Ian McFeron plays the Rumor Mill on Friday – Contributed photo

The Ian McFeron Band plays the Rumor Mill on Friday evening. Here’s the official announcement:

Ian McFeron continues to tour over 170 dates this year as he celebrates the release of his seventh album “Time Will Take You” which maintains stout-hearted positivity while exploring themes of troubled times, hard traveling, and a thin pocketbook.

McFeron is joined on tour by longtime friends and accompanists Alisa Milner on fiddle, cello, and harmony vocals, Norman Baker on bass and harmony vocals, and Mark Bateman on drums. Fans of John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Jackson Browne will feel at home in his music.

“With a jingle of tambourine we get a likely candidate for album of the year – simple as… Soaked in California sunshine one minute, then deep in the dustbowl the next, it’s like a greatest hits of everyone you like.”
-Rudie Humphrey, Americana UK, May 2013

Friday, February 21st / 8:00pm – 11:00pm / FREE
For more info check out: www.rumor-millsanjuan.com or call (360) 378-5555

Michael Henderson practicing for the Stair Climb – Click for larger image – Sheila Harley photo

Sheila Harley from the Fire Department sent this notice over for you…

• 69 Flights
• 1,311 Steps
• 788 ft. of Vertical Elevation
• Climb
• Conquer
• Cure

Once again, the firefighters of San Juan Island Fire Rescue will participate in the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb on Sunday, March 9, 2014 in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Firefighters Michael Henderson and Mark Wagner will participate in the climb. Ronald and Bonnie Stanger and Carolyn Hudson will serve as support volunteers.

What is the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb?

The Scott Firefighter Stair Climb is a timed race up the stairs at the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle. The participants wear full fire gear and a self-contained breathing apparatus, which totals around 65 lbs! Although this is a challenging event, it pales in comparison to the challenges of blood cancer patients.

All proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society which is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The mission of LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the qualify of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more then $550 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.

San Juan Island Fire Rescue firefighters will be doing the stair stepper at Friday Harbor Market Place on Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come and cheer them on and contribute to this most worthy cause and Thank You very much for your generosity!

If you would care to donate online, go to this link  and donate directly to Henderson and/or Wagner for San Juan island Fire Rescue.

Did you hear that local author Jill Urbach has a new book out? I hear that the story is based in… FRIDAY HARBOR! Here’s the blurb she wrote about it:

Book cover – Click to enlarge

When Anna Gissler runs away from her Peace Corps commitment, the only place this failure of a college grad can go is home to her small island town where the majority of the other twenty-somethings are directionless barflies. So she’s shocked to find the boy most likely to succeed, Dalton Brown — the same one she used to loathe — living back at home too. Only, he’s not so worthy of loathing now. In fact, he’s downright hot.

Dalton’s middle school crush on Anna is lo-o-ong gone. And he’s determined not to fall under her spell again. So when he decides to spearhead a campaign to build a community center, he flatly refuses Anna’s offer of help. It’s hard enough to avoid her in their small town. Working together would be too…tempting.

But with experience fundraising for large nonprofit organizations, Anna knows she’s perfect for the job. And she knows it’s her one chance to prove to him she’s not the shallow girl he now thinks she is. How can she help Dalton achieve his dream without him knowing? Because if he achieves his, she might just achieve her own dreams as well.

Just saw that Cynthia Burke has a new offering…

Zentangle is an artistic form of meditation that supports relaxation, focus and creativity. It is easy to learn, and the results can be beautiful.
Join Us!

Saturday – February 22nd from 11:00 to 1:00

$45 per person – Includes all materials, snacks, fun, prizes, relaxation!!

Richard Christopher DeStaffany, one of Friday Harbor’s colorful characters, has died of heart disease at the age of 62. Born to be the center of attention, Chris kept his friends entertained, inspired, and busy with his high ambitions, seldom worrying about details of preparation and follow-up as he would muddle through on sheer enthusiasm and a few core principles, depending on others around him to fill in what was needed.

