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Local Students Recognized By State
 (Ula Grace -Contributed photo)
Congratulations to Ula Grace and Eden Light [photo not available] , two Stillpoint School students who were chosen as state semifinalists in the 2013 Letters About Literature program! Ula, a graduating 6th grader, and Eden, a 5th grade student, were chosen from approximately 3,400 students in Washington State to be selected as state semifinalists.
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Oil spill Readiness Plan Approved
A Washington State Maritime Cooperative's (WSMC) oil spill readiness - or contingency - plan that helps ensure that large commercial vessels can mount a rapid, aggressive and well coordinated response if they spill oil in state waters, has received its final approval from the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology).
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The Orcas -and “Granny”- Are Back
( J30 with great-grandmother j2 and younger sister J37 (Photo by Astrid van Ginneken, Center for Whale Research )
One more sign of the changing seasons is the return of J-pod to San Juan Waters. While numerous media outlets are reporting an announcement from The Center for Whale Research that the Orca have returned,
Elizabeth Batt wrote an Op-Ed in the Digital Journal that brings up the troublesome fact of captive whales , and their shorted life span, as may be the fate of Tokitae, aka: “Lolita,” currently living in a small tank in Florida.
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Lett, Myhr & Bogert Reelected, Mulligan Resigns From OPALCO Board
 (George Mulligan -OPALCO photo)
The successful OPALCO (Orcas Power & Light Cooperative) candidates for board membership were incumbents Jim Lett and Bob Myhr for District 3, and John Bogert for District 4. The final vote counts in District 3 were: Karp - 974, Lett - 1,188, Myhr - 1,499, Gonce - 440, and Lewis - 728. In District 4, the unopposed incumbent John Bogert received 1,855 votes.
In a related matter, current board member George Mulligan resigned after five years of service on the board.
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Talks Continue On Aerials
(Example of use of side view aerial photos)
San Juan County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord has been in communication with Pictometry, the company the County Manager signed a contract with for new aerial photos of the County, and reports there is a possibility the company may renegotiate the contract to remove the oblique (side views) of homes and buildings -a part of the contract that has become a tad controversial.
Gaylord said that in the first discussion with Pictometry they stated they were in the process of executing the work described in the contract, and would complete the work, and expected to be paid; however in subsequent conversations there emerged the possibility of altering the contract to eliminate the side views of the county.
Conversations, Gaylord said, are “ongoing.”
Sustain Your Family From Your Land?
( Henning Sehmsdorf on his farm )
Ever wonder if you can sustain yourself and your family from the land you live on? Attend a free workshop Wednesday, May 22, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the S & S Homestead Farm on Lopez Island (2143 Lopez Sound Road) and meet a family that has been doing just that for over 40 years Related Story
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County Manager Choices Down To Two
(//Who Will It Be//? (L to R): Jim Pascale; Michael Pence; Suzanne Sinclair; Michael Thomas, and David Wilbrecht -IG photo)
The County Council met behind closed doors Wednesday to discuss and evaluate the five candidates for the new County Manager position, and were able to reduce down from five to two. Which two has not been made public, and pending their request for more information on the remaining two, a final decision may not be made until next week, but then again...who knows.
Court Upholds Council's Closed Sub-Committee Meetings
(SJC Deputy Prosecutor Amy Vira argues for the County -IG photo)
Island County Superior Court Judge Alan R. Hancock has issued a decision. (pdf 597\k file) in favor of San Juan County in a case involving the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).
The law suit was filed in Island County by Citizens Alliance for Property Rights Alliance (CAPR).
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The New Spring Council Is Sworn In
(Judge Steward Andrew; Bob Jarman; Rick Hughes & Jamie Stephens -IG photo)
On Tuesday morning the rain clouds drifted away and the bright light was back as the Spring Council received the oath of office from Judge Steward Andrew.
READ FULL STORY HERE
County Council May Choose A County Manager This Week
(L to R: Jim Pascale; Michael Pence; Suzanne Sinclair; Michael Thomas, and David Wilbrecht -IG photo)
The SJC Council will go into executive sessions (closed doors to public) on Tuesday for the "Evaluation of Qualifications of Applicant(s) for Public Employment pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(1)(g)."
The Council hosted a series of open house meetings on Monday, May 13, 2013, to give residents a chance meet the top five candidates to be the County Manager. The meet & greet started on Orcas, then Lopez with a wrap up in Friday Harbor.
