The San Juan County Fire Marshal sends along an update about the status of open burns within the county.

Effective tomorrow, Oct. 26, San Juan County’s fire danger level will be downgraded to low. This change lifts the burning restriction as outlined in the burn permit conditions. Open burning is still not allowed with sustained winds of greater than 10 miles per hour. Residents should also avoid open burning during stagnant air systems such as fog and low inversion layers.

Residential burn permits are valid from time of purchase until May 31, 2023. Residential permits are $20. Commercial burn permits are $300, require heavy equipment, water on site, and a field inspection prior to burning.

Burn permits are available online at the San Juan County Permit Center.

No open burning is allowed within urban growth areas, except for recreational campfires.

Thanks in advance to the good people of San Juan Island who are voting yes for our library levy.

You know that this library is currently in need of expansion as our population has swelled and things are very crowded inside. You also realize that our library is the heart of the community and a place to embrace knowledge, generosity, and caring for all our people. It’s an investment in our community.

To those of you who are wavering, listening to inaccurate claims from the naysayers, give the heart a chance. It is only going to get more expensive to expand; we’re asking for $12 million to be paid out over 20 years, and there’s over $8 million that will come from private contributions and grants.

Let’s get going on the already-purchased site to accommodate our new library.

We love our community and this yes vote is a way to share that you do too.

Susan Grout
San Juan Island

• The map and ballots for the annual scarecrow contest in Friday Harbor are available now on the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce website, or at the Chamber office at 165 First St. S. Voting ends in just three days — this Friday, Oct. 28.
• It’s game night at the Grange, from 7-10 p.m. The event is open to everyone, but kids should be accompanied by an adult.
• Spring Street International School is holding an admissions open house tomorrow from 5-6:30 p.m.
• The Friday Harbor Film Festival’s on-demand catalog is available now through Monday, Oct. 31.
• The National Transportation Safety Board believes that the September crash of a floatplane off of Whidbey Island could have been caused by a horizontal stabilizer actuator malfunction.
• Thanks to our advertisers for their continued support of the San Juan Update — including OPALCO.

Have something to share with the Island? Whether the news is big or small, let us know!

SJCT shares news about one of their upcoming concerts.

Talisk is set to perform live at San Juan Community Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6. Their concerts have been described as infectious, fresh and captivating, so prepare for an evening of high-energy music that is sure to lift your spirits and get you out of your seats.

Since the release of their debut album in 2018, Talisk have received many awards, including a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award. Band members Mohsen Amini, Graeme Armstrong and Benedict Morris play traditional instruments — concertina, guitar and fiddle — in a bold and invigorating new way.

Tickets are $33 for adults and $16 for reserved student seating. $5 student rush tickets are available an hour before show time.

I’m writing to encourage anyone who hasn’t made up their mind to vote yes for the library. Here’s why.

As a former teacher who values education and life-long learning, libraries are community treasures. I have fond memories of spending one long summer camped on the couch of our public library reading the entire Nancy Drew mysteries series. Even as a bit of a rebellious teen who sometimes skipped school, you could find me at the lake with a book in hand.

While times and technology have changed, libraries have to keep up. One thing hasn’t changed though — libraries build community. Here, you can check out that newest book, find a quiet spot to peruse a daily newspaper, enjoy a magazine, borrow videos or music, participate in children’s storytime events, or surf the net on a library computer. Libraries are where you can expand your mind, relax, and experience community in a positive way.

When I moved to San Juan Island in 2009, one of the first things I did was get library cards for myself and my daughter. We volunteered as Reading Buddies for children needing a partner to practice reading. In doing so, we met and became friends with the family of our reading buddies. I have watched these children grow up and become wonderful young adults.

Our library offers many valuable programs. Dedicated community members have volunteered their expertise and time, contributing to library events like after-school arts and crafts, toddler time, and a myriad of adult community education events. These bring all who participate a sense of community and belonging. The monthly calendar features programs like Tech Café, After School Movies or Art Bar, Baby Toddler Time, Trivia, Teen Library Council, Tween Karaoke Night, Know Your Islanders, and Music Story Time.

I am disappointed to see the anti-library sentiment, especially those spending money actively campaigning against the library. The actual cost to property owners is not what you are making it out to be. I calculated how the bond will affect me or other homeowners and offer this estimation.

For a home with assessed value of $500,000, the bond will add about $88 per year, or $19.83 per month. For this, you can use the internet, access public computers, read books, newspapers, magazines, enjoy a multitude of educational programs, and more. My monthly TV streaming fee is at least this much, about equal to two beers or lattes at any local dining establishment. I also calculated the cost for the $1.2 million house of someone who opposes the levy. It adds about $8.41 per month to a current levy of $30.59 per month. Don’t think for a minute he can’t afford it.

