Happy Thanksgiving! I hope this finds you well & happy this holiday! I would like to take just a moment to thank YOU for dropping by the San JuanUpdate as much as you do, and to tell you how much I appreciate the chance to share all this with you. I hope the day leaves you with a grateful & happy heart; you give me one.
Thanks.
What to do for the day..... Probably you already have plans - I hope so - but maybe your plan was to take a look & see what's going on. Here's the deal:
The Community Dinner is happening from 12 to 4 at the Grange - it's great! Try & drop by! Here's more about it....
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce tells me that some restaurants are open on Thanksgiving Day... here's the times & the list:
The Doctor's Office: 4:30am until late afternoon Friday Harbor House: 4:30pm for dinner Coho Restaurant: 5:00-9:00pm for dinner Steps: 4:30pm for dinner Mi Piace Coffeehouse: 7:00am-4:00pm
Looking east.... When you click here to see Becky Selengut's blog, you can see what it looks like to look east from Mount Constitution. Pretty cool.
It's always this weekend.... It just feels like the thing to do - if you're gonna get cool stuff for someone for Christmas, the Island's Artisans Marketplace is the place to start. See you there. (Here's more.)
You need a car? Yep - my son & I have a 1990 maroon Mustang (manual shift) we're selling for $1200....runs great! Drop me a line if you'd like to take it out for a drive.
Getting our French students to France.... The PTSA, French Club, and Coho Restaurant have a GREAT dinner planned for next Thursday, and the proceeds go to the kids' trip to France this winter. Here's the details - hope you can go!
You knew Elements Hotel & Spa had to change their name, right? Now they're the Earth Box Hotel - here's the website.
Why you can't find my CD at some places.... You can find Things Seen & Unseen at Island Studios, Griffin Bay Books, Harbor Bookstore, and a few other places around the island, including my office. Great stocking stuffer.
Sue at the Whale Museum's gift store is not carrying the CD because it doesn't have any whale songs on it (I'm writing a song that says, "Oh, baby, we had a whale of a time" for the next one so she'll reconsider), while Carol at Serendipity Used Books is not carrying it because it is neither used nor a book. Similarly, The Toy Box is not carrying it because it is not a toy.
Quote At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. Albert Schweitzer
November 26-27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Bernie Krausse took the photo at the right near the top of the Chuckanuts near Fairhaven, Washington, with us in the background...he brings a spiritual glow to his work, and his photos are wonderful - check them out here.
Cool stuff.
Don't mind being the oldest..... Every so often I remember that the San Juan Update has been around for a long time...this week we celebrated this little newsblog's 11th birthday.
A fun way to celebrate with me: Click through the archives above and look at all the things that have been happening through the years - filming a movie (Practical Magic), FHHS sports glory, a fire & the town's phoenix-like rebirth, kids that were born, friends that have passed on, and lots of photos of lots of people & things that make our island a cool place to hang.
Quote I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. Bill Cosby
November 25, 2008
More beard-growing.... February is still a ways away, and folks are still growing their centennial beards. That's Sean Parsons at right, with his before & after face....you can check out the blog he & his wife Sara keep.
He DOES kinda look like the Apostle Paul....
They're off again.... Just noticed in Steve & Nan Simpson's blog that they just left for Ecuador. They told me last week they're cruising down the coast, stopping in at ports as they go along.
Malcolm says the play is great.... Malcolm Suttles reports that he saw the new Island Stage Left show this weekend:
I just saw Stage Left's "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol." It is stunning! You must see it and pass the word. A very small audience this evening, but as usual I'm sure they will be turning people away towards the end of the run. Thanks! Malcolm
A new laugh in town.... Rebecca Barnard just started this thing called ChuckleCam...check it out!
Garuda & I - moving on.... It's always sad news to hear that folks are packing up - here's the word from Peggy Long:
As some of you may know, we have decided to put the Garuda and I up for sale. My husband and I also own and run Naknek Charters and Dive and we have decided that we want to focus more of our efforts on building the diving industry in the San Juan Islands.
The Good News for all of our valued customers is that we will be having an inventory liquidation sale from November 28th until the end of the year. Everything in the store (with the exception of consignment) will be 50% off. This is your chance to stock up for all of your Holiday and winter projects.
We will be open everyday from 10:00 - 5:00 through the end of year (closed Christmas Day). Come in early for the best selection!
Steve Miller, with Wide River...... This is one of my favorite songs of his - see what you think!
The Turkey Trot is Thursday.... Here's the news from Paul Hopkins:
The fourth annual “Turkey Trot”, a 5K (3.1 mile) run, walk, trot or crawl, will be held on Thanksgiving morning, November 27, at 9:00 am. Registration will take place beginning at 8:00 am in front of the Best Western Friday Harbor Suites, the location of the start and finish, rain or shine.
