Stepping up to the plate: Colleen protects her work from Saturday's wind....

There was a lot to like about this year’s Arts Fair, sponsored by the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce.

Brenna Woods has a great time, selling her jewelry...

The two-day event featured booths of local artisans with all kinds of offerings: glasswork, jewelry, woodwork, photography, crafts & tons more.

On the Courthouse side of the Fair was ongoing music, as well as food and the popular Island Rec Chalk-It-Up. While both days were sunny & bright, Saturday presented an afternoon challenge with gusts of wind of that sent paper brochures flying and had most of the artists (and their friends) holding down the tents.

Come early so you can get a place to put your chair or your blanket...

Every Wednesday night at 6:30pm…the music is good.

Island Rec’s Sally Thomsen tells me the band this week at Music on the Lawn is pretty awesome, so already I was gonna go, but there’s another good reason: The Soroptimist Club’s Kiss for the Cure Contest, as people vote by donating a dollar a vote towards the Relay for Life, and towards picking who’s gonna end up kissing the pig (here’s the rest of THAT story). Sheriff Bill Cumming, Under Sheriff Jon Zerby, Elementary Principal Gary Pflueger, Post Master Dan Fleming and Fire Chief Vern Long have all volunteered to compete for votes in the Kiss for the Cure fundraiser.

Then, next week…it’s Island Rec’s 25th Birthday! And…you can make a cake & bring it! Here’s the rest of the story from Sally:

Join us as we celebrate Island Rec’s 25th Anniversary at Island Rec’s Music on the Lawn Concert on July 29.  The San Juan Jazz Quintet accompanied by inimitable vocalist Jill Urbach performs for this special occasion.  At intermission concert goers will enjoy the cakes entered in Island Rec’s Cake Baking and Cake Decorating contests.  Information on entering this contest can be found on www.islandrec.org or by calling Island Rec at 378-4953.

In 1984 voters of San Juan Island approved the formation of San Juan Island Park and Recreation for the purpose of providing leisure time activities and recreational facilities as a public service to the residents of San Juan Island.  Thanks to the foresight of community leaders of that time, residents today are enjoying the benefits of living in a community with a comprehensive park and recreation district.

Come early so you can get a place to put your chair or your blanket...

Every Wednesday night at 6:30pm…the music is good.

Island Rec’s Sally Thomsen tells me the band this week at Music on the Lawn is pretty awesome, so already I was gonna go, but there’s another good reason: The Soroptimist Club’s Kiss for the Cure Contest, as people vote by donating a dollar a vote towards the Relay for Life, and towards picking who’s gonna end up kissing the pig (here’s the rest of THAT story). Sheriff Bill Cumming, Under Sheriff Jon Zerby, Elementary Principal Gary Pflueger, Post Master Dan Fleming and Fire Chief Vern Long have all volunteered to compete for votes in the Kiss for the Cure fundraiser.

Then, next week…it’s Island Rec’s 25th Birthday! And…you can make a cake & bring it! Here’s the rest of the story from Sally:

Join us as we celebrate Island Rec’s 25th Anniversary at Island Rec’s Music on the Lawn Concert on July 29.  The San Juan Jazz Quintet accompanied by inimitable vocalist Jill Urbach performs for this special occasion.  At intermission concert goers will enjoy the cakes entered in Island Rec’s Cake Baking and Cake Decorating contests.  Information on entering this contest can be found on www.islandrec.org or by calling Island Rec at 378-4953.

In 1984 voters of San Juan Island approved the formation of San Juan Island Park and Recreation for the purpose of providing leisure time activities and recreational facilities as a public service to the residents of San Juan Island.  Thanks to the foresight of community leaders of that time, residents today are enjoying the benefits of living in a community with a comprehensive park and recreation district.

Three cheers for the Pig War, settled without a shot fired...

There are a few things around San Juan Island you should never miss, and one of them is this weekend. The twelfth annual Encampment is set to begin Friday, and this year’s event includes the visit of a special lady. Here’s more from the Park Service’s writeup (and click here for pictures from the last few years):

Re-enactors from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada will once again celebrate peace as they gather for the 12th Annual Encampment and Pig War Sesquicentennial scheduled July 25-26 on the English Camp parade ground.

The Lady Washington comes visiting this year...

The event is free except where noted. Disabled persons should call the park at (360) 378-2902 or (360) 378-2240 for special access information.

The highlight of this year’s event will be the visit of the tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain from the Gray’s Harbor Historical Seaport. The ships are scheduled to arrive at noon on the 25th and will welcome visitors throughout the day. Other activities include recreations of mid-19th century Royal Marine Light Infantry and U.S. Army camp life, demonstrations of music, blacksmithing, horsemanship, spinning and weaving, sewing and cooperage and carpentry, along with the pageantry of period uniforms in scarlet and blue.

Battery D fires their cannon...

Black powder rifled musket demonstrations and the firing of Battery D’s mountain howitzer also are planned both days.* The activities on the 25th will culminate in the Candlelight Ball, scheduled at 8 p.m., in the English Camp barracks.

The public is invited to join in the dancing and refreshments that will include the traditional cake and punch.

