Our island’s 8th annual Relay for Life is coming up, and you don’t want to miss it. Here are the basics from event chair Elisa Howard:

The beginning of the Survivor’s Walk a couple of years ago…

WHEN: Start at 3pm on Saturday, July 28th and ends 10am on Sunday, July 29th.

WHERE: Friday Harbor High School Track- 45 Blair St., Friday Harbor, Washington

HOW: To join Relay for Life, visit www.relayforlifeoffridayharbor.org or contact Relay for Life Chair, Elisa Howard at 360-317-6453.

WHAT/WHY: The Relay is a community activity that raises money towards fighting cancer. All proceeds of the event go toward the American Cancer Society, which in turn works to educate, advocate, provide services, and most importantly, do scientific research. There is a balance of fun and gravity, and a positive outlook is maintained throughout the event.

WHO: All community members, from the young teens who want to walk all night to the wise non-sleep deprived participate. Parents walk with young children, grandmothers and grandfathers can sit at the booths or walk as they wish. No matter what, one member of the team must always be walking.

So what’s up with this year?

There are currently 13 teams, which is well on the way to the goal of 20 teams and raising $60,000. More team members are always welcome; you can join an existing team, start your own, or donate to the cause by going to www.relayforlifefridayharbor.org. You can also become a sponsor; contact Jackie Woodwell, our American Cancer Society Partner, at jackie.woodwell(at)cancer.org.

The theme for this year is (drumroll…) Magic of Relay.  There will be themed laps, games, and all sorts of fun.

If you know you can’t stay the whole time but want to be there for a specific part, check out this schedule:

3pm- Opening Ceremonies

4pm-Survivor Walk (caregivers also)

After this is finished the relay itself starts.

10pm-Luminaria Ceremony begins (the track is lit up with candles in memory of those who died of cancer, who currently battle it, and and those who have won the battle)

8am-Fight Back Ceremony

10am-Closing Ceremonies

So please sign up, remember to sleep in the day before, and I’ll see you at the Relay!

A group of concerned islanders gathered for a private event that discussed the impact of the local Planned Parenthood, what has been accomplished by the national Planned Parenthood Federation, and what islanders can do to help support our community’s Planned Parenthood health center. 

Cecile Richards, the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, came to the island for the first time…and I got to meet her! With us are MBPP Board members Andrew Garcia (left) and Caleb Sanders (middle right) .

Here are some of the facts for 2011 solely from the clinic here in Friday Harbor:

– they served 371 islanders last year, 300 of which were from San Juan.

– Services included clinical visits (primarily for the distribution of contraceptives), education, preventative testing for breast and cervical cancer, and checking for STIs.

– 47% of people seen fell into the lowest income level ($931.00/month)

On a broader scale, here were a few things that may be of interest:

– One of five people in America go to a Planned Parenthood, and one of eight babies in San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties are born to Planned Parenthood patients. One of 17 people living in San Juan, Whatcom, or Skagit counties received a service from MBPP last year.

– Women’s preventative health care and family planning had not originally been a part of the Affordable Health Care Act. Planned Parenthood played a huge role in successfully pushing for an amendment that included this care for all women in America. Starting August 1st, 2012 all birth control is covered on health plans and specifically allows women to forgo the copay requirement when purchasing contraceptives.

– Of the million and a half online followers who joined Planned Parenthood last year, half are male.

Interested in helping Planned Parenthood stay open in Friday Harbor?

The simple answer is make a donation to help pay the rent so Planned Parenthood, a nonprofit organization, can continue to see patients on a sliding scale charged on their ability to pay. Currently the clinic is open for one day of the week (Thursday). If you are interested in volunteering on a regular basis with confidentiality in mind, please email Linda McCarthy at linda.mccarthy(at)mbpp.org, who oversees the Planned Parenthood health centers for all three counties.

Don’t want to volunteer but want to stay informed? Linda also has an e-newsletter, so email her to be put on the list.

Author David Kirby is coming to the island today…..

This evening is an important event – Friday Harbor is on the booksigning tour that accompanies the release of the book Death at SeaWorld.” The event is at Friday Harbor House at 5pm – here is more information from the publisher about the book & author, as well as a review by Update book reviewer Rainah Sandstrom – see you there.

