The San Juan Center of Skagit Valley College offers two life-long learning courses this winter. As the weather chases us indoors for January, February and March, sign up for a community class at the San Juan Center. Pass the winter days enjoying good books and engaging discussions and lectures at the San Juan Center of  Continue Reading

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce held their Holiday party/Annual meeting and Awards Ceremony on Monday evening at Brickworks. They welcomed Scott Sluis, of Islanders Bank, as new president and said farewell and thank you to Gail Schnee for her 2 years as president. Also there was a Thank you to the Town of  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag we have a letter from Allison Lance… The more diverse an eco-system is, the greater its odds are for survival. Genetic diversity insures robust populations. This applies to Earth’s life forms, which includes humans. In order to ensure our survival we need robust biodiversity. Therein lies the problem, nature is  Continue Reading

Only four more showings of Slowgirl and people who’ve seen it are raving about it. This is your last chance to see it before it’s gone. It’s a story by Greg Pierce told with humor and sensitivity, of a friendship between a reclusive uncle and his teenage niece as they navigate the delicate regions of  Continue Reading

The time is near for this year’s December 15th benefit Christmas concert at St. David’s Episcopal Church: An American Village Christmas. The 3:00 pm concert will feature Advent and Christmas hymns and anthems by American composers found in The Sacred Harp, The Southern Harmony, The Mennonite Singing Book, and The Christian Harmony, along with Appalachian melodies  Continue Reading

State Awards Nearly $18 Million for Salmon Recovery Projects Statewide OLYMPIA – The Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board today announced the award of nearly $18 million in grants for projects to restore salmon habitat in an effort to bring the iconic fish back from the brink of extinction. An estimated 75 percent of the funded  Continue Reading

First, it’s the Board of Commissioners for San Juan County Fire District #3. They will have their regular meeting at 3:00 pm Wednesday, December 12th, at the fire station at 1011 Mullis Street. Then, at 5:00 pm, the San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 will be meeting jointly with the Town of Friday Harbor,  Continue Reading

Local photographer John Miller shares this view from 300 feet elevation of Wasp Passage, taken with a DJI Phantom adv. Great shot – Thanks John!

Island Haven Animal Sanctuary Benefit Join award winning Celtic harpist Kathie Hardy & local violinist Hannake Klein Robbenhauer for an evening that will warm your hearts this holiday season! Kathie will perform an elegant mix of ancient and traditional Scottish & Irish tunes. She has won several Pacific Northwest Scottish harp competitions, including first place  Continue Reading

Susan Wingate writes to share this article on deer population control… Dear SJ Update, I’m hoping to submit some information about the deer population that has become an issue with a certain sector of our residents and with the fish and wildlife community. [Please see] this information from the website: http://www.pzpinfo.org/pzp_faqs.html