Just a reminder that the San Juan County Fire Chiefs, in coordination with the San Juan County Fire Marshall and San Juan County Department of Emergency Management have issued a temporary, short-term fire ban for all activities beginning today, Monday, September 7, 2020 through to 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2020. The burn ban  Continue Reading

We hear from Curt Van Hyning… The response to the survey from San Juan Islands Shuttle Service is clear. The RoundTowner free ride service which operates on San Juan Island will now be called IslandRides. The more inclusive name corresponds to expanded service. Rides are now available throughout San Juan Island and will soon be  Continue Reading

This Labor Day while you enjoy a socially distant backyard BBQ, beach picnic with family or some peaceful solitude, please take a moment to give a special thanks to the essential workers of our community who have kept us safe, healthy, fed, informed, and transported here and there throughout these trying times.  THANK YOU!

San Juan County Fire Chiefs, in coordination with the San Juan County Fire Marshall and San Juan County Department of Emergency Management have issued a temporary, short-term fire ban for all activities beginning at midnight on Monday, September 7, 2020 through to 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2020. The burn ban will be in  Continue Reading

Good news from the Center for Whale Research… click image to enlarge… On Saturday, September 5, 2020, J pod was reported near the ODAS buoy off Dungeness Spit in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca in US waters. Another large group of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales was a few miles away near  Continue Reading

Friday Harbor Film Festival presents… 2020 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour…  On-Demand September 1-30, 2020, Cost: $10 The 2020 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour (Virtual Version) is a 80-minute theatrical program of 6 short films selected from this year’s Festival. Widely considered the premier American showcase for short films and the launchpad for many now-prominent independent  Continue Reading

Thanks to John Miller for capturing this sunrise image… click to enlarge photo…

Lately I’ve noticed islanders having perennial conversations regarding certain place names. Is English Camp “British” Camp? Of course not. Its English Camp and always has been (in my not so humble opinion – Peggy Sue here). When did Mt Young get demoted to Young Hill? Is it Granny’s Cove or Grandma’s? Locals call it Granny’s  Continue Reading

Robin Donnelly for the Old Military Road Trail Committee… What a great time to be exploring our trails. Covid seems to have made us all more aware of the healing power of nature and our fortunate ability to be part of it. As summer is waning, fall colors are taking over for the vibrancy of  Continue Reading

Prevention Coalition selects WINNERS for the “Let’s Face It! Wear A Mask!” Contest!      We want to thank our prevention partners: San Juan Island Community Foundation, Coalition for Orcas Youth, Lopez Island Prevention Coalition, and Kings Market for supporting these efforts!   Our Rock Solid youth stepped up to help encourage their peers to  Continue Reading

Theatre News from Executive Director Nathan Kessler-Jeffery… Link to: San Juan Community Theatre 

From San Juan Community Theatre…     Join us for auditions for SJCT’s new webseries, “Friday Harbor Happenings!“   This new, digital work is a satirical sketch comedy show with an ensemble cast, created by San Juan Community Theatre for our beloved local community. The writers hope the episodes will bring a smile and some  Continue Reading

The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Additional information about each committee is available on the County’s website at: Board and Committee Vacancies. Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or  Continue Reading

SJI Historical Museum is back with their History Column for September… September is traditionally when we devote the history column to something related to “back to school days.” We have featured students, schoolhouses, and teachers of many different eras. Since this is such an unusual year for all our students and teachers, we thought it appropriate  Continue Reading

We hear from Francis Smith, Retired Sr. EMT & Fire Captain (25 years)… The San Juan Island Public Hospital District #1 (PHD) recently announced a surprise reorganization of San Juan Island EMS. Chief Karl Kuetzing has been removed and the PHD Superintendent is now in charge of the agency. The published announcement is a study in  Continue Reading

Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor is pleased to announce its 2020 educational award winners.    The Live Your Dream Award, a worldwide signature Soroptimist program, is given to a woman who is the primary wage earner in her household and enrolled in an undergraduate degree or vocational skills program.  This year’s recipient is Maricela Lomeli. Maricela  Continue Reading

September 1, 2020 — San Juan County has created a Small Business Relief Grant program that will launch on September 1, 2020, to assist for-profit businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.  Funding for this program comes from CARES Act money received by the County.  Awards will range up to $5,000 for eligible San Juan County  Continue Reading

From Orcas Fire and Rescue… Orcas Island Fire and Rescue personnel responded to multiple reports of smoke in the 4000-block of Point Lawrence Road on the afternoon of August 24. Crews quickly triangulated a slow-moving wildland fire with aerial support provided by local pilot Pat Muffett. After completing a size-up the fire was determined to  Continue Reading

OLYMPIA–On Sept.1, eligible organizations may begin applying for grants to conserve community forests, the Recreation and Conservation Office announced today. The new state Community Forests Program will offer grants of up to $3 million. But organizations need to hurry. Applications are due Oct. 1. The grants must be used to buy at least 5 acres  Continue Reading

We hear from Tanja at the Land Bank… Make some room in your freezer – deer hunting is open for early and general seasons only at Lopez Hill and Mount Grant Preserves. Specific dates are as follows: Archery: September 1 -25 Muzzle loader: September 26 – October 4 Modern Firearm: October 17 – November 1 Be  Continue Reading

One of the first things on anybody’s list of how to live a good life pandemic or not is to get some physical exercise. For me this can be a challenge in the best of times. Being quarantined by myself has made finding the motivation to get moving nearly impossible, nearly, but not entirely. I  Continue Reading

Missing / Highway of Tears – The highway refers to a short stretch of Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Prince George, where 18 girls, almost all Aboriginal, were murdered. On the piece of highway from Vancouver to Edmonton RCMP records show that over 200 people have disappeared on this route. The Highway of Tears is an installation of individual  Continue Reading