WSF’s M/V Samish enters Friday Harbor on its official maiden voyage in 2016. Aaron Shepard, Contributed.

By Nicole McIntosh, Chief of Staff, WSDOT Ferries Division

The state’s reopening and the start of summer are bringing us a surge in ridership.

We carried almost 86,000 riders on Saturday, July 3. That beats our old pandemic high of nearly 80,000 on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend on May 29. July 3 was our busiest day since Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019.

Our second busiest was just this past Saturday, July 10, with more than 83,000 riders.

Washington State Ferries, Contributed.

Ridership is about 15% below this time in 2019, with our Anacortes and San Juan Islands and Point Defiance and Tahlequah closest to where they were two years ago.

With weekend ridership expected to be at or above these levels through summer, be prepared for long waits if coming aboard in a vehicle, especially during peak travel times.

Before catching a ferry, I encourage everyone to sign up for rider alerts, check terminal conditions and consider vehicle reservations if driving on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands or Port Townsend/Coupeville routes.

Rainshadow Quilters Meeting Outside – Contributed photo

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

UPDATE – We are monitoring developments with Delta and other COVID variants that may affect our Mullis Center onsite community meal re-opening. Everyone’s health safety is our top priority. Please stay tuned for more information via our newsletter, website, Facebook page and weekly E-Update.

Like cranky kids in the back seat looking forward to our arrival in a post-pandemic world, we may well ask, “Are we there yet?” The answer being, “Hang on, we’re getting there”.

Things are starting to open up. According to July’s San Juan Island Senior Signal*  the Mullis Center is tentatively planning to resume community lunches in September starting once a week on Wednesdays.

The Mullis Center’s Painting group met several times this spring outside on the patio wearing masks and social distancing. They hope to start inside painting sessions soon. Rainshadow Quilters group also met outside this spring. They plan to start holding meetings in person on Wednesdays.

The Mullis Center’s book club will meet with a hybrid option in September with some of us meeting in person in the Mullis Center’s library while those who still wish to participate via Zoom will be sent the link. Said Beth Helstien, “Our first hybrid, in-person/Zoom meeting will take place on Monday, September 20 at 1:15 and we will discuss The Leavers by Lisa Ko (I’ll be traveling on the second Monday) at the Mullis Center at 1:15.” Normally the book club meets on the second Monday of each month. Contact Beth, the club’s facilitator, at San Juan Public Library if you would like the Zoom link or for more information.

The Garden Club looks forward to in-person meetings this fall. Meetings are tentatively set for Sept. 2, Oct. 4, and Dec. 2.

If you have an interest in joining the quilters, painters, other groups, or starting a new activity group, please call Anna Coffelt-Kuetzing, the Mullis Center manager, at 360-370-7520.

The Tuesday family/friend Caregiver Support Group is meeting in person now. If you are interested in joining this group or would like more information please call Gail Leschine-Seitz at 360-378-2677.

It has been such a relief to be able to greet friends again, to hug, to relax and take our masks off. However, we are not quite out of the woods. We still have children to vaccinate and then there are those troubling variants of the virus.

San Juan County is unique in that we are the most vaccinated county in the state of Washington. Good for us! At the same time in the summer, we are a tourist mecca where people come to visit our small island from all over the world. It’s not a bad idea to keep your mask handy and your hands clean.

There is still reason to be cautious. Unvaccinated people remain at risk. Areas of the country with low vaccine rates or other countries that have not had the advantage of getting their population vaccinated are seeing surges.

Getting more people vaccinated is key worldwide to us finally reaching our destination, a post-pandemic world.  At the Mullis Center, we hope to be seeing you soon!

• San Juan Island Senior Signal newsletter and is published by San Juan County Senior Services for the Mullis Center and is distributed free at the Mullis Center and other locations, by mail or by email. If you would like to receive the Senior Signal newsletter, please contact Debbie Haagensen at 360-0370-7526 and provide your email or mailing address.

Dr. Gretchen Hofmann. Friday Harbor Labs, Contributed.

