The Conservation Land Bank’s Turtleback Mountain, Judd Cove and Coho Preserves on Orcas Island sustained heavy damage from last weekend’s record rainfall. Although staff are prioritizing safety-related repairs to roads and trails, please expect minor disruptions. Some repairs may take months and some impacts will be lasting.

In particular, the culvert under Wildrose Lane just above Turtleback’s South Entrance parking area has failed and the road will remain closed until further notice. Preserve visitors may still access the South Trail on foot from the parking lot, but major trail repairs cannot be completed without equipment access. We regret any inconvenience.

For additional information, please contact Orcas Preserve Steward, Peter Guillozet at [email protected] or phone 360-378-4402.

About the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Continue Reading

State Route 9 in Sumas as captured by WSDOT camera at Johnson Creek – WSDOT photo

BURLINGTON – Record rainfall caused flooding in several parts of Whatcom and Skagit counties, forcing closures of several state highways. Washington State Department of Transportation crews worked through the weekend and continue to work to clear fallen trees and rockslides, but in some areas such as along State Route 20 between Cascadia Farms (MP 98) to Thornton Creek Road (MP 120) there is up to 3 feet of water over the roadway, prompting crews to close the highway.

What drivers should do:

• If you don’t need to be out on the roads, please stay home, at the request of local jurisdictions.
• “Turn around, don’t drown.” Do not drive through standing water on the roadway. Not only is it difficult to tell the condition of the road is underneath the water, it only takes 6 inches of water on the roadway for vehicles to stall and 12 inches of water to carry a vehicle off the roadway.
• Observe all “Road Closed” signs – they are put in place for your safety.
• Be alert. WSDOT crews, public works, emergency responders and utility crews are working to clear and reopen roads as quickly and safely as possible. 

Major closures of state highways in Whatcom and Skagit counties include: Continue Reading

San Juan County Council Special Meeting – Declaring State of Emergency

The San Juan County Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 8 am, to consider a Resolution declaring a State of Emergency.  The severe weather system that passed over San Juan County on November 14^th and 15^th, 2021, dropped a high volume of rain that flooded and damaged roads, property, and negatively impacted the necessities of daily life. 

Please see below on how to tune into the meeting.
Join on your computer or mobile app 

Click here to join the meeting 

Or call in (audio only) 

+1 360-726-3293,,723961221#   
United States, Seattle 

Phone Conference ID: 723 961 221# 

Extremely heavy rains have fallen across the islands over the last 24 hours, causing a wide range of impacts to San Juan County roads and infrastructure. Public Works crews from both the County and the Town of Friday Harbor have been responding since late last night.

Another look at the washout on Point Lawrence Road on Orcas Island – Contributed photo

Orcas Island in particular has experienced a number of significant impacts, most notably a complete washout of Pt. Lawrence Road just past the turn off for Doe Bay, though a number of other locations are experiencing damage as well.

What the public should know and do:

-Recognize that rain is still falling, and it will be some time until the situation has stabilized enough to do a full assessment of damage. The situation is literally fluid, and it will take some time until the extent of impacts is clear.

-Stay off the roads as much as possible today and this evening, especially on Orcas Island. If driving is necessary, please use extreme caution and anticipate debris and/or water in the roadway.

-Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas. Water that looks shallow may in fact be hiding washed out roadbed or significant erosion under the surface.

-Impacts that are new or have not been signed/responded to may be reported at: Continue Reading

Point Lawrence Road on Orcas Island – Contributed photo

This just came in from SJC Dept. of Emergency Management…

Heavy rain is causing challenging conditions on island roads. Drive with extreme caution and expect water and/or debris in roads.

Point Lawrence Road on Orcas is washed out just past Doe Bay Resort (picture above). Public Works, Emergency Management, and Orcas Island Fire & Rescue are coordinating to implement plans to ensure access to emergency services for residents past the washout.

Also, Deer Harbor Road is limited to one lane of traffic near Wild Rose Lane due to rockfall. Use extreme caution.

Islanders are asked to help keep an eye on culverts and drains in their neighborhood, and keep them debris free, if possible to do so safely.

Rain is forecast to taper off by the afternoon.

Washington PTAC, EDC offer workshop on Government Contracting Essentials

Interested in doing business with the government?  Join Washington PTAC and the EDC for a workshop outlining the basics of government contracting and procurement.  The workshop will be held via Zoom on Monday, December 6^th from 10-11a.

