This Saturday!

You’ll remember that a month or so ago I reviewed Beau’s CD entitled Well & gave it a great two thumbs up – well, this is your chance to see Beau live here on the island, with lots of other island friends playing as well:

Friends...

You can get all the details for the show here – you don’t want to miss this one!

Wednesday night!

Just got the scoop from Liz about what’s on the menu! Check it out:

The Community Dinner is almost here! Please come Wednesday 5:30 -7:30 and bring your friends and family!

Chef Andy is preparing an amazing meal and the Baking Class has made pepper jelly with local jalepenos on rustic crackers and, back by popular demand, snickerdoodle-pumpkin pie bars for dessert.

Come support our progressive Food for Thought Program, enjoy an amazing meal and learn about the Community Garden/Greenhouse.

COMMUNITY DINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!
Wednesday, October 19th 5:30 – 7:30 in the High School Commons
$10 Donation for Adults, $5 for Children under 12

THE CHEF 1.0 STUDENT INTERNS AND BAKING CLASS PRESENT:

Appetizer (Jelly and Crackers made by the Baking Class)
Local Pepper Jelly and whipped cream cheese on rustic crackers

Dinner
Stuffed Pesto Pork Loin with goat cheese, kale and sundried tomato
(Stuffed Delicata Squash for vegetarian option)
Mashed Potatoes with sweet potatoes and yams
Roasted Vegetables featuring local veggies
Spinach Salad with a roasted shallot vinaigrette
Homemade Rolls toasted with garlic-butter and parmesan cheese

Dessert (Prepared by the Baking Class)
Snickerdoodle-Pumpkin Pie Bars with white chocolate drizzle

Donations support the Food for Thought Program, Chef 1.0 and Baking Class

Sarah Joy Stude (FHHS '96) welcomes little Helena a week ago in Costa Rica, along with papa Julio and big bro Gabriel.

Welcome to the new week! Looking around the island….

• Wonder what you’re eating? Here’s a good place to start – here’s more from Rob:

Monday, October 17th at 7:00pm at the Library!
The Conscientious Projector presents
The World According to Monsanto
Join host Rob Simpson as we watch the documentary The World According to Monsanto, directed by Marie-Monique Robin, which investigates the practices of the Monsanto, the producer of “Roundup” & Genetically Modified Seeds.

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Happy newlyweds Tracy & John in Paris

• Everyone on the island knows Tracy James from her amazing shows at the Community Theatre and her work at the bank…she’s lived in Paris, France for the past few years and just got married last month to John Petty – congratulations, Tracy!

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• Julie Andrews was in Gig Harbor over the weekend to receive an award for her late husband, and mentioned they liked coming to the San Juans, which she referred to as “God’s Country.” Here’s more.

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Autumn, at the post office last weekend

Here’s a poem by Wesley Minchin:

Amber Glow

Red and yellow painted leaves
hang idly within the trees
They break and sail along the breeze
As fires of Autumn’s time

They dance and surf upon the ground
Overlap each other with ruffling sound
A setting I am glad I found
As fires of Autumn’s time

Like fires of the Autumn season
they leap and dance without a reason
A factor of Autumns many seasons
As fires of Autumn’s time’

The grey clouds break, the sun appears
The dancing leaves appear to sere
These flames its kept for many years
As fires of Autumn’s time

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• Prep corner: The girls soccer team kept it close on Saturday, but Meridian made a goal margin stand up in their 1-0 victory over the Wolverines at Meridian. Meanwhile, people who came early for the Homecoming football game Friday night saw the JV football team win in the last couple of minutes.

At Saturday’s sunny district tournament, FHHS tennis saw our #1 doubles team of Parker Satin & Hayden Place deliver the goods, cruising to first place. Our # 2 doubles team of Ryan Cole & Sean Hills nearly picked off Coupleville, then won its second match to become the first alternates to the tri-district next week. Meanwhile, our #1 singles player, Swiss exchange student Sandro Meyer, placed second while our #2 singles player Shaughn Anderson placed fourth. This means that Parker & Hayden play Tuesday at the Amy Yee Tennis Center in Seattle in the Tri-District Tourney, with Sandro playing a match before Tuesday sometime to see if he goes to Tri-District as well. Tri-District winners go to the state tournament in six months, when the state playoffs start in May. Good luck guys!

