I have been a full-time island resident since October 2002, and a property owner since 1978. Like many islanders, I came here to visit and was instantly smitten with this special place and fine community.   Accordingly, I wish to serve as a Commissioner on the San Juan County Public Hospital District Board to ensure our community has access to the best possible health care, delivered in an efficient manner and in compliance with Washington state law.

I am a retired attorney and past member of both the Washington and Utah state bars. I have a BA degree from Miami University (Ohio) and a JD degree from BYU Law School. After law school, I had a year’s assignment as a judicial clerk for Judge Gregory Orme in the Utah Court of Appeals, and then worked as a staff attorney for the Workers’ Compensation Fund of Utah.   Here in Washington, I worked for the Washington Attorney General in the Bellingham Regional Office, where I represented DSHS/CPS in cases of child abuse and neglect in Skagit, Whatcom, and San Juan County.

Now that I am retired, I am active in several local non profit organizations: Friends of the Library board member; League of Women Voters board member; and general worker bee for Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor. In addition to my duties with the local League of Women Voters, I am also on a League state committee studying and cataloguing hospital mergers in the state.

Our hospital and EMS service are vital parts of our community that directly affect the health and well being of all islanders. We are fortunate to have a dedicated staff of EMTs who respond quickly to islanders’ needs, as well as access to additional services such as the emergency room and advanced diagnostics at Peace Island Medical Center. As a commissioner on the San Juan County Public Hospital District, I will work to ensure that our health care delivery system operates in full compliance with state law. Also, I favor full disclosure and transparency regarding the county tax funds that are disbursed to Peace Island Medical Center. My work and volunteer experience has prepared me well to serve on the Public Hospital District Board.

Mike Van Quickenborne – Contributed photo

Mike Van Quickenborne is a Philosophy instructor at Everett Community College, and organizer of the world’s first philosophical film festival, “Philosophy in the Dark.”

Can films teach us about philosophy? Is what we feel while watching a film linked to what we learn? Film holds tremendous power to shape the thoughts of audience members. Audience members are certain to leave this presentation with a renewed interest in critical thinking, philosophical questions, and the nature of truth. Continue Reading

Golden Paintbrush – Contributed photo

One of Washington states rarest plants grows right here on San Juan Island! Interested in learning more? Washington’s Rare Plant Botanist Joe Arnett and Ecologist Dr. Peter Dunwiddie will share their knowledge about the beautiful and mysterious golden paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta). Participants will learn about golden paintbrush ecology, why the plant is so rare, and what’s being done to restore it in the islands and beyond.

Thursday, May 21, 2015
7:00 to 8:00 pm
San Juan Island Public Library

Sponsored by the Washington Native Plant Society San Juan Chapter and San Juan County Land Bank. Refreshments provided.

The FHL Marine Science Image Gallery: a New Resource for Students and Teachers at All Levels
by Ken Sebens and Tim Dwyer

Do you need a quality image of a sponge for your next invertebrate zoology lecture? Maybe one of your students needs an algal photo for a class report? Or, perhaps one of Friday Harbor’s schoolteachers wants to show their students what a limpet looks like.

Well, look no further – FHL now has an online photo gallery that will likely meet your needs. This growing gallery already contains over 2500 photos, and is organized by geographical area and by subject.

For example, there is a large section that features organisms living in the Salish Sea, and another for photos of marine habitats along the Pacific coast. In developing the gallery, we solicited images from FHL researchers with projects all over the world. They responded by contributing enough material to build galleries for the Pacific islands, Caribbean, Mediterranean, North Atlantic, and many more.

We also added galleries for FHL activities, classes, and research in action, and we plan to add more photos covering FHL’s long history.

Read more…

Gallery Bienvenu, one of the newest additions to the Friday Harbor art scene, is having a reception for acclaimed Seattle painter, Paul Young on Saturday May 9th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Widely exhibited and collected, Paul’s geometric abstract forms excite the eye with bold colors and confident shapes.

In addition to Young’s paintings, which will be on display through May 31, the waterfront gallery is exhibiting selected works by painter Steven LaRose of Seattle , plus a selection of Bienvenu’s stainless steel sculptures and a preview of his recently created 3-D printed sculptures.

The Gallery is located right next to the ferry landing on Front Street, the second floor of the Cannery Landing building. Gallery hours are Thursday-Sunday, 12-5pm, and private viewings are available by appointment.   Expanded gallery hours will be coming soon! For more information call (360)298-2003.

