The Friday Harbor Grand, a new B&B in Friday Harbor – Contributed photo

The Town of Friday Harbor has presented its fourth Civic Pride Award, and this one goes to Farhad Ghatan for his detailed and thoughtful renovation of a Blair Avenue property into the recently opened Friday Harbor Grand bed and breakfast.

This turn-of-the-century home, located at 345 Blair Avenue, was originally built by and for one of the town founders, and the County’s first probate judge, Judge John Bowman. The property is often referred to as the Capron House for long-time owner and two-term mayor Dr. Victor Capron who, among many other accomplishments, established Island Telephone Company.

In recent years the home was known as Blair House bed and breakfast and the Spring Street School dormitory. Ghatan purchased the property in March 2014, and invested over a year in renovating the property and extensively landscaping the grounds. “The community now gets to enjoy viewing a beautiful addition to the recently renovated Blair Street neighborhood,” said Town Administrator Duncan Wilson. The Town completed a major renovation of the street in 2014 that included new sidewalks, lighting, railings, landscaping, and decorative grating as well as new street surfacing.

The Town began providing Civic Pride Awards last year in recognition of citizens who have made an exceptional effort and investment in beautifying the Town.

Here’s a note to you from Jacquelyn at The Studio…

Hi everyone,

Jennifer and I wanted to share that The Studio is very excited that our FREE Pilates in the Park summer series will begin this Friday, July 10th. The session will be held in the newly renovated Sunken Park on Friday evenings 5:00 to 6:00 pm, running through August 28th. The hour will consist of a Pilates mat class, which will be appropriate for all fitness levels.

Not sure what Pilates is or what to expect in this Pilates mat class?

Pilates is a system of controlled exercises that engage the mind and condition the total body. The blend of strength and flexibility training improves posture, reduces stress and creates long, lean muscles. Pilates takes a balanced approach so that no muscle group is overworked and the body moves as an efficient, holistic system in sport and daily activity.

We will work all planes of the body through all planes of movement. Focus will be placed on precise movements originating from the center or core of your body. Working from the deepest layers of muscles, which stabilize and support your spine and pelvis, resulting in a strong, flexible spine with ideal posture and alignment. Class will emphasize the foundational principals of Pilates while offering modifications and variations to suit each students individual need.

Jennifer and I have been overwhelmed by this amazing community and their continuous support of The Studio. We wanted to show our gratitude and offer an opportunity for everyone to experience the amazing benefits of Pilates. We are thankful to the Town of Friday Harbor in working with us to bring this wonderful opportunity to the community and share Pilates with all of our residents. We hope to see many people attend. We ask that each person bring a mat and plenty of water to drink. We will start promptly at 5p.m. For further information, you can check out our website at www.thestudiosji.com.

It’s this coming Saturday, July 11 from 8 am to noon.

Golf equipment (bags, clubs, shoes and more). Folding dog crates and pet supplies. Garden tools and pots. Kitchen and household items, decorative items, frames, artwork, metal file cabinet, exercise bike, tools, extension cords, wreaths, Christmas items, TV’s, linens, books, and other miscellaneous items.

Directions from Friday Harbor: Take Guard Street past OPALCO. Take the next right turn at the Foxhall sign onto Kelsando Circle. Drive around the circle to shop at multiple sales.

The view from the south end of the runway -Contributed photo

Lots of dirt has been moved around at the south end of the runway at Friday Harbor Airport. The project underway involves re-grading the runway safety area to make it safer for aircraft that may end up in the grass, as well as to improve storm water drainage in the area.

The contractor, Colvico Construction, hired local company Black Family Enterprises to perform the work. The project in the amount of $203,000 is funded by a grant from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program and by Washington State Department of Transportation/ Aeronautics Division. The Port of Friday Harbor is providing 5% of the project cost. Grading is complete and final details will be wrapped up later this summer.

Lisa Brown of SJ County CDP shares this announcement… 

Click to enlarge

The next scheduled meeting will be on Thursday, July 16th.  The meeting will be held at the Orcas Landing office at 1:00.  The building is circled in green in the photo.

It is recommended that you walk on the ferry, as there is no parking available at this location. If you don’t mind finding parking elsewhere and walking, that is fine too.

Thanks!
Lisa

This won’t be an empty lot much longer – Tim Dustrude photo

The Friday Harbor Port Commission approved a construction contract with Wellman and Zuck for the Spring Street Landing Commercial Building. The publicly bid project was awarded to Wellman and Zuck in the amount of $5.375 million.

This project will begin immediately, with the goal of completing the building in time for the 2016 summer season.

Port Director Marilyn O’Connor acknowledged that construction will impact visitors and activity along the waterfront. Access to the passenger ferry terminal and businesses on the Spring Street Pier will be maintained through the summer season.

“We intend to work closely with the contractor to create safe pedestrian passage and vehicle access along Front Street throughout the construction period. We want to thank our neighbors and community in advance for understanding the need to get this project underway.”

The Port Commissioners also approved a lease with Four Ladies Corporation, parent company of Downriggers Restaurant. The restaurant will occupy the building’s upper level, with both inside and seasonal outside seating looking over the harbor. The downstairs offices will be leased to several water related businesses.

Click to see full image – Aaron Shepard photo

You gotta click on this photo to see the full frame – it was cropped a bit to fit better on the Update. This was shot on Saturday night, July 4th from the marina breakwater by Aaron Shepard. Thanks Aaron!

Susan Reed shares this announcement…

Hello Writers,

The deadline is fast approaching for getting your writing entries into the Fair this year. It’s July 10th. If a category does not have entries, it may be eliminated from the Fair next year. So please send in your writings.

I will be getting married shortly after July 10th and won’t be able to accept late entries.

Thank you for writing!

Facilitated by:

Susan Reed
islandwriters[@]gmx[.]com
County Fair 360.378.4310
http://islandwriters.weebly.com

Smokey Sunday on the Westside – Shelley Alan photo

SJ Update reader Shelley Alan shares this photo of the smokey, hazy Sunday we had yesterday. Thanks for sharing Shelley!

The Island Chordsmen Plus – Contributed photo

The Island Chordsmen Plus and Sound Vibrations are singing together, and it’s free! We invite all islanders and visitors to join us as walk-ons on the inter-island ferry as we share our favorite songs. The ride is free for walk-ons as well!

We leave July 9th (Thursday) on the 5:30pm ferry out of Friday Harbor, and return at 8:20pm on the same boat. Bring a picnic dinner or not. This ferry doesn’t provide an opportunity to get off at Orcas for a dinner lay-over as in years past, so we’ll grab a bite to eat as we cruise the islands during the sunset.

Close-harmony music, an informal setting with friends and family, and a marine sunset cruise, all free, does it get any better?

Mark the date: Thursday, July 9th about 5:00 pm at the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal to walk on the ferry. Did I mention it’s FREE? If you have questions call Jim at 360-472-1025.

Bagheera is this week’s Pet of the Week – Traci Walter photo

I’m Bagheera. Like the panther in Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book. Only I’m much more sophisticated and worldly – but every bit as adventurous and charming!

I made my way here to the island all the way from Eastern Washington, with a stop-over in Sultan at Pasado’s Safe Haven. Oh, the places I’ve been and the things I’ve seen….   Don’t worry; it will all be in my memoirs. In the meantime, I’m in need of a new home – one that will be forever.

I love people and other cats! I know I’d fit into your family purr-fectly! In the interest of full disclosure, you should know I’m part Siamese. There is a good chance I’m smarter than you, but I’ll try not to flaunt that.

Animal Protection Society of Friday harbor
111 Shelter Road
(360) 378-2158

Hooray for Hollywood! – 2015 July 4 Parade – Tim Dustrude photo

Just heard from Becki Day of the Chamber – the results are in for the judging of the parade entries. Here she is with more…

What a great parade we had today! Floats, the Community Marching Band, the University of Washington Marching Band, the Highlanders Bag Pipers, 30 + golden retrievers, kids, Jerry Alhadeff as our grand marshal – well done San Juan Island!