From Friday Harbor Labs

Friday Harbor Labs is excited to welcome Dr. Gretchen Hofmann from the University of California, Santa Barbara, our 2021 Illg Distinguished Lecturer at Brickworks at 7 p.m. Aug. 4.

The title of the lecture is “Marine heatwaves: what are we learning, what we can expect, and some talk about Hot Moms and Cool Dads.”

Please join us for this amazing free public lecture!

Contributed Photo/WSF

From the Washington State Department of Transportation

With the state lifting most pandemic-related restrictions on June 30, our ferry system has changed the following: 

• No longer enforcing COVID-19 capacity limits
• No longer advising people coming aboard in a personal vehicle to remain
  in their vehicles.
• No longer requiring tollbooth employees to use selfie sticks with self-swipe credit card readers (they may continue to if they choose).
• No longer closing off some seating or turnstiles.
• Slowly reopening drinking fountains, but many onboard won’t be reopened
  until the vessel’s potable water is turned back on.
• Face masks are required only in indoor areas in compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s public transportation order.

White Crowned Sparrow – Tim Dustrude photo

To all bird watchers – Please join us at the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park this coming Wednesday, July 21st at 8:00 AM, where Phil Green, will again lead our monthly Bird Walk. 

So far over 30 species have been identified.  Bring binoculars and mosquito repellent. 

The park is located just past the Welcome Arch on the left as you enter Roche Harbor Resort. See map here on our website.

See you there!

Cyanobacteria bloom at Zylstra Lake in October 2018. San Juan County Land Bank, Contributed.

By Doug McCutchen, Preserve Steward, San Juan County Land Bank

This is the first in a series of articles describing the background of Zylstra Lake Preserve and the work that is going on to develop a long-term stewardship and management plan for the property. This article focuses on recreational access to the reservoir.

Zylstra Lake Preserve is easily the most complex project the San Juan County Land Bank has taken in its 30-year history.

The property is currently open to access, operating under an interim management plan. 

Based on research, the Land Bank has elected to move slowly on the question of water access.

Sanctioning swimming access seems irresponsible and boating access is complicated by changes in water level and the potential of some simple contact-based health impacts.

In the short term, we are asking the community to refrain from water access and to be careful around the water.

Please keep your pets on a leash and do not allow them to swim or drink the water.

Fishermen are urged to be cautious when handling or consuming fish and are encouraged to wash their hands after fishing, especially when algal blooms are visually present.

Water Access

Water is the most important element for creating and sustaining life on the planet. Perhaps it is this innate dependence and deep biological connection with water that draws us to water for recreation. Whether scenic views, boating, or swimming, water is often at the center of where we seek our literal re-creation.

Water is also at the center of complexity at Zylstra Lake management as there is overlapping interest in recreational, agricultural and ecological use and connection to this valuable and scarce resource. 

A small day-use area with swimming and boating access was part of the early vision for Zylstra. Although this level of use is a bit beyond the typical scope of the Land Bank’s “low-intensity recreation” mandate, there was consensus within the Land Bank Commission that the recreational need for this type of water access on the island is high.

The intention to move forward with this plan was elevated enough that the Land Bank began exploring a potential partnership with other agencies who might help manage this more intense use while we simultaneously began a series of environmental assessments of the property.

Algal Blooms

Our first inkling that there might be some management challenges came in the form of algal bloom reports, including the photograph taken by a local pilot and photographer Chris Teren.

Staff members began assembling research on algal blooms, especially cyanobacteria – a blue-green algae that matched observations. The following year, samples of the algae were sent for laboratory analysis when the blooms began in summer. The results confirmed the presence of potentially harmful types of cyanobacteria.

Around the same time, biologists working on an assessment of the property returned results of tests showing abnormally high levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, and related nutrient. Continue Reading

Talbott Brothers. San Juan Community Theatre, Contributed.

From San Juan Community Theatre

The Talbott Brothers will perform at 7 p.m., Sunday, July 25 at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. Ticket prices are “pay-what-you-can.” 

The Talbott Brothers have earned a large and growing following for their songs consisting of down-to-earth messages that prove to be prevalent in today’s world.

Originally from a small town in Nebraska, they now call Portland home. Billboard defines their music as “captivating with haunting brotherly harmonies.” 

For more information, visit sjctheatre.org.

From PeaceHealth

In an effort to expand access to affordable health care, the federal government has established a special enrollment period for coverage through the Affordable Care Act, now through Aug. 15.

Those seeking health insurance coverage, or looking to change their plans, may be able to achieve significant savings and lower costs on coverage as a result of new funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

“Health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act allows many people in our community access to critical health care services,” says Charles Prosper, chief executive, PeaceHealth Northwest. “Now is the time to act if you think you may be eligible or are already enrolled and interested in changing plans,” Prosper continued.

Go to HealthCare.gov to learn more about the healthcare plans offered or determine if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP.

From the Community Arts Theatre Society

“CATS Goes to the Dogs” is the theme of the All-Island Dog Show at 11:30 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 1, at the San Juan County Fairgrounds in Friday Harbor.

The show is sponsored by CATS, the Community Arts Theatre Society, on behalf of the San Juan Community Theatre.

Big dogs, little dogs, old dogs, young dogs — all are invited to register for the show, which opens with the Grand Parade of Dogs, followed by showings and competitions for “Best Dressed Dog,” “Best Talents and Tricks,” “Most Laid-Back Dog,” and “Best Tail Wag.”

The stellar panel of judges is made up of Animal Protection Society Executive Director Cristin Felso; Dawn Haines, certified local dog trainer and owner of Crazy Dog Lady; and Lisa Moretti, owner of Lisa’s Place Pet Care and renowned actress at the community theater.

The judges are eager to hand out awards to the first, second and third place winners in each category. The finale will be the presentation of the judge’s choice award. All participating dogs will receive a participation certificate and homemade dog treats.

The show is free to the viewing public. It is just for fun and the pleasure of enjoying our island dog friends. Benches will be available for seating or you may bring your own cushion or comfy chair.

The fee to enter the show is $25 per dog. To register your dog, visit sjctheatre.org/dogshow. The deadline for registering and submitting your payment is July 25. The show is limited to 50 dogs, so registering early is recommended.

By Lauren Cohen, San Juan Island

The return of our town’s beloved Fourth of July parade was an enormous step forward in our return to normal life.

It was a chance for our community and the visitors we welcome every year to come together and celebrate our nation and the freedoms we enjoy.

The San Juan Journal article celebrating this event was nice but remiss in recognizing the most important person responsible, for not only the parade, but the fireworks we have all come to love on our nation’s birthday: Becki Day.

Becki is the executive director of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce.

Though she had the help of her board of directors, faithful volunteers and eventually the town, Becki is the one and only individual that every single islander and visitor should be thanking. Once the town decided that they would issue a permit, it was Becki that pulled a parade together in little more than two weeks.

Spectators do not really think about what that takes but it was an enormous labor of love and dedication on her part. She worked tirelessly to round up parade entrants and with the help of a fraction of her normal volunteer core, she gave the town of Friday Harbor this gift.

Everyone who enjoyed the parade owes Becki Day an enormous and public debt of gratitude especially after this misguided Journal article that seems to give government bureaucrats credit for the hard work of a great leader in our business community.

Every single resident and visitor on San Juan Island should stop by the Chamber of Commerce office and say thank you to Becki Day for her dedication to tradition and celebration in our wonderful town.

Committee member with kids. Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, Contributed.

From the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office is recruiting 45 volunteers to fill positions on advisory committees that help determine how the state invests in the outdoors.

The 18 committees evaluate grant proposals for parks, trails, boating amenities, firearm and archery ranges and other outdoor recreation facilities. They also evaluate proposals to conserve wildlife habitat and working farms and forests.

“These grants really shape the recreational and conservation landscape in Washington,” said Megan Duffy, director of the recreation office. “We want volunteers with a variety of outdoor interests so we ensure we are representing all of Washington. We count on these volunteers to prioritize the many worthy projects requesting grant funding.”

The roughly 200 volunteer advisory committee members help the agency evaluate about 500 grant applications every two years.

The office is looking for volunteers with interest in recreating on or protecting public land, experience buying and developing land or experience conserving forests and farms.

Advisory committee members must be available to spend up to a week every two years reviewing grant applications and providing suggestions to applicants to help them improve their proposals.

Participation on the committee takes place online and stipends may be provided to eligible members. Visit rco.wa.gov to learn more about the various advisory committees. Applications are due Aug. 6.

By Hayley Day, San Juan Island Update

Three candidates are vying to be the next Friday Harbor mayor. 

Ray Jackson, Phil Carvalho and incumbent Farhad Ghatan spoke in an online forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of the San Juans on July 8.

Watch the recorded forum here with the passcode ut^WHQ88.

Ballots for the primary will be mailed July 16 and are due 8 p.m. Aug. 3. The top two candidates will go on to the Nov. 2 general election.

Topics in the forum centered around longtime local issues including the lack of affordable housing and the strain the tourism economy places on town residents.

Tourism

Jackson said residents had “lost their town” to tourists at least four months out of the year when vacationers visit the islands during warmer weather.

Losing the town, he said, includes waiting in long lines at businesses and not being able to book ferry reservations. He questioned what residents get from this exchange and suggested businesses provide locals discounts because fulltime residents support island businesses all year. 

Carvalho said tourists should be encouraged to visit in the off seasons so the island isn’t hit by vacationers all at once. He said the town could entice winter visitors by advertising the lack of crowds and hosting additional off-season events. 

Affordable Housing

Carvalho said he tries to employ people year round at the Friday Harbor tap house Cease and Desist, but staff cannot find affordable housing. He said the town should support the creation of more housing so businesses can employ fulltime residents year round, not people from out of the area during the busy summer months. 

Ghatan noted creating additional housing is difficult right now due to the high cost of construction. For example, he said a free parcel of land on the corner of Malcolm Street and Argyle Avenue has not attracted any developers to create affordable housing.

Carvalho said he would like to provide tax breaks to developers to create local affordable apartment complexes, as well as restrict the sale of apartments as individual condos. He said vacation rental owners in town should be limited to one unit each.

Ghatan — who said he has been involved in local government for 15 of the 30 years he’s been on the island — noted vacation rentals are only permitted in town commercial zones, and not in residential zones where neighborhoods are located. He said he wished the county would have done more to prevent the rampant temporary rentals across the islands today.

Ghatan noted that those making living wages on the island often cannot afford to buy homes when competing against off-island bidders who are jacking up prices.

He said the town is working to lift restrictions on guest houses to allow more people to live in converted garages or basements year round. He said the town will eventually look at allowing people to rent out guest houses that are additions to homes, as well as detached from houses. Continue Reading

Family Art Days. San Juan Island Museum of Art, Contributed.

By the Board of Trustees of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art would like to thank the staff, volunteers, members, and donors of the San Juan Island Community Foundation for all their support and good works from March 2020 to now.

All of us suffered in some way during the pandemic and the teams at the community foundation jumped into action to help our community. What would the quality of life on the island look like when this crisis passed?

The answer to that question was an important consideration in their deliberations. They knew well that the arts educate, entertain, enliven, and engage our residents, students, and artists. The community foundation supported and valued the nonprofits in the arts and their contributions. Thank you, San Juan Island Community Foundation.

Thank you especially, for your generosity in remembering the art museum in your giving. The community foundation and the Women’s Fund made the Family Art Days’ Take-home Survival Packs possible for all for free.

While families and children were home-bound the Family Art Days’ packs contained interesting and clever projects, as well as instructions and materials for family fun and learning.

