Posted November 29, 2010 at 12:51 am by Ian Byington
Courtney Oldwyn says that Saturday, December 4th from 1-2:30pm is when this will happen:
Susan Derr Drake will make a special trip to the island....
Blazing Tree Ranch Proudly presents
Susan Derr Drake Grand Prix Dressage Trainer and Horse Listener
From Ancient Wisdom to Common Sense Horsemanship, Susan guarantees to give you at least 3 insights new to you and possibly many more in her first group workshop here.
Riders of all levels and styles of riding are invited to join us with or without your horse for a buffet of leading edge information.
We will start with things to add to your grooming, stretches, leading, walking, trotting and cantering. Whether you are a beginner or a professional you will have food for thought in this gathering. You are welcome to observe or participate as you feel comfortable.
To learn more about Susan go to: www.RidingAids.com • $25 per person / $10 per horse
Contact Courtney Oldwyn to reserve your spot today
Posted November 27, 2010 at 1:23 am by Ian Byington
Trish looks over the wide variety of handcrafted jewelry....
Update reporter Keri Talbott files this report from Friday:
This morning was a busy morning for our family! Ace Hardware started Black Friday at 7 am with some wonderful deals, and then we were off to the Holiday Marketplace at the Elementary School. (There was some decorating in between)…
The Fair is an amazing event that you won’t want to miss. Everything from Smoked Salmon, fudge, Jewelry, Aprons, Pictures, food, and more!
The fair runs from 10 am until 5pm on Friday and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday. We now have some wonderful gifts for Christmas, and for our personal use! I definitely wouldn’t be saving the fudge for any of our relatives. It’s a wonderful opportunity to get into the holiday spirit and connect with many islanders you don’t see throughout the year.
Posted November 26, 2010 at 8:12 am by Ian Byington
Joe, on a roll....
When Joe Bongiorno graduated from Friday Harbor High School in 1987, anybody who knew him might have thought he was gonna be a rock ‘n roll star. He lived on the island for another ten years, then migrated to Seattle, where he has become one of the rising stars in the solo piano music genre.
He can barely keep his first four albums in stock, and his songs are downloaded by the tens of thousands each month by people all over the world who purchase them.
He’s an island boy who has made good…
Available to order today...
Now he has his first Christmas album – A Candlelight Christmas – available for pre-order (they arrive December first), so go hereand get yours.
I’ve been listening to the album for the last three days and I believe you’ll love what he’s done with three originals and nine traditional Christmas songs…get yours ordered today!
Posted November 26, 2010 at 1:29 am by Ian Byington
Rarin' to go at the starting line....
Paul Hopkins reports how yesterday’s Turkey Trot went:
Temperatures near 30 with snow falling was a first in the six year history of the Turkey Trot, a 3.1 mile run, walk, trot or crawl originating from the Best Western Friday Harbor Suites. While it was about 25% of last years crowd, race organizers were pleasantly surprised by the 59 entrants who withstood the cold and snow to complete the course.
Vancouver, WA resident Patrick Kelly and Islander Susan Stehn walked away with first place in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively. Kelly took the crown of overall winner in 18:47. Stehn, who also completed several full marathons this sumer, won the ladies division in 21:01. Darcy Ayers and Peter Strasser won the girls and boys divisions. Complete results can be found at www.sanjuanislandfitness.com.
Posted November 25, 2010 at 11:42 pm by Ian Byington
It's a party!
Jan from the Community Theatre has more:
It’s the party of the season!
Holiday Festival 2010: Ring in the Season
AND, DID YOU KNOW?
*There are less than 60 tickets left to THE party of the holidays?
*We’re putting the FUN back into FUNDRAISING with guest auctioneer John Curley of Evening Magazine fame.
*More than 100 businesses or individuals have donated items or services to our silent and live auctions (and that doesn’t even count the dozens of other donations for sponsorships and our special Little Bo Pop and the Two Peeps balloon raffle). Wow, do we have a giving community or what?
*Among those silent and live auction items we have one-of-a-kind trips and experiences. Skiing, anyone? Boating? A cruise on Holland America? The complete catalog is HERE.
*We’re dancing this year with the rockin’ The Walrus (think lots of fun Beatles music) of Bellingham.
