Remember last year’s Orca baby boom? One year later and thanks to photographer and naturalist Katie Jones we catch up with J-52 named Sonic and his mom J-36 called Alki. Sonic was Alki’s first offspring and was the third calf born to J-Pod in a three month period last year. Not all Orca calves survive their  Continue Reading

From the Washington State Recreation and Conservation office… Washington Boaters Reminded to Clean, Drain, Dry Boats to Stop Invasive Species OLYMPIA – As summer weather heats up in Washington and boaters prepare for more adventures on the water, the Washington Invasive Species Council would like you to remember: Clean. Drain. Dry. Invasive species are non-native animals,  Continue Reading

San Juan County requests citizen participation… The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Additional information about each committee is available on the County’s website at: San Juan County Boards, Commissions and Committees Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee  Continue Reading

From Merri Ann Simonsson at Coldwell Banker… The second quarter results which complete the first half of the year for San Juan Island were very similar to 2015 as the real estate dollar volume reflected a decrease of 1% over the same period. The first half volume for 2016 was $56,700,175 as compared to $57,435,820  Continue Reading

From Wolf Hollow this morning… Back in May, a Bald Eagle was found in the False Bay area with a steel trap on it’s leg. Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center managed to capture the eagle, and rehab it for nearly two months. Today it was successfully released back in to the wild – minus one talon thanks  Continue Reading

This weekend was Pelindaba Lavender Farm’s 15th annual Lavender Festival. The event, Co-Sponsored by the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, showcases a multitude of ways to use the aromatic herb. Among the culinary uses is lavender ice cream. Sunday also happened to be national ice cream day (yep, since 1984 the third Sunday in July is  Continue Reading

Ahhh, pardon me good sirs and madams….would you care to engage in a delightful pastime in which you toss a round object and I run off and fetch it and return it to you….. for recreation and merriment? If so, please contact me here at the Animal Shelter in Friday Harbor. I think we’ll have  Continue Reading

To ensure students get a healthy start to their school year, PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center is offering no-cost immunizations, well-child checks and sports physicals on an appointment basis to children ages 5 to 18 on Wednesday, Aug. 10, and Thursday, Aug. 11, at the medical center, 1117 Spring St. Call 360-378-2141 to schedule an  Continue Reading

John Miller’s photograph of morning mist and lavender serves as a timely reminder that the 15th annual Lavender Festival is happening this weekend. The Festival today and Sunday includes tours of the farm, a cutting field for visitors to harvest their own lavender, demonstrations of the many uses of lavender in crafts and cooking, and more. Parking and  Continue Reading

The Roche Harbor Trails are now part of the National Recreation Trail system.   Join the Roche Harbor stewards and trail builders for hike starting at the parking lot at the “Y” intersection of Roche Harbor Road and West Valley Road.   The hike will be in woodlands and meadows.    Families are welcome but  Continue Reading

Kayakers, sailors, adventurers, and those who’ve journeyed along the Inside Passage to Alaska should make sure to attend Susan Conrad’s book talk and slide show at the Library on Wednesday night, July 27, 7:00 pm. You’re sure to be inspired. INSIDE: One Woman’s Journey Through the Inside Passage is a plucky adventure memoir about a  Continue Reading

In the mailbag today we found a timely reminder from Lee Sturdivant to become informed voters before the August 2 primary… Dear Islanders, Don’t forget: We all get to vote. Ballots for the August 2nd primary election just landed in our mail boxes. Every San Juan County voter has the right to vote for a candidate in  Continue Reading

Have you seen a bright purple wildflower on the side of a yellow truck roaming the streets of Friday Harbor lately? Erin & Robert Shackelford own Camas Designs, a floral design and artwork company. Their delivery truck “little miss sunshine” is bringing fresh flowers and what they call “locally sourced happiness” to SJI and beyond.  Continue Reading

Lauren Cohen, Co-owner San Juan Canvas, LLC and Chamber of Commerce Board President keeps us up to date with the Chamber of Commerce… As July flies by it looks like we are having our usual crazy, crowded summer on the Island. All of us on the Chamber of Commerce Board and staff hope that all  Continue Reading

Here’s what to expect for the week of July 18th… Location(s) of work: Water line has been installed from the water treatment plant on Wold Road to approximately Strawberry Lane, between No. 2 Schoolhouse and Douglas Roads. This week ICI will be performing work in various locations along the entire completed section of waterline to install  Continue Reading

Fellow Film Buffs, Next Tuesday we are presenting a special showing of “Everything is Copy” a biography of Nora Ephron by her son Jacob Bernstein. We hope to see all of you at the Theatre Tuesday at 7:30 pm. If you haven’t already purchased one, punch cards are available at the Theatre Box Office. Punch  Continue Reading

This story submitted by Louise Dustrude… OPALCO board president Vince Dauciunas told a handful of co-op members about some of the swift changes occurring in the electrical industry on Tuesday evening at the Grange. Of greatest significance is the possibility that by 2025 it may be cheaper for us to produce a portion of our  Continue Reading

Sponsored by the San Juan Island Yacht Club, the 46th Annual Shaw Island Classic Sailboat Race will be held Saturday, August 6. All eligible boats and crews are invited to participate. The race starts from Friday Harbor and circumnavigates scenic Shaw Island in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction arriving back in Friday Harbor for a  Continue Reading

Summer on San Juan Island isn’t just beach barbeques and whale sightings, it’s also the best time of year for outdoor improvement projects! From July 18 – 29, drivers on Bailer Hill Road may notice crews and machinery at work in the valley on the Land Bank’s False Bay Creek Preserve, located across from the  Continue Reading

The Town of Friday Harbor shares this late-breaking announcement… Tucker Avenue Reconstruction Project – Phase 1 Construction Update Be advised that early Wednesday morning, July 13, a portion of Guard Street will be closed to traffic. Project task(s): The Contractor will be trenching for installation of fiber-optic cable by OPALCO/Rock Island Communications. Street Closure:  Guard Street  Continue Reading

Alisa from Jensen Shipyard writes to let us know they have a job opening… Equipment Operator Seeking person with heavy equipment experience. Primary responsibility is operating 35 ton Travel Lift to haul and launch boats ranging from 15 feet to 47 feet. Job also requires pressure washing, boat bottom painting and facility maintenance. Boat knowledge  Continue Reading

Richard Davenport, owner of Lavendera Massage, is happy to announce the opening of the new Friday Harbor School of Massage. The Washington State Board of Massage and the Workforce Training Board approved the curriculum and catalog for the new school last Friday. Friday Harbor School of Massage is officially a state approved school for training  Continue Reading