A note from the Visitors Bureau…

Friday Harbor, WA – Summer is here, and that normally means an increase in visitors to our Islands. While 2020 is redefining what ‘normal’ is, there are steps the tourism industry is taking to safely welcome visitors back to the Islands.

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One of our most important goals is to educate our visitors and ask them to share the responsibility of keeping our community safe by following our County Health Officer’s guidelines as we move into a modified Phase 3 of the Governor’s Safe Start reopening plan. This partnership is key to moving forward carefully and cohesively.

The Visitors Bureau, in collaboration with the three Island Chambers of Commerce, has created a “pledge” from our tourism industry to our visitors, and for our visitors to our businesses and islanders. This pledge lists aspects such as wearing masks, washing hands, social distancing, and following local Health Officer guidelines, to keep each other safe.

This poster is available to download (link below) for all island businesses and non-profits, or you can drop by the Visitors Bureau or Chamber offices to pick up a few. The goal is to make everyone aware of strict health and safety guidelines so we move forward together. Continue Reading

For many islanders, it is a long-standing tradition to come to UW Friday Harbor Labs (FHL) on the 4th of July to sit on the breakwater or bluffs to watch the fireworks in the harbor – it’s one of the best viewing sites! 

So we are saddened to announce that this year, access to the FHL grounds will be restricted as the campus continues to be closed to the public for the health and safety of the island community and FHL staff and researchers.

On the 4th, to ensure that no large gatherings take place on campus, we will be closing University Road where it crosses onto FHL property and will have a staff member stationed there in the evening.

We look forward to a better 2021 season when FHL students, scientists, and staff will again welcome the islands community for Open House, 4th of July, and other social events.

The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will hold candidate forums on the video conference platform Zoom at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, and Wednesday, July 8. To attend the forums, please send a message to [email protected] to register. The League will provide a link to the Zoom meeting shortly before the scheduled date.

The forum on July 7 will feature the candidates running for the San Juan County Council based on Orcas (District 2): Cindy Wolf, Michael Durland and incumbent Rick Hughes.

The forum on July 8 will feature the five candidates running for the San Juan County Council seat based on San Juan (District 1): Christine Minney, Daniel Miller, Ryan T. Palmateer, Sharon Kivisto, and Steve Wehrly.

To learn more about those running, visit https://voter.votewa.gov/genericvoterguide.aspx?e=865&c=28#/ and select “county candidates.”   

This article was written by Mike Vouri, local author and former NPS Historian…

The heat was already stifling at 11 a.m. in late July 2004 when I encountered four Canadian reenactor colleagues taking a breather in the shade at the corner of Little and Douglas roads.

Clad in the scarlet and blue wool uniforms of the mid-19th century Royal Marines, they were running sweat and still had more than nine miles to go on griddle-hot pavement before they reached English Camp. Their object was to highlight the festivities of our annual Encampment event by roughly duplicating the route that ran about 13 miles between the British and American garrisons during the joint military occupation of the island.

It was on this “military road” that soldiers and marines in the 1860s would have marched en masse for similar celebrations, and most importantly, on which messengers would have carried vital dispatches by wagon or horseback. The road also provided a trunk line, as it were, that tied one end of the island with the other and accommodated European settlement. This is a key element of island history and, to our Canadian friends, a story worthy of preservation, even if they were slapping leather on county roads rather than the original path. Continue Reading

June 24, 2020: Following a recommendation from San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James, both the County Board of Health and the San Juan County Council approved submitting an application to the WA State Secretary of Health to enter a modified version of Phase 3 of the Governor’s four-phased Safe Start Washington plan.

The timing of submission of the application and potential approval is uncertain, but businesses and others impacted by this decision should prepare for a potential move to Phase 3 as soon as Thursday June 25^th, but to be clear, exact timing and approval are both unknown at this time.

This modified form of Phase 3 would newly allow the following activities:

• The Governor’s non-essential travel ban is lifted.
• Outdoor group activities, including youth and adult sports with no more than 50 participants.
• Recreation facilities (including pools and gyms) may open at no more than 50% capacity.
• Restaurants/taverns may operate at no more than 75% capacity; table size remains limited to no more than 5.
• Libraries and museums may reopen.

The San Juan County specific modifications recommended are as follows: Continue Reading

On Wednesday, June 24, 2020, the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold a regular School Board Meeting at 5:00 pm as a Zoom meeting.  

There will also be an Executive Session at 4:00 pm, not open to the public, in accordance with RCW  In accordance with RCW 42.30.110(g) to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. 

To access the Zoom meeting, please click on “video” within the Board Agenda, or click the link below, or call the number listed below and on the agenda for audio only. Viewers will be muted. Continue Reading

Reyes Rodriguez and Martha Alvarado of San Juan Striping LLC – Contributed photo

Reyes Rodriguez initially moved to San Juan Island in 1991 from Mexico. After living here for more than a decade, he found his calling working overseas doing Relief Work around the world, in 2003 he married Martha Alvarado, after a few years working abroad they dreamed of returning to the island and having children, the couple returned to the island in 2008 to start their family.

Reyes and Martha are proud to share the opening of Reyes’ new business, San Juan Striping LLC, which offers complete parking lot maintenance, including but not limited to sealcoating, paint striping, and crack filling.

Reyes says about his new business, “We love this community and are excited to offer a local, island-based striping and sealcoating service.”

Reyes hopes that the Islanders will give him an opportunity to help protect their commercial and residential driveways and parking lots from normal wear-and-tear and damage from sun exposure and vehicle fluids.

Give them a call: (360) 317-6217 or email: [email protected]

June 24, 2020: Over the past week, San Juan County reported three new COVID-19 cases. Two were on San Juan Island and one on Lopez Island.

The County Health & Community Service Department’s surveillance team has performed initial investigation, contact tracing, and testing for each of these cases.

It is important to know that monitoring of these cases is ongoing and the situation may evolve or change. That said, we want to provide a brief update on the current status of each case: Continue Reading

Photo by Marc-André

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

In case you have never heard this pithy phrase describing a single woman’s chances of meeting Mr. Normal in Alaska, I did not come up with it. Some form of this lament surely has echoed everywhere along historical flood tides of frontier expansion in America. After all, we call it Manifest Destiny.

In the early 1970s (pre-pipeline) the population of Alaska climbed, ignited by WWII road connection with the Outside and continued military spending, but was only about 375,000 with about 46% of that number living in Anchorage.  Alaska is a muscular 16% of the entire land mass of America and at that time claimed less than .2% of the national population. Little has changed in the last five decades with those relative numbers but today Wyoming, Vermont and North Dakota each have smaller populations, but combined are 400,000 square miles smaller that Alaska.

In the minds of adventure seekers, people not of their own generation who ache for personal renewal far from the madding crowd of post-modern America, bush Alaska is the real Alaska. The many “show me the money” immigrants, salivating about the lure of big wages and an annual Permanent Fund Dividend check for each and every resident, are mostly carpet baggers. Then there are the hordes of military families posted to Alaska who return south at the earliest transfer. As a result, there is a heady mix of delusion and self-promotion in the image, as ardently portrayed by most urban Alaskans, that the entirety of the vast Alaska landscape qualifies as “The Last Frontier”. Continue Reading

“Canaan,” a Friday Harbor local, is Bob Anderson’s champion agility dog. Canaan has been in approximately 120 agility trials and 1500 individual agility runs. He has come in 1^st place over 400 times and placed 2^nd or 3^rd in as many events.

Canaan is seen in the photo at right with only a fraction of the ribbons and metals he has earned over his years of competing. Canaan, now nine and a half years old, will be running in just a few veteran events at each trial as “Zeke,” the newest member of Bob’s pack, steps into the arena.

