Winter Blackmouth Derby to Offer $10,000 1st Place Prize

The Fidalgo-San Juan Islands Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers is pleased to announce the dates for the 2014 Resurrection Derby, (Second stop in the 2015 Northwest Salmon Derby Series line-up) which will take place December 5th & 6th at the Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA.

For a mere $400.00 entry fee, those 100 teams (with up to 4 anglers per team) lucky enough to get a spot will vie for $14,000 in guaranteed purse money – offering a 1st place prize of $10,000; 2nd place $2,500; 3rd place $1,500; and a free 2015 entry for the winner of the Mystery Fish prize. This event has quickly turned into the “best of the best” bragging rights salmon derby in the Pacific Northwest.

Once again, this year’s derby will coincide with the opening week of the winter fishing season in the San Juan Islands. “What a great event to bring together some of the Northwest’s best fishermen to help raise money for such a great cause” said past Derby Chairman, Kevin Klein. “I’m very proud to be a part of this wonderful tradition.” The winter season in the San Juan Islands is a selective fishery. One of our goals is to raise awareness for the benefits that selective fishing provides while promoting good sportsmanship and resource stewardship. All net proceeds from the derby go directly towards salmon enhancement projects. This event couldn’t take place without the dedication and commitment from our club members and the community of Friday Harbor.

“What a great opportunity for a winter getaway to the San Juan Islands” said event Chairman Chris Long. He went on to say, “There is nothing more exciting than hitting winter blackmouth season on opening weekend and spending time with some great friends, many of whom you only see during derby season. Of course a shot at the $10,000 first prize isn’t too bad either!”

Tickets for The Resurrection Derby at Friday Harbor are on sale now! For more information, please go to: www.ResurrectionDerby.com.

Here’s an invitation to you from Kristina Bayas, WSU Master Gardener Program Coordinator…

The Master Gardeners are inviting fellow gardeners to a free workshop this Saturday november 8th, from 12:00-2:00 at the demonstration garden next to the family resource center. We will be demonstrating how to divide up different kinds of perennial plants. Fall is a great time for dividing up perennials and sharing with friends! Rain or shine, see you there!

Cheers,
Kristina

Carla Wright on the Slow Boat to China – Contributed photo

Visit the San Juan Island Library for a travel slideshow and free talk. Hear about islander Carla Wright’s trip to China.

Wanting to experience container ship travel, Carla Wright of San Juan Island left Southampton, UK and travelled to Shanghai, China. A journey of 55 days as the only female on board.

Come and enjoy her experiences, from watching Life of Pi (in Romanian) before the abandon ship drill to searching for Easter candy in a Singapore mall.

Wednesday, November 5, at 7:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served.

Pet of the Week

You are not likely to meet a cat sweeter than Pumpkin! At somewhere between 7 and 10 years old, Pumpkin has spent the last several years as a stray living at what was The Cannery House Restaurant in town.

A kind person who has been feeding her brought her to the shelter so she wouldn’t have to spend another winter outdoors. Pumpkin loves a warm lap and loves to cuddle. She’s very affectionate and sweet-natured.

This gentle girl would love to find a comfy and quiet home to call her own. She’s up to date on her vaccines, spayed and litter box trained. All she needs now is you!

Getting Started with Computers – Contributed photo

Come to Skagit Valley College for a free introductory class in using computers. The San Juan Island Library partners with Skagit Valley College to offer four workshops on using PC computers. Four consecutive Wednesdays in November at the College, taught by Library staff.

The first session is for the novice: you’ll get comfortable with the components, what you are looking at on the screen, using the cursor and the mouse. Wednesday, November 5th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.

Next sessions include MS Windows, Internet, and Email.

Register at Library information desk: 378-2798.

Dinner on the Move for a Moving Cause

Here’s a note from DVSAS…

I would like to invite you to our third annual benefit Progressive 5-Course Dinner. Saturday, November 15 from 6:00 to 10:00 pm.

We are happy to once again have Chef Kyle Nicholson providing our main course and this year we are thrilled to enjoy it at the beautiful Duck Soup Inn

The evening will start at San Juan Island Cheese on Nichols Street. San Juan Transit will provide your transportation so you can sit back and enjoy the ride, gourmet food and wine.

Seating is limited to 30 at $125 per person.

You may reserve your place by dropping your payment off at:

• our DVSAS office
• Spa d’ Bune
• or San Juan Island Cheese

Please call with any questions: 378-8680 and please share this with your friends!

All Proceeds benefit DVSAS (Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services of the San Juan Islands)

Solar panels being installed on the Funhouse Roof – Contributed photo

The Funhouse Commons in Eastsound is in the process of becoming OPALCO’s 170th local renewable energy generator, bringing our total production to 1 megawatt capacity of locally produced power. The Funhouse will use their solar system as a demonstration project for renewable energy education while offsetting energy costs and storing energy credits on our cooperative grid for the rainy gray days.

Funding was provided in 2013 by the Bonneville Education Foundation Solar 4R Schools grant of $50,000 and an Energy Education grant of $15,000 from OPALCO. Streamside Renewables, a local Orcas business, is installing the 12 kilowatt system and Bonneville Power will be installing an educational kiosk at the Funhouse to display live and historical data. The installation should be finished as of the end of October.

Solar pizza box ovens – Contributed photo

“This project is a win-win for all – educational for kids, good for the environment and helps keep our operating costs low,” says Executive Director, Krista Bouchey. Continue Reading

Register now for swim teams – Contributed photo

San Juan Island Swim Team registration for the 2014/2015 season is open. Registration forms and information are available at the front desk at San Juan Island Fitness.

The team is comprised of three groups; the Orcas, being the most experienced, Dolphins who just need a little more time in the water and Seals who learn skills to move up in the ranks.

The team, which is comprised of kids from 7 to 17 years of age, practice twice a week, day depends on group. Evaluations for those who have not been on the team are scheduled for Monday, November 10 at 3:15. Regular practices begin Tuesday, November 11 at 3:15

For more information, call 378-4449 or visit www.sanjuanislandfitness.com

Here’s a note from Rachel and Keegan at the high school community projects class…

Hello,
My name is Rachel May, and I am going to organizing a book drive with Keegan Hebert. The point of our book drive is to gather up books for a small library in the hospital. Our goal is to extend the already existing children’s library to the adults staying in the inpatient section. We will have boxes where you can place books throughout town. We have locations in:

• Ace Hardware
• San Juan Public Library

If you’re wondering what types of books to bring, please bring books targeted toward a more adult audience, gently used, any genre, and if you can – large print!
The drive will end on November 28th so please keep this in mind when donating books.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me at
rachelmay [@] sjisd [.] org or (360) 298-5669
or Keegan Hebert at
cavykid2298 [@] gmail [.] com or (360) 378-6352

Thank you so much for any future donations!
Rachel May and Keegan Hebert

Harper Gene Wilson – Contributed photo

Update reader and proud grandma Genie Williams sends over this photo of her granddaughter on her first Halloween. 10 months old, this is Harper Gene Wilson. Thanks Genie!

The Friday Harbor Film Festival still needs a few volunteers to help with this upcoming event which is only a week away! We have openings for Venue support ( helping great, seat, punch tickets) at the Friday Harbor House Friday and Saturday morning and Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

We have openings for Hospitality assistant at our office at 10 First Street, most of the days and we are making a special request for volunteers Sunday evening to help us count the ballots so we can announce our award winners.

We have a special need for Venue concession helpers at the Whittier Theater thru out most days. Remember if you work at Venue concessions, you will have an opportunity to watch films in between shifts.

The benefits are great, not only being involved in this fun and meaningful event but also attending our Volunteer Bash Celebration on Nov 16

Volunteer Benefits are:

• free film tickets (the more shifts the more free films)
• an official FHFF hat
• an official FHFF water bottle to refill at each venue
• an official FHFF mission statement bracelet

PLEASE GO TO OUR WEB SITE AND SIGN UP:

http://www.fhff.org/volunteer/

All volunteers are required to attend one of our volunteer orientation meetings at the Friday Harbor House San Juan Room on either Wed. Nov. 5 at 6:30 PM or Nov. 6 at 6:30 PM
At this meeting you will also receive your hat, water bottle, bracelet and free film tickets. Also, Please bring your friends that might consider signing up!!

Without your help this event could not happen, so our collective hats are off to you, THANKS so very much!!!

Paul Stierle in Concert – Contributed photo

Visit the San Juan Island Library for a free concert. Paul Stierle has entertained the children of Friday Harbor in the persona of Cowboy Buck. Now, this versatile musician returns to entertain adults with the early music of Bob Dylan, from 1962-1974. This includes such classic folk tunes as “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.”

Stierle is a former member, manager, and songwriter for the internationally acclaimed recording group, the New Christy Minstrels. He has performed with the Kingston Trio, Jan and Dean and the Marshall Tucker Band. Light refreshments will be served.

Saturday, November 1, at 7:00 pm

5th Annual Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Fundraiser
Saturday, Nov. 1st at 4:00 pm

• Crafts for the kids
• Face painting
• Fun raffles
• Mexican music/DJ Juan
• Authentic Mexican Food
• Performance by Monarca

Adults (15 and over) $15
Kids (6 to 14) $10
Kids 5 and under are Free

The elementary school’s Halloween Parade was moved indoors this year at the last minute, due to the rain. For those of you who missed it, here are some photos of the event in the gymnasium at FHES: Click to see photos.

Stillpoint School students visited the Life Care Center this morning to show off their costumes – Contributed photo

And speaking of Halloween Parades, Stillpoint School sent over this note and photo about their parade this morning…

Stillpoint School students braved the rain this morning to visit the LifeCare Center residents for a very special Halloween celebration! We sang songs, shared poems, and celebrated the joy of Halloween with the residents. Happy Halloween from everyone at Stillpoint School!

Students ages 10-19: Do not miss this film event, noon-4pm, Saturday November 8, 2014, at the Whale Museum. Free.

This year the Friday Harbor Film Festival includes an afternoon of student-produced short films followed by a Q&A with the winning filmmakers themselves. This is the only FH Film Festival event that is free to the public.

The Friday Harbor Young Filmmakers Project (YFP) is a new film competition for students. It was founded to inspire students to think beyond careers in computer games and consider the vast and creative career opportunities available using media technology and film. The tools have never been more accessible and easier for young people to experiment with, learn, and use to express ideas that are important to young people today.

Young filmmakers from around the county and the mainland will be featured. Representatives from the Pickford Film Center Guerrilla Film Competition will be on hand to talk with students about the Guerrilla Film Project. There will also be information available about film workshops, camps and competitions specifically for students ages 10-25.

For more information contact Sandy (360) 378-8337 or send email to:
zoologist714 [@] aol [.] com