Today (Friday) was designated as "Mr. Pflueger Day" at the elementary school by the Student Council as part of Spirit Week - so kids are dressed up with Gary's trademark tie & vest & moustache...that's third-grader Jersie Angel (left), and even her dog Coco has a 'stache to show off to Gary.

I hope you get a chance to get outside this weekend – let’s look around & see what’s going on:

• John Boyd passed this on – you can change your Facebook page around:

You have got to try this….scroll down to the bottom of the page when you’re logged into Facebook. Where it says language, click on English, then click on the drop down menu and select English (Pirate) as your preferred language. All the headings and notations are hilarious!!!

• Meanwhile, speaking of  looking for pirate jewels, Jane Dill wrote in to see if you lost yours:

Hi Ian – I found a lovely pearl earring with diamond and ruby stones near the ATM machine at Key Bank. Fortunately, nobody had stepped on it! It is there at Key Bank for its owner. If you post this, perhaps someone who thought it was lost forever can claim it.

The Burns boys went to Texas to cheer for FHHS alum Tyler Hart earlier this month as Eastern Washington won the national championship - Joe is holding up three fingers on each hand for Tyler's "33" while Tom (right) and Willie hold up the sign (thanks for sending this over, Kim!)

• Even though he’s at the Seattle Boat Show, Richard Rodriguez is still posting amazing things on his Bitterend Blog…check it out for stories on Polar Shift, Rice Cookers, what WSF is up to with privatizing things, and lost pianos. Great stuff, Richard!

• Can you help? Shannon Sandwith sent me this request for islanders to help Marlis out:

For those of you who don’t know, Marlis Krieger Sandwith has been ill since December 23rd 2010, and was hospitalized January 2, 2011, first at Anacortes, and later at Harborview hospital.

Her loving husband Roger A. Sandwith has been at her side throughout and knowing they have three beautiful children, We, the family, have setup a Medical Fund at Islanders bank.If you wish to donate, they would be very grateful for the help and want the community to know, that any money left over from the medical and home bills they have acquired through this hard time will be given to another medical fund in the community so as those who truly need help will be able to receive it.  Please just give your money to Islanders Bank and tell them it is for the Marlis Krieger Sandwith Medical Fund.  The Family thanks you so much for all your love and concern for her through this time.

• Good news – she graduated! Wahoo! Scott Bell was telling me that his wife, Irina Bell, graduated from WSU at the end of the semester in this past December. She earned a B.A. in Social Science and a Minor in Business. Irina made the President’s Honor Roll the past 3 semesters, and had a 3.66 g.p.a. in her final semester.

• Last chance to sign: Here’s the deal with the Ferry Community Partnership:

First, FCP now has a Facebook page. If you have a Facebook account, please visit and ‘Like’ the Washington State: Save Our Ferries page.

Second, the deadline for the online petition has been extended to January 30. Please encourage everyone you know who has not signed the online petition to do so (if they’ve already signed the paper petition, they’re covered). Here is the link.

Orcas in San Juan Channel...pretty rare, but Whale Museum Director Jenny Atkinson caught them in this photo.

• The killer whales were here Wednesday – and not so much on the west side (that wouldn’t be news) but in San Juan Channel. Here’s the pictures & story from Jeanne Hyde.

• New owners of The Office Center Roy & Anne have longer hours now: they are going to be open 9 am to 6 pm and Sat 10 to 4.

• Yep, it’s the Playwrights Festival this weekend at the Community Theatre – see you there!

Gordon Steele

The Community Theatre has a reception for Gordon on Saturday – here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith:

Theatre Honors New “Life Friend”

A public reception is being held on Saturday, January 29 to honor longtime San Juan Community Theatre supporter Gordon Steele.

Steele and his late wife Beverly have been added to the nonprofit Theatre’s “Life Friends” investment category, joining four other Island families that have donated more than $250,000 to the Theatre since its beginnings more than two decades ago.

Gordon and Beverly arrived on the island in 1979 and quickly became involved in local theater productions by the “Straits of Juan de Fuca,” who at that time presented their work in the movie theatre on Spring Street (then called the Royal Theatre).  Over the years, the Steeles gave generously of their time, talent and resources to San Juan Community Theatre.  Beverly appeared on stage several times, including in the title role of Hello, Dolly! and was president of the Theatre’s fundraising auxiliary, the Community Arts Theatre Society (CATS).  Gordon led the board of trustees, and they both raised thousands of dollars for SJCT.  In addition to the Steele’s own yearly donations, Gordon generously financed the Theatre’s Beverly Steele Memorial garden and patio in 2009.

“Gordon and Beverly were true believers from the start in the importance of a venue for live theater on our island,” said SJCT Board President George Johnson. “We are very excited and honored to celebrate that dedication and commitment.”

