Griffin Bay Bookstore invites you to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, April 30 and enjoy a 10% Storewide Sale on all Books.

Join in the Fun at Griffin Bay Bookstore, Saturday, April 30 and help honor the rich and vital role that an independent bookstore plays in the social and economic life of our community. Stop in for cider and cookies, browse around and chat with staff and customers.

Griffin Bay Book Club members will set up shop with books they have read since the group first met in October, 2007. Enthusiastic and dedicated book lovers, they will share their passion for the written word, and discuss what they’ve read and enjoyed, what they’ve learned, and how being a book club member has enriched and enhanced their reading, not to mention their lives. You’ll get to hear first hand about the wide range of books and perspectives they’ve encountered.

Thor Hanson will be on hand to sign books for those of you who want copies of The Impenetrable Forest, Feathers, Seeds, and his latest book, Bartholomew Quill, a children’s book about a curious young crow.

April 30 is a day to honor the value of an independent bookstore in our community; all across the country indies are celebrating the incalculable role their bookstores play in the cultural, intellectual, and economic lives in their communities. Independent bookstores are beloved for not just connecting readers to books, but also to one another. Continue Reading

The San Juan Islands offer a vast playground for boaters, kayakers, divers and anyone wishing to be on or near the water. The San Juan County Sheriff and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary are working together to make these activities as safe as possible for both adults and children.

On April 30 from 9 AM to 5 PM at both the Mullis Fire Station in Friday Harbor and the Orcas Ferry Landing Conference Room on Orcas Island, the San Juan County Sheriff and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary will be offering a one day boating safety class.

This class will cover a wide array of topics from “rules of the road” and safety gear to cold water survival.

Successful completion of the class will qualify participants for the Washington State required Boater Education Card.

To register contact David Tribolet at 376-3994 or tribolet [@] orcasonline.com.

Bumbleblitz: Four years of Bumble Bee Ecology in the Pacific Northwest

Bombus occidentalis or more commonly: Bumble Bee – Contributed photo

Bombus occidentalis used to be the most common bumble bee species in the Pacific Northwest. By the mid-1990s it had become one of the rarest, inspiring a surge in bumble bee surveys in the region.

Recent studies show the bumble bee’s population re-emerging where it hadn’t been seen in the last 10 years. Good news, or a chance occurrence?

Dr. Chris Looney from the Washington State Department of Agriculture returns to San Juan Island to share the latest “buzz” in Bombus research.

Friday, April 29  from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the San Juan Island Public Library.

For more information please contact Tanja Williamson at 360-378-4402 or email at:  tanjaw [@] sjclandbank.org.

One of the views from the top of Mount Grant – Tim Dustrude photo

Spring is in bloom and it’s a perfect time to enjoy the wildflowers of Mount Grant with San Juan Preservation Trust’s Kathleen Foley.

Kathleen will be pointing out flowers as she leads us on a hike up the mountain. She will also discuss the future trail potential of this spectacular destination.

Dogs on leash are welcome. Walk will be mostly along old roadway and a significant grade.

Meet at the Mount Grant parking lot off of Beaverton Valley Road. For more information send an email to info [@] sanjuanislandtrails.org

Saturday, April 23rd from 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Jessica Gigot – Contributed photo

Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Island Library are proud to be co-sponsoring an evening celebrating National Poetry Month with Skagit Valley poet and farmer, Jessica Gigot, on Wednesday, April 27, 7:00 pm at the Library.

Jessica Gigot returns to San Juan Island this spring with her debut collection of poems in ‘Flood Patterns’; she completed the manuscript during a residency at the Helen R. Whiteley Center at the Friday Harbor Laboratories in 2014.

The poems in ‘Flood Patterns’ vividly depict a lowland place and its people in the farthest northwest corner of the country. As Kevin Craft, editor of Poetry Northwest, writes, “The poems are informed by the determined if contested optimism of someone who knows the ground she walks on and its potential to yield both bounty and treachery.”

He goes on to say, “We discover the perishable joys and stubborn sadnesses of farm life, family life, writing life, even as each poem edges through unpredictable weather to unearth a hopeful patience, resilient and alert. Like rocks in a tumbler, these poems release ‘rhythm and rage / From their time at sea,’ emerging with the luster of hard-won truth.” Continue Reading

Drinks & Tapas at San Juan Island Cheese

Our hearts go out to our family and friends in Ecuador. Since Saturday, Ecuador has suffered from a series of devastating earthquakes resulting in over 400 casualties and thousands of injuries.

