Over the river & through the woods - have you seen he mausoleum lately? Photos by Sandy Buckley.

I sure like Sandy Buckley’s pictures, don’t you? Here are a couple she took last summer out at Roche Harbor’s mausoleum  – I like what she does with the light & the shadows….check out more of her stuff at http://www.zazzle.com/sandybuckley*

The windsock at Friday Harbor Airport flew in tatters on Thursday after taking a beating the night before...photo by Chris Teren, who didn't fly that day.

You and I heard enough people say Wednesday’s winds were the worst they’ve seen in ages, and we all saw enough branches scattered around, trees down, and chainsaws going to know it was a strong one.

Heck, it even knocked down the flagpole at American Camp (here’s more on that.)

Next up on the weather front for the island – a couple of days of rain…

NOW will you go to the store & load up for emergencies for the rest of the winter?

There are some things you’ll want to check out in the next few weeks:

• Aaron at the Palace Theatre says he’ll be going to the winter schedule next week, with only one showing on weekdays & two on weekends. meanwhile, the new movies this week (starting today) are Blind Side (with Sandy Bullock, who most islanders have been in love with since she & Nicole came & filmed Practical Magic here), and The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

• At The Naked Bean, Billy tells me he just started winter hours – open each day from 7am to 5pm. Just had one of his scones – they rock! Swing by & get yours before they sell out. Quick.

• And…Bakery San Juan has gone a couple of months closed on Mondays, but has decided to open back up – so next week, Mark & the crew will be open Mondays!

Go to the spa!!!!

• Speaking of winter hours, Afterglow Spa in Roche Harbor has new hours for the winter, now open Thursdays – Sundays 10 am – 5 pm.

• Tonight (Friday) at Lavendera Day Spa from 6:30pm to 8pm, drop by for an evening of free massage. Anyone who attends will be welcome to receive a free 15 minute massage by one of our highly trained and experienced massage practitioners. Our staff will be on hand to discuss the health benefits of body work and give tips on how to care for your aching muscles or injuries at home. In addition, each guest will receive a coupon for $10 off our already discounted local prices for their next 60 or 90 minute treatment. Step in from the cold and warm up with a toasty beverage and comforting massage!

• Thanksgiving plans – if you’re eating out:

The Front Street Ale House will be open for Thanksgiving from noon till 5, serving most regular menu items as well as a delicious home cooked turkey dinner with all the fixings!

Go to the Coho!

Thanksgiving Dinner at Coho Restaurant – Coho will present a traditional dinner including your choice of Roasted Pork Belly with a Potato Pancake and Cranberry Marmalade or Corn Fritters with Wilted Mizuna & Maple Syrup; Roasted Yam Soup and a Mixed Green Salad; Smoked Turkey, Turkey Confit or True Cod served with all the fixings; and for dessert – Pumpkin Ice Cream Cake, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie or Dutch Apple Pie with Cinnamon Ice Cream.  Six Courses with optional wine pairing (five wines). Dinner $45/person and $25/person for the wine pairing.  Dinner Served 3 – 8:30 p.m. Call 378.6330 for reservations.

Other places that are open:
The Bluff, Friday Harbor House
The Doctor’s Office
Lime Kiln Cafe’ (Roche Harbor)

Amanda

The memorial service is this weekend for our friend, who passed away way too young…

Amanda Cartmill Cruz
September 7, 1976 – November 12, 2009

Amanda Cartmill Cruz passed into her heavenly father’s hands unexpectedly on November 12 at her home. She was 33.

Born at Harrison Memorial Hospital in Bremerton, Washington, on September 7, 1976, she is the only daughter of Edward and Catherine Cartmill, now residents of La Conner, Washington. Amanda graduated from South Kitsap High School in 1995. She completed a health and human services program at Skagit Valley Community College in 1998.

Amanda’s wonderful smile and cheerful personality always made those around her feel loved. She has always been the love of her family and will be greatly missed.

After moving to Friday Harbor in 2001, Amanda met Ronald Cruz. In August 2007 they were married Continue Reading

Dan got to kiss the pig last July...

I heard yesterday that Dan Fleming, our postmaster, has been re-assigned to Oak Harbor, starting this weekend. I asked him what the process is for filling his position, and he says the position has to be posted, so it could be a while before we get a new person in that spot.

Dan did a super job while he’s been here – from watering the plants out in front of the post office, to improving workers’ morale (they love him enough to have gotten him elected as the guy to kiss the pig last summer), to being involved in the community…he’s been a good guy to have around, and in spite of the relatively short time he was here, he’ll be missed.

Paint, carpet & good photography....photo by Tim Dustrude

Whoa…this is the living room of my house, and it’s awesome in that Gabe & his friends at San Juan Interiors put in a brand new carpet, and Josie painted the walls & the ceiling (after scraping that stuff off the ceiling people used to put up in 1979 or so). It rocked. Since we’re trying to sell the house (so we can live more simply), this is cool.

