The Dixie Chicks in concert...

It’s sweet & it’s sad…here’s “A Home” with the Dixie Chicks…

Watching for roadkill....this bald eagle was hanging out on Roche Harbor Road last weekend. Photo by John Miller

Let’s see if we can catch up with what’s going on ’round here:

• The Soroptimist Club’s 13th St. Patrick’s Dinner & Auction is this Saturday…have you got your tickets yet? Here are the details.

• You knew it – 1921 was a great year: That was the year Howard Schonberger was born, today. Happy 90th Birthday, Howard!

• Mariya has a mini-clinic tomorrow for all you horse-lovers:

Join us for a Free Equestrian’s Mini-Clinic with Joanna Mendl-Shaw on Thursday, March 10 3-6 pm. The clinic is open to everyone along with equestrians. Joanna Mendl-Shaw, the Juilliard School and Alvin Ailey Dance Faculties, is the artistic director of The Equus Projects www.dancingwithhorses.org.

Using Brain Gym® activities and Ball Work we will focus on fun ways to work on the strength and body integration that equestrians need. Some anatomical information will be given. The more “exercise” oriented work will transition into a short creative exploration with a partner that focuses on leading and following.

There is no cost to participants for the clinic ~ humans only this time. Bring an inflatable exercise ball. Pre-registration is required, Contact Mariya Masters to register 378-1032 or mariyairenemasters (at) gmail.com.

• The folks at the Land Bank need you to help get the job done – can you put this on your calendar for the 18th? Here’s the deal from Diane Kinnaman:

I’m happy to report the Land Bank had several volunteers contribute many hours in late February & early March, planting over one hundred gooseberry and native hawthorn out on the Beaverton Marsh Preserve (Roche Harbor Rd.), San Juan Island! Still many more bare root plantings to get in the ground, so another planting party will held on Friday, March 18th. The more the merrier! We are also thrilled to report Friday Harbor High School students are assisting with this restoration effort for their Community Service project, as well. There is much more work to be done throughout the spring, in addition to the plantings – if anyone is interested in volunteering or to learn more, please call 378-4402.

He's amazing & he's going to be here: The IMA & Spring Street International are bringing Kurt Wenner here for a presentation at 3:30pm on Saturday and a presentation and artist's reception on Sunday at 2, both at the Community Theatre. Check the Calendar (sanjuancalendar.com on those dates) for details.

• Just got this note from children’s librarian Melina:

Friday, March 11th from 6:30-7:15pm – Pajama Storytime!
Wear your favorite PJs & receive a free book from the San Juan County Early Learning Consortium.  Light refreshments served.

• Kerwin at Islanders Insurance tells me you can add the kids’ insurance – here’s the rest of the story for this:

Just a heads up: the individual insurance market in the State of Washington will have two open enrollment periods for children this year.  Parents who want to add their children to their individual health plans “or” buy child-only plans can do so from March 15 – April 30, 2011 and again from September 15 – October 30, 2011.

This individual health insurance market is for people who do not have access to employer sponsored health insurance.

During open enrollment times, children under the age of 19 cannot be denied health insurance because of a pre-existing condition.  They will not be required for complete the health screening questionnaire.

If you have any questions please feel free to call Gigi, Ian, or Kerwin at Islanders Insurance.  We represent Regence, Group Health, and Lifewise of Washington for these valuable products.  Our phone number is 378-2195 or you can reach us by e-mail.

It was frozen & cold a couple of weeks ago...thanks to Erin Ancich for this photo from the westside.

Who is on the Tour this year? Check the Studio Tour’s website to find out! Here’s more from Dan & Mary:

The Tour has been an island fixture for 20 years....

The San Juan Island Artists’ Studio Tour is a free self-guided tour with 20 artists’ studios and 23 guest artists. We are a group of mutually supportive artists who have joined together to create a community event that celebrates the way we work in our personal studio spaces.

In hidden drives and private workshops 20 artists on San Juan Island ask that you join them in celebrating the 20 year anniversary of the San Juan Island Artists’ Studio tour. With a mixture of prints, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, photography, sculpture, and fiber, the professional artists open their doors and welcome the public to see where art is created and explain their processes. This is a chance to purchase art at the source, often before the art is shown in national art shows and galleries. Visitors will gain a greater knowledge and clearer understanding of both the artist and their media.

23 guest artists exhibit their work.  The tour is a free event of art, guest musicians, lovely gardens, and a drawing for art at each studio. Maps and brochures are available at www.sanjuanislandartists.com and at many businesses in Friday Harbor. 

Here’s a little video that will take you into the spirit of the tour and its artists:

When I was at the airport last weekend, I saw dozens of people reading books on portable devices, usually Kindle or something like that. There are lots of places you can get eBooks, and now you can support one of the island’s bookstores when you do -here’s more in this press release from Laura & the good folks at Griffin Bay Bookstore:

Now Selling Google eBooks

Independent and local bookstore customers in Friday Harbor no longer have to choose between reading digital and supporting their local bookstore – Griffin Bay Bookstore is now selling Google eBooks™ online at www.griffinbaybook.com. Google launched its e-book program on Monday, December 6, 2010, and is partnering with the American Booksellers Association so indie bookstores can provide an easy way for their customers to discover, read, and buy e-books at competitive prices.

“Some of our customers are buying ereaders and are looking to purchase ebooks,” said Griffin Bay Bookstore owner Laura Norris. “Google eBooks now allows us to remain the store of choice for our loyal customers who are reading digital, and to serve new customers.”

“This partnership with Google allows independent bookstores that are our members to better compete with corporate retailers on selection, price, and convenience,” said ABA President Michael Tucker. “It levels the playing field.”

A Google eBook is a new form of cloud-based digital book that allows readers to access their libraries on almost any device from one single repository, regardless of where the e-book was purchased. Google is offering hundreds of thousands of titles for sale, ranging from new releases and bestsellers in every category to classics in the public domain.

Because Google eBooks work with myriad devices — tablets, smartphones, computers, even most e-ink devices — consumers are free to shop from a variety of retailers rather than being bound to one retailer. This opens up a wealth of indie recommendations and bestsellers to avid e-book readers.

In addition to ebooks, readers can search through a database of five million titles of print books at www.griffinbaybook.com, peruse staff picks, bestsellers, and the Indie Next List. Of course, the Griffin Bay Bookstore staff is always ready to provide customers with the personal touch at our downtown store, located at 155 Spring Street (across from King’s Market). Or, you can call us at 378-5511 or e-mail us at info (at) griffinbaybook.com.

It’s been a while since I cleared out the mailbag (even if it is only e-mails, made of electrons – it was stuffed!) Most of these are from folks off-island…let’s see what’s going on:

Q: I live in San Francisco but always check to see what’s happening on the San Juan Update. It appears that the island has been under tons of snow. What’s happening? – Stan, formerly of Cape San Juan.

A.  Didn’t really snow THAT much three weeks ago, but people sure took a lot of pretty pictures, and I’ve been spreading them over the last couple of weeks to remind folks that winter isn’t over, yet. Now it’s raining, like it’s supposed to.

The town, dressed in white - photo by Erin Ancich (thanks!)

Q:  I’ve moving to the island in a month, and wanted to get involved in some volunteer work. Where’s a good place to help out? – Alicia (and hubby Roberto), coming from Spokane

A: Uh, where do you want to start?

A short list that would unintentionally leave some groups out would include the following: The Library, the schools, the Food Bank, The Museums (Whale, Historical, & IMA), the ESL classes, the Animal Shelter, the Soroptimists & Rotary Club & Kiwanis Club & Lions Club & all the stuff they do, the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Theatre, the deputy sheriff volunteer program & the dive & rescue team, the San Juan Eagles, Hospice, the churches, the Fire Departments & EMS (Emergency Medical Services) folks, our Parks & Rec (we call it Island Rec), and tutoring at Skagit Community College here on San Juan Island.

You can also help me cut my yard (harvest it, actually) & maybe intern for the Update. Shoot, you’ll find plenty to do around here. And get outside & play!

Q: Can you see the Northern Lights from the island, over Canada? – Tammy in New Mexico, coming to see Friday Harbor in the summer

A: Those are planes from the Victoria & Vancouver Airports. Not really Northern Lights, so we call them UFOs.

Occasionally the Aurora Borealis is visible, but mostly it’s just planes.

Q: I saw the line “getting there is half the fun” in some of the islands’ outreach materials. What is the other half? – Jon, Bellingham

A: The ferry is free on the way back to the mainland.

Q: Are you guys still working on a plastic bottle ban on the island? – Angela, Roche Harbor

A: Yup.

Q: I heard there were topless clubs on Shaw Island. Is that true? – Bashful, from Las Vegas

A: I was at the Lopez ferry terminal one night waiting for the last boat when I heard a couple of guys (visitors) ask the agent if that boat went to Shaw, because they had heard from some folks they met at Herb’s there was a topless place, next to the Motel 6. The agent ruined it all by telling them it wasn’t true.

Actual spyhopping...photo by Katie Jones

Q: I heard the killer whales do something called “skyhopping.” Is that when they jump out of the water? – Art, from Mount Vernon

A: Yes, like at the end of “Free Willy,” the first one. Usually in slow motion.

Then there’s a thing called “spyhopping” where they stick their snouts (and eyes) out & look around. This is also called “people watching.”

Q: Why is the island called “San Juan”? – Laura Louise, island nut in Boise

A: Creative marketing. You wouldn’t believe the number of people who think they’re coming to Puerto Rico. If we had more signs in Spanish they’d probably stay longer.

Q: How do single people meet each other on the island? I’m thinking about moving there but am afraid the social scene might be kind of limited. – Luke, somewhere in California

A: It’s not, but you have to follow time-honored island custom.

See the volunteer list above? We all meet each other there, or at work, or in the grocery store, or some mix of all that. We usually go out once or twice, then move on. After we’ve done with that, we repeat that ten times, going out with different people. At this point the men say, “There aren’t any women on this island,” and the women say, “There aren’t any men on this island,” and my gay & lesbian friends say the same thing.

Then everybody goes online & signs up for eHarmony or Match.com or sugardaddy.com or something, sees who is available on the island AND reads all about them, then goes out with them, and everything’s fine. See?

Meanwhile, there are lots of people who break up & then go out with other people who just broke up. This is called “The Island Square Dance,” because people keep dancing after they change partners (or they meet them on BackInThePool.com).

If you have any questions, call me and I’ll explain it to you. Josie & I met on eHarmony, and it worked out pretty well (just to let you know she didn’t find me on sugardaddy.com.)

Q: I sure like what you do with the Update. Thanks for what you do. – Nancy, San Juan Island

A: And the Update likes you. Thanks for reading. Glad you’re there.

Playing tonight!

This is happening tonight, and it’s a great chance to see traditional music – as well as to attend workshops tomorrow – here’s the scoop from Jan at The Community Theatre (see ya there!):

Folk Music Legend John Cohen Joins The Dust busters on March 7

It’s a musical voyage to Appalachia when noted artist, filmmaker and folk music legend John Cohen stops in Friday Harbor for a rare Monday concert at San Juan Community Theatre on March 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Cohen (a founding member of American folk’s New Lost City Ramblers and the brother of San Juan Island’s own Mike Cohen of The Life and Times of General George Pickett fame) brings with him the New York-based band, The Dust Busters, an old-time string band trio inspired by the direct fusion of Scots-Irish and African music that took place in Appalachia, the Western states and the Deep South.

To make way for the acoustic and free-wheeling concert, the evening will start with showing one of Cohen’s documentaries, Roscoe Holcomb: From Daisy Kentucky, that explores the life, philosophy and music of an Eastern Kentucky banjo player and was the winner of the Best Short Documentary Prize in the 2010 Woodstock Film Festival.  An Albuquerque Journal columnist noted that “Cohen’s gift is not only to find what is unique about his subjects, but to dig beneath the surface and discover unexpected links between culture, music, art and religion –  and the rest of the world.”

Cohen and the band will also share their musical knowledge during a guitar, banjo and fiddle workshop open to islanders on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Theatre. Registration  ($12 per person) is required: contact the SJCT box office.

The Business Partner for the concert is Hillside House Bed & Breakfast.  Tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for student reserved and $5 student RUSH at the door.   The Box Office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to2 p.m. or tickets may be purchased online at www.sjctheatre.org

They went to Olympia: Connar Smith (San Juan Island), Ryan Cole (San Juan Island), Julia Bailey (Orcas Island), with Cathy Cole (chaperone.)

Three weekends ago, island kids headed for the state capital to learn how it all works – here’s more in this report from Cathy Cole:

Presidents Day weekend, 320 4-H teens stormed the halls of The Red Lion Hotel in Olympia, WA to fill their heads and hearts with Politics and the Media; a themed event of the 4-H Know Your Government (KYG) Teen Conference.

The task: to take a story (i.e.: Privacy and the Internet), gather human interest information and facts by interviewing the characters of the story on film and in conferences, write a news story, film the story, and present it in a 2 minute news report video. Teens were split into 2 groups: factual information and human interest. Those groups were then split into conservative view points and liberal viewpoints. There were 4 stories. This equaled 16 news clips at the end of the conference. It was hard work and all of the teens were stretched to do their best. Our teens had a great time. They learned loads and were even challenged to think in ways different from their personal bias. Continue Reading

Lisa & Ron Howard are pretty proud – their son Dustin just got back from Reno at the world championship for elk calling. They tell me he took third place in the world as an amateur and is ranked in the top 15 overall in the world, as well as ranking as the second best caller in Washington. They say it’s a unique sport since thousands of hunters elk hunt and call each year…he has knack for it. Here’s a bit of video from the competition – way to go, Dustin!

Going after the salmon...photo by Jim Maya (thanks, Jim!)

Jim Maya caught some incredible pictures of foraging yesterday as J pod trundled through the strait, but says he did not sight J1 (Ruffles) in the pod…killer whale fans & researchers have not seen the father & grandfather of many in the three resident pods since November.

Thanks for making me smile…glad you’re there.

The folks over at Village at the Harbour just sent this note over saying Seanene is stepping away from that incredible place she began – her smile & caring & organization will be sorely missed – here’s more:

Seanene

Seanene Kennedy has announced her resignation as Managing Director of San Juan Island’s assisted living facility, the Village at the Harbour.

Kennedy conceived the idea of a first-rate assisted living facility while still owning and managing Friday Harbor Fitness.  She recruited Brian Brown to assist her with its design and development.  The two co-managed the facility until 2009, when Brown left to pursue other interests.

Consistent with Kennedy’s vision, the Village has established itself as a superior choice for retired islanders and parents of islanders.  Through classes, musical events, and other activities, it maintains a stimulating and creative environment for its residents.  Social interaction with each other and with family and community members keeps residents engaged and active.

Of her retirement, Kennedy says, “I will dearly miss my residents and my staff, but I look forward to spending more time with my dog and my grandchildren.”  Kennedy will continue to teach a fitness class at the Village, and remains an investor in the enterprise.

That's (from left) Brian Brown, Bill Ragland (hidden), Seanene Kennedy, Gordon Steele, and Mayor David Jones getting the Village at the Harbour project going in 2006. Photo by Bruce Gregory for the Update.

Ken releases a lure over the island....

This is beautiful photography & a beautiful animal, with pilot & falconer Ken Franklin checking out how fast the bird can go (Suzanne is in the film, too…). His falcon Frightful clocks in at over 180 miles an hour in one test, and over 240 a week later.

This vid has over 1,600,000 visits, which makes sense if everybody watches it ten times each like I did…you’re gonna love it. Poetry in motion, to start the day.

A beautiful bird...

The play continues this weekend (that's Ken, Pete & Roberta) - photo by Keith Busha

It’s a great show that opened last week to strong reviews – here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith at the Community Theatre:

There are just three shows left of Jean Giraudoux’s satiric and out-of-the-ordinary comedy, The Madwoman of Chaillot at the San Juan Community Theatre. The play continues with 7:30 pm performances on Friday and Saturday and a 2:00 pm matinee and final show on Sunday, March 6.

Director Susan Williams; a cast of 28 islanders; and innovative set, lighting and costumes crews have transformed the Whittier into the colorful and action-packed Chaillot district of Paris (the design theme is steampunk–a sort of science fiction for Victorian times).  The play –a classic tale of the good guys vs. the bad guys — pits money-grubbing, power-hungry developers against a countess, a few madwomen, and a motley crew of street people.

Tickets are available on-line at www.sjctheatre.org, or visit or call the box office Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 am to 4 pm and Saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm (360-378-3210).

And don’t forget to eat out before the show!  SJCT has once again teamed up with Coho Restaurant for a scrumptious discounted dinner/theatre package.  Reserve your package at the box office today!

The Business Partner for The Madwoman of Chaillot is Key Bank.  Tickets are $19 for adults, $10 for student reserved and $5 student RUSH at the door. (Bargain Night tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for student reserved).

Denise & Christine are ready to work with you....

Is there anything Christine Mays can’t do….? She started up Inn to the Woods, and worked with Cotton Cotton Cotton & Windermere Vacation Rentals, and now she’s teaming up with Denise McIntosh (who used to work at the Windermere Vacation Rentals office as well) to start a new business – you know it’s going to be a good deal. Here’s more:

Denise McIntosh and Christine Mays have created “Feather Your Nest Property Services” – a new approach to managing services required for vacation rental properties and more. VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) individuals, homeowners, businesses, Realtors or managers of long term rentals can choose only the services they actually need for their properties. They can select from a menu of services to be provided by licensed, bonded and insured employees. Ranging from housekeeping and trash removal to deep cleaning or merely a dust-up there is a service level for everyone.

Vacation rental and home owners will appreciate that we are a locally based service business on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands. We can be a local resource when they cannot be here. Denise and Christine bring years of experience to the table in the management of tourist related properties with this new endeavor. Their goal is to assist individuals achieve worry-free ownership of a second home, business or rental property with the very affordable options Feather Your Nest Property Services can provide.

For more information see our website:  www.featheryournestps.com

Looking around the island, and around the area….

• Wahoo! The Backdoor Kitchen is open again after being closed for the winter – drop by tonight & Saturday! See ya there tonight! (Yeah, I’m a BDK fan!)

• If you’ve gone to Victoria on the Victoria Express from Friday Harbor, you know that was a quick, fast way to get to Canada’s Inner Harbour. The commuter line has now been bought by Black Ball Ferry Line…here’s more.

• Meanwhile, the state Senate voted to continue collecting sales tax from visiting Canadians (mostly from British Columbia) this week…here’s more on that. The bill was co-sponsored by Kevin Ranker from San Juan Island.

That's Ingrid Malone in the snow with her horse Sprite this past weekend...this weekend, rain is planned, with winter continuing. Dress appropriately... 🙂

• It’s tonight! Here’s more from Pam Herber:

Writers’ Café is coming up…today! Bring your fiction, nonfiction or poetry to read, OR join us to listen. The Bean will provide coffee, tea, pastries and such for sale for our enjoyment. Sign up starts at 5:00 pm. Reading starts at 5:30. For those of you who know Kathleen Kaska, I’m happy to say she will be joining us from Anacortes.

I hope to see you there!

• Speaking of writers – John Boyd will be at Griffin Bay Bookstore to sign his book on Saturday – the book is about his wife’s bout with cancer, and his role in it…part of the proceeds go to Relay for Life.

• This is coming up in a couple of weeks,and they still need help…want to volnteer? Call Mark Islam at 360.317.5377 if  you’re interested!

Here’s more from Tracy:

Bicycle Tune up and Warm Up – March 19, 2011

The Bike Paths group is excited to announce the Bicycle Tune Up and Warm Up event scheduled for Saturday March 19 from 10am to noon at the Elementary School play shed.  This free event is open to children and adults new to bicycling as well as seasoned riders.  Bring your bicycle and helmet for a variety of fun stations providing basic maintenance, demonstrations, Q & A, and hands-on bike mechanics. Activities include tire repair, brake adjustment, bike and helmet sizing and fit, creative all weather gear, and a children’s tune up station. There will be a variety of safe cycling educational materials and maps. A limited supply of helmets will also be available for a suggested donation.

Get a jump start on the bicycling season!  After the Tune Up, it is our hope that you will enjoy the opportunity to head out for a warm up ride on your own or with friends.  Route suggestions based on skill levels will be provided.

The Bike paths group is part of the SJ Island Trails Committee, both part of Island Rec. Learn more about us at: http://sanjuanislandtrails.org/biking/, or contact Island Rec at 378-4953 or www.islandrec.org.

Sharon (left) and Carolee and the Soroptimists are selling tickets today!

• It’s coming up, and this is a good weekend to get your tickets! Here’s more from Barbara Sharp:

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR THE SOROPTIMISTS’ ANNUAL ST. PAT’S DINNER!

All islanders are invited to attend the Soroptimists’ thirteenth annual, fun-filled St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza on Saturday, March 12, at the Mullis Center, starting at 6 pm. The event features a special dinner of the traditional corned beef and cabbage (plus a vegetarian entrée option) prepared by master chef Becki Day of Vinny’s Ristaurante. Live music, silent and live auctions, and an array of raffle prizes are also highlights of the evening.

Seating is limited, so buy your tickets now this weekend, starting today March 4 at the Market Place, and at Kings on March 4 and 5 from 11-4. They are also available at The Toy Box, Spa d’Bune or from a Soroptimist member. The cost is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (65+), and $10 for children 10 and under. If you can’t attend, you can still have a great meal as a take out dinner, purchased in advance for $12 and ready for pick-up between 4:30 and 5:30pm.

This event is the primary fund-raiser for the Soroptimists’ many community-based service projects and scholarships. For further information, go to www.SiFri.org.

• Time to give input to the ferry folks:

The regular meeting of the Ferry Advisory Committee on March 9, 8:30 – 10:30 pm will be held at the Legislative Building, Large Conference Room, 55 Second St, Friday Harbor.

•  This was re-scheduled from last week’s weather – see you there:

Jim Crook, in action....

“By Hook and by Crook”
Celebrating the resourceful life of pioneer Jim Crook

A new permanent exhibit at the San Juan Historical Museum

(Rescheduled from February 26, due to weather)

Opening ceremony: Saturday, March 5, 2011 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm

The exhibit is located in the Barn on the museum grounds located on Price Street in Friday Harbor. A presentation by Mike Vouri, Chief of Interpretation & Historian, San Juan Island National Historical Park, entitled The Crook Family – Caretakers of English Camp, will begin at 2:00 PM in the Etta Egeland Resource Center. Light refreshments will be provided and the event is free and open to the public. The exhibit is made possible in part by grants from the San Juan County Historical Preservation Grants Program and the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.

The Jim Crook exhibit is comprised of three educational stations: Learning how Jim Crook made his own clothes and some of the equipment he used to do so, featuring a 2-ton Carder that Jim Crook made from materials he gathered on his homestead; Learning about Jim Crook and his family’s life at English Camp; Learning additional information at a computer station with photos, articles, videos, audio recordings and documentations provided by the San Juan Historical Museum, San Juan Island National Historical Park, San Juan Island Library and Washington State Library.

Jim Crook was born in Wyoming in 1873, when his parents, William and Mary, were heading west on the Oregon Trail. In 1875, the Crook family settled on San Juan Island at English Camp. The family, whose tenure lasted at English Camp until 1972, consisted of parents William and Mary, children Jim, Mary Crook Davis and Rhoda Crook Anderson.

Jim Crook was a lifelong bachelor who rarely left the island. His resourcefulness was demonstrated in the various pieces of equipment he built with ‘raw materials’ he found at English Camp. Jim Crook’s spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness represents a way of life still practiced and valued on San Juan Island.

This exhibit is made possible in part by a grant from the San Juan County Historical Preservation Grants Program and by a grant from the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. A special thank you goes to the members of the Jim Crook Society, who took great care in restoring and displaying the equipment in late 1980s and early 1990s, when it was on exhibit at the San Juan County Fairgrounds.

The purpose of the San Juan Historical Society and its museum is to share and interpret the story of the peoples of San Juan Island. The Historical Society assembles, collects, preserves, exhibits and makes available for future generations historical data, information and artifacts that illustrates the heritage of San Juan Island.

• The Community Foundation has the 2011 scholarship applications available now – here’s the scoop from Darleen, seniors:

The San Juan Island Community Foundation is pleased to announce that scholarship applications are now being accepted for eligible San Juan Island 2011 graduating high school seniors.  All applicants must be planning to attend an accredited four-year college or university as full-time students in the 2011-2012 academic year.  Application forms are available at Friday Harbor High School, Spring Street International School, online at the San Juan Island Community Foundation web site, www.sjicf.org, and from the Foundation office, 640 Mullis Street, Suite 104 (across from Whidbey Island Bank).   Continue Reading

Yesterday, at Dream Lake....John Miller calls this one "Twins." (Thanks, John!)

I already told you about the two older gentlemen down at the marina….one says, “Sure is windy!” and the other says, “No, it’s not – it’s Thursday!” to which the other guy says, “Me, too. Let’s get a beer!”

That’s the kind of thing I think about on Thursdays – here’s more:

I've got a thing for you....

• There was excitement in the air on the island yesterday because it was Dr. Seuss’ birthday, and nowhere was it a bigger deal than the Library – here’s the word from Melina:

Can you guess who are dressed as Thing 1 and Thing 2 from the “Cat in the Hat” book by Dr. Seuss? That’s our island’s lovely Joyce Sobel as Thing 1 and Dr. Carolyn Haugen as Thing 2. The library hosted a Dr. Seuss Stoytime Birthday Bash March 2 to kick off Read Across America (San Juan Island)! More than 100 children and caregivers attended. The birthday cake was donated courtesy of Cake Junkies.

The San Juan Island Library and the San Juan County Early Learning Consortium will sponsor another special storytime next week at the Library: Pajama Storytime is Friday, March 11 from 6:30-7:15pm. Wear your PJs if you want!