County Budget Message: Not So Good

The Draft Budget has been presented to the County Council, and while it is balanced, and will maintain the current level of services, County Administrator Pete Rose cautioned that “It is doubtful that the service level can hold for an additional year.” Which is to say, it will not get any better next year.

The proposed budget total is $59.6 million, and Rose said that the actual “moving parts” of the budget amounts to about $38 million dollars in capital and current expenditures after subtracting for double-counted transfers and reserves.

the capital budget, Rose said, has “Hit ‘the Wall’,” and he encouraged the council to consider levying the optional second 1/4 percent Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) to cover urgent facilities needs.


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Roche Harbor Roll-Over

A young San Juan Island man lost control of his vehicle Tuesday Morning on Roche Harbor Road. The South bound vehicle left the road, appears to have traveled over 200 feet down the roadside ditch before turning over.



According to those early on at the scene, the driver, John Cornell, was found in the ditch by the car. Witnesses said he was conscious, complaining of back and neck pain.

First responders were quickly on the scene and removed him to an ambulance. It was not clear if he had been thrown out of the vehicle, or had been able to extricate himself from it. The vehicle was totaled,

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Help(!!) Out The Halloween Candy Drive

Some of the folks who live in town get hit hard on Halloween night as the kids make the rounds in town, avoiding the homes outside of town.

The SJI Kiwanis club is sponsoring a “candy drive” to help out those who are the targets of all of those kids on San Juan island who come to Friday Harbor to make the rounds.

So if you can help out your town neighbors by dropping a couple of bags of candy into one of the red cans (see photo) located at the Marketplace and the FH Drugstore, our town neighbors would be grateful. Or, one can simple write out a check to the Kiwanis Club (PO Box 814, FH, and they will use the money to offset the cost of purchasing candy to donate.

Have a safe Halloween!


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A Wild Ride With WSF

(Photos by Ross Fotheringham . Copyrighted All Rights Reserved.)

“Ok, here's one for you Long Flume lovers..." began an email, and the photos above (and those following) that have been making their way around the internet. We have attempted to find out who took the photos and wrote the accompanying text, but had no luck until we received a tip that lead us to a name, which lead us to a website that Mr Fotheringham uses to post his photos (use link below).

The last time we received them it came from a friend in New Mexico, so we decided just in case you have not seem them, below are some of them, with the original text from the email included, and the rest can be seen on Mr. Fotheringham's website



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Guest Editorial

A Bad LawBy Alexandra Gavora

If you have not already mailed in your 2007 ballot, this letter is for you. I am the person that turned in the required number of signatures for San Juan County Referendum 2007-1 (the storm water utility funding ordinance referendum) to qualify for the ballot. I am also the person that San Juan County filed suit against for bringing the subject of the referendum to a vote.

After abandoning the lawsuit idea, the County decided that they would attempt to defeat the referendum by campaigning against it. The result was the glossy, multi-colored mailer that your tax dollars paid for that ignored the pertinent issues of equity, conflict of interest, costs and legality in favor of confusing language about “maintaining hundreds of miles of stormwater ditches and 1400 culverts.” Isn’t this what Public Works is already supposed to do?



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Drive-Through Flu Shots Offered

In the event of an influenza pandemic or disease outbreak, health care and emergency workers will need to coordinate their efforts to deal with the sick and administer mass vaccinations quickly.

In addition to the County Scheduled Flu Shot Clinics being offered on the three major Islands, there is also an opportunity on Tuesday, November 6, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., for Orcas residents to roll up their sleeves and help workers prepare for such an emergency by participating in a drive-through influenza vaccination clinic at the Eastsound Fire Station.

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New Show At Waterworks

(“Navaho Rug” by Cathy Schoenberg ~ Narrative oil and acrylic paintings)

waterworks gallery's November show (3~25, 2007) opens with three woman artists. They share a love of color ,texture and pattern in their respective medium.

Holly Durham of San Juan Island uses clay to create texture, line and form on her organic forms. Mary Ann of San Juan Island uses color, texture and form to create portraits of people from around the world. Cathy Schoenberg of Guemes Island continues her portrayal in patterns of women at rest, at play and at work.

Waterworks gallery, established in 1985, represents a group of eclectic contemporary artists who live and work in the Pacific Northwest. Hours in November are Wednesday through Saturday, 10.30 - 5.30 and Sundays 12.00 to 5.00.

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You Are Invited To An Award Dinner

Five S J I Communities have been Awarded National Firewise Status by Firewise USA . Firewise is a program that helps communities protect themselves from the threat of wild fires by providing -amoung others things- advice on how to prepare for a wild fire before it happens.

The communities of Cady Mountain, Cape San Juan, North Forty and Hillview Terrace II & III have joined seven other San Juan Island Firewise Communities with national status. To honor this achievement, San Juan Island Fire Department will present them with signs and plaques at a Firefighter's dinner on Monday November 5, 2007 at 6 PM. Space is limited, so please RSVP at 378-5334.



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Ian Byington Has A New Album

It's his third album since 1999, but many islanders aren't aware that writer, teacher & web designer Ian Byington also writes songs, sings, and plays guitar. He's a regular fixture at the County Fair, Lavender Festival, Arts Fair, graduations, and community events, as well as performing for weddings all over the islands.

Ian playied an album release concert at the Benefit Players Theater (on the corner of Guard and Tucker Streets, in Friday Harbor) on Friday, and Saturday, October 27. In keeping with the BPT's mission, admission was by donation, benefiting locals who have a need. Ian's past and present CDs are available (You can hear samples) at his website (www.ianbyington.com).
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New Coast Guard Captains Qualified

United States Maritime Academy graduated six students October 26, 2007 in Friday Harbor. Graduates are qualified to operate passenger vessels for hire up to 100 Gross Tons.

