Tawny from the Animal Shelter has a chance for the kids to do some writing as school’s over…here’s more: APS-FH “Be Kind to Animals” Writing Contest In celebration of the 95th Annual National celebration of BE KIND TO ANIMALS Week and Month, the Animal Protection Society Friday Harbor announces their first BE KIND TO ANIMALS  Continue Reading

You know, it’s happened every year since the early 1990s, and each year has a different feel to it. This year’s event was blessed with the best weather in ages – sunny & warm all day Saturday, into the warm evening. You could tell by the end of the day Saturday that the teams of  Continue Reading

I checked in with everybody’s favorite fireball of a singer, Devorah, the other day to see what her summer looks like, and she has a few surprises, as well as a wonderful achievement – getting her music presented with a symphony. Here’s what’s up: Q. Good to get a chance to visit with you. I  Continue Reading

Chance Earle sent me some pictures from last weekend’s event, with her team….it was a great & sunny day!

Man, there’s a lot going on….let’s check in & check it out: • This is the year you’ll do it: If you want to perform at the County Fair in August, you need to fill out an application & get it in…here’s the page. See ya on stage! And…this year the Clumsy Lovers are playing!  Continue Reading

There’s been a general feeling of helplessness about that spill (or more correctly, gusher) in the Gulf amongst folks here on San Juan Island….what can we do? Well, my friends Simon (sixth grade next year) & Lilah (first grade) have a pretty good idea – bring your old used nylons over to Compost-It on Nichols  Continue Reading

Sitting here, listening to Enso’s EP The Axioms, I find myself wishing you could hear it, too. One of those things…I keep the album in the mix of what I listen to during the day, partly because I like to hear it, partly hoping that the creativity that went into it will somehow rub off  Continue Reading

This past weekend’s San Juan Island Marathon was another smoothly run affair that brought nearly 250 runners and their support teams to the island for a nice run around the island. This year’s race featured a nice contingent of local runners mixed with mostly folks from off-island. I’ve always thought this is a great shoulder-season  Continue Reading

A poem for the day for you….. I Have News for You by Tony Hoagland There are people who do not see a broken playground swing as a symbol of ruined childhood and there are people who don’t interpret the behavior of a fly in a motel room as a mocking representation of their thought  Continue Reading

Sunny days ahead…. • The Pavillion at Roche Harbor was packed last night with folks who came by to wish Lori Holforty well…there was music (the Jesus Chords) & an auction (way to go, auctioneer Boo Boo & all the people who donated!) & great food (awesome job, Bill Shaw & the crew) and a  Continue Reading

Towards the end of this month, it’s time for Leisha Holmes’ Club Mud workshops for kids…these have been going for years, as you can tell by the pictures here. So, for fun, I put together some photos from past years that I got from Leisha, which include some kids who are sophs & juniors in  Continue Reading

The big house move was today, as Lynn Danaher & Nickel Brothers moved that house from Franck Street the back way past the elementary school, onto Argyle Street (where these pictures were shot) to the spot next to the Surina Business Park which will be its new home.

Jan at the Theatre wanted you to know: Sweet Harmonies on the Whittier stage June 6 The popular Barbershop Bonanza returns to the San Juan Community Theatre on Sunday, June 6 at 2:00 p.m. Off-island crooners and our own homegrown singers, including hosts Island Chordsmen Plus, will fill the stage in the finale of this  Continue Reading

• Hey, Monique Woodward‘s 40th birthday is this week! Happy birthday, Mo! • On the Artists’ Studio Tour this weekend: Music! I heard Kate Schuman is playing from 11am-2pm at Mary McCulloch’s on Sunday, and that Amanda Brast is playing classical guitar from 1-2pm at Laurie Burns’ studio on Saturday. Here’s a map of the  Continue Reading

Amy is looking for a few good volunteers…. The San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network (SJCMMSN) is currently recruiting volunteers on all islands in preparation for the upcoming stranding season.   Members of the Network respond to calls on both live and dead marine mammals that come ashore or wash up on local beaches. Amy  Continue Reading

Every so often, the expression “can’t see the forest for the trees” kinda hits me over the head as I get caught up the day’s details. The worst, of course, is when I think I have my act together & I can prove it intellectually. Here’s one of my favorite stories: The Lone Ranger and  Continue Reading

It takes a lot to get organized for our fall sports – when there is over 250 kids who need to get set into teams & uniformed & all that. Our soccer board (The San Juan Island Soccer Association) does a super job year in & year out getting things going…and there’s one small thing  Continue Reading

Remember that lost cat yesterday? Here’s the way that story turned out: Hi Ian! Just wanted you to know that our cat Sammy made it back home last night a little after 11:30pm.  Apparently she wanted to explore the island before we had a chance to show her around!!  A little wet and dirty, but  Continue Reading

If you’ve heard Amy’s poems at the open mike poetry readings around here, or any of her stories, you know she’s a heck of a writer. Now she introduces her new book just in time for Father’s Day. Here’s the scoop, from Griffin Bay Bookstore: Looking for a special Father’s Day gift? Amy Harold will be  Continue Reading

Time to help our friend….Lori Holforty has been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer and needs our help. On Sunday, June 6th from 3-9pm at Roche Harbor Pavilion there will be a fundraiser for her. Tickets are $20, sold at the door or can be picked up at both Market Chef or Haley’s. (Check in  Continue Reading

If the minister in the scene above from a 1987 episode of MacGyver looks familiar, good – you’ve met Merritt Olsen (you can see the whole show here – Merritt shows up around the 44th minute or so). Well, as far as the island is concerned, he’s having a great run as the Community Theatre  Continue Reading

Looks like a rainy day or two ahead…stay dry! Here’s what’s going on…. • Lee & Mike lost their cat Sam – can you help? Here’s more: We just moved here from Denver two days ago and somehow our cats got outside during the night. We have one and we are looking for Sammy. She  Continue Reading