Tucker is this week’s Pet of the Week – Contributed photo

Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly, I gotta get the heck out of this place!

My name is Tucker and this is a photograph of me, working on my “I have a dream” look. What do you think? Too serious? Don’t let the picture fool you – “Fun” is my middle name!

I’m only about a year old, so I’ve got lots of spunk. I’ve been here at the Friday Harbor Animal Shelter Since September, and can’t understand why I’m not already living with someone who appreciates my good looks, sense of humor and rugged good looks.

Did I mention that I’m also very big on snuggling and get along great with other cats? What’s not to love?

Jamie Justiniano (L) and Barbara Defalco (R) are the proud owners of the new Blue Sky Laundry service in Friday Harbor – Tim Dustrude photo

Recognizing the need for the folks on San Juan Island to have a convenient laundry and dry cleaning service, Jamie Justiniano and Barbara Defalco have opened the multiple service Blue Sky Laundry.

By building a relationship with Modern Cleaners of Mount Vernon, Defalco and Justiniano are able to provide all the necessary amenities for a truly broad based laundry service. Brad Pickett, the owner of Modern Cleaners, is looking forward to offering his first class services to Blue Sky Laundry.

Blue Sky Laundry will provide:

• Dry Cleaning
• Wash and press
• Fluff and fold
• Comforters
• Some alterations

For the convenience of their patrons, laundry dropped off before Sunday, will be available for pick up the following Thursday afternoon at the office. They also offer mobile, free pick up and delivery of your laundry (in town).

They are located at 849 Spring Street, up there by San Juan Trophy, and are open on Thursdays from 1:00 – 5:00 for pick up and drop-off.

Customers can also call and arrange to drop off their laundry almost anytime at the office with a simple telephone call, (please call 317-5781 or 317-7138).

The San Juan Singers – Contributed photo

Here’s a note from Kathy Dolsen about rehearsals for the San Juan Singers, and an invitation to you if you’d like to sing with them…

Hello everyone!
The first rehearsal for the SJ Singers Spring concert will be on Wednesday, January 21st at 7:00pm at Skagit College. We had such a great response to our holiday program, let’s do it again in the Spring! Look forward to seeing you there, and please pass the info on to anyone you know who might be interested!

Thanks, Kathy

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From Seattle, Eric Curl calling with The Electrodes – Joe Bowbeer, Joe Micheals & Marcy Kubbs on 5-string electric fiddle, guitar & piano. No partners or experience needed.
$10 donation.

Saturday, January 17 at the SJI Grange Hall, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
For more info, call 378-3836, or look on Facebook at “San Juan Islands Contra Dance”.

San Juan County’s 2015 Point in Time Homeless Count will be conducted on Thursday, January 29. Count organizers and volunteers work with local family resource centers, food banks, churches, healthcare providers, senior centers, libraries, the sheriff’s office, and many other community support service providers to conduct the count.

The count, initiated by the State of Washington in 2005 (RCW43.185C.030), is conducted annually at the end of January. Agencies not open on the day of the count are authorized to conduct the survey on their business day closest to January 29.

Last year’s San Juan County count identified 65 individuals, 44 of whom were living out of doors, in vehicles, or in abandoned buildings. The remaining 21 people were staying in temporary, unstable living arrangements, often with friends or family. Results of previous counts can be viewed at this link.

If you have questions or would like to help with the count, please contact Melanie Rollins, San Juan County Affordable Housing Coordinator, Health & Community Services, 378-4474, melanier [@] sanjuanco [.] com

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Join us for the Community Dinner and Student Exhibitions next Wednesday, January 14th!

We are offering a Greek Menu, and this time dinner will start earlier at 5:00 and end at our regular time of 7:30.
Come early to enjoy a performance by the Jazz Band (no dinner purchase necessary), enjoy the students’ Community Project Presentations in the classrooms and check out the art work in the hallways and Library.

Suggested Donation of $12 for Adults and $6 for kids under 12

See you Wednesday!
5:00 – 7:30 at Friday harbor High School

Here’s a note from Deb Langhans about an upcoming program at PIMC…

Hi Tim,

As you’re probably aware, PeaceIsland Medical Center (PIMC) launched a Complementary Therapies Program last summer in its Cancer Care & Infusion Center; Oncology Nurse Dawn Alger is the Coordinator. As part of the program, Pam Fry, Tamara Dean & I have been providing services–High Touch Jin Shin, Reiki & Reflexology respectively. (These treatments are made possible in part through a grant from The San Juan Island Community Foundation.)