United States Maritime Academy (USMA) has been training mariners to become Captains for over twenty years. Thousands of USMA graduates operate vessels throughout the world and received their licenses through our approved training as an alternative to stressful Coast Guard Examinations

USMA operates courses across the country. The course focuses on teaching the material rather than test preparation. The USMA is a approved United States Coast Guard School and as such tests on site, after each segment is completed.

You can find out more about the Untitled States Maritime Academy by visiting www.usmaritime.us.
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Big Full Moon

This week's full Moon (Oct. 25-26) is the biggest full Moon of 2007.

It's no illusion. Some full Moons are genuinely larger than others and Thursday night's will be as much as 14% wider and 30% brighter than lesser full Moons we've seen earlier this year.

Check http://spaceweather.com for the reasons why.

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Premiere of Seattle Opera Young Artists Program

The San Juan Community Theatre has the honor and distinction of hosting the first performance of the Seattle Opera Young Artist Program’s tenth anniversary season on Friday, October 26 at 7:30 pm.

The program’s fall series features two staged, complete one-act operas about marriage, performed in English and accompanied by piano on the Whittier stage.


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SJ Joins In Firefighting In Ca

Two strike teams of firefighters from Washington state were dispatched to Southern California last night to lend their support in battling blazes that have consumed hundreds of homes and caused mass evacuations in San Diego County and elsewhere.

Departing in the dark of night were two structural strike teams made up of personnel and equipment from four counties-King, Pierce, San Juan, and Thurston.

The San Juan group is comprised of a team of three firefighters from Orcas Island and a member of the San Juan County Department of Emergency Management (DEM). They departed Tuesday evening at the request of the state of California to assist as needed with the record wildfires.

Orcas firefighters Mike Harris, Rick Anda, and Julie Remington and DEM employee Dave Halloran left to join a strike team of other firefighters from a number of counties across Washington State.

Their deployment could be as long as 14 days, depending upon the needs of the state of California.


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The WSF Director Retires

(WSF photo)
It has not been as smooth sailing for Washington State Ferries (WSF) CEO, W. Michael Anderson as he perhaps would have preferred. When he moved up from acting director to Executive Director in 2005 he stated a “key focus” would be “the renovation of several terminals. Improving efforts to develop understanding and find solutions for WSF’s financial picture”.

That has not happened, and while he had correctly identified some other problems, such that ”customers should be able to count on access to accurate information, clean facilities, availability of amenities, and friendly, knowledgeable staff on the phone, at the terminal, and on the vessels,” there have been on going complaints about how all of these could still be improved.

Waves have been made by riders and committees, including San Juan County’s own advisors and the county council; and he must have thought he had been hit by a rogue wave when the state legislator stepped in and effectively stopped some of the more grandiose plans for capital improvement, including a new multi-million dollar Anacortes terminal building.

Whatever the reason, he has announced his retirement after 34 years of service.


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Council Hesitantly Selects Trust/Buck Project

The County Council has voted to recommended the San Juan Community Home Trust (Trust) proposal for a one million dollar grant from CTED (Department of Community Trade and Economic Development) be awarded to the Trust to help off-set some of the cost to install utilities/infrastructure in their proposed development on the Buck property. (Link to previous stories) .

This does not mean CTED will grant all, or any, of the request, since the request will now stand in competition from other recommendations from other counties in the state. What it does mean is that the Homes for Islanders (Islanders) group, the competing group for funding, will not receive any funding from CTED.

The Council was clearly uncertain which way to go on making a recommendation, and at the last meeting they had asked for additional information from staff to help them make a decision. At the Tuesday meeting Councilman Gene Knapp said the new input had made if even more difficult to decide which one should go forward with a council recommendation. He was joined by other council members in finding that both applications were worth funding, but CTED will only accept one recommendation.


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Owner Builder Program Targeted In Budget

The Director of the building department has recommended new fees for exempt structures, and a large fee increase for Owner-Builder permits.

Last year, Ron Hendrickson, the director of the CD&PD (Community Development & Planning Department) told the County Council he planned to "Abolish The Owner Builder Permit!". The statement was met with a resounding lack of enthusiasm from the council members and the public, and went nowhere.

This year, Hendrickson has returned with a new plan. At the Tuesday council meeting he informed the council that he is proposing to “change (the) fee structure for owner/builder permits from flat fee to 70% of regular permit fees..”, and to also start charging “40% of regular permit fees” for structures that are now exempt from fees and permits.

The proposal raised eyebrows, and some aside comments from some of the council members, and it was pointed out by Councilman Rich Peterson that such a change would be a legislative policy change that would require a public hearing. and a vote of the council, to change the Owner-Builder ordinance.



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Jon Larson

August 29, 1955 - October 23, 2007
Deputy Sheriff Jon Larson passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Oct. 23, 2007. Deputy Larson was with his wife, Barbara, in Europe attending a boating accident investigators conference in Italy.

The Larson’s had taken a few days after the conference to visit friends and colleagues in Germany and Great Britain before returning to the United States. Deputy Larson died in Chelmsford, Essex, England in his hotel room after suffering what appeared to be a major cardiac event. His wife Barbara, and responding hotel staff and medical personnel were unable to revive Deputy Larson. Deputy Larson was 52 years old.

Deputy Larson first joined the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in January of 1989 and was assigned as a patrol deputy on Lopez Island. He was very active in the community serving and working with the fire department and the aid unit, and was a canine 4-H leader and dog trainer.

