The 2010 Friday Harbor Community Spelling Bee is today, 3:30 p.m. in the San Juan Community Theater.

The annual contest is sponsored by the Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands and features fourth- through eighth-grade classroom champions from local schools, including Friday Harbor Elementary School, Friday Harbor Middle School, Paideia Classical School, Griffin Bay School and Spring Street International School.

This year, the first-place winner will receive a personal award of $75, an award to their classroom literacy program of $150, and an award to their school literacy program of $300.

The second-place winner will receive a personal award of $50, $100 to their classroom, and $200 to their school.

Doors at the theater will open at 3 p.m. Admission is free and is open to parents, family members and the public.

Call Mike Close, 378-6202.

Knowledge Bowl Feb. 4
The 17th annual Knowledge Bowl is Feb. 4 in the San Juan Community Theatre.

The Friday Harbor Jazz Band will begin performing at 6:40 p.m., and the Friday Harbor Middle School PTA will offer bake sale treats. There will be several raffle items as well, including a trip for two on the Victoria Clipper.

The battle of the brains begins at 7 p.m., with teams consisting of eighth-grade students, a ninth- and 10th-grade team, and a 11th- and 12th-grade team going head to head with four local community service groups: Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary and Soroptimists club teams.

The event will be emceed this year by Brent Snow.

The Knowledge Bowl is presented by the San Juan Island Public Schools Foundation. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children.