When an agility dog wins at a big event, they receive their winnings in the form of a check but, at smaller events, they win a few dollars in cash. Bob stuffed Canaan’s smaller winnings into an envelope over the years and never counted the money. When Canaan “retired,” Bob and Canaan brought Canaan’s cash winnings into APS-FH to donate it to the Pet Food Pantry. We gathered to count the cash and found that Canaan’s generous donation added up to $657 for the APS-FH Pet Food Pantry.

The Pet Food Pantry is a community pet food bank to help keep pets in their homes by providing pet food for families in need. The Pet Food Pantry is located at the Treasure Hounds store at 365-C Spring Street in Friday Harbor. Hours for pet food distribution are every other Wednesday from 10am to 1pm. Both cat and dog food are available. Continue Reading

Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, Washington State Ferries (WSF) is holding a virtual community meeting. Join us at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30 for a brief presentation and Q&A session with ferry staff. You can register today by going to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8357823696989175565.

You can view all travel alerts at the WSF Travel Bulletins page. This alert was sent on 06/24/2020 at 7:55AM. Please do not reply to this message. Replies are sent to an email inbox that is unmonitored.

Visit the WSF Website or Contact Us page for more information about Washington State Ferries. You may also change your Account Preferences anytime. Please visit the COVID-19 Travel Updates page for all up-to-date travel information regarding COVID-19.

Merry Ann Keane – Contributed photo

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash., June 23, 2020–Charles Prosper, chief executive of PeaceHealth, Northwest, announced today that Merry-Ann Keane, chief administrative officer for PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, had informed him of her decision to leave PeaceHealth to be closer to family abroad. Keane’s last day will be July 17, 2020.

In a statement that was sent to employees, providers and board members, Keane said, “I will always remember the people I have met, the memories I have made, the lessons I have learned, and the privilege to live the Mission of PeaceHealth over the last eight years.” She additionally said that that she is most proud of the community relationships that have been built and strengthened.

“We sincerely appreciate Merry-Ann’s service and commitment to PeaceHealth,” said Prosper. “Since her arrival on San Juan Island in 2014, she has been actively engaged in the community, working to enhance PeaceHealth’s presence, service and quality of care. We wish her well in the future.”

Prosper said that an interim leader will be identified soon.

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash., June 22, 2020– PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center (PIMC) wants to express its gratitude and appreciation to the San Juan County community. Over the past several months since COVID-19 began impacting our region, this community has never wavered in expressing its support to PeaceHealth healthcare workers.

To date, nearly 15 businesses, organizations and individuals have come forward to donate supplies, food and funds to ensure a safe, healthy and supportive environment for PeaceHealth caregivers and patients. Key facts include:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) arrived from a wide variety of generous sources – including Camp Northwester, San Juan Public Library, Friday Harbor High School, Miner’s Mix, and makers who crafted the equipment using their own ingenuity and innovation, to community members who’ve dropped off unused items discovered tucked away in their homes, to small businesses who’ve stepped forward with full cases of valuable protective equipment. Locally produced cloth face covers from Peace Island Volunteers and mask buckles from Ebb and Flow Design a local manufacturer are among the most popular items among caregivers. Cloth face covers continue to be distributed to our patients and visitors for their personal use.     
• More than six businesses and organizations have provided meals, treats, snacks and beverages to keep healthcare workers nourished and energized as they’ve made sacrifices to work on the frontlines—many on an ongoing basis.
• The hospital received chocolates, treats and flowers, words of thanks and encouragement from Friday Harbor Middle School students and the children’s Roots & Shoots committee along with pizza, cookies, and lunches, lovely cards, letters and signage from the community with messages of support, which were displayed throughout the facility and on the campus. These continue to touch and inspire caregivers. 
• Donors generously committed $2,000 for the COVID-19 Caregiver Heroes Emergency Fund at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center. This fund was initiated to support PeaceHealth employees who have experienced financial hardship because of the pandemic. Donations to this fund are currently being accepted.