Meanwhile, here’s a quick look of the varsity football team being greeted after halftime by the cheerleaders and fans, to the tune of the FHHS fight song. The team had a tough time with visiting Nooksack Valley, as the nearly-top-ranked Pioneers prevailed 48-7…

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There were Occupy Wall Street events all over the globe on Saturday, including Friday Harbor, as Maya (left), Kevin & Jai were joined by others on the corner in front of Wells Fargo Saturday evening.

The thing I kept hearing from folks on Saturday evening in town in response to the occupy actions both in the evening & earlier in the day was, “What’s it all about?”

Here’s a succinct essayby Josh Brown for Public Radio’s Marketplace called “Dear Wall Street – this is why people are angry.” Clear, easy to understand, and even more clear the discussion has just begun.

Folks collected at the courthouse in the sunny afternoon (there were more - I got there a bit early) as well...

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• Gotta keep talking about it, gotta deal with it: When the world hits seven billion people later this month, it’s more than a number. Already stretched resources continue to take a hit…here’s more from the mainstream press.

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I love this photo of Ann shot by Janice Peterson a couple of years ago on a Yacht Club cruise which shows her bright spirit & love for life. Thanks, Janice!

• It was a beautiful evening at the Islands Museum of Art (IMA) as hundreds of friends came by for the opening of Ann Walbert‘s work. She was well-known to many islanders before her death in late August (here’s the writeup of her passing) because of her incredible talent, but even more because of her generous spirit, wry wit, and amazing energy. One measure of how much she touched the folks of the island was the number of people who came to the opening of an exhibit of her work at the IMA Saturday night.

Besides her amazing work, the exhibit includes her sketchbooks & notes, which feel like a glimpse into her process, and her heart. Sometime in the next month I hope you get a chance to drop by & see what she’s left us – it’s a rare opportunity to see her work all in one place.

Ann's husband Jack Yelverton greets Fred Yockers at Saturday's opening - Fred is the subject of one of Ann's portraits in the exhibit, now showing at the IMA.

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Sunny Saturday at the Sculpture Park out at Roche Harbor...photo by Tamara Weaver

The parade was great! Photo by Ron Garner (thanks, Ron!)

You saw a lot of activity in the streets of Friday Harbor this weekend, including the First Annual Farm Harvest Parade, which included folks from all over the island. Anne Sheridan was there & shot these wonderful photos, which I put together in a little two-minute slideshow to show you the wide range of what our island’s farms & people offer, as well as how friendly they are – they’re smiling all the time.

Check it out:

Got a minute? Here’s a quick look at Friday’s Homecoming Parade, as FHHS got fired up for the football game with Nooksack that evening…

Sophomore forward Emily Guard (#11, right in white)) rattles the back of the net for FHHS' third goal late in the first half of the Wolverines' 3-0 victory Thursday night.

It was cool to get a chance to see the girls play on a crisp autumn evening last night…they scored three in the first half to coast to a dominating shutout with the Lions yesterday. The Wolverines spent most of the game in the Concrete end, and created numerous chances to score.

Way to go, girls!

The moonset over De Haro Strait looking at Canada a couple of nights ago at 4 in the morning...photo by Tamara Weaver

You can feel it, I can feel it…here comes the weekend! (And when you hear the rumble through town at 3:30pm – that’s the FHHS Homecoming Parade! See you there!) Here’s more:

• Remember I told you the JV football game is at 4:45? It’s been moved up a bit to 4:30pm today, with the varsity still at 7pm.

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Where he's be...this is posted on the door of the "old" gallery on First Street...