Please vote yes. It is an investment in our community – for everyone!

Cynthia Brast
San Juan Island

Contributed photo

The Episcopal Church shares news about their newest addition.

St. David’s Episcopal Church is pleased to announce the call of the Rev. Cristi Chapman to serve as rector at St. David’s. Cristi’s first Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist at St. David’s will be on Nov. 6, All Saints’ Sunday.

Cristi graduated from the Seminary of the Southwest with a Master of Divinity in May 2017. She was ordained to the priesthood in June 2017 in the Diocese of Olympia. After ordination, Cristi served at Saint Mark’s Cathedral as curate and then as an Associate to the Rector and Canon for Spiritual Growth and Stewardship. In her last call, Cristi served as the Executive Director of the Mission to Seafarers in Seattle. During that time, she also regularly served as supply priest for congregations in the Seattle area. Cristi’s diocesan commitments include serving as the convener for the Budget and Finance Committee, a member of the Joint Finance Panel, an ex-officio member of Diocesan Council, and as a past member and convener of the Stewardship Commission. Prior to ordained ministry, Cristi served as a CPA for 20 years. For 15 years, she held several senior finance roles at the University of Washington.

Cristi’s ministry is one that focuses on inclusion, connection, and hospitality. She firmly believes that every encounter holds the possibility for transformation. The common element that continues to connect all of Cristi’s vocational callings is stewardship, especially the integral connection between mission and money. Cristi and her husband, Chris, celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this September. They are the proud parents of their daughter, Madeline, who turns 21 this fall. Some of Cristi’s passions include gardening, knitting, and hiking. She also helps Chris tend a small backyard vineyard at their house in Seattle. Cristi and Chris like to travel, especially to Holden Village in the North Cascades and to Japan. Finally, she serves as the human caretaker to a seven-year-old Goldendoodle, Eshy.

Event organizers Adriana Gonzalez (left, with her daughter Luna) and Carmen Orozco (right) — Contributed photo

The Family Resource Center shares news about their upcoming Day of the Dead event.

The Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center will be sponsoring a community Dia de los Muertos event on the evenings of Nov. 1 and 2 from 4-8 p.m.

A traditional Dia de los Muertos altar will be set up on the lawn between the Resource Center and the Mullis Center. Community members of all backgrounds are invited to celebrate their deceased loved ones by bringing photos or flowers for the altar or to simply experience this important holiday in person. Warm drinks and simple activities for children will be provided.

Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico during the days of Nov. 1 and 2. In pre-Hispanic times, death was considered a basic element of culture to be acknowledged and celebrated. When a loved one died, they were buried wrapped in a petate — a handmade rug — and relatives organized a party in order to guide them on their journey to Mictlán, a place where souls can rest.

During Dia de los Muertos, death does not represent an absence but a living presence. The spirits of all deceased children — angelitos — are allowed to reunite with their families on Nov. 1 and on Nov. 2 the spirits of adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.

In many communities throughout Mexico, beautiful altars are made in each home, decorated with candles, buckets of flowers called cempasuchil, mounds of fruit, peanuts, plates of mole, stacks of tortillas and big loaves of bread called pan de muertos. On Nov. 1, food, bottles of soda, hot cocoa, water, toys and candles are left for the angelitos, and on Nov. 2, cigarettes, shots of mezcal or tequila are offered to the adults. Little folk-art skeletons and sugar skulls provide the final touch.

Please stop by the Resource Center to help us celebrate!

San Juan Community Theatre sends along news about their upcoming auditions.

SJCT will hold auditions for its upcoming comedy, The 39 Steps, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5.

In this play, film noir and slapstick merge as we follow an ordinary man who, upon meeting a strange woman, is dragged into a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale. Auditions will be held at the PARC Building, 70 Saltspring Drive, and will consist of readings from the script.

Scripts with those readings marked are available at the SJCT Box Office, open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. A cash deposit of $10 is required and is refundable upon the return of the script. If you would like to audition but cannot attend, contact director Eric Concord at [email protected].

More information about the performance, including a full character breakdown and rehearsal and performance schedule, can be found on the SJCT website.

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor shares a look at the adoptable animal of the week — Henry, a seven-year-old domestic long hair and orange tabby who came to San Juan Island from Florida due to the effects of Hurricane Ian.

Hi, my name’s Henry and I recently came to APS-FH all the way from Florida. Although there was much to love about the sunshine down south, I am ecstatic to now be living on the West Coast, especially during my favorite time of the year — fall/Halloween!

