Do you love a good argument? Then your County needs you!

This November, there will be seven local measures on the general election ballot. Those measures are:

• Lopez Island Library Levy Lid Lift
• Shaw Park & Recreation District Formation
• Shaw Park & Recreation District Authorization for Excess Levy
• Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District Excess Property Tax Levy
• San Juan County Charter Amendment to Authorize Biennial Budgeting
• San Juan County Levy Lid Lift
• Initiative 2019-9 regarding Operation of Vessels in Proximity to Southern Resident Killer Whales

In order to ensure an informed electorate, every district that puts a measure on a ballot is required to appoint committees to write arguments both supporting and opposing the measure. If a district is unable to appoint committees, that responsibility falls to the County Auditor.

Not surprisingly, sponsors of all seven measures have appointed committees to write “pro” arguments. None have appointed committees to write “con” arguments. To ensure that all viewpoints are represented, the County Auditor is inviting interested persons to contact the Elections Office if you wish to take the opposing position on any of the proposed measures.

Copies of the resolutions to place the measures on the ballot, as well as Ballot Titles and Explanatory Statements of each measure, are available on request. For copies, or to express an interest in writing an argument, please contact the Elections Office at [email protected], or (360) 378-3357, by Friday, August 16. Up to three people (per measure) may be named as argument writers, though they may seek the assistance of as many people as needed. Statements are limited to 250 words.

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and  nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar,  Nadine Labaki’s Capernaum (“Chaos”) tells the story of Zain, a Lebanese boy who sues his parents for the “crime” of giving him life.

Capernaum follows Zain, a gutsy streetwise child, as he flees his negligent parents, survives through his wits on the streets, takes care of Ethiopian refugee and her baby son, being jailed for a crime, and finally, seeks justice in a courtroom.

• Tuesday August 13^th 7:30 at SJ Community Theatre
• Capernaum
• Drama Arabic (subtitled)
• Rated R (language) 128 minutes

Capernaum was made with a cast of non-professionals playing characters whose lives closely parallel their own. Following her script, Labaki placed her performers in scenes and asked them to react spontaneously with their own words and gestures. Continue Reading

The currents were strong, the winds light and temperamental, for the 48 sailboats in the 49^9h annual running of the Shaw Island Classic.   Hosted by the San Juan Island Yacht Club, the race is a highlight of the summer boating season, drawing sailors from throughout the region to circumnavigate Shaw Island. Racers can circle the island in either direction factoring in shifting winds, variable currents, narrow rocky channels and ferry traffic.

The wind decided to die right at the race start but then freshened enough for most racers to make the dash for Upright Channel. 90% of racers chose to do a counter-clockwise route with favorable currents most of the way. However, half the cruising class could not get past Turn Island – a 2 knot adverse current trumped 4 knots of wind.     For the majority of racers that made the turn, light wind made for a stately pace up Upright Channel, into Harney Channel and Wasp Passage on the northern side of Shaw. Just as many racers thought crossing the finish line before the deadline was out of reach, 10-12 knots greeted them as they entered San Juan Channel with a favorable ebb tide allowing a fast run across the line.

After the race, racers and guests enjoyed a hearty lasagna dinner prepared by the San Juan Island Yacht Club’s First Mates followed by the awards ceremony. Continue Reading

Mullis Center Lunch – photo by Peggy Sue McRae

Press Release from Mullis Community Senior Center & San Juan County Health & Community Services

Due to road construction on Nash Street, the Community Lunch at the Mullis Center is CANCELLED for Wednesday, August 14^th.

Lunch will be served at the Mullis Center on Friday, August 16^th and there should be access to the parking lot on Friday. There is also parking available on Market Street.

We will provide more information regarding next week’s access to the Mullis Center later this week. If you have any questions, please contact the Mullis Center at 360-378-2677.

Merri Ann Simonson checks in again with real estate news and tips…

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

Vacation Rental Versus Long Term Rental

Now would be a good time to purchase property held for investment and due to market conditions, a rental home in the San Juans would be the best investment. We are not like the metropolitan areas nearby with multiple offers on most every property and robust appreciation; we remain in a buyer’s market in most categories of property.

Once you have made the decision of the type of investment property to purchase, then how you intend to use that property is the next process; vacation rental or long-term rental. To assist you with this process, I have compared the different aspects of each below.

Vacation Rental General Description

Continue reading (PDF)

Keith Busha reports more good news for Susan Williams…

Dear San Juan Update,

It was announced last Sunday that Susan Williams won another award at the Anacortes Art Festival.

This time it was the People’s Choice Award. It was especially meaningful to her because it represents the feeling of the viewers that passed thru the event over the week.

Since we aren’t on any social media at all I wondered if you could post something…

Also, the curator of The Northwest Museum of Art expressed to her their interest in having pieces of her art in the museum.

Thanks,
Keith

It’s time for Monday Movie Night again at the Orca Survey Outreach and Education Center (185 S. First Street). The next installment of the series will be a showing of “Return of the River”.

This film beautifully documents the story of the removal of the dams on the Elwha River and how the restoration of this river is a success story not only for culture, but also for the environment.

Run time is approximately 70 minutes.

Free Admission. Snacks Provided. Seating is limited.

During the past summer San Juan Island Library has been offering opportunities to explore Virtual Reality, courtesy of the Washington State Library and Oculus Inc. This has been very popular and has appealed to people of all ages (although restricted to people over 13 years old).

Virtual Reality (VR) equipment allows the user to explore different environments by wearing specialized headsets and experiencing immersive programs filmed with a 360 degree camera.

Virtual Reality technology is becoming increasingly popular for educational uses, training, and even art. The University of Washington’s iSchool will study the usage feedback generated from this program and explore other developing fields for VR headset application.

It is important for libraries to keep up with emerging trends and technologies so don’t miss out on these last opportunities to be a part of this exciting program.

The public can try the VR experience under the supervision of a trained facilitator during its Tech Tuesday program on Tuesday, August 20, and Tuesday, August 27 from 10 am to noon in the library meeting room. So come and let your imagination soar!

Image by Andreas Breitling from Pixabay

Long-term care needs in our community continue to be studied and the Inter Island Healthcare Foundation (IIHF) has sponsored a feasibility study to plan for present and future needs.

A survey of county residents over the age of 70 will be conducted this month. Sponsored by IIHF and Health Facilities Planning & Development (206-441-0971), it will take about 20 minutes. This is just one of the steps in planning for our long-term care needs.

The paper survey and more information about the survey will be available at the San Juan County Fair, in the Peace Health, San Juan Island EMS and Hospital Commissioner candidates’ booths.

There will also be links on the SJCPHD#1, SJIEMS, and Inter Island Healthcare Foundation websites beginning August 13, 2019.

Please help us gather the information for our community’s long-term care needs by taking a few minutes to complete this survey.

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor invites friends, family and supporters to participate in the APS-FH and San Juan Island Community Foundation San Juan County Fair Matching Grant collaborative aimed at raising funds to contribute to the APS-FH water catchment system for the new shelter at 938 Cattle Point Road.

The four-tank system designed by Mike Leland; “New Home New Hope” project manager, requires four 5000-gallon water catchment storage tanks to meet the shelter’s water collection needs. When all four tanks are installed the APS-FH will, through rainwater catchment, save water and reduce stormwater runoff, leaving softer prints on our San Juan Island Aquifer and Ecosystem.

Recognizing the need for completion of the new shelter’s water catchment system the San Juan Island Community Foundation offered a matching grant toward the purchase of one of the shelter’s water catchment tanks. The goal is to raise $5000 during the period from August 14-17, 2019, the Community Foundation will donate 50 cents on every dollar raised until the goal is reached.

The APS-FH is asking for your help to raise funds for one of three remaining catchment tanks left to purchase and install (one catchment tank is already in place). To be eligible for the SJICF matching grant program, donations must be made to the San Juan Island Community Foundation directly, either in person at the Fair booth or:

• By a check made payable to the San Juan Island Community Foundation with a note in the memo line “For (APSFH/CATCHMENT TANKS)” and mailed to San Juan Island Community Foundation, PO Box 1352, Friday Harbor, WA 98250; or
• By credit card on the Foundation’s web site at sjicf.org.

Please stop by the SJICF Booth while enjoying SJC Fair fun for more information on the collaboration, our new shelter and to donate. Together we can help make our island community strong.

“The practice of rainwater harvesting is an important and vital part of developing a sustainable water resource path for any community.” – Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Civil Engineer / Urban Planner

APS-FH Mission
The goal of APS-FH is to build a community of compassion through adoption of homeless pets, humane education, abuse investigation and community outreach and leadership. The mission at APS-FH is TO REDUCE pet overpopulation, TO ADOPT unwanted homeless pets to quality homes, TO PROTECT animals from neglect, abuse and abandonment, TO ADVOCATE for the welfare of animals through education and assistance and TO PROMOTE greater appreciation of human and animal interactions.

Visit www.apsfh.com for more information or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Come Sing Rock Classics and Hits with Members of the Chameleons, Desolation Sound, and Special Guests.

Tired of only singing your favorite songs in the car? Are you ready to belt your heart out live? Well, here’s your chance to live out your rock star dreams,

Sign up by Thursday, August 15th at 4:00pm in the Fair Administrative Office to sing with members of The Chameleons, Desolation Sound, & Special Guests. Tell us a little bit about yourself, and what song you would like to sing. Call 360-378-4310, or email [email protected]!

