There’s a lot going on – check it:

A tribute to Jimi….

• It was awesome last January, and here’s your chance to catch the Hendrix Tribute – here’s more from Jan at the Community Theatre:

They rocked a solid house at San Juan Community Theatre during the opening of their U.S. tour earlier this year, so it seemed only natural to ask the three islanders back for a summer session this Saturday, August 25. From their vintage attire and outrageous choreography to their authentic period backline, A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix recreates the sounds, sight and feel of the legendary guitarist’s performances, with hits like Purple Haze, Hey Joe and All Along the Watchtower.

In addition, before the music starts at 8 p.m., the Theatre will open a special Purple Haze Café for the evening at 7 p.m., featuring purple concoctions and brownie treats for sale to set the scene.

All San Juan Island residents, the band features guitarist and vocalist Carl Ray Blake, who has worked in acoustic engineering, PA systems and custom fly bars/trusses for artists such as Harry Connick, Jr., Nirvana and George Strait. Blake also has played with platinum-selling artists Roger Fisher, Mike Derosier and the late Kurt Cobain.

Drummer and percussionist B.C. Dolsen worked at Grammercy Records for six years and has recorded with Grammy winner Garey Sheldon, Pat Sample and Albritton McClain. He is a veteran of numerous tours, sessions and fill-ins in Los Angeles, New York and Seattle.

Bass guitarist and back-up vocalist Hunter Blake is classically trained and studied extensively under Sharon Ray of the National Guitar Workshop. He has shared the stage with Allen White of Yes and Albritton McClain of Donnie Iris.

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Members of the island’s re-enactment group, Battery D, go through gun drill
at English Camp earlier this summer…

• Head historian Mike Vouri at the National Parks Service says this will be a moving tribute:

Howitzer Salute to Mark NPS Founders Day at American Camp

A howitzer salute with full military ceremony will mark the National Park Service’s annual Founder’s Day at San Juan Island National Historical Park at 4:30 P.M., Saturday, August 25 on the American Camp parade ground.

The cannon, a replica 12-pounder Mountain Howitzer owned by the local living historian group Battery D/Company D, will be crewed by volunteers in full 1860’s US Army uniforms, typical of those worn by soldiers at American Camp during their garrison duty between 1859-1872.

The event is free and open to the public. Call 360-378-2240, extension 2233 for accessibility and other information. A golf cart is available for transportation from the visitor center to the parade ground.

The salute will mark the first time a howitzer has been fired at American Camp since all cannon were ordered removed in November 1859 as part of the agreement for the joint military occupation of the island by the army and the British Royal Marines from March 1860 to November 1872. During the Pig War crisis period, July-November 1859, the various U.S. company batteries conducted target practice in the sand dune area east of Pickett’s Lane. A shell fragment from those exercises is on display in the American Camp visitor center.

“This is a unique opportunity to see a slice of American Camp history come alive, right at the base of the flagpole where a gun was once positioned for daily reveille and retreat,” said park historian Mike Vouri. “We also look forward to celebrating the birth of one of the most remarkable government conservation agencies in the world.”

The ceremony will mark the National Park Service’s annual observance of its beginning in 1916 by a Congressional decree known as The Organic Act. A brief history of the park service and San Juan Island National Historical Park will begin the program, followed by the lowering of the American flag and the howitzer salute.

Soldiers from Battery D, Third Artillery, pose with a Napoleon cannon at the American Camp flagpole in October 1859.

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• Know your island! Walk! Here’s more from Eileen:

Sat. Aug. 25, 1-4pm for this month’s Know Your Island Walk. Meet Eliza Habegger,  San Juan County Land Bank steward. Walk the King Sisters Preserve trail and learn about agriculture and the Preserve. Farmer Rob Waldron will give a special talk and off-trail tour of the farm operation.

Meet and park at 3827 San Juan Valley Road where the road takes a 90-degree turn to the north. Look for the orange cones at the open gate. Length is 1.5 miles, round trip. Terrain is roadside trail and farm field. Rating is easy. NO DOGS PLEASE due to the presence of livestock.

