Current Coverage Map

Fire District #3 will hold an open house this Sunday, February 2, at noon to give voters the opportunity to learn more about Prop 1, the proposed sales tax to help fund an upgrade of San Juan County’s  Emergency Communication System. 

This will be at the Fire Station at 1011 Mullis Street.

Citizens will have a chance to talk to the folks who know most about the proposed upgrade, the users.  Emergency Communication is an essential capability in our island communities.  It’s worth a few minutes of your time.

Don’t know what this is all about? See the story from earlier this week at this link.

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

A Scotsman was eating his oats when an Englishman scoffed, “In England we feed oats to our horses.” “Aye,” said the Scot, “That is why England raises the best horses… and Scotland the best men.” So said my dad, Jim McRae, as he encouraged my sisters and I to eat our morning oatmeal.

With apologies to the English he made a good point. Oats are now recognized among “superfoods” as especially beneficial for heart health. Oats are an important source of whole grain fiber that according to the American Heart Association has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease.

What makes oats so healthy is that they contain a type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan that has been shown to slow digestion and increase satiety. From The Harvard School of Public Health, “Beta-glucan can bind with cholesterol-rich bile acids in the intestine and transport them through the digestive tract and eventually out of the body.” *

Oats are also a naturally gluten free (with some exceptions) whole grain with a high level of anti-oxidants including Avenanthramides, a type of antioxidant that exists almost exclusively in oats and can lower blood pressure, improve blood flow, and reduce inflammation* as described in, Medical News Today. Like any other so called, “superfood,” oats are not a magic bullet but they can be a vital part of an all around healthy diet.

The less they are processed the more nutrients they retain. You need to watch the sugar content on instant oatmeal packets. Oats come as steel cut, old-fashioned rolled oats, and instant or quick oats. I keep it super easy by using quick oats. I just pour hot water over them in a cup. Throw in some dried fruit or a dab of jam and a pinch of salt and in five minutes breakfast is served. The possibilities however are vast. Check out the Mullis Center’s Facebook Page for recently posted recipes.

Link to: Mullis Community Senior Center
Link to: *Harvard School of Public Health
Link to: *Medical News Today

In partnership with Dr. Sonja Webster-Hills and in accordance with the state veterinarian’s requirements, Dr. Alicia McLaughlin, a veterinarian from the Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine (CBEAM) in Bothell, WA, will be offering a vaccine clinic for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) for the San Juan Islands:

• Date:               February 11^th
• Location:          Islands Veterinary Clinic, 850 Mullis St., Friday Harbor, WA 98250
• Time:               11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Please note that rabbits are not permitted to travel into the quarantine locations to receive the vaccine; they must live within the individual quarantine areas to minimize the risk of the disease spreading further. All San Juan County islands are eligible for this clinic.  There will be strict biosecurity protocols at the clinics to help keep the participating rabbits safe.  Only rabbits that appear healthy on exam will be vaccinated.  Limited numbers of vaccines are currently available. Once supplies run out, if there is a significant amount of interest from rabbit owners in getting additional animals vaccinated, Dr. McLaughlin will petition the state veterinarian’s office to import more vaccines from Europe. Continue Reading

Click to enlarge

Island Rec has some good news to share…

We are excited to announce that a new, paved one-mile loop trail surrounding John O. Linde Community Park has been completed and is now open for you to enjoy! Bring your friends and go for a stroll! Please remember that if your friends are of the canine variety, they need to be on a leash at all times 🙂.

For more info on the park, please visit: http://www.islandrec.org/john-o-linde-community-park/

Planning is underway for the San Juan County Fair August 12-15, 2020 and we are hoping you want to be part of the show. 

Are you a local musician, magician, or meandering minstrel?  A performing artist, aspiring pop singer or puppeteer? We know first-hand that San Juan County has lots of talent, so if you reside on Orcas, Lopez, Shaw, San Juan or any of the outer islands – please fill out a performer application for this year and let us know what you can bring to the San Juan County Fair. 

Applications will be reviewed by our Fair Entertainment Coordinator, and if you’d like to volunteer as a performer at the Fair this year we would love for you to share your talents with our community and it’s visitors.

Our Fair theme for this year is “2020: A Fair Odyssey” and we are set to have our fair entertainment be out of this world!

SJIF&R Firefighter of the Year: (From L to R) Deputy Fire Chief Noel Monin, Kathleen Salinas and Fire Chief Norvin Collins

Fire District Commissioners and honored guests recently attended an annual awards dinner and ceremony recognizing San Juan Island Fire & Rescue (SJF&R) members for their service during 2019.

Kathleen Salinas was presented with 2019 Firefighter of the Year award for her outstanding contributions on a number of initiatives and her commitment to her community and to SJF&R. Kathleen is a volunteer firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and she was selected for her leadership in community risk reduction and fire prevention through the Firewise program and her overall work as a committed, responding firefighter, EMT and fire boat operator.

Brad Smith received the 2019 Rookie of the Year award for his commitment and performance during training, as well as his excellent response work on calls. Volunteer firefighter Smith has exhibited outstanding professionalism, commitment and performance as one of our newest volunteer firefighters.

At this year’s ceremony, Fire District Commissioners and SJIF&R Chief Norvin Collins announced the presentation of four new awards: Continue Reading

Merri Ann Simonson checks in again with another entry in her San Juan Island Lifestyle Video series. This one shares with you Real Estate in 2020 with Purple Power…

In the mailbag this morning we have 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

Cynthia’s Bistro is offering free take-away 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, January 30th, from 4:30 to 6:00 to pick up your meal.

You may pick up 2 meals per person. 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 – 65 Nichols Street in Friday Harbor.

Basic Home Cooking made with everything but the Kitchen Sink.
Come by and say hello. If you care to join us and donate time or money to the cause, feel free to contact Cynthia at Cynthia’s Bistro or email me at [email protected].

Dear Editor,

We live in a community of openhearted people who in quiet ways assure that many of our non-profit services are alive and robust. They don’t ask for big rounds of applause; they are happy to see our community thrive in all possible ways.

One, the San Juan Island Community Foundation recently provided a $5000 grant to the San Juan Islands Museum Art (SJIMA). The monies are intended to support residents and students with enrichment and awareness of the abundant programs and benefits of SJIMA. It also provides a more complete educational experience for visitors to the exhibits.

Educational materials make us well-informed citizens, who are able to participate in all our dynamic community has to offer. To mention a couple, we continue our year-round Family Art Days, Art For Fun programs, stunning exhibitions, as well as bring awareness to student tours and National Screen-Free Week opportunities. Continue Reading

Join the San Juan Island Garden Club on February 4th at the Mullis Center Craft Room, for a party and open house from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The only cost is for optional raffle tickets.

Start your morning with a beverage and “goody”

• 10:30 “Whats Hot for 2020”
  Julie’s Nursery
• 11:30 “House Plants”
  Ziah of Julie’s Nursery
• 12:00 Raffle – You must be present to win
  Graze and Browse
  soups, bread, books, catalogs, bugs and microscopes, speed gardening, botanical jeopardy and quizzes, future Garden Club events and displays
• 2:00 “Perennial Planting for Year Round Interest”
  Jenny Harris of Catkin garden design and consulting
• 2:45 Raffle – You must be present to win

Island Rec is currently seeking a Seasonal Park Maintenance worker. We are looking for an efficient and energetic person with good interpersonal skills who will enjoy being part of a small hardworking team committed to the essential work of public parks and recreation.

This position is a team member in the maintenance of parks, athletic facilities and buildings. Typical duties include athletic field preparation and maintenance; lawn and grounds care such as mowing, raking, and weeding; and maintenance duties such as painting, repairs, janitorial services and opening and closing Linde Park. This is a 20 hour a week position March thru October, and may require working evenings, weekends and some holidays. Rate of pay is $18 an hour.

A complete job description and application can be found on www.islandrec.org.

Interested persons should submit a letter of interest, resume and completed Island Rec job application to Tracy Roberson, Park Maintenance Superintendent, [email protected] Island Rec, P.O. Box 1946, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. Position is open until filled, 1st review of applicants is Feb 3, 2020.

The Met: Live in HD’s The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess

Saturday, February 8, 1:00 pm at San Juan Community Theatre

One of America’s favorite operas returns to the Met for the first time in nearly 30 years. James Robinson’s stylish production transports audiences to Catfish Row on the Charleston waterfront, vibrant with the music, dancing, emotion, and heartbreak of its inhabitants.

“If you’re going to stage Gershwin’s opera, this is how,” raved the Guardian when the new production premiered in London in 2018. David Robertson conducts a dynamic cast, featuring the sympathetic duo of Eric Owens and Angel Blue in the title roles and an all-star ensemble that includes Golda Schultz, Latonia Moore, Denyce Graves, Frederick Ballentine, Alfred Walker, and Ryan Speedo Green.

Tickets: Adults $20, Students $10, Members $19 (at the box office)

Box Office 360-378-3210

Box Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 12 pm to 3 pm
Saturday, 11 am to 2 pm and ONE HOUR before each event

Sherrie and William House

People were all but spilling out into the street from the party for Dr. Burk Gossom and Dr. Will House Saturday afternoon.

Burk, who broke his ankle running outside his home in December, stood on one leg with his knee resting on a mobile device — “I don’t know what it’s called! I just know it doesn’t go very well uphill,” he joked.

And Will and Sherrie House met a great number of his new and future patients.

There was a table full of good things to eat, another with pictures of Burk from over the years, and one with a line-up of folks waiting to sign the guest book.

Click to enlarge poster

Friday Harbor Film Festival’s annual Best of the Fest series continues during February. Award-winning, impactful feature films and shorts from the 2019 Festival are being shown every first and third Tuesday from January through May at the Grange beginning at 7 pm. These screenings are free, although donations are encouraged.

The February line-up includes:

February 4: Ghost Fleet (directed by Shannon Service & Jeffrey Waldron)

Winner of John Schlesinger Award at 2019 at the Palm Springs International Film Festival

Ghost Fleet takes a close look at Thailand’s fishing industry, which supplies a large portion of the world’s seafood. The country’s giant fishing fleet is chronically short of up to 60,000 fishermen per year, leaving captains scrambling to find crew. Continue Reading

Photo by Skitterphoto from Pexels

Neil Stawski checks in again with another guest article…

According to the American Time Use Survey, the average citizen in the United States spends about 70 hours a year on yard work. Considering that number takes into account all the renters, city dwellers, and non-yard owning people as well as homeowners, it is actually quite staggering to think of how many hours we are expected to mow, prune, and weed our lawns and gardens. Truthfully, who has that kind of time?

While Americans love their lawns, the truth is this common home feature is both misplaced and outdated. The concept of a lawn as we know it originated in aristocratic Europe, particularly in the fertile countrysides of Britain. As Europeans colonized the North American continent, many of them brought this landscaping trend along with them, mimicking the homes of the aristocracy amongst the vast swaths of the New World. Knowing the history, it is easier to understand the thought process behind so many Americans esteeming their lawns as a status symbol.

But most of the ecosystems in the United States don’t experience 35 inches of rain each year that can support acres of turf. In fact, almost 90 million Americans are living in an area where there is drought. So those who want that lush, green lawn have to use up water their area doesn’t have and implement potentially harmful fertilizers and pesticides in order to manipulate the land to make it look the way they want. Continue Reading