Wednesday’s news bits….

That's South Beach looking towards Cattle Point Lighthouse, with Cape San Juan just beyond, from the air...photo by Josie, about a month ago....

Let’s see what’s happening:

• It’s exciting when big things come to our little town – Torrey at the Presbyterian Church wanted to share this with you:

Puget Sound Concert Opera: Up Close And Affordable!

Puget Sound Concert Opera (PSCO) incorporates an innovative concert opera format, allowing audience members to see, hear and feel the music up close and affordable in intimate venues. This personal experience can be lost in the typical large, American opera houses. Within the increasingly popular concert opera format, audiences can see, hear and feel the performance almost as if they were on stage.

Norma by Vincenzo Bellini
The tragic tale of the druidic priestess and her fatal love for the enemy of her people. Featuring one of the most beloved soprano arias of all time “Casta Diva.”A High-priestess of the Celts secretly loves and bears two children to Pollione a Roman. She has been betrayed by Pollione who now pursues Adalgisa, a temple virgin. By denouncing Pollione, Norma condems him to death. Accepting her own guilt, she gives her children to Adalgisa and joins Pollione in death. Considered to be the height of bel canto genius, Bellini’s Norma is the perfect melding of drama, poetry and gorgeous melody!

Performed concert style with piano and small ensemble.
Saturday, November 13 at 5:00pm at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church
425 Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA
Suggested Donation: $15 General or $10 Student / Senior (LESS THAT HALF THE PRICE OF MOST OPERA!)

• Peggy from Naknek Charters says they’re going out this fall & winter – here’s more:

Fall and Winter Stellar Sea Lion Cruises

The Stellar Sea Lions are back in our waters for the fall and winter.

Join us for an up close  look at these magnificent animals. In addition, you may also see any number of other wildlife, common to the area. The 3 hour wild live tour includes hot beverages and cookies.  You are also welcome to bring your own snacks.  We leave the dock at 1:00pm and return around 4:00pm.

The cost for the trip is $65.00 for adults and $35.00 for children 12 and under.  Call us today to book your adventure.   We ask that you call ahead for availability.  360-378-9297 or contact us at peggy (at) naknekcharters.com

• I hear Shelley’s been getting good reviews for her work with coaching folks – here’s more:

Shelly Van Skyhawk is a Wellness Coach and Nutritional Therapist.  She is starting a free support group for anyone who has compulsive issues around food.  As part of this program, Shelly has partnered with Griffin Bay Bookstore to host a 16 week book club, starting in January, based on Geneen Roth’s  bestselling book, Women, Food and God ~ an unexpected path to almost anything.   For all those interested in learning more about her program, Shelly is providing an informational open house at the San Juan Library on Wednesday, November 17th from 4-6pm.

Here is what Shelly has to say about her work…

“Exploring our relationship with food is a powerful and transformative process and the connection is foundational to achieving everything we desire in life.  Our relationship with food is a reflection of how we relate to love and nurturance, and how we manage the stress in our lives, as well as our beliefs around belonging, comfort and pleasure. As a culture, we have become detached and numbed out regarding our body’s signals as to what we are truly hungering for.  We look to food to fill so many emotional needs.  The journey towards reclaiming our lives is often intertwined with the exploration of what and why and how we choose to eat.”

• Lenore says the deadline is in mid-December, but now is the time to pull your application together:

Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award For
Women Head of Household Seeking Further Education/Training
2010 – 2011

Applications for the Women’s Opportunity Award, sponsored by Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor, are now available. This is an award intended to assist women in overcoming personal difficulties and bettering their lives through education and skills training.  The women who receive the award may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as tuition, books, childcare, or car repairs.  The award is offered to a woman, primary wage earner in the household pursuing an undergraduate or vocational degree.

Last year’s award was granted to longtime San Juan Island resident Angela Bolger to assist her in her studies to become a Licensed Registered Nurse.  She also qualified for an award at the Regional level and received additional financial support for her studies.

Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor has made $5,000 available for this award for a woman in San Juan County.  Local recipients become eligible to receive region-level awards for additional funds.  (This award is not a scholarship, and is therefore taxable for U.S. citizens)

Applications are available at THE TOY BOX (Nancy Hanson) in Friday Harbor, or by calling Nancy at 378-8889, or Kristine Odle at 298-2623. Kristine can also provide help to anyone interested in completing an application.

Application deadline is December 15, 2010.

For additional information regarding eligibility or the application process, please contact Kristine Odle at [email protected] or 298-2623.

• Troy has some cool stuff happening out at the Afterglow Spa at Roche Harbor – tell her you read it here:

New Winter Hours
Thurs – Sun 10 am – 5 pm

November Special
2 for 1 spa pedicure $75
$20 off any massage

360.378.9888
View entire spa menu at www.rocheharbor.com

• Joan got re-elected last week, and asked if I’d let you know she appreciates it:

Although I ran unopposed in the election, I wish to thank you for your continued support and trust in me.  I am proud to serve as your County Clerk.  Thank you for your confidence.

Joan P. White, County Clerk

• This is a little public service announcement that Super Bowl-winning quarterback Drew Brees made that is short and to the point, about bullying:

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Categories: Around Here