This January 24th, PIMC will be sponsoring a special workshop I designed for PIMC patients called “Igniting Our Inner Light;” it’s the first of other “Inner Journey Adventure” workshops I hope to offer there in the future. The PDF flyer for that workshop is available at this link. Thanks very much for the added exposure via the Update – Your support is much appreciated!

My best,

Deb ~

When: Saturday, January 24, 2015, 1:00 – 5:00 pm.
Where: PeaceIsland Medical Center (PIMC) conference room
Who: PIMC patients & their families

The new location of Mosquito Fleet Mercantile, at 95 Nichols St. – Tim Dustrude photo

After 7 years in their original location in the Churchill Square building, Ron Bates and Sandy Montana have moved the Mosquito Fleet Mercantile store to the building that used to house Mi Casita restaurant, over across from the Sunken Park by Lot B.

Inside, it appears that the building was originally designed for this store – they’ve done some remodeling and it really looks great. Especially considering they closed the old store on Christmas Day and in just barely over a week, got everything moved and organized into the new space.

Sandy Montana and Ron Bates in the new location of Mosquito Fleet Mercantile – Tim Dustrude photo

It seems roomier too even though it’s a bit smaller in square footage. One major benefit of the new location is the ample parking – at the old place customers would sometimes circle the block looking for a parking space. Not any more.

They have plans to add some new services as well – possibly a food cart outdoors when Lot B is active with ferry traffic; maybe serving beer & wine on the large deck, and maybe even some local musicians to entertain on the lawn during the busy summer season.

In the meantime, go drop by to say hello and see the new digs.

Theresa Simendinger – Contributed photo

Meet Theresa Simendinger, current Trails Committee chair and enthusiastic horsewoman, who will tell of her trail ride through the homelands of the Masai people in the country of Kenya in Eastern Africa.

Riding 30 miles a day through elephants, lions, giraffes, the Masaii people, and on to a new camping spot each night, Theresa experienced her most intoxicating trip. The adventure ended on the island of Zanzibar, sometimes referred to as the Spice Island, where she swam with wild dolphins, and her guide found a rare but hilarious troop of Red Colubus monkeys in the jungle.

We’ll see photos and hear about the culture of the people of Theresa’s extraordinary journey.

San Juan Public Library, Main Room
Monday, January 12, at 6:30 pm
This program is co-sponsored by the San Juan Island Trails Committee.

Light refreshments are courtesy of The Friends of the Library.

New 2015 Officers and Committee Chairs, left to right: Jo King, Pat Megaw, Susie Hendrix (hiding in back), Ann Jarrell, Bill Severson, Laura Severson, Chris Wilson, Rebecca Hughes, Susan Eberhard, Theresa Pratt, Terry Lush, Howard Lewis and on the far right, Commodore Don Hendrix – Tim Dustrude photo

Celina Wright of the Friday Harbor Sailing Club shares this invitation with you…

Join the Friday Harbor Sailing Club in 2015!

Would you like to join a fun and friendly boating social and activities club here in Friday Harbor? The Friday Harbor Sailing Club is a mixed group of both sail and powerboat enthusiasts that organizes, promotes and encourages amateur sailing, sailboat racing and powerboat activities.

All boating enthusiasts are welcome.

Consider coming to the next meeting and get a feel for the club and its members. The monthly potluck dinner meetings are held on every second Tuesday of the month and begin at 5:45 pm at the Grange Hall, 152 1st Street N, Friday Harbor. Please call Don at (360) 378-4590 if you would like to attend as a guest and to get details.

At this month’s meeting on Tuesday, January 13th, the speaker is renowned sailor Barbara Marrett who will present her lecture “The Best of Polynesia”.

If you like boating and having fun, you will be glad you looked up Friday Harbor Sailing Club.
Article by Celina Wright

Here’s a note from the Economic Development Council about a rescheduled workshop…

Dear All,

Due to scheduling conflicts, we are rescheduling the Office of Minority & Women Business Enterprises (OMWBE) workshop that was scheduled for next week, to later this year in March. The OMWBE workshop will be included in a larger, more comprehensive event, an all-day Women’s Business Expo.

