Teachers can have a positive impact on introducing youths to national parks while earning  graduate school credits and money by applying for the Teacher-Ranger Teacher (TRT) program at San Juan island National Historical Park for the 2015 summer, according to Raena  Parsons, park education specialist.

Applications are available on the park’s website (nps.gov/sajh). Check for the “Teacher Ranger Teacher” quick link on the right column of the home page. The park hopes to have the TRT on board by the end of May, so applicants should not delay, Parsons said. For more details, call her at 360-378-2240, ext. 2222, or e-mail [email protected].

“The primary work for the TRT for 2015 would be to coordinate, with a seasonal ranger, a train-the-trainer workshop on climate change communication,” Parsons said.

We call it “Connecting to Climate: Education Strategies for Effective Climate Change Communication.”

The multi-day workshop was developed for local teachers, informal educators, and interpreters to address communication strategies for climate change. Workshop participants will learn about the psychology of climate change, how to debunk myths without backfire, common emotional responses to climate change, communication strategies, and educational strategies to integrate climate change into multiple disciplines. Continue Reading

Letter to the Editor,

Many thanks to everyone who has supported Community Solar for Our Schools! We have completed the solar array installation on Orcas High School, and installations are scheduled for Lopez, San Juan, and Shaw schools in the next couple of months.

The San Juan Islands Conservation District is gratified with the productive partnership we have developed with OPALCO regarding accelerating energy efficiency and community solar over the last sixteen months – all top natural resource priorities of the District. Thanks to the support from OPALCO, our community was successful in developing a county-wide energy plan and being selected to participate in the national Georgetown University Energy Prize competition.

It is important for our community to understand how we can reduce our carbon footprint, use energy more effectively, and do our part to lessen the impacts of climate change. Working together with OPALCO, the District has been able to reach out to a much wider audience by sponsoring an ongoing series of Energy Fairs on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan, as well as promotion of a Community Solar for our Schools program.

OPALCO has championed very successful energy retrofit and education programs, as well as local renewable energy through its MORE program and community solar initiatives. We are fortunate to have OPALCO as a forward-thinking, member-owned, local organization that continues to play a vital and constructive role in our community and our future.

Ron Zee, Chair
Board of Supervisors

Sunrise at the American Camp Parade Ground – John Miller photo

John Miller went out to capture the sunrise at American Camp last Wednesday and here’s what he came back with. Thanks for sharing John!

Rock hounds, pebble gatherers, and anyone who finds the island’s rocky outcroppings beautiful and fascinating should plan on attending an author event hosted by Griffin Bay Bookstore for Geology of the San Juan Islands by Ned Brown on Friday night, May 8th at 7:00 pm.

The San Juan Islands are an archipelago molded by eons of tectonic and glacial activity. Over the course of his nearly five-decade career, WWU geology professor Ned Brown has led countless research teams to decode this complex terrestrial heritage. In Geology of the San Juan Islands, Brown provides detailed, approachable, full color photos and diagrams to illuminate the complexities of these iconic islands.

About the Author
Ned Brown is an Emeritus Professor of geology at Western Washington University. He was raised in Minnesota, and went on to receive higher education at Dartmouth College, University of Otago, and U.C. Berkeley. He came to Bellingham in 1966, attracted by the landscape and mountain-building geology. In his nearly five-decade career, Ned, together with students, traversed and sampled much of the bedrock in the Cascades, San Juan Islands, and southern British Columbia Coast Mountains. This lifetime work is the basis for numerous student theses, and professional reports.

The core strength of our Cooperative come from our linemen, those dedicated guys in the bright safety gear who drive the trucks, string the lines, monitor and repair our electrical grid to keep it safely running and the lights on in our homes and businesses.

On Friday, April 17^th, OPALCO GM Foster Hildreth visited each of our three line crew facilities to celebrate their critical roles in the Co-op and in honor of National Lineman Appreciation Day (declared by Congress for April 18, 2015). Staff provided some treats, decorated their crew rooms and each lineman received a new work shirt.

New OPALCO safety logo, as designed by Ed Lago, Engineering Technician.

