Spring Street International School’s virtual spring speaker series wraps up this Thursday, April 21 at 6 p.m. with a presentation on the restoration of the Elwha River by Eric Kessler, local photographer and past Spring Street faculty member.

Eric describes the presentation this way:

On September 17, 2011 the first chunk of hundred year old cement was removed from the Elwha Dam. It was just one significant benchmark in the lengthy and elaborate process of restoring the Elwha River back to a pristine state. Days after the river ran free again, anadromous fish that had called the river their home since the end of the last ice age began repopulating the watershed.

This presentation offers a broad overview and update of the ecological, cultural, and political issues surrounding the largest project of its kind to date in the U.S. An amazing collage of circumstances, spanning four presidential administrations and 18 Congressional appropriations bills, came together allowing this landmark event to happen. The restoration has played out on multiple levels. Re-establishing the salmon runs and renewing the flow of nutrients to streams and forests have benefitted the Elwha ecosystem. Redressing the treaty obligations between the state and federal governments and about 40 tribes around Puget Sound have benefitted the Lower Elwha’s Klallam people. Rectifying Washington State’s decades-long neglect of fish passage regulations and environmental protection on the Elwha have restored the trust of citizens.

Each of these threads has a fascinating story, but the big picture — the magnitude of what’s happening on the river and all the levels on which wrongs are being corrected — is even more powerful. Moreover, the Elwha represents a template for other dam river removals and restoration efforts around the country.

Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom link for the April 21 presentation.

The Town of Friday Harbor shares news about the upcoming permanent closure of its RV dump station.

The Town of Friday Harbor will permanently close its RV sewage dump station on Friday, May 20. Residents and visitors will need to find alternative means of disposal.

“This closure is required for the protection of our wastewater treatment plant, and thereby the protection of our marine environment,” said Town Administrator Denice Kulseth, adding that the Town has a responsibility to ensure its wastewater treatment plant continues to operate efficiently in order to protect the fragile waters of Puget Sound. Kulseth said the state Department of Ecology has been urging this closure for several years and has advised that it would be wise to close the dump station before summer. New permitting requirements including the Puget Sound Nutrient General Permit have added to the urgency.

“The close proximity of an unregulated dump station to the treatment plant creates considerable risk for a serious impact to our plant,” said Kulseth, explaining that there is too little distance to allow dilution of dangerous contaminants before they enter the treatment system.

To allow users time to arrange for alternative means of disposal, the RV dump station will remain available from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays through May 20. Users must pay a $20 dump fee and place a $20 deposit at Town Hall to pick up a key. Commercial use of the station is limited.

The removal of the dump station is a small part of changes the Town is making at the plant to ensure compliance with more stringent state permitting regulations. A two to three year, $16 million upgrade to the Town’s wastewater plant is scheduled to begin later this year.

Canoe Island French Camp sends along an update about the series of improvements being made to their facilities. The organization was founded in 1969.

Canoe Island French Camp, a small nonprofit located between Shaw and Lopez Islands, is currently undertaking several large facility upgrades and additions. From spring until fall, the organization welcomes schools and adults to the island for programming, and hosts its signature overnight youth summer camps. In the winter months, staff tackle large-scale projects. Although this multi-year, ambitious phase of development has proven challenging for several reasons, the large capital improvements have also provided an occasion to partner with the larger San Juan Islands community.

Several of the camp’s recent projects have been implemented with the support of local communities and collaboration with Islanders. The Shaw community, for example, has worked closely with CIFC on the task of replacing Canoe Island’s subsea power cable. The original cable was installed in 1967 between Shaw and Canoe Islands, and the organization has been fundraising for this project for the past two years. Another project that has fostered a partnership between CIFC and the local community is the construction of a greenhouse. This addition was completed in 2020 and received funding from individual Islanders as well as the San Juan Community Foundation.

CIFC’s latest projects involve replacing aging infrastructure. The camp is currently fundraising for a new boat that will replace its fifty-year-old vessel, the Ferry Queen. The new boat is expected to cost over $300,000, and will have an aluminum hull, as well as twin outboard engines. Another major milestone to be completed this winter is a deck replacement. Constructed around a building called Le Château Beauregard, the deck is thirty years old and made from old or second growth cedar. Its replacement will be built from cedar felled and milled on Canoe Island. Further, the new design is a near-replica of the old structure; these choices preserve the beautiful architecture of a historically important building. Continue Reading

• Dwight Henline, the suspect in the April 7 arson in Friday Harbor, was transported to San Juan Island by the Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. He will appear in San Juan County Superior Court at 3 p.m. today for a review hearing.
• Friday Harbor High School baseball won on the road yesterday afternoon, knocking off Mount Vernon Christian 12-5. The win improves the Wolverines’ record to 10-1 overall and 7-0 in conference play. They return to the diamond on Friday to take on winless Darrington High School at Linde.
• Picnik San Juan — which describes itself as an exceptional wine experience with an elevated picnic menu — opens its doors for the season on Friday. They’ll be featuring local wines from Archipelago and Madrone Cellars. They’re at 10 Front Street, below Downriggers.
• Islands’ Oil Spill Association will be training new responders next weekend at the Fairgrounds. You can register online if you’re interested.
• Family swimming is available at San Juan Island Fitness & Aquatics on Tuesdays (5 to 6 p.m.), Wednesdays (3:30 to 4:30 p.m.), Thursdays (5 to 6 p.m.), and Saturdays (noon to 1 p.m.).
• Don’t forget: the Great Islands Clean-up takes place on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Here’s how it works and where you’ll need to go on Saturday to help out.

Have something to share with the Island? Whether the news is big or small, let us know!

Photo credit: Brad Pillow

The Friday Harbor Film Festival shares news about their ongoing Director Series, which starts on Wednesday.

Friday Harbor Film Festival’s 2022 Director Series will offer feature films that will each run for two weeks on the FHFF website. Beginning on April 21 and continuing through October 5, each offering will open with a free scheduled screening on the opening Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m., as well periodic livestream Q&As throughout the year with a special guest knowledgeable about the film’s subject. From Friday through the closing Wednesday, both the film and recorded special event will be available on demand for only $1.95.

Outstanding movies from past festivals, celebrating our tenth year, will represent FHFF themes: Explorers & Adventures, Things to Consider, and Tales from the Heart.

The series opener will be The Poseidon Project, an Explorers & Adventures documentary about one of Britain’s most advanced submarines, the HMS Poseidon, that sank of the coast of China in 1931, and the American explorer who spent six years looking for it. Half of the submarine’s crew escaped in the first few seconds after their boat collided with a cargo ship, but the rest were entombed as the submarine sank. Three hours later, six sailors surfaced – barely conscious and bitterly cold – the first ever to escape from a sunken submarine using a proto-scuba device. Years later, while Beijing-based scuba instructor Steven Schwankert was looking for nearby wrecks to dive, he found HMS Poseidon on a list of unexplored sites. What started as his private obsession went on to challenge official accounts of the escape and bring together the lost pieces of a story that touches on the history of Britain and China up to the present day. Continue Reading

On April 7, our town fell victim to a senseless act of violence resulting in millions of dollars in property damage and the loss of some of this town’s most iconic and historical businesses. I am pleased to report that a suspect is in custody. My many thanks to the men and women of the fire department, local and off-island, for their prompt and professional response in controlling and containing the blaze and preventing this terrible situation from becoming much worse. My sincerest thanks and appreciation also to the hardworking members of the ATF and our local law enforcement whose coordinated efforts resulted in the speedy capture of the suspect.

On behalf of the citizens of the town, I wish to convey our deepest sympathy and prayers to the owners of the businesses lost during the fire. Please know that the Town of Friday Harbor stands ready to assist in any way possible in restoring your operation as quickly as possible.

It has been over a week since the fire, and like many of you I am still processing the magnitude and scope of the loss. Although these businesses can be re-built, they were near and dear to our community. The memories and experiences in those businesses will forever be remembered and cherished by the citizens of this town. The community outpouring of support towards the businesses affected by this tragedy has been huge and shows the incredible sense of “islandism” we share towards each other. During times of adversity, you guys are truly rock stars! And this office appreciates your efforts.

We also appreciate your patience and cooperation while crews continue to remove debris from the burn site. Temporary traffic rerouting and reduced parking may be implemented to help expedite the safe removal of debris and move us closer to the path of normalcy, which is what we all want.

I thank you all for your spirit and commitment to our town and to each other.  Remember we are always stronger together than we are apart!

Raymont C. Jackson, Mayor
Town of Friday Harbor

• 13 Ravens Coffee & Books, a coffee house located in a retired train car in Seward, Alaska, held a fundraiser for the Island businesses affected by last week’s fire. Their efforts raised $1,000 for the EDC’s fire recovery fund. Liberty Miller, the owner of 13 Ravens, previously lived in Friday Harbor.
• Crows Nest will have a temporary new home within the next few weeks. They’ll be located in the narrowest retail space in Friday Harbor, sandwiched between Be Chic Boutique and the Spring Street General Store. The shop had been occupied by the Tight Squeeze juice shop.
• There are only a few days left to sign up for the Friday Harbor Car Show, which is being held on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Fairgrounds. The car show is the community project of high school junior Cody Balcomb-Bartok.
• Twenty-six people from throughout the islands have become interns with the Master Gardener Foundation of San Juan County. Interns complete more than 60 hours of education in areas like vegetable and fruit growing, botany, native and ornamental plant identification, and entomology. With the help of Master Gardener mentors, they’ll work within the community to identify plant and insect problems, answer gardening and horticulture questions, and teach children and adults in educational gardens.
• Beer from San Juan Island Brewing Co. is now available at Lakedale Resort’s general store.
• Climb San Juan is offering 10 free shoe rentals if you sign up for a membership in April.

Have something to share with the Island? Whether the news is big or small, let us know!

I am very pleased to learn that Jane Fuller is running for county council member representing the Lopez residency district in the August 2022 primary.

I’ve worked with Jane and find her to be bright, motivated and a good listener. She works well with others and is respectful of their views. And she will bring a relevant background in both government and the private sector to the job of council member.

I encourage all registered voters of San Juan County to give Jane serious consideration when you vote in the August primary and in the November general election.

David Dehlendorf
San Juan Island

My friend David Bentley reports that he enjoys having a game of cards with friends at the Mullis Center on Monday afternoons. The Mullis Center is open for cards and board games on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. Besides the social conviviality, a study from Scotland says that game playing helps keep our aging brains subtle and lively.

Psychologists at the University of Edinburgh tested over a thousand 70-year-olds for memory, problem solving, thinking speed, and general thinking ability. They repeated the tests every three years until the cohort was 79 years old. The group was asked at intervals how often they play games such as cards, chess, bingo, or crossword puzzles.

This particular group of 70-year-olds was born in 1936 and had been studied since they were 11 years old in 1947. Studying them in their 70s revealed that as long as they were physically fit without smoking or drinking in excess people, who play games are more likely to stay mentally sharp later in life. Further, those who increased game playing in their 70s were more likely to maintain certain thinking skills as they got older.

I was the primary caregiver for my mom, who suffered from dementia. As her cognitive faculties were slipping away, she kept her cards handy and played solitaire constantly. I’m not a psychologist but it did seem to me at the time she was fighting to keep her brain functioning. In the end, the game was no match for her progressive disease — but that’s not to say it didn’t keep her thinking a little clearer a little longer.

So seniors, come on over to the Mullis Center on Monday or Wednesday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. The games are good for your brain and the friendly vibe may do your soul some good as well. Bring friends or come on your own. Games available are backgammon, chess, cribbage, and Jenga. We’ve got cards and puzzles or feel free bring your own. If you need a ride to the Mullis Center call Island Rides at 360-298-6108.

Photo credit: Peggy Sue McRae

The San Juan County Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 19 at 9 a.m. The meeting will include two public hearings to consider:

• Repealing San Juan County precincts in San Juan County Code 1.08 and adopting twenty-three new voting precincts and designating precincts by County Council residency districts
• Adopting Board of Health Code Change SJCC 8.20

Items up for discussion or action include:

• Environmental Services programming update and grant request
• Revisions to Parks Department Changes Fund
• Proposed changes to the Park/Fair fee schedule resolution
• Acceptance of a statutory warranty deed for the Hauschka property, Cady Mountain, San Juan Island
• Acceptance of a donation of a trail easement deed for the Lopez Community Land Trust property, Lopez Sound Road
• Approve Lodging Tax Advisory Committee recommendations for 2021 lodging tax awards
• Interlocal agreement for public parking at Orcas Island School District property
• Department of Community Development staffing clarification
• ARPA funds review and funding consideration

The Council will also hold an executive session to discuss litigation or potential litigation with legal counsel.

You can view the live stream of the meeting online or attend in person at the Council Legislative Hearing Room. To make a public comment, sign up prior to 9 a.m. on April 19.

• The San Juan County Economic Development Council has raised nearly $20,000 for business workers and owners affected by the April 7 fire. They’re trying to get to $30,000, so consider donating if you’re able. A generous donor has offered to cover all transaction fees, so every dollar goes toward helping those in need.
• The OPALCO Board of Directors election deadline is next Wednesday, April 27. At least 10 percent of co-op members must cast a vote in the election in order to achieve a quorum and have the election count.
• Plastic Free Salish Sea is holding a virtual lecture on changing our culture of single-use plastics. It takes place on Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom.
• The Friday Harbor Sailing Club is hosting their Flotsam Flea & Sea Yard Sale next Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fairgrounds. If you’re interested in selling anything, vendor applications are due a week from today.
• Spring Street theatre students are performing original plays and monologues at San Juan Community Theatre this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door on the day of the show — suggested donations are $10 for adults and $5 for students, but the event is pay-what-you-can.

Have something to share with the Island? Whether the news is big or small, let us know!

The Friday Harbor man arrested on suspicion of setting the fire that destroyed four buildings on April 7 had seven criminal convictions in the state of Washington between April 2007 and Jan. 2022. The most recent conviction, a gross misdemeanor for driving under the influence, was handed down in San Juan County District Court.

Dwight Henline, age 33, was arrested for driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol content of 0.234 by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office on July 8, 2021 after crashing his vehicle into the side of a San Juan Island home. The owners of the home were inside and asleep at the time of the crash. He pled guilty to the DUI charge in front of District Court Judge Carolyn Jewett on Jan. 12, 2022.

Following the recommendation of the San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney’s office, Jewett ordered Henline to serve two days in jail, with the remaining 362 days of the sentence suspended. Henline was given five years of probation – the maximum allowable amount for the offense – and ordered to pay restitution of $1,598. Continue Reading

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office has identified the person suspected of starting the fire that destroyed multiple buildings in Friday Harbor. According to their press release:

On Saturday, April 16, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant for the arrest of Dwight C. Henline in connection with the arson fires from Thursday, April 7 in downtown Friday Harbor.

On Friday, April 15, Sheriff’s detectives received information that Henline was at a residence in Langley and attempted to contact him unsuccessfully. A search warrant was served on the residence for evidence of the arson with numerous articles being removed.

The whereabouts of Henline are currently unknown. He was last seen in the Langley area and may potentially be armed and dangerous. If you see him or know of his whereabouts, please call 911 and do not attempt to contact him.

Update: Island County Sheriff’s deputies took Henline into custody at around 4:30 p.m. today. He will later be transferred to San Juan County for an appearance in court.