Friday Harbor novelist Anne L. Watson is celebrating the launch of her new Island Women trilogy by giving away the first book during the month of April. In “Cassie’s Castaways,” Amy Bendbowe receives a call for help from her dying mother, Cassie, and rushes from Friday Harbor to Mobile, Alabama, to see her. But Cassie has other ideas.

Each ebook in the trilogy features a different woman of San Juan Island — her life, loves, and above all, her relationship with her mother — and two stories take place on the island itself. Though each novel can stand alone, they’re also interrelated, with major characters appearing in each other’s books.

“Cassie’s Castaways” is available free in Amazon’s Kindle Store and Apple’s iBooks Store. “Willow’s Crystal” will be published in May, and “Benecia’s Mirror” in June, with both now available for preorder on Amazon. Anne is the author of several other novels, including “Pacific Avenue,” a top Amazon.com bestseller in Literary Fiction.

Dear Island Neighbors,

On behalf of the San Juan Island Service Scholarship Board I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out on March 26th to support our annual Dining for Scholars event. It was wonderful to see so many community minded friends and families dining out to support the mission of volunteerism and scholarship here on San Juan Island.

We also want to extent our gratitude to all of our partner restaurants who donated a portion of their March 26th proceeds to the SJI Service Scholarship fund. Without their generosity this event would not happen. So, a sincere thank you and I encourage all of us to continue to support the following local businesses…

Rocky Bay, Café Demeter, Hungry Clam, Roche Harbor’s Lime Kiln Café, Market Chef, Blue Water, China Pearl, Spring Street Deli, Vic’s, Rumor Mill, Haley’s, Cask & Schooner, Mi Casita, Coho, Roche Harbor’s McMillan’s Room and The Place.

The mission of San Juan Island Service Scholarship is to support higher education and promote volunteerism among our community’s youth. Students who have completed a minimum of 80 hours of volunteer community service during their high school career are eligible for a scholarship from our organization.

If helping to grow volunteerism in our community appeals to you, please join us by making a donation to our scholarship fund by visiting us on the web or mailing your support to SJI Service Scholarship, P.O. Box 3366, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250. We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and your donation is fully tax deductible.

Sincerely,

June Arnold

Don’t forget, the first one of these poetry walks is today (Saturday, April 4th)…

San Juan County Land Bank Celebrates 25th Anniversary

In celebration of its 25th Anniversary, as well as National Poetry Month, The Land Bank, with help from its partners, SJI Library, SJI National Historical Park, SJI Trails Committee, Lime Kiln Point State Park, and Friends of Lime Kiln Society (F.O.L.K.S.), will display nature poems submitted and selected by Islanders along trails winding through some of San Juan Island’s most inspiring natural settings – Limekiln and Deadman Bay Preserves, Lime Kiln Point State Park, and American Camp.

The Poetry Trails are yours to explore during regular Park and Preserve hours throughout the month of April. Included in the month long celebration is a series of three Saturday guided poetry walks:

• April 4th at 1pm. Poetry Walk Guided by Poet Gary Thompson and Land Bank Volunteer Karen Vedder.
  Meet and park at Lime Kiln State Park main lot. No dogs please.
• April 11th at 1pm. Poetry Walk Guided by Poet Paul Nelson and SJI National Historical Park Historian Mike Vouri.
  Meet and park at American Camp Visitor Center lot. No dogs please.
• April 25th at 1pm. Poetry Walk Guided by Poets Sally and Sam Green and Land Bank Director Lincoln Bormann.
  Meet and park at Lime Kiln State Park main lot. No dogs please.

For more information, phone Tanja at 360-370-7655 or visit us online at www.sjclandbank.org.

John counseling one of his students – Robin Meyer-Tate photo

Robin Meyer-Tate shares this beautiful photo and a note of thanks…

The following is an artist’s thank you to photographer John Miller and the IMA Artist’s Workshop Program. I would appreciate it if you could share this with SJ Update readers.

