LouAnne - ready for takeoff!

I asked LouAnne Spendiff if she’d send over pictures from her bi-plane ride on Saturday…it was all part of the day’s hugely successful Friday Harbor Fly-In (we’ll have tons more pictures of that later!)

She says it was great!

Our island home looks pretty far out from the sky....!

As dusk fell, reason for hope was rising....

It was this past weekend at the high school track.

A nearly-full moon rises over Relay as evening comes at Friday Harbor High's track Saturday night...

Folks gathered for this year’s Relay for Life to raise money to give to the American Cancer Society to help fight cancer and find its cure. The energy was high (Josie & I dropped in at the first, in the middle, in the dark, and herd from people the next day), and the weather was perfect for the day (no lightning storms this year!)

Here’s a little movie/slideshow of the day with video shot by Tabby Talley (thanks, Tabby!) and photos by me mixed into a video with Melissa Etheridge’s I Run for Life. See who you know…

The final figures for how much was raised are still being added up, but it’s great to see so many people come to help out. Way to go!

Relay for Life 2010 got underway with the Survivors' Lap (they're the folks in purple in the vdeo above....)

Merritt Olsen "won" the Soroptimist Club's 'Kiss the Pig' contest and made good on the deal...voters donated dollars to vote for their favorite kisser...

Bryn was among the folks who greeted visitors to the island with signs to protest the National Park Service's proposal to control the rabbit population. Photos for the San Juan Update by Tabby Talley.

People around the island reacted with interest to the news that the Parks Service has decided to shoot the “non-native” rabbits at American Camp…and some have joined to make a movement to protest (and if possible, stop) the action.

The kids were there, too...

There is a meeting from 1-3pm tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Mullis Center y the National Park Service to receive comment about their proposed action to control the rabbit population.

There was a protest by a couple of dozen islanders near the ferry landing on Friday evening, opposing the proposal. Tabby Talley took pictures, as you can see, and filed this report:

The protest lasted from just before 6 until about 6:50 when the ferry had finished unloading. Everyone had unique signs, with clever sayings from “Now Showing at American Camp: Scenes from Fatal Attraction” to “I’m not native. Are you going to shoot me?” to simple ones like “Killing is mean.” One woman even brought a real rabbit, which was part wild!

Some signs took on a movie theme....

There was a slight traffic jam as cars coming off the ferry were slowing down to read the signs and listen to the protesters. Most of the cars passing by reacted positively, honking their horns and cheering. Some ignored the protest or stared in confusion, but there were only three negative responses. (One guy gave a thumbs down, another pointed his hand in the shape of a gun, and one yelled “Go home!” to which the protesters yelled back, “We ARE home!”)

Petitions were passed out for everyone to help get signatures for the meeting on Tuesday. There were no park rangers present.

Overall, it seemed like the protesters accomplished what they came to do. The community (and tourists!) is now much more aware of what’s happening to the rabbits at American Camp and hopefully those who have opinions on the matter will attend the meeting on Tuesday at 1pm at the Mullis Center.

The NPS proposal is to limit the non-native rabbits....

Members of J pod & L pod collected just off Snug Harbor yesterday... photo by Jim Maya

Jim Maya tells me that yesterday he didn’t have to go far – when he took folks out whale watching, the killer whales were just off the marina at Snug Harbor, which is where he operates from. They hung out there most of the day….

At San Juan Safaris, Tristen reports that a couple made their second trip to the island (from Toledo!) to get a chance to see the killer whales, and got engaged on the trip…congrats to Chase & Ashley! Here’s more.

Meanwhile, Katie, Nan & Monika have some pretty awesome pictures, as well as descriptions of the orcas’ behavior, on the Western Prince blog.

Living room...bigger than the one you have now.

You’ve been looking to buy a family house (or maybe home office) on the island, and want to be close to the water & town….here’s the one you’ve been looking for.

Check it out – only $299K!

Trees all around...

Steve & Kit take in Music on the Lawn on Wednesday....

Let’s see what’s going on….

• The Attic Treasures sale is this weekend – here’s more from Jan:

Treasures at the PARC July 24

From the Chippendale dining table and chairs that starred in last winter’s play, The Dining Room, to jewelry, golf clubs, a leather bench/ottoman and more, the Community Arts Theatre Society’s (CATS) Attic Treasures is brimming with quality used items.

Welcome, Milo! Missy Martin brought Milo out (he was born on the 9th) to hear the tunes on Wednesday. He looked healthy & happy & asleep when I saw him...

The annual “garage” sale featuring donations from individuals throughout the community, is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 24 at the PARC Building (70 Saltspring Drive).  All proceeds benefit the San Juan Community Theatre. Other items collected at press time included area rugs, Christmas tree ornaments, dishes and purses.

“There are so many wonderful things that have been donated,” said CATS member Jane Stoddard.  “I think this is one of the best collections we’ve ever had.”

San Juan Community Theatre’s PARC Building is located in the Beaverton Business Park off Beaverton Valley Road, about 9/10 of a mile from the town limits.

• Hey, you have to renew your business license by the end of next week – here’s more from Keri:

Renewals are due by the end of next week (July 31st) or there is a 50% penalty- increasing the license fee from $42.00 a year to $63 for the year.  All businesses that are no longer ‘IN Business” need to notify us in WRITING- because we can’t read minds and the state auditors require written notification.
Keri Talbott, Town of Friday Harbor Customer Service

The crowd went on to hit around 550...wow!

• Now THAT rocked – the Music on the Lawn concert by Island Rec on Wednesday had 2 1/2 hours of blues and an overflow crowd that was the biggest ever – Tim Thomsen was in charge of the clicker, and he showed me when the crowd hit 500 (right).

Sally Thomsen has continued to put on a quality series each summer, and this was emblematic of the best. See you next week!

• Kate Schuman has a gig today from 3-6pm at Island Studios – drop in & say hey! Here’s the scoop from KS:

I am playing all by myself, unplugged, at Island Studios downtown.  If you’ve yet to visit this store, this is a great time to do it.  It is packed with artwork, books, music, jewelry, clothing and much more, all locally made.  Come see what your neighbors have really been up to!  And come say hello to me, I’d love it!

The show with Lisa (left), George, Margaret & Bo opens tonight! Photo by James Krall.

Jan from the Community Theatre has more…

Smugglin’ Fun Opens Friday!

Imagine rare and expensive wine floating ashore on the beach.  Add some missing diamonds, measure in two zany couples, a touch of law enforcement and a snoopy neighbor.  Introducing The Connoisseurs, written by Cape San Juan’s Ed Strum and directed by Merritt Olsen, and playing at the San Juan Community Theatre for eight performances between July 23 and August 14.

The play–the winner of the 2010 Robert J. Pickering Award for Playwriting Excellence– is set in the home of George and Lynn, played by George Iliff and Margaret Hall. The sidesplitting, topsy-turvy rollercoaster of laughs starts when cases of fine wine float ashore onto the couple’s beach.

Add the remaining cast members:  Lisa Moretti and Bo Turnage as their friends/neighbors; Pat Rishel as the snoopy neighbor; Warren Baehr as the wine owner;  Meredith Block as a Coast Guard officer; Gene Bornholdt as the sheriff; and Roberto Carrieri as “Mr. Big”; and you have a delightful, fast-paced comedy, perfect for a summer escape!

The Business Partner for The Connoisseurs is San Juan Vineyards. Tickets are $18 for adults, $9 for student reserved, with $5 student RUSH at the door.  The box office is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (378-3210).  Tickets are also available on-line at www.sjctheatre.org.  Ask the box office about the special discounted dinner/theatre package with Coho Restaurant.

AND there’s even more!  Right after three of The Connoisseurs performances, folks are invited to stay for some intriguing post-show FREE fun.

Saturday, July 24

“Talk back” with the play’s cast and crew

A chance for audience members to stay in the Whittier after the show and ask questions of the writer, director, cast and crew….

Sunday, August 1

Get the inside scoop on diamonds!

