Great to see Rita & three weeks old Natalie this past weekend at the elementary school's PTA's Book Fair!

What’s up:

• Cynthia is opening a new place for you to work out next week on the 13th (check out her Facebook writeup) – here’s the scoop:

It's as easy as XYZ! Or, if you're from Canada - you can get ahead with XY Zed...

Cynthia Burke announces the opening of XYZ movement arts – X for exercise, Y for yoga and Z for Zumba.

The studio is dedicated to offering a location for the community to enjoy classes in Yoga, Zumba, Pilates, Ballroom Dancing, Ballet as well as a space to practice private yoga and or meditation. XYZ movement arts is  located just down the street from M & W Auto and SJ Healthcare above Ravenhill Construction – Suite E.  During the month of December, Cynthia will be offering free Zumba classes with the donation of a can or cans of food for the local food bank.

December class schedule is as follows:
Monday and Friday morning         7:15 – 8:15
Tuesday and Thursday morning    8:30 – 9:30
Wednesday evening                5:30-6:30

• Remember I said Kevin Ranker is the first person the island has sent to Olympia for ages…Mary Blevins correctly noted that islander Jim Fox served as a state representative in 1987. Thanks, Mary!

• There’s an open mike at the Rumor Mill this weekend on Friday from 7-10pm.

That's the sign at the front of Bison Gallery....

• I know you always plan ahead…that’s one of the things I like about you. Roche Harbor does, too, which is why they have a lottery for marina slips on the Fourth of July weekend. Need to check in? Here’s more about all that, including the link to the form you’ll need:

We love having you as our guest for July 4th! Over the years, the demand for the very popular Roche Harbor July 4th moorage reservations in the marina has exceeded the space we have available. Roche Harbor likes to be fair to all our marina patrons and so, after many conversations with patrons, management and visitors we are going to repeat what we have done for the last couple of years and have another reservation lottery. Click here for the form & more information.

• Jeanne Hyde wants to remind you & me that the Holiday Tours to the Top of Lime Kiln Lighthouse are this Sunday, December 12th from 1:00 to 4:00. Hot cider, home baked goodies, take a trip to the top of the lighthouse and more!  Lots of fun for everyone and it’s free too! This is put on by Lime Kiln Park and Whale Museum Volunteers.

• Have you signed up for The Whale Museum’s Black & White Night next week? I went last year & it was great – here’s the details.

• Ruth at waterworks gallery has a few friends coming over for a Girls’ Night Out tonight from 4-8pm – here’s the deal:

That's Jenny Atkinson, director of The Whale Museum, with treats for the folks who dropped by the Museum after the tree lighting last week...photo by Peggy Sue McRae

Waterworks Gallery invites you to enjoy a festive evening out. Join us for a glass of Cava and other indulgences.  Bring a friend!

Celebrate the season by viewing the newest artisan jewelry by Tana Acton, Lexi Bec, Dianne Coe, Kathleen Faulkner, James Minson, Janis Miltenberger and Tina Finneran. These assembled treasures range from the simplicity of silver earrings, wire cuffs to constructed necklaces from silver, gold and glass. Dianne & Kathleen will be at the party.

While at the gallery, enjoy the indulgences of these services:
Mirabella Skin Care – Mary Brooke Barger, licensed aesthetician
Wholistic Health Options – Deb Langhans, therapeutic reflexologist
Lavendera Day Spa – Chair massage
If you fall in love with a piece, fill out a “wish list” and the gallery staff will contact your loved ones with this information.

Just got this note from Rick Thompson, our schools superintendent, and I really like the way he draws the picture of what’s good & going right in our school district with clear, easy-to-visualize examples. Here’s his note:

Rick Thompson

In the last few weeks I have had the pleasure of visiting district schools and classrooms.  How great to leave the office and see the work of public education up close and personal.

I began in one school, checking on a grounds project while making sure the heating system was working well.

I watched first graders perform partner reading, a technique in which beginning readers learn word recognition and practice fluency skills.

I saw another teacher welcome each student personally as they began their school day.

One school celebrated a staff member’s birthday by starting the day off with special treats.

I heard the students do the daily announcements on the intercom in a very warm and responsible manner.

I saw primary students reciting their Thanksgiving poems together.

I had a nice conversation with a student teacher who was completing part of her pre-service curriculum.

One teacher used engaging group participation techniques to help students learn vowel pronunciations.

I also saw primary students learning the rules of writing such as indentation, capitalizations, and punctuation.

I sat in a small group at an imaginary bank, filled with plastic money, where students honed their mathematical skills as they purchased items of interest to them.

The recess was indoors due to the weather and creative games were provided for small groups.

A walkers club was formed as a means to promote physical activity.

I also had a wonderful discussion with one class about what students were reading.  I shared with them some of my favorite books (Moby Dick, Don Quixote, and The Life of Samuel Johnson, by James Boswell).  I was heartened by their love of reading, and was thankful they had a teacher whose passion for reading was contagious.

In a music class I saw students provide brief backgrounds on musical numbers before they perform them, teaching the class about the people who make music.

I saw an Art Instructor share real time examples of the intricacies of the AP exam.

I spent an hour with an AP English class, with students who were also in the throes of college admissions.

In a Middle School PE class I watched an exciting game filled with teammate cooperation, rules, and physical prowess.  What I noticed the most was the appropriate and intense socialization between peers that took place.  I also observed students reading for context and vocabulary.

I finished my visits with Journalists-in-training who wanted to interview me for the student paper.

Overall I found our students to be actively engaged in their own learning, pleased to be at school, and with teachers who cared.  My favorite question was “Why we didn’t paint the middle school purple and black?”

I plan to go again soon.

It’s pretty common to long for the “good old days,” especially when things are funky around the world. This video will help fill in some of that misplaced nostalgia with a dose of reality, and maybe a little hope as well. See what you think!

It's easy to get lost in Regan's store with something new, something old & always something interesting 'round every corner...

You’ve seen Regan Taylor‘s little store at the Corner Store when you drive by on Cattle Point…the building used to be THE grocery store on the island (built in 1896), and now it’s a good place to find collectibles, antiques, and interesting stuff. Really interesting stuff – a fridge from the 1920s, turn of the century phonograph players, books, clothes, furniture & farm implements & much more. Gotta see to believe.

The place is called Strand, and she’s open Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday from 1-4pm…drop by & check out the place!

Frames make great Christmas presents - drop by & see Regan today!

Pretty good mob at last weekend's annual Book Fair at the elementary school (and breakfast!) - the PTA does a great job each year in this big fundraiser & reading scores raiser...I heard one mom saying, "Well, you can get those, but you have to get at least one sensible book!" Love it.

Well, it was windy all night & to start the day…hope you’re coming out of it all right! Meanwhile, around the island….

Last Saturday, Tiger alum Laura Jo was smiling as Auburn worked its way into the national championship football game next month.

• My friend Mary Fowler checked in to say she’s looking for her cat – can you help? Here’s the deal:

Our very friendly orange and white cat has been missing now for almost four weeks. He is a neutered male one and a half years old, orange striped on top, white on his belly. This purring fuzz ball helped me sleep during those stressful nights when my Dad was so ill and on his way to heaven. I have a special bond with this cat and am hoping by some miracle that someone has him and he did not get “foxed.” Please call 378-6007 if you have him or have seen him.

Thanks, Mary

• Were you wondering what’s the scoop behind Monday’s power outage? Here’s the story, from Margie Doyle on her Bullwings blog.

Great to see Pablo & Cam at the Farmers' Market last weekend at the high school, working for Heritage Farm!

• There are only 20 spots left in the Roche Harbor Fishing Derby in February, Debbie Sandwith tells me. Just telling ya.

Yep, Theron's sure getting big! Laura brought him to the Book Fair last weekend, presumably because he's already read the books he has....

• If you haven’t heard her play, you’ll be glad you did – classical guitarist Amanda Brast is playing from 5-7pm at Rock Island on Thursdays till Christmas – drop by!

• When Kevin Ranker was elected to the state senate a couple of years ago, he was the first islander since the 1950s to go to Olympia…now he’s moving up. He just wrote to let me know he’s been selected chair the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Marine Waters, and he will also serve as assistant whip to the Senate Democratic Caucus.

• Amy over at the pool has a deal for you – check it out:

Hi Ian! We’re trying something new this year at San Juan Island Fitness: swim lessons over the Christmas break.  We are offering lessons Monday-Thursday the week before and after Christmas.  In addition to morning beginner classes with Susan Williamson, we have an array of afternoon classes I’ll be teaching and for the first time in a long time we are offering a beginner class for kids fifth grade and older.

We also are welcoming Kaitlyn Johnson and Kelly Ann Campbell to our private lesson teaching staff.

Check out our site or stop by the club for details. This year, give the great gift of learning to love the water.  Questions, or to sponsor a child’s swim lesson, contact  swim (at) sanjuanislandfitness.com.

Thanks! Amy Wynn

• Can’t get enough art this time of year – Yvonne tells me here’s a chance:

Art Studios Open House  –  Saturday December 11 & 18, 2010

Lewis & Nancy Spaulding, Mary Sly, Paula West and Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso have decided that this year, to celebrate the Holiday Season, they will be opening their art studios to visitors on two Saturdays in December. Guests and visitors can drop by between the hours of 10:00am –  4:00pm to see the studios, check out the new art works and maybe find a gift or two for the folks on their Christmas shopping lists.  The Art Studios Open House dates are December 11th & 18th.  The Spauldings are located at 1713 Cattle Point Rd. (378-5594); Mary Sly  –  459 Sunrise Ridge Rd. 378-7110; Paula West – 160 MacGinitie Rd. (378-2391; Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso – 1296 Wold Rd. (378-6725)

Hoping to see some of our friends to share in some island holiday cheer!

Saturday there was an open house at the Brickworks, which was dolled up as a gingerbread house on the outside & a place with progress being made on the inside.

• Here’s a chance to get around the shops in town:

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY “SHOP LOCAL” CAMPAIGN

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce and sixteen local member merchants kicked off the 2010 “Shop Local” campaign last Thursday, Dec. 2nd, at 5pm.

The sixteen participating businesses are: Acanthus Fine Antiques; Coho Restaurant; Cotton Cotton Cotton; Creative Passions; Dream Beads; Funk & Junk; Island Studios; Merle’s Masonry, Chimney Care, & Stoves; Mirabella Skin Care; Osito’s; Rock Island Technology; San Juan Florist; San Juan Wireless; The Doctor’s Office; Toy Box; and Waterworks Gallery.

Each of the merchants involved will be staying open late on four consecutive Thursdays – Dec. 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd – from 5pm to 7pm. The program is designed to give local shoppers a chance to shop for holiday gifts after normal business hours, and to be eligible to win a prize basket worth hundreds of dollars while supporting our local economy and businesses.

To get in on the fun, shoppers need only pick up a stamp card from one of the participating merchants (or from the Chamber office at 135 Spring Street) and visit each of the stores during the specified time to browse around and collect a stamp. (No purchase is necessary, but these merchants all have such great products that it may be impossible to resist!)

Once their card is complete, shoppers are eligible to enter the drawing for a gift basket filled with items donated by the participating businesses. The winner will be notified by phone on or before January 4th, 2011.

Good to see that Skagit Valley College/San Juan Center director invited Milo to last week's faculty meeting. Milo's been named as assistant department head for philosophy at SVC...he runs a tight meeting.

• You are invited to the first annual (that I know of) Holiday Barter Circle! Here’s more from Rosa:

When: Sunday, December 12  5 – 8pm
Where: old Latitude 48/Fat Cat building, on the corner of Nichols and A Street. Between Cafe Demeter and Market Chef and across from Roy’s.
What to bring: items to trade, a small table(only if you want to. Space is limited and there are some small tables available), food, eating dishes, small donation to pitch in for use of space.

Get great gifts without spending money! Barter for Holiday presents for friends, family or yourself! Enjoy an evening with Community.

