Chamber of Commerce executive director Vernadel Peterson introduces next year's board president, Julie Corey. This year's president Joy Sevier did a super job for 2009, keeping a steady hand on the tiller during a year of changes.

As we steam towards the end of the year, there are a lot of things going on around town:

• Wendy at Friday Harbor House says they’re gonna have music and food & a good time at the Bluff Restaurant for New Year’s Eve, and hopes you’ll drop by.

On the wall at Mi Casita...

• Lynn Danaher tells me that Ace Hardware will re-open in March under the management of the Anacortes Ace Hardware…looking for work? They have job apps available. And…she’s renovating the upstairs for rentals for either live-in folks or short-stay folks.

• Went by for lunch at Mi Casita yesterday – you remember they’re open for lunch now, right? I love the new deal on the wall (right). We read it, and that’s what we did.

• And…this is the last weekend for the Backdoor Kitchen till February 19th…so be sure & swing by & get one last bite! Last chance!

• Got to visit with Ramona & Cory, who are putting together an outfit called Island Hopper Transportation Services…opening next summer, IHTS hopes to meet the needs of human services as well as individuals & businesses by providing low-cost transportation in & around the state focusing on the islands & the I-5 corridor. Call ’em at 370-5230 for more information.

Jennifer at the Elephant Room....

• Where else you gonna buy it on the island? A new store has opened in Friday Harbor, run by Jennifer (right). The Elephant Room opened for business inside Jeri’s Mall next to Cousin Vinnie’s Pizza, in the old yoga spot. The purpose of this store is to offer women on the island a place to purchase affordable intimate apparel, pajamas, and women’s accessories including body jewelry.

Did you notice I said affordable? Drop by & say hey to Jennifer, who opened the doors right after Thanksgiving.

• This week the new Boeing 787 had a practice run over Seattle…..here’s the story from the Seattle Times, and here’s a little video that islander Richard Roderiguez shot of the plane flying overhead.

• Remember the Artists’ Tour last spring? It’s like you were there – here’s a video of the Tour made by Elan Video & the Tour. You’ll love it:

Santa, at a Grange near you...

I got this press release under my door at the editorial offices of the Update, so I thought I’d pass it on:

Santa Claus is coming to CHRISTMAS ISLAND! on Saturday, December 19th from 4-7pm.

Please join us at the Grange Hall for an old fashioned Christmas Celebration!

Inside Santa will have beautiful teddy bears for every boy and girl….young and old.  Come join us around the crackling fire and listen to traditional Christmas stories.  Join our elves in Christmas caroling and nibble on some home-made cookies.  There are decorations to make and trees to decorate. Photos with Santa by Mark Gardner.

Everyone is invited to this holiday festivity, and there is no charge or fee.  Your only obligation is to enjoy the spirit of Christmas and share a very traditional, old fashioned holiday celebration.

Anyone can e-mail Santa:
[email protected]

This event is not connected with any organization and is very simply a gift from Santa in the spirit of Christmas.

John & Carol

At the service for John Linde last Saturday before an overflowing congregation at the Presbyterian Church, Carol Linde shared these remarks about John:

I am so very blessed to have been loved by John.

I met him at the Teen Fair in Seattle when I was 17.  I was the Arrow Shirt Girl – introducing the new double stitching with a “Count my stitches” contest.

John was the very kind, incredibly handsome, slightly older man with gorgeous gray blue eyes at the Peoples Bank booth.

I went over to borrow pencils from him, and just had to go back to have them sharpened.

We lived a beautiful love story in a beautiful place.

John would always ask me:

Have I told you yet today that I love you?

And I would answer, I think so, but would you say it again?  And he would.

Family came first.

Some may not have seen the lighter side of John – Mary called it “John Linde without a tie.” But we did. He left his work at the front door.

When “we” were pregnant (his phrase always) with Brian, John taught himself to juggle, thinking that was an important skill for a new father.

Brian was born at the medical center because we were fogged in.  We were home in bed watching football when Brian was 4 ½ hours old.  John loved sharing that.

Four years later came our Kristen. I have a clear image of John holding Kristen in his arms, and dancing around our living room, singing along to “My Girl” on the stereo.  He had her in a pool at 2 ½ months.

We loved Hawaii, and have been amazed by the number of photos we have of those happy times:

Brian at age 2, performing his first racing dive at the Makena Surf pool – proud Dad with open arms.

