This weekend!

The 6th Annual Fall Festival of the Arts
in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA.

Celebrating the diverse artistic culture of the islands, enjoy two days of open art studios and art gallery events to delight your senses and feed your soul.

Savor this unique self-guided art tour showcasing local artists in their creative environment throughout San Juan Island plus gallery receptions and events into the evening in Friday Harbor.

Brochures with a map of studio locations and gallery information will be available at various locations in Friday Harbor.

Art, music, local cuisine and more. For more information call 360.378.6550.

Here’s the complete scoop on all events – see you there!

Lighthouse at Patos Island…photo by John Miller (thanks, John!) – Click to make it larger!

Great weather outside, whether you’re walking to the FHHS football game or heading to the theatre or the beach….let’s see what’s up:

• OK, I’ve heard from four people so far who say the Community Theatre’s The Crucible is in the “don’t miss” category, after last night’s opening….check it out!

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Caught up with the LWV’s Susan in front of the drug store last week – are you registered?

• The League of Women Voters has set the schedule for the candidate/issue forums – here’s the deal, from Sarah Crosby (I’m posting this a week early so you can make plans…):

The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will hold candidate forums in advance of the November General election as follows:

San Juan Island: Friday October 12 – 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Middle School Commons

Orcas Island: Saturday October 13 – 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the Senior Center

Lopez Island: Saturday October 13 – 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Grace Episcopal Church

Statewide and Federal Candidates have been invited, as have candidates for County Council. Issues to be debated are the GMO Free San Juan measure and the proposed changes to the County Charter. The forums will be moderated by League members.

The League of Women Voters does not endorse candidates or political parties, but does encourage informed and active participation in government.  We work to increase understanding of major public policy issues, influence public policy through education and advocacy and do take stands on issues after study and consensus

For additional information, please contact Steve Bowman at 370 5814, or by email at [email protected].

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Caught up with Steve McMurtie yesterday, and he’s looking good on a sunny day as he gets ready for his 19th year as Santa at Roche Harbor in December.

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• Richard Rodriguez has a new class coming up:

Greetings former students and potential Captains:

Zenith Maritime will be offering a 100 ton Masters Class on San Juan Island in November and December.  This is our 10th year of instruction in the San Juans. The venue for this class is a private facility near Mt. Dallas. The course will be held from Nov 5 – Dec 19. on Mon-Tues and Wed from 5:30-9:30 pm. Space is extremely limited and only four seats are available.

Tuition is $1,400 if you and $1,300 if you preregister by October 15, 2012.  All books, charts and Coast Guard testing is included. Call or email ASAP to reserve a spot.

Capt. Richard Rodriguez, Director of Operations, Zenith Maritime
360.531.0698

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Come help celebrate Mike Wilks – he’s retiring after 36 years of service with the Town – the reception is today from 2-4pm at the Town fire station – see you there!

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Looking good….Jenn’s new design

• Have you seen Jenn Rigg’s new shirts, with Dall’s porpoises on ’em? Take a look at her website for more….

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• Val Curtis’ Bonbon Break blog just posted Judy Chovan’s report of her time in Rwanda – here’s more.

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• Get your tickets now! The Duck Soup Inn is hosting the Doggone Good Dinner next week, October 10 at 6 pm.Anna Lisa tells me there are still seats available, and it is a fun event for such a good cause, the Friday Harbor Animal Shelter.  Call 378-4878 for more info.

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• The Mosquito Fleet Mercantile‘s Fifth Anniversary continues its celebration till Sunday….drop by! (Tell ’em you saw it in the Update!)

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• Are you dropping by Open Mike at the Rumor Mill tonight? I’ll be trying to make it…

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Ashley Paull tells me you can drop off food  – here’s more: “It’s getting close to that time of the year again. I just wanted to announce that Islanders Physical Therapy is having their second annual Thanksgiving food drive this year. We welcome the community to drop by with any items they wish to donate. Thank you!”