American Gem Society Jewelers Philip Burton and Charles Yousling of Burton Jewelers in Anacortes (since 1930) will briefly discuss how diamonds are formed, recovered and cut, as well as tell us about some famous historical diamonds–several of which are mentioned in the play.

Friday, August 13

Taste some great local wines!

San Juan Vineyards’ Yvonne Swanberg or winemaker Chris Primus will detail a brief history of their wine-making and will provide samples of their award-winning wine.

The Sliders (Rob Simpson, guitar, vocals, keyboards; Denny Penrose, drums; Jonathan Piff, lead guitar, vocals; Laura Chorba, guitar, vocals; Steve Cutting, bass, vocals) - they play rarely performed classic rock tunes for listening, dancing, and general celebration. Drop on by!

Looks like folks have a lot going on…this isn’t everything, but here’s what I know about:

• Tonight at the Rumor Mill, Avery Adams teams with Shay Byington & Cam Byington as New Latitude with a mix of originals, covers, and just plain good stuff from 8-10pm.

• Friday, New Latitude helps the Pepper Mill begin their acoustic Fridays, hosted by Steve Keys, from 6-9pm.

• Meanwhile, the Sliders will be playing at the Rumor Mill on Friday at 7:30, while the Tease begin a two night stand at Herb’s across the way. At China Pearl, it’s Elliston from 8:30-midnight on Friday & Saturday.

Shay (left) and Avery on Spring Street over the Fourth of July weekend....

And, lastly – it was fun at the Rumor Mill last night for Blues Night…several people from off-island have asked me what it looks like & feels like in the new place, with its re-model, so I shot a little bit of vid to give you an idea – check it out:

San Juan Classic Day Sailing is hosting an "Open Boat" today from 4-7pm, giving you a chance to visit the Dirigo II (above) at the docks at Spring Street Landing.....

Let’s see what’s going on, around the island….

Vic & Monique Woodward take a small break from their mission work in the Dominicamn Republic to celebrate their 18th anniversary this week....congrats, you guys!

• It’s a quiet wedding, but a cool deal – Aaron King (he runs the Palace Theatre) and Ashley Wright are getting hitched this weekend…congrats, you two!

• Jenny at the Whale Museum tells me that actor Tom Hanks & his family dropped by the museum yesterday….cool.

• Speaking of whales, did you hear about the 40-ton right whale that jumped onto a boat this week? Here’s more.

• I ran into the school district’s new superintendent Rick Thompson the other day on the ferry & asked how his first two weeks on the job have gone… he sent this nice writeup of what he’s been up to!

Here’s more from Rick:

Greetings!

Now that I have begun work as the San Juan Island Superintendent, I want to share with the community a brief update on the work so far.  For the last several months I have been learning more about the district and checking off items on my transition plan list.

This included reviewing contracts, understanding the district budget, becoming familiar with district programs, and understanding community resources.  The District is well organized which has helped my learning curve immensely.

The Board and staff have done a commendable job preparing for state budget cutbacks and adopted a responsible 2010-2011 budget in June.

I would also like to thank so many patrons and partners of the district who have made me feel at home.  I have had so many fun and interesting conversations these last two weeks.  From the strong service clubs to people on the street, I am so glad to be part of this community.  I have been struck once again with the generous and thoughtful community district partnerships and the way this community supports the school system.

Some of the goals I will be working on in collaboration with the many creative staff members in the district include:

• Providing high quality core instruction in light of state funding cutbacks
• Prioritizing and addressing the facility needs of the district in a responsible and economic manner
• Continuing to support the innovative district food service program
• Working collaboratively with community agencies to ensure adequate athletic fields
• Maintaining the high quality staff in the district
• Providing  regular updates to the community on the progress of the district

Please let me know how I can support the education of the child you know.  I can be reached at the district office Monday through Friday.  I look forward to seeing you all.  Your continued support for each student is appreciated.

Rick

Most of you know that I started to grow up in the southern United States (not done yet, but you knew that, too). Because of that, and because of other environmental protection/restoration work I do, the events of the past five years in the Gulf have struck a place in my heart.

You all saw pictures of the aftermath of Katrina.

What I saw: The aerial pictures of the city, which showed only the round yellow tops of school buses at the school in New Orleans where my first teaching assignment was. Saw the apartment I lived in, mostly underwater. Saw the coffeehouse I usually played at, with water to the eaves.

It was personal.

But this Gulf oil spill is different, and even bigger. The damage has been done, but the work of restoration will continue for decades, and that touches us all, even as far away as we are, here.

My sister, who has been a nurse for more than 30 years, best described to me what is happening to the Gulf.  A terrible traumatic event has happened, like a car accident.  When you are brought to the hospital, you stop the bleeding.  Once that is done you start to heal.  And then, the hard part occurs – rehabilitation. “Therapies” are prescribed. And that, my sister said can be the loneliest journey.  It could be ours in the Gulf if we allow it.

Almost everyone I know has said, “What can I do?” Here’s a chance to be part of a movement to help…here’s the link about it, and here’s the video. I hope you have a chance to be a part of it. Thanks for listening.

Your friend & reporter,

Ian

The Parks folks reported earlier this month they intend to decrease the number of rabbits down American Camp way by shooting the ones that are from European descent, raising several questions.

Some islanders plan a protest on Friday, and Janet Thomas explains why:

S.O.B.
Save. Our. Bunnies.

A real-life visit to American Camp will confirm the return of the prairie grass and the disappearance of the bunnies (contrary to the pics in the NPS/American Camp website). The extermination has already happened. A few hardy bunnies remain and NPS wants to shoot them because, just like life, rabbits refuse to go away.

NPS wants to get rid of everything that isn’t “native.” Now there’s a concept…. They also claim that fox don’t eat rabbits….But check out the above NPS web page.

If you care about this final eradication, show up to either make a well-behaved public fuss in front of the greater world (as represented by folks coming in on the Friday ferry) at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 23 at the Ferry Terminal.

Signs are good. The more homemade, the better. There will be some planning afterward at the Rumor Mill. Or….go to the public hearing, with signs and heart on sleeve, and be heard on Tuesday, July 27th at the Mullis Center, 1 – 3 p.m. Or…make like rabbits: email, Facebook, Twitter & multiply. Pass it on.

“Pooh,” said Rabbit kindly, “you haven’t any brain.”

The word's getting out....

Lead mechanic Jesse checks the axle.....

They’re off to a good start – Tami Ashcraft has put together a new car shop in Friday Harbor, located across from the water tower (the one next to the old baseball field), which is called Finish Line Auto Repair. And she hired Jesse Littleton, who operated his shop down at the bottom of Argyle Street (and before that at Surina Business Park) for eleven years.

(You’ll remember Tami’s other deal – her incredible book “Red Sky in Mourning” which has sold well across the US and the UK).

Got a rattle under the hood? Give ’em a call!

You'll recognize the logo when you look across the street...

Relaxing on the bench at Spring Street & First Street in Friday Harbor....

Let’s see what’s going on ’round here….

• It’s finally here – Relay for Life kicks off Saturday at the high school track, with a pretty good early week weather report (last year’s thunderstorms kinda make you look, right?) for the weekend. See you there, to cheer for the survivors and to remember.

Bonnie on the run at last year's Wags to Riches....

• Wags to Riches! It’s this weekend with a live band (The Fabulous Rhythmatics) – here’s more from this Bob about the Animal Shelter’s biggest fundraiser:

Bonnie shows off…she and other top canine talent will be featured this Sunday at the Animal Shelter’s Sixth Annual Wags to Riches fund raiser, which will again be held at the home and beautiful grounds of Bob and Lissa McDowell.

For the first time the event will also feature dancing to a live band, along with a gourmet dinner, wine and live and silent auctions.  Tickets are $75 per person, and are available at the shelter, 378-2158.

You know Amanda at Islanders Bank? Those are her cute toes, last night. She & Nate Smith are set to get married next month....

• Captains’ training: It starts in September, but it’s time to sign up now – Capt. Richard Rodriguez still has room in his class for training to become a captain. Here’s more from his website, and how to sign up.

