The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor shares a look at the adoptable animal of the week — Carmella, a 17-year-old domestic shorthair tabby that was recently surrendered to APS after her family moved away and left her behind.

Carmella is a sweet cat who has spent most of her time searching for life’s meaning in the great outdoors. She has found that life is about truly enjoying your time, even if that requires another nap. If you take a moment to sit with her, scratch behind her ears, she will tell you tales of her days in the woods and of island folklore. But beware that these tales of old might just be a way to lure you in to ask for another treat.

Carmella would love a home that has plenty of places to rest and people who will spoil her with treats. Although she was an outdoor cat in her younger years, she has adjusted well to the creature comforts of being indoors. She loves cozy blanket caves and pillow forts. Carmella has developed a bit of a wobble and would probably prefer a home without steps or at least a place that has all the things she needs on one level. If you would love a sweet, storytelling, wise old cat to comfort and shower in affection, Carmella is ready to move in!

Learn more about Carmella here.

The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition shares news about their annual community survey and asks for your help.

SJIPC’s annual community survey is open now. The anonymous survey is available both in English and in Spanish. This survey helps SJIPC gain continued support through the Washington Health Care Authority’s Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative (CWPI), which invests in our community by formalizing and supporting coordination of community-based decision making.

The survey also helps SJIPC learn about community perceptions, and is used alongside the Healthy Youth Survey, school intervention data, and assessments for the programs that SJIPC helps fund. These programs include:

• Community-based Mentoring and Strengthening Families, provided by the Family Resource Center
• Second Step at Friday Harbor Elementary School
• LifeSkills Training in grade six at Friday Harbor Middle School
• The Student Assistance Professional that provides full-time prevention intervention support at the middle and high school

CPWI funds have also helped SJIPC to support the growth of youth leadership prevention clubs, including Rock Solid, HOTS, and HOT, Jr. SJIPC has a robust social media presence that links to national, regional, and state public awareness campaigns.

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition was founded in Dec. 2003. SJIPC has been able to sustain its work through CPWI funding, federal block grant funding, and state Dedicated Marijuana Account dollars. As a CPWI coalition, SJIPC has also been able to receive federal Partnership for Success supplemental funds to pilot the successful Second Step program in grades K-5.

The Town of Friday Harbor is looking for a full-time, entry-level Utility Worker for the its Streets Department. Learn more in the Island Jobs section of the San Juan Update.

Learn more about Brad’s perspective on the foxes of San Juan Island.

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art and Alchemy Art Center send along news about the latest installment in Alchemy’s Artist Talk Series.

Alchemy Art Center, in partnership with the San Juan Islands Museum of Art, is hosting an artist talk series featuring visiting and local artists. Talks take place in the upstairs workshop area of the SJIMA (540 Spring St.) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on select Sundays from May through September.

On Aug. 28, join local artists Marsha McAllister and Glenn Hendrick for a look into their respective artistic journeys. Marsha is a long-time San Juan Island resident and accomplished artist. She travels fluidly between sculpture and painting, always seeking innovation in her materials. Her work is always rooted, however, in her concern and love for the environment. Family road trips during her childhood “inspired a lifetime fascination for the natural world, and the magnified experiences of divided space/divided people/what is left behind.” You can learn more about Marsha’s work on her website.

Glenn Hendrick was born in Los Angeles, raised in the Midwest, and has been living on San Juan Island since 2013. She earned a degree in painting, drawing and printmaking from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2006, and creates work in a variety of media including ceramics, printmaking, textiles, painting, drawing, and photography. Glenn is also Co-Director of Alchemy Art Center and instructs classes there as well. You can learn more about Glenn’s art on her website.

This event is part of Artists in Community, which is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsWA, the San Juan Island Community Foundation, the Tulalip Charitable Fund, and by generous donations from members of our community.

These talks are now offered via Zoom as well.

