Alejandra Zacci – Peggy Sue McRae Photo

Alejandra Zacci, has a loyal following for her Aqua Zumba class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the San Juan Fitness Club pool. Many of us came at first for the fitness benefits but we keep coming back for the fun and camaraderie. For a person like me who generally hates to exercise there is something about dancing around in shoulder deep water to loud Latin music that just does not seem like exercise and yet, I do appreciate the benefits of a real workout.

Says Alejandra, “Aqua Zumba is great because you are moving! The water makes it so none of the movements are detrimental to body joints; you still work on muscles due to the resistance of the water. I wish I had known all this when I was in my 20’s!” She also teaches “Land Zumba” at Island Soul Studios (formerly XYZ).

Alejandra is from Argentina and with her dancing is a family tradition. Her daughter Emily, nearly eight now, also loves to dance. “My mother and I danced and sang to her since the very first minute she was born!”

Starting next week Alejandra will be building her own house along with 11 heads of household in the Home For Islanders project. “It’s huge and I’m assuming will be exhausting, but the end result is awesome: my own house.” Of the Island she says, “I love living on San Juan Island. It’s a great community, raising kids here is a blessing. The school is excellent and it’s a safe place.”

She does miss Argentina sometimes… and her family. Luckily for us though, She has made San Juan Island her home. “For now”… she adds, “I’m a nomad at heart”. For now, her Aqua Zumba class is very glad that she is here.

Aqua Zumba with Alejandra – Peggy Sue McRae Photo

Western Long Eared Myotis – Contributed Photo

We hear from Tanja Williamson at the Land Bank about this unique opportunity to learn about our local bats on Sunday, August 14 from 7:30 – 9:00 pm at Zylsatra Lake…

This special evening field trip, led by biologist Rochelle Kelly, is an opportunity to learn about the island’s local bat species and how they fit into the ecology, as well as receive an update on the Land Bank and Preservation Trust’s progress towards purchasing Zylstra Lake. Rochelle will share her research on island bats’, including their distinguishing features and natural history, as well as current questions being asked by researchers who study these remarkable creatures.

We will depart promptly at 7:15 pm from the Land Bank office parking area (corner of Caines St. and Argyle St.) in a passenger van.

Bring warm clothing. Headlamps or flashlights are recommended.

This event is presented in partnership by San Juan County Land Bank and the San Juan Preservation Trust. It is free to the public.

Pre-registration is required; please contact Tanja Williamson at 378-4402 or tan jaw (@) sjclandbank (.) org

If you follow the Update you may remember the recent post, Origins of the Drugstore Mural “For Love of an Island” with a story by Lori Stokes about how she discovered the story behind the mural. Lori now sends us photographs from 1972 that show the entire mural…

From Lori Stokes…
Here are two photos of the original drug store mural, taken before part of the mural was covered up when the two portions of the store were joined.  The photos were taken by Tom Brudenell, a former resident of Shaw, who oversaw the mural’s creation by a group of islanders in 1972.  When Tom and I recently spoke on the phone, he said he had some photos in his files of the entire mural and would send them to me.  Here they are!

Drugstore Mural 1972 – Tom Brudenell Photo

Drugstore Mural 1972 – Tom Brudnell Photo

Pie – Margaret Bell Photo

Tanja Williamson puts out a call for pies…

Bake your favorite fruit pie!   Not a baker?   Help serve slices at the Fair! The FHES PTO Pie Booth is open for business at the Fair this year August 17 – 20th…. But we need Island volunteer power to pull it off! There are two ways you can help: bake pies at home to donate or serve pie in the Pie Booth (or BOTH!)

1. Baking pies at home:

In order to bring the Pie Booth back we have made one change, there will not be a volunteer pie making party. Therefore, we need as many people as possible to bake pies at home and bring them to the Fair. Pie tins available for you at FHES starting August 3rd from 9am – 3pm. 9 inch fruit pies only (no cream or pumpkin please).

If you want to bake pies at home, please use the link below to sign up for a drop off day:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c48aba62fabf58-piebaker

2. Serving pies at the Pie Booth:

Please use the link below to help us serve up slices in the Pie Booth August 17th – 20th:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c48aba62fabf58-pieservers

Questions? Contact us on our cell phones or via email:

Alli Moalli (530) 409-9469 or [email protected]

Tanja Williamson (360) 472-0337 or [email protected]

Tori Zehner (360) 472-0558 or [email protected]

Thank you for helping keep the Pie Booth open and raise much-needed funds for Friday Harbor Elementary School kids!

