Always loved this song, and there are enough of us on the island who would rather be out on the water than anything…sing along with Crosby, Stills, and Nash:

It was cool to hear from The Island Inn at 123 West‘s CEO Scott Hale that the inn is open – here’s the full story: Red, White and New – Friday Harbor Hotel Opens July 4th The Island Inn at 123 West will open all thirteen of its Friday Harbor accommodations, including seven Penthouses and  Continue Reading

Yesterday morning’s rain is nothing but good for keeping the plants going & growing – let’s see what else is going on: • If you’re a photographer, you know shots like Mahesh‘s picture above take a little planning, a great eye, and sometimes a little luck, as well as great skill with a camera. When  Continue Reading

Over 80 island kids came to auditions for the The Little Mermaid on Monday, and over 50 were cast for Saturday’s two shows – here’s more from the Community Theatre’s Jan Bollwinkel-Smith: Island Youngsters Shine in The Little Mermaid July 2 Missoula Children’s Theatre brings its special twist to the classic story of a little  Continue Reading

Our friends at Rotary & Islanders Bank want you to keep this one on your radar for the Fourth: The ever-popular Timebenders of Victoria, B.C. will be the featured band again this year for Rock the Dock.  This fabulously entertaining family-friendly street dance will be held at the Friday Harbor waterfront.  Plan on great music,  Continue Reading

Looking around to see what’s up…. • I sure like the way Scott Hale has on the 123 West website, right at the top: “Ready, Set, Slow.” • Looks like Thor Hanson‘s set for his presentation on Thursday at Griffin Bay Bookstore this week – he was on NPR last weekend, and has nice reviews  Continue Reading

You’ve read about the problems around the country in the other news, and it’s cool to find out that the local Red Cross is lending a hand. Here’s more from Sheila Harley: On the eve of this great country’s birthday, it is good to be aware of the heroes who deploy out of the American  Continue Reading

This is one of those vids you’re gonna watch & then forward to your friend who has 650 Facebook friends, all of whom will think you’re the cool one for finding it for them. There, I did that for you. Check it out.

I saw Carolyn Adler playing with a kid this weekend, and I asked her about him. She says he’s the son of Carey Phillips (FHHS ’97), and they were up visiting from Fort Myers, Florida because her parents have moved back to the island earlier this year. She says they’ll be here all week…and they  Continue Reading

It was a great phoenix story – after the fire in 2002 destroyed the block downtown (here are photos, from the archives), Rick & Wendy brought the Mystical Mermaid back better than ever in that same spot, next to China Pearl on Spring Street. A couple of years ago, they moved the popular Friday Harbor  Continue Reading

It was a Baby Bear weekend – not too cold, not too hot…just right, with the sun out & pleasant weather for gardening & running & going to the beach & the horse show & getting out on the water. All of which, as far as I can tell, is what islanders did…hope you did,  Continue Reading

Jenny at The Whale Museum tells me this is going to be fascinating – drop by on Wednesday: The Whale Museum will host a research talk as part of its Lecture Series on Wednesday, June 29 at 7:00 pm.  Dr. Marla Holt will discuss the use of suction-cup DTAGS to study acoustics and behavior of  Continue Reading

Yep, they’re playing on Sunday – here’s more from Kate Schuman… Summer’s here!  Remember, never judge a season by its weather! Keith Busha and I will be playing at The Rumor Mill Sunday evening, June 26th, 6:30 – 9:30.  A little jazz, a little Patsy Cline, some faves from the 60′s, and so much more!   Continue Reading

Let’s see what’s going on: • Shann Weston reported she found a familiar book as she travels north: “Wandering around in Barnes and Noble (Fairbanks), I come across Feathers by Thor Hanson. Yeah. That’s right, big smile. A feeling of home.” Thor will be reading from Feathers next Thursday at Griffin Bay Books – here’s  Continue Reading

A couple of weeks ago, I got the chance to work with Leasa Wangoe & Teri Gentry as they served as the event organizers for a 25th anniversary event at Roche Harbor. Because I got to sing & play at both the ceremony & reception (with Stevie Keys), I got to see them in action  Continue Reading

Chamber music comes alive when Pat Kostek directs the evening, and that’s a great way to celebrate twenty years of the program at the Community Theatre – here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith: Music from the Romantic Period starts off Chamber Music San Juans’ 20th season of presenting superb concerts of classical music for string, winds  Continue Reading

You know that Scarborough Fair is a series of impossible tasks that, if you can do them, proves your true love. (It’s an old English folk song…luckily, love is much easier now.) Here’s a go at it:

Yesterday made it feel like summer has arrived, with a warm day & the long solstice hours between sunrise & sunset…let’s see what else is going on: • It WAS the longest day… +++++++++++++++++++ • Remember Tyler Ryan, the FHHS grad who was & is a heckuva actor? He graduated with his degree & masters  Continue Reading

Not sure when the last time you listened to a journalist hold forth on the grace & nature of compassion, but maybe this is the next time – here’s a TED talk with Krista Tippett, who stretches the usual sense of the notion….see what you think.

There’s a new events photographer in town – you can check out the work that Peter Wangoe is turning out with his new biz San Juan Photo Booth. Grad parties & weddings & receptions & more – here’s his page, with portfolio. Lots of people you know, and lots of fun. Meanwhile, here’s his coverage  Continue Reading