Well what did you expect with all this sun and no rain?

The latest word from Fire Marshal Steve Marler is that fire danger in San Juan County is now “MODERATE”.

While visitors and residents of San Juan County enjoy the beautiful warm weather, fire officials are keeping a wary eye on the increasing risk of a wildland fire. Based upon fuel moisture readings observed around our region, all of the County’s fire danger signs now point to the yellow “MODERATE” range. Fire officials ask that everyone be very cautious with recreational fires and outdoor barbecues. Recreational fires must be no larger than two feet in diameter, centered within a six foot diameter clear area. Recreational fires must never be left unattended, and should be fully extinguished before leaving the area.
Fire officials will continue to monitor the fire risk, and may have to increase the category to “HIGH” within a few weeks if the current weather pattern continues.

Some of the recent paintings on display outside of IMA’s new home. Click for larger version

A call to join in the fun! Community groups, families, and individuals can help the San Juan Islands Museum of Art decorate their new home.

This is a fun summer project which began on Saturday, July 6th and continues for seven consecutive Saturdays throughout July and August 2013 from 11 – 4 PM. Our inspiration is IMA-Visions of the Future! Plan your mural around this theme in any manner you and your group wish to!!

Families and Community Groups of all ages are welcome. Explore your creativity!! Gather your ideas and your group for hours of painting fun right there on Spring Street. Come and see for yourselves!! Join in the fun!! Bring some paint and brushes and the rest will be provided. We will provide the 4 ft x 8 ft plywood to be your canvas.

Don’t miss this fun, on-going summer art project. The painting will take place in front of our new San Juan Islands Art Museum (the old EMS building) at 540 Spring Street.

Families and Community Groups of all ages are welcome. Explore your creativity!!

Our sincere thank you to our generous community sponsors Browne Lumber and Office Supplies Plus.

Connecting people with art that inspires, challenges, enlightens and educates is the mission of the IMA, which offers diverse programs, services, and experiences for youth, adults and artists. The IMA is a registered 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.

For more information on this event email admin [@] sjima [.] org Continue Reading

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It’s this Saturday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Grange. Michael Karcher will be calling with “Cobbler”, a contra dance combo of fiddle and guitar from Seattle.

No partners needed. All dances taught. No experience necessary. $10/person donation (students half price). For more info call 378-3836.

Two master island musicians share classical styles during San Juan Community Theatre’s Night Music Summer Concert Series on Friday, July 19.

From Bach to Bossa brings together cellist Sasha von Dassow and pianist Sonja Zarek, (both wowed the audience in this spring’s More Melodious Notes Over the Harbor concert) as they play together inside the intimate Gubelman Theatre.

Von Dassow recently returned to the Northwest after 22 years in Florida where he was a member of the cello section of the Florida Orchestra and was music director and conductor of the North Port Symphony. Zarek has provided musical direction in several SJCT productions, played piano in many island classical concerts and was an accompanist to violinist Andor Toth, founder of Chamber Music San Juans.

The Night Music series continues weekly through August 8, with a variety of musical styles showcased. The live music starts at 8:00 p.m., with a social hour in the Steele Memorial Garden (complete with special chocolate desserts, wine and beer available for purchase) from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Each evening is limited to 70 guests; all tickets are $10 each per concert.

The Business Partner for the series is Islanders Bank. The SJCT Box Office is open Tuesdays-Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and one hour before any performance. Call 360-378-3210, or surf to www.sjctheatre.org.

Deanna at the Port has this note for you:

Hello,
Please be advised the regular Port Commission meeting scheduled to take place on July 17th is cancelled.

Thank you,
Deanna Eltinge

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Kyle Loring invites you to the Trails meeting:

Dear Trails Enthusiasts,

Has the blue skied monotony of the San Juan summer gotten you down? Then come on in out of the sun’s glare and join us for the monthly Trails Committee meeting this Wednesday (July 17th) at the Whidbey Island Bank meeting room! The meeting starts at 5 p.m. Topics of conversation will include, but not be limited to, an English Camp update from Park Superintendent Lee Taylor and an update from Steve Ulvi on the Hospital Trail.

Best,
Kyle Loring
PS: Even if you find yourself enjoying these dog days of summer, they are forecast to continue indefinitely, so you can enjoy 90 minutes indoors completely guilt-free. Or your money back!

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Nick Power has a PANCAKE invitation for you:

It is that time of year again!!
Please let your readers know that on Saturday and Sunday July 20 and 21 from 7AM until noon the San Juan Island Firefighters’ Association is going to hold its annual Pancake Breakfast at the Old Town fire station on the corner of Second and West Streets.