A message from Suzanne Olson, Public Relations Administrator at Orcas Power & Light Cooperative…

Summer is a great time to take on efficiency projects and rebates for appliances (heat pump water heaters, clothes washers) and heat pumps (ductless and ducted) are still available. Rebate funding is expected to run out by September and additional funding may not be available until 2017.

OPALCO’s rebate program, funded by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), has been very successful with more than $2 million paid out to members since 2008. In fact, OPALCO members have been such robust adopters of energy efficiency measures and rebates that we have nearly spent our biennial allotment from BPA – and additional rebate funds we were able to garner from other co-ops who cannot use their full allotments.

In anticipation of this shortage, OPALCO’s Energy Savings staff put a temporary hold on larger projects and weatherization rebates (windows, insulation, duct sealing) last fall in order to make our remaining funds last as long as possible. Rebate details and forms are online at www.opalco.com/rebates.

OPALCO leadership have discussed finding other sources to fund our continued commitment to energy efficiency and conservation. In the fall of 2015, we surveyed the membership about using rates to self-fund energy efficiency rebates until our next allotment of BPA funding is available. Of the 1,623 members completing the survey (14.5% of the membership), more than 78% preferred to put Energy Efficiency and Conservation on hold during a period while funding from BPA is unavailable. Only about 20% of those surveyed were in favor of raising rates to incentivize individual members for energy efficiency. The full report is available online in OPALCO’s Resource Library: www.opalco.com / Resource Library / Governance & Finance / Member Surveys.

Until the rebate program is funded again, members are encouraged to continue to do as much as they can to increase their energy conservation and efficiency. These gains help to minimize the load and demand on our cooperative distribution network and continue to decrease our overall carbon footprint in San Juan County.

 Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is our member-owned cooperative electric utility, serving more than 11,000 members on 20 islands in San Juan County. OPALCO provides electricity that is 95% greenhouse-gas free and is generated predominantly by hydroelectric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937.

A message from Shannon Wilson… 

Team Tiger – Mark Gardener Photo

FHAA would like Islanders to know that Tiger Football and Cheer practice starts this week.  If you have not registered yet that’s ok!  Contact Shannon Wilson at wilsons (@) rock island (.) com with questions and to find out practice times.  GO TIGERS!!!!!!

Here’s this month’s history column from The San Juan Historical Society…

Dr. Eugene Kozloff, 2006 – Courtesy of Kathleen Ballard Photography

In a year of 50th anniversaries on the island, the San Juan Historical Society celebrates its 50th anniversary of the opening of its Museum in 1966, and crowds cheered for the 50 year old San Juan Island National Historical Park in this year’s 4th of July parade. Did you know that something else pretty wonderful happened in 1966? That’s the year Dr. Eugene Kozloff came to Friday Harbor Labs as Resident Associate Director. Although he would become best known as the author of several field guides, as well as being a noted researcher and professor at the Labs until 2007, Dr. Kozloff is equally known for his warmth and wit. His passion for the natural world of the Pacific Northwest has inspired scientists, naturalists, and community volunteers alike. At 95 years young, Koz continues to share his love of the Salish Sea ecosystem. Here’s to you, Dr. Kozloff!

Our thanks to Theresa Simendinger for this tale of the San Juan Island Conservation Corp Thistle Slayers…

Thistle Slayers – Contributed Photo

First mighty crew of thistle slayers; Luke Erickson, Erik Ryan, Matt Wickey:crew leader, Joshua May, Luke Fincher, Zach Fincher,high school crew leader in training,who has been in SJICC all 5 years of its existence.

Our Own SJI CC Thistle Slayers
by Theresa Simendinger

On two very hot days of July, Friday 22 and Tuesday 26th the San Juan Island Conservation Corp climbed up Young Hill to take down the thistle. The first crew of four kids with the CC of Middle School looked like the proverbial David against Goliath but as you can see from the photos these young kids made quite a dent in the huge thistle patches that threaten to overtake Young Hill.

Next, Director Matt called in the “cavalry” which arrived by the busload and worked hard to push back the Bull Thistle. Bull Thistle, the worst kind of thistle, with thorns covering the plant that eventually defy the best gloves and clothing. The older group piled up another tarp full. The NPS is providing disposal of these tarps full of thistle.

For some of these mighty thistle slayers SJI CC is their first paid job experience. After several half days of fighting thistle, they may decide school in the fall looks even better. Zack Fincher, the Team Leader came back the second day as did several of the young first team, to take on the thistle again. This is a very difficult task. Its hot, sweaty, hard work and thistle is very tough to pull. Thorns left exposed arms bloody. But the kids worked hard and with good team spirit in spite of the heat and thorns.

More Mighty Thistle Slayers – Contributed Photo

Thistle Slayers: thistle carriers; starting bottom left of tarp and going clockwise is Josh May, Emmett Carrier, Emily Vogel, Fincher Brothers, and Elanor Gislason

Popular Young Hill has become thistle overrun these last 5 years. Thistle, as any farmer knows, ruins pasture by becoming so densely populated with incredibly sharp thorned stands of thistle that nothing can graze there or much less even walk through. The nasty stuff has been a thorn in farmer’s sides here for decades. Neighbors hate you if you don’t take care of it on your property as it spreads like wildfire. The plant has purple flowers surrounded by thorns, as the area heats up they pop into puffs of seeds that drift on the wind to all neighboring properties. The plants are incredibly prolific and quickly ruin farmland, pastures, gardens, yards; any open spaces are quickly overpopulated with dense six-foot high stands that continue to spread. Continue Reading

Thanks to Jan Murphy at the Animal Shelter for this message…

Bear Cooling Off – Contributed Photo

C’mon in! The water is just fine! I’m Bear and I’m a new arrival here at the Friday Harbor Animal Shelter. I’m about ¾ Golden Retriever, so that explains my good looks. My favorite pastimes include, but are not limited to, playing fetch, swimming, playing fetch, and swimming, playing fetch, swimming and the occasional game of fetch. I also like to swim. I’m a big fan of fine dining and therapeutic belly rubs, too.  We should meet. Stop by the animal shelter soon and ask for me. Bring a tennis ball and some snacks, please.

Friendly Flagger Vicki Hebert – Peggy Sue McRae Photo

I come into town via the Roche Harbor Road and Tucker Avenue so have become accustomed to taking the Larson Street detour or driving through the dust and heavy equipment to get to Guard Street.

Every single time I’ve been greeted with a friendly wave and smile from flagger Vicki Hebert. It never fails to lift my spirits. Today I stopped to take her photo and thank her for her cheerful greetings.

When I asked Vicki if there was anything thing she would like to say to us, in keeping with her sunny disposition, she wanted to thank us! She said the people driving through are just about always kind, cautious, and helpful.

Remember that this week while they are pouring sidewalks and diverting traffic.

See below a message from Town Clerk, Amy Taylor on what to expect this week…

Tucker Avenue Reconstruction Project – Phase 1
Construction Update Week of August 1^st

Project task(s): The Contractor will pour concrete sidewalks and prepare the roadway for pavement.

Street Closure: Tucker Avenue will closed for extended period of time throughout the week while the contractor prepares the roadbed for asphalt. Local access will be maintained. Southbound traffic should anticipate delays when open. Flaggers are on-site.

Detour: Traffic will be rerouted using Harbor Avenue, in addition to the established detour route. Flaggers will advise drivers when use of Harbor Street is appropriate. Vehicles are asked to help ease congestion by using the detour route.

Road Construction on Tucker – Peggy Sue McRae Photo

Traffic was a little slow this afternoon heading out of town on Spring Street. We heard from Town Clerk Amy Taylor about what we can expect this week…

Road Work Ahead – Peggy Sue McRae Photo

Town of Friday Harbor Waterline Replacement Project Construction Update. What to expect week of August 1st.

Location(s) of work:

• The new waterline has been installed from the WTP on Wold Rd. to intersection of San Juan Valley Rd. and Douglas Rd. This week ICI will be installing services and lateral piping at various locations along the completed section of waterline.
• Work will be concentrated on San Juan Valley Rd between the EMS/Hospital facility and the Water Maintenance Facility on Spring St.
• Work is also ongoing along San Juan Valley Rd. to grade and prepare the roadway for final restoration.

Work Days/Hours

• Monday – Friday
• Normal hours: 7AM to 7PM

What to expect: During the installation of the new water main and services there will be some impact to local private properties as crews will be installing new water meter boxes and services to some homes, there will be a time when driveway entrances and side roads will be affected for short durations during the installation. These specific home-owners will be notified separately as work comes close to their properties.

