Getting ready for 2010....

You probably do…here’s a place to start (here’s a calendar I made for you !)

There are coffee mugs, too!

Click here to see more!

Your cup runneth over...or it could.

On stage....

Right before Thanksgiving, the kids from Stillpoint School performed for the folks at the convalescent center…here’s more from Dori & Kate:

Dear Ian,
Hi! We wanted to show you a picture of our students performing Readers’ Theater plays a couple of weeks ago for the Convalescent Center residents! It’s part of our monthly connection with the ICC, and everyone was excited about it. These are the scripts we were able to buy with part of the funds from the Community Foundation grant, so that also made it special. All of us at Stillpoint School are wishing you and everyone a very happy holiday!
Cheers,
Dori and Kate

There’s a way you can help those who live in Town who have a bit of trouble with their bills – here’s more from Keri at the Town:

Since 2005 the Town of Friday Harbor has worked with the Family Resource Center to provide emergency financial assistance to Town utility customers.

Annually the Town Council budgets monies from the Current Expense Fund to help fund its utility assistance program which is administered by the Family Resource Center.  The recent economic climate has stretched this program to its limits and now the Town is offering its utility customers a chance to help their neighbors

Beginning with the November 2009 bill, Town utility customers can contribute to the utility assistance program by adding a little extra to your payment.  Just check the $1, $5 or $10 box on your utility payment remittance form and add that amount to your payment and your donation will assist those in need.

All those involved in this program appreciate your help.

Moonrise last night over Brown Island, as shot by Tim Dustrude

You know what “once in a blue moon” means, right? It means “rare,” because a month with a blue moon has two full moons in it….this month has two: this morning (Wednesday) and December 31st.

That’s the moon right after moonrise last night at about 4:30pm, in a photo sent in by Tim Dustrude. (Here’s his website.)

There was something for everyone at this year's Island Artisans Holiday Marketplace....

Gallery of photos from the Marketplace…click here!

This past weekend it was pretty crowded at the Island Artisans Holiday Marketplace at the elementary school – on Friday especially, and Saturday as well.

Allison Johnston had her artwork on display....

The annual event featured some 60 artists & craftspeople (as well as food by Cynthia’s, Of Course), and did its usual good job of attracting most of the island in the days after Thanksgiving.

Until we get a village square for us to hang out in & visit with one another, the Market will do just fine. Besides seeing what local artists have been busy creating, it’s always great to catch up with students back from college, old friends, and to see how big all the little kids have grown.

Shopping tip, on the mainland....

As Herbert Hoover, in the middle of the Depression, said, “About the time we can make the ends meet, somebody moves the ends.”

Shopping tip, on the mainland....

As Herbert Hoover, in the middle of the Depression, said, “About the time we can make the ends meet, somebody moves the ends.”

Dick Wright wrote to say St. David’s is going to start this, after the New Year. Need a place – a good place – for your kid after morning kindergarten at FHES? Here’s more:

Saint David’s Day School
A Kindergarten Enrichment Program
The recent renovation and expansion of Saint David’s Episcopal Church has made it possible to offer a new educational program serving San Juan Island families with Kindergarten students. Beginning in January, Continue Reading

Wanted to share this note from the Peppermill’s LaRue – tell your local firefighter, policeman/woman, or EMT – this is cool!

Just wanted to let you know, in case you haven’t heard that Charles is doing a special “Thank you” to our local Firefighters, EMT’s, Police and Veterans on Tues, Dec. 1.

They are invited for a “free” dinner at any one of his 3 restaurants (The Peppermill, Bluewater and the China Pearl).

He has some flyers posted about town but if you would like more info and/or details, let me know.  I just thought it was a nice gesture and thought you might want to help spread the word.

The Peppermill will being doing a buffet. Reservations are recommended.  Also, to-go orders are available to those who working from the China Pearl. I think I forgot to mention it is also for active military as well as veterans.  Meals are available from 4-9pm.
For more info:
The Peppermill – 378-7060
Bluewater – 378-2245
China Pearl – 378-5254

That's Ken hanging the wreaths at Griffin Bay Bookstore this past weekend....

I was kind of wondering about the decorating contest this year – heck, you better hurry…the application’s due this evening! Here’s the rest of the story, from Vernadel at the Chamber of Commerce:

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce is busy with plans for the 2009 Island Lights Fest Christmas Decorating Contest in the town of Friday Harbor. The Christmas Committee encourages all businesses to decorate in the spirit of the season and light up the town!

Festive ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes and cash prizes will be awarded for all 1st place winners and the Grand Prize winner will have the opportunity to turn on the lights during the Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 4 at 6 pm.

