Monthly Archives: November 2009
Christmas decorating contest – get your application in today!
Written on November 30, 2009 at 11:51 pm, by Ian Byington
I was kind of wondering about the decorating contest this year – heck, you better hurry…the application’s due this evening! Here’s the rest of the story, from Vernadel at the Chamber of Commerce: The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce is busy with plans for the 2009 Island Lights Fest Christmas Decorating Contest in the Continue Reading
It's in the bag….
Written on November 30, 2009 at 11:48 pm, by Ian Byington
It makes a perfect one-of-a-kind gift: You go down to San Juan Canvas (it’s under the Yacht Club), and ask Derrick & Lauren to make you a bag, out of….canvas! They have kind of a lot of it, and they make great bags, as you can see in the picture! And this month they have Continue Reading
It’s in the bag….
Written on November 30, 2009 at 11:48 pm, by Ian Byington
It makes a perfect one-of-a-kind gift: You go down to San Juan Canvas (it’s under the Yacht Club), and ask Derrick & Lauren to make you a bag, out of….canvas! They have kind of a lot of it, and they make great bags, as you can see in the picture! And this month they have Continue Reading
Getting coffee?
Written on November 30, 2009 at 8:54 pm, by Ian Byington
When you drop by Friday Harbor Espresso, seem like there’s always a smiling face or two, ready to get your coffee…. Readers of the Update know Arielle also wins recycled-fashion shows (click here to see her in her mermaid outfit last August) and goes to the grocery store (click here, and scroll down), while Ashley Continue Reading
The Community Thanksgiving Dinner rocked!
Written on November 30, 2009 at 8:42 pm, by Ian Byington
Whoa! When I visited with Jim & Minnie Knych before last week’s Thanksgiving dinner at the Grange, Minnie told me this was their eleventh year of putting on the show. What started as a Lions Club effort years ago is now a multi-group production with dozens of volunteers. She said that last year they ended Continue Reading
New wines at Festival of Trees this year…
Written on November 30, 2009 at 12:01 am, by Ian Byington
Jan from the Community Theatre says there’s one more reason to come to FOT this year: An award-winning Washington winery is playing a new starring role in the CATS’ 20th Annual Festival of Trees extravaganza at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, December 5. Eastern Washington’s Milbrandt Vineyards will not only provide the featured wines Continue Reading
Finding the opposite true, too…
Written on November 28, 2009 at 4:52 pm, by Ian Byington
Where’s the downbeat? And…why don’t we pay doctors when we’re well, not when we’re sick? Watched this early this morning & found myself looking at the way we do things, call ‘em what we call ‘em, and realizing that our assumptions often have an “opposite” shadow side or yang to go with the ying, or Continue Reading
Santa – upstairs at Kings!
Written on November 28, 2009 at 11:53 am, by Ian Byington
See ya at the Artisans' Fair…
Written on November 27, 2009 at 12:08 pm, by Ian Byington
Today it’s the Holiday Marketplace from 10am until 5pm at Friday Harbor Elementary School, and tomorrow from 10am until 4pm. There are more than 60 booths featuring lovely fabric work, fine oils and watercolors – all kinds of beautiful work from our Island Artists. The re is no admission fee, so stop by and see Continue Reading
See ya at the Artisans’ Fair…
Written on November 27, 2009 at 12:08 pm, by Ian Byington
Today it’s the Holiday Marketplace from 10am until 5pm at Friday Harbor Elementary School, and tomorrow from 10am until 4pm. There are more than 60 booths featuring lovely fabric work, fine oils and watercolors – all kinds of beautiful work from our Island Artists. The re is no admission fee, so stop by and see Continue Reading
Kids art show…get started!
Written on November 27, 2009 at 12:55 am, by Ian Byington
Barbara & Matt always have cool things going on at Gallery San Juan – here’s another, from Barbara: “Winter Fantasy”: Calling all artists from 4 years old to 14 years old! Gallery San Juan hosts the 11th annual “Kid’s Art Show” Every year the Gallery hosts an art show for the Holidays for Kids. All Continue Reading
The Bird Count!
Written on November 27, 2009 at 12:28 am, by Ian Byington
Barb Jensen wanted you to know the Count is coming up – the first one was in 1900, so let’s keep the tradition alive…here’s more: Christmas Bird Count – 110 Years of Audubon Counts Saturday, December 19th! When we start to see swans it’s time to think Christmas Bird Count! Set this date aside – Continue Reading
Let there be light & love within your thanks….
Written on November 26, 2009 at 1:31 am, by Ian Byington
I wish you an open heart on this day of thanks, and open hands. I hope you are with island friends and longtime family, and I hope you get way more than twelve hugs today (since twelve a day is what ya need to be emotionally healthy). Give thanks. Let tears fill your eyes & Continue Reading
Let there be light & love within your thanks….
Written on November 26, 2009 at 1:31 am, by Ian Byington
I wish you an open heart on this day of thanks, and open hands. I hope you are with island friends and longtime family, and I hope you get way more than twelve hugs today (since twelve a day is what ya need to be emotionally healthy). Give thanks. Let tears fill your eyes & Continue Reading
Drop by the Community Dinner!
Written on November 25, 2009 at 10:58 am, by Ian Byington
Minnie says there’s gonna be a crowd – here’s more: What are you doing on Thanksgiving Day this year? If you’re looking for a special way to celebrate and give thanks, go to the Grange for a good old-fashioned community Thanksgiving dinner. You can show up any time between noon and 4:00pm to enjoy a Continue Reading
People around the island….
Written on November 25, 2009 at 10:05 am, by Ian Byington
Little notes here & there, the day before Thanksgiving: • Some days ya just gotta start the day with a poem, from Robert Frost: Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So Continue Reading
Happy birthday!
Written on November 24, 2009 at 12:51 pm, by Ian Byington
Service with a smile at the post office….
Written on November 24, 2009 at 12:48 pm, by Ian Byington
Ann's retirement…
Written on November 24, 2009 at 12:44 pm, by Ian Byington
Since she came to the island in 2005 to take over as principal at Friday Harbor Middle School (when 14 year veteran principal Court Bell retired), Ann Spratt has proven to be the steady hand on the wheel that a district undergoing change needs. Her much-needed mix of humor, experience, and administrative moxie helped oversee Continue Reading
Ann’s retirement…
Written on November 24, 2009 at 12:44 pm, by Ian Byington
Since she came to the island in 2005 to take over as principal at Friday Harbor Middle School (when 14 year veteran principal Court Bell retired), Ann Spratt has proven to be the steady hand on the wheel that a district undergoing change needs. Her much-needed mix of humor, experience, and administrative moxie helped oversee Continue Reading
Nearly a teenager….
Written on November 24, 2009 at 2:04 am, by Ian Byington
Well, it’s been twelve years ago today that the San Juan Update got underway in 1997, and as with most pre-teens, it’s kinda fun to look back on when things were young & innocent & cute. As my little birthday present to you, I thought I’d offer you a look at the whole thing since Continue Reading
Island family, on the west side…
Written on November 24, 2009 at 12:41 am, by Ian Byington










































