Posted December 4, 2014 at 5:35 am by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan Preservation Trust warmly welcomes you to our holiday open house on Friday, December 12th from 3 – 5 pm. Stop by our office for hot cider, delicious treats and good cheer!
All community members are welcome. We’re located at the Argyle Suites in the historic
Churchill House at 468 Argyle Ave, Suite B in Friday Harbor. Happy Holidays and we hope to see you there!
Posted December 4, 2014 at 5:30 am by Tim Dustrude
Here’s a letter about satellite internet sent over by Ray Jackson…
I need not tell your readers how disappointing and inadequate our present high speed internet service is here in San Juan County. At present, cable internet is the only system in place which allows for up to 50megs of download speed, but unfortunately, the service is only available to town residents who have acess to Zito Media.
As you know, Opalco has decided to construct its own broadband network and has begun laying the groundwork to that end. Those who have followed Opalco’s progress are aware of what this entails as well as the cost required not only by the company but also the consumers. And although I agree that there is a need for faster internet, I feel that for many of our residents on the island the ability to have a high speed internet service is available right now through satellite internet.
Broadband satellite has undergone extraordinary changes since it was first introduced some 15 years ago. The days of slow speeds and high prices for mediocre service has been replaced with increased download speeds and data packages starting at $70 .
Posted December 3, 2014 at 5:52 am by Tim Dustrude
Seasons Greetings from Kwan Lamah and the Littles – SJI Historical Society photo
Here’s this month’s story from the SJI Historical Society…
It’s the holiday season and time for festive greeting cards. Sending them is often done digitally now but thankfully, the tradition of sending them via postal mail has insured there are printed cards in local history archives. Here is one sent from Kwan Lamah and the Little family. The year is unknown, but the era of Little ownership of the summer resort, said to be the first on San Juan Island, began in the early 1920s and ended by 1950 when it was sold to Robert F. Buck for a private residence.
A newspaper ad from 1938 lists a weekly rental rate of $18 for a cabin at Kwan Lamah. By then, Leon Little had died and his widow Minnie continued to run the resort. She also made her mark as founder of the Library and a driving force behind the building of Town Hall, designed to include space for the new Library. If you have memorabilia to share about Kwan Lamah, please contact the San Juan Historical Museum. Seasons Greetings to all!
Posted December 3, 2014 at 5:50 am by Tim Dustrude
Click for larger poster
Are you in the mood for some New/Old/Alt/Country music? I hear there’s a band coming on Friday that will fill that need for you. Carolyn Mark and Her New Friends…
There’s no roots-country chanteuse as engaging as Carolyn Mark, whose banter is capable of making even the sourest person at a show crack a smile. What’s more fun than watching Mark try her darnedest to in between weaving heartfelt ballads with stream-of-consciousness folk tales that sound like they were lifted from the workbook of a seasoned comedienne.
At the Rumor Mill, Friday December 5th, 7:00 pm.
Posted December 3, 2014 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
Here’s some information from Victoria Compton over at the Economic Development Council…
Business entrepreneurs are invited to a San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) Business Café on Thursday, December 11th, from 9 until 10:30 a.m. at the Orcas Island Public Library.
The EDC Business Cafés were created as a way to ensure that our entrepreneurs have an arena to discuss issues important to their businesses. Businesses in all stages of growth and health are invited to attend – to share stories, to find solutions, to create solidarities. The cafés are held regularly on all three islands in rotation.
The cafés were created by the EDC’s Business Incubation Committee, a group created to foster emerging businesses through education and cooperation.
Details: Thursday, December 11th, from 9 until 10:30 a.m. at the Orcas Island Public Library. Please call 360-378-2906 for more information or email:
info [@] sanjuansedc [.] org
The EDC thanks Islanders Bank, Whidbey Island Bank, San Juan County government, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor and the Port of Lopez for supporting our events.
Posted December 3, 2014 at 5:37 am by Tim Dustrude
Town accepting applications for appointment to the new Friday Harbor Arts Commission
Mayor Carrie Lacher is appointing a seven-member volunteer commission of San Juan Island residents to advise the Town Council on the cultivation, selection, acquisition and placement of public art. The commissioners are to represent the interests of the Town, the community and local artists.
