The League of Women Voters of San Juan Island will be holding three election forums for the new County Council positions:

• March 25th 5:30-7:30 p.m.at Friday Harbor Middle School
• March 26th 5-7 p.m. at the Orcas Senior Center
• March 29th 5-7 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church on Lopez Island.

All six candidates for the District 1, 2 & 3 positions will participate.

We left nothing but footprints in the warm Maui sand….

As luck, fortune, and timing sometimes provide, Josie & I got to spend a couple of weeks on Maui last month, and it was fun to compare their island with ours, and, even there, to connect with island friends from here.

Here’s a bit about what happened, and some observations about differences between them & us:

The occasion of our making the trip was to attend a whale conference (Whale Tales it’s called, put on by Whale Trust from Maui – here are photos of the event), Josie’s 50th birthday, and to just take a vacation (we remember our last one in 2008 fondly).

So, we spent a lot of time in the sand, walking ’round Lahaina, checking out history stuff so we could report to Kevin at the Historical Museum how Hawaii does it, whale watching, listening to music & watching traditional dance, and reading a bunch.

We weren’t the only ones – islanders Jon & Donna Tegnell (left) met us for her birthday as well, the morning before they headed back to San Juan Island…)

There are some ways how people in Lahaina do things, compared to us:

I got to sing a few at “Cheesebuger in Paradise,” looking over the ocean with warm breezes…..

•  Almost every eating place had live music – it was cool to see & hear so many folks singing in the cafés at night. Not all Jimmy Buffet songs, either – wide range of work.

• They have traffic lights (unlike us) but not that many. Slow moving traffic through Front Street there, as people in cars waiting for people on foot (us) to cross the street.

You can tell the drivers apart, just like in Friday Harbor: locals let the people cross the street, and visitors might, or might not.

On one trip we took, the crew said they had “guaranteed whales” & let us take a picture of it…..

• Wonderful stuff in the galleries along Front Street there, with sales folks who are tons more aggressive than our town gallery sales people – “So, which piece would fit in your living room?” and “Which of our pieces is going home with you today?”

Gotta say I prefer the Friday Harbor laid-back way, but it was easy to appreciate the Maui determination, too…..

• It’s cool the way folks there all say “Aloha!” to greet or say goodbye to you, and “Mahalo!” to say thank you….kind of reminds me of the Lopez wave, because visitors can do it & feel a bit of belonging.

It would be cool if we could come up with some similar San Juan Island greetings, like maybe “May island winds blow you gently ashore,” or maybe “May the memory of the island summer sun warm you, all winter long,” or “Wow, how late was your ferry?” or something, as a greeting, and maybe “Rock on!” as a goodbye (since we live on a rock…..)

Probably need to put some thought into that one.

• There are some whale watch operators who say “guaranteed whales” as part of their advertising – easy enough, since you can see the humpbacks breeching when you’re standing on the dock.

It was fun to run into former FHHS soccer player & all-time great kid Kelsey Peterman (graduated in the early 2000s) on Front Street…..

• We loved the way the history (and the spirit of the ancient Hawaiians) is woven into just about anywhere you walk….and shared so easily, in a way that invites visitors into exploring & sharing the way it used to be….

• It was cool to know other islanders were around – France & Chance Earle were there when we there, and Neil & Val Curtis & the kids, and people who were yelling, “Ian!” just like on Spring Street, except usually it was about someone else, or some misbehaving kid….

There was someone who hollered “Ian!” and waved at me as they passed by in a car, but I didn’t catch who it was – let me know if it was you, hey?

Sunsets every night (Lahaina faces west….) were an ongoing reminder of a warm evening ahead of music & friends & night walks….

Overall, I gotta say I became a fan – I’d never been to Hawaii before & it was a great chance to sit still & relax & get fired up for the things ahead this year….I can see why people love it!

We got a chance to go out in a research boat, and a humpback spyhopped at one end of the boat (we sat still in the water, you bet), showed her belly as she passed maybe a meter or two under the boat, then spyhopped n front of the boat to say hey to Josie, their biggest fan. Photo by Jim Darling (thanks, Jim!) – click on the picture to see a bigger one!

If you like, here’s a little video I made of our humpback sightings, made over four trips out on the water.

Thanks for letting me share this with you! Cheers, Ian

BooBoo has just asked me to pass this along just in case you can’t get online before the registration deadline on Friday… Here she is:

Would you do me a favor and tell people that they can also come to the Earthbox and we will be in room 320 on Saturday between 12-6 to sign up for the race.

This is so amazing, a Seattle news team put it on TV.

Now, I could TELL you about the winning shot in last week’s varsity-staff basketball game, but how much cooler would it be to show you the video – if it looks crowded on the floor, it’s because both teams “emptied the benches” with half a minute to go, so all the players are on the floor.

Then Donald unloads the game-winner from the opposite end of the floor & makes it – wow! Here’s the details from the Youtube posting:

Donald Austin Galt making the winning shot at the 2013 Friday Harbor High School Staff vs the Senior Class fundraiser. Both teams empty the benches in the last 20 seconds to secure the win. The Senior class down by 2 points, and 4 seconds on the clock, Galt takes a shot from the baseline and ALL NET!!!!!!! Seniors win by 1 point! 

(You remember back in the fall when Donald helped his mom, Sarah, do the Lions Club supermarket dash at Kings – here’s the video of THAT.)

Kerry Andrews and BooBoo James are the two women who got Run Ladies Run going here on the island. Their friendship started about 13 years ago when they worked at the Ale House and evolved into “babes in backpacks” with walks around the island. Eventually their walks turned into runs. Click here to read more.

ThisIsOurTown.com is a glimpse of the people and businesses that shape the personality of Friday Harbor & San Juan Island. It is a project of Dustrude Photography.

And don’t forget – Run Ladies Run annual 10K and Half Marathon is next weekend on Sunday, March 24th. Both events will start at 9:30 am beginning at the EARTH BOX MOTEL and SPA (410 Spring St. Friday Harbor, WA). Runners and walkers alike are welcome. Last day to sign up is Friday the 22nd and all registrations for the event are through Active.com. So get signed up and get running!

Calling all FANS out there! The nonprofit group, Families and Neighbors Support Island Rec (FANS), has begun its 2013 annual FANS Club campaign.

A new FANS brochure outlining how residents may join the FANS Club to support Island Rec was mailed this week to all islanders.

FANS was formed in early 2012 to fill the gap between the community’s park and recreation needs and what Island Rec’s budget can afford to address. While a portion of the Island’s annual property taxes do fund Island Rec, those limited funds are used to maintain a current level of service. FANS’ fundraising efforts, including the FANS Club campaign, are aimed at expanding that level of service.

Funds raised through the FANS Club campaign will contribute to such Island Rec programs as:

• Learn to Swim scholarships
• After school programs
• Park improvements
• San Juan Island Trails
• New events for all ages. (Including the premiere of Movies-in-the-Park in 2013)

For more information on FANS, contact Cathy Kromer at 370-5315 or visit www.islandrecfans.org. The FANS Board of Directors includes Cathy Kromer, president; Marc Islam, vice president; Shannon Rishel, treasurer; Jan Bollwinkel-Smith, secretary; Todd Kromer, Kyle Loring, Susan Mazzarella and David Waldron, directors.

Mr. Sanderson – This week’s Pet of the Week

If you’ve visited the shelter in the last several months you have probably met “Sandy”, aka “Mr. Sanderson”.  He can often be found lounging in his favorite chair in the lobby or gazing out from behind the chain link fence around Kamp Kitty.  Poor guy – he was brought to us as a stray almost two years ago and has still not found his forever home.  We can’t understand why because he is such a nice fellow – Well-mannered and so very good-looking!  We think he is about 8 years old, so he would make a perfect match for someone looking for a companion in a quiet household – but don’t let his age fool you – this guy still has some spunk and loves his catnip toys!  He gets along well with other cats and doesn’t seem at all nervous around dogs.  Surely you have a comfy chair or lap in your home that needs a cat like Sandy to fill it!  He’d love to meet you – stop by the shelter at 111 Shelter Road and introduce yourself!

Many thanks to Minnie Knych for this story and photo:

Sheriff Rob Nou speaks at the first of several planned Town Hall Meetings – Minnie Knych photo

The first of a planned series of town hall meetings sponsored by Friday Harbor Grange was a great success. About eighty plus fellow islanders attended the meeting at Skagit Valley College Community room on a rainy March night for an exchange of ideas and information with Sheriff Rob Nou.

Topics of the evening were drugs, DUIs and domestic violence. The biggest concern expressed by citizens was about the use and sale of drugs in our community. Sheriff Nou reminded us that the Sheriff deputies cannot be everywhere and must depend on citizens to report crimes. There is even an anonymous tip line that citizens can use to notify law enforcement about suspicious activity. The number is 370-7629. Call that number, leave a message about suspected criminal activity and it will be investigated. Of course if you see a crime in progress, you should call 911 immediately.

Friday Harbor Grange plans to continue with town halls of interest to the community. The attendees at this town hall requested that our county prosecutor be invited next.

Just got these photos from last night’s performance at the Fairgrounds. Thanks Debbi!

SSIS Twelfth Night – Debbi Fincher photo

SSIS Twelfth Night – Debbi Fincher photo

SSIS Twelfth Night – Debbi Fincher photo

SSIS Twelfth Night – Debbi Fincher photo

SSIS Twelfth Night – Debbi Fincher photo

Happy Friday to you! How about a beautiful Dall’s Porpoise photo to welcome your weekend…

(click to see it bigger)

Dall’s Porpoise off Lime Kiln Lighthouse, San Juan Island – Jim Maya photo

Island Rec – Teen Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt
Hey teens! If you thought looking for Easter eggs was kid stuff, try finding one in the dark!!

The annual flashlight Easter egg hunt is happening Friday, March 29th, 8:30 to 10:00pm at Turnbull Gym. Be the lucky one to find the Golden Egg and take home the grand prize! There will be some fun relays and gym games too, so grab a friend and a flashlight and come join the frenzy! It’s FREE and open to all youth in grades 7-12.

Hey parents of teens! Extra hands are always welcome at Island Rec’s teen events. Those interested in volunteering to hide Easter eggs and help supervise the fun should contact Jason Davis at 378-4953 or jason [@] islandrec.org.

Parent Mini-Seminar at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church
Saturday, March 16th 10:00am-2:00pm

TOPICS:
1. Social media & Apps; impact & tips on setting boundaries
2. the Epidemic of pornography
3. Risky behavior & addictions among pre- & mid-adolescents.

WHY: To inform, encourage & equip parents/grandparents of pre-teen and current teens. Content is aimed for current pre-teen and teen parents, but definitely not limited to that audience. Mentors, youth workers, extended family members, teachers, coaches….all are welcome!

Lunch will be provided by Andy Urbach!
It is all free.
Hosted by FHPC Youth Ministries with multiple presenters.
Format similar to TED conferences with 10-15 minutes of information followed up by 15 minutes of reflection space, interactions with table group and large group input.

This note just came in from Debbi Fincher:

Twelfth Night – Tonight thru Saturday

Just in case you missed the flyers up around town, thought I’d let you know our Spring Street International School youth have embarked on a Shakespeare production for their drama experience this year! It’s really a collective gem that all came together under the direction of Grace Castle, our drama teacher at SSIS.

The show opens tonight and runs until Saturday, doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7pm. They will be in the Marie Boe Building at the fairgrounds where the Island Stage Left also performs. Admission is $5 at the door. Seating is limited, as you may know, but a great little venue nonetheless.

I was really struck that we have all sectors of students represented in the play from: the local students, american boarding students, international students and 5th-12th graders in the play! It just worked out that way and I have to say from the little I’ve seen in rehearsal, it’s going to be fun! Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night with a little twist. Hope to see you there! Thanks, Debb

And in more theater news, Jan over at the Community Theater wants to let you know that Guys on Ice has its final shows today through Sunday:

See ya on da ice! PART TWO

Miguel Andreas Herbert (L) and Eric Concord star in Guys on Ice – Bob Stavers photo

Fer-sure, dose funny singing fisherman guys are returning to San Juan Community Theatre for four final shows THIS Thursday* through Sunday, March 14-17 at 7:30 pm.

Gubelman audiences get to share the day in the life inside a Wisconsin ice shanty in Guys on Ice, written by Fred Alley with music by James Kaplan and directed by Laura Concord.

Marvin (Miguel Andreas Herbert), Lloyd (Eric Concord) and Ernie the Moocher (Dorian Oliver) are fishing buddies and home-grown philosophers in this musical comedy that tells a story of friendship and silliness at the same time.

*Thursday is Bargain Night: tickets are just $14 for adults and $7 for student reserved. Plus! CHEESEHEADS…make sure and wear your favorite Wisconsin ware to a Guys on Ice performance and get a free piece of beef jerky during intermission.

Tickets are available at www.sjctheatre.org or the SJCT box office at 378 3210.

When possible, wash clothes in cold water. About 90% of the energy used in a clothes washer goes to heating water.” By Sintayehu, 2nd grade

Shaw Island School primary class students attended a party sponsored by OPALCO for their terrific job in creating a 2013 Energy Conservation and Efficiency Calendar. Eight Shaw primary students, teacher Diane Clifton and NegaWatt Media’s Anita Orne, who assisted in the project, all participated in a field trip to the Funhouse Commons on Orcas Island to be recognized for their significant contribution to energy efficiency education.

The calendar includes helpful tips generated by the students such as Frankie’s (third grade) advice “Turn down your water heater to 120° F. You will not only save energy, you will avoid scalding your hands.” And, from Sophia (second grade): “Feeling a bit of a chill? Reach for a sweater instead of the thermostat! Heating accounts for the biggest portion of your utility bill.”

OPALCO Energy Services staff (in capes from left): Beth Anderson, Elisa Howard and Anne Bertino recognize students and teachers from Shaw Island School for their energy efficiency calendar.

OPALCO’s Energy Super Heroes (Energy Services staff members Beth Anderson, Anne Bertino and Elisa Howard) arrived in costume to award the students and instructors with OPALCO Energy Saver Super Hero Certificates. Following the recognition, OPALCO staff presented the class with a gift of the Lego© Simple & Motorized Mechanism Base Set kit complete with the Renewable Energy add-on module to further educate the young energy super heroes. To complete the day, the class enjoyed cupcakes, a tour of OPALCO’s Nissan Leaf electric car and outdoor play time before returning to Shaw.

OPALCO is printing a limited quantity of the Shaw Island School 2013 Energy Conservation and Efficiency Calendars to share with our members. They will be available soon, at no charge, at OPALCO offices and the Shaw General Store.  Be sure to pick one up while supplies last!

Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) was founded in 1937 to empower members to improve their quality of life in our rural communities. OPALCO serves about 11,000 members on 20 islands in San Juan County.

Here’s an update from the Ag Guild on parking at the Brickworks:

As many are aware, the significant influx of donations and matching grant funding over the past several months has allowed the renovation work at Brickworks to proceed at an accelerated pace. With the interior gutted and a new roof in place, building activities are nicely on track for completion before the busy days of summer arrive.
Over the past couple of years, the Ag Guild has been happy to allow others to utilize the parking spaces on its property. Now, with more people working on the project, we need to use those parking facilities ourselves. Once the building is ready for use, Brickworks parking will similarly need to be reserved solely for those using the facility.
New parking signs have been installed at Brickworks, indicating which spaces are now reserved exclusively for Brickworks use. The plaza will not be available for parking use at any time.
We greatly appreciate the widespread support of the community for the project, and are confident that everyone will fully understand and respect the need for this change in our parking policy.
The Ag Guild