DEATH AT SEAWORLD, by David Kirby
Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity

From the New York Times bestselling author of Evidence of Harm and Animal Factory comes DEATH AT SEAWORLD (St. Martin’s Press; July 17, 2012; Hardcover) a groundbreaking scientific examination that exposes the dark side of SeaWorld, America’s most beloved marine mammal park.

From the tragic death of trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010, to other, less-publicized violent incidents, journalist David Kirby puts these brutal animal-on-human attacks in context and explores the controversial and even lethal ramifications of keeping killer whales in captivity.

DEATH AT SEAWORLD introduces the real people taking part in this debate, from former trainers turned animal rights activists to the men and women that champion SeaWorld and the captivity of whales. Kirby follows the story of Naomi Rose Ph.D., marine mammal scientist for The Humane Society of the United States and senior scientist for Humane Society International, whose warnings against keeping killer whales in captivity fell on deaf ears.

He also covers the media backlash, the eyewitnesses who come forward to challenge SeaWorld’s glossy image, and the groundbreaking OSHA vs. SeaWorld case. On May 30, 2012, the judge ruled on this case, stating that trainers performing with huge ocean predators need to be protected by physical barriers, or some other means providing the same level of safety.  The strict standard could effectively prevent SeaWorld from ever allowing its trainers to get back into the water during shows with the whales.

David Kirby

Kirby also introduces the reader to various killer whales, also known as orcas, (who are actually the world’s largest dolphins) and how they rarely, if ever, harm humans in the wild and are among the smartest animals in the world.

He can discuss the following shocking points:

¨ There are no records at any time in history of wild orcas seriously attacking or killing a person, but in captivity, aggressive acts against trainers are not uncommon, sometimes ending in severe injury or death.

¨ Some 15% of all orcas ever held in SeaWorld’s collection have been involved in acts of serious aggression against trainers, a dismal safety record that would never be tolerated in other industries.

¨ Orcas at SeaWorld have lunged at trainers, pulled them in the water, held them at the bottom of the pool, head-butted them, slammed them with tail flukes and breached on top of them.

¨ The 12,000 pound Tilikum – the world’s largest captive predator – killed Canadian trainer Keltie Byrne in 1991, attacked Daniel Dukes, a man who snuck into the tank in 1999 but did not make it out, and brutally killed trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.

¨ To date, SeaWorld has spent $65 million since Dawn Brancheau’s death on high-tech safety features such as quick-rising false bottoms for pools and emergency “spare air” oxygen systems for orca trainers at the Shamu Stadiums in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio.

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DAVID KIRBY is the author of Evidence of Harm, which was a New York Times bestseller, winner of the 2005 Investigative Reporters and Editors award for best book, and a finalist for the New York Public Library Helen Bernstein Award for Excellence in Journalism, and Animal Factory, an acclaimed investigation into the environmental impact of factory farms. His work has been featured on Anderson Cooper 360, O Magazine, NPR.org, and many other outlets.  He lives in Brooklyn, New York and is available for interviews this summer.

You can learn more about DEATH AT SEAWORLD on
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeathAtSeaworld

Let’s take a quick look around:

Winnie Brumsickle

• Winnie and Leah have opened a new handbag and clothing shop called Momentum Handbag (Winnie’s part) and Pin Pin Apparel (Leah’s) at the old Griffin Bay Bookstore location, just down from The Toy Box. They even have an option to design your own handbag!

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Mario Villanueva, state director for the USDA’s Rural Development department, awarded almost $50,000 to the Rural Enterprise Business Grant Award. This is the portion for San Juan County; three counties in total will benefit via the Tri-County Rural Job Skills Training & Business Education Network.

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It’s today! Don’t miss out…

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Death at SeaWorld, by David Kirby

I asked Update book reviewer Rainah Sandstrom to read David Kirby’s new book & see what she thought – here is her perceptive & thoughtful review of this just released book (The Update received a review copy a couple of weeks ago). Here’s more:

In Death at SeaWorld, Kirby tells the spellbinding story of the two-decade fight against PR-savvy SeaWorld and the tragic death of trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010. Kirby puts that horrifying animal-on-human attack in context. Kirby supplies scientific arguments against keeping these titanic marine mammals in confined tanks, but depicts the reader into the poignant correlation we should have with these highly intelligent mammals.

