Whidbey Examiner - March 1, 2012

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Whidbey Island’s Only Locally Owned, Independent Newspaper

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

VOL. 17, NO. 31

Clean Men of steel Water fee to show up on tax bill

By Elisabeth Murray Examiner Staff Writer

When the Island County commissioners established the Clean Water Utility in December 2010, they expected that money from fees designed to pay for the program would soon begin coming in and important water-conservation projects would get under way.

But due to delays in implementing the fee structure, this month will be the first time Island County property owners will see that fee on their tax bills.

“Everyone expected it to get off the ground quickly, but it took a whole year,” said Donald Lee, co-chairman of the Water Resources Advisory Committee, the group that oversees county water-resource plans and activities, including the utility.

The utility is aimed at developing a comprehensive approach to managing the county’s wide-ranging water issues, establishing a dedicated source of revenue to pay for programs that reduce the risk of flooding and erosion and help protect the very limited groundwater resources on Whidbey and Camano islands.

Yet, even with the influx of tax revenue, implementing all aspects of the utility – especially the capital projects – will be a slow process.

An inter-fund “bridge” loan of $600,0000 taken from the county’s Real Estate Excise Tax account to fund the Clean Water Utility in 2011 must first be repaid, pushing implementation of several public-works projects back by several months, Lee said.

Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson acknowledged the delay, but said, “we remain focused on providing the services.”

Since the Clean Water Utility was signed into law, three of its nine programs have seen progress. Two projects – surface water-quality monitoring and the septicsystem inspection – had been under way before the utility was established.

Other progress includes the re-hiring of hydrogeologist Doug Kelly, who reviews land-use applications, monitors groundwa-

Stuart Isett / Vigor Industrial

Welders Josh Hill and Nick Tingstad work on the first metal plates of the state’s new ferry at Vigor Industrial shipyard in Seattle on Feb. 16. The plates are the first pieces of the hull, which is being assembled by Vigor Industrial’s US Fab subsidiary. The upper half of the vessel, above the car-deck level, will be crafted at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland. Once in service in 2014, the new vessel will allow Washington State Ferries to have a ferry on standby in order to maintain service when other vessels – including those on the Clinton-Mukilteo route – require repairs or maintenance. Total cost is $147 million.

Popular Whidbey bike tour cancelled Hospital foundation regroups after budget cuts force cancellation of fundraiser.

By Elisabeth Murray Examiner Staff Writer

After 10 years of raising money to help buy important medical equipment for Whidbey General Hospital, this year’s Tour de Whidbey bike ride has been called off.

Even though the popular event had proven a successful way of raising money – and an effective way to raise public awareness of its organizer, the Whidbey General See WATER, page 10 Hospital Foundation – the nonprofit just

doesn’t have the staff to pull it off this year.

“Like most community hospitals, Whidbey General Hospital is being challenged to cut costs while continuing to provide excellent patient care,” said Laura Blankenship, foundation executive director.

With recent budget cuts at Whidbey General, the foundation’s board of directors decided to leave vacant a 30-hour-a-week foundation assistant position and focus on other priorities. As part of a working agreement, the foundation employees are hospital employees. Blankenship said staging the bike ride each year requires about 1,000 hours of behind-the-scenes staff time.

The event, which is held in late September, typically draws about 500 registered

riders, making it not only a fundraiser for the hospital but also a draw for off-island visitors.

Lynda Eccles, executive director of the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce, said the event was an annual, early-fall shot in the arm for local businesses that rely on tourism. The event draws not just cyclists, but also friends and family, many of whom spend money at local shops, restaurants and lodging businesses.

“Any event that happens anywhere on the Island is a draw for the local economy,” she said. “When people come and visit, they usually want to see all that is here.”

This year would have been the 11th See BIKE TOUR, page 6

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The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 1, 2012

C UPEVILLE SPRING SPORTS

’12 PREVIEW

A look ahead at Coupeville High School’s 2012 spring sports season, with stories, photos and the complete spring game schedule.

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Lambert pleads not guilty to additional charges in murder case

By Elisabeth Murray Examiner Staff Writer

Dressed in a bright-orange jail jumpsuit, his hands before him in handcuffs, alleged killer Joshua Lambert stood before Island County Superior Court Judge Vickie Churchill on Monday to hear additional charges against him.

The 31-year-old Oak Harbor man had already been charged with killing his grandfather, George Lambert, and first-degree kidnapping for allegedly tying up his great aunt while he stabbed Lambert.

Now he also is charged with killing his other grandfather, August “Gene” Eisner, the same day.

Additional charges are three counts of burglary in the first degree, two counts of robbery in the first degree, one count of taking a motor vehicle without permission, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.

The accused pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to all eight counts.

Lambert, who is representing himself instead of using an attor-

ney, will return to court on March 12 for the judge to hear motions that he had submitted in the case.

The motions must be Joshua Lambert noted on a day that Lambert is present in court.

Some of the motions filed by Lambert had not been heard by the court because Lambert had been undergoing psychiatric evaluation at the time, Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks said.

“It is your responsibility to tell the court what motions are outstanding,” Churchill told Lambert in court on Monday.

Banks has said he will not seek the death penalty for Lambert.

In cases in which an individual is convicted of aggravated firstdegree murder, Washington law would have allowed a jury to impose a death sentence.

The accused would have to be found guilty of premeditated firstdegree murder where one or more

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aggravating circumstances exist, for example, a situation in which multiple victims are murdered as part of a single plan, or in which the murders occurred while committing a robbery or burglary.

According to Banks, in order for the death sentence to be chosen as a fitting punishment, the jury would have to unanimously agree beyond all reasonable doubt that there were no mitigating factors that would warrant leniency.

In Lambert’s case, Banks said a juror might find Lambert’s history and behavior on the day of the murders to be a mitigating circumstance.

Banks wrote in a statement that his office will instead be seeking a “prison term that will ensure Mr. Lambert is never returned to free society.”

Banks indicated in a written statement that his decision to not seek the death penalty was based on consultations with family members, the history of death penalty sentencing in Washington and mitigating factors surrounding Lambert’s crimes. A

Parks get new area manager Washington State Parks Ranger Jon Crimmins is the new area manager for state parks on Whidbey Island from Fort Ebey south to Possession Point.

Crimmins begins his job in early March.

Most recently the manager of the Fort Flagler State Park Environmental Learning Center on Marrowstone Island, CrimCrimmins mins grew up near Coupeville and the beauty of Whidbey’s state parks inspired his career.

He has worked at Deception Pass State Park and several other Washington parks. He spent eight years as assistant manager at South Whidbey State Park before moving to Fort Flagler in 2009.

Among the highlights of his work on Whidbey Island has been establishing a water trail site for human- and wind-powered watercraft at Possession Point. He also worked on developing the environmental education programs for South Whidbey State Park and South Whidbey Primary School.

Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Whidbey Examiner

Page 3

Coupeville senior rides high in the saddle

By Toni Grove For the Examiner

Flying through the hairpin turns of a barrel race, Lexi Blanchette can stay in the saddle when most of us would have long ago been thrown, hind end over teakettle, into the dirt.

It’s a skill fueled by her love and understanding of horses and a bond of trust forged over time with her mount.

Teamed up with her quarter horse, Skeeter, the Coupeville High School senior has mastered both the skill and grace needed to not only perform intricate, dancelike maneuvers with her 4H drill team, the Coupeville Cossacks, but to also become a competitor to watch at Whidbey Western Games Association competitions.

“During the summer I have a show almost every weekend,” Blanchette said.

Lexi Blanchette’s fate as a horsewoman was sealed long ago at the Island County Fair.

Family legend has it that despite warnings from its handler, she toddled right up to a horse and placed her hands on either side of its huge head as if it were the most natural thing in the world – not something your average toddler would, or should, do.

A few years later, Blanchette said, her mother stopping by one of the horse barns at the fair and talking to a 4H member there.

She liked the mix of fun, handson learning and positive influence on kids in the community the over 100-year old organization had to offer her seven-year-old daughter.

Blanchette has spent the past 11 years in 4H, four of them as the president of her club, the Coupeville Cossacks, who perform as a drill team every year at the Island County Fair.

Part of the president’s job, she explained, is to lead the drill team in a sport that is very much like synchronized swimming, but with horses. Riders are paired up and must mirror each other’s movements in elaborate, perfectly timed routines.

It’s not just a matter of looking good in the saddle, Blanchette wants everyone to know. It’s also performance and skill.

“We’ve won six years, almost consecutively,” she said with deserved pride.

It’s also, she admits, a lot of fun to have all of these experienced riders and drill team members working together.

“It’s probably our club’s favorite part, practicing for drill season every week,” she said.

When not competing as part of the drill team, Blanchette can be found taking part in the Whidbey Western Games Association’s an-

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT nual O-Mok-See events. O-moksee is a Blackfoot Indian phrase that describes feats of skill and speed on horseback.

Also known as pattern racing, it’s like a slalom or obstacle course done at top speed around barrels, poles, cones, even kegs.

“When it came to the 2011 OMok-See,” Blanchette said, “my favorite part was riding with all my close horse friends and placing over-all in the top five, two years in a row.

“My favorite events to ride in are western jumping, speed barrels, keg and Texas barrels,” she said. “But my biggest challenge was making sure I didn’t knock anything over – poles or barrels – which I ended up doing successfully.”

Blanchette loves being involved in both 4H and the Whidbey Island riding community and likened it to being part of a big family – but one with a lot of friendly competition.

“This island is really competitive when it comes to barrel racing and gaming,” she said.

“This is a great place for riders.”

Now Blanchette can hardly wait for graduation and her next challenge: turning her passion for horses into a career as a professional horse trainer.

“I’ve known what I wanted to do since I was seven years old,” she declared. “I’ve been accepted at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls. There I’ll do equine studies and business management for horse trainers.”

Her courses will be much different from that of most kids enrolled in college. She’ll take classes on horse nutrition and judging.

She’ll learn the skills of a farrier so she can properly shoe a horse.

And she’ll learn everything she

Toni Grove / The Whidbey Examiner

Six-year-old Skeeter is one of two horses that will accompany Lexi Blanchette to school this fall when she heads off to the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls. There, this accomplished young horsewoman will pursue an education in Equine Studies and Business Management with the intention of one day starting her own horse training business. can about the complex relationship between the rider, trainer and the horse when it comes to performance and gaming.

“Equine studies involves the rider and the horse’s training,” she said.

At over 3,500 feet in elevation, Twin Falls is not Whidbey Island.

She’ll have to get used to colder winters and hotter summers, but she’s not the only one who’ll have to bring along more warm clothing.

Blanchette gets to take her favorite animal companions along with her to school, her horses Skeeter and Jack, who will be in-

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tegral to her learning.

“I bought Skeeter when I was 12,” she said. “A friend wanted me to train their pony. I used the money I got for that to pay for Skeeter. He was one and a half years old.”

