Trail Times is a continuing series of articles introducing the Old Military Road Trail (OMRT), a proposed 18-21 mile cross-island non-motorized multi-use trail linking English Camp and American Camp and honoring the original Old Military Road.

As the summer’s heat wanes, here’s a fun easy hike to get you out there. This approximately mile-and-a-half long eastern edge of the Zylstra Lake loop is seasonally closed October thru March so now is a great time to enjoy it. Keep all dogs on leash please.

Ready? Let’s begin from the Zylstra Lake Land Bank parking lot off San Juan Valley Road and walk along the road edging the leased agricultural preserve. Hay is grown and bundled there for winter use. The importance of preserving agricultural open space was one of the many critical factors behind the collaborative effort of the Land Bank and San Juan Preservation’s Trust purchase of the property in 2015.  At the time of sale, there was a competing offer on the table from a developer who envisioned a 28-home lakefront community. Fortunately, the sellers favored conservation.

Along this portion of the trail one can notice quite a few invasive weeds: Curly (Yellow) Dock, Queen Anne’s Lace (Wild Carrot) and Field Morning Glory. Curly Dock has some nutritive and medicinal properties, whether from green basal leaves to seeds encased in rust colored pods. It can also be mildly toxic and as is common with most invasives, it outcompetes other native plants. Continue Reading

In the SJ Update Mailbag this morning we have this letter from Dr. Mark Fishout…

The summer of 1940 saw the Battle of Britain, the aerial conflict between the Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe, reach its apex. When in this speech Churchill stated ‘Never in the field of human conflict was so much been owed by so many to so few’, he was paying tribute to the enormous efforts made by the fighter pilots and bomber crews to establish air superiority over England. The same can be said about the staff of the San Juan County Department of Health since the first days of the COVID pandemic.

The battle is far more insidious than the bombing of England but its impact is as far reaching in disruption of daily life, suffering, and consequences. Our friends and neighbors who are the Department of Health are today’s Spitfire pilots. It is easy to be frustrated that data and feedback about what is happening in our communities is not instantaneous. Remember that the work itself comes first and that raw data without analysis is only that- data but not information. It is also all too easy to criticize the efforts of dedicated professionals when it does not meet one’s particular view of the world.

It is time for all of us to express our gratitude for their many months of what has often seemed like a thankless task. These are our fellow Islanders who have worked for what seems like 24 hours a day for going on 18 months.

Understand that in the midst of all this, they also are doing as much as possible to continue all their other services, such as maternal and child care, to our community even as their days are swallowed up keeping us safe from the virus. The work is far from done and much uncertainty lies ahead. To paraphrase Lincoln at Gettysburg: ‘The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they have done here. It is for us, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.’

Please take the opportunity to say thank you to those working so hard on our behalf.

Mark Fishaut
MD FAAP

As COVID case numbers continue their dramatic increase in the islands and beyond, there is an upcoming easy no-cost opportunity for those not yet vaccinated to get their shots.

San Juan County Health & Community Services will be hosting Pfizer vaccine clinics on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. Any unvaccinated individual age 12 or older is urged to come get their shot. Second dose appointments will be exactly three weeks later. There are no additional clinics scheduled at this time beyond these events.

Registration in advance is recommended by going to www.sjccovid.com, but walk-ups are welcome. Minors should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Tues Aug 24 / SAN JUAN ISLAND
  Fairgrounds (849 Argyle Ave.) 4:30 – 6:00pm
• Weds Aug 25 / ORCAS ISLAND
  Orcas Center (917 Mt. Baker Rd.) 4:30 – 6:00pm
• Thurs Aug 26 / LOPEZ ISLAND
  H&CS Clinic at Family Resource Ctr. (23 Pear Tree Lane) 4:30 – 6:00pm

San Juan County Health Communities Manager Ellen Wilcox highlights this vaccine opportunity, “The disease is spreading rapidly in the islands. If ever there were a time for an unvaccinated islander to get their shot, this is it. The vaccine does an incredible job of keeping people out of the hospital and alive. And with school starting, if you have an unvaccinated child who is eligible, get them vaccinated ASAP, it’s your best bet of protecting them and minimizing disruption this fall.”

