But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.
Thomas Jefferson

Alex and Charles

Meanwhile, Alex checks in with busy schedule and reports on her cats Smudge and Moses…one of her music pieces is being played in Minnesota, so she has to go hear it. Pretty cool… here’s more from her blog.

Alex and Charles

Meanwhile, Alex checks in with busy schedule and reports on her cats Smudge and Moses…one of her music pieces is being played in Minnesota, so she has to go hear it. Pretty cool… here’s more from her blog.

I’ve always left my computer on at night. Always, like since 1991, when a guy called Bob the Computer Guy told me it was better for the motherboard to not get a jolt each morning, being turned back on. That’s what he said. I think he lives next to Larry the Cable Guy now, in retirement.

Now I’m changing my ways, since reading this in USA Today:

Leaving computers on overnight = $2.8 billion a year

Admittedly I don’t think much about it at all. I leave my laptop running overnight because I know it’ll take five minutes or more to get things going in the morning — not just booting up, but launching the various apps I start the day with, downloading my overnight email, filtering out the spam, and otherwise “getting settled.”

But all the power wasted while computers are sitting idle overnight adds up, and one study has finally tried to measure it. The tally: An estimated $2.8 billion wasted on excess energy costs each year in the U.S. alone.

On a CO2 basis, that’s 20 million tons of carbon dioxide, about the amount produced by 4 million cars on the road.

The full report is available for download here (scroll down to “PC Energy Report US 2009“).

But big numbers like that become almost meaningless in an era of trillion-dollar bailouts, so to put the wasted energy in perspective, the study provides the data in terms you can better understand: If you run a company with 1,000 PCs left on overnight, you can save about $28,000 a year if they are turned off after hours. That’s not chump change.

Of course, it’s also a fact that your PC will function better if you restart it regularly, and nightly shutdowns can help you avoid having to suddenly reboot in the middle of the day when you’d otherwise be productive. So even though this little laptop, by my math, eats up only about a quarter’s worth of power overnight, maybe it’s a smart idea — and ultimately a time-saver, too — to shut it down after hours after all.

Via USA Today

I’ve always left my computer on at night. Always, like since 1991, when a guy called Bob the Computer Guy told me it was better for the motherboard to not get a jolt each morning, being turned back on. That’s what he said. I think he lives next to Larry the Cable Guy now, in retirement.

Now I’m changing my ways, since reading this in USA Today:

Leaving computers on overnight = $2.8 billion a year

Admittedly I don’t think much about it at all. I leave my laptop running overnight because I know it’ll take five minutes or more to get things going in the morning — not just booting up, but launching the various apps I start the day with, downloading my overnight email, filtering out the spam, and otherwise “getting settled.”

But all the power wasted while computers are sitting idle overnight adds up, and one study has finally tried to measure it. The tally: An estimated $2.8 billion wasted on excess energy costs each year in the U.S. alone.

On a CO2 basis, that’s 20 million tons of carbon dioxide, about the amount produced by 4 million cars on the road.

The full report is available for download here (scroll down to “PC Energy Report US 2009“).

But big numbers like that become almost meaningless in an era of trillion-dollar bailouts, so to put the wasted energy in perspective, the study provides the data in terms you can better understand: If you run a company with 1,000 PCs left on overnight, you can save about $28,000 a year if they are turned off after hours. That’s not chump change.

Of course, it’s also a fact that your PC will function better if you restart it regularly, and nightly shutdowns can help you avoid having to suddenly reboot in the middle of the day when you’d otherwise be productive. So even though this little laptop, by my math, eats up only about a quarter’s worth of power overnight, maybe it’s a smart idea — and ultimately a time-saver, too — to shut it down after hours after all.

Via USA Today

Brock McNairy and Josh Lehr, looking toward the playoffs in May.

Last weekend I ran into FHHS senior Josh Lehr and FHHS grad (and UW soph) Keller McNairy… you’ll remember they were the doubles team from here that won third in state in tennis two years ago.

Keller hopes to see Josh progress through the tourney this year as he represents the Wolverines in singles in May, part of which is played at the University of Washington tennis center.

Robin Jacobson tells me this is gonna be great:

Sustainable San Juans: A Three-Day Stewardship Event
April 17-19

Registration is now open for a new countywide event called Sustainable San Juans:  Greening Your Home, Business and Food. The central event is a stewardship fair and workshop on Saturday, April 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Friday Harbor Middle School. The fair will feature displays from local stewardship groups and “green” businesses, presentation of the 2009 Good Steward Awards, a great lunch prepared by the Experience Food Project and local chefs, and a series of workshops with practical tips for nurturing a sustainable ecosystem.  It’s just $5 for early registration or $10 at the door.  Advance registration is recommended.

