The Public Works building at 915 Spring St. – SJ Update file photo

Meet Rachel Dietzman and members of the San Juan County Public Works Department to tour and learn about public works projects. This is a unique opportunity to see what is being done and what is planned and to better understand this community department. Meet and park at our Public Works main office at 915 Spring Street.

• Length is 2 miles round-trip
• Terrain is paved road
• Rating is easy with gentle hills
• Saturday, October 25, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

No dogs, please. Rain or shine! Info: sanjuanislandtrails.org.

This week is the National Friends of the Library celebration and the San Juan Island Friends of the Library have a couple special activities planned.

First, we will be hosting a Fall Dessert Friendszy on Friday, October 24th from 7:00 – 8:30 at the library. Bring you favorite fall dessert to the library at 6:30 p.m. There will be prizes for the top 3 desserts, special children’s activities and live music. Admission prices are $10/person and special family rates or free with a 2015 membership.

Also, on Saturday from 11:30 – 3:30 there will be a 50% off sale at the Treasure Cove kiosk. Stop in for a good book, jewelry, cards, DVD’s and CD’s!

Our 2015 membership drive started on October 19th. All new or renewed 2015 memberships received by December 6th are elegible for a drawing to win a free Kindle and a year’s subscription to Amazon Prime!

David Eden – Tim Dustrude photo

You can read the title of this post a couple of different ways – How did you read it? Do you see the glass half-full or half-empty?

This month marks 30 years that David Eden has been a therapist in town. He first arrived in October of 1984 – he had been working on his Doctorate at Oregon State University when he saw an ad for a part-time job with Community Mental Health here on the island. “I’m pretty sure that I’m the longest lasting therapist in the county” he says. The first headline he saw in the local paper after he arrived said “North Islands has hired a Marriage & Family Therapist”, and that would be David.

He just recently attended a conference in Vancouver, WA called “Divorce Busting”, which featured the speaker Michele Weiner-Davis, author of the book by the same name. David is excited to begin using principles covered there in his practice here. He calls it the Psychology of Hope and some of the topics covered included:

• Restoring hope to “On the Brink” couples
• “It takes One to Tango” – Couples’ therapy with Individuals
• Healing from Infidelity

In addition to his work as a therapist, David will also have a speaking engagement; Next month he will be presenting for the PTA doing a talk on “Alternatives to Spanking” which may interest many parents of young children. The talk will be on November 18th at 5:30 pm at the Elementary School.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike – Contributed photo

Standing ovation! Roars of laughter! San Juan Community Theatre’s fall play, Christopher Durang’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, is coming back this Thursday through Saturday, October 23-25 at 7:30 pm in the Whittier Theatre. The final shows include a “Bargain Night” on Thursday with $2 off adult tickets and $1 off student reserved.

The Tony award-winning play (“Best Play” in 2013!) centers around middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia who have not had to grow up. Neither has a job, and money is provided by their sister Masha, a movie star who owns the house and pays the bills. Their world is turned upside down when Masha returns home bringing her young, ambitious lover, Spike.

Buy your tickets now at www.sjctheatre.org or 378-3210.

NOTE: Adult language and situations

CAST:

• Vanya: John Davis
• Sonia: Tori Zehner
• Masha: Lisa Moretti
• Spike: James Gull
• Cassandra: Sierra Keys
• Nina: Fiona Small

Would you like to be a WSU Master Gardener volunteer? Are you interested in receiving university-level training in horticulture? If you have the passion, willingness, and commitment to serve your community, then come join us! We are currently still receiving applications for our 2015 Master Gardener Training class until November 1st.

Training begins Tuesday, February 3rd 2015 and runs through Tuesday, March 31st. Classes are a hybrid of university online training, and once-per-week class sessions. Download an application here, or call WSU Extension for more information at 378-4414. Or go to sanjuan.wsu.edu.

The public is invited to a presentation on the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 29 at Skagit Valley Community College in Friday Harbor. Entitled “Four Years and Counting—What Has Been the Impact of the Affordable Care Act?”, the event is hosted by the San Juan County Democrats.

The presentation will be made by Larry Thompson, Executive Director of the Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement (WAHA) from Bellingham, which, among other activities, has led the recent Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment activity in San Juan County and four other north Puget Sound counties. In his 40-year career, Larry has been a CEO of several major health care organizations, an academic, and has been extensively involved in Washington State health policy development.

This program will assess enrollment in health insurance, changes in quality of care, the impact of the ACA on the cost of health care, and will highlight a range of changes occurring in the medical care sector. Uninsured individuals will learn details about the upcoming ACA enrollment period beginning November 15.

For further information, contact David Dehlendorf, Chair, San Juan County Democrats, at 378-1082.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) will offer a free class entitled Local Government 101, on Wednesday, November 12th at 11 a.m. in the Town of Friday Harbor Council chambers.

Led by Town Administrator and attorney Duncan Wilson, the class will cover the systems of government, revenues, operations, commissions and more. Participants can expect to come away with a heightened awareness and knowledge of local government operations as well as a greater understanding of how to get involved in local civic and community affairs.

