Posted May 5, 2013 at 1:13 am by Tim Dustrude
Children’s Festival Geodesic Dome – Aaron Shepard photo
It was a great day for the Children’s Festival, with some of the best weather this event has ever seen. Kids of all ages had a great time. More photos are available if you click on the photo at right. It’s a shot by Aaron Shepard of the cardboard geodesic dome being assembled. Thanks for the photo Aaron!
Posted May 3, 2013 at 4:38 pm by Tim Dustrude
Lower Spring Street, Friday Harbor, WA 1917
Celebrate Heritage Month in the San Juan Islands – May 2013
Free guided walking tour of historic downtown Friday Harbor. Rain or shine, Saturday, May 4th, 10:00 am-11:30 am.
Meet at Memorial Park located at the intersection of Front and Spring streets.
Info: (360) 378-2810, sstrehlou [@] fridayharbor.org
Preservation Month events are coordinated by the Town of Friday Harbor.
Go to www.historicfridayharbor.org for the full calendar
Posted May 3, 2013 at 5:50 am by Tim Dustrude
Kyle and Emily – New owners of Duck Soup Inn
I recently emailed Anna Lisa Lindstrum a question about Duck Soup Inn and I got quite a response from her – one that I didn’t expect. She was happy to let me share it with you. Here it is along with an introduction to and some photos of the new owners, Kyle Nicholson and Emily Trujillo Nicholson…
Hi Tim,
The Duck Soup Inn is going through a transition. After 23 years as chef and owner, Gretchen is selling the restaurant. The new owners are chef Kyle Nicholson and his wife, Emily Trujillo. Gretchen has started off the 2013 season and is cooking alongside Kyle. As the new owners, Kyle and Emily want to keep the menu and it’s format the same. This means that dinner will include soup and salad, and Steak Diane will still be on the menu. Gretchen is sharing all her recipes, don’t worry, the hot fudge sundae will be the same! Gretchen plans to focus on her cooking classes and spend more time sailing. Emily will take over my job as general manager. In fact, Emily was part of the wait staff last summer, so she will be a familiar face. The waitstaff remains the same as well. They will be there providing the great service they are known for.
I have been so lucky to be part of the the Duck Soup team for the last 11 years. Gretchen has been a great boss and friend. I have learned so much, and I have loved getting to know so many wonderful islanders. I am going to miss the customers and my co workers who have become “island family.” Emily and Kyle feel that they are “stewards” of the Duck Soup Inn. I believe they will care for the restaurant in the same way that Gretchen has by continuing the tradition of using the freshest local ingredients and preparing memorable meals. I am looking forward to dining at the restaurant soon and I hope to see you there!
Take care, Anna Lisa
I thought it would be nice to have some photos to go along with Anna Lisa’s story, so I went out shot the ones you see here, and Emily gave me some more background on her and Kyle, so these are Emily’s words: Continue Reading
Posted May 3, 2013 at 5:45 am by Tim Dustrude
Into the Woods photo by Lisa Duke.
Click on the photo to see more of Lisa Duke’s photos.
Stephen Sondheim’s thought-provoking and Tony award-winning musical, Into the Woods, continues through Sunday, May 2-5 at San Juan Community Theatre.
Friday and Saturday’s shows are at 7:30 and Sunday’s is at 5:00 pm.
More information on the production, which concludes next week, May 9-11, is available on-line at www.sjctheatre.org
Check out what people are saying about this fantastic production… Continue Reading
Posted May 3, 2013 at 5:30 am by Tim Dustrude
It’s today from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Islander’s Bank parking lot, and it’s FREE!
Posted May 2, 2013 at 5:40 am by Tim Dustrude
Just got this in an email from Kirk, owner of Isle Be Jammin’…
Dear friend and musician,
I am sending this to friends and collaborators in the Music World, as I know it. Hopefully, with your help, I can find a replacement for myself here in Friday Harbor.
San Juan Island, Washington’s Isle be Jammin’ Performer’s Showcase is an on Island Music Help Center, store and teaching facility. We try very hard to serve the local community and beyond. Having been in business for 23 years proves the fact that Music is an important part of life in the San Juans.
This vital business is for sale – $65k plus inventory. The Condo housing the store is also for sale – long term lease available.
Call 378 5151 for details.
Isle be Jammin’
310B Spring street
Friday Harbor
Posted May 2, 2013 at 5:36 am by Tim Dustrude
Julia Vouri has sent this note over for you…
Would you enjoy a loving companion? We are desperately seeking a home for this lovely cat. Tarna is a sweet, grand old feline lady who urgently needs a new loving home. She is 14. Her human mom passed away suddenly on April 5th, leaving her behind.
Tarna is an affectionate, short haired orange/grey/white calico. She needs a quiet home–small children may upset her. She likes to sleep, bask in the sun, and play with catnip toys. She stays indoors most of the time, but enjoys short jaunts outdoors. She uses a litter box. Tarna does have some food allergies, so she has special hypoallergenic food that keeps her feeling good. She is extremely affectionate.
Please contact Julia Vouri ~ 378-9653 or Elizabeth Schwalbe ~ 378-5473 for more information or to offer a home for Tarna.
Thank you!
Posted May 2, 2013 at 5:33 am by Tim Dustrude
Merri Ann Simonson shares this real estate transaction report for us from Coldwell Banker…
The first quarter results for San Juan Island were disappointing as the real estate dollar volume was down 22% from the same period in 2012. The number of transactions was down 18%. Orcas, on the other hand, had a terrific first quarter with volume up 73% and a 38% increase in the number of transactions. Lopez and the other islands were just about equal to last year’s first quarter. Overall, the County had a 9% increase. The decrease in volume for the first quarter on San Juan is not alarming to those of us that have adapted to the real estate roller coaster and the activity in the second quarter to date is encouraging. Download the whole report. (PDF)
Posted May 2, 2013 at 5:25 am by Tim Dustrude
After receiving a huge response with lots of questions about the Shann Weston fundraiser, Nancy Jones put together this information to bring you up to speed…
Details for donations are below, but to start, here’s the gist of what’s happening:
(Presale of dinner tickets is helpful so we can do pre-head count)
We are still looking for donations for the auction, both live and silent, and welcome all. We have been getting, and would love to receive any kind of item you can think of: gift baskets, art pieces; Do you have a second home you could give 2 (or more) nights in Bend, Hood River, Oregon coast – anywhere? Gift certificates are easy to mail to me. 🙂 Islanders love getting off the rock!
In order to donate, please reach out to me at bobnanc [@] rockisland.com as I am amassing all the goodies!
There will be a list posted, and emailed out, of auction items the week before the event in case anyone from out of town, or anyone who can’t make it that evening would like to make a bid on any item. Yours would be the first bid and the item yours if there is not a higher bid. Or find an island ‘buddy’ to bid for you during the event with a ceiling limit in mind?
If you would like to make a cash donation, you can mail a check to
Shann Weston Medical fund
Whidbey Island Bank
535 Market Street
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
For Facebook fans, there is also a Facebook page created for Shann – Night at the Shannakee Pub – A Fun & Fundraiser for Shann Weston
Again, thanks to all of you that have already contacted me and are donating to the auction. It really means a great deal.
If you are not able to donate, no worries – Shann can feel your prayers and positive energy you’re sending her way.
Posted May 1, 2013 at 5:57 am by Tim Dustrude
FHHS athlete Robyn Roberts breaks local record
Robin Roberts has broken a Friday Harbor High School track record held since 1981 by Stacey Sorenson in the 1600 meter run (mile). The old record was 5:40.4. Robyn’s new mark is 5:30.70. The meet was held at Sammamish High School in Bellevue on Saturday, April 27. There were 20 teams present from 1B up to 2A. Robyn finished in 3rd place out of 25 girls running. She will run this race at least 2 more times before Tri-district at King’s High School
Robyn now has her sights set on Charlotte Hudson’s 800 meter record. Charlotte’s mark of 2:31.2 in the 800 meter run was set in May 19, 1979 at a district meet.
“Robin has been working extremely hard in practice and is an amazing and talented athlete! It is exciting to see her breaking a record that was held for so long and leaving her mark at Friday Harbor High School.” exclaimed Coach Darrin Scheffer.
The next track meet will be held on May 2 at Mt Vernon High School.
