From Open Country Press “Barefoot up the Mountain” by Tara Mesalik MacMahon, a resident of Friday Harbor, Washington is now available. Mesalik MacMahon’s manuscript was chosen by Khaty Xiong, an award-winning and innovative poet. Xiong says of the book, “Barefoot Up the Mountain is a book of songs anchored in family, war, loss and displacement.  Continue Reading

From San Juan County Since the last update on July 22, total cases in San Juan County have increased from 195 to 197. There are approximately 25 close contacts of positive cases currently in active quarantine in San Juan County. Some of these are close contacts of locally confirmed cases, others are close contacts of  Continue Reading

From NW Innovation Resource Center NW Innovation Resource Center is partnering with WA Maritime Blue and CleanTech Alliance to support a cohort of marine and environmentally friendly startups. Building upon the mindset of innovation in the area, the cohort members will have access to assistance from experts to explore the viability of their ideas and  Continue Reading

Hayley Day, San Juan Island Update Helicopters doused and extinguished a roughly 3 acre wildfire likely started by yardwork on San Juan Island Thursday. Since the incident, the county and National Park Service have declared local burn bans.  Fire No one was injured, but two small outbuildings were damaged by Thursday’s fire. Crews received a  Continue Reading

  By Pegi Groundwater, San Juan County SHIBA Volunteer Coordinator   Inter Island Healthcare Foundation is the new Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors sponsor for San Juan County as of July 1. Inter Island replaces SHIBA sponsor Island Hospital.   SHIBA is a public service offered by the Washington State Office of Insurance Commissioner. Volunteers  Continue Reading

From San Juan Community Theatre San Juan Community Theatre’s Outdoor Summer Season comes to a close with “San Juan Sings Again,” a concert featuring four local choral ensemble groups: Island Chordsmen Plus, Sound Vibrations, 3 Dads & a Tenor, and San Juan Singers.  This concert is organized and presented by the newly formed San Juan Island Choral Association, whose mission is to  Continue Reading

From the Town of Friday Harbor There is a growing number of people trespassing in the Trout Lake Watershed. The town of Friday Harbor will assist the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in the identification and prosecution of these individuals. Cameras located throughout the watershed have taken photos of dozens of people walking through the  Continue Reading

From the Washington State Department of Health Safely returning to the classroom for fulltime in-person instruction this school year is important for students, teachers and staff. July 28, the Washington State Department of Health released updated guidance for the 2021-22 school year. DOH’s guidance aims to minimize transmission and maximize in-person instruction and is informed  Continue Reading

From San Juan Community Theatre Earlier in San Juan Community Theatre’s Summer Season, young thespians performed the musical ”Could You Hug A Cactus?”  Now it’s the older kids’ turn to show off their hard work. Kids ages 7-18 have been rehearsing daily to bring canine magic to the stage. With a high-spirited score, lovable characters and  Continue Reading

From town of Friday Harbor The Town of Friday Harbor invites the public to view the installation of a mural along Blair Avenue the first week of August. The mural will be created on the long wall behind Earthbox Inn and Spa. The proposed concept by Poulsbo artists Josh Bennett and Cory Anderson is a  Continue Reading

From San Juan County Economic Development Council Those seeking to enter health care careers, obtain side income while helping their neighbors or boost personal care business are invited to get free Home Care Aide training through a program offered by the Economic Development Council in partnership with Cornerstone Healthcare Training. Students will receive free training,  Continue Reading

San Juan Islands Sculpture Park, an independent 501 (c)(3) non-profit, will be accepting sculpture submissions this summer. All sculptors are welcome to submit works using the guidelines below between June 6th and Aug 11th, 2021. We do not require any biographical material with your submission. Sculptures will be selected on the merits of the art  Continue Reading

From the town of Friday Harbor The RV dump station located in Friday Harbor on Harbor Street (across from the wastewater treatment plant) has been reopened with limited, secured access.   The station has been closed due to a deposit of unknown chemicals in the sewage that proved harmful to treatment processes at the wastewater  Continue Reading

From Alchemy Art Center July Artist in Residence Amy Simons has been hard at work creating an incredibly beautiful series of monotype prints during her time at Alchemy. Come see what she’s created 6-9 p.m. Thursday at a pop-up art show in the dome at 1255 Wold Rd. on San Juan Island. Limited parking is available  Continue Reading

From the town of Friday Harbor The Town of Friday Harbor Planning Commission is seeking public comment through Aug. 12 regarding proposed regulations for attached accessory dwelling units. Visit www.fridayharbor.org or town hall for agendas, meeting information and contact information to forward comments. On June 3, the town council adopted interim regulations allowing attached accessory  Continue Reading

By Pegi Groundwater, San Juan County SHIBA Volunteer Coordinator Are you joining Medicare this year? If so, there’s a lot to learn.   Medicare has its own vocabulary and rules. There are deadlines to meet and penalties (some lasting a lifetime) for not doing things at the right time.  SHIBA volunteers are here to make  Continue Reading

From San Juan County Fairgrounds San Juan County Fairgrounds is hosting a variety of in-person activities this August leading up to and during the county’s virtual fair. Saturday, Aug. 14: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Fair market and plant sale. 6-9 p.m., the Fair Summer Music Series in partnership with Going Left Music presents The Black Tones  Continue Reading

From San Juan County Parks and Fair A new playground will be dedicated to residents and visiting children noon Saturday, Aug. 14 at the Village Green on Orcas Island. The Playground-on-the-Green is a product of Orcas Island’s imagination, energy and funding, and was constructed by Orcas artists Chuck Greening and Zackarya Leck. The playground design,  Continue Reading

Businesses Encouraged, not Mandated to ask Customers to Mask Up From San Juan County As a part of a regional effort to curb the rising infection rates in Washington, San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James recommends that islanders mask up when entering an indoor public space, including businesses, whether vaccinated or not. Local  Continue Reading

From Rep. Rick Larsen’s Office July 21, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced he has secured $10,662,665 for ten Second District projects in the Fiscal Year 2022 House appropriations bills, including nearly $700,000 to repair an eroding Lopez Island road.  “My priority in shaping spending bills is to invest in local communities to create well-paying jobs  Continue Reading

From Island Stage Left Island Stage Left’s July 31 performance of “Much Ado About Nothing” has been canceled. A neighbor has a rock concert that evening and you wouldn’t be able to hear us! Sunshine, humor and love reign eternal in Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “Much Ado About Nothing.” We are setting the story in the  Continue Reading

  From Browne’s Home Center   We’re excited to be hosting DIY classes again!   Browne’s Home Center’s first kids DIY class of the year will be a chalkboard toolbox. Kids will be able to build and paint their own toolbox so they can help fix things around the house, or at least keep all  Continue Reading