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• Calvary Church’s Joe Gamez tells me that on August 26, Calvary San Juan will host the last night of California pastor Greg Laurie’s annual evangelistic crusade at Angel Stadium of Anaheim live in Friday Harbor via satellite broadcast. Here’s Joe telling you about the evening:

For more info, check the website.

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• Drop by the IMA & put your bid in – here’s more from Emily Reed:

The Silent Auction of Ernest Brooks’ iconic black/white underwater photographs, on display at the Islands Museum of Art, ends on September 5 at 5 pm. Brooks, often referred to as the Ansel Adams of underwater photography, is donating 100% of the auction proceeds to the exhibition program of the Museum.

Brooks’ photographs can be viewed at the Museum or on the museum website: www.sjima.org

Auction materials are available at the Museum, 232 “A”Street in Friday Harbor (directly above the ferry lanes). Museum Hours: Thursday-Sunday 11-5. For additional information: IMABrooksauction (at) gmail.com

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• This is so generous & wonderful – remember to book your sunset cruise with Crystal Seas Kayaking THIS SUNDAY! For this month of August only it is $100 per person, and 100% of that goes to Jessica Oldwyn and Bryan Posenjak, dear friends and Friday Harbor locals, who are battling cancer. Kayak To Save A Life. ♥

See you out on the water!

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• The Big Red Barn Event is on tap for this weekend, and GOP County Chair Michelle Loftus says everyone is welcome…she says:

San Juan County Republicans will host the Big Red Barn Event on Saturday, August 25, from 12-4pm at Thorndike’s Big Red Barn on Cattle Point Road. The annual salmon BBQ will showcase candidates in the November election.

San Juan County Republican Chair Michelle Loftus hopes anyone looking for solutions to county, state and national issues will come. Candidates will be speaking and providing ‘one on one’ time with folks. Bring a question, idea or a solution to join in the conversation. Also bring $20 for the event admission. If you have questions contact Dennis Hazelton at 360-378-2596, Michelle Loftus at 360-378-4738 or visit our website www.sjcrp.org

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Classic cars….drop by!

• Car enthusiasts, philanthropic ladies and gentlemen, and nature lovers are all invited to the Sports Car and Rotary Clubs’ event, Concours d’ Elegance. 

The event is being held at the beautiful San Juan Vineyards and will take place on Sunday, August 26 from 11am to 3pm. This is the 6th annual event and the net proceeds will go towards the San Juan Island Family Resource Center, Fish for Teeth, and the Rotary International Polio Eradication Project.

The afternoon will include a judged event of beautiful vintage sports cars, antique autos, motorcycles and special interest vehicles. Last year there were 78 entries; this year they expect over 80, including a Porshe.

Interested in entering your automobile or motorcycle? The vehicle entrance fee is $30 and $15 for motocycles. This includes an entrance donation for two people and an event poster of a painting by local artist Gary Mathews. Each additional vehicle entered is subject to a $10 fee. Jim Corenman, President of the Sports Car Club of the San Juan Islands, also announced that “activities for Entrants and Car Club Members including a BBQ lunch are being planned for Saturday August 25 to welcome our off-island Entrants.”

Just want to enjoy the atmosphere? General admission is free but a voluntary (and tax deductible) contribution of $10 would be highly appreciated.

Additional details and an Entrant Registration Form can be found at http://www.sanjuanconcours.org/.

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Dr. Lorraine McConaghy will present a program based her new book, “New Land, North of the Columbia.”

San Juan Historical Museum and Humanities Washington present
An Illustrated Travelogue of Washington Territory and State History 

Sunday, August 26, 2012 at 4:00 pm

San Juan Historical Museum Resource Center on 323 Price St.

Well-known Pacific Northwest historian Dr. Lorraine McConaghy will present a program based her new book, New Land, North of the Columbia. The research project for New Land involved more than a year of travel throughout Washington, drawing from archival material ranging from maps, correspondence and public records to patent drawings, menus and paper dolls. This presentation is highly visual and deeply engaging. Dr. McConaghy is a public historian who has devoted her professional life to researching and teaching Pacific Northwest history in a museum setting.

