The Town of Friday Harbor is looking a full-time Utility Worker for its Refuse department. Learn more in the Island Jobs section of the San Juan Update.

SJIMA shares news about its recent leadership change.

The board of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art is pleased to announce the election of its new president, Linda Chowdry. She joined the board in 2019 and has recently served as the board vice president and secretary.

As a fairly new islander, Linda became aware of SJIMA early on and was pleased to be invited to join the board. Over the years she has served on large and small boards which helped prepare her for service as president of the SJIMA. Linda finds it fun and rewarding to be part of an organization that contributes so much to our community.

“As an art lover, I feel privileged just to be in the building working with volunteers and staff,” she says. “Together we will build a stronger organization continuing to bring exhibitions and programs of excellence to San Juan County. Come see us!”

Taking on the positions of vice president and secretary, respectively, are Lisa Brooks and Rob Ray. Dianne Hall was re-elected SJIMA treasurer. All took their new posts on the first of the year. Linda Chowdry replaces outgoing board president Diane Martindale.

To the citizens of San Juan County,

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Sheriff.

During my time as Sheriff, we accomplished so much together. We implemented a new 911 radio and telephone system. We put our marine unit back to work, successfully rescuing and transporting hundreds of sick and injured people from all areas of our county during some of the worst weather when no other transport was available. We began the unprecedented process of seeking state accreditation for the Sheriff’s Office and are currently only a few weeks away from meeting all requirements. We put a sergeant on each island, which has provided better supervision and service. We utilized Lexipol to create San Juan County-specific policies, which dramatically improved our organization’s overall performance and professionalism. I instituted a policy that all my command staff as well as field training officers would attend the FBI LEEDA leadership courses. As a result, our leaders were equipped with tools to better serve the citizens of San Juan County. I formed some incredible relationships that I hope will last and serve the Sheriff’s Office and San Juan County for years to come.

Above all, the thing I am proudest of during this time is our amazing team at the Sheriff’s Office. I am so very thankful for having been in a position to recruit and hire some of the most talented and dedicated people we now have on our team. I have the utmost respect for the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office and sincerely consider myself most fortunate and privileged to have served them as Sheriff for the past eight years. I want to thank them for the excellent job they have done and continue to do every day. It is due to their quality of character and dedication that I am confident that the Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide the high level of service you have all come to know and expect.

Lastly, to the citizens of San Juan County, who I consider to be my family. I have always taken my job, my duties, and my responsibilities seriously and personally. Serving my community has always been first and foremost in my heart. I look forward to returning to the Sheriff’s Office and continuing to do what I have always loved, serving my community and family.

I want to sincerely thank everyone for the support you have all given me and my family as well as the great men and women in the Sheriff’s Office. I have truly been blessed.

Ron Krebs
San Juan County Sheriff

Registration for Island Rec’s winter and spring programs opens online starting at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning, or over the phone starting at 9 a.m. Additional information about youth and teen programs as well as programs for adults is available on the Island Rec website.

As we head into a new year, many of us will take it as an opportunity to commit to health related goals. For me, I am among the many older adults currently suffering from sleep apnea. I suspect that I am not alone in that my basic approach to the available treatment can best be described as kicking and screaming.

The Mayo Clinic describes obstructive sleep apnea as the most common type of sleep-related breathing disorder. “It causes you to repeatedly stop and start breathing while you sleep,” the organization explains. “This type of apnea occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring.”

Do you snore? Do you feel consistently sleepy during the day? Chances are you have sleep apnea. How do you find out for sure? While I suspected that I might have sleep apnea an overnight stay at Peace Health hospital last year confirmed my suspicion. I was referred to Island Sleep Wellness Center in Anacortes. After an initial appointment I was then able to do my sleep test at home. The home test consisted of sleeping 2 nights with a borrowed machine that assessed my sleep experience. Alternatively, you could stay overnight at the center. The center in Anacortes has since closed. Please see the list at the end of this article for recommended sleep health facilities.

Once diagnosed, and if your treatment involves a CPAP machine, you will need to figure out which place your insurance will cover getting it from. I got mine from Bellevue Healthcare in Burlington. Again, you may have to insist, but they will send it to you if the thought of going to Burlington is burdensome.

I had the CPAP machine for almost a month before I opened the box. It’s not that I don’t want a good night’s sleep, it’s putting all that stuff on my face I don’t like. The set up includes a mask with an air hose that connects to a bedside machine about the size of a clock radio. For me, the most challenging part is all the straps that keep the mask in place over my nose and mouth. I’ve slept two nights with it now and I have had better sleep. Five solid hours before I wake up and rip that thing off my face. It’s a start.

As a friend told me, for herself and her husband sleeping with a CPAP machine is just part of living a healthy life. I believe her. Sleep, blessed sleep, is worth biting the bullet and wearing a mask to bed.

My new year’s resolution is to get some sleep. What’s yours?

Regional sleep health facilities

• Everett Clinic Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine (accepts pediatrics) — 425-339-4204
• NorthStar Sleep Medicine — Bellingham — 360-676-1696
• Peace Health Pulmonary and Sleep Clinic — Bellingham — 360-788-6112
• Providence Sleep Health — Mill Creek — 425-258-7460
• Seattle Children’s Sleep Medicine — Bellevue — 206-987-5072
• Skagit Regional Center for Sleep Disorders — 360-428-2550
• South Sleep Health (telehealth) — 425-636-2400
• WhidbeyHealth Sleep Care (limited capacity) — 360-240-4080

Lime Kiln Point State Park and the Friends of Lime Kiln Society are kicking off 2023 by taking part in Washington State Parks’ First Day Hikes event. In addition to walks through the park, there will be hot coffee, tea, cider, and snacks. Participants will also receive a State Parks 2023 First Day Hikes collectible pin.

The event starts at 10:30 a.m. outside the interpretive center in the lower parking lot.

From Sept. 26 — Sunset on a warm fall evening at San Juan County Park.

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor shares a look at the adoptable animal of the week — Gretchen, a two-year-old domestic shorthair.

Hi there, my name is Gretchen and I’m one of the newest cats here at the shelter. I came here with my litter of kittens — Janice, Karen, Regina, and Damian — after being found as strays living outside. Being outside wasn’t always so bad, but once I had my babies, my priorities changed and I knew that getting us safely inside was the best option. I just knew that if I could get us with the caring-kind-of-humans, we’d have the best shot at living long, full, happy, and love-filled lives, and that’s all a mom like me could ever hope for her children.

Although a lady like myself never reveals all her secrets, suffice it to say, the first part of the plan has worked — I successfully got us all inside, and not just any inside, but in with APS-FH, and their caring-kind-of-humans who help to get cats like us adopted into loving, forever homes! Now the second part of the plan is in effect, and so far, so good. My little Janice was the first of us to have found and gone home with her human family. Next to go were Karen and Damian who were adopted together by their human this week. My momma heart is so full to hear such great news regarding my babies — I simply cannot wait until Regina and I have the same luck, with people coming to claim us as their own. Could you be those people for us?

Contact APS to learn more about Gretchen.

Cousin Vinnie’s NY Pizza has moved down the block. The long-running restaurant is now located at 135 Spring St., in the same building as Spring Street Deli and Friday Harbor Trading Post.

From Aug. 20 — Smiles everywhere at Matt Henry’s Big Bubble Show on the last day of the 2022 San Juan County Fair.

OPALCO shares news about the impact of the recent stretch of cold weather on upcoming energy bills.

Due to the extended cold snap in December, OPALCO members are going to see a big jump on their next power bill. Extreme winter weather means our heating systems are working harder to keep up. Even if you keep your thermostat the same, your system is running more often and for longer periods to keep up with the difference between the outdoor and indoor temperatures. The longer the cold spell, the harder the system works and the more electricity you use.

On Dec. 22, OPALCO’s power system had record-high energy usage of 85+ megawatts. The last big peak during the 2021 cold spell was only 80+ MW.

Members can can track how much electricity they are using in the SmartHub app. It shows hourly, daily, and monthly usage. Members can see the direct correlation between dropping temps and rising electrical usage. This can help you decide when to turn the thermostat down, close the doors to some of the rooms you aren’t using, or take other winter work-arounds to keep your energy bills down.

Another component to pay attention to is the energy charge adjustment line item on the bill. Each month it can be a credit or a debit depending on the previous month’s power bill from OPALCO’s supplier, the Bonneville Power Administration. The ECA reflects the variation in power costs and kWh sales for the previous month, calculated by comparing budgeted to actual power cost per kWh sold. This adjustment protects members and the Co-op from large year-end true-ups. OPALCO expects a large demand charge from BPA for the December power bill due to the high demand. Members will likely see that on their January bills as an additional debit.

If you or someone you know is struggling with winter power bills, they can sign up for Project Pal and Energy Assist. Now is also a great time to donate to Project Pal to help Co-op neighbors in need.