Listen Up! Stories for Grownups
Mullis Center lounge. The San Juan Island Library reads to adults each Monday after the senior lunch. Participants don’t just sit quietly. We all share our reactions to what we read, and may discuss other books we’ve read that pertain to the librarian’s selection. Stop in to hear adventure travel, writing, history, science and more. Work the jig saw puzzle or do needlework while you listen and share feedback. Listen Up takes place each Monday at 1:15 p.m. except holidays.

Conscientious Projector
Documentary Series with Rob Simpson
San Juan Island Library, free. Each month series host Rob Simpson picks out a film of particular interest. This month, he screens Bought: The Truth Behind Vaccines, Big Pharma & Your Food. That’s 3 big topics in one ambitious film. The filmmakers explain: “We’re going to use multiple groups to make sure the critical messages in this film ‘cross the chasm’ and makes [sic] it into mainstream.” Find out what they mean, and why they chose to tackle 3 messages at the same time. The screening is followed by a lively discussion and accompanied by organic popcorn and beverages provided by the Friends of the Library.
Monday, September 21, at 7pm

Culture and Cuisine with Sandhya Sreerama
San Juan Island Library meeting room, free. New island resident Sandhya Sreerama will share two Indian dishes, including recipes, as she demonstrates the cooking, the culture, and samples of the food. Come learn about Indian cooking, and how different it can be from what we see in U.S. Indian restaurants. Register at the Library information desk.
Wednesday, September 23, from 2-4pm

Gary Austin Gibbons July 31, 1949 – August 12, 2015

Former Friday Harbor resident and long-time Sheriff’s Office Dispatcher, Gary Gibbons, died Aug 12, 2015 in Victoria Canada of bladder cancer.

Gary graduated from Mt. Tahoma H.S. in Tacoma in 1964; Bates Vocational Institute in Broadcasting in 1966; and Tacoma Community College in 1976 in Journalism and Business. Gary was a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1963 to 1993 serving as a Communications Supervisor. He was on active duty in Viet Nam from 1966 to 1968 where he was exposed to Agent Orange. He was recalled to active duty in 1991 to serve in the Persian Gulf during the First Gulf War, and earned the Meritorious Service Medal.

Gary was News Director and talk show host on KAYE Broadcasting in Puyallup from 1970 to 1973; Communications Supervisor for the City of Puyallup from 1973 to 1980; Vice President of Forrest and Gibbons Communications Consulting from 1980 to 1983; Support Services Manager for the Kodiak Alaska Police Dept from 1983 to 1985; a board member of KMXT Public Radio in Kodiak from 1983 to 1985; and Communications Specialist for King County Police Dept before moving to Friday Harbor.

After moving to Friday Harbor, Gary served as the Public Information Officer for the Town of Friday Harbor Fire Dept for several years, and as a Dispatcher with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office for 12 years.

Gary was a member of the Tacoma and Kodiak Elks Club, the American Legion, the Puyallup Valley Lions Club, plus several professional organizations.

For the last 10 years, Gary hosted an internet radio blues and jazz program. He also liked to paint, read, and golf, and was a gourmet cook. He shared his culinary creations and coffee with fellow workers here at the Sheriff’s Office where he worked from 1997 to 2009.

He had a great sense of humor and was always willing to lend a hand to his friends and with various community organizations.

Gary will be sorely missed by his wife of 18 years, Lorrie; his children Tiffany, Natalie and Darren; grandchildren Henry, Isla and Mira; and of course his friends and co-workers at the Sheriff’s Office – his Friday Harbor family.

A memorial service was held in Tacoma on Aug 22, and a private ceremony shall be held in Victoria, B.C.

Lopez Island, Wash. — This year’s National Public Lands Day is Saturday, Sept. 26. The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) event will be hosted by Odlin County Park and co-hosted by Spencer Spit State Park on Lopez Island’s north end from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be the tenth year National Public Lands Day is celebrated on the island. Planned activities include kayaking, footbridge construction, a beach clean-up, marine invertebrate identification, nature walks, trail projects and kid-friendly activities including an environmentally focused story time and a scavenger hunt.

“Odlin County Park is glad to be a part of the National Public Lands Day tradition on the San Juan Islands this year.” says David St. George, Park Manager.

National Public Lands Day is a fairly young event, founded only 21 years ago in 1994 but its scope belies its age. Last year 175,000 people participated at 2,132 sites across the country and in Puerto Rico. The events focus on environmental education and making connections between people and lands as well as improvements to public lands.

At Odlin County Park you will find fun and helpful work projects such as footbridge construction and trail work as well as environmental education activities including marine invertebrate identification, a nature walk and an all-day kids table.

Spencer Spit State Park has kayak rides, Leave No Trace sea kayak instruction and a beach clean-up. The day will conclude at Odlin County Park with snacks and a raffle.

