We are Jeff and Kristen Arnim, the new caretakers of the San Juan Update. We’ve always enjoyed the stories and photos published by the Update, and we look forward to continuing to bring them to you as this publication enters its 25th year. Just like Tim and Ian, we’ll focus on the things that make living here great.

Jeff has been a web developer and writer for the past 15 years. Kristen works to support the local agricultural community and was previously a librarian. We first moved to Friday Harbor in 2017, and our daughter Juniper arrived the following year. T-Boy joined our family this past September, thanks to the hard-working staff of the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor.

Jeff’s favorite place on the island is Fourth of July Beach, Kristen votes for South Beach, and Juniper says Eagle Cove. T-Boy could not be reached for comment, but was last seen intently sniffing the giant rock at the entrance to the Gravel Pit.

Former owner Tim Dustrude (left) and new San Juan Update owner Jeff Arnim

The San Juan Update has a new owner! I am very happy to introduce the new Owner/Editor of the San Juan Update to you – Jeff Arnim.

Jeff is currently working on a post to introduce himself and family to you – that should be published here within a few days I think, but in the meantime I just wanted to let everyone know that the San Juan Update will continue.

This is very good news for me – I think he will be a great fit for The Update, and carry on the tradition started by Ian Byington and continued by me, of bringing upbeat, refreshing news and information to the people of San Juan Island.

Welcome Jeff!

Days Like Pearls – Oil painting tryptic by Peggy Sue McRae

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

One thing you can count on, things will always be changing.  Sometimes we invite change into our lives and other times we simply struggle to adjust.  Either way, it’s a skill just to keep your balance. 

It did not come as a total surprise to me that Tim Dustrude would be leaving the San Juan Update. I’ve watched he and Shannon’s growing passion for their life on the open road for a while now. My hope is that someone will pluck this ripe juicy plum of a local online news source before it loses the momentum Tim has given it.

The San Juan Update began in 1997. At that time Ian Byington created a newsy, neighborly, upbeat online news source and bulletin board. Ian gave the Update its motto: “Some of it is news, some of it is old news, and all are just things we wanted to mention, with most of it about the things that make living here great.”  These words have held steady as a guiding light.

Tim took the reins in 2012. With his photographer’s eye and web design skills Tim created the Update’s appealing look while nurturing a collaborative relationship with the Island community. In 2013 I started working with Tim filling in here and there and eventually substituting for him while he traveled and have for the past several years written a regular column, Island Senior.

Island Senior is collaboration with the Mullis Center to keep local seniors informed. During the pandemic this has highlighted classes that are now taught online, shared health information, local history, or reflections on becoming an elder. I’ve enjoyed sharing passages from my 18-year-old Grandfather’s 1905 journal or telling stories about my Great-aunt Ada’s Millenary Shop. Whatever the fate of the San Juan Update, we hope to see Island Senior carry on.

The San Juan Update has provided a worthy service to San Juan Islanders. Thank you Tim for the energy and time you have put into the Update. To you and Shannon, here’s wishing you the very best. Happy Trails!

Dave Halloran from San Juan County Department of Emergency Management shares this notice with you…

Good morning, in the news today is a volcanic eruption near the Tonga Islands. The Tsunami Warning center (tsunami.gov) has issued an Advisory for the outer coast of WA and the coast along the Strait of Juan De Fuca. The State EMD is advising of the potential for higher than normal wave heights later this morning towards 10 AM.

To be safe stay off the beaches this morning, and for live-aboards at marinas, be aware of this potential for higher than normal waves. Because this origin is a volcanic eruption as opposed to the “normal” earthquake genesis of a tsunami, the prediction of wave impacts is more difficult.

Hawaii has observed 1 to 2 foot waves. So be cautious this morning, and stay off the beaches until there is more certain information.

This Advisory is expected to last into the early afternoon today (Saturday, January 15, 2022). Thanks everyone, and stay safe!

