Contributed photo

The San Juan County Council and the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank are pleased to announce the purchase of the Glenwood Inn/North Shore property on Orcas Island and the forward progress on the conservation easement with our partners at San Juan Preservation Trust. During the Aug. 2 Council meeting, Council made clear its support of the continued partnership between the Conservation Land Bank and the Preservation Trust.

Council clarified the purchase of the property and the extent of the future conservation easement by approving Resolution 21-2022. The resolution states their support of the San Juan Preservation Trust’s intention to purchase a conservation easement. It also rescinds a portion of Resolution 13-2022 that directed the Land Bank director to negotiate the easement by the end of the year, thus providing more time for the complex work required to complete the negotiations.

These actions strengthen the County’s relationship with the Preservation Trust and support the facilitation of valuable shoreline conservation. The County is delighted that future public access to the property will continue to increase awareness and support of salmon recovery and public lands.

The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank and Council thank the dedicated volunteers and community members who support continued conservation efforts throughout the islands. Together, we look forward to more successful acquisitions.

• The San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Office announced yesterday that the county’s fire danger rating has been increased from moderate to high. Recreational campfires 3′ x 3′ in size, in a contained fire pit or ring, are still allowed — but it’s now especially important to fully extinguish your campfire when finished. The Fire Marshal also urges caution when operating mowers, saws, and other equipment.
• After a three-year hiatus, Encampment, San Juan Island National Historic Park’s popular living history weekend, is back today and tomorrow at English Camp.
• Just a handful of performances remain for Island Stage Left’s The Comedy of Errors. Shows will take place this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, then finish up next week Thursday through Sunday. All shows start at 8 p.m. and are free, although donations are accepted.
• St. David’s Day School will be running an afternoon preschool program for ten students starting this fall. It runs four days per week — Monday and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday — from 12:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Tuition is $300 per month. Submit registration forms to [email protected].
• The San Juan Concours takes place next Saturday and Sunday at San Juan Vineyard from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vehicle registration is $10 and there will be music, food, and beverages. Proceeds benefit the Family Resource Center, the Family Umbrella Group, and Rotary International’s Mobile Dental Van and Polio Plus programs.
• San Juan Island Brewing Co. announced that their Oktoberfest event will return this year, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 1.

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

At 5 p.m. this evening, seven members of the San Juan Canoe & Kayak Club shoved off from the beach at Shipyard Cove in Hawaiian-style outrigger canoes full of camping gear, bound for Shaw Island County Park – the starting point for tomorrow’s Round Shaw Race.

“It’s a race for human-powered craft,” says David Halpern, the club’s founder. “Canoes, kayaks, rowing shells, pedal boats – anything people are moving with their own force.”

David says the race typically draws between 30 and 50 boats from throughout the Pacific Northwest. All of the boats start from the county park on Shaw, but every participant chooses the direction they want to travel.

“You’ve got to look at the tides, the currents, and then the winds, and you make a calculation – is the wind against you here, and for you there, and so forth – then you try to figure out which direction is going to be most advantageous. Typically, half the people go one way and about half the people go the other. And the first one back wins.”

David says the fast boats generally complete the 14.2-mile loop in about two hours. For slower boats it’s closer to three.

“The other great thing about this race,” David explains, “Is that it’s the longest-standing human-powered boat race in the state of Washington. It’s quite a tradition and it’s a cool race.”

Six of the paddlers – David, Wendy Zappelli, Yubi Schollmeyer, Eric Swergold, Kaitlin Kominsky, and Kristen Arnim – will race in the 44-foot outrigger canoe pictured above. John Pachuta will paddle in a single-person outrigger.

The EDC shares news about their activities related to this year’s County Fair.

The Economic Development Council of San Juan County is launching a County Fair fundraising campaign in order to raise $6,250 to support trades and tech training programs in the islands, during Fair week, Aug. 17-20.

Private donations are a crucial component of funding EDC programs, which aim to address local issues of underemployment and workforce shortages with courses in plumbing, carpentry, surveying, computer programming, and more.

EDC trades and tech training programs are offered for both adults and youth, specifically in high-wage, high-demand skills. The EDC has trained over 100 local workers in 2021-2022, and over 400 over the past five years. Donations will allow these critically important programs to continue.

The San Juan Island Community Foundation is helping the EDC to raise funds through their County Fair Giving Campaign. Through this program, the first $1,000 in donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Community Foundation. The EDC is also eligible for up to $2,500 in bonus grants awarded throughout the Fair.

Donors can contribute in-person at the Community Foundation fair booth, on the SJICF website, by phone to SJICF at 360-378-1001, or by mailing a check payable to SJICF (dated between Aug. 17–20) with Economic Development Council in the memo line to P.O. Box 1352, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. The Community Foundation will grant the raised funds to the EDC following the County Fair. To be eligible for matching funds, donations to the EDC must be made during the four days of the 2022 County Fair – Aug. 17-20.

The EDC will also have their own booth at the County Fair this year, for the first time ever, with hands-on trades and tech activities for kids, as well as informational handouts about their many programs and resources. They are looking forward to making more connections within the community and hope islanders will stop by to say hello and learn more.

An aerial view of the 2018 San Juan County Fair

County Parks & Fair shares a look at the upcoming County Fair, which kicks off in less than two weeks.

The San Juan County Fair is back in person for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. With new food vendors, thousands of entries, a carnival, and an estimated 8,000 attendees, the event — which runs from Aug. 17-20 — is a celebration of our county’s talents, interests, and unique qualities.

“Every sector of our community has come together to share interesting agricultural and still life exhibits, delicious fair food, and incredible entertainment all week long,” said Parks and Fair Director Brandon Cadwell.

This year’s theme is a bingo reference — Two Little Ducks; Quack, Quack! – which refers to when I-22 is called during a bingo game. In honor of the theme, nightly bingo games will be held every evening at the Community Stage. It’s free to play and prizes await.

The fair showcases nearly 30 open class and 4-H departments including baking, food preservation, cattle, fiber and textile arts, and photography. The Carnival opens around noon daily and the food court is stocked with something for everyone.

Local favorites including high noon games, the Trashion Fashion show, Fair Feud, and the Zucchini 500, are coming back to the fair. Attendees can meet Matt Henry, a world champion juggler — also known as The Bubble Man — at the Community Stage every day, or sit in on dozens of educational talks at the Agricultural Awning and the Green Village.

“The music line-up this year incorporates great regional bands from San Francisco, Reno, and Seattle to name a few,” said Caleb Turner, the organizer of this year’s musical acts. “We have world class musicians playing alongside local talent.”

Jam out to the various musical acts every evening at the Main Stage. On Wednesday, discover the County Fair House Band and Seattle-based band Whalien – an eclectic, high-energy rock-fusion band. Thursday features psychedelic rock band Forest Ray and Friday gives attendees a chance to get funky with the True Loves. On Saturday, folk band Bolero! takes the Main Stage. The four days also feature local acts like River Rye, San Juan Island All Star Band, and Mudbath.

Thanks to San Juan Transit, fairgoers from other islands can ride a free shuttle to the fairgrounds. The shuttle is timed with every interisland boat and helps make the event accessible to walk-ons.

“The Fair is the biggest and brightest event that showcases the best of the islands,” said Cadwell. “I hope everyone can come out to celebrate the community.”

Mayor Ray on the mic — Contributed photo

Theresa Simendinger sends along a recap of last night’s Music on the Lawn performance at the San Juan Historical Museum.

Playing to a big crowd, the Chameleons’ new lineup was just great! Lead singer Kira Sable was in great voice and the whole band was just spirit lifting and great to listen to.

A special drop-in was our mayor, Ray “Mick Jagger” Jackson, who really rocked the night.

Kids were invited to play percussion and there was an amazing dancer who was serenaded by rhythm guitarist Blake Budwill with “Dancing Queen.”

Thanks to Island Rec for a great evening of Music on the Lawn. Remember there’s only one more show — next week, August 10.

Merri Ann Simonson sends along this real estate market snapshot for San Juan Island, which for the first time in recent memory shows price reductions on both single-family homes and land.

Friday Harbor Labs staffers Lee Ann, Molly, and Rhonda — Contributed photo

Friday Harbor Labs shares a look at a few staff members whose hard work and dedication keeps the campus running smoothly.

If you haven’t spent time at Friday Harbor Labs, you may not realize that it is a miniature university campus, with its own housing (dorms, cottages, and other units), full-service dining hall, library, and lecture spaces in addition to the lab buildings, research equipment, seawater system, and dock operations. Over 60 buildings, from large dormitories and labs to one-person huts, are scattered over the roughly 30-acre campus that comprises the “developed” part of the 476-acre FHL preserve.

The campus receives electricity and freshwater from County and Town utilities and sends its wastewater to the Town treatment plant via a complex network of conduit, pipes and – in the case of wastewater – lift stations. Another network of pipes, extending from one end of campus to the other, supplies the lifeblood of FHL research and education: running seawater, delivered to over 150 tanks inside and among the lab buildings. The campus grounds, buildings and associated infrastructure, some of it dating back to the early 1920s, require a lot of person-power to keep functioning and clean. Today we sing the praises of the largely unseen and unsung maintenance and custodial crews who provide that power.

The upkeep of everything – from mowing the campus grounds to repairing seawater pumps – is the purview of our small but amazing maintenance crew: Doug (supervisor), George, Tommy, Dan and David. When campus is busy, as it thankfully is right now, much of their time is spent responding to urgent situations: an indoor seawater flood, a malfunctioning cold room thermostat, a clogged toilet, or any of a thousand other small and large issues that need immediate attention. (Out of necessity, all crew members must be jacks-of-all-trades). When campus is quieter, the team can focus on ongoing projects such as renovation work. Continue Reading

SJI Pride Foundation marching in the Friday Harbor Fourth of July Parade — Photo credit: Chase Anderson

One of San Juan Island’s newest nonprofits shares news about their upcoming public event.

San Juan Island Pride Foundation, an organization dedicated to fostering community across LGBTQIA+ and intersecting identities, announces its inaugural Pride Festival, taking place on Saturday, Aug. 13.

“We are thrilled to announce our SJI Pride Festival,” said Jordana Ansley, the events and entertainment coordinator for the San Juan Island Pride Foundation. “We invite our local residents and visitors to celebrate and support our LGBTQIA+ community here on the islands through this fun, family-friendly event.”

The SJI Pride Festival will take place at Jackson Beach on San Juan Island from 3 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 13. It is free, open to the public, and will include live music, food and drink vendors, a beer garden, lawn games, and more.

For more information on the Pride Festival, ways to contribute, and San Juan Island Pride Foundation, visit the organization’s website.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook and stay tuned for upcoming events throughout the year.

• It was tough heading to or from the island yesterday evening, as all sailings for the M/V Samish were cancelled from the 4:45 p.m. Anacortes departure onward. The image above is the view from the upper waiting lanes at 8:45 p.m., about 15 minutes before the arrival of the late-running boat that was diverted from its regular sailing to Lopez Island to help keep stranded San Juan Island travelers moving.
• Here are the results from yesterday’s primary election for San Juan County. Voter turnout was 30.6 percent — the tenth-highest turnout rate among Washington’s 39 counties.
• The Animal Protection Society has three recently arrived senior dogs available for adoption.
• There’s a multi-family estate and garage sale taking place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4859 Westside Road.
• Here are the week’s specials at Market Place and Kings.
• Finally, a few words from Francie Hansen: “Are you getting ready for the Trashion Fashion Show at the San Juan County Fair? It’s on Saturday, August 20th — a Main Stage event starting at 5:15 p.m. Francie Hansen is excited to see you there! For those who want to be in the show, information is available online at sjcfair.org, or you can stop by the Fair office.” Francie says, “Get over yourself, get out of your own way! Have a fabulous time on the runway, and be a STAR! This is the place to be!”

