Something for Everyone at the Library

Microsoft Word – Word Processing - Now two sessions

Tuesday March 4 at 10 AM and again at 11:15 AM

This class is intended for users who already have a working knowledge of a computer but need help becoming familiar with basic word processing techniques.

• Document creation, editing, formatting, printing, saving, and page setup.
• Cut / Copy / Paste
• Questions answered.

At San Juan Island's Public Library

Storytime for Preschoolers

Friday March 7 at 10:30 AM

The San Juan Island Library offers a weekly Story-time for preschool children each Friday morning from 10:30 to 11:00. Join us for stories, songs, finger plays and special holiday programs. Free.

At San Juan Island's Public Library

Author Talk with Dr. Susan Toch

Sunday March 9 at 5:30 PM

Her book is “Water to Drink: Sustaining Watersheds and the People who Need Them.” Susan also was a contributing author for “Water Voices from Around the World”. She has over 25 years of experience in ecosystem hydrology management and community health. For more information on Susan Toch: link to a natural source

At San Juan Island's Public Library

Lapsit and Linger at the Library

Thursday March 13 at 10:00 AM

The San Juan Island Library offers Lapsit and Linger for parents, infants and toddlers each Thursday morning at the San Juan Island Library from 10:00 to 11:00. Parents and toddlers are invited for stories, songs, and socializing. Free.

At San Juan Island's Public Library

Buddhists For Obama

Buddhists for Obama available from cafe press

I held off jumping on the Barack Obama bandwagon until after my caucus. By the time I went to the official Barack Obama website to get a few buttons they were sold out. So, I went to Cafe Press, a web-store where anyone can post a design that can then be purchased on bumper-stickers, buttons, coffee cups, mouse pads, T-shirts and more. There I found a very unique selection of Obama buttons and bumper-stickers. Last night while watching the debate between Obama and Clinton somehow the notion of a "Buddhists For Obama" bumper-sticker was mentioned and I came home and designed the bumper-sticker above and buttons & magnets of similar design. If you are looking for unique items, or would like to create your own, I encourage you to try Cafe Press.

link to: Cafe Press

ALICE DiMICELE at Isle be Jammin'

SINGER/SONGWRITER/GUITARIST ALICE DiMICELE

Two shows: 7 and 9 p.m. February 29th at Isle be Jammin'
335 Argyle Avenue. Friday Harbor ~ 360 378 5151

Alice and her bass player David Gelfand playing at Oregon Country Fair

Alice is a very well respected performer and has shared the stage with Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, Stevie Windwood and others as their opening act. From Ashland, Oregon, she is presently touring the West Coast promoting her new cd "the ebb and the flow".. She will be performing with her bass player, David Gelfand. Limited seating so buy tickets soon! Promises to be a superb evening of music!

Tickets: $10 advance $12 at door

Who Was Lyman Cutlar?

Fess Parker as Daniel Boone, Another Kentucky Frontiersman

It seems there is no known photograph or image preserved of Lyman Cutlar the "Yankee Squatter" who instigated the Pig War or at least gave the boundary dispute in question it's famous name.

Here is how the experts describe him:

"Lyman Cautlar - a young, good humored, former Kentucky Frontiersman with a reputation as a dead shot - arrived on San Juan in early 1859 with his young Indian wife."

San Juan: The Powder Keg Island
Jo Bailey-Cummings & Al Cummings


"Among the squatters on San Juan was tall, light-haired Lyman A. Cutlar, a 27-year-old Kentuckian, contemptuously described as "one of the unwashed sovereigns of the United States who did not scare worth a cent"."

Making History: The People Who Shaped The San Juan Islands
Lucy S. McDonald


"The facts are a Kentuckian named Lyman Cutlar came to San Juan Island in April of 1859, or so he said in a sworn deposition later that year after all the hubbub died down. Pioneer memory has him being twenrty-nine, a failed miner looking for an easy stake on which to live with his Indian wife and child, though no record exits of that either."

