The library shares news about one of their many summer programs.

The San Juan Island Library’s Wednesday afternoon performances series for children and families is back this summer. All performances are free and held outside in the play shed at Friday Harbor Elementary School, 95 Grover Street. All shows start at 1:30 p.m. and run 45 minutes. Please bring blankets and chairs for seating.

• June 29 – Cowboy Buck and Elizabeth
• July 6 – Eric Haines One Man Band
• July 13 – Roberto the Magnificent Juggling Show
• July 20 – Bill Robison Physical Comedy
• July 27 – Cap’n Arrr Pirate Show

For more information, visit the San Juan Island Library website or call (360) 378-2798.

Here’s the adoptable animal of the week from the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor — Bagel, a 13-pound domestic shorthair.

In honor of Cat World Domination Day, June 24, we have chosen Bagel as our pet of the week. He is one to take over your heart and your home. Bagel would prefer to be the one and only ruler of the house, as he does not want other cats getting in the way of his conquest. Bagel is, unfortunately, FIV+, but is otherwise in great shape and expected to live a long, healthy life if given the right indoor environment. He loves his people and will demand endless amounts of pets and affection. Despite his age, Bagel is still quite spry and young at heart. He loves to play with a variety of toys that challenge his quick reflexes. This regal mastermind has a beautiful tuxedo coat that sports an abstract smile on his back and is sure to bring one to your face.

Learn more about Bagel here.

• Here’s today’s farmers market lineup.
• Stop by Zylstra Lake Preserve at noon today to learn about the art and science of making hay in the islands. The event is organized by the San Juan County Preservation Land Bank, whose haylands lessees will be on site at the preserve bailing hay with a cooperative of 13 small farms this weekend.
• Alchemy Art Center is offering paint-your-own-pottery sessions every Thursday through Sunday this summer from 1 to 5 p.m. at Salty at Heart Island Apothecary (310 Spring Street). It’s $48 for one mug, $40 each for two, and all proceeds benefit Alchemy and their community art programming.
• Tommy Dale & the Dangerfields are performing at Everelse today at 5 p.m. The event will also feature a Spaghetti Western dinner pop-up by Glad Acres.
• The next installment of Alchemy Art Center’s Artist Talk Series, with Maya Djiji and Adrian Kilpatrick, takes place on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at the SJIMA.
• Here’s the music lineup for the San Juan Summer Arts Festival, which takes place every Friday night in August.

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

The County’s Board of Health shares their request for a couple of new members for non-elected positions.

The San Juan County Board of Health is actively recruiting for two new non-elected board members to serve four-year terms. These positions will become available in September 2022 with the retirement of two members that have served for over 10 years.

A recent change in state and county codes expands the Board of Health membership criteria to include a diversity of public health expertise and lived experience. We are recruiting individuals from the following categories:

• Public health, health care facilities, and/or health care provider
• Consumer of public health (i.e., having lived experiences with public health related programs or self-identified as having faced significant health inequities)
• Other community stakeholders, including community-based or nonprofit organization; active, reserve, or retired armed services member; business community member; environmental public health regulated community member (e.g., food service establishment operator, water system operator, on-site sewage system professional)

The Board of Health has responsibility over all matters pertaining to the preservation of the life and health of the people of San Juan County. The Board is the governing body for San Juan County Health & Community Services and is responsible for adopting local health-related ordinances and resolutions. The Board is comprised of eight members, consisting of the three Council members, one Town of Friday Harbor representative, and four non-elected members.

The Board generally meets on the third Wednesday of each month, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Member terms are four years in length. Eligible applicants must be registered San Juan County voters.

Individuals looking to serve their community, representing one of the focus areas listed above, are encouraged to apply. The San Juan County Board of Health application form is available on the Board of Health webpage. For general questions regarding the Board of Health or the application process, contact Health & Community Services Director Mark Tompkins at [email protected] or 360-370-7517.

Contributed photo

The organizers of the island’s moon bear sponsorship effort are continuing their fundraising campaign.

Several local artists recently proved that art and compassion make great partners. The A Bear Called Friday Art Sale, Auction and Wine Tasting held at Brickworks on June 17 was a huge success, raising over $11,000 to benefit Animals Asia. The event featured art donated by San Juan Island artists, a silent auction, and the wines and ciders of Madrone Cellars & Cider.

The money raised go will go toward a goal of $25,000, the amount necessary to sponsor a moon bear rescued from the cruel bile industry in China and Vietnam. The bear sponsored will be named Friday, on behalf of the Friday Harbor community, and will live out his or her life on a moon bear sanctuary.

Shaun and Amy Salamida, owners of Madrone Cellars, are keeping the fundraising efforts going by hanging several pieces of art donated for the event that are still available for purchase in their tasting room, located at 40 First Street in Friday Harbor.

For a limited time, guests can view and purchase artwork by local artists and help save a moon bear’s life while enjoying Madrone’s offerings. Tasting room hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Contributed photo

The Land Bank and Preservation Trust share some great news about the future of the Glenwood Inn property.

The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank and the San Juan Preservation Trust jointly announced that their bid to acquire the former Glenwood Inn property for permanent conservation has now concluded successfully. The Land Bank has assumed ownership of the 58-acre shoreline parcel, which is located near the northwest tip of Orcas Island, and will manage it for eventual public access.

To assist in financing the $6.3 million acquisition (plus transaction costs), the Preservation Trust will raise funds to purchase a conservation easement from the County, thereby creating a dual layer of protection for the property’s considerable conservation values. These include mixed-forest uplands and more than 1,800 feet of natural shoreline with prime nearshore habitat for juvenile salmon and forage fish, such as Pacific sand lance and herring, that are critical to salmon recovery.

A few facts about this exciting project:

• Glenwood Inn is one of the few large shoreline properties on Orcas to come on the market in recent decades.
• While Orcas is the largest island in the San Juan Islands archipelago, it has the lowest percentage (12%) of publicly accessible shoreline of any of the ferry-served islands.
• The property is in one of the highest priority regions in the San Juan Islands for salmon recovery.
• Public access will not be immediate. As managers of the property, the Land Bank will go through a public process to establish a management plan, initially for an Interim Period.
• Planning, permitting, and project implementation are expected to take two to three years. Once all major work identified for the Interim Period is complete, the portion(s) of the property deemed appropriate for public access will be opened.
• During the Interim Period, the property will be closed to public access. However, regularly guided tours will be provided for members of the public. Closure is necessary to ensure public safety and to enable work to proceed efficiently.

This multimillion-dollar project is a huge endeavor. To pull it off, the Conservation Land Bank and the Preservation Trust have joined forces, funds, and each other’s complementary strengths, just as they have with many other beloved nature preserves throughout the islands, such as Turtleback Mountain Preserve and Coffelt Farm on Orcas Island, Mount Grant and Zylstra Lake Preserves on San Juan Island, and Watmough Bight on Lopez Island.

Now that the Glenwood transaction has closed, the Land Bank’s Interim planning process will begin, and the Preservation Trust will start fundraising for this project in earnest.

• There’s a multi-family yard sale of housewares, antiques, and decor taking place in the Foxhall neighborhood on Kelsando Circle tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• The Community Arts Theatre Society’s annual teddy bear picnic takes place tomorrow from noon to 2 p.m. at the Community Theatre. There will be sandwiches, cookies, face painting, and a music show. It’s a free event and no pre-registration is required.
• San Juan Community Theatre is holding auditions for Mauritius, its fall play, tomorrow at 2 p.m.
• Here’s the latest news on OPALCO’s next community solar project, the Bailer Hill Microgrid.
• There’s a free movie and craft night taking place at the library tonight for students in grades six through 12. Participants can watch Cruella, decorate a mini treasure chest, and enjoy snacks.
• San Juan Preservation Trust is looking for volunteers to take part in a work party at its Peach Preserve on Guemes Island next Friday, July 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

Hospice San Juan and Hospice of the Northwest invite islanders to two free seminars outlining the basics of hospice care.

The first session takes place Saturday, June 25; the second is on Saturday, August 20. Both sessions run from 2 to 4 p.m. and take place at the San Juan Island Library. Topics covered by the presenters include:

• Eligibility for hospice care
• What hospice is and what services are provided
• Where services are provided
• When and why one should seek services
• Dispelling myths around hospice care
• Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment form review

Space in both sessions is limited and masks are required. To reserve a space, contact Kathryn Clary at 360-317-8954.

• The American Camp Visitor Center opens today at 9 a.m. Its new exhibit collection was created in collaboration with Coast Salish Tribes, indigenous artisans, scientists, and artists from throughout the Pacific Northwest. The visitor center will be open Thursday through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Friday Harbor-based sailboat Elsewhere finished in second place in this year’s Race to Alaska.
• Cin Cin (255 Spring Street) is having its grand re-opening this evening from 5 to 8 p.m. They’ll have snacks, chocolates, and tastings of natural wine, port, and amaro.
• The Port of Friday Harbor’s Rock & Roll Regatta happens tomorrow. There’s also a bonus live show tonight from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cease & Desist.
• Market Place will be open on Sundays for the summer from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting this week.
• Here are the weekly specials from Market Place and Kings.

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

Winning artwork from fifth grader Nadya Troutman

The library shares news about the winners of its recent bookmark contest.

The San Juan Island Library is pleased to announce the winners of its 2022 Bookmark Contest. The contest is held annually for students in kindergarten through fifth grade to promote literacy, creativity, and the Library’s summer reading program. This summer’s theme is Oceans of Possibilities.

Congratulations to the following winners:

• Kindergarten – Jones Felso
• First grade – Sydney Stocksett and Scott King
• Second grade – Olive Killick
• Third grade – Faye Griffith
• Fourth grade – Owen Wight and Oliver Maguire
• Fifth grade – Nadya Troutman

Winners received gift certificates to Griffin Bay Bookstore. Their bookmarks are available for the public to take home and are currently on display in the children’s area of the Library along with all the contest entries.

Thanks to the Friends of the San Juan Island Library for funding the 2022 Bookmark Contest and an additional thank you to local public, private, and home schools for distributing bookmark templates to students.

The county’s elections office sends along a request for volunteer committee members.

If you are looking for a way to serve your community, the San Juan County Elections Office could use your help. We are looking for persons with disabilities and providers of services to persons with disabilities to serve on the Disability Advisory Committee.

Washington State law requires every county to have a Disability Advisory Committee. The committee must include persons with disabilities and may include any interested person. One purpose of the Disability Advisory Committee is to provide input to the county elections department regarding accommodations to ensure equal access to voters with disabilities. The objective is to ensure that all voters can vote independently and privately.

San Juan County’s Disability Advisory Committee meeting will be on June 29 at 9 a.m. via Microsoft Teams.

If you are interested, please contact the San Juan County Elections office at (360) 378-3357 or [email protected].

• Friday Harbor-based sailboat Elsewhere is just over 30 miles from the Race to Alaska finish line and is currently in second place. The closest competitor is nearly 30 miles behind.
• Underground Rhythm & Blues Revue performs at Alchemy Art Center this Saturday at 7 p.m. Entry is $10 by donation.
• The 25th annual San Juan Island Jam Festival will take place this year on Saturday, July 23. Tickets are $30.
• The Port of Friday Harbor is looking for artists and other vendors interested in selling during the Port’s Fourth of July events between 4 and 10 p.m. Email [email protected] for more details.
• The Madrona Bar & Grill at Roche Harbor is now open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
• Climb San Juan‘s youth climbing classes will be taking place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the summer.

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

Photo credit: Brad Pillow

Photo captured below the bluff at the Cape.