Amy Lambert, lecturer at the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, University of Washington Bothell, will be giving a Pub Night Talk: “Encountering Rarity: Restoring the Endangered Island Marble Butterfly”. Once thought to be extinct, the Island Marble butterfly is making a comeback in the San Juan Islands. Lambert, a conservation biologist, explains why saving the  Continue Reading

This clinic is about taking the skills learned from our Essential Skills I Kayak Clinic and putting them into practice in open water. We’ll learn strategies for launching from a beach or dock, how to handle various tidal conditions, practice compass use and navigation, paddling techniques, group kayaking, how to tow and raft, and on-water  Continue Reading

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update, written by Peggy Sue McRae… Three new classes are being offered at the Mullis Center this fall: Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance with Stephanie Prima starting Oct 4, Life Coaching with Sharon Hooper starting Oct 11, and Chair Yoga with Katerina Wen starting Oct 2.  Continue Reading

It’s the time of year when kids gear up for the start of school, filling their backpacks with new textbooks and school supplies. But they may be carrying more than just educational materials with them. Backpacks can be the source of neck, shoulder and back strain. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in  Continue Reading

It’s moved up a month this year – the Friday Harbor Film Festival will be held over the weekend of October 26, 27 & 28 instead of in November like previous years. Check out their website, www.fhff.org for all things FHFF! From volunteer opportunities, film descriptions and trailers, to film venues and schedules. And buy  Continue Reading

The first semester Friday Harbor High School Community Service-Learning Class will begin August 30th. This class utilizes committed adult mentors who will guide students through the completion of a service project related to community improvement – both locally and globally.  This is a great opportunity for a “win-win” partnership between students and local organizations. If  Continue Reading

On August 31 registration begins for The Story Circle, a new after school literary enrichment program for students in grades K-2nd or home school equivalent. This free program is being offered by the San Juan Island Library for the 2018-2019 school year. The Story Circle will include bi-weekly Thursday afternoon programs at the Library with  Continue Reading

Monday Aug 27, 2018, the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold a Special School Board Meeting at9:45 am in the high school library.  This is an open public meeting.     All public comment, with the exception of public hearings on policy, budget or other specific items, will be heard during the  Continue Reading

EDC invites entrepreneurs to participate in business plan competition, “Launch San Juan Islands” Entrepreneurs can bring their business ideas to the next level in the third annual EDC Launch San Juan Islands business plan competition, created by the San Juan County Economic Development Council and sponsored by local businesses. Participants will receive instruction in business  Continue Reading

Yesterday’s Grand Opening of the new Center for Whale Research’s Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center was attended by a good sized crowd of about 25 – 30 people. Friday Harbor Mayor Farhad Ghatan, members of the SJI Chamber of Commerce and many CWR staff & volunteers attended as well. The Center is located next  Continue Reading

This year Friday Harbor High School students Ana Anderson and Mariah Daniher (class of 2018) were awarded first and second place, respectively, in the 37th annual Congressional Art Competition, sponsored by the Congressional Institute. It was the first time FHHS students have entered the competition. Ana’s piece Close Your Eyes and Fly Away was chosen  Continue Reading

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) is offering a workshop to transform your art-and it is fun! This special workshop is for any one who wants to take advantage of the one of the hottest ways to show art today- no matter the medium, two-dimensional or three-dimensional art. Join Ray Pfortner on Sunday,  Continue Reading

The Center for Whale Research shares this announcement… We are excited to announce the official grand opening of the Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center. And you’re invited!  The grand opening will be held on Tuesday, August 21 at the education center which is located at 185 S. First Street in downtown Friday Harbor. A ribbon cutting  Continue Reading

This Fall, Dance Workshop 2 welcomes Emily Anton as artistic director and ballet teacher. Owner and current director Lina Downes is so excited to be entrusting Emily with the future of the ballet program that she has run continuously since 2006. Following a successful performing career as a professional ballet dancer in New York City  Continue Reading

Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Island Library are excited to host an evening for both kids and adults. Come out for Joe Gaydos’ lively and inter-active book talk– Explore the Salish Sea: A Nature Guide for Kids— at the Library on Wednesday, August 22, 7:00 pm. This is a book that children and  Continue Reading

It’s not too late to register for Fall Quarter at Skagit Valley College. Classes start September 25th. Complete your first two years of a bachelor’s degree and save money on tuition compared to a four-year school. Or, start preparing for your new career with training in one of our workforce programs. Learn more at www.skagit.edu/programs  Continue Reading

Saint David’s Day School is pleased to announce the addition of two teachers to our staff for the 2018-2019 school year. Danielle Niichel is a Child Psychology graduate of Western Washington University; she will be our lead classroom teacher for the coming school year. Alana Huntemer comes to us from the Early Childhood Education program  Continue Reading

There’s a new Sea Scouts program starting up here. The first meeting is this Thursday August 9th at the San Juan Yacht Club 18:30 (6:30pm) Sea Scouts, BSA is a program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women. For over 100 years Sea Scouting has promoted better citizenship and improved members’  Continue Reading

After 42 hours of design and preparation, the Friday Harbor Aerospace Team and associate schools from Texas, Colorado, Pakistan, India and the UK placed second at the International Space Settlement Design Competition World Championship. According to the judges, the margin between the first and second place team was paper-thin, the decision coming after three hours  Continue Reading

The following story was written by Daniel Garner… The Friday Harbor High School Aerospace Design Team has passed the 24-hour mark of the 42-hour International Space Settlement Design Competition world championship (ISSDC). Held at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the ISSDC brings in 250 high school students from nine countries to take part in an aerospace  Continue Reading

Merri Ann Simonson shares some real estate buying tips with you… 1. Select an Agent to Represent You As you may be aware, all of the brokerage firms on San Juan Island are members of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service; therefore, any of the agents can assist you with any of the properties listed with Coldwell  Continue Reading

Lions and LEOs Combine Efforts to Help Fund FHHS Aerospace Design Team Trip BJ Brandli, LEO Club advisor and member of the Lions Club, presents FHHS Aerospace Design Team member Arlo Harold with two checks totaling $900; one for $500 from the Lions Club and one for $400 from the LEOs Club.  These funds will  Continue Reading