Fall colors at Westside Lake...photo by Aaron Shepard.

Let’s see what’s going on:

• The memorial mass for Darlene Wahl is still set for 11:30am at St. Francis Church, but the reception after is going to be at The Earthbox at 12:30pm…there’s more room there. Feel free to bring some finger food if you like…that’ll help out.

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• There are still some 700 votes to count, but the Land Band renewal vote lead has widened, with 3764 voting yes, and 3434 voting no….the next update to the vote is scheduled for Monday. Here are complete results for all the races from Tuesday.

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• Lots of folks were looking forward to it: The Puget Sound Concert Opera‘s show Pelleas et Melisande for this weekend was cancelled, because two of their singers got sick and can’t perform their roles.

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Leila Sicilia & her boy Alexander had a good time at the Wolf Hollow fundraiser at the Cask & Schooner Tuesday night. Photo by Tamara Weaver.

• The Cask & Schooner had a nice crowd on Tuesday night in their fundraiser for Wolf Hollow – they donated a part of the proceeds from each meal to our local animal rehab place. You can still donate (if you missed dinner!) by going to the “donate” button on Wolf Hollow’s homepage.

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• It’s this weekend & they usually come here around this time – the Badd Dog Blues Society play at Herb’s this weekend on Friday & Saturday, starting at 9pm. Bring your dancin’ shoes!

Meanwhile, the Rumor Mill has Open Mic on Friday, NPO on Saturday, and Jon Hu on Sunday – drop by & give a listen! (The Rumor Mill was closed from Sunday to yesterday as Oren & Peggy celebrated their anniversary – congratulations, you guys!)

And…tonight at the Cask & Schooner, piano player David Bayley will be playing starting at 7:30pm, so come by & dine while he dishes up his classic rags and blues!

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Devorah stopped in at the VA Hospital in Phoenix & got a song or two in with flutist Wes Ricks tehre.

• Island singer Devorah left Los Angeles a month ago on a 13-city, 13-week bike ride to Jacksonville, Florida to raise money & awareness for the Wounded Warriors Project…here’s their website & a chance to give.

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• This morning: San Juan County Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on the Critical Areas Ordinance Wetlands Draft Amendments, Thursday, Nov. 10th 8:45am at the San Juan Grange.

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• This is a great weekend to catch Blithe Spirit at the Fairgrounds – the Island Stage Left show runs tonight through Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 4pm…don’t miss it!

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Morning last weekend at Roche Harbor....photo by Kevin Holmes

Great to hear from Oliver Strasser (Griffin Bay High, ’11) – he put together this sweet video with his friend Sierra Klingele as their entry in a competition for the Guitar Center….he’s studying jazz guitar at Cornish in Seattle this fall – give him a listen!

The Spectrum Dance Theater performs this Saturday....

This weekend the Community Theatre offers a rare & exciting dance group – here’s more from Jan at SJCT:

The Seattle Times has called Spectrum Dance Theater “…the toughest, sexiest, wiliest dance troupe in town.”  And on Saturday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m., Friday Harbor gets to experience that troupe’s multifaceted talents at San Juan Community Theatre.

The performance includes two very different works from Spectrum Artistic Director Donald Byrd.  His newest piece, Euclidean Space, premiered at the 2011 Bumbershoot festival in Seattle.  Featuring the music of the notable electronic music composer, Amon Tobin, the work is an exploration of dance movement at its purest as choreographer Byrd creates architecture of the human body in forms and spatial relationships.

Spectrum will also perform crowd favorite M.I.A., a comedic spin on classical ballet’s fuss and formality, showcasing the music of Sri Lankan/British superstar M.I.A.

Byrd has said that M.I.A., first performed in 2007, contains  “all of his ambiguities and ambivalences about the classical ballet and pop culture.”

Byrd has been leading the Spectrum since 2002.  He had achieved international visibility in the 1990s for the creation of the Harlem Nutcracker and his choreography for the Broadway hit, The Color Purple.