Skeeter is now a handsome sixyear-old and both he and Jack will not only keep each other company, they’ll alleviate any homesickness that threatens the new college freshman.

“They’re my babies,” she said with a smile. “I’m training them up.”

After college, Blanchette says she may stay in Twin Falls to get established as a professional horse trainer.

“The horse industry is big there,” she said.

But she hopes to come back home from time to time and take part in local Western Games competitions and stay in touch with the close Whidbey Island riding community, especially the woman who has been her trainer and mentor since the very beginning.

“I owe everything to my trainer, Vickie McCreless,” Blanchette said. “She taught me everything I know, everything about horses. I bought Skeeter from her – the best horse in the whole world.” A

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Page 4

The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 1, 2012

viewpoints Unless the damage wrought by the Citizens United decision is undone, democracy, as we have known it, is finished. Polls show that 80 percent of Americans want the Citizens United decision overturned.

Island County Assessor Mary Engle Hence, if the Supreme Court really wants deserves a big “Thank You” for her invaluto do the right thing, it can reflect the will able contribution toward resolving the peracre fee problem in conservation districts. of the people and use this opportunity to correct the political mess it has created.

Hopefully, the Assessor’s Office’s – Marshall F. Goldberg methodology to calculate acreage and clasOak Harbor sify same correctly will be acceptable to the state and support for vital forest and farm management plans will continue.

Engle’s display of bipartisanship serves as an excellent example to the Republican county commissioner that cooperation without rancor or personal agenda is the I’m writing in reference to Richard Slatonly way to find real and lasting solutions er’s letter, “Too much coverage of gay marto current issues. Not only will such help riage issue,” (Feb. 23). solve future problems but current proMr. Slater says he is cancelling his subgrams will receive the attention necessary scription because the Examiner has had to maintain the quality of Island County “too many” stories about the passage of life for all residents, old and young, rich Washington’s same-sex marriage law. and poor, military and civilian.

Our local paper covers events and activiI sincerely hope this marks the beginning of greater cooperation on the parts of ties of interest to everyone here on Whidbey. It keeps us abreast of local issues, both Republicans and Democrats to find brings us stories about our schools and the best possible approaches to the chalstudents and athletes and provides a velenges the county will face in the future. hicle for our small businesses to advertise Once again, Ms. Engle, please accept and reach potential customers. It’s a hugely our heartfelt “thank you.”

– John Voet valuable asset to our community.

Just because you don’t like reading stoCoupeville ries about same-sex marriage is no reason to completely negate the role of our community newspaper. Besides, the same-sex marriage issue is big news, and it affects everyone, whether they are gay or not.

My husband and I are renting a house in Central Whidbey while we look for a place The U.S. Supreme Court now has a to buy. We appreciate the community vibe chance to fix the enormous mistake it of this locally owned paper, and will be remade in the Citizens United decision two newing our subscription. years ago.

– Linda Evendown A Montana case challenging that decision has just been appealed back to the Coupeville court in American Tradition Partnership v. Bullock. The Citizens United case said that corporations, as “people,” have a “free speech” right to spend unlimited sums of money to influence our elections.

Corporations, however, are not “peoSeveral letters have already been writple” recognized by the U.S. Constitution, and the “right to free speech” should never ten and published on this issue. I am not trying to pick fault with them, but can’t have been extended to them. say that I agree 100 percent either.

Since money clearly determines the My beliefs would probably be considoutcome in the vast majority of our elections, corporations, with their almost limit- ered old fashioned and out of step with the less supply of money, can always outspend times. I am not against newcomers to the ‘real’ people and thereby literally and un- island; they have a perfect right to be here.

I don’t happen to be one of them however. fairly “buy” elections.

Assessor had bipartisan approach to problem

We appreciate our local community newspaper

Citizens united against Citizens United

New Testament forbids gay relationships

Whidbey Examiner online poll To cast your vote, visit the Examiner online at www.whidbeyexaminer.com and look for the poll at the bottom left side of our home page. The poll isn’t scientific, but safeguards are in place to keep people from voting repeatedly from the same computer, and all votes are cast anonymously.

This week’s question:

• What do you think of Coupeville’s new wayfinding signage?

Poll results will appear each week in the Viewpoints section of our print edition. Log on and vote!

I have lived on the Island most of my life since I was born in 1930, two years in California, five months in Korea, nine years in Alberta, Canada.

I would like to make it clear that I am not attacking anyone in this letter, however I do believe I have a responsibility to put forth what I believe is the true position of the Bible on this issue. It is not my problem whether you believe the Bible is an accurate guide or roadmap for life on earth; that is a decision only you can make.

I won’t go into the Old Testament on this subject as many believe it no longer applies to us. However, the New Testament has a fair bit on the subject.

I have read letters regarding the homosexual issue that stated that Jesus never mentions it. Well, he didn’t in those words, but you should realize that he was referring to this when he said in Matthew 10:15, 11:22 and also in Luke 10:12 that it would be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for those cities that rejected him and the miracles he performed.

The Apostle Paul wrote a lot about the issue but I will bypass him as some have rejected him as not being a true apostle.

Maybe the Apostle Peter is more acceptable. In 2 Peter 2 he mentions how Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of ungodly ways. I will quote Jude 1:7, “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

I, of course, did not write the Bible, but I believe it is a true guide and roadmap for mankind. I believe it is my duty to write even though it may make me some enemies. I do wish the best for all of you.

– Dean H. Campbell Langley

Animal welfare group seeks to ‘play nice’ I am responding to a Feb. 23 letter titled, “Key group missing from animalrescue event.”

The Whidbey Animal Guild first contacted Goosefoot, which fundraises for Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation on a regular basis, to see about holding a joint event with Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation, but the suggestion was declined.

As a result, since Goosefoot is already a major benefactor for Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation, holding “Fill the Truck” events, and helping Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation raise money for its new private shelter, the Whidbey Animal Guild opted to organize a similar type event for all the other groups on the island that serve animals or are animal-service based groups.

The goal was to raise awareness among the public about the work of others who have also served our community for a long time in very good ways, as well as to recognize emerging groups. Skagit Farmers Supply was kind enough to agree to allow a similar event to occur.

Unlike Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation, other groups do not have thrift stores, government contracts, rentfree shelter buildings and access to major grants and elaborate fundraisers.

Whidbey Animal Guild is trying to improve the system for all groups, including Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation, by urging governments here to adopt the Asilomar Accords. By using this nationally respected system of animal data reporting, all groups including Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation can get major grants that are not available now.

Currently, Island County has two separate sheltering entities, and three separate animal-control entities. Until we all get on the same page in the way statistics get reported, all groups will suffer from a lack of available grant funding. So Whidbey Animal Guild is working hard to play nice with and for everyone.

– Barbara Moran Freeland

Tax Aide volunteers are a big help at tax time Once again I had my tax return prepared by the volunteers of the American Association of Retired Persons Tax Aide program.

This wonderful program works so well, thanks to all the dedicated volunteers who spend, first of all, many hours getting instructed on the ever changing intricacies of the IRS Tax code and then spending the time to help people with their tax returns. A great help to the community, thank you all!

– Everett Vanderwende Coupeville

Last week’s Examiner online poll question: How do you feel about the proposal to establish a medical-marijuana access point in Langley?

How our readers voted: q Medical marijuana is legal, so it makes sense to provide patients with access to it. q I’m concerned about the potential for increased law-enforcement costs. q It would be better to let other communities set precedent for this before we attempt it. q I’m completely against it because it will only lead to problems.

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Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Whidbey Examiner

Page 5

Bus, train access favored for terminal upgrade

By Betty Freeman Examiner Staff Writer

Many Whidbey Island residents who attended a public hearing in Clinton last week on proposed changes to the Mukilteo ferry landing were in favor of moving it to the west end of the old fuel-tank farm east of the current dock.

Four different alternatives, with costs ranging from $60 to $165 million, were presented by Washington State Ferries officials at the hearing.

The so-called “no-build” alternative maintains the status quo.

The existing site improvement option leaves the dock in the same place but puts the new terminal on the property now occupied by Ivar’s seafood restaurant.

The other two alternatives – Elliot Point 1 and 2 – relocate the terminal and dock to the tank farm site east of the existing terminal, creating a new holding area for 216 cars, rerouting traffic, and offering safer, closer connections to Sound Transit buses and the Sounder train to Seattle.

Those alternatives also allow for overhead passenger boarding and a shoreline promenade to connect waiting passengers and locals to nearby restaurants and recreational areas.

Mukilteo residents who attended a hearing Feb 22 in Mukilteo generally aren’t in favor of doing anything to change or upgrade the terminal that serves the busiest route in the Washington State Ferries system.

According to Hadley Romero, Washington State Ferries project communications coordinator, their concerns focused on preserving the business district near the ferry landing, reducing traffic congestion, and keeping views of the water and access to their homes unobstructed.

Clinton Ferry Advisory Committee Chairman Dave Hoogerwerf said he understands the resentment many Mukilteo residents and business owners feel toward the main traffic route between Whidbey Island and the greater Seattle area.

“They hate the ferry and the traffic congestion it causes,” he said.

State ferry officials say that not doing anything about the aging Mukilteo terminal is not an option.

“As of 2011, the MukilteoClinton route is the largest vehicle route in the system,” said Nicole McIntosh, Ferries’ terminal design engineering manager.

“The Mukilteo terminal was built in 1952 for that era’s transportation needs,” McIntosh said.

turbed. The Lummi, Suquamish and Tulalip tribes have court-adjudicated treaty fishing rights in the project area.

Ferries officials say they plan to complete necessary environmental studies and chose an alternative this year.

4 Property acquisition, demolition and utility relocations are expected by 2013.

3 2 Construction would also depend on the availability of funding and other approvals, but major ac1 tivities could begin by 2016, and the terminal could begin operation in 2019.

The draft environmental impact statement for the project and a four-minute video outlining the alternatives are available on the Washington State Ferries website at wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Ferries.

Public comments on the projWashington State Ferries ect will be accepted through Mukilteo Ferry Dock Improvement Proposals March 12.

Submit comments by e-mail 1 - No-Build 2 - Existing Site Improvements (includes larger parking area) to mukilteocomments@wsdot.

3 - Elliot Point 1 4 - Elliot Point 2 wa.gov.

Submit comments by mail to “We need to renovate to accom- senting the grandparents of South repairs for our customers.”

Washington State Ferries, Attn: modate growth, to make multi- Whidbey, noted that many WhidPart of the environmental Paul Krueger, 2901 Third Avenue, modal connections easier, im- bey Islanders walk on the ferry planning for the project involves Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98121. A prove operations and efficiency, to meet family or friends on the working closely with local tribes and make the area safer and more Mukilteo side, or want to be able to ensure that important historic friendly to disabled and walk-on to pick up walk-on visitors arriv- and archeological sites are not dispassengers.” ing in Clinton.

