Island Rec is very excited to announce the 2018 Music on the Lawn Summer Concert Series.

This long-standing concert series is on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:15, located at the San Juan Historical Museum, which is at 405 Price Street.

It is a perfect time to grab a blanket or bring a chair and have a picnic. Get ready to get up and dance as well as this year we have exceptionally dancer-friendly groups of musicians lined up. Check them out: Continue Reading

From lively jigs and reels, to songs with rousing choruses and heart-wrenching airs and ballads, the Canadian Celtic band Blackthorn brings their music to life with luscious harmonies and complex instrumentations.

Their repertoire is rooted in the musical traditions of Scotland and Ireland as well as the folk music of English and French Canada.

Blackthorn features four talented musicians, who bring a refreshing diversity of character to the group’s polished sound and contribute individual mastery of a colorful variety of instruments. The results of their collective musical backgrounds, skills and experience are witnessed in the high-caliber, high-energy performances they consistently deliver to audiences of all ages.

They perform at SJCT Saturday, June 23 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets: Adults: $28 Student Reserved: $15 Student RUSH $5 available at door only.

In the SJ Update Mailbag today we find this letter to you from Steve Ulvi…

Friends,

Now that the County Council has adopted in principle the draft Housing Plan, approved by resolution that plan’s all-important Financial and Administrative appendices and placed the housing initiative real estate excise tax on the ballot for the November elections our community campaign is in full swing.

The Yes For Homes campaign is a county-wide, grass roots, volunteer organization grounded in three action teams on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan (with future outreach to Stuart, Shaw and Waldron Islands) with the sole focus of resident education, ensuring voter turnout and passing this game-changing housing initiative.

For too long we have watched opportunities for expansion of local businesses, new business starts, increased school enrollment, more skilled workers, more agricultural enterprises and a healthier year around economic outlook fall short of what our communities need due to a severe lack of affordable housing for very low, low and moderate income Islanders.

You will be hearing a great deal more about this initiative and the positive ramifications of diversifying our local economies and demographic profiles. Please join us in building a wide base for this campaign by donating funds and/or lending your name as a public supporter.

It couldn’t be easier. Visit www.yesforhomes.net and strengthen our growing campaign to a better future.

For the many who have personal stories of the challenges of finding adequate and reasonable housing or rental units we ask you to share those stories with us and the interested public.

Thank you for you consideration. If you have questions please feel free to call me at home at 360.370.5264.

Best of Summer
Steve Ulvi
San Juan Island Action Team Chair

San Juan County Health & Community Services Issues Varicella Health Alert

Three cases of Varicella, or “chicken pox,” have been confirmed in the Orcas Island community. Two of the cases were in children attending schools on Orcas Island. San Juan County Health & Community Services has alerted medical providers, and is working closely with the Orcas School District, preschools and families to investigate the varicella cases. None of the cases have been hospitalized.

Varicella is a highly contagious infection, and symptoms include fever, fatigue and a rash that typically progresses from the head to other parts of the body. Those most vulnerable to complications of varicella are: persons older than 15 years of age who have not been vaccinated or had the infection, newborns and infants younger than one year, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. Complications may include severe symptoms, prolonged illness, hospitalization and death. During pregnancy, varicella pneumonia can be particularly severe and maternal infection can lead to congenital abnormalities. Continue Reading

The League of Women Voters of the San Juans is holding candidate forums prior to the August primary election. The forums feature those running for the Washington state legislative district 40 and congressional district 2 positions. Each race has six candidates.

For state legislative district 40 those running are: Daniel Miller (Republican from Friday Harbor); Rud Browne (Democrat from Bellingham); Michael Petrish (Republican from Anacortes); Alex Ramel (Democrat from Bellingham); Debra Lekanoff (Democrat from Bow); and Tom Pasma (Democrat from Burlington). There is no incumbent for this race.

For congressional district 2 those running are: Rick Larsen (Democrat and incumbent from Everett); Brian Luke (Libertarian from Lynnwood); Collin Richard Carlson (Democrat from Marysville); Uncle Mover (Moderate GOP Party from Mill Creek); Gary Franco(Independent from Lopez Island); and Stonewall Jackson Bird (Green Party from Bellingham).

The public is encouraged to attend and submit questions for the candidates. Times and locations are: Continue Reading

(L-R): Vida Wight, Ana Sanabria Velazquez, Laurel Robertson, Tenley Nelsen, Savannah Hoffman, Kiana Woods, Alen Melic, Zachariah Fincher and Emma Schroeder – Contributed photo

San Juan Island Community Foundation Awards $176,700 in College Scholarships for 2018-2019

Ten graduating seniors from Friday Harbor High School and two graduating seniors from Spring Street International School were awarded new scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year from two different funds held at the San Juan Island Community Foundation. Previous recipients of the following scholarships have also been awarded one year renewals.

Inskeep Legacy Scholarship Fund: Continue reading (PDF)

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update, written by Peggy Sue McRae…

On the second Monday of each month Senior Services of San Juan County presents the video series, Awakening From Alzheimer’s. The next two showings on July 9 and August 13 will be in the Mullis Center’s Craft Room at 1:00 – 2:30 pm. 

The series, “explores new interventions for memory problems and Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers from around the country provide new insights into lifestyle, supplements and activities that can prevent and improve memory impairments.”

I attended the showing last Monday. It was both informative and hopeful. Hopeful because they are finding more and more factors that effect cognitive well being and therefore more things we can do to protect and even recover from cognitive decline.

People are living longer now. It is not unusual these days for people to live to be 100. In order to enjoy our longer lives we need to retain three things, our vision, our memory, and our mobility. 

Regarding memory, the video on Monday featured anti-aging specialist Dr. Pamela W. Smith. The video covered a wealth of information. I’d like to share a few of the highlights with you: Continue Reading

The view from atop Mt. Finlayson – John Dustrude photo

Climbing Mt. Finlayson , Bill Severson will take us on one of his favorite hikes. There is a steep section, however Bill will take a slow pace and speculate along the way on who the mountain was named after and how high they thought it was at the time.

Saturday June 23, 1-4 pm

Terrain is moderate, distance is 4 miles and dogs on leash are welcome. 

Meet at the Jakle’s Lagoon parking lot.

Skagit Valley College Receives Grant from Lumina Foundation’s Fund for Racial Justice and Equity

   >> Selected from more than 300 grant proposals

INDIANAPOLIS — From a pool of 312 nationwide applicants, Skagit Valley College (SVC) was one of 19 college and universities selected to receive funding from Lumina Foundation’s Fund for Racial Justice and Equity, a project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. The fund was created last year in response to racially motivated violence in Charlottesville on the campus of the University of Virginia. SVC will receive a grant of $25,000 in support of its efforts to improve the campus climate for students of color.

The grants announced today were in response to what the foundation saw as an urgent need to improve the atmosphere around race on campuses across the country. Continue Reading

Cookie is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

Dirt? What dirt? I may have recently taken part in some soil testing, but I don’t know anything about dirt.

My name is “Cookie” and I’ve just arrived here, hoping to find my forever sofa…. er, that is, “HOME”.

I’m just two years old and folks tell me I have lovely manners. Why don’t you come meet me and see for yourself?

Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
111 Shelter Road
(360) 378-2158

Come celebrate the longest day of the year and the start of a new event at the Fairgrounds. It’s the Salish Solstice Festival at the San Juan County Fairgrounds on Thursday, June 21st from 5:00pm – 10:00pm. Bring a blanket, your folding chairs, and your picnic basket and ring in the solstice. 

Artisan vendors on site to help us celebrate will include roasted nuts, jewelry, clothing, flower crowns and Tibetan momo dumplings, along with musical entertainment by The Rocky Bay Band and Desolation Sound.

This is a family friendly event at an outdoor venue on the Fairgrounds.  Admission is by donation; event camping is $10 per tent.  If you are interested in being a vendor, or if you have other questions, please email [email protected] or visit www.sjcfair.org.    

Orca passes by Lime Kiln – Jenny Atkinson photo

Orca Sing is an annual event where people gather for an evening of music at Lime Kiln Point State Park to honor the Southern Resident orcas.  This year’s event is the 19th annual and will take place on Saturday, June 23, beginning at 7 p.m.

This year, Fred West and Seattle’s City Cantabile Choir will perform. Washington State Parks and Orca Awareness Month will also be celebrated.  In addition, Odin and Orca Annie from the Vashon Hydrophone Project will offer a Tlingit killer whale welcome.  While there is no guarantee, we hope that the orcas will grace us with a pass-by.

Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic to enjoy the beauty of Lime Kiln Park. Tours of the historic lighthouse will be offered before and after the concert by Friends of Lime Kiln Society (F.O.L.K.S.). The event is free and open to the public.

A Discovery Pass is required for parking at the State Park.  Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited.  Round-trip transportation from Friday Harbor is also available through San Juan Transit for $10 a person (pick up is at 5:30 at The Whale Museum with an 8:30 departure from Lime Kiln).

This year’s event partners include Lime Kiln Point State Park, F.O.L.K.S., City Cantabile Choir, Friends of the San Juans, Vashon Hydrophone Project, Orca Network, and The Whale Museum.

For more information, contact The Whale Museum at 360-378-4710 ext. 30 or Friends of the San Juans at 360-378-2319. 

Tanja Williamson sends this reminder to get signed up for fall soccer…

Dear San Juan Update,

Youth soccer registration is open and I’m hoping you can share the attached pic with your readers. School’s almost out and summer gets busy quick… it’s easy to forget to register for a fall sport in June!

If anyone has any questions, they can give me a shout: 360-472-0337.

Thank you!
Tanja

Web Street construction now under way – SJ Update photo

The Town of Friday Harbor has contracted with Mike Carlson Enterprises to reconstruct Web Street and portions of A Street and Nichols Street. The Contractor began mobilizing equipment on Wednesday, June 13th. The project will include utility upgrades, road resurfacing, and the addition of continuous sidewalks. Businesses on Web, A and Nichols Streets will remain open for the duration of the project. Plans and specifications are available at Town Hall for review.

The Contractor is being asked to expedite the project with as little traffic disruption as possible and so every effort will be made limit street closures. However, on Monday, June 18 from 9:39 to 11:30 AM, the intersection at Web and Argyle streets will be closed so drivers will need to use an alternative route (for both southbound and northbound traffic on Argyle) via Caines Street. The public is asked to exercise patience and caution.

At this time Web Street will be open (Except during intersection closures) to East Bound traffic only and the contractor is making sure to maintain access to local private residential and commercial parking lots only. No parking on Town’s Right of Way will be allowed during the duration of the project.

Operation of WSF Lots B & C will remain unaffected.

Information and updates on the project will be posted as often as possible. Questions can be directed to the on-site Project Manager, Pedro Mena, at [email protected].

Fireworks over Friday Harbor – Tim Dustrude photo

Here’s a note from SJI Chamber Director Becki Day…

Thanks to a generous matching grant from Kings Market and lodging tax funds from the Town of Friday Harbor, the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce has once again commissioned local talent and pyrotechnical director, Nick Gislason, a fifth generation San Juan Islander, with the Lopez Community Fireworks, to design, setup, and fire the 2018 Friday Harbor 4th of July Fireworks Display. The 2018 fireworks display promises to be as good if not better than last years! The display will start at 10:00 pm after a fun filled day of 4th of July festivities.

Lopez Community Fireworks is an all-Volunteer Team, with active members from Friday Harbor, Lopez, and Orcas. The group first banded together 32 years ago to pursue pyrotechnics as their collective art form, with night sky as the canvas. The fireworks team has developed unique fireworks effects over the years that have garnered numerous awards at the Pyrotechnics Guild International Fireworks Competition, with a pyrotechnic style that is uniquely traditional.

Donations are needed so please do not delay in helping us out in making this the best 4th of July ever! All donations are welcome, no matter how large or small! Please mail them to San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 98, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250, or drop them off at our office at 165 First Street S., (on the corner of First Street and Sunshine Alley).

San Juan Island may have a new library building in its future. At its June 12th meeting, the San Juan Island Library Board of Trustees decided to explore plans to construct a new building, at a site yet to be selected.

This determination was made following three years of study and public input, including a recent series of open houses during which community members were invited to indicate their preferred alternative between:

1. Expansion of the present building
2. Construction of a new building
3. Keeping the Library as is

Library Director Laurie Orton said, “It was pretty clear from the data collected that community members were most supportive of the option to build a new library.”

Of the 134 people who indicated their preferences at the open houses and in subsequent surveys, 75% chose a new building, versus 23% who chose expansion of the current structure.

“Taking into account the challenges posed by the current structure and that the cost for expanding and retrofitting an older building costs nearly as much as creating a new, carefully planned library from the ground up, it’s not surprising that people chose the new building option,” observed Orton. Continue Reading