Posted May 26, 2014 at 5:23 am by Tim Dustrude
Washington State Attorney General Robert Ferguson – atg.wa.gov photo
Washington State Attorney General Robert Ferguson will visit Friday Harbor Elementary School’s sixth grade students on Tuesday May 27th from 2:00 – 2:45 pm.
Teachers will lead students in a question and answer session about what Mr. Ferguson does as Attorney General and how the office of the Attorney General fits into our state government.
The students will be sharing their plans for a new STEM lab garden.
Posted May 25, 2014 at 2:16 pm by Tim Dustrude
Proud Veterans stand in honor of service, Left to right: Jim Capron, Karl Mueller, Don Madden, Bobby Boyce, Carl Robinson, Jerry Beirschmidt and BJ Miner – Contributed photo
The Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at 10:00 am on Monday, May 26th. It begins at Legion Post 163 when members of the Legion, Legion Auxiliary and Sons of Legion members form up to march down to Memorial Park at the foot of Spring Street. This will be followed by a short ceremony to honor the service of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and those who have fallen in defense of our country.
Memorial for Roy Matsumoto:
There will be a potluck memorial for Roy Matsumoto at Brickworks from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Memorial Day as well.
Posted May 25, 2014 at 11:11 am by Tim Dustrude
Lowell Jons, Recreation Specialist at Island Rec – Contributed photo
Island Rec is pleased to announce Lowell Jons as their new Recreation Specialist. Lowell will primarily be organizing Youth, Teen, and Family programs and events.
For the last two years Lowell taught at Shaw Island School. Prior to that he has led a variety of youth and teen recreation programs and taught in the Port Townsend area, as well as owning a bicycle store. “Island Rec offers an amazing variety of community events and I am very excited about being a part of the fun,” states Jons.
When not working with youth, Lowell can be found biking, kayaking, skiing, rafting, or fishing.
Check out all of Island Rec’s events at www.islandrec.org, stop by Island Rec at 580 Guard Street, or call 378-4953.
Posted May 25, 2014 at 10:38 am by Tim Dustrude
The Reverend Elizabeth Purdum will begin serving as the Pastor of The Lutheran Church in the San Juans – Contributed photo
Effective May 15 The Reverend Elizabeth Purdum will begin serving as the Pastor of The Lutheran Church in the San Juans. a unique multi-island congregation with a presence on Orcas, San Juan and Lopez Islands.
Pastor Purdum, a native of Seattle, is returning to familiar territory after acquiring over twenty-five years of experience in the pastoral ministry in ELCA congregations in Colorado and New Mexico. Since 2003 she has served as Senior Pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Pastor Beth Purdum recalls childhood vacations in the San Juan Islands and flying over the islands while earning her pilot’s license during her college years in Bellingham. She is looking forward to becoming part of the island community.
An energetic individual with diverse interests, Pastor Beth referees and plays soccer and enjoys kayaking, bicycling, sailing, and travel. Last year’s major vacation found her crewing as part of a 5-person team on a 38-foot sailing vessel in Croatia. Study of the Journeys of Paul took her to Turkey, and a brief study of Choral Evensong found her in English cathedrals. Having earned her Masters of Divinity in Lutheran Studies at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California, she also holds a BA from Western Washington University with a major in Biological Anthropology and minors in Chemistry and Education. Continue Reading
Posted May 25, 2014 at 5:30 am by Tim Dustrude
Ryan Bennett and Lynn Danaher, co-owners of Acanthus Suites – Tim Dustrude photo
Have you seen all the sawdust flying around over there at Acanthus on Argyle Avenue? You know – the old Cahail house? Well it is being renovated and will soon be Acanthus Suites, Vacation Rentals. Mother and son team Lynn Danaher and Ryan Bennett are in the process of creating 5 different suites, named after some of the main industries that made our island what it is today: The Fisherman Suite, the Farmer Suite, the Lime Kiln Suite, the Logging Suite and one additional one, the Explorer Suite.
From the grand tour that Lynn gave me the other day it looks like it’s going to be some top-notch accommodations. They expect to be open for business in mid-June, after they get all those freshly-delivered cabinets installed that you see there on the front porch. (and then a little bit of plumbing here, and some carpeting over there, some drywall and painting, and… well you get the idea.)
Posted May 23, 2014 at 8:17 pm by Tim Dustrude
Terry and Janie Ogle in their new gallery – Click to enlarge – Tim Dustrude photo
Terry and Janie Ogle have opened an Art Gallery in town called Ogle Fine Arts Studio. It’s right there on First Street, across from the Rumor Mill, next door to the flower shop. (180 First St. to be exact). They opened in mid-March and they have Terry’s wood carvings, watercolor paintings and abstract acrylic paintings, and also Janie’s hand-painted silk scarves which she does with various brushes at her home studio.
