Collage by Thrinley DiMarco

Alchemy Art Center is hosting a two-day Collage Workshop with accomplished local artist Thrinley DiMarco, Saturday March 23rd and Sunday March 24th.  This class will explore the creative process through the medium of collage, and participants will learn new ways of seeing and connecting with the world!

From Thrinley: “The mystery and magic of creativity is simply seeing what everyone sees but thinking what no one else has thought.  Out of the commonplace images all around, if one looks at them carefully and sensitively, one can create extraordinary images.  Train yourself to see, not merely look. To see means to slow down and pay attention, to be aware. All art is about communication, no matter what form you use….visual art, music, writing, etc.  To make a work of art you need 3 things: your ideas and the courage to explore them and the tools to express them. That’s what this collage workshop will be about….your ideas, your courage and the basic tools you need to create a collage.”

All materials for this class are provided, but it is recommended that participants pack a lunch both days.  This class requires pre-registration. You can learn more and register at www.alchmeyartcenter.com/classes.

Thrinley DiMarco attended Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, PA, summer workshop in printmaking at Norfolk State College, VA, studied ceramics at Olympic Jr. College, Bremerton, WA, apprenticed with master potter Karen Stoner, is a member of the SJIMA Artist’s Registry, and works now in clay, mixed media and collage.  She is deeply influenced by Aboriginal cultures.

Alchemy Art Center, founded by Maria Michaelson and Eben Shay in 2017, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing specialized art equipment for San Juan Islanders in a shared studio setting. Alchemy to create a thriving arts community on San Juan Island.

For more information about Alchemy, and to register for classes, visit our website at www.alchemyartcenter.com

If you are fortunate enough to live in San Juan County and you are looking for a job, there are employers eager to talk to you. For those of you who are looking for a work, mark your calendars and dust off your resumes. 

On Sunday, April 14 the Career Center will sponsor a JOB FAIR at the Mullis Center from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Jobs offered will be both full time, year-round and seasonal jobs.  If you are a job seeker and need advice on your resume contact the Career Center at 360 378-4662. 

Employers who want to reserve a table at the Job Fair can call now at 360 378-4662 to reserve a table as space is limited. 

Thanks to Richard W. Wright for this great photo (Taken Feb 12, 2019)… 

Hummingbird in Snow – Richard W. Wright photo

Don’t miss this winter screening of Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Best of the Fest! Showing Tuesday February 19, 7:00 pm at the Grange.

“The film profiles the impact of Indigenous musicians in Canada and the United States on the development of rock music. Artists profiled include Charley Patton, Mildred Bailey, Link Wray, Jesse Ed Davis, Stevie Salas, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Robbie Robertson,Randy Castillo, Jimi Hendrix, Taboo and others.” 

“The title of the film is a reference to the pioneering instrumental “Rumble“, released in 1958 by the American group Link Wray & His Ray Men. The instrumental piece was very influential on many artists.” Rock n Roll roots! 

Malcolm Suttles, projectionist extraordinaire was so inspired by this film he is setting up his own sound system for this screening. Don’t miss it!

Admission is free, donations are welcome.

San Juan County Courthouse – Contributed photo

In response to interest from the legal community, in the winter of 2018, San Juan County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Loring convened a working group to investigate a Therapeutic/Drug Court for San Juan County. After working together for many months, and with the help of Drug Court representatives in neighboring Island and Skagit Counties, San Juan County law and justice participants committed to piloting a Drug Court for two years. 

The Drug Court Team—comprised of representatives from the San Juan County Prosecutor’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Public Defender, District Court Probation, Superior Court, and Compass Health—officially launched the San Juan County Drug Court in January 2019. District Court Probation Officer Brad Fincher serves as Drug Court Case Manager. Superior Court Administrator Jane Severin serves as Drug Court Coordinator. One participant has enrolled in the program and is currently engaged in inpatient treatment. 

Therapeutic Courts are encouraged by the State Legislature as a way to address underlying issues contributing to criminal activity, including in particular chemical dependency and mental health challenges. To address those contributing factors in qualifying cases (usually drug possession or property crime charges), Drug Court suspends the traditional criminal case track while the individual engages in an intensive process including frequent court appearances, treatment, supervision, and ultimately attaining further education and/or employment to support stability moving forward.  Continue Reading

Photo by Ben Hershey on Unsplash

Island Rec is offering another session of Beginner Tennis Skills and Drills for Adults this March with Caroline Hansen.

Classes are held Sundays; March 3-24. Adult lessons for ages 16 and up are from 2-3:30 pm indoors at the Fair Building.

Register by February 21 for the early bird special rate of $74; $83 thereafter.

For more information or registration www.islandrec.org; call 360-378-4953 or drop by the office at 580 Guard St.  Monday – Friday 11am-5pm.

Francie Hansen

Art Cancer Support Group “The first of many art extravaganzas”.

1. No experience necessary… or huge talent… just interest. Humans with a heart, patients, caregivers, family members and friends
2. Thursday February 21, 12:30 – 2:30 pm at Key Bank downstairs.
3. All materials provided. Get ready fore a good time… We will paint the town red, white, green, whatever… however…
4. Please dress casually… cuz you might get a little messy.
5. It’s all OK… and its gonna be fun! I promise xxxooo Francie Hansen

Thanks to Lorraine Littlewood for this photo, a view from Raven Ridge Rd. up about 550′ looking SSW to Mt Grant… click on photo to enlarge image.

View from Raven Ridge Rd. – Lorraine Littlewood photo

Firefighter von Dassow, Lt. Henderson, John Jensen and Lt. Venegas – Contributed photo

On Saturday, February 23, 2019 at Friday Harbor Marketplace from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., San Juan Island Fire and Rescue firefighters will be out in front of the store raising funds for the 2019 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Stairclimb.

The firefighters are dedicating their LLS fundraising climb in honor of former San Juan Island Fire District 3 Commissioner John Jensen, who successfully battled multiple myeloma last year. John served as a Fire Commissioner for 18 years.

Lieutenants Michael Henderson and Gilbert Venegas; Firefighters Mark Wagner and Michelangelo von Dassow will be in full structural turnout gear – boots, pants, coat (liners intact), helmet, and gloves and using their breathing apparatus on a stair climber exercise machine in front of the market to raise money to fight blood cancers and prepare for their participation in the world’s largest on-air stair climb competition.

On Sunday, March 10, 2019, the four firefighters will compete in the 2019 Leukemia and Lymphoma (LLS) Stairclimb. San Juan Island firefighters will join over 2,000 career or volunteer firefighters from throughout Washington in the race to climb the stairs to the top of the Columbia Center, Seattle’s tallest building. Continue Reading

We hear from Alice Dean…

Luddite Ramblers – Contributed photo

The Third Saturday Contra Dance at the Grange will take place Saturday, February 16 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. 

This month our caller is Gwen Rousseau from Seattle, and the band is The Luddite Ramblers, also from Seattle. The band features Laurel Stone on fiddle, Jay Finkelstien on guitar and Craig Shaw on flute, fife and whistle.

As always with a contra dance, all the dances are taught, you don’t need to bring a partner, nor do you need to have any contra dance experience.

Donation – $10 at the door, $5 students
Contact: Alice Dean 360.378.5250 [email protected]

Thanks to Chuck Dalldorf for this snowy photo: A solitary figure walking down the hill on Nichols Street into Town…

Nichols Street in Snow – Chuck Dalldorf photo