New this year, the winner of an auction to be held at 1:45 PM will have their vehicle on the 2017 poster to be painted by Ary.

Car owners are encouraged to fill out the Online Entry Form at www.sanjuancouncours.org where additional details can be found.

The “Bike and Build” team after they stained the fence at Sunrise Neighborhood – Contributed photo

Community Potluck at 6pm on Friday, August 26th for “Bike and Build” at the Fairgrounds

All islanders are invited to a potluck at the Fairgrounds to welcome about 30 young people who will be here for a day of service for San Juan Community Home Trust. The group’s mission statement says: “Through service-oriented cycling trips, Bike & Build benefits affordable housing and empowers young adults for a lifetime of service and civic engagement.”  The teams ride long distances, including coast-to-coast trips, stopping along the way to work on affordable housing projects.  Our team started in Portland and worked their way up the coast, including the Hoh Rainforest, Port Townsend, and Mt. Rainer, and will reach San Juan Island after biking up Whidbey Island.

Last year  a team worked at both the Sun Rise and Salal Neighborhoods for a day plus made a cash donation to the Home Trust. The riders are looking for the opportunity to meet others in the community to discuss the need for affordable housing nationwide. The bicycle riders are an energetic and inspiring group, and everyone is welcome to meet them at the Community Potluck.  Just come! Or ask Nancy DeVaux any questions at nancy [@] hometrust.org.

In case you missed the flash mob at this year’s fair, don’t despair. Debbi Fincher has you covered with this note and video of the event. Here she is with more on that…

I thought I’d share with you the little video from this year’s Flash Mob at the Fair – DANCE 4 HEALTH by the Rock Solid Youth of the SJIPC. If you’d like to share with your readers, we’d be thrilled for them to see it. Always good news to promote the youth as they lead and take on positive messages for a healthy community. Thanks again for your continued support!

Take care, Debbi

Griffin Bay Bookstore & The San Juan Island Library Present SPILL by Dave Anderson

In Spill, author Dave Anderson imagines what might happen if a container ship grounds off Stuart Island, and a spill of bunker fuel rapidly spreads in the Salish Sea. If you’ve ever worried about such a disaster, then join Dave Anderson for a reading and discussion at the San Juan Island Library on Wednesday evening, August 31, 7:00 pm.

The Strander family, vacationing on a sailboat, watches in disbelief as a container ship grounds on the rocks off Stuart Island. Will they be able to help turn back the orcas that are heading for the deadly bunker oil oozing from the torn hull? Can they help put a boom in place to keep the tide from pushing the oil into the pristine waters? Will Sidney, on her jet ski, be able to rescue kayakers surrounded by the fast drifting oil? When the ship explodes and ignites a fire on Stuart Island, will the Sea Scout troop make it to safety? Will Mr. Sander recover after his near drowning when he plunges into the gooey mess trying to rescue an oiled river otter?

Anderson’s tension-filled novel illustrates what can happen when a relatively small spill of bunker oil spreads in the islands, right at the time there is pressure to permit a six-fold increase in mammoth tanker traffic in the Haro Strait and Salish Sea. The effects of such a spill would be widespread, destroying that pristine environment, including orcas and other marine life.

About the Author
Dave Anderson is a former small animal veterinarian and commercial fisherman. He served as member of the Washington State Legislature, also a member of the Natural Resource and Agriculture and Ecology committees. He spent four years on the state’s Oil Spill Prevention Task Force, and two years on the Northwest Straits Commission. He and his wife Karen live on Whidbey Island, overlooking vessel traffic going to and from Seattle and Tacoma.

Joan Byrne, Logistics – Photo by Sheila Harley

Joan Byrne was a member of the first combined Town and District Structural Firefighter recruit class held in 2001. She was an active firefighter for ten years until she developed arthritis in her hands and felt that she was a safety hazard to her fellow fighters. So, she came out of the “hot zone” and became a member of the Logistics Team for San Juan Island Fire & Rescue.

