Patrick heads for California this weekend....

Over at Bakery San Juan, Patrick takes off Saturday (like, tomorrow, dude) – so drop by & say goodbye if you haven’t already!

In other bakery news, Mark tells me he’ll start being open Tuesday-Saturday for the off-season, starting the week of October 5th. He’s also planning on staying open later – from 8am to 7pm (Wednesday-Saturday). The inside skinny: Bakery San Juan’s gonna start making pizzas for those later hours – drop by & get yours!

Finally, Mark says that next Wednesday is the last day that BSJ goods will be in local markets – after that you can only get ’em at the bakery. He extends a HUGE thanks to the markets & restaurants that have carries his bread for the last year.

Leave ’em laughing when you go… This is the perfect day for it – ’cause you looked at clouds from both sides, didn’t you, now?

But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I’ve changed
Well something’s lost, but something’s gained
In living every day….

Thanks, Joni!

The bear: Here's lookin' at ya...

It was fun to see what the Island Museum of Art (IMA) was offering at their opening last weekend – their theme was small sculpture, including Bill Weissinger’s little polar bears. Those guys are less than an inch big, and incredibly detailed.

Drop by & check ’em out!

Greg Sawyer at last week's football game....

Hey, see ya out at Roche Harbor for the auction/dinner deal for FHHS ace social studies teacher Greg Sawyer’s kidney transplant tonight.

Hannah Waite tells me they also want to help raise awareness about organ transplants & blood donations, as well – hope you can make it!

Hanna & her mom Cynthia after the show on Wednesday...

It was really cool to go see Hanna Burke’s show at the Community Theatre on Wednesday – hey, that girl can sing! She’s heading off to AMDA (American Music & Dramatic Arts) shortly, and her show was a little fundraiser that’ll help with that, but also a spiritraiser ’cause it reminded us she’s gonna do all right. She had a thank you note she asked me to share with ya:

Dear Friends and Family,

I cannot tell everyone how honored I was to have had so much support at my concert on Wednesday night!!!  It meant the world to me that my community and friends would support me on my up-coming adventure(s) in Hollywood!!  I had a wonderful time and it was such a success, I could not have asked for a better (first) concert!

Special thanks to Merritt Olsen and Steve (at production) at the SJ Community Theatre for allowing my use of a beautiful venue, Jane Buck, Chetana Karel and anyone else who helped set-up (the room looked beautiful!!), and Mark Gardner for taking what I’m sure will be wonderful photos!

A VERY special thanks to Sonja Zarek, my incredible accompanist (as well as my then-piano, now-vocal coach) who helped me become the strong, confident person I am today, and with whom it was/is always a great honor to work with. Then last, but not least my parents (Cynthia and Christopher Burke). I couldn’t ask for more supportive parents, and I am so blessed to have family (and friends) that were so willing and excited to help me succeed in my endeavors.  I would never have made it this far without both of my parents believing in me as much as they do.

And to those who weren’t able to make it this time, I hope you will be able to attend my concert next summer (which will hopefully also include Nick Zervas, AMDA B.A. Graduate).

Thank you all again for your generosity and support!!!

Sincerely, Hanna Burke

Amy tells me there’s a new round of lessons & play times:

Getting in the swim of things....

The next session of swim lessons at San Juan Island Fitness begins on Wednesday, October 7.  There are still spaces available so      hurry in and get signed up.  Cost is $60 for non-members, $50 for members and includes 6 half hour lessons plus an additional hour of lifeguarded free swim each lesson day. Lessons are held after school.

Little Pool play time begins Friday, October 9.  From 9-10am a child 5 and under and an adult can enjoy their own water play for just $5 (plus tax) per couple.  There will be a lifeguard on duty, but no instructor–it’s all about the parent-child playtime!  No need to sign up, just show up. (We reserve the right to limit the number Continue Reading

Nancy & Laura at Griffin Bay Books have a new thing going – it starts this weekend with Jane Dill:

Children—and adults—who like to while away Sunday afternoons should stop by Griffin Bay Bookstore for the store’s new fall and winter Story Hour with writer and consummate reader, Jane Dill.

“Auntie Jane” as children call her, kicks off the bookstore’s story hour on Sunday, October 11 at 3:00 pm, with a reading of James and the Giant Peach,” the beloved classic by Roald Dahl.

Reading to children is one of Jane’s favorite pastimes because, she says, “It brings children alive to pictures in their imaginations that no TV could accomplish. It really awakens their brains.” There’s something about being read to that allows the listener to “conjure up images within the self,” a way to let the imagination roam free. Stories and books are the gateway to the imaginary world, she says, a big world of enchantment and musing. She passed on that world to her own four children, reading to them every night, even books beyond their own reading capabilities. This was the way she and her husband instilled a deep love of books and reading in their children.

To say that Jane is well acquainted with books for children is an understatement. She’s amassed a big collection over the years, and treasures a pop-up book that’s been passed down in her family since the mid-1800s. She speaks with great enthusiasm in a soft but discernable British accent, and doesn’t hesitate to say that, “Some of the best literature in the world is in children’s books.” She’s busy now choosing books to read this fall and winter, ready to pass on a love of books and reading to another generation.

Don’t let the children or the young-at-heart in your life miss this chance to be at play in the mind. Be sure to take them to Griffin Bay Bookstore on fall and winter Sunday afternoons to cozy up with Auntie Jane on the sofa while she reads a wonderful story.

• Last night the soccer girls visited La Conner and came home with a 2-1 loss. The girls had won six in a row, and with seven games left in the season (and a re-match with the Braves on the 27th), get a chance to start a new streak. Emma Ytander contributed the goal in Thursday’s game…they’re back in action next Thursday.

• The football team is on the road to Seattle Lutheran tomorrow at 1:30pm if you’re down that way.

A couple of restaurants checked in with their autumn hours:

• Becki from Vinny’s reports:

Vinny’s is now open 5 days a week, Tuesday thru Saturday, 4pm-9pm. We are participating in the Savor the San Juans promotion with 2 “3 for $30” specials, which are yummy!!! Come on by for happy hour, 4-5:30 – love to see you soon

• The Duck Soup Inn has Happy Hour Fridays this month, so drop in & visit them!

A couple of restaurants checked in with their autumn hours:

• Becki from Vinny’s reports:

Vinny’s is now open 5 days a week, Tuesday thru Saturday, 4pm-9pm. We are participating in the Savor the San Juans promotion with 2 “3 for $30” specials, which are yummy!!! Come on by for happy hour, 4-5:30 – love to see you soon

• The Duck Soup Inn has Happy Hour Fridays this month, so drop in & visit them!

Lisa (right) with her mom, Mary

It was a good to run into Lisa with her mom Mary at the Theatre on Wednesday, after Hanna’s show and on the way to check out the Odd Couple‘s dress rehearsal.

Juliet Flint

I bumped into Juliet Flint & her hairpiece before the dress rehearsal last night…she says you’re gonna really enjoy the Odd Couple, directed by Andrew McLaglen, which previews Friday before opening next week.

Bo Turnage plays Felix to George Illiff’s Oscar, with Juliet (as Gwendolyn), Warren Baehr, Chuck Harwood, Kaitlyn Johnson, Dorian Oliver, Keith Keyser also in the cast. I saw Bo at the IMA opening last week & he says the cast is having a great time with the play, which usually means it’s a fun play. See ya there!

All around town, all around the island....

The website tells all – check out Artstock on the island this weekend!

Come by the Backdoor Kitchen!

A few notes from around the island…

• The Backdoor Kitchen‘s hours: Denise at the BK says: “Just wanted to clue folks into the fall/winter hours for the Backdoor Kitchen.  We will be open Wednesday thru Saturday nights starting at 5pm.  And Noodle Bowl Monday is back!  Every Monday the restaurant is open for a lunch of noodle bowls, seafood, vegan and meat.  Hope to see you all for dinner or lunch…!”

• Merle and Bonnie Turman (378-5357) tell me Merle’s Masonry, Chimney Care and Stoves has recently moved and is doing business in a more customer friendly location at 50 Malcom St., Surina Business Park. Stop by to say hello or browse!  New stoves and products are on display.

• At the San Juan County Fairgrounds: Flea Market & Craft Fair, Saturdays, Oct. 10th, Nov 14th & Dec. 12th  at 9am -1pm. All are welcome. Vendor space is available with discount for multiple day participation. Call or email the Fair at [email protected]  or 378-4310 for details and/or application.

• Steps Wine Bar is now open five days a week starting last weekend – closed on Sunday & Monday.

The Mermaid re-locates, around the block...

• The Mystical Mermaid has moved to the spot where the Sweet Spot used to be, right next to the ferry lanes. Sweet.

• Best Western has a commercial kitchen for rent/lease. Ideal for a catering company or short term functions. Available at the end of September until May 2010. Located behind Best Western, separate from hotel. Call Janeen 360-378-3031 ext 400.

• Rosa tells me the Saturday Farmers’ Market will continue in its present locationat the Courthouse parking lot until the third week of October. It’ll resume inside (at the FHHS dining hall/commons) the first week of November.

• Need your computer looked at? I know Eric Tubbs from when he was at Skagit Valley College (and he gave the commencement address when he graduated) – he does a good job. He works on Macs & PCs & you can catch him at 317-5181.

• Old news: Check out this week in 2004 in the San Juan Update – Eric Tubbs had just graduated (with photo of the class) & the Mermaid had just re-opened after the fire (and they found the stolen mermaid, also photographed for the first nude photography in the Update.)

Much brighter now, don't ya think?

As you know, I’m selling my house here in Town, and at the collective recommendation of my real estate friends, decided to paint the outside of the house, since I’m pretty sure the last paint job was thirty years ago or so.

So I called ace painter & real estate agent John Bostrom, and he did an awesome job, I think.

We have an Open House this Saturday from 11am-3pm, if you want to check it out – here’s more info!

Before & after....this was before....

Much brighter now, don't ya think?

As you know, I’m selling my house here in Town, and at the collective recommendation of my real estate friends, decided to paint the outside of the house, since I’m pretty sure the last paint job was thirty years ago or so.

So I called ace painter & real estate agent John Bostrom, and he did an awesome job, I think.

We have an Open House this Saturday from 11am-3pm, if you want to check it out – here’s more info!

Before & after....this was before....