The
INSIDE Flight Operations
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2 Anne and George Willis photo
Andru Bemis Concert
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6
Foster parents needed
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8
www.islandsweekly.com 360-376-4500
Islands’ eekly W
VOLUME 36, NUMBER 5 • FEBRUARY 9, 2016
Concern over Lopez property contamination hydrocarbons in the soil, according to documents from the Department of Ecology. According to Mark Tompkins, director of San Juan County Health and Community Services, and Kyle Dodd, manager of San Juan County Environmental Health, the contamination is not handled by the county, and has been under the Washington Department of Ecology’s jurisdiction since the site was first identified as contaminated in 2010.
By Anna V. Smith journal reporter
Concern over a property with contaminated soil has prompted residents to wonder if their water is safe. A letter from the Fisherman Bay Water Association was released Feb. 1 stating their wells are being tested for benzene, a known carcinogen, and have tested negative. Steve Cade, water quality manager of the association, said that public water systems are routinely checked for herbicides, pesticides, bacteria, lead, copper, radium and benzene. Customers had contacted the association with concerns because of ground contamination at the old Lopez Village Market from leaking fuel tanks, which has still not been resolved since the tanks were removed six years ago. The building was the home of Lopez Village Market for years, before becoming Island Body and Fitness and is now Paper, Scissors on the Rock. The property sits in the heart of Lopez Village. The owners of the property began the process of removing the tanks in 2010 and signed up for Department of Ecology’s Voluntary CleanUp Program in 2011, leaving the program in 2012 without finishing the cleanup, with some areas containing 633 times above the maximum approved amount of benzene and 43 times above the allowable level of total petroleum
A history of contamination
The two leaky gas tanks were removed August 25, 2010, according to a Whatcom Environmental report, one 2,000 gallon tank installed in 1987 and another 4,000 gallon tank installed in 1980. The same report noted that the depth to groundwater is unknown, and that the surrounding soil tested above normal numbers according to Model Toxic Control Act unrestricted use levels for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons, benzene, ethylbenzene and total xylenes from six samples taken August 2010. According to a September 2011 report by Whatcom Environmental, the smaller pit was deemed cleaned after soil excavation and 12 samples were taken from the floor and walls of the pit in January 2011. Despite soil excavation, the larger pit was “not show-
Testimonial “For a year now, you have run my ad in the Islands’ Weekly Business Directory for the Lopez community. The ad layout has changed many times and you accommodated each change with grace and efficiency. At the end of December, I thought a year’s worth of newspaper advertisements would suffice for announcing my business, still new to the islands. However, after reviewing data for 2015, it appears your paper reaches the intended target audience. Last year, 20 percent of new clients found out about Skookum Tree Care through the Islands’ Weekly. It’s made a substantial contribution to the business and I appreciate how easy you make it. If the spot is still available, I’d like to continue running my ad and would welcome inclusion in the Lopez business community.”
Miles Becker Skookum Tree Service
ing indications of decreasing contamination,” and no clean soil samples were collected from that tank. In February 2011, sample pits were made on the property, and found that gasoline chemicals were found at least 13 feet below ground surface in amounts that exceeded the MTCA Method A cleanup criteria. The deepest sample found benzene 29 feet deep at 2.4 mg/kg, still above the .03 mg/kg allowable level for benzene. The vertical extent of contaminated soil is not known. The owners left the Voluntary Clean-up Program in June 2012, after a January 2012 letter from Department of Ecology that said more steps needed to be taken to finish the cleanup. At this point, benzene, non-halogenated solvents and petroleum/gasoline are all found above appropriate levels in the soil under the asphalt parking lot. The January 2012 letter from the Department of Ecology told the owners of the property that further action at the site was necessary, as there was concern about the contamination levels. The report found the maximum detected concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbon to be at 1,300
mg/kg, well above the allowable levels of 30 mg/kg, and the benzene levels to be at 19 mg/kg, above the allowable .03 mg/kg. “Part of the former Village Market building may be situated over the area of soil contamination,” the report reads. “The potential for vapor intrusion therefore exists, and a soil cleanup level protective of indoor air must be considered.” The 2012 letter of further action repeated in numerous sections that more information was needed in order to determine what levels were suitable for the area, noting that a 65-foot deep water supply well was located nearby, prompting the concern from Lopez Island residents.
What happens now?
According to DOE policy, because the site is on private property, it is the responsibility of the owners to clean up the contamination, and there are currently no available grants for private landowners to assist in their costs for cleanup even after personal or insurance funds have been exhausted. “Unfortunately the regulations don’t stipulate when a cleanup must occur, that’s why things like this can sit here for a long time,” said
Donna Musa, regional site hazard assessment coordinator for Department of Ecology. “There are sites that came in to Department of Ecology in 1988 that still haven’t been cleaned.” Musa said that property owners who enter the program often don’t know how extensive the cleanup will be, and only begin to know when the excavation has begun. In this case, the owners exited the program after two years. Because the program they entered in is voluntary, there is no obligation for the owners to finish the contamination clean up. “What really drives the clean ups for the last 10-15 years is real estate transactions,” Musa said. “Banks wont loan money to people who are going to buy contaminated land.” The owners have made no known moves to sell the property. For smaller-scale contamination like this, Musa said, the Department of Ecology rarely enforces a clean up because it does not pose an immediate threat to residents, and Ecology doesn’t have the time or resources. Musa said there are many situations like these all through the U.S. – old gas station leaks that have yet to
be cleaned up thoroughly. In June of 2015 Jamie Stephens, Lopez county councilmen and president of the Fisherman Bay Water Association, contacted Dodd and Tompkins at the county health department to see what progress had occurred with the site. Dodd and Tompkins then reached out to the Department of Ecology to see what steps could be taken to resolve the contamination and did not receive a response. Dodd most recently contacted the department in January 2016 to find out what the next course of action is, and what Ecology’s plans are for the site. As of press time the county has not received a response. “We as a county have been trying to find out information,” Stephens said about the contamination. “As part of Fisherman’s Bay Water Association we’ve informed our customers, and as a councilman, I informed the Lopez Village Planning Committee. Other than that it’s back to the property owner and Ecology.” The owners of the property did not respond to interview requests by press deadline.
SJI Fire Chief Marler passes By Courtney Oldwyn Journal reporter
On Tuesday, Jan. 26, 10 emergency vehicles with lights flashing and more than 30 people came out to honor San Juan Island Fire Chief Steve Marler upon his final return to the island he so loved.
Lopez Center
Hawaii’s Super Group
Wed. Feb. 24th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets on sale NOW lopezcenter.org, PSR, Lopez Book Shop, Blossom $18 adult/ $10 Youth
He was met on the taxi way by fellow firefighters, both volunteer and retired, ancillary personnel, EMS staff, paramedics, Sheriff Ron Krebs and members of the San Juan County Police Department, airport personnel, friends and neighbors. San Juan Island Fire and Rescue administrative assistant Carolyn Hudson presented him with his white duty helmet before the entire procession of emergency vehicles followed his ambulance to Peace Island Hospital in Friday Harbor. Chief Marler passed away Thursday, Jan. 28, just two days after returning home. “Whenever he had to leave the island he couldn’t wait to return to the life he loved” said Sheila Harley, public information officer for San Juan Fire and Rescue. Chief Marler came to Friday Harbor in August 2007 with his wife Karen after winning the position of Fire Chief for San Juan County Fire Protection District 3 which includes all of San Juan Island, Brown and Pearl Islands. Marler had previously been the assistant chief at the Sonoma, California Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority. Hudson remembers first meeting
SEE CHIEF, PAGE 5
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 tutorial. 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.
CONSULT: Monday mornings through February at LIFRC. One on one business
Lopez Island AA Meetings:
marketing consults/coaching with Rich Rice. Initial consult is free; then small sliding scale fee for ongoing consults. Pre-registration required; visit www.lifrc.org.
TUESDAYS ON-GOING: Learn how to
download eBooks! Free tutorials every Tuesday in the library’s community room, 4-5 p.m. Bring your device and log-in information (for Kindles your Amazon log-in info).
ON-GOING: Pinochle night, 7 p.m., Woodmen Hall. Pinochle lovers unite. We will refresh your memory if you can’t quite remember how to play. Want to learn?
We’ll teach you how.
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.
JAN. 13- MAR. 12 EVENT: Talk Time, 6-7 pm,
Wednesdays, at Vortex. Stop by and practice your Spanish in a relaxed one-to-one atmosphere. English speakers will provide English language support while also picking up on Spanish through informal conversation / En TalkTime se le proporcionará la oportunidad de practicar
JAN. 5 - MAY 27 CLASS: Inglés para la
Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) operations for aircraft stationed at NAS Whidbey Island are scheduled to occur at the Outlying Field (OLF) in Coupeville, Wash., Feb. 7-12, 2016. On Tuesday, Feb 9, and Wednesday, Feb. 10, FCLPs are scheduled from late evening into the night. On Thursday, February 11, FCLPs are scheduled in the
Al-Anon: Saturdays - 9:30 a.m. at the Children’s Center Call 468-4703
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 11:30-3:00 Beer-Wine-Great Food Delicious Baked Goods Weekend Specials, Deli To Go Items
www.lopezfun.com 468-2233
JAN. 28 - MAR. 10 CLASS: DVSAS presents a
six-week relationship skills class. Thursdays @ 6 - 8:30 p.m. Topics include identifying cultural norms and values, naming and setting boundaries, negotiating expectations, and addressing conflict. All are welcome - single, coupled, LGBT, poly, and more! Register by calling 468-3788. Inquiries welcome!
WED., FEB. 10 EVENT: Social Justice. 6
p.m., at Grace Church Hall. Guest speakers will be Karen Toering & Rebecca Allen of Social Justice Fund Northwest. Refreshments and childcare provided. No charge; donations suggested. For more information, visit www.lifrc.org.
SAT., FEB.13 ART: 5 - 7 p.m. Chimera
FEB. 13 & 14 LAYBRINTH: Whispers of
Nature Labyrinth is open for Valentine’s Weekend, all day. Come walk with your sweetie OR walk for yourself sweetie!
THURS., FEB.18 EVENT: Musician Andru
Bemis, 7:00-8:00 PM Lopez Island Library. SAT., FEB. 20
Gallery invites you to the opening reception for our group show, Take a Leap for Art! Show runs through March 11. Gallery hours Thursday - Saturday, 10 - 5; Sundays 10 - 3. 360-468-3265; www,ChimeraGallery.com.
FEB. 11-13 EVENT: Workshops on
Thursday and Friday, keynote talk and Taste of the San Juans on Friday night. Saturday will include a keynote talk, interactive panel discussion with both keynote speakers, a full day of over 20 sessions.
EVENT: The San Juan County
Republican Caucus. 10 a.m.; Woodmen Hall. Join in choosing County Convention Delegates, the Republican Presidential nominee. Bring an item for the Food Bank. Attendees must sign a pledge that they will not participate in any other political party caucus this year. Research your Precinct Number ahead of time at “My Vote” on the sanjuanco. gov Elections Page There is no cost to attend. For more info contact Darlene Demetrick 468-2043
Flight Operations Schedule for Feb. 7-13
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
Come in and enjoy our renowned special RR Prime Rib Thurs.-Sat.
Expresión Personal. 9:1510:30 am, los martes y viernces; 5 de enero a 27 de mayo. Biblioteca de los martes; Grace Church los viernes. ¡Ven a aprender como expresarse mejor en el inglés cuando está en la escuela, en el supermercado, en reuniones, o con amigos! Si quiere inscribirse en las clases de inglés, o para más información, póngase en contacto con el Family Resource Center a 468-4117, o pase por la oficina.
Southend General Store Full Service Grocery Store Winter Hours 7:30 to 7:30 everyday southendgeneralstore andrestaurant.com
468-2315
Just Heavenly Fudge Factory OPEN FRIDAY and SATURDAYS 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Valentines Day Mon. Feb 14th
afternoon, and on Friday, February 12, FCLPs are scheduled from mid-morning into early afternoon. The FCLP tempo is driven by the Fleet Replacement Squadron student training curriculum and predeployment carrier EA-18G Growler squadron flight qualifications. It can also fluctuate due to weather, maintenance and operational requirements.
The Real Estate guide for January incorrectly listed the December 28 sale of 121 Watmough Head Road to Abraham W. Gates for $5.5 million. The amount was incorrect, the property was actually sold for $550,000.
Make OPALCO power affordable again E VOT
Dwight Lewis
Senior Day Every Friday Enjoy 15% off the entire store
justheavenlyfudge.com
Publisher
360.376.4500 Colleen Smith Armstrong publisher@islandsweekly.com Editor 360.376.4500 Mandi Johnson mjohnson@islandsweekly.com Circulation Manager 360.376.4500 Bridget Wright bsmith@soundpublishing.com Display Advertising 360.376.4500 Cali Bagby cbagby@islandsweekly.com
Your online source…www.islandsweekly.com
The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 9, 2016 – Page 2
Comments regarding flight operations should note the time an event occurred, where exactly the event occurred and as much detail as possible about what was seen. We also ask that people leave their contact information for our tracking purposes. All other questions can be directed to NAS Whidbey Island Public Affairs Office at (360) 257-2286.
Correction:
Find the perfect gift
468-2439
NAS Whidbey Island remains open continuously to support flight operations and training. Flight schedules for OLF Coupeville will continue to be released weekly for community planning purposes. Comments, including noise complaints can be directed to NAS Whidbey Island’s comment line at (360) 257-6665, or via e-mail: comments.NASWI@ navy.mil.
District 3
Read more at: www.affordableopalcopower.com Paid for by Dwight Lewis 200 Daisy Ln, Lopez Island, WA 98261
Graphic Designer 360.376.4500 Shane Watson, ext.45014 swatson@soundpublishing.com Mandi Johnson, ext. 55214 mjohnson@islandssounder.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
Lopez Orcas San Juan San Diego or Miami online, no matter where you are
www.islandsweekly.com
Copyright 2016. Owned and published by Sound Publishing Co.
mailed to homes and businesses in the San Juan Islands.
Periodicals postage paid at Friday Harbor, Wash. and at additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to The Islands’ Weekly, PO Box 758 Eastsound, WA 98245-0758.
Annual subscription rates: In County: $30/ year, $20/6 months. Out of County: $54/ year. For convenient mail delivery, call 360376-4500.
Member of Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, National Newspaper Association.
The Islands’ Weekly was founded in 1982 and is based on Lopez Island. The Islands’ Weekly is published every Tuesday and is
Mandi Johnson named editor of The Weekly
By Mandi Johnson Weekly editor
Just a small town girl, living in a
lonely world, I took the midnight train going anywhere. No, wait, that’s a Journey song. Huh. Well, at any rate, I am legally Amanda, but I go by Mandi. Mandi Lou if I’m feeling especially southern. I am “from” southern Oregon, Grants Pass to be exact. I use from in quotes because I’m really an Army brat who has lived in six states (that statistic includes Washington). Anyway, I graduated Southern Oregon University in 2011 with a
Bachelor of Science in communication, with an emphasis in photojournalism. The “science” part of the degree stems from my passion for all things geology. You may remember reading my article about my reaction to December’s earthquake a few weeks back. I’ve spent much of the past four-and-a-half years in a variety of customer service positions, while searching for a newspaper to give me the opportunity to show off my mad skills. I couldn’t be more
thankful that Colleen Armstrong, our publisher, found me. I also have year-and-a-half experience in graphic design. I worked for a jewelry-supply company named Fire Mountain Gems, until I was laid off in April 2014. On a more personal note, I’m a geek, love going to comic conventions and my all time favorite movie is “Labyrinth” (I was absolutely devastated when David Bowie died). I love a large variety of music (no, seriously, I know everyone says
that, but I actually mean it). I also have a comic strip I color called Yuki the Destroyer (it’s about cats). I love animals, especially my two cats, Mistie and Mika, and wolves. I love to travel, go to concerts and play video games on my Super Nintendo, N64 and PlayStation. Well, that’s me in a nutshell. I look forward to getting to know everyone and learning more about the community. You can contact me any time at mjohnson@islandsweekly.com.
The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 9, 2016 – Page 3
Author, Dr. Courtney White will be speaking at the upcoming San Juan Islands Ag Summit Nationally acclaimed author, Dr. Courtney White joins the San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit on February 12 as the keynote speaker to share innovative practices that soak up carbon dioxide in soils, reduce energy use, sustainably intensify food production, and increase water quality. A former archaeologist and Sierra Club activist, Courtney dropped out of the ‘conflict industry’ in 1997 to co-found The Quivira Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to building bridges between ranchers, conservationists, public land managers, scientists and others around the idea of land health. Today, his work concentrates on building economic and ecological resilience on working landscapes,
with a special emphasis on carbon ranching and the new agrarian movement. His writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Farming, Acres Magazine, Rangelands, and the Natural Resources Journal. His essay “The Working Wilderness: a Call for a Land Health Movement” was published by Wendell Berry in 2005 in his collection of essays titled The Way of Ignorance. In 2008, Island Press published Courtney’s book “Revolution on the Range: the Rise of a New Ranch in the American West.” He co-edited, with Dr. Rick Knight, Conservation for a New Generation, also published by Island Press in 2008. He published “Grass, Soil, Hope: Journey through Carbon Country,” in 2014.
Sudoku 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. Our puzzles are medium difficulty. Puzzle answers are on page 8
Group Show
Opening Reception
February 13th 5-7 pm
All are welcome
Chimera Gallery Lopez Artists’ Cooperative
Take a Leap! See how artists take a
Leap
of imagination...
Hours Thu.-Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-3 www.ChimeraGallery.com; (360) 468-3265
His most recent publication, “Two Percent Solutions for the Planet,” profiles fifty innovative practices that soak up carbon dioxide in soils, reduce energy use, sustainably intensify food production, and increase water quality. The “two percent” refers to: the amount of new carbon in the soil needed to reap a wide variety of ecological and economic benefits; the percentage of the nation’s
population who are farmers and ranchers; and the low financial cost (in terms of GDP) needed to get this work done. As White explained in “Grass, Soil, Hope,” a highly efficient carbon cycle captures, stores, releases, and recaptures biochemical energy, mitigating climate change, increasing water storage capacities in soil, and making green plants grow.
Best of all, we don’t have to invent anything new—a wide variety of innovative ideas and methods that put carbon back into the soil have been field-tested and proven to be practical and profitable. They’re mostly low-tech, too, relying on natural resources such as sunlight, green plants, animals, compost, beavers, creeks, and more. White offers positive solutions for farmers to “regen-
erate the planet now, rather than in some distant future.” Dr. Courtney White will present his latest findings on Friday, Feb. 12, 7-9 p.m., at the San Juan Community Theater. Tickets will be available at the door and are on sale now on eventbrite.com. For more information about the SJI Agricultural Summit, please visit: www.sjcarc.org/ summit.
Crossword Puzzle
Across 1. Office clamper 8. Postulates 15. Halo 16. Farm laborer of low social rank 17. Baked dish 18. Anxiously 19. Above 20. Dilly-dally 22. Cheesecake ingredient? 23. Islet 24. Arid 25. "Frasier" actress Gilpin 26. Jagged, as a leaf 's edge 28. Apply gently 30. Domestic animal skin disease 31. Some speech sounds 33. Told of an occurrence 35. Happiness 37. Newspaper stories 40. Like some knees 44. Destined 45. "___ any drop to drink": Coleridge 47. Commemorative marker 48. Construct 49. Cold cuts, e.g. 51. Cambridge sch. 52. Bauxite, e.g. 53. Uttered an attraction call 56. Spoil, with "on" 57. Kitty 59. Enthusiastic supporter 61. One reciting in a
The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 9, 2016 – Page 4
singing tone 62. Subject of this puzzle 63. Orphaned child with new legal family 64. Puts into appropriate form for publication
Down 1. A Muslim 2. New Zealand lizardlike reptile 3. Dry gulches 4. Chick's sound 5. Court ploy 6. Say "Li'l Abner," say 7. Hold back 8. Acted like
9. Close, as an envelope 10. Dressing ingredient 11. "It's no ___!" 12. Margin 13. Blow up 14. Blocked 21. Causing fatigue 24. Blue-ribbon 25. Bring up 27. Texas/Louisiana border river 29. "Wanna ___?" 30. Fair to middling 32. "Do the Right Thing" pizzeria owner 34. Stop on a crawl 36. Big ___ Conference
37. Cleaning chemical 38. Behind 39. Finds an interest (2 wds.) 41. Vernacular 42. Snob 43. Picks up 46. Illicit cigarette 50. "Haste makes waste," e.g. 53. Copper 54. Arch type 55. Shrek, e.g. 56. Computer info 58. Blouse, e.g. 60. Affirmative action
Answers to today's puzzle on page 8
County Councilman Jarman talks to community By Heather Spaulding Special to Weekly
On Thursday, Jan. 28, San Juan County Councilman Bob Jarman discussed a number of community concerns, OPALCO’s broadband efforts, transient rentals, affordable housing, and brought up a few of his goals. “The year 2015 was a good year for the county. We’ve made some big changes, in fact over the last two or three years we’ve made changes, and we have a full plate ahead of us.” Jarman said, opening the town meeting at the Skagit Community College
sponsored by the Friday Harbor Grange #225. While Jarman stated that customer service has improved, one of his goals is to continue enhancing that area. Recent changes in personnel, and department heads he said, helps. “Public Works’ new Director Brian Vincent is very polite,” Jarman said as an example “and the first word out of his mouth isn’t no.” Improvements to the county’s public records requests process were also brought up. Jarman highlighted some key changes including new
computer software, and increased staff time. Jarman also discussed updates to the comprehensive plan, and the importance of following through on land use designation changes promised to landowners by the county years ago. The county has been cracking down on transient rentals, making sure all bed and breakfasts and vacation rentals are properly permitted. “Part of it is a safety issue. People need to know where they lay there head at night is safe.” Jarman said. Affordable housing is an
CHIEF FROM PAGE 1
age old issue in San Juan County, “We could talk about housing for hours.” Jarman joked, and went on to say there are many areas to consider when addressing this issue. One answer might be in the comprehensive plan, changing land use regulation so affordable housing is more allowable. Another solution might be granting long-term guest house rentals, or perhaps a tax break for landowners who rent to long-term tenants. Jarman also brought up road and construction
To read this story in full, go presence, combined with condition,” said Creesy. Marler’s sense of humor to www.islandsweekly.comlogical and accurate applicaChief Marler during the inter- tion of fire science resulted was a big piece of who he was Chief Marler during the interview process. She arrived in a very natural command of and part of why he was so view process. She arrived well loved by his crew. with snacks and drinks for with snacks and drinks for authority.” A well equipped, trained the potential candidates and was hurriedly unloading and efficient department supplies, when Marler qui- without over taxing local etly pitched in to help. She homeowners was a priority noticed the other candidates to Marler as shown in a colA HAND UP umn he OUT wrote for the Journal NOT A HAND who had been milling around B e f o re stopped abruptly when they in 2014. make a difference “This year, some major yo u realized theyYou should all be changes are taking place, whentoo. you round up your monthly helping Dig you need to know why “This was his bill nature, a aand OPALCO to not help needy islander! test to impress or fair better. they’re happening and to be when you to help.” assured your taxes will not be HeOr was just wired going up because of them.” she said. • make a one-time donation he wrote. “This to summer, Steve was Project PAL Under Marler’s reign the one of the first to call to offer • become a Business district PAL was able to pay off his support after the EMS supporter Before you reach for the shovel chief left. He sat on the EMS existing bond debts early, refinance andrecipients. buy the district donations committee to PAL go directly to grant chiefAllselection or �ire up the backhoe, dial 811 to and was invaluable. During six new fire trucks. locate buried utility lines. Be Safe! “He left the organization Visit www.opalco.com/PAL and click Contribute that interim period without a in extremely good financial chief, it was a relief to know that he was willing to help and offer his insight in a SAN JUAN COUNTY REPUBLICANS friendly manner whenever HOLD POOLED PRECINCT CAUCUSES it was needed,” said Cady Davies, San Juan Island EMS Promptly 10 AM February 20th on San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw Executive Assistant. Are you ready for true protection of the Middle Class while caring for those in Marler was respected and need? A Healthcare System that works for you and not the bureaucracy? How admired for bringing San about a Governor that keeps violent prisoners in prison? Juan County Fire and Friday Harbor fire departments The San Juan County Republican Party is inviting conservative-minded islandtogether in a logical yet very politically charged merger. ers to join them in being a part of the process of choosing County Convention “It was one of the most Delegates, the Republican Presidential nominee, adopting a party platform, and important things he did,” enjoying a good time with other islanders! said interim fire chief Brad Creesy. “There had been 50 BRING AN ITEM FOR THE FOOD BANK. years of dispute before he Lunch will be provided on San Juan, Orcas and Shaw was able to quietly and effiDonations for coffee/snacks/lunch appreciated ciently get everyone to the table and set up the arrangeFebruary 20th Precinct Caucus locations: ment we have now. I will San Juan, Waldron, and East Outer Islands Precincts: always appreciate the subtle Middle School Commons, 85 Blair Ave, Friday Harbor and non-confrontational way he got the town and the fire Contact: Michelle Loftus 378-4738 district to work together. It Orcas Precincts: Legion Hall, 793 Crescent Beach Dr, Eastsound was really nothing short of Contact: Cindy Carter 376-2187 amazing. It’s a huge part of Lopez, Blakely, and Decatur Precincts: his legacy,” Woodmen Hall, 4102 Fisherman Bay Rd, Lopez “He was a problem solver, Contact: Darlene Demetrick 468-2043 a collaborator,” said Capt. Shaw Precinct: Private residence at 109 Gratzer Rd, Shaw Island Neil Monin. “He was a nemisis of anything of fire. Contact: Levi Rawls 360-929-4164 Steve always carried an air TO LEARN MORE VISIT WWW.SJCRP.ORG, OR CALL US AT (360)929-4164 of serenity to the fireground. His polite and unassuming
Project PAL
Call
project goals and credited Councilman Rick Hughes with passing a bill that allows the county to use state road funds to maintain county docks. OPALCO became part of the discussion during the question and answer period, focusing on broadband, increased rates, and financing. “I want to know if Rick Hughes was speaking for himself, or the entire council when he voiced support for OPALCO,” one member of the audience said, referencing Q and A with Rick Hughes article published in the Jan. 13 edition of the
Journal. Rick was quoted as saying, in regards to the council’s 2016 goals and OPALCO’s efforts, “We want to support the fiber capability OPALCO is working on… there is no one else out there willing to provide this kind of infrastructure.” At that time the council had not officially set their goals, as specified by the editors note attached to that question, as well as by Rick Hughes during the interview, indicating his response was his own perception. “It was his own personal opinion.” Jaman answered.
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.
Connect to OPALCO We’re currently managing hundreds read of construction your projects countywide. Here are some of the groups we’ve been working with to date: Co-op Current Group Projects: Connector LCLT Tuatara Rd on Lopez Island Cape Keep San Juan up Part 2to ondate San Juan Island on The Hamlet on Lopez Island Co-op Salmon happenings Point on Lopez Islandand other Elderberry on winter Orcas Islandoutage help. events like Matia View on Orcas Island It’s all Hill in on our e-newsletter. Whiskey Lopez Island Suncrest on Orcas Island
Orcas Power & Light Cooperative Upcoming Group Projects: Subscribe today at Eastsound Downtown www.opalco.com/about/email-signup/ Cayou Valley on Orcas Island Brown Island on Brown Island Roche Harbor Village on San Juan Island Harney View on Orcas Island Garry Oak on San Juan Island Portland Fair Area on San Juan Island Panorama Place on San Juan Island You Can Get Connected Too! Learn more about organizing at rockisland.com, or attend one of our monthly meetings.
MONTHLY FIBER MEETUPS 1) Our Monthly Open Meeting: Join us next for this general information session. All are welcome to attend. Next Meeting: February 10th, 2016 – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. 2) Monthly Group Organizer Meeting: Learn more about organizing your group at this session. Next Meeting: February 17th, 2016 – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Both of February’s meetings will be held in our Friday Harbor location: Rock Island Retail Store 345 Court Street Friday Harbor, WA 98250 (360) 378-5884 rockisland.com
The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 9, 2016 – Page 5
Kitsap replaces Hyak, Acclaimed troubadour, out for maintenance Andru Bemis, is set to Washington State Ferry Officials announced on Friday, Feb. 5, that the 124-vehicle Kitsap ferry would be replacing the 144-vehicle Hyak, while it is out of commission for routine maintenance. It is advised that customers should plan for 20 fewer vehicle spaces on the ferry. This replacement affects the #2 sailing position in the Islands. WSF did not indicate how long the routine maintenance is scheduled to take. For more information check out the WSF website.
L OPEZ ISLAND • A RBORIST •
perform at Lopez Library
BUSINESS COMMUNITY • CONTRACTORS •
Contributed photo/ Matt Erickson
by Gretchen Wing • ROOFING •
A
• COMPUTER
C l A s siC
SERVICES •
R&M ROOFING
"Never a Problem, oNly a solutioN"
468-4357
• Metal • Composition • Torch Down Lic#CLASSRM92104
• Local References • Local Crews • Senior Discounts FREE ESTIMATES
• EXCAVATION
& LOGGING •
Special to the Weekly
On Thursday, February 18 at 7 p.m., KLOI, the Shark Reef Rounders, and Friends of Lopez Library invite the public to attend an “Around the Fireplace” concert of someone who sounds like he’d fit right in here: Andru Bemis. In the words of his web-
site, Bemis has spent the past 15 years “wander[ing] the ends, edges and in-betweens of North America like a musical Johnny Appleseed, tuning neglected pianos and bringing joy to audiences wherever he goes. Traveling almost exclusively by foot, thumb, and public transportation (trains and boats are his favorites), Bemis carries the tools of his trade in his pack: a piano tuning kit and an assortment of battered musical instruments—banjo, fiddle, guitar, and occasionally banjolele.” Although currently residing in Ohio, Bemis called South Haven, Michigan home for years. Acclaimed by Indiana’s ThisIsHappening as “Michigan’s premier neo folk artist,” Bemis has played violin since the age of five, is self-taught on the guitar, banjo and banjolele, and is currently teaching himself to play a 130-year-old reed organ. Isthmus.com says,
• CONTRACTOR •
MOORE MOOREWOODWORKS WOODWORKS
MOORE WOODWORKS DECKS • REPAIRS • REMODELS MOORE WOODWORKS MOORE WOODWORKS
NEW CONSTRUCTION • ALL CARPENTRY DECKS • REPAIRS • REMODELS
DECKS • REPAIRS • REMODELS A DIVISION OF BUFFUM BROTHER FARMS, INC. DECKS • REPAIRS • REMODELS NEW CONSTRUCTION • ALL CARPENTRY LOPEZ Island NEW CONSTRUCTION • ALL CARPENTRY • LOGGING • BACKHOE • DRAIN ROCK NEW CONSTRUCTION • ALL CARPENTRY • ROADS • SITE PREP • LAND CLEARING • GRADING • FILL SAND • CRUSHED ROCK ERIC MOORE 468-2743CHRIST THE KING COMMUNITY CHURCH, • PONDS • SCREENED SAND • PIT RUN GRAVEL 468-2743 468-2743 GENERAL CONTRACTOR There’s Always a Place for You! CTK gathers at 468-2743 • BULKHEADS 15 YEARS SERVING GENERAL CONTRACTOR MOOREW*994DH 15 YEARS SERVING GENERAL CONTRACTOR GENERAL CONTRACTOR LOPEZSERVING ISLAND 15 YEARS (360) 468-2320 fax 468-3450 Cont. Lic #BUFFUBE155MB GENERAL CONTRACTOR MOOREW*994DH 15 YEARS SERVING LOPEZ ISLAND MOOREW*994DH MOOREW*994DH LOPEZ ISLAND a.m. in the school multi-purpose room at 86 School MOOREW*994DH LOPEZ ISLAND
ERIC MOORE
ERIC ERIC MOORE MOORE
• HOME
SERVICES •
• SITE
SERVICES •
DUNN SERVICES ✓Excavator Work
(360) 468-3215 dunn-llc.com
✓Tractor Work
SPRING CLEAN-UP WOOD CHIPPER FLAIL MOWING FIELD MOWING TRENCHING & SITE PREP ROTO TILLER STUMP & LOG REMOVAL POST HOLE DRILLING
Lawn Mowing / Fencing / Property Mgmt. LIC.# DUNNSSL922RA & BONDED
• YOUR
AD HERE •
Business Community AT YOUR SERVICE Available for for Just AdsAds Available Just $18.75/Week $16/Week Call The Journal CALL CALIat: today
AT THE
WEEKLY
378-5696 376-4500
• YOUR
AD HERE •
Business Community AT YOUR SERVICE Available for for Just AdsAds Available Just $18.75/Week $16/Week Call The Journal CALL CALIat: today
AT THE
WEEKLY
378-5696 376-4500
Ads Available for Just $18.75/Week
Call Cali at the Weekly 376-4500 The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 9, 2016 – Page 6
10:00 Road.
Come as you are! More info at www.ctkonline.com/lopez. Email: lopez@ctkonline.com Phone: 888-421-4CTK ext. 819. COMMUNITY CHURCH Please join us Sun. mornings. Adult Bible study, 9:30. Worship Service, 10:30. Nursery (birth- 3 yrs) and Jr. Church (4-12 yrs) provided during worship service. Small groups meet throughout the week. 91 Lopez Rd., in the village. Pastor Jeff Smith 468-3877. www.ourlicc.org. GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, welcomes you to worship with us on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. Fisherman Bay Road at Sunset Lane. 468-3477. Everyone welcome! ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH Come worship with us at Center Church on Davis Bay Rd. We welcome you to join us for Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Call 378-2910 for Mass times on San Juan and Orcas Islands.
“Straddling the boundary between punk rock and mountain music, Bemis is known for taking traditional songs most people have never heard and adapting them in ways that are both inventive and memorable.” Oscar-nominated actor, comedian and singer, John C. Reilly, has twice invited Bemis to travel with him as the opening act and fiddler/ banjoist for John Reilly & Friends. Reilly calls Bemis “my favorite opening hobo.” Highlights of these sold-out tours include New York’s Lincoln Center, a NPR Tiny Desk Concert, Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, and Milwaukee’s historic Miller Brewery Caves. Bemis has also performed with Dan Bern, Tony Furtado, Sarah Lee Guthrie, Charlie Louvin, Over the Rhine, Amanda Palmer, Noam Pikelny, Sam Shepard, the Steel Wheels, Two Man Gentlemen Band, Woody Pines, and countless others. Andru Bemis’s performances are spiritual, enlightening and entertaining for all audiences. His powerful tenor voice and instrumentation harken to a time before television; Pennsylvania’s WPSU says he “sounds like he should be on some dusty old 78 record.” His repertoire includes originals and carefully selected folk songs, some rarely heard today. In addition to, or perhaps because of his music, Bemis is an activist. In 2007, after spending months every year on passenger trains to performances, Bemis spearheaded a letter–writing campaign to encourage Amtrak to offer specially-priced seasonal rail passes for touring performers. Though ultimately unsuccessful, the campaign resulted in hundreds of letters to Amtrak. Afterwards, Bemis took a six-year break to start Foundry Hall, a performance venue and community music organization in South Haven, Michigan. There Bemis learned piano tuning, and now he tunes pianos in any community he visits. This event is not ticketed, but generous cash donations to support KLOI are encouraged and will be greatly appreciated.
By Courtney Oldwyn
“We do everything in our being to keep kids where they are,” said Kari Jellison, supervisor responsible for the islands with DSHS. On Wednesday, Jan. 27, Jellison and Urtasun held an informational meeting at the Eastsound Fire Station, following a similar meeting in Friday Harbor the week prior. The two women visited the islands to inform islanders about the need for licensed foster families, and the foster care licensing process. “I’ve been hearing a lot of noise lately from the islands about the need for licensed homes, for information, for support, for someone to come out here,” said Urtasun. Christina Leoutsakos is currently the only social worker for the islands. According to Jellison, Leoutsakos makes a visit to the islands twice a week. “We do everything in our being to keep kids where they are,” said Jellison. “We have to work with what service providers are contracted out here. Christina [Leoutsakos] and I are committed ot the islands, and being a constant.” “I’ve had kids literally stay the night in my office because we have nowhere to send them to,” said Linnea Anderson, San Juan County Juvenile Court administrator, during the Friday Harbor meeting. A problem facing local kids, especially teenagers, is
Dr. Foist seeing patients at PIMC “I believe the key to a successful patient relationship is to listen carefully and involve them in the decision-making process.”
Nadine Burrington Foist MD, FACOG, of Fidalgo Medical Associates in Anacortes, is now seeing patients at Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor the 4th Thursday of each month.
EDUCATION/TRAINING:
M.D. degree, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL1986 Internship, University of Colorado, Denver, CO 1987 Residency, University of Colorado Medical Center and Affiliated Hospitals, Denver 1990
EXPERIENCE:
Private practice, North Cascades Women’s Clinic, Mount Vernon, WA, 1990-2015. Past Chief of Surgery: United General Hospital, Sedro-Woolley, WA Skagit Valley Hospital, Mount Vernon
For appointment call (360) 293-3101 4th Thursday of Each Month Peace Island Medical Center 1117 Spring St., Friday Harbor
www.islandhospital.org The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 9, 2016 – Page 8
that they’re unwilling to seek help from the state when living in bad situations because they’re afraid they’ll be forced to move off island. “These kids just want to go to school, they just want to play basketball,” said Anderson. Many of these teens end up living informally with friends or extended family, couch surfing between homes or staying in potentially neglectful situations with their parents. Friends, family and community members often decline to call in to the state possible cases of neglect or abuse because they don’t want to be responsible for these children having to move off island. Due to the lack of licensed foster homes in the community, children are sent to informally live with another family, or even placed by the state in a home with a “suitable other,” these families do not receive the same benefits and support as licensed foster homes. Island families considering whether or not foster care is right for them should keep in mind that foster families always have the final say on which children to accept into their homes. They can set age parameters, or even agree to only take in children from their own communities. Families who become licensed may receive calls, as often as every day, looking for placement for children
from all over the state, or they may not have a child in their home for months. Often, children from other counties are not placed in island homes because of the travel restrictions and the complications it causes for social workers. Licensing requirements include fingerprinting, a background check, home visit, CPR and First-Aid training and completion of a 24-hour training program. The licensing process itself can be lengthy and hard to navigate but there is help through programs like Fostering Together, which Christina Urtasun collaborates with to provide mentorship to new families going through the process. Urtasun has been working over the past few months to set up a licensing and training program in San Juan County. “I’ve been working on it for months but it’s finally ready to go,” said Urtasun. Urging anyone even considering being a foster parent to attend the classes. “The training is scheduled for April on Orcas Island, and is open to all interested families. Who knows when a training like this here in the islands will happen again,” Urtasun continued, stating that in her eight years as a recruiter she never remembers a class being held on island. As for Michela, she is currently working to earn her
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID SOUND PUBLISHING 98204
Since the age of nine, Michela has attended 11 different schools. Not because her family moved often, but because that’s when she was removed from her home and placed in foster care for the first time. New home after new home, new family after new family – Michela spent fourth and fifth grade on Orcas Island, then seventh and the start of eighth in Friday Harbor before being sent to another home in yet another community. After every change in school, she fell further and further behind academically. Eventually she dropped out of high school. Being able to stay at least in the same town or on the same island “would’ve really helped, at least I wouldn’t have had to change schools so much.” she said. Currently, there are more than 10,000 children in foster care in Washington. Only a small number of those come from San Juan County. The main problem the county is facing is that the lack of licensed foster homes causes local children who do come in to care to be placed in off-island homes. There are no licensed foster homes on Orcas and only one on San Juan Island. Foster care is in itself extremely stressful for chil-
dren and can, in the long term, be as traumatizing as staying in an abusive or neglectful home. The loss of parents, siblings, friends and their own community “culture” is incredibly disorienting to children. Add to that the loss of their friends, the school many of them have been attending since kindergarten, teachers they have built relationships with and the community they’ve grown up in and their lives become even more disoriented. Last year on Orcas, 10 children were removed from their families by the state, but only a handful of them were able to remain on the island. Some were able to live with family members or “suitable others”: friends, neighbors, teachers or other adults that these children may have a pre-existing relationship with. The others were sent to licensed foster homes off island in places like Skagit, Whatcom or even King Counties. “If we had homes ready, these children could easily be placed here,” said Christina Urtasun, a foster care recruiting and retention specialist with Fostering Together, which is contracted with the state to find and support foster families in Western Washington. Fostering Together acts as a liaison between the Department of Social and Health Services and foster parents.
ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER
Journal reporter
Islands’ Weekly PO Box 758 Eastsound, WA 98245
Foster parents needed on San Juan Islands
high school diploma but is already planning ahead to the next step: higher education. “It is my wildest dream to go to a four year college,” writes Michela in her application essay to Seattle University. On her own for more than a year now, Michela is working on putting down roots. She has an apartment in Friday Harbor, she’s studying to get her driver’s license and has found support and friendship from past mentors who live in Friday Harbor as well. At the informational meeting in Friday harbor, Michala made connections with a few local moms and business owners. She has a potential job interview. She is building her own “village.” “I just never had that luxury of staying anywhere very long,” she said. For licensing and initial paperwork visit fosteringtogether.org or contact Urtasun at Christina-urtusan@ olivecrest.org. ~Contributed by Mandi Johnson, Weekly editor
Answers to this week’s puzzles