These guys are coming this weekend, and David Bentley started me off with sending a couple of videos of them singing Jingle Bells and Dreidel. Like you’ve never heard the songs before….this is going to be a fun show! Jan from the Community Theatre has more: Get ready to laugh and enjoy the sounds of  Continue Reading

Let’s see what’s going on around here: • You were probably late to work today if you forget to re-set your clock for Daylight Savings Time. Hope you enjoyed sleeping in. Next up: Equinox, this coming weekend. • I hear former island girl Kristina Thalacker is engaged to her sweetie Patrick Ewing (not the NBA  Continue Reading

Each of us has a story about something we remember and treasure about our grandparents. Here’s a little memory (and affirmation) from Derek Sivers: We called my grandfather Papa Bill (as my mom called her grandfather Papa Bill, too.) He’d been in bad health for years.  A few years of false-alarms, but this time he  Continue Reading

The Town’s Fire Chief now has a new command vehicle…but there’s more to getting it than you might think. Personally, I have a soft spot for people who won’t take “no” for an answer…here’s more from Rick Galer (who is the department’s unofficial historian): Three years ago when Chief Vern Long was hired as Town  Continue Reading

Looks like we may have a grey week, but it has been pretty nice the last couple of months (Last week, someone said, “Looks like it’s spring, again.”)

Over the past few months, Rob Simpson has been setting up the open mike at the Doctor’s Office each Saturady (and other stuff)…but here’s a side of him you might not have known about: Island Resident Opening Some New Doors After a lifetime as a musician and an independent producer in Los Angeles, new San  Continue Reading

Let’s see what’s going on: • You know Daylight Savings Time kicks in this weekend, but that’s not the only change of hours – Islanders Bank is opening up a little more, too, starting on Monday – you’ll like this: check it here. • Emily Reed has been doing Emily’s Guides since the early 1990s,  Continue Reading

Hey, you’re gonna get out in the garden this weekend (I know you are), so why not put some rhodies in? Here’s the scoop from Mary & Smithy about how you can start: Ryan’s Rhodies for sale: ~ Rhododendrons! We have many varieties, colors, & sizes, ranging from 18” to 4’ tall. PJM’s are in  Continue Reading

Here’s Coldplay with Square One…a little song for your morning!

Here’s a few bits for you: • He’s one of the elders of the tribe, and one of the finest gentlemen on island. It was cool to see Howard Schonberger out for dinner last night with Helen & friends for his 89th birthday at the Golden Triangle. He told me he’s looking forward to it  Continue Reading

There’s a lot to this story – here’s more from Debbi Fincher: When we first talked in September of creating a safer place for our kindergartners during “pick-up” times, Ms. Minke, our son’s K teacher, asked if there might be away to honor the memory of those parents who have passed away while their children  Continue Reading

Sandi Guard wanted you to know: The Friday Harbor Dragons Lacrosse Team is holding our yearly spaghetti dinner fundraiser Thursday March 11, 2010 from 5-7:30 pm at The San Juan County Grange Hall. We promise good food for a great cause. We will be having our famous Dessert Auction at 6:30. Adults are $12 &  Continue Reading

It’s fun to look at stats & such…the stat tracker thingie says in the last month folks in 52 countries (the ones in green) checked out the Update. Cool. Where are you reading from? Leave a note in the comments below if you like….

It was awesome. Last night at the elementary school, two great things happened: the Friday Harbor High cooking class put on a dinner that couldn’t be beat, followed by a community drumming session that could be heard on the other side of the Fairgrounds & was a cool way to bring people together. The photos  Continue Reading

Most of this is hearsay & innuendo: • Babies on the way: Stephanie Walker says she hit 20 weeks last week, and proud papa Tom Pemberton tells me both Elliot & Mari have kids on the way in the late spring. • Speaking of babies – it’s been great to hear that Nancy & Dave  Continue Reading

Folks have been asking lately how it’s going – my move from the Corporate Suites of By Design on Guard Street to the home office at my house in a 12 x 12 room that used to be my son’s hideaway. It’s great. Much easier to keep tidy, easier to make tea, and fun to  Continue Reading

Last night I got the chance to see behind the red door coverings & see what’s been going on inside Ace Hardware. Gotta say – wow. Donny Galt has hired a friendly staff, the shelves are nearly all stocked, and it’s pretty impressive what he & the Anacortes store (they work together) have pulled together.  Continue Reading

Ever wonder what the marina looks like on a sunny day from the air? Art Smith from Argyle House went flying with Todd Gardner on Saturday…he tells me Jennifer (his wife) and son Rick were along, too. He shot this with his little Nikon SLR. Rick said he had never been up in a plane  Continue Reading

According to Oregon State researchers, the growing “dead zones” in the oceans of the Pacific Northwest reflect oxygen depletion, the ocean adjusting to climate change, and a decreased fish catch. Here’s more from the McClatchy Newspapers.

One of my favorite blogs to regularly check in on is the Bitter End Blog that Richard Rodriquez keeps up. He has a Captains Course in April you might want to sign up for – he has only four spots left! Check it out – just this past couple of weeks he posted a picture  Continue Reading

Little things going on: • Remember that tree that got split at English Camp back in 2008 by lightning? This fellow posted a picture of it – check it out. That reminded me of the tree that sank two feet into the ground on the trail after it split off in a windstorm. Tim Dustrude’s  Continue Reading

What to do, what to do: • The last couple of days, folks have asked me what there is to do this weekend. Easy – look outside, and then think of something. It’s blue & clear & warm enough. Get outside! Here’s my idea of a perfect day: – Two hour walk this morning. -  Continue Reading