The prospect for improving acBut with few options for overcess to alternative transportation night parking on the Mukilteo AT T HE such as buses and trains earned the side, they’re often forced to take support of Island County Com- their cars across. missioner Helen Price Johnson, None of the alternatives include who said at the hearing that she overnight parking areas, which ulWine & Art Walk favors the Elliot Point 2 proposal timately would be the responsibilthat would move the terminal to ity of the City of Mukilteo, not the Great Wine the west end of the tank farm. ferry system.

“We need to get people out of Matt Hassrick, who owns an Exceptional Art their cars on both sides, improve auto repair business in Clinton, OAK HARBOR conditions for walk-on passen- also favors the alternatives with Friendly Conversation (360) 279-1229 gers and encourage the use of van the least disruption in service.

380 SE Midway Boulevard pools,” she said. “Once on Whid“I walk on the ferry at least bey, we need to encourage the use once a day to pick up parts, and I FREELAND of Island Transit to get people up depend on receiving parts packag(360) 331-1415 the hill without their cars.” es from UPS and FedEx,” he said. Greenbank Farm Wine Shop 5570 Harbor Avenue, Suite B Betty Nichols, a local resident “If their drivers are stuck in a ferry Hwy 525 & Wonn Rd. www.islandfamilyhearing.com who described herself as repre- backup, it delays our completing 360-678-7700

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Page 6

The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 1, 2012

Strong turnout expected at Whidbey GOP caucus

By Elisabeth Murray Examiner Staff Reporter

At the Republican caucus this weekend, Whidbey Island’s party faithful will select precinct delegates to attend the Island County Republican Party convention.

They’ll also be voting in a nonbinding straw poll to choose their preference for the next Republican nominee for the U.S. presidency.

With the March 3 caucus scheduled just three days before Super Tuesday, when 10 states head to the polls in the Republican primary, media all over the world will be watching what happens in Washington’s Republican caucus.

With four contenders still in the race, competition for the remaining delegates is fierce.

“This is an unusual election year,” said Reece Rose, first vice president of the Central Whidbey Republican Women. “Also an interesting one. We have received a lot of phone calls and interest.”

That’s because this year, Washington Republicans will be able to have their say about who will be their party’s candidate for president at a time in the cycle when their opinions might actually matter.

“If the volume of calls I’m getting is any indication, the caucus will be standing-room only,” said Brett Wilhelm, chairman of the Is-

land County Republican Party.

The presidential candidates already are paying close attention.

Washington already has seen visits from former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia. And former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is scheduled to visit on March 1.

Thanks to this intense interest – and a broad lack of consensus within the party as to which candidate to support – Wilhelm and Reese both expect to see a bigger turnout at the caucus this year.

Party members’ participation could have a bearing on who becomes the Republican nominee, Wilhelm said.

The delegates from Washington could be critical if the nominee is selected at a “brokered convention,” which is what occurs when no candidate has won enough delegates to secure the nomination outright. In that case, the delegates would select a “grand compromise candidate” – even someone brand new to the race.

Another aspect that increases the importance of this year’s caucus process is the significance of how delegates will be selected.

“The Republican party is choosing all delegates from the caucus process this year,” Wil-

If you go

Elisabeth Murray / Whidbey Examiner

Reece Rose, first vice president of the Central Whidbey Republican Women, looks over Whidbey Island precinct maps in advance of the GOP caucus on Saturday, March 3. helm said. “This event is a grassroots, participatory process.”

The only exception is the automatic delegates, like Republican officials or party chairpeople, for example, who already have secured a seat.

In prior years, the presidential preference primary was used to select half of the non-automatic Republican delegates, Wilhelm said. But that’s not an option this year, as the primary was cancelled

as a result of state budget cuts. The change didn’t affect the Democratic Party, which already uses a caucus system.

Registered voters who are willing to state that they are Republicans and have not and will not participate in another party’s caucus this year can participate in the precinct caucus.

On Saturday, March 3, individual precinct caucuses will elect delegates and alternates for the

The 2012 Island County Republican Party precinct caucuses will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 3. Declared Republicans who want to participate should attend the caucus for the precinct in which they reside.

On Whidbey Island, the caucus will be held at two locations: Oak Harbor High School, 1 Wildcat Way, and South Whidbey High School, 5675 Maxwelton Road, Langley.

On Whidbey Island the dividing line is generally the Navy’s Outlying Field two miles southeast of Coupeville. Central, Prairie, and all other precincts on the North Whidbey side of the Naval Outlying Field will caucus at Oak Harbor High School. Admiralty 1, North Bluff and all other precincts on the South Whidbey side of the Naval Outlying Field will caucus at South Whidbey High School.

2012 Island County Republican Party Convention to be held on March 24.

Party resolutions and the Island County Republican Party platform also will be considered that morning in a pooled caucus prior to the individual precinct caucuses. A

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year for the event. Cyclists who signed up to ride from 10 to 100 mile routes on Whidbey last year brought in $60,000 for the foundation, Blankenship said.

Over the years, money raised through the Tour de Whidbey helped the hospital buy bedside monitors for the emergency room, orthopedic-surgical equipment and a urological endoscopy system.

The hospital equipment that would have been purchased with money raised from this year’s tour had not yet been identified, Blankenship said. However, the event was projected to help raise at least $50,000.

Blankenship said the foundation would continue with all of its other activities to help raise money for medical equipment and programs.

Fundraising comes from individual contributions, bequests, investments and grant writing, for example. The foundation’s goal this year is to raise $250,000 for

Elisabeth Murray / The Whidbey Examiner

Whidbey General Hospital Emergency Room Manager Mary Poole monitors vital signs of patients connected to movable, high-tech monitors from the nurses’ station. Money raised through last year’s Tour de Whidbey will help the hospital buy more monitors. the hospital.

Another nonprofit organization, the Whidbey General Hospital Auxiliary, also assists the hospital with fundraising efforts and purchases equipment on the hospital’s wish list.

Despite the cancellation of this year’s Tour de Whidbey, Blankenship said the foundation plans to

bring it back next year.

“This is an activity that we love to do. We plan to come back strong in 2013,” she said.

For information on the Whidbey General Hospital Foundation, or to make a donation, call 360678-7656 Ext 4020 or 360-3217656 Ext 4020 or visit whidbeygen.org/wgh-foundation. A

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Page 7

Main Street group boosts historic downtown

By Elisabeth Murray Examiner Staff Writer

Many unique aspects make Coupeville especially memorable, such as its historic 1905 wharf, its Victorian-era homes and the Whale Wheel designed by local artist Roger Purdue and brought to life by local carvers.

And one local organization aims to keep it that way.

“The Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association is a group of committed people that don’t want Coupeville to end up looking like everywhere else,” said Vickie Chambers, the new executive director of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association.

The group’s mission is to “strengthen, promote and maintain our successful historic downtown district.”

Chambers began her job as the association’s first paid employee last November.

The association is a member of Washington’s Main Street Program, which is administered by the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation with the purpose of helping communities revitalize the “economy, appearance and image of their downtown commercial districts.”

Coupeville became a member of the Main Street Program in 2006. Chambers said she’s excited about how much impact the program already has had in helping merchants organize events and promotions aimed at ensuring that Coupeville’s historic downtown remains a vibrant business district.

“It is wonderful to work with the local merchants in the waterfront district,” Chambers said.

Chambers, who moved to

Elisabeth Murray / Whidbey Examiner

Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association Executive Director Vickie Chambers and President Chuck Poust are among a small group of downtown business owners who are working to maintain a thriving economy in the town’s historic area. The association stages a number of downtown events each year, including this weekend’s Penn Cove MusselFest.

Coupeville with her family in 2003, has grown very familiar with its historic downtown. Her summertime hot-dog business, Coupe’s Last Stand, gives her the perspective of a downtown merchant. And in the off-season, she works part time at The Honey Bear and Aqua, keeping her engaged with what is happening along the historic waterfront.

Her retail background includes 17 years as assistant manager of the REI store in Spokane. She also has plenty of management expertise, serving as base operations manager at Mount Spokane Ski Area.

Chambers’ duties as CHWA executive director include administration and managing the budget. She also is involved in staging and promoting the group’s events, such as the annual Halloween parade, the Red Ticket promotion at Christmas and the Penn Cove MusselFest, which takes place this weekend. “(CHWA) events are managed by people who own the stores,” Chambers said. “They put in hours and hours of work, and my job is to help reduce their burden.”

Association President Chuck Poust of Windjammer Gallery de-

scribed MusselFest as the start of the tourism season.

“It gets people out of their homes and also introduces new people to Coupeville,” he said, adding that once they get ac-

quainted with Coupeville’s charm, they’re very likely to return.

The Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association also has been involved with installation of metal plaques that mark historic buildings, and decorating the town with hanging flower baskets each summer.

The Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association also worked with the Town of Coupeville and the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce to have new signage installed to help visitors find their way around.

The organization’s membership isn’t limited only to downtown business people; anyone can join. And while money from membership dues is an important part of the group’s budget, even more important is a Main Street tax incentive program through which any Washington business can make a donation to the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association and then receive a credit on their business-and-occupation tax for the following year.

“Any business that pays B&O tax can give back,” Chambers said, adding that participating businesses incur no costs in signing up for the program.

“This allows a business to direct where their tax dollars go,” she said. A

Join Us at the 2012

Coupeville gets new signs When visitors descend on Coupeville for MusselFest this weekend, finding their way around town should be a snap.

New wayfinding signage recently went up in several locations, including at the Prairie Center intersection at South Main and Terry, Cook’s Corner Park at North Main and Coveland, and next to the Coupeville Recreation Hall at Coveland and Alexander.

Mary Alice Sterling of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association, Lynda Eccles of the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce and Coupeville Town Council member Molly Hughes worked together to develop the new signs.

Signs on the south side of town target ferry passengers arriving via South Main, informing them that just across the highway is a scenic, waterfront historic district filled with shops, restaurants and inns.

The signs are designed to con-

Friday, March 2 TOWN OF COUPEVILLE

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA

Island County Hearing Room 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 6

New wayfinding signage is aimed at helping visitors find their way around Coupeville. vey the character and history of Coupeville as well as inform visitors that the town is in Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve.

“We wanted something to catch people’s attention,” Hughes said.

THE MARCH 6, 2012 MEETING OF THE COUPEVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED. THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MAY BE ON TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2012.

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Coupeville Recreation Hall Enjoy Prairie Polish Dogs & Mussels plus Beer & Wine!

Music by Tambourine Sky Wine provided by bayleaf; mussels by Serendipity Catering.

Tickets $20; available at bayleaf, Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce, Aqua Gifts & Windjammer Gallery SPONSORED BY

Examiner The Whidbey

Page 8

The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 1, 2012

Penn Cove MusselFest

More MusselFest weekend events Mussel mingle set for Friday, March 2 Get started early on your weekend mussel-eating marathon at the annual Mussel Mingle, set for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 2.

The event, held in the Coupeville Recreation Hall, features “prairie Polish dogs,” wines from Bayleaf, beer from

In Historic Coupeville

Mussel Mingle - Friday, March 2 Mussel Chowder Tasting • Saturday, March 3 & Sunday, March 4 MusselFest Headquarters is open 10:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. both days!

All Weekend MusselFest Passbook - Spend $50 at participating businesses and enter to win a $100 gift certificate. Passbooks available at Front Street shops.

MusselFest Headquarters at the Coupeville Recreation Hall is the place to buy tickets for chowder tasting, boat tours and more.

Also available are souvenir MusselFest t-shirts, sweatshirts and posters.

Friday, March 2 Mussel Mingle, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Coupeville Recreation Hall, 901 N.W. Alexander St. Enjoy Thai-style ginger mussels, “prairie Polish dogs,” beer, wine and music

by Tambourine Sky. Tickets $20 at the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce, Bayleaf, Windjammer Gallery and Aqua Gifts or at the door.

Saturday, March 3 Mussel Chowder Tasting, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. ($10) at participating restaurants: Christopher’s on Whidbey, Ciao, Coupeville Coffee and Bistro, The Cove Thai Cuisine, Ebey Bowl, Front Street Grill, Kim’s Café, Knead and Feed, Mosquito Fleet Galley, Oystercatcher, Pizza Factory, Captain Whidbey Inn, Toby’s Tavern and the Tyee. Ride the Mussel Shuttle as you visit each restaurant.

Mussel Cooking Demonstrations, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Rec Hall.

MusselFest Café, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Steamed mussels prepared

by Keystone Café. Proceeds support the Coupeville High School Booster Club.

Rec Hall parking lot.

Mussel Farm Boat Tours, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. ($10), aboard the Glacier Spirit.

Departs from the Coupeville Wharf.

Free Children’s Activities and Songs, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Mariners Court Building, 23 Front St. Entertainer Nancy Stewart performs from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Penn Cove Sails, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. ($30) Join Capt. John Stone at the Coupeville Wharf for a two-hour sail on Penn Cove aboard the ketch Cutty Sark. Sailings depart at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., weather permitting.

Mussel Hussle Treasure Hunt, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. ($5). Registration is 1111:45 a.m. Individual and group prizes.

Mussel-eating Competition, 3-3:30 p.m. ($5). Who will take home the coveted MusselFest crown? Limited to 30 hungry contestants. Rec Hall.

Mussel and Beer Garden, Noon-9 p.m., Coveland & Alexander. Hosted

by Penn Cove Shellfish, Sierra Nevada Brewery and Flyers Restaurant and Brewery. Music by Marcus Whiting, Tiller’s Folley and the Steve Trembley Band.

Who’s gonna wear that MusselFest crown this year?

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Sunday, March 4 Mussel Chowder Tasting, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at participating restaurants all over Coupeville.

Mussel Cooking Demonstrations, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Rec Hall.

MusselFest Café, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Rec Hall parking lot.

Mussel Farm Boat Tours, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. ($10), aboard the Glacier Spirit.

Departs from the Coupeville Wharf.

Free Children’s Activities and Songs, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Mariners Court Building, 23 Front St. Entertainer Nancy Stewart performs from 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Waterfront Beer Garden, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Coveland & Alexander.

Live music by Dillinger’s Clambake from 1-3 p.m. Sponsored by the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association.

Mussel Hussle Treasure Hunt, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. ($5). Registration is 1111:45 a.m. Individual and group prizes.

Mussel-eating Competition, 3-3:30 p.m. ($5). Who will take home the coveted MusselFest crown? Limited to 30 hungry contestants. Rec Hall.

Coupeville’s annual Penn Cove MusselFest is sponsored by the Coupeville HIstoric Waterfront Association. For information, visit coupevillehistoricwaterfront.com or call 360-222-3696.

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Flyer’s Brewery and live music

by Tambourine Sky. Tickets are $20 at Bayleaf, Aqua Gifts, the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce visitor center and at the door.

Chowder tasting tickets for the weekend’s Penn Cove MusselFest also will be avail-

able for purchase at the mingle. Tasting tickets are $10.

The event is a fundraiser for the Island County Historical Museum. For information, call the chamber at 360-6785434 or the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association at 360-222-3696.

Bicycle poker ride set for Saturday, March 3 Mountain-bike riders can gear up for a weekend of mussel-eating mania by burning off a few calories at the Mussels in the Kettles poker ride on Saturday, March 3.

Riders can sign up for one of three routes, from easy to difficult, all of which take them on a tour of the Kettles Trails west of Coupeville. The event is sponsored by the

Whidbey Island Bicycle Club.

Registration and packet pickup are at 8:30 a.m., with riders starting between 9 and 10 a.m. The finish line closes at 1 p.m. A variety of prizes will be awarded.

The event begins and ends at Coupeville Elementary School, 6 S. Main St. Chowder-tasting tickets for the weekend’s Penn Cove Mus-

selFest also will be available at the registration table.

Full entry riders get a free beer at the Mussel and Beer Garden sponsored by Penn Cove Shellfish on Saturday, and kids can get a free ice cream cone.

Registration is $20. For information and route maps, visit whidbeybicycleclub.org.

Whidbey Island artists’ studios open all weekend Artists throughout Whidbey Island will open their studios to the public during the ninth annual Spring Art Studio Tour.

Visit more than 30 artists in 22 easy-to-find locations from Greenbank to Oak Harbor from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m.

Mmmmmmmmm Mussels!

Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4. Artists will demonstrate their techniques, answer questions and sell their work. Tour maps are available at all studio locations as well as at chambers of commerce throughout Whidbey Island.

A preview reception is planned for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 2 at the Pacific NorthWest Art School, 15 N.W. Birch St., Coupeville.

For information, visit whidbeyworkingartists.com.

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Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Whidbey Examiner

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Page 9

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Water: County fee structure; from page 1 ter quality and quantity, and helps monitor surface-water quality.

Structuring the fee to pay for the utility was a challenge, Lee said.

The commissioners had originally established a multi-structured system under which different types of properties had different fees. And it also took some time to apply discounts or credits, such as those in certain zoning classifications, those within water, sewer and diking district boundaries, and those owned by senior citizens, people with low incomes and those with disabilities.

The fee was to have been phased in, with the rate set at $24.44 per residential parcel in 2011, increasing to $39.13 in 2012. With the new fee appearing on property-tax bills this month, the rate will be $39.13.

“In 2011, property owners paid a lower rate,” Commissioner Johnson said. “It was zero.”

Determining commercial rates also was a challenge. Commercial properties are subject to a different fee structure based on the amount of impervious area in increments of 5,000 square feet. Commercial parcel rates were to be discounted for the first three years.

Agricultural properties are assessed at a different, discounted rate.

In an advisory committee report, Lee explained the delay in determining the rates.

“Data necessary to calculate the rates based upon the zoning, discounts and credits did not exist when the utility was formed, and it took significant time to match assessor information on over 44,000 parcels, scan impervious surfaces, then input the data into the treasurer’s database,” Lee wrote in the report.

Island County Treasurer Ana Maria d. Nuñez said her office experienced a delay in getting the assessment out because her staff was getting used to new software.

“We didn’t have the speed we would have liked, but we didn’t want to send out something that was not as accurate as we could make it,” Nuñez said.

Staff members spent considerable time checking the data, and in some cases they reviewed it property by property, Nuñez said.

Lee said he is optimistic about the future, noting that storm-water projects, which will require more than half the revenue from the utility fee, will be initiated shortly after the real estate funds have

Elisabeth Murray / The Whidbey Examiner

Karen Dubose and Kyle Legare, water quality specialists for the Island County Public Health Department, prepare equipment for water quality sampling. Fees collected through the county’s Clean Water Utility will fund surface water quality monitoring.

Water projects The Clean Water Utility helps pay for water-related projects such as: • Surface and storm water drainage projects to reduce or control erosion and pollution.

• Surface water quality monitoring.

• Groundwater management.

• Teaching homeowners how to care for their septic systems, • Salmon recovery and shellfish protection.

• Coordinating low-impact development projects.

• Enforcing the county’s critical areas ordinance.

• Watershed planning aimed at protecting surface water and groundwater.

been repaid.

“I expect to see significant progress in 2012,” Lee said.

Getting started on much-needed storm water projects is critical,

Johnson said.

“The county has millions in backlog for storm water improvements,” she said. “We will be revisiting how to time the infrastructure improvements and have begun preliminary conversations.”

The Public Works Department estimates the cost of these projects at about $10.7 million.

While Johnson said she was disappointed by the delay, she said she also realized that staff reductions due to county budget cuts were placing a strain on the remaining employees. She said she does not anticipate additional delays as collection of the fee begins.

“Now we can move forward,” Johnson said.

“The county needs to have local funding for vital resources, for basic needs like water-quality testing and storm-water improvements,” she said. “That is why this was implemented in the first place.” A

Conservation Futures advisory group seeks members Two volunteer positions are open on Island County’s Conservation Futures Technical Advisory Group.

Seats are available for residents of the North Whidbey and South Whidbey Parks and Recreation districts, Oak Harbor, Coupeville

and Langley. Applicants must have lived in Island County for at least one year.

To apply, send a letter of interest and statement of qualifications by 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 21 to the Island County Board of Commissioners, Attn: Pam Dill,

Re: Conservation Futures Technical Advisory Group Vacancy, P.O. Box 5000, Coupeville, WA 98239; fax 360-679-7381; e-mail pamd@ co.island.wa.us.

For information e-mail Pam Dill or call her at 360-679-7353.

Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Whidbey Examiner

Page 11

Family, friends pay tribute to embattled Dr. Johnson Johnson’s daughter Tori read a note she had placed by her father’s bedside the night before he died. In it she wrote, “I love you so much. Thank you for my life.”

Perhaps the most poignant moment came when Johnson’s father, Gary Johnson, spoke. He expressed his pleasure at seeing so many people at his son’s memorial service.

“Of course I knew my son for his whole life,” he said. “If you look at his life as a tape measure, with each inch representing a month, then the last nine months of his life are just a small part of the man I knew him to be for 52 years.”

“The real tragedy would have been if he’d never been born,” he said. “He was a great gift to us and the community he served. I hope he’ll be remembered for the happier times.”

At the end of the service, family, friends, patients and colleagues lit individual candles and filed by the simple white coffin, placing daisies and sunflowers atop it while two bagpipers played “Amazing Grace.” A

The investigation of the circumstances under which former Coupeville dermatologist Donald “Russell” Johnson is still ongoing, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Det. Sgt. Jerry Cooper of the Washington State Patrol Major Accident Investigation Team said the investigation is expected to take at least three months.

Johnson was killed on Feb. 12 following a high-speed car chase near Deception Pass in which a state trooper had attempted to pull Johnson over for reckless driving and speeding.

Johnson was ejected from his vehicle when it crashed into a rock wall. His body was then run over by the pursuing trooper, who was unable to stop in time.

The investigation team is awaiting a toxicology report and

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still needs to complete a reconstruction of the incident.

Following a request for witnesses to come forward, several people have offered information related to the incident, Cooper said.

“We are looking for as many avenues of perspective as possible,” he said.

This includes individuals who may have witnessed the actual accident or who can provide information about events that had taken place hours or days before the tragedy unfolded.

The accident occurred around 6 a.m. near a curve in the road.

Anyone who may have information or who knows someone else who does are asked to contact Detective Sgt. Jerry Cooper at 360-805-1192.

Council to revist curbside recycling Curbside recycling might soon be a reality for Coupeville.

Coupeville is negotiating with Island Disposal, which in 2007 had offered to provide curbside recycling on condition that it would extend to all of Whidbey Island. At that time, the county decided that it was not ready to implement the plan

Whidbey Island Worship Guide S T. S T E P H E N ’ S A N G L I C A N C H U R C H

About 150 people attended the memorial service for Dr. Donald Russell Johnson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.

Johnson, 53, died Sunday, Feb. 19 in a car accident near the Deception Pass Bridge.

The accident occurred just three days after his release from Island County Jail, following a series of incidents over the past nine months beginning when Johnson abruptly closed his dermatology practices and skin-care spas in Coupeville and Anacortes in July 2011, leaving his patients without access to their medical records.

The closure was followed by revelations that he was being sued by a former employee for unpaid wages, had left his landlord with unpaid rent and was being pursued by the IRS for unpaid federal income taxes.

And while he was still going through divorce proceedings with his wife, he presented another woman, a former employee, as his wife. She later filed domestic-abuse charges against him that landed him in Island County jail for 113 days.

Many of those who attended the memorial seemed to be struggling to reconcile their memories of the man they knew with recent news reports of a man whose life seemed to be spiraling out of control.

During the memorial, a slide show projected on the wall behind the church altar showed photos of a boy who loved animals, a young father cradling his newborn, a man at play with his children, Taylor and Tori.

The images showed Johnson in happier times as he celebrated holidays, enjoyed vacations, went fishing with friends and walked along the beach.

Medical colleagues spoke highly of him as a “sharp, sensitive guy” with whom it was “an honor to consult.”

“He was highly thought of as a dermatologist by his colleagues in the area,” said Dr. Susan Oldencamp of Everett.

“I appreciated Russ as a colleague,” said Dr. Bob Wagner of Freeland. “If he could help you out with a patient, he would.”

Wagner said there was more to Johnson than just the events that made headlines across Western Washington.

“If you only look at the last nine months, you’re missing a lot,” he said. “We all worry that

we could run off the rails as Russ appeared to do.

I just wish he had asked for help if he needed it.”

F o r mer patients Johnson spoke of a doctor “who was a decent and good man,” who took his time and took good care of them.

One teenage girl felt Dr. Johnson’s tenacity in confirming her diagnoses helped saved her life.

“I’m thankful he was in my life,” she said.

Family members remembered a man who was “an awesome dude,” a loving father and son, who enjoyed Donald Duck comics, the movie “Harold and Maude,” and his Australian cattle dog, Rocky.

Johnson’s brother Rick Johnson appreciated his sense of humor.

“He was a person who made light of even the darkest moments,” he said.

S T. S T E P H E N ’ S A N G L I C A N C H U R C H

By Betty Freeman Examiner Staff Writer

State patrol investigation of Johnson’s death continues

and Coupeville was left without curbside recycling as well.

Island Disposal has since agreed to enter into a separate contract with Coupeville. The town is working on a draft contract, which will be reviewed by the town council and presented at a public workshop sometime later this year.

Coupeville United Methodist Church

Whidbey Evangelical Free Church

Contemporary Service 8:45 a.m.

Sunday School 10 a.m.

Traditional Service 11 a.m.

Child care available

Pastor Jin Ming Ma • Will Strong, Youth Director 608 N. Main St. • 360-678-4256

Sunday School - 9:15 a.m.

Worship - 10:30 a.m.

All Welcome!

874 Plantation Dr. Greenbank, WA

Come join us for Lutheran Worship Services in Coupeville!

Pacific Rim Institute St. Mary’s Church Sundays • 6:30pm Oak Harbor Lutheran Church invites everyone to experience a casual evening of prayer, worship and friendship in Coupeville.

Now meeting Sundays at 11 a.m. in the Service Alternatives Building 20 NW First St., Coupeville

Call 679-1561 for information.

425-343-5288 • www.coupevilleunity.org

simple

relational

relevant

ALWAYS a PLACE for YOU THE

COMMUNIT Y

CHURCH

Coupeville Oak Harbor Pac Rim Institute OH Senior Center 180 Parker Rd 51 SE Jerome St One Church . . . 2 locations Sunday 9:30 am www.ctkonline.com/whidbey Sunday 11:00 am

Page 12

The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 1, 2012

whidbey island’s community calendar Create a Personalized Chalkboard, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, Oak Harbor Senior Center, 51 SE Jerome St. A North Whidbey Parks and Recreation activity. Supplies provided. $6.75 families; $3 per person. 360969-6737; hannolds@comcast.net.

“Wish Upon a Star,” 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays; 2:30 p.m.

Sundays through March 4, Whidbey Playhouse, 730 S.E. Midway. Oak Harbor. Over 30 vocalists of all ages including Rosario Sounds, Shifty Sailors, the Ballet Slipper, the Satin Dolls, and Oak Harbor High School Show Choir perform Disney melodies revue.

Tickets $12. 360-679-2237; whidbeyplayhouse.com.

“Business After Hours,” 5-7 p.m.

Friday, March 2, Island Athletic Club, 5525 Freeland Ave. The Freeland Chamber of Commerce sponsors this business networking event. Free. 360331-1980; freelandareachamber.com.

First Friday Art Walk, 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 2, Greenbank Farm, 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank. Gallery walk, artists receptions and wine tasting.

360-678-7700; greenbankfarm.com.

Mussel Mingle, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, Coupeville Recreation Hall, 901 N.W. Alexander St. Polish dogs, mussels, beer, wine; live music

by Tambourine Sky. Tickets $20 at Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce, Bayleaf, Aqua Gifts, WindjamWhidbey Working Artists Recep- mer Gallery and at the door. tion, 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 2, Pacific NorthWest Art School, 15 N.W. Birch “Death By Chocolate,” 7 p.m. FriSt., Coupeville. Talk with artists and day, March 2; Saturday, March 3; Fripick up a map for the Whidbey Island day, March 9; & Saturday, March 10, Open Studio Tour, set for March 3 & 4. Coupeville High School Performing whidbeyworkingartists.com.

Arts Center, 501 S. Main St. The Wolf

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3x3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, from 1 to 9.

PAC Student Theatre Troupe presents Scholarship Auction & Dinner, 5-9 a murder mystery spoof comedy. Free. p.m. Saturday, March 3, Oak Harbor Elks Lodge, 155 N.E. Ernst. Wine 360-678-4409. and cheese, catered meal served by Ceilidh Chids, 7 p.m. Friday, March Coupeville High School National Hon2, Trinity Lutheran Church, 18341 Hwy. or Society students. Music by Whid525, Freeland. Roxallanne Medley co- bey Jazz Quintet. Proceeds support ordinates this youth string ensemble. Coupeville Lions Club Scholarship Free. rkmedley1@frontier.com.

Fund. Tickets $25, at 360-678-5124 or Bayleaf in Coupeville.

Whidbey Island Orchestra Winter Concert, 7 p.m. Friday, March 2, Daddy & Daughter Ball, 7-8:30 South Whidbey High School, 5675 S. p.m. Saturday, March 3, South WhidMaxwelton, Langley. Free; donations bey High School Commons, 5675 S. accepted. 360-320-8905; whidbeyor- Maxwelton, Langley. Dancing, refreshchestras.org. ments and a free picture of each couple included. Buy tickets in advance. $17 Island Rhythms, 7:30 p.m. Friday, father & daughter; $7 each additional March 2, Whidbey Island Center for daughter. 360-221-6100. the Arts, 565 Camano Ave., Langley.

Benefit performances with dancing, Little League Tryouts, Sunday, drumming and poetry. Tickets $12. March 4, Coupeville Middle School 360-221-8268; wicaonline.com.

Gym, 501 S. Main St. Children ages 9 and up can try out and have their skills Mussels in the Kettles Mountain assessed for baseball at 3 p.m. or softBike Poker Ride, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat- ball at 4 p.m. centralwhidbeylittleleaurday, March 3, Fort Ebey and Kettles gue.org. trails west of Coupeville. Noncompetitive, all-ages forest bike ride includes Friendship Force Gathering, 6:30easy, moderate and expert routes. $20. 8:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4, Northwest whidbeybicycleclub.org.

Language Academy, 5023 Langley Road, Langley. Friendship Force Whidbey Island Writers Confer- of Whidbey serves wine and hors ence, Saturday, March 3 & Sunday, d’oeuvres.

March 4, Langley Middle School, 723 Camano Ave. Workshops cover- Girls’ Running Club, 3:35-5 p.m. ing creative and business aspects of Mondays, March 5 to June 4, South writing. Members $250; nonmembers Whidbey Parks & Recreation, 5475 $290. Register at nila.edu/wiwc; 360- Maxwelton, Langley. Girls from third to 331-0307. sixth grade train to run in the five-kilometer Chum Run on June 3. $48. Pam Republican Caucuses, 10 a.m. Sat- Jacques 360-221-8162; peapod@ urday, March 3, South Whidbey High whidbey.com.

School, 5675 S. Maxwelton, Langley, and Oak Harbor High School, 950 N.W. Astronomical Society Meeting, Second Ave. Must register as a Repub- 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, First lican to participate. Brett Wilhelm, 360- United Methodist Church, 1050 S.E. 279-1197.

Ireland St, Oak Harbor. Dan Pullen 360-679-7664; icaspub@juno.com; Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour, icas-wa.webs.com.

10 a.m.-5p.m. Saturday, March 3 & Sunday, March 4. Self-guided tour of Youth Tennis Classes, 3:30-4:30 local studios sponsored by Whidbey p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, March Working Artists. Maps and information 6-22, South Whidbey Primary School at whidbeyworkingartists.com.

Gym, 5476 Maxwelton, Langley. Learn the fundamentals of tennis. Equipment Penn Cove MusselFest, 10:30 a.m.- provided, but children may bring their 4 p.m. Saturday, March 3 & Sunday, own racquets. $30. Teresa Wheeler March 4. Cooking demonstrations, twheeler@whidbey.com. beer garden, mussel-farm tours, mussel-eating competition. Mussel Seminar: “Living with Loss,” 6:30chowder tasting tickets $10 at Mus- 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, March 6-April 10, selFest Headquarters in the Coupeville Whidbey General Hospital Conference Recreation Hall, 901 N.W. Alexander Room B, 101 N. Main, Coupeville.

St. thepenncovemusselfestival.com; Dave Bieniek, bereavement coordina360-678-5434. tor for Home Health Care & Hospice, helps participants work through the Vegetarian Sushi Cooking Class, process of grieving. Free; register 36010:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 678-7656, 321-7656, ext 8245.

3, Tahoma Zen Monastery, 6499 Wahl Rd., Freeland. Rumi Keast teaches par- Growing Groceries Course, 5-7:30 ticipants how to make vegetarian sushi. p.m. Tuesday, March 6, Good Cheer Donations accepted. RVSP to tahoma@ Garden, 2812 Grimm Rd., Bayview. whidbey.com; 360-331-4142.

Cary Peterson teaches techniques for growing food during the cold season.

Land Preservation Tours, 10:30 $15. growinggroceries.wordpress.com; a.m., Noon & 1:30 p.m. Saturday, growinggroceries@whidbey.com.

March 3, Del Fairfax Preserve, Rhododendron Park, Trillium Community For- “March Madness,” 7 p.m., Tuesday, est, Saratoga Woods and Hammons March 6, Whidbey Children’s Theatre, Preserve. Pick a time and show up at 222 Anthes Ave., Langley. Improvisaa listed site for a tour. Maps at Sno- tional comedy presented by Comedy Isle Libraries. Sponsored by Whidbey Island. $7-10. 360-221-8707.

Reads. 360-675-5115 ext. 6020.

Beach Naturalist Training, 7-9 p.m.

“Follow the Money,” 2 p.m. Satur- Wednesdays, March 7, 14, 21 and 28, day, March 3, Bayview Community Deception Pass State Park, 41020 Hall, 5642 Bayview Road, Langley. The Hwy. 20, Oak Harbor. Trade 50 hours event begins with a meet and greet, of volunteer service in exchange for then Michelle Darnell presents from training in marine ecosystems and 3-5 p.m. The film “Inside Job” begins preservation. Register before March 5. at 6 p.m. Free. occupywhidbeyisland@ deceptionpassfoundation.org/naturalgmail.com. ist; 360-675-3767 ext 31.

Whidbey Beekeepers Association, 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, Freeland Library, 5495 Harbor Ave. Monthly beekeepers meeting with speaker Janet Brisson. david@islandapiaries.com.

Girls’ Softball Clinic, 8-11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 10, Coupeville High School Gymnasium, 501 S Main St. Clinic for girls ages 8-12 includes pitching, throwing, running, fielding and batting stations. $30.

Whidbey Island Garden Workshop, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10, Oak Harbor High School, 950 NW Second St. Workshops cover aspects of gardening on Whidbey. Sponsored by WSU Island County Master Gardeners. $35. 360-678-7837; 360-240-5527; county.wsu.edu/island.

Boys and Girls Club Dinner and Auction, 5:30 p.m. March 10, Oak Harbor Boys and Girls Club, 98 NE Barron Dr. Dinner with both live and silent auctions. Proceeds benefit the Oak Harbor Boys and Girls Club. $65.

Peg Fenstermaker, 360-240-9273; bgcoh@comcast.net.

BirdNote Reception and Performance, 6 p.m. Saturday, March 10, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave., Langley. A free reception begins at 6 p.m. featuring bird-related work by local artists. The BirdNote performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. 360-221-8268; wicaonline.com.

CPR and Defibrillator Training, 1-3 p.m. Sunday, March 11, Coupeville Middle School, 501 S. Main St. The Central Whidbey Little League is covering the cost for this CPR and automated external defibrillator training.

Participants who stay for both parts receive a two-year CPR certificate. Free.

Sign up by Friday, March 9 at info@ centralwhidbeylittleleague.org.

Slow Food Movement Meeting, 10 a.m. Monday, March 12, Langley City Hall, 112 Second St. Guest speaker is Bayview Chef Vincent Nattress. Free.

Pam Owen, 360-221-8601.

Oak Harbor Garden Club Meeting, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, First United Methodist Church, 1050 S.E. Ireland St., Oak Harbor. Seaneen Hummel-Kardly presents “St. Patrick’s Day Organically.”

Book Signing: “Coupeville,” 2 p.m.

Tuesday, March 13, Coupeville Library, 788 N.W. Alexander. Authors Judy Lynn and Kay Foss talk about their new book chronicling the photographic history of Coupeville from 1850 through 1950. 360-678-4911; sno-isle.org.

Shape Note Singing (Sacred Harp), 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 13 and Tuesday, March 27 Langley Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 301 Anthes Ave., Langley. Free. 360-730-1447; pnwshs.org.

Gluten-Free Living, 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, Deer Lagoon Grange Hall, 5142 Bayview Rd., Langley. Several presenters talk about maintaining a gluten-free diet. Free. 360-321-4027.

Cee Cee James Concert, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 13, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave., Langley. The Ben Rice Band opens for blues singer Cee Cee James. $15. 360-2218268; 800-638-7631; WICAonline.com.

See CALENDAR, page 13

Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Whidbey Examiner Tunes,” composed by local artist Certification is good for two years.

Beverly Heising, as well as classic To sign up for the training sescompositions by Wolfgang Mo- sion, e-mail info@centralwhidzart, Joseph Haydn and others. beylittleleague.org by March 9.

The event is free, but donations Free tax assistance and prepa- are accepted. For information visit ration for taxpayers with low- and whidbeyorchestras.org. middle- income, with special attention to those age 60 and older, is available through April 17 at several sites on Whidbey.

Mother Mentors, a project of The program is sponsored by the Readiness to Learn FoundaAARP, but people seeking help do tion, is looking for volunteers to not need to be members – or even Washington State University help reach more families in Cenretirees.

Island County Beach Watchers is tral and North Whidbey.

Well-trained Tax Aide volun- accepting volunteer applications.

The free program supports teers can prepare and file returns Trained volunteers spend time mothers, fathers and other primaelectronically. collecting data on marine plants ry caregivers of young children Bring a copy of last year’s re- and animals, doing public out- by providing families with trained turn; all W-2 and 1099 forms in- reach, removing invasive species volunteer mentors. cluding SSA-1099 for Social Se- and performing other aspects of When parenting a new baby or curity benefits paid; property tax shoreline preservation. young children, it’s easy to feel records if applicable; all receipts Training sessions will be held isolated, especially when living and canceled checks if itemizing; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and far from family. Navy families Social Security cards for yourself Wednesdays in April and again face particular challenges when and dependents; and if applicable, in October.

Applications are due one partner is deployed. dependent-care provider informaMonday, March 5.

Training for mentors in Oak tion including name, employer, Most sessions will be held at Harbor will be held from 9:30 a.m. and Social Security number. the Central Whidbey Fire Rescue to 4:30 p.m.

Friday, March 10.

Help is available from 1 to 6 meeting room at 1164 Race Road, For information, e-mail wamop.m. Thursdays at South Whidbey Coupeville. thermentors@gmail.com or call Center, 14594 Hwy. 525 in LangFor information visit beach- 360-279-5514 or 360-221-0484. ley, 360-321-1600; from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays at watchers.wsu.edu/island or call Coupeville Library, 788 N.W Al- Barbara Bennett at 360-679-7391. exander, 360-678-4911; and from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays at Oak Harbor Library, 1000 S.E. Regatta Drive, 360-675-5115.

As the staff of The Whidbey ExCall ahead to find out whether aminer puts together this year’s an appointment is needed.

Local residents can sign up Coupeville and Central Whidbey to learn life-saving techniques at Visitor Guide, we’d like to invite a session sponsored by Central readers to submit their favorite Whidbey Fire and Rescue and the photos for possible use in the guide.

Central Whidbey Little League.

We’re looking for photos of The training is set for Sunday, Coupeville and Central WhidThe Whidbey Island Youth Or- March 11 at Coupeville Middle bey destinations or scenery, local wildlife, people enjoying festivals chestra and Community Orchestra School, 501 S. Main St. A free training in CPR and the and other activities and other imwill hold a concert at 7 p.m. Friday, March 2 at South Whidbey use of an automatic external defi- ages appropriate for the guide.

Submitted photos that are used High School, 5675 S. Maxwelton brillator is set for 1 to 2 p.m.

Those wishing to earn Heart in the guide will be credited to the Road, Langley.

Siri Bardarson will direct the Saver certification in CPR and the photographer.

E-mail photos to news@whidYouth Orchestra in as perfor- use of AEDs must attend a second mance of Bardarson’s compo- session from 2 to 3 p.m. Central beyexaminer.com. Be sure to insition “Breaking Glass.” Chris Whidbey Little League will cov- clude your name and contact inHarshman will direct the Com- er the cost for anyone who wishes formation so we can contact you munity Orchestra during “Ship to become Heart Saver certified. if we’d like to use your photo.

Page 13

Volunteers offer free tax help

Beach Watcher training set

CPR and First Aid training planned

Mother mentor volunteers needed

Visitor Guide photos sought

Orchestras plan performances

Calendar, from page 12 Coupeville Schools Community Meeting, 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, Coupeville High School commons, 501 S. Main St. Discussion includes the future of extracurricular activities in the Coupeville School District. 360-678-4409.

“Short Story Smash Contest,” 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, 565 Camano Ave., Langley. Chris Spencer and Shelly Hartle will read submitted stories that are exactly 100 words long. $10. Email stories by March 7 to cspenser@ whidbey.com. For tickets, call 360221-8268; wicaonline.com.

Rhododendron Sale, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18. Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, 3531 Meerkerk Lane, Greenbank. A wide variety of rhododendrons will be offered for sale from one-gallon pots to mature plants. meerkerkgar-

dens.org; 360-678-1912.

talks about a program tthat raises money to send wounded war veterans Cee Cee James, 9 p.m. Saturday, on a fishing trip to Alaska. 360-222March 17, Cozy’s Roadhouse, 8872 3275; patm@whidbey.com.

SR 525, Clinton. Performance by blues singer Cee Cee James. $15.

Star Party, Dusk. Friday, March 23, Fort Nugent Park, 2075 SW Fort NuNeolithic Painting and Sculpture, gent Rd., Oak Harbor. Hosted by the 2:30-4 p.m. Sunday, March 18, Pacific Island County Astronomical Society.

NorthWest Art School, 15 NW Birch, No telescope required. Cloudy weather Coupeville. Art instructor Sharon Hall cancels event. Free. 360-679-7664; leads a discussion on the nature and icas-wa.webs.com. purpose of cave paintings. Part one of a four-part series. $10. 360-678-3396; Whidbey Green Home Tour, Saturpacificnorthwestartschool.org day, March 31, Explore green living and South Whidbey School Community a variety of energy-saving, ecological Conversations, 6:30-8 p.m. Wednes- building styles and low-impact develday, March 21 and Wednesday, April opment techniques at five locations 18. South Whidbey High School Room from Freeland to Coupeville. Tickets 107, 5675 S. Maxwelton Road, Langley. $20 each or 2 for $35 if in same vehicle.

Discussions of school district programs 360-579-1272; brownpapertickets. and budget. 360-221-6198 ext. 2245. com. 877-385-5360.

Puget Sound Anglers Meeting, 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, Holmes Planning an event?

Harbor Rod and Gun Club, 3334 E. Send calendar items to news@whidBrooks Hill Road, Langley. Clint Muns beyexaminer.com.

HUNGRY FOR

LOCAL NEWS? Pick up a copy of

The Whidbey Examiner at these locations:

BAYVIEW

FREELAND

Bayview Corner, 5603 Bayview Rd. Neil’s Clover Patch, 2850 Hwy 525 The Goose Community Grocer, 14485 Hwy. 525

Freeland Café, 1642 E. Main St., Freeland Post Office, 1619 E. Main St. Freeland Shell station, 5618 S. Fish Rd. Freeland ShortStop Texaco, 18205 Hwy. 525 Gerry’s Kitchen, 1675 E. Main St. Payless Foods, 1609 E. Main St.

COUPEVILLE Coupeville Coffee & Bistro, 20 S. Main Coupeville Inn, 200 Coveland St. Coupeville Natural, 404 N. Main St. Coupeville Post Office, 201 NW Coveland St. Elkhorn Trading, 15 Front St. Heidi’s Coffee House, 504 N. Main St. Keystone Ferry Dock, 1400 S. Hwy. 20 Kim’s Café, Coupeville Wharf, 26 Front St. Lind’s Pharmacy, 40 North Main St. Local Grown, Coupeville Wharf, 26 Front St. Mosquito Fleet Galley, 12 Front St. Prairie Center Red Apple, 408 S. Main St. The Whidbey Examiner, 6 NW Coveland St. Toby’s Tavern, 8 Front St. Tyee Restaurant, 405 S. Main St. Valero Gas Station, 1 S. Main St Whidbey General Hospital, 101 N. Main St.

CLINTON Anchor Books & Coffee, 9289 Hwy. 525 Clinton Post Office, 4801 Deer Lake Rd. Food Mart, 4777 Commercial St. Ferry Dock (2 locations)

WHIDBEY ISLAND FERRIES Cathlamet & Kittitas Chetzemoka & Salish

!

T I T E P P A N BO

GREENBANK

Greenbank Store, 25189 Hwy. 525

KEN’S KORNER Red Apple, 11042, Hwy. 525 Valero Gas Station, 11196 Hwy. 525

LANGLEY Langley Post Office, 115 Second St. Mike’s Place, 219 First St. Star Store, 201 First St.

OAK HARBOR ACE Hardware, 150 SE Pioneer Way Albertson’s, 1450 SW Erie St. Angelo’s Caffé, 670 SE Pioneer Way Arnie’s, 450 SE Pioneer Way BBQ Joint, NE Midway Blvd.

Burger King, 31340 Hwy. 20 China Harbor, 630 SE Pioneer Way Deception Pass Visitor Center, 40751 Hwy. 20 Frank’s Place, 32945 Hwy. 20 Kmart, 32165 Hwy. 20 Liberty Gas Station, 34933 Hwy. 20 Oak Harbor Marina, 1401 SE Catalina Drive Navy Exchange & Gas Station, NAS Whidbey Seaplane Base OH Post Office, 1155 E. City Beach Dr. Rite-Aid, 31645 Hwy. 20 Saars Marketplace, 32199 Hwy. 20 Safeway, 31565 Hwy. 20 Wal-Mart, 1250 SW Erie Circle

whidbeyexaminer.com 6 NW Coveland St., Coupeville 360-678-8060

Page 14

The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 1, 2012

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PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS IN THIS DIRECTORY • CONTACT US AT (360) 678-8060 LEGAL NOTICES PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS - ZIBUNG IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON FOR ISLAND COUNTY IN PROBATE. In the Matter of the Estate of Zibung, Emil E. Deceased. No.12-4-000427.

The personal representative named below has been appointed and has qualified as personal representative of this estate. Persons having claims against the decedent must, prior to the time such claims would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the attorneys of record at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(3); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: March 1, 2012.

Phyllis M. Zibung, Personal Representative.

By Joan McPherson, WSBA #14141 Attorney for Personal Representative ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE:

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

P.O. Box 1617, One NW cedent’s probate and nonFront Street probate assets.

Coupeville, Washington DATE OF FIRST PUBLI98239 CATION: March 1, 2012 Charlene L. Wagner, PerLegal No.: CEX 2555 sonal Representative Published: The Whidbey

By Joan McPherson Examiner WSBA# 14141 March 1, March 8, March Attorney for Personal 15, 2012 Representative ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE: AMENDED NOTICE TO P.O. Box 1617, 1 NW CREDITORS - WAGNER Front Street Coupeville, Washington IN THE SUPERIOR 98239 COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON FOR IS- Legal. No.: CEX 2554 LAND COUNTY IN PRO- Published: The Whidbey BATE. In the Matter of the Examiner Estate of Wagner, Paul E., March 1, March 8, March Deceased.

15, 2012 No. 11-4-00238-3.

The personal represenPROBATE NOTICE TO tative named below has CREDITORS - DENT been appointed and has qualified as personal representative of this estate. PerSUPERIOR COURT OF sons having claims against WASHINGTON ISLAND the decedent must, prior to COUNTY the time such claims would In the Matter of the Esbe barred by any otherwise tate of LEROY GEORGE applicable statute of limita- DENT, Deceased. tions, present the claim in Case No. 12-4-00025-7 the manner as provided in PROBATE NOTICE RCW 11.40.070 by serving TO CREDITORS RCW on or mailing to the per- 11.40.030 sonal representative or the The Personal Represenattorneys of record at the tative named below has address stated below a been appointed as Personal copy of the claim and filing Representative the original of the claim with of this estate. Any person the court. The claim must having a claim against the be presented within the later decedent must, before the of: time the claim is barred by (1) Thirty days after otherwise applicable statthe personal representa- ute of limitations, present tive served or mailed the the claim in the manner as amended notice to the provided in RCW 11.40.070 creditor as provided un- by serving on or mailing to der RCW 11.40.020(3); or the Personal Representative (2) four months after the or the Personal representadate of first publication of tive’s attorney at the adthe amended notice. If the dress stated below a copy claim is not presented with- of the claim and filing the in this time frame, the claim original of the claim with the is forever barred, except as court. The claim must be otherwise provided in RCW presented within the later 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. of: (1) thirty days after the This bar is effective as to Personal Representative claims against both the de- served or mailed the notice

LEGAL NOTICES to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: March 1, 2012 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Delphine Hoover ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Charles Arndt of Arndt & Walker, Attorneys at Law ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE: 107 S. Main St., Suite B 201 Coupeville, WA 98239 COURT OF PROBATE PROCEEDINGS AND CAUSE NUMBER: Island County Superior Court Cause Number No. 12-400025-7 Legal No.: CEX 2553 Published: The Whidbey Examiner March 1, 8 and 15 2012

PORT OF COUPEVILLE – BOAT AUCTION The Port of Coupeville announces the auction of the 37-foot Islander sailing vessel, CARPE DIEM, which had been anchored in Penn Cove near Lovejoy Point until recently and is now moored at the Coupeville Wharf. The owner has conveyed ownership of the vessel to the Port and, by authority of WA State Law, the Board of Commissioners of the Port wishes to dispose of it to the highest bidder. Sale will be final and in “as is / where is” condition. Sealed bids should be

LEGAL NOTICES mailed to the Port of Coupeville, P. O. Box 577, Coupeville, WA 98239, or delivered to the Port Office at #24 Front Street, Coupeville.

Bidding will close at 5:00 pm, March 13, 2012. There is no minimum acceptable bid. Bids will be opened and the winner announced at the regular monthly public meeting of the Board of Commissioners on March 14, 2012 at the Sno-Isle Library, 788 Alexander St., Coupeville. The winning bidder will be responsible for moorage fees after that date.

Legal No.: CEX 2557 Published: The Whidbey Examiner March 1, 2012

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE – LACHAUSSEE I. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned Bishop, White, Marshall & Weibel, P.S. will on March 30, 2012 at 10:00 am at the main entrance to City Hall, 865 SE Barrington Drive, in the City of Oak Harbor located at Island County, State of Washington, sell at public auction to the highest bidder, payable, in the form of cash, or cashier’s check or certified checks from federally or State chartered banks, at the time of sale, the following described real property, situated in Island County, State of Washington, to-wit; Lot 35 and 36, Block 15, Plat of Scatchet Head Addition, Division No.3, as per plat recorded in Volume 8 of Plats, Pages 50, 51 and 52, Records of Island County, Washington.

Situate in the County of Island, State of Washington, which is subject to that certain Deed of Trust dated August 9, 2005, recorded August 16, 2005, under

LEGAL NOTICES Auditor’s File No. 4144211 records of Island County, Washington, from Thomas Lachaussee and Crystal Lachaussee, Husband and Wife, as Grantor, to Washington Services, Inc., a Washington Corporation, as Trustee, to secure an obligation in favor of Washington Federal Savings as beneficiary. Washington Federal Savings is now known as Washington Federal. The sale will be made without any warranty concerning the title to, or the condition of the property.

II. No action commenced by the Beneficiary of the Deed of Trust is now pending to seek satisfaction of the obligation in any Court by reason of the Grantor’s default on the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust.

III. The default(s) for which this foreclosure is made is/are as follows: i) Failure to pay the following amounts, now in arrears: Delinquent Monthly Payments Due from 6/1/2011 through 12/112011: 7 payment(s) at $1413.00 Total: $9,891.00 Late Charges: 7 late charge(s) at $70.65 for each monthly payment not made within 15 days of its due date Total Late Charges: $494.55 Accrued Late Charges: $282.60 TOTAL DEFAULT: $10,668.15 ii) Default: Delinquent general taxes for 2011 plus interest and penalties if any. Delinquent Community Club’s Assessment Lien, plus interest and penalties.

Description of Action Required to Cure and Documentation Necessary to Show Cure: Proof of Payoff Evidence/Proof must See LEGALS, page 15

Thursday, March 1, 2012 • The Whidbey Examiner

Legals, from page 14 be provided that the delinquency has been brought current.

IV. The sum owing on the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust is: $154,189.95, together with interest from May 1, 2011 as provided in the note or other instrument, and such other costs and fees as are due under the note or other instrument secured, and as are provided by statute. v. The above described real property will be sold to satisfy the expense of sale and the obligation secured by the Deed of Trust as provided by statute. The sale will be made without warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances on March 30, 2012. The payments, late charges, or other defaults must be cured by March 19, 2012 (11 days before the sale date) to cause a discontinuance of the sale.

