Posted December 16, 2014 at 5:55 am by Tim Dustrude
Left to right: Brittney Muir, Darcy Ayers, Coach Mark Fleming, Allison Fleming, Rachel Starr, Fallon Taylor, Ayla Ridwan, Raylee Miniken, Olivia Meenan, Olivia Brown and Presley Clark – Contributed photo
Great news sent over by Travis Ayers…
The Friday Harbor Tigers 6th grade girls SWISH basketball team won their end of season tournament this past weekend. They only lost one game the entire season and scored decisive victories on Saturday to take home the 1st place trophy!
Best regards,
Travis
Posted December 16, 2014 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
The Drive-In Movie folks at the Fairgrounds would like your input on movies for next year. Click the link below and tell them what you think…
Hey there,
We are conducting a survey to choose the final 4 movies that will be added to the 2015 Drive in at the Fairgrounds Movie line-up. Our Fair Board has generated a list to choose from, at this link.
Thanks so much and have a great week!
Ashley A. King
Posted December 16, 2014 at 5:41 am by Tim Dustrude
KWIT Players in It’s a Wonderful Life – Click to enlarge
The Witsend Productions’ group of island actors and comedians are back for the holidays with a beloved American classic with a KWIT twist!
It’s a Wonderful Life comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast at San Juan Community Theatre on Friday and Saturday, December 19-20 at 7:30 p.m.
With the help of the KWIT ensemble (directed by Therese Finn) who bring a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.
The Witsend Players feature John E. Davis, Daniel Finn, Therese Finn, Julie Laidlaw, Scott Mapstead, Bo Turnage and Susan Williams; sound effects girls Patti Bair and Shannon Kelley; and musician Keith Busha.
Tickets for It’s A Wonderful Life are $12 each. The Box Office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or tickets may be purchased online at www.sjctheatre.org.
Posted December 16, 2014 at 5:40 am by Tim Dustrude
Were you a member of OPALCO in 1989? If so, you may be among the 4,158 people who will get a check from OPALCO later this month as capital credits are distributed. This is one of the distinctions that make an electric co-op unique: it is truly member owned and operated and we each have a “stake” in the utility. Once a year, as OPALCO’s finances permit, the Co-op returns capital credits to its members on a 25-year cycle. The decision is made annually by the Board after a thorough examination of the Co-op’s financial position.
What are capital credits? Because OPALCO is a not-for-profit cooperative, it does not retain profits. Instead, any revenues above the cost of doing business are considered “margins.” These margins are allocated to members as capital credits at the end of the year. We all receive a statement in our bill each summer showing the amount of capital credits allocated for the previous year. This member capital allows our co-op to finance operations and some construction projects, with the intent that this capital will be repaid to us in later years. Continue Reading
Posted December 16, 2014 at 5:40 am by Tim Dustrude
Bellingham man earns bragging rights and $10,000 in the 5th annual Resurrection Derby at Friday Harbor
Over 300 anglers battled in this year’s “Best of the Best” bragging rights salmon derby in the Pacific Northwest! 2014 marked the 5th anniversary for this year’s Resurrection Derby, drawing anglers from Oregon to Canada which had its first sellout in this “100 boat shootout”! The stage was perfectly set this year with overcast skies and calm seas allowing anglers to venture all through the San Juan Islands is search of the prize winning fish.
Shaw Island resident and long time derby champion Pete Nelsen held the leader board the first day with an impressive 18.22 lb salmon. But he couldn’t hold on as day two brought in Steve Martin from Bellingham to claim the top spot and the $10,000 prize for the first place 18.89 lb salmon. Not far behind was the third place spot of Bill Havland from Everson, WA with his 17.27 lb fish. Continue Reading
Posted December 16, 2014 at 5:35 am by Tim Dustrude
Town of Friday Harbor Receives $500,000 Energy Grant from Washington State Department of Commerce
The Town of Friday Harbor is pleased to announce that it has received a grant award in the amount of $500,000 from the State Department of Commerce for Energy Efficiency Projects on Town owned real properties. The Town made application for the grants in October of this year and was one of 70 submittals from around the State of Washington. Of those applications, 28 were awarded funding for a total of $8.6 million. In total, 21 local jurisdictions, two State agencies and five higher education institutions received monies.
