Stephanie Prima – Contributed photo

Stephanie Prima has recently been certified to teach Infinite Body Joyful Joints™.

Working with the Infinite Body™ instructors at Friday Harbor Holistic Health for over 5 years, Stephanie found it made such a difference in her mental and physical well-being, she wanted to help others experience the benefit from the simple, gentle Infinite Body™ movement system.

She trained for a year to receive her certification as an instructor of Infinite Body Joyful Joints™, and has started a class sponsored by Island Rec for people with joint pain, limited ability to move, seniors, those who are not ready for a full-on fitness class, or simply don’t like traditional exercise.

“Besides the actual movements, what sets this apart from other programs is that it helps connect us with our body. In modern life, we live in our head, and are easily swayed and stressed by the pulls and expectations of daily life. Infinite Body™ practice helps bring us back to our ‘wisdom mind’ – the inherent knowledge that all creatures possess – and helps us stay grounded and centered. This gives us better focus so we can stay on track, which in turn helps us feel better physically and adapt a more positive outlook on life.”

Incorporating flowing, circular, looping movements as found in nature, the class brings together the mind-body connection to deliver a unique holistic movement class. As one participant put it, “I’ve never exercised in my life, but this isn’t exercise – it’s fun! I do the moves at home now and I really feel a difference.”

The 45-minute class is on Thursday mornings at 9:30am, at Village at the Harbour. Contact Island Rec for more information, 378-4953, www.IslandRec.org; ask about the Moving Parts Healthy Hearts class. The current session will end on November 12th, but if you’re interested in taking a class, let Morgan know what dates and times would be best for you.

OPALCO is among the 77 electric utilities recently approved for USDA Rural Utility Services (RUS) loans. OPALCO is approved for a loan of $17.1M to move forward with the submarine cable replacement for the Lopez to San Juan link, as forecast in our long-range and construction work plans. The loan amount also includes other transmission upgrade projects. Loan funds are not awarded in advance, but function as a line of credit, reimbursed as projects progress and as certified by RUS.

The US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $2.3 billion in loans to build and improve rural electric infrastructure in 31 states. The funding is provided through USDA Rural Development’s Electric Program, which makes loans and loan guarantees to non-profit and cooperative associations. Since 2009, USDA has funded $34 billion in electric loans and more than $1 billion for smart grid technologies.

A video about the OPALCO submarine cable project is available on YouTube.

Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is a non-profit electrical utility serving about 11,200 co-op member-owners on 20 islands in San Juan County. OPALCO provides electricity that is 95% greenhouse-gas free, predominately generated by hydro-electric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937 to deliver electricity and improve the quality of life in the San Juan islands.

Deb Langhans invites you to experience reader’s theater this week…

Greetings, Friends.

At Director Eric Concord’s request, I’m cordially inviting you to the next San Juan Community Theatre’s “On Book” Readers Theatre offering this week: “Death and the Maiden.”  

This play by Ariel Dorfman is a provocative, sometimes shocking, award-winning adult subject drama… set in a country only recently returned to democracy.  Attorney Gerardo Escobar (read by Scott Mapstead), has just been chosen to head a commission that will investigate the crimes of the old regime, when his car breaks down & he’s picked up by affable Doctor Roberto Miranda (read by Eric Concord). But in the voice of this “good samaritan,” Gerardo’s wife, Paulina (read by yours truly), believes she recognizes another man—the one who raped & tortured her in a military detention center 15 years before. (Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley & Stuart Wilson starred in the 1994 movie.)

This play can feel disturbing; in light of human atrocities still plaguing our globe, it also remains very relevant & deserving of consideration.

Please join us for one of our performances this week: Wednesday, October 28 and Thursday, October 29 at 7:30 pm in the Gubelman Theatre.

Thanks so much, & Happy Autumn!

Here’s a playoff update from Rod Turnbull, Athletic Director at FHHS…

Well it is rapidly approaching that time of the fall season again….. Playoffs are almost here. Below is information on the playoff opportunities for each sport. While the avenue and the structure of each post season opportunity varies depending upon the sport, during the next week each team will be playing for the right to advance on to the state level of the playoffs.

• Girls Volleyball – Girls Volleyball will begin postseason play on Thursday, October 29, at the District tournament held at Mount Vernon Christian. Our girls will be playing Concrete HS at 2:30. They will enter the tournament as the number 2 seed and will have two opportunities to win at least one match in order to move on to the Bi-District 1/4 Tournament which begins on Saturday, October 31 in various locations. Where they would play next and their opponent would depend on them placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd at the District tournament. The District and Bi District brackets are posted at www.nw1a2bathletics.com Use the volleyball tab to access the playoff information.

• Girls Soccer – Our girls soccer team has secured the second seed to the District 1/2 tournament by finishing 2nd in our NW1A/2B league. They will travel on November 4th to a site and opponent to be determined. Win or lose, they will play again on Saturday, November 7th. They will need to win 1 game on either the 4th or the 7th to advance to the state playoffs for the second year in a row. For more information including tournament brackets, www.nw1a2bathletics.com Use the girls soccer tab to access the playoff information.

