Posted August 22, 2013 at 5:28 am by Tim Dustrude
Please join us for our San Juan Islands Conservation District Open House and come celebrate with us in our new digs! We have moved. We are now at 530 Guard Street in Friday Harbor and we would love for you to come visit and see what we are up to.
All are welcome! We look forward to seeing you!
Date: Friday, August 23rd
Time: 4-6PM
Where: 530 Guard Street, Friday Harbor
Posted August 22, 2013 at 5:22 am by Tim Dustrude
Study Time and Afternoon Recreation – STAR!
Island Rec is once again operating a supervised after-school program for kids in grades K-6, beginning August 29th and continuing throughout the school year. STAR will operate on all regular school days and early release days at the FHES cafeteria, from the “school’s out” bell until 6pm.
Each afternoon will include free play, organized and diverse recreational and educational activities, structured homework time, craft or cooking activities, and snack. STAR is run by Diana Feinson, the program coordinator for all ‘School’s Out’ programs including Camp Eagle Rock and School’s Out Camps.
Flexible drop-in attendance options, convenient monthly billing, and affordable daily rates are designed with regard for the needs of working parents in our community. Scholarships are available to qualifying families.
Pick up a ‘School’s Out’ application and parent information packet at FHES, Island Rec’s office (580 Guard St), or by visiting www.islandrec.org. For more information about STAR enrollment, fees, and financial assistance options call 378-4953 or send an email to Diana at:
diana [@] islandrec [.] org
Posted August 21, 2013 at 8:11 pm by Tim Dustrude
Lime Kiln Point State Park and The Whale Museum will be featured in a story on KPLU Public Radio on Thursday, August 22. It’s part of a series KPLU is running called “Tourist in Your Own Town.” Jenny Atkinson, Patti Wickham and Bob Otis were interviewed for the story by KPLU Reporter Paula Wissel.
The story will air in the morning during Morning Edition at 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m and again on All Things Considered in the afternoon. You can tune in KPLU at 88.5 FM, Seattle; 89.1 FM, Port Angeles and 90.1 FM, Olympia. You can also listen live on-line at kplu.org. The story will also be posted on the website, kplu.org.
Posted August 21, 2013 at 1:48 pm by Tim Dustrude
Click for larger view
The 2nd annual San Juan Music Festival is just around the corner, on Saturday, August 31, 2013 (Labor Day Weekend) at the new performance site at the former Browne Lumber lot at 330 Spring St. in Friday Harbor. This all day event will feature performances from these Island bands & artists, playing rock, jazz, big band, blues, and folk music:
(Click on the poster for schedule info)
This San Juan Lions club event will offer hot dogs, sandwiches, beer, soft drinks, plenty of seating, sun and shade, and fun. Admission at the gate will be $10. Kids 12 and under free. The San Juan Lions are assisted by the Orcas Lions who furnish the large tent for the event.
Proceeds will help fund the many Lions Vision and Hearing projects. A goal is to purchase a digital vision screening unit for preschool aged children. Currently no such screening is available, and the screening device will be made available for all the children of our county.
Contact Tom Starr at (360) 298-1281 or by email at:
toms [@] rockisland [.] com
Come experience our great local talent!
Posted August 21, 2013 at 1:47 pm by Tim Dustrude
This note just came in from Maria Small and she would like me to share it with you…
Hello Tim,
The San Juan County Fair left a tasty impression on my palate by means of a generous community of fair staff, exhibitors, vendors and volunteers.
There are so many to individually thank here but personally I do appreciate and am inspired by your time and talents.
The Master Gardeners of WSU Extension Service did an outstanding job in their educational programs and in promoting and supporting the Fruit-Vegetable and Flower Halls.
I especially thank those who volunteered in the Fruit-Vegetable Hall; exhibitors and children who entered such fine specimens; those who donated their monetary winnings to the fair and exhibitors who left their prize produce for the food bank.
Karen Kuster and Susan Moon collected, transported, sorted and delivered 100 pounds of produce from fair entries to our food bank.
Thank You!
Maria Small
SJ County Fair
Fruit-Vegetable Superintendant
Posted August 21, 2013 at 9:09 am by Tim Dustrude
Please mark your calendars and join us: Our Annual Customer Appreciation Event hosted by The BBQ Shack & Islander’s Bank
“Stuff The Bus” School Supply Drive (donations are appreciated but not required)
School supplies for our students are so important to their excitement in learning!
Your support makes a difference for our teachers too!
Posted August 21, 2013 at 8:23 am by Tim Dustrude
You remember from a couple months ago reading about Clark Gilbert running in the relay going across the United States? Well he’s not done yet – check this out…
On May 30th, Clark Gilbert started on a running journey that would change his life. Leaving Vernal, Utah at 6:00 am, Clark ran 167 miles, along highway 45, to Steamboat Springs, Colorado – all in 7 days. His journey was a part of the MS Run the US Relay which began on April 12 in Los Angeles, California and will finish on September 6 in New York City, New York.
The Relay’s purpose is to raise awareness and money to better understand multiple sclerosis and to find a cure. The Relay includes 16 runners who ran a marathon each day of their segment.
Clark is at it again. On August 31 he will leave Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania and run to Fort Lee, New Jersey. Stopping at the shore of the Hudson River, overlooking New York City, on September 4. His total mileage, after 5 days of running, will be close to 150 miles. This will be the last long segment of the Relay before the grand finale, where Ashley Kumlien (MS Run the US Relay organizer) runs while pushing her MS stricken mother, and joined by other relay runners, up and over the Hudson River into downtown New York City.
Clark is doing this to support conquering a disease that affects many people in San Juan County, as well as throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“I am running to serve others” said Clark. “There are too many who can’t walk through their homes without some type of aid. These are who I think about when I feel like I can’t run another step.”
Visit www.runhappyrunhard.com for up-to-date information on Clark’s second run as well as his writings from his first adventure.
To donate to help develop an understanding and find a cure for MS, please visit www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/msruntheus/clarkgilbert.
Posted August 21, 2013 at 8:12 am by Tim Dustrude
Rich Hughes (L) and Peter Moe (R) sign the Transfer Station agreement – County Staff photo
The San Juan Council unanimously approved a contract with Orcas Recycling Services (ORS) to provide solid waste and recycling handling services at the Orcas Island Transfer Station. ORS and San Juan County Public Works expect that ORS will begin operations in September.
ORS will take over all solid waste operations at the transfer station and provide services to both individual self-haulers and the franchise hauler, San Juan Sanitation. The contract is for a period of five years and can be extended by the County in five year increments for up to twenty years. ORS is initially offering lower disposal rates, so self-haulers on Orcas should see an immediate decrease in their costs.
ORS will be making improvements to the facility both in the near and long term. Immediate improvements include installing new signage, minor traffic improvements and a new tarping station for the transfer trailers. ORS is also planning on eventually building a re-use facility on the site and first expects to complete a site master plan. ORS has not yet proposed a schedule for construction of the re-use facility.
Those with questions regarding ORS and its new operations may contact Pete Moe at petemoe [@] gmail [.] com or 360-298-2600.
Posted August 20, 2013 at 7:23 pm by Tim Dustrude
Debbi Fincher sends this request to you…
In preparation for a Celebration of Life for John Buck this Saturday, August 24 at 2pm, at the Fairgrounds, I would like to ask for photographs you’d like to share of John through the years to be used in a slideshow at his Celebration of Life gathering. I have created a special gmail account for these photos to be emailed, so the family may keep them together and have access to them for years to come. If you would like to send along your favorite photos of John, the email is
johnbuckphotos [@] gmail [.] com.
In addition, you may drop off CD disc or USB media stick at Sam Buck’s office, Coldwell Banker. Please put your name on them, if they are to be returned. Your time and memories are greatly appreciated. Your outpouring of love and support for the Buck Family is beyond words. Thank you for sharing your treasured moments with us all, Debbi
PS. If you can add the year and names of others in the photos, I think the family would really benefit from that as time goes by:) Please send them as soon as possible. Thank you.
And here’s the info for Saturday:
Celebration of Life to share memories, thoughts and laughter.
Saturday, August 24th, 2013
2:00 PM at the Fairgrounds
Vegetarian Potluck
No meat, fish, fowl, eggs or any foods containing them such as gelatin and lard. Dairy O.K.
Those that touch our lives stay in our hearts forever.
Posted August 20, 2013 at 3:40 pm by Tim Dustrude
There will be a Special Port Commission meeting this Wednesday, August 21st, at 4pm at the San Juan Island Yacht Club to discuss the recent fire at the Spring Street Landing building (The Downriggers building).
This post is updated to include the Meeting Agenda:
1. Action Items:
2. Additional citizen comments/requests.
3. Executive Session- Pending litigation
4. Adjourn
Posted August 20, 2013 at 11:57 am by Tim Dustrude
Bob Stavers photo
Judy Chovan shares this announcement with you…
Help us name the point. When the sun sets, the point of land to the east of Eagle Cove glows golden. I am sure many islanders have had the opportunity while on Eagle Cove Beach to see this phenomena. While Eagle Point borders Eagle Cove to the west, the point of land bordering the cove to the east is as yet unnamed. This is the point in the two photos below. We have a proposal before the Washington State Committee of Geographic Names to name this point ‘Golden Point’. If this is a name that you would be in favor of, we could use your help. Please send a brief email to: [email protected]. The contents can be as short and sweet as:
I support the name of Golden Point on San Juan Island (San Juan County). The deadline to receive your emails is 01 September 2013.
Alex Shapiro photo
Please contact Judy Chovan if you have any questions or concerns at judy [@] letsimagine [.] com. You can also contact Caleb Maki at the number below for additional information.
Washington State Committee on Geographic Names
1111 Washington St. SE, PO Box 47030
Olympia, WA 98504-7030
360-902-1280
[email protected]
Posted August 20, 2013 at 11:08 am by Tim Dustrude
This note just came in from Richard Daly, the cheesemonger at SJI Cheese:
We are excited to invite you to our first winemaker event! Winemaker Justin Basel from Foundry Vineyards in Walla Walla, WA is coming to San Juan Island Cheese to present and offer tastings of his wines. Each wine will also be paired with one of our cheeses.