Printable flyers advertising these clinics available here.

For more info: www.sjccovid.com

Andrew Neiditz (left) and Duncan Wilson – Contributed photo

The Town is pleased to announce that Town Administrator Duncan Wilson was presented the 2021 Excellence Award from the Washington City Management Association (WCMA). This annual award recognizes the outstanding administrator or manager who has enhanced the effectiveness of local elected officials and consistently initiated creative and successful programs.

The award was presented August 12, 2021 at the WCMA Summer Conference in Blaine. “Receiving this award is a great honor,” said Wilson. “It is also an acknowledgement of the outstanding leadership of the Town Council and Mayor.”

“Friday Harbor benefits from Duncan’s knowledge, experience and contributions to this community,” said Mayor Farhad Ghatan. “With his retirement at the end of this year, it is great to see that he was recognized for his achievements by colleagues from across the State.”

Wilson was nominated by the Mayor to recognize not only his current achievements, but his long history of commitment to municipal governance.

Support Mullis Center’s Clean & Green Upgrade – Contributed photo

San Juan Island’s Community Foundation will support local non-profits with matching funds and bonus grants during this year’s Virtual Fair. Funds raised for the Mullis Center will go to help fund our Green and Clean Project as highlighted in detail in the recent article in the San Juan Update, Island Senior: Mullis Center Upgrade For A Green Future.

The four-year project is designed to create a healthier and more energy-efficient facility to meet the future needs of our growing senior population and community.

Already completed is the switch to LED lighting, water efficient fixtures and appliances, a new HVAC and Solar Electric systems, and finally we are currently upgrading roofing, insulation and ventilation so the center will truly be clean, green, and ready for a bright future when at last we re-open!

The San Juan Island Community Foundation has set up a program to match funds for the first $1,000 raised for each non-profit during the Virtual Fair plus contests each day starting August 18 adding to the fundraising and the fun!

Daily Contests include…

• August 18th: $500 bonus grant to nonprofit receiving the highest total $ value for online donations –
•  August 19th: $500 bonus grant to nonprofit receiving the highest # of online donations • _Must be unique donors (example – donors can’t give $5 donation 20 times; your dog can not donate with your credit card; kids CAN donate with your credit card – great way to involve them in local philanthropy!) –
• August 20th: SJICF will post an obscure SJI trivia question on Facebook. Anyone can email their answer to SJICF (no Facebook comments accepted). The correct answers given on this day will be entered in a drawing. –
• August 21st: Trivia drawing; winner picks favorite nonprofit to receive a $500 bonus grant! –
• August 22nd: FINAL PUSHto donors; all donors will be entered in a final drawing at the end of the program. Winner gets to choose which nonprofit will get the $1,000 bonus grant.

Check the Mullis Center website and our facebook page to link to our unique donation link starting August 18.

Link to: Mullis Center Website
Link to: Mullis Center on Facebook
Link to: Island Senior: Mullis Center Upgrade For A Green Future.

Thanks to the Community Foundation and to all of you who give to support a green and healthy future for our seniors.

The mission of the San Juan Historical Society and Museum for the past 60 years has been to share and interpret the story of the peoples of San Juan Island. One way of doing that is through preservation of historical photographs of the island community. In recent years over 4,000 photographs have been researched, digitally scanned and cataloged into the Museum’s archive collection which contains over 6,000 images and is growing.

The work is being done by dedicated volunteers using 13-year-old equipment that is reaching the end of its long life and parts are no longer available. To remedy this, we look to purchase a professional quality, large format digital scanner. The new equipment offers numerous benefits such as technological advancements and the ability to scan larger images than currently possible.

Beginning August 18 through August 22, during the Virtual San Juan County Fair, the San Juan Island Community Foundation has pledged to match up to the first $1,000 given to the San Juan Historical Society and Museum to purchase the scanner. This is part of the Community Foundation’s Fair Matching Grant Program. Additional bonus grants will be available each day through the Community Foundation’s Facebook page.

You can make a financial contribution and help us reach our fundraising goal by visiting the Community Foundation’s website at www.sjicf.org beginning August 18. Once there, select San Juan Historical Society from the fund-raising catalog that will be featured between the 18^th and 22^nd.

