The S.I. COMMUNITY CENTER’s new fall year got off to a lively start at the Potluck held late Sunday afternoon September 27th. (Apparently the time schedule shift from Saturday evening to 5 pm on Sunday has wide support—an estimated 70 attended (could that have been in part the draw of Chuck Davis’ barbequed salmon?)

Mike Collins, Chief of the S.I. Volunteer Fire Dept. introduced the evening program by making a pitch for the proposed “Map Your Neighborhood” project, emphasizing how this neighborhood-based disaster response preparation would greatly aid our local fire department in responding to crisis situations, whether caused by fire, natural disasters, or other such hazards that can challenge a community.

A spokesman for the State’s Emergency Managment Public Education program followed with a detailed explanation of steps that can be taken, distributing informational booklets. Below we have a follow-up invitation from Sue Ellen Heflin:
“So, you took a copy of the Map Your Neighborhood Workbook at the potluck, read it and thought, OK, I could do that.  Now what? Join us for a short talk about how to invite your neighbors to participate in this preparedness process. We'll meet on Tuesday, October 20 at 4896 Roney Rd. at 7:30 PM.  We hope to see you then!”

October and fall weather bring up thoughts of HALLOWEEN and the annual Community Center- sponsored Party on Saturday evening October 31st, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Come and enjoy the fun for all ages! If you would like to help in any way (decorating/setting up, setting up a maze, providing a game or idea for a new game, providing cupcakes, clean-up on Sunday, etc) please call Eileen Smith-Moreland at 766-7420, and/or join the discussion about the party at the next board meeting on Wednesday, October 14th, 7 p.m. (Please note: this is a week earlier than the board’s normal meeting night.)

From Chuck Davis:
It may be a surprise to many, but state law requires that all operators take a boating safety education course and carry a certificate issued by the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission. Information can be obtained online at www.parks.wa.gov/boating/boatered. Application is being phased in by age groups January 1 of each year: 2008 under 20, 2009 under 25, 2010 under 30, 2011 under 35, 2012 under 40, 2013 under 50, and 2014 under 60. Operators born before 1/1/1955 are exempt.


SAVE THE DATE!   The 2009 SAMISH ISLAND ARTS FESTIVAL will be held on Saturday November 14 at the Community of Christ Church, 11507 Scott Road, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The Festival will only be held on Saturday this year.  Many vendors will display fine arts and crafts.   Lunch and bakery goodies will be available for purchase from Sigi's Cinnamons.  New Vendors are welcome.  Questions? Please contact 766-6290 or 425-246-6539.

The EDGEWATER GARDEN CLUB will meet at 9:45 AM with visiting and refreshments on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at the Samish Island Community Hall. The business meeting will begin at 10:15 am followed at 11:00 am by
the program "Water Gardens: 20 Water Gardening Myths Destroyed", presented by Marguerite Jacobs from Summersun Nursery and Landscaping. The subject is presented with an environmentally friendly approach. Please join us!

The SAMISH SENIOR SINGLES will make a bow to Halloween at their October 30th gathering at Bobby Day’s house, 10515 S.I. Rd., at 12 noon. (note 5th Friday instead of 4th.) We’ll make it brown bag, plus add-on treats. Wearing a token of the holiday is in order. For car pooling, contact Betty Chowka, 766-8032

SKAGIT COUNTY CLIMATE STEWARDS, a volunteer program dedicated to promoting energy conservation and awareness of the impact of climate change, announces home energy presentations Oct. 8 and 14 in its lecture series, Skagit Living Green, at the Burlington Public Library, 820 E. Washington Street in Burlington. Lectures are free to the public and open to all ages.
Renewable Energy for Your Home, Oct.8 at 7pm. Sr, Editor of Home Power Magazine, Ian Woofenden, will share his experience living off the utility grid since 1981, relying on wind and solar power.  The audience will learn how to adapt alternative power sources for their homes to save money and energy.
 Home Energy Efficiency Workshop, on Wed, Oct. 14, at 7pm.  Participants will learn how to raise their energy IQ to save money each day and discover resources and ideas for an energy-efficient winter. Presenter Eric Shen,retired mechanical engineer, is a Skagit County Climate Steward and member of the Skagit County Climate Change Citizens Task Force.

A Unique Islander
A person may well wear several hats. Did you know that Rob Martin, entertainer supreme at the Community Center’s Christmas celebration, has a very serious job Monday to Friday? It’s almost 30 years now since Rob founded Chinook Enterprises in Mount Vernon, a nonprofit that works to locate job openings for persons with developmental disabilities. About mid-August, the Skagit Valley Herald included a good-sized photo of a 22-year old Anacortes man with Downs syndrome presently employed in the mail room of Island Hospital.

It all happened because employment specialists at Chinook met with Hospital personnel to carve out a sorting and delivery job in the mail room that matched the candidate’s abilities. The job they came up with is composed of routine duties which also incorporates the young man’s innate skill for remembering names and faces.

However such openings are rarer than ever during our down economy says executive director Rob Martin. He cited recent Skagit County unemployment statistics as hovering about 10%, while the jobless rate for people with physical or mental disabilities is typically 75%. Chinook’s own office employs a dozen special needs persons working on small, hand-constructed plane pieces for Boeing Co. Chinook also has its own staff employment specialists who assist people like the featured young man find jobs within the community. A Community Services Manager is also on staff.

“There was a time when the company had to turn jobs down because we didn’t have enough qualified job seekers,” says executive director Martin. We’ve gone through a couple of recessions but this one is definitely the worst”. But because Chinook Enterprises has held on for 30 years, he expects they will make it through this one. “I think we’re going to be fine,” he said.

The best Soothing Waters season ever has recently concluded.  It has been an honor and a privilege working with you and your children and I thank you immensely for your support of my passion.  You will be missed...  To Waves of Health and Happiness, Liz

Samish Island Memorial Chapel, 9608 S.I. Rd.
9:45 Sunday School; 11:00 Worship Service
Pastor Otto Sather—Everyone welcome.

Sunday at Community of Christ
10 AM-- Church School; 11 AM. --Worship Service
Lee Nelson, Pastor---Everyone welcome

The Samish Island Community Hall is available for rentals throughout the year; Islanders’ rate:$75; five hours or less:$50. Contact Eileen Andersen, 766-8202, or info@samishisland.net to schedule your family gathering, wedding, party, meeting or event.

Items for the next Shore Lines should be submitted in writing to the Samish Shore Lines, S.I. Community Center, P.O. Box 268, Bow, WA. 98232, in time to meet the Nov. 5th deadline for submissions (first Thurs.) E-mail: samishshorelines@gmail.com (Nancy, 766-8111).

Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by parents. It was loaned to you by your children --- Ancient Native American proverb

ADS

FOR SALE: Steel Coke sign, round, 3’diameter. mid-1950’s, near mint condition, $650. 766-6086
FOR SALE: Lane recliner, like new.  Brown paisley, traditional styling, $300 OBO.;  Inversion table to relieve back pain, barely used, $50.  766-6866.

SERVICES

----Home remodel & repairs. Call Bruce Emerson, 770-9148, 30+ yrs. experience; license #ASCENE1003LL
----Michael C. Menser, General Contractor.  Experienced quality builder for new home, remodel, custom carpentry, and deck projects. 421-5563 or mcmenser@hotmail.com
---Landscape design & maintenance, 20+yrs.experience. Available to help with fall pruning & cleanup. Call Debbie Emerson, 766-5095, gardensez.com
---Beginning through intermediate accordion and piano lessons are available on Samish Island. Please contact Lois Yale, Member of the Washington State Music Teachers' Association, at 766-8713 or lobo@fidalgo.net for availability.
---The Watch Dog Housesitting. Are you planning a trip and worried about your home, pets and plants? “The Watch Dog, we make sure everything you care about is safe and secure.” Rutheia Wyckoff, 766-8107, or708-0620. rwyckoff@wavecable.com
---Knives sharpened, $2 per blade. Will pick up &deliver on Samish Island. (customers have enjoyed a new edge on their efforts!) Call Strand at 766-4081.
---Quality House Cleaning: Call Laurie Reid at 766-5080.
Local references available.
---A Clean Start Cleaning Co. Lic., residential cleaning is now available, 3-hr. min. Call for a free estimate, 421-7434. References upon request.

RENTALS:
---House with large yard, 2-3 bdrooms, 1 large Bathroom,$1150 per mo. 1-yr. lease. First/last, &deposit Available Oct. 1. No smokers. 766-6686.

---Furnished 3 bdrm., 2 bath house on N. Beach, available
10-1-09--11-30-10, $800/mo. + utilities & damage deposit; no smoking/pets. 757-8755

---1000 sq. ft. 1 bdrm. duplex. newly remodeled; beautiful maintained grounds; water + garbage included, $975 /mo. 766-5095