Sometimes when you live on an island, you think you see so much, and yet you see so little….

(cartoon courtesy of our friends at xkcd):

Looking out over the water....

It’s called The Style, and it’s time for you to get your tickets now! Here’s more from Vernadel:

Are you Stylin’????

How many times have you wondered where you can find items on San Juan Island?  The Style was created as an opportunity for businesses to showcase the variety of merchandise available HERE and we have over 40 local businesses ready to tempt you with their products!  So don’t be square, be at THE STYLE on October 9, 4:00 – 6:30 pm and be prepared for lots of laughs and surprises!

The Port of Friday Harbor Clock Dock will be the venue for the event.  And since we are taking our chances for a sunny day in Washington in October, we have a standby location at 123 West Street so we can enjoy the event without the interruption of rain!

The event will start with a Business Showcase where samples and demonstrations will be provided by restaurants, caterers, vintners, spas, etc.  Scrip tickets for local wine can be purchased at the beginning of the pier, and two will be included with a “Runway Ticket.”  There will also be a Silent Auction to tempt you with all kinds of products available on San Juan Island.

The evening will conclude with a Runway Show including fashions that will be the envy of any eye!  You will even see “Vanna” walking the runway with wonderful pieces of art or spectacular products available in our local stores.

Tickets for the event will be $10 for General Admission or $20 for a limited number of Runway Tickets, which include VIP seating on the runway and 2 wine tickets.  They will be sold at the Chamber office, Cotton Cotton Cotton, Ace Hardware, Islanders Bank, San Juan Hot Shop and at the event on the Clock Dock.

For more information contact the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce at 360-378-5240 or visit www.sanjuanisland.org

Hobbes at the wheel of the Western Prince

Checked in with Hobbes, who is taking off this week…I know I’ve learned a lot from this gentle & well-spoken friend, including his wisdom about the right way to eat (see his blog, here)…drop by his party tonight at the Rumor Mill, where he’ll probably play a couple of harp tunes as well – here’s his note:

I’m having a “bon voyage” party tonight at Blues night (The Rumor Mill ) – it starts at 6pm, music at 7, cake after the first set around 8pm… Off to see my Mum and Dad in England, then I’m going on a 600 mile walk about on the coast trails/paths of Devon and Cornwall… Hope to see you tonight! Cheers!

A little song from 1967, with Donovan:

First show - Friday!

Jan from the Community Theatre has the lowdown on the play that opens this weekend – here’s more:

Boo!  Are you ready to put a little scare into your life? How about some nervous laughter?

SJCT’s fall thriller, Peter Colley’s I’ll Be Back Before Midnight starts THIS Friday, October 1 with a discounted sneak preview night, followed by opening night on Saturday, October 2.

The play, set in an old farmhouse, centers on the thrilling yet comical tension when a young couple moves into the house as the wife (Jan, played by island newcomer Rachel Schneider) recovers from an emotional breakdown.

Ken Serratt and John Pachuta practice some of the play’s tricky maneuvers during a rehearsal at PARC.

Questions quickly arise: How trustworthy is the husband (John Pachuta as Greg)?  Just what kind of not-quite-sibling-like relationship does he have with his sister (Laura, played by Deb Langhans)? And what about that quirky neighbor (Ken Serratt as George)?

Guest director Jack Phillips (former executive director of the Civic Theatre in Spokane) has twice previously directed Colley’s play in community theaters in Illinois and Massachusetts. “It’s just a wonderful combination of comedy and mystery,” Jack said.

I’ll Be Back Before Midnight continues October 8-10 and 14-16.

San Juan County Fire Marshal Steve Marler says it’s OK to burn, starting this weekend:

OPEN BURNING SEASON BEGINS

Starting this weekend...

Effective October 1st, residential and commercial burn permits are available for purchase. Residential permits allow for fires up to ten feet in diameter.  The permit fee is $15.  Permits will be valid through June 30, 2011.  Permits may be purchased from the fire district headquarters on Orcas, San Juan, Lopez and Shaw Islands.  They may also be purchased online from the San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Web site: www.sjcfiremarshal.org. Continue Reading

The church, in its previous location across the street on Spring Street....

Torrey just sent this over – everyone is invited to drop by & hear stories from the early days (for European settlers) on the island:

150 Years of Island History and the Presbyterians in Pictures and Stories

Nickels in the offering plate; a romance with the school teacher? Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church is the oldest continuing institution of San Juan Island. On Tuesdays October 5th and 26th at 7pm, Mike Vouri and Joe Bettridge will enliven your imagination with historical photographs and stories of San Juan Island and the 150 year ministry of the Presbyterian Church. This presentation is part of the Sesquicentennial (150 years) Celebration of Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church.

Historian Mike Vouri has just completed a new book on the history of San Juan Island entitled Images of America: San Juan Island. Mike is the Chief of Interpretation and Historian for the National Park Service on the Island. Joe Bettridge is the pastor of Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church. Joe’s doctoral work explored the ethno history of the Tlingit Indians in Alaska and the larger story of the history of the Northwest Coast of America. Both men are “story-tellers” whose historical insights will delight their listeners. Don’t miss these fun and interesting evenings. The October 5th presentation will cover the years 1850-1900. The October 26th presentation will cover the 20th Century and will include the remembrances of Island old-timers.

