Storm Clouds over the Harbor – Kevin Holmes photo

Kevin Holmes shares this photo of a blustery day with storm clouds over the Harbor. Thanks Kevin!

Sculpture being installed at WaterWorks Gallery – Contributed photo

Here’s a note sent over by Ruth at WaterWorks…

Hey Tim,
There was just enough break in the rain on Tuesday for Tom Small to install a new basalt sculpture in front of the gallery. The piece is called Mystery and is a bit over 6 feet tall. Pretty exciting with the crane truck up on the sidewalk, and the piece in a sling and then installed.

Stop by to see the piece in front of WaterWorks Gallery, between Radio Shack & West Marine.

Thanks – Ruth Offen
WaterWorks Gallery 360.378.3060

The San Juan Singers – Contributed photo

SJ Singers Sing Their Hearts Out December 13 & 14

San Juan Island’s community chorus is going straight to the heart of Christmas this year, with beautiful settings of familiar carols and Christmas traditionals at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 p.m.

To add to the festivity, a chamber orchestra of talented San Juan Island residents will join the Singers onstage for John Rutter’s Magnificat. This energetic, joyful piece sets the
Magnificat text and a 15th century prayer to Mary in lush harmonies and dancing rhythms. In addition, special guests, Sound Vibrations, a women’s a cappella ensemble, will feature some of their up-beat settings of Christmas tunes.

“This is a great way to awaken the holiday spirit in your heart: joy, hope, love and the story of Christmas ring out in music the entire family will enjoy!” said Singers’ Director Angel Michaels.

Founded in 1980 by Elizabeth Burton, San Juan Singers has more than 50 islanders, from ages 14 to 80-something who present two major concerts at SJCT each year.

The evening’s Business Partner is Lake Kennedy McCulloch CPAs. Concert tickets are $18 for adults, $9 for student reserved, with $5 student RUSH one hour before the show. The 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. or tickets may be purchased on-line at www.sjctheatre.org.

Ishibashi Ball Origami Ornaments Workshop
San Juan Island Library Meeting Room, Free. Learn to make a 6-piece Ishibashi Ball and turn it into a hanging ornament using cord and beads. We will teach just one model, but you will have a chance to play with papers and beads to make gifts or decorations. Taught by Bethery von Dassow.
Saturday, December 13, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm

Learn to Make Piñatas for the Holidays
Brickworks, Free. The San Juan Island Library and Brickworks team up to teach you to make a star piñata. Chelo Carlton from Ballet Monarca Folklorico will teach you this Art of Mexico, using paper and paste. Register at the Library info desk.
Saturday, December 13,  3:30 pm

Open Mic for Writers
San Juan Island Library main salon, Free. Open Mic continues. Writers are invited to read their works; complete or in-progress, poetry or prose. It’s an inspiring evening. Light refreshments are served.
Saturday, December 13 at 7:00 pm

Everyone is invited to join the fun on Thursday, December 18, from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at the Grange. Bring something special that you’ve made or would like to trade for something else (think crafts, jams, cookies, or services such as dog-walking or a manicure), and barter with the other participants to leave old treasures behind and depart with new ones. No money changes hands!

Tables will be available if you need one to display what you’ve brought. And if you need some time for set-up, please plan to come between 4:30 and 5:00 so that you are ready to go when the bartering begins.

Tis the Season for Holiday Parties – Lots of friends, lots of get-togethers, lots of joy, and most likely… Lots of Drinking.

Think about it ahead of time. If you know you’re going to drink, you know your judgement is going to go out the window. Plan ahead while you still have some sense, and have taxi fare ready. Or have someone else drive you who hasn’t been drinking. Or make overnight plans. Whatever, but don’t end up like the people at the end of this video… Warning – The video below is a bit graphic, but it has a powerful message.

Be the life of your party this holiday season, by not drinking and driving.

Jim Meredith – Kathleen Ballard photo

James L. Meredith came to San Juan Island first in the early 1950s with his wife Susan Meredith and other friends to enjoy camping and kayaking in the beautiful area around Roche Harbor. After a few years of traveling to the islands as visitors they knew it was time to start putting down a few roots. They were able to purchase a place of their own and their love of the islands continued to grow from there. Upon retiring, Jim and Susan moved permanently into the log cabin they built with their own hands over the course of five years of weekend dashes from Seattle and with the additional help of many friends.

Jim was born in Lindsay California and grew up in Berkley. He became an outdoors sports enthusiast as a boy and enjoyed bicycling trips along the coast and later, with the availability of more independent transportation, he would go hiking, and canoeing in the mountains and reservoirs. After serving in an Army hospital in France during the Second World War he decided to bike across the United States. At the time he was discharged, he chose to go to New York, as the beginning of his travels across the United States with his one speed bike to end at his parent’s home in Los Angeles. Continue Reading

The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Additional information about each committee is available on the County’s website.

Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or Contact the Council Office at: (360) 378-2898
Email: sueko [@] sanjuanco [.] com

The following is a list of current and upcoming vacancies: Continue Reading

Full moon over downtown Friday Harbor – Tamara Weaver photo

The Town of Friday Harbor is looking for two people to fill immediate vacancies on the Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB).

The best candidates are people who appreciate Friday Harbor’s history and historic sites, and are willing contribute two evenings a month to help preserve Friday Harbor’s rural character. This time around we have two specific needs to fill: one of the positions must be filled by a Friday Harbor resident, the other should be an architect residing anywhere on the island.

The five unpaid citizen board members who make up the HPRB, are appointed by the mayor to help to guide the Town and the owners of historic properties toward the common goal of sensitive preservation of historic buildings for contemporary use. It is nuanced work that also requires a willingness to collaborate and the desire to serve the community. Above all, the HPRB is an advocate for historic buildings that have no voice of their own, except in our memories.

For information about board duties and responsibilities, or to submit a resume, visit www.fridayharbor.org or contact Sandy Strehlou, Historic Preservation Review Board Coordinator, Town of Friday Harbor, 378-2810,
sstrehlou [@] fridayharbor [.] org or PO Box 219, Friday Harbor.

Here’s a note from Pamela Hoke of SJI Nature Connect…

San Juan Island’s Nature Legend, Mike Cohen’s 85th birthday creates epic earmarks, Open House this Sunday

Mike Cohen entertains with his banjo – Louise Dustrude photo

This week, legendary outdoor nature educator of 70 years, known 25 year full time island resident, musician and local contra dance host, Michael J. Cohen, turns 85 years old. In order to honor this epic event, that marks a special anniversary year of career and personal accomplishments in Cohen’s lifetime devotion to the natural dance of community and wellness, there will be a special open house held at the Grange, Sunday, December 14th, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.

Island residents are invited to attend for a chance to get to get to know this nature-connected legend a bit more, while enjoying some snacks and cake, and music with fellow residents. There will be free learning experience opportunities and literature for those who wish to adventure into the nature-connected world of Michael J. Cohen. Continue Reading

Tom Cable bids at the Silent Auction as Trish Morse looks on – Contributed photo

More than seventy guests attended the Peace Island Volunteers’ (PIV) second anniversary luncheon on December 2 at the San Juan Island Golf Club. The event’s festive atmosphere was enhanced by 68 hand decorated and themed miniature Christmas trees, all available for purchase by silent auction.

Over a delicious soup and chicken salad lunch served by the club staff, officers for the coming year were elected and the Island Carolers treated guests to a lovely seasonal song performance. A drawing for a beautiful quilt, “Storm at Sea” donated by the Rainshadow Quilt Guild raised over $1000 in funds for PIV projects to benefit PIMC.

Trees in the Silent Auction await bids – Contributed photo

Peace Island Volunteers’ mission is to support and promote healthcare services in San Juan County, especially at Peace Island Medical Center. This support comes in many forms, including volunteer work at PIMC, holiday decorating, outdoor trail development on the property, providing magazines and children’s books, articles of clothing for accident or trauma patients, mammography capes, and knitted items for cancer patients and more. Membership is open to all.

The Whale Museum is holding a raffle for a one-of-a-kind Minke Whale chainsaw carving. The carving created by artist Todd Lynd is approximately 50” long and weighs 13 pounds. It is deep treated, stained, colored and then marine sealed to display indoors or outside. The back is flat with two small holes for a flush mount. His signature, date and species name is included on the back. A $165.00 value.

The raffle tickets are $5.00 each and available at The Whale Museum’s gift store. The drawing will be held on or before January 20, 2015 (or when 75 tickets have been sold). All proceeds support The Whale Museum’s mission to promote stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research. For more information, call (360) 378-4710 ext. 30. The Whale Museum is located at 62 First Street, Friday Harbor, WA.

Julie over at Island Wools shares this invitation with you…

Hi Tim,
We’re having our annual holiday party this Thursday evening (Dec 11th) from 5:30 to 8:30 pm and you and your readers are invited!

We’ll have homemade cookies and cider and as a special thank you to our customers, we’re offering 10% off all yarn sales that evening.

If you haven’t visited us recently, come check out our selection. Lots of new yarns, new needles, new bags, and more. We have great ideas for gifts for the knitter and crocheter in your life as well as some finished hats, sweaters and vests for sale.

Thanks!
Julie Packard

Mike Carlson, right, owner of Mike Carlson Enterprises, Inc., and Brandon Baney, the superintendent on the road paving job on Blair Street, conferring about the placement of the new protective fence in front of Tia’s Tacos – Louise Dustrude photo

The improvements on Blair keep coming along. On Monday you may have noticed the new safety fencing being installed along the new sidewalk to keep you from falling off and into Tia’s Tacos and the lot next door to the Post Office.

Louise Dustrude photo

Introducing Beautiful, New Works Of Functional Art by Rick Waldron at The Board Room – Contributed photo

‘Tis Is The Season Of Art Openings!

Do you value the high skill level of northwest island artisans? Introducing the season’s new works by Rick Waldron – craftsman and practitioner of the wood arts. Also featured is work of island sculptor Terry Ogle, registered artist with the Island Museum of Art.

Friday, December 12 from 2:00  to 6:00 pm, at The Board Room – 301 Tucker Ave, Friday Harbor, 98250

Since the opening of the board room Christmas pop-up shop in 2013, the year filled itself with commissions of fireplace mantles, high quality benches, dining tables & both luxury and essential fixtures in contemporary and traditional designs, hardwood chess boards, large & small cutting boards, cheese, sushi & baguette boards in gorgeous patterns, also kitchen and home furnishings featuring a beautiful mix of hardwoods.

Friday’s anniversary opening will feature: Continue Reading

Sergio is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

It’s like this – one day I’m hanging out at the Marketplace, shopping for a new family and the next thing you know I’m being weighed, vaccinated, tested and poked with a needle – a NEEDLE, for crying out loud!  At first I thought I was being inducted into the Army, but it turns out I was just being prepared for adoption here at the animal shelter.   My name is Sergio and as you can see, I’m a handsome young fellow – just about a year old.  My hobbies include making mischief, hunting dust bunnies, and tormenting cat-nip mice.  I also enjoy cuddling and aspire to be a concert pianist one day.  (I’m currently practicing on the computer keyboard at the animal shelter.)  I’d love to meet you and tell you more about myself.