Pet of the Week

If you liked Tyrone, last week’s Pet of the Week, you’ll also fall for his brother, “Chester”, shown here.  Like his brother, Chester is about 8 months old and a Chihuahua mix.  The boys are pretty bonded and have so much fun playing  together, we would love to see them go to the same home, if possible.  They’ll need some training and lots of T.L.C. to get them through the rest of their “puppyhood”, so if you’re looking for a fun Summer project and two wonderful new family members,  stop by the shelter and meet these  adorable boys!  111 Shelter Road.

A temporary fix – WSDOT rendering

There may be a temporary span across the Skagit River for Interstate 5 by mid-June…

Check out this article on Crosscut.com.

How many kitty-cats do you know that go kayaking? Even here in the San Juans? (and no – if you duct tape them to the deck it doesn’t count). I’m guessing you can easily count them on one hand or less. But look at this one. Kirsten took him out for a sea cruise and he was totally diggin’ it. Steven K. Roberts of Nomadness.com fame posted this Sunday evening on Facebook. Thanks Steve!

Humpback Whale breaching in San Juan Channel just outside of Friday Harbor – Photo by Kevin Culmback, Naturalist, San Juan Safaris

San Juan Safaris shares this incredible photo from their Whale Watch & Wildlife Tour aboard MV Sea Lion. This humpback breached over 30 times, and traveled right past Friday Harbor in San Juan Channel. The photo was shot by Naturalist Kevin Culmback. Thanks for sharing!

Matt Colony is the new chef at Rumor Mill

Oren and Peggy Combs have a new chef! Matt Colony has returned to Friday Harbor after several years away. You may rembember him from 2006 to 2008 when he worked at various places including Friday Harbor House and the Front Street Ale House.

He’s here now at the Rumor Mill using his talents and skills learned at “Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute” in London, where he studied in the mid 90’s. He is updating the menu to include more locally and seasonally available foods and seafoods, but also to maintain efficiency and consistency on the menu.

The Frits Building is not long for this world

A couple of items here sent over from Phyllis at Public Works:

1. The county has scheduled the demolition of the Frits building, across from the Courthouse on Second Street, to begin on Tuesday the 28th of May with completion by the 31st. The original building was a kit home from the Sears Catalog. With no foundation, significant decay and an assortment of hazardous building materials, the safest and best action is the careful demolition and disposal of this building.

2. The San Juan County Courthouse Parking Lot is about to get a facelift, or better stated, a “Lift of Chipseal Rock.” The parking lot, including those spaces around the theater, will be closed on Friday evening the 14th of June and is expected to reopen on the 26th. These dates are subject to change based upon weather conditions. During the closure no driving or parking will be permitted. Any vehicles remaining on Saturday the 15th will be towed. The Town of Friday Harbor has agreed to allow longer than posted parking hours on the courthouse blocks of 1st and 2nd street.

The Flooring Showroom at Island Wholesale Products’ new location on A Street across from Serendipity Books

Let’s see what’s happening around here…

More TripAdvisor awards – Becki Day mentioned that Vinny’s Restaurant also won a Certificate of Excellence Award, and  Pete and Erin Ancich of San Juan Excursions as well. San Juan Excursions is entering into its 21st season and running daily tours out of Friday Harbor.

Tom Ashcraft is looking for some help:
Needed, a responsible, mature person able to work independently and multi-task. Part time, year round job with flexible hours.  Some heavy livting involved… must have a valid drivers license.  Call Tom at 317-7420

And Island Wholesale Products has a new showroom. Here’s a press release from new location manager Mary Haselow:

Business News Announcement

Island Wholesale announces a major expansion of flooring sales & services to the San Juans. They have taken over the flooring showroom at 278 “A” Street in downtown Friday Harbor that was formerly Island Port and Home Port prior to that. Two years ago, IWP (Island Wholesale Products) moved their location from Tucker Ave to 849 Spring Street. IWP will now feature windows, doors, cabinets & other building products from the Spring Street location and offer carpet, hardwood, tile & stone at the “A” St. location.

