The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions.

Additional information about each committee is available on the County’s website at:

http://sanjuanco.com/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies.

Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or Contact the Council Office at: (360) 378-2898 [email protected]

Hello There! please join the NW Regional 4-Hers for a virtual 4-H Talent Show!

Our teen leaders want to let people know that we are thinking of them and that they are not alone!

Join via a smartphone or computer. Participants will need to register with a ZOOM account (you may need to create one) by going to https://zoom.us/

Log in before 1 PM on Sunday, May 3 and click on this link to see and be seen!

https://wsu.zoom.us/j/96279613356

• Our Agenda includes:  
• Trivia Icebreakers by Moose     
• Introductions: Meet the Teens
• Danaya presents Dog Tricks, 
• Theo presents Classical Piano, 
•  Brianna presents Painting, 
• Claire presents Romping Rabbits, 
• Moose the M.V. provides a Musical Interlude

For more information about teen tech tutoring please contact The Digital Ambassadors : [email protected]

To our loyal customers:

Your outpouring of support, along with your heartfelt messages of encouragement, has given us the steam to keep on as booksellers during this fraught time of the pandemic and consequent shutdown of community and economic life. Our doors may be closed, but we are still open for business, albeit only through ordering and curbside pick-up or deliveries.

We are tremendously thankful for your orders, for your words of support; our appreciation knows no bounds. We are grateful to have such good people continuing to order books and making purchases on our website (no easy task), through e-mail, and by phone.

We extend an enormous thanks to all of you who have come forth to keep us in business. We’ve also been warmed to hear kind and thoughtful messages on our recorder, and best of all, to have a chat with you. Keep on calling! Without you, we simply cannot go on.

Make It Easier on Yourself: Order by Phone Continue Reading

On April 27^th, Governor Inslee announced a May 5^th partial opening of some outdoor recreation activities. Included in his action was a opening of many State Parks across Washington for day use activities. However, he held off on announcing any opening of San Juan County State Parks, pending support from San Juan County decision makers.

On April 29^th, the San Juan County Board of Health discussed the issue and granted that support. On May 2^nd, State Parks officially announced that all State Parks in San Juan County will open on May 5^th for day use only. Full details are available on the Washington State Parks website: https://parks.state.wa.us/1177/Novel-Coronavirus—COVID-19.

Said San Juan County Council and Board of Health member Bill Watson, “This is not a full re-opening. There’s no camping. No large gatherings. And until non-essential travel is allowed in Washington, people shouldn’t be coming from off-island to visit our State Parks. The real focus here is to let local residents enjoy all of our public lands in San Juan County.”

San Juan County Land Bank, National Historic Park, BLM, and other public lands in San Juan County have been open throughout, and will remain so. Continue Reading

Concurring with an April 29, 2020 decision by the San Juan County Board of Health, San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James has extended his order limiting transient accommodations, camping, and access to playgrounds from May 4^th until May 31^st.

This decision is intended to align with Governor Inslee’s May 1^st announcement that as part of his phased approach to reopening, he will extend his “Stay Home Stay Healthy” order until May 31^st.

In addition to the restrictions described above, the existing Health Officer order requires the posting of notice at all parks to limit group gatherings, and at all marinas, ports, and on all marine passenger vessels to highlight that as per the Governor’s order, all non-essential travel in Washington is prohibited. The initial San Juan County Health Officer order is available online here, and the latest Health Officer order extending the date until May 31st is online here. Continue Reading

The Organizers of the San Juan Island Artists Studio Tour regretfully wish to inform patrons and visitors that the June 6^th & 7^th event is cancelled. This decision was made with significant concern for the safety of both visitors and artists during this time of the CoV19 pandemic.

We remain hopeful for a positive outcome of this pandemic which, with its’ end, will allow visits once more to San Juan Island art studios. We are considering the possibility for rekindling the event with a postponement to sometime in the fall. Should the 2020 tour be rescheduled, we will send out a confirmation of the alternative dates.

In the meantime, please visit our website on updates of our tour art community at www.sanjuanislandartists.com . Individual artists participating in this year’s tour are still busy creating in their studios and exploring alternative avenues to continue to connect with the public utilizing virtual tours and online apps like Facebook and Instagram.

Thank you for your continual support of the San Juan Islands Artists. We know that art can bring delight and joy during stressful times and visits to creative spaces touch the soul. We will do our best to bring this part of life back to you. Stay tuned. Stay Healthy. Stay Safe.

The “COVID-19 Community Conversations” series continues this week with three short videos that highlight efforts from organizations and people providing key services and crucial leadership in our community.

