Family Friendly Fly-In Returns to Friday Harbor Airport, July 26

P-51D Mustang at the 2012 Show in Friday Harbor – Click to enlarge – Tim Dustrude photo

If airport events conjure up big crowds on acres of concrete, you might be pleasantly surprised to learn that one of America’s favorite quaint little islands is about to host its 5th Annual Fly-In and Community Open House on Saturday, July 26.

Friday Harbor Airport, on San Juan Island hosts a free day-long family friendly event, starting with a pancake breakfast from 8:00 -10:00 am, a show kickoff at 10:00, and nonstop action until 3:00 pm. While aviation events are a part of the fabric of summer all over the country, few serve a community where flying is so important to its residents.

It’s also fortunate to have an especially large contingent of vintage aircraft participating. With two significant flying museums nearby, and some serious private aircraft collectors, attendees at Friday Harbor will be treated to low-level passes of such rarities as WWII fighters, ancient pre-war aircraft, biplanes, home-built airplanes, flying replicas, helicopters and meticulously groomed classics. Many of those will land and be on display for up-close inspection, including the famous Blackjack Squadron, who will repeat their popular formation arrival and landing. With Friday Harbor’s popularity as a tourist destination, pilots from all over the Northwest plan to fly in. Continue Reading

Bob Von Plowman, working on the mural at FH Pet Supplies – SJ Update photo

Here’s Bob Plowman working on the mural at Friday Harbor Pet Supplies over at Surina Business Park. Check it out next time you’re over that way – it’s a work in progress and he said maybe in 2 months or so it will be done.

Also, if you get down to Spring Street, pop in and look at the walls at A Place to Play, he did that as well.

With an AA degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, he has worked on movie sets, interactive television concept projects and billboards for the Miller Brewing Company, among other things, before moving here to the island and doing murals.

See more of his work at his website at this link.

Music on the Lawn, Island Rec’s 14th Annual Free Summer Concert Series

• Concert #2
• July 16 from 6:30-8:15pm
• 405 Price Street
• San Juan Island Historical Museum

Island Rec’s “Bring Em’ Back” concert series is part of our 30th anniversary celebration. The bands were all ‘people’s choice’ winners from previous years.

Tapwater is a boisterous sextet that blends the sound of banjo, steel pans, piano, accordion, upright bass, guitar, vocal harmonies, drums aplenty and more into a swirl of highly danceable and strangely exotic music steeped deeply in the roots of American tradition while bringing musical inspiration from around the globe.

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

For questions please contact lowell [@] islandrec [.] org or visit www.islandrec.org

The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Additional information about each committee is available on the County’s website.

Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or Contact the Council Office at: (360) 378-2898 Email:[email protected] 

The following is a list of current and upcoming vacancies: Continue Reading

Chloë Klein of Friday Harbor Salon – Tim Dustrude photo

Chloë moved to the island and started doing hair in late 2012, and then opened her own salon in November of 2013, over on ‘A’ Street in the building behind the Fluke sculpture, overlooking the sunken park.

She has extensive training in hair cutting and coloring.

For over ten years, she has been mastering her craft of hairdressing and dedicating herself to continued education. She has attended a myriad of professional trainings in hair coloring and attended an intensive “masters hair program” for seven months at Dipietro Todd in San Francisco. Her commitment to continuing education keeps her inspired with fresh ideas and keeping up with the latest trends in the industry.

Learn more about Chloë by visiting her website at www.fridayharborsalon.com or you can call her directly at (360) 298-1485.

Click to enlarge – Contributed photo

Click to enlarge – Contributed photo

Gallery 9 is pleased to have Whidbey Island artists Teri Jo Summer show her new HANDMADE ART Clothing and her husband Dale Reiger show his new Paintings and glass art from July 12 through August 8, with the Opening this Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

• When: 7/12/14
• Where: Gallery 9 / 60 First Street/ FH, WA
• Time: 4:00- 7:00 pm
• Artists: Teri Jo Summer and Dale Reiger
  “Glass, Paintings and Art Wear”

Healing Touch For Your Horse with Pam Fry, High Touch Practitioner/Instructor

Learn this simple hands-on energy therapy using LIGHT touch over acu-points on the body.
Applying this therapy promotes relaxation, healing, positive behavioral changes and more. Horses love it! They are very sensitive and responsive to energy therapies. Treatment has been found to be beneficial for general health maintenance, pain, stiffness and mobility issues, conditions of aging or illness, trauma or abuse history and behavioral problems. You will feel an even deeper bond with your horse after one session!

