“Braids” – Aaron Shepard photo

Always ready sharp eyed roving SJ Update photographer Aaron Shepard caught this group while they paid a visit to the Spike Africa last Thursday. It’s called, “Braids.”

Thanks for sharing Aaron!

Herbert, Melvia, Julia, & Bob Viereck – 1950

Do you know who established the first scheduled air taxi-commuter airlines in the Northwest that has survived to this day? Can you name “The Flying Doc of the San Juans?” What recent Orcas resident took the famous “Earth Rise” photo from Apollo 8? Have you heard of our own humble but willing and skilled Mercy Pilots?

Join us for this year’s feature exhibit in the Orcas Island Historical Society’s Pioneer Museum to learn the answers to these questions and to learn much more about the history of flight on Orcas Island: The WINGS OVER ORCAS ISLAND exhibit features stories and memorabilia from local and national aviation legends. Our Director has assembled over a hundred photos, rare aviation artifacts spanning the era from World War II to the present, aviation art and much more to make this a fun exhibit that you want to miss.

The Pioneer Museum is located at 181 North Beach Rd. next to the Village Green and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 to 4 and on Sunday from noon to 3. Visits at other times or for groups may be arranged by calling the Orcas Island Historical Society’s office at 376-4849.

To learn more about what the Historical Society is doing and what is happening at the Pioneer Museum and the Crow Valley School Museum, visit our website here.

Cosmo – Pet of the Week Contributed Photo

Please make a note:  I only wore this collar for the photo shoot.  Under duress.  I’m far too dignified to wear frivolous things like this.  

My name is Cosmo and I am quite possibly the most handsome cat in the world, not to mention the most interesting. Believe you me, I’ve been places and done things in my life….  

Stop by the animal shelter to meet me.  I think you’ll be impressed.  I know I am.

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

San Juan Island Featured Chamber Member of the Month is the Office Center NW Inc. (dba Office Supplies PLUS!)

Roy and Anne Clauson – Contributed photo

Roy & Anne Clauson purchased the office supply store in 2011. It has been serving the island at different Friday Harbor locations for over 30 years. They have expanded the office supply business, adding balloons, party supplies, professional artist supplies, children’s educational crafts and toys, and janitorial paper and cleaning products for businesses and restaurants. Here’s what they have to say:

“Our party supplies include a large selection of mylar and latex balloons, paper plates, cups, plastic ware, banners, streamers and all your needs for graduation, birthday, special holiday parties and summer picnics.”

In our art department we have brought in professional lines of paints and brushes. These include Daniel Smith water colors, Golden heavy body acrylics, Gamblin oils, Liquitex heavy body acrylics, Holbein water-soluble oils and Princeton brushes. We also carry Golden High Flow acrylics which are great for use with air brushes.

In addition to our large selection of pads, journals and canvases, we stock hot and cold press watercolor paper, matte board, illustration board and gessobord, claybord and encaustic bord by Ampersand. Last year we introduced R&F oil stick sets. New this year is our large selection of adult coloring books which are great gifts and amazing for relaxing at home or while traveling. Continue Reading

Contributed photo

The Friday Harbor Power Squadron has scheduled a Flare Shoot and Fire Extinguisher Training on Saturday, May 21 from 10:00 to 12noon at Jackson Beach as a free public service event open to the community of San Juan because of our dedication to Boating Safety Training.

We will teach participants how to signal for help onboard using flares and how to use fire extinguishers onboard. It’s not like at home!!

Learn from the trained experts of the Friday Harbor Power Squadron and the Friday Harbor Fire Department. Bring your expired flares or use ours. It is a educational way to use up your expired flares.

For more information, contact Commander Ann Einboden at ein [@] rockisland.com.

M/V Elwha in Upright Channel – Tim Dustrude photo

The San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee will be holding a public forum on Monday May 23, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in the County Council meeting room at 55 Second St, Friday Harbor.

The FAC is a volunteer committee appointed by the county council to provide a liaison with Washington State Ferries, and provide feedback to ferries on issues that affect our routes.

This will be an open forum for comments and discussion regarding any aspects of our local ferry runs, and in particular questions and concerns regarding recent changes to our reservations system.

Everyone is welcome, and we will accommodate work and ferry schedules as best we can. There will also be a forum in the near future on Orcas, and Lopez residents are invited to attend the upcoming regular FAC meeting on June 8 on Lopez, see the FAC web page at http://sanjuanco.com/fac

This forum will also be streamed live and shared with ferries via the Council video system, at this web address:
http://sanjuanco.com/773/Council-Hearing-Room-Live-Stream

For those unable to attend, questions and comments can be sent via email to: fac [@] sanjuanco.com.