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Tigers, on the run…

• Denyse tells me the Tigers are having a good time this season:

Friday Harbor Tigers Football is now in the middle of their season! The Freshman Tigers have a record of 2-2 and the Junior Tigers are 1-4.  This Saturday, October 6, the Freshman will be playing in LaConner and the Juniors in Concrete, both teams they defeated earlier in the season.

Our last home games for both teams will be on October 20 beginning at 10:45 a.m. and would love for the whole community to come out and support these boys and the group of cheerleaders who have worked hard this season.

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• Yesterday was the Feast of St. Francis (in honor of which – here’s my version of Brother Son, Sister Moon) – and here’s more from Jan at St. Francis Catholic Church:

Father Heffernan will be outside  St. Francis Church, 425 Price Street, on Saturday, October 6th, at 11:00 am to bless our animals.  Everyone is welcome.  Donations collected will be split between the animal shelter and Wolf Hollow.

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Skinner’s The Five Elements…this weekend at Waterworks.

Ruth has something special planned for Artstock weekend:

Catherine Eaton Skinner
The Five Tibetan Elements:
Heaven to Earth

Catherine Eaton Skinner’s recent encaustic mixed media painting are inspired by the the five Tibetan Elements: Ether, Air, Water, Fire and Earth. Waterworks Gallery show titled Mka’ Mdum Sa, translated into Heaven to Earth opens Saturday, October 6.

The inquiries of my childhood have continued over the years, a fascination that has grown with every addition of knowledge  And when I read, I see. And what I see, I want to paint. The five elements, earth fir, water, air & space – are the foundation of our universe, our bodies and our mental and spiritual states. Maintaining the balance between them and understanding their energies is paramount to out survival. The life and the place we hold from Heaven to Earth is precarious and because of that even more precious.

View the show at www.waterworksgallery.com

Join us as Catherine talks about her work, the method and the inspiration,  Saturday, October 6th at 4 PM  followed by a reception from 5-7pm.

This event is part of  Artstock, San Juan Island’s fall festival of the arts.

Artstock takes place  October 6th & 7th. This island wide event  featuring open studios and galleries all with special exhibitions and events.

For more information visit the Website:Artstocksanjuanisland.com

There’s a couple of interesting things going on as the 4-1 Wolverines prep for tonight’s game with Blaine here in town at 7pm….the games this year have been on the radio & there’s a jersey sale – here’s more,  in that order:

Tyla

Life often emulates sports:  it often comes down to the timing of being in the right place at the right time.  That’s exactly how Tyla McKay wound up being one of the new announcers for Friday Harbor’s own radio station, fhTinyRadio’s.

Said Mike Martin, play-by-play announcer for the station’s away games, “I was talking with some people about needing some help in our broadcast booth.  It was getting hectic up there and I needed someone who knew the game and could be an extra set of eyes.”

Upon hearing of  fhTinyRadio’s need for a spotter and commentator, FHHS Principal Fred Woods suggested Tyla for the position. “She seemed like natural fit for their needs,” he said.  “

She’s now a sophomore at Friday Harbor High School, but in her middle school years Tyla played football for the youth team, the Tigers, with most of the present Wolverines.  “I know all of the players on the team,” she says, and she knows the game of football. “I love the game of football, and being in the booth has really helped to scratch my itch.”

She has brought the vantage point of being in the huddle to the vantage point of overlooking the field on Friday nights. “What’s so unique about Tyla,” said Martin, “is the insight that she brings to as a former teammate of the players.  She’s looked into the eyes of each of these kids inside the huddle, taken lumps with them, and won championships with them as a Tiger.  She’s a perfect fit for our broadcast team.”

Tonight you can hear Tyla and Mike announce the Friday Harbor versus Blaine High School football game beginning at 6 pm at the high school field.

(Prepared with help from Mike Martin….thanks!)

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Meanwhile, Margie Patrick wants you to have another good reason to come to tonight’s game:

Friday Harbor Purple and Gold booster club will be having a surplus sale this Thursday and Friday.  All alumni are welcome to stop by and see all of the “vintage” uniforms.  We will hold the presale on 10/4 in the High School Commons from 3-5pm. Friday we will be in the Middle School Commons from 4-8pm.  All items are $5 each and lots of free stuff, too.  This is a great opportunity to find some fun items to wear to Homecoming on 10/19!!!  All proceeds will go to SJISD Athletics.

