Anna Lisa at Duck Soup says Gretchen is starting a happy hour on Fridays from 4:30pm to 6pm, with half price drinks & specials on appetizers. Drop in! -ooo-

To restore sports at FHHS next year (they were cut by the Board as a response to the budget shortfall), there’s going to be a barbecue fundraiser on the second of May – put it on your calendar! Here’s the scoop, from Purple & Gold’s Elisa Howard:

Hi Ian,
Spring is here and the weather is warming up! It’s a time when family and friends gather, so come join Purple & Gold on Saturday, May 2 starting at 5:00 pm for a good old island barbecue! BBQ chicken & ribs, baked beans, coleslaw, rolls and a beverage.

For adults a ticket is $20.00 and students are $10.00. The night wouldn’t be complete without music, so bring your dancing shoes, Dirt Monkey will be there livening up the night! But thats not all, there will also be an auction loaded with fun items from a Volkwagon Super Beetle to tickets with flight included to a Mariners game, plus much much more!

So be sure to get your tickets before we sell out! Students will be selling tickets as well at site sales at Kings Market April 15, 18, 22 and 25. At the Market Place April 15,20,24 and 29th between 4 and 6 pm. So come on up and join the fun at the Beaverton Valley Business Park on Saturday, May 2 and help us raise the $45,000 needed for Friday Harbor High School Sports! See you there!

Elisa Howard
Purple & Gold President
[email protected]

To restore sports at FHHS next year (they were cut by the Board as a response to the budget shortfall), there’s going to be a barbecue fundraiser on the second of May – put it on your calendar! Here’s the scoop, from Purple & Gold’s Elisa Howard:

Hi Ian,
Spring is here and the weather is warming up! It’s a time when family and friends gather, so come join Purple & Gold on Saturday, May 2 starting at 5:00 pm for a good old island barbecue! BBQ chicken & ribs, baked beans, coleslaw, rolls and a beverage.

For adults a ticket is $20.00 and students are $10.00. The night wouldn’t be complete without music, so bring your dancing shoes, Dirt Monkey will be there livening up the night! But thats not all, there will also be an auction loaded with fun items from a Volkwagon Super Beetle to tickets with flight included to a Mariners game, plus much much more!

So be sure to get your tickets before we sell out! Students will be selling tickets as well at site sales at Kings Market April 15, 18, 22 and 25. At the Market Place April 15,20,24 and 29th between 4 and 6 pm. So come on up and join the fun at the Beaverton Valley Business Park on Saturday, May 2 and help us raise the $45,000 needed for Friday Harbor High School Sports! See you there!

Elisa Howard
Purple & Gold President
[email protected]

Work contnues up First Street....

That’s the view up First Street in Friday Harbor on Thursday, looking towards the Whale Museum from the ferry lines as Town crews help re-pave the street as part of the sewer project. Might have to go around the block today to get around all this, but the new road will be smoother afterwards.

Barbara & Matt Dollahite

That’s her with Gallery San Juan co-owner & husband Matt, who is a pretty accomplished artist in his own right.

Barbara & Matt Dollahite

That’s her with Gallery San Juan co-owner & husband Matt, who is a pretty accomplished artist in his own right.

I know you wanted to know – Joy Lord at San Juan County Public Works has more:

I was wondering if you could run something about Bud Sears retiring after 20 years and 9 months with Public Works. His retirement party is Tuesday April 21st at the Mullis Senior Center from 4:30 until 6:00. It is a Potluck Hors d’Oeuvres. His last day at work is April 24th.

Thanks!
Joy -oo-

Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure.
John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day

You know, I was gonna tell you how cool this weekend’s event was going to be, but Helen beat me to it. It’s on Saturday of Earth Day weekend – hope to see you there! Here’s more, from Helen:

Hello Islanders,

Visitors are drawn to our area by its rich marine environment. My visitors from southern California often remark that they are stunned by the deep green of the Pacific Northwest.

We islanders are so fortunate–surrounded by the north Salish Sea and by a green backdrop that inspires us and nurtures and supports all life in the San Juans. To re-energize this Earth Day we, as individuals and as a community, can express our appreciation for our bountiful environment as we pledge to give back to nature. We can learn to better protect and steward the place where we live. We can challenge ourselves to be greener!

The theme of the upcoming celebration of Earth Day, “Sustainable San Juans,” is “GREENING YOUR HOME, YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR FOOD.” Please join us to share ideas about how to use fewer resources and less energy, to create less waste and pollution, and to provide for a healthier, sustainable local food system. What we do now will color the future of these islands. SAVE THE DATES: April 16th, 17th, and 18th.

I hope you’ll register to attend the 3 days of events and explore the shades of green that you’re most comfortable with. Please check out http://www.stewardshipsjc.org for more details and to register or call the Stewardship Network of the San Juans at 378-2319 to let us know you’re coming. You don’t want to miss out on the delicious lunch provided by the school’s Experience Food Project on Saturday!

Helen Venada
SJC Waste Reduction and Hazardous Waste Coordinator

You know, I was gonna tell you how cool this weekend’s event was going to be, but Helen beat me to it. It’s on Saturday of Earth Day weekend – hope to see you there! Here’s more, from Helen:

Hello Islanders,

Visitors are drawn to our area by its rich marine environment. My visitors from southern California often remark that they are stunned by the deep green of the Pacific Northwest.

We islanders are so fortunate–surrounded by the north Salish Sea and by a green backdrop that inspires us and nurtures and supports all life in the San Juans. To re-energize this Earth Day we, as individuals and as a community, can express our appreciation for our bountiful environment as we pledge to give back to nature. We can learn to better protect and steward the place where we live. We can challenge ourselves to be greener!

