Special day honors birthday of National Park Service

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission wants the public to know that Monday, Aug. 25 is a state parks ‘free day.’ Day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass to visit state parks.

The ‘free day’ is in honor of the birthday of the National Park Service, which was established on Aug. 25, 1916. State Parks ‘free days’ are in keeping with legislation that created the Discover Pass, a $30 annual or $10 one-day permit required on lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Fish & Wildlife (WDFW). The Discover Pass legislation provided that State Parks could designate up to 12 ‘free days’ each year when the pass would not be required to visit state parks. The Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by WDFW and DNR on these days.

‘Free days’ apply only to day use, not overnight stays or rented facilities.

Washington State Parks will have two more ‘free days’ in 2014: Sept. 27, in recognition of National Public Lands Day and Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day.

Here’s a note from Miles Crossen, this year’s Superintendent of the Photo Exhibit at the fair…

Miles Crossen – Tim Dustrude photo

To all the visitors and residents of San Juan County who helped with the success of this year’s Photography Department at the San Juan County Fair.

First – I’d like to mention the participants (far too many to list individually), not only those who received ribbons, but the unrecognized photographers who took the time to take, process, frame, and display the nearly 350 images these folks felt should be shared with the countless fair goers.

Second – I’d like to thank those volunteers and judges who spent a time setting up the display, manning the booth, and supporting us throughout the fair. Special thanks go out to: Sonda Earley, Rebecca Parks, Ray Sheffer, Tim Dustrude, Scott Rasmussen, David and Nancy Honeywell, Mark Gardner, Karen Woldveldt, Deanna Jenkins, Cynthia Brast, John Sinclair, John Boyd, Donna Dyer, Deborah Goelzer, Steven K. Roberts, plus Allison, Kathleen, and Jennifer (who were provided to us by the folks at the Fair Office). Continue Reading

The Whale Museum is pleased to welcome Michael Jasny as part of the 2014 Summer Lecture Series.

Michael will discuss “Ocean Roar: Combating Noise from Commercial Ships” on Tuesday, August 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Beam Reach

The ocean is an acoustic world, and whales and many other species of marine life rely on sound for their survival. But we are rapidly transforming that world. The roar of commercial ships has elevated natural ambient levels of noise by orders of magnitude since the 1950s, destroying the ability of whales to communicate, producing chronic stress, and inhibiting their foraging.

Major new transport projects threaten to dramatically increase the volume of shipping through Puget Sound and the Salish Sea and further degrade the acoustic habitat of our region. In this lecture, Michael Jasny will describe the global problem of underwater shipping noise and discuss some important recent efforts, from London to Lime Kiln, to bring it under control. Continue Reading

This note came in to the Update mailbox from K. Thor Jensen inviting you to a backyard Experimental Animation show…

Join us for a screening and performance of comics and animation by Stefan Gruber, an experimental animator and performance artist from Seattle. His three-part act includes live animation, a live voice performance, and an entertaining array of audience interaction that is rarely seen elsewhere in the world of animation.

Wednesday at 8:00pm
83 Lilac Lane, Friday Harbor, WA
$10 – $20 suggested donation, kids free.

Lemonade will be served.

If you have any items you’d like to donate to the Animal Shelter for their big garage sale fundraiser this Saturday, Wednesday is the day to drop them off at 994 Cattle Point Road between 10:00 and 4:00.

The shelter staff appreciate your support!

The sale will be on Saturday, August 23rd from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at 994 Cattle Point Road.

Click for Mobile CSO Poster

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Mobile Community Service Office is coming to San Juan Island on August 26 and 27th. They will be here to do application interviews for Food and Cash as well as yearly reviews, and to answer any questions on active cases or about any of their services.

Transient Orcas near Sidney Island – Jim Maya photo

Captain Jim Maya of Maya’s Westside Whalewatch shares this beautiful image of Transient Orcas over by Sidney Island. Thanks Jim!

San Juan Island Cheese is proud to announce that Virginie Bourgue, of Lullaby Winery, is coming to visit! She produces a very limited quantity of wines from selected vineyards in Walla Walla and other great areas in Eastern Washington.

Virginie’s wines have received many awards in the Seattle Magazine, Seattle Met, Wine Advocate, and Wine Enthusiast.

Please join us for an open house of Wine Tasting and Cheese Pairings with Virginie and her wines. 4:00 to 6:00 pm, Thursday, August 21st at San Juan Island Cheese, Friday Harbor

Hope you can join us!
Richard, Sherri and Hannah
San Juan Island Cheese
155 Nichols St., Friday Harbor

It’s the San Juan Historical Society’s new museum project, the “Museum of History and Industry” and you can help make it happen by having your own brick pave the way to it. Here’s more from the Historical Society… 

The barn that will house the Museum of History of Industry – MHI photo

How do you connect the future to the past and the past to the present?

How do you explain to an inquiring visitor, a teenager, a grandchild, a friend from another generation – that San Juan Island has a rich industrial history? How do you tell the intriguing stories of industrious islanders, who fished, farmed, logged and quarried and processed limestone here?

