Tourism in the San Juans – A Survey of Residents and Businesses

Tourism helps support the San Juan Islands’ economy, but it may also create some challenges. County, state, and federal agencies have been working together to manage visitors and their impacts. Recent studies reported visitors’ opinions toward tourism issues and possible solutions. Many people requested similar surveys of residents and businesses.

San Juan County, through a Lodging Tax grant, has sponsored the two surveys, which will be conducted by Confluence Research and Consulting (scientists who helped with the recent visitor study available here). The surveys will ask a sample of residents and every business on the islands about tourism issues. This is a unique opportunity for the public to help government officials make good tourism decisions that will maximize benefits and minimize impacts.

For more information about the surveys, please consult the County webpage, https://www.sanjuanco.com/1391/San-Juan-Islands-Visitor-Study

Town streets are being restriped with fresh paint on the week of May 20, 2019. Work will include centerlines, lane/edge lines and curb markings.

The goal is to complete restriping of most major streets, as well as some of the secondary streets. The work schedule is weather dependent.

Motorists should use caution when they encounter road striping operations. Please, DO NOT drive across the wet paint stripes.

Although the manufacturer claims the paint will dry quickly under ideal conditions, your vehicle tires will likely track the paint if crossed when it is still wet. This tracking will not only make the finished striping job look sloppy, but the paint may transfer onto your vehicle paint if not cleaned off immediately.

As always, drive carefully and thank you in advance for proceeding with caution in areas where Town crews are working in the roadway. Contact Town Hall at 378-2810 with questions or concerns.

The Bleeding Edge is a 2018 original documentary film that investigates the $400 billion medical device industry.

The Friday Harbor Film Festival is pleased to present yet another important film produced by our own islander Amy Herdy who will attend, introduce and answer a Q&A after the film is screened.

“Medical companies are responding to a critical new documentary on the health care industry. “The Bleeding Edge” speaks with patients suffering apparent complications from medical devices such as cobalt hip replacements and the Essure permanent birth control device.” CBS

Written and directed by Kirby Dick and produced by Amy Ziering and Amy Herdy, it premiered at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, where it was billed as “the stuff of dystopian nightmares.”

Release date‎: ‎April 21, 2018
Directed by‎: ‎Kirby Dick

Produced by‎: ‎Amy Ziering‎ and Amy Herdy

Tuesday, May 21st at 7:00 PM at The Grange – 152 First Street, Friday Harbor

This is part of FHFF winter series and is free.
Donations welcomed with thanks.

L-R: Teacher Dan Garner, Arlo Harold, Lucy Urbach, Joely Loucks, and Brandon Payne – Contributed photo

The Friday Harbor High School Aerospace Design Team has just received results from the qualifying round of the International Space Settlement Design Competition. Based on the judges’ evaluation of our work, Friday Harbor produced one of the top four design proposals in North America and are now invited to the World Finals held at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in late July.

Over two months this winter, The FHHS Aerospace Team (known as Island Orbital Technologies, or IOTech) labored over a forty-page design proposal of a space settlement capable of capturing and adjusting the orbit of an asteroid. The design team was lead by returning team members Lucy Urbach, Joely Loucks, Arlo Harold, Brandon Payne, and Evan Foley among others.

Teacher Dan Garner said, “I am extremely proud of the focus, determination, and time poured into this proposal. FHHS students put thousands of work-hours into this project and now look forward to presenting their work to the public as well as preparing to compete for a world championship title at NASA.” Continue Reading

Paired Owls – SJ Update photo

Islanders may recognize the two bronze wildlife sculptures now residing at the corner of Second and West Streets across from Town Hall.

Red Fox (2001) and Paired Owls (2006) by Whidbey Island artist Georgia Gerber had most recently been on display at San Juan Islands Sculpture Park at Roche Harbor. The Friday Harbor Arts Commission (FHAC) selected the pieces for acquisition into the Town’s public art collection.

Red Fox – SJ Update photo

“It’s now a space that people can experience and enjoy rather than simply pass through,” said Mayor Farhad Ghatan. “Our hope is that these sculptures provide an opportunity to feel close to our treasured island wildlife.”

