John Miller photo

John Miller shares these notes and photos from this year’s Round the County Sailboat Race…

This past weekend saw the largest fleet (113 sailboats) complete in the RTC race, which starts and finishes east of Obstruction Pass, off the southern tip of Orcas.

The race is 76 miles long, with a Saturday night overnight in Roche Harbor. This first image was shot just after the start, in 22 knots of wind, showing boats have difficulties coping with the wind, which was gusting to 30 knots.

The second image is Sunday morning, as the boats file out of RH to the start, winds at the time about 3 knots…

Race on Sunday morning – John Miller photo

Island Haven Horse – Contributed photo

Island Haven Sanctuary will host a Happy Hour Benefit at Mike’s Café and Wine Bar, at 132 Second Street, on Wednesday, November 18, from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Julie Duke, Island Haven’s founder, will be on hand to discuss plans for the sanctuary, which hopes to provide safety and shelter for unwanted and homeless animals of all types at a yet to be determined spot on San Juan Island.  Cost to attend the benefit is $20 at the door and includes wine and endless appetizers.

The event will also feature a raffle and film footage of the animals currently in care.  For more information, contact Jan Murphy at 298-2195.

Sally Knox Winton Bryan, July 15, 1920 – October 25, 2015

In her own words

Sally Bryan was born in New Orleans and raised in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Illinois before going to Mt. Holyoke to college. Marrying, she bore children in California, Boston, New York, and Chattanooga before her husband, a metallurgical engineer, moved to Seattle with Boeing. The Northwest fit the family like a cradle, and the center of family living on San Juan Island is where dreams and love and work crafted a drawing home.

The longing to “improve the world” was long a chord in Sally’s heart. She majored in Economics because she thought changing the economic system was the way, minoring in English because she loved it. This she taught for years in Seattle, having been hired to be a counselor at West Seattle High School but soon deciding that for her the dailyness of working together in a classroom offered more possibility of the mutuality necessary in improving the quality of human living. To this end, she moved to Roosevelt High School where she taught English, World Philosophy, and Lab Writing.

Her years as a wife, mother, teacher, founding member and Clerk of University Friends Meeting (Quaker), and founding member of Group Health Cooperative, taught her that it is the human heart that must change, not the economic system. She believed that if everyone in the world would read a poem every day (experience a poem, not just read the words), the world would be changed because all human and more-than-human relationships would be warmer, deeper.

In a home filled with family overlooking the Haro Strait, Sally Bryan wrote far more letters than poems, letters to friends around the world, many of whom were once her students. But since learning is always a participatory process, all are students of one another, holding the world together, each with each, each with all.

She is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.

In her classes, Sally would offer her students an “Opportunity Day.” Perhaps for her last opportunity day she would ask that each person who wishes to honor her memory choose to visit a place of worship, bringing a cherished poem and thinking about her.

In a letter concerning her last wishes, Sally asked that those who wished make donations in her memory to the Sally W. Bryan Scholarship Fund at Stillpoint School, P.O. Box 576, Friday Harbor, Wa., 98250.

A Celebration of the Life of Sally Winton Bryan will be held at 1:30 p.m. on December 6, 2015 at the Mullis Community Senior Center.

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

Believe me, I’m just as surprised as you are that I’m still here at the animal shelter waiting for my new people to come get me! My name is “Eli” and I came here with my brother, Peyton several weeks ago. Peyton was adopted two weeks ago and I’m still here, feeling pretty lonely about the whole thing…

In addition to my good looks, (I’m part Boxer and part Mastiff) I’m also extremely sweet and cuddly and I get along great with everyone – even cats!  I have impeccable manners and walk beautifully on a leash.  I’m just a big mellow, teddy bear of a guy looking for a place to call home. We should meet, you and I. Stop by the shelter and let me take you for a walk. I’m pretty sure you’ll like me!

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

Sheila Harley, Public Information Officer of SJI Fire/Rescue had this to share with us…

Students between the ages of 13 and 22 who complete a wildland fire community service project and submit an application by Sunday, November 15, could be the recipient of one of twenty opportunities to receive $500 for future educational costs, or as a donation to their favorite charitable organization.

Participation is easy – use the project ideas list, or develop one of your own that best meets your needs; complete and submit the short application form. Project options can be accomplished in as little as a few hours, or a long as an entire day or weekend.

Help the students in your life turn their school, club or civic group’s community service requirements into something that increases wildfire preparedness in your community!

Funding for the awards was provided by State Farm through NFPA’s Year of Living Less Dangerously campaign.

Gordon Steele, 1919-2015 – Contributed photo

Gordon Nevins Steele was born May 1, 1919, in Santa Monica, California. His parents were William Nevins Steele and Ethel Bernice Kenner Steele. He passed away on November 3, 2015, at his home in Friday Harbor, Washington.

Gordon was proud to be the grandson of John Corbet Steele, a founder of Santa Monica who arrived there in 1878. John was a blacksmith by trade. With only a sixth grade education he acquired a hotel, grocery store, and invested in prime real estate. He served as postmaster and later became the third mayor of the city. Gordon was proud to have large blacksmith hands like his grandfather.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, only brother Keith, wives Betty Adamson Steele and Beverly Johnson Steele, and all other family members. He had no children.

Gordon graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1937, Santa Monica Junior College in 1940, and University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Chemistry in 1942.

In 1942, he was one of several students hired by the Radiation Laboratory of the UC Berkeley, under the mobilization plan of Nobel Prize winner Ernest Lawrence, for research and development of the separation of uranium isotopes by electromagnetic means.

Gordon was sent to Oak Ridge, Tennessee to work on the Manhattan Project in April of 1943. He arrived “before the fences”, badge number 129 of the 75,000 issued, as part of a select group from Berkeley who were considered “invaluable as trouble shooters”. Continue Reading

Gail and Randy Schnee moved inventory from their previous location to their new one at 260 Spring Street – Tim Dustrude photo

Cotton Cotton Cotton has moved to their new location on Spring Street. They are now at 260 Spring, aka “Sundries Court” (popularly known as Jeri’s Mall). They are in the front spot, next door to the Drug Store, right where San Juan Jewels was. San Juan Jewels has moved across the hallway, just behind Discovery Sea Kayaks.

Gail and Randy moved most of their inventory earlier this week. You probably saw them – they did it in about 8 or 10 trips through town, pushing carts up the sidewalk like in the photo above, looking like they worked in Friday Harbor’s Garment District.

And their new opening TODAY just happens to coincide with their 6-year anniversary of owning the store. And the Friday Harbor Film Festival. So they’re having a 3-day-Grand-Opening-FHFF-Anniversary-Sale. So Friday through Sunday they are offering 20% off all clothing, with an additional 20% off Clearance Items.

Here’s a note from the folks over at the Friday Harbor Film Festival…

Katherine Ross and Sam Elliott – Contributed photo

The Film Festival is this weekend and it’s already started! ‪The Andrew V. McLaglen Lifetime Achievement award goes this year to Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross. Sam is very disappointed that his schedule does not allow him to attend but Katharine Ross and his daughter Cleo will definitely be here in Friday Harbor for the weekend.

Plus, we will be celebrating our Local Heroes Sam and Barbara Buck. Join us for the Gala Friday night, lots of food, drink, entertainment, both awards, and dance music!

Sam Sr. and Barbara Buck – Contributed photo

THIS JUST IN… Sam Elliott just sent us a 6-minute personalized video message to be aired tonight at the Gala. He is extremely disappointed that he won’t be here in person to accept the Andrew V. McLaglen lifetime achievement award. We do have the GREAT HONOR of presenting the award to Katharine Ross in person! Join us for this magical event tonight! Tickets still available online through the SJ Community Theatre.

Nurse practitioner joins Family Medicine Department at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center

Mallory Brown, ARNP – Contributed photo

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash., Nov. 5, 2015 – Mallory Brown, ARNP, recently joined the Family Medicine Department at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, where she provides comprehensive care to men, women and children of all ages. She welcomes new patients to her practice.

Before coming to PeaceHealth Peace Island, Brown was a clinical instructor for first-year nursing students at Western New Mexico University. She has also worked as an endoscopy, oncology, home health and hospice nurse in New Mexico and Kentucky.

Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Evansville in Indiana and a Master of Science nursing degree in the Family Nurse Practitioner Program through Walden University. She is a certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Brown and her husband own a home on San Juan Island.

Minnie Knych shares this invition…

On Tuesday, November 10th at noon, there will be a brief ceremony at the courthouse to commemorate Veteran’s Day.

Please come if you can and wear your red, white and blue.

Thanks,
Minnie

Skagit Valley College Worker Retraining program helps provide free tuition and books to students who qualify.

Current and prospective SVC students at Skagit Valley College (SVC) can qualify for FREE tuition and books through SVC’s Worker Retraining program if they can say YES to one of the following:

• Were you laid off of work and are currently claiming Washington State Unemployment Insurance?
• Have you exhausted your Unemployment Insurance benefits in the last 48 months?
• Have you been laid off work and now accepted temporary work?
• Have you been dependent on the income of another family member but are no longer supported by it?
• Do you need to obtain new skills in order to remain employed?
• Are you a veteran who has separated from the U.S. armed services in the last 48 months?

For more information, contact Lisa Barnett, [email protected], (360) 416-7649. Or visit Lewis Hall room 116 to schedule an appointment.

Thank you for the support

I had an amazing time in the recent campaign enjoying many pleasant encounters. Learning about our community needs and walking the streets passing out brochures, candy, apples and pet food can lids allowed me to connect with many. I have a better appreciation of who we are and where our focus lies. We want to be safe, sheltered, healthy, well fed and enjoy security of a well run community.

We came this island to be a part of a people who appreciate the environment, love the arts, raise good kids and work our land. I helped carry groceries, stopped a loose tiny dog from running into the street, held up a fence while it was secured and met islanders of all walks. I also experienced some screamers and not so cordial people that tested my verbal control but I realize people are passionate and a few were raised by hyenas.

Thank you to all who helped in my campaign. I have a sense of letting you down. I am sorry. Keep the faith. Don’t be afraid to speak up when you need. Keep focused on positive healthy goals. I do pray we are served well by our electeds and wish them good fortune.

Michelle Loftus

Friday Harbor High School seniors are now taking orders for the annual Grad Night Holiday Wreath sale.

The aromatic, 24” Northwest Noble Fir wreathes ($25 each) feature a handmade bow and will be ready for delivery or pickup on Saturday, November 21—just is in time for the holidays.

The largest fundraiser for the Class of 2016, proceeds from the sale will be used to pay for a memorable and safe graduation night celebration in June.

Wreath orders may be placed with any FHHS senior class member or contact Jan Bollwinkel-Smith at
janb726 [@] centurytel [.] net and she will connect you to a student. Orders will be taken through Wednesday, November 18. Orders may be picked up on November 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grad Night Rummage and Bake Sale at the FHHS Commons or students will arrange delivery to your home or work.

In addition, wreathes will be available for sale at the Island Artisan’s Holiday Fair on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28 at the Friday Harbor Elementary School.

This year’s Christmas Bird Count is set for Saturday, January 2. More info will be coming out for the count but we hope you will put it on your calendar. Volunteers are needed to count and help do logistics for the count.

Cheers,

Barbara Jensen, President
San Juan Islands Audubon

skylark [@] rockisland [.] com

OPALCO led a county-wide work group to identify the needs of our lowest-income residents and to collaborate on effective solutions. The findings show there is a broad spectrum of affordability needs to address and that an effective response will require county-wide agency participation. OPALCO will do its part, proposing new measures in the Co-op’s 2016 budget to address the affordability of electricity for qualified households.

The work group, which began meeting in July of 2015, included stakeholders from island community foundations, family services, the County Housing Bank and Opportunity Council. Following three stakeholder meetings and data research provided by CLEAResult consulting group, OPALCO has released a comprehensive report of the findings, available online at: www.opalco.com/find-documents (board materials/2015/October).

The work group sought to address three key questions: who is in need, how big is the need, and how can we collaborate to best help struggling islanders. Using available market and Census data, the work group determined that roughly 19% of full-time residents fall below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, representing about 1,500 island households and 3,000 people. All of the available resources for community assistance were inventoried and estimates calculated for how much additional support is needed. Continue Reading

Gordon Steele – John Stimpson photo

Gordon Steele passed away on November 3rd at his home at the Village at the Harbour. He was born May 1st 1919.

An obituary and information on a Celebration of Life will follow.