And…in the news today…

There’s a lot going on….let’s check in:

• Barbara Dollahite reports that she & Matt have a show in Anacortes:

Last Friday,  I opened with four other artist (including my artist husband Matt) at Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, Wa.  I was pleased when a representative of Islands Hospital, Enid  Oates, chose to select my piece “Wild Iris Pond.”

This  piece will join the permanant collection in the Labor & Delivery Ward.  What an honor to have my piece selected for this collection.  The  show will remain up until the end of September.  Open Mon-Sat 10:30-4:30, located at 420 Commerical St., Anacortes.

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• The hospital is due to be opened in November, and as part of the transition, it looks like Saturdays will be scaled back – here’s more from the IIMC’s Carrie Unpingco:

During the months of October and November, all Inter Island Medical Center staff will be involved in comprehensive training. During this transition we will be discontinuing our Saturday urgent care/walk-in clinic. Our medical staff will continue to provide emergency after-hour services to our community.

We look forward to serving you in our new facility on November 26th and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions please contact Beth Williams Gieger, Administrator at 360-378-2141 ext. 23.

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• Sheila Harley with the Red Cross says they have a new director – here’s more:

Mary Frances Close has been named Executive Director of The Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross. Ms. Close began work on September 10 for The Islands Chapter, which serves Whidbey, Fidalgo and the San Juan Islands.

Mrs. Close has worked in military settings since 1996, most recently as the Family Readiness Officer at Quantico Marine Corps Base, VA. She also has a teaching and communications background, including work at The White House in the Office of Cabinet Affairs in 1986-87.

She recently returned to the Northwest with her family when her husband was transferred to NAS Whidbey. They now live in Anacortes with their three children.

The Chapter’s main office is in Anacortes at 2900 T Avenue (or PO Box 249) with a satellite facility on the Seaplane Base in Oak Harbor.

“We are delighted to have Mary Frances’s wide experience working with us on Red Cross issues of community preparedness and response, volunteer recruitment, and Service to the Armed Forces,” said Barbara Atterberry, board chair of The Islands Chapter. “I hope the community will welcome her as she settles into her new job.”

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• Larry has an idea – you in? Here’s the deal:

Friday Harbor Film Society

We are pleased to announce the creation of a new group which intends to present a weekly series of independent films at the Palace Theater in beautiful Friday Harbor.  The movies will be shown each and every Wednesday at 6:30 pm beginning sometime next spring.  Admission will be by a punch card system.  Before committing to this venture, we need to know that there is sufficient community interest.  We need a minimum of 200 islander members to begin.  I am therefore asking that you email me at [email protected]  indicating your interest and, also, that you forward this invitation to ALL of your island friends who might want to join.

Here are some particulars:

1.    Annual memberships will include a punch card good for 10 admissions and will cost $100.  Whether single admission tickets will be available is still under discussion.

2.    Members will receive emails describing coming attractions.   We also hope to have a sign at the Palace announcing the current movie.

3.    The focus is on fairly recent films from independent studios both domestic and foreign (think Sundance, SIFF, Telluride, Landmark Theaters) that otherwise would not make it to Friday Harbor.  Classics (Bergman, Fellini, Woody Allen, etc.) may also be included.

4.    A committee will select movies from suggestions submitted by islanders.  Please email us if you would like to be part of this group.

5.    We hope to identify restaurants that will provide light dinners for film society members after each weekly showing.   This is not intended to be “one big table so we can discuss the meaning of life” rather, just a chance for you (and your friends) to “make an evening of it”.   Some of the restaurants may offer a special menu or reduced pricing.

We are not asking for money at this time, but we do need to know that there are enough people who will participate before taking the next steps so please respond ASAP.  Questions or suggestions are also welcomed.

Larry Soll
Friday Harbor Film Society
[email protected]

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• It’s coming….and Boyd Pratt has more:

The Great Island Grown Festival  – October 1-31, 2012

CELEBRATE THE HARVEST! Join us in October for The Great Island Grown Festival. This month-long celebration offers a rare glimpse inside the unique world of food and farming in the San Juan Islands. Come together with farmers, restaurants, the island community, and visitors to celebrate a vibrant farming community, pastoral landscapes, food, and the island way of life. Enjoy a variety of events, classes and workshops. From a farm tour and talk on the wizardry of permaculture to scarecrow making; to old island historic barn tours and farm-to-table feasts; sheep dog demonstrations and how to farm with horses, vineyard harvests, a barn dance, pig-roast and more – it’s bound to be a deliciously good time on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands.

Some highlights include: The Fall Farm Parade (Saturday, October 6^th) – Tractors, Old Farm Trucks, and Horses, Oh My! This old-fashioned parade has it all! If this funky, homegrown production of island produce and producers doesn’t turn your head, what will?

Harvest Meal on the Village Green (Sunday, October 7^th): Farm to Table is alive and well on Orcas Island! On the day following the last outdoor Orcas Island Farmer’s Market, long, linen-draped tables will be set on the Village Green in the middle of Eastsound. A host of well-known Orcas Island chefs, led by premier chef and author Christina Orchid, will be serving a meal of the Island’s finest dishes made with local ingredients to guests wishing to experience incredible community-based agriculture.

Shellfish Farm Tour and Lunch (Saturday, October 13^th): Visit the Sweetwater Shellfish Farm on Lopez to see how oysters, mussels, and clams, are raised and then taste them—there’s nothing fresher than this!

At Westcott Bay Ciderworks and San Juan Distillery, tours and tastings of cider and distilled spirits as well as an apple picking party will be held on select weekends in October. “We’re using locally foraged ingredients to make a high-quality natural product for islanders, and if that makes us a tourist attraction too, that’s awesome,” said Suzy Pingree, partner, San Juan Island Distillery.

Celebrated Chef Christina Orchid, Red Rabbit Farm, who will be offering a series of four cooking classes in October related, “Sustainable agriculture is actually working in the San Juans; come and see it for yourselves!”

For the full calendar of events, and to check for updates on “The Great Island Grown Festival” events and times at www.islandgrown.net/islandgrownprogram

The Great Island Grown Festival is part of “Savor the San Juans: A Medley of Food, Art & Culture,” this month-long movable feast for the senses includes tempting lodging and restaurant specials and harvest activities, visit www.visitsanjuans.com/savor as more specials are added daily.

 

For More Information: 

SJC Agricultural Resources Committee

Media Contact:     Boyd Pratt, Coordinator, The Great Island Grown Festival

Phone: (360) 378-7172  Email: [email protected]

SJC ARC         Email: [email protected]

Website: www.islandgrown.net

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Categories: Around Here