The workshop will introduce participants to government procurement, including an overview of which governmental entities are buying (and what), and how those entities procure goods and services.  Small business owners who need basic information on government procurement should attend.  The workshop will lay the groundwork for business owners to decide if the government market is a good fit for their enterprise.

To attend, please register here:  https://washingtonptac.ecenterdirect.com/events/852844?embedded=0.  For more information, please contact Lisa Lagerstrom at (425) 248-4223 or [email protected]. 

This course is funded in part by Washington PTAC, the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County, and through a cooperative agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to support small rural enterprises, and conduct projects to stimulate new job creation, strengthen the economic base for working families, and support overall quality of life for islanders.

Village at the Harbor is currently seeking individuals interested in joining our team. For over 13 years, the Village has been home to amazing seniors and has established a level of excellence second to none.

We offer part and full-time employment opportunities with several different shifts. We feature a great work environment and truly have the most incredible people that live here.

We are looking for compassionate self-starters with a great work ethic that are ready to help our residents live their best lives. Open positions are as follows:

• Cook
• Waitstaff
• Care Team
• Activities Director

Schedules are flexible and year-round. Wages are competitive.

If interested in joining our dynamic team, call (360) 378-7144 or email [email protected].

FRIDAY HARBOR, WA — Your favorite annual holiday shopping event is coming! The 43rd Island Artisans Holiday Market Fundraiser will be held on Friday, November 26th and Saturday, November 27th, 2021 at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. 

The holiday market will be open from 10AM to 5PM on Friday, November 26th and 10AM to 4PM on Saturday, November 27th. Masks will be required for this event, regardless of vaccination status. Come see your favorite artisans and many new ones!

Island Artisans is a 501(c)(3) non profit founded in 1978 to raise scholarship funds for young artists within the community. The holiday market is the primary fundraiser for those scholarships. It is a juried show and sale by San Juan County artists, with each participating artist donating 10% of their sales to support the scholarship program.

Additional donations are welcome. The event is sponsored by the following companies:

This is a great opportunity to support our students while supporting our local artists, designers, and craftspeople! 

Location: San Juan County Fairgrounds
849 Argyle Ave, Friday Harbor, WA. 98250

Date/Time: 
11/26/2021 – 10AM – 5PM
11/27/2021 – 10AM – 4PM

Since the last update on Friday November 5, there have been 19 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 376.

Of these 19 new cases, initial investigations indicate that 7 appear to have occurred in fully vaccinated individuals. There are approximately 29 unvaccinated close contacts of positive cases currently in quarantine in the islands.

• Lopez Island: There are four new cases on Lopez Island since the last update. There are four positive cases under active monitoring on Lopez Island.
• Orcas Island: There are no new cases on Orcas Island since the last update. There is one positive case under active monitoring on Orcas Island.
• San Juan Island: There are fifteen new cases on San Juan Island since the last update. There are thirteen positive cases under active monitoring on San Juan Island.

IMPORTANT INFO:

Case numbers remain stubbornly elevated in the islands. Cases in Skagit County are near an all-time peak. Our chances of being exposed to COVID infection remain high. What does this mean? Continue Reading

More than 2,500 islanders have made appointments to receive their COVID booster shots this coming week, and hundreds of island children are signed up for upcoming Pfizer pediatric vaccine clinics.

While some offerings are filled completely, there is still room in some clinics – details and links to register may be found here:https://www.sanjuanco.com/…/211110-Vaccine-Registration…

As a reminder, specific info about who is eligible for boosters is available at: https://www.sanjuanco.com/…/Hot-Topic-56-Booster-and…

San Juan County has benefitted from a very high vaccination rate to date, helping to ensure that the vast majority of COVID cases in the islands are relatively mild. Being vaccinated is the single most important thing each of us can do to protect ourselves or our children.

Calling all high school students on Orcas and San Juan Islands interested in environmental action! Are you passionate about the environment? Do you wish to see positive change in your community? Join the Youth for Change Environmental Leadership Club, a program led by Friends of the San Juans. 

Youth for Change provides an opportunity for you to learn about environmental challenges in your community, exchange ideas with your peers, and engage in local stewardship projects. 

By attending weekly in-person meetings from January to May 2022, you will  plan and implement an action project that addresses important environmental needs in your community. Through this, you will gain leadership, communication and collaboration skills while engaging with your fellow community members and government leaders (local and state). You can also earn a $200 stipend for your time and effort. 

Applications are due December 8th, 2021. Visit sanjuans.org/youth-for-change to apply. If you have questions, contact Jess Newley, Friends of the San Juans’ Marine Science Coordinator at [email protected] or 360-622-5384.