He was a very accomplished seaman, holding a Masters License with the U.S. Coast Guard, a primary and lead officer in the Sheriff’s Office Marine Safety Program, a certified Coast Guard Boating Safety Instructor and Boating Accident Investigator among his many other activities.

He was well known throughout the Northwest, including Canada, and in Europe for his expertise in investigating boating accidents and for promoting boating safety as well as being a principle director of IAMI (International Association of Marine Investigators).

Deputy Larson was currently assigned to the San Juan County Prosecutor’s Office as an investigator conducting follow up work on major criminal cases. He will be sorely missed by his many colleagues and his many friends.


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Tourism Spending Down, Ferry Fares Up

SJC Ferry Advisory Committee chairman Alex MacLeod had come to the County Council at the beginning of the month to request they take a leadership role on ferry issues . and on Monday (10-22-07) he was back with a proposed “Ferry-Related Goals For San Juan County”. (Draft goals can be found at the end of the story)

He found a warm reception for some of the ideas once the Council settled down and had a chance to review them. The key to implementing any of them he said, was “funding”. In order for the County to have an impact and an influence on ferry fares and schedules, it is necessary to be an active part of the decision process; and that means there needs to be someone representing San Juan County at meetings; even if it is only for the purpose of taking notes and reporting back.

MacLeod report pointed out that “tourism spending in the county increased less than 1 % 2000-2005, while tourism spending statewide increased nearly 8.4%”



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ROAR

Once a year, the San Juan Lions Club wishes to thank all the citizens who are making our Aluminum can collection program, ROAR (Reach Out And Recycle), a success; This project is a win, win, win project. It helps preserve our environment, it provides money for Lions’ community projects, and it saves the tax payers dump and hauling costs.

Some interesting facts on aluminum cans and recycling:

1.For every six-pack of beer or soda not recycled, the energy equivalent of one beverage can full of gasoline is squandered.

2.Aluminum can recycling saves 95 percent of the energy needed to make aluminum from bauxite ore.

3.The making of cans from recycled aluminum cuts related air pollution by nearly 95%.

4.The recycling process of aluminum does not produce the chemical sulfur dioxide, which creates acid rain, while the natural production of aluminum cans produces sulfur dioxide.

5.Replacing one wasted can requires about 0.5 kWh of electricity: enough to light a 100-watt bulb for 5 hours, or to power an average laptop computer for 11 hours.

Special thanks to the Senior Center, King Fitch & the Town of Friday Harbor Council, San Juan County Officials and Consignment Treasures for allowing us to place our collection bins at the Food Bank, the Dump and Consignment Treasures. The Lions are also accepting other types of aluminum at Consignment Treasures.

Please encourage your friends and neighbors to help our environment by recycling aluminum cans.


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MRC Wants DOE Funds: Education For Businesses

Ecology will award funds to local governments to prevent pollution through education, and the SJ Marine Resources Committee (MRC) has asked the Town of Friday Harbor Council to give their blessing to an application by the MRC for the funds.

The new Ecology program will make funds available to twelve local governments to hire “on-site technical-assistance providers to work with small businesses to keep the Sound clean”. About $2.5 million is available through interagency agreements with towns and county governments. The MRC is part of San Juan County government

Mary Knackstedt, Coordinator for the MRC, told the town of Friday Harbor Council on Thursday, that the program “is not regulatory; it is strictly voluntary”. The role of the new program is to “provide resources, training, recognition, and other incentives for businesses that adopt best management practices to reduce hazardous waste.”

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SJI Real Estate: Sales Drop, Value Remains Steady

By Merri Ann Simonson

In reviewing the year-to-date results for period ending September 30, 2007, the sales volume for the real estate market on San Juan Island was less active when compared to the same period in 2006. Overall, decreased volume or averages doesn’t necessarily equate to reduced property values.

The median price for a previously owned home on less than 5 acres for year 2006 was $479,000. The median home price for the period of October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007 is $480,000, so property values are maintaining on San Juan Island.

The volume in 2007 lags 2006 by $36,134,366 (24%). On San Juan, we have closed an average of 22.3 transactions per month so far in 2007. The chart below shows the actual numbers:

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Do Not Buy That Magnet!

There is a scam in progress in the county. A company in San Antonio Texas called "All School Fundraising Company" is calling local Island businesses and attempting to solicit advertising for a Friday Harbor High School refrigerator magnet. If you want to help FHHS, this is not the way to do it.

Superintendent Michael Soltman has sent out an email stating " This "fundraiser" has not been authorized by the Superintendent or Board of Directors, and the school district is receiving no funds from the company. We want to make our businesses aware of this company's solicitation, and to urge them not to participate.

Soltman added that "We deeply appreciate the support of our business community, and regret that this has occurred. Thanks for passing the word."
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SJ Historical Museum Auction Saturday

The San Juan Historical Museum is holding its 2nd Annual Autumn 2007 Auction, Saturday, October 20th at the Friday Harbor Grange. Doors will open for viewing at 4pm, with bidding beginning at 6pm. Mike Adams will be our Auctioneer. This year there will be no admission or paddle fees.

Everyone is welcome to join in the fun. Or order to create more room in the hall, there will be no silent auction this year. Great food and beverages will be available.

There are a wide range of items up for bid, such as a 1 night stay at San Juan County's first jail, which was declared the worst jail in Washington state in the 1960s; lunch & tour for 4 at the UW Friday Harbor labs, blacksmithing lessons, 2 large hanging baskets, a new copper fire pit, car oil changes, carpet cleaning, handyman services, salmon, chimney cleaning, getaways, etc. The list keeps growing. It's still not too late to donate.Just contact the museum to donate.