There are three segments, or slices of the book. In the first slice, Kirby gives concise biographies of individual whales and while he might personify captive whales a bit much, he also gives an enormous amount of information about wild Orcas.

The next large slice of the book is following Jeff, a trainer at SeaWorld. He starts out loving SeaWorld, but it gradually dawning on him that the Orcas are suffering just as you would suffer if you were kidnapped from your home, put you in a space about a 100,000 times at least smaller then what you are used to and then are fed to do tricks for a crowd.

A third slice of the book is following the Orcas themselves, in particular Keiko, of Free Willy fame, which should hit close to home as it was filmed locally, and his horrible treatment and the games that were played in trying to free him.

Rainah

I particularly enjoyed this book. It is certainly not a fiction read but the jargon & scientific language  is very clear and understandable. It reads very much like a novel to the point when you are staying up later then you should to finish it.

I interned for two summers at the UW Marine Labs so I felt particularly close to the argument of wild marine life in cages because I have studied numerous marine life in the wild and I firmly believe these creatures should stay in the wild and only a few cases should be withheld in captivity.

I was not particularly familiar with all the issues regarding captive whales prior to this book. While Kirby is obviously an advocate of one side of the issue, he makes strong arguments that has led me into research detailing on SeaWorld and other aquariums reasoning to put creatures behind tanks. While some organisms like fish and anemones serve well in tanks, creatures with high intelligences such as whales or octopi should not be held in captivity. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in zoos, aquariums, sea life or scuba diving. It’s a good one.

Some of us are old enough to remember – sitting up into the middle of the night to watch the astronauts walk, for the first time, on the moon. Some of us can only look at the black & white pictures & hear the stories from older folks. But it was the beginning of a new connection with myth & legend…here’s Carl Sagan, remembering & celebrating where we went & where we can go:

It started as three young kids from Spring Street International School going to Yakima for a Washington State Preventative Health Summit. It has since become a group of five called Rock Solid, with representatives from SSIS,  Lopez, and one home schooler.

It was too rainy to paint the rock, but that didn’t stop kids from having a fun time expressing their own story and recording their time together on a sheet.  It attracted quite a crowd at Spring Street…photo by Debbi Fincher

These five people have committed to stay drug-free and help their community make healthy choices. This year they partnered with the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, helping bring Kenya Masala and Rachel’s Challenge to the island. Their current project is called Choice and Consequences, which is a drug education program run by an RN that shows kids the comparison between healthy and damaged organs. Still a work in progress, they are meeting with the principals of SSIS, FHMS/FHHS, and FHES to arrange the schedule of events for 6th-9th graders.

Rock Solid will be fundraising at the SJIPC fair booth and is looking for sponsors. Islander’s Bank and the SJICP have both generously agreed to help, but more money is still needed to make the program a reality. If you’re interested in finding more about Choice and Consequences (be sure to check out the testimonials), click here.

Recently retired Town Administrator King Fitch tells me he’s been pretty busy since he stepped down at the end of June after 25 years…I caught up with him and Pam (left) at Pelindaba as they were showing visitors Mollie & Shannon around the island earlier this week.

Let’s see what else is going on:

• Georgia tells me this will be useful – drop by!

 Accountant Don Cooper will be giving a talk about handling estates at the Mullis Center at 2:30pm on Thursday, July 19.  The CPA will be giving an overview of state and federal taxation upon the estate holder’s passing as well as discussing “the role of the personal representative executor of an estate.

It’s free and open to the public by sponsorship of the Mullis Center Advisory Committee.

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• Remember the band that played last week & did all the Beatles’ songs? Creme Tangerine packed the place (and more) here on the island for Island Rec’s Music on the Lawn a week ago, and last night packed CenturyLink Field in Seattle, playing before & after the Seattle Sounders’ game. From here, to there….

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A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream plays this weekend….