This program is funded in partnership with the Orcas Island Community Foundation and the Madrona Institute.

The following announcement is from Washington State Ferries…

Initial Plans to Restore Service

We know and understand that our reduced service schedules are causing many challenges for thousands of riders across our system. Again, last month’s difficult decision to cut back sailings was only done when it became clear we didn’t have the crewing necessary to provide consistent service on our fall schedule. Our intent is to reduce last-minute sailing cancellations. Since Oct. 18, we have canceled just eight sailings. We had 341 cancellations from Oct. 1-17.

In addition to greatly reducing last-minute cancellations, we’ve been able to add supplemental service on several routes nearly every day recently.

We’re now working with our labor partners on when and how we can restore service more long term. Based on a review of ridership and need, service will be restored first on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route. We may add a fourth boat to the run as soon as next week, returning to the previous fall schedule as a trial. Because this is a trial, ensuring we can reliably crew all assigned vessels there, we won’t reopen reservations for the route until we’re certain we can do so.

Our work to build back service is heavily dependent on hiring new employees and we are focusing heavily on recruitment outreach, like this advertising on monitors at our terminals and on our vessels. We’re also working to put a similar message on our receipts.

The human form has served as muse to artists since the beginning of time.   In its current Go Figure! exhibit, The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) has brought together eight dynamic artists with different backgrounds, art mediums and styles to highlight the human form in an unexpected array of works. 

The museum’s main gallery is host to this exhibition, inviting viewers to experience the human body as art – telling stories, expressing emotions, and celebrating what it means to be human through paintings, sculptures, and mixed media pieces.

The artists featured in Go Figure! hail from the greater Pacific NW and Northern California.

See images here and…

[Show slideshow]

click below to read more about the artists: Continue Reading

Are you joining Medicare any time in the next year? If you are, there’s a lot of new information for you to understand.  Medicare has its own vocabulary and rules.   There are deadlines you need to meet and penalties (some lasting a lifetime) for not doing things at the right time.   You will have to choose among several ways to receive your coverage.  Medicare covers most common health issues, but not everything is covered.

There are also federal and state programs available to help people with very low incomes and limited assets pay their Medicare premiums, copays and deductibles.

SHIBA volunteers are here to make the transition easier for you.  Join us for an online presentation on Wednesday, November 17 at 1 p.m.   Come learn how Medicare works, what your coverage options are and when you must act to avoid penalties.  To register for the presentation email [email protected] or call 360-376-5892.  We will need your first and last name, your email address and your phone number to register you.

This is a free presentation made by trained volunteers from the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program overseen by the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner to provide free, unbiased and confidential counseling assistance in San Juan County.

SHIBA has trained volunteer counselors available on the 3 major islands in San Juan County.  Call the local SHIBA office at 360-376-5892 to schedule your free personal, confidential, unbiased counseling session. In San Juan County SHIBA is sponsored by the Inter Island Healthcare Foundation.

On Wednesday, November 17 2021, the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold a regular (open) School Board Meeting at 5:00 pm as a Zoom meeting with an option for in-person attendance.  All in-person attendees must register before 4:00 pm on Tuesday November 16th to provide contact tracing information. Social distancing and the use of face masks will be expected. Non-compliance may require a continuation of the meeting on Thursday November 18th on Zoom only.

For in-person attendance at the November 17th meeting, please register before 4:00 pm on Tuesday, November 16th, through this link:

https://forms.gle/YyQc9PgfMxS3rAF96

To access the Nov 17th regular meeting via Zoom, please click on the following zoom link:  

https://sjisd.zoom.us/j/82450837863

Or One tap mobile : Continue Reading

Are you a gardener in San Juan County? Do you enjoy learning and sharing your knowledge with others? Have you just moved to the islands and want to get involved in the community and learn about gardening in our unique ecosystem? The WSU Extension San Juan County Master Gardener Volunteer program may be just what you are looking for!

The Master Gardener program trains volunteers to work in partnership with WSU Extension to teach research-based gardening and environmental stewardship practices to county residents, while at the same time learning, working, and having fun with other volunteers.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2022 San Juan County WSU Extension Master Gardener Training Program. Trainees receive over 60 hours of training and receive practical experience through a year-long volunteer internship. The training is taught by local and regional experts and includes topics on vegetable gardening, botany, forest health, plant disease diagnostics, landscape principles and more! Continue Reading