John hand in hand with his little girl on the beach in one of my walking away shots.   That image was his stress reliever.

The children and I have talked about so many fun times with Dad and the lessons they learned from him.  Trying to put their Dad on paper is impossible.  He is so big.

Monday night I told Brian & Kristen how very, very sorry I was that I couldn’t come home with their dad, but instead had to bring him home.  We cried and held each other.  They hugged me and calmed me. We decided a break to read cards would be a good idea.

The very first card we opened read: Why?

That’s what we ask.

The truth is,

We may never be able to know for sure why.

But we do know that there is no single “should have done.”

Or “could have done.”

Or “did” or “didn’t do” that would have changed that why.

All that love could do was done.

John was my rock. And now Brian and Kristen are in that role.  They have been amazing.  Together with John’s favorite daughter-in-law, Anne, we are the founding partners of Team Linde.  The team is HUGE.  We were immediately embraced by the warmth of the Hawaiian people – our ohana.

We are being taken care of by our church, our family, our very dear friends, the lunch bunch, and this wonderful island community.  On the back of an envelope sent by a long time friend and client was written:  In Friday Harbor we all are family!  We couldn’t agree more.  Your outpouring of love for John and for us is amazing.  We thank you all so very much.

Life as we know it changed suddenly and tragically on Dec. 3rd in the still waters of Anaeho-umalu Bay.

We’ve had comforting talks with Pastor Joe about the grief process.  Acceptance of what happened on the worst day of our lives doesn’t mean that we’re okay with it, or that we like it.  Acceptance is not approval.  We just need to let God guide us through the process one day at a time.

We are grieving with hope because we know that John is in God’s hands and we will be with him again.

Even in this overwhelming sadness the children and I feel such pride in the legacy left by John.  He has left us an example of a life well lived, and a remarkable life to remember with grateful hearts.

The Champs! Players from left to right, front row: Alexa Mora, Claire Boden, Celia Roth, Madi Kincaid, Taylor Turnbull, Emily Rothlisberger, back row: Monique Woodward (coach), Echo Wood, Carly Woodward, Don Galt (coach) Maddi Brockway, Brooke Ashcraft, Allie Galt (not pictured, coaches Rod Turnbull and Vic Woodward)

It was cool to hear from Vic Woodward that the 5th/6th grade girls did so well last weekend, and came home with the hardware! Here’s more from Vic:

Attached is a picture of our 5th/6th SWISH league championship team!

The Friday Harbor Tigers finished the league season 8 – 1, with a season record 11-1. All of the tournament games were nail biters, including an overtime victory in the first tourney game. Congratulations Tigers!

Good painting, for a good cause...

The drawing for this is next Thursday, so get your ticket’s now! Leslie is helping to raise money for this trip to Honduras, and is raffling the painting of Lime Kilm Lighthouse shown at right.  Tickets are available at San Juan Healthcare and are $2.00 for 1 or $5.00 for 3 tickets.  The proceeds go directly to MMA…here’s more, from Leslie at San Juan Healthcare:

In January Leslie Mutchler (ARNP) from San Juan Healthcare is going to be traveling to Honduras with Missoula Medical Aid.  She will be going with a group of volunteers made up of about 15 doctors, nurses, and interpreters.  The group will be in Honduras for 2 weeks.  Each day the brigade will travel to a different small rural village, setting up a one-day medical clinic.  Families pour in from the surrounding area, often walking for several miles.  Working this way Missoula Medical Aid sees around 200 patients each day. For many of them it is the only health care they receive.

The group performs basic exams, and addresses the concerns of the Hondurans.  Missoula Medical Aid (MMA) leaves them with basic supplies that you and I would consider negligible such as aspirin, eyedrops, vitamins, etc.  They provide antibiotics and stronger medicines for those that need it, and can refer seriously ill people to a local hospital.    MMA works with Save the Children in Honduras, who helps with the logistics of setting up the clinics, and arranging for transport to referrals.

MMA also does longer-term health work, which is so basic it is hard to believe.  They put chimneys into houses to relieve the cooking-smoke complications that are seen in eyes and throats.  They leave supplies of vitamins and irons to address the chronic deficiencies that affect most Hondurans.  They also work on education farmers about using new techniques because many have been burned or harmed by using strong pesticides by hand.

