John Geyman M.D. – Contributed Photo

John Geyman, M.D. announces publication of: Struggling and Dying Under Trumpcare: How We Can Fix This Fiasco.

Dr. Geyman has been writing about U.S. health care policy and reform since 2002. This book describes the health care situation in our country and the current proposals in Congress. He offers evidence based information which supports Medicare For All as the only sustainable way to have health care coverage for everyone in our country. 

“This book is the best guide for people who want to understand the health care mess, and what needs to be done to fix it. Geyman has few peers as a doctor, writer and policy scholar.”  David Himmelstein, M.D. and Steffie Woolhandler, M.D., general internists, health policy experts, and distinguished professors of public health at the City University of New York.

Dr. Geyman has also published Common Sense: The Case For and Against Medicare For All – Leading Issue in the 2020 Elections. This 33 page pamphlet reviews current U. S. health care based on Thomas Paine’s principles in 1776: “simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense.” It offers an explanation of Medicare For All proposals in Congress and outlines pro and con positions. 

John Geyman is professor emeritus of family medicine at the University of Washington, served as Chair of the Department from 1976-1990, and has been editor of national family medicine journals. After moving to San Juan Island thirty years ago, he was a physician at the Inter-Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor from 1990-97.

With national concern for health care a major topic today, these are very timely publications and available at Griffin Bay Bookstore in Friday Harbor, Darvill’s Bookstore on Orcas Island and Lopez Island Bookshop.

Island Rec is hiring a part-time seasonal Park Maintenance worker to assist with the maintenance of John O. Linde Community Park. 

We are looking for a dynamic, hardworking, customer service oriented person interested in being part of the Island Rec team. 

This is a 20 hour a week position.  Rate of pay is $16 an hour. 

For details and a job application please visit our website at www.islandrec.org or stop by our office at 580 Guard Street. 

Do you remember how great the fireworks were last year? The Chamber needs your help in raising some fireworks funds!

Thanks to a generous matching grant from Kings Market and lodging tax funds from the Town of Friday Harbor, the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce has once again commissioned local talent and pyrotechnical director, Nick Gislason, a 5th generation San Juan Islander, with the Lopez Community Fireworks, to design, setup, and fire the 2019 Friday Harbor 4th of July Fireworks Display.

The 2019 fireworks display promises to be as good if not better than last years! The display will start at 10:00 pm after a fun filled day of 4th of July festivities.

Lopez Community Fireworks is an all-Volunteer Team, with active members from Friday Harbor, Lopez and Orcas. The group first banded together 33 years ago to pursue pyrotechnics as their collective art form, with night sky as the canvas. The fireworks team has developed unique fireworks effects over the years that have garnered numerous awards at the Pyrotechnics Guild International Fireworks Competition, with a pyrotechnic style that is uniquely traditional.

Donations are needed so please do not delay in helping us out in making this the best 4th of July ever! All donations are welcome, no matter how large or small! Please mail them to San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 98, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250, or drop them off at our office at 165 First Street S., on the corner of First and Sunshine Alley.

Save the Date! You’re not going to want to miss this year’s Pig War Picnic.  Live Music, Kids Games, Beer Garden and much much more.   

If you were there last year, you joined hundreds of island families who brought their kids, friends, and relatives to our one-of-a-kind community picnic. 

We are expecting an even bigger and better event this year!  The Islands favorite — the Chameleons — will be playing all afternoon.  Of course, we’ll have the watermelon eating contest, cakewalk, Island Rec’s kids’ games including pennies in the hay, three-legged races and the best-pulled pork barbecue lunch in town for only $10!  We’ve got $5 hot dog meals for the kids and a beer garden for the grown ups.  Don’t miss this nationally acclaimed event!  Its small town living at its best.

• DATE:  July 4, 2019
• TIME:  Immediately following the 4th of July Parade
• NEW LOCATION: Corner Lot at Spring & Price Street (near the Catholic Church and baseball field)
• WEBSITE:  http://fridayharborkiwanis.com/
• ADMISSION:  Lunch $10 & Free admission

New Location: Corner Lot at Spring & Price Street (near the Catholic Church and the baseball field).

