About the Author
Peggy Sue McRae

Local artist Peggy Sue McRae has lived on San Juan Island most of her life. She is a painter who has worked in a variety of mediums including, oil and watercolor painting, stone carving, printmaking and collage. In 1999 she earned her master’s degree in Fine Arts from Washington State University. She was awarded a residency with the Morris Graves Foundation in 2004 and was accepted into Women Painters of Washington in 2007. Her work has been exhibited throughout the Pacific Northwest and in China. She is the author of the art blog Blackfish Art.

Recent Posts by Peggy Sue

Island Senior: Simple Home Remedies For Smokey Days

September 16, 2020 at 5:52 am

Its wildfire season in the west and air quality is bad. Everyone, but especially those of us with compromising health issues are recommended to stay indoors with windows closed and avoid breathing the particulates in the smokey air as much as possible. You can check current air quality on the website Purple Air. In my  Continue Reading

Categories: Health & Wellness, Island Senior

A Smokey Morning on San Juan Island

September 8, 2020 at 10:08 am

From San Juan Island Fire and Rescue… As you have seen already, it is a poor day for air quality throughout the San Juan Islands and Western Washington State.   There is no wildland fire in San Juan County at this time. 9-1-1 Dispatch received several calls from concerned residents overnight due to the strong  Continue Reading

Categories: Around Here, Safety

Waterworks Gallery: Features David Ridgway

September 8, 2020 at 5:30 am

Waterworks Gallery invites you to a socially distanced Prosecco Night Opening featuring the work of David Ridgway on Thursday, September 10, 4 – 7 pm.   Since its inception in 1985 WaterWorks Gallery has a tradition of reinvention. The 2020 show schedule broadens the concept of the ART AiSLE. Monthly, the gallery hosts a recent  Continue Reading

Categories: Around Here, Arts

Southern Resident Killer Whale Superpod!

September 7, 2020 at 5:08 pm

More good news from the Center for Whale Research… This video was taken during our encounter with the endangered Southern Resident killer whales on September 5, 2020. All three pods (J, K, and L) came together in the same area. This gathering is known as a Superpod. Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research, Founder/Senior Scientist,  Continue Reading

Categories: Around Here, Science, Wildlife

Update on Fire Ban: Temporary Fire Ban in Effect

September 7, 2020 at 12:49 pm

Just a reminder that the San Juan County Fire Chiefs, in coordination with the San Juan County Fire Marshall and San Juan County Department of Emergency Management have issued a temporary, short-term fire ban for all activities beginning today, Monday, September 7, 2020 through to 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2020. The burn ban  Continue Reading

Categories: Around Here, Safety

Survey Says: Island Rides

September 7, 2020 at 12:28 pm

We hear from Curt Van Hyning… The response to the survey from San Juan Islands Shuttle Service is clear. The RoundTowner free ride service which operates on San Juan Island will now be called IslandRides. The more inclusive name corresponds to expanded service. Rides are now available throughout San Juan Island and will soon be  Continue Reading

Categories: Community, Transportation

This Labor Day, A Special Thank You to Our Essential Workers!

September 7, 2020 at 5:30 am

This Labor Day while you enjoy a socially distant backyard BBQ, beach picnic with family or some peaceful solitude, please take a moment to give a special thanks to the essential workers of our community who have kept us safe, healthy, fed, informed, and transported here and there throughout these trying times.  THANK YOU!

Categories: Community, People

Temporary Short-Term Fire Ban In Effect Monday – Wednesday

September 6, 2020 at 2:05 pm

San Juan County Fire Chiefs, in coordination with the San Juan County Fire Marshall and San Juan County Department of Emergency Management have issued a temporary, short-term fire ban for all activities beginning at midnight on Monday, September 7, 2020 through to 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2020. The burn ban will be in  Continue Reading

Categories: Around Here, Safety

A Brand New Calf in J Pod!

September 6, 2020 at 12:57 pm

Good news from the Center for Whale Research… click image to enlarge… On Saturday, September 5, 2020, J pod was reported near the ODAS buoy off Dungeness Spit in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca in US waters. Another large group of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales was a few miles away near  Continue Reading

Categories: Around Here, Wildlife

Friday Harbor Film Festival: September Films (Virtual Version)

September 6, 2020 at 8:27 am

Friday Harbor Film Festival presents… 2020 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour…  On-Demand September 1-30, 2020, Cost: $10 The 2020 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour (Virtual Version) is a 80-minute theatrical program of 6 short films selected from this year’s Festival. Widely considered the premier American showcase for short films and the launchpad for many now-prominent independent  Continue Reading

Categories: Around Here, Arts