Terry shows off his latest work, “Tiger Striped Humpback”, a carving of Quilted Western Maple local to the island – Click to enlarge – Tim Dustrude photo
Terry calls it a “rustic, quaint, tiny little gallery with whitewashed cedar planking walls like a boathouse”. It’s barely 200 square feet, and very cozy and comfortable. Terry’s artwork covers the walls and Janie’s scarves perch on a stand near the front window.
One of Janie’s freshly painted scarves – Click to enlarge – Janie Ogle photo
Terry says he has been an artist all his life, but became much more active with painting and carving in Corpus Christi, Texas back around 1984. They both moved to the island 21 years ago and Terry has been running his commercial painting business for 20 of those years. He has won awards for his carvings at the Quil Ceda Carving Competition.
This new gallery is a family business, so you’re likely to see any number of different family members minding the shop when you visit. And it’s a “working studio” as well, so you may see visiting artists as they work to create their art.
Go drop by and say hello and check out the cool stuff they do. (and look very closely in the eye of the Humpback carving…)
Posted May 23, 2014 at 1:25 pm by Tim Dustrude
Too much going on to put it all right here, click the link below for more information. In brief, here’s what’s coming:
Isabel Leonard as Dorabella in Cosi Fan Tutti – Click to enlarge -Marty-Sohl photo
Mozart’s Dark Comedy in The Met: Live in HD Series
Mozart’s beloved opera about testing the ties of love, Cosí Fan Tutte, is presented in HD at San Juan Community Theatre on Sunday, May 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Awarding-Winning London Play in HD on Monday, May 26th
London’s Evening Standard calls it “a beautiful, eloquent, dazzlingly inventive show about the wonders of life;” and on Monday, May 26 at 7 p.m., San Juan Community Theatre presents that award-winning play as part of it National Theatre Live in HD programming.
Irish Dramatist Featured in Readers Theatre Series
A haunting play written by a man considered to be one of the greatest living English language dramatists is showcased in SJCT’s On Book! Readers Theatre series on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m. Continue Reading
Posted May 23, 2014 at 5:41 am by Tim Dustrude
Here’s Captain Hobbes with another report for this week…
Transient Orca cruises by – Captain Hobbes photo
Transient orcas are still being seen in our waters. Still no sign of the resident orcas, although they should show up any day now. Sea lions are fewer in numbers but are being seen at East Point and Whale Rocks. Minke whales have been spotted this week with as many as six in one area. Seals, porpoise, eagles and seabirds are being seen daily. We also had a report by Capt. John of San Juan Excursions of a Tufted Puffin, pretty cool stuff. The weather has been perfect lately with lots of sun and flat calm waters. Cheers from the PWWA
Capt. Hobbes Buchanan
San Juan Island Whale & Wildlife Tours
Posted May 23, 2014 at 5:40 am by Tim Dustrude
From Left: Joyce Amatiano, Mamie Forbes, Cathy Howze, Sharon Fishaut, Diana Rothert, Minnie Kynch, Virginia Blachley, Sue Rich, and Lizz Divers-Smith – Click to enlarge – Pam McCunn photo
The San Juan Island chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution traveled to Bellingham on Saturday for the dedication of a house built by Army Captain George Pickett in 1856. The recent renovation of The Pickett House on Peabody Hill was partly funded by a grant from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and the celebration was attended by several local DAR chapters.
Captain Pickett built the home soon after he was dispatched to Bellingham Bay to build Fort Bellingham. The oldest documented wooden structure on its original site in the state of Washington, The Pickett House is a Registered National Historic Place as designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Pickett left Washington Territory in 1861, and the house has had many owners since. In 1936, Hattie Strothers of Bellingham deeded it to the Washington State Historical Society and its contents to the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington, who now own the historic home.
Posted May 23, 2014 at 5:30 am by Tim Dustrude
Donate blood and save a life! Walk-ins welcome. Donors with appointments have priority at registration. Photo ID required. Contact Curt Van Hyning for appointment 317-8399
Wednesday, June 4, 11:30 – 5:30 pm
Mullis Community Senior Center.
Posted May 22, 2014 at 6:05 pm by Tim Dustrude
Cynthia Burke is pleased to announce the seasonal opening of Red Checkered Picnics at Lime Kiln State Park (Whale Watch Park) this Saturday – May 24th. This will be the third year of Cynthia bringing great food to the park for you and your family to enjoy.
An assortment of healthy sandwiches, salads, sausage rolls, a large assortment of ice cream, beverages and snacks await you to grab for a picnic and hike down to the lighthouse. Enjoy the view – The whales may just come by to say hi!
A sample of the menu is available at this link (PDF).
