San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1

Public Notice of Regular Meeting, Wednesday October 24, 2018, 3:00 p.m. at Frank Wilson Memorial EMS Building, 1079 Spring Street. Continue Reading

The Friday Harbor Film Festival gets rolling on Friday, October 26th at 10:00 AM. See the complete schedule at www.fhff.org. Here are a few things you won’t want to miss:

Opening Night Gala Honoring Filmmakers
Friday evening at 7:00 PM in the Whittier Theatre at San Juan Community Theatre

All Access Pass & GALA Only tickets are still available

An exclusive party that celebrates filmmakers and their films. Enjoy the company of our filmmakers, sponsors, invited guests, All-Access Pass and Gala Night ticket holders. Feast on delicious locally sourced appetizers from a selection of San Juan Island’s best chefs, beer and wine. Be there for the presentation of the Andrew V. McLaglen Lifetime Achievement Award and screening of the feature film Chasing the Thunder.

Plus – Don’t miss these Free Events at the Friday Harbor Film Festival:

Filmmaker’s Forum
Sunday, October 28 ~ 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM at Friday Harbor House
Discuss the art of film making with the artists who created, directed and produced this year’s films. Visiting filmmakers will participate in a lively discussion of their film making processes and experiences.

Closing Night Awards Ceremony
Sunday, October 28 ~ 7:00 PM in the Whittier Theatre at San Juan Community Theatre
~The Audience Makes the Award Choices ~
~ Use Your Ballot & Share your enthusiasm at the Audience Choice Awards ~

• Screening of the Festival’s most popular film, as voted by audience ballots
• Awards in Categories of:
  Explorers & Adventures; Things to Consider; Tales from the Heart
• Best Short Film
• The Local Hero Award – Honoring a San Juan Islands local who has made outstanding contributions to our quality of life
• The Inaugural Laszlo Pal Emerging Filmmaker Award – Honoring the memory of filmmaker/film educator and former FHFF Board Member and recognizing emerging young talent in filmmaking

View across Haro Strait from the Goldenback Trail – Tim Dustrude photo

The trail’s namesake: the Goldenback Fern – Contributed photo

The Land Bank’s new Stewardship Coordinator, Erin Halcomb will lead us on the Goldenback Trail – a relatively new trail within the Land Bank’s Westside Preserve. In 2016, the property was generously gifted to the Land Bank by the Reiss family, and the half-mile trail was constructed shortly thereafter.

The trail is moderately difficult, a short but consistent climb to the top with switchbacks through coastal prairie habitat and affords both close encounters with its namesake, the delicate Goldenback fern, as well as expansive views of the Salish Sea.

The trailhead is located directly across from the Westside Scenic Preserve’s northern most parking area on Westside Road. Parking is limited so please carpool. Dogs are allowed on leash. 

Saturday October 27, 1-4 pm.

Scooby is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

Hi there! My name is Scooby and I’m Friday Harbor’s newest stand-up comedian.

Say, what’s it called when a kitten with a full belly meows for more food, even when their bowl is half full? FAKE MEWS! Get it?

What do you get when you cross a dog with a calculator? A FRIEND YOU CAN COUNT ON!

Geez, I’m hilarious! I’ve got a million of em’! Come visit me at the animal shelter and I’ll make you laugh your tail off…

Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
994 Cattle Point Road
(360) 378-2158

Its Friday Harbor Film Festival time Again and here is a great film about mustangs and what is being done by young girls to save them.
by Theresa Simendinger

Wild mustangs thrive in the stunning, but harsh landscape of Eastern Oregon. Due to their rapidly growing population thousands will be captured and placed in federal facilities until they are trained and adopted or sent to long-term holding.

“From the Wild, The Journey of the Mustang” follows the mustangs, the people and the policies that shape the lives of these horses taken from the wild.”

Filmmaker Kevin Clark will be introduced at the screenings to answer questions.

Also Jasmine Lechner, 2010 NW Extreme Mustang Makeover Winner, who made Top Ten in more than 10 other western state competitions. The part Jasmine is most proud of, is the fact, she placed the most TIP (Training Incentive Programs) horses, over 100 Mustangs in the year 2018 alone!

The film tells of Jasmine Lechner and her ten 17-year-old students taking these completely untrained mustangs and the process of turning them into great horses for adoption.

Jasmine, her daughters Ellie14 and Gracie11, will be availalble for Q&A. The girls participate each year with the Extreme Mustang Makeover Yearlings.

Shown with “The 100 Year old Whale” a film about Granny.
**Bring your kids to this one… remember kids get in free!**

It shows on Friday at 1:00 pm and Saturday at 10:00 am at the SJ Community Theatre

Already thinking about the holidays?  Mark your calendars, or sign up for a booth space at our December 1^st Flea & Craft Market at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. 

Vendors can apply online by going to www.sjcfair.org, or stop by our office at the Fairgrounds, Monday – Friday 8:30-4:30 to fill out an application. 

Each vendor booth space is 10’ x 10’ and includes a table and two chairs for $27.00.  An additional table can be rented for $5.00, while available. 

Don’t have anything to sell?  Spend the morning shopping for unique locally made crafts, vintage items, housewares, decorations, clothing, handmade jewelry and other flea market treasures.  Questions? Call 360-378-4310.

In the mailbag there’s a letter from Steve Brandli…

I write to correct some inaccurate information concerning my campaign. I have been very open about my intention, if elected as District Court Judge, to continue a very part-time practice. That practice will be limited to transactional matters, e.g. largely document drafting and advising. Transactional attorneys never see the inside of a courtroom. And my transactional practice will not create significant District Court conflicts.

I ask that voters consider the following facts: Continue Reading

Planned Outage Tonight – OPALCO photo

All of San Juan County will be affected by a second planned outage tonight, necessary for BPA to replace a section of one of the two main power lines that feeds the San Juan Islands from Fidalgo Island.

The outage will begin at 12:30 am in the wee hours of Tuesday, October 23rd and is scheduled to last up to four hours. This outage will enable the BPA crew to rebuild the section of high-voltage line and the project will give OPALCO linemen the ability to open and close this mainland circuit to reroute power during some mainland outages. This work will give OPALCO more control of our mainland power supply and reduce the duration of future power outages.

OPALCO consumers should set a reminder for [tonight when you go to bed]. Turn off sensitive equipment at the power strip or unplug. In the morning, turn equipment on gradually to aid in power load pick up. OPALCO members are responsible for their own equipment. Members are encouraged to install surge protection to safeguard electronic, computer and other sensitive equipment and appliances.

Now is a great time to make sure you’re prepared for winter outages. OPALCO’s system is strong and its line crews skillful and ready – however, outages happen and consumers must be prepared. Make sure you have your outage plan including how you plan to get information about outages, a kit of the things you need to keep you comfortable during power outages, and battery or generator backup for any critical systems.

Check our website for outage checklists and other key information for making sure you are ready this winter at www.opalco.com/outage-preparation and safety.

Meet the crew of Orca Protection & Rescue and learn more about this timely organization on Saturday, October 27, 12:00-3:00 p.m., at Spring Street Landing. Enjoy wine and cheese as you tour OPR’s vessels and learn more about the organization’s mission. Orca Protection & Rescue is dedicated to protecting our local whales and marine wildlife from vessel harassment and marine pollution.

Meet Our Crew:

• Captain Hobbes: Executive Director and Founder. Captain Hobbes is a 17-year veteran of the local whale watch industry who is now transitioning from whale watching to whale protection. Hobbes has operated commercial vessels since the age of 14 and was recently appointed by the United States Coast Guard to the Puget Sound Harbor Safety Committee.
• Peter Brown: President Advisor from Gaia Network. Peter Brown is a director, producer, and cinematographer with 35+ years of experience. Brown has been active with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and released a feature length documentary based on his experiences (titled Confessions of an Eco Terrorist). Brown now leads Gaia Network, a global coalition of experts and activists working to make the world a better place.
• Scott West: Enforcement Advisor. Scott West is a retired Special Agent-in-Charge with the Environmental Protection Agency. West is the former Director of Intelligence and Investigations at Sea Shepherd USA, who worked extensively in Japan against the dolphin slaughter.
• Erika Hansen: Grant Writer and Community Outreach Specialist. Having worked as a research biologist since 2006, Hansen decided to instead pursue her dream of working in marine conservation.
• Elora West: Media and Communication Specialist. Elora West has extensive experience working with conservation organizations developing media content, working in outreach, volunteer coordination, and campaign strategy. West is most known for her work documenting the dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan. West is currently a graduate student in the Communication Leadership program at the University of Washington.

We need your help to save our magnificent Southern Resident Killer Whales, who are hurtling towards extinction! Please donate today at www.orcaprotection.org to keep us in the water.

Directions to Open Boat Event: At Spring Street Landing, located in the harbor in front of Downriggers restaurant. Look for the maritime flags at our two boats at the end of the dock, where the seasonal San Juan Clipper docks.

Celebrate the Debut of her Children’s Picture Book, Calvin Splinter & His Splendid Splinter Ideas on Saturday November 3, 2:00—4:00 PM

If you’re enchanted by the imaginative and captivating world of children’s literature, you must come and celebrate the launching of RA Cook’s book, Calvin Splinter & His Splendid Splinter Ideas at Griffin Bay Bookstore on Saturday, November 3, 2:00—4:00 pm. This is a wonderful—and beautifully illustrated book that comes with a catchy marimba tune, The Humming Song. Lyrics are by RA Cook, music written and arranged by RA Cook and Margie Smith.

After a terrible storm in the Kingdom of Lumaria, with the help of a butterfly named Howie, a caterpillar named Woolie, and using his splendid splinter ideas, Calvin Splinter, a forest nymph, calls all the other splinters by humming a catchy tune, The Humming Song. Working together, they rebuild the Great Forest.

Calvin Spinter & His Splendid Splinter Ideas is a story of hope and renewal. It is specifically geared for children ages 4 to 9. The lively text and delightful art carry a strong environmental message, dovetailing with such themes as intuitive ideas, relationship building and working together for a common goal.

This is a book that will surely delight and capture the young and old alike.

Rebecca Cook – Contributed photo

About the Author
A graduate of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, with a degree in illustration, RA Cook, an award-winning graphic designer, has worked in the newspaper, magazine, and book industry for over three decades. “I have designed many a book for clients in the past, but writing and illustrating my own children’s picture book is my passion and life’s work.” Calvin Splinter & His Splendid Splinter Ideas was a heartfelt ten-year project.

Here’s the official word from Washington State Ferries about service disruption coming up next week…

Reduced service on Anacortes/San Juan Islands route Oct. 22 to Nov. 4

With seven of our ferries in need of attention, we made the difficult decision late last week to temporarily downsize our Anacortes/San Juan Islands/Sidney, British Columbia route from four to three vessels between Oct. 22 and Nov. 4. I understand the impact this service disruption will have on our customers and I want everyone to know that we looked at many scenarios to avoid it. Unfortunately, we had no other option this time, as nearly a third of our fleet will be out of service, including three ferries that often operate in the San Juan Islands.

During this time, four of our ferries will be out for repairs (Elwha, Hyak, Issaquah and Salish) and three will undergo required U.S. Coast Guard shipyard work (Kittitas, Puyallupand Yakima). During these two weeks, the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route will operate on a temporary three-boat schedule that we worked with the San Juan Islands Ferry Advisory Committee to develop. In order to preserve domestic service, the daily round trip sailing to Sidney will be suspended.

All vehicle reservations for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands/Sidney, BC route during this two-week period be canceled as WSF’s current reservation system cannot be amended to the temporary three-boat schedule. No-show fees will be waived. All customers will sail on a first come, first served basis.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and for your patience during this time.

Merri Ann Simonson is back with more Real Estate information…

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

All of us Island property owners received our tax assessment notices from the County recently. As real estate agents we have been fielding many questions about the statements and new assessments. As you may recall, the State has mandated that our Assessor’s office convert to an annual assessment update cycle versus the cyclical system we were on for years. The current values are for a one year period only and will be adjusted the next year. The current process is much more stable and refined and is a more accurate system than we have had in the past.