*After dancing, we’ve added DINNER to the menu–delicious live cooking stations manned by Roche Harbor’s Bill Shaw and staff –see menu HERE, (and the wine and gourmet appetizers still start off the action at 6:00 pm.)
*If you can’t be here for the evening’s incredible festivities, there’s still a way to bid on the auction items. Details HERE.
*More than 30 volunteers have worked for almost a year to bring this revamped and revitalized Festival to the Theatre.
*Holiday Festival 2010 is more than an unforgettable party with our island community–it is a critical event that keeps YOUR theatre making magic throughout the year!
Posted November 25, 2010 at 11:32 am by Ian Byington
The lighthouse shot earlier this week...photo by Alan Niles (thanks!)
Hope you have a quiet & relaxing weekend ahead…
• Heard Jenni Staudt had her baby earlier this week…I’ll see if I can get more details for you. Congrats, Jenni!
• Alan Niles has some awesome photos (including the one above)…he’ll be posting more images on his Cascade Photographics Facebook pagethat would be great. Also he’ll be making some of these images into Friday Harbor Christmas Cards for sale at The Bean and Island Studios, or contact him directly at 360 480 5000.
Jim Knych & Shann Weston were among the zillions of voluteers & diners at the Community Dinner...
• My friend Chance sent me this video that reminds me that maybe St. Francis’ spirit lives on in some folks…see what you think. Great one as this guy saves a baby hummingbird.
• Oren & Peggy have a show you don’t want to miss this Friday & Saturday:
“1066 — Celtic with an Attitude,” performs live at Rumor Mill
“1066” does not take themselves too seriously except in the fact they work hard to make sure that their audiences have fun. Music and humor is what the band is all about. They are a truly International band having played in many countries collectively and individually. So join in the fun, raise a jar or two and get ready to party. 175 First Street, Friday Harbor.
• Jonathon Hu says Be Careful / Julia & the Dream / the Duo Tones / Jonah & more…. are all playing at The China Pearl on Friday starting at 8pm.
• Rob Simpson mentions this is a good Sunday to hear jazz:
The San Juan Jazz Quintet will be performing for your dining pleasure Sunday, November 28 starting at 4:00 PM. (The time has been moved from the scheduled noon brunch to help soothe family and friends who are waiting for a ferry to show up…or people who want a break from leftovers.)
• And…there’s a puppet show at the Fairgrounds – here’s more from Rev:
Hey Ian,
The show is at 2 on Friday!
I thought folks would like to know that the Carter Family Marionettes will be putting on a special show at the Fairgrounds this Friday, 11/26.
The show is the great classic Sorcerer’s Apprentice and will begin at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $8 for children and $10 for adults (18 and older) and are available in advance at the Fair office. Advance tickets are recommended as there is limited seating in the Marie Boe Building.
So take a break from all that intense shopping and come enjoy a great show by very talented puppeteers. In case you didn’t know, Chris and Steven Carter are residents of Lopez. Along with Dmitri Carter who manages the Northwest Puppet Center in Seattle, this is truly a traditional family puppet theater. There will also be shows coming this spring from the Carter Family and the Oregon Shadow Theater. More information about these shows and the NW Puppet Center can be found here.
Have a delicious Thanksgiving!
Cheers,
Rev Shannon
San Juan County Fair
Fair & Events Manager
• Whoa! The wind earlier in the week was amazing – here’s the view from Alex Shapiro‘s place, looking over the channel towards Speiden:
• They’re changing the way the Community Foundation is handling grants & grant requests – here’s more from Susan:
The lighthouse & snow earlier this week...photo by Alan Niles
Hi, Ian. I wonder if you will please post a notice regarding some brown-bag-lunch meetings being conducted by the San Juan Island Community Foundation on Monday-Wednesday, November 29 – December 1, 12:00-1:30 pm.
We are making significant changes to our granting process starting January 2011, and are asking representatives of the nonprofit organizations on the island to be informed of the new process called “Connections” PRIOR to their submission of applications in the new year.
These brown bag lunches will take place at the Tech Center (650 Mullis Street) in the building that houses the National Park offices — ground floor, far left door, Suite 104.
SPACE IS LIMITED, so anyone wishing to attend needs to call me at 378-1001 to let me know what day they would like to attend.
Thanks so much!
Susan Matthews, Program Coordinator
San Juan Island Community Foundation
• It would be great to have broadband internet expanded to the island – I filled this survey out (it takes a couple of minutes, max), and if that helps, good! Here’s more from Victoria:
The Washington State Department of Information Services is working on a statewide survey to determine what services our businesses need for broadband. So far, they’ve had very little response from San Juan County. This means that we won’t even be on their radar when they start working to improve broadband infrastructure in Washington State.
Please take a moment today to participate in the survey.
If you don’t own a business, please forward this email to as many businesses as you can.
Thank you! Victoria Compton, Executive Director
San Juan County Economic Development Council
Serving up plenty of food & smiles at the Communiy Dinner....
• Glenda’s asking for a hand in this contest:
Hi Fellow San Juan Islanders!!!!
I NEED YOUR VOTE!!!!! I entered a contest and I need your vote to win!!!
Adam (in green) and Donna (in the smile) were among the ferry workers eating a Thanksgiving dinner on the Evergreen State Thursday afternoon...
Check out my necklace and ear ring submission……. “JEWELS OF THE SAN JUANS”, my inspiration comes from the beauty of the San Juan Islands, WA where I’m blessed to call home. From the quick changing colors of a sunset, to the different textures of the waves of the ocean, the creatures found in and around the tide pools and the seaweed washed up on the beach. Nothing matches and yet it all fits together and manages to look regal, but like the ocean and seaweed.
This contest is decided by how many votes you get as opposed to Artbeads, the sponsor, deciding the winners. So SHE who has the most friends wins……. You can go to the site and cast your vote. I know your vote won’t be biased.
Please help me support my bead habit… 1st – $500 gift certificate, 2nd – $250 gift certificate, 3rd – $100 gift certificate from Artbeads.
THANKS!!! Support your local artist. Please let all your friends know……
• J.B. Herren has a class coming up:
For the first time in Friday Harbor, we are presenting the (non-resident) Utah Concealed Pistol License certification class on Saturday, November 27th. This license is highly sought after by Washingtonians that travel, as it is widely recognized by law enforcement and reciprocal with more than 30 other states. This full-day class covers the complete requirements for the Utah license and we are offering it as a ‘two-for-one” for island residents that pre-register. Tuition for this class is $200/person at the door. Islanders may bring one guest for FREE, bringing the net cost down to $100/person! For more information call: 360-378-1776 or contact us at info (at) FridayHarborGunRunners.com
A month ago was the Island Rec "Touch A Truck" event, and Sally reports these guys were the winners: "At Island Rec’s Touch a Truck event, Ethan Rosich won the raffle for a Ride to School with the Sheriff. Attached is a photo with Ethan in the middle and his buddy Isaac Shaw with Sheriff Bill Cumming in front of the elementary school. "
Posted November 25, 2010 at 11:29 am by Ian Byington
If you’re shopping around this weekend, here are deals & things you might want to put on your list:
• Be Chic Boutique – from 8am to 1pm on Friday it’s their 50% off sale! Sale excludes consignment jewelry and applies to regularly priced items only.
• The Whale Museum has a 30% off sale…online! Click here to check out what they have – the sale runs till Monday the 30th.
• Cotton Cotton Cotton has a sale on Friday, November 26th from 10am-4pm. Gail says, “Get your mystery discount of 10% – 50% off your total purchase on regularly priced items (some consignment items not included).”
• The Holiday Marketplace at the elementary school is on Friday (10-5) and Saturday (10-4).
• Ace Hardware: Black Friday is almost here! Check out the Door Busters and the amazing deals in their ad. You can also follow us on Twitter, @AceHardware, to get updates on all the great deals!
• This is new event which sounds like fun:
Holiday Harbor Art Walk • Saturday, November 27th
The newest addition to the Thanksgiving holiday events in Friday Harbor is the Holiday Harbor Art Walk on Saturday, November 27th. This is a great opportunity to walk the town of Friday Harbor, shopping for holiday gifts while enjoying the hospitality of these participating galleries. This event runs from 4pm and continues to 7pm, except where noted.
