Windy Wednesday….

Well, it was windy all night & to start the day…hope you’re coming out of it all right! Meanwhile, around the island….

• My friend Mary Fowler checked in to say she’s looking for her cat – can you help? Here’s the deal:

Our very friendly orange and white cat has been missing now for almost four weeks. He is a neutered male one and a half years old, orange striped on top, white on his belly. This purring fuzz ball helped me sleep during those stressful nights when my Dad was so ill and on his way to heaven. I have a special bond with this cat and am hoping by some miracle that someone has him and he did not get “foxed.” Please call 378-6007 if you have him or have seen him.

Thanks, Mary

• Were you wondering what’s the scoop behind Monday’s power outage? Here’s the story, from Margie Doyle on her Bullwings blog.

• There are only 20 spots left in the Roche Harbor Fishing Derby in February, Debbie Sandwith tells me. Just telling ya.

• If you haven’t heard her play, you’ll be glad you did – classical guitarist Amanda Brast is playing from 5-7pm at Rock Island on Thursdays till Christmas – drop by!

• When Kevin Ranker was elected to the state senate a couple of years ago, he was the first islander since the 1950s to go to Olympia…now he’s moving up. He just wrote to let me know he’s been selected chair the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Marine Waters, and he will also serve as assistant whip to the Senate Democratic Caucus.

• Amy over at the pool has a deal for you – check it out:

Hi Ian! We’re trying something new this year at San Juan Island Fitness: swim lessons over the Christmas break.  We are offering lessons Monday-Thursday the week before and after Christmas.  In addition to morning beginner classes with Susan Williamson, we have an array of afternoon classes I’ll be teaching and for the first time in a long time we are offering a beginner class for kids fifth grade and older.

We also are welcoming Kaitlyn Johnson and Kelly Ann Campbell to our private lesson teaching staff.

Check out our site or stop by the club for details. This year, give the great gift of learning to love the water.  Questions, or to sponsor a child’s swim lesson, contact  swim (at) sanjuanislandfitness.com.

Thanks! Amy Wynn

• Can’t get enough art this time of year – Yvonne tells me here’s a chance:

Art Studios Open House  –  Saturday December 11 & 18, 2010

Lewis & Nancy Spaulding, Mary Sly, Paula West and Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso have decided that this year, to celebrate the Holiday Season, they will be opening their art studios to visitors on two Saturdays in December. Guests and visitors can drop by between the hours of 10:00am –  4:00pm to see the studios, check out the new art works and maybe find a gift or two for the folks on their Christmas shopping lists.  The Art Studios Open House dates are December 11th & 18th.  The Spauldings are located at 1713 Cattle Point Rd. (378-5594); Mary Sly  –  459 Sunrise Ridge Rd. 378-7110; Paula West – 160 MacGinitie Rd. (378-2391; Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso – 1296 Wold Rd. (378-6725)

Hoping to see some of our friends to share in some island holiday cheer!

• Here’s a chance to get around the shops in town:

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY “SHOP LOCAL” CAMPAIGN

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce and sixteen local member merchants kicked off the 2010 “Shop Local” campaign last Thursday, Dec. 2nd, at 5pm.

The sixteen participating businesses are: Acanthus Fine Antiques; Coho Restaurant; Cotton Cotton Cotton; Creative Passions; Dream Beads; Funk & Junk; Island Studios; Merle’s Masonry, Chimney Care, & Stoves; Mirabella Skin Care; Osito’s; Rock Island Technology; San Juan Florist; San Juan Wireless; The Doctor’s Office; Toy Box; and Waterworks Gallery.

Each of the merchants involved will be staying open late on four consecutive Thursdays – Dec. 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd – from 5pm to 7pm. The program is designed to give local shoppers a chance to shop for holiday gifts after normal business hours, and to be eligible to win a prize basket worth hundreds of dollars while supporting our local economy and businesses.

To get in on the fun, shoppers need only pick up a stamp card from one of the participating merchants (or from the Chamber office at 135 Spring Street) and visit each of the stores during the specified time to browse around and collect a stamp. (No purchase is necessary, but these merchants all have such great products that it may be impossible to resist!)

Once their card is complete, shoppers are eligible to enter the drawing for a gift basket filled with items donated by the participating businesses. The winner will be notified by phone on or before January 4th, 2011.

• You are invited to the first annual (that I know of) Holiday Barter Circle! Here’s more from Rosa:

When: Sunday, December 12  5 – 8pm
Where: old Latitude 48/Fat Cat building, on the corner of Nichols and A Street. Between Cafe Demeter and Market Chef and across from Roy’s.
What to bring: items to trade, a small table(only if you want to. Space is limited and there are some small tables available), food, eating dishes, small donation to pitch in for use of space.

Get great gifts without spending money! Barter for Holiday presents for friends, family or yourself! Enjoy an evening with Community.

Bring your arts, crafts, certificates of service (construction? arborism? cooking? hair cuts?  batch of cookies? ), canned goods…whatever. Get creative!  Idea: If you have something you can do that you think others might appreciate, make nice little cards with the service you offer to give as coupons.  (For example…I would LOVE trading for help installing a fence and winterizing my laundry room…just as an idea.)

You can put your items to trade on a small table, in baskets, boxes, in your arms…whatever you like.  The environment will be very informal.

Remember….No one has nothing to trade, and you will be in a gentle, supportive, festive environment.  If this is a new concept for you, here is a great opportunity to experience a different economic structure and community support system.

This event will involve a low-key POTLUCK! (of course!) Please bring your own plate and utensils.

All are welcome.  Spread the word!!!

• Tawny wanted you & me to know about a couple of things this weekend:

Saturday, December 11th
St. Francis Bake Sale: 9:00 – 1:00 at Betty Nash’s building (the former “Fat Cat”).
Questions?  Call Ruthe Ramirez at 378-5974

Saturday, December 11th
Island Tails (Satellite APS-FH Shelter Office & Gift Boutique): 12:00 – 4:00  Upstairs Cannery Landing Building (next to Skip @ surf shop). T-shirts, sweatshirts, cookbooks (2010 Edition), calendars, local animal themed artwork from Jaime & Alice, cards, pet goodies, Laura Burch bags, VES – very exciting stuff! Questions?  Call Ruthe Ramirez at 378-5974

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Categories: Around Here