San Juan Island Perspectives

Things to Do Week of January 30 – February 5, 2012

Diana — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:56:05 +0000

A Good Time to Plan

If a San Juan Islander ever wanted to leave the island for a vacation, it would likely be during the winter, when the days are shorter and it rains or snows more. However, there are many reasons to enjoy this time of the year: it’s easy to find a parking place, no lines at the grocery store, a real small town feeling of appreciation for place. For these reasons, we suggest that this is a good week to visit to see how San Juan Island might fit into your future. Start your plans!

1. Plan for your future retirement or second home. Some people like to visit the islands during these quiet times to see the “off-season” island lifestyle. For them, it makes perfect sense to see what the San Juans are like on a year-round basis before they come to any decisions. They are not disappointed.
2. Plan a stress-free weekend in a place that is unique. Here in the islands you will not find a McDonalds, a Rite-Aid, or a Macy’s. Since the rates are less during the off-season, you can pick a comfy bed and breakfast in town, see some good live theatre or a movie, visit galleries and museums, and eat some great food. Drive down to South beach off of Pickett’s Lane at American Camp, if it is a windy day; see the waves roll in and crash on the beach. Wear a parka and try your skills at flying a kite. You deserve a break today!
3. Plan to see a few properties with a knowledgeable Realtor. (http://www.sanjuanrealestate.idxco.com/idx/3151/roster.php) This is the time of year when Realtors have more time to spend with you, and their knowledge is invaluable. Any of us would be happy to help you begin your search process and we understand that many people are not ready when they start looking.
4. Plan an event. Does your family have a reunion or a big birthday coming up? How about a wedding? Wedding providers in the island have gotten together recently to offer their services and suggestions. There are many places where you can have a unique wedding here in the islands, and now is the time to start checking out venues and dates for Spring and Summer events.

Islanders are planning; too, they are planning for the Spring Garden. It is hard to resist on a cloudy day, sitting down with a cup of tea and a seed catalog and making goals about the garden. Visitors or non-gardeners will want to visit our farmer’s market for seasonal delights. If you decide to come up this week for a visit, check out our Calendar of events. http://www.sanjuancalendar.com/ Have a great week!

Things to Do Week of January 23 – 29, 2012

Paul — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:35:33 +0000

Go with the snow.

Last week’s snow was a great excuse to stay home, make some soup and catch up on some reading. I was surprised to see snow last Sunday on my way to recycle. The storm had come in from the north east and done a pretty good job of turning RocheHarbor road into a very long slip and slide. The snow had covered some ice and it quickly got ugly for about 9 cars without 4 wheel drive. Here are some tips to remember when we occasionally get snow.

Get the feel of the road by starting out slowly and testing your steering control and braking ability. Avoid spinning your tires when you start by gently pressing your gas pedal until the car starts to roll. Start slowing down at least three times sooner than you normally would when turning or stopping.
Equip your vehicle with chains or snow tires. Chains are by far the most effective, and they should be used where ice and snow remain on the roadway. Remember that snow tires will slide on ice or packed snow so keep your distance.
Reduce your speed to correspond with conditions. There is no such thing as a “safe” speed range at which you may drive on snow or ice. You must be extremely cautious until you are able to determine how much traction you can expect from your tires.
When stopping, avoid sudden movements of the steering wheel and pump the brake gently. Avoid locking of brakes on glazed ice as it will cause a loss of steering and control. Every city block and every mile of highway may be different, depending upon sun or shade and the surface of the roadway. (Check your vehicle owner’s manual, if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes, you may apply steady pressure to the brake pedal.)
Maintain a safe interval between you and the car ahead of you according to the conditions of the pavement. Many needless rear-end crashes occur on icy streets because drivers forget to leave stopping space.
Keep your vehicle in the best possible driving condition. The lights, tires, brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, and radiator are especially important for winter driving.
Keep your windows clear. Don’t start driving until the windows are defrosted and clean – even if you’re only going a short distance.
Watch for danger or slippery spots ahead. Ice may remain on bridges even though the rest of the road is clear. Snow and ice also stick longer in shaded areas.

The rain on Saturday did quick work to melt the snow and get us back to normal. Looks like a bit of rain this week and hopefully clear for the Wedding show this weekend. Planning a wedding? Come and meet the Friday Harbor’s premier wedding vendors on Saturday, Jan 28th from 11am – 4pm at Island Inn,123 West St, Friday Harbor. Welcome reception evening before, Fri 27th 6-8pm, same location. Showcasing their talents will be photographers, florists, musicians, lodging and venues, caterers, cake designer, activities and spas. Entry is free. Many drawings and special discounts available at the show, as well as dining and room discounts for the weekend.

Have a great week!

Things to Do Week of January 16 – 22, 2012

Tim — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:32:42 +0000

It feels as though winter may actually be here.

It has been unseasonably mild so far this winter here in the San Juans. This week an arctic storm that has been dumping snow in Alaska is apparently heading our way.

When it gets real cold and even when it’s snowing I like to bundle up and head out into nature. One of my favorite walks is the hike to the top of Mount Young. The trail head is located on West Valley Road just north of the entrance to English Camp Visitors Center there is a little area on the side of the road to park. The hike to the top is not very long but, it is very steep. The incredible view looking west towards Vancouver Island is especially fantastic during a winter sunset. If you go up there at sunset do not forget to bring a flashlight or head lamp as it gets dark very quickly here in the northwest.

Another good winter activity is to walk around downtown Friday Harbor checking out the shops and getting a bite to eat before going to a movie at the Palace Theatre call 370-5666 for schedule.

If venturing out is not your thing there is always grabbing a few books from Serendipity second hand book store and curling up by the fire or heater. Serendipity is located in downtown Friday Harbor at 223 A Street next door to the Hungry Clam.

For a complete schedule of events happening this week please click on our calendar button. It is complete with high school sporting events, plays, programs happening at the parks as well as many other activities.

Have a great week and stay warm.

Things to Do Week of January 9 – 15, 2012

Michele — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:45:45 +0000

Things have slowed down quite a bit since just one week ago.

This is a fantastic time to enjoy the quite lifestyle that helps to re-energize our batteries before the pace picks up again.

Take some time to visit our local beaches…head to South Beach and watch the waves tumble over the weather worn rocks, better yet pick up the flat rocks and have a rock skipping contest! If you are on the north side of San Juan walk the paths of Roche Harbor and visit the mausoleum, you are almost guaranteed to have the place to yourself!

If one of your resolutions was to get in better shape try out one of the many nightly programs that our local Island Rec offers:

Monday and Wednesday you can join others for some competitive Badminton (yep, Badminton) or Ping Pong
Tuesday and Thursday you can join in a game of Adult Basketball
Thursday offers Indoor Soccer

To see the full schedule go to www.islandrec.org.

The Community Theatre is hosting the Friday Harbor High School Drama Group as they present Little Women, to see all showings visit the Community Theater’s website at www.sjctheatre.org.

Enjoy this peaceful time of year!

Things to Do Week of December 19 – 25, 2011

Michele — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:15:12 +0000

The holiday season is upon us and the San Juans embrace it with style!

There are so many things to participate in this coming week centered around the holidays or you can enjoy other fun things around the island.

Island Stage Left has prepared another fantastic play for us to enjoy. Wednesday, December 21st at 7:30 p.m. at the Roche Harbor Pavilion the cast and crew present OMINIUM GATHERUM, A Celebration of the Season in Words and Music. The presentation is intended to warm hearts, tickle funny bones, and kindle the spirit of the season. The quality of the plays is fantastic and the setting is intimate. Showings also occur Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

If you want to try your hand (or your voice) at barbershop, you join the Island Chordsmen Plus as they rehearse and invite you to give it a go. This is happening Thursday evening at Villages in Friday Harbor.

This can be a tiring time of year! If you have all of your gifts bought but just don’t have the energy left to wrap them, here is your solution! You can take your gifts to the Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, December 21st, and local high school youth will wrap your gifts and have them ready for pick-up late afternoon that same day. How great!

And for those last minute, fresh items for your holiday dinner don’t forget the Farmers Market Saturday 10am. Yum!

As always, the islands are a fantastic place to simply wander the festively lit streets and contribute to the local shops and enjoy the spirit of the season.

Traffic and Parking in Friday Harbor

Diana — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:31:26 +0000

You will see when you pull off of the ferry that Friday Harbor is a ‘main street” town without any parking lights, overpasses, or four lane highways. When traffic gets busy and the ferry needs to unload in the summertime, a real person often directs the cars with a whistle and their arms. There are no pedestrian lights, either. Jaywalking is not unheard of and usually doesn’t get a second glance. There is a four way stop and people actually take turns with going through it. Often people in crosswalks will motion for a car to go ahead of them while they are in the crosswalk. Maybe not having lights and signals and laws regarding who is first has made us more considerate of our neighbors. I hope so.

Perspective

Diana — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:30:33 +0000

I remember the first time that I saw the shore of San Juan from a boat. I squinted to try to get a closer image of the houses that I had only seen from driveways in my car. How different everything looked from the water! Homes with docks and boat moorings and front patios on the water side seemed to have a secret life on the side that faced the Salish Sea. Long and winding wooded driveways visible from the interior of the island led to sparkling shiny homes with boats at the ready to escape to Canada’s Gulf Islands or over to Fisherman’s Bay on Lopez with the crab pot for a dinner on the deck. Looking up, I could see homes on hilltops that would have spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains and passing pods of whales, little kayaks, even me, a spec looking to the sky. I remembered this time recently when a real estate client who lived on a boat told me how different San Juan seemed to her from a car. She had no idea of the lovely farmland on the interior, no feeling for the difference between topography and climate on the north verses the south end of the island. She marveled at the limited amount of traffic and the friendly drivers. Thee two huge National Parks were amazing resources. She felt that what had seemed like a small port was actually a large, varied island with many choices of residence. She thought that this was where she should stay.

Artist’s Studio Tour

Diana — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:15:34 +0000

This weekend was the 20^th annual San Juan Island Artists’ Studio Tour, with sunny weather and friendly artists welcoming visitors into their studios. This happening started in 1990 when nine artists got together with the idea of having a free tour in Spring weather to give island residents and visitors an opportunity to see where they worked and what they had come up with over the winter. The idea was not to sell artwork, but to inspire others. Since that time the original concept has remained the same, but the increasing number of artists coming to the islands to live has increased the number of open studios to 19. We visited the studios with our grandson, age 4, who was welcomed as heartily as we were. We visited a bronze sculpture studio and a potters studio. On the way we saw alpacas in the fields getting ready to be shorn and stopped at Roche Harbor Store for a beverage. The quality of the work of the artists was truly inspiring and it was fascinating to learn how they created their work and found their inspirations. As the artists say in their brief history, “The fact that these diversely artistic people have come together united by their love of the arts and their willingness to mutually support each other is nothing short of a class act.”

It’s not as rainy as the rumors lead you to believe!

Michele — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:30:50 +0000

For many people when they hear the mention of any place in the Pacific Northwest the first image that pops into their head is…rain, and lots of it! If you believe all you hear you would think that the PNW consists of only two things: rain and coffee. While our coffee availability is quite impressive (in my opinion) and is the truthful tale being spun, the story of the rain is simply not accurate. Not where I live anyway.
The San Juan Islands, tucked into the very NW corner of Washington State (there are parts of Canada that are farther south than some parts of the island) have a very different weather pattern than the city of Seattle. The San Juan Islands enjoy an average of 247 days with sunshine and about half the rainfall of Seattle, thanks to the “rain shadow” effect of the Olympic Mountains to the south and west.
The message being sent lately is beginning to tell the truth and people are starting to take notice. For example, when the New York Times introduced its 2011 recommended destinations list (published January 7) with the words “From the beaches of Mexico to the wilds of Kurdistan, the places on this year’s list take you to the end of the world and back.” The San Juan Islands of Washington State are listed in the #2 position on this world list! Yes, IN THE WORLD! To read the entire article go to: www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/travel/09where-to-go.html or use the shortened link of http://nyti.ms/gJXhwc.
My only question is, when are you arriving?

Don’t let your credit score deter you from pursuing buying!

Michele — Mon, 02 May 2011 17:24:09 +0000

Have you been thinking of buying a property in the past few years but discarded the dream because you have taken a hit to your credit score? There are many people in the same boat. But some changes are coming… According to Realtor magazine, at the National Association of Realtor conference last year banks were accused of restraining homes sales by not considering buyers with low credit scores. The conversation went further and stated that “banks’ credit policies were out of sync with the FHA” and the impact on sales was estimated to be as high as a 20% slow down. Wells Fargo was listening!

Their new policy, which took effect January 15, states:
• With a credit score between 500-579 a borrower would be considered if the borrower was able to make a minimum down payment of 10% (gifted funds and other down payment assistance is not allowed)
• With a credit score between 580-599 a borrower would be considered if the borrower was able to make a minimum down payment of 5% (gifted funds and other down payment assistance is not allowed)
• With a credit score 600 and above the minimum down payment would be 3.5%
So what are you waiting for?! Call your Wells Fargo lender now! (I have no affiliation with Wells Fargo; I am simply a supporter of policies that allow more options for the consumer).