Just got this message from Susan and Scott at the bowling alley:

Summer bowlers are needed to fill out the Monday night league. Summer League goes from May 20 until August 12th. We won’t play on Memorial Day and there’s still time for people to join and begin bowling on June 3.  All bowlers are welcome regardless of ability or experience, and we encourage new bowlers to come and give it a try.  You can join an existing team or form your own team of 4 bowlers. Each bowler establishes a handicap which levels the “friendly” competition and there are cash prizes on the last day of League.

Also we are excited about the new restaurant opening at the bowling alley on June 1. This makes League night also a fun night out with friends that can include dinner and drinks right at your table as you bowl.

It’s easy to sign up. Stop by (365 Spring Street) or give us a call (370-5667 ext 1) and let us answer your questions. Are you a new bowler, or haven’t bowled in a while? Scott gives lessons too!

Photo courtesy San Juan County Land Bank

Join Jane Wentworth of the Washington Native Plant Society and Doug McCutchen, San Juan County Land Bank Steward, to walk the Westside Preserve. Famous for its views of sunsets, marine wildlife and sweeping vistas, it is also home to one of the rarer and most bio-diverse habitats of our region. Meet and park at Lime Kiln Point State Park (Discovery or day pass required) to carpool to trailhead. Length is 1.25 mi. round trip. Terrain is rustic trail with some travel on county road. Difficulty rating is moderate. Dogs on leashes welcome. Rain or shine. Information at www.sanjuanislandtrails.org.

Saturday, May 25 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Newly elected board members attending the meeting and this year’s “Person Who Makes a Difference” award: (L to R) Ann Jarrell, Beverly Zapalac, Clare Kelm, Louisa Nishitani this year’s honoree, Diane Martindale, president elect, Leslie Viers, Audra Adelberger, secretary, Carol Baylis and Jill Johnson. Board members not in attendance: Vice president elect Susan Dehlendorf, treasurer Pat Curtin, Amanda Brast, Sarah Crosby, and Margie Doyle

The League of Women Voters of the San Juan’s elected their new board of directors for 2013-2014 at their Annual Meeting at Vinny’s Ristorante on May 13, 2013.  The featured speaker, Necia Quast of San Juan Island, presented a riveting account of her experiences in the US Foreign Service and whose tenure included notable hardship postings such as the Republic of Tajikistan, Nigeria and Guyana.

The League also recognized two individuals as “Persons Who Make a Difference”, Louisa Nishitani for her volunteerism, outreach and activism most recently regarding potential damage to our marine environment should the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point be permitted.

“Person Who Makes a Difference” honoree, Louisa Nishitani, flanked by president elect Diane Martindale, and board member Ann Jarrell.

Also honored was Friday Harbor High School teacher Jim McNairy for his focus on civics education and responsible citizenship.

Recipient of the this year’s “Teacher Who Makes a Difference” award, Jim McNairy of Friday Harbor High School, addressing the League.

“Starfish” A photo from Two Windows by Tim Dustrude

There is a club forming for anyone interested in photography. Mary Haselow is the main organizer for it with help from Tim Dustrude (yes, me).  We are hoping to find more people who would like to participate and even help organize and lead events. This is very easy – very low key and informal. You have an idea that would be fun to have a group walking around shooting pictures of? Let’s talk. (or email). So far there are about 7 –  10 members and we’ve had 2 meetings since January and 2 photo walks.

This coming Sunday we are getting together at Cattle Point for an extreme low tide Tide Pools Photo Shoot. Everyone is welcome. If you’re interested, please either send us a quick email or RSVP on the club website. You’ll want to wear some sturdy shoes for hiking down to the water from the lighthouse and for walking on all the slippery rocks. Check out the event page at that link above and we hope to see you there!

John Miller was at the blessing of Peace Island Medical Center on Saturday and he has these photos to share with you. Click here to see the gallery.

The Pig War
by Mark Holtzen

Local teacher and author Mark Holtzen will be available to sign and discuss his children’s book, The Pig War, in the Griffin Bay Bookstore on Saturday, May 25, 2013, from 2:00-4:00 pm. He hopes to share the story and book with kids, visitors, and also with local elementary teachers and librarians.

The Pig War is the story of a boy named Kell who goes to spend the summer on the remote Mobray Island with his curmudgeonly grandfather. Although he thinks his time is going to be a boring bust, he and his sister are quickly drawn into events from the island’s past—The Pig War of 1859.

Holtzen spent seven years writing The Pig War, a middle-grade novel for kids ages 9-13, using themes from the locally set Pig War conflict, a boundary dispute between the US and Great Britain. Holtzen spent time at the local Whiteley Center at Friday Harbor Labs working on the novel. A third grade teacher, he is currently in his fourteenth year of teaching at Seattle Country Day School.

Holtzen says The Pig War not only engages children, but all ages given the local setting and historical twists presented in the summer adventure. Many Northwest bookstores and libraries now carry the book, and Holtzen has materials and projects created by NW educators.

The Pig War was selected for the Kirkus Best of Indie Books list for 2012.

About the Author
Mark Holtzen grew up in the Pacific Northwest. At thirteen he took a bike trip to the San Juan Islands and has loved visiting ever since. He lives and teaches in Seattle.

Eileen Drath and Janis Betts, two of a large crew from the Trails Committee helping to make the newly-cut Airport Trail walkable in 2005 – John Dustrude photo

Volunteers are needed to help with construction of the loop trail being built at Peace Island Medical Center. The second work party will be held on Saturday, May 25th at 9:00 am. This destination trail is also a spur off the Airport Trail section of the American Camp Trail. This project is being done by volunteer labor with materials supplied by the Peace Island Volunteer (PIV) group.

Meet by the large rock pile near far parking area. If you’re driving, enter from the San Juan Valley Road entrance. If walking, you can come in from the Airport side. Wear sturdy clothes & boots. Bring water, snacks, gloves & small hand tools, such as clippers, loppers, hand saws, rakes. Work will last approximately 3 hrs. Next work party will be Saturday June 8th, then additional ones scheduled each following Saturday. Check the PIV web site for detailed info on the trail project & work party description. Please contact volunteer co-ordinator Cinda Pierce at cpiemna [@] rockisland.com or 370-5998 to sign up or with questions. We need 10 – 15 workers each session to complete the trail this summer. Thank you!

Orca on the Move – Susan Juul photo

Tillie the Orca caught a ride with San Juan Taxi today. Photo by Susan Juul. Thanks Susan!