Here’s one from 1977 by Jackson Browne that is one of those perfect poems about our ongoing struggle to find meaning in our days….

Take time for yourself & find the peace within....that's the beach near the Marine Labs, with the morning sun on the peeling madrona....

Let’s see what’s up:

Dogs, needed....

• The Animal Shelter is getting ready for next week’s Wags to Riches fundraiser, and there’s a little thing you can do to help – here’s more from Leslie:

The Friday Harbor Animal Shelter is looking for rescued Dachshunds and Chihuahuas (and everything in-between) to run in the ‘ChiWeenie 500’ at ‘WAGS to RICHES’ on Saturday, July 30th, 2011.

All dogs need to be up to date with their vaccines and very social with other dogs.  We will be running two catagories….’Low-Riders’ and ‘Hot-Wired’.  There will be trophies and prizes for the fastest canines.  Please call Michelle or Halley at the shelter (378-2158) for more information.

• There’s another one this weekend – here’s more from Eileen:

Know Your Island Walk, Sat. July 23, 1:00pm.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about a truly remarkable and exemplary project that demonstrates private and public cooperation, generosity, and commitment from Roche Harbor Resort and the San Juan Trails Committee.

Meet Mike Beuttell, Volunteer Trail Builder and Roche Harbor resident to walk the Roche Harbor Trail System. Meet at intersection of West Valley/Roche Harbor Rds.  Length is 3 mi.and approx. 1.5 hours.  Terrain is grassy, slightly uneven wooded trails.  Rating is moderate. Dogs on leashes are welcome.  For information (this hike only), please call 378-4306.

The Food Bank (it's across the street from the Marketplace) is open today from noon to 2pm...if things are tight in your budget, it's there for you & me. Check it out...it'll help.

• You know the Chameleons are playing Thursday night at 7:30pm at the Rumor Mill? Now ya do…

Town parking czar Matt Pranger put extra chalk on MY tire...no way I'm getting away with anything.

• Dana Smith from Alberta came to the islands for two weeks, and learned some important stuff…here’s the column from a thoughtful & introspective Canadian.

• Hungry on Saturday? The Market Chef is open during the summer…see you there!

• Heard from Elizabeth Schubert the other day: “I think double-stuffed Oreos should just be called Oreos, while the ‘regular’ Oreos should be called diet Oreos.”

I meant to share this with you a month ago - that's Janet Olsen with the retirement gift her middle school band kids gave her...

• Got a note that the hospital’s groundbreaking is this weekend – here’s more from Amy Cloud:

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center Groundbreaking
Set for July 23, 2011
An innovative new rural healthcare facility for the San Juan Islands

Healthcare in the San Juans will take a major step forward at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 23 when the groundbreaking ceremony for PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center is held at 1049 San Juan Valley Road in Friday Harbor. The San Juan community will be joined by federal, state and local leaders in breaking ground for this new primary care and specialty clinic, and Critical Access Hospital.

The community will celebrate the start of construction by touring the building site where markers will show the location of major features and medical services. Visitors will be able to view both floor plans and external and internal building images. There will be refreshments provided.

The grounds will be open from noon until 5 p.m. Access to the grounds and on-site parking will be available via Franklin Drive, the entry road to the Friday Harbor Airport. Continue Reading

Looking around town & the island, seems to me you can get a little idea about what’s going on by checking the signs…for example:

I passed Skip & Mildred in the later evening sun as they worked on their new sign last night.....

• You’ve seen the sign that was out front of Cattle Point Rock & Topsoil (they’re on Cattle Point Road on the hill, past the golf course turnoff)…Mildred tells me they’re happy with the new sign & won’t have to chalk & re-chalk the one that was there before – wahoo! Looking good!

It's how we find out about things 'round here....

• One place you can get baby news is in the Kings Market windows – welcome to the island, Rowan & Sophia!

Yesterday they were removing the Windermere sign....

• Now that Windermere Real Estate has moved across the street into the place where Sotheby’s (briefly) and Friday Harbor Realty were, the sign was taken off…

Good idea...

• It was kinda fun to see the sign at the end of Web Street asking for $5 for a U-turn, since everyone does, there. Not sure how they collect, but maybe we should put one of those up top of Spring Street…make a little money for the Town.

