Becki Day, Executive Director at the newly renovated office of the Chamber of Commerce – SJ Update photo

Chamber Chat is a monthly column written by Lauren Cohen, Co-owner San Juan Canvas, LLC and Chamber of Commerce Board President…

As July flies by it looks like we are having our usual crazy, crowded summer on the Island. All of us on the Chamber of Commerce Board and staff hope that all of our businesses are having a successful, prosperous summer so far. We look forward to checking in with our business owners in the fall for feedback on the summer’s business trends.

Events
The 4th of July was a wonderful, festive day with thousands of visitors enjoying an awesome parade and fireworks show. Thank you to Becki Day, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, for all of her hard work on this showcase event. Thanks also go out to Diana Mancel our parade coordinator, Kings Market and The Town of Friday Harbor, our major sponsors and, of course, to all members of our community who so generously made donations large and small. It was a true Island effort.

Thank you to the artists and crafts people that participated in the Summer Art Fair. The quality of work was exceptional as always. All involved at the Chamber are already working on a reinvention of the event for next year. Any positive ideas for improvement are welcome. Thank you so much to those of you who contacted the Chamber with praise, ideas and offers to help. That is what makes a successful event.

New Member
We would like to welcome our newest Chamber member, Aero Classic Aviation located on Airport Circle in Friday Harbor. Our newest member merchant offers flights in an open cockpit 1929 Waco Biplane. They also give flight lessons in their Piper PA-20. Stop in to say hello or go see the San Juan Islands from the air.

Renovation and Art on Loan Project
The renovation of the Chamber Office and Visitors Center is complete. Feel free to stop in and take a look at our new and improved space that we can be proud to welcome tourists into. We have also begun our “Art on Loan” project where local galleries and artists are rotating artwork for display at the Chamber. We would like to thank Alan Reff of Friday Harbor Gallery and Lee Brooks of Arctic Raven Gallery for providing the inaugural artwork. Currently displayed through July 31 is an amazing large photograph by Jim Maya called “Silent Runnings” and a spectacular giclee print by Thomas Stream called “Somewhere”. Stop by to take a look now and after August 1 when our new artwork goes up.

Chamber Social
The July Chamber Member Social is being hosted by the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor. The attendees will be introduced to the future location of a new, state of the art shelter. The APSFH is engaged in a capital campaign to raise funds to build the new, badly needed facility. Please take a look at their website for more information and donate what you can to benefit the pets of San Juan Island that bring so much joy to our lives.

Until next month. Have a wonderful summer!

UW Division of Emergency Medicine Residents Class of 2016 –
Olivia Haesloop, MD (July); Sean Nguyen, MD (July); Allison Moyes, MD (August) and Scott Schwitz, MD (August) – Contributed photos

PeaceHealth, in collaboration with the University of Washington School of Medicine’s Division of Emergency Medicine, is hosting four Emergency Medicine physicians this summer in a newly created rural residency program at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor.

All of the physicians are entering their fourth year of specialty training and will complete a four-week rural residency rotation at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center. In July the residents are Olivia Haesloop, MD, and Sean Nguyen, MD; in August Allison Moyes, MD, and Scott Schwitz, MD.

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center was selected by the UW School of Medicine as a designated rural training site for the quality of the medical facility and because all eight of the medical center’s Emergency Medicine physicians are board certified, signifying expertise in their specialty achieved through rigorous testing and peer evaluation. Residents must be supervised by board-certified or board-eligible physicians. Additionally, Jason Heiner, MD, who is the residency site director, and Michael Sullivan, MD, who is the medical center’s Emergency Department director, have academic appointments in the UW Division of Emergency Medicine.

Nationwide, only 25 percent of emergency physicians staffing small, rural emergency departments are board certified, and only 5 percent of emergency medicine residency programs require a rural rotation. Consequently, rural emergency departments often are staffed by physicians with less training and expertise than urban emergency departments.

The collaboration between Peace Island Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine will help address this discrepancy, as physicians who have completed a rural emergency medicine residency are more likely to choose to work in a rural community than those without the rural experience.

