Spring Street International School 6-7th graders will perform a gratitude reading at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church on November 22nd.

The performance begins at 11:30 and will last about 70 minutes.

Please come and celebrate their poise and wisdom. Their words are beautiful and their voices are brave.

Invite your friends and kin.

We are arranging a potluck afterward from 1-2 pm.
It is time we lean into restarting the traditions that bring us all together.
Too much time being pulled apart!

If you need a hope booster shot, come hear words like these:

“…I’m grateful for animals, and new books, and roller skates. For the way that owl voices gently startle me out of sleep, as those vast birds cradle the air with their wings. For the nights when lightning in the distance plays its long, rumbling game of tag, and for the wrens in the bright next morning, hopeful with fresh lullabies. I’m grateful for the scent of my dad’s coffee, and the way we laugh at little things that aren’t all that funny, like when he scratched his windshield with the broken wiper, forgot about it, did it again, and we laughed like the first time. And that makes me grateful for rain.”

Sailor Boreen, 7th Grade

The Friends of the San Juan Island Library are proud to present their holiday online auction, “Dickens of a Fundraiser!” featuring many San Juan Island products, services, and experiences for all ages in our diverse and exciting catalogue. 

Your participation in our auction allows FOL to continue to provide funding patron favorites that include Children and Adult programming, online streaming services, summer reading program, and many physical and online library resources to name a few.

“Dickens of a Fundraiser” will be online for pre-registration and review of the auction catalogue starting Nov. 19.  Bidding will open at 9 a.m. on Nov. 26 and run through 4:00 p.m. Dec. 4.

You will find us on our Facebook page, the San Juan Island Library website, San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce website, and in the local online papers.  Login at www.charityauction.bid/folDickens and have a Dickens of a good time!

Check us out, see our catalogue and pre-register to BID, BID, BID on Nov. 26^th-Dec. 4^th.

Photo by Antonina Vlasova via Twenty20.com

The following is submitted by San Juan Island resident Angie Light with the Transition San Juan Waste Reduction Group…

My family and I are new to the island, and one of the many characteristics of San Juan that we love is the access to wonderful farms and farmers. Many an evening our family meal is made entirely from produce grown right here, in this soil, on this land by skilled and passionate people. I feel abundance and gratitude for our family’s ability to live by the true meaning of “farm to table.”  

While this picture is dreamy, there’s another side to it that’s not utopic. It became glaringly clear that the scraps left over from our food create a whole lot of hefty weight in our garbage. Our beautiful food story unfortunately does not end happily with our farm to table bliss. It takes an alarming turn that continues with tons and tons of garbage bags riding the ferry back to the mainland. Filled with food waste, these garbage bags then travel by train to eastern Washington where they are buried in a landfill — a not so happy ending. 

The question of how to keep our food out of our garbage quickly became an all-consuming concern for me.  And why should you and I care about keeping food out of our garbage bags and changing this sad ending to the story?  Three words: environment, finances, humanity…
Continue Reading

Friday Harbor, WA – We are pleased to announce that our PeaceHealth Peace Island Rehabilitation therapy team is growing and we are now able to offer our patients expanded services and access, including Saturday appointments.

In the last six months we have welcomed three new members to our therapy team:

• Andrea Jakus Wight, MPT, started full-time on Monday, Oct. 19, as an outpatient/acute PT. Valedictorian of her 2006 graduating class at D’Youville College, Jakus Wight most recently worked at Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Quebec. Her clinical strengths include Casely Smith Lymphedema Certification, oncology management and upper extremity management.
• Garrett Masaoka, PTA, joined us in late September, working 20 hours a week in outpatient physical therapy. He graduated cum laude from Whatcom Community College in 2016 and was most recently working at a physical therapy practice in Guam. He has completed CEUs in balance, vestibular dysfunction, chronic pain and orthopedic rehab.
• Patti Bjarnason, SLP, started as a per diem speech and language pathologist in June. She has worked on the island for more than 15 years in home health, private outpatient therapy and acute therapy at Peace Island.

