Did you know this was THIS weekend? Here’s more from Loren & Dan at Westwind Aviation:

Westwind Aviation will celebrate International Learn to Fly Day with a Learn-To-Fly event this Saturday May 21 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Join owner Dan DeShon and staff for a tour of their facility and aircraft, including the
only twin-engine charter aircraft in the San Juan Islands.

Also featured will be introductory flying lessons and a thirty-minute presentation
“All You Need to Know About Learning to Fly” at noon and 2 p.m.  Refreshments
will be served and there will be a drawing for two introductory flight lessons.

For more information, please call Westwind Aviation at 360-378-6991

Looks like the parents all got paid & left the kids with Cole.... 🙂

Every Saturday at Farmers’ Market you probably get a cup of coffee from Cole Hull…well, he’s in Papua New Guinea, where is coffee comes from, and wanted to report what he’s up to, in this note I got a couple of hours ago:

Ian:  While “on the road,” I have been keeping up with the happenings back home, and wanted to send you a Tok Pisin “apinun” (“good evening,” though actually a variation of “afternoon”).

Finally after several years representing coffee from tribal groups from the Western Highlands of Papua New Guinea, I finally got on a plane (several actually) and came out for a visit. I’m presently in the second week of a three week visit, working out of the Madan Coffee and Tea Plantation.

Over 450 native Papua New Guineans people live and work around the coffee estate and mill here, mostly in 3 tribes and a multitude of clans. I am the only white man who works for the company, doing all their export logistics and marketing (some of which makes it all the way to our local Farmer’s Market, but not so much this month as I am Gone Daddy Gone).

Anyways, thanks for keeping me updated up here in the Highlands (when I can find electricity and a satellite uplink that is!)  Attached is a picture of me and a group of kids who joined me in rolling out some parchment coffee for sun drying last Saturday (the day after “fortnight” payday, so pretty much only kids seemed to be around the villages).

Cole Hull
High Country Coffee

Shu/Snoopy curses the Red Baron once again...

Last weekend, I dropped by to catch the Saturday production of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and as noted earlier, loved it.

For starters, the show is funny. The crowd was laughing along with the sight gags (which is why you can take the kids – they’ll get it!), as well as smiling knowingly with the little pearls of wisdom that are the trademark of Charles Shultz’s Peanuts gang. It’s a fun show.

The thing that makes this work is on this stage is the cast – they play the show full speed & full energy. The six actors – Scott Mapstead as Charlie Brown; Jim “Shu” Carroll as Snoopy; Amanda Lee Smith as Lucy; Jill Urbach as Sally; Doug Schirmer as Linus; and Nicholas Zervas as Schroeder – carry the show.

Amanda/Lucy helps straighten Scott/Charlie Brown out, for only 5 cents....

All are strong singers who are even stronger singing together – the occasional song with six-part harmony is right on – and the choreograpy is spot-on as well, thanks to choreographer Lisa Duke.

In addition, they’re backed by a tight orchestra, directed by Rob Simpson (who also plays the synthesizers) featuring pianist Jim Collado, clarinetist Sue Collado, Jonathan Piff on the bass, and Dennis Willows playing drums. Director Margaret Hall has a winner here!

People tend to say that we have a lot of talent on the island, as they look around at the books we write, the songs we sing, the dancing, the art, the wit & humor…you know. You’ve seen it – this show is a chance to see islanders at their best. Don’t miss it!

Here’s the ticket info, including the deal for Bargain Night tonight….

Bob Reilly caught this guy napping in a tree on Spring Street early yesterday, downtown. Bob says he was gone an hour later....

Let’s see what’s up….

• Tracy says there’s a work party tomorrow at the gravel pit (the LaFarge property) from 4:30-6:30pm to remove scotch broom, fennel and blackberries. Be sure & bring water & gloves! (Call Island Rec for more info if you like – 378-4953.)

The ROV team: From left: Matthew Mazzarella, Nicki Le Baron, Michael Barsamian, Nick Roberts, Corwin Perren, Alex Halliday, Matthew Skeels. Not pictured: Brett Paul, Sam Waite, Sarah Clark

• The fun part about our ROV team is the way they did so well with ingenuity…Lovel Pratt dropped me a line: “Did you know that their $250 ROV beat out $15,000 and $20,000 ROVs?  Get the kids to tell you the story about the school bus stop at REI on the way to the soccer game to get a needed part for the ROV before the competition!” It’s all way cool – here’s the story from Michael Barsamian:

FHHS ROV Team Takes Third Place

Saturday, May 7, was the MATE Underwater ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) competition in Federal Way for the Friday Harbor High School Robotics team. Their team, led by senior Nick Roberts and junior Alex Halliday, didn’t have high expectations, due to it being their first year as participants. The team originally only had two hours on Sundays scheduled to work on the ROV, but the builders put in many more hours of work than that.

