Here’s a note from county Health Officer Frank James:

This is not urgent but routine.

The following press release provides information about the current infections being seen in our region and in our community. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have more questions. There has been at least one case of enteroviral infection confirmed by laboratory testing. The final testing to confirm that this particular infection is or is not the D-68 strain is limited to those that are in intensive care units. It would be very surprising if this case were not the D 68 strain given the clinical picture and course of the infection. Fortunately it was not so severe that it required hospitalization. It appears that this infection has reached a peak and is not less common in the judgement of community clinicians that see a large number of pediatric patients.

Frank James MD
Health Officer
San Juan County

Outbreak of Enterovirus D68 Spreads

It is likely that D68 enterovirus has reached the San Juan Islands. A case has been reported that is positive for enterovirus, further testing is only done by the CDC if the cases causes severe illness and the individual requires intensive care management. Some children with the infection have also has limb paralysis (polio virus is also a member of the entrovirus group) have been identified in other states as well. Continue Reading

Stoyteller, Carved Basalt by Tom Small – Photo by Peggy Sue McRae

If the new sculpture in the picnic area in front of San Juan Bakery and San Juan Island Food Co-Op looks a little other-worldly it is with good reason. Local artist, stone sculptor Tom Small, carved the piece Storyteller out columnar basalt from the Columbia basin in Eastern Washington.  The stone, formed out of lava into a natural column during the cooling process, is millions of years old.

The artist, with a keen interest in the mysterious quality of large stone works left by ancient cultures, enjoyed working on this piece using his cutting tools to draw patterns into the surface of the stone. Cutting into the “skin” of the basalt reveals rich earthy colors from black to rust red. Continue Reading

The first annual Orcas Island Film Festival, “Off the Edge” will take place from October 10 to 13, 2014, focusing on a curated selection of feature length films from around the world, including these three new short films shot in the San Juan Islands:

• A Reverence For Excellence, filmed and directed by Andrew Plotsky, is an intimate and honest portrait of Maple Rock Farm and Hogstone’s Wood Oven. Filmed over the course of one day, we see the patience, commitment and toil required of the necessarily idealistic and romantic occupations of the farmer and chef.
• Drift, produced by Travis Alley, Aaron Wheetman and Dallas Artz, follows the journey of a broken branch as it travels between the San Juan islands. Through the journey and “life” of the branch, the film explores the odyssey of what it takes to find our place in the world and our interconnectivity with nature.
• All These Waters Are Within, filmed and directed by Nell Carden Grey, is an experimental observational documentary that tracks daylight around the San Juan Islands from sunrise to sunset. A wide range of images from around the archipelago are set together in split screens to create moving diptychs and triptychs, heightening relationships between the color, form, motion, and pattern of disparate scenes.

View these films and vote for the best one online at www.orcasfilmfest.com/voting.

The above shorts will be shown at the festival, in addition to a curated selection of feature-length and short films, including: Continue Reading

Dave & Nadine Hall – Contributed photo

Be a part of Islanders helping Islanders. Plan to attend this awesome fundraiser and prepare to have a great evening with friends and neighbors. Tickets will be available at the event itself, or purchase them early at these locations:

• The Toy Box
• San Juan Coffee
• Sandpebble
• Spa d Bune
• Browne’s Nursery

Great Dinner, Live & Silent Auctions followed by a Dance. For details go to www.Benefit4DaveHall.com.

Thank you!

The Fish for Teeth Taco Team will be preparing fish tacos on Friday, October 3 from 11-2 pm. This time we are at a new location, in front of the San Juan Island Community Theater. These super-sized “tacos” (which are actually burritos but “fish taco” sounds better) are $7 each, and filled with Alaskan Rockfish harvested from healthy, well-managed stocks of fish.

Matt Marinkovich will also have a supply of his frozen Alaskan rockfish, lingcod, and blackcod tips for sale. The proceeds from the blackcod tips goes to benefit Fish for Teeth. Prices are: Lingcod $11/lb, Rockfish $8/lb, and Blackcod tips $15/lb.

Kerwin Johnson cooks up some delicious Cod at last May’s Fish Taco event at the Ace Hardware parking lot – Tim Dustrude photo

There is a huge community aspect behind our all-volunteer effort. It’s not just about fish tacos–there is a lot of planning and scheduling that goes into a successful ToothMobile visit, and a lot of volunteer hours by our local dental professionals who put their time in behind the two dental chairs on the van. And since Fish for Teeth receives no State or Federal funding, our programs could not happen without the generosity of those who give so generously of themselves, and help make this worthy cause a success.