“We are beyond grateful for the incredible support of PIMC. I want to thank everyone for allowing us to do our part in caring for our community, while you’ve been doing your part by supporting us, wearing masks, social distancing and washing your hands,” said Merry-Ann Keane, PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center’s chief administrative officer. “The COVID-19 pandemic has been unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before. Our community has truly rallied around us to ensure that we can provide a purposeful, safe and healing environment for anyone who enters our doors.”

A call to action for all San Juan County businesses, restaurants, non-profits, organizations, service groups, cottage industries, artist and more.  Become a virtual San Juan County Fair vendor and join the “2020: A Fair Odyssey”. 

This is a new opportunity for local organizations and businesses as the San Juan County Fair transitions into a virtual format.  This year, fair vendors will not be required to be on-site at the fairgrounds for 4 days in August, which is typically the busiest time of year for most in the San Juans.  We understand that these are very difficult times, and the fair is here to support you – because you have supported us, and you are a big part of our Fair. 

What does it mean to be a virtual vendor? Rather than a physical booth space, please think of this as online advertising for your business or organization that we can share on social media, and through our fair website (www.sjcfair.org).  We know that some of you may not have websites to direct people to, or items that you sell online, but there are ways you can still participate in our fair this year and promote your organization or business: Continue Reading

In the mailbag this afternoon we have this letter from Brent Snow, General Manager of Roche Harbor Resort…

Dear Friends, Neighbors and Community,

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a terrible monkey wrench in all our plans. These are not easy times for any hospitality operation and Roche Harbor is founded and based on hospitality.  We are committed to providing a safe environment for our crew, guests, and community in the face of this global pandemic. 

Everyone has made sacrifices since mid-March.  Unfortunately, more will be required until there is a vaccine or cure.  This includes the upcoming 4^th of July celebration.  Roche Harbor has traditionally honored and celebrated this day with open arms and enthusiastic celebrations by all.  Local island residents and resort guests have been a huge part of the awesome festival that is the 4^th of July at Roche Harbor.

However, COVID-19 does not recognize this day.  The very essence of what makes the 4^th of July so fun at Roche, a dense crowd of humanity, is what creates the greatest danger from the virus.  We recognize that large gatherings are a high-risk event for COVID-19 and traditionally July 4^th is a VERY CROWDED day at Roche Harbor. 

In order to provide as much safety for all, WE MUST REDUCE THE CROWD AT ROCHE HARBOR ON JULY 4^TH.  

Here is what we are doing on July 4^th, 2020 to reduce the crowd: Continue Reading

June 21, 2020: San Juan County Health and Community Services staff have been notified of a new positive COVID-19 test result in San Juan County, from a resident of Lopez Island. This brings the total number of cases in San Juan County to 18.

This is the first confirmed case on Lopez Island since April 1^st.

The County Health & Community Service Department’s surveillance team is actively investigating and contact tracing this case.

County Health Officer Dr. Frank James details the situation, “As with the other two recent cases in the islands, our team is working diligently to identify and contact anyone who may have had close contact with the patient. An aggressive effort to quarantine and test those contacts are our best tools to limit wider spread.”

Dr. James continues, “Residents need to be vigilant about their basic precautions. They need to be thoughtful about mainland travel and engaging in close prolonged contact with family, friends, or other visitors from the mainland. And we need to be over the top diligent with our hand washing, face covering, and social distancing. Now is not the time to relax our efforts. In all likelihood the disease will be with us for many months to come. This disease is not spread via casual proximity to an infected person, especially if we all cover our faces in public spaces where social distancing is not possible. Transmission requires close contact. Outdoor socializing is many times safer than indoor. Riding in cars together is high risk. We all need to be thoughtful about the frequency of our collective interactions outside of our household groups. We need to understand that our decisions matter.” Continue Reading