Abbey Road...

Jan from the Community Theatre has more:

Island Twist to Magical Mystery Tour

When Georgia’s popular Beatles tribute band returns to Friday Harbor this week, they’ll add island talents to their program–and one of those talents even hung out with a Beatle way back when.

Five local string and brass musicians will join Abbey Road Live! during their concert at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, July 23 at 8 p.m.

This is the third summer in a row the tribute band has taken the stage to large, multi-generational audiences in the Whittier Theatre.  Originally formed to highlight the monumental “Abbey Road” album, the group has expanded their repertoire to more than 100 Beatles tunes from all eras of the Fab Four’s career.

Saturday’s concert features horns and string orchestration from islanders Robin Lohrey and Hannah Klein-Robbenhaar (violins), Sally Browne (cello), Janet Olsen (trumpet) and Teddy Deane (clarinet and flute).  This will add greatly when the band tackles the more complex and elaborate Beatles compositions, such as “Penny Lane,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Let it Be.”

“You can’t beat Beatles tunes,” said Deane. “They’re just the best.”  Deane fondly remembers hanging out with former Beatles member Paul McCartney when McCartney’s band Wings was touring at the same time as Deane’s band, the Holy Modal Rounders.  The two bands hung out together back stage in Holland.  “I’m looking forward to playing this music that has certainly stood the test of time.”

The evening’s Business Partner is Kings Market. Tickets are $29 for adults, $15 for student reserved, with $5 student RUSH one hour before the show, if there are still seats available.  The 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. or tickets may be purchased on-line at www.sjctheatre.org

Joy, by Anne L. Watson

It takes a certain kind of magician to take a handful of different themes, ideas,  fears, and dreams, pull them all together and make a good story out of it.

That’s what islander Anne L. Watson has done in her new novel, Joy. And, like good magic, I think you’ll find this book will delight and amaze.

In this just published book (June 2011), the heroine Mirai is talented, smart, and has a lot going for her, but has parts of her life that seem to unravel and and roll into new problems for her to face. She is skilled at her profession–restoring carousels–but is still learning the tricks of the trade as far as love, relationships, and family are concerned.

What makes Watson’s style of writing so compelling is that she develops one thread of that tale, sets it aside, and then develops a new thread.

Anne Watson

By the middle of the book, the weaving together of unexplained parts of her childhood, dealing with lost love with new love right around the corner, and her connection with Joy, the person she’s trusted all her life…  you just gotta keep reading to find out how it’s all going to come together.

We have a number of incredible writers on the island, and Ann’s work is new to me. I enjoyed reading this book, and I look forward to reading her previous work…and her next novel.

Facing painting at the Arts Fair on Saturday, as Shaw works on sis Rainah....

Hey, glad you’re up & at ’em this morning! Let’s see what’s going on around here….

• Have you read Val Curtis’ Mental Chew blog? The part I like (since it’s about gardening) is that it’s centered here on the island with an emphasis on what it takes to feed the kids–and us–well. The other part I like is you can feel  Val’s bright & cheerful spirit in her writing and in the things that she’s interested in. Check it out!

He's located over in Surina Business Park - Marcus Justiss just opened his tatto place last month (you might have seen him & his sister Anna in the parade!) He calls his outfit Art Design, and is already building a following on the island.

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• Speaking of reading, what are you reading these days? I’ve been catching up on Pooh (that’s what happens when you read The Tao of Pooh, again), and had this bit for the morning:

“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?”
“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?”
“I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully.
“It’s the same thing,” he said.

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Elephant Revival - here, tonight!

• The Elephant Revival show is set for tonight at 6…here are the details. See you there!

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• In Alex Shapiro‘s last posting in her blog Notes from the Kelp, the talented composer/musician visits with the idea of the how you hear killer whales before you see them, and the otherworldly effect that has…check her out.

Something that is pretty ordinary to us, and so amazing, even if we ARE used to it.

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• You knew that San Juan Sportsman Charters is Chuck Payne‘s outfit, right? Check it out!

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Now that's a pretty good hike: Group leader John Pachuta & naturalist Debbi Fincher led the intergenerational Road Scholar group (formerly Elderhostel) from the American Camp Visitor Center to South Beach, then back up Mount Finlayson, down to the road, and on to Cattle Point Lighthouse.

