Bill Frisell

Jan from the Community Theatre says this is gonna be a good one:

Is he the electric guitar master whose Unspeakable won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album or is he the Seattle guitarist whose most recent compilation is The Best of Bill Frisell vol.1 / folk songs, complete with a CD jacket that features a full-of-praise intro from musician Elvis Costello?

Friday Harbor gets to find out for itself THIS Sunday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m., when Bill brings his innovative styles to the Whittier stage.

Frisell has been described by Spin Magazine as the Clark Kent of the electric guitar because while soft-spoken and calm in demeanor, he seems to breathe inlungfuls of raw fire when he straps on his guitar.  He also might be called Clark Kent because so much mystery surrounds his musical superpowers.

Elvis Costello–who notes its always a joy to share the stage with Bill– says Frisell continues to amaze him with his masterful but innately modest embrace of musical idioms and calls him one of America’s most unique musicians.  And then there’s our own SJCT guitar expert and music enthusiast Mark Hetrick whose on our Program Strategies Committee.  A big Bill fan, Mark say it’s because he has his own unique, unusual, lush, intense sound.  He uses space in music the same way that Miles Davis did and I really dig Miles!

Check out more about Frisell at his website: www.billfrisell.com.

James Longley

Most islanders are pretty proud of Jame Longley’s film work, including Iraq in Fragments and Sari’s Mother, which were both near-Oscar winners in ’06 & ’07.

Folks have received reports from him from Iran, with the present craziness going on there…here’s one report from the Northwest Film Forum, and here’s another from the New York Times.

In James’ e-mail about the incidents described in the reports, he says: “All in all, it made me really question what I am doing in this country. It has become impossible to work as a journalist without the risk of physical violence from the government.”

James Longley

Most islanders are pretty proud of Jame Longley’s film work, including Iraq in Fragments and Sari’s Mother, which were both near-Oscar winners in ’06 & ’07.

Folks have received reports from him from Iran, with the present craziness going on there…here’s one report from the Northwest Film Forum, and here’s another from the New York Times.

In James’ e-mail about the incidents described in the reports, he says: “All in all, it made me really question what I am doing in this country. It has become impossible to work as a journalist without the risk of physical violence from the government.”

Click here to see photos from the night….

Otto Schmidt and Brooke Jangard meet with everyone after the graduation ceremony

Part of the deal is…we know each other so well. Two thirds of the Class of 2009 at Friday Harbor High School started kindergarten here on the island together, so we’ve all been around each other for a long time.

Valedictorian Albert Strasser shared his five things that make happiness to an appreciative crowd, while salutatorian Pablo Lopez urged the seniors to keep spontaneous, as he led them in a rhythm/clap that showed they have the beat. With graduation parties all over the island & a cool Grad Night trip to Jones Island after the ceremony (thanks, Ginny, for all the work you & your team put in to make it happen!), it was a night to remember, and a great night to honor & show our love for our great kids.

Click here to see some 45 photos from the evening (it’ll make you smile to see that many people smiling!)

And…here’s the finale (below), as the graduates collect above the stage to throw their caps in the air – wahoo!

The Coles at last year's Relay for Life....

Every so often, I’ve been posting little stories from folks who are involved in Relay for Life about why they think it’s important. Here’s a note from Jim Cole & his family:

Our family moved to the island in February of 2005 and jumped right into participating in the Relay. We had never participated before and we started out walking as a family with the Rescue Heroes of EMS and Firefighters.

Before we moved here, Jim’s father, James P. Cole died of lung cancer. We walked for his memory. In the years to follow, we also walked for the fight of Cathy’s Uncle Neil and then the next year for his memory after he lost his fight to colon and prostate cancer. Cathy’s parents joined us last year, and her mom, Jan walked as a survivor. Cathy’s parents now live on the island and will be participating in future relays with us. We consider the Relay one of our summer family traditions.

Our children are an integral part of our participation. The Relay has given them an opportunity to participate in something that is other centered and has taught them to serve out of the pain of loss. As a family, we look forward to continuing the fight against this disease and pray the efforts of all involved with eventually make a difference in finally finding a cure.

Jim Cole – Cole Cuts’ Team Captain
The Cole Family

Ian Cooper

Hey, I’m ready to sing for you…this Friday from 7-10pm, I’ll be joined by singer/songwriter  Ian Cooper (Six Inch Voices) and my ace drummeister son Shay at the Naked Bean on First Street (right behind Pelindaba) in a concert to show off different acoustic styles & approaches to lyricism.