Parks Department employee Sarena Schumacher had asked the FHAC to consider the site for an art installation as it was previously occupied by greenery that struggled to thrive. The commission had been considering options for bringing wildlife art into the town, and they had discussed borrowing or purchasing artwork from the sculpture park. Continue Reading

Dear Editor,

Friends of the San Juans has been committed to protecting our environment since 1979. Throughout those forty years, Friends’ dedication to that mission has never wavered. This is why I support the Friends and serve on the board.

A major issue still facing the San Juans is the seven-fold increase in tanker traffic should the Trans-Mountain tar-sands pipeline expansion be approved. During my naval career, I served as a conning officer, navigator, and operations officer on a large amphibious assault ship. The rules of the road and safe navigation were my responsibilities. Those experiences, along with volunteering with the Islands Oil Spill Association, helped me more fully understand the dangers of transporting diluted bitumen through our trans-boundary waters. Continue Reading

FHHS Athletic Director Brock Hauck shares this updated information for our high school teams post season play. Also, see below for All League Selections for both Baseball and Softball.

• Baseball – Our Baseball team won both of their games this past week, making them Bi-District Champions and they will now play in the Regional State Tournament at Yelm high School, this Saturday, May 18th at 1:00. Wahkiakum, the District 4 #4 entry will be their opponent. At the Bi-District Tournament, the boys defeated Crosspoint 9-0 in Game 1, and then beat Concrete 10-0 in the second game. The Wolverines are now 14-2 for the season. They need to win both games Saturday to move on to the final four portion of the state tournament in Centralia the next weekend. Visit our league website at http://www.nw1a2bathletics.com/ for more information on seeding and brackets. Use the baseball tab, then the post season tab to access the information.

Continue Reading

Dan Rognas, Meals on Wheels Volunteer – Peggy Sue McRae photo

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

With the popular community lunch program at the Mullis Center expanding from two to three days per week, now Monday, Wednesday and Friday, a few other changes have been made as well. Now, the Mullis Center’s monthly Pancake Breakfast will be earmarked to benefit San Juan Island’s Meals on Wheels and More.

Meals on Wheels and More includes the community lunch program, serving 60 plus meals each day, three days per week, plus another 30 meals delivered to seniors or disabled adults who are unable to leave home. Meals on Wheels and More provides tasty, nutritious meals including a well-stocked salad bar served with lunch at the Mullis Center.    

Meals are donation based for those 60 and older (suggested donation $5) under 60? the cost of lunch is just $7. The program also includes fresh and frozen meals delivered by volunteer drivers on meal days, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The suggested donation is $5 per delivered meal but those in need are only asked to donate what they can afford. Continue Reading

Spring has sprung, flowers are blooming, gardens are growing, the sun is shining and birds are chirping! 

This year’s Fair theme “A Wheel in Time: Cultivating Roots” reminds us of the cyclical nature of the seasons and the cycles of life. Now is the perfect time to start planning your fair entry to ensure you are blue-ribbon ready for entry day on Tuesday, August 13^th! 

If you haven’t already thought about what you are bringing to the Fair this year, don’t worry – there is still time to plan! If you are wondering what to make, bake, sew or grow and need ideas – take a look at our 2019 Fair Premium Book, online now at www.sjcfair.org. 

Here are some important deadlines to note – so mark your calendars! Continue Reading

Calling all artists, crafters, growers, makers and keepers! Bring your creations to the Grange Hall to display in our Annual Arts & Crafts Show. Friday, June 7th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

Professionals and people of all ages are welcome; think a smaller version of the County Fair. We also welcome the written word, and will have an opportunity for those who wish to read their work.

The Arts & Crafts Show with a Grange Open House is the following afternoon, Saturday June 8th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Enjoy amazing creations, good company, snacks, music, readings, and our new deck with a fabulous view of the harbor!

Grange Hall, 52 First Street North, Friday Harbor, WA

This is a FREE annual event of the San Juan Island Grange #966

For more information, contact Laura Jo Severson, [email protected] 360.370.5915

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

Merri Ann Simonson checks in again with another Real Estate column…

San Juan County currently has several mechanisms for legally renting a home in the County.

The information below is meant for informational purposes only and does not incorporate all the rules and regulations. It will however provide those who want to learn more about residential renting of homes in the County an overview of at least some of the things they need to consider, and do, prior to listing property for rent.

Long Term Rentals
No permits are required. A long-term rental is typically a term lease and can also be month-to-month. Like short term rentals, professional property management is available and the rates are normally equal to one month’s rent paid at the commencement of the occupancy. If rent, collection and property monitoring is included, then the fee is generally 10% per month.

