The
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Letters
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County finances
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Volunteer at Wolf Hollow
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www.islandsweekly.com 360-376-4500
VOLUME 35, NUMBER 46 • DECEMBER 1, 2015
San Juan County economy on the rise, but wages stand still By Leslie Kelly
Special to the Weekly
Although employment is up across the San Juan Islands and the economy seems to be rebounding, residents still face stagnant
wages while the price of everything from rent to groceries is increasing. That was the message in a recent report by the San Juan County Economic Development Council.
Victoria Compton, executive director of the economic development council, called the report “mostly positive.” “It’s clear that we are in economic recovery,” she said. “We’re a few years behind the rest of the nation. We’re just starting to see the natural climb out of the recession.” The report included data from the Washington Employment Security
Department, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Western Washington University. Among the notable results is that unemployment in the San Juan Islands has dropped from 6.2 percent in May of 2012 to a current rate of 4.4 percent. The highest unemployment listed was in January 2012 at 8.8 percent. Compton said that included growth in manufacturing
Send your news stories to editor@ islandsweekly. com.
Holiday Art & Craft Sale!
12th Annual
at the
Historic
Port Stanley Schoolhouse
HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS FROM SWAP! JUNK BONDS & STOCKING-STUFFER COUPONS!! FUN!!
ART CARDS by Christa Malay 9 different scenes from the Lopez Dump T-SHIRTS & FABULOUS FEEDBAG SHOPPING BAGS Available from the SWAP booth at the Port Stanley School Holiday Art & Craft Sale Sat, December 5 Islander Craft Fair Sat, December 5 Sun, December 6
SUPPORTS THE LOPEZ DUMP!
Annual Craft Fair Sat., Dec. 5 10 am-3 pm and Sun., Dec. 6 10 am-3 pm Come join us for a wide array of arts and crafts from all islands.
Any questions, call Kathy or Sydney 468-2233
ing Com
Islander
Resort
Family owned since 1997
... Soon LOPEZ
THRIFT SHOP THRIFT SHOP ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SALE SALE CHRISTMAS December 6th 5th 99 am - 11 pm pm
Sat. Dec 5th 10 am - 3 pm Join Island Artists for Holiday Shopping Treats & Good Cheer with a Festive Atmosphere!
and technology jobs, as well as a return to full force labor in other areas such as retail and construction has gotten the number of unemployed back down. “It’s only been recently that construction has begun to come back,” she said. “And we’ve seen a growth in small manufacturing and tech.” Examples of that, she said were the manufacturing of parts for Honda outboards and filters for NASA, both which are done in the San Juans. She said she’s also seen a growth in technology companies that produce apps. “They can do their work anywhere, but they’ve decided to work and live here because it’s a nice place,” she said. According to the state Department of Revenue,
business growth on the islands was reported to be up 6,000 firms or companies from 3,000 in 1994 to 9,000 in 2014. Those figures are based on sale tax reports given to the state. One thing that has been an issue for workers living on the San Juan Islands is wages. While costs of goods and services has increased, wages have not. “The best way of looking at it is that if a tomato cost $1 in 2007, it now costs $1.50,” said Compton. “But as a consumer, you are still only making the wages you were in 2007.” That holds true for everything, including rents, which she said are higher here than other places in the state, like smaller towns in eastern Washington, because of the appeal of livSEE ECONOMY, PAGE 5
Spirit of Giving
Sponsored by the Lopez Island Family Resource Center
Jennifer Armstrong Hand Felted Crafts
Leslie Austin
Dragonfly Studios Ceramics
Maxine Bronstein & Debbie Hayward Island Fibers Handmade Textiles & Lopez Wool
Jules McLeland Jewelry & Mixed Media
Terri Roush Fused Glass
Tamara Shane
Copper Crafts & More
Stina Soderlind Beach Jewelry
Kristin Twigg
Woodsia Printed Linens
Linda Ann Vorobik
Lopez School -Multipurpose Multipurpose Room
Willow Studio Jewelry
All proceeds from sale stay on Lopez Island
New Edition Collectibles
Botanical Art & Silks
Janet Yang SWAP
Note cards & T-shirts 2970 Port Stanley Rd. Lopez Island, WA
Sponsor a family (call us for info), ‘Grab a Tag’ from a giving tree at The Galley, Bay Café, Sunset Builders, Lopez Library, Village Market, Islanders Bank, Post Office, Blossoms, Grace Church, or Southend Store Make a donation directly to the LIFRC Call 468-4117 for more information. Contributions can be mailed to PO Box 732, Lopez, WA 98261.
Community Calendar
ON-GOING: Ancestry.com Tutorials, available by appointment at the Lopez Island Library. Learn to use this remarkable tool available as part of your library’s digital access and discover where your family comes from! Call 468-2265 or stop by the library to schedule your 30-minute appointment.
room, 4-5 p.m. Bring your device and log-in information (for Kindles your Amazon log-in info).
MONDAYS ON-GOING: Learn a foreign language with the digital tool Pronunciator. www. pronunciator.com. Free tutorials, 4-5 p.m., in the library’s community room.
WEDNESDAYS STORYTIME: Wednesday Morning Story Time at the Lopez Island Library, 10-10:30 a.m. Baby and Toddler Story Time; 11 -11:30 a.m. Preschoolers Story Time. Join us each Wednesday morning for rhymes, songs and books. You’re never too young to become a fan of stories. In the Helen Anderson Children’s Room at the Lopez Island Library.
TUESDAYS ON-GOING: Learn how to download eBooks! Free tutorials every Tuesday in the library’s community
TUES, DEC. 1 MEETING: San Juan County Council Meeting, 10 a.m., Lopez Center for Community and the Arts.
AA Meetings: Mondays - 7:30 p.m. at the Children’s Center Wednesdays - 4 p.m. Women’s meeting at the fellowship hall at Grace Episcopal Church Saturdays - noon at the Children’s Center Call 468-2809
Al-Anon: Saturdays - 9:30 a.m. at the Children’s Center Call 468-4703
WED, DEC. 2 EVENT: Good Lovelies with stunning three part vocal harmonies, Lopez Center, 7:30 p.m. Adult $18, youth $8. Tickets are
Lopez Center, PSR, Lopez Bookshop, Blossom, lopezcenter.org.
THURS, DEC. 3 EVENT: Take Charge! Energy Pie Social, 5 p.m., Woodmen Hall. Stay Warm This Winter & Decarbonize Your Energy. Join us to discuss how you can Take Charge of your Energy Use. FRI, DEC. 4 EVENT: Fire Department Awards Banquet, 5:30 p.m., Lopez Center for Community and the Arts. This event is for Lopez Fire Department Volunteers for their dedicated service to our community SAT, DEC. 5 EVENT: Port Stanley Schoolhouse Holiday Craft Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Historic Port Stanley Schoolhouse, 2970 Port Stanley Road. EVENT: Lopez Thrift Shop Annual Holiday Sale, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lopez School - Multi Purpose Room. Come to the Annual Thrift Shop sale and find many treasures to take home with you. EVENT: Lopez Islander Resort Annual Craft Fair, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lopez
Letters Re: Keaton story Diana Hefley is a superb
to the Editor
writer. In her article detailing the demise of Keaton Farris, she spotlighted the invisible
Lopez Business Hours Lopez Islander
Southend Restaurant
BREAKFAST 10 a.m. Sat/Sun LUNCH DAILY 11:30-4:30 p.m. DINNER DAILY 4:30-8 p.m. Sun-Thurs 4:30-9 p.m. Fri/Sat
Thursday-Saturday 11:30-8 Sunday Breakfast10-12 Lunch/Dinner 12-8
Come in and enjoy our renowned special RR Prime Rib Thurs.-Sat.
www.lopezfun.com 468-2233
Beer-Wine-Great Food Delicious Baked Goods Weekend Specials, Deli To Go Items
Southend General Store Winter Hours 7:30 to 7:30 everyday southendgeneralstore andrestaurant.com
468-2315
Just Heavenly Fudge Factory
OPEN 11:00 - 5:00PM Closed Tues. & Thurs.
15%OFF
Friday Village Lighting 11-6:30pm and Small Business Saturday Nov. 28th 468-2439
justheavenlyfudge.com
Publisher
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The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • December 1, 2015 – Page 2
Islander Resort. Local Craft Vendors! Runs Dec. 5-6. EVENT: Peace Concert and KLOI Annual Meeting Lopez Center for Community and the Arts. Offered by KLOI Lopez Island Community Radio, free For info, www.kloi. com. EVENT: Ladies Christmas Luncheon, Lopez Community Church, 1 p.m. Bring a wrapped baked goods sized for a family to be donated to the Family Resources baskets.
MON, DEC. 7 CONSULT: QuickBooks Coaching or Training at LIFRC. Intuit Pro Advisor, Kelly Pederson, will help you with your specific QuickBooks questions. Individual consultations available in one hour increments tailored to your specific needs. You’ll be contacted to setup an appointment time after registering. $55/1 hour session. Pre-registration required; visit www.lifrc. org. WEDS, DEC. 9 EVENT: Historic Barns of the San Juan Islands with NPS Architectural
Historian Boyd Pratt, the final program in the Lopez Island Library’s series “Shelter,” 7 p.m., Woodmen Hall.
FRI, DEC. 11 MEETING: Lopez Village Planning Review Committee regular meeting, 10:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Library - meeting room. The LVPRC is using community input from planning workshops to develop draft plans for community review. For more info, visit www.sanjuanco.com/cdp/ LopezVillage/. SAT, DEC. 12 EVENT: Friends of Lopez Island Library Cookbooks & Holiday Crafts Used Book Sale, 10 a.m. -3 p.m., Lopez Island Library meeting room. Join the Friends of the Lopez Island Library for another fun used book sale just in time for the holiday season! This time the theme for the book sale will be cookbooks & holiday craft books. The selections will be terrific and all proceeds benefit the Friends of Lopez Island Library and the Lopez Island Library. Fill a Lopez Library “Red Book Bag” for $20.
ART: Chimera Gallery invites you to our Holiday Party and the drawing of winning tickets for the annual art raffle, 5-7 p.m. Enjoy refreshments, good cheer, and the last chance to buy raffle tickets to benefit the school art program. Raffle drawing at 6 p.m. Hours: Gallery open Dec. 10 - 27 (closed Christmas); Mon.- Sat. 10-5 & Sun. 10-3. COOKIES: Christmas cookie Sale to benefit Lopez seniors, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Woodmen Hall.
SUN, DEC. 13 EVENT: Lions Club Christmas Ship at Odlin Park Dock, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Odlin County Park. Santa and Elves are coming. It’s a 50+years Lopez tradition. Share hot chocolate, cookies, bonfire and fun. WED, DEC. 16 EVENT: Candlelight and Song for the Healing of the Nations. 5 p.m., Center Church. Prayer for peoples, lands and nations, led by Sharon Abreu, with Ginni Keith and Patty Johnson, piano. Co-sponsored by the Lutheran Church and Grace Episcopal Church. Free.
Letters to the editor must be no more than 350 words in length and must be signed by the writer. Include address and telephone number for verification purposes. Anonymous letters will not be published. Send your letters via e-mail to: cbagby@islandsweekly.com.
atrocities our mentally ill suffer today. Jailed rather than hospitalized, avoided rather than examined, Mr. Farris’s death was a crime committed by a system devoid of resources and in this case, compassion. In the 80’s, half of our country’s mental hospitals closed down with the governmental reassurance, “Our community resources (clinics) can care for those needing help.” Then, funding was slashed for community clinics, the agent of that “help.” While interning in Los Angeles, I witnessed a community clinic open one day and permanently closed the next, with a sign posted on the door, “Please call 911 if you need help.” That clinic served over 100,000 people. It seemed like overnight, the
Graphic Designers 360.378.5696 Scott Herning, ext. 4054 sherning@soundpublishing.com Kathryn Sherman, ext. 4050 ksherman@soundpublishing.com Classified Advertising 800-388-2527 classifieds@soundpublishing.com Mailing/Street Address PO Box 758, Eastsound, WA 98245 Phone: (360) 378-5696 Fax: (888) 562-8818 Classifieds: (800) 388-2527
streets were filled with the mentally ill who had nowhere to go for medication, for shelter, for care. Jails, prisons and doorways now house our mentally ill. Sadly, Mr. Farris’s story is not unique. In his case, clearly all personnel including medical staff were criminally neglectful. But realistically, jail and prison personnel are not trained to care for those with “erratic behavior.” When Mr. Farris grew resistive, someone inhumanely buzzed him with a stun gun. No wonder he grew more paranoid. Who wouldn’t? On our beloved island similar conditions exist. Our mentally ill also struggle for help. Although there are countless individuals and groups here who want to help, when someone needs
a hospital bed, a thorough evaluation, and the comfort of informed care, 9 times out of 10, there are no beds available anywhere IN THE STATE, let alone, nearby. For a country with such wealth, this is unconscionable. Our system must change. Elections are approaching. If we want to declare ourselves as our national pledge puts it, “one nation under God,” we need to return to the politics that consider the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves, especially the invisible who suffer the most. Regardless of your party, please consider voting for those who value compassionate care for the mentally ill and want to pay for it. JULIE GOTTMAN Deer Harbor
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The Islands’ Weekly was founded in 1982 and is based on Lopez Island. The Islands’ Weekly is published every Tuesday and is
Guest Column
Budget 2016: A look at county finances from auditor By Milene Henley
San Juan County Auditor
A recent local political cartoon pictured a person, labeled “County Budget,” stuffing money into one pocket, labeled “Reserves,” while simultaneously shuffling money from that pocket to another pocket, labeled “spending,” and pulling money out of the “spending” pocket. The cartoon made me laugh, mostly because it suggested to me that somebody had actually read the very long 2016 Budget Message. It also challenged me to work on the clarity of my writing, because it missed the mark on one key detail. The county tried, for 2016, to put together a “status quo” budget which simply maintained existing programs while living within available revenue. We can’t do it. We can’t pay for the services we currently provide, at the level at which we currently provide them, within current revenue projections. Labor is about 75 percent of the cost of the county’s general fund. Aided by staff turnover, wages are actually growing fairly modestly, at approximately the rate of inflation. The cost of benefits, however, is growing much faster. From 2011 to 2016, retirement system costs increased 86 percent, projected medical insurance costs, 58 percent, and worker compensation costs, 56 percents. For 2016 alone, the cost of all benefits is projected to increase about 7.5 percent. The cost of services is also projected to rise about 7.5 percent in 2016. “Services,” which includes a wide variety
of expenses from professional services through travel and utilities, is the largest category of expense in the general fund after payroll. Overall, expenditures in the county’s general fund are projected to increase almost 5 percent in 2016. Revenues, on the other hand, are projected to remain almost flat. Property tax is the largest and most reliable source of unrestricted revenue for the county. Because of the 1 percent growth limitation imposed by Initiative 747, it is constrained in growth and fairly easy to project. Sales tax, the second largest source of general fund revenue, has done quite well recently, growing at 5.25 percent, 8.5 percent and 8.5 percent in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. Charges for goods and services have also trended upwards, though some of the recent growth has been increases in charges by general fund departments to other departments within the County. All other revenue types have been either stagnant or highly variable. Intergovernmental revenue, which is always tough to project, is dropping substantially in 2016. Licensing and permitting revenue – primarily health and building permits – will be flat in 2016. Interest revenue and fines and forfeits remain almost unchanged since 2009. In total, revenue to the general fund in 2016 will be essentially unchanged from 2015. With expenditures growing at 5 percent, the gap between revenue and “status quo” expenditures is projected at about $567,000. To make up the
