Posted March 5, 2020 at 5:27 am by Peggy Sue McRae
Melina and Ottilie – Contributed photo
The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor is happy to announce that Melina Lagios and her canine companion, Ottilie are the March Volunteers of the Month. Melina and Ottilie have been volunteering at the shelter for several months for doggie play dates and socialization. Thanks so much, Melina and Ottilie, for making a difference in the lives of shelter animals. Your dedication and hard work are appreciated.
Posted March 5, 2020 at 5:10 am by Peggy Sue McRae
Value Added 101 – Increase Farm Profits
Increase farm profits with food processing. Whether you grow a lot of food or a little, value-added food processing is a great way to start – or expand – an agricultural business. Join us to learn how to turn straw into gold in this informative and FREE 90 minute course. You’ll learn key steps in setting up a food processing business, including licensing, marketing, labeling and more.
Sign up required. Tuesday, March 10, 10-11:30am at Brickworks, Friday Harbor Cost: FREE! Questions: (360) 378-2906, or [email protected]
This event is being put on in partnership with the San Juans Agricultural Guild
Grow With Google
Learn how to use Google Analytics to gain insights about how consumers engage with businesses online. We’ll discuss best practices to analyze customer trends and turn these insights into actionable decisions, and we’ll explore Market Finder, Google’s free tool that helps identify potential markets and customers for businesses.
RSVP with this form please. Wednesday, March 11 at 8:30 am. We’ll have coffee, and breakfast rolls. When you sign up (above) it will tell you to come 30 minutes early, but you can ignore that; we’ve baked in some networking time at the beginning.
Posted March 4, 2020 at 12:57 pm by Peggy Sue McRae
The OPALCO Board of Directors announced today that the upcoming annual member meeting and all OPALCO gatherings are canceled until further notice in order to err on the side of caution in the face of tremendous uncertainty with the current outbreak of Covid-19 in the state of Washington. The announcement follows Governor Inslee’s proclamation of a state of emergency. OPALCO is simply doing its part to help contain the spread of the virus and encourages other organizations to do the same.
While the election (online or by mail) will continue as planned, the candidate forums will be scaled back to one remote (via video conferencing) event on March 12th, made available to members via Facebook live streaming. The other candidate forums on Orcas and Lopez islands are canceled. The annual member meeting on the ferry, scheduled for Saturday, April 18th, is canceled. Board meetings will be conducted via remote video conferencing until further notice. Members can submit any comments and questions in advance of each meeting to: [email protected].
“We considered the risk to our membership and staff,” said General Manager Foster Hildreth, “and decided it’s best to err on the side of caution and follow the CDC guidelines for social distancing—at least until the threat of the virus has passed. We look forward to getting out to meet with members this summer.” Continue Reading
Posted March 4, 2020 at 5:48 am by Tim Dustrude
Gladys Guard Madden 1888-1978 (Photo circa 1910)
Here’s this month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum…
Our March history columns generally feature one or more of our community’s women, as March 8 is International Women’s Day and the entire month is known as Women’s History Month.
This year marks two significant, national level Centennials in our history where women were at the forefront: the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the establishment of the League of Women Voters, both which occurred in 1920.
It was February 14 for the League, a nonpartisan civic organization committed to educate citizens and mobilize voter participation, and August 26 for the signing into law of the 19th Amendment which guaranteed women’s suffrage.
The road to national women’s suffrage – the right to vote – was a long one, going back to the first Women’s Rights Convention in 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York.
To put the focus on San Juan Island, we consulted the San Juan Historical Museum’s archived issues of the two local newspapers in existence during the early 1900s. Continue Reading
Posted March 4, 2020 at 5:45 am by Peggy Sue McRae
Drug Court – Contributed photo
San Juan County Superior Court launched a pilot Drug Court in January 2019 with the support of the local law and justice community.
According to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, approximately one in ten American adults has a substance use disorder. Approximately one in five has a mental health problem. Many suffer from co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. San Juan County is no different.
“Therapeutic” courts like Drug Court have proven to be successful interventions to help lift people with substance use and mental health disorders out of the criminal justice system and into lives of recovery and stability. To do this, the drug court model suspends the traditional criminal case. Instead, the participant engages in frequent court appearances, treatment, supervision, and ultimately attains further education and/or employment to support stability moving forward.
