Opalco truck – Contributed photo

Start your engines and get ready for the ever popular, annual Touch-a-Truck event. Come climb behind the wheels of big rigs of all shapes and sizes, from dump trucks and hook lifts to fire trucks and an army vehicle.

This is a don’t-miss-activity for kids of all sizes and ages on an early release school day. This is a FREE activity and Kiwanis is providing FREE hotdogs. We are also holding a FREE raffle for a ride in a patrol car!

Oct 16, 11:00-1:00pm, Friday Harbor Elementary School

For questions please contact [email protected]. For more information call 378-4953 or visit www.islandrec.org.

Part of the Liminal Currents exhibit at IMA – Tim Dustrude photo

What you have been waiting for from Matthew Gray Palmer-the final phase of the successful community collaboration, Liminal Currents: Explorations of an Empathic Umwelt designed and directed by Matthew.

On Sunday, October 18, at 4 p.m. at South Beach, we will release the more than 1000 wishes, poems, and prayers which were part of the exhibition. As participants within this installation, we were all invited to immerse ourselves in an art space to experience empathy with underwater marine life.

More than 4000 people visited the exhibition and were encouraged to write their blessings, thoughts and quotes on “ribbons” which became part of the artwork. This final act of releasing them is in keeping with the spiritual nature of the writings themselves.

Everyone is welcome to participate. Locate Matthew and friends and walk over. Car-pooling is encouraged due to the limited parking.

Matthew needs some help in loading the trucks with the salvaged cedar from the exhibit. If you can help, please arrive at IMA’s back parking lot at 1 p.m. wearing work gloves. If you have questions call Matthew at 317-4639.

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

Greetings from the animal shelter in Friday Harbor! My name is Rhubarb and I’m hoping someone will adopt me or foster me soon! I’m what you might call a “Golden Girl” and these concrete floors are a little hard on the old bones….

In the meantime, allow me to give all you youngsters out there a few lessons I’ve learned about life:

• Never pass up a chance to go for a joy-ride in the car. Be sure to stick your head out the window! (Don’t worry about messing up your hair.)
• Take lots of naps. If possible, find someone to take naps with you. Snuggling is good for the soul. Be tolerant of those who snore.
• If you want something, stare at it for a long time. Nine times out of ten, you just might get it.
• Thrive on love and attention. If someone wants to scratch you behind the ears, let them!
• When someone else is having a bad day, sit close to them and just “be there” for them. Someday they may return the favor… and it might even include a treat!
• You are never too old to love someone with all your heart. Take a chance!
• Sometimes people don’t keep their promises and that’s o.k.
• Love unconditionally.

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

Back row, L-R: Nancy DeVaux, Director; Pat Rishel, Chary Caren, Pete Kilpatrick, Glen Bruels and Sarah Crosby. Front row, L-R: Chinmayo, Sam Buck Jr., Dina Melic and Sandy Rabinowitz – Tim Dustrude photo

San Juan Community Home Trust Board members got together recently to celebrate a good couple of months.

Sun Rise II, the Home Trust’s third development, is well under way, with 3 bungalows brought in from Victoria by barge in August, already on site and ready to be lowered onto their foundations. In addition, 3 new donors have pledged money to underwrite more houses for this development of 12 forever affordable homes.

The homes are ones which were scheduled to be razed to make way for larger, more modern style houses. Instead the Home Trust is buying these 1920s and 1930s style bungalows and bringing them in for renovation and sale to low and moderate income residents of San Juan Island.

The home in the picture above was recently renovated for resale in the Home Trust’s first development, Salal, which was completed in 2006.

The inside of the existing horse barn – Tim Dustrude photo

Here’s a letter from Nancy Ballmann about a  possible new horse barn at the Fairgrounds…

Hi my name is Nancy Ballmann and I have lived in Friday Harbor for 8 years.  I have helped with the 4H Bits and Spurs for as long as I have lived here.  I have decided to work on a plan for replacing the Horse Barn in conjunction with the San Juan County Parks and Fair Department. I would like your input on three different barn options as we begin this multi-year project:

• Barn A would be a pole barn with removable stalls and sand floor
• Barn B would be a pole barn with removable stalls and concrete floors and finally
• Barn C shed roof style barn, 30-40 stalls with tack rooms and temporary stalls on the outside.

It is preferable that the barn be multifunctional year- round.

I feel it is time to do away with the old barn. The many years of patching are no longer enough. The kids and other horse event participants need a safe place for their horses during the events held on the fairgrounds.  Please share your opinions so we may begin this process.  Send your Horse Barn preferences and opinions to info [@] sjcfair [.] org.

Thank you,
Nancy Ballmann

Silhouettes representing victims of Domestic Violence – Tim Dustrude photo

Here’s a note from Richard Low with DVSAS…

Have you seen the silhouettes on the SJC Courthouse lawn? Those silhouettes represent all the men and women who were killed in Washington State this past year due to domestic violence. Each person’s life ended at the hands of someone they once trusted. Some were bystanders. Some were mothers, brothers, fathers, war veterans, or teenagers. All were loved by someone. Please walk among them and read their stories. A visitor’s log is provided for you to write your thoughts.

The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of the San Juans is hosting two events on San Juan Island this month:

• Friday, October 23rd, 12:00 to 1:00 pm, SJC Courthouse lawn: Vigil for those who lost their lives and those who are living with domestic violence. Men, women, and children are welcome. Meet your Advocates, including our newest Advocate, Richard, who organizes a group of “Stand Up Men” on San Juan Island.
• Friday, October 30th, 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Presbyterian Church: Mexican tamale fiesta dinner helping to raise funds to support DVSAS services. Tickets purchased at the door and prices are $20.00 for adults / $10.00 for kids.

If you or a loved one is in an abusive relationship, there is help. Call our 24-Hour Crisis Line: 378-2345

“Water Meadow” by Michael Dailey

Gathering Of Art Experts To Discuss Premier Artist Michael Dailey-His Skill, Work And Career

Enriching the experience of “Michael Dailey: Early Dawn to Late Twilight” at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art, IMA brings a lively conversation about one of the great mystical painters of the Pacific Northwest.

The panel discussion, “Michael Dailey: Landscape-Inspired Abstractions” will take place on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:30 pm at the San Juan Community Theatre.

Led by executive director, Ian Boyden, the discussion will focus on the paintings and practices of one of the Northwest’s most beloved and celebrated artists. The panel includes three authorities on Dailey’s works-Greg Kucera, Susanne Kelly and Robin Updike. Continue Reading

“Longsword Practice in Sunken Park” – Aaron Shepard photo

Aaron Shepard shares another photo – this time it’s a couple of guys practicing their sword skills in the park.

Sandy Strehlou, Meg Strehlou Meiland and Fiona Norris – Contributed photo

The San Juan Island Garden Club recognized Meg Strehlou Meiland at its monthly meeting on October 6 at the Mullis Community Center.  Meg was awarded the Best In Show ribbon (Youth Division) at the 2015 San Juan County Fair.

Fiona Norris, a Floral Hall Fair Superintendent, presented the award to Meg in the presence of Meg’s mother, Sandy, and the members of the Garden Club.  For her winning entry, Meg shared with the Club that she grew the apple tree from an apple seed that she placed in a moist paper towel.  She saw the seed germinate and she later planted it in a container for growth and for display at the Fair. The apple tree (held by Sandy in the photo) is thriving.  Gardening success story!

Each year the San Juan Island Garden Club recognizes the Fair’s Best In Show Youth Division winner as part of the Club’s purpose and promotion of interest in gardening (for all ages) and the beauty that gardening brings to the island.  For more information relative to the SJI Garden Club, please visit our website sjigardenclub.weebly.com.

The Phone-a-Thon in action – Contributed photo

Save the Date! The San Juan Public Schools Foundation will hold its annual Phone-A-Thon on Monday October 12th, and Tuesday October 13th, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. During this time, volunteer students, parents, faculty and members of the community will be calling to ask for your support.