Posted May 22, 2014 at 5:50 pm by Tim Dustrude
This is where you’ll see “Pizza on the Dock”, starting this weekend – Click to enlarge – J.K. Fox photo
This Memorial Day weekend will see the beginning of a new chapter for local business Bakery San Juan. After many months of preparation and logistics, the bakery is preparing to begin its ‘Pizza on the Dock’ venture.
In a set up similar to their popular booth at the Farmers’ Market, the pizza crew will install their pizza ovens on the Friday Harbor waterfront. The address is number 1 Front Street, though residents and tourists will recognize it as the deck between the ice cream store and the ferry dock.
The schedule will vary slightly during these first few weeks. However by June the team is hoping to work the dock every weekend, building up to a seven-day schedule in July and August.
Details will be posted on the bakery’s Facebook page and on their website at bakerysanjuan.com.
Posted May 22, 2014 at 4:22 pm by Tim Dustrude
Annie! – Click to enlarge – Keith Busha photo
“The Sun Will Come Out…” only three more chances to see our hit spring musical! Annie finishes up its 10-performance run tonight – Thursday through Saturday, May 22-24 at 7:30 pm.
More than 100 islanders have made this award-winning Broadway play based on the Little Orphan Annie comic strip come to life in Friday Harbor and that hard work has paid off with stellar audiences and rave reviews, like this one from Alice B. Acheson:
“Annie was wonderful (Saturday night, 5/10). It received a spontaneous standing ovation, everyone was excellent (Annie, of course; Grace — a surprise, as I don’t remember her from other performances, and with a beautiful voice!; Scott as Bert Healy/FDR, always a “pro”; Sandy, the dog; and not to be missed, the “stars to be”!)
Kudos to Susan Williams for excellent direction and to Jim Collado for once again producing an orchestra surpassing all we have had prior to his arrival on the Island!”
There are still tickets available for the remaining performances but seats are filling up fast. 378-3210 or www.sjctheatre.org
(Photo by Keith Busha).
Posted May 22, 2014 at 4:10 pm by Tim Dustrude
Here’s this week’s feature at the new Drive In on Friday night. Parking starts at 7:45 pm, movie runs at Dusk (around 9:00 pm).
Click for larger poster
Posted May 22, 2014 at 5:57 am by Tim Dustrude
There’s another new business starting up on the island. After many months in the planning stages, they are at last ready to start producing their product – Whale Tale Cookies! Mike Martin envisioned this as much as 3-1/2 years ago and has been planning, sourcing, strategizing, and building ever since.
Whale Tales Cookies, LLC – Rebecca Parks, Creative Director; Jason Leff, Lead Baker; Mike Martin, Founder & CEO; and Cynthia Burke, Executive Baker; (unavailable for photo: Margie Patrick, Chief Financial Officer) – Tim Dustrude photo
With a group of “hand picked partners who have their passions in alignment with their strengths” they will have their official launch event at the Whale Museum in about 3 weeks or so.
(the Update will certainly keep you, well – Updated on that!).
The initial product, cookies in the shape of whale tails, made with a cookie-cutter based on a Terry Ogle carving, will be sold at a number of local outlets, including The Whale Museum, King’s Market, FH Marketplace, Discovery Sea Kayaks, Crystal Seas Kayaks, Spring Street General Store & Deli, San Juan Island Co-Op, Western Prince Cruises, and Friday Harbor Pharmacy. Each package will include Whale Trading Cards with original images provided by Captain Jim Maya. The color label artwork on the package incorporates a drawing by Alaina Scheffer. With all these islanders coming together to help create this product, “we are truly more indigenous than one might think”, says CEO Mike Martin.
Looking to the future, possibilities include the production of Gourmet Cookies, Fudge, Chocolates, maybe some Pink Cookies for breast cancer awareness – and all with a strong ethic based on environmental awareness, local stewardship and sustainability. But for now, be ready for some delicious, local, fun cookies that just might disappear before you can photograph them.
Posted May 22, 2014 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
St. Francis Catholic Church – Click to enlarge – Tim Dustrude photo
Meet Diana Mancel, researcher and tour guide and Sandy Strehlou, Historian for the Town of Friday Harbor, for a walk through time to discover the little-known stories of Friday Harbor’s historic church buildings.
Some are still places of worship, others have found new callings: each tells the story of the people and places that have offered comfort to islanders throughout the years.
This tour is part of History Lives Here, a month-long celebration of walking tours, history talks and other events.
Saturday, May 24th, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Meet and park in front of the San Juan Historical Museum on Price Street. Length is approximately 2 miles. Terrain is city pavement. Rating is moderate. No dogs, please (we will enter some historic buildings). Rain or shine. More info is available at: www.sanjuanislandtrails.org.