As agents, we have often seen properties sell above their tax assessments the majority of the last 20 years with the exception of 2008-2012. Most of the variance was due to the 3 year lag time that accompanied the previous cyclical schedule our assessor used.

Continue reading…

San Juan Island School District is happy to announce that we have achieved two-year contracts with both the teachers’ union, San Juan Education Association (SJEA), and the classified employees union, Public School Employees of Washington (PSE).  Both contracts target additional funds for the purpose of honoring employees with the greatest longevity in the school district. 

The SJEA contract has raised the starting salary of new teachers with a BA degree and no experience or credits to $50,160.00 this year and $52,428.00 next year.  Earnings for experienced teachers with an MA/PHD, the most longevity and credits will increase to $97,002 this school year and will top out next school year at $101,386.00.  The overall average of SJISD teachers’ salaries this year is $78,155 and next year will increase to $82,875.  In addition, teachers will receive increased classroom budgets, higher special workload stipends and improved instructional load standards.

Salary schedules are available to the public on the District website at this link https://www.sjisd.wednet.edu/Page/2088.

All negotiating teams worked with a strong sense of purpose and teamwork to achieve these agreements. We are especially pleased to have signed them as early in the year as we did enabling us to fully concentrate our energies on the District’s continuing focus of student performance.

Paul Allen – Microsoft Blog photo

Allen’s Generosity Created Greater Safety and Connection in San Juan County

The world lost a true friend in the passing of Paul Allen. Many are telling the stories of his incredible contributions to science, technology and humanity around the world and particularly in Washington State. You may not realize it, but Allen’s generosity is responsible for the improvements OPALCO was able to make for the safety of our crews in the field and access to first responders county wide.

In 2014, Paul Allen’s company, Vulcan, carved out a small block of 600 MHz spectrum and made it available to OPALCO. San Juan County has such a small population base – we would not have ever had access to this key element of connectivity without Allen’s foresight and generosity. Owning that spectrum set OPALCO up for success with the purchase of Rock Island Communication and made it possible to build a wireless network in San Juan County.

Whether a member of your family is out in the field as a lineworker, law enforcement officer or emergency medical provider; whether you or your family have ever benefited from local emergency services; whether you or a family member can now work remotely from home; whether you’ve noticed the increased coverage for mobile communications county-wide; or whether you can simply appreciate the opportunity to stream a movie at home all the way through without buffering: Paul Allen made it all possible.

Please join us in sending our thoughts of gratitude and peace to the family of Paul Allen. May we all take inspiration from his philanthropic spirit for the greater good.

* * *

Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is our member-owned cooperative electric utility, serving more than 11,000 members on 20 islands in San Juan County. OPALCO provides electricity that is 95% greenhouse-gas free and is generated predominantly by hydroelectric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937. Follow OPALCO @OrcasPower on Facebook and Twitter.

The students at the Shaw Island School recently won first place in a statewide contest promoting earthquake preparedness and safety. Sponsored by the Cascadia Regional Earthquake Workgroup, the competition solicited videos from schools across Washington.

Timed to promote the Great Shake Out earthquake drill, this is the second year of the contest, and the second year that Shaw has taken home a prize.

It’s not to late for islanders to sign up for Thursday’s Shake Out exercise: www.shakeout.org/washington

Some comments from the students: Continue Reading

Nine school- and preschool-aged children have CONFIRMED cases of varicella (chickenpox) on Lopez, Orcas and Shaw islands, with additional possible cases awaiting evaluation from health care providers within the county. 

Schools have been alerted of the current outbreak. Parents are encouraged to check their child’s vaccination status and ensure their children are fully immunized against the chickenpox virus (two doses). Symptoms of chickenpox include fever, fatigue and a rash that progresses from the head to other parts of the body.

If you or your child has symptoms of chickenpox, please seek medical attention (call first) and remain at home until the rash is completely gone and all the blisters are dried. This means not attending/participating in sporting events, traveling on the ferry (unless staying in your car), or going into other community gathering places, such as libraries, stores or community centers where others may be exposed during your illness. Continue Reading