“We’re proud to partner with the University of Washington to provide a truly unique and valuable experience and to welcome these experienced physicians into our community,” says Dr. Heiner.

Click here for more info about the physicians (PDF)

Fernando Sierman, FFI – Sheila Harley photo

Sheila Harley, Public Information Officer of SJIFR shares this month’s firefighter column…

Fernando is a self-employed tile setter and stone mason. Presently he is classified as FireFighter I and will soon be going for FireFighter II, the next step up the ladder of command. He drove his first big truck at the age of 7 when visiting his grandfather’s wheat farm in Oregon.

Fernando is assigned to Station 36 in the Eagle Crest neighborhood but will answer calls from the station he is closest to at the time, and since we have the new engines which are all alike, it makes this much simpler to do.

His area of expertise is with Engine 361 which he drove in the Fourth of July parade. He spent several hours of his own time washing and polishing 361 so it would glisten in the parade. His 7 year old daughter, Virginia, rode with him – when she grows up, she wants to be a firefighter just like her dad. Continue Reading

San Juan County Land Bank photo

Third Lagoon offers a unique habitat for wildlife on San Juan Island. Unfortunately, over time the preserve has accumulated decades worth of plastic debris from the ocean. If not removed, these plastics and the microplastics they break down into can be ingested by wildlife, including fish that us humans and whales consume. Scientists are discovering that these plastics also bind with dangerous chemicals making the problem even worse. Come help clean up Third Lagoon and save wildlife with your friends!

July 25th 9:00 am -12:00 pm Third Lagoon, San Juan Island

• Directions: Cattle Point Road, past the lighthouse.
• Parking: At the trailhead across from Marina Lane before Fish Creek Marina. A five-minute easy walk on a trail leads to the lagoon!
• Organization we are helping: San Juan County Land Bank
• Hosted by: Whale Scout and SSAMN
• RSVP: [email protected]
• Bring: Rubber boots! There will only be a limited number to borrow.

Karen Haas – Contributed photo

Join renowned Washington State storyteller Karen Haas for an hour of first-person history and fun about the Pig War scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Friday July 24 in the historic Royal Marines Barracks at English Camp.

Tensions were running so high in 1859 that the shooting of a pig nearly hurled the United States and Great Britain into war for the third time in less than 100 years. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and, instead of pitched battles, there was a peaceful joint military occupation where a spirit of mutual cooperation reigned supreme.

Haas has delved into the rich treasure trove of folk lore from the nationalities involved in this “war that wasn’t”. She’s created a program designed to make you laugh, enjoy a ghostly chill or two, and celebrate the peace that still exists today between our nations. Continue Reading

San Juan Island Library Summer Reading Program

Dizzy Hips will perform as part of the San Juan Island Library’s 2015 Summer Reading Program.

Paul Blair, AKA Dizzy Hips, is a seven-time Guinness World Record holder in hula hooping. His show includes dynamic spectacles, audience participation, entertaining stunts and fun fitness promotion.

Free Family Performances, Wednesday, July 22 at 1:30 pm at Friday Harbor Elementary School. Please bring blankets and lawn chairs. The show runs for 45 minutes. Please call 378-2798 for more information.

All Summer Reading Program performances are free and open to the public.

Everyman at SJCT Monday – Contributed photo

One of English drama’s oldest plays gets a new and modern makeover in a National Theatre Live production screened in HD at San Juan Community Theatre on Monday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m.

BAFTA winner and Academy Award® nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) takes the title role in Everyman, directed by the National Theatre’s new Director Rufus Norris (Broken, London Road).

Everyman is successful, popular and riding high when Death comes calling. He is forced to abandon the life he has built and embark on a last, frantic search to recruit a friend, anyone, to speak in his defense. But Death is close behind, and time is running out.

One of the great primal, spiritual myths, Everyman asks whether it is only in death that we can understand our lives. A cornerstone of English drama since the 15th century, it now explodes onto the stage in this startling production with words by Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate, and movement by Javier De Frutos.

