The Kiwanis Club’s Fourth of July Pig War Picnic is coming up, and it’s better than ever. Besides the hit activities of the past such as a cakewalk, pie-eating contest, and amazing barbecue; four island bands will be performing – One More Time Band, Legacy, The Tease, and The Good Husbands.

Look for a reminder during the parade, which will advertise all the wonderful sponsors. If you’re interested in some great advertising for your business and a chance to support a one-of-a-kind community event, contact Nancy Fusare at 317-5825.

See you right after the parade at 11:15am at the Historical Museum on Price Street for this great island tradition!

Remember the transit of Venus across the sun last week? Here's what Flo McAlary-McFarland sent: "Here's a picture that my daughter Jean Niland took on our home porch using binoculars and a sheet of white paper. Photo enhanced to give it a red background."

Let’s see what’s going on:

• Sandy has some leftover plants from her sale – now’s your chance to help her out:

I had a great plant sale yesterday but still have a table full of vegetable starts to help find homes for. To that end I will be holding a customer, neighbor and friend appreciation sale today from 1-5pm. Veggies, and a few herbs and perennials available free—asking only for donations for the Brickworks rehabilitation project in return. See you there. 316 Bailer Hill Road (look for the plant sale sign.)

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The new sign....

Here’s the word from Dori & Kate at Stillpoint School – it’s graduation season!

Hey, Ian –
Happy June!! We wanted to send you two fun pictures. The first is of our 2012 graduates, Caroline and Mia! We held our Graduation and Promotion Ceremony yesterday, and it was fabulous! We even had sunshine. 🙂  The second photo is of our new sign, which was donated by a community member to celebrate the successful completion of our 5th year!! We hope you’re doing very well and are having a wonderful start to June!

Dori and Kate

Dori & Kate with their latest graduates, Caroline and Mia.

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• You know the outrigger club still meets at the Jackson’s Beach boat launch, right? They get together each Tuesday & Thursday at 5 and Sunday at 10….Shannon Calverly says anyone is welcome! Come give it a try (you’ll love it!)

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The opening is on Friday.....

• Phil & Robin have a show at The Bean Café coming up this weekend – here’s the story – see you there!

Opening this Friday, June 15, local artists Phil Tate and Robin Meyer-Tate will exhibit their art at The Bean Cafe 6-8pm. Oliver Strasser will be providing music. More than a dozen art pieces ranging from maritime models fashioned in the classic tradition, sculpture, and impressionistic oil painting will be shown.

Phil’s life has been a passion for boats. Robin grew up in a family of artists, minored in studio art at UPS, and studied painting, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, and art history in graduate school.

Four years ago Phil and Robin married. A gift of their coming together has been a nurturing of their creative.

This show is a celebration of their inspired life together.

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• Just spoke to Traci Walter & she says the marine mammal stranding training is coming up – here’s more:

The San Juan Islands Marine Mammal Stranding Network began operating as a program of The Whale Museum in 1981. It operates under the auspices of the National Marine Fisheries Service through a Stranding Agreement which allows responders to investigate, collect data and potentially handle live and dead marine mammals that come ashore.

Most of our live strandings involve harbor seal pups. When appropriate, some live animals are transported to Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Dead animals in fresh condition are studied through necropsies conducted at the University of Washington Friday Harbor Labs by scientists from The Whale Museum and the SeaDoc Society. Continue Reading

Alison Johnston will be one of the artists featured at the Market (left, with Debbie Pigman)....photo by Cyndi Brast

Debbie has been planning & scheduling & getting it all ready to go, and opening week is finally here – drop by the market this Thursday – here’s more from Debbie Pigman:

Friday Harbor Art Market Kicks-off First Season

Friday Harbor welcomes a new evening experience.  The first full season of the Friday Harbor Art Market begins on Thursday, June 14, 5:00pm-8:00pm, at the Brickworks Plaza on Sunshine Alley.  There will be about 20 artist booths each week with a variety of local artists’ creations for sale: pottery, jewelry, photographs, clothing, sculpture, textiles, paintings, soaps, woodwork, and more.  There will also be a little food, plus live music throughout the evening.

The Art Market ran a short four week season in in August, 2011, right after the Brickworks Plaza was complete and participants are excited to embark upon a full twelve week season at this facility, perfect for outdoor events. The Art Market provides a new venue for our artists and musicians and a new evening experience for tourists, as well as our island residents and their visitors.

For more information, contact Debbie Pigman,  [email protected]  or 360 378-0951.

Bill & Rita’s show is coming this coming weekend, as it has for nearly 30 years – wahoo! Here’s the scoop:

Dance Happy Time!
Join Bill & Rita Ament and more than 60 local island performers, children through adults, ages 2 on up, as they entertain you in their 28th annual celebration of dance and song.

