From the San Juan County Land Bank

The San Juan County Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 21 via Zoom.

This meeting will include a discussion of the Conservation Agriculture Resource Team’s Coffelt Farm final report. The public is invited to attend.

Click here to download the agenda, Zoom link and meeting materials.

To learn more about your Conservation Land Bank, visit sjclandbank.org. If you’re interested in volunteering or joining our mailing list, contact [email protected]. 

The San Juan County Land Bank is a local land conservation program, created by voters in 1990, and funded by a 1% real estate excise tax paid by purchasers of property in San Juan County.

From Compass Health

In May, Compass Health marks two significant milestones in its Broadway Campus Redevelopment project, a regional center in Everett to support behavioral health needs across Northwest Washington.

Its phase one permanent supportive housing facility officially opens Friday, May 21, following the May 18 approval of $14 million in state capital funding to support its phase two facility for intensive behavioral health services.

“Today, we’re two transformative steps closer to our goal of enabling individuals to receive innovative, evidence-based care in their communities, helping to prevent escalation to inpatient care and easing the burden on local hospitals, law enforcement and homeless services,” said Tom Sebastian, Compass Health president and CEO. 

Compass Health provides mental health treatment, crisis prevention and intervention, supportive housing, children’s services, community education and more. The nonprofit serves all ages throughout Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan and Whatcom counties.

The organization is expanding housing and access to intensive services for community members with behavioral health needs.

During the phase one virtual grand opening ceremony, Compass Health will invite community members to see the inside of the building, including its 82 units of supportive housing for homeless and low-income residents who have access to behavioral health services.

As part of the ceremony, Sebastian will narrate a building walkthrough, accompanied by remarks from U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, Washington State Senator June Robinson, and more.

The video walkthrough and other project details will be available on Compass Health’s website.

The facility’s residents will include eligible veterans who are experiencing homelessness, under the Housing Authority of Snohomish County’s VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) Voucher program; community members experiencing homelessness referred by Investing in Futures, Snohomish County’s Coordinated Entry process; and individuals transitioning back into the community from Western State Hospital and other treatment settings.

About one-third of the 10,000-square-foot ground floor is dedicated to services including mental health treatment, peer support, homeless outreach and housing stabilization.

“Permanent supportive housing is a known and proven solution for people experiencing chronic behavioral health issues in their lives,” said Washington State Senator June Robinson, who is also a member of Compass Health’s Campaign Executive Committee. “These are our friends and neighbors who want to live in community, and this facility will support that by providing a permanent roof over their heads as well as support services so that folks can recover and feel safe and stable.”

Phases 2 and 3

The project has three phases.

The recently approved $14 million in the state’s capital budget supports the design and construction of phase two: an advanced facility for intensive behavioral health services to replace Compass Health’s 70-year-old Bailey Center building on Broadway Avenue in Everett. Continue Reading

From the Town of Friday Harbor

The Town of Friday Harbor presents the online discussion “Architecture of the Recent Past: What Park Street is Telling Us” at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 20.

Recent Past architecture (1940-80) is ubiquitous, typically under-appreciated, and typically not considered historic by most observers.

From modest FHA cottages and iconic Ranch Ramblers, to Mid-Century Modern split-level houses, buildings from this period reflect the history of America as it struggled with war and shortages.

Later, the prosperity of the ’50s and ’60s introduced backyard living, automobile culture, and eventually a modern space-age take on everything from architectural design to interior decor.

The Town of Friday Harbor’s Historic Preservation Review Board is surveying the recent past architecture of Park Street as a study in residential development and character. Tune in to hear about what Park Street is teaching us.

Register by contacting [email protected] or 360-622-2037. An invitation with an event link will be sent to you via email prior to the event.

Contributed Photo/Alchemy Art Center. Mug with braided handle by Patricia Abel

From Alchemy Art Center

After suspending much of its programming for more than a year, Alchemy Art Center is resurrecting its summer artist in residence, internship programs and workshops, and starting a new artist talk series and community outreach opportunities with Island Rec, the Family Resource Center and San Juan Island Sculpture Park.

Alchemy Art Center, founded by Maria Michaelson and Eben Shay in 2017, is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to creating a thriving arts community on San Juan Island.

Artists in Residence

Contributed Image/Alchemy Art Center. Monotype and woodcut collage by Katy Collier.

This summer, Alchemy will be hosting six amazing artists from all over the globe, beginning with printmaker Katy Collier of Greensboro, North Carolina, and ceramics artist Patricia Abel of California via Prague in June.

