The first Harbor Seal pup of the year was brought to Wolf Hollow on June 24. She had been seen hanging around anchored boats near Sucia Island for 2 days, trying to suckle on boats and climb onto swim steps. San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network brought her to Wolf Hollow.

Usually, the peak of seal pupping season around the San Juan’s is early July so we expected more pups to be brought in at any time. But none came. By mid-July the first pup was swimming in a pool and eating fish, but we still hadn’t received any others. Very strange.

Then, on July 21st that all changed. The local marine mammal stranding network brought in 3 pups in one day, from different parts of the county. The first pup came from Jones Island, the second was in the marina at Roche Harbor on San Juan Island and the third came from Johns Island. They were all less than a week old, had been alone on shore for some time, were thin, dehydrated and had small wounds, so now they are in our seal nursery/intensive care area and are gradually recovering.

It seems that seal pupping season is later this year, so who knows how many more pups will need our care in the next few weeks.

From fish to electricity, when seal pups come into care, our costs increase greatly. With donations down by 50%, your donation is needed now more than ever. Please donate today. Thank you!

YOU save wildlife when you donate!

Vaccines Are Still The Best Protection Against Covid-19

We’re over a year and a half into this pandemic. We’ve learned a lot. We know how to keep people safe and now we have even better tools to do so. Being fully vaccinated remains the best protection. Healthcare providers and pharmacies on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Islands are offering COVID vaccine appointments. If you are not yet fully vaccinated please schedule an appointment with one of our local providers as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, vaccination rates have slowed down throughout the state. This is a concerning trend as unvaccinated people are fueling the latest surge in cases, which poses a risk to all of us. Remember that children under 12 are not able to be vaccinated yet, and therefore, are counting on those around them to keep them protected from COVID.

Why are people still getting COVID if they are vaccinated?

People can still become infected with the COVID-19 virus even if they are vaccinated.

When someone tests positive and is fully vaccinated, we call these breakthrough cases. Breakthrough cases are expected with any vaccine since no vaccine is 100% effective. The COVID vaccines are extraordinarily effective at preventing severe illness and death. More than 94% of all cases, deaths and hospitalizations in people 12 years or older from Washington state can be attributed to those who have not been fully vaccinated.

What do we know about the Delta variant?

Continue Reading

Olympia – Are invasive species hiding in your trees? State officials ask you to check trees, lights, outdoor equipment and standing water in your yard for harmful bugs as part of National Tree Check Month in August.

“August is the ideal time to look for invasive insects and report any species that seem out of place,” said Justin Bush, executive coordinator of the Washington Invasive Species Council. “Trees, lights and standing water (such as pools, dog bowls, buckets, birdbaths, etc.) near homes are great places to look for insects. Trees provide natural habitat, and lights and standing water can act as traps.”

“Checking yards regularly plays a critical role in protecting Washington’s unique environment from the destruction that invasive pests can cause,” said Karla Salp, public engagement specialist for the Washington State Department of Agriculture. “Alert residents can help spot infestations when they are easy to handle. This not only saves time and money, but more importantly significantly limits the damage that invasive pests cause to our gardens and yards, local and national parks and farms and forests.”

Residents who find a suspected invasive insect are encouraged to take a picture and report it via the Washington Invasive Species Council mobile app or website. The council then will connect residents with organizations that can help. Private owners of non-industrial forestland in Washington also may be eligible for assistance from programs administered by the state Department of Natural Resources.

“We need your help to find and report invasive species,” Bush said. “Invasive insects can be tree killers. They pose a significant risk to our communities, public lands and natural resources. If not found and stopped quickly, a new invasive species could cost millions if not billions in economic and environmental impacts.”

How to participate:

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The Town Planning Commission is seeking public comment through August 12, 2021 regarding proposed regulations for attached accessory dwelling units. Visit www.fridayharbor.org or Town Hall for agendas, meeting information and contact information to forward comments.

On June 3, 2021, the Town Council adopted interim regulations allowing attached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in the single-family residential zone. Ordinance No. 1721 created a narrow pathway to legally turn existing structures into additional livable space while the Planning Commission was tasked with developing permanent regulations for this type of ADU.

While the Interim Ordinance adopted dealt only with the conversion of existing structures within the same footprint, upcoming meetings will also cover the creation of ADUs as part of new construction and the expansion of existing structures to add living area. The Town Planning Commission is currently tasked with making recommendations to the Town Council on issues such as density, footprint size, lot size, yard setbacks, utilities, parking, and owner occupancy. A series of public meetings are anticipated in the upcoming months as the Town proposes new regulations.

Attached ADUs are located within preexisting single-family residences, often involving the conversion of a garage or basement into an independent living space. These proposed regulations will allow owner-occupants in the Town to carve out space within their primary residences to create smaller, independent living units.

From Open Country Press

“Barefoot up the Mountain” by Tara Mesalik MacMahon, a resident of Friday Harbor, Washington is now available.

Mesalik MacMahon’s manuscript was chosen by Khaty Xiong, an award-winning and innovative poet.

Xiong says of the book, “Barefoot Up the Mountain is a book of songs anchored in family, war, loss and displacement. Every poem is scaled in tongues of land and language, where the reader is instructed to “[b]ring / the light for no reason / but to bring it.” In these pages, we are guided by sound and image — a knowing voice, a traveled voice. We are made tender by such turns “in the half-light of half-dark,” in places so brief they stretch us further into the fields as we dream up the mountain.”

To buy a copy, check your local bookstore, or order at opencountrypress.org. 

From San Juan County

Contributed Image/CDC

Since the last update on July 22, total cases in San Juan County have increased from 195 to 197.

There are approximately 25 close contacts of positive cases currently in active quarantine in San Juan County. Some of these are close contacts of locally confirmed cases, others are close contacts of confirmed cases residing outside of the county. There is one confirmed positive case in San Juan County under monitoring in San Juan County at this time.

Cases

There are two new cases on San Juan Island since the last update. One is due to community spread with acquisition here or off-island. The other case’s acquisition source is unknown at this time. Details will become after the case investigation is complete. There is one confirmed positive case under active monitoring on San Juan Island.

There are no new cases on Lopez Island since the last update, and no confirmed positive cases under active monitoring. There are no new cases on Orcas Island since the last update, and no confirmed positive cases under active monitoring.

Delta Variant Investigation

San Juan County is waiting for lab results to see if the recent breakthrough cases were a result of the Delta variant. The Delta variant is quickly becoming the lead variant in Washington state, compromising 50% of all new cases in the state, and is also rapidly circulating in the United States, which is likely a large contributing factor to increased transmission.

Being fully vaccinated, wearing a mask indoors and limiting close contact with those who are unvaccinated remain the best ways to protect yourself and slow the spread. Click here to see providers in San Juan County that are administering COVID-19 vaccines.

Boats on moorings in 2020. Mark Gardner, Contributed. 

From NW Innovation Resource Center

NW Innovation Resource Center is partnering with WA Maritime Blue and CleanTech Alliance to support a cohort of marine and environmentally friendly startups. Building upon the mindset of innovation in the area, the cohort members will have access to assistance from experts to explore the viability of their ideas and build their business.

The Ports of Anacortes, Bellingham, Edmonds, Everett and Skagit are supporting cohort participants with expertise about maritime activities, and San Juan Islands residents are invited to join. 

Entrepreneurs with an idea or are in the process of getting their business started but find themselves “stuck” or at a loss for the best way to move forward, might find this cohort to be a good fit. Guidance will include support from ideation to execution and investment – all tailored for the cohort member’s particular stage in growth.

Find more detail or submit an application to participate at BlueTech/CleanTech Cohort – Northwest
Innovation Resource Center at nwirc.com.

A DNR helicopter releases water over San Juan Island Thursday. San Juan Island Fire & Rescue, Contribued.

Hayley Day, San Juan Island Update

Helicopters doused and extinguished a roughly 3 acre wildfire likely started by yardwork on San Juan Island Thursday. Since the incident, the county and National Park Service have declared local burn bans. 

Fire

No one was injured, but two small outbuildings were damaged by Thursday’s fire.

Crews received a report of a wildfire near West Side Road and Pleasant Valley Road around 2:15 p.m., Thursday, according to San Juan Island Fire & Rescue. When crews arrived, the fire extended north and east across a field and into trees. 

Two Washington State Department of Natural Resources helicopters were called to drop water over hotspots. San Juan Fire & Rescue said they were grateful for the assistance. 

“DNR’s deployment of firefighting assets to our region at Lake Biggs for rapid wildfire response is a huge help for all of us in the San Juan Islands,” the department said in a press release.

The department reports the “fire appears to have started as a result of routine yard work” and warned residents of the dry conditions. 

“Please be extra careful of all you do during this drier than normal summer,” a spokesperson for the department said. “We are all in this together and we all need to be vigilant, and alert to prevent fires.”

Burn Bans

San Juan County issued a “complete burn ban” Friday until further notice, according to a press release. Campfires are not allowed, but propane barbecues are permitted. 

