It's this coming weekend!

I’ve heard about this from Oren at the Rumor Mill, and Brooke & Kerry &  lots of people….I hope you get a chance to help out this family & this special little boy….here’s more:

Fundraiser for Atlas Story Dickson
Saturday, March 3rd

Robert and Jessica Dickson had their baby Atlas on Dec. 13th 2011 10 weeks early, due to contracting Cytomegalovirus or CMV.

He weighed a slight 1lb 14oz. He’s gone through multiple blood transfusions, antibiotics, steroids, diuretics.. .and more. He’s doing so much better, and every day getting stronger. He now weighs a solid 5 pounds, although he has a ways to go until he will be cleared to come home.

Please come and help celebrate San Juan Island’s littlest guy!! ALL AGES WELCOME. Suggested donations at the door $20 per individual/$30 per family.

Music starts at 6:30pm *KELS BOREEN PROJECT *JOSH CLAUSON  *JULIA and the DREAM. There will be a silent auction, filled with wonderful contributions from our great island community! Also, Peggy and Oren will donate  net proceeds from their sales this night to the Dicksons.

Here’s what’s on for the next meeting (thanks, Dot!):

The San Juan Island Garden Club welcomes a representative of the food program at the Friday Harbor School System (Liz Varvaro, from the FHHS food program) to tell us about the new food program and how they utilize local food products in the cafeteria and all food elements.  Funding concerns for the program will also be presented.

Please include that the RSVP deadline date for attendance is February 29.  The phone numbers to call are Dot Vandaveer 378-8306 and Joyce Harrell 378-6146

Whether it’s behind the clouds or shining in your heart, here’s a nice version by Graham Nash, David Crosby & Paul Simon, for George:

Let’s see what’s up ’round here:

• There’s a public meeting this weekend at the Mullis Center at 1pm with Sheriff Rob Nou, who will visit with members of the community (who called the meeting) about the pervasive hard drugs on the island. Rob told me yesterday that the most frequent question he heard during the campaign in 2010 was “What are we going to do about the drugs here?”

It’s rotting our people, our workforce, and yep, our kids. And yes, it’s real. Time to get going on this.

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• It’s true – Mitzi Johnson turns 70 today!

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• It’s confirmed: Next Tuesday teller Carolyn Adler returns from nearly three months of knee surgery & recovery, back to work at Wells Fargo – welcome back! We’ve all missed you! (Drop by & say hey!)

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Alycia Rae & Johannes

• Cool to read in an Alaskan paper that Johannes Paul is getting married this spring…here’s more from the article.

Johannes graduated in 2005 from Friday Harbor High as an all-around great kid, leading the soccer team to a one-goal near-win to the state champs in the 2004 Final Four (he was captain) & to the State Academic Championship. Great leader, great student, great human being.

All the best to him & Alycia Rae!

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• Brilliant idea! Here’s my new business plan….

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• This is sorta cryptic, but Rob DOES bring good films – here’s more from Rob Simpson & his Conscientious Projector series:

Hi, Ian and everyone,

I mentioned the title of our next film at last month’s screening.  But because the film is still showing in some theaters, I AM unable to mention the title in print.

This is the new documentary created by a super-succesful  Hollywood director who suffered a near-fatal and life-changing accident. This film is the result. It has been called: “Entertaining and enlightening….a spark of light and a work of love,” by Marianne Williamson.

Come to the screening and share your thoughts. Hope to see you there.
Monday • 7:00pm •  (February 27) •  In the library.

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• Sad to hear that former sheriff Ray Sheffer passed away this past week….he was sheriff in the ’70s & ’80s here on the island, and before that, police chief in Las Vegas. Here’s the story from the Vegas paper to fill you in on the part of his life before he got here.

He’ll be missed….

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• Sure was nice to see the State Senate recognize the Whale Museum’s Soundwatch program &  declare our Kari Koski “Awesome” (or whatever they did). She is.

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It’s always a good idea to have a song for what you’re feeling & thinking & dreaming…I know so many islanders who tell me that at least a little part of their day is spent thinking & feeling about friends & lovers who are away off-island, some far away & some really far away (like Bellingham or San Diego or Thailand or the remote parts of Canada).

Here’s James Taylor’s song for that, to get stuck in your head (and maybe heart) for the morning:

Crow, looking for leftover picnic food at Jackson's Beach....photo by Update wildlife photographer Josie Byington

Let’s look around the island & see what’s up:

• The new Lavendera Massage Center is starting a Speakers Support Group at Lavendera 10am-12pm on Monday for folks who want to give talks about mind-body-spirit topics at the place….call 378-3637 for more info!