Our time is so precious; when one gives of it freely it seems divine. I’ve come to learn, through taking classes in a wide variety of mediums, that a really good teacher knows their craft thoroughly, is unselfish in sharing what he or she knows, and, interestingly enough, enjoys life.

I’m just plain grateful to have had the good fortune to have worked with John (and I know I speak for all of his students who took the IMA’s first class in the new IMA Artist’s Workshop Program). I took the attached photo of John counseling one of his students during week three of the class while out on a photo shoot. In just four weeks, I went from complete novice to being able to shoot consistent quality photos with my newly-inherited, digital SLR camera.

Thank you John!

Just heard from Richard and Sherri at the cheese shop that they were selected as Cheese Shop of the Week by Culture Magazine (a leading magazine on cheese if you didn’t know…). Here’s what they had to say…

Richard and Sherri Daly – Contributed photo

Our ‪#‎cheeseshop‬ of the week? It’s San Juan Island Cheese in lovely Friday Harbor, Washington.

A true mom and pop shop, co-owners Richard and Sherri Daly followed their passions and have truly created something out of nothing. Originally a residential home, the house at 155 Nichols has a distinct look with its slanted blue roof and rustic wooden floors. San Juan Island Cheese is the place to taste cheese, sip wine and meet with friends. Check them out if you’re on the west coast!

Tanja at the Land Bank sent over this notice to share with you…

I heard from SJICC Program Director, Sarah Hanson, that their middle school crew applications are out & ready to go, due April 17.  If you have or know of a middle school aged child that would like a summer job, fill out the attached application.

You can email Sarah at sarah [@] madrona [.] org or call her at (425) 698-9817 if you have any questions.

And be sure to check out the youtube video she made of the 2014 crew.  It’s great!

9th Annual Celebration of the Orca Greeting Ceremony

Each summer, our resident pods of orca whales come together in what are called “greeting ceremonies.” In this spirit, The Whale Museum invites all orca supporters to our 9th Annual Celebration of the “Orca Greeting Ceremony.” This Fundraising Dinner and Auction will be held on Friday, April 24 at Brickworks in Friday Harbor.

The evening will begin with a happy hour & silent auction at 5:30 p.m.; the no-host bar will include wine from Northwest Totem Cellars and beer from Island Hoppin’ Brewery; San Juan Roasters is brewing the coffee.

Market Chef is preparing the dinner beginning with appetizers of olive oil crostini with a trio of spreads and assorted antipasti. The dinner will be a served buffet, including an entrée choice of herb marinated roasted pork shoulder with salsa verde or a faro and kale salad with feta cheese and a lemon-harissa dressing; entrees will be served with an organic mixed green salad with carrots, toasted seeds & red onion and homemade rolls with butter. After dinner, the entertaining portion of the evening will begin with the live auction followed by a dessert auction. That’s right, dessert after dinner is available in this delicious auction.

Bid on delectable treats like the original “Chocolate Shot Cake,” Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie, Lemon Tart, the Danish National Dessert (Rød Grød med Fløde), Red Wine Velvet Cake, and many more.

Special thanks to our event sponsors: Islanders Insurance, Islanders Bank, Northwest Totem Cellars, Petro San Juan, Coldwell Banker-San Juan Islands, and Ed & Clare Kelm.

The evening is a special treat at $35.00 per person (price includes dinner; wine & beer sold separately). Reservations can be made at The Whale Museum or online at www.whalemuseum.org. RSVPs are strongly encouraged as seating is limited. (If a group would like to attend, tables in increments of eight seats can be reserved.) Proceeds raised through this event will directly support the education and research programs of The Whale Museum. To reserve your seats, stop by the Museum or call (360) 378-4710 ext. 30.

Nicholas Corrin and Katerina Wen of Friday Harbor Holistic Health – Contributed photo

Friday Harbor Holistic Health has just moved to a  new location at 669 Mullis Street, Suite #202. That’s the same building as Spa d Bune, right next to the Thrift Store and close to the SJI Co-op.

