Thought you’d like this song by the Dave Mathews Band….nice Valentine to ya, & yours….

Harry Manx

I sure like Harry Manx’s music, and I’ll bet you will, too – he’s playing Wednesday at the Community Theatre.

Here’s more about him (including some of his songs) & here’s the scoop on tickets & such.

If business was slow at Island Studios this weekend, maybe it was the gorilla at the door. If business was good, maybe it was the gorilla at the door....

It was a great weekend, with lots of little things afoot…

• Just got this note from Lenore – wahoo!

Jacob & Pamella

Jacob Seiler’s parents are proud to announce his engagement to Pamella Correia Sanches of Brazil.  Jacob has been traveling and working in Brazil for the past 9 months.  His parents are John Stamey and Lenore Bayuk; Kim Seiler-Bell and Scott Bell of Friday Harbor. He is brother to Cady Seiler, Audrey Espinoza, Paul Espinosa, and Emily Bayuk-Johnson.

Pamella’s parents are Italo Enso Sanches Lloris and Suzeti Correia Sanches Lloris of Mato Grosso State/Brazil.  She has one sister, Paola.  Pamella graduated from the Federal University of Mato Grosso in 2006 in Business Administration. She works as a soy meal trader for Bunge, an American company with large interests in Brazil.

Jacob is a 1997 graduate of Friday Harbor High School and graduated from Washington State University in 2001 after studying in Spain his Senior year.  He recently spent 2 ½ years in the Peace Corps in Panama before moving to Brazil.

We are all thrilled for Jacob and Pamella.

Mari

• One of the things I like about longtime islanders is the way they support each other’s businesses…

It was cool to see Pazzo Vivo’s Mari over at Hailey’s on Friday night, which she said was her night off.

• Dilys & Carol at Serendipity Books wanted to let you know that the bookstore is closed this week while they take a little break, but they’ll open again on Saturday – see ya then!

• Hey, if you saw it, you know what I mean – the Playwrights’ Festival last week was awesome.

Vashon superintendent Michael Soltman came to see the Playwright's Festival with Krissy, Carolyn Haugan's daughter....

The three plays written by Carolyn & Emily, Greg, and Debra were based on island life, and maybe that’s why we laughed  (and maybe teared up) so hard…’cause in a special way, we were in the shows as well. This week, it’s different shows – hope to see you there!

• Speaking of far-out deals, the fundraising dinner with Peruvian food put on by the Spring Street International School kids & staff was awesome…good food, good times & good music. By the way, if you would like to help the school’s program to help kids pay for their international trips, you can drop a check by the school anytime – it’s appreciated!

Helen & Dan went to see the Playwright's Festival this past weekend....

• Heard from John Boyd that Granny was spotted last week…J pod’s matriarch (heck, the island’s matriarch) turns 99 this year, as the best guess is that she was born in 1911. Earlier reports that Ruffles (J1) was traveling alone spooked us a bit.

Someone told me that at Sea World where they have captive killer whales, they announced at one of the shows (as if it was fact) that orcas usually live to be 30 or so….well, yeah. They live better & longer in the wild, where they can swim 75 miles a day instead of 75 feet in some concrete pond….tell ’em, Granny.

• Can you believe it’s already been a year since Xtreme Fitness opened? And they just keep growing – drop by today & see what they have going!

That's the water in the field off Beaverton Valley Road, about 3/4 of a mile out of town...for all the warm days & sunny days, it's been raining, too!

Tight defense all night - senior Kayla Short was hard to shoot around...

Picking up a couple…the two varsity teams won both Friday & Saturday, including a tough game for the girls against tough Darrington, which ended with the Wolverines controlling the middle & winning by 22.

Mandy Turnbull dives on the ball, with help from Kayla in the fourth quarter against Darrington Friday night.

Friday Harbor heads over to Orcas on Tuesday as the league-leading girls hope to stay on top, while the boys continue to tune up for the playoffs in a couple of weeks. Both teams are rising – keep an eye on them!

Sydney pushes the ball up the floor...

Up & coming…it was fun to see the younger girls play on Sunday in Island Rec’s winter league. These pictures are by FHHS junior Maggie Anderson, who hardly missed a shot Friday night (she scored 26) & got some good ones here, too.

Strategy in the second half...

By ways of the byways....

