Blue Buddha – Peggy Sue McRae photo

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

The practice of mindfulness is an important tool to have in your mental toolbox especially when life gets stressful. I’ve learned different mindfulness techniques or meditation practices over the years mostly within the context of a yoga class or Buddhist teaching.

Recently, I began taking a class, Mindfulness For Wellbeing and Peak Performance, a free online course through Future Learn from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. This class approaches mindfulness from a scientific perspective.

Recent studies of mindfulness, described as awareness, paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and without judgment, have changed how we see the brain. It used to be thought that your adult brain had reached its apex and would only deteriorate. Neuroscience today tells a more hopeful story. Read More »

Left to right:  Jim & Sue Corenman (Sports Car Club), Jennifer Armstrong (Joyce L Sobel FRC), Mariluz Villa (Hospice of San Juan), Brad Whittaker (District Gov), Tom Sibert (Rotary Pres), Theresa Tilton (FUG board), Brian Moore (Family Umbrella Group) – Contributed photo

The following is from Carla Wright, Publicity – Rotary Club of San Juan Islands…

The Rotary Club of San Juan Islands recently presented checks to the recipients of proceeds from the 13th annual Concours d’Elegance held on August 24th at the San Juan Vineyard. This event is co-sponsored by the Sports Car Club of San Juan Islands.

Each organization, (Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center, Family Umbrella Group, and Hospice of San Juan) received $4,450.00 presented by our District Governor, Brad Whittaker. PolioPlus Fund of Rotary International received $1,000.

Please support the recipients as well as our following sponsors: Porsche Bellingham, San Juan Vineyard, Peace Health/Peace Island Medical Center, Heritage Bank, IPS, San Juan Interiors, Browne’s Home Center, Carquest Auto Parts, Dr. Brian Crain, Island Group Sotheby’s, Earthbox, Friday Harbor House, Windermere SJI, Island Home Finishes, Friday Harbor Drug, King’s Market, Roche Harbor Resort, Kenmore Air, M&W Auto, Sandstrom Law, Safe Harbor Insurance, Harbor Rental, Friday Harbor Electric, Aeronautical Services, Printonyx, Inter-Island Propane, Discovery Sea Kayaks, Island Gardens.

SJ Update File photo, Whales & Shipping – Shannon Rankin, NOAA/NMFS/SWFSC

WA Superior Court requires state to reconsider impacts to orcas in Skagit County refinery expansion project
Thurston County Superior Court rules on decision from Shoreline Hearings Board related to Marathon Oil’s Anacortes Refinery; environmental groups appealed for failing to consider vessel traffic impacts

THURSTON COUNTY, WA — On Friday, October 11, the Thurston County Superior Court agreed with arguments made by a coalition of environmental organizations and more than 7,500 residents that the Shorelines Hearings Board must consider whether Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a refinery expansion project in Skagit County adequately considers vessel traffic impacts to the Salish Sea and the critically endangered Southern Resident orcas, as well as the significant increases in pollution that cause climate change.

The Superior Court ruling is related to a decision from the Shorelines Hearings Board granting permits for an expansion project at Marathon Oil’s (formerly Andeavor and previously known as Tesoro) Anacortes Refinery to begin manufacturing and exporting xylenes — petrochemicals used in plastics production — which would increase vessel traffic in the Salish Sea.

“This ruling means that environmental groups can now argue their case in front of the Shoreline Hearings Board that Skagit County failed to adequately address impacts to orcas and climate in the Environmental Impact Statement for the Anacortes Refinery expansion project. We look forward to having our day in court to get these issues resolved,” said Oliver Stiefel of Crag Law Center, the lawyer representing the case.

“This is a fantastic victory for all of us who live and recreate in the Salish Sea!” said Stephanie Buffum, Executive Director of Friends of the San Juans.

The environmental organizations involved in the appeal in addition to Friends of the San Juans include Evergreen Islands, Stand.earth, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, Friends of the Earth, and Puget Soundkeeper Alliance. Read More »

Tim Eyman is back on the ballot with another $30 car-tab initiative, I-976. You may have seen the TV ads or visited www.no976.com on the web. Among a long list of cuts, I-976 would have an immediate effect on funding for ferry operations as well as maintenance and improvements.

The repercussions of Eyman’s I-695 twenty years ago should not be forgotten: Ferry fares nearly doubled over the following few years, and new vessel construction was shut down for the following decade. Ferry construction was funded by the vehicle excise tax, which was never replaced. There is still no capital funding program to replace aging ferries, each one requires an act of legislature and a patchwork of funding including a ticket surcharge. We see the continuing impact of I-695 every time we ride a ferry, and if I-976 passes it will only get worse.

