Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather. John Ruskin

When a school district has a strong administrator who is widely appreciated & popular with his staff & students, it comes as a surprise to hear he’s moving on. Our elementary school principal is resigning, and the response I’ve heard has been universal that he’s a great one & folks don’t want him to go.  Continue Reading

Hey, you remember that Rewind (that’s Kate Schuman and Tom & Tami Doenges) are playing tonight at the Rumor Mill…but the food’s good too – here’s more from Kate: I want to confirm that yes! Rewind is playing Saturday night, Jan. 8th, 7:30, at the Rumor Mill. In addition to the regular menu, the specials  Continue Reading

Just in: The Eastern Washington Eagles (including FHHS grad Tyler Hart) have come back from a 19-0 hole to win the national championship 20-19 over the Delaware Blue Hens.

Barbara Sharp & the Soroptimists  say this is a great time to get your tickets: This weekend is a convenient time to buy tickets to the Soroptimist Para-Dice Bunko Party. Tickets will be sold 10-4 this Saturday, Jan. 8 at both grocery stores and Sunday, Jan. 9 at Kings. For $20, ladies can enjoy appetizers,  Continue Reading

What’s up, pup: • Steve & Shann tell me the Grange members voted to restore their Charter last Wednesday night – wahoo! So, they’re back in business – election of officers is next week. • Go to the website for Roche Harbor & scroll down a bit for info on how to sign up –  Continue Reading

This just in from the Bar Association: Attorney Carla J. Higginson has passed the presidency of the San Juan County Bar Association to Friday Harbor attorney Kathryn C. Loring of the Law Offices of Skinner & Saar, PS.  Carla, who has been in active practice in Friday Harbor for the past 31 years, held the  Continue Reading

As the state struggles with the problems involved with the overall state ferry system, one of the proposals on the table is to whack the present Anacortes/Sidney run from the present nine months to only five. We’re not crazy about that here in Friday Harbor – we like the Canadian visitors! The folks in British  Continue Reading

Tomorrow night, FHHS grad Tyler Hart (’07) and the Eastern Washington Eagles play for the national football championship against the Delaware Blue Hens. Both teams ended ranked #1 & #2 in the country at the end of the season, and both are 12-2 coming into the game. The 2011 NCAA Division I Football Championship (FCS)  Continue Reading

Jill Hopkins wanted you & me to know about this ahead of time, to make plans – it’s pretty cool that Ms. Makoni (who has been named a CNN Hero) will be here on the island – here’s more: Betty Makoni, poet, activist, radio host, founded Girl Child Network to provide a haven for young  Continue Reading

Let’s see what’s happening around the island… •  A friend wrote last night looking to see if anyone had any information: There was a burglary at the Narcotics Anonymous meeting room of the former Kids Club, discovered around 6:40 tonight (Wednesday.) The money cupboard was broken into and the money bag was taken…no one seems  Continue Reading

Earlier this week, I caught a glimpse of the Churchill House in the setting sun, with the snow still around the grounds…it reminded me of when it was located above the ferry lines, before it was moved to its present location – see if you can find it in the picture below:

Here’s the press release from the SJICF, helping bring the medical center closer to reality: San Juan Island Community Foundation Awards $2,000,000 To PeaceHealth for the new Peace Island Medical Center. The San Juan Island Community Foundation is pleased to announce an award of $2,000,000 to PeaceHealth for the construction of the new Peace Island  Continue Reading

The numbers went up last year, and could be expected to rise again this year – here’s the County’s plan to count the islands’ homeless folks, according to Stan Matthews: San Juan County Health & Community Services will participate in the state’s annual Point in Time Count of Homeless Persons (PIT) on Thursday, January 27th.  Continue Reading

Lots going on…let’s see what’s happening: • In the FHHS basketball games last night, the boys had an easy time of it, riding a 29-point second quarter to a 78-51 win over Darrington to go 3-0 in league; the girls lost against a tough Loggers team. The girls & boys play at Mount Vernon Christian  Continue Reading

Lakedale Resort‘s Scott Hale took some photos that show how nice the place looks with a little spontaneous snow, last Wednesday – thanks, Scott!

It was good to hear from Liza Michaelson that her daughter Maria‘s show went well, and that that set her up for traveling…here’s the story, from Liza: After completely selling out at her art show in Friday Harbor in November, Maria made enough money to travel indefinitely in West Africa. She also raised $450 at  Continue Reading

Just heard this from our friends at Islanders Insurance: As of January 1, 2011, Gigi Zakula joins Kerwin and Margaret Johnson as co-owner of Islanders Insurance. Gigi has worked at Islanders Insurance since 1991, as an agent/ underwriter/ claims handler and as agency manager since 2007. Islanders Insurance was established by the Gregory Family in  Continue Reading

Shondala, Mallory & Kayla have a show at The Whale Museum this Thursday you’ll want to check out – they will present the critically acclaimed documentary about Lolita, the killer whale captured near here in 1970 who is still alive at the Miami Seaquarium. The evening includes an appearance by Howard Garrett, who starred in  Continue Reading

This is a photo I asked Traci & Chris if I could share with you – if you missed the sunset the other day, now you see what you missed!

I love Heather Callin’s pictures – they always see to find a different perspective on the world. For this one, which she shot at Wolf Hollow where she volunteers, she remarked: “I had a good day at Wolf Hollow. I was fascinated by what the cold temperature did to the outer layer of snow there….it  Continue Reading

Hope your new year is off to a good start! Let’s look around the island & see what folks are up to…. • One of the great things about the Soroptimists is when they hold a fundraiser, it’s pretty fun. Here’s the next one – here’s more from Barbara Sharp: It’s back!  Another “girls’ night  Continue Reading