I’ll bet you didn’t know he was a General did you? Well, anyway…

• Energizer Bunny arrested; charged with battery
• A pessimist’s blood type is always B-negative
• I used to work in a blanket factory, but it folded
• If electricity comes from electrons, does that mean that morality comes from morons?
• Sea captains don’t like crew cuts
• A successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter
• Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana
• Without geometry, life is pointless
• When you dream in color, it’s a pigment of your imagination
• Reading while sunbathing makes you well-red
• When two egotists meet, it’s an I for an I
• Dockyard: A physician’s garden.
• Incongruous: Where bills are passed

Construction begins on the 2nd floor – John Dustrude photo

Updated – Turns out it’s not going to be a restaurant after all, but the new owner’s residence. So the rest of this story is outdated now and not true anymore :-/

Have you seen all the activity lately on the roof of the old Jeri’s Mall building? That’s the new second floor going in. And all the trusses stacked up at the old Browne Lumber location on Spring Street – they’ll work their way up to the top within the next week.

Building owner Scott Boden decided that rather than simply replacing the old roof, he’d raise the new one up high enough to add a new floor and guess who’s moving in? John Sable, owner of the Rocky Bay Cafe is opening a new restaurant with Victor Keane as Co-Owner and Executive Chef. (don’t worry, the Rocky Bay isn’t going anywhere – this will be in addition to that).

Trusses being unloaded and temporarily stored at the old Brown Lumber location – John Dustrude photo

I spoke with John about his plans and it sounds very exciting. It will be a somewhat casual, but upscale, warm and inviting restaurant and bar. The restaurant will be toward the front of the building with an outdoor dining area looking over Spring Street. The bar will be toward the back and will also have a smaller deck looking over the back parking area. The bar will include a 20′ x 40′ “multi-use” area in the corner that might have a variety of things – pool tables, arcade games, maybe some modern DJ dancing, maybe a big screen for major sporting events – whatever the season calls for.

As for what’s on the menu, that too will be whatever the season calls for, and whatever the customers seem to prefer. It will definitely include fresh local ingredients and seasonal meats and seafoods, all with a local, friendly, customer-service oriented flavor.

If you want bragging rights, why not try to come up with a name? Both John and Scott mentioned a sort of “contest” to see who can come up with a name for the restaurant.  They really want to have the community’s involvement and for everyone to feel at home when they go there. But you’d better hurry – they are planning to have the place open for business in time for Memorial Day Weekend (barring any unforeseen setbacks).

>> Note: Here are some additional bits brought to my attention from John: Vic is co-owner, partner in the restaurant, not just executive chef. The bar is not in the back, its up front. In fact it is the biggest part of the establishment. And I may have understated the service level by saying “local, casual” Its a bit more sophisticated than that. John says that being an international travel destination we need a place that can cater to the needs and wants of people that are used to 4 and 5 star service.

So there you have it…

It’s community dinner time again! Check out this menu!

Community Dinner Menu Poster – Click for larger image

Community Dinner Next Wednesday, January 15th
In addition to the Community Dinner, there will be Student Exhibitions throughout the school. Students will present their Community Projects, Art Walk-a-Bout and performance by the Jazz Band 5:00-5:30

Dinner is 5:00 – 7:30 in the High School Commons
The Menu:

• Chicken Piccata – Lightly fried chicken breasts with sautéed shallot and capers in a lemon-butter sauce
• Herbed Orzo – Pasta tossed with herbs and olive oil
• Roasted Vegetables – Roasted broccoli and cauliflower
• Fresh Baked Bread – Toasted white rolls with garlic and parmesan
• Goddess Salad – Fresh greens with radish, cucumber, couscous and a tahini dressing

Dessert – Nanaimo Bars made by the Baking Class – wafer crumbs topped by a layer of light custard butter icing and covered with melted chocolate

Suggested Donation of $12 for Adults and $6 for Children under 12
See you next week!

San Juan Island Sculpture Park

Phoenix With Leaves by Andrew Carson – Click for larger image

Our 20 acre outdoor (originated in 1998) park is inviting sculptors to submit recent digital photos (max 2 exhibits and max 2 photos per work) to be reviewed by our blind selection process jury of sculpture professionals and academics. Selections will be based solely on pictures of your work as no other information is provided to jurors.

Since becoming an independent non-profit organization in 2012 we have sold more sculptures on behalf of artists in 2013 than in all prior years of park operation combined! Our visitor count in 2013 was well over 30,000 people.

