Sunset through the fog as we pulled out of Anacortes last night....

Yesterday I needed to go to SeaTac to take Shay back to school in Boulder (he’s setting up his house & jobs & all that before Naropa starts in three weeks).

Ferry traffic director Anne keeps smiling throughout a morning of frustrated plans & ferry riders - she's so awesome. She makes everything feel like it's all gonna be all right... She should get a raise from WSF....

We got up, put the car in line for the 8 something ferry, and went to the Rocky Bay Café for a bite…and then found out the Hyak was broken down, which meant the next ferry was at 10:55.

You can tell the folks who live here from the visitors – locals just call & get a ride home or settle in to read or work at the coffeehouses & breakfast places. We settled into the homey atmosphere of the Bean with our ‘puters & got a bit of a productive day in…so it was good. The visitors settled in too, and explored town & there was a minimum of fuss about it all….

We made the flight anyway (yay!) and said goodbye till Christmas (which feels like a really long time away), and then I retraced the route to the ferry, which took three hours going through Seattle traffic to go the 99 miles to the ferry.

The Hyak couldn't run yesterday, and apparently that wasn't long enough to paint her, either....that's her, docked in Anacortes yesterday.

The fog rolled in at Anacortes i the yesterday's early evening, but that doesn't mean you can't play with your papa....

There, the day’s pileup from operating one ferry short really showed – the entire lot at Anacortes was full with folks who had been waiting much of the day to come visit or to go home.

I finally got on the boat at 8:30 or so, and made it home by 10pm. Long day for the ferry folks, I’m sure.

I hear the Hyak’s back this morning in the fog – good! Just in time for the weekend!

Congrats to Claire Burke! She graduated from The Evergreen State College this spring - way to go, Claire!

Around the island…

• Dilys from the Friends of the San Juan Island Library says they could use a hand with the Book Sale this weekend:

If you would like to help with setting up on Friday or clearing up on Saturday we’d be grateful.  Sign up sheets for various tasks are now ready at the Library.

• It’s next week, but you need to sign up now – here’s more from Dianne:

40th Annual Shaw Island Classic Race
Sponsored by the San Juan Island Yacht Club, the 40th Annual Shaw Island Classic Sailboat Race will be held Saturday, August 7, 2010, and all eligible boats and crews are invited to participate. The race starts from Friday Harbor and permits circumnavigating scenic Shaw Island in either direction, and back to Friday Harbor for a hearty lasagna dinner and awards presentation.

The race is open to multihulls, unballasted centerboards, registered PHRF boats and cruising sailboats of all sizes and rigs. Classes will be provided for multihulls, centerboards, PHRF and cruising classes. Trophies will be awarded for the first three finishers in each class based on corrected time, adjusted for time-on-time based on PHRF or committee-assigned ratings.

Entry forms may be downloaded from the club website at www.sjiyc.com, or obtained by contacting the SJIYC Race Committee at P.O. Box 67, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, or call 360.378.3434.

• Ruth says Ballroom Dancing is tonight -there’s live music with the big band sounds of the One More Time Band. Swing: Cha-Cha:Foxtrot: tonight! 7-9pm at the Mullis Center! $5 donation. Non-alcoholic
refreshments welcomed.

This is a photo I shot last year, looking over her bow....

Zoë from Sound Experience says the vessel is here this weekend:

Public Day Sail aboard schooner Adventuress on Saturday, July 31, 1-4pm

Departs Friday Harbor Marina, San Juan Island – Join us for an afternoon of sailing aboard a 1913 historic wooden tall ship! The schooner Adventuress is a National Historic Landmark vessel and recently won the popular vote in the Puget Sound Partners in Preservation competition. Learn about local marine life, take a turn at steering, and help us raise the sails. All ages welcome.  Cost: $40 for adults, $20 for youth (ages 0-17), Free for Sound Experience Members…

They're back!

People loved him here in ‘06 – and now he’s back this weekend. Here’s more about Alpha Yaya Diallo from Jan at the Community Theatre:

World Beat Master Returns to Friday Harbor

From his dexterous acoustic and electric guitar playing to his fluid melodic lines and compelling grooves, Alpha Yaya Diallo brings a dynamic World Beat performance to San Juan Community Theatre on Friday, July 30 at 8 p.m.

After wowing a Whittier audience in 2006, Diallo returns with his band, Bafing, complete with high energy African rhythms, visually stunning dancers and a sizzling percussion section.

Born in Guinea, West Africa, and having grown up in a number of regions, Diallo has been exposed to a variety of cultures and musical traditions.  By uniting those traditions with contemporary influences, he has created a unique and highly-acclaimed musical experience.

Diallo has won three Canadian JUNO awards, produced five albums of his own compositions and was the only North American artist asked by the United Nations to create a compilation CD to raise further awareness around the issue of HIV/Aids, hunger and debt relief in Africa titled Imme Africa/Get Up Africa.

The evening’s Business Partner is Wildwood Manor. Tickets are $28 for adults, $14 for student reserved, with $5 student RUSH one hour before the show, if there are still seats available.  The Box Office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or tickets may be purchased on-line at www.sjctheatre.org

Our friends on the west side...photo by Sandy Buckley

• Sandy Buckley is on a roll – check out her work on her site at Noted Occasions… and she’s still taking awesome whale pictures, too.

It was fun to run into Melissa at the Rumor Mill last week with her new 'do....

• I know you saw Tabby’s pictures & story from the Fly-In below – Fred from the San Juan Pilots Association has more on the group’s webpage.

• I hear our local Boy Scouts are hosting a troop from Denmark this weekend – way cool.

• It’s nice to have a music scene going on around here! Last week (starting on Wednesday), there were bands at the Rumor Mill each night, including jazz for brunch on Sunday, as well as music at the Peppermill, Herb’s and China Pearl. Can’t go wrong when there’s that much music…

Just tonight there’s Blues Night at the Rumor Mill, Music on the Lawn at the Historical Museum, and karaoke at Herb’s…and it’s still the middle of the week!

Jill Urbach on Sunday morning joined up with the San Juan Jazz Quintet at the Rumor Mill....

• The local Tea Party folks have a happening this weekend on Saturday with food & candidates & more – here’s the scoop.

• This meeting is coming up on Friday this week – here’s more from Jane Cable:

Public Forum on San Juan County’s Critical Areas: Common Sense and Land Use Regulation, 5-7 p.m., Turnbull Gym. “Will you and your neighbors be buried by bureaucratic regulations, or be treated with respect? It’s time to decide what kind of community YOU want to live in.” Brought to you by the Common Sense Alliance.

Hanging around town on a sunny Sunday....

Jacqueline Novogratz

You’ve noticed that there are zillions of places holding fundraisers and trying to raise money for a variety of worthwhile causes… no place is hurting more Africa and the Indian subcontinent area.

I really like the approach that Jacqueline Novogratz takes to take on the challenges that poverty brings to people, and to their spirit.

I’d hope that this isn’t just a “thought for the day” but the beginning of you finding a way to live within a spirit of innovation & generosity that will help folks who need it most.

San Juan Island Resident Performing at Satsop Rock Fest

The closest musician Rob Simpson ever got to Woodstock was like most of us…in a movie theater.  But, this weekend Rob will get a taste of what it’s like to perform at a big outdoor rock event.  This weekend marks the return of the Satsop River Rock Festival, a legendary event that originally took place in 1971.

Rob as Ray Manzarek in the tribute show to the Doors....

Rob joined up with Seattle-based DOORS tribute band THE AMERICAN NIGHT
in February of this year as their new keyboard player. Rob has been a life-long fan of THE DOORS so recreating the parts of DOORS organist Ray Manzarek just seems to come naturally.  “With AMERICAN NIGHT we put a lot attention to detail.  We really want people to hear, feel, and see what it was like to experience the originals in their prime,” says Rob.

THE AMERICAN NIGHT recently performed at Seattle’s new HARD ROCK CAFÉ,
but this will be their biggest show so far.  The band is opening for two acts that were at the original festival in 1971, Wishbone Ash, and Eric Burdon of the Animals.

