A local innkeeper 'fessed up. She took her dirty laundry with her when she headed for safer ground when she was told to evacuate. Although she refused to be identified, her excuse was that she didn't know if there would be electricity when she returned; therefore, didn't know when she would be able to wash the sheets and be set up for her next guests.

Fortunately, her B&B survived the fire.

Another evacuee took along the plaid material she was working on, making new costumes for Pine Hills Lodges current production of "Forever Plaid." The dinner theatre, by the way, will be back up and running on Nov. 21. There is one month left to see this great show. Make plans now to get away from the recent tragedy and enjoy a night out.

Garth Gilchrist, the man from Marin County who was set to do a one-man show on John Muir for a Volcan Moun-tain Preserve benefit on Nov. 15, has been in touch to say he sends caring concerns to the people of Julian. The show, of course, had to be canceled, but Gilchrist is
looking forward to coming down in the spring when it can be rescheduled.

But not canceled is the Arts & Craft Fair at Wynola Junction Antiques & Collectibles from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 15 and 16. Tracy Turner has been working overtime getting it all together. It's in the backyard at the new antique shop, next to The Coffee Tree, at the corner of state Route 78/79 and Wynola Road.

And while you are there, stop by the new office for the Julian Journal. Can't miss it. Its just before the back yard.

And the Julian Open Studios is still a go on Nov. 15 and 16. If any of the 17 participating artists
suffered from the fire, their works will be exhibited at one of the other studios on the tour. This is a great opportunity to support the artist community, as well as having a good time. For more information, call Leena Hannonen at (760) 765-1774.

Also still up and running is the monthly breakfast meeting of Julian Merchants Association. It starts at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Call Danny Manley at Angels Landing or Krisie Morgan at the chamber office to find out the location.

There always is a great program planned. Plus the Christmas committee is hard at work keeping the plans going for the holidays in Julian. Bobbi Zane is chairman. Let her know if you want to lend a helping hand.

Shirley Wells, long-time writer about Julian and Ramona, has retired to the hills of Arizona with her husband, Joe. They are living in Wickenburg. They endured a small share of the smoke that sifted over the mountains from the Cedar fire, enough to make them glad they were not in the worst of it but still homesick for Southern California.

Shirley's health made it necessary for them to seek a different climate. She is now on
a waiting list with May Clinic for a lung transplant.

She will be celebrating her birthday on Nov. 25. Why not surprise her and send a card in care of Julian Journal, 1735 Main St., Ste. K, Ramona, CA 92065. Well see to it that she gets them.

If you have anything to submit to this column, send the information to Ruth Lepper, P.O. Box 2396, Ramona, CA 92065, or via email, r.lepper@att.net