Taste Washington

Saturday MARCH 31
V.I.P. 1pm – 5pm
General Admission 2pm – 5pm

Two days of fun begin on Saturday, when over 200 Washington wineries uncork their award-winning bottles, and the region’s top restaurants dish up their world-class bites … just for you!

Saturday’s can’t-miss seminar is the Canlis Food and Wine Pairing Seminar (http://tastewashington.org/home-2012/2012-seminars/) — learn about the best wines to pair with your next meals (with samples, of course!) from Canlis, a Northwest institution and winner of the 2011 Washington Wine Restaurant of the year!

Then head to the Viking Chef’s Stage (http://tastewashington.org/home-2012/chefs-stage/) to catch local luminaries Mark Bodinet of Copperleaf Restaurant and Bar, Steve Cain of Aqua by El Gaucho, and Clinton Jones of the Muckleshoot Casino, in action!

Sunday APRIL 1
V.I.P. 1pm – 5pm
General Admission 2pm – 5pm

A second day of tasting on Sunday gives you the chance to finally hit ALL of the world-class Washington wineries and restaurants you’ve been dying to visit. Try a new approach to wine tasting in our Vineyard Tasting area (http://tastewashington.org/home-2012/vineyard-tastings/). Compare and contrast wine straight from the source.

In addition to four more hours of tasting the amazing wine and mouth-watering bites being offered this year, Sunday also offers wine and food lovers the chance to meet one of the world’s leading celebrity chefs — Tom Douglas! Photo by Ed Anderson.

The world-renowned restaurant owner and chef will lead a wine and food pairing Seminar at 11 a.m.(http://tastewashington.org/home-2012/2012-seminars/), then take to the Viking Chef’s Stage at 2:30 (http://tastewashington.org/home-2012/chefs-stage/) to make one of his incredible dishes. Don’t miss the chance to watch Tom Douglas in action!

I look forward to seeing you there! For more information http://tastewashington.org/

As usual, there is a wide variety of things happening around the island in the weeks to come. One of these things has got to peak your interest! Take a look…

Are you interested in Low impact development? If so, this may be of interest to you. The Community Development and Planning Department and the San Juan Islands Conservation District will hold a workshop from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 6 at the San Juan Island Grange, 152 North First Street, Friday Harbor. The focus of the workshop is Low Impact Development best management practices and how they can help reduce runoff, clean pollutants and increase infiltration as well as create attractive landscapes and conserve water resources. The concept is to mimic natural hydrologic processes by protecting soils, amending soils, planting native plants that tolerate local conditions and directing runoff into small-scale facilities for treatment and infiltration.

David McDonald, a resource planner at Seattle Public Utilities and an educator for the PSP/WSU/UW Low Impact Development Certification program will cover Best Landscape Practices, Soil Protection & Restoration, Vegetation Management, and Pollution Prevention. Mark Buehrer, a professional engineer from 2020 Engineering in Bellingham will address Site Planning Principles, Best Management Practices, Erosion Control, Water Quality Treatment, and Construction, Operation & Management of various drainage solutions. This workshop is similar to one presented in November. The target audience for this workshop is planners, builders, developers, contractors, architects, landscape professionals, real estate professionals, engineers, and others interested in green technologies and natural resource conservation. For more details or to reserve a seat, contact Julie Thompson at 360.370.7588 or Juliet@sanjuanco.com

Attention all runners and walkers! A 10k and half marathon organized by Run Ladies Run (http://sjirunladiesrun.blogspot.com/) begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, March 25, 2012 at the Earthbox Motel and Spa on Spring Street in Friday Harbor. Number pickup will be from 11 am to 6 pm the day before – Saturday, March 24. Registration for the event is online only at ACTIVE.COM. Cost is $50 for the half marathon and $30 for the 10k.

Zumba for a great cause! Zumba Jam March 21 benefit for American Cancer Society (http://www.sanjuanislander.com/island-newshome/community/events/3504-zumba-jam-march-21-benefit-for-amer-cancer-society)Participate in a Zumba Jam from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at XYZ Movement Center at 698 Airport Center and raise funds for Relay For Life. All the proceeds go to the American Society. There will be two sets of “zumbaing” with drawings for prizes in between and after. Participants receive a ticket for the drawing at the door. Set 1: 4 to 5 pm Set 2: 5:20 to 6:20 pm Price: $10 adult/ $5 student.

For the inner gardener… The Orcas Island Garden Club is extending an invitation to San Juan Island gardeners to hear Graham Kerr, the Galloping Gourmet, give a presentation at the Orcas Center on March 21. The San Juan Island Garden Club will provide carpools from San Juan Island to Orcas (leave Friday Harbor @ 8:25 a.m. and return from Orcas at 12:25pm) Call 360-378-8306 to arrange free transportation for this wonderful event. The event itself costs $10.

For a complete community calendar, http://www.sanjuancalendar.com/

Spring is coming!!!!

The daffodils and crocus are starting to bloom which means Spring is on it’s way. Yahoo!!! It’s time to clean up the kayaks and dust off the golf clubs and get ready to enjoy the longer days.

The San Juan Golf and Country club is opening for the season this month and is serving lunch daily. The course is a very challenging and well maintained 9-holer with wonderful views looking towards Mount Baker. Call 360-378-2254 to set up your golf tee time.

If it is still a little too damp for you to venture into the outdoors no problem you can catch a play at the San Juan Community Theatre. This week “The Owl and the Pussycat” is being performed March 15-17 at 7:30 and Sunday March 18th at 2:00. You can view all the latest shows and book your tickets at www.sjctheatre.org.

Island Recreation has a number of ongoing activities going on throughout the year including badminton, basketball, volleyball, softball just to scratch the surface. This Sunday the 18th they are holding the first round robin ping pong tournament at 11:00. For more details and to view their extensive activities go to www.islandrec.org or call 360-378-4958.

As always if you are at a loss of what to do here on San Juan Island check out www.sanjuancalendar.com for a full schedule of new and ongoing activities.

Happy Spring (almost)!!!!

Inside and Outside

Inside: Attend an Interesting Lecture at the University of Washington Labs in Friday Harbor

The next in San Juan Nature Institute’s current Arthur Whiteley Lecture Series will be a lecture by William Calvin entitled What to do about Climate. The lecture is free and open to the public and will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday March 8 in the Commons at UW Friday Harbor Labs. Coffee and cookies will be available before and after the talk.

In this talk, Dr. Calvin, an Affiliate Professor at UW School of Medicine, regards the world as a patient with ‘global fever’. Called in to give a second opinion of the problem, he will examine the symptoms, make prognosis of what will happen if treatment is delayed and suggest a cure. Despite the dire prognosis, Calvin does not believe the situation is hopeless, but he does admit that the treatment must be bold, immediate and more than simple reduction of emissions of carbon dioxide.

William Calvin is author a dozen books for general readers. He writes, and speaks, with wit and insight. A student of the Evolution of the Brain, Calvin explored the influence of abrupt climate change on human evolution and he has written several books on climate change.

The San Juan Nature Institute offers a selection of courses and lectures each season that they hope will inspire people of all ages to participate in the lifelong process of learning and discovery. They use the San Juan Islands as their outdoor classroom, hosting field workshops, young naturalist programs, a lecture series, and a Partners in Science Program within the local school classrooms. To learn more about this organization, go to http://sjnature.org.

Outside: Baseball is just around the corner!

The High School Team can be seen on the field practicing sliding, throwing, and catching.

Softball and T-ball season begins soon too. This year baseball, softball, rookie and T-ball programs for kids from age 5-13 are offered. Tryouts for minor and major boys and girls programs will be held on March 11 at Friday Harbor Elementary School. Joel Arnold, president, suggests that it will be an exciting season and encourages volunteers to jump on board. To learn more, go to www.fhball.org.

For a complete community calendar, http://www.sanjuancalendar.com/

Even though we are in the quiet season there are still things moving and shaking.

Here are a few hot topics around the island that might be worth keeping up to date on:

Critical Area Ordinance. This is a movement to redefine land use including setbacks, compliancy of structures, etc. The outcome of this issue could affect nearly every property owner in San Juan County. A great website to track activity and keep abreast of the latest developments is the Common Sense Alliance (http://www.commonsensealliance.net/). The Common Sense Alliance is a grassroots organization formed by concerned citizens in 2009 to inform the community about San Juan County’s proposed land use regulations affecting wetlands, streams, lakes, ponds, and shorelines. The purpose of our website is to keep you informed.
The “Library” on this website which is located in the black bar at the top of this page will provide you with a list of addresses for contacting the County Council, the Planning Commission, the County Planning Staff, the Prosecuting Attorney(s), and the more common print and online papers on the major islands.
Additionally, the “Library” contains all of the CSA Comments on the proposed regulations and the Best Available Science; handouts from Forums and Town Hall Meetings; all Newsletters sent to our subscribers; and links to YouTube and other videos.

Voters on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands approved ballot measures for their school districts. It is amazing to see such support for our local schools.
• San Juan Island School District: 67 percent yes to 32 percent no for a $3,763,000 capital facilities and technology levy.
• Lopez Island School District: 74 percent yes to 25 percent no for a $1 million bond and to levy a property tax to pay for it.
• Orcas Island School District: 64 percent yes to 35 percent no for a $1.8 million maintenance and operations levy.
For more details visit the district websites as follows:
      San Juan School Island District at www.sjisd.wednet.edu

      Orcas Island School District at www.orcasislandschools.org

      Lopez Island School District at www.lopezislandschool.org

It is not too late to join a fishing derby!!! It looks to be a great season of Blackmouth (Chinook) salmon this year. With two derbies in the bag, the numbers per fisherman are looking very good. If this trend continues, it will be fun to watch our local anglers battle it out for TEN WEEKS to the finish line, during the upcoming King’s Marine/Frank Wilson Derby starting on Wednesday, Feb 1.
The 8th Annual Frank Wilson Memorial Winter Blackmouth Derby will run from Feb. 1 to April 15.
Weekly prizes for the largest fish of the week will be handed out. Weigh in at King’s Market Meat Dept by 5 p.m. daily. On the final day, April 15 weigh in by 3 p.m.
1st Prize – $1000
2nd Place – $500
3rd Place – $250
Women’s Division – $250
Mystery Fish – $250
Kids (14 and under) prizes also!
*One prize per person
Entry fee $50
Tickets are available at King’s Marine Center. Cash or check only please.

Check our community calendar link. http://www.sanjuancalendar.com/

It’s been an exciting 2012 so far concerning weather.

We’ve seen snow, ice, wind, rain, and thankfully a great stretch of beautiful blue skies. If these gray skies inspire you to do indoor things I don’t think you are alone. Hang on, spring and summer are just around the corner!

There are many wonderful things in the works, the Community Theater is setting up to perform The Sound of Music. Stay tuned for the show dates, the performances are historically fantastic! The schools are also gearing up for performances, it warms the heart to watch young old kids perform on the stage.

If movies are your things, the Palace Theater is hosting The Gray with Liam Neeson, and The Iron Lady featuring Meryl Streep. Two great options for a dry and warm evening.

Tuesday is Valentines Day! Many of the restaurants have specials that may make your sweetie feel extra special on this day. Call your favorite and see what they have going on. This is a great day to indulge in an island “staycation”. Thousands flock here during the summer months, so if you live here full time consider making a reservation for dinner and a hotel room and pretend you are on your own mini vacation!

There is something for everyone, take your pick!

Check our community calendar link. http://www.sanjuancalendar.com/

Unseasonably great weather

The atypical wonderful sunny and warm weather has islanders out and about without jackets and donning sunglasses. Popular pursuits include getting the boats and garden prepared for Spring. Here is what to do this week in the islands, for further information please check our community calendar link. http://www.sanjuancalendar.com/
Feb. 5:  Yesterday was the last day of the popular 2012 annual Salmon Classic Invitational fishing tournament at Roche Harbor. Someone who has had the pleasure of fishing in the smooth water in this sunny weather will have caught the winning fish and get a lucky $10,000 first prize, besides.
Feb. 5-18 is the 2012 Annual Islands Playwrights Festival. The abundance of fine writers and actors in the islands, many with experience in the greater non-island world, present a popular event for entertainment. This is made special by the fact that the actors and the playwrights may be well known by the audience members, and the topics may refer to well known aspects of island living. Or example, one play is about three women who plan an islander’s empty nest party when their children leave for college. This year there are six light-hearted plays, each of them about twelve minutes long. The event takes place at the community theatre in the evening at 7:30.
Coming up: for new boaters, there is a FREE comprehensive basic boating safety course for Power, Sail, and Paddle Boats being held at San Juan Island’s Skagit Valley College in Friday Harbor. It will take us six Monday evenings from 7-9 p.m. and begins on February 13th.