The sale will be discontinued and terminated if at any time on or before March 19,2012 (11 days before the sale date) the default(s) as set forth in paragraph III, together with any subsequent payments, late charges, or other defaults, is/are cured and the Trustee’s fees and costs are paid. Payment must be in cash or with cashier’s or certified checks from a State or federally chartered bank. The sale may be terminated any time after March 19, 2012 (11 days before the sale date), and before the sale by the Borrower, Grantor, any Guarantor, or the holder of any recorded junior lien or encumbrance paying the entire principal and interest secured by the Deed of Trust, plus costs, fees, and advances, if any, made pursuant to the terms of the obligation and/or Deed of Trust, and curing all other defaults.

VI. A written notice of default was transmitted by the beneficiary or Trustee to the Borrower and Grantor at the following addressees): See ‘Mailing List’ attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. by both first class and certified mail on November 16, 2011, proof of which is in the possession of the Trustee; and the Borrower and Grantor were personally served on November 17, 2011, with said written notice of default or the written notice of default was posted in a conspicuous place on the real property described in paragraph I above, and the Trustee has possession of proof of such service or posting.

LEGAL NOTICES VII. The Trustee whose name and address are set forth will provide in writing to anyone requesting it, a statement of all costs and fees due at any time prior to the sale.

VIII. The effect of the sale will be to deprive the Grantor and all those who hold by, through or under the Grantor of all their interest in the above-described property.

IX. Anyone having any objections to this sale on any grounds whatsoever will be afforded an opportunity to be heard as to those objections if they bring a lawsuit to restrain the sale pursuant to RCW 61.24.130.

Failure to bring such a lawsuit may result in a waiver of any proper grounds for invalidating the Trustee’s sale.

X. NOTICE TO OCCUPANTS OR TENANTS The purchaser at the Trustee’s Sale is entitled to possession of the property on the 20th day following the sale, as against the Grantor under the deed of trust (the owner) and anyone having an interest junior to the deed of trust, including occupants who are not tenants. After the 20th, day following the sale the purchaser has the right to evict occupants who are not tenants by summary proceedings under Chapter 59.12 RCW. For tenant-occupied property, the purchaser shall provide a tenant with written notice in accordance with RCW 61.24.060.

If the Trustee’s Sale is set aside for any reason, the submitted bid will be forthwith returned without interest and the bidder will have no right to purchase the property. Recovery of the bid amount without interest constitutes the limit of the bidder’s recourse against the Trustee and/or the Beneficiary.

XI. NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS AND PARTIES WHO ARE GUARANTORS OF THE OBLIGATIONS SECURED

BY THIS DEED OF TRUST: (I) The Guarantor may be liable for a deficiency judgment to the extent the sale price obtained at the Trustee’s Sale is less than the debt secured by the Deed of Trust; (2) The Guarantor has the same rights to reinstate the debt, cure the default, or repay the debt as is given to the grantor in order to avoid the trustee’s sale; (3) The Guarantor will have no right to redeem the property after the Trustee’s Sale; (4) Subject to such longer periods as are provided in the Washington Deed of Trust Act, Chapter 61.24 RCW, any action brought to enforce a guaranty must be commenced within one year

LEGAL NOTICES after the Trustee’s Sale, or the last Trustee’s Sale under any deed of trust granted to secure the same debt; and (5) In any action for a deficiency, the Guarantor will have the right to establish the fair value of the property as of the date of the Trustee’s Sale, less prior liens and encumbrances, and to limit its liability for a deficiency to the difference between the debt and the greater of such fair value or the sale price paid at the Trustee’s Sale, plus interest and costs.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 29, 2011 Bishop, White, Marshall & Weibel, P.S., Successor Trustee By: William L. Bishop, Jr., 720 Olive Way, Suite 1201, Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 622-7527 State of Washington, County of King Mailing List: Thomas Lachaussee 3706 Whales Tail Lane Clinton, WA 98236 Crystal Lachaussee 3706 Whales Tail Lane Clinton, WA 98236 Thomas Lachaussee 19288 Stonegate Drive Cottonwood, CA 96022 Crystal Lachaussee 19288 Stonegate Drive Cottonwood, CA 96022 Legal No.: CEX 2497 Published: The Whidbey Examiner March 1, March 22, 2012

CLASSIFIED ADS Weekly ad deadline is 5 p.m. Friday. Free ads must be submitted online.

Go to www.whidbeyexaminer.com and click on “Classifieds”.

FREE ADS

PAID ADS

Sell any item under 500 for free when you submit your classified ad on the Examiner Web site: www. whidbeyexaminer.com. Private-party ads only. Not available for business ads.

Person-to-person classifieds for items over $500: $5 for up to 15 words. 25¢ for each additional word. Rentals and prepaid business classifieds: $11 for up to 15 words. 25¢ for each additional word.

$

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DIVORCE $135. $165 with children. No court appearances.

Help Wanted Complete preparation. Includes, custody, support, property diviPOOL FACILITIES MANAGER & sion and bills. BBB member. (503) LIFEGUARDS: Part-time/Seasonal pool facilities manager 772-5295. www.paralegalalternaand summer lifeguards. Manager tives.com divorce@usa.com responsible for operation and maintenance of a 100,000-gallon community pool including super- Real Estate vision of lifeguards. Applicants COMMERCIAL building and shop must have prior experience with with live in apartment, Kimberly, similar-sized facility and lifeguard certification. Mgr: 20-30 hrs/wk, Idaho. 4,000s.f., Walk to bank, June thru Sept 15th; 2 –6 hours postal, grocery and restaurants.

Sept. thru May. Lifeguards: full/ Very Secure compound, $265,000 part-time positions. Mid-June owner financing (208) 420-4129 thru early Sept. For detailed job descriptions contact Ed: 360678-0426, whshed@live.com or Lost and Found send resume to ACBC, PO BOX 366, Coupeville WA 98239-0366. Have you lost your cat or dog?

Please contact WAIF Animal UP TO 30K, Breeding program. Shelter at 360-678-5816.

Full Moon

Last

New Moon

First

March 8

March 15

March 22

March 30

EBEY’S LANDING HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING Commissioners’ Hearing Room, Coupeville, Washington 10:00 A.M. Thursday, March 8, 2012 AGENDA Roll Call New Business – EBY-12009, Hall, construct a new SFR and a 1,000 sq. ft. garage with a residence above.

Transmittal information on Level B Decisions Adjourn Legal No.: CEX 2556 Published: The Whidbey Examiner March 1, 2012

WHIDBEY WEATHER SUMMARY Feb. 20-26, 2012 Source: Island County WSU Cooperative Extension

LEGAL NOTICES

Page 15

HI Temp

LO Temp

Wind MPH

Rainfall

YTD Rain

Last Year

Crockett Lake, Haglund

51

33

39

1.18

4.61

5.57

Fort Casey, Barnes

49

35

––

0.75

5.09

5.87

Fawn Run/Coupeville, Bachert

42

39

––

1.12

3.91

5.70

Greenbank, Mercer

50

36

21

1.09

5.27

5.28

West Beach, Marion

51

34

––

1.12

5.53

5.09

NAS Whidbey, Weather Desk

50

30

54

0.80

3.97

5.98

Polnell Point, Seaward

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

REPORTING STATIONS

What’s up with the weather? Check out George Haglund’s blog at whidbeyexaminer.com!

Page 16

The Whidbey Examiner • Thursday, March 1, 2012

Softball trio lead Wolves into spring season

By David Svien For the Examiner

Spring hasn’t sprung yet, but the first sounds of a new season are echoing across the prairie.

The crack of the bat, the whap of a racket nailing a tennis ball, the thunk of a golf ball exploding off of a well-swung club. All herald the arrival of spring sports at Coupeville High School.

With the Wolves fielding squads for baseball, softball, track, boys’ soccer and girls’ tennis, while also sending links master Austin Fields and his younger sister off to golf with South Whidbey, action has been hot and heavy since the first day of turnouts on Monday, Feb. 27.

Three key athletes in the middle of the action are diamond women Bessie Walstad, Maria Rockwell and Alexis Trumbull, who form the core of Coupeville’s softball pitching staff.

Trumbull, a senior, and Rockwell, a junior who returns to the red and black after playing her sophomore season in Melbourne, Florida, will join senior Autumn Stevenson and promising freshman McKayla Bailey as possible hurlers.

The multi-talented Walstad

Shelli Trumbull photo

The core of Coupeville High School’s softball pitching staff is represented by, left to right, junior hurler Maria Rockwell, junior catcher Bessie Walstad and senior flamethrower Alexis Trumbull. will anchor the team with her play behind the plate.

Together, they hope to boost the continued rise of a Wolf program that ended last season with a better-than-expected showing in the playoffs.

“This sport is not individual and I feel that last year was the year that we put aside our differences and truly bonded,” Trumbull said. “Because of this bond,

I feel that it will be easier to focus on building our talents.

“The game we won last year at playoffs was the result of a season of bonding,” she added. “I only hope that we play the way we did that game this season.”

Walstad, who hopes to play some at first base in addition to her catching duties, has been a rock for Coupeville, bringing a big bat and leadership to a squad

often in need of both.

“As a player, I try to encourage people the best that I can, and I think that’s my strength,” Walstad said. “My goals, personally, are to work on my throw, to have a positive attitude throughout the season and to improve as a softball player in general.

“My team goal would be to work as hard as we can on the field, leave it all there during games and to play with more heart this year,” she added. “I think having the same coach (second-year skipper Jackie Calkins) will help our team a lot, because she will know our strengths and our weaknesses.”

Rockwell, who had a big taste of success while pitching for a Melbourne squad which finished 15-5 in 2011, returns armed with a fireball-flinging arm and big dreams.

“What I enjoy most is that the game could change in a split second when I am pitching and I know this next pitch and play could change the whole outcome of the game, but the focus and pressure of it all is just exciting to me,” Rockwell said.

“My goal is for us to hopefully go to state,” she added. “I’m tired of every other school call-

ing Coupeville the easy team. I would really like to prove them all wrong.”

All three young women excel in multiple sports, and a lot of their individual success has come from their personal drive and determination.

Trumbull, who hopes to play college softball next season, has been receiving individual instruction on pitching during the winter months in preparation for her final go-around on the CHS mound.

“I enjoy improving my pitching and playing with the other girls I meet during the off-season,” Trumbull said. “On the other hand, I feel like I can always improve on each skill whether it be pitching, batting, or fielding.”

“I have enjoyed playing with all the girls over the past years and I am excited to see what happens this year,” she added. “When I am gone I know that the girls will continue to improve and with some of the new additions to the team, I know that my last year will be the start of something big.” A The complete Coupeville High School spring sports schedule appears in the Spring Sports Preview section of The Whidbey Examiner’s March 8 issue.

Greeting Cards by Whidbey Island Artists

Anne Waterman Betty Rayle

Rob Schouten Meredith McLeod

Walter Share

Craig Johnson

Also available are cards by artists: Dan Karvasek, Veronica von Allworden, Mary Stanford, Michael Stadler, Nan Hahn, Pam Barger, Deon Matzen & Gaylen Whiteman Bart Rulon

coupeville 40 N. Main St. 360-678-4010 www.lindscoupeville.com

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