Now that I live here in Washington, I truly get to experience the changing leaves, the crispness in the air, and how fun it is to be cozy and cuddled up inside when the cold really sets in. With my long fur, I was born ready for the cool that autumn brings. Aside from being a perfect warm coat, I also love my long fur for its bright orange color – perfect for Halloween. One of my very favorite things about Halloween is the costumes, and every year I try to incorporate my orange locks into my getup. So far I’ve been a very convincing orange Crayola crayon, traffic cone, orange (fruit), salmon sushi roll, pumpkin, and my personal favorite, a flamin’ hot Cheeto.

With just under two weeks left until Halloween, I’m still brainstorming the perfect orange costume for this year’s festivities. Admittedly, I’m keeping my options open because maybe I’ll be adopted by then and my person and I can do a joint costume. Oh, one can only dream!

Contact APS to learn more about Henry.

Please vote yes for the road levy — Proposition 1. The San Juan County road fund lacks sufficient funding to repair critical infrastructure in San Juan County. Your yes vote will address:

1. Over a dozen marine facilities
2. Hundreds of culverts under roads or in side ditches
3. Safer road shoulders along busy arterials

The infrastructure of roads and marine facilities depends on sound management for a healthy economy, for our safety, and for our quality of life. Sound management demands long-term planning with stable funding to repair all structures efficiently. The one percent annual increase to the road levy allowed by state law can no longer keep up. It takes a sensible plan looking decades ahead to make the best use of tax dollars to maintain this vital infrastructure. A yes vote will allow that.

Costs are higher today, the use of roads is greater with different vehicles and electric bicycles and pedestrians. More severe weather damages roads and marine facilities which forces emergency repairs — the most expensive repairs. Hundreds of old undersized or broken culverts are a good example of the challenge facing San Juan County. There is no quick fix for such a costly challenge; only a sound maintenance plan can avoid more road washouts or damage to intersecting driveways.

Let’s not end up like the ferry system, which has failed to address an aging fleet leading to the unnecessary repairs and delays that hurt us and the local economy. Vote yes for the road levy.

David Zeretzke
San Juan Island

The San Juan Island Lions Club shares news about their upcoming fundraiser.

After a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the San Juan Island Lions Club is resuming their annual fall Shopping Spree contest. The Spree allows one winner the unique opportunity to run through Kings Market and pick up all the groceries they can in four minutes — for free. There are only a few limitations — no more than four of any single item, no tobacco, alcohol, or olive oil — and the winner is limited to $50 worth of meat and cheese. The Spree also gives two additional winners one turkey each, just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving.

As in previous years, tickets for the Spree are just $1 each or six for $5, and will be sold at both Kings Market and Market Place on Friday and Saturday during the first three weekends of November. The winning ticket will be drawn at Kings Market at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, with the Spree taking place at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

Proceeds from this event help support the San Juan Lions Scholarship Fund, which helps fund post-secondary education for local graduating high school seniors.

Those who wish to support the San Juan Lions Scholarship program but choose not to participate in the Shopping Spree can donate tickets to the Friday Harbor Food Bank. Alternatively, donors can contribute directly to the Lions Scholarship Fund without buying tickets.

The cornerstone of any community is a vibrant working class. In our community this cornerstone is hemorrhaging under the weight of housing costs. Good jobs are available but housing for the workers is not. If we are to raise taxes, then those monies should be directed towards building or subsidizing affordable housing, not building a $20 million library. For $20 million, the County could build approximately 25-30 1,000 square-foot housing units, or more if the land were donated. A vibrant working class is fundamental, a $20 million library is not.

I could understand a request to build a $5 million library or perhaps even $10 million. Spending $20 million on a new library smacks of Martha’s Vineyard. It is simply irresponsible, if not offensive, given our far more urgent needs.

Our Island’s roads are strewn with Vote Yes Library. These signs “…doth protest too much, me thinks.” The library’s advocates must fear that their dreams exceed the stomachs of our taxpayers.

Vote no.

Robert deGavre
San Juan Island

• Friday Harbor High School soccer plays their last home game at 4:30 p.m. today at Linde Community Fields against conference opponent Cedar Park Christian.
• High school volleyball is having their senior night at 6 p.m. this evening at Turnbull Gym, featuring a match against returning alumni players. The team is also holding a bake sale with all proceeds benefiting the Young Survival Coalition, an organization focusing on women ages 40 and under who are diagnosed with breast cancer.
• The haunted mausoleum opens again at Roche Harbor tonight, starting at 6 p.m. The event runs from approximately 6–11 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights until Oct. 29, weather permitting.
• Friday Harbor Film Festival needs a few more volunteers for the in-person festival events taking place today through Sunday. Contact Susan Waters at [email protected] or 360-317-8264 if you can help.
• Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands has released their third quarter 2022 real estate market report.
• Thanks to our advertisers for their continued support of the San Juan Update — including Simonson & Zambrovitz.

Have something to share with the Island? Whether the news is big or small, let us know!