The business partner for the evening is Earthbox Motel & Spa.  Tickets are $26 for adults and $13 for student reserved.  $5 Student RUSH will be available at the door.  A private donor has made provision for free tickets to anyone needing financial assistance to attend a Theatre event.

The SJCT Box Office is open Tuesdays-Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and one hour before any performance.  Call 360-378-3210, or surf to www.sjctheatre.org.

Minnie Knych tells me veterans are welcome at the middle school assembly today:

The Middle School will have a special salute to veterans at 12:00 noon on Nov. 10.  All veterans are invited but should RSVP to allow for seating.  RSVP to teacher, Cindy Williams (cwilliams (at) sjisd.wednet.edu). Thanks!

Here’s a nice one to get the day going, with Jason Mraz (sorry about the ad at the first, but that’s what happens when you got 111M visits, I think….):

In your rounds on Saturday, be sure & swing by the island’s oldest bookstore for a bit – here’s more from Laura:

Griffin Bay Bookstore Annual Sale
Anniversary Open House on
Saturday, November 12, 10:00am—6:00pm

20% off on all books in the store

Come on by!

Get ready for Griffin Bay Bookstore’s annual Open House and Sale on Saturday, November 12, 10:00am—6:00pm.

Bookstore owner Laura Norris and her team are celebrating 32 years of bookselling in Friday Harbor with a storewide sale of 20% off on all books in the store. Griffin Bay Bookstore holds this annual sale as a way of thanking our island community for loyal support and on-going patronage, for shopping locally, for valuing an independent bookstore. The Open House will feature complimentary snacks from Cynthia’s of Course, and the bookstore’s signature coffee, Caffe Umbria. The store is chock-full of not only books but also a wide range of gift items, perfect for getting you started on your holiday shopping.

Local artists and writers are well represented, Continue Reading

For the most up-to-date numbers, click here for the County election results (thanks, Doris & crew!)

As of 8:05, it looks like we have the word on the new school board members (no incumbents ran) with Ralph Hahn winning over Robin DeLaZerda, Jack McKenna defeating Callie McKay, and Jennifer Beck Furber wins uncontested.

Meanwhile, the renewal of the Land Bank was too close to call as of around 8:15pm Tuesday night with a nearly 50-50 split, while the vote for a fee for the solid waste proposal was defeated.

The rockface at Lime Kiln Preserve....Photo by Aaron Shepard (thanks, Aaron!)

Good morning, friends..let’s look ’round the island & see what’s up:

• Happened again, this time in Anacortes yesterday. Someone asked me while I was waiting for the ferry, “Hey, you live on San Juan Island?” so I said, “Yep.” They said, “I’ve always wondered – does the water go all the way around?” so I said, “Yep.”

We all figure out stuff at different rates & different times…it’s OK. Are there things you’ve been holding back asking, because your sense of wonder is smaller than your sense of being afraid of being discovered, that there are things you don’t know?

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• Marilyn & Mike Goff celebrate 23 years of being married today – wahoo! Congratulations!

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Joe Bongiorno (FHHS '87) is playing piano on TV this morning....

• Friday Harbor grad (’87) Joe Bongiorno appears on KING 5’s A New Day NW today to 11am, where he’ll be interviewed &  will perform live.
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• Our friend Tina Teilmann says there’s a way for you & me to help our friend who is hurting:

You may have heard that our island neighbor and friend Karina Serna is battling breast cancer. While she and her family face this challenge, a benefit account has been set up at Islanders Bank to help offset some of the medical expenses.

To learn more, please contact your local Islanders Bank, and ask about making a deposit to the “Karina Serna Benefit Fund.” Branches available on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Islands.

Sincerely, The Friends of Karina Serna and family

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• It was sad to hear about Axel‘s passing away Friday morning…we were excited that she would be playing last Saturday night at The Rumor Mill. She was discovered by a friend on her boat…she’ll be much missed.

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• The Arts Council is happening! Here’s more from Teddy Deane:

Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 a board of directors was officially elected by the general membership marking the official creation of a San Juan County Arts Council. It’s mission: to promote and integrate the artistic resources of the county for the creative economic development, education and overall well-being of the community. Board members are represented by persons from San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Islands. For membership, general information or a copy of the SJCAC Comprehensive Plan please e-mail: [email protected].

The newly elected board members of the SJCAC are: Teddy Deane, Krista Strutz, Helen Machin Smith, Emily Reed, Debbie Pigman and Liz Illg from San Juan. Sylvia Chesley Smith and Dennis Ryan from Lopez and Lance Evans and Jane Alden from Orcas. Officers will be elected at the December meeting to be held on Orcas on Dec. 1.

Teddy Deane
President
SJCAC Steering Committee

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• Jane Cable from the CSA wants to invite you to discuss the CAO:

San Juan County is scheduled to adopt a new Critical Areas Ordinance (“CAO”) next spring. At the same time, the County is reviewing and updating the Shoreline Management Program (“SMP”) which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2012.

Both sets of regulations will have significant impacts to property owners and our communities. This second Town Hall event is intended to be a useful discussion with experienced legal council to understand important issues and overriding principles consistent with local circumstances. Questions? Email us at [email protected].

Thank you.

Jane Cable, Executive Assistant
360-370-5056
Common Sense Alliance

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Sam & Reyna, on the road....Photo by Tamara Weaver

I asked Tamara Weaver what’s been going on around the island, and she filed this report:

Sam's driving classes are of to a great start! Photo by Tamara Weaver

Here are some shots of Sam Leigh of Right of Way Driving School giving basic driving lessons to 16-year-old Reyna Ellis. Sam gives the first lesson in the Market Place parking lot; the second around town; third, fourth, fifth and sixth lessons off-island. Contact Sam for more info at drive (at) rightofwaydrivingschool.com. 360-298-4399.

On my way to meet Sam, I stopped by the Doctor’s Office for a latte, and discovered Nina Anderson’s smiling face in the walk-up window. Be sure to stop by and say “hey” to Nina Sunday mornings!

Nina, in action....photo by Tamara Weaver

Driving away from my meeting with Sam (I was sure to use my turn signal), the aroma of pancakes and maple syrup lured me into the Mullis Center to chat with diners and volunteers at last Sunday’s pancake breakfast.

Volunteers Ruthe Ramirez, Georgia Baciu and Lilo Rustman tell me they fed around 100 hungry people this morning, using over 21 dozen eggs! Good job!

Be sure to catch the next one…held the first Sunday of every month (except New Year’s Day).

Hey! Eat pancakes and help raise money for the Mullis Center! Free justification!

Georgia (left) and Lilo keep the grills hot at the Mullis Center's pancake breakfast....photo by Tamara Weaver

John Curley's back again this year!

Here’s the news about this year’s fundraiser at the Community Theatre – here’s the scoop from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith:

John Curley Returns to Theatre’s Holiday FUNdraiser

The Northwest’s celebrity showman John Curley brings back his electrifying auctioneering skills to Friday Harbor on Saturday, December 3.

Curley will host the live auction portion of San Juan Community Theatre’s Holiday Festival 2011: A Touch of Magic.

Curley, who currently hosts a weeknight radio talk show on Seattle’s KIRO-FM, is the former host of King-5 Evening Magazine and has been an auctioneer for several years, helping to raise millions of dollars for Northwest nonprofits and schools.  He made his Holiday Festival debut last year, wowing islanders with his charm, wit and fast-paced entertaining style.

“I had an absolute ball—even though I tore the seat right out of my pants,” said Curley.  “I’ve got a few more tricks up my sleeve for this year, including 100 dollar bill bits glued to my forehead.  I can’t wait to come back to see everyone!”