Come enjoy hot cakes and ham and share a cup of Joe with your friendly local firefighters!

Thanks,
Nick Power
President, San Juan Island Firefighters’ Assn.

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And Pamela Hutchins has this hospital board announcement:

Hello All,

The San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 board meetings have been changed from the third Wednesday of every month to the fourth Wednesday of the month except for conflict with Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Pamela Hutchins
Superintendent, San Juan County Public Hospital District #1

Deb chose a basket to contain & suggest the services she offers, but I think she should have used an iceberg… Many of us know Deb as a touch therapist & life coach. Some of us also know Deb as a versatile actor who’s been in a dozen shows at SJCT, as well as Madame Arcati in Island Stage Left’s “Blithe Spirit.”

What most of us don’t know is that Deb used to act, sing & do voice-over work professionally…

Click here to read more.

ThisIsOurTown.com is a glimpse of the people and businesses that shape the personality of Friday Harbor & San Juan Island. It is a project of Dustrude Photography.

Charley is about as much fun as you can fit into one dog! He’s a big happy guy of lab/shepherd heritage who would make an excellent family dog. He’s about two years old and has lots of energy and loves to run and play. He’s very personable and affectionate, and eager to mind his manners and fit in. He gets along well with dogs of all sizes and seems to be just fine around cats as well. He’s house-trained and has lovely manners – can you find a place in your home and heart for Charley? Stop by the shelter to see if you can resist his charm – 111 Shelter Road, Friday Harbor.

Lorraine McConaghy, award-winning author and historian for Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), will involve audiences in the lives of Civil War settlers in Washington Territory during Territorial Voices: A Civil War Reader’s Theater scheduled for 7 p.m., Saturday July 20 at the San Juan island Library. The program is free. Call the park at 360-378-2240, ext. 2233, or the library at 360-378-2798 for more information.

McConaghy’s talk is the second in the summer program series, Connections: The Far West and Civil War, which explores the relationships between the American Civil War, the San Juan Islands and Pacific Northwest. All programs are scheduled at the San Juan Island Library, except for the Life and Times of General George Pickett, which is next slated for August 7 at the San Juan Community Theatre.

The five remaining library programs—scheduled at 7 p.m., July 20, August 2, 3 (7:30 p.m.), 10 and 17—are free of charge, thanks to a $500 grant to the library from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Continue Reading

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San Juan Islanders and visitors from around the nation are invited to comment on San Juan Island National Historical Park’s revised compendium of federal regulations, which reflects important changes in regulations pertaining to visitor use, according to park Superintendent Lee Taylor.

In order to monitor horse use, assess impacts, and inform riders about park resources permits are now required for all horse use in the park.  In the past those riding in the Mitchell Hill area were not required to have a permit.  The National Park Service expanded access this year to include several trails not previously open to horses. “We’re limiting the number of permits so we can track any negative impacts and adjust as needed. We’ve already issued all available horse permits for this summer,” said Taylor.

The other change in regulation pertains to the 34 acres of property acquired on Westcott Bay. “We’re developing a plan for the recreational use and preservation of this area,” said Taylor. “In the interim shellfish harvesting is not allowed on the newly acquired tidelands.”  Planning will include determining whether there are archeological resources or fragile plant or animal life that could be damaged by shellfish harvesting.  Park visitors may still dig for clams at English Camp between the dinghy dock and the previous park boundary.

The compendium is posted on the park’s website. Look for the link in the farright column of the homepage, or go directly to the Laws and Policies section here. Citizens have 30 days to comment before the new compendium goes into effect.

Comments about the compendium may be submitted in writing to Superintendent, San Juan Island National Historical Park, PO Box 429, Friday Harbor, WA 98250; or via the “Contact Us” link in the lower left column of the park web site home page. Superintendent Taylor also is available by appointment. Call (360) 378-2240, ext. 2223.

The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild is pleased to announce the launch of a new community event, SUNDAYS@BRICKWORKS, from 12 to 4pm every Sunday through September 1—at of course, Brickworks, in the heart of Friday Harbor.

As an eclectic gathering of food producers, gardeners, artists, crafters, services, musicians, performance artists, children’s projects …. you name it .… the event complements Brickworks hosting of the Friday afternoon Friday Harbor Art Market and the Saturday San Juan Islands Farmers Market.

