The Town of Friday Harbor sends along notice about an upcoming construction project off Tucker Ave.

Local access to McDonald St. will be disrupted beginning Monday, Sept. 12 into early October while Richard Lawson Construction installs a water main and reconstructs a portion of the street. Although the contractor has been asked to expedite the project with as little disruption to the neighborhood as possible, residents should expect short delays during certain phases of the work.

The project consists of installing approximately 240 linear feet of 4-inch and 8-inch AWWA C900 water main on McDonald St. from Friday Ave. to Beach Ct., water services, and fire hydrants. The McDonald St. roadway will also be reconstructed with new pavement. The work is estimated to be substantially completed by Oct. 15.

Local access will remain open at all times. Flaggers will be on site as needed. Pedestrians and motorists should exercise common sense and caution. Be aware of equipment, construction workers, trucks, and construction materials. Make sure you are seen while moving within the job site and abide by flagger instructions.

Scouts of San Juan share news about their fall fundraiser.

Roche Harbor has graciously offered the use of their mausoleum cemetery to the Scouts of San Juan to run a fundraising haunted experience.

From approximately 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights from Oct. 14-29, weather permitting, the San Juan Sea Scouts, Scout Troop, and Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will be offering tarot readings and haunted tours of the cemetery. From 6-7 p.m. the event will be child friendly, but as the evening wears on it will become more and more frightening.

The entry free is $5 per person until the last night, which will be pay-what-you-can.

All proceeds to go to the Scouts of San Juan and Wolf Hollow.

The commissioners of the Port of Friday Harbor voted last month to perform a comprehensive energy assessment at Friday Harbor Airport, the results from which will guide enhancements to the facility’s energy efficiency and resiliency.

The assessment – part of the Port’s five-year capital improvement plan with the Federal Aviation Administration – will take place early next year, according to Port Commissioner Victoria Compton. “During that process, we’ll be able to determine what the best steps for efficiencies will be, including solar, which is of particular interest to the Commission from a standpoint of sustainability and cost savings,” Victoria says.

Project funding comes from the FAA by way of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that was signed into law last November. The IIJA provides $550 billion in new federal investment in infrastructure between 2022 and 2026, including roads, bridges, mass transit, water infrastructure, and broadband.

“Keeping our operations sustainable and our infrastructure resilient are top priorities of the Port Commission,” Victoria explains. “Investments in solar and other energy efficiencies check both of those boxes, and save the Port – and taxpayers – money.”

The Port is receiving more than $1 million in federal funds, which will also support moving and replacing an old fuel tank and the construction of new hangars. The latter project will allow the airport to break even on its revenue and expenses.

The University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories is looking for a half-time Marine Operations Supervisor to provide waterfront support to all of its research and academic endeavors. Learn more in the Island Jobs section of the San Juan Update.

San Juan County shares information about potential health risks associated with wildfire smoke that is expected to reach the islands Friday through Sunday.

Smoke from nearby wildfires is predicted to make its way to San Juan County this weekend, Sept. 9-11. Take precautions to protect yourself and family members if smoke reaches unhealthy levels.

“We have three air quality monitors one on each of the three largest islands,” said County Health Officer Dr. Frank James. “The Purple Air system collects individual monitoring data and can be very useful to see what air quality is like in real time locally.”

You can also monitor air quality in our area using Washington Smoke Information Blog or Washington’s Air Monitoring Network map.

Smoke contains very small particles and gases. These particles can get into your eyes and lungs where they can cause health problems. Inhaling smoke is not good for anyone, however, people most likely to have health problems from breathing smoke include people with heart and lung diseases, people with respiratory infections, people with diabetes, stroke survivors, infants, children, pregnant people, and people over 65 years of age.

To reduce smoke exposure:

• Limit time outside and avoid strenuous outdoor activity
• Close windows and doors unless it is too hot to maintain safe temperatures
• Don’t add to indoor air pollution (e.g., cigarette smoking, burning candles)
• Filter indoor air (HVAC system, HEPA portable air cleaner, box fan filter)
• Set air conditioner to circulate
• Seek cleaner air elsewhere if needed and possible
• If you must go outside, wear a properly fitted particle respirator, like a N95 mask

It is important to monitor symptoms of smoke exposure. Symptoms include burning eyes, coughing, throat and nose irritation, headaches, fatigue, wheezing and shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and chest pain. If your symptoms become serious, seek medical attention immediately.

Contributed photo

The Sailing Foundation shares the latest news about their after-school sailing program.

The San Juan Island Sailing Foundation is again sponsoring low-cost after-school sailing for middle and high school students with any amount of sailing experience — from complete novice to experienced racer. Younger students will be considered based on their maturity and their own passion for sailing, as well as their size and weight. Interested sailors should go ahead and register and the program leaders will be in touch.

The program takes places Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-5:30 p.m. for all of September and October, depending on weather and tides, starting immediately. It’s okay to start at a later session, even for beginners. All classes take place at the far end of the road at Jackson Beach. Instruction and practice in sailing techniques and racing will be provided. Boats used include RS Teras, Lasers, RS Fevas, and V15s.

Racing is the best way for sailors to assess their sailing ability. Interested sailors will be coached to compete in the multiple regional regattas available; participation in races is optional.

The cost is $100 per season. Full aid is available, generously provided by the SJI Community Foundation and multiple donors. Just ask. Continue Reading

The Simonson and Zambrovitz Team at Coldwell Banker San Juan Island send along this real estate market snapshot for the island. Despite stresses in the broader economic market, median home and land prices on San Juan continue their upward trajectory.

The Friday Harbor Film Festival shares news about their ongoing Director Series.

