Contributed Photo. Drop off a letter to be sent to the North Pole.

Santa is waiting to hear from the children and wants you to know that his mailbox is back and is located at 180 Web St., in Van Go’s driveway. Each letter that is received will get a reply so please make sure there is a return address and name on the letters!

The materials were donated by the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce and Browne’s Home Center, built by Daniel and Bowen Van Hamersfeld.

Debbi Staehlin, Friday Harbor Trading Post, is continuing her yearly duty of helping get the letters to Santa. So, parents please make sure the return address and name are on the letters!

UPDATE –

Killebrew Lake Road on Orcas Island is now open. Public Works completed their assessment Thursday morning and have determined that the road is safe to open.

Laporte Road remains closed just past the intersection with John Jones Road.

11 San Juan Island Artists Offer New Works at the Friday Harbor Atelier’s Holiday Art Show

The public is invited to a Holiday Open House on Friday, December 3rd from 4:00 – 7:00 pm

“This year more than ever, we want to celebrate local small businesses and encourage islanders to give the gift of handmade art for the holidays,” says artist Debbie Daniels.

The artists of the Friday Harbor Atelier (313 Spring St., Friday Harbor), invite the public to a (socially distanced and masked) Holiday Open House and Art Show on Friday, December 3rd, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The show will be on display through January 1st, 2022.

The 11 artists involved will be on hand to open their studios – “where the magic happens” – and each will have a wall of recent works to offer for sale.

Some of the artists have taken on a “25 Days of Smalls” challenge in November and December, painting small pieces in order to count down to the holidays like an artistic advent calendar. The paintings that weren’t sold during the online challenge will be featured at the Holiday Art Show.

Member artists of the Atelier (ah-tell-yay’, French for “studio”) include: Jenny Banks, Shannon Borg, Mary Bruce, Kim Bruder, Winnie Brumsickle, Debbie Daniels, Alison Engle, David Harsh, Pam Hoke, Lisa Lamoreaux, Jan Murphy, Teresa Smith and Dolly Sundstrom. Continue Reading

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

Click to enlarge

Celebrating Thanksgiving with friends, all of us double vaxed and boostered, we enjoyed a relaxing evening without wearing masks. In spite of winter spikes in local numbers of COVID cases it was beginning to look like we might be approaching the end of this oh so wearisome pandemic. Then BOOM along comes omicron, a new COVID variant.

Suddenly in airports around the world flights were cancelled and some borders were closed.  By the time you read this we will know more about this new twist in the pandemic forecast. Briefly, according to Dr. Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor to the President, the new omicron variant first appeared in Botswana and South Africa in mid-November.

What raised concern about the omicron variant was its rapid spread in South Africa. And the list of countries where the variant has been detected is steadily increasing. While as of Tuesday this list does not include the United States, it has been found in Canada and is very likely already in the United States.

Even if this new variant compromises the effectiveness of our vaccines, the vaccines remain our greatest protection and strengthen our immunity so that even if we do get COVID it will be less severe and less likely to kill us. Dr. Fauci’s advice for confronting omicron will sound familiar: Continue Reading

Compass Health’s 2021 Building Communities of Hope Gala Raises Nearly $110,000 to Benefit Child, Youth and Family Behavioral Health Services

EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 30, 2021 – Compass Health’s fifth-annual Building Communities of Hope Gala raised nearly $110,000 in support of the organization’s child, youth and family behavioral health services during a virtual event held on Saturday, October 16, 2021.

The event was streamed live on YouTube and Facebook where more than 300 community members gathered virtually to watch Delaney Ruston, MD, deliver the keynote address about the importance of families finding their voices in sharing challenges and experiences with mental health needs.

“We are grateful for everyone who made our Gala a success and for the incredible community support from all who attended. We also owe Dr. Ruston a big thank you for giving a dynamic keynote address,” said Tom Sebastian, president and CEO of Compass Health. Continue Reading

After more than two years of research and community outreach, the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank has entered the final phase in planning future agricultural operations at Coffelt Farm Preserve. The Land Bank invites the public to submit written comments on a new Coffelt Farm study and to attend a Zoom meeting on December 17, 2021.