You can find these videos on our YouTube channel “San Juan County COVID-19 Response” at www.sjccovid.com/conversations.

Jennifer Armstrong: Armstrong is the Director of the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center on San Juan Island. “We have a great delivery service, from prescriptions to food… if it’s really important for you to stay home right now and you don’t have friends or family nearby who can help, we really encourage you to call our centers.” She also discussed financial assistance, mental health services, help accessing other aid, and more. “We’re happy to hear from anybody.”

Yubi Shollmeyer: Yubi Schollmeyer tambien trabaja en el Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center en San Juan Island. En este video, Yubi explica como los centros de recursos en cada una de las grandes Islas pueden ayudar a las familias o individual, con muchos recursos diferentes. Dentro de esta pandemia, muchas familias están experimentando un cambio en su economia. Gracias al Condado, Fundaciones de Comunidad y Donaciones Independientes hay suficiente ayuda disponible. Todos los servicios se brindan de manera confidencial.

Yubi Schollmeyer also works at the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center. In this Spanish language video, Yubi explains how the resource centers on each of the big islands can help connect families or individuals to many different resources. Within this pandemic many families are experiencing a change in their financial situation. Thanks to the County, Community Foundations and other independent donations there is adequate assistance available. All of the services are provided confidentially.

Trillium Swanson: Swanson is the project manager for the Coalition for Orcas Youth, which works on mental health and drug abuse issues, and a mental health counselor on Orcas Island. One of the most challenging issues she faces is reaching people who need help. She is currently doing counseling via Zoom. She adds, “Access to mental health care is really important, but even more important, is that people in their neighborhoods feel connected to others, whether a neighbor or family member, or whomever!”

Compass Health debuts revolutionary mobile telehealth system to provide vital mental health and substance abuse treatment during COVID-19 social distancing, and for future care

Cloud-based Compass Health Bridge platform virtually connects front-line behavioral health providers with clients in community or home settings

EVERETT – Compass Health has announced the organization-wide launch of its mobile telehealth system, Compass Health Bridge. The three-part system enables behavioral health professionals to connect virtually with clients in community and home settings via HIPAA-compliant, secure video chat for counseling, psychiatric evaluation and case management.

Compass Health is leading the industry in its use of integrated mobile telehealth for behavioral health care delivery on a broad scale. In fall 2019, the organization first piloted the Bridge system, which includes proprietary mobile devices that providers can control remotely to obtain a 360-degree view of a client’s environment.

Now, spurred by COVID-19 social-distancing, Compass Health has dramatically expanded deployment of mobile telehealth, training more than 500 behavioral health professionals to deliver care remotely and enabling many clients to communicate via their own devices. The need was urgent: throughout March 2020, client participation in outpatient treatment and other services was decreasing 20 percent week-over-week as community members adhered to the state’s orders to stay home. Continue Reading

Friday Harbor, WA…   National Travel and Tourism Week, May 3 — 9, is the annual salute to the positive effects of travel in the U.S.  Now, more than ever, is a time to reflect on what visitors bring to the vitality and resilience of the San Juan Islands.

Travel is in our DNA, and the spirit of travel isn’t only found in far-off places. When island residents embrace the spirit of travel by supporting local visitor-oriented businesses and helping their neighbors, we are also playing a key role in rebuilding our communities. Communities around the world benefit from the spirit of travel, which permeates through small businesses, unique landmarks, and all those who welcome residents and visitors alike with a smile and hospitality.

It would be hard to imagine San Juan Island without Lime Kiln Lighthouse, or Orcas Island without Moran State Park, or Lopez Island without the National Monument. When the time is right, the travel and tourism industry will be integral to our islands’ and nation’s recovery—for the economy and jobs. But it is the spirit of travel that will heal our country’s morale. Continue Reading

Here’s a note from Brendan Cowan at SJ Dept. of Emergency Management…

On Friday Governor Inslee extended his Stay at Home Order through at least May 31st. Below is a chart highlighting the basics of his phased plan for reopening.

The devil is in the details of course, and the next few days will provide more info on what exactly this plan may mean for San Juan County. We, like you, have questions that require clarification. We’ll work hard to provide context and updates as they’re available.

Now that the Governor has released his plan, we do expect that the San Juan County Health Officer Order, currently set to expire at 11:59pm on May 4th will be updated shortly. We will release details on that as soon as it is finalized and signed.

Thanks for the ongoing patience and support of this amazing community as we move through this crisis.

Here is a link to a general outline of the Governor’s plan:

https://www.sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/20294/PhasedReopeningChart

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) invites community leaders and businesspeople to join in a conversation with Congressman Rick Larsen on the economy, recovery and the news from Washington DC.   The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 6^th from 10-11 a.m. via Zoom.