Those with experience, background or involvement with visual, performing or literary art should provide a letter of interest. Applicants may also choose to include examples of their art or experience. Initial appointments will be for one to three years, commencing on January 1, 2015. In addition, a non-voting member age 16 to 19 will be appointed for a one year term to be served October to September each year, with the initial appointee serving a partial term January to October 2015.
Application review will continue until all positions are filled, but a first review will occur on December 17. For specifics on the responsibilities of the commission, applicants are advised to review the ordinance and policies posted under “What’s New” at the Town of Friday Harbor web site: www.fridayharbor.org.
Questions and application letter should be directed to:
Duncan Wilson
Town of Friday Harbor
60 Second Street
PO Box 219
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360) 378-2810
Posted December 2, 2014 at 6:02 pm by Tim Dustrude
Island Rec’s Revenue Reversal
San Juan Island Park and Recreation District, locally known as Island Rec, was established in 1984 to provide parks and recreation for San Juan Islanders. Island Rec’s primary funding is limited to a six year levy. Every six years Island Rec must seek a new levy to continue to operate. In 2009 voters approved a 17 cent per year levy for Island Rec, designed to last for 6 years. Ten cents of this levy was for Island Rec’s operations, and seven cents went directly to the school district to pay for high school sports. Without this seven cents of support, high school sports would have to be eliminated due to serious shortfalls within the school budget.
What Happened?
Island Rec and the San Juan Island School District are understandably disappointed that our County Assessor and the WA. State Auditor did not properly apply a very unique levy law that pertains to Park and Recreation Districts and property assessments. This error resulted in payments totaling over $377,000 over a three year period, unauthorized under this law, to be collected for Island Rec. Forty one percent (41%) of these dollars were destined to go for high school sports. It is important to understand that our anticipated revenue that was voter approved did not increase. As is common with almost all other taxing districts, levy rates increase to maintain the originally voter approved dollar amounts, but this is not allowed under this unique, and so far, unexplainable levy law. Continue Reading
Posted December 2, 2014 at 5:51 am by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan Singers – Contributed photo
Your favorite community chorus with special guest, Sound Vibrations! This women’s a cappella ensemble will feature some of their jazz settings of Christmas tunes. We also will be sharing the Whittier Stage with a 14 piece orchestra of talented island musicians, to fill your heart with the holiday spirit.
Come join us for our energetic, joyful performance of familiar carols and John Rutter’s “Magnificat”. This chorus is a family affair, and we look forward to entertaining your family this holiday season!
Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 14, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
Get your tickets today from a San Juan Singer or contact SJ Community Theater at 378-3210, online at www.sjctheatre.org.
Posted December 2, 2014 at 5:50 am by Tim Dustrude
Click for larger event poster
I just heard from Jennifer over at The Studio – They’ve been in business a year now and they are having a Holiday Party to celebrate. Check out her note below and click on the poster for more info…
Hi there, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend!
The Studio has been open a year and we are hosting a Holiday party to celebrate on Thursday, December 18th from 6pm-9pm. I hope you can make it! Attached is a flyer with details including, a BIG drawing we are doing valued at over $2,500.
We are located at 278 A Street, Unit #4. It’s on the corner of ‘A’ Street and Nichols Street – across from the Barking Bird; kitty-corner from Roy’s Espresso.
Thank you very much!
Jennifer Horn
Posted December 2, 2014 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan Island Library partners with Skagit Valley College to offer a workshop on using MS Excel on Windows PC computers. At the College, taught by Library staff. Learn to create spreadsheets, including tables and budgets. Prerequisite: Familiarity with Windows.
Skagit Valley College, free. Wednesday, December 3 from 3-5 p.m. Please register at Library information desk: 378-2798.
Posted December 2, 2014 at 5:41 am by Tim Dustrude
Click for larger event poster
Just got this note from Jennifer over at the SJC Fair…
The Fairgrounds is hosting the final flea market and crafts fair of the year this Saturday, Dec 6th from 9am-12pm. Exciting features include: The 2nd Annual Ginger Bread House Contest and a Friday Harbor Middle School PTA bake sale.
For information on vendor space and/or entering the Ginger Bread House contest visit our website www.sjcfair.org or call 378.4310
Posted December 2, 2014 at 5:40 am by Tim Dustrude
Join us this weekend for An Enchanted Evening and support Community Solar for Our Schools.
Enjoy a sumptuous 4-course dinner prepared by fabulous local chefs!
Silent & live auction with lots of great items and adventures & live music!
Buy your tickets today!
Griffin Bay Books or the Bean Cafe on San Juan
Darvill’s or the Orcas Food Co-op on Orcas
Email: energy [@] sjislandscd [.] org
Ticket price is $25. Event starts at 6:00 PM
Posted December 1, 2014 at 5:55 am by Tim Dustrude
Griffin Bay Bookstore presents an evening of poetry on Saturday, December 6, at 7:00 pm.
Elizabeth Austen is making a return engagement to Friday Harbor as Washington’s poet laureate and this time she is joined by fellow poet and teacher, Susan Rich. Both are known for bringing the magic of poetry alive with their readings.
Elizabeth Austen’s debut collection, Every Dress a Decision, was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award. She is also the author of two chapbooks, The Girl Who Goes Alone and Where Currents Meet, and an audio CD, skin players.
Her poems have been featured on The Writer’s Almanac and Verse Daily, in the Los Angeles Review, the Bellingham Review, and Willow Springs. She is noted for her engaging public performances of poetry, and has been featured at Poet’s House in New York City, Minneapolis’s The Loft, the Skagit River Poetry Festival Spokane’s Get Lit, Seattle’s Cheap Wine and Poetry, and Bumbershoot, among others. Continue Reading
Posted December 1, 2014 at 5:44 am by Tim Dustrude
Book Sale Flyer – Click to enlarge
It’s that time of year! The Friends of the Library Book Sale is December 6, 10 am to 4 pm, in the San Juan Island Library conference room.
Shop locally and support your library too! There will be a good selection of specialty books, individually priced and suitable for gifts. There are also fiction and nonfiction books sold for $1.50 an inch, as we have done in the summer book sale.
As a special feature, we are offering, by silent auction, a copy of Audubon’s Birds of America: The Audubon Society Baby Elephant Folio, by Roger Tory Peterson and Virginia Marie Peterson. The perfect gift for the bird watcher on your list!
In addition to books, there will be jewelry and other gift items from Treasure Cove. All proceeds go to support library programs and equipment not covered by tax dollars. We are fortunate to have such a great community resource with a talented, dedicated staff.
Posted December 1, 2014 at 5:43 am by Tim Dustrude
Edwin is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo
Allow me to introduce myself – The name’s Edwin. I know – I know… I’m very handsome. Some have gone so far as to say, “debonaire”. Yeah, I’m pretty sophisticated and have been places and seen things in my nine years on the planet that you would find very impressive, no doubt. Don’t let this get out – but the truth is, I’m actually a big, cuddly marshmallow of a guy who loves snuggling up on a nice warm lap more than just about anything… with the possible exception of cat treats. I like those quite a bit!
Did I mention I weigh almost 20 pounds? What I’d like to suggest is that you get in your car right away and come over to the animal shelter to meet me. If we hit it off, I’ll agree to be your best friend and beloved family member forever! I’ll even allow you to have another cat and possibly a dog, if that’s important to you. I’m pretty sure we can work something out. Grab your keys and let’s get this show on the road – neither one of us is getting any younger!
Posted December 1, 2014 at 5:32 am by Tim Dustrude
After almost eighteen years of running high-quality and popular art workshops on San Juan Island, the Island Arts League is discontinuing operations.
According to the bylaws, they are to give any remaining funds to another arts education organization. The IAL board has chosen to donate funds to the San Juan Islands Museum of Art for two specific programs:
The Island Arts League is happy to contribute to the children and families of San Juan Island in an effort to broaden participation in the arts. The check was presented by IAL president, Diane Martindale, to Maude Cumming the chair of the Education Committee for IMA.
The Island Art League was founded in 1997 by Teri Cooter, Trudy Dallas, Nancy Maron, Pat O’Shea, and Gloria Upper under the tutelage of Joe Miller. Throughout the years many art classes were available to more than 130 IAL members. To name a few past classes; watercolors with Caroline Buchannan, oils with Annie Howell-Adams, acrylics with Kristy Gjesme, textile art by Patti Barker, drawing with Marsha McAllister, Debbie Daniels, Chinmayo and many, many other gifted instructors . Classes were held in studios, private studios and plein air. The classes were welcoming to beginners as well as professional artists.