Click for larger poster

Just a reminder that the Friday Art Market starts today at Brickworks from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. We are excited to welcome new artists from Waldron, Orcas, Lopez and San Juan islands this season.

Cynthia’s of Course will be set up to provide some fabulous foods.

Music starts off with local favorites, Oliver Strasser on guitar at 3:00 pm and Teddy Deane on Saxophone at 5:00 pm.

And, for all ages…..dabble in the “Wonders of Watercolor” at the “Creation Station” with local artist, Pam Hoke.

Island Writers 2014 – San Juan County Fair

Summer is REALLY here and it’s REALLY time to dust off the old typewriter and send in your newest, latest and greatest poetry, fiction and non fiction for the San Juan County Fair. It is time, once again for the Island Writers writing contest!

Please go to the San Juan County Fair website for the on-line Premium Book for details and Exhibitor’s Forms: www.sjcfair.org or go directly to: https://www.islandwriters.weebly.com for more specifics on Island Writers.

Categories are

• Poetry
• Short fiction
• Creative non-fiction
• Writing for children
• and New category – NEW LANGUAGE – text tweet, rap….. This year’s fair theme is FARM-TASTIC FUN!

The deadline for your fine prose or poetry has been extended again this year to July 10th, 2014

Please send entries with a completed Exhibitor’s Entry Form from the Premium Book via e-mail in a word document attachment to:
islandwriters [@] gmx [.] com (preferred method)

or send 2 copies via snail mail to:

Written Word
San Juan County Fair
P.O. Box 1094
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Chinmayo and the Cherry Tree she rescued – Tim Dustrude photo

I got a chance to chat with Chinmayo the other day, and to see the Cherry Tree she saved from the bulldozer. She explained that one day last year when riding her bike to town, she noticed a cherry tree growing just off the side of the road on some undeveloped land, and sure enough, it bore cherries in the summer.

Kels Boreen helps out by digging up the tree to transplant it – Chinmayo photo

Then in the fall a notice went up on the property about a coming land use action – The land was about to be developed so Chinmayo asked around, got permission from all the necessary places, found some help and dug that tree up and had it transplanted to her yard. That was in March and the tree appears to be thriving in its new home. It even has cherries! (see photo below)

Its new home is the “drainage pond” on the corner of the Sunrise Neighborhood Development. You know those pits that are usually full of rocks or gravel, off on a corner of a subdivision, with a chain link fence around them more often than not… Well this particular drainage pond is a far cry from that. It is its own little thriving ecosystem with trees, shrubs, flowers, bees, butterflies, dragonflies and birds – because Chinmayo keeps adding cool stuff to it.

This is the Cherry Tree’s original home, shown “after the bulldozer”. Soon to be a new neighborhood – Tim Dustrude photo

But the cherry tree thing got her to thinking – “What if we could all be aware like I was, that the bulldozers are coming, and be able to do a ‘walk-through’ of an area ahead of time, to find treasures like this to rescue?”

Cherries growing in a new home – Chinmayo photo

It’s only in the ‘idea’ stage at this point, but it would be a group or movement of some kind called “Before the Bulldozer” and would allow friends and neighbors the opportunity to potentially do just as Chinmayo did with the cherry tree. If that interests you, she would love to hear from you. Send her an email at
chinmayoart [@] gmail [.] com.

Help yourself to a free loaner bike down at the Port, and return it when you’re finished. And you could leave some money for the public-spirited owner if you wish.

Mikial Denker is a man with a mission: to get as many of us on bikes as he can, residents as well as tourists.

His business is Travel Light Cycles and it’s located in the Surina Business Park, formerly Star Storage. He fixes up and sells used bikes and he hopes to see more of us out there pedaling instead of driving.

These bikes have been at the Port just since Friday, and the season’s just starting, but the bikes have been out (and returned) several times already. He’s confident the experiment will pay off.

He says, “Someone’s going to get a warm fuzzy feeling about donating to an entrepreneur with a new idea.”

Because of Town regulations, the sign in the photo “Travel Light Cycles” has to be removed, but the placard saying “Thanx” and giving details about the bikes will remain.

If you have questions, call him at 360-421-0443.

Winning bookmark designs, starting with Kindergarten at left and going up through 6th grade on the right – Click to enlarge

San Juan Island Library Announces Winners of the Annual Bookmark Contest
The winners of the annual SJI Library Bookmark Contest were announced at the Friday Harbor Elementary School Awards Ceremony on June 12.

The library staff would like to congratulate the following winners for their creativity in illustrating the library’s Summer Reading Program theme, Fizz, Boom, Read! Left to right in the image above, the winners are:

• Kindergarten – Georgia Vanderyacht
• First Grade – Isaiah Embler
• Second Grade – Maria Navarro
• Third Grade – Islay Ross
• Fourth Grade – Dexter Prescott
• Fifth Grade – Emily Fitts
• Sixth Grade – Faith Embler

The San Juan Island Library’s Bookmark Contest is open to all San Juan Island students in grades K-6th, including private, public, and home schools. All the bookmark entries are currently on display at the library and the winning bookmark designs are available to patrons throughout the summer months.

For more information, please contact Melina Lagios at (360) 378-2798. The library is located at 1010 Guard Street in Friday Harbor, WA.

Fireworks over Friday Harbor – Contributed photo

Reminder: No Personal Fireworks In San Juan County
San Juan County’s emergency responders would like to remind everyone that personal fireworks are not allowed anywhere in our beautiful county. “Safe and Sane” fireworks sold on the mainland are intended to be used in the communities where they are purchased. Many of the fireworks sold on reservations are not legal anywhere in the state other than on Native American lands.

There will be several GREAT fireworks shows presented by professional pyro-technicians throughout San Juan County. Fireworks shows are planned at Roche Harbor, Friday Harbor, Eastsound, Deer Harbor and – the biggest one of all – on Lopez Island. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to enjoy these spectacular shows.

The use of any type of personal fireworks presents a very real danger of injury and fire. The Sheriff’s Office and fire and EMS responders hope that everyone enjoys a fun – and safe – Independence Day celebration.

Are you ready to defend your Island if a Wildland Fire occurs here? Take up the challenge – Take the class – Spend two weekends – Get certified

Because of the droughts in surrounding states, SJI Fire/Rescue wanted to remind you of the class this weekend in hopes of getting as many recruits as possible…

San Juan Island Fire Rescue is offering a free class for those who have ever wanted to answer the call to serve their Islands fighting wildland fires. The call is out.

The Wildland Firefighter 2 class will be held June 21st/22nd and June 28th/29th at the Mullis Street Fire Station. You must be 18 years of age or older (as long as you are physically capable of performing the tasks there is no maximum age limit). Both men and women are invited. Students will receive a physical examination-paid for by the fire district, all required safety gear, and be paid for their training hours.

Upon passing the training course, students will be awarded the nationally-recognized “Wildland Firefighter 2” certificate.
This class is an excellent prelude to taking the structural fire fighting classes held in the Fall. There has been many a structure saved on the island because of the quick actions of San Juan Island Fire Rescue Wildland fire fighters.

We are committed to protecting the residents and property of San Juan, Brown, and Pearl Islands. Wildland fire suppression is offered to San Juan County’s non-ferry served islands via a contract with the Department of Natural Resources.

Sign up NOW by contacting Brad Creesy, Assistant Chief/Training Officer at
training [@] sjifire [.] org or by contacting the headquarters at 1011 Mullis Street. (360) 378-5334.

They could still use some more volunteers for this…

San Juan Island Marathon at Lakedale Resort and it’s sister events (half marathon and 10K) will join the Three Lakes Triathlon creating the Three Lakes Sports Weekend on June 21st and 22nd. Purple & Gold Club, beneficiary of proceeds from the events, is coordinating volunteers for shifts on both days and invites you to participate.

Volunteers are needed to direct and motivate athletes as they traverse the beautiful by-ways on San Juan Island. Shifts vary in length and provide a pleasant way to participate in the two day event. No experience necessary.

Purple & Gold supports high school extra-curricular activities (mainly athletics) with a yearly scholarship for one male and one female student as well as provides funds for items not covered by the school budget including awards, clinics and equipment.

Don’t wait, get the spot closest to your home or where you love to hang out and help a worthy cause at the same time. A convenient sign up system is being utilized and can be accessed at www.purplegoldfh.org.

Boyd Pratt with cement blocks of two different patterns on the old Friday Harbor Brick & Tile Co., today’s Brickworks – Louise Dustrude photo

Local historian Boyd Pratt leads show-and-tell tours from time to time, and one of his recent tours helped participants understand something about the physical appearance of Friday Harbor.

A disastrous fire in the downtown area on April 4-5 of 1925 destroyed a grocery store and dry goods store (where the deli end of Kings Market is now) and led within two months to a town ordinance requiring new buildings in the core to be built of fireproof materials: brick, stone, or concrete.

The Friday Harbor Brick & Tile Co. had just opened in 1921 and was able to supply all of these materials locally.

The first downtown construction under the new ordinance was Friday Harbor Light & Power Co. (now Daisy Bloom), built later in 1925 of concrete block.

It was followed by the post office (now Griffin Bay Books) in 1927; the drug store in 1929; garages at Argyle and Spring (now the Little Store) and at Nichols and Sunshine Alley (now Girlfriends) and the house that became the public restrooms, all before 1930; and the town hall, built with WPA funds in 1936 — all except the (brick) drug store built of concrete block. Continue Reading

Alex Zerbe The Zaniac – Contributed photo

San Juan Island Library Presents:
Wednesday Afternoon Performances for Children and Families at 1:30 PM at the Friday Harbor Elementary School Pavilion.

Each weekly performance is free and open to the public, thanks to generous funding from the Friends of the San Juan Island Library.

Alex Zerbe, The Zaniac will kick off the festivities this Wednesday, June 18. Alex has the energy of a 1,000 suns. His shows are high energy and memorable, especially for those lucky volunteers he brings on stage.

Please bring blankets or chairs for seating. Library staff also will be there to assist with Summer Reading Program registration and prizes. Here’s a list of all the performers coming this summer: (all shows at 1:30 pm)

• June 18 – Alex Zerbie The Zaniac
• June 25 – Curt Carlyle Seriously Funny Juggling
• July 2 – Jason Quick Circus Act
• July 9 – Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth Ventriloquism and Music
• July 16 – Alleyoop Music, Whistles, and Stories
• July 23 – Louie Foxx Comedy
• July 30 – Clay Martin Puppet’s and Summer Reading Program Grand Finale Party

The Library’s Summer Reading Program is open to all children, babies through 12th grade. For more information, please contact Melina Lagios at 360-378-2798.

Los Bambinos, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s most popular club band is making a return trip to Friday Harbor on July 5th. That means another “funraiser” at the Brickworks as the San Juan Community Home Trust presents their 2nd annual Mexican Fiesta dinner, dance and concert celebration.

Last year’s lively event drew an overflow crowd to the Sunshine Alley location and tickets for this year are now on sale at the Home Trust office at 435-C Argyle Ave, and on Saturdays at the Farmer’s Market.

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Kids’ tickets are $15.00

Dinner will be served at 5:30 pm with a menu of tacos, green corn tamales, beans, rice, and salad. Aquas frescas, margaritas and beer will be served, plus coffee and a special dessert of miniature? chocolate tamales. The concert of Latin music and dancing will follow the dinner.

