For The Sake Of Argument

By Janice Peterson

I find it true for many of us on the island that we live so much in the here-and- now that we know little about each other’s past lives. Before I came to this paradise I was a college teacher of argumentation and debate and I learned quite a lot about what works and doesn’t work in the midst of discussions on dicey topics.

Unfortunately, I am often not as good at putting the rules and conventions of argument into practice as I am at offering insights from the sages through the ages to others. So please understand that I write from the position of one who is still learning, still trying to avoid looking like the wrong end of a horse when I jump into the fray on topics such as global warming, the Iraq war, storm water ordinances, and so forth.

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Puget Sound Partnership Taps Leading Scientists to Guide Restoration Effort

Working toward its goal of restoring the environmental health of Puget Sound by the year 2020, the Puget Sound Partnership today announced a group of preeminent scientists who will help direct its work.

The Science Panel will provide independent, scientific advice to the Leadership Council, the governing body of the Puget Sound Partnership, as it develops a comprehensive plan to restore Puget Sound.

“Some of the state’s top scientists are on now board to help ensure this effort is a success,” said David Dicks, executive director of the Puget Sound Partnership. “Their expertise and input is critical to developing a restoration plan that is grounded in good science.”

The Leadership Council, chaired by Bill Ruckelshaus, has appointed the following nine members to serve four-year terms on the Science Panel:

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Community

( Working in the Grange kitchen to make it happen

This is the seventh year that San Juan Islanders gathered together at the SJI Grange to give thanks and celebrate the season together.

There are many volunteers that make this happen each year: the Grange, Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the Legion, Kiwanis. Lions, Leos, Rotary Club, and Soroptimists sponsor the event. Kerwin Johnson of Islanders Insurance is a major underwriter and King’s Market donates the turkeys. The Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and 4H join by helping to distribute flyers about the dinner.

For a partial list -that does not include everyone, but only those that ended up on a list- who helped out, click below:

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Happy Thanksgiving To All!

(-Mary Kalbert photo)
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Who Is Stealing Road Signs? & Why?

Nearly 40 road signs -with an estimated replacement value of $4,000.00- ranging from “Stop” signs to “Children at Play” and “Ride Share” signs have been stolen on San Juan Island in the last week.

“This is costing the citizens a significant amount of money,” said Public Works Director Jon Shannon. He says the cost of replacing an individual sign is more than $100.

Sheriff Bill Cumming does not believe the thieves are doing it for gain. “Recyclers will report anyone attempting to turn in a road sign,” he said. He added that the County has alerted metal dealers on the mainland about the thefts here.

Sheriff Cumming requests that anyone who has information about the thefts or sees suspicious activity around road signs notify the Sheriff’s office at phone: 378-4151. If a citizen sees a crime in progress, they should call 9-1-1.

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Safety Concern: Illahee Pulled From Service

The Illahee -on the San Juan Islands inter-island route- will be tied up at Anacortes after its last sailing Tuesday night. On Wednesday afternoon, November 21, the Evergreen State will begin providing service on the San Juan Islands inter-island route.

All of the Steel Electric class vessels have been pulled out of service after they complete their last run on Tuesday.
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Washington State Ferries owns four 80-year-old Steel Electric class vessels – Quinault, Klickitat, Illahee and Nisqually. These vessels predominantly serve the Port Townsend-Keystone and San Juan Islands inter-island routes.

Hammond stated that “Ongoing work on the Quinault has revealed significant hull pitting along the keel that likely extends to all four Steel Electric vessels.”

Washington State Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond has sent out a notice that “After meeting with staff concerning the most recent inspections of the Steel Electric hulls, I have decided that we must pull these ferries from service to examine each of the hulls more extensively.”


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K-9 Carnival and Children’s Festival Help Needed!

Do you have a knack for organization? Want to be involved in putting together a terrific community event? Do you like children or dogs?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then Island Rec has an opportunity for you to become part of a planning committee for either the 18th Annual Children’s Festival or the 2nd Annual K-9 Carnival.

