One new positive COVID-19 case has been reported on Orcas Island, which brings the total number of cases in San Juan County to date to 25. The initial case investigation is complete. Close contacts are in quarantine and the patient is isolating. The findings from the case investigation suggest the transmission source was a large off-island social gathering where some participants were unmasked.

Regarding the recent cases on San Juan Island: initial testing has not found any COVID positive individuals other than the five confirmed cases. Out of an abundance of caution, some close contacts remain in quarantine to minimize the chance of any further spread.

It has been said before, but it is so important that it needs to be highlighted again:

The greatest risk the islands are facing right now is close social contact between islanders and friends and family from outside of their household.

Cases are increasing dramatically in Washington and beyond. San Juan County is still in Phase 2, which limits us to no more than 5 contacts a week with those outside of our household. Clearly there are many not following this restriction, and clearly we are seeing new cases as a result. Recently Florida saw a surge of cases in their younger population, and a few weeks later saw an increase in hospitalizations as the surge spread to older individuals. Washington is now experiencing a surge in the younger population.

This crisis feels endless and it is hard to maintain so much sacrifice for so long. Preventing a roll-back to previous restrictions requires from all of us a dramatic reset of what “normal” life feels like. It’s not fun, but it matters, and it is what will continue to keep our islands strong.

Spring Street Asphalt Repairs Causing Traffic Disruption

Monday, July 27th through Wednesday, July 29th

Traffic will be disrupted while Contractors replace asphalt on Spring Street between Marguerite Place to Franklin Drive this Monday, July 27^th through Wednesday, July 29^th. This work is intended to repair potholing on Spring Street South Bound Lane and restore the Spring Street and Franklin Drive intersection. The Contractor is being asked to expedite the project with as little traffic disruption as possible. Drivers should expect delays and, if possible, plan alternate routes to ease congestion.

Crews are authorized to work from 7AM to 7PM. During work hours, traffic will be reduced to a single lane and speeds lowered for the construction zone. Flaggers will be stationed to direct vehicles and pedestrians. No parking will be permitted and local access to the airport will be impacted.

Please slow down, pay attention and abide by the traffic control for your safety and the safety of others.

Questions for daily operations can be directed to the on-site Project Manager, Pedro Mena, at [email protected] or Town Public Works at (360) 378 – 2154.

This was the original visitor center. It has been demolished and a new one is being built in its place – John Dustrude photo

By Louise Dustrude

When the new Visitor Center opens at American Camp next summer there will be some familiar features — the curved-trunk Douglas fir at the entrance, the small clump of black locust trees within the parking lot, and the friendly, knowledgeable National Park Service staff and volunteers to answer questions.

Black Locust trees near the parking lot – John Dustrude photo

Pleasing woodwork on the trellises at the interpretive plaza. The wood will blend in nicely with the surroundings and will complement the cedar siding being installed on the main building – NPS Photo

There will also be a number of innovations and improvements — interpretive panels hung from a beautiful trellis in a new plaza and demonstration area, stairs between the upper and lower areas of the parking lot, a bronze sculpture and other tactile elements including relief maps you can touch, as well as more parking and improved rest rooms.

The eagle pair, “Bertha” and “Bob, Jr.,” that have nested in the vicinity of the visitor center for over 15 years, continue to give pleasure to visitors. They successfully fledged two eaglets in 2019, and they have stayed around during this year’s construction according to Sara Dolan, the resources stewardship program manager for the park. She added, “The spotting scope will return once construction is complete and the Visitor Center is open to the public.” Continue Reading

In the San Juan Update mailbag this morning we find this letter from Karin Agosta…

A friend asked me yesterday about Ryan Palmateer’s strengths as a candidate for San Juan County Council District 1. This is a great question in today’s confusing, demanding world. Here’s what I wrote her:

First, his work in sustainable construction plus information technology — Northwest Eco-Building Guild on the mainland, the long-established Williams Enterprises/Egg Lake Quarry and the San Juan Islands Conservation District here — gives him a strong background in sustainable building technology and energy conservation that is essential for San Juan County going forward.

At Northwest Eco-Building Guild Ryan helped to expand the use of an innovative code database that serves builders and code officials as precedent for cutting edge green designs in construction. At Williams Enterprises, information technology and regulatory compliance were among his responsibilities. At the Conservation District he took a newly established position as energy program manager. Our housing situation is dire and our budgets are threatened. We need Ryan’s expertise. Other District 1 candidates are well intentioned in this regard; Ryan has the experience to really make it work. Continue Reading

The Port of Friday Harbor will hold a Port Commission Meeting (Call in Information Below) Wednesday July 22, 2020 at 12pm

Special Meeting Agenda

The public is prohibited from attending in person due to COVID-19 restrictions but may dial into the meeting via the link listed below. Comments can be e-mailed to the Port or addressed to the commission during the public comment section.

Click here to Join Zoom Meeting

• Meeting ID: 379 684 7063
• Password: 7063

Citizen comments/requests:
Citizens can make a brief comment or may ask the Commission to schedule a topic for further discussion at a future meeting.

Discussion Items:
The Commission will discuss Architectural designs submitted for the Marine Technical center to be located at Jensen’s Boatyard.

Port Commissioner and Committee Reports:

Citizen comments/requests:
Citizens can make a brief comment or may ask the Commission to schedule a topic for further discussion at a future meeting.

Adjourn

Although 2020 has been an incredibly challenging school year, the San Juan Island Community Foundation carried on its tradition of awarding annual scholarships to local students. Over the last few months, SJICF has awarded just under $150k in college scholarships and awards to 39 local students for the 2020-2021 school year.

9 graduating seniors from Friday Harbor High School and 2 from Spring Street International School were awarded new scholarships from funds held at the San Juan Island Community Foundation. 25 previous recipients were also awarded one-year renewals and new scholarships.

Students are selected each year based on their financial need, level of academic achievement and community involvement. 2 funds are awarded based on intended field of study.

This year’s scholarship recipients are: Continue Reading

Beginning on July 23rd – When Covid-19 made it necessary to cancel this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza, Friday Harbor Soroptimists moved on to the next best thing for our biggest fundraiser of the year.

Women and girls of San Juan County need our assistance more than ever before, so we have moved our exciting auction to an online format. We need and greatly appreciate your help to meet our goals and fund our vital community programs.

Please join us at https://charityauction.bid/sifri as we auction off an amazing array of items donated by generous island businesses and community members. We will hold three separate auctions, each with a different theme, beginning Thursday, July 23 and ending Wednesday, August 12.

When you bid, you will be supporting programs such as the Women’s Emergency Fund, Cancer Treatment Transportation Fund, Senior Nutrition Program, High School Scholarships, and many more. Continue Reading

The Scent Keeper & House Lessons: Renovating a Life

Many of you enjoyed Erica Bauermeister’s first visit to San Juan Island for her debut novel, The School Of Essential Ingredients, that went on to become a New York Times bestseller.

July 22, at 7:00 p.m. – via Zoom – she is returning to the San Juan Island Public Library for her recent novel, The Scent Keeper, and her memoir, House Lessons: Renovating a Life.

In association with Griffin Bay and Darvill’s Bookstores, the San Juan Island Library presents a reading of House Lessons: Renovating a Life, the new memoir by New York Times bestselling author Erica Bauermeister, author of the novels The Scent Keeper, The Lost Art of Mixing, and The School of Essential Ingredients. Continue Reading

In the San Juan Update mailbag this afternoon we have this letter from Tanja at the Land Bank…

Hello San Juan Update!

I’ve been posting our weekly “nature notes” on our facebook and Instagram accounts since April, and today’s posting features a pilot project to help the Island Marble butterfly thrive. I think it’s a great project and I’m sharing the link with you in case you think your readers would appreciate it as well.

Wishing you a happy and healthy week ahead,
Tanja

http://sjclandbank.org/nature-notes-a-moveable-feast/

Tanja Williamson
Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator
San Juan County Land Bank

High School Juniors and Seniors can earn tuition-free college credit at Skagit Valley College through the Running Start program

Did you know that High School Juniors and Seniors can earn tuition-free college credit at SVC while still in high school through the Running Start program? Students and families are invited to attend a virtual info session on July 21 from 6:00 to 7:00 to learn more about the program and the steps to get started for Fall Quarter.

•  To register: https://skagitvalley.secure.force.com/events/#/list

You will need access to a computer or phone with internet connectivity, but you do not need a webcam enabled. For additional information about Running Start, visit www.skagit.edu/runningstart

Photo by Richard Lawrence

FREEZER BURNED: Tales of Interior Alaska is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Steve Ulvi…

The days of subarctic summer blend together and can unsettle internal rhythms. This is both a blessing and a curse, in having so many outdoor activities and a greatly expanded opportunity to overdo it. The reality of it all is hard to convey to those who haven’t lived it.

Summer in the higher latitudes is a time of sweet deception. In the seasonal subsistence cycles of the upper Yukon River region there are many upticks in activity. The annual July harvest of king salmon, perhaps our most indispensable food resource for over 20 years, flames brightly in my memories.  

Interior Alaska summers are brief, but charged with a surreal energy. On the heels of summer solstice, days begin again in the wee hours after a short interlude of nightfall. The midnight sun radiates an excess of light and heat (you have seen the monstrous cabbages), and for a couple months anyway, lulls a person to disremember the dramatic long winter night that will arrive soon enough.

In the coniferous forest, the shady ease of early morning is laced by the ethereal calls of thrushes and distant guttural raven talk. Our home cabin, was set back from the tempestuous river, and hunkered under a protective canopy of tall white spruce. With water ladled from the corner barrel, reassuringly heating on a two-burner stove for strong coffee, I had a moment to scrape some enamel dinner plates to toss out some fish skin and scraps for our clownish ‘camp robber’ jay family. Twittering, bustling, always foraging, but quiet and approachable, unlike all other jays. A hearty cut of lightly brined salmon belly sizzled in bear grease and sopped up with a sourdough muffin was a perfect start for the day at hand. Continue Reading

Do Not Drive on Wet Fog Seal.

Second Street will be fog sealed starting the week of July 27th. The exact date depends on the weather and County’s ability to complete other sections of roadway on San Juan Island that week.

Work is estimated to last one day. Second Street will then be re-striped with fresh paint and crosswalk markings as soon as practical. Questions and comments can be forwarded to Town Public Works at (360) 378-2154 or (360) 378-2810.

WHAT TO EXPECT: Continue Reading

Skagit Valley College to talk about Marine Trades training at virtual info night July 22

Skagit Valley College will be talking about Marine Trades training and employment at a Zoom info session on Wed., July 22, 6-7pm. Learn how SVC’s Marine Maintenance Technology program can power up your new career!

To register please visit https://sforce.co/3fHmwJS

SVC’s Marine Maintenance Technology program is the premier training program on the West Coast and has openings for Fall Quarter. Faculty and staff will give you a first-hand look at your options and employment in three areas: propulsion, vessel systems, composites, and how to get started. Financial aid, scholarships, emergency funding are available.

Program details at www.skagit.edu/marine

The former Island Bicycles building – Louise Dustrude photo

By Louise Dustrude

Two living spaces intended as vacation rentals have become year-round residences instead because of Covid 19, and two others have become commercial spaces, according to Lynn Danaher, the owner.

Ryan Bennett, Lynn’s son and co-owner, has been remodeling and upgrading the four units at the corner of Argyle Avenue and Web Street, formerly the home of Island Bicycles, owned by Paul and Marty Ahart.

The two residential units are already rented, and the two commercial spaces are available for $800 and $1,000 a month respectively.

After purchasing the property from the Aharts in 2018 there was some delay in remodeling because of the difficulty of finding a plumber. So Ryan learned plumbing “with the aid of a book, youtube videos, and some expert advice and assistance,” Lynn said, and did the work, which has passed code. He also built one wall and installed some cabinets and plumbing fixtures, she said.

Blaine Painting has just completed the painting of the two buildings.

Malcom Street Properties, co-owned by Lynn and Ryan, is the owner of the property. It also owns Acanthus Suites at 460 Argyle.

“My goal,” Lynn says, “is always to maintain the historical integrity of a building and stay true to its style, but to upgrade all infrastructure to code, so most of the money spent is not seen but it insures the long-term viability and integrity of a historical structure.”

San Juan County Fair staff are preparing to launch the San Juan County Fair virtually this year. The fair is an opportunity to showcase all the talents and resources of our islands, and we are working to host exhibits online, and offer virtual entertainment.

Local businesses and non-profit organizations are encouraged to participate as “virtual vendors” this year (our online advertising fee is $40) and we hope you will consider supporting the fair, and our local economy by offering special discounts during the week of Fair.

We would also like to encourage local restaurants and food establishments to think about making some delicious fair inspired food for all the Elephant Ear & Corn Dog enthusiasts 😉 August 12-15th. For any one who is curious about what the Fair will look like this year, they can visit www.sjcfair.org/virtualfair.

Some departments, like Island Writers and Grains and Forage have early entry deadlines. Island Writers submissions should be emailed to [email protected] by July 17th, and Grains and Forage entries should be uploaded by July 24th.

If you’re wondering what we mean by “upload” and “entry” it means that while we know we won’t be able to look at exhibits at the Fairgrounds in person August 12-15th – we still want to see what you have made grown and raised, so we are asking you to consider submitting jpegs, pdfs or videos as your “entries” this year. Continue Reading

The North Pacific Right Whale: Why You Should Care about the World’s Rarest Whale

North Pacific Right Whale – Contributed photo

Join Friends of the San Juans and Kevin Campion of Deep Green Wilderness on July 23 at 6:30 pm to hear about Kevin and his team’s expeditions to film the North Pacific right whale. 

You’ll learn about what right whales mean for modern conservation efforts in the North Pacific and Salish Sea and view scenes from the upcoming film “Right Over the Edge.” You’ll also hear from Friends’ Marine Protection Program Director, Lovel Pratt, about an upcoming action alert (our Salish Sea neighbors in Canada need our help to stop a terminal expansion that would generate up to 520 additional container ship transits each year).

Less than 200 years ago, North Pacific right whales were frequently seen along the Pacific Rim. Commercial whaling severely depleted the population of North Pacific right whales beginning in the 19th century and continuing into the 1970’s. Today the eastern population of North Pacific right whales is critically endangered– considered by many to be the most endangered whale population on Earth. While they are no longer hunted, the whales are impacted by human activities exacerbated by their small population size. Continue Reading