Nose to nose...

I love the pictures that Monika Wieland takes…she caught these two baby foxes nuzzling each other, and a bunch more – check her blog at http://orcawatcher.blogspot.com/.

Sam is now open!

I just got this note from my friend Becky Shanks, who is pretty proud of our friend Sam Banry (that’s him in the picture with Lola Michelin and she is the Director of Education of the North West School of Animal Massage, receiving his diploma) – here’s more:

Sam Banry has just completed a 6 month course at the NW School of  Animal Massage. He has received a diploma (as you can see in the picture). Sam will be setting up business as Sam’s Dog Massage. You may contact Sam with any question about his services or to make an appointment for your pet. Massages can be great for your animal’s health as it helps with circulation, digestion problems and overall muscle improvement.

Sam is now open!

I just got this note from my friend Becky Shanks, who is pretty proud of our friend Sam Banry (that’s him in the picture with Lola Michelin and she is the Director of Education of the North West School of Animal Massage, receiving his diploma) – here’s more:

Sam Banry has just completed a 6 month course at the NW School of  Animal Massage. He has received a diploma (as you can see in the picture). Sam will be setting up business as Sam’s Dog Massage. You may contact Sam with any question about his services or to make an appointment for your pet. Massages can be great for your animal’s health as it helps with circulation, digestion problems and overall muscle improvement.

They’re not called killer whales for nothing…here’s a note from Doug Bison with an amazing video:

Hi, Ian,
I thought your viewers might enjoy this fascinating video. Have a great weekend!

Doug

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3xmqbNsRSk

The Laws of Harmony...

“The Laws of Harmony” is set on San Miguel Island in the northwestern US ….that sounds like us. Here’s a review for the book…see what you think!

Ever since I went to the Commodore’s Ball (here are the pictures) & found out there are a LOT of boaters (and captains & crew) on the island, I figured you’d like to hear from other sailors….

Ken charts the way, with detail & video & insights – read his blog here.

Unleashed....

Ruth at waterworks gallery has a book signing to open a show by Catherine Eaton Skinner which runs from May 2 – May 24..she’ll be signing her book, “Unleashed”…here’s more from Ruth:

Published in conjunction with the University of Washington Press and Woodland Park Zoo, this book portrays the animals that dwell in the wildness of the landscape.

The basis of her book, Unleashed is the collection of encaustic paintings, premièred at waterworks gallery a few years ago. Selected paintings and other media will be available. Come and meet Catherine Eaton Skinner!

Founded in 1985, waterworks has grown over the years to represent an eclectic blend of painters and sculptors from the Pacific Northwest, including, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.
Gallery hours for May.
Wednesday ~ Saturday 10 to 6
Sunday 10 to 3
Other hours to suit your schedule

I doubt that the imagination can be suppressed. If you truly eradicated it in a child, he would grow up to be an eggplant.
Ursula K. Le Guin

Make the world a better place because you have lived in it.
Edgar Cayce

Kate Schuman & Julie Greene

It opens tomorrow – here’s more from Jan at the Communty Theatre:

Directed by SJCT’s Merritt Olsen, Always…Patsy Cline (written by Ted Swindley), brings the music of the country/pop music icon to life on the Whittier stage.  Based on the true story of Patsy Cline (Kate Schuman)’s friendship with Houston housewife Louise Seger (played by Julie Greene), the play takes us through 27 songs and Louise’s humorous and poignant monologues.  A live band of popular island musicians (Denny Holm, Keith Busha, Hanneke Klein Robbenhaar, Steve Keys and Tom Doenges) are part of the action and we’ll even have a dance floor ready so make sure to order an aisle seat and put on those dancin’ shoes.  You are even invited to “go country”, if you want!

Look forward to a special opening night party (root beer floats, anyone?) hosted by CATS on Thursday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m.  The play continues May 8-10 and 14-16.

I asked FHHS’s Purple & Gold why folks should come to this weekend’s fundraiser (here’s more on the San Juan Calendar), which hopes to raise $45K to keep sports happening until the November 7th vote reinstates the programs…Elisa Howard says it’s going to be a good time:

It is our goal to raise $45,000 at the event, and we need everyone to participate to make it happen!

Dinner will be BBQ chicken and ribs, coleslaw, baked beans and a beverage. Students and parents are bringing desserts!

There will live entertainment, starting out the evening with the FHHS jazz band, followed by duet Bob Leytze and Mike Adams and then dancing the night away to Steve Cuttings band, the Dirt Monkey.

In addition, we will have a silent auction starting at 5pm until 8pm, and live auction from 8-9 pm. Lots of wonderful items… there is something for everyone…one week RCI timeshare to anywhere in the United States, Luxury Villa in Cabo San Lucas for 5 nights, Whale watching excursion, Xtreme fitness package, Fender Stratocaster guitar, and more!

And our players are in on the fun, with a donation of 2-hour work sessions with four workers from the FH Baseball team, League Champions Girls soccer 3 hr yardwork/housework, and lots more from players and coaches!!

See you there!

People often ask me what the Update is – blog? Online newspaper? Daily rant? What?

Beats me… as I see it, it’s mostly a chance to share what’s cool about living here on the island. If you’re interested in the greater question, you might read this article from Web Pro News which explores the notion (introduced in the New York Times) of “hyperlocal” web sites as replacements to traditional newspapers. The comments are especially interesting, I thought.

See what you think.

Popeye, people watching

On Sunday, walking down on the docks, Josie & I saw some tourists watching Popeye the resident harbor seal, as she was splashing people & stuff… one of ’em said, “That’s Popeye, he’s a harp seal.” Oh.

Josie shot this photo of Popeye keeping an eye on folks….

That's Tramp behind Mike & Jan, in the harbor in the sun on Sunday.

I dropped by San Juan Island Marine Center (located where the old dive shop was, under Downriggers), to see what Mike & Jan Close were up to, only to find them out on the water in the marina (with the dog and their kid) pedaling around in boats they rent. I asked Mike what else they offer…he replies:

We offer precious tangibles, and diverse amusements, including the rental of Hobie pedal kayaks, the Sea Cycle, a Duffy electric Harbor Launch, radio control boats, electric outboards, and electric bikes. We also are a yacht broker and do marine repair at our fuel dock slips.  Starting May 15, we also offer the best hot dog on the waterfront.

That is Katherine, our daughter, and Tramp our dog, boating with our friend Clark Gilbert in the middle. Thanks for asking!

Jim Maya headed out towards Victoria to capture this photo of transient killer whales.

Katie Holmes is all smiles, in a photo by Sam Leigh

Hey, ya live on an island…ya gotta learn to swim! Here’s more from Amy Wynn, who is the main reason a lot of kids on this rock can keep themselves above water:

San Juan Island Fitness is now taking registrations for May and June swim lesson sessions.  Classes are twice a week for three weeks and include a half hour lesson plus additional free time to swim and play in the water before or after the lessons.

Youth lessons in the large pool will be held after school on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning May 4 for the May Session and June 1 for the June session.  Preschool little pool lessons will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:30pm beginning May 5 for the May session and June 2 for the June session.  The cost is $60 for non-members and $45 for Club members.

Private and semi-private lessons are also available for children and adults.  Whether you want to conquer a fear of water, learn the swimming basics or perfect your free style stroke for an upcoming triathalon, we have instructors to help you.

Stop by San Juan Island Fitness, 435 Argyle Avenue or call 378-4449 to register.  Got questions?  E-mail Amy Wynn at [email protected].