Supporting the health of our most vulnerable neighbors during COVID-19 is critical as we enter the winter months on San Juan Island. To help reduce the risk of influenza, SJICF recently granted $15k to help fund flu vaccinations for residents who could not otherwise afford one. The grant funds were awarded in late September to  Continue Reading

Are you looking for a fun fall activity for your family? Your friends? Your neighborhood? Your organization? Your business? The Friends of the Library and the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a SCARECROW CONTEST for the month of October. Registration is open from October 1-15 (free).  The Scarecrows will be displayed from  Continue Reading

When life gives you lemons, of course, you are supposed to make lemonade! But that’s hard to do if you don’t have any sugar to sweeten it. Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor was very fortunate—we had the sweetener! Covid-19 restrictions kept us from being able to hold our annual fundraiser: our St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza.  Continue Reading

Editor’s Note – This story is being re-posted with corrected information. The flu shot clinic at the Mullis Center will actually be on Thursday the 15th from 1:30pm to 4pm. *Not* the 13th as previously posted. Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… As we enjoy  Continue Reading

The San Juan Island Library District announces that it has entered an agreement with the owners of the former Life Care Center at 660 Spring Street, to purchase the property for a future Library building site. The District has been working on alternative locations for a Library for several years given the limitations of the  Continue Reading

Helen and Dan from Island Stage Left share some insight into their history, what’s happening now and a look to the future in a couple of videos on SJI Community Network… Dear ISL Friends and Supporters, visit www.sjicn.org and you will find our video and those of some wonderful people making a difference on our  Continue Reading

Listed first is Pickleball, then see below for three adult fitness classes. Island Rec Pickleball Pickleball is open registration for ages 16+. Tuesdays & Thursdays October 6-29 at the fairgrounds. 5-6:30pm for Beginner and Intermediate Players. 6:30-8pm for Intermediate and Advanced Players. $8 per session. Must have your own paddle. Max 10 players allowed per  Continue Reading

PUBLIC NOTICE: San Juan Island Fire and Rescue Surplus Vehicle Auction San Juan Island Fire and Rescue is offering a surplus vehicle for sale by a sealed bid process: 2008 Chevy Trailblazer 4X4, Gasoline Engine, White SUV 164,000 +/- miles. VIN: 1GNDT13S682221234 Minimum Bid on this vehicle is $4,200 Bids will be accepted starting September 21,  Continue Reading

The timing couldn’t be more perfect: This Saturday, September 26, 2020, on National Public Lands Day, Zylstra Lake Preserve officially opens for day-use public access. National Public Lands Day embodies the same values that inspired your Conservation Land Bank and the San Juan Preservation Trust to form a public-private partnership in 2015 to preserve the  Continue Reading

San Juan Islands Community Network (SJICN) launches online solutions news channel spotlighting island community members and organizations building a more resilient and thriving San Juans On Monday, September 21, San Juan Islands Community Network (SJICN) launched to the public, publishing its website and initial video news stories created to inform and engage islanders around the  Continue Reading

Small businesses are relying more than ever on your support as they creatively cope with COVID.  Here’s the second of a series of stories about their survival. When COVID-19 became a global pandemic in March, all of us were suddenly navigating uncharted waters. However, San Juan Islands businesses have responded with compassion and ingenuity during these tough times.  Continue Reading

San Juan Island Library announced today that it has welcomed its new Assistant Director and Adult Services Manager, Lisa Buckton. Lisa moved to San Juan Island from Vermont and holds over ten years of librarian experience across Vermont and New York State. In the last five years, Lisa co-created and hosted Vermont’s first-ever teen literary  Continue Reading

Canoe Island French Camp is celebrating the erection of a greenhouse to complement their recently established garden. This project was made possible thanks to generous donations from community members as well as support from the San Juan Island Community Foundation. The frame for the structure was constructed entirely with wood milled on Canoe Island from  Continue Reading

Flu shots are now available at Eventide Health. It’s important to get yours early this year. We will be hosting a few flu clinics this year and carrying on the tradition of San Juan Healthcare and offering the service as public health to the community. We will also be participating in joint flu clinics with  Continue Reading

We hear from Curt Van Hyning… The response to the survey from San Juan Islands Shuttle Service is clear. The RoundTowner free ride service which operates on San Juan Island will now be called IslandRides. The more inclusive name corresponds to expanded service. Rides are now available throughout San Juan Island and will soon be  Continue Reading

This Labor Day while you enjoy a socially distant backyard BBQ, beach picnic with family or some peaceful solitude, please take a moment to give a special thanks to the essential workers of our community who have kept us safe, healthy, fed, informed, and transported here and there throughout these trying times.  THANK YOU!

Prevention Coalition selects WINNERS for the “Let’s Face It! Wear A Mask!” Contest!      We want to thank our prevention partners: San Juan Island Community Foundation, Coalition for Orcas Youth, Lopez Island Prevention Coalition, and Kings Market for supporting these efforts!   Our Rock Solid youth stepped up to help encourage their peers to  Continue Reading

Theatre News from Executive Director Nathan Kessler-Jeffery… Link to: San Juan Community Theatre 

Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is pleased to announce its 2020 educational award winners.    The Live Your Dream Award, a worldwide signature Soroptimist program, is given to a woman who is the primary wage earner in her household and enrolled in an undergraduate degree or vocational skills program.  This year’s recipient is Maricela Lomeli. Maricela  Continue Reading

September 1, 2020 — San Juan County has created a Small Business Relief Grant program that will launch on September 1, 2020, to assist for-profit businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.  Funding for this program comes from CARES Act money received by the County.  Awards will range up to $5,000 for eligible San Juan County  Continue Reading

OLYMPIA–On Sept.1, eligible organizations may begin applying for grants to conserve community forests, the Recreation and Conservation Office announced today. The new state Community Forests Program will offer grants of up to $3 million. But organizations need to hurry. Applications are due Oct. 1. The grants must be used to buy at least 5 acres  Continue Reading

Do you find Medicare a mystery? Are you unsure which Medicare plan is best for you? Join SHIBA online for a virtual Medicare 101 class where we will cover the “A, B, C, Ds” of Medicare. Our certified SHIBA volunteers will be available to answer all of your questions! Wednesday, September 16, 2020 @ 1PM PST To  Continue Reading