Fire & Rescue shares news about their response to a wildfire that broke out on Mt. Dallas yesterday afternoon.

San Juan Island Fire and Rescue responded to a call Wednesday afternoon about a possible wildfire on Mt. Dallas. Upon arrival, SJIF&R established command and communications, deploying rapidly responding crews to fight an active and creeping wildfire. On-scene conditions were challenging due to extensive brush and grass growth, with the prevailing wind pushing the fire into nearby woodland.

Crews worked in two areas to quickly contain the fire and prevent further spread. Two structures were potentially at risk and were saved. Washington State Department of Natural Resources were notified and sent a fire response helicopter to assist at the scene. No injuries were reported.

Fire crews will continue to work on scene to monitor and extinguish hot spots. Residents should be aware that there will be lingering smoke in the area around the west side.

Please remember that fire safety is all of our responsibility. As the current summer heat dries our islands out, please ensure that you are aware that any work or activity that can create a spark is dangerous for all of us.

Contributed photo

San Juan County Health & Community Services sends along their request for some help from San Juan Islands artists.

The Health & Community Services Department is getting a community wellness van that will allow us to take our public health services to our San Juan County community members where they live, work, and play. The Luci B Community Wellness Van will be used for immunization clinics, reproductive health counseling clinics, home- and community-visiting services, public health community outreach and education work, wellness and screening events, health and nutrition education events, public health emergency response efforts, and dental clinics.

We have named our community wellness van after Lucinda Elizabeth Steward Boyce (1835-1916). Lucinda served as a community leader on San Juan Island and as a role model for hundreds of women who braved the strenuous conditions of the island’s early settlement years. She arrived on San Juan Island in 1860 and served as a compassionate nurse and midwife, delivering more than 500 babies and venturing out in any weather (and to outer islands) to care for the sick and injured. Endurance, ingenuity, and a rugged physical and mental disposition were necessary for settler women to survive in the early days — but Lucinda didn’t just endure, she thrived. She stepped up and took on the roles of doctor, nurse, and midwife. Lucinda administered care to all who needed it, responding to medical calls any time of the night or day — regardless of the distance or weather. She would ride horseback or drive a buggy over harsh terrain, paddle a canoe, or take a rowboat to Orcas, Shaw, Stuart, or Waldron. Lucinda was known for her kindness and compassion to all.

We’ve chosen to name our new community wellness van Luci B in honor of Lucinda Boyce. We believe our team of public health staff carry on Lucinda’s mission and embody her determination, indomitable spirit, warmth, joy of living, and kindness for all persons — working to overcome all obstacles and promote wellness for those living in the San Juan Islands.

As you can see from the photo, our van does not have a design on the outside yet. Help us come up with a design concept for Luci B by submitting a contest entry now through Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022 at 5 p.m. Visit the wellness van section of our website for more details and information on how to submit your entry.

If you have questions, contact us by email or call 360-774-9350. All San Juan County residents are invited to apply. Children under the age of 18 must have parent permission to submit a contest entry. The winner of the design concept contest will be announced on or after Friday, Aug. 26 and will be recognized for their contribution to the new community wellness van project.

• The San Juan Island Library’s Wednesday afternoon performance series for children and families wraps up today with the Cap’n Arrr Pirate Show. It takes place at 1:30 p.m. in the play shed at Friday Harbor Elementary School.
• Island Rec’s summer Music on the Lawn series continues at 6:30 p.m. tonight on the lawn at the San Juan Historical Museum. The members of the band 3D, Tom Henry and Tami Doenges, will perform folk, rock, and blues covers of music from the 70s through 90s.
• Here’s an article from 2017 about the Cable Innovator, the cable repair ship that has been operating off the west side of San Juan Island recently.
• Treasure Hounds (365 Spring St., Suite C) has many home items listed on sale at 20 to 50 percent off. They’re open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• SumX3 are performing a free concert on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Madrone Cellars & Cider, 40 First St.
• The Friends of the Library’s annual summer book sale will take place Saturday, Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot at 660 Spring St., the future home of the San Juan Island Library. There will be children’s books, DVDs, audio books, jigsaw puzzles, and books of every topic, size and shape.
• 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!

Transition San Juan Island’s Waste Reduction group shares today’s habit shift inspiration from the global Plastic Free July campaign.

Composting

A significant amount of trash and weight found in garbage cans is from everyday food waste. Food waste in landfills creates methane, one of the worst contributors to climate change. While it’s not eliminating single-use plastics, turning food waste from garbage to compost is an enormous habit shift in the right direction.

You can make a difference right here on San Juan Island. Federico Farm is offering a drop-off food composting program that uses fermentation to break down food matter. Composting bins can be purchased for a one-time charge of $20 and $5 for a bag of inoculant that assists in the breakdown of food. Once your bin is full, bring it to Federico Farm and dump it into the compost bins. Repeat.

The Senior Services Council of San Juan County shares an update about its operational changes.

At its April 21 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Senior Services Council of San Juan County voted to transfer the operational functions of its three District Committees to three stand-alone nonprofit organizations. This change is designed to simplify and enhance operation of Senior Centers in all three geographic areas.

Since April, the Orcas, Lopez, and San Juan District Committees have worked to establish the infrastructure and instruments necessary for a seamless transition. Three nonprofit organizations have been identified to undertake the functions of the three senior centers. They are Friends of Orcas Senior Center, Lopez Island Senior Center, and Mullis Community Senior Center.

