Chiara Power – Contributed photo

Frank Penwell shares this news about the FH Grange. Way to go Chiara!!!

Chiara Power, representing Friday Harbor Grange #225 won 2nd place at the WA State Grange Convention Talent Show Contest in Ellensburg.

She will represent the WA State Grange at the National Grange Convention in Nebraska if the 1st place winner is unable to attend.

Chiara won a trophy, $250, and a $50 participation award. You can see a video of her performance here on Facebook.

And not only that, but this as well…

Friday Harbor Grange #225’s Community Service Notebook came in First Place at the the Washington State Grange Convention in Ellensburg.  The Friday Harbor Community Service Notebook will represent Washington State at the National Grange Convention in Nebraska.  Friday Harbor Grange’s Notebook won $400 for 1st place in its Grange division, and an additional $100 for winning 1st place at the Convention.

Friday Harbor Grange competes in Ellensburg – Contributed photo

Friday Harbor Grange #225 has also started a Jr. Grange to help teach leadership skills, promote volunteer services, and to have fun.  If you would like your child to be involved, please phone 370-5675.

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

Merri Ann Simonson of Coldwell Banker SJI shares this quarter’s news…

The second quarter results which complete the first half of the year for San Juan Island were very similar to 2014 as the real estate dollar volume reflected an increase of only 2% over the same period. The number of transactions was down slightly with a 3% decrease.

Overall, San Juan County’s volume was up 5% with 290 transactions in the first half of 2015, as compared to 269 in 2014 or a 8% increase. Shaw and the outer non-ferry serviced islands dollar volume was actually down 32% but their transaction numbers reflected an increase. The volumes on Orcas and Lopez reflected an increase of 9% and 47% respectively; go Lopez! Transaction numbers were similar to 2014. Volume increases with a decrease in numbers is an indication of higher priced property sales.

It is apparent that our recovery is nice and controlled which is favorable as a steady pace is more sustainable.  Click here for the full report. (PDF)

Author Talk & Book Signing on July 22 with David Neiwert

Come to The Whale Museum on Wednesday, July 22, at 5:30 pm for an Author Talk & Book Signing with David Neiwert, author of the newly released book “Of Orcas and Men: What Killer Whales Can Teach Us”.

David explores an extraordinary species and its occasionally fraught relationship with human beings.

Beginning with their role in myth and contemporary popular culture, Neiwert shows how killer whales came to capture our imaginations, and brings to life the often catastrophic environmental consequences of that appeal.

David is an investigative journalist based in Seattle. He is the author of many books, including “And Hell Followed With Her: Crossing the Dark Side of the American Border” and “Strawberry Days: How Internment Destroyed a Japanese American Community”. His reportage for MSNBC.com on domestic terrorism won the National Press Club Award for Distinguished Online Journalism in 2000. He is also a contributing writer for the Southern Poverty Law Center.

This 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 through education and research. The Whale Museum can be found online at www.whalemuseum.org.

Third Saturday Contradance at the San Juan Island Grange hall, 152 First Street.

7:00 to 9:00 pm, Saturday July 18th

Laura Mé Smith from Seattle calling with “Cobbler”.

Sponsored by SJI Grange #966.

All are welcome. No partner needed. All dances taught.

Donation $10

On June 29th, the San Juan County Council adopted a resolution to call for an election for the formation of MacKaye Harbor Water District and to also call for a special filing period for the election of three commissioners to serve on the proposed district.

Declarations of Candidacy will be accepted starting July 22nd at 8:00 am and ending July 24th at 4:30 pm. It is strongly recommended that at the time of filing candidates also submit their photograph and candidate statement for the November Voters’ Pamphlet.

Candidate packets are available online at www.sanjuanco.com/elections or at the San Juan County Elections Office located at 55 2nd Street, Friday Harbor. Candidates may submit their filings in person at the Elections Office, mail them to San Juan County Elections Office, PO Box 638, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, or email their filing as an attachment to elections [@] sanjuanco [.] com.

M/V Elwha in Drydock last year – Click for larger image – Aaron Shepard photo

This just in from WSF…

The 48-year-old Elwha will remain out of service for approximately four months while crews perform emergency repairs to a drive motor. We realize having one of our mid-sized vessels out for an extended period of time puts a strain on travelers, especially during the height of our busiest season.

Until further notice, the 124-car Kitsap will continue to serve the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route in place of the Elwha.

Pluto as seen from nearest ever approach, this morning by the New Horizons Satellite

Updated to include photo below from Luxel.

Just got this note from David Grove over at Luxel Corporation – it seems there are some Friday Harbor products passing Pluto right now…

I thought you might like to know that one of the instruments on the New Horizons satellite (now arriving at Pluto) uses filters made on San Juan Island.

The PEPSSI (Pluto Energetic Particle Spectrometer Science Investigation) will be used to measure the extent of Pluto’s atmosphere and it’s interaction with the solar wind.

Two filters made by Luxel Corp. are used in the PEPSSI spectrometer to tell what’s escaping from Pluto’s atmosphere. At less than 1/100 the thickness of a human hair, they were a bit tricky to make.

These are engineering (prototype/ test) filters for PEPSSI. Not the actual filters on the satellite but working copies – Photo courtesy of Luxel Corp.

In between treatments, Pam Hoke paints out front of the Grange’s Open House last Saturday, July 11th – Photo Credit: Roger Ellison

Local artist, Pamela Hoke, known nature artist, and active community ambassador of arts education and ecotherapy, needs your help. She was diagnosed with breast cancer May 2015. She is still in early stages of treatment and diagnosis. She has had two successful surgeries, and will be facing a fairly aggressive treatment journey through the summer and into the fall.

So far, her prognosis looks good, and she is healing with Nature through her connecting with the natural world and her art. However, Pam and her family are struggling with the financial and overall life stresses that come with cancer. Her ability to perform and share with her communities in Friday Harbor, Stuart, FL and online has been greatly hindered.

Many on the island either know her through her doctorate research in Ecotherapy under Michael J. Cohen and his school, Project NatureConnect, through her design business with her husband Tim Hoke, inVision Brand Pursuit, through her two year art gallery residency at the Ferry Landing Suites, The Nature Connection, or as San Juan Island Grange and School District volunteer and Substitute Teacher. Pam and her husband Tim are also very active supporters of the family recovery groups on the island.

You can help Pam get back to her passionate, long mission of sharing the importance of a deep emotional connection with Nature and inspiring a zest for life expressed through her powerful art, writing, and workshops.

By purchasing her artwork for yourself or for a friend, sharing her online journeys with friends, mailing her encouraging notes or gift cards, you are both participating in a passionate mission to share Nature’s intelligence and love, while helping this artist get back to her passionate purpose. Continue Reading

Ron Garner photo

Sheila Harley turns in this SJIF&R Report…

Fifteen firefighters answered the call at 2:45 AM Monday to Snowberry Lane. Fifteen minutes after the call went out from Dispatch, the first engine was on scene reporting flames reaching into the trees from two small out buildings.

The flames were soon knocked down but the smoke from the buildings continued rising for several hours as the fire crews continued to pour water on the scene.

Two Engines, two Water Tenders, and two Brush Trucks were on scene to assist the firefighters. SJIF&R Rescue Truck 214 and EMS was there. The American Red Cross and the SJI Fire & Rescue Logistics team were represented.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. If it had been hot and dry as in days past, the firefighters’ jobs would have been more difficult, but last night’s rain was helpful in keeping the surrounding woods damp.

Sheila Harley
Public Information Officer
San Juan Island Fire & Rescue

The San Juan County Fair is looking for talented individuals to perform at this year’s Fair. Click the poster to enlarge for more info.

Levi Doenges delivers a puzzle to Nancy DeVaux who now has bragging rights as SJ Puzzles’ very first customer – Tim Dustrude photo

San Juan Puzzles are here! Tom, Tami and Levi Doenges are the proud owners of the newest jigsaw puzzle business on San Juan Island.

It all started earlier this year when they were building a puzzle of Tom’s home state of Michigan – A discussion began about the way puzzles bring families together; a discussion which spawned the idea to create puzzles featuring the San Juan Islands.

A meeting with Tim Dustrude got the wheels rolling to locate photos and art from local artists and photographers. After finding several good images to work with, Tim helped develop the rough ideas into marketable products using his extensive background in commercial advertising and product design, and was hired to design the appearance of the boxes.

Fast forward a few months and the first series of puzzles has now arrived! They feature the works of Chris Teren, Jamie Ellsworth, Matt Pranger and Tim Dustrude. Tom, Tami and Levi give their sincere thanks to the artists for coming together on this project!

Tom, Levi and Tami Doenges show the first series of San Juan Puzzles – Tim Dustrude photo

But it’s not all about the Doenges’ – A portion of every puzzle sold will go to the artist/photographer – to local causes WhaleResearch.com and the Animal Shelter, – some funds will enable Levi to learn how to run a sustainable business – but also to help pay for his Private Flying Lessons in pursuit of his Pilot’s License. Puzzles are made with ‘green’ recycled materials and printed with soy based inks.

Custom orders are welcome for wedding announcements and engagements as well as special events and fundraisers.

Tom says, “We are planning to expand into future series using artists’ works from all of the San Juan Islands and points of interest. We welcome artists from all islands to submit their ‘best 3’ selections of work for consideration in our next production run. We are ‘The Puzzled Juans'”.