The theme of the upcoming celebration of Earth Day, “Sustainable San Juans,” is “GREENING YOUR HOME, YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR FOOD.” Please join us to share ideas about how to use fewer resources and less energy, to create less waste and pollution, and to provide for a healthier, sustainable local food system. What we do now will color the future of these islands. SAVE THE DATES: April 16th, 17th, and 18th.

I hope you’ll register to attend the 3 days of events and explore the shades of green that you’re most comfortable with. Please check out http://www.stewardshipsjc.org for more details and to register or call the Stewardship Network of the San Juans at 378-2319 to let us know you’re coming. You don’t want to miss out on the delicious lunch provided by the school’s Experience Food Project on Saturday!

Helen Venada
SJC Waste Reduction and Hazardous Waste Coordinator

Much has been posted in various blogospheres about our Canadian brothers & sisters & wives, but it is my sense that people aren’t trying very hard to really understand them, like I am. To that end, I will attempt to share what I learn. Let me know if it helps. Let’s start here:

Gordon Steele

Over at the Community Theatre, Tanja tells me there’s a new space dedicated to a former Dolly from Hello, Dolly! The dedication is this weekend… here’s more:

New Garden Dedicated at San Juan Community Theatre April 18: Friday Harbor’s Gordon Steele (photo) has given a special gift to the San Juan Community Theatre: a new garden and patio.

On Saturday, April 18 at 1:00 p.m., islanders are invited to help dedicate that garden and to thank Steele for his generous donation in memory of his wife, Beverly.

Gordon and Beverly arrived on the island in 1979 and immediately became involved in the Theatre, which at that time was still holding performances at the Royal on Spring Street (now the location of the movie theater).  Over the years, the Steeles gave time, talent and resources beyond measure.  Beverly appeared on stage in the title role of Hello, Dolly!  She and Gordon raised thousands of dollars for SJCT.  He led the board of trustees; she was a CATS president. Beverly’s death several years was a great loss to her family, friends, and the community as a whole.

The beautiful new garden, financed solely through Gordon’s generosity, was designed and constructed by Green Man Landscape and Design.

Refreshments will be served during the dedication and will be followed by SJCT’s Annual Meeting, updating the community on the Theatre’s present and future plans.

Scott hynotizes the folks on stage....

The picture shows when Scott the hypnotist came here in 2007 & worked with some of the kids from the class of ’07…it was a blast! Well, he’s back this week, on Friday at the FHHS gym…here’s more from Gina Sandwith, in this fundraiser for the Class of 2009:

Join us for a hilarious, entertaining and fun night with Scott Kealoha, Comedy Stage Hypnotist on April 17, 2009 at the FHHS Turnbull Gym at 7:00 PM.  Tickets are on sale now for $7.00 at Islanders Bank or contact Gina at 378-1233 or Ginny at 317-5820 or [email protected].

Tickets will be on sale at FHHS during the lunch break.  Tickets will be $10.00 at the door.  We will be serving a hot dog dinner before the show starting at 6:00 pm for $5.00.  Bring your family for this night of fun and amazing power of creativity and the human mind.  All ages welcome!  You may even become a star of the show!

Proceeds from this event fund the Friday Harbor High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association Project Graduation Night.

Pablo drives the ball upfield against Nooksack Valley High....

Last night the FHHS baseball boys continued their winning ways with a 15-1 victory at LaConner, while the softball girls came up with a gutsy four-run last inning that fell short with the Braves, losing 8-4.

Meanwhile, the soccer Wolverines came close in a district match with Nooksack Valley, holding them scoreless at home for 65 minutes before the Pioneers broke for two to win 2-0.

Senior captains Pablo Lopez (photo) and Cameron Byington were joined by sophomore Conor Lanphere in raining shots on NV, but a valiant effort came up just short, while showing the great improvement the team has been growing into since the season’s start. Next home game: April 25th, with Lynden Christian. (Photo by Lauren Paulsen.)

It’s Opening Day tomorrow for the kids’ baseball & softball, so here’s the Friday scoop, from Kris Brown:

The Friday Harbor Baseball & Softball Association will be driving through town in an informal parade to thank our sponsors and kick-off the 2009 Season.

The parade route will begin at Friday Harbor Elementary School and proceed down Argyle to Blair, turn on Nash and onto Market Street past Market Place, turn right on Mullis, left on Spring past the Hartman baseball field and make a trip around the block back to Spring Street.

It will continue through downtown and make a right on First Street, left down past the Ferry lines to Front Street and back up Spring Street around Circle Park.

Drop by the Ale HOuse for a good time with tonight's play. Or tomorrow night. See ya there!

You’ve seen & laughed at Chris DeStaffany’s plays in the Playwrights’ Festival – well, here’s another one this weekend, at the Ale House, which is a fundraiser for Battery D…here’s more, from Oren:

Dinner Theater Fri. & Sat. April 17th & 18th Top Side
Paradise, Lane Ten, On Overload.
“”Washington State Ferries, where we fixed the food service, now we’ll fix the rest.”

Once again the Ale House Dinner Theater Players present a play satirizing life on San Juan  Island.  This funny, irreverent satirical play takes an irreverent swipe at just about every aspect of island life.  Find out what we think the ferry system is really up to. It’s worse than you thought. How are you going to know what’s really happening right here on Fantasy Island if you miss this production? Opening Weekend – Fri. & Sat. April 17th & 18th, Ale House Top Side.

Dinner a’la cart. Special Menu. Tickets on sale NOW! 30- per table of 4/or 10– each. 6:30 show time. Fundraiser for Battery D Foundation, proud underwriters of Elliott Bay Pipe Band’s annual performance in Friday Harbor’s Memorial Day Services, & a non-profit 501C-3 partner & sponsor of San Juan Island National Historical Park’s living history programs.