No special skills are necessary, other than the willingness and time to work as a team committed to creating a fun filled festival, either for children or for dogs and their people.

Folks interested in learning more about these volunteer opportunities should contact Sally Kerr at Island Rec at 378-4953 or email play@islandrec.org. Preliminary planning for both these events is already underway!



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State Assessors’ Vote to Protect Taxpayers

The Washington State Association of County Assessors’ Executive Board, on behalf of all County Assessors’, has unanimously voted to propose legislation reenacting the 1% Limit and forbidding the use of “enhanced banked levy capacity” created by the Supreme Court ruling that could allow some jurisdictions sizeable tax increases above the intended 1% limit.

According to the Association, the vote reflects desire of the Assessors' to "protect and preserve the wishes of the voting public concerning I-747".
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Roche Harbor Future Development Plans

( Brent Snow points to development map to Rotary President Jack McKenna)

Roche Harbor (RH) has a master plan. Brent Snow, the General Manager of RH, addressed the local San Juan Rotary Club last Wednesday in Friday Harbor, and gave an overview of the current, and future development plans for the resort.

Mr. Snow told the Rotarians that the Master Plan for Roche Harbor is based on six development principles that guide how they develop the property; and allow development by others to occur. The first principle is to keep development concentrated so that all of the amenities are within a “five minute walk”; that there be “equitable” planning for pedestrians and autos; residential and commercial uses are “mixed”; that there be “interconnected ways”, and last but not least, “public space” is to be a priority.

Snow said that De Haro Development LLC has completed Phase 1 the new Roche Harbor neighborhood, that the Town Houses are nearing completion, and the development of the next area is on the hill above and behind the cottages. Snow said RH had decided not to do the actual construction, letting the same private contractor that build the cottages and town houses take over that phase of the development. Snow stressed that RH has put into place limits and design standards to insure compatibly with the overall appearance of RH


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County Gains Some Important Support For Priorities

The WSAC Legislative Steering Committee has voted to endorse San Juan County’s legislative priorities to improve ferry service; renew funding for the “Salmon Recovery Lead Entity Program”; support funding the year-round operation of the Neah Bay Rescue Tug; and may support legislation providing state protection for Orca Whales.

Four out of six is not bad. For the past year the County Council has debated what should appear on a list of “County Priorities” that could be presented to the state legislature in hopes of gaining some state support.

The County Councils decision that what was needed was a list of legislative priorities took then off on debate of what should be included, and what not, that has been an on going topic for the last year, and now, at last, some success in gaining support from the Association of Counties (WSAC) Legislative Steering Committee, which has voted to endorse at least some of the items on the list.

The list has been dynamic, starting off in January with Salmon Recovery, streamlined sales taxation for internet sales at the point of delivery, mental and public health issues, Lopez Hill, and Capron funding. Holding the top spots.

Over the year the list lost, gained and retained items, including Orca protection and ferry “issues”.

By April, some of the Council members (Rosenfeld, Lichter, & Peterson) had traveled to the mainland for some face-to-face meetings with at the state capital testifying on behalf of the county; and it has now started to pay off.

What the final outcome will be is yet to be decided, and while San Juan County may be “the jewel of the state”, it does not have much worth in buying support from the state legislators; but hope springs eternal.

The WSAC Draft 2008 Position Statements are:



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Want to be an “Angel”?

In the 1900’s someone who was willing to help finance a theatrical production was called an “angel”. The Benefits Players Theater on San Juan Island is looking for a few sponsors to help offset expenses - overhead, construction of sets, payment of royalties, costumes, and transportation, to name but a few- of putting on shows and concerts.

San Juan Benefit Players was established to provide quality theater productions for the benefit of the community, and to assist the community in charitable and educational benefits. The group states that while “We would like to contribute to the welfare of our community but we are finding the expense of putting on plays and concerts take most of our donated admission.”

They are asking for small sponsorships from anyone, or any group/business that would like to pitch in to help to provide the community with high quality performances with to contact the Benefit Players Theater at 360-370-5560 (or: edstrum@rockisland.com )to leave a message and they will quickly get back to you. Acknowledgements will be posted in their programs and respective posters.