The show opens tonight….photo by Keith Busha

The show opens tonight! ! Here’s more from Jan Bollwinkel-Smith:

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“I danced for the devil….”  Abigail, The Crucible

This American classic of mass hysteria, witchcraft and redemption remains relevant more than six decades after winning a Tony Award for“Best Play” in 1953.

SJCT’s fall play, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, opens today, October 4 at 7:30 pm on the Whittier stage.  

The dramatization of the 17^th century Salem witch trials written during the era of McCarthyism examines authoritarianism and its relationship to the fear of the unknown.

Director Susan Williams says she was drawn to the play partly because of its thought-provoking look at repression, written by a man considered by many as the greatest American writer of all time.  As Miller himself wrote in the script’s introduction:  “It is still impossible for man to organize his social life without repressions, and the balance has yet to be struck between order and freedom.”

Thursday’s opening is a “Pay as You Can” performance.  No advance tickets will be sold.  There will be festival seating at the door; doors open at 6:30 pm.

Tickets are available for all other performances at www.sjctheatre.org or 378-3210.

The Crucible continues Friday and Saturday, October 5 and 6 at 7:30 pm; Sundays, October 7 and 14 at 2:00 pm; and October 11 to 13 at 7:30 pm.

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Who’s Who in The Crucible?

Court Officials

Reverend John Hale    Scott Mapstead

Judge Hathorne           Keith Keyser

Ezekial Cheever          Frank Mulcahy

Marshal Herrick          Floyd Bourne

Judge Danforth           Eric Concord

The Girls

Tituba                          Paula Miller

Abigail Williams         Amanda Lee Smith

Betty Parris                 Fiona Small

Ruth Putnam               Naomi Boydston

Mary Warren               Sarah Clark

Mercy Lewis               Grace Castle

Susanna Walcott         Joely Loucks

Abigail’s Friend          Sarah Weisner

The Townspeople

Reverend Parris           Bo Turnage

Ann Putnam                Shannon Kelley

Thomas Putnam          Warren Baehr

John Proctor                Daniel Finn

Elizabeth Proctor        Deb Langhans

Rebecca Nurse            Elizabeth Anderson

Francis Nurse              Jack Gibson

Giles Corey                 John E. Davis

Martha Corey              (voice only) Diana Warner

Sarah Good                 Diana Warner

Kris & Jeff

Tim Dustrude continues his series with photos & stories about people around the island – here’s more about the good folks at Printonyx:

Printonyx is Friday Harbor’s full service Printing, Copying, Faxing, Designing, Stapling and general Officing place. Originally launched back around 1987 by Homer Smith, it was purchased in 1994 by Kristine Brown (at left in the photo above). 18 years she’s been running the business now. And for 16 of those years, Jeff Fitts (at right) has been along as well
(Click here for the rest of the story)

Photographer Tim Dustrude has put together a series of photos & stories called This Is Our Town about folks around the island, and his work is a regular feature here in the San Juan Update. Tim has been a professional photographer for over a decade, and does great work. Check out his website.

Lisa & Rex in last year’s parade…photo by Anne Sheridan

It’s this weekend! Here’s more from Sandy Strehlou:

Don’t Miss the Farm Parade and Chili Cook-Off

Exotic horses, scarecrows, backyard chickens, tractors, parade and party—it’s the annual Fall Farm Parade Saturday, October 6 at 2:30pm.

Grand Marshall Al Sundstrom will lead the parade in memory of long-time islander and farmer, Lynette Guard. The Sundstroms and Guards are long-time island farm families.

Hanna & Tamara, riding in last year’s parade…photo by Anne Sheridan (thanks, Anne!)

The parade will begin at the Fairgrounds, travel down Argyle, turn right on Spring Street, First Street and again on Nichols.

There will be a street party at the Brickworks afterwards with a chili cook-off by local chefs partnered with aspiring FHHS culinary students, music, local history and more. Sunshine Alley will be closed to traffic and parking during the event.

