The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank shares news about a public event taking place next Saturday, July 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

There’s more to the west side of San Juan Island than orcas. Dr. Erika Iyengar of Muhlenberg College, and long-time researcher at Friday Harbor Laboratories, returns to lead an exploration of the intertidal zone at the Land Bank’s Deadman Bay Preserve.

Spend the morning among an amazing diversity of spineless animals (invertebrates) and learn how they feed, reproduce, and interact with each other. Wear some old sneakers or come prepared to get wet up to your knees. If you have a plastic magnifying glass, bring it. Kids are welcome with adult supervision.

Meet and park at the Lime Kiln Point State Park main lot – Discover Pass or parking fee required. Participants will walk to the preserve.

For more information, contact Tanja Williamson at 360-378-4402 or [email protected].

It was a busy spring at the San Juan Island Community Foundation. In addition to awarding grants in support of nonprofit programming – including the Family Resource Center’s fire recovery efforts – SJICF also welcomed long-time islander Philip Johnson to its board of directors.

Grants boost critical community programs

In response to the devastating April 7 fire in downtown Friday Harbor, the Community Foundation and its donors awarded an emergency grant to the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center. These funds provided temporary rental and mortgage assistance for business owners and employees in financial need. Additionally, they helped subsidize the FRC’s Community Wellness Program, which offered counseling sessions for families affected by the fire.

Community Foundation grants also supported the ongoing work of half a dozen other nonprofits, each of which offers a unique contribution to our quality of life here on San Juan Island.

• Friday Harbor Athletic Association – FHAA’s grant will provide participation fee assistance for approximately 30 of the 120 children ages 6-14 taking part in this year’s football, basketball, and cheerleading programs. This support allows every child on the island to participate in these programs, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
• Alchemy Art Center – Alchemy’s grant will help the organization continue its Artists in Community program. This year, 11 visiting artists-in-residence from across the United States will take part in the program by leading Alchemy’s summer outreach efforts, teaching workshops and classes, hosting open studios, presenting artist talks, and showing their work at pop-up art shows.
• San Juan Islands Museum of Art – SJIMA will use its grant to help continue its successful Family Art Days program, which connects more than 50 island children and parents to free art projects each week – either by completing projects on site at the museum, or by picking up take-home packets and working on the projects on their own.
• San Juan Island Library – The Library’s grant will support two youth book groups during the upcoming school year. Each month, students in grades 3-5 will receive a new book to read on their own and will meet in person to discuss the book and take part in a related craft or activity. Students in grades 6-8 will also receive a new book each month and meet in person to discuss the book and watch its movie adaptation. More than 300 books will be given to island youth through these programs.
• Kwiáht – Kwiáht’s grant will allow the organization to continue its research and monitoring of the distribution, vectors, and pathogens of ticks on San Juan Island. Because no public program for pathogen testing exists in Washington state, Kwiáht’s work is essential in assessing the risks ticks pose to humans, pets, and wildlife on the island.
• San Juan Community Theatre – SJCT will use its grant to install needed outdoor lighting. The grant also supports the installation of emergency backup lighting in SJCT’s two theatres. The organization’s facilities collectively host more than 150 shows each year, in addition to summer camps and classes for children of all ages.

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

Avoid Fruit & Veggies Wrapped in Plastic

Seek out and choose fruit and vegetables sold loose and not plastic-wrapped or pre-packaged. Bring lightweight reusable bags for holding your items in instead of the plastic ones provided.

Contributed photo

The San Juan Islands Art Museum shares a detailed look at one of their current exhibitions.

With a growing humanitarian disaster taking shape in Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban’s return to power, James Longley’s timely exhibition at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art focuses on everyday life in Kabul’s old city. On display at SJIMA until Sept. 12, the exhibition’s photographs combine vast panoramic images with portraits and documentary films to create a breathtaking look into an unseen world of winding streets along ancient hillsides, childhood games, shop keepers, courtyards, madrasas and markets — all steeped in the atmosphere and culture of this ancient and troubled city.

Afghanistan, one of the poorest and most poorly understood countries in the world, has been a center of revolution, foreign occupation and civil war for over forty years. Despite decades of involvement in Afghanistan, the human struggles of Afghans have remained on the periphery of our vision.

In this exhibition, Longley has turned his focus to one war-torn neighborhood, Jada-e-Maiwand, in the heart of Kabul. Longley’s photographs give us glimpses of hope in his illuminating photographs.

His documentary film Angels Are Made of Light offers a visually stunning look at the country. He begins with a school in Kabul, and rather than on-screen interviews, Longley lets three brothers — Sohrab, Rostam and Yaldash — speak, as well as their teachers. A larger picture of contemporary Afghan life spirals out from there, with the introduction of historical footage of 20th-century life in the country.

