Don’t forget to vote in this year’s Presidential Primary election. Ballots must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, March 10 or returned to a ballot drop box by 8 pm March 10.

There are three parts to your ballot that you must complete.

• 1. Vote for your preferred candidate. Some candidates have dropped out since the ballots were printed so make sure your candidate is still running.
• 2. On the outside of the return envelope you must check either Democratic Party or Republican Party. This is only required for the primary election. 
• 3. Also required on the return envelope is your signature.

With an abundance of caution and respect for the health of our island community, Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor, has canceled our Saint Patrick’s Day Extravaganza annual fundraising event scheduled for Saturday, March 14th. We have come to this difficult decision in light of the San Juan County Public Health Department’s recommendation that gatherings of 10 or more people should be avoided.

We appreciate your ongoing support and are hoping to reschedule a comparable event in the future. Ticket holders for the event and the generous live and silent auction donors will be contacted by a Soroptimist within the next week. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Live stream update on the status of COVID-19 and San Juan County’s response TODAY at 3pm

I wanted to give you all a more detailed update on our School District planning if our island experiences the Coronavirus.  Please know that currently WE HAVE NO KNOWN CASES OF THE CORONAVIRUS IN SAN JUAN ISLAND.

Our County Department of Health is not suggesting that schools should be closed down now…but they are advising against holding meetings of ten or more people.  We take this to mean new people to a group meeting and to that end, we are canceling Friday’s Senior Staff Basketball game, Wednesday’s Community Dinner and our March 26^th Partner’s Luncheon.  They are also advising against non-essential travel off the island.  We are cancelling all field trips, staff travel for trainings and sending sports teams off island as well as other teams coming here.  We will re-evaluate these changes to our practice at the end of March to determine if we need to continue. Continue Reading

Filmmaker Conner Von Kuetzing introduces new work…

Once Upon A Time in the Wasteland – Contributed photo

A new movie, by Can’tStop/Won’tStop Films, is being made in the San Juan Islands this summer! Written and directed by Conner Von Kuetzing and starring Nick Bey, “Once Upon a Time in the Wasteland” is a post-apocalyptic western telling the story of a lone bounty hunter and his toughest contract ever. 

The scope of this project is farther reaching than any other film this group has made before, and because of that a GoFundMe page has been launched to help with the many production expenses necessary to making a film of this sort. 

Please consider contributing to this project and in recognition your name will appear in the movie credits.  You can find the GoFundMe page by following this link Once Upon a Time in the Wasteland Go Fund Me site.   Be sure to follow the Once Upon a Time in the Wasteland Facebook page for more information and receive production updates.  See ya in the wasteland.  

Link to: Once Upon a Time in the Wasteland on Facebook
Link to: Once Upon a Time in the Wasteland Go Fund Me site

Jackie-O is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

Single, mostly-white female seeks companionship, snacks and fashion advice from a like-minded individual.  If you like spunky girls who are fond of treats and like to dress up for fancy occasions, we should meet.  I’m Jackie-O…a fancy, yet simple girl. 

I like snuggling on the sofa, reading Bride magazines and watching British murder mysteries on T.V. while sharing the occasional bag of Cheetos with my very own human.  I’ll be honest.  I’m not crazy about sharing my Cheetos with another dog.  There, I’ve said it! 

I’ll be happiest if I’m the one and only adorable dog in your life.  Let’s make the connection.  Those Cheetos aren’t going to eat themselves.

By Dr. Frank James, Health Officer, San Juan County Health and Community Services 
Mark Tompkins, Director, San Juan County Health and Community Services
Brendan Cowan, Director, San Juan County/Friday Harbor Department of Emergency Management

COVID-19, and the coronavirus that causes it, are dominating the news, our conversations and likely, our imaginations.

Information regarding COVID-19 is developing and changing rapidly. We ask that you recognize the complexity and pace of this situation means that we won’t have all the answers as the understanding of the virus, and how it is spreading in Washington evolves. We’ll share with you where we’re at today and we promise to keep you updated as information changes. This won’t be the last time you hear from us.

As of March 6, 2020, there are no confirmed cases in San Juan County. We hope it stays that way, but much of what is written below is based on what happens if it does not. Continue Reading

International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8th of March every year around the world. Here, island women lead the way at the 2017 Women’s March…

Island Women Lead the Way – Update Archive photo 2017

Two events planned to take place at San Juan Island Public Library “Here’s to the Women” (Wed. March 11 at 7 pm) and the Museum Show and Tell (Wed. March 18) have been cancelled.

Library Events Cancelled

We hear from San Juan County Public Works…

Public Works Example Photo #1 – Contributed photo

Next week (March 9 – 13) San Juan County Public Works will be receiving a barged delivery of chip rock at Jackson’s Beach. Barge offloading operations are expected to occur between the hours of 7am and 5pm.

The chip rock will be temporally stockpiled upland of the beach (adjacent to the hillside) until County paving operations begin in April. No disruptions to Port’s public beach area or traffic on Pear Point Rd is expected at this time.

Example photos of prior events are provided for your information. (Click on photos to enlarge).

Public Works Example Photo #2 – Contributed photo

A Story in Pictures – Contributed photo

After three successful years of free Family Art Days at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) not only is the program offered year-round, but there is a new book available.

A Story in Pictures book honors the work and talent of many families who choose to spend Saturday afternoons at SJIMA.

This booklet weaves a story of the power of artistic expression to influence young and old alike. Some of the best artwork from last year’s Family Art Days program (FAD) is beautifully presented in this 20-page booklet. Charming poetry by instructor Lana Hickman accompanies the art and photos.

SJIMA invites everyone to find inspiration exploring joyful and striking images contributed by children, their parents and  grandparents to the project. The booklet is readily available in SJIMA for $15.95 during regular museum hours. The FAD series is sponsored by Suzy Wakefield, King’s Market, and the San Juan Island Community Foundation.

For a complete schedule of FAD go to www.sjima.org and look under LEARN.

Sales of A Story in Pictures will help the FAD program purchase art materials and ensure that every talent will find hers or his artistic expression..

Friday Harbor Film Festival Best of the Fest Winner Winter Series presents The Biggest Little Farm, by award winning film director John Chester. San Juan Island Food Co-Op manager Kristin will be present for Q&A: Why we support local family farms and how that sustains our island community. Don’t miss this “fresh air for the soul” showing Tuesday, March 17 at the Grange.

Don’t miss The Gothard Sisters preforming this Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 pm at the San Juan Community Theatre. 

The Gothard Sisters – Contributed photo

The Gothard Sisters are a dynamic musical group of three sisters who play contemporary Celtic music. Through 10 years performing, touring and writing music together, the optimistic style of their music and performances continue to resonate with their fans, building a loyal international following.

The Gothard Sisters – Contributed photo

San Juan County will be hosting a live stream update on the status of COVID-19 and San Juan County’s response on Monday March 9th at 3pm

The San Juan Island Library District (www.sjlib.org) is seeking a dynamic, enthusiastic, experienced individual to oversee and direct a capital campaign for building a new library on scenic San Juan Island.  The successful candidate will work with the District’s Board and Library Director to develop a capital campaign strategy, organize and train capital campaign volunteers, and plan and organize fundraising activities necessary to meet the District’s fund-raising goals.  Complete job description available at http://www.sjlib.org/employment

Initially, the position will be a part-time (i.e., 24 hours per week) salaried contract (no benefits) of limited duration, renewable as needed with anticipated increases in hours; workdays are both traditional and non-traditional as necessary to support events and other activities.  This position reports to Library Director.  Salary: TBD. Continue Reading