L-R: Kevin Loftus, Museum Director; Fred Yockers, designer/builder; Don Nixon, museum board member; and Mary Jean Cahail, Museum President – San Juan Update photo

There is some cool stuff going on over at the San Juan Historical Museum – they’ve just added a major part of their new exhibit within their developing Museum of History and Industry (MHI). It’s a relief map of San Juan Island, and it’s completely to scale (meaning that the heights of mountains and the depths of valleys and the sea floor, are correct in proportion to linear distances across the map), so it is a very accurate model of our island and its topography.

According to Museum Director Kevin Loftus, Don Nixon and Fred Yockers deserve all the credit for its production and the Honeywell Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region and Valmark, Inc., for providing funding for the project. Fred designed and built the table/display out of native island cedar (donated by Bill Maas at Egg Lake Sawmill and Shake, which was planed smooth thanks to Dave Marsaudon at Windowcraft), and Don worked meticulously on its design and detail and functionality. Click for more info and more photos… Continue Reading

Leah Wymer of Bloom San Juan – Brady Ryan photo

You know Brady Ryan, right? From San Juan Island Sea Salt. Well his girlfriend, Leah Wymer has started a new cut flower business here on the island called Bloom San Juan. It’s about 1 acre this year, and will be 2 or 3 next year. She sells at the Farmer’s Market, does weddings, has a regular flower delivery program (a flower CSA), and does arrangements for businesses in town. Here’s more from Leah, in her own words…

Leah Wymer/Brady Ryan photo

Bloom San Juan is a new business, which I started in 2013 at Ryan Farm in San Juan Valley. Ryan Farm is also home to Brady Ryan’s businesses, San Juan Island Sea Salt and San Juan Island Honey. I became interested in flowers after working at a vegetable farm in the Snoqualmie Valley for two years. That is where I met Brady, who was also farming there at the time, and we decided that it was time to pursue our own dreams on San Juan Island. Continue Reading

A scene from Encampment 2013 – Tim Dustrude photo

Re-enactors from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada will once again celebrate peace as they gather for the 16th Annual Encampment scheduled Saturday and Sunday, July 26-27 on the English Camp parade ground.

Encampment 2014 is free. Disabled persons should call the park at (360) 378-2240, ext. 2226, or 378-4409 for special access information.

The weekend includes recreations of mid-19th century Royal Marine Light Infantry and U.S. Army camp life, demonstrations of music, blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, sewing, cooperage and carpentry, along with the pageantry of period uniforms in scarlet and blue. Black powder rifled musket demonstrations and the firing of howitzer also are planned both days. Click for more info and photos –  Continue Reading

Sun Rise Neighborhood – Contributed photo

$300,000 Matching Grant Means More Roofs to be Raised at Sun Rise!

The construction of Phase II of Sun Rise will begin soon. The San Juan Community Home Trust, an organization devoted to building permanently affordable housing on San Juan Island, has already developed the Salal neighborhood, off of Carter Road in 2006, and Phase I of Sun Rise, east of the elementary school, in 2011.

Now the organization is ready to begin to raise money to build 12 to 14 new homes. To help this effort along, a long-time local supporter of the Home Trust has offered a $300,000 Challenge Grant – the challenge being to match that amount through other donations.

The Home Trust has built 29 affordable homes in these two neighborhoods over the last 10 years. All were built with the assistance of construction grants from the WA State Housing Trust Fund, funded by the state Legislature. However with the financial crisis of these last few years, that money has dried up while the need for affordable housing on San Juan Island has increased. This is where the community can step in to help our own. Continue Reading

Mike Buettel leads a group of walkers up near Briggs Lake – Louise Dustrude photo

This coming Saturday, meet Mike Buettell, Roche Harbor resident, world class hiker and volunteer trail builder, to return and further explore the Briggs Lake Trail in the Roche Harbor Highlands.

The trail is open again after work on the lake and the dam, and we will learn about this construction and what was done and why.

Meet and park at the intersection of West Valley and Roche Harbor Roads. Length is 4 miles round trip. Terrain is slight uphill and downhill sections on service roads. Rating is moderate. Dogs on leashes welcome. Rain or shine.

For more information send and email to:
sjitrails [@] rockisland [.] com

Saturday, July 26, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.