Dave Halloran

Enjoying some hot cocoa and solidifying big plans at South Beach on Christmas Day right before the snow flew – Shannon Dean photo

A note to you from Tim Dustrude, editor of the San Juan Update…

As many of you may know, my passion in the past couple of years has been traveling with my wife Shannon in our camper van and seeing our beautiful country. We have been many places so far, from west coast to east coast and from north to south. We’ve made new friends in red states, blue states and other states in between. We’re loving it and we want to continue because there is so much more to see. (click here to see where we’ve been).

We started this journey just over two years ago, and I’ve been able to keep the San Juan Update running during this time, however it has been either extremely challenging when I looked after it myself entirely, or not cost-effective when I’ve hired people to help me.

So I have made the very difficult decision to discontinue the daily publishing of the San Juan Island Update.

To you the faithful Update reader – I want to thank you for your enthusiasm and encouragement. It feels so good to see you around town and hear you say how much you love the Update.

To you the advertiser – I want to thank you very much for your support – there is no way the Update could have remained viable in its current state without advertisers like you, and I really appreciate your faith in me to promote your business while helping to keep the island community aware of things going on around this beautiful island.

To all you contributors – Thanks for sharing your news and announcements, enabling me to provide a venue to amplify your message to share with your fellow islanders.

But it is time for me to move on, so beginning on January 1, 2022 – I will no longer be publishing new daily content. However, the Update isn’t going anywhere yet – it will remain online as a sort of archive at least for the foreseeable future. And I’m sure I will add things from time to time, especially critically important announcements to the community or things that I believe are especially of interest for whatever reason.

I really hate to think of it going away permanently so it is my hope that I can find someone to take over the reins.

To that end, I will be entertaining offers from people interested in buying the Update and keeping it going – if you are interested or if you know of someone who would like a “turn-key” business, I would love to hear from you. I really do believe it could be a wonderful opportunity for someone.

But for now, I will close, and say once again, thank you so much San Juan Island for all of your support over the past nine years!

Well, see for yourself – Here’s a brief history in photos showing why we are embracing this new lifestyle. Click on any photo to enlarge, and then use the left or right arrows to see adjacent photos. (and be sure to read the captions at the bottom) Continue Reading

“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date -Happy New Year”

John Miller shares yet another photo of beautiful swans at Lakedale.

Thanks John!

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

Katerina Wen – Contributed photo

If you are anything like me being snowed in during a pandemic over the holidays involved plenty of Christmas movies, whole season binges, plus more than the usual baked goods, sweets, and festive beverages. Also, if you are like me, you may not be planning a brisk hike up Mt. Young anytime soon. If a gentler form of retrieving your body from the Matrix appeals to you, you are in luck.

The Mullis Center has teamed up with the indomitable Katerina Wen to bring you both Chair Yoga and Balance and Stretch classes. Due to Katerina and her partner traveling overseas her classes have temporarily been available on YouTube. Says Anna from the Mullis Center, “You are welcome to access this week’s class recording as often as you’d like and we encourage you to share it with others far and wide.”

Upon her imminent return Katerina will resume both classes via Zoom. Meanwhile her YouTube classes will remain available and are posted on the Mullis Center’s Facebook Page.

These classes have been available to all San Juan Island seniors and disabled adults on a “pay what you can” basis since the early days of the pandemic. The suggested fee for each class is $6 per class.

The classes are offered on a sliding scale. “If you are in a position to cover all or part of the suggested fee that’s great, but if not please don’t worry, we just want you to join us!” You can pay for the classes by mailing a check to the Mullis Center at PO Box 684. Please write “Chair Yoga” on the memo line. Any contributions above the suggested fee are handled as tax deductible donations and are greatly appreciated.

Getting a jump on New Year’s resolutions I joined Katrina’s Chair Yoga class this morning and was reminded how even subtle movements can have profound effects. If you spend a fair amount of time at a computer this is an excellent antidote. Here is wishing you a healthy and happy new year!

Link to: The Mullis Center Facebook Page
Link to: Week of December 27 YouTube Chair Yoga
Link to:  Week of December 27 YouTube Balance and Stretch

Editor’s Note, Jan. 2, 2022 – We may not be out of the woods just yet – see this message from Duncan Wilson on San Juan Islander.