Experience ‘A Peace Performance’ for hope and compassion by Iris Graville Special to the Weekly
Many in our community are often left reeling when faced with information about climate change, underfunded schools, inadequate mental health services, mass shootings, homelessness, hunger, war, and personal tragedy. We wonder, “What should I do, where, when, and how?” These questions have grown even more urgent since the attacks in Paris on November 13. While there are no easy answers, many find comfort and support when gathered with others; that awareness has prompted Lopez Community Theater and KLOI Radio to produce a stage performance focused OUT on peace on Saturday A HAND December 5, 7:30PM at Lopez Center for Community a difference and the Arts. p your monthly “A Peace Performance” be islander! produced and elp awill needy directed by Carol Steckler, well-known as the Lopez Community Theater producme donation er and director for twenty years. “The process for putness ting PALthis show together was of an emergent nature involving many people and many ideas,” Steckler says. The o directly to grant recipients. program will include a Lopez Children’s Choir directed by m/PALKristin and click Contribute Fernald; two staged vignettes featuring Janet
Baltzer and Paul Lewis; a Playback Theater performance by James Lucal; activist artists and performers Nikyta Palmisani and Kenny Ferrugiaro; the Lopez youth band MPACT, directed by Jesse Hammond; and more. “Our purpose for this evening is to come together as a Lopez community to illuminate the world we live in with compassion,” says Steckler. “We offer no advice or judgment, and we want everyone to feel included.” Steckler staged a similar peace event
in 2001, acting on her belief that speaking about hopes and deeply held values makes a difference. Periodically, people have asked her if she was ever going to organize a peace event again. A couple of months ago, she began working on this performance, collaborating with performers and directors to select material and create scripts that wrestle with fear, hope, and understanding. Although some of the program’s content might not be suitable for young children,
ct PAL
Call
Before you Dig
Before you reach for the shovel or �ire up the backhoe, dial 811 to locate buried utility lines. Be Safe!
Steckler explains that the goal is “to get the message of peace across” to the audience. There is no admission fee, but donations will be accepted at the door to defray the costs of the production and to continue KlOI’s capacity to bring local radio programming and events to the community. “People are affected by music and ideas,” Steckler says. She and her crew hope to create a memorable evening for the audience. For more information, contact Steckler at 468-2138.
difference, the proposed 2016 county budget includes the use of cash-on-hand – hence the above-referenced cartoon. Where the carton missed the mark is the source of the cash. Rather than reserves, the cash budgeted for use is coming out of “operating cash” in the general fund. Operating cash is currently well above the 10% level required by the County’s reserve policy. With the county’s current strong cash position, we can, in the short term, meet both our operational and our reserve objectives, even with consuming some cash. Long-term, however, the imbalance between revenue growth and expenditure growth remains a problem we must solve, or balancing our budget with cash-on-hand will be no laughing matter. F. Milene Henley is the San Juan County Auditor. You can find the full text of the 2016 Budget Message at: http:// sanjuanco.com/Auditor/docs/Budget_Reports/2016_ Preliminary_Budget_Book.pdf.
FIBER UPDATE Rock Island Communications has been busy installing fiber optic broadband to homes and businesses around the county. This historic undertaking will provide fast, reliable Internet up to 200Mbps+ to those who want it. We’re currently managing over 250 simultaneous construction projects countywide. Here are some of the groups we’ve been working with to date: Current Group Projects: Matia View on Orcas Island Morning Light on Orcas Island Suncrest on Orcas Island Whiskey Hill on Lopez Island Cape San Juan on San Juan Island Mineral Point on San Juan Island Spring Point on Orcas Island Mineral Heights on San Juan Island The Highlands on San Juan Island Upcoming Group Projects: Cayou Valley on Orcas Island Gary Oak on San Juan Island Portland Fair Area on San Juan Island Panorama Place on San Juan Island Brown Island on Brown Island Salmon Point on Lopez Island You Can Get Connected Too! • Start by indicating your interest online at: rockisland. com/connect • Learn more about organizing at rockisland.com, or attend one of our monthly meetings
MONTHLY FIBER MEETUPS Notice of Intent to to OPALCO Adopt anConnect Election Monthly Open Fiber Meeting: Join us this month for this general information session. Resolution read All are welcome!your
The San Juan 1st Wednesday of Every Month from 5:30 – 6:30 PM Islands ConservaMonthly Group Organizer Meeting: tion District intends Learn more about organizing your group at this to have a meeting session. Wednesday of Every Month from 5:30 – 6:30 PM on Thursday,Keep up to2nd date on December 10th, Both meetings held on Lopez this December Co-op happenings and other 2015, 8:30-11:00am, (meetings will rotate islands every month). More details in next week’s ad. at 530events Guard Street, like winter outage help. Friday Harbor, rockisland.com It’s allWA, in our e-newsletter. at which the date, Power & Light Cooperative time,Orcas place and manner of the 2016 Subscribe today at annual www.opalco.com/about/email-signup/ election will be set.
Co-op Connector
The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • December 1, 2015 – Page 3
Tis the season to talk about winter preparedness By Anna V. Smith Journal reporter
While a fire crackled in the hearth and the air was scented with baked goods, Brendan Cowan, director of San Juan Department of Emergency Management talked with an audience at the San Juan Island Grange last week about the importance of being prepared for winter and all the challenges it comes with. Cowan discussed the basics of being prepared, such as keeping at least a week’s worth of food and water, alternatives to electric heat sources and knowing your neighbors needs as well as your own. “The recent power outage was a great little reminder of these things,” Cowan said. Although OPALCO has 95 percent of its power lines underground thanks to a FEMA grant, “We’re still all connected to the greater grid, so we still have to be mindful of that.”
Most members of the audience had at least some experience with winters on San Juan Island, and had some impressive stories to tell about weeks on end with no electricity back in the 1990s and late 1980s. Cowan, who travels around states assisting other emergency situations in addition to his time here, said that the major response that he sees from people affected by tragedies like wildfires or storms is that they weren’t prepared because they didn’t think it would happen to them. It’s often smaller communities with altruistic sensibilities that do the best under pressure, coming together and helping each other. “At the end of the day it’s all about thinking ahead to stay warm and safe and connected, so we want to look at how to get to that point, and what’s keeping us from taking those steps,” Cowan said. He supplied a 12-month “preparation calendar” for peo-
CROSSWORD PUZZLE Across 1. "-zoic" things 5. Come together 9. "Oh, ___!" 13. Bowed 14. Strategy board game 15. And others, for short 16. ___ carotene 17. Circle 18. Honky-___ 19. In a tactful manner 22. It's a snap 23. Not quite 24. Alias (abbrev.) 26. Benefit 28. Oolong, for one 29. ___ and outs 30. Houses and land (2 wds) 35. "Likewise" 38. "The ___ Daba Honeymoon" 39. "Rabbit food" 40. Cumulonimbus, e.g. (2 wds) 43. "... ___ he drove out of sight" 44. ___ blood group system 45. Highlands hillside 47. Ballpoint, e.g. 48. Stone mounds erected as markers 51. Methuselah's father 53. Post-diaper discipline (2 wds) 56. Bridge toll unit 57. Beat 58. Be a monarch 60. Equal 61. Architectural projection
ple to gradually acquire the things they’ll need in the event of an emergency, including a checklist of things to purchase such as canned foods, portable radios and hand-held tools, as well as a list of activities for families and neighbors to take part in. “Basically, it’s like living on the San Juan Islands in the 1920s,” Cowan said, explaining that households should have non-electric devices at the ready, and to know your neighbors in the event that you or they should need help. Cowan said that checking on neighbor’s houses when they aren’t there is also important, since pipes can freeze and thaw may cause them to burst with nobody home to be aware of the running water. The conversation turned from winter preparedness to natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, including the massive Cascadia earthquake that will hit the Pacific Northwest. Cowan said that for the islands, any tsunami will be 45 minutes after the quake which will give islanders time to get to higher ground. There will be multiple surges, Cowan said, so don’t go out onto the water in a boat until water levels have returned to normal. “There is no reason that someone should die from the tsunami on the islands,” Cowan said, noting that the surge will come up around 20 feet. The point of being prepared for an event like the Cascadia earthquake is less because of the damage that the islands will sustain, and more due to the little assistance islanders will receive because of being a rural county when larger cities like Victoria B.C., Seattle and Portland will be affected up and down the coast. Cowan also discussed best practices when driving in snowy conditions (don’t unless absolutely necessary), preventing water pipes from freezing (keep a steady drip going and indoors heated) and keeping an eye on neighbors, friends and family and checking in with weather broadcasts to be prepared for storms. For info on how to respond to emergencies or a list of supplies, visit the Department of Emergency Management at www.joomla.sanjuandem.net. To contact Brendan Cowan or ask him to speak about preparedness at a neighborhood gathering or meeting, email him at dem@sanjuandem.net.
Sudoku
62. The Kennedys, e.g. 63. Annexes 64. Contact, e.g. 65. "___ for the poor" Down 1. "Chicago" lyricist 2. Bassoon, e.g. 3. Italian appetizer 4. Kind of infection 5. Resembling marble 6. Goya's "Duchess of ___" 7. Forger 8. Gorge 9. Information about information 10. Bikini, e.g. 11. Hairy-chested 12. Excessive drinker
14. Owl, e.g. 20. Chop (off) 21. Salad green 24. Boosts 25. Jersey, e.g. 27. Shish ___ 31. Those honored for great achievements 32. The first transfinite cardinal (mathematics) 33. Container weight 34. "Our Time in ___" (10,000 Maniacs album) 36. Excerpts advertising new films 37. 18th-century card game 41. Check
The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • December 1, 2015 – Page 4
42. 1973 Elton John hit 46. Long, long time 48. Served as helmsman 49. Had a bug 50. Abundance 52. About 53. Spanish appetizer 54. Archaeological site 55. ___ rock, e.g. David Bowie 59. "Star Trek" rank: Abbr.
Answers to today's puzzle on page 16
Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty ranges from 1-5 (easy) 6-10 (moderate) and 11-15 (hard). Today’s puzzle is level 2. Sudoku and Crossword answers on page 16
ECONOMY CONTINUED FROM 1
ing in the San Juans. “People from Seattle, where wages are better, are still coming here to buy homes or rent vacation rentals,” she said. “So that means rents stay high and that’s a tough squeeze on workers here.” With regard to how people are spending their money on the San Juan Islands, a majority goes for retail purchases. About 28 percent of all sales tax collected comes from retail businesses. “On Orcas that number is 36 percent, about a third of all the dollars spent,” she said. “But we can’t tell from this (data) whether that’s residents purchasing goods or whether that’s tourists shopping here. There’s no way to gauge that.” The data also doesn’t show what items
people are spending their on. She also warned that just a purchase or two of mega yachts sold in the San Juans could sway that percentage. As for other sales tax collected, about 20 percent was from construction projects. Utilities accounted for 6 to 10 percent depending on which island was studied, and accommodations and dining was another 11 to 13 percent. Transportation was only 1 to 2 percent of all sales tax collected. Compton said she thinks transportation costs level out between the fact that residents have very short commutes to work, as opposed to the cost of leaving the islands via ferry. In total, sales tax increased over all the county by 9.6 percent in 2015, from the 2014 figure. It went from $1.3 million to $1.43 million. While some comes from year-round residents, a good portion comes from summer tourism.
One of the crucial factors in spending on the San Juan Islands is the number of residents who are considered low income. In a recent report by Orcas Power and Light Company, 19 percent of the population in the county lives below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. That represents 1,500 households and 3,000 individuals. To better describe that level, someone who is at 150 percent of the federal poverty level would make $17,505 annually, or $8.42 an hour. A family of two wage earners would make $23,598, at an average hourly rate of $11.35. The power company conducted the study to try to determine how best to allot its utility assistance money. But Compton said it is an indication of the low and stagnate wages in the area. She said she hopes that non profits and social services can use the information to apply for more grants
and government loans to help low wage earners and their families. Meanwhile, the economic development council is working to enhance business on the San Juans. It is undertaking a branding plan whereby products made on the San Juans will bear a “San Juan Islands Made” logo, be it fudge, jewelry, or Honda parts. A website is being created to market that plan. And the council is offering mentoring to existing and new businesses. “We’re hoping to encourage those people who have been thinking about starting a business to go for it,” she said. “They may be afraid or not know what to do. So we will offer help with business plans and pitches, and we are sponsor trade shows. We’re even planning our own ‘Shark Tank’-type competition.” For more on that go to www.sanjuansedc. org, or call Compton at 378-2906.
Have you ever considered volunteering with Wolf Hollow? By Carol Parrot Lopez Island
Wolf Hollow has been serving the San Juans and surrounding area for over 30 years, but much of what we do remains a mystery. Carol has been a volunteer with us for about four years and wanted to share just a small amount of her experience both as an animal transport and onsite animal care volunteer. To anyone considering volunteering time to Wolf Hollow, this is the true scoop! Wolf Hollow: four years a volunteer and going strong! The most common way to volunteer at Wolf Hollow is to donate about four hours of your time each week, on one specific morning or afternoon. Each day brings both routine stuff and new challenges and experiences. Yes, there is some unexciting work that keeps the center going and licensed, like washing animal feeding dishes, cleaning cages so the animals will stay disease free, doing animal laundry (sheets, towels, etc that are used as kennel or tub liners), and keeping the work areas clean. There is a posted list with all the routine chores that need to be done sometime each day, and we all (the rehabilitators, the interns and the volunteers) work together to get the list checked off. For Wolf Hollow to stay licensed, it needs to provide both appropriate care, and a clean, well functioning facility. The daily list also contains really fun stuff: Preparing food for all the animals and feeding them (the baby birds need to be hand fed as frequently as every 15 minutes!); walking around the large acreage, to all the outside cages, to feed each animal and make sure it is doing well; giving the baby seals and ducklings swim time; exercising the fledgling eagles so they know how to fly and land on different perches; watching the young otters meet live Dungeness crab for the first time and figure out they are a food source; introducing young seals to the fact that the little fish swimming about are not
just toys but survival food; decorating clean living areas for birds and mammals that will be housed outside in the different aviaries and room sized cages (so that they grow up in something close to native habitat); moving animals from indoor to outdoor cages, as they graduate to each new level of care; and then getting the animals ready for transport and release. I have some hands-on time with the animals too, though everyone at Wolf Hollow tries to keep human contact to a minimum so that the animals act appropriately on release. Some of the many wonderful experiences I have had include holding an injured great horned owl, that could not self feed, while he was hand fed by a rehabilitator; cornering a large swan (that had come in undernourished and
exhausted) and putting her into a large kennel when she was ready for release; helping hold a seal pup while necessary labs were drawn, bottle feeding baby squirrels that were so small they could not self feed, just to name a very few. Each day I work, I appreciate this truly amazing experience. I live on Lopez Island, and, now that I have some experience, I am often called at home when there is an injured animal on Lopez. On those days, I call the person who found the animal or bird, and usually go to where the animal is. Sometimes I have to actually catch the animal, like a hawk with a broken wing who could run under bushes to hide really fast, or remove baby rabbits from a compost pile where the mother had made her nest and get them settled
in a box and sent over to San Juan on the ferry. Or actually hold a great horned owl who had gotten tangled in plastic netting while the farmer who found him was able to cut the netting away from his wings and talons (and keep the owl from attacking the farmer as he worked on the net!). I was not capable of doing these things until I had received some training first. I still call and ask for advice when I am assigned animals to evaluate that are out of my scope of knowledge. Sometimes I keep the animals overnight, if I cannot get them on a ferry in time, and get them to Wolf Hollow the next day. Working with the animals is exactly that: work. But it is also very rewarding. WH is not a pet shop, where the animals are cuddled. It requires a different kind of care to
keep wild animals wild, as they are evaluated, rehabbed and released. The animals change from week to week, so the care that needs to be provided also changes. Summers are busiest, winters are slowest. The staff at WH is smart and helpful and capable. All in all, it brings a giant smile to my face. Wolf Hollow is always in need of volunteers to help transport animals to our center on San Juan Island, including animal pickup; or individuals with boats or planes willing to bring animals to the island! Anyone interested is free to call Wolf Hollow at 378-5000 or contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteers@wolfhollowwildlife.org.
The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • December 1, 2015 – Page 5
Instructional technology levy placed on February ballot by Tim Fry
Special to the Weekly
In 2007, Lopez voters passed a one-year, $150,000 technology levy for Lopez School. Eight years later, the school’s technology is outdated and worn out. In a recent survey, one middle school student said: “As far as
I can tell, there are only two decent laptops we can check out for the whole school.” A teacher reported, “The computers in my room are very slow, students have to use my personal computer.” The amount invested nearly a decade ago paled in comparison to what other
districts spend and didn’t include funds for training. “I have seen, firsthand, students struggling with some very basic concepts in programs such as Word, Excel, and Keynote,” said LIHS graduate, Sarah Reeve. A former Lopez School grandparent, Gordon Jonasson,
The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • December 1, 2012 – Page 6
told the School Board, “We have graduating seniors that are not fully prepared for the modern workplace.” Today, technology plays a role in almost every facet of life, making ongoing technology investment essential for preparing students for the world. The 3 Rs – reading, writing and arithmetic – remain crucial. In a letter to the Lopez School Board, Sarah Rabel explained why these traditional skills are not enough: “Technology is not an ‘extra;’ it is a basic, fundamental component of a complete education, at all grade levels.” Employers are looking for employees with skills that educators are calling the 4 Cs: critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration – all of which increasingly depend on technology proficiency. An advisory committee comprised of students, parents, teachers, and tech-savvy community members recently completed an 18-month investigation into Lopez School’s technology. They conducted surveys, assessed other schools’ programs and investigated costs. On November 18th this group presented their findings to the School Board – recom-
mending a technology levy for the February 2016 ballot totaling $150,000 per year for four years. The tax implications come to $52 per year for a $400,000 parcel, or $4.33 per month – about the cost of a latte. The recommendation was unanimously accepted. The levy would ensure that all Lopez School students have access to devices and software that will prepare them for college or employment. The funds would be used for purchasing devices – laptops, keyboards, periph*erals and software; training teachers to integrate technology into the classroom; and increased technology staff hours. How does this stack up against other County school districts? San Juan has a 4-year levy, spending $856 per student per year; and they are considering an even larger tech levy. In 2012 Orcas passed a $1000 per student per year levy. The Lopez proposal is for $655 per student per year. The advisory committee looked at levels above and below the recommended $150,000 per year amount. In the end, they balanced the financial wherewithal of the community with what is required to meet the
school’s technology needs and catch up from years of underinvestment. Before the February ballot, the advisory committee will continue to gather feedback from the community and refine their approach. Questions can be emailed to Lopez School Superintendent, Brian Auckland (bauckland@lopez. k12.wa.us), and Lopez School Board Director, Dixie Budke (dbudke@lopez.k12.wa.us).
Lopez Library events Wed., Dec. 9 Historic Barns of the San Juan Islands with NPS Architectural Historian Boyd Pratt, the final program in the Lopez Island Library’s series SHELTER, 7 p.m. Woodmen Hall. Through discussion and images, Boyd Pratt takes you on a tour of these cherished landmarks of the islands’ landscape. Local barns are noted as we walk, bike or drive various roads but their story and the story of the people who built them is often unknown. Sat., Dec. 12 Friends of Lopez Island Library and the Lopez Island Library “Cookbooks and Holiday Crafts Used Book Sale” 10 a.m to 3 p.m. in the library community room. Another fun-themed book sale just in time for the holiday season. Stop by and browse terrific selections or fill a Lopez Library “Red Book Bag” for $20.
Contributed photo/ Robert Harrison
styles under the direction of Thea Huijgen. Born in the Netherlands, Thea became a professional dancer with Het Folkloristish Danstheater in
Amsterdam. She later moved to California, and then after living in various locations in Washington, she took a bike vacation that brought
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On Saturday, Dec. 12 the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts is hosting two shows of a lyrical blend of poetry and a variety of dance
her to Lopez Island. She now teaches adult and youth ballet classes at her home studio on Lopez, sometimes teaches folk dance sessions at the Grange on Lopez, and has been teaching folk dance workshops across the US. For this production, Thea collaborated with local poet and performing artist, Nikyta Palmisani, who wrote poems specifically for this show. Nikyta is an Expressive Arts Therapist, and has conservatory training in acting, dance, and voice as well as a longstanding poetry practice. She has a long history of performance art often incor-
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Andrea O’Bryant and Suzanne Strom dancing as Sylphs.
porating reused or salvaged materials with themes of social justice and activism. She is elated to be included in this show combining her costume making, original poetry and collaborative choreography with Thea and most importantly, the bright and joyous young dancers of Lopez Island. Other poetry readers are Jennell Kvistad, Joshua Eide and George Keeler. They support about 50 dancers of various ages and musicians featuring a blend of different dance styles, such as ballet, ethnic dance, tap, and contemporary dance. So, you may expect to see many different characters appearing on stage. Local artist, Polly Ham, even restored a retired dragon for one dance. What better way to spend a dark winter afternoon, or evening, engaging in an adven-
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Poetry in Motion at Lopez Center
ture of poetry and dance at your Lopez Community Center? There will be two performances on Saturday, Dec. 12; the first one will start at 2 p.m. and the second at 7:30 p.m., and admission is by donation at the door. Be prepared for an experience of memorable entertainment.
Children’s author to give two readings at bookshop
Award-winning children’s author, Bonny Becker, will bring the magic of her stories to two events at Lopez Bookshop. Friday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., Becker will talk about her career as a writer and teacher. Saturday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m., children are invited to hear Becker as she reads
from two of her children’s books. “Bonny’s Mouse and Bear books are a big hit with kids,” says Lopez Bookshop Events Coordinator Iris Graville. One of them, “A Visitor for Bear,” tells the story of a fearless mouse who warms the heart of his very reluctant
host, Bear. The book, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton, is a “New York Times” bestseller and winner of the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. “Preschoolers love the contrast of the big bear and little mouse who become friends,” Graville says, “and Bonny has fun engaging with children about the characters and stories.” In her latest book, “Cloud Country,” Becker took on a new character – a cloud named Gale – and also worked with a new illustrator, Pixar/Disney artist Noah Klocek. “The names Pixar and Disney certainly got my attention,” Becker says about being contacted unexpectedly to work on a project for the Pixar Artist Showcase. “But I was cautious. I had lots of questions – first and foremost, was this a project I
Lopez earns ‘school of distinction’ Submitted by Lopez Island School District. Lopez Middle and High School has been named a 2015 ‘School of Distinction’ based on five years of sustained student improvement in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Lopez is the only school in San Juan County to earn this distinction and the only high school in the Northwest Educational Service District to receive the honor. Across Washington 92 schools were so recognized and comprise the top 5% of improvement scores in the state.
NWESD Superintendent Dr. Jerry Jenkins stated, “Teachers and leaders in our districts are working tirelessly to build better systems and provide a first-rate education for every child, every day. This award recognizes the benefit of that sustained hard work over several years, which is a tremendous accomplishment.” “At Lopez School we focus on moving every single student forward,” shared School Board Chairperson John Helding. “We are pleased to receive this particular award as it recognizes sustained improvement over multiple years and that is
The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • December 1, 2015 – Page 8
at the heart of what Lopez School does.” “Thank you everyone,” stated Lopez School District Superintendent Brian Auckland, “We are honored by the recognition and grateful for the hard working staff that continues to go above and beyond for our students.” NWESD Superintendent Jenkins will attend the December 16 Lopez School Board Meeting to make a formal presentation of the award. The meeting will be held at the school library beginning at 6 p.m. As with all school board meetings the public is invited and welcomed to attend.
could relate to?” Then Disney sent her some sample art. “It was totally charming. I loved Gale and I loved those big older clouds. This was a reassuring, yet rather majestic, place. A special place.” According to Graville, events featuring a children’s author is a first for Lopez Bookshop. “We knew that Bonny, as both an author and a writing teacher, would appeal to grownups as well as kids. That’s why we’ve scheduled an event for adults on Friday night and then a story time on Saturday morning.” Everyone is welcome to both of these free events at the Lopez Bookshop. For more info, call 468-2132 or visit lopezbookshop.com.
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