Let’s catch up with each other a bit: • Kay Kohler tells me last week’s Blood Drive had over 84 folks show up to donate – way to go! The next time the Blood Bank folks come is right before Christmas – good time to give! • Have you ever seen The Oaks from the  Continue Reading

Last week, Michele Wassell (Creative Freedom Photography – check her out…she has awesome pictures!) was out on a trip with Jim Maya’s Charters when she caught this humpback visiting a cruise ship which was headed west out the Strait of Juan de Fuca, off the Victoria waterfront.

I hope you get up this morning with someone to sing this to (or someone you used to sing it to, or someone you hold in fond memory)…it’s Crosby, Stills, and Nash:

Ballots for the general election are due on November 2nd this year, and in this island’s only contested election, voters in the Second District will choose between incumbent Rich Peterson and challenger Laura Jo Severson. To give you a chance to get to know the candidates before it’s time to choose, here are their websites:  Continue Reading

Sometimes when you live on an island, you think you see so much, and yet you see so little…. (cartoon courtesy of our friends at xkcd):

It’s called The Style, and it’s time for you to get your tickets now! Here’s more from Vernadel: Are you Stylin’???? How many times have you wondered where you can find items on San Juan Island?  The Style was created as an opportunity for businesses to showcase the variety of merchandise available HERE and we  Continue Reading

Checked in with Hobbes, who is taking off this week…I know I’ve learned a lot from this gentle & well-spoken friend, including his wisdom about the right way to eat (see his blog, here)…drop by his party tonight at the Rumor Mill, where he’ll probably play a couple of harp tunes as well – here’s  Continue Reading

A little song from 1967, with Donovan:

Jan from the Community Theatre has the lowdown on the play that opens this weekend – here’s more: Boo!  Are you ready to put a little scare into your life? How about some nervous laughter? SJCT’s fall thriller, Peter Colley’s I’ll Be Back Before Midnight starts THIS Friday, October 1 with a discounted sneak preview  Continue Reading

San Juan County Fire Marshal Steve Marler says it’s OK to burn, starting this weekend: OPEN BURNING SEASON BEGINS Effective October 1st, residential and commercial burn permits are available for purchase. Residential permits allow for fires up to ten feet in diameter.  The permit fee is $15.  Permits will be valid through June 30, 2011.   Continue Reading

Torrey just sent this over – everyone is invited to drop by & hear stories from the early days (for European settlers) on the island: 150 Years of Island History and the Presbyterians in Pictures and Stories Nickels in the offering plate; a romance with the school teacher? Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church is the oldest  Continue Reading

As we continue to look over some of the artists who are taking part in this weekend’s Artstock, consider dropping by to see Kristy & Margaret’s work: Kristy Gjesme’s studio will be open both days of Artstock, October 2nd and 3rd. Kristy will have watercolor set up so people can experiment, play, or learn a  Continue Reading

• It’s going to be a special meeting – I’ve eaten meals that Farhad’s made with food from his garden, and he’s the real deal. Here’s more from the Garden Club folks about the next meeting, which is October 5th: Ian, could you include a reminder in the Update that the San Juan Island Garden  Continue Reading

San Juan Island voters get a chance to visit with and question the two candidates for San Juan County Sheriff on Tuesday (the 28th), as the Journal of the San Juans sponsors a candidate forum at 5pm at the Gubelman Room at the Community Theatre. Rob Nou and Brent Johnson will offer opening statements, then  Continue Reading

With Artstock coming up I took a drive out to the west side of the Island to visit Paula West at her studio on MacGinitie Road. Paula’s studio will be open to visitors during Artstock the first weekend in October. If you’ve never seen Paula’s studio this is an opportunity well worth taking advantage of.  Continue Reading

Diane from the Land Bank is lining up folks to help with the Beaverton Marsh Restoration (remember that?) Here’s the deal: The Land Bank is scheduling multiple work parties between mid-November and mid-December for the ongoing Beaverton Marsh restoration project and invite groups and individuals to join us! Work Party schedule: • Saturday November 20th  Continue Reading

As our Indian Summer slides into October you may notice signs of Artstock around town. Artstock, San Juan Island’s autumn arts festival, is happening the weekend of October 2nd & 3rd. Local artists will be opening their studios and galleries will be staying open late with music, hors de vors, and artist’s sharing their talents. You can find  Continue Reading

Let’s see what’s going on… • Finally, they’re at home! Cassie has more about the youth football teams: Hi Ian- We have home games this weekend for Tiger Youth Football.  The first game starts at 10:30am and the last one starts at 4:30pm.  Our concession stand will be up and running with barbecued hot dogs  Continue Reading

This morning the San Juan Island Community Foundation held their Breakfast of Champions breakfast, and it was cool to see the incredible breadth & scope this amazing community organization reaches on our island. Board chair Charlie Anderson announced that the SJICF has handed out over $1.6 million dollars to community organizations this year so far  Continue Reading

“Wow, thanks!” That’s what superintendent Rick Thompson said when Islanders Bank’s Michele Morton brought over the school supplies that had been donated over the past month. The Bank’s annual Gear Up! program asks islanders to donate pens, colors, paper, calculators, dictionaries, and things with Hannah Montana on ‘em, which are passed on to the schools  Continue Reading