Journal
The
NEWS | County pays $22k in public records settlement [8] CULTURE | Island Lights Fest lights up the sky [9] OUTSIDE | Seventh new Southern resident orca baby [20]
WEDNESDAY, December 9, 2015 n VOL. 108, NO. 49 n 75¢
SMP draws criticism
BRIGHT ISLAND LIGHTS Power
rate to increase
By Anna V. Smith
By Leslie Kelly
Journal reporter
San Juan County Council has begun the public hearing process on updating the county’s Shoreline Master Program, which applies to the more than 400 miles of shoreline in the county and concerns landowners, public access points, private businesses and research property. The first SMP was adopted by San Juan County and approved by the Department of Ecology in 1976. According to Linda Kuller, planning manager and deputy director at the Department of Community Development, the last major update was in 1998, with several amendments made in 2002. Though the county was initially on a deadline of June 2013, Kuller said that a number of factors delayed the deadline including a Critical Area Ordinance review and approval process required prior to the SMP, limited state funding and county staffing, and a lengthy public involvement process. As of Dec. 3, the department has received approximately 115 comments and more than 50 people providing verbal testimony. The first day of the public hearing on the proposed SMP on Nov. 30 brought an overflow of commentators to the council chambers from all ferry-serviced islands. The majority of public commentary focused on the proposed changed designation of Snug Harbor Resort, currently a non-conforming structure, to a port, marina, marine transportation shoreline designation. While some residents supported the designation change in order for expansion at the resort, others including the Mitchell Bay Homeowners Association opposed the port, marina, marine transportation designation for fear of over-development, intrusion on wildlife and other issues. According to Erik Nelson, coowner of Snug Harbor Resort, the original plan to add 11 slips to the marina was denied, and at this See SMP, Page 5
Special to the Journal
Contributed photo/ Aaron Shepard
Santa spreads good cheer at the Island Lights Festival on Dec. 4. See more fun from that evening on page 10.
Mike Vouri: Reflections on 20 years working at the park By Heather Spaulding Journal reporter
More than 50 people packed into the San Juan Island Library on a stormy evening Dec. 2 to congratulate Mike Vouri on his retirement, and listen to him spin wild tales about the 20 years he has spent at the National Park. Excitement was in the air, but there was also a solemnness. This night was the beginning of the end of an era. Never fear, Mike isn’t leaving our island soon. Vouri opened the slide show with a photo of his grandfather, Paul Bentley, and dedicated the evening to him, the man who introduced him to the islands. Immediately, ten-year-old Mike fell in love with everything about the islands; the characters he met, lush vegetation, even riding ferries as well as the National Park that opened in 1966. His grandfather encouraged him frequently to get a job at “that beautiful park.”
Vouri didn’t disregard his grandfathers’ advice, but he loved writing, story-telling and history. He couldn’t imagine a way to incorporate those passions working as a ranger. He attended Western University and became engrossed with the Bellingham community. Working for the Whatcom Museum rekindled his connection with the park. As it happened, he was coordinating an exhibit about George Pickett and needed to borrow some artifacts from then National Park Ranger Bill Gleason, who hired him in 1995. Change doesn’t usually occur drastically, over-night, but in small incremental stages. It began innocently enough for Vouri in his new position, improving toilets. All the parks’ toilets were “handme-downs,” in such terrible condition English Camp’s was dubbed “Hole of Calcutta.” “I thought everyone would be
excited about the improvement,” Mike commented wryly, “A few days after American Camp’s was finished, someone shot holes in the door.” The slide show continued with photos of staff and volunteers who had come and gone. “The key with volunteers is that they need to be consistent, and Becky Knoll was. She knew how to handle visitors. She was kind, but tough,” he said showing a picture of her gentle face, eyes daring the camera. “One day we had an unhappy customer. He wanted to really come at me. Becky blocked the door, wouldn’t let him in. ‘You want to leave it,’ Becky said. I’ll never forget that.” There were shots of the old park office no longer on Spring Street, assorted renovations, archeological classes, Fourth of July parades, and General Pickett events, of which Vouri says “Without help See VOURI, Page 3
Get ready to pay more for electricity if you are a member of the Orcas Power and Light Cooperative. But the increase is projected to be minimal – about $6 a month for the average customer. The board of directors of OPALCO approved its 2016 budget Nov. 20, opting for an increase in electric rates of about 5 percent. “We want to keep measures in place that keep our co-op financially healthy, following two years of declining energy sales,” said General Manager Foster Hildreth. “Member’s bills will go up about 5 percent beginning in January.” Currently, the average monthly bill is $116. It’s expected to increase to $122 beginning in January. The decline in energy sales for the co-op is related to the weather, Hildreth said. But the 5 percent increase includes the co-ops costs of doing business, See OPALCO, Page 4
Journal deadlines
Display advertising: Friday at noon Classified advertising: Monday at noon Legal advertising: Thursday at noon Press releases, Letters: Friday at 3 p.m.
