Some islanders wonder about building a new library while the island has an affordable housing issue, but affordable housing and an expanded library serve the same island families in different ways. Low- to middle-income families need after school youth programs in safe spaces; books, movies, and audio to check out instead of purchase; and free access to technology and technology instruction. What seems like standard technology to own nowadays is out of reach for many who cannot afford home computers or internet service, including seniors living on limited incomes. The Library provides these. The Library also loans out adaptive equipment for those with mobility, vision, and hearing difficulties, Discover Passes to state parks, birdwatching kits with binoculars, a telescope, and glasses for colorblindness — items whose costs would be too prohibitive for many.

But the Library is out of space and thus limited in what it can offer. Our population has grown 50 percent since 1995, but the Library has not. It is not possible to expand either upwards or outwards, and current parking is dangerous and insufficient to meet demand. The building’s infrastructure is out of date and limits services. Program space is too small to accommodate all who come to programs, forcing library programs offsite. The Library is a noisy place without protected quiet retreats, and the teen and children’s areas are far too cramped. There are no study rooms for online interviews, small collaborative groups, or quiet study space.

Please vote yes on SJI Library District Proposition 1.

Laurie Orton
San Juan Island

San Juan County sends along its plans for the roughly $4 million in additional funding that would be generated by the road levy increase proposition on this November’s ballot.

The upcoming November election includes Resolution 20-2022 – a proposition to increase the road levy. It is a one-time, permanent levy lid lift for the county road fund. If approved, the County levy would increase from $0.56 to $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The County is responsible for over 270 miles of public roads, thousands of culverts, numerous marine facilities, bridges, trails, and other transportation-related facilities located on seven different islands.

San Juan County’s road levy is the lowest in the state. Our road levy is currently 7.24 percent of the total property tax. The levy is expected to generate an additional $4 million in revenues for the road fund every year which will support repairs and replacements of failing culverts, updates to marine facilities, and widening of shoulders for multi-modal transportation. Continue Reading

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor shares a look at the adoptable animal of the week — River, a six-month-old domestic Pug-Chihuahua-Shih Tzu mix.

Pandemonium / (noun): a wild uproar (as because of anger or excitement in a crowd of people).

Puppy pandemonium / (noun): when the pandemonium (of the excitement variety, obviously) erupts in response to the cuteness overload that puppies bring.

Hi! My name is River, and I’m one of the eight puppies who arrived here at the shelter earlier this month — but based on the excitement we’ve stirred up in this island community, I have a feeling you may already know that. You may be so wrapped up in puppy pandemonium that you’re unable to see all the individual ways in which each one of us little pups shine. Don’t worry though, there are no judgments from me and my shelter friends; we know all too well the effect baby animals (especially puppies) have on people — us included.

So, before cuteness overload takes hold of your brain completely, I wanted to share some fun facts about the one and only me, River:

1. I’m a Parvo+ survivor
2. I have an underbite which I’m told is very adorable
3. Out of all eight of us, I’m the biggest
4. Although this photo doesn’t show it, I have a little white mohawk which is my favorite hairstyle right now

One final note: although I’m a very happy puppy, I will only be friends with someone who notices that sometimes I get a little scared and who will respect my boundaries. Don’t worry though, I warm up to new, understanding, friends quickly.

Learn more about River here.

San Juan County’s Health & Community Services department needs your help supporting island seniors.

HCS is calling for volunteers to support senior services on San Juan Island.

HCS Senior Services provides and supports programs and services that assist seniors in remaining independent and in their own homes for as long as possible. Senior Services is also a resource for those who provide care to parents, older family members, or neighbors. Available services include Meals on Wheels — with both home-delivered meals for eligible seniors and on-site community meals at the local senior center — as well as individual case coordination, family caregiver support, and transportation assistance.

The Meals on Wheels program and transportation services rely on volunteer assistance. If you are interested in contributing to your community by becoming a Meals on Wheels driver, helping in the kitchen, or providing transportation to off-island medical appointments, contact Debbie Haagensen at [email protected] or 360-370-7526.

I am writing to urge you to join me in voting yes for the Library bond this November.

There are lots of reasons why we need a new building — safer parking, space for programs, more space for books and other materials, and to save money on building upkeep, which takes a larger bite out of the Library’s operating budget every year as the current building ages.

I am especially excited to see a new building that will make the Library more of a community space. We need space for all kinds of gatherings — casual meetings where islanders run into neighbors and sit down to chat, small meeting rooms where a few people can sit down to have a private conversation or make an online presentation, and formal meeting space in a room right-sized for our community.

Please vote yes.

Beth Helstien
Friday Harbor

• The San Juan Community Theatre’s production of Mauritius opens at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow. It runs through Sunday, Oct. 16.
• Deer Hazel (165 Spring St.) celebrates its seventh anniversary today from 3-8 p.m. They’re having sales throughout the store, a prize giveaway drawing, and food from Natalia Swan Catering.
• League of Women Voters of the San Juans are hosting a voter forum about the San Juan County Sheriff election on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Grange. The event is both in-person and virtual. Registration is required for virtual attendees.
• The County Health & Community Services Department’s free flu vaccine clinic for children age six months to 18 years happens on Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 2-5:30 p.m. in the Commons at Friday Harbor Middle School — 85 Blair Ave.
• Recovery efforts are underway for the floatplane that crashed off Whidbey Island on Sept. 4 after leaving Friday Harbor.
• Here are the week’s specials from Market Place and Kings.
• Thanks to our advertisers for their continued support of the San Juan Update — including Friday Harbor Realty.

