Sharon Hammel

It was terrible news to wake up to – that Sharon Hammel had passed away in a fire at her house early Sunday morning. You knew Sharon – she worked for the Town and was responsible for making us look so good – the flowers she watered all spring & summer, the plants, the greenspaces. If you knew her better, you knew she was an amazing cook/chef, an involved volunteer for countless activities around the island, the best of good friends to the many people she knew, and the most devoted mom you’d ever want to meet.

The community has rallied around her 15-year-old son Taylor, and is surrounding him with love. But we’ll miss her ready, knowing smile, her incredible energy, and the way whatever she worked on, always came out better under her touch.

I’ve known her for most of the little-over-a-decade she’s lived here, and I can’t believe she’s gone. There’s a big missing piece on the island this morning; Sharon, you’re much missed.

As more information becomes available, I’ll post it.

A donation account has been set up for Taylor Hammel at Whidbey Island Bank.

The fire was reported just after 2am Sunday morning...photo by Ron Garner

Just got this report from public information officer Ron Garner….

On Sunday morning at 2:11am, a 9-1-1 call to the Sheriff’s Dispatch reported “a structure fire with a person trapped inside” in the 1000 block of Park Street in Friday Harbor, Washington.  A patrolling Sheriff’s Deputy, along with the first two firefighters to arrive attempted a rescue but the flames were too intense.  There was one fatality.  Two other residents managed to escape the burning home.

There were four engines and a Rescue truck at the scene with a staff of 21 firefighters.  The first fire engine arrived within six minutes.  San Juan EMS, the American Red Cross and OPALCO all assisted during the incident.  The fire was completely extinguished shortly before 6 AM.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.  For more information contact Friday Harbor Town Hall at (360) 378-2810.

Ron Garner, PIO
San Juan Island Fire Department

It's little things, little joys, we're missing, most days....

Some days, do you get the feeling you’re missing something?

This is a story a friend of mine told me:

I was walking down the sidewalk on a busy New York City day with a friend who lives in the forests of Brazil. He stopped, cocked his head & said, “Listen! I think that’s a robin.” And sure enough, we looked up and there was a bird on the sign above us. I said, “Wow, how could you hear that, with all the city noise here?” My friend said, “You hear what you are trained to hear,” and took a handful of change from his pocket and scattered it on the concrete at our feet. Immediately, people turned and stared, and bent over and started picking it up; the sound was not even as loud as the bird’s song in the city din. “See?” he said. “You hear what you hear.” He smiled.

Seems to me there are plenty of songs going on around me, that I miss because I listen for coins, not bird songs. Sometime the song is a smile from a friend that I miss because I’m too worried about something; sometimes it’s something blooming on the bush when I’m walking & thinking deep thoughts about things that aren’t blooming; often I miss a song from today because I’m focused on something that happened in the past.

The guy in the story above says, “You hear what you are trained to hear,” and I think it’s possible for us to re-train ourselves. This week I’ve looked for & found a new song each day – something I hadn’t noticed that is right around me, but that I couldn’t hear or see or taste or smell or feel because of the head-din in the city of my mind. I stop, I breathe, I listen, and there are new things all around.

And it makes each day new.

Try it & let me know how it goes for you. 🙂

It always good to see the alums come home...Jordan Nash (FHHS '09) dropped in last week to see his bro & sis play in the ball games over the weekend, and to catch up with his dad Pat.

Let’s see what’s happening….

• You know, Jordan Nash (above) & I have something in common – we both have twins for siblings (he has Charles & Margaret, I have Pat & Bama. Yes, I have a brother named Bama. And a sister named Pebbles.) Here’s a video of what MY life was like, when they were little.

Bluebird, in action. Watch for them this spring!

• The bluebirds are back! Here’s more from Kathleen at the Preservation Trust:

Perhaps you’ve noticed that our spring is a little, well, late this year. However, the recent (short-lived) spell of warm weather has brought us our first bluebird sightings (although one intrepid pair did arrive during our snowfall in late February!)

