Mobilization and construction will begin TONIGHT, October 19, 2015.

The Spring Street and Second Street intersection will be closed for pavement and manhole repairs from approximately 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. starting tonight, October 19th through Tuesday, October 20th. Repairs should be completed by Wednesday morning, weather permitting. The intersection will be reopened each morning for vehicles.

Businesses and residents should expect noise during working hours, including pavement grinding. Utility service should not be affected. During this period, the public is asked to utilize alternate routes to avoid unnecessary delays and rough road conditions.

Do not hesitate to contact Town Hall at (360) 378-2810 with questions or comments. In addition, the contractor, Richard Lawson Construction, will have a project manager on-site at all times.

Dr. Daniel Kammen – Contributed photo

On Friday, October 23, internationally acclaimed energy-policy expert and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Daniel Kammen will present at Brickworks in Friday Harbor. All are welcome to attend and meet Dr. Kammen, hear his ideas, and participate in a lively discussion about local and global climate and energy solutions. The reception starts at 6:30 PM and the talk begins at 7:00 PM.

“Dramatic changes are taking place in the energy options available to people, communities and nations interested in pursuing low-carbon pathways,” observes Kammen. Dr. Kammen will describe the successes and challenges that are taking place in homes across the globe in implementing successful low-carbon pathways. His focus will range from small community scale efforts to decarbonize, to actions on the national scale – in the European Union, United Sates, and China. He will also examine and discuss the prospects for a global accord in the upcoming Paris climate talks, and what this could mean for energy and climate risks worldwide.

Dr. Kammen is a Distinguished Professor of Energy at the University of California, Berkeley and the founding director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory. He has served as a lead author on reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change since 1999 and shared the IPCC’s 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore “for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change.” He serves on the Advisory Committee for Energy & Environment for the X-Prize Foundation, served as the World Bank Group’s Chief Technical Specialist for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, and contributed to the Pope’s encyclical.

The San Juan Islands Conservation District, Islands Energy, and OPALCO are proudly sponsoring this free event. For more information, click here or call 360-378-6621.

Luke Fincher has your Ticket – Contributed photo

Hi,

Luke here! I invite you to an upcoming FHES 6th grade event on November 10th. A SPAGHETTI FEED & STE(A)M Night!!!!! YAAAAY!!!!! YUM Yum YUM! I’ve got TICKETS to sell for the dinner, if you are interested, The STE(A)M Activities are Free.

I can come by your office or meet in town next week. Pre-sale adult tickets are $8 each, or $10 at the door. Kids are $5. A pre-sale ticket gives us a better head count for the food amount to order. Thanks for supporting our school. And one more thing, if you can’t make it, you can still donate to help send next year’s 6th Graders to Mountain School, we are paying it forward to them!

Email (fincher [@] rockisland [.] com) or call me at 378-9479, if you’d like me to stop by. Or ask another 6th grade student, they can sell tickets, too!

Thanks again! Bye!
Luke

(FYI: Here’s a note from my mom with a little more background info on Mt. School at FHES…)

As you may know, each new school year, our 6th Grade Students get to venture into the North Cascades to do field work in a science curriculum that supports what our students are doing back in the classroom. Mt. School’s environmental education program is valued at about $20,000 for our nearly 60 students. Using a formula, they offer a reduction in price for our students, which comes to about $9000 for each 6th Grade group making this Rite of Passage. Continue Reading

San Juan Island Cheese shares this heads-up about the 2nd annual Bite coming up next weekend…

The 2nd Annual Bite of the San Juan Islands Celebrates Island Bounty

On Sunday afternoon, October 25th, join the chefs, farmers, fishers, winemakers, distillers and brewers of the San Juan Islands for a unique tasting event—the Bite of the San Juan Islands. This showcase of the amazing quality of island-grown, organic, GMO-free meats, seafood, produce, wine, cider, beer and spirits is in its second year, and part of the 8th annual Savor the San Juans.

The Bite of the San Juan Islands – Contributed photo

Building on the success of last year’s event, The Bite will take place at the recently restored Brickworks Plaza just two blocks from the ferry terminal. Brickworks houses the San Juan Island Farmers’ Market in a meticulously restored early 20th-century brick factory with a soaring, wood beam open-truss ceiling, fir floors and beautiful natural light. Entry is $5, with tasting tickets at $2 – each bite priced by the chef, from 1 ticket to 4, depending on the dish. You can enjoy just a few bites, or make a meal of it while waiting for the afternoon ferry. Find out more information at this link.

Here is a taste of the restaurants and producers from Lopez Island, Orcas Island and San Juan Island that will be providing “Bites” for you to enjoy (so far!): San Juan Island Cheese, Coho, Cask & Schooner, Vinny’s Ristorante, San Juan Island Pasta Company, Red Rabbit Farm, Girl Meets Dirt, Barn Owl Bakery, Kari’s Island Elixirs, San Juan Island Distillery, Westcott Bay Cider, Vita’s Wildly Delicious, Southend Restaurant, Duck Soup Inn, Jones Family Farms, The Bluff, Island Hoppin’ Brewery, Lopez Island Vineyard and more.

We hope you will join us for this fun and tasty celebration!

• Date: Sunday, October 25, 2014
• Time: 1:00 to 4:00 pm
• Address: Brickworks, 150 Nichols Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Don’t forget the meetings this week if you have reservations about WSF reservations…

Join WSF at the San Juan Island Yacht Club, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21, and the Shaw Island Community Building, 4-6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 22, for two public meetings about reservations in the San Juan Islands.

Discussion topics include the benefits and challenges of the reservations system, and how the system has been working. We look forward to seeing you.

More information about public meetings: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Ferries/Planning/VehicleReservations.htm

Email questions or comments to: [email protected]

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

“O.K., that’s good, but a little to the left would be nice.” I’m Jupiter, and when I open my eyes I’m hoping I’ll find myself in my new forever home… Hey, a fellow can dream, can’t he?

My requirements are simple – I’m just looking for someone who recognizes that I’m fabulous and is willing to spend the better part of the day petting me and scratching me behind the ears every once in a while.

If it’s not too much to ask, I would also like to be in charge of the remote for the television. I enjoy watching cooking programs and the odd wrestling match from time to time. On the weekends I like to binge watch reruns of The Waltons, but if you prefer football we can work something out.

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

Attention Yacht Haven Property Owners:

We have scheduled a meeting with Rock Island to learn about the fiber installation for high speed internet and the costs to the neighborhoods that access off of Yacht Haven.  Please attend if you have interest in understanding the process, benefits and costs.  If you are unable to attend but desire information, please email

[email protected] and provide your contact information

Meeting: 10:00 am October 20th, 2015 at Roche Harbor Pavilion

Sincerely,
Merri Ann Simonson

San Juan County shares this Press Release…

No Surprises – Preserves Services at Current Levels

On Monday, October 19, County Auditor Milene Henley and County Manager Mike Thomas will present the San Juan County Council with a preliminary 2016 budget proposal designed to maintain county services at current levels. The document is the starting point for the Council’s budget deliberations that lead up to the budget’s adoption during the first week in December.

The preliminary budget proposes to increase the County’s Current Expense (operating) budget by 4.3% to $17.34 million. The increase is slightly more than anticipated revenue and would make use of $656,000 in “available cash” to bring it into balance.

County Manager Thomas noted, “We continue to see the cost of providing the same level of service with existing resources rise faster that our revenue can with current limitations.”

While assuring the Council that the County’s cash reserves are adequate and the proposal includes contributions to both the Budget Stabilization (“rainy day”) Fund and Capital Reserves, Auditor Milene Henley warned, “Balancing the budget with available cash is not a good long-term practice.” Continue Reading

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This week, October 18th-24th , San Juan Island Library Friends organization is celebrating National Friend of Library Week with two special events.

On Tuesday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:30 pm there will be storytelling for elementary school age children.  Our guest storyteller will be Fred Yockers! This activity will take place in the library main salon.

Also at the same time in the conference room there will be music and Halloween activities for preschool children.
Snacks will be provided.

Another special event will by our Edible Book Contest on Friday evening, October 23rd at 7:00 pm. Use your creative ideas and prepare a food item based on a book title.  This can be the original title or a pun on a title.  Example: “Ann of Green Bagels”. This could be a great family or group project! Pick up a form at the library and submit your idea by Thursday. There will be prizes for the 3 different categories.
Admission is by donation only.

Finally, this week is the kickoff to our 2016 Membership Drive.  All members who join by December 12th will be eligible for our Kindle drawing. Join and support the Friends of the Library!

Important dates from SJISD Superintendent Danna Diaz

Dr. Danna Diaz

Superintendent Danna Diaz will hold a meeting to report her “First 100 Days”, October 19, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at Friday Harbor Middle School. Please come!

We are requesting that parents participate in a survey for educational effectiveness (EES-Parent Survey San Juan Island), between October 19th and November 1st. A link will be provided on our website’s homepage, and paper copies are available by contacting Maude Cumming at the district office, 378-4133 or [email protected].

Surveys will available in English and in Spanish and are anonymous. Thank you in advance for your participation in this important gathering of information!

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Celebrate Jack’s Birthday today at 2:00 to 4:00 at Barking Bird, on the corner of Nichols and A Streets.

The Whale Museum shares this story of a fin whale in our area…

Fin Whale Photo ©Christopher S. Teren terenphotography.com

In addition to frequent visits from our Southern Resident killer whales, each year brings surprises to the Salish Sea. The biggest surprise this year was the presence of the second largest species of whale on the planet: a fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus).

Fin whales can reach up to 75 feet in length and typically feed on krill or other small schooling fish. This particular fin whale was first spotted in the inland waters on September 6, 2015 near Hein Bank, just south of San Juan Island. The animal has remained in the Salish Sea for over a month, most recently seen last weekend. It seems to stay fairly close to the waters around Smith and Minor Islands, occasionally wandering north towards the south end of Lopez Island.

There appeared to be evidence of a healed over wound on its right side, but those fortunate enough to witness the animal in action have reported that it was behaving normally and was even spotted lunge feeding on multiple occasions.

Although humpbacks, minkes, and gray whales are commonly sighted in the Salish Sea, fin whales are more typically located in offshore waters. According to The Whale Museum’s long-term sightings database, the last confirmed sighting of a fin whale in the Salish Sea was in 2005 when one was photographed near Race Rocks, B.C.

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center Hosts ‘Fireside Chats’ –
Free Community Education Events – Louise Dustrude photo

Healthy eating and nutrition for children and adults is topic of upcoming Fireside Chat

Dietitian and diabetes educator Kristen Rezabek will discuss “Good Nutrition for Good Health” on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in a free, public community education program hosted by PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, 1117 Spring St., Friday Harbor. Learn the current food recommendations for children and adults to promote a healthy body and to prevent chronic disease.

Rezabek’s talk will cover:

• Smart snacking strategies
• Food recommendations for children and adults
• Using guidelines from the MyPlate website to plan meals

This informal talk is one in a series of Fireside Chats the medical center is offering as part of PeaceHealth’s “Healthy You” program, which provides resources, tools and information to support individuals in their health and wellness journey. For more information, visit http://www.peacehealth.org/healthy-you/Pages/default.aspx.

The Black Luminous Sea, by Joe Miller

San Juan artist, Joe Miller will give a gallery walk around his striking colorfold watercolors at IMA on October 25 and 30, both at 11:30 a.m.

Join Miller on a personal walk through his IMA exhibit, “UNLIKE EARTH” a debut presentation of his stunning colorfold paintings. Listen as Joe describes his inspiration, techniques and reflections of 40+ years immersed in art. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy Joe’s own humor-filled style, as he answers questions. All are invited.

Miller’s exhibit is open at IMA at 540 Spring Street in Friday Harbor, from Friday-Monday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and ends on November 9.

While there, tour the Kathy Venter: Immersion Series life-sized ceramic sculpture and Michael Dailey: Early Dawn to Late Twilight.

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Four Weeks – Four Meals. Please join with us as we share these four meals each centered on the specific theme of: Trust, Gratitude, Sorrow and Comfort & Joy

Thursday evenings:

• October 22
• November 12
• December 3
• December 12

Reservations are required by October 18th and space is limited. (location and directions upon registration). Contact Bonnie Oak Boesky at 298-4904.

Sponsored by PIMC and SJI Community Foundation.

Fireside Grange Conversation – Contributed photo

San Juan Island Grange #966 continues its fall evening program series with Conscious Conversation on Agriculture and Nature on Wednesday October 21, 2015 at the Grange Hall. The program begins at 7:00 pm.

The program will begin with ‘The Lighting of the Fire’ in the Hall fireplace to celebrate Fall and the oncome of Winter. Over warm drinks and cookies, we will enjoy an informal conscious conversation, facilitated by Grange Lecturer Lori Ann David, on the relation of Nature to Agriculture—as art, as healer, in its present state, how we live it, and what we expect. Come join us for a relaxed evening of friends sharing ideas and companionship.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015, at the San Juan Island Grange Hall. Program begins at 7:00 pm.

For information please contact Lori Ann David, 2015 Lecturer, San Juan Island Grange #966
la [@] lorianndavid [.] com 378-0233 or 805-452-1397