This is the second year for the Fly-in...you'll give it a thumbs up as well!

Fred Schumacher has the scoop:

In case you haven’t heard, Friday Harbor Airport is hosting its Fly-In and Open House this Saturday, July 23.  It starts with a Pancake Breakfast and ends with a Big Band Hangar Dance.  Everything will be happening South of the terminal, with the entrance at the tower.  Parking is free and shuttle buses run all day.  Look for parking signs near the airport.

Shuttle pickups will be at (1) The Airport, (2) Peace Island Medical Center Walking Bridge, (3) Office Supply Center, (4) Ball Field and (5) Old Mark n Pak Lot.  Admission is free, too.

8-10am  EAA Pancake Breakfast – $8 adults, $6 kids 12 and under.

10am  Opening Ceremony, American Legion Post 163 Color Guard, national anthem sung by Jill Urbach, and US Navy F-18 Fly-by Salute.

10am-4pm  Fly-In and Open House – Free.  The show features antiques, warbirds and experimentals, and Cessna’s newest airplane, plus flyovers of airplanes rarely seen here.

The hangars will be full of displays.  You can fly a real flight simulator and see model airplanes.  Activities for the kids include face painting and a glider flying contest.  Food vendors will be on hand selling everything from burgers to ice cream.  Airplane rides can be bought or even won in drawings.

Kenmore Air will have a drawing for a Scenic Flight for eight people.

1:30-2:30pm  Peace Island Medical Center Ground Breaking (across Franklin Drive).

7-10pm  Big Band Hangar Dance with the One More Time Band – $5.

the crush....and the crush of the crush

Folks ask me me how to use ‘social media’ to promote their business kind of a lot. I tell them they have to read this little article, and then we can start.

They always (always!) never call back. It’s that good 🙂 …..

See what you think.

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Derek

Does your company really want to hang out with me?
by Derek Sivers

Imagine you have a crush on a girl at the bank.

Every time you talk, it’s only business.

But one day she says, “Here’s my cellphone number. Call anytime.”

Wow! She likes you!

You call her and ask her out. She says OK.

You meet up for dinner and after talking for 15 minutes she says, “Could I interest you in a home equity loan?”

Arrgh! That’s worse than if she had never given you her number in the first place!

The fact that she only wants to talk about her business proves that not only is she not interested in you, but she was trying to trick you.

Now you’re insulted and will never go to that bank again, or at least never believe it when they pretend to care about you.

This is what’s happening with most companies’ “Social Media Strategy.”

They’re acting like they want to connect directly with you, get to know you, or hang out where you hang out.

But unless they learn how to stop selling, listen, and be real – they’re just permanently alienating potential crushes.

This Friday....

This will be a special event at the Library this weekend – here’s more from Griffin Bay Bookstore’s Nancy Larsen:

Griffin Bay Bookstore and the San Juan Island Library are co-sponsoring an evening with Janet Oakley, author of Tree Soldier, on Friday, July 22, 7:00 pm at the San Juan Island Library, 1010 Guard Street. Oakley’s novel tells a depression-era story about a young man, Park Hardesty, a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps, who lives and works in a government forestry camp deep in the North Cascade mountains.

A Note From the Author

My 96 year-old Mom is a native of Idaho and during the summers she often went up to her Uncle Lawrence’s ranch in Lowman just north of Boise. One summer around 1933 a Civilian Conservation Corps camp appeared about a mile away. Some 200 young men were there working on projects. Some were from New Jersey. Years later when I had to write a term paper for a history class, her stories came back.  I began to explore CCC projects around my county in Western Washington.

Janet Oakley

The CCC is responsible for some of the most beautiful structures, campgrounds and parks in Pacific Northwest. The young men, working in squads of 6-9 men, also planted trees, built roads and bridges, backpacked fish into remote lakes, and did reclamation work, including dams. The CCC trained the young men in forestry and woodcraft, provided after hours schooling, and taught them to work as teams. In the end they tackled some of the worst environmental problems caused by soil erosion and over-logging. Many have said the environmental movement started with the CCC.

I have had the great privilege of meeting and talking to real tree soldiers. Their stories of getting on during very hard times have touched me. At my first book talk for Tree Soldier at the Whatcom Museum, a gentleman came up to me and told me about how people were literally starving in a rich farming area in my community. His mother put together food for some of these families. He remembers hearing his parents talk about so and so going into the CCC and how that money coming home saved the family.

The canoes of the Salish tribes are coming....!

This annual event is a super reminder of both our roots in the area, and the chances for a positive future, as First Nations folks come to visit…here’s more from Stephanie Buffum from the Friends of the San Juans:

This Thursday-Sunday over 200 coast Salish tribes will be paddling through the San Juans from Vancouver Island on their way to their final destination, the Swinomish Indian Tribe in La Conner on July 25 for the 2011 Inter-tribal Canoe Journey.

Canoes will arrive on Waldron on Thursday July 21, and at the Port of Friday Harbor on July 22 around 2 pm at the Port of Friday Harbor Breakwater A. The public is invited to attend the welcoming of the canoe at the Port of Friday Harbor at Breakwater A around 2 pm (updates will be posted at the Port of Friday Harbor); and to bring a dessert to the fairgrounds at 7:30 pm to share.

On Saturday, July 23, approximately 12 sea going canoes will depart from the Port of Friday Harbor around 10 am and travel to Odlin County Park on Lopez. Arrivial at Odlin County Park is approximately 2-3 pm. A community potluck is scheduled on Lopez beginning at 5:30 pm.

The Inter-Tribal Canoe Journey is a cultural rejuvenation for the Coast Salish peoples. For the past 20 years, tribal canoes have departed from their homeland to a common destination within Coast Salish territory each summer. The Journey is a drug and alcohol free event and embraces the rich cultural heritage of the coast Salish people. Each canoe represents about 25 people (10 paddlers, 2 support boat members, and 13 ground crew).

Since 2003, FRIENDS of the San Juans has coordinated five Tribal Canoe Journey stop-overs through the islands. FRIENDS of the San Juans coordinates with businesses, service groups, and volunteers to assist with travel, food, and escort boats.

Traveling in traditional vessels....

Supporters include: Friends of the San Juans, Lopez Community Land Trust, Waldron Community, Roche Harbor, San Juan County Fair, Soroptimists, San Juan Islands Scenic Byway, Tif & Gif Creative, Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan County Parks, San Juan Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Rising Tide Graphics, San Juan Transit, Arctic Raven, Griffin Bay Bookstore, San Juan Coffee Roasting Company, Spring Street International School, San Juan Prevention Coalition, San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, Otak, Outdoor Odysseys, Blossom Grocery, Washington State Ferries, Cask and Schooner Public House & Restaurant, Spike Africa, Lion’s Club and support boat captains: Jamie Stephens, Lark Dalton, Gunnar Wickman, Rocco and Linda Cappeto, Jeff Iverson, Jeff and Diane Dyer, and many volunteers!

To volunteer or make a donation to this event, please contact Stephanie Buffum at Friends of the San Juans (360) 378-2319. Help underwrite camping, travel and food costs related to this event. Mail donations to: Friends of the San Juans POB 1344 Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Even late Sunday afternoon, artists were still smiling at the Arts Fair, rain or no rain - that's Nancy & Louis Spaulding, with their amazing work (you can check them out at Island Studios, now that the Fair is over), while Lauren has her awesome bags on display at the Sail Loft down on the waterfront (under the Yacht Club) for San Juan Canvas....

‘Twas a weekend of rain & sprinkles & getting together around the island…hope you got out a bit! Let’s see what’s up….

It was cool to run into Leilani (dreambeadsfh.com) in the street (she was in the crosswalk between Kings & the drug store) and check out her dinner Saturday night - nachos to go from Haley's. Yum!

• Whoa – the midnight show for Harry Potter’s last film in the series sold out in two hours on Thursday afternoon, so Thursday night’s kickoff was full, and the weekend was busy, as the island did its part in making HP the biggest first-weekend moneymaker, eclipsing Twilight (interesting thought, astronomically), Batman & Spiderman.

I liked what writer Stephen King said: “Harry Potter is about confronting fears, finding inner strength and doing what is right in the face of adversity. Twilight is about how important it is to have a boyfriend.”