See the little ones as they charm you with their fun dances and first stage debut. Go wild with the Zumbatomic Kids in “Move Your Body” and “Me Gusta A Mi.” Have a giggle with the “Cat & Mousies.” Get down with “Head & Shoulders.” Clap your hands to the Rappin’ Tappers and the “I Want To Be A Hero” Kids. Feel the rhythm of the San Juan Island Stompers. Snap your fingers to the Swing Tappers and get happy with the colorful twirling costumes of the Monarca Mexican Dancers. Wow yourself over the sequined exotic Belly Dancers and our electrifying Zumba Salsa Dancers, too. Be inspired by other local talented musicians and singers as well. Lots of fun surprises!

Bill & Rita Ament’s traditional Dance Happy show is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, giggle, aah, ooh la la, smile, wiggle, wow, clap, cheer and be totally inspired.

San Juan Community Theatre, Saturday, June 16th at 7pm.

Tickets are: $16/Adults $ 8/Children
$ 5/Student Rush
Sponsored by: Kings Market

You already have it on your calendar:

Ingrid from SSIS says: “Spring Street School graduates Sat. 2:30pm at the Community Theatre. Everyone is welcome.”

Friday Harbor High is at 5 today, and Griffin Bay High is at noon on Sunday at the middle school!

Hanna Burke (FHHS '07) is congratulated last weekend by Cynthia & Christopher as she graduates from the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in California....

Hope your day is off to a great start!

•  Just this week saw a black fox (those are usually the red fox) running across the Courthouse lawn….reminds me of back in the mid-1990s, when we had wild turkeys flocking across the lawn & the streets downtown….

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•  This is the weekend for dancing at the Rumor Mill – The Tease play tonight & the Chameleons play Saturday night. Local rock & roll at its best!

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• Have you been out to Duck Soup Inn yet this year? Today & next Friday are the last two Happy Hour Fridays for the summer (until September!), and they are now open Wednesday through Sunday, 5-10pm for dinner.

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• Friday Harbor High’s graduation is tomorrow at 5pm – see ya there! It’s in Turnbull Gym…

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Down at clock dock....

Lots going on – let’s check in:

• It’s time to get your soccer kids going – here’s the story from Travis & the soccer association:

I know there is a lot of other things going on with school winding down, but please help me get the word out to your friends about registration!

1.)    If you haven’t already, please go to www.islandsoccer.org to register!  Prices go up after Friday 15Jun12. Just a little over a week away. Registration closes much earlier this year – 01Aug12.

2.)    There are lots of opportunities to play soccer this summer.   Here are a few:

NW Soccer Camp  The early bird discount has passed, but you can still get $50 off. Once you register and get the confirmation email, send them back a note saying you are with SJ Soccer and they’ll credit your account.  This works for San Juan Island residents only.

Island Rec has several camps.  Please see their website –here is what it says:

British Soccer Camps are back this summer, with week-long skill development camps for ages 3-13! New this year for teens ages 13-17 are the TetraBrazil Soccer Camps; TetraBrazil brings the flair and passion of Brazilian Soccer to Friday Harbor! Expert coaches will teach techniques, footwork, and technical instruction in a fun and challenging environment. There’s a soccer camp for everyone this summer.

A new island organization FANS is sponsoring a FREE British Soccer clinic on Saturday, June 23 at FHES.

There have been community soccer games happening at FHHS on Sundays at 3:00 and Thursdays at 6:00.  We’d like to try and get more young kids out there.  Check the Facebook page to keep up to date.

Thank you,
Travis Ayers, President
San Juan Soccer

Travis Goff, and friend....

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• I checked with Marilyn Goff & she tells me Travis is still aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Persian Gulf, where’s he’s been stationed since December…looks like he’s got visitors, though – Miss America dropped by to cheer on the folks aboard ship….

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• Looks like the Soundwatch BBQ is tonight – it’s detailed here (scroll down a bit) & starts at 6pm!

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• The Garden Tour is coming up! Here’s more from Dot:

The San Juan Island Garden Tour is this weekend.  June 9th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

There are four exquisite gardens for you to enjoy. Garden One is a town garden that was once a lawn that has been transformed into a gorgeous “tea-taking” English Garden; Garden Two is the “jewel” It blends every aspect of a Northwest Garden and more.  It blends old plants and new.  They are all beautiful gardens, but this one captures my heart.  Garden Three is a landscapers dream when it comes to dogwoods and grasses and ever blooming lilacs.  This property is exquisite – especially the beautiful dogwoods and the expanse of the property and the ever-blooming lilacs Garden Four is on Afterglow Drive;  This one will take your breath away.  It is an all native plant establishment right on the beach.

Please join us for the tour.  You will not be disappointed.  If you want to participate, you can purchase tickets at Browne’s Home Center, Robin’s Nest, Griffin Bay Bookstore.

