Here’s a nice run of guitar-playing by Chet Atkins & Mark Knopfler….

Sunset, Wednesday evening….photo by Jim Maya

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don’t go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.
Don’t go back to sleep.

People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.

The door is round and open.
Don’t go back to sleep.

Rumi

It was cool on Tuesday night when Dr. Mike Cohen announced to the Road Scholar program on San Juan Island something he calls the New Copernican Revolution….pretty interesting stuff. Check it out:

The New Copernican Revolution: Advanced Science Strengthens Educators, Counselors, Therapy, Parents

“Although the media and most leaders fail to see the practical contribution of the Higgs Boson, its discovery has triggered a new Copernican Revolution that places Industrial Society in health and wellness balance with its home on Planet Earth.” This is the thrust of new article by  Dr. Michael J. Cohen in the August issue of the Journal of Organic Psychology. http://www.ecopsych.com/journalcopernicus.html.   Cohen, author of eight books on the subject, is the Project NatureConnect Applied Ecopsycology Program Director at Akamai University and the Institute of Global Education.

The Organic Psychology article shows that like the identification of the true central place of the sun in the solar system by Copernicus in 1547 A.D.,  the recent scientific affirmation of the Higgs Boson powerfully confronts the destructive illusions and processes in our central way of thinking today.  This is exactly  like the identification of the true central place of the sun in the solar system by Copernicus in 1547 A.D. Continue Reading

Garry oak

Judy over at the Land Bank has good news, as we continue to work to save the Garry oaks around here:

The San Juan County Land Bank has been awarded $40,000 in grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue its program of Garry oak habitat restoration on Turtleback Mountain Preserve on Orcas Island.  The project will be conducted in partnership with the San Juan Preservation Trust.  Other major partners include the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Center for Natural Lands Management, and the American Bird Conservancy.

Garry oak savannahs and native grasslands are some of the rarest habitats in Washington state.  Some of the best remaining examples are here in the San Juans.  Garry oak savannahs and grasslands are home to a high diversity of native plants, birds, butterflies, and other animals.  Wildfire and intentional burning by Coast Salish people historically maintained these open habitats in the San Juan Islands, but in recent decades, due to absence of fire, Douglas-firs have taken over.  Garry oaks can’t survive when shaded out by other trees, and the habitat and its many dependant species are eventually lost. In addition, severe browsing from deer prevents young oaks from getting established on Turtleback.

The grant funds will be used to cut and girdle small Douglas-fir trees in prime oak areas, plant new oaks and cage them from deer, and replant native grasses.  Bird and butterfly surveys and monitoring will also be conducted.  Public educational tours will provide guided walks of this special habitat and restoration activities.

Contact the Land Bank at 378-4402 for more information about the project.

Sunrise sailing….photo by John Miller (thanks, John!) from Monday morning

The sights & sounds of the island, over the past week….

• Do you wonder what people read about us, here on the island? This will give you a chance to hear: here’s an article about the island in the travel section of the Los Angeles Times.

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• It’s tomorrow: The Chameleons are playing at Roche Harbor tomorrow night, starting at 9pm!

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Two familiar sights, in one unusual place: we see raccoons all over the island, and we see the ferry landing all the time, but yesterday morning was the first time I’ve ever seen one on the piling at the marina – this was shot from the window of the 8:05am boat, just after we walked on……

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• Be sure & get your call in: Dot says the San Juan Island Garden Club will resume their calendar year meetings next week on Tuesday, September 4, at 1 pm at the Mullis Center.  Please RSVP to Marguerite Bennett no later than August 30 at 378-8524 for attendance reservations.

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• It’s great to hear that Cat will be presenting here on San Juan Island – here’s more from Julie at the wool store:

Hey Ian,
We have been fortunate to find an opening in Cat Bordhi’s (knitting teacher extraordinaire!) schedule to have a 1 day workshop on her excellent new sock heel, the Sweet Tomato Heel right here on the island!  The class is on Sunday, September 16, and we are looking for more students.  They can inquire at the yarn store, Island Wools (370-5648) or email me.