Thank you!
Victoria Compton
SJC Economic Development Council

J-50 is a Girl! – Center for Whale Research photo

Here’s a new report from the Center for Whale Research…

The new baby killer whale in J pod, called J50 by researchers that designate these whales alpha-numerically, is alive and well, and with its matrilineal family today in northern Georgia Strait British Columbia.

The new baby was first seen in the San Juan/Gulf Island archipelago on the 30th of December when it was estimated to be 4-10 days old, and it quickly became the subject of mystery because it was swimming alongside a female whale that is estimated to be 43 years old – beyond the age calculated for reproductive senescence in these whales.

The 43 year old female, J16, has had five known prior babies, three of which have survived and still swim by her side. Her sixteen year old daughter, J36, was not seen nearby on 30 December, and we have for several years hoped that she would calve soon. Continue Reading

The San Juan Island Emergency Medical Technicians’ (EMT) Association is made up of the volunteer EMT’s and paramedics that serve San Juan Island. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that is independent and separate from any and all taxing districts. It is not San Juan Emergency Services, not Island Air Ambulance, not Peace Island Hospital, and not the San Juan Island Hospital District. It is made up of the people who respond to medical 911 calls, man the ambulances and who show up at your door.

In light of the EMS levy failure last November, the resulting, current budget constraints that mandate no new capital purchases for the Agency, and the realized need, the EMT Association, during its December meeting, voted to provide funds up to $80,000 towards the purchase of a new ambulance. Our primary response ambulance is 14 years old and the secondary units are even older. The aging vehicles are in need of replacement. Continue Reading

Here’s the Historical Museum with their monthly history column…

A local historian in January, 2065 may write a flashback article entitled something like “50 Years Ago Today: When Ferry Reservations Came to San Juan Island.”

Did you know that our first car ferry service was introduced in the early 1920s – at Roche Harbor? Friday Harbor replaced Roche Harbor as the San Juan Island terminus in 1930, when this photograph was taken, and the town’s population was 601 residents.

Perhaps this image in the San Juan Historical Museum’s collection has recorded the very first cars lined up for vehicle ferry service from Friday Harbor. If you know more about this scene, please contact the Museum. www.sjmuseum.org

Contributed image

Join San Juan Island National Historical Park Historian Mike Vouri for an illustrated talk about the impact of northern Indian raids in the Salish Sea scheduled for 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 14 at the San Juan Island Library.

Fears of Northern Indians ‑ defined by whites in the 19th century as groups from today’s northern British Columbia, Southeast Alaska and the Queen Charlotte Islands ‑ were a constant in Puget Sound and the Salish Sea long before American homesteads sprang up on the shorelines in the late 1840s. For hundreds of years, the Lummi and other Coast Salish shore‑dwelling groups in the south were victimized by groups from the Straits of Georgia and as far north as southeast Alaska.

Vouri’s “Raiders from the North: The Northern Indians in Northwest Washington” won the 1997 John McClelland Jr. Award as the best article published in Columbia Magazine, the journal of the Washington State Historical Society. Continue Reading

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Here’s a note from San Juan Community Theatre…

The new year brings with it new ways to participate in your community theatre!

First, on Sunday, January 11 at 4 pm in the Gubelman, auditions will be held for our On Book! Readers Theatre series. This is a chance to get a taste of the actors’ world in a warm and supportive environment, and/or to develop additional skills—a great opportunity with those who have little acting experience and those who have the experience but not the time for a full production. No audition materials will be needed ahead of time; you will simply be asked to read from selected scripts. Contact On Book! administrator John Davis at samosa [@] rock island [.] com for more information.

Then on Saturday and Sunday, January 17-18 at 2 pm at the PARC building (70 Saltspring Drive), director Margaret Hall and musical director Jim Collado will be casting for our spring musical,

9 to 5: The Musical

Perusal scripts and suggested vocal audition material are available at the box office, which is open 11 am to 4 pm on Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 am to 2 pm on Saturdays. The spring musical will be presented May 15-17, 21-24 and 28-30. For more information, call 378-3211, ext. 33.