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Up & Down County Real Estate Mariket
By Merri Ann Simonson
 By Merri Ann Simonson
The first quarter results for San Juan Island were disappointing as the real estate dollar volume was down 22% from the same period in 2012. The number of transactions was down 18%. Orcas, on the other hand, had a terrific first quarter with volume up 73% and a 38% increase in the number of transactions. Lopez and the other islands were just about equal to last year’s first quarter. REAL FULL REPORT (.pdf 186\k file)
Free Trees Day In The County
( Isadora Kinnaman & Isabelle Derksema pick up their trees-IG photo)
Lopez Grange 1060, Orcas Grange 964 and Friday Harbor Grange # 225 distributes free Scotch pines Saturday in the parking lots of grocery stores on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands.
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Friday Orcas & SJI "Free Washington Tour"
the Freedom Foundation "Free Washington Tour". The FF is traveling around the state and providing information about how to be more effective and involved in our State government with the goal of giving the power back to the people (us).
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Bizarre Brassiere Bazaar May 10
All islanders are invited to the Bizarre Brassiere Bazaar, Friday, May 10 from 7-10 pm at Orcas Oddfellows Hall in Eastsound. This dynamic evening will feature variety of splendid donated items: artwork, jewelry, services, gift certificates and more -available by raffles & a silent auction. Proceeds support the Orcas Island Ferry Ticket Fund, an island-wide effort to provide both information and financial help for folks who need off-island medical care, have no insurance, are under-insured or under-employed.
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Not Happy With Aerial Mapping Process
( IT Director Stan Matthew in the hot seat-IG photo)
The County Council placed aerial mapping as a Tuesday discussion item back on the agenda, and with a number of questions and statements from council members, made it painfully obvious to staff they were not pleased on how information had been conveyed to them, on the accuracy of the information, and on the fact the process had moved forward before questions and concerns on the contract had been fully and adequately addressed.
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Thursday Sailing Team Fundraiser
San Juan Island Yacht Club , Thursday, May 9th, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. This evening will be a catered fundraiser for the High School Sailing Team. They have some new energy organizing the team this year and have some lofty goals for the team, gear and regatta schedule so please come along and support the team for 2013!
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New Member Of SJC Bar
(Nick Power sworn in by Judge Eaton -IG photo)
Nicholas Power was sworn in last week by Superior Court Judge Donald Eaton, who noted to those in attendance that at that moment Mr. Power was the newest lawyer in Washington state. However he said, Power had also been a member of the Illinois Bar, and was sworn in by a junior congressman who went on to become our current president.
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No Injuries On Roche Harbor Road
(Ron Garner, San Juan Islands Fire Rescue photo)
No injuries were incurred from a car fire on Roche Harbor Road Monday morning. The call went out to San Juan Fire Rescue at 08:59. The fire was controlled by 09:21. One engine, one water tender, and one rescue unit were on the scene while three other units stood by in headquarters.
The car was totaled and did have the potential of spreading beyond the vehicle igniting the trees beside the road causing a wild land fire situation.
Good work by the department prevented further damage to the environment.
PC Special Meetings On Shoreline & Transportation
The SJC Planning Commission will conduct Special Meetings on Thursday, (5-9-13) and Friday, (05-10-13) in the Legislative Hearing Room, 55 Second Street, FH beginning at 8:30 A.M. Related materials can be found on the Community Development and Planning (CD&P) website at the link listed with each agenda item or at the CD&P office between 8:00 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Special Meetings Agenda items are:
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Fed EPA Regulations: Too Much, Too Little, Or On Track?
A report issued by the Congressional Research Service in April 2013 examines several issues as they relate to EPA and the regulatory actions they have taken over the past several years. The report identifies and briefly characterizes major regulatory actions 16 promulgated, proposed, or under development by EPA since January 2009.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. The report can be downloaded Too MuchTo Little On Track file) (.pdf 516\k file)
FHHS Gold Medal Winner
Friday Harbor High School again achieves Gold Medal ranking as the 5th highest performing high school in Washington State by US News & World Report. US News & World Report ranked Friday Harbor High School no. 5 out of 587 high schools in Washington State, and no. 161 in the nation out of 21,035 high schools from 49 states and the District of Columbia (Nebraska was not included).
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FH Runner In MS Coast to Coast Relay
 MS Run The US, an exciting endurance relay spanning from Los Angeles to New York, has awarded one of its coveted running partnerships to Clark Gilbert (//photo left//), Friday Harbor resident, to take on the 162 mile leg from Vernal, UT to Steamboat Springs, CO with stops in Dinosaur and Craig, CO. He will be running the equivalent of a marathon each day for a total of seven consecutive days in support of MS research.
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Zee & Kendall Busted On Illegal Construction & Land Use
(Zee/Kendall property on SJI -SJI photo)
“We didn’t apply for a permit because we knew it wouldn’t be approved.”
The quote above is what code enforcement officers were told when confronting Ron Zee & Elaine Kendall about building and land use violations on the property they own on West Side Road on San Juan Island.
Both Kendall and Zee are well known, highly visible in San Juan County, supporters of the Friends of The San Juans and very active at various levels of government. Ron Zee was until recently the head of the county Democratic party and a member of the Charter Review Commission, to name only two of the many organizations he is either a member of or an officer in.
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FHHS Track Team In Championship Meet
 (Detail of Willie Blackmon on award stand -see below)
By Herb Mason
This past week several members of the Friday Harbor High Track Team competed in the 1A Tri-District Championship Meet. This meet determines who will qualify to compete at the state meet on May 24th and 25th. The top 6 places in the finals move up to the state meet.
Leslie Cain At WaterWorks Gallery
(Detail -see below- of Trail to English Camp)
May 19-June 3, WaterWorks Gallery, FHr, Solo Show Leslie Cain interprets the Northwest landscape in an exciting new way--using pastels on gessoed board. Artist talk with tour of the show, Saturday May 18 2 PM, Artist reception 4-7 PM.
Candidate Filings Are Complete
The filings are now closed for public office positions in the county, and many of the normal suspects are in evidence, and more than a few are unchallenged, so as of Friday the unchallenged have already “won” their positions.
FH Historic Homes Saturday
.San Juan Island Historical Museum offers an opportunity to step inside some of the unique and history-filled houses on the island, during the Historic Home Tour slated for Saturday, May 18, 2013, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Boredom, Drugs... Trouble
 Friday in FH (5-17-13), Monte Stiles, a former Assistant United States Attorney and state prosecutor, will speak from 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm At Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church: “Through interviews of thousands of drug users, I know that boredom is often cited as an excuse for early experimentation with drugs or other destructive behavior.“
Chelan Taylor Helps Earn National Competition Award
 (Chelan Taylor & UMW business professor Fredrick Chilson)
Friday Harbor High student Chelan Taylor, now a business major at the University of Montana, was part of a team that has earned a second place award in a national case-study business competition in Orlando, Florida
IR New Team Member
 Island Rec is delighted to welcome back last year’s Camp Eagle Rock Director, Diana Feinson as their new ¾ time employee. Diana will be responsible for the operations of Island Rec’s School Out Programs that include, Camp Eagle Rock, during the summer, Study Time and Afternoon Recreation, STAR, during the school year and School’ Out Camps happening during school vacations.
Lopez Electric Car Show
Ever wanted to try out one of those nifty electric vehicles you’ve seen zipping around the island? You’ll have a chance on Saturday, May 18, at the first (annual) Electric and Alternative Vehicle Show and Tell in the parking lot of Lopez Island Body and Fitness (the old supermarket lot). Fair hours are 10 am to 2 pm.
Benefit For Head Start
On May 15, 2013, Skagit Valley College’s Skagit/Islands Head Start will join The Seattle Foundation’s GiveBIG campaign, a one-day, online charitable giving event designed to inspire people to give generously to non-profit organizations -like Skagit/Islands Head Start - that help make the region a better place.
OPALCO Wins Silver
OPALCO’s 75th Anniversary website (www.opalco.com/history) won the Silver Award of Distinction in the 19th Annual Communicator Award of Distinction competition. The website was designed by PixelSpoke (www.pixelspoke.com), a Portland, Oregon based web design and interactive advertising agency - with roots on Orcas Island
Historic Argyle Avenue
Sat., May 11th-A Walk through Time: Historic Argyle Avenue Visit one of Friday Harbor's most important historic residential neighborhoods. The Argyle Wagon Road was built by volunteer labor in 1890. 10am. Meet at Acanthus Antiques, 460 Argyle Avenue.
