The 2nd Annual Dodie Gann Dog Walk – Contributed photo

Here’s a note from the folks at the animal shelter…

Lots of folks and their four-legged friends gathered at Skagit Community College Saturday morning for the 2nd Annual Dodie Gann Dog Walk.  8-year old Shelby Montana (seen in photo) won the grand prize, a Microsoft Surface Tablet, for gathering the most money in sponsorships.

Thanks to everyone who came out for the walk and for helping to raise money for homeless pets!

New Opalco Surcharge To Correct Revenue Shortfall;
Rate Structure Discussion Ongoing

OPALCO leadership pledged to continue to work toward a better rate structure while, in the interim, a surcharge will appear on bills beginning in July to address the revenue shortfall.

More than 20 members representing four islands attended OPALCO’s special board meeting on Thursday, May 28th in Eastsound. As is customary at OPALCO Board meetings, each member was invited to speak to the Board and most did. The topics touched on by member comments were primarily rate fairness, transparency, communication with members and appreciation for the Board’s foresight and progress with broadband.

Click to enlarge

General Manager Foster Hildreth led the presentation on the factors influencing the current $600,000 revenue shortfall and provided background on rate structure and design. Key concepts addressed were the relationship of weather to rates and the actual impacts on member bills. Continue Reading

Boxing the Compass – Recent Paintings

Lucky Eight, 24″ x 24″ Oil on wood panel – A painting by Melinda Hannigan

The working side of the maritime world presented as abstracted ideas painted on canvas. The partial plimsoll marker, the depth lines and the pock-marked hulls.. all these marks are the icons that Melinda translates into paintings, some real, and some created are the icons/symbols translated from the freighters, tankers and tugs of the working maritime world.

These vessels ply the seas, 24/7/365. Their hulls bear the interactions of hulls and dock, flecking paint revealing the steel hulls and the slime that clings to the waterline. Her canvases are a language where we are guided to see these marks, from a painter whose long association with this world is celebrated. This is the world of Melinda Hannigan.

Reception for the artist, Saturday June 6th 4:30 – 7:30
Gallery open Monday, Wednesday – Saturday, 10:30 – 5:30

Natural area at American Camp – Tim Dustrude photo

Barbara Jensen to Give Nature Walk at American Camp

San Juan Island bird expert Barbara Jensen will give a guided nature walk beginning at 7:30 am, Sunday, May 31 at American Camp.

The walk is free and meets in the Visitor Center parking lot. Birders are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and bring sun block. Disabled persons should contact the American Camp Visitor Center for trail access information.

Jensen is a former national park ranger and naturalist. This is her 19th season providing bird walks for the park. She is closely associated with the San Juan Island chapter of The Audubon. For learn more about The Audubon on San Juan go to http://www.sjiaudubon.org.

This activity is one of many Special and Weekly programs presented by the park in 2015. For more information about park programming click this link (PDF).

Coal Road to China filmmakers Jan and Harold Hoem – Contributed photo

The Friday Harbor Film Festival and the FRIENDS of the San Juans are sponsoring the screening of the film, Coal Road to China on June 2 at 7:00 pm. This visually powerful film gets to the heart of coal company plans to strip mine Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming and transport the coal by train to Washington and Oregon where it would be loaded onto massive cargo ships bound for Asia.

The Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point, near Bellingham Bay could ship as much as 48 million metric tons of coal to Asia every year. This added shipping traffic passing through the waters surrounding the San Juan Islands would greatly increase the threats of collisions, air pollution, spills and global climate change.

According to FRIENDS of the San Juans:

“…burning this coal would create 96 million metric tons of CO₂ every year and would more than double our state’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions!”

The filmmakers, Jan and Harold Hoem spoke with ranchers, Native Americans, activists, scientists, a former coal mine manager and physicians to tell the story of the environmental impact of mining, transporting and burning this coal.

As Nobel Laureate and leading climate scientist Steve Running of the University of Montana states in the film, “The pollution from coal burned in China comes back to us on air currents faster than the ships that took it there!”

For more information on Coal Road to China, check out the Friday Harbor Film Festival’s website www.fhff.org. To find out more about local efforts to “Power Past Coal”, visit FRIENDS of the San Juans at www.sanjuans.org.

Last year’s golf team, L-R: Michael, Frankie, Nash, Janna, Jack, Isaiah and Jamie – Contributed photo

Deb Nolan shares this invitation with you to sign up for the San Juan Island Special Olympics Golf Team…

Click to enlarge flyer

Hello Editor, I have attached a flyer about the San Juan Islands Special Olympics program starting June 8th. I hope that you can help spread the word.

