The organizers of the Summer Film Series at San Juan Community Theatre send along previews of the first two films.

The 2022 Summer Film Series kicks off in one week. It will be a true delight to get together again after a two-year forced hiatus. As in the past, all showings start at 7 p.m. and are on a pay-what-you-can basis. Fresh popcorn is still just $2 and refills are free.

Given the losses we all suffered during the pandemic, we were reluctant to include “dark” films (e.g. those dealing with war or personal tragedies), but also didn’t feel we were ready for comedies. So, many films this year are documentaries. Here are brief descriptions of our first two movies.

Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time

Tuesday, July 12 at 7 p.m.
Documentary, not rated
Run time: 2 hours, 7 minutes

This film took 39 years to make. It is a is a deep, immersive dive into the author’s upbringing and his creative output as chronicled by his friend, filmmaker Robert Weide. It spans his childhood in Indianapolis, his experience as a prisoner of war in World War II, his marriage, family, and divorce, his early careers as a publicist for General Electric and a car salesman, and his long years as a struggling writer, leading to eventual superstardom in 1969 following the publication of his lightning-bolt anti-war novel Slaughterhouse-Five. For Vonnegut fans it is a must-see.  For those who are not, it is an intimate view into a kind, caring person and his biographer.

Tel Aviv on Fire

Tuesday, July 19 at 7 p.m.
Dramatic comedy, not rated
Run time: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Hidden within this almost farcical comedy is the story of one Palestinian trying to exist in two separate but overlapping worlds. Rumpled, easygoing Salam lives in Jerusalem and must pass through the barrier twice daily on the way to his new job in Ramallah as a production assistant on a television soap opera Tel Aviv on Fire. Written primarily for Palestinians, it captures the attention of an Israeli Defense Force officer whose wife is a fan. The connection is made, as so often in films from Israel and the Palestinian territories, at a military checkpoint.

Salam doesn’t have any experience in TV production, but he is fluent in Hebrew, so he’s occasionally consulted on dialogue. Based on this minor task, he identifies himself as the show’s writer when he’s interrogated by Assi, the commander of the checkpoint. It turns out that Assi, has a few ideas for Tel Aviv on Fire — and is determined to see them adopted. Unlikely circumstances get Salam promoted to the show’s writing staff where, to curry the commanders favor, he attempts to insert some of Assi’s ideas into the scripts. What ensues is a soap opera itself with many twists and turns.

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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

Choose Not To Buy Plastic Water Bottles

Bringing your own stainless steel water bottle with you when you’re out and about. It’s a quick win for the environment and for your health — no plastic in your water.

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

• The Fourth of July parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Spring and Price streets before proceeding into town down Spring.
• The San Juan Island Pride Foundation is looking for people to march with their group in the parade. They’ll be meeting between 9:45 and 10:15 a.m. at Spring and Price.
• Golden retrievers are their owners are also meeting at Spring and Price by 10:15 a.m. to take part in the parade.
• San Juan Historical Museum’s inaugural tractor show runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 405 Price Street.
• The Pig War Picnic kicks off at 11:30 a.m. at Spring and Price. There’ll be BBQ, music from the Chameleons, parade awards, games, and a watermelon eating contest.
• Rock the Dock takes place at the Port of Friday Harbor in the upper parking lot, starting at 4 p.m. There will be food by Vic’s, a beer garden hosted by the San Juan Lions Club, vendors, and music from Tommy Dale & the Dangerfields, River Rye, and the Farmer’s Market Band.
• Fireworks at the Port start at 10:10 p.m.

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 To Use A Plastic Straw & Bring Your Own

A new Washington State law states that businesses can no longer automatically include single-use items in customer orders, such as straws. Bring your own if you like to use one.

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

Bring Your Own Coffee/Tea Mug

Choose to refuse single-use takeaway cups and bring your own reusable one. Keep it in your bag, car, or at work so you don’t have to be caught without it. Choose one that’s fun and helps you feel motivated to use it.

The volunteers of San Juan Island Trails send along news about their upcoming meeting.

San Juan Island Trails has a new meeting place and time. If you are interested in the use and expansion of non-motorized trails on San Juan Island — walking, hiking, biking, horseback riding — consider sharing your input and time at an upcoming Trails meeting. The next meeting is this Thursday, July 7 at noon at the Island Rec office.

SJI Trails does not own any land or trails. Instead, Trails is an all-volunteer group of folks who work to collaborate with public agencies and private landowners to help maintain existing trails and encourage new trail development. Island Rec created Trails as a sub-committee in 1999 and continues to sponsor the group’s work with a yearly budget. Over the years Trails has taken on mapping projects and developed the well-used website www.sanjuanislandtrails.org.