Prepare to share the road with cyclists, runners and race officials this weekend.

Attention Drivers, on Saturday June 15th the Lakedale Three Lakes Triathlon will kick off its 7th year with cyclists and runners on the roadways and on the 18th Annual King’s SJI Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k runners will be on the roads challenging themselves and each other on Sunday.

Saturday, June 15th Triathlon Event Course Maps:

• Olympic Swim Course Map
• Olympic Bike Course Map
• Olympic Run Course Map
• Sprint Swim Course Map
• Sprint Bike Course Map
• Sprint Run Course Map

Sunday, June 16th Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K Course Maps

• MARATHON COURSE – CLICK HERE
• HALF MARATHON MAP – CLICK HERE
• 10K MAP – CLICK HERE

To Drivers we ask: Continue Reading

Merri Ann Simonson – Contributed photo

Merri Ann Simonson shares more Real Estate tips…

Update to Our Internet Connection

Rock Island has been busy for the last 4 years installing the base structure for our fiber and other internet connection options throughout the County.

I decided to write this article as a layperson so that the options for our Internet service could be easily understood. I have purposefully not used acronyms and the technical terms. I hope that this article won’t make the technical persons in the industry LOL, too much.

As a REALTOR, I can state that internet reliability is discussed as part of every real estate transaction. Islanders, as well as newcomers need to be connected and they desire their families to visit and, of course, the children and grandkids must have devices.

As I understand, there are several avenues for consumers to obtain Internet service in our County and they include the following:

Click here to continue reading (PDF)

San Juan Island Fire and Rescue photo

San Juan Island Fire and Rescue photo

On June 11, 2019 San Juan Island Fire and Rescue crews responded to an early morning, fully engulfed residential fire in the White Point area on San Juan Island.

The fire was contained to a two-story residential structure that started around 2:15 a.m. The residents were able to quickly evacuate the home and call 911. San Juan Island Fire and Rescue responded to the call and requested San Juan Island EMS for medical support.

Upon arrival, firefighters found the home to be fully engulfed, as well as several vehicles and trees behind the structure. Firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire to the structure area and were able to extinguish the fire in the trees to prevent further spread to other structures on the property. Unfortunately, the home and several vehicles were destroyed. Two residents of the home were transported by San Juan Island EMS to Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor as a precaution for evaluation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Continue Reading

Time For Summer Fun And Exploring Salish Sea Life

For families of all ages-join the fun. The San Juan Islands Museum of Art‘s (SJIMA) Summer Family Art Days begin Saturday June 29th, from noon to 4:00 pm, in the orchard adjacent to the museum at 540 Spring Street.

Children and their family members are encouraged to come by to create take-home art projects inspired by SJIMA’s exhibition DEEP DIVE, which celebrates the marine life of the Salish Sea, especially the killer whales.

Experienced art instructors Lana Hickman and Alice Hibberd provide guidance, materials and fun new ideas. All are welcome to enjoy this FREE opportunity for fun and creative expression in the serenity of the orchard (bring a picnic lunch if you wish)!

The schedule of classes is as follows: Continue Reading

Alexandra is the APS-FH Volunteer of the Month – Contributed photo

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor has announced that Alexandra Adinolf is the Volunteer of the Month for June.

Alex became a volunteer at the animal shelter at the beginning of the year and has been a wonderful addition to the organization.  She visits the shelter each week to walk and socialize with the dogs and cats. She is also very helpful with cleaning.

Alex is super sweet and a real joy to be around!  The staff and board of directors at APS-FH sincerely appreciate your help, Alex!

Mark your calendars – Let’s all go to the Drive-In at the Fairgrounds Friday on June 14th.

Join us at dusk for Galaxy Quest! Plan an outing with your family, friends, or your special someone and enjoy this sci-fi comedy starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver & Alan Rickman (rated PG).

