News around & about…

Let’s check out our isle…

• You know Molly Hogan, the friendly cashier at Kings Market – she tells me that she and her daughter Charlotte LaRiviere (FHHS ’10; she’s a freshman at the University of San Francisco now) traveled east for daughter Josie‘s wedding last week…wahoo!

• Playoff update: The Lady Wolverines soccer team played hard, but dropped their playoff game at Kings High 7-0 to end a good season in which the repeat league champs showed a lot of heart & determination, as they improved all season long. Way to go, girls!

• I heard that Sam Buck, Jr. was named the local Realtor of the Year recently, and that Lisa Anderson was picked as Affiliate of the Year (she’s at Chicago Title)…way to go, you guys!

• The “Choking Game” incident at the middle school made the Seattle news last night – here’s their report. I hope parents & kids take the time to look at the video in the report together. The school is handling it well; now let’s get the kids to handle it. This isn’t fun, and it isn’t funny.

• Next Wednesday at Skagit Valley College/San Juan Center: It’s a three hour hands-on workshop (1-4pm) for getting the most out of PowerPoint. There’s still room – call by Monday at 378-3220 and sign up! (Disclaimer: I’m teaching the class. I approved this message.)

• I dropped by the Haunted House when they were setting it up earlier this week (that’s when I took those pix to the right, when the lights were on)…sounds like that’s gonna be pretty fun. Here’s the scoop.

• In other Halloween news, Robin at the Sheriff’s department has a safety item:

The SJ County Sheriffs office gives away glow sticks at Halloween. The idea is to keep our children safe in the streets and visible to oncoming traffic. Due to Halloween being on a Sunday this year, we will not be giving them away through the schools as in the past. Could you tell parents that the Sheriffs Office will be supplying glow sticks on Sunday? Just come by and pick one up while supplies last. Each island will have them available for pick up. San Juan Masonic Lodge # 175 has kindly funded this program for the past two years.

• This is the last weekend for Duck Soup Inn (with Friday night Happy Hour tonight, and they’re open for dinner tonight & Saturday) before Gretchen closes for the winter…

• Meanwhile, over at the Coho Restaurant, Stephanie tells me they’re starting to offer sushi in a couple of weeks – here’s more:

“Beginning Wednesday, November 10th, we’ll be open for lunch every Wednesday serving fresh, made-to-order sushi. Our prize fish is tender, young albacore brought in by High Seas Tuna, which will be featured in our weekly maki selections.  We’ll have other fish and vegetarian maki as well.  (Check our Coho blog to read about this amazing albacore and the sustainable fishing practices).

“There will also be a ramen bowl of the week- a flavorful soup filled with copious noodles and our chef’s selection of either smoked pork, chicken or shrimp.  Of course, we’ll also have all the traditional fixings including miso soup, seaweed salad, green tea, hot and cold sake, and Asian-inspired ice creams.   Dine in or take out, your pleasure – first come, first served – either way, you’ll experience the freshest sushi around!

“If you’re a sushi fan, plan your visit to the island this fall to include a Wednesday and join us for lunch.  Remember, we will be open Thursday – Saturday for our regular dinner service.”

Sweet Eats and Savory Thymes,
Stephanie Prima-Sarantopulos, Guest Services Coordinator

• You’re already planning to get a Christmas tree, right? Well, you get a good tree and help out Paideia – here’s more from Jill Urbach:

Hi Ian!  I’ve got some information I hope you’ll pass along to your readers.  (That would be everybody.  Hello everybody!)

Believe it or not, Christmas is right around the corner and it’s not too early to start thinking about the centerpiece in your house: Your Christmas tree!  Why not get a head start on the season and order your Christmas tree now?  It’ll be one less thing to have to think about after Thanksgiving!

Once again, Paideia Classical School is holding its annual fresh-cut Christmas tree sale.  This year we are using a new grower with local ties, King Family Trees.  4’ to 9’ Nobles and Douglas Firs are available and all trees come with a money-back guarantee.  Prices are the same as last year.

Orders must be placed by Friday, November 12.  Then you can sit back and relax, knowing your fresh tree will be ready for pickup on Saturday, December 4, just in time for you to decorate for the season.  (Delivery can be arranged for a small fee.)  Don’t forget about Paideia’s delicious bake sale when you pick up your tree!
To order your tree, talk to any Paideia student or parent or call Tammy Andersen at the school at 378-8322.  Thank you for supporting Paideia Classical School!  We appreciate it!

• Cutbacks at the medical center shouldn’t mean less service – here’s more in a press release from Lenore last week, who is on the hospital board:

The SJCPHD#1 Board announced today that, due to current economic conditions and decreasing insurance reimbursements, significant adjustments to salaries and staffing are required for the Inter Island Medical Center (IIMC) to stay within its 2010 budget. These adjustments will not, however, affect the availability of 24/7 healthcare for island residents and visitors. All scheduled services will continue to be available Monday through Friday as well as on Saturday from 9am to 4pm.

“We regret the necessity of these changes and the impact on the entire IIMC staff. We’ve all been working hard this past year to reduce costs, manage staff turnover, and deal with changing insurance reimbursements,” said Lenore Bayuk, SJCPHD#1 Board Chairperson. “Nevertheless, we need to make these changes now to stay within our 2010 operating budget. Our ongoing planning for next year’s budget will also be impacted by these economic realities.”

The IIMC is designated as a rural medical clinic, and therefore its insurance and Medicare reimbursements are limited to fixed fees and do not meet the cost of providing services. This long recognized problem contributed to the Board’s strategic decision to establish a relationship with PeaceHealth which will lead to the opening of the PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center in 2012. This long range plan remains on track and will result in greater financial stability for the Hospital District.

San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 is a tax-supported agency that provides clinic-based medical services and 24/7 urgent care services at the Inter Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor. It also operates San Juan Island EMS which provides emergency medical services, critical care transport, and injury and accident prevention programs. The District is comprised of San Juan Island, Town of Friday Harbor, Brown Island, Stuart Island, Johns Island, Speiden Island, Pearl Island and Henry Island in San Juan County, Washington.

• You went to the Soroptimists’ Giveaway last year & loved it, so they’re doing it again – here’s more from Barbara Sharp:

DON’T MISS THE SOROPTIMISTS’ GREAT ISLAND GIVE AWAY!

Back again by popular demand!  The Soroptimists’ third annual Great Island Giveaway is Saturday, October 30 at the Mullis Center, 10:30am to 1:00 pm.  Free admission.

Here’s your chance to exchange items you no longer use for something you do need! If you have attended before, the rules are the same: Check in your donations between 10:30 am and 11:55 am, and receive one ticket for each item. Each ticket is good for one exchange.  When the bell rings at noon, you are free to exchange each ticket for an item on display. No exchanges, swaps or set-asides of goods before the noon bell.

Donations must be in good, clean working order. Look around the house for things you no longer use:  kitchen appliances, toys, lamps, books, gardening tools, books, vases, framed art, games, backpacks. However, clothes, shoes, TVs, computers, cellular phones or other outdated electronics will not be accepted. Furniture or other large items may be considered, but the donor is responsible for removal if the item is not chosen by the end of the event.

The doors open for check-in at 10:30 am.   Socialize with your friends and neighbors and enjoy a fresh cup of Café Femenino coffee and baked goods while you check out incoming treasures until the noon bell.  It’s fun, it’s free, and you can go home with a real treasure.

Sponsored by Soroptimists of Friday Harbor, this event is a service project to promote recycling and reuse of items.  For questions or more information call Pat Hansen, at 378-5958. For additional information on Soroptimists, visit www.sifri.org.

• Should we have an Arts Council? Here’s your chance to give input:

Since 2009 a small volunteer committee has been meeting in Friday Harbor to discuss the possible formation of a San Juan County Arts Council.

On Thursday, November 4, 5:00 – 8:00pm at the Waterworks Gallery on Argyle Street, the community is invited to gather to discuss this proposal and to offer comments and suggestions on the potential role of an arts council in the San Juan Islands.

• Here’s a chance to help honor women on the island, with the Soroptimist Club’s Barbara Sharp giving the details:

WOMEN HELPING WOMEN: APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE SOROPTIMISTS’ 2011 RUBY AWARD

The Soroptimist Ruby Award honors women who have worked to improve the lives of women and girls through their professional and/or volunteer work. Through this award,  local Soroptimist clubs and the International Soroptimist organization are able to thank these women and encourage others to explore ways to assist women and girls. Do you know a woman in our community who is making a difference in the lives of other women?

Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor program is accepting applications to honor  women in our community for this award at the local club level. Award winners at the club level are then eligible for additional awards at higher levels of the Soroptimist International organization. The finalist receives a $5,000 donation to the charitable organization of her choice.

Women can be nominated by someone else or can submit their own application.  For more information about the Ruby Award and an application form, please contact either Francie Hansen at 378-2731 or Thane Bolger  at 317-4838/ thane (at) sanjuanislands.com.  Applications may also be downloaded from the Soroptimist website at www.sifri.org  (go to “Community Projects” then “Awards and Scholarships”).  Applications are due by December 1, 2010. Submit it to Soroptimist of Friday Harbor, PO Box 2856, Friday Harbor, Washington, 98250.

• The auditions are Monday & Tuesday! Jan has more:

Auditions for 2011 Islands Playwrights Festival on November 1 and 2

Auditions for the 2011 Islands Playwrights Festival: A Lighthearted Look at Life in San Juan County are Monday and Tuesday, November 1 and 2 at 7:00 pm inside San Juan Community Theatre’s Gubelman Theatre.

The eight ten-minute plays are based on site-specific theater: each is set on the ferry or in an island motel room.

Casting needs include:

Act I – On the ferry

A Private Place by Ed Strum – 1m/1w –  two people keep the zest in their relationship alive

A Clearer View by Chris DeStaffany – 2m (middle aged) – one guy tries to persuade the other to run for public office

High Seas Infants by Jennifer Beck Furber – 2 or 3m/1 or 2 w (one pregnant)/1 little girl – a typical day on the interisland in a ‘monster’ storm

Mary’s on the Ferry by Don Pollard – 1m/1w – an overheard cell phone conversation “Can you hear me now?”

The Rock by Jim and Jan Zurcher – 1m/1w (retirees)/2older teen boys/1older teen girl – a mini musical about dreams for the future

Act II – In an island motel room – 3 VERY unusual relationship crises:

Moving On by Cinda Pierce – 1m/1w (middle aged or older)

The Retreat by Ernest Pugh – 1m/1w (middle aged or older)

A Glimmer of Hope by Sharon Lannan 2 (or 3) m / 2 (or 3) w 2 couples 20s-40s and an atypical minister

Scripts are available for perusal at the box office with a $10 deposit.  The box office is open on Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 2011 Islands Playwrights Festival runs January 28-29, February 3-6 and 11-12.

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Categories: Around Here