In the SJ Update mailbag, here’s a letter to you from Dave Dunaway…

Four years ago a simple fundraising idea on San Juan Island sparked an inspirational movement among men. That idea was to see if 100 men would take a public stand against domestic violence by donating $100 to DV/SAS of the San Juans (now called SAFE San Juans), the agency serving San Juan County’s survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Those funds would make it possible for the agency to hire staff to teach relationship skills and domestic violence/sexual assault (DV/SA) prevention in the local schools with the goal of changing the basic thoughts and attitudes which can ultimately lead to domestic violence or sexual assault. More than 100 men “stood up” and accepted the challenge.

Having men take a stand was a bold and important move toward ending domestic violence and sexual assault (DV/SA). But those men who stood up didn’t stop with their personal donations. They formed themselves into an ad-hoc community action group and began holding a weekly stand-in on the courthouse lawn. Every Friday at noon for the last four years, a group of “Stand Up Men” have taken their place and made an hour-long silent protest against the attitudes and actions of those who perpetrate violence. Continue Reading

Lorie Narum controls the traffic with a smile at the Nash Street Contruction Project – SJ Update photo

Nash, Caines and Price Street Improvement Project Causing Traffic Disruption on Monday, August 12 through Friday, August 16th

“Local Access to Nash Street will be compromised on the day that the cement treated base is poured,” said Administrator Wilson. “We ask the local neighborhood, Mullis Senior Center and Fairgoers for their patience as we work through this necessary disruption.”

Traffic will be disrupted this Monday, August 12^th through Friday, August 16^th from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. while Contractors prepare the cement treated sub-base for the roadway at the Caines and Nash Street Intersection, Nash Street and Price Street.

The Contractor will begin roadwork at the Caines and Nash Street intersection and work their way to the Nash and Market Street intersection. Focus will then be shifted to Price Street. This disruption is necessary in order to expedite the overall project.

Work will include three phases: Grinding the existing asphalt. Grading the roadbed to its desired elevation. Pouring the cement treated base for new asphalt. These tasks will be completed as quickly as possible.

The Caines and Nash project area will be closed to vehicles in general. Flaggers will be stationed to direct vehicles and pedestrians for local access. No parking will be permitted and local access will be compromised on the date that cement is poured.

Drivers and pedestrians are urged to exercise patience and safety. Alternative driving routes to the SJC Fairgrounds are recommended for fairgoers. Be advised that access to the Mullis Community Senior Center will be disrupted when necessary.

Information and updates on the project will be posted as often as possible. Questions for daily operations can be directed to the on-site Project Manager, Christopher Hallock, Mike Carlson Enterprises or Town of Friday Harbor at (360) 378-2810.

An unforgettable photographic journey through the natural wonders of San Juan Island, Washington. Written and photographed by Julie McIntire Corey.

This is the must-have book of the summer! Islands Heartbeats is 272 pages with 330 spectacular photographs and stories that will make your heart beat.

JulieC is one of those rare individuals that can tell a story, make you laugh till you cry and amaze you with her photographs. She has extensively photographed the islands heartbeats with keen insight, humor and a powerful belief in our responsibility for stewardship on the land and sea.

I heartily recommend “Islands Heartbeats SJI” It is quite honestly, the best book on the subject I have ever read.

 -Northwest Literary Review 2019

You are invited to the first Book Signing Event – Meet the author and get your signed copy!

• At: Island Studios 270 Spring Street
• Date: Saturday, Aug 10^th
• Time: 1:oo to 5:00

It will be a fun afternoon with a few surprises planned!  We hope you can join us.

Books are now available from Julie (360-378-7895) or at Islands Studios, KINGS Market and Roche Harbor Grocery Store.

Stop by and chat with one of the Volunteer Naturalists at the Westside Preserve middle pullover south of Lime Kiln, or at Lime Kiln Whale Watch Wall this weekend. Happy to answer your questions and share information about the whales and the Salish Sea!

• 12pm-5pm Friday 8-9-19
  Westside Preserve
• 11am-5pm Saturday 8-10-19
  Westside Preserve
• 11am-2pm Saturday 8-10-19
  Lime Kiln
• 11am-2pm Sunday 8-11-19
  Westside Preserve

All times depend on weather – rain will cancel

Many thanks to this collaboration with local and regional education and research groups to be providing educational opportunities and helping care for the Westside Preserve!

~ San Juan Island Naturalist Program ~

Bruce Hansen

Bruce Hansen passed away on July 5, 2019. He would want everyone to:

• Honor your commitments;
• Pay your bills on time;
• Practice random acts of kindness*; and
• Remember what Thumper Rabbit’s mother said, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.”

Bruce’s wife Francie is looking forward to hearing your remembrances at a special “Walk Bruce’s Path” gathering, which will be held on Saturday, September 28, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, at 47 Inverness Lane (off False Bay Road). Please park in designated areas only, and wear comfortable shoes.

Any individual wishing to honor Bruce’s memory is encouraged to make a donation to the charity of his/her choice.