Posted April 18, 2014 at 5:59 am by Tim Dustrude
Mike Henderson, Susan Risser, Mark Wagner, and Erin Graham. in the Easter Bunny’s kitchen helping prepare for Sunday – John Miller photo
Did you ever wonder where all those Easter Eggs come from that the kids hunt for on the beach? They come from the Easter Bunny of course – but sometimes he needs help, and these volunteers were there this week to help him prepare for Sunday.
Posted April 18, 2014 at 5:51 am by Tim Dustrude
Just got this good news story from Vonnie Harold of the garden club. Sounds like they had a really good time!
Garden club tour group – Contributed photo
A trip to Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens was the first in a series of San Juan Island Garden Club hosted excursions. The ‘peaceful woodland garden’ is located on Whidbey Island near Greenbank.
The travelers walked onto the 8:05 ferry. That was after purchasing the return passenger tickets at the kiosk in the ferry building. The first learning experience of the day! The ferry, in Anacortes, was met by a chartered bus for the ride to the gardens.
The ‘peaceful woodland garden’ comprises 10 acres of gardens surrounded by 43 acres of woodland. During a guided tour the docent gave an overview of the garden’s history and pointed out species from Bhutan, Japan and China. There are areas devoted to Big Leaf Rhododendrons, a Meditation Garden and the Nature Garden all within natural settings. The garden staff opened the original Meerkerk home for the box lunch time. That prepared us for shopping at the nursery. Our special thanks to the garden staff. It was a delightful learning time in a beautiful outdoor setting.
During the return bus ride to the ferry, the question asked most often was ‘Where to next?’ Future excursions, which are open to everyone, will be posted on The San Juan Garden Club web site www.sjigardenclub.weebly.com. Join us next time.
Posted April 18, 2014 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
Here’s Captain Hobbes with this week’s report…
Orca – Click for larger image – Captain Hobbes photo
K pod (19 orcas) stayed in our waters until mid week, then we think they went back out to sea. Transient orcas are all over the place, and have been seen a lot this week. Two male orcas, T77a & T49c, even cruised around Friday Harbor last Saturday! Pacific white-sided dolphins were spotted over by Port Townsend a few days ago. Other wildlife being seen include seals, sea lions, porpoise, Dall’s porpoise, eagles and tons of seabirds. Cheers and happy Easter from the PWWA
Posted April 18, 2014 at 5:35 am by Tim Dustrude
Just got this note from Ruth at Waterworks…
Happy Spring to all!
I wanted to give you a shout out, that WaterWorks Gallery has reopened for it’s 29th season.
In the wearables/jewelry section, recent arrivals are contemporary oxidized silver jewelry by Micki Lippe and glass earrings by James Minson.
The gallery’s first showing of the year in May features the recycled materials mixed media paintings of Jennifer Williams with formed & blown glass by the duo team of Jeremy Newman & Allison Ciancibelli.
The gallery, located at 315 Argyle Ave is open Wednesday thru Sunday 10:30 – 5:30 [times are approximate].
Look forward to see you real soon,
Kind Regards
Ruth
www.waterworksgallery.com
Posted April 18, 2014 at 5:12 am by Tim Dustrude
Don’t forget – Celebrate Spring at “Elegant Edibles”, for the Annual Bake Sale benefitting San Juan Community Theater, sponsored by CATS. Tomorrow – Saturday, April 19th, 9:00 am to noon.
Posted April 18, 2014 at 5:05 am by Tim Dustrude
Skagit Valley College to host Celebrating Diversity in Education conference
Skagit Valley College will host the 3rd Annual Celebrating Diversity in Education Conference on Thursday, April 24, 2014 from 9:00 to 2:00 in McIntyre Hall. Co-sponsors for the conference are Skagit Valley College, Whatcom Community College, Western Washington University, Burlington-Edison School District Recruiting Washington Teachers, and the Center of Excellence for Careers in Education.
Celebrating Diversity in Education is designed for high school and community college students who are interested in pursuing careers in education. The conference will include two break out sessions for attendees to select. In addition, a panel discussion is scheduled: How are Higher Education Institutions and Professionals Responding to Critical Issues in Teacher Education: Access, Equity, and Diversity? Panelists will include Dr. Sharon Cronin, Goddard College; Dr. Verónica Vélez, Woodring College of Education, Western Washington University; Dr. Roberto Bahruth, Boise State University, and facilitator Bárbara Martínez-Griego, Skagit Valley College.
The conference is free for participants and includes lunch. Seating is limited. For more information and registration, www.skagit.edu/diversityinedu
Posted April 17, 2014 at 4:18 pm by Tim Dustrude
Vinny’s new Executive Chef Donald Cobb Jr. – Contributed photo
Becki Day sends over this announcement from Vinny’s…
Vinny’s Ristorante would like to welcome and introduce their new Executive Chef, Donald Cobb Jr., who has just moved here from Vermont with his wife and daughter.
