In 2020, the San Juan Island Community Foundation quickly adapted to a “virtual” San Juan County Fair by taking their popular annual matching grant event online. Nearly $140k was donated by hundreds of generous community members during the 4 days of the fair. After matching grants by SJICF were added, more than $170k was granted out to 30 nonprofits during this wildly successful program!

This year, SJICF is rolling out a brand-new catalog of programs beginning at 12:01am on August 18^th and closing at midnight on August 22^nd. Another batch of projects will be featured, including some local organizations participating in last year’s event and several new ones.

SJICF will match the first $1,000 raise for each project and will feature bonus games on their Facebook page each day to help participating nonprofits receive $500 in additional grants. The 2021 featured nonprofits are: Continue Reading

Between August 18 and August 22, the San Juan Island Community Foundation has pledged to match up to a thousand dollars given to PADs, the first program in North America to train dogs to detect an odor associated with Parkinson’s Disease.

This great news was followed by a good-hearted anonymous donor who pledged to match the match. This means every dollar contributed to PADs between August 18 and August 22 will instantly rabbit itself into three dollars up to the first $1000 contributed. As the dogs would say (if only they could) that’s a lot of turkey.

You can take advantage of this match on match for PADs by going to the SJI Community Foundation website at www.sjicf.org on August 18. Once on the site, just select PADs from the online fund-raising catalog that will be prominently featured between the dates of the 18^th and 22^nd.

You can also mail a check to the San Juan Island Community Foundation, PO Box 1352, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. Just be sure to write “PADs” in the memo field and mail your check between the dates of August 18 and 22. Woof. Wag. A huge thank you. And for good measure, another wag. Continue Reading

Change is inevitable, but some things are worth preserving because they tell a story, our story.

The Town of Friday Harbor is looking for an islander who appreciates Friday Harbor’s history and historic sites, values Friday Harbor’s unique sense of place, has experience and skills related to preservation, and who enjoys public service.

Five citizen board members, appointed by the mayor, help guide the Town and the owners of historic properties toward the common goal of sensitive preservation of historic buildings for contemporary use, and appropriate in-fill development. Both Friday Harbor and San Juan island residents are eligible.

For more information about board duties and responsibilities, or to submit a resume, contact Sandy Strehlou, Historic Preservation Review Board Coordinator, Town of Friday Harbor, 360.622.2037, PO Box 219, Friday Harbor, or [email protected].

County Auditor Milene Henley is warning San Juan County residents about letters incorrectly generated on August 4 by the Washington State Department of Licensing.  The letters tell vehicle owners that their personalized plates have been cancelled. 

The Department of Licensing sent out “thousands” of these letters in error.  They went only to vehicle owners who transferred their personalized plates to a different vehicle in the past year. 

Vehicle owners can ignore this letter if it is dated August 4, 2021.

Auditor Milene Henley stated, “We recognize the distress this is causing vehicle owners.  Please rest assured that the letters are in error.  Department of Licensing is reviewing how the error occurred.”

Please contact the Customer Service Division of the Auditor’s Office at [email protected] or (360) 378-2161 if you have questions.

Q&A with Friends’ Staff at the Virtual County Fair

We are all ready for some new connections and opportunities. Through the Virtual Fair, you have an opportunity to connect with Friends of the San Juans’ staff, ask questions, and hear the passion that drives their mission. 

Join the virtual couch for Q&A sessions with Friends staff: Jess, Tina, and Brent; student mentees: Ela and Linnea; plus a special appearance by Craig Canine from the San Juan Preservation Trust! It’s a unique chance to ask directly what you want to know about Friends’ work and get to know them better. 

