Shelter Benefactor Offers Help for Dog:

9-year old Ceasar is what the Animal Shelter calls a “Special Needs” dog. He’s a wonderful dog; loves to cuddle, chase sticks, ride in the car, go for walks and is basically a big teddy bear. He needs daily medication for arthritis and should be the only dog in a home due to the fact that he doesn’t get along well with cats and most dogs. He is also on a special, limited-ingredient diet – readily available at most pet food retailers. This, coupled with his age make him difficult to place – which is particularly sad for Ceasar, who has always known the comforts of a loving home until recently when he was surrendered to the shelter.

Staff and volunteers at the animal shelter worry about Ceasar – primarily because he is such a friendly and social dog, who must spend hours alone now, but also because the concrete floors of the animal shelter aggravate Ceasar’s arthritis.

Fortunately for Ceasar, a kindly benefactor of APS-FH has stepped up and offered to pay for all of Ceasar’s food, medication and veterinary care for the duration of his life if someone will agree to foster him in their home or permanently adopt him. This benefactor has also offered to fly Ceasar anywhere in the United States to a qualified foster or forever home.

Shelter Director Leslie Byron said, “We’re hoping this magnificent dog finds himself home for the holidays very soon!”.

Rotary District Governor Lyle Ryan, Family Resource representative Jennifer Armstrong, F.H. Museum Director Kevin Loftus, Rotarian Tom Kirschner and Club President Thomas Sandstrom – Jack Cory photo

Rotary Club Donates $10K To Local Groups & To Eradicate Polio

The San Juan Island Rotary Club raised $10,000 from the Concours d’ Elegance held at San Juan Vineyards on August 24th. The recipients of the funds were Family Resource Center ($4,500.00, The S. J. Historical Society & Museum ($4,500.00) and Rotary Polio Plus ($1000.00).

The Family Resource Center will use their funds for their “Birth through Four” support programs, including weekly parent-toddler playgroups, individualized home visits for new at-risk parents and their infants and school readiness activities.

The Historical Society will use their funds directly to developing San Juan Island Museum of History and Industry (MHI), an interactive educational center.

The SJI Rotary Club will also donate $1000.00 to PolioPlus Fund of Rotary International, dedicated to achieving a polio-free world in our lifetimes.

The checks were presented by Lyle Ryan, Rotary District Governor.

To learn more about Rotary and membership in Rotary, go to this website.

Ron Krebs – Contributed photo

My name is Ron Krebs and I am asking for your vote for San Juan County Sheriff. I would like to take this opportunity to express why you should vote for me.

This county is ready for a change in leadership.  Your deputies, dispatchers, correction officers and countless residents have spoken out recently about the difficulties the department is experiencing.  They are asking you to help elect someone who will work with them, communicate with them and bring direction and guidance back to the Sheriff’s Department.  I am humbled by their trust in my vision and their support of my candidacy.

Ten years of management experience with a successful multi-million dollar franchise has provided me the knowledge to work with budgets, oversee personnel and understand the complex scheduling needs of our county.  I will aggressively seek grants and alternate sources of funding to augment our budget utilizing the key support staff already in place.

Morale will be restored by improved communication, creating a standard to which everyone can be held accountable and the implementation of clear and practical policies.

School security is of paramount importance to me.  The Sheriff’s Department will work hand-in-hand with the schools, providing the support they need to be safe, including clear emergency procedures.  We will provide them with the support to be tough on drugs and alcohol.  By spending time with our children in the schools, we will interact with them in a constructive way as they grow up providing positive reinforcement. Continue Reading

Bite of San Juan Island – Aaron Shepard photo

The first annual Bite of the San Juan Islands seemed to be a big success. Brickworks was crowded with lots of people sampling lots of good food and listening to lots of great live music.

This event was co sponsored by San Juan Island Cheese and the SJI Ag Guild and more than 400 people attended.

Pet of the Week, Sergio the shopping kitty – Contributed photo

“Sergio” was seen “shopping” several times inside The Marketplace… apparently looking for his new family. He couldn’t seem to find the deal he was looking for there, so he made his way here to the shelter where he is patiently waiting to meet you! He’s just a kitten – only 8 months old, super friendly and playful. This boy promises to keep you entertained! Come meet him at the animal shelter!

A “ghostly tribute” to Kurt Vonnegut is the center of San Juan Community Theatre’s latest On Book! Readers Theatre presentation on Wednesday and Thursday, October 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Happy Birthday, Wanda June is a quirky comedy set during 1960’s America. It features big game hunter and war hero Harold Ryan who returns home to America after having been presumed dead for several years. Harold finds that his wife Penelope has developed relationships with men very much unlike himself, and that his son, Paul, has been pampered and grown unmanly. Harold Ryan, the prolific killing machine, is very unsatisfied.

The “Wanda June” of the title is a young girl who died before she could celebrate her birthday. She was run over by an ice cream truck, but she is very pleased with her situation in Heaven. She and several other deceased connections to Harold speak to the audience from Heaven.

The reading is directed by Tony Vivenzio, with cast members Megan Vivenzio, Rotor Luigs, Dorian Oliver, Bo Turnage, John Cornell, Don Cooper, Chiara Power, Nick Power and Linda Guernsey.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with festival seating in the Gubelman Theatre. Admission is FREE. For more information on the series and other Theatre events, visit www.sjctheatre.org

We are having an indoor Drive-In this Halloween instead of outdoor this time – Beetlejuice will be shown in the Main Building at the Fairgrounds.

And note the new starting time:

• Concessions at 8:15 pm
• Doors open at 8:30
• Movie starts at 9:00

Indoor Skating in the Main Building at the Fairgrounds – Contributed photo

Fall is officially here and indoor recreation time has arrived. Skating, one of the longest running indoor activities on San Juan Island, is continuing starting on November 1 at the fair building. Happening every Saturday from November through April, Scooter and Trike times are from 5:30-6:30pm while Family Open Skate times are from 7:00-8:30pm.

Don’t forget the first Saturday of each month is Cosmic Skate Nights, a perennial favorite. Pricing for these events range from $2 per rider to $8 per family for scooter and trike riders, and $3 per riders and $10 per family for the skaters (scholarships apply for all events). Youth under 10 must be accompanied by an adult and all children under 18 must wear a helmet.

Roller Hockey starts Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 7:30-9:00pm and goes into March. It is really more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
Go to www.islandrec.org or call Island Rec at 378-4953 for more information.

The San Juan Island School District has learned about the tragic school shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, located in Snohomish County. Our hearts go out to the students and staff in the Marysville community. This brings to mind another example of concern about school safety and security. If you know of a student who needs help, please feel free to contact us on our safe schools reporting system located on our website at

Safeschools Alert Reporting Link –
https://sjisd-wa.safeschoolsalert.com/

In addition, you can reach our schools at the following numbers:

• District Office 378-4133
• Friday Harbor Elementary School 378-5209
• Friday Harbor Middle School 378-5214
• Friday Harbor High School 378-5215
• Griffin Bay School 378-3292

For emergencies please dial 911.

Working together we can ensure our schools are safe for all.

Macbeth in HD on Monday at SJCT – Contributed photo

Verdi’s Shakespearean drama opens San Juan Community Theatre’s The Met: Live in HD season on Monday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Whittier Theatre.

Macbeth features Anna Netrebko in her first Metropolitan Opera performances of the vocally and dramatically demanding role of Lady Macbeth. Bloomberg News calls the performance: “One of the greatest triumphs in recent Met history. …Anna Netrebko… a spectacular artist of vast interpretive skills… a riveting performance dispatched with artistry and fearless intensity.”

Former Royal Shakespeare Company artistic director Adrian Noble’s acclaimed production, led by Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi, also includes Željko Lučić in the title role, Joseph Calleja as Macduff, and René Pape as Banquo.

This is The Met: Live in HD’s ninth season and the second season of its partnership with San Juan Community Theatre. SJCT is one of 2,000 theatrers in 68 countries presenting Macbeth—its October 11 matinee was streamed live and recorded for rebroadcast on October 27. Continue Reading

Amanda Thiel is putting on a workshop to show you simple herbal remedies to help you feel well through the winter using items you already have in your kitchen or yard. Staying well is easy if you keep it simple and fun!