Registration fees will be $5.00 and two cans of food for adults and $2.00 and two cans of food for kids under 12. Proceeds from the Turkey Trot will go to the Friday Harbor Food Bank.
The Turkey Trot is produced by Island Athletic Events, LLC with special thanks to Kings Market and Best Western. For more information, contact Paul Hopkins at San Juan Island Fitness, 378-4449.
Open through the holidays..... Ada from Mi Piace wanted me to remind you that she will be open 7 days a week for the holiday season. The hours will be 7am to 4pm, 7 days a week and yes - she will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 7am to pm.
Quote When someone is impatient and says, "I haven't got all day," I always wonder, How can that be? How can you not have all day? George Carlin
November 24, 2008
Now they're coming back..... Seeing Clinton Gauthier on the the ferry last night coming home from WSU reminded me a lot of the university kids will be back here for the holiday this week...
Time for pie! Jan from the Girl Scouts has more:
Thanksgiving Pie Sale to Benefit Local Girl Scouts: Young island pie bakers and their parents are geared up and ready to continue a local tradition: saving islanders the time of preparing Thanksgiving desserts and providing pies to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
Local Brownies and Jr. Girl Scouts will be selling homemade pumpkin and pecan pies inside Marketplace on Wednesday, November 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Folks may also choose to donate their pie(s) and the girls will deliver them to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
“This is always a triple benefit to our island,” said Jr. Girl Scouts 183 leader Wendy Wood. “Those of us who can’t or don’t want to bake pies ourselves get delicious, homemade pies, the Community Thanksgiving Dinner is helped and our girls earn money for activities and special community projects.”
Islanders may also pre-order their pies (those pecans do sell out fast) and pick them up on Wednesday. For more information, contact Wendy Wood at 370-5462.
Quote Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
November 21, 2008
Time to make it simpler.... I know this is different from the way a lot of folks do it, but I'd like to see a simpler Christmas this year. Instead of the long lists of stuff to buy & send, wouldn't it be cool to make the season about connecting with each other instead of getting more loot?
Here's an article about the $100 Christmas - what would your life look like if you spent $100 or less this shopping season? I've done it for years, in search of the spirit of the season described in the article. See what you think. And the best of the season to you!
November 20, 2008
Animal Inn is ready for your pet! Michelle Loftus says the Pampered Pooch Suite is available, with a 25% discount for cats & turkeys.
:)
Help for you at the Mullis Center.... Kurt wants you to know these services are available:
Affordable Hearing Help: Lots of us have a decline in our hearing acuity as we get older or due to environmental factors. If hearing loss is affecting your quality of life, we have answers for you. Don't hesitate to seek local professional assistance. You can rest assured, there are affordable options available. The Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight and Hearing has two programs that focus specifically on helping individuals access low-cost or free hearing care.
The first, Audient, is a nonprofit program providing low-cost, high-quality hearing systems and care for those with limited ability to pay. Additionally, the Lions Hearing Aid Bank provides refurbished hearing aids at little to no cost to the patient. Costs to provide hearing aids are split between your local San Juan Lions Club and the NWLF.
In our community, Dr. Stacie Baisch donates services including the evaluation, fitting and follow-up appointments for recipients of Hearing Aid Bank devices. Dr. Baisch also provides one day per month of free services at each the Mullis Community Senior Center and the Orcas Senior Center. Services offered include hearing tests, hearing aid repairs and hearing aid programming.
Call the Senior Center (378-2677) to schedule a personal hearing appointment on Tuesday, December 9. (Hearing Services are available every 4th Wednesday at Orcas Senior Center and every 2nd Tuesday at Mullis Senior Center).
The play is on, tomorrow.... Jan from the Community Theatre has more, with a little photo by Ken Serratt (above) and a little name-dropping thrown in by me:
The family classic, Barbara Robinson's The Best Christmas Pageant Ever plays THIS Friday through Sunday, November 21-23 on the Whittier stage, complete with dozens of island youngsters, their parents and community members. BCPE centers on a mom struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant as she's faced with casting the Herdman kids–considered the “bad” kids of the community.
Director Merritt Olsen says the play is “about the meaning of the meaning of Christmas.” Merritt has produced the play twice before in his career but this is his first time as director. “I feel in a small way I have a mission to do this play,” he said, “to share this message.”
Buy your tickets NOW!
You can do this online or by calling the box office at 378-3210 or by dropping by in person. The box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 am to 4 pm and Saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm.
CAST LIST
Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Grace Bradley...........................................................................................Karrie King
Bob Bradley........................................................................................John Pachuta
Mrs. Armstrong.................................................................................Pam Gillette
Mrs. Slocum.............................................................................Tammy Andersen
Mrs. Clark......................................................................................Regan Taylor
Mrs. Causling...............................................................Caroline Grauman-Boss
Mrs. McCarthy..............................................................................Trudy Loucks
Reverend Hopkins...............................................................................John Davis
Firefighters*: Jane Hutchison, Daniel Frymire, Felix Menjivar, Chris Chesley, Mike MacLellan
Beth Bradley/Narrator.........................................................................Naomi Deitz
Charlie Bradley/shepherd...................................................................Max Haenel
Ralph Herdman/Joseph..........................................................Kyle Jangard
Imogene Herdman/Mary.....................................................Erin McCauley
Leroy Herdman/Wiseman..............................................Christian Delazerda
Claude Herdman/Wiseman..............................................Gunnar Sandwith
Ollie Herdman/Wiseman...................................................Corbin Williams
Gladys Herdman/Angel of the Lord................................McKenzie Serratt
Alice/Narrator...........................................................................Libby Andersen
Maxine/Narrator.............................................................................Alex Hayes
Elmer/Shepherd/Understudy....................................................Sam Stewart
Hobie/Shepherd.........................................................................Erich Atwell
David/Shepherd................................................................Damian Enochs
Juanita/Young Angel Choir.......................................................Isabella Davis
Doris/Young Angel Choir.........................................................Jaclyn Domenech
Sally/Young Angel Choir.....................................................................Jayna Ott
Shirley/Angel Choir......................................................................Julia Keane
Beverly/Angel Choir/Understudy Gladys...................................Hannah Hopkins
Angel Choir/Understudy Alice....................................................Emma Wickman
Angel Choir/Understudy Imogene..................................................Brook Ashcraft
Angel Choir/Understudy Beth............................................................Echo Wood
Angel Choir/Understudy Maxine..............................................Grace Willows
Angel Choir Members:
Coey McPadden, Macalister Hull-Arent, Beatrice Grauman-Boss, Jessie Pachuta, Sammy Finch
Young Angel Choir Members:
Joely Loucks, Jersie Burgess, Stella McCauley, Arlo Harold, Piper Taylor, Inga-Lisa Harold,
Fallon Taylor
*The Firefighters are real Friday Harbor Firefighters
Quote
16 THINGS THAT IT TOOK ME OVER FIFTY YEARS TO LEARN
by Dave Barry, Nationally Syndicated Columnist
1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved and never will achieve its full potential, that word would be 'meetings.'
3. There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness.'
4. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
5. You should not confuse your career with your life.
6. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
7. Never lick a steak knife.
8. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.
9. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.
10. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.
11. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven.
12. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.
13. A person who is nice to you but rude to a waiter is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)
14. Your friends love you anyway.
15. Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that an amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.
16. Men are like fine wine. They start out as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.
November 19, 2008
That's Kim & Michael Bertrand at the Battlefield Band concert on Friday....it was fun to get these two photographers on the other side of the camera. Here's Michael's webpage...check it out!
The hills are alive.... Yep, Corinne Stevens is still singing & opera fans all over are lovin' it...here's more from her blog.
...with the sound of music! Dennis Willows says it's been fifteen years now that the San Juan Jazz Quintet have been playing, mostly at Bella Luna....they're at it again this Sunday from 5-8pm. Drop in & see 'em! Here's their site - check it out.
Do you know the size of your environmental footprint? Check it here, in this site by Redefining Progress.
What the footprint measures.... At the right - that's Cameron getting tp at Costco this past weekend....and that's just toilet paper.
We use a LOT of stuff, don't we? Gotta get a handle on that. Now.
(Click on the photo for a bigger picture.)
San Juan Wireless has even more to offer you.... Joy & Denny report:
SJW has added two new services: AT&T Mobility and Budget Prepay Bill Station. Through a partnership with Car Toys, SJW is able to offer mainland competitive prices on AT&T Mobility GSM phones. Budget Prepay gives us the ability to sell wireless and long distance prepaid cards, bill pay center for Centurytel, DirecTV, Dish Network, etc., plus activate new prepaid CenturyTel accounts. The prepaid long distance rate to Mexico is as little as 1.5 cents per minute! Please stop to review all the services and wireless gadgets that we are carrying for this holiday season.
The play starts tomorrow.... Island Stage Left presents "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol" - a different take on Dickens' classic tale. Four actors play 18 roles - and themselves - in a fast, funny, clever, sometimes scary and ultimately deeply moving production. Marley's stake in Scrooge's redemption is higher than you ever knew! Click on the button to the left & check the schedule!
Quote Genius is more often found in a cracked pot than in a whole one. E. B. White
Some of it is news, some of it is old news, and all are just things we wanted to mention, with most of it about the things that make living here great.
There will be more next week, if anything happens.
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