Around the island….

Found on the beach...kinda reminds me that the Hungry Clam is open this week, just above the ferry parking lot....

Let’s see what’s up…

SVC/SJ Center

• Did you know that the San Juan Center for Skagit Valley College celebrated their 15th year since the building above the airport opened? Classes began for the spring semester for 1996 after the ceremonies in March ’96…the school has been a gem of the island ever since.

Speaking of which, my classes still have room in them on April 19-21 – they include Introduction to Word, Introduction to Intermediate Word, Introduction to Excel, and Introduction to the Computer (PC). All classes will begin with students introducing themselves to each other. It would be great to have you in class!

• OK, so it’s spring break on the island, which is a great time for everyone to take their summer holidays with their kids, since we all have to work all summer. That may be why town looks a bit empty.

Let’s see who’s open & who isn’t.

Jim Maya says he saw J pod this weekend, but no sign of J1/Ruffles, still.....

First, The Duck Soup Inn re-opens for the season on Friday!

Have you been by? Homesteaders’ Restaurant is open again (opened last month!) at the Best Western….general manager Kelsey O’Day has the place open for lunch & dinner…drop by & say hey!

This week the Backdoor Kitchen is open Wednesday through Saturday, as they add on Wednesday this week to the schedule.

The Cask & Schooner (where the old Ale House was) hopes to be open this summer – I’ve heard opening dates that range from May on, but it sure will be good to get that corner lit up again.

First, here’s the word from Bill at Cafe Demeter:

It’s hard to believe that Cafe Demeter has been open for three years.  Our anniversary is April 1 (no kidding).  This generous community has kept us going and Pam is still excited to be doing work she loves … and work (pastries, pizza, soups, and more) that others seem to love too. But we’ll be taking a break while Sam and Joe are on the schools’ spring break.

We’ll close early (2 PM) on Thursday, March 31, and head to Pittsburgh to spend some time with Pam’s family.  The bakery will be open again on April 12.  Same hours: 7 AM-3 PM, Tuesday-Saturday.  And we’ll be back at the Farmers’ Market when it opens on April 23 at the Courthouse parking lot.

P.S.  Pam wanted you to know that she’ll be doing some research in Pittsburgh.  She has a list of bakeries to visit, with a keen eye turned toward Jean-Marc Chatellier’s French Bakery in Millvale.  I will be her research assistant.  Bill

• A Facebook page has been set up for friends to post memories of Sharon Hammel. Meanwhile, a donation account has been set up for her 15 year old son Taylor at Whidbey Island Bank.

Anna & Anne at D+A Design

• Been thinking about wind power to help pay the electric bill? Anne & Anna at D+A Design are offering consultations to help you fit it into your house…here’s their post. I like the way it says on their Design Banter page: “Designers are meant to be loved, not to be understood.” – Fabien Barral

• The Soroptimist Club, just a had a successful fundraiser, and now have another scheduled – here’s more from Barbara Sharp:

Spring Bling Bunko Event –  Coming April 16!

Bunko ticket sellers Laura Tuttle (left, event co-chair) and Ellen Roberts are selling tickets this weekend....

It’s Bunko time! Celebrate spring with another entertaining evening of bunko Saturday, April 16, 6:00 pm at the Mullis Center.  Spring Bling Bunko will feature goodies from the Mad About Chocolate Buffet (fruit available as a healthy touch) and a chance to peruse our Jewelry Bazaar for some new bling!  Beverages will be available for purchase.  All proceeds will help fund the Soroptimist Cancer Treatment Support Mission, which provides free ferry tickets to islanders needing treatment on the mainland.

Tickets are $20 each, which include games, prizes and food, and must be purchased in advance.  Tickets are available at the Toy Box and Spa d’Bune, at Market Place April 8 and 9, and at Kings April 10.

St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza a huge success!

Auctioneer Farhad Ghatan and Soroptimist President Patty Brightman had a great time at the St. Pat's Day dinner....

It was a very enjoyable and entertaining evening, highlighted by Becki Day’s delicious dinner and both a live and silent auction.  This year we made almost $14,000, after expenses, which will go directly into our fund for scholarships, awards, and other community-based programs to help island women and girls.

Special thanks go to the generous island businesses and individuals who donated their goods, services and skills for auction items and raffle baskets, as well as to the many community members who supported this event.  Also, thanks to co-chairs Becki Day and Debbi Staehlin for their tireless efforts in making this event such a success in a new venue, the Mullis Center; to Travis Potter for his entertaining bagpipe music;  Farhad Ghatan for his entertaining auctioneering skills; and the army of hard-working volunteers.

For further information Soroptimist activities and projects, go to www.sifri.org.

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