The Pig War: Standoff at Griffen Bay
Michael Vouri

San Juan Prairie North of the Belle View Farm Site

To refresh your Island history up to this point link to:

Link to: A Most Notable Pig
Link to: Hardy Pioneers
Link to: Thirty Thousand semi-barbarous Californians
Link to: Things Heat Up
Link to: An Exceedingly Annoying Affair
Link to: Meanwhile Back At The Ranch

J-Pod is Back!

J Pod Crossing Oak Bay, Victoria

Photo by Brian Glennon - B.C. Feb. 17, 2008 - Orca Network

Here are a few quotes from today's Orca Network Whale Report.

"Finally a whale report. J POD !!!!!!!!!!"

“reports of a pod of orcas off S. Vancouver Island this morning heading east, & J pod sighted later in the afternoon heading east off Victoria. Then about 8:30 pm we heard some calls off the OrcaSound hydrophone off West San Juan Island”

link to: Orca Network

To listen for J-pod on the Salish Sea hydrophone network

link to: Orca Sound

The Whale Museum has opened up for the season. Hours: 10:00 - 5:00

link to: The Whale Museum

Obama ~ Early Training

Yoda and Barack Obama

Bringing it back to San Juan Island, secret sources speculate that in his youth Barack Obama received special Jedi training at an undisclosed location on San Juan Island.

May the force be with you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

L'amour À La Française

Les Fatals Picards ~ France's entry Eurovision 2007

John McCain Approves Bush Torture Policy

OK, Just one more political post (for now). And here I break down and post a candidate from the dark side. I've always thought that if we ended up with John McCain in the White House at least he would stop the torture. Now, possibly to impress his "conservative base" he is voting to approve Bush's torture policy.

"The Senate defied a presidential veto threat Wednesday, passing an intelligence bill with a provision that effectively bans the torture of detainees. The measure would prohibit all interrogation techniques except those permitted by the Army Field Manual. Proponents say that will prevent the CIA from using such methods as simulated drowning, known as waterboarding."

NPR All Things Considered

John McCain voted against this bill.

What is truly evil is that Senator McCain knows torture does not result in true intelligence and it also puts American citizens in danger of reprisals. As if being immoral were not in itself a good reason to put a stop to torture.

Waterboarding 1556

Agrarian Justice ~ Thomas Paine

"It is a right, and not a charity, that I am pleading for."

Thomas Paine

When I began this blog for the sake of mass appeal I planned to avoid getting political. Obviously it is too late for that now. As far as presidential candidates go I have not gone any further to the right than Hillary Clinton. I’ve had no complaints. This has emboldened me.

As I promised, I will be getting back to my Island History very soon. But first, I have one more political post (for now). Yesterday morning I heard Harvey J. Kaye, author of Thomas Paine and the Promise of America on KUOW’s Weekday. Kaye mentioned a work of Paine’s that I was unfamiliar with, Paine’s pamphlet Agrarian Justice. I read it this morning and the idea resonates with me. I think it would be an ideal plan for San Juan County if not the entire nation. It is a plan to end poverty and I think it is a good one.

“I care not how affluent some may be, provided that none be miserable in consequence of it. But it is impossible to enjoy affluence with the felicity it is capable of being enjoyed, while so much misery is mingled in the scene. The sight of the misery, and the unpleasant sensations it suggests, which, though they may be suffocated cannot be extinguished, are a greater drawback upon the felicity of affluence than the proposed ten per cent upon property is worth. He that would not give the one to get rid of the other has no charity, even for himself.”

Thomas Paine

Obama Sweeps San Juan Island

I loved my neighborhood caucus. People from my precinct spoke articulately about why they supported their chosen candidates. Senator Clinton supporters, disappointed by the 60 Obama/12 Clinton split, spoke eloquently if emotionally on her behalf. Others spoke just as passionately on behalf of Senator Obama.

We were reminded that it will be up to us to remind (ie. pressure) our representatives, our elected officials, to use their super-delegate powers to support the will of we, the people. Both Senators Cantwell and Murray have endorsed Hillary Clinton. Governor Chris Gregoire has endorsed Barack Obama.