The book New Land, North of the Columbia features nearly 400 documents, including a telegram to Washington Territory’s governor signed by Abraham Lincoln, the rough draft of Theodore Roethke’s “The Rose,” and a NASA map of Washington, shot by Landsat satellites. Copies of New Land will be available for signing and sale provided by Griffin Bay Bookstore.

Richly illustrated by a colorful PowerPoint presentation, this program explores the rich shared heritage of public archives in Washington State, documenting who we were, who we are, and who we might become. This program concludes with suggestions on caring for personal archives, including a list of printed and web-based resources.

The event is jointly presented by the Lopez, San Juan and Orcas Historical Museums and Humanities WA. The program will also be presented on Friday, August 24 on Orcas at 7 pm, Saturday, August 25 on Lopez at 7 pm at Port Stanley Schoolhouse. Admission is free and open to the public.

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Give a hand…

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• Val Curtis (co-editor for Bonbon Break) told me her son Cole came to a realization, at the Fair last week:

C was having a COMPLETE meltdown as we were leaving the fair. The reason: “Cotton candy is NOT GOOD! I have been WAITING for it and it tastes like TIGER FUR!!!”

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As the weather cools a bit, there sure is a lot going on….let’s check it out:

• Ezra Paskus, Outreach Specialist for the Mobile Community Service Office West, Department of Social and Health Services in Olympia, invites you to drop by if you need a hand:

Hi – could help us spread the word?  The WA State DSHS Mobile Community Service Office will be at the Family Resource Center at 500 Market Street, Friday Harbor, on August 22 and 23 from 11 am to 5pm, both days. It will be available to the local community to apply for food, cash, and medical assistance, drug and alcohol treatment services, child care services, replacement EBT cards, dropping off paperwork, completing reviews and making changes to existing cases. Thank you!

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• Did you see how the 8.8 Loop Run turned out, last Saturday? Here’s more, on the Island Rec website…..

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Tonight!

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• The Whale Museum continues its Research Lecture Series on Wednesday August 22 at 7:00pm with Breck Tyler of the University of California Santa Cruz and the University of Washington Friday Harbor Labs. Here’s more from Cindy Hansen:

Breck Tyler is a researcher with the Institute of Marine Sciences at UC Santa Cruz with 35 years experience studying the ecology and conservation of seabirds and marine mammals in California, the Pacific Northwest, and Hawaii. Currently he oversees programs to monitor seabird and marine mammal populations and reduce harm to these populations during oil spills. Each winter, he studies nesting albatrosses at Midway Atoll.

Breck is also a visiting professor at the University of Washington Friday Harbor Labs where he is currently teaching a biology of marine birds and mammals course. He also teaches a research apprenticeship at the Labs each fall focusing on marine birds and mammals in San Juan Channel.

The August 22 lecture is free and open to the public, although donations are encouraged.  For more information, call (360) 378-4710 ext. 23. The Whale Museum is located in Friday Harbor at 62 First St. N.

Founded in 1976, The Whale Museum’s mission is to promote stewardship of whales and the Salish Sea ecosystem through education and research.  In addition to providing exhibits, the Museum also provides programs including the Marine Naturalist Training, Orca Adoption Program, Soundwatch Boater Education, San Juan Islands Marine Mammal Stranding Network, and the Whale Hotline.  The Whale Museum can be found on-line at www.whalemuseum.org.

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Proud parents Vic & Monique Woodward report that daughter & FHHS grad Erin looked beautiful on her wedding day… she married Raymond Thompson on Aug. 3 in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. Erin and Ray will make their home in Santa Barbara, California, while Ray pursues training to be a commercial diver.

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• Here’s Coldwell Banker’s real estate report for the first half of 2012, prepared by Merri Ann Simonson.

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That’s Marjorie & Conrad with their son Graham earlier this summer….sunny days!

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• Hey! Do you need to take Driver’s Ed? I love what Sam Leigh is doing with her business, giving folks a local option for the classes – here’s when things get going this fall:

Right of Way Driving School’s next class session will meet MONDAYS and WEDNESDAYS beginning Monday, September 10th through October 29th, from 5:30-7:30 pm with the registration deadline on Wednesday, 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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I love this short, one-minute split-screen photo essay, from the World Wildlife Fund:

More than half the Fairgrounds building featured photos from islanders…awesome. Photo by Kevin Holmes.

The Fair sure was fun last week, hey – and here’s part of the excitement, all in one place:

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Captains Hobbes (left) and Jim escorted their ladies (Deborah & Sharon) to the Fair….photo by Tamara Weaver.

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The EMS folks took a moment to pose….photo by Kevin Holmes.

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Beautiful horse on a sunny day… photo by Ted Strutz

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Regan & Dean, enjoying the Fair…photo by Tamara Weaver

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I passed Carolyn Adler with her grandson Hayden on the last day…they both had a great time!

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The wizard at work – Kevin Roth shows how to make something out of bits of everything…photo by Kevin Holmes.

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Ivan & Brendon take a short break on the rides….photo by Kevin Holmes.

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And last but not least, a little Update Minute vid by Rebecca Leff:

After the Fair, the summer always seems to be heading for autumn, but not before all the songs are sung….here’s one more summer song, from Chad & Jeremy, back in the day:

Listen to the mustn’ts, child.
Listen to the don’ts.
Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts.
Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me…
Anything can happen, child.
Anything can be.

Shel Silverstein

Another great day in the sunshine with lots of events and smiles…

Liz Varvaro from the Food for Thought Program at FHHS talks to Sen. Maria Cantwell when she was visiting the Fair…

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Former Montessori teacher Jodi Zeisel is back for a visit to the island and is reuniting with her students. Crazy to think that the 3 and 4 year olds like Elwyn Pratt and myself are college kids!

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The young band “Almost Canadian” received a visit from their even younger fans…

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One of the better choices I made on Thursday was going on the paratrooper during the hottest part of the day. The breeze and view of the water from the top was beautiful. But the paratrooper is great at night too!

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Former FHHS language arts teacher Jane Weil-Smith was a great smiling face to see at the Fair…

It was a hot & colorful day at the Fair yesterday – here’s a glimpse with Update photographer Rebecca Leff:

The lines begin to form – today is Kids’ Day: get one pass for $22 & ride as much as you want from noon to 5pm. Photo by Kevin Holmes.

Do you think she’s having a good time? 🙂 Photo by Bob Stavers

Let’s see what’s up:

• Just got a call that Senator Maria Cantwell will be at the Fair from 3:15-4:15, starting at the Democratic Party booth, inside the Fairgrounds building…..drop by & welcome her to the island!

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• Along with The Bourne Legacy & Total Recall, just-released Your Sister’s Sister (filmed in the San Juans) opens tonight at The Palace Theatre for a week – here’s a review.

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• Be sure & drop by the Fair for music tonight, as Polecat plays, with Lloyd Jones on tap for tomorrow night!

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Yu know him as Santa at Christmas at Roche Harbor & in town, and you know his smiling face when he’s driving for San Juan Transit each year – he’s lived here 23 years & his love for the island shows – happy 70th birthday (yesterday) to Steve McMurtrie! Photo by Mariah Hughes 

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Cooling down yesterday – we used to call this a “poor man’s swimmin’ pool” when I grew up in the South – looks like James’ kids & the neighbor kids are cooling off! Photo by Kevin Holmes.

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Yup – that’s a blended mocha on a hot day, from Friday Harbor espresso!

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When Tom & Ingrid Palm came to the island last week from Beaverton, OR for the three-city Road Scholar program, they had a chance to catch up with their cousin, Rob Nou (right), who worked in a visit between serving as sheriff, setting up for the Fair, and keeping pretty busy, the way we do.

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Have you been by Friday Harbor Pet Supplies lately? Tyrone (above) was asking about you…..