The answer is the San Juan Island Museum of History and Industry (MHI), an interactive educational facility currently being developed at the San Juan Historical Museum. It is housed in a recently expanded late 19th century reproduction barn on the museum grounds. The MHI will interpret and exhibit the living history of four industries that shaped and sustained San Juan Island for generations: Fishing, Farming, Logging and Lime.

Making use of historical artifacts, images, multimedia and interactive displays, the exhibits will be installed in five separate sections, including a welcoming atrium and rolled out in phases with an estimated completion date of late 2016.

A sample of an actual engraved brick that will be used to pave the path to the new exhibit. This would be your name, of course

For a minimum contribution of $250 you can buy a brick and own a part of San Juan Island history and help pave the way to the MHI!

Please join us in this effort – help us to continue to create the San Juan Island Museum of History and Industry. Become a part of a legacy of information and education which will benefit current and future generations of San Juan Island residents and visitors.

Click here to order your brick.

Salish Sea Ballet To Celebrate Grand Opening on Saturday, August 23rd

Salish Sea Ballet invites dancers of all ages, and their families, to attend a Grand Opening celebration in their newly renovated studio at 689 Airport Center Road, Suite F. The celebration takes place on Saturday, August 23rd from 10:30am-3:00pm. Stop by to register for fall classes and enjoy refreshments or take a free mini-class while youʼre there! No experience is necessary for these introductory classes.

Free classes will be offered at the following times:

• 11:00 am – 11:30 am: Pre-Ballet (Ages 3-5)
• 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm: Ballet 1 & Ballet 2 (Ages 6-12)
• 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Adult Beginning/Intermediate Ballet (Ages 12+)

The Salish Sea Ballet Boutique is stocked with logo T-shirts, leotards, tights, shoes, tutus, and more. Enjoy a 10% discount on your Boutique purchase when you register & pay for September classes at the Grand Opening. Enter your name in the drawing to win free classes or Salish Sea Ballet gear! Continue Reading

August 23 dusk, in Sunken Park – Island Rec’s FREE Movies in the Park.

Shrek – watch everyone’s favorite Ogre as he sets out to save his swamp and win the heart of a princess, all with the help of his nursery-rhyme, fairytale friends and one memorable talking donkey.

Go to www.islandrec.org or call Island Rec at 378-4953 for more information. Free popcorn. Come early for fun contests and prizes. Bring blankets or chairs. No alcohol please. Sponsored by FANS, Families and Neighbors support Island Rec.

“Sweetie” is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

This beautiful girl goes by the name of “Sweetie” – which is a perfect name for her because she truly is a sweet, sweet dog.  She’s a “Chiweenie” – part Dachshund part Chihuahua, and about a year old.  This photo doesn’t do her justice – she has gorgeous markings and is absolutely adorable!

She’s a bit shy at first, but warms up quickly and loves to chase tennis balls and play with squeaky toys.  She also loves to cuddle and will make an excellent lap dog.  She does great with other dogs,  but we feel she is best suited for a home without cats, as she seems overly “enthusiastic” about the kitties here at the shelter.

Stop by the shelter soon to meet her.

We only have two kittens left – Don’t miss your chance to adopt a bundle of fun this summer!

Contributed photo

Island Rec is once again operating a supervised after-school program for kids in grades K-6, beginning August 28th and continuing throughout the school year. STAR will operate on all regular school days and early release days at the FHES cafeteria, from the “school’s out” bell until 6pm.

Each afternoon will include child-initiated play, organized and diverse recreational and educational activities, structured homework time, craft or cooking activities, and a snack. STAR is run by Diana Feinson, the program coordinator for all ‘School’s Out’ programs including Camp Eagle Rock and School’s Out Camps.

Flexible drop-in attendance options, convenient monthly billing, and affordable daily rates are designed with regard for the needs of working parents in our community. Scholarships are available to qualifying families.

Pick up a ‘School’s Out’ application and parent information packet at FHES, Island Rec’s office (580 Guard St), or by visiting www.islandrec.org. For more information about STAR enrollment, fees, and financial assistance options call 378-4953 or email Diana [@] islandrec [.] org

Bubble fun at the Fair – Tim Dustrude photo

What a fun Saturday at the Fair! The weather was better today than all 3 days before, and being Saturday, there was a good turnout. Lots and lots of friends and acquaintances. Good to see everyone there today!

Click here for a gallery of images from Day 4.

Aaaaaaand Francie Hansen was back again doing the Trashion Fashion Show this year, and what a great event that was. If you missed it, here are some images of this very popular SJC Fair event…

Click here for the Trashion Fashion Show, 2014.

Trashion Fashion 2014 Winners – Tim Dustrude photo

Aerial view of the 2014 Fair. Do you see yourself? – Chris Teren photo

Chris Teren sends this photo of the Fair on Saturday. Can you see yourself?

Julie Hagn leads the Happy Flashmob – Debbi Fincher photo

Julie Hagn, the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition and the Rock Solid Youth Group were at it again and did another flash mob at this year’s fair. This time the song was “Happy” by Pharell Williams and the theme was “Happy to be Drug Free at the Fair”.

Julie choreographed the dancing and sent out a secret video to a number of people to show them the routine and then they met one evening before the fair to go over it and make sure everyone knew the dance steps. Then… “shhhhh”, they waited for the scheduled time and then everyone got happy feet.

Check it out in the video below: