Public Meetings from August 9 -11 will be hosted by the office of Washington State Ferries.  The purpose of the meetings are to discuss topics of interest regarding the Washington State Ferry system with WSF Assistant Secretary Lynne Griffith. Griffith will speak to attendees on current topics of interest regarding the Washington State ferry system. The  Continue Reading

Ruth Often tells us about an art opening at Waterworks Gallery…   Meet the artists at a reception Saturday, August 6 from 4 – 7 pm. Refreshments will be served. Robin & John’s ceramic sculptures marry themes & techniques to tell stories. Using Elizabethan collars, large heads, movable madrona arms, and richly colored glazes, the  Continue Reading

We hear about this fun event from Morgan Johnston at Island Rec… Island Rec features FREE Movies in Sunken Park on Saturday evenings in July & August beginning at dusk. Island Rec’s Free Movies in the Park series for 2016 is in full swing. For week two, we are showing How to Train Your Dragon  Continue Reading

You can see a list of letters from individuals at the link below. As more letters come in, this list will be updated so be sure to check back. Click here

Update editor Tim Dustrude is resting at home following all-day surgery at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on July 25 for an anomaly in his carotid artery. He’s not quite ready to tackle the editorial responsibilities of the San Juan Update, and wants to thank and praise Peggy Sue McRae for jumping in and taking  Continue Reading

Nancy DeVaux of Sound Vibrations invites you to enjoy a musical ferry ride this evening Thursday, August 4th… Walk aboard the inter-island ferry, bring a picnic dinner, and appreciate a free, scenic cruise aboard the Washington State ferry while enjoying the harmonies of two island acapella singing groups this Thursday evening for their annual “Ferry sing”.  The groups,  Continue Reading

Alejandra Zacci, has a loyal following for her Aqua Zumba class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the San Juan Fitness Club pool. Many of us came at first for the fitness benefits but we keep coming back for the fun and camaraderie. For a person like me who generally hates to exercise there is something about  Continue Reading

We hear from Tanja Williamson at the Land Bank about this unique opportunity to learn about our local bats on Sunday, August 14 from 7:30 – 9:00 pm at Zylsatra Lake… This special evening field trip, led by biologist Rochelle Kelly, is an opportunity to learn about the island’s local bat species and how they fit  Continue Reading

If you follow the Update you may remember the recent post, Origins of the Drugstore Mural “For Love of an Island” with a story by Lori Stokes about how she discovered the story behind the mural. Lori now sends us photographs from 1972 that show the entire mural… From Lori Stokes… Here are two photos of the original drug  Continue Reading

Tanja Williamson puts out a call for pies… Bake your favorite fruit pie!   Not a baker?   Help serve slices at the Fair! The FHES PTO Pie Booth is open for business at the Fair this year August 17 – 20th…. But we need Island volunteer power to pull it off! There are two ways you can help: bake pies at  Continue Reading

A message from Suzanne Olson, Public Relations Administrator at Orcas Power & Light Cooperative… Summer is a great time to take on efficiency projects and rebates for appliances (heat pump water heaters, clothes washers) and heat pumps (ductless and ducted) are still available. Rebate funding is expected to run out by September and additional funding may  Continue Reading

A message from Shannon Wilson…  FHAA would like Islanders to know that Tiger Football and Cheer practice starts this week.  If you have not registered yet that’s ok!  Contact Shannon Wilson at wilsons (@) rock island (.) com with questions and to find out practice times.  GO TIGERS!!!!!!

Here’s this month’s history column from The San Juan Historical Society… In a year of 50th anniversaries on the island, the San Juan Historical Society celebrates its 50th anniversary of the opening of its Museum in 1966, and crowds cheered for the 50 year old San Juan Island National Historical Park in this year’s 4th of July parade. Did you  Continue Reading

Our thanks to Theresa Simendinger for this tale of the San Juan Island Conservation Corp Thistle Slayers… First mighty crew of thistle slayers; Luke Erickson, Erik Ryan, Matt Wickey:crew leader, Joshua May, Luke Fincher, Zach Fincher,high school crew leader in training,who has been in SJICC all 5 years of its existence. Our Own SJI CC Thistle Slayers by Theresa Simendinger  Continue Reading

Thanks to Jan Murphy at the Animal Shelter for this message… C’mon in! The water is just fine! I’m Bear and I’m a new arrival here at the Friday Harbor Animal Shelter. I’m about ¾ Golden Retriever, so that explains my good looks. My favorite pastimes include, but are not limited to, playing fetch, swimming, playing fetch,  Continue Reading

I come into town via the Roche Harbor Road and Tucker Avenue so have become accustomed to taking the Larson Street detour or driving through the dust and heavy equipment to get to Guard Street. Every single time I’ve been greeted with a friendly wave and smile from flagger Vicki Hebert. It never fails to lift my  Continue Reading