Around Here

Time for spring planting…

In bloom...come get yours!

Hey, you’re gonna get out in the garden this weekend (I know you are), so why not put some rhodies in? Here’s the scoop from Mary & Smitty about how you can start:

Ryan’s Rhodies for sale: ~ Rhododendrons!

We have many varieties, colors, & sizes, ranging from 18” to 4’ tall. PJM’s are in bloom right now. Some are fragrant! Plants will be brought to Bakery around blooming time.
Prices vary according to the plant.

LOCATION: Bakery San Juan on Mullis St. Stop by and see what’s on the porch & in the yard!
DEAL: Buy 2 & get a $5.00 Bakery Coupon!
Contact: Smithy & Mary at 378-2728
Email:  meadsmith (at) centurytel.net

Make an appointment to visit the farm. Delivery of plants can be arranged. God Bless You!

Around the island….

Crows in the Courthouse's tree....

Here’s a few bits for you:

Howard and Helen

• He’s one of the elders of the tribe, and one of the finest gentlemen on island. It was cool to see Howard Schonberger out for dinner last night with Helen & friends for his 89th birthday at the Golden Triangle. He told me he’s looking forward to it as he begins his 90th year – happy birthday!

• Speaking of newspaper legends, the Los Angeles Times has a travel article with San Juan Island as #1 on a list of historic places to visit. Check it out here.

• Marita from the IMA (Islands Museum of Art) has Art Wolfe’s show opening Saturday, with Art himself here…here’s more:

“Art Wolfe is a virtuoso whose eye brings home, again and again, the
absolute need to preserve what we have.” – Morgan Freeman

Art Wolfe

IMA, Islands Museum of Art, opens Art Wolfe’s Travels to the Edge, an exhibition of photographs from the award winning American Public Broadcasting series of the same name. A lecture by the artist of Between Heaven and Earth will be held between six and seven in the evening Saturday, March 13 at the  Community Theatre.

The exhibition opening will be held between seven thirty and nine thirty at the Islands Museum of Art, at 28 First Street. The artist will be available for book signing during the reception at IMA .

Art Wolfe’s images interpret and record the world’s fast-disappearing wildlife, landscapes and native cultures. Over the course of his 30 year career, he has worked on every continent and in hundreds of locations.  He aims to win support for conservation issues by “focusing in what’s beautiful on the earth.” Wolfe has published over sixty books and received numerous awards. The 13-part public television series hosted by Wolfe, “Travels to the Edge”, has been broadcast around the world.

The lecture is part of IMA/s ongoing series “Art as Voice.” A multi-media photography adventure, this presentation centers on the Himalaya region and reflects Wolfe’s most personal statement to date.  It begins with a brief look back at the history and events in Wolfe’s formative years that triggered his imagination and wonder towards a path of blending his creativity and art with photography while documenting  the wild world.

The exhibition Travels to the Edge explores some of the world’s most intriguing places. From majestic glaciers and expansive deserts to elusive wildlife, teeming rain forests, and tribal gatherings, this is an intimate yet stunning selection of Art Wolfe’s favorite images.  Wolfe said of the public television series, “I’m excited to give audiences a portal into some of the planet’s most incredible places, and I feel the series has two main purposes: to inspire people to get out and explore, and to get them thinking about what they can to help protect these places.”

Art Wolfe will be available for interviews via telephone or at IMA March 13, 2010
For scheduling or photos, please contact IMA.

Notes from the people around here…

Tom & Katie Pemberton on their way home on the ferry Sunday....

Most of this is hearsay & innuendo:

• Babies on the way: Stephanie Walker says she hit 20 weeks last week, and proud papa Tom Pemberton tells me both Elliot & Mari have kids on the way in the late spring.

Nancy shows off her brand new grandboy Desmond to Melissa Posenjak at the Chamber of Commerce meeting last night....

• Speaking of babies – it’s been great to hear that Nancy & Dave Hanson from the Toy Box are now grandparents, as their boy Joel & his wife welcomed baby Desmond last week, in Australia. She wrote me to tell me & you:

Desmond Carlisle Crane weighed 7 lb 6 oz. They live in Melbourne, Australia, so I won’t get to see him until May. Thanks to the wonderful world of technology, I do get to see him on Skype!! Grandpa David and I are just thrilled.

• Speaking of Melissa Posenjak – she’s been promoted to Branch Manager at Whidbey Island Bank. Wahoo & congrats!

