Vintage Canning Label

Minnie Knych reminds us that its time to get our preserved food ready for the fair…

Only 24 days until the fair! Have you started harvesting and preserving the tastes of summer yet? If you have a back yard garden plan to enter some of your preserved foods in the fair.   The Food Preservation Department is featuring something for everyone at the 2016 San Juan County Fair.

Of course we have to have our twice daily jam and jelly tastings. This is a chance for the general public to vote on a best tasting jam or jelly. The winning entry of the vote gets a People’s Choice award.

Check the daily fair schedule for fascinating and educational demonstrations including in the Food Preservation Department including:

• Putting up with Honey – Go completely organic by making your preserves with honey!
• Alpha Beets – a great demo for the kids that will surely make them eat their vegetables!
• Sauerkraut & Kimchi – easy, organic and provides natural probiotics that are good for you

We’ve also added some new categories for entries.

1. Do you have a favorite soup mix or bread mix? If so you can put your mix in a jar. Include a label with the recipe and enter it in the county fair to win prizes and ribbons.
2. Dehydrated spices, vegetables etc. Dehydrating is a great way to preserve spices! Last year we demonstrated and there was lots of interest. This is a great category for a beginner to try! BE SURE TO READ THE PREMIUM BOOK ON THE San Juan County Fair website for the rules about entering dehydrated products in the fair.
3. Smoked meats is a new category – check with the premium book on the San Juan County Fair website to find out the rules for entering

Domino – Contributed Photo

Domino here, coming to you from the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor. They’ve asked me to keep track of how many tickets have been sold for this weekend’s “Wags to Riches” Luau on The Lawn. By my calculations it looks like you’d better hurry up and get yours if you haven’t already. They’re going fast, folks!

This is going to be one fun event – lots of great raffle and auction items, delicious food, cocktails, celebrities and even Tahitian dancers! Which reminds me of the wild summer I performed with a Tahitian dance troupe in my youth….but I digress. Don’t miss this year’s Wags to Riches – it’s the best way ever to have a lot of fun and help raise money to build our brand new animal shelter! Call Leslie or Jan for tickets: 378-2159.

Kevin Roth – Peggy Sue McRae Photo

I stopped by Kevin Roth’s on Friday to check out his latest project and found him hard at work on his magnificent new Fish House. He aims to get it finished in time for the county fair. Surrounded by the materials of his craft Kevin’s workspace resembles a cross between a curiosity shop and a junkyard. Repurposing found materials is key to his work. Looking at a discarded cement mixer lining and seeing a giant fish is the magic part. Actually creating a Fish House out of found materials requires hard work and skills.

Kevin is an advocate for keeping shop and art classes in our schools and for good reasons. As a student these were the classes that were the most meaningful to him. As a teenager he got into cars, motorcycles, and learned to weld. The combination of his metalworking skills, sense of humor, and impulse to repurpose cast off materials join to create artworks that tickle our imaginations and delight us with the results.

Work in Progress – Peggy Sue McRae Photo

When I asked Kevin what he would like people to know about his work he said, “It’s not for the tourists and it’s not for the money”. Not that tourists don’t enjoy his work. His Pineapple and the Strawberry House are bonafide roadside attractions on the West Side Rd. People stop, take pictures, and leave him love notes. The purpose for the work though says Roth, is “to spread whimsy across the land”. Don’t miss Kevin’s Fish House at the fair this year. “It’s for the kids” says Roth, adding… “and we’re all kids.”

Strawberry House – Heather P. Ebert Photo

This photo comes to us from John Miller who says, “It is impossible to visit Lavender farm without being amazed at the number of bees in attendance!” 

Bee with Lavender – John Miller Photo

Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Island Rec will be showing fun, family films for free on summer Saturdays in Sunken Park at Sunset… 

Island Rec’s Free Movies in the Park series for 2016 begins July 30th. The series begins with Robin Hood: Men in Tights, a comedy about Nobleman Robin of Loxley who escapes from prison and returns home to find that the evil Prince John has confiscated his family estate and is abusing the citizenry. Robin enlists his band of Merry Men to help regain his home. Come high five your neighbors and friends at this wonderful community event that is enjoyed by everyone, sun sets Saturday, July 30th at 8:50 pm.

