Beginning yesterday, February 25th, New Advised students can register for Spring Quarter at Skagit Valley College. Classes begin April 5th.

• Registration for Returning students continues.
• Open Enrollment begins March 10th.

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

Skagit Valley College begins Craft Brewing Academy

In response to the needs of today’s expanding craft and microbrew industry, Skagit Valley College (SVC) will offer a 40-credit, four-month Craft Brewing Academy beginning in May. SVC’s program is the first to be offered among Washington’s community and technical colleges.

SVC’s Craft Brewing Academy is the result of the College’s participation in Governor Inslee’s Skagit Valley Innovation Partnership Zone (IPZ) for Value Added Agriculture.

The IPZ nurtures partnerships to enhance the local agricultural industry, promoting innovative approaches that combine research and technology, producing new jobs and a robust economy centered on the valley’s rich agricultural resources and heritage.

Partners include local farmers and entrepreneurs, Washington State University, The Northwest Agriculture Business Center, Port of Skagit, City of Mount Vernon, Skagit County, Economic Development Association of Skagit County, and Skagit Valley College.

“The Northwest, and the Skagit Valley in particular, is a vibrant hub for the craft brew industry,” said Lynnette Bennett, Associate Dean of Workforce Education at SVC. “We are fortunate to be working closely with our IPZ partners who are on the forefront of innovation and share our excitement of the craft brew industry, as well as the potential that the program will offer our students and the region.” Continue Reading

SJI Nat’l Park Superintendent Elexis “Lex” Fredy – Tim Dustrude photo

Story by Louise Dustrude –

New National Park superintendent Elexis Fredy (“call me Lex”) started work this week after meeting some 30 or 40 local residents on Thursday at a reception at the Historical Museum.

The reception was scheduled for two hours but lasted three, partly because people kept showing up and partly due to her interest in asking people so many questions about the community, about local interest in and support for the Park, and about the pitfalls she should avoid.

She is eager to meet more islanders and says she welcomes drop-ins at the National Park Service office in the Technology Center at the corner of Mullis and Market Streets.

“I want to know what are the highest priorities for people,” she says, pointing out that “the community got the Park established in the first place.”

Fredy came here after after 14 years’ work at Yosemite National Park, where she was the lead manager in the Merced River Plan. She grew up in California — and Yosemite — but then went to high school in southwest Florida, where her father who was with the Park Service was assigned to the Everglades.

She remembers being appalled to see one forested area after another clearcut to become a strip mall, and she wondered to herself, “Who gets to decide?” That led her to major first in environmental science in college, and then to focus more narrowly on natural resources planning. Continue Reading

Daniel Mayes and Helen Machin-Smith of Island Stage Left – John Sinclair photo

Don’t miss this lovely play! Only two weekends left!
Here’s what audience members have said:

• I don’t normally do stuff like this, but I’ve been a fan of Helen and Dan at Island Stage Left for a long, long time. Don’t miss their production “Love Letters” now at the Fairgrounds Theatre … I saw it this eve, and was blown away. DON’T MISS IT!! IT IS TERRIFIC.
• Just saw Island Stage Left’s current show, “Love Letters”. It runs through March 6. Just Helen and Dan and a very touching bit of theater. Treat yourself!
• LOVED the show!
• Really enjoyed the show!
• You were wonderful. Really.
• It’s wonderful.
• Just beautiful.

Helen Machin-Smith and Daniel Mayes perform A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters”:

Two friends, rebellious Melissa Gardner and straight-arrow Andrew Makepeace Ladd III have exchanged notes, cards and letters with each other for over fifty years. From second grade, through summer vacations, to college, and well into adulthood, they have spent a lifetime physically apart, perhaps, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be.

This show runs through March 6 at the Marie Boe Building at the Fairgrounds – 7:30 pm Thursdays thru Saturdays and 4:00 pm on Sundays. Bring your old friend or your new love.

This wonderful, simple play touches all who love or have loved.

“a disarmingly funny and unforgettably emotional portrait about the powerful connection of love.”