Mary Haselow at her new digs

Island Wholesale has been selling flooring on a limited basis for over 10 years and, with the return of Mary Haselow last fall, has been working at expanding these offerings when the opportunity came to take the “A” Street location. They now have greatly multiplied their product lines and displays in the new showroom including some specialty “green” products. IWP will compete with mainland pricing. IWP will feature at least one product every month at a true “blow out” price as a monthly special and will give a special offer to anyone who visits our “A” Street showroom this summer.

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This is the last week of the Historical Society’s events for Heritage Month 2013. Click here to see their flyer with dates and descriptions. (PDF)

Mariya Porten, speaking for Shann Weston’s family, sends her thanks to you…

Last Friday night, May 17th, our family was the recipient of a fundraiser organized to assist my mother, Shann Weston with her medical costs as she undergoes treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The event was incredible for our family on so many levels.

We were so speechless seeing all of your talents on display – the quality of the auction items, the cooking and baking, the art and homegrown flower displays, the organizational cohesion, and musical talent, was staggering. And interwoven with your many talents is an altruistic spirit that can lift up and carry a family during the toughest of times. It is a rare and special gift our town has.

There was fun at the fairgrounds that night, and lots of it. Every single person in that building was someone we are always lucky to spend time with, and to have you all together at once, well, that was a plain honor. We are so lucky and so blessed and so appreciative to share an island with all of you. The fundraiser was a poignant and beautiful lesson in community involvement and we are rejuvenated by your love and support. With very full hearts, we will be trying to pay it forward.

Thank you for all your contributions, generosity, time, effort and talent. Know that every bit helps as my mom moves forward with her treatment. We are forever grateful.

– The Porten-Weston Family

The Port of Friday Harbor will participate in this year’s National Marina Day on June 8^th with a “Welcome to the Water” Marina Festival. Islanders and visitors are encouraged to discover or be reacquainted with the fun times of the boating lifestyle.

The Port’s festival will be held from 10am to 3pm on Front Street, directly behind the Port Office, and on the docks closest to shore. There will be a seafood chowder cook-off, a marine swap meet, live music and children’s activities. The Port will also have a raffle fundraiser for the Friday Harbor High School Sailing Team and the Friday Harbor Power Squadron will offer free vessel safety inspections.

This is a fantastic opportunity for island citizens and visitors who don’t have a boat to get out on the water for free. There will be free dinghy, kayak, paddle boat and electric Duffy boat rides—all provided by Friday Harbor Marine for this special event. The Port intends to make this waterfront festival an annual occasion, so stop by and get out on the water!

L to R: Leah Altman, Jeff Altman and Ricarda Burnett in front of the new restaurant

Remember where Bistro Garden was over on Web Street? Jeff Altman is opening a new restaurant there called The Greenhouse Cafe and he’s planning to open the doors for business the first week of June.

To start with, they will feature fresh juices bottled every morning, vegetarian and vegan lunches – Wraps, Salads, Soups, homemade Tortillas, Pizzas, Pastas; lots of good stuff like that – and they’ll be working towards doing breakfast as well in the near future.

His daughter Leah will be in charge of juices and smoothies. Ricarda will be assuming chef duties, that’s them in the photo – Leah on the left, and Ricarda on the right.

And don’t worry – Pin Pin Apparel (Leah’s other business) will be open daily. Leah will be there 2 days a week. And Ricarda will still be doing her wooden goodies at the farmers market as well. Jeff will be assisting both of them at the new restaurant.

San Juan Island Fitness has completed conversion of the islands only public access, year around pool to a Salt PureÒ pool.

“There are a lot of benefits to this conversion” says owner, Paul Hopkins.  “After months of research, it became clear that this is not only a good business move, but something I had to do for the health of those who use the pool.  I have heard all of the positive comments I read in the vendors marketing material, from ‘it feels smooth’ to ‘I can breathe easier’.”

