The Whale Museum's Education Coordinator Cindy Hansen (lower right, in front) shares the re-assembled baby gray whale skeleton (kids from Conway Elementary came to put it together) with participants in Skagit Valley College's Road Scholar program on Tuesday....the Road Scholar folks come from all over the USA to explore & experience the San Juan Islands....

Happy Thursday to you! Let’s catch up on things around the island:

• Hey…I hear that the benefit that was being planned for Tim Lance is being re-scheduled – I’ll keep you posted when there’s more information, but for now it’s not happening this weekend…

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• You’ve heard that Vic & Monique Woodward & their gang is going on their Dominican Republic mission again this year – and when they go in mid-June, it would be cool if you could donate some shoes for them to take – here’s more:

Shoe Drive
Needed: Men’s athletic shoes for Haitians
Drop off shoes at these locations:
X-treme Fitness, San Juan Fitness, FH Presbyterian Church, Friday Harbor High

 Donate Shoes Today!
Dominican Republic Mission Trip – Basketball Camp
June 23 – July 1st, 2012

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The County Council honored departing County Administrator Pete Rose this week....

• From Stan Matthews, for the County:

Donald “Pete” Rose was honored for his service to San Juan County yesterday, Tuesday, May 23, at his last Council meeting as County Administrator. After six years as Administrator here, Rose is leaving to become City Administrator of Lake Forest Park, Washington, in King County.

In a Proclamation, Council Chair Patty Miller thanked Rose for his hard work and creativity as the first administrator under the County’s home rule charter, adopted in 2005. The proclamation also noted that Rose must now make a “difficult transition from these beautiful islands to a landlocked city where critical areas are places where unfavorable reviews are posted, and a marine environment is a club with military décor.”

Rose’s last official day on the job is June 8.

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• This weekend there’s another “Know Your Island Walk” scheduled – here’s more from Eileen & The Trails Committee:

KNOW YOUR ISLAND WALK

Know Your Island Walk:  Sat May 26, 2012, 1-4pm.
Meet Sandy Strehlou, Town of Friday Harbor Coordinator of Historic Preservation and Kevin Loftus, Director of San Juan Historical Museum. Take a tour of Post War Architecture in Friday Harbor, also known as Recent Past Architecture: 1945-1960.  Discover why these familiar and often under-appreciated buildings are considered historic and important to our heritage.  The walk ends with a private tour of the more distant past at the San Juan Historical Museum with eight buildings, each holding displays and exhibits.

Park at the Courthouse Parking Lot and meet under the heritage black walnut tree in front of the SJC Courthouse.  Lenth is 2 mi RT.  Terrain is sidewalk and museum grounds.  Rated easy.  NO DOGS, please.

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It's Saturday!

• This weekend there’s a special treat for you on Saturday – here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith at the Community Theatre:

New Island Music Group Premieres Saturday

From classical to pop to jazz…diverse music from a diverse ensemble of San Juan Island musicians brings “Melodious Notes over the Harbor” to San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m.

“It’s fun to put all of these wonderful talents together,” said clarinetist Sue Collado.  Collado (who recently moved from California where she performed with the San Diego Symphony and was the principal clarinetist for the La Jolla Symphony for 28 years) wanted to bring together her new island musician friends for a concert showcasing their individual talents.

Collado, pianists Sonja Zarek, Dorothy Baker and Grisha Krivchenia; pianist and vocalist Carol Hooper; and cellist Laurie Do will share solo or small group pieces from noted  composers including Mozart, Joplin and Ravel as well as the island’s own Alex Shapiro and Richard Hieronymus.  Shapiro’s piece, Intermezzo, was written as a response to “the waves of the ocean and a reflection of the ways of a more introspective, emotional sea.” Hieronymus just completed his Misty April Mornings (Oh, how I love them), a lyric clarinet solo with jazz chords that Collado and Zarek will play.

“I composed this piece for Sue and molded it daily through my April moods, hoping the music would speak for me to you, through Sue and Sonja,” said Hieronymus.

Collado says bringing together all of these artists has been a joy, and she hopes this will be the start of a new series of San Juan Islanders Chamber Music concerts.

The Business Partner for the concert is Islanders Insurance.  Tickets are $15 for adults, $8 for student reserved and $5 student RUSH at the door. The SJCT 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.

Tickets may also be purchased on-line at www.sjctheatre.org

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Yeah, it’s today – May 24th is Bob Dylan’s 71st birthday, so here’s “Like  A Rolling Stone,” and I’m putting the words here so you can sing along with him, first thing this morning:

Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn’t you ?
People’d call, say, “Beware doll, you’re bound to fall”
You thought they were all kiddin’ you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin’ out
Now you don’t talk so loud
Now you don’t seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?

You’ve gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you’re gonna have to get used to it
You said you’d never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but know you realize
He’s not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And say do you want to make a deal?

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain’t no good
You shouldn’t let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain’t it hard when you discover that
He really wasn’t where it’s at
After he took from you everything he could steal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?

Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They’re drinkin’, thinkin’ that they got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts
But you’d better take your diamond ring, you’d better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can’t refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You’re invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?

It's on Sunday!

Here’s the word from Karrie Cooper:

Join the Stewardship Network of the San Juans on Sunday, May 27 from 12-3pm at Lime Kiln Point State Park for our annual Sustainable San Juans event. Talk with local naturalists, listen for Orcas on the hydrophone, explore the water at a sea bird viewing station, enjoy hands-on activities and informative displays, including stories about the individuals and businesses that received 2012 Good Steward awards. Come enjoy a celebratory afternoon with us at our State Park.
SCHEDULE
12:00-1:00 Lighthouse Opens. Live Music.
1:00-1:30 Speakers from Stewardship Network & FOLKS
keynote from Judge Bruce Hilyer, former
WA State Parks & Recreation Commissioner
1:30-2:30 Interpretive Walks with Local Experts:
Marine Life, Woodlands & Geology
1:45-3:00 Lighthouse Tours. Live Music. Activities.

Interpretive Walks
The marine life interpretive walk will be led by Cindy Hansen from The Whale Museum and Noreene Ignelzi from San Juan Nature Institute.

The botanical woodland interpretive walk will be led by Madrona Murphy from Kwiaht, Center for the Historical Ecology of the Salish Sea.

The geology interpretive walk will be led by Greg Hertel, a Port of Friday Harbor Commissioner and retired geology teacher.

The Stewardship Network of the San Juans is a coalition of private and public conservation-based organizations whose vision is a healthy, thriving ecosystem in the San Juan Archipelago from land to sea. Join us in welcoming one of our newest members and host for this event, FOLKS – Friends of Lime Kiln Society. FOLKS was established to support Lime Kiln Point State Park. The Interpretive Center’s grand opening for the 2012 season is this Memorial Day weekend. www.stewrdshipsjc.org

Remember this from the 1980s? Here’s Jennifer Warnes & Joe Cocker:

Moving on....

Sally from Island Rec shared this – we’re gonna miss Rebecca…she’s done an awesome job:

Farewell Gathering for Rebecca Clarke!

 Island Rec’s welcomes you to stop by their office on Wednesday May 30 between 3-4pm to say farewell to Recreation Specialist, Rebecca Clarke.  Cake and refreshments will be served.

Clarke first started with Island Rec as a dynamic Camp Eagle Rock Director in the summer of 2008.  She continued her work with Island Rec during the winter of 2008 and was hired full time in the summer of 2009.

Her contributions to Island Rec and this community were great and varied.  She was adored by young children in the tumbling program; her creativity and fun loving spirit  made her popular with school age kids; and was respected by teen and adult athletes for her attention to the details of fair and competitive play.  In a most positive and genuine way she interacted with and touched the lives of hundreds of children, teens and adults while working at Island Rec.

For the near future Clarke plans to keep her home on the island.  She plans to make the most of a summer off of work enjoying island life, exploring other areas of the country and spending time with her family.

It was cool to her about this, from Kathleen Foley at the Preservation Trust, on behalf of the Stewardship Network:

“Good Stewards” receive recognition for island stewardship

Six islanders and one local group have received awards for their environmental leadership from the Stewardship Network of the San Juans this past week.

The Stewardship Network is a coalition of private and public organizations whose vision is a healthy, thriving ecosystem in the San Juan Archipelago from land to sea.  For several years the Stewardship Network has honored special individuals, families, teachers and businesses that have demonstrated, through their actions, conservation ethics that benefit our entire island community.

Many nominations for the Good Stewards award program were received.  This years’ award winners are Pete Kilpatrick of San Juan Island for his environmentally-friendly building practices and community leadership; Asha Lela of Lopez Island for her leadership in the Islanders for a National Conservation Area grassroots movement;  business owner Michael Budnick of Northwest Concepts on Orcas Island for his thoughtful landscaping business, Marta Branch of Orcas School District for her innovative science work with high school students, Sam and Carson Sprenger for their careful stewardship of Garry oak woodlands on Waldron and the Cedar Rock Biological Preserve on Shaw Island, and the San Juan Community Home Trust for their sustainable affordable-housing neighborhood on San Juan.

Full profiles of these amazing islanders (and, previous years’ award winners) can be accessed at www.stewardshipsjc.org after May 31.

The award winners’ stories will also be on display at the Sustainable San Juans Event, held at Lime Kiln State Park on San Juan Island on Sunday, May 27 from 12-3pm.  We encourage islanders to attend the event and enjoy educational nature rambles, music, and activities and booths hosted by Stewardship Network members.

Rainbow from the docks at Roche Harbor marina last night...photo by Kevin Holmes (thanks, Kevin!)

It was nice to see the rainbow at the end of the day Monday evening, reminding me that Emily Reed always says, “You gotta have rain if you want rainbows.” The rainy morning gave way to a warmer, breezier afternoon, and last night’s rainbow, visible on both sides of the island….

Here’s a quick rundown from FHHS athletic director Rod Turnbull:

Boys & Girls Golf –This past week, three members of the golf team advanced from the District tournament to the Tri-District event. From that event, Kendra Meeker, placed sixth carding an 86 for her round and earned a place at the state tournament for the second year in a row.  Kendra will compete Tuesday (today) and Wednesday at The Home Course in Dupont.

Boys & Girls Track –Willy Blackmon and Aaron Pragor each qualified for the state track last Saturday during the Tri-District meet at Kings HS.  Willy will advance in the 300 intermediate hurdles, and Aaron advanced in the long jump.  Qualifying for the state track meet means each is one of the top 16 athletes in their event for the entire 1A classification.

Just got this note from Mark over at the cemetery:

As Sexton of San Juan County Cemetery I must remove souvenirs, keepsakes, and tokens from headstones and markers in order to mow. The collection has become quite large and I have no more room to store them.

I would like to return them because I know they are important mementoes. On Monday “Memorial Day” I will put them on a table near the fence by Madden Lane for your retrieval.

Thank You, Mark DayVincent 

Sneaking up...photo by Monika Wieland

I love the pictures that folks around here take….you can check out Jim Maya’s on his Facebook page, Traci Walter’s on her photography website, and Monika Wieland’s on her naturalist-centered website – great stuff!

Taking flight....photo by Traci Walter

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Taking flight, part 2....photo by Jim Maya

On the tour this year: Wearable art by Mary Sly....

It’s coming up in a couple of weekends! Here’s more from Dan Wyatt:

What: 21^st Anniversary San Juan Island Artists’ Studio Tour
Dates: June 2^nd and June 3^rd, 2012
Where: Friday Harbor, WA. San Juan Island, Washington
Hours: 10am to 5pm daily

On the tour: Oil & mixed media paintings, by Becky Kilpatrick

The San Juan Island Artists’ Studio Tour is a free self-guided tour with 20 artists’ studios and 30 guest artists. We are a group of mutually supportive artists who have joined together to create a community event that celebrates the way we work in our personal studio spaces. Hundreds of people attend this free event every year.

In hidden drives and private workshops 20 artists on San Juan Island ask that you join them in celebrating the 21^st year anniversary of the San Juan Island Artists’ Studio tour. With a mixture of prints, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography, sculpture, and fiber, the professional artists open their doors and welcome the public to see where art is created and explain their processes. This is a chance to purchase art at the source, often before the art is shown in national art shows and galleries.