How to reach us
Office: 378-5696 Fax: 1-888-562-8818 Editor: editor@sanjuanjournal.com
2 — Wednesday, December 9, 2015
The Journal of the San Juan Islands | SanJuanJournal.com
DONATE NOW TO HELP STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Join Jacksons and our community in making a difference for victims of domestic violence.
Purchase a Peace Dove at any Jacksons store now until December 25th. Jacksons will match customer donations dollar for dollar.* Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a 501(c)(3) organization.
jacksons.com To learn more about the campaign, go to wscadv.org or call the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Where to call for help: National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 1-866-331-9474 TTY 1-866-331-8453 *Jacksons will match up to $75,000. To find out more go to wscadv.org
The Journal of the San Juan Islands | SanJuanJournal.com
Vouri
Continued from page 1
Contributed photo
Mike Vouri performing as General Pickett..
Education award Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is offering a $2,000 for an “Educational Opportunity Award.” This award helps women to overcome financial difficulties and better their lives through education and training. The recipient may use the cash award to offset any costs of higher education, such as tuition, books, childcare, and transportation. The award will be granted to a woman living in San Juan County who is enrolled in an undergraduate or vocational degree program of study, including on-line educational programs. An applicant does not need to be the primary wage earner in a household to be eligible for this award. A downloadable application form is available online at www.sifri.org, or pick up a form at the Toy Box, 20 First Street, Friday Harbor. Applications must be mailed to SIFRI, PO Box 2856, Friday Harbor WA 98250, and postmarked by Jan. 11, 2016. For questions or additional information, contact Diana Sibert, dianasibert@gmail.com or 3705269. All applicants will be notified of the judges’ decision in mid-February, and the winner will be invited to the annual Notable Women’s Lunch in March. This is the second year in a row that SIFRI has offered this award. In Friday Harbor the club raises and donates over
$40,000 and thousands of volunteer hours each year to community projects. For more information about how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls, visit www.soroptimist.org.
from so many I couldn’t have pulled it together.” During the 150 year anniversary of the Pig War, the park received a record breaking 5,000 visitors. The schooner Lady Washington came up to help celebrate, offering rides from English Camp. Thirty people were waiting their turn, “Five minutes,” Mike said as he threw up his hands, “I went to the bathroom and was gone five minutes. When I returned, the dock had collapsed, people were flailing about in the water.” In in 1995, 1996 and 2007 the park was forced to lock down during the government shutdowns. A foreboding photo of a chain-link padlocked across American Camps parking lot flashed across the screen. “Broke my heart when we had to do that.” He said with a lowered voice. “Once I got a phone call
Wednesday, December 9, 2015 —3
from the park, ‘Mike, you’re going to love this!’” Vouri rushed to the park to find two college-age boys hauling a cannon up from the beach. “They wanted to take it home, we explained no, no, no…” The audience laughed. During the Pig War there were reports of ships practicing firing cannons. Historians assumed these were “dry shots.” These two college kids proved this was not the case. The cannon was placed in an exhibit but there is still a dent in the ground where it lay for over a hundred years, concealed by a Douglas fir. Vouri touched on some of the parks controversies as well. “Lets talk,” a photo of a densely populated rabbit warren appeared on the screen, “about rabbits. My favorite time. My favorite time.” Laughter emanated from the crowd at Vouri’s reference to the parks attempt to control the rabbit population, which created a huge backlash from the
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community. “Our thought [in regards to controlling rabbit population] was about restoring natural prairies, Camus and other wildflowers. We didn’t communicate well enough with the community. I do think we learned from that mistake.” The year 2009 brought an end to George Pickett, minus one exception, years later, honoring long time ranger and volunteer Darlene Wahl after she passed away. One of the biggest changes was the recent rerouting of Cattle Point Road. Vouri had pictures of that as well with its new path over Mt. Finlayson. “I know I’m leaving the park in good hands, and I’m optimistic about where it’s going in the future,” Vouri said with a smile. We will adjust to this new era, Mike, but forgive us if we ask you if you have the day off when we see you around town wearing jeans rather than your uniform. It takes time to adjust.
