Do you have a friend or neighbor who takes exceptional care of their land? A teacher who inspires students to understand and care for the environment? A business that has been a leader in sustainable business practices? Here is an opportunity to recognize exemplary members of our community who have shown their commitment to preserving and protecting the San Juan Islands.

Each year the Stewardship Network of the San Juans presents Good Steward Awards to islanders, and we need your nominations. If you know someone who deserves this award, please submit your nomination by April 3, 2015. Nominations will be accepted in the following eight categories:

• Shoreline Stewardship
• Farmland Stewardship
• Woodland Stewardship
• Village Stewardship
• Business Stewardship
• Individual Stewardship
• Youth Stewardship
• Educator Stewardship

To see previous years’ winners, nomination forms and award guidelines, go to stewardshipsanjuans.org. Results will be announced in the media in June. Award recipients will be presented with “Finnies”—fish handcrafted by Crow Valley Pottery— on Saturday, June 20 as part of the Solstice Celebration on Orcas Island.

To submit nominations, fill out the form on stewardshipsanjuans.org. You can also mail your nomination to Julia Vouri, Stewardship Network Coordinator, C/O San Juan Islands Conservation District, 530 Guard St., Friday Harbor 98250. Questions? Email: stewardshipnetwork [@] gmail [.] com.

Baseball/Softball night Thursday – Tinatruelove photo

The Friday Harbor Baseball & Softball Association will be holding a Back to Baseball night on Thursday March 5th at 5:30, at the Middle School Commons, where parents can get their kids signed up and take advantage of an early registration discount.

The Association will be discussing some needs of the program as well as discussing the tryout schedule and answering any questions parents may have at this time.

Our new website with all the info will soon be up and running and will be constantly updated throughout the season. This new website is at http://www.fhbsa.org.

We will be holding Boys and girls tryouts on March 15th. Additional information for this event will be announced soon.

This story has been updated in order to make a correction…

The San Juan Island School District announced today the three finalists for the position of Superintendent. The final interviews will stretch over three days as each candidate spends a full day on the island on either March 9, 10 or 11.

Much of the day will be spent meeting and speaking with school district staff, administration and school board. Any island citizen wishing to meet the candidates and provide feedback to the Board can do so between 4:30 and 5:30 each day in the middle school commons.

• March 9: Mr. Eric Nerison
  Currently the Langley Middle School Principal, Mr. Nieson has been a Director of Technology and C.T.E. (Career and Technical Education) Director at South Whidbey Langley. Mr. Nerison has a range of leadership experiences including technical education and administration, special education, curriculum and professional development and as a Middle School Principal. He received his Superintendent Certification from Seattle Pacific University completing the Executive Leadership Program.
• March 10: Dr. Danna Diaz
  Currently Assistant Superintendent for the El Paso Independent School District in Texas, Dr. Diaz has also served as Director of Student Engagement for Fort Worth Independent School District and as Regional Superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia. She also served as an elementary principal, education specialist and resource coordinator. She received her PhD in Educational Administration from the University of Texas.
• March 11: Dr. Gregory McMann
  Most recently the Superintendent of Springer Municipal Schools in New Mexico, Dr. McMann has also served as Curriculum Director for Sweetwater School District #2 in Green River Wyoming and principal in Albuquerque. He received his PhD in Curriculum from the University of New Mexico.

How It Really Started: An Anecdotal Account of the Early Years of American Studio Glass

Fritz Dreisbach, The Johnny Appleseed of Glass, to speak at San Juan Community Theatre – Contributed photo

Called the “Johnny Appleseed of Glass,” Fritz Dreisbach is one of America’s glass royalty. The effervescent Dreisbach will spin stories of the studio glass movement in the U.S. on 7 p.m. Friday, March 13, at the San Juan Community Theatre.

Presented by the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (IMA) as part of the Art As A Voice lecture series and arranged by its exhibition committee, the talk broadens the discussion of the art of glass. The evening is open to all interested in the art of glass-the curious, beginners, the expert and students are welcome.

Dreisbach’s Where Were You in ’62? How It Really Started: An Anecdotal Account of the Early Years of American Studio Glass is a playful and joyous take on glass blowing and a unique perspective on modern glass in the Pacific Northwest.