For more information, please visit https://www.sanjuansedc.org/business-call.

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae…

Jennifer Rigg and Randolph – Contributed photo

With community lunches on hold due to COVID-19 it may seem like not much is happening these days at the Mullis Center. However, since the lockdown, the number of meals delivered to local seniors by our Meals on Wheels nutrition program has more than doubled and is expected to increase further. Meals are delivered for a donation. Unfortunately, donations have been declining. This is where local hero, artist Jennifer Rigg steps in.

Many islanders know Jenn’s work from the beautifully silk-screened T-Shirts she makes and sells every summer at the San Juan County Fair. We collect them, wear them, and give them as gifts. Jenn has been designing and printing T-shirts since she was 14.

Says Jenn, “I loved whales and there were not too many whale designs I liked at the time, so I made my own. Other folks liked my designs as well and I’ve been fortunate over the years to make a living on this small island selling my art”.

Ted Strutz In SeparateTogether T-Shirt – Ted Strutz photophoto

Jenn has designed a shirt to help our seniors through COVID-19. She said “[I wanted] to create a focal point on the “US” instead of the virus. While so many are feeling scared and separated right now, I want to try to create a sense of togetherness to keep everyone hopeful – separate, but together.” This shirt can be purchased online at LOEA separatetogether and is available in four different styles. Continue Reading

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce is here to help support you and your business through these trying times. When visiting here begins again we will be ready to provide a safe healthy environment for not only our community but for all of our visitors.

We are working to provide guidelines and layouts for each segment of our business community to ensure they have the tools they need to operate in these new times.

Below is a series of questions to help you to work through to RETHINK how to REOPEN to produce a successful REBOUND of our business/organization for yourself, your employees, and for our local economy. What follows are not the answers, but questions that will require a good deal of thought and willingness to change.

Let’s examine the elements of The Crew, Time and Resources against each other, especially as you implement a new course of action toward the Next Normal: Continue Reading

The Friday Harbor Film Festival in cooperation with Bullfrog Communities is proud to present a Virtual Film Festival of climate-change-related films in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day 2020.

Beginning May 8th and continuing through May 23rd, FHFF will offer seven powerful, environmentally focused documentary feature films for online streaming.  Viewing costs only $1.99 per film or $7.99 for an All-Access Festival Pass. Films will be available for viewing during the two-week streaming period. To kick things off beginning May 1^st, you can watch a short documentary, ​Cultivating Kids, at no charge. View trailers at fhff.org.

Purchase your tickets or All-Access Festival Pass beginning May 1^st at the Festival website, fhff.org. After purchase, you will be provided a link to access the Screening Room for viewing each film.

Here is the exciting line-up: Continue Reading

Update on our COVID-19 response and post pandemic response and service lessons learned

By Bob Jarman, Chair of Fire District #3

Timing is everything. More than one year ago, San Juan Island Fire and Rescue (SJIF&R) and San Juan Island EMS began working through recommendations from the citizens to join emergency services together into one organization.

We have been working diligently to implement the unanimous agreement between San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 and Fire District #3 elected commissioners. While developing a combined all hazard emergency services for our islands, we suddenly found ourselves in the middle of an unprecedented, global health pandemic.

All of San Juan Island’s public safety emergency service providers immediately evaluated how to provide increased emergency services to our islanders, while minimizing risk to our community members, responders and volunteers. Continue Reading

This winter, Friends of the San Juans staff and a team of trained citizen scientists, documented six new Pacific sand lance spawning beaches. They also discovered two previously unknown surf smelt spawning sites. Coupled with results from last winter, the number of documented sand lance spawning beaches in San Juan County more than doubled from 8 to 19.

Pacific sand lance and surf smelt play an important role in local and regional marine food webs; they are critical prey for juvenile and adult Chinook salmon, seabirds, and marine mammals. Since these little fish lay their eggs on local beaches, their survival is especially vulnerable to changes on the land. When eggs are documented on a beach, that knowledge is added to WA State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife’s habitat maps which helps to guide shoreline protection and restoration efforts.

Winter, with its stormy weather and limited daytime low tides, is a challenging time to hunt for forage fish eggs. Winter is also when Pacific sand lance spawn in San Juan County. For the second field season, volunteers and students were trained to help collect beach samples throughout the islands to look for these tiny, mighty eggs. This team of 60 dedicated citizen scientists went out in early mornings, in wind, rain, and even snow. Altogether with Friends staff, 174 different beaches on nine islands were sampled, with a total of 405 surveys conducted. Continue Reading