Thursday, August 19th at 10:00 am on Zoom, Coffee with Friends: Pacific Sand Lance and Green Boating: Live Q&A with Jess Newley, Friends’ Marine Science Coordinator 

Thursday, August 19th at 5:30 pm on Zoom, Cocktails with Friends: Student Research—Where island waste goes and what you can do: Live Q&A with Linnea Morris and Ela Angevine, Friends’ Student Mentees

Friday, August 20th at 10 am on Zoom, Coffee with Friends: Sucia Island Restoration: Live Q&A with Tina Whitman, Friends’ Science Director

Friday, August 20th at 5:30 pm on Zoom, Cocktails with Friends: Engaging in San Juan County’s Comprehensive Plan Update: Live Q&A with Brent Lyles, Friends’ Executive Director

Saturday, August 21st at 10 am on Zoom, Coffee with Friends: How Friends and the San Juan Preservation Trust work together and complement each other: Live Q&A with Brent Lyles, Friends’ Executive Director and Craig Canine, San Juan Preservation Trust’s Director of Communications and Outreach

Visit www.sanjuans.org/upcoming-events to register.

San Juan Island Yacht Club
Wednesday August 11, 2021 at 12:00 PM
Regular Meeting Agenda

With Covid-19 restrictions lifted, the public is now able to attend the meeting in person. You may also dial into the meeting via the link listed below. Please note that if you are attending via the link, it will be in listen only mode, and comments will not be able to be made.

Join Zoom Meeting click here
Meeting ID: 379 684 7063
Password: 7063

Citizen comments/requests: Citizens can make a brief comment or may ask the Commission to schedule a topic for further discussion at a future meeting.

Discussion Items:

A. Discuss whether the Port should adopt Juneteenth as a Port Holiday.
B. Review the Letter to the County relating to Jackson Beach Road traffic calming.

Action Items:

A. Consider approval of the Aeronautical Services site plan and lease for Weber Way tracts 3 & 4.

Regular Business:

A. Approve Minutes from July 16, 2021.
B. Approve payroll and vouchers.

Staff Reports:

A. Long term care plans.
B. Jensen’s rebuild update.
C. Marine Technical Center update.

Port Commissioner and Committee Reports:

Adjourn

Engineering for US All (e4usa), a national initiative to bring engineering courses to high school students, is expanding its reach for the 2021-2022 academic year. Two years ago, e4usa launched a novel engineering curriculum in high schools across the United States.

This multi-institutional effort was initiated by five universities: Arizona State University, University of Maryland, Morgan State University, Vanderbilt University, and Virginia Tech. It now has grown to include the University of Indianapolis. Friday Harbor High School has recently become the newest e4usa high school partner and plans to bring the design based introductory engineering course to its students this fall.

The e4usa program aims to expand access to engineering for high school students, encourages them to see themselves as engineers, and helps them recognize the role of engineering in their everyday lives.

“I’ve learned the problem solving process, which is applicable to any field,” says one e4usa student at Brentwood High School in Tennessee. “I’ve also learned about working in teams.” Continue Reading

Cody is this week’s Pet of the Week

Cody is a lonely boy…he is the last member of his litter that is looking for his forever people.  He has waited a long, long time and his concerns are starting to show on his face. 

Even though his wrinkles are adorable, they are not necessary because we know that Cody is going to get a fantastic home!  The shelter staff and volunteers reassure Cody every day that he is indeed a very good boy and that his perfect family is going to come along any moment now! 

Cody is a great pup that is sweet and sensitive.  He literally jumps for joy when he sees his favorite friends!  He is looking forward to his puppy training, and promises to be a fastidious student. 

If you are interested in helping remove those concerned wrinkles from Cody’s face, then an adoption could be in your near future…    

• Age: 5 months
• Sex: Male
• Breed: Shepherd Mix

Application: Click here

ABOUT

• Origin: Eastern Washington
• Weight:  approx. 30 lbs
• Personality: Bouncy, Fun, Bashful
• Energy Level: Medium-High 
• Likes: Chase, Tug, Chew, Bounce, Wrestle, Kiss
• Dislikes: Show-off’s, Big Booms, Over Exuberance

Installing Solar Panels at the Mullis Center – Contributed Photo

For nearly four years now the Mullis Center has been working hard to implement recommendations made by Sustainable Connection’s energy audit to improve our building’s efficiency, reduce energy costs, and create a healthier environment.

In 2018 our project began by switching to LED lighting, installing low flow aerators throughout the building, installing Ultra-High Efficiency toilets, and installing an EV charger.

In 2019 we purchased the Leaf, an electric vehicle providing energy efficient transportation including the critical delivery of Meals on Wheels.

Our failing HVAC system was then replaced and ductwork, a vapor barrier, and additional insulation underneath the building, all address both energy conservation and the quality of air inside the building. We expect some of this work to be completed this year.

Last year we repaired the roof with a reflective PVC coating. Besides resolving the initial issue of leaks this project had the additional bonus of helping control the temperature while reducing energy use.

You might say the crowning glory of the greening of the Mullis Center is the solar electric part of the project designed and installed by Rainshadow Solar & Energy Solutions. Solar energy generated on our roof flows back to the OPALCO power grid. According to the manager’s report from the last two district meetings, “Our OPALCO power usage/bill was reduced by nearly 80%.  In June we only used 2/3 of what we produced and as a result have a credit to use later in the year.”

This spring we collaborated with Fish for Teeth, Medical Teams International, and Smile Mobile/Arcora Foundation, to install a sustainable, clean, quiet, and cost-effective power source to replace the diesel generated power typically used by the dental vans.

Friday Harbor Electric generously donated materials and labor to install the new permanent power supply. Now the dental vans have a reliable place to plug in when they come to serve our community. The Mullis Center is happy to cover the power costs for these valuable community services.

As we all know only too well at this point in the pandemic online technology is but another form of critical infrastructure. To that end we are currently working toward an upgrade of our computer/online technology and onsite audio/video tools. This will help us meet the needs for online meetings, classes, and other gatherings for our staff, volunteers, members, and all who use our facility.

Supporting this broad scale endeavor have been generous bequests and ongoing fundraising. Look for us in August at the San Juan County Fair where we will be participating in the Community Foundation Virtual Fair Fundraiser.

Be a part of this bold step into a positive future for our community by making a gift this Fair time, August 18 – 22. Of our $7500 fundraising goal the Community Foundationwill match the first $1,000 raised!

San Juan Community Theatre will finally be open to the public this fall. In addition to touring artist performances and the fall musical, Mamma Mia, SJCT will also be hosting multiple classes for all ages throughout the fall season. Regular classes are available for ages three and older. 

SJCT will also be hosting Drama Club Nights for families, middle school students, and adults. Participants will play theatre games, sing karaoke, and dance. 

Additionally, thanks to SJCT’s donors, all youth classes will no longer exceed $50. Previously, class tuition ranged from under $100 to over $400. 

Executive Artistic Director, Nathan Kessler-Jeffrey said, “We suspect that there are still families out there that see tuition rates for our camps and think, ‘that’s not for our family’. That’s why, next season, no class will be advertised with a cost of over $50. We’ve found that people don’t show up for free classes, but when it’s affordable, students come out in droves.”

Scholarships are still available if needed. For more details including registration and current COVID-19 policies, visit www.sjctheatre.org or call (360) 378-3210. 

Summer Sounds of the San Juans

Three local bands will perform on Saturday, August 21^st at the San Juan County Fairgrounds, from 6-10 pm, to raise money for the Soroptimist Cancer Treatment Transportation Fund.

Tommy Dale and the Dangerfields, Desolation Sound, and the Rocky Bay Band will have you moving to the beat. Refreshments will be available for purchase, including beer and wine, soda, hot dogs (all beef or vegan), popcorn and cookies.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on-line at www.sifri.org,  www.charityauction.bid/summersounds, at the Toy Box, Spa D’Bune, Top of the Town Lounge, or at the door.

Sponsors for the event are Banner Bank and Harbor Rental & Saw Shop.

You can also support Soroptimist this year through the San Juan Community Foundation’s presence at the Virtual San Juan County Fair. Please visit the Community Foundation’s page, where selected nonprofit organizations (including Soroptimist) will receive matching gifts for donations made during the fair. Help make a difference in the lives of women and girls, funding educational awards and scholarships as well as our featured August program, the Cancer Treatment Transportation Program and other community programs.

The hospital district is happy to announce that it has reached agreement with San Juan Island Fire and Rescue to take over Emergency Medical Services on our behalf in 2023, pending voter approval. “It’s been a long process, but we’re ready to support the Fire District taking this to the public,” said hospital district commissioner Gail Leschine-Seitz.

This is separate from the hospital district’s decision to acquire the Village at the Harbor and expand long-term care for District residents via a proposed hospital district levy lid lift this fall.

An EMS levy under San Juan Island Fire and Rescue will be on the ballot with an effective date for funding for January 1, 2023 at $0.50 per $1,000 in assessed value. This will establish funding for the integrated service. The current San Juan Island EMS levy will be allowed to expire at the end of 2022 rather than being renewed, and there will be no overlap between the levies.
“We’ve worked hard to say exactly what we’re doing and when, and this is consistent with our roadmap to implementation passed last March,” said Commissioner Trish Lehman. “We’ll use next year for a transitional period.”
Continue Reading

On August 6, 2021, Eastsound Water Users Association (EWUA) and the Doe Bay Water Users Association (DBWUA) signed an agreement to work in partnership to manage the Doe Bay Water system. Eastsound Water will take over operations in Q2 of 2022 and perform all daily tasks including testing, monitoring and maintaining the Doe Bay Water Users Association distribution system.

“We are very excited to have Eastsound Water take over the daily operations and maintenance of our system,” said Ted Wixom, current DBWUA board member and longtime operator and general manager of the system. “I have been involved with DBWUA and EWUA since 1995, and today we have actualized one of my longstanding dreams. I couldn’t be more excited to see these two systems working together.”

Eastsound Water will take the reins in Q2 of 2022 from Washington Water when their two-year maintenance and operations contract expires. The Doe Bay organization was complimentary of Washington Water’s service. Continue Reading

Ken Balcomb – Contributed photo

Lots of people have lots of great ideas. But only a few turn their perceptive concepts into reality. The visionary-to-reality folks are the ones to follow. The Center for Whale Research’s Founder and Senior Scientist, Ken Balcomb, is one of these. Opening the ORCA SURVEY Outreach & Education Center in Friday Harbor in 2018 is yet another example of why he’s THE person to pay attention to . . . if the Southern Resident orcas are to have any chance at long-term survival.

On an unusually wintery day in late February 2018, Ken Balcomb trudged through snow past a second-hand store on the south side of First Street. Glancing in the window, he saw the reflection of a red and white FOR RENT sign on one of the interior walls.

“Huh. This place is available,” Ken remembered thinking, followed by: “Good location.” The building was only a block from the main drag, Spring Street; it was next door to the Hungry Clam restaurant, and it was a stone’s throw from the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal. Thinking like a commercial realtor: street-level entrance, massive front window, lots of parking. “It’s the perfect location!”

Read the entire story

Kairos & the Ghost of FHL: Writing in the Moment, by Holly Shelton

Dr. Holly Shelton holds a PhD from the University of Washington in language and rhetoric along with MA degrees in Applied Linguistics and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She has taught in Chile, Turkey, Canada, Kazakhstan, and the US; received several awards for teaching over her career; and most recently been awarded a publication prize for her book chapter “Framing Crisis in Seattle During COVID-19 and BLM: Faith in Generative Dialogue,” which she wrote while stationed at FHL.

Dr. Holly Shelton

In Spring 2020, I was debating the wisdom of returning to UW Friday Harbor Labs to teach the Science Writing class. It was early in the pandemic, my in-person classes at the Seattle campus had all been shifted online the last week of Winter quarter, and the CDC had identified my parents as part of a vulnerable category. I discussed the situation with Megan Dethier, and she described the Labs as a ghost town. After some soul searching I let her know I’d decided to help haunt the place after all, as originally planned.

Read more

Get rrrrready. This is Shugga and Mia here at PADs for Parkinson’s giving you a nosey nudge to mark your calendar for August 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22.

These are the dates that you can easily double your efforts to help us and our 14 furry friends at PADs to keep sniffing for Parkinson’s Disease. During those dates, an organization that the humans call the San Juan Island Community Foundation is providing a matching fund that will match up to $1000 dollars donated to the PADs Program. That’s a lot of turkey!

On the 18th, we will send you the “donate” link for you to retrieve. So if you have opposable thumbs, please mark your calendar now. And to you, we wag.

❤️, Shugga and Mia 🐾🐾