While there is chlorine in the pool as a disinfectant, it is generated rather than added.  The “free chlorine” is at or greater than state required levels, but the “combined chlorine” (bad stuff) is lower and generates little if any off-gasses.

San Juan Island Fitness is offering free one-day trials through June 30.  “We want to make sure people are happy with the water before they make any sort of commitment, especially those with chlorine sensitivities” according to Hopkins.

For more information or to comment, please e-mail saltpool [@] sanjuanislandfitness.com or call 378-4449.

The Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River in Mount Vernon has collapsed and dropped into the river. Apparently caused by an oversize-load vehicle hitting the steel girders. Here’s KING 5 News with more…

Have you seen me?

[Editor’s note – the post has been updated to correct the email address below]

Everyone please watch for “Skipper” a very large tan dog that has gone missing from the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor shelter.  If you see him please go up and give him some directions on how to get home.  He is very friendly and may have a little token of appreciation for your thoughtfulness!  He loves hugs and it would also be helpful to snap of photo of you and him together that you can post on the APS-FH Facebook page or email to our address at:  pets2homes [@] interisland.net .  Then we can track his whereabouts to help bring him home safely!

A full list of well known celebrities are on their way to San Juan Island.  It’s the 27th Annual Islanders Bank San Juan Island Celebrity Classic John O. Linde Memorial, at the San Juan Golf and Country Club, May 31st and June 1st. Local non profits help to put this fun event on and everyone is invited to come out to the traditional Salmon BBQ. The BBQ is cooked by the talented John Vevjoda and his team. 400 lbs. of Alaskan salmon is being donated by San Juan Seafood’s once again. Tickets are $25.00. That dinner, and the fun raising auction, annually attended by nearly 400 friends and neighbors, will again be in the big tent out at the golf course starting Saturday night – 5pm for appetizers donated by our generous local restaurants and the salmon dinner at 6pm.

This year many of the Artists of the Island Artist Studio Tour are contributing to the silent and live auction. The live auction is one not to be missed! A few of the great items are an autographed 12th man Seahawk Jersey, Mariner tickets, and the big auction item –  airfare (provided by Alaska Air) to Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico for a week long stay the Grand Mayan, on the shore with nine swimming pools and steps to the Jack Nicklaus golf course.

The winning team will enjoy having their names posted on the John Linde Memorial Plaque hanging at Islanders Bank. This in tribute to our much loved Judge who gave this community so much and always played in the tournament.

The Celebrity Golf Classic and Salmon Barbecue has a star studded cast and is taking shape for a thrilling weekend! Visiting stars Meeghan Black, KING TV, Jesse Jones, KING TV, Craig Terrell, former Seahawk, John Alyward, Sonny Sixkiller, former Husky, Dick Baird, Husky Coach Team, Percy Allen, Seattle Times sports writer, Joe Tafoya, former Seahawk, Kerry Carter, NFL/CFL player, Lisa Morretti, pro wrestler, Mike Gastineau, Radio, Jeff Aaron, Radio, Alonzo Mitz, NFL, Dave Grosby, Radio, Jim Moore, PI/Radio To Go Guy, Merillee Rush, singer, Billy Mac, Nesby Glasgow, former AFL player

For dinner tickets contact Becki Day, 360.298.0458 or [email protected].

Sailing is an activity that once learned people can enjoy for a lifetime and living on an island can provide a lifetime of opportunities to sail! This summer Island Rec has plenty of opportunities for people 8 and older to learn to sail!

Choose from a one week or two week class, Monday through Friday all through the month of July.  Early discount fee is $140 and generous scholarships based on income eligibility are available for San Juan Island children.

Also offered is a basic class for teen and adults and a special two-week class for those who cannot get enough sailing!  Pre-registration and completion of float tests are required.

Register online at www.islandrec.org, or stop by Island Rec at 580 Guard Street M-F, 1-5pm to register in person.  Visit Island Rec’s website or call Island Rec at 378-4953 for more information.  Don’t delay in registering as these classes will fill up soon!

Island Rec’s Learn to Sail program is in partnership with the San Juan Sailing Foundation.