By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc Median and average prices, transaction volume and the number of pending sales are up. Inventory, days on the market and percentage of negotiations off the list price are down. This is an incredibly strong seller’s market. The second-quarter results, which complete the first  Continue Reading

From San Juan Preservation Trust The San Juan Preservation Trust recently acquired the 42-acre Keel Preserve on Orcas Island. Public benefits include the high-quality forest (including many old-growth trees), wetlands, seasonal creek and waterfall, connected habitat, scenic views. Acquisition of the Keel property builds on the success of a neighborhood-conservation effort that began in 1998.  Continue Reading

From San Juan Islands Museum of Art Join the San Juan Islands Museum of Art while nationally known educator, author and counselor Dr. Kellie Kirksey shares her stories and poetry. With passion and dedication, Kirksey advocates for peace, wellness, and equality. This is a shared event with the support of the health and social justice  Continue Reading

From the town of Friday Harbor The Town of Friday Harbor will replace three sidewalk trees on Spring Street at First and Second Streets due to significant sidewalk upheaval caused by overgrown root systems. Installation of new shade trees appropriate for downtown sidewalk areas will eliminate the potential for root intrusion and the resulting trip  Continue Reading

From WaterWorks Gallery For the 2021 show season, the gallery continues the concept of the “art aisle.” The gallery dedicates a specific area on a monthly basis to host a new body of work that highlights artists from the Pacific Northwest. The gallery is pleased to present the second Art Aisle for Toni Santos and  Continue Reading

From the town of Friday Harbor The town of Friday Harbor has withdrawn its request that residents and businesses curtail water usage during a recent streak of extreme temperatures. The town anticipated excessive water demand during the recent heat wave that temporarily affected water tank reserves critical for firefighting. At no time was there a  Continue Reading

This tribute to Stuart is presented with love on the sixth-month anniversary of his passing by the Burgess family. You never quite knew what to expect from Stuart. In a world that often tries to mold us into conformity, Stuart was as unique as the stars in the sky. Stuart Phillip Jacobson was born Nov.  Continue Reading

From the San Juan County Fairgrounds  Join the fun this weekend, as the San Juan County Fairgrounds hosts a variety of activities. Saturday, July 10: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Fair Market and Plant Sale 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Entry intake for the Fine Arts Department at the Marie Boe Building 6-9 p.m., Fair Summer Music Series in  Continue Reading

From Island Stage Left “Much Ado About Nothing,” Shakespeare’s wittiest comedy, is Island Stage Left theater company’s celebratory re-opening production, premiering 8 p.m., Thursday, July 8 on the outdoor stage, 1062 Wold Road. “I love it after COVID because it’s got a happy ending,” said stage director Helen Machin-Smith. “It feels like a joyous play,  Continue Reading

From the San Juan Community Theatre Director Margaret Hall will hold auditions for ‘Mamma Mia!’ 2 p.m. Sunday, July 11. They will be at the Whittier auditorium at San Juan Community Theatre. All necessary health precautions will be observed. Due to the postponement of the production in 2020, some cast members are unable to participate.  Continue Reading

From the Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor The Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor is happy to announce Cindy Hansen as the volunteer of the month for July 2021. Cindy is an island legend, known far and wide for her nurturing abilities of infant kittens of all ages until they are ready for adoption.  Continue Reading

From the San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Office Fire danger is high in San Juan County. Refrain from burning campfires. If you must have a fire, have water on site, do not leave the fire unattended,and put it. Soak the fire with water, stir, soak again. Commercial burn permits All commercial burn permits require online  Continue Reading

From Friday Harbor Atelier Meet the artists and view new work at the Friday Harbor Atelier’s Summer Open House from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, July 8 at 331 Spring St. in Friday Harbor. The Friday Harbor Atelier now has 11 member artists. Look for their work at our open houses this spring and summer, and learn  Continue Reading

From San Juan Community Theatre San Juan Community Theatre’s pay-what-you-can, outdoor summer season is up and running. Taking place at the San Juan County Fairgrounds, the innovative summer season features live, in-person music and theater performances through Aug. 28. Coming next is Broadway star and island favorite Ben Jeffrey in concert 7 p.m. July 17.  Continue Reading

Negative Lodging Tax Funds in 2020, to the Best Year in Land Bank History in 2021 By F. Milene Henley, San Juan County Auditor I have always been amazed by four-way stops. Drivers learn as teens to negotiate these tricky, cooperative intersections, and most of us never forget. It’s a marvel of social engineering. This  Continue Reading

From San Juan Master Chorale San Juan Master Chorale, conducted by Amber Lauridsen, will perform Handel’s “Messiah” Dec. 18 and 19. Auditions for both chorus and soloists are 1-5 p.m. Sunday, July 11 and 4-7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, July 13 and 14 at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church. Casting for both soloists and chorus. If  Continue Reading

Microplastics and Mussel Poops By Lyda Harris Lyda Harris completed her PhD with Emily Carrington in 2020 in the Department of Biology at UW. For her dissertation — much of it done at FHL — she studied 1) the impacts of microplastic vs silt on marine mussel filtration rates, 2) how microplastics affect the benthic-pelagic  Continue Reading

By San Juan Update staff Dena Royal, of San Juan Island, had a front seat to the Fourth of July fireworks display in Friday Harbor. Check out her contributed photos of the “red, white and booms” over the harbor. 

False Bay on New Year’s at sunset. Steve Martin, Contributed.  Keep Dogs on Leashes By Dr. Megan Dethier, Director, Friday Harbor Labs About a year ago, we wrote about increased use of University of Washington properties during the governor’s stay-at-home orders. This heavy use has continued, and now with summer upon us and relaxed covid  Continue Reading

The Allure of Gold, Part 2 “Freezer-Burned: Tales of Interior Alaska” is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Steve Ulvi. When Pappy Scoggins parked his modified school bus at the old boat landing in Eagle, Alaska he never imagined the grousing by locals accustomed to using that area to load boats,  Continue Reading

From San Juan County The San Juan County Community Development department will be open to the public beginning on July 6. The front counter will be open for walk-in traffic from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and by appointment from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Traffic in the lobby will be limited to two parties — one at each counter.  Continue Reading