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• I heard Ally Pemberton Noland, brother Beckett & husband Chris welcomed baby Brooks into the world this past weekend – wahoo!

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• If you got a chance to get out in the summer mist (ok, rain) this weekend, and enjoyed the refreshing coolness of it all, great. It WAS perfect weather for a walk on the westside, or a run around Pear Point….

The weather slowed up things at the Summer Arts Fair downtown (especially on Saturday) and the opening weekend of Island Stage Left’s Winter’s Tale played to small crowds…but the play goes on this coming weekend (and month!) Overall, I liked the way folks at the downtown Fair just kept smiling when I went to visit late Saturday & Sunday afternoon…and the way there were people visiting the booths regardless of the sprinkles.

Cyndi Brast added some photos from the weekend to her portfolio – check it out here.

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They'll be dancing next month at the Farmers Market, too -that's Sakana Rakasa....from left: Melissa, Megan & Amy.

• On Saturday, when the rain let up for an hour or so, it was cool to see dancing at the Farmers Market – in the picture above, that’s (from left), Inanna (Melissa Bailey), Sela (Megan Vivenzio), and Amani (Amy Lopez), who make up the performing belly dance troupe Sakana Rakasa, which means “live to dance.” (The troupe can be reached at sakanarakasa (at) yahoo.com.)

This weekend! Photo by Cyndi Brast.

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• It’s one of the highlights of the summer – the Book Sale, which is Friday & Saturday this weekend. (This is when we stock up for the long, dark, cold, long, dark, did I mention long? winter).

This year they’re gonna be at the big gym at the high school (instead of the elementary school) – here’s the details from Friends of the Library Book Sale Chair Jan Smulovitz:

Hey, Ian – This year the Sale is July 22 and 23…here’s how it works:

The 32nd Annual Summer Book Sale (run by the Friends of the San Juan Island Library) will take place at Turnbull Gym at FHHS on Friday July 22  6-8pm for FOL members only. Membership is $10 for each person or $25 for a family and will be checked at the door.

The Book Sale is then open to all on Saturday from 10am to 2pm, with all proceeds going to the Library. Thousands of books are for sale including best sellers, cook books , art and biography and many more categories.

Biggest smile this weekend: That's Audrey Espinoza's seven-month-old girl Violet this weekend....she calls her 'Ultra-Violet' - you can see why!

PRICES ARE ABSURDLY LOW AT A $1.50 PER INCH OF BOOKS.

Volunteers are still needed to transport the boxes of books from the storage unit to the high school gym and to sort the books in the gym.

Three books, water and cookies for all volunteers.

Contact Jan Smulovitz at 378 8983 to volunteer.

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• Scott Reynolds says he & Michelle are nearly done with the new place at 305 Blair Street (where the Tooth Ferry is going to re-locate in mid-August, next to the school district office). They are aiming to re-open on August 23.

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Saturday night was the opening reception for Kurt Wenner's show at the IMA gallery (next to the Little Store), which tracked some 600 visitors that evening...wow! And...it's an incredible experience, seeing the magic Kurt works on sidewalks everywhere...check it out! IMA board member & former FHHS principal Marilyn Luckman was happy to see FHHS social studies teacher Greg Sawyer, whose kidney replacement recovery is going great (he biked 10 miles late last week!)

Have you heard these guys? Here’s a song you might like called “Temazcal”….

When I dropped by to see Kevin at Affordable Automotive & say hey, he was practicing the uke (he's really good!) while he ordered parts for the customer. (He's at 370-5408.)

You know it’s all around the bend….let’s check it:

Debbi gets everybody ready to go...

• Naturalist Debbi Fincher (right) wraps up orientation with this week’s Road Scholars (formerly Elderhostel) group before they head out to American Camp…the program that operates out of the Skagit Valley College/San Juan  Center here is one of the biggest in the state, and is run by director Randy Martin, Angie Atwell,  and this week’s group leader was John Pachuta.

This week’s program was the first on the island that was “intergenerational” as the grandparents brought their grandkids…great fun!

