This is from back ’round ’86 or so with Chevy Chase & Paul Simon…remember it? were you born? Either way – still cool…crank it!

Pat, with Pluto....

Just got this from Cindy Destaffany, about her mom:

Patricia Anne Somers DeStaffany passed away suddenly on the evening of 11 November, 2011. A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, November 20th, one-ish in the afternoon at the Rumor Mill Restaurant. Tea will be served. Pat’s friends are encouraged to bring a copy of a recipe inspired by or connected with her.

Remembrances in her honor may be made to the Animal Protection Society.

This is a good place to start, looking at this panorama that Aaron Shepard shot from the top of Mount Young....click on the picture to see it much enlarged in all its glory. Great shot - thanks for sharing, Aaron!

Let’s look around this grey, chilly morning….

Looks like baby Owen (left) and baby Hazel are best pals already....

• Sunday, islander Matt Wight and his wife Andrea welcomed twins Owen & Hazel into the world in Montreal where they live now…the proud grandparents are Pat Wight & Larry Wight; the proud island is this one.

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• The Home Trust’s Nancy DeVaux says this is tomorrow night:

The San Juan Community Home Trust‘s tenth annual “Dessert Night and Annual Meeting” is November 17th at 6:30 pm at Skagit Valley College in Friday Harbor. Please come celebrate with us!

Merle & Bonnie

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• Great to run into Merle & Bonnie Turman the other night at Surina Business Park…Merle says the chimney (and everything else!) business is good, and people have been telling me they love Bonnie’s Creative Passions shop right next door…and you better hustle – her classes fill up fast!

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• Crystal Campbell-Norbom says there are scheduled Girl Scouts Parent Information Nights on
Monday, Nov. 21st (6:30 – 8pm) & Tuesday, Nov. 22nd (6:30 – 8pm) at the EarthBox Hotel Conference Room. Drop in for Pizza, Prize Wheel and learn about Girl Scout programs, troops and the benefits of Girl Scouting.

Gabrielle's here!

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• Casey & Stacie Baisch sent over a picture of baby Gabrielle Lynn, born on the 8th & weighing 7lbs, 8oz. Welcome, Gabrielle!

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• Time to brighten the Island! Here’s more about Christmas lights from Peggy at the Chamber of Commerce:

Celebrate your Christmas Spirit!
Join your fellow downtown businesses in decorating 
Friday Harbor for the Holidays!
 Entry forms & fees are due Wednesday, November 30, at 5:00 p.m.
 Judging ~ Thursday, December 1st.
 Prizes will be awarded for all 1st place winners and
 the Grand Prize winner 
will have the opportunity to turn on the lights during the 
Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 2, at 6:30 p.m.

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Part of the reason there was a good sized mob at Monday's Chamber of Commerce meeting was the food - it was hosted by Surina Business Park & Lynn Danaher, Cakes by Felicitations (that's Felicty, left), and San Juan Pasta Company (Angel Michaels, right)...it was a happy meeting with good food (Angel & Felicity made a lot of new fans, as well as reminding the rest of us why we are), and a good chance to check in on friends.

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Peg

• I asked Tamara Weaver who she’s run into, lately:

I was lured into the Rumor Mill last Friday to the sound of Steve Dyer’s folksy guitar during Open Mic, and had the pleasure of bumping into a few friends, including Altier Salon’s Andrea Berlatsky treating her mom to some mother-daughter bonding, and Jim and Peg LeBlanc soaking up some atmosphere.

Peg tells me she’s now a full-time Islander, and offering her extensive experience as a therapist to anyone looking to improve personal relationships, manage pain, or just feeling a little low. She’s a self-described problem-solver & reassures us that we’re not crazy, just “worried well people” (That’s a relief!)  You can reach her on her cell, 619-778-4902. She’s also featured in the Psychology Today therapist directory. I walked away smiling. A great bit of wisdom from my meeting with Margaret:  “Contempt is one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.”

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Eddie Falls with his son Keith coming home from eye surgery, back on the ninth. Stephanie says Ed is at the convalescent center (Life Care Center) and invites friends to drop in & say hi!

Sally (shown here with Mike Adams last summer) passed away yesterday morning during treatment for cancer in the hospital in Spokane....

Just got a note from Patrica Benton that Sally Eaton passed away yesterday morning in Spokane…everyone who knew her knew her as one of the smilingest & happy people around, and many islanders counted her as a friend.

Patricia tells me that Sally was a big fan of Uncle Otto (Mike Adams, Steve Keys, and James Barkshire) as you can see in the picture, and that Mike Adams has agreed that at 8pm on Friday night when Mike Adams (and Bob Leytze) play as the Duo Tones at the Rumor Mill, they’ll lead everyone in raising a glass to Sally, and playing that night as a tribute to her.

Sally is going to be missed….

Coming out on top! L-R back row: Cole Hickenbottom, Coach Tim Barrette (not pictured: Coach Juan Lopez), Michael Hollar, Ian Williams, James Ronhaar, Conrad Bormann, Max Haenel, Sam G. Brown, Dalton Ayers L-R front row: Will Christison, Danil Sonjaya, Jordan Davis, Sam Barrett-Paul, Rick Smith. (Click on the picture for a bigger picture!)

Lori Ronhaar reports that the U-15 soccer guys (U-15 means “under 15 years old”) wrapped up a very successful season last weekend tied for the league championship with a 7-1-2 record & five more goals than the other co-champ. Way to go, guys!

Just got this note that you should check out the Visual Artist Registry at the IMA’s website since it just went live! Here’s more from Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso:

The Island Museum of Art & Sculpture Park (IMA) is pleased to announce that their online Visual Artist Registry is now a reality.  This registry is a generous resource extended to the visual artist community to highlight the artists living on the islands and promote the diverse artworks created by them. Membership in IMA as an “Artist Friend” is encouraged and required for inclusion in the registry.  It is exclusively available to visual artists living in San Juan County.

The registry was developed to promote goodwill in the local arts community, and in keeping with the IMA Mission Statement, to enrich awareness and understanding of the arts through education. Visual Artists on the islands should consider becoming a member of IMA to take advantage of future events and invitational shows that are now in the planning stages.  The IMA Visual Artist Registry can be viewed at www.sjima.org.  Information and applications can be downloaded on the Visual Artist Registry home page, or can be picked up at the museum, 339 Spring St., Friday Harbor.

Granny (Tami Doenges) checks in with the kids (Chiara Power, Lucy Urbach, Else Arendt, Macalister Arendt, & Jaclyn Domenech) for the holidays...photo by Lisa Duke (thanks, Lisa!)

Last year, the Community Theatre lit up with kids & dance & song in the November show that Penelope wrote (I loved it!), and now they’re doing it again this weekend on Friday & Saturday at 7pm, and Sunday at 2pm.

She & musical director Teddy Deane have been working since January to pull this together, and judging by the rehearsal I saw a couple of nights ago, this is going to be one you don’t want to miss! Here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith at SJCT:

Granny and her magical remote bring the lessons of the holiday season to life in this new musical written by San Juan Island’s own Penelope Haskew.

For the second year in a row, Penelope has created a musical specifically for SJCT’s family theatre. Last year, her Stars Lore: A Mythological Musical, was a resounding success in the Whittier.

This time, Penelope, in collaboration with returning musical director Teddy Deane (who has written the musical score), takes the audience to a typical family reunion at Christmas, one where everyone wants to be happy.

But stress creeps in, things are not ready and the kids are starting to act up. Granny takes charge of the children and with her magical remote, whisks them away to new worlds where they learn how to be kind, to share and to be true to themselves.

A variety of styles of music are featured, including “jump swing,” “rock ‘n’ roll,” a Gilbert & Sullivan style “mini-operetta,” and new, traditional-style holiday tunes. “Teddy writes really fun stuff,” said Penelope. “The kids are having a lot of fun with it.”

In all, more than 50 island children (ages 5 to 12) and 11 adults will be part of this new musical start to the island’s holiday season.

Joely (right) loves to draw cats....

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CAST LIST

Frame: (Families at Holiday Party)
Tami Doenges…………………..Granny
Amy Hull………………………….Janet
Steve Ryan……………………….Bob
Mr. Conrad……………………….Pouty
Cori Morrell………………………Cheryl
Floyd Bourne……………………Woody
Wawan Ridwan………………..Herman
Heather Cain……………………Patty
Nick Power………………………Binky
Trudy Loucks…………………..Jo
Duvie Dow……………….……..Chelsea
Allison Fleming……….……….Kelly
Hank Erickson………….……..Brian
Eve Hulse……………….………Maureen
Siri Dow…………….…………..Emma
Sidney Herda………………….Danielle
Eric Corbin……………………..Joey

Naughty Bunch:
Chiara Power…………………….Jessica
Lucy Urbach……………………..Jill
Else Arendt……………………….Jenny
Macalister Arendt………………Maggie
Jaclyn Domenech………………Kai

