San Juan Safaris has been having terrific luck with J-Pod sightings lately. Yesterday they counted about 20 individual whales, including a new calf and legendary Ruffles, one of the largest of our San Juan Island resident Orca males. There’s really no sight quite like seeing Ruffles’ six foot tall dorsal fin surfacing and submerging. Jeanette, the San Juan Safaris naturalist, explained today that Orcas are voluntary breathers, so they exhibit unihemispheric sleep. This sleep pattern allows half the brain to sleep while the other half stays awake. Fascinating stuff from the folks at San Juan Safaris, who have a trip going out of Friday Harbor today at 12:30.

This is a free guided walking tour of selected sites from the downtown historic district. Participants will need to be able to walk comfortably on town sidewalks, including some hills, for 1.5 hours. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance of the tour. Tours will be canceled if insufficient reservations are received by 10:00 a.m. on Friday. Printed self-guided walking tour guides are available at local book stores, or for purchase at the start of the tour. Purchase is optional.
* Times: Every Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
* Location: Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
* Contact: Sandy Strehlou
* Phone: (360) 378-2810
* Admission: Free

Opening weekend of the 8th annual invitational Sculpture Exhibition at Westcott Bay Sculpture Park and Nature Reserve  May 1 to May 3. See over 100 sculptures by Pacific Northwest regional artists including Ann Morris and Gerald Tsutakawa, placed throughout 19 acres of meadow, forest, and pond.

* Times: Daily, sunrise to sundown
* Location: Westcott Bay Sculpture Park & Nature Reserve, San Juan Island
* Phone: (360) 370-5050

Every Monday evening there is an informal get together of San Juan Island country-dance musicians and other enthusiasts. They play, learn and/or participate in Mixers, Squares, Lines, Rounds, Contras, Polka, Waltz, Schottisch, Hambo, and folk dances. Learn, perform, dance or just enjoy watching and hearing a variety of traditional “Barn Dance” tunes and dances, (as demonstrated at the San Juan Island Farmer’s Market and at National Park Service Reenactments.) Strengthen community and friendships on the Island through the spirit of America’s folk heritage and by dancing with everybody in the hall. Benefit from non-commercial friendships and community participation.
San Juan Singers in Concert

* Location: The Mullis Center, San Juan Island
* Contact: Mike Cohen
* Phone: (360) 378-6313
* Admission: Optional donation: 25 cents, more or less