Saturday, the San Juan Island National Historical Park issued restrictions for its two sites, American Camp and English Camp, “due to very dry conditions and increasing fire danger on San Juan Island,” according to a press release. Wood, charcoal or propane campfires or grills are not permitted in the park sites, as well as candles, tiki torches and incense burners, according to the release. 

San Juan Singers in 2017. Contributed.

From San Juan Community Theatre

San Juan Community Theatre’s Outdoor Summer Season comes to a close with “San Juan Sings Again,” a concert featuring four local choral ensemble groups: Island Chordsmen Plus, Sound Vibrations, 3 Dads & a Tenor, and San Juan Singers. 

This concert is organized and presented by the newly formed San Juan Island Choral Association, whose mission is to support and promote choral singing on San Juan Island — and this is their first official event!

Performances are 7 p.m., Aug. 7 and 2 p.m., Aug. 8. This event will be pay-what-you-can admission upon entry at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. Bring your own seating. Picnic blankets or lawn chairs are recommended. Beer and wine will be available for purchase, and folks are welcome to bring their own food.

While “San Juan Sings Again” is the final outdoor performance of the summer, be sure to come and enjoy the theater’s return to indoor performances with the 2021 Playwrights Festival of Monologues 7 p.m. Aug. 27 and 28.

For the full season line up or more information visit www.sjctheatre.org or call 360-378-3210. 

Trout Lake in 2020. Town of Friday Harbor, Contributed.

From the Town of Friday Harbor

There is a growing number of people trespassing in the Trout Lake Watershed.

The town of Friday Harbor will assist the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in the identification and prosecution of these individuals. Cameras located throughout the watershed have taken photos of dozens of people walking through the watershed without authorization.

“Photo records show individuals walking their dogs, riding bikes and carrying fishing poles into this restricted area,” said Town Administrator Duncan Wilson. “No Trespassing signs are posted throughout the acreage that surrounds the Town’s water supply, and yet our cameras continue to catch people entering.”

Many of the photos clearly show the faces of those entering the watershed and include pictures taken while the individuals are standing next to the restrictive signage.

“Most concerning is a series of photos taken of an individual apparently hunting in the area, and you can see their rifle and they are dressed head to toe in camouflage clothing,” Wilson continued. “Unless expressly authorized, no one should be in the watershed area. The danger of having people in this area during the dry summer months is serious because of the high fire danger. A fire in the watershed would seriously jeopardize the quality of the Town’s drinking water, so we cannot tolerate continued trespassing activity.”

Neighbors are not exempt from these restrictions. While the town has an emergency fire road to Mt. Dallas, this road is gated and residents may not hike, hunt or fish within this area. All photos will be submitted to the sheriff’s office for investigation.

Vera Davidova on Unsplash, Contributed.

From the Washington State Department of Health

Safely returning to the classroom for fulltime in-person instruction this school year is important for students, teachers and staff.

July 28, the Washington State Department of Health released updated guidance for the 2021-22 school year.

DOH’s guidance aims to minimize transmission and maximize in-person instruction and is informed by the latest science, recently released Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Vaccination is the strongest protective measure against COVID-19 available. Everyone 12 and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. As of July 24, 35% of 12-15-year-olds and 44% of 16-17-year-olds in Washington state were fully vaccinated. Those who have not been vaccinated are encouraged to make an appointment as soon as possible.  

While children who get COVID-19 typically have milder symptoms than adults, children do get COVID-19 and can transmit it. Severe disease is rare, but some children require hospitalization. Further, the Delta variant, which spreads more than twice as easily from one person to another compared to earlier strains, has surged to become the predominant variant in Washington. Given this, the high mixing of vaccinated and unvaccinated people in schools, and the fact that vaccines are not available to children younger than 12, universal masking is required in all Washington state K-12 schools.

To protect those who have not been vaccinated and reduce risk of transmission, public and private K-12 schools must use the following layered prevention strategies:

• All school personnel, volunteers, visitors and students must wear cloth face coverings or masks regardless of vaccination status when indoors and on school buses.
• Schools should maintain at 3 feet of physical distancing between students in classroom settings, to the degree possible and reasonable, that allows for full-time, in-person learning for all students.
• Schools must have good ventilation and indoor air quality, cleaning and disinfecting procedures, and continue to encourage frequent handwashing and good respiratory etiquette.
• Students and school employees who have symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu should stay home and seek medical attention, which may include COVID-19 testing.
• Schools must have plans in place to quickly respond to COVID-19 cases among students and staff.

