Posted February 7, 2020 at 5:43 am by Tim Dustrude
San Juan County Public Works continues to monitor and respond to the ongoing rain and flooding events appearing along County Roads. The following two locations may continue to have restrictions posted or may be closed to vehicle traffic entirely.
Please avoid the area and use alternate routes when necessary. Thank you for your patience and please drive safely.
San Juan County Public Works
Posted February 6, 2020 at 5:50 am by Tim Dustrude
The top ten responders for 2019 (from Left to right but not in order of award) Michael Henderson, Dan Bacon, Steve Brumsickle, Brooks Friedland, Dwight Colley, Trevor Bolton, Francis Smith, Erin Graham, Margaret Longley, and Kyle Dodd – Contributed photo
On January 25, 2020, SJI Emergency Medical Services (“SJIEMS”) gathered to celebrate the achievements and service of staff and its approximately sixty volunteer EMTs.
Interim Chief Karl Kuetzing said “Our volunteers work really hard and enable us to perform far beyond what our budget would otherwise allow. Each volunteer deserves recognition. We try to highlight some of those accomplishments each year.”
Brad Creesy, former Fire Chief and current volunteer EMT cleaned up the awards table. He was both selected by his peers to be the EMT of the Year and awarded the Chief’s Award. His willingness to take on projects and step up to be a regular for a shift that has historically been hard to fill has made a big difference.
EMS added about ten new volunteers to its ranks in 2019. The “Rookie of the Year” award was awarded to Kyle Dodd. Like the EMT of the Year, this award is selected by their peers. EMS is appreciative for Dodd’s efforts and looks forward to his continued role in the agency. Continue Reading
Posted February 6, 2020 at 5:48 am by Tim Dustrude
Interested in using native plants in your landscape?
There are many wonderful reasons to use PNW natives: they are often long lived and need little maintenance, they provide year-round color and garden interest, they can be used to stabilize hillsides and prevent erosion, and some are drought and heat tolerant, helpful in a warming climate.
And they’re a “welcome mat” for wildlife, providing food and homes for beneficial insects, amphibians, birds and mammals.
This year we’re offering the spectacular Garrya elliptica, the Coast Silk Tassel, whose common name describes the long cream colored catkins that hang from branches in the spring. If you have space for this large shrub, it will reward you with a wonderful, long lasting display every spring. Continue Reading
Posted February 6, 2020 at 5:46 am by Tim Dustrude
Don’t forget — it’s award season here in the San Juans! The Oscars have nothing on the Finnies. Know someone who deserves to walk the stewardship red carpet? Nominate them for a Good Steward Award!
Since 2008, the Good Steward Awards, affectionately known as “Finnies,” have been sponsored by the Stewardship Network of the San Juans in recognition of individuals, families, teachers, students and businesses who are not conservation professionals and who have shown a long-term commitment to preserving the land and sea of the San Juan Islands archipelago in their daily lives.
Award recipients will be presented with large ceramic “Finnies,” handcrafted fish-shaped creations. Award presentations will be in April, as the Islands celebrate Earth Day.
To nominate a person or business, email the Finnie Committee at [email protected]. Nominations are due on Monday, March 2nd.
Posted February 5, 2020 at 5:49 am by Tim Dustrude
Here’s this month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum…
Since February is a month known for Valentine’s Day decorations in store windows and rows of sweetheart cards for sale, we thought we would see what has been preserved in the San Juan Historical Museum’s archives from festive holidays of yesteryear.
The classic card pictured here is among the many sweetheart and friendship cards in the collection. Unfortunately, we do not know its provenance; that is its history…who owned it or its origin. Museums have “olden days” themselves, when records and notations can be sparse or faded.
In the past, donated memorabilia and objects have been left on the Museum’s porch, without a donor’s name or any sign of original ownership. This sweet card may have been from one of those mystery boxes. Continue Reading
Posted February 5, 2020 at 5:48 am by Tim Dustrude
This is what the view looked like at the top of Hillview Terrace outside Dot Vandaveer’s window on Tuesday morning.
Thanks for sharing the photo Dot!
Posted February 5, 2020 at 5:46 am by Tim Dustrude
Killebrew Lake Road on Orcas Island – SJCDEM photo
Recent intense rains caused widespread impacts across the islands due to erosion, runoff, and blocked culverts and drains.
Those who experienced damage should be aware that there’s more heavy rain in the forecast starting later Tuesday through Friday. It is almost impossible to forecast the sort of high intensity rainfall that we saw a few days ago but it certainly isn’t out of the question that the islands will see similar flooding.
There’s not always a lot to be done in the moment to prevent flooding, but some things to keep in mind:
Posted February 5, 2020 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
John Geyman M.D. – Contributed Photo
John Geyman, M.D. announces publication of: Long-Term Care in America: The Crisis All of Us Will Face in Our Lifetimes.
A long-time writer about U.S. health care, Dr. Geyman examines the problems which face persons needing long-term care, offers suggestions and resources for making decisions, describes available government and community programs, discusses the under-valuation of caregivers who are essential for long-term care, and explains the need for financing reform and how to achieve it.
David Himmelstein, M.D. and Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., health policy experts and distinguished professors of public health at the City University of New York, offer this comment:
“All of the U.S. health care system is deeply dysfunctional, but long-term care is its shabbiest and most neglected corner. Geyman brings the wisdom gained from his dual roles as a leader of American medicine and a long-time caregiver for his late wife to brilliantly analyze what’s wrong with long-term care and how it can be fixed.”
The book is available at Griffin Bay Bookstore in Friday Harbor and other island bookstores.