Admission is first come, first served at 8:30PM, $5/person or $20 for family of 5. Movies start just after dark. Audio is tuned in through the FM dial of your car radio, larger vehicles (or vehicles with storage containers on top) will be parked in the second row or further.

Drive-In concessions will be available for purchase, proceeds will benefit San Juan County Fairgrounds. For more information please visit www.sjcfair.org or call 360-378-4310.

Susan Derr Drake and Paul Drake share this announcement with you…

Lalalalalalalalaaaa… in high notes, fast moving tongues and hands covering mouths, Zagarettes can be heard when Tribal Gallop arrives to BellyDance and Drum.

New to Friday Harbor, Susan Derr Drake, a Certified Tribal BlackSheep BellyDance Instructor and her Doumbek-drumming husband, Paul, offer classes and performances.

This American-born, follow-the-leader, family-friendly, improvisational format creates fun for the entire family from 8 to 80 years old. Tribal Gallop has something for everyone in a supportive tribe or gathering of islanders, whether you want to learn body isolations, suppling and strengthening moves, easy-to-learn steps or wear a blend of ancient with modern colorful costumes complete with finger cymbals (zills) and flowers in the hair while Dancing, drumming or performing to old Middle Eastern to modern American Pop music with different Tek-Ka-Doum rhythms with drums or zills. Continue Reading

Donny Galt shares this tidbit with you…

Hi San Juan Update,

I don’t know if this is newsworthy, but we are pretty proud to have made it in LP Magazine! National Magazine… anyway, it is cool for our Islands to be named in a national Magazine…

• See page Page 64
• Here’s the whole Magazine

Have a great day!

Donny Galt
Co-Owner, Inter Island Propane LLC

Get $30-$60 a month OFF your OPALCO and Rock Island bills – Time to renew your Energy Assist credit

OPALCO offers monthly bill credits for members from low-income households through the Energy Assist program. Energy Assist gives qualified members a credit of $30-$60/month (depending on household size) and the same amount can be applied to a Rock Island bill for internet services, too. However, members must renew their Energy Assist participation each year: the bill credit expires every April 30th.

To renew your Energy Assist bill credit, complete the easy application online (https://www.opalco.com/about-your-account/energy-assistance-program/energy-assist-faq/) and provide documentation of your qualification – which can be MEDICAID, SSDI, SNAP, Free/reduced school lunch, San Juan County Senior/Disabled Tax Exemption, LIHEAP, Project PAL – or other assistance program. If you need help filling out your application, go to your island Family Resource Center or call us at 360-376-3500.

If you know someone who may benefit from Energy Assist, please encourage them to apply.

Funding for Energy Assist comes from a line item on all co-op members’ bills and also from Community Solar production credits that were donated to the program by participating members. It’s the co-op way to share the load and help address the unmet needs of our membership.

Skagit Valley College is preparing for the College’s 92nd Annual Commencement ceremonies. Family and friends are invited to attend; tickets are not required. The dates, times, and locations are as follows:

• San Juan Center
  Wednesday, June 19; 1:30pm
  The Brickworks in Friday Harbor
• Mount Vernon Campus
  Thursday, June 20
  Dave DuVall Pavilion (gym); 6:30pm
  For those who are unable to attend the Mount Vernon ceremony, it will also be live streamed at this link.
• Whidbey Island Campus
  Friday, June 21
  Oak Harbor High School Gym; 6:30pm

The positive aspects of change

Coming soon to Mullis Center: A program to educate people about the importance and positive aspects of aging and dying. We believe in honoring an individual’s right to a peaceful passing.

This workshop will provide the knowledge and tools for you to make sound choices in life. It will refresh your preconceived conceptions about the final process. You will go away feeling empowered and inspired, both for yourself and for those people that you deeply care for.

• Date: Saturday, June 15, 2019
• Time: 1:00 – 4:00pm
• Location: Mullis Community Senior Center, 589 Nash St, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
• Fee: Free, donation welcome to Hospice of San Juan

Space is limited, contact us to register: [email protected] or (360) 472-0322

Highlights: Continue Reading