What a cold couple of days it has been, huh? But how about that gorgeous sunshine? This was the scene down at the waterfront yesterday morning around 10:00 am when the ferry came in. Gotta love living here…

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Local author, Oriental Medicine specialist, and Qigong teacher Nicholas Corrin has won an impressive award for his first book, “The Power of Letting Go: Transforming Fear Into Love.” The 2013 USA Best Book competition, sponsored by USA NEWS, had over 1500 entries. Nicholas’s book was honored as a finalist in the Self Help category. What’s so significant about this award is that he beat out entries from the big mainstream publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, Penguin, Hay House and more.

There is a real buzz starting on the island. Many students are realizing the benefits of Nicholas’s Qigong classes, and more and more people attend each week. Nicholas has just started a weekly Qigong class at the Brickworks by donation only, in conjunction with Hospice of San Juan and the Ag Guild. It is part of an educational series donated to the community. The class is Tuesdays at 8:00. His other classes are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 12:00 at XYZ Studio, $10 per class.

Mmmmmmmm! Love me some Cotton Candy!

What a FANtastic outpouring of community support we had for our annual FANS Carnival on November 16 at the fairgrounds!

The board of Families and Neighbors Support Island Rec would like to thank all of the families who attended the carnival—we hope all of you thoroughly enjoyed yourselves.

So many islanders helped make this event such a success! The outpouring of volunteerism was phenomenal: more than 35 high school students (from FHHS, Spring Street and home schoolers and representatives of Dollars for Scholars, Leos and the S-Club); members of Soroptimist International and their free face-painting booth; community members, including Island Rec staff and board of commissioners, who helped in booths and cleaning up; and Angela Sutherland who designed the game booth signs.

Then there was the set up and clean up help from the Sheriff’s work crew, costume support from San Juan Community Theatre, publicity help from Friday Harbor Elementary School staff, Tommy and Diana Pieples’ FANS Friendly Café, the Boy Scouts’ cotton candy, Michelle and Isaac Mayer’s sno-cones and cake donations from KINGS. The fairground facilities were perfect for the colder weather and the staff there was great to work with.

And finally, thank you to the eight business sponsors who helped with expenses: Nate’s Automotive, Island Wools, Roche Harbor, Whidbey Island Bank, San Juan Interiors, Western Prince, The Tooth Ferry, and Brandli Law.

We have lots of photos to share on our website at www.islandrecfans.org.
We look forward to even more FANS fun in 2014.

Cathy Kromer, President
FANS

In front of a packed room at their regularly scheduled meeting in Friday Harbor, the OPALCO Board issued and approved the following motion:

Our island communities are suffering economic damage and safety issues caused directly by inadequate phone and Internet infrastructure. Therefore, OPALCO shall accelerate expansion of our local member-owned, robust and reliable high-speed data infrastructure to provide Internet, phone and emergency communication services to our members. Deployment will be supported and funded by OPALCO assets, including equity and rates.

“In light of the current situation, OPALCO plans to take action,” Assistant General Manager Foster Hildreth stated. “Our infrastructure is a member-owned resource. Members pay for it through their rates. If members—including individuals, businesses, Internet Service Providers, institutions, etc.—can benefit from greater access to this resource, then we will make it available where possible.”

The moratorium on new connections through OPALCO’s Island Network subsidiary will remain in place until OPALCO has developed the necessary elements for calculating the cost in aid of construction (CIAC) that would be required of members to connect. However, for members who are already very close to existing fiber optic lines—especially in the village and town centers—OPALCO plans to begin the CIAC estimation process soon and to begin making connections through Island Network fairly quickly. Continue Reading

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Start your holiday season off right by attending a time-honored island tradition. The event is the museum’s way of giving thanks to the community for its continuing support.

The museum buildings will be decorated in holiday finery and the winter wonderland train set—a delight for children of all ages—returns again.

This year, we will be welcoming Santa as our special guest, with digital children’s portraits available for $5 from Dustrude Photography. (Offering special holiday pricing on additional photo items)

Contributed photo

Join in traditional caroling led by the Island Chordsmen Plus and roast a marshmallow at the crackling fire pit. Warm up with chili or world famous Ivar’s clam chowder, hot apple cider, and festive baked goodies galore.

It’s a free event and donations are welcomed. Come one, come all and come hungry!