100% of the profit from the delicious fish tacos goes towards bringing the “ToothMobile”, the mobile dental van provided by Medical Teams International, to San Juan Island three times each year to fix the teeth of those who cannot otherwise afford dental care. Fish for Teeth also has a Sealant Program with the goal of sealing the teeth of every second grader on San Juan Island (the sealants happen in May so if you know somebody with a 2nd grader please make them aware of our program).

If you would like to support Fish for Teeth with a donation or volunteer time, go to www.fishforteeth.com. Application for services are also available on the site or at the SJI Family Resource Center, and the Health Department (behind the Post Office). The van will be on San Juan Island this Friday & Saturday, October 3-4.

Think Fish!
–Matt Marinkovich
Fish for Teeth President

Gypsy Jazz Favorites are Back! – Contributed photo

Fall heats up in Friday Harbor with a visit to San Juan Community Theatre by Pearl Django and their hot club style of gypsy jazz on Saturday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m.

The band celebrates almost 20 years in existence, having played throughout the world, including at the prestigious Festival Django Reinhardt in Samois sur Seine and being featured on NPR’s All Things Considered. The band’s signature style is marked by pristine and dexterous string work, colors of Bal Musette, the steady pulse of rhythm guitar and an unmistakable swing.

This form of jazz originated in Parisian jazz clubs of the 1930s—a string-centered, toe tapping, rhythmic style pioneered by Belgian guitarist Django Reinhardt and French-Italian violinist Stéphane Grappelli. Continue Reading

Attend a one-day class, endorsed by San Juan County Building Advisory Council, that will help you put the new 2012 IRC building codes into practice in San Juan County.

With the new 2012 IRC Building code passed by the State of Washington comes a new emphasis on building performance. Traditionally, structural integrity was the preoccupation of prior building codes. Durability, Efficiency, Safety, Health, Comfort, & Sustainability are now the criteria requirements.

This one day seminar is designed to familiarize the experienced contractor and carpenter, the Do-It-Yourselfer and others of interest with “the put into practice” demands of the new code. A comparison of the former codes and the new code shall be made with the focus on the reasons for the code changes and HOW to achieve the new requirements.

Coupled with the new 2012 International Residential Code is the revitalized 2012 International Energy Conservation Code. Complying with these two codes simultaneously requires a new skill set and a new way of thinking.

Location of this seminar is at San Juan Island Skagit College campus. Participants will come away with a clearer understanding of WHAT is expected and required and HOW they can adapt their work habits to accommodate the new codes.

Presented by Richard Russell, and endorsed by San Juan County Building Advisory Council this one-day class will be held at the San Juan Center of Skagit Valley College on Sat. Oct. 11 from 9:00am – 4:00pm. Cost: $57.00.

Call the San Juan Center at 378-3220 for more information on registration.

Contributed photo

Here’s an update on ticket sales for the upcoming Chili Cook-Off and Art Market.

Tickets can be purchased at the Market Chef restaurant, Griffin Bay Bookstore, the Saturday Farmer’s Market, online at at this link or at the door the day of the event. Cost is $16 for adults and $10 for children under 12. Price includes tastings from all seven entrants, corn bread, s’mores and fresh pressed cider. Art Market, live music and entry to beer and wine garden is free.

This event happens on October 11, both indoors and outdoors at Brickworks from 3:30 to 6:30 pm.

Thanks!
Debbie Pigman
Chili Cook-Off Committee

The San Juan Island Garden Club will be hosting Kris Bayas, Master Gardener Coordinator, at our meeting on October 7, at 1:00 pm, at the Mullis Center.

Kris will present timely issues that have come to the attention of the Master Gardeners at their booth at the weekly Farmers Markets, etc.

All are welcome. Please RSVP to Marguerite Bennett at 378-8524 or Dot Vandaveer at 378-8306

SJ Update file photo

Island Rec Boy’s Basketball League Registration & Volunteer Coaches

It is time to register for Island Rec’s Boy’s Basketball League, open to all boys in grades 3rd through 8th. The focus of this league is development and improvement of individual and team skills. Previous basketball experience is not required.

All games are played on San Juan Island on Sunday afternoons in Turnbull Gym. Participants practice twice per week beginning the week of October 27th.

Register online at www.islandrec.org or stop by the Island Rec Office. If registered by October 16, $35; $40 Thereafter. Final deadline to register is October 21. Call 378-4953 for more information about the league.

Island Rec is also in need of volunteer coaches, referees and scorekeepers please email morgan [@] islandrec [.] org if you are interested or would like more information.