For more information, call (360) 378-3949 or email museum_admin@sjmuseum.org. the Historical Museum web site: www.sjmuseum.org/

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State Cracking Down On Unemployment Fraud

For those collecting unemployment benefits, the State is warning them they “better look for work or you may have to pay back the money.”

the Employment Security Department states that in the first nine months of 2007 they have conducted more than 39,000 interviews of 32,281 people who were collecting unemployment to make sure that they were looking for new jobs.

And to make their job a bit easier to find those who are not playing by the rules, they have set up a way to report unemployment-insurance fraud by calling 866-266-1987 (then press 2), or by logging onto https://fortress.wa.gov/esd/uia/uiinquiry/reptmisrep.htm to file a report.

While most who were checked were looking for work as required, some 3,033 were not. Collectively, they must repay more than $3.3 million that they were not eligible to receive.

"Most people receiving unemployment benefits want to find a new job, and they are out there looking," said Lee. "In those rare cases where someone is breaking the rules, we want to hear about it."

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Thinking About Starting A Business?

The EDC (San Juan County Economic Development Council) in partnership with the Orcas Research Group are hosting a public event Saturday, October 20th for those who are contemplating starting a new business, significantly expanding their current operations, or are seeking complementary product or service lines.

The first part of the session will include presentations by entrepreneurs who have or are in the process of establishing business on the island, and how they “made it happen.”

In the second part of the forum, there will be presentations by individuals and organizations that act in support of small business, including specialists in finance and accounting, small business consulting, services provided by the EDC, and a representative from the Governor’s office to discuss support that is provided through the Community Trade and Economic Development Office.

Those who wish to sign up for this half-day forum are asked to please contact Steve Garrison at garrison@rockisland.com or 376-2883.

Those interested in attending are asked to please not wait until the last minute, as space is limited.

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Climate Change Lecture Series Starts Friday

A slide show and lecture by photographer Mark Abrahamson will be held on Lopez & San Juan. Friday, October 19, 7:00 – 8:30 pm at the Lopez Center, and then on Saturday, October 20, 2007, from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the San Juan Middle School Commons. A series of stunning aerial photographs of our landscape will be on display prior to the slideshow and lecture. This event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by Friends of the San Juans.

"Since my childhood in the 1950's, 30 % of the glaciers in the Cascades have melted," stated Abrahamson who has lived in Puget Sound for the past 30 years. The artist, and former dentist, resides in Stanwood overlooking Port Susan Bay.


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Four Councilmen Testify Before Salary Commission

( Pete Rose addresses the SJC Salary Commission prior to start of meeting)

The San Juan County Salary Commission (SC) met on Wednesday to determine if “any adjustments to Council Member salaries set by the Commission in June, 2006” were warranted. All of the council members submitted written material on the subject to the SC, and four of the six also asked to be placed on the agenda.

Only three of the six council members -Lichter, Myhr, and Ranker- conveyed to the commission members a direct request for an increase in their compensation, or implied they were seriously underpaid; to which one of the SC members noted that only those who are currently receiving full time pay based on salaries set prior to the Charter, were asking for future additional money.

While Councilmen Knapp, Rosenfeld and Peterson had submitted statements that indicated they felt the lesser compensation they received was appropriate to the job, of the three, only Knapp showed up to testify and answer questions from the SC.


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Canada Continues To Be a Poop Head On Pollution

Metro Vancouver allowed to continue toxic dumping until 2030. Environmental groups in B.C. are angry that the Canada federal government has stayed a pollution charge against one of the largest water polluters in British Columbia, Metro Vancouver (formerly the Greater Vancouver Regional District or GVRD).

A private prosecution is allowed in Canada, and one had been launched by environmental groups regarding repeated failures of fish toxicity tests by the sewage effluent from Metro Vancouver’s Lions Gate Sewage Treatment Plant, serving North and West Vancouver, and at some point can enter San Juan County waters.

In August 2006, veteran environmental investigator Douglas Chapman and Ecojustice Canada (formerly Sierra Legal) laid a charge under the federal Fisheries Act against Metro Vancouver and the Province of BC over the Lions Gate plant, with the support of Georgia Strait Alliance, T. Buck Suzuki Foundation and the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union – CAW.

These groups are asking Metro Vancouver to upgrade Lions Gate by no later than 2013. The Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Management Plan has stalled this upgrade until 2030, and the Province has sanctioned 23 more years of toxic pollution by approving this Plan.



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Home Trust “Annual Dessert Night”

Everyone is welcome to attend the 6th Annual Dessert Night and membership meeting of San Juan Community Home Trust on Thursday evening, at 7 p.m. October 18th at the Grange Hall in Friday Harbor. A presentation on the Home Trust’s vision for a new “Neighborhood for Everyone” on the Buck property will be given by outgoing board member Larry Soll.

Persons interested in finding out more information about future homes and new eligibility requirements will be able to obtain an application to join our waiting list.

Come share some dessert and learn about plans to develop up to 132 permanently affordable home-ownership homes in Friday Harbor over the next ten years!


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Puget Sound Kids Day 2007

Kids for Puget Sound Day, sponsored by People For Puget Sound, is taking place on October 20th. Several institutions around Puget Sound will be taking part in this celebration by offering fun and educational activities for children.

Between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm children and parents are welcome to come to The Whale Museum and learn about marine mammals of the Salish Sea. Hands-on activities will include demonstrations on how blubber keeps whales warm and how baleen works. At display tables, children can hear underwater sounds, learn how to identify individual Killer Whales, and touch a real seal pelt!