The enormous task before the Land Bank Commissioners is how best to not only keep the 185-acre Orcas Island property in active agriculture, but to also provide educational opportunities for farmers and other community members, and to devise a management model that’s sustainable, equitable and fiscally responsible. In addition, they must heed the constraints of the San Juan Preservation Trust’s Conservation Easement as well as protect the ecological values outlined in the Land Bank’s Coffelt Farm Preserve Stewardship and Management Plan.

Key to the December discussion will be the new Coffelt Farm Lease Rate and Reserve Study. Recommended by the Land Bank’s Conservation Agricultural Resource Team (CART), the study was prepared by a consultant with decades of experience in the field. It draws on extensive research, interviews with local farm owners and lessees, and careful evaluation of the property and its infrastructure. In addition to providing guidance for a lease rate informed by comparable local and regional rates, the study includes a proposed 10-year maintenance schedule and associated costs. This information will be crucial in developing a long-term sound financial plan for the Preserve. Continue Reading

Peace Health shares this announcement with you…

Friday Harbor, Wash. – We are pleased to announce that PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center has been recognized with a 2021 Guardian of Excellence Award^® by Press Ganey, the national leader in healthcare consumer and workforce engagement.

PeaceHealth Peace Island has earned this distinction five years in a row, specifically for Patient Experience in the Emergency Department (ED). Patient feedback surveys consistently placed the ED in the top 95^th percentile or above for each reporting period during the award year. The survey captures patient responses related to communication, wait times, respect and courtesy, patient privacy and pain control.

The award is a preeminent competitive achievement for leading healthcare organizations. Presented annually, the award applauds hospitals and health systems that consistently sustained performance in the top five percent of all Press Ganey clients. Continue Reading

Old Coats, Warm Coats, Short Coats, Long Coats – Kids Coats too!

Bring your clean coats with a hanger to Cynthia’s Bistro Thursday to Mondays 8:00 to 3:00! We will be hanging them on the corner of Nichols Street (On the picket fence by Roy’s Drive through), Thursdays to Mondays – 8:00 to 3:00 if the weather allows for anyone who needs them. If it rains we will have them on the FRONT PORCH of Cynthia’s Bistro.

If you are feeling a bit playful, add a treat in one of the pockets. Let’s keep our community warm and loved this season.
This started from a post that Bev Carlton put forth regarding a similar action in a European Town.
NEED A COAT – TAKE A COAT – HAVE A COAT – LEAVE A COAT!

For more info – call Cynthia at 360-298-8130 or email at [email protected].

A blocked culvert has created a dangerous situation on Laporte Road on Orcas Island. A large amount of water has built up on the uphill side of the road, and the roadway is in danger of failure, in particular with more rain in the forecast.

The closure is on Laporte Road, just up from the junction with John Jones Road. There are approximately 19 residences above the closure.

San Juan County Public Works Director Colin Huntemer wants to highlight the seriousness of this situation, “While it is impossible to know exactly what might happen, I am very concerned about the potential of a catastrophic failure of the roadway. People should not be traversing the closed area. We will be further investigating the situation and exploring avenues for reducing water levels, but for now the road is not safe to cross.”

San Juan County Emergency Management is working to alert residents who are living downstream in the drainage and will be working with emergency responders to ensure access to impacted residences in the event of a 911 call from the area. More information will be shared with the community as it becomes available. 

Just in time for Holiday Gift Season, Join Anita Barreca and Tina Fisher in learning how to make Beeswax Wraps.  They’re easy!  Just bring your own 100% cotton fabric cut to the proper sizes and a few bucks to cover the cost of the beeswax.  Space is limited so sign up soon and we will send you further instructions.

Beeswax wraps take the place of plastic wrap for storing your food, are reuseable, and pretty.  They are not hard to make and old ones can be rejuvenated!  Be part of the solution!  Learn to make beeswax wraps at our two hour workshop and then go out and teach others.

Saturday, December 4
2 PM to 4 PM
Grange Kitchen

Presented by Program Director Jessa Madosky
San Juan Island Grange #966

Contact Anita Barreca at [email protected] or text her at 360-622-9797 to sign up or for more information.

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Island Lights Festival on Friday December 3rd at 6:30pm! This kickoff event for the Friday Harbor Winterfest is partnering with Island Rec and of course Santa Claus.

