Topic: Around Here

EDC Presents: Two Free Courses

Written on March 5, 2020 at 5:10 am, by

Value Added 101 – Increase Farm Profits Increase farm profits with food processing. Whether you grow a lot of food or a little, value-added food processing is a great way to start – or expand – an agricultural business. Join us to learn how to turn straw into gold in this informative and FREE 90  Continue Reading

OPALCO Cancels Annual Member Meetings; Election Continues As Planned

Written on March 4, 2020 at 12:57 pm, by

The OPALCO Board of Directors announced today that the upcoming annual member meeting and all OPALCO gatherings are canceled until further notice in order to err on the side of caution in the face of tremendous uncertainty with the current outbreak of Covid-19 in the state of Washington. The announcement follows Governor Inslee’s proclamation of  Continue Reading

Friends of Lime Kiln Society Now Hiring

Written on March 4, 2020 at 5:30 am, by

Reply on the F.O.L.K.S. Facebook page Call (360)378-5154 or Email info@FolksSJI.org  Friends of Lime Kiln Society (FOLKS) Interim Director Services Contract Overview – The Executive Director (ED) of FOLKS will be on leave from April 1 to September 30, 2020 while working for Washington State Parks at Lime Kiln Point. As a state employee the ED  Continue Reading

Fans Carnival Postponed

Written on March 3, 2020 at 4:18 pm, by

We hear from FANS… After thoughtfully considering the rapidly changing public health situation in the Pacific Northwest, FANS has made the difficult decision to postpone the FANS Carnival that was scheduled for this Saturday, March 7. We want to thank everyone who has helped prepare for the event and, while we are disappointed that we  Continue Reading

Stephanie Buffum Retires From The Friends of the San Juans

Written on March 3, 2020 at 4:58 am, by

Starting this month Stephanie Buffum has retired from her position of nineteen years as Executive Director of the Friends of the San Juans. “Our local communities and the Salish Sea ecosystem have benefited from Stephanie’s leadership,” said Friends President Janet Alderton. “The Board is enormously grateful for her nearly two decades of dedicated service.” Alderton  Continue Reading

San Juan Preservation Trust Spring Event: Gardening for Butterflies

Written on March 2, 2020 at 5:30 am, by

A reminder from the San Juan Preservation Trust of an upcoming event, Gardening for Butterflies, March 19, 2020 at 10:30 am – 2:30 pm – Red Mill Farm… Can you think of a better way to celebrate Spring Equinox, than by planting seeds of hope for the future of a species? On San Juan Island,  Continue Reading

Former SJIEMS Chief Jerry Martin Cleared by Department of Health

Written on February 21, 2020 at 5:47 am, by

From the SJC Public Hospital District No. 1… Former San Juan Island EMS (SJIEMS) Chief Jerry Martin served from January 2016 to April 2019. At the end of 2018, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) began an investigation in response to three complaints that he was not compliant with continuing education requirements.  We have  Continue Reading

Free Dinners – Cynthia’s Bistro

Written on January 30, 2020 at 5:46 am, by

Cynthia’s Bistro is offering free take-away meals to anyone who needs a meal or wishes to have a home cooked meal. No questions asked, just free food. Stop by Cynthia’s this Thursday, January 30th, from 4:30 to 6:00 to pick up your meal. You may pick up 2 meals per person. When we run out  Continue Reading

Library Closed Today

Written on January 15, 2020 at 10:37 am, by

Due to the weather the Library will be closed Wednesday, January 15. Please check our website for further updates. And while you are staying safe and warm at home you can check out our ebooks, digital magazines and streaming video!

