Today is the last day to submit letters to the editor with comments on the two levies up for a vote in the Feb. 8 special election.

Submit your comments by email. You can submit a comment on one levy, or on both. All letters will be published in the Update tomorrow.

San Juan County’s Health & Community Services department is making N95 and KN95 masks available to the public at no charge. While supplies last, the masks are available at three locations on San Juan Island:

• Friday Harbor Drug
• Kings Market
• Friday Harbor Market Place

Health & Community Services notes that:

For the use of the general public there is no significant difference between N95 and KN95 masks. Both provide a much higher level of protection (to both the wearer and those in proximity to the wearer) than cloth masks.

Last month, San Juan County Health & Community Services distributed thousands of EverlyWell-brand at-home COVID-19 test kits. Yesterday the county’s Department of Emergency Management announced that the expiration for all EverlyWell kits has been extended by one year from the date marked on the packaging.

EverlyWell worked with the company that makes the solution included with each kit to confirm that it would retain its efficacy for an additional year, according to Brendan Cowan, director of emergency management for the County.

It is with great excitement that I announce my candidacy for San Juan County Auditor. I believe that my education and experience will make me a great fit for this position and the County.

After graduating from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in 2012, I spent five years in private accounting. I made the switch to governmental accounting and spent four years with the University of Washington. In January 2020, I joined San Juan County and have since been serving as the Chief Deputy Auditor. During my time as Chief Deputy Auditor, I’ve supervised the Accounting, Licensing, and Recording Divisions and served as the Capital Committee chair. I have also served on the Canvassing Board and continue to learn more about the Elections process.

My husband and I made our dream come true by moving to San Juan County in April 2019. In my free time, you’ll find me walking on one of our many beautiful beaches with my two dogs. We also enjoy walking the docks, hiking, boating, DIY projects and traveling (when it is safe).

I look forward to serving the citizens of San Juan County as your next County Auditor.

In late March, the San Juan County Economic Development Council will host a 90-minute virtual event that examines the ways in which the pandemic has affected — and continues to affect — our region’s industries and employment market.

Called Datapalooza, the event will consider the pandemic through the lens of economic and demographic trends. Speaking on these topics will be James McCafferty, Director of Western Washington University’s Center for Economic & Business Research, and Anneliese Vance-Sherman, Ph.D., Regional Labor Economist for the State of Washington.

Datapalooza takes place Tuesday, Mar. 29, from 10-11:30 a.m. over Zoom. Tickets are $5, available through the EDC’s website.

Local volunteers for the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program are hosting an online introduction to Medicare for enrollees joining the program in 2022.

On Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 1 p.m., the presenters will outline how Medicare works, its different coverage options, and key program milestones and dates that must be met in order to avoid penalties.

To register, email [email protected] or call 360-376-5892. You’ll need to provide your first name, last name, and email address.

SHIBA is overseen by the state’s Office of the Insurance Commissioner to provide free, unbiased, confidential counseling in San Juan County. The organization is sponsored locally by the Inter Island Healthcare Foundation.

The Center for Whale Research recently published a report about their Jan. 20 encounter with the J and L Southern Resident killer whale pods in Haro Strait. You can read the full report at their website.

Photo credit: Center for Whale Research

The rock on Beaverton Valley Road took on its newest look last week, thanks to the creative mind and careful hand of islander Daisy Roth. Scenes of the holidays were replaced with vibrant splashes of color, standing in stark contrast to the gray cloudiness of the San Juan skies above.

“I have always been deeply fascinated by murals and graffiti art and have had a lot of fun with my experience,” Daisy says. “The idea for the rock sort of just came to me. I went back and forth between ideas, colors, and words. I wanted some color on these gray days – and some sort of message. I went into it with a plan but not a lot of huge expectations. It all unfolded for me.”

The word ambiguity wraps around the north face of the rock.

