Lara Whitely Binder – Contributed photo

Learn how climate variability and global climate change impacts the Pacific Northwest from University of Washington researcher Lara Whitely Binder at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 24 at the San Juan Island Grange.

As Outreach and Climate Adaptation Specialist for the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group (CIG), Whitely Binder will discuss CIG’s goal to increase the resilience of the Pacific Northwest to fluctuations in climate. Current research focuses on water resources, aquatic and marine ecosystems, forests and coasts.

This presentation is the fourth program in The Climate Action Imperative: Understanding Impacts & Making Choices, a summer speakers’ series featuring eight experts on Climate Change—from oceanographers to botanists, biologists to meteorologists.　The series provides a current look at climate change and what actions are warranted by individuals as well as by our state and nation. For information about Whitely Binder’s program and the series, call 360-378-2240, ext. 2227 or 360-378-6690 or visit our web sites at www.nps.gov/sajh or www.madrona.org.

Whitely Binder assists the CIG with its efforts to disseminate information to decision makers on the impacts of climate variability and climate change on the Pacific Northwest, and to support them on use of this information. From 2011-2012, she served as the facilitator for the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Ocean Acidification that focused on documenting the current state of scientific knowledge. She explored ways to advance our scientific understanding of the effects of ocean acidification, reduce harmful effects on Washington’s shellfish and other marine resources, and adapt to the impacts of acidified waters. Continue Reading

Karen Haas – Click to enlarge – Contributed photo

Historian and storyteller Karen Haas portrays women from differing walks of life and points of view during two programs scheduled this month at English Camp and the San Juan Island Library

The first is her celebrated Civil War program, I am Always on the Woman’s Side, scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 25 in the Royal Marine Barracks at English Camp.

The program is free. Call the park at 360-378-2240, ext. 2233, or the library at 360-378-2798 for more information.

Haas’ vignettes address a neglected side of Civil War life: women striving to survive in a time of violence, turmoil and societal change. Though women’s voices are often lost amid the din of the battlefield, their stories are an integral part of our nation’s history

Haas will next bring to life of another pioneer woman in So Many Things to Do Yet: The Saga of Thea Foss, scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Thursday, July 31 in the San Juan island LIbrary.

Born in Norway, Thea Foss and her husband Andrew arrived in Tacoma in 1889. Starting with a used rowboat, they built a maritime empire.

Haas portrays Thea in 1912, the year of the first Foss tugboat. She reflects back on her life and looks forward to the future. At a time when few women could, Thea Foss took her place in a “man’s world”, always believing “we are members of one great body… we were born for the good of the whole”. Like other immigrants, she added her experiences to the rich blend that is Washington.

State Unveils New Online Map of Public Lands in Washington

The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) announced a new online, interactive map of natural resource and recreation lands owned by government agencies.

The statewide map, located at this link, allows people to click on a location and learn which agency owns the land, the number of acres, the main use of the land and the cost of acquisition if acquired within the past 10 years. Information is provided on land owned by cities, counties, the federal government and three state agencies – the State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. The public can search government-owned parcels by owner and principal land use. In addition, details about acquisition grants from RCO are linked to the interactive map.

“This is the first time public lands information has been brought together in an electronic format easily accessible by the public,” said Kaleen Cottingham, RCO director. “This map will be very useful to people who want to see what’s happening in their communities and to government agencies for planning purposes. It takes the mystery out of government land purchases and puts them on the Web for all to see and use.”

RCO was tasked by the state Legislature in 2013 to provide an inventory of lands in Washington owned by federal, state and local governments. In the past, these public land inventories were printed documents.

Partners in the project included RCO, University of Washington’s School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Fish and Wildlife, the State Parks and Recreation Commission and contractor GeoEngineers.

“This project created a challenge to take complex information and present it in an intuitive way,” said Scot McQueen, chief strategy officer for SmartMine at GeoEngineers, Inc., which developed the web application. “We tried to create something that people would get excited about using and that still would give them detailed information. The end design is elegant and easy-to-understand.”

The Legislature also tasked RCO with making recommendations on how to maintain this inventory in the future. The report can be found at this link (PDF).

San Juan Healthcare Fall 2014 Sports Physical Clinics will be on August 5th, 7th, 12th and now a new one has been added on the 21st.

Cost is $35.00 at time of appointment. Please call the office to schedule your appointment at 378-1338

Mandatory Sports Physical paperwork is available on the Patient Forms page on our website or by stopping by our office.

Please bring your completed form to your appointment.

San Juan Healthcare
689 Airport Center, Ste B
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
www.sanjuanhealthcare.org

Seattle Chamber Brass, a band comprised of Seattle’s brightest up and coming brass musicians will be headlining next week’s “Music on the Lawn.” With energy and style, they’ll jump from Broadway show tunes to Mozart, to Bach, to Joplin. Back by popular demand, this will be one concert to remember!

Island Rec’s “Bring Em’ Back” concert series is part of their 30th anniversary celebration. All of the bands for this season’s shows were  ‘people’s choice’ winners from previous years.

It’s concert #3 in Island Rec’s Music on the Lawn, free summer concert series.
July 23 6:30-8:15pm at the San Juan Island Historical Museum, 405 Price Street.

Bring a picnic dinner, blankets or lawn chairs. Pets and alcohol are not permitted. Sponsored by IPS, Islander’s Insurance and FANS, Families and Neighbors Support Island Rec.

Visit www.islandrec.org or call 378-4953 for more information.

Carolyn Hudson – Click for larger photo – Tim Dustrude photo

Early on Tuesday, July 15th, San Juan Island Fire Rescue’s Administrative Assistant Carolyn Hudson was deployed as a part of an “Incident Management Team” to assist with efforts to control a forest fire near Detroit, Oregon. Ms. Hudson is a specialist in managing the finances of major emergencies.

On Tuesday afternoon, San Juan Fire Rescue was asked to send a brush truck and two person crew to assist with the “Stokes Road” fire, near Twisp. Firefighters Michael Henderson and Kate Hunter have been assigned. The fire has consumed nearly 500 acres so far and is burning in very steep terrain.

The Fire District participates in these mobilizations for two reasons. First, it provides valuable experience for our firefighters. The lessons they learn are shared with all local responders. Second, the day may come when San Juan Island needs help from the mainland. Being a part of the State Fire Mobilization System assures that help will be available to our community when we need it.

Click to enlarge poster

This fun, annual fundraiser for the Animal Shelter is coming  up. Better mark your calendars now.

This year, it’s the Dog Days of Summer, and it will be held on Sunday, August 3rd from Noon to 4:00 pm.

It’s hosted by the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor and Bob & Lissa McDowell at 33 Bullfrog Lane.

Click on the poster for more info.

Join us for an informal discussion and personal remembrances of a few of the past medical professionals of San Juan Island.

• Susan Reed will discuss her grandfather, Dr. Connor Reed.
• Mary Ellen Judge will discuss her father Dr. Thomas Judge as well as Dr. Victor Capron.
• Mary Jean Cahail will discuss Dr. Malcolm Heath and County Health Nurse Elsie Scott.

We welcome those in attendance to join in and share their own personal memories. San Juan Historical Museum Resource Center, Tuesday, July 22, 7:00 pm

Suggested donation is $5 and museum members are admitted at no charge. Please contact the museum for further information at 360.378.3949 or [email protected]

Click for larger poster

Hey, the Lavender Festival is coming up this weekend – Saturday & Sunday July 19th & 20th, from 10:00am to 5:00pm both days. Here’s more from the farm…

The fields are in full bloom and gorgeous. We will be having tours, talks, demonstrations (including cooking with lavender by Anna Maria from Coho); lavender baked goods, ice cream/lemonade etc, plus Theresa’s Mexican food (tacos, tamales, etc), massage therapies (by Lavendera Day Spa), several artists, a treasure hunt & facepainting for kids, and last but not least, both of the two main Marimba groups on the island (one Saturday, one Sunday)

Here’s a note for all you kids out there from Kate Schuman…

Hey Kids!
Join me, Kate Schuman, at the Street Fair this weekend for a Buckaroo Musical Adventure! We’ll “build” a cattle drive out of felt critters, sing a couple old cowboy songs, and even write a verse or two about YOU!

The time is High Noon on both days, Saturday July 19th or Sunday July 20th, on the Courthouse lawn across the street from Vic’s.

Look for the big white tent! All ages welcome, 3 years old or younger I suggest having an adult helper. C’mon, Pardners, let’s get them dogies mooo-ving!

La Rondine – Click to enlarge – Contributed photo

An achingly beautiful score from one of opera’s most popular composers highlights the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD Summer Encores series on Sunday, July 20 at 2:00 p.m. at San Juan Community Theatre.

Originally transmitted in 2009, Puccini’s La Rondine brings to life the plight of Magda, who unexpectedly finds true love with the handsome young Ruggero. But their idyllic life comes to a premature end as she is haunted by the fear that her checkered past will ruin his future. Opera stars Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna portray Puccini’s star-crossed lovers. Nicholas Joël’s production features elegant and sophisticated art-deco sets that contribute to the dazzling stage picture.

The Summer Encores series continues through August 31 at SJCT, with presentations of Verdi’s Otello on August 3, The Enchanted Island (an opera consisting of a medley taken from a variety of operas/composers) on August 17 and Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette on August 31.
Tickets for La Rondine are $15 for adults and $10 for student reserved. They are available on-line at www.sjctheatre.org or at the SJCT Box Office: 378-3210.

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition To Take Part In National Substance Abuse Prevention Conference In Orlando, Fl.

In 2013, (L-R) Debbi Fincher, Brad Fincher, Cynthia Stark-Wickman and Sheriff Rob Nou represented the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition at CADCA’s Mid Year Training Conference – Contributed photo

Health advocates from the SJI Prevention Coalition will join more than 1,700 substance abuse prevention specialists from across the country at Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s (CADCA) 2014 Mid-Year Training Institute in Orlando, Fla. July 20-24. The week-long training will take place at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Hotel.

CADCA’s Mid-Year Training Institute is a one-of-a-kind intensive training opportunity, offering more than 70 half-day and two-day courses geared towards helping participants find solutions to their community’s toughest substance abuse problems. Attendees participated in a variety of lecture and hands-on sessions to expand their knowledge in prevention science and improve their skills in implementing evidence-based strategies to reduce drug and alcohol use.

This year’s Mid-Year will feature a number of renowned experts in the field of substance abuse prevention, such as Michael Botticelli, Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy, and Kana Enomoto, Deputy Principal Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

“We are fortunate to be able to spend a week with other similar organizations from across the country, learning and honing our skills so we can more effectively prevent drug and alcohol abuse,” says Cynthia Stark-Wickman, SJIPC, Executive Director. “We hope to return re-energized with new strategies under our belt to tackle drug use and its associated problems in our community.”

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Don’t forget the Gallery Walk this Saturday evening.  The participating Friday Harbor​ ​galleries are:

• Arctic Raven, 130 First Street
• Gallery 9, 60 First Street
• Island Studios 270 Spring Street​
• WaterWorks Gallery, 315 Argyle Ave​
• Ogle Fine Art Studio​, ​180 First Street

For more info, get in touch with WaterWorks:
Ruth Offen
WaterWorks Gallery (360) 378-3060 or
ruth [@] waterworksgallery [.] com​

Here’s a note for you from Deanna at the Port…

Hello,
The Port of Friday Harbor Commission will conduct a Special Meeting on Thursday, July 17th @ 5:30pm at the Town of Friday Harbor Council Chambers. The Commission wishes to attend the continued Public Hearing on the Shoreline Substantial Development Permit for the Spring Street Landing building.

Thank you,
Deanna Eltinge
Port of Friday Harbor

Dirigo II close reaching at sunset – Click to enlarge – John Miller photo

Here’s another image by John Miller of that same boat, Dirigo II, shot the same evening, but this time before sundown.

This is Dirigo II going to windward with San Juan in the background.

These (and additional) images from that evening are on display at Gallery 9 down on First Street if you would like to see them in all their physical splendor.

Opening night of Shakespeare Under the Stars – Click to enlarge poster

Here’s a note from Island Stage Left about their latest show, Twelfth Night…

The cast and crew have just returned from a wonderfully successful tour of the other islands. Here are some remarks from audience members who have contacted us:

Highly recommended.
We saw “Twelfth Night” in Doe Bay on Orcas last night. It’s a really fun show with great performances.
You guys really outdid yourselves on Twelfth Night!
Over the top – great job.
Thanks for a wonderful Waldron evening.
I’m still chuckling over numerous details.

The show is opening at Roche Harbor on Thursday July 17th at 8:15 pm. Don’t forget to bring warm things!
We look forward to seeing you either at the Roche Harbor Stage through August 3rd (and/or then at Wold Road until August 24th)