almanacs - 2013 book of the san juan islands

DifferenceThe

Come Experience the Judd & Black Difference

Photo by Ian Byington

“Islanders helping Islanders since 1981”

We take great pride in being the local bank providing our Island Communities financial products & services with an Islanders touch.

www.islandersbank.com

Islanders Bank ®

Orcas Island 475Fern St.

Eastsound, WA 98245 (360)376-2265

Lopez Island 45 Weeks Road

Lopez Island, WA 98261 (360)468-2295

Friday Harbor 225 Blair Avenue

Friday Harbor, WA 98250 (360)378-2265

Right, the Olympic Mountains and Strait of Juan de Fuca are in full view on San Juan Island’s Mount Ben; contributed photo. Above, Bald Eagles are a familiar sight in the San Juans, home to 147 nesting pairs. Scott Rasmussen photo.

1820 Commercial Ave. • AnacortesRight off the ferry!

800-555-8944 • 360-293-5129WEEKLY DELIVERY TO THE ISLANDS!

San Juan County has more miles of

shoreline (375) than any other county

in the United States

Above, a weather-worn barn on Lopez Island; George Willis photo. Left the peaceful Hummel Lake on Lopez; contributed photo.

FREEFerry Pickup

Sea-Tac AirportDrop-off & Pick-up

Low RatesOpen 7 days a week

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Daily / Weekly / MonthlyRates Available

Insurance Replacements

360-293-8686 TOLL FREE [email protected]

910-25th St.Anacortes, WA

5Welcome to the San Juan Islands

At home in the heart of the Salish Sea

Lopez Island 6Birding 7Orcas Island 9Education 12San Juan Island 14

Conservation 15Weather 16Shaw Island 17Anacortes 18

Above, a ferry glides through the San Juans, with snow-capped Mount Baker in the background; Journal file photo.

By Scott Rasmussen

The scenic splendor and unique natural environ-

ment of the San Juan Islands, and its wildlife as well, draw thousands of visitors to this archipelago of islands each and every year.

In fact, the islands’ reputa-tion as a coveted tourist desti-nation continues to grow. The New York Times rated the San Juans No. 2 on its worldwide list of “41 Places to Go in 2011”, and the islands weighed in as No. 3 on National Geographic Traveler’s worldwide list of “10 Best Summer Trips of 2011”.

But for those who live here, there’s more to the islands’ al-lure than meets the eye. And most would probably agree that it’s the one-of-a-kind combination of rural charac-ter, laid-back lifestyle, and the many charms of its small-town atmosphere, that truly stand out as the hallmarks of the place that they call home. And what a home it is.

This publication, The Book of the San Juan Islands, now in its 26th edition, offers in-sight about the features, char-acter and lifestyle on the San Juans four ferry-served islands, Lopez, Orcas, San Juan and Shaw, and Anacortes as well. It spotlights several of the San Juans signature attributes, such as conservation, wildlife and weather, and includes sources for online information, as well as notable statistics. Below are just a few to help get you started:

Situated in the heart of the Salish Sea, the San Juan Islands are made up of 172 islands, rocks and reefs — at high tide, but that number jumps to no less than 743 at low tide. The tidal exchange can rise and fall by as much as seven feet at cer-tain times of the year.

The bulk of the islands that make up the San Juans are lo-cated within the borders of San Juan County, bounded by Rosario Strait to the east, and

Haro Strait and Boundary Pass to the west.

In the 1990s, San Juan County had the second-highest rate of growth of Washington state’s 39 counties, at 44 per-cent. In 2010, it was home to 15,769 year-round residents, according to the U.S. Census. With only 180 square miles of land, it is the state’s smallest county but boasts its greatest amount of saltwater shoreline, totaling about 375 miles.

Information Online:WA State Ferries: wsdot.wa.gov/ferries

San Juan County: sanjuanco.com

Publication Information The Journal of the San Juans 640 Mullis St., Friday Harbor, WA 98250P: 360‑378‑5696, F: 360‑378‑5128 ‑ www.sanjuanjournal.com

The Islands’ Sounder 217 Main Street, Eastsound, WA 98245,P: 360‑376‑4500, F: 360‑376‑4501 ‑ www.islandssounder.com

The Islands’ Weekly 217 Main Street, Eastsound, WA 98245,P: 360‑468‑4242, F: 360‑376‑4501 ‑ www.islandsweekly.com

ContributorsPublishers: Roxanne Angel, Colleen Smith ArmstrongEditor: Scott RasmussenWriters: Cali Bagby, Scott Rasmussen, Steve WehrlyAdvertising Sales: Roxanne Angel, Colleen Smith Armstrong, Dubi Izakson, Howard SchonbergerGraphic Artists: Scott Herning, Kathryn Sherman Cover Photo: Orcas Island; Alex Huppenthal

County CounCilJamie Stephens468-3331 (office)468-4408 (home)

Fire DepartmentJim Ghiglione, chief 468-2991

library2225 Fisherman bay rd. 468-2265

meDiCal CliniC103 Washburn place lopez Village 468-2245

Senior SerViCeS

lopez isl. Senior Center468-2421

SHeriFF’S Dept.3345 Fisherman bay rd. 468-2333

emerGenCy: 911

utilitieS/SerViCeS

orCaS poWer & liGHt376-3500 (office) 376-3599 (outages)

6 Welcome to the San Juan Islands

see Lopez, next page

By Cali Bagby

Driving off the ferry and into Lopez Village your eyes will feast on gently rolling hills

and lovely farm houses nestled into the landscape. And don’t forget to wave as you pass fellow driv-ers – it’s a long-standing tradition that will make you feel right at home on this island dubbed the “Friendly Isle.”

