Jack Picconi, 75, passed away Sept. 1, 2019, at his home in Friday Harbor, WA. after a year-long battle with cancer. Born Jan 7, 1944 to Jane Antle and Joseph Picconi in Seattle, WA. Jack spent his youth in Fremont, where he was the third generation of his family to call the area home. His  Continue Reading

Here’s this month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum… Local history sometimes includes tales of a decidedly unearthly – or at least spooky – nature. Perhaps the most well-known of this island’s spooky tales are about the Cry Baby House. Once a homestead landmark at False Bay, this house is pictured here in  Continue Reading

The four fire districts of San Juan County have received a regional Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to replace aging personal protective equipment for firefighters and increase compatibility between agencies, maximizing mutual aid throughout our islands while reducing costs to our tax payers. FEMA awarded $923,115 from the Assistance to Firefighters grant to the  Continue Reading

Island Rec’s evening drop-in programs begin this week at Turnbull Gym. Now that it’s getting cooler outside, join us for some indoor fitness. Beginning 09/30/2019 at Turnbull Gym: Monday 7:30-9:30pm – Ping Pong & Pickleball Tuesdays – 7:30-9:30pm – Basketball Wednesdays 7:30-9:30pm –Badminton & Ping Pong Thursdays – 7:30-9:30pm – Pickleball &Volleyball All participants must  Continue Reading

Town of Friday Harbor Planning Commission Positions Available Are you interested in becoming more involved with the community and helping guide the Town’s future development? The Town of Friday Harbor is seeking volunteers to fill vacancies on the Town Planning Commission. The five-member Planning Commission meets regularly and acts as the fact finding agency of  Continue Reading

With the daily news, climate change becomes more of a climate crisis. In his talk, Robert Dash offers observations on how one part of nature–our food–is connected to climate change. The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) program will be presented at the San Juan Island Grange #966 at 152 First Street N in  Continue Reading

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… Recently my sister Betty unearthed a piece of applique needlework that I made in the 80s called “Grandma’s Garden”. It was my fanciful depiction of our grandmother Belle Mullis working in her garden. As kids growing up in the  Continue Reading

Most anything you could ever want at prices you won’t believe. Once again Friday Harbor Kiwanis will be hosting their annual rummage sale Saturday, October 12, from 8:30-11:00 at the Tech Center, corner of Market and Mullis. Proceeds from the sale will benefit island projects. Open your heart as you open your wallet — all  Continue Reading

The Washington State Ferries Fall 2019 Sailing Schedule goes into effect on Sunday, September 29th. You can pick-up a hard copy at the ferry terminals, on the vessels, view it online or use the ferry schedule portion of the WSF app to plan your trip. On Tuesday, Oct. 1, we’ll see changes to ferry fares.  Continue Reading

Vote Counting Equipment Testing October 18 at 11:00 am A “Logic and Accuracy” test of ballot tabulating equipment used in San Juan County for the November 5, 2018 General is scheduled for October 18 at 11:00 a.m. The test works by tallying the results of a prepared set of ballots to see if the results  Continue Reading

Louise Dustrude shares this photo of a beautiful fall afternoon at John O. Linde Community Park. Thanks for sharing mom!

A new Rotary Free Library is now open at Roche Harbor, located near the post office. It was designed and built by Rotarian Paul Mayer and has books gathered by Barb Fagan, Literacy chair.

Growing Up Gorilla with Acclaimed Author Clare Hodgson Meeker at San Juan Island Library On Saturday, Oct 5 at 3 PM Clare Hodgson Meeker will talk about her latest non-fiction book. Growing Up Gorilla tells the true story of a baby gorilla named Yola who lives at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo. At birth, Yola was  Continue Reading

Wendy Waxman Kern shares this notice with you… Now that it is Fall, we are getting to ready a new round of the Strengthening Families Program with the Family Resource Center and Prevention Coalition. Click on the poster at right for more information.

The Town of Friday Harbor is holding a surplus sale for six vehicles. A list of surplus vehicles and bidding form can be found on the Town website at www.fridayharbor.org or by contacting Town Hall in person or by telephone at (360) 378-2810. Items may be viewed October 2nd through October 9th at the Town  Continue Reading

During the recent daytime low tides, Friends of the San Juans and project contractor Zach Crosby of Shaw Island Excavation worked to remove large rock and concrete debris from a stretch of beach on Shaw Island. The project will improve spawning substrate in a year-round forage fish area and compliments similar projects completed in 2017  Continue Reading

Student Film Showcase Added To Friday Harbor Film Festival For its seventh year the Friday Harbor Film Festival is adding an exciting new category of films — the Student Film Showcase. The films entered in the contest for The László Pal Emerging Filmmaker Award, recognizing emerging young talent in filmmaking, will be shown at the  Continue Reading

A Reminder: Skagit Valley College (SVC) is offering a unique self-help program that has become an important bridge between ancient wisdom, Western medicine, and modern life science. Yi Ren Qigong Foundation 1A provides the tools to activate and keep your energetic battery charged to empower your life and allow you to make life changes. The  Continue Reading

Here’s a letter of thanks from the Hospital District… Dear Joyce and Staff, The San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 (SJCPHD #1) wants to formally thank all of you for putting our community’s rehabilitation needs first for the many years you have operated Islanders Physical Therapy & Rehab.   San Juan County residents could  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning there is this letter to the community from Jim and Minnie Knych… Thank you to everyone who has volunteered for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner over the years.  And thank you to all you who have attended to take part in the good will and fellowship of our Community  Continue Reading

The Guard Family Celebrates 130 Years on San Juan Island Guard family members and friends, from the island and beyond, gathered on September 14 to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the family’s arrival on San Juan Island in 1889.  Paul and Elizabeth Guard’s descendants — from the 4th to the 8th generations — were represented. Thanks  Continue Reading

San Juan Island National Historical Park announces its closure of the American Camp Visitor Center effective, September 23rd, 2019. The closing of the visitor center is in preparation of the construction of a new, permanent facility on the site. A double-wide trailer has served the park and millions of visitors over 42 years, and a  Continue Reading