Please join us on Friday April 22nd from 5:00 – 7:00 pm for a night of drinks and Ecuadorian tapas (created by our son-in-law who is from Ecuador) in support of the earthquake victims. Proceeds will be donated to earthquake relief organizations. No reservations needed, please drop-in.

For more info:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36079014

Richard Daly, Shopkeeper – San Juan Island Cheese
155 Nichols, Friday Harbor, WA
sjicheese.com
360-370-5115

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

So, here’s what happened. I used my one phone call to call my attorney in Bellevue. Turns out he’s in Tahiti vacationing with his third wife.

Now I’m in a bit of a bind here at the animal shelter and the warden refuses to believe me when I tell her I was framed. I’m completely innocent! Come to think of it, I can’t remember ever doing anything wrong. You believe me, don’t you?

My name is Hazel and as you can see, I’m a beauty. If you can come down here and bail me out, I’ll pay you back with love and affection forever! Don’t leave me here too long – I’m thinking about getting a tattoo…

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

Click to enlarge

April 18, 2016 – Last Friday, OPALCO’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Rock Island Communications, sent an email to its customer list referencing a specific slate of candidates for OPALCO’s upcoming board election. Today, Gerry Lawlor, EVP of Rock Island issued a retraction of that email stating, “The opinions stated in that email are my own and were made without the knowledge of the OPALCO board, management team or Glenna Hall. I made an error in judgement.”

Foster Hildreth, General Manager for both OPALCO and Rock Island said, “OPALCO leadership takes a neutral position in the Co-op election. It’s up to the membership to decide who best represents their interests. We regret this misstep – it’s unacceptable.”

OPALCO Board members responded quickly with a call to create a clear policy on election neutrality, imposing sharp restrictions on campaigning. Discussion will begin at the April 21 board meeting on Lopez; the meeting begins at 8:15 am at the Fire Hall. OPALCO board meetings are open to co-op members. Board materials and meeting details are posted online at www.opalco.com.

A scene from the 2015 July 4th parade in Friday Harbor – Tim Dustrude photo

2016’s Friday Harbor 4th Of July Parade Theme Announced

San Juan Island’s Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the theme for the 2016 Independence Day Parade in Friday Harbor: “America the Beautiful… 100 Years of National Parks!” The National Park Service turns 100 years of age in 2016 and San Juan Island is excited to be able to celebrate this prestigious birthday!

The Parks Centennial celebration will kick off a new century of stewardship, conservation, recreation and preservation across the United States and San Juan Island is extremely fortunate to be the home to American Camp and English Camp, two of the jewels in the National Park crown. Continue Reading

Bob Jarman, Zach Fincher, Jaime Stephens and Rick Hughes – Contributed photo

Arlo Harold and Anne Marie Ryan – Contributed photo

The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition shares this notice with you…

Recently, Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed April 20th to be Talk to Your Kids about NOT using Marijuana Day, as you may know, the pro-pot culture has often referred to 4.20 as “Weed Day”.

We would like to change that conversation with our young people and give them the tools and knowledge to help them be their best, now and for the years to come.

A few members of H.O.T.S. (Helping Out Teens Society) and Rock Solid Youth Group with the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition stepped up to ask our local government officials to also recognize 4.20 in the Town of Friday Harbor and San Juan County to be “Talk to Your Kids about NOT Using Marijuana” Day, too.

Arlo Harold, Anne Marie Ryan and Zach Fincher met with our community leaders and they were uplifted by the support they received from Mayor Lacher and County Council members Bob Jarman, Jamie Stephens and Rick Hughes.

We are encouraged by their support and we hope others will take the time to talk to the youth in their circle of influence about underage marijuana use.

StartTalkingNow.org is a helpful resource, too.

Thank you!

Fragile Waters, a traveling fine art photography exhibition, opens Saturday, April 23, Earth Day weekend, and will run through September 5, Labor Day, 2016 at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA), Friday Harbor, Washington.

Fragile Waters is a powerful aesthetic and environmental statement, blending inspiring black-and- white photography by three renowned photographers; Ansel Adams, Ernest H. Brooks II, and Dorothy Kerper Monnelly, who feel a deep reverence for the marine environment and understand the integrity of place.

