From Andrea E. Petrich:
WSDOT communications The eastbound SR 20 delays across Fidalgo Island, north of Deception Pass Bridge, are much higher than anticipated. I was a passenger through the stretch this morning around 11:00 a.m., and it took us 65 minutes to clear the construction zone. We are working with the contractor to adjust signage and flagging operations. We are also working with other WSDOT teams to help even out flow through the work zone. Even following those adjustments, delays through this area will continue – especially if all travelers maintain their normal routine during construction - and people should prepare for those waits.
 
We are working as quickly and safely as we can to get this around-the-clock lane closure and work done by July in anticipation of the height of tourist season. Although this traffic delay is difficult, it is a schedule requested by both the Anacortes and Oak Harbor communities during meetings and open houses about the project.
 
Travelers can help minimize delays by:

• Avoiding unnecessary travel through this area.
• Adjusting schedules to travel outside of peak morning and afternoon commute times.
• Using public transportation or starting a vanpool.
• Allocating significant travel time to your trip.
• Cyclists should consider routes on city or county roads to avoid sections of ground-down pavement.

 
Today is a Canadian holiday and the Monday of spring break for many area schools. We expect traffic volumes to fluctuate this week and be different next week as many get back into their usual routine.
 
Travelers should always check highway conditions along their route before they head out by using the WSDOT smart phone app, checking the WSDOT website online or calling 5-1-1 from their hands-free device during their drive. You can also have a passenger check the WSDOT North Twitter feed during your drive for changing conditions or blocking incidents.
 
Again, we are working to lower delays from what you experienced today, but they will remain lengthy during this project. Thank you for adjusting your schedule, when possible, to avoid the construction zone, allowing extra time when you must travel and having patience during the next three months until the major lane reductions are complete.
 
I will keep you updated and please reach out if you have questions or concerns. In addition to this project, there are other ones I am working on around the region and may be away from my desk at times, I will get back to you as quickly as I can.
 Andrea E. Petrich WSDOT communications

 

Afterglow Spa – Roche Harbor Resort April Spa Special Enjoy $20 off any Massage or Facial on Mondays and Thursdays April 2 through April 30, 2018 Open Thursday - Monday from 10 am - 6 pm 360-378-9888
hotel ext. 1888
 

The BEST of the Friday Harbor Film Festival movies will be shown every first and 3rd Tues at the Grange at 7 PM. Admission is by donation.  Film Society Members are free.
 
 APRIL 3: "100 Years"
100 Years: One Woman’s Fight For Justice (directed by Melinda Janko). When Elouise Cobell, a petite Blackfeet warrior from Montana, started asking questions about missing money from government managed Indian Trust accounts, she never imagined that one day she would be taking on the world’s most powerful government
But what she discovered as the Treasurer of her tribe was a trail of fraud and corruption leading all the way from Montana to Washington DC. "100 Years" is the story of her 30-year fight for justice for 300,000 Native Americans whose mineral rich lands were grossly mismanaged by the United States Government. In 1996, Cobell filed the largest class action lawsuit ever filed against the federal government. For fifteen long years, and through three Presidential administrations, Elouise Cobell's unrelenting spirit never quit. This is the compelling true story of how she prevailed and made history.
 

Friday April 6^th
Live Radio Remote from KISM 92.9 11-1
BBQ from our newest restaurant addition Mr. Believables
Bouncy House for the kids
30% off appliances with an additional 10 % off almost everything in the store! Friday and Saturday
First 5 appliance orders get free delivery
Saturday April 7^th
Starting 11:00 AM
Ribbon cutting with the Mayor Farhad Ghatan and the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce
Live jazz duet
Delicious eats from the San Juan Brewery
Bouncy House for the kids
$500 Sears Gift card Raffle
Vacuum Raffle
535 Market Street
 

Trivia is coming to an end. Wednesday April 4th will be our last trivia night until after summer so make sure to get a team together and come play. Questions start at 6pm.
We will be releasing our Spring Menu on Thursday March 29th, which also happens to be Dining for Scholars. So come support our youth while enjoying some new pizzas, sandwiches and more! Cheers! The Brew Crew 360-298-1757
 

On April 12th from 9:00 pm to April 13th at 6:00 am, the county is going to experience a county-wide communications outage. The 48-count fiber-optic cable carrying all data and voice traffic from San Juan County for ALL providers is going to be relocated just south of Anacortes at SR-20 and Spur (Sharpes Corner). WSDOT will be shutting down and re-routing this fiber cable as they implement a traffic change in this area.

 

Friday April 13, 2018 5 to 9 PM Come hear Spring Street students and parents share their stories. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SCHOLARSHIPS. Space is limited to 60 guests.  $100 per person The evening will feature a gourmet dinner of locally sourced ingredients at Duck Soup.
Spring Street International School
505 Spring Street
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
360 378-6393
www.springstreet.org
 

Please mark your calendars!  The Great Island Clean Up is scheduled for Earth Day, Sunday, April 22 from 10am – 2pm. More details to follow!

The Whale Museum is pleased to welcome Shona Aitken, Wolf Hollow’s Education Curator, back as part of a free, collaborative 2018 Spring and Summer Lecture Series at 7:00 pm at The Whale Museum on the following dates:
Tuesday, April 24: Living with Wildlife on the San Juans
Thursday, May 24: Dealing with deer
Thursday, June 21: Swallows and sparrows, flickers and flycatchers
Thursday, July 19: Marine mammals
Thursday, August 23: A critter’s eye view of your house
Thursday, September 20: Rat poison and raptors
This exciting lecture series focuses on living in harmony with wildlife. Topics will explore local wildlife species and how human impacts which may harm these wildlife and their habitats can be reduced. These impacts can include everything from removing nests/nesting material when gardening to vehicle strikes. Through becoming more aware of the impacts of our actions, visitors and residents of San Juan Island can learn to be better stewards to the wildlife that share their home with us. The first lecture will focus on the different kinds of wildlife found here on the island and human/wildlife issues that might arise. This lecture series is free and open to the public. For more information, call (360) 378-4710 ext. 30 or email info@whalemuseum.org.  The Whale Museum is located in Friday Harbor at 62 First St. N.  Founded in 1976, The Whale Museum’s mission is to promote stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research.  The Whale Museum can be found on-line at www.whalemuseum.org.
 

Skagit Valley College San Juan Center and Workforce Development Council
to co-host San Juan Island Job Fair
                SAVE THE DATE: Skagit Valley College San Juan Center and the Workforce Development Council and will team up to co-host a community Job Fair on Saturday, April 28 from 9:30 am to noon. The event will take place at the San Juan Center, 221 Weber Way, Friday Harbor WA in the lobby area. Breakout rooms for private interviews will be available.
                FREE FOR ALL JOB SEEKERS! Open the doors of opportunity by meeting with a variety of local businesses and organizations. Learn about the businesses that are hiring and what their hiring needs are now. Meet face-to-face with hiring decision-makers from San Juan Island. Dress professionally and bring plenty of resumes to the event. Save time, money and effort by interviewing with multiple companies in one day at one location.
                EMPLOYERS INTERESTED IN PARICIPATING: There is no cost for employers to participate, but an RSVP is required. Please RSVP to Minnie Knych at the Career Center, wdc@rockisland.com or call (360) 378-4662 to reserve a booth for your company or organization.
 

Here are the bands for Music on the Lawn this coming summer and blurbs about them.
June 27 – Rocky Bay Band – Join Steve Dyer and his string band for an evening of bluegrass.  They are one of the Northwest ‘bestest’ bluegrass groups playing timeless favorites with a ‘twang’. The Rocky Bay Band is known for hard driving, high energy buegrass – Americana pick’n at its best.