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Lions ‘07’ Shopping Spree

(Frank Penwell photo)

The annual Lions fund raiser for the Food Bank was once again a roaring success. Past Lion President, John Towson (photo above), held the box containing the raffle tickets for this year's Shopping Spree.

Shantel Fessenden, a Griffin Bay Student, who was shopping with her sister, drew the winning tickets. Turkeys were won by Ginny Beaudoin, Jean Von Weier and Joan Benedict. John Bostrom won the 4 minute shopping spree.

Fellow Lions pictured are: (clockwise from upper left) Assistant Chair of the Shopping Spree Stacie Baisch, Roy Matsumoto, Howard Schonberger and Chair Laurie Wangenheim. Lion President Frank Penwell is taking the picture.

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New Medicare Options Workshop In FH

The San Juan Island Library and the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) are working together to sponsor two community workshops in Friday Harbor presenting an overview of Medicare information for seniors and New Options for Medicare Part D, or the prescription drug insurance program.

The New Medicare Options workshops take place on November 20 at the Mullis Center and November 21 at the Library.

* November 20, Tuesday at 3:30 – 5:00 at the Mullis Community Senior Center, 589 Nash St.
* November 21, Wednesday at 4:00 – 5:30 at the San Juan Island Library, 1010 Guard St.


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Genetically Modified Organisms Forum

The Agricultural Resources Committee (ARC) of San Juan County is sponsoring a public forum on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on Saturday, November 17, 2007 from 2-4 PM at the Mullis Senior Center in Friday Harbor.

A genetically modified organism is one that has had a piece or strand of foreign genetic material inserted into its genetic structure in an effort to change or supplement one or more of the plants’ traits. This process differs from traditional breeding in that it involves extracting selected genes from one organism (e.g. animals, plants, insects, bacteria) and/or viruses, and artificially inserting them into another completely different organism (e.g. food crops). Genetic engineering usually employs virus genes to smuggle in and promote the inserted genes, and antibiotic resistant bacteria to act as markers.



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Turtleback A Year Later

One year ago, on November 16th, 2006, Turtleback Mountain was purchased with funding from The San Juan Preservation Trust, San Juan County Land Bank, Trust for Public Land, and over 2000 individual donors. On that day, the iconic sentinel’s native habitats and expansive vistas achieved “Preserve” status, and the vital task of stewardship began.

As owner and steward, the Land Bank has spent the last year focused on three priorities for Turtleback:
1) Facilitating interim public access;
2) Conducting ecological assessments; and
3) Preparing a Draft Management Plan. Here’s an update on our progress.

Interim Public Access

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Tigers Take Championship; End Season Undefeated 10 - 0

By Charlyn Warner

Saturday, November 10. “Gentlemen, no matter what happens in today’s game, I want you to know how proud I am of you. And how proud each of you should be with your accomplishments this season,” said Head Coach Donny Galt as the 24-man Junior Tiger Team prepared to step out on the turf field in the Junior League Championship game held in Mount Vernon Saturday.

Emotions ran high at kick-off, both on the field and in the stands filled with literally hundreds of Tiger Football fans, as Tiger Micah Powell opened the game with a kick-off to the Anacortes Seahawks; a team that had lost just one game this season, a loss to our Mighty Tigers earlier in regular-season play. In the end, the Junior Tigers proved victorious, winning the championship with a score of 32 – 22, in one of the best match ups of the season.




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Storm Water Meeting

The newly formed County Council Sub-Committee held their first meeting in Friday Harbor on Veteran’s day, and the topic was how, and to what degree, should the County fund a stormwater ordinance. They will hold their second meeting at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 17 at the Senior Center on Orcas.

The sub-committee was formed after the resounding rejection by the voters of the previous funding ordinance. The committee will come back to the full council with ideas and -they hope- recommendations, for a new ordinance that will address the concerns of the voters.