The Town will be responsible for a $50,000 match bringing the total budget to $550,000. The match portion can be repaid over five years after completion of the improvements. The grant will facilitate a number of projects including, in part, new VFD pumps, lighting, insulation and heat pumps at the Town’s Water filtration plant; tank mixers and lighting at the Water Pumphouse; heat pumps, insulation, variable speed pumps and new controls at the Sewer Treatment Plant; and new indoor and outdoor lighting, HVAC and duct work at Town Hall. Continue Reading
Posted December 15, 2014 at 5:11 pm by Tim Dustrude
New sidewalks, plantings, artistic tree grates, railings and lighting on Blair Avenue – Tim Dustrude photo
Blair Avenue improvements substantially complete – Ribbon cutting to take place Wednesday, December 17th.
The Mayor, council members and Town staff invite you to join them as they celebrate the official completion of the Blair Avenue improvement project on Wednesday, December 17 at 11:30 a.m. “We appreciate the community’s patience throughout this project,” said Duncan Wilson, Town Administrator. “While it was at times inconvenient, the final product was certainly worth the wait.”
In addition to replacing the deteriorated street surface, the project included the addition of new sidewalks, adding street trees and artistic tree grates, and the installation of new LED light poles with an historic flair.
The Town officials will be joined at the event by Transportation Improvement Board Project Engineer Greg Armstrong, who was instrumental in assisting the Town in acquiring the TIB grants that paid nearly 90% of the project costs.
Posted December 15, 2014 at 5:50 am by Tim Dustrude
Click for larger graphic
To jump-start the Whale Protection Zone (WPZ) creation process, Orca Relief has developed its own ideas, with input from external experts in marine ecology and regulation, on how a WPZ would best be designed, managed, and enforced.
To hear about these ideas and help us take the next steps toward establishing a WPZ, please join Chairman Mark Anderson and others at the San Juan Island Grange on Tuesday night. And please pass this invitation along to others you think may be interested in the WPZ.
Tuesday, December 16, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
SJI Grange, 152 First Street
Friday Harbor
Posted December 15, 2014 at 5:41 am by Tim Dustrude
Town of Friday Harbor Receives Clean Audit from State for 14th consecutive year
The Washington State Auditor’s office has completed the 2013 review of Friday Harbor’s financial records and has given the Town a clean audit report. This is the 14th consecutive year the Town has received a clean audit. The State auditors conduct annual reviews of each of the Town’s fund accounts including Current, Special, Debt Service, Proprietary and Fiduciary Funds.
Mayor Carrie Lacher and Town Administrator Duncan Wilson credit former Finance Director and Treasurer Wendy Picinich and current Finance Director and Treasurer Kelle Wilson for the continued positive audit reviews. “I am extremely pleased that the Auditor has once again confirmed the outstanding work of the Town Finance Department,” said Mayor Carrie Lacher. “The citizens are very well served by this group of dedicated professionals.”
Posted December 15, 2014 at 5:38 am by Tim Dustrude
“Radar” is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo
I know what you’re thinking. What’s a fine dog like me doing in an animal shelter two weeks before Christmas, right? Well, to be honest with you, I’m wondering the same thing! My name is Radar, and I’m turning one this month. Yep. Spending my first birthday in The Big House. The Clink. The Lock-Up. The Pokey. The Hoosegow. Call it what you like – it’s not my idea of home.
Don’t get me wrong – they’re very nice to me here and I’ve made some great friends….it’s just that I’d really love to find a new home for the holidays. I’m neutered (not sure whose bright idea that was….), up to date on vaccines and I weigh about 27 pounds. I’m part Dachshund and part Bassett Hound, which accounts for my incredibly good looks. I do o.k. with some girl dogs, but for the most part I don’t care for other dogs. Cats bring out my bad side, I’m afraid, so I really shouldn’t live with them. As much fun as I am to be with, I need to find a family with no children under 12.
