A talented duo touted as “two of the most compelling new voices on the Americana music scene” by the Chicago Sun Times, performs at San Juan Community Theatre on Wednesday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Allison Russell and JT Nero, who together make up Birds of Chicago, magically combine roots, gospel, folk and more with beautiful words that go together eloquently.

Birds of Chicago was born in 2012 when Nero began writing for his vocal star-muse, Russell. Both were accomplished singer/songwriters with projects of their own, Nero with JT and the Clouds and Russell with the acclaimed Canadian roots outfit Po’ Girl, but together there was an unmistakable chemistry. Nero had found the perfect voice for his rock and roll psalms. Russell moved from being a primary songwriter to an interpreter.

The duo recently completed a tour in the Netherlands and Belgium and will move on to Vancouver, B.C. after their Friday Harbor stop.

The Business Partner for Birds of Chicago is Heuristic Enterprises. Tickets are $18 for adults and $9 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 on-line at www.sjctheatre.org

Alisa from Jensen Shipyard writes to let us know they have a job opening…

Equipment Operator
Seeking person with heavy equipment experience. Primary responsibility is operating 35 ton Travel Lift to haul and launch boats ranging from 15 feet to 47 feet. Job also requires pressure washing, boat bottom painting and facility maintenance. Boat knowledge and mechanical skills are a plus.

Salary and benefits DOE. Submit resume to :

Alisa Schoultz, Vice President
1293 Turn Point Road
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Email: alisa [@] jensenshipyard.com

(360) 378-4343
www.jensenshipyard.com

This is the seventh 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…

Let’s face it: sometimes you don’t know who to vote for. Maybe it’s a judge, or maybe it’s a state position you’re not familiar with. For whatever reason, voters sometimes leave races blank. That’s called an undervote.

Voters sometimes also mark two candidates in one race. Maybe they changed their minds, or maybe it was just a stray mark, but our sensitive voting equipment will pick up when there are two votes in one race. That’s an overvote.

And then there are write-ins. A treasured tradition of American voting, write-in votes allow even undeclared, unfinanced candidates the possibility of winning elections. In rare cases, write-ins even win. More often than otherwise, however, write-in votes are vehicles for voter frustration with the existing candidates.

Undervotes, overvotes and write-ins are three of the most common voting irregularities we see on ballots. Procedures exist for handling each, to ensure that every voter’s intent is honored.

First, a little myth-busting: We hear surprisingly often from voters who believe that if they don’t vote the entire ballot, their votes will not be counted. Not true! Voters have every right to skip races. When a race is undervoted, the software highlights it for review, in order to ensure that the software didn’t miss anything. If the race is truly not voted, then no vote was cast in that race from that ballot, but the rest of the ballot is still valid.

Overvotes are trickier, because they often require interpretation of voter intent. Washington State is a “voter intent” state. That means that if a voter does not follow instructions for how to mark a ballot, but his or her intent is discernible through a consistent pattern of marking a ballot, we honor intent and count the votes. There is an entire manual, updated annually by the Secretary of State’s Office, to help us with that task. Continue Reading

San Juan Islands Conservation District is proud to announce our Take Charge electric vehicle program!

The San Juan Islands are the perfect place for electric vehicles. To support the transition to low carbon transport technology, we are promoting two new programs:

1. The Public Charge Station Incentive Program, sponsored by OPALCO.
2. The Sign & Drive Lease on the 2016 Nissan Leaf SV, by Campbell Nissan of Everett.

Public Charge Station Incentive Program –
Public charging stations are a crucial part of making EV adoption practical and easy for San Juan Island residents. Businesses and organizations may apply for up to $1,500 in reimbursements for installing Level 2 (240v) charging stations in parking lots or publicly available parking areas. Be sure to take advantage of the 30% Federal Tax Credit available for qualifying businesses and organizations to offset additional costs, if any.

There are great benefits to having a charging station near your business; people will be passing the time while they top off their batteries, why not encourage them to spend that time in your business? It benefits you, nearby local businesses, the customer, and by encouraging clean transport, the whole world.

If we reach our goal of installing 10 public charging stations between the three main islands, San Juan County will boast the highest ratio of public charging stations-to-residents than anywhere in the USA!

2016 Nissan Leaf Sign & Drive Deal –
Campbell Nissan has offered San Juan County residents a lease arrangement on an excellent electric car, the 2016 Nissan Leaf SV. This 100% electric car features a 120 mile range – plenty of pep to fully circumnavigate San Juan Island 3 times! To make buying quick and painless, Campbell Nissan is offering a zero out-of-pocket 36 month lease. Just sign the line and drive away. Payments will be around $280 per month. Pay pennies per mile in electricity right from your own home, and pay less in maintenance costs all while doing your part to make the world a little greener. This deal launches August 1st!

To learn more about electric cars, or to participate in our programs, please visit www.takechargesanjuans.org. There you will find resources and information on chargers, site evaluation assistance and further program details.

Public Charge Station Application Form and Requirements List (PDF)

Take Charge San Juan Brochure (PDF)

Richard Davenport, owner of Lavendera Massage, is happy to announce the opening of the new Friday Harbor School of Massage. The Washington State Board of Massage and the Workforce Training Board approved the curriculum and catalog for the new school last Friday.

Friday Harbor School of Massage is officially a state approved school for training new massage therapists. Currently the closest massage schools are located in Bellingham, Arlington, Everett and Port Townsend making it difficult and expensive for islanders to attend.

Friday Harbor School of Massage will begin fall term in September with the program completion in mid April. At least six of the instructors at the school will be local massage therapists. Classes will be held at Lavendera Massage Center 285 Spring Street.

Tuition is $8,900 which includes 625 hours of instruction, textbooks, supplies and materials. Classes will be held from 9am to 1 pm 5 days a week beginning September 6th. There is a $100 enrollment application fee. For more information contact Richard at 360-378-3637 or email him at
FridayHarborSchoolofMassage [@]] gmail.com.

Presented by the San Juan Island Library, Come see Don Ehlen’s Insect Safari, held Wednesday, July 13 on the grounds of Friday Harbor Elementary School. Showtime begins at 1:30 PM.

Learn about the amazing world of insects. View Don Ehlen’s collection of preserved and living specimens, including millipedes, a stick insect, and giant cockroaches.

Please bring blankets and chairs for seating and watch for parking signs due to construction at the school. Friday Harbor Elementary School is located at 95 Grover Street. Call the Library at 378-2798 for more information, or visit www.sjlib.org.

Wednesday Afternoon Performances are part of the Library’s Summer Reading Program. All performances are free and open to the public thanks to funding from the Friends of the San Juan Island Library.

Dear Citizens,

I am running for County Council Position 1. I am best known for my integrity, charitable activities, and for starting Community Treasures. I do not support polluting our County rural roads with political signs, so I invite you to visit my website to review my platform and leadership experiences over the last 40 years. www.penwell4council.com.

If anyone, or any group, would like a private meeting to better understand the advisors plan, the fairness policies, and the Essential Public Facilities issues that I am promoting, please give me a call at 378-6473.

Community Treasures and Take it or Leave It sites need to become “conforming” entities, so they can become permanent community facilities. Currently they are non-conforming, meaning they are to be eliminated over time.

Fairness policies need to be written, due to the County’s history of not treating citizens and organizations equally, and not protecting employees and whistleblowers effectively.

Please vote for Advisors, Equality, and Fairness policies,
Frank M. Penwell

The San Juan Island School District and planning committee members have planned a DACA/DAPA Update Session for Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 6:00 pm, at the San Juan Community Theatre. The purpose of this meeting is for participants to learn about the decision of the Supreme Court and how it impacts students, families and our island community.

On Monday, April 18, the U.S. Supreme Court finally heard oral arguments on United States v. Texas, the case involving President Obama’s executive orders protecting non-criminal undocumented immigrants from deportation. Two issues are in contention with the Obama policies: the expansion of the already-existing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the creation of the new Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA).

Keynote Speaker: Douglas D. Interiano, ILS, JSM 
The keynote speaker for the DACA/DAPA Update is Douglas Interiano. For the past 15 years, Mr. Interiano has helped represent families with immigration matters and is frequently invited by local, state and national media to analyze immigration bills, laws and regulations. Under his leadership, Proyecto Inmigrante ICS, Inc. has served over 30,000 families from 46 different countries.

Douglas Interiano earned a Juris Scientiae (Master of Science of Laws), and a graduate certificate in U.S. Taxation Law from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, as well as an Advanced Certificate in U.S. Immigration and Nationality Law, from The City University of New York and a Bachelor of Art in Modern Languages with concentration in Criminology and Criminal Justice from The University of Texas at Arlington.  Douglas Interiano is fully accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice and Board of Immigration Appeals to practice Immigration and Nationality Law before DHS and Immigration Courts.

Mr. Interiano is currently the Founder and CEO of Proyecto Inmigrante ICS, Inc. He is a founding member of Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance (RITA) and The North Texas Immigration and Education Table (NTIET).

Free pizza will be served.

Questions may be directed to Danna Diaz, Superintendent, San Juan Island School District at 370-7905.

Ladies and Gentlemen, what you see before you is the world’s smallest German Shepherd. That’s Me – “Lovie”!

I only weigh about five pounds, but when it comes to cuteness, loyalty and fun – I’m a very big dog indeed!

I’m only 8 years old and spunky as all get out!

I’d love to meet you… Stop by the Shelter soon and introduce yourself!

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

Carla Wright has just opened a design/consulting business. Here she is with the scoop…

I am now providing design consultation for those needing help with restyling their home or business, closet attacks (my speciality) and personal shopping (targeting men who normally need help in this category).

All things to help make your life easier and more enjoyable.

This will be a fun experience.

Give me a call at (360) 317-8772 or send me an email:
simplywright41 [@] gmail.com.

Fellow Film Buffs,

After last week’s “Amy”, the film series turns to a brighter side next Tuesday with the showing of “Heart of a Dog”. We hope to see all of you at the Community Theatre Tuesday at 7:30 pm – and bring a friend. If you haven’t already purchased one, punch cards are available at the Theatre Box Office. Punch cards good for 10 admissions are $55 and can be shared. Single admissions are $8.

Heart of a Dog (2015) Not Rated 73 minutes
Tuesday July 12, 7:30 pm

Laurie Anderson is a multi-talented performance artist. Originally trained as a violinist and sculptor, she became a pioneer in electronic music, inventing several new devices including the tape-bow violin that uses magnetic tape on the bow instead of horsehair and a magnetic tape head in the bridge. In the 1980’s she became a well-known pop star releasing 10 musical albums in addition to two spoken word albums which include her poetry. She is also an outstanding graphic artist.

Heart of a Dog, her sixth film, is a unique, indescribable beast, Anderson narrating over a collage of 8mm home video, iPhone footage, canine-level camera, and animation. If it sometimes wanders a little far afield, it snaps back quickly with some sharp observations. Anderson at one point recalls a moment when, hiking with Lolabelle in Northern California, she sees the dog realize for the first time that hawks might see it as prey, and that death can come from above — an expression she says she also saw on the faces of New Yorkers after 9/11. It’s the kind of connection that makes it a pleasure to listen to Anderson as she takes you on this tour of her inner life.

Why not “make a night of it” by enjoying dinner and movie with friends? Three restaurants have agreed to special pre-theatre prices during the film series for “green card” holders. Your choices are:

1. The Restaurant at Friday Harbor House. A completely redone interior and menu. The new chef comes from The Willows Inn on Lummi Island, considered among the 10 best restaurants in the United States. Punch card holders get 10% off the entire food bill each Tuesday during the film series.
2. Coho. Make a reservation between 5:00 and 5:45 and get dinner for two for $70 including a bottle of wine! Each person receives soup, salad, choice between two entrees, and homemade ice cream or sorbet. (Other entrees available at slightly higher price.)
3. Vinny’s Ristorante continues offering 10% off your entire food bill when you show your punch card or ticket. This offer is available every Tuesday during the Film Series.

Coming up on Tuesday, July 19:
Everything is Copy (2015) Not Rated, 89 minutes
More info next week

Amanda Richardson: Textile Wall Hangings – July 16 through August 3

The textile works of Amanda Richardson have earned accolades from clients worldwide. This show’s subject matter is inspired by the beautiful flowers and rocky cliffs from her home in Cornwall, UK. Additionally, it is infused with remembrances of the flowers from the San Juan Islands and her recent travels to Crete and Kazakhstan

These finely composed textile wall hangings, are created using custom dyed fabrics, finely cut into varying sizes, placed onto a backing sheet of fabric, and then fused into place. These stunning textiles, infused with varying degrees of textured cloth, create an artwork that delights the eyes and soul.

After a 20 – year hiatus from San Juan Island, Amanda is attending WaterWorks Gallery’s opening reception on Saturday, July 16th.

This is the 31st year of WaterWorks Gallery located in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. It is a contemporary, light filled space that continues to evolve as a gallery dedicated to showing artists from the Islands, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. The represented artists, painters, sculptors and jewelers reflect the area’s beauty, both conventional and unusual. That is the flavor of the Northwest and what makes WaterWorks Gallery the unique place it is.

Budapest West performs at the Rumor Mill, Saturday July 9th at 7:30pm. 

The band says: “We are happy to announce our return to Friday Harbor for another night of great food, excellent drinks, and our rockin’ ‘belly-dance-world-groove’. Join us at Rumor Mill in beautiful downtown Friday Harbor!”

Since the release of their first critically acclaimed album “Letters from Afar”, Budapest West have delighted audiences around the Pacific Northwest and beyond with their unique “electro-world-groove” sound. They have performed at many of Washington’s largest festivals, including the Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival, Spokane Pig Out, Choochokam Music & Arts Festival, Apple Blossom Festival, just to name a few.

Their sound has been heard on live stages from Alaska to Hollywood and across the Midwest and Great Lakes region.

Read more about the band and listen to some samples on their website.

More updates from the Town  on a couple of road construction projects. First, Tucker Avenue, and then the water main replacement out on San Juan Valley and Wold Roads…

Tucker Avenue Reconstruction Project – Phase 1
What to expect for the week of July 11th through July 15th

The Town of Friday Harbor appreciates everyone’s patience while we work through this project. A project manager is on-site at all times to address concerns. Do not hesitate to contact Town Hall at (360) 378-2810 with questions or comments.

Project task(s):
The Contractor has completed water service connections to all users from the new water main; tie-ins to the new water main onto Harbor Street and McDonald Street; grinding pavement; and undergrounding of street lighting, fiber and cable conduits.

The Contractor will be transitioning into the phase of the project for actively reconstructing the roadbed. Road construction entails removal of existing surface; and excavation to the subgrade and base rock.

This work will require the Contractor to have additional equipment on Tucker Avenue with trucks entering and leaving the road. Two flaggers will be present to control the traffic.

Street Closure:
The Southbound lane will be temporarily closed during road crossings. Flaggers will advise drivers of when it makes sense to use Harbor Street as an alternative. Southbound traffic may use the Larson Street detour to avoid the construction area entirely. Continue Reading

EMS Chief Jerry Martin shares these thoughts on the levy…

Asking the voters to approve a levy increase is never popular, even in good times. But approval of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy is responsible and conservative, and will ensure the financial viability of our system for years to come.

On August 2, voters will be asked to consider raising the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) levy lid from the approved 35 cents to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The current 35 cents per $1,000 levy will expire December 31, 2016.

I will not mince words about the stakes involved. If the residents of San Juan and surrounding islands do not support the levy, San Juan Island EMS and the emergency medical service as you’ve known it will cease to exist.

I have had conversations with many of you to determine the level of service you want delivered to the community. The EMS Levy will fund the continuation of Basic Life Support (EMTs), Injury Prevention through in-home assessments, community CPR Training and Advanced Life Support (Paramedics). The levy will also ensure the funding of vital equipment, supplies and training.

The challenge for managers of emergency services throughout the nation is first and foremost simple economics. Keeping the levy rate at its current rate of 35 cents would result in a $2.4 million system shortfall in six years.

Inflation has taken its toll. The value of 25 cents in 1979, if simply increased for inflation, is worth over 70 cents today. (For example, the average cost of an ambulance in 1979 was around $30,000. Today’s cost is $170,000.) Add in decreased property valuations and lowered federal Medicare reimbursements, and it becomes evident that a levy increase is necessary.

While we continually look for more ways to save money, there are some things we cannot eliminate. We have medical equipment reaching or exceeding its lifespan and ambulances that are more than 20 years old. Training programs cannot be cut because of federal and state requirements. The training budget is already at the bare minimum to keep us legally compliant. Continue Reading

The Fair is getting near, about 40 days away! Planning is well underway with vendors, entertainers, and exhibitors all excited to showcase at the Fairgrounds from August 17th through the 20th (Wednesday-Saturday).

This year’s Fair theme is “Barn and Raised in the Islands” with beautiful poster art by the talented Jill Bliss of San Juan Island.

Hey kids (and parents!) Thanks again to a very generous anonymous donor, all youth exhibitors, age 5 through 16, will get a FREE season pass just for entering something! You’ve got plenty of time to fine-tune your creative project before entry day August 16th. Check out the online premium book on the Fair website OR visit your local library starting next week for tags, entry forms, and peruse the reference copy on hand for entry guidelines.

Get Involved! If you’re thinking about getting a Vendor Booth space for your business, your handmade crafts, or your organization, please sign up by visiting our website—Now’s the time! The Main Building has sold out, but there are outdoor spaces, and a couple one-day booth spaces left in the Main Building.

Performers! Many local and Pacific Northwest entertainers are showcasing this year, will you? More information on the Fair website.

Be sure to Like Us on Facebook and check our website to be up to date on what’s exciting and new this year at the Fair—for starters, a sword swallower and a Silent Disco… but we can’t tell you all of it, you’ll just have to come see for yourself in August!

The San Juan County Fair Staff and Volunteers look forward to seeing each and every one of you at the Fair!