It’s that time of year again – the Kiwanis Club of Friday Harbor is helping those in need. If you would like to make a donation to the Toys for Tots toy drive, please do so at any of our local banks, Friday Harbor Drug, or by mail to: Kiwanis Club of Friday Harbor, PO Box 814, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Families who need a little help with Christmas, call the Santa Hotline at 378-1534. Hotline information is confidential. Calls will be accepted until December 13.

This past weekend, County employees represented by AFSCME, Local 1849, AFL-CIO, voted to reject a tentative agreement with San Juan County on a new 3- year contract. The current contract expires December 31, 2014.

Representatives from AFSCME and County management had been in negotiations on contract terms since August, assisted by a facilitator from the state’s Public Employment Relations Commission.

The tentative agreement included wages and annual cost-of-living increases, contributions to a health care saving account, along with several modifications to the management of the contract.

The County Council is required to adopt the County’s 2015 budget before the end of the year. Adoption of the the budget is now scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2014.

Absent a signed contract, County officials say there is no basis for providing a cost of living adjustment or continuing benefit contributions provided for in the expiring contract.

County Council members have unanimously stated they remain hopeful of reaching a contract agreement that is both fiscally responsible and satisfactory to the County’s represented employees.

Shopping for a tablet or smartphone? With all the devices out there, it is hard to choose. Get consumer information at this buyer’s guide to choosing the right device, and learn how to determine which electronic device is the best fit for you. This class will cover some of the basic features and specs of the devices.

Tuesday, December 9 at 5:30 PM
San Juan Island Library meeting room, free.
Register at the info desk.

Mike Vouri of the National Park Service shares this sad news…

Jim Meredith – Contributed photo

One of San Juan Island National Historical Park’s most long-term and beloved volunteers, Jim Meredith, died on Sunday, December 7 in Friday Harbor.

Jim Meredith, a World War II veteran (he served in southern France following the landings there), was a constant in San Juan National Historical Park’s living history program, portraying a British Royal Marine or a U.S. Army soldier here for nearly 40 years. His first volunteer job with the park was promoting the park while riding the ferries from Anacortes to Friday Harbor.

He was also a skilled blacksmith and was active in commemorating the Lewis and Clark Expedition, serving on a national board and participating in traditional rendezvous.

Shortly after his discharge from the army, Jim rode his bicycle (not a 10-speed and no Spandex) across the continental United States, from New York to San Francisco. He sometimes sought lodging by stopping by county jails and asking if they had a vacant cell.

The park celebrated Jim’s service last December by naming him the “Volunteer of the Century.” There isn’t anything Jim did not know about the British Royal Marines–their history, lore and uniform, to the smallest detail. In view of his already long years of service at the time, the Royal Marine headquarters in Whitehall, London, England, in 1998 declared him (along with his long-time colleague Fred Henley) an honorary member of their corps. Continue Reading

It was a very successful and FUN fundraiser Saturday night at the San Juan Community Theatre. Everyone was there, dressed to the nines, having fun, visiting with friends and neighbors, eating delicious hors d’ourvres & dinners, and helping raise money for the theatre. Click here to see photos…

Minnie Knych awarded the Blue Star Banner to Mel Vynne – Contributed photo

Mel Vynne, mother of LTJG Fletcher Vynne, a 2003 FHHS graduate is the latest recipient of the Blue Star Banner awarded by the American Legion Auxiliary.

The custom of the Blue Star Banner began in WWI as a symbol that a family has a loved one in military service during time of war. The banner displayed in the front window of a home shows a family’s pride in their loved one serving in the military and reminds others that preserving America’s freedom demands much.

Packing a box for December for LTJG Fletcher Vynne, who is serving in the Navy and is currently stationed in the Persian Gulf – contributed photo

The American Legion Auxiliary sends monthly care packages to any local related soldier, sailor or Marine serving combat areas. Fletcher’s mother advised on the snacks her son preferred and contributed items to fill the monthly boxes.

The boxes contain homemade cookies, snacks, hygiene and other comfort items. “These boxes are sent to individual service members monthly as a reminder that we at home care and are grateful for their service,” says Knych. Every effort is made to provide any items of special request from the service men.

Any San Juan Islander who has a friend or relative serving in harm’s way can contact Minnie Knych at 378-7040 to have monthly packages sent to that service man or woman for the duration of their tour of duty.

Here’s a note from F.O.L.K.S. about next Saturday’s events…

I’d like to personally invite you to Lime Kiln Point State Park’s annual Holiday Celebration from 1:00 – 4:00 next Saturday, December 13th.

Santa will be there and we will have guided tours of the lighthouse and light keeper’s house (YES, Ted has the train up and running!).
There will be a bonfire in the yard and treats to enjoy. We will celebrate the life J32 Rhapsody and her unborn calf, sharing pictures & stories of her.

The Interpretive Center/Gift Shop will be open from 11:00 – 4:00.

Patti Wickham
Friends of Lime Kiln Society

Click for larger image – Tim Dustrude photo

The lights on the elm trees in Memorial Park at the bottom of Spring Street lit up for the 2014 holiday season on Friday night.

People line up to enter the new IMA Building – Tim Dustrude photo

Lots of people attended the grand opening of Island Museum of Art’s new building with their opening show “Unveiling”. It was standing room only for a good part of the evening with people enjoying each other’s company while surrounded by beautiful works of art – paintings, sculpture, carvings and pottery. Click on the slideshow to see who you recognize.

Thatcher Bay on Blakely Island after removal of pilings – Contributed photo

Twenty-eight creosote pilings were recently removed from the waters of Thatcher Bay on Blakely Island to improve water quality for fish and other marine organisms. While creosote treated wood was commonly used in marine structures of the past, it is now known that creosote contains more than 50 carcinogens to humans and is also toxic to marine fish and other wildlife. Since creosote pilings can continue to leach chemicals throughout their lifetimes, efforts are underway to remove unnecessary and unwanted creosote structures including pilings and derelict docks.

This is the same bay before the pilings were removed – Contributed photo

The Blakely piling removal was just one component of extensive habitat restoration efforts conducted in Thatcher Bay and on its beaches by FRIENDS of the San Juans, Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group and the private landowner.

“It is so exciting to see the vast improvements to the shoreline and waters of Thatcher Bay, and it will be really interesting to track the response of priority species such as eelgrass and forage fish, now that removal of the shoreline and inwater modifications has been completed,” notes Tina Whitman, Science Director at FRIENDS.

If you have derelict creosote pilings, docks or other structures on your marine shoreline in San Juan County, you may be eligible for free removal through a partnership program of FRIENDS and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) funded by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. For more information please contact FRIENDS at 360-378-2319 or DNR at 360-854-2808.

The Interpretive Center/Gift Shop at Lime Kiln Point State Park will be open during the holidays on the Following Schedule:

Saturdays Dec. 6, Dec. 13 & Dec. 20 – 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Also, December 13th from 1:00 – 4:00 is the Park’s Annual Holiday Open House at the Lighthouse & Lightkeeper’s house.

Friends of Lime Kiln Society’s mission is to provide a unique experience for visitors through support & development of educational programs and activities related to Lime Kiln Point State Park’s extraordinary location, diverse ecosystems, and historic structures.

The Deacons at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church are once again preparing to hand out their fresh-food Christmas boxes! These boxes are offered to any island family in need (whether your family is one person or more!), and include fresh fruits and vegetables, stuffing, and either a ham or turkey.

To get on the list, simply call the church at 378-4544, and give us your name, phone number, and number of adults and children in the household.

Pickup will be at the Presbyterian Church on Saturday, December 20th from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. All requests are treated in a confidential fashion.

This note just came in from Paideia school…

Hi Tim,

Would you mind posting a message to remind anyone who ordered a Christmas tree from Paideia school to pick up their tree this Saturday between 9:00am and 1:00pm.

They can call Paideia to arrange delivery if needed. Delivery fees are by donation. There will also be a baked goods and candy sale on Saturday during tree pick up time.

Thanks so much, Happy Holidays!
Paideia Classical School 378-8322

Editor’s Note: I also heard that they may have a few extras even if you didn’t order one, so go check it out if you need a tree…

Richard Hieronymus in his home on SJ Island – Tim Dustrude photo

Local composer/music arranger Richard Hieronymus recently participated in a recording session held at the Smecky Studios in Prague, Czech Republic, and the cool thing is – he did it all from his home right here on the island!

It all began years ago when he arranged the string section on a young guitarist’s record album in the 1960’s. At that time, he was working for Dot Records in California, and in 1968, at Gold Star Recording Studio in Hollywood, they recorded Val Stoecklein’s record “Grey Life”, with Richard’s string arrangement backing up Val’s 12 string guitar & vocals.

“That was some sad, wonderful music…” Richard says “…every last song on the record was beautiful. You just don’t hear music like that these days.”

Grey Life never went very far commercially, but it did garner a cult following, before eventually going out of print. And sadly, Val Stoecklein died some years later. Recently though, Grey Life was re-released on CD over in Britain and it’s also available on iTunes.

But fast forward to the present and things really start to get interesting… Continue Reading

December 2012 at Memorial Park – Tim Dustrude photo

It starts at 4:30 pm on Friday, December 5th at the bottom of Spring Street, with Angel Michaels leading her clan of dedicated santa-capped Island Chordsmen barbershop singers as they belt out a cappella holiday tunes. Island Rec sets up its ornament-making table outside Gourmet’s Galley and Kiwanis serve hot chocolate and cider. As the Chordsmen finish, Michaels will turn toward the crowd (200 last year!) and lead the annual community singalong (with songbooks!) At about 5 p.m., the island’s delightful Friday Harbor Elementary School Eagle Spirit Choir will entertain us all, until we all scatter to make way for the next arriving ferry.

All this, courtesy of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, under the bright new lights of the Memorial Park elms.

The new IMA Building opens this Friday – Tim Dustrude photo

Friday at the top of Spring Street, from 5 to 8 pm, San Juan Islands Museum of Art (IMA) opens in its long-awaited debut. The first show is Unveiling: The Best of the IMA Artists’ Registry, featuring more than 50 San Juan County artists.

The opening reception – and admission to all IMA exhibitions – is free to the public. Come join this historic moment in Friday Harbor and get a first glimpse inside the shiny glass and steel building, designed by architect Richard Hobbs. Formerly the EMT garage, the new IMA is totally transformed, while maintaining the footprint of the original structure.

During these opening months, IMA will be promoting its first membership program, which offers reciprocal benefits from many museums around the U.S. Becoming a lifetime charter member of IMA – or giving one as a gift – is your chance to be a part of history. IMA is a registered 501(c) (3) non-profit organization whose proceeds help fund local art education.