Pet of the Week

Posted June 21, 2013 at 5:34 am by

Meet Charlie - this week's Pet of the Week

Meet Charlie – this week’s Pet of the Week

This adorable poodle-guy is Charlie.  He’s about 8 years old and a great dog!  He’s full of energy and loves to play, but he’s also very well-mannered and a very good lap dog, too.  He’d make a great addition to just about any family and would love a second chance at finding his forever home.  Stop by the shelter at 111 Shelter Road to meet him.

Position Available

Posted June 21, 2013 at 5:33 am by

stewardship-logoThe Stewardship Network of the San Juans is seeking a part-time coordinator to begin July 15, 2013.  SNSJ is a diverse coalition of organizations who envision a healthy, thriving ecosystem in the San Juan Archipelago from land to sea.  The position assists in collaborations between network organizations, facilitates monthly meetings, helps coordinate annual events, and helps maintain an active membership.  A full position description is available at:  http://stewardshipsanjuans.org/employment .

The position is 15 hours/month. To apply, send a résumé and letter of interest by July 2, 2013 to (stewardshipnetwork [@] gmail.com)

Junk in the Trunk

Posted June 21, 2013 at 5:25 am by

Got some good quality junk laying around that you’d like to transform into cash? Or maybe you have the cash but you’re in need of some good quality junk?

Check out the 1st annual Junk in the Trunk flea market coming up on July 6 at the Fairgrounds…

Click to enlarge poster

Click to enlarge poster

Chinmayo and Sun Rise Neighborhood

Posted June 20, 2013 at 5:40 am by

Longtime Update reader and supporter Lee Sturdivant sends over this story about local artist Chinmayo and the San Juan Community Home Trust. Thanks for sharing Lee!

Click to see it larger

Click for larger photo

“I brought up her name at our board meeting: Chinmayo has applied to purchase a home in Sun Rise, and everyone suddenly applauded.” Not the usual reaction at an often serious-minded San Juan Community Home Trust meeting, recounted Nancy DeVaux, Home Trust Executive Director.

That reaction springs from the enthusiasm and happy energy the well-known community artist brings to her new island address and adventure. Because homeowners at Sun Rise are required to put in “sweat equity” by working on landscaping, Chin’s vision, leadership and energy are a perfect fit.

chinmayo“Of course this garden is small, I think that’s perfect. And see this water feature I’m building?”

It’s the centerpiece of a small garden with circles of rocks, perennials, shrubs, shells, even fruit trees, outside her new home. There is also a view over the gravel pit to Griffin Bay as she works . In the usual Chimayo fashion, she has already recruited the young boy next door as her helper. She is also looking to reach out to others in the Sun Rise complex to share her latest visions.

“Wouldn’t it be great to get together and build a trellis all around this place – I think that could help keep the deer out, don’t you? Although I do think we can grow enough fruit for the deer and for us,” she exclaims. Continue Reading

Reserved Parade Seating

Posted June 20, 2013 at 5:35 am by

Fourth of July Parade Reserved Seating for those with special needs

The Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church deacons will set up reserved seating in front of the church for seniors and those with special needs.  The restroom facilities inside the church and at 395 Spring St. (house next door to the church) are handicapped accessible and will be available.  Chairs with “Reserved” written on them will be placed along the sidewalk. Spaces will be available for wheelchairs also.  Please call the church office with your name and number of guests needing reserved seating for the parade.

Call 378-4544 for more info.

Open Burning Season Ends This Month

Posted June 20, 2013 at 5:32 am by

Just got this notice from Steve Marler, Fire Marshal:

burn-season-ends

All Residential and Commercial burn permits will expire as of the end of June. Recreational fires (two feet in diameter or less) are still allowed as long as they’re contained within a suitable fire ring.

With the changing of the seasons, Washington’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that they will be issuing their state-wide burn ban effective July 1st. It is expected that the burning restriction will remain in place until October. Each year, San Juan County follows the same schedule as DNR, recognizing that even with our mild climate and beautiful green landscapes, the risk of a damaging or life-threatening fire rises with the great summer weather that we all enjoy.

As things dry out, please remember to be very cautious with any open flames. Always make sure that a recreational fire is completely extinguished before leaving it unattended. As Smokey Bear says: “If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave”.

More information is available at www.sjcfiremarshal.org and www.dnr.wa.gov or by phone at (360) 378-3473.