Bring your arts, crafts, certificates of service (construction? arborism? cooking? hair cuts?  batch of cookies? ), canned goods…whatever. Get creative!  Idea: If you have something you can do that you think others might appreciate, make nice little cards with the service you offer to give as coupons.  (For example…I would LOVE trading for help installing a fence and winterizing my laundry room…just as an idea.)

A lot of people dropped by The Whale Museum's gift store after the tree lighting last week, including Rebecca & Francis, checking out the mugs...it's a good place to keep on your list to visit this holiday season - see ya there! Photo by Peggy Sue McRae (thanks!)

You can put your items to trade on a small table, in baskets, boxes, in your arms…whatever you like.  The environment will be very informal.

Remember….No one has nothing to trade, and you will be in a gentle, supportive, festive environment.  If this is a new concept for you, here is a great opportunity to experience a different economic structure and community support system.

This event will involve a low-key POTLUCK! (of course!) Please bring your own plate and utensils.

All are welcome.  Spread the word!!!

• Tawny wanted you & me to know about a couple of things this weekend:

Saturday, December 11th
St. Francis Bake Sale: 9:00 – 1:00 at Betty Nash’s building (the former “Fat Cat”).
Questions?  Call Ruthe Ramirez at 378-5974

Saturday, December 11th
Island Tails (Satellite APS-FH Shelter Office & Gift Boutique): 12:00 – 4:00  Upstairs Cannery Landing Building (next to Skip @ surf shop). T-shirts, sweatshirts, cookbooks (2010 Edition), calendars, local animal themed artwork from Jaime & Alice, cards, pet goodies, Laura Burch bags, VES – very exciting stuff! Questions?  Call Ruthe Ramirez at 378-5974

Last year at the Backdoor Kitchen someone surprised someone for her birthday...now both Mike & Julia have given birth to a surprisingly strong & entertaining look at the island's history.

I got a chance to see Mike & Julia last month when their book was first released…it will really, really really add to your understanding & appreciation & pleasure to hear their presentation. I’m really glad to hear the stories & backstories of this wonderful addition to the collective memories that make our island so cool…here’s more from Nancy at Griffin Bay:

Join us at Griffin Bay Bookstore on Thursday evening, December 9, at 7:00 p.m. for a book talk and reading with Mike and Julia Vouri. They’ll be on hand to discuss and sign their new book, San Juan Island.

Lying as it does at the crossroads of three great waterways, with sheltered harbors, open prairie, secluded woodlands, San Juan Island has for thousands of years been a magnet for human habitation.  Five great salmon runs from spring to fall and rich soil (once the rocks are cleared) not only promised an abundant food source, but also a good living for those willing to work at it.

But it was not until the islands became the onus for an international boundary dispute between Great Britain and the United States in the late 1850s that the island drew the attention of Europeans and Americans. These newcomers watched how the natives harvested these resources, adapted their techniques, intermarried in some instances and elected to stay. Many of their descendents remain to this day, proudly claiming a joint heritage. San Juan Island is the story of all who came.

The images in San Juan Island were selected from the Society’s collection of nearly 2,000 historic photographs. Historian Mike Vouri has authored four previous works on the Pig War. Coauthor Julia Vouri has been a writer and editor specializing in travel and health for 30 years. They coauthored Friday Harbor in 2009

It was thirty years ago today that John Lennon passed away, but his music remains….here’s a little acoustic version of Imagine:

Looking into the situation....

If e-mail actually came in a bag, here’s what it would look like:

Q. We’re thinking about moving to the island. What’s it like living on an island with nothing to do? – Naomi & Greg, Issaquah

A. Thanks for asking. Actually, we’re full. Call Lopez.

Q. Where do you get all the pictures you post in the Update? I sure like them. – Alex, near Cattle Point

A. Wow, thanks. A lot of them I take around the island, and a chunk of them are sent in by friends who have interesting angles on things. It’s cool to have so many cameras in action….

Q. Is it true that there are no 20-30 year olds on the island? Martha

A. That is correct.

Q. I heard you said you weren’t going to endorse anyone in the last election, but that you changed your mind. What gives? – Carol & Bob, Cape San Juan

A. Thanks for giving me the chance to clear that up. Although I follow politics & have pretty strong feelings about things, I put all that into my music & essays & other stuff I do. I like to think the Update is a place to share cool stuff that comes from living on an island, and a chance to celebrate how we like sharing this island.

So, I declined to endorse candidates in this last go round…after one of the forums, however, someone asked me if I was gonna endorse one of the sheriff candidates, and I said, “Emphatically, energetically, thoughtfully, and with enthusiasm – no.”

A week later, when someone told me they heard I was endorsing Rob, I realized they thought I said “Nou.” Ooops. In spite of that, Rob won anyway.

Q. Is your house still for sale? Dan & Krista

A. Yep…just lowered it to $259K…here’s the scoop. We’ve shown it six times in the last two weeks, so I guess we’re getting closer to the price point.

Q. Where are you going for Christmas? Mary

A. Family visits up & down the strait, as we drop in on family on Lopez & Nanaimo. The best part is walking around Pear Point Loop on Christmas Day, remembering & being thankful for the earth & having the spirit to try to heal her.

Christmas is a holiday at my business (we take days off for people we like, including Dr. King, Ben Linder, the Christ, Gandhi, Nikki Giovanni, and St. Francis & St. Clare.) They give me much to aspire to (by the way, I love the Sermon on the Mount).

Q. Are you doing that hundred dollar Christmas thing this year, that you wrote about the last few years? Allen & Cindy, out near Roche Harbor

A. Definitely. I deeply believe that our consumer society impoverishes us while we keep thinking it enriches us, and leaves us spiritually poor as well. If you’re interested, check out this well-thought essay/interview by Derrick Jensen. Radical? Maybe…a place for miracles to grow, I hope.

As the sun rises over the island, let’s take a look around….

• Hey, I hear islander (and native Scot) Sandy Cameron has been asked by his son to help put on a Burns Dinner in…South Korea, where he’s stationed. He was a huge part of the dinner’s success here, so it looks like he’s taking the show on the road.

• The Food Drive goes another week & a half at Swanberg-Judkins Insurance – see what you can drop by to help out!

Jim Maya spent a chunk of yesterday with L pod & taking great pictures…thanks, Jim!

• An elf dropped me this note:

Santa is now in his workshop and answering Santa letters, so submit your letters to the post office and address them to-

Santa Claus
Arctic Circle
North Pole 00000

The Nashes are selling Christmas trees again this year from 11am-5pm each day till they’re gone…they’re at the place across from Roy’s that was the Fat Cat/Latitude 48…and yes, yesterday was FHHS seniors Margaret (left) and Charles’ 18th birthdays! You can tell by the size of the smile on proud papa Pat…

• Elizabeth Farr checked in last month about what she’s trying to do to help the dogs…she brought four Dachshunds up from Oregon Dachshund Rescue in Portland to our local shelter,  saving very cute little dogs from neglect and trying to find them new homes.  She tells me they are they are super sweet and very photogenic.

That’s Susan & Dick Millington at Kings the other day, with Christmas cheer…

Anne

• There’s a new website for PeaceHealth’s Peace Island Medical Center, available showing the services, building plans and background of the hospital being built on San Juan Island. You can watch this website to follow the progress of the new medical center.

This is another awesome website by Anne Francis (right)…love her stuff.

• Samantha says the kids need things to do – need some help?

San Juan Island Student Placements Needed
Dollars for Scholars is looking for placements with non-profits where high school students can donate time and services.  Sponsoring noprofits need to be able to provide adequate supervision and direction and must document the students’ time. Students donating 80 hours or more are eligible for Dollars for Scholars scholarships.  Dollars for Scholars is also looking for donations that will provide the money for the scholarships.  Anyone interested in the program can contact Samantha Garl at 378-2760h, 378-8184c, 378-3600w.

• Drop by & see what the kids have done:

December 7th – 9th is the 13th Annual Kid’s Art Show at Gallery San Juan.  Every year the gallery hosts the kids art show and this year art kits (free) were available  November 24th – December 4th, with all kids between the ages of 4-14 invited to participate.  An artist reception will be held at the gallery December 7th from 4-7pm.  The gallery is located at 232 A street. Contact at the gallery is BJ Dollahite.

• They’re back at the Place on the 10th – here’s more:

The Place welcomes Rewind (Tom & Tami Doenges & Kate Schuman) for a festive acoustic concert. Please call for dinner reservations 360-378-8707. Also please call to book your holiday parties. We will customize a special 3 course dinner for $30.00 for parties of 10 or more. Ask for Steve or Kathy. Cheers!

• Ruth at waterworks gallery has a nice show put together – drop by! Here’s more:

November 27 – January 2
25th Annual Holiday Fete featuring artwork by Jaime Ellsworth, Tom Small, Robin & John Gumaelius, and contemporary artisan jewelry by Lexi Bec, Dianne Coe, Kathleen Faulkner, Tina Finneran & James Minson.

This annual show features a diverse group of artists with a theme of celebrating  family, friends and our creatures with holiday cheer. Reception for the artists – Saturday November 27.

Jaime Ellsworth comes to the gallery, with the disposition that the animal world she lives in is way more fun than the human world. Jaime’s’ creatures roam thru the landscape, admiring the moon, looking at shoes, and then frolicking about with others.

Robin and John Gumaelius are some of the newest artists represented by the gallery. Robin creates the ceramics, and John does all the metal work. They live in this idyllic world along a river with their four children creating these fanciful creatures that bring a smile to our faces.

Tom Small has been working in basalt and granite creating sculptures both large and small that are iconographic of the deceptive simple line quality that is Tom Small’s signature work.

Join us for holiday cheer, celebration and whimsy.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Friday 11-6, Saturday & Sunday 10-5.

Adam

Mark Madsen reports the project has hired a contractor:

The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild is pleased to announce that Adam Eltinge will join our team as Construction Manager for the Brickworks Project.

Adam and his wife Deanna (Sundstrom) recently moved back to Friday Harbor to make their home and raise their two children.  Adam has a degree in Construction Management and Business from Washington State University, worked for a major commercial developer in the Seattle area, and most recently led the renovation of historic carriage houses in Portland.

Our selection committee began looking for the right candidate in June 2010, advertising for applicants in island newspapers.  We met with six of the most qualified candidates and conducted interviews with the assistance of Richard Hobbs, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and sought-after advisor to designers and developers worldwide. Continue Reading

You’ve heard it before – Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends”….and a good morning to you, too!

That's Cattle Point Lighthouse on the southern end of the island, with Stellar sea lions out in the sun....photo by Art Smith.

Art from Argyle House (I love his photos!) went out yesterday with Peggy and Kurt from Naknek Charters; he tells me they are offering tours to see the Stellar Sea Lions.  Here’s the link.

Thanks, Art!

Here's lookin' at you! Photo by Art Smith.

The Earthbox Motel on Spring Street was the grand prize winner...

Just got the word from Chamber of Commerce president Julie Corey how the decorating contest went – here’s the scoop:

The Chamber is proud to announce the winners of the 2010 Decorating contest! The Grand Prize Winner ($100.00, bragging rights for a year, and their name on the Santa and Orca Trophy they get to proudly display all year) is Earthbox with their WOW lights !! and WOW display!!! The Chamber heard that some Santa Helpers hand painted all of those characters…way to go, Laura and Cindy and friends!

Islanders Bank took first in the large division....

Large Division
1st – Islanders Bank
$75.00 – inside and out… love the
talking Santa and snow on trees!

2nd – Village at the Harbor
$50.00 – go look inside and out…
warm cozy Christmas feeling!

3rd – Inter Island Medical Center
$25 gift certificate – very creative
Christmas Chickens!! Go see!

Small Division
1st – Roy’s Coffee and Deli
$75.00-  make sure you drive thru or
you will miss the salmon display!

2nd – AG Guild
$50.00 awesome Gingerbread House!

3rd – Merle’s Masonry
$25 gift certificate – inside and out,
with the biggest Candy Kisses we ever saw!

The Village at the Harbour came in second, with a great lobby display as well...

+++++++++++++++++++
The Island Lights Festival! What a great way to start the Holiday Season!

It was a beautiful winter night in Friday Harbor. We counted over 140 people singing, eating, drinking cocoa and coffee, making ornaments or having their pictures with Santa. Did you see Frosty the Snowman (Diane H), Rudolph, the Christmas Tree and a VERY BIG Gingerbread Boy!!

The Chamber would like to thank everyone involved! WE could not have done it with out all of you!
Val Mark – Thank-you for giving the Chamber the money we needed to Light Up the Tree’s!
We are so lucky to have your continued support for the community and Chamber events.
CenturyLink –Bill H and his crew Thank-you for years of getting those snowflakes up !
Town of Friday Harbor – we are so grateful to David Smith and everyone, your help with the streets and the elm tree lights is so appreciated thank-you !
Sheriff’s Dept – Thank-you for keeping all of us safe on the streets !
OPALCO – Bobby and Russ – Thank-you for hanging lights and snowflakes on the Elm Trees. You made the trees look so beautiful this year!!
Windjammer Cable – Thank-you for getting those banners up!! They look great!
Port of Friday Harbor – Tammy H and crew, thank-you for the use of the Clock Tower for Santa Pictures! It was FUN!!!
Angel Michaels – Music Director and Isand Chordsmen and Singing Sound Vibrations. You really know how to have a BIG sing along! You all sound so beautiful! You made it feel like Christmas town!
Island Rec – Sally and ladies!! You did a wonder job making holiday ordainments will all ages! Having you there makes this nite a very fun event
Kiwanis – President Tammy told me they gave out 200 free hot dogs and A LOT of hot cocoa. The K-Boose looked so festive! Thank-you
Soroptimists – Lovely Ladies with such wonderful coffee!! They handed out free coffee and cookies with lots of holiday wishes to us all. Cookie Bakers you know who you are THANK-YOU!!!
Santa and Elf’s Mark G and Ruth O – this amazing group took 67 pictures and collected over 100 cans of food and $125.00 cash for the Food Bank!! AMAZING!! THANK-YOU
Dollars For Scholars – 2 young Ladies that volunteered to help.! Thank-you
Chamber Staff and Board Members – Kerry and Kent and Tom you guys are wonderful!

Again, thank-you Friday Harbor for making this event a night to remember!
Happy Holidays and a Very Happy New Year!
Julie Corey
Chamber of Commerce San Juan Island
President of the Board

Santa will be there!

An elf just sent me this to share with you:

Santa Claus is coming to
CHRISTMAS ISLAND

Saturday, December 18th

Please join us at the Grange Hall for an old fashioned Christmas Celebration!

Doors open from 4-7pm

Inside Santa will have beautiful teddy bears for every boy and girl….young and old.  Come join us around the crackling fire and listen to traditional Christmas stories.  Join our elves in Christmas caroling and nibble on some home-made cookies.  There are decorations to make and trees to decorate.

Photos with Santa by Mark Gardner.

Everyone is invited to this holiday festivity, and there is no charge or fee.  Your only obligation is to enjoy the spirit of Christmas and share a very traditional, old fashioned holiday celebration.

Anyone can e-mail Santa: [email protected]

This event is not connected with any organization and is very simply a gift from Santa in the spirit of Christmas.

What was it like Friday night at the Community Theatre’s Holiday Festival? Lots of smiling faces & friends…this will give you a feel for the evening:

A great way to get ready for the holidays....

One of the best places to eat on the island is at Duck Soup Inn…you already knew that. The restaurant is closed for the season…you already knew that. Head chef Gretchen Allison gets her winter cooking classes going next week…you gotta know that! (Here’s the entire schedule of classes – the Mexican class in January is already full, by the way!)

Next week’s class will get you ready for New Year’s…it reads like this:

New Year’s Day Brunch: We will be putting on the Ritz with Champagne cocktails, Pumpkin Walnut Muffins, Shrimp Salad, Eggs Benedict with Meyer Lemon Hollandaise, Malbec Raspberry Sorbet.
Friday, December 17……….Saturday, December 18……….Sunday, December 19