Friends of Lime Kiln Society (F.O.L.K.S.) sends this invitation to you for their annual fly-by at the lighthouse…

Please share!

Eager jam tasters – Contributed photo

The Food Preservation Department will be a beehive of activity at this year’s Strawberry Fields For Heifer San Juan County Fair.

There will be People’s Choice – Jam and Jelly tastings daily at the Food Preservation Department at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM daily. Fairgoers are invited to stop by and taste some of the jams and jellies, then vote on their favorite sweet taste in the People’s Choice Awards.

In addition the Food Preservation booth will feature FREE workshops throughout the fair to answer all your questions about safe food preservation and the criteria used by judges in determining the best of show preserved foods. Check the San Juan County Fair website and the signs at the Food Preservation Department for the schedule of presentations.

Attention Property Owners in the Yacht Haven Neighborhoods
By Merri Ann Simonson – Coldwell Banker SJI

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

A Fiber Committee has recently been formed for the neighborhoods that access their property off of Yacht Haven.  If you know of anyone in those areas, please share this article with them.

First of all, we would like to thank the Shorett Family for installing the conduit for future fiber to a good portion of Yacht Haven and Shorett Drive which will reduce the overall costs of the neighborhood’s middle mile.

The initial work has begun to collect the contact information for those individual property owners that want to investigate the cost of fiber to their property.  Continue Reading

Drought & Water Conservation Presented by Linda Lyshall

The Whale Museum is pleased to welcome Linda Lyshall as part of the 2015 Summer Lecture Series on Friday, August 7th at 6:30 p.m. The lecture will focus on Drought & Water Conservation in the San Juan Islands.

Linda Lyshall is the District Manager for the San Juan Islands Conservation District. She has a long-held passion for natural resource conservation and over a decade of experience implementing conservation projects and programs with state and local government. Prior to her work with the Conservation District, she initiated the King County Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C) to help empower local climate action.

The August 7th lecture event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (360) 378-4710 ext. 30.

The Whale Museum is located in Friday Harbor at 62 First St. N. Founded in 1976, The Whale Museum’s mission is to promote stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. In addition to providing exhibits, the Museum also provides programs including the Marine Naturalist Training, Orca Adoption Program, Soundwatch Boater Education, San Juan Islands Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and the Whale Hotline. The Whale Museum can be found online at www.whalemuseum.org.

Here is Michelle Loftus’ campaign statement…

Michelle & Kevin Loftus and family – Katie Jones photo

I am Dr. Michelle Loftus. When I am Hospital District Commissioner I will bring not only administrative experience to the district but also managerial, business, political and medical knowledge.

I will support EMS by developing a PR campaign explaining the need to have the 2016 EMS Levy passed. The message is simple. If we don’t pass the levy in 2016, EMS goes away. That will not happen because I will explain the specific needs and costs to the community. It will be fiscally conservative and we will all feel comfortable about the decision.

I will also best relate to EMS needs as a member of the medical community. As a veterinarian I am trained in public health. I know the stress of providing emergency care to a patient. I know how to compartmentalize emotion to think straight and do my job. I know the toll such work can take on a person as well.

I will not initiate a challenge the district’s subsidy agreement with Peace Health nor will I attempt an amendment to force an abortion issue. District money would be better used in providing EMS needs of staff and equipment. Peace Health money and time would be best used to provide our life comforting services instead of arguing a change in the agreement. I want to keep our tax money in the district and out of court. Presently women’s reproductive needs are well met in our district through private providers, PIMC and Planned Parenthood.

Visit my Facebook page at “Loftus for Hospital Commissioner” for updates in this election.

When I am Hospital commissioner I will work diligently for our island’s security of quality health care. I would appreciate your vote August 4th and November 3rd.

Frank Penwell shares this agenda with you for Tuesday’s Community Treasures Evolution  gathering…

Click to enlarge poster

Several have asked for more details on Tuesdays gathering, because they have bowling or have other events to attend.  Here is the proposed time frame:  It is ok to skip dinner and come late.

Thanks for your interest,
Frank

Please Join the CT Evolution this Tuesday at the Senior Center! Supporters of Community Treasures are invited to join us for dinner at the Mullis Senior Center on Tuesday, August 4th at 6:15. RSVP for your complimentary dinner to 370-5562 or 378-6473.

• 6:10 pm – Dinner starts
• 6:15 isn – Master of Ceremony – Welcome and introduces Terry Lush to play some music during dinner.
• 6:20 – 6:35 isn – Terry Lush plays accordion while people are eating
• 6:45 – 6:50 pm   Master of Ceremony – Comments and Introduction of speaker
• 6:50 – 7:10 – Speaker presentation on the evolution of CT, the Fair Booth, and the Commemorative contest.
• 7:10 – 7:20 – Q & A time, while desserts are being passed out.
• 7:20 – 7:30 – Master of Ceremony introduces Jimmy Moe and Jimmy Moe sings.

Click to enlarge poster

San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Island National Historical Park are teaming up to bring you our first ever Star Party on Mount Grant Preserve! The preserve is a perfect spot for experiencing the wonders of the night sky due to its location far from city lights and its expansive night views.

Weather permitting, telescopes will be available for observing the celestial night sky, and kiddos will have the opportunity to become Junior Ranger Night Explorers!

Saturday, August 8, 2015 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm at Mount Grant Preserve, San Juan Island

Meet and Park at English Camp Parking Lot. Free round-trip shuttle service to the top of Mount Grant Preserve will be provided. There will be NO public parking or driving to the top at Mount Grant Preserve. The shuttle will pick up visitors at English Camp at 8:30 pm, 9:30 pm, and 10:30 pm. Return shuttle only at 11:30 pm from Mount Grant Preserve summit.

The public is welcome. No fee or advance reservations are necessary. Flashlights with red lens are recommended and please dress for the weather.

Please call Tanja at the Land Bank (360-370-7655) for more information.

If you’d like the tastiest volunteering position at the fair, join us in the Baking Department at this year’s fair.

Two-hour slots are available from check-in and judging on Tuesday to staffing the booth Wednesday through Saturday.

No experience needed for any of the positions–instructions will be provided to all participants by e-mail or a hard copy is available at Printonyx.

To sign up, go to http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0948aca82ca13-20153 or call Superintendent Kristine Brown at 378-3432.

County Parks & Fair office – Contributed photo

During County Fair week, August 10-14, (the Fair itself is Aug. 12-15) the County Parks Administration office will have very limited walk-in access by appointment only. With the Parks office now situated on the Fairgrounds, parking and access to the office will be difficult while the County Fair is underway. Your inquiries by email and phone are encouraged during regular business hours. Please call us at 378-8420 or e-mail parks [@] sanjuanco [.] com. The Parks office will be back in full swing on Monday, August 17.

This year, all Fair-related business will still be handled at the Fair office trailer near the South Gate on Dougherty Lane.

Parks & Fair invites everyone to visit the County Fair, August 12-15!

Have you seen me?

Cosmo has been missing for over 30 days from his new home, shortly after being adopted at the animal shelter.

He was last seen near Tucker Street and Guard in Friday Harbor.

If you have seen him, please contact:

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

Get your photo taken as one of Dexter’s Super Heroes – Contributed photo

Visit the Library to become a super hero. The San Juan Island Library commissioned Dexter Prescott, a Friday Harbor Elementary School 6th grader, to design two super hero characters as part of the 2015 Summer Reading Program.

The designs created by Prescott were enlarged to life-size and are currently on display at the Library for the public to view and photograph. Prescott’s super heroes also will be on display during the Fair at the Library’s booth.

The 2015 Summer Reading Program theme is “Every Hero Has a Story.” As part of the theme and in addition to Prescott’s creations, Library staff invented super hero alter egos and have been hosting super hero storytimes for toddlers and preschoolers.

“Dexter’s designs far exceeded any expectations we had for the commissioned work,” said Melina Lagios, Youth Services Coordinator at the Library. “We were thrilled to work with him. He is exceptionally creative and his ideas matched very well with our super hero theme.”

For more information about the San Juan Island Library, call 378-2798 or visit www.sjlib.org.

Island Stage Left presents “Cymbeline” – Contributed photo

Here’s a note from Helen with Island Stage Left about their current show Cymbeline…

This is the last week of “Cymbeline” at Roche Harbor (Thurs – Sun at 8:00). Next week we open at 1062 Wold Rd (8:00 Fri – Sun)

Audience members’ comments tell it better than we can, although we have to boast that on one night after the show, I was met by a 93 year old, a five year old and a seven year old all of whom were apparently transported – the two younger ones seeing their first Shakespeare ever!

Here are some culled comments:

I wanted to congratulate you on the production of “Cymbeline” which I saw this past Saturday night.  We enjoyed it so much.

This little-performed play benefited from wonderful performances by the cast and crew along with the expert editing.

Thank you for providing entertainment options in isolated places.  It was completely enjoyable, and I will definitely return for other productions. Continue Reading

Marine life in a tide pool – Contributed photo

There’s more to the West Side of San Juan Island than orcas! Here’s a chance to seek out an amazing diversity of spineless animals (invertebrates) and learn how they feed, reproduce, and interact with each other.

Dr. Erika Iyengar, of Muhlenberg College and long-time researcher at the Friday Harbor Laboratories, will lead our explorations. Wear some old sneakers or come prepared to get wet up to your knees. If you have a plastic magnifying glass, bring it! Kids welcome with adult supervision.

Saturday, August 1, 2015
10:00 am to Noon
Deadman Bay Preserve, San Juan Island

Meet and park at the Lime Kiln Point State Park main lot – Discovery Pass or parking fee required – and we will walk to the Land Bank’s Deadman Bay Preserve.

This event is presented by San Juan County Land Bank and is free to the public. For more information please visit sjclandbank.org or phone Tanja at 370-7655.

Michael Dailey – “Yellow Landscape By The Sea” – Photo courtesy of Greg Kucera Gallery

Editor’s note – the date for the Venter show has been corrected –
New at IMA: sculpture by Kathy Venter from Salt Spring Island, BC; paintings by Michael Dailey from Seattle, WA; and watercolors by Joe Miller from San Juan Island. August 29–November 9, 2015. Opening reception, Friday, August 28, 5-8 p.m. (Venter until December 14). San Juan island Museum of Art in Friday Harbor, WA. For details visit: sjima.org.

Join local singer, actress, educator and director Thérèse Finn for 3 films featuring child stars from the last century. The lineup is:

• Friday – Bright Eyes with Shirley Temple and James Dunn
• Saturday – National Velvet with Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney
• Sunday – To Kill a Mockingbird with Gregory Peck and Mary Badham.

Learn about the films, stars and directors, as well as bloopers to watch for. It’s history, nostalgia and entertainment all in one.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, July 31, August 1-2 at 7:00 pm
San Juan Island Library, free.
You’ll enjoy organic popcorn, hot drinks and movie candy, thanks to the Friends of the Library and your fellow audience members.

Kathy and Gene Krattli, owners of Paws in the Water with a few of their clients – Contributed photo

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor has announced that Gene and Kathy Krattli, owners of Paws in the Water, a Friday Harbor business providing warm water therapy for dogs are the Volunteers of the Month for July.

Gene and Kathy have been avid supporters of the animal shelter since they opened the business a few months ago. Not only do Gene and Kathy volunteer at the shelter by walking dogs and participating in fund raising events, they have also been providing free aqua therapy for shelter dogs on a regular basis.

Shelter Manager, Jan Murphy, says, “The shelter dogs benefit so much from their swim sessions! Dogs with mobility issues have been helped as well as healthy, active dogs who just like a good swim and love the social aspects of the therapy.”

To contact Paws in the Water, call 298-8235.