Doug

• Hard to believe it – longtime islander (32 years!) Doug Bison is pulling up stakes & relocating his gallery in LaConner this month, as he hustles to have things set up for the winter season. He’s calling the new place The Blackfish Gallery, as you can see above.

Doug & Marion have left a lasting mark on the community with all their volunteer work as well as her work at the courthouse & his in the arts scene.

Good luck, friends! We’ll come see you in LaConner!

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• Nancy Young & the good folks at the San Juan Public Schools Foundation have another round of Phone A Thon coming up on Tuesday – here’s more:

A second date has been scheduled for the  annual San Juan Island Public School Foundation Phone A Thon. On Tuesday, October 18, students and volunteers will be reaching out again to the community, as many people were missed on Oct. 4. The team of  students who were callers this year said,  despite a few “hang-ups,” the experience was a good one.

Although $$43,800 was pledged this year, the goal is to raise $88,000 to fully fund all programs that are short this year. The Elementary School Art program has been fully funded as well as most of the ROV support program. For more information, and to  donate through our website, go to www.sjpsf.org.

JB's class is coming up....

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• JB Herren tells me he’s offering a gun safety class for women on October 24th…here’s the whole story.

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• Here’s the news from Wendy Myers at Friday Harbor House:

I am very pleased to announce Kyle Nicholson as Chef/Innkeeper of Friday Harbor House! Chef Kyle joined us in October 2010 and has significantly improved both the quality of food and the presence of the Bluff Restaurant-Bar-Terrace in the community of San Juan Island. Please stop by soon to enjoy Chef Kyle’s new Fall menu!

Our current fall hours: We’re open from Thursday to Monday each week, with Happy Hour from 4pm – 6pm and Dinner from 4pm – 9pm

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It's the driveway to Extreme Fitness, out at the business park on Beaverton Valley Road...the red maple makes the season come alive. (Thanks to Rich Warin for the tip to go see this yesterday!)

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Palden Gyatso

• The Library continues to offer amazing presentations – this one is tomorrow at 7pm (October 15):

Join us as we welcome Palden Gyatso & watch the documentary Fire Under the Snow, which is an inspirational story about Palden’s life as a Tibetan Buddhist Monk and the 33 years he spent as a prisoner of the Chinese Communist Army for the “crime of demonstrating peacefully.” Palden will be present during the showing of the film and will be on hand to answer questions about his life.

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Orca Bowl champs again! The team won it back in May, but I wanted you to see FHHS' team (even the kids who are off ot college already): Left to right: Nikki LeBaron, Elle Guard, Audrey Olshefsky, Nick Roberts, and Gavin Guard. The team's coach was Nick Frazee (pictured) and the assistant coach was Marc Vermeire, both Friday Harbor HS teachers. Also pictured, Katie Hart, Interpretation Supervisor and staff diver for the Seattle Aquarium. Way to go!

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• Dr. Mark Fishaut dropped you & me a line to tell about the kids doing great stuff – here’s his note, with a couple of photos:

These images showcase why Friday Harbor kids are the best.

The first is of the JV and Varsity boys football teams engaged in a fundraising project  on October first at our home. The guys moved 30 yards of soil into the new garden in 90 minutes!

The second is the JV and Varsity Girls soccer teams (and campers) at our breast cancer fund raiser on October 8th benefiting the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

In a world seemingly spinning out of control, these young adults show there is plenty to be optimistic about for the future!

Mark Fishaut

The football guys - photo by Sharon Fishaut

The soccer girls & their campers! Photo by Rebecca Leff (she's on the team, too!)

Sure ’nuff, you gotta have a song each morning or the day just doesn’t start quite right, does it? Here’s John Denver’s song that has parts that echo all day long….with the coming of the winter, the fear that is within you that seems to never end.

And yes, the children & the flowers….

Good morning to you….

Randy Martin, director at the Skagit Valley College – San Juan Center asked me to tell you about Bob’s class & my classes next week, and I’m happy to…consider this my invitation to you to come on by!

By the way, I’ve taken Bob’s class before, and it’s awesome…it’ll fill in the blanks for you. Very worthwhile!

