Melodious Notes Over the Harbor – Contributed photo

Island and Northwest classical musicians gather to play diverse “bits of music” from a variety of composers (including a couple of the Island’s own) during Melodious Notes Over the Harbor at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m.

When clarinetist Sue Collado set out to create this annual event five years ago, her intent was to not only show off local talents, but to offer a lighter, less formal chamber music experience for her island community.

This year, Collado is collaborating with pianists Dorothy Baker, Elizabeth Schaltenbrand and Kay Zavislak; flutist Traci Wilson; bassoonist Pat Nelson; violist Erica Hamlin and cellist Sasha von Dassow.

In addition to works by Island composers Alex Shapiro and Richard Hieronymus, this performance includes music by Max Bruch, Carl Maria von Weber, Claude Debussy, Felix Mendelssohn, Ernest Bloch, Frederic Chopin, Paquito D’Rivera and Paul Juon.

Collado says she works hard to match the right music with the right combination of musicians—to not only give the musicians a challenge but the audience a different experience. “Our audience comes to enjoy new adventures in chamber music and enjoy the unexpected twists and turns in small ensemble playing.”

The Business Partner for Melodious Notes Over the Harbor is Heritage Bank. Tickets are $18 for adults, $9 for student reserved and $5 student RUSH at the door. The SJCT box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Local artists and photographers invited to submit works for new Town banners

The Town of Friday Harbor is seeking donations of local photographs and artwork to be used on the decorative and informative banners adorning light poles throughout downtown.

“We’re looking for banner submissions that capture the art, nature, people, activities, and lifestyle of Friday Harbor,” said Town Administrator Duncan Wilson. Banners are rotated three times per year to reflect spring, summer, and fall seasonal activities, events, and holidays.

Islanders are invited to submit works to the Town of Friday Harbor business office:

60 Second Street
PO Box 219
Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Questions should be directed to Duncan Wilson at (360) 378-2810
or duncanw [@] fridayharbor.org.

Kathleen helps Autumn on with her dining bow – All photos by Tim Dustrude

You’ve probably heard the story of local woman Kathleen Zuidema looking for a home for her 3 dogs (which she just found 2 weeks ago in Danielle Cochran). If not, you can see her story here on Today.com. It has gone viral, gaining national attention, including the attention of Dorothy Moore, owner of The Dining Dog, a canine restaurant in Edmonds that caters to dogs, while their owners wait outside.

Dorothy serves up some Doggie Daquiris

When Dorothy, an animal lover herself, heard the story she thought it would be nice to give the dogs and their owners a treat. So she prepared one of her specialty 4-Course Canine meals and caught a ferry to bring it over here.

So Kathleen and her dogs Autumn, Monaluka and Finnagan hosted Danielle and her dog Rider for a meet-and-greet-doggie-luncheon on Wednesday. The four courses on the menu were: Continue Reading

Barbara Cox is hosting a fundraising event in support of a new documentary film now in the edit phase of production. The film’s co-director Phil Borges will share how his work with indigenous cultures led to the creation of the film, CRAZYWISE. He will share his global journey of discovery as he interviewed mental health experts and individuals who have survived severe mental and emotional crises.

CRAZYWISE reveals a paradigm shift challenging the way Western culture defines and treats “mental illness”. The documentary introduces patients, psychiatric survivors and activists in a growing movement demanding more choices for recovery.

Watch the trailer at www.crazywisefilm.com, or read a one-pager about the film here (PDF).

The pleasure of your company is requested! Please RSVP at: https://crazywisefundraiser.eventbrite.com

• Date: Thursday May 19, 2016
• Time: 7:00 to 8:30 PM
• Place: Brickworks, 150 Nichols Street, Friday Harbor

If you are unable to attend, please consider making a tax deductible donation by going to www.CRAZYWISEfilm.com/#donate

Thank you for your generous financial contribution, which will help shed light on this very important subject.

Dori and Kate from Stillpoint School share this cool bit of news…

Celine Kuru – Contributed photo

Congratulations to Celine Kuru, a Stillpoint School 4th grade student who was selected as a State Semifinalist in the 2016 Letters About Literature contest!

Celine’s letter was in the top 4% of all letters submitted in Washington state. At Celine’s level (encompassing grades 4th through 6th), 1,575 letters were submitted.

Celine’s accomplishment is especially impressive because she is a native German speaker and was competing against older students. Celine came to the islands and to Stillpoint School from Germany as a primary student, and English is her second language.