Liz Illg has more:

The San Juan Islands Scenic Byway and San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau Announce:
Invitation to attend a Public Workshop and A Call for Inspiration

The public is invited to attend a community workshop on the development of a corridor management plan (CMP) for the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway. A CMP is created by communities along scenic byways to identify strategies for stewardship, protection, and enhancement of the byway’s unique qualities, as well as actions for promoting the byway and improving visitor experience. The San Juan Island Scenic Byway includes routes on San Juan and Orcas islands, and the ferry route from Anacortes. More information can be found at:  www.visitsanjuans.com/visitors/scenic-byway/. Please come to one of the public meetings listed below to:

• Learn more about the corridor management planning process and how you can be involved
• Provide input about the unique qualities of the byway
• Help shape elements to be addressed in the corridor management plan
• Learn more about how to participate in the Call for Inspiration to provide ideas for the byway logo

San Juan Island – Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Mullis Community and Senior Center, Friday Harbor
3:30 to 5:30 pm

Harry

My good friend Ryan Browne was sending this note around to folks to tell us what a good idea tonight’s show is. Harry Manx is the real deal…hope you can work it in. Here’s more from Ryan:

Mike Close has the details for this afternoon’s event:

The 2010 Friday Harbor Community Spelling Bee will be held at the San Juan Community Theatre on Tuesday, February 2, at 3:30 p.m.

The annual contest is sponsored by the Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands, and features 4th through 8th grade classroom champions from local schools, including Friday Harbor Elementary School, Friday Harbor Middle School, Paideia Classical School, Griffin Bay School, and Spring Street International School.

This year, the 1st place winner will receive a personal award of $75, an award to their classroom literacy program of $150, and an award to their school literacy program of $300.  The second place winner will receive a personal award of $50, $100 to their classroom, and $200 to their school.  Doors at the theatre will open at 3:00, admission is free, and parents, family members, and the public are all welcome to attend.

For more information, please call Mike Close at 378-6202.

Anna at the Naked Bean

A friend of mine once said she hoped I could see each day as new, so I tried to that today…here’s some new things around town:

• Over at the Naked Bean, Kaia has hired Anna (she’s the coordinator at the co-op), and it’s good to see the tradition of hiring friendly, smiling people remains intact. It’s also cool, because this way Kaia gets a day or two off, occasionally. Drop in & say hi!

• Then, there’s the new you! Here’s more from Sam at the Fitness Club:

Healthy Weight Challenge – Spring Edition: Ready to shed those winter pounds and get ready for that Spring/Summer wardrobe? San Juan Island Fitness is conducting the third in a series of Healthy Weight Challenges.  Sign up now and participate in a supportive and informative environment where you only compete against yourself.  Deadline for sign up is Thursday, February 4, 5:00 p.m. at San Juan Island Fitness, 435 Argyle Ave.  The twelve-week Challenge begins Monday, February 8 and ends on May 3.

Budding....

The theme of session three is “the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it” according to Program Director Sam Leigh.  The session includes before and after body composition testing, informative blog access, weekly meetings, personalized support, optional nutrition and one on one training, and much more.  For more information and how to register call 378-4449 or visit her blog.

• Out front of my house, the weather has been so warm lately that the camellia bushes are starting to bud, as you can see.

In January…..anyway, those are new.

J1, with Mount Baker in the background.

J pod was here earlier this week, as you can see in this amazing photo by Mark Malleson from Victoria…if you’d like to see a much bigger, much cooler picture – click here. Mark works with Prince of Whales in BC – thanks, Mark!

Most of Pazzo Vivo is open to minors, and kids are welcome there. It was fun to see all the kids whose folks come to hear music, including Charlie...she's listening close.

You know, there’s a lot to like about the way Mari is running Pazzo Vivo these days, from the food to the service to the focus she’s putting on having entertainment most nights there.

I’ve been to the last couple of open mikes, and I like that there is a wide range of folks performing, and that the people who play often invite other folks to play/sing with them, so the whole thing is kind of a rolling jam.

Music is meant to be shared & they’re doing it. Check it out next week & see what I mean.

Mackenzie Serratt (left), Kamala Chambers (painting a pickle for the fair), Victoria Newell, and Samuel Stewart (right) appear in "The Fair" in the Playwrights' Festival, which opened last night.

This is what folks are talking about this morning….

• I checked with the school district Thursday morning & discovered the school board offered Rick Thompson the superintendent job here on Wednesday night. Cool… I like curriculum guys, and I thought Rick presented himself as articulate & thoughtful with a heart on Tuesday night when he met islanders at the middle school.

Anne makes a wish....

• One of the great parts about going to Mi Casita is finding out whose birthday it is, ’cause the whole place sings along when the candles come out. Looks like Anne Gutierrez had her special day Tuesday night (I just developed the film.)