Super Moon over Roche Harbor – Sherrie Stahl photo

Just in case you didn’t see enough photos of that super moon last week, here’s one more which was shot out at Roche Harbor, by part-time island resident, Sherrie Stahl.

Sherrie and her husband spend most of their time living in Portland, OR, but they like to spend their summers here on the island, with a boat out at Roche Harbor. And from that boat, she shot some photos on July 6 that made the Orca Network’s sighting report newsletter. (scroll down to July 6 and you’ll see her photos). Thanks for sharing, Sherrie!

In January 2015, the WSF Save A Spot online reservation system will be available for vehicle travel to and from the San Juan Islands. Currently, reservations are offered on international sailings to Sidney, B.C., and on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route.

Starting on December 2, 2014, vehicle reservations will be accepted for winter season travel to and from the San Juan Islands. Washington State Ferries will not charge a fee to make a reservation.

An automated reservation sign-up system will be available using Save A Spot online. Reservations also will be accepted by calling 1-888-808-7977.

Check out the WSF “Take a Ferry” web page for more information.

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

Daniel Finn – Contributed photo

Two island singers/guitarists highlight the next edition of San Juan Community Theatre’s Night Music summer concert series on Thursday, July 24.
Both Daniel Finn and Ian Boulton got their musical start at the age of 12. Finn says he’s been writing songs in a kind of “crypto-pop/rock/soul-skidded groove” since then and has been performing them on San Juan Island for the past 35 years, including many concerts at SJCT.

Ian Boulton – Contributed photo

Self-taught, Boulton learned to play guitar by ear, listening to songs on albums of the many singer/songwriters of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. His primary influences include Neil Young, James Taylor (mostly their early work) and, later, Pete Townsend of The Who. He enjoys playing classic acoustic rock music on both 6 and 12-string guitars.

The series continues weekly through August 7, with a variety of musical styles showcased. The live music starts at 7:30 p.m., with social time in the Gubelman and Steele Memorial Garden (complete with special chocolate desserts, wine and beer available for purchase) starting at 7:00 p.m. Each evening is limited to 65 guests; all tickets are $12 each per concert.

The Business Partner for the series is Islanders Bank. The SJCT Box Office is open Tuesdays-Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and one hour before any performance. Call 360-378-3210, or surf to www.sjctheatre.org.

Join local architectural historian Boyd Pratt and Town of Friday Harbor historic preservation coordinator, Sandy Strehlou for an exclusive presentation of Historic Sunshine Alley, “The people, trends and events that influenced Sunshine Alley as we know it today”, to be held at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, July 23rd at Brickworks.

Earlier this year, the Town of Friday Harbor commissioned Boyd Pratt to research the history of the alley. His findings will be useful to anyone thinking about future rehabilitation of the alley and individual properties, and anyone just interested in what natural and manmade influences shaped the alley as we know it today.

Boyd Pratt – Contributed photo

Afterwards, stay to hear the results of the Sunshine Alley survey that was conducted by Tom Beckwith and Associates. This event begins at 6:00 pm at Brickworks. Don’t miss this important community presentation.

Sunshine Alley neighborhood – Click to enlarge

The open house on the final design and cost particulars for the Sunshine Alley Design Project will be this Wednesday the 23rd of July at Brickworks beginning at 6:00 pm.

The design team will give a Powerpoint presentation of the final design concept at 6:15 pm followed by discussion with all interested parties.

Please plan on coming to provide your review and comments. We look forward to seeing you there.

Calling all volunteers! Here’s a new opportunity to get involved with the Salish Seeds Project!

Native Plant Nursery Construction

Come help the San Juan County Land Bank and the San Juan Preservation Trust complete their shared native plant nursery at Red Mill Farm on San Juan Island (see directions below). Part of the Salish Seeds Project, the nursery will produce seed and plants for the restoration of local prairie and Garry oak habitats. Tasks at this volunteer work day will include constructing raised beds, filling them with soil, and covering paths with woodchips. Bring a sack lunch and linger after the work party ends… you may be treated to the sight of some recently released Western bluebirds as we picnic!

Date: Monday, July 28
Time: 9:00 am to noon. Optional sack lunch from noon to 1:00 pm.
What to bring: Water, lunch, and work gloves. We’re also looking for 2 additional wheelbarrows and power drills.

If you’d like to attend, please RSVP to Bella French, bella [@] sjpt [.] org and indicate whether you can bring any of the above tools.