Details: Nov. 12th, 11 a.m. at the Town of Friday Harbor Council chambers. Please call 360-378-2906 for more information or email:
info [@] sanjuansedc [.] org.
The EDC thanks the Town of Friday Harbor, San Juan County government, Whidbey Island Bank, the Port of Friday Harbor and the Port of Lopez for supporting our events.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County. We believe a strong economy builds a strong community. The EDC works to build an environment that helps business owners create jobs. We serve business: linking organizations and resources, providing valuable information, rendering assistance and advocating for an improved island business environment.

The rear of the Coldwell Banker building, at the north end of Sunshine Alley – Contributed photo

Alley makeover earns first Civic Pride Award – Town of Friday Harbor recognizes Steve Buck and company

Curb appeal is typically reserved for the front of buildings, but businesses on Sunshine Alley are taking a critical look at their side and backyards. Voluntary efforts to improve the alleyway began at the First Street entrance with improvements to the building housing Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands, Inc. Their investment is being recognized with the Town of Friday Harbor’s first Civic Pride Award.

Steve Buck and Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands, Inc. replaced the exterior staircase, redesigned the basement stairwell entrance, and screened off mechanical equipment. The result is a fresh, clean entrance to Sunshine Alley that respects and maintains the historical value of the building.

Constructed in 1907, what is now recognized as the Buck Building was originally home to San Juan County Bank until Sam and Barbara Buck purchased the building in 1980 for their real estate company San Juan Properties, which later became an independent affiliate of Coldwell Banker. Much of the historic interior woodwork can be seen today thanks to careful preservation by Sam and Barbara Buck and Steve Buck.

“We expect this to be the first of several awards given to civic-minded business and property owners who make town beautification a priority,” said Town Administrator Duncan Wilson. He added, “It will be a privilege for the Town and Mayor to recognize these efforts.”

The Town has been working on its own beautification projects including several street and park improvements. Plans for the Sunshine Alley Urban Design Project can be found under Notices on the Town’s web site at fridayharbor.org.

L120, 7-week-old Southern Resident orca has died – Photo credit: Carrie Sapp

This sad story was forwarded to the Update on behalf of the Orca Network…

The Center for Whale Research has confirmed that baby L120, only about seven weeks old and the third known offspring of a 23-year old Southern Resident orca known as L86, was not with his or her mother when she and other members of L pod were photographed recently in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research said “L86 was seen and photographed on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, all without L120.”

L120 was the first newborn Southern Resident offspring seen since August 2012. In February of that year the the body of L86’s second offspring, 3-year old female L112, washed up at Long Beach, WA with indications of death by severe acoustic trauma.

Research conducted in recent years has shown that Southern Resident orcas depend almost entirely on chinook salmon for sustenance, with a diet of chum salmon during fall months when chinook are especially scarce. Continue Reading

A partial solar eclipse occurs in the polar regions of the Earth when the center of the Moon’s shadow misses the Earth. San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Island National Historical Park will host a partial solar eclipse viewing party, Thursday, October 23, in Driggs Park, adjacent to the Land Bank’s office, at the corner of Caines St. and Argyle Ave. The free event will begin at 1:30 pm and end at 4:30 pm. A limited amount of eclipse eye glasses will be available to share, as well as one filtered solar telescope for safe viewing of the Sun.

The center of the Moon’s shadow will miss the earth, passing above the North Pole, but a partial eclipse will be visible at sunrise in far eastern Russia and before sunset across most of North America.

For Friday Harbor, the eclipse gets underway at 1:35 pm when the Moon makes first contact with the Sun. The maximum eclipse is at 3:00 pm when the Moon covers 65 percent of the Sun’s diameter at 24 degrees above the western horizon. The partial eclipse will end at 4:20 pm as the Moon exits. *Please note, this viewing party is weather dependent and will be cancelled in the event of rain or cloudy weather.

DO NOT VIEW ANY OF THIS ECLIPSE WITHOUT EYE PROTECTION.
Even during the partial eclipse, the Sun shines brightly enough to damage your eyes if the eclipse is observed without a protective filter. Use only an approved solar filter which blocks dangerous ultraviolet and infrared radiation as well as visible light.

After the October 23 eclipse, observers will have the good fortune to enjoy an even more spectacular eclipse; a total eclipse visible on August 21, 2017!

For more information call Tanja Williamson at 360-378-4402 or email tan jaw [@] rock island [.] com

Last Stand: Ted Turner’s Quest to Save a Troubled Planet by Todd Wilkinson

Two Talking Wolves tour sponsored by Cascadia Wildlands is coming to Griffin Bay Bookstore on Saturday October 25, 1:30—3:00 pm.

Nationally-known environmental author Todd Wilkinson will be on hand and so will Bob Ferris, Cascadia Wildlands Executive Director, both to talk about Last Stand: Ted Turner’s Quest to Save a Troubled Planet.