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

Yasuni Man, Friday Harbor Film Festival’s next offering in The Director Series, focuses on the conflict between oil companies and native Waorani people in South America.

In the depths of South America, where the Andes, the Amazon and the Equator collide, a wilderness exists that is one of Earth’s most bio-diverse areas – a place where mammals (including humans), birds, plants, and amphibians all thrive. Yasuni Man documents a conflict raging deep within this area, pitting biodiversity and human rights against extractive industries and human consumption. The Waorani people who inhabit this forest Eden were once under siege by missionaries seeking to civilize them; now they are facing industry operatives and their own government in their fight to survive.

Join filmmaker Ryan Patrick Killackey and his native friend Otobo as they explore what may be lost as oil companies encroach, human rights violations run rampant, and the wilderness is destroyed – all for the oil that lies beneath this not-yet-exploited land.

Following a free online showing tonight from 6:30 to 9 p.m., stream the film on demand from Aug. 26 through Sept. 7 for $1.95.

• The San Juan County Department of Emergency Management is looking for housing for 10-20 emergency responders arriving on San Juan Island tomorrow to work on the recovery of the sunken Aleutian Isle fishing vessel. Some responders only need to stay for one night; others might be on the island for up to two weeks. If have you an empty house that you’d be willing to rent that can sleep four or more people, contact the Emergency Management office at 360-370-7612.
• The San Juan Island Garden Club’s September meeting takes place on Tuesday the 6th from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Mullis Center. The club will have a short business meeting to go over the calendar for the year.
• Friday Harbor High School’s Nathan Posenjak has been selected to the 1B/2B all-state baseball team for 2022.
• BooBoo and her canine companion Barry could use some help with emergency veterinary expenses.
• San Juan County is updating its Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan. If you or someone you know has difficulty traveling within the County, you’re encouraged to complete the HSTP survey.
• Here are the week’s specials at Market Place and Kings.

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

The San Juan Makers Guild shares a brief look at this weekend’s event at Pelindaba Lavender Farm.

Fragrant fields lined with white tents and colorful banners will invite guests to stroll the Full Bloom Makers Fair, taking place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pelindaba Lavender Farm.

Individual and group makers booths will showcase the best of the San Juans. Guests can enjoy a picnic lunch, listen to island music, walk the farm, take part in kids activities, and experience the height of summer and the amazing creativity of makers from all islands. Island-made wine, cider and spirits are being served for a true taste of the San Juans.

Full Bloom is a collaborative event hosted by the county-wide San Juan Makers Guild and Pelindaba Lavender. It’s free to attend thanks to San Juan County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee funds.

Ten percent of the proceeds from the event will benefit the San Juan County Arts Council. Email Marcy at [email protected] with any questions.

The Town sends along an update about the street striping happening in Friday Harbor this week.

Street striping throughout the town of Friday Harbor is scheduled for Thursday and Friday this week. The goal is to complete re-striping of major streets, as well as some of the secondary streets.

Motorists should use caution when they encounter road striping operations. The contractor will place orange cones to signify freshly painted areas. 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 if not cleaned off immediately.

If you drive through road paint, go to the car wash and pressure rinse the area right away before the paint has a chance to set. This will loosen and remove most of the paint unless it has dried for more than a day. Avoid solvents or scouring as this will likely damage the finish of the vehicle.

As always, drive carefully and thank you in advance for proceeding with caution in areas where crews are working in the roadway. Contact Town Hall at 360-378-2810 with questions or concerns.

Nathan Butler, Administrator; Margaret Longley, Paramedic; Weyshawn Koons, Senior Paramedic; T.J. Bishop, Assistant Chief of Operations and Training — Contributed photo

San Juan County Public Hospital District shares news about the newest paramedic at San Juan Island EMS.

San Juan Island EMS is proud to announce that Margaret Longley graduated from paramedic school at Medic One in Seattle last month. Margaret’s education was paid for by a generous grant from the Medic One Foundation, while a monthly stipend was provided by San Juan EMS to help cover living expenses.

