Spring Street Landing and Memorial Park – Tim Dustrude photo

Local Holiday Decorating Contest

By Becki Day, Executive Director, San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce

The holidays are just around the corner.

What better way to brighten things up than to have a “Let’s Light up Friday Harbor” campaign, beginning Friday, Nov. 27 to start off the shop local holiday?

This is a Christmas decorating contest for businesses and residential dwellings. Judging will be on Dec. 5. 

For businesses, there will be a Best Business Window Display and Best Outdoor Display. Each winner will receive a $100 prize.

For the town residential display winner, the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce and local businesses would like to award the winner with a basket of gift certificates to encourage shopping local for all of their holiday needs. Any and all gift certificates are needed.

Reach out to [email protected] for a decorating entry form or to offer a gift certificate for the residential decorating winner.

Let’s start spreading the word: shop small and shop local; eat to go and stay local.

By Laura Norris, Owner, Griffin Bay Bookstore

To all of our loyal friends and customers, a huge thank you for making it possible for the bookstore to survive these difficult times. 

It is our main objective at Griffin Bay Bookstore to bring joy to our friends and customers, to provide a respite and escape from everyday humdrum, to enlighten, and to remind us all of the meaning of life.

I am, of course, referring to the mighty power of the book: it’s tactile and magical possibilities that carry us away, educate and unite, and encourage us to remember the infinite wonder of life that gives us all hope.

It is our privilege to provide the venue for such explorations and we invite all into our store to safely share in this vital experience even while we are distancing from one another. Your invaluable support continues to make this possible. Thank you to our island community, our friends and neighbors, for your continued encouragement in this endeavor.

Our first and foremost priority at Griffin Bay Bookstore is to keep everyone safe. We have already reduced capacity in the store from 10 to seven people. This is below the 25 percent capacity threshold that Washington State has just mandated.

We are now open to appointment shopping from 9-10 a.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Please call the bookstore to schedule your appointment for a half-hour of shopping and browsing with just two others. Continue Reading

Cask & Schooner staff sent the Update a taste of their Thanksgiving options. The staff is offering take out Thanksgiving dinner this year, and pre-ordering is required. Check out the menu below. 

San Juan Islands Sculpture Park President David Jenkins. Contributed Photo/James Mead Maya

By Francie Hansen, San Juan Island

Contributed Photo/sjisculpturepark.com

Have you been to the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park lately?

It’s had a make-over, thanks to the park’s president David Jenkins and a small group of committed islanders.

It’s the perfect place — winter, spring, summer, or fall — to walk (the park is both dog-friendly and child-friendly), sit on a bench, and quietly soak up the beauty of nature.

You can explore a whimsey walk in the woods, or play in the starfish/driftwood area with your children or grandchildren, or simply admire a wonderful collection of beautiful pieces of art, many of which were crafted by our talented island sculptors.

Recently I was inspired to speak with David about the park’s exciting transformation over recent years. Before retiring here on the island, he had worked at the Smithsonian for 10 years.

And from this perspective, he sees the park as a giant exhibit, with its gardens and art a perfect match for his talents.

“A good painting deserves a frame,” he said. “so at the park I create spaces like I would in a museum, ensuring that the art sits in the midst of the best possible environment.” Continue Reading

By Island Rec

Celebrate community and the spirit of giving with a free pilates mat class via Zoom on Thanksgiving morning.

The class is for beginner to advanced students and will run from 9-10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 26.

Register in advance by emailing Morgan Johnston at [email protected]. The link will be sent out 30 minutes prior to class.

Rep. Rick Larsen. Contributed Photo

By Rep. Rick Larsen’s Office

Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee, Garret Graves (LA-06), the Subcommittee’s Ranking Member, and Sharice Davids (KS-03), the Subcommittee’s Vice Chair, introduced a bipartisan resolution designating the week of Nov. 16 – 22, 2020, as National Drone Safety Awareness Week.

Founded by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2019, National Drone Safety Awareness Week highlights the numerous benefits of drone use and stresses the need for a strong partnership between stakeholders and the federal government to ensure safe drone operation.

Larsen has long called for a robust federal framework to ensure the safe and efficient integration of drones into U.S. airspace.

“Drones are flourishing in the skies at a pace not imagined years ago,” said Chair Larsen. “This innovative technology is helping people perform critical tasks more efficiently. Drones help first responders conduct search-and-rescue operations, doctors deliver life-saving medicines and medical supplies to patients, small businesses transport products to consumers and create U.S. jobs, and governments to survey natural disaster damage and inspect critical infrastructure. I will continue to champion efforts to ensure the safe and efficient integration of drones into U.S. airspace.” Continue Reading

Happy Thanksgiving! Photo/Peggy Sue McRae

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

Islanders are creative resourceful people.

For everyone’s health and to see our way through this pandemic, holidays will be a little different this year. That does not mean we cannot celebrate, enjoy good food, share with our loved ones even if from a distance, and appreciate our island community.

Here is some good news. The island’s Community Thanksgiving will happen this year. Adjusting to the times, it will be a take-out dinner!

From noon-3:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 26, at the Mullis Center, a hot meal — including turkey, rolls, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, Waldorf salad, green beans, and assorted pies — will be packaged for take out in two or four servings, accommodating families of two, four, six or eight.

Drive up and your take-out Thanksgiving dinner will be brought to your car. Continue Reading

Contributed Image/CDC

Seven New Cases On Orcas, No New Hospitalization in County

By San Juan County

Orcas Island

Since the last update, seven new cases have been identified on Orcas Island. This brings the total number of cases in San Juan County to 56. All of these new cases are tied to a nine-case cluster on Orcas who all shared indoor social contact.

