Island Rec is offering a new installment of swim lessons this fall for various ages and skill levels. Our featured class is: All Swim (Ages 6+). The only prerequisite of this class is a desire to be a better swimmer. Multiple instructors take your child to the next level. There is structured time for water  Continue Reading

OLYMPIA–The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office is recruiting for two new members for its Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, which awards grants to improve parks, trails, boating amenities and access to shorelines. It also awards grants to conserve working lands, such as farms and forests, and to protect pristine wildlife and natural areas. During  Continue Reading

Skagit Valley College Skagit/Islands Head Start (SIHS) is pleased to announce that they have received a notice of award from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start and will receive a grant totaling $7,817,445 for Early Head Start and Head Start. The five-year grant runs from  Continue Reading

The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister  San Juan Island fans of Northwest author Erica Bauermeister take note: She’s returning to the island on Wednesday, August 28, 7:00 pm at the Library to present her latest novel, The Scent Keeper. Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Island Library are thrilled to host Erica again and  Continue Reading

Peter Kilpatrick has sold Ravenhill Construction, Inc. to longtime employees Credence Ross, Mike Murphy and Orion Powell. Peter will continue in a management role as a consultant for two years. This will allow the new partners to focus on supervision and completion of their individual construction projects and ensure a smooth transition. Ravenhill has been  Continue Reading

The Fall edition of America’s Boating Course will be starting September 11th and running for four Wednesday evenings at Skagit Valley College from 6:30-9:30 pm. This is a good way to get the Washington State Boaters Education Card and we include On-the-Water-Training as part of the course. A comprehensive boating information manual is also included  Continue Reading

Local Music, Locally Sourced Food, Local Garden Setting Join us Friday and Saturday evenings from 4:00 to 7:00 for an evening of local music and local food thoughtfully prepared. Our Garden Patio is open and it is a wonderful setting for listening to local music and enjoying your evening. Reservations Recommended – 360-317-7178 or cynthiasofcourse@gmail.com  Continue Reading

This September marks Archipelago Collective’s fifth anniversary performing exhilarating and world-class classical music on San Juan Island. Our 2019 festival week will present five concerts in a celebration of chamber music both old and very new. Our musicians are unparalleled virtuosi who come from across the country, and this year you’ll be able to hear  Continue Reading

Merri Ann Simonson checks in with another article covering real estate news… Excise Tax Increase, Decrease and Shift There will be a major change in real estate excise tax taking effect January 1, 2020 for the State of Washington.  I have provided a link below to the Senate Bill which created this change to a  Continue Reading

Open Doors Program to start at Griffin Bay School this fall San Juan Island School District announces the opening of the “Open Doors Program”. This student re-engagement program will begin on Tuesday September 9, 2019. The “Open Doors Program” is a student re-engagement system that provides education and services to older youth, ages 16-21, who  Continue Reading

Time to put away your Fair ribbons and head to San Juan Vineyard, THIS Saturday, August 24 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, for the 13th annual Concours d’Élégance. This year, the Concours will include the raffle of a Tesla (child’s size) electric vehicle and silent auction of car memorabilia. Lunch will be served under  Continue Reading

Alchemy Art Center will host Fountainsun for a return performance almost one year later on Saturday, August 24th at 8pm.  The show will take place in the Dome at Alchemy Art Center located at 1255 Wold Rd, Friday Harbor. A $10 donation is requested at the door.  Parking is limited, please carpool. Fountainsun is the  Continue Reading

Friday Harbor Film Festival is proud and excited to announce that the Andrew V. McLaglen Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented posthumously to Paul G. Allen for his outstanding contributions to the art of documentary filmmaking, television, and media. The award presentation, to be held during the Festival’s Opening Night Gala on October 25 at  Continue Reading

Come to the Sidewalk Sale at the Mullis Center, Saturday August 24 from 9am to 2pm for bargains on a wide array of household and kitchen goods, vintage/collectible items (including a steamer trunk), luggage, and more. The League of Women Voters of the San Juans sponsors candidate forums, programs, and voter registration in order to  Continue Reading

In the San Juan Update mailbag this morning we have this letter from Louise Dustrude… I was happy to see Steve Ulvi’s excellent, detailed defense of the Land Bank in the San Juan Update. I too have long appreciated the Land Bank for its preservation of beautiful public lands and for its careful stewardship of  Continue Reading

Blood Drive Thursday at the Mullis Center Undeterred by Roadwork  “I want to make sure folks know that it’s still happening even though we expect the parking lot and Nash Street to be closed to traffic. Donors will need to park on Market Street or elsewhere and walk-in to the Center.” Anna Coffelt, Mullis Center  Continue Reading

This story was contributed by Laurie’s aunt Carol Meyer… There are very few people in this world that have a “heart and soul” such as Laurie Paul. On August 20th, that heart and soul will be recognized by many living in Friday Harbor as they gather to celebrate her 50th birthday. Fortunately for Friday Harbor,  Continue Reading

Fellow Film Buffs,  Well this year’s film series is approaching its end.  I want to thank all of you for meeting us at the movies and supporting your local theatre.  As you know, for the past two years, we have not charged for admission, preferring a “pay what you can” model that encourages more of  Continue Reading

Heidi Mathisen is the winner of the ACE Food Preserver Award in the Food Preservation Department at the San Juan County Fair. Ace Hardware donated a Food Saver Vacuum Sealer as a special award to the Food Preservation Department as the grand prize in the Food Preservation Department This special award goes to the exhibitor  Continue Reading

Island Rec’s Free Movie in the Park 2019 is right around the corner – this Saturday evening, August 24th, beginning at dusk in Sunken Park. We are showing Wreck It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet. In this sequel to, “Wreck It Ralph” arcade residents Ralph and Vanelope, now friends, discover a Wi-fi router in  Continue Reading

In the San Juan Update mailbag today we find this letter from Steve Ulvi… Tilting with Windmills on San Juan Island I am compelled to respond to a recent inflammatory opinion piece by the editor in one of our local media outlets. And now another in the last few days. The gist of these is  Continue Reading

Island Haven Animal Sanctuary is willing to facilitate the rehoming of any baby turtles won at the fair by children who now can’t take care of them. We have community members with turtle experience ready to take them in, and we can take them as was well if necessary. We would like the public to  Continue Reading