To find out where to buy yours, check them out at www.sanjuanpuzzles.com – you can order online or see who sells them locally. Also, they will be available at the SJC Fair on Thursday, August 13th, for a One-Day-Only Sale (if you can wait that long).

Lightbulb – Keith Busha photo

Keith Busha shares this invitation to view his show up at the lobby of the San Juan Community Theatre…

Hi Tim,

I wanted you to know that during the month of July I will be having a showing of my newest photographs in the San Juan Community Theater Lobby.

The show is called “Chasing light and Shadows” and is an eclectic combination of portraits, unusual scenes, theater shots and a style of lighting bulbs and glass globes using different types of light and angles.. The attached image was shot with 4 types of light including violet ray radiation coming from a Tesla coil.

Every month the Lobby Gallery features a different local artist. For more information contact SJCT Artistic Director Bobby Ryan.

Many thanks,
Keith

Miles Crossen – Tim Dustrude photo

Miles Crossen is the Superintendent of the Photo Exhibit at the Fair again this year, and because this is such a huge and popular exhibit, he could use some help. Here’s the skinny…

Hi Tim,

It’s that time of year again.

Could I get you to post another note in the Update letting folks know I could use some volunteers to help out with the Photography Department at the San Juan County Fair again this year?

I can definitely use a dozen or so people to help out on August 11, 2015 (accepting and hanging photographs from about 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.

I could also use five or six folks to judge the entries that evening (probably from about 8 – 9 p.m.

From the 12th to the 15th (Wednesday to Saturday) I’ll be in need of quite a few volunteer to man the booth to answer questions and collect ‘People’s Choice’ votes. The shifts will be two hours long. I believe the doors open at 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. It works best if I have two volunteers on each shift. Realistically I could use 10 – 12 volunteers each day.

Last of all it would be nice if I could find a few folks to help out on Sunday (between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to help clean up and check ticket stubs when the photographers pick up the photographs that were on display.

Anyone interested should email me at superfairphoto [@] gmail [.] com. Thanks!

Sincerely,
Miles Crossen
Friday Harbor, WA

Roberto the Magnificent is coming to the island and he will perform as part of the San Juan Island Library’s 2015 Summer Reading Program  at Friday Harbor Elementary School on Wednesday, July 15 at 1:30 pm.

Roberto is one of the most in-demand entertainers for outdoor fairs and festivals. He has appeared on ESPN Top 10 Plays of the Night (#6), Fox Sports, Good Morning America, Northern Exposure, NBA Inside Stuff with Ahmad Rashad, Statler Brothers Variety Show, and Totally Hidden Video.

Please bring blankets and lawn chairs. The show begins at 1:30 pm and runs for 45 minutes. Please call 378-2798 for more information. All Summer Reading Program performances are free and open to the public.

Photo: S. Oliveira/COASST

Help make a difference for the environment by collecting data for the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST).

Photo: B. Blackie/COASST

COASST is a citizen science project dedicated to involving volunteers in the collection of high quality data on the status of coastal beaches and trends of seabirds. Our goal is to assist government agencies and other organizations in making informed management and conservation decisions, and to promote proactive citizen involvement and action. COASST volunteers systematically count and identify bird carcasses that wash ashore along ocean beaches from northern California to Alaska. Volunteers need NO experience with birds, just a commitment to survey a specific beach (about ¾ mile) each month.

If you are interested in participating, join COASST staff for a training session. Hear about how COASST started, learn how to use the custom Beached Birds field guide, and try out your new skills with some actual specimens. There is no charge to attend a training session, but plan to provide a $20 refundable deposit if you would like to take home a COASST volunteer kit complete with a COASST Beached Birds field guide. Training activities take place in multiple locations: Continue Reading

The Whale Museum’s Lecture Series – Author Talk & Book Signing: Sea Otter Conservation
Presented by Shawn Larson

The Whale Museum is pleased to welcome Shawn Larson as part of the 2015 Summer Lecture Series on Tuesday, July 14th at 6:30 p.m. Shawn will present her new book Sea Otter Conservation, discussing the sea otters unique biology and ecology and highlight its fascinating history with people. Sea otters and people share the same nearshore Pacific ecosystem with documented interactions between the two dating back thousands of years starting with important relationships with native people, followed by the widespread serial extinctions during the fur trade, and culminating in over 100 years of conservation actions to ensure the survival of this iconic species.

Shawn has a PhD from the school of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington and has been working at the Seattle Aquarium for more than 20 years. She conducts conservation research on sea otters, sixgill sharks, Giant Pacific Octopus, rockfish and Hawaii fish. When she’s not at work, she enjoys sharing her small farm in Hansville with her 2 horses, 9 chickens, 1 dog, 2 cats, 2 kids and 1 husband.

The July 14th 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.