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

San Juan County sends along notice about the continuation of the public hearing related to the 2036 Comprehensive Plan update.

The San Juan County Planning Commission is continuing the public hearing on an ordinance adopting the 2036 Comprehensive Plan Update. The Comprehensive Plan is the centerpiece of local planning in the county. Like a business plan, the Comprehensive Plan provides the framework for how our community will grow.

The Planning Commission will take additional public testimony on the Comprehensive Plan text, excluding Official Maps, on Friday, Aug. 5. The hearing will be held virtually and at the County Council hearing room, Legislative Building, 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor. It will begin at or after 8:45 a.m. Information for joining the hearing is available online. Interested parties are encouraged to submit written or oral comments regarding the proposal.

Copies of the draft ordinance and staff reports related to the Comprehensive Plan are posted online.

The official comment period runs through Aug. 5. Written comments submitted prior to 12 p.m. on Aug. 4 will be provided to the Planning Commissioners before the hearing. Please comment via:

• Mail — Before the public hearing, mail written comments to Sophia Cassam, Department of Community Development (DCD), P.O. Box 947 Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
• Email — Email comments to [email protected]. Title the subject line Comprehensive Plan Update. Include your full name and address.
• Oral testimony — To join by Microsoft Teams, visit the Planning Commission website to find the meeting information. To join by phone, call 360-726-3293 and use the meeting ID 613 618 865#.

After taking testimony, the Planning Commission will continue deliberations on their recommendation to the County Council. The proposed ordinance will fulfill the requirement established by RCW 36.70.A.130 for San Juan County to periodically update its Comprehensive Plan.

Flossie at the beach — Photo credit: Peggy Sue McRae

The hot days of summer are upon us. We wait all year for our beautiful island summers, but still, some days are just too hot. Older adults are more vulnerable to super hot weather. Dr. Basil Eldadah of the National Institute on aging explains, “As we age, our ability to sweat and to dilate blood vessels to cool our body declines.”

Older adults are more likely to have other health issues adding stressors and complicating matters. For example, many people with heart disease take diuretic medications and may be at grater risk of dehydration. Check with your doctor if you think your medications should be adjusted during a heat wave.

Heat-related illness may show up as feeling dizzy or light-headed, and could be accompanied by nausea or confusion. The effected person may have an elevated or weakened pulse. Skin may feel dry or hot to touch. Heat stroke symptoms include a body temperature above 104, fainting, confusion, a lack of sweating and a slowing heart rate. Older adults experiencing these symptoms should seek medical help immediately.

One thing about living on an island is that we can count on it being 10 to 15 degrees cooler on the water. One great way to stay cool is to board the interisland ferry as a walk-on passenger for a free cruise to Lopez and back. If you are chilling on the water, though, don’t let that refreshing salt breeze trick you into getting sunburned. Sunscreen and a hat are more important than ever on the water.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, spending just a few hours in an air-conditioned environment can help relieve heat stress. At this time on the island we have no official cooling centers set up, but we have lots of air conditioned options to take a cooling break during the heat of the day. Through August, community lunches will be served at the air-conditioned Mullis Center from noon to 1 p.m. The Mullis Center also hosts afternoon social times on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. Enjoy a convivial social time while cooling off mid-day.

I asked my fellow islanders on Facebook where else an islander might enjoy cooling off with air conditioning. Here are my top responses:

• The San Juan Island Library is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
• Take in a matinee at the Palace Theatre – call 360-370-5666 for showtimes
• The San Juan Islands Museum of Art is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.

The thrift store, food co-op, Kings Market, Ace Hardware, and the Mystical Mermaid all offer air-conditioned shopping. Downriggers, San Juan Island Brewing, Haley’s Sports Bar and Grill, Greenside Grill (at the Golf Course), and The Bean offer cool environments to dine, watch a game, or enjoy cafe society.

I’m sure there are many more cool places to nip out of the heat for a cooling break. Don’t hesitate to do so when the days are hot.