The Foundation is a group of volunteer parents, educators, business leaders, and community sponsors who raise money to make a difference in the classrooms of our school children. They work year-round on projects that put 100% of the proceeds from the Phone-A-Thon, the Knowledge Bowl, the Business Partnership Program and other activities back into the classrooms at the public elementary, middle and high schools. Last year we gave over $100,000 back to your students!

Did you know: FHHS Girls and Boys Varsity Soccer teams were 2015 Academic State Champions? And FHMS placed first in the 2015 Pacific Northwest ROV competition again, engineering an underwater robot to perform several tasks related to marine exploration and conservation! All in part from your support of our schools!

Anyone wanting to support our program can send a donation to the:

San Juan Public Schools Foundation
P.O. Box 1452
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

CALLERS ARE NEEDED! If you would like to volunteer at the Phone-A-Thon, please call Nancy at 317-1755 for information.

Nancy Spaulding is showing new and favorite paintings at the San Juan Community Theater during the month of October.

Nancy has worked as an artist on San Juan Island since 1978 when she and her husband Lewis moved here and built their home and studio. For over twenty five years they both created serigraphs and fine art silk screen prints, which were collected throughout the region. Nancy is now working primarily in pastel.

The October show includes five new pastels completed during this past summer. You may view her show during box office hours, Tuesday thru Friday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm or view them while you are attending one of the many wonderful performances in October.

Here’s an invitation from Sheila Harley, Public Information Officer of SJI Fire/Rescue…

Every year the combined Emergency Services Agencies hold a “Safety Fair” in October so that the public can come and see something of what their tax dollars are being designated for.  All the Agencies present at the Fair are working for you all year long.

You are invited to the San Juan Island Fire & Safety Headquarters at 1011 Mullis Street to visit the various safety oriented booths, eat complimentary hot dogs and view the JAWS OF LIFE demonstration. All are welcome.

Help Overturn Citizens United: Get Big Money Out of Politics
By David Turnoy

Billions of dollars in campaign donations are destroying our democracy.  Donald Trump proudly admits donating to both major parties so that when he wants a favor, all he has to do is pick up the phone.  The Citizens United Supreme Court decision of 2010 and its progeny have opened up the floodgates to unlimited political contributions by big corporations and billionaires.  What can we do?

We need the law to declare that money is not speech, that corporations are not people, that all political contributions must be publicly disclosed, and that our federal, state, and local governments have the right and ability to regulate political spending.  This will enable us to go back to a system where only individuals, not corporations, can donate to campaigns, and those contributions will be limited by the particular government involved to an amount that does not corrupt our political system.

To overturn a Supreme Court decision requires a Constitutional Amendment, which must have the approval of 38 states.  We already have 16 states that have passed language that would overturn Citizens United; we need 22 more.  Here in the state of Washington, our legislature has not been cooperative on this issue, so if we want to become state #17, we have to get an initiative on the state ballot for a vote of the people.  But to get on the ballot requires 250,000 signatures on petitions.

Volunteer signature gatherers have been working very hard since April 25 to make this happen.  We now have over 165,000 signatures statewide, but we need many more by the end of the calendar year.  If ever you were thinking of getting involved in a campaign that would make a huge difference to improve our democracy, this is the time.  We can’t accomplish this without more volunteers.  A great place to gather signatures is at the ferry landing on your island.  You can also gather signatures outside stores (with their permission, preferably) or the Post Office. Or you can simply take a petition to have your friends sign.

If you are willing to help us in this noble cause, please contact one of the following:

San Juan Island
Shireene Hale       298-2465      shireeneh [@] yahoo [.] com

Lopez Island
Mac Langford       468-4015       tyttil [@] rockisland [.] com

Orcas Island
David Turnoy       376-4165       davidgeri [@] centurylink [.] net

This is your chance to show that people power can take back our democracy.  We all want to leave a better country to our children; this is our opportunity to make it happen.

Lower Spring Street with Brown Island in the Background – SJ Historical Society photo

It’s time once again for the monthly History Column from the San Juan Historical Society…

“Whenever I take up a newspaper, I seem to see ghosts gliding between the lines.”  Henrik Ibsen, Ghosts

What does local history have to do with ghosts? Plenty. October’s scary tales can have historical roots, evoking our curiosity about those who walked our streets before us. This undated Spring Street image records the existence of bakeries, a soda fountain, and a pool hall. Who worked in these buildings? Who were the finely dressed citizens on the street? Did any of them make it into a local ghost story? Why is a particular building said to have odd sounds at night? These are the questions that haunt local storytellers. And this is a time for storytellers.

This month, the San Juan Historical Museum invites you to free walking tours for Savor the San Juans month. On October 17, meet at the Roche Harbor Pioneer Cemetery for stories of little Ralphie Lincoln, Elisabeth the school teacher, Kendo Yasuda and many other lime works families. On October 31, Halloween, it’s a Friday Harbor Ghost Walk, with a downtown route starting at Memorial Park. Both are Saturday tours starting at 1:00 p.m., rain or shine. Come hear about the history of our island, sprinkled with local ghost tales originating from these historic sites. Details at www.visitsanjuans.com/savor.

DVSAS Would Like to Send Out a Very Special Thank You

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services held it’s annual “Beautiful You” Fashion Show on October 4, at Brickworks. We had a very successful event and would like to thank all those amazing people who helped to make it happen.

The Shop Owners, because what is a fashion show without fashion

• Debbie Dardanelli (Girlfriends Consignment Boutique)
• Kim Wickman (Be Chic Boutique)
• Karrie King (Second Act Consignment Boutique)
  and Kathy Tochluck for standing in for her.
• Teresa Chevalier, Manager, Kings Sportswear
• Necia Quast, Vintage Wear

And a big THANK YOU to all the beautiful models

Those who Donated Food, and what yummy food it was

• Richard Daly, San Juan Island Cheese
• Cynthia Burke, Cynthia’s, Of Course
• Laurie Paul and Tim Barrett, Market Chef
• Kings Market, $50 gift card

Guard and Connie Sundstrom for use of all the amazing pumpkins and gourds used for decoration.

All the AMAZING Volunteers who gave so generously of their time and energy

Heather Spaulding, Bette Cantrell, Angelica Hadeen, Robin Jacobson, Marcy Hahn, Mary Campanella, Angela Douglas, The Stand Up Men with leader Richard Low and hairstylist and make-up artist for the models, Dana Bune with assistant Alma.

Thank you John Stamey and Lenore Bayuk for the donation of the beautiful bamboo plants.

Our event wouldn’t have been a success without your contribution.

Patricia Brightman, Staff Manager
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of the San Juan Islands

Soroptimists International of Friday Harbor Spent $16,500 Supporting Cancer Patients

Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor’s (SIFRI) Cancer Transportation Fund has provided over $16,500 for ferry tickets for cancer patients and their caregivers in the recently completed 2014-2015 fiscal year. In recent years, the fund has often received designated gifts from foundations that covered the annual costs. This year such gifts covered a little more than half the cost. Memorial gifts in remembrance of two former beneficiaries of the fund and pledges at the annual St. Patrick’s Extravaganza made up part of the shortfall, The remaining shortfall will come out of SIFRI reserves.

This is the twelfth year that fund has operated, providing ferry tickets to cancer patients and their caregivers living on San Juan Island and being treated on the mainland. SIFRI refer people who need to fly to the San Juan Eagles, who provide free private airplane trips to the mainland for cancer patients.

This summer, Joyce Sobel took over from Julie Hanks as the Ferry Ticket Coordinator. The Cancer Transportation Fund has a new dedicated telephone number and e-mail for clients needing ferry tickets. The new phone number for the Cancer Ferry Ticket Project is: 360-298-0459* or 360-378-4921 (*please do not sent texts to this number).
The email is: soroptimistferrytickets [@] gmail [.] com . The contact for the San Juan Eagles is Soroptimist Vicky Thalacker (378-4578).

Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is a service club with the mission of improving the lives of women and girls locally and internationally. As a 501(c)3 organization any donation that you may want to make to support our work is tax deductible. To find out more about the work we do or to make a donation please go to our website at: www.sifri.org