Quarantine protocols have been updated to limit student exclusion from the classroom. Students do not have to quarantine if symptom free and: they were at least three feet away from an infected student and both students were wearing masks, the student is fully vaccinated, or if the student had a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past three months.

“The goal of these layered prevention strategies is to protect people who are not fully vaccinated, including students, staff, and their families from COVID-19 infections,” said Deputy Secretary Lacy Fehrenbach. “Outbreaks can and have occurred in K-12 schools. These measures limit transmission in schools which will minimize the disruptions of quarantines and classroom or school closures caused by outbreaks. It is important we do everything we can to keep our classrooms safe, students and staff healthy, and schools open.”

From San Juan Community Theatre

Contributed.

Earlier in San Juan Community Theatre’s Summer Season, young thespians performed the musical ”Could You Hug A Cactus?”

 Now it’s the older kids’ turn to show off their hard work.

Kids ages 7-18 have been rehearsing daily to bring canine magic to the stage. With a high-spirited score, lovable characters and an epic chase scene, this stage adaptation of “Disney’s 101 Dalmatians” is certain to charm and delight audiences of all ages. 

Performances are 2 p.m. Aug. 6 and noon and 2 p.m. Aug. 7. The event will be pay-what-you-can admission upon entry at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. Bring your own seating — picnic blankets or lawn chairs are recommended.

For the full season line up or more information visit www.sjctheatre.org or call 360-378-3210. 

From town of Friday Harbor

The Town of Friday Harbor invites the public to view the installation of a mural along Blair Avenue the first week of August. The mural will be created on the long wall behind Earthbox Inn and Spa.

The proposed concept by Poulsbo artists Josh Bennett and Cory Anderson is a tribute to the smaller flora and fauna of our San Juan Island ecosystem. Through a fusion of abstract art, fine drawing and street-inspired techniques, the artists will create motifs and silhouettes in what they describe as a unique, enduring, and joyful piece. 

Their proposal, “A Living Island,” was selected by the Friday Harbor Arts Commission and approved by the town council at their May 6 meeting. 

The mural selection process included a review by an Art Selection Panel of commissioners, artists, and neighbors of the proposed mural site. Panel members reviewed 11 proposals submitted by artists from San Juan County, the Puget Sound and Colorado.  The final selection of Bennett and Fisher was discussed publicly at FHAC and Town Council meetings earlier this year. 

The ASP and FHAC expressed appreciation for the experience and skill of all of the artists and for the degree of research and careful thought that went into each of their concepts.

“Public input was critical to our art selection process,” said Arts Commissioner Lynn Weber/Roochvarg, adding, “The commission wants the selection and installation of our projects to be an exciting and memorable process for the community.”  

This is the second major mural project commissioned by the FHAC which was formed in 2015 to advise the town council on the cultivation, selection, acquisition and placement of public art.  The mural “Witness the Beauty,” installed in Sunken Park in 2016, is scheduled to be retouched by the original artist Jake Wagoner later this month.

Georg Arthur Pflueger on Unsplash, Contributed.

From San Juan County Economic Development Council

Those seeking to enter health care careers, obtain side income while helping their neighbors or boost personal care business are invited to get free Home Care Aide training through a program offered by the Economic Development Council in partnership with Cornerstone Healthcare Training.

Students will receive free training, financial support for costs of testing and counseling to fit HCA certification into a plan for financial success.

The EDC sees many ways that HCA certification can help people gain financial success. Those who want to enter other health care careers – such as nursing or even management positions – can work as an HCA to start up the career ladder and earn income at the same time.

Those who work part-time, seasonally or freelance could gain income stability and flexibility by working as an HCA. Those who are doing other types of personal care services already could earn more income by offering new services or by filling gaps between private clients.

To learn more, contact the EDC at [email protected] or visit the EDC website:sanjuansedc.org/hca. Applicants must be San Juan County residents who are 18 years or older.

The EDC thanks PeaceHealth and San Juan County for grants that provide the major funding for the program, and Cornerstone Healthcare Training for in-kind support that makes it feasible. The EDC also thanks other donors and grantors whose support of the EDC’s Trades Training Initiative was critical to getting this program started.

San Juan Islands Sculpture Park, an independent 501 (c)(3) non-profit, will be accepting sculpture submissions this summer.

All sculptors are welcome to submit works using the guidelines below between June 6th and Aug 11th, 2021.

We do not require any biographical material with your submission. Sculptures will be selected on the merits of the art and how they will complement our park.

All submissions must be deemed safe by us and should be suitable for exhibition in an outdoor setting and be capable of withstanding occasional high winds, rain, and possible snow. Continue Reading