These were not just any work shirt, but an industry specific fire retardant shirt sporting the new OPALCO safety logo as designed by OPALCO Engineer Ed Lago. Why the special material? The conditions under which our linemen routinely work expose them to high voltage, and wearing gear that provides them with that extra layer of safety is just one of the steps we take to send them home safely at the end of a long work day.

Hildreth made the “three-island tour” to acknowledge all of the OPALCO linemen. “You guys are deserving of recognition every day for your vital service to the membership,” said Hildreth. “I’m in awe of your commitment – knowing that you are out there day and night, in calm or wind or sleet or snow to restore power.” He further recognized those linemen who have come up through OPALCO’s apprenticeship program. “This is what a co-op is about: giving our local members – the next generation – opportunities for education and training, as well as a living wage so they can raise families in their home communities.”
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From DVSAS: This article was submitted by one of our Male Board Members, Juan Lopez who has a passion to get the word out there to all of the other men in our islands!

Dear friends:

Did you know that the largest number of calls to the sheriff department are domestic violence related? Or that the majority of the cases are perpetrated by males and that most of the time alcohol is involved? Or that almost all of the sexual assaults both adult and child that happen in our community are perpetrated by someone the victims knows and usually trusts!

I have recently joined the Board of DVSAS (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of the San Juan Islands) because I believe that every person deserves to have a SAFE place that they can call home.

As males of this community I think that a large part of the solution lies within us, and that we can agree that no one deserves to be abused or feel threatened in their own home or community.

I believe that we can make a difference, therefore I have a two-fold challenge for you… Continue Reading

Friday Harbor Teen Earns Scholarship from Association of Washington Cities

Isabel Gabriel – Ashley King photo

The Town of Friday Harbor is pleased to announce that their nominee for a Quality Communities Scholarship has been selected for that honor. Friday Harbor High School senior Isabel Gabriel is one of six students from around the state of Washington to receive a scholarship grant for the 2015-16 academic year.

The Association of Washington Cities is an organization of state municipalities made up of 281 cities and towns. Their Center for Quality Communities promotes leadership development and civic engagement. The Center believes in educating student leaders who care about their communities. The scholarship monies are provided for the recipients to pursue post-secondary education.

Isabel plans to attend the University of Washington this fall. Her essay submitted with the Town’s nomination talked about her love of Friday Harbor and how residents here stand up for what they believe in. Isabel and her Soroptimist teen club members helped raise over $6,000 for one of her teachers to help defray the cost of chemotherapy. Isabel hopes to pursue a career in the biological sciences and eventually work with Doctors Without Borders.

“I want to thank the Association of Washington Cities for this honor and I would also like to thank my awesome teachers and friends from Friday Harbor High,” said Gabriel.

Friday Harbor Mayor Carrie Lacher added, “We are very proud of Isabel and her accomplishments. I think she will make a great ambassador for the Town as she sets out on her educational pursuits.”

This marks the first time a FHHS student has received this scholarship award.

Blue Eyes, Oil – 36 x 48

WaterWorks Gallery is pleased to present as the first show of the year, the recent collection of new oil paintings from Friday Harbor resident, Debbie Daniels. This painter of portraits, has a very detailed almost photo-realistic feel to the paintings.

In this collection of work, Debbie is intently looking, examining creatures that live in our local waters… crab, clam, and kelp to list a few. Yes, even a few old wooden boats. The details and the quality of her compositions are enlivened by her color palette, think rich deep blues, and shadowy whites filling the canvas. Many of these oil painting may be hung as a vertical or horizontal, your choice.

Now you ask what is a Pop-Up Show? Well, it’s a show that’s hung for a very limited time. This means, if you want to see this show hung in the gallery, visit from this Saturday, April 25 to next Saturday, May 2.

For further information check out WaterWorks Gallery.

Sally Thomsen – SJ Update file photo

After fifteen very successful years as the Director of Island Rec, Sally Thomsen has announced that she is resigning her position effective June 5, 2015. While acknowledging that her decision to resign was very difficult, Sally has expressed that she is delighted and excited to join her husband, Tim Thomsen, in the operations of his very successful 35 year kayak touring business, San Juan Kayak Expeditions.

“Sally will be really missed in her role as Director” said Bill Cumming, Board Chair of Island Rec. “Sally is directly responsible for our well-run parks, excellent recreational programming and staffing, and for the administration of these programs. We can’t thank her enough for her dedication to Island Rec as an organization and to the citizens of San Juan Island.”

The Island Rec Board of Commissioners has hired as interim Director, island resident Maddie Ovenell. Maddie brings to Island Rec a very strong background in recreation program management having worked as a Recreation Specialist for Community Events for Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation in Oregon, and as a Program Director for the YMCA Camp Orkila on Orcas Island. She has also held the positions of Fairgrounds and Events Manager for San Juan County and as Event Sales and Facility Coordinator for Central Washington University.

Maddie has earned a BA in Environmental Studies/Communications and holds a Masters of Science degree in Recreation Administration. “We are extremely pleased that someone as qualified as Maddie was available to assume the role as Interim Director and we are looking forward to working with her.” Cumming said.

The Board of Commissioners for Island Rec will begin the process of formally recruiting and hiring a full time Director beginning early June. The recruitment process is expected to be conducted throughout the summer months with a hiring decision most likely in the early fall.

Eagle in Flight – Kevin Holmes photo

Kevin Holmes shares this awesome photo he shot this past week.  Great shot Kevin, thanks for sharing!

Redoubt Perspective – A Painting by Nancy Spaulding

San Juan Island National Historical Park, in partnership with the San Juan County Land Bank, is once again hosting the Community Arts in the Park competition with entries accepted between May 11th and 15th, announced project coordinator Park Ranger Raena Parsons.

This year’s theme is Wildflowers & Birds of the San Juan Islands. Entries may be of any medium but must follow the size guide below:

• 2-D size 8″x10″ or 11″x14″ only, portrait or landscape in orientation.
• 3-D size between 4″ and 18″ square.

Community Arts in the Park is a competition that celebrates ecology through art! Through this program community members have the opportunity to raise awareness of the San Juan Islands’ natural diversity. Works will inspire community connections to local ecology and outdoor stewardship.

The contest is open to residents of and visitors to San Juan County. (National Park Service and San Juan County Land Bank employees and volunteers are ineligible.) Entries are limited to one per person and must be original artwork in any medium.

Participants may drop off entries to park headquarters at 650 Mullis Street, Suite 100. They will be placed on view May 18-30 at the American Camp Visitor Center. The public may vote on the top three in each category, which will then be on display at the visitor center from June 1 to July 5.

For contest details visit our website.

For more information, contact Raena Parsons at (360) 378-2240 ext 2222 or email Raena_Parsons[@]nps[.]gov.

Paideia school is looking for some help – maybe it’s you?

Are you a retired teacher who misses interacting with young, inquiring minds? Are you a history or Latin enthusiast with a gift for connecting with youth? Paideia Classical School may have a position for you. We seek to hire part-time and/or a full-time middle school teacher(s) to join our collegial team this fall, contributing in the subject areas of history, English, Bible, logic, Latin, math, and science.

Paideia Classical School is a nondenominational Christian school serving grades K-8. For more information please write Jodi VanderYacht at paideiaschool[@]centurytel[.]net.

Agnetta Wilhelmina Felthous

Agnetta Wilhelmina Felthous passed away from natural causes on April 17, 2015 at the age of 94. She was born on March 26, 1921 in Seattle, Washington to Ole and Anna Blindheim. She was raised in north Seattle and graduated from Lincoln High School. Talented in piano and accordion, she and her brother Alvin were one of the early accordion duets in Seattle.

During World War II Agnetta married Robert. A Felthous, a Lieutenant in the Navy. The young couple lived several years in San Francisco and then briefly in Seattle, before moving to Selah, Washington in 1947. For the next 25 years they lived and raised their family, Alan, Linda, and Dean in Selah. Agnetta was a devoted wife, homemaker and mother serving as a den mother in Cub Scouts for Dean and Alan, and as a leader for Linda’s Blue Bird, Campfire Girls, and Job’s Daughters groups.

From 1976 to 1978 Agnetta and Bob lived in Olympia, Washington. Then the two moved to their vacation home on Cape San Juan, San Juan Island, Washington. There they enjoyed the first 25 years of retirement. As health concerns mounted they then moved to Warm Beach Senior Community Center, in Stanwood, WA. Agnetta was a resident of Rose Garden Adult Family home in Mill Creek, WA at the time of her death. Agnetta and Bob enjoyed many years of their retirement traveling in their RV and for several years wintered in a retirement community in Tucson, AZ.

Agnetta is survived by her three children, Alan Robert Felthous (Mary), Linda Ann Felthous, and Dean Munro Felthous (Rosemarie). Four grandchildren: Erik (Lisa), Emily (Anthony), Elizabeth (Charles), and Alisa (Scott), and nine great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Alvin Blindheim and four nephews, Mark, Steve, Neil, and Dale.

A burial service will be conducted at the Friday Harbor Cemetery on Friday, April 24 at 12:00 noon, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 25, at Mukilteo Presbyterian Church, Mukilteo, WA.

Suggested memorials: Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church, Warm Beach Senior Community Center or Providence Everett Cancer Center.

Doug and Birder – Contributed photo

Tourism to San Juan Island NHP creates more than $15 million in Economic Benefits
Report shows visitor spending supports 204 jobs in local economy

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 268,946 visitors to San Juan Island National Historical Park in 2014 spent $15, 083,000.40 in communities near the park. That spending supported 204 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $19,514,000.

English Camp Re-enactors – Contributed photo

“English Camp and American Camp are key attractions on San Juan Island and welcome visitors from across the country and around the world,” said Superintendent Lee Taylor. “We are delighted to be a part of the vibrant experiences the island offers and to share the story of this place.”

National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service, and it’s a big factor in local economies as well. Continue Reading

Before the move: Colorful, thriving communities in the Fernald touch tank – Pema Kitaeff photo

We moved the ‘touch tank’ from under the stairs in the Fernald building at Friday Harbor Labs!
Story by Pema Kitaeff

Most visitors to FHL – whether they’re here for a year or an hour – are enamored with what we often call the “touch” or “pet” tank under the stairs in the Fernald building. From Jan 29th – Feb 10th, in preparation for planned work on the building’s lower floor, we managed to move every living anemone, chiton, and gunnel from the tank.

Many thanks for this effort are due to our intrepid maintenance crew and to Katie Dobkowski, a UW grad student in residence at FHL. We used multiple buckets, two pickup trucks, and a couple of coolers to move most of the pink coralline algae-covered rocks to 5 flowing seawater tables in Lab 8. Finally, a forklift was used to transport the largest boulder to a spot just below the pier’s boat sign-out shed, where UW divers may visit it on occasion.

One Pisaster and one urchin (out of over two dozen) looked slightly under-the-weather following the move and were returned to the sea. All other animals appear to be healthy and thriving in their temporary homes. We look forward to restoring our beloved touch tank to its former splendor when Fernald is ready. If you’ll be at FHL this May and you’re interested in helping with the move back, please contact Pema Kitaeff: [email protected].

Evacuation complete. Stay tuned for the tank restoration in late spring!
Pema Kitaeff photo

For more on FH Labs, check out their Spring 2015 Newsletter.

Jason Gunter – Angie Upchurch photo

Here’s an invitation for you from Jason Gunter to make your voice heard with regard to Mitchell Hill trails…

Hey Tim,

Just wanted to pass along there is a public meeting on April 28th for user groups to make comments on the Mitchell Hill management plan. This is important for many reasons.

Firstly there is a potential that trails could become limited to certain user groups which would not only limit the multi-use trail system on Mitchell Hill but on the island as a whole.

As you know I am an avid mountain biker and Mitchell Hill is one of the only, if not THE only place to ride on the island.

Preservation of multi-use trail systems on San Juan Island is very important. Two meetings will be held next Tuesday, April 28th at the Grange – One from 12:00 to 2:00 and the other from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

I encourage interested people show up at one of the meetings and also to use the online comment system. It is a way to ensure all comments are logged. I support what ever view you may have but I am strongly urging people to support the continued multi-use trail system.

The following is a link to make a comment and see all documentation.

Thanks,
Jason

Ed. – More on this subject was shared by the Trails Committee as well…
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