Vacation Rentals
A vacation rental permit from the County is required. Vacation rentals are allowed in all Land Use Districts except Resource, Conservancy and Natural. Further, Town prohibits them unless the property is commercial. The permit application can be processed by a property owner or by a professional who specializes in land use permits. The price range for a Provisional Use Permit, including the consultant is $2,300-$3,500. As long as the property lawfully qualifies, the County should approve the permit, even if a neighbor has an objection.

Continue reading… (PDF)

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning, we find this letter to you from Mark Fishaut and Heather Christensen…

Recently a letter was sent to patients of San Juan health Care that Dr. Burk Gossom is retiring as of the end of November, 2019. This is without question a significant change and will have a seismic effect on the choices and the delivery of care available for our community. We both appreciate the opportunity he provided us to serve the families of this beautiful island.

Many have already approached us about our futures as providers and the impact that will have for their care. There have been obvious misunderstandings about our status that require clarification:

Neither of us intend to stop practicing medicine! Continue Reading

Have you been to the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park lately?  The Park is rapidly becoming one of the most beautiful Sculpture Gardens in the Northwest. We have over 150 sculptures by over 90 artists, and last year we had over 46,000 visitors.

There are new statues by Island Artists: Jason Napier, Eben Shay, and Gerry Newcome, as well as new gardens, a renovated Welcome House, a new bathroom (under construction), and lots of new Barn Swallows. 

For children we have many playful sculptures, like “Big Bird”, “Aerion” (the Dragon), “I’ve been Kissed” ( a delightful frog ), and the Starfish exhibit, where children (and older folks) can make driftwood statues for others to enjoy.

We are a kid-friendly, dog-friendly, 20 acre mix of Art and beautiful Island scenery.  Open dawn to dusk, and donations are greatly appreciated. Come have a look. We’re at 9083 Roche Harbor Road – on the left just past the arch.

CJ Woods – Contributed photo

Island Rec is pleased to welcome CJ Woods as our new Director for Camp Eagle Rock; Island Rec’s summer day camp program for K-5^th graders.

CJ is a student at the University of Idaho where he is currently pursuing a physical education and health degree. His ultimate goal is to receive his master’s degree in Special Education.

As a future educator, he believes in the promotion of health and well-being through recreational activity. Growing up in Friday Harbor, he experienced first-hand the amazing community on San Juan Island. He participated in multiple Island Rec activities and values those experiences. He believes in the core values of Island Rec and their importance to the island’s children.

As Friday Harbor remains a special place to CJ, he’s excited about the opportunity to give back to the community through this position. “The numerous opportunities, strong community, and support as a kid growing up in Friday Harbor remains vital to who I am today. Being a part of Island Rec is something I’m extremely excited about. The opportunities Island Rec provides are tremendous, and I’m glad I can align with it professionally, just as I did in my experiences as a kid.”

In his free time CJ enjoys basketball, weight-lifting, golfing, and learning new recreational games or activities. He believes in what Island Rec is about and is excited to team up with an incredible staff and continue to impact islanders as Island Rec continually does.  

Tess Malijenovsky solar plating self portrait

This June, Alchemy Art Center is launching their brand new Artists in Residence program with print maker Katy Collier and photographer Tess Malijenovsky.

Katy and Tess will be residing and working at Alchemy, as well as teaching weekly classes and weekend workshops.

Katy Collier – Contributed photo

Katy Collier is an accomplished artist and instructor based in Greensboro, North Carolina.  She has expertise in a number of printmaking techniques, including relief, etching, monoprints, silkscreening, and more. 

She has taught at numerous universities and institutions nationally, and is looking forward to spending a month at Alchemy sharing her skills and getting to know San Juan Island. Katy will be teaching a free weekly class in color printmaking to Alchemy Members on Thursday evenings in June, as well as weekend workshops on printing on fabric and custom stamp-making. Continue Reading

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

Hello there! My name is Chef Chutney and I just found a lovely recipe for an Indian dish. Maybe you could join me for an early dinner, I like to eat at 3:00.

I picked up some fresh naan at the bakery, maybe you could bring a mango or two?

I will be hungry and waiting for you at the animal shelter.

Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
994 Cattle Point Road
(360) 378-2158