Diane Martindale – Champion for the Arts

Written on January 11, 2020 at 5:46 am, by

Diane has volunteered in the arts for more than a decade. She is the board president of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA). She has served as co-president and worked on fundraising and writing grants for the organization. Diane serves on the exhibition committee where she works on the team which creates the  Continue Reading

Community New Year’s Eve Celebration

Written on December 23, 2019 at 5:49 am, by

Join Island Rec for its annual Community New Year’s Eve Celebration! All ages are welcome at this free event as we count down to the New Year with family, neighbors, and friends. There will be a crazy hat making competition and parade, bingo, photo booth, Wii dance off, board games, Minute to Win It competitions,  Continue Reading

Island Senior: Simplify For A Meaningful Holiday Season

Written on December 2, 2019 at 5:49 am, by

Island Senior is a regular column on the SJ Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… There is a certain amount of hustle and bustle that inevitably accompanies the holiday season. Here are just a few ideas that may help limit the stresses and increase the joys of celebrating the holidays: Give the gift of shared  Continue Reading

Pet of the Week

Written on November 24, 2019 at 6:15 am, by

There’s no getting around it – the holidays are on our doorstep. I’ve only a few days until a motley crew of fourteen arrives for wild rice stuffed “Tofurky”, mashed cauliflower, and a plethora of other gems from PUP-KIN PIES to CHERPUMPLE; a triple layer ditty offering BOTH chocolate and white cake stuffed with a  Continue Reading

Island Rec’s Winter Break School’s Out Camp

Written on November 23, 2019 at 6:30 am, by

Are you looking for somewhere for your kids to be during their winter break from school? Our Winter Break Camp will provide structured, themed activities for your Kindergarteners-5th Graders in two day sessions at Friday Harbor Elementary School. We will operate camp in the following two-day sessions with the following themes December 26th & 27th (Survive the Wild),  Continue Reading

Time to Sign Up For Christmas Food Boxes

Written on November 23, 2019 at 6:00 am, by

Save the date and grab a Christmas Food Box! Saturday, December 14th, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church deacons will be providing food boxes again for the holiday season. Christmas boxes include an assortment of fresh fruit, dry goods, canned goods and either a ham or packet of tofu for vegetarian  Continue Reading

Chardonnay Shopping in Friday Harbor December 5

Written on November 22, 2019 at 6:15 am, by

Save the date of December 5th for Chardonnay shopping in Friday Harbor.  This is an annual event where ladies shop local and perhaps have a beverage in between the stores.  Last year we had over 40 ladies starting off with lunch then the shopping began.   This year, many of the stores are offering discounts for  Continue Reading

Hooded Merganser From James Mead Maya

Written on November 21, 2019 at 6:25 am, by

Thanks to James Mead Maya for this great shot of a hooded merganser. Click on image to enlarge…

Cynthia’s Bistro Offers Kitchen Sink Dinners Thursday November 21

Written on November 19, 2019 at 4:53 pm, by

Cynthia’s Bistro is offering free take-away meals to anyone who needs a meal or wishes to have a home cooked meal. No questions asked, just free food. Stop by Cynthia’s this Thursday – November 21 from 4:30 to 6:00 to pick up your meal. You may pick up 2 meals per person. When we run  Continue Reading

Docks; Fun Facts to Know and Tell

Written on November 19, 2019 at 6:17 am, by

Thanks to Merri Ann Simonson for this informative article… During the real estate boom years of 2005 through 2007, waterfront homes on San Juan Island appreciated around 8- 10% per year and homes with docks appreciated around 13%. Docks have always been a coveted property amenity as they truly allow easy access to boating; the  Continue Reading

EDC Presents Datapalooza! on Orcas

Written on November 19, 2019 at 6:10 am, by

Need more data and information to make knowledgeable decisions about your business or as a community legislator or leader? Join the San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) for their fourth annual Datapalooza! event, 1.5 hours of in-depth data and analysis of our economy and demographics, plus lunch and conversation, on Wednesday, December 4, from  Continue Reading

Pet(s) of the Week

Written on November 17, 2019 at 4:05 am, by

Fellow islanders, APS-FH has kitten madness and needs your help! We began our exploration with hundreds of careers and industries on our list. Narrowing down to the right career choice for each of us has proved a difficult task. Let us open with what we’ve crossed off on our “Make a Career Choice” checklist. With  Continue Reading

San Juan Island Library Board Of Trustees Seeks Candidates

Written on November 15, 2019 at 6:01 am, by

The Board of Trustees is seeking candidates to fill a vacancy on the five-member library board. The non-paid term of office is from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2024, and the trustee is eligible for reappointment to another full five-year term. Recommendation will be submitted by the current Board of Trustees, and the appointment  Continue Reading