Fri Fish For Teeth Taco Team
 The Fish For Teeth Taco Team, is gathering steam, ready to serve up their Now Famous Fish Tacos, on Friday, May 10th, from 11:00 to 2:00 at the Ace Hardware parking lot.
Lummi Diver Dies In Griffin Bay
On Thursday, May 9, 2013 at about 10:35 a.m. a 9-1-1 call was received from a Lummi fishing vessel that was approaching the boat ramp at Jackson’s Beach reporting CPR in progress on a crew member.
The Short & The Sweet Of It
( -IG composite photo)
The County Council had a packed agenda on Tuesday, with public hearings, budget issues, new employees introductions, and, saying goodbye to half of the team as a result of the recent changes to the County Charter that reduced the members from six to three. Council members Marc Forlenza, Rich Peterson & Patty Miller (above) say thank you and good bye with -one assumes- mixed emotions.
Assistance Dogs Fund Raiser
(SAD Screen capture photo)
Summit Assistance Dogs , an Anacortes based non-profit that trains highly-skilled service dogs for people living with disabilities, will be holding a fundraising event at the San Juan Island Yacht Club on Saturday May 11 from 3-5 p.m. Learn the what & the how the organization changes lives of people living with disabilities & help raise awareness of the great service they provide.
Leadership Award To SJ Public Schools Foundation
(Back L to R: Tori Zehner, Mike Taylor, Jim Skoog, Paul LeBaron
Front L to R: John Sable, Mary Kingland, Nancy Young, Susan Mazzerela and K Thor Jensen)
On Thursday May 2, 2013 the San Juan Public Schools Foundation was recognized through Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) for their outstanding leadership and contributions to Public Education on San Juan Island.
Must Be Summer
(SJI resident Abgail Mahler performs some zydeco -IG photo)
Blue sky; WSF blasting it's horn to persuade boats to move out of the way; American Cruise Lines announced the 100-passenger American Spirit added seven-night sailings out of Seattle & San Juan Islands to their itinerary as it expands operations in the Pacific Northwest, and music has returned to street corners, but... will our tomatoes grow this year? Hopefully.
Early Music Festival
FH: Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 7:00 PM - San Juan Island Grange (Next to the Legion) tehSalish Sea Trio Sonata performs
Lopez School Improving
Lopez Middle/High School has been awarded a Silver medal for Best High Schools, in the 2013 US News and World Report ranking of the nation’s best public high schools. Lopez ranked #21 in State and in the top 1000 nationally. The school rose up in the rankings from their 2012 rank of Bronze.
Kings Choir In FH Sat
King’s High School Choirs to perform at FH Presbyterian On Saturday, May 4th, the Concert Choir at 7:30 P.M. under the direction of Mr. Bobby Olson,
Islanders Bank Shreding Event
You’re invited to A FREE Spring Shred Event in Islanders Bank FH parking lot on Friday, May 3, 2013 from 10:00 am TO 1:00 pm; or until shred truck is full. Paper documents to be destroyed for FREE. Watch as it is shredded live by our secure vendor. Donations for Relay For Life are gladly accepted
First Report On Lopez Dump
The first quarter report by the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District (LSWDD) highlights some clear successes, a few disappointments, and much work in progress.
Town Celebrates an Old Friend
(Former Cahail home -IG photo)
On Wednesday, May 8th, the public is invited to a 5pm reception and awards ceremony at 460 Argyle (commonly know as the Cahail home) when the Town of Friday Harbor will award Jenny Prescott, owner of Acanthus Antiques, and the San Juan County Land Bank,
Help Out Children's Festival
The Island Rec Children's Festival is Saturday May 4 from 10-2. Volunteers are needed for Trails committee volunteers. Have a spare hour or two they to invest in making this year's event a success? Please contact Sally at 378-4953 or play@islandrec.org to let her know what time you can volunteer.
Ferry Surcharge Time
Summer is when the most people use and need to ride on the ferries, so Washington State Ferries’ decides that is the best time to bump up the cost by 35% (25% for the rest of the system). For most folks here that means an extra $15 bucks or so.
Island Clean-Up Success
The Great Island Clean-Up on April 20 was a great success! About 200 islanders scoured San Juan Island’s roadsides and beaches, and together collected a whopping 3600 pounds of litter. Much appreciation goes to everyone who helped (photo of some happy litter litter-picker-uppers).
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