Posted January 31, 2021 at 4:30 am by Hayley Day
From San Juan Island Library
Join the San Juan Island Library at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 3 for a Know Your Islanders Talk on the San Juan Island Distillery.
Join owners Suzy and Hawk as they give us a virtual tour, explaining how they distill small-batch ciders and spirits with local island produce and demonstrating what they try to achieve at each of their tasting sessions.
Email Genevieve Iverson at [email protected] for a Zoom meeting invitation.
Posted January 30, 2021 at 5:30 am by Hayley Day
Simeon Lariviere passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021.
Sim, as he was more commonly known, was born in Yakima on June 4, 1944. He originally moved to San Juan Island in the late 1970s to be a caretaker for the San Juan County Park. Later, he sold souvenirs and novelties at the family-owned store, Wisenheimers.
Locals may remember him for his homemade root beer, which he vended at the Farmer’s Market 30-odd years ago. More recently, people may recognize him through his vibrant and tactual paintings that he enjoyed exhibiting at the county fair, library, and in various businesses around town. He had a thirst for knowledge, which he quenched by studying, reading, and writing. He also took great joy in extracting laughter from others, friends and strangers alike.
Sim lived a full life and will be dearly missed by his wife, Mollie Irene Heath. He is survived by his six children; Greg, Geoff, Vincent, Maggie, Josie and Charlotte, and five grandchildren, whom will always hold fond memories of him within their hearts.
“Now I can see
the moon down the hill.
I hear the wind crying
in the dry branches of the trees.
Rain is pattering on the ground.
I am the rain.
I am the land,
and the grass will grow out of me
in a little while.” Love, Sim
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to San Juan Island EMS and the San Juan Island Family Resource Center.
Posted January 30, 2021 at 5:00 am by Hayley Day
From Washington Health Benefit Exchange
On Jan. 28, Washington Health Benefit Exchange announced it will open a special enrollment period that parallels the new federal enrollment period which runs from Feb. 15 through May 15, 2021.
“Having health insurance is critically important in these challenging times of COVID,” said Chief Executive Officer Pam MacEwan. “Opening a corresponding special enrollment period in our state gives more uninsured Washingtonians the chance to get needed coverage for 2021.”
The special enrollment period will apply to anyone seeking health insurance coverage. Individuals shopping for coverage during this special enrollment period that select coverage by the 15th of the month will begin receiving coverage the first of the following month.
It is expected that Healthcare.gov, the Federal Exchange, will sponsor extensive national outreach and advertising which will assist in getting the word out to Washingtonians.
Posted January 30, 2021 at 4:30 am by Hayley Day
From San Juan Community Theatre
Now you can watch the “Friday Harbor Happenings” blooper reel.
Thanks to all of you who subscribed to our YouTube channel, we met our goal of 200 subscribers!
So, we are now releasing the blooper reel. Enjoy!
Watch the video below and watch the entire series here.
Posted January 29, 2021 at 5:58 am by Hayley Day
From San Juan Community Theatre
Daniel Mayes of Island Stage Left performs a series of monologues, titled “Interpretations,” that will leave you breathless.
Introduced by Helen Machin-Smith, Daniel fills the San Juan Community Theatre stage with life through a variety of tales.
The evening begins with a monologue from Shakespeare’s “Othello,” and then transitions to a poem by Yeats, “The Song of the Wandering Aengus.”
Daniel returns to Shakespeare with “Henry V,” and then a wonderful performance from what is often called “the Scottish play.” Daniel continues with a poem turned monologue, “The Ballad of Tough Tom,” and then graciously offers the viewer a look at one of his well-known performances from “The Tempest.”
While we dream of once again watching Island Stage Left’s Shakespeare Under the Stars in person, this virtual performance by Daniel will lift your spirits and bring the arts back into your life, if but for a few moments.
You truly do not want to miss this incredible performance.
Watch the show here.