Winners this year-

• Best of Theme Float – the Lions Club
• Judges Choice – Salish Sea Ballet tied with Mount Grant
• Best Animal in Costume – the San Juan Island Mounted Posse
• Best Costume Group – Islanders Bank
• Best Off Island Entry – The UW Marching Band
• Best of Theme non float – Friday Harbor Film Festival
• Best Vehicle – Friday Harbor Marine

In case you couldn’t make it to see the parade, the SJ Update has your back. Click here to see 185 photos of the parade:  Continue Reading

Home Trust Fundraiser

Get ready to party, with a delicious Mexican dinner, margaritas, an auction and concert with dancing! Coming from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for the third year in a row are Los Bambinos. The four Morales Brothers blend vibrant harmonies with easy-listening electro-acoustic guitars for a new sound that enchants long-time fans and new listeners alike. They describe themselves as a Latin-Rock-Fusion band, saying, “We all love to sing, and harmony is what keeps us all together.”

Tickets are available for $30 (or $15 for kids) at the Home Trust Office at 435-C Argyle Ave, or by phone at 378-5541. Tickets will also be available at the Home Trust’s booth at the Saturday Farmer’s Markets.

The event will take place at the Brickworks on Sunday the 5th, beginning at 5pm, with the concert at 7:30. This year in addition to the silent auction there will be a short live auction including several fabulous trips. Funds will be used to help the San Juan Community Home Trust as they prepare to build 12 more homes in the Sun Rise neighborhood!

Sharon Towson on Cobe and Theresa Simendinger on Zanzibar enjoy the Mitchell Hill trails – Louise Dustrude photo

Mitchell Hill has traditionally been the place where even experienced hikers could get lost – and calling 911 on your cell phone, if it worked at all, might connect you with Victoria.

After the National Park Service acquired the land a few years ago, superintendent Lee Taylor determined to install unobtrusive signs to end this problem.

Rik Karon from the Trails Committee and Todd Narum from the Park Service install one of the new signs on Mitchell Hill – Contributed photo

On Wednesday of this week, after a lot of planning and public input — and approval of the signpost locations by a Park Service anthropologist – a group of volunteers helped Park staff install the new signs.

Some 30 people from the Youth Conservation Corps, Spring Street International School, the San Juan Island Trails Committee, and the general public worked from 10 until 1 and then shared a meal laid out on long tables set up under the trees.

Signs now indicate two loop trails. One, marked with green arrow signs, is shorter and easier. The longer, steeper loop is indicated with blue arrow signs. Intersections are marked – if you come to an unmarked intersection, just bear on straight ahead.

There are posted maps at most entrances to the property, though not one as yet at the main entrance and parking area on Horse Trail Road. But there is a map box there with printed maps provided by the Trails Committee (and paid for by Roche Harbor Resort).

With one exception, all the trails are open to hikers, bicyclists, and horse riders. The general rule is: Bikers yield to everyone, and everyone yields to horses. But the pattern so far has seemed to be that everyone defers to everyone else. Only the Cedar Grove Trail, beginning near the entrance, is now limited to hikers only.

And every directional sign includes an arrow pointing back to the Horse Trail Road parking area.

Michelle Loftus (Katie Jones photo), Dan Miller and Barbara Sharp (Contributed photos)

San Juan Island Library will sponsor a candidate forum next Tuesday, July 7, at 7 pm for the only race on the primary ballot: a seat on the Hospital District Board.

Michalle Loftus, Daniel Miller, and Barbara Sharp are running for a two-year unexpired term on the board. The two receiving the highest vote totals will go on to the November general election.

Scott Rasmussen, former editor of the Journal, will moderate. Each candidate will give an opening statement, and the moderator will accept written questions from the audience.

Refreshments will be served.

The ballots will be mailed out on or about July 15.

Matthew Gray Palmer poses with his new sculpture – Tim Dustrude photo

There’s a new sculpture in town – it’s the Brickworks Pig down there at… you guessed it – Brickworks. I missed the unveiling ceremony, but I did catch up with the sculptor Matthew Gray Palmer who has generously donated this pig to Brickworks and the community.

The pig has a slot on the back for you to use it as a piggy bank. “But how do they get the money out?” You ask…

Susan Ley reacts when she sees how they get the money out – Matthew Gray Palmer photo