The competition itself in Federal Way consisted of two underwater runs. In each of these runs, the ROV had to simulate capping an oil well, collecting biological samples, closing a valve, etc. Completing tasks in these runs earned each team points. After taking the best score from both runs, each team had their poster reviewed by a judge, and gave a technical design report on their ROV. These presentations focused on the electronic scheme, special appendages, motors, and abilities of the ROVs.

After finishing the competition, the FHHS team was awarded with the Spirit Award, and the 3rd Place Award for the Ranger Class, finishing behind Team Endeavor and Team Neptune (both a part of the Skagit Sea-tech 4H Club). The FHHS team’s presentation and poster were both rated the second best in their class.

Unfortunately, the Friday Harbor Middle School Team was unable to participate in the competition.

The participants on the FHHS team would like to thank Nick Frazee and Marc Vermeire as well as the community members who helped mentor them. They would also like to thank the University of Washington Friday Harbor Marine Biology Labs and Public Schools Foundation for donating space and resources for the construction of the ROV.

• You’ve seen movies at the Palace Theatre, and may remember it when it was the Royal Theatre….but I’m glad to see that Dean Kinnaman is going to give a talk about the place that he pretty much grew up in. About a month ago, he told me stories about his time growing up on the island with the theater his dad Ray managed for so many years. It was called The Fribor back in 1915 when it was built by Alfterd Middleton…and you can come hear Dean’s presentation at 10am Saturday at the theatrer about all the time since, including how Lee and Milt Bave purchased and renovated the building, giving it new life and its current look.

See you there!

The Fribor Theatre, back in the day...come hear Dean tell about the history of the theater at 10am on Saturday, at the Theater.

It’s always good to catch up with Kels Boreen – here’s his original of “Footloose”…

You can be part of the plan!

I took Island Rec’s survey & let me tell you, it’s not that hard (only takes a few minutes) and it will give you a good idea of the incredibly broad array of projects & activities they’re involved with in our community. Today is the last day to do it – please please please take the five minutes it’ll take to do it! Here’s more from Sally:

Have you become Part of the Plan yet? You have till Friday May 20 to complete an online survey at www.islandrec.org and it will take only about five minutes of your time!

Island Rec is in the process of updating its 2000 Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan. Participation from San Juan Islanders is critical in developing a plan that reflects the needs of Island residents and that is supported by the community.
Islanders can Be Part of the Plan by completing a survey now available online at www.islandrec.org.

Island Rec will then present the results of the survey at an Open House on Wednesday May 25 from 4 to 6:30pm at the Grange giving the public more opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas about Island Rec and its future.

Once developed the new plan will establish goals and priorities for Island Rec and recommended specific improvements for the next 6 years.

For more information contact Sally Thomsen, Recreation Director at 378-4953.

From the notebook….

• Deanna Banry says she & her family are going to have the restaurant at the bowling alley open by the end of the month – calling it The Banry Cafe, with new decor & menu…watch for it!

• Lori Guard says it was the “Game of the Century” as the the softball girls scored the runs they needed as they trailed 6-2 in the seventh but came away with a 7-6 come-from-behind win that allows the Wolverines to continue to the Tri-Districts tourney in Sedro Woolley this weekend. You can tell who was at the game Saturday – the fans are still hoarse from all the yelling.

• When I went to the grocery store at 8pm on Sunday night, I ran into folks who all seemed to be smiling & cheerful. I said hey & asked, “You just got through seeing Charlie Brown, didn’t you?”…and they all had. Last weekend is this weekend…you’ll love it.

• Jody Price could use a hand – Senior Presentations are next week on Tuesday, and she needs some community members to help by sitting in & hearing what the kids have been doing for the past 12 years & write up evaluations. I’ve done it before (and gonna do it this year) and it’s really cool – hope you sign up. Call Jody at FHHS at 378-5215 for more info.

And – you’re invited to come, too!

