Mullis Community Senior Center. Donate blood and save a life! Walk-ins welcome. Donors with appointments have priority at registration. Photo ID required.

Contact Curt Van Hyning 317-8399 for appointment.

Wednesday, July 30, 11:30 am – 5:30 pm

If you love to sing, join us – we are the Friday Harbor Song Circle.

We meet to sing together twice a month. You will need to have a copy of Rise Up Singing or 10 copies of your favorite song to share.

July 30th. For more information, send an email to:
gailrichard2 [@] gmail [.] com

Back by popular demand, an informative evening with Gerry King, a long-time San Juan Island resident and a descendant of the early settler King Family.

Gerry’s last visit with us was so well received he would like to continue the conversation. Gerry will talk about what it was like to grow up on the Island in the 1930’s & 1940’s, and the various jobs he held as a young man including working on threshing crews, at the Friday Harbor Packing Company and in the quarries at Roche Harbor. He invites other to share their stories as well. Join us for a fun and informative evening as we turn the clock back to an earlier era.

Suggest donation is $5 and museum members are admitted at no charge. Please contact the museum for further information at 378-3949 or
museum_admin [@] sjmuseum [.] org

San Juan Historical Museum Resource Center
Tuesday, July 29, 7:00 pm

This Canadian folk trio took the Whittier stage by storm in 2012, so it seemed about time to ask them back for more of their three-part harmonies, clever songs and on-stage banter.

The aptly named Good Lovelies are best friends Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough and Sue Passmore, sharing music that is part folk-roots, part Western Swing. Their self-titled full-length album release in 2009 not only won the group “New Emerging Artist” at the Canadian Folk Music Awards but also a Juno (Canada’s equivalent to the Grammys) for Roots/Traditional Album of the Year in 2010. Their latest album, Live at Revolution, was released in December 2013, showcasing their glorious harmonies and playful songwriting.

Canada’s Globe and Mail columnist Brad Wheeler says of the trio: “…they make three-part harmonies divinely—all sun, serotonin and retro-radio.”

Visit the Good Lovelies website here.

Live in the Whittier Theatre Saturday, August 2nd at 7:30 pm

Tickets:
Adults $28
Student Reserved $14
Student Rush (door only) $5

The Business Partner for this concert is Peter C. Schmidt Construction

The SJI Conservation District’s Community Solar for Our Schools will generate renewable solar energy for our schools, reducing our schools’ electricity costs, and provide educational opportunities.

Four solar-electric systems will be installed at the school districts on Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, and Shaw islands. All the energy generated will be donated to the school districts, lowering their electricity costs.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation will provide educational curriculum, materials, and teacher training through their Solar 4R Schools Program, to support our schools’ science programs.

Click here to read more.

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

Beautiful Zina wants nothing more than a home of her own and someone to love her and spend time with her. Her story is a sad one – neglected and eventually abandoned, she came to us a few months ago very stressed and sad.

We’ve been working with her and she is learning to walk nicely on a leash and LOVES all people. She does well with other dogs when properly introduced but should not live in a home with cats. She’s a big girl, about 75 pounds, spayed and up to date on her vaccines. We believe she is about 3 years old.

Stop by the shelter to meet her!

Singing Through History! with Adam Miller, Folksinger, Storyteller, and Autoharp Virtuoso

The San Juan Island Library Children’s Department and Adult Programming invite everyone, young and senior, to this entertaining and interactive performance with renowned musician and storyteller Adam Miller.

A masterful entertainer, Adam has performed throughout the Northwest for more than 20 years and amassed a collection of 5,000 traditional folk tunes. He introduces audiences to American history through song and stories and never fails to get people singing along to his beautiful autoharp melodies.

Refreshments provided courtesy of the Friends of the Library. Held in the main salon area of the San Juan Island Library. Sunday, August 3, at 6:00 pm. Doors open at 5:45 pm.

For more information, please call the library at 378-2798.

