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American Legion to host Superbowl benefit for Jordan Griffin

2009-01-30T22:27:00.000-08:00

The American Legion invites the public to a Superbowl Party and Dinner at the Orcas Island Post on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Admission is $10 for big screen viewing of the XXXI
Superbowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals, beginning at 3 p.m. Dinner will be served.
All profits will go to assist Jordan Griffin and his family. For questions, call 376-4987.

Cuban poet to give workshop and poetry reading at Doe Bay

2009-01-30T21:14:00.000-08:00

The Cuban poet, Jose Kozer, will be comingto Doe Bay on Saturday, Feb. 7 to conduct a workshop ($50) from 1-5 at Doe Bay and give a free reading of his poems in Spanish at 7 p.m. This will be Jose's first visit to the Pacific NW. He'll be teaching and speaking at Hugo House in Seattle and Seattle University.

Paul Nelson of Global Voices Radio and SPLAB! is bringing Kozer to Orcas Island. Nelson is a longtime visitor of Doe Bay Resort and he was eager to bring Jose to the island. He says, "Jose Kozer is one of the most remarkable Cuban poets in the world. Jose's poetry critiques are the kindest, most incisive and remarkable ones I have ever experienced."

The webpage for his visit has been updated with all the current info at: www.globalvoicesradio.org/Jose_Kozer_Workshop.htm

Joze is offering four scholarships to his workshop at Doe Bay. Contact Paul Nelson at splabman@yahoo.com or call Harreld at Doe Bay at 376-2291 for more information.

Stan Englehartson passes away

2009-01-30T15:42:00.000-08:00

Stan Englehartson, longtime Orcas Islander, died Thursday, Jan. 22.Stan's parents homesteaded on Orcas and Stan and his brother Alan were born here. Stan spent his entire life farming, lumbering and working for the Road Department on Orcas -- except for serving in the Navy during WWII. He leaves his wife Margaret Englehartson, his daughter Lynn and his brother Al.
There will be a funeral service for Stan at the Woodlawn Cemetery given by the American Legion at 11:30 A.M. Feb. 7, followed by a memorial gathering at the Senior Center.

Total SJC 2009 Property Tax Bill: $41 Million

2009-01-30T14:41:00.000-08:00

By Stan Matthews
County Communications Program Manager

Graphic above shows how much of each tax dollar is levied by each of the various types of taxing entities (fire, schools, the state, the county, etc.)

County Treasurer Jan Sears reported on Jan. 28 that her department began running the final calculations for taxes on each of the 17,127 taxable properties in San Juan County. The calculations are complex, as the bills include levies for 43 different taxing entities within the county; many with complex systems of rates and exemptions. Sears reports that the bottom line, including all taxes, assessment and accrued penalties and interest is: $41,050,167.05 – an increase of $2.16 million over last year.
By law the tax bills have to be in the mail no later than February 15, “And we’ve never been late,” Sears said. When the calculations are complete, they must be printed and then they are stuffed into envelopes by County staff. “We are one of the few counties in the state still doing that in-house,” she said. “It gives us the opportunity to check for errors and special situations where we need to pull the statements for adjustments. We are also able to insert informational flyers from our taxing districts.”
Taxpayers may choose to pay half of their taxes by April 30 with the second half payable by October 31. Penalties for missing the April 30 deadline start with a 3% penalty plus an additional 1% interest for every month the payment is late. An additional 8% penalty is tacked on if the total payment isn’t received by December.
Last year the Treasurer’s office collected 97.3% of the taxes due by the end of the year. It also collected $327,325 in interest and penalties.

All Ages Dance with Common Market Friday at the Center

2009-01-29T22:01:00.000-08:00

The fact that Barack Obama likes hip hop has brought me at least to the door to have a listen, and fellow Orcas Islanders will have that chance tonight when the Funhouse and Orcas Center join forces to bring hip hop genius to the island.
Common Market and No-Fi Soul Rebellion will go onstage tonight, Friday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are just $10.

Above, singers rock with Common Market as they create their new music video.

Barbara Courtney, Executive Director of Orcas Center says, "Come rock the house with a leader of Seattle’s hot hip hop scene and a hip pop-soul duo."

“Common Market have created a work that’s brought them closer to the region of hiphop greatness. This is no exaggeration.” — The Stranger

From Common Market's latest work

…Service, work it

The vagrant came upon a plot, shop – set it down
Found vacant, he gon’ make it into something better now
Barn hand, conversant in farm land, planted seven rows
Will it ever grow? Heaven only knows, though he’s
Hopeful, never boastful about the ethic
Set it deep into the earth, work and serve, all the rest let it
Come or not, hot summer sun, son – bumper crop
Over night, or so some thought (now they’re talkin’ that)

Orcas Writers Festival sponsors the Big Read

2009-01-29T21:50:00.000-08:00

The Orcas Writers Festival Gurus are gearing up for a new year, starting with the Big Read, a grant program that gives money to support a community-wide reading program. The Gurus have decided that Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston is a good choice for the Big Read.

It works like this: libraries and community organizations come together, choose one book from the Big Read booklist, and plan events over the space of a month that entice the whole community to read and discuss the same book.

The Big Read program, sponsored by the National Endowment of the Arts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and Arts Midwest, is working directly to give communities the means to read together and have fun while they’re doing it.

The Orcas Island Writers Festival would like to bring the Big Read program to the San Juan Islands community in connection with their September festival.
A San Juan READS! program would inspire reading among adolescents, bring lapsed readers back to the pleasures of a good book, and bring the community together.
The Festival Gurus have a number of ideas for San Juan READS! events and welcome more ideas and participation:

· The festival will devote a number of events to the Big Read, including a reading from Hurston’s book by an up-and-coming author, a lecture on Hurston by an authority on African-American literature, and an invitation to several African-American authors.

· A special all-day African-American literature class will be offered to the high schools, focused on Their Eyes Were Watching God.

· There will be a free screening of the movie Their Eyes Were Watching God.

The Orcas Writers Festival Gurus have said that this program is not something any one group can do alone—in fact, the Big Read grant program won’t give anyone funds unless they can prove they have significant community involvement.

The organizers need to be able to demonstrate to the Big Read program a significant community interest in making this happen. A Big Read program is, by definition, a community program.

Festival founder Barbara Lewis says, "We are committed to doing the major legwork. The Orcas Island Public Library has agreed to be our host. (Thanks!) But two community groups aren't a community. We need a chorus of support.

The Big Read grant program is an excellent opportunity to bring our community together and get people reading. Please contact us if you or someone you know would like to get involved."

Contact Lewis at rite4me@aol.com.

2009 Property Tax Rates Set - lower for most, but...

2009-01-29T08:13:00.000-08:00

By Stan Matthews
County Communications Program Manager

San Juan County Assessor Charles Zalmanek reports that the total assessed value of taxable property in San Juan County increased 13.1% between 2007 and 2008 to approximately $7.976 billion. That is identical to the increase during 2006 and lower than the jump in 2005 when the total taxable property value increased by 17%.

The increase in total value does not translate directly into higher taxes however because the County can only increase revenue collected from existing property by 1% per year without voter approval.

Assessor Zalmanek also noted that some of the 43 taxing entities in the County did not take their full allowable increase this year. Those include: the Port of Orcas, the San Juan and Orcas Cemetery Districts, and San Juan Island Emergency Medical Services. (Only 10.5% of the average property tax dollar is collected for the County Government’s operating fund.)

To offset the higher values, the tax levy rate was reduced by amounts ranging from 3% in Friday Harbor to 17.4% on Orcas Island. Because roughly one-third of the properties in the County are re-assessed each year, two thirds of the properties in the County actually pay less tax each year than the previous year. Residents of South San Juan Island – whose appraisals increased an average of 52% last year – will pay about $23 less in property taxes per $100,000 value. On Blakely Island property taxes will drop by $54 per $100,000 value.

Friends help Jordan Griffin and family following spinal injury

2009-01-28T05:09:00.000-08:00

Pictured here: Sam, Justin, Jake, Teddy, Ray Bottom: Anthony, Jordan and Mike...the guys hangin out!

Since his accident snow-boarding at the Orcas Island golf course in December, 16-year-old Jordan Griffin has already overcome many obstacles on the road to rehabilitation. Jordan has moved from Harborview Hospital to Children’s Hospital where he’s now breathing on his own and is free of tubes and catheters.
This week, he was scheduled for both a wheelchair “fitting” and surgery on his wrist, which was broken at the time of the accident, but went undetected until his mom, Rachel Meenach, urged x-rays.

Rachel and Jordan have been keeping family, friends, and the public posted to their progress (and setbacks) as she writes on the Caring Bridge site. To read the blog, or sign the guestbook, go to www.caringbridge.org, and in the "visitor" window type in Jordan Griffin.
This week, Rachel wrote:

[Jordan's] friends...waves of them....come down and hang out. They really stole the show! But Jordan needed that boy (and girl) time, so I was happy for him. They went and bought him a remote control car that he has been driving all over the place...we justify him having it as an Occupational Therapy tool....works on his hand and finger coordination! =)....right?

Jordan has a wheelchair "fitting" tomorrow. (Jan. 27) His choice is to have a bright orange titanium frame with black seat and back rest...should look pretty cool!
Also, he has his wrist surgery on Tuesday, which will set our discharge date from Childrens [Hospital] back to March 4th or so....but he understands and is a trooper!

I feel so blessed to be able to bring my son home to such a wonderful place....so many people have touched our lives, some who are close friends, and others who we have never met!

And... I would love to see our journey as a family bring goodness elsewhere....there has to be something good come from this situation!
Right now, I don't know where our path will go…but I hope it will always be positive....always forward!

Then today, following the surgery, Rachel wrote:

Jordan's surgery went perfect! Textbook as always! He left his room around 10:30 a.m. and he was back in his room by 4! He was is a great mood too...all those pain meds! haha

The tough part is the recovery...he is on morphine to help with the pain and another med for his spasms...I think they are worse than the actual pain....everytime he moves any part of his body, the spasms go all through his body and into his arm...really horrible for him...very uncontrollable! =(

Anyways, its going to be a long night...Josh is here to help me...we are going to do shifts...
Update more in the morning =)....God Bless!
Rachel, Jordan and Josh =)

Jordan and Rachel’s family can be assisted by contributions at Islanders Bank, 475 Fern Street Eastsound, WA 98245.

Drop off locations are at:
Crescent Service
Country Corner
Island Market

Skatepark Committee to discuss options in library on Wednesday

2009-01-27T19:27:00.000-08:00

The Skatepark Committee will meet at the Orcas Island School Library on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. The committee was formed to address outstanding maintenance, financial, legal and safety issues at the Orcas Island Skate Park within Buck Park on Mt. Baker Road.

At a meeting called by the Orcas Island School District (OISD) and the Orcas Island Prevention Partnership (OIPP) last November, a crowd packed the library to discuss the issues with members of the school board, OIPP the Skate Park Foundation, PTSA, the Funhouse, Camp Orkila staff as well as skaters, students and parents.

Parent Debbie Shaw stepped forward to chair a committee to seek positive solutions for "a community asset" created in partnership with the school district and the Skate Board Foundation, which hold funds for maintenance of the park at a rate of $5,000 per year.

Options such as user maintenance, user fees, and skatepark rental for use by off-island skaters and competitors were discussed. Warren Miller, one of the original founders of the skatepark reminded the group that the park had been built for the free use by Orcas Islands, saying, "It's all about freedom, there's no score here -- in a skateboard park every kid wins."

Bus for education to Olympia on Feb. 26

2009-01-27T19:24:00.000-08:00

Barb Skotte, President of the Orcas Island School District Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) alerted Orcas Islanders that the Washington State Legislature is gearing up for a session sure to focus on Basic Education Funding and the needs of our public schools.

Skotte writes:

Our school district administration and board members continue to have direct meetings with our and other legislators to promote the specific issues facing smaller, rural districts such as ours.

However, there's an opportunity for interested parents and community members to speak out on Thurs., Feb. 26., which is Washington State PTA's Legislative Focus Day. State legislators will be available to meet with PTA members and hear our concerns.

To promote turnout at this event, our State PTA Region, Region 8, has chartered a bus to leave from the Anacortes Ferry Terminal early that morning (returning the same day). The cost is $25 per person. This is a chance not only to participate in promoting education issues directly to our elected representatives, but to meet and network with PTA members from our Region.

Those interested in signing up for the bus are asked to contact Skotte for further details at bskotte@yahoo.com.

Afterschool Spanish Classes to Start Earlier

2009-01-27T19:16:00.001-08:00

"The afterschool Spanish classes got off to a wonderful start yesterday -- thank you to Anna Roseberry for her wonderful teaching presence, and to Pat Hunt, our Program Coordinator, for her work in making these classes happen!" said PTSA President Barb Skotte on Jan. 27.

By popular demand, the Wednesday afterschool Spanish classes will start earlier than previously scheduled, right after early dismissal, with the grade 1-3 class running from approx. 1:10-2:10 p.m., and the grade 4-6 class running from approx. 2:15-3:45 p.m. There are still some spaces left, so those who'd like to join in are urged to sign up ASAP.

Jessica Gudgell named Orcas Junior Idol

2009-01-26T21:39:00.000-08:00

Orcas Idol contestants await their trip up the catwalk to perform on stage Saturday night. Right, Pam Wright joins Arianna and Jason Dean on the benches at the Green Room in the Grange. Below, Conrad Wrobel, Stephen Baker and Kelsey Whitaker put their heads together.

On Saturday, Jan. 24, Jessica Gudgell was selected as Orcas Junior Idol. Jessica performed "Our Song," by Taylor Swift. As winner of the Orcas Junior Idol competition, Jessica is invited to sing at the Orcas Idol performance on Feb. 7 at the Orcas Center.
Now in its fourth year, the Orcas Idol competition, based on the popular television program, American Idol, is the largest fundraiser for the Orcas Island Prevention Partnership Coalition, dedicated to promote healthy lifestyles on Orcas Island. The program is funded by the state and operates through Orcas Island School District.
Also on Saturday, auditions for the adult (high school-age and older) Orcas Idol contestants were held.
From the performances of 12 contestants, Susan Weiss, the father-daughter combo Jason and Arianna Dean, Pam Wright, Yuko Horikawa, Pam Evans, Margie Doyle, Stephen Baker and Conrad Wrobel were selected to enter the three-round Orcas Idol selection process on Feb. 7. Contestants will prepare songs in the Pop/Rock, Country Western and show tunes categories.
Tickets for the event on the Orcas Center main stage traditionally sell out, and overflow crowds can purchase tickets for the live feed in the Madrona Room. Tickets may be purchased at Radio Shack and at Darvill's.
Please note that this year, the Orcas Idol performance begins at 6:30 p.m.

Rare opportunity to change county laws until March 1

2009-01-26T21:00:00.000-08:00

Docket Call: Public Can Request Changes in Comp Plan, UDC, Maps
By Stan Matthews
County Communications Program Manager

The San Juan County Community Development and Planning Department has issued official notice that it will accept suggestions, proposals and requests for amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, the Uniform Development Code, and site-specific amendments to the Comp Plan’s Official Maps until March 1, 2009, for consideration on the 2009 docket.

Under the Growth Management Act, the County may consider and make changes to the Comprehensive Plan and its maps just once each year. Under an Ordinance which went into effect this year, modifications to the UDC may be considered up to three times a year in 2009 and 2010.

Requests for site-specific land-use re-designations require a formal application and fee. (Contact the Department at: 378-2354 for details).

Other requests and suggestions for changes should be made in writing to Community Development and Planning (CD&P), Attn: Colin Maycock, P.O.Box 947, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, or by email to colinm@co.san-juan.wa.us or by Fax 360-378-3922.

Please include:

1. The name, address, and phone number of party who is submitting the suggestion.

2. A description of the proposed amendment, including suggested new language and a reference to the section of the document that would be amended.

3. Reasons why the change should be made and is in the public interest.

For answers to questions about the process, contact Colin Maycock at 360-370-7573.

Orcas Stage on the Green Wins Architecture Award

2009-01-26T19:35:00.000-08:00

The Stage on the Green at Eastsound Village Green County Park has been selected as the American Institute of Architects, Seattle -- 2008 Awards for Washington Architecture People's Choice Winner in the "Built" Category.
San Juan County Parks and Recreation Director Dona Wuthnow describes the landmark stage as "a partnership project designed and developed through community consensus."
It was funded through a combination of County Facilities Program funds, a state "Building for the Arts: grant and "a lot of in-kind contributions from craftspeople, contractors and designers, plus cash contributions from the community.
Pictured above are some of those people, at the June 2006 dedication ceremony.
"Originally we had planned on putting up a serviceable structure that we could afford," she said. "Then a dedicated group of Orcas designers, craftspeople and activists came to us with the resources, energy, creativity and determination to build a stage that could become a part of the community's identity."
The County Park Board and Orcas Open Arts put a lot of trust in the group's commitment to the project in going ahead with the partnership, and that trust paid off.
The AIA competition entry, put together by David Kau and Fred Klein of Orcas, describes the project as "the product of a yearlong collaboration -- among architects, artists, engineers, builders, school teachers, dancers and craftspeople -- to design a build a public performance stage for the Village Green. Our design was conceived as a pre-emptive challenge to the County Parks Department, which was on the verge of purchasing a pre-fab gluelam pavilion, found on the internet and about to be trucked and barged from Illinois. We proposed a locally inspired counterpoint -- to be designed locally and constructed from materials sourced locally. An ambitious grassroots plan hatched by activists committed to a process of consensus."
Credits for the project reflect that process.

Kindlings WinterFest brings speaker on Diversity, Civility and Christian Faith to Orcas

2009-01-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

The KindlingsFest summer event, held on Orcas Island for the first time last summer, was a great hit as main speaker Dr. Jerry Root, spoke on the writings of C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia.
Now, Kindlings WinterFest sponsors author and speaker Os Guinness, who will give four talks on Christian Faith for the 21st Century from Friday evening, Jan. 30, to Sunday morning, Feb. 1 at Orcas Island Community Church. The lecture topics include:
* The Journey - A thinking person’s quest for meaning at 7 p.m. Friday
* Survival of the Fastest - Living sanely when life is fired point blank at 10 a.m. Saturday
* A World Safe for Diversity - Living with our deepest differences in a world of exploding pluralism at 7 p.m. Saturday
* You Only Live Once - Calling, the ultimate game plan for life at 10 a.m. Sunday

The Public is welcome at these free lectures at 176 Madrona Street in Eastsound, with a suggested donation to The Kindlings of $10 per lecture.
For more information call: 360-376-6422 Or visit www.TheKindlings.com

Os Guinness is the co-founder of The Trinity Forum and served as Senior Fellow and Vice Chairman of the Board from its inception in 1991 until 2004.
Born in China during World War II, he remained there until 1951 when the Communists forced most foreigners to leave. Since then he has lived mostly in England, Switzerland, and the United States.
Educated in England, he did undergraduate studies at the University of London and postgraduate studies at University of Oxford. Since 1984, he has lived in the Washington, DC area. He was a Guest Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies and then a Guest Scholar and Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution. He was co-author of the public school curriculum "Living With Our Deepest Differences."
He has written or edited more than twenty books, including Unspeakable: Facing Up to Evil in an Age of Genocide and Terror and The Case for Civility: And Why Our
Future Depends on It.
His deep concern is to bridge the chasm between academic knowledge and popular
knowledge, taking things that are academically important and making them intelligible and practicable to a wider audience, especially as they concern matters of public policy.

A busy week ahead - Jan. 26 - Feb. 1

2009-01-25T23:49:00.000-08:00

Orcas Island resident David Schermerhorn will speak of his recent experience confronting the Israeli blockade of Gaza ports at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowhip on Sunday, Jan. 25 at the West Sound Community Hall. The service begins at 11 a.m. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, go to www.orcasislanduu.org.
A new series of chamber music performances featuring county musicians will begin on Sunday, Jan. 25 at the Orcas Center at 2 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults and $10 for students.
A two-day San Juan County Salmon Recovery Workshop will begin on Monday, Jan. 26, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Friday Harbor Labs Commons on San Juan Island.
Hosted by the San Juan County Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery, the first day will highlight information about nearshore and also freshwater systems in San Juan County. This information will provide an understanding regarding important fish habitats documented to date in San Juan County. The morning of the second day, Tuesday, will be an adaptive management discussion regarding how we potentially modify the salmon recovery work plan based on the results of recent assessments.
Go to http://sanjuanco.com/docs/committeeagendas/391_San_Juan_County_Salmon_Recovery_Workshop_Agenda_11_08.doc.pdf to view agenda.

Eastsound Planning Review Committee work session Monday, Jan. 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the airport conference room.
The agenda will include...
* Budgeting EPRC's $4,800 county funds
* Discussing county web site and potential EPRC uses, define the EPRC secretary position
* Developing ERPC Annual Calendar
* Discussing the Flow Chart that Bob Connell has created on EPRC and the groups it interacts with
i.e., the EPRC role in the Eastsound Swale or Storm Water in general.
* Discussing Eastsound visioning/Eastsound Planning and the sub-area plan.

Auditions for "A Year with Frog and Toad" will be held Monday, Jan. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Orcas Center, which will produce the musical performance the weekends of April 15-18 and 22-25.

The Friends of Moran State Park Annual Meeting will be on Monday Jan. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Moran Environmental Learning Center Lodge. The event will honor the contributions of Barb and Gordon Buman, longtime members of the Friends of Moran. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome.

The 2009 Artsmith Artist Residency takes place the last week of January at theKangaroo House Bed & Breakfast in Eastsound.
Five talented artists and writers, chosen for a week's residency, will be featured at an open studio and potluck on Monday, Jan. 26, beginning at 6 p.m. The potluck will be followed by a spoken word open mic.
"Come meet the artists, see and hear their work, and share your own writing
in the open mic.Bring a dish and/or beverage to share. Or if you're too busy, just come enjoy the bounty!" say Artsmith hosts Jill Johnson and Charles Troxey.

Public Meeting to Discuss Proposed Country Corner (Limited Area of Intense Rural Development (LAMIRD) on Monday, Jan. 26 from 7 until 9 p.m. at the Eastsound fire station.
This matter will come before the County Council in Friday Harbor on Tuesday, Jan. 27 during the County Administrator's report as: Consideration of an Ordinance Establishing a Moratorium on Subdivisions within the Country Corner LAMIRD – Ron Henrickson, Director of CD&P & Colin Maycock, CD&P Senior Planner will present the discussion.

On Tuesday, Jan 27, the San Juan County Salmon Recovery Workshop will continue from 8:30 AM until 1:30 PM; the workshop is hosted by the San Juan County Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery This morning will be an adaptive management discussion regarding how we potentially modify the salmon recovery work plan based on the results of recent assessments.

Also on Tuesday, in Friday Harbor, the Agricultural Resources Committee will meet from noon until 2 PM at the Whidbey Island Bank, Community Room, 535 Market Street, Friday Harbor.

On Orcas Island, the Memoir Group will meet Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 1-3 p.m. in the Library. All are invited to join fellow writers in conversation, reading and writing and share excerpts of work in progress.

The Orcas Island Fire District will meet at the Eastsound Fire Station at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

The Skatepark Committee will meet at the Orcas Island School Library on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 5 p.m.

Sustainable Orcas Island's first meeting for 2009 will be Wednesday, Jan. 28 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Library. Mikial Denker will speak on sustainable transportation. Those who are unable to make the meeting are asked to email or call Phil Heikkinen, Director of the Orcas Island Library at 376-4985 or phil.heikkinen@gmail.com.

The Orcas Island School District board will hold a strategic plan workshop on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. at the school library.

The County Veterans Advisory Board will meet in Friday Harbor in the conference room in the Legislative Building from noon to 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30.

