Tucked in a back corner of the gym on Argyle Avenue, inside what was originally a racquetball court, sits one the Island’s most unique and challenging fitness options. Climb San Juan, started by Pat McAvoy last June, is the community’s only climbing gym.

The walls that rise above the thickly padded floor have the look of a large-scale modern art installation, where hundreds of brightly colored climbing holds – each with their own unique shape – protrude from textured panels of red and tan and gray and combine to create a complex vertical geometry 20 feet in the air.

It was a labor of love – and a test of patience – for the first-time entrepreneur with a background in expedition guiding to take the gym from dream to reality.

“It had been on the island wish-list for a few years,” Pat explains. “Climbing is a popular sport in Washington, both indoor and outdoor, so it makes sense that a sleepy, outdoor-focused town could use a little spark like this, especially in the winter. But for a long time, it seemed like pie in the sky. Finding the location took years.”

Once Pat found the right space, however, things fell into place quickly. He built the walls, designed the initial set of routes, and installed them in just three months. Throughout the process, safety was a central focus. Continue Reading

• San Juan Island Sea Salt’s fundraiser for the businesses affected by last week’s fire was a great success, raising more than $5,000. The funds will be distributed where they’re most needed by the Economic Development Council.
• Crows Nest Coffee is raising money to help rebuild their business.
• Friday Harbor High School baseball and fastpitch both have home games against Orcas Island this afternoon at Linde. First pitch for both games is 3 p.m.
• Coho has another pop-up shop on Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. This time around it’s izakaya — Japanese pub food. Expect items like Japanese fried chicken, yakitori, katsu, dumplings, and udon noodles.
• Roche Harbor’s Easter festivities kick off on Saturday with egg dyeing on the marina party barge at 1 p.m.
• The Easter Bunny rolls into Roche Harbor on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Easter egg hunts start at 1 p.m. — in the Rose Garden for kids up to age three, in the Sunken Garden for ages four to six, and in the Pavilion Courtyard for ages seven to 11.

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Jane Fuller is running for the San Juan County Council seat for District 3, which includes Lopez, Shaw, and Decatur Islands. All County Council elections are countywide, so San Juan Islanders will still cast a vote for their preferred District 3 candidate in the August primary election.

Our county and its residents are experiencing unique challenges that require thoughtful and creative solutions now and for the future. These include: the lack of affordable housing affecting residents who are working hard to establish livelihoods, businesses that want to grow and prosper, and vital public services such as health care and education that require professional staff; the crisis facing our ferry system which is so integral to our daily living; and the urgent need to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations of islanders. I am announcing my candidacy for the position of County Councilor in District 3 because I am passionate about working with and for the residents of San Juan County to address these challenges.

My passion stems in part from my first connection with the San Juan Islands back in 1978 when my family purchased property on Lopez Island and we began coming as part-timers, camping on the land each summer. Over time I have grown to love Lopez and the San Juans and in 2017 I moved my family here from Ottawa, Ontario. In the past five years I have taken the opportunity to volunteer with incredible local organizations and individuals deepening my understanding of and connection with this community. Continue Reading

The County Fair shares the design for this year’s promotional poster, along with a request for help.

It is official — the San Juan County Fair is back, in person, August 17-20 at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. This year’s theme is “Two Little Ducks; Quack, Quack!” This theme is instantly recognizable to any major bingo player and captures the agricultural heritage of a fair event.

This year’s poster art was created by Rosalie Howarth of San Juan Island. Rosalie’s inspired design combined bingo, agriculture and the Fair, capturing the essence of this year’s theme.

The San Juan County Fair has been held virtually over the past two years, making this year full of unique challenges to get back up and running. Staff are working hard to brush off the cobwebs and are reminded that the Fair takes a village to be successful, and it is a celebration of our County’s talents and unique qualities. It is a stage and celebration of the best of who we are.

There is no better time to get involved! Please check out the Fair’s website to apply to be a vendor or performing artist, and to explore fundraising and volunteer opportunities. If you have questions, email [email protected].