At the first meeting the committee, county staff, and some members of the public, began the discussion with a review of preliminary goals, issues, and questions, with the aim of “establishing a work plan” to come up with a workable ordinance. In the following discussion the committee floated ideas ranging from Gene Knapp’s comment that “we just do a brand new ordinance”. to Howard Rosenfeld’s observation that “we could have a sunset date of one year, and then look at the problem at that time”; to a general discussion of “flat fees” and island specific funding that would be approved by the voters on their island.


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Children’s Theatre Production November 16 & 17

The jazz fly buzzes, an angel food cake dazzles and a nature hike jaunts, in the San Juan Community Children’s Theatre’s first stand-alone play, The Jazz Fly and the Angel Food Cake presented on November 16 and 17.

Thirty-five young elementary school age actors and the island’s Teddy Deane Jazz Quartet star in this charming play adapted by local storyteller Tifni Twitchell Lynch from a combination of children’s stories: The Jazz Fly by Mathew Gollub, The High Rise Glorious Skittle Skat Roarious Sky Pie Angel Food Cake by Nancy Willard and Henry Takes a Hike to Fitchburg by D.B. Johnson.

The play brings three worlds together in a fantasy that includes angels, animals, a magical angel food cake and a jazzy fly. The story’s theme centers on appreciating our surroundings, whether it be family, nature or music. “It’s slowing down and enjoying the moments, something we don’t get to do too often these days,” said Twitchell Lynch.



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Simple Majority Ballot Measure May Pass

The Seattle Times has reported that Resolution 4204, which allows a simple majority vote to approve school levies, may be passing in the state with a 7,000 majority vote. If so, the rest of the state will be in line with the voters of San Juan County, which voted to approve the Resolution.
Click here for a link to the story

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County Revenue Estimate: The “Squeeze” is On

Following on County Administrator Pete Rose warning to the County Council that the capital budget for maintenance and construction has “ “Hit the wall”, County Auditor Milene Henley reported to the County Council Tuesday that she also expects the tax revenue that funds most of the county’s day-to-day operations to increase just 2 percent next year over the estimated revenue for 2007. The next time for public comment is on December 4.

The Auditor is projecting a modest 2.4 percent increase in increase in property tax revenue. While the increase in revenue from existing property is -or has been- statutorily limited to 1 percent annually; (the balance of the increase comes from new construction): but the recent Supreme Court decision that struck down I-747 opens the door for property tax increases up to as much as 6%..

Henley believes that the other major generator of operating revenue, retail sales and use taxes, will actually be lower in 2008 than the amount originally budgeted for 2007.

Henley says she is basing next year’s estimate on the fact that the collection of sales taxes are running well behind expectations this year and may end up being only marginally higher than collections in 2006. Historically, the county’s sales tax revenue has increased an average of 5 to 6 percent each year.


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“GIS on the Islands”

Scared of maps? Need a map folding lesson? The maps nerds can help!
San Juan County’s map nerds announce “GIS on the Islands,” a celebration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day at the County Courthouse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14, 2007.

Learn how to use Google Earth to find your childhood home or look up information about your property using the Assessor’s Parcel Search. Watch videos to learn more about GIS and talk to GIS users to see how GIS helps them make decisions about our community and environment. Representatives from a variety of organizations will be available to demonstrate how GIS is used for transportation planning, emergency response, land conservation, water and habitat analysis, and noxious weed control.




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South Beach On San Juan Island

(Marc Forlenza photo)

Due to storm the Island Guardian is unable to upload at this time -Editor
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Council Sub-Committee Formed on Stormwater Issue

(L-R Ray Bigler, Pauli Gavora, Alex Gavora, Gordy Petersen, Lori Petersen, County Community Dev & Planning Director/ County Administrator Pro Tem Ron Henrickson, Council Clerk Laura Tuttle listen as County Council conduct telephone conference call -County photo)

As promised, the county council moved quickly last Friday to explore new ways to fund the storm water ordinance, and not wanting to wait the three weeks until the council meets again, they held a meeting by phone to discuss setting up a Council Sub-committee that would report back to the full committee; perhaps as soon as they hold their next scheduled meeting on November 27.

After everyone was on the phone, and Chairman Bob Myhr called the group to order, Councilman Alan Lichter proposed “That the Council establish a sub-committee, to review the issue of funding the stormwater situation.”


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- Guest Column -

Public Access
By Doug McCutchen

When I first came to live in the Islands about ten years ago there was still some opportunity to wander and explore tracts of undeveloped land. Friends who were born and raised here reminisce about being able to traverse the hills, valleys and beaches across the Islands virtually unfettered.

With the inevitable changes brought by population growth and development, this sense of freedom and open space has yielded to homes springing up on old trails, accompanied by “private road” and “no trespassing” signs. Anticipating the impacts of these changes in the fabric of our land and island culture, foresighted leaders in our community worked to create the San Juan County Land Bank.

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Veterans Day 2007. A Time To Say “Thank You”

(Local members of the Women’s Auxiliary of the American Legion collect items to be shipped to our troops overseas)

By Gordon Mansfield

On this Veterans Day 2007, we come together as a Nation to thank our veterans for their service and to let them know that their service and sacrifices will never be taken for granted.

Americans are blessed to live in a Nation of democracy and freedom. For these blessings we thank our veterans. Here and in communities across this great country, we honor veterans for protecting and securing democracy and freedom throughout our history.

Our veterans are everyday men and women we know as friends, neighbors, relatives, and colleagues who have served our Nation in extraordinary ways. They have preserved and strengthened our country and made sacrifices beyond duty’s call. Even as we honor them this Veterans Day, their successors are courageously defending our freedoms at home and abroad. Veterans and their families are truly among our finest citizens.

At the Department of Veterans Affairs, we are proud to fulfill the solemn pledge of President Abraham Lincoln who, during his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865, set forth our obligation to care for those injured in body and spirit in their defense of our Nation and for the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The VA and the over quarter million men and women serving in it give daily endorsement of President Lincoln’s commitment, and do so in a spirit of compassion, respect, sensitivity and gratitude. Let us today, therefore, remember Lincoln’s charge to us:

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.


(Gordon Mansfield is the Acting Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs; the above is his official Veterans Day message )


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SJI Chamber Visitor Information Center Staff Honored

(VIC staff volunteers, Lanna Palmer and Joanna Lef -SJICC photo).

The SJI Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center Staff enjoyed a luncheon in their honor as a "thank you!" for their hard work and dedication. According to Executive Director, Debbie Pigman, "These folks are, in many ways, the face of our community, whether by phone, through email or in person. And, they do an outstanding job! We have visitors who write or drop by the VIC a second time just to thank us for the helpful, friendly service they received from the staff."

Sandy Baird, the Visitor Information Center Coordinator organized the luncheon which was catered by Downriggers Restaurant. Sandy says that she feels "very fortunate to have such a strong staff with such a wealth of knowledge about our island....and they are a lot of fun to work with!"

Those honored at the luncheon were Lanna Palmer, Lori Stokes, Marsha Rachlin, Joanna Leff, Dorothy Robinson, Pat Christenson, Carolyn Spearman, Landis Pederson, Sharon Fishaut, Marolyn Mills, Joe Todd and Mary Doerflein.

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State Supreme Court Rules Against I-747

A new Supreme Court ruling has negated the voters passage in 2001 of the 1% yearly limit on property taxes. The San Juan County Council is now free to increase property taxes as much as 6% a year, but if they were to do so, they would be in opposition to Gov. Christine Gregoire, who has come out with a strong statement urging counties and local taxing districts to not do so.

Gregoire is hopeful the state Legislature will act to forestall the possible impacts of the Court ruling.

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Guest Editorial

Statement Regarding Storm Water Funding Ordinance Vote
By Rich Peterson

No one can know with certainty how to interpret the vote, but I believe these results go well beyond the issue of rejecting a flawed storm water funding ordinance. I think the outcome relates strongly to the concept of home rule and the fundamental voter rationale in adopting the charter. A strong collective sentiment exists among us that local government should serve the people and that the county council has, in some cases, not accomplished this.