Also on Jan. 30, the Orcas Center will present its "All Ages Concert" featuring Common Market and No-Fi Soul Rebellion. Tickets to this event are $10 and may be purchased by calling 376-2281 or going to www.OrcasCenter.org

Kindlings WinterFest sponsors author and speaker Os Guinness, who will give four talks on Christian Faith for the 21st Century from Friday evening, Jan. 30, to Sunday morning, Feb. 1 at Orcas Island Community Church. The lecture topics include:
* The Journey - A thinking person’s quest for meaning
* Survival of the Fastest - Living sanely when life is fired point blank
* A World Safe for Diversity - Living with our deepest differences in a world of exploding pluralism
* You Only Live Once - Calling, the ultimate game plan for life
The Public is welcome at these free lectures at 176 Madrona Street in Eastsound, with a suggested donation to The Kindlings of $10 per lecture.
For more information call: 360-376-6422 Or visit www.TheKindlings.com

Board meet finds schools on budget, on track

2009-01-24T14:28:00.000-08:00

“I have a feeling that thing’s are going very well in business office,” Orcas Island School District board member Tony Ghazel said at the Jan. 22 school board meeting. His sentiments were echoed during the meeting, with hard facts to support them:
• Sara Morgan whose contributions have been cited in the past year’s number-crunching, has become a new member of the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC), the citizens’ group that assists the business office in tracking school funds. OISD board member (and BAC liaison ) Keith Whitaker said, “Sara has already contributed greatly at the first meeting.”
• In her report on the Orcas Island Education Foundation, Janet Brownell said, “Ben [Thomas, Business Manager] and Sara have done a fantastic job on invoicing and tracking the money [contributed through the OIEF to the district.]”
• Superintendent/Principal Barbara Kline praised the catch-up work done by the new Accounts Payable person, Dali Cuthbert , “She has done a lot of catch-up work in the last three weeks.” Kline added that enrollment was “looking good in the right areas, K-4th[grade] and high school.”
• Teacher Mandy Randolph thanked the Board for “the time and effort you’ve put into a thankless job.” Randolph also expressed her appreciation for the new Mac computers all the elementary teachers have recently received.
• Career and Technical Education director Kari Schuh said, after working with the Business Office to apply for a grant, “I could not have done it without Ben, Sharron [Mierau, Business Office staff] and Sara and Dali -- they have been tremendous to work with, helping make that new aspect of my job easier.”

The board approved the consent agenda, which included a contract position for a coordinator for the Farm-to-Cafeteria program, to be paid by the Orcas Island Education Foundaton (OIEF)

In Kline’s absence, teacher Marta Branch passed out certificates to members of the OISD board in recognition of School board appreciation month and the board’s service with the district.

Elementary Principal Tom Gobeske, who also oversees food service transportation and maintenance, zeroed in on the maintenance aspect in his report to the board.
He said, “Maintenance is hard at work, but there’s lots to do.”
Gobeske suggested that a community service day be held to fix up the school. The December storms created snow buildup on the roof, but with shoveling, the leaking into the gym that had started was kept to a minimum and there was no damage to the gym floor.

He also said that on Jan. 20, the classes watched the Presidential Inauguration and had discussions: “It was a very exciting day. The enthusiasm, involvement and knowledge of the children is really encouraging.”

Marian O’Brien reported for the Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA), noting that PTSA President Barb Skotte had sent out emails announcing two new afterschool programs in Spanish and astronomy.

O’Brien reported that “over 25 people in worked in the garden, and probably clocked over 60 hours of work,” during the national Day of Service on Jan. 19. Volunteers also worked in the schoollibrary, and would like to meet once a month to do community service.

Superintendent/Principal Barbara Kline reported by telephone from Washington D.C. She addressed the workshop by suggesting a bond committee be formed, and asked the board to think about the positions they would want to see represented on such a committee, including community members.

Kline praised the programs that have been coordinated with Orcas Center as “totally fabulous,” not only in the center’s programming, but also in the visiting artists they bring to school assemblies.
(A report on the bond discussion will be posted at a later date on Bullwings)

San Juan Leadership class holds retreat on Orcas

2009-01-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

Members of the 2009 Leadership San Juan Islands class came to Orcas Island for a two-day retreat on Jan. 23 and 24. They attended workshops at Heartwood House and braved the arctic air on Friday afternoon to tour Orcas "landmarks." Pictured above are Lou Gray from Lopez Island, Angie Attwell and Kristy Ayers from San Juan Island, and Steve Gresham from Orcas Island making a stop at the Healing Arts Center.
This year's class of 20 members is the largest in the Skagit Valley College's five-year program in community leadership. Its mission is to educate and motivate community members interested in developing their professional leadership skills and in learning more about issues affecting San Juan County. Leadership SJI meets monthly to consider aspects of island life such as culture and history, governance, education, economics, community building, environment and social systems and community health.
The retreat brings 25 class members and facilitators to Orcas Island, where off-island members are staying at the Smugglers Inn.
Orcas Islanders who are participating in the program are Louise Carnachan, Owen Cheevers, Margie Doyle, Ethna Flanagan, Steve Gresham, Barbara LaBrash, Learner Limbach and Marta-Maria Nielsen.

County to fund Village Green restrooms

2009-01-23T17:35:00.000-08:00

Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce director Lance Evans announced that in a county Lodging Tax Advisory meeting held Jan. 21, a motion was approved to fund the public restroom facilities located in County parks. "Obviously, the public restroom in Eastsound is covered by this action, said Evans. "Assuming the County Council approves the recommendation, funding for our public facility is in place. The Chamber thanks all who let your voices be heard on this issue!"
The Eastsound restrooms had been slated to be closed in a cost-cutting measure on the 2009 County Parks budget.
Evans has been appointed to fill a position on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, representing the three county Chambers of Commerce. He joins other representatives, including Orcas Island’s Mike Stolmeier, Susan Fletcher, John Messinger, Jim Nelson and Carl Silvernail.

Comment deadline on WSF long-range plans extended

2009-01-23T06:45:00.000-08:00

Washington State Ferries (WSF) announced an extended public comment period on the draft long-range plan through Monday, Jan. 26.

Due to the overwhelming response from communities, we extended the comment period five days to ensure ample opportunity for the public to provide input on the two options in the draft plan. The tenth public hearing concluded in Fauntleroy on Wednesday night, and all of the public hearing transcripts, with the exception of Fauntleroy, are available online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/planning/ESHB2358. The Fauntleroy hearing transcript will be posted online mid-next week. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to attend a public hearing and/or provide comments. We are reviewing all of the comments and determining what modifications can be made to the options in the draft plan. You may continue to send comments through Jan. 26 by writing wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov or WSF, Attn. Joy Goldenberg, 2901 3rd Avenue, Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98121.
A revised draft plan, along with all of the public comments received, will be provided to the Legislature on Saturday, Jan. 31. The plan is intended to provide options for consideration during this Legislative session and will not be finalized until after it is reviewed and decisions are made by lawmakers.

Friends of Moran Park honor Bumans Jan. 26

2009-01-22T22:21:00.000-08:00

Michel Vekved, of the Friends of Moran State Park, issued the following invitation:

I would like to extend a personal invitation to the Friends of Moran State Park Annual Meeting on Monday Jan. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Moran Environmental Learning Center Lodge.

Our meeting usually lets the public know what activities our non-profit organization has accomplished during the previous year.

This year, however, is a bit special because we will be honoring Barb and Gordon Buman for their time, talent and dedication to Moran State Park over the last 13 years.

We will have a brief presentation awarding Lifetime Membership with refreshments for all.
I hope you can make it to share the moment with us for Barb and Gordon.

Free 4-hour moorage at County's newest dock at Orcas Landing

2009-01-22T21:20:00.000-08:00

By Stan Matthews
County Communications Program Manager
The County’s newly purchased public dock at Orcas Landing is welcoming boaters with 430 feet of moorage space available without charge for up to four hours during the day. According to Public Works director Jon Shannon, the facility will also offer a space for public meetings when renovations to the main building are completed this Spring.
The County closed on the property adjacent to the Orcas Ferry landing in December after more than two years of on and off negotiations between the County and the owners of what was then known as “Jacobson’s at Orcas Landing.” Throughout that time, former San Juan County Council Member Alan Lichter kept focus on the acquisition project, help keep the negotiations alive and is given credit for their ultimate success.
The usefulness of the dock has quickly become apparent. Most frequently boats Waldron and other non-ferry served islands tie up at the dock to connect with the ferry. Their passengers have just a 50 yard walk to the ferry.
The Washington Recreation and Conservation Office has awarded the County a $106,000 grant toward the $2.88 million purchase price and a 4,000 square foot building on the property will generate approximately $50,000 in lease revenue this year, in addition to revenue from several parking spaces across from the Orcas Hotel. Additional funding will come from the County Road Fund, which – under state law – may be used for water transportation facilities. (The funds used to purchase the dock could not have legally been used for County Operating Expenses).
The County took ownership of Orcas Landing shortly before the winter storms hit, but it weathered them with no significant damage.
Public Works Director Shannon said the purchase furthers several of the County’s transportation goals, “This provides a linkage between the County Road, the marine highway and the ferry system – a goal of out previous planning efforts. It also provides a staging area for pedestrians and bicyclist using the Washington State Ferry system.”

School board holds bond work session prior to regular board meeting on Thursday

2009-01-21T21:36:00.000-08:00

The school board will hold a work session Thurs. Jan. 22 beginning at 3 p.m. to discuss whether to pursue a future bond issue. Public input is welcome. The work session will be followed by the Board's executive (private) session at 4:30. The regular January meeting, will convene at 5:30 pm. As usual, the Board will meet at the school library.

January is School Board Appreciation Month. Orcas Island Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) President Barb Skotte said, "Our school board members are volunteers who give many hours each month doing their best to help our schools and kids. Given the current economic times, this often requires them to make difficult choices and weather considerable criticism. Please take the time to thank our board members (Janet Brownell, Tony Ghazel, Charlie Glasser, Scott Lancaster and Keith Whitaker) for all they do!"

Tidbits and factoids nourish community in service projects

2009-01-21T19:00:00.000-08:00

The national Day of Service on Jan. 19 was a day of fun and camaraderie for those who joined in some of the projects happening on Orcas Island.
About 25 volunteers of all ages showed up at the Orcas Island school to work in the garden just down from the school's historic maple tree.

It was kind of hard recognizing old friends disguised in our hats and workclothes, but we moved the compost pile and weeded and cultivated the rows in preparation for spring plowing.
Teacher Anne Ford McGrath explained that she and fellow teacher Pam Jenkins like to take their classes out to the garden, but they have a hard time supervising 20-25 kidds at a time, so they could use some help with that.
Community Foundation Executive Director Hilary Canty, event organizer, brought some great gooey chocolate-y cookies for snacks, and Madie Murray, Farm-to-Cafeteria program advocate, brought lattes and sandwiches later on. Orcas Island Education Foundation is funding a Farm-to-Cafeteria position, which the school board is expected to approve at their meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Orcas Island School District board president Janet Brownell mentioned that the state Basic Education Task Force report, which came out last week, lacks needed funding proposals, but said that it did recommend raising the levy lid to 30%, which would help the Orcas school district right away.
Mia Kartiganer asked "What are the risks in taking on the post mistress?" and I told her that the truth is the best defense against slander.
(Originally I'd written that Mia had "asked if I was being sued by the Post Office for my article decrying their lack of accountability in delivering the mail." Mia corrected my original words, see Comments below.)
Barbara Bentley (pictured above on the left)described her husband, Glenn Prestwick's combined research-entrepreneurial work in developing natural chemical injections for arthritis relief and healing. Bentley is a biology professor, and her explanations are an ideal model of translating scientific ideas so the layman can understand them. She described the effect of Glenn's research in promoting healing tissue without adhesions in abdominal surgery as similar to developing one-sided "scotch" tape.
So imagine my surprise when I scoped out a biography by Barbara Bentley, subtitled, "My Life with a Psychopath" at the Natilus Book Awards office, before I realized there could be more than one Barbara Bentley in the world.
But I digress. The Orcas Barbara Bentley had the highest praise for Orcas Island medics who came to her aid when she fell and broke her arm last fall.
As we worked, the sun came out and made a perfect day in the garden -- a Goldilocks day, not too cold, not too hot.
In the afternoon, I went to the Historical Museum, where they were also gardening, and helped plant bulbs and weed. (See photo in Jan. 18 post "Upcoming week"). Jean Dickerson gave me a bit of education about the bulbs we were planting -- Lord Alfred hybrids from 1889, and John Willis told me of his cousin's politicking in Kodiak, Alaska, where I used to live. Margot Shaw took pictures and Andrea Cohen invited us into the museum for muffins, tea, coffee and peanut-butter-and-jam brushchetta.
The hot drinks were most welcome as the fog rolled in and the natural wind tunnel of North Beach Road chilled the bones.
After thawing out at home, Patty Monaco and I went to Kaleidoscope where Director Amber Paulson had invited service volunteers to help with the kids. We got there in time to sing "Yankee Doodle" and "Dixie" with Kaleidoscope teacher Margie Crowe and delightful, second-grader Delaney.
Then Patty came back to my home with me and helped me prepare "Memory" from "Cats" which I'll be singing at the Orcas Idol auditions this Saturday night at the Grange.
I heard on the radio that Martin Luther King Day had been named a Day of Service back in 1994, but to my knowledge, that aspect of it was never promoted until this year.
Hilary Canty, Executive Director for the Community Foundation, suggested that the community join together for a project once a month. I'd like to see more young kids at the historical museum and more boomers and seniors at the school.

Orcas Irthlingz and Obama honored at the Outlook

2009-01-21T18:19:00.000-08:00

A happy crowd filled the Victorian Room at the Outlook Inn last night to celebrate both the inauguration of President Barack Obama and the recognition awarded Orcas resident Sharon Abreu and her environmental organization, Irthlingz, for submitting a National Strategy for Sustainability, which ranked in the Top Ten proposals on Change.org this past week in its Ideas competition. Over 7,800 proposals were submitted.
The plan can be viewed at www.citnet.org/leadership/documents/_Wheeler_NatlStrategy2.doc and the award announcement can be seen at www.change.org/ideas.
Irthlingz can be accessed online at www.irthlingz.org.
Abreu says public support of the National Strategy should contact their legislators.

Today's party at Outlook honors Obama and Abreu's strategy for sustainability

2009-01-20T11:24:00.000-08:00

Contributed by Phil Heikkinen
The public is invited to an Obama Party Celebration at the Outlook Inn's Victorian Room today, January 20 - Inauguration Day - from 5 to 8 p.m. The event is in conjunction with Obama parties going on around the country coordinated by MoveOn.org.
The event will also honor Sharon Abreu's work on the proposal for a National Strategy for Sustainability, which ranked in the Top Ten proposals on Change.org this past week in its Ideas competition. Over 7,800 proposals were submitted.
The Outlook event is an hors d'oeuvres potluck - only non-perishable d'oeuvres requested. Please do not bring drinks.
Abreu writes:

The no-host bar will be open! There will be an AV program of the inaugural events to broadcast, and our event will be connected with celebrations around the world! Festive attire is encouraged, especially the color purple to represent the blending of blue and red!
Admission is $5 at the door.
$150 will go to pay for the room rental. Any additional money collected will go to Irthlingz Arts-Based Environmental Education (www.irthlingz.org), run by Sharon Abreu and Michael Hurwicz, Shoshana Avree will announce Abreu's award at the party and Sharon will say a few words about the proposal and the competition.
Samara Shaw and Magda Mische would like to know if anyone would like to put some energy into making a banner for the party. If so, please contact them as soon as you can:
Samara Shaw at highgood4all@yahoo.com
Magda Mische at drmagda@centurytel.net
Also, if anyone has access to a laser printer and can assist printing some support materials, please contact Nancy at nschaferlmt@msn.com.

Manage your Work and Retreat to Progress

2009-01-20T10:31:00.000-08:00

Louise Carnachan, Orcas Island management consultant, writes in her latest newsletter about stepping back to consider your activities and your goals, your daily habits and your plans. A regular "retreat" to evaluate and plan can be the secret to realizing dreams, ambitions and deadlines.
Everyone, from individuals to families, small businesses, sports teams, non-profits and large corporations can benefit from considering her advice:

If you're scrambling to meet payroll or worried about what programs and services to cut just to stay solvent, it's almost impossible to stop and consider, "What do I want to have happen in the next 12 to 36 months?" However, by not taking time to consider the future and make concrete plans to achieve it, you will be at the mercy of outside forces. You will miss opportunities that present themselves because you haven't created a vision or made a plan and begun to execute it.
Now is the time to meet with your Board, your leadership and your staff to take stock of the present and envision the future you want- not the future you'll be stuck with if left to fate.
Building a Retreat Agenda
When you are unclear about the retreat goals and the agenda, time is wasted. Below is a sample agenda for a planning retreat.
Sample Retreat Agenda
• "State of the Organization" Report- Accomplishments and Challenges
• Three Year Vision for the Organization- Our Preferred Future
• Gap Analysis Between the Current State and the Preferred Future
• SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)
• Action Ideas and Prioritization
• Action Planning 1-3 Years
• Measures- How Will We Know We Are Succeeding?
• Evaluation of the Retreat Process
Do keep in mind that a plan with no responsible party and no timeline isn't complete. Make sure someone's name is associated with each action as the person who will do the next step, bring other parties to the table and be responsible to report back on progress by the due date established.

Carnachan can offer further help by going to her website link on this site -- look to the left and scroll down (or up) for "Links that I Love."
Many island organizations are planning retreat workshops or strategy sessions to envision and plan. The Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC) will hold its retreat on Monday, Jan. 26.
The Orcas Island School District Board strategic plan review will be held Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. at the school library, one week after the regular board meeting this Thursday, beginning at 3 p.m. with a discussion of the proposed bond, and reconvening at 5:30 for the regular meeting.
It would be well worthwhile to attend these meetings for a beginning or overall view of the sense of these boards and build upon their strengths in planning for your own organization.
And if your organization is planning a retreat or giving an annual report, post it on Bullwings so that the public can save the date.

Children singing - the sound of happiness on Jan. 20

2009-01-18T19:39:00.000-08:00

Orcas Island School elementary music teacher Pam Wright says, "The holiday has been extended and we want to share the hard work that the students have done as we start the new year."
The students in Kindergarten through 6th grade will perform at the old school gym on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Their concert will feature the children playing "Boomwhackers," hip hop reindeer dancers -- courtesy of dance teacher Susan Babcock -- recorders, percussion, piano and string -- violins, violas and cellos (Thanks, Moana Kutsche for including this information).
Wright's students will sing "Still, still, still" and other Christmas songs, "For the Winter" and the Jewish "Shalom" (peace) song.
Wright says that her 5th and 6th grade choir has been learning so fast that she began instructing them in the bell choir.
Pam Wright says the program has been carefully planned to last just one hour.

Upcoming Week, Jan.19 to 26

2009-01-18T13:55:00.000-08:00

This week started with an official government holiday on Monday, Jan. 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Day. President-Elect Obama has declared it a national day of service, and Orcas Island groups are planning to pitch in at the Orcas Island School, beginning at 9:30 a.m., and at other sites. (See Day of Service post below).
Pictures depict John Willis and Jean Dickerson and George Karnikis planting in the misty cold of the Eastsound wind tunnel in front of the Orcas Island History Museum. Although workers were few, Dickerson said, "they worked very hard," and she plans future garden parties.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, there will be a Haircut Drive to benefit the family of Jordan Griffin from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Country Corner Laundromat. For appointments, call 376-4740. Minimum $10 donation for “nothing fancy” haircut.
The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee will meet, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Islanders Bank in Friday Harbor to hear the 2008 Annual report, 2009 work plan and assignments, discussion of the Shoreline Master Program amendment process, revision of the water section of the SJC comprehensive plan, presentation of theLead Entity Day and Salmon Recovery Citizen Award, among other agenda items.
Science subcommittee meeting, will meet following the MRC meeting, from 10:45 – 12:30 at Islanders Bank.
An Inauguration Day party will be held at the Outlook Inn, beginning at 5 p.m.
The Orcas Island Elementary School will perform their winter concert at the old gym from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Orcas Garden Club will meet in the Madrona Room at Orcas Center at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Carol Miles will speak on vegetable gardening.
The Orcas Island School District Board will have a double-header meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22in the school library. At 3 p.m. the board will have a work session to discuss the future school bond. Public input is invited to discuss plans for a future bond issue. The board will adjourn to a closed executive session to discuss personnel matters at 4:30 p.m., and will reconvene the public session at 5:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Jan. 24 the Orcas Center will present Spotlight in the OffCenter featuring Eric Apoe and Baby Gramps. For tickets call 376-2281.
Sunday, Jan. 25 the Island Classics Series will come to Orcas Center in the OffCenter, featuring works by Malotte, Bloch, Duval, Egilsson and locals Carolyn Cruso and Sharon Abreu. For tickets call 376-2281.

Floating ferry meeting hears and comments on long-range WSF plans

2009-01-17T01:00:00.000-08:00

At the interisland ferry meeting on Jan. 15, residents of San Juan, Orcas, Shaw and Lopez Island (pictured above left) heard Washington State Ferries (WSF) officials present their draft long-range plan.
Ferries Division head David Moseley, (pictured above right, along with Ray Deardorff, WSF staff, and Ed Sutton, San Juans' Ferry Advisory Committee chair, left to right) said unequivocably stated that the key problem facing WSF and its riders is long-range funding: “The ferries are not financially sustainable.”
The WSF draft long-range plan, published Dec. 19, is in fulfillment of a directive from 2007 legislation.
Deardorff introduced the 99-page Executive Summary of the draft plan, saying that WSF was charged with three key goals:
1) to maximize existing system capacity
2) to plan adaptive management and pricing strategies
3) to deliver the highest service at the lowest cost

Deardoff agreed that the key challenge facing WSF was “the lack of capital funding for investment.” He pointed out that the ferries have “an aging asset base,” with the average age of vessels being 34 years, and that there is a long lead time for vessel construction.

The plan presented two options, (see Dec. 22 Bullwings post), both resulting in a shortfall.
Plan A would require $3.5 billion additional funding. Plan B, a leaner option with fewer boats in service, would still come up short $1.4 billion. Moseley stated that the shortfall would need to come from other sources.

Financing options are being identified by the State Transportation Commission; their conclusions to the Legislature are expected mid-February.
Moseley said, “In this session, our hope is that the legislature will pass legislation” to address the funding problems that have plagued the ferries system since state Initiative 695 was passed in 2000, revoking the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax.

Both options involve a reservation system for vehicles, tailored to the needs of each route and users of the route, plan to keep terminal impacts to the community at a minimum, add and bolster transit solutions for walk-ons, increase passenger fares at half the rate of vehicle fares to encourage walk-ons, and keep increases of fares to 2.5% per year, with the possibility of fuel surcharges at times.

Plan A would build 10 new vessels by 2030, with the Sealth becoming the interisland boat in the spring, summer and fall, and an Illahee-sized vessel to operate in the San Juans in the winter.
Plan B will retire without replacing vessels, resulting in 3 boats instead of 4 in the fall, winter and spring, and four boats instead of 5 in the summer. This plan cuts the Sidney, B.C. destination from the San Juans’ route. Other routes in the system will also see cuts under this plan, resulting in 17 vessels and no standby boat in case of vessel breakdown.

The San Juan County Council rejected Plan B, which cuts ferry service from several runs throughout Puget Sound, and said that Plan A provides minimal service. In its letter to Moseley, the Council said:

By eliminating the Anacortes/San Juans/Sidney vessel, over 80 % of the domestic service capacity on that vessel is eliminated for seven months of the year, which is a 20% reduction in daily service capacity during this period.
Plan B does not meet current or future service demands.
There is insufficient information and time on both plans to allow the legislative bodies and communities to participate in a meaningful review.
Lack of a financing component, as required by ESHB 2358, makes qualitative decisions impossible.
Plan B removes one vessel from a totally ferry-dependent community.
....
Balancing the state budget for the 2009-11 biennium should not be the justification for a long-term state service mistake.