I-976 would limit car tab fees to $30 and eliminate or limit a spectrum of weight and other fees, severely impacting transportation funding. Three-quarters of the hit is on the “Multimodal” Account, which funds a wide variety of alternative transportation systems: buses, light rail, HOV and HOT lanes, and … ferries.

For the current biennium (July 2019 to June 2021) $45 million is appropriated from the multimodal account to ferries operations. This represents about 9% of the total funding for operations and is very much at risk if I-976 passes.

The impact of this initiative statewide would be huge. How much of that would fall on WSF is unknown at this point, WSDOT and the legislature would have to make some very hard choices. But there is no magic, a decrease in ferries operations funding means reduced service or higher fares, or both. And another attack on transportation funding would certainly dampen any enthusiasm that the legislature might have for transportation improvements.

Please join us in voting “No!” on Initiative 976.

San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee

Jim Corenman, Chair, San Juan Island;
Rick Hughes, County Council;
Larry Vandermay, Orcas;
Ken Burtness, Lopez;
Jennifer Swanson, Shaw;
Deborah Hopkins Buchanan, Visitors;
Pat McKay, Commercial Rep.

fac@sanjuanco.com

More financial info: https://www.ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/budget/ballot/2019/FiscalImpactStatementInitiative976-093019.pdf

Debra Prinzing of the “Slow Flowers” Movement Highlights the Master Gardeners Annual Gardening Workshop

“Seasonal, Local and Sustainable Flowers, from the Field to your Vase,” is the keynote address by Debra Prinzing, accomplished garden writer and advocate for American-grown flowers.

Debra’s talk addresses the renaissance of domestic flower farming and the emerging eco-floral design movement. As many cut flowers for market are laden with chemicals and imported thousands of miles, Debra will share her ideas about healthier alternatives for you, your home, and the planet. 

During each month of the year, the garden has something wonderful to offer those who want to enjoy cut floral arrangements indoors. Expand the way you view your own backyard, the flowers sold by vendors at your local farmer’s market and even the “weeds” in wild places. Debra’s presentation will feature her beautiful season-by-season bouquets and many useful tips for DIY floral design. Read More »

Coming up on Saturday is this month’s Contra Dance. This month’s caller is Tom Wimmer from Seattle, and the Band is The Beats, from Bellingham, consisting of Steve Blum-Anderson on fiddle and Brigget LeClair on piano. 

This trio of folks are very talented and will be sure to get the crowd up and spinning around!  As the weather turns colder and wetter, a nice evening at the Grange Hall with good music and good friends is just the ticket.  So come join the party!

As always, all dances are taught, no need to bring a partner since with contra dance we change partners with each dance.  And no need to have any contra dance experience.  We have new dancers each time and they pick it right up and have a blast!

• Grange Hall in Friday Harbor
• Saturday October 19, 2019, 7 till 9 PM
• $10 donation at the door, $5 students

The dance is sponsored by San Juan Island Grange #966.  Check our Facebook page at San Juan Islands Contra Dance.

International ferry M/V Chelan and Mt. Baker – Tim Dustrude photo

Beginning Tuesday, November 12 through Sunday, December 8, international service between Anacortes/Friday Harbor/Sidney B.C. is cancelled due to required maintenance on both vessels in WSF’s fleet certified to run international service to and from Sidney B.C: M/V Elwha and M/V Chelan.

During this period, M/V Kitsap will replace Elwha/Chelan and sail in the #1 vessel position to maintain full 4-vessel service on the domestic San Juan Island routes. 

Reservation holders on the cancelled international sailings will not be charged no-show fees. Customers may also choose to change or cancel their reservations without penalty at www.takeaferry.com.  

Alternate routes during this period are between Tsawwassen/Swartz Bay on B.C. Ferries, or between Port Angeles/Victoria on the Black Ball Ferry Line.

Join Grange scholarship recipient Dan Tucker as he describes the process of making ‘tree hay’ for livestock. Cattle, sheep and goats are all foragers, and appreciate variety in their diet.

The ancient process of bundling clippings from certain bush and tree species benefits your livestock and landscape.

October 17th at 6:00 pm for the Potluck; 7:00 pm for the Presentation. At the Grange Hall, 52 First Street North, Friday Harbor.