Both individually and collectively, these three weekend events reflect different aspects of the Ag Guild’s commitment to sustaining, fostering and nurturing a vibrant, resilient and healthy island quality of life. Sundays@Brickworks adds another dimension to the facility’s growing role as a centrally located venue for both residents and visitors to share the bounty of the islands, meet up or mingle with family and friends, or even just pass the time while waiting for the ferry.

To sign up, or for further information, about this new event, contact Jane Burton Bell at sundays [@] fhbrickworks [.] com. For more information about Brickworks in general, see www.fhbrickworks.com or email info [@] fhbrickworks [.] com.

San Juan Island artist Jim Nollman starts with digital photographic images of Marine animals and transforms them with hours of digital manipulation to create sonic images. Sonic? Yes, he also is a whale researcher and uses sound waves to communicate and record with whales (http://interspecies.com/). This theme appears in his artwork on metal plate and canvas.

He also is a talented musician. Opening reception this Saturday from 4 – 7 pm at Gallery 9. Music by Jim, wine and snacks.

• When: 7/13/13
• Where: Gallery 9 / 60 First Street/ FH, WA
• Time: 4:00- 7:00 pm
• Artist: Jim Nollman

133D Army Band Performs at Music on the Lawn, next Wednesday, July 17

133D Army Band is really two bands! The 11- piece Brass Patriots will perform music varying from early Baroque to New Orleans Street Band music. They will be followed by General’s 7 Dixie Band complete with horns, drums and a banjo with a play list ranging from standard Dixieland tunes to Johnny Cash! Come out and hear the troops! Go to www.islandrec.org or call Island Rec at 378-4953 for more information. Bring a picnic dinner. Pets and alcohol are not permitted. Sponsored by IPS, Islander’s Insurance and FANS, (Families and Neighbors support Island Rec.)

July 17 6:30 – 8:15pm, Island Rec’s Music on the Lawn, FREE Summer Concert Series. 405 Price Street, San Juan Island Historical Museum

Here’s what that yacht that burned at Roche Harbor looked like on Thursday morning…

Click for larger version – Kevin Holmes photo

Victoria Compton of the Economic Development Council sends over this invitation to local business owners:

Dear All,

The San Juan County Economic Development Council would like to know how your business is doing in 2013. Please visit the survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JH7JQMS

Please forward or publish this link to anyone you know with a business in San Juan County.

Thank you,

Victoria Compton
Executive Director
San Juan County Economic Development Council
360-378-2906
[email protected]
www.sanjuansedc.org

85 foot Ocean Alexander yacht burns at Roche Harbor marina – Kevin Holmes photo

Emergency Responders were dispatched to a $4.5 million 85-foot fiberglass yacht fire at Roche Harbor Marina on San Juan Island Wednesday at 10:14 a.m.

“The biggest challenge was that firefighters could not get to the seat of the fire,” said Fire Chief Steve Marler with San Juan Island Fire Rescue. Firefighters went onboard the boat to extinguish from the dockside, while the Fire Boat Confidence sprayed water on it from the water side. At times, firefighters and the fire boat had to retreat because of the heavy black smoke that filled the air. The Lime Kiln Café was closed and became a rehab center for the firefighters and a refuge from the smoke.

The Ocean Alexander yacht was on display and for sale in the marina.

There were no injuries and the fire was contained to the one boat.

Click here for more photos. Continue Reading

This is a picture from last year’s book sale, showing a cashier measuring books to charge by the inch

It’s coming soon!  The Friends of the Library’s summer book sale will be held on Friday July 19 and 20  at Friday Harbor High School’s Turnbull Gym. The sale starts Friday July 19 at 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Friday’s opening is limited to current members of the Friends of the Library. Not a member yet? Memberships can be purchased at the door for as little as $10. On Saturday, July 20, the sale is open to the public from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. All year, the Friends have collected books and media donated by community members, as well as library discards. This event has been held every year since the group was organized in 1980 as a non-profit group dedicated to raising money for library programs and equipment not covered by tax dollars.

This is a chance to snag some real bargains on a large selection of used books and to support the library at the same time.  This year, there will be a special sale of the library’s full collection of unabridged books on cassette tapes. Most books are sold at $1.50 an inch, measured along the spines. Media, mass market paperbacks and specialty books are priced separately. All proceeds will support this year’s programs and special equipment purchases.

If you miss the sale, the Friends of the Library sells quality used books year round at its Treasure Cove sales corner and the Bargain Book Case at the library, just to the right of the main entrance. There is also a paperback book sales rack at the ferry terminal if you are caught in a long line with nothing to read. All proceeds go to support the library’s programs and for special equipment needs.