Roche Harbor Trails map courtesy of SJI Trails Committee

A dedicated group of volunteers has been maintaining the Roche Harbor trails for 11 years, with strong support from Roche Harbor Resort.

The old logging roads and more recently built single-track paths through the woods are faithfully tended by more than a dozen neighbors. In 2015, as an example, the group logged 407 hours of trail maintenance work.

Resort manager Brent Snow provides moral and financial support but as far as telling them what to do, he generally stays out of their way.

“Just do it,” he has told Sue Buettell, the coordinator of the group.

The area, bounded by the Roche Harbor Airport, Rouleau Road, and Roche Harbor Road, is open year-round to the public. The paths get pretty wet in the rainy season, and the group has built 22 puncheons, bridges, and raised walkways to help walkers over the muddiest spots. A couple of weeks ago several of the volunteers added 38 feet of such walkways. Continue Reading

More great local history events are happening this month.

The annual History Lives Here! month-long celebration of local history continues through the end of May with events that you won’t want to miss:

• Saturday Farmer’s Market @ Historic Brickworks. Every Saturday, 10am-1pm, Sunshine Alley, Friday Harbor.
• Annie Howell-Adams – Heritage Murals. Local artist and muralist will discuss Heritage Murals: how she researches and constructs a story and then designs and creates large scale panels. May 18th, 7pm, San Juan Island Library.
• Yellow Island Wooden Board Race -Saturday, May 21, 9am, Deer Harbor, Orcas Island.
• San Juan Historical Museum 50th Anniversary Open House -An admission-free day of exhibits, music, stories, and the opportunity to browse vintage local newspapers, and Pioneer Picnic scrapbooks. Storytellers, guided tours, and cake! Saturday, May 21st, 11am-3pm, 405 Price Street, Friday Harbor.
• Sunken Park Mural Celebration and Poetry Contest – Sunday, May 22, 2pm.
• History Talk: Uncovering the Stories of the Japanese and Chinese of early San Juan Island. A history talk based on recent research by Lynn Weber/Roochvarg of the Writing Our History Project. Sunday, May 22, 7pm, San Juan Island Library, Friday Harbor. 360.622.2037.
• Partners in Preservation Awards and Anniversaries Celebration -The Town of Friday Harbor honors local islanders who have made valuable contributions to the preservation of Friday Harbor and San Juan Island’s historic sense of place. Wednesday, May 25, 5-7pm, Brickworks, Sunshine Alley, Friday Harbor. 360.622.2037.
• History Talk: Proving Up, Homesteading on San Juan Island. Local historian Boyd Pratt discusses how the islands went from common use by Salish groups to private land ownership. Wednesday, May 25, 7pm, San Juan Island Library.
• Saturday Farmer’s Market @ Historic Brickworks. Every Saturday, 10am-1pm, Sunshine Alley, Friday Harbor.
• History Talk: Marshall Memories, Stories with Orcas Elders. Saturday, May 28th, 2.4pm, Orcas Island Artworks, Olga, Orcas Island. 360-376-3371
• American Legion Museum Open House – The American Legion Hacket- Larson Post 163 museum holds a collection of memorabilia from past wars and the Americans who served. Sunday, May 29, 10am -2pm. American Legion Hall, Second Street, Friday Harbor.
• The New Victorian Home – Interior Tour. Discover an authentic Victorian interior, created by a connoisseur of Victorian antiques. Sunday, May 29, 2pm-5pm, 1467 Tarte Rd., Roche Harbor, San Juan Island.
• Traditional Memorial Day Parade – Since the end of World War I, American Legion Hacket-Larson Post 163 has commemorated the service men and women who have served the nation in the various branches of the military. The Legion’s annual Memorial Day Parade and ceremony is both an authentic small town parade and a worthy tribute to the sacrifices made by Americans both past and present. Monday, May 30, 10am. Memorial Park waterfront, Friday Harbor.

For event information and a complete calendar, click here.

Lea Mizuta March 10, 1952 – May 3, 2016 – Contributed photo

Lea was born in Hawaii and loved the islands, sailing, warm weather, friends, family, travel, dancing, laughing, music and sharing food. She loved using her hands, especially woodworking, cooking, gardening, healing touch and Hula. She was a deeply spiritual person and a seeker all her life.

Lea loved warm weather so she could wear as few clothes as possible, and feel the air, sun, earth and sea on her skin. She enjoyed living close to the earth and enjoying all the bounty that came from the earth. Recently her new project was harvesting wild passion fruit and making a syrup she sold at the local farmer’s market.

Lea went to the University of Hawaii and started nurse’s training but soon disagreed with traditional western medicine, and spent her life learning about holistic health and natural healing. She had an apprenticeship in cabinetry and woodworking. She was a lifetime sailor and her travels included sailing from Hawaii across the Pacific to Tahiti, Easter Island, through the Panama Canal and arriving in NYC in time for the tall ships centennial celebration in New York City. Lea, true to her nature, was marching in that l976 parade, hula skirt and all.

In Hawaii she met Jerry Black and together they sailed and ultimately moved to Friday Harbor where she lived between l983 – 1994. Their son Eli was born and Lea worked from home. Many friends remember seeking her out in the early morning for her warm whole wheat tortillas or homemade bread. She would open her trunk and there were baskets of warm goodies. You had to be early because she quickly sold out. Lea and Jerry started San Juan Salsa at home on Scottie’s Acre, where it went from a cottage industry of delicious salsa to the shelf of Kings market. It was Lea’s robust energy, smile and outgoing personality that helped make the business a success, one person at a time. Continue Reading

Deb Langhans has these thoughts to share with you…

Deb Langhans – Contributed photo

Do you know any healthy person who likes pain? Most people I know, myself included, try their hardest to distance themselves from suffering in all its forms– physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. Our coping strategies can include addiction, denial, numbness, suppression, hostility, rage, conformity, relentless busyness & achievement–the list goes on and on. Beyond our personal lives, we need look no further than our current presidential primaries to recognize the bizarre, unsavory, even frightening times in which we live. It often feels like “a jungle out there.” So why would we want to compound that discomfort by inviting any of it closer?

In sharp contrast, Eastern philosophies have taught for centuries that moving through our pain–& accepting it without judgment or resistance–can actually be the most therapeutic way of moving beyond our suffering.

Dr. Brene Brown’s research reflects this counterintuitive approach. Vulnerability, according to her findings, is the antidote to shame and the highest form of courage. Brown also believes that admitting our fear and pain and reaching out to others for help lays the foundation for making authentic human connections and living “wholeheartedly.”

I feel incredibly humbled and grateful to have witnessed this phenomenon up close and personal during the 8-week Grief Recovery Support Group I recently facilitated. Despite fear of unleashing uncomfortable buried emotions and, yes, being vulnerable, the participants progressed through the sessions, homework reading and action steps with admirable courage and resilience. Two described their experience this way: Continue Reading

Kim Wyman and Milene Henley – Contributed photo

Just heard some good news from the County…

Congratulations to San Juan County Auditor Milene Henley, who received the honor of “County Auditor of the Year” at the Washington State Association of County Auditors annual meeting.

Milene was presented with this prestigious award by Secretary of State Kim Wyman.

Congratulations Milene!

Click to see trailer at www.fhff.org

On Tuesday May 17, Friday Harbor Film Festival wraps up their 2016 Spring Tuesday Film Series with the film No Place on Earth. Directed by Janet Tobias, this film tells the harrowing story of 38 Ukrainian Jews from five families — ranging in age from 2 to 76 — who in 1942 slid down a cold, muddy hole in the ground, seeking refuge in a pitch-black cave from the war raging above.

Their story was brought to light in the 1990s, when American Chris Nicola stumbled onto some unusual personal items (shoes, keys, old buttons, etc.) in caves he was exploring. When he heard the rumor that some Jews had hidden there during WWII, he tracked down and interviewed some of the survivors, learning that they had remained hidden underground for nearly 18 months, the longest recorded incidence of sustained underground survival. The film is a moving, extraordinary testament to human ingenuity, willpower and endurance against all odds.

Released in 2012
Running time: 83 minutes

Coho Restaurant in Friday Harbor will be hosting a special wine dinner with Côte Bonneville at 6pm on May 20th, 2016 to benefit Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

Côte Bonneville produces great wines that begin in the vineyards. They planted Washington’s acclaimed DuBrul Vineyard in 1992 and founded this estate winery in 2001.

Coho will be showcasing 5 award-winning wines along with Chef Bill Messick’s deft food pairings. This promises to be an unforgettable evening of great food, wine, and a special silent auction. Your presence will help fund the care of injured and orphaned wildlife babies at Wolf Hollow.

For visiting dinner guests, special rates at the Tucker House and Harrison House are available. To reserve your seat today, call Coho Restaurant at 378-6630 or email reservations[@]cohorestuarant.com. For more information about the menu and wines selected for this limited seating event, click here.

Wolf Hollow is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located on San Juan Island. The staff has provided care for over 16,000 wild animals since 1982.

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

Golf Club Staff Left to Right: Michah Reitan, Maria Penwell, Greg Findley, Ben Heflick and Steve Bowman – Contributed photo

Here comes summer. Are you ready?

Be sure to let the Chamber of Commerce know if you have any events or specials that you would like us to promote for the quickly approaching visitor season.

Also, a note to all of our business members that provide goods and services primarily to locals. Your business is equally important to the Chamber of Commerce and we want to help you in any way we can. It is surprising how many questions we get from locals, new island residents and even tourists about doctors, dentists, hair stylists, plumbers, phone services, electricians, painters and many more service related businesses.

We also offer relocation packets to new island residents who request one with information on our member merchants that can help them transition their life to the island. We invite our current service related businesses to make sure we have a rack card or brochure for your business.

Those who are not yet members, the Chamber of Commerce is committed to small business and wants to see all of our tourist and non-tourist related merchants succeed. Stop by to talk with Becki about joining in on our goal of a strong economy and successful industries on San Juan Island.

May Member Social –

Thank you to the San Juan Island Golf and Tennis Club for hosting the May social. Located at 806 Golf Course Road, this beautiful 9 hole course is a treasure to both residents and visitors of San Juan Island. A nice turnout of members were treated to a spectacular evening, great food and informative presentations by the staff.

Thanks to Steve Bowman, president; Greg Findley, vice president; Ben Heflick, golf pro; Michah Reitan, chef and Maria Penwell, beverages. Check out their website for all of the great activities and specials going on all season at the club. Click here or call 378-2254

Featured Member –

Congratulations to Office Supplies Plus who was randomly selected as our Featured Member of the Month. Some of us know it as Office Center Northwest. Owners, Roy and Anne Clauson have done a great job expanding inventory to make sure that our local office center has everything you might need. Be sure to stop by at 747 Spring Street for your office supplies and furniture, art and crafts supplies, party supplies, cards, games, great gifts and much more. Check out their website or call 378-4800

New Members –

Welcome to the following new Chamber of Commerce members: Continue Reading

Attention Skagit Valley College Students, both returning and new…

Registration for Returning Students for Summer & Fall is going on now.

Registration for New Students for Summer and Fall begins June 1st.

For students who want to begin a new career or upgrade their job skills, Professional/Technical programs are aligned with local and state economic development strategies. High demand areas include:

• Culinary Arts, www.skagit.edu/culinary
• Criminal Justice, www.skagit.edu/criminaljustice
• Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture, www.skagit.edu/basec , www.skagit.edu/sage
• Fire Protection, www.skagit.edu/fire
• Manufacturing Technology, www.skagit.edu/manufacturing
• Craft Brewing Academy, www.skagit.edu/craftbrew

SVC also offers Academic Transfer pathways for students who want to begin their college experience and earn a bachelor’s degree.  By completing two years at SVC and then transferring to a four-year university, students can study close to home and save money, compared to tuition at a four-year college or university.

Get the most up-to-date list of all available courses, visit www.skagit.edu/schedules .

For more information about programs and degrees, financial aid, career options, campus tours, and getting started.  For more information, visit www.skagit.edu/getstarted or contact:

• Mount Vernon Campus, (360) 416-7697 or toll free: 1 844 2SKAGIT
• Whidbey Island Campus, (360) 675-6656
• South Whidbey Center, (360) 679-5330
• San Juan Center, (360) 378-3220
• Marine Technology Center,  (360) 766-6282

Town of Friday Harbor Arts Commission announces poetry contest winner.

William J. Weissinger – Contributed photo

The Town of Friday Harbor is pleased to announce William J. Weissinger as the winner of the Sunken Park poetry contest sponsored by the Friday Harbor Arts Commission.

His poem “What You Don’t Want To Do” was selected from 13 poems submitted by 10 San Juan Island poets who composed works inspired by the mural “Witness the Beauty” being installed in Sunken Park this week by Kirkland artist Jake Wagoner. Poet, teacher, and former Washington State poet laureate Elizabeth Austen adjudicated the competition.

“The enthusiastic response to our request for poetry was inspiring, and the poem will add a wonderful dimension to our celebration of the Commission’s first visual art installation,” said Arts Commissioner Susan Williams. The poet will present his work at a public celebration of the mural scheduled for 2 pm Sunday, May 22nd.

Here’s his poem: Continue Reading