Help out at the K-9 Carnival!

ig_Dogs-1 (31k image) Island Rec is looking for volunteers to help out at our K-9 Carnival on Sunday, March 30th. Volunteers can help out before with set-up, during with parking, fee collection, and activities, or after the event.

The K-9 carnival is a chance for dogs and their human companions to spend a day making new friends and having a good time. Come help out a little and have a lot of fun! For more information or to volunteer contact Abby @ 378-4953.

Project Recommends Formation of San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild

By Eliza Buck

“Eat Local” is a way of life for many residents in the San Juan Islands. We are fortunate to have weekly Farmers’ Markets giving us access to Island raised produce, berries, flowers, meat, eggs and dairy products, as well as local seafood and shellfish. The markets also feature freshly cooked and prepared foods made from local ingredients.

An active vibrant Farmers’ Market is an invaluable asset to the community. Conversely, community support is essential to its success. The San Juan Island Farmers’ Market, which over the past ten years, has expanded to over 40 vendors, is such a success story.

It has outgrown its space at the courthouse parking lot and needs the ability to grow and further expand. From a recent survey of market vendors, Paul LaCrampe of Lacrover Farms summarizes their top priorities as “a need for a permanent location to offer a year-round market and operate for more than one day a week.

The site must provide protection from the elements, ample parking, restrooms and storage facilities. Above all, this permanent market must be economically sustainable for both vendors and consumers.”

Click to view the rest of the article ******

New Show At Waterworks

ig_WW_navajo_rug (75k image) (“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.

View this show online as of November 1 2007 at www.waterworksgallery.com

Town To Lose Another Historic Building? Perhaps Not

ig_Frits_Bld-2 (100k image)
(Photo from the Cottage Living magazine sent as press release by Strehlou)

The turn of the century home of Virgil Frits, the onetime Editor/Publisher of the old Friday Harbor Journal may go the way of other historical buildings in Friday Harbor: to a landfill; unless someone steps forward to save it, by moving it

“That building will be torn down over my dead body!”, so said then County Commissioner Darcy Neilson after the County purchased the property for possible future expansion of county administrative buildings That was then, but now the building will be scheduled for demolition unless someone, or some group, steps forward to save it, by moving it. And Neilson may yet play a role in saving it.
ig_Frits_Bld-1 (47k image)
(Building as it currently exists)
Just when the demolition of the building could occur is an open question, and according to County Administrator Pete Rose, the destruction of the building “Is not on my radar screen”.

The building has been rented out by the County, but is now vacant. The County does not have a historical board or committee, but the Town of Friday Harbor does and as far back as 2004 there was concern by the Town of Friday Harbor’s Historical Preservation Review Board that the County would demolish the building, The Board -which is only an advisory board to the Town, - had discussed “various strategies for encouraging the community to work together to save this structure”.

On July of last year, Sandy Strehlou, the historic preservation coordinator for the Town, wrote a letter to the editors of Cottage Living, suggesting they feature the house in their "Does my house have potential?" section.

It has taken until this month, but the house is now a one page feature in the magazine. So has it helped “to find someone who would move the building to a lot elsewhere in town, thus retaining some of its historic context,” as Strehlou hoped it would?.

Yup, but a number of offers have come from people in other states. One cannot help but wonder if they have any idea of what would be involved -or the expense- in a cross-country move of the building, but the story has also helped attract local attention.

While we were interviewing Strehlou, a man came into the office and said he and his wife were in the process of investigating buying a lot an moving a house onto it, and expressed an interest in accepting the Frits house. Strehlou gave him a packet of information on the building, and some encouragement.

He is not alone in thinking about it. Darcy Nielsen sent Strehlou an email from Albania, and said she owned property on San Juan Island, and would consider moving the house onto her property in order to save it. So far it appears that Strehlou’s idea of national publicity may pave the way for moving the building, and since the County is now in the middle of spending a pile of money to remodel the Carlson Building for the Council’s administrative needs, it is unlikely the Frits building is going to be torn down anytime soon.

For additional information on the building, Sandy Strehlou can be contacted by email at sstrehlou@fridayharbor.org. or by phone: 378-2810

Basketball Coaches & Halloween Party Volunteers Needed!

Island Rec is in need of volunteers for two big fall programs serving Island youth and teens. If you have time and interest in helping out please call Island Rec at 378-4953 for more information.

Volunteers of all ages are needed for the Teen Halloween Party on October 31st. Help is needed during the day with decorating and during the party help is needed to serve refreshments and supervise games and activities. All you need is time and the desire to help out!

Additionally volunteers to coach youth basketball for boys in grades 4th through 8th are needed. League games are played on Island on Sunday afternoons in November and December. If you want to the opportunity to help boys develop basketball and team skills and a lifetime appreciation of the game call Sally at Island Rec.

Island Rec benefits from over two thousand hours of volunteer services provided by over 100 volunteers each year. Join us in the fun and become an IRV, Island Rec Volunteer!

25 Years Adds Up To Time To “Go Fishing!”

ig_Charlotte_Dye-1 (60k image)
( Councilman Rosenfeld presents a gift from the Council to Charlotte Dye)

After 24 years of serving as Chief Deputy Auditor for San Juan County, Charlotte Dye announced her retirement, and her plans to “catch fish I haven’t caught and go places I haven’t been.”. Friday the 14th will be her last official day in the Auditor’s office.

Keeping with her love of fishing and hunting, County Administrator Pete Rose “lured” Dye up to the Council Chambers on Tuesday to ostensibly respond to an inquiry from the Council, which turned out to be a “thank you” for years of service. She received a standing ovation from staff, co-workers and members of the public that had come to wish her well. The gift? A fishing lure.

ig_Charlotte_Dye-2 (45k image) After work Dye attended a pot-luck dinner in her honor, where stories were told, presents presented and toasts were made.

Ms. Dye was truly the Chief Deputy, both in title and deed. She was the one the Auditor counted on to keep things humming along in the office, and always responded to the public’s requests for information with both a smile and an immediate response. Auditor Milene Henley summed up the feelings of many when she stated “She will be sorely missed, not only for her skills, but for her invaluable institutional history.”

Charlotte first signed on with the San Juan County Auditor’s office in February 1976, but 18 months later left to accecpt a job offer from the J.J. Theodore Cannery at Pear Point. She returned in 1984 and has spent the next 23 years serving the public of San Juan County.

“I’m retiring because I can, but I am going to miss the people.” She and husband Daniel plan to travel for six months and then plan to go fishing and hunting. “I got an elk last year with my papa’s rifle,” she said, “he left it to me when he died, so I feel like I get to take him along with me.”

Jose Domenech, who joined the Auditor’s Accounting Division staff in 2003, has been named to succeed Ms. Dye.

9th Annual Steve Braun Memorial Triathlon

The folks at the the Orcas Island Recreation Program are gearing up for the 9th year of the Steve Braun Memorial Triathlon, and want to remind everyone that if they sign up now they save money, and it will help the event organizers with their planning.

Registration includes a hat, Frisbee, shirt, or coffee mug, and lots or fun! Call 360-376-5339 for a registration form or pick up forms at the Orcas Rec. Program office (Senior Services Bldg.), Wildlife Cycles, or download a registration form . Send in your registration form as soon as possible before the race to avoid the morning rush. Registration will be permitted on race day. If you pre-register, you save $5.

Pre-registration: $35 for triathletes $25 individuals (1 or 2 events or team member) $20 under 18

Registration on the day of the event will be: $40 for triathletes $30 individuals (1 or 2 events as a team or individually) $25 under 18

The race takes place Sunday, September 2nd, at the Cascade Lake Picnic Area in Orcas Island Moran State Park. 8:30 pre-race meeting/Race begins at 9:00

The race consists of a .4 mile swim in beautiful Cascade Lake; a 17 mile bike ride on a scenic country road and a 3.5 mile trail run around the lake.
Individuals can participate in one, two, or three parts of the triathlon. You may participate as a team if you wish. All age groups are encouraged to join in any portion of this good-spirited annual event. This is a comfortable and fun triathlon, open to serious triathletes, and those who want to challenge themselves to enjoy completing the course.

Proceeds benefit the San Juan Preservation Trust, Friends of Moran State Park,
& the Orcas Island Recreation Program youth programs.

Call (360) 376-5339 for more information.