A variety of partners have come together to make National Public Lands Day a celebration to remember this year, including The San Juan County Parks & Fair Department, Spencer Spit State Park, The San Juan Islands National Monument, The San Juan County Land Bank, The Lopez Community Trails Network, The San Juan Nature Institute, Leave No Trace and Wolf Hollow as well as many private community members.

For more information please contact BLM Event Coordinator Stacy Bower at (360) 468-3754. To learn more about NPLD, please visit the Media Center at www.publiclandsday.org/.

WSF Yakima at Friday Harbor Ferry Landing – Tim Dustrude photo

Don’t forget, the Fall ferry schedule begins Sunday, September 20th.

You can click here to see it online, or click here to download it as a PDF.

Click to enlarge poster

Monday, September 21 at Noon at the SJI Grange
from the League of Women Voters of the SJ Islands

Affordable housing is in short supply in San Juan County, and without living options we risk our community’s health and economic future.

All interested citizens are invited to join the League of Women Voters of the San Juans Monday, September 21 at Noon at the San Juan Island Grange for a panel discussion on the extent of the problem and how we can work to fix it.

Our program, “Gimme Shelter,” will feature panelists:

• Greg Winter, Director of the Homeless Services Center of the Opportunity Council in Bellingham and leader of that agency’s community needs assessment for San Juan and other counties
• Nancy DeVaux, Executive Director of the San Juan Island Home Trust and Chair of the County’s Housing Bank Commission
• Justin Roche, Executive Director of Homes for Islanders, which sponsors sweat-equity home building projects
• and Lisa Byers, Executive Director of OPAL (Of People and the Land) on Orcas Island and a nationally recognized authority on housing affordability.

Barriers to home ownership, availability of reasonably priced rentals, seasonal population pressures, land use regulations and variety of other factors influence housing affordability and supply. This meeting will offer a chance to explore the difficulties and to brainstorm solutions so our people can have roofs over their heads. Continue Reading

To Scale: The Solar System from Wylie Overstreet on Vimeo.

Saw this today and thought I would share it…

On a dry lakebed in Nevada, a group of friends build the first scale model of the solar system with complete planetary orbits: a true illustration of our place in the universe.

A film by Wylie Overstreet and Alex Gorosh

Red Scarecrow – Contributed photo

Fall has officially landed and Island Rec is making half-size scarecrows at its Farmer’s Market booth. Enter your scarecrow creation in the Great Island Farm Grown Parade as well. All materials provided, though you may bring old small clothes or other supplies you want to put on your own creation. This is a free event and fun for all ages.

Oct 3, 10-1:00, Farmer’s Market – Brickworks

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

There are 6 candidates running for three hospital board positions. Meet the candidates and hear their positions. BE AN INFORMED VOTER!

Refreshments will be served. 

Written questions for any single candidate or for all candidates may be submitted in advance to editor [@] islandguardian [.] com

• Wednesday, September 30, at 5:30pm
• Mullis Community Senior Center

The San Juan Island Library District (www.sjlib.org) is seeking enthusiastic, flexible, customer service oriented individuals to serve as on-call library substitutes to provide service to patrons at the Library’s public service desks.  Responsibilities include filling in for regular Library staff as needed, and assisting patrons in using library resources and services.  Excellent people skills, computer experience, and a bachelor’s degree are required.  Successful experience in library public service and experience with computers in libraries preferred.

This is a flexible, on-call position, evenings and weekends included, with hourly wages of $16.33 per hour, no benefits.  Submit cover letter and resumé by email (sjlib [@] sjlib [.] org), mail (San Juan Island Library, Attn: Director, 1010 Guard St., Friday Harbor, WA 98250), or in person at the Library.  Applications must be received by 5:00 pm, Friday, October 2, 2015.

Coming to Friday Harbor Elementary – America’s Most Practical and Entertaining Parent Training

Becoming a Love and Logic Parent^®

A parent training program designed by the Love and Logic^® Institute, Inc.

Would you like to feel more confident as a parent? Would you like to have more fun parenting? Would you like to feel more relaxed?

Would you like answers to:

• How do I get them out of bed in time to catch the school bus?
• How can I stop my children from bickering and fighting?
• How do I get my children to help with the chores without an argument?
• Is there a way to discipline my toddler in public without creating a scene?
• How can I get my teenage daughter to come home at the agreed-upon time?
• How do I get him to stop spitting his peas and whining at dinner?
• And many other day-to-day parenting challenges…

This parenting program is designed to give you practical skills that can be used immediately!

• Dates: Tuesdays – October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, November 3rd and 10th.
• Time: 5:30pm-7:00 pm
• Location: Friday Harbor Elementary School
  95 Grover Street-in the library

Get the registration form at this link (PDF).

The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will help honor National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, Sept 22nd in front of Friday Harbor Drug Store.

We are looking especially to register young voters just after they turn 18, and new residents who hope to vote in this year’s island elections, the League will man a table all that day on Spring Street.

The deadline for voter registration for the November 3rd election is October 5th, although first-time Washington State voters may register to vote in person at the County Elections office (across from the Sheriff’s office) until October 26th.