Tickets for Everyman are $20 for adults, $18 for SJCT members and $10 for student reserved. The SJCT box office (378-3210) is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Tickets are also available online at www.sjctheatre.org.

Ruth at WaterWorks Gallery extends this invitation to you for a reception on Saturday…

Join me at a reception for these artists and their jewelry ​ including earrings, pins and necklaces​ on Saturday July 18th from 11:30 to 3:30. Refreshments will be served.

Terri Rau,​ lampworked glass; Gina Pankowski, silver; Jennifer Howard-Kicinski​ silver;​​ Micki Lippe  silver​. This is an opportunity to meet a creative group of jewelers and see their earrings and necklaces. They share in common work that is beautiful, well crafted and lightweight.

Top pictures from left, J-50 and J-51. Bottom pictures from left J-52 and L-121 – Jeanne Hyde photos

The Southern Residents have 4 brand new babies and the Whale Museum wants to hear your ideas for the perfect names for them. Here’s more from the Museum…

Are you a current Whale Museum member? If not, click here to become one. If you are, members are eligible to suggest names for the four new babies pictured above. If you are the first person to submit a winning name you will win a one year adoption of that calf! Send in your suggestions along with your name and membership number until July 27th to oap [@] whalemuseum [.] org or call (800) 946-7227 ext 24. Please limit two names per whale. Of the names submitted, three names for each whale will be selected for a public vote.

Naming Tips – Selection is based on the suggested criteria:

• A name that relates to the marine environment of the Pacific Northwest
• A name that relates to whales in general or a place name from the territory the whales travel in
• A name in keeping with the matriline of the whale’s family

Vote for your favorite name August 2 through September 9. A ballot will be posted on our website and will also be available in our Exhibit Hall. On September 15, the new calves will be available for adoption on our Meet the Whales webpage.

Karl Kuetzing, BA, NREMT – Contributed photo

Karl Kuetzing has been a resident of Friday Harbor for 10 years and became an EMT in 2012.

A transplant from the Midwest, Karl has been a Washingtonian for the last 25 years living on both the west and east sides of the state.

He obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Cornell College in Environmental Studies, but has been a biology geek for as long as he can remember.

Karl is a nationally registered EMT, a licensed professional Land Surveyor and a certified marine naturalist. He also volunteers with the San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network. He is currently the president of the EMT Association.

“I am thankful to be part of such an amazing community and appreciate the opportunity to be involved with such outstanding individuals”, stated Karl.

This is the second time this year that Karl has been voted EMT of the Month and the agency appreciates his dedication to quality care, willingness to help and great good humor.

Interactive Map of Water Systems now available online

San Juan County Health and Community Services and Information Services have teamed up to launch an interactive mapping tool, showing all public water systems in the County. The public can now use the map to determine which parcels are within the boundaries of a public water system, and find the name of the water system. Additional information about the water system, including contact name and number, number of approved connections, and water sampling history can then be obtained through a link with the Washington State Department of Health water system database.

The mapping tool is located on the County Geographic Information Systems webpage at http://sjcgis.org/water-systems/

The Department is excited to make this tool available, and believe the public will find it very useful.

Click to enlarge poster

Helen from Island Stage Left shares this quick note – They’re opening tonight through August 2 at Roche on Thursdays through Sundays (and Wold Rd. after that) – Here she is…

Fantastic feedback from our tour! Now we’re home!

Join the fun at our opening, tonight at 8:00 at Roche Harbor – See you there!

One of Shakespeare’s last, and lesser known plays, crammed full of romance, treachery, peace and forgiveness. A play for our time too, with every plot device you can imagine! Sit under the moon and stars and wallow in the magic.

Opening at Roche Harbor Outdoor Stage Thurs – Sun July 16th – Aug 2nd. and at 1062 Wold Rd Fri – Sun Aug 7th – 23rd. All performances at 8:00.

www.islandstageleft.org

The SJI Chamber of Commerce shares this announcement with you…

Daniel Van Hamersfeld of Van Go’s Pizza – Contributed photo

San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month

Owner of Van Go’s Pizza, Daniel van Hamersfeld has more than 35 years of restaurant business under his belt. Before opening up Van Go’s pizza he headed up the kitchen at Vinny’s restaurant for two years before venturing out and starting up Van Go’s Pizza.

Trained in the Culinary arts and native of the Netherlands, Daniel has traveled the world extensively before settling down in Friday harbor where his passion for food eventually accumulated into creating Van Go’s pizza. A place where you can eat everybody’s favorite, pizza of course.

Van Go’s Pizza is going into its 16th month and has created a niche for itself for locals and tourists alike, with an almost secret garden patio in the back.

Albert Cummings plays SJCT on Saturday – Contributed photo

The blues aren’t often associated with the North, but Massachusetts native Albert Cummings is breaking the mold. The blues guitarist brings his talents to San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.

As a child, Cummings learned the requisite three chords on the guitar from his father, but then switched to playing banjo at age 12 and became a fan of bluegrass music. When he heard the early recordings of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Cummings returned to the guitar with a new outlook and resolve.

It was not until he was 27—an age when other musicians were either already established or had long ago put their dreams aside for the realities of life— that Cummings finally decided to go for it, soon sharing a bill with Double Trouble, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan’s rhythm section.

He now has six studio albums under his belt and will release his latest, Someone Like You—produced by Grammy-winner David Z (Buddy Guy, Prince, Jonny Lang, Gov’t Mule)—later this summer. “Albert Cummings writes, plays and sings the blues like nobody else.  What a blast to watch him jell in the studio with some of the best musicians in Los Angeles,” said Z.

In addition to his own solo gigs, Cummings has opened and toured with many legendary acts, including Johnny Winter, Sheryl Crow and B.B. King.

The Business Partner for the evening is Kings Market. Tickets are $25 for adults; $12 for student reserved, with $5 student RUSH at the door. The SJCT box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or buy online at www.sjctheatre.org.

David Bayley (L) and OPA – Contributed photos

An island trio and an island pianist showcase San Juan Community Theatre’s Night Music series in the intimate Gubelman Theatre on Thursday, July 16.

OPA!—featuring Greg Sadowski, Bob Freeauf and Kirk Fuhrmeister—plays festive instrumental music in the Gypsy tradition of Eastern Europe, South America and Mexico (plus, a bit of flavored jazz, played acoustically on guitar, accordion, mandolin and upright bass).

Longtime islander and veteran pianist, David Bayley has been spreading his musical talents at local venues for more than a decade. After attending Centrum’s Acoustic Blues Workshop in Port Townsend in 2013, David has mixed in more blues to his “boogie and beyond” repertoire.

The Night Music series continues through September 3, with a variety of musical styles showcased. Information on each concert is available at www.sjctheatre.org. The live music starts at 7:30 p.m., with social time in the Steele Memorial Garden (complete with special chocolate desserts, wine and beer available for purchase) starting at 6:30. Seating is limited; all tickets are $12 each per concert.

The Business Partner for the series is Kings Market. The SJCT Box Office is open Tuesdays-Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and one hour before any performance. Call 360-378-3210, or surf to www.sjctheatre.org.

Three Perspectives from the Redoubt – by Nancy Spaulding

Join San Juan Island artist Nancy Spaulding to learn how she utilizes photography and sketching on site during a artist workshop scheduled for 2 pm, Saturday, July 18 meeting in the American Camp parking area.

Nancy’s workshop is for all levels of experience. Bring paper, pen, pencil, or pastels, a digital camera, sturdy shoes and a sunhat (if necessary). A second workshop designed to revisit work from the first (though all are welcome) is scheduled for the same time and place on August 8.

Pre-registration is encouraged. E-mail Mike Vouri at:
mike_vouri [@] nps [.] gov to reserve your spot.

A formal art education was the plan but Nancy left the University of Arizona shortly before earning her degree in order to join the domestic peace corps. She served as a VISTA Volunteer for two years. Following that experience she kept up with her hands on approach to art and has managed to continue working as an artists over the years and into the present time… Continue Reading