“Drug Court is an incredibly rewarding experience. Participants are amazing in their willingness to engage, be accountable, and support their fellow participants. Even in the first year, we are seeing a transformation in folks that will send ripple effects into our community for years to come,” commented Judge Katie Loring. Continue Reading
Posted March 4, 2020 at 5:30 am by Peggy Sue McRae
Lime Kiln State Park -Contributed photo
Reply on the F.O.L.K.S. Facebook page
Call (360)378-5154 or
Email [email protected]
Friends of Lime Kiln Society (FOLKS) Interim Director Services Contract
Overview –
The Executive Director (ED) of FOLKS will be on leave from April 1 to September 30, 2020 while working for Washington State Parks at Lime Kiln Point. As a state employee the ED is not permitted to perform certain aspects in support of FOLKS that are outside the park role. Contract services are sought to perform the following tasks as Interim Director (ID) during this period.
Services Contract Scope:
Volunteer Program Management – (35% of effort)
While the bulk of volunteer recruitment and training will be complete by April 1st, the ID will continue any recruitment and training tasks and assume on-going responsibility for volunteer scheduling (Interpretive Center operations, lighthouse and park tours, virtual reality viewing, special events, etc). Continue Reading
Posted March 3, 2020 at 4:18 pm by Peggy Sue McRae
We hear from FANS…
After thoughtfully considering the rapidly changing public health situation in the Pacific Northwest, FANS has made the difficult decision to postpone the FANS Carnival that was scheduled for this Saturday, March 7.
We want to thank everyone who has helped prepare for the event and, while we are disappointed that we won’t be able to bring the fun and laughter to the fairgrounds on Saturday, we look forward to putting on the annual Carnival in the fall of 2020. See you there!
(note: the current FANS ad on the Update does not reflect this new development)
Posted March 3, 2020 at 5:15 am by Peggy Sue McRae
APPLY NOW: College Scholarships up to $2,100
Nourdine Jensen Cooperative Youth Scholarship Applications Due April 10
ICUA Youth Rally 2019 – Contributed photo
OPALCO’s is accepting scholarship applications from high school sophomores and juniors. Three scholars will receive a $1,000 scholarship from OPALCO and the family of Nourdine Jensen. Part of the scholarship includes an all-expenses paid trip to the Youth Rally, a co-op leadership camp in Idaho. Applications are available online and are due by 4:30 pm on Friday, April 10.
The Youth Rally is a week of fun social networking, personal growth and learning with about 100 students from eight western states. Activities include a day at the water park, volleyball, bowling, social dances, team-building games and educational sessions on leadership, grassroots governance and the power industry. Students can earn additional scholarships for up to $1,100 at the Rally awarded by the Idaho Consumer Owned Utility Association (ICUA).
It’s easy to apply: fill out a one-page application and write a one-page letter explaining why you would be a good ambassador of OPALCO. Applications are online: www.opalco.com/members/youth-rally-scholarships/.
Applications are due on Friday, April 10 at 4:30 pm to Suzanne Olson – [email protected]. Please call Suzanne at 360-376-3537 if you have questions. And, check out photos from past years at https://www.flickr.com/photos/opalco/ and also on Facebook @ICUAYouthRally.
Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is our member-owned cooperative electric utility, serving more than 11,400 members on 20 islands in San Juan County. OPALCO provides electricity that is 97% greenhouse-gas free and is generated predominantly by hydroelectric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937. Follow OPALCO @OrcasPower on Facebook and Twitter.
Posted March 3, 2020 at 4:58 am by Peggy Sue McRae
Stephanie Buffum – Paul Anderson photo
Starting this month Stephanie Buffum has retired from her position of nineteen years as Executive Director of the Friends of the San Juans.
“Our local communities and the Salish Sea ecosystem have benefited from Stephanie’s leadership,” said Friends President Janet Alderton. “The Board is enormously grateful for her nearly two decades of dedicated service.” Alderton will lead the search for a new Executive Director while Board Vice President Toby Cooper will serve as Acting Executive Director until a new director is hired.
Said Buffum, “It has been my great honor to have served this organization and this region. One of my favorite parts of this job has been the opportunity to work shoulder-to-shoulder with countless volunteers who share our vision of island and marine conservation. It has been an amazing journey, and I feel blessed to have had the privilege to work on behalf of people and nature at all levels of decision-making.”
Under Stephanie’s 19 years of leadership, Friends has become central to the protection of what is loved by many about the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea, including the health of marine ecosystems, fragile shorelines, forest and open space habitats, and the tranquility of communities that thrive in San Juan County.
Posted March 2, 2020 at 5:30 am by Peggy Sue McRae
A reminder from the San Juan Preservation Trust of an upcoming event, Gardening for Butterflies, March 19, 2020 at 10:30 am – 2:30 pm – Red Mill Farm…
Gardening for Butterflies – photo San Juan Preservation Trust
Can you think of a better way to celebrate Spring Equinox, than by planting seeds of hope for the future of a species?