Only a Few Needed This Time

Posted June 20, 2013 at 5:29 am by

A note from the Trails Committee:

A big thank you to all that have come out to work on the Hospital Trail!! Great progress has been made these last few weeks. Next Saturday, June 22nd, Trails is in need of only a FEW “experienced” trail builders, as there is a youth group coming to do trail work Saturday & Sunday. Lots of workers, so just need a few leaders. Again. 9 – 12, bring extra shovels and a wheel barrow if possible. RSVP or questions, send an email to (cpiemna [@] rockisland . com).

Building Community Among the Generations

Posted June 19, 2013 at 5:48 am by

Do you remember the Spring Swing & Sock Hop event that was at Mullis Center in April? Well Debbi Fincher just sent over a note describing the book they created from that and other related events. Here’s Debbi with the story:

generations-01Rock Solid Youth Group & SSIS Middle School Students created a project to help build community among the generations. The culmination of events was the celebration we had at the “Dance of the Ages” AKA Community Dance we did in April, now we are seeing the fruits of our labor from the built in layer of the Smithsonian Oral History Interview Project we did in their History & Language Arts classes at SSIS. Eleven local elders with long ties to SJI were selected and our youth interviewed them for this book. We found new friendships, new respect and common interests among the generations!

The SJI Community Foundation grant made the project financially possible and the SJI Prevention Coalition has sponsored our Rock Solid Youth at various Prevention Summits where we gained new ideas, new skills and the confidence to go forward and make a difference in our community. If you want to see a copy of the book, we have donated copies to the SJ Historical Museum, The Village at The Harbour, The SJI Prevention Coalition Office and the San Juan Library.  We plan on a reading later this fall to invite the community to hear the rich and entertaining stories.

Our interviewees are:

  • Fiona Norris
  • Florence & Mel Harrison
  • Gary Gero
  • MaryJean Cahail
  • Gordon Steele
  • Tom Eschelman
  • Noble Starr
  • Bob Fritz
  • Edith Dickenson
  • Frank Buchanan
  • Kitty Roberts

Ask them about it if you see them in town. We thank everyone involved to make this a wonderful experience and successful project.  Thank you, Debbi

Click here to see more photos… Continue Reading

Free Soccer Clinics

Posted June 19, 2013 at 5:38 am by

Screen Shot 2013-06-18 at 10.47.24 AM

FREE Drop-In Soccer Clinics June 22 

Island youth get the chance to work on their soccer skills during free drop-in clinics on Saturday, June 22 at the Friday Harbor Elementary School fields.

Families and Neighbors Support Island Rec (FANS) and Challenger Sports are sponsoring the clinics, aimed at children ages 3 to 12.

Coaches from the British Soccer Camp program will lead the program.  The clinics run from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for ages three to five; 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for ages six to eight; and 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for ages nine to twelve.

“We started these clinics last summer and they were a great hit!” said FANS president Cathy Kromer.  “They’re also a fun preview of the British Soccer Camps that take place later this summer.”

No registration is necessary for the clinics; however, parents should arrive about 15 minutes early to sign waivers.  Island Rec is taking registration for its British Soccer Camps in July and Tetra Brazil soccer camps in August at www.islandrec.org.

Family Art Days

Posted June 19, 2013 at 5:34 am by

Family-Art-Days

Family Art Days at San Juan Islands Museum of Art

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (IMA), in partnership with the Friday Harbor High School Leos, is again providing a series of art workshops on Saturdays during July and August (except County Fair weekend). Children and their families will have the opportunity to create wonderful works of art under the guidance of local artists. The fee for each workshop is $2 per person.

This year the Family Art Days will be held in the orchard adjacent to the new IMA building at 540 Spring Street (the old EMS building). Look for the balloons and banners!

FAMILY ART DAYS – drop in between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • July 6 – Tie-Dye T-Shirts
    Learn tie-dying techniques to create colorful designs on plain white t-shirts.
  • July 13 – Charcoal Artistry
    Explore the medium of charcoal art.
  • July 20 – Friendship Bracelets
    Create your own friendship bracelet using twine, beads and special add-ons.
  • July 27 – Dream Catchers
    Incorporate twigs, sticks, and recycled jam lids, with twine to weave a webbed “Dream Catcher”.
  • August 3 – Shadow Boxes
    Make Shadow Boxes with objects illuminated from behind to create images on the front.
  • August 10 – Printmaking in Nature
    Use a hand-cranked printing press, to produce lovely frameable pictures out of assembled items from nature.
  • August 24 – Magical Wands
    Have fun creating your own Magical Wand. Let the enchantment begin!

A special thank you to the generous sponsors of the IMA Family Art Days:

  • Platinum Benefactors: Jay & Suzy Wakefield
  • Gold Patrons: Doug & Barb Ray
  • Silver Sponsors: Leo J. Shapiro & Assoc.; JBG Farms Corp.; Gerlock-Johnson Donor Advised Fund
  • Bronze Sponsors: Olympic Lights B&B; Earthbox; Office Center; Roche Harbor Resort
  • Supporters: Matt & Maureen Marinkovich

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.