(Friday Harbor, WA) – December 31, 2021 – The San Juan Island Library District was notified by the Town of a major leak at the former Life Care Center in the early evening of December 30^th and worked with the Fire Department and Town to ensure that the emergency sprinkler system was shut down to stop any further leakage. The main water supply to the property had previously been shut off on December 24^th, but the emergency fire suppression system is connected directly to the water main. 

The District maintains a presence at the building five days per week, and the caretaker was onsite through midday on Wednesday, December 29^th.  At that time, there was no problem noted. Thus, the fire suppression pipes froze and burst sometime overnight on December 29^th and the leak occurred between then and the afternoon of the 30^th when neighbors heard alarms. At that time, the District worked with the Town, Fire Department, and OPALCO to stop the leak and render the building safe. 

There has been damage to the building from the water leakage. The District is assessing its extent and will be taking action to keep the building safe and secure. The plan is still to replace the existing building with a structure which meets current construction code and which is suitable for a community library, after a planning and funding process which will begin in 2022.

The District thanks Town, Fire Department, and OPALCO teams for their fast response to yesterday’s event. There will be a report with further details at the District’s upcoming board meeting on January 11th at 3pm, after examination by qualified contractors. 

NOTE: the situation is changing quickly and cases are increasing. This will be a long update, but please read the entire document. There are a number of critical details that it is important the community be aware of. Thank you!

Since the last update on Friday December 24th, there have been 54 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 533.

There are approximately seven unvaccinated close contacts of positive cases currently in quarantine in the islands.

• Lopez Island: There is one new case on Lopez Island since the last update. There are four positive cases under active monitoring on Lopez Island at this time.
• Orcas Island: There are forty-six new cases on Orcas Island since the last update. There are forty-four positive cases under active monitoring on Orcas Island. Approximately thirty-one of these new cases are tied in some way to the ongoing outbreak, including some suspected tertiary contacts (people infected by people who were infected by people who were at the original event).
• San Juan Island: There are seven new cases on San Juan Island since the last update. There are eight positive cases under active monitoring on San Juan Island at this time.

Overall Picture: Continue Reading

Dear Editor,

On February 8, 2022, the community of San Juan Island will be asked to vote to renew a local property tax. The Educational Programs and Operations Levy funds our local public schools, 100% of which stays in our community, supporting our students in programs not funded by the state.

This levy is renewed every four years and  is based on student enrollment. This request is for an amount that will provide for growth in enrollment over the next four years.  If enrollment does not increase, the district will not collect any amount beyond the amount that qualifies.  

Our district is dependent on this local levy to continue with excellence in education from kindergarten to 12^th grade.  The levy is essential to maintain the level and quality of programming and instruction, supporting everything not directly funded by the state such as Counseling, Nursing services, Special Education, para-educators, office staff, transportation, food service, technology, specialized teachers for art and music as well as health and safety measure throughout the schools.

If this levy does not pass, our school district will have to cut over $2 million from the $13.5 million budget, severely reducing existing programs. Please vote yes for Proposition 1. We need your vote to support our public schools and our children’s future.

Please vote by February 8. Ballots will be mailed in mid-January. Thank you for your on-going support of our local public school students.

Sarah Werling Sandwith,
San Juan Island School District Board Director Vice Chair/Levy Committee Chair
www.sjisd.wednet.edu

In the mailbag this afternoon we find this letter to you from J. Michael Edwards…

The PHD #1 Again ‘Missing the Boat’

In their press release of Nov. 24, 2021 the PHD #1 stated: “On November 2, 2021, residents voted for San Juan Island EMS to remain under the jurisdiction of San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1.” In actuality, a majority of the residents (over 56%) voted for the levy to merge EMS services with the San Juan Island’s Fire and Rescue #3 and away from the PHD…in fact a lower percentage supported the PHD’s levy lift to acquire the Village.

The PHD’s abandoning support of the EMS merger with Fire and Rescue #3 demonstrates the PHD board’s prideful blindness, and flies in the face of not only district voters but also diametrically opposes the findings of the Citizens Advisory Group (CAG), the expressed opinion of our San Juan County EMS Medical Program Director and both Fire and Rescue #3 and PHD Boards.

The latest decision of the PHD to withdraw their support for a merger is most disconcerting for the following reasons among many others: Continue Reading

San Juan County Parks & Fair is soon offering advance camping reservations for San Juan County year-round residents, for two weeks only! Proof of residency is required.

Early resident reservations will be accepted from January 26 until February 9. Email requests (preferred) are accepted at 6:00 am on January 26th via email [email protected]. After 1:00 pm the same day reservations can be made by phone at 360.378.8420.  Hard copy requests may be placed in a drop box outside the office.  Resident reservations are not available to reserve online. Final deadline is 4:00 pm on February 9^th.

Due to the popularity of this program, duplicate date requests may be randomly selected. Two sites maximum per household, per camping stay, with a maximum of two different camping stays. Choose from San Juan, Odlin or Shaw County Parks or the San Juan County Fairgrounds (RVs only).

For locals gathering with 9 or more people, please call today to reserve a group camp as early as January 7^th!  Group camping allows you to gather for all activities and helps us manage our Parks for the good of all campers.

To receive a 2022 Resident Reservation Campsite Request form with instructions, please join our emailing list by sending your name and email address to [email protected].  Be prepared to provide documentation of year-round SJC residency.  Additional details available at www.sanjuanco.com/parks.

Here’s a letter to you from SJI Fire & Rescue…

San Juan Island Fire and Rescue (SJIF&R) remains committed to continuous improvement in our service to our islands’ communities to ensure professional, quality, and compassionate emergency response and service.

Why does SJIF&R respond to medical calls?

• First: SJIF&R’s guiding principle is do what is right for the patient. In emergency services, regardless of the type of emergency, that means safe and timely arrival of trained personnel to start life-saving measures. It is the national standard for emergency response.
• Second: Time is critical in an emergency. A wildland or structure fire can double in size every 30 seconds. ¹ Every minute in delay of high-quality CPR reduces the patient’s chance of survival by 7-10%. ² In our cold waters, without protective clothing, a person falling overboard from a boat or off a dock loses dexterity in 3 minutes and consciousness within 15-30 minutes. ³ Every minute someone is having a stroke, 1.9 million braincells and 14 billion synapses are lost. ⁴ That is why SJIF&R is responding on all emergency 911 calls that our community faces.

Continue Reading

Joining the board of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) are Lisa Brooks, Barb Snider and Rob Ray who all share of love of the arts. Join us in welcoming them to our art museum board.

Lisa Brooks – Contributed photo

Lisa Brooks is a 3rd generation Seattleite who was introduced at a young age to Pacific Northwest art by her collector parents, which is where her affinity began.  She studied interior design at Washington State University, and after college she was involved with the Seattle Art Museum Supports. As a part of this group she was able to view some of the most important collections, both private and public. Being a part of this group brought great inspiration, which lead Lisa and her late husband Greg to create their own personal collection of  NW art.   

Lisa has deep roots on San Juan Island.  Her family has been on San Juan Island for 90 years. She has always had a deep sense of “place” on San Juan, spending endless summers and family holidays here.  She worked at Roche Harbor during her college summers.  Such incredible and formative memories over the past years have brought her back to live here full time. Continue Reading

It is time to register for Island Rec Girls Basketball Leagues, open to all kids in grades 2 through 8. The focus of this league is development and improvement of individual and team skills. Previous basketball experience is not required.  All games are played on Island, Sundays in Turnbull Gym. Girl’s basketball practices begin the week of January 10th, and games are January 23rd through February 13th.

Washington State Department of Health Covid-19 guidelines will be adhered to.  All participants, coaches and spectators must wear masks at all times.  Coaches and Referees are needed, and must be vaccinated against Covid-19 to participate. 

Register online at www.islandrec.org or call the Island Rec office at 360-378-4953 for more information about the league or if you are interested in volunteering as a coach, referee or scorekeeper.