Topic: Around Here

1st Civic Pride Award

Written on October 21, 2014 at 5:50 am, by

Alley makeover earns first Civic Pride Award – Town of Friday Harbor recognizes Steve Buck and company Curb appeal is typically reserved for the front of buildings, but businesses on Sunshine Alley are taking a critical look at their side and backyards. Voluntary efforts to improve the alleyway began at the First Street entrance with  Continue Reading

Baby Orca Did Not Survive

Written on October 21, 2014 at 5:47 am, by

This sad story was forwarded to the Update on behalf of the Orca Network… The Center for Whale Research has confirmed that baby L120, only about seven weeks old and the third known offspring of a 23-year old Southern Resident orca known as L86, was not with his or her mother when she and other  Continue Reading

Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing Party

Written on October 21, 2014 at 5:46 am, by

A partial solar eclipse occurs in the polar regions of the Earth when the center of the Moon’s shadow misses the Earth. San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Island National Historical Park will host a partial solar eclipse viewing party, Thursday, October 23, in Driggs Park, adjacent to the Land Bank’s office, at  Continue Reading

Author Event at Griffin Bay Books

Written on October 21, 2014 at 5:40 am, by

Two Talking Wolves tour sponsored by Cascadia Wildlands is coming to Griffin Bay Bookstore on Saturday October 25, 1:30—3:00 pm. Nationally-known environmental author Todd Wilkinson will be on hand and so will Bob Ferris, Cascadia Wildlands Executive Director, both to talk about Last Stand: Ted Turner’s Quest to Save a Troubled Planet. Todd Wilkinson has  Continue Reading

Diane and the LWV Say “Thanks”

Written on October 21, 2014 at 5:28 am, by

Dear Editor, On behalf of the League of Women Voters of the San Juans, I would like to thank the citizens, press and candidates for office who attended our recent Voters’ Forums. I also want to thank the workers at the County Elections Office for diligently providing timely information. More than 200 people from San  Continue Reading

Free Song with Tips for DVSAS

Written on October 20, 2014 at 5:52 am, by

Orcas Island singer songwriter Mandy Troxel has released a new original song in honor of October’s Domestic Violence Awareness month. The song is available for free download, with the option to “tip” the music, with 100% of the proceeds designated towards the San Juan County’s DVSAS office. The song developed from an incident that unfolded  Continue Reading

Garden Club Pollinator Program with Colleen

Written on October 20, 2014 at 5:48 am, by

Colleen Howe-Gregory of Mitchell Bay Farms will be our featured speaker at the San Juan Island Garden Club on November 4, 2014. Colleen will be presenting a visual program that will highlight pollinator issues and she will also address the use of color in the landscape environment. She will comment on why we make poor  Continue Reading

Pet of the Week

Written on October 20, 2014 at 5:42 am, by

Caesar is a gorgeous big boy, about 9 years old. He’s a big teddy bear of a dog who loves to swim, play ball and be in the company of people. He has shown aggression toward some dogs, so we think he’ll be happiest as the only dog in the home. He cannot live in  Continue Reading

Opalco Broadband Unveiled: $95/Month

Written on October 20, 2014 at 5:39 am, by

Separate Entity To Deliver Internet Services To Co-Op Members At Thursday’s meeting of the OPALCO Board of Directors, a motion was unanimously approved that includes a $7.5 million acceleration of our efforts to provide member Internet connections to as many members as possible – and, eventually, serve the entire membership. A new organization will be  Continue Reading

Kon-Tiki at FHFF Tuesday

Written on October 20, 2014 at 5:36 am, by

Kon-Tiki will be the last Tuesday night film at the Grange before the Friday Harbor Film Festival – It will be shown at 7:00 pm, October 21st at the Grange hall. Kon-Tiki is the Academy Award-winning film of an astonishing adventure, a journey spanning 4300 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean by raft. Intrigued by  Continue Reading

Racing News from FH Sailing Club

Written on October 19, 2014 at 5:53 am, by

Friday Harbor Sailing Club’s eighth annual Fred Hoeppner International Regatta was held October 4 and 5 out on the west side of San Juan Island. This year, it was an exciting two day race that involved several sailboats, skippers and crews who competed in different races over the weekend under varying conditions. Congratulations to the  Continue Reading

Stillpoint School ShakesOut

Written on October 18, 2014 at 11:14 am, by

Here’s a note from Dori and Kate about their participation in the Great ShakeOut the other day… Stillpoint School students were excited to join more than 20 million people worldwide by participating in the world’s largest earthquake drill on Thursday. Stillpoint students participated in the earthquake drill at exactly 10:16 on October 16, and enjoyed  Continue Reading

Name the New Ferry

Written on October 17, 2014 at 5:49 am, by

(Editor’s note – This is an updated post with the link corrected below) The Voice of Washington Survey would like to know your preference of 4 possible names for the new 144-car Olympic Class ferry currently being built for Washington State Ferries. The choices are: Chimacum Cowlitz Sammamish Suquamish Click this link to sign up  Continue Reading

Pacific White Sided Dolphin

Written on October 17, 2014 at 5:46 am, by

Jim Maya of Maya’s Westside Charters says they continue to see whales every day, though not always Orcas – lots of humpbacks recently. And, he says he’s seen more Pacific White-Sided Dolphins this year than any other year.  Thanks for sharing this beautiful photo Jim!

Nature Institute Field Workshop

Written on October 17, 2014 at 5:38 am, by

Explore Island Mushrooms with Fred Rhoades Saturday October 25,2014 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Meet at UW Labs Register online at www.sjnature.org or call 378-3646 $55 per person (Eight registered participants required to ensure class)

DVSAS Local Harvest Dinner

Written on October 17, 2014 at 5:26 am, by

Thanks to our generous local farmers and fishermen, there will be a Local Harvest Dinner to support a local non-profit, on Thursday October 30th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the Presbyterian Church on Spring Street. Guests will be able to place to-go orders to take home or will be able to sit down for  Continue Reading