San Juan County and the Town of Friday Harbor both need citizen volunteers for their respective planning commissions.

The County needs to fill two Planning Commission vacancies — one for position #5, a partial term that ends in Dec. 2024, and one for position #8, a partial term that ends in Dec. 2025. Both vacancies must be filled by a resident of San Juan Island.

The Town has one Planning Commission vacancy for an at-large position reserved for a County resident — a resident of San Juan Island and registered voter of San Juan County who does not live within the town limits of Friday Harbor.

San Juan County’s Planning Commission is a group of citizen volunteers appointed by the County Council who make recommendations on planning related matters including the Comprehensive Plan and Development Code. Workshops and public hearings of the Planning Commission are a public forum where public opinion and advice becomes part of the County’s records and decision-making process. Meetings are typically held once per month on the third Friday of the month in the morning, but occasional special meetings may be required.

Friday Harbor’s five-member Planning Commission acts as the fact-finding agency of the Town with respect to growth and development. It is charged with reviewing the Town Comprehensive Plan and making recommendations to the Town Council concerning land use matters. Ir meets regularly on Thursday evenings.

To apply for one of the County vacancies, email [email protected] for a volunteer application. To apply for the Town vacancy, send a letter of interest to the Mayor’s Office at [email protected].

The PHD sends along a link to a long-term care survey targeted at seniors in San Juan County.

San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1, along with the other Hospital Districts in San Juan County and Inter-Island Healthcare Foundation, is in the process of conducting a survey to identify the needs and expectations of seniors in San Juan County related to long-term care.

The goal of the survey is to evaluate the impacts of long-term care planning over the past three years and determine the efficacy of current initiatives in San Juan County. It will also help the PHD with its expansion planning for Village at the Harbor. This survey gives members of the public a chance to ensure their opinions and concerns are heard and taken into consideration as we move forward with planning.

Click here to take the survey — which is intended only for County residents age 65 or older or County residents, regardless of age, that serve as a caregiver for someone age 65 or older.

The survey is funded by a grant from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.

The San Juan County Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 9 a.m. Items up for discussion or action include:

• Employee recruiting incentives
• Annual transportation programs
• Approval of temporary road closure in Eastsound
• Approval of interlocal agreement with the Port of Friday Harbor
• Public Works operations on Lopez Island
• Road levy messaging
• 2022 Home Fund projects
• Low-income housing awards funding decision
• County Climate Action Plan update

The meeting also includes an executive session to discuss litigation or potential litigation with legal counsel.

You can view the live stream of the meeting online or attend in person at the Council Legislative Hearing Room. To make a public comment, sign up prior to 9 a.m. on Sept. 27.

Have you seen the blue and white yard signs popping up on San Juan Island that say “Vote Yes Library”?

On Nov. 8 we have an opportunity to approve a bond proposal to build a new public library on San Juan Island. To learn more about this, look up voteyesforoursjlibrary.com. This is a worthwhile project.

Please be sure to give your support for our new library.

Eileen Drath
Friday Harbor

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor shares a look at the adoptable animal of the week — Faline, a five-year-old domestic medium-hair tabby with special needs.

I’ve heard what some people say — they say I look “a little rough around the edges”, but I really like the way I look and the scars that I have. I wear them with pride because they are reminders of all the life I have lived despite being only five.

Prior to coming here, I lived out in the wilderness and streets of Moses Lake. Those times were not always easy, but they defined me. Whether it was the absolute joy of being outside in nature, having to survive on my own, motherhood, or getting sick — these experiences are ones I reflect back on warmly. My life has been adventurous thus far and although I’m still looking to keep things interesting, I’m now wanting to slow down somewhere I can call home, with a person(s) I can call my own.

I want to find someone who will let me love them hard, but will also appreciate and adore my quirks because they are a part of my story — a part of me! My person(s) must love the way my left eye leers to the side, how my coat doesn’t ever lay just so, and the fact that I am FIV+ and FeLV+. They must value these things in me, because I do. Could you be, would you be my safe space? If so, I’d love to meet you.