The “Life Friend” designation is highlighted in each Theatre program.  The Steeles join Jack and Sondra Raub, Edgar and Polly Stern, George and Sidney Thorson and Paul and Lucy Whittier in that top category.

The “Life Friend” reception will be held inside the Theatre’s lobby at 1:00 p.m.; light refreshments will be served.

The view from Wildwood Manor....

John & Michael do a super job, and TripAdvisor noticed! Here’s more:

Wildwood Manor Named one of the Top Ten Bed & Breakfast Inns in the World

San Juan Island bed and breakfast honored for third year in a row with
TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award.

Wildwood Manor was chosen as one of the ten best bed and breakfasts in the world by TripAdvisor® in its 2011 Travelers’ Choice® awards. In addition, the inn was ranked number 2 among bed and breakfasts in the United States. The awards mark the third year in a row that Wildwood Manor has been named one of the best B&Bs by TripAdvisor.

Now in its ninth year, the annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice awards honor the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travelers.

“It’s our guests that make Wildwood such a special place,” said innkeepers Michael Bitterman and John Gallagher. “The beauty of our island attracts people from around the world, and we’re fortunate that we can share this magical place with them. “Located on a knoll with sweeping views of the San Juan Channel and woods, Wildwood Manor is a bed-and-breakfast with comfortably elegant interiors and an inviting Queen Anne-style exterior.

The professionally designed home features three waterview and woodside view guestrooms and a romantic waterview suite. Innkeepers Michael and John are committed to the comfort of their guests, offering delicious three-course breakfasts, fine amenities and insider tips for enjoying the island. With its unerring attention to detail, Wildwood Manor provides a relaxing and romantic retreat for guests exploring the beauty of the San Juan Islands and the historic town of Friday Harbor.

Unlike any other hotel awards programs in the world, TripAdvisor® Travelers’ Choice® winners are based on the millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions about hotels on tripadvisor.com™ and content from across the web.”With the help of millions of travelers around the globe, TripAdvisor is thrilled to recognize the world’s most outstanding hotels for the ninth year of the Travelers’ Choice Awards,” said Karen Drake, senior director of communications for TripAdvisor. “Remarkable service, value and quality are the hallmarks of our Travelers’ Choice winners.” For more information about Wildwood Manor, please visit www.wildwoodmanor.com or call 360-378-3447. For reviews on Wildwood Manor, please visit the inn’s TripAdvisor page.

Lolita hasn't seen another killer whale for thirty years....

Susan Berta has been studying the negative effects of keeping killer whales in marine parks (by the way, there are no positive effects for the whales), and now shares this study that once again points out killer whale belong in the wild, not in amusement parks. Here’s more:

Former Trainers Show How Captivity Kills Orcas

A study titled “Keto & Tilikum Express the Stress of Orca Captivity” was released today after nearly a year in preparation showing how the conditions of captivity significantly decrease lifespan for orcas, and how captivity leads to aggression among captives and toward trainers. The paper was written by Drs Jeff Ventre and John Jett, who worked as trainers at Sea World of Florida for a combined total of 12 years with several orcas, including Tilikum, and with trainer Dawn Brancheau, who was tragically killed by Tilikum on Feb. 24, 2010.

This is a major breakthrough and a landmark achievement in the history of orca captivity.

View the paper at:
http://theorcaproject.wordpress.com/

In this paper you’ll see the precursors and symptoms of stresses in orcas in captivity, illustrated with powerful photos Continue Reading

Kels, playing at the Stress Less Festival last fall....

Islander Kels Boreen has a cd release event planned a couple of weekends from now, but you can get a taste of his new album with his song By Donation…good way to start the day.

You may have heard of these folks…seems pretty right on, for our little island, where we actually know the folks we buy from & work with. Here’s their website; and they’re on FaceBook, and here’s their message, in a nutshell:

Saw these Canada geese a couple of weeks ago, breaking toward the moon...

Let’s take a look at what’s going on:

• Looks like fun at the Rumor Mill this weekend – tonight it’s Trivia, tomorrow The One More Time Band, and the Acoustic Showcase (Debbie Strasser, Tom Danrich, Ian Boulton and Steve Dyer) is on for Saturday night. See you there!

• Good to see that state Sen. Kevin Ranker has sponsored a bill to shore up the oil spill prevention possibilities as tankers move through our waters (and past our rocky shores….!) It’s gonna be a heck of a lot cheaper & easier to prevent it than clean it up – here’s a blog about it…way to go, Kevin!

Reading's more fun with Jim & Carol's dogs...

• The Island Tails Tutors program gets back into gear at the Library next month, as folks bring their dogs to reading time with kids to help make a peaceful setting for reading…here’s more from Stephanie.

• FHHS sports update: If you missed last night’s rare home meet for wrestling (we beat LaConner 30-21), you have a second chance – the Wolverines are at home this Saturday, starting at 12:15pm. See you there!

Meanwhile, FHHS basketball heads for Darrington on Saturday as the girls (7-1) look to see how they have improved against the unbeaten Loggers (9-0 in league), the only team to beat them in league this year. The boys (8-1) face the Loggers (2-8) in the other game. Both teams are coming off twin wins over Orcas in Monday’s game.

• You may notice town seems a bit empty next week, as the school district takes midwinter break next week, with teachers & kids returning to school on February 7th.

Alice, at the edge of a sacred volcano at Volcano National Park....

• Did you hear about Alice’s hula class this weekend? It’s free & it’s fun – here’s the scoop:

Free Intro to Hula for Girls and Women

Hula is a way of life in Hawaii, a celebration, a moving medication, an expression of gratitude. Come join Alice Hibberd this Sunday, January 30, for a short trip to “Hawaii” at the new XYZ Movement Arts Studio. All participants will experience Hula as a dance of gratitude for nature, learning how basic hand and body movements express a tale of the Earth, Sea and Spirit.

Children (keike) will listen to the lessons of a Hawaiian legend, create their own hand movements to express appreciation for nature and find the “Earth’s heartbeat” using a Hawaiian ipu gourd.

Older teens and women (wahine) will find how hula enhances the well-being of body, mind and spirit. Wahine will develop body strength, coordination and grace, practice a Hawaiian chant, discover the sacred Huna principals and begin learning an Auana (modern) hula to a beautiful Hawaiian melody. Experience the true essence of the hula as a prayer for Mother Earth. Give yourself the gift of Hawaii right here on San Juan Island.

Free Hula Schedule, Sunday January 30
12:15-1:00 Young Keike Hula (grades K-2)
1:15-2:00 Keike Hula (grades 3-6)
2:15-3:15 Wahine & Older Keika (women & grades 8+)

XYZ Movement Arts Studio is located at 680 Airport Center. Go west up Spring Street and take your first left after the Best Western. The Studio is upstairs above Raven Hill Construction. Look for the Zumba sign!

Alice Rose Hibberd has studied with master teachers Kumu Hula Kawaikapuokalani Hewett and Kumu Hula Keala Ching in Hawaii since 2001.

Sanderlings at Granny's Cove - here's more from Cyndi Brast: "Here are some more cool birds we saw near American Camp at Granny's Cove. There were only three of them, running up and down along the water's edge. They are Sanderlings, in the family of Sandpipers. I read in Dennis Paulson's Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest that the north coast of Oregon and the south coast of Washington support the largest winter concentrations of Sanderlings anywhere in North America."

• How does your garden grow? Pretty good, I’ll bet; but it’ll grow even better after you visit Courtney’s farm – here’s more:

Hey Ian,
I was wondering if you might mention on the Update that if any islanders are in need of good compost for their garden we have a never ending supply of horse manure mixed with hay and wood pellets that makes great compost. Our manure pile is currently overflowing and we’d love to have people come get however much they can use. We have a tractor here at the ranch that they can use to load their trucks. They can send me a quick email at blazingtreeranch (at) gmail.com or just stop by and load up!
Thanks so much!
Courtney

• The local EMS awards were a couple of weeks ago – here’s more from Cady:

San Juan Island EMS held their annual Awards Banquet on January 15 where Humberto Orozco was honored by his peers as EMT of the Year. Humberto also received the Frank Wilson Service Award chosen and presented by the Inter Island Medical Center.

Deanna Banry was selected to receive the Chief’s award for all that she does over and above the normal work load of a volunteer EMT. The Officer of the Year Award was split between Robert and Patricia Benton for their exemplary work on the fixed wing flight and water rescue programs. Bill Cumming was presented with the EMS Community Service Award for all of his years of dedicated service at all hours, day and night.

EMS presents pins at five year increments for years of service. Debbie Grimes and Tom Eades received 20-year pins and Richard Low received a one year pin. EMS has 348 years of combined service years.

“We are lucky to have such dedicated community members willing to commit themselves by attending ongoing extensive training and responding whenever their community needs them,” said Training Officer Paramedic Weyshawn Koons.

In the days since the San Juan Island School District accepted elementary school principal Gary Pflueger’s resignation earlier this month, upset community members have been meeting & discussing different responses to the action, ranging from a recall of the board, to arbitration & observation of the process with a possible change in the decision, to demanding a complete reversal of the decision.

In the meetings I’ve attended, the consistent theme I hear is how much people care about the kids in this community, and how they believe they had a good deal with Gary as principal at FHES.

This is an extremely difficult time for everyone involved.

One diverse community group has prepared the letter below addressing the issues, and lays out the direction they would like to see taken by the board. The 150 signees are major players in the island’s education scene: PTA folks, present & former FHES teachers, para-educators, parents, volunteers, citizens with extensive education background & experience, and concerned citizens. I understand it is their intent to present this at tonight’s School Board meeting (here is the posted agenda).

Here is that letter:

Open Letter to the San Juan Island School District Community Continue Reading

Gotta have something to dance to….here are Simon & Garfunkel kicking off the Concert in Central Park in 1980 with Mrs. Robinson:

Rachel Schneider tells me she will give $200 to someone for help with the house, and $100 to someone for help with the car…she’s trying to fill her house & sell her car. Here’s the scoop:

The house is directly across from Lakedale Resort off Roche Harbor Road. We are paying $1400 in rent; however, we would be willing to accept as low as $1000 and pay the difference until the end of May when the lease is up. After May I believe they can continue the lease with the landlords, but that is out of our hands for how much the rent is, but at least they will get the discounted rate for the next few months. My email is mauixtrm (at) yahoo.com and phone is 360-474-7389. It comes partially furnished.

The car: 1999 Chevy Prizm • 105,000 miles. Original owner with newer tires and brakes, runs perfect, clean title history. Air conditioning, CD player, automatic windows and doors. Dark Green – $2800 O.B.O

When the Vashon was built in the early 1930s, she was the jumbo ferry of her time, with critics saying there would never be able to fill up, with all that room! She was part of the Washington State Ferry System till the early 1980s….here’s a fascinating rundown that will bring memories for some, and fill in some history for others.

Great blog…it’s about vessels in the San Juan Islands. Check it out!

He served on the OPALCO Board for 37 years (till ’08), so it’s only natural they would name this $500 scholarship after Nourdine Jensen. Here’s more.

Island deer, with the second deer "framed" by the one in front...photo by Ary Hobbel (thanks, Ary!)

Let’s see what’s going on around the island:

• Remember I mentioned to you that Jeff Van Dyke had sold The Office Center at the first of the month to Anne & Roy Clauson, and that he had started it in the mid-90s? The guy who actually started it (Bruce) dropped me a note, which is cool since it provides more background:

I’m sending you a note regarding your Thursday morning blurb on The Office Center changing hands. You say, “Jeff got the place going in the mid-1990s…”

Not quite. Jeff was the third owner.

This business was founded by me (and my wife Rexine). We opened San Juan Office Center in January 1981. We were in the Journal Building when it was located on Tucker Avenue (and the paper was actually printed on the island). After a short time in that location we moved to a new development called Airport Center going in immediately east of the airport. We picked a space, had it built to our specifications and moved in. (Some of the others there were Mark & Pack, Gary’s Automotive, Sears, and Haymakers.) We had the business for 10 years and sold it in January 1991 to Dick and Pat Winkle. The Winkles in turn sold it to Jeff. I believe he moved it to its current location in 2003, and since has slightly changed the name. The business is now beginning its 31st year. Glad to know its still alive and kickin’.

Enjoy reading your Update!
Bruce Bennett

Exploring the island Saturday...around 85 folks showed up for the first Know Your Island walk.

• The first “Know Your Island” walk was this past weekend, and it was well attended, according to Eileen Drath & Louise Dustrude – here’s more from Louise:

Here are some of the 85 people who attended the first Know Your Island walk on Saturday at American Camp and the Land Bank’s Frazer Homestead Preserve. Park historian Mike Vouri led the hike and paused at several probable Pig War locations to tell the story.

• Did you know the Center for Whale Research is looking for interns for the summer? Here’s more.

Get to the mainland fast with Northwest Sky Ferry...and come back fast, too!

• There are all kinds of ways to get around, to & from the island, but have you checked Northwest Sky Ferry lately? They have a $39 flight from here to Bellingham – here’s the scoop.

From the Dayton family:

Roma Alexandria Dayton passed away peacefully January 7, 2011 at the Life Care Center in Friday Harbor.  She was born June 24, 1913 at Salt Lake City, Utah.

She is survived by her three sons, Francis H. (Bert) Dayton of Friday Harbor; Edward C. Dayton of Pollock Pines, CA; and David A. Dayton of Elk Grove, CA.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial will be held for the family this summer in California.

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Darren and Lisa from San Juan Islands TV have just produced a nice little video about Melody Rice‘s place for pets, The Paw Spa & Resort – he says it’s a great spot for locals to take their pets for “a day at the spa.”

Darren reports: “It’s also very nice and convenient for visitors to the island who travel with their pets but are having difficulty finding pet friendly lodging. They can leave their animals for the day, a night, or an extended stay.

“And Melody’s popular Loving Hands Grooming service is also located right on the premises. Needless to say, we are quite impressed with not only the whole operation, but the total love and commitment Melody has for the animals. Got a furry friend? We highly recommend The Paw Spa & Resort at 378-3460.”