READY TO BELIEVE

"We believe enough in the candidacy of Barack Obama that we wrote a song about him, and we'd like to share it with you. As a couple of striking screenwriters and a singer-composer, we thought we'd make the case in an unconventional way."

The singer-composer of "Ready to Believe" is Cherish Alexander. Striking writers-lyricists are Jackie Zabel and Bryce Zabel and the music producers who pulled it all together are Cherish Alexander and Damian Valentine. Bryce did the editing of the pictures with iPhoto.

Caucus Saturday 1:00 PM

Keep It Blue Poster Available from Washington State Democrats

San Juan Island Democrats Caucus Tomorrow
Saturday, 1:00 PM at the High School Common Room.

Anyone can register at the caucus -- including Republicans and Independents.

If you're going to be 18 by the time of the general election, you are eligible to caucus.

This means 17-year-olds who will be 18 by November 4, 2008 are allowed to participate.

Make sure to be at your caucus location by 1:00 p.m.

Washington State Democrats: Caucus Information Center

Valentine Making at the Library

Charm your loved ones (or even that secret heart throb)
with a hand made Valentine.
Its easy and fun at the Public Library.

Valentine Making at the Library ~ Friday February 8 at 6:00 PM
Talk about the books you love while making a valentine for the people you love! Craft supplies and refreshments will be provided.

Make Your Own Valentine ~ Wednesday February 13 at 3:30 PM
Children and teens can make cards and paper greetings. Materials will be provided. Gratis.

Candidates Visit Seattle

Brian Snyder / Reuters

Hillary Clinton in Seattle Tonight...

Join Hillary Clinton for a "Solutions for America" rally in Seattle Thursday, February 7. Host: Washington For Hillary

Solutions for America rally with Hillary Clinton:

When: Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Where: Pier 30, 2431 E. Marginal Way South, Seattle, WA 98134


Obama to be in Seattle on Friday...

Please join Barack Obama at a 'Stand for Change' Rally at Key Arena, where he'll talk about his vision for bringing America together and bringing about the kind of change we can believe in.

Stand for Change Rally with Barack Obama:

When: Friday, February 8, Doors Open: 11:00 a.m.
Where: Key Arena, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109

The event is free and open to the public.

Obama ~ Yes We Can

YES WE CAN

This YouTube video came to me in a MoveOn email.
MoveOn has endorsed Barack Obama.

Kucinich 4 Ever

I called Sharon Abreu on Orcas Island today after receiving an email message from her via the Green Party about our upcoming caucus. She said in that email and confirmed for me on the phone that the 15% rule no longer holds, “At the Precinct Caucus level, there is no 15% minimum support rule, so that any candidate can pick up delegates.” This is not only good news for those of us with math-phobia but Ms. Abrue has a plan to keep Kucinich alive and leaning on the other candidates for a more progressive, more responsive, more democratic, Democrat Party. “I'll be voting for Kucinich in my Precinct Caucus this Saturday. I hope you'll join me!”

Not only that but Abreu is a very talented YouTube producer...

DENNIS THE MENACE

“A vote now for Kucinich, or for "uncommitted", will send delegates who can still push Clinton and Obama to more courageous positions.”

Sharon Abreu

Still Undecided?

Dear Readers,

I hope you are enjoying my view of the candidates on YouTube videos as much as I am enjoying surfing for them. However, I don't necessarily recommend choosing your candidate based on YouTube videos. If you are still wondering who to vote for try taking the issues based survey created by American Public Media.

To take the survey scroll down to the bottom of this page just above my blogroll.

Obama Rap

OHIO STATE HIP HOP ARTISTS
RAP FOR OBAMA

Hillary ~ Is Gender a Factor?

Last night my niece told me that grandma Flossie,
my staunchly dyed-in-the-wool republican mom,
might cross party lines to vote for THE WOMAN.

HOTT 4 HILL

A MUSIC VIDEO PARODY
Written and performed by Taryn Southern