Submitted by the San Juan County Economic Development Committee.

Back by popular demand, the EDC invites islanders seeking new careers to learn Woodworking Basics in a class offered in partnership with The Fellow Shop. Jean Shearer and Nicholas Coldren, cabinetmakers,

will be teaching an introduction to woodworking, on Thursday evenings from March 2 to March 23, from 5-9 p.m. at the Fellow Shop on San Juan Island.

This course is intended to help people gain job skills and obtain economic stability. The course will teach tool use and safety and basic woodworking skills during a hands-on building project. These

skills are foundational for those seeking to enter many trades, from construction to furniture making.

The program will be free except for a $50.00 registration fee, and is open only to San Juan County residents at least 18 years old who plan to use woodworking skills for paying work. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate that the course will help them enter a new career or seek employment.

Instructors Jean Shearer and Nicholas Coldren have BFAs in Woodworking and Furniture Design from Rochester University, and extensive professional experience as cabinetmakers, boat builders, and finishers.

To learn more, visit www.sanjuansedc.org. To register, contact the EDC at marti@sanjuansedc.org.

This course is made possible by the San Juan Island Community Foundation, San Juan County, the Harvest Foundation, and other funders of the EDC’s Trades Training Initiative, including the United Way

of San Juan County, the Port of Friday Harbor, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Washington State Dept. of Commerce, and other donors. To support EDC trades programs, please visit

www.sanjuansedc.org/donate.