Washington State Ferry M/V Hyak loads up with travelers in Anacortes – Tim Dustrude photo

Here’s a new press release from Washington State Ferries…

Passengers looking to secure a spot aboard Washington State Ferries vessels in 2015 are sailing to success using WSF’s new vehicle reservation program, launched earlier this year.

Between Jan. 5 and Feb. 22, about half of all drivers departing from Anacortes, Friday Harbor and Orcas Island took the guesswork out of the equation by traveling with a reservation. The numbers swelled during Presidents’ Day weekend, with 75 percent of San Juan Islands-bound travelers reserving their space in advance.

“Customers with reservations experienced much shorter wait times traveling to the San Juans during Presidents’ Day weekend this year than in previous years,” said WSF Vehicle Reservations Program Manager Brian Churchwell. “Reserving a spot in advance not only guarantees a space on the ferry, it will help reduce wait times during our busy spring and summer sailing seasons.”

WSF is making 90 percent of every sailing to the islands available for vehicle reservations. Reservations are released in three, 30 percent tiers to help meet both the needs of customers planning far in advance and those making travel plans closer to their sailing date. Some unreserved space is set aside for emergency vehicles, customers with medical priority loading, and standby customers. Reservations can be made up to three hours before the published sailing time. Continue Reading

Mike Martin shares this Wolverines update…

Already this year Friday Harbor High School has sent the Boys and Girls Soccer teams as well as wrestlers James Guard and Haley Pile to the WIAA State Championship tournaments. Now the girls and boys basketball teams are one win from qualifying for the Washington State 2B Basketball Championships.

After a dominant 48-29 win over the La Conner High School Braves, the Wolverine boys (18-5 on the season) are up first Friday Night at 8:00 PM as they take on Pacific League champion Life Christian Academy (26-1) on at Mt. Tahoma High School in Tacoma. The game will be carried live on FHTinyRadio.com and on 1650 AM in town with FHHS Senior Sam Paul-Barrette doing the play-by-play and Mike Martin doing the color commentary.  

Pregame coverage begins at 7:50 pm.

The Lady Wolverines (15-6) find themselves in the State Regional Finals after their come-from-behind victory over arch-rival Orcas Island High School. They face Central league powerhouse and last year’s state runner-up, Toutle Lake High School (22-3) on Saturday at W.F. West High School in Chehalis. That game will also be broadcast live on FHTinyRadio.com and 1650 AM with the pregame coverage starting at 11:50 AM and the tipoff at noon.

Mary Kate Berger

Sunday, March 8th, 3:00 pm at Brickworks in Friday Harbor. Ciely Ty Gray will facilitate a remembrance for Mary Kate followed by light refreshments.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Mary Kate Berger fund at Islanders Bank.

The San Juan Garden Club invites you to their next presentation…

Farhad Ghatan, life-long gardener and member of the Stormwater Management Board, will present a comprehensive program about how the chemicals we use in our garden adversely affect our garden produce and the environment. He will offer alternative methods of treating pests and common garden issues.

At every meeting, we enjoy general discussion of gardening issues and gardening experiences of all in attendance. The topics among members and guests usually range from greenhouse and container gardening, to gardening with seasonal crops and beyond… It’s a great forum to bring forward discussion of your gardening questions since many members are Master Gardeners and others are experienced gardeners in all aspects of gardening.

All are welcome!!

Please join us for tea, coffee, dessert and a wonderful program. RSVP to Marguerite Bennett at 378-8524 or just drop in and join the discussion.

Visit our website for more information: www.sjigardenclub.weebly.com

Front row, L-R: Pat Nelson, Dorothy Baker, Sue Collado, Traci Wilson back row: Carol Hooper and Sasha von Dassow. Not pictured: Sharyn Peterson and Kay Zavislak – Contributed photo

Take three pianists, a flutist, clarinetist, cellist, bassoonist and violinist. Mix with classical pieces from two island composers as well as a variety of pre-21st century composers and it’s a recipe for a light and beautiful evening of great music on San Juan Island.

Clarinetist Sue Collado has again assembled a diverse group of island and mainland musicians for this fourth edition of Melodious Notes Over the Harbor at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, March 7th at 7:30 pm.

This year’s island musicians are pianists Dorothy Baker and Carol Hooper, flutist
Traci Wilson, clarinetist Sue Collado and cellist Sasha von Dassow. Joining them are bassoonist Pat Nelson, violinist Sharyn Peterson and pianist Kay Zavislak. Continue Reading

Shannon Kelley, Scott Mapstead and Candace Gossen – Contributed photo

Valentine’s Day may be over, but love is definitely still in the air in Friday Harbor. San Juan Community Theatre’s winter play, Almost Maine, finishes up its run this Thursday*, Friday and Saturday, February 26-28 at 7:30 pm.

