The San Juan County Elections Office sends along news about their pre-election equipment test.

A logic-and-accuracy test of ballot tabulating equipment used in San Juan County for the Nov. 8 general election is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 21, at 11 a.m.

The test works by tallying the results of a prepared set of test ballots to see if the results match the votes cast. The test will take place in the Elections Office located at 55 Second St., Suite A.

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, either in person or in the safety of your own homes. The Elections Office will also livestream the test on its YouTube channel.

Contributed photo

Rainshadow Quilting Arts Guild shares news about their upcoming in-person class.

Rainshadow Quilting Arts Guild is delighted to bring nationally famous quilting teacher Krista Moser to teach her Vintage Windmills class on Sunday, Oct. 16.

Krista teaches classes across the nation and on Zoom. Her quilts are modern, cheery, fresh and doable for mortals who can sew a quarter inch seams with moderate regularity. Her students love her classes; she is skilled, an excellent teacher, and very encouraging.

Krista has been teaching sewing and quilting lessons for more than twenty years. Her work has been featured in quilting magazines, published by Martingale Press, and hung in prominent quilt shops around the country.

The class size is limited to 20 people. The fee is $90. Checks can be sent to RQAG, P.O. Box 45, Friday Harbor. For more information, contact Krispi Staude at 370-378-2434

The new Library facility has my whole-hearted support. It is an essential resource for our community that enriches the lives of everyone who walks through its doors. Let’s provide the space it needs to deliver its services.

Laura Long
San Juan Island

Enter II by Shannon Borg — Contributed photo

Alchemy shares news about their last Artist Talk event of the year, featuring one visiting and one local artist.

This month, join Alchemy Art Center and the San Juan Islands Museum of Art for the final installment in their 2022 Artist Talk Series. This event will take place Sunday, Oct. 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the upstairs workshop area of the SJIMA at 540 Spring St. The meeting will also be accessible via Zoom.

The talk will feature visiting artist Katey Rissi and local artist Shannon Borg for an in-depth look into their personal histories and processes.

Katey Rissi is an artist, herbalist, and educator based in the Pacific Northwest. Her artmaking practice is interdisciplinary and process-oriented, with a focus on printmaking and fiber art. Katey’s work explores ecological relationships, place, ancestral connection, and environmental grief. She also runs an herbal medicine project, the Salish Sea Apothecary, focused on herbal mutual aid. Katey is a resident artist at Alchemy as part of the Artists in Community program.

Shannon Borg is a painter, writer, and art and business coach. She started painting at age 50, studying in the Trowbridge Atelier at the Gage Academy of Art in Seattle. She lives in the San Juan Islands where she is a member of the Friday Harbor Atelier community of artists. Her oil paintings capture the strangeness and mystery of the beaches of the San Juan Islands.

This event is part of Artists in Community, which is supported by the National Endowment forthe Arts, ArtsWA, the San Juan Island Community Foundation, the Tulalip Charitable Fund, and by generous donations from members of our community.

The County sends along news about the future of its Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas Plan.

San Juan County is currently updating its six-year Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas Plan. As part of the update process, the plan has a new name to best reflect its content: the Recreation, Open Space, and Stewardship Plan.

This plan guides action and investment in the County’s wide variety of outdoor spaces and facilities for the next six years. It describes existing parks and facilities, charts community priorities, and defines an action plan. Ultimately, it supports the community’s vision of an interconnected system of parks and natural areas that provides easy access to the water and natural areas; celebrates island culture, character, and a healthy environment; and is delivered through efficient programs and innovative partnerships.

The 2017-2022 plan was made possible by $4.55 million in funding for parks, recreation, and conservation projects. Projects included the acquisition of 1,394 acres of land outright and 130 acres of conservation easement, including over two miles of shoreline, with additional access to 2.3 miles of public tidelands.

In the next six years, we plan to use new funding to support:

• An integrated system of parks and natural areas
• Land acquisition and protection
• Safe public access to shorelines and waterways
• Stewardship and maintenance programs
• Partnerships among recreation and open space providers
• Community resources and engagement opportunities

The ROSS Plan will capture residents’ wants and needs and will build on projects that have been successfully completed. The County is incorporating community feedback received since 2017, including from recent engagement for the 2022 San Juan County Sustainable Tourism Management Plan.

This plan update is designed to maintain the County’s eligibility for state parks, recreation, and conservation grant funding after the current plan expires Nov. 1.

The County invites residents to provide input on the draft plan at a virtual open house via Zoom on Oct. 11 or Oct. 13 from 6-7 p.m., or by submitting comments on the County website from Oct. 10-17. Learn more about these events and the plan on the County website.

To quote a friend of mine, “a Ron Krebs only comes along every so often”. That simple statement sums up how I feel about our Sheriff. He is that perfect balance of:

1. A good administrator
2. Fair minded and knowledgeable
3. Third generation Islander that deeply feels the sense of community that exists here and the rest of the county
4. Good working relationship with our County Prosecutor and his staff
5. Keeps himself and his deputies current on the latest training and procedures

All this adds up to a Sheriff who cannot and should not be replaced with a deputy from Houston with only four or five years experience here. Vote for Ron Krebs.

Brad Pillow
San Juan Island

A small group of San Juan Islanders have a dream — to provide free transportation to all wheelchair-bound residents and visitors on the island. Known as Free Wheelin Rides, the team of Clayton Banry, Becky Rhodes, and Mike Otis are currently raising money to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van in order to get the service up and running.

In support of this goal, on Friday, Oct. 14, Free Wheelin Rides will host a dinner fundraiser starting at 6 p.m. at San Juan Masonic Lodge at 15 Second St. N. The dinner features Uli’s Famous English bratwurst bangers, mashed red skin potatoes and gravy, tossed salad and vinaigrette, and artisan bread and butter. A dessert auction will follow.

Tickets are $25 per person at the door, or purchased in advance at Printonyx — 470 Reed St. Dinner donations can also be mailed to San Juan Masonic Lodge, P.O. Box 757, Friday Harbor, with Free Wheelin Rides listed on the envelope. In addition, the group has a donation account set up at Banner Bank.

Free Wheelin Rides also seeks unique donated items for a silent auction to be held at the same event. To provide an auction item, or to learn more about the fundraiser, email [email protected].

The County shares news about a ferry-related County Council meeting taking place on Thursday morning.

San Juan County Council announced today that a special meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 9 a.m. to discuss the Washington State Ferry system. Council will be joined by the co-chairs of the County’s Ferry Advisory Committee, Jim Corenman and Ken Burtness. The group will address recent concerns regarding disruptions to ferry service and advocacy efforts.

“This is an opportunity to come together and have an open conversation about what has been happening for WSF and how we are able to continue working with WSF for the best possible service, given system-wide constraints,” said Council Chair Christine Minney. Minney is also the Council liaison to the FAC.

The FAC provides study and recommends resolutions in ferry transportation matters that affect the San Juan Islands. The board consists of seven members serving four-year terms. Members include one representative from each of the ferry-served islands, one member representing an established ferry-user group, another representing persons or businesses using or depending upon the ferry system for commerce, and one member from the local legislative body.

The public is invited to attend the meeting in person or online.

• Bivalent COVID booster appointments are now available for the Oct. 17 and 18 clinics hosted by the County Department of Health & Community Services.
• Island Haven Animal Sanctuary’s online auction fundraiser runs today through Sunday. The organization hopes to raise $10,000 — and they’re already almost a third of the way there.
• Single-vehicle ferry fares are back to non-peak season rates. Both vehicle and passenger fares increased 2.5 percent on Oct. 1.
• San Juan Community Theatre’s screening of Prima Facie by London’s National Theatre happens tomorrow at 7 p.m.
• The San Juan Islands Sculpture Park’s last guided bird watching session of the year takes place on Wednesday from 8-10 a.m.
• Katrina’s Secret Kitchen has returned from its vacation break. It’s open this week on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
• 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!

I am pleased to support the re-election of Ron Krebs as Sheriff of San Juan County.