Letters About Literature (L.A.L.) is a Library of Congress National Reading and Writing Program. Stillpoint School is thrilled to celebrate Celine’s academic accomplishment!

Steve Martin Comedy at SJCT March 30-31

Bring together Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein, add the writing of a popular 20/21st century comedian and you have the next edition of San Juan Community Theatre’s On Book! Readers Theatre series.

Martin’s play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, will be read in the Gubelman Theatre on Wednesday and Thursday, March 30-31 at 7:30 p.m.

This absurdist comedy places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian café in 1904, just before the renowned scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the celebrated painter set the art world afire with cubism.

In his first comedy for the stage, the popular actor and screenwriter plays fast and loose with fact, fame and fortune as he envisions these two geniuses musing on the century’s achievements and prospects. A high-spirited debate about the value of genius and talent ensues, with a host of colorful characters weighing in on the subject; and everyone gets a reality check from the “King of Rock and Roll” himself.

Directed by Susan Williams, the reading features Eric Concord, John Davis, James Gull, Amy Hull, Tracy James, Deb Langhans, Doug Schirmer, Dorian Oliver and Paul Walsh.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with festival seating. Admission is FREE. For more information on the series and other Theatre events, visit www.sjctheatre.org

Robert Birkby: Trails, Tigers & Teens – Contributed photo

The San Juan Island Trails Committee will be holding their annual Spring Potluck next week at Brickworks. Robert Birkby – author, award winning speaker, international conservationist, trails expert and adventure guide – will share slides and speak of his life’s work outdoors. Specifically: “Tigers, Trails and Teens”, a talk about working with trail-building kids in Asia.

Robert speaks with humor, inspiration and know-how for life’s great adventures. (If we don’t inspire our youth, who is going to support our wild places in the future?)

“Robert Birkby succeeds in illuminating the power mountains can have over the human soul.” Publishers Weekly

Come have dinner with your friends, make new friends as we all break out to welcome Spring! Bring a dish to share, a beverage of your choice, plate, cup, and utensils. Questions: call Theresa Simendinger, 378 8332

At Brickworks, 150 Nichols Street, Friday Harbor from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, on Thursday April 7th.

Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Winter Series of Audience Favorites presents: Alive Inside

See the film that motivated Friday Harbor into action! The film everyone is talking about.
by Theresa Simendinger

Alive Inside: (April 5th at 7:00 pm at The Grange.) A Story of Music and Memory is a 2014 American documentary film directed and produced by Michael Rossato-Bennett. The film premiered in the competition category of U.S. Documentary Competition program at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2014. It won the Audience Award: “U.S. Documentary” at the festival. The film deals with the subject of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and how music therapy can help ease their suffering.

After seeing this film at the Friday Harbor Film Festival, Robert Demar, Francie Hansen, Beth Helstein, Mariluz Villa, Janice Fisher and other members of our community, started campaigns to provide music to memory loss patients.

Using the non-profit Music and Memory they are accepting donations for refurbishing donated iPods for residents of Life Care or private care homes. Robert Demar said seeing what happens when the patients hear “their” music from the past is what inspired him. FHFF founder Lynn Danaher said this kind of change is exactly what she had in mind by starting the FHFF.

Consulting with family and friends, the volunteers (and students from FHHS and Skagit Community College), compile music from an individual’s past using donated iPods, Laptops and CD players…

Ahhhh a true community effort – What Friday Harbor is famous for!

Want to help? call Janice Fisher at Life Care Center: 378 2117

Mark your calendars and pack up your boxes… The next Flea & Craft Market is Saturday, May 14th at the San Juan County Fairgrounds.

This is a great opportunity to do some satisfying spring cleaning, empty out your garage, and sell those crafts you’ve making all winter. Of course… don’t forget to save a box to pick up a few new treasures for yourself.

The Market will be open from 9:00 am till Noon, inside the Main Building at the San Juan County Fairgrounds. Vendors may sign up until the day before, May 13th. But sign up today to save your spot!

WSF’s M/V Samish enters Friday Harbor on its official maiden voyage last June – Aaron Shepard photo

Update photographer Aaron Shepard has a new post on his photo blog, An Islander’s Eye. In honor of the M/V Samish’s return to service, Aaron has posted a series of shots of our newest ferry – including several from its maiden voyage into Friday Harbor last June, water cannons and all.

