Jimmy Carter and Willie Nelson. Contributed Photo

Film Features Carter’s Bond with Musicians Dylan, Nelson, Simon

By SJIFF

“Carter: Rock & Roll President” movie poster. Contributed Image

“Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President” will screen on-demand from Sunday, Nov. 15 through Monday, Nov. 30. It opens the “Best of the Fest” series, offering films during each of the coming months.  Read full details and purchase tickets ($8.50) at www.fhff.org.

This remarkable documentary charts the mostly forgotten story of how Carter, a lover of all types of music, forged a tight bond with musicians Willie Nelson, the Allman Brothers, Bob Dylan and others.

It is an incisive and often-rollicking look at an era that saw youth culture and politics join forces, and at a man of conscience whose love of music was crucial to who he was as a father, a citizen, a man of the South, and a leader during his presidency and beyond. Continue Reading

By San Juan County

Contributed Image/CDC

Two new positive COVID-19 test results have been reported for San Juan County.

One each was found on Orcas and San Juan.

The total case count for the islands is now 49. Both cases are close contacts of previous cases.

If we change our behavior, we can stop this recent surge of island cases. There is hope on the horizon (vaccines, better treatments, etc.), but first, we need to get this under control.

Important things to know: Continue Reading

Artist Alisha Merrick cuts the ribbon in front of her store, as San Juan Island Chamber Board Member Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso (left) and President Scott Sluis hold the ribbon. Contributed Photo

By SJI Chamber of Commerce

Friday Harbor Mayor Farhad Ghatan and San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce Board Member Karl Bruno.

On Nov. 12, the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce and Friday Harbor Mayor Farhad Ghatan hosted a socially distanced ribbon cutting for local artist Alisha Merrick.

Merrick, an active chamber member for many years, opened her shop, FERN, in June.

The shop features local art, jewelry, pottery, toys, stickers, greeting cards and so much more. Lots of holiday goodies ready for your loves and more on the way. Plus, it’s just a block from the ferry landing at 110 First Street South. 

“Stop in for unique gifts, and see me!” said Merrick

Vist https://alishamerrickart.com/ for more information. 

By WaterWorks

WaterWorks Gallery hosts its 35th Annual Holiday Showcase: Red and Gold from Nov. 19-Jan. 9 at 315 Argyle Ave. in Friday Harbor.

The show is free to the public.

The reception for the show will be from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19.

WaterWorks Gallery, a contemporary light-filled gallery, continues to evolve as it remains dedicated to showing artists from the islands, Washington, Oregon and British Columbia.

Represented artists, painters, sculptors, and jewelers reflect the area’s beauty through both conventional and unusual representations.

Red and Gold envelop the gallery in warmth and opulence, showcasing unique works for gift giving – jewelry, ornaments, paintings, sculpture and a few oddities curated just for you.

Visit https://www.waterworksgallery.com/ for more information.

By San Juan County

Four new positive COVID-19 test results have been reported for San Juan County. The total case count for the islands is now 47.

Three of these cases are on San Juan Island, and one is on Orcas. Though investigations are ongoing, early results suggest that that two of the San Juan cases are household contacts of each other.

Here’s a reality check for all of us: Continue Reading

Contributed Image

By SJIL

Join Dr. Fred Rhoades at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov.18 for an online discussion about lichens. San Juan Island Library will host this meeting.

The San Juan Islands are home to a great many cryptogams, spore-producing plants and plant-like organisms. 

Rhoades will introduce you to some of the lichens and bryophytes, mosses & liverworts, found locally.  He will describe their biology, ecology, and some common species.

Email Boyd Pratt at [email protected] for a Zoom invitation.

By San Juan County

As anyone who has interacted with island kids of late can tell you, COVID-19 is taking a toll on the mental and physical health of our children.

While that’s true for all of us, many younger islanders are really struggling.

Opportunities for our youth to engage in physical activities can be a great way to rebuild the rhythms of their day to day lives and social connections- so long as it is done thoughtfully and safely.

The science is clear: groups of unmasked kids in close contact and exerting themselves is a highly effective way to spread COVID throughout our community. Caution is required. We’re all tired of the disruption, but cases are spiking. The next couple of months may well be our toughest yet.

County Health Officer Dr. Frank James highlights his concerns.

“There are two things I’m most worried about right now,” he said. “One is holiday travel. The other is youth sports. Ensuring that we’re operating with an abundance of caution is the only way we’ll move forward safely as a community.”

So what should we be (and not be) doing? Continue Reading

By Washington HealthPlanFinder

Washingtonians seeking health coverage can shop for more options this year along with financial assistance by visiting Washington Healthplanfinder to sign up for health and dental coverage.

New for 2021 will be Cascade Care offerings that enable consumers to shop, choose and save from more options in all counties.