Here’s the scoop:

Want to learn fundraising skills for your small non-profit? How about building your computer skills?

Bob Schwartzberg

Fundraising for Small Non-Profits by Bob Schwartzberg is a one day workshop on Tuesday, October 18th.  Mr. Schwartzberg has spent his career raising money for non-profits professionally; most recently as the Development Director at Friday Harbor Marine Labs.  Cost is $75.00.

Ian Byington

Ian Byington will offer four workshops introducing computer skills.  Intro to Computing and Basic Word is offered on Tuesday 10/18 from 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Intermediate Word is Tuesday 10/18 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.  Intro to Excel is offered Thursday 10/20  from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.  PowerPoint will be offered Thursday 10/20 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.  Cost of each of these classes is $46.00.

All classes have limited enrollments, so please call today to register of for more information: 378-3220

Save it!

Just got this note from Helen Venada, who is the Waste Reduction and Hazardous Waste Coordinator for the County….what can you do to reduce the island’s landfill overloading? Here’s more:

Reduce/Reuse/Recycle more on the Islands…

Whether voters in the Islands decide on Plan A (parcel-based solid waste user charge) or Plan B (route collection), I hope we don’t lose sight of the over-arching goal to reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill!

We’re fortunate to be living in such a progressive state as Washington whose solid waste management plan, the “Beyond Waste” plan, emphasizes as its first priority that we stop throwing things away without thinking. Our choices affect the quality of our air, water, and food, as well as environmental and human health, for generations to come.

Preventing waste is a lofty goal but the state’s recent report card indicates that Beyond Waste’s strategies are succeeding! Industry is doing better but households are not. The one area of waste generation that has actually increased is the per person pounds…we Americans are creating MORE garbage than ever (in part due to increased packaging in the market).

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 55% of solid waste generated in our country is buried in landfills; 32.5% is recycled, and 12.5% is burned…not a very good report! Our use of landfills has doubled since the 1960s.

To me, to landfill or not to landfill comes down to personal and community values and sense of responsibility. Americans use too much stuff: consumption of 25% of the world’s resources by 5% of the world’s population; more shopping malls than high schools!

There are lots of reusable and recyclable materials in our local waste stream that don’t belong in a landfill. We need LOCAL programs to respond to new recycling markets and reuse opportunities and we need to inform the public of them so that we’ll be shipping less to the landfill. Along with the disposal savings to you and reduced costs to a well-planned county-wide solid waste system, waste prevention would cut down on the use of fuel, while reducing vehicle pollution associated with the long transport to the landfill and methane (greenhouse) gas produced by landfills.

UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, expressed a larger view when he said, “…heedless consumption of resources is a global suicide pact.”

Use less; conserve resources for future use; make less garbage!

The doctor (Merritt Olsen) measures his patient (Susan Williams) for a dress, or something. Photo by Keith Busha.

Hey, I told you this was a great one – the opening week’s crowds have agreed with me on that. Now’s your chance to make sure you don’t miss the show, and you wantt o miss the chance to laugh, either…here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith at the Community Theatre:

Final Shows and Bargain Night for Fall Play!

There are just a few more chances to catch San Juan Community Theatre’s zany French farce, The Ladies Man!

The play returns this Thursday, October 13 for bargain night at 7:30 (tickets are just $15 for adults and $8 for student reserved).  The play continues on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and then it’s the final show, a matinee at 2 pm on Sunday.

The valet (Mason Turnage) and Gustav (John Davis) compare tongue color...photo by Keith Busha

Written by Charles Morey and adapted from the Feydeau French farce, Tailleur pour Dames, the play centers on a physician (played by SJCT’s own Merritt Olsen) who tells “one, tiny, little, hardly noticeable lie” to cover an innocent but embarrassing indiscretion. From that single untruth tumbles a cascade of increasingly convoluted deceptions, misunderstandings and mistaken identities.

