The San Juan Building Association’s annual gingerbread house contest returns this week. Drop off your edible architectural masterpieces between noon and 2 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, at the former home of Cask and Schooner — 1 Front St.

The contest has two divisions — one for builders age 15 and younger, and one for builders age 16-plus. Winning entries will receive a $500 prize, with $250 for second place and $100 for third place. Additional $50 prizes will be awarded for the best replica of a local building, the best construction site theme, and the entry with the best holiday spirit. Judging will take place on Thursday, Dec. 22.

All entries must be edible and made primarily from gingerbread or graham crackers, although battery lights are allowed. You can create your own design or use a pre-made kit. The organizers will accept only one entry per person, and all participants must fill out an entry form.

For more information, contact Katie Schmidt by email.

OPALCO shares news about a project that aims to increase power line safety and reliability throughout the San Juan Islands.

OPALCO is clearing the right-of-way areas under power lines this month to protect the island’s electrical system. This clearing prevents power outages caused by overhanging trees and branches, removes forest fuels that could feed a wildfire, and improves safety and access for line crews during power outages. OPALCO is working with professional tree trimming crews on Orcas, Shaw, Lopez and San Juan Island during the month of December to remove trees and other vegetation under or near our power lines.

The removal of potentially hazardous trees around overhead transmission lines reduces outage times and helps all members of the cooperative to have a more reliable system and safer environment. If you see a potentially hazardous tree, call OPALCO at 360-376-3500 so that we can advise and assist in the tree’s removal. Please do not attempt to cut a dead or dying tree that is leaning towards power lines.

Members can also help by leaving room for the OPALCO crew to work safely on the devices in the field and on members’ property. Please keep landscaping, shrubs, and structures at least ten feet away from the front side of electrical devices and at least three feet away from the other sides. OPALCO crews must be able to safely access field devices such as transformers — those green boxes — day or night.

From May 19 — The textured skies of spring passing over Argyle Lagoon on a warm afternoon.

The San Juan County Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 9 a.m. Items up for discussion or action include:

• 2023 legislative priorities for the County Council
• 2023 lodging tax award recommendations
• County grants report

You can view the live stream of the meeting online or attend in person at the Council Legislative Hearing Room. To make a public comment, sign up prior to 9 a.m. on Dec. 13.

Saturday’s hayrides were part of the three-day Old-Fashioned Holiday Market, which wraps up on Sunday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Brickworks.

From Oct. 31 — Mount Dallas in the clouds, as seen from Zylstra Lake Preserve.

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor shares a look at the adoptable animal of the week — Stassie, a 12-year-old domestic shorthair and brown tabby.

Hi there, I’m really happy to meet you! My name is Stassie and I was brought into the shelter as a stray. There are a lot of things about myself that I can’t wait to tell you, but for the purpose of this quick introduction I’ll pick just one, then you can come meet me and hear more of my stories.

So, like I said, I had been living outside and came into the shelter as a stray cat. Being out there is a lot of things — both good and bad — but mostly it’s pretty quiet, especially on an island like ours. The kind of quiet that gives an imagination like mine plenty of time to ponder who and what I could be in this life, or any of my next eight lives. One of my favorite lives that I’ve imagined for myself is being a regular on the Cat Show circuit. I fantasize about a crowd of cat people all coming to admire me and judges giving me top scores. They notice how bright my eyes are; they appreciate the way the stripes on my fur are different than just any ol’ brown tabby; they see features in my face that remind them of wild big cats; they think I wear my white socks well. I’m not sure I’d be up to the prestigious Cat Fanciers’ Association standards, but I know that I’d still feel like best in show.

Whether it’s real or fantasy, I’m the kind of cat who tells herself she’s trophy-worthy and believes it too!

Contact APS to learn more about Stassie.

San Juan County needs a citizen volunteer for an important government committee.

If you are a San Juan Island resident who is passionate and knowledgeable about affordable housing in San Juan County, the County could use your help as a new member for its Housing Advisory Committee.

The Committee is the main advisory body to the County Council on affordable housing issues. It oversees several County programs that impact affordable housing, including the Home Fund, the Equity Loan Program — which provides down payment loans for low-income first-time home buyers — document recording fees, and rental subsidies for seniors with extremely low incomes. The HAC also advises the County Council on policy issues concerning housing for low- and moderate-income citizens in our community.

HAC members are expected to participate in monthly public meetings — in-person or by conference call. HAC members are volunteers that are appointed by the County Council. Currently there is a vacancy for one member from San Juan Island. The member who fills this seat may reside in either Friday Harbor or the unincorporated area of the island.

Learn more about applying for the open position on the County website.

From June 6 — looking down from the pier at the Port of Friday Harbor during a heavy rain.

Parents of young athletes are invited to attend the sportswear swap taking place this Sunday, Dec. 11 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Commons at Friday Harbor High School. If your family has sports gear of your own that you would like to contribute, a donation box will be available in the Commons.

There’s just over a week left to enjoy breads and other baked goods from Bakery San Juan in 2022. The bakery will close for a four-week break starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16. Their last day is expected to be quite busy, so it’s recommended to pick up orders the day before.

Second Act consignment boutique is ending 2022 with four weeks of progressively deeper discounts. This week it’s 10 percent off all clothing and footwear, followed by 20 percent next week, 30 percent the week after, and 40 percent off from Dec. 26-29.

The store will be closed for the month of January and February.