Debbi Fincher of the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition sent this over to let you know that you are invited to take part in their survey – Here’s Debbi with more…

We’d like to invite all our adults of San Juan Island to participate. If you have 10 minutes to answer some questions about our community regarding alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drug use, we would appreciate it! The survey will help us as we plan for the next 5 years of the SJI Prevention Coalition. Thanks again for your continued support!

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition’s community survey web link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LBRHXQN

Thanks! Take care, Debbi

This just popped in today from Brendan Cowan of the SJ Dept. of Emergency Management (SJ DEM)

1. There are some reports of CenturyLink customers still having problems with their service. Anyone with concerns should contact CenturyLink directly at:

Jan Kampbell
Public Relations & Market Development Manager
Western Washington
[email protected]
Office 253-851-1416
Cell 253-549-5499

2. The County is trying to get a sense of economic impacts to businesses and other organizations due to outage. Anyone with impacts is encouraged to fill out the online survey located at www.sanjuandem.net/outage. There is no promise of outside help from State or Federal government at this time, but gathering this data is the first step towards gauging the impact and possibly requesting support.

You are invited to attend a series of weekend events at IMA beginning with an opening reception, Saturday November 23rd from 5 to 8pm.

Visit and enjoy this multi-media exhibit showcasing the artwork created by artists of all the San Juan Islands.

Stop by for a holiday refreshments and browse the artistic endeavors of our local artists’ community.

You may find that special piece of art to admire, to purchase for yourself or it may be the answer for that perfect holiday gift.

Click for larger poster

The museum will be conveniently open for visitors on Friday and Saturday evenings, 4 – 8PM, and Sundays, 2 – 5, beginning with an Opening Reception on Saturday, November 23rd.

The Exhibit runs EVERY weekend until December 22nd. Please drop by, meet one of the exhibiting artists, enjoy some refreshments and partake of this special event at IMA.

Jill Urbach

It’s always fun to read someone’s first novel, if only because you feel you know them a little better after finishing it. Islander Jill Urbach has put together a sweet story called Two Room Flat which spotlights two people who know each other’s losses too well, and are thrown together by fate and opportunity. She tells a story in which the plot’s twists help you understand her characters better, with a page-turner’s skill that makes the reader care how things are going to turn out. Jill tells a good tale.

Jill knows her stuff: she addresses the inside world of writers, aviators, publishing, and more with an authority that adds to the authentic voice you hear. You’re going to like this one.

I caught up with Jill and had the chance to ask a few questions. Here’s what I learned: 

Q. It’s fun to follow Claire’s adventures in the writing world, as well in the “learning how relationships work” world. How much of this is autobiographical?

A. Since Two-Room Flat is my first book, very little of Claire’s writing experiences are autobiographical. Rather, I based her experiences on anecdotes of other writers I have met. Claire’s early book-signing experiences are all too realistic, with nobody showing up except her family.

Now available to order, online!

I completely made up the characters at Robbinswold Publishing in London. I’ve never met anyone like Sir Malcolm, but wouldn’t he be a hoot? And in real life, sexy Steven, the marketing director, would be more of a publicist, hired by the author. But I wanted Steven to work for the publishing company, so I fudged things a bit. Also, the whole process of publishing a book takes longer than it did in my story.

As for Claire’s agent, Flo, I loosely based her on a manager I had when I was an actress in L.A. However, when I attended the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference, I met a New York literary agent who was exactly like Flo. (The book was already written.) I called my husband immediately and said, “I just met the real-life Flo!”

Q. The book traces two people’s paths to healing after great loss. What do you think is the key to arriving at the other end of that path?

A. Hmm, that’s a tough one, and possibly different for everyone. Continue Reading

2012 Holiday Season in Friday Harbor – Tim Dustrude photo

Schedule an hour with friends and family on Friday, December 6, for the fun Chamber of Commerce annual Island Lights and Music event at Memorial Park. The island kicks off the holiday season with the lighting of the big tree and holiday performances by the Island Chordsmen Barbershop group and FHES Eagle Spirit Choir.

Angel Michaels will lead a community singalong, with take-home song sheets provided. Free cookies and hot drinks served by Kiwanis. 5 to 6 p.m. at the foot of Spring Street.

The Island Lights Decorating Theme this season is

“Island Travel – by Plane, Train, Ferry or Sleigh”

2012 Holiday Season in Friday Harbor – Tim Dustrude photo

Contest winners will be selected by vote in the categories of

• Interior
• Exterior
• Window
• First Time
• OverAll

Winners will be announced Monday, December 9.

Plans are just beginning for the 23rd San Juan Island Children’s Festival scheduled for May 4, 2013 and committee members are needed to help with planning, organizing and coordination of this community festival.

Other than the willingness and time to work as a team committed to creating a fun filled festival dedicated to celebrating children, no special skills are necessary, With the exception of the festival day itself, committee members volunteer an estimated 6-8 hours per month beginning in January.

Contact Sally Thomsen, Recreation Director at Island Rec at 378-4953 or
play [@] islandrec [.] org to learn more about this volunteer opportunity!

“The Children’s Festival is an entire community effort and it is the commitment of the dedicated volunteers on the Children’s Festival Committee who bring the festival to life every year “, stated Thomsen.

It’s an island-wide annual event where over 30 community groups gather to celebrate children by providing entertaining, creative, interactive, educational and playful activities.

It’s fun to see friends from the island pop up in stories – let’s check them out:

Jess & Matt in Seattle, discussing the missing statue….click here to play the news story from the broadcast.

You know how Jessica Oldwyn has been wrestling (and winning!) with that brain toomah for the past three years (check her incredibly well written blog for the latest).

Well, last week, she had the Buddha statue from her front yard swiped, and it was cool that the TV folks at KOMO 4 News wanted to make a little story about the former FHHS (’99) grad.

Here’s Jess’s backstory, and click here to see the news story itself.

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Emree, that girl from Friday Harbor….

Meanwhile, it wasn’t surprising to see Rhiana Franklin (FHHS ’12) in a music video – she’s been making friends in Nashville with her singing & playing, so she’s making the connections.

She appears in this one by The Cavalry, without singing, and does a good job – check it out!

These days she’s going by Emree Franklin (the name Rihanna’s being used by another performer, as you may have heard).

Last month Guitar Center featured her in its October newsletter, in which she talks about guitars & sings a song….if you haven’t heard Emree before, check this out & you’ll get an idea of why she has a whole island behind her as she moves ahead in the music business – way to go!

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Glenna Hall

It was cool to see our Internet/phone trials & tribulations from two weeks ago written up by Glenna Hall for The Atlantic magazine (here’s the essay, called “A Parable of Disconnectedness.”).

Glenna was appointed to the OPALCO Board last summer, so she’s got a front row seat for electrical & connectivity matters here.

A little bit about Glenna:

Glenna retired as a judge of the King County Superior Court in 2008, and currently serves as Judge Pro Tempore for the San Juan Superior and District Courts. She earned her J.D. at the University of Washington School of Law, her M.A. in Political Science from Northwestern University and her B.A. in Political Science with Highest Honors from Douglass College, Rutgers University.

She has served in a variety of judicial, academic and mediation/arbitration roles and has held public office for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Chair and Commissioner) and the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners (Chair and Commissioner).

Since moving full-time to San Juan Island in 2008, she has served on the San Juan Island Library District Board of Trustees and is active with the San Juan Pilots Association, San Juan Singers and Islands A Cappella.

Dear Friends,

As you know, we love cheese and wine and bread!
And, we love pairing cheese with wine and bread.
Well, isn’t beer really liquid bread?
So, why not beer and cheese?
It is Delicious!!
We are excited to announce that Linda Stratton-Peterson from Pike Brewing
is coming to San Juan Island Cheese on Saturday, November 16th!
Pike is one of Seattle oldest family breweries, and they brew our favorite ales!
Linda will present and discuss four different ales that we will pair with delicious cheeses.

So, please join us this Saturday!
A Beer and Cheese Pairing with Pike Brewery’s Linda Stratton- Peterson
Saturday, November 16th, 2013 at 5:00 pm
San Juan Island Cheese, 155 Nichols St., Friday Harbor
$20.00/ person
Please RSVP, it will be indoors, seats are very limited!
Call 370-5115, email
info [@] sjicheese [.] com , Facebook message, or stop in to sign up!
Thanks again,
Richard, Sherri and Hannah

David Bentley sends over this announcement for you…

L to R: Alex Shapiro, Pamela Stewart, Pat Nelson, Sue Collado, and Dorothy Baker

We’re having a special Evening Prayer Service Saturday at 5 pm for the Feast of St. Margaret, Queen of Scotland (1093 AD). Throughout the service, a professional wind ensemble will play portions of “Evensong Suite” by local composer Alex Shapiro. This suite was commissioned by St. Bede’s Episcopal Church in Mar Vista, California, specifically for an Anglican service. Each piece is played before or after corresponding prayers or readings in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer. Musicians for the service are Pamela Stewart, flute; Sue Collado, clarinet; Pat Nelson, bassoon; and Dorothy Baker, piano.

David Bentley
Parish Administrator

Saint David’s Episcopal Church
780 Park Street / PO Box 2714
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
360-378-5360
www.saintdavidsepiscopal.org

This just came in from CenturyLink…

CenturyLink restores service to San Juan Islands

SAN JUAN ISLANDS/SEATTLE, Wash. – CenturyLink crews restored services, including all voice and high-speed Internet, to the San Juan Islands this morning. Crews worked overnight in the rain to connect the new fiber that was laid yesterday.

