It is not the writer’s task to answer questions but to question answers.
Edward Abbey

The orca's head is bigger than Kelly....

Debbi Fincher reports, from the elementary school:

Just a quick follow-up on the amazing Killer Whale Tales program FHES students enjoyed today. This is an orca (killer whale) skull casting from a young transient female which Jeff Hogan shared with the kids. Another surprise happened when Erin of San Juan Excursions gave out a “free cruise” ticket per FHES student for on-board the Odyssey! Yes, FREE! What a gift to our kids!

Sponsors include: Killer Whale Tales, San Juan Excursions, Blue Water Bar & Grill, Peppermill Restaurant and China Pearl.

Previous report

Studying the skull's mandible....

The cockpit of the Cessna 303....

Loren & Dan & the folks at Westwind Aviation have trained tons of folks around here to fly, and they are now adding to their fleet – here’s more:

Westwind Aviation, which provides air charter, flight training and scenic flights here in Friday Harbor, has added a twin engine Cessna 303 to their air charter operations. A cabin class airplane with club seating for four plus a fifth seat, it is ideal for regional flights in the Pacific Northwest. It’s roomy and economical for its size.

Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Sunriver, Sun Valley or points in between, it’s a nice way to travel.

That's photographer Anne Sheridan with her dog at the park on Friday....

Ever since the Dog Park opened last year, it’s been well-used & has become one of the more popular places in town.

Here’s an update for the Update from Lori Stokes:

New Island Dog Park is Rousing Success!

Last fall, a wonderful new addition to our island opened:  Eddie & Friends Dog Park. It has been – by everyone’s estimation – an absolutely phenomenal success.  The strong sense of community that the park creates/reinforces is unlike anything else.  It brings together people of all ages, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds  — people whose paths might never have crossed otherwise.  The dogs love it.  The people who come to the park with their dogs love it.  And the people who visit it say it is one of the very best dog parks they have ever seen.

At almost any time of day, any day of the week, there are at least a few cars in the parking lot.  And at many times, the parking lot is practically full.  As Jack McKenna, one of the park’s steering committee members, commented, “We thought we were building a C battery, and instead it turns out that we built a 150-watt light bulb!”

Creating the off-leash park was clearly a community effort.  Hundreds of islanders made financial or other contributions.  Most important was the generosity of Terry and Rob Browne (Terry’s dog Eddie is the “Eddie” in the park’s name), who agreed to let the park be located on a beautiful two-acre site adjacent to Browne’s Home Center.

Here are some comments from park users, taken from the park’s guest book and other communications that the dog park steering committee members have received:

Comments from the people:

“The dog park is awesome!”
“Each day we drive to town, and as soon as we turn on Mullis, our dog knows we’re almost there.  His enthusiasm for the adventure ahead is obvious.”
“This is the very best thing that has happened in Friday Harbor since I moved here 12 years ago.”
“The park is a lot of fun for dogs and owners alike – it is truly a great addition to the community.”
“My dog and I traveled across the country last year, and never came across another park (dog or otherwise) which could begin to compare.”
“This is the best community gathering place on the island.”
“I thought it was all about the dogs, but it has turned out to be an opportunity to meet great islanders I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”
“The dog park is just another facet of heaven on our island.  It brings happy dogs and happy people together every day.”
“We don’t currently own a dog, but we come to the park on weekends to play with other people’s dogs.  It’s our ‘doggie fix.’”
“All I can say is WOW!  What an amazing facility you have created here.”

Comments from the pooches:

“It’s my very favorite place to go!”
“Best smells in town!”
“Woof woof!”
“I love coming here so I can run and play with my new friends.”
“I am sooo glad the island has a place like this.”
“A great place to romp and roll.”
“I was an abused rescue dog who has been adopted by a wonderful lady on the island.  She takes me to the park every day, and I’ve changed from a dog who was timid and scared into one who is fun-loving, confident, and playful.”
“We love it here, and so do our human companions!”

