Natalie Meenan and Naomi Vliet – Contributed photo

Celebrating the 33rd season of making musical memories for all ages, Island Sinfonia will perform on San Juan Island on Sunday, April 29, at 3:00 at St. David’s Episcopal Church.

The orchestra performs a wide variety of music, ranging from classical favorites to tunes from musicals and operas. Violin, viola, cello, wind, and brass instruments are featured.

Musicians of all ages come from all islands, meeting weekly on Orcas for rehearsals. Public concerts are held on Shaw, Lopez, San Juan, and Orcas islands during the spring.

This year Island Sinfonia features two student musicians. Natalie Meenan, a violinist, is a junior at Friday Harbor High School, and Naomi Vliet, a violist, is a senior at Lopez High School. This is the first time they have played with Island Sinfonia, and both hope to continue to play music in college and beyond.

“We look forward to bringing new musicians into the Island Sinfonia family,” said Jim Shaffer-Bauck, conductor, also serving as timpanist. Concertmaster Noah Atchley agrees, “Sinfonia is a warm, welcoming group of people. It’s a fun way to meet new people and learn new music.”

The free concert is open to all visitors and members of the community. As one recent concert-goer shared with a performer:

The Island Sinfonia concert was a special addition to the islands. The talent and passion for the arts is very evident, and I was delighted to experience what the Sinfonia added to what I’d already experienced during our visit.

The 2018 San Juan County Fair is sure to be “Rockin'” this year! Each year the Fair hosts various acts from local to regional (Pacific Northwest) and this year is no exception, however, performance slots are filling up fast.

Have you ever wanted to perform at the Fair? Do you have a special talent? Hurry, get involved today and apply online!

2018 Fair Dates: August 15-18

Theme: “Rockin’ the Salish Sea”

Join San Juan Kayak Expeditions and paddle out to Turn Island Wildlife Refuge to clean up the beaches and trails. SJKE will provide double fiberglass kayaks, top of the line kayak gear, transportation to and from the launch site and beach instruction.

Earth Day – April 22, 2018 from 12:30 to 3:30pm

The trip starts and ends at San Juan Kayak Expeditions outdoor kiosk at 275 A Street. Paddlers must be 18 and older (ok for teens 16 and older accompanied by a parent) be of average height and weight. Kayaking experience is not necessary.

San Juan Kayak Expeditions, the island’s original sea kayak outfitter was established in 1980 and is owned and operated by Sally and Tim Thomsen.

Space is limited to 9 people so call Sally at 360.378.4436 or email her at sanjuankayak@rockisland.com to reserve your space today.

Carolyn Haugen in the garden at PIMC with the Lantern – Contributed photo

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center receives donation to cancer care garden

FRIDAY HARBOR, Washington, April 17, 2018 – A rare spring sunshine cast shadows in the PeaceHealth Peace Island Cancer Care Garden in late March illuminating a beautiful new addition to the space. Nestled near blossoming hellebores, the smooth granite Oki-gata lantern appeared to be in the spotlight as sunshine washed overhead from above.

The lantern, a new addition to the garden, was donated by Carolyn Haugen, Peace Island volunteer, in remembrance of her sister-in-law who passed away from cancer in October 2017. A conversation between friends led to the memorial donation which occurred in late March. “We felt the lantern could be a positive source of peace and comfort for patients undergoing infusion treatment,” says Carolyn. “The donation is meaningful not only to my sister-in law, but to our family.” Read More »

The Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA), a group of 32 whale watch and ecotourism business operators in Washington and British Columbia, announced today an update to its vessel operation guidelines with a focus on safe operation for both commercial and private vessels around whales.

These updated standards are the most comprehensive conservation framework in the world and they continue PWWA’s commitment to self-regulation to protect and support the growth of whale populations in the waters of the Salish Sea. Notably, PWWA has been implementing science-based best practices for over 20 years.

PWWA’s guidelines include: Read More »

Today was the grim exercise of what can happen when people drink and drive (or are texting while driving or under the influence of marijuana). At the high school, a full scale mock up of a car accident with multiple critical injuries, at least one fatality and a lot of messed up lives took place on the football field at 2:00 pm.

It was a multi-agency exercise with SJI EMS, SJI Fire/Rescue, SJC Sheriff and even Airlift Northwest landed a medevac chopper on the field.

Read more about “Every 15 Minutes” here and click below to see some photo highlights of the day’s exercise. All photos by Tim Dustrude for San Juan Update.

(c) 4774344sean www.fotosearch.com Stock Photography

The following is a guest article written by Rebecca Evans, a Registered Nurse and Health Writer…

While there is still a great deal more not known about Parkinson’s than is known, one of the areas of research in which much progress is being made is that of exercise’s effects on Parkinson’s. While this was once merely anecdotal evidence, several studies have begun to put forth good data for the idea that exercise can help stall Parkinson’s advances.

In fact, neurologists’ number one treatment recommendation for Parkinson’s patients? Exercise.

While walking is one of the top recommendations, as are gentle exercise classes such as pool aerobics, cycling—and recumbent exercise bike cycling that can be fixed at certain speeds in particular—also have a great deal to justify their inclusion in a regular Parkinson’s exercise routine.

Parkinson’s and exercise Read More »

A San Juan Island School District community budget workshop was held by the Board of Directors on March 15, 2018 to review the district current budget status and to identify budget parameters for the upcoming year. Implications of the Educational Programs and Operations Levy (formerly the M&O levy) were also discussed. The goal for the workshop was a better community understanding of the district’s financial landscape.

To continue the conversation with the community, a second Community Budget Workshop will be held Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 5:00 pm at the Friday Harbor High School library. The discussion is open to the public and is expected to touch on budget implications of legislative changes to school funding, projected revenues and expenditures for the next three years, and short and long term challenges facing the district.

All are welcome to attend.