The fiber, located at a depth of 280 feet approximately 5,000 feet from Lopez Island, was suspended along a rock face south of where it was originally placed. The cause for movement is unknown, but could have been caused by an earthquake that occurred three minutes prior to CenturyLink’s first alarm notification.

“We at CenturyLink would like to thank the community of the San Juan Islands for their patience as we worked to restore services,” said Tim Grigar, vice president and general manager of CenturyLink’s western Washington market. “We couldn’t have done it without the support of the following:

• OPALCO (Orcas Power and Light Cooperative)
• Brendan Cowan, the Director of the San Juan County Department of Emergency Management
• Kevin O’Brien with Orcas Island Fire & Rescue
• Jim Ghiglione with Lopez Island Fire & EMS
• Steve Marler with San Juan County Fire
• San Juan County Councilmen Bob Jarman, Rick Hughes and Jamie Stephens

as well as countless others who assisted.”

The San Juan County Arts Council to Host “Photographing Your Art” Workshop December 7.

Due to the great response to our September “Photographing Your Art” workshop, the San Juan County Arts Council is pleased to announce that local professional photographer, Mark Gardner, will be presenting an additional workshop on December 7 from 9am-4pm at Skagit Valley College on San Juan Island.

The workshop will focus on technology (using an SLR and a “point and shoot” digital camera), technique (use of light, background etc.) and file management (storing files, size, etc.) To request a registration form, contact Arts Council Workshop Coordinator, Debbie Pigman at
dpigman1234 [@] yahoo [.] com

Why do we garden? Local author Jim Nollman will talk about his gardening and read from his book Why We Garden, including an excerpt on medicinal herbs and “The Sentient Garden.”

San Juan Island Grange #966 continues its 2013 Fall Lecture Series with a program on Why We Garden on Wednesday November 20, 2013 at the Grange Hall. The program begins at 7pm, preceded by a potluck at 6pm. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Kids and Parents! Are you looking for a fun and convenient childcare option during school break? Island Rec will be offering a fun-filled day-camp for K-6th graders during winter break. Our staff is designing an enriching camp experience including fun games & activities, crafts, swimming, bowling, field trips, and lots more!!

School’s Out Camp will run Monday through Friday, December 23rd-January 3rd, at Friday Harbor Elementary School. There will be no camp on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. Camp hours are from 8:30am to 3:30pm daily with optional extended hours from 3:30pm to 5:30pm each evening. There will be no extended hours on December 24th. Children may enroll for specific days or for the full 8-day session and must have a current STAR application on file to register.

Space is limited for this program and parents are strongly encouraged to register early. Sign up before December 5th and save with an early fee discount. Scholarships are available for those on the free or reduced lunch program. Sign up today!

To register, or for more information on camp fees and scholarships, please call 378-4953 or visit www.islandrec.org.

This just in – Spaghetti. Tomorrow…

Click for larger poster

The Friday Harbor High School PTSA/Senior Class of 2014 is now taking orders for their annual holiday wreath sale. Beautiful, aromatic, fresh, long lasting 24” wreaths of northwest evergreens with pinecones and berries with a handmade bow in your choice of color for just $25.00! Wreaths make great gifts for friends, family, neighbors, and business associates.

This is a key PTSA/FHHS Senior Class of 2014 fundraising event for the year, helping to pay for graduation activities and events.

Orders may be placed with any Friday Harbor High School Senior Class member or contact: Kelly Snow by email at,
kelly [@] sanjuanislands [.] com, or 360-317-6072. We will be happy to have a student from the FHHS Class of 2014 contact you to take your order.

Orders may be placed until Tuesday, November 19, 2013 and wreaths will be available for pickup or delivery beginning November 22th. We will also have our holiday wreaths available for sale at the Islands Artisans Holiday Marketplace, November 29 & 30, 2013 at Friday Harbor Elementary School. If you don’t need a wreath, donations to support our program are also accepted. Thank you for your support!

Registration for Winter Quarter is going on now at Skagit Valley College.

• Registration for Returning Students going on now.
• Registration for New Advised Students starts Wednesday, November 20.
• Open Enrollment starts Tuesday, December 3.

For students who want to train for a new career or upgrade their job skills, SVC offers 25 Professional/Technical programs that are aligned with local and state economic development strategies. High demand areas include:

• Manufacturing Technology
• Office Administration and Accounting Technologies
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Finance
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Homeland Security.

SVC also offers Academic Transfer pathways for students who want to begin their college experience and earn a bachelor’s degree.

See more at this link (PDF)

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And speaking of Skagit Valley College, you can vote for your favorites for their Hall of Fame. Check this out…

Skagit Valley College (SVC) announces that nominations are now being accepted for the SVC Hall of Fame 2014. Established in 1989, the Hall of Fame recognizes and honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Skagit Valley College, or honored it by their personal achievements.

Hall of Fame inductees include alumni, community leaders, former faculty and staff members, and public officials. Induction into the Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors that the College bestows.

Read more here (PDF)