• Boys Soccer – Our boys soccer team has secured the number 2 seed to the District 1/2/4 tournament by finishing second in the NW1A/2B league, and will host Tacoma Baptist of District 4 on Saturday, October 31. The game will be played at Oak Harbor HS with a 12:00 start. Win or lose, they will play again on Wednesday, November 4th. For more information including district and state tournament brackets, visit www.nw1a2bathletics.com  Use the Boys soccer tab to access the playoff information.

• Football – Our Football team has played hard and represented our school well in all of our contests this year. Although the scores do not always show it, our team has competed in each of the games they have played in. We are proud of these young men for working hard all year. While the playoffs are not in this team’s future this year, it won’t be long before they are ready to be there again.

GO Wolverines…..

Friday Harbor Al-Anon meetings are available morning, noon and night.

In the U.S. and Canada, there are more than 18 million people with a drinking problem, and only 10 percent of them will ever get help. But according to some estimates, every individual with a drinking problem disrupts the lives of at least four other people through business and financial responsibilities neglected or the child who loses a parent due to a drunken driving accident, careers ruined and marriages destroyed by problem drinking. Of the estimated 80 million Americans and Canadians affected by someone else’s drinking, most will not get help for themselves and many will never even realize that they could have benefited from some insight into the problems caused by another person’s drinking.

Al-Anon Family Groups was the first of many mutual support groups to adapt AA’s Twelve Step Program. It is well-known, but still not widely understood. Al-Anon focuses only on providing confidential help to people in need. There are no celebrity spokespeople; the confidentiality and anonymity of members is strictly protected.

There are six Al-Anon meetings in Friday Harbor currently registered with the Al-Anon World Service Office. Three are held during morning hours, two are held at noon and there is one evening meeting each week.

Friday Harbor meeting information can be obtained by calling the national (US and Canada) toll free meeting line, 1-888-4-AL-ANON (1-888-425-2666, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm ET). Or by visiting http://www.wa-al-anon.org/Meeting-F.html

Thank you for taking time to look over this information. Included in this packet is a copy of Al-Anon monthly publication, The Forum, and a meeting schedule. Thank you for considering sharing this information with your clients.

In keeping with Al-Anon’s Tradition of anonymity, members are identified in the media with first names only. For more information, you may contact Debbie S. at 317-1665.

New Calf J-53 – Dave Ellifrit photo

Great news from the Center for Whale Research! A new calf was documented [on Saturday] in J pod! The calf, designated J53, was seen traveling with J17. This is the third calf in J pod this year!

More information will be coming soon. Photo was taken by Dave Ellifrit under NMFS Permit #15569 and/or DFO license #2013-04 SARA-272 “3”.

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

This week’s Pet of the Week is a very special one. Normally, we like to have a little fun with these, but Juliette’s life has been anything but fun. At six years old she has known nothing but a concrete slab surrounded by chain link – outdoors. In Bellingham. Year round.

Owned by an unscrupulous dog breeder, Juliette was nothing more than a puppy-making machine, bearing litter after litter of puppies. As a result of this and living outdoors, she has arthritis in all four legs and has a bit of trouble getting around. She is taking pain medication now and her mobility is improving greatly.

Juliette may seem shy at first, but we have learned that she simply has never known human kindness before arriving here in Friday Harbor. Being cuddled and pet and touched is a brand new concept for her and she is gradually learning what it’s like to be loved and cared for.

Juliette is extremely quiet and well-mannered and would make an excellent companion for someone with a quiet lifestyle. It will take some kindness and patience to help her overcome her past, but we think she’s more than earned a loving home of her own. Perhaps yours?

Juliette is currently being fostered in a private home. If you’d like to meet her, please call the shelter at 378-2158 to make arrangements.

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

Dancing happy – Contributed photo

Here’s a note from Bill and Rita Ament about their upcoming dance classes…

Dance Happy classes for Children and Adults.  Hey, kids! Now that soccer is over, it’s time to dance again!  Classes in Creative, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Ballet for Children (ages 2.5 to 13), and Tap & Zumba classes for Adults.  All classes are ongoing. Go to www.amentdancehappy.com for schedule and registration.  Or, call 378-9628.

Thanks so much.
Have a great day!

Krista Strutz doing the zombie thing at Brickworks today – Tim Dustrude photo

Krista Strutz organized a great local entry in this worldwide event. It all happened today at Brickworks at 3:00 pm after weeks of hard work, organizing, teaching dance moves, and everybody getting their zombie on.

Check out the video below:

And here’s a still photo of all the zombies…

Tom Eades – Lt./FO2/ISO/WF2 – Sheila Harley photo

Sheila Harley shares this month’s edition of Meet Your Volunteer Firefighter…

“To Protect Life and Property”

Tom has attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland several times. Only one out of every one hundred firefighters in the United States attends that prodigious academy. He has taken Fire Command Operations, Leadership and Administration, Advanced Safety Operations and Management, and Command and Control of Target Hazards. He was the first person in the State of Washington to receive IFSAC certification as an Airport Fire Fighter.

He was born in Oak Harbor but grew up in Renton, WA. where he attended school, going on to Washington State University School of Communications (which is now the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications) earning a BA in Communications. While there, he played the clarinet in the WSU Cougar marching band. It was Tom’s goal from mid-way through elementary school and up through college to pursue a career in broadcasting.

From 1984 to 1988, he did just that for KONP out of Port Angeles. That did not work out too well, and eventually Tom moved to Friday Harbor to become a Dispatcher for the Sheriff’s office. That was 27 years ago! Continue Reading

Benedict Cumberbatch in the role of Hamlet – Johan Persson photo

Academy Award® nominee Benedict Cumberbatch takes on the title role of Shakespeare’s great tragedy in the next HD screening at San Juan Community Theatre on Monday, October 26 at 7 pm.

Directed by Lyndsey Turner and produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, National Theatre Live presents Hamlet from London’s Barbican Theatre, recorded live on October 15. As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to avenge his father’s death but paralysed by the task ahead, Hamlet rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening both his sanity and the security of the state.

Variety’s Matt Trueman said of the production: “This is a Hamlet for a world on the edge: a warning from history, and a plea for new ideas from a new generation.”

Tickets for Hamlet are $20 for adults, $18 for SJCT members and $10 for student reserved. Due to a financial agreement with the Met, no SJCT coupons are accepted for these productions. Tickets are available online at www.sjctheatre.org or at the SJCT Box Office: 378-3210.

Islanders Bank is pleased to offer a FREE Community Seminar on Cyber Security. This event is open to all island residents.

Date & Time: October 29th, 2015 | 12:30 – 1:30 PM Location: Gubelman Room, SJI Community Theatre

Topics covered will include: Cyber Threats Cyber Security Computer & Mobile Device security Safe internet browsing and social media use Tips for parents & kids

We look forward to seeing you!

SJI Sheriff’s Mounted Posse: Matt Claussen and Amy Herdy, Amrita Ibold, Sarah Severn, Jim Lawrence, Theresa Simendinger, Sherrif Ron Krebs, Lisa Lawrence, Tracy Roberson, Jessica Colling, Dylan Roberson , standing just out of frame, Sus and Johannes Kellogg – Alice Hurd photo

This story was contributed by Theresa Simendinger…

The newly formed SJI Sherrif’s Mounted Posse, which you may have seen performing at the SJ County Fair and in the Fourth of July parade gathered on top of Mt Grant. The group won a nice ribbon, seen adorning Tracy’s horse and a check for “Best Costumed Animals” in the Friday Harbor 4th of July Parade.

The Posse was formed as public service group to assist in finding lost or injured tourists in the parks, crowd control, delivering food and/or medicine to snowed in folks… hey, there is an emergency plan like this in place!

And of course riding in parades… The group decided to handover their hard won $50 dollar check to the Mt Grant Campaign… proving once again every little bit helps!

Zombies dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” with the whole world on Saturday – Contributed photo

Don’t forget – this is happening tomorrow, Saturday October 24 at Brickworks. Here’s a note from the organizer of the local Friday Harbor event Krista Strutz…

I would like to remind the community about this fun Zombie event coming up at Brickworks at 3:00 pm on Saturday! This is a photo of my Spring Street International School theatre students who are sponsoring the event.  Hope to see you there!

Thanks!
~ Krista

If you missed the previous announcement, you can see it here.

Kathy Venter sculpture – Click to enlarge – Contributed photo

Art as a Voice – San Juan Islands Museum of Art

In conjunction with the exhibition “Kathy Venter: Immersion Series,” IMA is pleased to present an artist’s talk by Kathy Venter, a renowned artist from Salt Spring Island, BC.

Venter is known for making life-sized human ceramic figures. In this talk, she will reveal this virtuosic process and provide a fascinating glimpse into her artistic vision.

November 4, 2015, 7:30 pm Gubelman Stage of San Juan Community Theatre at 100 Second St. N, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Ticket information: General admission $16; IMA members $13; students $8.

Tickets are available at:

Islands Museum of Art (360) 370-5050

and San Juan Community Theatre (360) 378-3210

Beatrice Grauman-Boss, Tyler Ryan, Susan Williams and James Gull – Contributed photo

San Juan Community Theatre’s fall play—Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie—is winding down with its final shows starting tonight, Thursday* thru Saturday, October 22-24 at 7:30 pm.

Considered Williams’ first successful play, it is also one of director Fred Yockers’ favorites, who urges in his program notes:

“…hang on every word, listen to the poetry of Williams’ script, watch these brilliant actors viscerally interpret the lines and I promise that you will leave the Theatre with much to talk about.”

The drama features Susan Williams, Tyler Ryan, Beatrice Grauman-Boss and James Gull.

*Thursday is “PAY WHAT YOU CAN”—buy tickets for Friday and Saturday at the box office (378-3210) on online at www.sjctheatre.org.