The benefactors give from the heart, not for acclaim and, often, we in the community do not know whom to thank for projects and opportunities. On behalf of the art museum and all the families who benefited in these last months, thank you San Juan Island Community Foundation.

2020 Tesla Roadster on the road in the Canary Islands. OPALCO, Contributed.

From OPALCO

At 4:30 p.m. Aug. 5 OPALCO will host an Electric Vehicle Jamboree at the OPALCO Eastsound parking lot.

The in-person workshop will introduce members to a variety of electric vehicles, giving those who already have an electric vehicle a chance for some show and tell and answer questions.

Members can test drive an electric vehicle with Island eCars, compare models and chat with experts. There will be e-bikes from Wildlife Cycles to try out, free hot dogs, Island Way swag, and activities for kids.

Orcas Power & Light Cooperative, or OPALCO, is the local member-owned cooperative electric utility, serving more than 11,400 members on 20 islands in San Juan County.  

Raffle

Be sure to sign in to be entered in the Island Way raffle at the event. OPALCO’s Island Way campaign is here to help co-op members prepare for the energy future that is coming fast. Continue Reading

Jordan Lynn-Jefferson receives his order of dismissal from San Juan County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Loring. San Juan County, Contributed.

From San Juan County Adult Drug Court

The San Juan County Adult Drug Court awarded its first certificate of graduation to Jordan Lynn-Jefferson of Orcas Island July 7.

After 697 days or almost 24 months in the county’s therapeutic program, Jordan emerges a more self-confident and mature young man with goals for his life and tools to maintain his stability and sobriety.

“We are proud to honor our first Drug Court graduate,” said San Juan County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Loring.

The San Juan County Drug Court, which launched in January 2019, is a therapeutic program designed to reduce substance abuse and criminal recidivism, and increase rehabilitation and community safety.

Drug Court suspends the traditional criminal case while the individual engages in an intensive process for approximately two years, including frequent court hearings, evaluation and treatment for substance abuse and addiction, frequent testing for drugs and alcohol, living skills classes and facilitated goal setting, and support in engaging in continued education or obtaining sustained employment by graduation.

“The success of Drug Court is the result of the hard work of the participants, as well as the commitment and dedication of our numerous local partners in law and justice, behavioral health partner Compass Health, and the community,” said Judge Loring. “It is an honor to join participants on their journey through Drug Court, and it is incredibly rewarding to witness their success and healing.”

Friday Harbor Town Administrator Duncan Wilson. Contributed.

By Hayley Day, San Juan Island Update

After nearly a decade at the helm, town of Friday Harbor Administrator Duncan Wilson is hanging up his hat. Wilson retires Jan. 4, 2022.

Current San Juan County Manager Mike Thomas takes over Dec. 13, so Wilson can train his successor and “smooth the transition,” he said.  

“Mike has a great working knowledge of not only the county but of town operations as well and I know he will do a great job,” Wilson said. 

‘Best Municipal Job in the State’

The Seattle native started his career as a lawyer for nearly two decades in South King County. Later, he joined the city of North Bend, Washington as the administrator. When he saw an opening for a similar position in Friday Harbor, he jumped at the chance.

“It was a great decision for our family,” he said. “I think this is the best municipal job in the state.”

Working in paradise included juggling creating new island infrastructure and maintaining the area’s longtime charm. Wilson referred to the balance as “walking the razor blade” with those who “are not big fans of change.”

“This island has a unique and special culture and everyone wants it preserved,” he said. 

Over the years, Wilson was able to direct the installation of a new 5-mile water supply line from Trout Lake to town, rebuild Tucker Avenue with sidewalks and bike lanes, and improve Blair Avenue, Web Street and Mullis Street.

Retirement

In retirement, Wilson looks forward to traveling with his wife, who he said retired four years ago and “has patiently waited for me” to join.

Wilson said he will miss working with the town staff, councilmembers and mayors, but he’ll still be around. He will likely do some local consulting work, he said, and continue to help island nonprofits like the San Juan Community Theatre.

“I will still be seen around town,” he said. “This is my home now.”