The photo above is of last years team. Jack Rice , the HS coach, will be back again this season to lead them team! So exciting.

Please get back to me with any questions you may have.

Thanks so much, Deb

“Welcome Sign” – Aaron Shepard photo

The Chamber of Commerce recently put up a new sign. That’s Dave Rand of The Sign Company up top with his helper below installing the brand new sign on Thursday last week.

The Chamber is sprucing up the interior of their location as well and hopes to have it all completed before the end of June. Here’s more from Chamber board president, Lauren Cohen:

“We are almost done painting and will now have to wait until the new carpet goes in mid June. We will have some beautiful artwork showing off San Juan Island talent as well. Our plan is be all done and ready to welcome visitors to a space all Islanders can be proud of by the weekend of June 20.”

It’s all happening at 135 Spring Street in the arcade between Spring Street Deli and Spring Street General Store.

L to R: Teacher Jesse Visciglia, Sam Stewart, Max Haenel, Courtney Bell, Corbin Williams, and Club Advisor Derek Smith – Contributed photo

Each year, high school students from Washington State come together to compete at the Orca Bowl, Washington’s regional competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl.

According to its website, “Orca Bowl challenges and recognizes Washington State’s high school students’ knowledge of the world’s oceans. During the daylong competition, hosted at the University of Washington Seattle campus, teams compete in a round-robin tournament followed by a double elimination round. Students tackle questions in all areas of marine studies, including ocean-related physics, chemistry, geology, biology, social sciences, and technology”

The competition is a long day where up to 20 teams compete from around the state. Questions are multiple-choice, short-answer, and team-challenge formats that require strong problem-solving skills and cooperation.

The winning team is eligible to participate in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl finals held in April, and competes against winning teams from 25 regions around the country.

This year’s Friday Harbor High School Orca Bowl team members included Courtney Bell, Max Haenel, Sam Stewart, and Corbin Williams. Through hard work and dedication the Friday Harbor High School team won regionals in Seattle.

Nationals were held in Ocean Springs, Mississippi on April 23-26. FHHS students came in 18th overall, but most notable, finished 3rd in a very challenging aspect of the competition known as the Science Expert Briefing (SEB). The SEB involves students assuming the roles and interests of various stakeholders in the drafting of a piece of federal marine legislation.

Club Advisor and Science Teacher Jesse Visciglia said “The Friday Harbor High School Ocean Sciences Bowl (Orca Bowl) team represents San Juan Island at its best. With knowledge, skill, and grace these students have proven once again that Friday Harbor students can compete with the best in the country.”

Outgoing Island Rec Director, Sally Thomsen – Ian Byington photo

Island Rec’s Board of Commissioners invites you to visit with Island Rec’s, outgoing Director Sally Thomsen and newly appointed Interim Director, Maddie Ovenell. The open house will be held on Wednesday, June 3 from 4:00 to 6:30pm at Island Rec’s office at 580 Guard Street. Light refreshments will be served.

Thomsen has been at the helm of Island Rec since 2000 and it was during this 15 year period Island Rec developed as an essential community service. Island Rec’s vital role on the island was most recently validated by the 69% voter approval of its six year operating levy. Thomsen is moving on to work alongside her husband, Tim, at San Juan Kayak Expeditions, San Juan Island’s original sea kayaking company.

This summer Island Rec will be searching for a new Director with plans to have someone hired and in place by October 1.

For more information call 378-4953 or visit www.islandrec.org.

James Benson Rogers, Jr. – May 28, 1938 to December 22, 2014

James Benson Rogers, Jr. – Contributed photo

James B. Rogers, Jr. was born in Los Angeles, California and passed away in Bellingham, Washington after an extended illness. He was a long-time resident and business man on Orcas Island and in Friday Harbor, Washington.

Jim graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1956, obtained a Master’s Degree from USC and served in the United States Army. He was involved in various businesses in his lifetime but his favorite one was his career on the sea.

Jim performed in several plays directed by Andrew McLaglen at the San Juan Community Theater in Friday Harbor. Two of them were Twelve Angry Men and Mister Roberts. His theatrical personality and memorization skills made him a natural.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James B. Rogers, Sr. and Nellie Mary (Brough) Rogers. He is survived by his brothers, Richard and Stephen, their children and numerous nieces and nephews. At Jim’s request, there were no services.

Lori and Barlow – Contributed photo

My name is Barlow. Some of you have probably met me walking around town with my owner, Lori Stokes or at the dog park. I’m what you might call a walking “happy ending story” – thanks to my friends at The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor and a lot of other nice folks I’ve met along the way.