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• Just checked….Judith’s phone at the Barking Bird, 378-3647, is 378-DOGS. She tells me she tried for bird, woof, and bark, but they were all taken.

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• I know you were wondering – Judy reports that the Elwha on the Rocks drink goes like this:

Hi Ian.  The drink is equal parts Meyer’s Rum Creme and Meyer’s Rum over ice.  The Meyer’s Rum Creme can be found on eBay.  We found this recipe in The Spokesman-Review article dated November 10, 1983.

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• The next one is this Saturday:

KNOW YOUR ISLAND WALK, FEB. 25, 2012, 1-4pm.

Meet Boyd Pratt, local historian and author, to walk from the Roche Harbor Hotel to the Mausoleum, learning history of the area. Meet in front of Roche Harbor Hotel.  Park on lower road that leads to the boat ramp and market.  Length is 2mi. R/T.  Terrain is paved road and wooded path.  Rating is easy-to-moderate. Dogs on leashes are welcome.  Rain or shine!

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• Jenny at the Whale Museum invites you to meet the guy taking Kari’s place with Soundwatch:

The Whale Museum invites you to a “meet & greet” with the new coordinator of Soundwatch, Eric Eisenhardt. It will be held on Wednesday, February 29th beginning at 4:30 p.m.  Eric joined The Whale Museum team in January and is working on plans for the 2012 season.   Eric will share his ideas for Soundwatch as well as discuss the important role of volunteers and supporters for this unique community-based program.

The evening will begin with a light reception, providing an opportunity for more informal conversation.  We hope you will join us to welcome Eric to our team.

Eric holds an M.S. from the University of Washington and a B.S. from Stanford. He brings a variety of experience and skills to the program plus he is a long-time islander. With over 15 years of experience, he has held positions with SeaDoc, Beam Reach, Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife – and even The Whale Museum, where he worked on marine bird surveys, the bottomfish recovery program, necropsies, and SeaSound.

The February 29 event is free and open to the public, although donations are encouraged.  For more information, call (360) 378-4710 ext. 30.

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• Help support the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor by attending the 4th Annual “Spay”ghetti Dinner on Tuesday Feb 28th. All proceeds benefit the shelter’s Spay/Neuter programs!

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Late in the show, Catherine (Natalie King) confronts the choices ahead....

I got a chance to see the dress rehearsal of Proof last night, and it is one you won’t want to miss.

The show has been described as a love story to mathematics, but I thought it was more a love story centered on the way we take care of our families, and the struggles that can take. When two daughters are sorting out their reactions to their dad’s passing, it brings to the surface a number of insights, and more.

The story focuses on Catherine (Natalie King) as she copes with the death of her beloved father (Mike Herber), who struggled with mental illness in his last years, and as she deals with issues of her own. Her sister Claire (Julie Greene) and her dad’s former student Hal (Douglas Schirmer) return to the family home with their concern for Catherine, as well as the things they need to work on in the wake of the mathematician’s passing.

This is a breakthrough performance for Natalie, as she is on stage nearly the entire time – she manages the incredible range of emotion & reaction that swirl through her character, making a complex person come alive on stage. Julie and Mike connect well with Natalie, making a tight family unit that has been through a lot, and still are working to get there together. Douglas is a delight, as his care & concern for his mentor’s daughter shine through, mixed with his sometimes nerdy but charming clumsiness. Director Merritt Olsen can count this one as a success, with good pacing & a nuanced treatment of the script that comes alive…it’s a good, experienced cast putting on a good show.

Great script – you can see why it won both a Pultizer Prize and a Tony for “Best Play.”

Get your tickets now…you’re going to like this one. Here’s more.

An Evening of Stories and Pictures with Sadock Johnson, Tanzanian Safari Guide and Youth Advocate

The Mullis Center, Thursday, February 23, 7:00pm, Reception Following

Sadock Johnson (known as “Johnson”), will talk about his life growing up in East Africa, working as a safari guide, and developing programs to help poor communities and street children in Tanzania.  Johnson was born in a village in East Africa, and was educated in village schools, where he completed secondary school.   He was able to pursue further education, did research on gorillas and elephants, and became a highly regarded safari guide.

As his work brought him into contact with poor communities throughout Tanzania, he began looking for ways to use his own success to help others, especially children.  In 2006, Johnson and a partner founded Foot2Afrika-Tanzania.  This organization places volunteers from developed countries into local organizations in need of help.  However, Johnson continues to think big, and he is working to develop a day center and trade school for street youth in Moshi.

