Posted January 7, 2015 at 5:24 am by Tim Dustrude
Writers are invited to read their works. It’s a chance to share the written word with fellow writers: prose, poetry, plays or commercials. If you write it, why not share it? It’s an inspiring evening.
Saturday, January 10, 7:00 pm at the San Juan Island Library main salon, free.
Light refreshments will be served.
Posted January 7, 2015 at 5:17 am by Tim Dustrude
Doe Bay Resort on Orcas Island is known for its rustic charm, world class farm-to-table café and its annual music festival, Doe Bay Fest. For the past two and a half years, something else has grown on the resort’s pristine 38-acres: a boutique writing workshop drawing first-class talent to aspiring and seasoned writers. And, like the resort’s annual music festival, tickets always sell out.
Jesse Michener photo
Event creators Jesse Michener and Jennifer Furber met at Doe Bay Fest in 2012 and put their talents to work crafting a workshop that’s as heavy on inspiration as it is on technique. Michener is a nationally-published photographer based in Tacoma and Furber writes a popular blog chronicling her life on San Juan Island with her family.
New York Times bestselling author of Two Kisses for Maddy, and a prior Write presenter, Matt Logelin admits, “I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived at Write: Doe Bay. I have written, and I continue to write, but I don’t like to think of myself as a writer. I’d never before attended any sort of writer’s retreat/workshop, and I’d long ago decided they weren’t for me. What I found at Write was a bunch of storytellers, all of them as genuinely humble and wonderful as anyone I’ve ever come across. Few of us had anything other than our storytelling in common, but that weekend created a bond for many of us that will last forever. And you know what? I saw lives changed that weekend. And at least one life saved. (Maybe more.) I know I’m forever changed by that weekend.”
The fourth cohort of the Write workshops will gather February 5-9 at Doe Bay Resort on Orcas Island, WA. Tickets on sale now via the Write website. For more information about the workshop, visit http://writedoebay.com.
Posted January 6, 2015 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
Erin Braybrook of Arlington, formerly of San Juan Island, accepts her prize from museum director Charlie Bodenstab – Contributed photo
San Juan Islands Museum of Art, which opened December 5 in Friday Harbor, surprised its 1000th visitor on Friday with a $200 Charter Membership. Erin Braybrook of Arlington, formerly of San Juan Island, is shown accepting her prize from museum director Charlie Bodenstab.
Benefits included with Braybrook’s $200 Supporting Membership include the opportunity to preview new shows, exclusive invitations to supporting member events, and discounts to IMA’s Art as a Voice speaker series, plus reciprocal privileges to over 600 museums through the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) and the new Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM) programs.
Memberships support IMA’s public work to establish on the Islands a non-profit art center that will attract art lovers from around the country, helping strengthen the year-round island economy. Continue Reading
Posted January 6, 2015 at 5:40 am by Tim Dustrude
Dusty is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo
O.K. Mr. Demille, I’m ready for my close-up now…
I arrived here at the Animal Shelter a few weeks ago, but I’ve been laying kind of low to prevent a stampede, because, well – look at me! I’m fabulous, if I don’t mind saying so. (And I don’t.)
I’m a seal point Siamese, but I don’t let my pedigree prevent me from mingling with other less-pedigreed cats. I can even tolerate well-mannered dogs if I have to.
I’m 4-years old and ready to pack my bags and get started on the next chapter of my life… maybe as your family member?
Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
111 Shelter Road, Friday Harbor 378-2158
Posted January 6, 2015 at 5:10 am by Tim Dustrude
Here’s a new article written by Merri Ann Simonson…
Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo
The REALTORS on San Juan and Lopez islands voted to dissolve the San Juan County Association of REALTORs in 2015 and become REALTOR members at large of the State Association. The decision to dissolve was due, in large part, to new core standards established by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) that were adopted in May 2014. Those standards included additional accounting regulations, an increase in State reporting, new duties for staff and the Board of Director, more travel and per diem along with increase State meeting participation. For our Association we would have needed a full time staff member. The Board of Directors concluded that the annual dues would most likely double in size to fund compliance with the new standards.
The purpose of the new core standards as developed by NAR is to increase the operational function of the management team of each Association across the Country; to become more uniform as to daily operation, to consolidate smaller Associations into larger ones, to create a higher level of accounting methods and board function. NAR desired all of the Associations to have full time staff with increased continued education requirements. Continue Reading
Posted January 5, 2015 at 10:24 pm by Tim Dustrude
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.
Tuesday, January 6 from 10:00 to 11:30 at the San Juan Island Library meeting room, free.
Register at the Library information desk or call 378-2798.
Posted January 5, 2015 at 10:17 pm by Tim Dustrude
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
Posted January 5, 2015 at 5:51 am by Tim Dustrude
Submarine Cables & Revenue Shortfall Drive Rates Up
OPALCO leadership has approved a new rate structure and 2015 budget that include rate increases for all members. There is no getting around it: we are facing expensive submarine cable replacements beginning in 2015 and continuing for the foreseeable future. In addition, we have to make up for a $1.4M revenue shortfall in 2014 due to warmer temperatures and we expect the warming trend to continue. Read the full story at opalco.com/news. The detailed budget report is available at opalco.com/about/finances.
