A friend of mine once said she hoped I could see each day as new, so I tried to that today…here’s some new things around town: • Over at the Naked Bean, Kaia has hired Anna (she’s the coordinator at the co-op), and it’s good to see the tradition of hiring friendly, smiling people remains  Continue Reading

J pod was here earlier this week, as you can see in this amazing photo by Mark Malleson from Victoria…if you’d like to see a much bigger, much cooler picture – click here. Mark works with Prince of Whales in BC – thanks, Mark!

You know, there’s a lot to like about the way Mari is running Pazzo Vivo these days, from the food to the service to the focus she’s putting on having entertainment most nights there. I’ve been to the last couple of open mikes, and I like that there is a wide range of folks performing,  Continue Reading

This is what folks are talking about this morning…. • I checked with the school district Thursday morning & discovered the school board offered Rick Thompson the superintendent job here on Wednesday night. Cool… I like curriculum guys, and I thought Rick presented himself as articulate & thoughtful with a heart on Tuesday night when  Continue Reading

Peggy Long just told me that her mom just passed away at the Convalescent Center – I’m glad she’s sharing this with all of us, and best wishes & sympathy to you, Peggy in this difficult time. Here’s more: Jule E. McElvain (August 19, 1928 – January 17, 2010), of Friday Harbor, Washington passed away  Continue Reading

What a week we’ve had….starting with spring weather in January, and carrying on from there… • It’s not surprising to hear that islander Jim Maya went out with Western Prince & Ivan yesterday…the trick is – that’s in San Diego. Capt. Jim & Capt. Ivan saw zillions of dolphins off THAT coast… • There is a  Continue Reading

I’ve been wondering what Cal & Mary Karen Ryan’s son Tyler has been up to – the FHHS graduate (’01) attended Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, where he earned both his degree & masters, and now has embarked on an exciting project in Portland, which includes the head-writer of The Laramie Project. Tyler was one  Continue Reading

When you got your ballot last week (remember to vote! & mail it in!), were you a bit confused about what the EMS levy part said? Here’s more from the committee supporting that one: Dear Ian, After some feedback from the community, the ballot wording for our EMS Levy renewal appears to be confusing for  Continue Reading

Ron Garner just wrote with the sad news: Susan Meredith, of San Juan Island, passed away peacefully on the evening of January 26th, 2010. She has loved the San Juan Islands for most of her life and has been a resident and enjoyed living in the island community for 30 years. Susan was 91 years  Continue Reading

I heard from Grisha at Spring Street International School that this is gonna be fun, this weekend on Saturday the 30th: Spring Street International School Presents South American Dinner and Concert at the Mullis Center! All proceeds go towards travel scholarships and to an orphanage in Cusco, Peru. Food prepared with the guidance of Chef Paul  Continue Reading

I heard from Grisha at Spring Street International School that this is gonna be fun, this weekend on Saturday the 30th: Spring Street International School Presents South American Dinner and Concert at the Mullis Center! All proceeds go towards travel scholarships and to an orphanage in Cusco, Peru. Food prepared with the guidance of Chef Paul  Continue Reading

It was supposed to be a prank, but islander Colleen Bennett’s cousin made a half-court, blindfolded shot at halftime of a basketball game…here’s the scoop: The prank was set up perfectly. A high school girls’ basketball coach in Kansas was told he’d win tickets to the Final Four if he hit a half-court shot while  Continue Reading

Just heard that Richard Lawson passed away today…I’ll post more soon. In the meantime…what a loss to the community.

Just don’t tell anyone there’s nothing to do around here…. • Maude Cumming from the School District says the fellow they’re looking closely at to be the new superintendent is here tomorrow for you to meet – here’s more: There will be a Community Forum to meet Superintendent Candidate Rick Thompson from Lynden on Tuesday  Continue Reading

It always good to hear about the good work the Stranding Network does – here’s more from Amy: The San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network (SJCMMSN) would like to thank the community for all their assistance in reporting stranded (live and dead) marine mammals over the past year. Amy Traxler, Network Coordinator, says they  Continue Reading

We have great kids around here, and here’s one of ‘em – the Soroptimists’ Marie DiCristina has more about Nana: Diana (“Nana”) Eisenhauer received the 2010 Violet Richardson Award for her ongoing community service as an after school tutor.   Nana, a Friday Harbor High School junior, was honored at the Soroptimist club meeting on January  Continue Reading

Carol Whalen just sent over this little writeup about her ace daughter Desi, who you’ll remember played Sandy in Grease last year at FHHS (she was awesome, by the way)…look likes she’s a state finalist – here’s more: FHHS junior Desi Whalen of Friday Harbor has been selected as one of the four finalists to  Continue Reading

There’s plenty happening…. • Penelope Garrett from Friday Harbor will be one of the posthumous recipients of the Congressional Gold Medals for service during World War II for her service as a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). The honor was approved Congress & the President last year. Here’s more, from the Seattle Times. • Claudia’s  Continue Reading

Got a couple of babies to tell ya about… I wrote Thlayla Potter after her bro Jesse told me she had her baby (the due date was, I believe, on the 7th), and she replied with the story, which I believe she keyboarded with one hand while holding Camden: Baby Camden Lee Potter was born  Continue Reading

Last week kids on the island got a surprise when folks showed up at school to give them a free dictionary…here’s more from the Grange’s Frank Penwell: On Friday, January 22, 2010 when passing out dictionaries to the 3rd grade students at Friday Harbor Elementary School, Paideia School, and Stillpoint School, Pomona Grange Master Richard  Continue Reading

It’s always good to hear from old friends…here’s one from Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1983 to start your day:

Did you know….? • I hear our new postmaster is Randy Bennett – he’s been in & out as he settles in on the island, but drop by & say hey! I also hear that our old postdude Dan Fleming likes it in Oak Harbor but misses us – he was spotted putting plants out,  Continue Reading