Learn more about Faline here.

Pottery by Lenore Wan — Contributed photo

Alchemy Art Center shares news about their upcoming art and music performance.

Come see what Alchemy’s talented August/September artist cohort has been up to this summer. This Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 6-9 p.m., Alchemy welcomes you to their dome exhibition space at 1255 Wold Rd. You will be able to purchase beautiful pottery, prints, and other original art. This is the culminating event for Lenore Wan, Cozette Ellis, and Emerald VL, all of whom have been living and working at Alchemy and interacting with the San Juan Island community through free art activities for the past two months.

Emerald will also be performing her original songs at 7 p.m.

Lenore Wan is a multidisciplinary artist from Seattle working in the realms of ceramics and illustration. She loves to capture playful forms and colorful patterns in her work. At Alchemy Art Center, she’s been developing hand-building and glazing techniques, as well as fabric painting. She loves to work spontaneously and loosely to capture the explorative process of art making.

Cozette Ellis is a visual artist and illustrator who has spent her time at Alchemy working with different forms of printmaking and learning ceramics. She is inspired by the human body in all its forms, especially incorporated with color and pattern.

Emerald VL is a visiting artist from Berkeley, California. She has a background in drawing and painting, and has spent her time here at Alchemy focusing on her music, and learning screen printing & ceramics. At the show on the 27th Emerald will share some art, and a set of music she has written during her time on island.

These visiting artists are part of Alchemy’s Artists in Community Program, which is made possible by support from the National Endowment for the ARts, ArtsWA, Tulalip Charitable Fund, San Juan Island Community Foundation, and by the support of the San Juan Island community.

• It was a rough day for Friday Harbor High School sports yesterday. The football team lost 41-0 at Meridian High School in Bellingham and boys soccer lost 3-1 at Coupeville High School.
• High school girls soccer takes on Mariner High School at noon today at Linde Community Fields. Volleyball plays Granite Falls in a road game at 2 p.m.
• For the first time in 24 years, Sweet Retreat is closing for a week so that the staff can take some well-deserved time off. It’ll re-open on Monday, Oct. 3.
• There’s a Grange-sponsored cider pressing event happening today at Sweet Earth Farm — 16 Sweet Earth Ln., just off West Side Road — to welcome new Grange members. Anyone is welcome to attend. The pressing starts at 3:15 p.m., but you can also arrive early for the 2 p.m. tour of the farm. If you have extra apples of pears, bring them with you.
• Saltwater Farm is hosting an open house tomorrow from 2-6 p.m. for people interested in hosting an event there, or just curious to see what the property looks like.
• San Juan Island Food Co-op now has kiwi berries from Mitchell Bay Farms and French fingerling potatoes from Glad Acres.
• Thanks to our advertisers for their continued support of the San Juan Update — including San Juan Community Theatre.

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

I’m well into my “golden years,” and I’ve had arthritis and joint issues for all of them. Still, I walk just about everywhere I go in Friday Harbor, and lately several of my senior walking buddies and I have commiserated about a problem that I hope members of our community are willing to help solve.

There are many trees growing near sidewalks that have limbs hanging over the sidewalks. Often these limbs are so low to the ground that my friends and I, all 5’10” to 6’6”, have to duck underneath them. Because we are not as limber and agile as we once were, it is difficult to duck under the limbs and nearly as difficult to step off the curb into the street and back up in order to pass around them.

I’m sure that a lot of shorter people can pass under the limbs without difficulty. However, it really would be helpful if homeowners and businesses would trim the limbs over public sidewalks to the height of their standard interior home doors, which is 80”. Your taller island neighbors would be very grateful.

David Bentley
Friday Harbor

The San Juan County Economic Development Council shares news about the next class in their Trades Training initiative.