Posted May 1, 2013 at 5:57 am by Tim Dustrude
Just got this note from Kirk over at Isle Be Jammin’…
Joanne Rand in Concert
Dear lovers of Live Music,
Here is a reminder that Singer-Songwriter-Recording Artist Joanne Rand will be performing Live In Concert at Friday Harbor’s Isle Be Jammin’ Music Store on Thursday May 2nd at 7:00pm.
This artist has 13 recordings to her credit and her most recent CD “Stories from the Inside Out” is fabulous! She is a great storyteller and seasoned performer. This is an event Not to be Missed!
Tickets are on sale now at the store. $10 each. Please share this with friends and let’s make this this 17th sold-out show in a row.
Posted May 1, 2013 at 5:47 am by Tim Dustrude
Bethery von Dassow Joins Library as Adult Programming Coordinator
The San Juan Island Library announced Bethery von Dassow as the new adult programming coordinator. She was selected from among local and regional candidates who applied for the position during a search. She is responsible for scheduling programs for adults in the library, as well as helping on the information desk.
She most recently served as an Academic Advisor at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, but has worked with the Selby Library in Sarasota, FL doing reference, and at the Memphis Public Library doing social service referrals and quick reference via the LINC department. She also has experience working in the media centers of a Sarasota, FL high school and elementary school. Bethery has a B.S. in Music Education from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana and an M.A. in Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL. Continue Reading
Posted May 1, 2013 at 5:44 am by Tim Dustrude
San Juan Island School District is excited to announce that US News & World Report has ranked Friday Harbor High School no. 5 out of 587 high schools in Washington State, and no. 161 in the nation out of 21,035 high schools from 49 states and the District of Columbia (Nebraska was not included).
“To be recognized again by U.S. News is quite an honor,” said Principal Fred Woods, “It is a tribute to the efforts of everyone our district. We have great teachers, dedicated students and a very supportive community.”
Annually, US News and World Report ranks colleges, graduate schools, online programs and high schools using statistical analyses that includes performance on state assessments (taking into account the test scores of disadvantaged students), and then, nationally, college-readiness by student success in Advanced Placement (AP) programs.
To graduate, students must meet District credit requirements including Washington state history, and pass state tests in reading, writing, math, and science. Additionally, Washington high school students must also complete a “culminating project”. Friday Harbor High School students are proving that they consistently exceed these expectations.
In the U.S. News Best High Schools 2013 rankings, there are 10 Washington schools with gold medals, 45 with silver medals and 67 with bronze medals.
See www.usnews.com/best-high-schools for more details.
Posted May 1, 2013 at 5:39 am by Tim Dustrude
Lessons From The Heartland
A Turbulent Half-Century of Public Education in an Iconic American City
by Barbara J. Miner
If you have concerns about the future of public education in America, don’t miss this special opportunity to hear from Barbara Miner at Griffin Bay Bookstore on Saturday evening, May 4, 7:00 pm. A long-time journalist and editor of numerous books on education, Barbara Miner is on a nation-wide tour to talk about her recently published book, Lessons from the Heartland: A Turbulent Half-Century of Public Education in an Iconic American City.
From labor politics to civil rights, Wisconsin has long been the epicenter of the struggle for American progress, a swing state with working-class values where the fate of the middle class hangs in balance. In Lessons from the Heartland renowned writer and journalist Barbara Miner reveals the crucial turning point now developing in America’s heartland: the future of public education and its impact on our multicultural society. Continue Reading
Posted April 30, 2013 at 10:57 am by Tim Dustrude
Join us for Yappy Hour, Thursday, May 2 from 5:00 to 6:30 at Mi Casita Restaurant Badges? You don’t need no stinking badges….just bring a few friends, enjoy your favorite libations and yappetizers and a portion of your bill will be donated to the Animal Shelter! Ole!
Posted April 30, 2013 at 10:50 am by Tim Dustrude
Tooth Mobile is coming again – this time to the Mullis Center, on Friday, May 17th and Saturday, May 18th, courtesy of Fish For Teeth, in conjunction with the SJ County Health Department. Anyone who is financially unable to afford dental care can pick up an application at the Health Department, the Family Resource Center or the Mullis Center.
An application can also be downloaded and printed from the Fish For Teeth website. Please be sure to submit your application to the Health Department by Monday, May 6th. Also, please understand that the kind folks receiving the applications have nothing to do with scheduling. Please be patient, as the appointments will be made according to severity and available space, the week prior to the clinic.