Around the island….

Spring, sprung...cherry blossoms all over the island

Let’s look around a bit….

• The Memorial Day Parade is this morning at 10:30, starting from the Courthouse & heading to the marina, with the festivities at Memorial Park. Come, and remember.

Marie has class today at noon....

• There’s a new yoga teacher at XYZ Movement Arts…Marie Hart moved from the East Bay, CA to be near her family here. She’s taught a lot of yoga for the past 11 years and helped run a very successful yoga teacher training school. Her style is “Iyengar,” the kind of yoga where you get individual help on each pose. Look up her website, mariehartyoga.com.

• The softball girls had a good time at state Friday & Saturday…they showed they belonged there by winning the first game, but lost the next couple in the double-elim format. It’s so cool they made it to State – girls, you have a whole island that’s proud of you!

• Marie DiCristina may have your bird:

If someone lost a pet bird, I found and captured a small domesticated bird in the North Forty neighbor on Sunday, May 29.  I’ll keep it at my home until the owner calls and describes the bird.  Surely someone is missing this sweet little creative.  I worry that an elderly person or small child is distraught and want them to know the bird is safe and waiting to be picked up.

Marie DiCristina
378-7595

• Nan Simpson was on hand to help with & document the discovery (and removal & necropsy) of that stranded hybrid porpoise we talked about last week – here’s her report, with pictures.

• Nancy Larson was there a week ago at the dedication & groundbreaking of the Brickworks project, and she reports there was a $25K donation as well as a festive feel to the launch – here’s more, from Nancy:

Renovations at Brickworks got off to a rousing start last weekend not only with a celebration, but also with an anonymous $25,000 donation. Jane Burton Bell, actively raising funds for Brickworks, was thrilled to announce that Brickworks had just received this strong show of support from an individual donor, a gift that puts the Ag Guild more than halfway toward its goal of raising $50,000 for completion of the plaza this summer, in time to hold the Farmers Market and a mid-week Arts Market outdoors.

Well-wishers and celebrants launched the renovations, toasting the “ground breaking” and the volunteer excavation crew: Peter Kilpatrick, Ravenhill Construction; Pat Bryant; and Myron Williams for donating the heavy equipment.

Ag Guild Chair Bruce Gregory thanked the 100 or so gathered at Brickworks for on-going support and gave the official thumbs-up: the renovations are underway. He noted how important everyone’s support and contributions are, “It doesn’t matter how big or small,” everyone’s help matters.

Board member Susie Wampler, our event organizer extraordinaire, welcomed all and spoke about the future “ripple” effect of Brickworks, how it will enhance the neighborhood around Nichols Street and bring a heretofore-unused area of Friday Harbor to life with a Farmers Market and Town Center. She pointed to the children scampering around with fistfuls of cookies, “This is for them. This is for the future.” Susie also praised the volunteer contractors for taking on this first phase of renovations, preparation of the outdoor plaza. Brad Gislason and Thor Black will also be on hand with heavy equipment as the project continues.

Friday Harbor Mayor Carrie Lacher also spoke to the crowd, “I am happy to be here today for this historic occasion — this reclaiming of a portion of the Town of Friday Harbor’s history. I am looking forward to the economic incubator aspect of the Market taking root here and helping revitalize this area of Town. By the end of summer, there will be new energy in this corner, filling this courtyard, and helping move our community into a dynamic future.”

The mood was festive, even on a cloudy day. Seeing that construction is about to begin, seeing visible evidence that Brickworks is a dream coming true, raised the enthusiasm level and the Ag Guild received more offers of help and financial support. We’re proud to say that Brickworks is indeed a hands-on community endeavor.

There's a great view of the harbor from The Island Inn at 123 West....Scott Hale is the new CEO there!

• Looks like Scott has moved over to 123 West from Lakedale – here’s the scoop:

The Island Inn at 123 West is pleased to announce Scott Hale, former Director of Inns and Resorts for Columbia Hospitality, as the new Chief Experience Officer of the iconic San Juan Island development located at 123 West Street in the heart of Friday Harbor, WA.  Misty Todd, owner of the Island Inn, is thrilled with this strategic leadership direction, sharing “Scott’s Island and nationwide track record of success is precisely what our project needs to be everything our guests expect it to be – plus a whole lot more.”

The Island Inn at 123 West will elevate San Juan Island lodging and guest experience by featuring intuitive guest service surpassed only by unmatched accommodations.  Hale is excited to launch the Inn saying “I am thrilled.  The opportunity to transform a distinctive venue and surpass guest expectation in the most beautiful location in the Islands is quite literally one of those once in a lifetime chances you hope to get.”

Hale most recently oversaw operations at Lakedale Resort, Friday Harbor House and Ferry Landing Suites all located in Friday Harbor, WA after successful tenures at resorts in Long Key, FL, Kissimmee, FL, and the Outer Banks.  “The Island Inn is truly the highest and best use of our Friday Harbor project.  You just can’t get anything like our penthouses or euros anywhere else in the islands” remarked Todd.

The Island Inn at 123 West will offer seven penthouses, six eurostyle guestrooms and anticipates a grand opening on July 4, 2011.  Inn accommodations offer spaces for guests to unplug, connect and embrace Friday Harbor and San Juan Island.  Todd added “Our goal is simple:  completely blow away every guest every moment of their experience with us.”

They're off today, but OPALCO has been busy upgrading the lines along Tucker Avenue/Roche Harbor Road....

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.