Donald is a New England Culinary Institute graduate who has spent time working in Las Vegas, Montreal and Vermont. Donald brings to us his passion for Italian Cuisine, locally sourced foods and his dedication to producing top quality food.
We are excited to have him on board and are looking forward to the menu changes that will be happening over the next couple of weeks!
Posted April 17, 2014 at 1:52 pm by Tim Dustrude
Just heard this from Helen, they are home and Dan is resting and doing well. Here it is in Helen’s words…
Update and thanks to all for your positive thoughts and prayers. Dan and I are home!
The operation went very well. I was told to be prepared for 2 – 6 hour wait, but he was out in 40 minutes! Dan now has three stents in the artery that was blocked and is on a heart monitor for the next month to record his heartbeats and determine if he needs to have a defibrillator implanted. He is expected to resume normal activities in the next week or so but in the meantime can’t lift or do anything strenuous. He’s not allowed to drive for a couple of days either which he is already grumbling about!
Also, guess what his first words were as he came around from the initial collapse – “Can we just start the show over?”! He is mad as hell that we couldn’t finish the run as he was enjoying himself thoroughly, and he keeps saying that he’s let down his audience. Silly boy.
The bottom line for us and Stage Left is that we have lost a lot of money which I shall have to somehow make up in order for us to proceed with the summer show, Twelfth Night, which needs to go ahead as planned. Dan needs to work 20 weeks a year to keep his insurance, so it’s vital to keep him acting under any circumstances, but of course it’s what he lives to do, so he’s already looking forward to it! We could certainly use help in the area of moving equipment, building sets, painting sets etc. and if anyone out there knows anything about donor programs, we could use your expertise. Our program, Giftworks, on which we tally all donations and donors has just raised its prices beyond what we can afford and rendered all previous records inaccessible.
We are exhausted but very lucky, I think, to have such a wonderful group of supporters and friends. I really believe that your thoughts and prayers helped. Thank you all from the, now healthier, bottom of Dan’s heart!!
Posted April 17, 2014 at 5:55 am by Tim Dustrude
Laura Flaum behind the deli counter, and husband David (not available for photo at press time), are the proprietors of Spring Street Deli and Spring Street General Store – Update photo
People have been talking around town about where they’re moving. Some said here; some said there; some said they were going to open up down at Cannery Landing by the ferry dock. I popped in to talk to them and get the scoop and here it is, straight from Laura. Wanna know where they’re moving? They’re not! It’s all rumors. They’re staying right were they are. So now you know. Pop in and say “hi” and get a yummy deli sandwich. I had one for lunch the other day and it rocked.
Posted April 17, 2014 at 5:50 am by Tim Dustrude
Click for larger movie poster
Tragedy of the Commons Documentaries screens “Momenta.”
Saturday, April 19 at 7pm
Join host Ken Crawbuck for another topical film, this time produced locally. It examines increased coal transport in Puget Sound and the consequences.
“That coal has to stay in the ground. You can’t make the math of climate change work if you get the huge coal deposits of the Powder River Basin out and pour them into the atmosphere.”
— Bill McKibben, world-renowned author, scholar and environmentalist
What’s worse than Keystone? Come find out.
Refreshments courtesy of the Friends of the Library
Posted April 17, 2014 at 5:43 am by Tim Dustrude
Just got the info from Kenmore on their Spring Seat Sale. If you’re traveling to/from Seattle in the next month, check this out…
Spring Seat Sale for travel through June 16
Kenmore Air, a local Seattle-area seaplane and wheel-plane airline announced their annual Spring Seat Sale on flights between Seattle and the San Juan Islands, Victoria, BC or Nanaimo, BC for travel through June 16.
Save $50/person on round-trip flights between Seattle and the San Juan Islands* (Orcas, San Juan & Lopez Islands), Victoria, BC or Nanaimo, BC Airport. If you’re flying one-way you’ll save $25/person.
Plus, fly roundtrip between Seattle’s Boeing Field and Friday Harbor Airport (FRD) on San Juan Island and save an additional $25, for a total of $75 off per person. Just enter Promo Code “FlyFRD” when making your reservation.
Kenmore Air also provides convenient ground-shuttle service between Sea-Tac Airport and our Lake Union and Boeing Field terminals.
So skip the ferry lines and long waits at the border. Instead take a short scenic flight that’s fast, convenient and stress-free.
Seat Sale tickets available at KenmoreAir.com or by calling toll free 866-435-9524. The last day to purchase Spring Seat Sale tickets is May 12, 2014 and seats are subject to availability.