Come make and taste some of the easiest herbal remedies you didn’t know you already knew.

Thursday, November 6th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm at Lavendera – 285 Spring Street

Monday, November 10, 2014, from 9:00 – 11:00 am in the Community Room at the San Juan Island Library

The holiday season is often stressful for many of us and it is especially challenging after having lost a loved one. So many rituals and memories are associated with the holidays. With our loved one gone, everything will be different. Many feelings begin to surface. Remember, you do not have to suffer through the holidays alone.

Come to learn and to share about how to cope during this time of year.

Lenore Bayuk, MN, ACNS, will facilitate the group. Lenore has worked with loss and grief in her own life and professionally as a nurse and psychotherapist. She has been a Psychosocial Nurse Specialist for 40 years and a nurse for 45 years.

A new Grief Support group will be offered beginning February 17, 2015, running six consecutive Tuesdays, 4:00 – 5:30 pm. This group will also be facilitated by Lenore Bayuk.

Call Hospice grief coordinators Madelyn Busse (360) 375-6052 or Margaret Langlie (425) 466-6601 with any questions about this event or other grief support groups.

Co-sponsored by the San Juan Library and Hospice of San Juan

Please join The Whale Museum on Sunday, November 2nd at 3:00 pm as we honor the lives and commemorate the deaths of departed members of the Southern Resident Community of orcas. At this fourth annual Day of the Dead celebration we will pay tribute to the whales who were lost this year as well as those who departed years ago. Come and share your photos, stories, and memories of the orcas who are gone but certainly not forgotten. In the Mexican Day of the Dead tradition, refreshments will be provided.

We ask for your help as we prepare to honor the departed Southern Resident orcas. If you have any photos or special stories you would like to share, we welcome them! For more information please contact Jenny Atkinson at (360) 378-4710 ext. 26 or by email at: jenny [@] whalemuseum [.] org.

The November 2nd event is free and open to the public, although donations are always appreciated. The Whale Museum is located in Friday Harbor at 62 First Street N.

Don’t forget – this first time event is coming up this Sunday…

Come and celebrate the Gourmet Archipelago all under one roof! San Juan Island Cheese and Island Grown present the bounty of island harvest at the 1st annual “Bite of the San Juan Islands” at Friday Harbor’s Brickworks Plaza on October 26

Join the talented chefs, farmers, winemakers, and brewers of the San Juan Islands at this unique tasting event “Bite of the San Juan Islands”

We are showcasing the amazing quality of island-grown, organic, GMO-free meats, seafood, produce, wine, cider, beer and spirits.

Chefs from all three main islands—Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands—will partner with island farmers and food producers to create delicious bites featuring local ingredients the tempting bites on the menu.

We hope you will join us for this fun and tasty celebration! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Island Grown in the San Juans.

• Date: Sunday, October 26, 2014
• Time: 1:00 to 4:00 pm
• Location: Brickworks, 150 Nichols Street, Friday Harbor

Gretchen Alison and Kari Koski enjoy the partial eclipse with the latest in fashionable eyewear while Raena Parsons looks on – Tim Dustrude photo

Earlier today, it looked like we were not going to be able to view the eclipse – We had a downpour that didn’t seem like it would stop, but magically just a couple hours before the eclipse, the clouds parted and we had a mostly blue sky. Several people were there when I walked by including some FHHS students. Click the photo below to see the nice shot Emmie got with her iPhone through the telescope!

The viewing party was a joint effort put on by the Land Bank and the National Park Service. It was pretty cool, although I overheard a small child complain to her dad: “this doesn’t seem like a party to me!”

Emmie from the high school shoots a photo of the eclipse with her iPhone through the telescope – Tim Dustrude photos

Judy Chovan in North Korea – Contributed photo

On Thursday, 06 November at 7:00 at the Mullis Center, Judy Chovan will present a slide show of her September trip to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea).

Judy spent five days in the capital city of Pyongyang and a week travelling through the countryside, along the coast, in the mountains, and near the DMZ.

She will present a brief look at the recent history of Korea – their isolationism, cult of the leader, attitude towards America and current economic situation, and time permitting discuss current events.

Click here for the event poster (PDF).