It will be a fun-filled evening when all start gathering at 6:30pm on Spring Street between 1st and Front Street to await the arrival of Santa. We will have caroling while sipping some hot chocolate and coffee while waiting for Santa to arrive to light the tree.

Once the tree is lit we will have some more caroling before heading up to Brickworks for more fun. Upon arriving at Brickworks one will find pictures with Santa, crafts with Island Rec and local harvest soups and spiced local apple cider for sale.

For more details please contact the Chamber of Commerce 360-378-5240, [email protected].

The Port of Friday Harbor will be reopening Jensen’s Boatyard on January 3, 2022.

The new operations model will see Port staff scheduling and operating the boat lift and boat yard. Port crews will perform all boat lifting and launching, pressure washing, and blocking of vessels.

Bottom painting, and vessel maintenance or repairs, may be conducted by the owner or a qualified contractor. Any entity desiring to rent business space at the boatyard, provide contractor services, or operate the chandlery should contact the Harbormaster at [email protected].

Cynthia’s Bistro will be offering free take-away meals to anyone who needs a meal or wishes to have a home cooked meal, Thursday December 2nd from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. No questions asked, just free food. Stop by Cynthia’s this Thursday to pick up your meal.

You may pick up a meal for yourself or for those who need one and are unable to come. 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 the restaurant or by email  at [email protected].

Thanks to all who make this possible! It takes a village!

December 10th 10am-7pm | December 11th 10am-7pm, Brickworks, Friday Harbor

The Old-Fashioned Christmas Market will light up historic Brickworks with a vibrant return!  The popular event features an indoor-outdoor holiday crafts market, island food vendors, local farm products, live music, local libations, and activities for kids and grownups alike.

Festivities have been extended to two days; Friday December 10th from 10am-7pm, and Saturday December 11th from 10am-3pm. Free activities for kids both days! Local food vendors will ply visitors with tasty treats made with island grown ingredients, delectable baked goods and hot drinks.  Artisans will offer their handmade gifts and art including jewelry, linens, pottery, Christmas decorations and more. Friday afternoon from 3-6pm will feature fire-side marshmallow roasting and Santa taking the stage. Saturday will include kids arts and crafts, balloon animals, music, and a visit from Victorian Santa.

We are committed to a safer and fun community holiday gathering for visitors and islanders alike, with a more spacious layout and extended market hours. All vendors and visitors will be asked to follow best practices as guided by the San Juan County health department. 

The Old-Fashioned Christmas Market is sponsored by LTAC Friday Harbor and the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild. Watch www.sjiagguild.com for details.  The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild is a community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant, resilient and sustainable local food system in San Juan County, Washington.

Since the last update on Friday November 18th, there have been 27 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 431.

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

• Lopez Island: There are fourteen new cases on Lopez Island since the last update. There are fifteen positive cases under active monitoring on Lopez Island, nearly all of the new cases are related to the ongoing outbreak.  
• Orcas Island: There are nine new cases on Orcas Island since the last update. There are eight positive cases under active monitoring on Orcas Island.
• San Juan Island: There are four new cases on San Juan Island since the last update. There are six positive cases under active monitoring on San Juan Island at this time, including two residents who have been hospitalized for some time.

Overall Situation:

Case counts continue to be concerning. Islanders should be thoughtful about their decision making, recognize that exposure to the illness is common, and utilize over the counter rapid antigen tests (available at many pharmacies) to help reduce risk when gathering with groups.

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.

The District will seek to renew its San Juan Island EMS levy in the upcoming February 8, 2022, election. Currently, San Juan Island EMS is at the end of a six-year Levy, which will end December 31, 2022. Public Hospital District Superintendent Nathan Butler stated that “renewing the EMS Levy will be essential in ensuring that the Public Hospital District can continue to provide quality care and emergency response to San Juan County throughout the next six years.”

One of the most important benefits of the Levy renewal will include the continuation of its zero co-pay or co-insurance policy for ambulance services to San Juan Island residents. Chair Anna Lisa Lindstrum said, “Renewing the EMS levy will ensure that emergency medical services maintain its no out-of-pocket cost policy for all San Juan Island residents. Calling for help should never be hindered by the cost of service.” Continue Reading