Here are some of the things going on ’round here:

Flossie & Peggy Sue

• It was great to hear about this – here’s the note from the good folks at Village at the Harbour/Assisted Living:

Happy 85th birthday, Flossie (Mullis) McRae Lang! Flossie celebrated her 85th birthday on Tuesday.  She celebrated with her daughter Peggy Sue McRae at Village at the Harbour where Flossie has lived since December 2008.  Flossie was born and raised in Friday Harbor and has many wonderful memories of island life. Happy Birthday to our “Island Girl”!  Lots of love, The Staff and Residents at the Village.

Marc & Oskar cheer for the Wolverines...

• It was cool to see former FHHS science teacher Marc Vermiere at the basketball game last week with Charlie & Oskar  – he says life is good with his job this year as a principal on Lopez & with his Vikings (“Minnesota’s team”) playing Dallas (“America’s Team) this weekend.

• Hey, thanks for asking about how my house sale is going! It’s still for sale because Josie & I are downsizing, but we decided to downsize the price, too – so it’s $325,000 now – take a look at the place.

Not having a baby

• I know what you’re thinking – all you ever see in the Update is pictures of people who are having a baby. So, I thought I’d balance things out with a picture I took on the ferry last week of someone who is not having a baby. And she told me she’d kill me if I told you who she is.

• Need a piano? Michael D’Abrosca and Bill Hamilton are moving off the island and cannot take their beloved 1906 Cecilian upright player piano with them. It not only plays music using the original foot-pump mechanism, but also with a modern electrical air pump system installed in the 1990s. It is a fine specimen in lovely condition and comes with well over 200 music rolls. An antique piano stool with glass feet is included.

This piano is guaranteed to provide lots of good music and fun whenever and wherever it is played! Asking $1500, and $500 will be donated to the organization or charity of the buyer’s choice. Call Michael or Bill at 378-8278 for more information.

Pearl Django

• This Saturday, January 16th at the Community Theatre! Pearl Django shares the groove of their Hot Club style on the Whittier stage at 7:30 pm. This is the sixth time in the group’s 15 years of touring that they’ve landed in Friday Harbor–islanders just can’t seem to get enough of their eclectic musical recipe! Here’s more.

Every so often, folks send me in their thoughts about different things…I loved last weekend’s Peter Pan at the theatre – the kids did an awesome job – and I think Deb Langhans caught the spirit of a part of it nicely in what she shares here:

A Late Night Confession…

Last night I was sharing an excerpt from the October ‘05 edition of Time Magazine with my husband, Keith, before bed.  It was from “an exclusive Time book excerpt” from Dr. Andrew Weil’s, Healthy Aging.

After confessing some of his own aging process over the last decade, he wrote, “At the same time, despite the evidence, some part of me feels unchanged.  In fact, I feel the same as when I was 6.”

Weil’s words really resonate with me during this 56th year of my life.  Though growing aches and diminishing vigor have become more constant companions during these menopausal years, another part of me still feels like a vibrant, indomitable girl inside.

Last Saturday night, Keith and I were privileged to watch Friday Harbor students in a magical production of “Peter Pan.” Continue Reading

Every so often, folks send me in their thoughts about different things…I loved last weekend’s Peter Pan at the theatre – the kids did an awesome job – and I think Deb Langhans caught the spirit of a part of it nicely in what she shares here:

A Late Night Confession…

Last night I was sharing an excerpt from the October ‘05 edition of Time Magazine with my husband, Keith, before bed.  It was from “an exclusive Time book excerpt” from Dr. Andrew Weil’s, Healthy Aging.

After confessing some of his own aging process over the last decade, he wrote, “At the same time, despite the evidence, some part of me feels unchanged.  In fact, I feel the same as when I was 6.”

Weil’s words really resonate with me during this 56th year of my life.  Though growing aches and diminishing vigor have become more constant companions during these menopausal years, another part of me still feels like a vibrant, indomitable girl inside.

Last Saturday night, Keith and I were privileged to watch Friday Harbor students in a magical production of “Peter Pan.” Continue Reading

I love this song by Michael Franti & Spearhead….bet you can’t just listen to it. You’re gonna wanna dance, so start makin’ some room & get this day started:

I love this song by Michael Franti & Spearhead….bet you can’t just listen to it. You’re gonna wanna dance, so start makin’ some room & get this day started:

Sandy Cameron (you can call him at 378-1679) tells me he’s helping pull together the Burns’ Supper for this year…it sounds fun. Here’s the deal, which is on Sunday 24th January, at 6:00pm at the Mullis Center:

“THE WHOLE WORLD O’ER”…Scots, those of Scots descent, and people across the world are gathering…

The event? A celebration of renowned Scottish poet Robert Burns, as famous and acclaimed as Shakespeare. The 25th of January marks the 251st anniversary of his birth. For almost as long, Scots have been holding ‘Burns’ Suppers’ –  dinners, to celebrate his works and memory. Held wherever there are Scots, and notably where there are no Scots, (is there such a place?) Continue Reading

Sandy Cameron (you can call him at 378-1679) tells me he’s helping pull together the Burns’ Supper for this year…it sounds fun. Here’s the deal, which is on Sunday 24th January, at 6:00pm at the Mullis Center:

“THE WHOLE WORLD O’ER”…Scots, those of Scots descent, and people across the world are gathering…

The event? A celebration of renowned Scottish poet Robert Burns, as famous and acclaimed as Shakespeare. The 25th of January marks the 251st anniversary of his birth. For almost as long, Scots have been holding ‘Burns’ Suppers’ –  dinners, to celebrate his works and memory. Held wherever there are Scots, and notably where there are no Scots, (is there such a place?) Continue Reading

I was playing with a little thing called Animoto (check it out at animoto.com) which lets you put pictures & tunes together….so I took a bunch of photos from 2009 & put ’em together with one of my songs (thus avoiding copyright probs)…see what you think!

Here’s the show:

Don't just ditch it...

Look, that thing has mercury in it – you CAN’T just dump it in the landfill! Here’s more from Helen with the scoop about how to ditch it:

It’s almost a year since Washington State began one of the most successful recycling programs for waste electronics.  Manufacturers who sell televisions, monitors, computers and laptops in our state cover the full cost of the program.  By the end of November, almost 36 million pounds of electronics were collected and recycled in our state free of charge to households, small businesses, charities, schools and small governments!  About 35,000 pounds have been recycled in San Juan County so far.

Instead of burying electronics in a landfill, Continue Reading

The answer to the question, "Is the Ale House open?" is clearly lit up in what's left of the "Noel" display on top of the building.

Here are a few notes from around the island:

Mary...the doctor is in....

• Last night, Mary Nash & the Doctor’s Office staff hosted about forty people for the Chamber of Commerce meeting, serving up lasagna & salad that couldn’t be beat. She says she has chess during the week & open mike on Saturday night, so come on by.

• The Whale Museum’s gift shop is open weekends till next month, when they’ll be back on a regular schedule all week.

• Remember Patrick Honeywell from Bakery San Juan? He’s in California now – he says he hopes to be out for a visit to the island in the spring. He had a master baker named Karl Stallenmeier there for a week training his place about making authentic German pretzel.

Rebecca is open for business!

• Our island is a good place for folks to come dream, so Dream Vacation Rentals is a good name for a business, if you ask me

Rebecca Hughes just opened for business this month – here is her realtor page (yep, she’s still selling real estate, too!), and here is the new site for her vacation rental business.

And that’s not all…Rebecca is also the new commodore of the sailing club. Wahoo!

• Local whale watch captain Ivan & Western Prince are operating in San Diego waters this winter – here’s more from his wife Jacquie:

Hey, Ian! Check this out. Ivan made it on the local news here in San Diego. Here is the link to the video we thought we would share. He’s been having some great whale and wildlife sightings and getting great pictures.

Wendy (Emily Schultz) and Peter Pan (Tristan Wood) share a starlit moment in the second half of "Peter Pan"....photo courtesy of James Krall.

When FHHS drama teacher & play director Fred Yockers said his end-of-show remarks this weekend, “I hope you wake up in the morning & see a twelve-year-old in the mirror…” he had a whole show that told that story – stay young & stay alive, like Peter & the folks from Neverland.

Yep, there was fairy dust & people who fly & Nana the Dog & pirates & the croc with the clock & specially composed music & knockout dancing & mermaids sliding around & swordfights…this play rocked.

The nearly-three hour show was sold out with waiting lists for all four of its shows, and the production deserved it. The set was first-rate, the costumes perfect for setting the tone, and the energy & enthusiasm of the cast was infectious. Great fun….man, do we have more talent on this island than anywhere, or what???

Wendy (Emily) came close to walking the plank - luckily, Peter saves her....photo by James Krall.

Smooth & edgy, Tiger Lily (Lindsey Banry) and her tribe offered an amazing dance routine...photo by James Krall.

Captain Hook (Parks Barnard) schemes with Schmee (Sam ASher) about how to get Peter Pan...photo by James Krall.

They really can fly! John (Robin Lohrey), Michael (Max Heinel), Wendy & Peter take to the night air...photo by James Krall.

Hundreds of well-wishers dropped by....

It’s always fun to get a lot of people together, but it was really fun last Tuesday when Peggy & Oren Combs had a free buffet as they mothball the Front Street Ale House for three months or so to completely remodel the place. Prepare yourself – the place is gonna look completely different when they re-open, which is planned for April first (no foolin’!)

Peggy & Oren have big plans...photo from the evening by Lynda Guernsey (thanks, Lynda!)

FHHS head coach Rod Turnbull keeps the guys fired up in the second half in Friday's game.

Ya gotta like what you see on the hardwood lately.

Friday Harbor center Kelsey Barnes drives to the hoop in the first half against the Vikings...

On Friday night, the Wolverine boys thumped visiting Orcas 61-44 behind a stingy defense & opportunistic shooting. The score wasn’t that close either – FHHS was ahead 55-29 near the end of the third quarter. Saturday, the Wolverines had a tough time with Lynden Christian at their place, losing 54-46 (here’s more).

The guys return to action on Wednesday when Meridian comes to the island.

Meanwhile, the high-flying FHHS girls jumped out ahead of previously unbeaten Orcas 16-7, before the Vikings snuck back into the game to edge ahead 23-22 in the second half. It was a game of two & three point lead changes before the teams wrestled into overtime, where the Wolverines iced it 40-37. The next day, Lynden Christian brought the girls back down to earth with a 55-22 result. The girls take on Concrete at their gym next Friday.

Wolverine Elliot Howard forces Orcas to the baseline in the second half of the FHHS victory...

Vote YES on this one...!

Hey, when you get a chance in a couple of weeks to vote on the school district’s M&O Levy (the ballots come to your mailbox on January 21), don’t forget to mail it back with a big YES checked.

The Maintenance & Operations levy accounts for about 20% of the district’s budget, school board member Deborah Nolan tells me.

There’s no good time to shortchange the schools & the good things they do for our kids, and this sure isn’t a good time to start. Make sure you vote by February 9th.

Here’s more about the levy – all the details.

(Voting tip: Several of you have called Doris at the Elections Office because the pro-levy signs around the island say to send your ballots in “today”… the ballots get mailed next week, then mail ’em in.)

Vote YES on this one...!

Hey, when you get a chance in a couple of weeks to vote on the school district’s M&O Levy (the ballots come to your mailbox on January 21), don’t forget to mail it back with a big YES checked.

The Maintenance & Operations levy accounts for about 20% of the district’s budget, school board member Deborah Nolan tells me.

There’s no good time to shortchange the schools & the good things they do for our kids, and this sure isn’t a good time to start. Make sure you vote by February 9th.

Here’s more about the levy – all the details.

(Voting tip: Several of you have called Doris at the Elections Office because the pro-levy signs around the island say to send your ballots in “today”… the ballots get mailed next week, then mail ’em in.)

Emily's sister Alaina came up from Seattle to check out Peter Pan with proud dad Tom this weekend....

There are a few things happening around the island…let’s check what’s going on:

Kevin, cheering on the Wolverines

• It’s always good to see the old graduates around town during & after the holidays – WSU sophomore (FHHS ’08) Kevin O’Connor caught the game Friday night before heading back to Pullman.

• John Sinclair tells me he’s got his house on the market for $365K – click here for more information & see if it’s a fit for you!

• The hills are alive….no, the island is alive with the sound of music – here’s more from Kate Schuman (I’m gonna go get  my copy this week):

Hi Ian!  You may remember back in September Rich Barker staged a couple of wonderful Jazz/Gospel concerts, featuring local musicians, at St. David’s Episcopal Church.  The second concert was recorded and is available as a DVD/CD package for $15 at IPS gas station at 315 Carter Ave (by Harbor Rental).  I believe it is also available at Island Studios downtown Friday Harbor.  Come by and check it out!

Peter Pan's mom & sister Camela....

• Did you know? Tristan Wood (who played Peter Pan in the high school show) has a mom named Wendy. That’s her with her sister Camela at Sunday’s show.

• Career advice: At Haley’s the other night, someone told me, “If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is probably not for you.”

• I asked Wendy (I’m kinda detecting a Wendy-trend, here) at Friday Harbor House what was happening there – she reports:

Hey, Ian! We have exciting news! On January 16th, The Bluff Restaurant – Bar – Terrace will introduce our new chef, Island Resident Joseph Foriska.  Joseph has lived on San Juan Island for 15 years, owned his own restaurant (Fleur de Lys Cafe) and worked at some other great places on the Island.

Also – our Happy Hour Menu (Beat the Tide) has been expanded to include the favorite Kobe Beef Burger and other tasty Bluff Bites!  Stop by between 3:00pm to 6:00pm, Tuesday through Saturday.  We have limited seating, so get here early!

My manager also tells me that we will be open for lunch in March!

Have a wonderful day!
Wendy Meyers, Guest Services

• Day of Service – it’s next week! Janet Thomas & Liz Illg have more:

Volunteers working (and chatting) on the grounds of the Mullis Center. Photo by Janet Thomas.

MLK Day, January 18, is Day of Service on San Juan Island. Everyone is invited to the second annual day of community service at the Mullis Community and Senior Center on January 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The work hours are from 2 – 4 pm, followed by a celebratory gathering at the center to commemorate Dr. King’s life and work.

Last year, more than 65 people showed up and contributed their time and energy inside and outside the center. This year, donations to the food bank would also be greatly appreciated. The community is invited to participate in any or all of the day’s activities. For more information and also if you wish your community organization to be a recipient of service, contact: Liz Illg at Nonprofits Unlimited, 378-6104.

McKenna & Presley & Inga

• There were lots of kids at Peter Pan, including sisters Presley & McKenna and Inga, their buddy. Way cool.

• Superintendent search, update: Last week, the School Board decided to renew their search for a permanent superintendent this year. Interim superintendent Walt Wegener has indicated he intends to apply, but also says he’ll be applying to other districts as well.