“As more Washingtonians are impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, having health coverage is crucial during these difficult times,” said Exchange Chief Executive Officer, Pam MacEwan. “We encourage all Washingtonians who are seeking health coverage to shop Washington Healthplanfinder during open enrollment and find plans for how they’re living.”

New this year, Cascade Care plans offer high value, standard benefits. Cascade Care is expanding access, choice, and value for Washingtonians at a time when they need it most.

These plans offer deductibles that are on average $1,000 less than other plans, and cover more services prior to meeting a deductible, including primary care visits, mental health services, and generic drugs. Continue Reading

By EDC

Islanders interested in makerspaces, fablabs and community labs are invited to join the Economic Development Council of San Juan County to hear more about the San Juan Makers Guild’s asset mapping initiative from noon-1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13 on Zoom.

Presenters are Marcy Montgomery and Stephen Shrader, co-founders of the San Juan Makers Guild, a non-profit program. Part of the efforts of the San Juan Makers Guild is to develop an asset mapping tool that identifies makers and the resources they use or need. Continue Reading

By SJIL

Join a virtual Open Mic for Writers at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14. The event is hosted by the San Juan Island Library.

Held on the second Saturday of the month, Open Mic Night is for anyone interested in writing.

Don’t be shy, come read your work or just listen. You’ll be inspired to write more.

To register for the online meeting, email Pam Herber at [email protected].

By OPALCO

As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, power bills go up and many islanders struggle to make ends meet.

This year, more than ever, islanders will have to dig deep to stay current on their bills.

Orcas Power & Light Cooperative created Project PAL to help co-op members look out for each other. Project PAL gives people in need a grant of about $150 during the heating season to help them get by.

There are many ways islanders can support this program: Continue Reading

Contributed Image

By SJIL

Join the San Juan Island Library at 7 p.m., Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11 as we honor veterans and explore their local and familial history and legacy. The event will be online.

Learn how to research your relatives’ military records with Boyd Pratt, followed by a discussion of the history of the Women’s Study Club and its role in the creation of Friday Harbor’s Memorial Park, a monument to the San Juan Islands residents who died in World War I, with Robin Jacobson.

Email Pratt at [email protected] for a Zoom invitation.

Contributed Image

Need a gift card for the holidays? Check out Islands Strong for gift cards from San Juan Islands’ businesses, as well as Orcas Strong for businesses on Orcas Island.

The Washington Tourism Alliance also has a website called ShowWAlove.com, where people can support their favorite local businesses by purchasing gift cards for future use. If a small business has any online ordering or take-out/delivery available, that can be included.

Business owners can also submit their gift card information to the directories in the links above.

By Christine Minney, San Jan County Council Member-elect  Position 1

I am joyous and honored to have been elected to serve on the SJ County Council, District 1.

I am grateful for the community’s support and trust that I am a good fit to represent all islanders. I look forward to working with my fellow council members, the county administrator and county staff for the betterment of our islands and citizens.

Thank you to my campaign supporters and campaign team, it was a great several months establishing relationships that will have positive impacts for years to come.

Thank you to my co-candidate, Ryan. I appreciate your investment in our community and environment.

Lastly, I am ever fortunate for my cheerleader family that allows and encourages me to be the very best that I can be.

I am mindful and reverent of the blessing that is living in the San Juan Islands.

By Cindy Wolf, San Juan County Council Member District 2 Elect

I want to extend my sincere thanks to all of my campaign supporters, volunteers and staff, and especially to the voters, for electing me as San Juan County Council Member from District 2.

I am honored that you put your trust in me to help lead our wonderful county through this difficult time. Continue Reading

Enhancing Resilience: a Constant Challenge in a Changing Climate

By Kirk Sato 

Kirk Sato is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the newly formed Ocean Nexus Center at UW’s EarthLab. Kirk’s background in oceanography and ecology is contributing to Ocean Nexus Center efforts to transform ocean governances into new systems that benefit everyone equally. This summer, he has worked to help Japanese oyster farmers build their capacity to adapt to environmental change like Ocean Acidification. He continues to serve the FHL community as the lead project manager of the FHL Ocean Observatory, which received initial NSF funding in 2015 and has been supported by the College of the Environment over the past year.

The ocean speaks a language that is understood globally. It has been the mother tongue for generations of people who base their life’s work on its many offerings.

We are privileged to work so intimately with such a powerful life source, and we also carry a great deal of responsibility as we participate in this conversation. The resources provided by the FHL Ocean Observatory allow us to translate saltwater properties into numbers, particle motions into 3D vectors and communities of microscopic organisms into high-resolution photos.

These data show us how ecologically important microplankton like diatoms, dinoflagellates and ciliates interact with their saltwater environment on scales that have not been possible in FHL’s 100+ years of existence.

Continue reading…