Island audiences have been filling the Gubelman to watch John Cariani’s romantic comedy set in one of the northernmost eastern towns during the heart of winter. Director Carol Hooper says Almost and Friday Harbor have several similarities. “Both are full of independent, hardy, likable folks who are busy pursuing their relationships, hopes and dreams. The road is not always smooth, but there is adventure in the journey! And you just never know when the glorious Northern Lights might bring a bit of magic….”

The island cast of 17 features Scott Mapstead, Amy Hull, Lisa Moretti, Keith Keyser, Shannon Kelley, Candace Gossen, Cris DuVall, Joshua Boland, Libbey Oswald, Scott Dow, Deb Langhans, Lynda Guernsey, Greg Swinford, Duvie Dow, Joy Van Camp, Brad Fincher and Cole Arendt.

*Thursday is “Bargain Night”–tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for student reserved.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.sjctheatre.org or the box office 378-3210.

Shona at Wolf Hollow sent over this story about these tiny little creatures that are beginning to stir with the coming of Spring…

Tree Frog – Wolf Hollow photo

Before you get the wrong idea, this is not about witches’ potions, it’s about signs of spring on the San Juan Islands!

Have you heard the frogs? Its breeding season for Pacific Tree Frogs, so the males are gathering in ponds and wetlands and croaking their little hearts out to attract female frogs. It is difficult to believe that such a loud sound is being made by tiny green/bronze amphibians, less than 2 inches long.

They mostly call at night, but if you are lucky enough to see them in action you can watch as they inflate the vocal sacs in their throats to an amazing size, then produce a loud crek-ek sound. When hundreds get together in a good breeding pond the noise can be deafening and feels like it’s reverberating through your whole body. It is well worth an after-dark walk or drive to listen to this incredible chorus.

This is also the time of year when Rough-skinned Newts are on the move. The females are moving back from their winter hiding places in the woods to the ponds and wetlands where they breed.

Sadly, their route often takes them across roads, so many get squished by cars. We know of one crossing point on Boyce Rd, just down the hill from Wolf Hollow, but there are many other parts of the islands where newts will be making their way across roads.

Although they have a bright orange belly, their back is brown and they are only a few inches long, so they are really difficult to see when you’re driving. Please look out for Newts Crossing and let your neighbors and friends know too.

If you are seeing newts in particular areas on the San Juans, we’d love to know, so we can find out where their breeding areas are. Give us a call (360 378 5000) or send an email to:
wolfhollow [@] wolfhollowwildlife [.] org.

2013’s 1st Place winner, Erich Atwell – Contributed photo

Attention, young artists! Island Rec needs your help to design the poster for this year’s Children’s Festival! Kids of all ages are invited to submit poster designs that incorporate this year’s festival theme:

Aloha! Escape to Paradise!

Artworks must be submitted on an official entry form, which can be obtained at Island Rec’s office or at the Elementary School. Poster designs must be returned to Island Rec, 580 Guard Street, by 5:00 pm Friday, March 20th, 2015 to be considered by our contest judges.

In addition to the honor and title of “Official Poster Designer,” the First Place winner will receive a wildlife cruise for four with Western Prince Cruises. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Runners-up will receive gift certificates to The Toy Box, Ositos, and A Place To Play. Enter for a chance to win!

The 25th Annual Children’s Festival will take place Saturday, May 2nd, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Fairgrounds.

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

Click to enlarge poster

There’s a new support group being offered for caregivers supporting loved ones with cancer. “Cancer Caregivers Support Circle,” where those providing support to loved ones with cancer can process their experiences in a safe, confidential place – share their own challenges, triumphs, lessons, resources – & also listen deeply to others’ journeys. (No fee will be charged.) To learn the details, click to enlarge the poster.

Please note: the venue for this new Cancer Caregivers Support Circle has changed. You may see flyers posted around town – be aware that the flyer posted here has the current, correct location as the Heritage Bank (formerly Whidbey Island Bank) in the Community Meeting Room.

Click to preview the movie “No” on the FHFF Website.

This film was nominated for an Oscar as Best Foreign Language Film in 2013. It tells the fascinating story of a young advertising executive in Chile who used his “tools of trade” to affect major change in his country.

In 1988, international pressure was put on Chilean military dictator Augusto Pinochet, forcing him to call a referendum on whether or not he would continue in power for another eight years. Leaders of the “no” movement recruited René Saavedra, who worked in advertising, to spearhead their campaign. With few resources and constant scrutiny by the dictator’s minions, Saavedra and his team devised a bold plan to win the election and free their country from oppression.

They implemented a vibrant ad campaign that was instrumental in deposing the much despised and feared Pinochet. Once released, the film generated some serious criticism regarding its portrayal of complex historical events, particularly from those in Chile who experienced the events depicted.

Tuesday March 3rd, 7:00 pm at the Grange.
Donations appreciated
Running time: 118 minutes

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Washington women, and the second leading cause of cancer death, according to the Susan G Komen for the Cure® Puget Sound Affiliate.

San Juan County ranks second highest on the State Cancer Profiles list in incidences of breast cancer, and the trend is rising.

While there is uncertainty regarding strategies to prevent the disease, it is well proven that early stage diagnoses can greatly improve a woman’s chance for survival. In addition to mammography, breast self-exams are an important step in detecting tumorous lumps.

To encourage women to conduct monthly self-exams, Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor (SIFRI) has recently donated 125 LIV® Breast Self-Exam aids to Planned Parenthood, the SJ County Nutrition Program for Women, Infant & Children (WIC) program, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) and The Village at the Harbor, for distribution to clients.

Patricia Brightman, Community/Legal Advocate for DVSAS notes, “DVSAS encourages self-care and wellness with our clients and staff. Being able to give them a more effective way to do breast self-exams is a great way to promote that mission.” Continue Reading

Francie Hansen and Carol Jackson – Contributed photo

Meet intrepid travelers Francie Hansen, local artist and gifted teacher, plus Carol Jackson, well-known co-owner of Serendipity  Books, to hear about their explorations on numerous worldwide long-haul trips.

Hear how two very different women enjoy each other’s company and find humor in tough situations. Enjoy photographs of their trips and challenges.

Refreshments will be served courtesy of the Friends of the Library and The San Juan Island Trails Committee.

Monday, March 2nd from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Library.

Don’t Forget – The Animal Protection Society hosts the 7^th Annual Spayghetti Dinner tonight, February 24 from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Mullis Center. Don’t miss out on the delectable dinner, desserts, live entertainment and fabulous raffle prizes!

Tickets will be available at the door.  $15 for Adults and $5 for kids under 10.

All proceeds benefit the APS-FH Spay/Neuter Program.

Charlie O’Kelly plays at a Methodist service on Kona, and Tom Gonser met up with him just this last weekend there – Tom Gonser photo, from Hawaii

Hey, remember Tom and Stephanie Gonser, who used to live at Cape San Juan, and moved to Oregon a few years ago? Tom just recently dropped a note  from Hawaii  to former SJ Update editor Ian Byington…

Small world. We were at the Kona United Methodist Church this morning, and it featured an interesting group of musicians that provided a nice touch both during the service, and for a short while after.

I happened to meet the chap on the left, Charlie O’Kelly, who worked summers at the UW Labs in Friday Harbor for many years. A few years ago he moved here to Kona. It occurred to me that given the musical background, you may have come across him at some point in FH. Very nice guy, and now happily retired in Kona.

Tom

P.S. Methodist churches have a theme that says “open doors, open hearts, open minds.” This one was spot on with the second two, but could have been “no doors, no walls…”

Shown here with his family, Scott Zehner will lead this month’s Know Your Island Walk – Contributed photo

Streets and Sidewalks: a Tour of Parks Near and Within the Town of Friday Harbor. Meet Island Rec Commissioner Scott Zehner to walk the parks we see regularly but may know very little about. Can you name five?

Saturday, February 28, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Meet and park at Friday Harbor Fields at the end of Carter Street in the cul de sac.

• Distance: 3 miles Round Trip maximum
• Rating: Easy
• Terrain: Sidewalk/pavement.

Well-behaved dogs on leashes okay. Wheelchair accessible. Rain or shine. For more information send an email to:
info [@] sanjuanislandtrails [.] org.

Just a few of the campsites at San Juan County Park on the westside – SJ Update staff photo

Just got this reminder from Christina at SJC Parks…

Tim,
Can you post this on the Update? Resident-only camping reservations ends this coming Thursday, February 26th. We just want to make sure no one misses out.
Thanks!

** Ending this Thursday, February 26 **
San Juan County Residents-only early Camping Reservations. Reserve campsites at your local county parks for any dates during the summer. Ends this Thursday, Feb. 26th. Reserve now!

Call 378-8420 or email parks [@] sanjuanco [.] com.
Form is located here.

Happy Camping !!