If you prefer, you can also mail a check payable to SJICF, PO Box 1352, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. Just be sure to write “SJ Historical Society” in the memo field and mail your check between the dates of August 18 and 22.

Due to the increase in Covid cases on our island, it is with great regret, and an abundance of caution that
Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is canceling the Summer Sounds of the San Juans concert scheduled for
August 21, 2021.

The upward trajectory of COVID cases with this Delta variant strain is alarming. The San Juan County Health Department made recommendations such as proof of vaccinations, masks and social distancing, but these would be difficult to enforce in a happy concert crowd.

Above all, the health of our members and community is our ultimate goal and we opted to cancel the event.

This Wednesday, August 18th, you’re invited to join Phil Green at the San Juan Island’s Sculpture Park for a morning of birdwatching, from 8:00 to 10:00 am.

Dress appropriately and don’t forget your binoculars!

San Juan Island Library Participates in the San Juan Island Community Foundation’s Grant Program to Support the New Library Building Project

The San Juan Island Library returns for its second year as part of the San Juan Island Community Foundation’s exciting matching grant program at the San Juan County Fair. “Lettuce” ask for your support!

Last year community members helped us purchase the new Library building site at 660 Spring Street. The Library extends a tremendous thank you to everyone who contributed! The Library is now gearing up for design and planning, prior to a private and public fundraising campaign.

Help us get started by donating during the San Juan County Fair. There’s so much to do, and we can’t wait to get started!

During this year’s virtual Fair, the Foundation will make a generous one-to-one match, up to the first $1,000 in donations, for each participating organization.

Additional bonus grants totaling $2,500 can be gained during the Fair through featured daily challenges. Details will be provided each day of the Virtual Fair via the Foundation’s Facebook page.

Donations will be accepted during the four days of the Fair, August 18-22. For more information on how to donate, and for updates about the Library Building Project, visit our website at www.sjlib.org.

Look for other local organizations participating in the matching grant program at the Fair and support them, too! All of your donations build a better, stronger community for all of us!

Skagit Valley College will require employees and students that attend courses or other activities in-person to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or request an exemption based on medical, religious, or philosophical reasons prior to the start of Fall Quarter 2021. The college will continue to require everyone to wear face coverings inside all college buildings at each of its campuses and centers regardless of vaccination status.   

“Safety is our number one priority for our students, employees, and community,” said Dr. Tom Keegan, SVC President. “Based on the guidance from the Governor’s Office and public health officials, it is clear that requiring vaccinations for our college community will allow us to offer a safer working and learning environment and better serve our students and community.”   

Regardless of vaccination status, all are welcome at SVC and the college will continue to offer online, hybrid, and in-person options for instruction and services. To attend in-person education and other activities, employees and students must attest that they are fully vaccinated or claim an exemption by Sept. 20. Visitors will not be required to submit an attestation.    Continue Reading

Note: Current positive case numbers are available online at the County Case Data Dashboard.

Since the last update on Thursday August 5th, total cases in San Juan County have increased from 213 to 237.

Of these 24 new cases, nine appear to have occurred in fully vaccinated individuals- a number that is expected given the overall high rate of vaccination in San Juan County.

There are approximately 20 unvaccinated close contacts of positive cases who are currently in two-week quarantine. Note that vaccinated close contacts do NOT need to quarantine. The number of individuals needing to be in quarantine would be many times higher were it not for the high vaccination rate in the islands.

The transmission sources for these new cases vary widely. Many appear related to travel. Some are connected to large gatherings or known exposures to positive individuals. Some have no clear cause and are presumably due to community spread. Three distinct household clusters make up more than half of the 24 new cases.

LOPEZ ISLAND: There are two new cases on Lopez Island since the last update. There is one positive case under active monitoring on Lopez Island.

ORCAS ISLAND: There are two new cases on Orcas Island since the last update. There are three positive cases under active monitoring on Orcas Island.

SAN JUAN ISLAND: There are sixteen new cases on San Juan Island since the last update. There are fourteen positive cases under active monitoring on San Juan Island.

SHAW ISLAND: There are four new cases on Shaw Island since the last update. There are four positive cases under active monitoring on Shaw Island.

OVERALL PICTURE:

-The Delta variant is FAR more infectious than previous strains of COVID. A clear example of this is the way that the disease appears to be quickly infecting all members of a household- something that was not occurring regularly in earlier phases of the pandemic.

-Due to increasing hospital admissions of COVID patients, almost exclusively in unvaccinated individuals, the strain on regional healthcare services is increasing, and disruptions to care should be expected if current case increases continue.

-The San Juan County Health Officer has reinstated the masking requirement for businesses as of 5pm on Friday August 13^th. Details available here.

Wildfire smoke from fires in British Columbia and Eastern Washington has settled over the County and is expected to be here through the weekend.  

Limit your time and activity level outdoors to limit your exposure to harmful particulate matter.  Some air quality monitors in the County are currently detecting levels that are both unhealthy, and unhealthy for sensitive groups.  

For more information see the Washington Smoke blog.

Ever wonder who the royal feline of the cat world may be? The Siamese, of course!  Who would be second in line?  Tortoiseshell!  What do you get when you mix a Siamese with a Tortoiseshell?  The most decorated member of all royal cats, Koko!  

Even though Koko is a regal feline, she is not materialistic in nature and a perfect home would be with someone willing to pamper her with love and affection…the things she truly enjoys.  She is petite and spry, friendly, loves playing with toys and interacting with her special people. 

Her only royal request is that she is the sole member of the feline monarchy within the household.  If these requests are granted, she will certainly give you a lifetime of courtly companionship.

• Age: approx. 3 years old
• Sex: Female
• Breed: Domestic Shorthair, Siamese/Tortoiseshell Mix

Application: https://www.apsfh.com/adoption-program/feline-application/

ABOUT

• Origin: California
• Weight:  7 lbs
• Personality: Playful, Talkative, Charming
• Energy Level: Medium        
• Likes: Humans, Feather Toys, Plush Environments
• Dislikes:  Fellow Felines, Isolation, The Silent Treatment

This story is shared with you from the SJC Land Bank…

Wednesday afternoon, August 11, 2021, San Juan Island Fire & Rescue responded to an isolated brush fire adjacent to the Land Bank’s Mount Grant Preserve. The fire charred approximately one quarter acre of grass and brush before being extinguished.

After visiting the site, Land Bank Director, Lincoln Bormann, commented, “We are lucky to have such dedicated professionals and volunteers. San Juan Island Fire, who was already dispatched to an earlier grass fire, was able to swiftly deploy and respond to another threat. We are grateful to the firefighters and neighbors who worked to extinguish the fire, ensure people’s safety, and prevent spread into the Preserve.”

As per a recent Health Officer order, all customers entering businesses in San Juan County will be required to mask up beginning at 5pm on Friday August 13^th.

San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James highlights his thinking, “First off, I want to say that I truly hoped that vaccination rates in our nation would be high enough that this moment wouldn’t come. But hospital beds are filling quickly with COVID patients, and our regional healthcare system is beginning to struggle. We all need to sacrifice to reduce that strain, even those of us who are vaccinated.”

This order is identical to the previous masking requirement in San Juan County that was lifted on June 30^th.

Dr. James explains the situation, “Those who are vaccinated are not causing the immediate problem, since they are extremely unlikely to be hospitalized. However, vaccinated individuals can transmit the disease in some cases. As we have seen over and over through the pandemic, masking up does reduce caseloads, and that’s the goal of course.” Continue Reading

Hospitalization Counts – Click to enlarge

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders

Surging Cases: The Islands’ New Reality

Fourteen new COVID cases were reported in San Juan County on August 10^th. While 11 of these cases were tied to two household clusters, this is still an alarming number.

The number of hospital beds devoted to COVID patients in Washington is doubling about every 10 days. This current surge is beginning to impact our access to advanced medical care.

It is time to rethink our understanding of COVID in the islands and beyond.

The Delta variant is spreading rapidly across the world, the United States, Washington, and San Juan County. It is here. Recent local cases have come via travel, hosting visitors, attending large events, or undetermined causes. Islanders should assume that if they spend time indoors and in proximity of unmasked individuals, that they will eventually be exposed. Continue Reading