The clinic offers state-of-the-art natural remedies for a wide range of chronic and complex health conditions using a drug-free approach which combines the very best of modern research and ancient wisdom. Come and experience a unique form of Chinese energy massage along with their patented, no-needle acupuncture Vibropuncture®.

Director of FHHH, Nicholas Corrin, is a nationally certified East Asian Medicine Practitioner; together with Katerina Wen, a renowned yoga teacher, they combine almost 40 years expertise in their work. Locally, they are appreciated for the popular community self-care classes, plus educational workshops on healing and nutritional science. They also conduct ongoing, top quality classes and trainings in Yoga, Qi Gong and Curative movement (for people of all ages, abilities and special needs).

For more info or inquires, visit www.FridayHarborHolisticHealth.com (360) 375-7052

J-52. The Newest addition to the Southern Residents – Photo Credit: Jeanne Hyde courtesy of Center for Whale Reseasrch

Here’s the latest news from the Center for Whale Research…

J52, is the newest member of J pod and was first seen mid-day on 30 March 2015 near Active Pass, British Columbia by avid whale-watchers. When first observed the baby still evidenced fetal folds indicating it was at most a few days old, and it appeared healthy and robust. The birth of this baby brings the total number of whales in J pod to 27 individuals, and the estimated total number of Southern Resident Killer Whales (Orca) to 81 individuals. The latter number cannot be confirmed until the K and L pod whales return to the Salish Sea from their coastal forays – usually by June. The annual census number for SRKW’s is based upon the number of individuals alive as of 1 July each year.

The observers of this new baby are experienced members and naturalists aboard vessels operated by professionals in the Pacific Whale Watch Association who are dedicated to non-invasive recreational whale watching. Photographs have been forwarded to staff of the Center for Whale Research (CWR) and have been confirmed as usable documentation sufficient to designate the new baby as J52; but, until we have several prolonged observations and documentation by CWR staff under official permit, we will be unable to determine the identity of the mother of this new baby.

Fireboat demonstration – Contributed photo

On Saturday May 16th from 9am to 4pm, the SJI Recreational Boating Safety Group and the Port of Friday Harbor will host a “Boat Safely Fair” & Marine Swap Meet.

This is a great opportunity to get your 2015 boating season off to a CLEAN, FUN, & SAFE start! There will be various water-based demonstrations including:

• Free Vessel Safety Checks
• Man Overboard Demonstration by the US Coast Guard
• In the Water Self-Correcting Kayak Demonstrations
• Fire Boat & Vessel Assist Demonstrations
• Activities for Kids

The “Marine” Swap meet will be on Front Street, right behind the Port office. If you are interested in selling or swapping and need space please contact the Harbormaster prior to the event at 378-2688. There will be Food, Music, & Pirates so come join us on the water!

Activities for kids – Contributed photo

A view of the bluff from South Beach. Not the sturdiest place to build a road – Contributed photo

After more than 14 years of planning, construction will start Monday April 13 on the long-awaited realignment of Cattle Point Road on the slopes of Mount Finlayson above South Beach, announced Lee Taylor, San Juan Island National Historical Park superintendent and Shannon Wilbur, project engineer for the San Juan County Public Works Department.

The $6.2 million project, targeted for completion by October 15, will relocate 1.27 miles of county road between Pickett’s Lane and the Cattle Point lighthouse to a glacial bench about 300 feet uphill from the current roadbed. The right of way will pass about 150 feet below the park’s Mount Finlayson trail overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Taylor said. About 500 feet of road within the park boundary is threatened by coastal erosion. If erosion continues unchecked the roadway will eventually fail, cutting-off the only access by road to federal, state, and private property, as well as utilities, at the east end of the Cattle Point peninsula.

Vehicular access to the Cattle Point/Cape San Juan area will be maintained throughout the project, though the speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph from Pickett’s Lane east to Cattle Point as mandated by the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) authorizing the work, Wilbur said. Drivers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes​ during morning commute hours (6 to 8 a.m.) and 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The exceptions will be the Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends when operations will cease from 6 p.m. Fridays to 7 a.m. Tuesdays. The road will open immediately for emergencies during construction. Continue Reading

Click to enlarge poster

You will work on your own bike in the class, learning how to clean and repair/adjust it. At the end of the class you will have a clean and tuned-up bike, and the knowledge how to do it on your own! We are pleased to be working with Paul at Island Bicycles.