The island is 15 miles long and 8 miles wide and is the closest of the ferry-served islands to Ana-cortes, making it a quick and convenient trip.

Although Lopez Island’s population is small, around 2,400 people, it has a wide variety of com-munity services and activities.

Lopez Center for Community and the Arts opened 13 years ago, thanks to thousands of vol-unteer hours and more than $1 million in fund-raising. It is the site of most island benefits, con-certs and community events and even free events like “Community Performance Night,” highlight-ing local talent, which Lopez holds in abundance.

The center’s property also hosts Sally’s Gar-den, Lopez Children’s Center - a preschool and day care, the skateboard park and Lopez Island Family Resource Center, which offers food and financial assistance and life skill classes and work-shops.

Another building that hosts music and other

fun-filled events is Woodmen Hall, has been the recipient of major restoration. Lopez Senior Services owns the building, and houses its senior center in the hall.

They say one man’s trash is another man’s trea-sure - test out this theory with “Take it or Leave it” at the transfer station on Fisherman Bay Road, where islanders often score funky vintage cloth-ing and unique home decor.

Or visit the Lopez Thrift Store standing on the corner of Eads Lane and Tower Road. Purchases help support the annual spring grant program for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals in need of extra funds.

Fundraisers and benefit concerts are a staple of the community — nonprofits rely on the ever-present generosity of islanders.

Fourth of July on Lopez is known for its first-class firework display put on by volunteers.

The holiday is known on Lopez as not just “bombs bursting in air,” but a day full of events bringing folks together. The day begins with 5K and 10K fun runs and a quintessentially Lopez parade, followed by a barbecue at Lopez Center.

The Lopez Island Chamber of Commerce sponsors a tree-lighting ceremony to kick off the winter holidays. Islanders gather in the village to sing carols and visit

left, Sunset is a popular time for a stroll along Fisherman bay; lorna reese photo. above, Kayakers enjoy the southwest shore of lopez; contributed photo.

The 4th of Julyfireworks show is

among the region’s best.


• Full Service Grocery•

• Restaurant •

• Great Food •

• Cold Beer, Fine wines •

• Local Arts & Crafts •

• Gas • Ice •

468-23153024 Mud Bay Road

We are here for you!

from Lopez, previous page

A bald eagle skims the water’s surface in search of prey; George Willis photo. Scott Rasmussen photo

with one another over bonfires while sipping hot cocoa.

The chamber also sponsors the non-competitive cycling tour Tour de Lopez, which con-cludes in the Village Park with a barbecue lunch.

On the center of the island, the Lopez Island School District offers individualized education for students in grades K-12.

The school debuted its Lopez Island Farm Education Garden Program in 2006 to provide stu-dents with the opportunity to grow their own food and then serve it up as part of the cafete-ria menu. The garden has 12,000 square feet to sprout a plentiful harvest, including three hoop houses, and an orchard. The LIFE program is supported by the Lopez Community Land Trust, S&S Center for Sustain-able Agriculture, Lopez Island Education Foundation and the Heller Trust.

The farming community on Lopez is continuing to be an important part of the island culture. Many of the island’s farms sell dairy products, fresh produce, island-raised meat, and jams at the Farmers’ Mar-ket. In addition, local grocery stores carry their products.

Check out the Great Island Grown Festival, which offers a rare glimpse inside the unique world of island food and farm-ing throughout the month of October. Also look for some of the winter farm stands scat-tered throughout the island.

The San Juan Islands are situated in the heart of

the Pacific Northwest Flyway, which makes the archipelago a well-heeled rest-stop for a whole host of migratory birds. Birding is best in spring and autumn, also known in the islands as the “shoulder seasons”. An added bo-nus for birders is that the swarm of summer visitors drops by a noticeable amount when those two seasons roll around.

The list of birds that trek through the San Juans is both long and alluring. It includes: green and blue-winged teals, yellow-rumped warblers, Rufous hummingbirds, snow geese, western sandpipers, the semi-palmated plover, lesser yellow-leg and water pipits. But if you’re a big fan of Trumpeter swans, winter is when you bundle up, grab the binoculars and camera, and heads out-doors.

Still, you’ll find much more than the just the migratory kind in the islands. Shorebirds, songbirds, waterbirds and a variety of birds of prey make their home in the see Birding, next page

(360) 468-3344 Toll free 866-468-3344

www.wrelopez.comPO Box 27

Lopez Island, WA 98261

Discover the Friendly Isle…

LopezVisit us in “The Village” atthe Friendly Isle Building

Monday thru SaturdaySunday by appointment

Serving the islandsince 1985

Ann Albritton • Dianne PressendaBeth Andrewes • Roy RichmondMitty Huntsman • Jim Gorton

Carol GortonVacation Rental Properties

360-468-3362

LOPEZ ISLAND

Lopez IslandSchool District #144

Mission Statement:"Our schools, in partnership with

families and community, will meet the individual learning needs of students for

success in an ever changing diverse world."

Lopez School(360) 468-2202

86 School RoadLopez Island, WA 98261

Decatur School(360) 375-6004Decatur Island

Anacortes, WA 98221

www.lopezislandschool.orgBill Evans, Superintendent


islands. In fact, the San Juans have long been known to have one of the oystercatcher, with its elongated colorful beak, stand out as signature species of the San Juans.

The San Juan Islands chapter of the Audubon Society spon-sors monthly birdwalks, which feature trips to various birding hot-spots across the islands.

— Birding resources online: n SJI Audubon Society: www.sji-audubon.org n Washington State Audubon So-

ciety: wa.audubon.org n Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabili-

tation Center: www.wolfhollow-wildlife.org

from Birding, previous page

9Orcas Island

Above, Swimmers enjoy summer splash in Cascade Lake on Orcas; contributed photo. Left, An island sunset; Matt Minnis photo.

COunty COunCiLPatty Miller (Orcas East)378‑2898 (office)376‑6840 (home)

Rick Hughes (Orcas West)378‑2898 (office)376‑2500 (home)

FiRE DEPARtMEntMike Harris, chief 376‑2331

LibRARy500 Rose St., Eastsound376‑4985

MEDiCAL CLiniCSOrcas Family Health Center 1286 Mount baker Road, Eastsound376‑7778

Orcas Family Medicine33 urner St., Eastsound376‑4949

Orcas Medical Center7 Deye Lane, Eastsound376‑2561

EMERgEnCy: 911

SEniOR SERviCESOrcas island Senior Center376‑2677

utiLitiES/SERviCESOrcas Power & Light376‑3500 (office)376‑3599 (outages) see Orcas, next page

By Cali Bagby

Whether hiking to breath-taking views, perusing local hand-crafted merchan-

dise, listening to local musicians or tasting fine culinary feats - Orcas Island has it all in a short distance. Jump in your car or rent a bike and get ready to explore.

Moran State Park offers a wealth of inter-secting trails that lead to crystal clear and quiet lakes or climb steeply and surely to Mount Constitution providing spectacular 360-degree ocean views.

While you take a walk on the island’s wild and rustic side, you’ll probably run into a few docile deer or you might spot a bald eagle soar-ing above.

The horseshoe-shaped island boasts 57 square miles and 70 miles of shoreline to ad-mire. Among the roughly 5,000 year-round res-idents are life-long islanders, retirees and young families. Artists, CEOs, farmer, inventors, mu-sicians, movie producers, actors, physicists — all call this jewel of an island home. You’ll bump into this diverse group of islanders in “town,” or Eastsound, the island’s business center.

Eastsound is the island’s main center of com-merce and home to numerous gourmet restau-rants, most offering locally-grown, organic fare. Many buildings are heritage homes housing a bookstore, two groceries, a library, a movie the-

ater, a pharmacy, realty offices, and shops sell-ing arts and crafts, kids’ toys, handmade jewelry, home decor, thrift items and more.

The Village Green, complete with a grassy knoll and an outdoor stage, hosts the weekly summer Farmers’ Market and Sunday evening Music on the Green events where local artists share their talents.

Eastsound is also home to the Funhouse Commons, a spot for kids and teens to work on art projects, conduct science experiments, work on computers and more. Children’s House and Kaleidoscope day care facilities both offer drop-in childcare on a space available basis. Just outside Eastsound is Buck Park, home to the world-renowned Orcas Skate Park, tennis courts, soccer fields and a playground. Also on the borders are two waterfront parks: Crescent Beach, a long narrow swath edging Crescent Beach Road, and North Beach, a short strip of sandy beach at the end of North Beach Road, where you can sit back against a driftwood log and view the Canadian coastline while the sun-set kindles the ocean flame-colored.

Eastsound is located at the bend in the is-land’s “horseshoe,” with main roads running from it in both directions: southwest to the ferry landing and Deer Harbor, and southeast to Olga, Doe Bay and beyond.


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Visitor Services • Free Map & Guide • Event & Relocation InfoRepresenting the Business Community of Orcas Island

[email protected]

On North Beach Rd., just off Main Street360.376.2273 • P.O. Box 252, Eastsound, WA 98245

from Orcas, previous page

This raccoon won’t take ‘No’ for an answer; Colleen Smith Armstrong photo.

Island hamlets include Orcas Village, where you’ll stumble upon the ferry landing, a gourmet grocery, a post office and spe-cialty shops. Deer Harbor, on the sunny west side - yes the weather often differs on that part of the island - is home to quaint lodging, a restaurant, a marina where boats can be rented, and more. Deer Harbor is so-called because Hudson Bay Co. hunters came to hunt deer in the late 1800s to supply the company’s post in Victoria.

Olga is a tiny town perched on the east shore, with an eclec-tic art gallery and cafe, post office, and a few homes. If you ven-ture out along the island’s main road even further, you will come to Doe Bay Resort, which features a restaurant with open mike nights and other musical performances, including a popular sum-mertime festival, a general store, lodging, and a clothing-optional hot tub.

Moran State Park, nestled between Eastsound and Olga, is home to Cascade, Mountain and Twin Lakes, numerous tent and RV campsites, and hiking trails. Cascade Lake has a fishing dock, swimming area, and pedal-boat rentals in the summer. Campsites fill up quickly during busy summer months, so reserve your spot ahead of time.

If you find you forgot any gear, Eastsound has a sporting goods store carrying a good selection of outdoor adventure and sports supplies.

Orcas Island has it all. For more information, visit Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce

online; www.orcasislandchamber.com

Our Physician and Physician Assistant

Anthony J. Giefer, MD, MPH | Jean T. Bried, PA-C, MPH

360-376-2561 Next door to Orcas Center on Mount Baker Rd.

7 Deye Lane, Eastsound, WA 98245 | orcasmedicalcenter.com

orcasmedicalcenter.com

Preventive Medicine Well-adult and well-child exams • Immunizations • Travel, employment, school, camp, and commercial-driver physicals • Hearing and vision screening • Drug screening

Adult Medicine Assessment and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses • Evaluation and treatment of conditions associated with aging • Podiatry care • Electrocardiograms • Respiratory treatment including oxygen, nebulizers, oximetry • Lung-function testing

Infant and Child Care Newborn care • Circumcision • Routine well-child exams including assessment of behavioral, growth and developmental concerns • State-supplied vaccine for children

Women’s Health Pregnancy tests, evaluation and consultation • Well-woman exams (pap and breast exams) • Full-range family planning and birth control • Endometrial biopsy • Colposcopy (evaluation of abnormal pap smears)

Orthopedic Medicine Fracture care • Cast and splint applications and removals

Minor Surgical Procedures Suturing • Wound repair • Lesion and cyst removals

Dermatology Skin-disorder management • Dermatoscope-assisted skin cancer diagnosis and treatment

Mental Health Consultation for and treatment of substance abuse, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and mental illnesses • Pain management

Laboratory and X-Ray Services Strep, pregnancy, urine tests, and INR for Coumadin management on site • Computer-assisted X-Ray on site

Special Services FAA class 2 and 3 medical certificate exams • Suboxone treatment for opioid dependence

Emergency Medicine Evaluation and treatment of injuries and sudden illnesses 24 hours a day

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Over 60 years in business in West Beach areaOPEN ALL YEAR

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Michael C Bried, PA-CServing the Orcas Island community since 2004 with

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SALES & SERVICE TO ORCAS & SAN JUAN

• Competitive rates• On island staff 24/7 & emergency service• Free gas check• Free home estimates• Free tank replacement• Propane appliance installation & service• Ask about RINNAI on demand water heaters

Orcas360-376-22151593 Mt. Baker Rd. Suite AEastsound, WA 98245

San Juan360-378-2217205 Weber StreetFriday Harbor, WA 98250

www.sanjuanpropane.com

LOPEZ ISLAND

Public:• Lopez School District. Grades K-12; lopezislandschool.org, 468-2202. Columbia Virtual Academy. Grades K-12, 11 students; cva.org., 468-2212.

ORCAS ISLAND

Public:• Orcas Island School District. K-12; orcasislandschools.org, 376-2287. OASIS Alternative Learning: Online & Classroom, Grades K-12.

• Waldron Island School: Grades K-8, 14 students, 360-588-3383.Private:• Orcas Christian School, Eastsound. Grades K-12, oics.org. 376-6683.• Funhouse Commons, 376-7177, funhousecommons.org/ • Kaleidoscope, Eastsound, 376-2484, ourkaleidoscopekids.org• Orcas Montessori School, 376-5350, orcasmontessori.org• Orcas Island Children’s House, East-sound, 376-4744, ages 1-6, OICH.org• School of the Salish Sea - Waldorf Initia-tive, 376-4552, schoolofthesalishsea.org• Salmonberry School, Eastsound.

Pre-school - 6, 376-4310; 376-6310; salmonberryschool.org

SAN JUAN ISLAND

Public:• San Juan Island School District. K-12; www.sjisd.wednet.edu, 378-4133.• Griffin Bay Alternative School, Grades 8-12, 40 students.Private:• Stillpoint School, 378-2331, still-pointschool.org, Grades K-6, 15 students.• Spring Street International School, 378-6393, springstreet.org, Grades 5-12.

Alternative Education:• Paideia Classical School, 378-8322,

paideiaclassicalschool.com. Grades K-8.

Early Childhood Education:• Alphabet Soup. Ages 1-6; 378-9166, www.alphabetsouppreschool.com.• Children’s House Montessori. Ages 3-6; 378-5255, fridayharbormontessori.org. • San Juan Head Start. Ages 3-5, 378-6030, skagit.edu.• Lighthouse Preschool. Ages 3-5, 378-4885, fridayharborpresbyterian.org.• Stepping Stones Early Learning Center, 378-4455.

SHAW ISLAND• Shaw Island School. 468-2570, shaw.k12.wa.us.


West Sound Marina, inc.The Service Center of the San Juans

“We Fix Boats”

P.O. Box 119 • Orcas, Washington 98280(360) 376-2314 • Fax (360) 376-4634

• Haulouts to 30 ton, 64 ft. LOA, 18’ beam at any tide. Factory certi� ed mechanics:• Engine service and sales.• Volvo • Mercruiser • Yanmar • Evinrude E-TEC• Complete Chandlery, most everything you need for boat and crew.• Moorage: 180 year-round slips – Guest dock.• Fuel: • Gas • Diesel • Propane• Dry storage area.

DH Jones DesignInterior Consulting • Venetian Plaster • Interior Paint

www.dhjonesdesign.comDHJONJD882KA (360) 298-4558

PO Box 237429 Madrona StreetEastsound, WA 98245

Phone 360-376-6373Fax 360-376-7838

[email protected]

Ron Schuler, DVM

ORCAS VETERINARY SERVICE

Staff from left to right: Holly, Heather, Dixie, Marie, Dave, Paqo, Bonni, Phoebe, Phil Beddar Bear, Aaimee, Shelly, Dawn


Above, Natural and cultural history merge near Egg Lake Road; Scott Herning photo. Left, Lime Kiln State Park features a historic lighthouse; Cali Bagby photo.

see San Juan Island, next page

By Scott Rasmussen

San Juan Island is home to two U.S. ports of entry, one world-class marine research

institute, San Juan County’s only incorporated town and, among many other notable items, a camel. Her name is Mona.

Oh yeah, it’s also home to a sculpture park and to a one-eyed harbor seal affectionately known as “Popeye”. Plump, yet graceful, Popeye has for years been an unofficial mascot of Fri-day Harbor, the marina, that is, not so much for the town.

Speaking of the town, Friday Harbor remains the only incorporated town in San Juan Coun-ty and, as such, it is the seat of county govern-ment, as well as home of a government entity entirely of its own, which is run by a mayor, an administrator, a treasurer and a council of five elected officials, and about 32 employees. In 2011, the town budget totaled $11.4 million overall.

Founded in 1909, Friday Harbor spans just over one-square mile of territory and is home to about 2,000 year-round residents. The year of its centennial celebration, the town ushered in its first-ever female mayor, as voters backed Carrie Lacher in the race for the town’s highest elected office.

Friday Harbor is the commercial core and cultural hub of San Juan Island. It’s home to

an airport, a public library, the county fair, a 285-seat community theater, four banks, a fit-ness center, a bowling alley, a movie theater, scores of quality restaurants, a multitude of art galleries and no less than six separate mu-seums: historical, art, maritime, veterans, avia-tion and The Whale Museum. It’s also home to a newly constructed medical facility, Peace Island Medical Center, a $30 million critical access hospital operated by Vancouver-based PeaceHealth, a regional medical center and hospital conglomerate, that opened its doors in late 2012.

Situated closer to Canada than mainland U.S.A., San Juan Island and its 55 square miles rest in the westerly rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains and British Columbia’s Vancouver Island. It gets an average of 29 inches of rainfall a year. That’s nearly half the amount of precipi-tation that falls on Seattle, which lies about 65 miles to the south. At 1,090 feet, Mount Dallas is its tallest peak.

The island features a patchwork of state, fed-eral and local parks that together attract thou-sands of visitors each year. Most notably, per-haps, the island is the home of San Juan Island National Historical Park, established in 1966 and managed by the National Parks Service in commemoration

CouNty CouNCiLRichard Peterson Bob Jarman Marc Forlenza 378-2898 (office)

FRidAy HARBoRMayor: Carrie Lachertown Hall: 60 Second St., 378-2390

FiRE dEPARtMENtSteve Marler, chiefFire district 3, 378-5334

LiBRARy, 1010 Guard St., FH, 378-2798

MEdiCAL CENtER550 Spring St., FH, 378-2141

SHERiFF'S dEPt.Rob Nou, sheriff378-4151 (main)

Emergency: 911

SENioR SERviCESMullis Center589 Nash St., FH378-2677

utiLitiES/SERviCESorcas Power and Light Coop., 376-3500 (office)376-3599 (outages)


www.SanJuanIsland.org • 360-378-5240

Jewel of the Salish Sea

Mark your calendar! Thursday, July 4

An old fashioned 4th of JulyFestivities all day: Parade, � reworks and more!

Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21Summer Street Arts Fair on Court StreetArt, food, and music on the Courthouse lawn

Saturday, October 5OKTOBERFEST!

Family fun with our famous Oompah Band!

Friday, December 6Island Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony

Caroling and more at Circle Park

Jewel of the Salish Sea

Spring Street

International School Co-Ed Day & Boarding Grades 5–12 505 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA 360 378-6393 • http://springstreet.org

Academic Mastery. Internal Strength. Perspective. Integrity.

New added seating with FREE WiFi and Satellite TV

Open 10-5 Monday thru SaturdayNext to ferry lanes, Friday Harbor • 370-5496

Our second

BIG year!

New Menu Selections

Friday Harbor’s BEST SUBS!

Delicious and Affordable!San Juan County has a method for protecting and conserving

land that’s completely unique.Established by voters in 1990,

the Land Bank is the only pub-licly supported and publicly man-aged land conservation agency in Washington state.

Funded primarily by a 1-per-cent tax on real estate sales, the Land Bank, supervised by a 7-per-son appointed panel, manages 3,580 acres of land, most of which is set aside for low-impact recre-ation, like hiking, and maintains a portfolio of conservation ease-ments on private property total-ing 2,078 acres spread across 39 properties on seven different islands. For more information about the Lan Bank, visit, www.sjclandbank.org

from San Juan, previous page

One of a kind in land conservation

of the peaceful settlement of an international boundary dispute between Great Britain and the U.S., which began in 1859 over the shooting of a British-owned pig by a U.S. settler.

Commonly referred to as the Pig War, that boundary clash fea-tured a 12-year standoff and joint-occupation of the island by British and U.S. troops. The matter was resolved through arbitration, when Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany determined the San Juan Islands be-longed to the U.S. And the rest, as they say, is history. One that island-ers tend to be quite proud of.

As for history, San Juan and its sister islands were at one time a tra-ditional fishing, hunting, trading and gathering place for many of the region’s Coast Salish people, such as the Lummi, Samish and Sooke. The cornerstone of its more modern history is linked to Roche Har-

bor, which now boasts a seaside village and resort, but was home to one of the island’s first major industries, the mining and export of lime, more than a century ago. In its heyday, Roche Harbor Lime Co., founded by enterprising Tacoma attorney John S. McMillin in 1886, was the largest lime-mining operation west of the Mississippi.

San Juan Island is the most populous of all the islands, home to nearly half the population of San Juan County, which, of Washing-ton state’s 39 counties, ranks 32nd in population. In 2010, the county population totaled 15,844 year-round residents, according to the U.S. Census, of which 6,894 lived on San Juan, 2,162 of those in the town.

— For more information, San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, 360-

378-5240, www.sanjuanisland.org.

Wildlflowers ring the walking trail of the Land Bank’s Frazer Homestead Preserve on San Juan Island in spring;Photo/courtesy of the Land Bank.

16 Welcome the San Juan Islands

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Jonathan Piff – AAMS Financial Advisor849 Spring Street #14Friday Harbor, WA 98250360-378-5071jonathan.piff@edwardjones.comwww.edwardjones.com

www.edwardjones.com

Continuing aTradition

of Fine Art by Island Artists

for Two Decades

270 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 • 360 378-6550www.islandstudios.com

Owner, Claudia

Fullerton

GiftGallery

Made in the San Juan

Islands WA

If summer days seem longer and the weather just a bit more

pleasant — dare we say, spectacu-lar? — there’s good reason for it.

The San Juans get about one-third less rainfall each year on av-erage than does the Seattle area, located just 65 miles due south, as the seaplane flies. Micro-climates prevail across the islands, so precipitation varies a bit from place to place. As far as the sun, well, it shines on the San Juans some 247 days a year, on average. And on June 21, the summer solstice, there’s almost 16 hours and 30 minutes of daylight.

Credit the islands’ drier-than-average Pacific Northwest weather on the Olympic Mountain Range, a jagged cluster of snow-capped peaks located about 40 miles south and west of the San Juans. While not exceedingly tall (the highest peak, Mount Olympus, is 7,962 feet), the Olympics, in tandem with Vancouver Island to the north and west, create a rain shadow, forcing rain-swollen weather fronts headed in from the Pacific Ocean to drop their load before they reach the islands.

That rain shadow gives rise to one of the nicknames by which the San Juans have long been known: The Banana Belt.

— Scott Rasmussen

A rainbow follows in the wake of a rare summer storm; contributed photo.

17Welcome the San Juan Islands

By Steve Wehrly

Shaw Island is the jewel in the ring of the San Juan Islands, surrounded by San Juan to the west, Orcas to the north and

Lopez to the south.At 7.7 square miles, Shaw is one-fourth the size of Lopez, one-

seventh the size of San Juan (55 sq. miles) and Orcas (57 sq. miles). Its population of 240 is a 10th of Lopez (2,200), a 20th of Orcas (4,400) and a 30th of San Juan (7,000). You probably get the idea: Shaw is small, and it’s a jewel even without the spaciousness of the other three islands.

Shaw General Store, at the ferry landing, is the hub of the is-land and the location of its only restaurant (the Silver Bay Cafe, which serves many island-grown products) and overnight accom-modations. Owners Steve and Terri Mason also operate the ferry landing and a marina.

Two historic structures on Shaw Island house both the Shaw Island School, a schoolhouse built in 1887 that boasts that it is the oldest continuously operated school in the state, and the Shaw Is-land Library and Historical Society, a museum constructed with logs from the original island post office. The library, adja-cent to the historical museum, founded, stocked and main-tained by islanders, boasts a substantial, diverse, collection.

Biking, boating and hiking are popular with visitors and islanders alike. Many camp at the 60-acre county park, about two miles away from the ferry dock on sandy South Beach at Indian Cove, which features the county’s longest stretch of sandy white beach.

Shaw Island community center, owned and run by the non-profit Shaw Islanders, Inc., hosts numerous commu-nity activities, including tai chi and yoga, and is the venue for island concerts, including mu-sic by Island Sinfonia, founded on Shaw and conducted by Shaw islander Ned Griffin.

— For more information visit

Shaw Islanders, Inc., www.shawis-

landers.org.

Hidden gem of the San Juans

County CounCilJamie Stephens 468-4408 (home)

Fire DepartmentBrud Joslin, chief 468-2908

liBrary468-4068

meDiCalairlift northwest 800-426-2430

SHeriFF’S Dept.Houston taylor, deputy298-4002 (cell)378-4151 (main)

emergency: 911

utilitieS/ServiCeS

orcas power & light 376-3500 (office) 376-3599 (outages)

RETIREMENT

SALE!70%ALL ITEMS

James Paull, OwnerRuthie Paull, President

Serving the San Juans since ‘82Ruthie Paull, PresidentRuthie Paull, President

San Juan Jewels, Ltd.

378-5877 | 260 Springt StFriday Harbor (in Jeri’s Mall)

OFF!

low tide on sandy South Beach at indian Cove; photo courtesy of SJC parks.


By Steve Wehrly

Anacortes isn’t cutesy, like, say Leavenworth is, but

it’s nestled in one of the most picturesque spots in Washing-ton; it’s always bustling, and it’s a place that would make early settler Anna Curtis proud to be its namesake.

The city mixes oil and water, with a touch of Native Ameri-can cultural spice. The Tesoro refinery at March Point em-ploys 360 full time workers and refines about 120,000 barrels of crude oil per day; the Shell Puget Sound refinery, formerly owned by Chevron, has about 400 employees and refines some 145,000 barrels per day.

Water defines Anacortes. More than 20 miles of shore-

line and five freshwater lakes provide settings for 3,000 acres of parks and forestland, five marinas, two ferry docks, nu-merous boatyards, and water-front and waterview neighbor-hoods throughout the city.

The Samish Indian Nation tribal headquarters is in Ana-cortes, and tribal participation in city events and cultural life - including the Samish Gallery of Native Art - enriches the Anacortes culture. The Samish Nation’s heritage on Fidalgo Is-land provides a link to the past and its tribal environmental stewardship efforts are a nod to the future.

Anacortes occupies 14.2 square miles of Fidalgo Island’s

Petro San JuanFuels, Lubricants, Welding Supplies • 605 Mullis Street, Friday Harbor • 378-5122

Don’t be a fool...replenish your fuel with a Paci� c Pride MembershipDiscount cards good locally or most anywhere else in U.S.

Available inmost States:

605 Mullis Street, Friday Harbor • 378-5122

most States:most States:

N/A

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Private Cat SuitesPampered Pet Suite

Special Needs RoomIndoor/Outdoor Dog Runs

Day Care and Overnight CareMassage, Acupuncture, Veterinary Services

Friday Hbr/Roche Hbr Pick Up/Delivery Available

Veterinarian owned- Michelle Loftus DVM25 Boyce Road, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

360-378-4735 • Like us on facebookwww.animalinnwellness.com

Animal Inn andWellness Center

Your Pet’sHome AwayFrom Home

• 24 hr. Access & Video Surveillance 7 days/week

• 3 Unit Sizes 6x10, 10x12, 10x24

• Locally Owned & Operated since 1993

Anacortes, with Cap Sante Marina in the foreground and the hills of the San Juan Islands beyond; Journal file photo.

see Anacortes, next page


Residential • Vacation HomesProperty Management

“Voted Best, Most RespectedReal Estate Company”

– Puget Sound Business Journal

50 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA360-378-3600 • 800-262-3596

View all Properties and Videos atwww.windermeresji.com

Big Hearts - Deep Smarts -Remarkable Results

Real Estate

890 Guard St., Friday Harbor, WA • 360-378-2220 • harborrentalandsaw.comSee dealer or toro.com (toro.ca for Canadian residents) for warranty details.Product availability, pricing & special promotions are subject to dealer options.

No One Needs ToKnow You’reHaving Fun

HOME • AUTO BUSINESS • YACHT

CONTrACTOrSLIfE • BONDING

COMMErCIAL BUILDINGS

“Welcome to the San Juans!”360-378-8933 • fax 360-378-8938PO Box 2718, 849 Spring St.Friday Harbor, WA 98250

[email protected]

Harbor Insurance Agency, Inc.

Ellen Johnson-CIC“Certified Insurance Counselor”

Agent/Owner

KAYAK & BOATRENTALS

HOBIE RENTAL KAYAKS

DUFFY ELECTRIC BOATS

POWER AND SAILBOATS

HOURLY/DAILY/OVERNIGHTKAYAKS/DINGHYS

SAILBOATSFISHING BOATS

CRUISING HOUSEBOATS

FRIDAY HARBOR MARINE360-378-6202

BELOW DOWNRIGGERSRESTAURANT

41 square miles, and has a population of just un-der 16,000. Across Guemes Channel to the north is Guemes Island, and to the west is Rosario Strait and the San Juan Islands. To the east are Fidalgo and Padilla bays.

Incorporated in 1891, neighborhoods to the west of Commercial Street, the Main Street of Anacortes, are neat and well-tended, with a smat-tering of late 19th and early 20th century Victo-rian and craftsman homes. Further west are post-war neighborhoods, and nearer to the airport and the San Juan Island ferry dock, surrounding the Skyline Marina, are more re-cent houses filled with families and a growing population of re-tired folk.

Befitting its place as a tourist stopover and terminus of fer-ries to the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island, Anacortes boasts a plethora of festivals and events from March to No-vember.

It starts with the Unknown Music Series, March 23. After that, take your pick: the Spring

Festival on April 13 coincides with the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival; the Waterfront Festival on June 1 and 2, 2013, is the opening of the summer season; the Anacortes Arts Festival in August at-tracts artists and art lovers from the northwest and across the country; the Oyster Run in Sep-tember is the largest motorcycle “fair” in Wash-ington; and Octoberfest closes out the tourist season with music, beer and food galore.

—For more information, Anacortes Chamber of

Commerce, (360) 293-7911, www.anacortes.org.

from Anacortes, previous page


NATURAL STONE TILE SOLID SURFACE COUNTER TOPS CARPETHARD WOOD WINDOW SHADES LAMINATE FLOORS

WE DO IT ALL FROM CREATION TO INSTALLATION

Serving the San Juan Islandsfor over 15 years

We’re here from start to � nish.Free design & estimate consultation

Browse our gallery at www.sanjuan-interiors.com Like us on Facebook 360-378-6071 • 22 Web Street • Friday Harbor, WA 98250 We service ALL ISLANDS

360.376.9100www.rainshadowconsulting.com

Professional Forestry and Restoration ServicesProviding ecologically based forestry and habitat restoration services in the San Juans since 2005, with 20 years experience in tree service and silviculture.

forestry consulting• New & updated Forest Management Plans

meeting WA and SJC requirements• Harvest permitting and tree marking

Forest Practices Applications• Wildfire risk and forest health assessments• Inventory• Habitat restoration design

project implementation • Pre-commercial forest thinning • Wildfire risk reduction and fuels treatments • Low impact equipment and large capacity chipper• Gary oak habitat restoration• Reforestation

Licensed, bonded & insured: #rainssc906ja

San Juan County Emergency Providerswish everyone a safe Independence Day!

Enjoy the publ ic f i reworks displays!We remind you that personal � reworks are against the law.

www.sjc� remarshal.com

SILVERLINING

POSTERS · POSTCARDS · WEB GRAPHICS · BUSINESS IDENTITY & LOGOS · BROCHURES · WORDPRESS WEBSITES · MOBILE WEBSITES · ANY CREATIVE PROJECT WE CAN DREAM UP

SilverLining is a web & graphic design studio located on Orcas Island offering creative services for small businesses & individuals.

3 6 0. 317. 82 2 5 www.silverliningonline.com [email protected]

WEB AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

Colleen Smith Armstrong photos

26 Years ExperienceProfessional & Personalized Service

Above, a young couple strolls the shoreline of South Beach; Cali Bagby photo.Left, the Easter egg hunt at Jackson’s Beach is always a popular event;

inset photo, California Poppies are a signature flower of San Juan Island; Scott Rasmussen photos.

Industrial. Commercial. Residential.READY-MIX CONCRETE | CONCRETE PUMP TRUCK

Asphalt Paving | Land Clearing Road Building | Site Preparation

Ponds & Dams | Septic System & InstallationCrushed Rock Products | Rock Bulkheads

L ICENSED – BONDED – INSURED

Owner Operator: Lawson Quarry

For guaranteed satisfaction call the proven professionals

A General Contracting Corporation

1165 West Valley Rd. Friday Harbor • fax: 378.2597 [email protected]

360.378.4313

Contract Lic# RI-CH-AL-C998P6

RICHARD LAWSON CONSTRUCTION

Northwest wear forthe Entire Family

Watch the splendidbirds, whales & wildlife

of the Islands

Fishing Tackle and LicensesCurrent and Tide Guides

Gear for all your outdoor adventures

110 Spring Street West (360) 378-4593Friday Harbor • San Juan Island

Go Topside in our elevatorAt Corner of Spring St. and First St.

New!

San Juan Island’s Favorite Corner — Since 1920 —

Painted by Lanny Little, the front of the store features the interior of the original pharmacy based on photos from

Al Nash Jr. Art donated by A&H Stores, owners.

210 Spring Street, Friday Harbor

• 378-4421 • Mon.–Sat. 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Prescriptions • Souvenirs T Shirts & Sweatshirts • CosmeticsHallmark Cards & Gifts, Gift Wrap

Candy • Party WareArt, Office & School Supplies

•Aesthetic,Reconstructive&HandSurgery (360) 588-2081 •BirthCenter (360) 299-1331•CancerCareCenter (360) 299-4200 •DiagnosticServices,includingMammography,DEXA

(360) 299-1315 •HomeHealthServices (360) 299-1302 •IslandSurgeons (360) 293-5142•Outpatient&InpatientSurgeryCenter (360) 299-1300

•Physical,Occupational&SpeechTherapy (360) 299-1328•Psychiatry&BehavioralHealth (360) 299-4297•SleepWellnessCenter (360) 299-8676•WoundCare&HyperbaricMedicine (360) 899-4600

FREE CAB RIDES FOR ISLAND PATIENTS!

Freeround-triptransportisavailablefromtheAnacortesFerryTerminalforSanJuanCountyresidentswhoareusingIslandHospitalorIHclinics.Forinfovisit

islandhospital.org;forreservationscall:

(360) 708-6358

Center for health & wellness for West Skagit & the San Juan Islands!Island Hospital is one of the most innovative and recognized small hospitals in the U.S. Island offers a Level III Emergency Department, state-of-the-art Diagnostic Imaging and a full range of high-quality services from the Birth Center to Home Healthcare.

MainSwitchboard(360) 468-3185Callmaintoll-freeandaskforconnectiontoanydepartment

Lopez Island Medical Clinic

High-Quality, Comprehensive Healthcare

(360) 468-2245Located in Lopez Island VillageMon – Fri • 9am – 5pm

FamilyCareClinicofIslandHospitalSupported by Catherine Washburn Medical Assn

Working Together with Island Hospital for Quality Medical Care on Orcas Island

(360) 376-25617 Deye Lane, Eastsound

Mon - Fri • 8:30am – 5pm

Doctor on call 24/7 • www.orcasmedicalcenter.com

1211 24th Street / Anacortes • islandhospital.org

OUR PROMISEYourbesthealthcareexperiencebeginsatIslandHospital.

Wealwaysplaceyouremotionalandmedicalneedsfirstandforemost.

almanacs - 2013 book of the san juan islands

Documents

san juan county

san juan islandsat home

archipelago of islands

shaw island

san juans signature

strait of juan

islands reputation

islanders bank orcas