In late August, the SRV SAM, a 48’ aluminum ketch, set sail from the Haida Gwaii Islands in British Columbia to the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Labs (FHL) – the latest leg of its 8,000 nm voyage across the North Pacific for the Ocean Genome Atlas Project (OGAP). The vessel will be moored at  Continue Reading

Important Note: A total of 17 previous cases have been removed from the list of confirmed cases in San Juan County. These are cases that occurred after June 1, 2021 and were first identified by a positive over-the-counter COVID test result, but were not confirmed in a subsequent PCR lab test. This adjustment brings San  Continue Reading

All the animals that come through our shelter doors are cherished and loved.  We honor and remember every pet that we have touched – doing our best to give them happy endings to the unfortunate circumstances that brought them into the system.  Occasionally, there are pets who manage to beat all the odds stacked against  Continue Reading

The Center for Whale Research shares this story… What is it, when does it happen, and what are the causes? Several weeks ago, K21, the oldest male killer whale (orca) in the Southern Resident community, was photographed and videoed in a state of severe emaciation, showing an extreme version of what killer whale researchers sometimes  Continue Reading

This story comes from Washington State Ferries and it may help shed some light on all the ferry sailing cancellations due to “Shortage of Coast Guard documented crew”… We’re not the only marine transportation system dealing with a lack of crewmembers. Following BC Ferries’ cancellation of a couple sailings last week due to a staffing  Continue Reading

SJIMA needs to cancel the Appraisal Day and Silent Auction scheduled for this Saturday, August 28 until the COVID virus has receded. This event has been anticipated by the SJIMA team for two years and we are severely disappointed to have to postpone it again. Appraisal Day, when rescheduled will be fun for all and  Continue Reading

FRIDAY HARBOR, WA. – Labor Day weekend is approaching, the last hurrah for many summer boaters before buckling down for the fall. As scores of vessels take to local waterways over the holiday, it’s an important time to stay vigilant and keep safe on the water. San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship calls on  Continue Reading

San Juan Singers, directed by Angel Michaels, is a community chorus open to all San Juan Island residents aged 14-100+. A general meeting for all members, returning and prospective, is scheduled for September 1, 2021, 7:00-8:00pm at the Brickworks building. At this meeting you will schedule an audition or voice check, learn about the rehearsal protocols  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag today we have a Heads Up from Barnaby Zall about the RHNA Annual Picnic… After careful consideration, on Saturday, August 21, the Board of Directors of the Roche Harbor Neighborhood Association voted unanimously to cancel its 2021 Labor Day Isthmus Potluck Picnic, originally scheduled for Sept. 4.   RHNA is a  Continue Reading

  Sign-ups are looking good, but there are still spaces available. Walk-ups also welcome. For anyone waiting for full FDA approval of the vaccine before receiving their shot, that approval has now been granted for the Pfizer vaccine being administered this week. Thanks to everyone who is signed up- we really appreciate the renewed interest.  Continue Reading