I met Ron shortly after my arrival in Friday Harbor eight years ago. He has an easygoing personality and is a great communicator, essential skills needed to manage and guide the county’s law enforcement officers.

Ron honed his skills while serving our country in the USMC, where he also developed his proficiency in law enforcement. Ron is culturally attuned with the issues facing law enforcement officers. These attributes help him to successfully address the challenges he faces as the county’s top law enforcement officer. Furthermore, his years of service in the USMC, coupled with the managerial skills acquired during his employment in the private sector, uniquely qualify him to continue fulfilling the job requirements of the position to which he was elected.

Ron’s commitment to the community is evident with his participation with causes focusing on improving our quality of life, reducing crime and the assisting the youth become responsible adults. He volunteers his time with the Coalition for Orcas Youth, a community empowering youth with skills and resources to become compassionate, and healthy adults; and the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, which seeks to strengthen our community by reducing substance abuse amongst our youth. He is also a Board member of SAFE San Juans, whose mission is the prevention and elimination of domestic violence and sexual assault.

He’s a good husband and family man, with strong work ethic and integrity.

I don’t hesitate asking for your support in re-electing Ron Krebs as our County’s Sheriff.

Attilio Galli
Friday Harbor

It’s fall and time to think about taking stock and stocking up on supplies in case of an emergency. Thankfully we are not in the pathway of hurricanes, but if you’ve been around here for a while you know that we can get some mighty damaging winter windstorms.

The most common events to be ready for here are power outages and getting snowed in. Due to our relatively mild and wet cold weather, our snow can melt and freeze and have more snow fall on top of it, creating treacherously slick surfaces. Seniors especially should avoid walking on icy snow.

Earthquakes are another possibility. They could be anything from a barely felt jiggle to the big one. Unlike the winter storms we are more familiar with, an earthquake is less predictable but nonetheless a likelihood if not an inevitability. Emergency contacts in your neighborhood and in a location outside the region are good to have in place.

The San Juan County Department of Emergency Management cautions, “Here in the islands, everyone who is able has the responsibility to prepare themselves to be on their own following a disaster — in the islands, we’re primarily thinking earthquake or winter storm. We strongly encourage people to have at least two weeks worth of supplies on hand.”

Emergency Management also has a preparation calendar on their website with a month-by-month guide to getting fully prepared. Among their first suggestions of what to have on hand are 10 gallons of water per person, a hand-operated can opener, two flashlights, and batteries. During our most recent power outage I was glad to have the battery-operated lantern that I bought recently from REI.

Food that does not need to be cooked is good to have on hand — things like peanut butter, crackers, sardines, canned or dried fruit, and granola bars. In a pinch, having a stash of instant coffee and canned milk could save the day.

The Emergency Management website is a valuable resource that spells out in detail what islanders can do to be prepared. Stay safe my friends!

• Earlier this week, personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, Washington Department of Ecology, and San Juan County surveyed the shoreline from Lime Kiln State Park to Henry Island looking for impacts from the oil and fuel spilled from the sunken Aleutian Isle fishing vessel. No contaminants were found on any of the shorelines, even on beaches where oil had previously been seen. As a result, no additional shoreline cleanup is being recommended.
• Friday Harbor High School football lost on the road at Coupeville 35-3 last night. Boys soccer knocked off Lopez Island 6-0 in a home game at Linde Community Fields.
• Oktoberfest happens from 11 a.m to 8 p.m. today at San Juan Brewing Co. They’ll have all-day German food specials, live music, face painting, crafts, a photo booth, a costume contest, and a stein holding contest.
• Fall is here, which means that the eastern portion of the Zylstra Lake Preserve loop trail is closed until April. Dogs aren’t allowed at Zylstra until the spring either. Driving access to Mount Grant Preserve is now limited to Sundays only from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Starting today, people age 18 and younger can ride the Washington State Ferries for free.
• Merri Ann Simonson has published an extensive article about the state of the local real estate market and its impact on property tax assessments.
• Thanks to our advertisers for their continued support of the San Juan Update — including Friday Harbor Market Place.

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