Around the island! Wahoo!

The orcas are about...photo last week from Jim Maya.

Let’s see what’s happening:

• Jet lag: Just saw that Juan & Heidi Lopez are back from a few weeks in Spain.

A few weeks back, Nate Smith bowled a non-league 300 at Paradise Lanes...he was on the way to a bowling tourney last weekend on the mainland. He remains the only goalkeeper in FHHS soccer history to score - his punt sailed over the other keeper's head.

• I heard Desi Whalen was selected to play the lady in “My Fair Lady,” with Daniel Finn as Higgins….gonna be fun!

• High school players – wanna play lacrosse this spring? Come to the sign up meeting Thursday…here’s more.

• Nature-Contact healing arts degrees offered for Reiki Energy Healing Touch, Tao, Qigong and Tai Chi…wahoo! Looks like Mike Cohen is continuing to expand Project Nature Connect‘s offerings. Here’s more about the degrees.

• Devorah wrote to tell me she has a Garage/Estate Sale this weekend…she says it’s Friday thru Sunday from 2pm-6pm. Call 317.5612 for more details – she’s at 93 Reef Net Rd. (Egg Lake to Three Corner Lake to Miller Rd. to Reef Net). Everything from music gear, jewelry, furniture, housewares, artwork, building supplies, clothing (sizes 0 to 5/6)…and, of course, Devorah’s cds at $10. or 2 for &15.

Lainey Volk and her family got their photo taken with bronze-medal moguls winner Shannon Bahrke at the Swiss/USA hockey game. That's Becky Volk, Shannon, Deanna ( Lainey’s granddaughter), and Cristine (Lainey’s daughter). Photo by (you guessed it!) Lainey.

• The Volks go to the Olympics! Lainey & Becky sent me these photos from their three day trip to Vancouver last week…they reported the trip was amazing & the Canadians & visitors were all very welcoming & friendly.

Volks, all in one place: That's Christopher (Orr), Cristine (Volk Orr), Gabriel (Orr), Deanna (Orr), Lainey, Ian, Becky, John, and Geoffrey.

• FHHS junior Corwin Perrin has put together a nice little page for local classifieds – check it out here: sjclassifieds.co.cc .

• If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

• Kristine Odle sent me this cool news about a cool program with a cool recipient:

Angela Bolger receives Soroptimist Opportunity Award

Soroptimist Lenore Bayuk (left) and award winner Angela Bolger

Angela Bolger of San Juan Island, has been chosen as recipient of the 2010 Women’s Opportunity Award from the local Friday Harbor Soroptimist International club.  The $2500 monetary award was presented to Angela at the February 3, 2010 club meeting by Kristine Odle.  A special thank you goes to judges Kathleen Heric, Sharon Kick, Connie Biggers and Colette Lauderville.

As a single mother, Angela is working full time, going to school ¾ time, and, in the words of one of her references, “is an amazing mother”.  Another reference said “I personally cannot think of a better individual to receive this award.  She is the epitome of what Soroptimist is all about and would be and is a great example.  I know that she touches everyone that she comes into contact with and I think the profession she has chosen suites her so perfectly.  I would strongly recommend you choosing her as the recipient of this award as I know what she personally gains from this will prove to make our community a better place.”

The Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects. Eligible applicants must be women who provide the primary financial support for their families, and who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program. The winners may use the cash award for any costs associated with obtaining education including tuition, books, supplies, childcare and car care.

Angela is now eligible for consideration at the Soroptimist International Region level which grants one first-place award for $5,000.  For more information on Soroptimist projects and the various awards visit: www.SiFri.org

• Amy Traxler wanted me to share with you a project she’s involved in, that you might find interesting:

Hi Ian!

Many islanders know that I’ve been working with an overcrowded, high-kill shelter in California for almost 2 years now, bringing up small dogs to this area for re-homing.  To date, I’ve brought up over 60 dogs and 11 of them have found permanent homes right here on San Juan Island!  I’m now working with a wonderful newly-formed organization called “Friends for Life Animal Rescue.”  We’re an all-volunteer, non-profit, no-kill companion animal rescue group that works through a network of foster homes rather than a shelter. We don’t have a central facility, but we have animal fosters in Skagit, San Juan, and Snohomish counties at this time.

We’re looking for a couple more dog foster homes on San Juan.  If anyone is interested, they should contact me at 378-6249.  We currently have a few dogs left from our January rescue who are looking for permanent homes – check out the website at http://www.friendsforliferescue.org/ and do a search for “dogs” to see their photos and bios.  We’re also doing another rescue at the end of March so if anyone is looking for a certain type of small dog, they should let me know.

This is an awesome group of people who actively seek out opportunities to help unwanted companion animals and are dedicated to finding permanent, loving homes for these small dogs and cats. . . . I feel lucky to be a part of this organization!

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