Thanks!!
Julie <julie (at) islandwools.com>

Wendy Pinnow…photo by Tim Dustrude

Tim Dustrude continues his series with photos & stories about people around the island – here’s more about M&W Auto Sales, with Wendy Pinnow:

Friday Harbor’s only full service car dealership, M&W Auto offers quality used cars, sound systems and vehicle rentals. It is owned and operated by longtime islander Wendy Pinnow (Williams). Wendy first came to the island in 1972. And you may remember her family’s grocery store, Whitey’s Food Center which has since had several other owners before being destroyed by the big fire of 2002.
(Click here for the rest of the story)

Photographer Tim Dustrude has put together a series of photos & stories called This Is Our Town about folks around the island, and his work is a regular feature here in the San Juan Update. Tim has been a professional photographer for over a decade, and does great work. Check out his website.

It was good to catch up with Regan & Dean at the County Fair a couple of weeks ago…photo by Tamara Weaver.

Check it out:

• Hey, you know tomorrow is the first day of school, right? Back to school…watch for the kids in the morning!

That’s the Road Scholar catalogue from a few months ago…the internationally circulated periodical lists programs all over the world, but what a nice surprise to see the island’s Jim Hooper smiling on the cover during his trip to New Zealand….

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• Word was that Travel Channel was in town this weekend, filming at The Backdoor Kitchen.

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• Yup, it’s time to sign up for drivers’ ed, and I hope you give Sam Leigh a call:

Right of Way Driving School is really doing good things for the community and the next class session will meet Monday and Wednesdays beginning Monday, September 10th through October 29th, 5:30-7:30 pm.

Registration deadline is Wed, Sept 5th 2012. For those who can not make the September Session ROWDS is also taking registrations for November 2012 as well.

All interested students and parents can email Sam Leigh at drive (at) rightofwaydrivingschool.com or call (360) 298-4399 to receive complete program and registration information.

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• Can’t believe it’s the last week – here’s more from Debbie Pigman:

It’s hard to believe that we are coming up on the final Friday Harbor Art Market of the 2012 season. Last week we literally got “blown away” with high winds but we’re going to make up for it this week with a full house of local artist booths. Plus we start the evening with the fabulous marimba music of Kuba Tana (5:00-6:30pm) followed by a young, local favorite – singer and songwriter, Avery Adams (6:30-8:00pm).

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Sally (center), with Kate & Dori

• Just heard from Dori & Kate at Stillpoint School…exciting news:

Sally Bryan and Stillpoint School are excited to announce the Sally W. Bryan Scholarship Fund, which has been established to provide financial support for students attending Stillpoint School. The scholarship fund will continue Sally Bryan’s legacy of 65 years in education. The Fund is seeking donors who value the importance of a quality education in the elementary years.

Donations are tax deductible, and may be mailed to the Sally W. Bryan Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 576.

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• I’d love to hear you have a chance to help the kids out – here’s a note from Amy, Paige & Lita:

We are from Friday Harbor High School’s Community Projects class and for our project we are organizing an overnight retreat to Camp Orkila for the entire senior class. The reason for this is that we have seen our class at homecomings, spirit weeks and other school events and see no leadership or unity. We want to change this.

Our goals for this retreat are that our class realize the importance of being leaders in our school and in the community, and also become more aware of the opportunities to help out with the younger generations. A major part of our project is that we have worked alongside the Prevention Coalition at the Children’s Fair and the San Juan County Fair. Our reasons for doing this are that we want our class to become more involved with the community and grow a deep appreciation for the people on our island. Our mentor, Alisa Schoutlz, has worked alongside us through it all and has helped us with fundraising ideas and service projects.

We started fundraising for this project in March and have continued fundraising through the summer. The total cost of this project is $4,959. We have raised $3,863, leaving us $1,096 to go. All the money goes to Prevention Coalition. Cynthia Stark-Wickman is in charge of our money, and is in charge of the deposits and writing the check to Camp Orkila when the time comes. All checks should be made payable to Prevention Coalition.

We are on a very tight timeline. The set date of our retreat is September 10th-11th, a Monday and Tuesday. (We have received permission from the principal of the high school and our teachers to miss the day and a half of school for this retreat). Our deadline for fundraising is next Friday, the 7th of September.

Would you consider helping us out by putting us into the San Juan Update?

Thank you so much for your time and please do not hesitate to contact us,

Amy Dunaway, Lita Gislason and Paige Carlson

An all-San Juan Island Music Festival is planned for Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012  (Labor Day Weekend) at the former Browne’s Lumber vacant lot at 330 Spring St. in Friday Harbor.  The all-day event will feature 8 performances from these San Juan Island bands & artists, playing jazz, rock, blues, folk, ragtime, and vaudeville:

The Fabulous Rhythmatics, The San Juan Jazz Quintet, Teddy Deane, David Bayley, the One More Time Big Band, Kate Schuman, Gretchen & Beau, and The Argyle St. Traditional Jazz Band.