• How did the weather treat shows on the island? Roy Rogers played in the Community Theatre & the lightning made it an acoustic set (the show goes on!)

Meanwhile, Shakespeare is awesome:  Rebecca tells me a fox ran between the chairs during Thursday’s show (and the actors weren’t fazed at all)…Brenda Beckett tells me Island Stage Left’s A Midsuumer Night’s Dream is great:

“I saw Saturday’s performance out at Roche, and my suggestion is to catch it early in the run, because you will probably want to see it at least twice.  It is absolutely delightful and completely hilarious.”

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Alison’s book is here!

• Alison Johnston Lohrey‘s new book is here! She’s have them tonight at the Art Market at Brickworks – here’s more:

Hi, Ian!

My new book, “Thyme in my Pocket” has just arrived and I will be signing and selling it at the Friday Harbor Art Market this thursday from 5:00-8:00pm and all the rest of the summer there. I will have a Book Release Celebration and probably a signing/reading at Griffin Bay or the Library soon.

Thyme in my Pocket is a visual memoir of four splendid seasons spent in the rural French countryside. In word and watercolor, artist and writer Alison Johnston takes the reader on an intimate journey home to a country of heart, to a sense of place. In the tiny stone villages of southern France, she lived her dream, born during a six week summer art study in nineteen seventy-nine where she contracted “La maladie des pierres.” Translated as falling helplessly in love with stone, within which one lives and breathes and creates in these timeless villages, she has happily never recovered. For a magical year she and her cycling husband and musical son lived, wrote, painted and played, nurtured by the art, language, music, and most significantly, the cross-cultural friendships which blossomed.

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• Anna Lisa tells me there’s a special at Duck Soup Inn before the show, when you’re on your way to Shakespeare:

Gretchen is offering a complimentary fruit cobbler (with custard sauce) to any diner that comes into the restaurant before heading out to Island Stage Left’s presentation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

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The series starts this weekend…

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• Hey, you know that lost Prius key we mentioned earlier this week? Libby Oswald tells me it & its owner are re-united….cool!

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• Elizabeth Anderson at the County knows there are a lot of questions about solid waste & the direction we’re headed – here’s a chance to catch up:

Monday, July 23, 2012: San Juan Island Library Meeting Room 2-4pm

Public Works Director Frank Mulcahy will host an open, informal discussion group to answer questions about the upcoming changes for San Juan Islanders to the garbage and recycling collection system.

Frank will be prepared to talk about current timelines and activities. Questions are welcome.

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• I love the thoughts that Laura & the staff type up & put in the Griffin Bay Bookstore window – always makes me stop & think, especially when it’s one of my favorite people, Dr. Zinn:

Pertussis is rearing its ugly head once more; the San Juan County Health Department has confirmed separate case on Orcas and San Juan. My hardworking mom, or officially the Personal Health Services (Nursing) Manager, Susan Leff  has all the answers…

Unfortunately this isn’t the first run in we’ve had with Pertussis recently, there was a big outbreak last fall. Let’s not get sick when the weather is so beautiful (or preferably at all)…

Not sure if that nasty cough is Pertussis? 

“Trust your instincts” is the recommendation from one family who is struggling with coughing spells of Pertussis. If you are concerned that you or your child’s cough is not going away, don’t wait; call your health care provider and ask to be tested for Pertussis. You can listen to what the cough sounds like here, but in general if the coughing worsens and lasts for 7 days or more with gagging for breathing difficulties, it’s most likely Pertussis. Even if you feel fine between coughing spells, it doesn’t make you any less sick.

Protecting yourself and those around you…

The SJ County Health Department has the Tdap vaccine available on a sliding scale. Pertussis affects people of all ages which is why the vaccine is recommended for all adults as well as a booster for adolescents at 10-11 years of age.  Young children need three immunizations and two booster doses to be protected.

I’m a healthy adult, why should I get vaccinated? 

You know how fast word travels around the island? It’s even faster with germs. You or someone around you may realize they are sick for a few days, which is when the virus is most contagious. To help protect people who can’t receive the vaccination such as infants, it’s very important to get vaccinated yourself, especially if you spend time with young children. Besides, the needle part itself is over before you know it, whereas you can stay sick for weeks if you catch Pertussis.

So…you want to stick a needle in my arm? Does it even work?

In the straight numbers, the vaccine is 70% effective. That means for every 10 people vaccinated and exposed, only 3 will get sick. But one thing that percentage doesn’t reveal is that of the previously vaccinated people who do contract Pertussis, the illness is less severe. Their symptoms will be shorter and they have a reduced risk of more serious outcomes.

For information about Pertussis or for low cost Tdap vaccine, please call the your health care provider or San Juan County Health Department at 378-4474.

Hope you like the color purple, because it’s going to be everywhere! With 25,000 plants flowering, Pelindaba Lavender is excited about their biggest event of the year (and a favorite San Juan Island tradition!) Amelia has more:

The 11th Annual San Juan Island Lavender Festival is happening Saturday – Sunday of July 21-22, 2012 from 10am-5pm. Free admission and parking!

There’s going to be all sorts of cool stuff such as handcrafted products, demonstrations, exhibits, crafts, treasure hunt, coloring contest and other activities for kids, local artisans, massages, self-harvesting, lavender ice cream, lavender baked treats, picnics and local marimba music in the fields and more for you to explore!

They’re also going to be extending the festival festivities online July 16-22 with special pricing…don’t miss out!

The Orcas, Lopez and San Juan Island Chambers of Commerce along with the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, San Juan County Economic Development Council, Northwest Workforce Development Council and Scenic Byways have jointly developed and embraced a concept called the “Island Friendly Spirit”. 

We do love to see Mt. Baker across the water…

Let’s dig a little deeper…

It all started with an online survey last year with over 160 responses from organizations and residents around the county asking what would be the most important attributes the San Juan Islands could improve upon to make this a better place for our businesses, residents and visitors. The clear answers were to communicate Island values, inspire island businesses and organizations, and ultimately strengthen our Island’s reputation for providing outstanding customer experiences for each other and visitors in our archipelago called the San Juan Islands!  The key themes are:  1)We put people first , 2) We keep our word, 3) We exceed expectations, 4) We are Island stewards, 5) We are Island ambassadors.

Thanks Steve Hushebeck for sharing this!

I looked at the trailer for the movie “Old Goats” above, and I think you’ll get the idea – this is going to be fun. Check it out…here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith and the theatre:

Star Struck in Friday Harbor: A SJCT FUNdraiser

What do you get when you combine a beautiful Northwest ocean-view property, island gourmet cuisine and a trio of older gentlemen who just happen to star in a made-in-Washington motion picture that you get to watch at an exclusive Friday Harbor screening?

What you get is the Theatre’s summer FUNdraising event on Sunday, July 22 at 2 pm.

The afternoon starts in the Whittier Theatre with a private showing of Old Goats. Written and directed by Taylor Guterson, a native of Bainbridge Island, the film is set in and around Seattle, and is an often hilarious and heartfelt story of three older men who refuse to go quietly into the night of old age and retirement. It features three local actors: Bob Burkholder, Britton Crosley and David VanderWal (David also lives in Friday Harbor and is a SJCT Trustee!), each playing themselves. The film has been seen all across the United States and has won many awards at several film festivals, including the Seattle International Film Festival.

The three “old goats” will attend the screening and will be available afterward to meet with guests. Then the “old goats” and everyone will be shuttled to the home of Roger and Claudia Salquist for a late afternoon and evening soireé, overlooking the stunning San Juan Channel. Delicious food from island favorite Market Chef, champagne, musical treats and dancing will complete this one-of-a-kind gathering. San Juan Island photographer Mark Gardner will also be on hand to help preserve your evening with the stars.

For more information, contact Development Director Tanja Williamson at [email protected]

Lita Gislason and a few youth group members from Mt. Lake Terrace took a break from their chalking of the cement and posed for a picture…

• There may be quiet before a thunderstorm, but it definitely wasn’t quiet after! Calvary San Juan hosted “Joy for Jesus” in Sunken Park, which attracted locals and tourists as they swing danced to live music, enjoyed facepainting, and all sorts of other games.

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• Splash of Summer Color Weekend is fast approaching, and the Chamber of Commerce is full of opportunities!

The Street Art Fair in front of the courthouse  is full of local artists, food, music, and much more! That happens Saturday on the 21st, while the Lavender Festival is on the 22nd. Here are some ways to help support the event…

Have some time and knowledge to spare? There are vacancies on the Board of Directors and a volunteer position to assist in the Visitor’s Information Center Fridays 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Please consider helping the Chamber and Visitors with your knowledge and expertness. Call Tom Kirschner, Executive Director at 378-5240 to lend your help.

Have something more materialistic? The Chamber is seeking raffle donations to offset the cost of the Street Arts Fair. They are also looking for sponsors for the event. This is a great opportunity for businesses to get their names out there…email Rebecca Parks at rebecca(at)sanjuanisland.org

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New B&G Friday Harbor Liquor Store owners Pam and Pali Gill. They’re new to the island, so it’s time to pull out the welcome mat…

Pam and Pali aren’t the only new owners in town: the Wharfside B&B has new owners too… Laura and Eric Concord! Stop in and say hello…

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• Join us at Lavendera Massage for their Third Thursday Community Health Night this Thursday, July 19th, from 7-9pm. Enjoy a free 15-minute clothed service including chair massage, energy work, intuitive card readings and more. Located at 285 Spring Street Friday Harbor.

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The new online mag….

• Val Curtis and her East Coast friend Kathy Radigan just started an online magazine just for moms. Called Bonbon Break, it’s got categories spanning everything from Playroom to Mom Cave…check it out!

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• The Friends of the Library’s 33rd Annual Summer Book Sale kicks off this Friday from 6pm-8pm in the Turnbull Gym for members (membership can be purchased for $10 at the door) and Saturday opens to the public from 10am-2pm. Here’s more from Barbara Sharpe:

Islanders look forward to this opportunity to browse the large selection of used books, take home some real bargains, and support our library’s programs. All proceeds go to provide funding for programs and equipment not covered by tax dollars. Throughout the year, the Friends receive donated books from the community and discards from the library’s collections, pack them for storage, and bring them out for the sale. There is something for everybody if you like to read, and all proceeds support the library.

There is also a big need for volunteers to help set up and take down the sale, and all volunteers are welcome to free books! Contact Marilyn Dayton, 378-3475, or Birgit Kriete, 378-3972 to sign up.

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Kevin Loftus tells us that Secretary of State Sam Reed stopped by the Historical Museum last week! Secretary Reed is a history buff and has a special interest
in historic preservation. He toured the grounds and enjoyed many aspects of the museum, including our recreated historic one room schoolhouse. In the photo he sat down at a school desk and wrote his name on a (new) old-fashioned slate.

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• Lose your cars keys recently? Bill at Cafe Demeter wanted you to know he found some:

An electronic key to a Prius was found near Cape San Juan at the end of Jakel’s Lagoon Trail; the American Camp Visitor’s Center has it stored in their office.

Past opening concerts for Island Rec’s Music on the Lawn have been considered great successes with 375 attendees. Last week, there were over 500!

Happy audience members danced away the evening…

What made it so appealing? 

Oh right, they played Beatles music. The weather wasn’t too shabby either. There was dancing, singing, and family fun for everyone as the audience rocked out to Creme Tangerine.

Ready for the second week’s installment?

Ravin Wolf will be performing on July 18th, bringing with them “acoustic rock-fusion guitar grooves, swampy slide, stellar harmony and world-class lead guitar alongside their own roots of blues and folk jam-rock originals.”

No need to sign up – just follow your ears to the Historical Museum on Wednesday evening from 6:30-8pm. Please no pets or booze.

A big group of Friday Harbor folks just came back from a mission trip to the Dominican Republic! Now that the jet lag is wearing off, it’s time to approach and welcome everyone home. 

The whole group worked hard on making a cement floor among many of the other projects…makes you appreciate the little things.

The trip was led by Vic and Monique Woodard and lasted around two weeks for most participants. Friday Harbor Middle/High School Principal Fred Woods even got to practice his Spanish! You can read all about it here.

Vinnie Carter made a new friend…