Posted January 29, 2021 at 5:30 am by Hayley Day
From Spring Street International School
At 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9, join Thor Hanson for Spring Street International School’s second virtual speaker series in 2021.
This event will investigate how plants and animals are responding to climate change by moving, adapting and evolving in real-time, all around us.
From lizards in hurricanes to wandering trees to the feeding habits of bees, bears and beetles, the stories in this talk explore the biological challenges of life on a changing planet.
Biologist Thor Hanson is a long-time islander and the author of several award-winning books, including “Buzz,” “Feathers,” and “The Triumph of Seeds.”
Register for the event here.
Posted January 29, 2021 at 4:30 am by Hayley Day
From Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferries will host a series of upcoming virtual public meetings. On Feb. 9 and 10, staff will be available to answer questions and give an update on Washington State Ferries.
For more information about how to participate, go to http://bit.ly/WSFCommunityParticipation.
The safety of our customers and crew is WSF’s top priority. Please remember that all traveling customers are required to wear face coverings inside the terminal, at the tollbooth and aboard the ferry. For additional travel information regarding COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Travel Updates webpage.
Posted January 28, 2021 at 5:30 am by Hayley Day
From Friday Harbor Film Festival
The Friday Harbor Film Festival presents “In Search of the Great Song,” an extraordinary musical documentary series directed by Michael and Doris Laesser Stillwater who were inspired by their “dedication to the underlying source of music and song.”
Watch online Feb. 1-17 at fhff.org. Screen Individual movies for $3.95 or purchase a trilogy pass for $8.95.
This film offers a glimpse into the life and music of the artist considered to be one of the greatest living choral composers and certainly one of the most frequently performed. The film features intimate interviews with him in California, Scotland and Waldron Island (in the San Juans), interwoven with performances of his masterworks in America and Scotland and commentaries by music contemporaries. It gives the viewer a rare opportunity to spend a little time with this extraordinary man, who has derived his inspiration from the natural world. As Lauridsen has observed, “You can hear that its serenity, calmness, and beauty have crept into my music.”
Posted January 28, 2021 at 5:00 am by Hayley Day
From Washington State Department of Commerce
Washington state’s economy is challenged by persistent gaps in the availability of affordable child care.
According to the Washington Child Care Collaborative Task Force, lack of access to affordable child care keeps over 133,000 potential workers out of Washington’s labor force.
The effects ripple through Washington’s economy, resulting in an estimated $14.7 billion less in personal earnings, $56.8 billion less in business output, $34.8 billion lower Gross State Product, and over $1 billion in lost tax revenue annually.
A new report from the task force recommends specific policy changes and investments that would result in increased affordability and availability of child care for all Washington families.
According to the report, in San Juan County, 44% of families lack child care options.
Percentage of families in areas that lack child care by county. Data from the Child Care Task Force 2020 Child Care Industry Assessment Report (Aug 2020).
Posted January 28, 2021 at 4:30 am by Hayley Day
From San Juan County
The San Juan County Charter Review Committee will hold its next meeting at 4 p.m., today, Thursday, Jan. 28, online.
The committee will consider amendments to the County Home Rule Charter. The meeting is expected to last about two hours.
Join the Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87303483778.
Meeting ID: 873 0348 3778
One tap mobile: +12532158782,,87303483778# US (Tacoma)
View the agenda at www.sanjuanco.com/AgendaCenter.
For more information, contact Olivia Roseberry, vice chair at [email protected].
Posted January 27, 2021 at 5:30 am by Hayley Day
Contributed Photo/www.facebook.com/shawgeneralstore
By Jennifer Swanson, [email protected]; Anne Wysocki, [email protected]; Learner Limbach, [email protected], Save the Shaw Store Board of Directors
Save the Shaw Store has gotten off to a terrific start.
Within just a few days of the first public announcement, enthusiastic responses have come from across the islands, as well as from the rest of Washington state, Oregon, California, Nevada, and even Arkansas and Kentucky!
Through their donations, 17 people helped us surpass the $10,000 necessary to complete the Due Diligence Fund.
Along the way, we have received or been promised over $3,000 in in-kind services.
We are now contracting with professionals to do the electrical, plumbing, building and other site inspections and due diligence that will help us evaluate the current status of the property and determine what repairs or future maintenance may be needed.
We hope to have all reports and answers in hand by the end of February. Many of you have contacted us offering support and encouragement.
We’re hearing a great deal of enthusiasm for the Shaw Store to stay a store, owned by a community nonprofit. We are thrilled to report that we already have over $50,000 in pledges to our Downpayment Fund. Thank you very much if you have already donated or pledged! Continue Reading
Posted January 27, 2021 at 5:00 am by Hayley Day
From San Juan County Economic Development Center
The San Juan County Economic Development Council has created a survey to assess existing and potential negative economic impacts from recent events.
Responses to the survey are confidential and will be anonymized, aggregated and used to determine programs and resources intended to mitigate economic impacts.
Business owners and managers are urged to respond to the survey as soon as possible at www.sanjuansedc.org/business-survey.
For more information, please email [email protected].
The EDC thanks San Juan County, the Town of Friday Harbor, the Port of Friday Harbor and the Washington State Department of Commerce for their support of this survey.
The San Juan County Economic Development Council strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County. We believe a strong economy builds a strong community.
Posted January 27, 2021 at 4:30 am by Hayley Day
From San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1
San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 will hold a meeting at 5:30 p.m., today, Wednesday, Jan. 27.
The meeting will be held remotely due to COVID-19. Call 509-473-0276 and enter 637 502 786#.
The draft agenda includes discussions on the integration of EMS and fire and the election of officers and committees.
Posted January 26, 2021 at 9:49 pm by Hayley Day
Looking over the marina from Fairweather Park at the Port of Friday Harbor (photo by Josie Byington)
From the Port of Friday Harbor
The Port of Friday Harbor Board will meet at noon, Wednesday, Jan. 27 online.
Join the Zoom meeting here and enter the meeting ID 379 684 7063 and password 7063.
The agenda includes discussions on a new hangar at the airport and replacing the restaurant at the airport.
Posted January 26, 2021 at 7:33 am by Hayley Day
Contributed Image/San Juan County
By Hayley Day, San Juan Update
UPDATE: On Jan. 29, San Juan County officials said some can also get the vaccine at the Lopez Island Pharmacy. Learn more on the pharmacy’s website and Facebook page.
In San Juan County, the only COVID-19 vaccine supplier as of Jan. 26 is the San Juan County Health and Community Services.
Staff is offering COVID-19 immunization clinics on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Islands.
As of Jan. 26, there were no appointments available. The department will release the next available appointments at 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29.
According to the county, at this time, vaccine eligibility is limited to individuals in Phase 1a or Phase 1b Tier 1, including health care workers, first responders, those over 65, and those over 50 and caring for a grandchild or elder. Full details are available here.
As of Jan. 26, there were seven locations to receive the vaccine in Skagit County, including at Island Hospital on 24th Street in Anacortes. Make an appointment for that location here.
There are also three locations to receive the vaccine in Island County and five in Whatcom County.
To locate vaccine distributors in Washington state, visit the state health department’s website.
Posted January 26, 2021 at 5:30 am by Hayley Day
From the Washington State Department of Health
The Washington State Department of Health, with assistance from the Washington National Guard and local and private sector partners, will launch four mass vaccination sites throughout the state this week.
Announced by Gov. Jay Inslee on Jan. 18, the sites are located in Kennewick, Ridgefield, Spokane and Wenatchee. They will be open by appointment only to people who pre-registered and are eligible for the vaccine under Phase 1A or 1B-1.
Based on current allocations for the state of Washington, the initial goal is to have enough vaccine to provide approximately 500 vaccinations per site, per day. In the beginning, it will be less, as sites ramp up to that goal and beyond.