This San Juan Lions Club event will offer hot dogs, sandwiches, beer, wine, soft drinks, plenty of seating, sun and shade, and fun.  Admission at the gate will be $10. Kids 12 and under free.

Proceeds will help fund the many Lions Vision and Hearing projects. A goal is to purchase a digital vision screening unit for preschool aged children. Currently no such screening is available, and the screening device will be made available for all the children of our county.

Shahn McGuire…photo by Tim Dustrude

Tim Dustrude continues his series with photos & stories about people around the island – here’s more about counselor & mental health therapist Shahn McGuire:

This is Shahn McGuire, a mental health therapist in Friday Harbor. She specializes in marriage and family therapy, including  children, and is one of few around here who does hypnotherapy.
(Click here for the rest of the story)

Photographer Tim Dustrude has put together a series of photos & stories called This Is Our Town about folks around the island, and his work is a regular feature here in the San Juan Update. Tim has been a professional photographer for over a decade, and does great work. Check out his website.

History comes alive….Henry Robert, in the 1800s….

A special visit to the island by a special guest, whose roots intertwine with the island’s history – here’s the story by Park Historian Mike Vouri:

Henry M. Robert, III will visit the earthwork constructed in 1859 by his grandfather on a visit to San Juan Island National Historical Park’s American Camp unit, scheduled 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 28.

The public is invited to attend this ranger guided walk, led by park historian Mike Vouri. Contact the park at 360-378-2240, ext. 2233 for accessibility information.

Robert, III began his association with Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised when he assisted his mother, Sarah Corbin Robert, in writing the 1970 edition of the originally published by Henry M. Robert, Sr., in 1876. He holds degrees in the Great Books Program of St. John’s College in Annapolis and in physics (Laval University, Quebec). He has served as Parliamentarian of the National Association of Parliamentarians.

Second Lieutenant Henry M. Robert, Sr.  of Company A, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was dispatched to San Juan Island by Brig. Gen. William S. Harney at the height of the Pig War crisis. Robert and his 10-man sapper was to report to Lt. Col. Silas Casey, by then in command U.S. troops on San Juan, who would place him in charge of creating a fortification for the naval guns, as per Harney’s instructions:  “…Have platforms made for your heavy guns, and cover your camp as much as possible by entrenchment, placing your heavy guns in battery on the most exposed approaches…select your position with the greatest care to avoid fire from the British ship(s).”

Robert and his crew landed on August 21 and almost immediately went to work, supplemented by details from Casey’s infantry and artillery companies. According to the diary of William A. Peck, Jr., one of Robert’s soldiers, the fort was “laid out of an irregular form 425 feet long above the natural ground; ditch 20 feet wide, not less than 8 feet deep.”

Peck wrote that the earthwork had been altered two days later, but gave no new dimensions. When the historian Hubert Howe Bancroft visited the site in 1887, he measured the work and jotted down essentially the same dimensions as today: 350 feet on the west side, 100 on the southeast and 150 on the northeast. Five gun platforms were completed, two of them at the corners, with the parapet seven feet above the interior, the exterior 25 to 40 feet, and ditch at the bottom from three to five feet across. Robert, an 1857 graduate of West Point, built the work based on knowledge gleaned during his studies at the academy under Professor Denis Hart Mahan. Mahan had first published a book on the subject in 1836 and had updated it over the years. The cadet curriculum also included hands-on construction of model and full-sized fortifications.

For all this back-breaking labor, the redoubt never fired a shot in anger. In fact, only three guns were ever emplaced and these merely fired a salute to Lieutenant General Winfield Scott when he visited Griffin Bay on November 7, 1859. The general had ordered work on the fortress stopped after he and British Columbia Governor James Douglas agreed to reduce their forces on the island.

In ensuing years, the work became known as “Robert’s Gopher Hole.” Nevertheless, as an instrument of policy — however misguided that policy may have been — the redoubt had done its work. It had served notice that the Americans intended to remain and spurred the British to time and again re-evaluate their options during the crisis.

After leaving San Juan, Robert went on to serve a long career in the Corps of Engineers, eventually retiring as the corps commander and a brigadier general. Along the way he found time for pursuit of his hobby, parliamentary procedure, which was eventually parleyed into the book still in print today.

Randy & Gail at Cotton Cotton Cotton….photo by Tim Dustrude

Tim Dustrude continues his series with photos & stories about people around the island – here’s more about one of Friday Harbor’s friendliest shops & shop owners Randy & Gail, at Cotton Cotton Cotton:

Gail and Randy Schnee moved to Friday Harbor in 2009 to escape central Florida where they had been living for most of their lives. Enough was enough after three hurricanes in one month. Gail was working dilligently at her Corporate America career job when she saw the tickertape style advertisment across the top of her screen (on the important work stuff she was researching on the internet), that said “GO KAYAKING WITH WHALES”, so she called Randy….
(Click here for the rest of the story)

Photographer Tim Dustrude has put together a series of photos & stories called This Is Our Town about folks around the island, and his work is a regular feature here in the San Juan Update. Tim has been a professional photographer for over a decade, and does great work. Check out his website.

Neil Armstrong

Beautiful message from the family of Neil Armstrong:

“For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request.

“Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”

They rock & they roll….The Tease put on a great show at The Rumor Mill earlier this month (that’s bassist Steve Cutting, guitarist Tim Dustrude, and Thomas Sandström (on chair & guitar) cutting loose, with singer Tim Lance in the background & Conrad (on drums, not pictured but definitely there)….the guys also put on a great show at the Fair last week.

Hope you’re getting outside  – quick, before the summer’s over….here are some of the folks you’ll see around the island:

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• Margaret Barker says there’s still room:

St. David’s Day School has limited openings for our Fall 20012-2013 Early Learning and Kindergarten Enrichment programs for ages 3-5.  Classes meet Monday-Thursday from 8:15-11:00 and 11:15-3:00.

St. David’s is an early childhhod facility that provides opportunities for preschool children to explore,reason, create, problem solve and communicate with a curriculum that naturally engages the developing mind.

For information call Margaret Barker, 298-4161 or email sddayschool (at) gmail.com. Applications available at saintdavidsepiscopal.org

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Avery Adams is featured along with Ed Wilson at this week’s Friday Harbor Art Market….photo by Ted Strutz.

• The Art Market continues for two more weeks – here’s more from coordinator Debbie Pigman:

Thursday, August 23. Friday Harbor Art Market, 5-8pm. Brickworks Plaza.
The art market, showcasing the work of about 20 artists, welcomes Good Earth Farm with their fresh, local produce, as well as two new artists, selling sea glass jewelry and mixed media items.

Music will be by Ed Wilson (5-6:30pm) and Avery Adams (6:30-8pm) and massage will be provided by Lavendera Day Spa. Contact Debbie Pigman 360 378-0951.

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• Drop by Isle Be Jammin’ on Spring Street – Kirk is starting up the fall lessons for guitar, ukelele and more this week!

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US Senator Maria Cantwell took a moment to pose with a young friend at the Democratic Party’s booth last Friday at theSan Juan County Fair…photo by Alison Longley (thanks, Alison!)

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• Islanders help with the Cle Elum fire in Central Washington – here’s more from Chief Steve Marler:

On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 14, two fire engines left San Juan Island to assist nearly 1,000 firefighters from around the State of Washington to battle a wildland fire near Cle Elum.

When they left San Juan Island, the “Taylor Bridge” fire was rapidly growing, threatening multiple homes and power lines, and was completely uncontained.  Since their arrival, Lieutenant Tad Lean and Firefighters Michael Henderson, Matthew Dobbs and Joseph Foriska have been working the night shift, helping to keep the fire from jumping containment lines and looking for spot fires.  As of Monday morning, the fire has grown to more than 23,000 acres but is now nearly 50% contained.

San Juan Island Fire Rescue participated in the Statewide Fire Mobilization System, coordinated by the State Fire Marshal.  The system reimburses participating agencies for their costs.  The firefighters that participate gain valuable experience that they can bring back with them and share with all of the island’s firefighters.

San Juan Island Fire Rescue serves all of San Juan Island – including the Town of Friday Harbor – as well as Brown and Pearl Islands.  Through a contract with the State Department of Natural Resources, the fire department also provides wildland fire suppression for all of San Juan County’s non-ferry served islands.

Predominantly staffed by volunteers, the agency operates eight fire stations, numerous fire engines and other vehicles as well as the region’s only fire boat.  In 2011, the fire department responded to 285 calls for service.