• Food drive at Stepping Stones: Bridgette Altena, director of Stepping Stones Early Learning Center in Friday Harbor announced today, “Several of the children at Stepping Stones thought it would be a great idea to give something back to the community.“

“To that end, we decided to hold a food drive beginning Monday, Feb. 1,” added Stepping Stones owner, Virginia Kane. “We’ll be collecting non-perishable food items, such as canned goods, packaged beans, rice, and cereals from now through the month of February. On Monday, March 1,  we’ll box up all the food and deliver it to the Friday Harbor Food Bank.

“I know it’s not an original idea, but times are tough,” said Altena, “There are a lot of hard working people here in Friday Harbor who are having a difficult time making ends meet.” Kane added, “Dropping off a few cans of fruit cocktail or a box of corn flakes may not seem like much, but if we all donate a little each week, it can make a tremendous difference.”

Anyone interested in donating to the Stepping Stones food drive can stop by the preschool located at 54 Marguerite Place during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.). For more information call 378-4455.

Joan White throws her hat back in the ring....

• Looks like Joan White is going to run for re-election for County Clerk again – she asked me to share this with you:

It has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of San Juan County as Clerk since 2007.  I am devoted to my work, and if re-elected, am committed to ensuring that the clerk’s office continues to meet the needs of our citizens and the challenges of the future with competence, efficiency and enthusiasm.

• Ya know, the Playwight’s Festival started last night at the Community Theatre, and the way they’re doing it this year is running for three weeks, with different plays each weekend. (This will make sense to you if you look at the way it’s written up here.)

Here’s more about this week’s offerings, from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith:

The Fair, written by Greg Sutherland and directed by Doug Schirmer is a short play that celebrates the Island’s annual tribal gathering (the County Fair) and the fabric of family.  CAST: Kamala Chambers, Carolyn Haugen, Hannah Hopkins, Madrona Jameson, Victoria Newell, McKenzie Serratt, Samuel Stewart.

Delivered by Debbie Emery and directed by Anita Welch tells birth stories from three eras of the island’s history.  CAST: Grace Guenther, Brittany Kane, Trudy Loucks, Pat Rishel, Doug Schirmer, Matthew Stepita, Rylie Adams.

Salt, Pepper, Sugar by Emily Reed and Carolyn Haugen and directed by Tony Vivenzio are three monologues about familiar island women: Martha Gubelman, Dixy Lee Ray and Ruth Sundstrom. CAST: Jacki Altier, Lynda Guernsey, Joy Van Camp.

My friend Betsy went last night, and she reported this, because I told her I was going Saturday: “Hi Ian:  The Playwright’s Festival had a wonderful opening night.  The Gubelman Theatre had a full audience.  The plays brought out heart-warming attributes of the spirit of San Juan Island, as they referenced specific history and personalities.  Look forward to Saturday–I’m sure you’ll enjoy this creatively-staged production.”

Joy Van Camp in "Salt, Pepper, Sugar."

Jule Elaine McElvain

Peggy Long just told me that her mom just passed away at the Convalescent Center – I’m glad she’s sharing this with all of us, and best wishes & sympathy to you, Peggy in this difficult time. Here’s more:

Jule E. McElvain (August 19, 1928 – January 17, 2010), of Friday Harbor, Washington passed away peacefully, January 17, 2010 at the age of 81. She passed at the Island Convalescents Center in Friday Harbor with her daughter Peggy at her side.

Jule was born on August 19, 1928, in New Salem, North Dakota, to Lester and Ada Belle Mumby. Jule graduated from nursing school in Bismarck, North Dakota.  She met Everet “Bud” McElvain in 1947.  They were married and moved to Renton, Washington. Continue Reading

That's Mari & Katie with Kayla's baby (see below) at the FHHS game last week....

What a week we’ve had….starting with spring weather in January, and carrying on from there…

Kayla with the "baby" she looks after 24/7 for Child Psychology class...

• It’s not surprising to hear that islander Jim Maya went out with Western Prince & Ivan yesterday…the trick is – that’s in San Diego. Capt. Jim & Capt. Ivan saw zillions of dolphins off THAT coast…

• There is a Facebook page set up for folks to add their thoughts for Richard Lawson…check here.

• Some folks have put together a movie called Fast Friends to Friday Harbor, sorta starring our island…here’s the trailer. (The trailer is a bit crude, if you are gentle of ear.)

• Vernadel from the Chamber of Commerce wanted to keep you up to date about the Arts Fair in the summer:

I know July 17 & 18 seem like a long time from now, but we have started accepting applications for Artist, Food Vendors and Poster Contest Entries for our annual Summer Arts Festival!  Applications are available online at http://www.sanjuanisland.org/

Matthew, hanging with his parents, Brett & Sandra

• Brett and Sandra Percich are happy to announce the birth of their son, Matthew William Percich, on December 18, 2009. Matthew was born at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, California at 2:33 a.m. and weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz. and was 22 inches long.

Matthew and his parents live in Chula Vista, California. His grandparents are Bobbi and Steve Billmyer and Bill and Monica Percich of Friday Harbor, WA and Guillermo Alva and Ana Helfer de Alva of Lima, Peru. Great-grandparents are Don Kowalski of Walnut Creek, CA, Marty and Jerrie Percich of Friday Harbor, WA, and Hernan and Aurora Helfer of Lima, Peru.

That's Humberto Orozco, Emily Hallock, Herb Mason and Rebecca Smith - winners of the EMS awards a couple of weeks ago (here's the scoop).

San Juan Island EMS members were acknowledged with special awards at the annual EMS Banquet on January 16. The EMT of the Year Award and the Chief’s Award went to Herb Mason. Rebecca Smith was the Officer of the Year. The Rookie of the Year Award was presented to Humberto Orozco. The physicians of the Inter Island Medical Center gave the Frank Wilson Service Beyond Self Award to Emily Hallock.

“It is a privilege to recognize these awardees for their service in 2009. They each made special contributions and extra individual efforts, beyond their regular responsibilities, to provide exemplary personalized care and emergency medical services to their fellow Islanders,” said EMS Chief Jim Cole. “We also want to acknowledge all the volunteer and career personnel and their families for their service and support. In 2009, we responded to 980 calls. Each and every member of San Juan Island EMS responded diligently, at all hours and in all conditions, to serve our residents and visitors.”

Ten San Juan Island EMS EMTs were recognized for fifteen years and more of EMS service, including Lainey Volk (25 years) and Brad Creesy (15 years).

San Juan Island EMS is the tax supported, county EMS agency serving the residents and visitors of San Juan Island, Town of Friday Harbor, Brown Island, Stuart Island, Johns Island, Speiden Island, Pearl Island and Henry Island in San Juan County, Washington. It provides emergency medical services, critical care transport, and injury and accident prevention. The staff of career paramedics and volunteer EMTs is available twenty-four hour a day. – Alan Roochvarg

Tyler Ryan

I’ve been wondering what Cal & Mary Karen Ryan’s son Tyler has been up to – the FHHS graduate (’01) attended Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, where he earned both his degree & masters, and now has embarked on an exciting project in Portland, which includes the head-writer of The Laramie Project.

Tyler was one of the strongest actors to go through the Friday Harbor drama program that I’ve seen, and now he’s putting it all to work. Here’s more about what he’s up to, in his words. Thanks for writing in, Tyler!

I guess you know that I finished my time at Naropa recently. My partner, Bobby, and I both graduated last May with our MFA degrees in contemporary performance. On an intuitive plan, we set out for Portland last year and have been living here and doing theatre since then.

Bobby and I have been producing our own plays for several years in Boulder and we are about to present our first play to the Portland community in March. It’s sort of a big deal for us as it’s a full-bore professional production and we’ve hired a well known director to lead the project. Continue Reading

When you got your ballot last week (remember to vote! & mail it in!), were you a bit confused about what the EMS levy part said? Here’s more from the committee supporting that one:

Dear Ian,

After some feedback from the community, the ballot wording for our EMS Levy renewal appears to be confusing for some.  As a news editor, we are asking for your help to get the word out about the facts of the levy.  Would you be willing to assist us in educating our community on the facts of this levy so that people may make a correct informed decision?

A careful read of the ballot measure indicates that the 35 cent initiative is for emergency medical services care and transportation.  But if not carefully read, some may have mistaken it for a levy initiative for the new hospital or the medical center which is not so.

San Juan Island EMS is under the San Juan County Hospital District No. 1 which is the junior taxing district that operates both San Juan Island EMS and the Inter Island Medical Center under two SEPARATE levies.  Both agencies report to the Hospital District Board but are operationally and fiscally separate.

This ballot initiative is ONLY for the operation of SAN JUAN ISLAND EMS and none of the LEVY is for the operation of the medical center nor for the proposed hospital project.

If you need any further clarification or have any questions, please contact us. We are glad to respond to your questions and suggestions, and we greatly appreciate your service to the community on this matter.

Sincerely,
Polly White, Chairperson
Michael Roger, Co-Chairperson
J. Michael Edwards, DDS, MD
Deanna Banry
Weyshawn Koons
Cady Davies
Jim Cole