Music for contra dancing will be provided by the folk group Sugar on the Floor.

Just like it was, in 1859...

We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.
Frederick Keonig

That's the cast of Steel Magnolias: (back, left to right): Deb, Natalie, Jandira; (front): Maureen, Lorie, and Kaitlyn. George Iliff provides off-stage voice work as well.

It’s Southern, so you know it’s gonna be fun….here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith from the Community Theatre (click here for our previous writeup):

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll start saying “y’all” after seeing Robert Harling’s STEEL MAGNOLIAS.

The play opens Thursday at 8:00 p.m. on the Whittier stage and features a special opening night dessert party with the cast after the show.

Directed by Jane Maxwell Campbell, Steel Magnolias takes a funny yet poignant look into the lives of six women in a small Southern town.  Continue Reading

That's the cast of Steel Magnolias: (back, left to right): Deb, Natalie, Jandira; (front): Maureen, Lorie, and Kaitlyn. George Iliff provides off-stage voice work as well.

It’s Southern, so you know it’s gonna be fun….here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith from the Community Theatre (click here for our previous writeup):

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll start saying “y’all” after seeing Robert Harling’s STEEL MAGNOLIAS.

The play opens Thursday at 8:00 p.m. on the Whittier stage and features a special opening night dessert party with the cast after the show.

Directed by Jane Maxwell Campbell, Steel Magnolias takes a funny yet poignant look into the lives of six women in a small Southern town.  Continue Reading

Hard to believe that Gordon Weller passed away last week (he was only 64….)

Peter & Gordon are best remembered for their tight harmonies and their great luck that an old mate of theirs wrote songs for them…Paul McCartney, who also dated Jane Asher, Peter’s sister. Here is their number one hit, World Without Love, written by Paul:

Hard to believe that Gordon Weller passed away last week (he was only 64….)

Peter & Gordon are best remembered for their tight harmonies and their great luck that an old mate of theirs wrote songs for them…Paul McCartney, who also dated Jane Asher, Peter’s sister. Here is their number one hit, World Without Love, written by Paul:

Island publicist Alice Acheson (left) and Karen Burns show off the new book....

I got a chance to swing by the book-signing that Griffin Bay Books put on for Karen Burns’ Working Girl book (its full title: The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use), and ended up buying the book & reading it.

She has great fun discussing how to make a career (she’s an expert – had 59 jobs) & having fun while doing it. She peppers it with sage advice, though, which is why I have plans to lend this book to at least three friends who are looking for jobs.

Check out her blog, then get a copy – you’ll like it.

Island publicist Alice Acheson (left) and Karen Burns show off the new book....

I got a chance to swing by the book-signing that Griffin Bay Books put on for Karen Burns’ Working Girl book (its full title: The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use), and ended up buying the book & reading it.

She has great fun discussing how to make a career (she’s an expert – had 59 jobs) & having fun while doing it. She peppers it with sage advice, though, which is why I have plans to lend this book to at least three friends who are looking for jobs.

Check out her blog, then get a copy – you’ll like it.

Tracy Roberson just dropped me a note to share with you:

Nancy Adkins, 74, passed away at her home in Anacortes Wednesday, July 15, 2009.  She was surrounded by her loving family.  A full obituary will be published at a later date.  Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral chapel and Crematory, Anacortes and San Juan Islands, WA. -00-

Looking cool, stayin' cool...

Just got a cool note with good ideas for taking care of your furry friend:

Hello, Ian –

Dr. Sonja Webster-Hills of Islands Veterinary Clinic asked that I forward the following website in the hope that you could post an informative article in the Update.  We have had a few inquiries about warmer temperatures and its effect on pets.  This site is very informative and hopefully we can save a life.

www.mydogiscool.com

Thanks,
Andy

It is an ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way.
Rollo May

You will believe dogs can fly...

Hey, I know these are tough times, but if you HAVE to go to a fundraiser this summer, consider the Animal Shelter’s Wags to Riches deal this weekend. It includes an auction, canine entertainment (dogs that fly!), a dinner that can’t be beat, and getting to hang around with folks you know. Can’t beat it.

Here’s the details, from the Animal Shelter website. See ya there!

Dinner under the big tent...

to bee or not to bee..that IS the question. the answer - buy the book!

His book is out! Here’s more about Shu’s book, which you can get at Griffin Bay Bookstore:

A charming and original fable written in rhyming couplets, “to bee or not to bee” is the story of a young butterfly that doesn’t see his life’s true purpose, until he tries to be something he is not for a while.

Shu, himself.

Although it looks like a children’s book, and kids love the story, it is also an entertaining book for the more mature reader.

Wonderfully illustrated by Cathe McNiel, the book lies flat for easy coloring, and the pack of 12 Crayola coloring pencils is included.  With 28 illustrations on extra-heavy 100 lb. paper, this is an art project as well as a delightful story book.

It’s Saturday, July 25th 2-4 PM at Griffin Bay Bookstore – come meet “Shu” (Jim “Shu” Carroll) and hear readings from the book.  Get your own unique rhyme – on the spot!  Cathe will teach you how to draw her famous bees.

See you there!