Alex Ramel has proven himself to be an effective, thoughtful, and strategic leader for the 40th District in Washington. He is a progressive democrat who champions climate action, affordable housing, healthcare for all, fully funded schools, equal pay for women, and gun violence prevention. Alex is also a listener and strong collaborator. I highly endorse and trust him.

I have known Alex for almost two decades. He and I have worked together on many programs in the region, ranging from the Community Energy Challenge that he helped develop, to stopping the Canadian Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. He also says yes to every request I make of him to meet the young people I have mentored and instructed over the years — he greatly values the impact of the next generation and knows how important it is to inspire and educate them.

If you care about climate action and our environment, value social justice, are a parent or grandparent who wants a good future for the children you love, and a person who wants a true, honest progressive in our state government — vote for Alex.

Katie Fleming
San Juan Island 

Lakedale Resort sends along news about their annual music festival.

The fifth annual Music Festival returns to Lakedale Resort from Aug. 26-28, featuring renowned jazz virtuoso Brian Nova and his Trio. While you swing around the dance floor, know that it will be for a good cause as the festival benefits the San Juan Islands School District music programs and Terry’s Kids. Terry’s Kids provides music programming to global schools and care facilities.

Admission is included in the nightly rate for guests. Advance tickets are $20. A limited number of gate tickets are available for $25 per day.

• Beaverton Valley Road will be closed for drainage culvert repairs between Egg Lake Road and Boyce Road starting today. The County expects the work to take one week.
• San Juan Preservation Trust shares positive news about the Island Marble Butterfly caterpillars of the Frazer Homestead Preserve.
• The Summer Film Series at San Juan Community Theatre kicks off tonight at 7 p.m. with a showing of the documentary Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time.
• The Indigenous Education Institute continues its speaker series at noon on Thursday with Indigenous Perspectives on Earth, Water and Sky by Rena Priest. Rena is the Washington State Poet Laureate and a member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation. Pre-registration is available here.
• Summer sailing takes place every Thursday at 5 p.m. at Jackson Beach starting this week and running through Aug. 11. The events are open to the public, and some sailing experience is required. Boats are provided by the San Juan Island Sailing Foundation and the cost is $10 per session or $40 for the season. Contact Nige Oswald for more details.
• Madrone Cellars & Cider is hosting a dinner pop-up with Natalia Swan Catering this Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m., with a banh mi sandwich, sweet & sour cucumber salad, and mango mousse with crisp. Tickets are $35 and include a glass of wine or cider.

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.

Plastic Free Picnic

It’s finally picnic season and it’s a delight to pack up a basket of food to share with friends and head to the beach or park. But take a look at what you’re packing and what can potentially get lost and left behind as plastic trash. Beaches and parks are full of plastic wrap from bars, chip bags, bottle caps, plastic cutlery, straws, plastic bottles, etc. Feel fantastic by packing a plastic free picnic. Bake treats to bring, pack fresh fruit, make sandwiches and fill reusable water bottles, bring your own cloth napkins and cutlery and pack it all in reusable containers. This effort will make you picnic experience feel even more in connection with the natural surroundings you’re enjoying.

The San Juan County Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the Waldron Island Fire Shelter. Items up for discussion include:

• Waldron quarry access and use
• Deer Harbor parking project update
• Climate and Sustainability Committee update
• Hazardous waste and recycling update
• Perceived noise impacts from transient travel
• Waldron Island’s beach ecology

Because the meeting is being held outside of the Council Legislative Hearing Room, a live stream of the meeting will not be available.

Here’s the adoptable animal of the week from the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor — Bagel, a three-year-old domestic shorthair.

Petite is a sensitive soul and although his name does not at first seem to fit his appearance, you may find that it fits his personality. He carries himself in a slender manner, kind and poised. But his playfulness comes out when he is around another playful cat, kitten, or a favorite toy. Petite does not care for roughhousing or loud words. He would love to curl up with you while you read a book or discuss the latest literary gems. Petite loves affection and sometimes will pass a treat to get an extra scratch behind the ear. If you are looking for a poetic, young fellow at heart, Petite would be delighted to share your favorite chair or sunny spot with you.

Learn more about Petite here.

Photo credit: Center for Whale Research

The Center for Whale Research shares some positive news from the Southern Resident orca K Pod.