The rest of season’s movies that follow will be:

August 6^th – How to Train Your Dragon 2, Sunset – 8:40 pm
August 13^th – Finding Nemo – Sunset – 8:30 pm
August 27^th – Inside Out – Sunset – 8:00 pm

Go to www.islandrec.org or call Island Rec at 378-4953 for more information. Free popcorn. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. No alcohol please. Sponsored by FANS – Families and Neighbors support Island Rec.

Summer!! – Cady Mountain Seiler Photo

Thanks to Cady Mountain Seiler for this great photo of summer fun!

Bench at Wells Fargo Intersection – Peggy Sue McRae Photo

A Request from the Town of Friday Harbor…

The Town of Friday Harbor is accepting proposals for a park bench 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 September 30, 2016.

The proposal application states that the artwork is intended to add beauty and interest to a park bench and the downtown core, and to 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.

According to the published FHAC guidelines, the art selection process will include forming a sub-committee of Commissioners and community representatives who will review the submissions and present selected proposals to the public for comment at an open forum. “The FHAC continues to demonstrate our commitment to include the community in the public art selection process,” said Commissioner Diane Martindale. She explained that the commission wants all interested citizens to voice their opinions and share in the excitement of bringing more art into the town. Continue Reading

The Capitol Calls All Eligible Tributes to The Hunger Games – The Second Hunger Games of San Juan Island Library will be held on Saturday, July 23 at the SJI Fairgrounds from 1:30 – 3:00 PM*

Prepare for battle with your friends and train for an epic afternoon of games. The day starts with The Reaping, training for the games, the competition for the title, and of course, feasting for all as a district tribute.

Wear clothing that you can get wet and dirty in, and bring a token given to you by loved ones that you can easily carry with you during the games.

Come to the Fairgrounds on Argyle Ave. at 1:30 pm to meet your judges and mentors.

Appropriate for kids who have just completed grades 4 through 9. Please Note:  Due to the Cancellation of the Teen Camp Half-Blood Event Scheduled for Saturday, August 6 – kids in grades 7, 8 and 9 are also invited to participate in this upcoming event.

Registration is not required, but helpful for planning.  Call 378-2798 or stop by the Library to sign up!

*The Games could run 15 to 20 minutes longer depending on the pace of the events.

And May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor!

A head’s up from the County…

Public Works crews will be striping County roads from July 25, 2016 through August 4, 2016. We will be working through the Islands in the following order: San Juan, Orcas, Shaw, and Lopez. We appreciate your cooperation while this project is underway. Please direct any questions you may have to the Public Works Department. (360) 370-0500

Faded Lines on Roche Harbor Road – Peggy Sue McRae Photo

Mount Grant Preserve – Liza Michaelson Photo

If you have not ventured up Mount Grant yet, or even if you are familiar with the amazing beauty of this local treasure, summer Sundays at the Summit have some special offerings in store. This Sunday, July 24, is Plein Air Art Day on Mount Grant. Some of our Island’s most beloved artists will be setting up their easels and creating works that will then be available to purchase in support of Mount Grant Preserve. Participating artists include; Annie Adams, Jamie Ellsworth, Alison Engle, Beth Hetrick, Nancy Maron, Tom Small, and Nancy Spaulding.

Every Sunday through September the road up to the preserve will be open to vehicles from noon to 6:00 pm. (It remains open to hikers 7 day a week/all day.) Sunday July 31st will be All Islands Day from noon to 4:00 pm with free shuttles from the Friday Harbor ferry landing plus entertainment and refreshments provided at the summit.

Fiesta! – Nancy DeVaux Photo

A successful event for the Home Trust…

With music by Los Hermanos, dancing, a delicious meal and a fabulous live and silent auction, the San Juan Community Home Trust’s 4^th Annual Fiesta was deemed a great success! Nearly $35,000 was raised to support the group’s program of creating permanently affordable housing on San Juan Island.

Home Trust Executive Director Nancy DeVaux said “The generosity of the community was amazing. We are so appreciative of all the event sponsors, auction donors, the volunteers who worked at the event, and all the people who attended!” The event took place Sunday July 17th at the Brickworks. The group is raising money to complete construction of Phase 2 of Sun Rise, the neighborhood that consists of refurbished homes that were barged to San Juan Island from Victoria B.C. For more information see www.hometrust.org.

Home Trust Fiesta – Nancy DeVaux Photo

Amy Wynn at San Juan Fitness has a request…

I am doing a water safety day at SJI Fitness for the youth mentor program in the afternoon of July 28 and am in need of a small inflatable boat or sit upon kayak and some youth life jackets to borrow that day. I know I can borrow from the port, but sometimes it is slim pickings this time of year. email me:  swim (@) interisland (.) net or leave a message at 378-4449. Thank you.

San Juan County seeks public comment…

The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) seeks public comment on updates to San Juan County’s Shoreline Master Program. The comment period is July 22 to September 2, 2016 5 p.m. Send Comments to: Bob Fritzen, WA Dept. Ecology, 1440 10th St. Suite 102, Bellingham, WA 98225, or email to bob.fritzen (@) icy (.) wa (.) gov. Comments due September 2nd 5 p.m. Documents for review and additional detail available on Ecology’s website. For questions, call Bob Fritzen (360) 715-5207.

From Island Rec…

Storytellers Series With Island Rec

Join Island Rec this evening at Jackson Beach from 6:30 to 8:30 pm as Linda Tiffany, an accomplished storyteller from the Bellingham Storytellers Guild, shares a variety of unique and enchanting folk tales around the campfire. We will have smores before the stories begin. See you tonight!

Ribbon Cutting at San Juan Safaris – Tamara Weaver Photo

The Town of Friday Harbor and the Chamber of Commerce turned out to celebrate cutting the ribbon at San Juan Safaris new home at Spring Street Landing. Pictured here from left to right are Jim Carroll, Lauren Cohen, Gail Schnee, Rachel and Brian Goodremont and their children, Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso, new Port Director Ted Fitzgerald, and Karl Bruno. Here’s the story…

San Juan Safaris Whale Watch & Wildlife Tours opens their new and modern waterfront office, retail space, and cafe to visitors and guests. Located in the new Spring Street Landing Building at 10 Front Street, the new office, known as the “Adventure Hub,” is open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Schedule a whale watch tour or sea kayak tour, order a latte’, or pick-up San Juan Island memorabilia all in one location.

Just steps from the ferry terminal, San Juan Safaris’ office boasts a new retail space with custom designed hats and t-shirts, performance clothing from Arcteryx and Outdoor Research, and additional products featuring San Juan Island and Washington State.

Also located in their new waterfront office is the Riptide Café, featuring premium roast coffee and espresso from Stumptown Coffee Roasters. The café menu includes baked-fresh daily muffins, scones, and sweet breads featuring Felicitations, Bakery San Juan, and Seattle Bagel Bakery. Riptide Café also features savory and filling spinach & feta quiche, and Seattle Bagel Bakery’s hot breakfast sandwiches with egg, cheese, & bacon or sausage.  New menu items, fresh baked goods, and savory treats are added daily.

Visit Riptide Café from 7am to 7pm daily.

For more information, contact Owner and Operator Brian Goodremont. Phone: 360-378-1323 Email: fun (@) sanjuansafaris (.) com Website: www.SanJuanSafaris.com

Waterworks Gallery invites you to meet participating jewelers in a show celebrating Micki Lippe, mentor to jewelry makers for 27 years…

Mentoring as Art – Contributed Photo

When Micki moved to Seattle in 1989, her studio business was going full bore. Micki hired people to work for her, but her ongoing relationship with these people was more than an employer.

She wasn’t just interested in seeing how well you soldered her work. Micki took an interest in you  – she encouraged you to enter exhibitions, she did critiques, and offered positive encouragement.

Micki was interested in people, in their work, and in their lives. But above all, she was interested in helping others to join the field as a full-fledged metal-smiths. She still is.

This show is about those relationships, the role of mentor and mentee. Some of these relationships are recent, while others were formed years ago.

These people are practicing metal-smiths, teacher, writers, and sculptors. The span of these relationships as mentor and mentee started in 1989. Some continue to this day.

This exhibition speaks well to the roles of mentors and mentee in the artwork, to become a metal-smith, sculptor, writer or teacher, one must learn technique, develop skills, and the practice one’s art form. The safety net of a mentor allows you to work while learning and growing. Until you your own “Ahhah” moment and decide your path.

This exhibition is presented in the hopes of creating a new generation of Mentors for another generation of metal-smiths, sculptors, writer and teacher!

To View  the work: Mentoring as ART SHOW