Long-time Island resident and past Friday Harbor Kiwanis President, Vicky Thalacker was recently selected Kiwanian of the Year by the FH Kiwanis Club. Vicky was recognized for “her distinguished service for the past two years as Kiwanis President and for stepping into her current role as Key Club Coordinator, among many other contributions,” stated current  Continue Reading

This article written by Carolyn Hudson, SJI Fire and Rescue Administrative Officer Lieutenant Michael Henderson received San Juan Island Fire and Rescue’s highest award Saturday night when the District celebrated the 2018 contributions of its members at Downriggers Restaurant. The firefighters and support members were honored for their dedicated service in 2018 at the annual  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 – January 17 – from 4:30 to 6:00 to pick up your meal. You may pick up 2 meals per person. When we  Continue Reading

It’s time to march again! The #WomensWave is coming and we’re sweeping the world forward with it! Come to the 3rd Annual Women’s March. Gather on the Courthouse Lawn at the corner of Second and Court Street in Friday Harbor. Saturday, January 19, from 12:00 to 2:00 PM San Juan County Courthouse, 350 Court Street,  Continue Reading

Merri Ann Simonson shares another video from her SJI Lifestyle series. Here she is with more… This San Juan Island Lifestyle video shares the holiday month on San Juan Island; from Chardonnay Shopping to New Year’s Eve, we had a blast.

Here’s a happy note from Helen Machin-Smith of Island Stage Left with an update on Daniel Mayes… Dan came home on Christmas Eve after a hellish week but finally after a correct diagnosis and two successful surgeries the decision was made to release him in time for Xmas. He is weak, tired and ten pounds  Continue Reading

Here’s an invitation to you from San Juan County District Court… Please join us in celebrating Judge Andrew’s retirement on Friday, January 4, 2019 from 2:30 to 5:00 in the District Courtroom located at 350 Court Street, Friday Harbor.

Everyone is welcome to attend the swearing-in ceremony and reception for the newly elected San Juan County District Court Judge, Carolyn Jewett, at 12:00 pm on January 11, 2019. The ceremony will begin at noon in the District Court courtroom of the county courthouse, at 350 Court Street, Friday Harbor. Jewett will be sworn in  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag today we find this letter from Gay Graham… The San Juan Community Home Trust has done it again, and with a special bit of flourish! A few weeks ago, the 11th and 12th houses were barged into Jackson’s Beach and trucked to their permanent lots in the affordable housing project,  Continue Reading

New art installation features Marjorie Walker: Artist, Bohemian, Islander The Town of Friday Harbor is pleased to announce a new outdoor public art history installation in the Sunshine Alley breezeway. The exhibit honors late artist and San Juan Island resident Marjorie Walker (1906-1992) and will be displayed through 2019. Walker was born in 1906 in  Continue Reading

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… Family traditions are something we value especially at the holidays. I’ve been thinking about how family traditions evolve and change over time. Three of my four sisters will be visiting me next week for a Pre-Christmas gift exchange party.  Continue Reading

Island Rec is pleased to welcome Lili Lyne as their new Recreation Specialist. Lili will primarily be organizing Sports and Fitness programs and events. Lili is a recent graduate from Western Washington University where she studied Therapeutic Recreation. Over the years she has developed an expertise in adaptive sports, from soccer to wheelchair rugby she  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag we have a letter from Allison Lance… The more diverse an eco-system is, the greater its odds are for survival. Genetic diversity insures robust populations. This applies to Earth’s life forms, which includes humans. In order to ensure our survival we need robust biodiversity. Therein lies the problem, nature is  Continue Reading

Local photographer John Miller shares this view from 300 feet elevation of Wasp Passage, taken with a DJI Phantom adv. Great shot – Thanks John!

Susan Wingate writes to share this article on deer population control… Dear SJ Update, I’m hoping to submit some information about the deer population that has become an issue with a certain sector of our residents and with the fish and wildlife community. [Please see] this information from the website: http://www.pzpinfo.org/pzp_faqs.html

Tom Doenges, owner of Computer San Juans wants you to know about this new service coming to an island near you… Calling all small businesses, schools, ports, town and individuals… I am joining forces with a friend who runs an electronics recycling company in Bellingham called 1pc.com. Because I feel I contribute to bringing these devices  Continue Reading

Here’s a note from Leasa Wangoe about this year’s Chardonnay Shopping event, happening on Thursday December 6th, and aimed at getting people into the holiday spirit and supporting local businesses. Anyone can join and it’s a good time to take advantage of some good deals around town… Ok, here is the current list of businesses  Continue Reading

Northwest artist Gareth Curtiss is bringing his bronze sculpting project to Friday Harbor December 17th through 21st so that the public may share in the creation of the Ed Warbass sculpture he is making for the town. The public is invited to watch and interact with the artist in a temporary work space being created  Continue Reading

Here’s the monthly History Column for December from San Juan Historical Society and Museum… Local history is written one event, one day, one person at a time. Kitty Roberts was one of those people who contributed to island history with her life. She graciously shared island history, supported it, and inspired many to care about  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning we find this letter from Steve Ulvi… Running Down the Dream without Becoming Comfortably Numb Along with about a hundred others I attended the library presentation on black-tailed deer by Ruth Milne, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife. It promised to be interesting given the obvious problems and  Continue Reading

Samantha Bryner is putting together a birthday party for her mother Mary Francis’ 90th Birthday. It’s at Brickworks on Sunday, December 9th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. All are invited. Please – no gifts (but Mary always appreciates a funny card).

This story was shared with the SJ Update by Jim Carroll… The old NOEL sign had its days… in wind, rain, heat, being blown over several times during rooftop storage and it was ready to be replaced, with a fancy new LED NOEL sign being considered, when a very wise suggestion was made by Town  Continue Reading