Topic: People

Bald Eagle

Written on May 4, 2020 at 9:21 am, by

Local photographer Kevin Holmes shares this photo of a Bald Eagle he photographed a few days ago. Great shot Kevin – Thanks for sharing!

Your Dose of “Awww” for Today

Written on April 29, 2020 at 9:05 am, by

Kevin Holmes shares these photos of his new neighbors. In his words: “I have a momma fox with four babies living around the corner from my house. Though you might need your daily dose of “Awww”… Thanks for sharing Kevin!

Letter from Eileen Drath

Written on April 16, 2020 at 9:23 am, by

In the Mailbag this morning we find this letter from Eileen Drath… Dear Editor, During this time of coronavirus unrest, there are some particularly comforting aspects of living in San Juan County.  Right at the top is our San Juan County Land Bank. We are fortunate to have land set aside in perpetuity.  We have  Continue Reading

Remaining Rooted: A Sense of Place

Written on April 15, 2020 at 11:38 am, by

In the San Juan Update mailbag today we have this letter from Brandon Cadwell and Erin Wygant… When we’re faced with uncertainty, we seek a sense of rootedness. How do we ground ourselves? We might ask, “What is it that gives me a sense of place?” For some, it’s the sweeping views of the Olympic  Continue Reading

Also, Grief

Written on April 9, 2020 at 5:45 am, by

Deb Langhans shares some thoughts with you on grief… Last April 3rd, the San Juan Update posted an “invitation” for me about an online “ITM (In This Moment) Circle” I hope to start soon as another way fellow islanders can “come together” and co-create a “glass half full” virtual gathering each week during this COVID-19  Continue Reading

New Middle School/High School Principal

Written on April 6, 2020 at 3:13 pm, by

San Juan Island School District is pleased to announce the selection of the new middle school/high school principal to begin in July in time for next school year. Principal Martin Yablonovsky and his family will be moving to the island from Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Yablonovsky has served for the past fourteen years as  Continue Reading

Friday Harbor Labs April 2020 Tide Bite

Written on April 6, 2020 at 5:48 am, by

Greetings, This month’s Tide Bite chronicles a not-that-unusual career progression for Friday Harbor Labs’ scientists: going from a student in a course, to a student doing their own research, to teaching here themselves, to having their own graduate students come to learn the trade!  We love these multi-“generational” ties.  Beth Brainerd is one we are  Continue Reading

Deb Langhans Offers A Special Invitation…

Written on April 3, 2020 at 5:49 am, by

Deb has added a quick addendum to this announcement… Hello again, Islanders! Due to current “Zoombombing” & possibly still unresolved privacy issues during Zoom meetings, I’ve decided to keep researching online options for the “ITM Circle” I proposed in the posting (below), I’m hoping those interested in the Circle will still contact me so I  Continue Reading

WSU Master Gardeners Provide Horticultural Resources

Written on April 1, 2020 at 5:35 am, by

San Juan County has over 70 WSU Master Gardener volunteers who are trained as horticulture educators. Due to COVID-19 and related Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, we will not be in the community this spring as usual, but are available to answer questions about food gardening, fruit tree care, landscape plants, pollinators and more.  To  Continue Reading

Rumor Control: Check Your Sources

Written on March 27, 2020 at 6:24 pm, by

FRIDAY MARCH 27: The San Juan County COVID-19 Response Team has been notified by Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor that an email is being forwarded within the San Juan Island Community that makes reference to “…six confirmed cases of the COVID 19 virus here in Friday Harbor. The info I have is from an  Continue Reading

Siri Thorson, Letter From An Islander In France

Written on March 20, 2020 at 12:40 pm, by

I am a resident of San Juan County. I grew up on one of the small non-ferry islands, and members of my family including my parents still live there. Currently I am in a small town about 40 miles southeast of Paris. I was here visiting my boyfriend who is French when the COVID-19 outbreak  Continue Reading

A Message From Dr. Fishaut, Eventide Health Pediatrician

Written on March 19, 2020 at 5:30 am, by

To the families and children for whom I provide care:   While there are still no proven cases of COVID-19 infection on San Juan Island, it is prudent for me to step away from seeing patients at this time. So, in an abundance of caution for myself as a higher risk individual, my family, and  Continue Reading

Farmer’s Market Stays Open, Takes Measures For Public Health

Written on March 13, 2020 at 3:40 pm, by

Dear San Juan Island Market Shoppers, As a small island community, there is a growing concern here in San Juan County regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which has all of us thinking about the precautions we need to take to stay healthy. As an organization rooted in community connections and health, we  Continue Reading

Volunteers of the Month: Melina and Ottilie

Written on March 5, 2020 at 5:27 am, by

The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor is happy to announce that Melina Lagios and her canine companion, Ottilie are the March Volunteers of the Month. Melina and Ottilie have been volunteering at the shelter for several months for doggie play dates and socialization.  Thanks so much, Melina and Ottilie, for making a difference in  Continue Reading

A Particularly Interesting Women’s History Month

Written on March 4, 2020 at 5:48 am, by

Here’s this month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum… Our March history columns generally feature one or more of our community’s women, as March 8 is International Women’s Day and the entire month is known as Women’s History Month. This year marks two significant, national level Centennials in our history where  Continue Reading

Stephanie Buffum Retires From The Friends of the San Juans

Written on March 3, 2020 at 4:58 am, by

Starting this month Stephanie Buffum has retired from her position of nineteen years as Executive Director of the Friends of the San Juans. “Our local communities and the Salish Sea ecosystem have benefited from Stephanie’s leadership,” said Friends President Janet Alderton. “The Board is enormously grateful for her nearly two decades of dedicated service.” Alderton  Continue Reading