Lifestyle Stories - San Juan Islands

Increase automobile efficiency with tips from AAA

The Waldron School held its annual end-of-the-year school play and graduation the evening of June 12 at the Waldron School House. Following the processional, “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed by a small ensemble of student musicians, including snare drums and violins, Principal Barbara Klein presented diplomas to graduating eighth-graders, Zach Edwardson and Naomi Boydston.

Waldron School holds annual play, 8th-grade graduation

Lopez Island resident finds inspiration in hand-carved linoleum

Diana Bower’s hands tell of 50 years of using ancient techniques to create words and images. She’s carved over 100 linoleum blocks, spending thousands of hours working with X-acto and gouging knives. Many four-inch by six-inch blocks convey pastoral scenes. Others are half that size, including a series of six she carved in intricate detail in 1981 to depict the jail cell of a fellow nuclear weapons resister.

Purchase of Coffelt’s Farm provides for future of local agriculture

The San Juan County Land Bank’s recent purchase of Vern and Sidney Coffelt’s Farm on Orcas Island has helped ensure a future for local agriculture. The 185-acre working farm spans Crow Valley, connecting Fowler’s Pond and Turtleback Mountain Preserve, and encompassing an expanse of scenic open-space, habitat resources, and productive agricultural land.

New summer schedule for ferries

WSDOT Ferries Division launched its summer 2008 ferry schedule on Sunday, June 22, with additional vessels, sailings and service hours on the more popular tourism routes. The increased service levels will help locals and tourists alike take summer trips to the San Juan Islands, Whidbey Island, and Vashon Island. The summer schedule runs through Sept. 27.

Couple therapy can benefit even the healthiest relationships

Couple therapy goes by many names. Whether called couples counseling, marriage counseling, or relationship therapy it can be helpful to all couples, married or not, gay or straight and at all stages of life. Couple therapy can help newly committed partners get off to a healthy start, can guide a couple through many of lifes challenges, can rebuild a troubled partnership, or can help a couple decide to separate in a way that will be healthiest for themselves and their children. You dont need to have a troubled relationship to seek therapy. Healthy couples can receive skillful support to strengthen their bond and better understand one another.

Thanks to all who donated at the Lopez blood drive

The following is from the Puget Sound Blood Center.

Teenagers ready to learn and help F.E.A.S.T.

One of the passionate motivations for the Farm Education and Sustainability for Teens (FEAST) coordinators – Rusty Diggs, husband Christopher Evans, and Whitney Hartzell – is that, as Evans said, “Teenagers are a population that’s counted out right from the start. People have told us, ‘It sounds great, but you’ll never get teens interested in participating – especially not in the summertime.’

San Juan Relay for Life profile: Dolores Fantin

My mother lost her brave battle with cancer Oct. 3, 1997. Her grace and bravery with cancer will never be forgotten. I miss her dearly.

A tribute to Caleb the Wonder Dog

Caleb the Wonder Dog came home with me from the Animal Protection Society shelter in 1997 and, in the almost 11 years we had together, we were seldom far apart. He went everywhere with me, off-island and on, and especially loved going to his job as shop dog for Griffin Bay Books and Friday Harbor Pet Supplies, where he made the widest circle of friends I've ever known a dog to have.

Friday Harbor's Peterman sisters bicycle from Seattle to San Francisco for women's health

Friday Harbor High School graduates Amber and Kelsea Peterman bicycled from Seattle to San Francisco to raise money for – and awareness of – women's health issues in sub-Saharan Africa. The ride was called the Bike to End Fistula.

San Juan Relay for Life profile: Frank Wilson

Relay for Life — July 25-26, 5:30 p.m. to 11 a.m. on the Friday Harbor High School football field — raises money for the American Cancer Society. To put a face on the fight against cancer and encourage participation in Relay for Life, families are invited to submit photos of loved ones who have fought the battle. Write Richard Walker, The Journal, P.O. Box 519, Friday Harbor 98250. E-mail rwalker@sanjuanjournal.com

Cancer survivor participating in Relay for first year

Every year my friends and family tell me I should be recognized for being a cancer survivor. So this year, I gave in. I have been free of cervical cancer since 2001. It was  the scariest and most painful two years of my life but I made it through with the help of my family and friends! Without them, I am sure my outcome would have been different. They gave me the strength to fight it.

Missoula Children's Theatre's Little Red Truck rolls back into town

Directing their energy: Auditions Monday for "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"

Experience the 'Sounds of the San Juans'

San Juan's own Gary Gibbons hosts an online radio show on City Sounds Radio, Internet blues and jazz with a San Juan connection, www.citysounds.biz.

San Juan art galleries celebrate birthdays | Around the San Juans

Updates and announcements of various happenings in the San Juan Islands.

Lessons I learned from my exchange student

Next week, I lose a member of my family. For the past year, my husband, daughters and I have been a host family for a Norwegian exchange student. Although I wasn’t surprised we decided to embark on such an adventure, I’d be lying if I said we did much pre-planning for the experience.

Relay for Life profile: Jobelle Lees

Relay for Life — July 25-26, 5:30 p.m. to 11 a.m. on the Friday Harbor High School football field — raises money for the American Cancer Society.