Compounding his troubles are a suspicious wife (Penelope Haskew), a gorgon of a mother-in-law (Deb Langhans), an outrageously aggressive female patient (Susan Williams), her violently jealous Prussian husband (John Davis), a well-intentioned friend with a lisp (Bo Turnage), a valet with attitude (Mason Turnage), a maid with a secret (Shannon Kelley) and more slamming doors than realistic architecture should ever accommodate!

The Business Partner for The Ladies Manis Kings Market.  Tickets for the final three performances (October 14-16)  are $21 for adults; $11 for student reserved, with $5 student RUSH available one hour before each performance.   A private donor has made provision for free tickets to anyone needing financial assistance to attend a Theatre event.

The doctor explains what was really going on to the patient's Prussian husband, Gustav (John Davis). Photo by Keith Busha.

Julie (left) and Kira were among the fraus that had a great time at Oktoberfest last weekend. Photo by Tamara Weaver

It was great to hear San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tom Kirschner mention a couple of months ago that he wanted to pull together the Ocktoberfest celebration again…he helped spearhead the effort that pulled together the Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Lions Club and Medical Guild, as well as sponsors KIngs Market, Islanders Bank, Brownes Home Center, Ace Hardware, and San Juan Propane.

The goal: To put on a community event that brings people together – and with that, last weekend’s celebration pulled together over 350 folks for food & music & dancing & laughter. Success! It’d be great to see it again next year!

Dancing the night away (left) & Barry & Lisa & the Lions Club kept the food coming! Photos by Tamara Weaver

The band was great! Photo by Tamara Weaver

David Pratt roamed the room with his accordian for the evening, while Randy Martin showed up with Milo & Lucy & Ava. Photos by Tamara Weaver.

Pierrette Rous (left) was dressed for the occasion, with a big smile! and Tom Starr & the band sounded great! Photo by Tamara Weaver

One of the toughest things is to feel is betrayed by someone who lies to you…Pamela Meyer explores ways to be able to tell (and not tell) whether we’re being duped. An honest world matters…see what you think:

Sunrise on the redeye ferry, Saturday morning...photo by Kevin Holmes (thanks, Kevin!)

There’s a lot going on – let’s check it out!

Last year: The Class of 2013's Greek theme fired up the then-sophomores in the Homecoming Parade for Spirit Week...

• Homecoming 2011 is this week at Friday Harbor High! And…it’s all on Friday!

The parade is at 3:25pm, followed at the high school by the pep ralley at around 4. The JV football squad will play at 4:45pm, followed by the varsity at 7pm against Nooksack Valley. The dance follows the game from 10-12.

• That notice that there’s whooping cough going around still applies (it didn’t go away!) – here’s more.

• You can keep up with the ferry schedule changes on the WSF bulletin page – and there are changes, since two boats are getting fixed.

• Over at Be Chic Boutique, Teri & her crew have just gotten in B.Ella socks & tights – check ’em out!

• Friday Harbor High School has been ranked in the top 12 schools for Advanced Placement exam student performance by CollegeBoard.  59% of the graduating class scored a 3 or higher on at least one exam at any point during high school and 53% of ALL (not just seniors) Friday Harbor High School students who took AP exams last years earned a 3 or higher.

Did you see the San Juan Public Schools Foundation’s list of achievements for last year, just posted? Bet your kid’s in there. Check it out.

Here’s the word from the APS’ director, Leslie Byron:

Normally this time of year, we celebrate the Doggone Good Dinner at Duck Soup Inn.  After 25 years of hosting this fundraiser for the shelter, Gretchen opted to take a well-deserved break this year, and do the Doggone Good Dinner every other year.  Gary Gero and the gang graciously offered to step in this year and offer to hold a similar fundraiser at the Cask & Schooner on Wed, Oct 19, 2011.

All net proceeds from food and liquor sales will be donated to the Friday Harbor Animal Shelter.  We hope many shelter supporters will attend!  It should be a fun night.  Dinner choices will be off the regular menu.  Reservations are suggested, but not required.  Get out and enjoy a great meal and help the island’s homeless pets at the same time.

Next week!