Let’s see what’s in the mailbag today… Here’s a good one: a San Juan Update reader from California, Paul Denikin, shares this set of tips on Ecologically Friendly remodeling tips for your home. Check them out below and be sure to visit his website… The Best Eco-Friendly Remodeling Tips Going green is an important part of  Continue Reading

Join the National Park Service and Island Rec to honor the 50th Anniversary of San Juan Island National Historical Park. 7:00pm Bat Talk ‘n Walk 8:00pm Cake 8:30pm Owl Prowl ‘n Star Walk. Large telescopes will be available for viewing. Rochelle Kelly, (a PhD candidate at the University of Washington studying our local bats), will  Continue Reading

Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers will visit September 8-10 The traveling trainers are back and they’re bringing Big Foot along to share their message of sustainable minimum impact practices to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Click here for more information about Leave No Trace and be sure to check out the flyer at right to see what’s  Continue Reading

TEDxSanJuanIsland returns on Saturday, September 17th for a second installment of inspiration, collaboration, and ideas worth spreading. This year’s theme – ‘Quality of Life’ – focuses on ideas that have made a lasting contribution to the betterment of society.  Speakers at the forefront of fields such as science, health, technology, art and education will present ideas  Continue Reading

Over 60 volunteers served up approximately 1,200 slices of donated pies for the first fundraiser of the newly established FHES PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). A very big THANK YOU from the FHES PTO Board and Pie Booth Committee! “We are so grateful to the community and the outpouring of support, from pie bakers and servers,  Continue Reading

Join the UW Program on Climate Change and Friday Harbor Laboratories for this two-part public lecture followed by refreshments and conversation featuring Stephen Warren and Kyle Armour on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Friday Harbor Labs Dining Hall. Climate of the Antarctic Ice Sheet presented by Stephen Warren, UW Most  Continue Reading

Explore the geology of Mount Grant Preserve! Local geologist, Julia Turney, will lead an interpretive walk up the Mount Grant access road, stopping to look at rock exposures and geologic features. Over the course of the walk, Julia will unearth the general geology of the San Juan Islands, the geologic history of Mount Grant Preserve,  Continue Reading

In case you missed the flash mob at this year’s fair, don’t despair. Debbi Fincher has you covered with this note and video of the event. Here she is with more on that… I thought I’d share with you the little video from this year’s Flash Mob at the Fair – DANCE 4 HEALTH by  Continue Reading

Griffin Bay Bookstore & The San Juan Island Library Present SPILL by Dave Anderson In Spill, author Dave Anderson imagines what might happen if a container ship grounds off Stuart Island, and a spill of bunker fuel rapidly spreads in the Salish Sea. If you’ve ever worried about such a disaster, then join Dave Anderson for a  Continue Reading

EDC and the San Juan Island Community Foundation partner with Washington Nonprofits and the Washington Secretary of State to offer workshops on board practices The San Juan County Economic Development Council EDC and the San Juan Island Community Foundation have partnered with Washington Nonprofits and the Washington Secretary of State to offer workshops on excellent  Continue Reading

Dear Editor, Last week during our county fair the temperature here on the island rose to well over 80 degrees several days in a row. Sadly, those of us working at the Animal Protection Society booth were notified on four separate occasions that people had parked their cars in the lots across the street from  Continue Reading

Minnie Knych has another heads-up for you… It is going to be a sweet day at the fair on Saturday! In the Food Preservation Booth we have two very special guest speakers.  At 1:30 PM Dr. Burke Gossom will talk about Backyard Bee Keeping.  All sorts of fruit and vegetables are pollinated by honey bees, such  Continue Reading

Coast Salish Dedications during National Park Service Founder’s Day Event San Juan Island National Historical Park will host Washington Coast Salish Tribes and First Nations Thursday, August 25, 2016 during the National Park Service Founder’s Day celebration. Members of Lummi and Saanich nations will dedicate two canoes, two Salmon Story Boards and a Reef Net Captain Totem Pole to  Continue Reading

Friends of the San Juans is excited to hold a family-friendly Food Web Picnic on Tuesday, August 30, at Jackson’s Beach on San Juan Island from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. At the event, children will explore the animal habitats at and around Jackson Beach and will earn their Coastal Food Web Investigator badge. Participants can  Continue Reading

Pacific Whale Watch Association and Ace Hardware stores in Anacortes and Friday Harbor, WA Launch “Orca Friendly Products” Ace is the place for… saving orcas! In a unique partnership, Ace Hardware is partnering with the Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) in helping its customers find “Orca Friendly” products in its stores. The pilot project will  Continue Reading

Greetings Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students and Community Members This summer my family and friends visited San Juan Island. Their visit reminded me how important it is to nurture the genius and greatness in everyone. Every moment I spent with them, I learned something new, an acronym, a Spanish word, or how much smarter they are  Continue Reading

Richard Davenport, owner of Lavendera Massage, is happy to announce the opening of the new Friday Harbor School of Massage. The Washington State Board of Massage and the Workforce Training Board approved the curriculum and catalog for the new school last Friday. Friday Harbor School of Massage is officially a state approved school for training  Continue Reading

Presented by the San Juan Island Library, Come see Don Ehlen’s Insect Safari, held Wednesday, July 13 on the grounds of Friday Harbor Elementary School. Showtime begins at 1:30 PM. Learn about the amazing world of insects. View Don Ehlen’s collection of preserved and living specimens, including millipedes, a stick insect, and giant cockroaches. Please bring  Continue Reading

Spots are still available for The Actor’s Toolbox, a two-week Theatre Arts for Kids workshop led by Amanda Smith at San Juan Community Theatre. It starts Monday, July 11 with classes Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 pm at the Theatre. Youth ages 12 to 18 will discover the tools of the actor; namely  Continue Reading

From the San Juan Update mailbag… Dear Editor, We all look forward to summer, but it’s easy to forget that it can be a time of stress for young families. Many parents are working long hours while school is out and their childcare options may be limited. United Way of San Juan County recognizes the  Continue Reading

You are invited to listen to a presentation by D. David Brown Interim Executive Director of Cultural Access Washington on July 8th. The meeting will be held from noon – 1:30 in the Legislative Hearing Room of the County Council Offices (55 Second Street across from the County Court House). The time has been picked  Continue Reading

Here’s a note from St. David’s in the mailbag this morning… Just a brief note to let folks know that, although our third session of Camp Curiosity is full, we still have a few openings in our Morning Preschool program this fall for children from 3-5 years of age. Our curriculum engages children in active  Continue Reading