Yep, it’s the birthday of the King of Peace this week, so you might want to check out the services on Christmas Eve on the San Juan Calendar (scroll down to the 24th).

I think the calendar is complete – let me know if you have something going on that needs to be posted!

Toni with Agnes on Friday night....

You know since one of her daughters is in Indonesia, it’s a good idea to have access to e-mail & see how things are going there. Agnes (shown here with her island daughters Toni & Teri) sent her first e-mail last week….I’m proud of her, so I wanted to tell you about it.

Teri with her mom....

You’ll remember my friend Madi misplaced her keys, so she & I posted a little note about that….well, four different people found keys in their cars & checked in. One of ’em had taken the keys over to the good people at Kings Market, who had Madi’s keys there in lost & found…mystery solved!

The other three: Two of ’em found the real owners, and the other is still poking around.

Thanks for caring & helping. You rock!

Anna Belle Volk

Lainey Volk just told me John’s mom passed away last week…here’s the rest of the story:

Anna Belle Cole Volk
January 23, 1923 – December 15, 2009

Anna Belle Volk died peacefully in her sleep at Mountain Glen Retirement Home in Mount Vernon, WA, where she has lived for the past several years.

Anna Belle Cole was born in Crestline, Ohio to Gladys DeGray Cole and Robert Miles Cole.

She graduated from Crestline High School in 1940. She met Charles Eugene “Gene” Volk and they married when he was drafted in 1942. They had one child, John Charles Volk, who preceded Anna Belle in death. Anna Belle worked as a waitress in a nearby town during Gene’s deployment and recovery from wounds received at the Battle of the Bulge. Many years later they divorced.

Anna Belle found work with a doctor and there learned to take x-rays. She extended her knowledge of x-ray and became a radiology technician instructor at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, CA.

She and her new beau went into business in 1978 with her son, John, to build a garage door company. She retired from that position in the late 1980’s. Anna Belle traveled all over the North American continent via RV for the next 10 years.

She was very involved in volunteer work with the Senior Center while living on San Juan Island. She was proficient in all types of needle work, knitting and crochet as well as embroidery. She played a mean game of bridge regularly throughout her entire life.

Anna Belle is survived by her sister Mary Evelyn Iiams of Mansfield, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Lainey Volk, of Friday Harbor, WA; grand-children: (Becky Corliss &) John Charles Volk II of Friday Harbor, WA and (Christopher &) Cristine Yvonne Orr of Federal Way, WA and great grandchildren: Deanna Renee Orr, Ian Thomas Volk, Gabriel Charles Orr, and Geoffrey William Volk.

Her ashes will be scattered in a private family service in the San Juan Islands.

John Wickham

Just got this press release from John Wickham:

John Wickham, 55, a Friday Harbor attorney, announced Friday that he is applying for appointment as Superior Court Judge for San Juan County.

Mr. Wickham has been in private practice since 1996, and has been a full-time resident of San Juan Island, with his wife, Patti, since 2003.  His primary area of practice is Family Law.  Beyond attorney duties, he also serves as a mediator and as Guardian ad Litem in court for children and for adults in various matters, including guardianship, family law, and civil suits.

John has served as Judge, pro-tem, in San Juan District Court, as well as Superior Court Commissioner for Family and Juvenile Court in Thurston County in 2003 and 2004 in relief of the regular Commissioners. He completed the General Program at the Judicial College (Washington State) in 2004.

Mr. Wickham is a graduate of the University of Washington, as well as the University of Washington School of Law.  He served as President of the San Juan County Bar Association in 2005.

Before entering into the law, John was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for sixteen years. He has two adult children and five grandchildren.

For further information contact the law office of John D. Wickham. 360-378-7178  or  jdwickham (at) rockisland.com

Amy & David at the Naked Bean earlier this month.....

About three weeks ago, David & Amy’s kids went to see Grandma (I think it was) for nearly a week, so they got to get out on the town.

It was  good to see them at Daniel Finn’s concert at the first of the month….

The hockey players...

It was good to hear from Matt Shildneck, who sent along this photo of the folks who play rollerblade hockey at the Fairgrounds each week…that’s another cool activity sponsored by Island Rec.

Chris & Sam

It was good to see Chris at Christy’s Hair Salon yesterday (is she always smiling? Think so!) giving her husband Sam a haircut.

Can't miss it!

Arnell sent along this nice picture of her house all decorated for the season….wahoo!

Seen 'em?

Hey, can you help? Here’s my friend Madi’s story, straight from the streets of Friday Harbor (Spring Street, actually….)

I told her that I’d ask you to call me at 378-7275 or write me a note at ian (at) byd2.com if you got ’em – here’s the scoop:

Hi Ian!
Had a little mishap the other night. Ran out to grab my wallet out of the car and accidently opened up somebody else’s door. I had just put all my stuff down on the seat when I realized it wasn’t my car, but a car with a very similar body type!

I quickly gathered up my stuff and went to grab my wallet in my car, one space away. Later, I realized I didn’t have my keys – I’m pretty sure I left them in that car, which of course was gone when I looked.

I was just hoping to get the word out and  let anybody that maybe found a strange set of keys in their car know that I didn’t take anything, I guess I left you something instead. It would be great to get them back!

Thanks and sorry about the mishap! Your friend, Madi

Among the sad things this year was the passing of Mary Travers (of Peter, Paul & Mary). In the days after, there was a tribute thing that folks put together earlier this autumn. Among those asked to help out was Arlo Guthrie.

In one swoop, this little video of Arlo & his family’s version of Woody’s “Deportees” embodies her spirit of service & the way she dreamed things could be better. You’ll be singing along, too…

Dan Mays & Krista Strutz in Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol...photo by John Sinclair

Well, it looks like the critically-acclaimed Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol has something like a week to run –  it plays from Friday through Christmas Eve except for Monday. (That photo above is by John Sinclair of concepia.com, by the way.)

Helen from Island Stage Left has more:

The two performances on Christmas Eve are filling up fast. I strongly recommend that you make reservations for these – if you haven’t already (360 378 5649 or write: stageleft (at) centurytel.net). They are special performances with wine available and a big roaring log fire – just the thing to start off your Christmas!!

7:30 performances on 18th, 19th, and Mon, Tues and Wed 22nd, 23rd, 24th
4:00 performance on 20th and 24th.

All the blessings of the holiday season to you all!
Cheers – with bells on –
Helen

Dan Mays & Krista Strutz in Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol...photo by John Sinclair

Well, it looks like the critically-acclaimed Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol has something like a week to run –  it plays from Friday through Christmas Eve except for Monday. (That photo above is by John Sinclair of concepia.com, by the way.)

Helen from Island Stage Left has more:

The two performances on Christmas Eve are filling up fast. I strongly recommend that you make reservations for these – if you haven’t already (360 378 5649 or write: stageleft (at) centurytel.net). They are special performances with wine available and a big roaring log fire – just the thing to start off your Christmas!!

7:30 performances on 18th, 19th, and Mon, Tues and Wed 22nd, 23rd, 24th
4:00 performance on 20th and 24th.

All the blessings of the holiday season to you all!
Cheers – with bells on –
Helen

The Community Theatre has a great show planned with the San Juan Singers – here’s the scoop with Jan Bollwinkel-Smith:

This Saturday and Sunday! The island’s own San Juan Singers present a choral concert sure to warm your winter holidays this Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm on the Whittier stage.

The Singers, themselves...

The program features John Rutter’s extended masterpiece, Magnificat, taken from the story of Christmas as told by Luke in the Bible. Directing this lush, romantic work will be Yariv Aloni, of the Victoria Chamber Orchestra.  Members of his chamber group will join island musicians to form the orchestral ensemble.  Soprano Abby Kitchen is the featured soloist.

Mr. Aloni has been a popular guest conductor for San Juan Singers.  With him at the podium, the choral group has performed Handel’s Messiah and Vivaldi’s Gloria in recent years.

The program also debuts a new work by island composer, Mary WillAllen.  Winter’s Bare Branches, set for harp, drums, and chorus, keenly portrays the natural beauty of our island home in winter.  Under Angel Michaels’ direction, traditional carols arranged by Rutter and other composers round out the Singers’ concert, and there will be an opportunity for community caroling as well.

“This music shines with love and glory.  The program will send you home singing; maybe an old song; possibly a new one; certainly, a joyful one,” says Angel.