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COMMUNITY
NOTICES DEC. 11
Wolf Hollow’s Critter’s Christmas
Join Wolf Hollow staff and board to ring in the holiday season with festive goodies and drinks! Bring a gift for our critters and pick a handmade ornament for your own tree! Visit our website
Mullis Community Senior Center
DEC. 12TH
SAN JUAN SINGERS HOLIDAY CONCERT
San Juan Island’s annual holiday choral concert feature s a performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria (RV 589). Written in the early 1700s, this beautiful, lively and lyrical setting of the prayer San Juan Community Theatre
. 12TH DEC Friends of the
Library Holiday Book Sale
All proceeds will support SJI Library programs not covered by tax dollars. Shop local and support the library! 10am to 4pm at the SJI Library,
DEC. 13TdsH
IMA Islan Artists’ Registry Show The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (IMA) welcomes the community to our fourth exhibition of works by more than 70 countywide Artist Registry members.
540 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, Your
Headqua rters
This bulletin board space, donated by Friday Harbor Drug Co. & The Journal of the San Juan Isla nds available to nonprofit com , is munity ser vice clubs, churches & organizations at no charge. To reser ve space, call Cherie Sarrett 8 days prior to publication at The JOURNAL: 378-5696.
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4 — Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Evans Funeral Chapel ANNOUNCING
Third Thursday of every month
Whidbey Island Bank Friday Harbor Community Room - 10 AM - 2PM Available for questions/assistance
Linda Haddon
Pre-Arrangement Counselor Certified Life Celebrant Our Family Helping Yours Evans Funeral Chapel & On-Site Crematory (360) 378-4567 • 1105 32nd St, Anacortes WA 98221 “Serving the San Juan Islands for over 40 years”
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The Journal of the San Juan Islands | SanJuanJournal.com
Opalco
employees. The budget also reflects a projection that power costs Continued from page 1 from BPA are expected including energy costs to drop in November and and capital outlay costs, December 2016 by about 2 said Suzanne Olson, percent. Olson said that is expectOPALCO spokeswoman. She said rates the co-op ed to happen because forepays to Bonneville Power casters say the current El Administration, which sup- Nino weather pattern will plies energy, have gone up end and temperatures will become colder; thus meanabout 6 percent annually. According to the budget ing more energy sales and a document, the total budget drop in price. As for capital projects, for the energy co-op will increase from the current OPALCO has budgeted $3 year at $23.3 million to million for the submarine $24.8 million. The budget is cable replacement project. based on a 3 percent infla- About $4.4 million was tion projection for 2016. spent in 2015 and $7.4 milBudget forecasts for 2017 lion is planned for 2017. to 2020 were also approved The project will finish up in and the rate of inflation is 2018 with $200,000 allotted. Other projects are outexpected to jump to 4 percent in years 2019 and 2020. lined in the construction The co-op doesn’t plan work plan which has a any new hires through 2020 goal of achieving voltage and will remain operational stability, and a greater syswith 51 full time employ- tem reliability and overall ees. Wages are forecast to system efficiency. In 2016, increase 2 percent in 2016, there is $2.28 million for 3 percent in 2017 and 2018, replacement based on age, type, neutral and 4 percent inKeep 2019 andupcable to date on degra2020, as allowed by the dation and outage frequenCo-opbargainhappenings and$2.4 other cy. Another million current collective ing agreement with union is allotted for grid control
