Around the island…

Hey, good morning to you! Hope you had a great weekend (I know you did) and let’s see what’s going on this week:

• There’s still room at St. David’s Day School – here’s more from Margaret:

Saint David’s Day School Now Accepting Registrations for Kindergarten and Pre-K Programs

Registrations for the 2012-2013 school year are now being accepted by St.

David’s Day School. Small class sizes and high teacher to student ratios limits our available spaces, so be sure to secure yours today.

St. David’s offers morning and afternoon programs that follow the SJI District public school schedule, including:

•  – A Kindergarten Readiness Program for children who will be at least 4 by August 31st meets from 8:15am-11:00am Monday-Thursday.
•  – The Kindergarten Enrichment Program for children who will be at least 5 by August 31st meets from 11:00am-3:00pm Monday-Thursday.

Applications may be picked up at the Day School between 8:00am-3:00pm Monday-Thursday, or downloaded from the Saint David’s website, www.saintdavidsepiscopal.org.

For information on our programs please call: Margaret Barker, 298-4161.

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• There’s a presentation this coming weekend called “Paramilitary Policing: From Seattle WTO to Occupy Wall Street,” a talk by Seattle’s former police chief, Norm Stamper, who is also the author of Breaking Rank: A Top Cop’s Expose of the Dark Side of American Policing.

It’s this Sunday March 25 from 4 to 6 pm at Skagit Valley College…refreshments served, and no charge.

Sponsored by San Juan Island Political Action Network  & the San Juan County Democrats. For further info:  378-2648

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• Becky Phillips tells me the next ADHD meeting is set Wednesday, March 21st at 6:00 pm at San Juan Healthcare.

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• Put this one on your calendar & get your bike ready – here’s more from Sally at Island Rec:

Bicycle Tune Up – March 31, 2012

The Bike Paths group is excited to announce the 2^nd Annual Bicycle Tune Up event, featuring a community Swap meet, scheduled for Saturday March 31 from 10am to 1pm at the Elementary School play shed. With gas prices at over $4.50 per gallon, you cannot afford to miss this free event!

Get a jump start on the bicycling season and ride in on your bicycle wearing your helmet for a variety of fun stations and activities including basic maintenance, cycling videos, demonstrations, and a bike and helmet sizing and fit.  Free basic tune ups are offered by volunteers, along with Island’s Bicycle Shop and Travel Light Cycle. There will be a variety of safe cycling educational materials, maps and a limited supply of helmets for a suggested donation.

This year’s event will also feature a bike swap – attendees are encouraged to bring quality re-usable bicycle related items to trade or share. Just remember what you cannot trade or give away goes home with you. Unfortunately, helmets, tires, and tubes cannot be accepted.

Light refreshments will be provided. The Bike paths group is part of the SJ Island Trails Committee of Island Rec. Learn more about us at: http://sanjuanislandtrails.org/biking ,or contact Island Rec at 378-4953 or www.islandrec.org

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• Rob Simpson & his Conscientious Projector series continue this week at the Library … he’s a bit cryptic when he told me what the film tonight is, but it was great last time, so it’s a good idea to check it out:

Tomorrow’s film poses an interesting question. In a world where we’re often led to feel powerless, can we bring about real improvements by having a really good meal?

After examining all the details, the  film makes a strong case for YES. There is just so much going on that is connected to food. (Because of legal restrictions, I’m not allowed to mention the title.)

But, I can tell you it has been thumbs up by The Washington Post, The San Francisco Examiner, not to mention Oprah.

As with last month’s film, we have to show this one in the library conference room…

So, come on in to our library side door at 7:00 Monday, to find out about FOOD. After all, it’s pretty much “what’s for dinner.”

All the best, Rob Simpson

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• Callie McKay tells me it’s garage sale season, so here’s what the American Legion has on tap for this weekend:

Good Old Fashioned Garage Sale at the American Legion

March 24 at 9:00am until 3:00pm

   March 25 at 9:00am until 3:00pm – everything 1/2 off  and other deals.

Hot Dogs and Soda will be available to purchase for a snack

Donations Wanted!!!

Drop any donations off up until March 23rd at the American Legion.

If there are any questions or you need any help with your donations contact Deb at the Legion 378 5705.

All proceeds go to the Legion for needed improvements and some outdoor furniture for our new outdoor deck.

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• There are openings at Lighthouse Preschool – and they have an Open House in a couple of weeks – here’s more from Alisa:

Lighthouse Preschool Open House: Enrollment is open, scholarships available

It’s time to register for Fall Preschool!  Lighthouse Preschool is hosting an Open House on Friday, March 30^th from 11:00 am- 1:00 pm.  This is an opportunity to see the school, meet the teachers and board members.  While you’re there, enter the drawing to win half off your first month’s tuition.

Enrollment is now open for all THREE Preschool Programs at Lighthouse Preschool.  School begins on September 4, 2012.  Applications are available at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church Office located at 425 Spring Street.

• Toddler Group (2.5 yr olds by 9/4/12) – Tue.-Thurs. 8:30 am-11:00 am / $150/mo.

• Morning Preschool (3 yr olds by 9/4/12) – Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 am- 11:00 am / $185/mo.

• Afternoon Preschool (4 yr olds by 9/4/12) – Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 am- 2:30 pm / $205/mo.

Scholarships are available on a first come, first serve basis. For more information call 378-4544.

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• Last week, I asked Helen what was up next for Island Stage Left, and she said she’d let us know this week about the show which opens the 5th…here’s the scoop:

“Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me” opens April 5th and closes April 29th.

An Englishman, an Irishman and an American are taken hostage in Lebanon. Stripped of their own clothes, belongings and contact with the outside world, they must rely on humour, imagination and each other to survive.

For all its harrowing subject matter, the play is also blissfully funny. It is about a great deal more than captivity at the hands of an enemy. It’s also about nationality, faith and its often strained relationship with organized religion, and the amazing capacity of the human spirit to endure, to find love, hope and tenderness in even the most desperate surroundings.

Mature theme not suitable for children under 12.

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• Hey, we’re a good influence!…the Preservation Trust’s Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project is the model for a similar project in the Victoria area, on Vancouver island…here’s the story in the Times-Colonist.

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• San Juan County Republican chair Michelle Loftus says Dan Matthews (R) plans to announce his candidacy this week for the second district (that would include the island, by the way), opposing incumbent Congressman Rick Larsen (D). Here’s a bit more about Matthews, from Michelle’s press release:

Mukilteo resident and Boeing 747 Pilot Dan Matthews is set to announce his candidacy for the newly redistricted 2nd Congressional District as the Republican opponent to Rep. Rick Larsen. Dan’s friend and fellow Republican, John Koster, is running for Congress in the new 1st Congressional District.

On Wednesday, the 21st, Matthews will lead a “Caravan With Dan” tour of much of the new 2nd Congressional District as he embarks on a six city, eleven hour tour – speaking first at the Mukilteo Light House, then Lynnwood, on to Everett, Mt Vernon, Bellingham and then Oak Harbor.

His Mukilteo appearance is set for 7:45 am at the Mukilteo Light House.

Mr. Matthews, a contract Instructor pilot in the 747 for Boeing, is also a retired airline Captain and a USAF Veteran, having flown in both Viet Nam and Desert Storm.

A graduate of the University of Puget Sound, Dan Matthews holds a degree in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration and Government.

He is a former school board member who has lobbied for schools and education in Washington, D.C.

Matthews – a social and fiscal conservative – has been encouraged by the enthusiastic reception he has already received among Republican Party officials and faithful as he introduces his campaign. He will be speaking at each of the five county Republican Conventions in the coming weeks, as well as the Republican State Convention.

Dan and his wife, Jan, were both born and raised in the Puget Sound area and currently live in Mukilteo. They have four grown children and four young grandchildren.

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Categories: Around Here