The Cedar Grove Trail at Mitchell Hill – Tim Dustrude photo – Click to enlarge

Jerald Weaver, Acting Superintendent of San Juan Island NHP – Contributed photo

Meet Jerald Weaver, Acting Superintendent of San Juan Island National Historical Park, to walk at Mitchell Hill through cedar groves, Garry Oak woodland.

Hear about park plans for this area and learn what has been completed over the summer. Meet at English Camp main parking lot to carpool to trail head.

• Distance: 3-mile loop
• Rating: moderate
• Terrain: wooded trail with significant ups and downs
• Dogs on leashes okay
• Rain or shine

Saturday September 26, 2015, 1:00 – 4:00 pm.

I just heard that the Friday Harbor Film Festival has chosen Alicia Malone as their Emcee for this year’s event. Who is she, you ask? Well here’s your answer…

Alicia Malone – Contributed photo

Alicia Malone is a film reporter, critic, TV host, writer, and all around movie geek. She developed her taste for film at a young age in her native Australia, spending many a Friday night pajama-clad at the video store, picking out 7 films for 7 days for $7. Years later, she could be seen hosting movie-centric shows and reviewing films on network TV channels across Australia.

In early 2011 Alicia said goodbye to her family, packed two suitcases and moved to LA, the film capital of the world. Since then Alicia has appeared as a guest, or has conducted film interviews for America’s Access Hollywood, E!, The Insider, Entertainment Tonight, HLN’s The Daily Share, MTV, AMC Theaters, Fandango, Screen Junkies, Afterbuzz TV, BiteSize TV, IGN, Reelz, EPIX, Australia’s Today Show, Studio 10, Movie Juice, Foxtel Movie Show, Event Cinemas, and New Zealand’s Breakfast on TVNZ One.

Alicia has traveled the world to cover the Cannes Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, Fantastic Fest and Comic-Con, and has interviewed nearly every movie star you could name, hugging all the hot male ones, and Oprah. Hey, she’s only human. She also wrote this bio, but knew it would sound way less egotistical if written in third person.

Dear Editor,

I recently had the opportunity to meet with Hospital Commission candidates, Barbara Sharp, Bill Williams and Monica Harrington at a hosted candidate coffee. It was a comfortable way to meet each of these candidates and get to know them and what they are all about. I was so encouraged after meeting this dynamic trio that these are the 3 pieces to the puzzle we’ve been missing, found them.   What a serendipitous collaboration of knowledge and expertise that they would offer this community as the new hospital commissioners.

I am an ER Nurse and I used to work for Inter Island Medical Center. Since 2006 I have worked at Island Hospital in Anacortes. Continue Reading

Mitchell Hill volunteers and Park Staff install new signage at Mitchell Hill – Contributed photo

UPDATED – Meet at English Camp parking lot – not the Maintenance Facility

Learn how trails are planned and built and enjoy a little exercise and the great outdoors during a trail workshop in the park’s Mitchell Hill area trail network scheduled 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Saturday October 3rd.

Click to see the Park’s map of the Mitchell Hill area – (PDF)

This hands-on free activity is jointly conducted by the park, the San Juan County Land Bank, The San Juan Trails Committee and the Bureau of land Management. The workshop will meet at the English Camp parking lot and then vanpool to Mitchell Hill where participants will have the opportunity to work on two different trail projects.

Space is limited to 25 participants. To reserve a place, call David Harsh, park maintenance worker at (360) 378-2240, ext. 2232, or education specialist Raena Parsons at ext. 2222. Please R.S.V.P. by Friday September 25.

The BLM’s Nick Teague will lead the educational / inspirational portion of the Workshop: The Art and Philosophy of Hand Tool Trail Maintenance.

Additionally the program will include: Continue Reading

Free Classes – Contributed photo

Join certified instructor, Alice Hibberd, for an hour of yoga calm. Yoga Calm is a series of creative exercises for strength,
confidence, concentration, and more.

Held in the San Juan Island Library Meeting Room. All materials provided. Please wear comfortable clothing for stretching and floor activities. No registration required. Drop-ins welcome.

This program is co-sponsored by the SJI Prevention Coalition and funded by United Way of San Juan County. For more information, call the library at 378-2798 or email Alice at sacredchildren [@] rockisland [.] com.

Saturday, Sept. 26th in the Library Meeting Room

• 12-12:30 PM ( Preschool, age 4 & 5)
• 1-2 PM (Parent and Child, K-6th)
• 2:30-3:30 PM (K-2nd Grades)
• 3:30-4:30 PM (3rd-6th Grades)

The public is invited to SJIEMS Chief Candidate Meet And Greet

Thursday, September 24, 2015, at 5:30 p.m

Frank Wilson Memorial EMS Building
1079 Spring Street

Watch the papers for more meet and greets with additional candidates.

County Council Places Review of Proposed Greenhouse Regulations on Hold

San Juan County Council Chairman Bob Jarman announced today that he will not calendar any further Council review of the proposed greenhouse regulations until the Dept. of Community Development has had an opportunity to reevaluate the draft regulations, and take into consideration all of the public comment received over the past several months.

“On behalf of Council I would like to thank all of those who took the time to provide us with their comments,” Jarman stated. “I would also like to thank the Agricultural Resources Committee and the Grange for hosting the recent public meetings on the issue.”

It is not anticipated that the Council will revisit the proposed greenhouse regulations any time soon.  “We currently have two important pieces of legislation before us – the update to the Shoreline Management Program and the update to the Eastsound Sub-Area plan,” Jarman said.  “They demand our full attention and we need to continue to focus on them if Council is going to complete its review this year.”

The Football/Soccer field at the end of Carter Avenue – SJ Update photo

You are invited to come down to the Park at the end of Carter Street Saturday September 26, 2015.

There will be 4 Tiger Football games, Friday Harbor will be hosting teams from Oak Harbor, Burlington, and Lakewood.

Significant progress has been made. Come enjoy a Hamburger or a hot dog see the Park we are building for the community.

Any Questions
Contact:
John Kurtz
Chairman Friday Harbor Fields Board
(360) 378-2926
[email protected]

The San Juan County Textile Guild is pleased to announce that they are sponsoring a Craft and FiberArts Expo on San Juan Island (with special thanks to the Association of Northwest Weavers http://northwestweavers.org for their sponsorship).

Learn a new craft, re-visit something that you have enjoyed doing in the past, and explore new possibilities! There are so many unique crafts to choose from!

Enter to win inspiring, fabulous, door prizes and watch projects take shape from start to finish.

Have you ever wanted to learn more about a particular type of craft or fiberart? Have you ever wondered “how did they do that”? Have you considered what type craft or fiberart might be the right one for you?

Join us and learn about:

• Quilting
• Knitting and Crocheting
• Felting
• Spinning and Weaving
• Basketry
• Small handworks such as beading, needlework, hand embroidery, sashiko

We look forward to sharing an exciting day with our community. Stay for the day or stay just a bit. Join us for lots of demonstrations, hands-on learning, and inspiration!

• When:            Saturday, September 26, 2015
• Where:          The Mullis Center, 589 Nash Street, Friday Harbor
• Hours:           10:00 am to 4:00 pm

For more information or to download our brochure, please visit:         http://www.sjctextileguild.org/

Contributed photo

The staff of San Juan Island Fitness and Swim Team coaches would like to thank all those who attended our Swim Team Round Up. It was a fabulous gathering of over 25 swimmers, some veterans and some just learning about the local swim team. All of the participants were enthusiastic, delightful young people who listened, laughed, ate and swam in the pool with gusto.

If you know a swimmer between the ages 7-18 who can swim a full lap without stopping and is interested in joining the team, tryouts will be Monday OCTOBER 12 & Tuesday OCTOBER 13 beginning at 3:15. For veteran team members, those will be the 2 days we are measuring for team swimsuits and a time to turn in completed registration forms.

A special thanks to the parent, student and community volunteers who help make events like this go smoothly. A giant thank you to Paul Hopkins, owner of San Juan Island Fitness Club, for helping in so many ways to make this possible. He graciously provides devoted pool time, coaching and cooks a terrific cheeseburger too!

If you want to learn more, or help with team events, stop by San Juan Island Fitness, 435 Argyle Ave, or call 378-4449. Here’s to another successful swim team year!

The Brickworks was the “place to be” Friday night, as over 100 people attended the first ever Wine Tasting and Art Auction to benefit the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor.

Attendees had an opportunity to taste and purchase four new private label wines featuring art labels by local artists, Jaime Ellsworth, Annie Adams, Nancy Spaulding and Shannon Borg. Over 70 pieces of art were available through both a silent and live auction and by the end of the evening the event had raised over $10,000 for the animal shelter’s operation fund.

APS-FH plans to host this event annually, so if you missed the fun Friday night you’ll have another chance to take part in the fun next year!

Debbi Fincher, Luke Fincher, Elsedora Arendt, Elizabeth Anderson (subbing for MacAlister Arendt), Scott Dow (Child’s Play) – Contributed photo

Dorian and Lynda:  Dorian Oliver and Lynda Guernsey( Out of Area)

(Almost) Anything Goes in Annual Playwrights Fest

Marcy Hahn  (Revenge of the Leaf Blower) – Contributed photo

“Come play with us!” urged Playwrights “On the Fringe” coordinator Julie Laidlaw—a plea that helped inspire 10 short plays and monologues that will be presented on San Juan Community Theatre’s Whittier stage Tuesday through Saturday, September 22-26 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 27 at 2:00 p.m.

Laidlaw’s goal for Playwrights “On the Fringe” is for island writers to have their voice heard and for director, actor and tech “newbies” to take the plunge and get involved. She says the variety of ages and skill levels has been impressive and noted a common theme of life, death and technology among several of the plays. “What writers are saying has a lot to do with modern technology, the direction society is heading and how we’re dealing with that,” said Laidlaw.

The festival has been divided into two acts in the six days it will be presented.

ACT I – September 22, 24, 26 features these entries: Continue Reading

There will be a double celebration at the Yacht Club at 5:30 on Saturday September 26th when San Juan Nature Institute holds its annual dinner and auction. San Juan Nature Institute is celebrating its 21st year of environmental education that started with a three- day series of workshops led by Dr Eugene Kozloff, now about to celebrate his 95 birthday!

Tickets to the event are $50 per person, available at the door, though reservations are requested to ensure adequate seating. Reserve your place on- line at www.sjnature.org or by phone 378-3646 or email science [@] sjnature [.] org.

Dinner will be catered by Farhad Ghatan, owner of the new bed and breakfast, The Friday Harbor Grand, with a birthday cake by Felicitations. There will be an eclectic array of live and silent auctions including western art and framed prints of photographs by Edward Curtis featuring his portraits of Native American Chiefs. These and some very special pieces of pottery and indigenous art were donated by a generous friend of San Juan Nature Institute. We anticipate lively bidding!

Please call or go online to reserve your place and support San Juan Nature Institute’s education programs that offer opportunities for people of all ages to learn about the unique natural history of the archipelago.

Brooke is this week’s Pet of the Week – Traci Walter photo

Look, can we talk? My name is Brooke and I’m worried. Halloween is fast approaching and after October 1 there’s going to be a 30-day moratorium on black cat adoptions at the animal shelter.

Not that I mind it here! They’re very nice to me and the food isn’t bad, but what I really had in mind was my own soft bed in my own home… Soon.

I’m very lovable – not to mention gorgeous as you can see by my photo. Any chance you’d like to “spring me” before the end of the month? I’d be ever so grateful. Have your people call my people!

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

Celebrating diversity in fashion and women – Enjoy an afternoon with friends while viewing selections from our local shops.

Proceeds benefit Domestic Violence and Sexual Services of the San Juan Islands (DVSAS) in their work towards safer families and a healthier community.

• Sunday, October 4, 2:00 pm
• Brickworks, 150 Nichols Street
• Tickets $20.00 (includes snacks and beverage)

There will be Adult refreshments available for purchase and a dessert auction.
Purchase tickets at DVSAS, Girlfriends, Be Chic, Spa D’Bune and Kings Sportswear.

Connie and Tom Odegard – Contributed photo

Tom and Connie arrived on the Island with their 30′ Fisher Northeaster in tow via I-5. They left Oakland, California wanting to sail around the Pacific Northwest and visit family who lived here. After a spell of sailing they thought it might be a good idea to have a home in the area, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

They chose a piece of land off Egg Lake Road near the Eagle Crest fire station, sold the boat, bought the property, built their home themselves, and have been here for 30 years. However, they still go back to Oakland for half of every year. They are still able to serve the public here in Friday Harbor often and well.

Connie is a retired 8th grade Math teacher and Tom did house painting. They are both massage therapists and both hold licenses as holistic health practioner educators from the state of California.

After the big storm of 1991, Tom went to the then county fire office to get a burn permit to burn all his slash and arrived home with an application to join the county fire department. Through the years, he has received almost every award the department has to offer.

Connie signed up and worked with the American Red Cross. At that time, the fire department didn’t have a Logistics Team (they prepare food and serve it to the firefighters during lengthy fires) so her job with the Red Cross was to procure sandwiches and coffee from local vendors like King’s, the Donut Shop, and the China Pearl and deliver it to the fire scene. When the new fire station was built on Mullis Street, Connie moved from the Red Cross to the newly formed Logistics Community in the Fire Department working out of its kitchen. For years when the town station ran the pancake breakfast, she was the friendly cashier you’d meet when you got in line. Continue Reading