Trails is seeking new members who are interested in joining trail projects or who have an idea of their own. Bring your ideas and let’s collaborate.

Meetings are the first Thursday of the month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Island Rec Office at 580 Guard Street. Please enter through the back of the building through the door marked Island Rec Conference Room. Parking is also available in the back lot on Jensen Alley. If you can’t attend a meeting but still have an idea or would like to get involved, send a message to [email protected].

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

Contributed photo

The equinox has passed and Fourth of July weekend is upon us. For islanders this generally marks the true start of summer both weather wise and in terms of increased activities and visitors. One sure sign that summer is revving up is that our local farmers market is invigorated with plenty of fresh produce among other unique offerings.

Providing an outlet for local farmers since 1987, the market has grown to about 35 vendors including farmers, artists and crafters, food processors, service providers, and local community organizations. Since 2011 the market has made its home at Brickworks in Friday Harbor. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, April through October.

While fresh locally grown produce is a big draw, you will also find locally raised meats, flowers and herbs, jams, jellies, baked goods, goat cheese, and even locally produced sea salt and artisan crafted teas, plus fine arts and crafts. Chances are there will be musicians playing on the plaza and you are bound to run into just the person you wanted to chat with.

While you can’t beat fresh local farm goods, for seniors on fixed incomes this can get expensive. It’s easy, and very worth while, to apply for the 2022 Senior Farmers Market Vouchers. Eligible seniors can receive $80 in vouchers redeemable at the farmers market. You are eligible if you meet the following criteria:

• 60 years old or older (55+ if Native American)
• A resident of Washington State
• An income below $25,142 annually or $2,096 monthly for one person; $33,874 annually or $2,823 monthly for two people; add $728 monthly for each additional person

Applications are available for a limited time. To apply, contact Debbie Haagensen at 360-370-7526 or [email protected], or stop by the Mullis Center on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. No proof of income is needed. Your vouchers will be mailed to you.

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

Bring Your Own Shopping Bags

Choose to refuse single-use shopping bags. Keep a stash of your reusable bags in the trunk of your car or by your front door.

OPALCO has temporarily halted work on its Warbass Way utility pole replacement project for the Fourth of July holiday week, according to the Town of Friday Harbor.

As a result, Warbass Way has reopened to all traffic until next Monday, July 11. The Town expects the project will continue through Thursday, July 21.

The project is adding capacity and resiliency to the OPALCO’s San Juan Island power system, according to co-op spokesperson Suzanne Olson.

“These system improvements are part of OPALCO’s regular maintenance program and an opportunity to upgrade the capacity of the line in preparation for the future,” Olson says. “With the ten new poles in place and larger wire size, OPALCO crews will be able to create new loop feeds and redundancy for greater reliability and faster recovery during outages. Because of the terrain and location of other utilities in the area, it’s not feasible to move these facilities underground.”

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

The SJIMA shares news about the return of their summer art programming for families.

This summer, the San Juan Islands Museum of Art offers families an opportunity to become familiar with the history, culture, and customs of one of the world’s oldest cities, Kabul.

With inspiration from the museum’s current exhibition, Looking Into Kabul by James Longley, families can become familiar with the everyday life of this old Afghan city. During three hours every Saturday in July, families can build a blue Mosque, weave a bowl, or travel back in time to meet the extinct Asiatic Lion and, in the process, learn more about one of the world’s oldest cities.

SJIMA’s Family Art Days are free. Reservations, however, are required. Families can participate on-site in the museum’s orchard on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or create artful pieces at home with a take-home pack available for Saturday pick-up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Looking Into Kabul draws from Longley’s documentary work while living in Kabul. The exhibit offers a close-up view of the city behind the city, an unseen world of winding streets, childhood games, shopkeepers, and markets. Each creative art project illuminates an aspect of everyday life in Kabul and offers an up-close and personal look at the lives and customs of this ancient city:

• July 2 — Afghan rattle and bracelet — Ward off evil spirits and stay protected with a handmade shaman rattle and bracelet.
• July 9 — Daily life photo collage — Arrange photos of everyday life and meaningful items in a shadow box.
• July 16 — The Blue Mosque — Develop a 3D rendering of this historical Afghan landmark.
• July 23 — Afghan weaving — Create traditional tableware with yarn and ribbon.
• July 30 — Extinct great felines of Afghanistan — Bring the large Asiatic Lion back to life with paper and poster board.

This program is sponsored by Suzy Wakefield, the San Juan Island Community Foundation, Leonie Griswold, National Endowment for the Arts and the Washington State Arts Commission.