This is a great event for our island. It benefits the Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden that provides fresh produce to the Food Bank each year and we also provide many other services to the gardening community.

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• Weather reporting on the island has always been a bit spotty in places – maybe something like this would help:

Looks like rain, maybe....

Brickhouse is playing!

Looks like we’re gonna have some special guests! Here’s more from Leslie & the folks at the Animal Shelter:

Actor Ken Howard Attending Wags to Riches

The Friday Harbor Animal Shelter will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this year at the WAGS to RICHES ‘MONTE CARLO NIGHT’ on Saturday, June 16th, 2012 5-10pm.

Ken Howard

Special guest for the evening will be actor Ken Howard, best known for his role as former Chicago Bulls player Ken Reeves in the television show The White Shadow. He was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild in September 2009 and elected to a second term in September 2011. Ken and his wife Linda are strong advocates of rescue shelters around the country.

This is going to be one of the islands’ premier fundraising events that you’re not going to want to miss! The event will be held in the San Juan County Main Fairground Building and the venue will be decked out to the hilt! Casino gaming to be provided by Casino Events of Seattle, featuring Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Poker with professional tables and dealers. Great food, spirits, fantastic silent auction, ‘over the top’ raffles, and a whole lot of fun! Enjoy live music and dancing with Seattle’s premier dance band ‘Brickhouse.’

Ticket purchase includes $500 of gaming script. At the end of the gaming, turn in your chips or script for some great raffle prizes, including a weekend getaway for 2 to Vegas! Dress is evening or party attire / black tie optional. This is going to be a night to remember! Tickets are available at the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor. Price is $85 per person for advanced purchase and $125 at the door. Seating is limited, so get your tickets early. Call the shelter at 378-2158 for ticket information or if you would like to donate to the auction. And don’t forget that raffle tickets for the Costa Rica Dream vacation are still available at $10 each and the drawing will be held at the WAGS event!

The Carl Verheyen Band

Carl’s back! Here’s more from Jan at the Community Theatre:

Rockin’  w/The Carl Verheyen Band June 8

Proclaimed one of the top ten guitarists in the world by Guitar Magazine, Carl Verheyen and his band share those talents with islanders in an acoustic concert at San Juan Community Theatre on Friday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m.

A critically-acclaimed musician, vocalist, arranger, producer and educator, Verheyen has produced 11-CDs and two live DVDs that have been released worldwide.

For more than 25 years, his multi-faceted career has included touring with his own and other bands, including as lead guitarist for the British group, SuperTramp; and as one of Los Angeles’ elite “first call” session players.  He has played with a virtual who’s who of the music industry: everyone from Christina Aguilera, Dolly Parton and B.B. King to the Bee Gees, Cher and Little Richard.  His vast collection of movie soundtrack credits includes The Crow and The Usual Suspects and he can be heard as a featured soloist in the Pixar film Ratatouille.

Carl’s bandmates have many successes of their own to share. Dave Marotta on bass has played with such talents as Burt Bacharach, Gino Vannelli, Manhattan Transfer and Bruce Hornsby. During the past few years, Marotta’s projects have included working on Colbie Callaits’ debut platinum-selling album, Coco and Kenny Loggins’ release, How About Now. Drummer/percussionist Walfredo Reyes, Jr. has played with Santana, Steve Winwood, David Lindley and others. His successful combination of Latin, Afro-Cuban and World percussion with the drum set has made him one of the most in-demand musicians today.

The business partner for this performance is Islanders Bank.  Tickets are $26 for adults and $13 for student reserved with $5 Student RUSH at the door.  The SJCT Box Office is open Tuesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and one hour before any performance.  Tickets are also available on-line at www.sjctheatre.org

It was great to see Chris Trienens and her jewelry on the Artists Tour this weekend - she was set up with Becky Kilpatrick (at her studio) and Willow Rose....

Time to get out & check it out:.

Gail, wearing one of Jenn's shirts from LOEA Designs!

• Here’s the word from Gail & Randy at Cotton Cotton Cotton:

We are now open 7 days a week and starting summer hours!

Open every day Monday – Friday – 10:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday – 9:30am – 5:30pm

We have lots of new merchandise too!

We have FRESH PRODUCE which is primarily made in the USA! FRESH PRODUCE is known for its original prints, vibrant color and stylish, comfortable clothing.  They are feel good clothes that women will want to wear every day!  We also have 3 exclusive prints of tee shirts from local Jenn Riggs from LOEA Designs, our biggest selection of Dansko we have had and even pajamas and windbreakers at great prices!  Come in and see us!

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It was cool to see this in the lobby at Skagit Valley College/San Juan Center, in case some one has heart problems....thanks to the Realtors!

