An introduction to the benefits of natives and a review of plants available for order in the Native Plant Sale. Presented by Jane Wentworth, botanist, native plant enthusiast and Master Gardener Saturday, January 11, from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the San Juan Island Grange, Friday Harbor Order plants at the Workshop and online at  Continue Reading

Do you know an elementary school child who loves building with LEGOS? We do! The San Juan Island Library and San Juan Island 4-H are happy to announce a special LEGO Club this winter for children in grades K-5th. The LEGO Club will meet weekly in the Library meeting room afterschool on Thursdays for six  Continue Reading

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) is proud to announce the successful launch of the Knowledge Worker Network initiative started in 2019.  Last year, the EDC worked to build out a new program to support San Juan County residents who work primarily with information – “knowledge workers” – by providing them a network  Continue Reading

San Juan County Parks Camping Reservation Information for Year-Round Residents San Juan County Parks & Fair is again offering advance camping reservations for people who reside in our county year ‘round! Choose from San Juan County Park, San Juan County Fairgrounds (RVs only), Odlin County Park, and Shaw County Park for any dates in 2020.  Continue Reading

The U.S. Census Bureau is kicking off peak hiring efforts for the 2020 Census. A representative from the Census Bureau will be available at Skagit Valley College – San Juan Center 221 Weber Way Friday Harbor, WA on Tuesday, Jan 14th from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Get information on how to become a Census  Continue Reading

The Friday Harbor Power Squadron will be offering “America’s Boating Course” at Skagit Valley College on 4 Sunday afternoons – January 12, 19, 26 and February 2nd from 1:00-4:00 PM. (note: the last class on Feb. 2nd (SuperBowl Sunday) can be rescheduled if the class desires). This is a basic comprehensive course covering all aspects  Continue Reading

Pastel for the Joy of It- Mini Workshop From the 16th century to the 21st, pastel has amazed and delighted artists and art patrons alike. Join award winning pastel artist, Cinda Sue Dow for a day of fun, exploring this versatile and vibrant medium. Learn about different pastels and pastel papers. Explore various techniques of  Continue Reading

The Town is now accepting applications for the AWC Center for Quality Communities Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is available through a statewide competitive process for students who are actively engaged in their city government and/or community and plan to attend post-secondary school in fall 2020. Up to six $1500 scholarships will be awarded. As a  Continue Reading

Local Severe Weather Shelter is prepared for upcoming freezing temperatures The United Way of San Juan County’s Severe Weather Shelter Team is prepared to be open for upcoming forecasted freezing temperatures starting next week.  Volunteer hosts have been notified, and the team is going to do everything possible to ensure the criteria for this temporary  Continue Reading

Leading soprano Hui He portrays the heartbreaking title role of the doomed geisha, with tenor Andrea Carè as the American naval officer who abandons her. Paulo Szot plays the role of Sharpless, and Elizabeth DeShong is Suzuki. Pier Giorgio Morandi is on the podium for Anthony Minghella’s sweeping production, a perennial audience favorite. Sunday, January  Continue Reading

Washington State Ferries’ winter schedule begins Sunday, January 5, and is in effect through Saturday, March 28. Service between Anacortes, Friday Harbor and Sidney, B.C. is suspended for the winter. The Anacortes/San Juan Island routes will operate three vessels on weekends (no dedicated inter-island vessel), with four vessels in service on weekdays. Please check the  Continue Reading

Well hello and a Happy New Year to you!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday season, with all your friends and family around you.  I just love that kind of company myself, the more the merrier in my book!  And if you happen to have made a resolution to spend some quality time with  Continue Reading

Dear Fabulous Community Members, Happy 2020!!! As the San Juan Island School District enters into the year 2020, we are excited to share a new and actionable district strategic plan. Four Strategic Planning teams (mixed teams of staff, parents and community members) met throughout the fall to look at current and desired perceptions of our  Continue Reading

The Town will collect Christmas trees for residents inside Town limits on Thursday, January 9, 2020. Trees must be placed at the curb no later than 9:00 a.m. and must be separate from other unbundled trash and woody waste. To ensure the success of the tree recycling program, please remove the tree stand and all  Continue Reading

Island Rec shares the race results for their 5th Annual Resolution Run 5k and Salish Splash… It was a great turn-out of 54 registered runners, the largest Resolution Run thus far! We had plenty of runners and walkers that enjoyed the good weather at Jackson Beach. A few brave participants jumped into the waters for  Continue Reading

Weaving Art and Science to Create Ocean Tapestries In the early 1990’s, Véronique Robigou and John Delaney were exploring the bottom of the ocean in the deep-diving Submarine ALVIN off the Pacific Northwest Coast. There, they discovered a spectacular 135 ft tall sulfide structure spewing 700° F fluids out of the sea floor atop an  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag today we find this letter from Bob & Shannon Wilson… (Note: This has been updated since it was first published) On February 11th our community will be voting on a replacement capitol & technology levy for our schools. Vote YES for our schools! This is NOT a new tax, but  Continue Reading

Last year, Susan Dietrich Schneider, internationally known as The Space Lady, played the dome at Alchemy Art Center on San Juan Island.  Whether folks already knew of her 20-year musical career or were simply curious about someone with a name like The Space Lady, community response on the night of the show was overwhelming.  As  Continue Reading

On Saturday the 21st of December, St. David’s Episcopal Church hosted a standing room only audience for a performance of A European Village Christmas, a concert of carols, hymns, and anthems from France, Scandinavia, and Germany. Those attending contributed over $3,000 to benefit both the Family Resource Center and the Friday Harbor Food Bank. On  Continue Reading

San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD) is now accepting eligibility applications for detached ADU permits proposed outside of urban growth areas and activity centers. ADU eligibility applications must be received no later than 4:30 pm February 10, 2020.   In 2020, six eligibility slots are allowed for the construction of new ADUs and  Continue Reading

Here’s this month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum… When this editorial cartoon appeared in the November 24, 1949 issue of the Friday Harbor Journal, no one could have foreseen what was to come. It heralded the beginning of one doozy of a severe winter from Old Man Winter or more scientifically,  Continue Reading

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… Whether the New Year brings with it a desire to counter the indulgences of the holidays or an ongoing intention to retain and improve your health and well being, the Mullis Center’s regular classes; Gentle Yoga, Chair Yoga, both  Continue Reading