“Adding bits of ambiguity to my perspective has helped me greatly in my art and all areas of life and I just want to ripple that out to the collective,” Daisy explains. “Art is ambiguous, so is life, and so am I. By the time I was done, this painting had a lot more meaning to me than what I originally intended. What I love about art is the meaning can be up to you and it can be ever-changing. How does it speak to you? How does it make you feel?”

The mural is part of Daisy’s return to her craft after a five-year hiatus that began after becoming a mother.

“I became not just a mom but an adult as well – really fast. I took a break from art until now, and I’m taking it head on. I learned a lot through the process of creating the mural and it was truly good for my soul. The sense of community I felt was very special. Sometimes art is the only way for me to make sense of things – going through the process, seeing it finished, and thinking ‘okay, it all makes sense now.’ I have a lot of ideas and I’m just going with it!”

You can see more of Daisy’s work on Instagram.

America’s Boating Club of the San Juan Islands is holding a four-week introductory boating class, starting Tuesday, Feb. 1.

The class focuses on basic boat handling, safety considerations and requirements, and nautical rules of the road. Passing the course grants you a Certificate of Completion, which is required to obtain a Washington State Boater Education Card. This card is required if you intend to operate a vessel with a 15-horsepower or greater motor, and you are 12 years of age or older, and you were born after Jan. 1, 1955.

All classes will be held online through Zoom. The cost is $40 for an e-book, or $50 for a printed copy. ABCSJI accepts both credit cards and checks.

The deadline to register is this coming Tuesday, Jan. 25. To register, or for more information, contact Ann Einboden at 360-378-3288 or [email protected].

On the trail to Fourth of July Beach at American Camp.

The San Juan Update seeks letters to the editor with comments on the two levies up for a vote in the Feb. 8 special election.

Submit your comments by email by this coming Wednesday, Jan. 26. You can submit a comment on one levy, or on both. All letters will be published in the Update the following day.

Tickets are now on sale for Island Rec’s 16th Annual Father Daughter Dance – a special occasion for young women of all ages to get dressed up and spend quality time with their dads, granddads, or other male role-models. Treat your daughters to a special night out with music from DJ Doug, dancing, a keepsake photo and bracelet charm.

The event takes place Friday, Feb. 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the main building of the Fairgrounds, which was selected to provide more room for social distancing. Masks are required for all attendees any time they are inside the building.

Tickets are $25 per couple in advance, purchased online at www.islandrec.org. Tickets at the door are $30. Scholarships are available. Thanks to the Soroptimists and Friday Harbor Market Place for sponsoring this year’s dance.

For more information, call 360-378-4953 or go to www.islandrec.org.

The San Juan County Department of Emergency Management reports 63 confirmed or probable new COVID cases on San Juan Island since Jan. 14. The County also reports 23 new cases on Orcas Island, 19 on Lopez Island, and one on an outer island. This week’s 106 new cases bring the total case count to 856.

In their media release, the County explains that:

While the rate of new COVID cases appears to be slowing nationally, it is expected that Washington, and San Juan County are still at least a couple of weeks behind. The volume of cases in the islands remains extremely high. It is encouraging news that the surge does appear to decline fairly quickly after peaking. With luck that same trend will be seen in the islands in the weeks to come.

At home testing supplies are finally beginning to become more readily available. If you haven’t ordered your four free COVID tests for your household, please do so at: www.covidtests.gov and/or you may order up to five kits through the WA State program at: www.sayyescovidhometest.org. Also note that if you purchase kits yourself, most insurers will now directly cover or pay you back for up to 8 at-⁠home tests per month, for each person on your plan.

Sadly, San Juan County did experience its first fatality due to COVID. General information is available here.

San Juan County Public Health staff continue to monitor islanders who are hospitalized due to COVID. To date in 2022, all hospitalizations are in unvaccinated individuals. Getting vaccinated makes more sense than ever. Go here for vaccine clinic registration links.

This document provides critical information for islanders who test positive for COVID, including info on how to report your test result.