Around the island, around the sound….

Lots going on around town & the island….changes upon changes. Let’s see what’s up:

• The Tree Lighting & Caroling is tonight – here’s more from the Chamber of Commerce’s Rebecca Parks:

The first Friday of December every year, islanders gather for warmth, good cheer, caroling and watching the big tree down at Memorial Park light up. Last year…well…I hear the tree didn’t exactly blaze the sky.

BUT THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT!!! We have 4,000 new LED lights, installed by OPALCO courtesy of the Town of Friday Harbor and the Chamber of Commerce. There will be caroling with the Elementary School’s Eagle Spirit Choir, a kids’ ornament-making activity by Island Rec, plus lots and lots of caroling, hot drinks and cookies.

It all starts at 4:30 p.m. with the Island Chordsmen, our local barbershop singers, who will carol their way down Spring Street. At 5 p.m. we will flip the switch and… LET THERE BE LIGHT!!!

Please join your neighbors in celebrating this festive, momentous occasion. Wear your Santa hats!

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• Yep, the Resurrection Derby starts today – here’s more.

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• It was sad to hear of Dan Calohan‘s passing (right) – the family has made a website to remember him – check it out here.

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• FHHS travels to Orcas tonight to play basketball – Mike Martin reports you can hear the girls’ game at 6pm on www.fhTinyRadio.com and 1650 AM in downtown Friday Harbor, with the Ace Hardware Pre-game show at  5:40pm.

Mike says he believes the girls are ready – here’s head coach Eric Jangard:  “Look for both teams to have a fast pace, aggressive defenses, and a high-intensity game.” Junior Tabatha Keane agrees:  “We had a great week of practice. We’re all ready to play our game with tempo and poise.”

The Wolverines are coming off an opening-game loss to South Whidbey, 33-22.

Meanwhile, our boys play at home with Bear Creek this Saturday, after last week’s 54-47 win over South Whidbey…gametime is set for 1:30pm.

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• It’s been fun to follow the adventures of islanders Shann Weston & Steve Porten as they make their way across the Southwest….they’re presently near Brisbee, Arizona – here’s more from their travel blog.

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• Whoa – that’s cool! The Visitors’ Bureau’s Barbara Marrett reports that we’re #3, according to the Lonely Planet – here’s more:

Lonely Planet Names San Juan Islands #3 for Top 10 U.S. Destinations for 2013

CNN.com  announced today:

“With Lonely Planet’s Top 10 U.S. Destinations for 2013, innovative cuisine and drink, hopping art scenes and spectacular nature are available–all without a passport. They include emerging destinations, locations that have something special for 2013 and longtime favorites with something new to offer visitors.” We are very proud to convey that the San Juan Islands of Washington are listed as #3 on this list.

Dubbing the islands “The Gourmet Archipelago,” Lonely Planet author Brendan Sainsbury states, “Gastronomic movements usually take hold in cities rather than on isolated archipelagos but the San Juan Islands in America’s Pacific Northwest…have always been a little different. Between them, the three main islands support two vineyards, a lavender farm, an alpaca ranch and weekend farmers’ markets that ply everything from artichokes to marionberries.”

“Chefs of international pedigree” plan their menus around locally-sourced seafood, grass-fed meat and organic produce at restaurants such as The Bay Café on Lopez Island, Allium and Doe Bay Café on Orcas Island, Sainsbury notes.

On hearing the news, Doe Bay Café sommelier Shannon Borg stated, “We are very lucky to have so many great farmers, fishermen and winemakers in the islands. We love to share our local bounty and lifestyle with visitors who treasure the islands as much as we do.”

“We’re thrilled,” remarked Barbara Marrett, Communications Manager for the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau. “It’s the first year for the islands to be honored by inclusion on Lonely Planet’s list. Their travel products are a trusted source for information on the planet’s most captivating destinations; it’s a privilege to be recognized as one of them.”

Now in its third year, the list is compiled annually by Lonely Planet’s U.S. office team of editors and authors. The article announcing the list is one of the most read stories on www.lonelyplanet.com every year, which receives over 12 million unique visitors each month.

Already world-renowned for stunning scenery and watchable wildlife, this latest honor supports the San Juan Islands’ growing reputation as a culinary destination. Lonely Planet editors conclude their San Juan Islands listing with: “Hop on a bike, explore the beaches and enjoy the scenery, but be sure to eat!”

To read the entire article, please go to:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/travel-tips-and-articles/77583

To find out more about the San Juan Islands go to: www.VisitSanJuans.com.
For more options, see Brendan’s article on the Gourmet Archipelago.

The complete Top 10 U.S. Travel Destinations list for 2013:

1.       Louisville, KY
2.       Fairbanks, AK
3.       San Juan Islands, WA
4.       Philadelphia, PA
5.       American Samoa
6.       Eastern Sierras, CA
7.       Northern Maine, ME
8.       Twin Cities, MN
9.       Verde Valley, AZ
10.    Glacier National Park, MT

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• Hey, can you drop by & say hey (and goodbye?) Some friends are hosting a little goodbye thing on Thursday next week, and Josie & I would love to see you before we take off for Victoria in a couple of weeks – here’s the notice they’re putting around. It’s open to everyone!

Drop by the San Juan Island Community Theatre the evening of Thursday, December 13th to say so long to our longtime islanders & friends Ian & Josie Byington, as they pack up & move to Victoria (eight miles away – so near & yet so far!)

Ian is known to many islanders for his work producing the San Juan Update for the past 15 years – which has brought many of us together over the years. He has handed the Update off to Tim Dustrude, so we’ll still be “in the know.”

We’ll have a little reception for them from 5:30-7:30pm, with Ian promising to sing a song or two for us around 6:30pm. Bring a few cookies or baked goods to share – we’ll have tea & coffee – and help us bid our friends “bon voyage!”

(We’re sending this to Facebook friends, but tell anyone you know who might want to come!)

Please come by & say goodbye!

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Categories: Around Here