Sometimes we see so much, and sometimes it’s just the angle.
This cartoon is courtesy of Randall at xkcd.com (thanks!).

Cartoon courtesy of xkcd.com (thanks!)...click for a bigger version.

Sometimes I wonder how much our technology gets between us…like when I see a sunrise & reach for my camera & realize I left it at home – how will I share the sun with you, or on Facebook, or with my mom?

It is my hope that all this tech stuff is a first step for bringing us together…

Shilo Shiv Suleman speaks here for only seven minutes at TED: India, but opens a world of possibility for story telling & dreaming….

Over at Stillpoint School: Got this nice note from Dori & Kate: "Hi! We hope you've been having a great February! It was fun to see that you mentioned the Governor's proclamation about February being Private Schools Month. Thank you!!! We took a few pictures of our students celebrating-- they're really excited to be recognized on the state level! We thought you would enjoy seeing them. We hope you had a great Presidents' Day weekend!"

There’s lots happening around the island (someone from off-island called me the other day & asked, “Isn’t it slow there? It’s not summer.” Baby, we LIVE here…there’s lots to tend to! If you wanna slow life, move to the city!)

Let’s see what’s up:

• This weekend at the Rumor Mill: Friday, The Duotones, with special guest Debbie Strasser! On Saturday, Tony hosts live band karaoke with T:FLO, and on Sunday it’s the San Juan Jazz Quintet from 6-8pm. See you there!

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• One of my favorite blogs ON THE WHOLE INTERNET is Val Curtis’ Mental Chew, which always leaves me hungry (great food ideas) & intrigued (great idea ideas). She heard that Territorial Seeds Company was connected to Monsanto & followed up on it before ordering this year’s seeds – here’s how the conversation turned out.

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• There’s more & more evidence that there are land-based pathogens showing up in marine mammals, but in both the US & Canada, funding for studying this is drying up. Not a good way to go – here’s more from the Vancouver Sun.

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• Here’s the first in a series of presentations at the new Lavendera spot, next to the Little Store:

INTRODUCTION TO CROSS FIBER MASSAGE
Free presentation on Cross Fiber Massage for professionals and the general public.
Thursday, February 23rd, from 7-9pm at the New Lavendera Massage Center.
285 Spring Street.

Cross Fiber Massage is helpful for:
Parkinson’s and Bell’s Palsy • MS and scoliosis
For active people.
Works across muscle fiber to: Cleanse tissues, Release spasms, Break up scar tissue, Relax the whole body.
Save your hands & Work longer and more efficiently.

For professionals, an 8 CEU day-long class will be held at the Lavendera Massage Center in late March.

Instructor Suzanne Getz: BCSCT, RPP, LMP, is an elder of Cross Fiber Massage. She is a scholar of somatic healing, a master massage therapist with 26 years of practice. She currently lives on Lopez.
For more information on Suzanne’s work check:
www.serenacenter.com  • www.crossfibertraining.com.

For more information about the class contact: Lavendera (360) 378-3637
info (at) LavenderaDaySpa.com

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"Grazing Orcas Island" (14x11) by Matt Dollahite

• Pretty cool to see Matt Dollahite‘s got his new website up – you can check it here. He tells me Barbara’s will be posted soon, so I’ll let you know when it’s ready, too!

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San Juan Island EMS rocks!

• You already knew I’m a huge fan of our Emergency Medical Services folks here on the island, and here’s more reason to be – here’s the scoop in this press release from Cady Davies:

San Juan Island Emergency Medical Services / Island Air Ambulance responded to a record number of emergency calls and transported a record number of patients in 2011.

These accomplishments were recognized by the Commissioners of San Juan County Public Hospital District during their public meeting on January 25, 2012.

San Juan Island EMS / Island Air Ambulance responded to 1266 emergency calls, a 22 percent increase over last year. These accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and commitment of the over 30 EMTs, 9 paramedics and transport nurses, and 8 pilots who individually responded more than 7,000 times – during all hours of the day and night – to assist fellow islanders and visitors in need.

2011 also saw more than 550 patients transported to mainland hospitals via Airlift Northwest helicopters, Island Air Ambulance, the ferry, and the Sheriff’s boat Guardian. The SJI Public Hospital District sponsors Island Air Ambulance, which is a community-based fixed wing air ambulance program operated in partnership by Island Air, Inc. and SJIEMS. Among a number of innovations, it is one of only a few air ambulance services in the nation that can boast utilization of critical care RNs and EMT flight crews.

“It’s not just a matter of a record number of patients but the quality by which they were transported. SJIEMS was recognized as being #1 in the nation for patient satisfaction based on patient surveys conducted independently by EMS Survey Team in the fourth quarter of 2011 and Island Air Ambulance carries a perfect safety record,” stated Commissioner J. Michael Edwards of the Public Hospital District.

“Both organizations are working very hard to fully integrate with the new Peace Island Medical Center…we as a community could ask for no better and are very appreciative of their efforts,” he added.

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• Alisa Shoultz tells me it’s time to sign up:

Lighthouse Preschool EARLY enrollment is open March 1^st!

Current students, siblings of past students of Lighthouse Preschool, and children of Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church members are eligible for EARLY enrollment.

• Toddler Group (2.5 yr olds by 9/4/12)
  Tue.-Thurs. 8:30 am-11:00 am •  $150/mo.
• Morning Preschool (3 yr olds by 9/4/12)
  Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 am- 11:00 am • $185/mo.
• Afternoon Preschool (4 yr olds by 9/4/12)
  Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 am- 2:30 pm • $205/mo.

For more information call the Church 378-4544 or stop by to pick up an application packet during the following times: Mon, Wed, & Fri: 9:00 am- 1:00 pm.  Tues. and Thurs. 9:00 am -3:00 pm.  The church is located at 425 Spring Street.

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• And…you know today is Ash Wednesday – here’s more from Torrey at the Presbyterian Church:

Ash Wednesday Service • February 22nd 5:45pm
at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church
As we enter into the season of Lent on Wednesday February 22nd, we have the opportunity to participate in a short service of scripture and prayer. There will be the traditional imposition of ashes for those who desire it. The meditation will consider Romans 6:4  “…just as Christ was raised from the dead…we too may live a new life.”  All are welcome.

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• The County Republicans have meetings this week on Orcas & Lopez, and planned for May for San Juan – here’s more from Michelle Loftus:

Saturday Feb 25th we will host a Lincoln Day Breakfast on Orcas 9:30 at the American Legion on Crescent Beach Road as well as a lunch on Lopez 1:00 at the Community Church in the Village. Herb Meyer and Fredi Simpson will be speaking. More details available on our SJCRP Website. San Juan Island’s event will be in May.

The new store opens on the third!

Just got the word from Amelia Powell at Pelindaba that the new store will be opening next week – here’s more, in her press release:

Pelindaba Lavender today announced the opening of a new store and product gallery in the historic downtown area of La Conner, Washington on March 1, 2012.

Pelindaba Lavender La Conner’s grand opening celebrations will be held Saturday, March 3, 2012 – 10:00am to 5:00pm.

“As a native of Skagit and Island Counties, I am excited to be coming ‘home’ and to be bringing Pelindaba’s extensive line of all-natural personal care, therapeutic, culinary, decorative, household and pet care lavender products across the channel from San Juan Island to La Conner,” said Nancy A. North, proprietor of Pelindaba Lavender La Conner.  “Sustainable agriculture is an important facet of life in Skagit Valley.  I am looking forward to connecting the valley and island’s local, organic agriculture communities with this venture.”

The La Conner store follows close on the heels of Pelindaba’s retail expansion to California.  Its launch is the latest development in Pelindaba’s expanding retail licensing program following a successful three-year retail trial program in Seattle and in Bellevue, Washington.

“With the opening of the La Conner location, we look forward to bringing our unique and elegant product line to our close neighbors in La Conner and the greater Skagit Valley,” said Stephen Robins, Pelindaba Lavender’s founder-owner.

“Partnering with others in this growing retail expansion on the mainland allows those of us on San Juan Island to focus our creativity and energy more fully on further expanding our farming and product handcrafting operations,” Robins added.

In 12 years, Pelindaba Lavender has steadily developed into a nationally prominent vertically integrated farmer of organically certified lavender, and manufacturer and retailer of more than 250 value-added lavender products handcrafted entirely by island residents.

It has also gained wide recognition as a unique model of sustainable community development as well as a highly popular regional agri-tourism destination.  Pelindaba Lavender was nominated for Washington State’s 2004 Governor’s Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and was the recipient of San Juan County Rotary’s first ever Award for Business Excellence in 2005.

Dealing with the vessel "Bear" at Deer Harbor on Orcas Island....

When I spoke to JoanRuth (mentioned below) about this back in November and December of 2011, I hadn’t really thought about it – what do you do (and what does the Port & the County & neighboring boats do) when an abandoned or derelict boat is in such bad shape it’s going to sink, or has already sunk?

