Shelly

It’s time: Don’t weight any more!

Last year, I knew something had to give….I had gone over the 200 pound mark, and plain felt bad.

I knew that Shelly VanSkyhawk was working with folks with weight issues, and I was hearing about good results. So I called Shelly, and in three months, had left 37 pounds behind. I was pretty pleased…

This sounds like one of those testimonials, I guess, but I just want to say I really enjoyed working with Shelly – she has a cool, calm, professional but warm manner that was a key part to the success I had. Here’s a little writeup of her process, and check her website for more about the coaching services she offers. You’ll be glad you did!

Thanks, Shelly!

Scott is now accepting signups for Summer Leagues which start on Monday, May 20th

And speaking of the bowling alley… Scott tells me that Summer leagues are now forming and they begin on Monday May 20. So get in there before the 19th and get signed up!

Washington Association of School Administrators presents Community Leadership Award to the San Juan Public Schools Foundation

Back row Left to Right: Tori Zehner, Mike Taylor, Jim Skoog, Paul LeBaron. Front row: John Sable, Mary Kingland, Nancy Young, Susan Mazzerela and K Thor Jensen – Other foundation members not pictured: Rachel Anderson, Andy Hills, Emily Carrington, Scott Boden, Lovel Pratt, Ralph Hahn & Sara Jensen

On Thursday May 2, 2013 the San Juan Public Schools Foundation was recognized through Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) for their outstanding leadership and contributions to Public Education on San Juan Island.  Each year, the schools foundation raises thousands of dollars for direct classroom support for San Juan Island students.  The Foundation has been providing this support for nearly twenty years and is reaching a $1,000,000 milestone.  The school district gives a heartfelt thank you to these volunteers who dedicate their time and talent for education.

For more information contact Rick Thompson at (360) 378-4133

They’ve got Lunch on Friday covered for you – just go to Ace Hardware and support a great island tradition…

The Fish For Teeth Taco Team is gathering steam, ready to serve up their Now Famous Fish Tacos, on Friday, May 10^th, from 11:00 to 2:00 at the Ace Hardware parking lot.  They’re staffed up bigger than ever, and plan on crankin’ out a lot of tacos, featuring Alaskan rockfish donated by Matt Marinkovich, with fresh salsa from Pablito’s Taqueria, along with cheese, greens, and a squeeze of lime on a huge tortilla. They’re just $7 a piece, and will leave you feeling satisfied.  Satisfied with the tasty taco, and satisfied because you will have helped someone, who can’t afford it, move towards dental health!  For more information, including the application for dental care, go to www.fishforteeth.com.

Relay for Life of Friday Harbor which raises money to improve education, early detection and treatment. The idea of Relay Idol is patterned after “American Idol”

Tryouts are at Herb’s Tavern in Friday Harbor Wednesday, May 8th, 15th and 22nd @ 8:00 P.M. There is a $10 registration fee per audition. Each performance will be judged. The top three performances from each evening will come back for the finals on Friday, May 31st.

Bring your posse and give it your best shot for a great cause. Prize money will be awarded! Contact Mike @ [email protected] with any questions.

For more information about Relay for Life or to make a donation, visit http://www.relayforlifeoffridayharbor.org, or you can check out Relay for Life of Friday Harbor on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000092369253.

Barbara Marrett from the Visitor’s Bureau shares this information with us about how tourism benefits the islands…

Visitors Share the Love with Local Economy

National Travel & Tourism Week, May 4 – 12, champions the power of travel to enhance communities across the country by contributing to the local economy and overall quality of life. To put it more directly: Tourism Matters. It’s also the perfect timing to release figures from a recent study, “Washington State Travel Impacts & Visitor Volume” by Dean Runyan Associates.

The San Juan Islands host an estimated 750,000 visitors a year, which, in turn, creates an annual infusion of $156.5 million into the local economy (2012 preliminary total). According to San Juan County data, lodging tax grew by 15.3% in 2012. Visitor spending in general grew by $13.9 million (representing 9.6% growth) from 2011, according to the Runyan study. More information on visitor impacts to the State of Washington can be found here: www.whytourismmatters.com.

The theme for 2013’s National Tourism week is “The Travel Effect” and it’s responsible for creating jobs, stimulating business development, funding town and county projects, and enriching the culture and vibrancy of visitor destinations like the San Juan Islands. Think–great restaurants and activities. An estimated 1,850 jobs were supported by tourism dollars last year in San Juan County. In fact, approximately one out of every eight people in the Islands is employed by tourist dependent businesses.

The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau is the county’s official destination marketing organization and represents over 330 island businesses supporting local history, culture and visitor education. Visitors here generated 2.7 million in local taxes;  taxes that stayed in San Juan County to support local services and helped to reduce tax burdens for island residents. Lodging taxes paid by the visitor help fund our Chamber of Commerce visitor centers, destination marketing services, community theaters, historical museums, county parks, fairgrounds, festivals and events. Celebrate these treasures by visiting island museums, cultural centers, and historic sites during, History Lives Here: Heritage Month in the San Juan Islands, (www.visitsanjuans.com), in May.

There is much to see and do here at home on a “staycation,” in May. Learn more about our tourism businesses and all of May’s events at www.visitsanjuans.com.

Kim Bertrand sends over this notice about a cool event happening this weekend…

Summit Assistance Dogs, an Anacortes based non-profit that trains and provides highly-skilled mobility, hearing and therapy dogs for people living with disabilities throughout the Pacific Northwest, will be holding an outreach and fundraising luncheon at the San Juan Island Yacht Club on Saturday May 11 from 3-5 p.m. Approximately 100 supporters will join us to hear from our graduates, guest speakers, and the founder/executive director of Summit Assistance Dogs.

I hope you will be able to attend and be inspired by the work our organization does to change lives. I have been with Summit for several years now, and I am hoping our presence in the islands increases, reaching out and assisting my closest neighbors. As of now, we have a professional therapy dog residing on Lopez Island, and a mobility dog on Orcas Island. We have approximately 30 clients from Washington State on our waiting list for mobility, hearing and therapy dogs, ranging from children to adults.

Please help us spread the word about our event with your friends and contacts you think would be interested in attending.
Thanks so much for your time and support!

Thursday evening there will be a catered fundraiser for the High School Sailing Team.

We have some new energy organizing the team this year and have some lofty goals for the team, gear and regatta schedule so please come along and support the team for 2013!

Evening info:

Doors open 5.30PM at the San Juan Island Yacht Club.

• 5:30 PM Doors Open, Sailing Team Slide Show and Apetizers
• 6:00 Oracle Racing AC72 Video
• 6:20 Prime Rib Dinner Catered by Paul LeBaron
• 7:00 Live Auction
• 7:30 Dessert
• 7:45 Raffle Draw

Contact Nigel Oswald for tickets 378-8912 or nige [@] iointegration.com  Purchasing tickets in advance is advised. Check out the flyer for more info.

ZERO SEPARATION
by Philip Donlay

Fans of thriller fiction take note: On Saturday afternoon, May 11, from 2:00—4:00 pm Griffin Bay Bookstore is hosting former pilot Philip Donlay and his latest novel, Zero Separation. Be sure and stop by the bookstore to meet and chat with the author and get your book signed.

If you’ve wondered if the skies are really safe, and if you like your heart to beat a little faster when you read, then Donlay’s new thriller is just what you want. There’s everything to raise your blood pressure: a billionaire pilot with a secret, an FBI agent seeking revenge against her partner’s killer, and a terrorist with a weapon capable of killing millions of people.

Zero Separation is third novel in the Donovan Nash series. It takes Donlay’s complicated hero into uncharted territory as he is forced to navigate a potentially explosive international situation – and the stakes have never been higher. Donovan Nash has a secret he’ll do anything to keep. Teetering on the brink of losing everything, he’s caught between an emotionally compromised FBI agent who knows the secret, and a brutal terrorist bent on igniting a new and more terrible war in the Middle East. Held hostage aboard a private jet above the skies over Washington D.C., Nash and the FBI agent will have a single chance at a daring midair plan to stop the attack. One miscalculation promises to set off a chain of events that will plunge America into the bloodiest conflict since World War Two.

About the Author
Philip Donlay learned to fly in high school and became licensed to fly six different types of jets. He has traveled to 40 countries on five continents, including a stint as copilot for a Saudi Prince. He has also flown a corporate jet for a Fortune 500 company. In 2008, Donlay retired as a pilot. He divides his time between Minneapolis and the Pacific Northwest.

Itʼs time for the Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale, at the Mullis Senior Center on Saturday May 11th, from 9:00 AM till noon. We will pair again this year with the Friday Harbor Animal Shelter and their Motherʼs Day Orchid and Bake Sale. Hereʼs a great opportunity to stock your garden and buy gifts and goodies.
The plant sale features tried and true veggie starts, hundreds of tomatoes, peppers, squashes, cucumbers, brassicas and lettuces. In addition, weʼll have herbs and plenty of perennials. All the plant material is grown by master gardeners here on the island, heirloom varieties many open pollinated types, all lovingly tended to ensure you have the most successful harvest possible. Thatʼs what we are all about: success for you in your garden! The proceeds from this sale benefit Master Gardener projects such as the demonstration garden and the diagnostic clinic.
The Animal Shelter will be selling a variety of beautiful orchids, plus goodies made by some of the best local bakers. Proceeds benefit the Animal Shelter.
Everyone wants to stock up at this sale, come early so you donʼt miss out on the veggies, shrubs, orchids and baked goodies.
Contacts:
Master Gardeners – Alice Deane tedalicedeane [@] rockisland.com 378-5250
Friday Harbor Animal Shelter – Leslie Byron 378-2158

No injuries were incurred from a car fire on Roche Harbor Road Monday morning.  The call went out  to San Juan Fire Rescue at 08:59.  The fire was controlled by 09:21.  One engine, one water tender, and one rescue unit were on the scene while three other units stood by in headquarters.

The car was totaled and and the fire did have the potential of spreading beyond the vehicle igniting the trees beside the road causing a wild land fire situation. Good work by the department prevented further damage to the environment.

Renowned Bay Area pianist John Boyajy to perform in Friday Harbor

At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, renowned Bay Area pianist John Boyajy will present a concert at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church with proceeds benefitting San Juan Nature Institute. Tickets will be available at the door at $15. His visit to Friday Harbor is a golden opportunity to experience a superb artist at the height of his career playing a versatile and entertaining program.

John first came to San Juan Island last September to play at the Celebration of the Life of his high-school best friend, Jan Smulovitz. While here he met local musicians, performed at a musicale, taught private lessons and fell in love with our incredibly special island. His return for a full length recital in support of San Juan Nature Institute is a rare treat. In addition, he will lead a public master class and give some private lessons. He is one of San Francisco Bay Area’s most respected pianists, with degrees from Julliard and a concert performance list that includes the Lincoln Center and the Harvard Club and now, Friday Harbor! His program includes Debussy’s L’Isle Joyeuse, Chopin Ballades in F Major and F Minor, Bach’s Italian Concerto and Recent Runes by Ann Callaway.

Come and enjoy the evening and support a local non-profit organization dedicated to educating people of all ages about the natural history of the San Juan Archipelago through programs that foster active learning and stewardship.

Just one of many backyard composting options available out there – Pat Reveles photo

Calling all islanders interested in composting and recycling! Join WSU Extension and Jan Juan County Solid Waste in this county-wide training of Master Composters/Recyclers. Participants will learn all the ins and outs of composting, vermicomposting, soil building and recycling in this four-week program, including one field trip.

Trained volunteers will be expected to provide 20 hours of expert advice and answers to community questions at events and workshops.

Classes will take place on these Thursdays from 9am to 12pm: May 16, May 23, May 30, and a field trip to Mt. Vernon on Thursday June 6.

Please do your part to encourage other islanders to compost and recycle more in San Juan County as part of our community waste reduction effort.

Call WSU Extension at 378-4414 to sign up or to get further information.

In recognition of Wildfire Awareness Week, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages everyone to learn their role in preparing for wildfire safety.

This year, DNR is encouraging homeowners, land managers, first responders, developers and business owners, and civic leaders to focus on “Knowing Your Role” when it comes to preparing communities for wildfire prevention planning.

San Juan county residents are active in employing the Firewise program here on the islands. To learn more about defensible space, fire-resilient building construction, and wildfire prevention planning, the Firewise Program is there with many helpful tips. Another website to visit is http://fireadapted.org/.

To learn more about defensible space and planning for your own property, contact Ron Garner, rggarner [@] centurytel.net San Juan Island Fire Rescue.

Let’s keep our Islands safe from the terrible hazards of wildfires!

Registration is now open for new theatre workshops this summer for youth at San Juan Community Theatre, including a new partnership with one of the top 20 regional theaters in the country.

Two educators from the Seattle Children’s Theatre will visit Friday Harbor from July 15 to 19 to hold workshops for island youth, and at the same time, train island adults in teaching theater arts.  SCT teachers Bryan Sullivan and Chris Dewar will lead classes for students in grades 1-3, 4-6 and 5-7.  At the culmination of SCT’s week in Friday Harbor, students will present a performance showcase of their work in the Whittier on Friday, July 19.

“To have SCT involved is incredible!” said SJCT Artistic Director Susan Williams.  “We are so lucky to have this kind of dedication to the arts in our community.”

Williams adds that thanks to an outpouring of financial support during the “fund-a-need” for children’s programming at SJCT’s 2012 Holiday Festival, she is hopeful SCT will return annually for at least four years.

Following Seattle’s workshops, SJCT instructors will present another week-long series of classes on July 22-26.  Instructors Penelope Haskew, Amanda Smith, Lisa Duke, Traci Wilson, Grace Castle and Angel Michaels will cover various facets of theater production, including acting, dancing, singing and behind-the-scenes work.  The 90-minute and two-hour workshops are available for children ages 6-12 and 13-18.

Registration details on both weeks of workshops are available on-line at www.sjctheatre.org.   Prices vary; scholarships are available for students who qualify for the free and reduced lunch program.  For more information, contact Susan Williams at 378-3211, ext. 33.

Learn where the wildflowers and birds are, peer over the shoulders of artists in action, play a game or catch a tune or two during San Juan Island National Historical Park’s second annual Wildflower Festival, scheduled 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the American Camp parade ground.

The Festival is the culmination of Bloom Week, a weeklong celebration of spring for the whole family, scheduled May 5 – 11 at both English and American camps. All events are free and open to the public. See below or click here for a full slate of Bloom Week activities, dates and times. For special access information, please call the American Camp visitor center at (360) 378-2240, ext. 2228 or 2233.

Winners of the park’s first Community Arts in the Park art contest also will be announced at the Wildflower Festival following a week of public judging at the American Camp visitor center. Stop by the visitor center starting Saturday, May 4, look at the work and cast your vote. Continue Reading