Please contact the museum for further information at (360) 378-3949 or www.sjmuseum.org.

San Juan Historical Museum
Thursday, December 5
5 – 8 pm

Official proposal submitted to U.S. Coast Guard

SEATTLE –Washington State Ferries is another step closer to significantly reducing fuel costs and transportation emissions by switching a class of vessels from diesel fuel to liquefied natural gas.

After more than three years of study, WSF has a plan to safely convert six Issaquah Class vessels to run on cleaner-burning LNG. The proposal was officially submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard on Nov. 18 in a formal letter of intent (LOI) and waterways suitability assessment (WSA). The submission of the LOI and WSA marks the official starting point of the Coast Guard’s review process. WSF expects the Coast Guard to issue a finding regarding the LNG conversion proposal in 2014.

“Fuel is WSF’s fastest growing operating expense,” said David Moseley, assistant secretary for the Washington State Department of Transportation, Ferries Division. “Replacing diesel with LNG on the Issaquah Class ferries could result in very substantial savings on fuel over the remaining 30 years of their service life. This will also mean a cleaner, more efficient future for our fleet by significantly decreasing emissions.” Continue Reading

You might be interested in this note that came in from CenturyLink…

Media Notification: CenturyLink & San Juan Islands Outage

Because of the recent outage caused by the undersea fiber optic cable cut, CenturyLink is actively working on a solution for out of service adjustments. We know and understand that the outage was a hardship for all impacted customers in the San Juan Islands and we appreciate your patience while we consider all options and formulate a plan. We will continue to communicate our progress.

Many Thanks,
Meg Andrews
Marketing & Media Relations- Seattle, WA

The Island Inn at 123 West St. asked me to share this with you…

Give the gift of a long winter’s nap.

Our luxury hotel sheets are totally dreamy and totally worth it at $129 – $159 a set depending on the size.
Drop by our online store or drop by the Inn 9am – 5pm to have a look at styles and samples!

Most important, if you’re an islander, be sure to mention or enter the code ISLANDER to save 15% off your sheet set purchase now through December 20th!

The Island Inn at 123 West
Storefront on 123 Front Street
360-378-4400
www.123west.com

Lisa Duke photo

San Juan Community Theatre’s Family Theatre shares a fantastical twist to the classic Tchaikovsky ballet when more than 60 island kids and adults bring The Nutcracker and the Mouse King to the Whittier THIS Friday through Sunday, November 22-24.

Not only is there ballet, but the holiday musical (script and lyrics by Mary Gray) also features singing, more dancing (even a few “rap” moves) and dialogue.

Directed by Penelope Haskew, the play reaches back to the original E.T.A. Hoffman book explaining how the Prince was long ago turned into the Nutcracker who later magically saves Clara from the evil Mouse King. All of the classic characters make an appearance, from Clara’s mysterious godfather to her annoying younger brother, Fritz, to the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Land of Sweets.

This is the second time Penelope has brought a twist on a classic to the stage. Last year, she directed Shakespeare’s Macbeth, featuring kids, adults and dancing and singing. “I think this is a fun way to introduce something classic to the kids, so they can appreciate it more when they get older,” said Penelope.

Tickets are available at www.sjctheatre.org or 378 3210.

Click here for entire cast listing and more Lisa Duke photos… Continue Reading

The best works of this Friday Harbor art gallery come together for the Amazing Holiday Show, and whether you are gift-giving for your beloved or for yourself, you are sure to find something fabulous!

This show features Amazing new works by gallery artists including:

• Georgia Gerber
• Amanda Richardson
• Michael Dickter
• Jaime Ellsworth
• Jeremy Newman & Allison Ciancibelli
• Janis Miltenberger
• Elizabeth Bruno
• Dana Roberts
• Danielle Dean Palmer
• Robin & John Gumaelius

Amazing jewelry by:

• Dianne Coe
• Tana Acton
• Jan Marie Tognela
• Caroline Viene
• Micki Lippe
• Peggy Hunt
• Judy Morgan and Amaru Almeida

Amazing Holiday Reception during the Thanksgiving weekend on Saturday November 30th, 4-7 PM

Amazing Holiday Gift wrapping, Delivery

Amazing Specials posted on website.

The Amazing Holiday Show November 30 thru December 29 at WaterWorks Gallery, 315 Argyle Street, Friday Harbor
www.waterworksgallery.com

Come and enjoy an evening out with friends, fun, and Fashion hosted by The Bluewater Bar & Grill!

