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

Ready. Set. Go. Ok Chamber members and community residents, spring is right around the corner and you know what that means. Visitors! Spring break for schools will begin any time now and the small cruise ships will begin arriving. Are you ready? Tourism is the economic foundation for so many of our local businesses.

Something as simple as saying hello, treating visitors kindly, being helpful and welcoming will ultimately snowball into helping the entire island economy. Members, be sure to send the Chamber any specials, unique events or any information at all that you want us to promote so we can send this first wave of island guests your way. Happy Spring to you all.

Ian Boyden of IMA – Contributed photo

March Social
Great thanks go out the Island Museum of Art for hosting a fantastic social. Executive Director Ian Boyden, the IMA Board of Directors and the entire staff were incredibly welcoming and allowed Chamber members full access to the museum exhibits. There were well over 60 people in attendance enjoying the art, food, wine and business networking. We are so very fortunate to have this fantastic museum in our small town.

Ian spoke a bit about his philosophy and plans for the museum that include bringing in world renowned artists combined with local works. He was kind enough to give a brief presentation on the current exhibit by world renowned artist Al Weiwei which you should not miss. Along with this moving exhibit is a collection of prints by Francisco Goya and an installation by Portland artist Dana Lynn Louis. A fantastic photography exhibit is coming next month featuring Ansel Adams. The museum offers lectures, art walks, classes and more. It is a true treasure in our community. If you are interested in becoming a member, stop in, give a call or check them out at www.sjima.org.

Featured Member
Congratulations to Debbie Dardanelli owner of Girlfriend’s Continue Reading

Tea & Talk With Opalco Board Member Winnie Adams

OPALCO member owners are invited to meet with OPALCO Board Member Winnie Adams for tea and talk about OPALCO. The talks are an opportunity to meet directly with an OPALCO Board member.

Ms. Adams is hosting two events, the first on Wednesday, March 23rd, 5:00 – 6:30 PM and a second tea on Thursday, March 24th, 1:30 – 3:00 PM in the Orcas Island Library meeting room.

All are welcome to join Winnie at the Library for an informal conversation about the rate increases of the last year, and any other topics of interest. Also, Ms. Adams will give a short talk outlining the vision that the Board is working toward for the future of the Cooperative. She will take questions, and for those questions she cannot answer, she’s committed to getting back to members with an answer from the OPALCO team.

If you are unable to make either date, you are invited to email Winnie Adams with comments or questions to wabg [@] pobox.com.

Dear Editor

My sister has Stage Four breast cancer. She was able to enroll in a health insurance program this past year even with this serious pre-existing condition. We have friends that have chronic diseases that previously made it difficult to obtain health insurance because of their pre-existing health conditions. Both my sister and our friends have now been able to obtain health insurance with their pre-existing health issues thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Continue Reading

This weekend, Brickworks will be putting on Balance for Life. A wholesome, healing event with classes beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday March 19th and Sunday, the 20th.

Everything from home cleaning to yoga to balance-through-music will be featured.

Here is the Schedule of Activities.

A suggested donation for the whole weekend is $50-$120 or $5-$30 for drop in classes.

Click here for more details of workshops and presenter bios.

We’ve just heard there’s a Bernie event tonight at the Grange. Here’s more information…

Feel the Bern tonight at the Grange Hall. The event will run from 5:00 to 11:00 pm. People are welcome to drop in at anytime.

People of all ages are welcome to come learn about Sanders’ campaign message for presidency and how to vote in the democratic caucus on Saturday, March 26th in Washington.

There will be a raffle to help raise funds for the Bernie Campaign.

People are encouraged to bring a potluck dish to share, which can be as simple as a bag of chips or a drink. No alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Local music will include:

• Mike Cohen
• Irthlingz
• Ryan & Jake
• Stop, Drop, & Rock
• Chris Carter
• Sweet Danny Ray & Raphael Tranquilino

The democratic caucus will be held in the FHHS commons on Saturday, March 26th when registration will begin at 10:00 am. The individual precinct caucuses start at 10:30 am.

The Cast and Crew

Ted Strutz shares these photos…

Director Jenni Merritt invited me to a rehearsal of the Middle School Play…
SALLY COTTER AND THE CENSORED STONE… presented on the Whittier Stage this weekend. It’s a lot of fun, come out and support the kids and be prepared to laugh! Here’s a sneak peek just for you…

Continue Reading

Photo near the Cattle Point Lighthouse

Brook Ashcraft shares these thoughts with you…

These past few days, we have been blessed with lovely whether. The sun is shining down on Friday Harbor’s inhabitants and the water is as smooth as glass.

Even the most obscure peaks and ridges of Mt. Baker, Mt. Pilchuck, Mt. Rainier, and our majestic neighbors, the Olympics, can be seen with clarity from the Southern and Western sides of San Juan.

Bikers, hikers, dog walkers, and other sun loving individuals have been outside soaking in this sunlight.

Temperatures yesterday reached a whopping 60°F. Bathing suit worthy weather, perhaps for some.

Whether you are a sun-lover who can’t wait to form annual tan lines, or a fun-lover who is itching to put the kayak in the water, these sunny days are a delight to everyone.

Weather forecasts say that Sunday will bring a not-so-sunny day, with overcast and rain. I recommend getting some Vitamin-D before it is all gone.

Third Saturday Contra Dance

On March 19th, the 3rd Saturday Contra dance will take place at the Grange Hall from 7 to 9 p.m.

Karen Marshall will be calling with “The Spuds”

No partners are needed! Bring yourself and a few friends. All are welcome.

No previous dance skill is required.

Donation of $10 are suggested.

3 more homes arrived by barge on Tuesday, 2 for the Hometrust, and 1 for another party – Aaron Shepard photo

Two more homes for the Sun Rise II neighborhood arrived by barge this week, along with one home for another party. The photo above shows them entering the harbor to await high tide at which time they were offloaded at Jackson’s Beach later in the evening.

One of the homes made its journey to Sun Rise II during the night so as not to interrupt traffic too much and it made it safely. As of Wednesday morning, the two other homes were still awaiting their transit down at the beach.

Click to enlarge poster

The Whale Museum will be celebrating Earth Weekend this year with two educational workshops that focus on the noise pollution epidemic that is having devastating effects on ocean life – Gear Up on April 23rd, and C.A.L.F. (Community Action — Look Forward) on April 24th.

Cetaceans have evolved physically to use sound as their main communication tool to find food, mate, travel and to defend themselves from predators. These basic functions are being seriously undermined by the acoustic disturbances caused by commercial, industrial and military activities.

Also, the film Sonic Sea will be shown at the museum on April 24 at 10:00 am. This film explores this complex problem that is plaguing our oceans. If you cannot be in Friday Harbor on , screenings are being held in many other communities throughout the world.

To learn more about the film and to find screening dates, click here.

Ken and Dorothy Baker, SJI Fire/Rescue Major Emergency Response Team (MERT) volunteers – Sheila Harley photo

Sheila Harley, Public Information Officer of SJI Fire/Rescue shares this month’s Volunteer Firefighter Column…

Ken and Dorothy, Major Emergency Response Team (MERT) volunteers of Cape San Juan Station 32, are pictured at their fire station in front of the Emergency HELP box they test monthly with San Juan Dispatch.

However, they and several other volunteers on the island who are within walking distance of their fire stations, have also been trained to open these stations in the event of a major disaster (such as a tsunami or an earthquake) which may cut off all communications on the island or leave homes uninhabitable.

The MERT volunteers will set up a communication spot at their station where residents could come to get/leave information to be used when emergency responders arrive. Soon, ham radios will be installed at each fire station which will involve the SJC Amateur Radio Society. This will greatly enhance communications in a major emergency. Continue Reading

Thor Hanson – Contributed photo

Award Presentation And Book Release at Griffin Bay Bookstore

Please join Griffin Bay Bookstore for the presentation of a 2016 Pacific Northwest Book Award to local author Thor Hanson.  Hanson’s book The Triumph of Seeds was chosen by a panel of independent booksellers from over 290 titles published by Northwest authors in 2015. This is the second PNBA Award for Hanson; in 2012 the award honored his book, Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle.

The PNBA Award presentation will take place at Griffin Bay Bookstore on Wednesday, April 6, 7:00 p.m., followed by a reception and book signing.

This gathering will also celebrate the release of Thor’s latest book, Bartholomew Quill, an illustrated children’s story about a curious young crow. And there’s even more cause for celebration: The Triumph of Seeds has just been released in paperback. Continue Reading

Snoozing on the Red-Eye – Shannon Dean photo

Shannon Dean shares this photo showing a typical scene as an early morning ferry commuter.

Two exciting workshops are coming soon from the San Juans Economic Development Council:

Crowdfunding
Learn how to procure money for your business through crowdfunding during an informative workshop on March 17th. $20 for materials/snacks. Advance registration required. More info available here: www.sanjuansedc.org/crowdfunding-orcas

Business Planning & Financing
Get the resources and support you need to create a business plan including a realistic financial plan, on March 22nd. FREE! More info available here: www.sanjuansedc.org/biz-planning-workshop

Lisa Brown with the SJ County Dept. of Community Development shares this notice…

The Building Advisory Council will be meeting this Thursday at a new location. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 17th at 11:45 in the County Council Legislative Hearing Room, 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor, WA.

This will be the primary location for these meetings going forward, with the exception of April and October meetings to be held on Orcas. These meetings will likely take place at 12:45, to accommodate ferry travel from San Juan and Lopez, at the Landing in the Public Works conference room.

Thank you,
Lisa

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Rumor Mill on Thursday, March 17th with the live music of Finn Doxie, (Small Band;Big Harp;Big Sound!) Modern Alternative Hits duet, featuring electric Celtic Harp.

The duet Finn Doxie puts their singular stamp on modern popular and alternative hits by interweaving percussive guitar with… the Celtic harp. Adding dual vocal harmonies and foot-percussion elevates their music to the richness of sound normally associated with larger bands.

They alternate musical styles between energetic, beat-driven indie-pop and expressive and intimate ballads, adding a dash of quirky re-orchestrated club hits to give spice to their show. The duet injects their signature style into favorites by bands like The Killers, The Verve, Coldplay, All-American Rejects, Jack White, Imagine Dragons, Blue October, and Snow Patrol.

Open for happy hour at 4:00 pm… $3.17 pints of Guinness from 4 to 5pm, happy hour in the lounge until 6:30. St. Patrick’s Day dinner from 6-9pm, featuring corned beef & cabbage… hand battered cod & chips… lamb pot pie… Guinness bratwursts…Tri tip steaks… Baileys Irish Cheesecake….3 Guinness taps… Magner’s Irish cider on tap.

Reservations highly recommended 360-378-5555 or reserve by e-mail rumormillfridayharbor [@] hotmail.com