Joy and Denny Sevier of San Juan Wireless – SJ Update photo

San Juan Wireless, Inc., the local Verizon Wireless and DirecTV indirect dealer, will officially close their doors on March 31, 2018, after being in business for 20 Years.

Beginning on March 8, 2018, all merchandise in the store will be discounted 40%.

Everything must go including tables, chairs, copiers, fax machine, display fixtures, cabinets and file cabinets. San Juan Wireless will be open on Saturday and Sunday, March 24 and 25 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for final fixture sale opportunity.

San Juan Wireless first opened for business in September, 1998. Initially, the business (San Juan Cellular Communications, LLC) was located in the Technology Center. At that time, the service offerings were AT&T Wireless and DirecTV. After a couple of years, the name changed to San Juan Wireless and relocated to the Guard Electric Building on Mullis Street where we began to offer Verizon Wireless services. What a great adventure it’s been to be a local business in Friday Harbor serving customers throughout the San Juan Islands.

Joy says, “It’s going to be sad – I have been on the phone with cellular tech support many times with a customer in front of me, and sounding surprised, the support person will ask ‘are you guys friends?’, and I’ll say, ‘yeah, we are friends with a lot of our customers’. So I really think there’s going to be a void here after we close.”

Thank you Friday Harbor!

Tucker Avenue Reconstruction Project – Phase 2 Construction Update

What to expect for the week(s) of March 12th:

The Town of Friday Harbor truly appreciates everyone’s patience while we work through this project. A project manager/inspector will be available to any address concerns. Do not hesitate to contact the Project Inspector, Frank Baublits, at [email protected] or (360) 461-2338. You may also contact Town Hall at (360) 378-2810 with questions or comments. Construction updates will be posted as often as possible.

Street Closure:
The northbound lane between Harbor Street and Larsen Street will remain closed beginning March 13^th through the duration of the project. The Southbound traffic on Tucker will be diverted around the work or stopped entirely when road crossings are performed. Flaggers will be on-site during construction. There will be times when the Contractor needs use of the southbound lane and vehicles may experience short delays.

Local access will remain open at all times, however neighbors of the project should anticipate short delays during certain portions of construction. The Contractor is making every effort to not be disruptive to the residences in the area.

The Contractor will work with all school buses, emergency vehicles and postal service to make their travel route as easy as possible.

Detour: Continue Reading

Tired of spending money on take-out when you’re pressed for time? Join Stephanie Prima on Saturday, April 14th, 11:00am-2:00pm and learn how to cook quick, healthy meals without recipes.

In this class you’ll learn key skills to whip up nutritious, scrumptious meals in your own home – the kind you need to get on the table in about the time it takes to order out and bring food home.

Can you imagine how much money that would save you each month? Not to mention your food choices would most likely be much better for you.

In this 3-hour demonstration class you’ll learn: Continue Reading

San Juan County Fair calls for local performer applications!

Calling all performers for the 2018 San Juan County Fair, applications are being accepted.  Performers from the San Juan Islands and surrounding areas are encouraged to apply. 

The 2018 San Juan County Fair will be held Wednesday through Saturday, August 15^th-18^th at the San Juan County Fairgrounds, featuring multiple stages, roving family entertainment, educational demonstrations and exhibits during the Fair.

The San Juan County Fair is an opportunity to showcase local talent and celebrate the culture of the San Juan Islands.  Help represent this region through music, dance, comedy, theater, improv, storytelling, poets, parades, visual artists, and everything in-between at the largest event in San Juan County. 

About the San Juan County Fair: 
Established in 1906, the Fair is one of Puget Sound’s best kept secrets not to be missed!  

Dear Editor,

We encourage all eligible voters to join us and vote YES for our children, schools, and community in the upcoming election on April 24th. The renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations (formerly the M&O) Levy will help ensure that our students continue to receive a first-rate education in Friday Harbor. Island voters have a long history of supporting our schools, and it is critical now more than ever to continue our investment in the future.

Due to changes in the new state funding formula, the total local levy authority is reduced. Further, the amount that can be levied is now based on student enrollment. At the current enrollment projection, the 2019 levy would be approximately $380,000 less than the 2018 levy. If this levy is not renewed, the San Juan Island School district would have to cut almost $2 million, or 17%, from the budget. The consequences of such a cut would be devastating.

Strong schools are the foundation upon which vibrant communities are built. Please vote YES to renew the Educational Programs and Operations Levy on April 24th.

Travis and Jennifer Ayers
Friday Harbor

The summit at Mt. Grant Preserve – Contributed photo

The Land Bank is inviting public comment on the Mount Grant Preserve DRAFT Management Plan and will hold a public meeting on Monday, March 26th at Brickworks from 5:30 to 6:30pm. We value public input in helping guide the long term care of our County’s conservation areas. This meeting is a great opportunity to learn more about the management plan for the property, ask questions, and share comments with Land Bank staff.

Click here to view the draft plan online, stop by our office to view it, or contact Tanja Williamson at (360) 378-4402 or [email protected] for a copy to be mailed to you. We prefer written communication to be able to accurately reflect on comments, but comments can be made by phone, email, personal letter, in person, or during the public meeting.

Public comments will be accepted Wednesday, March 7, through Wednesday, April 4.

After the comment period closes, the Land Bank staff and commission will review comments and make edits to the draft plan. Barring unforeseen circumstance, the plan will be reviewed by the Land Bank Commission at their monthly meeting on Friday, April 20. We look forward to your input!

Sign up for the trip of a lifetime as three Skagit Valley College professors lead a study-abroad immersion learning opportunity in Spanish art, music, language, and culture on March 21-29, 2019. Intended for students as well as lifelong learners of all ages, the 9-day adventure will take you to Barcelona, Madrid, and an optional excursion to Toledo.

Barcelona’s history and culture is one of the oldest and richest in Europe. The earliest known settlements date back to at least 5,000 BC, and the city carries the legacy of Carthaginian, Roman, Visigoth, Catalan, and Spanish influence in its art, literature, and architecture. Located on the Iberian Peninsula along the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona enjoys a mild, subtropical climate and brilliantly sunny days. Known especially its arts and architecture, Barcelona is also a major fashion center, and home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Guided by your Spanish tour guide and three professors, feast your eyes on Antoni Gaudi’s groundbreaking Sagrada Familia and colorful mosaics, wander the equally colorful La Boqueria market, stroll the tree-lined and artist-filled La Rambla, which Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca called the only street he wished “would never end,” then linger over an evening meal of traditional paella. Continue Reading

Due to the removal of trees on Port property south of the airport runway, the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor announces they will be open by-appointment-only during the period between Monday, March 12 and Monday, March 25.  

The shelter will not be able to accept surrendered pets during this time.  If you find a stray pet, please call the shelter at 378-2158, 378-2159 (admin office) or the sheriff’s department at 378-4151. The Animal Inn and Wellness Center has graciously offered to help house any stray animals during this time, but please call the shelter numbers directly (not the Animal Inn) with information concerning lost or found stray pets.

Appointments to adopt pets during this duration will be made for those with pre-approved adoption applications only. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Again, for more information call the shelter at 378-2158.

The 2018 line-up is here! Three drive-in movies are scheduled at the San Juan County Fairgrounds this summer, mark your calendars!

• Friday May 18th – The Neverending Story
• Friday June 15th – The Creature from the Black Lagoon
• Friday July 13th – Grease

Plan an outing with your family, friends, or your special someone and enjoy one (or all!) of these classics at the Drive-In.

Admission is first come, first served at 8:30PM, $5/person or $20 for family of 5. Movies start just after dark. Audio is tuned in through the FM dial of your car radio, larger vehicles (or vehicles with storage containers on top) will be parked in the second row or further.

For more information on the Drive-ins, check out the Fair’s website.

See you at the Drive-in!

The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions.

Information about each committee is available on the County’s website at: http://sanjuanco.com/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies.

Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or Contact the Council Office at: (360) 378-2898 [email protected].

After 11 races under a clear sky, the scene on the dock was jovial for most in attendance at the NWISA North Regionals “Frostbite” Regatta at Anacortes, but tense for those rooting for the Friday Harbor sailors. With one more good race, they could win their first regatta in at least 5 years.

In High School dinghy racing, the regatta winner is determined by the combined score of two boats, that sail in different fleets, typically an “A” fleet and a “B” fleet. The lowest score of the combined “A” and “B” fleets wins. The first-place boat in any given race gets one point, the second two, third three and so on until the final boat crosses the line.

The Frostbite had 23 boats competing from approximately 13 schools, from Bellingham to Seattle. Throughout the day the wind had blown steadily from the North, with an intensity of between 5-15 knots, allowing for many races to be completed quickly. Continue Reading

Left to right, Boy with Calf (1934), Three Children with Sheep (1928), Girl in Basket with Farm Dog (undated) – SJI Historical Society photo

SJI Historical Society checks in with this month’s History Column…

“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.”
– Lewis Grizzard, American essayist

The cold of winter is behind us and thoughts turn toward the joys of this first month of spring, with new life in farm pastures and valley fields. Agriculture has always been a defining element of our island lifestyle and, as with all things cultural, has been challenged by change. But our island’s sense of place is strong. Organizations like the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild are actively creating rural history for the future with their many projects and events.