“Pond” – Oil on linen and canvas

Teresa Smith is having an Art Show at the San Juan Community Theater from March 1st through 31st with a reception on March 5th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. See her oil paintings and magazine featuring paintings, photographs, stories and poems.

Teresa says:

“On horseback, on foot and with wolfhounds, inspiration and motivation come from being present.
Like secret lovers, the senses and sensuality of the forest with its ambience, aesthetics and vibration provide seed for the work.
If conjoined I stumble upon color combinations, line, and form that I never would have conjured on my own.
My paintings are about the mystery beneath the surface, the layer woven between worlds.
Romance and richness, beauty, earth, salt air, wild roses and pine needles.
I paint the poetry.”

www.teresasmith.com

Entrance to the Mt. Baker Farm – Contributed photo

The Concerto Project Hosts Dinner & Presentation at Dahlia Lounge for Purchase of Historic Mount Baker Farm

ORCAS ISLAND, WASHINGTON — The Concerto Project, a nonprofit with the mission “to provide young adults on the autism spectrum with the vocational, social, and practical skills necessary for engaged and sustainable futures,” will host a dinner and presentation at Dahlia Lounge in Seattle on Sunday, March 6, 2016.

Guests will have the opportunity to converse about the two-year, residential Concerto Project while enjoying Dahlia’s famed menus and a presentation about the latest initiative of Concerto: a capital campaign to purchase the historic Mount Baker Farm on Orcas Island. Tickets and more information to the March 6 event at Dahlia Lounge can be found here: http://bit.ly/1nZEr2C

About the nonprofit: The Concerto Project began in 2013 to create a much-needed residential transition program for mid-high functioning young adults on the autism spectrum in the Pacific Northwest. The organization has earned the GuideStar USA Silver rating in recognition of their commitment to transparency and accountability. The Concerto Project is also certified by Benevity to receive matching donations through many employers, such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, Boeing, and Alaska Airlines.

About the property: Mount Baker Farm is located in the “modern rural” San Juan Islands. The 80-acre dairy farm was purchased in the 1980s by Burton A. Burton and his wife, Rose, who transformed the farm into a unique property that, in addition to acres of agricultural land, includes numerous workshops, a gymnasium, a large community room, two residences, a warehouse, and a full-gauge operational railroad with two train stations. Purchase of the farm will enable The Concerto Project to meet the increasing needs of young adults with autism to develop the skills and confidence to transition to adulthood. Continue Reading

Rally Scholars and Chaperones – Contributed photo

Opalco Scholarship Applications Due March 11 – Get Up To $1,600 + Co-Op Leadership Camp

What do San Juan County high-school scholars say about the Youth Rally and OPALCO’s Scholarship Program?

• “My sense of the world was changed …”
  –Brodie Miller, Spring Street School
• “I made friendships that will last a lifetime…”
  –Cameron Schuh, Orcas Island High School
• “I had an amazing time at the Rally. They did a perfect job of balancing education and fun.”
  –Marné Cook, Lopez High School
• “The Rally changed my outlook on the future…”
  –Peter Kamin, Orcas Christian School

OPALCO established the Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship Program in 2010 to honor longtime Co-op board member Nourdine Jensen. The program is open to sophomores and juniors of OPALCO member households. The award includes a $500 OPALCO college scholarship, an all-expenses-paid trip to the Youth Rally Co-op leadership camp in Idaho, and the chance to compete for additional scholarship awards at the Rally.

The Youth Rally is a fun-packed week of activity including a day at the water park, roller skating, volleyball, bowling, social dances, team-building games and educational sessions on leadership and the power industry. The College of Idaho campus is an ideal home base for this summer adventure.

It’s easy to apply: fill out a one-page application and write a one-page letter explaining why you would be a good ambassador of OPALCO. Applications are online: www.opalco.com/members/youth-rally-scholarships/. Applications are due on Friday, March 11th at 4:30 pm to Suzanne Olson – solson [@] opalco.com. Please call Suzanne at 360-376-3537 if you have questions.

Happy families and their neighbors pose for a group photo at the celebration – Tim Dustrude photo

Homes for Islanders held their Key Ceremony and Celebration for 8 families on Tuesday where official completion of their homes was recognized and keys were formally given by HFI and the USDA office of Rural Development. Work is now complete on their homes at Heritage Court, just off of Grover Street near the Elementary School.

The new homeowners and their friends and families packed the San Juan Island Yacht Club for lunch, cake, refreshments and celebrations.

After working hard for nearly two years, “I now know these neighbors of mine better than any neighbors I’ve ever had,” said new homeowner Dean Riley when he spoke to the group. “They’re really not just neighbors, they’re Family”.

Additional speakers were TJ Wilkinson (HFI Construction Supervisor), Gayle Hoskison (USDA-Rural Development), Duncan Wilson (Friday Harbor Town Administrator) and Justin Roche (HFI Executive Director)

Click to see photos of all the new homeowners along with Justin Roche, and Gayle Hoskison & Susan Davenport, both from USDA-Rural Development, as they proudly show off their certificates of completion… Continue Reading

Author Event at Griffin Bay Books

Philip Donlay is on a roll. He has just released another Donovan Nash thriller, Pegasus Down, and has picked up many more fans along the way. If you’ve followed Donlay’s Donovan Nash series, be sure to stop in Griffin Bay Bookstore on Saturday afternoon, March 5, from 2:00—4:00 pm to meet the former pilot and pick up a signed copy of his latest: Pegasus Down.

Here’s the gist: Pegasus Down is described as a “full-throttle aerial game of chess.”

A CIA-operated jet on a clandestine mission disappears in Eastern Europe. There’s been no mayday, no wreckage, and no known survivors—and no way to know if the top-secret extraction of a key American scientist from Slovakia, and his liberator, Dr. Lauren McKenna, code name Pegasus, are dead or alive.

Donovan Nash finds himself involved. Continue Reading

Doe Bay Resort and Retreat on Orcas Island is known for its rustic charm, world-class farm-to-table café and its annual music festival, Doe Bay Fest. For the past three years, something else has grown on the resort’s pristine 38-acres: a boutique writing workshop drawing first-class talent. Write Doe Bay unlocks narratives and opens creative paths, uniting artists of every genre along a common thread: the story of it all.

Write Doe Bay is a weekend-long retreat for creatives of all levels and all genres with two-full days of workshops, lodging, chef-prepared meals, and an intimate concert at Doe Bay Resort’s infamous Yoga Studio. Write hosts award-winning authors/ writers of genres ranging from memoir, fiction, poetry, short story, historical fiction, young adult novels, songwriting, artistic process, storytelling, making. We welcome participants at any stage of their creative path including those who are ready to take their first steps.

Write Doe Bay’s April 7-10, 2016 Spring Workshop is open to just 25 participants. Ticket price is $800 and includes workshop tuition, materials, resort accommodations, and chef-prepared meals. A few tickets remain. Visit www.writedoebay.com for more information. Continue Reading

Humberto Orozco – Contributed photo

Humberto grew up in Bridgeport. He has lived on the island for sixteen years. He owns a Home Maintenance and Landscaping business.

Humberto has been an EMT for seven years and has been a lieutenant for two years for the Delta Team.

His beautiful wife and three children are very supportive of Humberto’s giving spirit.

When asked why he joined EMS he said simply, “I just love helping people”.

Humberto is called often to help translate, often in the middle of the night, when medical and mental health patients need a Spanish speaking translator. Humberto is working to become a translator for the court system and child protective services as well.

We appreciate Humberto’s dedication, willingness to serve and his easy smile.

Monotropa hypopithys, a mycoheterotroph (Source: wnps.org)

Check out this upcoming presentation by Andy MacKinnon… 

Plants are fascinating; fungi are fascinating. But for sheer entertainment value, it’s difficult to beat plants plus fungi!