All sculptures have artist name, piece name, advertised price and our phone number which receives calls 24 / 7

We are the #3 rated visitor site in the USA in Conde Nast 2010 and #4 Island in the world by Trip Advisor last year. The park is open year-round.

For submission instructions and complete details please visit our website at www.SJIsculpturepark.com

Just got this note in the inbox from Genie Williams…

Happy New Year Greetings!

I have received numerous calls and e-mails asking how people can send their best wishes to Cathy Cavanagh during her recovery. On January 25th we are hosting a fundraiser for her at the Grange from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The information is attached (PDF link below). We do realize that many people won’t be able to attend but still want to help.

A fund has been established at Islanders Bank in the name of Cathy Cavanagh’s Cancer Fund. This is only to help her offset her out of pocket medical costs that insurance didn’t cover which has been an extraordinary burden on her financially. We have several items donated as well for the live auction which has received an overwhelming response.

Those contributions can also be mailed to:

Islanders Bank
Friday Harbor Branch
P.O. Box 909, 225 Blair Ave.
Friday Harbor, WA 98250-0909

In the name of Cathy Cavanagh Cancer Fund

We would love to see as many of you at this special event as possible as it’s going to be a lot of fun, good food and hugs all around wishing Cathy a bright shiny healthy New Year. Her prognosis is excellent and her inspiration throughout this process has been amazing.

Check out this poster for more information: (PDF)

Book discussion: Underpinning, with Susan Reed

Underpinning is a memoir of growing up in Friday Harbor from 1908 to 1917 by Caroline Reed, the eldest daughter of one of the first doctors to practice medicine in the Islands, Dr. Connor Reed. Caroline Reed’s vivid descriptions evoke whole days from the past, such as the 1916 Fourth of July town celebration and a town picnic at Turn Point.

She also brings into sharp focus earlier glimpses of a young doctor driving horse and buggy to make house calls; her adventures at play on the island; tales of buried treasure, old hermits, smugglers, ships lost at sea; and travel to such places as Fort Yellowstone, one of Dr. Conner Reed’s Army posts during World War I.

Susan Reed is the granddaughter of Dr. Conner Reed and daughter of author Caroline Reed. The book has been out of print and is being republished later this year. Ms. Reed will read selected excerpts from the book followed by group discussion.

San Juan Historical Museum Resource Center
Saturday, January 11, 6:00 pm

Suggest donation is $5 and museum members are admitted at no charge. Please contact the museum for further information at (360) 378-3949 or [email protected]

It’s at the Grange tonight, brought to you by the Friday Harbor Film Festival –

Smokin’ Fish tells the story of Cory Mann a quirky Tlingit businessman hustling to make a dollar in Juneau, Alaska and his efforts to negotiate between survival in the world’s economy as an entrepreneur, while retaining his cultural identity as a member of the Thunderbird Clan.

For more info and to see a trailer, check it out on the FHFF Website.

Click for larger image

January is National Mentoring month and the SJI Mentoring Program is making a push to find new mentors. We are having a training this Saturday (Jan. 11th) for new mentors (Space is available!) and are recruiting through the Spring.

One hour a week is so little to give, but can truly make a difference in a life of a child! Check out the new slogan (on the accompanying poster). Islanders can visit our Facebook page (San Juan Island Mentoring), or call the Family Resource Center at 378-5246 for more information.

Special updates will follow throughout the month. Let’s make this new year a special one!

Anna from the San Juan Island Food Co-Op sends this notice…

We will be conducting our annual inventory this Saturday and Sunday so the doors will be locked up tight from Saturday 3 PM to Monday 11 AM. Please make sure to stock up for the weekend since we will NOT be open at all on Sunday and there will be absolutely no After Hours shopping for volunteers. Thank you for your patience.

Jim Meredith – Click for larger pic

NPS Volunteer of the Century Named San Juan Islander Jim Meredith has been a constant in San Juan National Historical Park’s living history program, volunteering here for nearly 40 years.

The National Park Service celebrated Jim’s service last month by naming him the “Volunteer of the Century.” There isn’t anything he doesn’t know about the British Royal Marines. In fact, the Royal Marines declared him (along with his long-time colleague Fred Henley) an honorary member of their corps in 1998.

Thank you, Jim, for all that you have done for the park and your community. Literally millions of visitors have enjoyed your exacting (and loving) approach to your craft.