Visitors will gain a greater knowledge and clearer understanding of both the artist and their media. 30 guest artists exhibit their work.  The tour is a free event of art, guest musicians, lovely gardens, and a drawing for art at each studio.

Maps and brochures are available at www.sanjuanislandartists.com and at many businesses in Friday Harbor.  Follow this link to see the unique benefits of the Artist’s Studio Tour on beautiful San Juan Island in Washington State.

State champs! Senior Stewart Bell settles the ball at Lynden Christian...the Friday Harbor High soccer team was named State (1A) Academic Champs earlier this month - wahoo! That means they're the soccer team in our division with the best cumulative average for a team - way to go, guys! Photo by Susan Mazzarella.

Let’s see what’s going on around the island after that busy weekend, with another coming up….

• Besides leaving the island with great memories from his twelve years here, Merritt Olsen has left an island humming “Do Re Mi” & “Climb Every Mountain” and all those songs from The Sound of Music these last two weekends – I love the way he directs plays. The cheerfulness, good pace & clarity of his productions is a nice legacy for him to leave as he ends his time at the Community Theatre this month….

Great play, everyone!

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It's not even Easter, but the eggs at Farmers Market (Elizabeth showed me the ones she had just bought) are all kinds of colors....

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Dan Ward with San Juan Transit helps a Road Scholar participant disembark at American Camp as part of their tour a couple of weeks ago....

• Monday night’s Conscientious Projector film is Priceless – here’s more about this thought-provoking film.

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• Nathan Van Dick is the new youth pastor at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church, and he and his wife Katie (she works at he Earthbox Inn & Spa) got married late last year before moving to the island a couple of months ago – here’s more about our new islanders.

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It's this weekend!

If you love sailing, this is going to be a great evening…and it benefits the high school team! Wolfgang Chamberlain is an island boy who as a child took sailing lessons on Percich Pond. Later he taught sailing lessons on the pond, as well as coached our high school sailing team.  

His sailing career has taken him abroad to race for New Zealand, Italy and Spain. The most recent chapter in his sailing career is as the Head of the Shore Team for the Oracle’s Catamaran in the 2013  America’s Cup in San Francisco. Here’s more from Abbie & Mary Jane:

Wolfgang, getting ready for the America's Cup....(click for larger image)

Please join the San Juan Island Sailing Foundation and Friday Harbor’s own Wolfgang Chamberlain for dinner and an exciting multimedia presentation on the Oracle Team’s America’s Cup racing boats.

Wolfgang is is now working as the Head of the Shore Team for Oracle’s catamaran in the 2013 America’s Cup to be held in San Francisco.

Before dinner his presentation features the building of the winning team boat “Dogzilla.”

A second presentation after dinner will cover the building of the current high tech wing sail catamaran, with speeds in excess of 30 knots. Included in the evening is an auction and a raffle of Oracle Team Gear.

This memorable evening is a benefit for the San Juan Island High School Sailing Team and will be held on Saturday, May 26 at the San Juan Island Yacht Club from 6 to 9 pm.

Moana tells me:

Island Sinfonia, a twenty-plus year old which has musicians from all four ferry-served islands, will present a free concert on Sunday, May 20, at 3 p.m. at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church, 425 Spring St. The program will include works by Handel, Mozart, Satie, Haydn and George Gershwin.

Island Sinfonia has dedicated its spring concert series to the memory of Carol Tully, former second violinist.

It's Saturday!

Here’s the word from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith about this annual free deal for kids at the Community Theatre:

Teddy Bear Picnic Returns May 19
Island youngsters get to cuddle their favorite “teddy” during CATS’ annual Teddy Bear Picnic on Saturday, May 19.

The FREE event from noon to 2:00 in San Juan Community Theatre’s patio garden and Gubelman Room features face painting, crafts projects, refreshments and, of course, teddy bears!

This year, Merritt Olsen, retiring SJCT executive director, and local musician Kirk Fuhrmeister (Isle Be Jammin’) will be providing the entertainment.

The refreshments will include PB & J or grilled cheese sandwiches, fruit, juice and cookies in the shape of bears.

