Edit: This story has been updated to include the invitation in the last paragraph…

Marilyn O’Connor – Contributed photo

Marilyn O’Connor will retire on June 30 from the Port of Friday Harbor. She has been with the Port for 31 years. Since November 2007 she has served as Executive Director. Before then, she held the positions of Port Auditor and Deputy Director.

Over the course of three decades Marilyn has participated in most projects and programs that have taken place at the Marina, at Jackson Beach Park and at Friday Harbor Airport. Most recently she managed the $9 million reconstruction of Spring Street Landing, which will be complete later this summer.

“I’ve been lucky to work in a place I care about, with great people, doing work for our community. I love our small town and being outside, so this has been a good place for me. I want to thank everyone for their support and participation over the years.”

Marilyn will continue living on the island. “Seems like a perfect place to retire, and I already live here!”

Come say goodbye Saturday June 25th, 12:00 to 3:00 pm at the Port Waterfront Park.  Music, Cake & Refreshments, see you there!

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

Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Jack and I would like to apply to be your next family member.

I’m handsome, as you can see and I have a great personality. I have just two requests for my new family:

1) Never photograph me with anything on my head without my express permission and

2) Please make sure I get to watch Sponge Bob SquarePants at least once a week. Even if it’s a re-run. It’s my favorite show. I think we’ll get along great, don’t you?

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

Jen and Jackie over here at The Studio…

Click to enlarge

We just wanted to send a quick note to let folks know that we will be running our Free Pilates in the Park Special Session again this summer. This is a free 45 minute Pilates mat class held weekly in Sunken Park.

This year we decided to start a little later in the evening so that it will allow more people to come after work, and also hope it will be a little cooler than time of day. The session begins on Thursday July 14th and runs through August 11th, and will be offered every Thursday at 6:30p.m, and it is free!!!!

Those interested in attending just need to bring their own yoga/pilates mat, or a towel, some water, and a fun positive attitude. We are hoping to see many Islanders in attendance!!!

In addition, this summer we are introducing a 4 week stand – up paddle board (SUP) Pilates and Yoga Special Session in partnership with Springtide Paddleboards. This session will begin Saturday July 16th and will run for 4 Saturdays at Jackson’s Beach from 11-12p.m.. You can bring your own paddleboard or rent on from Springtide for a discounted rate of $12/hr. The special session costs $80. Space is limited so anyone interested should register on our website at www.thestudiosji.com or contact The Studio at thestudiosji [@] gmail.com with any questions.

We are so grateful for all of the support we have received from the community, and are so excited to be offering these special sessions. We love what we do, and always enjoy sharing our love of Pilates and movement with the community.

Thanks,
Jen & Jackie

It’s a summer celebration and benefit with the Plutons Organ Trio –

Click to enlarge

Ready for something super cool to celebrate the start of Summer?!! Get into the social season, sunshine groove with some soul food & music!

The Plutons Organ Trio from Portland will be making a special appearance at Brickworks. Be prepared to party, bring your dancing shoes and boogie on down to their super funk sound. Delicious local street food will be served by Island Grown members, a la carte on the plaza from 6:00 pm with exotic offerings from:

• Man’oushe Lebanese Street Food
• Paellas San Juan
• Vinny’s Ristorante

And there will of course be a bar serving special summer cocktails, local wine and beer. Treat yourself to fresh local oysters, sparkling strawberry cocktails and move to the groove!

• Date: Friday June 24th
• Time: Food & Bar from 6pm / Concert from 7pm
• Location: Brickworks, 150 Nichols Street, Friday Harbor
• Tickets: Concert: $15 at the door (to benefit the SJI Ag Guild)

Plutons is led by Chris Phillips (Portland’s West Side Blues Assoc. “Keyboardist of the Year”) and was noted as “A super funk monster with the soul of the old and the groove from the new.”

Portland Mercury and the Willamette Week said – “Tapping into the world of Jack McDuff, Lonnie Smith, and Billy Martin/Wil Blades, Plutons fits right in.”

With the ever funky Justin Calhoun on the drums and the exceptional Jason Butterworth on guitar Plutons is amping up for the Summer of 2016 with the release of their record “In The Bag”.

Check them out at http://www.plutonstrio.com.

Calling All Island Writers for the San Juan County Fair!

Do you enjoy writing poetry, short fiction, or creative nonfiction? How about writing for children, or writing about the Fair theme? Writers of all ages are welcome to submit original, unpublished works. While the limit of entries is 4 entries per person, your imagination is limitless! Entries must be postmarked no later than July 18, 2016.

Mail entries to:

Written Word San Juan County Fair
P.O. Box 1094
Friday Harbor WA 98250

or email as an attachment to islandwriters [@] gmx.com. See the Written Word at the San Juan County Fair exhibitor guide/premium book online at www.sjcfair.org for complete details.

SJ Update file photo

Just a reminder, the Grand opening of “Democracy Corner,” the San Juan County Democrats 2016 election headquarters in Friday Harbor, will be on Tuesday, June 21st from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Everyone is invited to join State Representative Kris Lytton, State Senator Kevin Ranker and local party leaders and volunteers to kick off the election season at this year’s location, 335 Argyle Avenue, between Cecil’s and The Computer Place.

Rep. Lytton will speak at 1:30 pm, with Sen. Ranker to be on hand as his service on jury duty permits.

Democracy Corner will be open through the November election, with volunteer staffing from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm daily except Wednesdays. Campaign materials will be available for Democrats running for State and Federal office, for locals running for County Council, and on ballot measures, all for the August 2 primary and November 8 general elections. The location also provides a welcoming venue for political discussions and various campaign activities.

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Just got this note from Tom over there at SanJuanPuzzles.com…

Our newest puzzles have arrived! Thank you Chris Teren, Matt Pranger and Ken Balcomb for these wonderful photos! Thank you to Tim Dustrude for your fabulous designed boxes.

Support the Toy Box, Cotton Cotton Cotton, Bonnie’s Creative Passions, Pelindaba, WSF terminals soon, Shaw Store and Dominiques Roche Harbor Gift Store.

Ted Fitzgerald – Contributed photo

The Port of Friday Harbor Commission is pleased to announce Ted Fitzgerald of Brookings Oregon as the new Executive Director at the Port of Friday Harbor beginning July 1.

After evaluation of more than 30 applications from around the country, Ted was chosen as the most qualified candidate to lead the Port of Friday Harbor.

Ted has been the Executive Director for the Port of Brookings Harbor on the southern Oregon coast, since 2008. He holds a law degree from the University of San Francisco.

Management of Brookings Harbor, a similar-sized organization to the Port of Friday Harbor, has given Ted the opportunity to become familiar with busy small port operations.

Ted, who grew up in Brookings and is well acquainted with the challenges and rewards of small town living has stated, “I’m looking forward to getting to know Friday Harbor better and finding out what contributions I can make to its beautiful airport and marina.”

In 2011, Ted was in charge of the multimillion-dollar rebuild of the Port of Brookings Harbor after extensive damage caused by tsunamis from an earthquake in Japan. Ted wrote grants and oversaw the reconstruction as executive director.

Ted and crew will be sailing his Irwin 53’ sailboat up the Oregon/Washington coast in June before he takes the helm at the Port.

The commission is grateful to retiring Port Director Marilyn O’Connor (please see accompanying article on Ms. O’Connor) who is retiring after 31 years of public service to our port. Because of her knowledge and leadership, Ted will take the reins of an organization with a strong bottom line, a rebuilt marina and breakwater and a beautiful new waterfront building complex at Spring Street Landing.

Work continues to prepare for the 2017 cable replacement

The Lopez to San Juan Island submarine cable replacement project is progressing with work at Otis Perkins Park on Lopez this month. Conduit was laid from the vault at the Park to the nearby submarine cable terminal. The land portion of the new submarine cable will be installed later this summer readying the system to connect to the new sea portion of the submarine cable in October of 2017. Check out a slideshow of the work in progress.

In 2015, boring under the shoreline and near shore environs at Otis Perkins Park was complete and conduit put into place to receive the submarine cable, when it is delivered. Work will continue through the 2016 and into early 2017 to prepare all the different components required to complete a underwater cable connection.

Here’s a video with more background on the cable replacement project:

Orcas Island Film Festival’s Short Film Project Announces Winners

Three films featuring the San Juan Islands will be screened at the 3rd annual Orcas Island Film Festival, October 7th – 10th

Orcas Island, WA … The Orcas Island Film Festival announces three winning scripts to be produced this summer, exploring the San Juan Archipelago and using it as a canvas to create short films that entertain and inspire.

The Orcas Island Film Festival’s three winners are Aproximada by Kyle Carver and Dan Larson from Orcas Island; Yoga for Salvador by Stefan Hajek from Seattle, and Storm of the Century by Micah Kearney from Seattle.

These independent filmmakers will each be awarded $3500 grants to create their vision in the San Juans, using the magic of the San Juan Archipelago as a canvas during the summer of 2016. Viewers will have a chance to vote for their favorite online at www.orcasfilmfest.com during September, leading up to the Orcas Island Film Festival (October 7 – 10, 2016). All three films will be shown at the festival.

Four judges chose the winning scripts, including Continue Reading

Funders Promote Locally Grown Food for WIC and Senior Farmers Programs

San Juan County Health and Community Services has partnered with Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor, Orcas Island Community Foundation, the Lopez Locavores, and the Honeywell Foundation, to offer Market Bucks at Farmers Markets on Orcas, Lopez, and San Juan Islands.

The Market Bucks Program provides additional dollars for families participating in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutritional Program, and women participating in the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (San Juan Island only), to spend at the Farmers Market this summer.

This benefit doubles the amount of local foods that may be purchased, expands the number of families that are able to participate in the programs, and supports local farmers.

Don’t miss out on this great benefit! To find out if you qualify and to enroll in these programs, contact San Juan County Health and Community Services at 378-4474.

San Juan Island Farmers Market
WIC Farmers Market Checks and Market Bucks for WIC families and senior women, sponsored by Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor and the Honeywell Foundation, will be given out on Saturday, July 9 and Saturday, August 6 from 10AM-1:00PM.

Orcas Island Farmers Market
WIC Farmers Market Checks and WIC Market Bucks, sponsored by Orcas Island Community Foundation, will be distributed at San Juan County Health & Community Services Orcas Office (located in the Senior Center), beginning June 20th. They will also be issued at the Orcas Farmers Market on Saturday, July 16th from 10AM-1:00PM.

Lopez Island Farmers Market
WIC Farmers Market Checks and WIC Market Bucks, sponsored by Lopez Locavores, will be available at the Lopez Island Farmers Market on Saturday, July 9th and Saturday, August 6th from 10AM – 1PM.

“Blitz” the Seahawks mascot – Mark Gardner photo

Seattle Seahawk Mascot Blitz And Blue Thunder Drumline Join 2016 Independence Day Parade

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the nationally recognized Friday Harbor Independence Day Parade, is proud to announce the return of ever popular Seattle Seahawk mascot Blitz for the 2016 event. This year Blitz will be joined by the driving energy of the Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline whose creative rhythms and style are guaranteed to thrill parade fans of all ages.

The Seattle based award winning Keith Highlanders Pipe Band returns as a parade favorite. Performing internationally and throughout the Northwest, this band features the best in traditional Scottish piping.

The spirited Friday Harbor Community Band under the musical direction of Cart Nelsen, will feature a collaboration of both talented student and community musicians showcasing the pride of our island.

Parade applications (due Tuesday, June 28th), are available at the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce offices located at 135 Spring Street or may be downloaded from the Chamber’s web site at: www.sanjuanisland.org – 4th of July Parade Page.

This year’s theme, “America the Beautiful…100 Years of National Parks”, has already attracted a very creative roster of entries. Prize money has been significantly increased this year thanks to a generous donation from King’s Market. For additional information about participating in the 2016 Friday Harbor Independence Day Parade, please email parade [@] sanjuanisland.org or call Traci Wilson, Parade Coordinator at 360-298-7760 or 206-595-5104.

Do you know who painted this? – photo by Lori Stokes

Can you help? The Friday Harbor Arts Commission is working on preparing a catalog of all the public art in Town, both art owned by the Town and art that is privately owned but in the public way.

There is a mural on the left side wall of Friday Harbor Drug, between the two sections of the store, that so far is a mystery.

Most people seem to think it was painted in the early 1970s, but nobody has been able to recollect the name of the artist. If you know who it was, please contact Lori Stokes at 378-4643.

Please join WaterWorks Gallery for the reception of recent paintings by Debbie Daniels and Cathy Schoenberg. These two artists, though at different stages of their careers, are not such different painters. Both Cathy & Debbie paint the subjects of their hearts’ desires.

Refreshments will be served and the the artists will be in attendance. Saturday, June 18 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at WaterWorks Gallery, 315 Argyle Avenue.

Sunbather – 30 x 40 – Oil – Debbie Daniels

Choosing the path of experimentation in her painting style, Deb initially painted in the style of super realism. Now in choosing to paint in the impressionistic style, Debbie turns her attention inland to reflect the rural scenes of island life. From docile, lazy cows to beloved horses and the fields where they reside, rural island life provides Deb much impetus to paint.

Black Velvet – 36 x 48 – Oil on Canvas – Cathy Schoenberg

Cathy Schoenberg, after many years of painting woman at work, woman with their cats and women in repose, is now drawing her inspiration form the natural world of flora and foliage. Cathy’s paintings of flowers are reaching for an intense emotional quality, while playing with the abstracted aspects of the natural world.

It’s time once again for our monthly Chamber Chat column, written by Lauren Cohen, Co-Owner of San Juan Canvas & Chamber Board President…

Here comes summer and with the season come the visitors. The summer season is a really fun and energetic time on our island. It is a time to show off all that is exceptional about this special place. All of us in business know how exhausting the two or three months of tourists and summer residents can be so I always like to keep this historic quote in mind during our six sometimes seven day work weeks:

A customer is the most important visitor on our premises, he is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

All of us at the Chamber of Commerce wish our entire business community a successful and prosperous summer season. We encourage our members to let us know if we can help promote anything you are doing and please be sure that we have rack cards or brochures in the visitor’s center for the many thousands of guests that come through during the season.

Congratulations Graduates!
The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Staff would like to congratulate our 2016 graduates from all of our wonderful schools. We wish you all the very best as you head into the next chapter of your lives.

Andria Rhine, Darlene Nixon, Janie Ogle, Paula West, Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso, Debbie Pigman, Margaret Thorson, Dona Reed – Contributed photos

Studio Tour Kicks Off Summer
Congratulations to all of the artists participating in the Artist’s Studio Tour this year. The incredibly beautiful weather seems to have brought out a lot of visitors and locals too. I wish I could have gotten to all of the venues but I was fortunate enough to visit a few. It is a fantastic island event and all of us at the Chamber of Commerce hope it was a great success for all involved. Continue Reading

Dancing Happy on the stage at SJCT – Jan Bollwinkel-Smith photo

Enjoy the annual dance show/recital with fabulous routines from ages 3 through Adult in Creative, Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Mexican Dancing, and more!  Lots of fun and a guaranteed great time!

Saturday, June 18 at 7:00 pm at the San Juan Community Theatre

Tickets are  $8/Adults and $5/Students/Children.  Festival tickets can only be purchased at the San Juan Community Theatre one hour before the show on Saturday, June 18.