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

Contributed photo

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art shares news about an unusual upcoming exhibition.

It is not often we get to witness the artist at work — but in the coming days, Kevin Christison will be finishing his art piece in the glass Atrium Gallery before our eyes.

You can walk into his SJIMA studio at 540 Spring St., Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or view him in action through the windows.

Enjoy watching the creative process and the sculpture grow. The work is part of The New Forbidden exhibition at SJIMA. Christison uniquely uses an array of upcycled waste materials — PET plastics, glass, aluminum, paper, and natural fiber. We do not know when Kevin will be finished, but estimate about Oct. 10

Exhibition sponsors include the Honeywell Charitable Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsWA, Town of Friday Harbor, San Juan County, Printonyx, Browne’s Home Center, Harbor Rentals and Friends of Kevin.

The County sends along an update about the return of COVID booster clinics on San Juan Island.

San Juan County Health and Community Services is bringing back Bird’s Eye Medical in October to provide bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccinations on San Juan Island.

HCS will be on San Juan Island on Monday, Oct. 17 and Tuesday, Oct. 18. Bivalent booster vaccines will be available to anyone 12 and older. Moderna and Pfizer bivalent boosters will be provided, however Pfizer doses will be prioritized for children 12 to 18 because this is the only vaccine available to that age group.

While these clinics are focused on providing bivalent boosters, islanders 18 and older will still be able to receive primary doses of Moderna at these clinics if they have not completed their initial vaccine series.

Appointment slots will be released online on Monday, Oct. 3 by 9 a.m. If you need the bivalent booster sooner than our October clinics, or if you are not able to attend our clinic offerings, go to the Washington State Department of Health’s Vaccine Locator tool to explore other provider availability. We are also planning to hold additional clinics during November and December depending on demand.

For more information about the bivalent booster, check out our most recent Hot Topic publication.

The Soroptimists share news about one of their educational programs.

Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is now accepting applications for the Live Your Dream Award. This award helps women in overcoming personal difficulties and bettering their lives through education and training.

The recipient may use the cash award for tuition, books, childcare, transportation, or any other costs associated with her educational expenses. To be eligible, a woman must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree or vocational skills training program, be the primary wage earner in her household for herself and her dependents, and demonstrate financial need.

SIFH has made up to $4,000 available for this award, and the recipient of it will become eligible for additional cash awards at other levels of the Soroptimist organization. Applications must be received by Tuesday, Nov. 15.

For information on how to apply, or to view information on other available awards, visit the SIFH website.

Soroptimist members, their immediate family members, and past Soroptimist award winners are not eligible for this award.

The San Juan County Fire Marshal shares news about two important fire-related policy changes.

Effective today, San Juan County’s fire danger level has been downgraded to moderate. This change is due to cooling temperatures at night, a high dew point, and higher relative humidity.

Recreational campfires remain open at this time and include attended fires consisting of clean, dry firewood in an approved fire pit up to three feet in diameter surrounded by at least three feet diameter of bare soil, gravel, or other non-flammable material.

Residential burn permits will become available for purchase on Monday, Oct. 10 at 8 a.m. They are $20 and remain valid from the time of purchase until May 31, 2023. Commercial burn permits are $300, require heavy equipment, on-site water, and a field inspection prior to burning.

Permits can be obtained online or by mail.

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

FHFF is looking for help putting on this year’s festival, which returns to theatres for the first time in three years.

You can be an integral part of this year’s in-theatre Friday Harbor Film Festival. Without the committed help of many film-loving volunteers there would be no festival. Your time and energy make all the difference.

Volunteer time commitments vary from a few hours to a few days during October. Help is needed working in the FHFF Office, at the Gala, and at all film venues. To view all the possibilities, dates, and times needed, visit the FHFF website.

The Festival provides training and support. In return for volunteer hours, people earn film tickets for both the in-theatre and on-demand festivals. In addition, volunteers receive a free FHFF 10th anniversary t-shirt and hat. Following the festival, all will be invited to a thank you party, the Volunteer Appreciation Bash.

• Friday Harbor High School boys soccer takes on Mount Vernon Christian High School at 4:30 p.m. today at Linde Community Fields. Volleyball plays Mount Vernon Christian on the road at 3:30 p.m.
• Alchemy Art Center’s October classes still have some spaces left.
• San Juan Preservation Trust is hosting two volunteer parties focused on seeding plants that will support the Island Marble Butterfly. Both events happen on Monday, Oct. 17 — one at 10 a.m., the other at 1:30 p.m. — starting at Red Mill Farm, 290 Valley Farms Rd. SJPT is looking for as many volunteers as they can get. Snacks and hot beverages will be provided.
• San Juan Island Library hosts The Secret Life of Slugs with conservation biologist and author Terry Domico over Zoom tomorrow at 7 p.m. Email [email protected] to register.
• A vintage clothing pop-up with Wild Sequoia Vintage is happening this Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at Salty at Heart Island Apothecary, 310 Spring St.
• Thanks to our advertisers for their continued support of the San Juan Update — including the San Juan Islands Museum of Art.

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