Register today either online or at the Island Rec office. Scholarships available, cost is $45 (what a deal, have you priced bike repairs?).

Here’s a note from Cathy at the college…

Everyone is getting excited about this class!! Come join in this highly energetic and exciting 6 week course at the San Juan Center of Skagit Valley College.

Have you ever wanted to stand next to a giant statue on Easter Island?
Climb inside a temple in the ancient world of Maya?

Ever wonder how the ancient Native Americans built earthworks long before Stonehenge?

Or how the Hypogeum in Gozo, Malta was built with perfect pitch?

Come take a journey to Easter Island, to the Upper Peten of the Rio Bravo, to Poverty Point Malta, Egypt, the desert SW, and learn about Akus, Temples, the Golden Rectangle . . . and aliens!

Each week will be a different place in the world where instructor, Dr. Candace Gossen, has worked as an Archaeologist and Architect uncovering hidden secrets and their science long forgotten.

Candace holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Archaeology, a Master of Science in Solar Architecture and a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.

BEWARE! this class is guaranteed to inspire travel!

Come join this highly energetic and exciting class for 6 weeks on Friday mornings 9:30AM to 11:30AM, from April 24th to May 29th
COST: $75.00

Call the San Juan Center of Skagit Valley College 378-3220 to register

Get your dog bathed and groomed – Pet photographer extraordinaire Alan Niles is coming to do pet portraits again. Here he is with the story…

Tim,

Hi its Alan Niles. I’m going to be doing a pet event up there May 2-8. I donated 13 portrait sessions to Soroptomists during that time as well so I’ll be up there working my tail off doing those shoots and at the same time doing a pet photo event.

Lisa Holt the dog trainer is donating her training space to me for three days for an indoor studio. FH-APS is taking session fees (that they will keep 100% of) for the event. FH Pet Supplies, Loving Hands Grooming, Barking Bird, and San Juan Dog Training are all taking names and for sign ups as well.

Thanks,
Alan

Here’s the SJ Historical Museum with this month’s History Column…

“Before and after” photos of the Sundstrom Model A Bunny Buggy – Photo courtesy of Guard Sundstrom

The Easter Bunny may hop around the island this weekend, but the local history of bunny tales has more to do with the rabbit hunting era of the 1930s through 1970s. Before there were Orca Magnets, there were Rabbit Keychains and a fleet of Bunny Buggies catering to the tourist trade.

Origins lay in a rabbit infestation which had caused serious problems for island agriculture, decimating crop after crop. This overpopulation was the result of a commercial breeding venture gone awry in 1934, in which 3,000 rabbits had been released into the fields to roam and multiply.

Converting old trucks and cars into Bunny Buggies with side bucket seats welded on for easy night shooting, islanders hired themselves out as guides and drivers for mainlanders who knew a unique island adventure when they saw one. And there were many. It was estimated in 1971 that the island was overrun with a million rabbits.

Pictured above is a set of “before and after” photos of the Sundstrom Model A Bunny Buggy, courtesy of Guard Sundstrom. Kim Sundstrom is seen in both, first in the 1960s when the rig was in high gear and now with its surviving frame.

If you have a retired Bunny Buggy, we’d love to have a photo for the archives of the San Juan Historical Museum.

“A Decade of Living at Windy Corner on the Yukon River in Alaska.”

Using slides, Lynette Roberts and Steve Ulvi will share stories and memories of the people and the immense taiga landscape while learning to live a simple life in the bush along the Upper Yukon River near Eagle, Alaska.

They lived, worked and adventured in Alaska for 33 years, moving to lovely San Juan island in 2007 to build a new homestead life in retirement.

Monday, April 6th at 6:30 pm. San Juan Island Library main salon, free.