Mike Martin assists Duncan Wilson while Rebecca Parks (hidden) and Cynthia Burke stand by at the ribbon cutting launch of Whale Tale Cookies at the San Juan Island Whale Museum – Contributed photo

A new island company launched with a splash in Friday Harbor at the Whale Museum on Tuesday. Whale Tale Cookies makes treats for kids with an educational twist. Each package of whale tail shaped cookies contains a trading card with a fun photo by a local photographer of an orca whale engaged in one of many sometimes-mysterious behaviors, along with some child-friendly words about the importance of our whales and ocean stewardship.

The company’s motto, “It’s Crunch Time” is an example of the kind of play on words for which its founder, Mike Martin is well known. A man with a passion, Martin knew the whales were becoming more and more endangered due to environmental impact by human beings, and he wanted to do something about it. “It’s crunch time for the whales,” he said.

Martin’s background as a coach of children’s sports teams is evident in the way he has pulled together an impassioned team of whale lovers with the varied skills he needed to start the company of his dreams.

“Do something you enjoy and it’s not work. Do something you’re passionate about and you’ll succeed beyond you’re wildest dreams. I wanted team-members who were not only passionate about their jobs, but about passionate about making a difference in our world.” Continue Reading

Click for larger poster

Today, the Islander’s Bank Friday Harbor Branch is providing a free Shred Event in the bank’s parking lot from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or until the shred truck is full. This is a great chance for islanders to get their paper documents destroyed for free from the bank’s secure vendor, Recall.

Islander’s Bank – 225 Blair Avenue, Friday Harbor.
Donations for Relay for Life are greatly appreciated.

Gallery 9 is pleased to have Orcas Island artist James Hardman show his new original watercolors from June 14- July 13, with the Opening this Saturday, June 14 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Gallery 9 – 60 First Street, Friday Harbor.

The Sentinel – Contributed photo

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office has officially taken delivery of the Sentinel, a new 38’ X 12’ Munson catamaran equipped as a patrol/rescue and fire-fighting boat.

The new craft is equipped with a pump capable of directing 1500 gallons of water per minute on marine, marina or waterfront fires and serving as a floating fire hydrant to pump water further ashore. With its instrumentation and twin aluminum hull design, it can operate in inclement weather and remain stable in rough seas. Twin Volvo Penta diesel outdrives give it the capability of responding at speeds up to 40 miles per hour.

“This is a public safety asset that will serve SJC well for years into the future,” Sheriff Nou said Monday, “We expect it to save lives.”

In its varied public safety missions, the Sentinel will be jointly operated by the Sheriff, San Juan Island Fire and Shaw Fire District 3.

After final outfitting and crew training, it will replace two existing public safety boats that are at the end of their life cycles: the fire boat Confidence and the Orcas Sheriff’s patrol boat.

“This is not only a great asset for our Community, it a great value for our taxpayers,” Nou said. The entire $600,000 cost of acquiring and outfitting the boat was funded by a Port Security Grant through the U.S. Homeland Security Department. Other state and federal funds will defray the cost of staffing, operating and maintaining the craft.

Announcing the 2014 Garden Tour, Saturday June 14. Pictured here is the Pearson Garden last year – Click to enlarge – Tori Benz Hillstrom photo

Don’t forget this on Saturday – the 2014 Garden Tour…

WSU Master Gardeners, Garden Club and Horticultural Society members are gearing up to show guests three wonderful San Juan island gardens on display on Saturday June 14. Tickets at $15 per person ($6.00 for children 12 and under) are on sale now at Ace Hardware, Browne’s Garden Center, Griffin Bay Bookstore and Roche Harbor Store.

Plan to spend the day from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm visiting the gardens in your own time. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a notebook to record your favorite plants and be prepared to be amazed. One garden has been created with the assistance of a local garden company and two are owner-landscaped.

For weeks now the owners have been grooming their gardens in anticipation of your visit. They have volunteered their gardens and proceeds go not to them, but to the three coordinating groups who will spend the funds on local projects like the Demonstration Garden (where excess veggies are offered to the Food Bank), awards at the County Fair and contributing to beautifying the town.

We look forward to seeing you during the tour. More information is on the garden club’s website.

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.

Here’s a note from SJ Soccer President, Travis Ayers…

Hello Soccer Fans,

This Sunday, June 15th at midnight, the lowest soccer fees disappear! Please sign up before then at www.islandsoccer.org.

The following additional fees kick in after this weekend:

• U6 $10
• U8-U10 $25
• U11 and up $50

Let me know if you have any questions or problems registering.

Thank you,
Travis Ayers,President
San Juan Soccer
Ayers [.] Travis [@] gmail [.] com

Island Stage Left presents Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” – Click for larger poster

Summer is here and it’s time for you and your guests’ annual treat – Island Stage Left’s magical “Shakespeare Under the Stars”. We are thrilled to announce that this year’s production is our favorite romantic comedy, “Twelfth Night”.

Written just after “Hamlet”, “Twelfth Night” reveals a more mature Shakespeare, writing about miracles of reconciliation, of second chances and of redemption. It is paired with his trademark laugh-out-loud comedy plus a liberal dosage of romance.

Perennially popular, this is Shakespeare at his best. We welcome you to join us for the fun! Please dress warmly and bring a blanket. Chairs are provided at the San Juan venues. No tickets or reservations are needed. We are on a first-come-and-welcome-all basis.

Meet the Artists at WaterWorks Gallery this Saturday – Click for larger poster

Janis Miltenberger, Lampworked Glass Sculpture
Michael Dickter, Mixed media paintings

Janis Miltenberger – Story telling using her iconic glass sculptures that are occupied with birds, flowers, everyday objects and chairs, creating sculptures that are filled with analogies of art that may be myth or biblical based.

Michael Dickter paints a vocabulary of images, marks and colors, expressive of personal experiences and observations based on memory and communication mixed with the flower, and animal kingdom creating richly graphic visual paintings.

Meet these artists in the gallery on Saturday, June 14 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Show runs June 14 – July 6

The Washington State Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities Division, partnering with the San Juan County Economic Development Council, will present a full-day symposium for nonprofits and charities. The event will be held at the San Juan Island Grange on Friday, June 20 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Advance registration is required and space is limited.

Learn about the legal obligations and fiduciary duties of nonprofit board members and officers, how to form and maintain a nonprofit, when a nonprofit should also register as a charity, Washington state tax requirements, and special occasion licensing (gambling and adult beverages) from the Washington State Gambling Commission. $10 registration includes a catered lunch.

Details:

• San Juan Island Grange
• 152 First Street
• Friday Harbor, WA
• Friday, June 20th, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
• $10 registration fee
• Register at www.sos.wa.gov/charities/training

For more information, contact: Teresa Glidden, Charity & Nonprofit Education Coordinator, [email protected] or (360) 725-0373. Or contact Victoria Compton at the San Juan County Economic Development Council office, 378-2906 or [email protected].

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County. We believe a strong economy builds a strong community. The EDC works to build an environment that helps business owners create jobs. We serve business: linking organizations and resources, providing valuable information, rendering assistance and advocating for an improved island business environment.

June 21 is the date for the annual Orca Sing event at Lime Kiln Point State Park

Orca Sing is an annual event where people gather for an evening of music at Lime Kiln Point State Park to honor the Southern Resident orcas. Typically held on a Saturday near the Solstice, this year’s event is the 15th annual and will take place on Saturday, June 21, beginning around 6 p.m.

This year, Seattle’s City Cantabile Choir will perform; additional music to be announced. We will also celebrate Washington State Parks and Orca Awareness Month. While there is no guarantee, we hope that the orcas will grace us with a pass-by. The event is free and open to the public.

Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic to enjoy the beauty of Lime Kiln. Tours of the historic lighthouse will be offered before and after the concert. A Discovery Pass is required for parking at the State Park and can be purchased through the Lime Kiln Point State Park Interpretive Center. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited.

For more information, contact The Whale Museum at (360) 378-4710 ext. 30. The Whale Museum can be found on-line at www.whalemuseum.org.

Sandy Harold at SVC – Contributed photo

After nearly 20 years of service to the Skagit Valley College/San Juan Center, Sandy Harold is moving on to new adventures in Port Townsend. During her tenure at Skagit Valley College, Sandy taught Sociology, College Success Skills, as well as internships & work-related classes, worked as Elderhostel assistant coordinator, provided office support, and finally served students as the Center’s outstanding Academic Advisor for the last five years!

Please come celebrate her contributions to the San Juan Center and our Island community and say farewell as Sandy embarks on her next great adventure! We will host a potluck style party in the San Juan Center lobby on Wednesday, June 11 from 4:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. and all are welcome to join us for this celebration! Bring a dish, dessert, a side, and a story to share!

OPALCO Passes $46,230 In BPA Rebates onto Friday Harbor Labs

Professor Adam Summers, UW Friday Harbor Laboratories Interim Director Billie Swalla, OPALCO Energy Savings Specialist Elisa Howard and UW Dean of the College of the Environment and Prentice and Virginia Bloedel Professor Lisa J. Graumlich gather for the award presentation on the deck of the dining hall at the UW Friday Harbor Labs – Click to enlarge – Contributed photo

OPALCO Energy Savings Specialist Elisa Howard presented University of Washington (UW) Friday Harbor Laboratories (FHL) Interim Director Billie Swalla and UW Dean of the College of the Environment and Prentice and Virginia Bloedel Professor Lisa J. Graumlich with a check for $46,230.

The Friday Harbor Labs completed a substantial lighting efficiency upgrade project in late March. A group of UW students, faculty and community members gathered to celebrate completion of the work and the rebate award.

This retrofit was a component of a larger ESCO project to “green up” facilities. Swalla thanked the previous FHL Director Ken Sebens and previous FHL Associate Director Adam Summers for securing the grant from the Washington Department of Commerce. Continue Reading

2014 Concours d’Elegance of the San Juan Islands

The 2014 event poster – a Corvette Stingray painted by local artist Ary Hobbel – Click to enlarge

The Sports Car Club of the San Juan Islands in conjunction with the Rotary Club of San Juan Island will hold its eighth Annual Concours d’Elegance at the San Juan Vineyards (3136 Roche Harbor Road, Friday Harbor, WA) on Sunday, August 24, 2014 from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

This year, the Concours will consist of a “Judged” section and a “Display Only” section. All vehicles will be eligible for the three “People’s Choice” awards.

Last years’ event drew 87 entrants and we expect a similar number this year. The featured marqué for 2014 will be the Chevrolet Corvette, in honor of the recent C7 introduction.

Jim Corenman, President of the Sports Car Club of the San Juan Islands announced, “Activities for Entrants and Car Club Members including a BBQ lunch are being planned for Saturday, August 23 to welcome our off-island Entrants.” Last years’ Poker Run was a big hit and will be brought back “by popular demand”. Continue Reading

Children and youths between the ages of 5 and 16, will get you a free season pass to this year’s fair when they enter anything in the County Fair.

That’s right, kids, FREE! This is your chance to be involved in our Island’s favorite summer event. Get creative! From wool socks to making a winning zucchini racer, the possibilities are endless!

For entry details, be sure to check out our 2014 Premium Book, available in June, at www.sjcfair.org, and start exercising your imagination. Entry day is August 12th, 2014.

Don’t forget, the launch party is tomorrow at the Whale Museum – 3:30 to 5:30 pm. And guess what? They’ve raised enough from pre-launch sales, they’re giving away 3 Orca Adoption kits. Plus, they’ll have food and samples available at the launch too.

Whale Tales Cookies, LLC – Rebecca Parks, Creative Director; Jason Leff, Lead Baker; Mike Martin, Founder & CEO; and Cynthia Burke, Executive Baker; (unavailable for photo: Margie Patrick, Chief Financial Officer) – Tim Dustrude photo

The initial product, cookies in the shape of whale tails, made with a cookie-cutter based on a Terry Ogle carving, will be sold at a number of local outlets, including The Whale Museum, King’s Market, FH Marketplace, Discovery Sea Kayaks, Crystal Seas Kayaks, Spring Street General Store & Deli, San Juan Island Co-Op, Western Prince Cruises, and Friday Harbor Pharmacy. Each package will include Whale Trading Cards with original images provided by Captain Jim Maya. The color label artwork on the package incorporates a drawing by Alaina Scheffer. With all these islanders coming together to help create this product, “we are truly more indigenous than one might think”, says CEO Mike Martin.

Looking to the future, possibilities include the production of Gourmet Cookies, Fudge, Chocolates, maybe some Pink Cookies for breast cancer awareness – and all with a strong ethic based on environmental awareness, local stewardship and sustainability. But for now, be ready for some delicious, local, fun cookies!