Chalk sidewalk art – Click to enlarge – Contributed photo

Island Rec is once again hosting a free sidewalk art contest at the Summer Arts Festival. ‘Chalk-It-Up’ happens on Saturday, July 19, from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm.

Come join the fun and help transform the Courthouse sidewalks into a tapestry of colorful, chalky creations. Meet in front of the Courthouse (near the First St. entrance) and they’ll supply you with all you need to create your own sidewalk masterpiece. This free drop-in event is open to all ages. Prizes will be awarded for youth, adult, and family categories.

Go to www.islandrec.org or call Island Rec at 378-4953 for more information.

The Kiwanis club would like to thank the volunteers, community, and everyone who attended the Pig War Pick-nick. It was a raging success and a good time was had by all.

Best of all, the pick-nick raised over $15,000 which will go towards helping kids in the community through scholarships, grants and other programs.

From all of us at the Kiwanis Club, thank you for being such a great community and coming together to celebrate our country and children at one great down-home festival.

Jan at the theater says they still have a few tickets left for Pickett tonight… these traditionally sell out so folks should get their tickets now! More info on their website.

Friday Harbor Grange #225 provides new picnic tables to the San Juan Historical Museum

If you happened to attend the Pig War Picnic and Music on the Lawn, you may have noticed the new picnic tables on the museum grounds. The tables were provided through the volunteer work of the Friday Harbor Grange #225.

L to R: FH Grange #225 members Al & Kathleen Commins, Jackie Goldfarb, Jim Kynch, Alex Gavora (holding Oso) Minnie Kynch, Frank and Pat Penwell – Click to enlarge – Contributed photo

Members of the Friday Harbor #225 Grange led the effort to procure funding and materials, then assembled and delivered the eight ergonomic picnic tables to the museum. Generous financial donations were made by the following:

• FH Grange #225 in memory of Gail Hyland
• The American Legion Auxiliary in memory of Pauli Gavora
• Gina & John Sandwith in memory of Bob & Gwen Sandwith
• 2 tables by an anonymous donor in memory of Judge John Linde and Al, Charlie & Kenny Nash from “The Poker Club,”
• Stillpoint School
• 2 tables by the FH Kiwanis

The tables are a wonderful addition to the museum grounds and are getting a lot of use.

The Historical Museum thanks the Friday Harbor Grange for filling a need and helping to improve your Historical Museum.

Photo by Dr Astrid van Ginneken, Co-Principle Investigator of “Orca Survey” based on San Juan Island – Click to enlarge

The Superpod events are gatherings that occur here on San Juan Island in mid-July, and are open to the public with folks travelling in from around the world

The event features Pacific Northwest killer whales, including the famous “Southern Residents,” but also transients, whose numbers are on the rise, and who are frequently seen from boats and shore.

People that attend the event include scientists, journalists, former trainers, naturalists, film-makers, bloggers, and people that want to see killer whales in their natural home. This year the event begins on “World Orca Day, Monday July 14,” as declared by Dr. Visser. Scheduled events will occur Monday through Friday, but most folks will be departing on Sunday, July 20.

Find more information here on their website: Voice of the Orcas

Puget Sound Whales for Sale: The Fight to End Orca Hunting
Meet the Author and Book Signing on July 19 with Sandra Pollard

Come to The Whale Museum on Saturday, July 19th, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. for a meet the author and book signing of the newly released book Puget Sound Whales for Sale: The Fight to End Orca Hunting by Sandra Pollard.

In November 2005, Washington’s iconic killer whales, known as Southern Resident orcas, were placed on the endangered species list. It was a victory long overdue for a fragile population of fewer than one hundred whales. Author and certified marine naturalist Sandra Pollard traces the story and destinies of the many Southern Resident orcas captured for commercial purposes in or near the Puget Sound between 1964 and 1976.

