whidbey crosswind dec, 2, 2011

Whidbey

www.whidbeycrosswind.com

COVERING WHIDBEY ISLAND’S NAVAL AIR STATION COMMUNITY

VOLUME 1, NO. 36 | 02 DECEMBER 2011

THIS EDITION

Wizards reach midpoint of

their deployment ....pg. 2

For Pets’ Sake: Holiday pet

hazards ..................pg. 4

Catch up on holiday

happenings ............pg. 5

Anacortes business to build

Navy vessel ............pg. 9

VRC founders vow to continue

VRC to close community center

By KATHY REED

Whidbey Crosswind

The Veterans Resource Center in Freeland is down, but not out.

A lack of funding, a raise in rent and the property man-agement’s desire for a three year lease has forced the VRC to close its community activ-ity center on Main Street as of Wednesday. But the move

is not a death knell, said VRC cofounder Judith Gorman.

“We’re sort of framing it as an opportunity for more people to get involved and by spring we’re hoping to have a big splash in the paper about how we’ve used this dormant period, in a sense, to sprout out really beautiful daffodils and crocuses,” Gorman said.

“Our business office contin-ues. It won’t be a drop-in loca-tion, though,” she continued. “We’ll be doing a lot of phone stuff and we’ll probably be meeting people in their homes or in the restaurant down the street. It’s the old fashioned model of meeting with people where you can in the com-munity.”

According to Gorman, sustained funding has been a big hurdle for the VRC to

overcome. The organization obtained its own 501(c)3 sta-tus as a nonprofit last year, something the board felt had prevented the VRC from winning several grants previ-ously. But despite achieving independent nonprofit status, several potential grants fell through.

“Veterans are not on most foundation lists as a category,” Gorman explained. “And I think there is still this belief out there that the government takes care of veterans. It’s not true. Even the government — the Department of Defense, the Veterans Administration and the Oval Office — are now pleading for communi-ties to step up to the plate and take care of local veterans.”

Veterans Resource Center founders Perry McClellan and Judith Gorman are still smiling, despite having to close the doors to the VRC’s Community Activity Center in Freeland. Information and referral services will continue. KATHY REED/WHIDBEY CROSSWIND

Lack of funds forces

Veterans Resource Center

to scale back

VRC board members will con-centrate on fundraising as the organization takes some time to regroup. KATHY REED/WHIDBEY CROSSWIND

SEE VRC | PAGE 3

Marine Corps League needs toys — for tots

By KATHY REED

Whidbey Crosswind

Members of the Maj. Megan McClung Marine Corps League Detachment 1210 want every child on Whidbey Island to have a merry Christmas, and Toys for Tots is how they hope to do it.

The group has begun its annual toy drive, which will provide a new toy to as many as 1,400 children in need on Whidbey Island this year.

“Our goal is to get one really good

9

SEE TOYS | PAGE 7

Wizards hit halfway pointLt. ROY WALKER

VAQ-133 Public Affairs

The Wizards of VAQ-133, along with all of Carrier

Air Wing 9 (CVW-9) and the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), recently passed the official halfway point of their deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation New Dawn (OND). The carrier has been out to sea for three-and-a-half months with the halfway point fittingly marked by a well deserved port call in Dubai, UAE after 47 days underway.

The Wizards have been instrumental in the Air Wing’s support of both OEF and OND since the start of combat opera-tions. To meet the high demand for Electronic Attack missions, the VAQ-133 maintenance depart-ment continues to provide professional and superior execution, which has been noticed at all levels.

“We’re doing good work out there, and we’re get-ting results,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kris “Pinto” Reid, who recently returned from temporary duty at the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC). “There is a lot of interest in what the Prowler can provide in today’s changing battle-field.”

In addition to the hard

work involved in keep-ing jets airborne, Wizard personnel have been work-ing toward various qualifications, designations and advancements in their spare time. Since the start of deployment, the Wizards have awarded 42 Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist quali-fications, three Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualifications, and 47 other awards for various acts of merit.

When you work as hard as the Wizards do, there has to be some time allotted to recharge and decompress. Between port calls, activities onboard the Stennis have kept the sail-ors refreshed and engaged.

One of the most highly attended events was the ship-sponsored swim call. Executed on a no-fly day, the ship shutdown its turbines and established a swimming area on one side of the carrier. Participants were then allowed to jump into the ocean from one of the elevators in the hangar bay, and enjoy some time relaxing in the relatively cool North Arabian Sea. Many members of VAQ-133 took advantage of the opportunity, some for no other reason than to say they leapt from an aircraft

carrier into the ocean. Regardless of motive, all appearances indicate it was

enjoyable for everyone involved.

Another moti-vational event was the squad-ron’s scrub exer-

cise, in which individuals

nominated other members

within the command to scrub the grease and grime off a section of the flight deck. Top nominees worked diligently on clean-ing the center line while many sailors came out to watch their shipmates hard at work at their behest.

As nice as ship-based activities can be, there is no substitute for a port call. Most recently, the ship pulled into Dubai, UAE for four days, allowing sailors a chance to enjoy another part of the world that most had not seen. Moral Welfare and Recreation provided many activities ranging from a trip to Ferrari World to a scuba diving expedition.

For those who decided to get away from boat life for a while, the city had countless opportunities to engage in local customs, culture and cuisine. After a month and a half at sea, everyone appreciated the time off.

The past four months have been very busy for the Wizards and there is even more to look forward to on the horizon. With everyone refreshed follow-ing the port visit, all hands are excited to get back to sea and back into the fight. Expect continued excel-lence from the Wizards, who refuse to grow com-placent during their time deployed and who have shown a persistent and unparalleled drive to suc-ceed in combat.

An EA-6B Prowler from the Wizards of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 sits on the flight deck while Sailors prepare for an arrested landing aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MC2 WALTER M. WAYMAN/RELEASED

VAQ-133 Chief Petty Officers enjoy a ‘swim qual’ in the Arabian Gulf, leaping from the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). PHOTO COURTESY OF VAQ-133 PUBLIC AFFAIRS

By Lt. ROY WALKER

VAQ-133 Public Affairs

Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 welcomed a new commander on Nov. 12. In a formal change of com-mand ceremony, Cmdr. Christopher DeMay relieved Cmdr. Chris Bergen as commanding officer of the Wizards onboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The Wizards held a private farewell in Wardroom 1 several days prior to properly recognize CDR Bergen’s con-tributions and pay tribute to his time in command.

Cmdr. Bergen joined the squadron as the Executive Officer in May, 2009, and shortly thereafter deployed with the Wizards to Al Asad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on what would be their last expeditionary deployment.

Following VAQ-133’s return, Bergen assumed com-mand of the Wizards in August, 2010. He led the squad-ron through a complicated transition from expeditionary

to carrier-based operations, marking the first time since 1991 that VAQ-133 conducted embarked operations as part of a carrier air wing. While deployed on the Stennis, Cmdr. Bergen’s leadership was instrumental in the success VAQ-133 has had flying combat missions in support of

Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom.

There is anticipation for what the future holds with Cmdr. DeMay in charge. DeMay has earned the high-est respect among the aircrew and the troops for his strong and consistent leadership style during his time as Executive Officer. Those traits will no doubt ensure the continued success of the Wizards as he takes the helm.

At the same time, VAQ-133 also welcomed their new Executive Officer,

Cmdr. Michael Bisbee, back into their ranks. Cmdr. Bisbee, who previously served as a Wizard department head, adds a wealth of experience and knowledge to the already strong arsenal of personnel that make up the Wizard team.

Wizards change command

Cmdr. Bergen Cmdr. DeMayCulinary Specialist 3rd Class David Yuzon, from Oak Harbor, Wash., applies a dry rub to prime rib in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft car-rier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MC3 DUGAN FLYNN/RELEASED

Government funding, said Gorman, is chan-neled through other state and local government agencies. In the current economy, even govern-ment-funded programs are feeling the pinch. Local organizations like the VRC must do its own fundraising. Overcoming the misconception that it receives governments funds because it ser-vices veterans has been harder to do than board members expected. Establishing a support base through pledges and ongoing contributions has been a challenge.

“Even if everything is done free, by volunteers, there are still costs. In our case, it was rent,” said Gorman’s husband and VRC cofounder Perry McClellan. “Every organization that does anything has that basic problem of sustenance.”

“We did get some money that was donated that allowed us to go this long, but what we weren’t able to do was to get the pledges to get ongoing income in our budget so that we could continue to make commitments — to lease, for example,” Gorman said. “How can we do a budget, how can we do a three-year lease when we don’t know what our income is, what our pledges are?”

“We didn’t want to open a resale store or a restaurant or a bar or a bingo operation — all of them money-making things that support existing organizations,” McClellan added. “We didn’t have a large enough base to be able to do that and so we’re going to make do with less.”

According to Gorman, the VRC operated on approximately $2,000 a month, sometimes more if there was special pro-

gramming. Most of that money went into main-taining the facility. When they were asked to sign a three-year lease, Gorman said board members decided to close the com-munity center to focus on the heart of what the VRC does — information and referral and veterans advocacy. Establishing a solid base of support in order to add key person-nel will be critical to the VRC’s future.

“We need a volunteer coordinator, a director and someone to do all the administrative stuff. We really need those three paid positions to move this along at the level that it’s worthy of,” Gorman said. “This is a worthy cause to help carry the burden by the community for our vet-

erans.”Gorman said she

wished they had been able to generate the pledges needed to keep the activity center’s doors open. The number of ongoing pledges needed to generate that support was surprisingly low.

“If there were 200 people who paid $10 a month on a pledge basis to the VRC, or what-ever the organization that helps veterans, that would be, in their con-sciousness, something they’re doing to help carry the burden,” she said.

“People think it takes

so much money. It doesn’t take that much money,” said McClellan. “It takes a great deal of nurturing to get volun-teers. “

But more than that, said McClellan, is the daily grind of running a nonprofit center: Creating an idea, bring-ing people in, telling them what to do, when to do it, helping them do it, cleaning up afterward and moving on to plan the next event. It’s a sce-nario that must be played out month after month if they are to succeed.

“That’s what makes a community center work,

for it to keep going until it starts to roll on its own,” he continued. “It takes a lot more to do that than what our small group could manage to do in a year’s time.”

While the commu-nity center will be gone (unless a locale with enough space can be rented or is donated), board members are hop-ing to have a new office, and just an office, by March. Donations and pledges will continue to be accepted as the VRC works to build the base of support it needs to remain a viable service to

Whidbey Island veterans. Despite the move scale back, Gorman said the 18 months at its Freeland location have been a suc-cess.

“We think we have succeeded, basically. We feel good about our programs,” she said. “We’re seeing a lot of Vietnam veterans step-ping forward, even World War II veterans who have never sought claims for disability. We’re working with and partnering with charter service organizations like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. So we feel like we’ve succeeded immensely.”

“It’s not up to us any-more,” added McClellan. “This is bigger than us. It’s really something that’s going to have to be answered by that larger ‘we.’ Right now we’re just having to pull in. We can only do what we can do.”

Advertise your Island Holiday

Bazaars & Events

One price island-wide

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Rates per edition

Call for more information or place your reservationCall Jennie 360.394.8752 Toll Free: 866.296.0380

Fax 360.598.6800 or Email: [email protected]

Get a jump on your seasonal bazaar & events through January! Our special section will appear Wednesday and/or Saturday in both the

Whidbey News-Times and South Whidbey Record or Friday in the CrosswindHennrich Tree FarmOpen Thurs-Sun10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Closed Mon-Weds

1651 Hastie Lake Rd • Oak Harbor675-4000

VRC | FROM PAGE 1

A Korean War veteran’s cap rests atop a stack of packed boxes at the Veterans Resource Center in Freeland last week. The VRC was forced to close its community activity center due to lack of funding. KATHY REED/WHIDBEY CROSSWIND

To help the VRC:Anyone interested in donating to the Veterans Resource Center can mail their contribution to P.O. Box 85, Freeland, WA 98249.For those interested in setting up a recurring automatic payment to the VRC, call them at 331-8081. For information about the VRC go to www.vetsresourcecenter.org.

“How can we do a budget, how can

we do a three-year lease when we

don’t know what our income is, what

our pledges are?”– Judith Gorman

Remember the old riddle - what’s black and white and read all over?

The riddle was better orally than in writing, of course, but the answer was “the newspaper.”

We’re all familiar with the struggles this industry has seen since the advent of the Internet. There are

still diehard readers who love the feel of the paper between their fingers, leisurely turning pages as they work through their morn-ing cup of coffee or after a day at work, but there is no denying the impact computers have had.

Add to that mix our increasing environmental awareness that has some thumbing their noses at anything made of paper — even books — and you have the

impetus to drive even the diehards to embrace the electronic age.

But here’s where the Whidbey Crosswind has been ahead of the rest of its Sound Publishing brethren. All Sound papers now offer a “green edition” on their websites. They are complete electronic versions of the newspaper that can be viewed online on most devices.

While this is new to most Sound Publishing papers, the Whidbey Crosswind has had this feature since our first edition back in April. Now, though, instead of having to scroll down to the bottom of the page to see our e-edition, you simply need to click on the “Green Edition” tab at the top of the page.

These full electronic versions of the newspaper can be downloaded to most devices and readers can choose to print the full edition, single pages or single stories. (Those folks with iOS devices will need to click on the “Gallery” link below each edition’s thumbnail image to view the pages in a Flash-free viewer.)

While I love gadgets, I’m still a little old fashioned, I guess. I still like the ability to hold a newspaper or book in my hands and feel the paper between my fingers. However, I understand why “green” is the new “black and white and read all over.”

-Kathy Reed, editor

Published each Friday from the office of The Whidbey Crosswind107 S. Main St, Ste E101 ~ P.O. Box 1200 ~ Coupeville, WA 98239

(360) 675-6611 ~ (360) 679-2695 faxOn the Internet at www.whidbeycrosswind.com

IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTION RATESThe Whidbey Crosswind is published weekly by Sound Publishing on Fridays for $19 for

3 months, $29 for 6 months, $45 per year and $75 for 2 years delivered by carrier in island county from North Whidbey Island to Greenbank; $20 for 3 months, $32 for 6 months, $52 per year and $94 for 2 years delivered by in county mail from Greenbank to Clinton; $35 for 3 months, $65 for 6 months, $105 per year mailed out of county. Payment in advance is required. It is published by The Whidbey Crosswind PO Box 1200, Coupeville, WA 98239. Periodicals rate postage paid at Coupeville, WA and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Whidbey Crosswind, PO Box 1200,Coupeville, WA 98239. Copyright © 2010, Sound Publishing

Publisher ..................................................................................................... Marcia Van DykeEditor ............................................................................................................... Kathryn ReedWriters........................................................................... Melanie Hammons, Bryan IlyankoffAdministrative Assistant ................................................................................. Connie RossAdvertising Manager .................................................................................. Lee Ann MozesAdvertising ................................................................................ Erica Johnson, Gail RognanAd Services ~ Graphics ............................................................................... Ginny TomaskoProduction Manager ......................................................................Michelle WolfenspargerStaff Artists ............................................................................. Leslie Vance, Rebecca CollinsCirculation Manager ......................................................................................Lynette ReeffCirculation Assistant ..................................................................................Diane Smothers

THE WHIDBEY CROSSWIND

We’reindependently audited!

READER INFORMATION:ADMINISTRATIVE: The Whidbey Crosswind is a publication of Sound Publishing, and is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, the National Newspaper Association and Suburban Newspapers of America. Advertising rates are available at the Crosswind office. While the Crosswind endeavors to accept only reliable advertisements, it shall not be responsible to the public for advertisements nor are the views expressed in those advertisements necessarily those of the Whidbey Crosswind. The right to decline or discontinue any ad without explanation is reserved. DEADLINES: Display Ads–4p.m. Monday;Classified Ads – 4 p.m. Monday; Community News – Noon Monday; Letters to Editor – Noon Monday.

Green is the newred ... err, read

KATHY REED

NAVYVIEWS

“I enjoy giving gifts to my friends and family.”

MEGAN LUBBENWife of Jason Lubben, an Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class

“Getting to go home to see my family and home cooked food!”

LISA LAROUXAviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class

“Trimming the tree with my wife and kids, also spending time with the family.”

CAMERONFISHERAviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class

“I love the lights and decorations, Christmas caroling and time with my family.”

PAM ROBINSONSon-in-law Davin York is an Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class

What’s yourfavorite part of the holiday season?

“The excitement of the season and the one time of year that people are free and willing to talk about Jesus Christ.”

STEVE ARMITAGESenior Chief,retired

Holiday Safety Tips for PetsThe manic mayhem of

the holidays is upon us once again. During

the next few weeks our pets will also be exposed to a number of hazards that are unique to this time of year. With that in mind I want to pass along some tips to help keep our furry companions happy and healthy.

Most people know that choco-late can be toxic to dogs. I spent many years work-ing in veterinary emergency clinics, and every year I would see dozens of dogs experiencing symp-toms related to chocolate ingestion.

When it comes to chocolate the size of the dog matters as well as the type of chocolate. An 80-pound Labrador retriever might easily put away a two-pound bag of milk chocolate kisses

with nothing more than some diar-rhea as a consequence. Unfortunately, a five-pound poodle eating a half ounce of baking chocolate could be in real trouble. When in doubt, call your veterinarian or the Pet Emergency Center in Mt. Vernon (360-848-5911).

As a side note, I have never seen a cat with chocolate toxicity. I don’t think that cats are immune to the toxic effects of chocolate, but maybe

they are just more discriminating than their canine brethren.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is being increasingly used in a variety of products from chewing gum and toothpastes to jellies, candy, baked goods, and even Beano. I mention that

J.M. KIEL,DVM

FOR PETS’ SAKE

SEE PETS | PAGE 6

www.kpsfederal.com

for rating KPS among the top health plans in the country*

*NCQA 2011 Quality Compass Survey of Federal Employees

thank youfederal employees

!

Pearl Harbor

rememberedTwo events will pay

tribute to survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The PBY Memorial Foundation will hold a spe-cial tribute to Pearl Harbor in conjunction with the Association of Naval Aviators at the CPO Club on Ault Field Road at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. A no host luncheon will be followed by a tribute to Pearl Harbor survivors.

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 will hold a Remembrance Ceremony Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the NAS Whidbey Island Seaplane Base Marina.

A reception will immedi-ately follow at Simard Hall (Building 12).

Lighted

boat paradeDecorate your boat

and join the annual Oak Harbor Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade Saturday eve-ning.

As in the past the Lighted Boat Parade will coincide with the “Greening of Coupeville” celebration. The parade will pass by the Coupeville Wharf at approximately 5:30 p.m. and return to Oak Harbor at approxi-mately 6:30 p.m.

In the event of poor weather the alternate date will be Sunday.

All boat skippers must report to the skippers’ meeting at 3 p.m. in the lower level Clubhouse of the Oak Harbor Yacht Club. Boats will leave the dock to form the parade line at 4:30 p.m. Skippers and crew from participat-ing boats are invited to a potluck dinner in the club-house of Oak Harbor Yacht

Club. OHYC will be pro-viding a meat dish. During dinner, trophies will be awarded for the best deco-rated power and sailboat.

All boats are welcome regardless of yacht club affiliation. For informa-tion, contact Byron Skubi at [email protected] or call him at 675-8696.

Elf Dash SaturdayKids have a chance to

take part in a fun, fit way to usher in the holiday sea-son. The Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Youth Center will present the Elf Dash Saturday morning for all eligible children ages 5 to 13. The event is free, and the first 100 participants also qualify for a T-shirt.

Check-in starts at 8 a.m., and the start times are divided by distances and age groups: 8:30 a.m. for ages 9-13 (2 miles); 9 a.m. for ages 7-8 (1 mile); and 9:30 a.m. for ages 5-6 (1/2 mile).

For the really younger set, there is a pre-K stroller division for ages 0-4. Each entrant must be accompa-nied by an adult walker or runner, and has the option of an 8:30, 9:00, or 9:30 a.m. start time.

Call 257-3150 for more information.

Lions have

Christmas treesThe Oak Harbor Lions

Club is holding its annual Christmas tree sale from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day until Dec. 23, or until they are sold out.

The stand is located in the park next to the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, at 32630 Highway 20.

Choose from Noble, Douglas, Grand, Fraiser and Nordman Fir trees, all cut fresh in Deming, Wash. Sizes range from four-feet to nine-feet in height.

Prices are the same as the last two years. All proceeds support community proj-ects.

Holiday concert of

carols and classicsWhidbey Island Center

for the Arts in Langley will present a holiday concert, “I’ll be home for Christmas,” on Friday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m.

WICA invites all those interested to enjoy the fin-est of Whidbey Island’s vocal ensembles — the WICA Chamber Singers, WICA Conservatory Choir, and GLEE! Club — with seasonal favor-ites such as “Jingle Bells,” “Sleigh Ride,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” “White Christmas,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

Tickets cost $12 to $16 and are available by con-tacting the WICA ticket office by phone at 221-8268 or (800) 638-7631. Go to www.WICAonline.com for additional information.

80s movie

now a musicalMark your busy

December event calendar for the not-to-be-missed “Big, the Musical” at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in Langley from Dec. 2 through 17.

Under the direction of Robert W. Prosch, the musical explores the world of a Whidbey Island kid, Josh, who wishes to be “big,” and suddenly has his wish granted when he wakes up as a full-grown man shortly before his 13th birthday.

“Big, the Musical” is about every adult’s longing to return to the simpler days of childhood and every child’s desire to grow

up.On Sunday, at 1:15 p.m.,

those interested may attend a brown bag prologue. Admission to the prologue is by donation; tickets to the musical must be pur-chased separately.

Tickets range in price from $12 to $16. For infor-mation, call WICA at 221-8268, (800) 638-7631, or go to www.WICAonline.com

WICA will also be accepting donations of new toys. They will be used to decorate the set and fol-lowing the performance, will be delivered to Holiday House to benefit families struggling to provide their children holiday presents. New toys may be dropped off at WICA, 565 Camano Ave. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m.

Coupeville

Christmas bazaarThe annual Coupeville

United Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar will be held Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Sixth and North Main streets.

The bazaar is known for its hand-made Christmas wreaths, fresh baked goods, quilts and crafts made by the United Methodist Women.

In the basement, the Attic Treasures area offers gently-used items for sale at bargain prices.

Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring a main dish, salad, roll and a piece of home baked pie. For information contact the church office at 678-4256.

NASWI Christmas

tree lighting

There will be a Christmas tree lighting cel-ebration from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Convergence Zone on NAS Whidbey Island.

Outside, Santa will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage to light up the NASWI Christmas tree. Complimentary hot cider and cocoa will be served inside after the tree light-ing.

Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, carnival games, prizes and more, plus visits and photos with Santa.

Call 257-2432 for infor-mation.

Annual Oak Harbor

tree lightingThe eighth annual holi-

day tree lighting celebra-tion will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday on Pioneer Way in downtown Oak Harbor.

The tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m., just in time for Santa’s arrival. Caroling also begins at 6 p.m.

There will be free horse drawn carriage rides along will tasty treats, hot cocoa and cider.

The event is sponsored by downtown merchants and the city of Oak Harbor.

Give yourself

the gift of playA workshop introducing

SoulCollage will be held Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the art room of the Oak Harbor Senior Center on Jerome Street.

There are no special tools or skills required to participate and all supplies and materials are provided.

This class is intended for those age 18 and older who wish to explore their creativity through collage-making.

Cost is $20 plus $5 for supplies. Class size is lim-ited, so those interested are encouraged to call 682-6070 or email [email protected] to sign up in advance.

If finances are a chal-lenge for you, speak to class facilitator, Kathleen Flynn before the workshop.

The Greening

of CoupevilleGet your holiday season

rolling by attending the Greening of Coupeville Saturday, beginning with a Christmas parade at 4 p.m. on Main and Front Streets.

There will be floats, themed characters and the best-known character of them all, Santa.

The lighting of the Christmas tree will take place at 5 p.m. at Cook’s Corner Park on Main and Ninth streets.

The annual Christmas art and antiques walk also begins at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m., weather permitting, catch a glimpse of the Oak Harbor boat parade from the Coupeville Wharf.

Call 678-5434 for infor-mation.

Coat

donations soughtNinth-grade students in

the Island Program at Oak Harbor High School are seeking donations of gently used winter coats.

Students have received a grant from the Oak harbor Educational Foundation to assist with this coat drive.

Donations of clean, new or gently used coats of any size appropriate for kindergarten through 12th-grade will be accepted through Monday. The coats will be donated to families and organizations throughout the community.

Contact OHHS counselor Jeremy Day at 279-5785 for information.

JOIN US IN

675-4837

Oak HarborLutheran ChurchNW 2nd Avenue & Heller RoadAcross the street from OHHS Staadium

Nursery Available Sunday Evening Prayer 6:30 PM at

St. Mary Catholic Church in CoupevillePastor Jeffrey Spencer

Pastor Marc Stroud, Caring MinstryLynne Ogren, Music & Children Ministry

679-1561

Saturday Worship ................. 5:30 p.m.

Sunday Worship ....8:00 & 10:30 a.m.Sunday School .........................9:15 a.m.

House of Prayer Faith Tabernacle of Praise

Monday Prayer Meeting - 6:00 P.M.Tuesday Night Bible Study- 6:30 P.M.Friday High Praise Service- 6:30 P.M.

Sunday Celebration/Children’s Ministry – 9:30 A.M.Sunday Morning Worship Service – 11:00 A.M.

Church Telephone Number (360)679-1003Bishop Charles And Pastor Effie Boyles (360)929-3127

620 A/B Erin Park DriveOak Harbor, WA 98277

(NEXT TO U-HAUL BLDG.)

Sunday Services8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am

(“Kids on the Rock” Ministry for Children

ages 3mos.-5th grade meets at all services)

“Amped” Jr. High Youth: Sun., 5:00 pm“Legacy” High School Youth: Sun., 7:15 pm

Small GroupsWomen’s Ministry • Men’s Ministry

Russ Schlecht ~ Senior Pastorwww.elivingword.org

490 NW Crosby Ave., Oak Harbor 675-5008

WhidbeyPresbyterian

Church1148 SE 8th Ave

Oak Harbor11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Dave Templin, Pastor

Bethany Popkes, Youth DirectorKurt Imbach, Adult Facilitator www.whidbeypres.org

679-3579Child Care is available and Everyone Welcome

Sunday Worship .8:30 am & 10:45 amClasses For All Ages ................ 9:45 amYouth Ministries-Choirs-Bible Studies

Dave Johnson, Pastor

675-2441 • www.ohfumc.org1050 SE Ireland St • Oak Harbor

FirstUnitedMethodistChurch

Oak HarborUnited Pentecostal Church

Sunday Service - NoonWednesday Bible Study 7pm

Pastor Mark Dillon404-661-4653

[email protected]

Mailing Address:41 NE Midway Blvd Suite 103

Oak Harbor, WA 98277

CALVARY APOSTOLIC TABERNACLE(The Pentecostals of Island County)

............... ............

..........................

632-7243

Word OfEverlastingLife & FaithChurch

721 S.E. Barrington • Oak Harbor360-632-3642

SundayBible Study 9:00am

Worship Service 10:00amEvening Service 6:00pm

Come Worship With Us!Thursday Bible Study 7:00p.m.950 S.W. Upland Ct • Oak HarborPastor Dr. Thomas Stoneham Sr.,

Minister Donald Cole

Oak HarborChurch of Christ

1000 NE Koetje Street(Just North of Offi ce Max)

“To Know Christ & Make Him Known”Sunday Morning:Worship Assembly -------------------------9:30 amBible Classes for all ages --------------- 11:00 amWed. Classes for all ages ------------------6:30 pm

Joe Cook, Preaching Ministerwww.churchofchrist-oh.org

[email protected]

675-3441

721 SW 20th CT (one block south of Highway 20 off Scenic Heights St.)www.christiansciencewhidbey.com ❖ [email protected] ❖ 360-675-0621

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCHOAK HARBOR

COME VISIT!

Sunday Service & Sunday School - 10 amWednesday Testimony Meeting - 7:30 pm

Free Child Care - All Services

Visit our Reading RoomIT’S MORE THAN A BOOK STORE!Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday - 11am to 3 pm

Wednesday - 6:30 to 7:30 pm

679-1288

ConcordiaLutheranChurch

Missouri SynodWorship Service .........................Sunday 10:00amAdult Bible Study & Sunday School .....11:15amEvening Service ....................Wednesday 6:30pm

Nursery Available

Pastor Juan Palm360-675-2548

Preschool 360-679-1697590 N. Oak Harbor St • Oak Harbor

www.concordialutheranwhidbey.org

Whidbey IslandChurch of Christ

3143-G North Goldie RdOak Harbor

Sunday Worship ........9:00 a.m.Sunday Bible Study 10:00 a.m.Sunday Evening ........5:00 p.m.Wednesday Evening .6:00 p.m.

For more information call:Gary 675-5569Jerry 679-3986

Come Worship With Us.Promote Your Place Of Worship In

The Whidbey News-Times For Only $11.25/week.

Now You Can Have Additional Promotion In Whidbey CrosswindsDouble The Coverage For Only $20.00/Week.

Please Call 360-675-6611 Today!

St. Stephen’s AnglicanThe Rev. Paul Orritt

SUNDAY SERVICE8:00 AM

SOLEMN EUCHARIST

9:30 AMSUNG EUCHARIST

11:11 AMEUCHARIST CELEBRATIONwww.ststephensanglicans.org

2 CHURCHES - 1 BUILDING555 SE Regatta Dr.

Oak Harbor679-3431

ST.

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A Church, A FamilyA Spiritual Home

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Island Vineyard Community ChurchPastor James Gallagher

6:00-7:30 PMSUNDAY NIGHTS

www.islandvineyard.org

last product because I have known people to give it to their dogs to try (unsuccessfully) to minimize the effects of flatulence.

In dogs and cats Xylitol can produce reactions ranging in severity from hypoglycemia and seizures to liver failure and death. The mechanism of the condition is still not completely understood so at this time awareness and avoidance are your best defense.

Commercially made pet treats are often bought as stocking stuffers for both cats and dogs. Be aware of the ingredients in the treats you buy and where they come from.

Since 2007 there has been a problem with some chicken jerky treats manufactured in China that has resulted in a number of deaths in dogs due to kidney failure that developed within hours or days of the product being eaten. The Food and Drug Administration just re-issued that warning as well.

Holiday plants, such as poinsettias and mistle-

toe, while not lethal, can produce gastrointestinal problems with vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. The preservative used in the water at the base of the Christmas tree stand can produce similar signs.

Christmas tree light cords seem to be a magnet for puppies to chew on, which can result in severe burns to the mouth. On a similar note, cats are often attract-ed to tinsel and ribbon. This can lead to intestinal obstructions requiring surgery to correct.

Dietary indiscretion during the holidays is the polite way of describing what dogs get into, from meal leftovers to garbage scavenging. Signs typically include vomiting and diarrhea, but may also to prog-ress to more severe problems in some individuals such as pancreatitis. While it is tempting to share the abundance of food with our pets it is best to keep it to a minimum to avoid GI upset.

Stress at this time of year affects pets as well. Our cats may actually be more affected by this than dogs. For all of your pets you can minimize stress by trying to stick to their regular feeding schedules and other

routines as much as possible. If you have a question about your pets it always

better to call your veterinarian rather than to ignore it, or, sometimes even worse, rely on the diagnos-tic assistance of Dr. Google. Here’s to a happy and healthy holiday season to your pets and you.

Dr. Kiel is the U.S. Army veterinarian currently support-ing NAS Whidbey Island and Naval Station Everett. His columns appear the first and third Friday of each month. Please send questions or comments to Dr. Kiel at [email protected].

PETS | FROM PAGE 4

ON THE GO?WhidbeyCrosswind.com

is mobile-friendly!

quality toy for every child on the island,” said Re McClung, whose husband, Mike, is the Commandant of Detachment 1210. This is the second year the couple has coordinated the toy drive, although the Marine Corps League has long been part of the Toys for Tots effort.

According to Re, they partner with five differ-ent agencies on the island with whom families have registered for assistance. The agencies provide the number of children in particular age groups so Re can target the shopping.

“That’s how we know what it is we need to find,” Re said. “We secure the toys, and (the agencies) deliver them to the chil-dren.”

Toys for Tots rules allow people to donate new, unwrapped toys into any collection box they see. While there are agencies on the south end of the island that take care of those boxes, the Marine Corps League has dozens of boxes in various loca-tions all around Coupeville and Oak Harbor, even in Freeland.

The toys collected are sorted by age groups and are used to match the requests from the agen-cies’ lists. Most often items donated fit the 6 to 10 age group, which is the easiest group to buy for, according to Re. Items for infants to age 4 and items for teens ages 12 to 14 are harder

to get.“We have that middle

age group (from about 6 to 10) covered really well. That infant end and teen-ager end are more difficult for us,” Re said. “We like to have toys that are interac-tive for children that help develop motor skills.”

All toys donated on Whidbey Island stay on the island. Items donated on the north end typically stay on the north end and vice versa. However, if there is a big need for baby items in Langley, for example, and there are a lot of baby things available in Oak Harbor, Re said organizers will shuffle things around a bit.

Any money donated on Whidbey Island also stays here, Mike McClung said. The national Toys for Tots organization tracks dona-tions and distributes those funds to each group so organizers can go shop-ping. Re said she starts the process in September.

“With the money we’re given, I scour all the toy catalogs and research the best toys for Christmas and the favorite toys. Then

I come up with lists,” she said. “We’re only allowed to buy a toy up to $29.95, so I look at the toys in that price range and try to get them on sale.”

That price limit only applies to Toys for Tots organizers, however.

“I can’t buy anything over $30, but people can donate whatever they want,” said Mike. Last year, for example, Navy Federal Credit Union raised money and donated 18 new bicycles.

“Obviously we have a need for more than 18 bikes on the island,” Re said, adding that donated sports equipment is also a big help. “If a person bought a bat, that’s a huge help for us.”

And the need for toys keeps increasing as the number of children increases.

“We’ve had about 150 to 200 more children each year, so the need is abso-lutely increasing,” Mike said.

Coordinating all of this is a lot of work, obvi-ously. But for Mike and Re, who lost their daughter, Maj. Megan McClung, in December of 2006, it helps

make a difficult time of the year for their family a little easier.

“It’s a heart project for me, because I always want-ed to do Toys for Tots. This is the time of year we lost our Megan, so to be out doing something for other people is a really good way to get through the holi-days,” Re said. “It makes me ‘other focused’ for the holidays.”

Financial contribu-tions can be made to Toys for Tots throughout the year. Donations of new,

unwrapped toys will be taken through Monday, Dec. 19.

“We’re grateful for any toys we get and we’ll make sure they get to the right place and in the right hands for Christmas,” Re said.

And even in a tight economy, Re is confident they will collect what they need.

“People on this island are so generous,” she said. “We couldn’t do this without them. We couldn’t make it happen without their help.”

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Stay safe during the holidays and book your holiday

event transportation with us. We have vans, buses and a

limousine to make the most of your trip.

Mike McClung, center, Commandant of the Maj. Megan McClung Marine Corps League Detachment 1210, stands with Tree of Hope recipients last year. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE MCCLUNG

TOYS | FROM PAGE 1“We’re grateful for any toys we get and we’ll make sure they get to

the right place and in the right hands

for Christmas. ”– Re McClung

How to Donate:Members of the Maj. Megan McClung Marine Corps League Detachment 1210 will be collecting money for Toys for Tots from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11 at the ferry dock in Clinton. This is the group’s major Toys for Tots fund-raiser for the year.

The group will also have collection bins at several local holiday events, including the Oak Harbor High School Holiday Choir concert at 3 p.m. Saturday, the Oak Harbor High School Holiday Band concert at 3 p.m. on Dec. 15 and at the Northwest Navy Band Holiday con-cert at 3 p.m. on Dec. 17.

To make a mon-etary donation to Toys for Tots, send a check payable to Toys for Tots and send it to: Toys For Tots – Whidbey, c/o MCL Detachment #1210, P.O. Box 977, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. If desired, note “For Whidbey Island” on the memo line.

For other informa-tion, please call 320-3013.

Coupeville:Coupeville Coffee and Bakery (Main Street)Coupeville Elementary SchoolCoupeville LibraryCoupeville Middle/High SchoolEbey Bowling AlleyHoney Bear Knead and FeedLiving HopeThe Pizza FactoryUnited Methodist ChurchWells FargoWhidbey General HospitalWhidbey Island Bank

Freeland:Studio A

Oak Harbor:Ace Hardware (Pioneer)Alaska FCUAmerican Legion Post #129Banner BanksBrandman UniversityCaldwell Banker (Pioneer)

Caldwell Banker (SR-20)Fleet Resources Center NWHallmark (Hwy 20)K-MartKoetje (Pioneer)Koetje (SR-20)NAS Whidbey Island: Hospital, CNATTU, Officers’ Club, VAQ-129, Navy ExchangeNaval Federal Credit UnionNorth Puget Sound Association of Realtors Oak BowlOak Harbor HallmarkOak Harbor Middle SchoolOak Harbor Yacht ClubPeoples BankSafewaySkagit Valley College The Jewelry GalleryVeterans of Foreign Wars Walgreens (Hwy 20)WalMartWells Fargo BanksWhidbey Island BanksWind and Tide Bookshop

North Whidbey collection sites

Norm Brocard, left, Mike McClung and Zander Collier col-lect donations at the Clinton ferry dock last year for Toys for Tots. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE MCCLUNG

WE BUY ALL GOLD & SILVER

JEWELRY

COINS: All coins (silver or gold) made before 1970 including Silver Dollars , Halves, Quarters and Dimes, we also buy Buffalo Nickels, War Nickels, Indian Head and Wheat PenniesJEWELRY: Any and all Gold or Silver necklaces, class rings or diamond rings, bracelets and earrings in any condition!WRIST & POCKET WATCHES: Pocket or Wrist watches including Rolex, Hamilton, Omega, Elgin, Illinois, Waltham, Bunn Special, etc...

WAR RELICS: Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, or WW2 swords,

bayonets, medals, letters, badges, helmets, clothing, photos, etc...MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS: Guitars including Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, National and Rickenbocker, Banjos, Mandolins, Violins and Drum Sets.STERLING: Silverware sets, Tea Sets, Jewelry and anything .925.COLLECTIBLES: Old Comic Books, Paper Currency, Train Sets, Tiffany lamps/vases, Sports Memorabilia, all Costume Jewelry and Rare Antiques.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

ITEMS WE WILL ACCEPT INCLUDE:

Scrap Gold Jewelry

Investment Gold

Gold Coins

Dental Gold

Sterling Silverware

All Pre-1970 Coins

Proof Coin Sets

Costume Jewelry

Silver Dollars

Sterling Tea Sets

Above: Another happy customer awaits their big payday as the refinery represen-tative processes their sale!

Above: “ I’m glad I came in! I really needed money so I cashed in my old silver coin collection,” said Betty Montgomery, who received $2,738 for her coffee can of coins.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

SILVER AND GOLD COIN PRICES UP DURING POOR ECONOMY.

By Ken McIntosh STAFF WRITER

Got Coin? It might be just the time to cash in. This week, starting Tuesday and continuing through Saturday, the International Collectors Association in conjunction with the Ohio Valley Gold & Silver Refinery will be purchasing all types of silver and gold coins direct from the public. All types are welcome and the event is free.

Collectors will be on hand to identify and sort your coins. Then the quality or grade will be determined. The better the grade the more they are worth, according to collectors I talked to. With the silver and gold markets high, prices of older coins are too. Any coins minted before 1965 in the U.S. are 90% silver, except nickels and pennies.

The coin’s worth is determined by the rarity and the grade. Old silver dollars are worth a great premium right now, even well worn heavily circulated ones are bringing good premiums. Franklin and Kennedy half dollars, Washington quarters, Mercury and Roosevelt dimes are all worth many times the face value. While older types like Seated Liberty, Standing Liberties, and Barber coins are worth even more.

Gold coins are really worth a lot right now, according to Brian Eades of the International Collectors Association. “This country didn’t start minting coins until 1792” says Eades. He explained, “Before that, people would trade goods using gold dust and nuggets. Some

shop keepers would take more gold than needed

to pay for items purchased. There was no uniform system of making change.”

The government opened the first mints and began distributing the coins in 1792. By the beginning of the 19th century, coins and paper currency were wide spread and our monetary system was here to stay. In 1933 Roosevelt required all banking institutions to turn in all gold coins. Once all banks turned in this gold, the president raised the gold standard from $20.00 per ounce to $33.00 per ounce. This was his way of stimulating the economy during the great depression. However, gold coins were never redistributed after the recall. But not all gold coins were turned in. “Many folks during that time didn’t completely trust the government and chose to keep their gold” said Eades.

These gold coins are sought after by collectors today and bring many times the face value. Any gold coins with the mint marks of CC, D or O will bring nice premiums. Collectors at the event will be glad to show you where to look. Other types of coins will also be purchased including foreign coins, Indian cents, two cent pieces, half dimes, three cent pieces and buffalo nickels to name a few.

Collectors warn people against trying to clean their coins, as significant damage can be done and the coin’s value lessened.

By David Morgan STAFF WRITER

A refinery spokesperson for the event said he expects to pay local residents in excess of $350,000 this week for their Gold and Silver Jewelry, Old Coins, Sterling Silverware and Rare Collectibles!

Examples of transactions this week include:A lady cleaned out her jewelry box and brought in a few pieces she didn’t

wear any longer such as a herringbone necklace, mismatched earrings and a class ring and left with $712.47

A gentleman brought in a Sterling Silverware set he inherited from his parents and walked out with $1,382

Young couple brought in a Gibson Guitar, some Costume Jewelry and a few pocket watches and left with a check for $4,637!

With the rough economic times we’re in, it’s cool that an event like this would come to our area and allow folks to cash in their items. They were professional and made the whole process simple and stress free!

The Refinery is traveling the United States for a 2 year tour of several hundred towns and cities.

They are paying cash on the spot for my stuff! Awesome!

Collectors and Enthusiasts in Oak Harbor with $350,000 to Purchase Yours!

****TWO THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT AND 00/100*****

Betty Montgomery

GOT GOLD, SILVER OR COINS? CASH IN RIGHT NOW! AREA RESIDENTS RECEIVING CASH ON THE SPOT!

INFORMATION

WHO OHIO VALLEY GOLD

& SILVER REFINERY

WHAT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

TO SELL THEIR GOLD

AND SILVER

WHERE BEST WESTERN PLUS HARBOR PLAZA & CONFERENCE CENTER

33175 STATE ROUTE 20

OAK HARBOR, WA 98277

WHEN NOV. 29TH - DEC. 3RD

TUES–FRI 9AM–6PM

SATURDAY 9AM–4PM

DIRECTIONS 217.787.7767INFORMATION 217.787.7767

Choose from 15 Acres of Trees grown right

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Free Pictures with Santa on the weekends 11-5 pmWe’ve got pie!! 12 varieties to choose from!!

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DOUGLAS FIR TREE $24.95U-Cut, We-Cut and Pre-Cut!

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www.FunAtTheBerryBarn.com Go east on Hwy 20, take a right at the Farmhouse Inn towards LaConner, we are 1 mile down the road on the left.

Anacortes shipbuilder to build Navy research vessel

By KATHY REED

Whidbey Crosswind

Dakota Creek Industries, an Anacortes-based shipbuilder, has been awarded a $74.1

million contract to build the Navy’s new Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research Vessel.

The announcement was made in mid-October and was immediately hailed as good news by U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen.

“The announcement ... is good news for the community of Anacortes, and more importantly, it means jobs,” Larsen said in a statement. “The AGOR contract will ensure that there will be a shipyard of workers, providing living wage jobs for the boat builder, their suppliers and local businesses that depend on Dakota Creek Industries.”

“We’re pretty excited about it,” said Mike Nelson, vice president of Dakota Creek Industries. “We’ve built larger boats, but these are fairly complicated because they’re for scientific purposes and hold a lot of equipment.”

A winning designWhile Dakota Creek has done sub-

contract work for the Navy and repairs on existing vessels before, this is the first Department of Defense contract the com-pany has won completely on its own. The company was awarded one of two phase one contracts more than a year ago, which allowed two shipyards the opportunity to design the AGOR.

“So it became a design competition between two yards,” Nelson said. “ At the end of that there was an evaluation process and our design and our yard was selected.”

The vessel, when completed, will be 238-feet in length and will provide the ability for academic institutions and national laboratories to do a wide variety of ocean-based research. AGOR will be equipped with on-board labs and will include seafloor mapping systems, cur-rent profilers for mapping water currents, networked sensors for monitoring atmo-spheric and ocean conditions plus precise navigational tools for instruments under the ship. Construction is expected to begin within about six months.

“I think construction time is going to be around two years, but it’s a three-year contract,” said Nelson. “Something we’re not used to with the Navy — and we think it will be a good thing — is you have a lot of time for pre-engineering. In the com-mercial world, you never have the luxury of time ... as soon as you sign the contract, they want you building the boat because they want it yesterday. But the Navy, I think it’s a lot better way to do it, where you do all your engineering up front and get it all worked out before you start.”

Proper planningNelson said they’ll start working with a

three-dimensional computer model of the

whole vessel and its structure, figuring out materials and thickness of the steel plates that will be needed for con-struction.

“The steel is not something you go grab right off the shelf, either. It’s all built from scratch so you don’t just go pick it out,” Nelson said.

For the most part, all the steel used in building the vessel will be domestic, pref-erably from the Northwest region, Nelson said.

“They have to have a good product, good service and back up and all that, but yeah, we buy as much as we can regionally — even in town as much as we can.”

Family companyDakota Creek Industries was started in

1975 by Nelson’s father, Dick, in Blaine, Wash. It moved to larger facilities in Anacortes in 1977.

Like many children of business owners, Nelson, who grew up in Bellingham spent his summers during college working for the family business.

“I went to school to be an industrial designer,” he said. “I didn’t expect to work here ... but I found I liked doing this better than anything else I was looking at. Boat building is a lot of fun.”

There are currently about 250 employ-ees, but according to Nelson, that has ranged from a low of 20 employees to a

Dakota Creek Industries is awarded multi-

million dollar contract

This computer-generated rendition of the AGOR shows the basic design of the vessel to be built by Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes. IMAGE COURTESY OF NAVSEA PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

Mike Nelson

The Sea Jet Advanced Electric Ship Demonstrator is a Navy vessel Dakota Creek Industries worked on as a subcontractor a few years ago. U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY JOHN F. WILLIAMS/RELEASED

SEE SHIP | PAGE 16

FRI., DEC. 2Seeing Stars: The Island County Astronomical Society is holding a free star party Friday beginning at dark at Fort Nugent Park in Oak Harbor, weather permitting. People of all ages are welcome and no telescope is needed. Contact Dan Pullen at 679-7664 or at [email protected] or got to www.icas-wa.webs.com for details.

NASWI Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration: There will be a Christmas tree lighting celebration

from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Convergence Zone on NAS Whidbey Island. Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, carnival games, prizes and more, plus visits and photos with Santa. Call 257-2432 for information.

“Big: The Musical” Premieres: Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in Langley will present “Big: The Musical” beginning Friday. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. each Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sundays through Dec. 17. Ticket prices range from $12 to $16. Call the WICA office for tickets at 221-8268 or 800-638-7631.

Annual Greening Concert: Concerts on the Cove presents its annual Greening Concert featuring Magical Strings Celtic Yuletide Festival at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Camp Casey. Magical Strings centers around the Celtic harp and hammered dulcimer, augmented by violin, cello, pennywhistle, percussion and various

instruments from around the world. Tickets are $15 in advance or at the door. Go to www.concertsonthecove.org for more information.

Festival of Trees: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County presents the 13th annual Festival of Trees on Friday, at 5:30 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge. South Whidbey’s festival will be Saturday at the Useless Bay Golf and Country Club. Enjoy auctions of beautifully decorated trees. Tickets cost $75 and include dinner and wine. Proceeds benefit the youth mentoring agency. View the trees before they go to their new owners on Dec. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Elks Lodge or Dec. 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Useless Bay Golf and Country Club. For reservations call 279-0644 or email [email protected].

Click Music Acoustic Jam: Join your friends and neighbors for a free evening of playing music together each Friday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Click Music, 1130 NE Seventh Ave., in Oak Harbor. Players of all ages and levels are welcome. Call 675-5544.

North Whidbey Coupon Club: Those interested in saving money on groceries and everyday items are welcome to attend the North Whidbey Coupon Club each Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce. The club is free and open to all couponers, new or experienced. For information email [email protected] or call 675-2338.

SAT., DEC. 3Teddy Bear Breakfast: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Island County will hold its Teddy Bear Breakfast Saturday at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Characters will serve pancakes and goodies. Tickets are $6 for under age 12 and $10 for 13 and older. Call 279-0644.

The Greening of Coupeville: Get your holiday season rolling by attending the Greening of Coupeville

Saturday, beginning with a Christmas parade at 4 p.m. on Main and Front streets. There will be floats, themed characters and the best-know character of them all, Santa. The lighting of the Christmas tree will take place at 5 p.m. at Cook’s Corner Park on Main and Ninth streets. The annual Christmas art and antiques walk also begins at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m., weather permitting, catch a glimpse of the Oak Harbor boat parade from the Coupeville Wharf. Call 678-5434 for information.

Christmas Craft Fair: There will be a Christmas craft fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Coupeville Rec hall. Call 678-3142 for information.

Coupeville Christmas Bazaar: The annual Coupeville United Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar will be held Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Sixth and North Main streets. The bazaar is known for its hand-made Christmas wreaths, fresh baked goods, quilts and crafts made by the United Methodist Women. In the basement, the Attic Treasures area offers gently used items for sale at bargain prices. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring a main dish, salad, roll and a piece of home baked pie. For information contact the church office at 678-4256.

Lighted Boat Parade: Decorate your boat and join the annual Oak Harbor Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade Saturday evening. In case of poor weather the alternate date will be Sunday. All boat skippers must report to the skippers’ meeting at 3 p.m. in the lower level Clubhouse of the Oak Harbor Yacht Club. The parade will pass by the Coupeville pier at approximately 5:30 p.m. and return to Oak Harbor at approximately 6:30 p.m. Contact Byron Skubi at [email protected] or 675-8696 for information.

Dogs Love to Listen: Children with an adult can

read aloud to a patient dog who loves to listen ever Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Oak Harbor Library. Call 675-5115 or go to www.sno-isle.org for details.

Gingerbread Workshop: Enjoy a gingerbread workshop at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Coupeville Library. Call 678-4911 for information.

Pets at the Farm with Santa: Hummingbird Farm Nursery and Gardens on Zylstra Road near Oak Harbor will present Pets at the Farm with Santa from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. This event is a FETCH Fundraiser and is a photo opportunity with Pendleton Imaging and Photography. Call 679-5044 to reserve your sitting.

Buy a book, help a shelter animal: Local author and animal welfare advocate Ardeth De Vries will sign copies of her latest book, “A Space Between,” at Kingfisher Books on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. All proceeds from the book’s sales will be donated to WAIF to help sheltered animals. Kingfisher Books is located at 16 Front St., Coupeville. Contact 678-1078 or [email protected].

SUN., DEC. 4“Messiah” Sing Along: Whidbey Island’s Saratoga Chamber Orchestra will present “Raise up Ye Voices and Sing,” a sing-along for Handel’s “Messiah” at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland. Go to www.saratogachamberorchestra.org for information.

MON., DEC. 5VFW Hosts Monday Night Football: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Oak Harbor Post 7392 invites anyone interested to watch football on two large-screen televisions every Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be food and beverage specials during the game. Call 675-4048 for information or go to vfwpost7392.org.’

Veterans of Foreign Wars: VFW Whitehead-Muzzall Post 7392, will hold its general membership meetingMonday at 7 p.m. at its post on Goldie Road in Oak Harbor. Call 675-4048 for information.

VFW Ladies Auxiliary: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary holds its general membership meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Whitehead-Muzzall Post on Goldie Road in Oak Harbor. Call 675-4048 for details.

TUES., DEC. 6Pearl Harbor survivors saluted: The PBY Memorial Foundation will hold a special tribute to Pearl Harbor in conjunction with the Association of Naval Aviators at the CPO Club on Ault Field Road at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. No host luncheon will be followed by a tribute to the Pearl Harbor survivors and a recording of interviews with the local PH survivors. The next regular luncheon will be Jan. 24.

Creative Kids Club: The North Whidbey Parks and

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Christmas Open House

You’re Invited

Join us for a fun evening of holiday shopping!

Enjoy goodies, cider and holiday music.Door Prizes, Free gifts and Discounts

Come check out all the Special Buys!

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Friday, Dec. 2 Double Feature$5 adults/$2 youth

7 p.m. - The Three Musketeers (PG 13)9:15 p.m. - Johnny English Reborn (PG)

Saturday, Dec. 3 $3 adults/$1.50 youth

2 p.m. - Real Steel (PG-13)

FREE Double Feature:6 p.m. - The Ides of March (R)

8:15 p.m. - 50/50 (R)

Sunday, Dec. 4Each movie $1

2 p.m. - Footloose (PG 13)4:30 p.m. - The Big Year (PG)

Thursday, Dec. 8Not available by press time/

$2 adults/$1 youth

Movie starts at 7 p.m.

Information: 257-5537

CONTINUES NEXT PAGE

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Recreation District invites families to attend the Creative Kids Club beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Oak Harbor Senior Center on Jerome Street in Oak Harbor. Children (with parents/guardians) will create Christmas ornaments. Cost is $3 per person or $6.75 per family. All supplies are provided. Sign up by calling 969-6737.

Whidbey Sounders Toastmasters Club: The Whidbey Sounders Toastmasters Club will meet Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at San Remo Mediterranean Grill in Oak Harbor. Participate in the time proven Toastmasters program (since 1924). Must be over 18. Go to www.whidbeysounders.org for information.

VFW Hosts Open Microphone Night: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7392 on Goldie Road in Oak Harbor hosts an open microphone night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each Tuesday. Bring musical instruments, acoustic or electric, flamenco or country, drums, stand up, karaoke or kazoos. Musicians and audience guests are welcome. Call Myron at 672-

5166 or the Post at 675-4048 or go to www.vfwpost7392.org for information.

Navy Wives Club of America:Navy Wives Club of America, Whidbey Island #150, meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Building 22 on Seaplane Base. To learn more about the organization or membership, go to www.navywivesclubofamerica.org or call toll-free at 1-866-511-NWCA(6922).

WED., DEC. 7Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony: Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 will hold a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the NAS Whidbey Island Seaplane Base Marina. A reception will immediately follow at Simard Hall (Bldg. 12). Dress for participants and military guests is service dress blues, and for civilians, appropriate attire.

THURS., DEC. 8Holiday Open House: The Coupeville Library will have a holiday open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday. Stop by and enjoy goodies and a cup of cheer. Call 678-4911 for information.

FRI., DEC. 9Whidbey Dance Theater’s “The Nutcracker”: Whidbey Island Dance Theater will present “The Nutcracker” beginning Friday, Dec. 9 and running through Dec. 18 at the South Whidbey High School performing Arts Center. Performances will be Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. For tickets and information, call 341-2221 or go to widtonline.org.

SAT., DEC. 10See “The Nutcracker”: The Ballet Slipper will present “The Nutcracker” at Oak Harbor High School’s Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, and at 1 and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 18 and younger. Tickets are available at Bayview Embroidery ’N Print, 890 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor.

Christmas Home Tour: Celebrate magical holiday decorations at the third annual Oak Harbor Soroptimist Christmas Home Tour Saturday, Dec. 10,

from 4 to 8 p.m. The event features six homes on north Whidbey Island. Each home features a homemade cookie and recipe card. Tickets are $15 from the Casual House, Rusty Chandelier and Oak Harbor Hallmark or by calling Maria at 675-1872.

North Whidbey Coupon Club: All couponers, new or experienced, are invited to attend open house-style meetings of the North Whidbey Coupon Club the second Saturday of each month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce on Highway 20. Guests are offered coupons, a menu planning/grocery shopping list, non-insert coupons and more. Call 675-2338 for information.

Learn Tai Chi: In an introduction to classical Tai Chi and Qigong, study exercises for any age, especially those with chronic pain or illness. Learn how to improve balance, core strength and reduce stress on Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. in the Whidbey General Hospital conference rooms. Cost is $25. Registration required: call 678-7656 ext. 4005 or 321-7656 ext. 4005.

SUN., DEC. 11Support youth art: The Pacific NorthWest Art School will hold its “Deck the Halls” fundraiser to support youth art and other programs on Dec. 11. Enjoy dinner, a dessert auction, silent and live auctions. The event is held at the Whidbey Golf and Country Club. Tickets cost $75 by calling 678-3396 or by visiting the school at 15 NW Birch St., Coupeville.

WED., DEC. 14VFW offers Christmas lunch to seniors: VFW’s annual Seniors Christmas Luncheon hosted by Whitehead-Muzzall VFW Post and Ladies Auxiliary will be held Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event, including Christmas festivities and lunch, is free to seniors. All are welcome at the Whitehead-Muzzall Post. 3037 N. Goldie Road, Oak Harbor. Contact 675-4048 or vfwpost7392.org.

FRI., DEC. 16“Town Mouse, Country Mouse”: Last Leaf Productions will present “Town Mouse, Country Mouse” at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16 at the Coupeville

Elementary School Multipurpose Room.

SUN., DEC. 18VFW Serves Breakfast: The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Oak Harbor Post 7392, will serve breakfast from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Dec. 18. Enjoy pancakes, eggs, hash browns, breakfast meats and biscuits ’n gravy. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children. All are welcome to attend. Proceeds will benefit the local post, including veterans’ assistance and community service programs. The Whitehead-Muzzall Post is located at 3037 N. Goldie Road in Oak Harbor. Call 675-4048 for information or go to www.vfwpost7392.org.

FRI., DEC. 30Just Before New Year’s Dance: Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s Youth Center will hold a New Year’s celebration from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Youth Center. There will be a DJ playing top-40 hits, food, special activities and more. Open to youth in grades 6 to 12. Cost is $2 for members, $4 for guests. Call 257-3150 for information or go to www.navylifepnw.com.

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

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high of 390.“We’ve been really

lucky the last few years to have kept busy through the recession,” he said. “Traditionally we always used to be around 150 to 200 (employees) but we did a redevelopment in the last few years that allows us to have a little better workload because of our facility.”

The AGOR will be hull number 58 for Dakota Creek. Over the years, they have built a variety of vessels, from private yachts and fishing boats to ferries and commercial offshore support vessels for oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico. Nelson estimates about 20 percent of their business is repair work. (At the time of our interview in early November, two Washington state ferries were there for repair.)

“One of the things we’ve never really tried to do is specialize, because if you get too specialized that can always go away and then you’ve got nothing,” Nelson said. “So we’ve always tried to be very flexible and tried to be able to do just about anything. That keeps us afloat.”

Government workJust a few years ago the

shipbuilder got its first taste of working with the government. Dakota Creek was a subcontractor for

another Navy research vessel, the Sea Jet, which is currently in use at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, Acoustic Research Detachment in Bayview, Idaho. The 133-foot vessel, much of which was con-structed by Dakota Creek, operates on Lake Pend Oreille.

Whether or not Navy contracts will play a part in the shipbuilder’s future has yet to be determined, but it’s a course Nelson said Dakota Creek will chart with care and optimism.

“We’re excited about (the AGOR). It’s a new avenue of opportunity,” Nelson said.

In the end, building a boat is building a boat — a lot of it depends on the customer.

“For boat building, it’s like who’s the engineer? How’s the design to begin with? Some things can start off with a horrible design and it’s a nightmare from beginning to end,” said Nelson. “And some can just be a really cool boat.”

SHIP | FROM PAGE 9

Even from several blocks away, a Washington State ferry in for repairs at Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes domi-nates the view at the end of Commercial Street in early November. KATHY REED/WHIDBEY CROSSWIND

Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes works on a variety of vessels, doing repairs and construction. The company recently won a multi-million dollar contract to build a Navy research vessel. KATHY REED/WHIDBEY CROSSWIND

IMAGE OF THE AGOR COURTESY OF NAVSEA PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

Dakota Creek Industries was founded in Blaine, Wash., in 1975, moving to Anacortes in 1977. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAKOTA CREEK INDUSTRIES

“We’ve always tried to be very flexible

and tried to be able to do just

about anything. That keeps us

afloat. ”– Mike Nelson

whidbey crosswind dec, 2, 2011

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