Brandon Baney – Contributed photo

Brandon Baney has been part of San Juan Island EMS since the fall of 2013 and a Nationally Registered EMT since May of 2014. Brandon also volunteers for the fire department. He finished his Fire Fighter 2 certification in 2013 and also responds as a wild land firefighter.

Brandon has worked as a foreman for Mike Carlson Enterprises since 2005. You may have seen him running the show on the Blair Street project. He looks forward to graduating from the University of Phoenix, Online School of Business in 2017.

He juggles all this while also being a father of two children. Brandon states, “I love the excitement of EMS and the satisfaction of leaving a call with a good feeling I made someone’s day better.”

We appreciate Brandon’s easy smile and commitment to this community’s emergency services needs.

Dave and Nancy Harvey APS Volunteers of the Month – Contributed photo

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor is happy to announce that Dave and Nancy Harvey are Volunteers of the Month for January.

Dave and Nancy moved to Friday Harbor several months ago and have been loyal, active volunteers at the animal shelter ever since, starting on the day not too long ago when Dave brought his riding lawn mower to the shelter and mowed the entire dog yard while Nancy visited cats.

The couple visit the shelter frequently, often two or three times a week and spend time brushing, cuddling and playing with the many cats awaiting adoption. Dave and Nancy adopted a pair of bonded cats recently, even though Nancy is mildly allergic to cats!

Shelter Manager, Jan Murphy, says, “Volunteers who take the time to visit with our cats are such an important part of what we do here. Dave and Nancy help the cats here become more adoptable by socializing them and helping them to feel more secure in the shelter environment. Their contribution to APS-FH is enormous and deeply appreciated.”

Rotary Club President Jonathan Piff welcomes Danna Diaz, our school superintendent, and board member June Arnold. They outlined needs and plans for our schools and the importance of voting for the School Levy.  Ballots are in the mail and due Feb. 9th.

Head to Ace Hardware today for a delicious lunch and help a good cause.  No, the folks at Ace aren’t cooking, but generously providing the space for Fish For Teeth to serve up some fabulous Fish Tacos and provide dental care for those in need.

Smokie is this Week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

It’s the darndest thing. I’m strikingly handsome, I’m friendly, good-natured, affectionate… and I don’t snore. I’ve got a very fancy pedigree – I am a Russian Blue/British Short Hair mix.

Can someone explain to me why I’ve been here at the animal shelter for over six months? I’ve watched cats much less attractive than me get adopted into great homes… and yet I’m still here waiting for someone to fall in love with me. What gives, Friday Harbor?

Maybe you should come over to the animal shelter to meet me. I’m pretty sure you’re going to like me a lot. Just ask for me, “Smokie”.

From the family of Pat Fairweather…

Patricia “Pat” Fairweather, 95, of Friday Harbor, Washington passed away on January 6, 2016. She was born in Portland, OR November 14, 1920 to Edward and Leona (Upchurch) Jones. At the age of 6 months the family returned to Seattle. Pat was raised in the Woodland Park area and graduated from Ballard High School in 1939 and Metropolitan Business College in 1940.

She married John “Jack” Fairweather on December 12, 1942 after meeting on a blind date set up by their mothers who were childhood friends. Pat and Jack spent three years in Nome, AK where Jack was agent for Alaska Steamship and Pat worked for a lighterage company which transferred cargo from ships in the harbor to shore.

In 1946 they moved to Friday Harbor where they owned and operated the Island Farm Store and Fairweather’s Fine Foods. After selling the businesses in 1957, Pat resumed her secretarial/bookkeeping career. She worked for the United State Department of Aquiculture, John O’Neil Electronics and the San Juan Island School District. Pat left the school in 1968 to become the first bookkeeper at Islands’ Convalescent Center. While working there she obtained her Medical Record Technician Certification. In 1978 she became office manager for Aeronautical Services retiring in 1982. Continue Reading

We hear from Merri Ann Simonson at Coldwell Banker…

In reviewing the year-end results, the sales dollar volume for the real estate market in San Juan County per the Chicago Title data report was $256,620,333, which reflects an increase in volume of 12.5% over 2014 when the volume was $228,363,943. The percentage of growth this year is much less than the 33.5% increase 2014 enjoyed over 2013, however, stable and controlled growth is healthy.

The County closed an average of 49 transactions per month which is equal to 2014.

Total volume on San Juan Island in 2015 was $127,632,250 as compared to $119,077,974 in 2014. The increase is 6.7%, which again, is well below the 34.5% increase comparing 2014 to 2013.On San Juan Island we closed an average of 21 transactions per month which is almost equal to last year.

To recap year-end volumes, San Juan’s volume was up 6.7%, Orcas was up 39%, Lopez and the non- ferry serviced islands and Shaw were down 20% and 22%, respectively.

It is a pleasure to report that our real estate market is continuing to recover with land sales lagging somewhat, especially the waterfront lots. During property showings, it is apparent that buyers are still concerned about purchasing waterfront lots due to the uncertainty, expense, and impact associated with restrictive building regulations. Continue Reading

From the San Juan Islands Museum of Art…

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art presents an exhibition of work by Ai Weiwei, one of the most influential artists and most closely followed dissident political voices in the world. Ai Weiwei: Fault Line presents three pieces from his ongoing investigation into the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, a magnitude 8.0 quake that killed over 60,000 people including 5,196 schoolchildren in Sichuan province, China. This is one of the first museum exhibitions of Ai Weiwei’s work in the Pacific Northwest. Ai Weiwei: Fault Line is a rare opportunity to see work by one of the world’s top artists.

Show runs from January 23-April 11, Friday-Monday.
Reception is on Friday, January 22, 2016 from 5-8 p.m.

A reminder from the SJI Garden Club…

It is just a month away!!! Unlike some of the SJI Garden Club excursions this time there are a few decisions to be made. What seminar’s to enjoy? So many seminar’s such a short time. Have you considered what plants to have in the outdoor sitting area to enjoy especially during the evening cocktail hour. Author C. L. Fornari is giving a seminar on the subject. Or Easy DIY projects from recycled items for the garden. Shelley Levis  horticulturist blogger and radio hosts a seminar on that subject. Then there is a the challenge Can I make it grow here? Ciscoe Morris – radio, TV host and gardening celebrity’s seminar is on this subject. And these seminars are on Saturday the day we will be at the North West Flower & Garden Show.

Then a question that must always be explored where to sit and recoup the energy and rest the feet? The Sky Bridge Café is one place to enjoy a cool drink and watch the world go by. Or seat among the display gardens sipping water you have with you. Maybe this is the year to partake of a glass of wine at the ‘Wine Garden’. That sorta fits with learning about plants in the cocktail area at home. Might be a plan.

Our group will depart Friday Harbor February 20th , 2016 on the 8:05 Ferry. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Vonnie Harold, 378-6250 or [yeharold @ rock island . com]. If you already have a reservation I look forward to seeing you then.

New Southern Resident Killer Whale Calf – NOAA

Good News! Another Orca calf for J-Pod has been confirmed. With 9 new calves in just over a year the Southern Resident Killer Whale population is now back up to 85.

“We’re excited to announce that NOAA Fisheries killer whale researchers documented a new calf during a research survey with J pod yesterday, January 18, 2016, in Puget Sound. Using photos taken by the researchers, the Center for Whale Research confirmed this is a new calf, designated J55. The calf was in close proximity to both J14 and J37, so we don’t know who the mother is just yet, and it may take a few encounters before we know. The calf seems to be just a few days old and in good condition.” 

From NOAA Fisheries West Coast – Science and Management

Friday Harbor House introduces new staff…

Michael Felso and Meaghan McCormick – contributed photos

Friday Harbor House is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Felso and Meaghan McCormick as co-innkeepers. The pair brings a blend of dining and hospitality experience, as well as a local connection, to the property’s helm.

For McCormick, a San Juan Island native, the appointment represents a return to her roots. Her first job, at the age of 11, was bagging groceries at Kings Market, only a few blocks away from Friday Harbor House, where McCormick would later have her first hospitality position as a front desk agent. She gained further experience as front desk supervisor at Kenwood Inn and Spa, in Sonoma, Calif., before returning to the Northwest as the front office manager at Salish Lodge & Spa, in Snoqualmie, Wash.

“I started my career at Friday Harbor House, where I immediately fell in love with the travel and hospitality industry,” McCormick said. “Since then I’ve traveled to four other Columbia Hospitality properties, all of which were very different and taught me something new. I look forward to working closely with Michael, putting our knowledge together to create a truly exceptional environment for the staff and a memorable experience for our guests.” Continue Reading

Amy Suiter, Head Coach for Western Washington University, and her husband Dustin Suiter, Assistant Coach, will offer a hitting and pitching clinic this coming Sunday, January 24th from 2:30-5:00 p.m. in the Main Building at the Fairgrounds.

Pre-registration is required. There are 3, 45-minute clinics, so sign up for your slot now! $35 a clinic or both for $60. Contact Gail Leschine-Seitz for more information and to register. 378-3184 or [seitz74 @ century link . net].

The Never Ending Story – Courtesy San Juan Community Theatre

The Never Ending Story opens on Thursday at San Juan Community Theatre showing Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 pm and on Sunday at 2:00 pm…

The power of books comes alive in the latest presentation from the Friday Harbor High School Drama Group.

The Neverending Story tells the story of young and lonely Bastion who discovers a magical book that takes him on a huge adventure to the land of Fantastica—a land of stories being destroyed by “the Nothing.”

“Reading…and his imagination set him free in life,” said Director Jenni Merritt. Jenni says the movie that followed the book was one of her childhood favorites and that she’s eager to see younger generations experience the imaginative adventure.

Matt Marinkovich is back with his Taco Crew to serve up tasty Rockfish Tacos (actually, they are more like burritos).  This Friday run, don’t walk, to Ace Hardware and get your Taco on to help a worthy cause.

Fish for Teeth is starting its fifth year of turning premium Alaskan rockfish into healthy teeth for islanders who cannot otherwise afford dental care.  The rockfish is the key ingredient in the fish tacos that fund the ToothMobile, where all those teeth get fixed by local volunteer dental professionals.  These all-important fish tacos will be sold on January 22 at Ace Hardware from 11-2 pm for a $7.00 donation to Fish for Teeth.  Matt’s tasty tacos feature fresh salsa from Pablito’s Taqueria, Tillamook cheese, and other quality ingredients.  

For those who really like fish, and I know you are out there, check this out… Fish for Teeth programs will also benefit from the sale of delectable black cod tips (donated by Matt’s Fresh Fish) for $15 each (frozen into 1-pound vac-packs).  Matt’s Fresh Fish will also be selling frozen, vacuum-packed sockeye salmon fillets (sides or portions) for $9 or $10 per pound.

See you Friday at Ace for lunch!  To learn more about the Fish for Teeth program… fishforteeth and Matt… mattsfreshfish

A message from Century link…

On January 19, 20, 21, at 12:01 a.m. each day, CenturyLink will upgrade switches serving the San Juan Islands. During the upgrade, Internet service will not be accessible for approximately 30 minutes. All phone services, including 911, will remain available in a reduced capacity.

We apologize for this inconvenience.