Workshop sessions will be focused on three categories:

HOME, with tips on low impact designs for landscaping and reducing the use of toxic chemicals inside the house

FOOD, with information about local food programs and suggestions on how to eat healthy foods while supporting local agriculture

BUSINESS, with sessions on how to support businesses that employ environmentally sound practices and how to “green up” your own business.

But first, on Friday there will be a celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the founding of The Whale Museum, the San Juan Preservation Trust and the Friends of the San Juans.  All are invited to the party from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at The Whale Museum on First Street in Friday Harbor.

Then on Sunday, April 19, there will be a variety of field trips and tours throughout the islands to see sustainable techniques in action, and to get out and enjoy nature waking up from winter.  Choose from farm tours, wildflower walks, shoreline wildlife viewing and water-based trips, to name just a few.  Fees range from free to nominal charges.

Take part in all three days, or register for the stewardship fair and field trips separately.  Sustainable San Juans is sponsored by the Stewardship Network of the San Juans and the San Juan Island Community Foundation.

For more info and to register, go to www.stewardshipsjc.org or call 378-2319.

Robin Jacobson tells me this is gonna be great:

Sustainable San Juans: A Three-Day Stewardship Event
April 17-19

Registration is now open for a new countywide event called Sustainable San Juans:  Greening Your Home, Business and Food. The central event is a stewardship fair and workshop on Saturday, April 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Friday Harbor Middle School. The fair will feature displays from local stewardship groups and “green” businesses, presentation of the 2009 Good Steward Awards, a great lunch prepared by the Experience Food Project and local chefs, and a series of workshops with practical tips for nurturing a sustainable ecosystem.  It’s just $5 for early registration or $10 at the door.  Advance registration is recommended.

Workshop sessions will be focused on three categories:

HOME, with tips on low impact designs for landscaping and reducing the use of toxic chemicals inside the house

FOOD, with information about local food programs and suggestions on how to eat healthy foods while supporting local agriculture

BUSINESS, with sessions on how to support businesses that employ environmentally sound practices and how to “green up” your own business.

But first, on Friday there will be a celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the founding of The Whale Museum, the San Juan Preservation Trust and the Friends of the San Juans.  All are invited to the party from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at The Whale Museum on First Street in Friday Harbor.

Then on Sunday, April 19, there will be a variety of field trips and tours throughout the islands to see sustainable techniques in action, and to get out and enjoy nature waking up from winter.  Choose from farm tours, wildflower walks, shoreline wildlife viewing and water-based trips, to name just a few.  Fees range from free to nominal charges.

Take part in all three days, or register for the stewardship fair and field trips separately.  Sustainable San Juans is sponsored by the Stewardship Network of the San Juans and the San Juan Island Community Foundation.

For more info and to register, go to www.stewardshipsjc.org or call 378-2319.

When Felicity Milne closed her great bakery Felicitations back in June 2003, a great dark cloud gathered over the island, as hundreds suddenly went cold turkey without her daily wonderful bakery goods. Dark days indeed.

Well, now she’s back! Sweet treats from Felicitations are back!  You can place your order for Chocolate Easter-basket cakes and other treats by calling 317-5961. Or go to web site www.byfelicitations.com for more information.

Ryan is a little older than this, now.

Proud mom Debbie Dickenson says her boy Ryan Burke turns 30 this weekend – happy birthday, Captain Ryan! After graduating from FHHS in ’97, he’s done a number of things, and now runs Open Water Adventures, based at Roche Harbor.

Bringing it all home...FHES kids deliver the goods.

Marty Robinson from the Elementary School says the kids did an awesome job, helping their neighbors:

Thanks to the awesome generosity of Friday Harbor Elementary School families, more than 1000 food items were delivered to the Friday Harbor Food Bank on Monday.

The two week food drive was sponsored by FHES student council whose enthusiastic and hard working members can be seen above, loading donations into the school district pick up truck for delivery to the Food Bank.

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here’s a workshop that Kathleen & Fiona are putting on this weekend that should be great…and tasty. Here’s more:

Learn while you hike, and get ready to eat.....

Join leading ethnobotanist Mac Smith, Fiona Norris from the San Juan Nature Institute, and Kathleen Foley from the San Juan Preservation Trust for an informative hike on an amazing parcel of SJPT-protected land on the west side of San Juan Island. After a brief introductory session at the San Juan Preservation Trust office in Friday Harbor, we will head out for our hike where Mr. Smith will be discussing the traditional uses of native plants. Laurie Paul from Friday Harbor’s Market Chef restaurant will finish out the day with some wild edibles for us to sample.

Date: Sunday, April 5. Participant limit is 25. Meet at the SJPT Friday Harbor office (468 Argyle Street in the restored Churchill House) at 12 noon. We will finish our day at 5pm so returning ferries can be met. Please bring your own sack lunch/water and sturdy walking shoes.

Course fee is $45. Checks can be made payable to the San Juan Nature Institute, PO Box 3110 Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Please email [email protected] or call 378-2461, or contact Fiona at [email protected] to make your reservation today!

Co-hosted by the San Juan Preservation Trust and
The San Juan Nature Institute

Here’s a workshop that Kathleen & Fiona are putting on this weekend that should be great…and tasty. Here’s more:

Learn while you hike, and get ready to eat.....

Join leading ethnobotanist Mac Smith, Fiona Norris from the San Juan Nature Institute, and Kathleen Foley from the San Juan Preservation Trust for an informative hike on an amazing parcel of SJPT-protected land on the west side of San Juan Island. After a brief introductory session at the San Juan Preservation Trust office in Friday Harbor, we will head out for our hike where Mr. Smith will be discussing the traditional uses of native plants. Laurie Paul from Friday Harbor’s Market Chef restaurant will finish out the day with some wild edibles for us to sample.

Date: Sunday, April 5. Participant limit is 25. Meet at the SJPT Friday Harbor office (468 Argyle Street in the restored Churchill House) at 12 noon. We will finish our day at 5pm so returning ferries can be met. Please bring your own sack lunch/water and sturdy walking shoes.

Course fee is $45. Checks can be made payable to the San Juan Nature Institute, PO Box 3110 Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Please email [email protected] or call 378-2461, or contact Fiona at [email protected] to make your reservation today!

Co-hosted by the San Juan Preservation Trust and
The San Juan Nature Institute

Amy Wynn’s setting up the training, and with good reasons, too:

Hi Ian! Loved the photo of the Hiyu on your site. It brings back happy memories since Marc and I were married 15+ years ago on the Hiyu during its Sunday afternoon run to Orcas Island. But I digress…I need to get the word out about the next lifeguard class coming up. You never know when a groom might jump ship on his ferryboat wedding day and need rescued by an American Red Cross lifeguard!

LIFEGUARD COURSE OFFERED: San Juan Island Fitness will be offering an American Red Cross Lifeguard Class in May. To be eligible to take the course, you must attend one of two pre-course skills assessment – orientation sessions. These will be offered on Sunday, April 19 at 3:30 pm and on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30 pm.

Potential lifeguard students should come prepared to swim 300 yards non-stop using a combination of the front crawl and breast stroke. They will also be required to jump into deep water and retrieve a 10 pound brick from the bottom of the pool, swim with it and exit the pool without using a ladder or steps.

The course is tentatively scheduled for Sundays from 3:30-6:30pm and Tuesdays from 5:30-8:30pm. Start date to be announced. Cost for this course is $175 and includes textbook, CPR pocket mask, 32 hours of instruction and Red Cross certification fees for lifeguard, first aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer cards. There will be an additional testing fee of up to $20 for the final deep water skills test.

A lifeguard review/challenge course will also be held in conjunction with the May lifeguard training course for those who have a current or recently expired American Red Cross lifeguard certification.

For more information, contact Amy Wynn at [email protected].

The San Juan Singers, led by Angel Michaels, are joined by the the elementary school choir in their show this coming weekend.

Jan over at the Community Theatre says it’s a continuation of the Town’s 100th birthday:

San Juan Singers Present “Our Town. Our Music. Our Lives.”

San Juan Island’s community chorus sings their way through the century on Saturday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 5 at 5:00 p.m. at the San Juan Community Theatre.

Led by Angel Michaels, the San Juan Singers share music that dates back to 1900 and all the way through 2001, representing a variety of aspects of life. “Our community has done it all: fishing, fighting, farming and ferrying,” said Michaels. “There’s always a song to sing, through good times and bad.”

Expect to hear folk songs, popular songs and choral classics from such composers as Samuel Barber, Randall Thompson and Irving Berlin. There might even be some animal voices mixed in (the songs of whales, anyone?). And expect to laugh and to reflect.

Featured guests include island flautist Anna Maria de Freitas, harpist Mary WillAllen, the Friday Harbor Elementary School Chorus and That Berlin Bunch stage band.

The concerts’ Business Partner is Kennedy McCulloch Forsyth CPAs. Tickets are $17 for adults and $19 student reserved, with $5 student RUSH on available seats at the door. The SJCT box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 am to 4 pm, Saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm and one hour before each performance. Call 378-3210 or buy tickets on-line at www.sjctheatre.org.