• The Northwest Workforce Council Career Center in Friday Harbor is offering free assistance to any workers displaced by last week’s fire who need help finding a new job or who are ready to start a new career. Call 360-378-4662 to learn more.
• This first-person account of last Thursday’s events reminds us how fortunate we are to have such dedicated teams of first responders here in the Islands and in our neighboring communities.
• Major road construction on the two blocks of First Street north of Spring starts tomorrow. It’s expected to last through the end of May.
• The spring ferry schedule started yesterday.
• There’s a ribbon-cutting ceremony today at the Village at the Harbor at 1:30 p.m. The San Juan Update recently wrote about what the Public Hospital District’s acquisition of the facility means for its residents and employees.
• Cask & Schooner is back to its normal hours following a fire-related closure.
• McMillin’s is open seven days a week again.
• Island Rec is hosting a flashlight egg hunt for students in grades six through 12 at Jackson Beach this Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. There’ll be a bonfire, too. Bring a flashlight and a bag for collecting eggs.

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Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor shares some kind words about their volunteer of the month.

The Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor is pleased to announce Casey Woods as the APS-FH Volunteer of the Month for April 2022.

Casey has been a regular and dedicated volunteer for APS-FH since August of 2021. Casey comes to the shelter to walk and socialize shelter dogs each week. Because of her consistent presence, the dogs have developed a relationship with Casey and get very excited when they see her arrive, anticipating their turn to get out on the local trails in the fresh spring air with Casey. Recently, Casey has also taken on the role of a volunteer foster parent to one of our longer-term canine residents, Dakota.

Foster care for shelter animals gives them an opportunity to relax from the stressful shelter environment. The animals learn what living in a home is like and the shelter learns more about the kind of home that will work best for the animal, both of which can increase their chances of success in adoptive homes.

Thanks so much, Casey, for going out of your way to help the shelter animals that need it most. You are deeply appreciated, and we are glad to have an opportunity to recognize you.

The 30th annual San Juan Island Artists’ Studio Tour is scheduled to take place this year on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5. According to the group organizing this year’s tour:

With 19 studios and 46 artists, there are fabulous sculptors, potters, painters, jewelers, and woodworkers to meet. Explore art, clothing, weavings, glass, and mixed media, all to view and purchase directly from professional artists. Each year this mutually supportive group offers you a chance to experience private studios, watch art being made, and see the wonderful garden settings and wide vistas that are unique to San Juan Island.

The tour is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Artist previews and a tour map are available on the Studio Tour website. You can sign up for a raffle at each studio during the tour for a chance to win local fine art.

Following a review by the Town of Friday Harbor Planning Commission and the adoption of a resolution by the Town Council, development can now proceed on a group of six single-family homes.

Located on a 1.08-acre parcel at the corner of Grover Street and Hamilton Ranch Road, across from the elementary school ball fields, the six homes would represent a notable supply increase of for-sale single-family housing in Friday Harbor should current market conditions continue. There are just two single-family homes on the market within town limits right now.

The project is taking a low-density approach to the usage of the parcel. It sits in a multifamily residential zone that requires at least five units per acre, but allows for a maximum density of 15 units. The property located to directly the north of the new six-home development, which is owned by the same limited liability corporation, is listed as a “proposed future 14-unit apartment complex” on the site plan submitted by the developer.

The timetable for development of the new homes is not yet known.

• Four farms are scheduled to take part in today’s Farmers Market: Thornbush Farm and Talking Horse Ranch and Tigercello Farm from San Juan Island, plus Sunnyfield Farm from Lopez Island. Between them they’ll be offering apples, chai, eggs, fresh and aged goat cheese, chives, leeks, and pasture-raised beef and lamb.
• Another game, another win for Friday Harbor baseball. They steamrolled LaConner 13-0 on the road yesterday afternoon, bringing their record to 8-1 overall and 5-0 in conference. The Wolverines have outscored their opponents 43-0 in their last three games.
• Friday Harbor fastpitch has put together a two-game winning streak, thanks to an 18-9 road win at LaConner yesterday. They’re 4-3 overall and 3-1 in conference.
• Turn Point Mosaic IPA is back on draft at the Brewery.
• Through the end of the day today, San Juan Island Sea Salt will be donating 100 percent of all profits from online sales to the EDC in support of businesses affected by Thursday’s fire.
• Alchemy Art Center and Island Rec are hosting a screen printing party on Earth Day, which is Saturday, April 23. You can sign up now through Island Rec.
• Tide Pool Kids will have extended hours next week for spring break — 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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A contradiction? Not at all!