Current District Committees have begun work with partners to transfer business agreements to the three separate nonprofits. Directors of the SSCSJC corporation have met with San Juan County and Whatcom Council on Aging staff to revise agreements for providing nutrition and transportation services to ensure seamless transition.

With separate nonprofits, patrons of Senior Centers should notice little if any changes other than improved services. The goal is to transition functions from one overarching nonprofit to three separate nonprofits with minimum disruption to client services and business partners so that services are enhanced for seniors and adults with disabilities in San Juan County. The three organizations can still collaborate on selected projects and grants as desired.

The transition is expected to be completed over the next several months. District Committees will continue to operate their senior centers just as they do now until the new nonprofit organizations are ready to assume their new roles. Donations earmarked for a specific senior center will continue to go to that senior center. Centers do not anticipate any decrease in services, classes, activities, or offerings. Instead, this transition period is an opportunity for planning great improvement, responsiveness, and engagement as each location prepares to move forward independently.

Island Rec sends along details about this year’s fair-time run/walk event.

Island Rec and Island Strength and Movement invite you to take part in the 45th annual Friday Harbor 8.8K loop run/walk, scheduled for a 9 a.m. start on Saturday, Aug. 20. People of all ages enjoy running or walking in this race.

Register by Sunday, July 31 and pay the early fee — $20 for kids 12 and under, $25 for racers 13 and older. These fees increase by $5 starting Aug. 1. All fees include race entry, a free pass into the San Juan County fair, an event t-shirt, and finisher medals to the first 120 people across the finish line. Register online at the Island Rec website.

Race numbers and shirts can be picked up the Friday before race day at the Island Rec Office at 580 Guard St. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Runner check-in and day-of registrations take place in the Wells Fargo parking lot, located on the corner of Argyle and Spring streets, from 8 to 8:45 a.m. The race starts promptly at 9 a.m. on the corner of Spring and Second streets.

Contact Jen Henry at [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering for this event.

Transition San Juan Island’s Waste Reduction group shares today’s habit shift inspiration from the global Plastic Free July campaign.

Recycle

Recycling is the last on the list of the 5 Rs because it really is the last alternative before turning items to the landfill. Recycling is throwing it away, but it’s the last shot at giving a reusable resource another chance at being made into something useful again. It’s still very important to understand the recycling systems where you live and, most importantly, participate. If you live in the Friday Harbor town limits, here’s what you need to know. If you live outside of town limits, the San Juan Transfer Station has recycling options for you too.

To give your recyclables the best chance at actually being recycled, it’s important to understand what your local recycling center’s requirements are for each item and then respectfully follow those guidelines.

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The organizers of the Summer Film Series at San Juan Community Theatre send along a preview of this week’s film. The showing starts at 7 p.m. Admission is pay-what-you-can. For this season only, fresh popcorn is available for free.

David Byrne’s American Utopia

Musical, not rated
Run time: 2 hours, 15 minutes

This film is a collaborative effort of two towering multitalented geniuses, David Byrne and Spike Lee. Byrne, a Scottish-American singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, writer, music theorist, visual artist and filmmaker is best known as the founder of the Talking Heads. He has received an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, a Tony Award, and a Golden Globe Award, and is an inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Lee is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and a tenured professor at NYU. He has won numerous accolades for his work, including an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, a Student Academy Award, a BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, two Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, the NAACP’s President’s Award, and the Cannes Grand Prix.

Lee captures Byrne’s Broadway show American Utopia, in which a cast of international musicians not only play many of Byrne’s songs but also perform intricate dance routines somewhat akin to a marching band on steroids (or something else!). As the film critic Tim Robey said in his review, “What they’ve managed to do is create a permanent record of this amazing show, which I think will go down as one of the most meticulously crafted and contemplated performances by a major musician in history.” It is not to be missed and is suitable for absolutely everyone.

The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold a special meeting on Thursday, July 28 at 8:30 a.m. to discuss issues regarding the conservation easement and potential future upland development on the recently acquired Glenwood Inn property on Orcas Island.

The Commission will also discuss the Land Bank’s guiding ordinances, required public processes, and the Commission’s role and responsibilities with respect to acquisition and disposition of Land Bank Property, as defined in the San Juan County Code.

Materials related to these items are available here.

You can view the live stream of the meeting online or take part in person at the San Juan County Parks and Fair Office, located at 846 Argyle Ave.

Transition San Juan Island’s Waste Reduction group shares today’s habit shift inspiration from the global Plastic Free July campaign.

Repurpose

It’s only single-use if you use it once. With a repurpose mindset, there’s so much more life in our daily items then we think. That yogurt that came in a glass jar is perfect for filling with bulk liquid soap, pencils, art supplies or for food storage in the fridge. Did you know that fresh veggies washed and cut stay fresh longer in a glass jar in the fridge rather than in plastic? The possibilities for reuse are endless and it can be a fun challenge.

Transition San Juan Island’s Waste Reduction group shares today’s habit shift inspiration from the global Plastic Free July campaign.

Re-Re-Re-Use

Use up everything you’ve got, whether it’s “sustainable” or not. It can be tempting to replace all of your daily use items with its plastic free counterpart. Using and reusing the stuff you have until it’s no longer functional is part of being waste free.