Each month, a new set of artists will arrive to live and work on-site at Alchemy, and share their practices through weekend workshops, artist talks and free community activities two Sundays each month in John Linde Park with Island Rec.

You can learn more about Alchemy’s artists in resident workshops and artists talks at www.alchemyartcenter.com and you can pre-register for “Free Art in the Park” at www.islandrec.org/specialevents beginning May 17.

Intern Cohort

Alchemy is also looking forward to the arrival of their 2021 intern cohort, beginning with Tamara Matheson in June and Maya Djiji in July.

These talented ceramics and outreach specialists will be assisting with activities at Island Rec’s Camp Eagle Rock and the Family Resource Center’s Mentorship Program, as well as learning the ins and outs of running a community art center.

They will also be offering interactive activities at farmers markets throughout the summer, so keep your eye out!

Mural

Finally, Alchemy is thrilled to be bringing its popular community mural project, a 15-foot king salmon mosaic, to the San Juan Island Sculpture Park. Continue Reading

By John Geyman, M.D.

“America’s Mighty Medical-Industrial Complex: Negative Impacts and Positive Solutions” by John Geyman, M.D., gives background on the rise of an enormous medical-industrial complex over the last 60 years.

John Geyman M.D. – Contributed Photo

It has brought wealth to corporations and stockholders at the expense of most Americans who struggle to gain access to affordable health care.

Dr. Geyman describes the failures of our current health care “system” and compares, based on evidence and values, the three main alternatives for health care reform being proposed in Congress.

He has also published a 29-page pamphlet: “Common Sense: Medicare for All What Will It Mean for Me?”

The publications are available at Griffin Bay Bookstore in Friday Harbor and Darvill’s Bookstore in Eastsound.

John Geyman is professor emeritus of family medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine where he was chair of the department of family medicine from 1976-90.

After moving to Friday Harbor in 1990, he served for seven years as a family physician at the Inter-Island Medical Clinic and since then has focused on research about health care in our
country.

From WaterWorks

WaterWorks Gallery in Friday Harbor presents “The Nature of Healing” May 28-June 26.

Jennifer Williams and Chris Moench invite us to step into their world, as they present their interpretation of hope and healing.

Jennifer’s richly textured surfaces and atmospheric layers capture nature in a state of change and reference the Pacific Northwest, where sky and water are constantly moving. Her work focuses on nature’s power to renew itself, and also to renew us.

Chris’s ceramic prayer wheels are moving sanctuaries for the stories of our lives. The vessels can be filled with written memories, hopes and blessings.

Through these contributions, the vessels become a tangible symbol of the connections that join us to one another and to the natural world.

Finding inspiration in the pacific northwest and the Earth’s natural cycles, his sculptures invite interaction and reflection.

Join us for a socially distant opening 4-7 p.m., May 28. WaterWorks Gallery is located at 315 Argyle Ave. in Friday Harbor and is open 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday. For more information, visit www.waterworksgallery.com or call 360-378-3060.

Contributed Photo/Stephanie Buffum. The totem pole in line for the ferry.

By Stephanie Buffum, coordinator, San Juan Islands Stop-over

Many thanks to over 300 islanders, students, and community leaders who attended May 10-11 House of Tears Carvers’ totem pole blessings on San Juan Island/Whelalq, Shaw Island/Sqemenen, Orcas Island/Swalex and Lopez Island/Swaletch.

Lummi Nation members from the House of Tears Carvers Se Sealth (Jewell Praying Wolf James), Sit ki kadem (Douglas James) Siam’el wit, Sul ka dub (Freddie Lane), Heather Misanes, Jewell Ridley-James, Gabriela and Kayden Norgueria united our community in a special way and called on each of us to step forward to protect what is sacred.

Contributed Photo/Stephanie Buffum.

The May 10 stopover on San Juan Island/Whelalq included visits to sacred sites and ceremonies at British Camp/ Pe’pi’ow’elh where tribal elder Rosie Cayou James and Mitchell Bay Band descendent Lisa Nash Lawrence welcomed the Carvers with family members.

On May 11, the totem pole traveled from Shaw Island/Sqemenen to Orcas Island/Swalex to the top of Mt. Constitution.

Over 100 people participated in a ceremony at Madrona Point/Ts’el xwi sen, a Lhaq’temish Village. Over 100 people attended the ceremony at Odlin County Park on Lopez Island/Swaletch.