This is a proposal to remind visitors and those of us who persist in mainland ways that they are now in San Juan County, where things are different. This is why we’re here, and why others come. But the mainland pace of life is hard to shake, and shake it we must — or we’re simply an illusory extension of the mainland.

To be specific: the speed limit may be 35 or 45 miles an hour. That is a permission, not an order! We may be familiar with the scenery; we see it once or twice a day. But if you’ve tired of the scenery that among other things draws nearly a million visitors a year, many bringing their vehicles, and many others who, being part-timers (irrespective of how they see themselves), arrive imbued with the mainland pace of living, having used the 60 and 70 mile per hour speed limits to get to the Mount Vernon turnoff, it’s understandable. It’s hard to slow down.

They, and some of us, need help. Accordingly, my proposal is simply to slow down and enjoy what we came for. Is that barn in good shape or is it collapsing? What view does that house on the hill have (which at the moment, includes us)? Did the recent cold spell hurt that corn? Is that a fox among the newborn sheep? Keep your eyes on the road, driver! Is that a … yes, it’s a fawn, frozen in its tracks, too young to recognize the threat we present. Give it a brake. Literally. What’s the hurry? You’re here, where you belong at this moment. So be here. With us, who live here and treasure it all.

Bill Appel
Friday Harbor

The Town of Friday Harbor shares an update about the upcoming investigation of yesterday’s fire and its impact on traffic and parking in town.

Thirty agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are arriving in Friday Harbor today to investigate the fire that destroyed a quarter block of businesses in the downtown core. The block of First Street and Spring Street adjacent to the site will remain closed to vehicles during their investigation, which is expected to take three to five days. Front Street will be opened temporarily to two-way traffic.

The ATF arson response team is here at the County Fire Marshal’s request to provide resources and assistance. Their arrival is not a response to existing evidence of criminal activity. Additional agents from ATF’s National Response Team were called in due to the island’s limited number of first responders and the necessity to free them up to continue responding to 911 emergencies.

The community is asked to cooperate fully with ATF investigators and to respect the work being done at the site by avoiding the area. Anyone with photos or videos taken in the early morning hours of April 7 or with information that could affect the investigation should contact the Sheriff’s Office at 360-378-4151.

“The public may rest assured the Town, County, and emergency responders are executing a plan to expedite the investigation and reopening of streets and neighboring businesses,” said Town Administrator Denice Kulseth. “For your safety and that of the those protecting and inspecting the site, please do not enter adjacent buildings and rooftops as the integrity of those buildings has likely been affected by the intense heat.”

San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship provides an update about the status of the newly formed Climate and Sustainability Advisory Committee.

On Friday, April 22, an expected 1 billion people around the world will take action to protect our planet in observance of Earth Day. On the eve of Earth Day, April 21, a group of citizens in San Juan County will come together to launch the work of the newly formed Climate and Sustainability Advisory Committee. Here in the islands and around the world, we’ll be united under a common goal — the theme of this year’s Earth Day event — to Invest In Our Planet.

While San Juan County has invested in the environment for more than a decade, last year the County Council elevated the environmental resources team to the Department of Environmental Stewardship and added the Climate and Sustainability program to acknowledge the importance of this work. The Climate and Sustainability Advisory Committee will advise on policy, help set priorities, and harness the momentum of existing work to help steer the County’s climate action plan.

We are pleased to introduce the new committee members, appointed by the County Council on April 5, who will bring their expertise and experience to help launch this work. Continue Reading

Heather Christensen shares the good news about the opening of the new clinic on Blair.

Friday Harbor Family Clinic is excited to open our doors this coming Monday, April 11 at 8:30 a.m. We will be giving out new patient paperwork and getting people registered the first week we are open. Please come in anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. We will start scheduling appointments for the week starting April 18, but will need the paperwork filled out before scheduling an appointment for you. If you have not done so, please fill out a records release form with your current provider’s office.

Our address is 235 Blair Avenue, our mailing address is P.O. Box 796, our phone number is 360-370-5971, and our fax number is 360-370-5940. Both Dr. Fishaut and Heather Christensen PA-C, along with our office staff including Gina Sandwith and Jessica Moseley, look forward to serving our community by providing the same excellent medical care you have come to expect. We are grateful for the continued support from the community.