Brownies
Ashlynn Wilson
Ellie Rollins
Nakayla Nibler

The Girl Who Drew Cats
Brian Fleming………………..Father
Emily Atwell………………….Mother
Joely Loucks…………………Aya
Soma Andrews……………..Monk 1
Abbi Havenar……………….Monk 2
Tawan Shaller………………Monk 3
Lauren Ayers……………….Villager 1
Sydney Benedict………….Villager 2
Fela Andrews………………Villager 3

Cats/Rats:
Lauren Ayers
Anne Marie Ryan
Emily Atwwell
Allison Fleming
Tyler Fleming
Fela Andrews
Abbi Havenar
Taylor Hollis
Tawan Shaller
Soma Andrews
Ana Anderson

Bee Yourself
Anne Marie Ryan…………………Queen Beezus
Sage Penwell………………………Beela
Lucy Marinkovich………………..Beeree
Inga Harold………………………..Birch
Darcy Ayers………………………..Beeronda
Ula Strutz…………………………..Beehalia
Bristol Halverson…………………Bernice
Taylor Hollis……………………….Belle
Finnoula Bourne………………….Briar
Hannah Greene…………………..New Queen

Bees:
Satchel Bourne
Ryker Mattox
Betty Furber
Eliza O’Donnell
Haley Rennick
Allison Power

The Christmas Cuckoo
Eric Sable………………………..Scrub
Madrona Jameson……………Spare
Ayla Ridwan…………………….Cuckoo
Madie Hanson………………….Miss
Beatrice Grauman……………Narrator
Josiah Wegemer……………..Shopkeeper
Fallon Taylor…………………..Bartender
Emily Cain………………………Seamstress 1
Ana Anderson…………………Seamstress 2
Levi Doenges………………….Blacksmith
Harmony Rathburn….………Butcher
Alex Frampton………………..Baker
Zoe Wegemer………………..Milkmaid
Piper Taylor…………………..Queen

The SJC Department of Emergency Management is hosting two lectures by Tim Walsh, State Geologist for WA State DNR. Topic will be “The Big One: Tusnami and Quake Impacts of a 9.0 Cascadia Quake.” Here’s more from Brendan Cowan, Director, San Juan County Department of Emergency Management:

Lectures will be on Wednesday November 16th at 7:00pm at the Friday Harbor Grange and on Thursday November 17th at 7:00pm at the Orcas Senior Center. Attendance is free. Early arrival is encouraged to ensure a seat.

Tim Walsh is a licensed engineering geologist and Geologic Hazards Program manager for the Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources of the Department of Natural Resources. He has practiced geology in Washington for more than 30 years and taught at South Puget Sound Community College for 25 years. Tim has done extensive geologic mapping in all parts of the state and has done tsunami hazard mapping, active fault characterization, landslide, and abandoned coal mine hazard assessments. He has also directed and participated in a broad range of  geologic hazard assessments and maps for land use and emergency management planning. Tim received Bachelor’s and Masters degrees in geology from UCLA.

This map gives you an idea where the crack is, even though it leaves the islands off....

by Jessica Hagy, Indexed

Michelle celebrated her five years with Daisy Bloom this weekend!

Let’s catch up with what’s up, pup:

• I sure like it when someone complained about the weather (rainy & cold & rainy & cold) on Facebook Saturday morning, and the always-wise Peggy Sue McRae replied:

When you live in a temperate rainforest… it’s supposed to do this… build a fire and grab a good book… or, like the native folks who lived here before we came along… go inside and develop complex art forms and cosmologies…

The exhibit for Ann Walbert's work closed after a successful run this past weekend, and Director IMA director Jennifer Elise (who celebrated six months working there!) shows off one of Ann's cards, which sold really well. The Islands Museum of Art will open a new show in January....

• This is a good time to catch up with all the anniversaries around – seems to me they always give a sense of perspective.

It was ten years ago this past weekend that Betsy & Michael Wingren moved to the island (and Eva, too!).

It’s been five years since Michelle Waldron bought Daisy Bloom, now located on Spring Street (the store was started in the early 2000s).

Next door, Griffin Bay Bookstore held their annual anniversary open house to celebrate 32 years in business (Susan Eyerly had bought the store in 1980, and Laura Norris & her crew have continued the operation n the years since Susan passed away in 2006.)

Someone asked me last week how long Josie & I have been married, and I said, “Three years, but that’s 4.2 in metric.” They said, “Wow, how can you do that in your head?”

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• Stacie & Casey Baisch (and Ben!) welcomed baby Gabrielle to the world this past week – wahoo!

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• Passing: It was sad to hear longtime islander Pat DeStaffany passed away Friday…

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Kurt Schwalbe & Doris VanAlen share the news: The local congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship was recognized for having more than three quarters of the congregation belong to the UU Service Committee.Way to go!

• It’s time to order your pies from the Girl Scouts – they’re doing it a little different this year. Here’s the scoop from Jill – call today!

Would you please let all your readers know that it’s Pie Time again!  My Girl Scouts and their parents are geared up and ready to continue a local tradition: Saving islanders the time of preparing Thanksgiving desserts and providing pies for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner.

We are taking pre-orders for homemade pumpkin ($10) and pecan ($14) pies.  Orders must be placed by Friday, Nov. 18.  Pies can be picked up at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church on Spring Street on Wednesday, November 24th from 9am to 2pm. Folks may also choose to donate their pie(s) to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner and the girls will deliver them.

Please note the change from years past.  Pies must be pre-ordered and pickup is now at the church.

For more information, contact Jill Urbach at 298-4530 or islandjill (at) centurytel.net.  Thanks so much for always being so supportive of the local Girl Scouts!

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• My friend Polly is looking for a job. I told her she might have a chance at Kings Market, where occasionally cashiers Dolly, Mollie & Holly are scheduled at the same time. Golly…..

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• Brian & Rebekah wrote to tell me the Mystical Mermaid is open in its new spot on Spring Street, where Robin’s Nest used to be (she’s moved a few spots down to where the SpringTree Restaurant & Concepia used to be!) Drop by & check ’em out!

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It was great to see all the morning colors a week ago as I took the redeye ferry to Anacortes and we landed just before sunrise....

Off the westside of San Juan Island on Sunday...photo by Tamara Weaver

It was great to see the 72 boats that participated in this last weekend’s race as people dealt with the different challenges the different weather changes presented…it’s always good to see so many boats around the island!

Alex Shapiro was able to watch the regatta surfing down the slopes of the wind-driven current from her house at Eagle Point...photo by Alex Shapiro (thanks, Alex!)

Sailing away, Sunday morning....photo by Tamara Weaver

One of the favorite songs for some folks that we sometimes play at weddings is John Lennon’s Oh My Love...here’s a studio mix, with George Harrison:

Last night's full moonrise, over the water to the east...photoo by Hobbes Buchanan

Looking around the island:

• The calm before the storm – that was yesterday & this week….looks like we have rain today & high winds tonight. Do you know where your candles are? Are you ready?

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• If you get a chance, thank a vet today. The middle school took time yesterday to remember:

Yesterday, the middle school held an assembly to which they invited folks who were veterans, to honor them for Veterans Day....photo by Kevin Holmes.

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Kate & Dori Sears love their work, their kids & their school...and it shows! Photo by Tamara Weaver.

• I asked Tamara Weaver to see what was going on around town, and she filled this report, first from Stillpoint School, then from The Barking Bird:

At Stillpoint School, Success Day was in full swing when I arrived and teachers “Ms. D” and “Ms. K,” as the kids call them, were excited to share their vibrant classrooms, wallpapered from floor to ceiling with student accomplishment. (Here are pictures of all the kids, dressed up at Halloweeen.)

The learning theme was “caves” – a remarkable way to teach kids things like geology, history, biology and anthropology. After admiring the students’ imaginative and detailed drawings of underground and underwater caves, complete with stalactites, cave critters and hieroglyphics, looks like those kids could teach ME a thing or three!

Identical twin sisters Dori Sears and Kate Sears (or is it, Kate and Dori?) keep their classrooms energized with their doubled enthusiasm for teaching. Stillpoint School enrolled 15 kids this year in their dynamic K-6 classes, and graduated three last year. It’s clear how much Ms. D and Ms. K love their work.

Steve & Krista & their daughter Ula enjoy Success Day at Stillpoint School...photo by Tamara Weaver.

And the day…was a success!

Judith, with Jack

Meanwhile, Judith Carter was a delight to interview in her new store The Barking Bird, which Judith says has a “symbiotic relationship” with old friend Annie’s Friday Harbor Pet Supplies. Annie’s daughter even helps out part-time!

The new shop is located in the old Fat Cat building, on the corner across from Roy’s.

Judith says she and Annie are working together to give Island pet owners what they need – Judith specializing in wild and domestic bird supplies and a few doggie items, gifts and cards made by local artists. “It’s stuff that I love…It’s so fun to share!”

Judith tells fellow wild bird lovers that her anti-collision window decals are on order! TWEET!