Topic: Community

The Land Bank’s First “Outer Island” Preserve

Written on January 16, 2017 at 5:50 am, by

The San Juan County Land Bank received a spectacular gift on December 28th, 2016: an 80-acre donation on Henry Island! Sarah Hart is generously donating the underlying fee interest in the property to the Land Bank, along with a conservation easement to the San Juan Preservation Trust. The new Preserve has two shorelines extending over  Continue Reading

Family Nature Club

Written on January 12, 2017 at 5:44 am, by

Finding time to get outside can be tough, and figuring out what to do once outside can be even tougher. The San Juan Island National Historical Park and the Land Bank are making it easy in 2017 with the San Juan Island Family Nature Club, a free monthly outdoor exploration club for families. What’s a  Continue Reading

Opalco Rate Increase

Written on January 10, 2017 at 5:47 am, by

Opalco Rate Increase Takes Effect In January When Co-op members get their power bills in January, the 2017 rate increase will be included. The Board-approved budget included a 5% revenue increase, which will affect the average bill by roughly the same amount. The rate increase will be applied to the energy usage (kWh) portion only of residential  Continue Reading

Women’s Business Boot Camp

Written on January 7, 2017 at 5:34 am, by

EDC Offers Women’s Business Boot Camp Women entrepreneurs are invited to attend the EDC’s Women’s Business Boot Camp, a half-day workshop specifically designed to tune up existing businesses and to start new ones, on January 19th on Orcas Island. Participants will learn how to write or revamp a business plan, find funding, learn about marketing and  Continue Reading

Mount Grant Preserved

Written on January 6, 2017 at 5:45 pm, by

Campaign for Mount Grant Preserve Reaches Finish Line We did it! After two years of fundraising, the $4.2 million Campaign for Mount Grant Preserve has come to a successful completion. The 141-acre ridgeline, which includes open grassy knolls and stately old-growth Douglas firs, is now permanently protected. The San Juan County Land Bank made an initial  Continue Reading

Women’s March in Friday Harbor

Written on January 6, 2017 at 10:37 am, by

Please help our island community gather in support of the nationwide Women’s March! On Saturday, January 21, 2017, the communities of the San Juan Islands, WA will gather in solidarity to honor human rights – united in support of our unique island community, and the greater communities of the world. For those living on San  Continue Reading

SJC County Looks at a Productive 2016

Written on January 4, 2017 at 5:42 am, by

Here’s a 2016 recap sent in by San Juan County News… The holiday season is a good time to reflect on all that was accomplished on behalf of the citizens of San Juan County in 2016. The County Council conducted 65 meetings, including those held on Orcas, Lopez, Shaw and Waldron, passed 67 pieces of  Continue Reading

Apply Now for Soroptimist Educational Award Before January Deadline

Written on January 3, 2017 at 8:37 am, by

Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is now accepting applications for two of its major awards. The “Educational Opportunity Award” is given to a woman who is a resident of San Juan County, enrolled in an undergraduate or vocational degree program of study. This $2,000 award was created to help women overcome financial difficulties and better their  Continue Reading

The Joys of Giving Back: Opportunities to Volunteer

Written on January 1, 2017 at 5:23 am, by

It always feels like a fresh start to begin a new year. If giving back to your community, meeting new people, and having fun, is how you would like to enrich your life in the coming year there are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to choose from. The Mullis Center needs volunteers to help  Continue Reading

Notable Stories of 2016

Written on December 30, 2016 at 5:26 am, by

As things slow down like they usually do in the winter, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the past year and take a look at some of the events that affect us and shape us as we move into 2017. So in no particular order, (other than grouping similar things by category) here are some  Continue Reading

New Years Eve Community Celebration

Written on December 29, 2016 at 10:29 am, by

Correction: This event will be held at Mullis Center. Island Rec once again holds their community New Year’s Eve party – This is a free, all-ages community New Years gathering. There will be games, dancing, crafts, and a live video feed of the NY Times Square ball drop. Guaranteed good time! Saturday, December 31st from 7:00 to  Continue Reading

From the Mailbag

Written on December 25, 2016 at 9:10 am, by

In the Update Mailbag this morning we find this note from Jim and Minnie Knych… We get annual letters from Santa via our friends, Tom and Stephanie Gonser, that used to live on San Juan Island.  This year we were surprised to learn that everything is not honky dory at the North Pole but, of  Continue Reading

Salute the Compass

Written on December 24, 2016 at 9:30 am, by

January 1, 2017 – New Year’s Day: Salute the Compass Join the Pintail for the annual Shipyard Cove tradition of saluting the compass, where we will toast to the four cardinal directions. There will be drinks, merriment and celebration of the new year! Meet at the boat at 11:00am (last dock in Shipyard Cove). We’ll  Continue Reading

Project of the Year for NYC’s ASL Crew

Written on December 23, 2016 at 9:20 am, by

National Park Service and Northwest Youth Corps announce that their American Sign Language (ASL) Inclusion Conservation Crew has been honored with Corps Network Project of the Year Award. What: San Juan Island National Historical Park and Northwest Youth Corps (NYC) announce that the NYC American Sign Language (ASL) Inclusion Crew is chosen as one of  Continue Reading

And the Winner Is…

Written on December 23, 2016 at 9:03 am, by

The winner of the “Where’s that Elf”, Shop San Juan Island’s Joey contest is Tanja Williamson!  Starting November 25th, Chamber Executive Director Becki Day began posting a photo of an Elf on the Shelf at a different local business every day. Followers of @SanJuanIslandChamber on Instagram were invited to guess the location by commenting on the Chamber’s daily post. Every correct  Continue Reading

New Playground Open

Written on December 22, 2016 at 1:27 pm, by

Island Rec is pleased to announce that the new playground at John O. Linde Community Park will open at 1:00pm on Friday, December 23rd. Over 40 community volunteers came together to help build Island Rec’s new playground at the John O. Linde Community Park. The playground features a large play web, swings, slide and even  Continue Reading