Alchemy Art Center, in partnership with the San Juan County Arts Council, is offering a mentorship opportunity for young people in Spring of 2020.  This mentorship program will match two high school students with one adult artist in each department at Alchemy (ceramics, photography, and printmaking/painting/drawing).  This program will take place over the course of  Continue Reading

Come see the San Juan Community Home Trust at the Brickworks Old Fashioned Christmas Market! We will have a table with information about what we do PLUS we have ornaments for your Holiday Tree. These are decorations, made by Justin Ha and Mathew Vogel of Friday Harbor High School, in the shapes of our moved  Continue Reading

How often does the mayor proclaim a day in your name? Ask Mike Cohen, who will turn 90 this week! Here’s what the Town had to say: “Michael J. Cohen” Our friend and fellow Island resident Mike Cohen will turn 90 on Saturday, December 14th. This is a noteworthy life event for anyone, and we  Continue Reading

Results of Survey of San Juan County Residents over 70 years old are in. Background: In August and September of 2019, thanks in part to donations from county residents, the Foundation commissioned a survey of county residents to determine the extent and magnitude of unmet needs for community based long-term care services in San Juan  Continue Reading

Please help out the SJI Prevention Coalition by participating in this community survey. Cynthia explains that they need more public input… The deadline to gather community input is Saturday, December 14 (and) we have not yet reached the minimum requirement for participation in this annual mandatory CPWI Coalition survey. Please complete the survey ASAP, if  Continue Reading

The holiday season is upon us! Are you looking for special gifts, ways to remember loved ones, or opportunities to celebrate your hobbies or specific areas of interest? Why not join the Library’s extended family by sponsoring a Library magazine for yourself, or a loved one? For the month of December, our holiday tree, celebrating  Continue Reading

Here’s an important reminder for residents of San Juan County from Jim Corenman, Chair of the county Ferry Advisory Committee… San Juan County FAC here, with a request for assistance: WSF is holding two online public meetings, this Saturday at 9am and Tuesday evening at 6pm. This is a new format for WSF, and is  Continue Reading

Island Farming: History And Landscape Of Agriculture In The San Juan Islands by Boyd C. Pratt A free-ranging pig that caused an international war; a year’s crop of ginseng that paid off the mortgage; and a breachy cow that led to bloody murder. Farming in the San Juan Islands has always presented challenges and opportunities.  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag today we find this letter from Town Administrator Duncan Wilson… On behalf of the Mayor, Council and Citizens of the Town of Friday Harbor I would like to sincerely thank those that donated in their November utility payment to our Harbor Life Ring program. Each year at this time the  Continue Reading

Formal planning will soon be underway on a long-distance San Juan Island trail thanks to a recently awarded grant from the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA). The island-based Old Military Road Trail committee is one of 40 recipients nationwide of the grant, which provides technical assistance for community-led recreation projects.  Continue Reading

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 -December 5th 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

Nana’s Holiday House has opened it’s doors for the 7th year at 175 First Street (formerly the Rumor Mill) with hundreds’s of new and island crafted items, ranging from $1.00 to $10.00. Nana’s house was started to provide our island kids (1-18 years of age) a place to buy affordable gifts for their families, teachers  Continue Reading

Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 7th from 9am-1pm and join us at the Winter Flea & Craft Market at the Fairgrounds! The American Legion Auxiliary booth will be open for breakfast & lunch from 8:30am – 1:00pm and proceeds will go towards their scholarship fund, which is open to all seniors. Friday Harbor Middle  Continue Reading

San Juan County Fire District 3 Chair, Commissioner Bob Jarman, shares the following letter to the  commissioners of San Juan Island Public Hospital District #1… Honorable Board Members: San Juan Island Fire & Rescue Commissioners wish to congratulate the newly elected Public Hospital District Commissioners as you are sworn in and begin the learning curve  Continue Reading

Join Grangers for our Annual Holiday Bazaar! Shop for a wide selection of gifts and useful items. Sellers Welcome: Tables are $10 each for Grange Members and $15 each for non-Grangers; tables provided; bring cash or a check. You may sell made, grown or used items. You’re welcome to donate none, some or all proceeds  Continue Reading

This December, FANS’ (Families and Neighbors Support Island Rec) generous donors helped the group contribute $6,000 to Island Rec, for a 2019 total of $12,000. These funds provide much needed support for Island Rec programs, parks and events, including Music on the Lawn, swimming lessons and vital scholarships to provide assistance for families, just to  Continue Reading

As we join around the table to give thanks, it is important to reflect on those in our community in need. Nourish to Flourish, a group of concerned community leaders meets monthly to address hunger and food insecurity on San Juan Island. A recent report found 40% of our residents struggle to make ends meet  Continue Reading

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Island Lights Festival on November 30th. This kickoff event for the Friday Harbor Winterfest is on a Saturday this year so more families are able to attend. Once again the Chamber is partnering with Island Rec and the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild.  Continue Reading

Salish Sea Youth Ballet is proud to present the 2019 Friday Harbor Nutcracker! On December 7 & 8, San Juan Island dancers will perform excerpts from the classic Nutcracker ballet in an intimate tea party setting at Brickworks. This interactive, family friendly event immerses audiences into the magical story and is sure to become a  Continue Reading

ONLINE SURVEY ENGLISHhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SAJUSAJU2019EN ONLINE SURVEY SPANISHhttps://es.surveymonkey.com/r/SAJUSAJU2019SP Please help support prevention by taking 3-5 minutes to complete the short online survey! Community perspective and perceptions are a very important aspect of our prevention work where our primary focus is having each and every child in our community reach his or her full potential.  Annually, the San  Continue Reading

I Never Saw Another Butterfly by Celeste Raspanti and directed by Penelope Haskew opens Thursday* November 21 continuing through Saturday November 23 at 7:00 pm and on Sunday, November 24 at 2:00 pm in the Whittier Theatre.  Over 15,000 Jewish children passed through Terezin, and only about a hundred were still alive when Terezin was  Continue Reading

Alchemy Arts Center invites you to a special one-night event on Friday, November 22, 5:00 – 8:00 pm in the Alchemy Arts Center Dome. (Parking is limited therefore carpooling is encouraged)… Vivien Tapsoba is a self-trained painter from Ougadougou, Burkina Faso, currently residing in the United States. He has been a guest of residencies and workshops in  Continue Reading