In order to be more fiscally responsible the volunteers “rough it”.  They take personal items in one carry on bag, so they can carry supplies, medications, and other equipment in checked luggage.  They sleep in cots in the office of Save the Children, or in the courtyards or local Hondurans, and shower with buckets of water.  Most of the areas where they set up clinics do not have electricity, so they use headlamps and natural light from the windows in order to see.

MMA is a small organization with no office or full time staff.  MMA is a non-profit organization so your contribution is tax-deductible.  If you prefer, you can make a donation written out to MMA and give to Leslie at San Juan Healthcare, or you can donate online at missoulamedicalaid.net.  If you choose to donate online please add Leslie Mutchler when it asks for reason for donation, so that she will get credit.

Nanette Weissinger

Bill’s Weissinger’s mom passed away last week…all the best to you & the family, Bill. Here’s more about Mrs. Weissinger:

Nanette Robinson Weissinger died Friday, December 11, at the Island Convalescent Center in Friday Harbor, WA, after a short and unexpected hospitalization.  She was 90 years old. She had lived in Friday Harbor for the past ten years.

She was born Nanette Pray Robinson in 1919 in Valcour, New York, the daughter of Harry and Lillian Robinson.  Her father, a medical student in Burlington VT, died in the Great Flu Epidemic of 1918, a few months before she was born.  She was schooled in a one-room school house in Peru NY, then at Plattsburgh (NY) High School, and attended St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, where she washed dishes for 25 cents an hour to support her studies.

In 1939 she married Robert J Weissinger of Orlando, FL.  He was a master welder and steamfitter.  They lived in Plattsburgh, NY for most of their 30 year marriage.  They raised three children: Roger, Julie and William.  She was a fierce advocate for her children’s higher education; all three hold advanced degrees.

Nanette received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1969.  She studied therapeutic massage and received a Doctoral degree in Naprapathic Medicine from the Chicago National College of Naprapathy.  From 1989 to 1999 she lived in Boston near the Common and attended classes at the Massachusetts College of Art.  As an artist she enjoyed considerable proficiency with oils and watercolors, as well as sculpture and pottery.

In 1999 she moved to Friday Harbor, WA, where her son William practices law, and she became a regular at the Friday Harbor Senior Center lunches.  She learned to use a computer and explored the internet, reading the news in several languages.  She had a life-long enthusiasm for the French language, the civil rights of minorities and the Metropolitan Opera, and became an admirer of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society of Friday Harbor and the politician Dennis Kucinich.

She is survived by her son Roger Weissinger-Baylon and his wife Anne of Menlo Park, CA and Paris, France, by her daughter Julie W Jaffe and husband Miles of Chilmark, MA and Queenstown NZ, and by her son William J. Weissinger and his wife Rudi of Friday Harbor, WA.  She is survived also by three grandchildren, David Robinson Simon, Jeremy Max Simon and Caroline Weissinger-Baylon.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society or to the political campaigns of Dennis Kucinich, D OH.  Remains will be cremated.

Port McNeill

That’s Port McNeill in British Columbia, by photographer Sandy Buckley.

Port McNeill

That’s Port McNeill in British Columbia, by photographer Sandy Buckley.

Ginny McCormick

David from St. David’s just let me know that Ginny passed away a couple of days ago…she was always so full of life and energy. So sad for Jim & Jimbo – here’s more about this beautiful lady:

VIRGINIA ELIZABETH McCORMICK: March 3, 1929 – December 14, 2009

A resident of San Juan Island since 1989, Virginia died on December 14, 2009 at Islands Convalescent Center after a brief battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 19, at Saint David’s Episcopal Church.

After surviving a three-car crash at age 19, Virginia dropped out of Occidental College to begin a teaching career on an emergency credential. She went to U.C.L. A. and got her B.A. from the University of Redlands. Over her forty years of teaching, she taught all the elementary grades, but concentrated on first grade and kindergarten.

Her last ten years she team-taught as a bilingual Spanish teacher in a neighborhood with many ESL students. From that experience, she and her teaching partner developed a series of 32 books of lesson plans, teaching the entire kindergarten curriculum through art lessons The series proved to be very effective, and spread throughout all 50 states and many foreign countries. In 2005 she was invited to Dubai to workshop with teachers from 70 schools in the Middle and Far East.

Along the way she was always full of energy and fun. She raised six children. After hearing a Pete Seeger concert, she taught herself banjo and guitar. She studied wheel pottery under Robert Westevelt, and with two other women opened a small art gallery. She studied harmony under Russell Baldwin and wrote two original compositions.

After moving to Friday Harbor in 1989, Virginia came under the spell of Martha Gubelman. From then on she played keyboard for many musical productions. Virginia was fortunate to have a spiritual home at St. David’s Episcopal Church, where she worked with many choir members and soloists to enrich the services.

Virginia is survived by her husband Jim; her brother Charlie of Riverside, CA; her son Jimbo of Friday Harbor; her daughters Kristen and Maria of Santa Rosa, CA; her sons Joseph and Peter of Kauai; and her son Tom of Twisp, WA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to The American Cancer Society or to the Saint David’s Church Building Fund.

The little green dot was Orcas....

If you’ve been wondering where all the rain came from, the easy answer is….the sky. But for background on THAT, you might want to check Cliff Mass’s weather blog & get the full, even wetter story.

Good one to bookmark.

Janet Thomas with her team: Emily Reed (left), Bruce Conway, and Thrinley DiMarco

It’s a story of personal discovery mixed with courage….author Janet Thomas has released her latest, Day Breaks Over Dharamsala, with a reading last Saturday at Griffin Bay Bookstore that packed the placed with folks who also packed the counter to buy the book afterwards.

You can buy the book at Griffin Bay, and I think you’ll be glad you did. Janet mixes her wry observations of life in India with easy-to-read discoveries she makes about herself and the both the world around her & the world within her.

At the end of the reading, Janet thanked Emily Reed for serving as her editor, Bruce Conway from Illumina Publishing for his pre- & post-production work, and friend Thrinley DiMarco (from Sakya Kachöd Chöling Retreat Center here on the island) for helping bring the book to birth.

Go get your copy.

Dave with his busted Taylor guitar...

A friend sent this little story along & partly because I like my guitar, even when I’m flying & partly because I know you’re thinking about customer service all the time, I thought you’d understand. Here’s the story:

A musician named Dave Carroll recently had difficulty with United Airlines. United apparently damaged his treasured Taylor guitar ($3500) during a flight. Dave spent over 9 months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar. During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager, he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for youtube exposing their lack of cooperation.  The Manager responded : “Good luck with that one, pal”.

So he posted a retaliatory video on youtube.  The video has since received over 6 million hits.  United Airlines contacted the musician and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video. Naturally his response was: “Good luck with that one, pal”.

Taylor Guitars sent the musician two new custom guitars in appreciation for the product recognition from the video that has lead to a sharp increase in orders.

Here’s the video ….

Paddling on the west side of the island....

As we approach solstice this weekend, it’s nice to remember the warm days of summer…and what better way to remember them with photos of kayaking in the sun. I love Caitlin Strasser’s eye in shooting these pictures, and appreciate that she’s letting us share them. Way to go, Caitlin!

The peaceful part of the day....photos by Caitlin Strasser

Little flakes last week, more predicted for this week. Take it easy on the roads....

Hope your weekend went well…let’s see what’s happening around here:

• This weekend it’s the Winter Solstice Masquerade Ball at Dance Workshop II across from the Courthouse. Kels tells me it’s an all ages solstice celebration and dance party for the islands community. Get dressed up, bring the whole family, kids are free! Featuring original music by Kels Boreen Project, with special guest Ian Cooper

It’s $10 at the door, and $5 if you wear a mask or costume. Fresh brewed chai provided, please bring a cup! This is on Saturday, December 19, 2009, from 6:00pm – 10:00pm.

Aaron & Adam

• That was Adam (right) and Aaron at Pazzo Vivo last week listening to music…there is more music planned for the weekend before Christmas…see ya downtown!

Mike

• Yep, it’s today: Mike Cohen turns 80, making him one of the youngest folksingers to reach that age that I know of. He has just as much energy as ever, as he continues with his Project Nature Connect and singing…he’s not just an island treasure, but a treasure to those hoping to heal the planet, and its people. He’ll be at the Mullis Center tonight at 7pm – drop by & see him!

• It’s in the water: What’s causing the killer algal blooms in the ocean? My friend Doris sent me this writeup from the Seattle Times.

An eye-opener.

• Make your plans now for next weekend’s show of Island Stage Left’s Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol….it’s the last weekend, heading into Christmas week (when there are shows on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Don’t miss it!

Corinne

• It’s a rare chance to hear Corinne Stevens this week – she’s singing tomorrow (Tuesday) at 5:30pm at St. David’s – here’s more from her note that tells what she’s been up to:
Happy holidays to all my dear friends and fellow opera lovers! I hope the season finds your days merry and bright and that all is well with you and yours.

I have the pleasure of announcing that I’ve received the Seattle Opera Guild Training Grant for Young Singers! I will be returning to the Northwest to sing in a concert for the Guild before Christmas to thank them for this honor.

In addition, I will be returning to Friday Harbor perform in a concert this TUESDAY, December 18th at 5:30PM at St. David’s Church!! I am thrilled to sing for my island friends again Continue Reading

Don't worry - Eddie's just pretending to drink champagne from your shoe....

Went by Haley’s on Saturday night, and they told be someone left their shoe there the night before? If it’s yours, come claim it.

And let me know at what point you noticed you only had one….

Another gift to the community...the Dance of the Elders as part of the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Friday night on Spring Street

‘Tis the season…I know you’re thinking of things to offer to friends & family to show them you care…here are a few ideas that might get you started (or finish that list!):

Who would turn away a gift from the heart, that just doesn't happen to be a gift from the wallet?

• Hold your spending to $100 or less. Keep the focus of the giving & the love you have for the folks you care about. Here’s more, from Bill McKibben (by the way, this is what my family has done for years. The bit that our culture has about “But what about the kids???!?” is a crock – kids need to learn to live with less indulgence & more with ideas of service & sharing.

• Before you plunk any money down, think about things you can do, and make a certificate that says so. Things to think about: Three hours of free babysitting (usually a huge hit, plus you get to hang around with your friends’ kids), three nights of movies over the next year at the Palace Theatre, a massage, two hours of free gardening help (also a huge hit), free game night with a friend’s mom at the Convalescent Center, free lawn mowing some Saturday, or free lessons of something you’re good at, that someone would like. You get the idea.

And there are no bad presents – just good ones & great ones.

• There are some other ideas around the island, betcha didn’t think of:

Rebecca at a FHHS tennis match a couple of months ago...cheering for the team, including her son Parks

– Have a friend who is try to lose weight? Consider Rebecca’s Limba Slim system. Here’s more. Another idea: A trial or short-term membership to Xtreme Fitness or San Juan Fitness.

– Bodywork is always good – try Lavendera, Laura Greenan (whose last name is now Geniuch because she got married in October), Deb Langhans (if you are looking for “healthy” stocking stuffers, she offers a powerful “Therapeutic Foot Soak” (self-formulated)–a week’s worth of therapy for $15–& reflexology gift certificates of any service & amount), Spa D’Bune, Cynthia Elliot, and Afterglow Spa at Roche Harbor.

– Your coffee-addicted friend’s favorite coffee place here on San Juan Island – get a certificate for them.

The design by Robin for hot chocolate at the Naked Bean....

– An orca adoption at the Whale Museum for that fave kid of yours…

– Have you been by The Elephant Room – it’s a new place run by Jennifer at Jeri’s Mall, next to Cousin Vinny’s Pizza, down the hall from the Hot Shop. She does a great job with women’s accessories & underthings, and she has gift certificates. Drop by!

Music - great stocking stuffer & ear stuffer.

– A gift of music – Claudia at Island Studios and Laura at Griffin Bay Books have wonderful selections of tunes, with both featuring locals, and lots of ’em.

My favorites this winter have been Joe Bongiorno‘s new CD, Kate Schuman‘s timeless work, Teddy Deane‘s latest, Devorah‘s latest album.

Shoot, I sure don’t mind if you either download or buy my albums (Love you on the Run and Things Seen & Unseen – click to listen to samples!)

– Dinner at one of the restaurants on the island – a certificate for free drinks or dessert, or the whole enchilada (if it’s at Mi Casita.)

Sandy's stuff rocks.

– Sandy Buckley has all kinds of creative gifts at her Zazzle site – check her out!

– Donate to an island charity or non-profit…that’s always good. My favorites (all year, not just this time of year) are the presently over-stressed Food Bank, the Family Resource Center, and the schools. Let’s take care of each other.