Students Study Kelp Consumers

By Katie Dobkowski, James Calhoon, Katrina Johnson and Muriel Dittrich

Katie Dobkowski is a visiting assistant professor at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and a mentor in the Friday Harbor summer REU program. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 2017 and has conducted research at the labs since taking the Marine Algae course in Summer 2010. She received funding from the Bates Faculty Development Fund and the Friday Harbor Labs Dudley Fellowship.

James Calhoon is a senior at Bates College studying Biology and Economics; he likes to surf and play guitar.  James spent this past summer at the labs researching the feeding preferences of urchins. He received funding from the Bates Environmental Internship and Bates Student Research Fund and from the labs’ REU program.

Katrina Johnson is a senior at Bates College, studying Biology and Chemistry, who spent the summer of 2020 at the labs and has a profound love of orcas. She received funds from the Bates Hoffman Fellowship and the labs’ REU program.

Muriel Dittrich is a senior at the University of Alaska Southeast studying Marine Biology. Muriel was an REU at the labs during the summer of 2020 and she likes to go crabbing and explore kelp forests.

We were very fortunate to be able to travel to Friday Harbor Labs to conduct research during the summer of 2020 in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic and are exceedingly grateful to all of the Friday Harbor Labs faculty (including the REU program coordinators, Stacy Farina and Adam Summers) and staff who made this opportunity possible. Continue Reading

Contributed Image/CDC

By San Juan County

Since the last update on Friday, Dec. 11, total cases in San Juan County have increased from 71 to 75. All of the four new cases are on San Juan Island.

Current positive case numbers are available online on the county case count page.

As indicated on that page, these numbers are only updated after case confirmation is complete, usually daily. It is possible that other information sources in the community may be quicker to report on new cases, but ensuring privacy and accuracy is critical for this official information source.

Orcas Island

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By Skagit Regional Health and United General District 304

Contributed Photo/HNW

Board members of Skagit County Public Hospital District No. 1 (Skagit Regional Health) and Public Hospital District No. 304 (United General District 304) each voted on Friday, Dec. 18 to discontinue further consideration of a potential purchase agreement for Hospice of the Northwest.

The two public hospital districts co-own and manage Hospice of the Northwest, a service that provides comprehensive medical care and support for patients facing life-limiting illness and the loved ones who care for them.

Over the past year, the boards were reviewing an opportunity to potentially sell Hospice of the Northwest as a result of receiving an unsolicited offer from a national hospice provider.

During the process, the board members remained consistently focused on ensuring that the quality of care and breadth of services offered locally would be equal or improved, now and into the future. Continue Reading

Contributed Photo/krakenimages

By Island Rec

Adult online fitness classes are open for registration. Sign up for the whole month of January, or a drop-in option is also available. To register, visit www.islandrec.org.

Fit and Over 50 (On-Demand)

Try a safe, heart-healthy exercise class to energize your active lifestyle from the comfort of your own home with Jacquelyn Reiff.

This class will use easy to follow low-impact movements, increase core and muscular strength while working on balance and stretching to enhance your daily living.

A chair can be used for standing support and exercises can be modified depending on fitness level.

This class is now “on-demand.” Register for the month and receive a link to a fitness library.  Take class when you want and as often as you want throughout the month.

Age: 50+,
Time: January 2021, on-demand
Cost: $34 for the month or $6 per class. Drop-in participants will be given access to a recorded class link by 8 a.m., Mondays and Wednesdays.

Gentle Pilates and Movement (On-Demand)

This Pilates and movement class is gentle and slow-moving with therapeutic influences. Emphasis will be on alignment, breathing, developing a strong core, and improving coordination and balance.

This restorative class builds the basics that keep our backs strong and free of chronic pain and tension. It will require focus, attention, deliberate movement, slowing down, and staying aware of your body. Appropriate for all fitness levels and ages.

This class is “on demand.” That means you will be given access to a fitness library of four classes. Take the classes, when you want, and as often as you want within the month.

Age: 16+
Time: January 2021, on-demand
Cost: $34 for four classes

Gentle Yoga and Destress

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By Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor

Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is well-known known for its educational awards and scholarships available to local women and girls.

They also supply ferry tickets to cancer patients and their caretakers traveling to the mainland for treatment, as well as a women’s emergency fund.

These and other Soroptimist programs provide vital assistance to our community. 

Fundraising for these critical programs has been challenging this year due to COVID-19. After the St. Patrick’s Day dinner and auction had to be canceled, Soroptimist turned to an online auction system.

They are doing the same with this year’s raffle.

Currently, an online raffle, “The Best Raffle Ever” is happening on www.sifri.org. In other years, most raffle tickets were sold in person, at tables in the markets, which is also not possible at this time. Continue Reading

By San Juan County

The deadline for proposed amendments to the San Juan County Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code is 4:30 p.m. March 1, 2021.  

