Journal of the San Juans, March 11, 2015

Page 1

Local

‘Notable’ women bring home bounty of awards PAGE 8

Island Scene

Master Gardeners donate demo garden harvest PAGE 9

As I See It

Museum or gallery? IMA’s muddled mission puts support for, and reputation of, local art in jeopardy PAGE 7

Journal

The 75¢ Wednesday, March 11, 2015 Vol. 108 Issue 10

Customs move slowed by delays New space to be occupied in 3 to 5 months “We’ve kind of outgrown our current location. Plus, the workload has risen.”

By Emily Greenberg Journal Reporter

Journal photos / Scott Rasmussen

Above; the lobby of Hotel de Haro hosts an impromptu jam session during the annual Irish Music Retreat, March 1-7, at Roche Harbor Resort. Below; instruments in hand, retreat-goers head off to another musical get together.

Kindred spirits convene Traditional tunes remain top draw at resilient Irish music fest By Scott Rasmussen Journal editor

It’s mid-afternoon on another sun-splashed day at the north end of San Juan Island and the lobby of the historic Hotel de Haro is ablaze. Lit up by a loosely formed circle of musicians, flutes, fiddles, concertina and banjo in hand, the cozy confines of the venerable room crackle with the unmistakable sound of a traditional Irish tune. A foot stomps softly in rhythm with a high-spirited melody that rises, captivating and crystallized, from the ensemble of instruments. A stone’s throw from the hotel, a much larger group of devotees of Ireland’s musical touchstone are at same time gathered within the spacious arena of the Roche Harbor Resort bar and grill, shuttered for the winter season, and are immersed in putting an entirely different traditional tune through its paces.

Billed nowadays as a retreat, the weeklong annual Irish music extravaganza hosted by Roche Harbor Resort, the first week of March, might just as easily be called a revival. In either case, it remains a most hearty celebration and one that not so long ago seemed to be headed into the abyss. The celebration underwent a transformation since its former identity, Irish Music Camp, was canceled in 2012. The camp first got its start at the Friday Harbor Labs and culminated in a public performance at the community theatre. It now functions more like a pilgrimage, of sorts, See CONVENE, Page 4

Like with any building or remodeling project, expect delays. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol was supposed to have moved its office headquarters to the Friday Harbor Center building on the corner of Spring and First streets sometime in spring of 2014. Nearly a year later and CBP is still operating out of its office at the Port of Friday Harbor. “We hope to be completely moved out of the existing office in the next 3-5 months,” said CBP spokesman Mike Milne. Last May, CBP’s lease at the Port was due to expire. An extension was requested through March 2015 and granted, and CBP just signed another one year lease that will require a 60-day notice prior to leaving, Port Director Marilyn O’Connor said. The plan to relocate was first announced in October 2013. While Milne says it’s run of the mill construction delays that have impeded a more timely move, other factors were also at play. When 2015 rolled in, CBP, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, was operating under Continuing Resolution, a temporary funding process for federal programs and agencies when appropriation bills have not yet been passed. With the 2015 fiscal year budget awaiting approval in the nation’s capital, the project in Friday Harbor was at a standstill. Homeland Security’s 2015 budget was just passed by the House of Representatives March 3. So, why the move in the first place? According to Milne, technology has advanced and respon-

Winner of six 1st place awards in Washington Newspaper Publishers Association 2014 BNC, 17 in all

— Mike Milne, Customs & Border Patrol

sibilities have increased, making the 660-square-foot space at the Port of Friday Harbor no longer sufficient. “We’ve kind of outgrown the current location,” he said. “Plus, the workload has risen.” Between vessels and aircraft, both commercial and private, CBP checks in nearly 30,000 people on San Juan Island per year. Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor See DELAYS, Page 4 Perhaps an Emer necklace! One ald Broach of grand choice many s at...

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