Katherine at the "Saving Luna" event a couple of weeks ago....

The Whale Museum‘s Lecture Series ends tonight at 7 p.m with a conversation with Katherine Ayres on “Conservation Canines: a researcher’s best friend.”

Katherine is the one (you’ll remember from last year) who uses Tucker the dog to help sniff out whale poop for research…should be a cool deal. See ya there!

Here’s more.

It was kinda windy, so Kevin used horseshoes from the carriage house to hold down the paper....

There are several ways to like the San Juan Island Historical Museum, and even more reasons….

First is their cool new website, launched this summer, which gives you a nice overview of the Museum’s projects & direction, and good reasons to visit. (Here it is!)

It’s a cool place to hang out, during the Fourth of July activities & for the summer’s Music on the Lawn series by Island Rec…and at last weekend’s fundraiser on Saturday evening. I hadn’t taken the time to properly visit all the exhibits & outbuildings, and now I’m glad I did. It’s the perfect thing to do to help you appreciate the work & effort that went into making this Town, and island, what it is today.

Get over & visit, soon.

And there’s more: On Friday night at 6:30pm at the Library, museum director Kevin Loftus & library director Laura Tretter will show what they found when islanders shared their family heirlooms for an online digital collection depicting the stories of San Juan Island’s history.

See ya there!

From the turn of the century...THAT century...

Hanna's heading for California...

This will be a nice way to send off one of the island’s bright & shining stars, and sweet human beings. Hanna Burke is presenting a benefit performance with pianist Sonja Zarek at 5pm next Wednesday (the 30th, not tomorrow) at the Gubelman Room at the Community Theatre.

Her mom & she are asking for RSVPs…so call 360-317-7178 or 317-6023 (Cynthia or Hanna) to save your spot. Donations accepted…funds will be used towards her upcoming enrollment at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, as she pursues her career in musical theatre.

That photo is by Mark Gardner, by the way…you can tell ’cause it’s so good.

Thlayla & Jeff last weekend

It was good to see Thlayla Douglas-Seitz this weekend at the Class of ’99 reunion…she’s living in Monroe these days with her husband Jeff, and they’re expecting a baby in January – congrats! She’ll be a great mom…

Keep it happy, and it'll come back to you.....

Last week a friend called & we got to talking about a friend of hers who has been really low lately. She asked what I would do to cheer him up, and I couldn’t really think of anything (since I don’t know him), so she asked me what I would do to cheer myself up. Then she had an emergency call or something, so she yelled, “Write me with the list!” and hung up.

Shoot, everybody’s got the way they face down the problems of the world, and she asked, so here goes – here’s the little list I made her, with no sense that my list is better than anyone else’s:

Thanks for asking about your friend… I sure hope he gets to feeling better. As a community service (of the IB/San Juan Update Cheer-Ya-Up Clinic), here are ten things I do to cheer up:

1) Watch the movies “It’s A Beautiful Life” or “Brother Sun, Sister Moon.”

2) Sing “If you want to sing out” at the top of my lungs, usually in the back yard, dancing. (Here’s the song, in case he doesn’t know it – dance along:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSzuAx3BE94&feature=related

3) Write somebody & tell them to quit whining. This makes me feel very important. He could write them, too.

4) Sit with the cats on my feet, keeping them warm. The cats & the feet.

5) Playing with kids at the elementary school – it’s easy: ya go to the school & tell ’em you’ll type a kid’s story while they dictate it to ya, then they read it back to you. They love it, and you get to see inside the cracked & warped second-grade minds which will one day be the leaders of tomorrow. Love ’em.

6) Take a longer walk than yesterday. Lotta woods around here – that helps. Beach is OK, too, long as you don’t mind the shell shortage, here. 🙂

7) Second glass of wine. Maybe the third.

8) Smiling practice: Go along the street or into store & ask about anything, but smile real big & see if you can get the other person to smile. Score: Five – it’s a good day; Eight – the world loves ya, baby; Twelve – You command. The cool part, of course, is you can’t feel bad with all those people smilin’ at ya….

9) I believe, deeply, that you gotta have twelve hugs a day to be emotionally healthy. And cats & dogs don’t count for the first eleven – has to be a species closer to ours. Visit friends with an open heart & it’s easy.

10) Get pissed that the dark clouds keep hanging around, and resolve to show ’em who is boss. Do stuff to make ’em go away, or at least thin a bit.

Shoot, I hope he feels better. He’s gotta be smiling just a little (or more) that you’re looking after him – good luck. And thanks for giving me an excuse to make the list – that was fun, whether it’s useful of not. 🙂

From left, that's Amber, Genesy, Michelle, Marina, and Jessie at Haley's on Saturday night for the reunion of the Class of 1999.

It was a nice get-together for old friends, as members of the Class of ’99 collected this weekend on the island with events all over – at Herb’s, at Jackson’s Beach, at Haley’s. I have a couple of folks who promised to send more pictures, so I’ll post ’em when I see ’em.

And a good time was had by all….

From left, that's Amber, Genesy, Michelle, Marina, and Jessie at Haley's on Saturday night for the reunion of the Class of 1999.

It was a nice get-together for old friends, as members of the Class of ’99 collected this weekend on the island with events all over – at Herb’s, at Jackson’s Beach, at Haley’s. I have a couple of folks who promised to send more pictures, so I’ll post ’em when I see ’em.

And a good time was had by all….

Starting now!

That's Claire with one-year-old Violet, sunny as the day at the K9 Carnival on Sunday.

It was one of the joyful events of the year – dogs from all over the island collected for the K-9 Carnival yesterday, and it was great. There were costumes & agility courses & contests & dog dancing & more, way more. The cool parts was all the smiles everywhere, with folks of all ages & dogs of all sizes having a great time.

So – here’s a 53-photo gallery of the day, of islander dogs with their people – see whom you know!

Sally & Rebecca & the crew at Island Rec have put on another winner. Way to go, you guys!

The Front Street Ale House’s bacon flavored beer has been mentioned in the New York Times in the past week, according to Tonic. Here’s more.

A little song to get you going for the day, from the Concert for the Prince’s Trust, in 1987. That’s Elton on keyboards, Phil Collins & Ringo on drums (Phil played on All Things Must Pass in 1971, as a young drummer…), and of course, George with what some say was one of the Beatles’ better songs.

Island Rec recognized the Dog Park Committee: Debbie Pigman, Sandy Rabinowitz; Jack McKenna; Jim Stegall & Rhinda; Lori Stokes and Alisa Schoultz

Island Rec’s Sally Thomsen wanted you to know about the folks who were recognized at the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic last week:

Island Rec’s Board of Commissioners announced the recipients of their 2009 Shining Star Awards at its annual IRV (Island Rec Volunteer) Ice Cream Social held at the Family Park on Saturday September 12.  Board Commissioners Alisa Schoultz and Scott Zehner were on hand to make the presentations.

Community Spirit Award
Recognized for selfless giving of goods, services and or financial support
o    Waterworks Gallery for continual sponsorship of Music on the Lawn since 2002
o    Terry Browne, Use of Property for Eddie and Friends Dog Park
o    Dave Koch Masonry, Rebuilding BBQ at the Family Park
o    Richard Lawson Construction, construction of parking area for Eddie and Friends Dog Park

Partner Award
Commitment to providing recreational opportunities through cooperative efforts
o    Dog Park Steering Committee, development of and on-going support of Eddie and Friends Dog Park Committee members Patricia Benton, Linda Browne, Liz Chadwick, John Dustrude, Elli Gull, Jack McKenna, Debbie Pigman, Sharon Pigman, Sandy Rabinowitz, Alisa Schoultz, Steve Simpson, Ken Sliger, Jim Stegall, Lori Stokes

Outstanding Volunteer Service
o    Jack McKenna, emptying dog park trash cans 3x a week for a year!
o    San Juan County Amateur Radio Society,  Communication Services at 8.8k Run

In 2008 there were over 100 volunteers who contributed over 1,600 hours of service to Island Rec. Individuals recognized for 5 or more years of continual volunteer service with Island Rec were:

Bill Cumming, Jim Ricks, Ralph Hahn, Bill Mason, Norma Mason, Tim Thomsen, Mary Kate Panaro, Francie Hansen, Ian Boulton, Laura Boulton, John Soth, Binney Haenel, Molly O’Neil, Vic Woodward, Greg Earl, Jeff MacDonald, Bruce Rebhan