• Callie McKay is having a garage sale tomorrow:

Garage Sale! Saturday, July 16 from 9-4 on Timber Lane off Beaverton Valley Road… follow signs! Multi-family sale all sorts of items for 0-99 years of age. old working fridge, 4-wheelers, tractors, trucks, furniture, tools, some clothes (all girls). Knickknacks, kitchen goods, hot tub, new jetted bath and lots more. Dogs will be out until 9am and they do not like early birds 🙂

The Lavender Festival is free & open to all!

• Wahoo! The Summer Arts Fair has a few dozen artists, musicians, and more this weekend! The Arts Fair posting is all here for Saturday & Sunday, and will be on that little street between the Courthouse & the building where Rock Island is. Meanwhile, the 10th Annual Lavender Festival is also this weekend on Saturday & Sunday – here’s all about it!

• Island Stage Left‘s production of The Winter’s Tale opens tonight at Wold Road as they kick off their first San Juan Island weekend…

• Thought for the day: “Nothing is so dangerous as always playing it safe.”
Marianne Williamson

• Hey – today’s the last day to sign up for soccer before the prices go up for the fall. Swing by the soccer association’s website to sign up.

Pretty pleased at the turnout for the eleventh year of Music on the Lawn this past Wednesday, Island Rec Director Sally Thomsen is joined by Tim, who is having a good summer (his 31st!) with San Juan Kayak Expeditions.

Taking sidewalk art to the highest level....

Here’s a chance to meet the guy who makes this incredible art – here’s the deal, from IMA Director Jennifer Elise:

IMA Museum and Sculpture Park is proud to announce the
July 16, 2011 Opening Exhibit of Kurt Wenner – Master Artist Master Architect at the Museum in Friday Harbor

Kurt Wenner in action

Kurt Wenner, famous for creating three-dimensional drawings and revolutionizing sidewalk art, will host a reception for the public on Saturday, July 16, 5-8 pm, at the Museum on Spring Street.

Known throughout the world as 3D Street Painting, 3D Pavement Art, 3D Chalk Art, or 3D Sidewalk Art, Wenner’s work is a form of anamorphic art. Anamorphism is usually considered a form of Illusion or Trompe loeil, but is really the logical mathematical continuation of Perspective.

The IMA Museum, 285 Spring Street will present several models of Kurt Wenner’s work. These models are based on previous ephemeral and impermanent artwork and will include for the visitor the use of a viewer and 3D glasses. Both Museum Galleries will be filled with studies, originals, prints, photographs and models creating an exhibition correllating with Wenner’s new book “Asphalt Renaissance.”

“Asphalt Renaissance” will be released August 2, during the IMA Exhibition of Kurt Wenner’s work and the book signing will be held at the Museum later in August. “Kurt Wenner’s exhibit at IMA focuses on the history of pigment art and the development of 3-dimensional ephemeral art. The development of cell phones, digital photography, and internet has created documentation of this primarily performance art. Kurt Wenner’s work presents a fantastic merging of classic studies and modern Pop Art.

Living art...

Wenner has expanded his street paintings to include installations with holographic viewing lenses and pioneering new art forms integrating technology, classic style, and steroscopic 3-dimensional techniques. “It is exciting to present an artist who has created an art movement and is well known world-wide through his performance art, installations, and internet exposure” IMA Director, Jennifer Elise stated. “We’re also very proud to be a part of Kurt Wenner’s current book release.”

The resume of Kurt Wenner ranges from “Absolut Wenner,” the vodka advertisement, “The Last Judgement” signed by Pope John Paul II, installations/designs in both Disneyland Tokyo and France, to a lecture series at the Smithsonian. Wenner has also received the prestigious Kennedy Center Medallion Award for outstanding contribution to arts education.

Historically known as Madonnari, Street Painters, Pavement artists, Chalk Artists, and Sidewalk Artists have designed impermanent or Ephemeral Art for centuries. Asphalt Renaissance, Wenner’s book to be released in August, contains a Street Painting History, explaining how sidewalk art and pavement art transformed itself into a spectacular medium, popular in Advertising, Publicity, and Street Painting Festivals.

While studying classical architecture and perspective, Kurt Wenner applied the principles of classical drawing and classical design to the sidewalk. “Street painting and pavement art have been transformed beyond recognition by Kurt Wenner and this IMA Exhibition tells this story so eloquently.” stated Elise, IMA Director.

