Re-live Pickett’s Charge 150 years to the day of that terrible event during The Life and Times of General George Pickett at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 3 at the San Juan Community Theatre.

Park historian Mike Vouri, Singer Michael Cohen and Technical Director Chris De Staffany present the play for the 17th year. The play covers Pickett’s life from his days at West Point, the Mexican-American War and Texas frontier to the Pig War and Gettysburg. Along the way Cohen provides 19th century songs that introduce each segment.

Tickets are $15, $8 Student and $5 Student Rush. Call the theater at 360-378-3210 or visit their website at http://sjctheatre.org.

I just heard from Lynn Danaher that there’s a new bike rental business opening today in Friday Harbor. Check this out.

PedalAnywhere is launching on Monday July 1 in Friday Harbor, WA, offering online reservations for weekly and monthly bike rentals, with pricing starting at only $115 per week. PedalAnywhere will be offering hybrid and vintage road bike rentals, and can deliver your bikes directly to your door! PedalAnywhere has been making long-term bike rentals possible in Seattle since early 2012, and is now expanding for the first time to the San Juan Islands. Read more on their website here.

Cow and Pig Celebrate July 4th – John Miller photo

Well, the cow celebrates anyway – Not really sure how it’s gonna turn out for the pig. John Miller sent this photo over to share. Any ideas for funny captions on this one?

Cinnamon is this week’s Pet of the Week

Meet Cinnamon! This charming little girl is almost four months old and is just about the sweetest kitten you’ll ever meet. She is very friendly and playful and would do well in a home with other pets. Cinnamon has been spayed and would love to settle into a home of her own. Stop by the shelter to meet her! 111 Shelter Road, Friday Harbor.

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce invites members of the chamber and the community to experience Spain and the sunny Costa del Sol October 21,2013.

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce announced that it will be offering a fully escorted tour of the awe inspiring region of Southern Spain, the Costa del Sol. Spain’s Costa del Sol stretches along just over 90 miles of the Malaga province and is one of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations. The Costa del Sol is known for its beautiful landscapes, delicious food, and the warmth of its people. Here you will also discover a rich cultural heritage, fabulous beaches, coastal sites, and charming villages. On your tour you will travel to the nearby towns of Seville and Ronda to take in such sights as the Alcazar Palace and Plaza de Toros, the oldest bull ring in Spain. Your tour includes the #1 attraction in all of Spain, Granada and the Alhambra Palace. Visiting the Costa del Sol would not be complete without a tour to Gibraltar to view the infamous Rock of Gibraltar

“This is truly an amazing opportunity to discover all that the Costa del Sol has to offer. We will be touring this fascinating region all while only unpacking one time. We will be staying 7 nights at a 4-star beach front hotel. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in exploring the Costa del Sol with your friends, family and of course the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce. The Costa del Sol is what many people around the world envision as a true representation of Spain. We will take it all in as the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce brings the dream of travelling to Spain to life,” said Tom Kirschner, Executive Director.

For more information please call Tom Kirschner at the Chamber at (360)378-5240.

Prevention Redesign Initiative (PRI) Collaborators: Cynthia Stark-Wickman, Wendy Thomas, Jodie DesBiens, and Brad Fincher –  Debbi Fincher photo

San Juan Island School District has been selected to receive a Prevention Intervention Specialist to coordinate Project SUCCESS to prevent and reduce youth alcohol and other drug use, and create a healthier and safer community environment through continuing to work with the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition. The support from the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) includes funding for training, technical assistance, and community and school-based prevention services. San Juan County Health and Community Services is collaborating with the Northwest Educational Services District (NWESD) in implementing the prevention initiative. Click here for more info. (PDF)

SJI National Historical Park has received funding to begin the formal planning process for the Mitchell Hill and Westcott Bay properties added to the park in 2010 and in March 2013.

The Development Concept Plan (DCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) process will address nearly 350 acres directly adjacent to the north and southeast park boundary.

The lands have a strong historic, ecological, and spatial relationship with English Camp, and offer high-quality opportunities for public use including hiking, biking and equestrian trails, and nature study.

“There are a number of challenges to managing the newly acquired parcels,” said Lee Taylor, park superintendent. “An extensive and confusing network of multiuse trails criss-cross pristine natural areas and we will need to partner with our coalition of user groups to manage these properties effectively.”

Currently bicycles, horseback riding and hiking are the primary uses on Mitchell Hill. Westcott Bay has been privately owned and not been open for public use. Although the areas are well-known to island residents, other visitors would have difficulty finding and accessing these units.

Stay posted to this newsletter and e-mail service, the park web site and local news media for updates on the process, including the initial public planning meetings.

For more information contact Jerald Weaver at 360-378-2240, ext. 2224 or Lee Taylor at 360-378-2240, ext. 2223.

Emo Phillips poses with volunteer Mary Kate Berger at the Animal Shelter’s Comedy to the Rescue fundraiser

Emo Philips, Elayne Boosler and Wendy Liebman were hilarious Saturday night at the Animal Shelter fundraiser at the theater, and the show was not to be missed.

If you did miss it however, don’t worry, you can still help out the Animal Shelter – their online auction is live until Monday July 1st at 8pm.

Click this link to check out all the cool stuff that’s still available.

Just received an email plea from a fellow kayaker so I thought I’d put this right up. Can anyone help Dan out? Here’s the deal from Dan:

Have you seen me?

On June 28, 1958, Vic’s Drive In opened for business. 55 years and 1 day later, Kevin and Linda Widmayer are having a celebration and they would love to see you there. It’s on Saturday, June 29th from 11:00 AM til 2:00 PM. Come around back for free Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chips and Soda. Kevin and Linda are working toward their 15th year as owners, and Linda told me today they were actually married right there. In the back room. Right by the Pizza Oven! Stop by and say hello. Everyone is welcome.

Linda and Kevin invite you to the Vic’s Drive In 55 Year Celebration

After a new coat of asphalt, you gotta put on the stripes and that’s exactly what Andrew Brown was doing Thursday afternoon down at the ferry lanes after the 3:45 ferry departed. Andrew works for Asphalt Quality Sealers in Anacortes (actually he doesn’t really work for them – his brother-in-law pulled him out of retirement to help out on this job). Next time you’re in the ferry lanes, check out Andrew’s handiwork.

Debbi Fincher sent this note over to share with you…

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America & National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (CADCA/NHTSA) has invited the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition (SJIPC) to participate in a national project, the Communities of Practice (CoP) to Prevent Impaired Driving Project.

This innovative project funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and CADCA will support the local coalition’s efforts to adopt and implement evidence-based and evidence-informed strategies to reduce impaired driving on San Juan Island and in San Juan County. At CADCA’s 2013 Mid-Year Training Institute (MYTI) in Austin, Texas, from July 21st-25th, the CoP coalitions will convene to gain knowledge, increase capacities, and network to develop and implement strategies addressing alcohol and drug-impaired driving.

“Our community coalition will determine what strategies and practices will work best for the San Juan Island community. The ten communities selected for the project represent very different and diverse communities in the nation. SJIPC represents the small and rural community without stop lights and freeways. Our conditions are quite different than a large city, however, we have the issue of impaired driving and crashes. I am excited that SJIPC’s chair, Brad Fincher, has agreed to lead this project” states Cynthia Stark-Wickman, Executive Coordinator of San Juan Island Prevention Coalition. Continue Reading

San Juan Island community members are invited to attend the Port of Friday Harbor “Open Studio” for Waterfront Master Planning.

The Port Commission has engaged Makers Architecture and Urban Design, a Seattle firm, to assist in the creation of an updated development plan for the Friday Harbor Marina waterfront and Jackson Beach. The Commissioners want to ensure that improvements and any changes in operations reflect the community’s interests and concerns.

As an early step in this process, the public is invited to bring ideas and questions to the San Juan Island Yacht Club on Tuesday July 9th from 4 until 7, or Wednesday July 10th from 11 until 2. Representatives from the design team as well as Port staff will be on hand to informally discuss the project and to collect ideas. Additional meetings will take place later in the year to refine and develop these concepts.

Please stop by for light refreshments and bring your ideas!
Call Marilyn or Deanna at 360-378-2688 with questions.

The arts are thriving in the San Juan Islands. Soon there will be a fresh new gallery to view and purchase beautiful and provocative works by local artists.

On June 29th newlyweds Wendy Buffum McCauley and Mack McCauley will be opening the doors to WM McCauley Gallery, located at 232 A Street, just beyond the newly installed whale’s tail sculpture above the ferry parking lot, and across the street from The Market Chef. The gallery will specialize in contemporary fine art produced by San Juan Islands artists.

Wendy remarks: “I’ve spent my life as a painter in the San Juan Islands. I feel honored that we will be able to showcase the diverse range of works by my peers and provide a fun place for us to engage as a community of artists and art enthusiasts, as well as to help visitors to our islands and its residents enhance their art collections.” The opening show will highlight Wendy’s paintings alongside those of Sylvia Chesley Smith of Lopez Island and Tom Hoffman of Seattle and Lopez.

Our active arts community, great museums, sculpture parks, public installations and galleries make us an outstanding destination for art enthusiasts. “It is our hope that the addition of our gallery will help raise awareness of the thriving arts community of the San Juan Islands” says Mack.

The Gallery itself is a crisp “white-box” design that the couple remodeled specifically to provide an optimal environment for viewing paintings and other wall-art. In addition to the three featured artists, there will be a selection of works from 11 other artists who will be highlighted throughout the gallery’s first season.

The couple will host their grand opening reception at the gallery Saturday, June 29th from 4-7 pm. Hours show schedule, and information about the artists and their works can be found at www.mccauleygallery.com.

You’ve heard about the “Howl in One” Ball Drop event happening Saturday for the Animal Shelter’s Wags to Riches fundraiser, right? If not, click here.

So, here’s the deal – The animal shelter needs someone to shoot video of the ball drop event, and some of the other things going on at the Golf Course as part of the Howl in One, and then have the video ready to play at the evening’s fundraising event at the Community Theater.

If you would like to help out the Animal Shelter by shooting and creating a short video production, and receive a free ticket to both events, get ahold of them for details, 378-2158

Just heard that Tim Thomsen of San Juan Kayak Expeditions has a new kayak center located down by the ferry landing, and he’s inviting you to the grand opening next Monday. Here he is with the official word…

Hello,

I have some big news to share with you! In my 33rd year of offering sea kayaking adventures in the San Juan Islands, I am opening a Sea Kayak Center on Friday Harbor’s Front Street. Please join Sally, me and other friends, family and fans of San Juan Kayak Expeditions for our ice cream social grand opening on Monday, July 1 between 7 and 8:30 PM! Our kiosk, umbrellas and waiting area are located in the open-air market between The Doctor’s Office and Friday’s Crab House just across the street from the ferry dock . We will have all the ingredients for build-your-own ice cream sundaes, beverages and fun!

Founded in 1980 by Tim Thomsen, San Juan Kayak Expeditions has been offering quality sea kayak tours for the past three decades. For 31 years, our business was based on adventurous three and four day guided expeditions. In the past two years, we have expanded to also offer quality guided half day, full day and sunset tours in Griffin Bay and on the west side. This week we continue that expansion with the opening of our sea kayak center! Soon we will rule the world!:)

We hope you can join us for this sweet grand opening on July 1!

Warm regards,

Tim Thomsen – Owner/Guide
San Juan Kayak Expeditions
360 378 4436