Evelyn enjoys the trail around Zylstra Lake – Contributed photo

Islanders, thank you for “Getting Outdoors” and joining the Land Bank at our Zylstra Lake Preserve Open House last weekend. The response was incredible, with almost 200 visitors over the six-hour event, and on a busy June Saturday to boot! It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the property and to hear the community’s positive remarks and ideas for the preserve’s future.

The Land Bank commissioners and staff appreciate your patience while we focus on learning about the preserve and exploring partnerships. While the preserve is not open to the public at this time, providing public access is a high priority for the future.

Until then, the Land Bank will continue to host special events such as open houses or guided walks, in order to give Islanders the opportunity to visit this phenomenal property. A management plan addressing public access will be developed starting late in 2019. While we will specifically seek public input at that time, your ideas, suggestions, and questions are welcome at any time.

To stay apprised of Zylstra Lake Preserve events, or other Land Bank happenings, contact Tanja Williamson at tanjaw@sjclandbank.org or call 360-378-4402 to be added to the Land Bank’s email list.

Here are a few additional photos from SJ Update staff:

Island Rec is very excited to announce the 2018 Music on the Lawn Summer Concert Series.

This long-standing concert series is on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:15, located at the San Juan Historical Museum, which is at 405 Price Street.

It is a perfect time to grab a blanket or bring a chair and have a picnic. Get ready to get up and dance as well as this year we have exceptionally dancer-friendly groups of musicians lined up. Check them out: Read More »

From lively jigs and reels, to songs with rousing choruses and heart-wrenching airs and ballads, the Canadian Celtic band Blackthorn brings their music to life with luscious harmonies and complex instrumentations.

Their repertoire is rooted in the musical traditions of Scotland and Ireland as well as the folk music of English and French Canada.

Blackthorn features four talented musicians, who bring a refreshing diversity of character to the group’s polished sound and contribute individual mastery of a colorful variety of instruments. The results of their collective musical backgrounds, skills and experience are witnessed in the high-caliber, high-energy performances they consistently deliver to audiences of all ages.

They perform at SJCT Saturday, June 23 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets: Adults: $28 Student Reserved: $15 Student RUSH $5 available at door only.

In the SJ Update Mailbag today we find this letter to you from Steve Ulvi…

Friends,

Now that the County Council has adopted in principle the draft Housing Plan, approved by resolution that plan’s all-important Financial and Administrative appendices and placed the housing initiative real estate excise tax on the ballot for the November elections our community campaign is in full swing.

The Yes For Homes campaign is a county-wide, grass roots, volunteer organization grounded in three action teams on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan (with future outreach to Stuart, Shaw and Waldron Islands) with the sole focus of resident education, ensuring voter turnout and passing this game-changing housing initiative.

For too long we have watched opportunities for expansion of local businesses, new business starts, increased school enrollment, more skilled workers, more agricultural enterprises and a healthier year around economic outlook fall short of what our communities need due to a severe lack of affordable housing for very low, low and moderate income Islanders.

You will be hearing a great deal more about this initiative and the positive ramifications of diversifying our local economies and demographic profiles. Please join us in building a wide base for this campaign by donating funds and/or lending your name as a public supporter.

It couldn’t be easier. Visit www.yesforhomes.net and strengthen our growing campaign to a better future.

For the many who have personal stories of the challenges of finding adequate and reasonable housing or rental units we ask you to share those stories with us and the interested public.

Thank you for you consideration. If you have questions please feel free to call me at home at 360.370.5264.

Best of Summer
Steve Ulvi
San Juan Island Action Team Chair

San Juan County Health & Community Services Issues Varicella Health Alert

Three cases of Varicella, or “chicken pox,” have been confirmed in the Orcas Island community. Two of the cases were in children attending schools on Orcas Island. San Juan County Health & Community Services has alerted medical providers, and is working closely with the Orcas School District, preschools and families to investigate the varicella cases. None of the cases have been hospitalized.

Varicella is a highly contagious infection, and symptoms include fever, fatigue and a rash that typically progresses from the head to other parts of the body. Those most vulnerable to complications of varicella are: persons older than 15 years of age who have not been vaccinated or had the infection, newborns and infants younger than one year, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems. Complications may include severe symptoms, prolonged illness, hospitalization and death. During pregnancy, varicella pneumonia can be particularly severe and maternal infection can lead to congenital abnormalities. Read More »

The League of Women Voters of the San Juans is holding candidate forums prior to the August primary election. The forums feature those running for the Washington state legislative district 40 and congressional district 2 positions. Each race has six candidates.

For state legislative district 40 those running are: Daniel Miller (Republican from Friday Harbor); Rud Browne (Democrat from Bellingham); Michael Petrish (Republican from Anacortes); Alex Ramel (Democrat from Bellingham); Debra Lekanoff (Democrat from Bow); and Tom Pasma (Democrat from Burlington). There is no incumbent for this race.

For congressional district 2 those running are: Rick Larsen (Democrat and incumbent from Everett); Brian Luke (Libertarian from Lynnwood); Collin Richard Carlson (Democrat from Marysville); Uncle Mover (Moderate GOP Party from Mill Creek); Gary Franco(Independent from Lopez Island); and Stonewall Jackson Bird (Green Party from Bellingham).

The public is encouraged to attend and submit questions for the candidates. Times and locations are: Read More »

(L-R): Vida Wight, Ana Sanabria Velazquez, Laurel Robertson, Tenley Nelsen, Savannah Hoffman, Kiana Woods, Alen Melic, Zachariah Fincher and Emma Schroeder – Contributed photo

San Juan Island Community Foundation Awards $176,700 in College Scholarships for 2018-2019

Ten graduating seniors from Friday Harbor High School and two graduating seniors from Spring Street International School were awarded new scholarships for the 2018-2019 academic year from two different funds held at the San Juan Island Community Foundation. Previous recipients of the following scholarships have also been awarded one year renewals.

Inskeep Legacy Scholarship Fund: Continue reading (PDF)

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

On the second Monday of each month Senior Services of San Juan County presents the video series, Awakening From Alzheimer’s. The next two showings on July 9 and August 13 will be in the Mullis Center’s Craft Room at 1:00 – 2:30 pm. 

The series, “explores new interventions for memory problems and Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers from around the country provide new insights into lifestyle, supplements and activities that can prevent and improve memory impairments.”

I attended the showing last Monday. It was both informative and hopeful. Hopeful because they are finding more and more factors that effect cognitive well being and therefore more things we can do to protect and even recover from cognitive decline.

People are living longer now. It is not unusual these days for people to live to be 100. In order to enjoy our longer lives we need to retain three things, our vision, our memory, and our mobility. 

Regarding memory, the video on Monday featured anti-aging specialist Dr. Pamela W. Smith. The video covered a wealth of information. I’d like to share a few of the highlights with you: Read More »