L-R: Andrea Jakus Wight, MPT, Garrett Masaoka, PTA, Patti Bjarnason, SLP and Tyler Howe – Contributed photos

The three new team members join Tyler Howe, DPT, who joined Peace Island full-time in December of 2019 as a physical therapist covering outpatient and acute services. A 2016 graduate of the University of Washington, Howe has completed CEUs in manual therapy and basic vestibular dysfunction and is interested in pursuing Sports Certified Specialist or Orthopedic Clinical Specialist designation. Continue Reading

Click to enlarge

Due to erosion having caused cavities beneath the roadbed, Crow Valley Road on Orcas Island will be closed to west-bound traffic (traffic heading away from Eastsound towards Island Hardware) between Orcas Road (Fowler’s Corner) and West Beach Road (Island Hardware). East-bound traffic is not impacted at this time.

The closure will last at least into early next week. The damage to the road is considerable and until the voids can be carefully inspected and repaired, there is significant risk with using that side of the road.

San Juan County Public Works Director Colin Huntemer appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation, “While the erosion may not look severe at first glance, we have a lot of concern about what happened beneath the road because of the flooding. I’d like to ask islanders to use caution and respect the closure signage and barriers. Our team is working non-stop with local contractors and we’ll do all we can to get the road open as soon as possible.”

* Carefully curated and beautifully presented gift selections for everyone on your list, from grandparents to pets

* Delightfully packaged handmade Christmas cookies

* Unbelievable raffles, including a 1 /2 hour helicopter tour for 4 people

* Exquisite Christmas trees-already decorated just for you

* Merry chats with St. Nick for kids and adults

Saturday, December 11 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Mullis Center, 589 Nash St, Friday Harbor, WA

• Free admission!
• Free cider and donuts while they last!

All proceeds will benefit Peace Island Volunteers’ Angel Fund which helps patients pay for medical emergencies and necessities not covered by insurance.

[email protected]
PO Box 3077, Friday Harbor WA 98250

Since the last update on Friday November 12th, there have been 28 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 404.

Of these twenty-eight new cases, initial investigations indicate that at least ten appear to have occurred in fully vaccinated individuals. There are approximately eight unvaccinated close contacts of positive cases currently in quarantine in the islands.

• Lopez Island: There are sixteen cases on Lopez Island since the last update. There are eighteen positive cases under active monitoring on Lopez Island.
• Orcas Island: There are three new cases on Orcas Island since the last update. There are three positive cases under active monitoring on Orcas Island.
• San Juan Island: There are eight new cases on San Juan Island since the last update. There are fifteen positive cases under active monitoring on San Juan Island.

Outbreak Alerts: Continue Reading

M/V Yakima at dock – SJ Update file photo

This just in from WSF…

The Anacortes/San Juan Islands route will return to four-boat service and operate on its usual Fall Schedule starting Friday, Nov. 19. Customers are encouraged to check the four-boat “Anacortes/San Juan Islands” sailing schedule, which will be listed as inactive until it takes effect on Nov. 19.  

Reservations will remain suspended on the route temporarily. WSF will continue closely monitoring service and crewing availability during the coming weeks and will reinstate reservations once stable and reliable service on the Fall Schedule can be maintained. Existing reservation holders will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers with reservations prior to switching to the alternate service schedule are encouraged to travel at their original departure time. Customers can also travel without a reservation and are encouraged to arrive 60-90 minutes early to their departing terminal.

The safety of our customers and crew is WSF’s top priority. All traveling customers are required to wear face coverings inside terminals and vessels in compliance with the latest CDC guidelines. However, passengers can remove their masks while outdoors on the sun deck, car deck areas of the vessel, outside waiting areas at terminals and other outdoor locations. Please remember to mask up upon reentering interior areas of boats and terminals.

You can view all travel alerts at the WSF Travel Bulletins page. This alert was sent on 11/18/2021 at 12:01PM to subscribers of the following routes:

• Anacortes / San Juan Islands

Visit the WSF Website or Contact Us page for more information about Washington State Ferries.