Tickets are available at IMA and the San Juan Community Theatre for $16 general admission, $13 for IMA members and $8 for students. Continue Reading

Bruce Gregory in Tajikastan – Contributed photo

Mitchell Bay Farm co-owner Bruce Gregory will talk about his 3-week trip to Tajikistan in the fall 2014 as part of the Farmer-to-Farmer exchange program.

This government program puts farmers from the U.S. face to face with farmers in foreign countries to share tools and techniques. Bruce has lots of pictures to share. Refreshments are courtesy of the Friends of the Library.

Wednesday, March 4, at 7:00 pm in the San Juan Island Library main salon – Free.

The San Juan County Council authorized the re-payment of a limited tax general obligation bond at its February 24, 2015 meeting.  The bond, secured in 2012, in the amount of $810,000, was necessary to provide operational funding for the solid waste utility, and consolidate its prior held debt.

According to County Manager Mike Thomas, early re-payment of the debt means the County will forego having to pay approximately $150,000 in interest payments it would have paid if the bond had gone to term.   Re-payment of the debt signifies the completion of the County’s multiple year goal to transform solid waste services.

At the San Juan Center of Skagit Valley College, it’s more than a college; it’s a community!

The San Juan Center is a place where you can easily discover a new passion or continue your lifelong learning through our Community Education workshops on interesting topics lead by informed and interesting instructors.

Our Spring Quarter begins April 6 and includes the classes below:

• Travel the world’s cultures
  Come take a journey to Easter Island; the Upper Peten of the Rio Bravo; Poverty Point Malta; Egypt; the desert SW and learn about Akus, Temples, the Golden Rectangle and aliens! Beware this class is guaranteed to inspire travel!! See page 13 in quarterly schedule link below
• Dip into the craft of creative writing
  Join this workshop-based course for all skill levels. Experiment with all genres of creative writing including fiction, memoir, poetry, and drama. See page 13 in quarterly schedule link below
• Big things come in Tiny Houses !!
  Join a one-day seminar covering this resounding trend in house building and design that declares that “smaller is better, more manageable, more environmentally friendly and less of a personal financial burden.” See page 13 in quarterly schedule link below

See about these classes and more in our spring quarter schedule. (PDF)

If you have never visited the San Juan Center of Skagit Valley College, we are located above the Friday Harbor Airport Terminal on Weber Way. Stop on by, we would love to show you around!

The San Juan Center of Skagit Valley College – (360) 378-3220

Here’s an update from OPALCO on the Rock Island acquisition…

The news last week that Orcas Power & Light Co-op and Rock Island have joined forces to deliver Internet services to islanders in San Juan County is the latest in a long chain of thoughtful decisions and deliberate action on the part of the OPALCO leadership.

“This is a community effort reminiscent of getting electricity to the islands back in 1937,” said Bob Myhr, OPALCO Board member since 1986. “It’s a game changer. Moreover, the revenue from Rock Island will come at just the right time to help finance the increasingly expensive costs of necessary future submarine cable replacements, hence — keeping the power flowing to us the islands.”

OPALCO funded the start-up costs and working capital for Rock Island Communications in the form of a loan. The impact on members is $3 per month for 24 months and is included in the recent rate increase.

The merger with Rock Island is a mutually beneficial effort. Rock Island founder Mike Greene calls it a “win-win-win.” Both parties share a strong desire to meet the communication needs of islanders in San Juan County. Rock Island Communications is a local company committed to providing excellent service for the benefit of the local community. Continue Reading

Philip Donlay is at it again. His just-released thriller, Aftershock, finds the intrepid Donovan Nash on another heart stopping adventure. If you’ve followed Donlay’s Donovan Nash series, be sure to stop in Griffin Bay Bookstore on Saturday afternoon, March 7, from 2:00—4:00 pm to meet the former pilot and pick up a signed copy of Aftershock.

The flames of Donovan Nash’s worst nightmare are fanned to life when Stephanie VanGelder, one of those closest to him, is kidnapped in the volcanic powder keg of lawless Guatemala. With help from his inner circle, including his estranged wife, Dr. Lauren McKenna, Nash races headlong into a world of corruption and deception. Battling kidnappers, as well as the deadly gas and lava from the impending eruption of a volcano, Donovan only has one chance to save Stephanie.

Amid earthquakes, volcanic ash, and lava, the rescue goes horribly wrong, and Donovan is forced to find a way for everyone, including a mysterious woman who holds the secrets to his past, to escape one of the most powerful forces on earth. Aftershock is the story of Donovan Nash, a man battling his torturous past, while struggling to survive along with the most important people in his life. In the face of impending death, Donovan must find the courage to face a shocking truth he’s sought for decades—a truth that will change him forever.

Fellow author Steve Berry says of Aftershock: “Lots of mischief and mayhem, the characters are fraught with danger, the plot hits all the right notes. Definitely check this one out.” Continue Reading

Otis is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

Hello, I’m Otis and I have excellent news.  This week is “National Adopt an Orange Cat” week.  Really.  Does this look like a face that would kid?

Stop by the animal shelter and spend some time getting to know all the orange cats here, waiting for their forever homes. In the interest of full disclosure, I suppose I should tell you, I am the ONLY orange cat here.

The way I see it, that just makes your choice easier!  Besides, I’m a terrific cat – only about three or four years old, very friendly and personable, not to mention a great lap warmer.  Don’t wait too long – Us orange guys are very popular!

Get some hands-on help with a new iPad, iPhone, Kindle or Android tablet or smartphone. Learn how to download applications, close apps, toggle between apps or multitask, mark favorites, and conserve your battery.

Library staff will instruct in an informal setting with other newbies. Remember to bring your charged-up tablet or phone, Apple password or the password to your tablet or phone, and your email password. Register at the Library information desk or call 378-2798.

Tuesday March 3, 10:00 to 11:30 am at the San Juan Island Library meeting room. Free.

Join Us for the Native Plant Workshop!

Come join us for a workshop all about native plants! Saturday, March 7th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM at San Juan Grange. 152 North 1st Street, Friday Harbor.

This workshop is free and open to everyone!

Come learn about:

• Planting Techniques
• Site Selection
• Rain Gardens
• Pollinator Habitat, and…
• Our 2015 annual native plant sale!

Plants native to the Pacific Northwest are beautiful in the garden and landscape, are beneficial for wildlife, and improve habitat and plant diversity. All plants available at the upcoming Native Plant Sale will be featured and order forms will be available.

Please register with Sue Vulgares 378-6621, or via email at:
sue [@] sjislandscd [.] org

And speaking of gardens and plant sales, Dot wants you to know about the Garden Club’s upcoming excursion. Here she is with more…

Tim, will you please post on the Update that the San Juan Island Garden Club has three places left for our March 28th Excursion to La Conner, Christianson’s Nursery (a personal tour of the nursery by John Christianson) , and to La Conner Flats for High Tea on March 28.

The cost is $54.00, which includes all expenses except for the return walk on ticket and any incidentals that participants want to purchase.  If they want more information, they can contact either Yvonne Harold at 378-6250 or me at 378-8306.

Tot in Tow – John Miller photo

John Miller was driving home from town yesterday and caught this picture he would like to share with you.

San Juan Island School District and Island Rec seek to continue their Partnership to Fund School Athletics Programs 

For the last five years San Juan Island Park and Recreation District (Island Rec) and the San Juan Island School District have maintained an effective partnership to fully fund the high school sports program.  Under this partnership there has been no financial impact on basic education or school levy funds.  They now seek to continue this partnership through the upcoming Island Rec Levy election.

Athletic Director Rod Turnbull stated “Educational research decisively shows significant benefits to students who participate in athletics. Beyond health and fitness, school athletes have better classroom attendance, higher academic performance, and enjoy a stronger school culture.  On San Juan Island one of the most important qualities of high school athletics is that it crosses all boundaries of our high school-age population.”

The Friday Harbor High School sports program is open to all academically eligible high school age students, offering 16 sports teams with a participation rate of over 300.  Students who participate come from homeschool programs, public school and private school. Continue Reading