Posted March 22, 2009 at 9:45 pm by Ian Byington
Leasa and Peter have a May wedding planned...
Leasa Burch and Peter Wangoe II will be getting married on Oahu in May of
2009. It will be a small ceremony with family and close friends. A San Juan
Island reception will take place in August of 2009.
Posted March 22, 2009 at 9:31 pm by Ian Byington
Time of the changing times: More plates from WA
Back in 1995 or so, my boys & I used to play a game on Saturdays during the summer in which we would walk around town looking for out-of-state plates, and write them down on a little plate. One memorable day we saw license plates from 40 states & two provinces…there were a lot of people visiting from faraway back then.
These days the projection is that more our our visitors will come from “closer to home,” which follows a trend seen since around ’99 or 2000 – more in-staters coming to see us. Check the tags around town & see what you see….
Posted March 22, 2009 at 9:19 pm by Ian Byington
Jennifer Furber says they’re gonna need you to help:
The Children’s Festival is coming! On Saturday, May 2 from 10 am to 2 pm, Island Rec will present the 19th annual festival at the Country Fairgrounds. The theme this year is “Under The Sea.”
The 2009 Children’s Festival Committee is currently looking for volunteers to help make this the best festival yet. No special skills are needed; just a little time along with a fun attitude will help make this year’s event a true success. Please, come and lend a hand.
Please, stop by the Island Rec office at 580 Guard Street, call or email Sally Kerr, Island Rec Director at 378-4953 or [email protected] . As always, the festival is free for children of all ages. The festival is made possible year after year through generous donations and loving support from island businesses, volunteers and organizations.
This year’s committee is underway with preparations for the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2nd event. Please, mark your calendars. For more information call Sally at 378-4953.
Posted March 22, 2009 at 9:19 pm by Ian Byington
Jennifer Furber says they’re gonna need you to help:
The Children’s Festival is coming! On Saturday, May 2 from 10 am to 2 pm, Island Rec will present the 19th annual festival at the Country Fairgrounds. The theme this year is “Under The Sea.”
The 2009 Children’s Festival Committee is currently looking for volunteers to help make this the best festival yet. No special skills are needed; just a little time along with a fun attitude will help make this year’s event a true success. Please, come and lend a hand.
Please, stop by the Island Rec office at 580 Guard Street, call or email Sally Kerr, Island Rec Director at 378-4953 or [email protected] . As always, the festival is free for children of all ages. The festival is made possible year after year through generous donations and loving support from island businesses, volunteers and organizations.
This year’s committee is underway with preparations for the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2nd event. Please, mark your calendars. For more information call Sally at 378-4953.
Posted March 22, 2009 at 9:18 pm by Ian Byington
I just got this note from Carol Ford about what the Grones are dealing with….look over it & see what you can do:
Hi Ian…
I just spoke to Dave Grone (his kids are recent FHHS grads, Ashley and Jason). His wife, Jacque, was flown off-island Friday with a brain aneurism and endured an 11 hour surgery at Harborview Medical Center. Dave said it was one of the most intensive brain surgeries there is.
Jacque works for the sheriff’s dept. and was formerly a long-time employee of Dr. Gossom at San Juan HealthCare. She is also an enthusiastic member of a local softball team in the adult league. Jacque will be in ICU for at least two weeks and then an indefinite amount of time in the regular hospital and eventually in physical therapy.
Dave, of course, needs to be down there with Jacque but it is costing him a lot of money to stay because the hospital does not offer accomodations for family. Since there is not really anything anyone can do for Dave or Jacque right now, I told him I would spread the word in case there may be someone in town who has access to an apt. or some other type of lodging where Dave can stay as he helps his wife recover.
If you can help me get the word out, I would really appreciate it. Right now Jacque’s family has a lot to deal with and finding a place for Dave to stay would be a huge load off his shoulders.
Thanks so much, Carol Ford
Posted March 22, 2009 at 9:09 pm by Ian Byington
If you’re a photography nut like me, I’m guessing you’ll like the daily contributions that Tim Dustrude makes to his daily photo blog at
http://timd-365-photos.blogspot.com/ (yesterday was a good one of Mona the Camel, here on the island) and John Lackey at
http://www.sanjuanislanddailyphoto.com … check them out!
You’ll like them!
Posted March 21, 2009 at 11:59 pm by Ian Byington
Toni Franklin stays in touch with what’s happening with dogs on the island….here’s the latest:
Dog Training Seminars in Friday Harbor!
Last spring the Friday Harbor Animal Shelter (APS) was invited to make a presentation to Jim McNairy’s Civics class for a $1000 grant to meet the needs of the community and our organization. The funds were provided through the SJI Community Foundation as a way for the class to study non-profits and their place in the community. After listening to presentations from several organizations, our need for obtaining training for our dogs was chosen and the grant was awarded to APS.
In order to benefit Friday Harbor’s large community of dog lovers, we decided to bring a series of training seminars to the island taught by respected regional trainers.
The seminars include: “Reactive Dog Workshop” – March 28th, “Dog Sense” – April 11th, and “The Fun and Magic of Clicker Training” – April 25th.
Each seminar will be 9am-4pm and held at Animal Inn on Boyce Rd in Friday Harbor. Because of the grant, the cost is just $65. If you attend without a canine companion the cost is $40. In addition, each seminar will allow 3 participants to apply for a reduced fee of $35 in exchange for agreeing to become a shelter dog pal. Call the shelter @ 378-2158 or email [email protected] for more information and a packet to sign up for the seminars.
See you there!
Posted March 21, 2009 at 11:49 pm by Ian Byington
This tree well could be yours....
The Chamber’s Debbie Pigman tells me this is part of what makes our Town so beautiful:
Chamber of Commerce Adopt a Tree Well Program Continues in 2009.
The Chamber of Commerce Downtown Forum, as part of its beautification plan, initiated a program in 2008 where businesses, organizations or individuals could “adopt” the ground around the trees along the sidewalks in Friday Harbor by planting flowers and caring for them.
Eight of the tree wells along Spring Street were adopted and provided beautiful green, red, white and blue color until the first heavy frost.
The program will continue in 2009 with the goal of having twice as many tree wells adopted, especially since it is the Town’s Centennial year.
Adopters will purchase the plants from the Chamber and will be responsible for planting, watering, weeding and keeping the area clean of litter. If you adopted in 2008 and would like to continue caring for your area, or, if you would like to adopt for the first time, contact Debbie Pigman at 378-5240 or [email protected].
Posted March 21, 2009 at 11:44 pm by Ian Byington
Mayor David Jones reads the Earth Hour proclamation, assisted by Jeanne Hyde.
You heard that next Saturday is when the worldwide Earth Hour happens, right? It’s local (the Town Council just affirmed it) and it’s global – here’s more from Jeanne, shown with Friday Harbor Mayor David Jones:
Hi Ian,
At the Town Council meeting at noon Thursday, March 19th, the Town Council read a Proclamation in support of Earth Hour, which is March 28, 2009.
Earth Hour is a worldwide event that takes place from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. at each person’s local time, around the world on Saturday, March 28th. It is a VOTE for the Earth – individual actions that are done collectively can make a huge difference – it’s for us, the salmon, the whales, the eco-systems, our kids and their kids too.
San Juan County has already issued a Proclamation for Earth Hour and Seattle has signed up as well as Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, even Las Vegas and hundreds more towns and cities in the U.S. and across the world.
Locally, if people are going to the middle school play on Sat. night the 28th they could turn off their lights at home before going. Going to other events, such as a party?…. well, maybe the host/hostess will consider having the party via candlelight, for that hour. Some people will get together to make it fun for the kids – a night time treasure hunt, an hour of games by flashlight, or even an hour of talking to one another!
for more complete information please go to www.earthhour.org
With your wide audience I am hoping you will spread the word about Earth Hour because so many people don’t know about it. With both the Town and the County supporting Earth Hour, the people of Friday Harbor and San Juan County need to opportunity to show their support for the Town and the County!
Thanks, Ian! Let me know if I need to send you a reminder to put on your site or what I can do (if anything) to help you ‘get people into the know’.
Thank you!
Jeanne Hyde
Posted March 20, 2009 at 11:29 pm by Ian Byington
When I woke up this morning my girlfriend asked me, “Did you sleep good?” I said “No, I made a few mistakes.”
Steven Wright
Posted March 19, 2009 at 11:35 pm by Ian Byington
Banks have a new image. Now you have ‘a friend,’ your friendly banker. If the banks are so friendly, how come they chain down the pens?
Alan King
Posted March 19, 2009 at 11:00 pm by Ian Byington
Steve's aboard now, and happy trails to Don...
Jan at the Theatre reports:
San Juan Community Theatre Open House March 21: The San Juan Community Theatre opens its doors to the public Saturday, March 21 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., as staff and friends say “good-bye” to one production manager and “welcome” to the next.
Don Mclaskey had overseen the technical aspects of every event, organized volunteers, designed lighting and sets and helped maintain the facilities for some three years. He resigned earlier in the year and, after 35 years on the island, will be moving off-island this spring with his wife, Susan.
Steve Judson, a 40-year veteran of theater production (including 18 years with the San Diego Ballet), joined SJCT in January after moving back to the island. He’d lived in Friday Harbor a few years ago and volunteered at the Theatre for several productions where staff and other volunteers were impressed with his expertise and organization. Continue Reading
Posted March 19, 2009 at 10:15 pm by Ian Byington
Sewer Project Update: Fidalgo Paving is coming to the island to do street restoration from March 23-27 for those streets torn up during the recent sewer project in Friday Harbor. Paving will begin in the Cannery Landing area along Front Street and up East Street to First, then will continue on First Street to West.
Posted March 19, 2009 at 9:39 pm by Ian Byington
From our friends at Island Rec:
Poster Contest for 19th Annual Children’s Festival
It’s time THE LAST CHANCE for San Juan island kids to let their imaginations run wet and wild with this year’s Children’s Festival’s Theme: UNDER THE SEA.
The 2009 Children’s Festival’s poster contest lets San Juan Island children show off their aquatic artistic and creative skill.
Official entry forms are available NOW for artists of all ages ready to share their talents in the San Juan Island 19th Annual Children’s Festival. Winning entries will be used to promote the Saturday, May 2nd festival and its 2009 theme: UNDER THE SEA.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries. The first prize is a Whale and Wildlife Tour for four aboard San Juan Island’s 46-foot Western Prince II. The second prize will be a gift certificate to Osito’s, and the third place poster will receive a gift certificate to the Toy Box.
Poster entry sheets are available at Friday Harbor Elementary School and Island Rec (580 Guard Street). Entries must be submitted to either of those locations by Thursday, March 26, 2009.
All artwork will become the property of Island Rec and will not be returned.
This year’s committee is underway with preparations for the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2nd event. Please, mark your calendars. For more information call Sally at 378-4953.
Posted March 19, 2009 at 9:39 pm by Ian Byington
From our friends at Island Rec:
Poster Contest for 19th Annual Children’s Festival
It’s time THE LAST CHANCE for San Juan island kids to let their imaginations run wet and wild with this year’s Children’s Festival’s Theme: UNDER THE SEA.
The 2009 Children’s Festival’s poster contest lets San Juan Island children show off their aquatic artistic and creative skill.
Official entry forms are available NOW for artists of all ages ready to share their talents in the San Juan Island 19th Annual Children’s Festival. Winning entries will be used to promote the Saturday, May 2nd festival and its 2009 theme: UNDER THE SEA.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries. The first prize is a Whale and Wildlife Tour for four aboard San Juan Island’s 46-foot Western Prince II. The second prize will be a gift certificate to Osito’s, and the third place poster will receive a gift certificate to the Toy Box.
Poster entry sheets are available at Friday Harbor Elementary School and Island Rec (580 Guard Street). Entries must be submitted to either of those locations by Thursday, March 26, 2009.
All artwork will become the property of Island Rec and will not be returned.
This year’s committee is underway with preparations for the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2nd event. Please, mark your calendars. For more information call Sally at 378-4953.
Posted March 19, 2009 at 9:31 pm by Ian Byington
Jeff Davis
Remember in the mid-1990s when Jeff Davis was here? Looks like he just moved to the Oregon coast. Here’s more, from the Florence, OR, newspaper:
After reviewing 22 applications for the superintendent position, the Siuslaw School District announced last week that Jeff Davis of Orting, Wash., will take over the reins beginning July 1.
Davis, 62, will replace current Superintendent George Winterscheid, who resigned from the job due to health reasons.
“The school is blessed to have such a phenomenal candidate accept the position,” the district said in a statement released March 13.
Currently, Davis is the superintendent of the Orting School District, a position he has held since 2002. He plans to retire from the Washington school system.
His past experience includes seven years as superintendent of the Entiat School District and three years as principal of Friday Harbor High School, both in Washington.