Merri Ann Simonson

Here’s Merri Ann Simonson with this quarter’s summary…

The second quarter results which complete the first half of the year for San Juan Island were very exciting as the real estate dollar volume reflected an increase of 95% over the same period in 2013. The number of transactions was also up 62%.

Overall, San Juan County’s volume was up 69% with 269 transactions in the first half of 2014, as compared to 187 in 2013 or a 44% increase. Shaw and the outer non-ferry serviced islands dollar volume led the group of islands with a increase of 105%, San Juan followed with a 95% increase, Orcas with a 79% increase, and Lopez was actually down 33%. The majority of the increase for Shaw and the outer islands was one transaction that closed at $1.9M, which was a waterfront home that sold to a neighbor on Shaw.

Click here for the full report (PDF)

Here’s a note from WSF about the new reservations system coming this winter…

Washington State Ferries will be doing outreach in the San Juan Islands and in Anacortes for our vehicle reservation service [in August]. Locals are invited to meet WSF staff and learn more about upcoming vehicle reservations on the Anacortes-San Juan Islands ferry route at the following dates & locations.

In August (Aug. 2-24) – WSF will be here:

• Saturday, Aug. 2 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Lopez Farmers Market
• Sunday, Aug. 3 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Friday Harbor Terminal
• Saturday, Aug. 9 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Library Fair (Eastsound, Orcas)
• Wed. Aug. 13 through Sat., Aug. 16 – San Juan County Fair
• Friday, Aug. 22 – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Anacortes Ferry Terminal
• Saturday, Aug. 23 – 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Anacortes Walgreens
• Sunday, Aug. 24 – 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Lopez Ferry Terminal

For more information on vehicle reservations coming the San Juan Islands, please visit www.TakeAFerry.com.

Here are a few photos from yesterday’s 5th Annual Fly In, shot by Marie DiCristina. Thanks for sharing your photos Marie!

P-51D Mustang fly by – Photo by Marie DiCristina

Click thumbnails for slideshow.

[Show slideshow]

And if that’s not enough for you, there are 107 more photos here, shot by Tim Dustrude of the San Juan Update. (Note: It might take a moment for the initial page to load).

Candace Gossen – Contributed photo

The Whale Museum’s Lecture Series:
Easter Island: 15,000 Years of Discoveries
Presented by Candace Gossen

The Whale Museum is pleased to welcome Candace Gossen as part of the 2014 Summer Lecture Series. Candace will discuss “Easter Island: 15,000 Years of Discoveries” on Wednesday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m.

Candace Gossen, PhD, is an environmental archaeologist, architect, plant medicine teacher and just a girl that likes to dig in the dirt and climb trees. Recently returned from the island, she has new and exciting information to share. For the past 12 years, Candace Gossen has cored the crater lakes on Easter Island to challenge the current story that humans cut down the forests and caused their own demise. She wanted to know if there was another reason such as climate change, drought, insects or something else yet unknown that may have caused the disappearance of the largest palm trees in the world (16 million of them). Before 1980 there was no evidence that any tree existed on this island ever.

In 1920, Carl Skottsberg, a naturalist sailing the South Pacific Islands, conducted the first survey of the plants and living things on the island. He found what most explorers landing in the 1700s wrote about as a barren grassland with no trees standing over 10′ tall. However, Skottsberg claimed this island should be anything but a grassland, something was wrong. He called the crater lake, Rano Kao a “somewhat dangerous quagmire which cannot be bored with usual methods.” Gaining world attention to a collapse theory, Jared Diamond has written the story of deforestation but it must be changed because new scientific discovery has proved there was instead innovation, adaptation and hope.

The August 6th lecture event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (360) 378-4710 ext. 30. 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, Soundwatch Boater Education, San Juan Islands Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and the Whale Hotline. The Whale Museum can be found on-line at www.whalemuseum.org.

Come to The Whale Museum for “Coffee & Conversation” from 9 am until 10 am on Thursday, August 7. If you haven’t been to the Museum lately, this is a great time to come in. Hosted by executive director Jenny Atkinson, participants will be invited to enjoy light refreshments while getting to know the Museum better.