• I swung by the former Ale House to see how the renovation there is coming along. Hard to tell through the windows. So far, I’ve heard maybe a dozen guesses what’ll be there when it’s done. Pretty sure it’s probably not really gonna be a Chuck E Cheese.

I hope not, anyway.

Last spring, Ricie was All-League & All-World for the Wolverines...now he's having a good run at WSU.

• Over at Washington State, freshman pitcher Richie Ochoa (FHHS ‘09) is already part of the Cougars’ bullpen. (Here’s his bio on the WSU website.)

He got a couple of innings in, two weekends ago against Bethune-Cookman in Texas, with his coach saying he was a huge reason WSU won. (Here’s the boxscore.)

Last weekend, he earned the victory in relief as WSU beat Utah 10-4 (here’s the story.) The Cougs are 9-1 to start the season & flying high…

• You know, the Adventurous Wench doesn’t just bring people TO the island…she takes islanders all around the world, too. Her women-only trips rock.

The Wench is ready...are you?

Check out where she’s going….

• Ran into FHHS senior soccer player José Charupe last night & he says the team is jelling – their first game is next Tuesday with Coupeville, here. He says they’re gonna be strong up front & he likes the way the defense works together.

Meanwhile, senior Kerri Goff has a big smile when she’s describing the Wolverine softball team…she says the pitching is stronger this year (as in deeper – she says there are promising young pitchers coming along), which means she may not be asked to throw as many innings this spring. They have their opener on Saturday at Orcas.

Joel & Desmond share a quiet moment....

• Here’s another picture of Nancy’s son Joel with baby Desmond, all the way from Australia, mate.

• Hey, Kels is playing Friday at the Bean, with an acoustic evening of original music with the Kels Boreen Project. Starts at 7pm…don’t miss it!

• Oh, man – you gotta choose for Friday night! Also, it’s the Irish Music Camp Concert at the Community Theatre. It’s great – here’s more about it.

Soroptimists Lori & Lynn have fun selling tickets for Saturday's dinner & auction....

• The Soroptimist Club still has tickets for Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza…this fundraiser helps fund the cool things the Club offers to women in the community, and to help provide ferry tickets to folks getting cancer treatments. What they do is great stuff…you can help, AND have a great time with the dinner & auction. Here’s more.

When I got through playing last Thursday at Pazzo Vivo's open mike, I took this quick shot of the crowd in front of the stage, from the stage: (from left): Ed (in red), Hobbes, Chuck, Canyon (in the air), Cecil, Britt, Ian, Bill & Jeff, Kirk, Donna & Donna. Thanks, guys!

Ace nearly ready to open….

Donny's upbeat about the store's future....

Last night I got the chance to see behind the red door coverings & see what’s been going on inside Ace Hardware. Gotta say – wow. Donny Galt has hired a friendly staff, the shelves are nearly all stocked, and it’s pretty impressive what he & the Anacortes store (they work together) have pulled together. Project manager Lynn Danaher says this new store will have 30% more products on the new shelves.

Last night’s sneak peek was sponsored by Ace & the Chamber of Commerce, as Ace hosted the evening’s member meeting. The red stuff on the doors comes down on the 15th when the store opens; there will be a Grand Re-Opening in mid-April.

What the marina looks like, if you’re the sun….

Saturday was beautiful....

Ever wonder what the marina looks like on a sunny day from the air?

Art Smith from Argyle House went flying with Todd Gardner on Saturday…he tells me Jennifer (his wife) and son Rick were along, too. He shot this with his little Nikon SLR. Rick said he had never been up in a plane like that, but says he liked it a lot after this trip.

“Dead zones” in the ocean…

According to Oregon State researchers, the growing “dead zones” in the oceans of the Pacific Northwest reflect oxygen depletion, the ocean adjusting to climate change, and a decreased fish catch.

Here’s more from the McClatchy Newspapers.

Captain’s course & room for you…

Nick Wainwright (FHHS '04) chats with Richard on the ferry yesterday.

One of my favorite blogs to regularly check in on is the Bitter End Blog that Richard Rodriquez keeps up. He has a Captains Course in April you might want to sign up for – he has only four spots left!

Check it out – just this past couple of weeks he posted a picture of the USS Constitution when she visited Anacortes in 1933 (cool stuff!), an octopus cake, an expalanation of how rogue waves are formed, and more.