Photo by @Truba at Twenty20.com

San Juan County, WA, USA. – The recently updated Salish Sea Vessel Traffic Projections (PDF – Nov. 2021) provided by Friends of the San Juans shows that at least a 25% increase in large, ocean-going commercial vessel traffic could occur if all of the proposed new and expanding terminal and refinery projects are permitted and constructed, as compared with 2020.

Twelve of the 22 projects would add at least 2,634 annual vessel transits to and from Salish Sea ports in British Columbia. Canada’s Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project and the proposed new container ship terminal at Roberts Bank account for almost half of the projected increase in vessel traffic that has been quantified.

Click to see full infographic (PDF)

What is significant about this Salish Sea Vessel Traffic Projection is that the 25% increase does not include any of the ten new, expansion, or redevelopment projects in Washington state. Several of these projects will likely result in increased ocean-going vessel traffic but lack any review of the potential increased vessel traffic-related environmental impacts and lack any consideration of alternatives or mitigation measures. Continue Reading

We are happy to be opening Nana’s House this year after missing last year. For our 9th year, we are changing things up a bit.

We will be opening a week earlier, on Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00-5:00. Then, we will be open the following three weekends in December, on Saturdays and Sundays only, from 11:00-5:00.

Our new location is on “A” street, across the street from Market Chef. Look for the Candy Canes!

Nana’s Holiday House is open for kids to shop for new and handmade gifts for their families, all under $10.00. All the profits go back the community.

Photo Courtesy San Juan Singers

San Juan Community Theatre is delighted to host the San Juan Singers on the Whittier stage yet again this holiday season.

This year the San Juan Singers present their Comfort & Joy concert. There will be two performances, Saturday, December 11th at 7:30pm and Sunday, December 12th at 2:00pm which will feature songs that celebrate the Winter Solstice, Christmas, and Hanukkah.

Sit back, relax and let the sounds of the Season of Light swirl around you while you enjoy the soothing sounds of harp, strings, piano and voices blended in rich harmonies — old favorites like “A Celtic Silent Night,” “See Amid the Winter Snow,” and “Believe.” Be transported to another time and place by a cappella favorites like “A La Nanita Nana” and “Al HaNisim.”

Join us and revel in the joy of being back together, in harmony and in community once again. Directed by Angel Michaels, accompanied by Jenepher Reeves, Mary WillAllen, and many more fine local musicians, this concert is sure to lighten your heart and warm your soul.

Tickets for the concert will be $20 for adults, $10 for students, and $5 student rush. Please note SJCT requires proof of vaccination for entry to all performances or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of the performance start time. Additionally, masking is required inside the venue.

For more information regarding our Covid-19 guidelines please visit https://www.sjctheatre.org/covid-policies. For more information regarding this event and to purchase tickets, please visit our website https://sjctheatre.org/ or call our Box Office at (360)-378-3210.

San Juan Community Theatre is so grateful for the reception of our debut musical production since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mamma Mia! We love seeing the community come together and enjoy live, indoor theatre on the Whittier stage once again. The cast has been having a blast performing for everyone, and audience members have nothing but praise to share after seeing this enlightening show:

“San Juan Community Theatre’s production of Mamma Mia! is outstanding!! So incredibly entertaining and well done. The costumes were spectacular too. I just can’t get over how much talent and commitment we have in this small community. Highly recommend!”

“We are still glowing from Sunday’s matinee excellent performance. Their talent, perseverance, and patience bringing the show onward despite Covid is truly a testament to hope and adaptability, much appreciated these days! Since all but the performers wore masks and patron vaccinations were checked at the door, we felt safe and encouraged that life can still have many such pleasures in this, for now, new normal. Thank you San Juan Community Theatre and our vibrant community.”

“This evening Mamma Mia! ignited the hope that we are getting back to how things were. Not only did we get to see our neighbors and friends perform beyond expectation, but as a part of the audience you could almost hear a sigh of relief, even behind our masks. Just being together again after so long. How do you describe that feeling? Well, it was wonderful. Hope you get a chance to see the production.”