A group of Shaw residents traveled with the totem pole on the inter-island ferry between islands.

Contributed Photo/Stephanie Buffum.

During each event, master carver Se Sealth, Jewell James, described the inspiration, dreams and meaning of each carved figure and painting on the totem pole: a praying native person in moon, missing and murdered native women, orca, Chinook salmon, sea wolf, bear, eagle, grandmother, tears, and a caged child— a reference to children presently incarcerated at the U.S.-Mexico border.

In addition to the Islands, the totem pole, carved by a single 400-year-old cedar tree, will make stops throughout the Northwest.

It will begin its cross-country U.S. tour to sacred sites next month, stopping at Nez Perce traditional lands; Bears Ears National Monument in Utah; the Grand Canyon; Chaco Canyon, New Mexico; the Black Hills of South Dakota; and the Missouri River, at the crossing of the Dakota Access Pipeline, where thousands protested evoking an urgent call to protect sacred lands, waters, women and children of Indigenous people.

This fall, the pole will be featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. A special exhibition was developed by The Natural History Museum and House of Tears Carvers at the Lummi Nation.

You can support this journey with a donation to the Lhaq’temish Foundation (c/o House of Tears Carvers) 2665 Kwina Road, Bellingham WA 98226. Follow the Journey at www.redroadtodc.org.

A special thank you to volunteers Marty Ahart, David Turnoy, Orcas Oddfellows, Ron Metcalf, Kai Sanburn, Robin Reid, Judy Meyer, and Nick Teague.

By Angela Anderson, executive director, and Keith Wentworth, board president, San Juan Preservation Trust

San Juan Preservation Trust’s 42nd annual meeting will be held 5-6:15 p.m., Thursday, May 20.

We are excited to share our past year’s accomplishments in pursuit of our mission to conserve island land, care for the land under our protection, and connect people to island land through outreach and education.

This virtual event will be hosted via Zoom Webinar.

If you have not registered yet, do so here.

Already registered? Look for a reminder email containing login information prior to the meeting.

Attendees will:

• Review the past year’s accomplishments
• Announce results of this year’s board of trustees election
• Acknowledge VIPs and award recipients
• Watch our featured presentation, “What’s So Great About Garry Oaks?” followed by a Q&A

We look forward to seeing you online!

From Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office

Contributed Photo/Washington State. Tara Galuska.

The Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office has named Olympia resident and long-time environmental advocate Tara Galuska to coordinate the state’s orca recovery efforts.

As orca recovery coordinator, Galuska will be working with partners to help implement recommendations of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force and tracking accomplishments.

“I am very passionate about this work and excited that Washington has embraced orca recovery as a priority,” Galuska said. “I know that there are many Washingtonians who are equally passionate about these beautiful, iconic marine mammals, and I hope that together we can make a difference in the orcas’ population and health.”

Southern Resident killer whales, or orcas, have decreased in numbers from 98 in 1995 to 75 as of February, causing them to be protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.

In 2018, Inslee created the Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force to look for ways to improve the plight of orcas.

The task force met for nearly 2 years and recommended 49 actions, many of which are being implemented now individually by state agencies and others. There has been no person charged with coordinating the task force’s efforts until now.

“We’re thrilled to have Tara onboard,” said JT Austin, senior policy advisor on natural resources for the Governor. “Tara has a proven track record of working through complex issues and working with different groups to accomplish goals. Her knowledge of salmon, the whale’s primary food source, and other water issues will be invaluable.” Continue Reading

From the Islands’ Oil Spill Association

The Islands’ Oil Spill Association is hosting a free training for local oil spill response volunteers.

Anyone interested in becoming an IOSA volunteer is welcome to attend, in addition to existing members of the team.

The training will be 8:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Saturday, May 22 in Friday Harbor. Space is limited.

The Islands’ Oil Spill Association is an islands-based nonprofit that provides spill response to the San Juan Islands.

This is the basic required training for anyone who would like to help after a spill. Volunteer responders are the foundation of what IOSA does.

For more information and to register, visit www.iosaonline.org/training.

Contributed Photo/San Juan Island Sculpture Park. Bird watching at the San Juan Island Sculpture Park.

From the San Juan Island Sculpture Park

Join us from 8-10 a.m. Wednesday, May 19 to watch for our fine feathered friends at the San Juan Island Sculpture Park located next to Roche Harbor Resort.

The event occurs every third Wednesday of the month through September. Last month, attendees spotted more than 28 bird species. 