There will also be a silent auction and a raffle for a chance to win a week at a lovely condo in Puerto Vallarta, including dinner out and another concert with Los Bambinos in their home town! The tickets are $50 each with only 100 tickets being offered for sale.

The Home Trust, a local non-profit, is part of a national organization of Community Land Trusts that build permanently affordable homes on San Juan Island; they have built 29 so far, and have recently begun plans for their third local project. For more information, call Nancy DeVaux at 378-5541.

Playin’ some Bocce at the Roche Harbor court – Roche Harbor Resort photo

Maybe you’re a Bocce Enthusiast, or someone who just plays for fun, or maybe you are the type that can’t pronounce the name, but still has some interest in the game. No matter what your level of Bocce, join Island Rec at the Roche Harbor Courts.

Come with a friend, or come to make some friends. Tuesday June 24th and September 9th from 6:30-8:00 pm.

For questions please email morgan [@] islandrec [.] org
or call 378-4953 or visit www.islandrec.org.

Local artist Alison Engle is one of the many vendors at the Summer Arts Fair – Contributed photo

There are still a few spaces available at this year’s Summer Arts Fair, July 19 and 20. This is the biggest art fair on the islands, with as many as 50 vendors in a fun fair on Court Street in Friday Harbor. Food, music, kids’ crafts with Bonnie, Island Rec sidewalk chalk art competition and More!

Artists come from up and down the west coast, offering jewelry, fine art, sculpture, yard art, textiles, home decor, island photography, pottery and more.

Still room for more food vendors! This year there will be no firehouse pancake breakfast, so the crowd will be hungry!!!

For application: Contact the Chamber at 378-5240, stop by the Chamber office at 135 Spring, call Rebecca Parks at 370 5177 or email
rebecca [@] sanjuanisland [.] org
Artists’ work is subject to approval. Food vendors: $100. Artists: $150. Set up is Friday evening July 18, with security overnight both Friday and Saturday nights.

FREE Drop-In Soccer Clinics June 21- Contributed photo

Island youth get the chance to work on their soccer skills during FREE drop-in clinics on Saturday, June 21 at the Friday Harbor Elementary School fields.

Families and Neighbors Support Island Rec (FANS) and Challenger Sports are sponsoring the clinics, aimed at children ages three to 12.

Coaches from the British Soccer Camp program will lead the program. The clinics run from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for ages three to five; 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for ages six to eight; and 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for ages nine to 12.

“These are a great way for kids to be introduced to soccer or to brush up on their skills,” said FANS president Cathy Kromer. “Plus, they’re a fun preview of the British Soccer Camps that take place later this summer.”

No registration is necessary for the clinics; however, parents should arrive about 15 minutes early to sign waivers. Island Rec is taking registration for its British Soccer Camps in July and Tetra Brazil soccer camps in August at www.islandrec.org.

UW Oceanographer To Discuss Ocean Acidification In Washinton Waters June 25 at San Juan Island Grange

Dr. Jan Newton – Contributed photo

Learn how scientists are mapping chemical changes resulting from climate change in Puget Sound and other inland waterways in Washington State during an illustrated talk by University Washington oceanographer, Dr. Jan Newton, scheduled 7 p.m., Wednesday June 25 in the San Juan Island Grange hall in Friday Harbor.

“Ocean Acidification in Washington Waters” is the second free program in The Climate Action Imperative: Understanding Impacts & Making Choices, a summer/fall 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 Newton’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.

Fundamental changes in seawater chemistry are occurring throughout the world’s oceans, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) from humankind’s industrial and agricultural activities has increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. The ocean absorbs about a quarter of the CO2 we release into the atmosphere every year, so as atmospheric CO2 levels increase, so do the levels in the ocean. Continue Reading

Mike Copas was loved by this community.  We always feel so helpless when we lose someone so unexpectedly.  Many have asked how they can be a support for Mike’s wife, Reni.  An account has been set up at Islander’s Bank where donations can be made, under “Mike Copas Account”.