• The Historical Museum has a cool presentation this week – here’s more from Kevin:

The Ingenious Jim Crook
Thursday, May 19, 2011
6:00 pm

A guided tour of the Historical Museum’s newest exhibit, which profiles the life of San Juan Island pioneer Jim Crook. The exhibit interprets Crook’s ingenious wool processing inventions and his homestead and life at English Camp. A presentation chronicling the Crook family’s years at English Camp will precede the tour and will be held in the Etta Egeland Resource Center.  The program is part of the Town of Friday Harbor’s celebration of National Historic Preservation Month. Suggested donation $5. Museum members no charge.

I wanted to work today, but my computer decided to take the day off…I have a bunch of stuff to share with you, but I’m guessing it’ll be later today or tomorrow when I get things going. Thanks for checking in…

In the meantime, I hope you get a chance to get outside & play!

Remember Chad & Jeremy’s Summer Song? No matter how grey it is outside, this always brightens things up:

It is so cool to go to bed each night knowing that you did something good that day. I think we shortchange  ourselves when we wonder if the little things we do & give to people in the world are “enough” and whether we “made a difference.” Every little bit counts, and adds up.

Each day we have a chance to bloom again & celebrate the beauty around us, and to create anew the love we feel each day.

In this TEDx Talk, Becca Stevens offers her thoughts about The Wonder and Grace of a Drop in the Bucket. It’s a simple, and powerful reminder of the way we look after each other, and how that matters.

Diana (left) congratulates Jill Urbach (Sally) after last night's show - the play has a family special today & only runs next weekend after that - be sure & catch it!

Last night I went to see “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” and it was awesome!

You don’t want to miss this one – and today (Sunday) is the day to go, because there’s a family special – buy one adult ticket & get a kid ticket free. You’re going to be glad you went! The show at the Community Theatre on Sunday is at 5pm – be there!

Your kids will thank you!

Let’s take a look around:

• Leah Altman’s new website just went live for Pin Pin Apparel – check it out!

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• You know The Chameleons are playing this weekend at The Rumor Mill – they changed the date – they were playing tonight, but now they’re on the schedule for Saturday at 7:30pm – see you there!

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• And…could you spare some shoes?

Besides their event last night to raise money for their mission to the Dominican Republic, the Woodward family is taking shoes to people who need them – here’s more from Vic:

Shoes for kids – Donate your shoes today!

Two years ago, the Friday Harbor community donated bunches of shoes for Haitian kids living in the Dominican Republic. What an incredible gift to the children living in the bateys (villages) outside Barahona! As in the past, Children of the Nations will distribute the shoes that we collect this year. We, the Woodward family, are going to be serving again in the Dominican Republic for 7 weeks, June 14th – Aug. 4th. Thank you in advance for your shoe donations.  Please drop off cleaned-up shoes for young and old at these locations: San Juan Island Fitness and Extreme Fitness. For more information call…378-8435.

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That’s Mike Close at Friday Harbor Marine cooking brats for the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday…and for visitors to the island all summer.

• My seven year old friend Lilah has a gluten free diet – good for her! She asked me the other day if something was “non-gluten-free,” and I told her it was “non-gluten-free-free.”

She gets it.

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Have you SEEN all the cool stuff they do at Friday Harbor Marine? Here – look!

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• You heard about the breaching whale that landed on a boat’s sail & rigging? Here’s more.

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• Katie Jones (Spyhopper Travels Photography) caught this orange-crowned warbler in action the other day – further proof that spring has sprung!

An orange-crowned warbler…photo by Katie Jones

Flowers on the island: The anemone surrounded by violas…beautiful colors in a photo from last week by Dot Vandaveer (thanks, Dot!)

Bryn, in action

Tonight, Bryn will be doing a presentation about his new book, so I wanted to take a moment to fill you in on that new work, and also new books by Shann Weston & Susan Wingate that are available. Further proof that islanders are about as literate as you can get – not only as writers but as readers. Rock on, and be sure & buy local! – here’s more:

Tonight, Bryn Barnard begins the first part of a three-session series at the Library, with the first two weeks spotlighting his new book The Genius of Islam: How Muslims Made The Modern World. This incredible Renaissance man – writer, artist, philosopher, teacher, and more – puts on a good show, so I hope you get a chance to visit with him.

Here’s more about him on his website, and here’s a blurb about the book from Third Place Books near Seattle:

The Middle Ages were a period of tremendous cultural and scientific advancement in the Islamic Empire—ideas and inventions that shaped our world.