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• Here’s a note from the Whale Museum:

SOUNDWATCH BBQ POTLUCK FUNDRAISER

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Location: Snug Harbor, 1997 Mitchell Bay Road, Friday Harbor

Sponsored by: The Whale Museum, Soundwatch Boater Education Program

Admission: Free, Donations Accepted

Save the Date!

The Whale Museum’s Soundwatch team is holding a fundraiser BBQ Potluck.  Join the Soundwatch crew for a potluck to meet the new team and raise a few dollars to help pay for Soundwatch days-on-the-water!

We will have the grills going and will provide some goodies.  Please bring your own reusable plates/cups/utensils and a potluck item to share or something to throw on the grill.  Carpooling is recommended as there is limited car space – please park up on the road and walk down to Snug.

The event is free and open to the public although donations are requested.  Money raised will be used to fund Soundwatch days-on-the-water this season.  Without strong community support, our efforts will be limited this summer season! The Soundwatch Boater Education Program works to reduce disturbances to marine mammals and the Salish Sea ecosystem by promoting responsible boating and wildlife viewing practices. To run the Soundwatch Program for a full season of education and research costs $500 per day. We hope you will help us raise the funds for a full season of public outreach, boater education, monitoring, and data collection on endangered killer whales while promoting the stewardship of the marine resources in the Salish Sea.

If you are not able to attend, you can still help Soundwatch online! Visit www.whalemuseum.org. Click the big yellow “Donate Now” button to help the Soundwatch Program. Be sure to mention Soundwatch in the comment field

Hope to see you there!

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Love the lighter new growth on the hemlock...a reminder that we all have a bit of growing left to do, each day, each year. Photo by Update nature photographer Josie Byington.

What do you do when you’re the Byrds, singing “Mr. Tambourine Man,” and Dylan walks on stage in the middle of the song? Play on…

Sing along:

Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me
I’m not sleepy and there is no place I’m going to
Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me

In the jingle jangle morning I’ll come followin’ you.
Though I know that evenin’s empire has returned into sand
Vanished from my hand
Left me blindly here to stand but still not sleeping
My weariness amazes me, I’m branded on my feet
I have no one to meet
And the ancient empty street’s too dead for dreaming.

Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me
I’m not sleepy and there is no place I’m going to
Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me
In the jingle jangle morning I’ll come followin’ you.

Take me on a trip upon your magic swirlin’ ship
My senses have been stripped, my hands can’t feel to grip
My toes too numb to step, wait only for my boot heels
To be wanderin’
I’m ready to go anywhere, I’m ready for to fade
Into my own parade, cast your dancing spell my way
I promise to go under it.

Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me
I’m not sleepy and there is no place I’m going to
Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me
In the jingle jangle morning I’ll come followin’ you.

(this one’s not in the vid….)

Though you might hear laughin’, spinnin’ swingin’ madly across the sun
It’s not aimed at anyone, it’s just escapin’ on the run
And but for the sky there are no fences facin’
And if you hear vague traces of skippin’ reels of rhyme
To your tambourine in time, it’s just a ragged clown behind
I wouldn’t pay it any mind, it’s just a shadow you’re
Seein’ that he’s chasing.

Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me
I’m not sleepy and there is no place I’m going to
Hey ! Mr Tambourine Man, play a song for me
In the jingle jangle morning I’ll come followin’ you.

(this one is….)

Then take me disappearin’ through the smoke rings of my mind
Down the foggy ruins of time, far past the frozen leaves
The haunted, frightened trees, out to the windy beach
Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow
Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free
Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands
With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves
Let me forget about today until tomorrow.

Great to see Presley's donation to Locks of Love, the folks who make wigs & hairpieces for friends around the world who have lost their hair during cancer treatments....

I wasn’t surprised to see Tea from Harper Poesy cutting hair at the Farmers’ Market, but I was surprised to see Presley Clark getting hers cut – she’s had long hair all her life…it’s all for Locks of Love, which makes her now-short hair look that much better. Way to go, Presley!

Here’s a little video of the moment, by proud papa Ken:

Here’s the story, submitted by Michelle Loftus, San Juan County Republican Party Chair and Washington State Republican Executive Committee Member:

San Juan County Republican delegates enjoyed a successful State Convention in Tacoma this week. Delegates Michelle Loftus, Rebecca Johnson, Nick Johnson, Alex Gavora, Cindy Carter, Dennis Hazelton and Levi Rawls engaged in workshops, lectures and convention voting with alternates Brian Ehrmantraut, Curt Wickstrom and Nathan Carter. Brian Ehrmantraut and Curt Wickstrom gave delegate speeches before a crowd of 2000. Mitt Romney received the majority of delegates to National Convention but Ron Paul and Rick Santorum delegates will also be represented at National Convention in Tampa August 25th. This allows Ron Paul and Rick Santorum delegates to further their candidate’s message to the national platform even though Mitt Romney will obtain the National Republican nomination for President. All will be united for Mr. Romney’s campaign.  Continue Reading