Contributed photo

Good Morning!

Our Free Dance event is this Saturday October 4!

Dance Happy with Bill and Rita Ament is offering a Free Dance Event this Saturday October 4:

• Creative and Pre-Ballet for ages 2-1/2 yrs t 4 yrs, at 11:30 am to 12:00pm.
• Second class for ages 4-5 in Ballet, Tap, Improvisation and Jazz, 12:15 – 1:00.
• Location: Dance Workshop 2. 15 2nd Street N., Friday Harbor

No tap shoes necessary for the free class. Please arrive 10 minutes before you child’s specific class. Call 378-0628 or just join us.

Meet Chester! He’s every bit as sweet and cuddly as he looks. He is about three years old, neutered and current on his vaccines.

The only thing he’s missing is a family to call his own.

He’s guaranteed to keep your lap warm this winter! Stop by the shelter and meet him and his feline friends.

Once again, the League of Women Voters of the San Juans will sponsor forums where candidates and speakers on ballot issues will address the public, and take questions.

The schedule is as follows:

• San Juan Island – Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 5 pm at the Grange in Friday Harbor.
• Orcas Island – Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 5 pm at the Fire Hall in Eastsound.
• Lopez Island – Thursday, Oct. 9 at 5 pm at Grace Episcopal Church.

The LWV-SJ has invited the candidates for Federal Representatives, State Legislators, and County Treasurer, Clerk and Sheriff.

There are five initiatives on the November ballot. At this time, it is unclear whether proponents and opponents of the measures will be in attendance at the forums.

The deadline for registration for the November 4th election is October 6. For further information about the election, go to www.sanjuanco.com/elections, email elections [@] sanjuanco [.] com or phone (360) 378-3357.

Come to The Whale Museum for “Coffee & Conversation” from 9 am until 10 am on Friday, October 3. Enjoy light refreshments while learning more about Orca Adoptions and what great gifts they make. If you haven’t been to the Museum lately, this is a great time to come in and get to know the Museum better. Hosted by executive director Jenny Atkinson, each attendee will receive a free admission ticket to the Exhibit Hall and a 10% coupon for our gift shop, good same day. We hope you will join us for “Coffee & Conversation.”

The Whale Museum is located in Friday Harbor at 62 First St. N. Founded in 1976, The Whale Museum’s mission is to promote stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. In addition to providing exhibits, the Museum also provides programs including the Marine Naturalist Training, Orca Adoption Program, SeaSound Acoustics Program, Soundwatch, San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and the Whale Hotline. The Whale Museum can be found on-line at www.whalemuseum.org.

It’s always fun to see what FHHS grads accomplish after they go off into the world. Do you remember Lauren Brem? She lived here with her folks George and Stacy, and her sister Krysta. She graduated in 2005 and now lives in Vancouver BC. She just sent this note over about a cool video she helped create and she would love to share it with you. Here’s Lauren with the story…

Dear San Juan Update,

My name is Lauren Brem and I grew up in Friday Harbor, and my parents (as well as their parents) lived there for quite some time as well. My mom and dad owned Amigos and the Hot Shop.

I have since moved to Vancouver, BC Canada and have settled here working with an investment company, but I have really worked on finding my passion through art. I recently got together with an amazing group of friends and we won a grant from the large cable television and internet provider in Canada, Telus. We were given a grant to make our idea a reality and we just released our 10 minute documentary, “Eastside Stories”, this past week. There was a sold out public premiere at a downtown Vancouver Theatre, and we are seeing the video start to be shared across various social media pages… including so many folks I grew up with in FH.

I hope you find it as special as we have.

Thanks,
Lauren Brem

“Fluke” sculpture by Micajah Bienvenu – Tim Dustrude photo

Local artist, Micajah Bienvenu has opened a fine art gallery at #28 100 First St., (at Cannery Landing – not the A street building where the Fluke Sculpture is located). The gallery will feature paintings and sculptures by mid-career contemporary artists. The inaugural show will feature works from acclaimed painter Steven LaRose and sculptures by Micajah Bienvenu.

It’s been said about LaRose that “he takes the kinds of risks with paint that Evel Knievel once took with a motorcycle, only the results are much more entertaining and enduring”. Famed Pacific Northwest artist Micajah Bienvenu will showcase smaller pieces of his abstract non-representational work.

The grand opening is Saturday October 4th from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Stop by, see the new works and meet the artists.
Gallery hours are 12 pm – 6 pm Thursday through Sunday and by appointment

For more information contact Micajah Bienvenu (360)298-2003, micajahb [@] gmail [.] com