And… Richard is underway this morning doing a story with KOMO 4 TV about Huckleberry Island – here’s more on that.

• Tidepooling with the National Park Service! Ranger Kelsey Kennedy has more:

The National Park Service will be leading several tide pool walks throughout the rest of the summer. The schedule is as follows: July 26 at 9 am, Aug. 10 at 10 am, Aug. 25 at 10 am, Sept. 6 at 9 am, and Sept. 20 at 10 am.

It's always cool to see Rene's bright smile at Market Chef each day....

Walks meet in the American Camp parking lot and include a half-mile hike to Grandma’s Cove. Raena Parsons, a recent graduate in Outdoor Recreation from Eastern Washington University, will discuss the various life forms found in the intertidal zone and give attendees the opportunity to explore the tide pools for themselves. Magnifying glasses, guidebooks, and other tools will be available to aid in individual exploration.

Grandma’s Cove provides an enjoyable experience for all interest levels due to its rocky outcroppings, protected waters, and sandy beach. Intertidal species commonly found at Grandma’s Cove include anemones, tide pool sculpin, mussels, shore crabs, hermit crabs, barnacles, and various seaweeds.

“Tide pooling is a great way to get out and enjoy the diversity of ecosystems that the national park has to offer,” Parsons said.

Walks run about an hour and a half, are free, and open to the public. Wear sturdy footwear and bring water and sunscreen.

For more information contact Parsons via email at [email protected].

Gretchen (left) is working at Whidbey Island Bank AND the Visitors Bureau, with Robin Jacobson

• Robin at the San Juan Islands Visitors’ Bureau has some more help – here’s the scoop (I saw her & Gretchen at last week’s Chamber of Commerce meeting, which was held at Naknek Charters & San Juan Marine. It’s a great opportunity for her to learn from one of the best marketing people around:

A new employee has joined the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau as the part time marketing assistant. Many islanders know Gretchen Staehlin from her other job at Whidbey Island Bank. She is an active member of Soroptimist and the Whidbey Island Bank’s Relay for Life team captain. She graduated in 2003 from Friday Harbor High School and got her B.A. in Sociology from Western Washington University in Bellingham.

I love the sign at Friday Harbor Espresso....

• Quote for the day: ‎”Land was created to provide a place for boats to visit.” – Brooks Atkinson

• There is still room at camp, but this is a great time to sign up! Here’s more from Bill & Rita:

Hi, Ian,
Hope all is well and you are enjoying the summer!  We have 2 day camps left: Camp Shining Sun (July 26-29) and Camp Sun, Moon & Stars (August 2-5).  Here’s more info on our website: amentsummercamp.com. Hope to see you soon!
Have fun!
Bill & Rita

Gayle Ann Williams, down near the ferry....

The island is so full of talent & folks who make & write beautiful things & music, you just run into ’em everywhere, it seems.

So it didn’t terribly surprise me to meet Gayle Ann Williams, who runs the tee-shirt (and more) behind the Crabhouse across from the ferry landing last week. I asked her how sales to her new book Tsunami Blue were going, and she smiled, “Brisk!”

I had a little trip to take over the weekend, so I got a copy to read on the plane. Pretty good read! The story moves along briskly as well, with a dose of non-stop action in pretty much every chapter, which features a psychic woman in a post-apocalyptic world who braves unimaginable loss and seeks both redemption and love in the most difficult of circumstances. Pretty sure you’ll like it – you can get it at Gayle’s shop (and she’ll sign it for you!), as well as Harbor Books, Griffin Bay Books, and Island Studios.

Way to go, Gayle!

Here’s the trailer that Nick made for her, last spring, to help promote the book’s release:

Enso in action last spring, at the old Pazzo Vivo (now remodeled & reopened as the Rumor Mill)

Looks like there’s music in the air, as Enso plays at the Rumor Mill this Saturday. The versatile group will offer jazz from roughly 6-7pm, with rock from 7:30-9:30pm. That’s Saturday…

Haven’t heard them lately? This will catch you up: