INSIDE Book Beat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3Gay Marriage bill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4Lopez DREAM Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14

www.islandsweekly.com360-468-4242 • 800-654-6142

The

WeeklyIslands’

The

WeeklyIslands’TheIslands’Weekly

VOLUME 35, NUMBER 7 • fEBRUaRy 14, 2012

By Cali Bagby and Colleen Smith ArmstrongStaff Report

While many cities have banned plastic grocery bags, Washington may become the first state in the nation to out-law these consumables.

House Bill 1877 and Senate Bill 5780, both bills to ban plastic bags and pro-mote reusable bags, were introduced last year and both failed to pass.

Similar bills House Bill 2404 and Senate Bill 5780 were reintroduced again this year by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon and Rep. Marko Liias. The legislation is aimed at protect-ing Puget Sound wildlife and the environment from plastic bag debris.

Both bills would allow plas-tic bags for fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, nuts or other bulk items, dairy products, ice and

cooked foods.Although the statewide

ban did not pass this year, Stephanie Buffum, director of Friends of the San Juans, said it’s not bad news.

“We had an amazing pres-ence this year in the legis-lature. We had a great hear-ing, worked closely with the Chairs of the House and Senate Environment Committees, got support for the bill from the Speaker of the House and the major-ity leader,” Buffum said. “We started a great conversation, and it’s only going to get bet-ter.”

Buffum said the bags not only choke wildlife, but break into small pieces of plastic concentrate full of deadly chemicals like PCB.

“This is horrible, especial-ly since Southern Resident orcas and chinook salmon have some of the highest con-

centration of PCBs in their bodies compared to other populations along the West Coast,” Buffum wrote in a let-ter urging people to contact state representatives about banning the bag.

Whales and sea turtles often feed on plastic bags mistaking them for squid, and birds often confuse plas-tic pellets for fish eggs.

A study of 38 green tur-tles found that 61 percent had ingested some form of marine debris including plastic bags, cloth, and rope or string, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

In 2010, a gray whale that washed up on Arroyo Beach in West Seattle had 20 plastic bags, towels, surgical gloves, sweat pants, plastic, duct tape, and a golf ball in its stomach.

“Nothing should die because it’s ingesting con-sumable products,” said Buffum, who is pushing for the elimination of plastic bags at store checkouts in Washington state. “We could be doing better in terms of designing a better bag and

modifying our behavior. It’s a pretty simple task.”

Opponents of the bills say they would limit consumer choice, represent an unneces-sary government overreach and spread germs.

A study by the American Chemistry Council, found there might be microbes in reusable bags, when they are not washed properly.

Local businesses have expressed support of the bill, including Jennell and Brian

Kvistad of Blossom Grocery on Lopez Island, Steve and Terri Mason of the Shaw General Store on Shaw Island and Verne Howard of Kings Market and Friday Harbor Market Place on San Juan Island.

In a press release signed by the above businesses, they wrote “as grocery and retail store owners, we don’t need to provide plastic bags to customers at checkout.

Many people bring their

own reusable bags and oth-ers may opt for paper sacks. This keeps plastic out of the environment and saves busi-nesses on overhead costs, which are passed on to the consumer anyway. We know that running responsible businesses means that we have to be good stewards of the environment.”

Jason Linnes, manager of Island Market on Orcas, says his store has never used plas-tic checkout bags.

“We’re not a fan and we never have been a fan,” Linnes said. “Plastic bags don’t fit as much as paper bags. Island Market has never used plas-tic as its main grocery bag because they are just disgust-ing.”

Linnes says he supports a state-wide ban of plastic at checkout stands.

Orcas Homegrown Market and Gourmet Delicatessen only uses plastic in the pro-duce department and it’s the same story at Orcas Village Store.

“Pretty soon I will be using only paper in the produce sec-tion — as soon as the plastic

San Juans push for statewide plastic bag banLocal grocers get on board to ban plastic

bags at checkout stands

Contributed photo

Plastic bags on an Orcas Island shoreline. Plastic bags not only choke wildlife, but break into small pieces of plastic concentrate full of deadly chemicals like PCB.

And Leap Year gives it 29. . .

29% Offany purchase inthe gallery throughFebruary 29th only. Includes framed original pastels, oils, drawings &all giclée printsin stock. Come see new works by Steve, from recent painting trips to the northeast U.S., Italy and the San Juan Islands.

Windswept Fine Art Gallery

www.windsweptstudios.comOpen most days, 11 – 5 p.m., 783 Port Stanley Rd.360-468-2557 or steve@windsweptstudios.com

"Coming and Going" original pastel by Steve Hill

RKH ~Roses are red, Violets are blue

Now that we're legal... Will you say "I do"?Xoxo ~ RBH

❤❤❤❤ ❤❤❤❤

See plaStiC bagS, page 16

Carter Family Marionettes brings the heroic adven-ture of “The Odyssey” Feb. 28. Read more about this event on page 13

Free Tax Preparation

The Lopez Island Family Resource Center is collabo-rating with local CPA, (John Bent) to assist qualified local families with free federal tax return preparations. Islanders must qualify for the earned

income tax credit to take part in this program. Call Patsy @ LIFRC 468-4117 to see if you are eligible and to sign up for an appointment. Made possible thru grants from the Communites Connect Network, Broadband USA, Harvest Foundation, United Way, and San Juan Economic

Development Council.

4 percent Friday for Lopez School

The Lopez School Garden and Farm Program has been awarded one of Skagit Valley Food Co-op’s 4 percent Fridays, meaning that on Friday, March 23, 4 percent of the coop’s profits for that day will be donated to the Lopez school program.

For more info, call 336-9777 or visit skagitfoodcoop.dreamhosters.com.

Disaster assistance for small businesses

San Juan County is one of 35 Washington counties and eight neighboring Oregon counties, now eligible for small, nonfarm businesses to apply for low-interest disas-ter loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://disaster-loan.sba.gov/ela or by call-ing 1-800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting www.sba.gov/services/disasterassis-tance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may

The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 2

Galley Restaurant Open at 8 am

Full menu until at least 8 pm every nightShort-list menu

after 8 p.m.Fresh, Local,

Fantasticwww.galleylopez.com

468-2713

Lopez IslanderFriday 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

Saturday 8:30 am - 10:00 pmSunday 8:30 am - 9:00 pm

Monday thru Thursday11:30 am - 9:00 pm

468-2233www.lopezfun.com

LOPEZ BUSINESS HOURSLove Dog Cafe

Open 9am-3pm & 5pm-8pm

Thursday-Sunday

Winter Wallet Prices! See our Facebook for

Specials!

www.lovedogcafe.com468-2150

Just Heavenly Fudge VALENTINES DAY

OPEN FEB 10-1412 pm-5 pm

Featured FudgeRed Velvet,

Dk ChocolateSalted Caramel

468-2439

Tues, Feb. 14 meeting: Enchanted Quilters Monthly Meeting, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Woodmen Hall, monthly meeting featuring artist and quilt maker Penny Torkington. She brings her story and a fabulous trunk show.

classes: Nia Class,10 a.m., Lopez Center $10.

classes: Slow Flow Yoga,11 a.m., Lopez Center $10.

weds, Feb. 15 forum: Public forum on the Wetlands Section of the Critical Areas Ordinance, 1:15- 3:15 p.m. Grace Church. For more info, call 378 2319.

Sponsored by the Friends of the San Juans.

forum: Creating with Movement and Voice by Khorsian Blanc-Ridings, 11 a.m. Lopez Center, free.

Thurs, Feb. 16 art: “Art from the Heart” Group Show, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Chimera. Show hours are Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more info, call 468-3265.

saT, Feb 18Dance: Contra Dance, 7:30 p.m., Lopez Center for Community and the Arts.

funDraiser: Fifth Annual Night of Chocolate Friendzy, 7 p.m., library. Bring your best chocolate dessert, and vote for your favorite. Suggested dona-tion $5, one vote per donation. Children free with a parent. Must be a Friends of the Library member to be eligible for prizes, memberships available at the door. Proceeds support library programs.

Tues, Feb 21reaDing: Literary Salon, 7 p.m., library.

weds, Feb 22reaDing: Storytime, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Helen Anderson Children’s Room at the library.

Thurs, Feb 23classes: Digital Photos Management 101, 6- 8 p.m., library. Learn to download and organize photos, create albums, email photos, order prints with Lou Pray using Picasa, a free web-based program. Bring a digital camera & PC or Mac laptop. (Some available – please

ask in advance). Meets 2 con-secutive Thursdays. $15. Fee Pre-registration req’d. Call 468-4117 or visit www.lifrc.org.

saT, Feb 25awarD: Commemorating Colonel Roy Moore, Jr.’s Knighthood, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Woodmen Hall.

sun, Feb 26reaDing: Author/ Poet Reading, 7 - 9 p.m., library. Join author Elizabeth Austen reading from her new book, Every Dress a Decision, and poet Dorothy Trogden reading from her debut collection, Tall Woman Looking. This event is co-sponsored by: Friends of Lopez Island Library

Tues, Feb 28movie: SJC Council Meeting, Video Conference, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., library.

saT, march 3classes: Personalize your Web experience using iGoogle Tools Council Meeting, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., LIFRC Tech Lab. Learn to cus-tomize your browser homepage

& create simple websites with Susan Young. Hands-on introduc-tory workshop. Must have basic familiarity w/internet browser & laptop (some avble). Meets 2 consecutive Saturdays. $35 Fee Pre-registration req’d by Feb. 27. For info, call 468-4117 or visit www.lifrc.org.

classes: Social Networking for Business, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m., library. Learn how Linked In, Facebook, & Twitter can help your busi-ness or career with Susan Young. Hands-on workshop helps you setup accounts, build profiles & start connecting. Must have basic familiarity w/internet browser & laptop (some avble). Meets 2 consecutive Saturdays. $35 Fee Pre-registration req’d by Feb 27. Call 468-4117 or visit www.lifrc.org.

CommunityCalendar

notice: Lopez Island Hospice and Home Support sponsors a Caregivers’ Support Group every other Thursday, 1p.m., at the LIHHS office in the Gathering Place. All caregivers on the island are welcome. Call Mary O’Bryant for more info, call 468-2421.

Letters to the Editor

Bernardo Landscape Services

• Brush Removal• Wood Splitting• Pressure Washing• Installation of trees, shrubs

• Design, mowing• Fence installation• Lawn & Garden Care• Remodeling - Decks

360-468-3144 Cell: 360-622-6644LIC# BERNALS926L3 BOND# LSMO042789

BernardoServices.comDistinguished Quality, Honest Service

Storm Cleanup!

Nichelle Kelley Come in for your

FREE LUNCH!Galley Restaurant

Lopez Acupuncture& Integrated Health

Julienne Battalia LAc, LMPMost Insurance Accepted

(360)468-3239lopezislandacupuncture.com

Kristin Fernald, MALicensed Mental Health Counselor

Counseling for Individuals,Couples & Groups

468-3785 • Lopez & Orcas www.kristinfernald.com

Is Big Brother com-ing closer to SJC with the CAO?

George Orwell likely wrote “1984” without know-ing of the San Juan Islands but his world of Big Brother is coming closer with the lat-est County Council plan for amending the existing Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO).

Like many people, I didn’t pay attention because this effort was described as envi-ronmental preservation. I later learned that we already have a CAO in effect and that these amendments would fundamentally alter the rela-tionship of property owner and government with respect to whether we are “innocent until proven guilty” and who has the “burden of proof”.

For example, Critical Areas Section D would amend the

existing language permitting an exemption “If the appli-cation of this section would result in the denial of all rea-sonable use of a property” and instead requires that it would “deprive the land owner of all economic or beneficial use of a property…” and the owner has the “burden of proof”.

Should you want to main-tain a garden or plant a tree you may need to provide the government with a detailed “planting plan”, a mitigation plan (written by a “profes-sional”), a cost estimate for implementing and monitor-ing it AND a financial guar-antee to pay not only the original implementation and monitoring but up to an addi-tional 115 percent of that cost. So, if you can afford an army of lawyers and “professional scientists” you may be able to build anything you want but the rest of us will be hard put just to take care of our exist-ing property.

I initially assumed that efforts to amend the CAO would follow the direc-tion of Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, which were designed to guarantee that the rights of citizens to vote, to free speech, and to other personal freedoms would be applied equally to all citizens. The proposed CAO amend-ments, however, move in the opposite direction taking away the rights of citizens and putting “Big Brother” in charge. I recommend that the Council make only the minimal changes necessary to become compliant with state legislation and let the original CAO do its job.

Phil Johnsonsan Juan island

Alice Campbell, M.S

468-4094 Lopez Island

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Children & AdultCouples & Families

Honoring most insurance plans Accepting new clients

Lopez Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings:

Mondays - 7:30 p.m. at the Children’s CenterWednesdays - 4 p.m. - Women’s meeting at the fellowship hall at Grace Episcopal ChurchFridays - 7:30 p.m. at the Children’s CenterSaturdays - noon at the Children’s CenterContact phone number 468-2809

News Briefs

P.O. Box 39, Lopez Island, WA 98261Phone: 360.468-4242

Fax: 360.468.4900islandsweekly@islandsweekly.net

Published Every TuesdaySubscriptions: $28/year• $18/6 months

Publisher: Marcia Van Dyke publisher@islandsweekly.netEditorial: Cali Bagby cbagby@islandsweekly.netPagination: Rebecca Cook rcook@sanjuanjournal.comAd Design: Scott Herning sherning@sanjuanjournal.comAdvertising Sales: Cathi Brewer cbrewer@islandsweekly.net360.468.4242 • 1.800.654.6142

♥

♥

♥

By Lou PraySpecial to the Islands’ Weekly

In honor of Saint Valentine’s Day, I’ll admit it. I’m a closet romantic, although my reading tastes don’t always reflect that.

Currently, I’m reading a book about a young English girl’s take on the death of Norse gods Odin, “Freya and Thor” by Ragnarok by A.S. Byatt and another book about true-life 1945 plane crash survivors in a mysterious valley in the misty jungle-covered mountains of Dutch New Guinea as the deal with spear-carrying villagers and cannibals and valliant rescuers. The book is called ”Lost in Shangri-La” by Mitchell Zuckoff.

The week before that, I consumed two period murder mysteries “Death Comes to Pemberley” by P.D. James and “V is for Vengeance” by Sue Grafton).

It seems much of my reading involves a bit of gory death in some small or large mea-sure. Well, to be fair even with Saint Valentine things came to a sticky end: a kind-hearted Roman priest who married young couples against the wishes of Emperor Claudius II, he was beheaded for his deeds on the 14th of February — or so the legend goes.

But a list of my top five all-time love stories is easy to share and the mayhem is kept to a minimum. These all contain the tender senti-ment associated with the sea-

son, sans candy and roses. On the road to marriage — maybe — but definitely on the way to blissful togetherness with another — although not necessarily another human

“My Dog Tulip” by J.R. Ackerley (man/dog love story) — Tulip, a beguiling German Shepherd captures the heart of loner journal-ist J.R. Ackerley and their life together is a full one as he tries to ensure that Tulip doesn’t miss out on any of life’s BIG EVENTS: love, children, travel, walkies….

“The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern (wizard/wizard love story) — easily the most beautiful story I’ve read in 2011. The ever-evolving tents within tents in this magically-infused circus each contain an intricate world of beauty and mystery and are the star-crossed wizards creations each for the other’s delight.

“Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon (1940s Englishwoman/1740s Scottish laird) -— time-travel and historical fiction, yes, but at the

heart of this well-written novel is the most captivat-ing adult love story I’ve ever read.

Not only do they become friends first but co-adventurers and co-con-spiritors keeping her time of origin a secret while pre-paring for the Highlander’s devastation she knows will come in battle of Culloden. This story is still putting out sequels after 20 years – no wants to hear the end of the Claire and Jamie saga.

“Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger (time-traveling librarian and art-ist love story)

Henry, a librarian, has had a genetic con-dition that comes to be known as Chrono-Displacement Disorder, which forces him bodily into different time periods but most always in the vicinity of Claire who he first meets as young girl where their friendship begins and later as his wife. Exciting, funny,

strangely plausible and ever so romantic.

“Wesley the owl : the remarkable love story of an owl and his girl” by Stacey O’Brien (owl/woman love story).

A true-story of biologist and owl expert Stayey O’Brien who

chronicles her rescue of an adorable, aban-doned baby barn owl--and their astonishing and unprecedented 19-year life together. Not only do you learn an incredible amount about the natural habits of barn owls but also the incredible capacity for love and devotion across species. Yes, this wonderful love story of an owl and his girl pushes out the classic Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice from my top five list. As a wise someone once said “Love is a many feathered thing!”

All these love stories and many more are available at the Lopez Island Library.

— Lou Pray is the Director of the Lopez Island Library

The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 3

Special Valentine’s Day review of the top five love stories

Love Comes in Many Forms

WWW.ISLANDSWEEKLY.COM

Green Living online @

♥

The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 4

LOPEZ IsLandChrist the King Community ChurCh, Now meeting at 10:00 AM at the Lopez Elementary School in the multi-purpose room. Find us on the web: www.CTKonline.com/lopez or email lopez@CTKonline.com

graCe episCopal ChurCh, welcomes

you to worship with us on Sundays at 10:30

am. Fisherman Bay Road at Sunset Lane.