The October 30th event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Cindy Hansen at 360 378-4710 ext. 23 or Britta Eschete at 360 336-1931.
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Booster Seats for Safety

Perry Pugh of Eastsound Napa Auto Parts and the Orcas Island Fire Department have teamed up for Kid Safety. You can now get information on the new booster seat law plus even purchase a booster seat (at cost) at a new informational display in the Eastsound Napa Store.

Every child needs to be in a booster seat until the seat belt fits right. Car crashes kill more children between the ages of 4 and 8 than anything else. Seat belts save lives, but a seat belt that doesn’t fit properly will not protect your child in a crash. Typically, seat belts fit when a child is at least 4’9” tall and about 8 years old. Booster seats solve the problem!

For more information, contact the Orcas Island Fire Dept at www.orcasfire.org or call 360-376-2331.

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Tuesday Was "National Boss Day"

What? They need their own day? Why? Perhaps to sell cards and stuff? Anyway, today is the day, and according to some accounts it was started by the daughter of a boss to show her appreciation to him for being a “good” boss. So, if you work for one (or just want to suck up a bit), today is the day.

Anu Garg (wordsmith.org) Asks “How would you describe someone who has risen up and become a manager?

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A Real Water Shortage Is Known By Some

Friday Harbor residents have launched a campaign to provide clean water for Remote Village. An effort is underway for Friday Harbor to assist another waterfront fishing town in the world that is less fortunate than ours.

As a follow-on to their work in Kunya Village this year, Joanruth Baumann and Dick Coffey are attempting to help the community solve an enormous health problem - the lack of any clean drinking water.

The water is heavily contaminated with sewage, cholera, typhoid and parasites. Half of the population affected is children.

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Phone-a-Thon Fundraiser Monday and Tuesday Night

Monday and Tuesday night, October 15th and 16th is the San Juan Public Schools Foundation’s annual Phone-a-Thon fund raiser where dozens of volunteers gather to phone our community to ask for support in achieving excellence in our public educational system.

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Lecture On Maya Lin’s Confluence Project

(Submitted photo)

Dr. Susan Noyes Platt (Ph.D.) will speak at the San Juan Island Library on Maya Lin and the Confluence Project on Saturday October 20th at 6:00 PM. The presentation will features slides in a Powerpoint presentation.

World renowned artist Maya Lin, designer of the Vietnam Memorial, has been working in Washington State for five years on a special project. It began as one aspect of the bicentennial commemoration of the Lewis and Clark journey, but it has evolved into a conversation and intersection with the Native tribes living today along the Columbia River paired with a celebration of the detailed botanical and natural history aspects of Lewis and Clark's journals.


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Two Classes Offered On Marketing A Manuscript

Alice b. Acheson lives on San Juan Island, and in her former life worked at McGraw-Hill (editor, then publicist), later Simon & Schuster, and Crown. Since then, Alice has been an independent publicist for 25 years including the last 15 years as publishing consultant.

Her publicity efforts have included those bestsellers and OLD TURTLE by Douglas Wood, the American Booksellers Assoc. Book of the Year -- quite a feat for a first book from a house that had never published a children's book nor marketed any book nationally. Her efforts won the Literary Market Place Outside Services Award for Advertising/Promotion/Publicity.

Alice is offering two classes the public may find of interest.



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Island Air Receives 4th Prestigious Safety Award

(Picture of Tom Harris Presenting Award to Jackie Hamilton at Island Air)

Friday Harbor, Wash. – Island Air , Friday Harbor’s on-demand air charter and air ambulance company, received its fourth Aviation Safety Excellence Award from Phoenix Aviation Managers Inc. on October 9. This award recognizes Island Air for its flawless safety record and continuing commitment to aviation safety throughout the company's operations.

"While we do numerous aviation safety audits, only a select few are recognized for their excellence. Island Air is the first and only flight operation in the United States to receive this award four times,” said Tom Harris, Vice President of Inspection Services for Phoenix who presented the award. The safety audit and subsequent award presentation occurred in Friday Harbor on October 9, 2007. This is the fourth time that Island Air has received this award since 2002.


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Call Toll-Free Line To Report Dead Wild Birds

OLYMPIA – With the annual wild bird migration under way, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reminds people to report dead wild birds on a toll-free telephone line.

“We continue to test birds for the highly pathogenic form of avian influenza , and this reporting tool contributes to that surveillance effort,” said Dr. Kristin Mansfield, WDFW veterinarian.

Wild birds are known to carry various strains of avian influenza, often without serious health effects. However, one strain, known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 (HPAI H5N1), has sickened and killed birds in Asia, Europe and Africa.

No birds in Washington have tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza, Mansfield said. Over the past year, WDFW, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies and organizations have tested more than 4,000 birds in Washington.



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Skagit Valley College Gains National Honors

Skagit Valley College has recently earned national recognition as one of the best community colleges in the nation. Washington Monthly magazine recently ranked “America’s Best Community Colleges” and Skagit Valley College was among the top 30 colleges named.

In an accompanying article in the August issue of Washington Monthly, journalist Kevin Carey noted that SVC scored highly in those measures correlated with student engagement and graduation rates¬. Some of the data used in Carey’s article and the college rankings comes from a recent administration of the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE), a national survey conducted by community colleges around the nation.


