This cute little dog “Bunny” could use your help – Contributed photo

Here’s a note from the Animal Shelter…

Island resident and animal lover, Suzanne Bryner, was traveling through California during the holidays when she came across little Bunny wandering near the railroad tracks; cold, emaciated and frightened. She was traveling with her own dog, “Foxy”, who isn’t good with other dogs, so she had no choice but to leave Bunny at the local dog pound in Modesto where she would be kept for seven days and then euthanized if not claimed or adopted.

Suzanne didn’t forget about Bunny…she made contact with a group called, “Getting ‘Em Home Transport” and with the help of several of the organization’s volunteers, over the course of three days, Bunny made her way up the I-5 corridor, driven in three or four hour shifts and finally delivered to Everett where Suzanne picked her up and brought her to the island.

Bunny is currently at the Animal Shelter in Friday Harbor, awaiting extensive surgery on her ears, which are full of benign tumors that are beginning to impact her respiratory system. The surgery will be done at a specialty veterinary hospital in Kirkland in about two weeks, and Suzanne and the animal shelter are able to pay for part of Bunny’s medical expenses, but need help raising funds for the operation which is estimated to run about $3500.

An account has been set up with GO FUND ME, a crowd-funding website. Those who wish to donate any amount, large or small for Bunny’s surgery can visit: http://www.gofundme.com/kmdbck

We had a scare earlier that the Fishing Derby was to be cancelled, but then this email came in from Roche Harbor saying it is back on. Here’s Debbie Sandwith with the news…

YES ~ got the call tonight; WDFW will send press release out tomorrow morning, BUT, we got the call and the Roche Harbor Derby is NOT CANCELLED.

Look forward to seeing all of you next week ~ please spread word that the Roche Harbor Derby is GO TIME!
2/5 Thursday Registration
2/6 &2/7 Friday and Saturday we Fish!

We will call each Team Captain to make sure EVERY ANGLER has the good news!

Mike MacLellan is this month’s Volunteer Firefighter – Sheila Harley photo

Sheila Harley reports on this month’s Volunteer Firefighter…

If you ask any little boy what he wants to be when he grows up, many times the answer will be, “I want to be a firefighter when I grow up!” As far back as Mike MacLellan remembers, he has always wanted to be a firefighter.

When he lived in Folsom, California, one had to go to school to be a paid firefighter, which did not fit Mike’s lifestyle at the time. When he came back to the Island, after being away for some twenty years, Vern Long, then the town of Friday Harbor’s Fire Chief, asked Mike to volunteer and Mike jumped at the chance. He was with the Town of Friday Harbor Fire Dept. for three years, transferring to San Juan Island Fire Rescue at its inception in 2006.

Mike founded and works at MJM Home Services. He is a licensed contractor and can turn his hand to almost any job that needs doing. His wife, Elizabeth, is a member of SJIFR’s Logistics team. They have two dogs.

Volunteering is Mike’s joy. He loves helping people. Continue Reading

Me: Single Black Male, six years old. Libra, with Pisces Rising. Shy at first, but with patience and a few scratches under my chin I’m putty in your hands.

Likes: Canned cat food, belly rubs, Temptations cat treats, a nice fluffy bed, the poetry of Robert Frost, most early Springsteen and anything by Marvin Gaye.

Dislikes: Country line dancing, feng shui, self-help books and game shows.

Vital Stats: Neutered, up to date on vaccines, no overdue library books.

You: Kind with a big heart, soft lap and indoor plumbing. Must like cuddling and giving belly rubs. (Did I mention I LOVE belly rubs?) Need not be an exclusive relationship – I don’t mind sharing the love with other cats and well-mannered dogs.

I’m not into speed dating, but would love to spend some quality time getting to know you before I consider going home with you. Stop by the Animal Shelter and ask for me, “Snoopy”.

San Juan County’s Board of Health adopted a revised Patient Bill of Rights at their regularly scheduled Board meeting December 19, 2014. The Patient Bill of Rights was generated to address concerns expressed by county residents regarding the delivery of health care services throughout San Juan County.

The Board adopted the document after significant discussion and believes that it clarifies health care issues that were confusing and disconcerting to many of our citizens.

The Patient Bill of Rights is available online at this link.

For more information, contact San Juan County Health and Community Services at 378-4474.

A medical fund has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank for Niki Truesdale, to help defray costs associated with her treatment for Stage 4 Lung Cancer.

Niki has worked at the elementary school for thirteen years and helps students with reading and math.

Contributions can be made to the “Niki Truesdale Medical Fund” at any Wells Fargo branch.

The second semester FHHS Community Service-Learning Class will begin January 27th. This class utilizes committed adult mentors who will guide students through the completion of a service project related to community improvement – both locally and globally.

This is a great opportunity for a “win-win” partnership between students and local organizations. If you have a community improvement service project in mind, a fifteen minute in-class presentations time can be arranged on January 29th, 30th or February 2nd, from 1:00 to 1:50.

Please contact Jenny Wilson at jwilson [@] sjisd [.] wed net [.] edu for more information.

Thank you very much for your continuing support and interest in our students!

Jenny Wilson, FHHS Teacher

And

Maude Cumming, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
San Juan Island School District

The Master Gardener Foundation and the San Juan Islands Conservation District bring you the 2015 Annual Native Plant Sale and Expo. Pre-ordered plants pick-up will be March 21st on San Juan, Lopez and Orcas Islands from 9:00 am- 12:00 pm.

Join us for the Expo from 9:00 – noon!