The Amateur Radio Society helps out: Scott Zehner, Island Rec Board Commissioner; Nancy Lindenberg; Bryan Hoyer and Charlie Lindenberg

Island Rec recognized the Dog Park Committee: Debbie Pigman, Sandy Rabinowitz; Jack McKenna; Jim Stegall & Rhinda; Lori Stokes and Alisa Schoultz

Island Rec’s Sally Thomsen wanted you to know about the folks who were recognized at the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic last week:

Island Rec’s Board of Commissioners announced the recipients of their 2009 Shining Star Awards at its annual IRV (Island Rec Volunteer) Ice Cream Social held at the Family Park on Saturday September 12.  Board Commissioners Alisa Schoultz and Scott Zehner were on hand to make the presentations.

Community Spirit Award
Recognized for selfless giving of goods, services and or financial support
o    Waterworks Gallery for continual sponsorship of Music on the Lawn since 2002
o    Terry Browne, Use of Property for Eddie and Friends Dog Park
o    Dave Koch Masonry, Rebuilding BBQ at the Family Park
o    Richard Lawson Construction, construction of parking area for Eddie and Friends Dog Park

Partner Award
Commitment to providing recreational opportunities through cooperative efforts
o    Dog Park Steering Committee, development of and on-going support of Eddie and Friends Dog Park Committee members Patricia Benton, Linda Browne, Liz Chadwick, John Dustrude, Elli Gull, Jack McKenna, Debbie Pigman, Sharon Pigman, Sandy Rabinowitz, Alisa Schoultz, Steve Simpson, Ken Sliger, Jim Stegall, Lori Stokes

Outstanding Volunteer Service
o    Jack McKenna, emptying dog park trash cans 3x a week for a year!
o    San Juan County Amateur Radio Society,  Communication Services at 8.8k Run

In 2008 there were over 100 volunteers who contributed over 1,600 hours of service to Island Rec. Individuals recognized for 5 or more years of continual volunteer service with Island Rec were:

Bill Cumming, Jim Ricks, Ralph Hahn, Bill Mason, Norma Mason, Tim Thomsen, Mary Kate Panaro, Francie Hansen, Ian Boulton, Laura Boulton, John Soth, Binney Haenel, Molly O’Neil, Vic Woodward, Greg Earl, Jeff MacDonald, Bruce Rebhan

The Amateur Radio Society helps out: Scott Zehner, Island Rec Board Commissioner; Nancy Lindenberg; Bryan Hoyer and Charlie Lindenberg

One more reason to pay attention during the game, as this ballgirl (the one who handles foul balls beyond third base) shows more style than most, as Tacoma faces Fresno in AAA ball:

And here’s the rest of the story…. (thanks, Libbey!)

FHHS forward Emma Ytander coverts the penalty kick Saturday to open up a 1-0 nailbiter in the second half, making it 2-0. Lola Elford's late goal set the final score over Evergreen Lutheran at 3-0.

• The Wolverine Women soccer team (3-2) made it three in a row with a 3-0 victory over Evergreen Lutheran (2-3) of Federal Way on Saturday. The game also marked the third straight shutout (9-0 over Concrete, 6-0 over North Sound Christian) for keeper Hannah Snow & her defense – the girls play Orcas under the lights on Tuesday the 22nd.

• The FHHS volleyball team handled Concrete easily in three games on Tuesday, then played it close before losing with Shoreline Christian Thursday night in what senior Kayla Short says was one of the better matches of her high school career. Saturday, the Wolverines were close in all three games, but lost to Evergreen Lutheran. Next up: Orcas comes Tuesday, with the jvs at 5:45pm and the varsity with a rare evening game at 7:15pm.

• The football guys (2-1) had an easy time of it with La Conner last night, as they bolted to a 49-12 win. Ahead 28-12 at the half, the team started a bit slow but then couldn’t be stopped. Next Friday at 7, FHHS entertains Nooksack Valley (55-6 winners over Concrete last weekend) for a home game.

My friend & soccer player Lauren Zander wrote to mention that the Wolverines are playing under the lights tonight (and the volleyball team is at 7:15pm in the gym against Orcas) in a rare evening game:

The FHHS Lady Wolverine Soccer Team would like to invite the community to come out and watch them play Orcas Island High, under the lights, tonight, Tuesday, September 22, at 7pm. Come out and support the team! GO WOLVERINES!!