Islanders seeking new careers are invited to learn woodworking basics in a class offered by the EDC. Jean Shearer and Nicholas Coldren, cabinetmakers, will be teaching an introduction to woodworking, on Wednesday evenings from Oct. 12 to Nov. 2, from 5-9 p.m., at the Fellow Shop on San Juan Island.

This course is intended to help people gain job skills and obtain economic stability. The course will teach tool use and safety, and other woodworking skills. These skills are foundational for those seeking to enter many trades, including construction and furniture making.

The program is free except for a $50 registration fee, and is open only to San Juan County residents who plan to use woodworking skills for paying work. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate that the course will help them enter a new career or seek employment. Enrollment is capped at six students. Applicants must be 18 or over.

Instructors Jean Shearer and Nicholas Coldren have BFAs in Woodworking and Furniture Design from Rochester University, and extensive professional experience as cabinetmakers, boat builders, and finishers.

Contact the EDC at [email protected] to register for the class.

When 30 nonprofit organizations on San Juan Island asked for the community’s help last month, islanders responded in a big way. Nearly 500 people came together to donate over $180,000 in just four days in support of critical local projects as part of the San Juan Island Community Foundation’s 2022 County Fair Giving Campaign.

More than $32,000 in additional matching funds and bonus grants were awarded by SJICF, bringing the four-day giving total to $213,000.

“The impact of the community’s donations will be felt throughout the island,” said SJICF Executive Director Carrie Unpingco. “From human services to education, animal welfare, affordable housing, community health programs, the arts, and conservation – islanders stepped forward to support the many nonprofits that have made it their mission to maintain and enhance our quality of life here on San Juan Island.”

The 2022 County Fair Giving Campaign was a true community effort, with individual donations ranging in size from as little as $5 to as much as $8,500. Donors also displayed support for a broad range of organizations, with nearly 150 people choosing to contribute to more than one project.

As part of their participation in the campaign, each nonprofit must submit a grant evaluation and status report to SJICF to provide details about the ways in which the donations they received made a positive and measurable impact. The Community Foundation looks forward to sharing stories about these impacts with the community in the months ahead.

• The Corner Store is closed today. It re-opens tomorrow at 11 a.m.
• Bingo happens at the Mullis Center today at 1 p.m.
• Farm tours on San Juan Island start today and run through Sunday. Eight island farms are taking part this year.
• Zylstra Lake Preserve is closed Saturday and possibly Sunday this weekend so that the Land Bank and its farm lessees can apply agricultural lime to its pastures.
• The Fall Great Islands Clean-up is Saturday between 10 a.m and 2 p.m.
• Alchemy Art Center hosts the New Moon Sound Bath on Saturday at 6 p.m. — 1255 Wold Rd. The suggested donation is $10-$20.
• The San Juan Golf and Tennis Foundation’s fall fundraiser takes place on Sunday, Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. at San Juan Golf & Tennis Club. It’s a four-person, nine-hole scramble — $25 per player, $100 per team, and the entry fee includes a barbeque lunch. A silent auction runs from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Club members and the general public are welcome. Call the Club pro shop at 360-378-2254 to register.
• Thanks to our advertisers for their continued support of the San Juan Update — including Kings Market.

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

We are writing to support the re-election of Ron Krebs as San Juan County Sheriff. We met then-Deputy Krebs on New Year’s Eve 2009. We had been burglarized twice, and were called to the burglars’ home to help identify our property, which was commingled with items stolen in other burglaries. We spent 3-1/2 hours with Deputy Krebs identifying our property, and providing information that could be used in prosecution of the burglars. We were impressed with his professionalism, courtesy and attention to detail.

We were delighted when Deputy Krebs successfully ran for Sheriff in 2014, and was re-elected in 2018. After two terms, it is clear that Sheriff Krebs has a genuine understanding and concern for the community he works for. Ron has consistently demonstrated his sincerity, integrity, and ability to discern what is important and what is not; good traits to have when working with a limited budget and resources. The citizens of San Juan County have been well served by this sheriff, and would do very well by electing Ron Krebs for another term.

Bill and Katia Robinson
San Juan Island