Richard from the Cheese shop shares this about his oldest daughter…

Tim,

Happy after Labor Day! Hope fall is off to a great start for you.
Not sure if I have mentioned the plight of our oldest daughter, Aoife, and her husband Eddy, to you.
This link explains it pretty well: https://www.gofundme.com/aoife-eddy-delcan

If you think this worth sharing on the Update, that would be helpful, and we would be appreciative.
Thanks!

Richard

ORCAS ISLAND, WASHINGTON — The Concerto Project has announced the launch of a $10 million capital campaign to fund the purchase of Mount Baker Farm and Scenic Railroad on Orcas Island and the construction of five homes for professional staff and participants.

Entrance to the estate – Contributed photo

The Concerto Project was begun in 2013 to create a much-needed living and learning residential transition program in the Pacific Northwest. Its mission is to provide young adults on the autism spectrum with the vocational, social, and practical skills necessary for engaged and sustainable living through a supportive, focused and individualized two-year program.

The Pacific Northwest has few opportunities that meet the increasing needs of young adults on the autism spectrum to develop the skills and confidence to transition to adulthood, while sharing meaningful lives in a home-like environment. In addition to self-advocacy, Concerto’s programs will teach young residents to modify their environments to suit their needs; to seek friendships that will support them and where they can be equals; to develop the daily living skills they need to be healthy and settled; and to find gainful work that will sustain them.

“The Concerto Project presents a valuable opportunity that helps to meet the increasing needs of young adults on the autism spectrum. It will address a huge gap by providing vital services that develop the skills of this underserved population. I am impressed by its well-rounded and unique approach, and am convinced that it will provide the tools needed to help build strong families and a stronger community.”   Kristine Lytton, House Majority Floor Leader, Washington State Legislature Continue Reading

A screen capture from Shelby Earl’s new video, shot here on San Juan Island. Click the link below to watch the video and see how many locations you recognize.

Just heard this cool story from Jenn Furber on Wednesday…

Today a music video launches.  It was filmed entirely on San Juan Island by Friday Harbor Residents Jennifer Furber and Casey Sjogren with their production company Neon Tide.  Friday Harbor local Kerry Andrews also assisted in the production of this video and features her locally-made Deer Hazel jewelry line.  The video is for popular Seattle-based musician Shelby Earl.

Here is the Wall Street Journal link from today: click here.

Carla Wright of San Juan Island Rotary Club shares this Publicity announcement…

Local Rotary clubs are celebrating Peace Day on Monday September 21st by offering Peace Scholarships at 6 universities around the world. There are two Rotary Intenational peace scholarship programs; one is a 15 to 24 month course for a Master’s Degree and the other is a 3 month course for a Professional Development Certificate.

These scholarships include tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship/field study expenses. The Master’s Degree program is for individuals who have already obtained a degree and intend to work or are working in a profession related to peace and conflict resolution. The three month Professional Development Certificate is for people currently working in a career which has a peace related element, such as social workers, police, or other first responders or emergency personnel.

The United Nations established the International Day of Peace in 1981. September 21st is the annual date for the observation of the International Day of Peace to encourage global ceasefire and non-violence.

On Peace Day, people around the world take part in various activities and organize events centered on the theme of peace. Events vary from private gatherings to public concerts and forums involving large audiences.

Activities can include interfaith peace ceremonies, a toast for peace, a peace choir, lighting a candle, peace prayers, a peace convoy of vehicles, tree planting for peace, art exhibits promoting peace, picnics for peace, and peace walks.

To help “build peace”, Rotary International offers 50 Master’s scholarships to five universities worldwide and 50 Certificate scholarships. The selection process starts in local Rotary Clubs. The Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution are one of Rotary’s major educational priorities. The Rotary Foundation has established partnerships with universities in Japan, Sweden, England, Australia, Thailand, and North Carolina, USA.

Applicants for the Master’s Degree program must have earned an undergraduate degree and be proficient in English and a second language. For more information contact your local Rotary Club or Rotary Peace Chair, Jack Rae at [email protected]

Flu Shots Offered by San Juan County Health in September
Flu season is here and it is time to get your flu shot! San Juan County Health and Community Services will be offering influenza immunization clinics at their Friday Harbor office (145 Rhone Street) on:

• September 24, 2015, 1:00pm-4:30pm
• September 29, 2015, 1:00pm-4:30pm
• October 9, 2015, 9:00am-1:00pm
• October 16, 2015, 12:00pm-4:00pm

Call for appointment at San Juan County Health & Community Services: 378-4474.

The charge for adult flu vaccine is $38; and $23 for children. Medicaid, Medicare and Group Health Insurance plans can be billed.

Walk-in immunization clinics are also scheduled at the following locations:

Shaw Community Center
October 5, 2015, 10:30am-3:00pm
Shaw Island

Orcas Senior Center
October 7, 2015, 11:00am-2:00pm
62 Henry Road, Eastsound

Additional clinics will be announced by San Juan County Health & Community Services later this fall.