Sunset last night from the westside, looking toward Victoria & Discovery Island….just befor ethe wind really started kicking in. Photo by John Boyd (thanks, JB!)

Remembered Light
by Clark Ashton Smith

The years are a falling of snow,
Slow, but without cessation,
On hills and mountains and flowers and worlds that were;
But snow and the crawling night in which it fell
May be washed away in one swifter hour of flame.
Thus it was that some slant of sunset
In the chasms of piled cloud–
Transient mountains that made a new horizon,
Uplifting the west to fantastic pinnacles-
Smote warm in a buried realm of the spirit,
Till the snows of forgetfulness were gone.

Clear in the vistas of memory,
The peaks of a world long unremembered,
Soared further than clouds, but fell not,
Based on hills that shook not nor melted
With that burden enormous, hardly to be believed.
Rent with stupendous chasms,
Full of an umber twilight,
I beheld that larger world.

Bright was the twilight, sharp like ethereal wine
Above, but low in the clefts it thickened,
Dull as with duskier tincture.

One of my favorite Jackson Browne songs – I love the challenges “you’ve left it for somebody other than you to be the one who cares,” and “you’re lost inside your houses” answered by the hope of the rest of the song….especially for a windy & rocking morning  like this.

This is a live version without the band in 2011….

Chef Hobbes has another recipe to share. This one looks Mmmmm, mmmmm, good!

Chicken McHobbes

Chicken McHobbes!  This is a tasty little devil!

Bakery San Juan makes some great little sourdough buns, that work really well for this sandwich…

Recipe for two:

2 buns, cut in half
1 chicken breast, pounded
1 wedge of brie, rhine removed
4 thin slices of a sweet apple, core removed
2 sprigs or parsley, rough chopped
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Cayenne
Flour

The trick to making a good sandwich taste great, is to season well with good quality sea salt and fresh ground pepper.  Don’t be skimpy!

First, pound the chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap.  Then cut the chicken in half, and season well with cayenne, salt and pepper.

Put a little olive oil in a large saute pan, and place over medium high heat.  While the pan is getting hot, dust the chicken with some flour, and place the breasts into the hot oil, shaking the pan back and fourth as you go, to avoid sticking.

Brown the chicken on both sides.  While that’s happening, brush the buns with some olive oil and place them on the grill.  If you don’t have a grill throw them in the oven at 400 degrees until they’re toasted.

When they’re done, spread both sides of the buns with the brie.  Then place the hot cooked chicken onto the bun so the cheese melts, and then add the apple slices and sprinkle with parsley.

Bon Appetit!  Chef Hobbes

Roche Harbor Resort – at about 8:30 A.M. Dec. 17, 2012

Here’s another high tide photo from Kevin Holmes, similar to the one he sent us last week, but we thought we’d post one again – this photo is a bit more dramatic as it shows water on the walkway.

Spring Street International School dorm students looking like they are ready to move into their new dorm. (even if it is still under construction:)

Just got this note from Debbi Fincher over at Spring Street School:

Dear Fellow Islanders,

As you may have noticed, Spring Street International School is growing! The large building in back is our new dormitory with room for 18 boarding students, 2 dorm parents, dining facilities, common areas, and a commercial-grade kitchen. The dorm will be ready for occupancy this February. On the Spring Street side of campus is a new building housing 2 beautiful new classrooms already in use. Next summer we will break ground for a building to house an art studio, music practice rooms, and another badly needed classroom. Continue Reading

Grover Street, just up the hill from Argyle

The photo here doesn’t even do this one justice – you really gotta go see this one for yourself, it is really impressive.

Meet “Mew”, this week’s Pet of the Week

This beautiful lady is “Mew”.  She’s a long-haired silver tabby, about six years old and as sweet as she can be.  She’ll need to be an indoor-only girl as she has been de-clawed on her front paws and would probably prefer living in a home without dogs or aggressive cats.  This is the last week for our $20 cat adoption special, so get into the shelter to meet Mew and her friends soon!  Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor – 111 Shelter Road, Friday Harbor. Or call 378-2158.

I got to meet Skip the other day, out at Cattle Point Rock & Topsoil. Heck of a nice guy. Here he is with his loader.

Sometimes grown men still get to play in the dirt

Cool little rock arch on the entrance driveway

Just in time for the holidays, Rob Simpson & The Conscientious Projector Series is playing The Happy Movie on Monday at 7pm at the Library. Winner of a bunch of awards, the documentary is a cheerful review of what is it that makes folks happy?

Here’s more about the movie (be careful – if you read this, you’ll want to see it!), and here’s the trailer:

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And here’s the director (Roko Belic) talking about the nature of compassion & empathy & the role they play in happiness:

One of the best things about the holidays is looking at peoples’ houses and businesses all lit up for the season. Here are a couple of nicely done homes over in the Evergreen neighborhood. (Click on the pictures to see large versions)

This house is on the corner of Spruce St. and Hemlock Court

This one is on Green Way – Notice the sliver of a moon in the sky?

Cameron is two & a half, but he knows what’s fun – he was engrossed with the road construction in town, pulling mountains of dirt out & putting pipes in. Who needs TV?

Let’s check in & see what folks are doing….here are some of the smiling folks we have around:

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Chef Andy congratulates sophomore Isabel Gabriel after Wednesday night’s successful & wonderful & filling Community Dinner – lots of smiles all around, as nearly 300 folks showed up for the Food For Thought meal at Friday Harbor High. See you at the next one!

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It was good to catch up with Mayor Carrie Lacher and County Council member Howie Rosenfeld at the Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas meeting earlier this week.

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Earlier this month, the Community Theatre raised over $100K in their annual fundraiser, and it was good to visit with Howard Schonberger & Helen there, always smiling & cheerful.

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Last month I got a chance to drop in on Jessica Oldwyn (FHHS ’98) and her husband Danny Carroll (FHHS ’96) in Seattle…Jess’ recovery from head surgery on a brain tumor continues (couple of months ago) & her upbeat attitude about the whole thing is an inspiration to everyone she’s in touch with! And…Danny’s support & love for her is pretty uplifting as well! Great team!

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It’s great to have our public works guys on the job, keeping the Town running smoothly…thanks, guys!

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The San Juan Singers are ready for the holiday show….

It’s this weekend! Here’s more from the Community Theatre’s Jan Bollwinkel-Smith:

Community Chorus Takes a Celtic Twist

San Juan Singers’ holiday concert may just put a twinkle in your eye and a lilt in your laughter!  The community chorus celebrates the winter season with a Celtic flair at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Directed by Angel Michaels, the group will present carols old and new accompanied by the sweet sounds of harp, flute and bagpipes.

Guests Mary WillAllen and Guthrie Burnett-Tison will chase away the winter chill with dancing accompaniments to your favorite holiday songs.  Other holiday favorites featured include “Christmas Day: A Choral Fantasy” by Gustav Holst, “O Magnum Mysterium,” by Morten Lauridsen, and carol settings by John Rutter. Jenepher Reeves will accompany on organ and piano.

The evening’s Business Partner is Lake Kennedy McCulloch CPAs. Concert tickets are $17 for adults, $8 for student reserved, with $5 student RUSH one hour before the show.  Coho Restaurant (378-6330) is offering a special pre-concert dinner on Saturday night. On Sunday, a $40 “Family Four Pack” to the concert (two adults and two students) is available.  The Box Office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or tickets may be purchased on-line at www.sjctheatre.org

Earlier this month, the County Council passed the Critical Areas Ordinance…Council members Jamie Stephens (Lopez, front), Lovel Pratt (San Juan) and Howie Rosenfeld (San Juan) sign the ordinance…photo by Stan Matthews (thanks, Stan!)

The primary for the County Council in February has a three day signing-up period (yesterday, today & tomorrow till 4:30pm), and here’s who has signed up so far:

San Juan: Lovel Pratt & Bob Jarman

Orcas: Greg Ayers, Lisa Byers, and Rick Hughes

Lopez: Brian McClerren & Jamie Stephens

If you want to check through the day to see who else may have added their name to this list, there’s a link on the County Elections page which says “Candidates who have filed” – check it there.

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So, here’s the deal – there’s a primary in two months(February 12th) to winnow the field to two in each district, with a general election April 23. This will pick the three new County Council members.

Unlike the present setup, where voters elect someone from their district, County voters choose all three members – so, San Juan voters will also vote for the Lopez/Shaw member & the Orcas member. (This is the way we did it before the Charter was introduced in 2006, which made it so that you only voted in your district.)

This means we have the present Council of six till mid-January (here’s the folks: Lovel Pratt, Rich Peterson, Howie Rosenfeld, Jamie Stephens, Rick Fralick, and Patty Miller), the newly elected Council (last month) of six till April (same as before, except Bob Jarman takes Lovel’s place, Marc Florenza takes Howie’s place, and Rick Hughes in in for Fralick), and the new Council of three starts up in late April.

Got it?

I was catching up on Doonesbury this morning, and this strip from three weeks ago tickled me, especially the last two panels….

You saw that sunrise this morning, right? The one with all the colors….lots of blues & yellows, out our window in Friday Harbor….

• I know how you are – you’re the kind of person who gets up in the middle of the night to see the meteor showers. If it’s not too cloudy this evening, that’ll be fine, since the Geminids are peaking tonight & tomorrow – here’s more, with tips about where to look.

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Killer whales do not thrive in captivity….just the opposite. Photo from takepart.com.

• Do you have friends (I do) who think that going to see killer whales in captivity is cool? Well, it’s not…and here’s a little slideshow with seven reasons it’s wrong to hold orcas in captivity. Check it out.

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• There’s still time to help the kids – here’s more from Libby Oswald & the Kiwanis Club:

Santa’s Hotline: If you would like to make a donation to the Toys for Tots Toy Drive, please do so at any of the local banks, Friday Harbor Drug Store or by mail to: Kiwanis Club, PO Box 814, Friday Harbor, 98250.

Families who need a little help with Christmas, please call the Santa hotline at 378.1534. The hotline information is confidential. Calls will be accepted until December 13.

The Kiwanis Club of Friday Harbor thanks community members for their generous donations.

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• If you get a chance, drop by the Community Theatre tonight between 5:30-7:30 for a goodbye visit with Josie & me….love to see you!

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• Shannon & Toni got married yesterday at 12:12pm (yep, it was 12/12/12!) Congrats, you guys!

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• Hey, Tim & I sure appreciate all your night notes about the photos of Christmas lights!

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• Rebecca Hughes says Howard’s Sell It Again is open tonight with a big sale from 5-7:30pm – so be sure & drop by after work! And…they’re open till 7:30 the rest of the month on Thursdays, so stop in!

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• It’s happening tonight at Be Chic Boutique – Kim has more:

You are invited to our annual Christmas Party! Please join us on Thursday, December 13, 2012 from 5pm ~ 8pm for snacking, sipping, and some Shopping! 🙂 Bring a friend or two!

Upon arrival you will draw a coupon for a discount of 30%, 40%, or 50% off purchases on party night!
We are happy to help you make a Christmas Wish List, as well as gift wrap your purchases.

Wishing you and your family the Christmas season’s joys and wonders. Enjoy the holiday!

Cheers, Kim Wickman

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Sign up soon!

• Debbie Sandwith says there are still about 50 spots left for the Salmon Derby (can’t believe it’s been ten years already since this started!) – here’s more:

YES ~ it is time to think about getting your boat team registered for the upcoming 10th Annual Roche Harbor Salmon Derby ~!!! To be held February 7-9, 2013 ~ which DOES NOT conflict with our Seattle Boat Show or the Super Bowl!

*In case you missed our big announcement this past spring, Roche Harbor is adding $30,000, yes you read correctly & I did not make a typo error ~ to the qualifying winning fish of 30 lbs. or more!!! $40,000 possible CASH for first place ~ SWEET!!!

What a great way to celebrate our 10th Derby, which is only possible because of all our faithful anglers who continue to participate ~ Thank you again!

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This is a rare acoustic set with two songs, in which Jackson sings “These Days” and “Running on Empty”….check it out: