Tosca this Sunday

San Juan Community Theatre’s The Met: Live in HD series features the dramatic Italian opera, Tosca, on Sunday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m. in the Whittier Theatre.

A co-production of the Metropolitan Opera, the Bayerische Staatsoper and the Teatro alla Scala, Giacomo Puccini’s timeless verismo score is served by an acclaimed cast, led by Patricia Racette in the title role of the jealous diva, opposite Roberto Alagna as her lover, Cavaradossi. George Gagnidze is the villainous Scarpia. Russian maestro Valery Gergiev conducts.

The story is set in Rome in 1800, when the Kingdom of Naples’ control of the city is threatened by Napoleon’s invasion of Italy. It includes very dramatic depictions of murder and suicide while featuring some of Puccini’s best-known lyrical arias.

In addition to The Met: Live in HD presentations, San Juan Community Theatre also rebroadcasts National Theatre Live productions from Great Britain. A complete schedule of the HD-live events is available at www.sjctheatre.org. SJCT’s new partnership with both programs was made possible through a generous bequest from the late Dodie Gann.

Tickets for Tosca are $20 for adults, $18 for SJCT members and $10 for student reserved, with $5 Student RUSH at the door. The SJCT box office (378-3210) is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are also available on-line at www.sjctheatre.org

This just came in from Washington State Ferries…

Investigation finds human error in Hyak collision
WSF implementing system-wide improvements to help prevent future incidents

SEATTLE – A recent investigation concludes that human error was responsible for a collision Sept. 13 between Washington State Ferries vessel Hyak and a motor yacht. The incident happened at the confluence of Harney and Upright channels in the San Juan Islands, where the Hyak’s starboard bow collided with the port quarter of the yacht.

The sole occupant of the yacht Tasya was rescued by a nearby vessel and taken to Orcas Island. On the day of the incident, WSF convened a board of inquiry to investigate the collision. The board collected a wide array of data and information and spent more than 30 hours meeting to examine evidence and make its determination.

According to the report, investigators determined this incident was avoidable as the Hyak had adequate time, equipment capability and “sea room” to avoid the collision. Weather, visibility, tides and currents were not factors in this incident. The report states that the root cause of this incident was human error due to lack of situational awareness.

“We conducted a thorough and detailed investigation into what happened and why,” said David Moseley, WSDOT assistant secretary, ferries division. “We’re now shifting our focus to making improvements to prevent future incidents.”

The report provides six recommendations for system-wide improvements that could help prevent similar incidents:

• All employees who act as a part of a navigational watch must attend the WSF Bridge Team Management training program.
• A refresher training program should be developed for officers in charge of a navigational watch.
• The roles, responsibilities and duties of the newly assigned second mates on Super Class vessels should be formally incorporated into policies and procedures.
• The relative roles and responsibilities should be defined for crewmembers in the performance of the “V” maneuver.
• Voyage Data Recorders should be considered on all WSF vessels.
• The qualification process should be reviewed for quartermaster/helmsman duties.

WSF is taking the necessary steps based on the investigative panel’s recommendations. The report has been referred to the director of operations as well as human resources for further review and consideration.

Here’s an update from the county on the phone and internet outage repair progress…
According to San Juan County’s Department of Emergency Management, All Rock Island Internet DSL traffic is now routed away from CenturyLink’s infrastructure so Rock Island customers on San Juan Island should see much improved connectivity.

Meanwhile, CenturyLink has fixed the problem that was leading to extensive problems with dialing local cell phones. Some tests by DEM seem to confirm this.

A company news release reported today that the outage on Orcas Island, Tuesday, November 12th, that resulted in busy signals and inability to contact 911 emergency service dispatch for more than one-half hour was caused by call volumes exceeding capacity. The company, reports that it has added additional capacity and will continue to monitor the system.

Prior to the outage yesterday, CenturyLink had reported that it believed it had created enough temporary capacity to allow it divert some excess resources from voice lines to reactivate dedicated data lines.

According to the company’s news release, “CenturyLink continues to augment voice and data capacity through alternative communications facilities as fast as they become available in addition to the fiber restoration activities.” It added, “CenturyLink technicians continue to work around the clock in the San Juan Islands to repair the underwater fiber cut.”

Damaged to a section of the cable between Lopez and San Juan Islands caused the near-complete service outage which began November 5. The break has been located and barges and crews are in position to raise and splice in a new section of cable, however there is still no estimate when repairs will be complete.

The company has brought service back up over the past week with temporary radio frequency links and utilizing OPALCO infrastructure. The CenturyLink’s DSL Internet service on San Juan Island continues to function at a low percentage of its former capacity, due to repair equipment blocking a radio data transmission link.

High school junior Katherine Close has come up with some cool holiday baskets to raffle off as a fundraiser for Head Start for her Community Project. Check out her write-up below…

Looking for ideas to brighten up your winter days? Enjoy a Basket of Fun & Games or a Basket of Holiday Dining & Treats donated by local businesses, valued at more than $150.00 each.

The “Basket of Fun & Games” includes Bowling at Paradise Lanes for a family of four, Games from Toy Box such as David & Goliath, Halli Galli, 7 ate 9, Speedy Recall, Games from Ositos such as Spot It, Sketch it, Flash & Yogi Finders and Movie passes at the Palace Theater.

The “Basket of Holiday Dining & Treats” includes gift certificates at Cask & Schooner and Bakery San Juan, along with a tin of Cougar Gold Cheese from San Juan Island Cheese and chocolate chip lavender cookies from Pelindaba. To help keep in shape, San Juan Island Fitness has offered a one month membership for use of the whole facility (except pool) valued at $192.00!

This fundraiser is a High School Community project intended to benefit the Head Start Program in purchasing school supplies and much needed educational materials. The raffle drawing for ‘Basket of Fun & Games’ or a ‘Basket of Holiday Dining & Treats’ will be held November 19 from 2pm-6pm and Nov 20th 3pm to 6pm at Marketplace. Tickets are 1 for $1.00, 6 for $5.00 or 20 for $15.00. Stop by Marketplace or contact Katherine Close at
katherineclose356 [@] gmail [.] com

I am a junior at Friday Harbor High School and I have chosen to work with little kids because I find it very easy and I love helping them. Every Junior needs to do a Community Project to pass High School. The first couple of days my teacher let the kids just pick stuff that might interest them and that would help the community. I found out that helping kids was something I really enjoyed and so I wanted to base my community project on helping kids. I did a lot of research and found that The Head Start program was something fun and a good community project that I would enjoy doing. I have gone over there for a lot and I love the kids very dearly; I love that they want me to read to them. I have always found it fun to help kids out because when I was little I never got the help that kids are getting now and I want to help it going.

FANS Family Carnival at Fairgrounds November 16

Carnival fun returns to Friday Harbor on Saturday, November 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Fairgrounds.

The annual FUNdraiser for Island Rec’s support group, FANS: (Families and Neighbors Support Island Rec), features some 20 games booths, including Bursting Balloon Darts, Take a Cake Cakewalk, Digging for Diamonds and Penguin Fish Fling. Three inflatable “bouncy” houses will also be on hand as well as an amazing Rube Goldberg-type creation concocted by island architect David Waldron. Carnival favorites like cotton candy and sno-cones will be available and chef Tommy Pieples’ Fan Café will have plenty of hamburger, hot dogs and other festive fare.

Admission is free; proceeds from the games and food—$1 tickets will be sold, with items ranging from $1 to $4 each—will help FANS in its nonprofit mission to create new opportunities for Island Rec to expand its parks, programs and services. Most recently, FANS funds help create and support Island Rec’s new Movies in the Park program.

For more information or to volunteer at the carnival, contact Cathy Kromer at 370-5315.

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center Celebrates First Anniversary
Public Open House Sunday, Nov. 17

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center (PIMC) opened in Friday Harbor on Nov. 17, 2012. One year later, the community is invited to an Open House to celebrate a year of shared “firsts” during this past year.

The first anniversary Open House is noon to 4 p.m. this Sunday, Nov. 17, at PIMC, 1117 Spring Street in Friday Harbor. For off-islander visitors a shuttle will meet each ferry that arrives between noon and 4 p.m., providing free transportation to Peace Island.