Douglas Pond, Watercolor, Kristy Gjesme

As we continue to look over some of the artists who are taking part in this weekend’s Artstock, consider dropping by to see Kristy & Margaret’s work:

Margaret

Kristy Gjesme’s studio will be open both days of Artstock, October 2nd and 3rd. Kristy will have watercolor set up so people can experiment, play, or learn a new technique.

Kristy’s guest Margaret Thorson will be demonstrating weaving and knitting. This is a rare opportunity to get some tips from two very accomplished artists.

Pam Pressley, a former flutist for the Seattle Symphony, will provide a musical accompaniment and refreshments will be served.

Kristy’s studio is now on the streetfront at 210 Nichols Street.

That was Grisha (left) providing the Randy Newman piano parts for the featured tenor at Chamber Music San Juans a few weeks ago....awesome.

• It’s going to be a special meeting – I’ve eaten meals that Farhad’s made with food from his garden, and he’s the real deal. Here’s more from the Garden Club folks about the next meeting, which is October 5th:

Food from the garden...the best!

Ian, could you include a reminder in the Update that the San Juan Island Garden Club meets the first Tuesday of each month (with the exception of January, July and August) at the Mullis Senior Center. We meet at 1:00 p.m. and enjoy coffee, tea and wonderful homemade desserts.

We host wonderful speakers about gardening issues, concerns, and innovative ideas for kitchen gardens, bee keeping, and many other fascinating topics.

Our next meeting features a well-known, local expert gardener, Farhad Ghatan, who will be speaking to the topic of Kitchen Gardens.  He will offer us ideas and innovations relative to kitchen gardens and how to make them work.

Since this is such a special program, we request RSVP for attendance to Rosemary Fleming at 378-1838 or Dot Vandaveer at 378-8306 by October 1.

On the move....

• Nan & Steve Simpson just took off last week on a cruise to Australia – driving the boat is a guy named Captain Pieter Visser (if that’s you, Piet, drop me a line!), and they had someone flown off for medical stuff the first day out….adventures already.

You can track the trip with their well-written & well-photographed blog, here.

• Sometimes I tell you to get out & play; sometime you gotta go in & play….here’s what’s up with Island Rec, from Sally:

Drop in & play!
Badminton and Ping Pong kick off Island Rec’s Open Gym season – it begins Monday, October 4, and runs weekly on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7-9pm.  The program is open to adults and teens 15 and older. Fee is $2 a night on $53 for a season pass that runs through January 2011.  Persons new to either game are encouraged to drop by and try it out and see how much fun and exercise it can be!  Extra racquets and paddles are available.

Adult Basketball Season begins on Tuesday October 5 and meets weekly on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 8-10pm.  Drop in fee is $2 or $49 for the season pass. This program is full court play open to men and women ages 15 and older.  Monthly schedules can be found on www.islandrec.org and posted on Turnbull Gym door.

November is the start for Community Open Gym; Roller Hockey for ages 5 through adults; Indoor Soccer, Teen Friday Night Fun and Family Open Skate.  Get ready for an active and fun winter season!

For more information call Island Rec at 378-4953, visit www.islandrec.org or take a peek inside your copy of the Island Rec Fall/Winter program guide.

Rob (left) and Brent will take questions at the Sheriff Candidates' Forum on Tuesday the 28th...

San Juan Island voters get a chance to visit with and question the two candidates for San Juan County Sheriff on Tuesday (the 28th), as the Journal of the San Juans sponsors a candidate forum at 5pm at the Gubelman Room at the Community Theatre. Rob Nou and Brent Johnson will offer opening statements, then will answer questions, with Journal editor Richard Walker facilitating.

The two will repeat the forum on Orcas and Lopez the next day (sponsored by the Sounder & Weekly.)

This doesn’t take the place of the League of Women’s Voters’ Forum in October, which will include all the competitive races, but will complement that forum by focusing on this one race. See you there!

Paula welcomes you to her studio this coming weekend for Artstock...photo by Peggy Sue McRae

With Artstock coming up I took a drive out to the west side of the Island to visit Paula West at her studio on MacGinitie Road. Paula’s studio will be open to visitors during Artstock the first weekend in October. If you’ve never seen Paula’s studio this is an opportunity well worth taking advantage of.

Paula works full time in her studio. She was busy creating patterns on a collection of cups when I arrived. I asked her what inspires her. She talked about the beauty of everyday objects and the inspiration she gets from folk arts, quilts, her garden and tribal crafts. She showed me a technique she was using called “sgraffito.”

Sgraffito is Italian for “to scratch” and was a popular ceramic technique in Italy during the Renaisance. Paula uses this technique to create patterns on cups by “scratching” through layers of slip. Here is what sgraffito looks like (below). To see the finished product plan to drop by Paula’s Studio between 10-4:30 on October 2nd and 3rd.

