Coralline Alga – Photo by Patrick Martone

Florence McAlary on Coralline Algae studies at the UW Friday Harbor Labs:

The eye catches a splash of vibrant pink encrusting a tide pool rock, perhaps attended by whelks or a black katy chiton. The vibrant pink is most likely a coralline alga. With branching tufts or a rugged, rock-conforming surface of calcareous encased cells, the colorful attribute of corallines underscores their significance to the marine community. Coralline algae are known world wide for their role in cementing reefs and providing critical habitat for the settlement and metamorphosis of numerous larval marine invertebrates including abalone. In the San Juan Islands, researchers at the Friday Harbor Laboratories delve into the mysteries and biology of this fascinating but little-understood group.

The July issue of FHL Tide Bites details the coralline algae research of one young FHL scientist Rebecca Guenther. Rebecca initially came to FHL as an Adopt-a-Student scholarship recipient in the Marine Algae course. She fell in love with corallines and the opportunities that the Labs offered. She returned to FHL after the algology course, as do many scientists and students, to continue her studies as a Ph.D. candidate. Rebecca’s doctoral research takes advantage of the outstanding Ocean Acidification facility on campus and focuses on the calcification response of intertidal corallines to varying pH and temperature. Continue Reading

This first Community dinner of the new school year welcomes FHHS’ new Culinary Arts Teacher Shawn Hendricks! Wednesday October 1^st 5:30 – 7:30 in the High School Commons.

Suggested Donation of $12 for adults, and $6 for kids under 12

Jimmy Moe – Photo Courtesy of SJCT

Jimmy Moe pays tribute to Frank Sinatra in the Gubelman Theatre at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, September 27, at 7:30 pm. All tickets are $15.

San Juan Island’s Jimmy Moe has a plan for his senior years and it starts in the Gubelman with his one-man tribute to the smooth sounds of Frank Sinatra and the great American songs of the ‘50s and ‘60s.

A few years ago, when Jimmy and his son were having fun with karaoke and found a Sinatra song, they realized Jimmy had a voice so much like “ol’ blue eyes” (and he has the blue eyes too), that it seemed only natural to start focusing on the music of Sinatra’s time. The concert is also honoring Jimmy’s parents who were both professional night club singers in the Snohomish area (The Johnny Moe Show). 

Jimmy will replace his usual general contractor clothes (he’s worked on the island for 14 years now), don a suit and tie and sing favorites like Night and Day, Luck be a Lady and I’ve Got You Under My Skin. “I want to present songs in a way that are worthy of the writers, arrangers and orchestra of that day,” said Jimmy. 

Jimmy plans to take a hiatus from his gigs with the One More Time Band once he goes solo and hopes to take The Jimmy Moe Show on tour. “It beats swinging a hammer,” he said. “I’m looking to be wearing a suit and singing well into my 80s.” 

Kirk and Chris at New Location – Photo by Peggy Sue McRae

I stopped by yesterday to check out the new home of Mellowoods and Music Store aka Isle be Jammin’, Kirk Fuhrmeister’s Music Store and Curios. Kirk has relocated from his shop from the top of Spring Street to 109 and 110 at Surina Business Park, that colorful little business center only slightly off the beaten path at 50 Malcom Street off Argyle.

As usual I found an inviting collection of sweet vintage guitars, mandolins, violins, ukuleles, as well as brass and woodwinds, books and musical memorabilia and curios. Says Kirk, “If you happen to have an instrument sitting around unused, Isle be Jammin’ will Buy-Sell-Trade”.

Kirk will resume his regular services including instrument repair, he’ll give you a free estimate, and will continue giving his popular classes. Continue Reading

River Otters Riot and Rowdy – Photo Courtesy of Wolf Hollow

We hear from Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center about a new partnership with crowd funding website Loveanimals.Org. Wolf Hollow hopes to utilize the crowdfunding source to secure funding to rehabilitate Riot and Rowdy, their two orphaned river otter kits.

Wolf Hollow’s second project will focus on Riot and Rowdy, two orphaned river otter kits, who need food and care for six months until they are ready to be released back into the wild.  They will be asking donors for $5,000 to cover these costs. 

“Animal welfare and wildlife conservation non-profits currently receive only 2% of all giving in America” said LoveAnimals.org founder, Sarah Timms.  “As a result, most animal non-profits struggle to raise enough money to cover their operating budgets, let alone fund projects that are critically needed.  We created LoveAnimals.org so organizations like Wolf Hollow can access crowdfunding resources and reach a larger pool of donors.”For most animal related non-profits raising money to fund desperately needed projects requires a herculean effort.  Continue Reading

Soccer on the Field – Photo by Paul Hopkins

John Kurtz, Chairman of the Friday Harbor Fields Board, sent in this progress report.

Hello Everyone, I  want to let you know the positive developments that are taking place at the Community field’s athletic site.  The Friday Harbor Fields Board, made up of youth sports programs representatives, Island Rec, SJISD, a neighborhood representative, and directors from the community, combined efforts to get the ball fields moving forward again.  In December 2013 an anonymous donor became interested in supporting the construction of the fields.  With a new financial commitment, FHAA, Island Parks and Recreation (Island Rec), and SJISD agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding outlining construction and development of the property. 

Previous project manager Don Galt Sr. has retired.  FHFB is thankful for his years of service and the donations he raised totaling of over $1.7 million.  In May 2014, the FHFB hired landscape architect Robert W. Droll to design and engineer the park.  Detailed plans and an estimated budget has been submitted.  Lowe Construction was hired in July to oversee construction of the park.  Lowe will take the lead on construction and oversee subcontractor work to keep the project moving forward. Continue Reading

Special Education Events September 25-29 in the San Juan Islands with the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers to Help Preserve and Protect Natural Resources for Generations to Come

Leave No Trace Selected Washington’s San Juan Islands as One of Its Eight Endangered ‘Hot Spots’ in the Nation and are Hosting Events to Help Raise Awareness about Natural Areas Around the Country Facing the Threat of Irreversible Environmental Damage.

September 11, 2014 (Boulder, Colo.) The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics and its Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers Team are partnering with the San Juan Islands to host community events and educational activities September 25-29, 2014.

All members of the San Juan Islands community are encouraged to attend and learn about Leave No Trace principles to help protect and preserve the San Juan Islands for years to come. Continue Reading

Young Hill – Photo Courtesy San Juan Island National Historical Park

A message from San Juan Island National Historical Park regarding an upcoming  prescribed fire.

FRIDAY HARBOR, WA — National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and  San Juan County fire crews plan to conduct a prescribed fire on the southwest slope of Young Hill between September 15 and 19, weather permitting, announced Superintendent Lee Taylor.

The Young Hill fire–a continuation of a successful burn on the upper portion of the hill in June–will involve from about 13 acres on the lower southwest portion of the hill, running from south of the English Camp cemetery to Mitchell Hill  Connector Trail. The crew will first burn just below the cemetery and if conditions are optimum will move on to the next unit over to the east, which is about eight acre, utilizing the connector trail as a fire line.  Continue Reading

In commemoration of the events of September 11, 2001 San Juan County Council issued the following statement.

A day that will never be forgotten.  A day that changed all of our lives. 

We, in San Juan County, were far removed from the destruction and death that rained down on the people of New York,  the Pentagon,  and Flight 93.

We watched in horror as the events played out on National Television.

We saw the brave First Responders rushing into burning buildings trying to save lives.  So many of whom lost their own lives in the service of others. 

911 proved to be the deadliest incident for fire fighters in US history. We witnessed the courageous actions of the determined souls aboard Flight 93 who brought the hijackers down, and the compassion the people at the Pentagon demonstrated helping each other find a route out of the chaos. Continue Reading

Broadway Melodies – Photo Courtesy SJCT

In news from San Juan Community Theatre, a popular performance returns.

When pianist Carol Hooper gathered a bunch of her theatre/singer friends for a “Broadway Melodies” edition of San Juan Community Theatre’s Night Music series back in July, the response was overwhelming—the concert sold out weeks before the show.  Cries of “encore” from those who missed out led to two new concerts set for Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gubelman Theatre.

Returning to the stage, with accompaniment from Carol or Jim Collado are Penelope Haskew, Carol and Jim Hooper, Keith Keyser, Trudy and Joely Loucks, Scott Mapstead, Amanda Smith and Andy, Jill and Lucy Urbach. Continue Reading

Photo Courtesy San Juan Singers

I heard from San Juan Singers, Therese Scott Finn, that the Singers are starting up a new season and welcoming new voices.

Do you like to sing? Well, San Juan Singers are starting rehearsals for their upcoming season next Wednesday, September 17th. 7:00 p.m. at Skagit Valley College.

All are welcome, so come and sing with us, and bring a friend! It’s lots of FUN!!!!

The Washington State Building for the Arts advisory committee has selected the San Juans Islands Museum of Art (IMA) as one of 14 non-profit organizations from a field of 50 applicants. IMA placed number 6 out of the14 in their rankings of “desirability”, and incidentally, number two of those with an Arts orientation. The award can mean a $650,000 grant toward finishing the visual arts museum currently under construction.

The list of recommended recipients will now be sent to the legislative branch for consideration in the upcoming capital budget.

Ranking criteria include the ability to complete the project expediently, the organizational capacity to run the facility effectively, community need, and availability of other funding resources. The panel that arrived at these rankings is made up of 12 professionals from a variety of non- profit organizations and affiliated firms.

Charlie Bodenstab, Executive Director of IMA, expressed his enthusiasm at having the endorsement of such an esteemed review committee.  “We intend to meet their expectations and then some!” he said.

Andrew McLaglen – Photo Courtesy SJCT

When we say local talent around here we really mean it. The caliber of artists in our midst can be breathtaking. Late last month we lost a shining star, Andrew McLaglen, the Hollywood director who came to make his home here on San Juan Island. Here to remember him is Susan Williams, Artistic Director for San Juan Community Theatre, herself a cornerstone of our theatre community.

In late August, 2014 our beloved friend Andrew V. McLaglen passed away.  His death brings a sense of loss to our Theatre community and a time of contemplation as well.
 Andrew’s contribution to San Juan Community Theatre was unparalleled. 

I first met Andrew when I was playing Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady on Orcas Island.   When the evening’s show was over, I was told two guys wanted to talk to me and were waiting in the auditorium.  I walked out wondering who in the heck would be on Orcas that would want to see me, and there stood this great looking, very tall guy with a big smile, Andrew McLaglen, standing next to a shorter guy, also with a big smile, Ernie Gann.   Continue Reading

A film about the history and future of nuclear power, Pandora’s Promise explores how and why mankind’s most feared and controversial technological discovery is now passionately embraced by many of those who once led the charge against it.

Presenting as history, cultural meditation and contemporary exploration, the film aims to inspire a serious and realistic debate over what is without question the most important question of our time: how do we continue to power modern civilization without destroying it?

Tuesday, September 16th, 7:00 pm at the Grange.
Read more at Friday Harbor Film Festival.

Bee and Rose – Photo by Brady Ryan

San Juan Island Grange #966 is sponsoring a program on Honey, Wednesday September 17, 2014 at the Grange Hall; the program begins at 7pm, preceded by a potluck at 6pm—all are welcome and encouraged to attend.  Brady Ryan of San Juan Island Honey will discuss some of the fascinating aspects of nature’s floral symphony.

We will look at how honey is produced and harvested, focusing on bees, pollination, beekeeping throughout the year, and the interconnection of the floral landscape with the unique flavor of local honey.

Program begins at 7pm, preceded by a 6pm potluck!

San Juan Island Grange Hall

Ferry Crew Drill – Photo by Ruth Offen

This photo of our ferry crew in action was sent in by friend and gallery owner Ruth Offen who said, “Usually I just sleep on the ferry boat, but this morning I witnessed the drill closeby and shot some images of the ferry crew in action. Was good to see the crew diligently working.”  

Thanks Ruth! Good to know our ferry crew is keeping in practice.