If you’d like to meet me, stop by the Animal Shelter soon….I’m sure I’ll get snatched up fast once people find out I’m here!
Posted December 15, 2014 at 5:36 am by Tim Dustrude
Val White on Fiddle – Contributed photo
Holiday potluck (5:30pm) and Contra Dance (7pm) with caller Betsey Mullen from Everett and the hometown band, “The Spuds” with Val White, fiddle; Malcolm Suttles, guitar; Jim and Katy Nollman, Mandolin and Piano.
Bring a favorite potluck dish and recipe with its story to share. All are welcome. Donation $10. For more info, call 378-7172.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
San Juan Island Grange Hall
Potluck at 5:30 pm; Contra Dance at 7:00 pm!
Posted December 14, 2014 at 10:49 am by Tim Dustrude
Here’s an invitation for you that was sent in by Frank Penwell for a meeting on Monday…
In 2012 the [Citizen Alliance for Property Rights-San Juan] brought a lawsuit in Superior Court asserting that the San Juan County Critical Areas Ordinance was crafted in secret meetings by county planning staff and a subcommittee of three council persons.
That case has progressed to the WA State Supreme Court. CAPR-SJ is represented by Attorney Dennis Reynolds and is assisted in its appeal by Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington, The Island Guardian, the WA Coalition for Open Government and the Pacific Legal Foundation
Attorney Dennis Reynolds will explain what the next steps are and give a report on the progress of the case. If CAPR-SJ prevails this would clarify the rules for open meetings and could lead to voiding the 2012 update of the local Critical Areas Ordinance.
Date: Monday, December 15, 2014
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Mullis Community Center
Coffee/tea/ snacks will be served Continue Reading
Posted December 14, 2014 at 6:16 am by Tim Dustrude
Open Enrollment for Winter Quarter is going on now at Skagit Valley College. Classes begin Tuesday, January 6.
For students who want to train for a new career or upgrade their job skills, SVC’s Professional / Technical programs are aligned with local and state economic development strategies. High demand areas include:
SVC also offers Academic Transfer pathways for students who want to begin their college experience and earn a bachelor’s degree. By completing two years at SVC and then transferring to a four-year university, students can study close to home and save money, compared to tuition at a four-year school. For Fall Quarter, options include: Continue Reading
Posted December 13, 2014 at 2:49 pm by Tim Dustrude
Skylark Musica will play the Rumor Mill on Dec. 14 – Contributed photo
We want everyone to know that we will be playing jazz and dance music at the rumor mill this Sunday, December 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
On board will be Howard Wright on keys, Rich Barker on Sax, Dean Hedges on Bass and me, Celina Wright on vocals and percussion.
The food is great, Peggy is the best hostess, and we always have fun making new friends.
Visit our website at: www.skylarkmusica.com
Posted December 13, 2014 at 11:03 am by Tim Dustrude
Rachel and Keegan with some of the books they collected – Contributed photo
Friday Harbor High School juniors Keegan Hebert and Rachel May decided to brighten up the days for adult inpatients at Peace Island Medical Center by collecting books from our generous island community and putting them onto a rolling cart for easy access.
The book drive, which was the students’ community service project for this semester, was extremely successful. Keegan and Rachel were able to donate a total of 300 gently used books to the hospital – double the number they had hoped for! So now our Medical Center has a set of free books for adults who are hospitalized there, as well as another set of books available to all children who come into the facility!
Posted December 13, 2014 at 11:01 am by Tim Dustrude
This note just came in. This event is today, December 13 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm…
Please join us this evening for our Holiday Pop Up Shop: Handmade Gifts and Holiday Cheer!
Jaime Ellsworth Studio. 535 Market Street, Suite B, in the Whidbey Bank (now Heritage Bank) building next to MarketPlace
Happy Holidays!
Paula West