In addition to Curley’s participation, the Festival also features:

• Fine wine, gourmet appetizers and live cooking supper stations from Roche Harbor Resort’s Bill Shaw and staff;

• An array of live auction items featuring several getaways, including to San Francisco and Ketchikan; one-of-a-kind experiences; art; fine dining and more;

• New and entertaining selection of silent auction items;

• A “balloon-popping” raffle;

• Live music from island favorites Amanda Brast; Susan Williams & Keith Busha; plus dancing with the Chameleons.

Electronic catalogs of the live and silent auction items are available on-line at www.sjctheatre.org.

In addition to being an evening to celebrate the season with island friends, the Holiday Festival is the nonprofit Theatre’s largest fundraiser of the year, raising money to ensure that its high quality of community events and entertainment continue.

Tickets ($85 per person) are available by calling Chance Earle at 378-3211, ext. 32.

Nancy & David hope you’ll come by:

THE TOY BOX TO CELEBRATE PLAY
WITH SECOND ANNUAL “NEIGHBORHOOD TOY STORE DAY”
Saturday November 12, 2011

On November 12, THE TOY BOX will join over 500 stores across the country to celebrate national Neighborhood Toy Store Day.

David and Nancy Hanson, owners of The Toy Box in Friday Harbor will once again participate in the event that spotlights the expert advice and service area families have come to expect from the store and its employees for the past 19 years.

As part of the festivities THE TOY BOX will offer FREE COOKIES, SURPRISE DISCOUNT DRAWINGS (5% to 50% off purchase) as well as fun door prizes. Continue Reading

Hobbes' videos will make you want to give his food ideas a try....

Brilliant. Just brilliant.

It’s always cool to see someone put their talents to work for the good of other folks, and that’s what Hobbes Buchanan is doing. He’s a first-rate & awesome cook, who understands the way to mix flavours (that’s British for the way things taste) and herbs with good organic food to make memorable & wonderful dishes.

His mission: To get people – particularly kids – on a healthy track with their eating habits, and to build up a healthy lifestyle based on that. He has been putting together a series of entertaining & easy-to-follow videos showing how to make great meals on his new blog, Imagine Organics Recipes and Cooking Videos. Check it out…and, here’s one of my favourite vids that he’s made:

There were a lot of smiles when Christiana Biermann & Darlene Wahl got together in March - Christiane was on the island that week from Portland with Charlie & Elsa, so they met up with me and Darlene (with Ingrid, whom Charlie slipped a few fries) at Vic's....

One of the brightest lights of the island has passed away…

Darlene & her husband Ken Azarian have been regulars at the annual encampment, both musically & dressed in period attire.

Darlene Wahl was known to so many & touched so many with her cheerfulness & kindness. She could touch people in so many ways, through her work as a ranger at the park, as a runner in races, as a musician on stage. Just a couple of weeks ago friends held a benefit at the Community Theatre to raise money to help with the financial costs of her cancer, and it was clear that she was much loved, and surrounded by an island that cared deeply for her.

There will be a memorial mass at St. Francis Catholic Church on San Juan Island, Saturday, November 12 at 11:30 am and a gathering at The Earthbox Hotel at 12:30 pm.

It was a night to remember, but not unexpected – FHHS had lost a game two weeks earlier by a 36-35 score, so we knew we could move the ball around the field.

So it was fun on Friday’s chilly night to see the Wolverines warm up our home field with Vashon (yep, former San Juan Island schools superintendent Michael Soltman came, too – that’s where he works now), running & passing their way through the Vashon defense for a 40-38 win.

Great way to end the season, guys.

First time back on the beach since August - ready to go for a swim! Photo by Nan Simpson.

Waadha and Eliza were two days old when they were discovered without their mother, and taken in by Wolf Hollow. The staff & volunteers raised them for three months, as they grew from 14 pounds to nearly 50 pounds, and from 17 inches to nearly 31 inches. They were returned to the water on Nov. 4, 2011 – the video shows their first response as they go back to the ocean.