• San Juan Island – County Fairgrounds
• Orcas Island – Orcas Island Grange
• Visit booths – local businesses and organizations that specialize in native plants
• Buy plants and kits – a limited number of plants will be available
• Refreshments – snacks and beverages provided

Plants native to the Pacific Northwest are beautiful in the garden and landscape, are beneficial for wildlife, and improve habitat and plant diversity. Bitter cherry, golden currant, vine maple, red stem ceanothus and evergreen huckleberry are just some of trees and shrubs to choose from.

Order Plants Today
Supplies are limited so order now! The deadline for pre-orders is March 12th. Some plants will also be available on the day of the sale.

To see the list of plants, print an order form, or order online, go to www.sjislandscd.org. For additional information, give us a call – WSU Extension at 378-4414.

The next Arthur Whiteley Lecture will take place at 7 pm in the Commons at UW Friday Harbor Labs on January 29th:

Derek Smith presents Shipwrecks: Artificial Habitats for Marine Communities.
Derek Smith is a Ph.D. student at UW Friday Harbor Labs and an accomplished diver and underwater photographer.

Much of his research has been conducted in the Mediterranean exploring ancient shipwrecks but he is now conducting similar research in the San Juan Islands.

His talk features pictures and stories of his European adventures and hints of his work in the San Juans.

This just in. This event has been cancelled…

Hi,
My name is Cindy Gutierrez and I am with the SJI Family Resource Center. We [were] going to be hosting a group session at the Library on Saturday, January 24th to assist people in enrolling for health care.

This event has been cancelled.

Thank you,

Cindy Gutierrez, Office Manager
SJI Family Resource Center
360.378.5246

James Franco and Chris O’Dowd in Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men – Richard Phibbs photo

A landmark revival of Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck’s Of Mice And Men is our next National Theatre Live in HD THIS Monday, January 26 at 7 pm.

Golden Globe® winner and Academy Award® nominee James Franco (127 Hours, Milk) and Tony Award® nominee Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids, Girls) star in the hit 2014 Broadway production of Steinbeck’s powerful portrait of the American spirit—proclaimed by the NY Daily News: “A stirring revival. The ace cast is gripping.”

Directed by Tony Award®, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circles award winner Anna D. Shapiro (Broadway’s August: Osage County), the production was nominated for two Tony Awards®, including Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Chris O’Dowd.

Buy Now on line! or Box Office hours are 11 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Friday and 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday.

Just a few of the campsites at San Juan County Park on the westside – SJ Update staff photo

Want to camp out on San Juan, Lopez, or Shaw Island this summer? Have an RV and want to camp close to Friday Harbor?

This year, the popular County Parks ‘residents only’ early reservation program offers San Juan County residents a chance to make their prime-time summer camping reservations between January 12th & February 26th.

E-mail parks [@] sanjuanco [.] com or call the County Parks Department at 378‑8420 for a reservation form. Camping reservations for the general public will begin March 2, and campsites will sell out quickly!

Watch wildlife from your campsite at San Juan County Park and look across the water to Vancouver Island and the Straits. Come see the great changes at Odlin County Park on Lopez Island – reacquaint yourself with nature and walk along lovely footpaths. Visit quaint Shaw Island and overnight at Shaw County Park; quietude and calm, or a rousing pick-up game of softball; it’s your choice! Want to be close to restaurants, entertainment, and shopping? Bring your RV and stay at the Fairgrounds (water & electrical hook-ups provided). Get out and explore!

Proof of residency will be required (verifiable local address and phone number, driver’s license, or voter registration). Additional information is available on the County Parks website.

Here’s a couple of announcements from the animal shelter…

• The animal shelter has a couple of great barn cats for anyone who can provide a good indoor/outdoor environment.
• The animal shelter is looking for a volunteer to help in the office one or two hours a week.

Contact Jan at 378-2158 for more information.

Merri Ann Simonson

Merri Ann Simonson has another local Real Estate report for you…

In reviewing the year-end results, the sales dollar volume for the real estate market on San Juan Island per the Real Market data report was $119,077,974, which reflects stable and controlled growth. We enjoyed an increase in volume of 34.5% over year ending 2013 when the volume was $88,640,111.

On San Juan Island we closed an average of 24 transactions per month which is up from the 17 per month in 2013 or a 41% increase.

Total County volume in 2014 was $228,363,943 as compared to $171,347,017 in 2013. Overall, the County’s volume increased by 33.5%. The County closed an average of 49 transactions per month as compared to the 38 per month in 2013 or a 29% increase. Click here for the full report (PDF)

Seniors using computers – Contributed photo

The San Juan Island Library partners with Skagit Valley College to offer four workshops on using PC computers. Four consecutive Monday and Wednesday afternoons at the College, taught by Library staff.

The first session is for the novice: you’ll get comfortable with the components, what you are looking at on the screen, using the cursor and the mouse. Next sessions include MS Windows, Internet, and Email.

Monday, January 26 from 3-5 pm at Skagit Valley College
This program is Free.
Register at the SJI Library information desk or call 378-2798.

An improved section of the American Camp Trail near the Airport – SJ Update staff photo

The northern end of the American Camp Trail from Spring Street through airport property has been re-opened and improved following construction of the new hangar.

What was for a time a muddy mess has now been covered with a thick layer of gravel by the subcontractor J & M Excavation.

Interim airport operations manager Stuart Hansen said there was a requirement to restore the path “back to the way it was” in the contract with contractor David Krueger for hangar construction. It’s actually an improvement over the former dirt path.