Comment from Lori Stokes, co-chair of the dog park steering committee:

“If you have a dog, I hope you have taken your dog over to the park.  If you don’t have a dog, I hope you have at least driven into the park to take a look and to enjoy watching all the happy dogs running, jumping, chasing balls, playing with each other, or just sniffing all the yummy doggy smells.  If you haven’t yet dropped by, I hope you will do so soon…you’re missing a very special place on our very special island!”

Eddie & Friends Dog Park is located on Mullis Street, between Browne’s Home Center and the fire station.  It is open daily from 7 a.m. until dusk.

Patrick Pillsbury reports:

Art Lohrey (San Juan Classic Day Sailing) is organizing Friday night races (sailboat) on the waterfront.  Today is the first one.  Anyone interested in sailing their boat or wishing to crew on one of Art’s, should call 298-4007.  This is a low-stakes, minimally competitive venue.  Starting gun is 5:30 pm, call for more details.

Patrick Pillsbury reports:

Art Lohrey (San Juan Classic Day Sailing) is organizing Friday night races (sailboat) on the waterfront.  Today is the first one.  Anyone interested in sailing their boat or wishing to crew on one of Art’s, should call 298-4007.  This is a low-stakes, minimally competitive venue.  Starting gun is 5:30 pm, call for more details.

New paint on the old Theatre - the Friday Harbor landmark is looking good!

Whoa! Did you see the new paint job Aaron & the folks at the Palace Theatre put on – looks good! Along with Be Chic Boutique’s new paint (that’s the former Dominique’s Clothing), that side of the street is looking pretty cheerful & bright. Way to go, you guys!

Be Chic Boutique, with all the trimmings....

Brandy with her bright jewelry on a summer day...

One of the nice things about summer at Roche Harbor is visiting the artists’ booths there between the hotel & the market…last weekend, Brandy Ballard was there with her lampwork beads and other jewelry, as well as wearable art she’s offering this summer… be sure & tell her you saw her here!

Stylin'...check out her line of shirts!

Brandy with her bright jewelry on a summer day...

One of the nice things about summer at Roche Harbor is visiting the artists’ booths there between the hotel & the market…last weekend, Brandy Ballard was there with her lampwork beads and other jewelry, as well as wearable art she’s offering this summer… be sure & tell her you saw her here!

Stylin'...check out her line of shirts!

Making the decision to have a child – it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
Elizabeth Stone

Adding on to the Lime Kiln Cafe at Roche Harbor....the addition is on the right.

Looks like the Lime Kiln Cafe at Roche Harbor expects to be completed with its expansion by the end of the month or sooner. The wood-floored addition looks really good (I peeked through the window) and will increase the overall floor space to 75% more of its original size.

The natural world is the larger sacred community to which we all belong.
Thomas Berry

Where did the whales go?

When Josie & I dropped by to see Bob Otis at Lime Kiln Lighthouse on Sunday, he told us the killer whales hadn’t been by for a while (see the calendar above, which his study posts at the lighthouse) in his study area, which is the area you can see from the lighthouse.

Bob Otis, with Josie

Bob’s been bringing interns to the island for 19 years each summer (he’s at Ripon College), so he’s had his eye on the situation better than most. Usually the orcas have returned by the end of May, and are around for the summer.

Well, they’re trickling in this week – a couple swung by on Sunday, and some of L-pod is in the area as well.

And, in another discovery, Jim Maya shot the photo below yesterday, which confirms that K38 is a boy!

K38 is a him....

You know, Gordy Peterson made it an issue in his campaign last year, and it’s been a bone of contention for years between the US (that would be us, here, on this island) and Victoria: They have dumped untreated raw sewage into the ocean since the city was started over 150 years ago.

Well, the provincial government has told the city it’s time for them to act & begin to treat the sewage they release, and they are going to.

Here’s more from the Seattle Times. -oo-

Some call it haggling, some call it negotiating, but you know the game…check this: