Fiona and Richard Norris from the San Juan Horticultural Society wanted to remind you the Tour is this weekend – here’s more:

Tickets are on sale now at Browne’s Garden Center and Robin’s Nest for the 2009 Garden Tour on Saturday June 6. Adult tickets are $12; children 12 and under pay $6. Please pay by check or exact change as a courtesy to these businesses acting on behalf of the San Juan Horticultural Society. Tickets will also be on sale at Market Place June 3-5 from 2-5 p.m. and on Saturday June 6 from the shuttle bus driver at Limekiln State Park. The gardens will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Continue Reading

Stephanie Buffum from the Friends of the San Juan tells me we’ve finally got my friend Doris’ proposal on the docket – and it’s about time. This County has been a leader in other areas of environmental protection (when was the last time you saw a jetski? Right!) and now it’s time to ban styrofoam on the island. Here’s more:

The San Juan Island Anti-Litter Initiative is introducing a proposal to ban Styrofoam food containers such as cups, plates and clam shells used for disposal “take out” food service.  Members of the Anti-Litter Initiative are introducing the draft ordinance to the Town of Friday Harbor on June 4 at 12 pm in the Town Council Chambers; and to San Juan County Council on June 8th at 11:15 am in the Council Legislative Building.  (Draft ordinance below).

The proposed ordinance would take affect Earth Day, 2010, giving businesses with foam inventory almost a year to make the switch to compostable alternatives.  Packages holding raw meat sold at grocery stores would be exempt from the ordinance. The ordinance is modeled after the City of Seattle’s Styrofoam Ban ordinance. The savings to the climate, landfill and our oceans health will make the change worth while. Continue Reading

Stephanie Buffum from the Friends of the San Juan tells me we’ve finally got my friend Doris’ proposal on the docket – and it’s about time. This County has been a leader in other areas of environmental protection (when was the last time you saw a jetski? Right!) and now it’s time to ban styrofoam on the island. Here’s more:

The San Juan Island Anti-Litter Initiative is introducing a proposal to ban Styrofoam food containers such as cups, plates and clam shells used for disposal “take out” food service.  Members of the Anti-Litter Initiative are introducing the draft ordinance to the Town of Friday Harbor on June 4 at 12 pm in the Town Council Chambers; and to San Juan County Council on June 8th at 11:15 am in the Council Legislative Building.  (Draft ordinance below).

The proposed ordinance would take affect Earth Day, 2010, giving businesses with foam inventory almost a year to make the switch to compostable alternatives.  Packages holding raw meat sold at grocery stores would be exempt from the ordinance. The ordinance is modeled after the City of Seattle’s Styrofoam Ban ordinance. The savings to the climate, landfill and our oceans health will make the change worth while. Continue Reading

Rebecca at Island Rec wonders if you’re gonna be a vendor at this year’s show:

K-9 Carnival Seeking Vendors
Island Rec’s third annual K-9 Carnival is scheduled for Sunday, September 20th. Last year the carnival brought as many as 400 people and 160 dogs. In addition to games, contests and demonstrations, dog related businesses are on hand providing information and services. If you are a business Continue Reading

Miles Cobos - would you convict this guy?

One of the highlights of the school year (and a great way to end it) is the mock trials, put on by Jim McNairy’s government classes. The ones I’ve seen are presided over by a real judge, Carla Higginson (judge pro-tem), who also explains the finer legal points to the kids as they go along. The students play the attorneys, the jury, and the witnesses, as well as the defendant, and are coached by attorneys Carolyn DeRoos, Steve Brandli and Lawrence Delay.

It takes a while (last night’s trial took three hours, about an hour shorter than one of the trials last year), but the jury found Terry Bell (played and sung by talented FHHS junior Miles Cobos, who is a singer, actor, and all-around great kid) guilty on two counts of arson & inciting folks to do damage.

Tonight, the other class holds their trial, at the Courthouse. Drop by & check it out, if you like.

Great learning experience, and one of the more memorable events that FHHS students carry away from school each year.

The play opens on this island on July 17th.

This summer’s play from Island Stage Left will be As You Like It, opening on July 17th here on San Juan Island and running till August 22. Here’s more, from the theater troupe’s website.

The play opens on this island on July 17th.

This summer’s play from Island Stage Left will be As You Like It, opening on July 17th here on San Juan Island and running till August 22. Here’s more, from the theater troupe’s website.

Harbor seals, along for the ride

What do you do when you go kayaking & there is a harbor seal on the back of your kayak, taking a ride? Here’s more from Scott Saylor, for the Examiner.com. -oo-

Ever wonder when Kenmore Air has specials for flights? Now you can stay in touch – here’s more from Craig with Kenmore:

Hey Ian,
I don’t know if this is Update worthy or not, but we’ve started using Twitter on an almost daily basis, and for islanders, it’s a particularly good way to stay on top of last-minute specials that crop up. If people want to “follow” us, they can go to http://twitter.com/kenmoreair.
Craig

If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?
Milton Berle

It was twenty years ago today (June 4) that the Chinese government put down the protests in Tiananmen Square. To learn more about the killings, go here.

I believe the video below is illegal in China. I offer it, so we remember.

Kira - the 2009 Idol!

Corey Ayers & her team for Relay for Life have been raising money by putting on Relay Idol at Herb’s all last month…Saturday night it all came together in the finals, with Kira (who I saw yesterday at the post office & asked her about her new found fame).

I’m gonna ask the Mariners if they want her to sing before one of their games…. here’s more from Corey:

Relay Idol was a hit again this year. The winner this year was Kira Sable.  The two runnerups were Travis Berwald and Jake Beliveau. You can hear Kira sing the National Anthem at the Relay for Life event on July 25th.

The finalists this year brought in $2,430.68, raised for the American Cancer Society. Thanks to everyone who donated their hard earned money to make this event such a great fundraiser. Thank you to Herb’s for working so hard to get the equipment going and letting our Relay For Life Team have this event.

And Thank You to all the finalists, without them there would be no show!

Sunset on the way we've been doing things...

That’s the word from County Council member Howie Rosenfeld yesterday, as he passed along this note from the Ferry Advisory folks (Rob DeGavre is the contact at 378-3605):

United States Coast Guard has ordered Washington State Ferries to discontinue the system by which WSF has traditionally crewed its boats. As a result, effective with the Fall Sailing Schedule, WSF will be required to change significantly the schedule of ferry service to the San Juan Islands. Continue Reading

Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.
Mark Twain

Singing & performing at the Fair is a blast!

If you’re thinking about applying to play at the Fair this year, now’s the time to get your application moving – you can find it on the entertainment page (click here). Looking forward to hearing you!

Yep, that’s me singing with Goldy from Steppenwolf last year…it’s that kinda fun.

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A new bright spot in town...

When Teri McPadden changed the name of her dress shop from Dominique’s Clothing to Be Chic Boutique a couple of weeks ago, that was the beginning – she also has re-painted the place. That’s her husband Skip painting Monday – it’s all done, now, with trim the color of her new sign. Mkaes a nice bright spot in town – drop by & see her! And…good job, Skip! -oo-