2020 Primary Vote counting equipment testing July 20 at 11:00 a.m.

A “Logic and Accuracy” test of ballot tabulating equipment used in San Juan County for the August 4, 2020 Primary election is scheduled for July 20 at 11:00 a.m. The test works by tallying the results of a prepared set of ballots to see if the results match the votes cast. The test will take place in the Elections Office located at 55 Second Street, Suite A, in Friday Harbor.

A representative of the Secretary of State’s Elections Division will be present for the test. The test is performed before every local, state or federal election to ensure that tabulation hardware and software equipment are compliant with Washington State rules and will accurately count the votes.

All interested members of the public are invited to observe.

Without a parade this year, we’ve been thinking of festive 4th of July celebrations from years past. Here is a photo from the 1981 parade, shining the spotlight of history on the Islanders Bank float that year. It’s tradition for Islanders Bank to enter a float in the parade, and this one was noteworthy because it was their first one. The new Islanders Bank would open just a few days later on July 7, as noted on the float’s sign. This much we know. There is so much more that we would like to know.

Who are the people on the float? Do you recognize yourself? Who reading this column was working for Islanders Bank that first year? Please let us know in the comments. You are part of the story.

Islanders Bank, as many people know, has not always been located at its present location at 225 Blair Street. In 1981, the Friday Harbor branch was opened in an existing building located at 174 First Street North, next to the Grange Hall. We know this building now as the location of the Cannery Inn.

Here are some other things of interest about the 1981 festivities. The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce called it the “Second Annual Glorious Old-Fashioned 4th of July!” and honored these entries with awards:

• Grand Prize for Floats: Electric Company Tavern
• Patriot Adult Group: San Juan Singers
• Patriotic Youth Group: San Juan Preschool
• General Adult Entry: San Juan Historical Society

In addition to floats, entries included antique cars and Disney characters. Although not mentioned in newspaper articles, there most certainly would have been equestrian entries and more music.

The Chamber also sponsored other 4th of July events in 1981. The day began early with a fun run in town and a bike race to Roche Harbor. A music fest and picnic in Sunken Park followed the parade, while an open-air market and art festival were set up along Spring Street. There were dinghy races in the harbor and in the evening, a dance at the fairgrounds and fireworks over the harbor. General Chairman Paul Dossett and many other volunteers had one busy day.

If you participated in any of the events that day, please contact us at the San Juan Historical Museum or leave a comment below. However you celebrate our country’s Independence Day in these unique times during the year of 2020, we wish you all a happy and safe holiday.

In the SJ Update mailbag today we have this letter from Beth Helstien…

A huge shout out to Hospice of San Juan and San Juan County Senior Services for all their services!

Do you know that our local hospice organization loans all kinds of equipment to the community whether you need Hospice volunteer services or not? They loan everything from commodes and bath chairs to hospital beds and the sheets that go on the bed.

I knew that Hospice volunteers would sit with a patient to provide Hospice service, but I didn’t expect all the offers of other assistance to help pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy or to pick up groceries or run other errands in town when I just had to be home.

And the support I received from Senior Services to take care of myself so I could take care of my husband blew me away. Support group, individual counseling, and even massage services are helping me get through a tough time.

What a blessing to have this dedicated team help during the Covid19 and my family crisis. Thanks to all of the loving San Juan Island community for various offers and deliveries of assistance, too.

Family of Marshall Sanborn
Beth Helstien

Have No Fear – Watercolor on Paper by Peggy Sue McRae

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

With the pressure and stress of opening up our destination vacation island only to then slow the opening back down, the arrival of visitors with and without masks, spiking COVID numbers across the nation, not to mention prolonged isolation, a shaky economy and toilet plumes… Dare I ask, how is your mental health?

I started seeing a counselor for reasons unrelated to COVID-19 right before the pandemic hit. It was good timing for me. Even as a classic introvert who enjoys spending plenty of time by myself, this far into “staying home and staying healthy” I’m glad to have a regular conversation, now via zoom, solely devoted to my emotional well being.    

Perhaps one of the most difficult things I have faced during the pandemic was the death of a close friend. It was hard to know how to grieve without physically getting together with other people who loved her. Saying prayers for her with the Buddhist community brought me back into that circle. I now attend a weekly meditation hour via zoom. If you have a faith tradition many churches now offer zoom services. Continue Reading

She Loves Me; She Loves Me Not – Photo by John Miller

How are you coping with staying at home and social distancing? Things getting a little boring or mundane? Maybe this image shared by John Miller can help. He calls it “She Loves Me; She Loves Me Not”.

Thanks for sharing John!

Reminder: Tonight at 6 p.m. Washington State Ferries (WSF) is holding a virtual community meeting. Join us for a brief presentation and Q&A with ferry staff. Register by going to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8357823696989175565

You can view all travel alerts at the WSF Travel Bulletins page. This alert was sent on 06/30/2020 at 7:31AM. Please do not reply to this message. Replies are sent to an email inbox that is unmonitored.

Visit the WSF Website or Contact Us page for more information about Washington State Ferries. You may also change your Account Preferences anytime. Please visit the COVID-19 Travel Updates page for all up-to-date travel information regarding COVID-19.

Workers install the largest of the 3 bears – Rebecca Cook photo

By Marita Holdaway

Thanks to Jim and Bonnie Towne the San Juan Island Sculpture Park has three bears. These are not just any old bears but grizzly bears commissioned by the Towne’s for their lodge in Colorado.

Workers install the one of the cubs – Rebecca Cook photo

When the Towne’s moved to San Juan Island, the mom and two cubs came with them. And now, as of last Thursday, June 25, 2020, they have a new home at the sculpture park.

The grizzlies are made of bronze and the mama bear stands a whopping 13 feet tall.

Bonnie Towne wanted friendly grizzly bears which was a challenge for the artist, Lorenzo Ghiglieri, since grizzlies are not known for their gentle personality. 

Before the relocation, David Jenkins, President of the SJI Sculpture Park Board stands with “Large Marge” to give a sense of scale – Rebecca Cook photo

“Large Marge” was named by the Towne’s children after a character in the movie “Pee Wee Herman’s Big Adventure”. She and her two cubs are now residing in the Sculpture Park for everyone to enjoy.  

Head on out there to take a look and also to see if anything else has changed since you last visited. The Sculpture Park is a great place to visit to get out of the house, get some fresh air and exercise. Please remember to follow social distancing guidelines for your safety and everyone else.

About the San Juan Community Theatre Playwrights Festival~

2020 has brought a lot of changes and the SJCT Playwrights Festival is changing with it! The challenges of quarantine, social distancing, and maintaining a safe and healthy community have inspired us to re-think our format.

• Plays will be produced as readings, September 3-6, 2020.
• Audiences of up to 50 may be permitted to attend if San Juan County has moved to Phase 3 of re-opening, depending on guidelines from Public Health Officials.
• All readings will be recorded and posted online for public viewing.

Audition Details~ Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning we have these thoughts from David Kobrin…

As an historian, I know there can be two opposing accounts of the same event, both of which are equally accurate.

I’m not alluding to “alternative facts” or made up fictions.

I mean exactly what I wrote: two stories that contradict each other, even though each is accurate, valid, and supported by facts that can be verified.

How can this be? It’s against common sense.

When I look at my own life as an American white man, I could see it all as the story of my work. Such an accounting is valid. Yet at the same time it is inadequate, incomplete, and misleading. Continue Reading

While there isn’t a vaccine against COVID-19 yet, the good news is that vaccines can protect children from 14 other serious diseases. Delaying or missing vaccines could put your child, your family and your community at risk for these diseases.

Vaccinating children on time is the best way to protect them. Talk with your child’s doctor, nurse or clinic about the immunizations your child needs to stay healthy, and ask about the clinic’s safety measures to protect your family when you visit.

The school year has officially ended and there is a familiar – yet uncharted – switch to a COVID-19 style summer on San Juan Island.

The SJI Community Foundation continues to focus on building support for local nonprofits working diligently to fill the growing needs of San Juan Islanders. Here are the latest updates from SJICF:

• SJICF has raising emergency funds for the community since March. To date, $223k has been raised to fund grant requests from local nonprofits – just $27k from the goal of $250k. These grant funds help fill the growing demand for individuals and families needing assistance because of job losses, isolation and a slowing economy.
• Nearly $80,000 in grants have been distributed to local nonprofits from the Emergency Response Fund. The most recent grant will fund 4 critical summer programs through the SJI Family Resource Center.
• An additional $60,000 has been granted to local nonprofits from SJICF donor-advised fundholders since early March.
• SJICF continues to host weekly meetings with nonprofit and community leaders to provide support, connect nonprofits to resources, and identify short- and long-term needs of San Juan Islanders.

Continue Reading

raryCheck out this latest update from the SJI Library…

Document Delivery Services

Beginning June 30th we will be providing limited document services consisting of printing, available during the same hours as our material returns and curbside pickup: Tues., Thurs., Fri., and Sat., 11-2 pm.

1. No charge, and for small jobs only.
2. Available only on Tues., Thurs., Fri., and Sat., 11-2 pm.
3. Please email your print job to [email protected]. Please include your name and phone number in the subject line if possible.
4. You can also upload a document via the Library website. Visit www.sjlib.org and click on Mobile Print Services under Frequently used pages.
5. Please call the Library on the above days and let staff know you have a print job waiting.
6. You will be contacted once the job has printed and notified when you can pick it up.
7. Please follow the same rules as for curbside holds collection.

Continue reading this and additional notices at this link.

Correction-Please note the corrected dates on this post This was originally posted with incorrect dates. It has now been corrected.

Friday Harbor Film Festival presents the Global Virtual Premiere of The Great 14^th, the award-winning film about the 14^th Dalai Lama, released by Frame of Mind Films ahead of his 85^th birthday on July 6. Visit www.fhff.org for details on how to register to view this film. There is no charge to watch this profound and inspiring film. Tune in any time between June 27th at 12:00am PDT until June 28th at 11:59pm PDT to stream on a computer or mobile device.

The film features the Dalai Lama as both subject and narrator, providing a uniquely intimate view of his life story and personal philosophy. It includes largely unseen private archives, such as rare footage of the Dalai Lama in Tibet in the 1950s and his early years in India in the 60s.

The Great 14th offers an extraordinary, unprecedented insight into the complexities of his life—from past lives of the 5th and 13th Dalai Lamas to his current life as the spiritual and former political leader of Tibet and as a tireless Nobel Peace Laureate. This is a story—and a film—for the ages, revealing the soul of the simple monk who aspires every day to walk the enlightened path of the Bodhisattva. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to see this premiere by visiting www.fhff.org to register!

Skagit Valley College campuses and centers announce Summer Hours of Operation
now through August 28

      Skagit Valley College announces summer hours of operation this week through August 28. For specific department hours, visit https://www.skagit.edu/about/svc-locations/

      All SVC offices will be closed on:

• Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day
• Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day

Archaeologists monitor the clearing of the area where the septic leech lines will be trenched and drain lines installed – NPS photo

The National Park Service has been busy making progress on construction of the new visitor center out there. Here’s the latest from their construction blog…

Update: Site Observation Update Week of June 16th

This week’s work has no discernable theme apart from a great deal of focus outdoors. With superb weather, we began work on the septic field, clearing and trenching for leech lines. The concrete pad outside of the main entrance has been poured, trellis work at the interpretive plaza progresses, and raised seam roofing is being installed. As a hoped for September or October completion draws nearer, we see the structure beginning to take on a character of its own. Rangers eagerly await the opportunity to introduce the building and all of its interpretive and education features to the public.

Continue reading on their blog

Click here to see all of the blog posts for this project

The last day to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is June 30^th, 2020. As of today, June 26^th, there is plenty of money in the program, and restrictions which may have deterred some businesses have been loosened.

To apply for this program, contact your banker. If your bank is no longer offering these forgivable loans, try this lender match tool: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/lender-match. Some online financial institutions are also participating in the program.

To learn more about this program, or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Advance, go to the Small Business Administration’s webpage on funding options (https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options) and the EDC’s webpage (https://www.sanjuansedc.org/covid-19/).

Key points about the PPP: Continue Reading