Random bits…

Doug Bison is re-locating Bison Gallery into the old Garuda & I spot, and is making great progress toward his Grand Re-Opening on the 15th. It was fun to see the kayak on the wall, to hear him working to Joe Bongiorno's first album, and to see how cool it's going to be when he's ready.

Little things going on:

Drums - tonight at the elementary school!

• Remember that tree that got split at English Camp back in 2008 by lightning? This fellow posted a picture of it – check it out. That reminded me of the tree that sank two feet into the ground on the trail after it split off in a windstorm. Tim Dustrude’s picture told the story.

• Kings Market has switched over to completely using recycled paper – way to go!

• It’s gonna be great – there’s a Community Dinner tonight at the elementary school at 5, followed  by a free community drum event at 6:30. Last year there was some 300 folks drumming at one time…way cool. Hope to see you there! Here’s more.

Matt Rothlisberger

• Former Wolverine (’07) Matt Rothlisberger’s off to good start as baseball gets underway at Claremont McKenna College, where he’s a junior switching between the outfield & first.  A week ago, he scored a run as CMC beat Willamette, and had an RBI this past weekend in a loss to Cal Lutheran.

• Speaking of sports, FHHS’s spring seasons get going this weekend…after one of the nicest spring training weather weeks we’ve had in recent & far-back memory.

• Doug isn’t the only one re-opening – Teri & Be Chic Boutique are aiming toward a March 12 re-opening at the spot where Dominique’s House was, and Lynn Danaher says March 15th is when the new Ace Hardware opens its doors.

Gabe Scott (FHHS '09) drops by to say hey his mom Rhonda at Vital Elements, her store next to the Toy Box. Gabe's been working at Roche Harbor this winter & spring.

Around the island….

Deer in the sun at Wildwood Manor...

What to do, what to do:

• The last couple of days, folks have asked me what there is to do this weekend. Easy – look outside, and then think of something. It’s blue & clear & warm enough. Get outside!

Here’s my idea of a perfect day:

- Two hour walk this morning.
- Go hang & buy food at the Saturday Farmers’ Market at the high school (10am-1pm)
-  Walk around town & visit folks. Pretend you need something at Marketplace or Kings & hang out in the produce department & visit with friends. Then buy an apple.
- Walk on South Beach or the westside or Eagle’s Cove or Jackson’s Beach. Good day to climb Mount Young & have a picnic.
- Take a run to get ready for the Run Ladies Run 10K in two weeks.
- Don’t miss the hypnotist at the high school tonight. I’ve gone for 4-5 times & it’s always fun. You’ll see. Great for kids.
- If you haven’t seen “The Dining Room,” tonight’s your last shot. You’re gonna have to choose. Great play vs. hypnotist.
- I know you like music – Ed Wilson’s singing at Pazzo Vivo at 8pm. More choices: Ed vs. play vs. hypnotist.
- Then there’s the opera performance at the Presbyterian Church at 4. Where else are you going to get to hear Debussey & Bartok live?
- Of course, there’s the Doctor’s Office’s open mike from 6-8pm…that’ll get you off to a good start for the evening.

Let me know how it turns out for you. Sunny skies…you can’t go wrong.

If you post pictures of them, will they come?

Ruffles & Granny... by the way, it's common at Sea World for them to say that orcas can live to be 30 years old in captivity & that this is cool somehow...ask Granny, who turns 99 this month. Way better to live in the wild....photo by Sandy Buckley.

Works with baseball teams, right?

This is a photo of Ruffles (J1, the big one) and Granny (J2) from 2006, by Sandy Buckley.

Here are 36 songs based on the same four chords…

And I knew that if I got the chance, that I could make those people dance....that's Greta three years ago at the Fair, dancin' to the one man band.

I have been writing songs since before I can remember, and almost every song I’ve written has a phrase in it that I later remember as, “Oh, that sounds like Going to a Garden Party,” or “is that Mandy?” or “Whoa – that kinda sounds a tiny bit like Puff The Magic Dragon!”

Reminds me of when Arlo Gurthrie said something like, “Writing songs is like sitting next to a river & grabbing the good ones when they come by. ‘Course it helps if you’re downstream from Bob Dylan…”

Or John Travolta when he says, “I heard it, then I made it up.”

Here ya go – this is fun:

Fly to Seattle this weekend!