The history of the referendum – from the initial filing, moving to the law suit and the council majority’s continuing support for the ordinance even though it was becoming apparent to most once the scrutiny began, that it contained major flaws –led to public dissatisfaction.



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Council Moves Quickly In Response To Election

In an unusual move, the County Council plans to have a special meeting this Friday. By telephone. According to a notice sent out on Wednesday, the council has apparently been discussing the need to quickly appoint a Council Stormwater sub-committee, and for reasons not explained, have decided it must be done this week.

At this weeks Monday staff meeting, Councilman Rich Peterson noted that no time had been allocated on the future agendas for discussion of stormwater funding, and that there should be some time made available.

The response from the other council members was silence, then Councilman Ranker, the most vocal of the six, inquired as to the reason for Peterson’s request. Peterson said that regardless of the outcome of the election on the funding ordinance, he felt that the council should discuss the issue.

It was decided to place the topic on the next agenda. In answer to a question we sent to Councilman Bob Myhr on his general response to the results of the election that defeated the funding ordinance, he wrote back that "as discussed in our last staff meeting, the Council plans to review the issue as one of the first discussion items at our next regular Tuesday Council meeting." That may be the reason for the meeting on Friday, since the Council will not be meeting for several weeks .

What, when, and how the Council decided to meet by telephone on Friday, instead of waiting for the normal scheduled public meeting, was not explained by the Council press release.


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County Policy Reversed By Fed Law

(Deputy Prosecutor Karen Vedder & Planning Director Ron Hendrickson watch Virginia Norgaard address Council -file photo)

The County has received a set back in a lawsuit to stop property from being divided if new, and more precise methods show it to be less than indicated in recorded county records. As previously reported , the case was started when Richard Durhack and Virginia Norgaard filed a law suit against San Juan County after they were prevented from proceeding with a property division.

The County had informed them that there property could no longer be divided, since new GIS surveying technologies indicated they had a tad less land than recorded surveys used to make the county land use maps showed. (the old “Aliquot” system did not factoring the curvature of the earth)

The outcome of the case will allow others who had been informed that land they owned was not as large as shown on County records, to use the original survey, when, and if, they apply for land use permits.

The impact of the case had been predicted by County Assessor Paul Dossett to result in very few land divisions. He has also said that it was basically a case of fairness, and urged the Council to retain the previous acreage designations as shown on the county land use maps.



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Time To Sign Up For Craft-Flea Market Sale

There will be a Crafts Sale and Flea Market on Saturday, November 17, 9am to 1pm, at the San Juan County Fair.

For those who wish to participate in selling something, this is the time to sign up. IF you have formal booth for the sale of craft items, or just a bunch of “flea market” items (Collectibles, Apparel, Jewelry, Crafts, Antiques, Dishes, Tools, Food, Toys, Furniture…to name a few), you are asked to call the fair office 378-4310 for more information, or email them at info@sanjuancountyfair.org


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Council To Hold Special Meeting Friday

The San Juan County Council is holding a Special Meeting on Friday, November 9, 2007, beginning at 10:00 a.m. via conference call. The public is invited to listen in via speaker telephone located in the Conference Room at Community Development & Planning Department, 135 Rhone Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

The Purpose of this special meeting is for the Council to discuss the creation of, and appointment of, a Stormwater sub-committee made up of council members.




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Girl’s Basketball Registrations In Process

Now is the time to register for Island Rec’s Girl’s Basketball League open to girls in grades 4th through 8th. Deadline to register is November 30th with the season beginning in January. All games are played on San Juan Island on Sunday afternoons.

Registration forms can be picked up from the schools or from Island Rec located at 580 Guard Street or printed off www.islandrec.org Registration fee is $35. Depending on space availability, registrations will be accepted after November 30th. The late registration fee is $40.

Contact Abby Spann at 378-4953 for more information about the league or if you are interested in volunteering as a coach or official.

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Firewise Awards On San Juan

(L to R: Shaun Hubbard; Brent Johnson; Rebecca Smith; Chris Zerby; Ron Garner, & Chief Steve Marler)

The national project manager for Firewise USA, Judith Leraas Cook. came to San Juan Island to present awards to representatives of five communitues that have become part of the Firewise program.

Accepting the awards for their communites were: Shaun Hubbard-South Cady Mt; Brent Johnson-North Forty; Rebecca Smith- Cape San Juan; Chris Zerby-Hillview Terrace III, and Ron Garner of Alsaka Place. An award was also earned by Hillview Terrace II.

The presentation was held at the Mullis St fire station headquarters.. The Firewise program helps communities protect themselves from the threat of wild fires by providing -among others things- advice on how to prepare for a wild fire before it happens.




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Help Out On Thanksgiving Day

(File photo)

This is the seventh year that San Juan Islanders will have gathered together at the SJI Grange to give thanks and celebrate the season together.

If you’re looking for a special way to celebrate and give thanks, go to the SJ Grange for a good old-fashioned community Thanksgiving dinner. You can show up any time between 12:00 Noon and 4:00 PM to enjoy a turkey feast. If you’re in a mood to help out, you can even show up between 10:00 AM and noon to help with set up and food preparation.

“We never know who or how many will show up to help”, says Minnie Knych, “but that just makes the day more interesting. Last year we served dinner to over 300 people. Sometimes there are a dozen people in the kitchen peeling potatoes, washing pots, stirring gravy or slicing turkey. There’s always another chore that needs to be done so there’s plenty for everyone who enjoys that part of the day, too. It’s always good fun and reminds me of my big family childhood holidays when uncles, aunts and cousins gathered in one home for this special day.”

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Reason To Be Proud & Happy

Having won their division 9-0, the Friday Harbor Tigers are heading off to a championship game. They will be playing in Mount Vernon at the High School Stadium this Saturday Nov 10th at 4:00 p.m. under the lights.

Coach Donny Galt said “It’s a big stadium and we don’t want the other team drowning us out. These boys worked hard to get here. We need you!!!! we need your families! we need your friends!”, and adds “Our cheerleaders need your help making some noise!”

Just to make sure you can find the place, Coach Galt has provided directions to the Mt. Vernon Stadium:
• From I-5 North/South, take KINCAID ST - EXIT 226
• Keep RIGHT at the fork to go on BROAD ST
• Turn LEFT onto S 10TH ST.
• Turn LEFT onto E FULTON ST.
• Stay STRAIGHT to go onto N 9TH ST


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Phillip Clarence White

March 30, 1939 - November 1, 2007

Phillip Clarence White passed away at home on November 1st surrounded by his family. Phil was born on March 30, 1939 in Watsonville, California to Roberta and Larry White. He lived in Watsonville for 50 years before moving to Friday Harbor with his childhood sweetheart and wife Joan.

Phil worked at the Port of Friday Harbor for 17 years as Airport Operations Assistant. Known as “Friday Harbor Phil”, he was the go-to guy when anyone needed a helping hand. He filled the airport with joy and his ready smile. He touched many people: agents, pilots, passengers, passersby, co-workers, friends and neighbors. He was always more than willing to give his time, and could be counted on to bring a smile. He brought his special talents to the committee to elect Joan County Clerk. Phil loved to build and create. In addition to his lifelong hobby of building model airplanes, some of his latest projects included a Koi pond, tomato garden, and rose gardens at home and the airport.

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Plastics Recycling On Major Islands

Free recycling of used hay bale wrap, baling twine, soil amendment bags, and nursery pots / flats. Click here for more information.

San Juan County residents have an opportunity to get rid of some of that nasty stuff this month in a recycling program on the major islands. For further information about this event, call Candace Jagel at WSU Extension-San Juan County at 360- 378-4414 or e-mail candacejagel@wsu.edu

Orcas Island: Nov. 8 at Solid Waste Facility
San Juan Island: Nov. 9 at Fairgrounds 4-H Bldg.
Lopez Island: Nov. 10 at Solid Waste Facility
the program is sponsored by: RE Sources for Sustainable Communities and the RE Store, San Juan Islands Conservation District, San Juan County Solid Waste Division, San Juan Sanitation Co., Skagit River Steel and Recycling, WSU Extension San Juan County. For more information about recycling programs, call RE Sources at 1-800-760-8434.


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SJI Library Surveys Island Residents

The San Juan Island Library is gathering community input into its programming decisions via a survey. Survey forms with five questions are available at the Library, the Mullis Community Senior Center, and online from the library home page www.sjlib.org. Survey responses will be collected until November 18, 2007.

The survey is being conducted to help find out when people might attend programs; what programs they are interested in; where they find out about library programs; and their satisfaction with the programs offered through the library “Live and Learn” series.

Library hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 AM to 8 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM. Library cards are free to island residents with proof of residency.


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Mama na Dada Comes To Friday Harbor

(FH Mayor Jones and Council Member Carrie Brooks are joined by Joanruth Baumann & Dick Coffey in honoring Daniel Rateng)

Daniel Rateng, (in photo above) received a Proclamation from Friday Harbor Mayor David Jones at the Town Council meeting on Thursday. Mayor Jones cited Rateng’s work with "Mama Na Dada" (Swahili for “Mother and Sister.) in “improving the quality of life for Kunya and neighboring villages through community education and sustainability projects".

The Mayor also presented a Commendation letter to Joanruth Baumann and Dick Coffey for their “continued outreach efforts in raising the needed revenue required to install a water purification and distribution system for the village”

The village is Kunya, and is a fishing village on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya. Like so many villages in Africa, Kunya has been hit hard by HIV, Malaria, and Typhoid. Clean water will help not only make their lives better, but will save lives.

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Stage Play “Doubt” At RH Pavilion

Island Stage Left presents the award-winning drama "Doubt" by John Patrick Shanley

In 2005 "Doubt" by John Patrick Shanley, was a smash hit on Broadway, earning both the Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award. Island Stage Left will present this masterful new play Nov 1st - Dec 1st Thursdays - Sundays at the Roche Harbor Pavilion. Performances will be at 7:30 pm Thursdays - Saturdays and at 4:30 on Sundays.

Bring the family Friday, Saturday or Sunday of Thanksgiving week! However,
no performance on Thanksgiving Day.

Here are some of the reviews of the play:


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Workshops Offered On Shoreline Protection

Friends of the San Juans, the San Juan County Land Bank, and the San Juan Preservation Trust are hosting a series of workshops to improve voluntary protection of local shorelines. The object of the workshops is to educate the public on how they can support salmon, seabirds and marine mammals by protecting critical shoreline habitats.

The “Shoreline Habitat Values, Threats & Protection Opportunities” workshops will be held:
* Wednesday November 7th from 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm at the Lopez Island Library,
* Thursday November 8th from 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm at the Orcas Senior Center, and
* Saturday November 10th from Noon to 1:30 pm at the San Juan Island Grange.

Workshops will include a brief summary of results from a county-wide shoreline protection survey; a slide presentation on priority shoreline habitats and species in the San Juans; review of primary threats to local shorelines; and an overview of the long-term protection strategies available to interested landowners including the open space tax incentive program and conservation easements.

Shoreline workshops are free and open to the public. For more information please contact FRIENDS at 360-378-2319.

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Violet Richardson Award Applications Now Open

Young women between the ages of 14 and 17 who are helping to make our community and world a better place are encouraged to apply for the Violet Richardson Award, which is presented each year by the Soroptimists of Friday Harbor.

This cash award is given to a young woman who has demonstrated initiative in both identifying a problem and in trying to solve it through her volunteer activities. Volunteer work can include, but is not limited to, projects that address social problems such as homelessness, violence, drug abuse, unemployment, illiteracy, discrimination, AIDS, and environmental pollution.

Activities that benefit women and girls are especially valued. The award is an opportunity to honor a girl who might not otherwise receive recognition. She may not be the best student, the best athlete, or the most popular girl in school, but she is caring, compassionate, creative, and most of all committed to making the world a better place.

Application forms (which include information about the award) are available from Lori Stokes (378-4643 or lori@rockisland.com), and are due by Saturday, December 1. ( Click Here for a fact sheet on the program)

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