After having endured more heartbreak than any four-year-old pooch deserves (particularly one as handsome and smart as I am), I’m happy to report that I have finally found my forever home where I can cuddle to my heart’s content with my favorite friend in the whole world.

The earliest thing I remember was growing up on the streets of Los Angeles with a homeless man for company. After I was treated for the broken leg I got when I was hit by a car, my owner disappeared. So somebody took me to a shelter in Oregon, but because I would have died there if no one adopted me, I was transported to San Juan Island and the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor by Elizabeth Farr – an animal shelter volunteer. Continue Reading

The Community Service-Learning Projects class at Friday Harbor High School is a chance for juniors to explore their passions and strengths by designing a project with a community partner that addresses a need in the community. By designing and completing a meaningful project it is hoped that students will leave a lasting legacy for the school, community and themselves.

The semester is soon coming to an end and students have been working diligently all semester to complete their projects. On Wednesday June 3rd, 2015 (5:30 – 7:00 P.M.), students will be giving presentations demonstrating all that they have accomplished and learned this term. We need community members to come and give valuable feedback to our students about their projects. It will truly be an exciting evening to learn about so many great projects such as: collecting used cellphones for recycling to aid the Jane Goodall Institute, teaching tolerance classes in the middle school, raising awareness of the declining orca population, designing and making a metal salmon sculpture for the Historical Museum, running an island-wide scavenger hunt to raise money for our local animal shelter, helping people on a global scale through the Heifer Foundation ….. just to name a few!

For those of you who have assisted us before, I think you will be impressed with how far we continue to progress as a school in our efforts to make community connections and do real world work. For those of you who have not attended these presentations, it’s an opportunity to see the accomplishments of students in our school. We are proud of the passion students have for their service projects.

We need approximately 15 evaluators.

• What: Community Service-Learning Presentations
• Where: Friday Harbor High School
• When: Wednesday, June 3rd
• Time: 5:30 – 7:00
• Why: Give feedback to students about their projects

Please respond by email at: jennywilson[@]sjisd[.]wednet[.]edu if you can evaluate.
Thank you for all you do on behalf of the students and their learning!

Jenny Wilson
Community Service Projects Teacher
Friday Harbor High School

Here’s Sheila Harley with this month’s Volunteer Firefighter…

Harry See, Tender Operator – Contributed photo

Harry is one of the oldest fire fighters in the San Juan Island Fire Rescue organization. He joined the District about 20 years ago and at age 65, he is still going strong!

He earned a Masters degree from Antioch West University at San Francisco in clinical psychology and a BA in Viticulture (the art of wine making). The family business was the Silverado Winery in the Napa Valley of California where he worked for twenty years before he and his wife, Maureen, came to San Juan Island to get a change of venue, slow down and spend more time together. He is still waiting for that to happen.

Between owning and running his full service property management company, Cedar Rock Properties, the fire department, boating, and his own gardening, Harry is far too busy for retirement.

Twenty years ago, when Capt. Diane Timm asked Harry if he would like to join the Fire Department he asked, “Do I get to drive the fire truck with sirens? Do I get a hat and Tshirt?” ( Every little boy’s dream!) When she promised all those things, Harry was hooked! In a year he was made lieutenant and later Captain at Station 34. He also ran the fire boat for the town of Friday Harbor helping to upgrade that system. Continue Reading

Here’s the latest from Merri Ann Simonson…

General Costs To Buy, Sell Or Build

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

Cost of construction, selling and buying real estate in the islands has continued to increase based the requirements to meet the current regulations and overall material and service cost increases.

One could say that it costs more and takes longer to comply with the various regulations that govern the real estate and related construction industries.

Based on the medium home price of $444,000 during the last 12 months, a buyer will spend an average of $6,800 in closing costs, not including the prorated taxes, insurance and homeowners dues. The seller will spend on average $40,000 based on the same home price. This doesn’t include any repairs that may be necessary as part of the contract or the seller’s prorated items; it is merely closing costs, septic inspection and a tank pump.

Click here to read the full story (PDF).

Check out the Islands Energy Fair this Saturday at Mullis Center. Click to enlarge the poster below for more info.

Let it go, LET IT GO!.. and head on over to the Fairgrounds for FROZEN this Friday!

Time: 9:30pm, Parking and Concessions open at 8:30 pm.

Admission: $5/person, Family of 5/$20, Age 5 and Under FREE.

Plot: When the newly crowned Queen Elsa accidentally uses her power to turn things into ice to curse her home in infinite winter, her sister, Anna, teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a snowman to change the weather condition. Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff.

Please like us on Facebook and visit our website for more information www.sjcfair.org.