Media Contact: Darleen Nixon, 360-317-6182

Lakedale Triathlon

Posted June 18, 2013 at 5:40 am by

triathlon

Lakedale Resort is hosting its first Three Lakes Triathlon on Saturday, June 22nd. It will include:

  • an Olympic Triathlon
  • an Olympic Relay Team Triathlon
  • a Sprint Triathlon
  • and a Sprint Relay Team Triathlon

Beginning at 8:00 am, triathletes will gather at Lakedale Resort to undertake a swim on the property’s Neva Lake, along with bike and running routes that will traverse around and across the island.

Registration and details are available online at Lakedale.com.

Thursday at the Rumor Mill

Posted June 18, 2013 at 5:25 am by

rumor-mill-logo

They’re having a Widmer Brothers “6 Course Beer Dinner” event at 6:00 PM Thursday at the Rumor Mill.

Oren says: “Chef Matt Colony has put together an amazing 6 course dinner to highlight these great seasonal brews from Widmer Brewing.”

Seating is limited so advance reservations are required. Get on their Facebook page or call 378-5555.

Vote Counting Equipment Test

Posted June 18, 2013 at 5:20 am by

County-Logo

Vote counting equipment testing on June 21 at 10:15 a.m.

A “Logic and Accuracy” test of ballot tabulating equipment used in San Juan County for the August 6, 2013 Primary is scheduled for June 21. The test works by tallying the results of a prepared set of ballots to see if the results match the votes cast. The test will take place at 10:15 a.m. in the Elections Office located at 55 Second Street, Suite A, in Friday Harbor.

A representative of the Secretary of State’s Elections Division will be present for the test. The test is performed before every local, state or federal election to ensure that tabulation hardware and software equipment are compliant with Washington State rules and will accurately count the votes.

All interested members of the public are invited to observe.

This is Our Town: Amanda Thiel

Posted June 17, 2013 at 5:54 am by

amanda-thiel

This is Amanda Thiel of Isla Botanica, a company she founded in 2009. She handcrafts delicious tea blends and herbal health and body products using herbs grown on San Juan Island using original recipes based on age-old traditions of plant use. The garden is located on the 120 acre Talking Horse Ranch and produces over 30 species of medicinal plants which are featured in teas, tinctures and other products such as medicinal salves, aromatherapy spritzers and more.

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.

Haida Totem Installed at Library

Posted June 17, 2013 at 5:40 am by

totem

Click for larger image

An unusual carved totem was installed in the San Juan Island Library on Thursday, June 13. The sculpture depicts Eagle with Three Chiefs. The 91” tall totem was carved by noted First Nation carver, Robert Horn, circa 1940. Horn (or Horne) was from a family of well-known carvers.

The totem base is an unusual side facing eagle: the eagle’s talons point east while the head faces south. The eagle is surmounted by a group of three chiefs, recognized by their three-ringed hats. A cluster of chiefs represents the Haida Watchmen, an ancient society entrusted with guarding Haida Gwaii, the ancestral home of the Haida Nation, according to Totem Poles by Pat Kramer.

The library received the totem as a bequest from Patsi Daugherty. Patsi was a good friend of the San Juan Island Library, volunteering in the Friends of the Library Treasure Cove store. She loved books and libraries. Prior to her passing at age 86, Patsi lived for a time at the Village at the Harbour, where the totem previously graced the foyer. Continue Reading

To Protect Life and Property

Posted June 17, 2013 at 5:34 am by

Congratulations to Michael Ahbel, Daniel Frymire, Erin Graham, Brandon Baney and Maverick Blake, for completing San Juan Island Fire Rescue's wildland firefighter driver class. Off road driving is just one of the skills needed to complete the Wildland Firefighter course.

Congratulations to Michael Ahbel, Daniel Frymire, Erin Graham, Brandon Baney and Maverick Blake, for completing San Juan Island Fire Rescue’s wildland firefighter driver class. Off road driving is just one of the skills needed to complete the Wildland Firefighter course.

San Juan Island Fire Rescue is grateful to Roche Harbor Highlands, Roche Harbor Resort and Friday Harbor Marketplace for providing practice areas for this course.

The committment of our volunteers and our community’s support is truly astounding.

The 2013 Wildland Firefighter class will be held the last two weekends in June-22-23 and June 29-30.  For information on joining this class and  San Juan Island Fire Rescue, go to www.sjifire.org