For the complete County response to the WSF draft, go to the Jan. 14 Bullwings post, "Letter from County's Council and Ferry Advisory Committee reject Plan B."

Many on the four-hour route expressed the need for the continued run of the Sidney B.C. ferry route from the San Juans, and the need for the interisland ferry. San Juan resident Allison Johnston-Laurie said that many people who regularly use the interisland boat were not at the hearing, but at their jobs.
County Council member Lovel Pratt commented, as an individual, “The plan doesn’t identify an adequate funding source.” She also noted that the legislature’s restriction that ferries be constructed only by state shipbuilders restricts the state from using federal stimulus funds.

Questions about reservations and options for sustainable funding for ferries were also asked.

During the past week, WSF conducted a series of eight meetings as public hearings of ferry-served communities, and will present their findings to the legislature.
A public rally in Olympia is scheduled for Feb. 17.
For further information on ferries legislation, go to www.leg.wa.gov/legislature, and type in "ferries."

Comments are still sought for input to the draft plan, by email to wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov, or by mail to WSF, Attention Joy Goldenberg
2901 3rd Avenue, Suite 500
Seattle WA 98121-104

Bureaucracy: love of privilege

2009-01-16T23:46:00.000-08:00

Taken from Václav Havel's speech of February 21, 1990, "A Joint Session of the U.S. Congress," appearing in The Art of the Impossible: Politics as Morality in Practice by Václav Havel. Translated from the Czech by Paul Wilson and others, published by Alfred A. Knopf.
In a speech he gave in 1991, Václav Havel, the President of Czechoslovakia, commented on the privileges that begin to accrue to someone in high office:

"I go to a special doctor, I don't have to drive a car, ... I needn't cook or shop for myself, and I needn't even dial my own telephone....

In other words, I find myself in the world of privileges, exceptions, perks; in the world of VIPs who gradually lose track of how much butter or a streetcar costs.... I find myself on the very threshold of the world of the communist fat cats whom I have criticized all my life.

And worst of all, everything has its own unassailable logic. It would be laughable and contemptible for me to miss a meeting that served the interests of my country because I had spent my presidential time in a dentist's waiting room....

But where do logic and objective necessity stop and excuses begin? Where does the interest of the country stop and the love of privileges begin?"

[Contributed] by Peg Tileston on www.holdthatthought.com: "In the United States, corporate executives rake in millions as their companies lay off workers." Peg has been a community activist in Anchorage for over 30 years. She is the chairperson of Alaska Common Ground, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to encouraging all Alaskans to engage in respectful dialogue on issues of importance to them.

Shingle a roof, shovel debris, serve your community Jan. 19 (and before and after!)

2009-01-16T22:17:00.000-08:00

Jan. 19 Observe National Day of Service here
Barack Obama is calling for a National Day of Service to take place on Jan. 19, the federal holiday for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and the days preceding the inauguration on Jan. 20.
This year, the Orcas Island Community Foundation and Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce have announced several community service opportunities:
· There will be a work party at the Orcas Island School District to clean up in the flower beds in between the Elementary and the Administration office, and clean up and expand the vegetable garden in preparation for the Farm to Cafeteria program. All are welcome to pitch in.If you have tools (wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels, gloves, or clippers) bring them along. If not, there will be some to lend. The party starts at 9:30 and ends when the project or the volunteers are done.
· Another garden opportunity is offered by the Orcas Island Historical Museum. Volunteers are needed to help with winter clean-up and soil amending around the historical museum buildings. Meet outside the museum on the brick pathway; work will be in progress from 10 AM to 3 PM. Help keep our historical museum tidy!
· For folks who would prefer an indoor activity, Kaleidoscope is anticipating a full house on the 19th and would appreciate all who are willing to read a story, direct a craft project, or push a swing (their staff will be there to supervise, and lend a hand as needed). If you have a craft in mind, contact Amber Minnis, 376-2484, to arrange supplies.
· Finally, The Orcas Montessori School needs assistance building planting boxes for the garden at the school and cabinet doors for a storage cabinet. Therese Chocano, 376-5350, is the contact person if you are able and willing to help.
Join your Orcas Island neighbors and others around the country and spend this coming Monday—Martin Luther King Day—volunteering to serve the urgent needs in our communities.
Some folks have been hit harder by the recession than others, but we're all in it together. We've all got to roll up our sleeves and help each other out. And volunteering is always a great experience — in just a few hours, you can help make a huge difference in the lives of others, and often meet new friends.
In Washington D.C. on Monday, Americans from around the country will assemble care packages for troops in Iraq at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (inside a heated tent).
Lopez Community Land Trust will hold a “shingling party” at the Common Ground neighborhood, where volunteers will shingle some of the 11 affordable homes being built at 758 Lopez Road from 8 a.m until 5 p.m.
On Tuesday, Barack Obama will officially start the massive job of restoring our country. As president, he plans to expand national service programs like AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps and to create new service organizations1, including:
• a Classroom Corps to help underserved schools;
• a Health Corps to serve in the nation's clinics and hospitals;
• a Clean Energy Corps to achieve the goal of energy independence; and
• a Veterans Corps to support the Americans who serve in harm's way.
To sign up for the Orcas Island Community Service Party at the Orcas school or to sponsor another event, go to http://www.moveon.org/r?r=51086&zip_radius[0]=98245&id=15391-1920211-FfJc0Cx&t=3 or visit the Renew America Together website (www.usaservice.org ) to find a service opportunity or create your own!
You can go to the website and find out about projects without registering. You can also start an event (Please let OrcasIssues know of your event by commenting to this post).
Orcas Issues welcomes comments from non-profits and other community groups for projects for Jan. 19 Day of Service projects. Please provide contact information. Thanks!

Homes for critters: one last report

2009-01-15T19:41:00.000-08:00

With all the stories this week about small creatures taking up residence in human households, consider opening your property to injured or orphaned Orcas Island wildlife that need a safe place to re-enter their own natural surroundings.
Shona Aitken, of Wolf Hollow Wildlife, wrote in that organization's newsletter:

When the injured and orphaned wild animals we care for are ready to go back into the wild, we have to find suitable places to release them. For adult animals, which probably have a territory and/or a mate, we try to get them back as close as possible to the place they were picked up. But, sometimes we don't know exactly where they came from. Someone may have dropped them off at a vet clinic or animal shelter without leaving detailed information about where they were found.
For baby animals, which would be moving away from their parent's territory once they were grown, it is not essential that we return them to exactly the same spot. We like to return them to the same general area, but need to find suitable habitat nearby where they will have the best chance of surviving. As our local area becomes more developed, it is becoming harder and harder to find good release sites, especially for larger birds and mammals that need more space.
This is where you can help! If you live in San Juan or Skagit Counties and have property including natural habitat, where you would be willing to have animals released, we would be delighted to discuss this with you. A few families or individuals have already offered their property, but we would like to add several more key sites. Our staff or volunteers would visit your site and discuss with you which species it would be suitable for, and which species you would be wiling to have released there.
If you would like to offer your property as a release site, or have any questions, please call Shona at 360-378-5000, or send email to saitken@wolfhollowwildlife.org.

PTSA Afterschool Enrichment in astronomy and Spanish

2009-01-15T19:31:00.000-08:00

The PTSA is pleased to announce that the first two PTSA Afterschool Enrichment Classes will begin later this month! An astronomy class begins Jan. 22 and a Spanish class begins Jan. 26.
Marta Nielson will be presenting a NASA-created curriculum for 5th and 6th graders in her "Quark Academy" astronomy class, which begins Thurs. Jan. 22nd and runs for 8 sessions, through March 26. Classes will be Thursdays, 3:15-4:45 p.m., at a total cost of $40 for students of PTSA families/$50 for others.
Anna Roseberry, an Orcas High graduate with a B.A. in Spanish from Oberlin College, will teach beginning Spanish for 1st through 6th graders. First through Third graders can attend Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:10-4:10 p.m., for $50 per month, supplies included. A separate 4th-6th grade class will run from 4:15-5:45 p.m., also on Mondays and Wednesdays, at a cost of $75 per month, supplies included (the higher cost due to longer class time and increased teacher prep demands). Both Spanish classes begin Monday, January 26.
Enrollment forms (including student behavior contracts) are available at the elementary school office. Space is limited, so sign-up soon! Feel free to contact our Program Coordinator, Pat (Lohman) Hunt, at pat.lohman@verizon.net, or Barb Skotte at bskotte@yahoo.com with any further questions you might have. Also, please do not hesitate to let the PTSA know which other classes you might wish to see offered, or if you can help with creating additional classes.

Be an Orcas Idol -- or just a fun-loving friend

2009-01-15T19:00:00.000-08:00

Attention all those who love to sing, just for the heck of it! Orcas Idol on Feb. 7 needs YOU!
Now you can share that joy with your Orcas neighbors and contribute to a good cause -- the promotion of healthy lifestyles through the Orcas Island Prevention Partnership -- by contacting Jeanne Beck at the Funhouse and deciding which of your favorite songs to sing. There's still time to sign up, Jeanne will be helping select music until Jan. 22. The Orcas Idol audition performances on Jan. 24 at the Grange will determine the Idol contestants.
Earlier this week, the editor of Bullwings was persuaded to jump on the bandwagon, and now she's hoping to bring along all those kitchen-sink and shower chanteurs and -teuses to sing your heart out. Photo right shows editor at last no-holds-barred performance. It's easy, all singers will be accompanied by karaoke music, and Bullwings will respond with suggestions to help you choose any song you'd like to sing and sure stage-fright cures.
In the past, Jenole Peacock, Jason Kraayeveldt and Locket Goodrich have won top honors, but the show isn't about competition -- it's about having a great time, sharing music, and knitting together a healthy community in a fun way.
Who else remembers Librarian Holly King singing "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" in audition and then serenading the Idol audience to second place with a series of smoky torch songs? Or island newcomer Jim Sullivan blowing away the crowd at the Orcas Center with his darkly passionate rendition of "Music of the Night," followed by a reincarnation of Johnny Cash with "Folsom Prison Blues."
The Generations Y and Z have been ably represented at past "Idols" with Anika Gresham and KD Laslo's irrepresible showmanship, to mention only a few of the past "Idol" performers.
So this year, let's just get up there and do it for the fun of it, (the more the merrier and the less we'll all feel intimidated).
I had fun yesterday pondering which songs from past loves I'll sing and so far, here's my list: "Memory" from "Cats," "Desperado" by the Eagles and "Love the One You're With" by Steven Stills.
Or maybe I'll sing "For the Good Times" and "Still the Same" by Bob Seger, or maybe "New Orleans" by Gary US Bonds, or maybe or maybe....
Contact Jeanne Beck at jbeck@interisland.net and let's make Orcas Idol 2009 a real Mardi Gras-style hootenanny.

Ferry meeting Thurs. Jan. 15 to air views on Long-range Plans A & B

2009-01-14T18:44:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the San Juan County Council and the Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) unanimously endorsed a response to Washington State Ferries’ Long Range-Planning Options that calls the lower cost Plan B “an unrealistic representation of state ferry service.” The response offers support to the system’s Plan A with some caveats.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferries Division projects that, at the current funding rate, Plan A would create a 20-year funding shortfall of $3.5 billion. Over the same period of time Plan B would come up $1.4 billion short.
WSDOT’s proposed Long-Range Plan A calls for the acquisition of 10 new vessels over the next 20 years and would make capital investments in land transit programs at selected terminals to encourage walk-on ferry ridership.
Plan B calls for the purchase of just five new vessels, the elimination of the Anacortes to Sidney ferry route, and removal of that boat from domestic service. It assumes that some of the reduction in capacity would be absorbed by passenger ferries, operated by local entities rather than the state.
The State is holding a meeting aboard the inter-island ferry on Thursday, Jan 15. If leaving from Orcas Island, board the inter-island at 12:25 p.m., headed to Lopez. The ferry meeting will return to Orcas after sailing to Friday Harbor, and is scheduled to arrive at Orcas Landing at 2:55 p.m.

Letter from County's Council and Ferry Advisory Committee reject Plan B

2009-01-14T18:40:00.000-08:00

The San Juan County Council and Ferry Advisory Committee sent the following letter to David Moseley, Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Washington State Ferries on Jan. 13:

Dear David:
RE: WSF’s Draft Long-Range Plan
The San Juan County Council and Ferry Advisory Committee have jointly reviewed the December 19, 2008 Draft Long-Range Plan and reject the option of Plan B as an unrealistic representation of state ferry service.
• By eliminating the Anacortes/San Juans/Sidney vessel, over 80% of the domestic service capacity on that vessel is eliminated for seven months of the year, which is a 20% reduction in daily service capacity during this period.
• Plan B does not meet current or future service demands.
• There is insufficient information and time on both plans to allow the legislative bodies and communities to participate in a meaningful review.
• Lack of a financing component, as required by ESHB 2358, makes qualitative decisions impossible.
• Plan B removes one vessel from a totally ferry-dependent community.
We have entered the tenth year of difficult state decisions on state ferry funding in the post-I 695 transportation funding environment. We are entering the first year of what everyone hopes is a temporary economic downturn, particularly in elastic revenues received by state and local governments that necessarily slow during these economic conditions. Our first fear is that short-term finances will drive long-term funding decisions. Balancing the state budget for the 2009-11 biennium should not
be the justification for a long-term state service mistake.
The passage of time and the change in economic and government revenue fortunes have positioned WSF to be considered the ugly step-child of the state budget. Addressing the funding gap is the answer, not divestiture. Select what is right over what is easy. If the Plan A gap of $3.5 billion is divided by the 22-year planning horizon, it is a difference of $160 million per year. The loss of MVET [through I-695]in strict 1999 dollars was larger than this by many times. The legislature found a way to replace a good deal of the highway funding as a result of public pressure to fix and improve the roads. Over time (not necessarily all in this session), the legislature must do the same for the ferry system. It is clearly the east/west highway system over the waters of the Puget Sound.
The WSF Long Range Plan presents the ferry-served communities and, to a lesser extent, the citizens of this state with the age-old comparison of price versus value. While it was a conscious point of demarcation not to include economic analysis as part of the study, that decision required the highlighting of cost centers in the WSF budget, while large portions of the overall value disappear into
the general funds of the state and local governments in the form of sales tax and lodging tax.
San Juan County is a ferry-dependent community (as compared with a ferry-advantaged community) and is composed of a complex set of users representing four distinct groups: full-time residents, parttime residents, tourists and commercial users, including those that provide essential supplies. The Anacortes/San Juans route is an extension of State Highway 20 and has been identified as one of the highlights and most scenic elements of Washington State’s most recently designated Scenic Byway.
Maintenance and continued development of a functioning ferry system is critical to the economic viability of the San Juan community.
Generally, Plan A meets the needs of the San Juan County community by providing reasonable transportation options for the multiple-user groups in the San Juan Islands. However, it is not as specific as it should be when considering how the adaptive management strategies, particularly reservations, will appropriately balance the needs of those distinct user groups. It in itself is the minimum to which WSF should peg the level of service, and other targeted improvements; emergency
back-up and passenger efficiencies should also be considered.
Plan B will set in motion a divestiture approach that would make it very difficult to re-build the ferry system to the level of service provided today; it does not provide sufficient ferry capacity to meet current or future requirements. The Plan decreases the number of runs within the San Juan Islands by eliminating the Anacortes/San Juans/Sidney boat and decreases the overall number of new vessels, which will also have a significant economic impact on San Juan Island communities. It also requires passenger-only ferries to be developed and managed by locally-funded entities. It forces mode and travel choices in adaptive management strategies rather than providing them by way of incentive.
The following comments apply primarily to Plan B:
1. Economic Analysis - ESHB 2358 stated that WSF shall develop fare and pricing policies that:
“consider the impacts on users, capacity and local communities”; however a long term economic analysis is conspicuously missing. The decrease of any ferry service to the San Juan Islands will have a negative impact to the economic viability and health of this ferry-dependent community. For the past three legislative sessions, San Juan County has requested that such an analysis be undertaken.
Without data from the economic analysis impact study, WSF cannot make sound decisions about the fate and subsequent impacts of eliminating the Anacortes/San Juans/Sidney route, as well as the loss of non-WSF tourism revenue to the state by diminishing service to the San Juans.
2. Vessel Replacement – Ridership forecasts tell you to increase capacity; Plan A allows for that in a marginal manner over time without increasing the number of vessels, but Plan B, with no capacity increase, represents poor planning in the midst of the largest comprehensive ferry planning effort to date. According to WSF planning staff, Plan A retires vessels early partially in the name of keeping shipyards happy in the hope they will give you better bids. The public should not
make all the compromise. Explore lengthening by a year some of the later replacements to take vessels to their full life expectancy and to spread capital costs. Also, the bidding advantage given to the private shipyards which have no out-of-state competition must be explored for an equitable solution and to provide qualification for federal funding.
The nickel gas tax provided some dedicated funding to vessel replacement. A movement toward Plan B appears to be a second abdication of the promise made by that prior legislature. A ferry-dependent community with no state highways can view that financial redirection with only a profound sense of loss.
The lack of an emergency backup vessel for more than the next five years is tantamount to driving a vehicle without insurance for that period. Emergency back-up vessels have been needed numerous times in just the past two years – there is no reason to expect the likelihood of that need to be any different over the next five years; therefore the situation should be included in any plan, not ignored.
Elimination of the Anacortes/San Juans/Sidney route has a significant impact on the mainland capacity of island traffic. Over 80% of the capacity in the off-season is assigned to domestic service.
3. Transit – Regardless of the Plan, better coordination with local transit agencies is required to ensure that this mode shift is a realistic option The Skagit/San Juan routes are the most difficult coordination opportunity due to the obvious need of residents, weekenders and tourists to move more materials than can be carried by an individual. As a result, it was ignored in either plan without even a
footnote of the need to study it. Transit improvements were ignored because of an apparent default to commuters in the vision of the study. Mode shift can be achieved, but Skagit Transit, the County and WSF must work together to make it happen. Appendix F does not include any specific transit improvements for the Anacortes terminal, let alone any of the other terminals within the San Juan
Islands. This is an item which has generated extensive comments in a number of community forums, most recently during WSF’s inter-island information meeting last fall. Provisions for transit improvements at both ends of the Anacortes/San Juan route are necessary to coordinate with ferry service if any decrease in vehicle traffic is to be supported. Any effort to encourage walk-on traffic must also address parking fees. As long as the costs of parking a car at the Anacortes terminal
approximate the cost of driving a car onto the islands, patrons will choose to drive their cars as it is more convenient.
4. Reservations – This is a key component in both Plans and one which San Juan County
supports, provided that no reservation fee is imposed. As stated in Appendix G, development of a workable system must be developed with “Island agents”. This is interpreted to mean representatives of San Juan County in order to ensure meaningful involvement in developing such a strategy, including the possibility of piloting the reservation strategy at one of the San Juan Island terminals this summer. The San Juan’s have four distinct user groups: islanders, weekenders, tourists, and
commercial. A poorly designed system based on indiscriminately filling vessels runs the risk of leaving groups at a disadvantage. In particular, island residents are still dependent on professional services and certain retail services available on the mainland. Being ferry dependent, and subject to the hours of those businesses, islanders cannot drive around the problem as those using other routes can. The last fare increase proposal engendered militant attitudes of islanders, who showed grass roots power. That attitude will be dwarfed by a reservation system that is not sensitive to ferry-dependent communities.
5. Level of Service (LOS) –The current LOS is acceptable; however, the reduced LOS in Plan B is not acceptable when considering the long waits that currently exist between vessels to and from certain islands. Additional information and analysis are required to determine the triggers for the two proposed levels and the subsequent impacts on ferry riders. Hidden in the alteration of the LOS standard is the previous trigger point for increase of vessel capacity. That has been exchanged for
adaptive management strategies that could ultimately drive housing choice decisions and change the ridership growth assumptions.
6. Foot passenger fare increases – It is very important to the San Juan County community that the existing no-charge for walk-ons on the interisland ferry continues. It is unquestionably the best mode-shift policy employed by WSF on any route, although it currently creates externalities outside the terminal area in the form of parking and transit. It is understood and accepted that passenger fares from the Anacortes terminal could increase. However, additional parking and transit
are essential to encourage increased foot traffic at the terminals at both ends of the route to maximize mode shift in this most unique run among ferry routes.
7. Passenger-only ferries (POF) – A primary premise of Plan B is that current and future passenger-only ferries will be operated and maintained by locally funded entities; without the certainty, readiness or willingness of the affected counties to step in, Plan B begins to look like an exit strategy that creates a service gap and points to self-taxing enabling legislation as the response. Before giving any consideration to Plan B, this is a major assumption that needs to be
explored further with prospective providers to determine the realistic likelihood of such a change in funding, ownership and management. The legislature must also take a broader view of the natural perception that this is an abdication of a 56-year responsibility. That broader view will engender a move toward partnership, which may cause re-thinking that such an abandonment equals no participation in local provider public subsidy. There is no guarantee of mode shift (and its positive
attributes) in placing POF responsibilities on counties – it is only a guarantee of cost shift.
This comment letter has been signed by the full San Juan County Council and Ferry Advisory Committee to signify our commitment to working with WSF to develop a logical and manageable plan to maintain the Anacortes/San Juan Island ferry route.

Signatures followed.

Mighty mice responsible for 125,000 - 200,000 fires per year

2009-01-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

No this isn't a quote from the National Enquirer, but from Orcas Island Fire Chief Mike Harris, who researched national statistics for figures on the number of structure fires caused by rodents -- mice, rats, squirrels, possums, anything that gnaws -- chewing through electric wires in their search for warm "nesting places."
"They're just looking to get out of the elements, and if they can find a place inside your house -- even better," says Harris.
The danger of rodents inside a house (which can be accessed through any point of entry in both older homes and brand-new construction)is that their gnawing can cause wiring shorts that lead to fires, as the Orcas Fire Department experienced first-hand on Dec. 14 when they battled a multi-room fire on Spring Point which resulted in extensive smoke damage.
The house was a three-story "dream house" said Harris, and the culprit was a rat who was electrocuted. "That's all the Fire Marshal needed to see," said Harris, to determine the cause of the fire.
Harris described the fire as the most difficult fire he'd experienced on Orcas, and "one of the most difficult in my career." The heat ducting carried the smoke to three different rooms, but it was the bitter cold that contributed to the difficulty of fighting the fire, as well as the challenges of a steep icy road and the house being built on a cliff, which limited access.
Beyond the fire hazard, the problem of rodents finding a home within your home is that they reproduce so fast. Harris says, "If they target your house, it's not just them but the ones they're creating."
Food and water access are the main reasons for rodents entering buildings. Storing food (including trash) in sealed metal or hard plastic containers is a must. In addition, since rodents can enter buildings through holes as small as 1/4 inch, it is essential to seal off entry points with metal materials, such as steel wool or small-mesh metal screens.
Trapping and baiting are also important measures to take should food, water, and access restriction fail to address the problem of unwelcome house guests.

Warm thoughts (and misgivings) about all creatures great and small

2009-01-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

I'm so relieved, but a little worried too.
On Sunday, I got word from my neighbors that the furnace in my little house in Indianola, in Kitsap County, was apparently "out."
The house was cold, below the 50 degrees that I keep it at when not in residence. So I went down to check it out, with the thought that perhaps the oil (purchased at peak price last July) in the tank had run out in the recent cold spell.
I left with the idea of getting to Indianola before dark, so that I could make a fire in the wood stove in plenty of time to heat the old homestead before nightfall.
I got to the 12:45 ferry to find I was on overload for the 2:55 ferry. I'd checked the new schedule, even correctly read the weekend schedule information, but didn't realize the earlier ferry takes only 50 cars from Orcas, vs. the usual 90 cars.
So, being an adaptable islander, I figured I'd take advantage of the extra time to call my old buddy from college days, Steve.
Steve has a habit of buying old homes and fixing them up, starting with a HUD house that he purchased for $3,000 in 1974 at an auction, and more recently, an old beauty off the fashionable 26th Street in Portland.
When I called, Steve was preparing to wrestle with squirrels.
He told me that there were squirrels in his attic that were increasing in number and becoming quite a problem. Plus, there was no access to the attic from inside the house, and once in the attic, it was insulated with "glass wool" -- treacherous, nasty stuff. Plus, he was leery of heights, and had been rigging up scaffolding and harnesses to scale the heights of his roof. (He's a retired IBM engineer, so he thinks things through beforehand).
He's planned to direct the squirrels to a trap whereby they'd exit the attic. I just couldn't get the thought of deliberate Steve crouching his way through a low-roofed, fiberglass-filled attic with a long-barreled squirrel gun, and I laughed at his dilemma as I described my own, the failed furnace.
He pointed out many of the possible ramifications of running out of oil: the need to "bleed" the line, frozen or burst pipes, etc.
So I was relieved that when I arrived at the house after dark, it wasn't too cold and the water still ran through the pipes and there wasn't any apparent "collateral" damage. The furnace reset button was unresponsive.
I was a little peeved at signs that critters had taken residence: little wads of sofa stuffing scattered on the living room carpet. But I remembered my mom's facedown with a mouse when she lived in the house.
She told me of sitting at the dining room table eating her dinner and spying a little mouse across the room coming from a corner. It stopped stark still, and she swore it was frozen in fear on looking at her, a monster that outweighed the mouse by over 100 pounds.
Mom told me, "I thought to myself, 'What harm could a little mouse do me?' and it turned around a disappeared into some hole."
That was so like my mom, who picked up hitch-hikers and gave them her jackets, and retreated into her own house when a neighbor exploded in anger because she didn't want to embarrass him ... her "live and let live" attitude extended to most everyone outside our family (which was her domain of control).
So I picked up the stuffing and swept the house, and then built a fire and watched the sad ending of Tess of the D'Urbervilles on Masterpiece Theater.
In the grey light of dawn, I checked the oil tank and found that there was a good 24 inches of oil left. I called the furnace company and was lucky to get a serviceman to come out that afternoon.
He checked the reset button and the thermostat, and identified the problem within three minutes as a loose wire. We went to the basement and he was so happy to find the wire chewed off right where the line entered the furnace, at the floor level. "I was afraid I'd have to look into the walls; this is a snap," he told me.
"Do you think a mouse did it?" I asked.
"Yeah, or a rat, some kind of rodent."
Yikes, this is totally different -- a sinister, plague-bearing rat, a despised, long-tailed, baby-biting rodent!
So much for animal compassion and oneness with all creation! This was my karma for laughing at Steve's squirrel situation.
So now as I plug all points of entry and ponder how to "dis-invite" the critters into my beachside cabin, another thought occurs to me: how lucky I was that the damage to the electrical wiring didn't cause a fire.
Tomorrow: Fire Chief Mike Harris comments on the fire hazards created by creatures seeking warmth.

2009 Council Chair: Rich Peterson; Vice-Chair Richard Fralick

2009-01-13T10:41:00.000-08:00

By Stan Matthews
County Communication Program Manager

Yesterday, Jan. 12 District Court Judge Stewart Andrew swore in newly Elected County Council Members Richard Fralick and Lovel Pratt, along with Howie Rosenfeld who was elected to his second four-year term in November.

Richard Fralick, entering his first term as Council Member from Orcas West, said he was looking forward to completing the work that the Freeholders and the County Council has done in transforming the County Government. “I hope that as a council we will do what we can to fully implement the possibilities expressed in the charter and provide for our citizens the best possible County Government.”

With the new Council Members sworn in, Council Clerk Ann Larson reconvened the session to select the Council’s officers for 2009. Council Member Rich Peterson of San Juan Island was elected Chair without opposition. Peterson took over the gavel and presided over the election of new member Richard Fralick as Vice-Chair. The term of each of those positions is one year.

Here comes the sun, and a joke for ferry riders

2009-01-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

The sun is supposed to break through the fog, haze, clouds and rainstorms this week. In the meantime, here's a joke to put a smile on your face.

A blonde was feeling so depressed that she decided to end her life by throwing herself into the Puget Sound. She went down to the docks and was about to leap into the frigid water when a handsome young man saw her teetering on the edge of the pier crying.

He took pity on her and said, 'Listen, you've got a lot to live for.. I'm off to Europe in the morning and if you like, I can stow you away on my ship. I'll take good care of you and bring you food every day.

Moving closer, he slipped his arm around her shoulder and added with a wink, 'I'll make you happy, and you can make me happy.'

The blonde nodded 'yes' through her tears. After all, what did she have to lose?

That night, the sailor brought her aboard and hid her in a lifeboat, along with blankets and food. From then on, every night he brought her sandwiches, water, wine and fruit and they would make mad, passionate love until dawn.

Three weeks later, during a routine inspection, she was discovered by the Captain.

'What in the heck are you doing here?' the Captain demanded angrily.
'I have an arrangement with one of the crew,' she explained. 'I get free food and a trip to Europe . Meanwhile (she says coyly) he's taking advantage of me so to speak (wink, wink).'

'He sure is, lady,' the Captain said, 'This is the Bremerton Ferry.'

Census jobs on Orcas Island $17.50/hr

2009-01-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

Mary Lisenbery, Recruiting Assistant for the US Census Bureau, recently announced that the Census Bureau is recruiting workers in the San Juan Islands for the 2010 Census. Wages are $17.50 to $20.50 per hour plus $.585 per mile
Jobs will come available starting this month.
Testing will take place at the Orcas Island Library on Jan. 14 and again on Jan. 28. Those interested should call 206-501-4160 to determine eligibility and documentation.
For further information, go to www.census.gov, or call 866-861-2010.
Workers are also needed on San Juan Island and testing will take place at the San Juan Library.

Permits opening for Accessory Dwelling Units - Feb. 6 deadline

2009-01-11T11:36:00.000-08:00

A total of 14 Permits will be available for the construction of New ADU structures in 2009. An additional 3 Permits will be available for the conversion of existing accessory structures that have existed legally for at least five years to an ADU.
On January 12, 2009, the San Juan County Community Development & Planning Department (CD&P) will begin accepting applications for Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Permits to be issued in 2009.

This year's ADU Permit Lottery will take place on Feb. 20, 2009.

All ADU Lottery Applications must be submitted on the CD&P ADU Lottery Application Form. Go to www.sanjuanco.com and click on the development and planning department to find the ADU Lottery Applications form.
Completed Application Forms can be obtained and filed in person at the CD&P office during normal business hours at 135 Rhone Street, PO Box 947, Friday Harbor, Washington, or by fax or by mail. The fax number is (360) 378-3922. A "hard copy" of each application must be submitted on the CD&P ADU lottery application form. No electronic applications will be accepted.

CD&P will accept ADU Lottery Applications until the close of business on Feb. 6, 2009. Any ADU Lottery Application received by CD&P after the close of business on Feb. 6, 2009 will be ineligible for the lottery and will be added, in the order received, to the appropriate waitlist at the end of the appropriate waitlist established on Feb. 20, 2009.

Questions regarding the application procedure and requirements can be addressed to CD&P staff either by phone at (360) 378-2354 or fax at (360) 378-3922 or by email at permits@sanjuanco.com.

Parents and kids form new playgroups

2009-01-11T11:14:00.000-08:00

Salmonberry School on Orcas Island invites parents and their birth to 4/5 year old children to participate in two different kinds of parent/child gatherings.
The first is a drop-in group which meets on Wednesdays, from 9-11 a.m., every week that Salmonberry School is in session. Mothers, fathers, caregivers and even expectant parents can enjoy a cup of tea and informal conversation while their children play in a Waldorf inspired environment.
This is a great way to meet other parents in the community and share ideas, experience and resources. A growing library is available with books on parenting, child development and education. This group will meet in the back of the Salmonberry grades building at 867 North Beach Road with fee by donation.
A more structured Parent/Child class will take place in the Waldorf-inspired preschool/kindergarten classroom on Saturdays Jan. 31 to March 14 from 10-11:30 a.m. with optional outdoor play until noon. This course will be led by Waldorf educator, Jesica DeHart and long-term Orcas playgroup facilitator, Kathi Ciskowski.
Circle time, sharing a meal, creating a simple craft item and parent education will be part of this offering. This class will have an enrollment limit, pre-registration is required and the course fee is based on a sliding scale.
Contact Jesica DeHart at jesicadehart@yahoo.com or at 376-3367 for more information on both groups or to register for the Parent/Child class.

The week ahead Jan. 12-18: Ferries, 4-H and Pudd'n Head Wilson

2009-01-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

4-H starts up on Orcas Island, led once again by Kathy Morris. The informational meeting is at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12 at the Orcas Christian School cafeteria. Sometimes island life doesn't seem that rural, but for introducing our kids to the outdoors and animals and their other creative abilities, 4-H is hard to beat.
Also on Monday, Jan. 12, the County Council's work session begins at 10 a.m. with new council members (including Richard Fralick from Orcas Island) being sworn in, followed by the selection of the Council Chair and Vice-Chair. Citizen access time, during which the public can bring up concerns to the council, is scheduled for 10:10 a.m.
Upcoming agendas for council business through Feb. 10 will be reviewed.
Appointments of council members to various boards and commissions will follow.
The Washington State Ferries Master Plan will be discussed, as well as an agreement between the Puget Sound Partnership & San Juan County.
County Administrator items are scheduled for review at 11 a.m. and will include the Eastsound GMA Hearing Board Decision and an update and discussion on Long Range Planning Priorities.
The General Government Subcommittee will discuss Code Enforcement and the Marine Resources Committee at 12:30 p.m.
For further information, go to www.sanjuanco.com or call 378-2898
Tuesday, Jan. 13, The Ferry Advisory Committee will meet from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Legislative Building across the street from the County Courthouse.
"Cucumbers and Urchins - Natural History and Fisheries" with Michael Ulrich of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Lectures will be the subject of the Marine Lecture Series at Camp Orkila on Tuesday, Jan. 13. The lecture will be at the Marine-Salmon Center on Orcas Island at 7 p.m. Contact Jean Spalti at jmspalti@ucdavis.edu, or phone 376-3910 for further information.
The Orcas Fire Department's regular meeting will be held at the fire hall at 7:30 p.m.
David Sarver begins a class on "Puddin' Head Wilson" by Mark Twain this coming Wednesday, Jan. 14, at the Parish Hall of the Episcopal Church in Eastsound, from 10 a.m. to noonish. Puddin' Head Wilson has been described as a grown-up Huckleberry Finn. The course will run for three consecutive Wednesdays.
The County Park Board meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 15 from 8:30 to 11:15 a.m. at the County Legislative Building Conference Room at 55 Second Street #119 in Friday Harbor. Contact information: phone 360-378-8420, fax 360-378-2075, e-mail
Parks@sanjuanco.com, website www.sanjuanco.com/parks
A "floating" ferry meeting will be held on the interisland ferry with WSF on Thursday, Jan. 15, The meeting is a public hearing on WSF's draft Long-Range Plan options aboard the San Juan Inter-Island Ferry from 11:35 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The main topic of the long-range plan is sustainable financing for ferry operations, which will be taken up by the state legislature this session. The draft plan considers two options, one of which is local communities absorbing some of the costs of operations.For more information on the plan, search this blog for "ferries draft plan" in the top left-hand corner search window of this blog (Dec. 22 post) or go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/planning/eshb2358.
San Juan County’s transportation planner, Shannon Wilbur, has prepared a brief summary of Plans A & B which points out similarities and differences in the plans and highlights specific items which will affect San Juan County. That summary is available in PDF file format at www.sanjuanco.com/docs/news/FerryPlanReview_public.pdf
On Friday, Jan. 16, the county Planning Commission meets at 8:30 a.m. at Islander’s Bank Annex, downstairs, 225 Blair Ave, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island to continue public hearings and discuss the Madrona Coast LLC Open Open Space, Orcas Island, File No. 08OS004; The Proposed Update of the
San Juan County Comprehensive Plan Housing Element; the Amendment of the
Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element and Appendix 1 to Allow for 50% of the San Juan Island’s Future Population Growth to Occur in the Friday Harbor UGA; and delberations only on proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) and Appendix 2 of the Comprehensive Plan to allow for Essential Public Facilities (EPFs.
If necessary, the meeting will reconvene at 1 p.m. following a lunch break scheduled at noon.

Ferry chat: Desperation leads to abuse

2009-01-10T09:57:00.000-08:00

Orcas Islander Suzan Chamberlayne recently published the following letter. On an interisland ferry commute, Orcas Island Prevention Partnership Director Marta Nielson and others discussed the content of the letter.
These opinions and discussions are what Bullwings: Orcas Issues finds valuable for publication to the Orcas Island community. We welcome the public using Orcas Issues as a forum for opinion, conversation, argument and common ground.
Suzan's letter follows:

How disappointing to see our local paper [the Sounder] sensationalize a tragedy like domestic violence (Dec. 31, pg. A3).
To headline a national statistic (rather than local), to focus on the negativity of victimization (rather than the healthy behaviors, circumstances and mindsets that can prevent it), and to intimate that violence is only “perpetrated” by men is misleading and/or inaccurate journalism, regrettably beneath our standards. As the article says, “Verbal abuse can often lead to physical abuse.” We all need to take responsibility — the abusers, the abused, and those who do nothing. Until we cease our victim mentality, we maintain the phenomenon of victimhood.
Don’t get me wrong — I recognize the need for people in crisis situations to receive intervention and support. When someone does not know where else to turn, having a hotline, emergency assistance, and advocacy group can be invaluable, sometimes even life-saving. But I caution against absolutist thinking.
If a person feels the need to exert “power and control” over another (what the executive director of DVSAS identifies as “the main cause of domestic violence”), that person’s need is likely the tragic result of their feeling powerless and out of control.
Instead of shunning and branding them with labels like “terrorist,” let’s find ways to help them not feel so desperate. The DVSAS might make a bigger “difference in the lives of victims and potential victims” by finding ways to give hope, by offering understanding, support and compassion to those they have labeled “the perpetrators.”
Years ago, my friend Gail Brooks (who lived & died a supporter of the DVSAS) and I considered the question, “Might there possibly be a subliminal message in the title Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Services that unfortunately intimates the exact opposite from its intention?“ Let’s consider what “services” we wish to provide and be sure that is the true focus. Rather than fighting violence with a Coalition Against Sexual Assault, let’s declare what we are for and support a Coalition for Peace, Respect, & Compassion.

More affordable housing off North Beach Road soon

2009-01-08T18:56:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, Jan. 7, the county Hearing Examiner found nothing objectionable in an affordable housing development on Shady Lane, according to Orcas Islander John Campbell. The binding site plan for six family homes, proposed by the non-profit organization, Homes For Islanders (HFI), was reviewed by the Hearing Examiner in 12 minutes, said Campbell, who presumes that approval will be forthcoming, upon meeting conditions in the staff report.
Those conditions are to provide affordable housing in accordance with county code, abiding by the site plan, and meeting all agency requirements prior to occupancy.
"This is a dream project, where everything falls into place and works without agony," said Campbell.
"So far everything has been easy -- the zoning, the density bonus -- sometimes thinks work like falling out of bed." The density bonus allows six houses with garages and separate yards within one acre.
Campbell expects to begin construction on the homes this summer.
"We're looking for more people," he said of the latest HFI project, where homeowners work in teams to build their own homes. HFI can help interested parties obtain loans through government programs, even if they have had a poor credit record in the past.
The "Woodlands" project, currently under construction off Rosario Road, is the fourth project HFI has undertaken. To view a model of HFI construction, visit the project on San Juan Island, across the street from the library.
For more information, contact Campbell at 376-2035 or email jmc@rockisland.com or go to www.HomesforIslanders.org .

Whence came the wet weather

2009-01-08T09:50:00.000-08:00

These lenticular clouds, spotted over Mt. Rainier last Friday, Jan. 2, are harbingers of wet, rainy weather such as we've experienced the past week. Photos by Scott Sisek.

Environmental Center at Moran Park closing means less revenue

2009-01-06T15:52:00.000-08:00

On December 19, 2008, Linda Sheridan of the Environmental Learning Center at Moran State Park, wrote the following:

"I wanted to give you an update about Moran Outdoor School, Moran State Park, and the Washington State Parks budget plan .... On December 18th the Governor sent out her budget proposal for the 2009-2011 biennium. As you may have read in the news, virtually every state agency takes cuts in this proposal, and Washington State Parks is no exception. To view the proposal please go to http://www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/budget(go to Budget Highlights: Natural Resources then to Culture and Recreation to find State Parks specifics).
In the budget Governor Gregoire proposes Permanent Park Closures stating:

“The Commission will select 13 state parks and one environmental learning center for closure that do not meet its long-range plan for high quality parks with statewide significance.”
On Dec. 19 there was a letter that went out to all Parks stating where the closures will be. The good news is Moran State Park as a whole is NOT on that list, however, we ARE the Environmental Learning Center they have listed.
So what does this mean?
If/when they cut they Environmental Learning Center they will also cut Moran Outdoor School and two full time positions, the ELC Manager Ranger 2 Position (Kinnan “Wolf” Murray) and the Interpretive Specialist Position (Linda “Scat” Sheridan). I was informed that this will take effect September 15th 2009. This means School groups coming in the spring of 2009 will participate in our Program as planned, and ELC users that have reservations up until September 15, 2009 will be able to use the facility.
After September 15, the ELC (and possibly the Vacation House) will be boarded up and closed down. NO user groups after this time and NO Fall Program will be held at the Outdoor School. Linda Sheridan will be laid off and Kinnan Murraywill be moved to another Ranger position at Moran.

This is very scary for us but you need to know THINGS ARE NOT FINAL YET! This is why I am writing to you and why we need your help.

The Legislators from San Juan County are meeting Jan. 12 and will be deciding on this and many other issues. I have written a letter to them explaining what the Outdoor School Program is and what the Moran ELC is and why both are significant.

I have explained in the letter that although it does cost the State money to run and operate the ELC and the Outdoor School, these programs MAKE revenue every year and therefore should not be cut from our Park. The only reason that Rex Derr (WA State Parks Director) and Judy Johnson (Deputy Director) gave as to why our ELC got picked was that we have a “special program” and that all special programs need to be cut at this time.

It was obvious from my conversation with them and Moran Manager Jim Schuh that they do not have the full story and that they are not looking at revenue brought in from our programs and comparing them to other ELC revenues. I should be as clear on this as possible. While the state will save some money by cutting the ELC and Outdoor School, it will also give up significant revenue. Therefore, cutting the ELC and Outdoor School is an inefficient cost savings strategy for the state.

Of course, while the cost savings to the state will be minimal, the loss of services to you will be immediate and dramatic.

In our conversation with Derr and Johnson I also mentioned that because of the Centennial 2013 plan proposed by Rex Derr, that we have recently renovated many of our buildings at the ELC. You may have noticed these changes to upper camp – a new gender specific bathroom for upper camp, and four cabins with new roofs, windows, heaters, porches, and siding inside and out. In addition, we’ve completely redone the interior of Kestrel Cabin (the cabin closest to the lodge).

So here is what I am asking of you. Take the time ... to write a letter or email to the 40th District Legislators, (as well as your own State Legislators if you’re from outside the 40th District), and tell them about Camp Moran ELC and the Outdoor School Program. Explain who you are and how you are connected to this part of our Park. Explain to them how the Outdoor School program and this beautiful State Park has affected your life ... and/or how it has been an asset to your [community]. Tell them why you think the ELC should not be boarded up and closed down. Demand that they keep this ELC open and that they keep the Outdoor School up and running despite these hard times. The information for the 40th District legislators can be found on this website: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/results.aspx?District=40
Next what I ask is that you take that same letter or email and send it to Rex Derr, the Director of Washington State Parks.
The Washington State Park Headquarters address is PO Box 42650 Olympia, WA 98504-2650. The main office phone number is 360-902-8500.
If you are really fired up you can send the letter to our region office as well. Our Region Manager is Eric Watilo and the Northwest Region Office address is 220 N Walnut St. Burlington WA 98223. Their office phone number is 360-755-9231.
The legislators are the people to contact right now so if you only want to send it to one place send it to them. They make the final decision.
Please help give Camp Moran Environmental Learning Center a voice so we can keep the long time tradition of this beautiful facility going in Moran State Park.
Thank you so much for your time and support! If you have questions please call me in the office 360-376-6173 Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. I will be in and out of the office for the next several weeks so email is best - moranee@hotmail.com."

Michel Vekved, of the Friends of Moran State Park, added the following information:
"Friends of Moran has not yet pulled together a fundraising plan. We are waiting for details so that we can target the specific funding and support needed by the park. In the meantime, any donations for the ELC program can be sent to Friends of Moran and earmarked for ELC. Our address is P.O. Box 1961 Eastsound, Wa 98245
As soon as we have current information we'll try to update our supporters on our web site (friendsofmoran.com).

Noxious Weed Control charge increased

2009-01-05T23:23:00.000-08:00

By Stan Matthews, County Communications Program Manager
In a special session Monday, Jan. 5, the San Juan County Council voted 4-2 to grant a three dollar per parcel increase in the Noxious Weed Control Levy, a flat charge on each parcel. The new annual levy will total $6.25 per parcel of non-forest land plus 62.5 cents per acre.
Noxious Weed Board Chair Amanda Azous told the Council that 93% of the parcel owners in the county will pay $18.50 or less per year most taxpayers will pay about half that amount.
Azous told the Council that because of increases in operating costs over the past six years, the program has had to reduce its two employees to half time or less and cannot fund on-the-job transportation expenses for its employees or storage facilities for equipment.
The Council had rejected the Board’s request for a larger increase in the parcel charge in November. On Monday Council Member Gene Knapp repeated his objections, citing revenue shortfalls that have forced budget reductions in 19 county departments. He and Councilman Rich Peterson, who said he would support sending the proposal to the voters to decide, voted against the increase.
In support of the increase, Council Member Alan Lichter – who was attending his last meeting before retiring from the Council – argued that the Board had already taken its cuts in previous years and joined Council Member Bob Myhr in calling its work essential in preserving the environment and protecting agriculture. The Noxious Weed Control Levy is separate from the County’s general revenue sources and has no direct financial impact on the “County Current” budget which funds other County departments.
Council Members Lichter, Myhr, Council Chair Howie Rosenfeld and outgoing member, State Senator-Elect Kevin Ranker, provided the four votes needed to adopt the levy increase.
The Noxious Weed Control levy was adopted in 2002 after a countywide advisory vote. The program is charged with working to eradicate or control the spread of poisonous weeds and invasive plants that are dangerous to humans or animals, an economic threat to agriculture or degrade the environment.
The levy increase proposal had received several dozen letters of support from farmers, environmentalists and also received support from the Land Bank, and the County Parks and Public Works departments.

Gifts of the 12 Days of Christmas

2009-01-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

As Christmas celebrations extend from expressions of spiritual faith to commercial excess, and as the “New Reality” of uncertain income and finances spreads across the land, even to Orcas Island, the spirit of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is still upon us.

Not so much about lords-a-leaping or swans-a-swimming, The 12 Days of Christmas is about the gifts of each day of Christmas, beginning on Christmas Day and extending to Jan. 6, traditionally the day when the Wise Men arrived at Bethlehem to give gifts to the Holy Child.

So today, on the 11^th Day of Christmas, it’s a special gift to personally reflect on the gifts of the last 11 days, and on the idea that every day brings its gifts; sometimes we just have to appreciate them. Here’s some of mine:

Christmas Day

All my three adult kids and my husband were together with me in Seattle, helping prepare dinner, eating together amid conversation, and laughing at our good fortune of sharing health and happiness.

Dec. 26

I spent much of the day searching for my missing driver’s license; not anxious, but just wondering, “Why am I going through this exercise?” At last I drove to the licensing office, grateful that after a week of snow, I could drive across town. The DMV employee taking my picture couldn’t have been more friendly, and when I said, “This is the first time I’ve ever encountered a happy person here,” he responded, “I’m the change I want to see happen.” It blew me away.

Dec. 27

My daughter and I treated ourselves to a decadent, marathon, six-hour session in front of the television set, watching all of season one of “Mad Men,” which I introduced her to and she loved. In overcoming my "dashing about" habit, it was pure pleasure to just observe and comment on another soap opera beside my own.

Dec. 28

I drove back to Orcas Island, indulging my own thoughts, memories and plans in the two-hour drive – not listening to the radio, or music, or talking on the cell phone, just thinking and drinking in the beauty of the quiet, grey, Northwest winter, not worried about time or weather.

Dec. 29

My son and his wife, now living in Wisconsin, and their friends came over for dinner. My son came first and we chatted privately for an hour, then the others came and helped make dinner and then my husband “brought home the bacon” and barbecued halibut before we all sat down to a most excellent dinner. Then they raced off for the last ferry while we stayed home by the fire.

Dec. 30

I met with Michael Sky to plan an upgrade of Bullwings to include categories, forums and subscriptions. Started as a spontaneous, personal newsblog, I now want to make it easier for readers to search topics, and discuss Orcas Issues.

Dec. 31

I went to Friday Harbor to deposit a check at my Wells Fargo bank and deliver copies of The Fisherman’s Quilt to Island Studios, and had three hours to explore the big city. Lunched at the Garden Path café, shopped and tried on clothes at the second-hand store, browsed the bookstore to the bargain corner where I found a $3 sequel to 84 Charing Cross Road, which I never knew existed. It’s called The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street and is every bit as charming as 84.

Jan. 1

I delighted in my resolutions: to learn more about internet technology each day, starting by looking up “Wii,” and to end my three-hours-plus of news-watching on television each night and instead read The Duchess.

Jan. 2

Had family-style dinner at a Thai restaurant in Seattle with my three children and their spouses. Now that they are all adults and have left the nest, enjoying their company all together again is a rare event; and, now that they’ve entered their 30s, I seem to have moved from being a watchdog that they avoid to a person they can count on.

Jan. 3

Breakfast with my sister and son Jeff and his wife Alyssa at “Tilth” restaurant in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle. My sister and I fell into telling old family stories, this time of our three spinster cousins, whom she described as “horsey” and I described as “Amazons.” The silly spontaneity of our exchange delighted us all, and it was also fun to just visit between the four of us.

Jan. 4

Another drive back to Orcas, arriving at the ferry terminal in time to read from my next book, Mister Pipp, which was lent to me by Antoinette Botsford, from the collection of our friend Judith Struthers. So pleased that after all the stresses and distractions of life, I can once again sink into a book and care about made-up characters.

Jan. 5

So today – looking forward to a “business” day, and revelling in the fact that I’m self-motivated and enjoy ticking off business tasks, and maybe tonight we will celebrate our 8^th wedding anniversary on the 12^th day of Christmas, by taking down our beautiful tree and re-reading our holiday letters and Christmas cards before putting them away until next year.

These were just some of the gifts of the 12 Days of Christmas, pinpoints of light during the longest nights of the year. Others have told me of their little “miracles” or gifts, from transport to the airport to forgiving a long-standing dispute to finding a new job. How wonderful to focus on the gifts we receive and give to each other.

Tomorrow is the 12^th Day of Christmas, but it is the first day of the rest of my life, if I should live that long. With the weather warming up, new energy to start fresh is spreading across the island. There’s lots of meetings, and rehearsals, and causes and study to entertain us as we savor the memories of 2008 and before, and look ahead to The Season of Peace, from Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 19 to the anniversary of Gandhi’s death on April 4.

The ultimate vision of the Season for Peace & Non-Violence is to promote a proactive, life enhancing awareness of nonviolent activism as demonstrated by Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar E. Chavez, and other heroic voices for peace through justice. Such a campaign is dedicated to demonstrating that non-violence is a dynamic way to heal, transform and empower our communities, our world and ourselves. From the Unity of Beaverton , Ore. newsletter, Winter 2008.

Freedom of speech seen in Anacortes

2009-01-04T21:07:00.000-08:00

Freedom of speech means freedom from fear when differing points of view are expressed. We haven't seen protest marches in the streets in quite a while, but in Anacortes, the turnoff corner to the ferry often is populated by war protesters, troop supporters, and government protestors. This is what the four corners looked like this weekend.

New Year - New Writing - Poetry Jan.6 and Roundtable Jan. 10

2009-01-04T20:51:00.000-08:00

Start a new habit with the enjoyment of poetry - spontaneous bursts of thought and emotion that can be refined or not. JoEllen Moldoff leads the class through appreciation and exploration in poetry, starting with recognized poets and including participants in her classes.
Beginning this week: Three Tuesdays of Poetry for Poets, Poetry Lovers and the Curious -- Jan. 6, 13, and 20, 1-3 p.m. at the Library, 7 fee for library and copying costs. Register at the library. Instructor: JoEllen Moldoff
Moldoff says, "Poetry makes meaning through the sound and rhythm of language, metaphor, compression, tone, and how the words are broken into lines. Reading poetry together is an opportunity to share the lyricism as well as the content of poems.
In this brief session, we will read aloud and discuss the work of contemporary American and international poets, poems that will inspire and awaken the poet in you. We will consider the poem’s content and context, form, sound, tone, word choice, lyricism, meaning.
"Poets which might be included: William Stafford, Mary Oliver, Jane Hirshfield, William Carlos Williams, Wallace Stevens, Pablo Neruda, Constantine Cavafy, W.H. Auden, Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, Billy Collins, Wistlawa Symborska, Naomi Shihab Nye, Galway Kinnell, Czeslaw Milosz, Seamus Heaney, Elizabeth Bishop, Asian poets and poets of your choice."
The first Writer’s Roundtable of the year will be Saturday, Jan. 10, from 1-3 p.m. at the library. Join fellow writers for conversation, creative writing prompts, and sharing work-in-progress. All are welcome.
The third annual 10-minute play festival will accept submissions for the festival through the end of January. Come to these workshops to "prime the pump" for your playwriting efforts!

The week ahead Jan. 5 - 10

2009-01-03T10:19:00.000-08:00

Beginning Monday, it's back to normal with meetings and hearings:
Monday, Jan. 5
Special County Council Meeting from 9 until 11 a.m. at the Legislative Hearing Room, 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor. The public hearing and discussion items will include: An Ordinance Amending the San Juan County Code to Increase the Noxious Weed Assessment, a Resolution Ratifying Telephonic Actions from the Dec. 15, 2008 Regular Council Meeting.

Affordable Housing
Lopez Island meetings:
On Jan. 5, from 4:30 until 6 p.m., there will be a Public Meeting to Discuss and Take Comment on the Updated Draft San Juan County Comprehensive Plan Housing Element and Housing Needs Assessment at the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts, 2704 Village Road, Lopez Island.
And on Tuesday, Jan. 6, the Critical Areas Ordinance meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lopez Island Library Meeting Room, 2225 Fisherman Bay Road, Lopez.

Orcas Island meetings:
Tuesday, Jan 6, a Public Meeting to Discuss and Take Comment on the Updated Draft San Juan County Comprehensive Plan Housing Element and Housing Needs Assessment will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall.

Check out the Orcas and Lopez Island affordable housing projects at loho.org and opalclt.org.

Deer Harbor Fire Station, Lopez shoreline development, Orcas Island Shady Lane Affordable Housing Plan hearings
The San Juan County Hearing Examiner will hold hearings on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at Key Bank in Friday Harbor, beginning at 9:30 a.m. to hear the following matters:
* Public hearing on an application by Orcas Island Fire District for a Conditional Use Permit to construct the Deer Harbor Fire Station on Channel Road, Orcas Island. File #08CU017. lm
* Public hearing on an application by Allen Israel, Kona Residence Trust, for a Substantial Development permit to construct an elevated footbridge across an existing path used to access the dock serving the property located at 1469 Sperry Peninsula, Lopez Island. File #08SJ013. jt
* Public hearing on an application by John Campbell for a Binding Site Plan and a Conditional Use Permit to allow 6 units of affordable housing at 17 Shady Lane, Orcas Island. File #’s 08BSP003 & 08CU020. lm

Thursday, Jan. 8 Community Network and Readiness to Learn monthly meeting at the Orcas Hotel has been rescheduled for February.

Eastsound Planning Review Committee will not hold their regular monthly meeting, usually scheduled for the first Thursday of the month at 3 p.m. at the Senior Center in Eastsound; however, a work session is planned for later in the month.

Friday, Jan . 9 - San Juan County Land Bank Commission Meeting from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the San Juan County Hearing Room in Friday Harbor.

Post Office glitch holds mail since September

2009-01-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

Back in September, my regular statement from two credit card companies, plus my oil bill, never showed up in my post office box. When I got assessed a late fee in my October billing, I called the credit card companies, who said they’d mailed the bills three weeks prior to their being due.
On Oct. 21, I asked Mary Therkelsen, the interim (now permanent) Eastsound postmaster, if she could track the mailed bills. She said there was nothing to be done until the bills showed up and she could look at the postmark date – frustrating!
But since then, I’ve kept my bills by the phone to remind myself to send payment, even if the bills don’t come on time. This involves checking by phone with the credit card companies to make sure of the due date; but I don’t want my payment credit to be called into question any further than it already has. I’ve been informed that if I have another late payment, my interest rate will go up.
Then, on Dec. 26, we got a notice to pick up mail for our post office box. The bundle of mail was postmarked the first week in September, and the two credit card notices were among them (also my nephew’s Bar Mitzvah thank you, which I’d wondered why this unusually polite kid had not acknowledged our gift.)
When we went to the Post Office on Dec. 30 to ask about it, Mike Haugen said there were a number of post office box customers that had experienced the same problem and the Post Office was taking steps to rectify the situation.
We asked for a letter to our creditors explaining the situation and Mike assured us that letters would be written that we could pick up the next day. Mike said that they would not write a general letter that we could copy to the affected creditors, but that they would need specific information from those creditors to write the specific letters. I left the account numbers, the late fees charged and the addresses for the letters. He said we could pick them up the next day, Dec. 31.
On Dec. 31, we got a phone message from Mary Therkelsen, saying she understood that we’d had a problem at the time we came to pick up our mail and acknowledged that “we did have a problem at that time with this group of second notices.” She asked us to call her back before 4 p.m.
On Jan. 2, I called and asked Mary Therkelsen if she would be writing the letters acknowledging that our mail, dated from Sept. 3 to Sept. 8, had not been delivered to us until Dec. 30. She said that normally this was not done, that she understood Mike Haugen had done this in the past, and that she would need to contact her superior before doing so. When I brought up that I had contacted her personally in October about not receiving mail, she said that I had not made it clear that I wanted her to check if any mail was being held – otherwise she would have checked. Basic customer service would suggest to me that, before turning a customer away, the first thing I would do is check to see if mail for our box was being held.
I complained about her reluctance to acknowledge the Post Office’s part in our delayed mail and damaged credit history, and she said, “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
This is the cowardly lackey’s attempt to protect their own reputation, rather than offer a sincere apology for their own errors. It’s even worse than an apology offered with excuses for damaging someone.
Yes, we all make mistakes, we’re only human, but client service means delivering on your obligation, and rectifying the situation if an error has been made.
Mary Therkelsen’s attitude seemed to convey that the most important consideration was that it was not her fault, and that she was dismayed that she had to hear complaints of mistakes. In contrast, Mike Haugen’s sincere apology and attempts to rectify the situation were what postal customers should hear when they take their complaints to the parties responsible.
Mary Therkelsen did call her superior and received hispermission to write a letter acknowledging the problems caused by the 15-week delay in delivering our mail. The supervisor's name is Les Stewart, Manager of Postal Operations, and his address is 415 First Ave. N. Seattle WA 98109-9992.
One final note: Mike Haugen told us on Dec. 30 that many postal customers in Eastsound had experienced this problem, of mail being held. If others have suffered credit history damage as a result, I suggest you contact the Post Office and Les Stewart at the above address.

You said it! Orcas quotes in 2008

2009-01-01T10:23:00.000-08:00

January
“Our first interest is for public safety and preservation of the land.” Chris Guidotti, Moran State Park Manager on the trails being constructed by extreme bike riders.

“To be a resident on Orcas is to immediately become part of island past, present and future.” Historical Society President Margot Shaw.

“I’d like to say, two years from now, that I’ve left the district in a better place – and that’s going to depend on the five of us.” Orcas Island School District board member Scott Lancaster.

“We all want to do the right thing, and we’re having a hard time doing the right thing in a timely manner.” John Evans, President, San Juan Builders’ Association.

“Our real strength is the ability to see opportunity and move on it.” Orcas Island School District board member Charlie Glasser, on extending enrollment in OASIS alternative high school.

February
“By making the school more energy efficient, the gap between learning about a problem and doing something about a problem would be filled.” Terrell Carter, Lopez High School Senior, on paper recycling for his senior project.

“People then were so tied to the idea of what education could do for the community, and we all believe that.” Community Foundation President and local historian Tom Welch.

“I’m really proud of the kids. The seniors set the goal of going to the State tournament… when they were in the eighth grade. It has bee their focus since day one of this season.” Lopez Lobos’ basketball coach Brad Smith.

“I get to encourage children to open up their imaginations and center themselves with a book rather than to stare at a screen all day.” Orcas Island School Librarian Claire Reutter.

March
“Lack of public participation is not a new issue.” Orcas Fire Commissioner Jim Coffin.

“I have to do the best I can to return my husband to Orcas because I will not be able to work after the baby is born and be a single mother.” Wife of an Orcas Island resident and immigrant worker who was apprehended in the Border Patrol “check” in Anacortes.

“The Board and administration feel very strongly that any… budget reductions should be as far away from students and classrooms as possible.” Bill Evans, Lopez School District Superintendent.

April
“Moving forward, it will be easy to clarify.” Orcas Fire Commissioner Jim Coffin.

“I realize we’re under a timeline, but I don’t want to destroy Eastsound village.” County Planning Commissioner Brian Ehrmantraut.

“The Board has told us that … if we don’t meet this deadline it could impose penalties, including a moratorium on issuing building permits. That would be disastrous for our local economy.” County Council member Rich Peterson.

“With a $667,000 deficit, everyone’s going to be hurt, in every department.” Orcas Island School District board member Tony Ghazel.

“The public is worried about you guys, not about the volunteers, but about what you guys are doing with our money and running the department.” Eastsound business owner Kathleen Speed at the Fire Commissioners’ meeting.

May
“We stand for the world’s children and grandchildren, and for the seven generations beyond them.” Jan Loudin of the May 11 “Stand for Peace” event.

“The change in policy will have to come from Congress.” Joe Giuliano, Border Patrol enforcement officer.

“Our earth is in trouble and I would like to help with that.” Adrian Speers, OASIS High School student participating in Farm Education and Sustainability for Teens (FEAST).

“Kids who’ve grown up here have a unique perspective on what’s important.” Moana Kutsche, Co-chair of Orcas Island Community Foundation’s Grants Committee.

June
“We hope to motivate you to work with us; to speak up when we say, ‘Now’s the time.’” Jim Kramer, San Juan Initiative Director of Shoreline Study pilot project.

“Now I’m going to travel and do and see and learn to do as many different things as possible.” Kai Womack, OASIS High School graduate.

“Orcas are icons and indicators of the quality of Puget Sound and coastal waters. How they fare in coming years will tell us a lot about our own fate.” Ken Balcomb, founder and director of the Center for Whale Research.

“I’d like to talk to you about sharing intelligence.” Border Patrol Intelligence agent as quoted by WSF Ferry worker John Norby.

July
“You are the next generation, and will be the backbone of OPALCO’s line crew.” Randy Cornelius, General Manager of OPALCO, speaking to new linemen.

“If you don’t invest in education, you don’t have workers, and you don’t have an economy.” Governor Chris Gregoire at an Orcas Island community meeting.

“It was incredible how the fire just stopped at the clearance around the cabin’s perimeter. It made a huge difference for all the surrounding neighbors.” Orcas Island Fire captain Max Jones.

“At the end, we’ll have reductions in place where we don’t want them, wherever we make them.” Orcas Island School District Board member and Budget Advisory Committee representative Keith Whitaker.

“Thanks to the help of the BAC … in looking at things we haven’t looked at before. Their work will help for many years to come.” Orcas Island School District Board member Tony Ghazel.

August
“Investing upfront in strengthening and supporting our community not only helps people but also saves us incredible dollars.” Moriah Armstrong, retiring Orcas Island Prevention Partnership Director.

“We have a first-class person of tremendous ability leading the district, and we are very much looking forward to the future.” Orcas Island School District Board member Charlie Glasser, on Barbara Kline’s appointment as Superintendent.

“Every time we lose a working family, we lose a part of what makes Orcas unique.” Amber Minnis, Kaleidoscope Childcare Center Director.

September
“The community realizes it has this commitment to education and gave almost as much as last year with very little publicity, and we are deeply grateful.” Janet Brownell, Orcas Island School District Board president, on the $200,000 contributed to the school by the community.

“Anything that has broad community support is looked upon favorably by politicians and grant funders.” Jon Shannon, Director, San Juan County Public Works.

“It is important for all of us to consider stepping up to a leadership role on Orcas Island.” Mary Riveleand, Orcas Island Community Foundation trustee.

“We’re sitting on a jewel here and we’re not protecting it.” Gene Knapp, Orcas West County Council member.

October
“We have to be watching and, where possible, participate and voice our opinion, in hopes that the changes won’t be too dramatic and the impact won’t be too protracted.” Ed Sutton, Ferry Advisory Committee Chair.

“If the code is so onerous, why did a cell tower just go up?” Lopez Island County Council member Bob Myhr.

“We are not going to take teachers’ salaries for upkeep of the skatepark – that’s not fair.” Orcas Island School superintendent Barbara Kline.

“I’m thrilled the board was able to do something to help. That’s what a coop is all about.” OPALCO general manager Randy Cornelius, on the board’s decision to pass on a $1,000,000 rebate to its coop members.

“The nature of life on the islands has always been to piece together doing what you love, working the land and doing other things you need to do, and can do, to be able to live here.” Ruthie Dougherty, Land Bank steward and owner of Bright Meadow Farm.

November
“We’re seeking positive solutions for a good asset. Let’s all work together and let’s solve this.” Orcas Island Prevention Partnership Director Marta Nielson, at skate park meeting.

“The EPRC could do everyone – the street vendors, the business owners and the county council – a huge favor if they came up with a recommendation to the county.” Orcas West County Council member Gene Knapp.

Big stories of 2008

2008-12-31T11:06:00.000-08:00

2008 – for just one little year, it was a doozie!

Maintaining the level of service of San Juans’ route ferries was an ongoing challenge, with the “Steel electrics” pulled from service, and the FAC chastised for failing to announce their meeting. Chair Alex MacLeod was fired by the Council midst reports of higher-ups in WSF and state government displeased by the activism of the San Juans’ ferry advisory group. FAC member Charlie Glasser resigned from the committee in protest, and Council member Alan Lichter likewise resigned as liaison between the FAC and the Council. In May, the local ferry task force was dissolved. The interisland ferry was the scene of meetings with WSF and state officials in October, and another such meeting is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2009.

This highly-charged election year started in the San Juans with voter caucuses on Feb. 9, and the mail-in primary election on Feb. 19. The County Democrats cast most of their votes for Barack Obama, and the Republicans favored John McCain.
In state and county elections, San Juan Islander Kevin Ranker was voted State Senator for the 40th Legislative District, and Richard Fralick took over County Council member Alan Lichter’s post.
County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord faced off against John Linde in the newly-created San Juan County District Court Judge race, but in the end Linde retained the position to which he’d been appointed earlier this year.

We were saddened by the sudden deaths of several of our young people, who seemed to be in good health. Anthony Richardson collapsed in late April, Darlene Pohl died suddenly in September, and Dana Mullan passed away in October. The loss of these good young people in our community gave us all the charge to make each day with purpose and awareness, and appreciate those who travel this journey of life with us.

The Fire Department expected to be challenged by the community, as it stated in a Jan. 18 press release that announced Buddy Wright was to be hired as Battalion (Assistant) Chief at $7,500 per month. Chief Harris justified Wright’s salary, claiming he would have had to pay a computer consultant over $30,000 just to put one year of training in an online format, as Wright had done. Wright was also assigned scheduling duties.
By mid-February, a petition was circulating protesting the salary plus benefits for Battalion Chief. A second petition from past and present volunteers and employees of the Fire Department was also circulated. Wright resigned, and in May, the three fire/medics proposed dividing the assistant chief duties among them. This proposal was adopted by the Fire Commissioners, beginning in 2009.

“Border” checks started in early spring, prompting meetings with federal Border Patrol agent Joe Giuliano on San Juan and Orcas Islands. The checks detained undocumented immigrants, some of whom were transported to Bellingham, Blaine and Tacoma before being allowed to return to the islands while their cases are pending. The County Council sent a letter to our congressional delegation protesting the stops at Anacortes. A weird turn came to the situation in October, when Giuliano was arrested for child rape after admitting having sex with a 14-year old girl.

Entertainment for the year was stellar, beginning with the 3rd annual Orcas Idol competition, won this year by Locket Goodrich. Later in the spring, a huge community cast presented the Walt Disney musical, “Beauty and the Beast,” to sold-out crowds for three weekends.
The Parent-Teacher-Student Association hosted welcoming and fund-raising activities, from the “Moms and Muffins” and “Dads and Donuts” morning treats to Friday night roller-skating.
The Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival brought violinist and music educator Monique Mead as “Artist in residence” at the school in March. The festival, held at summer’s end, packed the Orcas Center for two weeks with concerts, lectures, receptions and dinners during its 11th year.
Literary lights shone brightly here as well: Waldron Island resident Sam Green was named Washington State’s first poet laureate. KindlingsFest, a free, three-day workshop celebrating the writings of C.S. Lewis, was sponsored by the Orcas Island Community Church in July. Barbara Lewis and a team of “writing gurus” initiated the Orcas Island Writers Festival in September

After staring back at the abysmal 2006-2007 School budget, once again the Orcas Island School District (OISD) faced the challenges of a projected $667,000 deficit. Once again, the community-district partnership, spearheaded by the Orcas Island Education Foundation, and with the mighty assistance of the volunteer Budget Advisory Committee, which identified $365,000 that could be removed from the deficit, and community contributions of $200,000, the district was able to balance the books and maintain most programs.
In the process, the OISD presented a strong profile to state legislators and executives, including Governor Chris Gregoire, who promised (and delivered) a meeting with the state Basic Education Task Force and the director of Rural School Districts in the state.
In September, Barbara Kline was named half-time superintendent and half-time High School Principal, with her Middle School Principal duties taken on by Elementary Principal Tom Gobeske.

One year after its Resort Master Plan was approved, Olympus Properties closed Rosario Resort and sold it for $5.45 million to an Anacortes-based real estate development and rehabilitation business. The closure of the resort left some 200 islanders without employment.

Growth continued to stretch – and fray -- our seams as a new stormwater funding proposal was researched and vetted by a Council sub-committee. The Orcas Village Plan was approved. OPAL continued its latest housing project off Mt. Baker Road, while Homes for Islanders sought teams of home builders for property near Rosario.
A legal settlement announced in March set an end-of-year deadline for the county’s comprehensive plan to update the housing and land-use elements, a necessary component for compliance with the Growth Management Act. John Campbell, a founder and board member of Homes for Islanders, contended that the update would force the county to reconsider the amount of affordable housing needed. By years’ end, the Hearing Examiner had extended the deadline into 2009, and public hearings on the matter are scheduled in January.
Coming next: You said it! Quotes on Orcas in 2008.

End of year challenge to Bullwings readers!

2008-12-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

Hi folks,
In re-reading recent posts, I've been a bit embarrassed at the typos therein. So I thought I'd have a little fun at my expense.
For every typo found and comment sent to the blog, I'll print out the entire blog -- all posts from its inception in November until year's end-- and send the hard copy to you (after I've corrected the typos).
Just do two things:
1) find the typo
2) comment on the typo on the blog site.
If you have any trouble sending your comment through the blog site, please email me at pub@PortGamblePublishing.com and I'll give you 10 signed shares of stock in Port Gamble Publishing, payable upon the first initial public offering, in addition to the print out.
Thanks for investing in Orcas Issues!
Margie Doyle

Susan Osborn concert changes to benefit Jordan Griffin

2008-12-28T15:25:00.000-08:00

Orcas Island singer/composer Susan Osborn (pictured right as Dickens' Ghost of Christmas Present in the 2006 production of "A Christmas Carol") sent out the following announcement today regarding the cancellation of her Christmas Concerts, an Orcas Island tradition for 22 years. Those fortunate to subscribe to SnoozeNews, Osborn's email newsletter, will recognize a familiar tone of generosity, courage and beauty in the message:

"Dear Friends,
It has been pointed out to me that not everyone may be aware that the Chapel Concert tickets include a "No Refund/ No Return" clause at the bottom of the ticket. We instituted this policy some years ago, because these concerts are self-produced. We have relied upon the kindness of many different local retailers through the years to sell the tickets. We do not have sponsorship, or ticket insurance in case of cancelation. In 20 years, we have never had to cancel any concert.

However, in the unusual circumstance of having to cancel all of the concerts this year, we are offering a refund. If you would like one, please send the tickets to us, with a self-addressed stamped envelope and the amount you paid for your tickets (this year's tickets were priced on a sliding scale from $10 to $20) to: Susan Osborn/ PO Box 35 / Orcas WA 98280. We will be happy to send you a check.

We will donate any other profits beyond expenses to the fund for Jordon Griffin, who was paralyzed in a snowboarding accident here on Orcas shortly before Christmas. Our prayers and support go out to this family as they deal with this unexpected challenge, and enormous life-changing event.

We are offering these two options in lieu of trying to reschedule the Christmas concerts. However, we extend an invitation to join us for a New Years Day musical meditation in the chapel at 5PM. This will be an opportunity to gather in the beauty of the chapel at the beginning of a new year. There is no charge for this event. All are welcome.

One thing is for sure, this has been a year of change. There are the changes we vote for, and the changes that are determined by forces beyond our control, like the weather. The bitter and sweet letting go day to day, of our expectations, of the longing for comfort, of some sense of ritual and tradition, of regularity. I am always in new territory. I can surrender to what is, making the best of what I am given and create something new with it, or resist it. I find myself doing both.

Once, many years ago, when David and I were at Findhorn in Scotland, we met Sir George Trevelyan. A philosopher and visionary, he was then in his mid- 70's. We were standing at the tea table together when we asked him "What do you think is the most important work to do from now on?" And he replied "My work is about helping us to make our changes more gracefully. This is the ultimate hope!" This Christmas season has brought Sir George's words home again to us courtesy of the snow and cold.

Sending Love at Year's End, Susan O"

You can get on the SnoozeNews mailing list by emailing SusanOsborn@susanosborn.com.

Love principles, a gift from my mother

2008-12-24T10:42:00.000-08:00

As we honor this season of peace, light and love, I treasure the simple list of principles for love that guided my mom's life.

My mother was an Anglican minister's daughter. As a child, she went to church three times on Sundays. But she was no ideologue. As the oldest sister in her large family, she practiced a deeper compassion than I'll ever learn, she faced new adventures with an open spirit, and she absolutely loved to have a silly, crazy good time. She sought peace and beauty while challenged by poverty, disappointment and insecurity.

As an adult, she found these Love Principles, and typed them out, mistakes and all, on a manual typewriter and scotch-taped them to a picutre frame -- a humble presentation, but smack dab in the middle of the kitchen shelf where she could refer to them daily.

Her kids were always the first to point out how flawed Mom was, but we couldn't get better advice than this:

Love Principles

Receive all people as beautiful, exactly as they are.

Provide people with opportunities to give. instead of trying t o change someone else

Perceive problems as opportunities

Be the change you want to see happen, instead of tryiing to change comeone else.

Have no specific expectations, but rather abundant expectancy

Create your own reality consciously, rather than livjng as if you had no control over your life.

We've been gifted with this beautiful snow and slowness and quiet, to envision and practice whatever our dreams are.

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house...

2008-12-23T10:54:00.000-08:00

Rhys and Grace Thompson wait up for Santa Claus as part of "The Magical Season." Dinner theater-goers saw an re-enactment of Clement Moore's composition of the Christmas classic, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," last Friday night at the Outlook Inn's Victorian Room.

Daily news, journals, blogs and lists

2008-12-23T10:05:00.000-08:00

What’s a blog?
Many people have asked me this, and my simplest answer is “It’s a log (journal) you read and write on the Internet.”
If you have Internet access (and you do if you’re reading this) you can blog. Not to be self-deprecating, but think of it as “blah blah blah….”
As a lifelong journalist (both personal and professional) I find blogging, or “journalling” an excellent way of staying connected to my own thoughts, and through blogs, the experience and attitudes of others.
I hope that as this blog, Orcas Issues, continues, people will contribute comments so that we can have conversations about the things on Orcas that matter to us – the schools, our Seniors, business and the economy, ferries and border “checks” at Anacortes, affordable housing, growth and government, our beautiful and endangered environment, Camp Orkila and Rosario, Turtleback Mt. and Moran State Park, profiles of the work of our neighbors and entertainment and expression through the arts.

Lists and the magic of writing
There’s something magical about writing things down and in these days of year-end recaps (and hazards of driving in the snow), I think it’s fun to make lists – of books read, movies seen, trips taken, parties enjoyed, goals accomplished, lifetime ambitions, performances attended, proud moments, walks taken, miracles experienced and the like. The magic of writing lists down is it focuses our attention, and gives us a "big picture" view of our everyday life that forms our characters and our destinies.
In the next 10 days, I plan to consider the top stories that we talked about on Orcas Island last year, and the personal connections that make those stories so real to us.
Your comments have the ability to enhance this blog, as they expand the conversation and often provide more thoughtful insight into the topic being written about. It makes the blog content more community-driven.
I've just experimented with making a comment and it seems to only accept "anonymous" as a profile -- I'd really appreciate you identifying yourself in the content of your message until I figure out how to get it to accept other profiles, which it asks for after you write your comment. Thanks for working with me on this!
Feel free to continue the discussion on any topic that is an Orcas Issue. Send your own lists in and let’s play “Letterman” with our Top Ten lists! I'll start with a list of "Top Time-wasters"
My Top Time-wasters
vegging out in front of CNN news (especially for the second same hour)
driving into Eastsound instead of walking
rushing
gossip
surfing the internet

Keep posted on ferry information

2008-12-22T10:48:00.000-08:00

The Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division (WSF) reminds travelers to allow extra time for ferry travel throughout the holiday season.
In addition, route disruptions due to the extreme weather conditions may affect sailings, as happened before Christmas Day.

Holiday schedules
Some routes will operate on special holiday schedules on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. All routes are expected to see heavy traffic over the holidays. WSF will operate ferry service in the San Juans on Christmas Day (Thursday, Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Thursday, Jan. 1) on the regular weekday schedule. Holiday schedule details are available from the WSF Web site: www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries

Winter sailing schedule
The winter sailing schedule starts Sunday, Jan. 4 The Anacortes/San Juan Island routes experience the most change during the winter schedule. The normal four boats will run in the San Juan Islands during the week, Monday through Friday, while only three boats will run on weekends. The winter schedule includes two different sailing schedules for this route, a weekday and a weekend schedule.

For more ferry system information and sailing schedules, please visit the WSF Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries. To sign up for free e-mail alerts about service disruptions and other route information, click on the link in the far left column of the Web site.

Islands' ferry service - weigh in on new plans, including local control (and costs) for ferries

2008-12-22T10:42:00.000-08:00

WSDOT Ferries Division seeks comments on its draft long-range plan
On Dec. 19, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferries Division (WSF) released its draft long-range plan for services and investments through 2030 for Washington’s marine transportation system.
“The draft plan comes at a historic point in marine transportation,” said David Moseley, Ferries Division Assistant Secretary. “Demand for ferry service is projected to increase as population in ferry-served communities grows, but the system is constrained by tight financial resources, limited vehicle carrying capacities during peak periods, and aging vessels and terminals.” The draft plan puts forward two options for consideration:
Plan A. This option assumes that the State will continue in its current role as owner, operator, and principal funder of ferry services in the Puget Sound region. Current level of service remains with operational strategies implemented over time and several new vessels coming online. This plan contains a significant budget shortfall that will require new revenues.
Plan B. This option recognizes that the State may not be able to provide new revenues to meet the evolving needs of all ferry customers and communities, and looks at marine transportation very differently. It proposes an alternative where the State takes responsibility for the core marine highway system and a locally-funded entity or entities would take responsibility for a new marine transit system. This option also assumes operational strategies would be implemented over time. It also contains a budget shortfall, but it is significantly smaller than Plan A.
In January 2009, WSF will hold public hearings on the draft long-range plan. The hearings are an opportunity for the public to learn more about the two options for consideration and to provide feedback. Public comments received will help inform the final plan, which will be provided to the State Legislature on Jan. 31.
The format for the hearings is a 30-minute presentation followed by a 90-minute public comment period. “Public feedback is critical to the development of the long-range plan,” said David Moseley. “This is the community’s opportunity to comment on the draft plan which will guide services and investments for our state marine transportation system over the next 22 years.”
The public hearing schedule in the San Juan Islands isas follows:
Thursday, Jan. 15, 11:35 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – San Juan Islands Aboard San Juan Inter-Island Ferry.
Thursday, Jan. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Anacortes Fidalgo Senior Center, 1701 22nd St., Anacortes.

Those concerned can obtain a copy of the draft plan by:
Attending a public hearing
Going online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/planning/ESHB2358
Visiting a local library
Requesting a CD by calling 206-515-3411

To comment on the draft long-range plan:
Attend a public hearing
E-mail wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov
Write to Washington State Ferries, Attn. Joy Goldenberg, 2901 3rd Ave., Seattle, WA 98121

Background: WSF has spent the past year working to address the long-term financial sustainability of the ferry system. This work stems from 2007 legislation (ESHB 2358). The legislation identified specific topics for study and required new levels of cooperation and collaboration between the Washington State Legislature, Washington State Transportation Commission and WSDOT.
For more information on the ferry financing legislated studies, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/planning/ESHB2358.
For more ferry system information, please visit the WSF Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries. To sign up for free e-mail alerts about service disruptions and other route information, click on the link in the far left column of the Web site.

Eastsound apartment for rent - move in right away!

2008-12-21T18:28:00.000-08:00

Eastsound apartment for rent

2 bedroom, 2 bath upstairs condo is unexpectedly vacant as of now.
Responsible tenant sought - family, couple, roommates.. etc.
It is freshly painted and deeply cleaned.
The apartment is quiet,
has quiet neighbors too,
has laundry facilities on the premises
and is located within very easy walking distance of every part of Eastsound.
$875/mo and 1 year lease
No dogs and no smoking.. I'll certainly consider a kitty... and, let's talk 376 2986 or work 2281 ext. 4

Clement Moore recites "A Visit from St. Nicholas"

2008-12-21T12:21:00.000-08:00

Staub: A Cold Christmas Threatens Joy

2008-12-21T07:36:00.000-08:00

Pastor Dick Staub of the Orcas Island Community Church wrote on his website's blog (www.dickstaub.com "staublog")yesterday:

It is 12º outside ~ a bleak midwinter morning if ever there was one.It is Christmas week and Sunday the fourth candle of advent will be lit at Orcas Island Community Church.I will speak on "Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room," picking up on the theme of "Joy to the world, the Lord is come."
Last Monday Mark felt severe pains in his chest and was airlifted off the island for a life-saving surgery removing a cholesterol blockage from an artery. Scary, but the amazing news is on Monday he plans on being back at work baking his scrumptious goodies at his popular coffee shop/bakery.
Wednesday afternoon Jordan went snowboarding and while doing a flip landed wrong on his neck leaving him numb from the neck down. It was a windy, blustery evening and the medical airlift helicopter couldn’t fly in the high winds. A Coast Guard helicopter tried and after one failed attempt at touching down, managed heroically to pick up Jordan and airlift him to Harborview hospital in Seattle.
Emergency medical flights carry only the patient, so Jordan's mother Rachel and other family members had to wait for the next ferry and make their way on icy, snowy roads to Seattle ~ they arrived in Seattle four hours after Jordan did.
Tests and surgery the next morning revealed that a vertebra in Jordan's neck was shattered and his spinal cord severed. His chances of walking again are slim.
But never underestimate the power of prayer.
To see Staub's complete sermon, go to www.dickstaub.com

Be whole! Be hale! Be hearty!

2008-12-20T12:04:00.000-08:00

Last night's dinner theater celebration of "The Magical Season" was packed with snow-bound islanders ready to enjoy the warmth and humor of the holiday season. And they got a wassail bowlful, thanks to the Victorian Room Readers' Theater, under the direction of Patty Monaco, and the production genius of Leslie Ginnis.
The room was packed, and unfortunately, folks had to be turned away. The audience was primed to boo the pompous professor who didn't want the world to know he'd written the jingle, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," to applaud Rhys and Gracie Thompson as they spiritedly recited that poem and to guffaw along with the auction-bound husband who saw "the bowling ball of fate rolling right down his alley."
In that spirit, as we race out of the house for the ferry and pack Christmas presents and clean up the mess from the garbage the dog got into (thank heavens I put the pork chops back in the fridge), here's the old Walt Kelly "Pogo" version of "Deck the Hall"

Deck us all with Boston Charlie
Walla Walla Wash. andKalamazoo!
Nora's freezin' on the trolley,
swaller dollar cauliflower alleyga roo!
Don't we know archaic barrrel
Lullaby Lilla Boy, Louisville Lou
Trolley Molly don't love Harold,
Boola boola Pensacoola
Hullabaloo!

School board holds regular meeting Dec. 18

2008-12-20T10:53:00.000-08:00

The Orcas Island School District board had a rollicking good time on Thursday, Dec. 18 as the threat of snow, ice and winds combined to keep all but the heartiest school supporters away.
Board member Charlie Glasser communicated by phone conference, with his remarks kept to a pithy minimum.
As the upcoming school bond work session had been postponed, the OISD board quickly dispensed with the consent agenda and reports. OISD Business Manager Ben Thomas was not able to attend, and so there was no business report.
The Farm to Cafeteria program will be further discussed at the Board's January meeting. OISD Board President Janet Brownell noted that the San Juan Island School District's new cafeteria program has increased the number of school lunches from 200 to about 600 daily. The district also prepares box lunches to sell to the community. The San Juan program is funded with a three-year grant.
Superintendent/High School Principal Barbara Kline commented on a conference, to take place Jan. 7-9. on using technology to improve student learning.
The board was in agreement that the elementary school music program, scheduled for that night, should take place once school begins again in January. Board member Tony Ghazel said that the students had worked hard to perform for the community, who enjoyed the children's concerts whenever they were performed.
The board will need to reschedule the two missed snow days this past week, and hope that there aren't further snow days this winter.
Board member Scott Lancaster spoke on a security matter brought up by the San Juan County Sheriff Bill Cumming at an earlier meeting: the need to re-key outdoor locks in the school building. The board discussed whether to pay for that expense out of the $33,000 left over from the current bond funds.
Lancaster said he would get an opinion as to whether that money can be used to replace about 20 exterior locks. In the discussion, it was brought out that OISD has a very good bond rating.
the board was in favor of replacing the keyed locks with a number pad.
The Board scheduled their retreat workshop to discuss the OISSD's Strategic Plan for Jan. 29 at 4 p.m. This meeting is open to the public, as is the regular OISD Board meeting on Jan 22, beginning at 3 p.m. for the re-scheduled bond workshop, followed by the regular meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Marta Branch, OASIS high school teacher, mentioned that some of her students will be attending a Washington Alternative Learning conference in Olympia in February, which wil include a tour of the state Capitol and legislative sessions. Branch suggested that the OASIS students travel with the OISD board members, as they will be in Olympia at the same time.
Both the OASIS and Waldron School Improvement Plans, which Kline noted were more like annual reports, were approved by the board.

Outlook Inn's Christmas dinner and show Friday night only

2008-12-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

The Outlook Inn in Eastound is doing its best to help islanders "keep cheerful" during this winter, with Chef Sean Paul preparing special dinners for the Victorian Room Readers Theatre Dinner performances.

Last month, Noel Coward's Fallen Angels delighted a sold-out audience ($30 for dinner and show, $8 for show alone) with Coward's rapid-fire wit at the expense of upper-crust British society.

This month, director Patty Monaco again brings together a cast of local stars -- Lesley Liddle, Tony Lee, Ron Herman and Louise Carnachan, augmented by student actors Rhys and Grace Thompson, in a trio of Christmas-themed performances.

The first will be Tony Lee's recitation of the Dylan Thomas classic, "A Child's Christmas in Wales." The second piece will be a rendering of the composition of "A Visit from St. Nicholas," Clement Moore's famous poem that famously begins, "Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house..."

The third performance will be vignettes from the writing of Robert Fulghum, author of "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten."

Dinner seating begins at 6 p.m., with the theatre performance starting at 7:30 p.m.

Dinner orders must be made at the same time as reservations. reservation. Beverages will be available for purchase. Seating for dinner is 6 to 6:30 p.m. Call 376-2200 to make reservations.

Governor's proposed budget: many cuts, no new taxes

2008-12-18T21:37:00.000-08:00

The following is a statement issued by Governor Chris Gregoire's communications office on Dec. 18, 2008:

Gov. Chris Gregoire today proposed her 2009–11 state budget, closing a projected $5.7 billion shortfall through a combination of program reductions, suspension of state employee, teacher and care worker salary increases, pension changes, increased federal contributions and the use of the state’s rainy day fund.

“The deepening national recession is already the longest in a quarter century and has resulted in dramatic budget gaps in states across the nation,” Gregoire said. “Our state is not immune and our revenue — largely reliant on a sales tax — is down significantly, resulting in the largest budget gap in state history.”

The governor’s proposed budget will close the projected shortfall without raising taxes.

“Now is not the time to be raising taxes on our residents and businesses,” Gregoire said. “Our families are tightening their belts, and that’s what government needs to do. The state must squeeze every ounce of value from each taxpayer dollar while maintaining our priorities of protecting families and children the best we can.”

Each part of the state budget will be reduced in the proposed budget. Education and public safety took the smallest cuts, followed by health care, human services and natural resources.

“As we face this crisis, the most important thing we must do is protect our children,” the governor said. “Even as we make cuts in other areas, we must make sure our children are safe in their homes, have high-quality health care, and are provided with an education that will equip them with the skills and opportunity they need to succeed in the economy we are building for tomorrow.”

“Hardworking teachers, state employees and care workers provide immeasurably valuable services to the people of our state,” Gregoire said. “They are well deserving of adjustments to maintain the value of their salaries. Unfortunately, we had no choice but to put their raises on hold. Forgoing the raises allowed us to protect early learning, keep smaller classes in our K-12 schools and protect teachers’ jobs, as well as avoid even deeper cuts to services for our most vulnerable and health care for children and families.”

Gregoire’s proposed budget leaves a $507 million ending balance, which includes $100 million in the rainy day fund.

As the economic downturn took hold in Washington late last year, the governor took steps to save money, including a freeze on hiring, equipment purchases, out-of-state travel and personal service contracts; across-the-board reductions in state agencies and higher education institutions; and other program savings.

Sheriff reports on snow-related accidents and transport

2008-12-18T11:50:00.000-08:00

Late yesterday afternoon, County Sheriff Bill Cumming responded to a snowboarding accident at the Orcas Island Golf Course. A 16-year-old boy fell while snowboarding at suffered a cervical spine injury. He was transported to Harborview Hospital in Seattle by the Coast Guard, and the severity of his injury is not known at this time, Cumming said.
When the Guardian, the Sheriff's rescue boat, was called to the Orcas Landing to transport the boy from the ambulance, the wind had picked up. There was an attempt to contact the Naval Air Station on Whidbey Island for a Medivac flight, but the weather had shut down the station.
The Sheriff then contacted the Coast Guard in Port Angeles, which first attempted to land in the ferry parking lot. When that landing didn't work, the Coast Guard went to the airport at Eastsound to transport the boy to the Seattle hospital.

The Guardian had been called out repeatedly yesterday, responding to respond to two cardiac arrests on Orcas Island, a broken hip on San Juan Island, and another broken hip on Lopez Island. At one time, there were two patients being transported on the Guardian at the same time.
During this cold snap, Sheriff Cumming said, "The roads continue to be hazardous. People are exercising caution, but are advised to stay warm, and to keep a supply of water and food ready in case we lose power.
"And check on your neighbors; this is the time for us to realize what a community we live in," said Cumming.
Currently, the cold weather is expected to continue at least until Dec. 24.
Weather information and advice on safety during the freezing temperatures is available at the county website, www.sanjuanco.com.

4th and 5th grade hoops for girls to start in Jan. - register now

2008-12-17T15:46:00.000-08:00

PTSA President Barb Skotte just sent out the word that Orcas Rec has added a 4th and 5th grade girls' basketball program to its schedule. The program will start January 6th and run every Tues and Thurs from 5:30 m-7 pm until March 12th (except the week of 2/16). The coaches are Carol Rost and Tim Hance, and the program will culminate in a basketball tournament in March!

Practices will be at the Orcas Christian School Gym. Cost is $50 for the entire program. No experience is necessary, but sign up soon--space is limited. Call Orcas Rec at 376-5339 for more information. Also--Thank you to sponsors Orcas Rec, Ray's Pharmacy, Studio 29, The Office Cupboard, West Beach Resort, The Sunflower Cafe, Gudgell Properties, Windermere Orcas Island, and All Islands Home Inspections for making this program possible!

Navigating in the snow

2008-12-17T11:17:00.000-08:00

In my haste to rush home before the snow began to fall again yesterday, I locked my keys in the car. Luckily, AAA came in time for me to make the 8:25 p.m. sailing, and I was home safe by 10 -- with my daughter's 130-pound French mastiff, Cooper to babysit for a week while she goes skiing in Alaska.
Cooper's looks scare me, but he is a gentle giant. I've tried explaining that to our 15-year-old cat, Six. Six doesn't understand why he is the only one who abides by the rules: specifically, no dogs in the house. Cooper is scared of Six, the hissing demon and he misses his mom. We will probably venture out to the dog park this afternoon, while Six returns to his study of the Peloppennesian War.

Help the Dolan Family - Update

2008-12-16T10:08:00.001-08:00

Roseann Dolan has been in Swedish Hospital since Dec. 4. Her husband Chris, now working at Orcas Market, says that she's recuperating from a collapsed lung, with a chest tube draining fluid.
RoseAnn has had two surgeries this fall, and Chris has had to take time off work to be with her. Daughter Adia is at Orcas Elementary School, and son Zach graduated from Orcas High School in 2007.
A fund has been set up at Islanders Bank to assist the Dolan family at Islanders Bank, 475 Fern Street, 376-2265. PO Box 699, Eastsound WA 98245. Please contribute.
Also, a website has been set up so that friends can be updated on Roseann's progress and wish her well. Go to www.caringbridge.org, and in the "visitor" window, type in
roseanndolan1

(no spaces or capitals)

Please sign the guestbook, so that Roseann and the Dolans can hear from you.

Planning Commission Wednesday meeting rescheduled; will consider Housing in Comprehensive Plan

2008-12-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

(The Planning Commission's Dec. 17 meeting agenda will be addressed on Jan. 16 meeting. )
The Planning Commission was scheduled to meet Wednesday, Dec. 17, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at San Juan County Fire District #3, 1011 Mullis Street, in Friday Harbor. Administrative Items to be included are:
Update from Chair, Bob Gamble;
Update from Ron Henrickson;
Update from Housing Bank Subcommittee;
Update from Marine Resources Committee;
Approval of Minutes – November 21, 2008.
A Public hearing and deliberations to consider the proposed update of the
San Juan County Comprehensive Plan Housing Element and Appendix 5 will take place at the meeting, as well as a continued public hearing for deliberations only on proposed amendments to the Unified Development Code (UDC) and Appendix 2 of the
Comprehensive Plan to allow for Essential Public Facilities (EPFs).

Essential Public Facilities

At the Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC) meeting in October, where the EPFs were reviewed, EPRC member Gulliver Rankin commented that stormwater facilities were not included in the proposal and questioned why stormwater detention treatment was not considered an essential public facility.
EPRC member Audrey Moreland brought out that certain roadways and bridges should be considered as essential public facilities, considering that, in an emergency such as an earthquake, the destruction or inaccessibility of bridges such as the Moran Park bridge and the Channel Road bridge would make parts of the island unreachable.
County Public Works Director Jon Shannon said at the EPRC meeting that the policy objective of the ordinance is to outline the broad context, but it does not address the shoreline where many EPFs are located and it provides siting standards for only one type of facility.
For further information on EPFs contact Shireene Hale at 370-7569 or shireeneh@san-juan.wa.us.

Affordable Housing

Senior County Planner Colin Maycock has been updating the housing element in the Comprehensive Plan this fall. The housing element is based on the Housing Needs Assessment originally completed in 1999, based on 1990 census data. At the October EPRC meeting, Maycock noted that the housing element is not a big section of the Comprehensive Plan.
A roundtable of affordable housing advocates met with Maycock on Oct. 15, at the Lopez Community Land Trust (LCLT) offices on Lopez Island,to review the goals and policies of the housing component of the county Comprehensive Plan.(see summary of the meeting below.)
A Dec. 31 deadline has been extended into 2009, in order that the county can hold public hearings such as the one scheduled for Dec. 17, in order to update the housing component, following the legal settlement of a challenge by John Campbell, Orcas Island architect and board member of Homes for Islanders.
Campbell contested an earlier approval of the first phase of expansion of the Friday Harbor urban growth area as a means of forcing the county to produce the updates. Counties like San Juan that plan under the state Growth Management Act (GMA) must periodically update portions of their comprehensive plans.
Maycock is tasked with revising the county’s Housing Needs Assessment to assist in the review of the Housing element of the comp plan.

Affordable Housing Review at Lopez Community Land Trust Common Ground offices

The Executive Summary of the Housing Needs Assessment’s most recent draft states, “The primary elements of the housing needs equation are: population projections, building land and affordability.”
Projections of 2005 still hold, Maycock said at the Oct. 15 meeting: the population of the county is estimated to reach about 24,000 by 2030, and will require approximately 11,287 dwelling units. 2005 housing figures show that there were about 10,650 dwelling units; so for the next 22 years, “the County would need to provide sites for a further 378 units or approximately 17 units per year.”
Building land availability “appears… to meet the potential long-term demand for housing. Such a statement must be qualified with a consideration of the provision of housing affordable to members of the community earning something in the vicinity of the area median income, or, as is commonly the case for those working in the county, something considerably lower,” the assessment summary read.
The Affordability of Housing section of the summary states, “As recently as 2000, a person or family earning close to the area median income could afford to buy a house in the County. Since then … it has become almost utterly impossible for wage and salary earners in the county to afford to purchase a home here.”
In 2000, the median county income was $53,900, and the median home price was $250,000. in 2004, those figures were $60,100 and $337,000. In 2007, the median income was $61,600, while the median home price was $563,300.
Karin Agosta of the county Planning commission, Bill Agosta of the Housing Bank Commission, Sandy Bishop, Executive Director of the Lopez Community Land Trust, Nancy DeVaux of the county Home Trust, Carrie Lacher of the Friday Harbor Town Council, Angie Lausch, county Affordable Housing Coordinator, Patty Miller of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee and Barbara Thomas of the county Planning Commission were in attendance at the Oct. 10 meeting at LCLT.
The group analyzed section 5.2 of the Comp Plan, “the housing element,” point by point to clarify the policies for achieving the stated goal: “To make adequate provision for a variety of housing choices in terms of type, cost, size, design, and suitability for various households including families, the elderly, the disabled, and housing for very low-, low-, and moderate-income ranges while recognizing the unique physical, social, and economic environment of the islands.”
Karin Agosta mentioned that because implementation of the comprehensive plan comes through the county’s development codes, it’s important that the goals, policies and philosophies are clearly enunciated in the Comp Plan. “This [document] sets the principles to be enforced by the Uniform Development Code (UDC),” said Agosta.
Revisions agreed upon in the LCLT discussion were to be incorporated by Maycock as he re-drafts the document.

Also on the agenda for Dec. 17 is a noon break, time approximate for lunch, with reconvening at 1 p.m., time approximate depending on lunch break, continuation of any hearing or workshop, if necessary, and adjournment to take place when agenda items have been completed or continued.

Council meets today and tomorrow

2008-12-15T09:52:00.000-08:00

On Monday, Dec. 15, The San Juan Community Council members will give updates on the areas of their particular concern:
. Council Retreat – Howie Rosenfeld
. Veterans' Advisory Board Terms – Howie Rosenfeld/Alan Lichter
. Ferries/Ferry Advisory Committee/Ferry Subcommittee – Howie Rosenfeld
. Cell Phone Subcommittee – Rich Peterson
. Legislative Priorities and Lobbying Efforts – Bob Myhr
. General Government Subcommittee – Gene Knapp
. Budget Subcommittee – Howie Rosenfeld

Later County Administrator Pete Rose will give report to the council in a discussion of budget policy ideas and housing needs and changes, with County Development and Planning Director Ron Henrickson.

Tomorrow, Dec. 16, the Council will have a continued discussion of their lobbying efforts and San Juan Co. Legislative priorities which have been identified for the purpose of discussion as:

Washington State Ferries
Position: Washington State Ferries needs to maintain a level of service that supports the business, personal, and visitor transportation needs in Puget Sound.
1. Use federal government stimulus funds to support construction of ferries and improve island ferry terminals.
2. Prioritize capital expenditures to support safe and reliable new and existing vessels.
3. Fully fund the construction of at least two 144 car ferries and at least three 64-90-car ferries.
4. Authorize and fund an impact study of the economic significance and contribution of ferries for the Washington State economy.
5. Emphasize that San Juan Island’s run is unique because the ferry system is our highway that links our community together and is a major draw for state tourism.

Restoration/Allocation of CAPRON funds
Position:
1. Support the continuation of the statutory refund of Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Revenue to San Juan County (RCW 46.68.080) CAPRON ACT
2. Support the restoration of the portion of the CAPRON Act refund that was transferred to Washington State ferries in 2006 by the passage of ESSB 6839

Stormwater Regulations for Rural Counties
Position: Authorize and fund $200,000 for Department of Ecology to help prepare a new manual for stormwater regulations for rural counties.

Federal Funding for Year-round Rescue Tug at Neah Bay
Position: Support the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2007.
• Support State funding for the Neah Bay Rescue Tug if the federal legislation looks like it will fail.
• Support State funding for Oil Spill Advisory Council.

Cattle Point Road Relocation
Position: Ask the Washington State legislature, the Governor, and the Congressional delegation to provide transportation funding to relocate the Cattle Point Road on San Juan Island and to support a sustainable long-term funding source to meet the transportation infrastructure needs of Washington State counties.

Save Mitchell Hill
Position: Develop a private, local and federal partnership, and secure the necessary $4.5 - 8 million to preserve this natural and historical resource on San Juan Island. San Juan County and the Department of Natural Resources agreed to a three-year stay on logging and/or development of this property in order for the County to develop a process to preserve this unique natural and recreational resource.

Odlin South
Allocate $607,000 for Trust Lands Transfer Program to acquire 37 acres of the Odlin South 106-acre bloc for SJC Land Bank/Parks.

Position: 1. Work with legislature to get full funding for Odlin South transfer to San Juan County via the Trust Lands Transfer program

Fully Fund Public Schools
Position: Compel the legislature to meet Washington State’s constitutional requirement to equitably and fully fund basic education.

For more information on the Council's meetings and agenda, go to www.sanjuanco.com and click on "Council."

Orcas Choral Society concert canceled

2008-12-14T09:29:00.000-08:00

"Brr! the night is so cold!
Brr! How warm is your cloak!"

The Orcas Choral Society sang those words in the most heartfelt concert ever last night, but, as of 11 a.m. Sunday morning, the second concert at the Orcas Center at 2 p.m. was canceled. "On With the Snow" (and singing) seemed to be the spirit of last night's performance, but thanks to the severe weather, we can't go on with the show today. We're so disappointed.
For 31 years, the Winter Concert has been an Orcas tradition, yet there were many in attendance last night for the first time. They got to see and hear the Choral Society sing old favorites such as White Christmas, While Shepherds Watched, and Rudloph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and sing along to Deck the Hall, O Christmas Tree, and Jingle Bells.
From the choir, there were so many highlights -- the New England-purity of Stan Miller and Denise Babcock's solos in Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening, the spirited and multi-chorded piano duets of Terri Triplett and Patty Johnson, the call to triumph of the brass accompanists.
But for me, I'd single out the transcendence of Silent Night, sung with the audience. There often comes moments in special concerts where the director, the choir and the audience are elevated by the hopes and cares of all to unify in one beautiful agreement that there are no differences between us, that we all live in a world of generosity, forgiveness and good will. That's what love is, and that's what Christmas is all about.
On a more "grounded" note, when we sang the medley of Let it Snow it was pure pleasure to look out into the audience and see friends and loved ones and sing "The weather outside is frightful... but as long as you love me so, let it snow."
Which reminds me of another special moment in a concert that was a perfectly-woven tapestry of special moments -- Christmas Kumbaya, which combined hallelujahs in a lullaby. Here, where so many of us are retirees and elders, it was such soothing and simple pleasure to sing a lullaby to a baby and celebrate his birth.
John Heath's exuberant solo in a remembrance of Chanukah also celebrated the Choral Society's respect for all cultures and beliefs that is incorporated into much of Catherine Pederson's programming and direction.
This was my eighth Choral Society Winter Concert. It's become the highlight of my Christmas celebrations, and I'm sorry that those who were unable to make it last night will miss this special concert.

Open House for new building model today

2008-12-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

Just in --
STEM creative space modular structures, a new construction collaboration spear-headed by Orcas resident Matthew Maher, will be having an Open House on Schaefer Stretch today, at 5230 Orcas Road from noon to 5 p.m.
Stem is described as a new concept in creative space, integrating the elements of a design studio and production shop.
Stem is producing a variety of modular structures that "enables people to flourish," according to their business brochure. Stem is "committed to providing options for clients interested in having quality, well designed spaces at affordable prices."
Beyond the initial concept of modular auxiliary spaces, Stem is currently in the
product development stage of one of modular living spaces, from affordable housing units to high-end retreats.
For further information, call 360-622-6303.

Property assessments revised downward

2008-12-12T19:09:00.000-08:00

This week the County Assessor, Charles Zalmanek, sent out postcard notices of revised property evaluations to several homes in the neighborhood just west of the Orcas Airport.
Our property's value had gone up almost 70 percent from its previous assessment three years ago, with the land assessment increasing by over 100 percent. Like many islanders, we moaned and marveled at the increase, but we didn't comment within the 30-day comment period. So we were surprised to get a notice that the valuation had decreased by nearly $27,000.
In a call to Zalmanek, he explained "Sometimes in the process with concerns about value, we learn information that we hadn't previously known that can impact a neighborhood... for example a sale or a sale price is incorrectly stated."
John Kulseth, the county appraiser who'd calculated the value of properties in our neighborhood, said that when three nearby property owners commented on their valuation, it was determined that a sale in the neighborhood hadn't gone through, resulting in a $400,000 change. The county assessors felt that properties nearby should be adjusted downward. (Please see further explanation from John Kulseth posted in the comments.)
With over 1,000 properties assigned to each appraiser, "There's a whole bunch of different pieces that come together in assessments," Kulseth said. The 30-day comment period "gives us a chance to re-evaluate what we may have missed. We hope that property owners will call."
In our case, we benefited from the activism of our three neighbors who called the assessor's office to challenge the valuation.
Zalmanek said he misses the days when he was out in the field doing appraisals. "That's the fun part of the job."

"Share the Pain" says Ferry Advisory Committee Chair

2008-12-11T17:13:00.000-08:00

San Juan County's Ferry Advisory Committee Chair, Ed Sutton, sees a bleak future for any progress on the ferry financing issues that have plagued Washington State Ferries for years.
Although the 2007 State Legislature tasked WSF, the Transportation Commission and legislators with formulating a model for long-term ferry financing by the 2009 Legislative session, with the downward trend in the economy, it looks as if a plan for stable funding for the ferry system will be moved to the further down the line in the state budget.
Sutton says, "We all need to participate in helping solve the problem. The solution is so complex, but we can't continue to do business as usual in difficult times. "
Sutton proposes that the level of service in the San Juan route be trimmed with fewer sailings, in particular the late night sailings, which "chew up expense dollars without adding any revenue."
"How is it we have better service in January than in May?" Sutton asks. "It doesn't make sense to do what you've always done until someone says 'Stop!'"
Governor Chris Gregoire's preliminary budget is scheduled to be published Dec. 18

Council adopts $51,592,880 budget for 2009

2008-12-11T14:39:00.000-08:00

The San Juan County Council adopted its 2009 budget to the tune of $51,592,880 including all funds – by a vote of 5 to 0 with Council Member Gene Knapp abstaining, according to County Communications Manager Stan Matthews.
Approximately $14 million of the total budget is the so called “County Current” budget which funds the day-to-day operation of the county. That budget is $220,000 dollars less than last year’s operating budget.
While most county departments took budget cuts and approximately 10 percent of the
work force will have reduced hours, several cuts in services that were proposed in the preliminary budget were avoided in the budget as adopted.
Most notably, the parks department will attempt to obtain grant funds and work with
volunteers to keep day parks and restroom facilities open. The Health and Community Services Department hopes to be able to continue some of its immunization programs, and some funding for the program that provides transportation to senior citizens for medical and essential services has been restored.
Tuesday, Dec. 9, the Council did reject a final appeal from the County Assessor to restore funding for a full time appraiser’s position that was being cut to half time. Council Member Knapp told the Council that the employee now in the position would probably leave if full time employment wasn’t provided and expressed concern that appraisal work that could generate as much as $300,000 in tax revenue could be jeopardized by the reduction. However his motion failed to win the necessary four votes to restore the funds.
This was the next-to-last regular meeting of the current Council. Two newly elected
members will be sworn in on Jan. 12. After the adoption of the budget, Council Member
Rich Peterson told his colleagues, “Very early on, the new council ought to get really, really serious about taking a levy lid-lift to the public.”
The County is limited to a one percent annual increase in revenue from taxes on existing property without voter approval. Flat property tax revenue, in conjunction with falling sales tax income, has forced the County to rely more heavily on user fees and reduced services.
Peterson concluded his remarks by saying, “This wasn’t easy and none of us enjoyed it, but I think there is a whole lot of it coming, unfortunately.”
Auditor Milene Henley and Administrator Pete Rose have warned the Council that more
cuts could be required before the end of next year, if sales tax revenue declines further. The 2009 budget as adopted includes a cash reserve of $1.27 million; approximately $230,000 less than Auditor Henley had said was the minimum desirable level.
A spreadsheet with a comparison between the 2008 and 2009 County budget follows.
Detail of the 2009 San Juan County Budget is available on-line at:
www.sanjuanco.com/docs/Adopted2009budgetdetail.pdf

New buildings in Eastsound

2008-12-11T14:29:00.000-08:00

While we wait for whatever arises just east of the Washington Federal Savings and Loan Bank, construction has begun on a new state liquor store at the corner of Prune Alley and Rose Street, where the double-wide Pyewacket trailer used to be.
The new Windermere building, just north of the old Templin residence in Eastsound, is now scheduled to open in mid-January. When that happens, the former Gudgell Properties Real Estate office will vacate its waterfront property underneath Christina's Restaurant. In its former life, it was the Wine Company. Plans are for a pub to move into the space.

Vierthaler comes up with the answers

2008-12-10T12:40:00.001-08:00

The wonderful thing about travel within San Juan County is that it's usually so communal, as I experienced two days ago when I traveled from San Juan to Orcas Island. I went upstairs on the Evergreen State and started chatting with Paul Vierthaler.
He told me that, when he screams at the television upon hearing federal bailout news, one of the things he suggests is this resolution of the mortgage foreclosure crisis:
Establish a program to re-issue mortgages from sub-prime, interest-only or adjustable rate, to a 30-year fixed mortgage. This would stabilize and benefit the homeowner, the bank and the local, national and global economy, whereas current credit, payment and foreclosure processes harm the homeowner, the lending institution and the economies.
Vierthaler noted that the auto industry has reached a saturation point, and that Anericans don't need to produce or purchase a new car at the rate which the automakers have been producing them.
If we're really interested in fixing some of these problems, let's utilize our brains and energy to implement solutions rather than fixing blame or playing victim.
Vierthaler also suggested that the federal government allow the motor companies to fail. His reasoning is that the companies' assets will then be bought up by viable business interests, whereas bailout or "rescue" funding to the existing companies will only further the mismanagement that has led to multi-million dollar executive pay, unsustainable benefits and continued corporate welfare.
It is too easy to claim irresponsibility for solutions due to the complexity of the problems. We must start wherever we can, take in information and civil arguments, and create a climate where solutions are viable.
A couple of years ago, when I questioned Washington State Ferries' decision to go forward with revamping the Anacortes Ferry Terminal to the tune of $119 million, I was told that the decision had been made and the plan was going forward. That was before the 2007 legislative session, wherein lawmakers mandated that WSF's income and expenses be more closely scrutinized. If questions can't be satisfactorily answered, maybe they should continue to be asked.

EPRC Open House greets public Dec. 8

2008-12-09T15:05:00.000-08:00

Members of the public swarmed the various community agencies at the Eastsound Planning Review Committee's Open House on Dec. 8.
Snippets of information heard while browsing the various displays were:
* Stormwater -- The county's stormwater utility will undertake two projects in Eastsound next year (2009). Improved drainage from the Mount property (approximately behind the Seaview Theater to the Outlook Inn) to the outfall into East Sound on the beach by the Outlook, will be undertaken, and due north, at the opposite end of the Orcas Island "neck," the outfall at North Beach will also be addressed. That outfall will be impacted by the 10 new houses being built off Mt. Baker Road by OPAL.
* County Development and Planning -- CDPD Director Ron Henrickson said that the Growth Management Hearings Board decision on the Eastsound Sewer and Water District Capital Facilities Plan is expected within the next week. Henrickson also said that there will be two hearings on the affordable housing element of county compliance with the Growth Management Act in January. Henrickson again expressed the opinion that failure to be in compliance may result in an order of invalidity, which would halt new development.
*Eastsound Sewer and Water District continues to explore the use of land adjacent to its facilities off North Beach Road, in the eventuality that its treatment facilities will expand.
* Orcas Pathways continues to work with the County Land Bank to develop a trail from Crescent Beach to Buck Park, and proposes a trail along Enchanted Forest Road.
*Eastsound Water Users Association has purchased land near the north end of Blanchard Street as a possible desalinization plant. EWUA is monitoring wells in Eastsound to determine capacity and quality of the Eastsound aquifer, from which half of our drinking water comes. EWUA also has an agreement with the Orcas Island School district whereby the school can use up to 75 gallons per minute of water, or four million gallons, until EWUA needs that water.
* Land Conservation District offers advice to property owners as to the best way to develop private land, taking into account water resources and topography.

Orcas High ranks in top 12 Washington state high schools

2008-12-08T13:07:00.000-08:00

Orcas Island School District Board President Janet Brownell reported the following news:

US News and World Report just released it's top high schools in the US. One hundred schools (out of 21,000) received a "Gold" medal. Orcas High received a SILVER MEDAL. To read more about it, go to http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/high-schools/ In Washington state only four schools were ranked with a Gold, 12 had a Silver. Only 46 total received ANY recognition. And we were the only San Juan county school ranked.

This is yet another recognition of that we know: we have a FANTASTIC public school system!

Here is some info from the US News and World report website: Best High Schools 2009 Search

U.S.News & World Report—in collaboration with School Evaluation Services, a K-12 education and data research and analysis business that provides parents with education data on schoolmatters.com—analyzed academic and enrollment data from more than 21,000 public high schools to find the very best across the country. These top schools were placed into gold, silver, bronze, or honorable mention categories.

Gold Medal:
Top 100 schools nationally based on the College Readiness Index
Silver Medal:
all other schools with a college readiness index of at least 20 but that are not ranked in the top 100 nationally
Bronze Medal:
either do not offer AP or IB or do not achieve a college readiness index of at least 20 but successfully meet the other two key performance indicator criteria

In Washington State:
* Gold Medal schools (4 schools)
* Silver Medal schools (12 schools)
* Bronze Medal schools (30 schools)
* Honorable Mention schools (0 schools)

Thanks for passing this information on to the rest of us, Janet!

Moving on and serving the public

2008-12-06T12:17:00.000-08:00

My sister is a nurse and her occupation is in great demand these days. She has worked in a variety of positions in her nursing career, from pediatric wards to internal medicine, wound care, cardiac clinics, urgent care, to complex case management.
In every position, her work ethic of expertise and compassion has helped not only her patients, but her colleagues as well. I think of her as an agent of change and progress, of respectfully challenging people's comfort zones as well as her own.
In the world of institutional medicine, she has been an educated voice for choice and responsibility, all in the service of healing.
Now she is moving on to a position in a gastro-enterology clinic, and leaves another set of colleagues with her standards of respect, trust, responsibility and team work. She teaches so much by example and offers such vision in her constant, compassionate pursuit of excellence.
Her story reminds me of that recent internet saying: Some friends are there for a reason; some friends are for a season; and some friends are for life.
While we may not be acknowledged for the efforts and vision we provide for a cause, or a job, it's important not just to the person whose work deserves recognition, but to the person making the acknowledgment -- to our own sense of the possibility of repeating and building upon good work -- to take note of the good otherst have done while they held certain positions.
In that vein, I'd like to salute Alan Lichter, retiring Council Member from Orcas West. Alan led the charge on the county's vote against the Iraq War. He also proposed a comprehensive environmental rehabilitation program. He served as liaison to the Ferry Advisory Committee when it was being challenged by WSF administration, and resigned in protest when its chair, Alex MacLeod, was axed. Alan Lichter came forward to help form the Veterans Advisory Committee, in support of those who serve in the U.S. military. He reminded the council of the continuing costs in implementing the Rosario Resort Master Plan as he continued his opposition to it.
And something that may have escaped notice in this season of budget shortfalls and economic decline: while knowing that the "part-time" council position often involves more than full-time hours, Alan voluntarily accepted a 50 percent cut in pay when he offered himself as a candidate for re-election to the County Council. While he was elected in 2004 to a $65,000 Commmissioner position, he was willing to continue to serve on the Council at a $34,000 salary, dictated by the 2006 County Charter.
It's something to consider as we look at belt-tightening in both our household and public agencies' budgets.

Final county budget vote this Tuesday: cash balance projected to fall short of $1.5 million mark

2008-12-06T12:07:00.000-08:00

The San Juan County Council will vote on the revised county budget on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Last week, they heard from various citizen and county groups who were facing budget cuts. The council voted to re-instate the following budget items:
 $48,900 to restore a juvenile probation officer position
 $25,000 to the transportation program for senior citizens
 $25,000 for personnel to the Health Department
 Funding the office assistant position in the Council’s office as a ¾ time level.
(The position had been eliminated in the administrator’s preliminary budget.)
 Adding back a half-time office assistant to the Park’s Department
 $5,000 addition to the Council budget primarily for lobbying the state legislature
 $35,000 to fund the ARC Coordinator’s position
 $32,000 to the Sheriff’s department for personnel
 Adding back a department assistant in long-ranging planning position to the
Community Development and Planning Department budget.
 $15,000 to Lopez/Orcas youth programs

Council Member Gene Knapp asked that the vote on the budget be postponed until December 9 so that the Council and public would have time to review the document in its final form.
After the “add-backs,” Auditor Henley said her projected cash reserve for 2009 is now
$1.18 million. Through the budget process, she has urged the council to maintain a reserve of at least $1.5 million to deal with unexpected expenses or revenue fluctuations and to avoid cash flow problems.
At the end of the public hearing, Council Member Rich Peterson reminded his fellow
Council Members of the Auditor’s projections that the County would run out of money as early as 2010. He asked other members to commit to taking a property tax levy increase proposal to the voters in the near future. “If it’s turned down, then we have our marching orders to make a change."
County Administrator Pete Rose prefaced the Council’s discussion of the proposed 2009
County Budget by saying, “The budget before you is a balanced budget . . . once you’ve settled on an ending cash balance then a dollar-in needs to be a dollar-out.”
Auditor Milene Henley followed by reporting bad news: the County’s cash balance at the end of November was lower than expected and she now projects that the County will end the year with about $200,000 less in the bank than she had previously predicted.
The public hearing was more subdued and briefer than many had expected, with speakers presenting signed petitions and urging the Council to find ways to protect senior services programs, support farmers by funding the Agricultural Resources Committee’s Coordinator and keep parks and public restrooms open.
David Dehlendorf long active with the San Juan Island Trails Committee came offering
money and a volunteer work force. He told the Council that he had raised $1,300 in donations and had 100 volunteers available to help fund and maintain the parks and public toilets that the Parks Department had anticipated closing, due to budget cutbacks.
Parks and Recreation Department Director Dona Wuthnow said that with volunteer help,
and the hope of a grant from the Lodging Tax funds and the restoration of a part-time support position, she may avoid having to close at least three day parks.
For more information on San Juan County's 2009 budget, go to www.sanjuanco.com.

Eastsound committee and cemetery board complete projects

2008-12-05T09:56:00.000-08:00

This week the Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC) and the Cemetery District met and reported on the completion of several tasks they'd set out for themselves.
The EPRC is a county advisory committee that is becoming more prominent in county planning, and the Cemetery District (for Woodlawn Cemetery) is a county junior taxing district.
So they are both part of county bureaucracy and their members are unpaid volunteers in service to the rest of us.
Here's some of their recent accomplishments:
The Cemetery District Board has organized and updated the files of this historic graveyard, a tedious task that requires much research. Some information is still missing, but there is now a substantially complete record of those buried at Woodlawn. Board member Pierrette Guimond speaks of the legacy of the Cemetery Board's work, that can be passed on to future boards.
The EPRC has arranged their work into committees, with individual EPRC members being the point person for each job:
Steve Hopkins for Development advisor
Audrey Moreland for Transportation advisor
Audrey Moreland for Parking advisor
Patty Miller for Long-Range Planning, Growth Management Act and County advisor
Gulliver Rankin for Utility and Stormwater Advisor
Brian Ehrmantraut for Housing advisor
Brian Ehrmantraut for Community Services and Facilities advisor
Bob Connell for Economy advisor
Bob Connell for Conservation advisor
Mindy Kayl for Outreach advisor

All the EPRC advisors plan to be at the Open House on Monday, Dec. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall. Representatives from the following public agencies will be on hand to explain their work:
County Administrator Pete Rose
Council Member Gene Knapp
County Land Bank
San Juan Preservation Trust
County Stormwater/Public Works
Orcas Pathways
OPAL Land and Housing Trust
Eastsound Sewer and Water District
Eastsound Water Users Association

Hot cider and snacks will be served. The Open House welcomes all, and further information is available through EPRC Chair Mindy Kayl at 376-5100 or mindy@mindykayl.com. Come get involved in the vision for Eastsound's future.

Remembering everyday heroes

2008-12-05T09:29:00.000-08:00

Just about a year ago, my Orcas Island hero, Pat Pomeroy, died.
Pat was the broker-owner of Coldwell Banker Orcas Island and many island realtors learned the trade at her offices. She was also the wife of Wes Pomeroy, former teacher, and the mother, grandmother and friend to so many of us.
I worked for Pat for five years, mostly setting up the office website and managing internet communications, including the electronic multiple listing service.
I want to share some of the personal memories that I cherish as I remember Pat.
When I presented a letter to one of our vendors for Pat to review, she asked me, "What are you trying to accomplish here?" Her gentle, to-the-point question made me examine not just what I wanted to say, but how to say it in a way that would make the recipient more receptive -- very helpful in refining communication.
Pat never asked someone to do something that she wasn't willing to do herself. When our water usage seemed high, Pat would go out to the sidewalk every day and hunker down to read and record the water meter.
Every Saturday in the summer, she would go to the Farmers' Market and bring a bouquet of fresh flowers back to the office for us to enjoy all week.
She was a great team player, often referring us to each other to provide assistance in our fields of expertise. She held weekly office meetings to keep us updated and connected with each other.
But I think one memory brings together so many of the aspects of this beautiful person:
Pat loved the arts, especially music and dance. She and Wes had season tickets to the Seattle Ballet, and I think the opera too. Pat didn't have an extensive wardrobe, but her blue wool jacket and black full-length coat always made her look quietly elegant. Just before I became editor of the Sounder, I had a "girls' night out" trip to Seattle with my sister and nieces, and bought a full-length black coat. That coat reminded me of Pat and the business-like way she "cycled" through Eastsound as she went about her work.
(There's a point to this digression.)
In the late spring of 2006, Pat had tickets to the opera that she and Wes couldn't use. She offered them to me and I gladly accepted. When I went to their home to pick up the tickets on a hot spring night, Pat got up from the dinner that she always cooked for Wes, and greeted me at the door, wearing pink bermuda shorts and a T-shirt decorated with the names of all her grandkids. While she was proud of her position in the San Juan County business community, Pat's warmth and practicality always shone through her professional demeanor. Pat really knew how to live, and had her priorities straight.
When Pat died, I found slight comfort knowing that the world was a better place for her having lived in it, because I knew that, without her in it, my world had suffered a huge loss.

Currency and circulation

2008-12-04T09:09:00.000-08:00

Sounds business-like, doesn't it? Much more important than kibbitzing with and borrowing from the neighbors.
But business and commerce on Orcas Island has that personal touch that gives accountability, value and service to all our transactions.
This weekend, beginning today, is looming up to be a festival, a flurry, of circulating and exchange on Orcas Island. From craft displays to Christmas shopping to Hannukah celebrations, to Open Houses and entertaining programs, just poking around this weekend is going to be lots of fun.
The PTSA Book Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and tomorrow at the school library. Books, kits, and scientific tools are just some of the items available to expand curiosity and knowledge -- and the Book Fair is open to all.
The Eastsound Planning Review Committee, the closest thing to a Town Hall or Municipal Council on Orcas, holds its monthly meeting from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. Their Open House will be this Monday at 5 p.m. and I always get the Fire Station and the Senior Center mixed up for these kind of meetings, but you can call the Fire Station at 2331 to check. But do look into the Open House to see what plans are afoot for the development of Eastsound.
Tomorrow, the Chamber of Commerce tree lighting at Eastsound Village Green starts at 4:45 p.m. From there fan out to "Shop the Rock" as Eastsound businesses offer specials until 7 p.m.
Island quilters will hold an opening reception for their work at the Orcas Center at 5:30 p.m. The lobby and Madrona room are blanketing with these stunning works of beauty and order, made by our own neighbors. The quilts will be on display through the month of December.
The Olga Symphony plays Orcas Center on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and if you put it out to the universe, you may be able to score a ticket, although both evenings are officially sold out.
Saturday, scarf down your cornflakes and treat yourself to a day of hobnobbing. The Artisans' Faire takes place at the Oddfellows, beginning at 10 a.m. It runs through Sunday until 4 p.m. and benefits the Artists in the School Program.
The American Legion Auxiliary Holiday Bazaar, which benefits their scholarship program and hospitalized veterans, takes place at the legion hall near the "tank corner." As well as local artists and craftsfolk, the bazaar features hearty soups for when your cornflakes wear off.
The Friends of the Library Holiday Tea runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Orcas Island Library on Rose Street, with goodies and musicians at this community center.
The Actors Theater of Orcas Island presents an evening of improvisational (spontaneous) theater at 7:30 at the Grange on Saturday night.
And plan to attend the Historical Museum Dinner on Monday evening, beginning at 5 p.m. This is a great event, located in the woods of Camp Orkila, with their fabulous prime rib, salmon and vegetarian buffet dinner, seating at tables with island newcomers and old-timers alike. Call to make reservations at 376-4849.
Entertainment following the dinner will be "Orcas Moments" featuring John Gorton and Anita Orne's retrospective of historic island parades, salmon derbies, and community endeavors. "Island Spirit" didn't just spring up overnight, and whether you're being introduced to island history for the first time, or reliving treasured memories, you're sure to be entertained by the program.

Money found for Orcas Rec, Seniors and Farmers

2008-12-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try, you get what you need."
This week, the County Council proposed restoring $10,000 to the Orcas Rec program, and $5,000 to the Lopez Youth programs. This is great news, considering all funding to these groups was planned to be cut.
The revised budget also includes $25,000, reinstated for Senior Transport, and $48,964 for a Juvenile Probation Officer.
The Agricultural Resources Committee coordinator position would also be continued at $35,000.
For all the complaints about a "do-nothing" council that I hear, what is true is that the council and the County Administrator, Pete Rose, make every attempt to respond to citizen concerns. Go to the council web pages for further details, www.sanjuanco.com.
Bravo, fellow citizens, for standing up for these programs.

Look out your window

2008-12-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

We learn so much from our friends.
Earlier this year, fellow Orcas A Cappella member Mireille Paulson created a honey-toned Byzantine-style icon, "Virgin of the Sweet Kiss," under the tutelage of fellow Lopezian Colin Goode. I was so comforted and astonished by the beauty of it that I asked her to create another icon for me.
When she presented it to me, she also gave me a copy of philosopher Henri Nouwen's book, "Praying with Icons." As someone whose upbringing included icons and prayer, this idea is entirely within my comfort zone.
That being said, I found the idea of prayer, or meditation, through gazing at beautiful images profoundly soothing and grounding.
My Orcas home looks out to Buck Mountain and Mount Constitution. In the mornings I gaze out to them and note the sunrise further south each winter day. Between my home and Buck Mountain I see the crossroads of North Beach Road and Mount Baker Road with its churches and Senior Center. In the near distance I see the airport, whose fence illegally encroaches on our property, but that's another battle fought and lost and left behind. Behind the airport road I see the wildly popular dog park, where dogs play in total happiness with their owners nearby, and I think about what we can learn from dogs, or in kindergarten, or in any release from strife and complexity to the simple goodness that life offers us, if we just choose to accept it.
I see the Fire Station "palace" in the foreground, with the Senior Center behind it, and am thrilled to know that last Saturday's Holiday Festival netted the Senior Center $8,400.
Up Mt. Baker Road is the Center for Community and the Arts, where Orcas quilters are hanging their beautiful handcrafted works of beauty and comfort this month. This weekend the wacky and earthy Olga Symphony will perform (sold out, but you can always come hoping for a last-minute ticket), and next weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, Catherine Pederson's Orcas Choral Society will present the annual winter concert with accompaniment by glorious brass. Catherine always includes universal (can I say catholic?) cultures in the Choral Society concerts, and this year, the most peaceful African "Kumbaya" and a rousing Jewish song with solo by John Heath are interspersed between traditional carols. Don't wait until the last minute for your ticket and get turned away from the concert, as happened to some people last weekend.
Across from the Center, the new OPAL houses rise. I note that they now have roofs and are no longer the naked wood frames that punctuated the vista earlier this year. Next year, ten new households will spring up in our neighborhood.
I confess that just gazing out my window gives me a proprietory feeling (hmmm looks like I better look that word up in the dictionary) -- it makes me feel like the Empress of Orcas Island or a rancher ready to set out to mend fences.
For someone who's spent most of her life looking close at words and books and now computer screens, the wealth of an expansive gaze is a gift I can give myself if I just accept it.

Christmas Trees benefit kids' sports and 4-H

2008-12-01T21:10:00.000-08:00

Christmas Trees (priced from $25-$95) are now available at Ace Hardware. They are being sold by kids from the school, and all sales proceeds benefit the school sports programs (other than football) and the 4-H Trailblazers. Sales are happening now until all the trees are sold. For further information, contact Mimi Anderson at 376-2682.

Long live print journalism too!

2008-12-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

Forty years ago, I delivered our weekly neighborhood newspaper. I wanted to be a journalist, but my mom discouraged me, saying it was a rat race. When I looked into graduate school journalism, my state university only offered courses in television journalism. When I lived in NY City, and worked for an insurance annuity company, headlines from corner newsboxes announced the earth-shaking developments of Watergate.
Finally, some 45 years later, after working for trade journals, video production companies, medical labs, publishers and internet marketers, I got my "dream job" as editor of my small-town newspaper.
I covered County Council, School Board, Fire District, and local Plan Review Committee meetings regularly. Our "local" issues are national issues too -- immigration arrests, the crisis in public education funding, the environment and water supply, employment and the cost of housing. Not to mention breaking news incidents of eco-terrorism, neo-Nazism and personal rescues. I also reported on local stories that inspire for a lifetime -- innovative new businesses, cultural exchanges, highly-renowned music and writing festivals, sustainable farming, and graduation from high school, alternative schools, and trade schools.
When I was lucky enough to get a reporter, we covered sports and more of the above stories. When I didn't have a reporter, I relied more on community press releases and regional wire services. The Sounder website continues to be plagued by technological glitches and dated postings from spotty archives.
Now, I watch a bit of CNN, and a bit of Fox on TV. Every Friday, I watch Washington Week (a panel of journalists) on PBS. I read the NY Times and the Seattle Times Business Digest online, often after printing the articles out. I regularly read the print version of my community's newspaper, and that of our two neighboring communities. Whenever I travel, I read the community newspaper.
This blog on Orcas Issues is not print journalism, in that it contains my personal reflections on public and civic matters. The perspective and promise of traditional journalism -- to present a comprehensive, accurate, fair view of what's happening in the world -- is conveyed better through good print journalism than through television or internet media. This applies to local, regional, national and international news coverage.
Would we know about the conflicts in the Near East, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan or the conditions at Walter Reed Hospital or the firing of U.S. Attorneys if it weren't for national and international news coverage?
We need a free press to be a free country. The business model of print journalism is still valid, but it's up to the communities they report on to continue to support, if not save, newspapers. The mutual support of reporting, advertising and patronage are necessary to support the quality of our lives and our democracy.

Bullwings updates at noon

2008-12-01T10:26:00.000-08:00

Hi there!
It's a foggy cold morning on Orcas Island and I'm multi-tasking layered with reflective thoughts of peace and hope. Isn't that what this season is all about?
Today Mindy Kayl, candidate for Orcas West County Council position, is observing a hand-recount of last month's ballots. She lost by about 100 votes to Richard Fralick in the General Election, and is exercising her right to make sure the count was accurate. Tomorrow she plans to butcher sheep on her farm.
In her book, "The Artist's Way," Julia Cameron refers to early-morning journal writing as "junk" writing, which always reminds me of that corny expression, "God don't make junk" so I've always referred to it as "fresh" writing. I wake up with so many bright ideas, practical and outlandish, that mornings are the best time for me to update this blog.
So, by noon, the new day's input should be online and you can read new content. I'm still working on getting RSS feeds and more complicated items on the site. In the meantime, feel free to contact me at pub@PortGamblePublishing.com.

Sing out!

2008-11-30T09:20:00.000-08:00

We're having fun now! Friday night was the Orcas A Cappella concert on Lopez Island, and last night we performed on Orcas -- to sold-out houses both nights.
From the African welcome song to the Pilgrim's Chorus finale we sang and played songs of harvest and home, of spinning wheels and triumph and dreaming of water and longing for beautiful valleys and crossing the Deep River to the Promised Land. With over 30 friends who've come together weekly just for the pleasure and beauty of singing together, some of us novices, some of us old pros.
We perform on Shaw Island today at 2.
The Choral Society's winter concert is in two weeks, Saturday Dec. 13 and Sunday Dec. 14 and it's going to be "killer" as one of the teenagers of the college choir I was in when I was 40. My favorite is a new arrangement of "The Holly and the Ivy" by Stephen Paulus. The nature of Christmas always really speaks to me, and I'm so glad we live in a climate where holly and ivy grow.
Karen Blinn and I are recording a Christmas CD, titled "Christmas Songs of Longing and Wonder." We've been working on it for almost a year now; her beautiful oboe playing gives just the right "longing" note to the songs. It's ready-or-not time.
This Wednesday is the PTSA's Book Fair with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 5 to 8 at the library. In trying not to get sucked in by the over-consumption of Christmas, I've always given my kids a book each for Christmas. One year, money was very tight, so I re-wrapped the books from the previous Christmas and gave them again. They caught on, but at least they had the pleasure of opening one more gift.
And Thursday at 3 the Eastsound Planning Review Committee meeting is at the Senior Center. This is the closest Orcas Island has to a municipal governing body, and its members are knowledgeable about both the laws and the lifestyles of the island. Challenge yourself to understand some of our more complex acronyms (the CAO, the GMA, CARA, the UGA)and wrestle through the bureaucracies to preserve what we cherish and plan what we desire.
But for today, lift slowly with the fog and say goodbye to November.

Not a traditional Thanksgiving Day

2008-11-28T08:52:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Day was a sharp, damp denouement from ten days of shock after being terminated from the Sounder.
Beginning on Monday, my daughter, who recently moved to Seattle after being laid off from her job in Portland, was suffering from a severe case of nausea and vomiting. Appendicitis and hepatitis loomed in my mind, so all Thanksgiving plans were in abeyance until I figured out how she was going to fare.
As I drove from Anacortes to Seattle, I was struck by "the real world," not having been off the island without a firm deadline to return for the the last two years.

Happily for both of us, my daughter is living with my older sister just north of the University District in Seattle.

After arriving at my sister's home, I walked to the neighborhood store to buy ginger ale and tomato soup for my daughter. My sister came home from work as a complex care nurse, seething about the rudeness of her passive-aggressive co-worker. We joked about the freedom of being unemployed, and planned a road trip, one of the traditions and pastimes my daughter and I share.

We watched a TV show and I realized that my sister doesn't have cable or satellite television. My nephew Matt came by to drop off a mirror for the bathroom cabinet that has been mirror-less for the last two years. My sister is not in a rush about anything.

I asked my daughter what she would do if she could do anything she liked, and after saying, "You mean after traveling around the Mediterranean?" she told me she'd like to be involved in international relations.

I told her I'd like to just go to bed for a week.

The next day, I called my husband on Orcas and we agreed to play it by ear for Thanksgiving Day. I told him I felt torn between "celebrating" Thanksgiving Day with him and my daughter, but he had already been to Seattle on Monday and Tuesday. He said, "Don't worry about me," and we are honest with each other about our feelings, so I appreciated his generosity.

My sister was going to her in-laws for the traditional dinner. She had made a turkey the Sunday before and leftovers were still in her fridge.
I'd had turkey dinner at the American Legion two weeks ago, and my daughter had no stomach for turkey and dressing and gravy.

My other nephew John came by and told me of his new job writing grants. John traveled the world for 10 months last year, and he discouraged us from our Mexican road trip plans. While my daughter napped, I spent an hour on the phone on hold with the unemployment agency, then was disconnected.

Later, my daughter felt up to a cabbage salad that I make and gobbled down three helpings.
That night my sister demanded I make chocolate sauce for ice cream, and I had more than my share, which kept me awake most of the night. My sister got up at her usual 5 a.m. and I woke on Thanksgiving Day with a headache.
But my daughter felt better and we took her dog -- a 130-pound French mastiff that I'm still a little afraid of -- to the dog park on Lake Washington and had a long honest talk about our family. A long overdue talk in my opinion, but at last she felt okay to talk to me about it. Later she told me she felt relieved.

Then my sister took us out for breakfast at a neighborhood joint and we talked about conspicuous consumption and alternative uses of energy and whether or not I should be a yenta to my unmarried daughter and how my sister was going to enjoy Christmas in New Jersey with her prospective in-laws.

I heard from my two sons, one in Michigan and one in Maryland and was glad they could get through the phone lines, which I'd expected to be overloaded.

We came home and I made soup from the turkey carcass and watched the movie "Volver," with Spanish subtitles. My daughter looks like a cross between Penelope Cruz and Michelle Obama, and I'm so complemented when people say she resembles me. Her dog smelled the turkey on me and desperately wanted to inhale me, but finally he slept.

Both my sister and I nodded off during the movie, but we agreed at the end that it was a foreign film, and what would the poor sister-daughter do who had killed her mother's husband?

Then it was time to leave to catch the ferry home. I realized I was hungry, and stopped at a QFC for a turkey sandwich. All the radio programs were dry or dreary, so I turned it off and sang the program for the Orcas A Cappella and Choral Society concerts coming up. I made it to the ferry with a half-hour to spare, and allowed myself to hit the wall.
I felt blue and tired and lonely. I gave thanks for all the people and circumstances I'm grateful for, and told myself it was okay to cry if I felt like it. After boarding the ferry, I looked out the car window at the black waters -- I was first in line at the front of the ferry.
I was tired from two weeks of stress and change and compensating and shifting from my former, overloaded but exciting schedule to my open-ended "new" life. I didn't "have" to do anything and I didn't want to do anything, but finally I opened my journal and wrote about how tired I was, how sad I felt, and remembered the kind words of an Orcas neighbor who reminded be that I will feel sad and it's okay.
I came home and my husband brought home care packages of turkey dinner and dessert, and I ate some chocolate pie. He made a fire and I fell asleep in the chair by the fireplace.
It was a low-key, moment-by-moment Thanksgiving, and just right for me.

Thanksgiving poems

2008-11-26T12:33:00.000-08:00

When Father Carves the Duck

We all look on with anxious eyes
when father carves the duck
and mother almost always sighs
when father carves the duck
Then all of us prepare to rise
and hold our bibs before our eyes
and be prepared for some surprise
when father carves the duck.
He braces up and grabs a fork
whene'er he carves a duck
And won't allow a sould to talk
until he's carved the duck.
The fork is jabbed into the sides
across the breast the knife he slides
while every careful person hides
from flying chips of duck.
The platters always sure to slip
when father cares a duck
and how it makes the dishes skip!
potatoes fly amuck!
The squash and cabbage leap in space
We get some gravy in our fact
And father mutters Hindu grace
Whene'er he carves a duck.
We then have learned to walk around
The dining room and luck
From off the windowsills and walls
Our share of father's duck.
While father growls and blows and jaws
And swears the knife was full of flaws
and mother laughs at him becuase
he couldn't carve a duck.

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