communications infrastructure. One of the programs that the co-op is initiating in 2016 is the energy assistance program. The 2016 budget includes $90,000 for the program, which is just half of what was requested. Although specifics of the program are still being worked out, those who qualify will get a $10 credit each month to their $39 facilities charge. Additionally each consumer will pay .0005 cents per kilowatt hour, or for the average customer, 45 cents per month to help fund the program. Awards will be based on income and household size. The program stems from a survey in which members voiced concerns about their neighbors who are low income or on fixed incomes and cannot afford their energy bills. The survey showed that 1,500 of the co-ops members fall below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. “OPALCO is doing its part and setting an example for other county agencies creating an energy assisevents like winter outage help. by tance program in 2016,” said Hildreth. It’s all inPast our e-newsletter. "Christmas & Present" Olson said the board did Orcas Power & Light Cooperative not fully fund the program San Juan Singers Holiday Concert today at at the level requested by Subscribe staff because it was “trying Sat., Dec. 12, 7:30 pm • Sun., Dec. 13, 2 pm www.opalco.com/about/email-signup/ to keep expenses down” for San Juan Community Theatre the utility and for its mem-
Connect to OPALCO read your Co-op Connector
bers. “Even 45 cents a month will feel like a lot to some of our members,” she said. The 2016 budget also includes staff time for development and preparation for future community solar projects. Activities in 2016 will include exploring sites, design and loan funding possibilities. OPALCO is a nonprofit member-owned electric utility co-op providing services to San Juan County since 1937. Most of its energy is generated from hydro power by BPA and is delivered to about 20 islands by way of submarine cables. It has 11,198 members, 1,339 miles of power lines and 11 substations. Its subsidiary, Rock Island Communications, deploys fiber optic communications throughout the area. “The marriage of energy and communications lays a compelling foundation that enables co-op members to make a better living through internet-enabled businesses that lifts the area beyond a tourism economy,” the budget narrative stated. To see the entire budget document go to www.opalco.com.
NEW WEDNESDAY NIGHTS! SUKIYAKI SHABU SHABU HALF PRICED SAKE 5-9 PM | RESERVATIONS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED | (360) 370-7191
Wednesday, December 9, 2015 — 5
The Journal of the San Juan Islands | SanJuanJournal.com
SMP
Continued from page 1 point they will not be adding marina slips, whether or not they are designated as port, marine and marine transport. Nelson said the resort is designated as noncomforming use because it should not have been allowed in the current zoning, which is conservancy, but was grandfathered in since it was built in the 1960s. Due to requirements from Department of Natural Resources, the Snug Harbor docks need to be moved further from shore to avoid “grounding out,” meaning that the dock rests on the sea bed at low tide. Nelson said they will also take out creosote pilings and styrofoam blocks, and replace the old docks. After the redesign of the marina and moving further from shore, the docks will project into the bay approximately 96 feet. “We are just trying to be good neighbors, hopefully satisfy everyone but still end up with a viable project,” Nelson said. “There’s a definite safety hazard with the age of the docks, in terms of stability and overall condition.” The upland portion of Snug Harbor Resort is cur-
rently designated as rural residential, and at the shoreline it has a split designation of conservancy and aquatic. The conservancy designation means that no new marinas or expansion of existing marinas is allowed in the water, Kuller said. The SMP proposes a change in designation to port, marina, marine transportation, making the marina a conforming use and allow the docks to be expanded into the water. A number of people who spoke at the Nov. 30 public hearing said not enough time was given from when the draft proposal was made available and the end of the public comment period, which included two power outages and two federal holidays. According to councilman Rick Hughes, the council extended public comment one week, to Dec. 8 for comments to go on public record. Hughes said that public comment will be recieved until deliberations, the Dec. 8 deadline is only for comments to go on public record. “We’ve been working on this document for so long and a good chunk hasn’t changed for a long time, so I do feel that the info has been available to the public for a period of time in one form or another,” Hughes said. “Plus we added on one week and
CREED
Begins Thursday, Dec. 10th
The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed. Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson
THE NIGHT BEFORE Begins Thursday, Dec. 10th
On Christmas eve, three lifelong friends, two of whom are Jewish, spend the night in New York City looking for the Holy Grail of Christmas parties. Stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Jillian Bell ★ ALSO SHOWING ★ ★ THE PEANUTS MOVIE ★
★ Check out our Facebook page for the latest updates. www.facebook.com/FridayHarborPalaceTheatre?fref=ts ★
The
Palace Theatre
24-HOUR MOVIE LINE: 370-5666 FIRST RUN MOVIES • ART FILMS • DOLBY SOUND TWO SCREENS • HEALTHIER POPCORN STATE-OF-THE-ART PROJECTION INFRARED SOUND FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED THE ANDREW V. McLAGLEN CAREER EXHIBIT
will be accepting comments until deliberations mid-January.” Speakers were also disappointed that certain aspects of the SMP were allowing looser definition of nonconforming use requirements and repealing the forage fish protection clause amongst other issues. Kyle Loring of Friends of the San Juans told the council that the proposed update of the SMP is generally less restrictive, and asked the council that if they did not take the Friends’ submitted comments into account, that it keep the existing SMP because the original “is more protective than the one you are proposing.” Lovel Pratt discussed the future of commercial aquaculture operations, including fish net pens and geoduck operations, saying the proposed SMP does not address
them, and now is the time to be proactive, since residential and aquaculture operations are priority shoreline uses. Pratt recommended that the county draw from Island County’s plan. Billie J. Swalla, director of Friday Harbor Laboratories, voiced her concerns about the proposed change in designation of the labs research areas, False Bay and Argyle Lagoon. “It is not hyperbole to state that the labs’ existence in San Juan County relies on the quality of the marine resources and the field sites accessible researchers and students; thus this designation affects us directly and significantly,” reads a letter written by Swalla and research professor at the labs Megan Dethier to the council. “The most recent versions of the shoreline designations directly adjacent to our marine life preserves will
significantly downgrade the protection of those marine resources.” Around False Bay, the last SMP designated dual designations of rural residential/ natural and rural farm forest/ natural. The proposed SMP eliminates the dual designation, to be rural residential and rural farm forest. Around Argyle Lagoon, near Jackson Beach, the proposal looks to change the designation from natural to port, marina and marine transport, as well as from natural to rural residential to accommodate barges coming into Jackson Beach and the houses on the north shore. “Because the University owns and controls all of the tidelands and the critical area regulations protect the functions and values, no signifi-
cant impacts to the environment are anticipated with the proposed change to aquatic,” Kuller said. Kuller said that the Department of Community Development proposed early in the process to try and eliminate dual designation. According to Kuller, the council may review and address some of the submitted comments at their Dec. 15 meeting, but will likely not complete the bulk of the review until late January. Once approved by the county, the Department of Ecology reviews the plan and may choose to hold a public hearing and allow a 30 day comment period. Kuller says it may take up to six months for Department of Ecology to review and choose to approve or deny the SMP.
FIBER UPDATE Rock Island Communications has been busy installing fiber optic broadband to homes and businesses around the county. This historic undertaking will provide fast, reliable Internet up to 200Mbps+ to those who want it. We’re currently managing over 250 simultaneous construction projects countywide. Here are some of the groups we’ve been working with to date: Current Group Projects: Matia View on Orcas Island Morning Light on Orcas Island Suncrest on Orcas Island Whiskey Hill on Lopez Island Cape San Juan on San Juan Island Mineral Point on San Juan Island Spring Point on Orcas Island Mineral Heights on San Juan Island The Highlands on San Juan Island Upcoming Group Projects: Cayou Valley on Orcas Island Gary Oak on San Juan Island Portland Fair Area on San Juan Island Panorama Place on San Juan Island Brown Island on Brown Island Salmon Point on Lopez Island You Can Get Connected Too! Learn more about organizing at rockisland.com, or attend one of our monthly meetings.
MONTHLY FIBER MEETUPS Monthly Open Fiber Meeting: Join us this month for one general information session. All are welcome! This meeting will be held on Lopez this December (meetings will rotate islands every month). This month’s meeting: December 9th Lopez Island Library from 5:30 – 7:00 pm 2225 Fisherman Bay Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261 (360) 468-2265 rockisland.com
8 — Wednesday, December 9, 2015
The Journal of the San Juan Islands | SanJuanJournal.com
County pays $22K in public records lawsuit By Anna V. Smith Journal reporter
A Public Records Act lawsuit against San Juan County has been resolved, with the county paying $22,501 plus legal costs and attorney’s fees to plaintiff Sheryl Albritton, according to press releases from the offices of the attorneys working on the case. The complaint, filed Oct. 9 in Skagit County Superior Court said the case “is about elected officials and public employees conspiring to conceal improper gov-
ernmental conduct from the public,” and alleged a number of documents were withheld from a public records request. San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord was originally listed along with San Juan County as a defendant, and was dismissed from the case as requested by the defending attorney. “The maximum penalty we could get if we continued to litigate Ms. Albritton’s claim was about $18,000 dollars — that the coun-
SAN JUAN COMMUNITY THEATRE
ty offered Ms. Albritton significantly more than the case was worth indicates how badly the county wanted this case to be over,” said plaintiff attorney Nick Power in a press release. According to defense attorney Jeffrey Myers, the county arrived at the $22,501 amount after calculating the days from Albritton’s request of the documents until when the county handed them over. In the press release from Myers’ office, it states the lawsuit is based on a “misunderstanding,” and that it was unclear in the initial request which documents Albritton was requesting. “When we reviewed the lawsuit, it became clear that Ms. Albritton wanted more than just code enforcement
records,” Myers said in the press release. “Our first step was to provide her with all the additional documents, including records about the Improper Governmental Action complaint which did not properly belong in the code enforcement file.” The county press release states that they “identified mistakes,” which according to Myers was the issue of timeliness in the response to the public records request as well as omitted documents, including those with handwritten notations. Since the lawsuit, the county has made additions to the county’s public records response. San Juan County Councilman Jamie Stephens is now the interim public records officer, and the county has issued a pro-
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– Submitted by Island Fire and Rescue
Island Fire and Rescue reminds everyone to slow down this winter. The roads on San Juan Island are icy and slick. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, multiple roll-over accidents occurred on our roads. Some of the vehicles ended up on their roofs. The roads are tricky and slippery this time of year so please exercise extreme caution. Be safe for the holidays.
Free jazz with music from the San Juan Jazz Quintet (minus one!).
The community chorus takes us to “Christmas Past and Present” with a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria as well as popular and traditional carols. Business Partner: Lake Kennedy McCulloch CPAs Tickets: Adults $18; Student Reserved $9; and $5 RUSH at the door.
www.sjctheatre.org
Fire and Rescue warns drivers to be safe on icy roads
Christmas Jazz
San Juan Singers
Directed by Angel Michaels
For more event info or to purchase tickets:
cy issues with our county government,” said plaintiff attorney Nick Powers in a press release about the Albritton lawsuit. “This is a step in the right direction, but there is still a lot of work to be done for the county’s government to be in compliance with state law.”
Wednesday December 16th @ 7PM
Holiday Concert
Coming December 20 FROZEN Sing-Along!
viso to county departments stating that non-compliance with public records requests will impact their budgets. According to the county’s press release, they have invested in new software and training to “improve its responsiveness” and to track requests. “Unfortunately there are still huge transparen-
What better way to celebrate than to relax with music and meet up with friends, old and new?
Our doors are open with holiday cheer! We have Skipper and TC but no reindeer. Come look at our tree with all of its trimming and purchase a present in the spirit of giving The New Home New Hope dreams fill the air and that is something we want to share. So come on by with your dog or cat because we even have those kind of snacks! Hours: Mon-Fri 10-4 Sat 10-4 on Saturdays come by to get your picture taken with Skipper and TC from 12 to 2 Sun 12-4 378-2158 • www.apsfh.com
378-2798 ■ www.sjlib.org
The Journal of the San Juan Islands | SanJuanJournal.com
Wednesday, December 9, 2015 —11
Economic council crowns winners of business contest By Colleen Armstrong Publisher
Local entrepeurs are one step closer to seeing their business dreams come true. The San Juan County Economic Development Council’s first annual “Launch San Juan Islands” business plan competition culminated with four winners at a luncheon on Dec. 2. There were 12 entries with plans that ranged from a dog bakery to iPhone instructions to advanced marine technology. “We hope to make it better every year,” said EDC Outreach Coordinator Robin Carroll. “And we plan on offering a similar program for non-profits.” The grand prize winner of $2,000 went to Sasha von Dassow of San Juan Island Transport. He will be bringing agricultural products from local farmers to the mainland – and vice-versa. The second prize of $1,000
went to Leslie and Jacob Betcher of Upright Marine on Orcas Island. They invented a new type of marine buoy anchors that are ecologically sensitive. The two runner up awards of $250 each went to Sandhya Sreerama for her San Juan Island-based Indian food company Port of Spice and Tim Fry of 468 Communications on Lopez for an app that chambers of commerce and the visitors bureau can use for tourists. Since the beginning of October, the group has participated in business planning and marketing workshops, mentoring sessions and an entrepreneur trade show. The participants also made oral presentations to the panel of judges. The winners were selected based on the following criteria: market viability, competitive strategy, management, likelihood of sucStaff photo/ Colleen Smith Armtrong cess and impact on San Juan County. The contest winners: Tim Fry, Sasha von Dassow, Leslie and Jacob Betcher and Sandhya Sreerama.