Class limit is 4
Register Early
131 Gilbert Lane, San Juan Island
Available Dates: (choose one): 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, 7/13, 7/16, OR 7/27
Cost: $40 per person

To register call Pam Fry at 378-5864 or email:
pamfry [@] centurytel [.] net

Private sessions at your home are available by appointment

The “Island Scenes” display is in its 4th year at the County Fair. Island artists are asked to portray a scene which is here now that represents “old island'” and what we hope will be here in the future.

In San Juan County we see historic rural and small town views becoming suburban.

Artists of all ages and skills who live in the San Juan Islands are asked to portray a scene which strikes them as “old island.”

1. One image per person.
2. Any two dimensional medium – photography, oil, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, etc.
3. Matted or Framed outside dimensions: minimum 8″ x 10″ to maximum 16″ x 20″. Ready to hang.
4. No jurying, no prizes.

MONDAY, July 14. DEADLINE to be part of Island Scenes. By this date, reserve your space by contacting: Emily Reed Geyman 378-2750 or oatmeal [@] rock island [.] com. We need to plan display space now but do not need artwork until August 12, the first day of the fair.

The public is invited to a Community Meeting and Roundtable Discussion of the San Juan Transfer Station to be held by Lautenbach Industries on Thursday, July 10, at noon, at Brickworks.

There will be pizza from Vinnie’s.

Click to enlarge poster

Foxhall’s annual neighborhood garage sale is Saturday, July 12 from 8:00 am to noon. Many homes will be participating with household items – many free!

Directions from town: Follow Guard Street past the Library and OPALCO. Turn right on Kelsando Circle at the Foxhall sign, just at the curve to Beaverton Valley Road. Be sure to go all around the loop to shop multiple sales.

OPALCO sent over this notice to share with you…

Do not respond to any calls from people claiming to disconnect your power if you don’t immediately pay by credit card over the phone. This is a phishing scam.

Suzanne Olson
Communication Specialist
Orcas Power & Light Cooperative
360-376-3537

A Little Free Library at The Barking Bird – Click to enlarge – SJ Update photo

We are pretty sure that this is the first Little Free Library in San Juan County, or at least the first Official, one anyway. It was built by Louise and John Dustrude, with some help from their kids Eric and Tim and their spouses Jan and Shannon.

It was just installed on Sunday, July 6th on the patio at The Barking Bird, facing the sidewalk. 25 people showed up for the inauguration ceremony to hear a short introduction from Louise, whose idea it was, and also Mayor Carrie Lacher and some background on the construction materials and process by John.

Left to right and Front to Back: Lee Sturdivant, Alice Hurd, Alyssa Dustrude, Barbara Starr, Lovel Pratt, Boyd Pratt, Jan Dustrude, Susan Vernon, Jerry McCormick, Shannon Dean, Louise Dustrude, Dede McCormick, Eileen Drath, John Dustrude, Eric Dustrude, Tim Dustrude, Emily Reed-Geyman, Laurie Orton, Judith Carter with Jack, John Geyman, Carrie Lacher, Lorna Dittmer, Howie Rosenfeld, Mary Smith and Sandy Rabinowitz with Pogo – Click to enlarge – SJ Update photo

David from Asheville North Carolina with the first book – SJ Update photo

The very first person to donate a book was our mayor Carrie Lacher, and the first person to take a book was David, a visitor to the island from Asheville, North Carolina.

Click here for a video showing the installation celebration. Though this is the first one in Friday Harbor, it is number 14,801 in the world – the first one having been launched in Wisconsin in 2009.

Go check it out if you like – it’s on the sidewalk on the Nichols Street side of the patio at The Barking Bird. If you have a book to share, leave it inside – if you see a book you want, take it with you. That’s what the Little Free Library is all about.

Emily Reed-Geyman donates a book – SJ Update photo

As part of their 30th anniversary celebration, Island Rec invites photographers of all ages to participate in their first-ever photography contest.

Click to enlarge – Contributed photo

Participants to submit original photographs that best represent Island Rec and 30 years of People, Parks, Programs, and Trails.

Categories include:

• Faces: People + Pets
• Parks or Trails (Island Rec’s)
• Activities – Sports – Events
• Historical Photos of an Island Rec Program
• Young Photographers
• Professional Photographers

The deadline for all submissions is August 29th 2014. Winners will be announced and displayed on Saturday, September 6th at the Sunken Park during Island Rec’s ‘Movies in the Park’ program. There will be prizes and awards for each category. Full details and rules can be found under the special events heading at our website www.islandrec.org, or you may stop by the office at 580 Guard Street.

For questions please contact lowell [@] islandrec [.] org

For more information call 378-4953 or visit www.islandrec.org.

Click to enlarge poster

The train derailment and explosions in Lac-Magantic, Quebec, the pipeline breach along the Kalamazoo River in 2010, and the grounding of the Exxon-Valdez tanker in 1989 are reminders that accidents happen and have devastating consequences when it comes to transporting oil.

As you know, here in Washington we have seen a dramatic uptick in the amount of oil being transported across our state by rail and across our waterways. So what does that mean for communities like Anacortes?

On Tuesday, July 8th, Friends of the San Juans’ Executive Director, Stephanie Buffum, is speaking at a forum to help concerned community members like you learn more about the risks posed and how you can get involved.

• What: Public forum on How oil transport threatens Washington’s health, communities, and waters.
• When: Tuesday, July 8th, 2014. Program 6:30-8:30pm. Doors open at 6:00 pm, snacks and refreshments provided.
• Where: Anacortes Senior Activity Center, 1701 22nd St, Anacortes

RSVP at this link

This forum is part of a National Week of Action to commemorate the tragic loss of 47 lives in Lac-Megantic, Quebec when a crude oil train exploded in the middle of that town.

We hope you can join us on July 8th.

A FRIENDS of the San Juans volunteer surveys a local beach for forage fish eggs – Click to enlarge – Contributed photo

Many people are surprised to learn that two kinds of marine fish, Pacific sand lance and surf smelt, use the upper portions of sand and gravel beaches to spawn and incubate their eggs. Smelt and sand lance are part of a small group of species of schooling fish known in our area as ‘forage fish’’ for the important role they play as food for larger fish, seabirds and marine mammals.

Currently, spawn activity has been documented along 10 miles of San Juan County’s beaches, comprising just 4% of total shoreline length and 10% of the non-bedrock shores.

“Because these fish rely on beaches for incubating their eggs, they are at risk from the impacts of shoreline development activities like vegetation removal and bulkhead installation. Knowing which sites are used by forage fish helps us focus work with interested public and private property owners to protect or, in some cases, restore spawning habitat,” said Tina Whitman, Science Director at FRIENDS of the San Juans.

With funding support from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the State Salmon Recovery Funding Board, FRIENDS staff and trained volunteers are conducting additional surveys throughout the county.

To date, seven previously unknown spawn sites have been mapped on Stuart, Sucia, Lopez, San Juan and Orcas Islands and field work will continue through the end of the year.

To learn more about the project, to volunteer, or to request a survey for your beach, please contact Tina Whitman at 378-2319.

July 4th in Friday Harbor – Great big thanks to Tamara Weaver for her photos!

We Love a Parade, and a Picnic, and some Live Music, and some Good Food…

Wow what a great day we had here on the nation’s birthday. A huge crowd for the parade, great weather and good times with good friends. So much was going on, it was difficult to be everywhere at once, but here are roughly 230 photos from the parade and the Pig War Picnic, shot by Tamara Weaver and Tim Dustrude. Click here to see the photo gallery.