When Margaret was offered the opportunity to pursue a certification in paramedicine from Medic One, it was an easy choice for her, as she takes great pride in caring for the San Juan Island Community. Margaret says that “training with Medic One in Seattle was incredible. I had unparalleled opportunities to learn from experienced clinicians in classrooms and hospitals and from Seattle medics in the field.”

Margaret has been a long-time volunteer at San Juan Island EMS, with over sixteen years of dedicated service as an EMT-B. Margaret has an extensive medical care background and is a registered physician’s associate with a degree from Duke University. She has worked in various emergency departments as a PA in Washington, and noted that she is looking forward to “rejoining the amazing team of prehospital providers in San Juan County and continuing to care for the community” in her new role as a paramedic.

Agency leadership attended Margaret’s graduation ceremony. Said T. J. Bishop, Assistant Chief of Operations and Training, “Margaret adds significant depth of Advanced Life Support coverage to the citizens and visitors to our service area. We are extremely proud of her and very eager to see her back responding to calls with her new skill set.”

Nathan Butler, EMS Administrator, commented that “the addition of Margaret at a paramedic will make the transition to in-station shifts for paramedics possible in 2023. We are greatly looking forward to having her join our team of dedicated healthcare workers.”

San Juan Community Theatre shares a look at this Saturday’s concert.

Pink Floyd fans will enjoy the live concert performed by Pigs on the Wing at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, the band has a wide range of Pink Floyd songs in their arsenal from popular favorites to deep cuts. On this tour, you can expect to hear songs from The Dark Side of the Moon album.

This is Pigs on the Wings’ third time performing on San Juan Island. “It’s a rare treat to [come to] this beautiful place and have the opportunity to play music in such a unique spot,” says founding member and vocalist Jason Baker.

Tickets are $35 for adults, $17 for students, and $5 for student rush tickets. To purchase tickets call the box office at 360-378-3210 or visit the SJCT website.

The Friday Harbor Port Commission will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 12 p.m. Items up for action or discussion at Wednesday’s meeting include:

• Adoption of the 2023-2027 Airport Capital Improvement Plan — aviation fuel, new taxiways and hangars, hangar rebuilds, energy efficiency
• Advertising a request for proposals for the Spring Street airport parcels
• Boatyard rates and operational considerations
• Medical coverage for budget preparation
• First review of draft Lease Policy
• 2023 Commissioner goals for Director and Port staff
• Schedule for Director’s review
• Request for a letter of support from the Arts Committee for a sculpture on Port property.

You can view the live stream of the meeting online via Zoom or attend in person at the San Juan Island Yacht Club.

The live stream of the meeting operates in listen-only mode; comments are not accepted in real time unless you attend in person. To submit a comment for presentation to the Commission, you must send a message to [email protected] — with the subject line “Public comment” — at least 24 hours before the meeting.

• Here’s the latest information on the response to the sinking of the fishing vessel Aleutian Isle.
• It’s game night at Medio Cafe (680 Spring St.), starting at 6 p.m. Bring a favorite game that you’d like to play. All ages and experience levels are welcome, but kids under the age of 13 need to come with an adult.
• Alchemy Art Center presents the Up Up Up Crane Circus Show this Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Fairgrounds. According to Alchemy, “Our stage is a flatbed truck with hand-cranked crane for aerial acts and a 100 year old baby grand piano for live music!” Learn more about the event here.
• Salish Sea Ballet still has some openings for their fall classes.
• Friends of Lime Kiln Society is hosting an event this Thursday from 6 p.m. to sunset at Lime Kiln State Park. There will be tours to the top of the lighthouse, music from Sam Tabbutt and Peter Strasser, a book reading from Boyd Pratt at 7 p.m., and screen printing with Alchemy Art Center.
• In case you missed it, here are County Fair photos from day one, day two, day three, and day four.

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