The typical member will see an average 9% increase in their bill beginning with the February billing cycle. The 2015 budget targets an increase in revenue of 12% overall, but actual impacts to average residential member bills are less due to the redistribution of costs in the new rate structure, designed for greater member parity. Seasonal members and those who put the highest demand on the system will see greater increases as the new structure ensures each rate class pays its fair share of their actual cost of service. The budget also forecasts a 6% revenue increase for 2016-19.
14,000’ of submarine cable weighs about 380 metric tons on its spool. A 9000 square-foot barge will transport and install the cable in the Lopez-San Juan crossing with the assistance of a ROV at depths of up to 290’ – Contributed photo
The cost of replacing our submarine cables has gone up tremendously, mostly due to increased environmental mitigation. The last time we replaced a cable in this crossing (1994), it cost about $5M; the current project is estimated to cost at least $15M. We must build equity and revenue through rates to manage this significant debt service. Continue Reading
Posted January 5, 2015 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
The new IMA Building opened on Friday, December 5th, 2014 – Tim Dustrude photo
Here’s a letter to the community from Emily Reed Geyman about the new art museum…
The Islands Museum of Art on Spring Street in Friday Harbor is a significant new landmark in the cultural life of our islands thanks to the generosity of individuals and the hard work of many many volunteers. The museum’s architecture is impressive and the interior has several galleries as well as workshop space. Its location just a short walk from the ferry makes it very accessible to residents from other islands and visitors from the mainland.
The Museum opened in December with a juried show of 60 island artists of the IMA Artists Registry from Lopez, Orcas, San Juan and Waldron Islands. The talents of island artists are extraordinary as can be seen in the 100 pieces of their art on display including paintings large and small in various mediums, sculpture in metal, ceramics, wood and stone, photography and much much more. As I spent time meandering in the galleries, I experienced a deep sense of pride in the artistic community of our islands.
I urge islanders to take time to visit this exhibit which continues through January 25. The Islands Museum of Art is open Friday through Monday, 11-5. Phone: 370-5050.
Emily Reed Geyman
Posted January 5, 2015 at 5:40 am by Tim Dustrude
Pet photographer wanted – Photo by Elizabeth and Jane photography
The animal shelter is looking for a volunteer with experience photographing pets for a new public relations campaign.
If you are good with a camera, are creative and have some time to spare, call Jan Murphy at the animal shelter at 378-2158.
Posted January 5, 2015 at 5:26 am by Tim Dustrude
The Tooth Mobile is coming back to the Mullis Center, on Friday, Jaunuary 23rd and Saturday, January 24th. Fish For Teeth is sponsoring this clinic to provide dental care for anyone who is financially unable to afford it. Applications can be downloaded from our website at fishforteeth.com and dropped off at the Health Department or can be picked up at:
Application deadline is Wednesday, January 14th.
Also, please understand that the kind folks receiving your application have nothing to do with scheduling; scheduling will be made, according to severity and space, the week prior to the clinic.
Posted January 5, 2015 at 4:18 am by Tim Dustrude
Alison Longley shares some neighborly thoughts…
How to be a Good Neighbor
A number of events occurring on our islands as I was reading “Six Degrees” by Mark Lynas has me thinking – how can we be a better community in this new year and beyond? Here are a few thoughts:
Happy New Year, and may we all be good neighbors –
Alison Longley, Friday Harbor
Posted January 4, 2015 at 11:22 pm by Tim Dustrude
Eileen Drath of the Trails Committee wanted to make sure you heard – here she is with a reminder about their changed meeting times…
Hey everybody – We are trying something new! We are changing our time so perhaps YOU can join us at our meeting. The new time is Tuesday, January 6 at noon.
Place is still Whidbey Island Bank Conference Room. (Now Heritage Bank)
Bring your lunch if you wish! We’ll have juice and cookies. Want more information?
Write to: info [@] sanjuanislandtrails [.] org.
I hope to see you there,
Eileen Drath
Posted January 4, 2015 at 1:25 pm by Tim Dustrude
County Officials to be Sworn into Office Monday, January 5
Newly elected and re-elected San Juan County Officials will be sworn into office at 1:00 P.M. Monday afternoon at the County Courthouse in Friday Harbor.
Sheriff Ron Krebs, Treasurer Rhonda Pederson, and Assessor John Kulseth will be sworn to their first terms in office. Re-elected officials include: County Clerk Joan White, Auditor Milene Henley and District Court Judge Stewart Andrew.
Jamie Stephens, who was also re-elected to office, will be sworn in shortly before the County Council meeting on Monday morning.
Posted January 3, 2015 at 5:59 am by Tim Dustrude
Filmed on 5 continents and in 12 countries, ‘Following The Ninth’ is the story of four people whose lives have been transformed, repaired and healed by the message in Beethoven’s 9th symphony: Alle Menschen werden Bruder (All People Are Connected).
Part road trip, part adventure, Following The Ninth is a story about the power of music and human resilience in dark times.
Tuesday, January 6 at 7:00 pm
Friday Harbor Grange – Entry by Donation
Running time: 90 minutes
Posted January 3, 2015 at 5:52 am by Tim Dustrude
Audition Sunday, January 4
San Juan Community Theatre is casting actors to participate in the new Play Development Project. Meet with directors and writers in the Gubelman Theatre THIS Sunday, January 4 at 6:30 pm and support our Island Playwrights and the annual Playwrights Festival. For more information, contact Festival administrator Julie Laidlaw at jeztjulz [@] yahoo [.] com.