The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild is sponsoring the parade and after-party as part of the Great Island Grown Festival October 1-31, 2012. Festival events are taking place on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez islands.

The public is invited to participate. For information about the parade and party on October 6th contact: Candace Jagel ([email protected]) or Sandy Strehlou, 360.378.8337.

For information about the Great Island Grown Festival – click here.

The colors of fall, mixed with the beauty of the red bark falling from madrona trees…that’s a couple from last week’s Road Scholar program visiting Lime Kiln State Park….

Let’s check:

• Support your schools! The Phone-A-Thon is tonight & tomorrow – be nice when they call!

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• Today at the Democratic HQ (right behind the drug store, next to Marilyn’s Garden Cafe), the Dems continue their series of chances for you to meet candidates:

County Council member Howie Rosenfeld, District 3, will take questions at the next Democracy Corner “Issues Q&A” on Tuesday, October 2 at 5:30 pm. San Juan Democrats are hosts of the informational series. Rosenfeld, who is running for re-election, encouraged all San Juan Island residents to come and ask him questions in the informal setting.

Howie says: “I know people have concerns about several local issues, and this is a good opportunity to come and share those concerns with me. I would welcome questions about the CAO, ferry issues, economic development, the coal trains, the new hospital and women’s health issues, – and anything else they care to ask about.”

Rosenfeld, a former town fire chief, whale museum director and town council member, is a long time Friday Harbor shop owner and artist. He is married to Friday Harbor mayor, Carrie Lacher.

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• Islanders Bank is offering special financing terms for a limited number of homes at The Oaks. Call Islanders Bank for details. (here’s the one I would get, if I were looking for a place….)

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• Dave Ryan at the airport says the construction’s nearly done:

The final night closure of the Friday Harbor Airport runway will take place on Tuesday, October 2, from 10:00 pm until 6:00am to install the mow pads along the edge of the runway. Medical emergency flights will be able to take place and airport personnel will be on duty. The majority of the Taxiway ‘A’ Realignment project will be complete after this night closure. For questions contact Dave Ryan, Airport Manager, at (360) 378-4724.

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• I hear from our friends at the Backdoor Kitchen that they’re on teir Wednesday-Saturday schedule now, from 5-8:30ish….and Noodle Bowl Monday started yesterday! See you next Monday!

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Sure is a nice new sign out front of Cotton Cotton Cotton….designed by Nicolett Sziatinszky. Way to go!

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There are some pretty cool chances to get involved in singing – here’s more from Angel Michaels:

San Juan Singers
If you are interested in singing with a community chorus this season, consider joining San Juan Singers, directed by Angel Michaels on Wed. nights, 7-9pm in the Skagit Valley College Community room.  Membership is open from now until October 10th, in preparation for concerts performed in mid-December at the San Juan Community Theatre. This year San Juan Singers will celebrate the winter season with a Celtic flair, singing carols old and new accompanied by the sweet sounds of harp, fiddle, small pipes and Irish flute. Other holiday favorites featured: “Christmas Day: A Choral Fantasy” by Gustav Holst, “O Magnum Mysterium,” by Morten Lauridsen, and carol settings by John Rutter.

Sound Vibrations
Rehearsals are on-going and no audition is required to sing with Sound Vibrations, a womens’ a cappella ensemble.  We sing every Tuesday evening, from 7-8:30, in the Skagit Valley College Community room (downstairs). Come and join us.

Island Chordsmen Plus
Come try some a capella singing and enjoy some snacks at the Island Chordsmen Plus Open House from 6:30 to 9 on October 4 at the Village of the Harbour. Rehearsals are on-going and no audition is required to sing with this fun-loving group.  Unlike most barbershop organizations, women are welcome to join (but it is most appropriate for lower-voiced female singers, as we sing in the men’s octave).  Come to any rehearsal: we are in the activity room at the Village at the Harbour every Thrusday from 7 to 9.