Says Rob, “Just seeing all the performing tribute and original acts on the bill is going to make it really fun.  I haven’t done one of these big outdoor shows for a long time.  It should be really exciting.”

The Satsop Rock Festival is being staged this Saturday (July 31) in Hoquiam, Washington at the historic Olympic Stadium.  Information can be found at www.SatsopRiverRockFestival.com

But, as soon as the big day is over, Rob will be dashing north again for the ferry.  He will be playing the next day back in Friday Harbor for Sunday Jazz Brunch at The Rumor Mill with the SAN JUAN JAZZ QUINTET.  “I can never figure out which one is my day gig,” says Rob, “and which is just for fun.”

Will the Quintet be playing any Doors tunes?

Mused Rob, “Hmmmm…I don’t think so, but you never know.”  Rob will also be performing out at Roche Harbor Resort August 6 and 7 with the new classic rock band THE SLIDERS.  “If we get the urge, THE SLIDERS will do a DOORS tune or two.”

Call 378-1338 for an appointment or more information!

• Yep, that was Courtney down at San Juan Excursions hanging a sign, so – welcome, baby Layla! Pete & Erin are still in Seattle, and hope to be back on-island at the end of the week.

Margaret & Albert celebrating Kimbell's graduation from Georgetone earlier this year...

• I saw Kimbell earlier this month at Marketplace & she told me she was flying out to Chicago for an interview….well, she got the job! So, she left the island last week for Illinois…here’s a graduation notice that proud mom Margaret sent about her Georgetown grad:

Kimbell Hall, the daughter of Margaret and Albert Hall of Friday Harbor, graduated cum laude from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. in May, with a major in Art History and a minor in Italian.  She is starting work as a Media Associate at Starcom Mediavest Group in Chicago, their global headquarters.  Starcom Mediavest Group is an international media/advertising company with 110 offices in 67 countries.

Islanders' Bob Coleman (flanked by Ron & Becki, left, and Michele & Pat) announces the bank would serve as the lead sponsor for this year's Celebrity Golf Classic.

• Islanders Bank’s Bob Coleman just wrote to me to say he was retiring…that is a huge loss for our community. Bob has done awesome things during his tenure there to make sure the bank has been a community bank that involves itself in the community, whether it’s sponsoring a Team at Relay for Life or becoming the lead sponsor for the Celebrity Golf Classic, or more. He’ll be much missed. He has a letter to the community he asked if I would share with you:

“Each of Us Depends on All of Us”  -  A BIG THANK YOU !!!

As the former President, CEO/CFO, Director and Secretary of the Board of Islanders Bank, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of San Juan County for continuing to support our local business communities by buying, shopping and banking locally.  It is so important to support these hard working, dedicated entrepreneurs that are the drivers of our local economies.   I would also like to thank all of our customers and supporters for your continuing faith and confidence in Islanders Bank during the past few years of unprecedented global, national, and local economic challenges combined with major collapses within the financial industry.

As I leave Islanders Bank, I am both humbled and honored to have been a part of an outstanding team of local banking professionals that not only take great pride in providing excellent customer service, but also take great pride in taking Islanders Bank to the top of the heap in Washington state.  Islanders Bank has been the Number 1 performing bank in Washington State, and in the top 3% nationally, for the past several quarters, and, presumably this high performance trend will continue for many quarters to come. (Based upon pre-tax Return On Average Assets)

As relatively new people to the islands, my wife Linda, and I, learned early on that we probably won’t live long enough to be considered true “Islanders” but, we are both very proud to be considered  “locals” and, as such, feel so very fortunate to live, work and reside in the beautiful San Juan Islands where the true meaning of “community” rings loud and clear at all levels – and also where, “Each of Us Truly Depends on All of Us”

Thanks again to all of you, our friends and neighbors,  and especially the Islanders Bank Team for all of your support and consideration these past several years.

Respectfully and with warm personal regards,

Bob Coleman

On the west side of San Juan Island last Sunday....

Let’s catch up a bit here, shall we….

• Football for kids is just around the corner – here’s more from Cassie Kurtz:

Tiger Youth Football starts on Monday, August 2nd. Ages 6 – 14 girls & boys are welcome. Practice starts at 3:00pm at the Elementary School Field on Grover Street. Sign-ups will take place at the clubhouse during the week. Please come and check it out!

Encampment 2010 is this weekend - come see what life was like for folks in the military in 1860, and get a taste of life on the island then, too. This is one of the great events of the year - drop by English Camp and see. See you there!

• Tim & Megan came to visit the islands – here’s their report in their blog.

Quarters. Glued to the sidewalk in front of the Doctor's Office coffeehouse. Don't be fooled & try to pick 'em up. Like me.

• If you have the notion to add on an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to your domicile, you would do well to check with someone who knows what’s going on. Anne Hamilton of D+A Studio discusses this in her blog posting this week.

• The Annual Book Sale is this weekend! Wahoo! Here’s more from Jan Smulovitz & the Friends of the Library:

Friends of the San Juan Island Library • 31st Annual Summer Book Sale
Friday, July 30 from 6-8pm • at Friday Harbor Elementary School
(Members only) Join at the door
$10-single
$25-family

Saturday   July 31   10AM-2PM
(General Public)

All Proceeds go to the San Juan Island Library!

She calls it Acanthus Fine Antiques & Decorative Arts...Jenny Prescott opened up her shop this month.

• Paul Graham has a useful essay about the acceleration of addiction, within which he suggests we’ll increasingly be defined by what we say no to. Check your Internet/Facebook addiction at the door as you read it…. See what you think.

• I think it was Janet Thomas with last weekend’s bunny protest who said it’s important not to let down your hare.

• Vic Woodward is still in the Dominican Republic, but that doesn’t mean he dosn’t see familiar faces – here’s more:

Hey Ian…the old Disneyland ride, “It’s a Small World” tune was ringing in my head when Matt, Andrea, Abby, Leif and Marin Ellingson stopped by our house (Casa Betesada) not in Friday Harbor, but in Barahona, Dominican Republic.

They came over from Port Au Prince, normally a 3 hour drive, on a brief respite from Matt’s work with Samaritan’s Purse. Matt has a border story to tell as it took them 6 hours to get here. It sure is great to see them and hang out together.

Vic

Different island, same friends....

It was event for all ages....

Shoot, this was awesome – planes from all generations and from all over, coming to the island for a day for us to see & enjoy them. Tabby Talley took the pictures here, and files this report for the San Juan Update:

The first annual Friday Harbor Airport Fly-In was a success!

It started at eight on Saturday morning with a delicious pancake breakfast. Around ten the national anthem played as the American Legion led the opening ceremony in front of the air traffic control tower with the Presentation of the Colors. The Sky Raider followed, giant and flying low over the airport (extremely loud, but very cool).

The Blackjack Squadron flies overhead...

Just after, the Blackjack Squadron flew overhead in two different formations and then landed one after the other. At noon, everyone stopped to watch the Navy (from Whidbey Island) Search and Rescue Demonstration, where a helicopter dropped a man down (with a line), flew around for a bit, and then brought him back up.

Search & rescue....it looks like this...

The south hangers were open throughout the day and featured aviation organizations, model airplanes, flying videos, a paper airplane contest, and free magazines (some tables even had free candy!). Fish tacos and hot dogs were also available throughout the event, as well as many contests for free airplane rides (one of which my mom won!).

The Fly-In lasted until four in the afternoon. Next year will most likely include more things for kids to do, as well as more food, airplanes, events, and exhibits. My only suggestion: a latte stand!

Westwind Aviation's Dan Deshon was on hand to greet the guests...I didn't get a chance to ask him if he told them he's Mr. San Juan....

A biplane from another era...

Dog agility - it was amazing to see the well-trained pups navigate the course...

They hold it every year & it’s great fun…the Animal Shelter (Friday Harbor Animal Protection Society) calls it Wags to Riches.

The afternoon & evening featured marimba music, a live & silent auction, dinner & dessert (from the Market Chef), dog presentations, and music & dancing by the Rhythmatics!

Josie & I took a few pictures & shot a bit of video so we could share what it was like:

It's not just about dogs & cats - Jenn Rigg shares a service horse. It's a miniature horse trained like a service dog to help folks out....