Thor Hansen – Contributed photo

An Evening with Local Author Thor Hanson
Many of us may not realize it, but we live in a world dependent upon seeds. Take for instance, your morning cup of coffee or the cotton pajamas you wear while sipping it. In his newly released book, The Triumph of Seeds, local award-winning author and biologist Thor Hanson explores both the natural and cultural history of seeds. Written from the Raccoon Shack, Thor’s hideout at his San Juan Island home, The Triumph of the Seeds transports readers around the world from Central American rainforests to spice trading routes in India.

Hear Thor Hanson speak about his new book at a free event co-sponsored by Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Preservation Trust on May 22 at the Friday Harbor Grange Hall beginning at 7 pm. Following the presentation and a Q&A session, refreshments will be available and Thor will be signing books. A portion of the proceeds from the evening will benefit the San Juan Preservation Trust’s Campaign to Save Mount Grant, a 141-acre ridge property that will provide a scenic, accessible nature preserve for all.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, author and biologist Thor Hanson is a Guggenheim Fellow, a Switzer Environmental Fellow, and winner of The John Burroughs Medal. Inspired by the need for more science-based storytelling, Thor has written popular articles for newspapers and magazines ranging from Audubon and BBC Wildlife to The Los Angeles Times. Thor is also the author of The Impenetrable Forest and Feathers, which was nominated for The Samuel Johnson Prize.

Thor has deep island roots and a strong commitment to local land conservation. Though his career has taken him around the globe, the San Juans have always remained firmly at the center of his orbit. Thor now lives on San Juan Island with his wife, Eliza, and their son, Noah. He is a trustee on the board of the San Juan Preservation Trust.

The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Additional information about each committee is available on the County’s website.

Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or Contact the Council Office at: (360) 378-2898 Email: sueko[@]sanjuanco[.]com.

The following is a list of current and upcoming vacancies: Continue Reading

The Chameleons – Contributed photo

Tanja Williamson sends this reminder…

Hi Tim!

Could you please post a reminder that the Prom for Grown Ups is this Saturday and people can contact me for tickets at (360) 472-0337. They can pay at the door too, but we’re trying to pre-sell as many as possible to get an idea for planning.

Thank you so much!
Tanja

Click to enlarge poster

Skip Mother’s day brunch – take your mama out for dinner and dancing!

The Friday Harbor Elementary School and Middle School PTA’s are joining forces for a fundraising event featuring the music stylings of The Chameleons!

Mark Gardner will be there to take your prom photo and we’ll have lots of fun little events and door prizes throughout the evening.

Bring your dollars for beer and wine and balloon pop auction items! Tickets are $25/pp. Prom Facebook Page.

Monica Harrington – Contributed photo

My name is Monica Harrington, and I’m running for public hospital district commissioner here on San Juan Island.

My goal is serve the interests of the public.  I believe in accountability, transparency, and ongoing, responsive oversight to ensure our public tax dollars are spent wisely and islanders can access essential health services at reasonable rates.  I wholeheartedly endorse the Patient Bill of Rights recently adopted by the San Juan County Board of Health.

As a Public Hospital District Commissioner, it would be my job to represent the public and make sure we’re getting value for our public dollars.

In my view, costs to patients at the PeaceIsland facility are too high, patients are being denied essential services for reasons that have nothing to do with medical necessity or fairness, and there’s been a lack of transparency and respect for the rights of voters.

Since the opening of the PeaceIsland facility, some services have been added, others have been reduced or eliminated, and costs to islanders have gone up dramatically.  Gross revenues for an out-patient visit at PIMC last year averaged more than $1100, according to a document submitted by PeaceHealth to the WA Department of Revenue. The in-patient facility is operating at 6% of total capacity, with average per-patient gross revenues of more than $10,000.

The San Juan County Public Hospital Taxing District entered into a 50-year, $80-million exclusive contract without a public vote. And they effectively turned control over to a vendor to decide what services will and won’t be offered. Continue Reading

Click to enlarge poster

Community Dinner Tonight!

Wednesday May 6^th 5:30 – 7:30 in the Friday Harbor High School Commons

The Ballet Folklorio de Monarca will dance and there will be an OPEN HOUSE for the new STEM Building (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) between 6:00 – 7:00.

Dinner will be amazing:

• House-Smoked Pork Carnitas : Applewood smoked pork shoulder chopped and seasoned to perfection
• Grilled Chicken : Marinated and grilled chicken thighs from Draper Valley
• Spanish Rice : Fluffy rice with onion, tomatoes and corn (vegetarian)
• Black Beans : Slow simmered Northwest Black Beans with bacon
• Chili-Lime Slaw : Shredded cabbage and carrots in sweet chili sauce and lime with cilantro
• Garden Salad : Mixed greens with tomato, red onion, black olives and an orange-cumin vinaigrette
• ‘Guacamole’ : Organic green chickpeas with tomato, onion, jalapeno, lime juice and cilantro (Get a sneak peek of our ‘avocados’ in the attached picture!)
• Handmade Tortillas : Hand formed Masa Harina tortillas
• Mexican Chocolate Brownie with Ice Cream : Chocolate and cinnamon brownie with a tiny scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream (presented by Shawn Hendricks’ Baking Class)

$12 suggested donation and $6 for children under 12

Donations Support our Food for Thought Program and Chef.0 Internships

Childhood Familiar – A painting by Anelecia Hannah Brooks

Ruth Offen of Waterworks Gallery shares these thoughts with you about the artist and art show which opens this weekend…

Last year, walking into a friend’s business, on her counter I spied a catalog of the painter named Anelecia Hannah. On its cover was a portrait of a young woman staring back at me in all her contemporary glory, not a Photoshopped woman, but a bespeckled young gal. I thought, what beautiful painting. Now that is a painter I want to represent.

Now this year, as my gallery celebrates its 30th Anniversary and the gallery opens a major show of works by Anelecia Hannah Brooks, who will be celebrating her 30th birthday. Timing is everything. Continue Reading

Here’s this month’s history column from The San Juan Historical Society…

The San Juan Historical Society & Museum has joined with the Town of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island National Historical Park, and Trails Committee to offer free special events in May for History Lives Here month.

This Saturday it’s the historical museum’s turn, with a biographical tour of the Roche Harbor Pioneer Cemetery, led by museum board member Robin Jacobson.

This rustic cemetery in the woods was established in 1887 as the final resting place for lime works employees and their children, many of whom were recent immigrants from Europe and Japan. New research has rediscovered many of their stories and family photos. Pictured here is the lovely 1891 headstone of the Wilson girls.

To join the tour, meet at the cemetery entrance next to Roche Harbor Airport at 1:00 p.m. on May 9.

For this History Lives Here event and others in May, see the special section of the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau website at www.visitsanjuans.com/events/history.

Mother’s Day Wildflower Walks – Contributed photo

Treat your mom to the wonders of springtime in the islands! Join Land Bank stewards on one of two guided walks atop Cady Mountain Preserve to explore the beauty and diversity of wildflowers, habitats, and vistas the mountain has to offer.

Sunday, May 10, 2015 at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm at Cady Mountain Preserve, San Juan Island

Space is limited; please RSVP to tanjaw[@]rockisland[.]com or phone 360-370-7655.

The ferry Samish at the auxiliary dock in Anacortes last Sunday – Tim Dustrude photo

Washington State Ferries is holding an open house for the public to tour the newest boat in the fleet, the M/V Samish.

• When: 10:00 am until 4:00 pm Wednesday, May 20, 2015
• Where: Anacortes Ferry Terminal
• What: Tour the newest Washington State Ferry, M/V Samish

Attend a free tour of the M/V Samish, the second of three new Olympic Class Washington State Ferries. Stop by anytime throughout the day. Entertainment, refreshments, activities for kids.

Check out the official web page for the event.

This Friday, load up the car and head on over to the Fairgrounds for the classic baseball film, A League of Their Own!

Two sisters join the first female professional baseball league and struggle to help it succeed amidst their own growing rivalry. (1992) Starring: Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna. Rated: PG, Running time: 128 mins.

Cost: $5 person, Age 5 and under FREE, Family of five, $20.
Time: 9:15pm; parking opens at 8:00pm. Sound: via FM radio

CATS’ annual Teddy Bear Picnic returns to San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, May 9.

The FREE event from noon to 2:00 in the patio garden and Gubelman Theatre features face painting, cookie decorating, refreshments, and, of course, teddy bears!

This year, local musician Kirk Fuhrmeister will be providing the entertainment—playing music, singing and telling stories to the young audience.

The refreshments will include PB & J or grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit, juice and cookies.

“We are always excited to host the Teddy Bear Picnic for the children and grandchildren of our community,” said CATS member Mary Sliger. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for family members to be together for a fun-filled afternoon.”

Each child also receives a complimentary stuffed bear from CATS and a book from the Early Learning Consortium and Critical Needs Task Force.