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A Decade Of Service To Victims

The motto of the victim services center is "We are committed to including victims in every step of the criminal justice system."; and more specifically, their stated goals to help victims are :

• hear what you want and need after the crime,
• help you and your loved ones stay safe,
• keep you informed about what is happening with the case, and
• be sure you get the help you need, whether that be counseling,
a protection order, a chance to be heard in court,
or fair repayment for your losses caused by the crime.

When things go terribly wrong, so wrong that you can’t even talk to your own family about the injuries you have suffered at the hands of a criminal, Sue Kimball or Liz Pillow of San Juan County’s Victim Services program will be there for you – to dry your tears, get your wounds treated, help find you a safe place to sleep, locate a translator who speaks your language or just be someone you can trust when you are alone, frightened, and vulnerable.


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If It’s Not One Thing, It’s Another

(Town crew starts repair on drain line)

Town crews have been busy making repairs on both pressure and drain lines in Friday Harbor. In August the crews worked their way down Spring Street (aptly named) searching for the source of a leak in a water main. The leak was found and fixed , but this week it sprung a new leak and it was deja vu all over again.

The crews quickly found the problem, make the patch, and then went to work (photo above) correcting a drain line that was at the wrong elevation, which has resulted in the backing up of drain water on Spring street. The Town has been aware of the problem, but wisely waited until after the summer season to tear-up the street to make the repair.

At some point the Town will make major improvements, not only to the water supply and drains, but to the road bed as well. The cost and disruption that it will entail is not something that anyone is looking forward to, but in the mean time the old infrastructure will be kept in working condition by continuing to make repairs as needed.


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Safety Fair Saturday Filled with Fun

(Firefighter Brent Johnson assists a young future Fire Chief Caden Garver in manhandling a fire hose. Ron Garner photo)

Games, a coloring contest, a rescue demonstration, food and lots of fun are on the agenda at the Safety Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, at the Mullis Street Fire Station.

Participating agencies include the Friday Harbor Fire Department, San Juan Island Fire Department, San Juan Emergency Medical Services, the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, the Fire Marshal and the San Juan Ham Radio Operators.


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Celebrating A Building’s 100 Yr Birthday

(Sam Buck the III stands next to Sam Buck II as Steve Buck addresses well wishers )

The Buck Family, friends, associates, and employees gathered last week to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the former SJC Bank building, and to rededicate it as the Buck Building. Sam and Barbara Buck purchased the building from San Juan County Bank in1980, restored it to it’s former look, and moved San Juan Properties, Inc into it; which later became Coldwell Banker San Juan Island Inc.

Steve Buck told the gathering that the Buck family has been involved in a number of projects in San Juan county, and have never attached their name to any of them, but now their building will be called the “Buck Building”

Read an interesting background story and history by Clicking Here and Click Here to view two "Then and Now" photos.

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County Willing To Help Eastsound On Water & Sewer

According to the County, Septic systems in Eastsound that are “properly designed” will “not degrade the aquifer and they provide a source of aquifer recharge.” The operative word in that quote from a County press release is “properly”, and that has been a cause for concern by some in the Eastsound Water and Sewer District (EWSD) on Orcas.

In September of 2002 the Western Washington Growth Board (Board) heard an appeal on aspects of the Eastsound UGA (Urban Growth Area), and ruled that the Eastsound UGA “failed to comply with the GMA (Growth Management Act),” because, in part, the UGA had “inadequate sewer capital facilities plan including inventory, projected needs, and financing”

The other real problem was the boundaries of the UGA. The EWSD wanted to extend sewer lines outside of the UGA boundaries to serve areas it currently serves, but the Board said that cannot be done unless it can be shown that it meets the requirements of the GMA.

But if the areas are not to be served by the sewer system, then they will be served by on-site septic systems. Septic systems have a history of failing over time, and the concern is that if they fail, they may impact the aquifer that Eastsound depends on for their water supply.


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No Wind Storm After All

Brendan Cowan, the Emergency Management Director for SJC had sent out a warning that according to the National Weather Service in Seattle, a gale warning for the San Juan Islands and surrounding waters had been issued, but it did not come to pass

The forecast was for Tuesday (10-0-07) afternoon with winds forecast to be in the 40-45mph range, with gusts up to 70mph. It is expected to stay gusty well into the day on Wednesday.

The winds were the result of a major depression that had developed in the Pacific. Fortunately the center is forecast was to pass well to the west of the outer coast, sparing Western Washington from the full brunt of the storm, and that is the way it turned out. For a sense of what this storm might have looked like if it had come ashore in Washington, look at this summary of the 1962 Columbus Day windstorm.
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San Juan Island Oktoberfest 2007

Yup, it is that time again: Oktoberfest. At the SJC Fairgrounds, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, it time for fun for the whole family. Enjoy music, dancing, games, festivities, great food and beer. Children's menu will be available along with traditional Bavarian menu. Admission: $8 per adult, children under 12 free, plus dinner fees for night of Oktoberfest

The 2007 Oktoberfest Passport Card is now available for purchase at the Boardwalk Bookstore, Garuda & I, & The Sweet Spot Candy Store. Passport include discounts with many Friday Harbor and San Juan Island merchants, restaurants and services during the entire month of October. In addition to island discounts, the $12 cost of the Passport includes One Adult Admission (an $8 Value) to Oktoberfest festivities on Saturday evening (Phone 378-3600 x 224 for additional information)

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October Is Scout Popcorn Sale Month

Soon you will see members of San Juan Islands Cub Scout pack 90 selling scout popcorn. The scouts plan on having popcorn available at select locations over the weekends, from now until November 1st, which is the last day to purchase popcorn

Look for our scouts at your local market over the coming weekends. Orders can also be made online at: http://www.orderpopcorn.com/ contact any scout leader for details or call 378-3014.
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Council Asked To Take Lead On WSF Issues

Alex MacLeod is the SJC Ferry Advisory Committee chairman, and he informed the County Council on Tuesday that he had come before them to “raise and alarm and make a recommendation” on the future of ferry service to the San Juans, and to suggest how the Council may be able to have some influence at the state level.