Directions to Red Mill Farm
From Friday Harbor:

Take Spring Street from Friday Harbor and follow it past the Peace Health Medical Center.
Spring Street becomes San Juan Valley Road.
Continue on San Juan Valley Road for a few miles out of town, past Douglas Road.
Turn left on Valley Farms Road (gravel) across from white farmhouse.
Continue 1/4 mile on Valley Farms Road and take first driveway on the right.
There is a small shed at the driveway.
The nursery will be on your left as you approach the house.
Park near the house and outbuildings.

Hope you can make it!

The San Juan Nature Institute offers a Young Naturalist Class at the Sculpture Park for children 5 – 8 years of age. Explore the park and create a nature journal with environmental educator and artist, Alice Hibberd.

Saturday, July 26th from 10:00 am to noon.
Cost is $20 per student. Call 378-3646 to register.

Here’s Rob with this month’s entry in the Conscientious Projector series…

Hello Healthy Islanders,

Monday, July 21st at 7:00 pm in the library, we will hear a fascinating interview with genetics researcher Dr. Bruce Lipton. And to make it even more interesting, he will be interviewed by none other than Dr. Wayne Dyer.

The most important thing we will learn is how our mental environment actually CONTROLS how our DNA expresses itself.

Earlier science thought we were stuck with the DNA we were born with…which made us all victims of our heredity.

But, that now dis-proven theory shows there is “much more here than meets the eye, (Dr Watson.)”

Come learn about it tomorrow night. It’ll make your summer day even brighter.

Hope to see you.

Rob

The entertaining Folklorico Ballet dancers – Click to enlarge – Contributed photo

The San Juan Community Home Trust would like to express their thanks…

In a salute to the Hispanic community of Friday Harbor, the Home Trust celebrated its 2nd annual San Juan Fiesta. An enthusiastic, overflowing crowd began filling The Brickworks early to begin the festivities.

Dancing to the sounds of Los Bambinos – Contributed photo

The evening began with a delicious Mexican meal, including handmade salsa and tortillas, followed by performances by the local Ballet Folklorico dancers. A return visit by the ever popular Los Bambinos band of Puerto Vallarta brought a large audience of Latin dance enthusiasts to their feet. Our friends and neighbors enjoyed a wonderful fiesta!

The Home Trust expresses sincere gratitude to the many participating local business and to all those who volunteered and bought tickets. The support of the silent auction is also greatly appreciated.

Since the event, the Home Trust has already raised an additional $13,000 towards meeting a challenge grant of $300,000, from an anonymous local donor.

Right now the Sunrise Home Trust neighborhood has one affordable 4 bedroom house for sale, and plans are going forward for the next project which should begin building in 2015. For more information, contact Nancy De Vaux at 378-5541.

Dirigo II and Isis – Click to enlarge – Photo by Capt. Alan Niles of San Juan Classic Day Sailing

Welcome to Saturday. Alan Niles was out shooting photos last week that same evening with John Miller, and he got some great images too. What a beautiful evening with beautiful “golden hour” sunlight falling on some beautiful boats!

Here are some notes about San Juan Classic Day Sailing from Captain Niles…

You’ve simply got to click this image to see it larger. Another beautiful photo of Dirigo II by Capt. Alan Niles of San Juan Classic Day Sailing

The San Juan Islands are one of the worlds best sailing grounds. Breathtaking layered views abound all the way from rocky reefs right in front of you, to our beautiful islands teeming with wildlife and spectacular waterfront homes, all the way to the snow clad peaks of the Olympic and the Cascade Mountains sitting supreme on the horizon. All the while on our classic yachts you soak in this backdrop sailing on the protected waters of this 172 island archipelago.

Many people come to the islands to “get away”and a sailboat is the perfect way to do so. You escape in your private world, silently with only the wind and the gentle sound of water against the hull. You travel to new horizons and experience the world from a new and unique perspective. It is exhilarating and yet peaceful. You feel the power of the wind that propels you and its gentleness as it cools the hot sun on your skin. You slice effortlessly through the water, and soak in all that your senses can hold.

We invite you to join us on any of our lovely classic yachts to experience the San Juans. Yes we do see whales sometimes, however there is so much more to experience and we would love to share it with you in a way that no other water activity can match. No experience is necessary – learning about the magic of sail power is part of the fun.