The folks at the County Health Department are gearing up for the fall….here’s more from Susan Leff:

Influenza affects all ages

Nobody can predict when Influenza will start, how severe it will be, or how long the Influenza season will last in a community.   The only sure thing is that we will have Influenza in our community this season.  It takes two weeks for vaccine to be effective so the best protection for you and your community is to get vaccinated early well before Influenza begins to spread.  Now is the time!

The Influenza (Flu) vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.  A yearly Influenza immunization is recommended because Influenza viruses change from year to year and people’s immunity decreases.

San Juan Island Flu Clinics/Schedule

“Influenza is a serious disease that hits some people harder than others and can be fatal,” says Secretary of Health Mary Selecky.  “The Flu vaccine is one of the best ways to protect against the Influenza and has a long safety record. It protects you, your loved ones, and your community. It’s also important to use good health habits—washing your hands, covering your cough, and staying home when you’re sick.”

Influenza can make anyone sick but vaccination is especially important for certain high-risk groups including pregnant women, children under five, people 50 and older, and those with certain medical conditions, like asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and neurologic conditions. Even if some of these conditions are well controlled, like Diabetes, people are recommended to be vaccinated.  Another group of people who are at risk for spreading Influenza to their clients are caregivers.

Children under nine years old may need two doses. Check with your doctor, nurse, or clinic about how many doses your child may need this season. Routine monitoring of Influenza cases over the past few seasons has shown that even children with no underlying medical conditions are vulnerable to Influenza at comparable rates to seniors.  Generally Influenza starts in the schools and spreads to the larger community.  This is the reason San Juan County Health Department is offering school based Influenza clinics for those children who want to be immunized this season.

Visit www.doh.wa.gov/flunews for up to date information about this Influenza season.  To find an Influenza immunization clinic, contact SJC Health & Community Services for an appointment at 360.378.4474 or check the box above to find a clinic close to you.

Out on Patos Island last Tuesday….John Miller calls this shot “Silent Light.”

Let’s catch up with our island:

• Hey, last week’s blood drive at the Mullis Center collected 103 units, which the Red Cross woman told me she was pretty sure was a record…way to go!

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• The summer is over but Duck Soup Inn is still open for the month – here’s more from Anna Lisa:

Hi there, just checking in to let you know – we are now open Thursday through Sunday for dinner. Our last night of the season is Sunday, October 28. Thank you so much!

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Paulina at The BBQ Shack shows off her just-cooked fried chicken (I checked – it’s good!) over the weekend…they’re open 11am to 8pm every day…drop by & check them out on Spring Street, right next to Windermere Real Estate.

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On September 22, Shawna & John got married! Wedding photographer Tim Dustrude shared this photo: “Shawnna Vert and John Thomas were married out at Rainbow Lake and I had the honor of being their photographer for the big event. The weather was perfect and the setting was gorgeous. Made my job easy that way. Here’s their first kiss as husband and wife. “

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Emily Guard hurdles the Nooksack Valley keeper to finish off the goal in the Wolverines’ 5-1 win over the Pioneers on Saturday. Photo by Ted Strutz. (I’m gonna try & sell it to Soccer World….)

Meanwhile, in other sports news – the volleyball team dropped a 25-19, 26-24, 25-16 match to Nooksack Valley on Saturday, while the football team turned in an excellant effort with a strong Meridian squad, losing only by one. The 4-1 Wolverines take on Blaine here, this Friday….soccer & volleyball both travel to Orcas today.

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• That deal is still going on with Homes for Islanders – here’s the scoop from Justin (call today!):

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It was good to see Rolf with his flowers on Friday afternoon, working his way down Spring Street….

Jeri shows her handpainted ceramic masks at the Village at the Harbour…amazing work.

There’s an exhibit over at Village at the Harbour showcasing one of the island’s leading women’s work – here’s more about Jeri, in a little writeup from the Village:

Geraldine (Halverson) Lawson grew up on San Juan Island. The Halverson family owned a dairy and as a young girl “Jeri” helped her father Gunder deliver milk. Jeri married Gilbert Lawson, and they worked a farm on Beaverton Valley Road where she raised their three children – Victor, Richard, and Ruthie. When her children are grown, she opened an established Jeri’s Department Store or Jeri’s and provided islanders with yardage, notions, work clothing, shoes, and dress clothes.

