It was a great phoenix story – after the fire in 2002 destroyed the block downtown (here are photos, from the archives), Rick & Wendy brought the Mystical Mermaid back better than ever in that same spot, next to China Pearl on Spring Street. A couple of years ago, they moved the popular Friday Harbor  Continue Reading

It was a Baby Bear weekend – not too cold, not too hot…just right, with the sun out & pleasant weather for gardening & running & going to the beach & the horse show & getting out on the water. All of which, as far as I can tell, is what islanders did…hope you did,  Continue Reading

Jenny at The Whale Museum tells me this is going to be fascinating – drop by on Wednesday: The Whale Museum will host a research talk as part of its Lecture Series on Wednesday, June 29 at 7:00 pm.  Dr. Marla Holt will discuss the use of suction-cup DTAGS to study acoustics and behavior of  Continue Reading

Yep, they’re playing on Sunday – here’s more from Kate Schuman… Summer’s here!  Remember, never judge a season by its weather! Keith Busha and I will be playing at The Rumor Mill Sunday evening, June 26th, 6:30 – 9:30.  A little jazz, a little Patsy Cline, some faves from the 60’s, and so much more!   Continue Reading

Let’s see what’s going on: • Shann Weston reported she found a familiar book as she travels north: “Wandering around in Barnes and Noble (Fairbanks), I come across Feathers by Thor Hanson. Yeah. That’s right, big smile. A feeling of home.” Thor will be reading from Feathers next Thursday at Griffin Bay Books – here’s  Continue Reading

A couple of weeks ago, I got the chance to work with Leasa Wangoe & Teri Gentry as they served as the event organizers for a 25th anniversary event at Roche Harbor. Because I got to sing & play at both the ceremony & reception (with Stevie Keys), I got to see them in action  Continue Reading

Chamber music comes alive when Pat Kostek directs the evening, and that’s a great way to celebrate twenty years of the program at the Community Theatre – here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith: Music from the Romantic Period starts off Chamber Music San Juans’ 20th season of presenting superb concerts of classical music for string, winds  Continue Reading

Yesterday made it feel like summer has arrived, with a warm day & the long solstice hours between sunrise & sunset…let’s see what else is going on: • It WAS the longest day… 🙂 +++++++++++++++++++ • Remember Tyler Ryan, the FHHS grad who was & is a heckuva actor? He graduated with his degree &  Continue Reading

There’s a new events photographer in town – you can check out the work that Peter Wangoe is turning out with his new biz San Juan Photo Booth. Grad parties & weddings & receptions & more – here’s his page, with portfolio. Lots of people you know, and lots of fun. Meanwhile, here’s his coverage  Continue Reading

There are folks around doing a little extra to make the island a little better….this past Friday, the folks at Windermere San Juan Island helped by window washing, weeding, pruning and general clean up at the Mullis Senior Center for Windermere Community Service Day. What a difference! Here’s more from Tawny Martel Galligan: An early  Continue Reading

John Miller passed Obstruction Island this morning on the early morning ferry…

Let’s see what’s up, pup….. • There’s another “Know Your Island Walk” this weekend – here’s the story from Eileen: A rare look at Beaverton Marsh with both our San Juan Island Land Bank stewards, Eliza Habegger and Doug McCutchen!  This walk takes place this Saturday, June 25th, at 1:00pm.  Learn about this marshland; its  Continue Reading

Every so often, it’s good to lean back & take along look at the long view, and see what’s going on. Soon enough, the Earth will take on its seven millionth person, and it’s time – way past time, actually – to begin the process of sorting out how we can manage with so many  Continue Reading

Let’s take a look around the island… • Did you feel the earthquakes last week? There was a 2.8 on the island Wednesday, and a 2.1 yesterday… ++++++++++ • Get it on your calendar – Dana Lyons is singing at the Library this Friday at 7pm. See you there! +++++++++++ • It was cool to  Continue Reading

  As part of Rob Simpson’s Conscientious Projector series, Inside Job will be presented tonight at the library at 7pm. The documentary won the 2010 Oscar (for documentary), and is likely to shake your worldview about the country’s financial institutions…check out the film’s website & trailer here, then come.