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Wolf Hollow’s cookie booth is what the Fair is all about….drop by & get yours today! Photo by Tamara Weaver

Here’s one for you this morning from 2009, as Simon & Garfunkel knock out The Boxer:

It sure was warm & pretty out, during the opening day of the San Juan County Fair yesterday – here’s are a nice collection of smiling faces photographed by Update reporter Rebecca Leff:

As people gear up for today’s opening of the Fair (and the possibility of warm, maybe hot weather through the weekend – wahoo!), here’s a chance to take a peek at the 2012 Fair. Most of the photos were contributed for this slideshow by Aaron Shepard, Cere Demuth, and Ted Strutz. Check it out!

As a former Friday Harbor High School soccer player since freshman year, it will feel strange to not go through the week long 2 practices/day that starts up just after the Fair ends. But I’m not the only one who will feel a change this year. Along with a new batch of kids, there will be a new coach, by the name of Paul Hopkins. 

Paul at his work – the San Juan Fitness Center

Paul first got the notion that he’d be a good candidate for coach at the Field of Dreams Fundraiser back in May. He has had experience coaching soccer at the elementary and middle school ages for the past 7 years, and helped coach high school softball last spring. His enthusiasm and excitement are easily sensed, but he also has a deep appreciation for how significant his role as a coach is. Some of the major things he expects to build as a team and for each individual are work ethic, playing smart, and helping the team achieve its own goals.

What’s in store for the fall?

Paul has all sorts of plans for this year, which has has already started a bit with summer sessions. He expects about 30 girls to try out, which he will divide into varsity and JV. Nobody is guaranteed a position, regardless of year. The JV team, led by Emily Carrington and John Carrier, will not be making cuts, so anyone who wants to play soccer can. Some of the JV players will also play through San Juan Soccer, making their schedules extremely full with a total of soccer 7 days a week. That’s a serious love of the game!

The transition to high school soccer shouldn’t be terribly difficult for Paul, as he will have the help of last year’s assistant coach Sarah Ware, plus his daughter Samantha knows the ropes from playing JV last year. He’s been coaching both his daughters’ age groups for years, so he knows the families and kids very well. I believe that seeing their progress over the course of high school will be particularly rewarding for him.

About 2.5 years and the tremendous efforts of many hardworking locals such as Liz Illg later, the San Juan Islands Scenic Byways Corridor Management Plan is complete!

Dan Ward, the founder of San Juan Transit, and Liz Illg, CMP coordinator

The logo for our Scenic Byway, which will be displayed more often in the coming months…

What is the CMP? Simply put, it’s a plan created by an offisland consultant  and the Scenic Byway Sterling Committee, which includes members from groups of many different types that are interested in common goals of stewardship and visitor enhancement. The plan outlines historical sites and particularly scenic locations for visitors while protecting the existing nature, culture, and history of the San Juans. It’s a recommended plan for the future of the SJ Scenic Byway, with a list of goals to accomplish and strategies in which to do so. These intents range from greener and more plentiful transportation for tourists to enhancing the existing facilities  to creating and placing interpretive displays along scenic locations. It’s all listed here if you’d like to read it; the plan makers put a lot of effort into making the goals reflect what the community thinks should be done.

Speaking of the community, who was involved in this?

The CMP effort was coordinated by Liz Illg and members of the Steering Committee were Deborah Buchanan, San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau; Sandy Strehlou, Town of Friday Harbor Historic Preservation Program; Melissa Johnson, Washington State Ferries; Terri Gilleland, Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce; Shannon Wilbur, San Juan County Public Works; Dona Wuthnow, San Juan County Parks and Recreation; Judy Cumming, San Juan County Land Bank; Peter Dederich, San Juan Island National Historical Park; Michel Vekved, Friends of Moran State Park; Cathy Faulkner, Orcas Pathways; Stephanie Buffum, Friends of the San Juans; and Hawkins Pingree, San Juan County Agricultural Resources Committee. A number of citizens from San Juan Island and Orcas Island also participated in public workshops and provided input during the planning process.

Want to know more about Byways on a national level? 

The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The program was established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. Known as “America’s Byways,” roads in the Scenic Byways program are cherished for their scenic, natural, recreational, historic, cultural or archaeological qualities.