Detours: Bypassing the construction site using the below mentioned roads is recommended, wait times for local and through traffic could be up to 20 minutes.

• Beaverton valley Road
• 2 School House Road
• Douglas Road
• Bailer Hill Road

We will continue to keep residents informed as the project impact continues. If you have any questions or require more information project field contacts are listed below:

Josh Frizzell – Project Superintendent, Interwest Construction Inc. Cell: (360) 333-3184 josh (@) interwest (.) biz

Dan Reuss – Construction Manager, Brown and Caldwell. Cell: (602) 721-5751 dreuss (@) brwncald (.) com

Milene Henley – Contributed photo

Many thanks to Milene Henley…

The Top Two Primary

– The eighth in a series of articles about elections in Washington State by San Juan County Auditor F. Milene Henley. The County Auditor administers elections and voter registration in the County.

Primary elections in Washington State are strange beasts. You know that, if you just voted in the August 2 primary. Long lists of candidates, strange party affiliations, and some, well, “eccentric” candidate statements. A lot of the strangeness derives from Washington’s unusual “Top Two” primary system, which requires candidates to state a preference for a party, or for no party, whether that party endorses them or not, and whether, in fact, that party even exists. (Who can forget the “Salmon Yoga” party?)

To understand primaries in Washington, it helps to look back at the history of primaries in the state. Before the Top Two primary, Washington had its popular “blanket” primary, enacted by a State Grange-backed initiative in 1934. The blanket primary put all candidates on one ballot, and allowed anyone, regardless of party, to vote for any candidate. Unlike the current “Top Two” primary, though, the highest Democratic and the highest Republican vote getters advanced to the general election, even if a second D or R got more votes.

Even so, the parties didn’t like the blanket primary, because it allowed voters to cross party lines to select general election candidates. A California lawsuit challenged the blanket primary in court, and in 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the blanket primary was unconstitutional because it violated the parties’ right of association. A similar ruling followed in Washington. Continue Reading

No postage required at the ballot box by the courthouse…

Kirk Hanson Led Forestry Workshop – Anita Barreca Photo

Anita Barreca sent us this report on the Forestry Workshop she and her husband Roger Ellison hosted Saturday at Thornbush Farm…

On Saturday, July 30, Kirk Hanson, of the Northwest Natural Resource Group, led hands-on forestry workshop at Thornbush Farm on San Juan Island. Two dozen owners and managers of forest tracts on San Juan, Orcas, and the mainland were presented with an overview of forestry techniques including: agroforestry, biochar, horse logging, milling and wildlife habitat enhancement.

Besides Hanson’s description of pre-commercial thinning and commercial timber harvesting techniques, Greg Lange of San Juan Island brought his two draft horses and demonstrated a couple of low-impact ways to bring logs out of the woods. Eliza Habegger from the San Juan Land Bank gave an overview of the ecology of the San Juan Islands emphasizing the importance of diversity in plants and wildlife. Roger Ellison from Thornbush Farm showed off his food forest, biochar operation, and milling with a small bandsaw mill.

Greg Lange with Draft Horses – Anita Barreca Photo

For more information about the NW Natural Resource Group and their mission to help family forest landowners, contact http://nnrg.org/

Stage Left’s Romeo and Juliet – John Sinclair Photo

Helen Machin-Smith tells us that Stage Left’s production of “Romeo and Juliet” has returned home to 1062 Wold Rd for its final performances… Don’t miss it!

Island Stage Left’s “Romeo and Juliet” returns to its Wold Road home, next weekend, the 5th of August through the 21st, Fridays through Sundays (after a fabulous tour of four other islands and a wonderfully successful run at Roche Harbor).

Just three weekends left to see the magic of Shakespeare in this beautiful, timeless story of young love, hot blood and destiny – one of his best-know and most-loved masterpieces.

Everyone is talking about it. Don’t miss your chance to see Shakespeare under the Stars (and the moon) at Wold Road 2016!

Details at www.islandstageleft.org

I voted…did you?

I sat down this morning to vote. Those long lists of candidates were a little daunting so I referred to the online voter’s guide and also surveyed a few of my well-informed friends. Ballots are due Tuesday, August 2.

Your ballot must be either post marked that day or deposited in the Official Ballot Drop Box (as demonstrated here by Ian) no later than 8:00 pm. The drop box is on second street outside of the San Juan County Courthouse.

Link to: Voters Guide PDF