Ever wonder how the Samish produces its two-tone horn blast? Aaron’s photos reveal the answer; Check them out!

The San Juan County Fairgrounds will kick off the Drive-In movie season with JAWS, Friday, May 13th at 8:45pm. There will be six exciting movies this season, be sure to check out the full line-up, movie/parking start times, and more online on the Fairgrounds website. For up to date alerts, be sure to Like the Fairgrounds on Facebook!

Friday Harbor Grange #225 is hosting a Talent Show at the Middle School Commons on April 6th.

Are you a singer, dancer, musician, magician, juggler or…? Whatever your talent, you are invited to enter the Competition and Open House.

Open Competition for ages 13 to adult

Win cash prizes donated by Community Treasures:

• 1st place – $250 + opportunity to perform at Regional Grange
• 2nd place – $100 + opportunity to perform at the Regional
• 3rd place – $50

Where: Middle School Commons, Friday Harbor

Date: April 6, 2015

Time: 6:30 PM

EDC offers FREE business workshop on pricing products & services

The San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a FREE workshop on pricing of products & services for small business owners and entrepreneurs on Orcas Island, on Tuesday, April 5th from 1-3pm. Advance registration is required.

Pricing products & services is a critical element in achieving a profit, and is a factor that entrepreneurs have control over. The workshop course material will be presented by Tony Salas of the Small Business Development Center of Skagit County, and a management consultant for over a decade.

Salas will cover all aspects of setting prices and ensuring that businesses are profitable. Participants will learn how service costs impact pricing, how to gauge what competitors are charging (and why), and understanding conversion rates and tiered pricing.

Details: Orcas Island, Tuesday, April 5th from 1-3pm at the Orcas Island Library. Advance registration is required. Please call 360-378-2906 to reserve your space, or email: info [@] sanjuansedc.org.

The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) strives to strengthen and diversify the economy of San Juan County. We believe a strong economy builds a strong community.

Spring Container Demonstration with Sandy Milam

The San Juan Island Garden Club will host an excursion to Sunnyside Nursery where we will learn new and innovative ways to fill your outdoor containers to provide color and interest all season. The demonstration is sponsored by the Evergreen Arboretum and Garden. Sandy Milam, award winning container Designer, will give the demonstration.

Following the demonstration a box lunch picnic will be held in Jennings Park.

• Date: April 16, 2016
• Locations: Sunnyside Nursery
• Ferries: 8:05 AM to Anacortes
  6:00 PM to Friday Harbor
• Cost: $55.00 – Transportation, box lunch and ferry ticket
• Not included: Driver gratuity

Reservations required prior to April 6, 2016.

To register contact:

Vonnie Harold 360-378-6250 [email protected]
or Kathie Forsyth 360-378-5071 [email protected]
Garden Club News     www.sjigardenclub.weebly.com

The March/April issue of Pilates Style magazine

In the March/April edition of Pilates Style magazine, there is an article on the benefits of indoor rowing machines, and how they can enhance a comprehensive workout program. Among other exercise studios across the country, the article mentions Friday Harbor’s The Studio SJI  and its co-owners, Jacquelyn Reiff and Jennifer Horn.

The timing is pretty good too because The Studio is having a rowing workout promotion, “The Rowing Challenge”, for the month of April. Click here for more info on that.

Note that the article is in the print version of the magazine, and not the online version, so if you want to check it out for yourself, you’ll have to pick up the magazine or swing by The Studio – it’s quite likely Jacquelyn and Jennifer would be happy to share it with you.

Plant now for summer glory – Contributed photo

Participants in this class will assemble a 12” hanging container with growing medium, choice starter plants for sun or shade exposure and plenty of free advice. Bring your own gloves, tools, beverage and snack. Though a container and plants are provided you may choose to bring a favorite hanging container and/or salvaged plants from last year’s basket. Together we will plant a beautiful basket to enjoy all summer long.

• Date: April 9, 2016
• Location: Mullis Community Center outside
• Time: 10 AM
• Cost: $35.00
• Instructors: Fiona Norris and Marguerite Bennett

Families with aspiring gardeners are especially encouraged to participate.

For more information, reserve space and pay for the class please contact:

• Marguerite Bennett  360-378-8524  [email protected]
• Vonnie Harold             360-378-6250   [email protected]
• Garden Club News       www.sjigardenclub.weebly.com

Hanging baskets are the blooming bounty of the summertime garden – – BUT – –   Ya’gotta get ‘em planted up NOW