Spring Seat Sale fares are valid on new reservations only. Seattle terminals include Lake Union, Boeing Field and Kenmore Lake Washington. *Eligible San Juan Islands stops are Deer Harbor, Eastsound, Fisherman Bay, Friday Harbor (Airport and Marina), Roche Harbor, Rosario Resort and West Sound.
Posted April 17, 2014 at 5:39 am by Tim Dustrude
I heard that they’ve got some positions open and they’re looking to hire some people over at the Island Inn at 123 West St. (that’s the building on the bluff overlooking Spring Street Landing and the harbor). Here’s their official announcement:
While many of us think that the modern complex of buildings spanning from Front Street to West Street houses condos, that’s not the case. Though condos were the original plan, what we knew as ‘123 West’ from 2006 – 2008 became ‘The Island Inn at 123 West’ in May 2011. Since then, the Inn has exploded onto the scene and is INN high demand!
The Inn offers 15 accommodations that nod to maritime gone by while broadcasting a strong eco ethos. From small Euros to comfy Sweets (yes, they’re really spelled like that) to Penthouses that are second to none, the Inn offers an accommodation for everyone.
Since opening its doors, the Inn has been fortunate enough to recruit a strong core team of hospitality professionals right here on San Juan Island. Now they need more! The Inn has positions that start right away for energetic neat freaks on Team Clean and one position for the consummate host as an Experience Ambassador.
Check out http://123west.com/team/ or drop by the Inn’s welcome room on Front Street to learn more and apply today!
Posted April 17, 2014 at 5:25 am by Tim Dustrude
Currently there are a total of six (6) cases of measles on San Juan Island, a Kitsap County resident diagnosed with measles was contagious during his stay in Friday Harbor, and one additional case is under investigation. Current information indicates that exposures in Friday Harbor took place as late as April 8th at numerous locations. This means local residents could develop symptoms from this outbreak as late as April 29, 2014.
Exposure dates and sites that should still be of concern include the following: Continue Reading
Posted April 16, 2014 at 5:51 pm by Tim Dustrude
It’s the week leading up to Easter and here are some events from local churches that you may be interested in:
Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church:
Saint David’s Episcopal Church:
St. Francis Catholic Church:
Posted April 16, 2014 at 5:55 am by Tim Dustrude
Marine Education; Hands-on and Feet Wet! – Contributed photo
Spring Street International School Inland Ocean Studies Program
It was just over a year ago that President Obama proclaimed Washington State’s San Juan Islands “a refuge of scientific and historic treasures and a classroom for generations of Americans.” In line with these educational ideals, Spring Street International School (SSIS) in Friday Harbor has launched Inland Ocean Studies, an immersive summer program for 14-18 year olds devoted to marine science and maritime ecology.
The program’s goal is to introduce inquisitive young people to world-class scientists researching the marine environment of these biologically diverse islands.
In the pilot program last summer, students from the islands, the Puget Sound region, and across the nation were immersed in field and lab research with scientists and program partners from the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories, SeaDoc Society, National Parks Service, and Northwest Maritime Center.
Over the course of the three-week program, high school students were transformed from individuals with a passion for marine biology to a cohesive and effective scientific research team with the ability to analyze data, form opinions, and converse intelligently and confidently.
Matt Stepita, a 17 year old participant from Friday Harbor called the Inland Ocean Studies Program, “A great hands-on learning experience!” The program is indeed “hands-on” and also “feet wet”, according to Inland Oceanic Studies Director, Caroline Grauman-Boss. Continue Reading
Posted April 16, 2014 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
Here’s a note from our local food Co-op…
Volunteers Needed at the Co-op
The first phase of the expansion announced by the Board at the San Juan Food Co-op’s Annual Membership Meeting last month will begin in mid-May when we start preparing the space at the back of the building which used to be a machine shop. This space is much needed for receiving and storage. It’s going to need a thorough cleaning prior to moving in, using the same procedure used in the present space.
Every surface from floor to ceiling will need to be washed with a soap mixture and wiped down three times prior to sealing, finishing or painting. When it is done we will have a clean and green space to occupy while we gather the funds to proceed with phases two and three which will include additional office space, an upgraded refrigeration and freezer system, and increased retail space.
We need your help to move forward with this, so the Co-op is putting out a call to volunteers interested in this short-term, very important cleaning project. The added bonus, besides helping the Co-op, is that the volunteers will be eligible to receive Co-op coupons. For every 2 hours of work they will receive a $5 Co-op coupon. We are also in need of 3 garden sprayers that are clean and have never had chemicals in them. We are excited about phase one and we hope to do most of it with volunteer man and woman power. So if you enjoy cleaning and seeing how the results of your work will truly benefit the Co-op, please contact Anna or Pamela by email at:
sanjuancoop [@] gmail [.] com