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!

Getting better....Kevin's home now...

I was gearing up to hear Kevin tonight at the Whale Museum, as part of the WM’s summer lecture series, but he’s getting over a medical situation & can’t come (here’s more about that, from the Bellingham Herald.)

The lecture is still happening, though, and people who care about the direction of protection of Puget Sound will want to hear David, who’s coming – here’s more from Whale Museum Director, Jenny Atkinson:

Hello, all –

Tonight’s lecture is still on, but Kevin Ranker will not be able to join us. Kevin is sending David Dicks, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership, in his place.

Kevin has had to postpone his talk due to health issues. He was briefly hospitalized over the weekend and is now recovering. As soon as Kevin is able, we will reschedule our conversation with him.

Until then, I hope you will join us for an opportunity to talk with David Dicks about how the environment fared in the recent legislative session and how the PSP’s work is progressing.

The Whale Museum’s Lecture Series

Speaker: David Dicks, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership

Date/Time: Tuesday, July 21 at 7 p.m.

Location: The Whale Museum

Getting better....Kevin's home now...

I was gearing up to hear Kevin tonight at the Whale Museum, as part of the WM’s summer lecture series, but he’s getting over a medical situation & can’t come (here’s more about that, from the Bellingham Herald.)

The lecture is still happening, though, and people who care about the direction of protection of Puget Sound will want to hear David, who’s coming – here’s more from Whale Museum Director, Jenny Atkinson:

Hello, all –

Tonight’s lecture is still on, but Kevin Ranker will not be able to join us. Kevin is sending David Dicks, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership, in his place.

Kevin has had to postpone his talk due to health issues. He was briefly hospitalized over the weekend and is now recovering. As soon as Kevin is able, we will reschedule our conversation with him.

Until then, I hope you will join us for an opportunity to talk with David Dicks about how the environment fared in the recent legislative session and how the PSP’s work is progressing.

The Whale Museum’s Lecture Series

Speaker: David Dicks, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership

Date/Time: Tuesday, July 21 at 7 p.m.

Location: The Whale Museum

Famous people sometimes come to the island – to buy real estate, to get away from the crazy crowds, or sometimes, just to eat.

I heard that Seattle Mariners pitcher Garrett Olsen dropped by Haley’s during the All-Star break (he’s pitching tomorrow night, against Detroit). The waitresses reported to me that he’s “cute.”

And Kathleen Turner got a bite at Duck Soup Inn last week. She was great in “Romancing the Stone,” but she didn’t have Michael Douglas along for this adventure.

The world we have created is a product of our thinking; it cannot be changed without changing our thinking.
Albert Einstein

Tim's got it in focus...

You’ve been looking at Tim Dustrude’s photos all year, as he takes a photo a day for 365 days…here’s his photo blog with a new and different photo every day.

Tim

He’s answered that challenge, and now he’s ready to answer yours – here’s his new  website (click here) as he offers a full range of professional photographic services…if you need someone to do portrait work, or shoot rooms for your b&b’s website, or do product photos, or you just need a artistic tilt to a photo, he’s got it.

Check his page, you’ll get the idea. Good stuff.

Tim's got it in focus...

You’ve been looking at Tim Dustrude’s photos all year, as he takes a photo a day for 365 days…here’s his photo blog with a new and different photo every day.

Tim

He’s answered that challenge, and now he’s ready to answer yours – here’s his new  website (click here) as he offers a full range of professional photographic services…if you need someone to do portrait work, or shoot rooms for your b&b’s website, or do product photos, or you just need a artistic tilt to a photo, he’s got it.

Check his page, you’ll get the idea. Good stuff.

Pirates, on the streets of Friday Harbor...

You’ll be guided by cutlass-point back to Castaway Dave’s in the back of Jeri’s Mall (between the jewelry store & The Hot Shop) by Aaron D’Errico, Jack Sparrow, or a guy who looks a little like both of ’em. Connie Shaw takes the photos, and they always come out looking good – check her out!

Here’s what happened last time I went to see Connie…click here.

Makin' the grade in the shade...

There were a lot of fun things going on around the Courthouse this weekend, including the Arts Fair, the Chalk-It-Up deal, food, and, of course, getting a new hat for the summer….

Jason Napier reaches new heights....

Whenever I see one of islander Jason Napier’s bronze sculptures, I always think: “Wow! That’s lifelike! That’s shiny! That’s got an emotional element! How does he do that?”

I think stuff like that.

But now, with his new piece, I think: “That’s big! That’s huge! AND all that other stuff!” His new piece (click here to see all the angles – very impressive) has just been mounted in Michigan, and is a wonderful addition to his already amazing portfolio. Here’s a bit more about the sculpture:

“Water Jockeys” – Swan Monument (6.5ft tall x 7ft wide x 11ft long)

“Water Jockeys” took nearly a year to complete and to date is Jason’s largest piece ever created.

These two “life and a half” sized Swans, weigh in at about 2200 pounds with stainless steel supporting armature throughout the inside and are cast in 70 different sections. This gorgeous monument was just installed at a private residence in Romeo, Michigan. The customer provided a truly spectacular setting… placed in a 150 foot long reflection pond with an 7ft x 32ft long curved cascading water wall, underwater lighting and, of course, massive landscaping!

The bronze sculpture overlooks the reflecting pool....

Remember? We stayed up into the middle of the night to watch those grainy pictures on TV…. it was on July 20, 1969. Wow…

The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.
Gaylord Nelson, former governor of Wisconsin, founder of Earth Day

L7 and friends in the morning mist...

Jim Maya reported this was a photo he took yesterday shot in the fog, of L7 – he and Jeanne Hyde id’d this as L& because you can see the notch on the dorsal fin….

I really wanna be a wildlife photographer.....

People often ask how I get some many nice pictures for the San Juan Update. I just keep my eyes open, that’s all (blush).

Diane & Gertrude & Steven, out for lunch...

I dropped by the Market Chef for a moment yesterday and was pleased to run into Diane Kinnaman and her 95-year-old grandmother, Gertrude, who had just dropped in for a bite.

The San Juan Island Community Foundation has spent the last few months surveying folks in the community to determine groups that need extra help to make it in these difficult times. Wednesday night they announced the recipients of some $50K to start pilot programs & help continue others – islanders helping islanders.

Here’s the list (click here!). And thanks to our friends at the SJICF!