The “Annual Docket of Comprehensive Plan Amendments” or “Docket” process allows interested persons, citizens, hearing examiners, and staff of other agencies to request amendments to the San Juan County Comprehensive Plan maps, policies or development regulations.

Development regulations are those contained in Titles 16 and 18 of the San Juan County Code. The Growth Management Act requires this annual amendment process at RCW 36.70A.470(2).

Complete applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m., March 1, 2021, to the San Juan County Department of Community Development, P.O. Box 947, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 or emailed to [email protected].

Application forms and additional information are available at https://www.sanjuanco.com/1658/Annual-Docket. To request a physical copy of the application, use the contact information below.

Please contact Sophia Cassam at 360-370-7589 or via email at [email protected] if you have questions or need assistance. 

Contributed Photo/Mitya Ivanov

By San Juan Island Fire and Rescue

According to sources close to Santa Claus, Santa really missed seeing the wonderful and always well-behaved children of San Juan Island.

Some clever elves contacted San Juan Island Fire and Rescue requesting help while allowing the reindeer to rest before their annual trip around the globe to deliver Christmas presents.

This Saturday, Dec. 19, Santa will be riding inside a San Juan Island fire truck and will make two loops around Friday Harbor and one loop around Roche Harbor.

Santa is excited and can’t wait to see you.

Santa said he will be wearing a mask and will be on the right-hand side of the fire truck facing the sidewalks.

While COVD-19 prevents Santa from stopping to pose for photographs or to speak with children, he still very much wants to see you and wants everyone to be safe.

The fire truck will move slowly on the routes below. Please stay on the sidewalk, or in your car to wave.

Friday Harbor

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By Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor

Age: Approx 14 years
Sex: Male
Breed: Domestic Shorthair

Meet sweet Stanley!

He’s a senior kitty that is looking to rest his old bones in the comfort of a warm, cozy home.  Stanley is a special needs cat but maintains his health with a specialty diet and a positive outlook.

He was brought into the shelter one year ago as a stray and was extremely underweight and malnourished.  He is doing so much better now! 

We would love for Stanley to find a retirement home where he can be loved and doted on for his remaining years.

ABOUT

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Contributed Image. Read this book during the seminars.

By Friday Harbor Power Squadron

Advanced Powerboat Handling seminars will be held on Zoom, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 18, Feb. 15 and March 15, 2021

The Jan. 18 class will cover close-quarter maneuvering. The Feb. 15 class will cover understanding stability and balance and how your boat performs at sea. The March 15 class will cover handling your boat in open waters, wave handling and severe conditions.

The cost for all three seminars is $20 for Friday Harbor Power Squadron members and $40 for nonmembers.

The seminars’ books — “Powerboat Handling” and “Boating with Confidence” — are $30 for the pair. The books are highly recommended but not mandatory.

To register, contact Ann Einboden at [email protected] or call 360-378-3288. You can use a credit card or write a check to Friday Harbor Power Squadron. Send checks to Ann Einboden, 161 Avenida de Oro, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Contributed Photo. Luoka Naretu Primary School staff installs the solar power suitcase from Friday Harbor High School.

By San Juan Island School District

During the school year 2018-19, the Friday Harbor High School’s Advanced Placement environmental science class partnered with a nonprofit to build two “expedition class solar suitcases,” to study both renewable energy and social issues around the world.

Contributed Photo. Luoka Naretu Primary School.

We Share Solar — a nonprofit whose mission includes providing health workers with reliable lighting, mobile communication, and medical devices — provided kits and a solar power curriculum. Students engaged in a hands-on learning project about the global impact solar power can have as a renewable resource.

The class built two solar suitcases and after a long wait due to import delays, they were finally delivered to Luoka Primary School and Naretu Academy in Narok County, Kenya.

After installation, a thank you note was received by Friday Harbor High School teacher Sam Garson that included a description of the immediate impact these suitcases made as well as photos of the installation. Continue Reading

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

Any way you look at it, 2020 has been one heck of a year.

Times have been tough for many islanders. For some of us, staying at home without our usual social interactions has been the brunt of it. That has been hard enough.

Others have lost crucial business or become unexpectedly unemployed. We understand that some are not able to donate. If however, you are able to, please consider supporting the Mullis Center with a year-end gift.

Just when the Mullis Center’s popular senior lunch program was expanding from two to three days a week, it had to be shut down due to COVID-19.

Our nutrition program has been adapted to serve an increasing number of homebound seniors and disabled adults. San Juan County Meals on Wheels and More nutrition program has more than tripled its delivery of hot or frozen meals to more than 200 San Juan Island seniors. This vital program is expected to grow even more in 2021.

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Contributed Image/Port of Friday Harbor. Preliminary rendering of the Marine Technical Center.

By Port of Friday Harbor

A special Port of Friday Harbor meeting will be held at noon, Wednesday, Dec. 16 via Zoom. Visit https://www.portfridayharbor.org/december-16-2020-special-meeting-documents/ for instructions on how to log into the meeting.

The Port of Friday Harbor has completed a conceptual design for a 15,000 sq. ft. Marine Technical Center and Island Oil Spill Association headquarters on vacant land at the Jensen’s Marina and Boatyard.

This building is intended to house incubation space, marine-related maker space, and marine trade or professional services.

Port of Friday Harbor commissioners invite the community to this special meeting to gather public input on both the design of the building and potential uses within the completed building.

Proposed Timeline:

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Nana’s Holiday House in 2019.

Jeanine Earnhart is one of the masterminds behind Nana’s Holiday House in Friday Harbor. With the ongoing pandemic, Earnhart, along with her daughter Laura Earnhart Holden and friend Debbie Cutting, opted not to open the longstanding holiday store this year.

Earnhart spoke with the Update about Nana’s Holiday House’s current socially distanced options; how the store usually operates; and the future of the island holiday staple.

Q: Why did you decide to not open Nana’s Holiday House this year?

A: After going back and forth about opening Nana’s House this year, as [COVID-19] cases increased, we decided it was too big of a risk for kids, parents and my helper elves. I would feel awful if someone was exposed at our shop.

Q: What are you doing instead?

Nana’s Holiday House in 2017.

A: This year, when we couldn’t open, I tried to think of how we could continue the spirit of giving for the kids and thought it would be fun for them to make their gifts.

I got together with Creative Passions craft store and we came up with a display of simple craft ideas the kids could make along with YouTube instructions on how to make them. Many of them can be made with items at home, plus the craft store has lots of supplies.

If people go on to Facebook to Nana’s Holiday House, there are pictures of items we’ve made and the instructions. There are $15 gift certificates from Nana’s House available at the store to get kids started. That should cover the items they need. 

Q: Why did you open Nana’s Holiday House?

A: We started Nana’s House to provide an opportunity for kids to experience the joy of giving.

When my kids were little, we had a Sprouse Ritz on the island, where kids could buy small little things.

I would send them in the store with $20 and sit in the car while they spend a good hour in there picking just the right gifts for me and their dad. Christmas morning, they were as excited for us to open our gifts as they were opening theirs and I saw them experience the joy of giving. I decided we could have a store like that, with people making or buying small gifts for kids to buy for their family.

Q: How do you usually collect items for the store? Continue Reading

By San Juan Community Theatre

Watch Emily Anton, from The Ballet and Movement School, on the San Juan Community Theatre’s website.

Emily Anton began her professional career at the Cornish Dance Theatre working with Steve Casteel and Olivier Wevers.

She went on to dance at the Oakland Ballet Company and Peninsula Ballet Theatre working with Michael Lowe, Jenna McClintock, Carlos Carvajal and Bruce Steivel. It was with these companies that she began to be cast in soloist roles.

When she moved to New York City she danced with Ballets with a Twist as a soloist and was honored to have a solo, Bloody Mary, created on her. With Ballets with a Twist, she had the opportunity to perform their signature show, Cocktail Hour all around the country and perform with Cyndi Lauper as well other celebrities in her “Home for the Holidays” shows at the Beacon Theatre. Continue Reading

By Friends of the San Juans

This year has been life-changing for all of us to varying degrees.

In early March, the message from Friends of the San Juans was one of changing times, as directives unfolded with caution and deliberation. Those same feelings continue to unfold in a variety of ways.

Yet today, we are filled with a depth of gratitude.

Some of our closest donors came forward to aid our year-end giving, with a $100,000 challenge match. We explained that after a year where we have held off our fundraising messages, out of respect for health and human needs to those impacted so deeply, so closely, and so fundamentally by the pandemic, there was a genuine need for our nonprofit. 
 
We are truly humbled by the generosity and the opportunity that we now have to leverage their contributions in this $100,000 challenge match. This is a bigger match than has ever happened in our 41 years. Continue Reading

Contributed photo/ SJISD. Superintendent Fred Woods.

By Fred Woods, Superintendent, San Juan Island School District

As we move into the final week before the schools’ winter break, I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude for your support during this unprecedented and difficult time for our students and families.

I also want to wish you the happiest of holidays. This is my favorite of all seasonal celebrations. Yes, the lights are up at our house and I look forward to spending time at home and eating all the food that is supposedly not good for me.

Though 2020 has not been much fun, there is light at the end of the tunnel and the holiday season marks the welcome beginning of our move toward normal daily life.

Many of our families have reached out to share information and their desire to “get the kids back to school.” Others have expressed great concern and a fear of returning.

I just want to let you know that I hear you. Continue Reading