Seattle-based Flamenco dancer, Savannah Fuentes, brings her latest her show, Como el Aire, an evening of Flamenco, to Brickworks on March 2nd.

Joining Savannah will be singer/percussionist, direct from Spain, Diego Amador Jr. and internationally recognized Flamenco guitarist Carlos de Jacoba. The all-ages event is part of a 30-date west coast tour with additional performances in Colorado and New York City.

For complete tour information, check out www.savannahf/performance

• March 2, 7:30 p. m.
• Brickworks 150 Nichols Street
• General admission $24, VIP reserved seating $35, student $17.50, child $8
• Tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com

Continue Reading

(From L to R): Firefighter Michelangelo von Dassow, Lieutenants Michael Henderson and Gilbert Venegas – Contributed photo

San Juan Island Firefighters Participate in Challenging Fundraiser to Fight Leukemia and Lymphoma

FRIDAY HARBOR, WA — On Saturday, February 22, 2020 at Friday Harbor Marketplace from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., four San Juan Island Fire and Rescue firefighters (SJIF&R) will be out in front of the store training and raising funds for the 2020 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Stairclimb.

Lieutenants Michael Henderson, Gilbert Venegas and Firefighters Michelangelo von Dassow and Brooke Sevier will be in full structural turnout gear – boots, pants, coat (liners intact), helmet, and gloves and using their breathing apparatus on a stair climber exercise machine in front of the market to raise money to fight blood cancers and prepare for their participation in the world’s largest on-air stair climb competition.

On Sunday, March 8, 2020, the four firefighters will compete in the 2020 Leukemia and Lymphoma (LLS) Stairclimb. SJIF&R firefighters will join over 2,000 career and volunteer firefighters from throughout Washington and around the country in the race to climb the stairs to the top of the Columbia Center, Seattle’s tallest building. Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning there is this announcement from Travis Ayers of Luxel Corp…

Dear Editor,

I wondered if you would want to share this news with your readers. On Sunday night the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter was launched by NASA from Cape Canaveral, FL. Luxel has three sets of filters on two different instruments on board!

Click here for more about this

Thank you,
Travis Ayers

President
Luxel Corporation

Where will one find 30,000 blooming bulbs across 30+ gardens, gain expert knowledge in 100 or more seminars and workshops and shop at a marketplace with over 350 exhibitors?

Where else can one find all things garden related and hear speakers such as Dan Hinkley, plantsman, writer, naturalist and gardener speak?

Only at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival.

Buy your ticket now at the Early Bird price and enjoy a day with the SJI Garden Club at the Festival

• Date: February 26th 2020
• Time: Eastbound ferry 5:55 AM
  Westbound Ferry 6:00 PM
• Cost: $55 – transportation includes Ferry Ticket
  Does not include food, festival entry ($20) or the driver gratuity

San Juan Island Garden Club website: www.sjigardenclub.weebly.com
Flower and Garden Festival web site www.gardenshow.com
Reservations are required prior to February 20th

To register contact:
Kathie Forsyth – (360) 378-5071 [email protected]
Vonnie Harold (360) 298-0859 [email protected]

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor (APS-FH) held its first surgeries in the shelter’s newly completed Surgical Suite on Tuesday, February 5. Two successful neuters were performed back-to-back by APS-FH Veterinarian Dr. Merriss Waters with assistance by APS-FH Lead Animal Care Technician Dyan Shober. The two young dogs, “Monkey” and “Mr. Magoo,” are recovering well.

In the past, shelter animals would have to wait a month or longer before receiving spay/neuter surgeries due to the very busy schedules of our local veterinarians. The new Surgical Suite will allow APS-FH to provide our shelter animals with routine vaccinations as well as spay/neuter surgeries onsite, which will save money and decrease the shelter animal’s length-of-stay. Both of these factors will allow APS-FH to save more precious animal lives going forward.

APS-FH would like to extend our deep gratitude to Islands Veterinary Clinic as well as Harbor Veterinary Services for accommodating all the shelter’s medical, emergency, vaccination and spay/neuter needs over the years. They have provided compassionate and timely care to our shelter animals. Continue Reading

SJIMA is having a FREE open house on Valentine’s Day, February 14th from 4:00 until 7:30 pm.

Join us to celebrate our anniversary!

In addition to some treats, the Artists’ Registry Exhibition is currently on display as well as Tide of Transition, by Cathryn Mallory. Upstairs, the Tempestry Project shows climate change over the last 100 years rendered in textiles.

Friday Harbor High Students Promote the Tardigrade as Washington’s Official Micro-Animal in Olympia – Contributed photo

Do you know what a tardigrade is? If not, it’s time to find out! It could soon become Washington State’s official micro-animal thanks to a partnership between students at Friday Harbor High School, Riverday School in Spokane, Jefferson Middle School in Olympia, along with Lynn Bahrych from the San Juan Islands Conservation District, and Katie Fleming from Friends of the San Juans.

The tardigrade, also known as the water bear or moss piglet, is a microscopic animal that lives in virtually every habitat on Earth and can be found in every county in Washington. Tardigrades live in lichens and moss, as well as in marine and freshwater sediments, soil, sea water, fresh water, glaciers, hot springs, deserts, and rain forests. Tardigrades typically range in length from 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters, though some species may exceed one millimeter. They are a key component of healthy soil.

Many species of tardigrades have been identified in fossil records dating back 530 million years, and have survived the past five mass extinctions on Earth. Tardigrades have been studied for methods to adapt to climate change and withstand radiation damage from cancer treatment due to their ability to survive in extreme conditions. Continue Reading

The Island Chordsmen Plus are preparing for their annual Singing Valentines fund-raiser. It’s time to express your love to that special someone (or choose from their list of shut-ins) with a Barbershop Singing Valentine (and a rose).