She came to the Island in 1992 because it was a good place to raise her two children. Joan became a fire fighter because she felt the need for an extended family and a larger group of support members. Also, Joan was deathly afraid of fire and she thought that by joining the fire department she would get over that fear. It worked because she learned all about fire behavior and had the support of her fellow firefighters. “If you know and understand something you are less fearful of it.”

In 2005 she became an Emergency Medical Technician and volunteered with both fire and EMS until her retirement from EMS 2010.

Her awards include Fire Fighter of the Year award for Station 34 in 2002 and for Station 35 in 2004. In 2008 Joan received recognition for Outstanding Contribution to Fire Prevention and the Smokey Bear Program. She has also received the Golden Stethoscope Award for doing rehabilitation for firefighters on the fire line ( taking vital signs, making sure they are hydrated and enforce rest periods before returning to firefighting duties).

Her private life job is being a home health assistant on the Island.

Joan has been the Continue Reading

Francie Hansen – Aaron Shepard photo

Once again, SJ Update photographer Aaron Shepard has some photos to share from this year’s fair. This time, it’s the Trashion Fashion show.

This was billed as the tenth and final show to be organized by Francie Hansen. Besides an honoring of Francie, the show featured a flash mob led by Madrona Jameson of Spring Street International School for the SJI Prevention Coalition.

Click the thumbnails below to see some of the highlights.

[Show slideshow]

Larry Soll invites you back to the Summer Film Series which returns this week…

Fellow Film Buffs,

Well our summer break is over and the Film Series will resume this Tuesday with a screening of “The Wonders”. Single admissions are $8 and $5 for anyone under 25. I am pleased to report that our popcorn maven now has perfected his recipe and our “all you can eat for $2″ offer will be extended to the end of the season. Our 10% discount on food at both Vinny’s and The Bluff will apply to those with a ticket or a punch card. Special pre-theatre pricing is also available at Coho restaurant.

Here is a description of the next film coming up on August 23rd:

The Wonders (2015) Unrated (some vulgarity) 110 minutes Subtitled
“The Wonders” centers on a family of beekeepers living in stark isolation in central Italy. The dynamic of their overcrowded household is disrupted by the simultaneous arrival of a silently troubled teenage boy taken in as a farmhand, and a production crew recruiting local farmers to participate in a cheesy televised celebration of ancient Etruscan culture.

Both intrusions are of particular interest to the eldest daughter, Gelsomina, who is struggling to find her footing in the world, and the film manages to convey her adolescent sense of wonder and confusion with characteristically graceful naturalism. It is somewhat reminiscent of “Mustang”, a movie we showed earlier, but is softer and adds elements of fantasy. It won the Grand Jury Award at Cannes. See the trailer here.

Jakle’s Lagoon – Contributed photo

Know Your Island Walk, Saturday August 27, 1-4 pm – Creatures from the three Lagoons

Join Bill Severson, member of the Trails Committee, on a walk between American Camp’s three lagoons: Old Town, Jakle’s and Third Lagoon.

Explore these fascinating ecosystems and the flora, fauna and history that make them unique. Meet at the Jakle’s Lagoon parking lot. This will be an easy two mile walk and dogs on a leash are welcome.

For more information: info [@] sanjuanislandtrails.org.

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

Have you ever kissed a Gator? No? Well, now’s your chance! My name is “Gator” and I’m actually not a real alligator – I’m just a terrific dog, looking for a new home where I can herd things.

Like kids, dogs, cats, geese, chickens – You name it, I’ll herd it.

I get along great with other dogs and I love kids. Might I be your next family member?

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

EDC and the San Juan Island Community Foundation partner with Washington Nonprofits and the Washington Secretary of State to offer workshops on board practices

The San Juan County Economic Development Council EDC and the San Juan Island Community Foundation have partnered with Washington Nonprofits and the Washington Secretary of State to offer workshops on excellent board practices. The workshops will be held on Lopez and San Juan Islands on September 15th and October 5th (details below). Advance registration and payment required.

