Holli is the Animal Protection Society’s pet of the week
Posted August 6, 2022 at 1:22 pm by San Juan Update
The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor shares a look at the adoptable animal of the week — Holli, a 40-pound mystery mix.
This country girl is fixin’ for the quiet life. Give her sunshine, green grass, and blue seas, please. Just no noisy neighbors, ’cause all that commotion puts a damper on her gettin’ some good shut eye.
Don’t let this bumpkin’ fool you, Holli can be the life of the party — a pool party that is. This girl loves the water — splashing, digging, slurping bucket fulls, you get the idea. If she had her druthers, she would have her very own pond on her new farmstead.
In all honesty though, Holli’s not all sunshine, rainbows, and water. It’s not to say that Holli isn’t friendly — she can dip her toes in with new people, but jumps into the deep end with new dogs. Holli’s got a whole lotta love to give, once she’s tested the waters.
Now, as y’all can imagine, the shelter is no place for a farm gal like Miss Holli. This black and tan beauty needs fresh air, freedom and a quiet place for her to live out all her sweet country dreams. So dust off your boots and come on down to the shelter and rescue this cowgirl.
County Council and Conservation Land Bank statement on Glenwood Inn property acquisition
Posted August 6, 2022 at 10:36 am by San Juan Update

Contributed photo
The San Juan County Council and the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank are pleased to announce the purchase of the Glenwood Inn/North Shore property on Orcas Island and the forward progress on the conservation easement with our partners at San Juan Preservation Trust. During the Aug. 2 Council meeting, Council made clear its support of the continued partnership between the Conservation Land Bank and the Preservation Trust.
Council clarified the purchase of the property and the extent of the future conservation easement by approving Resolution 21–2022. The resolution states their support of the San Juan Preservation Trust’s intention to purchase a conservation easement. It also rescinds a portion of Resolution 13–2022 that directed the Land Bank director to negotiate the easement by the end of the year, thus providing more time for the complex work required to complete the negotiations.
These actions strengthen the County’s relationship with the Preservation Trust and support the facilitation of valuable shoreline conservation. The County is delighted that future public access to the property will continue to increase awareness and support of salmon recovery and public lands.
The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank and Council thank the dedicated volunteers and community members who support continued conservation efforts throughout the islands. Together, we look forward to more successful acquisitions.
Notes from the Island — Aug. 6
Posted August 6, 2022 at 8:15 am by Jeff Arnim
- The San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Office announced yesterday that the county’s fire danger rating has been increased from moderate to high. Recreational campfires 3′ x 3′ in size, in a contained fire pit or ring, are still allowed — but it’s now especially important to fully extinguish your campfire when finished. The Fire Marshal also urges caution when operating mowers, saws, and other equipment.
- After a three-year hiatus, Encampment, San Juan Island National Historic Park’s popular living history weekend, is back today and tomorrow at English Camp.
- Just a handful of performances remain for Island Stage Left’s The Comedy of Errors. Shows will take place this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, then finish up next week Thursday through Sunday. All shows start at 8 p.m. and are free, although donations are accepted.
- St. David’s Day School will be running an afternoon preschool program for ten students starting this fall. It runs four days per week — Monday and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday — from 12:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Tuition is $300 per month. Submit registration forms to sddayschool@rockisland.com.
- The San Juan Concours takes place next Saturday and Sunday at San Juan Vineyard from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vehicle registration is $10 and there will be music, food, and beverages. Proceeds benefit the Family Resource Center, the Family Umbrella Group, and Rotary International’s Mobile Dental Van and Polio Plus programs.
- San Juan Island Brewing Co. announced that their Oktoberfest event will return this year, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 1.
Have something to share with the Island? Whether the news is big or small, let us know!
San Juan Island paddlers depart for the Round Shaw Race
Posted August 5, 2022 at 8:27 pm by Jeff Arnim
At 5 p.m. this evening, seven members of the San Juan Canoe & Kayak Club shoved off from the beach at Shipyard Cove in Hawaiian-style outrigger canoes full of camping gear, bound for Shaw Island County Park – the starting point for tomorrow’s Round Shaw Race.
“It’s a race for human-powered craft,” says David Halpern, the club’s founder. “Canoes, kayaks, rowing shells, pedal boats – anything people are moving with their own force.”
David says the race typically draws between 30 and 50 boats from throughout the Pacific Northwest. All of the boats start from the county park on Shaw, but every participant chooses the direction they want to travel.
“You’ve got to look at the tides, the currents, and then the winds, and you make a calculation – is the wind against you here, and for you there, and so forth – then you try to figure out which direction is going to be most advantageous. Typically, half the people go one way and about half the people go the other. And the first one back wins.”
David says the fast boats generally complete the 14.2‑mile loop in about two hours. For slower boats it’s closer to three.
“The other great thing about this race,” David explains, “Is that it’s the longest-standing human-powered boat race in the state of Washington. It’s quite a tradition and it’s a cool race.”
Six of the paddlers – David, Wendy Zappelli, Yubi Schollmeyer, Eric Swergold, Kaitlin Kominsky, and Kristen Arnim – will race in the 44-foot outrigger canoe pictured above. John Pachuta will paddle in a single-person outrigger.
EDC launches fundraiser for trades and tech training programs at the San Juan County Fair
Posted August 5, 2022 at 6:12 pm by San Juan Update
The EDC shares news about their activities related to this year’s County Fair.
The Economic Development Council of San Juan County is launching a County Fair fundraising campaign in order to raise $6,250 to support trades and tech training programs in the islands, during Fair week, Aug. 17–20.
Private donations are a crucial component of funding EDC programs, which aim to address local issues of underemployment and workforce shortages with courses in plumbing, carpentry, surveying, computer programming, and more.
EDC trades and tech training programs are offered for both adults and youth, specifically in high-wage, high-demand skills. The EDC has trained over 100 local workers in 2021–2022, and over 400 over the past five years. Donations will allow these critically important programs to continue.
The San Juan Island Community Foundation is helping the EDC to raise funds through their County Fair Giving Campaign. Through this program, the first $1,000 in donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Community Foundation. The EDC is also eligible for up to $2,500 in bonus grants awarded throughout the Fair.
Donors can contribute in-person at the Community Foundation fair booth, on the SJICF website, by phone to SJICF at 360–378-1001, or by mailing a check payable to SJICF (dated between Aug. 17–20) with Economic Development Council in the memo line to P.O. Box 1352, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. The Community Foundation will grant the raised funds to the EDC following the County Fair. To be eligible for matching funds, donations to the EDC must be made during the four days of the 2022 County Fair – Aug. 17–20.
The EDC will also have their own booth at the County Fair this year, for the first time ever, with hands-on trades and tech activities for kids, as well as informational handouts about their many programs and resources. They are looking forward to making more connections within the community and hope islanders will stop by to say hello and learn more.
San Juan County Fair returns in person Aug. 17–20
Posted August 5, 2022 at 9:36 am by San Juan Update

An aerial view of the 2018 San Juan County Fair
County Parks & Fair shares a look at the upcoming County Fair, which kicks off in less than two weeks.
The San Juan County Fair is back in person for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. With new food vendors, thousands of entries, a carnival, and an estimated 8,000 attendees, the event — which runs from Aug. 17–20 — is a celebration of our county’s talents, interests, and unique qualities.
“Every sector of our community has come together to share interesting agricultural and still life exhibits, delicious fair food, and incredible entertainment all week long,” said Parks and Fair Director Brandon Cadwell.
This year’s theme is a bingo reference — Two Little Ducks; Quack, Quack! – which refers to when I‑22 is called during a bingo game. In honor of the theme, nightly bingo games will be held every evening at the Community Stage. It’s free to play and prizes await.
The fair showcases nearly 30 open class and 4‑H departments including baking, food preservation, cattle, fiber and textile arts, and photography. The Carnival opens around noon daily and the food court is stocked with something for everyone.
Local favorites including high noon games, the Trashion Fashion show, Fair Feud, and the Zucchini 500, are coming back to the fair. Attendees can meet Matt Henry, a world champion juggler — also known as The Bubble Man — at the Community Stage every day, or sit in on dozens of educational talks at the Agricultural Awning and the Green Village.
“The music line-up this year incorporates great regional bands from San Francisco, Reno, and Seattle to name a few,” said Caleb Turner, the organizer of this year’s musical acts. “We have world class musicians playing alongside local talent.”
Jam out to the various musical acts every evening at the Main Stage. On Wednesday, discover the County Fair House Band and Seattle-based band Whalien – an eclectic, high-energy rock-fusion band. Thursday features psychedelic rock band Forest Ray and Friday gives attendees a chance to get funky with the True Loves. On Saturday, folk band Bolero! takes the Main Stage. The four days also feature local acts like River Rye, San Juan Island All Star Band, and Mudbath.
Thanks to San Juan Transit, fairgoers from other islands can ride a free shuttle to the fairgrounds. The shuttle is timed with every interisland boat and helps make the event accessible to walk-ons.
“The Fair is the biggest and brightest event that showcases the best of the islands,” said Cadwell. “I hope everyone can come out to celebrate the community.”