We also hope you get a chance to see the production – and there are only four performances left! This Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:00pm. Thursday is pay-what-you-can at the door, and all other nights are $24 for adults, $13 for students, and $5 student rush. For more information about the show and to purchase tickets, please visit our website HERE.

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” 
– Maya Angelou

As we pause in the coming weeks to give thanks, nurture our loved ones, and reflect on the past year, the San Juan Island Community Foundation invites the entire community to consider a gift that lasts forever – investment in community.

On November 22nd, SJICF is kicking off a Thanks + Giving year-end campaign in support of the many services offered by the foundation. These services are designed to help all islanders thrive through education, the arts, and a host of community nonprofit services. The first $25,000 in donations between now and December 31^st will be matched by generous SJICF Board members and donors!

Why give a gift of philanthropy?

A charitable gift helps you avoid the challenges presented by ferry travel, supply chains, and the environmental impact of ordering gifts online. Make a gift in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one, give as a family to teach your children or grandchildren about philanthropy, or simply give to show your love of community this holiday season.

Your donation to the San Juan Island Community Foundation Operations Fund is a gift to the community and an investment in local employees and families. Operations support helps the foundation staff and board continue to work tirelessly to provide a diverse menu of funding and support services: Continue Reading

Salmon carcasses were discovered in Cascade Creek, below the Coho Preserve falls. (Photo courtesy Jenny De Groot)

The San Juan County Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting on November 19, from 8:30am-11:30am via Zoom. The public is invited to attend. Click HERE to download the agenda (includes ZOOM link) and meeting materials, including the Coffelt Farm Lease Rate and Reserve Study. (PDF)

To learn more about your Conservation Land Bank, visit sjclandbank.org. If you’re interested in volunteering and/or joining our mailing list, contact [email protected]. We look forward to engaging with you!

About the San Juan County Land Bank: Continue Reading

Compass Health expands team and service capacity in San Juan County to meet local behavioral health needs

SAN JUAN COUNTY, Wash., Nov. 15, 2021 – With a team of mental health and substance use treatment professionals based in San Juan County, Compass Health has expanded service capacity across the islands to meet community members’ behavioral health needs. Additionally, new grants from local organizations are ensuring student access to counseling through school-based telehealth programs and providing Youth Mental Health First Aid training.

“Our team is ready to serve our neighbors across San Juan County,” said Anthony Terndrup, Compass Health Outpatient Program Manager for Skagit and San Juan Counties, who is based in Friday Harbor. “As we all continue to navigate this challenging time, we want everyone to know that we’re available to provide quality mental health care and substance use treatment to island residents.” 

The Compass Health mental health professionals who live and work in San Juan County collectively have more than 80 years of experience. The team offers outpatient and school-based mental health counseling and outpatient and intensive outpatient substance use disorder services via both in-person and telehealth visits, as well as children’s intensive outpatient services and mobile crisis outreach services. Continue Reading

Drive Through Voting at the Mullis Center – photo Peggy Sue McRae

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

This year’s election of candidates for the Mullis Center’s Operations Committee has been unprecedented in many ways. To fill every seat more people ran for positions than ever before.

Anita Barreca casts her vote – photo Anita Barreca

With over 900 ballots coming in more people voted for the District Committee than ever before. The voting and the vote counting; with overseers, lawyers on hand, and the sheriff securing the ballot box at night, was more contentious than ever before and the process more transparent and secure than ever before. Hence, the wait for final results was also unprecedented but finally, now, the results are in.

Many thanks to the community members who stepped up to run for a seat on the District Committee; it is a hard working committee. Thanks also to the many islanders who came out to vote even when it meant standing in line in the rain. You all showed us how much you care about our senior center and our seniors and disabled community. Thank you!

Terms for District Committee positions are five 1-year terms, five 2-year terms, and five 3-year terms.

And the winners are… Continue Reading