Posted February 5, 2020 at 5:44 am by Tim Dustrude
Alisha Merrick – Contributed photo
Alisha Merrick moved to San Juan Island in the fall of 2012 with only a carload of her favorite most important things. Having no real studio, she painted watercolors, drew pictures and took photographs of all things that inspired her. Eventually she rented a space in a glass studio on her road in the woods and immersed herself into the art community as best she could, attending the Farmers Market, the Friday Art Market and the Artists Studio Tour as a guest.
In 2014 she got her own studio in the Surina Business Park, began creating work in more of a production style and continued developing her following locally. She was there for 3 ½ years until she moved her studio home where her creativity blossomed more than ever. She has had a kiosk in the Art Village at Roche Harbor for 5 consecutive summers.
Alisha has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Cleveland Institute of Art in Ohio with a concentration in enameling. This is her primary medium, though she still enjoys painting and drawing as well. Her primary source of inspiration is nature and abstract imagery of ferns and flowers, which grace her designs across all mediums. Continue Reading
Posted February 4, 2020 at 5:48 am by Tim Dustrude
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to swim with sharks, create a sculpture out of thin air, or fly through space? Find out what all the VR buzz is about and head to the Marie Boe Building on Saturday, February 8th from 11am-6pm.
Spend the day with Bellingham’s Heady Virtual Reality and choose from a variety of virtual reality games to play. Cost for playing games is $1.00 per minute, play times over 10 minutes are eligible for a discount.
This event is co-sponsored by Luxel Corporation. Questions? Call 360-378-4310 or email [email protected].
Please note, not all games are suitable for young children, and/or may cause motion sickness or disorientation. Suggested minimum age is 8 years old to operate the VR system, player’s head and neck should be able to support the weight of the 1 pound headset.
Posted February 4, 2020 at 5:46 am by Tim Dustrude
The U.S. Census Bureau is continuing it’s peak hiring efforts through February for the 2020 Census.
A representative from the Census Bureau will be available at Skagit Valley College – San Juan Center 221 Weber Way Friday Harbor, WA on Tuesday February 11th from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM.
Get information on how to become a Census worker, as well as help in the application process.
For San Juan County, wages are $20-22 Hour + mileage.
For more information, visit: https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html, or call 1-855-562-2020.
Posted February 4, 2020 at 5:44 am by Tim Dustrude
In the mailbag this morning we find this letter from Martha Alvarado…
Dear editor-
On February 11th our community will be voting on a replacement capitol & technology levy for our schools. Vote YES for our schools! This is NOT a new tax, but a renewal of the one that has existed for many years. Our community needs this levy!
This levy comprises 17% of our schools’ budget and covers a host of things that the state does not fund: a school nurse, art teachers in the elementary and high school, the music program, counselors, food service and so much more.
This is not just about my children, or your children, but about strengthening our community. I would like to encourage you, as neighbors and friends, to vote YES for our local school levy.
Thank you,
Martha Alvarado
Posted February 3, 2020 at 12:20 pm by Tim Dustrude
Now is your chance to pass along some of your lightly used treasures, and maybe find some new ones, as well!
Drop off is Friday, 2/7 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. in the High School Commons. We welcome your quality donations; nothing the local thrift store would reject, please!
Sale is Saturday, 2/8 – Doors open at 9:00 a.m. Coffee and baked goods available, too.
Proceeds go towards the FHHS Senior Class of 2020 Grad Night – an all-night, safe, graduation event, funded and executed by parents and community, to honor and celebrate our high school graduates. Questions? Contact Kelly Snow, 360-317-6072.
Posted February 3, 2020 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor is happy to announce that Rachel Carney is January’s Volunteer of the Month.
Rachel has been a loyal volunteer and spends much of her time pampering the shelter cats and helping with the cleaning.
Thanks so much, Rachel, for making a difference in the lives of shelter animals. Your dedication and hard work are appreciated!
Posted February 3, 2020 at 5:44 am by Tim Dustrude
Mission Statement: Creating conditions for community resilience and regeneration in a rapidly changing world
We have set the next meeting of Transition San Juan Island for Sunday, March 1, 2020 from 3-6 PM at the Mullis Center.
The purpose is for each action group to complete their Vision Statement. So when you arrive at 3, you will immediately go to your group table and get started, take a minute to go around your table and “check in”, select a member to act as timekeeper/scribe.
Use the Mission Statement above to help as guide rails for your visioning. When each action group has developed and agreed upon their Vision Statement, we will all reconvene together to map out our overall vision for our Transition Initiative.
It is important that you do your homework: Get plugged into an action group, they might be meeting now, respond back and I can help. Use these links Transitionus.org/home and Transitionnetwork.org and learn about the initiative and what other communities are doing.
We look forward to seeing you on March 1.
Transition San Juan Island Steering Committee
Posted February 2, 2020 at 5:43 am by Tim Dustrude
The World Health Organization declared a global emergency on Thursday and Friday the White House declared a U.S. public health emergency as the coronavirus outbreak has spread worldwide. Human-to-human transmission of the virus was also confirmed in the U.S. this week. The outbreak originated in December 2019, in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Since then, the virus has rapidly spread across the globe.
While there are no cases in our county, San Juan County Health & Community Services is working closely with the local medical provider community and with the Department of Health to assess potential cases and current risk. They are also providing guidance and resources as the global epidemic and understanding of the virus rapidly change.
A webpage has been set up on the San Juan County website for the public to access up-to-date information on the epidemic, as well as tools and resources for providers. Continue Reading