A couple of Kenmore planes land in the marina....photo by Josie Byington.

Just got a note from Craig at Kenmore Air…they have a deal for you this weekend:

Shopping? See a museum? Visit with friends? Saturday, March 6, is a great day for a Seattle daytrip! Limited seats on all Kenmore Air Express flights between Friday Harbor, Eastsound and Seattle are on sale for only $89 each way. Call 866.435.9524 or visit KenmoreAir.com.

Around here….

Now that Monica Van Appel-Percich has her real estate license, she & husband Bill Percich have teamed up at Windermere. Photo by Marie DiCristina.

Let’s check & see what happening ’round here:

John will show you....

• John Sinclair at Concepia says he has a beginners’ class coming up – here’s more:

Photography Classes: Concepia will be offering one day photography classes starting on Sunday April 4th. Aimed at the complete beginner to serious novice, this classes will focus on the core elements of digital photography. From composition to post production, I’ll try to cover all the bases and bring your creativity and confidence up a notch.

$79: includes class materials to take home, a lovely packed lunch, one 12×16 matted final print from your day’s work, and a 10% discount for any future purchases. Sign up Now as space is limited.

That's Rich Peterson with Linda Guernsey at Relay for Life last year...photo by Janice Peterson.

• Rich gives it a go, again: Rich Peterson is running for County Council again this year – he just announced it this weekend. At this point, I haven’t heard of anyone who might be running against him…it’s still early in the process.

• Wendy Meyers at Friday Harbor House wants to see you for lunch – she says:

The Bluff Restaurant-Bar-Terrace is now open for Lunch.  We are open Tuesday – Saturday, 11:00am – 9:00pm. Come on by!

Jenny, makin' cofee at the Bean

• Speaking of open eating places AND Petersons… Gordy & Lori Petersen have completely remodeled the Naked Bean & have re-opened as “The Bean”…I dropped by yesterday & Lori Guard had an incredible array of baked goods (she cooked ‘em!), the place is re-painted & has new chairs & tables…check it out!

• Vernadel from the Chamber of Commerce is collecting stories from the last month – here’s more:

Since the Winter Olympic Games have wrapped up (the Paralympic Games take place March 12-21), we’d love to hear any anecdotal stories you have about people who stayed with you, or spent money with you (retail, restaurants, activities, etc.), as a result of traveling pre- or post-Olympics.  The Washington State Tourism Office has also asked that we collect such information for their records.  Thanks!

Rebecca & Bryn, avoiding the paparazzi (me).

• Off to Seattle…Rebecca Parks Barnard is getting ready to go off to the big Northwest Women’s Show at Qwest Field this weekend. Her business, LimbaSlim, has a tiny table there, but she tells me – she we will be heard! Or at least, have fun. Good luck, Rebecca!

• Hey, the Blood Drive is in a couple of weeks, on St. Pat’s Day…plan ahead!

• This is so cool – this hypnotist was awesome last year, and he’s back this year. It happens at the FHHS gym on Saturday night – don’t miss it! (Partly becasue it funds Grad Night for the Class of ‘10, and mostly ’cause it’s so fun!) Here’s the scoop.

See you there!

Hiding...

• I decided to look for more people on the island who aren’t pregnant (to balance all the notices of people who ARE), and found one person who isn’t. She allowed me to take her picture, as long as I don’t tell you who she is.

I always honor my sources’ wishes, that way.

• This is going to be fun -here’s the word from Emily Reed about a photo contest:

Peter Fromm, noted island photographer, and I created the “Island Scenes” project.  We would appreciate your adding this information to San Juan Update for the next few weeks.  The San Juan County Fair Board is very supportive of the project and has promised us display space for the 2010 fair.

The project description follows with the deadline of April 1. Thank you very much!

Emily

Island Scenes
“What is Here Today to Preserve for Tomorrow”

In San Juan County, we see historic rural and small town views becoming suburban.  The “Island Scenes” project is an effort to record images of what we have now which represent “old island” and what we hope will be here in the future.

Artists of all ages and skills are asked to portray a scene (one image/person) which strikes them as “old island”:

1)  In any two dimensional medium – photography, oil, pastel, watercolor, etc.
2)  Size: minimum 8″ x 10″ up to maximum 16″ x 20″.  Ready to hang.
3)  Description of the scene’s location, including the island and the season.
4)  No jurying. No prizes.