Judging for the contest will be Thursday evening, December 3, starting at 5:00 pm.

The deadline for entry is Tuesday, December 1. Pick up entry forms at the Chamber office, call 378-5240 or email chamber (at) sanjuanisland.org for further information.

Lauren and Derrick have a bag for you....

It makes a perfect one-of-a-kind gift: You go down to San Juan Canvas (it’s under the Yacht Club), and ask Derrick & Lauren to make you a bag, out of….canvas!

They have kind of a lot of it, and they make great bags, as you can see in the picture!

And this month they have a deal on them – click here for more about Bagmania at San Juan Canvas! (Remember to get your order in soon!)

Lauren and Derrick have a bag for you....

It makes a perfect one-of-a-kind gift: You go down to San Juan Canvas (it’s under the Yacht Club), and ask Derrick & Lauren to make you a bag, out of….canvas!

They have kind of a lot of it, and they make great bags, as you can see in the picture!

And this month they have a deal on them – click here for more about Bagmania at San Juan Canvas! (Remember to get your order in soon!)

That's Ashley (left) and Arielle, over the weekend...

When you drop by Friday Harbor Espresso, seem like there’s always a smiling face or two, ready to get your coffee….

Readers of the Update know Arielle also wins recycled-fashion shows (click here to see her in her mermaid outfit last August) and goes to the grocery store (click here, and scroll down), while Ashley was photographed with her friend Maude a year ago at the Fair (click here, and scroll down). Both girls have graduated college, and are relaxing a bit before graduate school & the Peace Corps.

The Grange was packed (or nearly packed) for the entire four hours of dinner on Thursday afternoon....

Whoa! When I visited with Jim & Minnie Knych before last week’s Thanksgiving dinner at the Grange, Minnie told me this was their eleventh year of putting on the show.

County Council member Rich Petersen and his main squeeze Janice were thankful to be there....

What started as a Lions Club effort years ago is now a multi-group production with dozens of volunteers. She said that last year they ended with feeding over 300 folks, and this year Jim says they used nearly 400 plates (which is the way they count.)

What I liked about the meal is the great food (and lots of it!), and the great number of friends that came to dinner…families, couples, folks by themselves & folks with mobs, County Council & Town Council members, working folks who dashed in for a lunch break – it’s great to see so many people in one place.

To everyone who puts this on – thanks!

Community members lined through the kitchen to get heaping plates of a well-prepared dinner....this meal puts the "Community" back in Community Dinner.

Butch & Jerry...

Jan from the Community Theatre says there’s one more reason to come to FOT this year:

An award-winning Washington winery is playing a new starring role in the CATS’ 20^th Annual Festival of Trees extravaganza at San Juan Community Theatre on Saturday, December 5.

Eastern Washington’s Milbrandt Vineyards will not only provide the featured wines for the auction and entertainment event as it celebrates “20 Magical Years,” but one of its founders will be on hand to share samples of the vineyards’ rare Estates & Legacy wines. In addition, the company will be offering a live auction item for a special winery tour at Milbrandt’s newly-opened tasting room in Prosser (between Yakima and the Tri-Cities) featuring a harvest lunch for six and a chance to participate in hand-harvesting the grapes.

Roche Harbor Executive Chef Bill Shaw, who coordinates the wine and gourmet appetizers for Festival of Trees, says the addition of Milbrandt Vineyards is very exciting for the island.  “We usually don’t get wine tastings for more than 50 people here…300 people will have the chance to sample this great wine together at the Festival of Trees.”

Butch Milbrandt will lead the special tastings of the wines at the Festival.  After growing up in a farming family in the region, he and his brother, Jerry, planted their first vines in the Columbia Valley in 1997.  Today, they farm 13 distinct estate vineyard sites and have been producing their own award-winning wines for four years. Their 2007 Estates Late Harvest Reisling won the Double Gold award in the 2009 San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Festival of Trees begins at 5:00 p.m. with the wine and appetizers and a silent auction.  Guests will move to the Whittier Theatre for entertainment produced by Ted Soares and a lively auction led by professional auctioneer April Brown of Seattle.  All proceeds from the event benefit the San Juan Community Theatre.

Tickets are $75 per person.  Contact CATS at 378-3211, ext. 32 for reservations.

It all starts with Japanese addresses....

Where’s the downbeat?

And…why don’t we pay doctors when we’re well, not when we’re sick?

Watched this early this morning & found myself looking at the way we do things, call ’em what we call ’em, and realizing that our assumptions often have an “opposite” shadow side or yang to go with the ying, or just another angle.

It’s cool – it’s like getting to see two worlds for the price of one. See what you think!