An Opening Reception will be held for the Kurt Wenner Exhibit on July 16 from 5-8pm at IMA 285 Spring St. The Reception will include conversation with the artist, wine and the unveiling of the exhibition. For further information contact Jennifer Elise 360.370.5050 or check out the IMA web site at www.sjima.org

This isn’t till next week, but here’s the deal, so you can get it on your calendar….Michelle Loftus tells me The Tea Party is sponsored by the San Juan County Republican Party but is “open to all who want to find answers to our community issues.”

Here’s the scoop:

Good to see Aaron & Adam (left) out & about on the Fourth, and yesterday...Aaron's doing better every day as he continues his rehab since the accident earlier this year in February. He's looking & sounding good! Peace out!

Let’s see what’s going on:

• Hey, you’re going to Farmers Market on Saturday (between 10am-1pm) anyway, so why not time it to see the local bellydancing troupe Sakana Rakasha…my friend Megan tells me this month’s show is at 11:30am or so, and the trio’s dance will have a tribal-fusion theme.

They usually dance once a month at the Market, and they’re building up a nice following…drop in & check ’em out!

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Last night's Music on the Lawn, sponsored by our friends at Island Rec, kicked off the season with country band Camano Cadillac and a nice crowd of over 250 (by my count) enjoyed the pleasant evening's weather & tunes.

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• Since you want to eat out…

Overlooking the marina...

Have you dropped in on Maloula’s lately? I went Tuesday night with some friends, and it was good to catch up with Adnan & his family…the Mediterranean cuisine is awesome, and the view is great, from the top of the building overlooking the marina.

Here’s the website – take a look, then treat yourself. You’ll be glad you did!

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• There’s green, and there’s blue. Let’s talk about “going blue.”

First of all, the Victoria, BC city council has backed a motion that designates the city a “blue community,” one that supports publicly owned water supplies, bans bottled water at civic facilities and recognizes water as a basic human right.

That's the water stacked up at Costco last time I was there, ready to deliver to a landfill near you....

The sale of bottled water will be prohibited at the city works yard, the parks yard, city hall and the Crystal Pool. The ban won’t affect operations at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, which is run by a private contractor. (Here’s more, from the Times-Colonist.)

It’s getting near time for our little island to check the limits of growth (and garbage) and ask when the transfer station has hit those limits. One practical & relatively easy way would be to quit using plastic bottles here. And for sure…quit throwing them away.

The water on the island is good, and getting better. The Town is nearly done (if not already done) with installing a filtration system at Trout Lake that is essentially a Brita filter, and will make our water about as good as it gets, and better than what you can get in a bottle anyway.

It’s time. Bottled water produces up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year. It’s time to do our part.

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Do you need or want a printed version of the County Fair Premium Book? The San Juan Island Garden Club & San Juan Public Access Media joined forces to print this year's...the last 2-3 years the book has only been available online, leaving out the folks who live offline. The County Council had a moment on Tuesday honoring the effort, and presenting a copy to former Town Council member Edith Dickinson, who hasn't participated in the Fair with her great flowers & vegetables lately because there was no book, and she's offline. Winners all around on this one!

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• I mentioned to you that Gwenyth & Monko are at the Rumor Mill tonight (see ya there!), and here’s more – The Good Husbands are playing this weekend.

Spencer (top left), Zach (top right), Tyler Hart & Tyler Roberts are coming home to play for us this wekeend....

Here! On the island!

The show is this Saturday at 1027 Lampard Road with a $15 cover & Common Market (from Seattle) opening. Things kick off at 6:30pm; kids 16 & younger must be accompanied by a parent.

The fun part is you’ve seen these guys play before – Spencer was rapping in high school, and Zach has been around the music scene here before; college football players Tyler & Tyler just fit right in. Part of their success is the incredible job Trent Roberts does with the video work, and another part is the clean recording work the band puts together. Add some talent (ok, a LOT of talent!) to that & you’ll see why these guys are off to a fast start.

Love it when Island kids do good. If you’re into hip hop/rap, you’ll love these guys.

Here’s the Facebook page for the event!

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The new building on Blair Street next to the school district office is looking good - it'll be the new home of the Tooth Ferry office....

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