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center grew out of collaborative planning with Islanders to provide much-needed access to hospital facilities and specialty care.
Among the “firsts” achieved since PIMC opened in November 2012:

• First life-saving emergency blood transfusion;
• First pediatric procedural sedation for lumbar puncture;
• First cardiac treadmill for Emergency Department (ED) patient;
• First ED mental health evaluation; and
• Access to drug-eluting stents, minimally invasive valve surgery, thoracic surgery and oncology

Hattie is this week’s Pet of the Week

This week’s Pet of the Week is, “Hattie”, a wonderful older gal, about 12 years old. She arrived at the shelter over a year ago when her elderly owner could no longer care for her. She was extremely sad and reclusive for several months, but as we’ve worked with her and gotten to know her, we have found her to be an exceptionally sweet, gentle lady who just needs a warm lap and a place to call home. Hattie is just one of several “golden girls” who have been at the shelter for far too long. Stop by and meet them – through the end of the year senior citizen felines (over 8 years old) are free to qualified homes.

Don’t forget about this event coming up this weekend!

Christmas for Critters is a Holiday Craft Boutique to benefit the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor. Shop for handmade arts & crafts, baked goods and delectable edibles for you and everyone on your gift list – including pets! Serving appetizers Friday night and breakfast sandwiches & cinnamon rolls Saturday.

The fun begins Friday Nov. 15 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm and continues Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at The American Legion Post 163, 110 First Street, Friday Harbor.

In honor of Wolf Hollow’s 30th Anniversary, Mike’s Cafe and Wine Bar will host “Five by Five for $25”, Tuesday, November 12 from 5:30 to 7:00. Come support Wolf Hollow and enjoy five generous tastes of Totem Cellars Wine and five appetizer servings for $25 or $10 for minors. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Wolf Hollow.

Land-Line Phone Back to Normal. Work Remains on Cell, Data Lines.
November 10, 2013

In its morning conference call with state and local agencies, CenturyLink representatives reported that the company’s temporary measures have created enough capacity to handle all of the landline calls placed between San Juan County’s islands and to the mainland.

However, cell phone service in the County is still spotty, cell connectivity with 911 emergency dispatch has not been fully restored, many dedicated “T1” data lines have not been restored, and on San Juan Island, DSL Internet Service remains well below its previous capacity.

To deal with isolated problems and identify areas of trouble, the San Juan County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) has established an online system to report trouble. Residents are encouraged to use an online form at http://TinyURL.com/moqurw3 to report phone-related problems. To report emergencies, DEM says that landline phones should still be the first option, and emails addressed to:
911 [@] sanjuanco [.] com will also reach the dispatch center. Cell phones should still be considered a back-up. Continue Reading

CenturyLink wants you to know they are working around the clock to repair the severed fiber optic cable. Here is a latest press release from them:

SAN JUAN ISLANDS/SEATTLE, Wash. – CenturyLink crews are working around the clock to repair the severed fiber optic cable causing a network outage impacting the San Juan Islands. CenturyLink crews, which have dedicated more than 1,000 hours, have temporarily restored local, long distance, Internet, and 911 services in partnership with OPALCO (Orcas Power and Light Cooperative).

CenturyLink has deployed resources from across the state to assist in the repair of the fiber cable, which is more than two miles in length and rests at a depth of 250 feet. CenturyLink has brought in international experts who initially helped deploy the fiber to the Islands to help pinpoint the issue. At this time, the reason for the cut is still unknown.

In addition to the on-site team, CenturyLink has brought in additional resources, including a team of expert divers, three tug boats, two remote operating vessels, and two barges. The barges, which are between the coast of Pear Point off of San Juan Island and Fisherman’s Bay located on Lopez Island, have cranes and splicing equipment.

“CenturyLink’s priority is to fully restore communications as quickly as possible,” said Tim Grigar, CenturyLink vice president and general manager for western Washington. “We appreciate our customers’ patience while we work to resolve this issue.”

What are you doing on Thanksgiving Day this year?

If you’re looking for a special way to celebrate and give thanks, come to the Grange for a good old-fashioned community Thanksgiving dinner. Bring a pie, sign up to help in the kitchen, or just join us for a wonderful dinner.