In his own words, “I wanted to have a film which felt like it was made from an Afghan point of view, expressing something real about how Afghans see the world. That’s a perspective we don’t normally hear in this country.” Continue Reading

San Juan Community Theatre shares news about a live concert taking place in a couple of weeks.

The California Guitar Trio will perform a live concert at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. The talented Trio has been around for over thirty years, with 15 albums, and have had their works streamed over 60 million times. The members include Bert Lams, Tom Griesgraber, and Paul Richards, and during performances they seek to establish connections with their audiences through storytelling, humor, and music.

The Trio’s set list includes refreshing covers of an array of genres and artists including the Beatles, Queen, Bach, and Pink Floyd, in addition to many original songs. The California Guitar Trio’s dynamic range and technical prowess will make for an enchanting evening.

To purchase tickets, visit the SJCT website or call the Box Office at 360-378-3210. Tickets are $33 for adults and $16 for reserved student seating. $5 student rush tickets are available an hour before the show. 

• MV Tillikum remains out of service due to mechanical issues. According to Washington State Ferries, interisland traffic will be routed through Anacortes on another vessel at no additional cost when possible.
• Beaverton Valley Road will be closed for drainage culvert repairs between Egg Lake Road and Boyce Road starting Tuesday, July 12. The County expects the work to take one week.
• San Juan Island EMS shares an update about increasing their preparedness in responding to outer islands calls.
• San Juan Community Theatre announced the cast for Mauritius, its fall play. Jackie will be played by Anne Marie Ryan; Mary by Carrie Jewett; Dennis by Adam Parrott; Philip by Mason Turnage; and Sterling by Eric Concord. The show runs from Sept. 30 through Oct. 16.
• The application deadline for San Juan Summer Arts Festival vendors has been extended to Friday, July 15. Email [email protected] for more info.
• Sound Healing with Jyoti, a meditative acoustic sound concert, takes place at Alchemy Art Center at 6 p.m. tomorrow, with a $10-20 suggested donation.

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

Buy From Bulk Bins

Think about what prepackaged foods you can switch out for a similar item from bulk bins. Bulk resources on San Juan Island can be found at the San Juan Island Food Co-op, Market Place, Salty at Heart Island Apothecary, and Salt & Sand Salon.

View the previous shots in this day-in-the-life series (one, two, three, four, five, six) and learn more about Brad’s perspective on the foxes of San Juan Island.

The San Juan County Elections Office shares news about next week’s pre-election equipment test, which is open to the public.

A logic-and-accuracy test of ballot tabulating equipment used in San Juan County for the Aug. 2 primary election is scheduled for Wednesday, July 13 at 11 a.m. The test works by tallying the results of a prepared set of test ballots to see if the results match the votes cast. The test will take place in the Elections Office located at 55 Second Street, Suite A, in Friday Harbor.

A representative of the Secretary of State’s Elections Division will be present for the test. The test is performed before every local, state, or federal election to ensure that tabulation hardware and software equipment are compliant with Washington State rules and will accurately count the votes.

All interested members of the public are invited to observe, either in person or in the safety of their own homes. The Elections Office will livestream the test on its YouTube channel.

• MV Tillikum is out of service until further notice due to mechanical issues.
• The Family Resource Center shared an update about the impact their Housing Stabilization Program makes on San Juan Island.
• Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center’s annual auction is live. It runs through Friday, July 15.
• Eric Haines One Man Band performs at the play shed at Friday Harbor Elementary School today at 1:30 p.m.
• San Juan Island Trails meets tomorrow at noon at the Island Rec office.
• 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!

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

Refuse Takeaway Utensils and Containers

A new Washington State law states that businesses can no longer automatically include single-use items in customer orders. Bring your own reusable travel utensils and say no thanks to takeaway utensils. Ask if you can bring your own container to take food away in; some restaurants and cafes are happy to do this.  

View the previous shots in this day-in-the-life series (one, two, three, four, five) and learn more about Brad’s perspective on the foxes of San Juan Island.

Here’s the adoptable animal of the week from the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor — Libby, a 35-pound lab-chow mix.

Hello there, I’m Libby, currently residing at the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor. While I cannot reveal my age (a lady never tells), I can offer some advice to ladies out there who may be of a somewhat mature age, and find themselves in a situation like mine, i.e., looking for love. Simply join me in following these simple yet sensible steps and I am certain love and companionship will not be far behind:

1. Never slouch. Good posture is important when trying to attract others.
2. Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Always graciously accept belly rubs and gentle pats.
3. Make friends, even if you are feeling bashful and would rather stay in your room and remove the squeaker from a new toy.
4. Fresh breath is a must. I recommend frequent flossing and the occasional rawhide.
5. Be playful, particularly in the presence of puppies.
6. Go to the beach and take a dip. It does wonders for your skin and outlook on life.
7. Tolerate small talk and cats, if you must.
8. Be patient. Finding the perfect match may take time. Your special someone is out there, waiting to meet you. I know mine is. 

Learn more about Libby here.