Each child also receives a complimentary stuffed bear from CATS and a book from the Early Learning Consortium and Critical Needs Task Force.

That's Michelle Loftus & Jan Murphy (with tea hats!) at Sunday's Wolf Hollow fundraiser at Coho Restaurant, drinking tea....photo by Update society news reporter & photographer Tamara Weaver

Islanders are gearing up for the summer & the nice weather ahead – get outside & play! Here’s more:

• It’s fun to see a maestro at work, and that’s what you’ll see when you drop by this estate auction this weekend – auctioneer Mike Adams is one of the best (I’ve seen him in action!)! Here’s more:

Big Estate Auction this Saturday
San Juan County Fairgrounds

Garden, furniture, tools, hardware, rugs…lots of great items!
Click here to see more photos. Preview Friday night 5 to 7 and Saturday morning 8 to 11 am
Live auction starts at 11 am!
Put on by Islands Auction Company • 378 2638 in Friday Harbor

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• Just heard from Teri at Be Chic Boutique:

We just received a new shipment of TOM’S shoes!!  They are absolutely gorgeous and will go quickly.  Hurry in before your size is gone!

The TOMS motto: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One.

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Last night, the “Let Us Eat Cake” fund raiser - an old- fashioned bake-off and bonfire - was held at County Park on Wednesday evening to help raise funds for the historic Brann Cabin restoration project.

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Abi Spring has an artist's talk at Waterworks Gallery this Saturday....

• Ruth at Waterworks Gallery is kicking off her “On The Surface” show this weekend with an artist talk by Abi Spring – here’s more:

May 19 – June 9, 2012
ON THE SURFACE

Kathryn Trigg, Monotypes, Joan Stuart Ross, Encaustic and Abi Spring,
Kiln Formed Glass
Each of these artists explores the surface of paper, canvas or glass in a different manner.
Working with printing inks and paper, Kathryn Trigg infuses the paper surface with up to 30 layers of color creating an amazingly complex colored surface. Joan Stuart Ross continues her process with encaustic painting and ongoing affair with nature in the wild, culminating in this new series of paintings.  Abi Spring, a former painter and a current kiln glass worker, explores glass from a painter perspective without
embedding volumes of color.

Artist Talk and Reception: May 19 Abi Spring

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Prize winners at the tea at Coho! Photo by Tamara Weaver

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• Stretching the week – getting closer to the season! Here’s more from Anna Lisa at Duck Soup Inn:

Just a quick note to let you know that this week we are expanding our days of operation from Thursday through Sunday. We are still offering Happy Hour on Fridays from 4-6! Thank you so much!

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• Can you lend a hand for an islander in need? Here’s more:

Tim Lance and Tami Derby moved from California to Friday Harbor in early 2009.  He worked at Marketplace for 3 years becoming the Dairy Manager and then for Carlson Enterprises.

Shortly after being laid off and having no medical insurance, Tim began to experience severe abdominal pain.  He went to see Dr. Gossom and was referred to a doctor on the mainland.  After several months of doctor visits off island, screenings, losing 40 lbs., and dealing with severe pain, Tim was scheduled for surgery.

On January 3, 2012 Tim had surgery and spent 9 days in the hospital. Tami took time off work to be with him during surgery and to help in his recovery.  A few days after being released from the hospital they noticed his incision was infected.  He had acquired MRSA while in the hospital.

There were more visits to the surgeon, and daily visits to doctors here. Tami arranged her work schedule so she could go home and care for Tim. Their medical bills have been accumulating and are well over $100,000 at this point.  He is recovering still and now looking for a job.  We, his friends, would like to help him.

Can you help?

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• There’s a movie this Sunday at the Library in German – here’s more from Mary Doerflein (and you’re invited!):

The cherry blossoms are blooming as Rudi befriends a dancer living precariously in a tent in a park near Tokyo and continue to bloom as the dancer, in turn, befriends Rudi as time swallows up his life’s tenure:  Sunday, May 20th, 6:30pm at the San Juan Library Meeting Room.  Sponsored by the German Interest Group (GIG). In German with English sub-titles.

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