Dr. Carolyn Haugen’s boat “Baten” in a previous year’s parade – Contributed photo

This just in from yacht club member Chris Reed…

All are invited to the Friday Harbor waterfront at 2:15pm on Sunday, May 5^th, for the island’s annual Opening Day Boat Parade – visualize a 4^th of July parade on the water.  The parade can best be viewed from Spring Street Landing and adjoining waterfront locations.

Starting at 5:00pm, after the parade, the Yacht Club is hosting a Community Open House & Dinner with a Cinco de Mayo theme.  All are welcome as the club’s guests, to learn about the island’s most popular club while enjoying a Pig Roast and taco feast on an infinity deck overlooking the harbor.  Tickets are available at http://www.sjiyc.com or at the door.

The boat parade’s theme is “A Community Afloat” – inviting all community members and organizations to participate.  Our Grand Marshall will be Mayor Farhad Ghatan, hosted on Baten, a wooden supply boat built in Friday Harbor in 1978 and skippered by Dr. Carolyn Haugen.

Led by the American Legion Color Guard, boats will parade before local dignitaries and judges with prizes awarded in five categories: 

1. Most creative display of the theme
2. Nautical display of traditional signal flags
3. Classic wooden boat
4. Human-powered craft
5. Commercial. 

Boats of any size, whether power, sail, or human-powered, are eligible to enter the parade. Registration is free, but entrants must register and receive a number to be in the parade.  Register online at www.sjiyc.com. The Port of Friday Harbor is giving a free night of moorage on either Saturday, May 4th^th or Sunday May 5^th to all parade entrants. 

The Parade Awards Ceremony will be held at the San Juan Island Yacht Club, 273 Front Street, at 4:30 PM.  Boat parade participants, skippers and crews, are welcome to stay for the Opening Day Dinner after the awards ceremony.

The parade is sponsored by the San Juan Island Yacht Club in partnership with the Port of Friday Harbor.

Major remodel at the Madrona Grill at Roche Harbor – Roche Harbor Resort photo

This is the third in a three part series mentioned on Wednesday about things happening around here. Today we hear Roche Harbor Resort General Manager Brent Snow’s report on some things happening at the north end of the island:

Restaurant Remodeling
Both restaurants in the main building have gone through extensive remodeling. Downstairs at the Madrona Grill the interior has been completely redone including the gazebo area and it is much nicer for diners. In case you missed, it they had a grand re-opening in January so go check it out one of these days.

Upstairs at McMillin’s Restaurant, what started as a sprinkler upgrade in the kitchen of the 100+ year old building, eventually got as far as tearing everything out down to the foundation and completely rebuilding the kitchen. McMillin’s is scheduled to re-open on May 20.

Organic Farm
Also, Roche has a new farm. Originally planned at about 100 feet square, this project grew as well and has now become a 1 acre farm. It is being run by Tate Brumsickle and is all organic (all except the “organic certification” part, which requires a huge amount of red tape). Vegetables from the farm including baby beets and baby carrots will be served seasonally in the restaurants, sold at the Roche Harbor Store and maybe in Friday Harbor as well.

Don’t forget – today’s the day to go fill your tank at IPS…

On Friday, April 26th Island Petroleum Services (IPS) will donate 50 cents per gallon sold on this day to San Juan Island Service Scholarship, similar to the Dining for Scholars fundraiser event.

AND – the Interact student service club will host a hot dog and drinks stand at IPS from 11:30-1pm so you can get lunch at the same time!

All proceeds raised will provide needed scholarship funds to graduating seniors who successfully complete a minimum of 80 volunteer hours for non-profit organizations on San Juan Island.

IPS is located at 315 Carter Ave.

Here is the link to the San Juan Service Scholarship website.

Thank you for your support!

CATS Opening Night Reception for The Drowsy Chaperone

CATS requests the honor of your presence at a Wedding Reception!

Follies star, the beautiful and talented Janet Van De Graaff, is marrying handsome toothpaste model, Robert Martin. It’s the wedding of the year, and you’re invited!

Venue: Mrs. Tottendale’s lovely New York Mansion (The Steele Garden)

• It’s 1928, but Prohibition won’t stand in the way of a well-mixed Gimlet! (21 & older only)
• Farhad Ghatan on piano
• Hors d’oeuvres by King’s Deli
• 1920’s costumes optional, but encouraged!

Tickets limited to 75 – get yours now!

Friday, May 10 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Steele Memorial Garden & Patio, SJCT

All tickets $25 each (Guests must be 21 years and older)

This is a CATS FUNdraiser: A benefit for the Community Arts Theatre Society (CATS)

Buy Tickets Now

The EDC is working to create a knowledge worker network for islanders who work with code, data, graphics, or words. Knowledge worker jobs include computer programming, editing, web design, engineering/scientific consulting, and others that primarily involve creating, manipulating, or analyzing information. We hope this network will help local knowledge workers find clients and share ideas, and help local businesses find local talent.

The EDC invites knowledge workers and those who work with them to a meet-up on May 6^th at the Lopez Island library at 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

If you can’t make it, the EDC has also started an online group for San Juan County knowledge workers and other interested people. More information is available on the EDC website at www.sanjuansedc.org/kwn. If you would like to join, contact us at [email protected].

The EDC thanks our funders for their support of this workshop and other EDC initiatives. This event is not affiliated with the Lopez Island Library.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County.  We believe a strong economy builds a strong community.   

In our continuing April is Poetry Month series, the San Juan Update is sharing poems from local poets every Friday this month. Today is the 4th and final Friday and we have “Red Dirt”, by Sherry Smith Bell: Continue Reading

This bump-out is soon to be a memory – SJ Update photo

Continuing the series of posts announced Wednesday, here are a few things looming on the horizon for Friday Harbor –

Nash and Caines Streets Intersection Realignment
You know that crazy bump-out feature at the intersection of Nash and Caines Streets – it will soon be a memory. A realignment improvement project is coming soon to remove that feature and make Nash Street run straight past the Mullis Center and the professional building next door. As part of this realignment, the Caines Street “s-curve” will be removed as well and Caines Street will “T” into Nash Street with a stop sign.

Click here to see a construction drawing of the project.

Price Street Repaving Project
“Pothole Junction” is how Town Administrator Duncan Wilson referred to Price Street and if you go check it out, you’ll see why. It is long overdue for maintenance work and it’s going to get a makeover soon. The entire length from Spring Street to Park Street will be repaved this year. As there is no funding for sidewalks however, the existing sidewalk will not be extended.

When the final plans for these two projects are put out to bid, the engineer will establish a deadline for completion. As far as which project will come first, that will be up to the contractor. There is no established criteria for making this decision, other than choosing a sequence that will minimize cost and maximize efficiency.

Liz Varvaro of the FHHS Food for Thought program shares this announcement…

Greetings Community Dinner Guests!

Next Wednesday, May 1^st will be the last Community Dinner of the 2018-19 School Year!

Join us from 5:30-7:30 in the Friday Harbor High School Commons for a MEXICAN FEAST!

Meals are $15 for Adults and $7 for Children under 12. Proceeds support the Food for Thought Program and the Chef.0 Student Internships.

Click on the flyer for the menu and invite a friend!

See you next week!

Mary Coss – James Arzente photo

You may have driven by the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) recently at night and seen the glowing blue art that resembles a pelvic bone and wondered why the artist, Mary Coss created this piece.

On Saturday, May 4 from 1-2:30, at SJIMA, Mary Coss will give a gallery walk describing her process and the inspiration for her work. The walk will be followed by a slide presentation of her prior works and public art.

While there visit the MY WAR: Wartime Photographs by Vietnam Veterans and A War Never Ends by San Juan County Vietnam veterans.

Admission is free to members and those 18 and under and veterans.

Coss’ talk is included in the normal museum admission of $10.

Museum hours are Friday-Monday 11-5 with Pay As Your Can Mondays.   SJIMA is located at 540 Spring Street in Friday Harbor, WA. For more information, visit: www.sjima.org

Cowboy is this week’s Pet of the week – Contributed photo

Bon Jour…..Est-ce que tu parles francais? I didn’t know I could speak French either, until just now.

Who wouldn’t be interested in a bilingual dog who is a mignonne as me?

I have so much to offer that you really should just come in and meet me at the animal shelter.

We can go for a walk and work on our French accents…..Oui Oui or French kissing….. your choice!

Merci beaucoup,
Cowboy

Find Your Calm. Find Your Center. Find Your Power. For those seeking that elusive ‘more,’ join us in Shaman Style 5 Dragons Qigong. It begins on Thursdays, 5:30 – 6:30 pm, May 2 through June 27 at Friday Harbor Dance Studio.

This is an ancient Chinese mind/body technique to enhance the body’s bio-energy system for greater health, vitality, and self-awareness. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a symbol of power, strength and good luck. Metaphysically, the Dragon works with the power of the spirit, healing and divine connection.

The 5 Dragons Qigong form is especially physical, offering strength and balance training intertwined in the energetic and spiritual forms. The flowing movements are similar to Tai Chi, but done in place, making it an excellent home practice, especially in small places.

The varied movements provide an opportunity to strengthen the musculoskeletal system, improve balance, increase vitality, harmonize the organ network system, calm the mind, and enhance focused attention. Continue Reading

New sidewalk across Argyle at Rose Lane – SJ Update photo

At the San Juan Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon on Tuesday, in addition to regular chamber business, three speakers announced some things happening around here –

First was County Councilman Bill Watson, some news on things coming up on the island. Next, Friday Harbor Administrator Duncan Wilson announced a few projects in the works for the Town, and finally Brent Snow, General Manager of Roche Harbor Resort shared some new things going on out there.

So first, here’s what Bill Watson had to say – Tomorrow we’ll post what Duncan Wilson said and then on Friday, we’ll have Brent Snow’s report.

Crosswalk to the Fairgrounds
The County and the Town have recently collaborated in creating a safer road crossing at Rose Lane across Argyle Avenue to the fairgrounds. As the town was improving the sidewalk along Argyle between Spruce Street and Rose Lane (remember that 18″ wide sidewalk with mailbox posts and street signs right in the middle of it?), and because the City Limit ends at Rose Lane, the County stepped up to help with the crosswalk on the south side of Rose Lane where it was deemed a safer location for the crosswalk.

The crosswalk is now in, with push-button warning lights that pedestrians can use to alert drivers of the presence of people crossing the road. And the sidewalk is pretty much complete, road striping is about the last thing needed and will happen when weather appropriate. Continue Reading

Thea Seitz hits it out of the park. Twice! – Jennifer Ayers photo

At last week’s FHHS Lady Wolverines softball game at Darrington, senior Thea Seitz hit not just one, but two home runs in the 2nd inning! Two grand slams over the fence. Bases were loaded both times, giving Thea 8 RBI’s in one inning! Very impressive.

The team went on to win the game 26-6, improving their standing on the season to 4-0 in league and 8-4 overall. Next game is a double header against La Conner, here at home on Friday at 3:45 and 5:00.

Congratulations Thea!

Photo by Jennifer Ayers

Photo by Jennifer Ayers

2019 San Juan County Fair Theme is “A Wheel in Time: Cultivating Roots”

Mark your calendars!  The San Juan County Fair dates are set for August 14-17, 2019 and this year’s theme is “A Wheel in Time: Cultivating Roots”.  Artist Jessie Carter McDonald was selected by the San Juan County Fair Board to be this year’s poster artist.

Jessie’s interpretation of the 2019 theme “A Wheel in Time: Cultivating Roots” captures this year’s historical theme, and the circles (or wheels) that connect us to each other through farming & agriculture; arts & crafts; local food & culture; and our pastimes. 

Prints of this poster are available to business owners who are willing to post the poster in their business the month of August, and prints are also available by donation to members of the public before and during the Fair event in the Fair Administration office.  Contact San Juan County Fairgrounds at 360-378-4310 or email [email protected] if you’d like to obtain a poster.

Read more this year’s poster artist and her inspiration below.

Jessie Carter McDonald, Artist Continue Reading

Seniors and People with Balance Disorders CAN Stay Active

Summer is coming – you’ll want to be as active as you can. Don’t let shaky balance or fear of falling stop you. Train now to stay active with Tai Ji Quan: Moving For Better Balance (TJQMBB). Foundation 1A session runs Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:30 – 11:30 am, May 1 through June 7. Foundation 1B session continues June 12 – July 19.

TJQMBB is the top evidence-based Fall Prevention and Balance program in the country. Decades of studies have proven that regular participation in this program can reduce risk of multiple falls in older adults by 55% and in people with Parkinson’s by 67%. It has been endorsed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Council on Aging, WA State Dept. of Health, and many others. Continue Reading

Volunteers listen as Brendan Cowan presents IOSA updates at the Orcas Island community meeting held April 16th, 2019 – Contributed photo

Over 100 islanders learned more about becoming oil spill response volunteers at a series of recent community meetings hosted by IOSA (Islands’ Oil Spill Association).

These gatherings occurred on Orcas, Lopez, and San Juan Island, and they provided a brief update on IOSA’s role in local oil spill response protection and prevention. Ongoing efforts to revitalize the program and how islanders can get involved were part of the discussions. Many great questions were answered, and more than 80 islanders are newly signed up to help protect the islands from both large and small spills. Those who missed the meetings but would still like to volunteer may register here to do so. 

“These meetings were an outstanding opportunity to reconnect with the community and are a starting point for many efforts yet to come,” explained IOSA Board President Ken Carrasco. “We’re excited about where the organization is headed and we’re delighted to see the interest that’s out there.”

During the meetings it was highlighted that there’s a range of participation levels for volunteers. Some people might want to be part of a highly trained response team that’s called out regularly, while others may only be involved if there’s a larger spill in their local area that needs community support. Continue Reading