Sgraffito, with Paula West...photos by Peggy Sue McRae

Diane from the Land Bank is lining up folks to help with the Beaverton Marsh Restoration (remember that?) Here’s the deal:

The Land Bank is scheduling multiple work parties between mid-November and mid-December for the ongoing Beaverton Marsh restoration project and invite groups and individuals to join us!

Work Party schedule:
• Saturday November 20th with members of the Lopez Island Conservation Corps and Nick Teague joining – ROOM FOR MORE!
• If this date doesn’t work for you, please respond with alternate dates and we will work around your schedules.

We need as many folks as possible to join us on the 20th, so please RSVP at 370-7655.

Many thanks for your ongoing support and we look forward to working with you!

Diane Kinnaman, San Juan County Land Bank
Volunteer Coordinator

In the place where Be Chic was located - all about Artstock! Photo by Peggy Sue

As our Indian Summer slides into October you may notice signs of Artstock around town. Artstock, San Juan Island’s autumn arts festival, is happening the weekend of October 2nd & 3rd. Local artists will be opening their studios and galleries will be staying open late with music, hors de vors, and artist’s sharing their talents. You can find many more details on the Artstock website or find a map to the studios and gallery information in the Artstock brochure available at the Chamber of Commerce, Gallery San Juan, Arctic Raven Gallery, Waterworks Gallery, Concepia or Island Studios.

From Artstock promoter, Debbie Pigman, I learned that building owner, Dave Moorhouse contributed the use of his vacant storefront, across Spring Street from Island Studios, for Artstock to display art and announce the coming event.

I thought the reason all those islanders were waving at me was because my sons borrowed my car this past summer (they have more friends than I do, and they all wave!), but now I know it's that, AND because Peggy Sue & I have nearly identical cars. Part of living on an island is knowing everybody's rig, and waving before you're certain who it is....

Let’s see what’s going on…

• Finally, they’re at home! Cassie has more about the youth football teams:

Hi Ian- We have home games this weekend for Tiger Youth Football.  The first game starts at 10:30am and the last one starts at 4:30pm.  Our concession stand will be up and running with barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers!  Please come down and watch a game and get a bite to eat.  Special thanks to San Juan Propane for their generous contribution of propane grills for us to use.

• The ferry folks want you to know the change is on, this weekend (and the Sidney run goes to only one-a-day):

She comes to your house for veterinarian calls! Tess came & gave the cats their shots....they said "ow," then said "meow" because she's so nice to 'em...

WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) will begin operating its Fall 2010 schedule on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010.

International service is reduced to one departure daily from Anacortes at 8:30 am and from Sidney B.C. at 12 noon.

The schedule is purple in color and can be found at terminals, on vessels, and online at the link in the masthead of the world famous & well-read & really cool San Juan Update. (OK, I put that last part in).

Randy welcomes Jennifer to the school...

• At yesterday’s fall faculty meeting for Skagit Valley College/San Juan Center, director Randy Martin introduced new English comp teacher Jennifer Brennock, and said enrollment for the college’s classes on island are up for the year. The college will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the campus on San Juan Island in March 2011.

• Minnie at the American Legion says students can win $200 in cash for their essay – here’s more:

In honor of Constitution Day on September 17, the American Legion Auxiliary is sponsoring an essay contest for students.  There are two divisions in the essay contest:  Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12.  Students in grades 9-12 will be competing for a first prize of $200.  In grades 6-8 the first prize winner will receive a $50 cash award.

This contest is open to all San Juan Island students in whether in public school, private school or home school.
Essay topic is any aspect of the Constitution.  For more information and suggested topics contact M. Knych at 378-7040. Essays must be the original work of the student. Essays may be 450 – 1200 words in length. Essays can be hand written or typed. Each entrant  will receive a pocket copy of the Constitution of the United States. All entries must be mailed  by October 15, 2010  to:
Essay Contest
P.O. Box 662  ~ Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Or teachers can call 378-7040 to arrange for an Auxiliary member to pick up essays at the school. To receive a detailed list of the rules for entry and the entry form call 378-7040. Judges will be a committee of members of the Legion Auxiliary Unit 163. Winners and prizes will be announced in early November.

• Lori Stokes from the Soroptimist Club says they had an inspiring speaker:

Patty, with Norm

At their lunch meeting on September 15, the Soroptimists were quite moved by guest Norm Stamper, former Seattle Police Chief, who spoke on the subject of human trafficking. Norm, who now lives on Orcas, related the personal stories of some of the young women (including one from the Seattle area) who have been exploited by this horrific practice.  The international organization of Soroptimist is a key advocacy group for education and action to eliminate human trafficking across the globe. For further information about Soroptimists visit www.sifri.org.

Steph & the boys...

• My friend Stephanie Walker and her husband Bob & their kid Malcolm moved last month from the island back to Chicago.

She reported on her Facebook wall: “When we told our pediatrician today that we left San Juan Island to move back to Chicago, he said, ‘You don’t need a pediatrician. You need a psychiatrist.'”

• Don’t forget Uncle Otto at the Pepper Mill tomorrow at 6pm!

This weekend!