For reservations on either Friday, February 14, or Saturday February 15, call:

Holly – (360) 298-4862 or
Angel – (360) 298-1829

Island Chordsmen Plus are a 501(c3) organization with the mission of bringing a Capella songs to the community.

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

How would like your own personal Cat Cafe, right in the comfort of your very own home?

Just think, it would be open at your convenience, serve your favorite drinks and snacks, and always be stocked with your exact choice in books and just the right shows.

Wouldn’t it be perfect if the cat there is a beautiful young tabby like myself who always greets you with a smile? A cat who loves to be held and petted and is friendly to all your other guests? 

If the answer is “yes” then you are in luck! Grab your raincoat, swing by Kings to pick up some tea, coffee and treats, then head on over to the Animal Shelter and pick me up too! It’s just the most perfect plan!

Presidential Primary Vote counting equipment testing February 24 at 11:00 a.m.

A “Logic and Accuracy” test of ballot tabulating equipment to be used in San Juan County for the March 10, 2020, Presidential Primary is scheduled for February 24 at 11:00 a.m. The test works by tallying the results of a prepared set of ballots to see if the results match the votes cast. The test will take place in the Elections Office located at 55 Second Street, Suite A, in Friday Harbor.

A representative of the Secretary of State’s Elections Division will be present for the test. The test is performed before every local, state or federal election to ensure that tabulation hardware and software equipment are compliant with Washington State rules and will accurately count the votes.

All interested members of the public are invited to observe. For questions about the test, please contact the Elections Office at (360) 378-3357.

Fish for Teeth sponsors a mobile dental van for dental clinics on San Juan Island, up to four times a year – Contributed photo

Islanders can receive affordable dental care, thanks to the local nonprofit Fish For Teeth, on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7 at the Mullis Community Center on San Juan Island.

“Many volunteers and local businesses work as a team to bring this service to those who cannot otherwise afford dental care,” said Fish For Teeth Founder Matt Marinkovich, a San Juan Island commercial fisherman.

Fish For Teeth sponsors a mobile dental van for two-day dental clinics on San Juan Island, up to four times a year. The van can handle a variety of services, from teeth cleanings to root canals. Continue Reading

Wednesday, February 19, 7:30 pm at San Juan Community Theatre

Tickets: Adults $26, Student Reserved, $16 Student RUSH (at door only) $5

Immigration is a powerful topic for Che Apalache bandleader Joe Troop. A polymath, polyglot, and world traveller, Troop left home at a young age, emigrating from this country in search of a better life. Raised in the North Carolina Piedmont, in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, Troop came of age to the music of bluegrass and all-night jam sessions at festivals, but being a young, queer man in the South, at a certain point he no longer felt welcome in his own home region.

He took refuge abroad, traveling Europe and immersing himself in his two great loves: music and language. He studied Spanish in Spain, spent summers in Morocco, and eventually moved to Japan to teach English. He carried his music and his fiddle with him always, picking up elements of flamenco, jazz manouche, and swing. In 2010, Joe immigrated to Argentina, and, looking to make friends and build a scene, he began teaching bluegrass.  Continue Reading

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) will offer free training in plumbing basics this March, in partnership with the San Juan Island Community Foundation, the Raynier Foundation, the Town of Friday Harbor, San Juan County, Islanders Bank, and Friday Harbor High School.

The course will be taught at the Friday Harbor High School STEM Center by trades instructor Brent Huntington.  This program is intended to benefit participating students as well as local plumbing companies in need of skilled employees.  

The hands-on curriculum has been designed for young people and career changers, and will include career information, tool usage, standard plumbing code, safety, and more.  In addition, up to two students will be assisted in placement with a local plumbing company.  This class is free to residents of San Juan County, but space is limited and requires pre-registration as well as a filing fee of $10. Continue Reading

Julie Duke: Volunteer of the Month with Della – Contributed photo

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor is happy to announce that Julie Duke is February’s Volunteer of the Month.

Julie is a graduate of NW School of Animal Massage, and a licensed LAMP and SAMP. She brings her talents of massage to help relieve the stress of shelter life, helping our dogs feel relaxed, and comfortable while they are waiting to find their forever homes.

Thanks so much, Julie, for making a difference in the lives of shelter animals. Your dedication and hard work are appreciated.

Join this new class from The Studio! With a focus on our core values, this class will build strength, flexibility, balance & cardiovascular endurance. We will fuse a unique combination of Pilates, Barre, TRX, Yoga and Dance. Have fun with friends while moving mindfully!

This class is scheduled for Fridays, 9:45-10:45am, February 28 – April 3. Register by February 13, $99.00/ $10 more thereafter

For more information and registration call 360-378-4953, visit www.islandrec.org, or stop by our office at 580 Guard Street, 11am-5pm, Monday through Friday.  

Photo by Vadim ZH

This just in, Island Rec and SJI Fitness have decided to offer a second session of Barbell Pulse this season.

This motivating class is a full body workout that uses 2.5, 5, and 10-pound plates on a bar and is set to music. The movements are proven to burn calories and tone your bone building muscle with maximizing repetition and pulsing cardio.

All Skill Levels welcome. Ages 18 and Up. Register by February 15, $115.00. Class will be held Mondays and Wednesdays February 24- April 1, 2020.

For more information and registration visit our website at www.islandrec.org, stop by Island Rec at 580 Guard Street, Monday – Friday 11am-5pm, or call 360-378-4953.