“This is the fifteenth year for the Community Thanksgiving celebration and we never know who or how many will show up but that just makes the day more interesting. Come and dine anytime between noon and 5PM. Last year we served dinner to close to 400 people so we have added an hour. Many diners also pitch in and help. Sometimes there are a dozen people in the kitchen peeling potatoes, washing pots, stirring gravy or slicing turkey. There’s always another chore that needs to be done so there’s plenty for everyone who enjoys that part of the day, too.” says Minnie Knych.

“It’s always good fun and reminds me of my big family childhood holidays when uncles, aunts and cousins gathered in one home for this special day.”

Come alone or bring friends and family. This is a day to share and give thanks together. Everyone is welcome. It’s all free. The food is great. There’s a fire in the fire place. Most important of all, there is plenty of turkey, dressing and all the fixin’s and there are plenty of friends and neighbors to share a special day.

For information about how you can join the fun, call Minnie at 378-7040 or email:
knych [@] rockisland [.] com.

See you at the Grange on Thanksgiving Day!

Free Technical Training on Low Impact Development for Professionals

November 14, 2013, 8:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Roche Harbor, Pavilion Room

A free technical training on Low Impact Development (LID) will be held on November 14, 2013 at Roche Harbor’s Pavilion Room on San Juan Island. LID is a land planning and engineering design approach to managing stormwater. This workshop is designed to help building and landscaping professionals emphasizes conservation and use of on-site natural features to protect water quality.

Attendees will learn about site planning, where LID is useful, bioretention and rain gardens, vegetation management, permeable paving, rain water collection, native plants and soil amendments and San Juan County’s stormwater requirement changes. Registration required, please call FRIENDS of the San Juans at 378.2319 to sign up.

Primary speakers include Chris Webb, PE with Maul Foster & Alongi, Inc. and LEED Fellow and Michael Budnick, Owner and President of Northwest Concepts, Inc.

This training is being hosted by FRIENDS of the San Juans with funding support from the Russell Family Foundation.

Click for larger poster

3rd Saturday Grange Dance, Contra – Saturday, November 16th from 7-9pm at the SJI Grange Hall. From Seattle, Michael Karcher calling with Tapsalteerie – 2 fiddles, concertina, guitar and bass. No partners needed. All dances taught. No experience necessary. $10/person donation (students half price). For more info, call 378-3836.

Christmas for Critters is a Holiday Craft Boutique to benefit the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor. Shop for handmade arts & crafts, baked goods and delectable edibles for you and everyone on your gift list – including pets! Serving appetizers Friday night and breakfast sandwiches & cinnamon rolls Saturday.

The fun begins Friday Nov. 15 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm and continues Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at The American Legion Post 163, 110 First Street, Friday Harbor.

Book talk with Portland author Linda Lee Peterson
Griffin Bay Bookstore
Saturday Evening, November 16, 7:00 Pm

Griffin Bay Bookstore & the San Juan Island Library are pleased to announce an evening book talk with Linda Lee Peterson, presenting her second mystery with journalist-sleuth Maggi Fiori, The Devil’s Interval. Mystery lovers: this is your chance to be meet up with a new wisecracking crime solver and hear about her latest forays in San Francisco.

A glamorous socialite murdered in the backseat of a limo. A convicted killer on Death Row, watching the appeals clock tick away. A mother, the doyenne of the San Francisco jazz scene, desperate for help in proving her son’s innocence. Enter Maggie Fiori, still too smart for her own good and foolishly open to another adventure. With a marriage in disrepair from her last sleuthing (and adulterous) adventure, two boys to raise, and a magazine to run, you’d think she’d walk away. But Maggie can’t say no when the plea is made mother-to-mother. There’s sass and mystery and danger and plenty of insider looks at San Francisco society, high and low. The music isn’t sweet in The Devil’s Interval, but it’s unforgettable.

“The Devil’s Interval is a roller-coaster ride through the streets and alleys of San Francisco that will evoke Robert Parker’s Spenser novels with a dash of Janet Evanovich. Get out the flashlight. You’ll be up late.”
— Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author of The Conviction

About the Author
Linda Lee Peterson has written several nonfiction books, including The Stanford Century, On Flowers, and Linens and Candles and is a contributor to national publications, including the Chicago Tribune. She first introduced magazine editor and amateur sleuth Maggie Fiori in Edited to Death; this is her second novel. A longtime San Franciscan and an alumna of Stanford University, Peterson now lives in Portland, Oregon.