Tickets are $25.00 which includes appetizers and two beverages of your choice. Purchase your tickets at Be Chic or The Bluewater Bar & Grill.

Special after hours sale at Be Chic Boutique. Receive 20% off all your purchases starting at 7p.m. on November 27th following the show!
Be Chic Boutique
November 27th at 6 p.m.

Nana’s Holiday House now has a space and is getting ready to open shop on Sunday, December 1st from 11:00 to 5:00. The store is located at 65 Nichols Street between Roy’s coffee shop and Funk & Junk. Nana’s house is a store that provides an opportunity for kids (and kids only!) to shop for their families for Christmas gifts. All the home made or new items are priced from $1 to $10. This is a non-profit store with profits going back into the community.

The House will be open after school from 3:30 to 5:30 and on weekends from 11:00 to 5:00. There will be a room for parents to sit and sip cider while the “elves” help their kids check off items on their Christmas list. Also, a wrapping station will be available for kids wanting their gifts wrapped.

Jeanine Earnhart, Debbie Cutting and Laura Holden appreciate the donations that have come in and remind people there is plenty of time to add to the inventory throughout November and December. Donations (nothing is too small….these are simple thought gifts) can be dropped off at 545 Spring Street (across from the old medical center) before December 1st, or at Nana’s House once they are open. For more information or to sign up to be an “elf” in the store, check out Nana’s Holiday House on Facebook or call Jeanine at 378-2598.

Not only will the kids be learning about the joy of giving, but priceless memories will be made.

In celebration of the completion of the recent renovations to Skagit Valley College (SVC) San Juan Center, as well as the 25th Anniversary of the acclaimed Elderhostel/Road Scholar Program, SVC President Dr. Tom Keegan, SVC Board of Trustees, and SVC Foundation Board of Governors invite the public to an Open House on Thursday, November 21. The drop-in event will take place from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the San Juan Center, 221 Weber Way, Friday Harbor.

RSVP to Randy Martin, (360) 378-3220 or
randy [.] martin [@] skagit [.] edu
Transportation to and from the ferry is available upon request.

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It’s the DSHS Mobile CSO, coming to a Family Resource Center near you! Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 10 & 11 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Across the street from Marketplace grocery store.

Kristina and Mahius Concord

You know Liz Collins at the post office right? And Eric & Laura Concord (formerly of Snug Harbor) and now owners of the Slowseason Bed & Breakfast down at the port docks. Well Liz’ daughter Kristina and Eric’s son Mahius are FHHS grads, (2004 and 2003 respectively) now married and running a photography business in San Luis Obispo, California. And they do Google Street View photography too. And they’re going to be here in December and can help put your business on the map. The Google Map. Check this out…

Former Friday Harbor HS students and Google Trusted Photographers Mahius & Kristina Concord will be giving businesses an opportunity to publish the inside of their location to Google Street View; a part of Google Maps that has so far been elusive to the San Juan Islands.

The photography service provides a fully interactive Google virtual tour of the business that gets published across Google properties, as well as a full set of still photos that highlight the business. The Google tour will also be published to the front page of Google searches. Still photos can be product photography to food photography.

The tour and photos can then be added to a website or Facebook. The program known as “Google Business Photos” is perfect for Hotels, Restaurants, Boutiques and much more. Mahius and Kristina also are partnered with Expedia to put 360 degree panoramas on hotels businesses listings.

Those interested in seeing examples can visit www.EvolvingPhotography.com, or http://goo.gl/lb5glj for a local Google tour of the Friday Harbor House.

The Photographers will be conducting photo-shoots for a limited time this December. This is a great opportunity to show your business to the world!
To learn more, or sign up contact Mahius & Kristina Concord at 805-423-9131
Contact [@] EvolvingPhotography [.] com

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A memorial for Rama Fire will be held this coming Saturday, November 23 at the Friday Harbor Grange Hall, at 4:00 pm.

Rama died in a moped accident November 2 on Maui. No one else was injured. Rama was an island resident from his birth until 1997, when he moved to Seattle.

Survivors include his mom and dad, Jeannie Turner and Steve Schramm; brother, Leon Fire; half-sister, Emerald Fire; and large and loving extended families, including the Waldron families and the Mrowka families of Friday Harbor.