Hey – remember about a month ago or so I asked what books you think every islander should read? Here are the books that people sent in: Amy Wynn suggested: 1.  Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea” 2.  Mary Kalbert’s “Reflections on Life in the San Juan Islands” nice little familiar island vignettes. 3.  Continue Reading

Here’s a poem for the day, for you as you continue to wait for your dreams to open themselves to you: It’s the dream we carry that something wondrous will happen that it must happen – time will open hearts will open doors will open mountains will open spring will gush forth from the ground  Continue Reading

Let’s see what’s up: • You know Manya – you’ve seen her selling her jewelry at Farmers’ Market on Saturdays – she just became a grandmother! Here’s more: Ebony and Kirsten Pickard are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Manya Eilena Pickard, born at 10:10pm April 20th in Port Townsend, Washington.  She weighed  Continue Reading

Susan over at the Community Foundation says it’s time to get your requests in: San Juan Island Community Foundation Accepting Applications for 2010 Grant Cycle The San Juan Island Community Foundation is accepting applications for the 2010 grant cycle. Completed applications must be postmarked or received no later than June 1, 2010. The Community Foundation  Continue Reading

You heard about the fire early Sunday morning over at Jensen’s Shipyard…here’s a note from Matt (he’s presently in Alaska, fishing), commending our firefighters for a job well done: I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to the Fire Department for saving my commercial fishing boat, Satisfaction, during the fire at Jensen’s Shipyard  Continue Reading

The folks down at the Port are putting on the party – you come on down! Here’s more from the Port: Port of Friday Harbor hosts Spring Splash at Spring Street Landing (The Clock Dock) Celebrating the Port of Friday Harbor’s 60th Anniversary & Opening Day of Boating Season Tuesday April 27, 4-8pm, Wednesday April  Continue Reading

Send your pictures to Julie & Jenny! Here’s more: Photo Contest for the Southern Resident Orca Calendar The Whale Museum is holding its 1st Annual Photo Contest for its Southern Resident Orca Calendar. The 16-month collectible calendar is for 2010-2011. Contest chairperson Julie Corey noted this calendar will help connect people with our majestic orcas.  Continue Reading

My friend Marilyn Corrie shot a couple of photos of Bob’s being honored at the San Juan Aviation Museum last month – way cool. From the Pilots’ Association: “In a very well attended presentation, members of the community, the Port of Friday Harbor and San Juan Pilots Assn. honored pioneer aviator Bob Nichols. “More than  Continue Reading

Hey, remember that elephant in the ferry line (click here to go retro on that…) – well, here’s the latest on where Matthew Gray Palmer’s incredible sculpture ended up: Matthew’s latest public commission was unveiled January 17th 2010 at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, VA. The City of Norfolk issued an international Call for Artists  Continue Reading

Every so often, I hear good stories about good things that good people are doing, and it’s nice to be able to share ’em. Carrie & Juan Unpingo enjoyed working with Jim Carroll enough to write it up – here’s the story: Just a note about our wonderful realtor, Jim Carroll, at Windermere. I have  Continue Reading

Let’s see what’s going on…. • Hey, remember I told you about that fundraising class that’s offered next week by Bob Schwartzberg? (Here’s the scoop.) Just wanted to let you know I’ve been to his class & it rocks… he reviews the fundamentals of effective fundraising and you leave with a plan – an action  Continue Reading

Hey, Rachel Ware’s got an Open House today, AND a new name! Here’s the scoop: King Printing & Design is pleased to announce the debut of our new name “Liberty Printing & Design Center.” We would like to invite the public to join us for an Earth Day Open House on Thursday, April 22nd from  Continue Reading

“Let the music keep our spirits high…when the light’s that’s lost within us reaches the sky”…. Jackson Browne’s Before the Deluge (including David Lindley, who comes to the island to play in a couple of months – he’s the one on the violin…)

The school just started in January, to give kindergarten kids a chance to attend school through the afternoon…here’s more from Cole: Saint David’s Day School Open House This Coming Sunday Afternoon Saint David’s Day School invites parents of prospective 2010 kindergarten students to experience the elements of a typical school day at their Open House  Continue Reading

Do it right – here’s more from Helen: HEADS UP for San Juan Island residents!!! If your spring cleaning includes gathering up your toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive chemical wastes for safe disposal, this notice is for YOU. The date for the the County’s household hazardous waste collection for San Juan Island printed on this  Continue Reading

This is a cool way to get out on the water on Saturday AND help the planet – Erin from San Juan Excursions asked me to pass this on to you: In honor of Earth Day, and in an ongoing effort to heighten the public’s awareness of the issues affecting our local ecosystem, San Juan  Continue Reading