Let me tell ya – it’s a heck of a lot less trouble to get appointed than to have to get elected – this is your chance! The Town Council needs to replace Mayor-elect Carrie, so she sent me this little note to share with you if you’re a Town denizen:

Hey, Ian!
Maybe you could also help get the word out about a fantastic community service opportunity for a Town resident. The Town is currently accepting applications to fill out my unexpired Town Council position (through 2011). Letters of interest and resumes are being accepted until 4:30 pm on December 30th. Applicants must be a registered Town voter. More details are avaiable at the Town’s website (www.fridayharbor.org) or by contacting the Town Clerk, Amy Taylor, at 378-2810. Applications can be mailed to:

TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR
Attn: David F. Jones, Mayor
60 Second Street / PO Box 219
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

History in the making: Thursday evening, at the end of the 5:30pm meeting, the Town will swear in Carrie Lacher as Friday Harbor's first woman mayor.

There are a few things you might have heard about:

• The folks at the cell phone place want you to know: San Juan Wireless is hosting a Shop Late and Customer Appreciation Party on Wednesday, December 16, 2009, from 5pm to 8pm.  Enter the drawing for a Toshiba Blu-ray DVD plus discounts varying from 50% to 100% on all accessory purchases.  Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Thank you for being such great customers throughout 2009! 818 Mullis Street, 378-8260

• When someone at the Chamber of Commerce meeting Monday night mentioned that noted chef (and former islander returning to his roots) Greg Atkinson was cooking for Thursday night’s Black & White Dinner fundraiser for the Whale Museum, there was a hush that came over the room, and then a bunch of people going, “Oooooo”…

So you better get your ticket now! Here’s more info.

By the way, Whale Museum director Jenny Atkinson is not related to Greg, and neither is the Atkins Diet. Just telling ya.

• The Annual Bird Count by the Audubon Society is this weekend on Saturday… wanna volunteer? Barb Jensen is setting up the routes for folks, so call today at 378-3068 to get yours.

• Expecting…you know Darren & Lisa from San Juan Islands TV? Lisa tells me they’re four months along with a new baby.

Meanwhile, Floyd & Adrienne Bourne are gearing up for their new one in February – congrats, you guys!

• Saw this on an island friend’s Facebook page: “Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself.”

• The FHHS basketball teams are playing on Friday at home against Orcas – see you at the gym. Starts at 4:30pm.

• Rob says: “Are you a chess player?  A local chess tournament is being organized for all local chess enthusiasts. Weekly playoffs will begin after the holidays at The Doctors Office. Anyone interested in meeting other chess players for warm up games please contact The Doctor’s Office at 378-8865; or email Rob at 321gold (at) gmail.com.”

Phil Olbrecht

• The San Juan County Council voted Tuesday to select Seattle Attorney Phil Olbrechts as the County’s Hearing Examiner. Olbrechts currently serves as the Hearing Examiner for seven municipalities in Washington and estimated that he has conducted well over 1000 hearings in the past twelve years.

• From Debbie at the Roche Harbor Market – good news about the Derby, and a story about the one earlier this month: “Happy to share that the February 2010 7th Annual Roche Harbor Salmon Classic has sold out! A wait list has been started ~ don’t hesitate to call (360-378-5562)! Please check out this great website by one of our outstanding anglers, Mike Simms, who has a great write up on our December Derby ~ thanks Mike!

• You know the Nash Christmas Tree Lot out front of the Fat Cat….I asked Pat how it looks this weekend, and he replied: “Thanks for the bit on the tree lot! I took off and bought some fresh trees and we still have some left. We do have a 10-foot tree that will be beautiful. I picked it up for someone and it was more than they could use. We are hoping to be open from 10am to 5pm until sold.”

• I heard that the County Council yesterday agreed to set a date for a public hearing regarding the polystyrene food container ban. Good! The Town took the right first step – let’s take the next one!

• The Kids Art Show at Gallery San Juan last week had over 75 kids show up – wahoo! They created wonderful holiday art and were featured at a reception at the gallery.  Barbara says, “This is our 11th annual event and the kids do such a great job with their art.” She says the people’s choice winners were:

4-6 year olds –Emily Atwell
7-9 year olds – Silas Holden
10 year olds – Amelia Clavery
11 year olds – Jullian Urbach
12-14 year olds – Daisey Roth

Indigo & Laura had a great time....