Residents of Brown, Pearl and San Juan Islands are encouraged to contact the fire department if they are interested in becoming a firefighter.  The next recruit academy begins on September 5^th with an evening orientation meeting at the Mullis Street fire station.

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Musical group Sabu rehearses music from the Malinke tribe of Guinea at Jackson Beach on San Juan Island in Washington state on August 14, 2012. Photo by Aaron Shepard.

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Gretchen Allison’s Duck Soup Inn is featured the “Just 5 More Minutes” blog…great writeup! Photo courtesy of “Just 5 More Minutes.”

• There are beautiful photos (hey, you gotta see this!) and a wonderful writeup for Duck Soup Inn, one of the island’s treasures here. Just great.

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• This may seem a bit random, but I just read a great article about how the Finnish school system may offer some lessons in how to educate kids better….take a look & see what you think. It’s good to check out people who are doing it right….

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• The parks are looking great, and there is still work to do – here’s more from the National Park Service’s Shaun Hubbard:

I would like to extend a thank you to the San Juan Islands Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society for getting the word out, and to Mike Vouri and Jerald Weaver of the National Park Service for an informative walk and talk at American Camp on Sunday August 12. We learned about the geological and cultural history of the prairie, how nature and humans have altered the landscape, and about the Park’s Prairie Stewardship Plan.

There are only 3% of native prairies remaining in the Puget Sound region, and we are fortunate to have the largest in the County, right here in our own National Historic Park (both at American and English Camps). The health of the prairie is threatened, however, and that is why the Park is embarking on a restoration/stewardship plan.

Now our Park needs to hear from us – what we envision the future of the prairies to be and what are some ways to get there. Comment forms are available at the Park’s booth at the Saturday Farmer’s Market or the Park’s office at 650 Mullis Street. You may also submit comments online at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/sajh or by email at [email protected]. Please send in your comments by September 4. Thank you.

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• Jan at Wolf Hollow tells me they could use a handyman volunteer for a couple of hours….can you give a hand?

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• Let’s check what’s on tap at Lavendera Massage this week:

Heart to Heart
Thursday, August 23.  7-9pm

Frustrated with miscommunications?

Needing to feel heard, seen and understood?

Compassionate Communication teaches tools to connect empathically and authentically with ourselves and others.  These tools enhance all relationships for individuals, couples, families, organizations and ultimately communities, engendering compassion between people.  This introductory workshop introduces a study of Marshall B. Rosenberg’s NVC, used in over 65 countries bringing people together in peace and harmony.

Presenter, Nancy Soans, has been training the public for over 30 years in a variety of areas, working with children, individuals, couples and organizations.  See www.constructivecompassion.com.

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This is from a month ago, but what a great picture of a rainbow, as seen from the Elwha…photo by Rae Schouweiler (thanks, Rae!)

Start at The Bluff for one of Chef Kyle’s creations….photo by Jay Friedman

One of the cool things about living here is that there are more viable, solid restaurants per square inch on the island than most places, and all of ’em (if you ask me) are great.

Jay Friedman

A Seattle-based writer (he’s also a sex educator) named Jay Friedman came to the island & put together a nice review of nine places to eat, and made a slideshow of the food & wrote up why he liked whatever he ate….here’s the website (be sure & click through the slide show!) The website is called Serious Eats, and you can see why.

Bet you’ll think so, too.

Featured:

Duck Soup Inn
Market Chef
Cafe Demeter
Bakery San Juan
The Bluff
Talking Horse Ranch
Red Checkered Picnic
Pelindaba Lavender Farm
Sweet Shoppe At Roche Harbor

An all-San Juan Island Music Festival is planned for Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012  (Labor Day Weekend) at the former Browne’s Lumber vacant lot at 330 Spring St. in Friday Harbor.  The all-day event will feature 8 performances from these San Juan Island bands & artists, playing jazz, rock, blues, folk, ragtime, and vaudeville:

The Fabulous Rhythmatics, The San Juan Jazz Quintet, Teddy Deane, David Bayley, the One More Time Big Band, Kate Schuman, Gretchen & Beau, and The Argyle St. Traditional Jazz Band.

This San Juan Lions Club event will offer hot dogs, sandwiches, beer, wine, soft drinks, plenty of seating, sun and shade, and fun.  Admission at the gate will be $10. Kids 12 and under free.

Proceeds will help fund the many Lions Vision and Hearing projects. A goal is to purchase a digital vision screening unit for preschool aged children. Currently no such screening is available, and the screening device will be made available for all the children of our county.