You may think you’ve done everything there is to do on this island, but there is always a surprise or two in store.  Early Sunday morning (and by early I mean in teenager time, so around 10am) a group of paddlers gathered at Jackson’s Beach for some quality time on the water in Outrigger canoes.  Continue Reading

The repair project on the blockhouse is coming along nicely – here’s more from the Park Service: Maintenance worker David Harsh took these photos of the blockhouse rehabilitation project, which was begun in June. The park maintenance crews have completed the new structure, built in two sections on the parade ground, each log numbered and  Continue Reading

Nice to remember George….here are his friends (including Ringo, Elton & Eric) & him making beautiful music:

Brittany from San Juan Outfitters was pretty excited about having a humpback along on yesterday’s trip: Kevin Culmback got this great photo on our whale watch tour today (8/4/12)! We encountered the humpback (later identified as humpback #409) on the west side of San Juan Island, just about 2 miles north of the Lime Kiln Lighthouse.

This Saturday is the opening for a month of wonder at WaterWorks Gallery – here’s more from Ruth: August 4-25 Jaime Ellsworth – Oil Paintings Robin & John Gumaelius – Ceramic Sculpture When looking at the works of Jaime or Robin & John, one is filled with a sense of magic, of delight. How did that  Continue Reading

The Port of Friday Harbor’s third annual Fly-In two weeks ago was a blast, with all kinds of flying machines for folks to see (and hear!) and even to ride in…here’s this week’s Update Minute, with photos & video by Rebecca Leff, and music by Ben Goodman:

The participants are back home on their respective islands and OPALCO’s Suzanne Olson has all the info about their week in Idaho. Here’s the scoop: Six high-school students from San Juan County participated in the Idaho Consumer-Owned Utility Association (ICUA) Youth Rally through Orcas Power & Light’s scholarship program. Two of the students brought home top  Continue Reading

I had been pretty surprised to see a new building going up in the middle of what had been the Spring Street International School parking lot for many years, but after getting the scoop from Debbi Fincher, it all makes perfect sense. Here are the plans for this summer and beyond: Construction has begun at  Continue Reading

Tim Dustrude continues his series with photos & stories about people around the island – here’s more about the someone you’ll want to call when you want a craftsman’s approach to cabinetry: This is Mike Lazzari, owner of Watershed Cabinets on San Juan Island. Mike moved to the island in the mid 1970’s and worked doing construction  Continue Reading

• This week drew a huge crowd of over 400 people listening, dancing, and singing along to “Soul Purpose” at the Historical Museum for Island Rec’s famous Wednesday Music on the Lawn. Next week is their last event, featuring the popular favorite band – the Chameleons. See you there! ++++++++++ • The Sea Shepherd Gallery and Educational  Continue Reading

America has been running on tips for a long time. In fact, most of my friends with summer jobs right now could tell you they make nearly as much money in tips as they do in their hourly wages. But why do we tip outside of restaurants? To thank people for the exceptional service they  Continue Reading

It always feels like a trip back in time to visit the barracks & parade grounds & blockhouse & gardens at English Camp, but even more so when everyone is dressed up in the dress of the mid-19th century…it’s an awesome experience. Gunpowder. Dress uniforms. Blowing off cannons. Playing cricket. The food. Arts, crafts, gardening….and what  Continue Reading

Here’s the word from the Theatre’s Jan Bollwinkel-Smith: Island Teen Highlights Night Music August 2  One of San Juan Island’s youngest musical treasures headlines San Juan Community Theatre’s Night Music series on Thursday, August 2. Seventeen-year-old singer/songwriter Rhiana Franklin has been writing and singing since she was nine years old.  Since graduating from Friday Harbor  Continue Reading

Tonight at the Whale Museum, you can hear one of the most informed folks in the world address what’s going on with bowhead whales (and here’s a bit of video from the BBC) – and you’ll be glad you did. The Whale Museum kicks off its Research Lecture Series on Wednesday, August 1  at 7:00pm with  Continue Reading

This is a video I’m guessing you can’t watch without smiling (and maybe dancing along)….join Matt & give it a go & see how it works for you:

A free composting workshop is happening Saturday, August 4th at the San Juan County Fairgrounds from 11am to 2pm. You can learn to build and operate your own 3-Bin Composting System, which benefits the environment, your yard, and your wallet. Helen Vanada from the County’s Solid Waste Division has more: You are invited to a  Continue Reading