Fungi have been associated with plants since the earliest plants colonized land, and are requisite partners of almost all of our familiar Pacific Northwest plants. Join Andy in this exploration of the fruitful union of two of his favorite Kingdoms. The photo above is of

Saturday, February 27; 1:00 pm
San Juan Island Grange, 152 1st Street, Friday Harbor, WA
Sponsored by the San Juan Islands Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society
(Presentation preceded by annual business meeting at 12:00 which is open to the public)

About the speaker: Andy MacKinnon is a forest ecologist who lives in Continue Reading

Mount Finlayson – photo by Cyndi Brast

Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the National Park Service with a hike up Mt. Finlayson led by Raena Parsons.

Last month we explored the original road on the island and this month we will get a good look at the newest road.  The walk will be strenuous on good trails, about 3 miles, dogs are welcome on leash.  We will meet at the Jakle’s Lagoon trail head parking lot. Saturday, February 27th, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

For more information: info [@] sanjuanislandtrails.org

Do You Ride Your Horse at the Fairgrounds?

The San Juan County Parks & Fair department is conducting a survey to assess year-round horse activity at the Fairgrounds — targeting residents of San Juan County (ALL islands).

If you ride your horse at the Fairgrounds recreationally, have attended Fairgrounds horse events, or just attend the annual County Fair, we want to hear from YOU! Please take a moment to participate in our online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/27XKM29

Rod Turnbull, Athletic Director at Friday Harbor High School, shares this winter playoff update…

On To State! Below is a recap of the post season so far and what lies ahead.

• Wrestling – Our wrestling team just completed their season with three wrestlers participating in the Mat Classic state tournament held this past weekend at the Tacoma Dome. James Guard, (2nd year in a row), Jesse Payne, and Hunter Rustad all earned their way to the tournament by placing in the top four in their weight class the previous week at the regional event held at Adna High School. While our representatives did not place at the state event, they represented our school well and by earning a berth to the tournament meant that all were one of the top 12 wrestlers in the state at their weight class. Visit our league website at http://www.nw1a2bathletics.com/ , for a link to the WIAA website were final state results and brackets can be accessed.

• Girls Basketball – Our girls have qualified for the Regional Round of the State Basketball Tournament for the second year in a row. This means they are one of 16 teams throughout the state at the 2B classification level remaining to play. This is the second year in a row that the girls have qualified for the regional level. The girls did this by being District Champions. To earn the championship, the girls had to defeat Orcas twice, and La Conner twice. They will now host Wahkiakum HS at Mount Vernon High School (the closest approved regional site) this Saturday, February 27. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:00pm. With a win, the girls would move on to the Round of 8 held in Spokane at the Spokane Coliseum on March 3-5. The State bracket can be accessed at http://www.nw1a2bathletics.com/ Use the girls basketball tab to access the playoff information.

• Boys Basketball – Like our girls, our boys were also District Champions, and have qualified for the Regional Round of the State Basketball Tournament. This is also the second year in a row that the boys have qualified for regional level play. Our boys defeated Orcas once, and La Conner twice to earn the honor of District Champions. The boys will now host Ocosta HS, at Mount Vernon High School,(the closest approved regional site), this Saturday, February 27. The game is scheduled for a 2:00pm start. Like the girls, the boys will be trying to earn their way to the Round of 8 also held in Spokane, March 3-5. The State bracket can be accessed at http://www.nw1a2bathletics.com/ Use the boys basketball tab to access the playoff information.

Go Wolverines…

Commissioner Mark Schwinge (left) with the new San Juan Island EMS chief Jerry Martin – Brook Ashcraft photo

On Friday February 19th, the San Juan Island EMS welcomed Jerry Martin as the new chief.  Many community members came to meet the new chief and socialize at the EMS station near the hospital.

Jerry comes from Ferndale with his wife and four kids where he served as a paramedic and firefighter for many years. He is excited to be a part of the San Juan Island EMS and learn the system and looks forward to learning the ways of island life.

Mark Schwinge, a public hospital district commissioner, states that he is “very happy to have him.” It seems Jerry will be greeted warmly by our community and will enjoy his time here.