Jennifer Elise has been appointed the director of the San Juan Islands…
Would you like to know what the economy will bring in the…
Friday Harbor Dentist Bo Turnage and staff nurse Amber Anderson have earned…
Need to get the word out about your business, but don’t have…
Williamson is the former director of banks for the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, which regulates all Washington State chartered banks, trust companies and business development companies.
The loans can offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by excessive rain, frosts, freezes, unseasonably cold weather and high winds since April 2010.
Independent and local bookstore customers in Friday Harbor no longer have to choose between reading digital and supporting their local bookstore – Griffin Bay Bookstore is now selling Google eBooks online at www.griffinbaybook.com.
Gigi Zakula has another hat to wear at Islanders Insurance. As of Jan. 1, Zakula has joined Kerwin and Margaret Johnson as co-owner of the Friday Harbor-based insurance company. Zakula, who first joined the company in 1991, has worked as an agent, underwriter and claims handler, and in 2007 took on the position as the agency's manager.
Westcott Bay Cider has new partners — and big new plans. Suzy and Hawk Pingree are now partners with Richard Anderson at Westcott Bay Cider, near Roche Harbor on Anderson Lane. Westcott Bay Cider makes traditional hard cider from antique apples grown in Anderson's orchard on Westcott Bay. Their prize-winning English-style cider is crisp, clean, refreshing and low in alcohol, and is available at all island grocery stores and in Seattle.
Richard Walker, editor of The Journal of the San Juan Islands since November 1999, has been named editor of the North Kitsap Herald, a sister newspaper headquartered in Poulsbo. His last day at The Journal is Jan. 11.
Tom Kirschner is the new executive director of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce. He succeeds Vernadel Peterson, who resigned effective Oct. 15 to become promotions manager of the Lifeline program at Providence Centralia Hospital. Kirschner's priorities: Support member businesses on the island and help them improve their bottom line.
Island Group Sotheby's International Realty will move from the former San Juan Inn to another site in town in January. Windermere Real Estate may move to the Sotheby's site from its offices on Spring and First streets. The Sotheby's building, 50 Spring St., is one of the oldest buildings in Friday Harbor. It was built circa 1880 and operated as an inn until 2005, when it was purchased and restored by Friday Harbor Realty owners Greg and Natalie King. Friday Harbor Realty moved there after the restoration; RE/MAX bought Friday Harbor Realty in 2008 and became a Sotheby's International Realty franchise. The Kings still own 50 Spring St.
The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild has hired Adam Eltinge as construction manager for the Brickworks Project, 150 Nichols St., Friday Harbor. Eltinge and his wife, Deanna (Sundstrom), recently moved back to Friday Harbor to make their home and raise their two children. Eltinge has a degree in construction management and business from Washington State University, worked for a major commercial developer in the Seattle area, and most recently led the renovation of historic carriage houses in Portland.
The county jobless rate is 6 percent, 3 percent lower than the state's jobless rate. Sales tax revenue in Friday Harbor is down but lodging tax revenues are up. And some new local businesses have emerged. Could the local economy be saying, "Damn the empty storefronts, full speed ahead?" Perhaps it's too early to tell. But businesses are opening, expanding, moving to larger quarters. Here's a few of the latest.
Thanksgiving may have brought an unseasonable amount of snow, but shoppers still came out for Black Friday. Several Friday Harbor businesses said sales on the day after Thanksgiving — the kickoff to the holiday shopping season — went as well if not better than last year. “It was really great,” said Laura Norris of Griffin Bay Book Store. Norris said she has read that the nation’s financial status is starting to improve, and took the good Friday turnout as a sign that “maybe things have plateaued ... people want to get back to life.”
Life Care Center of the San Juan Islands has a new executive director, Aaron Marson. "I am very excited to have Aaron join the dynamic team in Friday Harbor," said Dan Murray, vice president of Life Care Centers of America's Cascades Region, which encompasses seven facilities in Washington. "His enthusiasm, coupled with his intelligence, will be a great fit for this community."
Edward Ranck-Copher joined Boundary Water, Inc. of Friday Harbor as principal surveyor in July. A professional land surveyor for 20 years, Ranck-Copher brings to Boundary Water more than a decade of experience in managing survey teams, as well as a professional background that includes a wide range of expertise.
Cedar fence builder Vaughn Mason of San Juan Island has launched a new venture, Cedar Lite Kindling. Just in time for winter and the holiday season; more on that in a minute.
Pelindaba Lavender will open a new store and product gallery in Santa Rosa, Calif.’s Montgomery Village Shopping Center on Oct. 23. The new location follows a brief trial period at the Santa Rosa’s Downtown Market during which the store’s proprietors, Art and Ruth Woolsey, introduced Pelindaba Lavender to the local community.
The Northwest Workforce Council is recruiting individuals over the age of 55 who are interested in part- or full-time employment. The Senior Community Service Employment Program has available enrollment for seniors with paid training opportunities in San Juan County. Applicants must be over the age of 55, and meet the low-income guideline set by the state. Training is offered through collaboration with local non-profit agencies in all three counties, and participants are paid $8.55 per hour.
Dr. Bo Turnage, practicing general dentistry in Friday Harbor, has completed a continuing education program in Southern California at Loma Linda University.
Jane K. Fox, a first-year multimedia reporter at The Journal, won first place and third place for multimedia stories she produced for SanJuanJournal.com, in the state press association's annual contest. It's the first time The Journal has entered, and won, in the online categories of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association's Better Newspapers Contest. The contest judged work produced from 2009-10. Some 2,491 entries from 77 newspapers were submitted and judged by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.
How many times have you wondered where you can find items available on San Juan Island? “The Style” is being staged as an opportunity for businesses to showcase the variety of merchandise available here.
Lori Williams of Island Aesthetic Design on San Juan Island is marking her business's fifth anniversary — and her second anniversary as a general contractor — with a new website and a 10 percent discount on services. Williams' website address is www.DesignBuildKitchensandBaths.com.
Social media is revolutionizing the way we use the Internet, and its low- or no-cost tools can be used by small businesses to achieve remarkable results. Join instructor Victoria Compton to learn more about social media and SIM — social influence marketing.
Do you have an idea for a new business? Do you already own a small business? The Lopez Island Family Resource Center’s fall Small Business Class will be held on Mondays, 5:15-7:15 p.m., in the Lopez Island Library beginning Sept. 27. The class is open to all San Juan County residents.
How many times have you wondered where you can find items available on San Juan Island? “The Style” is being created as an opportunity for businesses to showcase the variety of merchandise available here.
Mirabella Skin Care is introducing a new concept in skin care to San Juan Island. Beginning Sept. 23, owner Mary-Brooke Barger will begin hosting “Tech Thursdays,” reflecting a growing trend found in progressive, urban skin centers.
'Ewe want to race?' Mindy Hagen wrote the winning caption in the Journal's Daily Photo Caption contest for Aug. 21, at the San Juan County Fair. She can claim her prize at The Journal office, 640 Mullis St., Friday Harbor. Or call 360-378-5696.
'Where did my horse go?' Hayden Mayer wrote the winning caption in the Journal's Daily Photo Caption contest for Aug. 20, at the San Juan County Fair. Hayden can claim a prize at The Journal office, 640 Mullis St., Friday Harbor. Or call 360-378-5696.
'Too bad we're out of duct tape.' Kelsey Guyer wrote the winning caption in The Journal's Daily Photo Caption contest for Aug. 18, at the San Juan County Fair. She can claim her prize at The Journal office, 640 Mullis St., Friday Harbor. Or call 360-378-5696.
'Focus, young grasshopper.' Clinton Gauthier wrote the winning caption in the Journal's Daily Photo Caption contest for Aug. 19, at the San Juan County Fair. He can claim his prize at The Journal office, 640 Mullis St., Friday Harbor. Or call 360-378-5696.
The following residents won a year's subscription to The Journal of the San Juan Islands or The Islands' Sounder in the daily drawings at the Journal/Sounder booth at the San Juan County Fair, Aug. 18-21.
The Journal of the San Juan Islands won awards in the news, special sections and Web divisions of the state Better Newspaper Contest, an annual competition presented by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. Two of the winning staff members: Senior reporter Scott Rasmussen and multimedia reporter Jane K. Fox.
Bruce Conway of MacMan Computer Services will be working and living in Boulder, Colo., this winter, where several large book publishing projects are presently under way. Conway plans on returning to the islands in April, and will resume his Macintosh tech-support services then.
Town of Friday Harbor business license renewals are due by July 31. There is a 50 percent penalty for late renewals -- bumping what you owe from $42 to $63. All businesses that are no longer in business must notify the town in writing because the state auditors require written notification.
Bob Coleman announced his resignation this week as president of Islanders Bank, citing medical concerns. “I'm old enough to retire,” Coleman said. “I've got some medical things to take care of so I thought it would be in the best interest of me and my family, and certainly the bank, not to be a burden on anybody.”
Dr. Bo Turnage of Friday Harbor has completed continuing dental education provided by Baylor University in the area of oral healthcare for the geriatric patient.
Photographer Mark Gardner is shooting free portraits at South Beach on July 17, 4-8 p.m. You get a free 5x7, files for use on the Web, and a 25 percent discount on additional prints.
San Juan Heating has new offices: on Web Street, next to The Big Store. San Juan Heating was founded in January by Kevin McCullough, a career electrician and certified "refrigeration guy." McCullough, 33, grew up in San Antonio, Texas, where he learned his trade from his father. He was a certified refrigeration technician at 18, and worked as a self-employed electrician on San Juan Island for 12 years before starting San Juan Heating.
