FRONT ROW: Cindy Guard Andrus, Cindy Nash, Mary Gerard Howe, Mike Sundstrom, Jeri Jensen Ahrenius, Wendy Fairweather Picinich, Laurie Carter Piff, Jan Murray Anderson, Dorian Rishel Langum, Nick Nash, Creige Scribner
BACK ROW: Tom Jeannet, Mike Wilks – Contributed photo

San Juan Update reader Jan shares this fun announcement with you…

The FHHS Class of ‘69 held their 50-year reunion at Mike & Beth Wilks’s home on Saturday the 14th. Out of our graduating class of 20, 13 attended. Twelve in the class started in kindergarten together.

BACK: Cindy Guard Andrus, Debbie Weaver, Cindy Nash, Kristy Wade Carlson, Nick Nash, Patrick Minsch, Jan Murray Anderson
MIDDLE: Jeri Jensen Ahrenius, Claire Phifer, Ken Crawford, Dan Schuman, John Ruthroth, Linda Ahrend
FRONT: Rob Sandwith, Lynne Boyce, Wendy Fairweather Picinich, Dorian Rishel, Patty Leake, Janet Franklin (Missing from picture is Mary Gerard Howe.)

Bruce Hansen

Remembrance Event

This is a gentle reminder from Francie Hansen for a remembrance event honoring her husband Bruce, who passed away on July 5. He would want everyone to:

• Honor your commitments;
• Pay your bills on time;
• Practice random acts of kindness*; and
• Remember what Thumper Rabbit’s mother said, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothin’ at all.”

Bruce’s wife Francie is looking forward to hearing your remembrances at a special “Come Walk Bruce’s Path” gathering, which will be held on Saturday, September 28, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, at 47 Inverness Lane (off False Bay Road). Please park in designated areas only, and wear comfortable shoes.

Any individual wishing to honor Bruce’s memory is encouraged to make a donation to the charity of his/her choice.

Don’t forget – this event is today…

At 10:30am on Friday, September 20th, at the Friday Harbor courthouse lawn, students from San Juan Island, in conjunction with students from around the world, will be striking to demand transformative action be taken to address the climate crisis.

The strike is taking place three days before the UN Climate Summit in NYC. The students ask people of all ages to be a part of the strike, as it is no longer the job of youth alone to fight in the battle for a healthy planet.

Community members will meet on the lawn of the Courthouse and will march to the roundabout at the ferry landing. We are taking to the streets to demand a right to a future.

We ask you to strike with us.

Contributed photo

Island Rec – Messy Me

Do you have a tactile toddler who just wants to touch everything? Here’s their chance to explore to their heart’s content!

Messy Me returns on Friday, September 27, from 2-3:30pm at the Friday Harbor Elementary School gym. There will be sensory bins filled with all sorts of interesting textures and a myriad of ways to interact and learn.

This activity is free and meant for children ages 2 to 5 and their chaperones.

Marie Hart – Contributed photo

A Great Life – Celebrating Dance, Music, and Yoga!

On Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, Marie Prabha Hart of San Juan Island Passed away in Bellingham, Washington. Marie is survived by her son Ivan Reiff and his wife Jackie, grandson Brendan, and sister Evelyn Long.

Born in Philadelphia in 1943, Marie took up ballet at an early age, dancing professionally from 1972 to 1981 in New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.  She had a great love of the arts, and frequented museums and performances. Spiritual callings made themselves known early on.

During a visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, she came upon an exhibit that partially recreated a medieval chapel with a beautiful stained-glass window. Even though she wasn’t religious and somewhat suspicious of spiritual traditions, Marie instinctively bowed down before the window. She felt that she was in the presence of something greater than herself.

She soon started living the life of a spiritual seeker. In her 20s, she moved to California. She lived in a commune in Oregon and made her own granola long before most people even knew what that was. In Berkeley, California, she co-owned with 16 other people a locally famous house, called the Derby Dump, despite the fact that it was a beautiful old home in a nice neighborhood just off Telegraph Avenue. It was there she raised her adored son Ivan. The proceeds from selling her share enabled her to take her first trip to India, whose traditions would come to define her later life. Read More »

Here’s a message from the Executive Artistic Director at San Juan Community Theatre…

I was twelve years old when Heart of American Shakespeare Festival premiered its first show in Kansas City, my hometown. I will never forget the magic of that production of The Tempest.

I probably went ten times. Hearing Shakespeare’s language aloud, under a starry sky on a gorgeous night was transformative for me. My family became devotees of the festival—we would go multiple times every summer, often to the same show.

I credit those early memories for what I now consider my love affair with the written and spoken word. Read More »

The Islands’ Oil Spill Association (IOSA) is Looking for Skilled Volunteers

As part of an ongoing revitalization effort, the Islands’ Oil Spill Association (IOSA) is looking for a small number of community minded islanders to get involved in protecting the islands from the impacts of oil spills.

Over 2019, a large group of IOSA volunteers have been steadily working to bring energy, organization, and knowledge to a long valued island resource.

The vision for the future of IOSA is of a well funded, sustainable, and professionally led response organization with a cadre of dedicated local volunteers. A diverse and skilled Board of Directors will provide high level oversight and leadership. The future of IOSA is bright.

In order to get there, IOSA would love the help of islanders with certain expertise. You don’t need to know anything about spill response, we’ve got that covered. We’re looking for the following: Read More »

Please join us for our first adoption event at our new home! APS-FH and Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands invite you to join us for an Adopt-a-pet/CB Homes for Dogs Project adoption celebration.

• When: Saturday September 28th from 12PM TO 3PM
• Where: 938 Cattle Point Road, Friday Harbor
• What: Food, Fun, Shelter Tours, Special Adoption Rates, Pet Service Providers, Face Painting for Kids and Much More!

Off-site parking shuttle will be provided. Bring (4) or More Cans of Wet/Unopened Dog or Cat Food to Benefit the APS-FH Pet Food Pantry and San Juan Island Families for free lunch!

For details or more information please contact Cristin Felso, Our New Shelter Director at (360) 378-2159