Did you know that:

• The numbers you use every day (Arabic numerals!) are a Muslim invention?
• The marching band you hear at football games has its roots in the Middle East?
• You are drinking orange juice at breakfast today thanks to Islamic farming innovations?
• The modern city’s skyline was made possible by Islamic architecture?

The Muslim world has often been a bridge between East and West, but many of Islam’s crucial innovations are hidden within the folds of history. In this important book, Bryn Barnard uses short, engaging text and gorgeous full-color artwork to bring Islam’s contributions gloriously to life.  Chockful of information and pictures, and eminently browsable, The Genius of Islam is the definitive guide to a fascinating topic.

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Shann

If you’ve ever had a more-than-two-minute conversation with Shann Weston, you know that she not only sees things at different levels, but also sees how they connect, and often expresses the beauty & wonder of that connection.

Her first novel Curve of the Moon was released this year, following her well-regarded 2001 work Naturescaping: A landscaping partnership with nature. Here’s a brief synopsis of the book:

A powerful intuition leads Aidan MacLaine deep into the Northern Scottish Highlands, an extraordinary wilderness he’d once roamed and dearly loved.

When he arrives at The Big Misty Lodge, the world falls away. Astoundingly, the woman who claimed his heart eleven years ago stands before him. Kate Stoker’s dreams had been haunted by Aidan ever since Montana. Suddenly, he is back in her life and clearly troubled by something ominous. Meanwhile, she has her own dangerous secrets to keep.

This contemporary romance has old-fashioned roots and a love of dramatic landscapes, journeying to an ancient Scottish island, Ireland and the islands of the American Northwest. Love, poetry, art and music keep Aidan and Kate whole through all the relentless circumstances that confront them.

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Susan

Susan Wingate is one of the more prolific authors on the island, and is incredibly generous with her broad & award-winning experience, sharing her vision of what writing really is & how to market one’s writing in an ongoing series of workshops, both here & offisland. Currently on book tour, this year, she is traveling in Washington State, Oregon, Arizona, California, and on May 25th, she will be in New York City for the 2011 BookExpo America.

Her latest book is Drowning – here’s a plot summary from her website:

Even with her mother’s death days away, even as her marriage is falling apart, Euly Winger leaves home, returning to the place she grew up in order to uncover a dark secret about her parent’s divorce.

On her search for answers, Euly meets up with an old family friend – now broken and drunk – who tries to seduce her in a trade for information. After rejecting his advances, she ends up breaking into her aunt’s and rummages through her private records. However, after catching her, Aunt Moon tosses Euly out of her home. With no one else to turn to, she goes back to the drunk. When he ends up attacking her, Euly fights him off. Incensed by her second rejection, he angrily blurts out everything about her parents. When he finally leaves, she accidentally overdoses, slips into unconsciousness while bathing, nearly drowns, and ends up in the hospital.

Two days later, she returns home just hours before her mother dies. As they sit alone together, Euly asks her mother for the truth.

Here’s the playoff update from FHHS athletic director & dean of students Rod Turnbull, as of today:

Our spring teams are rapidly approaching the District 1 playoff portion of their seasons. The District 1 Tournament is used to determine the seeding of the 1A teams located in District 1. There are six 1A teams in District 1, (with the exception of Tennis), but they play in 3 different leagues. To determine which teams move forward to the Tri-District tournament we hold a sub-district tournament. While the tournaments look different logistically, because of the sport involved, the outcome is the same. The District 1 (sub-district) tournament determines the number of teams and the order for which they move on to the Tri-District tournament. Below is an update of each fall team’s playoff outline.

• Girls Fastpitch Softball – Our girls fastpitch team has secured the #1 seed into the District 1 tournament. They will play the winner of the Meridian / Nooksack game on Saturday, May 14, at Janicki Fields in Sedro Woolley, 12:00 start. A win would move them on to the Tri-District tournament the following Saturday as the 1st or second seed. A loss and they would need one more win to move on as the # 3 seed. If the girls enter as the # 3 seed, they will play on Tuesday May 17 at a site TBD. For more information including tournament brackets, visit the District 1 website at www.nwdist1.com

• Girls Tennis – Our girls completed District play last. Rebecca Leff won the girls singles title and will enter the Tri-District tournament on May 19 as the NW #1 seed. On Monday, May 16, Hayden Place playing boys singles, Parker Satin & Ryan Cole, and Maddi McPadden & Shanti Nefff-Baro will be playing in a play-in game to move on to the Tri- District tournament on May 19, & 20.

• Baseball – Our baseball team defeated Bellevue Christian on Thursday, May 12, to earn a trip to the state Regional playoffs on Saturday, May 21. They will now play to determine what seed they enter the Region playoffs as. Today, May 13, they play Chimicum HS… a win and they play on Saturday, May 14 at 3:00 for the 1st or 2nd seed. A loss today, and they play at 12:00 on Saturday, for the 3rd or 4th seed. Either game on Saturday will be at Skagit Valley College.

• Boys Soccer – Our boys soccer team completed their season on Thursday, May 5 at Lynden Christian.

• Boys & Girls Golf – Kendra Meeker tied for 1st and Megan Cuomo placed 5th to earn berths at the Tri-District golf tournament next Tuesday, May 19. The tournament will be held at Gold Mountain Golf Club. On the boys side, Quinn Bune and Riley Rousar are 1st alternates to the tournament placing 15th and 16th at the District Tournament.

• Boys & Girls Track – Our track team will head to Lynden Christian on Wednesday, May 11, and Friday, May 13 to compete in the District 1 Track meet.

The Charter Soroptimist Club members - in 15 years, the service group has grown to include 116 members. Pictured: seated, left to right: Mitzi Johnson, Pat Hansen, Lynn Danaher, Liz Illg. Standing left to right: Carrie Brooks, Vicky Thalaker, Nancy Hanson, Judie Ross, Jana Meredith-Sodimu, Judy Cornell, Annette Schaffer.

Barbara Sharp had a couple of cool things about the Soroptimist Club – let’s see what’s up:

SOROPTIMISTS CELEBRATE FIFTEEN YEARS!

Friday Harbor Soroptimists celebrated the 15th anniversary of their club’s charter by Soroptimist International. At their Anniversary Luncheon on Wendesday, May 11 at the Mullis center, they honored the thirteen charter members still active in the club: Lenore Bayuk, Carrie Brooks, Judy Cornell, Lynn Danaher, Phyllis Davis, Debbie Dickinson, Pat Hansen, Nancy Hanson, Carol Jackson, Mitzi Johnson, Judie Ross, Annette Schaffer and Vicky Thalacker. In addition, they honored two members who joined during the 1996 charter year and are also still active: Liz Illg and Jana Meredith-Sodimu. The Anacortes Soroptimist club sponsored the Friday Harbor group, and a number of Anacortes club members were special guests at the luncheon.

Attendees enjoyed a special lunch prepared by Becki Day of Vinny’s Ristorante, musical entertainment by guitarist Amanda Brast and pianist Farhad Ghatan, and perused the club’s collection of scrapbooks documenting the last fifteen years. Pat Hansen, president from 1996-1998, entertained all with a narrative of the club’s history, noting that food for the first year’s corn beef and cabbage event was cooked in twenty crock pots at the Grange. Charter members Nancy Hanson, Mitzi Johnson, Judie Ross and Annette Schaffer also added anecdotes on their early experiences with the club.

Soroptimist of Friday Harbor has grown from its 43 charter members to 116 members. However its commitment remains the same: support for our community and especially women and children. For further information on Soroptimist activities and events, go to www.sifri.org.

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The Earth Day project: This Soroptimist work crew helped improve the garry oak habitat on Cady Mountain, with help from their spouses.

Soroptimists Work to Save the Island’s Garry Oaks for Earth Day 2011

Soroptimists in action on their Earth Day project....

For a second year,  a Soroptimist work crew spent April 30 helping to improve the  Garry Oak habitat on Cady Mountain.

Under the direction of San Juan County Land Bank arborist Doug McCutchen, the crew cleared away Douglas Fir that have been crowding out the stand of Garry Oaks in their meadow habitat. They also weeded around the oak seedlings and repaired protective cages. After lunch, Gary Slater from the Ecostudies Institute gave a presentation on the Western Bluebird Reintroduction Project. In addition to the beautiful island views from Cady Mountain, volunteers were rewarded with cookies from Harrison House Suites and $20 gift certificates for Coho Restaurant.

Garry Oaks were once plentiful on the island, but years of converting land to agricultural, residential and industrial development has fragmented their habitats.    Garry Oak ecosystems support 75 to 80 species of animals and birds who are now facing a dwindling habitat.  If anyone would like to participate in a work party, contact Doug McCutchen at 378-4402.