468-3477. Everyone welcome!

lopez island Community ChurCh, 91 Lopez

Road. Sunday School: pre-school through adult 9:30 am;

Worship at 10:30 am. Pastor Jeff Smith 468-3877.

lutheran ChurCh in the san juans, Sundays

at 11:00 a.m. in Center Church on Davis Bay Road. Also in

Friday Harbor at 9:15 a.m. in St. David’s and in Eastsound at

2:00 p.m. in Emmanual. Pastor Anne Hall, 378-6310.

QuaKer Worship group Meetings will be Sundays

at 10 am at the home of Ron Metcalf, 6363 Fisherman

Bay Road. Children’s program. Everyone welcome. Phone

468-2129. Email: lopezfriends@gmail.com

st. FranCis CatholiC ChurCh Come worship

with us at Center Church on Davis Bay Rd. We welcome

you to join us for Mass at 10:45 am on Saturday. Call 378-

2910 for Mass times on San Juan and Orcas Islands.

Worship Services in the Islands

By Emily MatthewsSpecial to the Islands’ Weekly

In last week’s edition of the paper Emily Matthews — the new girl in town — described her own love story and how that love even-tually brought her to Lopez. While living in Bostons several years ago, she used to pass by a progres-sion of side streets reading “Emily,” “Lopez,” “Pacific,” and “Valentine.” One day her lover, a photographer,

went to visit Lopez and when he returned Emily knew she must also go to Lopez one day. Here is the conclusion to her story.

That was back then, and this is now, of course. I used to tell myself that one day, I would find me, Emily, on Lopez, in the Pacific, with my valentine, the photographer.

I couldn’t have known then it would instead come

to mean that Emily would be living alone on Lopez in the Pacific Northwest before the very next Valentine’s Day. Trying valiantly to escape the inescapable and comprehend the incomprehensible.

And I still don’t under-stand. Not a single solitary blessed thing. But? This is where those street signs led me to come and celebrate my 50th birthday back in

October, all by myself, think-ing that Lopez would make a splendid birthday gift to mark the occasion.

As it turns out, however, beyond being a present, Lopez is a valentine. A sweet sentiment to be freely given and kindly received, full of as much love as the recipient is willing to see, participate and partake in, experience and give back — to oneself; to one’s community; to each other. Having lived a whole lot of everywhere, I can con-fidently report that there’s no place quite like it on earth.

And: more so than even the lovely madrona, do the remarkable people here glow brighter still. Happy V-Day, homies. Now you know. Valentine will you be mine?

Emily Matthews resides on the south end of Lopez and teaches Italian when not prac-ticing yoga, pilates and/or cook-ing up a storm. She laughs too loud; swears, eats and drinks too much; wears entirely too much make-up and perfume; drives way too fast; and generally has an absolute ball (broken heart notwithstanding.)

Every day, she drives past “Funny Valentine Lane,” a fur-ther coincidental street signpost irony not the least bit lost upon her.

The Lopez Island Chamber of Commerce

Bid Proposal Request forthe Lopez Village Park

Maintenance Contract includes:• Clean restrooms

• Keep Garbage and Recycle area clean• Grounds Maintenance

• Respond to EmergenciesFull details of Maintenance job

requirements available at the Chamber Office. For questions, contact info:

360/468-4664 ore-mail lopezchamber@lopezisland.com

Deadline for submission is Feb. 29th, 2012.

Lopez Center

Friday February 24th, 7:30 pm

Legendary Folksinging Duo

Reilly & Maloney

$18 adult / $8 youth / 5 under freetickets: Paper Scissors on the Rock,

Blossoms Organic Grocery, Lopez Book Store & online at lopezcenter.org

Live in Concert

San Juan County Community Development & Planning 135 Rhone Street, P.O. Box 947, Friday Harbor, WA. 98250 (360) 378-2354 | (360) 378-2116 | Fax (360) 378-3922 cdp@sanjuanco.com | www.sanjuanco.com

Date: February 3, 2012 To: The Journal, Sounder, and Weekly Please publish ONE time 3 columns X 4” in both the Journal and the Sounder in issues published for the week of February 8, 2012 and publish in the Islands Weekly on February 14, 2012.

S A N J U A N C O U N T Y P U B L I C N O T I C E Comments Requested on the revised SMP Update Inventory and

Characterization Report, now available

The SMP Shoreline Inventory and Characterization Report is a vital element of the County’s SMP update process. The report splits the County’s 440+ miles of shoreline into management areas and then subdivides these based on the presence of different environments, land use patterns, or ecosystem processes.

The Inventory and Characterization Report is intended to set the baseline for the County’s shoreline ecological functions and values. It is this baseline that ‘no net loss’ calculations will be based on and therefore determine the level, if any, of protection needed for a specific resource.

The County will collect comments, criticisms, and corrections from the public until 1 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2012.

The Inventory and Characterization Report is approximately 340 pages long and is accompanied by 110 different maps. The report and maps are available online at: http://www.sanjuanco.com/smp/SMP_CoreDocs.aspx, Electronic copies are available on CD, free of charge, from the Community Development and Planning Office (CD&P) at 135 Rhone Street in Friday Harbor.

Please send your corrections, comments, or criticisms to Colin Maycock, AICP at colinm@sanjuanco.com, or mail to SJC CD&P at P.O. Box 947, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250. If you have any questions, please call Colin Maycock, AICP at 360-370-7573.

A House committee on Monday approved a measure to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington state, setting the stage for final pas-sage this week.

The House Judiciary commit-tee advanced the measure on a 7-5 vote after a public hearing. The Washington House passed the bill on a 55-43 vote on Thursday.

The Senate passed the measure on a 28-21 vote last Wednesday.

That vote sends the bill to Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is expected to sign it into law next week. She issued a statement saying it was “a major step toward completing a long and important journey to end discrimination based on sexual orientation.”

The proposal would take effect 90 days after the session ends next month, but opponents have promised to fight back with a ballot measure that would allow voters to overturn the legislative approval.

State Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, also backs the measure.

“Marriage is more than just a collection of rights and protections — it is the commitment between two people who love each other and have pledged to support one another in life,” said Ranker in a released statement.

Any challenge to the bill can’t be filed until after it is passed by the full Legislature and signed into law by Gregoire. Opponents then must turn in 120,577 signatures by June 6.

Gay marriage is legal in New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C. Lawmakers in

New Jersey are expected to vote on gay marriage next week, and Maine could see a gay marriage proposal on the November ballot.

Gay marriage bill passed by House

Gov. Chris Gregoire

New girl tells her love story; part II

Gov. Chris Gregoire

Washington State University’s Master Gardener volunteers, Judy Cumming and Linda Thompson will host a dem-onstration on traditional rose pruning day – also President’s Day, Monday, Feb. 20, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at the Historic Driggs Park on the corner of Caines and Argyle in Friday Harbor.

“We urge other garden-ers to come and share their knowledge of rose care as we all learn togeth-er,” said Cumming.

Rose care information and resources for rose enthusiasts will be avail-able to participants.

This free demonstra-tion is scheduled to allow

rose lovers from Orcas, Lopez and Shaw islands to attend.

Call Judy Cumming at the Land Bank, 378-4402 for more info, or for rides to and from the ferry dock.

Rose pruning Day, Feb. 20

The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 5

Special

Pull Out Section•

WeddingsIn the San Juan Islands

2012

Say ‘I do’ in a place you’ll never forget.Photo courtesy of Columbia Hospitality

The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 6

Offering a tasteful assortment of Catering Classics for yourSpecial Day. We feature everything from appetizers to meals, platters to desserts, presented to suit your special needs.

Our catering professionals will love to helpyou plan your menu, and provide the freshestfoods available.

Please stop by to pick up a brochureor phone us at 360-378-4522

We have what you need for your Wedding Day.

More than a restaurant... your local sourcefor catering & event coordinating

www.vinnysfridayharbor.com165 West Street, Friday Harbor

360.378.1934

San Juan Island: the start of a lifelong romance

Lar g e . S m a l l . Traditional. A bit off-beat.

You’ll find a perfect setting on San Juan Island for whatever type of wedding you might have in mind.

The island is also home to numerous businesses and sea-soned professionals — florists, photographers, caterers, musi-cians, inns and lodges — that specialize in making every aspect of your special occasion complete.

Whether you prefer an out-door location, or a charming, historic church or chapel for your wedding ceremony, San Juan Island offers a long list of ideal venues as well.

Then again, you might con-sider exchanging vows out on the water, in a kayak with glorious sunset as a romantic backdrop.

Situated closer to Canada than mainland U.S.A., San Juan Island is the last stop in the San Juans for the numerous ferri-ers that leave the terminal in Anacortes. It’s home to Friday Harbor, the only incorporated town in San Juan county and one of the last remaining 19th-century wooden fishing villages in Puget Sound. The town boasts a year-round population of just over 2,000 residents that seemingly quadruples with a steady stream of visitors and part-time

residents on any given summer day. Stunning scenery is one reason why San

Juan Island is such a sought after place for a summer vacation, or for a wedding. In fact, the San Juans were named one of the top 10 best summer vacations spots by National Geographic Traveler magazine in 2011.

And there’s no shortage of activities to keep your guests occupied and entertained during your special occasion. Hiking, bicy-cling, horseback riding, golfing, wine tasting and kayaking are just a few of San Juan Island’s celebrat-ed pastimes.

Friday Harbor is home to numerous art galleries, an assortment of outdoor parks, a movie theater, an art museum, a historical museum, a military muse-um, a whale museum and a popular farmers’ mar-ket as well. Whether it’s a quick bite or an evening of fine-dinning, there’s an abundance of quality restaurants and first-class cafes that can satisfy the palate and the pocketbook of just about anyone.

The town is also home to the Port of Friday Harbor, caretaker of one of the most charming and liveliest marinas in all of north Puget Sound.

Here you can soak up the sunshine while strolling the docks or kick back in the shade

for a change of pace and enjoy live music and a view of the harbor at the port’s Jack Fairweather Park.

Speaking of sunshine, San Juan Island lies directly in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains and that phenomenon (basically it forces a rain-swollen weather system to dump its load) produces 247 days of sunshine a year, on average. So, don’t forget the sun-screen.

The coveted westside of San Juan Island is no more than a 15-min-ute drive from Friday Harbor. It’s there you’ll find the dazzling sunsets, sweeping vistas and stun-ning views of snow-capped peaks and waterways that the island is famous for. Here you’ll find a state park, a historic lighthouse, a picnic area, a park devoted to land-based whale watching, a campground with mooring and a boat ramp, a national park and mile after mile after mile of hiking trails.

Roche Harbor Resort lies at the tip of the island’s northwest side. From its roots as a blue-collar com-pany town, founded on the pro-duction of lime, Roche Harbor has evolved into a full-fledged resort and seaside village, and one of the

Northwest’s premier vacation and wedding destinations. It boasts a thriving marina, an airstrip, a 19-acre sculpture park, numerous

hiking trails, a disc-golf course and an outdoor amphitheater, where a local production company performs Shakespearean and other classic theater. And its picturesque and charming wedding chapel is a magnet for soon-to-be newlyweds.

With its natural beauty and romantic ambience, San Juan Island is the per-fect place to create special memories that will last a

lifetime. For more information and maps of

San Juan Island, visit the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, 135 Spring St., downtown Friday Harbor; 360-378-5240, www.sanjuanisland.org.; or, visit the website of the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau at, www.visitsanjuans.com.

Newlyweds Bill and Joy Dubay of Vashon Island were married at San Juan Island’s Lime Kiln State Park in the afternoon and then kicked off their wedding night with a visit to the San Juan County Fair. Journal photo / Scott Rasmussen

There’s no shortage of activities to keep

your wedding guests occupied and entertained over the course of your special

occasion

The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 7

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San Juan Island offers a variety of romantic places to commemorate that special occasion. Above, left, Roche Harbor Resort, located on the waterfront at the northwest end of the island, remains one of the island’s more popular wedding venues. Above right, San Juan Vineyards, its chapel, winery and vineyards are an ideal wedding location. Below, left, a bride and groom share a rowboat and a kiss on a scenic island lake.

Left photo / Steve Horn

The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 8

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By Scott Rasmussen

September 11 is remem-bered in different ways by different people.

For Mark and Toni Desdier, it’s now a joyous occa-sion, a day of love and celebra-tion, the day that the two were wed.

The Desdiers exchange vows onboard Washington State Ferries’ Hyak, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in a ceremony presided over by Bart Christie, who, like Mark, works for state ferry system. Christie also happens to be an ordained minister.

The ceremony took many of the Hayak’s passengers by sur-prise, and then by delight, as what began as a small but festive occa-sion quickly turned into a full-blown community event.

“It just grew and grew until we had around 800 guests,” Christie said. “They were standing all around us and filled up both sides of the walls.”

Two violin players, bound for Friday Harbor for a wedding per-formance later that day, provided impromp-tu musical accompaniment as well.

Toni Desdier, who works in the boat’s gal-ley, said the couple chose Sept. 11 for their wedding date by design.

“Because of all the 9/11 sorrow and stuff, we wanted to have a celebration of happi-

ness,” she said. Mark added, “It’s time to move on.”But there’s more.Earlier in the day, the Hyak and its crew

also participated in a pre-planned memo-rial service, in which a woman said farewell to her deceased husband, a life-long diving enthusiast, as part of a brief ceremony con-

ducted in Peavine Pass, near Orcas Island.The couple were married 58 years.

While the events of Sept. 11, 2011, may sound like extraordinary for the Hyak and its crew, according to Mark Desdier, it’s pretty much just another day at the office.

“All in a day’s work,” he said

Portrait: A ‘ferry tale’ wedding

Accompanied by members of their wedding party, groom Mark Desdier, second from right, and bride Toni Desdier, next to Mark, pose for a photo on the deck of the Hyak after exchanging vows on Sept. 11, 2011. Journal photo / Scott Rasmussen

SAN JUAN ISLAND FULL WEDDING VENUE:Friday Harbor House130 West Street, 360-378-8455www.fridayharborhouse.comRoche Harbor248 Reuben Memorial Drive360-378-2155rocheharborweddings.com

WEDDING CEREMONY & RECEPTION FACILITIES:Lakedale Resorts at Three Lakes4313 Roche Harbor Road, 360-378-2350www.lakedale.comSan Juan Island Grange152 First Street, 360-378-6632iwp@rockisland.comSan Juan Yacht Club273 Front Street, 360-378-3434SJYC@rockisland.comCATERING: Kings Market160 Spring Street, 360-378-4522 www.kings-market.com EVENT PLANNING & CATERING:Coho Caters120 Nichols Street, 360-378-6330www.CohoRestaurant.comVinny’s/San Juan Events165 West Street, 360-378-1934vinnys@rockisland.com WEDDING OFFICIANT:Reverend Dorothy Stonewww.chooselove.com360-378-6663www.weddingcommitmentceremonies.com WEDDING, BIRTHDAY & SPECIAL OCCASION CAKES:CAKE by Daniel Van Hamersfeldcakeandco@hotmail.com360-298-2124, www.cakeandco.netTRANSPORTATION:Classic Cab Co.Drive in Style1950 Mercury Sport Sedan360-378-7519MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT:Composer and Concert HarpistMary WillAllen, M.A.360-378-2387marywa@centurytel.netThe Jimmy Moe ShowSongs & Music of Frank Sinatra/Dean Martin360-317-6285alimoe@centurytel.netPHOTOGRAPHY: James Krall360-378-0949 www.sanjuanphotoarts.com

Nancy Treder Photography & The Seattle Wedding Bureau1403 N. 42nd Street, 206-380-4000www.nancytreader.comWEDDING REGISTRY:Dominique’s Houseat Roche Harbor, 360-378-2605www.dominiqueshouse.com

The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 9

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Orcas Island offers a wide expanse of pastoral beauty, its rocky shorelines sloping up to loamy farmland, rising upwards again

to form rocky peaks. The island’s 56.9 square miles are dotted with small hamlets offering world-class restaurants, boutique shopping, activity tours and sundries. Scattered among the trees and along the shores are a variety of quaint and lovely bed and breakfasts and hotels. Your guests might enjoy browsing the artisan pottery, jewelry or art at the island’s many galleries.

Professional Orcas Island wedding plan-ners are at your service to guide you as you select a venue; experienced wedding pho-tographers; talented local musicians; wed-ding officiant; or salons offering personal-ized hair, skin and makeup services.

Activities for guestsThe Orcas ferry landing hosts a gourmet

grocery and deli, post office, a few small shops, a public dock, boat rentals, whale

watching, water taxi, car and moped rent-als, and a taxi and shuttle service. To the east lies a woodsy residential area along Killebrew Lake Road; to the northwest, Orcas Road winds through grassy meadows toward the island’s center, Eastsound.

Eastsound is home to an array of charm-ing shops, restaurants and specialty bou-tiques. You’ll find a public library, a his-torical museum, grocery stores, a pharmacy, restaurants and more. Along its north and south shorelines are three public parks, and Buck Park has a playground and soccer fields. Orcas Center hosts a lively variety of musical, theatre and artistic offerings.

On the southwestern prong of Orcas Island, West Sound features a cafe, a pub-lic dock and a marina, while sunny Deer Harbor offers lodging, a restaurant, and two marinas where kayak, boat and whale watching tours embark.

Southeast of Eastsound, Olga Road leads to 5,200-acre Moran State Park. Drive, hike or cycle to the top of 2,400-foot Mount Constitution, where you can take in breath-taking 360-degree views of the outlying islands and the Cascade Mountain range. Trails provide easy walks or rigorous, hilly climbs. Afterward, you might enjoy picnick-ing at Cascade Lake’s sun-warmed swim-ming area, with a playground, barbecues

and picnic tables.Beyond the park lies Olga, with its eclec-

tic art co-op and restaurant; past it you’ll find secluded Obstruction Pass state park, with hike-in campgrounds along a lovely pebbled beach. Point Lawrence Road leads to the hamlet of Doe Bay, with a historic resort, sundries shop and hot tub.

Orcas Island: A special place to start forever

Top photo: A joyful wedding walk along the island hills. Photo / Steve Horn

Left photo: Jenny and Cory Foote during their wedding on Orcas.

Photo / Chris Gill, WestBoundary Photography

The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 10

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Left photo:Poised and ready for her special day.

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Right photo: Jenny and Cory Foote during their wedding on Orcas.

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•

The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 11

With its gently rolling hills, bucolic farmlands, and easily accessible parks and seashores, Lopez Island is

the perfect wedding venue … if you like peaceful, beautiful settings and a place known for being the “Friendly Isle.”

Lopez is a top destination for visitors to the San Juans. Don’t be surprised if fellow motorists wave — it’s the island way. Lopez is also the closest of the ferry-served islands to Anacortes, making it a quick and convenient trip.

Most of the island’s businesses are located in Lopez Village. On Saturday mornings in the summer, you’ll find shoppers perusing fresh vegetables at the Farmers Market, and children playing in Lopez Village Park.

Although Lopez Island’s population is small, around 2,400 people, it has a wide variety of music concerts, art shows, cul-tural events. You’ll find talented wedding photographers and an eclectic group of musicians for your ceremony.

Wedding venues:The island offers a selection of poten-

tial ceremony venues like the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts with its wood floors, large windows and out-door performance pavilion; Lopez Island Vineyards offers beautifully landscaped winery gardens for an intimate outdoor wedding location; Lopez Islander Resort is located on charming Fisherman Bay and includes waterfront hotel rooms and

restaurant; The Galley truly offers a fam-ily-friendly environment on Fisherman Bay, the Edenwild Inn with premium accommodations nestled in the heart of Lopez Village, of Woodman Hall. There are also several churches for tying the knot including, Center Church and Grace Episcopal Church.

Activities for guests:What makes Lopez such a romantic

setting is its vast expanses of spectacular beaches, vistas and stunning wildlife. It’s common to see eagles, great blue herons, and osprey fly into the distance behind you. Take a trip to Odlin County Park and Spencer Spit State Park and your wedding guests may also catch a killer whale sighting.

The Lopez Village, which has a gro-cery stores, two coffee shops, several boutiques, restaurants, a bookstore, and a bakery, provides the essentials and any last minute items during for your time on the island.

If you’re guests need a place to stay there are plenty of accommodations on the island including a motel, bed and breakfasts, vacation home rentals and three campgrounds.

A wedding on Lopez not only gives you breathtaking scenery, but a place of rustic charm and friendly people. For more info, contact the Lopez Chamber of Commerce at 468-4664 or visit http://www.lopezisland.com.

Lopez Island: Tie the knot on the “Friendly Isle”

Of all the historic structures on Lopez Island, not many build-ings are more beautiful or beloved than Center Church.

Photo / Steve Horn

Stephanie Daigle dances with her father, Bruce Williams, at her wedding reception on the Williams’ Lopez Island property. Photo / Steve Horn

Th e perfect venue for your wedding reception.Beautiful, warm inviting space, all the amenities you need for that special day: stage, new sound and lighting systems, table settings,

professional kitchen, all add to the Hall’s charms.

Contact Gordon Eustis, 468-3537 orLopez Senior Services, 468-2421

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The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 12

The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012– Page 13

Phyllis Schafer of Lopez Island succumbed to a stroke on Feb. 7.

She was born Aug. 19, 1922 in Uniontown, Pa., to Stanley Schafer and Susan Clingan Schafer.

She was predeceased by all four of her siblings – Curtis of Mesa, Ariz., David of Dover, Del., Lewis and Patricia Williams both of Uniontown, Pa., Phyllis never married but was well loved by her twelve nieces and nephews and their

children. She was a veteran of the

Women’s Air Force, a pri-vate pilot, and an elementary teacher in Ilo, Peru.

She loved studying and teaching the Bible, quilting, reading and caring for her chickens.

A memorial service was held on Lopez Island on Feb. 11. Donations in her honor may be made to the Lopez Library.

Phyllis Schafer: 1922 - 2012

Colonel Roy Moore, Jr., 40-year resident of Lopez Island, has been inducted in the Legion of Honor, being given the title of Chevalier (Knight), for his exceptional contribution to the liberation of France during World War II. The Legion of Honor is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, & is the highest deco-ration in France. The President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, is the Grand Master of the Order and appoints all other members of the Order. Dignitaries from the French Consul-ate in Seattle as well as from Ft.Lewis-McChord will travel to Lopez Island on Saturday, February 25th, to officiate a ceremony commemorating the award at Woodmen Hall. The Hall building capacity necessitated invitations to some, how-ever, interested fellow Lopezians are welcome to drop by between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.to view the ceremony & say hello to Roy, an outstand-ing representative of “The Greatest Generation” who is 90 years young & growing!

Passages:

Carter Family Marionettes brings the heroic adventure of “The Odyssey” to the stage in the pre-mier of a new shadow puppet play on Feb. 28 at 10:15 a.m. at Lopez School gym. Free to the public thanks to support from Lopez Friends of the Library.

