Seniors-4-Seniors

by Chris Sly-Prochnow

The Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor (APS) has announced a new community outreach program for 2007, called: "Seniors-4-Seniors", and will make a full presentation in Friday Harbor, at the Mullis Center luncheon on Monday, January 29.The new program is based on the simple fact that every year the APS takes in more adult cats than they can place in available homes.

Unfortunately many of the older cats are overlooked when it comes to the possibility of permanent adoption, because "kittens are cuter". This creates challenges when housing these animals, as the APS is a "no kill" facility. This means that they do not euthanize adoptable animals in order to make space for new arrivals. More often than not APC finds they are at, or above, the capacity of the shelter to receive animals; and this causes extreme stress for the animals; as well as for the staff and volunteers.

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ROAR (Reach Out And Recycle) With The Lions

(Rob and Frank Penwell load up another truck load of Aluminum Cans)

The San Juan Lions Club wishes to thank all the island residents and visitors who are making our Aluminum can collection program, ROAR (Reach Out And Recycle), a tremendous success. In 2006, the San Juan Lions collected approximately FIVE TONS of aluminum cans and brought to Skagit Steel & Recycling in Burlington.

Special thanks to the Senior Center, the Town of Friday Harbor Town Council, San Juan County Officials and Consignment Treasures for allowing us to place our collection bins at the Food Bank, the Sanitation Site and Consignment Treasures. The Lions Club are also accepting other types of aluminum at Consignment Treasures located at 6739 Roche Harbor Road.

This project is an Island "Win, Win, Win" project.
• Helps preserve our environment,
• Provides funds for Lion's community projects,
• Saves the tax payers dump hauling costs.
Please encourage your friends, neighbors and visiting guests to help our environment by recycling aluminum cans. Look for the ROAR recycle bins on the island. (No bottles or tin cans please.)


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Play Ball!

Adult Co-Ed Softball League

Island Rec is now accepting registrations for the Summer Co-Ed Softball League. Returning teams have till April 2nd to be guaranteed a spot in the league. This is a 9-wek summer league, with games played on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, for women and men 15 years and older. The cost is $350 if your team registers before April 13th.

After April 13th the cost is $375. Registration forms are available on at Island Rec at 580 Guard Street.
Individuals looking to play are encouraged to call Island Rec at 378-4953.

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"San Juan County Employee Appreciation Week" Thank You For Your Help

Vice-Chairman Howard Rosenfeld represented the full County Council in reading and presenting a Proclamation from San Juan County to all of those who help keep the County operating and providing service to the public during the storms that hit San Juan County this winter. the wording of the Proclamation follows:

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, San Juan County experienced a devastating series of wind and snow storms in November and December of2006 and again in early January of2007; and

WHEREAS, San Juan County has a extraordinary team of employees, staff, and managers, along with teams of emergency services workers that included fire districts, port districts, utility providers, law enforcement, and other agencies including the Town of Friday Harbor, who worked long hours under very trying conditions; and

WHEREAS, these teams of County, Junior Districts, and agency employees including the Public Works Department staff and Orcas Power and Light Cooperative staff, responded quickly and positively to the safety and needs of the citizens of the County and to fellow employees of the County;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the San Juan County Council hereby proclaims, on behalf of all citizens, its deepest and most sincere gratitude to all the emergency responders and other employees of the County who worked diligently under difficult conditions for their dedicated and continuous service to the County during the recent devastating storms.

THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the San Juan County Council does hereby proclaim in San Juan County, January 22,2007 through January 26, 2007 as

San Juan County Employee Appreciation Week
BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, the San Juan County Council does urge all citizens to recognize and support the efforts of the employees of the County and other agencies.
Proclaimed this 23rd day of January, 2007.




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Support Group Meets On SJI

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and Relatives Raising Relatives Support Group will meet at the San Juan Island Family Resource Center on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 pm.

This group offers an opportunity for people who are either temporarily or permanently raising grandchildren or other relatives, to talk with each other and gain support for the many challenges inherent in this generous family commitment.

The group is led by Janna Gingras, a professional Social Worker who also parented a grandchild for several years. The group is confidential, free of charge, and open to anyone doing this kind of parenting. Drop-ins are welcome.

For more information, please call Joyce Sobel at the Family Resource Center, 378-5246. The Resource Center is located across the street from Market Place Foods, and next door to the Food Bank.



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Robert F. Buck Family Sells Land For Affordable Housing

( One Third of the 46 Acre Parcel outlined in blue will be made available to Home Trust)

Robert F. Buck's three children and their spouses have agreed to sell one-third of their 46 acres to a supporter of the Home Trust, and to collaborate on the creation of permanently affordable housing. The San Juan Community Home Trust announced the new partnership with Vincent and Jane Buck, Carolyn and Bob Norman, and Jai and Bequin Boreen. The land is adjacent to the former gravel pit, and within several blocks of Friday Harbor Elementary school.

The vision shared by the Buck family and the Home Trust is for a high quality mixture of detached single-family homes, town homes and co-housing, with an emphasis both on fitting in with island traditions and green building techniques. The goal would also be to provide for a diversity of family incomes and ages, including homes specifically for seniors. Both the Home Trust and the Buck family are interested in cooperating with the Trails Committee to provide a pedestrian access route from town to both the future park on the gravel pit site and Jackson Beach.


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SJI Firefighters Honored for Dedicated Service

(from left to right:Brent Johnson, Doug Maya, Michael Henderson, Jerry Henderson, Jack Casey, Jason Wood, Robert Demar, David Howitt, Albert Olson and Tom Odegard)

Father and son took home two of the major awards at the San Juan Island Fire Department's 22nd annual banquet last week at the Roche Harbor Pavilion. Nearly 100 firefighters and their guests paid tribute to the 2006 contributions of all of the firefighters and support staff.

(Photo left) Jerry Henderson was named Officer of the Year and his son Michael Henderson was named the Rescue Technician of the Year. Rescue techs acquire additional training for responding to motor vehicle accidents and operating the Jaws of Life.

The following other firefighters were honored for their service in 2006:

● Firefighter of the Year – Doug Maya
●Rookie of the Year – David Howitt
●Support Volunteer of the Year – Tom Odegard

The following firefighter of the year station awards were given:
● Station 31(Mullis St.) – Doug Maya
● Station 33 (Little Mountain) – Jack Casey
● Station 34/35 (Sunset Point/ Roche Harbor) – David Howitt, Jason Wood
● Station 36 (Eagle Crest) – Brent Johnson
● Dave Smith received the Smokey Bear Award for all of his work in public education, including transporting the Children's Safety House to and from Burlington.

In another tribute, Peter Kilpatrick was honored for serving with the department for 20 years and Chris Guidotti for 10 years of service. Robert Demar recently retired after 17 years with the department, while Albert Olson was recognized for being in the fire service overall for 40 years.

The San Juan Island Fire Department would also like to recognize the Friday Harbor Fire Department for providing a crew covering an initial response in case of a call during our banquet.

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Saturday is "San Juan Leo Day"

Mayor David F. Jones is shown presenting the Official Proclamation to San Juan Lions' President Jim Carroll, prior to Thursday night's Town Council meeting. Mayor Jones has declared Saturday, January 20,2007 as San Juan Leo Day for the Town of Friday Harbor. The proclamation acknowledges the new Charter Leo Club.

The new club is sponsored by the San Juan Lions for the island's youth between the ages of 12 and 18 years, and is intended to provide community service, and Leadership, Experience & Opportunity; the acronym for LEO.

Induction Ceremonies will be held at the San Juan Island Yacht Club on January 20,2007 for over 21 initial Charter Members from Friday Harbor High School and Spring Street International School. 100 attendees, consisting of local Lion Cub Members, as well as the Lions District Governor, visiting Lions, Orcas Island Lions, students and parents will be present.

San Juan Lions is the only Lions Club in their Zone (H-7) to date, to have formed a LEO CLUB thanks to past San Juan Lion President, John Towson for initiating and spearheading this Charter for the past year.

For additional information regarding membership to the San Juan Lions Club, the San Juan LEO CLUB,
contact John Towson at 360-378-3843.


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Tamale Dinner Fund Raiser In FH

Spring Street International School is hosting a fund raising tamale dinner. All proceeds go to the upcoming SSIS Spanish Trips.

The dinner will take place on Sunday, January 21 at the Friday Harbor Grange Hall.

The dinner will be held between 5pm and 8pm (guests served as they arrive), and the cost per ticket for an adult is $15 and $7 for kids 12 and under.
Tickets can be purchased at Market Place (students will be setting up a table) or at the door. The dinner provides vegetarian tamales too.

So bring the whole family and come enjoy the tastes of Mexico!
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