Allen Mason

My friend Kris sent this over…

In Loving Memory of Allen Martin Mason
July 22, 1945 – May 17, 2009

Service to be held
Saturday, May 23 at 12:00 noon
at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church

Springtime in the islands...

The decorative bridge near the corner of Black Road & Turn Point Road….that much prettier on a sunny day.

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Michelle & Scott, with Juniper

That’s Michelle & Scott Reynolds with baby Juniper enjoying the open house at the Marine Labs last Saturday…check in at Dr. Michelle’s dentistry practice at the Tooth Ferry (here’s the site), as she’s taking appointments.

Remember when she first took over the Tooth Ferry? Here’s the story in the San Juan Update back in September 2006, when Dr. Chris Clarke handed the practice off to her…click here. -oo-

Presley & Ken, giggling

It was fun seeing Xtreme Fitness‘ Ken Clark rubbing noses with his girl Presley at the Labs’ Open House on Saturday.

He had another good reason to look happy – it was Heather & his 14th wedding anniversary that day. Congratulations, you guys!

The San Juan School Board has invited Walt Wegener to serve as Interim Superintendent for this next school year – here’s a little bit about Walt, from the bio the school district supplied us:

Walt Wegener, current Student Services Director of the Toppenish School District in Central Washington, is a Seattle area native, raised on Vashon Island. He moved to Oregon just before high school and earned his BA and Masters degrees at Western Oregon. He began an extended teaching and coaching career in Oregon and in 1984 moved back to Washington where he taught math, science and computers while coaching baseball, football and golf. For the last 13 years he has been an administrator filling a variety of tasks, most notable principal at the middle school and high school levels in both Central and Western Washington before taking his current central office position.

Walt’s wife Kathy is a career educator with skills in Language Arts, Library-Media and math. She is currently a math teacher at EAGLE Alternative in Toppenish.

Daughter Julie, after graduating from UW, has taken employment and lives in Seattle. Laura is a Graduate Assistant at PSU and in lives in Portland.

Kathy’s cat (Shadow) is prepared to spread cat fur anywhere she goes or NOT, she is indifferent to the entire process.

A man reserves his true and deepest love not for the species of woman in whose company he finds himself electrified and enkindled, but for that one in whose company he may feel tenderly drowsy.
George Jean Nathan

Helping kids in Honduras....

Ace FHHS students Lauren Zander & Will Tranfro are putting on an event tonight that I think you’ll like – I know I’ll be there. Here’s more:

STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL/COMPETITION and FUNDRAISER DINNER BENEFITING HONDURAN CHARITY
5:30 FHHS in the Commons/Dining Hall

This Thursday (May 21st) at 5:30 the high school will be putting on a student film festival and competition in the cafeteria. There will be a traditional Honduran dinner served, with enchiladas, rice, beans and salad and it’s donation only.

It will be an exciting event in which the films are premiered, voted on and a first and second place winner is chosen (with a trophy and prizes).

The event is being put on by Will Tranfo, while all the proceeds of the night will go to a great Honduran charity that is run by Lauren Zander.

The night will be a lot of fun and can not happen without many islanders coming and showing their support to local student films and raising money for a great cause.

So tell all of your friends and kids and bring them all to the second annual FHHS Island Film Festival Event!

We need as many people as we can get to have a great night, we can’t do it without you!

Helping kids in Honduras....

Ace FHHS students Lauren Zander & Will Tranfro are putting on an event tonight that I think you’ll like – I know I’ll be there. Here’s more:

STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL/COMPETITION and FUNDRAISER DINNER BENEFITING HONDURAN CHARITY
5:30 FHHS in the Commons/Dining Hall

This Thursday (May 21st) at 5:30 the high school will be putting on a student film festival and competition in the cafeteria. There will be a traditional Honduran dinner served, with enchiladas, rice, beans and salad and it’s donation only.

It will be an exciting event in which the films are premiered, voted on and a first and second place winner is chosen (with a trophy and prizes).

The event is being put on by Will Tranfo, while all the proceeds of the night will go to a great Honduran charity that is run by Lauren Zander.

The night will be a lot of fun and can not happen without many islanders coming and showing their support to local student films and raising money for a great cause.

So tell all of your friends and kids and bring them all to the second annual FHHS Island Film Festival Event!

We need as many people as we can get to have a great night, we can’t do it without you!

Located in the spot where the Blue Dolphin & What's Cookin' were located, DSK has a grand re-opening set for this weekend.

I dropped by the new Discovery Sea Kayak storefront this afternoon – here’s more from DSK’s Richard:

Discovery Sea Kayak has moved to the Old Blue Dolphin location at 185 First Street and will be hosting a grand reopening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday offering discounts on most store items. San Juan Island’s only full service kayak shop offers tours, lessons, paddle gear, kayak sales and outdoor clothing by North Face, Marmot and OR.

After four years in their old location next to the ferry dock, Discovery Sea Kayak has moved closer to the core area of town yet still close to the ferry for kayakers who want to spend a day or a week on the water with Discovery’s highly trained sea kayak guides.  Those guides and Discovery’s commitment to high quality, small group custom kayak tours  were instrumental in Discovery’s “Best Outfitter on Earth Designation” from National Geographic Adventure Magazine in 2008 and 2009.

Richard Swanson co-owner of Discovery says the move provides better access to locals and paddlers alike with better parking and general ease of access by avoiding the congestion associated with the ferry, yet they’re still within walking distance to the ferry.  “Most people didn’t know that we are a full service paddle shop which also offers a wide range of gear and clothing suitable for the outdoors” said Swanson.

Come by this weeekend and check out the new location and some great deals with Discovery Sea Kayak, 185 First Street in the Old Blue Dolphin Cafe.

Located in the spot where the Blue Dolphin & What's Cookin' were located, DSK has a grand re-opening set for this weekend.

I dropped by the new Discovery Sea Kayak storefront this afternoon – here’s more from DSK’s Richard:

Discovery Sea Kayak has moved to the Old Blue Dolphin location at 185 First Street and will be hosting a grand reopening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday offering discounts on most store items. San Juan Island’s only full service kayak shop offers tours, lessons, paddle gear, kayak sales and outdoor clothing by North Face, Marmot and OR.

After four years in their old location next to the ferry dock, Discovery Sea Kayak has moved closer to the core area of town yet still close to the ferry for kayakers who want to spend a day or a week on the water with Discovery’s highly trained sea kayak guides.  Those guides and Discovery’s commitment to high quality, small group custom kayak tours  were instrumental in Discovery’s “Best Outfitter on Earth Designation” from National Geographic Adventure Magazine in 2008 and 2009.

Richard Swanson co-owner of Discovery says the move provides better access to locals and paddlers alike with better parking and general ease of access by avoiding the congestion associated with the ferry, yet they’re still within walking distance to the ferry.  “Most people didn’t know that we are a full service paddle shop which also offers a wide range of gear and clothing suitable for the outdoors” said Swanson.

Come by this weeekend and check out the new location and some great deals with Discovery Sea Kayak, 185 First Street in the Old Blue Dolphin Cafe.

Let the sunshine in - the new windows & roof & paint job (and more!) really opened up the way the Kingdom Hall looks. Top shot: 2008; bottom shot: 1988.

When I took the top picture (above) last November, I couldn’t help but think what a good job our Jehovah Witness friends had done with the renovation. Guess I’m not the only one – here’s more from the Town Historic Preservation Coordinator, Sandy Strelou:

On May 27, 2009 the Town of Friday Harbor’s Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) will recognize the Friday Harbor Jehovah’s Witnesses with a Partner’s in Preservation award for the exterior renovation to the Kingdom Hall, a project completed last November.

Though the Hall is young by historic preservation standards, and would not otherwise be considered a local landmark, the HPRB is awarding the congregation a special preservation award: Outstanding Achievement by an Organization to Promote Historic Preservation. This award acknowledges the renovation’s contribution to preserving the historic feel of lower Argyle Avenue.

Mary Jane Anderson, who chairs the HPRB, explained that Jehovah’s Witnesses demonstrated exceptional commitment to the historic district throughout the design and application phases of the project.

“The church’s planning committee clearly read the preservation manual, and closely studied the neighborhood. They wanted to understand the character of the area, and ultimately designed their project so that it would compliment the architectural feel of historic lower Argyle without creating a false or confusing sense of history.”

Anderson invites the congregation, past award recipients and the public to join the HPRB at the award ceremony at 6pm, Wednesday, May 27th, 225 Malcolm Street. The Town’s historic preservation guidelines are online at www.historicfridayharbor.org. For more information contact Sandy Strehlou, 360.378.2810.

Michele (left) and Dave are keeping Kathy's Sweet Retreat in the family...

Kathy Morton tells me she started up the Sweet Retreat 11 years ago this July, and it is one of the more stable & well-loved places on the island to get lunch, or coffee, or a smoothie, and much more.

Well, on May first, the Sweet Retreat got new owners, as Kathy’s son Dave and daughter-in-law Michele took over the operation of the place. Dave will be there working, while Michele continues her work at the bank. Kathy says she’s going to work the summer with Dave, and then see what happens after that. It’s great to know that there will still be cheerful, smiling faces at the place this year – congrats, Kathy!

She has ways to make ya talk...aargggh!

I dropped in Connie Shaw’s photo studio (Castaway Dave’s) yesterday just to say hey, but instead she got me all dressed up & took pictures of Josie and me.

As you can see, we decided to go “pirate” – she has “Wild West” as well –  and she turns out some pretty clear, pretty fun shots. First you choose how you’re gonna dress (and how your wife is going to, as well).

You can pick from the different pictures that Connie takes....

Then you pick out the right hat, and then Connie gives you other stuff. For example, I’m a pacifist, so she gave me a sword so I couldn’t shoot anybody. And a big earring. And a feather in that hat. And a cool red wig for Josie. And so on.

Then she poses ya, and photographs you. She then shows you the different shots on a computer screen, you pick the ones you like, and she prints you a nice sepia version & you’re on your way!

Josie & I walked around town showing our photos to people, and they kept asking, “Where did you get those done?” so I’ll tell you, too. Castaway Dave’s is in the back of Jeri’s Mall – go in between the Hot Shop & the jewelry shop. You’ll be glad you did – it’s fun!

Connie Shaw

Corey from Relay for Life has news about the auditions, which continue tonight:

Last Wednesday May 13th was the second night of Relay Idol Auditions. Relay Idol is now up to $318 raised for the American Cancer Society.  The finalists that were chosen last week to return with Kira, Todd, and Jake, for the finals on May 30th are:

Bob Nelson who sang “Bad Case of Loving You” by Robert Palmer
Travis Berwald who sang “Tennessee River Run” by Darryl Worley
Tony the Tiger who sang “Forever in Blue Jeans” by Neil Diamond

These three finalists were also participants in last year’s competition.  Who will join these six finalists May 30th for Relay Idol Finals? Tune in Wednesday night at Herb’s to view the last night of auditions.  We will begin at 9:30pm, but you can start registering at 9:00pm

Corey from Relay for Life has news about the auditions, which continue tonight:

Last Wednesday May 13th was the second night of Relay Idol Auditions. Relay Idol is now up to $318 raised for the American Cancer Society.  The finalists that were chosen last week to return with Kira, Todd, and Jake, for the finals on May 30th are:

Bob Nelson who sang “Bad Case of Loving You” by Robert Palmer
Travis Berwald who sang “Tennessee River Run” by Darryl Worley
Tony the Tiger who sang “Forever in Blue Jeans” by Neil Diamond

These three finalists were also participants in last year’s competition.  Who will join these six finalists May 30th for Relay Idol Finals? Tune in Wednesday night at Herb’s to view the last night of auditions.  We will begin at 9:30pm, but you can start registering at 9:00pm

from the Associated Press:

BELLEVUE, Wash. – Fire officials in Washington state said a sunny day and a dog’s glass water bowl combined to cause a blaze that charred the back of a home. Bellevue Fire Department Lt. Eric Keenan said investigators determined the glass bowl of water focused sunlight enough to act like a magnifying glass and start the fire on the home’s wood deck Sunday.

Investigators said there was no electrical wiring or other possible cause.

The homeowners were away, but neighbors noticed the smoke and flames. The family dog was rescued. Damage is estimated at $215,000.