The San Juan County Economic Development Council, in partnership with the Island County EDC and the Economic Development Association of Skagit County, has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for APICS training in supply chain management.
SilverLining is a new graphic and web design business owned and operated by Krista Bouchey.
Luke Huffstodt is a walking encyclopedia of hydroponics.
A long-time islander is back in business. Artist Sallie Bell has reopened Monkey Puzzle with a new focus: beads. They are from her collection that she's been adding to since 1980.
Need to get the word out about your business, but don’t have a big marketing budget? The San Juan County Economic Development Council will host a workshop on how to market your business inexpensively and effectively on Tuesday, Nov. 27, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Orcas Island Library community room.
The San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a three-hour workshop on building a website or blog using WordPress. The workshop will be held at the San Juan Island Library’s community room on Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The Healing Arts Center is holding a “Harvest Raffle” starting on Nov. 2. The practitioners are donating seven gift certificates for any one-hour service. Raffle tickets are $5 each or three for $10.
Orcas Islander Khadoma Colomby is offering a new service at the Healing Arts Center called “vocal freedom.”
New owner of Aurora’s consignment store is looking ahead to a future of helping people find their fashion
Orcas Fire is currently seeking volunteer firefighters to serve the community.
The San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a free half-day workshop for small businesses and entrepreneurs on San Juan Island on Monday, Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the community room of the San Juan Island Library in Friday Harbor.
Denise Wilk runs a charter business and a gift shop in Eastsound
Debra Post and Keri Lago are a mother-daughter duo who own Cherry T’s kids’ consignment store. The women say they feel lucky to run a business together.
Island Hoppin’ Brewery opens on Orcas Island. Locals and visitors will be able sample quality microbrews made on Orcas Island, starting Sept. 21.
The sale of Pure Island Water, Inc. was completed at the end of June. It is now under the ownership of Kirk and Paula Huffman.
“These weeks on Orcas Island will be the most time I’ve ever spent in a small, rural community,” said Conor Senecal, a second-year University of Washington medical student who is nearing the end of a month-long study program at Orcas Medical Center.
The San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a free half-day workshop for small business owners and entrepreneurs on Orcas on Tuesday, June 19, from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall.
Clarity Connection, LLC, a management and human resources consulting and coaching firm, which opened in late 2011 has announced the launch of a new mental health therapy arm of the business.
Two new mental health therapists have joined the Orcas Island healing community this spring.
Bill and Jenny Myers have created the first goat dairy on Orcas.
There has been a new face working at the Orcas Family Health Center and shopping the aisles of the market. Julie Yates is a nurse practitioner student from Seattle University who will be completing her clinical rotation at OFHC in the coming weeks.
The merchants of Eastsound have again joined forces to present a free holiday event for the enjoyment of both locals and visitors alike. The “Great Hoppin’ Saturday” Easter gathering is planned for Saturday, April 7.
The Deer Harbor Women’s Auxiliary invites the children (and parents) of Orcas Island to an Easter Egg Hunt on the lawns of Deer Harbor Inn located at 33 Inn Lane just off Deer Harbor Road.
Orcas Auto Tech has been awarded AAA’s Approved Auto Repair Facility Status – the only one in San Juan County.
Northwest Multiple Listing Service has released an area statistics report for residences and condominiums in San Juan County, comparing February 2012 to February 2011.
Join Washington State’s Regional Labor Economist, Dr. Reinhold Groepler, as he discusses employment trends and future in San Juan County. The presentation will be held on Orcas Island, Thursday, March 8, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Applications are now being accepted for a total of $350,000 in San Juan County Lodging Tax tourism grants.
A workshop on cooperative businesses, what they are and how they work is March 3, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at The Funhouse Commons. This is the first Island Enterprise Lab-sponsored event, which will be led by professional co-op developers from the Northwest Cooperative Development Center in Olympia.
The annual Rainshadow Running 25K and 50K races in Moran State Park, which ran over two weekends in late January and early February, was an opportunity for the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce to promote local businesses by working with conference planners and individuals who already are taking part in existing events.
Green Builder Media, an Eastsound, Wash., organization that promotes sustainable construction and "green" building techniques, was featured in the LA Times on Jan. 14 entitled, "Green is a big part of the blueprint for Pacific Palisades house."
In January, the Doe Bay Cafe is donating one dollar of each pizza sold during its Thursday night Open Mic to the Orcas Island Food Bank.
“So gather up the kids and friends and head for Doe Bay Cafe on a Thursday night in January, enjoy one or several of their delicious handmade pizzas made with local organic produce and products and know a local family will be benefiting from it, too,” said food bank board member Madie Murray.
Islanders: prepare for an influx of athletes at the end of January.
What used to be known as the “Fat Ass Race” on Orcas Island is happening again – but over two separate weekends.
This year there will be a 25k Race on Saturday, Jan. 28 followed by a 50k Race on Saturday, Feb. 4.
To all affected by the local real estate and construction industries: the real estate market is improving.
We at Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands will end up 2011 a bit ahead of 2010, which was ahead of 2009 by 15 percent. Further, the 4th quarter of 2011 has been very active in both showings and sales. Many of the sales that are taking place will actually close in the first quarter of 2012 so we should be starting off the New Year comparatively well. We are also seeing increases in people making plans to come up and look at property next spring and summer.
The new edition of “1,000 Places To See Before You Die” lists the San Juan Islands as place number 899.
The Friday Harbor House and the Whale Museum made the list at number 900.
Contributed by Cathleen McCluskey of Organic Seed Alliance.
Organic Seed Alliance’s seed saving workshop for gardeners and farmers took place on a frosty fall morning last Monday at Skagit Valley Community College/WSU Extension on San Juan Island. The workshop was designed for folks of all seed saving knowledge levels, along with other organizationally created courses, is presented by OSA staff throughout the year. OSA executive director Micaela Colley presented this basic Seed Saving Workshop 101 course to a captive participatory audience of more than 20 San Juan County farmers and gardeners.
The holidays bring a season to buy gifts and travel. Unfortunately, those activities also pose a risk to our financial security as identity fraud and theft have become commonplace. Here a few tips to avoid financial fraud.
Last year American Express designated Nov. 26 “Small Business Saturday,” a day to celebrate and support local, independently-owned small businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and invigorate neighborhoods across the country.
The San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a free half-day workshop for small businesses and entrepreneurs on Monday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Eastsound fire hall.
National Geographic.com recently featured Orcas Island as an "adventure town," with tips for visitors on where to play, eat and sleep.
It's a quiet weekday morning at the Island Skillet. A smattering of diners leisurely indulge in the eatery's “all-American” fare: shrimp and avocado omelets, eggs benedict, breakfast burritos.
Recognizing the Sounder, an islander calls over: “The huevos rancheros are to die for.”
Word of mouth is quickly spreading about the new restaurant that opened its doors last week in the Eastsound space behind Teezer's a spot last occupied by the Italian Luna's.
