Posted November 1, 2021 at 5:39 am by Tim Dustrude
In the SJ Update mailbag today we have this letter from Alice Deane…
Please be sure to vote in the very important upcoming election for District Committee members of the Mullis Senior Center. The true and correct information on what has become a very contentious election can be found at the Mullis Center website www.mulliscenter.org
The future of our senior center is at stake.
Thanks,
Alice Deane
Posted October 31, 2021 at 10:43 am by Tim Dustrude
This photo was shared with the SJ Update by Keith Busha – it’s artwork of a couple of witches created by artist Susan Williams and is soon to be installed in Seattle.
Seemed a fitting photo to share today. Thanks Keith and Susan!
Posted October 31, 2021 at 10:38 am by Tim Dustrude
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders
New FAQ on Moderna and J&J Booster Doses, Pediatric Doses, and More…
There are lots of developments around both vaccine boosters and vaccines for younger kids. This Hot Topic will attempt to summarize the current situation and discuss plans for upcoming vaccine clinics in the islands.
Q: Who is eligible for booster doses for the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines?
A: First off, there are several groups of people who the CDC is saying should get a booster shot, as they are at the highest risk, and have the most to gain from a third shot. These groups are:
In addition, the CDC is saying the following groups may get a booster shot, as they are at a lower, but still increased risk: Continue Reading
Posted October 31, 2021 at 5:10 am by Tim Dustrude
Below are links to letters regarding various items on the upcoming election.
Letters are shown in the order received and this page will continue to be updated as more letters come in.
Alison Longley
Lee Sturdivant
Warren Appleton MD, JD
Deanna Osborn
John and Emily Geyman
Rebecca K. Smith and J. Michael Edwards
Kathryn Clary
Louise Dustrude
Trish Lehman
Everett Clary
Eileen Drath
Kathryn, Trish and Deanna
Michael Edwards and Rebecca Smith
For Victoria Compton:
Doris Schaller
John and Emily Geyman
Charlie Bodenstab
Nan Simpson
Bill Appel
Bruce Gregory and Colleen Howe-Gregory
Steve Ulvi
David and Kathy Finholm
Steve Simpson
Elaine Kendall and Ron Zee
Mark Madsen
Marilyn O’Connor
Amanda Azous
Morgan L. Meadows
Bob Brunkow
Mike Taylor
For Greg Hertel:
For Bob Jarman:
John Jensen
Members of EMS and Fire District 3
Susan and Peter Risser
Francis Smith
For Dwight Colley:
Bob Levinson
Richard Grout
Lois James
Lauren Levinson
Steve Ulvi
Warren Appleton, MD
For Farhad Ghatan:
Noel Monin
Duncan Wilson
Bill Weissinger
Susan Key
Lois James
Leslie Brennan
Sally and Tim Thomsen
Dan Paulson
Adam Greene
Rebecca K. Smith, Mark Schwinge & Michael Edwards
Francis Smith
Peter and Susan Risser
Dr. Joshua Corsa
Richard Grout
Lois James
Nathan Butler
Steve Ulvi
Warren Appleton, MD
Francis Smith
For Mason Turnage:
Madrona Murphy
David Bayley
Ron Zee
Bill Appel
Posted October 29, 2021 at 3:13 pm by Tim Dustrude
Since the last update on Friday October 22nd, there have been 9 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 353.
Of these 9 new cases, initial investigations indicate that 3 appear to have occurred in fully vaccinated individuals. There are approximately 41 unvaccinated close contacts of positive cases currently in quarantine in the islands.
Overall Situation: Cases continue to persist in the islands. While initial transmission is often through unvaccinated children or adults, the disease spreads quickly through family groups, even if some members of the family are vaccinated.
There have been several islanders lately who have been hospitalized due to their COVID symptoms. While most people experience symptoms that are not severe, it is important to remember that COVID is a serious and potentially fatal illness for some people.
Moderna and J&J Boosters: Final approval has been given for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters. Please review this FAQ for full details on eligibility. Those who are eligible for boosters may sign up for upcoming clinics (happening the week of November 15th) at the County COVID Vaccine Page.
Posted October 29, 2021 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
The following story is from the Center for Whale Research (CWR)…
In the following Q & A with CWR’s Dr. Michael Weiss, we learn what it’s like to fly a drone over top of whales and the new knowledge gained from the captured video footage.
1. Do you launch and fly the Center for Whale Research unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)—drone—from a boat? Is the boat stationary or moving? How far are you from the orcas?
We have two CWR drones that we use. The Matrice 600 is far too large to safely launch and recover from our small research vessel. The Phantom 4 Pro V2 is much smaller and lightweight, and we regularly launch it from our research vessel. We always put the boat in neutral before launching and recovering the aircraft. But once it’s in the air, we slowly motor to parallel the whales, usually from 200 and 400 yards away.
Posted October 29, 2021 at 5:44 am by Tim Dustrude
Bethery von Dassow was a beloved wife, partner, artist, librarian, foodie, and mother. Born in Evanston, Illinois, she and her husband Sasha met working at AT&T in Seattle and were married for nearly 40 years while they lived in Washington, Colorado, Tennessee, and Florida.
She ran a daycare in Florida while mothering their young son Wesley before his school years, advised students at the University of South Florida, and spent her 8 years in Friday Harbor working at the Library, the San Juan Food Co-op, and finally as a partner in her husband’s business.
Throughout her years her artistic soul was always working- theatre makeup artist for the Seattle Opera, handmade Christmas ornaments and cards for the entire 30+ member extended family for over 20 years, and origami and other crafts were expressions of artistic joy for her. Her quick wit, sense of style, love of people and babies, and constant care for the world will be missed by all of us.
The family will celebrate her life on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at the Friday Harbor Grange Hall, 3 pm. All who wish to attend are welcome, vaccination and mask requirements are to be followed.
Posted October 28, 2021 at 11:36 am by Tim Dustrude
Sara Tops by Joe Treat
The Giant Maple leaves are falling, but the grass is still green, and the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park just finished installing 15 new sculptures from across the Country.
Come see “Sara Tops’ (a driftwood Triceratops), by Joe Treat, or play “Rock/Paper/Scissors” by Ben Sharp. Enjoy our “Figure Pulling Chain” by Ethan Currier, at the bay.
The Sculpture Park is a beautiful and safe way to spend a morning or afternoon, and we are open dawn to dusk, seven days a week. Come out to Roche Harbor and enjoy a unique Fall experience – 9083 Roche Harbor Road, San Juan Island, WA.
Just a few of the new sculptures at the park
Posted October 28, 2021 at 10:46 am by Tim Dustrude
L-R: Carlos Garcia, Jen Henry and Brian Krembs – Contributed photos
Island Rec is pleased to welcome Carlos Garcia as their new Recreation Specialist for Programs, Jen Henry as their new Recreation Specialist for Community Events, and Brian Krembs as their new After School Program Manager (STAR)
Carlos will primarily be organizing youth, teen, and family programs. Carlos spent the last 5 years as high school math teacher and wrestling coach in Clovis, California. Carlos graduated from California State University, Chico, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a master’s degree in Education.
He is excited to have an opportunity to work with the people of San Juan Island to promote exercise and recreation. Carlos has always had an interest in living the pacific northwest, admiring the beauty found at every turn and is excited to make that dream come true. This summer he got married on the island at Cattle Point, prompting the final step of becoming a full-time resident. He believes that working for Island Rec will be a fantastic adventure and looks forward to providing a growing list of recreational opportunities for the residents of San Juan Island. Continue Reading
Posted October 28, 2021 at 10:46 am by Tim Dustrude
Dancer Valerie Goliff – Photo by Elena Stecca
Bellingham artist, Francie Allen, will be in Friday Harbor Saturday evening, November 6 to present a live dance performance at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art. The performance will be held in the museum’s Atrium to highlight Allen’s current exhibit at SJIMA, On Being Alive!. The exhibit features wire and mesh sculptures, suspended in air or free standing, emulating fluid movement and dance concepts.
Allen began sculpting with wire and mesh in 2009 while caring for her husband, who struggled with Alzheimer’s Disease. After his death in 2019 she re-visited her creative work with an eye towards what it means to be alive, exploring and honoring the natural movement and flow of the human body. The sculptures in this exhibit embody this theme.
The On Being Alive! exhibit is accompanied by music created by Allen’s son, Nick Tipp. Tipp, a Los Angeles based recording engineer, mixer, and audio/video producer, will be joining his mother for the performance. Continue Reading
Posted October 28, 2021 at 10:46 am by Tim Dustrude
The SmileMobile, a brightly painted 39–foot dental clinic on wheels, will return to Friday Harbor at the Mullis Senior Community Center the week of Tuesday, Nov. 2 through – Friday, Nov. 5.
The SmileMobile dentist and the dental team will provide examinations to children, youth, young adults, pregnant/postpartum people, and adult family members with Apple Health coverage (Washington state’s Medicaid program) and who are uninsured.
The SmileMobile is a mobile dental van outfitted with equipment found in typical dental offices that travels throughout Washington state, providing much-needed preventive oral health care and early dental treatment. Access to preventive dental care is especially important in communities that lack water fluoridation since having the right balance of fluoride in drinking water helps improve oral health for all with strengthened teeth that are more resistant to cavities and decay. Continue Reading
Posted October 27, 2021 at 10:28 am by Tim Dustrude
What’s going on with Vacation Rental Permitting in San Juan County?
Tune in to find out Wednesday, October 27, 2021, when Land Use Consultant, Francine Shaw, gives us the 411 and answers your questions.
Click the link below to register for the Noon Zoom!
https://sanjuanrealestateresources.com/resources/ola/services/vacation-rental-permitting-on-sji
Posted October 27, 2021 at 5:50 am by Tim Dustrude
Friday Harbor Film Festival is delighted to present the Audience Choice Awards to the top documentaries and their filmmakers! After watching the films, viewers voted for their favorites among an extraordinary selection of terrific entries this year. The Awards Finale, Local Hero Award presentation, and all Q&As with filmmakers are available FREE on the website, www.fhff.org.
The Feature Film Overall Audience Choice Award goes to The Six, directed by Arthur Jones. This film seeks out what happened to 6 Chinese survivors of the sinking of the Titanic.
The Short Film Audience Choice Award goes to HONOR THY MOTHER: The Untold Story of Aboriginal Women and Their Indipino Children, directed by Lucy Ostrander. This film tells the story of Aboriginal women from Canada and Native women from Washington and Alaska who migrated in the 1940s to Bainbridge Island, where they married Filipino farm workers, creating the Indipino community.
Winning films and filmmakers by theme for both features and short films are: Continue Reading
Posted October 27, 2021 at 5:47 am by Tim Dustrude
Autumn’s blustery days and chilly air offer the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the many attractions the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) has to offer . Especially one currently on display, Going the Distance featuring the work of Seattle artist, Nola Ahola.
Nola Ahola’s art career spans more than sixty years and this exhibit is representative of the artist’s lifetime of exceptional artistic achievement. The artist and teacher first gained recognition for her figurative art during the 60’s and 70’s, while working with live models, capturing movement and postures with swift brushstrokes in ink. During this period, the artist completed over 100 large works featuring brush drawings of dancers, many of which are on display in this show.
Her other works include vivid watercolor paintings and intricate, large-scale collages; both figurative and abstract. Several of Ahola’s watercolor works as well as her trademark collages are part of this exhibit. Continue Reading
Posted October 27, 2021 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
Got questions for Your Conservation Land Bank? We want to hear from you!
Join us on Zoom for our second Community Conversation. – we will host a countywide meeting on Wednesday – November 10, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.
Register here to join the meeting: https://bit.ly/3ntRUAy
The online Pol.is dialogue generated great topics and areas for discussion – thank you for participating! How Does the Land Bank Choose a Property rose to the top, and will be our topic for November’s virtual meeting. Please join us to learn about the Commission’s decision-making process, followed by general Q&A opportunity. We will also host smaller, brainstorming breakout sessions after the Q&A period.
For those unable to attend the meeting, the public may also send questions/topics of interest to Tanja Williamson, San Juan County Land Bank Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator, [email protected]. The meeting will be recorded and will be available here: sanjuanco.com/623/Land-Bank-Commission the Monday following the meeting.
For more information or questions, contact Tanja Williamson, Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected].
Public meeting attendees need a free registered Zoom account and the Zoom application on their device.
Create a Free Zoom account here: https://zoom.us/freesignup/
Download the Zoom application here: https://zoom.us/download
Posted October 27, 2021 at 5:40 am by Tim Dustrude
In the SJ Update Mailbag this morning we have this letter from Frank Penwell…
Dear Islanders,
Mullis Center election issues of 2021 are important.
Issues:
The candidates recommended below have pledged to:
Anyone over 60, disabled and living on San Juan can vote. Please vote at the Mullis Senior Center November 8-11 between 11:30 and 3:30. Please help restore ownership and rights to seniors and disabled people. Vote for all 15: Paul Arroyo, Clayton Banry, Carrie Brooks, Kathleen Commins, Barbara Dragin, David Honeywell, Nancy Honeywell, Minnie Knych, Jeff Musburger, Frank Penwell, Shannon Plummer, Robert Reilly, Marie Skuffeeda, Rich Swenson, Dwight Ware.
Respectfully,
Frank M. Penwell