Buddha at Sakya Kachod Choling Buddhist Center – Peggy Sue McRae photo

I was staying at Sakya Kachod Choling, the Buddhist Center on Mt Dallas, when I learned that my friend Ben’s cancer had spread into parts of his body that changed his situation from fighting for his life to acceptance of his death. A Buddhist Center is a good place to be at a time like that. It is a quiet beautiful place to contemplate impermanence.

Ben liked to brag toward the end of his life that he had seven women cooking for him. I was happy to be one of them. What he gave me was a valuable lesson. I was witness to a dignified and graceful death. I think of Ben when I contemplate how I would like to die.

It was a few years later that I again took some quiet time at the Buddhist Center to fill out my own Five Wishes, a legal document that 1) Names the person I want to make healthcare decisions for me when I can’t make them for myself. 2) The kind of medical treatment I want or don’t want. 3) How comfortable I want to be. 4) How I want people to treat me. 5) What I want my loved ones to know.

We postpone these tasks because they describe a day we hope will never come and yet it is reassuring to have my wishes in writing rather than one day only wishing I had done it. If you are ready to do yourself and your loved ones a favor by putting your wishes down on paper, the Mullis Center is sponsoring an Advanced Care Planning Workshop on Monday, February 25 from 1:00 pm to 2:30.

Find out the difference between a POLST (Physician’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment), a directive, and a will. Learn what your legal rights are and the significance of a power of attorney. Explore end of life choices and learn about available services. The workshop is free. Call 360.378.2677 to register.

Just a few of the campsites at San Juan County Park on the westside – SJ Update staff photo

Early resident camping reservations accepted until February 21^st at 4:00 pm for San Juan County Parks.

San Juan County Parks & Fair is again offering advance camping reservations for people who reside in our county year-round!  Choose from San Juan County Park, San Juan County Fairgrounds (RVs only), Odlin County Park, and Shaw County Park for any dates in 2019.  

To request your reservation, please email parks@sanjuanco.com for a 2019 Resident Reservation request form, or call 360-378-8420.  Resident reservations must be made directly through our admin office and are not available to book online. 

Requests will be accepted until Thursday, February 21^st at 4:00pm.  You may reserve up to two sites per camping date per household.  Payment must be received with your completed application.  Parks Admin staff will do our best to promptly book reservations as they are received.  Reservation confirmations / receipts will be e-mailed to the email provided on your form via our reservation system. 

Happy camping in 2019!

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

Selling your property? Here’s advice from a pro…

Thinking about selling your property?  You may want to consider researching, collecting and completing the items detailed below.

This is not a check list for planting flowers on your porch and painting your front door, you can go to the internet for that information.  This list is to prepare sellers in San Juan County for marketing their property.   The issues below are for regulatory compliance, contract performance, will prove beneficial and are worth the effort in the marketing and transaction management of your property sale.

As your agent, I will assist with the process of gathering and helping you arrange for the various services.  That is what good agents do.

This list will not apply to all properties and it is not meant to be all encompassing.  The topics are in alphabetical order for your convenience.

Single Family Residence

“As Is” Sale: Washington is a due diligence state with the buyer able to process the suitability of the property with no risk to their deposit if their contract has contingencies. Some property owners believe by writing in “as is” on the contract that they are excused from making repairs and/or disclosing information about the property and buyer recourse. The statement indicates to the buyer that the seller has no intention of making repairs but the buyer may still obtain a home or other inspection reports as they deem necessary.  Disclosure and recourse are requirements and rights granted by law. Read More »

We hear from Richard Meenan, San Juan Public Schools Foundation… Here’s a photo from the 11th & 12th grade team ten years ago…

The 11th-12th Grade Team in action in the 2009 Knowledge Bowl – photo by James Krall.

Are you ready for some knowledge?

The San Juan Public Schools Foundation will host the 2019 Knowledge Bowl at the San Juan Community Theatre Monday evening, March 4, from 6:30 to 8:30.  Doors open at 6:15.  Tickets are $5 (or whatever you can afford) at the door.

This is the 25^th year of the Knowledge Bowl, and our silver anniversary promises to be a special evening!  Teams from Friday Harbor High and Middle Schools and Spring Street International School will take on the Soroptimists, Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotary Club in a battle for intellectual supremacy hosted by Brent Snow. The High School Jazz Band will be on hand, as well as fabulous raffle prizes, crazy costumes, a large check, and more!

It will be an evening of fun and laughter, so come join our celebration of 25 years of our island’s awesome brainpower!

On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, the San Juan County Board of Health will be discussing medical air transport, a critical Access to Care issue, at their regularly scheduled Board meeting.  The meeting will start at 11:30 am in the County Council Hearing Room.  The full Board of Health agenda can be viewed on the county website.

Please note this is a discussion item for the Board of Health, not a public hearing.  The Board can ask for input from the audience during the discussion.  However, input may be limited as the Board has a full agenda.

The San Juan County Board of Health has responsibility over all matters pertaining to the preservation of the life and health of the people of San Juan County.  The Board of Health is a seven-member board consisting of the three County Council members, one Town of Friday Harbor representative and three at-large members with knowledge of public health practices. 

County residents are encouraged to attend and provide input to the Board on health matters. The Board generally meets monthly on the third Wednesday starting around 11:30 am in the County Council Hearing Room. Please check the county website or contact Health & Community Services at (360) 378-4474 to learn about upcoming Board meetings.

Firefighter Erik Gresseth and Assistant Fire Chief Noel Monin – Contributed photo

The San Juan Island Fire and Rescue Department is proud to announce the February 2019 Firefighter of the Month.

Rookie Firefighter Erik Gresseth was selected this month due to his unwavering commitment to his community. Erik has an outstanding record of responding to emergency calls and attendance at training drills.

Erik is someone who tries to stay in the background and his quiet leadership by example is a wonderful attribute he brings to San Juan Island Fire and Rescue.

The Fire Commissioners, Chief and the Department is grateful for all Erik does for both the department and our community. We congratulate Erick for his service and dedication.