After a rustic early childhood on a wooded shore of San Juan Island’s Griffin Bay, Chris began school in 1956 in Chitose, Japan, where his mother could always find him by listening for the commotion around the exotic blond kid. The band at the Air Force base officers’ club honored him by playing “The Yellow Rose of Texas” whenever the family was in for a visit, a distinction he never forgot. Back in the US, Chris acquired a sister, a brother, and another sister, all born in different states as their father’s electronics career took the family all over the country. Three years in British Columbia brought comparative stability and started him in his life-long tea habit.

By 11th grade he was back home again in Friday Harbor with plenty of stories to tell and a sense that anything was possible. He was active in band and track and in 1970 graduated second in his class. At Western Washington State College he joined the sailing club and developed a passion for British sports cars. He studied business with the idea of becoming an entrepreneur, and soon started his first job as a piano tuner throughout San Juan County. Then he joined in the family business, helping to make the Gourmet’s Galley a going concern. Continue Reading

Just got this note from Paul over at Pablito’s…

Hey there,

This is Paul from Pablito’s.  I’m writing to let you know that we’re back open after our winter break.  This spring we’re just going to concentrate on dinner, so we’ll be open Tuesday through Saturday from. 4:30 – 8:30.   We’re also excited to be adding Happy Hour.  It’ll be from 4:30 till 6:00, and we’re going to have food & drink specials, to give a little back to our customers. Thanks

-Paul

Amy Saxe of OPALCO’s Energy Services program presents a check to Linda Lyshall for the San Juan Islands Conservation District. Also pictured are Jay Kimball, consultant and Randy J. Cornelius, General Manager of OPALCO – Contributed photo

OPALCO recently announced a 6% rate increase beginning in March. What can we do to keep member costs down? Energy efficiency and conservation activities and gains are key tools for minimizing kWh usage and helping members to control their utility bills. Every little bit helps: the Northwest Power and Conservation Council states “Nearly 60% of the region’s new demand for electricity over the next five years, and 85% over the next 20 years, could be met with energy efficiency.”

To expand our reach, OPALCO has awarded a matching grant to the San Juan Islands Conservation District for their leadership in promoting energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy programs. The Conservation District will partner with local non-profits to achieve a range of projects beyond OPALCO’s current offerings to: retrofit San Juan County homes for greater energy efficiency, pilot community solar projects and develop additional education and outreach efforts.

The Conservation District will serve as an umbrella organization to coordinate the efforts of other nonprofits including the Islands Energy Coalition, Island Stewards and the Opportunity Council. Collectively, they have already secured matching funds for the $150,000 awarded by OPALCO.

“We are excited to work with OPALCO on this initiative,” said Linda Lyshall, District Manager, San Juan Islands Conservation District. “Through our partnership, we intend to maximize efficiency and conservation gains to slow increases on utility bills, reduce the carbon footprint of the county and serve as a model for other small, rural communities in Washington and elsewhere. This project fits well with the Conservation District’s long-term goals to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency throughout San Juan County.” Continue Reading

Samples of artwork by Ellery Von Dassow (Left) and Alaina Scheffer (Right)

Western Region Awards for Friday Harbor High School Artists

San Juan Island’s Friday Harbor High School Art Instructor Andy Anderson is very proud to announce that two Friday Harbor High School AP Studio Art students have won the highest recognition in the 2014 Western at Large Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Competition.

The Western Region includes California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The award winning portfolios were submitted by seniors Ellery Von Dassow and Alaina Scheffer. Friday Harbor High School was awarded two “Gold Key” portfolios out of only five selected from the Western Region. Continue Reading

Marty Ahart, Black Family Enterprises and volunteers prepare to move the greenhouse to its new home – Louise Dustrude photo

>Editor’s note: Additional information added after this article was first published. Click the Read More link below.

The greenhouse that was started out as a high school student’s community project several years ago has found a new home with The Community Gardens out off of San Juan Valley Road. On Monday it was moved there from its original location across Blair St. from the high school.

Marty Ahart of the Community Gardens in red, and inside, bracing a wall support, Bequin Lapwing, who started the community garden in the first place – SJ Update photo

According to Marty Ahart of the Community Gardens, when the high school could not use it to grow produce for school lunches, the local Slow Food: Land & Sea organization reluctantly took over ownership of it so the students could do their senior projects with it. When the projects were completed, Land and Sea folks grew food for the Food Bank.

When the organizer of that group ended up unable to continue, it fell into disuse for a while and now it’s having new life breathed into it by Marty and the community garden.

In the future, students may do projects in it and food will be grown for members of the greater community in need by The Community Gardens.

Rolling through town on the way to a new home – SJ Update photo

And it is at its new home – Louise Dustrude photo

++++++

Linda Degnan Cobos, Co-director of San Juan Island Land & Sea Slow Food has sent over some additional information on the history of the Greenhouse…

Continue Reading

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:
sueko [@] sanjuanco [.] com

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

San Juan Island EMS and Medevac/Island Air Ambulance just completed another successful year serving the San Juan community through 1496 emergency calls, nationally trend setting cariac arrest save rates, and industry leading patient satisfaction. In recognition of this community’s medical responders, the annual San Juan Island EMS Awards Banquet was held on January 11, 2014 at the San Juan Island Yacht Club.

Dr. Michael Sullivan presented Chief Dispatcher, Robin DeLazerda, with the San Juan County Medical Program Director (MPD) Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership, dedication and service to San Juan County while emergency communications were interrupted due to the fractured fiber optic cable this winter.

Maddy Anderson was awarded The EMT of the Year and Doug Harmon was recognized as Rookie of the Year. Both awards were decided by a vote of their peers. EMS Officer of the Year went to Deanna Banry for her significant service to the agency in coordinating scheduled transports and Cady Davies received the Chief’s Award for her tireless assistance to the many areas of agency’s efforts.

Northwest Medstar, the aeromedical dispatch center for Island Air Ambulance, was presented the Franklin-Heath Award in recognition of outstanding community service and selfless dedication to emergency medical transport in San Juan County.
EMS achieved “CAMTS Critical Care” accreditation for both ground and fixed wing services by a national accrediting organization for emergency transport. Because of this and many other national trend setting efforts, San Juan Island EMS and Island Air Ambulance were awarded the internationally competitive 2013 Fixed Wing Award of Excellence by the Association of Air Medical Services!

EMS continually works to improve its service to this community into the future.

Get your Washington State Boater’s Education Card!  FREE Class starts next Monday, February 24 up at the college and goes through the next 5 Mondays, 7:00 – 9:00 PM.

Pick up your comprehensive boating information manual and 2 companion CD’s with Coastal Navigator Electronic Charting, needed for class for $45.00 (Couples can share). Students get a 50% discount.

Instruction is FREE by Friday Harbor Power Squadron. Call 378-3288 to register or email:
ein [@] rockisland [.] com.

Third Annual San Juan Islands’ Wedding Show 

Isle Be Wed, the only wedding show in the San Juan Islands, is back on both Orcas Island and San Juan Island for 2014.

The “Isle Be Wed” wedding show has been celebrating island wedding fare available to brides and grooms throughout the San Juan Islands since 2012 and the show’s 2014 edition will be hosted over two days with one-day shows each for Orcas Island and San Juan Island. The show’s coordinator, Felicity Milne, of Cakes by Felicitations, is thrilled to be back at it for another year saying “The response of our vendors and vendor/sponsors has been positively overwhelming! I couldn’t be more proud to help showcase our local businesses and talent!”

Click here for more information, (PDF) or visit www.IsleBeWed.com.