You can still drop by “Jeri’s Mall” on Spring Street….

Jeri was not just a store owner – she also helped her husband develop and market the Hillview Terrace subdivisions, the largest of its kind in the San Juan Islands, and as a businesswoman, she was also one of the founders and directors of Islanders Bank, a position she held for a number of years.

At Jeri’s Mall, you can’t forget who originally got it all going….

Even with so many responsibilities Jeri found time to create works of art, whether it was ceramics, knitting or gardening. She loved to work with ceramics, painting and firing the detailed works of arts. She would also make, by hand, Afghans, scarves, sweaters and even rugs.

There wasn’t anything that Jeri could not do when it came to knitting or artwork. Using her “green thumb” and hothouse, Jeri grew many varieties of flowers, including some very delicate plants like orchids.

The next time you attend a Friday Harbor football game check to see if you can spot one of the many handcrafted purple and gold scarfs that Jeri knitted for the Purple and Gold.

Marc Franklin

Tim Dustrude continues his series with photos & stories about people around the island – here’s more about Marc Franklin at Aeronautical Services:

Marc Franklin is the new General Manager of Aeronautical Services, Inc. (well, “new” since November of 2009). So if you have a problem with your local UPS package freight, he’s the guy…
(Click here for the rest of the story)

Photographer Tim Dustrude has put together a series of photos & stories called This Is Our Town about folks around the island, and his work is a regular feature here in the San Juan Update. Tim has been a professional photographer for over a decade, and does great work. Check out his website.

Today!

It’s today – here’s the scoop from Carolyn:

 It’s SAFETY FAIR Time!

Games, a coloring contest, a rescue demonstration, food and lots of fun are on the agenda at the Safety Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 29, at the Mullis Street Fire Station.

Participating agencies include the San Juan Island Fire Department, San Juan Island Emergency Medical Services, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Firewise and the Red Cross.

Kids’ games include a bean bag toss, 911 twister, shooting the flames with a real fire hose and more. Participants may also use a fire extinguisher to put out a real fire.

A rescue demonstration will be held at 12:00 p.m. where emergency workers will show how they operate at the scene of a motor vehicle accident, including a demonstration using the Jaws-of-Life to cut up a vehicle. Also, arrangements can be made to check children’s car seats.

Kids will able to sit in the fire engines, dress in firefighter gear and tour the fire station.

There will also be a coloring contest with prizes for children preschool age through grade 6. Entries must be turned in by 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Mullis Street Station. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m. The coloring page will be passed out at the schools or you may pick them up at the Mullis Street Fire Station.

Emergency workers will also cook a hotdog of your choice – beef, turkey or tofu. Other free goodies include chips, cookies, soda pop and juices.

The Safety Fair is around Fire Prevention Week each year as a reminder to people about fire safety, in addition to safety and emergency preparedness in general. The 2012 Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 8-12) theme this year is “Have Two Ways Out”

Fires can strike anywhere – in buildings, automobiles, and the outdoors – but fire that affect our homes are often the most tragic and most preventable. Over 75 % of all fire fatalities occur in home fires.

You can protect your family by:

• Installing smoke alarms on every level of your home.
• Testing smoke alarms once a month.
• Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, and
• Making and practicing a home fire escape plan.

For more information about home fire escape plans or other fire safety, please call the San Juan Island Fire Department at 378-5334.

See you there!

Run, Walk, Wag 5K

Come join the pack for a frisky, fun 5K (3.1 miles) run on Sunday, September 30.  This is an event where you can walk or run with (or without!) your 4-legged friend!

Fun prizes will be awarded to top finishers in different dog size categories and in numerous costume categories!

Register as an individual with a dog, as a family with a dog, or this year you can run or walk without a dog.

The run will take place out of Roche Harbor Resort near the pool lawn area and loops around White Point.

Cost is $15for individual, $20 for a family Register online at www.islandrec.org or stop by the Island Rec Office at 580 Guard St. from 1-5pm Mon-Fri or on the morning of the run at 11am!

Call 378-4953 for more information.