When the Ag Guild envisioned the old Friday Harbor Brick and Tile building as the Brickworks we know today, their efforts preserved history and contributed to the future. What was once a center for building the structure of our community (literally in a concrete sense) is now a center for building the spirit of our community. As the home of the Farmers’ Market or when used as a festive gathering place for community fundraisers or weddings, Brickworks continues long-established traditions of the past.

In that spirit, this month’s history column features three snapshots from farming days of earlier times. We see a total of seven or eight animals (look closely for a second cat, or maybe that’s just a rock) and five young people. In the photo on the left, dated 1934, there is pride in the boy’s face for his calf. The center photo, dated 1928, appears sweetly staged with three children, perhaps siblings, bottle feeding their sheep. The undated photo on the right with a girl and puppy in a wicker basket raises a few questions. Just how many other animals are in that photo? What do you think? Please do let us know if you can identify any of these kids or their families. Continue Reading

Here’s what’s in the SJ Update mailbag this morning…

Greetings, Friends & Fellow Community Members,

I’ve just learned about plans to rezone our old convalescent center into commercial property so pending buyers can replace it with a hotel.

If you believe that providing for our local community’s needs–present & future—should take precedence over accommodating more tourists, please carefully read the message below & respond ASAP to the people & addresses provided; also consider attending the April 5th judicial hearing.

PLEASE DON’T PROCRASTINATE—the deadline for public comment is fast approaching—March 16th.

Thanx very much,
Deb~

(And thanx, Juniper, for helping spread this news & hopeful alternative!)

Below is the post from Juniper Maas Mercer on Friday Harbor Rant ‘n’ Rave… Continue Reading

Bill and RIta Ament – Contributed photo

If you saw the SJ Update post on March 2nd, you know that our resident ‘Zumba King’ Bill Ament is currently recovering from radiation treatments while continuing to take immune boosting supplementation.

According to Rita, the radiation treatments almost killed him, so he is struggling right now to recover.  Nourishing, healthy meals, prepared with the loving generosity that so many of you possess could help in his recovery.

To make it easy for you to contribute, a MealTrain account has been set up. All you have to do it click on this link (https://mealtrain.com/vw3w8z), read the food and delivery guidelines, and select the date you’d like to bring them a meal. If you’d like, you can also make a donation while you’re there, to help cover his medical costs.

Your prayers, good wishes and nourishing meals do make a difference, and Bill & Rita are thanking you from the bottom of their hearts.

Join us for our Community Dinner on Wednesday, March 14th from 5:30 to 7:30 in the Friday Harbor High School Commons.

$15 for Adults and $7 for Kids under 12

Proceeds support the Chef.0 and Food for Thought Program.

Greek Menu

• Chicken Gyros – roasted chicken in soft pita bread with tzatziki and romaine lettuce
• Tourlou Tourlou – Greek for all mixed up, a traditional vegan side dish of roasted vegetables with herbs and olive oil
• Rice Piláfi – seasoned rice with fresh herbs, onions and peas
• Greek Salad – cucumber, tomato, Kalamata olives, red onion, banana peppers and feta cheese in a light dressing
• Tzatziki- a cool and creamy cucumber-yogurt sauce
• Hummus- traditional dip made with chickpeas, garlic, tahini and lemon juice
• Baklava – rich, sweet layers of phyllo dough, chopped nuts butter and honey

Also, there is an Open House in the Turnbull Gym 5:30 – 7:00.

See you next week!

Friday Harbor Elementary School is inviting all parents of children who will be five years old on or before August 31st 2018 to meet with school staff and begin the kindergarten registration process.

Kindergarten registration will be held on Tuesday March 13th & Wednesday March 14th. Please call the school office at 378-5209 to schedule an appointment.

Bring your child’s immunization record and birth certificate. To start school your child must be current with the following immunizations: 

• 5 doses of DTaP/Td, DT, Tdap vaccine (4 doses only IF the 4th is given on or after the 4th birthday)
• 4 doses of Polio vaccine (3 doses only IF the 3rd dose is given on or after the 4th birthday)
• 2 doses of Measles/Mumps/Rubella vaccine on or after the 1st birthday
• 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine with dose 3 given on or after 24 weeks of age (if dose 3 is given before 24 weeks, child will need a 4th dose)
• 2 doses of Varicella vaccine OR date of disease verified by Healthcare provider, the minimum age for dose 1 is 1 year old