Todd Wilkinson has written about Turner’s pioneering conservation work of “rewilding the West,” with wolves and grizzly bears, to raising 50,000 bison, and giving one billion dollars to the United Nations to prevent terrorists from obtaining nuclear weapons. Wilkinson spent seven years going behind the scenes with Turner and tells the dramatic story of how nature not only “saved” the legendary media mogul, but left him transformed. In short, Wilkinson took a good hard look at the “path-finding” 21st century businessman and his conservation efforts, his role as an “eco-capitalist-humanitarian.”

Todd Wilkinson – Contributed photo

Come out on October 25 and discover the how Ted Turner fits into conservation efforts promoted by Cascadia Wildlands, an environmental organization headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, dedicated to protecting and restoring the most threatened wild places throughout the Pacific Northwest. Executive Director Bob Ferris is noted for his groundbreaking work with wolf recover in the West. He is a trained scientist and has been active leader for more than 30 years in conservation and sustainability efforts. Both Wilkinson and Ferris will fill you in on the Two Talking Wolves tour throughout our bioregion.

Dear Editor,
On behalf of the League of Women Voters of the San Juans, I would like to thank the citizens, press and candidates for office who attended our recent Voters’ Forums. I also want to thank the workers at the County Elections Office for diligently providing timely information.

More than 200 people from San Juan, Orcas and Lopez engaged the candidates and issue representatives in lively discussion.

We served cake at all three locations as the LWVSJ celebrates its 20th year of providing information on issues and an opportunity for civil discourse in the islands. Throughout the years many LWV members have worked hard to put these forums together—we thank them and honor our founding mothers and fathers.
Thank you for attending, and remember to vote!

Diane Martindale
President, LWV

Orcas Island singer songwriter Mandy Troxel – Contributed photo

Orcas Island singer songwriter Mandy Troxel has released a new original song in honor of October’s Domestic Violence Awareness month. The song is available for free download, with the option to “tip” the music, with 100% of the proceeds designated towards the San Juan County’s DVSAS office.

The song developed from an incident that unfolded adjacent to where Mandy was working. “It was very scary and disturbing,” recalls Mandy. “I couldn’t shake it until I got home and wrote it all out, and then it took the form of lyrics.” At first Mandy was concerned about preserving the anonymity of the parties involved, but then realized that there was anonymity in the fact that it was such a common scenario. She herself does not know the people involved, as they were out of view, separated by a fence.

Domestic violence awareness is an issue near to Mandy’s heart. While in her 20’s she volunteered as a live-in house manager at a women’s shelter in San Francisco. “I met some amazing families who were working so, so hard to get themselves into a better place, physically and emotionally. I also learned that domestic violence is an issue that effects all of us, period.” Continue Reading

Worker Bees – Tim Dustrude photo

Colleen Howe-Gregory of Mitchell Bay Farms will be our featured speaker at the San Juan Island Garden Club on November 4, 2014. Colleen will be presenting a visual program that will highlight pollinator issues and she will also address the use of color in the landscape environment. She will comment on why we make poor choices and how to evaluate the color spectrum in planning the landscape (greens against greens that don’t work or that do work). Howe-Gregory has many years of experience relative to “make things meld” in the natural landscape.

Please join us at the Mullis Center at 1:00 pm for coffee, tea and dessert and this wonderful program. RSVP’s are encouraged no later than October 31, but are not required. Contact Dot Vandaveer (378-8306) or Marguerite Bennett (378-8524) if you plan to attend or if you have questions. All are welcome.

Please visit us at Marketplace on October 27 to learn more about the Club and our upcoming off-island excursions. Exciting things are happening in the San Juan Island Garden Club community!

Caesar is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

Caesar is a gorgeous big boy, about 9 years old. He’s a big teddy bear of a dog who loves to swim, play ball and be in the company of people. He has shown aggression toward some dogs, so we think he’ll be happiest as the only dog in the home. He cannot live in a home with cats. Caesar is just looking for a quiet home where he can curl up by the fire and get some belly rubs from time to time.

Please stop by the Animal Shelter to meet this sweet boy!

Separate Entity To Deliver Internet Services To Co-Op Members

At Thursday’s meeting of the OPALCO Board of Directors, a motion was unanimously approved that includes a $7.5 million acceleration of our efforts to provide member Internet connections to as many members as possible – and, eventually, serve the entire membership. A new organization will be formed to deliver these services, separate in its finances and staffing. The detailed plan and presentation are available at opalco.com.

“The plan is do-able, well balanced and does not rely on OPALCO for all of the funds,” commented Board Member Dr. Jerry Whitfield of Shaw Island. “I’m impressed with the inspired leadership of (Foster) Hildreth and (Gerry) Lawlor, their level of understanding of the problems ahead and their ability to pull it off.”

A rate schedule for member connections is now available online (islandnetwork.opalco.com/), beginning with basic Internet (10Mbps down/up data + home phone) services at $95 per month. Rates include a credit of $1,500 per member connection to help offset the initial costs. Continue Reading