On San Juan Island, the remaining population of Island Marble Butterflies will break free of their chrysalises sometime in April. With your help, some may be greeted with the life-giving plants you sowed in their protected habitat plot!
Join this work party, led by Kathleen Foley Lewis and other SJPT staff. The event will last around 3-4 hours and snacks will be provided, along with some good cheer!
Please click here to sign up and further details will be emailed to you prior to the event. We hope to see you on the first day of spring
Posted March 1, 2020 at 5:15 am by Peggy Sue McRae
Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae…
Jeff Bridges – Sleeping Tapes
One of my favorite quotes about sleep comes from former Secretary of State Colin Powell who said, “I’m sleeping like a baby… Every two hours I wake up screaming.” Hopefully your sleep is more restful! As we get older many of us have less than blissful sleep yet science tells us more and more how critical sleep is to our over all well being.
March 8 – 14 is Sleep Awareness Week. The March issue of the San Juan Island Senior Signal, the newsletter perk that comes with your Senior Center membership, has an excellent article covering common sleep problems, insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea, and more. The article goes on to list ways to combat these problems; lower your stress level, keep to a regular schedule, don’t eat spicy food before bedtime, to name a few.
I have mixed feeling about having electronics in the bedroom because I like to drift off listening to audiobooks or podcasts. An advantage is occupying your mind with something other than manufacturing worries. There are downsides. It can take a long time to finish an audiobook this way and if listening to a podcast you may be blasted awake a few hours later by the next podcast in your que. Continue Reading
Posted February 29, 2020 at 8:24 am by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 will now be holding its Regular Board Meetings at 5:30 p.m., but will continue to meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Frank Wilson Memorial EMS Building (1079 Spring Street).
Additionally, the Board has added an additional audience participation section to the Agenda, which will now be held both at the start of the meeting and at the end.
The Board has called a Special Meeting for March 4th, 2020, at 5:30 p.m., to be held in the District business offices at 849 Spring Street Unit B-5. The agenda, linked below, is primarily to discuss the 2019 Year-end results for San Juan Island EMS, Integration of EMS and Fire, and begin long-term planning.
Posted February 28, 2020 at 5:49 am by Tim Dustrude
Dr. Sonja Webster and the Islands Veterinary Clinic staff were some of the over 100 San Juan Island community members to celebrate World Spay Day, Mardi Paw style, at the Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor’s 13th Annual “Spay”ghetti Dinner at the Mullis Center on Tuesday, February 25th.
Event highlights included the delicious “spay”ghetti, Caesar salad, and garlic bread prepared and served by Leslie Byron and her fabulous “kitchen crew”; a buffet of delicious desserts donated by APS friends; a keg of lager beer donated by San Juan Island Brewing Company; and a Cabernet and Chardonnay from Island Wine Company that rounded out the spirited drink selection. Continue Reading
Posted February 28, 2020 at 5:48 am by Tim Dustrude
The San Juan Island Community Foundation is more than just a local grant maker. It’s a nonprofit dedicated to bringing together the financial resources of individuals and families to support the missions of local nonprofits. In turn, these organizations fill the many needs of our community through programs that nourish, enrich and inspire the lives of all San Juan islanders.
In late 2019, SJICF launched a new brown bag luncheon series for local nonprofit staff and board members. This season’s focus: building a sustainable nonprofit.
Representatives from 22 local nonprofits from a wide variety of interest areas joined SJICF at the Grange Hall to learn the basics of planning for and building an endowment fund. Continue Reading
Posted February 28, 2020 at 5:44 am by Tim Dustrude
Brock Hauck checks in with an Update on the Wolverines…
Winter Sports Post Season has begun. Below is an update on the post season opportunities for our winter sports teams.
First Wrestling, then Girls Basketball, and finally Boys Basketball: Continue Reading
Posted February 28, 2020 at 5:39 am by Tim Dustrude
The staff report including the draft ordinance are posted at this link.
Staff will be checking with the County Council to ensure that the draft reflects their preliminary direction.
Comments may be sent to [email protected] by noon on March 16.
Subject line: Marijuana Regulations
Provide: Your full name and address for the record
You may also mail comments to
Linda Kuller
SJC Community Development
PO Box 947
Friday Harbor 98250
or deliver them to SJC’s DCD office at 135 Rhone Street, Friday Harbor during business hours.
The Planning Commission will be briefed on the draft ordinance at their March 20, 2020 meeting.
Briefings will be live streamed at: https://www.sanjuanco.com/773/Council-Hearing-Room-Live-Stream