Phil Green, a local bird enthusiast and member of the nature conservancy, has identified over 40 bird species this winter at the sculpture park.

He will lead us to several places around the sculpture park where we can look for and identify the various birds now visiting.

We also have a new trail along Westcot Bay to get us closer to sea birds. So bring your binoculars, cameras and curiosity for an adventure in bird watching.

Don’t forget your masks!

A Sunflower Star is Born

By Jason Hodin, senior research scientist, Friday Harbor Labs. 

Among the world’s hundreds of types of known starfish (or seastars as I’ll call them), our Pacific coast sunflower stars are true record breakers.

They are the largest seastar in the world, with an arm-tip-to-arm-tip “wingspan” of more than two feet when fully grown. Using their thousands of tube feet, sunflower stars can glide a hundred-yard dash in under an hour; certainly bronze medal speed at least!

Contributed Photo/J. Hodin. Sunflower stars found by Richard Emlet in the intertidal on San Juan Island, July 2019.

They’re well known to ocean lovers for their brilliant colors, and to marine biologists for the fear they invoke in their many types of prey. Contact with a sunflower star will cause seafloor species – such as scallops and sea cucumbers – to defy their reputation as sedentary creatures and swim, in a desperate attempt to escape the clutches of the star’s 21+ arms.

Recently, sunflower stars broke another record, but one less worthy of celebration: of the dozens of west coast seastar species impacted by a mysterious syndrome known as seastar wasting disease, sunflower stars were hit the hardest. Continue Reading

Contributed Photo/Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

Officials Say Indoor Masking Protects Unvaccinated Children

From San Juan County

The Center for Disease Control has recently released new guidance on wearing masks for fully vaccinated individuals.

That announcement has been followed by the governor’s decision to more or less match the CDC guidance.

Fully vaccinated means two weeks past your final shot.

This guidance was released with no advance warning or coordination with local or state government. It will be a little while before the details are sorted. 

Inside

The CDC guidance specifically mentions that their approach does not replace any local or state regulations.

The San Juan County Health Officer order requiring customers to mask up inside businesses remains in place.

This applies whether you are vaccinated or not.

The reasoning is simple: many island businesses rely on teenage employees who are only now able to receive their vaccine.

Protecting them is vital, especially as we head into Memorial Day weekend. The health officer order will be revisited in mid-June once our island teenagers have had a chance to be fully vaccinated.

Any unvaccinated children 12 or older should get their shots now. To register for the current clinics for ages 12 and up, visit www.sanjuanco.com/1737/COVID-Vaccine-Info.

There is no guarantee that there will be opportunities to receive the Pfizer vaccine through local vaccine providers once the currently scheduled clinics are over.

Our highest risk group at this point is children 15 and under – none of whom are fully vaccinated at this time.

Those children and their parents need to be extra cautious about exposure to high-risk situations (indoors, unmasked, especially with unvaccinated individuals). After 12- to 15-year-olds have been vaccinated, extra caution will still be needed for children 11 and under.

If you are still making the choice to not be vaccinated or to not vaccinate your children, know that loosening restrictions on masks will increase your risk.

Outside

The CDC guidance around outdoor masking is reasonable. Fully vaccinated individuals may go unmasked when outside.

In addition, no one needs to wear a mask in uncrowded areas when walking down the street, on a dock, or through a park – whether they are vaccinated or not. Continue Reading

Continue Reading

From San Juan County

Contributed Image/CDC

Since the last update on Friday, May, total cases in San Juan County have increased from 179 to 180.

There are four close contacts of positive cases currently in active quarantine.

There is one new case on San Juan Island since the last update. This new case is a close contact a previously positive case. The initial transmission source is related to off-island travel.

There are three positive cases under active monitoring on San Juan Island at this time.

There are no new cases on Orcas, Lopez or Shaw island since the last update. There are no confirmed positive cases under active monitoring on those islands either. 

Overall

Kids 12 and over are now eligible for vaccination.

The county has scheduled five clinics with the Pfizer vaccine targeted specifically at these kids and their families, though anyone unvaccinated may sign up.

Details on these clinics and a number of single-shot walk-up clinics for adults are available at www.sanjuanco.com/1737/COVID-Vaccine-Info.

These clinics will be the very best chance for island kids 12 and older to get vaccinated. There may not be future 12+ clinics held in the islands.

If you are an adult and not vaccinated, now is the time to do so. Safety precautions will be lifting rapidly and risk will increase as well. Details on ongoing clinics available at the link above.