This 2,700 year old poem by Homer, believed to be a blind Greek balladeer, is the oldest story in the world. The Carters’ adapta-tion brings to life the wily warrior Odysseus, the fearsome Cyclops and Circe, the enchanting sorcer-ess. You will be transported to

ancient Troy to witness beautiful Helen and the Trojan horse and meet the Greek gods Zeus, Athena, Hermes and Poseidon on Mount Olympus.

In researching this play, Chris and Stephen Carter discovered that Karaghiozis, the traditional Greek shadow puppet clown and cham-pion of chaos and the “99 percent,” sailed with Odysseus on his jour-ney. They have restored Karaghiozis to his right-ful place as Odysseus’ comic sidekick.

Carter Family Marionettes presents ‘The Odyssey’

Contributed photo

Carter Family Marionettes brings the heroic adven-ture of “The Odyssey” to the stage in the premier of a new shadow puppet play on Feb. 28.

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The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 14

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DREAM team asks community to draw the line between youth and alcoholBy Julie SummersSpecial to the Islands’ Weekly

Did you know that in Washington state, providing

alcohol to minors could cost you up to $5,000 in fines and a year in jail?

The Drug-Related Education Awareness Mentors Team, a group of Lopez middle and high school students, is launching a Draw the Line campaign in hopes of making all com-munity members aware of the physical dangers and legal consequences of mix-ing youth and alcohol.

Draw the Line is a state-wide campaign to engage adults and youth in taking action to reduce underage drinking.

“Fostering a safe envi-ronment for youth is our collective responsibil-ity,” said Georgeana Cook, Executive Coordinator of the Lopez Island Prevention Coalition,

which is sponsoring the campaign, “so the goal is to reach not only students and parents, but also merchants and other adults in the com-munity.”

The DREAM Team has been promoting the cam-paign at basketball games

and has already gathered over 100 “hero cards” from youth and adults vowing to help draw the line. Last Saturday, the team hosted a game day in the Middle School Commons.

Over twenty students attended, learned about Draw

the Line from their peers, and enjoyed snacks, games, and dancing.

“Sticker Shock” will address the issue of shoulder-tapping (when minors give adults money to purchase alcohol for them).

Stickers will be placed on

alcohol bottles in local stores to remind adults that provid-ing alcohol to minors is ille-gal and carries serious con-sequences.

Another goal of the cam-paign is to educate the com-munity about new laws enact-

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Lopez Island Dream Team, a group of Lopez middle and high school students, is launching a Draw the Line campaign.

SEE DREAM, pAgE 16

The Islands’ Weekly • www.islandsweekly.com • February 14, 2012 – Page 16

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Scientists from the Puget Sound region are getting new information about harbor seals by tracking a rehabili-tated seal by satellite. They are studying a seal named Sandy, found on the beach in West Seattle last August and released to the wild in January.

At the time she was found, Sandy was extremely weak and barely responsive, with numerous infected wounds. She was severely dehydrated and malnourished.

Sandy was sent to the PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for stabilization, treat-ment and care.

The seal has been outfitted with a track-ing device that pings

her location to a satellite, plot-ting her travels on a map. This is the first time a seal in this age class — “older rehabilitated weaned year-ling” — has been tracked by satellite in Washington, and the project is expected to pro-vide important data.

To see the tracking map, visit www.seadocsociety.org.

Islands’ Weekly

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rolls run out,” said co-owner Ron Rebman, who favors the proposed ban.

In a letter to Rep. Kristine Lytton, the County Council expressed their support of the bill, citing unneces-sary pollution of plastic on the islands as their main concern. The council wrote that more than 10,000 pieces of micro-plastic was picked up in just one day on Orcas Island, and that University of Washington-Tacoma have found plastic in every water sample they have taken from Puget Sound.

The Friday Harbor Town Council successfully banned Styrofoam to-go food con-tainers in 2009 and began a discussion about the use of plastic bags in a meeting on Feb.2.

Buffum said that if the statewide bill fails then they will push to ban bags at the local level. Passage of either bill would make Washington the first state to ban plastic grocery bags. As of Jan. 11, Edmonds, Mukilteo, Seattle and Bellingham have each prohibited plastic grocery bags.

“We’re living on the edge of Salish Sea and Puget Sound and we can reduce plastic pollution and save wildlife,” Buffum said. “And I think Washington has been a pretty big leader with clean up.”

For more info, visit www.droptheplasticbag.org or plasticbagbanreport.com.

plastic bagsCONTINUED FROM 1

contributed photo/ Robin lindsey

Sandy, shown left, with her tracking device, which moni-tors her travels.

ed in 2010 by the Washington State Liquor Control Board to reduce the amount of alco-hol advertising youth see in neighborhood stores and near schools.

Della McCullough, recent-

ly hired as the LIPC’s Youth Engagement Facilitator, will work closely with the D.R.E.A.M. Team to facilitate the campaign. McCullough’s passion for prevention stems from early experi-ences. Between 1980 and 1988, her hometown com-munity in California lost a student of every graduating class to drinking and driv-ing. McCullough’s class, the

class of 1989, vowed to break the devastating pattern – and succeeded. “When I think about youth and alcohol,” McCullough says, “it brings me right back to that.”

The campaign will culmi-nate in a town hall meeting on May 11, bringing togeth-er youth and adults to dia-logue about practical ways

to draw the line and to pro-mote healthy activities as an alternative to substance use. McCullough believes the campaign’s message is one that needs to be shared. “I’m hoping Draw the Line will help ensure that our commu-nity never experiences the tragedies that my hometown did.”

For more information contact Gary Berg at Lopez Island Realty360-468-2291 • Toll free 866-632-1100

lopezisland@rockisland.com Website lopezislandrealty.com

Shoal Bay Waterfront Home 42 feet of low bank No bank waterfront backed by 1.75 acres. Fixer 3 bedroom home close to Odlin Park boat launch and the ferry landing. Picturesque pond on the east property line. $325,000

Lopez Island Realty 360-468-2291

Est. 1972

seal tracked by satellite

dReamCONTINUED FROM 15

Rethink • Reuse • Recycle