So I knew what I had to do – I called Tim (Dustrude Photography) and asked him to shoot the living room – and he did a super job, as you can see.

By the way, Josie & I are having an Open House on Saturday from noon to 3pm…and if you come by, we put your name in a hat & we’re gonna pick one for a $25 gift certificate at Haley’s. Come on by – we’d love to see ya. Here’s the details about where & all that.

Come see The Merry Firebird!

The last three years this has been fun, and this year’s show promises to be as well – here’s more from Jan at the Community Theatre:

SJCT’s Family Theatre takes us to a colorful land of discovery and adventure THIS Friday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at 2:00 pm.

The Merry Firebird, written and directed by Shaw Island’s Tifni Twitchell Lynch (she directed the outstanding Jazz Fly two years ago), brings together more than 45 elementary school children, parents and community members–see cast list below–in a magical story that helps us think in new ways about endangered species.

Not only is the story exciting as the Firebird leads two children on an inspiring journey where they encounter an extinct dragon, an orca, polar bear, puppeteers and more; but the journey comes even more alive through the colorful and artistic set design created by island children during a series of October art workshops, made possible through a grant from the San Juan Community Foundation. Continue Reading

Come see The Merry Firebird!

The last three years this has been fun, and this year’s show promises to be as well – here’s more from Jan at the Community Theatre:

SJCT’s Family Theatre takes us to a colorful land of discovery and adventure THIS Friday at 7:00 pm and Saturday at 2:00 pm.

The Merry Firebird, written and directed by Shaw Island’s Tifni Twitchell Lynch (she directed the outstanding Jazz Fly two years ago), brings together more than 45 elementary school children, parents and community members–see cast list below–in a magical story that helps us think in new ways about endangered species.

Not only is the story exciting as the Firebird leads two children on an inspiring journey where they encounter an extinct dragon, an orca, polar bear, puppeteers and more; but the journey comes even more alive through the colorful and artistic set design created by island children during a series of October art workshops, made possible through a grant from the San Juan Community Foundation. Continue Reading

You may have heard him, you may have heard of him, but this presentation by Tony Robbins focuses on the decisions we make…and I think you’ll find it’s a cool way to kick your day into gear. See what you think! (I like the idea of what you do, already – when I think about you doing it even better…wow!)

Here’s Tony:

Judi

Judi Mio offered this note of thanks on behalf of our friends at Hospice & the other non-profits who were recognized by the Community Foundation at the Breakfast of Champions in late September:

On September 25, 2009, Friday, the San Juan Island Community Foundation held its annual “Breakfast of Champions” to award funds to local organizations.  Our non-profit and all volunteer-operated organization would like to submit the following thank you note:

Where’s the Wheaties…?

Though we didn’t see a bowl of Wheaties at the “Breakfast of Champions” ceremony hosted by the San Juan Island Community Foundation; we certainly felt a special sense of appreciation from the generous award received that morning.  As Rona Cameron, Hospice of San Juan Board of Directors Member and Volunteer, said, “the flame of Hospice will continue to burn.”  This grant will be used for training sessions attended by our new and current Volunteers who give their time and hearts to our clients throughout the islands.  Thank you!

Volunteers from the Hospice of San Juan

It’s really blowing, as I write this Wednesday evening…if I don’t post something tomorrow, you’ll know why!

Huge winds, with power out on the west side & around the island, Wednesday night, Thursday morning….Diana Stepita reports her wind clock measured a 73 mph blow at Eagle Cove on Wednesday evening. The ferries’ schedule has been cancelled since early this evening, and it remains to be seen if they’ll run in the morning.

Everyone needs a song to wake up to, and this little ditty by Donovan is a good one. From the album Barabajagal, it isn’t a video, just a tune:

When I heard Christmas music in a Canadian mall over the weekend, I remember thinking, “This is WAY too early!”

But it’s not too early to make your Christmas videos! Click here to make one like mine, here:

When I heard Christmas music in a Canadian mall over the weekend, I remember thinking, “This is WAY too early!”

But it’s not too early to make your Christmas videos! Click here to make one like mine, here:

From his prayer: "Grant that I may not so much seek to be loved as to love, seek to be understood as to understand, seek to be consoled as to console...."

Partly because of the recession (we ARE having a recession, you noticed?) and partly because folks have been noticing how their lives just don’t seem all that full with buying stuff & owning stuff, people are becoming interested in others ways to go, including the life of simplicity embraced by St. Francis.

But – everything that’s worth doing needs a song to go with it, and you’ll find this song by Donovan for the 1973 movie Brother Sun, Sister Moon gets stuck in your head…