Arctic Raven, 130 First Street, 360.378.3433, featuring “Gifts from the Salish Sea”, the Annual Holiday Show featuring artwork by First Nation members including glass, prints, bentwood boxes. Andy & Wilbur Peterson, Skokomish, will be on hand for a hot cider reception: New work by Susan Point, Shaun Peterson and introducing jewelry by Tamara Rain Bull & clay sculptor David Groat.
Gallery San Juan, 232 “A” Street. 360.378.1376, will be featuring “Small Treasures, Simple Pleasures”, new small paintings by gallery artists including Matt Dollahite, BJ Dollahite, All Currier and James Moore. Matt and BJ will also be showing their most current works in progress.
Island Studios, 270 Spring Street, 360.378.6550 is celebrating the diversity of 200 local artists with music, books, paintings, pottery, photography, glass art, jewelry, sculpture, textiles and organic soaps, lotions and oils, just to name a few. Darlene Nixon will be demonstrating how she makes her hand-sculpted glass jewelry from 2pm – 4pm
Waterworks Gallery, 315 Argyle Street, 360.378.3060 featuring the “25th Annual Holiday Fete” with the artwork of Jaime Ellsworth, paintings; Tom Small, stone sculpture; and Robin & John Gumaelius, ceramic & metal sculptures; displaying artisan jewelry in exotic beads, silver, glass and gold by Tana Acton, Lexi Bec, Dianne Coe, Kathleen Faulkner, James Minson & Tina Finneran.
Posted November 24, 2010 at 11:05 pm by Ian Byington
Here’s the scoop from Kevin:
NEW, Winter Blackmouth Derby to Offer $10,000 Prize
The “Resurrection Derby” at Friday Harbor – Newest addition to the Salmon Derby Series
The San Juan Islands Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers is pleased to announce the Northwest’s newest salmon derby, The Resurrection Derby, which will award a first-place cash prize of $10,000. This newest addition to the NMTA’s Northwest Salmon Derby Series will be held December 3rd & 4th at the Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA.
For a mere $400.00 entry fee, those 100 teams (with up to 4 anglers per team), lucky enough to get a spot, will vie for $15,000 in guaranteed purse money offering a 1st place prize of $10,000, 2nd place $2,500, 3rd place$1,000 and a $1,000 Mystery Fish prize during this two-day event.
“I envisioned a serious winter derby for serious salmon anglers … an event very similar to the old Rosario Derby” said club President and derby executive committee member, Jimmy Lawson. Continue Reading
Posted November 24, 2010 at 10:00 am by Ian Byington
Work party coordinator Megan Jones gets things going...photo by Liza Michaelson
There’s an Open House scheduled for the 4th next week, but you’ll get the idea how the project at Brickworks is coming along with this report from Nancy Larsen about the work party a couple of weekends back:
40 joyful and enthusiastic volunteers came together with crowbars, trucks, hammers, garbage bags, leather gloves, and plenty of elbow grease for the first work party to transform 150 Nichols Street into “Brickworks,” a market and community center bringing new life to downtown.
The noise was deafening, with farmers and volunteers tearing down walls, ripping up linoleum floors, dismantling false ceilings, removing broken glass and barbed wire, and heaping loads of refuse into pickups. They braved the dust and grime, and in just a few hours spruced up the old building, getting it ready for holiday events and upcoming renovation.
A long table full of good food kept the spirited crowd going. And curious passersby stopped to offer encouragement and support. Rob Waldron and Megan Jones did a fabulous job of organizing people, materials, and jobs beforehand, making sure that everyone’s efforts were put to good use.
More work parties are in the offing. If you would like to participate in future work parties, contact coordinator Megan Jones at [email protected] or call 378-4917.
People came to work with face masks and heavy duty gloves. Roger Ellison opening a window! Photo by Liza Michaelson
Hard working volunteers getting Brickworks ready for holiday events and upcoming renovation...photo by Liza Michaelson
Posted November 24, 2010 at 9:46 am by Ian Byington
Ho ho ho...as we head into the holidays...
Just a quick note to let you know that today is the Update‘s birthday…the first posting of the island’s oldest locally owned online news (and other stuff) was on November 24, 1997. Thirteen years!
Now that we’re a teenager, we have all kinds of plans – wanting to drive, knowing it all, and eating a lot of junk food. But most of all, I’d like to take a moment to thank you for sharing your stories and making this so much fun.And thanks for making the Update a part of your daily routine – it’s great to know you’re there, and that together we have a chance to celebrate this island we call home.
Posted November 24, 2010 at 7:58 am by Ian Byington
Swing by Island Studios this weekend and vote on your favorite ornament, made by one of IS's artists...and maybe win $50.
What’s happening around the island as folks gear up for the holiday…
• It’s the big one, and a great way to keep your shopping local – drop by the Holiday Marketplace at the elementary school on Friday & Saturday…you’ll be glad you did! Here’s details.
Kajal's been working at Cafe Demeter a lot lately, but still had time for a visit with her sister from Los Angeles, Rohini (left)...pretty glad to see each other.
• Over in Surina Business Park, I hear that Harper Poesy is open for business with her haircutting biz, Peace, Love & Scissors – drop by & get a trim!
Sara & Jared
• Remember Sara Totten, who was a fixture as a server at Rocky Bay Cafe & Jimmy’s for years, and now lives in Seattle? She just got engaged to her fella Jared – congrats, you two!
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) are available November 24th – December 4th. All kids between the ages of 4-14 are invited to participate. A 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 at 378-1376.
It was good to catch up with Anna (left) and Scott, with baby Jet getting a kiss from sis.
• Kathleen says this is gonna be a good one – put it on your calendar! The work the Eagles do is invaluable to our community, and the folks who have flown over (rather than take the day to rise the ferry) really need & appreciate it. Here’s more:
Please join us at the Presbyterian Church on December 4, 2010 at 7:00 pm for a wonderful night of Christmas music featuring Kathleen Wilson, Sonja Zarek with special guest Pat Gislason.
The proceeds from this benefit concert will all go directly to The San Juan Eagles who have been serving San Juan Island cancer patients with free custom flights to and from the mainland for cancer treatment since November of 2001. Questions? Call Kathleen Wilson (w) 370-7411 (h) 378-8484.
You KNOW whose shoes these are!
• Cats, cats, cats! Leslie has a bunch – need a friend? Here’s the deal:
Just wanted to get the word out that the Friday Harbor Animal Shelter is overloaded with cats right now. We currently have 48 cats in house, including 7 kittens. Donations have been down this year, and we could definitely use donations of wet and dry cat food. The shelter is also running a adoption special of $25 per cat through the end of 2010. All adoptions must be to approved, loving homes.
So if anyone has a place in their hearts for a new, loving pet, please stop by the shelter…hours are 11am – 2pm Tuesday thru Sunday.
• Folks in the neighborhood asked me to post this & see if you can help:
REWARD: $500 reward for information leading to arrest, conviction, and retrieval of money stolen. A large amount of money, in $100 bills was stolen from the Miller Rd./Eaglecrest area within the last 2 months. Any information concerning the robbery, please contact John Zerby at the San Juan County Sheriff’s office: 360-378-4151. Thank you!
Posted November 23, 2010 at 12:02 am by Ian Byington
The dancing made the song, and the idea, come alive....
Penelope Haskew asked me to write a song for this Hindi/Indian folk tale called “The Hare in the Moon,” which was one of four tales in the show “Stars Lore: A Mythological Musical.” The tale centers on four animals who want to help honor a holy day by fasting, and then feeding what’s left over to folks who need it.
The idea for the song comes from the idea that there’s a chance there’s enough food…if we share. So the song’s called “There’s Plenty of Food If We Share.” And I couldn’t be more pleased with how it came out.
The kids in the show did an awesome job with the acting (which isn’t in this clip), the dancing and the singing (which is) – their incredible energy made this little song come alive. Thanks to director/writer Penelope Haskew for arranging it with the music you hear here, Lisa Duke for directing the dancing, and for music director & magician Teddy Deane. Penelope mentioned, “And let’s not forget Leisha Holmes’ incredible work on those animal headdresses, Anita Welch’s beautiful costumes and John Shallers’s terrific lighting! We just had a dream team working on this show!”
And remember, my friends, to find ways to share… 🙂