On Saturday, July 9, we met the newest member of K Pod, K45.

We received word that Southern Resident orcas were inbound from the west side of Vancouver Island, and in the group were members of K Pod whom we had not seen since November 21, 2021.

We had previously received video and photographs of a possible new calf with K Pod earlier this year in April and June. Still, we were excited to have the opportunity to see the baby firsthand.

On Saturday, Center for Whale Research field biologist Mark Malleson and his colleagues sighted the group northeast of Race Rocks and confirmed that K20 was traveling with a new calf. They captured images of K20 with her new baby traveling in a tight group with other family members.

CWR designates this newborn K45. K45’s sex is unknown at this time. Its size and shape are typical of a calf in good physical condition. K45 is the first calf born into K Pod since 2011 when K27 gave birth to K44 (male).

The mother, K20 (born 1986), is part of the K13 matriline and has two siblings — K27 (female, born 1994) and K34 (male, born 2001). She is the mother to K38 (male, born in 2004). 

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

The Dirt On Soap

Leave those dirty plastic shower bottles behind and swap out for a good old bar of soap. You can find excellent soap alternatives — many made locally —  for hands, face, body, hair, and shaving.

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

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

Food Storage

Quit the plastic wrap. There are many fantastic alternatives such wax wraps, reusable containers, and washable snack bags.

San Juan Community Theatre shares news about one of their upcoming live performances.

Alpha Yaya Diallo will perform a live concert at the San Juan Community Theatre on Friday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m. Diallo, originally from Guinea, West Africa, is a talented guitarist and singer-songwriter based in Canada. He’s earned the reputation for incredible musicianship, with a vibrant onstage energy utilizing a dexterity in both acoustic and electric guitar.

Originally discovered in the late 1980’s by Peter Gabriel’s record label, Diallo has gone on to win three Juno Awards, the Canadian equivalent to a Grammy award. SOCAN Words and Music Magazine has described his music as “… intoxicating … steeped in the rhythms of his homeland.”

Diallo is also offering a free workshop to musicians of all levels at 4 p.m. on July 29. In this workshop, Diallo will share techniques on how to play “Manding Blues” and insight on a guitar playing method taken from the Kora, a traditional instrument from West Africa. Students are encouraged to bring a guitar.

Concert tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for students and youth.

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

The Planning Commission will take public testimony on a proposed ordinance adopting the 2036 Comprehensive Plan update on Friday, July 15. After taking testimony, the Planning Commission will deliberate 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.

The Planning Commission will take public testimony and make a recommendation on proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan Official Maps at a public hearing on Friday, August 19.

The 2036 Comprehensive Plan Update 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. on Friday, July 15. 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. Contact Sophia Cassam, Planner II, at 360-370-7589 or [email protected] to request a hard copy of the ordinance and staff reports.

The official comment period runs through July 15. Written comments submitted prior to 12 p.m. on July 14 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#.

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

Support Local Farmers

Visiting the farmers market and farm stands are fun and supports the hardworking local farmers and crafters in our community. As an added bonus, fruit and vegetables are sold loose and not in plastic.

APS-FH shares some kind words about their volunteer of the month.

The Animal Protection Society—Friday Harbor is pleased to announce Fiona Curliss as the APS-FH Volunteer of the Month for July.

Fiona came to volunteer for APS-FH in January of this year. As a new resident to San Juan Island, she came to work on a special research project for Friday Harbor Labs. Having had previous experience volunteering at her hometown shelter in Oregon, she reached out to see if the Island shelter dogs could use her assistance. APS-FH jumped at the chance to have her help.

Fiona comes to the shelter consistently once a week to walk the shelter dogs and provide valuable enrichment time. She does especially well with the active, energetic dogs that often need a little extra enrichment time playing fun games. One of the things we love most about Fiona is that she allows and encourages the dogs to be themselves during their walks, embracing the joys of what being a dog is all about. She is known to come up with unique games and activities for the individual dog she is working with, and the dogs love her for that.

Shelter dogs are typically under a lot of stress while they wait for their new homes, but having fun, dedicated volunteers like Fiona makes their stay here more tolerable and entertaining. Thank you, Fiona, for your commitment to working with the underprivileged pups in shelters near and far. Your dedication means the world to us and them.