While the Museum is always free to locals (San Juan County residents) on Thursdays, participants will also receive a free admission pass to the Exhibit Hall and a 10% coupon for our gift shop, good same day. While touring the Exhibit Hall, take a look at our new stair lift and enjoy a self-guided tour with the new Exploration Guide. We want to share our Museum with our community! We hope you will join us for “Coffee & Conversation.” Continue Reading

A scary thing at the Fly in today. Luckily, no injuries.

Video courtesy A. Taylor Musburger on YouTube.

I’m so glad these guys are OK. A very nice couple from Everett with an adorable little girl, Samantha. I met them earlier in the afternoon and Kevin and Samantha posed for this  picture after a picnic lunch in the shade under the wing of their plane.

Samantha and Kevin O’Keefe at the Friday Harbor Fly In – Tim Dustrude photo

Natural Horsemanship Clinic – Contributed photo

This submission came in kinda late, but here’s some info on this event if you’re interested…

Natural Horsemanship Clinic with Master Horseman Larry Fleming

At the Fairgrounds, Sunday, July 27 from 9am to 5pm

• Increase your horsemanship skills both on the ground and in the saddle.
• Build your confidence.

This clinic is great for horses & riders of all ages & disciplines and is guaranteed to improve your relationship with your horse.

Come and learn from one of the best.
$200 for Horse & Rider/$20 Audit

Call 360-317-1186 to register

Finding bargains on books – Contributed photo

Shop for bargains galore! The Friends of the San Juan Island Library’s annual summer book sale will be held this year at the San Juan Island Library, 1010 Guard Street.  Please note that this is a new venue for the summer sale.  Opening night on Friday, August 1, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, is limited to Friends of Library members.  Not a member yet?  Memberships can be purchased at the door for as little as $10.  Also, as a special treat for members, refreshments will be served.

On Saturday, August 2, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, the book sale is open to the general public.  There will be a wide selection of books and some media in all categories.  Most books are sold for $1.50 and inch, measured along the spines.  Media, mass market paperbacks, specialty and collectible books are priced individually.  This is a chance to stock up on books at bargain prices, and support the library at the same time.  All proceeds go to support library programs and special equipment needs that are not covered by the library’s tax dollars.

If you miss the sale, the Friends of the Library sells quality used books year round at its Treasure Cove sales corner and the Bargain Book Case at the library, just to the right of the main entrance. There is also an honor box paperback book sales rack at the ferry terminal if you are caught in a long line with nothing to read. All proceeds go to support the library’s programs and for special equipment needs.

Runners in the Annual 8.8K Race – Photo courtesy of Island Rec

Island Rec – 37th Annual 8.8K Loop Run!

Island Rec and Xtreme Fitness invite you to take part in some local history and enter the 37th Annual Friday Harbor 8.8k Loop Run scheduled for a 9am start on Saturday August 16, 2014. People of all ages enjoy running or walking in this race.

Register by July 31st and pay the early fee, $15 for kids 12 and under and $20 for racers 13 and older. Fee will increase by $5 on August 1st. All fees include race entry, a free pass into the San Juan County fair and an event t-shirt. Register online at www.islandrec.org, in person at the Island Rec office 580 Guard Street, or – New this year – Register on Wednesday, Aug. 13 & Thursday Aug. 14th, at the Island Rec Fair Booth, inside the Fairgrounds.

Race number and shirts can be picked up the Friday before Race day at the Island Rec Office from 1-5pm. Runner check-in and day of registrations takes place in the Wells Fargo Bank parking Lot, located on the corner of Argyle and Spring Street, from 7:30-8:45am. The race starts promptly at 9:00 am in front of Friday Harbor Drug. Awards ceremony follows the race with medals awarded for the first three place-winners in 5 year age categories.

Volunteers are needed for race day, please contact Morgan Johnston at
morgan [@] islandrec [.] org if you are interested. Call Island Rec at 378-4953 for more information.