Did you know about all this: • You know Juan & Heidi Lopez…his background is Chilean, while Heidi has Swiss roots. Wonder what it’s like when they watch the Chile/Switzerland World Cup game next Monday? (Both Chile & the Swiss won Wednesday, with Switzerland jumping the highly-favored Spanish 1-0) • Swim lessons: Here’s more from  Continue Reading

You know Rhonda & Zeridah’s house, across from Edith Dickinson’s on Argyle Street, just over the Fairgrounds’ fence…. It’s all about a block from my house, so when I heard the siren (a lot of ’em) and saw smoke (a lot of it), I went over to check it out…both the Town & District fire  Continue Reading

She’s moving on…. Laura Tretter has been the director of the Library for the past four years (she started the decade as the youth/assistant librarian), and has been pretty awesome. Actually, really awesome. No, awesomely awesome. Majorly so. She just accepted a job at a library outside of Durango, Colorado and will be here till  Continue Reading

Wow – Susan Matthews from the SJICF says it’s been an amazing year – here’s more: San Juan Island Community Foundation Awards Over $100,000 in Scholarships The San Juan Island Community Foundation is pleased to announce its award of scholarships for the 2010/2011 academic year.  Awards were made to both continuing college students and those  Continue Reading

Much to see, much to do, much to report…. • The islands’ sheriff’s race swelled to five late Friday, as 2002 candidate Jeff Asher threw his hat in the ring at a minute before 4:30pm on deadline day…he joins Lopez’s Rob Nou, and San Juan Island’s Felix Menjivar, Brad Fincher and Brent Johnson. in the  Continue Reading

Jim Maya caught J30 in the air yesterday on a sunny day on the water.

This spring Shirley Hart & her daughter Mariko were both headed for graduation – Shirley wrapped up her nursing studies, graduated from nursing school in March, and passed her NCLEX exam, so she’s now a licensed RN (that stands for “registered nurse” or “really cool nurse,” I’m not sure. Probably both.) Meanwhile, Mariko just graduated  Continue Reading

Let’s see what’s up around here….. • Today (Friday) is the last filing day for candidates for this year’s elections, and the  sheriff’s race has grown by one – Brad Fincher announced he’s running, bringing the number of announced candidates to four (Lopez’s Rob Nou, and San Juan Island’s Felix Menjivar and Brent Johnson.) After  Continue Reading

That’s the Class of ’10…. Yesterday’s graduation ceremony at Skagit Valley College-San Juan Center was touching, inspiring, and as is often the case at graduation time, a testament to the power of islanders who knuckle down and make good things happen for themselves, their families, and their community. The Class of 2010 features eight grads:  Continue Reading

David Bentley wanted to let you & me know that St. David’s ceremony to install their new priest (who has been here the last couple of weeks) is next week – here’s more: Celebration of New Ministry The Right Reverend Gregory H. Rickel, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, will join the congregation of  Continue Reading

I ran into Tory at Ann Walbert’s place on the Artists’ Tour & she told me about this series of three evenings she’s put together…and it sounds pretty amazing. Here’s the writeup from the Library, where the presentations take place…pretty sure you’ll dig this: Join artist and educator Tory Raggett to learn about 20th Century  Continue Reading

Tawny from the Animal Shelter has a chance for the kids to do some writing as school’s over…here’s more: APS-FH “Be Kind to Animals” Writing Contest In celebration of the 95th Annual National celebration of BE KIND TO ANIMALS Week and Month, the Animal Protection Society Friday Harbor announces their first BE KIND TO ANIMALS  Continue Reading

You know, it’s happened every year since the early 1990s, and each year has a different feel to it. This year’s event was blessed with the best weather in ages – sunny & warm all day Saturday, into the warm evening. You could tell by the end of the day Saturday that the teams of  Continue Reading

I checked in with everybody’s favorite fireball of a singer, Devorah, the other day to see what her summer looks like, and she has a few surprises, as well as a wonderful achievement – getting her music presented with a symphony. Here’s what’s up: Q. Good to get a chance to visit with you. I  Continue Reading

Chance Earle sent me some pictures from last weekend’s event, with her team….it was a great & sunny day!

Man, there’s a lot going on….let’s check in & check it out: • This is the year you’ll do it: If you want to perform at the County Fair in August, you need to fill out an application & get it in…here’s the page. See ya on stage! And…this year the Clumsy Lovers are playing!  Continue Reading