Sara

We are pleased to announce that so far, 10 pairs of birds and several ‘singles’ have appeared and are settling into territories on San Juan Island. Included in this group is one female returning for a fourth(!) breeding season, and a few unbanded birds (which could either be new recruits from their wintering areas or birds born here we were unaware of). Regardless, we are thrilled to have them back and expect more to arrive in the coming weeks. Remember to have your nest boxes cleaned and ready for them!

In addition to returning birds, we have the return of a summer field technician, who gets the great task of monitoring and caring for the bluebird population while they are on San Juan. This year our tech is Sara Cendajas-Zarelli. Be looking for her in the white pickup with the bluebird logo on the side and be sure to say hi!

As always, please report your sightings (especially during this critical time when we are trying to determine who has returned). Any sightings can be reported directly to Sara at 360-298-2822, or to Kathleen at 360-378-2461.

Happy Spring Everyone!

Morse Island, or Battleship Island, from this angle. Photo by Howie...

• Remember when there was a discussion about re-naming Morse Island a while back?

Folks wanted to call it Battleship Island, ’cause it looks like a ship, not dots & dashes (the island IS named after THAT Morse, by the way.)

Here’s a picture from Howie Rosenfeld when we were on the way to the opening of the Sidney/Anacortes/Friday Harbor run on Sunday. Looks like a boat, doesn’t it?

Alan, in action

• Remember last week I mentioned to you that the Animal Shelter was doing a fundraiser with Alan Niles shooting pet portraits – it went great! Here’s more from Alan…and you can see the slideshow at www.AnimalPlanetPhotography.com. Here’s more:

It’s a dog’s life for Alan Niles, pet photographer.  San Juan Island showed its love for  furry friends last weekend by turning out in packs for the pet portrait event hosted by Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor. Forty-four  loving pet owners with over 60 canine companions  were photographed.  The event was a fundraiser for APS-FH with Alan donating $1250 and Jamie Ellsworth, one of the dog handlers and  President of the APS donating all $500.00 of her earnings.  The event was deemed a howing success with contributions totaling $1750.00.

It's fun to get your picture taken with your friends....

“I am so impressed with the love our islanders have demonstrated for their canines,” says Alan. “This community has a big heart and it is a joy to work with such caring and responsible people.”

Take a peek and see the wonderful expressions by the islands 4 legged residents.  And soon other island events will be posted for Shaw Lopez and Orcas as well as a summer outdoor portrait event for families and a November event for those who want portraits for Christmas. With all future events Alan plans to support the shelter while at the same time bringing warmth to island homes with images of loved ones to hang on the walls.

Photos from the shoot are available on Alan’s business Facebook page for Cascade Photographics and on www.AnimalPlanetPhotography.com.

Kindergarten Readiness Program starts this fall....

Cole Hull says the program at St. David’s is expanding – here’s the scoop:

Saint David’s Day School announces the opening of their new Kindergarten Readiness Program designed specifically for Pre-K 4 and 5 year-old children.  The program dovetails into their existing Kindergarten Enrichment program that itself is structured to work in tandem with the public schools’ kindergarten curriculum.

Founded in 2009, Saint David’s Day School’s purpose is to offering a loving environment where enriched-learning opportunities are offered.  “Saint David’s Day School seeks to instill a lifelong passion for learning, a continuum of curiosity,” says Margaret Barker, Lead Teacher.

The brand new Kindergarten Readiness Program will offer social and academic exploration in a nurturing, structured environment.  Continue Reading

Wilson is currently ranked #4 in the state in the 800 with a 2:06 time, while Kia is ranked #6 in the hurdles.

We don’t have that many home track meets this year….only one. So that means this is your only chance to catch our talented squad without having to travel off-island. Drop by FHHS after school on Thursday – see you there!

The show runs Thursdays through Sundays, but opens this Friday, April first.

Are you as excited as I am about this spring’s show that our friends at Island Stage Left have opening this week?

Opening this weekend!

I’m gonna tell you – the show runs for five weeks, but don’t put off going because that wouldn’t work for you, with these possible consequences: a) it always gets more crowded toward the end of an Island Stage Left run, so you might not get a seat, b) you might miss out on the chance to see it twice (that’s what I usually do), and c) people will see you & say, “Have you seen the show?” and you’ll mumble some lame excuse & sound like those island transplants who say, “There’s nothing to do around here!” who complain about the ferries & move after a year.

You wouldn’t want that to happen. So go this weekend.

Here’s more about the show from Brenda Beckett:

“TRYING” revolves around the true story of Judge Francis Biddle – Attorney General for Franklin Roosevelt and judge at the Nuremberg Trials – and his relationship with a 25 year old secretary hired by his wife to help him write his memoirs as his memory is fading.  Based on the author’s own experience in 1967-1968, it is a beautifully written piece of theatre, a funny, intelligent and warm account of a young Canadian girl from the Saskatchewan prairie  and an old Philadelphia aristocrat “trying” to understand each other in what Biddle knows is the final year of his life.  By 1968, Judge Biddle was indeed trying. Very trying.

“Comic and touching.” – The New York Times

“Trying is a portrait of generational reconciliation.  It is enormously bracing theatre.” – New York Daily News

“ Unquestionably a Pulitzer Prize contender.” – Chicago Sun Times

“Exquisitely literate, moving and compelling.” – Variety

“This is gonna rock! Be sure & see it, or die trying!” – San Juan Update

This is a TED talk with researcher/storyteller Brene Brown (she warns that “researcher” is a good way to scare people off, but I know you’re tough).

When she discusses what she calls the power of vulnerability, she helps people see the place within where a sense of belonging can begin…see what you think.

Can you tell the story of who you are with your whole heart?

Debbi Fincher is helping put together the master list – here’s the scoop:

I was hoping I could put out a request to anyone offering new summer programs/activities for youth and families. We would like to add new programs to the annual San Juan Island Prevention Coalition Summer Calendar for our youth and families.

The calendar has been a useful tool for families to plan their summer outings and I would like it to be as accurate as possible. This free service is sponsored by the SJI Prevention Coalition. Please send your information (date, time, place, name of program, ages, cost and contact info) to sjipcsummercalendar (at) gmail.com The calendars will be available at the Children’s Festival on May 7th , in addition to being distributed through local schools and businesses. Thank you!

For more information call Debbi Fincher at 378-9479

Nailed it! Ted Kruth of Friday Harbor shot a hole-in-one on the eighth hole in the Island Busters Golf Tournament at the San Juan Golf & Country Club Saturday. (Thanks, Patti & John, for sharing!)

Let’s see what’s going on.…

• Hey, you’ve seen those plastic tubes from the road (see ’em in the picture, behind the guys?) You can be part of helping restore wetlands -here’s a note from Diane at the Land Bank:

Tubular, dude...

Here’s an opportunity to help the San Juan County Land Bank with ongoing wetland restoration at the Beaverton Marsh Preserve.

When: Tuesday, April 5, 6 – 8 pm – pizza will be provided!
Where: The Land Bank office at 328 Caines Street, Friday Harbor.
What: Cut mulch sheets and assemble protective tubes for newly planted native shrubs at Beaverton Marsh.

Call 378-4402 for more information, or just stop by to help!

Acoustic magic with Elephant Revival this weekend....

• Just outside of Boulder, Colorado is a place called Nederland, which is a great place for great music…have you been there? Do it the easy way – a great band from Nederland is playing this weekend at the Community Theatre….save your ticket to Denver & come to the show on the island. Here’s more from Jan at the SJCT:

Like Scottish/Celtic fiddle tunes? Folk? How about reggae? Maybe even 40s/50s jazz standards?

Elephant Revival of Colorado brings all of that and more to the Whittier stage THIS Saturday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Young in age and conception, the group carries a fresh sense of creativity and inspiration for folks of every generation as they perform on the cutting edge of an emerging genre: Transcendental Folk. The band consists of Bonnie Paine (vocals, washboard, djembe, musical saw), Sage Cook (electric banjo/guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, viola, vocals), Dango Rose (double-bass, mandolin, banjo, vocals), Daniel Rodriguez (acoustic guitar, electric banjo/guitar, vocals) and Bridget Law (fiddle and vocals).

Their most recent studio album, Break in the Clouds, was released November 2010. It expands the group’s multi-genre musical approach with dynamic instrumentation and the gift of all five members’ songwriting skills.

Check them out at www.ElephantRevival.com! Here’s them on YouTube…singing Currach:

Saturday's regatta at Roche Harbor was sponsored by the San Juan Island Sailing Foundation, and John Miller was there to shoot this well-composed shots (thanks, John!)

The lasagna dinner & auction is tonight at the Yacht Club, with things getting underway at 5:30pm. This is the Friday Harbor Sailing Team’s main fundraiser for the year – come on by!

Whoops...photo by John Miller.

Upwind duel...photo by John Miller

Charles Nash worked the count (above) before cranking a two-run homer over the left field fence to bring Gavin Guard home & to set Saturday's final margin at 8-5 as the Wolverines won. FHHS is in action this afternoon at LaConner.

Wasn’t Saturday a great day for getting around & seeing the kids in action? Baseball & softball played at home, while the track team was back from a Friday meet.

Today the soccer team travels to University Prep, while softball & Baseball trek to LaConner…golf & tennis played yesterday.

Jean Melborne delivers a pitch in the last inning of the Wolverines' 10-0 loss to Cedar Park Christian Saturday, as Maggie Anderson is ready at first. The girls take on the Braves at LaConner today....

The Sidney town crier welcomes us crazy Americans on a blustery, coldish trip to Canada on Sunday, for the first trip of the Washington State Ferries to British Columbia of the year....it's great to have the ferry running & to feel connected to our Canadian friends again.

Let’s see what’s going on ’round here….

San Juan County Council member Howie Rosenfeld helped represent San Juan Island at Sunday's festivities in Sidney.

• It was fun to go to the welcoming ceremony Sunday in Sidney, as the ferry route from Anacortes/Friday Harbor to British Columbia opened up for the season. It’s always a feel-good session, as folks from both sides of the water celebrate the connection we all share as the present residents & denizens of the Salish Sea.

The ferry is our highway to Vancouver Island, and things are currently under review to determine the level of service that will remain after the present round budget cuts in Washington State are sorted out.

Gonna be kinda hard for us to provide for visitors in our little tourist-driven economy if the infrastructure is cut back…hope everything stays in place. The Canadians like visiting here, and it’s a good way for us to stay in touch with them.

Carrie Unpingo, on food

• Have you seen Carrie‘s new blog about, as she says, “Food, with a little life thrown in.” It’s great fun – see what you think! Check it here.

• I hear that Sarah Joy Staude (FHHS ’96) has plans to make her & Julio‘s boy Gabriel a big brother – wahoo! They live in Costa Rica….

• The PTSA & grad night folks were glad you went to the fundraiser basketball game – here’s more from Ginny:

The Friday Harbor High School PTSA and the Class of 2011 Senior’s vs. Faculty Basketball Fundraiser was a great success!  Thank you to all who attended, donated, assisted, played, cheered and most of all supported the class.

The monies raised will be used for Project Graduation Night which keeps our graduates off the road and in a safe, alcohol- and drug-free environment on graduation night. Funds raised help defray the cost of transportation, food and entertainment at this event.  Thank you to the community for their continued support of our students!
Friday Harbor High School PSTA and the students and parents of the Class of 2011

Andrew McLaglen

• He’s an American icon, an island icon, and a great guy.

I just ran into this interview (Aaron D’Errico pointed it out) from two years ago with Andrew McLaglen, and I believe it should be required reading for anyone who lives here – he’s an amazing talent & an amazing spirit. Read it & you’ll be proud.

• Power’s gonna be out: According to the front page of the OPALCO website, they have to turn things off for a bit for part of the island tomorrow (Wednesday). Here’s the deal:

Planned power outage on San Juan Island 3/30 from 9a-2p: Mitchell Bay, Westside Rd, High Haro, Carefree, Gretchen and Mt. Dallas areas.

Teri at Be Chic Boutique has Toms Shoes! Here are a couple of styles, modeled by Becky Taylor. Side notes: The boots in the background are NOT a TOMS design, and if you hire Becky for other fashion shoots, I get a finder's fee.

• It’s time to start growing that garden! And…you can help folks on the island, too…here’s a great idea from Joyce:

Hey, Ian! People are planting their gardens now.  Fresh produce at the Food Bank on Market Street is GREATLY appreciated.

Beth & Chris Spaulding had a good reason to get away to Victoria this past weekend - it's their 30th wedding anniversary! Congrats, you two!

As people plant their gardens, I would like to remind them to plant an extra row or two to donate to the Food Bank.  Durable, long-lasting vegetables like carrots, winter squash, onions and potatoes are much appreciated…as are fresh greens, fresh fruit from the many island fruit trees that produce great apples, pears, and plums that often go unused.

The Food Bank is open from 12 noon – 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  The best time for drop-off of fresh produce and other items is between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. on those days.  If special arrangements need to be made for drop-off, contact the Family Resource Center next door to the Food Bank at 378-5246.

Thank you to all of our community members and organizations who continue to support our local Food Bank in so many ways!

Joyce Sobel

Kevin told me Elsa got pretty excited about Charles Nash's sixth inning homer at the baseball game on Saturday...

Nancy Young and the SJPSF have some good news:

The San Juan Public Schools Foundation was pleased to recently donate $32,000 to the San Juan School District.

$26,000 went to the FHHS/FHMS to purchase new Literature books, $5,000 went to FHES for Everyday Math Curriculum supplies, and $1,000 went to FHES for Science Curriculum supplies. There will be an additional donation in the near future to help support the curriculum needs at FHHS.  Most of this money has been raised in our annual Phone-a-Thon, or the Business Partnership in the School Directory.

And mark your calendars for the 17th Annual Knowledge Bowl at the SJI Community Theatre!

Above: SJPSF Chair Lisa Anderson presents check to FHMS teacher John McMain; below, she checks in with FHES teacher Teresa Degavre with new materials for the kids.

This posting has two parts – Alice Hibberd is offering a deal called Adventure Games (that’s the first part) and Yoga for KIds (the second) next week…here’s the story:

This one is called Pipeline...

Adventure Games!
Free Programs with Alice Hibberd at the Elementary School
For students in Grades 3-5

Vacation Week Games (6 hr class)
Monday, April 4 & Tuesday, April 5
9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (bring sack lunch)

Afterschool Game Series (6 hr series)
Thursdays, April 14, 21, 28, May 5
2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Join new and old friends for fun, creative (and sometimes crazy) games that will surely get you smiling, and thinking! Come to one or both programs.

Use props and “toys” to discover new things about each other while working as a team through some challenging situations. Cross “hot volcanic lava” together to reach your survival helicopter. Maneuver around “pools of quick sand” with the help of a friend. Together, create a plan to escape an angry ”grizzly bear” protecting her cubs. Dress for the outdoors! Continue Reading

Corwin Perren (left) and Nicki Le Baron help assemble the ROV.

Michael Barsamian (he’s also the keeper with the good hands for the soccer team) and Sarah Clark (heckuva actress – she was Iris in FHHS’ Still Life With Iris) are part of the program at FHHS that is doing amazing things underwater…here’s their report:

The beginnings of the actual ROV.

It is getting down to crunch time for the high school and middle school teams currently participating in the MATE competition to create an underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV). Under the guidance of high school teachers Nick Frazee and Marc Vermeire, these students have so far successfully designed and started the building process of their ROVs. The process has taken place at the University of Washington San Juan Island Marine Biology Labs, and the students have been testing their ROVs at the San Juan Health Club.

Both teams have been working every week to complete their ROVs for the competition. The MATE competition requires the teams to create an ROV capable of carrying out underwater missions, simulating tasks such as capping an oil well, collecting biological samples, removing damaged pipes, measuring depth, and so on.

Boasting teams of 14 high school students and 8 middle school students, these teams will travel to the city of Federal Way on May 7th for a regional competition.  There a panel of judges will grade them on the success of their robots in their missions and the presentation of the project.

The communications team, made up of five high school students, will give the presentation. This team takes care of all of the paperwork, press releases, and the presentation itself.

If the teams win this regional competition, the next step is an international competition in Texas.  More updates will be given in the near future.

The participants on the Friday Harbor MATE would like to thank their mentors, the Labs for donating their space and initial funds for the construction of these ROVs, and the Public Schools Foundation.