In short, MacLeod told the Councilmen that they need to get more involved than they have in the past, and that “of you are counting on us (the Ferry Advisory Committee) to look out for what needs to be done, you should not, because we cannot.”

The Council was told they need to take a leadership role, and “stand up and say ‘We are not happy’” to the ferry officials. He gave Port Townsend as an example of how local government officials can alter State plans when they get involved.


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Community Forum On Underage Drinking

Town Hall Meeting tonight (Oct 8th, 2007) is an opportunity for community members to join in a conversation about community and the important issue of underage drinking. The meeting will be held at the Commons at Friday Harbor High School from 6-7:30 p.m..

Community members of all ages are welcome as this is a community issue! Stark-Wickman will also be in the Commons from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. for informal dialogue and sharing prior to the forum. For more information, call 378-9683 or email prevention@centurytel.net.

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Free Hearing Tests, And More...

Audiology services are available at the Mullis Community Senior Center through Island Hearing Healthcare one day each month. Free services include hearing tests, hearing aid evaluations, hearing aid repairs and hearing aid programming.

All services are provided by Stacie Baisch, Au.D., an audiologist and resident of Friday Harbor. Island Hearing Healthcare is located at 545 Spring Street, across the street from the Inter Island Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, contact the senior center at 378-2677.

Stacie Baisch, Au.D. specializes in emerging hearing aid technology and aural rehabilitation. Hearing solutions are available in every price range and most insurance plans are accepted for diagnostics. Financial assistance and sponsorship by San Juan Lions through the Lions Hearing Aid Bank and Audient is available. To learn more, contact Island Hearing Healthcare at 378-2330.

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SJI House Auctions For 1.5+ Million

(Waiting for the bidding to begin at the Visser property)

While real estate sales have started to slowly increase in San Juan County, one way to sell a house is to hold an absolute auction, in which there is no minimum bid required. If the only bid is a dollar, the house will be sold for a dollar.

In an unusual move, a local real estate professional and his family have done just that, but they got a bit more for it than one dollar. On Friday the Visser family auctioned off their home on San Juan Island for over one and a half million dollars, and will now be moving to south America.

The up-scale house on nine and a half acres had been advertised for over two million, and twelve bidders, and a host of Realtors, showed up for the auction, but only those who had made their intentions clear by producing a check for fifty thousand dollars were allowed to bid. The rest of the crowd were there to observe.

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Lichter Wants Orcas Meeting, CC Agrees

Some months ago the County Council agreed to hold some of the their meetings on the other islands, and Councilman Alan Lichter reminded them of that this week when he suggested that the Council hold their October 15 meeting on Orcas.

a number of items of interest to Orcas citizens will be discussed by the Council, and this prompted the Council to act on Lichter’s request. The Council will hold a “special meeting” at the Orcas Senior Service Center on Monday, October 15 .

The agenda will include:
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Be A Reading Buddy: Help Kids Learn to Read

The San Juan Island Library is seeking volunteers to help in its Reading Buddies program. Reading Buddies matches adult reading mentors with elementary-aged children who are learning to read and who need extra encouragement.

Reading Buddies Reading Buddy pairs meet at either the elementary school or at the public Library for about half an hour each week. Having an adult buddy helps a child improve his or her reading skills and encourages the love of reading. Kids who struggle with reading are apt to experience difficulty with all aspects of school as well as have fewer opportunities in later life.

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Ranker Appointed to Puget Sound Ecosystem Board

(Press Release) Six representatives from Puget Sound Counties were appointed yesterday to the Puget Sound Partnership Ecosystem Coordinating Board out of 14 announced appointments.

“As we move forward with restoring and protecting Puget Sound, Counties will be responsible and accountable for implementing many of the specific projects and activities within the Action Agenda developed by the Puget Sound Partnership. ( Related story )

The Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council is to be praised for appointing these six regional leaders and recognizing the significant role that County Executives, County Council Members, County Commissioners and other county representatives will play in restoring and protecting Puget Sound,” said Eric Johnson, Assistant Executive Director of the Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC).

The Ecosystem Coordination Board will advise the Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council on carrying out its responsibilities. It is made up of 27 individuals representing specific interests around the Sound.

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Council Debates Stormwater Fee, Reaffirms Support

(Ray Bigler signs up to speak as Tina Whitman waits to sign)

After a long and confusing debate that ranged from “why are we even talking about this,” to “Do we vote ‘No’ or ‘Yes’ on the referendum if were against it?”, the County Council voted five-to-one to, in effect, become active in defeating a referendum that would require the council to re-write an existing stormwater funding ordinance. The entire text of the referendum in question reads as follows:

Ord 20-2006
The San Juan County Council adopted ordinance 20-2006 amending existing laws regarding storm water utility services. Ordinance 20-2006 redefines the public purpose of storm water systems, adds definitions, and imposes a flat rate service charge of $46.20 for each parcel with a single family residence and a service charge on other improved parcels with a graduated rate based upon the amount of impervious surface area.

The Tuesday debate resulted from a previous decision by the council to hold a (“public meeting”) “for the purpose of considering a position on Referendum 2007-1.” The petition to place the referendum on the ballot was signed by over 2,000 voters ( related story ), and this did not go unnoticed by the council members, some of whom decided they needed to get proactive in defeating the referendum.

County Administrator Pete Rose and Prosecutor Randy Gaylord warned the council members that state law prohibits them from taking a position on a ballot measure unless they first hold a public meeting that allows both sides to give input to the council.

As Councilman Alan Lichter said after the close of public input, “the public knows where we stand on this -we passed the ordinance- so why does this council need to take a position on the referendum?’; but in the end, he voted to do just that. Only Councilman Rich Peterson voted against it.

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Pacific Northwesterner Returns To Roots After 17 Yrs

With the dark and damp winter months on the horizon, the warmth and sunshine of Arizona might sound appealing to many islanders. Not so for Dr. Joe Bettridge, the new permanent pastor at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church. “I’m a Pacific Northwest boy at heart. I grew up in Tacoma where my family has deep roots, and my brother even had a home near Smuggler’s Cove. I don’t miss the heat of the desert.”

Joe comes to FHPC from St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Tucson, AZ where he served for 17 years as senior pastor and head of staff. With 1400 members, St. Andrews is one of the larger Presbyterian churches in the country. Joe enjoyed leading a dynamic leadership team and formed many strong relationships with his parishioners, and, yet, he is happy to be at a smaller church where he looks forward to getting to know everyone who walks in the door.

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FH Movie Premier For An Orca Relief Fundraiser

Orca Relief Citizens Alliance , a local non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the southern resident killer whale population, is hosting the Friday Harbor Premiere of “Outsourced” on Thursday, October 4th, at 8:00 p.m. at the Palace Theatre in Friday Harbor (For tickets, please call Orca Relief at 370-5554)

“Outsourced” has won numerous audience awards including the John Schlesinger Award for Outstanding First Feature at the 2007 Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Audience Award for Best Picture at the Seattle International Film Festival.

“Outsourced” is a modern day comedy of cross-cultural conflict and romance. KCBS radio station wrote about "The buzz at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose is a movie that hits close to home for Silicon Valley. John Jeffcoat's debut feature, "Outsourced", is a comedy that eschews stereotypes when a company man learns his job is being outsourced to India and agrees to go there to train his replacement."

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SJI Community Foundation Awards 56K to 20 Groups

(The story includes a correction):San Juan Island Community Foundation (Foundation) held it’s 2007 Breakfast of Champions grant awards last Friday at the Mullis Center. (Chair Charles Anderson is pictured at the podium)

Susan Matthews, Program Coordinator for the Foundation, said “It was a very special event with a great meal attached to it”, but more important was the ability of the Foundation to grant a total this year to $56,000 to 20 different organizations on San Juan Island.
Matthew points out that this represents a 100% increase over last year's grant awards, all of which have been made possible through the many generous donors to the general endowment fund, donor advised funds, and designated funds of the Foundation.

The Foundation expects to set a new record in 2008. Matthew believes that “with all the amazing and caring donors on this island, we know we can make it happen.”

One of the areas the Foundation has been active in is the proposed “Community Hospital”. Foundation Chairman Anderson is one of the listed contact persons for the proposed hospital, and is listed on the Foundation web page as a contact person for those who may wish to become involved.

Correction:The Inter Island Healthcare Foundation -not the SJI Community Foundation- financed a survey that was conducted to determine to what extent the public believes there is a need for, and would support the funding for, a hospital on San Juan Island.

Contact information about the Foundation can be accessed by Clicking Here


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DOE Collects $72+K In Penalties In 2nd quarter

If you pollute the waters of Washington state, it can cost you. The Department of Ecology has reported that for during the second quarter (April, May and June) of 2007, they have collected $728,105.00 in penalties. All together, Ecology has received $1,486,672 in penalties this year

A list of all of the penalties of $1,000 or more issued by DOE shows that one of lower amount resulted after an auto accident when an undisclosed amount of “Released gasoline and motor oil” reached a creek. The gas and oil went into the creek following an auto accident.

An example of a larger fine was for $160,000.00. This fine resulted when water samples taken at a rock products company in Clark county showed levels of turbidity and alkalinity that exceeded permitted levels.

It may be easer than most would realize, to release material that is cause for a violation, so when in doubt, don’t.


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Council Debates Climate Change Ordinance

(County Council discusses draft ordinance on climate change)

Evidence that climate change may be predictable was first exposed in the public media in the 1970s, when Fortune magazine ran a story on a comprehensive study about ice drillings that indicated the planet experiences a series cycles within cycles of warming and cooling.

Given the intellectual weight that Fortune then carried as an investigative publication, one may have expected a reaction from the business world, the government, and eventually, the public. That did not happen. Perhaps the lack of a response resulted from a sense that there was validly to the old quote that “Everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it”.

For reasons not clear, concerns about the negative impacts of climate changed have now become a hot topic, and in the last decade those concerns have become manifest as “global warming”. It has now reached the point where a large number of towns, cities, states, and even some countries, have decided to do something about “global warming.”. Never mind that according to the Fortune report, the prediction for the future is for global freezing.

So, in San Juan County, Councilman Alan Lichter and Kevin Ranker have independently been working for some time on a Draft “Declaration & Resolution on Climate Change” (Draft follows at end of story & may be downloaded here), spelling out the problem, and what San Juan County could do to stop the “documented impacts of global warming.” They have recently joined forces, and have now presented the draft ordinance to the rest of the council.

Lichter and Ranker stressed that their work was a draft, and as it turned out, wisely so, because parts of it, both in form and content, ran into some strong resistance when it came up for a “first touch” discussion at last Tuesday’s council meeting.

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