Water is essential to all life we know. Yet our oceans, rivers, lakes and other sources of water are in crisis. Extreme weather events, aquifer depletion, toxic contaminants, fracking, pollution, spills, ocean acidification, floods, desertification, and the impact of rising seawater, are just a few of the urgent issues that confront us. The Fragile Waters exhibition was born out of these concerns.

The 117 black-and-white photographs present a powerful collective statement. In technique and time these photographers span a century. These artists communicate the beauty and vitality of water, focusing on nature and engage the viewer in affirming the intrinsic aesthetic, emotional and essential life value of water. Continue Reading

Tiffany Goudey and Ike White of Hemp Seed, LLC – Contributed photo

There’s a fundraiser happening at Brickworks tomorrow for a new business on the island: “The Hemp Seed”, and these are a few words about it from Ike and Tiffany…

Click to enlarge

Focused on sustainability, Tiffany Goudey and Ike White aim to serve the community by making healthy hemp-based clothing and goods accessible, right here on the Island. No longer will you have to wait till your next mainland trip to fulfill your daily clothing needs. Soon, you’ll be able to just pop on down to The Hemp Seed and pick up some shirts, skirts, and slacks (socks too)!

With its plethora of uses, higher durability, and lower environmental impact, hemp has become the focus of these two. They are working to grease the wheels of this industry that has been effectively put on hold since 1937, due to Federal regulations. Now that those regulations are being reworked, and hemp is being grown in the US, the goal is to bring production closer to home, and reduce the ecological footprint as much as possible. They will be working with NW companies, and with farmers and manufacturers on the Islands, to “bring it home.” Continue Reading

– This is the fourth 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.

Milene Henley – Contributed photo

Voting is for everyone. That may seem obvious, but if you’re blind, or have mobility or mental competency issues, it may not be so obvious. Both the State Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s Office and the County Elections Office play a part in ensuring access to voting for all eligible voters.

San Juan County has some unique challenges for residents with disabilities. We rank among the lowest counties in reported incidence of disabilities in the state (according to the American Community Survey 2010), possibly because of our limited access to medical and care facilities.   But for the disabled who do live here, access can be a special problem, because of country roads, poor broadband, and limited services.

Elections staff do what we can to help. Since 2006, counties have been required to have Disability Advisory Committees to develop plans to improve access to elections for voters with disabilities. Disability Advisory Committees are comprised of local voters with disabilities and professionals who work with the disabled. They meet at least once a year to review their county’s accessibility plan and to discuss ways to assist the disabled not only with elections, but also with issues in the community. Our elections office is always looking for new members for our committee. Continue Reading

Just heard they’re having an open house at Paideia Classical School today. Here’s what they’re saying…

Drop in and see what our wonderful little school is all about! Tour the classrooms, visit with the staff and school families, learn about our curriculum and enjoy a free hot dog and chips!

It’s time for the April 2016 edition of news from your local Chamber of Commerce, written by Lauren Cohen, Co-Owner of San Juan Canvas & Chamber Board President…

Chamber Quarterly Luncheon

Chamber Quarterly Luncheon at Brickworks – Contributed photo

On April 11 the Chamber of Commerce held our second quarterly luncheon of the year at Brickworks. It was very well attended with over 60 merchants coming out to hear some important updates to help with preparation for the upcoming summer season. While enjoying a fantastic lunch catered by Tim & Laurie of The Market Chef, a series of speakers presented information geared toward our business community.

After a thank you to our Chamber sponsors, Islanders Bank and Kings Market by yours truly, we received updates from; Duncan Wilson, Friday Harbor Town Administrator; Bob Jarman, County Council; Tami Hayes, Port of Friday Harbor; Debra Hopkins, San Juan Island Visitor’s Bureau; Traci Wilson, Fourth of July Parade Coordinator; and Tim Fry, Developer of the Insider App offered to all Chamber members. Thank you to Becki and her staff for an excellent Chamber event.

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

J53 is a Girl – Jill Hein photo

The Center for Whale Research shares this good news…

In light of the recent news of deceased L95 and the unknown SRKW calf, we are happy to have good news from the southern residents for a change. J53, a 2015 calf, has been confirmed female.

Photographs of the calf sent to CWR earlier this week by Jill Hein and Sara Hysong-Shimazu confirm that the calf is female. Only one other calf in the so-called “baby boom” has been confirmed female, J50.
All others are male, except for L123 who’s sex remains unknown at this time.

We are delighted to have another young female in the population. This is great news for the southern residents.