At this time, contact tracing from all current positive cases has been completed and close contacts have been tested. Depending on those results, additional contact tracing and quarantining may be required. A number of individuals remain in quarantine for the period required after their last contact with a confirmed case.

The initial transmission for this cluster of cases is unknown. It is assumed that there is a community spread of COVID on Orcas Island at this time.

Lopez Island

At this time, all active investigations on Lopez Island have concluded and a number of individuals remain in quarantine for the period required after their last contact with a confirmed case.

San Juan Island

Continue Reading

Contributed Image

By SJI Farmers Market

The San Juan Island Farmers Market is hosting three holiday craft markets this year. Support local vendors and stock up for the holidays.

The markets will take place from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays, Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and Dec. 19. 

Join farmers, crafters, makers and artisans for a safe and socially distanced local shopping experience. 

​The market is located at the Brickworks building, in Sunshine Alley behind the movie theater, at 150 Nichols Street in Friday Harbor.

For more information, visit http://www.sjifarmersmarket.com or email [email protected]

By Cynthia Burke, Owner, Cynthia’s Bistro

Cynthia’s Bistro is offering free takeaway meals to anyone who needs a meal or wishes to have a home-cooked meal. No questions asked, just free food. Stop by Cynthia’s this Thursday, Nov. 19, from 4:30-6 p.m. to pick up your meal.

When we run out of food, we will close the doors until next time. We will be stationed on the front porch and handing out the meals at Cynthia’s Bistro at 65 Nichols Street in Friday Harbor.

The meals are basic home cooking made with everything but the kitchen sink.

If you care to join us and donate time or money to the cause, feel free to contact Cynthia at 360-298-8130 or  [email protected].

Contributed Image

Most Restrictions Start Nov. 16; For Restaurants, Nov. 18

By Washington’s Governor’s Office

On Sunday, Nov. 15, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a four-week statewide set of restrictions in response to the recent rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus in Washington and across the country.

The new restrictions come as Washington sees consistent increasing daily case counts, with over 2,000 cases a day over the weekend and average cases in the state doubling over the past two weeks.

“This spike puts us in a more dangerous position as we were in March,” Inslee said during a press conference Sunday. “And it means, unfortunately, the time has come to reinstate restrictions on activities statewide to preserve the public’s well-being and to save lives. These were very difficult decisions that have very real consequences to people’s livelihoods. I recognize that and don’t take those impacts lightly, but we must act now and act quickly to slow the spread of this disease.”

The restrictions are statewide and will take effect at 11:59 p.m., Monday, Nov. 16 and will remain in effect until Monday, Dec. 14. The modified restrictions of restaurants, however, will take effect at 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Continue Reading

By SJIMA

“How to Look at the Sun” by Stubblefield, close up photo. Contributed Image

Remember a time on a summer night when you laid on your back and stared at the night sky and felt insignificant in that vastness of space? 

In “SPACE, MUSES, ETC.” at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art, Sam Stubblefield intends to deepen that same sense of awe in us.

The fog descends just after sunset.

As the time of sunset moves, so does the time of the fog. It starts with mare’s tails and billows over the exhibition released in rhythm with solar flare activity.

Finally, the glass atrium gallery appears as a mysterious white cloud.  As the fog reaches into the 20-foot ceilings the daylight exhibits recede and the lights and neon works emerge. Awe. Continue Reading

As cases spike dramatically in San Juan County, Washington, and the United States, we would like to urge islanders to scale back their holiday plans.

Over recent months, we’ve been able to enjoy a slow reopening of our islands. Restaurants, gatherings, shops, gyms, and most recently schools have all made slow progress towards returning to a limited version of normal.

Those gains are now at risk, and the prospect of upcoming holiday travel is looming as an even greater threat to the health and livelihood of our community.

We urge all islanders to stay local and keep your holiday gatherings small. Continue Reading

By San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

The 2020 Washington State Prevention Summit’s Award of Excellence for Lifetime Achievement goes to San Juan Island Prevention Coalition’s own dedicated and caring Executive Coordinator Cynthia Stark-Wickman.

Cynthia has cultivated an uplifting and inclusive environment so our community can grow in hope, science, and positive outcomes. Continue Reading

Contributed Photo

By Carrie Unpingco, Executive Director, San Juan Island Community Foundation

As many families in our community have been adversely impacted by COVID-19, these impacts are magnified when children don’t have a safe and supportive place to go to while their parents are at work.

Please consider a gift to the Head Start building expansion project, right here in Friday Harbor.

Did you know that Head Start is much more than just childcare for low-income families?

This program, which has been in our community for decades, focuses on the whole child and family, including health screenings and nutrition, family well-being and early learning.

Up until recently, this two-classroom facility served just 20 children.

Contributed Photo

Now, after decommissioning the building and donating it to the school district to serve as the new classroom for Griffin Bay, we have an opportunity to expand the program with a new, three-classroom modular, which will provide a wonderful learning environment and family resource space for years to come.

Did you know that 24 percent of children (our friends and neighbors) in San Juan County live in poverty?

These children and their families have been most severely impacted by COVID-19 and will benefit most from the new three-classroom Head Start center. Continue Reading

By San Juan County

As we head into what may be the most challenging time yet in the COVID crisis, we want to share information about at-home testing options.

To begin, a few key points:

1. If you are symptomatic, contact a local health care provider and talk about getting tested. Stay home until you have test results back.

2. Nothing below should be considered a recommendation for a particular provider. Do your research, use common sense, and know that this information may change over time.

3. If you are an islander or island visitor who receives a positive test result of any kind and are not contacted by San Juan County Health & Community Services, please call 360-370-7500.

4. We recognize that not everyone has the resources or ability to access at-home testing. San Juan County Health & Community Services will continue to work to provide asymptomatic testing options for the community. More information will be provided as that plan is finalized. Continue Reading