These works will be a major display at the 2010 San Juan County Fair.

Deadlines:
1)  April 1
Phone Peter Fromm at 378-8378 or e-mail Emily Reed at oatmeal (at) rockisland.com to confirm that you will have a scene for the display at the fair.
2)  August 1
Artwork will need to be delivered.

Dreams of Damanhur…a must-see, must-feel, must-think film

Keith Busha brings the awe & wonder of the underground art of Damanhur alive in his new film. This is the Hall of Metals. Photo by Keith Busha.

Dreams of Damanhur website | Ordering the film | About Damanhur

You already know Keith Busha as a heckuva musician around the island…he’s been playing at Roche Harbor and around Town for years. He’s also a heckuva filmmaker & storyteller, as you’ll find out when you see his new film Dreams of Damanhur.

Besides telling the story, Keith has put together an incredible visual experience as well. Photo by Shel Bedsole.

This is a film you’ll talk about…. when Josie & I finished it last week, we started making a list of people who we were sure would find it fascinating (you’re on that list, you know.) When Keith starts showing it, people will hang around afterward with questions – you can count on it.

Imagine people in a land dedicated to the advancement of social, spiritual, and artistic development. With its own constitution, social and political structure, schools and monetary system, Damanhur has many industries and businesses, creating an economic engine that supports their society and contributes to the villages and communities that surround them. They strive to create a self sufficient and ecologically sustainable lifestyle that contributes to, and encourages, global health and well being.

The film’s website reports: “Founded in 1975 by a group of Italian visionaries led by Oberto Airaudi, Damanhur is located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, 52 kilometers (32 miles) north of Torino. Their many nucleos, farms and facilities are spread throughout the beautiful Valchiusella and the Alto Canavese area and collectively cover an area of 500 hectares (2 square miles). Following their philosophy of sustainable self sufficiency, Damanhur has many farms and food processing facilities where they produce vegetables, wine, cheese, olive oil and meat for their own consumption and for sale in their various businesses.

You can purchase the film online...

“Damanhurians also produce much of their own energy through the use of solar panels and highly efficient wood burning furnaces. Their scientists and inventors have done significant research and have developed numerous patented devices and procedures that are used in the medical, energy, scientific and spiritual fields. Their studies and experimentation in time travel, communication with aliens, and quantum physics have made Damanhur one of the foremost authorities in paranormal and metaphysical research. Although the accomplishments of the citizens of Damanhur are too numerous to mention here, their most visible and awe inspiring achievement is the building of the amazing, subterranean Temples of Humankind.”

(Click here to see the larger, beautiful version of The Hall of Metals above; click here to see the Hall of the Earth below).

I hope you get a chance to see the film soon! You can buy a copy at Griffin Bay Bookstore, or get yours online.

You’ll also enjoy Ross Robertson’s article in EnlightenNext magazine, called “Atlantis in the Mountains of Italy.” Check it out.

The pillars of the Hall of the Earth, in Damanhur. Photo by Keith Busha.

Someone’s in the kitchen with Saci…

Cooking with Saci....

I heard that Saci was having a couple of cooking classes coming up soon, so I figured you would want to know so we get you signed up – here’s the deal:

“Let’s cook together!” – In the Kitchen with Saci!

Have a fun filled evening in the kitchen, learn some new recipes and enjoy a vegetarian dinner amongst friends.

Middle Eastern Cuisine
March 13th, 2010 – 4:30pm to 7:30pm
Pita Breads, Falafels, Souvlakia, Baba Ghanoush and more!

La Cucina Italiana
March 20th, 2010 – 4:30pm to 7:30pm
Homemade Pasta, Ravioli and Gourmet Pizza.

Classes will be held at Annette Schaffer’s home on Pear Point.

$40 per person/per class. Limit 8 persons per class.
Call Saci at 378-3243 or e-mail: sacirani (at) yahoo.com

The Cat in the Hat was back….

Happy birthday!

Over at the Library yesterday, some 75-100 kids & parents collected after school to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday, and reading, too!

Lucy and a ton of other kids had a great time decorating & playing...the Cat was back!

The event was sponsored by the Early Learning Consortium, in partnership with the San Juan Public Library, the San Juan Island Community Foundation, with funding from Thrive by Five. This was the local birthday celebration of Dr. Seuss, who would have been 106.

It’s been neat to watch as events like this have grown in both number & attendance since youth librarian Melina showed up last year…the kids tell me they really like her & it’s fun to see so many of them show up!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Happy Reading everyone, everyday!

Carolyn & Merritt dressed up as a couple of Dr. Seuss characters....

Boat goes down in the harbor…

The boat that sank yesterday...photo by Mike Close.

Mike Close from the San Juan Island Marine Center sent over this picture of a boat that started to sink yesterday…

What’s up….

All around the island….

Drop in & visit the folks at San Juan Interiors...

• Did you know it’s impossible to lick your elbow?

• The folks at San Juan Interiors sure make it easy to get a carpet put in, or to do the things you need to do to spiff up your home. Gabe & his crew (including Sarah, Christine & Michel) are helpful & friendly & really care about your job.

One way you can check them out is on their new website… one of the parts I like is when you pick a room & you can see what it looks like with different colors, online. Give it a try – click here!

Jack & Ann were still laughing at intermission at "The Dining Room" the other night...the show ends its run this weekend.

• Bill & Rita have a chance for you to dance – here’s more from Bill:

Dance Happy offers ongoing Line Dance classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Classes at Noon and 5:15pm.  Join anytime.  You don’t need a partner and we line dance to all genres of music:  disco, latin, salsa, swing, country, oldies, soul, and lots more!  A fun and easy exercise program.  Cost is $8 per class or $7 if you do 2 or more classes per week.  You pre-register for a 4 week series…classes are held at Dance Workshop II.  Call Bill and Rita, 378-9628.

• Spring sports are underway…yesterday was the first day of spring practice for Friday Harbor High’s golf, softball, baseball, boys’ soccer & girls’ tennis teams. Dragons Lacrosse (that’s a club sport, so they already started) is underway as well.

Krissy & Michael were all smiles at the Playwrights' Festival last month...

• I hear former school superintendent Michael Soltman and Krissy Haugen (yep, you guessed it – she’s Carolyn’s daughter & she worked in the schools here too) are getting married on May 1st. They currently work on Vashon Island – congrats to you both! Wahoo!

• Did you know that 75% of people who hear they can’t lick their elbow, try anyway? Did you? I did.

• Here’s a little song we used to sing at the end of yoga class, which I’ve always thought was about the nicest thing you could hope for someone, and for yourself:

May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure white light within you…guide your way home.

Click here & I’ll sing it for you.

It’s the Run Ladies Run 10K!

Kerry & Boo Boo have it all under control.

It’s coming on March 21st this month…a new 10K run here on the island! And this one is for women only…here’s more from race organizers (and the leaders of Run Ladies Run) Boo Boo & Kerry:

On Sunday, March 21, Run Ladies Run is sponsoring a 10K run/walk at Roche Harbor, San Juan Island, WA.  And unless you’ve got a tutu, NO BOYS allowed. This is for girls, only.

Early registration is on-going at San Juan Fitness, while event day registration begins at 8 AM at the Lime Kiln Café at Roche Harbor Resort.  The cost is $10.

The race starts promptly at 10 AM.  This 10K is for runners and walkers.  Strollers and dogs on leashes are welcome.

Make it a weekend getaway with the ladies.  Roche Harbor Resort is offering special room rates starting at $99. For room reservations, please call the resort at 360.378.2155.

If you have any further questions, please contact Run Ladies Run at runladiesrun (at) yahoo.com, BooBoo at 360.378.6902 or Kerry at 360.378.1007.  You may also join our group of Facebook at sji-runladiesrun

How DID Victorians eat?

Here’s a free deal tomorrow night you’ll find to be fun – more from Jan at the Community Theatre:

The Mysteries of the [Dining Room] Table Revealed in Free Lecture

A Northwest food historian explores the art of dining in a special free lecture at San Juan Community Theatre on Wednesday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Humanities Washington and Living History Lectures in conjunction with the SJCT production of A.R. Gurney’s The Dining Room* present Tames Alan’s Trial by Fork: Formal Victorian Dining Demystified.

Historian Alan’s one-hour program will “explore a time of forgotten elegance, when one changed into dinner clothes and chose jewelry to reflect candlelight…a time where setting the table was an art and serving a meal was a well-choreographed dance.”

Suitable for middle school students through adults, the entertaining and informative presentation also details how the formal manners of the Victorian age translated into the good manners of today.

*The Dining Room plays on the Whittier stage February 25-28 and March 4-6.