This interactive, hands-on workshop will cover board responsibilities, operations, development, fundraising, and advocacy. It is based on the Boards in Gear resources developed in partnership with some of our state’s leading board experts. Participants will leave with concrete action steps, tools, and connections.

The workshop is designed for board members and the people who work with them, namely executive directors and program staff. It offers ideas for new board members and those who have served for a long time. It is appropriate for organizations of all sizes, whether they have staff or not.

Boards play an important role in the success of any organization. Strengthening the practice of nonprofit boards within a community will lead to more effective and sustainable results as that community addresses poverty, education, the environment and other critical issues.

The workshop will be presented by Virginia D. Lang, a veteran management consultant who has worked in the corporate sector and the nonprofit community as an advisor on all aspects of community affairs for almost 30 years. Lang has served as an expert coach, trainer, facilitator and consultant to an impressive array of nonprofit organizations, she is an accomplished speaker and teacher, and she leads business and nonprofit workshops at Whatcom Community College.

Details – advance registration and payment required

Cost: $15 for members of Washington Nonprofits, $10/nonmembers. Advance registration is required; brown bag lunch recommended (beverages will be served).

Lopez Island: Thursday, September 15th from 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Lopez Center. Cost $15 for members of Washington Nonprofits, $10/nonmembers. Please visit http://www.cvent.com/d/5vqjdq to register.

San Juan Island: Wednesday, October 5th from 9:00 a.m. -1:30 p.m. at Brickworks in Friday Harbor. Cost $15 for members of Washington Nonprofits, $10/nonmembers. Please visit http://www.cvent.com/d/yvqjgd to register.

Dear Editor,

Last week during our county fair the temperature here on the island rose to well over 80 degrees several days in a row. Sadly, those of us working at the Animal Protection Society booth were notified on four separate occasions that people had parked their cars in the lots across the street from the fairgrounds; leaving dogs inside those cars, for periods of over two hours.

In one of those instances, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched and when the car was eventually opened the temperature inside the vehicle registered 90 degrees. This reading was taken five minutes after the doors had been opened and air allowed to circulate. The two dogs inside the car had been left in crates, with no water, for over five hours; windows barely cracked. The lot has no shade. A citation was issued in this case.

It is always disturbing and sad to see people show so little regard for their pets, but it is especially tragic in light of the fact that so much information is published and circulated warning people of the dangers associated with leaving pets in cars during warm weather. Hundreds of pets die each year in our state, as a result of being left in cars on hot days. And even an overcast or mild day can injure an animal if there is not enough ventilation or they don’t have water available. After 10 minutes, the internal temperature of your car can rise by 20º F and increases exponentially from there. Even on a mild day, that’s far too hot for a dog!

While it has been widely publicized, it would seem that more than a few islanders are not aware a new Washington State law went into effect July 24, 2015 that allows police officers to break into vehicles to rescue pets left in cars on hot days.

If you see a dog in a car on a hot day, it is best to call 911 rather than trying to get into the car yourself. While police and law enforcement are protected from civil liability under the new law, civilians are not. If you break into a car to save a dog, you could face legal or financial penalties for the damage to the vehicle. Plus a dog in a vehicle may not react well to the intrusion and you could be injured.

Pets should not be left in a car on a day hotter than 60º or colder than 32º F. Veterinarians recommend you always park in the shade, roll down at least two windows halfway, make sure water is available. Try not to leave your dog for longer than five to 10 minutes.

Sincerely,

Jan Murphy
Shelter Manager
Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor

Minnie Knych has another heads-up for you…

Cyndi Brast photo

It is going to be a sweet day at the fair on Saturday!

In the Food Preservation Booth we have two very special guest speakers.  At 1:30 PM Dr. Burke Gossom will talk about Backyard Bee Keeping.  All sorts of fruit and vegetables are pollinated by honey bees, such as broccoli and squash, apples and almonds. Pollination is not just important for the food we eat directly, it’s vital for the foraging crops, such as field beans and clover, used to feed the livestock we depend on for meat.  Come and find out how a bee hive can be maintained in your own back yard!

At 4:30 PM Theresa Dennis will share recipes and tips on “Putting Up With Honey”  You can learn how to make jams and jellies with honey rather than cane sugar.  She will also provide a tasting of her own honey based jam at the end of the presentation.

Besides that you can stop by for Jam and Jelly tasting at 11AM at 3PM and vote for the People’s Choice award!!

No Driving Access on Mount Grant Preserve THIS Sunday, August 21st

The road to the summit of Mount Grant Preserve will be closed this Sunday, August 21, 2016, due to San Juan County road work.

For more information, contact the Land Bank at 378-4402.

Coast Salish Dedications during National Park Service Founder’s Day Event

Click to enlarge

San Juan Island National Historical Park will host Washington Coast Salish Tribes and First Nations Thursday, August 25, 2016 during the National Park Service Founder’s Day celebration. Members of Lummi and Saanich nations will dedicate two canoes, two Salmon Story Boards and a Reef Net Captain Totem Pole to the National Park to commemorate the National Park Service Centennial. Washington State Senator, Kevin Ranker will be speaking to the value of public lands and how the next generation is critical to continuing the important conservation work into the next century. The Park is honored to be celebrating the next century of stewardship and collaboration of public lands.

A public ceremony dedication will be held at 2 pm near a Coast Salish village site at English Camp. A birthday cake will be cut in honor of the celebration at 3:30 and family-friendly activities such as canoe paddling, native dancing, artwork, and information about the San Juan Islands will be available until 6 pm. A special talk with master canoe builder Dean Washington and canoe navigator Matt Wickey on Canoe culture in the Islands, past and present will be held at 3:45 pm with instruction on canoe paddling.

“Coast Salish families traveled and worked these waters, prairies, and forests for thousands of years before European arrival and the islands hold their stories,” said Superintendent Elexis Fredy, “These gifts will allow the park to share the deep meaning and reverence the Salish people have for their sacred home, the San Juan Islands.”

Canoes built at English Camp this week – Tim Dustrude photo

Master canoe builder and Lummi Nation member, Dean Washington, will dedicate two Coast Salish canoes, master carver Jewell Praying Wolf James will dedicate two Salmon Story Boards, and master carver Charles Elliott, a member of the T’sartlip First Nation on Vancouver Island, will dedicate his Reef Net Captain Pole.

Free shuttle bus to/from Friday Harbor ferry landing at 2 pm returning from park at 5 pm.

To volunteer for this event, please call (360) 378 – 2240 ext. 2223. For more information visit the park website, www.nps.gov/sajh, or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/camppickett.
www.nps.gov

Minnie Knych shares this report from the Fair…

Francine Shaw won Best of Show! – Contributed photo

FRANCINE SHAW was the Best of Show winner at the Food Preservation booth in the San Juan County Fair.  Her canned green beans won the prize!

On Friday at the fair, there are two jam and jelly People’s Choice awards at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

Also we have some great demonstrations

1:30 PM  – ALPHA BEETS – just for kids – Theresa Dennis will show us how to get kids to eat their vegetables.  Come and learn a new way to make fun pickled beets – This is a hands on demonstration – kids will leave with their own Alpha Beets.

4:30 PM – DEMONSTRATION of KIMCHI – Roger Ellison will demonstrate and share recipes for homemade kimchi, the national dish of Korea.  Rich in vitamins A and C, and, due to its fermentation process, kimchi is also rich in beneficial gut-boosting lactobacilli bacteria.  Learn how to make kimchi safely at home.

Click to enlarge

Friends of the San Juans is excited to hold a family-friendly Food Web Picnic on Tuesday, August 30, at Jackson’s Beach on San Juan Island from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

At the event, children will explore the animal habitats at and around Jackson Beach and will earn their Coastal Food Web Investigator badge.

Participants can bring a picnic to enjoy on the beach following the scavenger hunt.  The event is geared towards those ages 5 to 10 years old, but all ages are welcome to join.