Racing Extinction, Friday Harbor Film Festival’s next offering in The Director Series, follows undercover activists trying to stave off a man-made mass extinction. Scientists predict that humanity’s footprint on the planet may cause the loss of 50 percent of all species by the end of the century. A team of artists and activists go on an undercover operation to expose the hidden world of endangered species and the race to protect them against mass extinction.

Spanning the globe to infiltrate the world’s most dangerous black markets, and using high-tech tactics to document the link between carbon emissions and species extinction, Racing Extinction reveals stunning, never-before seen images that truly change the way we see the world. Director Louie Psihoyos has crafted an ambitious mission to pull into focus our impact on the planet, while inspiring us all to embrace the solutions that will ensure a thriving, biodiverse world for future generations.

Following a free online showing tonight from 6:30 to 9 p.m., stream the film on demand from Sept. 9-21 for $1.95.

• There’s still space left in the Library’s book group for third, fourth, and fifth graders. Participants can pick up this month’s book at the Library to register, then read the book at home, and after that attend a book discussion with crafts and activities.
• Alchemy Art Center is registering kids for their Clay Club and Print Kids classes, both of which start Oct. 4. Clay Club is for ages 6-12 and Print Kids is for middle and high school students.
• Riptide Cafe’s fall specials include a bunch of flavored lattes — pumpkin spice, cardamom, golden milk, and maple almond.
• Van Go’s Pizza will be closed for a post-tourist season break from Sept. 13 through Oct. 2.
• Canadian folk rock band The Paperboys perform this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at San Juan Community Theatre.
• Participants in Island Rec’s Summer Mileage Challenge collectively covered 4,237 miles this summer. The next challenge starts in January; you can register on the Island Rec website.
• Thanks to our advertisers for their continued support of the San Juan Update — including Animal Inn & Wellness Center.

Have something to share with the Island? Whether the news is big or small, let us know!

San Juan Community Theatre shares a look at a concert taking place later this month.

Folk/pop singer-songwriter Zan Fiskum will perform a live concert at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Fiskum was raised in Maple Valley, where she honed her musical style and gained national recognition when she performed on NBC’s The Voice. There she received high praise from the celebrity judges, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend, who described her voice as “subtle, ethereal.” Opening for Zan Fiskum is Alec Shaw, also a Washingtonian, and an indie folk musician whose work features elements of gospel and R&B.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for students, and $5 for student rush. To purchase tickets call the box office at 360-378-3210 or visit the SJCT website.

Salish Seeds sends along news about their upcoming fall wildflower sale.

Native plant lovers take note — the Salish Seeds Project’s annual fall wildflower sale is almost here. Reserve plants online Sept. 13-19, then pick them up on Saturday, Oct. 1. All plants are produced locally by the Salish Seeds Project, a joint program of the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank and the San Juan Preservation Trust. The sale opens online at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13 on the Land Bank’s website.

Quantities are limited. Early shopping is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Native wildflowers are beautiful, attract pollinators and other wildlife, and are perfectly adapted to our island habitats. The 2022 fall sale features over 20 species of plants in four-inch pots, including past favorites Canada goldenrod, red-flowering currant, and seashore lupine. Seed packets and native onion bulbs will also be available. An advance guide to the sale, featuring descriptions and photos of the plants, is available now on the Salish Seeds Project webpage.

The price per plant offsets the cost of production, allowing the Land Bank to provide this community service.

The Salish Seeds Project enables restoration of native wildflowers and grasses in the San Juan Islands. Plants and seeds of species native to coastal grasslands, oak savannas, and rocky meadows are produced at a nursery located at Red Mill Farm on San Juan Island. In a fruitful partnership, the San Juan Preservation Trust owns the property and the Land Bank runs the nursery. Grants and private donations have funded nearly all the nursery infrastructure.

The Friday Harbor Elementary School PTO shares good news about their recent fundraiser.

The FHES PTO extends a huge thank you to all who helped us raise roughly $10,000 at the pie booth at the County Fair this year.

After the two-year hiatus, the PTO is grateful for all the support received — from help setting up the booth to pie bakers, servers, pie eaters and generous donations from Roche Harbor Resort. We also wish to thank previous PTO members and funders who created this delicious fundraiser on wheels. Funds raised from the pie booth will be used to support school field trips, spirit wear for all students, classroom supplies, books, and more.

The FHES PTO is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise funds for Friday Harbor Elementary School programs. For more information, email PTO presidents Candace Ragsdale and Kayla Roe at [email protected]. We also invite you to attend our next PTO meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m.

• There’s been an increase in car prowls on San Juan Island, with nine instances having been reported to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in the last month. Sheriff Ron Krebs says that the crimes are currently being investigated and that the Sheriff’s Office has a strong lead on a suspect. If you’ve experienced a similar crime, report it by calling the non-emergency number — 360-378-4151 — and a deputy will call you back to take a report.
• Friday Harbor High School girls soccer tied Nooksack Valley High School 2-2 in a road game yesterday afternoon. They play a conference game at Linde Community Fields tomorrow at 4 p.m. against Coupeville High School.
• Due to staffing limitations, Bakery San Juan is now opening at 9 a.m.
• Purple & Gold need volunteer grillers and servers for their three football tailgate events this September and October. These fundraisers provide support for student scholarships, coaching clinics, uniforms, post-season travel, and homecoming floats.
• Auditions for BOTS! — San Juan Community Theatre’s family theatre show — take place on Thursday and Friday afternoon this week. Kids in grades K-6 and parents are welcome to audition. Grades 7-12 can join the production’s tech crew. Learn more on the SJCT website.
• Here are the week’s specials from Market Place and Kings.

Have something to share with the Island? Whether the news is big or small, let us know!