You’ve probaby seen Ian play around town, either in the street or at events (he performed at the Children’s Festival & Be Chic’s reopening party in May) – his clear, distinct voice tells stories in his set, and I think you’ll like his songwriting, too. You can get an idea of his work at his MySpace page – check him out!

Ian Byington

I’ll be offering songs from my last three albums (here’s remarks from the last one, Things Seen & Unseen that’ll give you a bit of an idea of what I’m doing musically these days). It’s cool to be playing at a coffeehouse these days – seems like mostly it’s been events this last couple of years…it’s gonna be nice to be inside for a full set.

Ian & I will alternate sets, backed up by Shay (he plays with Anthemology on the Fourth of July at the Pig War Picnic, District 49, and sits in with just about everybody else). He’ll be playing hand drum along with us, to give a little bottom to our guitar-playing & angelic voices.

It’ll be cool to see you there…drop by & sing along.

The survivor lap gets Relay started each year....

Carrie Unpingco from Relay for Life tells me that they’re inviting folks to the survivors’ lap, and caregivers are welcome, too:

At the Friday Harbor High School Track: The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Friday Harbor will be held on July 25 –26 this year. The first lap of this Relay is reserved to recognize survivors of cancer and celebrate their lives. If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer or are a survivor, please come join us!

The event will be held at the high school track and begins at 2:30pm on July 25th. After the opening ceremony, the Survivors’ Lap will take place. Survivors are also invited to stay for dinner and dessert to celebrate their success in battling cancer or their continued fight.

We also want to invite all the caregivers to join us at Relay and take a lap. We want to recognize and honor you for your dedication and commitment to those in need.

San Juan Island is participating in this event to help find a cure for cancer. We are hopeful that the spirit and commitment from all the teams will help unite our community. It is our hope to raise money for research and continue to save many more lives.

T-shirts and medals will be presented to the survivors at the event. If you want to register before the Felay, please contact the Survivor Chairperson, Jackie Armstrong, at 378-1334 or [email protected].

For more information on Relay for Life of Friday Harbor, visit our website at: http://www.relayforlifeoffridayharbor.org.

The survivor lap gets Relay started each year....

Carrie Unpingco from Relay for Life tells me that they’re inviting folks to the survivors’ lap, and caregivers are welcome, too:

At the Friday Harbor High School Track: The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Friday Harbor will be held on July 25 –26 this year. The first lap of this Relay is reserved to recognize survivors of cancer and celebrate their lives. If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer or are a survivor, please come join us!

The event will be held at the high school track and begins at 2:30pm on July 25th. After the opening ceremony, the Survivors’ Lap will take place. Survivors are also invited to stay for dinner and dessert to celebrate their success in battling cancer or their continued fight.

We also want to invite all the caregivers to join us at Relay and take a lap. We want to recognize and honor you for your dedication and commitment to those in need.

San Juan Island is participating in this event to help find a cure for cancer. We are hopeful that the spirit and commitment from all the teams will help unite our community. It is our hope to raise money for research and continue to save many more lives.

T-shirts and medals will be presented to the survivors at the event. If you want to register before the Felay, please contact the Survivor Chairperson, Jackie Armstrong, at 378-1334 or [email protected].

For more information on Relay for Life of Friday Harbor, visit our website at: http://www.relayforlifeoffridayharbor.org.

The produce is always fresh (and local!) at the Market...

I have heard so many people say they just haven’t gotten into the habit of going to the Market on Wednesdays, but that they want to….well, here’s a gentle reminder – it’s happening!

My friend Lei from the Market says:

Come to the lawn on Second Street, across from the Courthouse parking lot this Wednesday from  3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m. for mid-week farmers’ market.  Here are some voices from the venders.

For a healthy fast food dinner made with locally grown produce, stop by Cynthia’s, OF Course booth at the Wednesday Farmers’ Market  from 3 – 6:00 pm.  Cynthia’s is concentrating on Savory items for the Wednesday afternoon market with a few sweets to balance the menu.  Gluten Free cornbread Mexican tarts (vegetarian), Vegan Sushi Rolls – carrots, avocado & cucumber or California Sushi Rolls – crab, avocado & cucumber, Zelenitza  – a layered torta of braised local greens, cheese and flour tortillas, marinated tofu, noodles and veges in Cynthia’s Peanut sauce are just a few of the offerings.  Vegan and regular triple chocolate brownies, croissants and cinnamon rolls are also offered for the sweet tooth.  See you there!! –

Some of the produce the Nootka Rose Farm will have this week include baby artichokes, broccoli, snap peas, green onions, beautiful lettuce, salad greens, gailon, carrots and beets.  Snap peas are real treat, just by themselves or saute quickly and add them to the salad.  This is the best time of the year for the lettuce.  Carrots are sweet and tasty.  Gailon is Chinese broccoli, which is our favorite.  It has a thick but very tender stem with great texture and mild flavor.  Come see us and try some new vegetable this week.  Feel free to ask us questions.  We started facebook and twitter page, search for “Nootka Rose Farm” for a farm update with pictures.

The market venders also include local meats from Saddle Back Ranch, seeds and plant starts from Sowing Circle seeds, baked goods, fresh pasta and eggs from States Inn.

Flowers for sale at the market....

The produce is always fresh (and local!) at the Market...

I have heard so many people say they just haven’t gotten into the habit of going to the Market on Wednesdays, but that they want to….well, here’s a gentle reminder – it’s happening!

My friend Lei from the Market says:

Come to the lawn on Second Street, across from the Courthouse parking lot this Wednesday from  3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m. for mid-week farmers’ market.  Here are some voices from the venders.

For a healthy fast food dinner made with locally grown produce, stop by Cynthia’s, OF Course booth at the Wednesday Farmers’ Market  from 3 – 6:00 pm.  Cynthia’s is concentrating on Savory items for the Wednesday afternoon market with a few sweets to balance the menu.  Gluten Free cornbread Mexican tarts (vegetarian), Vegan Sushi Rolls – carrots, avocado & cucumber or California Sushi Rolls – crab, avocado & cucumber, Zelenitza  – a layered torta of braised local greens, cheese and flour tortillas, marinated tofu, noodles and veges in Cynthia’s Peanut sauce are just a few of the offerings.  Vegan and regular triple chocolate brownies, croissants and cinnamon rolls are also offered for the sweet tooth.  See you there!! –

Some of the produce the Nootka Rose Farm will have this week include baby artichokes, broccoli, snap peas, green onions, beautiful lettuce, salad greens, gailon, carrots and beets.  Snap peas are real treat, just by themselves or saute quickly and add them to the salad.  This is the best time of the year for the lettuce.  Carrots are sweet and tasty.  Gailon is Chinese broccoli, which is our favorite.  It has a thick but very tender stem with great texture and mild flavor.  Come see us and try some new vegetable this week.  Feel free to ask us questions.  We started facebook and twitter page, search for “Nootka Rose Farm” for a farm update with pictures.

The market venders also include local meats from Saddle Back Ranch, seeds and plant starts from Sowing Circle seeds, baked goods, fresh pasta and eggs from States Inn.

Flowers for sale at the market....

I reported to you yesterday that a humpback was seen on the west side of the island this weekend – looks like he/she may have wandered to the other side. Here’s a report from San Juan Safaris‘ Tristen, from the Orca Network’s e-mail blast:

June 13: Our evening tour spent time with a Humpback Whale on the 13th. We think that it was the same animal from the day before, but this time it was in Griffin Bay at about 6pmj. It was feeding in the current of the flood tide that was rushing through Cattle Pass. We tracked the whale as it traveled out through the pass and then lost sight of it in the rough water.

There were no views of the flukes, but the animal was very active swimming up and down the channel as well as from side-to-side.

~Tristen Joy, Naturalist, Crew At San Juan Safaris Whale Watch Wildlife Tours

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.
James Dent

Some of last fall's crumb rubber... I washed my hands right after the shot.

You remember last year all the hoo-rah about the crumb rubber the new play structure had…well, it has since been removed (yay!) and replaced with wood chips.

It looks like we’re not the only ones who were concerned…here’s more from the AP, in an article passed along by Michael Buckley. -00-

Calling all Tigers!

Cassie from the Friday Harbor Athletics reports that practice starts on August 3rd, so you need to sign up now, kids:

Boys and Girls ages 6-14, print a registration below and mail to FHAA, PO Box 692 or drop off at San Juan Storage office located at 479 Ellsworth Ave one block down from post office. Drop box is located outside door. All registrations received before June 30th will receive a $20 discount.

First Practice will start at 5pm for all Teams on Monday, August 3rd  at the Elementary School Field on Grover Street.  Come join the 2009 Tigers!!!!  Any questions?  Call  John at 317-4342 or
378-8302
You can download a registration at this site:
http://fridayharbortigers.blogware.com/blog
:

Jim Maya & several other observers reported a humpback whale just off Lime Kiln State Park this weekend. Photo by Jim Maya.

This past weekend we had a lot of visitors to the island for graduation and for the sunny weather, but we also had a humpback whale on the west side of the island, as you can see.  – 00 –

Looks like Jim Barnhart is moving here from Florence, Oregon for the planning stages of the new hospital…here’s more from the Siuslaw News.

-00-