The Economic Development Council, an islands non-profit, is hosting a webinar on bankruptcy with Mary Schmitt, attorney at law. Attendees will learn about Title 11 of the United States Code as well as potential changes if the Heroes Act, H.R. 6800, currently under consideration in congress, becomes law. The webinar will be Monday at 2:30PM,  Continue Reading

Local Artists to Feature Original Works at Outdoor Show, Saturday, June 13 Friday Harbor, Washington… A group of San Juan Island artists, members of the Friday Harbor Atelier, will host a Studio Sidewalk Art Show on Saturday, June 13 in front of the Atelier at the corner of Spring Street and Argyle Avenue from 10:00  Continue Reading

Do you find Medicare a mystery? Are you unsure which Medicare plan is best for you? Join SHIBA online for a virtual Medicare 101 class where we will cover the “A, B, C, Ds” of Medicare. Our certified SHIBA volunteers will be available to answer all of your questions. Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 1:00  Continue Reading

Today in the SJ Update mailbag, we have this letter from Lydia Miller… I want to commend Dr Frank James, the Board of Health and County Council, for making the prudent responsible decision to finally allow lodging to reopen. Given that Americans are cautiously emerging from social distancing measures, the fear of crowds descending on  Continue Reading

In order to help support the business community, San Juan County has acquired a stockpile of more than 7,000 simple face coverings to distribute to local businesses. The intent is for small quantities to be on hand in the event customers or clients forget their face covering or otherwise arrive without one. County staff and  Continue Reading

This just in from Amy Scarton, Assistant Secretary, WSDOT/Ferries Division… Earlier this year, we adjusted our schedules in response to a drastic, system-wide drop in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, we decided to keep these service changes in place through June 20. Now that we’re in June, I want you to  Continue Reading

Valmark (Kings Market and Friday Harbor Market Place) and the EDC have created a new Back-to-Business grant program to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.  This fund was created to address our business owners’ desperate need for essential business expenses like rent, for PPE and for pivoting their operations online. Through an application  Continue Reading

On Tuesday May 26th the San Juan County Council approved plans for the production of an Alternative Fair.  The decision was made earlier in May to not host a physical Fair at the San Juan County Fairgrounds, the resting place of the SJC Fair since 1924.  This decision was made with heavy minds and hearts,  Continue Reading

This year began like any other – a little too cold, a little too wet; but quiet, mostly devoid of tourists, and still the sleepy little island community we are used to. Then news spread of a virus on the other side of the world. In late January, the disease hit the US, in Washington  Continue Reading

The Town of Friday Harbor’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is delaying the application process for 2021 tourism promotion grants until later this year. Normally, the application period is open from June through August. Due to current uncertainty regarding this year’s lodging tax revenue, the Town is unable to estimate the amount of funds that  Continue Reading

On Wednesday June 3rd, San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James signed a new order (June 3rd, Order 2020-7) that modifies the previous limits on transient lodging in San Juan County. What are the Details? All transient lodging operators are allowed to operate at 50% capacity, provided they adhere to specific safety guidelines released  Continue Reading

On May 31st we received our first Harbor Seal pup of the season. This is 3-4 weeks earlier than we usually start caring for seals, but this pup came from Ocean Shores on the outer coast of the Olympic Peninsula, where pupping season is earlier than it is around the San Juans. She was seen  Continue Reading

Scott Sluis, Vice President and Senior Loan Officer at Islanders Bank and Board President of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce brings you this latest edition of Chamber Chat: “It’s Time to be Friendly and Nice” Hello Chamber Members and fellow islanders, it’s been a while since we’ve been able to connect in person  Continue Reading

Merri Ann Simonson is back with another San Juan Island information source video. This one provides you with a quick real estate market update.

Shop Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Ordering & Curbside Pickup Still Available  Laura Norris and Griffin Bay Bookstore staff are excited to welcome the community back to the bookstore. Thanks to an outpouring of support, continual messages of encouragement, and steady customer orders, thanks to our community’s spirit of goodwill and recognition  Continue Reading

The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Additional information about each committee is available on the County’s website at: http://sanjuanco.com/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies. Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or Contact the Council  Continue Reading

SJI Historical Museum is back with their History Column for June… Although it’s now been a little over 100 years since the outbreak of the Spanish Flu, many of us grew up hearing a grandparent’s stories of family experiences with the double punch of world war and an influenza pandemic known as the Spanish Flu.  Continue Reading

Response to the discussion about the Land Bank and Affordable Housing REETs. Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Editor, I am writing as Board President of the San Juan Community Home Trust, a non-profit organization on San Juan Island. Our mission is to build and sell permanently affordable housing for ownership, to low and moderate income-qualified islanders.  Continue Reading

The following is shared from the Old Military Road Trail Committee… Hello Fellow Islanders and Hikers, It seems that for many of us, ‘hunkering down’ on San Juan Island has involved enjoying our multitude of trails and even choosing some new trails to explore. If you’ve not yet experienced the American Camp Trail, springtime is  Continue Reading

We’re Online with You! Just in time for Summer Quarter registration, Skagit Valley College is pleased to announce UChat, a new instant chat feature designed to easily connect students and prospective students with our teams in Enrollment Services, Admissions, TRIO Student Services, Athletics, Counseling and Advising, and Student Equity and Inclusion. Accessing UChat is simple:  Continue Reading

Response by Ron Whalen/Sponsor of San Juan County Initiative 2020-10 I request the following be posted to San Juan Update as a response to the letter posted by Alice Hurd on June 1st. Not true…..Neither the initiative or the petition says anything about ending or eliminating the Land Bank (LB) and affordable housing. THE PROPOSED  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update Mailbag today we have this letter from Alice Hurd, Former Trustee of the San Juan Preservation Trust… I am writing to share my concern about an initiative petition being circulated in San Juan County for the purpose of putting a measure on the November ballot to close down the San Juan  Continue Reading