During this time, these highly intelligent members of the dolphin family lost nearly one-third of their population. Drawing on original archive material, this important volume outlines the history of orca captivity while also recounting the harrowing struggle-and ultimate triumph-for the Puget Sound orcas’ freedom. Continue Reading

Here’s a note from Barbara Marrett over at the Visitor’s Bureau…

The San Juan Islands Move Up to #2 in Travel + Leisure’s Top Islands Rankings

Travel + Leisure magazine has announced its 2014 World’s Best Awards, ranking the San Juan Islands #2 on its list of Top Islands Continental U.S. and Canada. The Islands also received the distinction – for the first time – of being chosen as one of T + L’s Top 10 Overall Islands, alongside the world’s best loved islands: http://bit.ly/1vTFPRs.

The rankings for Top Islands Continental and Canada (in order) are: Vancouver Island, British Columbia; San Juan Islands, Washington State; Prince Edward Island, Canada; Mackinac Island, Michigan and Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The San Juan Islands’ 2014 ranking as #2 out of five is the highest achieved so far; the magazine’s readers ranked the Islands #3 in 2012 and #4 in 2011 and 2010.

The rankings for Top Overall Islands (in order) are: Santorini, Greece; Maui, Hawaii; Kauai, Hawaii; Hawaii, the Big Island; Bali, Indonesia; Oahu, Hawaii; Galapagos, Ecuador; Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands; Vancouver Island, Canada and San Juan Islands, Washington State. Continue Reading

The deadline for this year’s entries to the Island Writers – Written Word booth for the San Juan County Fair has been extended to July 15th. Please submit your entries as a Word doc. attachment, with a completed Exhibitor’s form (found on the Fair’s website) to:
islandwriters [@] gmx [.] com

Snail mail is also possible: P.O. Box 1094, Friday Harbor.

Thank you!
Barbara Bevens

Encaustic mixed media by Nichole Dement & Danielle Dean Palmer

Nichole Dement – Nichole is interested in representing what isn’t seen, from the many metaphors found in dream states to the multiple dimensions of Quantum Physics. Life is a beautiful mystery that she enjoys recreating in the layers of her work. The technical process of working with encaustic, or beeswax and resin, alongside various paints and found objects with prints on specialty Japanese rice papers adds depth, luminosity and texture to her romantic interpretations of life.

Danielle Dean Palmer – Danielle’s work depicts a world between times. She uses a blend of old and new image making techniques to reveal a primal and personal vision of nature in its most elemental form. Her elegant compositions are evocative of specimens collected from a memory of encounter, an experience of something eternal and inextricably of us. They are works of discovery unveiled with a subtle lens.

Reception for the artists: Saturday, July 12, 4-7 PM
WaterWorks Gallery
315 Argyle Avenue

San Juan Island Community Foundation Awards $152,000 in College Scholarships for 2014/2015

The San Juan Island Community Foundation is pleased to announce its award of scholarships for the 2014/2015 academic year to former and present San Juan Island high school students. Awards were made to continuing college students, high school students graduating this year, and individuals pursuing career training.

The following renewable awards have been made to graduates of Friday Harbor High School, Spring Street International School, and home schooled students.

Inskeep Scholarship Fund: (one year awards based upon exceptional need and demonstrating excellent promise to succeed)

The following students were previous recipients of Inskeep Scholarships and have been awarded another scholarship for the 2014-2015 academic year: Continue Reading

Free public screening of the movie Blackfish with members of the cast. Tuesday, July 15 at the Grange.

• 5:30 reception
• 6:00 screening

Several cast members will be in attendance for a Q&A after the screening.

Hosted by the Whale Museum as part of Superpod Three Gathering. For more information, visit voiceoftheorcas.blogspot.com

You are Cordially Invited to the Installation of the Reverend Beth Purdum to the office of Pastor of the Lutheran Church in the San Juans

Sunday July 20, 2014

Lopez Island 9:00 a.m.
Center Church
312 Davis Bay Rd.

San Juan Island –  11:00 a.m.
St. David’s Episcopal Church
760 Park St. Friday Harbor

Orcas Island – 1:15 p.m.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
242 Main St. Eastsound

The Rev. Kathryn Buffum, Assistant to the Bishop NW Washington Synod will preside.

Clergy are invited to vest. The color is red.

Email: [email protected]

After taking the week off for the Fourth of July, the Friday Art Market artisans will be back in full force this Friday, July 11, from 3:00-7:00pm at Brickworks Plaza. The art Market will continue on Fridays through August 29.

Food: Cynthia’s of Course!

Music: 3:00-5:00pm Teddy Deane – Vocals and keyboard
Music: 5:00-7:00pm The Rocky Bay Boys – Bluegrass

18 participating artisans include:

• Patti Barker – Felted wearable art
• Ray Sheffer – Island wildlife photographer
• Erin Heydenreich – Metal and seed bead jewelry
• Linda Francis – Artisan soaps and lotions
• Erica Lyons – Jewelry and whimsical items from sea glass
• Anna Howden – Jewelry and journals
• Angela Light – Healing salves and Energy work
• Debbie Pigman – Crocheted necklaces and leather bracelets and baskets
• Jill Bliss – Pacific Northwest nature drawings/paintings
• Lavendera Day Spa – Massage
• John Berry – Paintings
• Daniel LoBue– Pottery
• Kelle Johnston – Hand knit clothing and animals, vegetables
• Nancy Lind – Beaded jewelry and photo art cards
• Ricarda Burnett – Woodwork utensils
• Shannon Hoffman – Silver jewelry with sea glass, beach pebbles and stone
• Deanna Jenkins – Fused Glass plate/platters and hand painted ornaments and switchplates
• Jan Murphy – Mixed Media

Contact Debbie Pigman at
pigmansartworks [@] rock island [.] com for more information.

The Whale Museum is pleased to welcome Meegan Corcoran as part of the 2014 Summer Lecture Series. Meegan will discuss “U.S. Navy Sonar and Marine Mammals: Potential Measures to Mitigate Harmful Effects” on Tuesday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m.

National security and environmental health have been at odds in America for decades. A prominent example is the competing interests regarding Navy active sonar and the potential impacts to marine mammals. Navy sonar is essential for submarine detection, identification, and tracking. However, active sonar has been correlated to behavioral changes, deafness, hemorrhaging, stranding and death of marine mammals throughout the oceans.

The U.S. Navy is currently proposing to increase active sonar testing and training off the Pacific Northwest coast and within the Puget Sound. The Navy presently employs several marine mammal mitigation measures in order to limit negative impacts. However, these measures are highly scrutinized for lack of effectiveness. Additional mitigation measures exist that may be utilized by the Navy to further decrease harm. Continue Reading

Here’s a note from Charlie Bodenstab of the Island Museum of Art…

Construction in progress on the new IMA Building where SJ EMS used to be – Click to enlarge – Tim Dustrude photo

IMA’s latest show is the construction of its jewel of a building

There is something hypnotizing about tracking the day-to-day progress of a construction site. That is what residents and visitors get to do over the next six months – watch the glass go up at the emerging San Juan Islands Art Museum (IMA) on Spring Street.

Artist’s rendering of the completed building

Although the opening is delayed due to unforeseen construction obstacles, there is good news. Instead of opening in stages with only the atrium and main galleries completed for the first exhibition, IMA will have the whole building ready for the public in early 2015. This includes a 4,000-plus square-foot main floor of galleries and entry, and about 1,400 square feet of workshop space on the second floor.

Programming is in place for 2015 and into 2016, and there is a broad-brush picture of activities and events during the remainder of construction. IMA looks forward to briefing the community about anticipated exhibition. Continue Reading

Here’s a note for you from one of our local artists…

Art by Sylvia Chesley Smith – Contributed photo

Every few years I have a big clearance sale to make room for new creations. I am having a sale of over thirty-five paintings and ten sculpture pieces. Prices will be cut one-half to two-thirds the gallery price.

This summer, instead of having the sale on Lopez, I will be in Friday Harbor at 40 First Street – up from Herb’s and before the Toy Box.

You may preview my work on the afternoon of Friday, July 18th. From 2:00 to 5:00.

The sale will be on Saturday, July 19th from 11:00 to 6:00 and Sunday from 11:00 to 4:00.

Please share this with people you know who might be interested. And, come yourself, because I would love to see you.
Art website – sylviachesleysmith.com
Contact Sylvia at stay amazed [@] rock island [.] com or 468 3314