Here’s this week’s kitty, sent over from Jan at the shelter:

Melony Meatball – This week’s Pet of the Week

As you can see, “Melanie Meatball” is a charming young lady, who would really like to have someone to love and a home of her own. She was brought in as a stray, so we’re not sure how old she is, but we’re guessing about 4-5 years old. She is loaded with personality! She loves to play and is even fonder of cuddling. We don’t know how she feels about dogs, but she gets along well with other cats. Melanie would love to get to know you!  Stop by the shelter to meet her and her feline friends – 111 Shelter Road or call us at 378-2158 with any questions about this beautiful girl.

Ron DiCristina has this to share:

The new Officers and Committee Chairs, L to R: Pat Megaw, Gloria Bentzen, Jayne Hemmrich, Ken Frazee, Commodore Rebecca Hughes, John Manning, Jim Reuscher, Don Hendrix, Susan Eberhard, Terry Lush, Mark Sternitzke, Laura Jo Severson, Mary Lou Sternitzke, Mary Bacon and Susie Hendrix – Click for larger image

January-February, 2013

Friday Harbor Sailing Club (FHSC) finished their 2012 year by again co-hosting Round the County Race with Orcas Island Yacht Club in November and holding their popular December Christmas Dinner meeting at Friday Harbor Masonic Hall where race trophies were awarded to winning members. Outgoing Commodore Terry Lush also inducted the 2013 club officers, including Commodore Rebecca Hughes. Continue Reading

Shadow is in good hands….

Most folks who knew Dodie Gann also knew  Shadow…it’s good to hear he’s in good hands with Michelle Loftus over at the Animal Inn. Here’s more from Michelle about how he’s doing:

As many of you know, our dear friend Dodie Gann passed recently. Dodie and I had many conversations about Shadow, her beloved canine companion.

I promised Dodie that I would care for Shadow when she passed. She always smiled and said, “Not any time soon!” Sadly the time came.

I have had Shadow in my care since shortly before Dodie’s passing. Many have asked about him so I hope posting this help people know how he’s doing.

Dodie and Shadow are so fortunate to have so many friends who care. Continue Reading

Matt Marinkovich reminds us that today is Fish Taco day at Marketplace:

Fish Tacos made with Rockfish or Sockeye
Friday (today) 11-2 wind, rain, or shine! at Marketplace
$7 each (Also, Matt’s sockeye for sale for $9 per pound)

Dear Fish Eaters,

In our quest to raise money for Fish for Teeth, to continue our mission to fix people’s teeth that otherwise cannot afford dental care, we shall brave the weather, ANY WEATHER… be it GALE, or TORRENTS, or THUNDERBOLTS… we will be at Marketplace from 11-2… MAKING FISH TACOS!!!

So please stop by and have one for lunch! They are double-delicious this time, because they are made with YOUR CHOICE of Sockeye Salmon, or the old Fish-for-Teeth standby, wild Alaskan Rockfish! We just finished prepping the fish tonight, and it looks so good… I can’t wait to sink my choppers into one of these TASTY TACOS!!!

And it’s true, these “tacos” are more like “burritos”, because they fill a GIANT flour tortilla with fresh, premium ingredients… but that is what makes them SO GOOD! The fish… salsa… fresh cilantro… Tillamook cheese… squeeze of lime… and the touch of LOVE when they are wrapped up by one of our Taco Team members, just for you…

So draw straws, then send one brave soul out into the storm, and bring back a boatload of fish tacos to all your family, friends, or co-workers! You will be the HERO OF THE DAY, and support this wonderful cause at the same time!

See you there!

Check out www.fishforteeth.com

THINK FISH!
– Matt Marinkovich

Just heard from Emily Reed that there’s a new show opening tonight at the Island’s Museum of Art. Here’s Emily with more:

“Berry Grove”, by Seiko Atsuta Purdue – part of the new show opening tonight at Island’s Museum of Art

The exhibition of Japanese-American Fiber Artist Seiko Atsuta Purdue, Warp and Weft: the Northwest and Japan, opens Friday, January 25, 5-8 pm at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art in Friday Harbor. There will be a talk by the artist at 6:30 and music by Susan Osborne of Orcas Island.

Seiko Atsuta Purdue is a faculty member at Western Washington University. She moved to the United States 20 years ago from Japan and her goal is to make connections between this country and Japan. Continue Reading

Katie Fleming of FRIENDS of the San Juans just sent over this press release:

Almost 100,000 Comments Submitted Asking for Broad Look at Proposed Coal Export Terminal

Voices from across the county, state, and country have weighed in on the “cradle to grave” impacts of coal export.  The public comment period for the Gateway Pacific Terminal (GPT) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping process concluded on January 22.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Washington Department of Ecology, and Whatcom County Planning and Development Services received almost 100,000 comments asking for a broad review of Peabody Energy and SSA Marine’s proposed coal export terminal at Cherry Point, WA.
Residents, businesses, organizations and elected officials called on the agencies to look at impacts from the mines, along the rail and bulk ship routes, and from coal burning once exported. Continue Reading

2012 a Breakout Year

Some people are thinking that 2012 was the “breakout year” for a stagnant real estate market with a whopping 69% increase in sales volume over 2011. Merri Ann Simonson sends over a report to illustrate. See the Coldwell Banker Year-End Newsletter in PDF format at this link.

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Mentoring Opportunities

The second high school semester has arrived! This semester, the FHHS Community Service-Learning Class will begin on January 29th. This class utilizes committed adult mentors who will guide students through 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 presentation time can be arranged on January 31st, February 1st or February 4th, from 1:00 – 1:55.
Please contact Jenny Wilson at jwilson [@] sjisd [.] wednet [.] edu

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

Jenny Wilson
FHHS Teacher
(360) 378-5215

And

Maude Cumming
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent
San Juan Island School District
(360) 378-4133

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Vote in your Conservation District Election

The election of the San Juan Islands Conservation District will be held on February 26, 2013. All San Juan County registered voters are eligible to vote in this election.

One supervisor will be elected for a 3-year term on the governing board of the District. The Board of Supervisors is responsible for governance and oversight of the Conservation District, for formulation of policy regulating District operations, for approval of District budgets, and monitoring use of District resources. The Board of Supervisors meets monthly, and individual supervisors typically also serve on District committees and provide technical support as appropriate. Supervisor positions are not compensated.

ANYONE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CANDIDATE for Conservation District Supervisor must file a nominating petition with San Juan Islands Conservation District by January 29, 2010. We have one position vacant. The candidate must be a registered voter owning land or operating a farm within the San Juan Islands Conservation District boundary.

This election will be conducted by mail and in person at the polling station, 540 Guard Street, #150, Friday Harbor from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on February 26, 2013.

Those wishing to vote by mail must request a ballot, and must do so not later than February 19, 2013. Ballot requests may be submitted, to the attention of the Elections Officer, by:

• Mail: SJICD, 350 Court Street, #10, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
• Telephone: 360-378-6621; Fax: 360-378-2445
• Online Ballot Request Form: www.sanjuanislandscd.org
• E-mail: [email protected]
• In person: 540 Guard Street, #150, Friday Harbor, WA

Ballots will be mailed to voters when the list of candidates is final. Mailed ballots must be returned postmarked no later than February 26, 2010.

Published election procedures can be viewed at the San Juan Islands Conservation District Office (540 Guard Street, #150, Friday Harbor) and are available from the Washington State Conservation Commission – http://www.scc.wa.gov.

Rain got you down? Here are some thoughts that might help bring you back up – Dustrude Photography photo

Diana Mancel compiled this list of  thoughts for rainy days…

There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.
– Alfred Wainwright

The wind shows us how close to the edge we are.
– Joan Didion

I yearn for flowers that bend with the wind and rain.
– Tso Ssu

One can find so many pains when the rain is falling.
– John Steinbeck

Walking through puddles is my favorite metaphor for life.
– Jessi Lane Adams

If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm.
– Frank Lane

Rain showers my spirit and waters my soul.
– Terri Guillemets

Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.
– Roger Miller

The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.
– Longfellow

The New Walking Year!! KNOW YOUR ISLAND WALK – Saturday, January 26, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The view across the road from the gravel pit – Dustrude Photography photo

Meet Sally Thomsen, Director of the San Juan Island Park and Recreation District (better known as “Island Rec”) to walk the Lafarge property, also known as The Gravel Pit. Learn its history, its current status and its potential. Meet and park in the parking lot on Pear Point Road. Length is 3+ miles; terrain is flat with a couple of (optional) steep hills. Rating is easy. Dogs on leash are welcome.
Email: sjitrails [@] rockisland [.] com.

This month’s Conscientious Projector Series movie is next Monday:

A film that examines our 41-year old War On Drugs. This war is very expen$ive, and yet it receives unquestioned bipartisan support in Congress.

A question might come up…, is this the best use of over $10,000,000,000 of our taxes each year?

The film is called Breaking the Taboo… and the taboo they are referring to is that it cannot even be rationally discussed politically or in the media.

It is a high-budget documentary, well researched, and narrated by Oscar winner Morgan Freeman.

It definitely will give us something to talk about.

Monday, January 28, 7:00 PM at the Library – Hope you can make it.

Hey Dads!  Treat your darling daughters to a special night out at the annual Father Daughter Dance!  The event is open to all ages and happens Friday, Feb 8^th, 7-9pm at the Mullis Center.  Dance to your favorite tunes and enjoy delicious appetizers and deserts catered by Vinny’s Ristorante.  Girls will also receive a corsage wristlet and a keepsake photo.

Tickets are $20 per couple in advance (plus $6 per additional daughter) and can be picked up at Island Rec’s office, 580 Guard St., between 1-5pm Monday through Friday. Or call 378-4953 to purchase over the phone by credit card.  $25 at the door.

This event is supported by Vinny’s Ristorante, Friday Harbor Market Place, and Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor.

For more information call 378-4953 or visit www.islandrec.org

The Tooth Mobile dental van is coming for their 4th visit to San Juan Island this coming Friday, January 25th and Saturday, January 26th.  Fish For Teeth sponsors this local volunteer staffed clinic to provide urgent and preventative dental care to island residents who have no discretionary income, no dental insurance and no other financial means by which to pay for dental services.

Fish Tacos for Lunch – Support Fish for Teeth!!

Applications for treatment can be downloaded at fishforteeth.com, or picked up from and dropped off at the following agencies:

• Health Department – 145 Rhone Street,
• SJI Family Resource Center – Market Street
• The Mullis Center – 589 Nash Street

Applications will be processed the week prior to the clinic by a volunteer dentist whose staff will call the applicants to make appointments.  Please note that the folks at the above intake centers do none of the prioritizing or scheduling.

And don’t forget, aside from direct donations, their only fundraiser is the Fish Taco Sale!  So plan your lunch around them on Friday, the 25th, in front of Marketplace.  Volunteers will be ready to serve you from 11:00 – 2:00.

Cynthia Burke of XYZ Movement Arts has a cultural arts thing happening this weekend…

Anamaria Dulamă and John Lovrić will be here to demonstrate and teach traditional Romanian and Croatian dances. Anamaria is a dance master and choreographer and John is a dance master and instructor. There will also be an authentic costumes display and cultural dialogue.
It all happens Sunday, January 27 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at XYZ Movement Arts, 689 Airport Center Road (that’s the road off of Spring St. right next to M&W Auto). XYZ is upstairs above Ravenhill Construction. For more information, call 360-340-3271 or email anamariadulama [at] gmail [.] com