Fred Henley and Jim Meredith

And speaking of the park service, they will be hosting an ArcGIS Online Workshop this month. Join park Education Specialist, Raena Parsons for an online mapping adventure January 13, 14, 15, and 16 from 6pm-8pm.

Learn about GIS and how you can use it with your students in a variety of applications and settings. Explore creating online maps, collecting and adding data to maps, different ways to share maps and learn about additional opportunities with ArcGIS.

Open to teachers and educators of all grades and motivated students with their teacher! The workshop is free but pre-registration is required.

Click here for a registration form.

For more information, email Raena Parsons, or call 378-2240, ext. 2222.

Ronnie is our Pet of the Week. Click for larger view

If you’re looking for a good time, look no further! Meet “Ronnie”, a young fellow who recently arrived at our shelter all the way from Ecuador, where he was found living on the streets, hungry, dirty and frightened. A kind island resident made Ronnie her mission and after spending time getting to know this sweet boy, was able to bring him back to the U.S. where he hopes to find his forever home. Ronnie is a little over a year old, neutered and up-to-date on his vaccines. He loves people and gets along well with other dogs and cats. He walks beautifully on a leash, loves to ride in the car, go for swims, and fetch balls and toys. He’s a great size – about 25 lbs; perfect for snuggling with on the couch! Come by the shelter to meet Ronnie soon, we guarantee he’ll make you smile. He would love to be your best friend, running partner and confidant.

30th Annual Commitment Ride, New Year’s Day, 2014 – John Stimpson photo – Click for larger version

Look at that bunch of happy cyclists! 43 of them all told. This was the scene on New Year’s Day at the post office for the 30th anniversary Commitment Ride photo op. John Stimpson shot this photo as he does most years, you can probably see him over on the right (he put his camera on a tripod, hit the self-timer and then ran back to be in the photo with the rest of the group.)

The Commitment Ride has been happening every New Year’s Day since 1983. It was originally started by Mike Crandall, the original owner of Island Bicycles. It is simply a diverse group of people of all different ages and backgrounds coming together on one day of the year to share their love and commitment to bicycling.

The ride is very informal and people can choose their own routes. Some people just ride their bike to the post office to get in on the photo and then go home. Some ride around Turn Point. Some ride around the island. Many of them get together afterward for snacks and hot cider, but all of them share a strong commitment to bicycling.

John Stimpson (you know him – he’s the big tall guy that works at Marketplace) keeps an email list of people who are interested in participating and he sends out an invitation each year as a reminder several days before New Year’s. He says “People think this is my event, but it’s not – I’m just the guy that takes the picture and reminds everyone. It’s everyone’s ride and everyone rides for their own reasons.”

You are invited to participate as well if you like, just send him your email address (see below) to get added to his list. Keep in mind, he sends the email with all addresses visible so that everyone can see the addresses of fellow riders. “This way people can hook up with one another on their own if they want” he says.

There is also a group that gets together and rides most Sundays but he says “This is a more ‘hard-core’ group of riders – these are the ones who wear bright spandex tights and have skinny wheels and may ride up to 35 miles or more.”

If you are interested in participating in next year’s Commitment Ride or on the Sunday rides, get on John’s list by sending him an email at:
jkstimpson [@] rockisland [.] com

The Tooth Mobile is coming back to the Mullis Center, on Friday, January 24th and Saturday, January 25th. Fish For Teeth and the SJ County Health Department are sponsoring this clinic to provide dental care for anyone who is financially unable to afford it. Applications can be downloaded from our website fishforteeth.com and dropped off at the Health Department or can be picked up at:

• SJ County Health Department
• The Family Resource Center
• The Mullis Center

Please note that the application deadline is Monday January 13th. Also, please understand that the kind folks receiving your application have nothing to do with scheduling; scheduling will be made, according to severity and space, the week prior to the clinic.

Local photographer Chris Teren snapped this awesome “Vanishing Point” image on Bailer Hill on New Year’s Day. Thanks for sharing Chris!

“Vanishing Point”, Bailer Hill fog by Chris Teren

Roche Harbor Resort, about 8:30 A.M., Dec. 17, 2012 – Kevin Holmes photo

Hey check this out… time for some High Tides again. Friends of the San Juans would like to see your photos of the King Tides that will occur in the next several days – starting Friday, Jan. 3rd at 5:00 a.m. and increasing by about an hour each day, (and if you want to send some to the Update as well that would be nice too – Update staff is not usually up and around that early). Please include location and time and date. And photographer’s name.  There is also the Washington State Dept. of Ecology’s King Tides Website that would like to see your photos.