What’s up, pup…

At night, from the dock....

Let’s see what people are doing…

Democratic Congressman Rick Larsen was on the island this weekend, meeting with the Economic Development Council folks, visiting Roche Harbor, and visiting with supporter Mark Madsen at an evening fundraiser. The five-term Congressman faces a tough re-election battle this fall, with polls showing a close race with GOP challenger John Koster...

• Did you know it was this week? It’s the 21st annual Doggone Good Dinner! It is on the 13th at the Duck Soup Inn. It is, as always, a benefit for the Animal Shelter… the whole crew works for free/donates their time and the dinner is delish!

Anna Lisa tells me they are not quite full, so I thought a reminder to the community would help. Reservations can be made at the restaurant, 378-4878.

• Remember that swan that Keith shot a photo of, last week? I wondered about trumpeter swans hanging out in salt water, and several of you cleared it up: that was a mute swan, not a trumpeter. Here’s the previous story, with picture.

• Ferry tickets are cheaper starting last weekend – here’s the word from WSF:

They were everywhere - I ran into Dora & Hamid from Post San Juan taking their walk downtown on Thursday, at the football game on Friday night, at work Friday afternoon, and at The Style on Saturday night. They're everywhere!

Effective Sunday, Oct. 10, Washington State Ferries will end the peak season surcharge, which went into effect May 1. The peak season surcharge adds approximately 25 percent to the full fare car and driver fare (slightly higher to the San Juans). Please check the current teal Fares Brochure (effective Oct. 11, 2009) for more information.

• Aaron D’Errico dropped me a line to say his bro Adam‘s girlfriend Nikki (she’s Gary & Yvonne Bowman’s girl) is recovering in the hospital from cystic fibrosis complications.

Aaron says, “I’m asking all my friends to watch this, pray for her, and pass it on to everyone who loves Nikki. Thank you.”

• Restaurant hours tend to shift a bit this time of year:

The new hours at the Rocky Bay Cafe...

The Rocky Bay Cafe is shortening its hours from 6am to 3pm, to 6:30am – 2:30pm.

Vinny’s: Becki says: “We are now open 5 days a week, Tuesday thru Saturday, from 4pm-9pm. We have a fall menu that started October first and a great happy hour from 4pm-5:30pm. See you all soon!”

Duck Soup Inn: Now open Thursday through Sunday!

• Sports update: The FHHS soccer team beat Nooksack Valley 4-1 on Saturday, but sustained a different kind of loss as stalwart senior midfielder Hannah Starr broke her leg in the match.

Meanwhile, the Wolverine volleyball team dropped its Saturday match 25-9, 21-25, 25-11, 25-12 at Nooksack.

It's coming up this Sunday!

• It’s time to get in the pool – here’s more from Sam at the Fitness Club:

Swim Team Gearing Up For Season

Registration will begin for the 2010/2011 San Juan Island Fitness Swim Team on Wednesday, October 13. Tryouts for the swim team will be held beginning Tuesday, November 2, at 3:15 p.m. In addition to the swim team, a pre-season swim team camp will be held on Parent-Teacher conference days, October 20, 21 and 22.

If your child is interested in swim team this year, registration forms can be picked up at San Juan Island Fitness, 435 Argyle Ave beginning Wednesday, October 13. Deadline for registration is Friday, October 29 at 5:00 p.m. Due to limited pool space and time, the team is limited to 32 members. Tryouts will be held beginning Tuesday, November 2, at 3:15. Swim team is open to any child ages 7 to 17.

Swim Team Camp will be held October 20, 21 and 22 from 12:30 to 3:00 each day. Included in this camp will be stroke review, conditioning, videos, cross training and, of course, fun and games.

For those lacking some basic skills necessary to have a positive swim team experience, there will be a “Skills Team” available. Skills Team will meet two times per week from November 15 to January 19.

“We’re aiming at 3 meets with other regional clubs, two intra-squad meets and a dive clinic and play day at the Anacortes pool. Our big emphasis this year, aside from building strong swimmers, is to have a lot of fun”, says Paul Hopkins, owner of San Juan Island Fitness.

More detailed information is posted on their web site at www.sanjuanislandfitness.com or contact San Juan Island Fitness at 378-4449.

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