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Friday Harbor High School Students, Jillian Urbach and Wilson Loucks, shown above, chose The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor as the recipient of their community project this year. After a great deal of deliberation, they decided to make cat scratching posts; something the shelter was desperately in need of. To raise funds for the project Jillian and Wilson had a do-it-yourself dog wash at the animal shelter in early November. With the funds raised they purchased the supplies needed to build the scratching posts and set about learning how to construct them. As you can see by the photo, they caught on quickly and presented the animal shelter with seven beautiful posts – destined to provide hours of claw-sharpening fun for shelter cats for a long time to come.
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Animal Protection Society -Friday Harbor. “We’ve gotten all our pets from the animal shelter,” Urbach says. “I wanted to find a way to give back.” In addition to promoting
the app, the teens have built nine scratching posts for the cats at the shelter. They also raised $200 by hosting a DIY dog wash at the shelter.
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Want an easy way to raise money for your favorite animal shelter? There’s an app for that. Walk For A Dog is an app you can download to your phone that keeps track of how far you’ve walked and donates to any animal shelter based on that distance. Jillian Urbach and Wilson Loucks, juniors at Friday Harbor High School, have made it their mission to spread the word about the free app as part of their community project. “It’s a great tool,” says Loucks. “You’re walking your dog anyway. If you can make money for a good cause at the same time, why not?” The app, developed by WoofTrax, Inc., allows users to select any shelter or rescue organization as their beneficiary, but, of course, Loucks and Urbach hope locals will choose the
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Ferdinand J. Augusztiny Dorthea Ellen Augusztiny
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Dorthea was a longtime resident of Friday Harbor, Proprietor of Boardwalk Bookstore, and lover of all animals. Please support the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor.
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Seventh new Southern resident community orca baby confirmed 2016
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A January 12 Publication of the Journal, Sounder, & Weekly. In partnership with the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, with copies taken to the Seattle & Portland Wedding Shows.
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Orca Network joins with the Center for Whale Research to announce a new baby orca born in November in L pod. The new orca has been assigned the scientific designation L123. The new mom is 12-year old L103, called “Lapis,” and this is her first known offspring. The average age at first birth is over 14 years old,
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so this new mom will likely have the support of her mother, 38-year old L55 (Nugget), and older sister, L82 (Kasatka), who had her own new calf, L116 (Finn) in 2010. There are now seven orcas in the three generations of the L55 matriline. The newborn is the seventh birth in the endangered Southern resident orca population in the past year. In 1977 nine new calves were documented, and in 1986 also seven calves were born. The birth of L123 brings the total in J, K, and L pods up to 83, or 84 including Lolita, the L pod orca captured in 1970 and still on display in a theme park in Miami. Little L123 was first noticed on Nov. 10 by Orca Network Whale Sighting Network coordinator Alisa Lemire Brooks and Orca Network and Langley Whale Center volunteer Sara Hysong-Shimazu who saw the newborn from Alki Point in Puget sound while Alisa and Sara were tracking and observing the orcas as part of Orca Network’s
Contributed photo/ Mark Malleson
The baby was seen on Dec. 4 in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Whale Sighting Network, sharing their sightings with the public via Facebook to help others in Puget Sound get to nearby shorelines to see the whales. Their observations, and Alisa’s video and Sara’s photos, led them to realize that there was a new calf traveling with L pod that day. The photos
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and video were sent to the Center for Whale Research, but they were unable to officially confirm the birth until Dec. 4, when Mark Malleson found most of the Southern resident orcas in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and was able to take photos from closer range. Alisa Lemire Brooks’ video of L pod in Puget Sound on Nov. 10 may be viewed at www.sanjuanjournal.com. The new arrival reminds us once again of our responsibility to make every effort to restore chinook salmon spawning habitat, and access to that habitat, to allow salmon runs to flourish and provide vital sustenance for this endangered extended orca family. To learn more go to www. orcanetwork.org or visitour Facebook page.
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