An inspirational blend of wine and art, Foundry Vineyards is one of the finest wineries in Washington. Their tasting room doubles as a gallery and sculpture garden showcasing some of the spectacular artwork coming out of their Foundry.
Founders Mark and Patty Anderson founded the Walla Walla Foundry in 1980, and over the years have collaborated with great artists such as Jim Dine, Deborah Butterfield and Robert Arneson among many others.
To conclude the evening, Eric Eisenhardt, Research Curator and Soundwatch Program Coordinator for The Whale Museum, will give a short presentation. Soundwatch is The Whale Museum’s program which promotes responsible boating around the endangered Killer Whales.
Attendees will have a chance to win a day on the water with Soundwatch!
DETAILS:
Saturday, August 24th, 5-7pm
$20/person
Since seating is limited, reserve your spot early!
Please call, e-mail richard [@] sjicheese [.] com, Facebook, or stop in to sign up. Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you
Posted August 20, 2013 at 10:01 am by Tim Dustrude
An international town hall meeting, will be taking place simultaneously on either side of the Kinder Morgan tar sands tanker route through the Salish Sea on San Juan Island, WA and near Victoria, BC.
Kinder Morgan’s plan to build a new tar sands pipeline to the coast and proposals to increase coal shipments from ports on the Lower Mainland and the US could turn the Salish Sea into a major corridor for fossil fuel exports. A massive increase in tanker and coal ship traffic would drastically raise the threat of a catastrophic oil spill that would devastate the marine environment, coastal communities, and the regional economy.
The ocean, the marine life it supports, and our shared atmosphere that are all threatened by these proposals don’t recognize the Canada-US border. In our opposition to these shortsighted, climate-changing projects and our advocacy for a better, cleaner future, we must also treat the Salish Sea as a single region, and that means organizing across jurisdictional boundaries.
Join us on Wednesday, August 21 to learn more about fossil fuel export proposals that will affect the Salish Sea, what’s happening on both sides of the border to protect this region, and how you can get involved.
When: Wednesday August 21, at Noon
Where: Lime Kiln Lighthouse, San Juan Island, WA
Find more info on Facebook
Presented by:
Wilderness Committee
Georgia Strait Alliance
Friends of the San Juans
www.salishseaaction.org
Contact for more info:
[email protected]
360-378-2319
[email protected]
250-516-9900
Posted August 20, 2013 at 5:59 am by Tim Dustrude
At the conclusion of the 2013 San Juan County Fair, volunteer Zach Fincher reached into the glass jar that held names of all contributors at the San Juan Island Community Foundation’s booth – and drew out the name of Helen Sawyer!
That gave Helen the opportunity to select the nonprofit beneficiary of a bonus $1,001 from the Foundation. Because she wanted her contribution to benefit the local economy, she chose the Career Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for islanders who wish to pursue a new career or upgrade their skills for their current job.
Donations received at the Fair were matched 50% by the Foundation. Thanks to the generosity to well over 100 fairgoers, over $20,000 will be granted to the eight projects featured this year.
The Community Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to all who made this event so successful.
Posted August 20, 2013 at 5:55 am by Tim Dustrude
Coco Montoya is set to mesmerize islanders with his icy-hot guitar style and soul-reaching vocals on Saturday, August 24 at 8:00 p.m. at San Juan Community Theatre.
Mentored by legendary bluesman Albert Collins, Montoya went on to become the guitarist for John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers for ten years before leading his own band and earning him the W.C. Handy Award for “Best New Blues Artist” in 1996. Billboard Magazine has said of Montoya: “In a world of blues guitar pretenders, Coco Montoya is the real McCoy. Be prepared to get scorched.”
A self-taught guitar slinger who plays with an emotional intensity few string benders possess, he plays left-handed and upside down in the style of Albert King and Jimi Hendrix. He’s been averaging 200 gigs a year all over the world, cultivating fans with his intense music and warm personality.
The Business Partner for the concert is Whidbey Island Bank. Tickets are $28 for adults, $14 for student reserved and $5 student RUSH at the door. The SJCT box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased on-line at www.sjctheatre.org
Posted August 20, 2013 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
Meet “Calamity Jane”. This beautiful, long-haired lady came to the shelter almost a year ago and, being a bit shy, immediately took to staying on one of the highest perches in Kamp Kitty. Subsequently, she hasn’t had many opportunities for affection or human interaction, and is usually over-looked by folks looking for a new cat companion. For a long time, we actually thought she was anti-social and preferred not to interact with us.
We’ve recently had all of our cat walks lowered so we (and our wonderful volunteers) can spend more time with our shy guests, and to our amazement we find that not only is Calamity Jane a gorgeous girl on the outside – she is equally gorgeous on the inside! She adores gentle attention and purrs and will rub your hand with her head.
If you have a quiet household and some extra room for this lovely lady, stop by the shelter to meet her. 111 Shelter Road. We’re sure you’ll be smitten by her sweet nature and beautiful soul. Calamity Jane is about 8 years old.