There’s oil problems, pollution problems, and seashore bottom problems…and luckily, we have solution-oriented folks around here who have looked at this together, in today’s feel-good story about islanders pulling together to make it work.

Here’s the report from last week from the County Auditor’s office:

Derelict vessels are more than an eyesore in San Juan County: they are a risk to the environment, public health and navigation.  So when San Juan County gave up its Derelict Vessel program in 2009 because of lack of funding, it was a disappointment to a lot of people. But some local advocates never gave up.

In 2010, Terry Whalen of A-1 Marine Services spoke to the County Council and to many community groups about the possibility of bringing it back.  Over time, a consortium of community groups, led by the Friday Harbor Power Squadron and including Roche Harbor Resort, the San Juan Island Yacht Club, the Port of Friday Harbor, the Marine Resources Committee, Jensen Shipyard, Island Marine Center on Lopez, the Common Sense Alliance, and the Friends of the San Juans, all agreed to contribute money or services to a joint effort to support the County in managing derelict vessels.

The group agreed to pay half the County’s out-of-pocket expenses to run the program.  With that support, San Juan County Auditor Milene Henley led the charge at the County level, and the program was reinstated with a $10,000 budget, on the assumption that $5,000 of that would be paid by the local citizen group.

It took time to put the necessary contracts in place, but by the fall of 2011 the program was in full swing.  Joanruth Baumann, who formerly managed the program as a County Public Works employee, was hired to manage it as a contractor.  She jumped in with both feet and shortly had gone through the process to remove a long-term derelict from Deer Harbor.  In November, six days prior to its scheduled removal, the vessel sank, and what was expected to be an upland removal became instead a re-float and destroy.

Government moves slowly.  But this week, San Juan County received reimbursement for this first project under the new program.  Total out-of-pocket costs for the project were $25,710.20.  That amount included Baumann’s time; re-floating, removal, and demolition services; and solid waste disposal.

In addition, the County gets credit for “in-kind” services, which included donated use of Cayou Quay Marina’s boat ramp, IOSA volunteers, and 24 hours’ worth of time from Deer Harbor Boatworks.  With the in-kind contributions, the total base for reimbursement was $27,567.20.

Of that, 90%, or $24,810.48, was reimbursed by DNR.  Net County out-of-pocket expenditures were $899.72, and half of that will be reimbursed to the County by the citizen group.  Net cost to the County for managing this critical derelict vessel project: less than $450.

It doesn’t stop there, of course.  Since that project, Baumann has managed four other projects, and assisted DNR with managing two other vessels too large for the County to handle.  One vessel was removed and destroyed, largely at the cost of the owner.  One is close to disposal.  Two others—one re-floated after sinking—are currently posted and pending removal.

This is a great example of citizens working with the County and the State to promote and support a valuable community program.

The seal of accreditation...

This is pretty awesome – our Preservation Trust has gone through the long & tough process to get accredited, which adds to their stability, credibility, integrity & certifies that they’re the rock-solid outfit we know…here’s more from their announcement:

We are very pleased to announce that the independent Land Trust Accreditation Commission has awarded accredited status to the San Juan Preservation Trust. With this news, the Preservation Trust joins a prestigious group of 157 other land trusts (out of 1,700 nationally) that have achieved this distinction since this new accreditation program was launched in the fall of 2008.

“Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever,” said Commission Executive Director Tammara Van Ryn. “The accreditation seal lets the public know that the accredited land trust has undergone an extensive, external review of the governance and management of its organization and the systems and policies it uses to protect land.”

A team of Preservation Trust board and staff members worked tirelessly over an eighteen-month period to meet the rigorous demands of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission’s application requirements. The process was intense and demanding, but with the work came a heightened sense of confidence in our programs and operations.

As our board president Steve McKeon reminds us, “receiving this seal of approval from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission is really just the beginning of a perpetual responsibility. This should help to assure everyone that supports the San Juan Preservation Trust that the conservation work we’re doing today is truly positioned to stand the test of time.”

Accreditation does not change our mission to help people protect and care for special island places, but we hope that this new distinction reaffirms your confidence in our work and confirms that your support of the Preservation Trust is a smart investment in the health of our beautiful San Juan Islands.

The board of trustees and staff of the Preservation Trust

I’ve always liked Paul Simon’s “Still Crazy After All These Years,” and it was a pleasure to find James Taylor’s version (mad dog barkin’ crazy, it is)…see what you think: