APS-FH shares some kind words about their volunteer of the month.

The Animal Protection Society—Friday Harbor is pleased to announce Linda Pollard as its volunteer of the month for May.

Linda came to volunteer at the APS-FH Treasure Hounds store in November 2021, soon after relocating to Friday Harbor. Treasure Hounds is APS-FH’s upscale-resale home decor and furniture store. All items for sale in the store are donated and the store is staffed by volunteers. Treasure Hounds is significant to APS-FH as 100 percent of its sales support nearly 20 percent of the overall operating expenses of APS-FH.

Linda learned about Treasure Hounds from her uncle, a long-time resident of San Juan Island and friend to APS-FH. After furnishing her new home in Friday Harbor with many items from the store, Linda decided to join the Treasure Hounds team of volunteers, working at the store each Friday as a cashier and providing customer service.

Quickly recognizing an opportunity to add more value, Linda offered to take on the role of Treasure Hounds’ volunteer coordinator, providing volunteer orientation and training and coordinating the volunteer schedule. Linda offers encouragement and support to volunteers, making sure their experience is a positive one. Since taking on this role, Linda has helped to recruit and train five new volunteers for the store. We thank Linda for making a difference for APS-FH, the animals, and the volunteer team at Treasure Hounds. We are so fortunate to have her involvement.

If you are interested in joining an excellent team of volunteers working together in a fun environment, visit our website and fill out a volunteer application.

The Garden Club sends along an update about their activities and their 75-year anniversary.

The San Juan Island Garden Club was established in 1947 – 75 years ago – to promote beauty and gardening interest in the islands.

Over the decades the Club has cared for the English Garden at English Camp, bought and installed the plants at the Circle Garden, and furnished the landscape plants at the island’s first medical center. Recently they donated 400 daffodils to the new animal shelter. Every year since 1982 the Club has monetarily supported the purchase and maintenance of the hanging baskets which festoon the Friday Harbor downtown area during the summer.

The monthly meetings are the first Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Mullis Center, September through December and February through June. Coffee, tea and visiting time precede the get-down-to-business meeting, followed by speakers on horticultural topics. Zoom meetings have kept the members connected during the past couple of years. Continue Reading

The EDC shares an update about one of their career training programs.

Those seeking to enter health care careers, obtain side income while helping their neighbors, or boost personal care business are invited to get free home care aide training through a program offered by the Economic Development Council in partnership with Cornerstone Healthcare Training. Students will receive free training, financial support for costs of testing, and counseling to fit home care aide certification into a plan for financial success.

Certification can help people gain financial stability. Workers wishing to enter other healthcare careers – such as nursing or even management positions – can work as a home care aide to start up the career ladder and earn income at the same time. Those working part-time, seasonally, or freelance could gain income stability and flexibility. Those who are doing other types of personal care services already can earn more income by offering new services or by filling gaps between private clients.

To learn more, contact the EDC at [email protected] or visit the EDC website. Applicants must be San Juan County residents who are 18 years of age or older.

On Sacred Ground is looking for a part-time, contracted Volunteer Coordinator for its island marble butterfly programs. Learn more in the Island Jobs section of the San Juan Update.

• Friday Harbor High School baseball punched their ticket to the state tournament in dramatic fashion on Friday afternoon. Graham Learing drove home the winning run on a two-strike, two-out single in the bottom of the seventh and final inning to score pinch runner Geoffrey Volk from second base and knock off Coupeville High School 3-2 at a neutral-site game in LaConner.
• We all knew it, but the numbers prove it — tourism completely rebounded last year, with San Juan County welcoming 990,000 visitors in 2021 according to data compiled by Tourism Economics. That’s a 33 percent increase over 2020 and identical to 2019. Those visitors are estimated to have spent $267.3 million on lodging, food, beverage, recreation, retail purchases, and transportation within the county last year.
• Here’s today’s farmers market lineup.
• The spring flea and craft market takes place today at the Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Bakery San Juan will be closed the week after next — May 23 through May 30.
• There’s a women’s pick-up soccer game at Linde on Sunday at 2 p.m. Beginners are welcome.
• Tommy Dale & the Dangerfields are putting on a free street dance to benefit the fire relief fund on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Brickworks.

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

The Town of Friday Harbor has an immediate opening for an entry-level refuse collection and support position with benefits. Learn more in the Island Jobs section of the San Juan Update.

The Economic Development Council sends along news about an upcoming maritime career training opportunity.

In an effort to address the nationwide demand for a skilled maritime workforce, Seafarers Worldwide Career Training is partnering with the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) and the EDC of San Juan County to offer a one-day maritime career workshop on Saturday, June 4.

This workshop is open to participants age 18 or older who are interested in exploring a career in the maritime industry. Participants will learn about the career pathways available locally, the steps to obtaining the necessary credentials to begin a maritime career, as well as hands-on experience with basic sea skills such as tying knots, practicing with survival gear, and on-the-water activities.

Currently there is a high demand for skilled workers to join ferry crews, tug and barge, container ships, and many more seagoing opportunities. The purpose of this program is to help foster a thriving maritime workforce and to encourage local workers to pursue lucrative careers in the maritime industry. Wages in the maritime industry are often well above the state median wage, and there are many pathways for career advancement and upward mobility.

Participants of the workshop will also receive coaching assistance for their Ordinary Seaman Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) application. This process can be lengthy, complex, and is typically required to obtain a position aboard a vessel. The goal is to minimize barriers and offer support to those beginning a new career or looking to advance their career on the water.

To register, please visit bit.ly/maritimeworkshop or contact [email protected] for more information. There is a $100 fee to register for this workshop and lunch is provided. Space is limited and likely to fill up quickly.

The Town of Friday Harbor shares an update about the revised traffic flow on Spring and Front streets downtown that took effect on Friday.

Significant traffic revisions are in place on Spring Street, Front Street, Granny’s Way, and the intersection of First Street, A Street, and Granny’s Way at the top of the ferry lanes. Drivers are advised to watch for new traffic signage and proceed with extreme caution through this area. This traffic revision will remain in place for several weeks until debris has been cleared from the Spring Street fire site.

Lower Spring Street between First and Front streets is now open to downhill traffic only. One-way traffic continues along Front Street to the ferry lanes and up Granny’s Way. Two-way traffic is no longer permitted on this section of Front Street and Granny’s Way. Parking for transit buses is on the east side of Granny’s Way. Traffic turning left at the bottom of Spring Street must circle behind Memorial Park.

New stop signs have been installed on First Street in both directions at the intersection with A Street at the top of the ferry lanes. Traffic coming up Granny’s Way has the right-of-way at this intersection.

Questions on this traffic revision may be directed to the Town Administrator at 360-378-2810 or [email protected].

Contributed photo

Friday Harbor High School junior Audrey Allen shares insights about the community project at Island Haven Animal Sanctuary that she recently completed with fellow junior Eleanor Rollins.

I started my research on farm animals when my community project at Friday Harbor High School started. My colleague Eleanor and I wanted to work with Island Haven Animal Sanctuary here on the island.

Island Haven takes in farm animals who need homes. This most often happens when the people who had the animal previously could no longer take care of it, when the animal is no longer wanted due to illness or age, or when the animal’s environment is no longer safe. Island Haven takes in these animals and takes care of them to fit their individual needs.

Like most animals, goats need to be able to play and run around. For young miniature goats, it is especially important for them to have different activities. To help satisfy this need, Eleanor and I decided to build Island Haven’s miniature goats a miniature playground in order to give them a fun toy and new stimuli. We ended up making a teeter-totter, a balance beam, and added some wood rounds for the goats to jump around on as part of our playground. We researched what types of non-harmful woods we should use and figured out what goats most like to play with. We were fortunate to find a few generous people who donated wood and supplies to us and helped us reach our goals.

But it’s important to consider the reasons why the goats ended up at Island Haven at all.
Continue Reading

The San Juan County Department of Emergency Management reports 63 active COVID cases on San Juan Island as of this morning, more that double what was reported a week ago. Orcas Island has 51 active cases, while Lopez Island has 22, the outer islands four, and Shaw Island one.

“These numbers do not include suspect cases (e.g., positive over-the-counter tests),” the County noted in their media release. “Because of this, the actual number of cases in the community is likely significantly higher. Case rates are continuing to increase locally, regionally, and statewide.”

Last week’s media release from the County estimated that the official numbers account for only about 20 percent of the cases actually present in the community. If that assessment remains accurate, it means that San Juan Island’s true active case count could exceed 300 cases.

Free COVID testing kits are still available through the Washington State Department of Health’s Say Yes COVID test website. Islanders can order up to two test kits each month. Delivery is currently estimated to take one to two weeks.

San Juan Community Theatre shares a reminder about their upcoming series of performances.

The magic of Cinderella comes to life on the Whittier stage at San Juan Community Theatre starting Friday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. This classic tale has been re-written for a modern audience, focusing not on Cinderella’s beauty but her character, creating a charming yet relatable prince, and even giving one of the step-sisters a soft side.

There are eleven chances from May 13-29 to catch this production. Shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Join us on opening night for a celebration starting at 6:30 p.m., complete with $3 glasses of champagne, a photo booth, raffle baskets, and more. Attendees of opening night are encouraged to dress as if they are ready to dance at Prince Topher’s ball.

Thursday night shows are pay-what-you-can upon entry and Sunday shows are socially distanced with masking required. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for students, and $5 student rush. Learn more and purchase tickets by visiting our website or calling our box office at 360-378-3210.

The Town of Friday Harbor shares an update about the status of the First Street overlay project.

Asphalt paving on First Street was delayed this week due to weather concerns. The contractor and project engineers determined that this week’s temperatures and general forecast for spotty showers were not ideal paving conditions.

Paving has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 17 with Wednesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 19 scheduled as alternate dates.

Ideally pavement is installed when both ground and air temperatures are anywhere between 50 and 90 degrees. In our case, anything below 50 can cause defective quality that will have issues down the road. It is just as important that there is no rain on the day of paving, or for a reasonable amount of time afterward, to allow the oily materials to cure properly.

SJIMA sends along an update about a new event taking place later this month.

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art presents our inaugural appraisal event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 28. Take the jewelry you inherited or a fine art piece and learn its worth and a bit of its history.

Specialists in the jewelry and fine art departments from Bonhams auction house will provide an informal verbal appraisal that will include an estimated value based on what the object might sell for at auction. The value is based on the specialist’s expertise and knowledge of what similar items are fetching in the current auction market. If an object meets the minimum consignment requirements, you will have the option to consign your item to Bonhams for sale at auction. Specialists are visiting from the Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles offices of the esteemed Bonhams auction house and are frequent guests on the popular PBS series Antique Road Show.

Appraisals are $50 for the first item and $25 for each additional item, with a maximum of three items. All proceeds from this event support the exhibitions and programs of the SJIMA in Friday Harbor. Continue Reading

• The County Department of Emergency Management has this to say about the gale warning posted for today: “Those with boats at anchor or moored or who are planning on being out on the water tomorrow should know that the weather is going to be stormier than what we’d expect for May. We almost always end up with reports of boats aground or in distress during weather like this outside of the winter months, which can be dangerous, but can also lead to the risk of significant fuel spills.”
• San Juan Brewing Co. is hosting a fire relief fundraiser on Saturday. They’ll be donating all the profits from beer sales for the entire day.
• In honor of their ten-year anniversary, Friends and Neighbors Support Island Rec (FANS) is looking to raise $10,000. The first $6,200 will go toward funding scholarships that allow all island families to take part in Island Rec programs. The rest will be used to expand programming. You can donate here.
• Kenmore Air will fly to the San Juan Islands from Tacoma starting next year.
• Long-time Friday Harbor Labs researcher Dr. James Truman has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
• The Transition Waste Reduction Guild shares some island-specific ways you can minimize plastic use and waste.
• Here are the weekly grocery specials from Kings and Market Place.

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