SOUNDER THE ISLANDS’
REAL ESTATE in the
Serving Orcas, Lopez and San Juan County
WEDNESDAY, December 14, 2011 n VOL. 44, NO. 50 n 75¢
San Juan Islands
PROPERTIES BOUGHT & SOLD ........................... page 4
DECEMBER 2011
Real Estate special Inside this edition
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One Discover Pass for two cars is likely Community foundation Senator Ranker adds transferability to state’s Discover Pass program by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG Editor/Associate Publisher
It was citizens’ number one complaint: the Discover Pass was only good for one car. A clause in the program that limited transferability between vehicles will become a thing of the past under legislation proposed by state Senator Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island. “We’ve known since before we wrote the legislation that it would be a work in progress,” he said. “Often you don’t get it right the first time – you get it out there and then make changes.” Ranker, the prime sponsor of the bill creating the Discover Pass last spring, said in a press release that the intent of his new legislation is to add a level of convenience for prospective purchasers and families across the state. It would amend existing law to allow transferability between two vehicles and would take effect immediately. Current pass holders would be
allowed a second vehicle as well. “Different activities require different vehicles and modes of transportation,” he said. “After hearing from citizens statewide, it’s clear that a non-transferable pass places too large a burden upon already strained family budgets.” The $30 pass ($35 if you buy it online or at a retail store) is now required of anyone who intends to park a vehicle, motorcycle or moped at any state park for longer than 15 minutes. Because of this new fee, all of Washington’s 119 state parks and its 7 million acres of recreation lands were slated to remain open despite a $4.6 billion projected drop in state revenue over the next two years and the many cutbacks in spending that lawmakers have implemented. Visitors can also purchase a $10 day-use permit. Residents who volunteer 24 hours of service per year will receive a complimentary pass and hunters and fishermen will be issued a vehicle access pass for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lands when they purchase their game license. Janice and Alan Wiemeyer of Orcas were supportive
SEE DISCOVER, PAGE 6
tackles local health care by MEREDITH M. GRIFFITH Staff reporter
A preliminary analysis tipped them off: some islanders are having difficulty getting access to needed medical, dental and mental health care. The Orcas Island Community Foundation wants to know more. “What is the real status of mental, dental and medical care on the island?” asked board member Helen Bee at a recent gathering of health care professionals, philanthropists and other concerned citizens. Over the next year, foundation board members plan to gather as much information as possible on the subject, and they want to hear
Five things to do
before Christmas
2 Colleen Smith Armstrong/staff photo
Santa and Orcas Islander Bryce Harvey spend some quality time together. by COLLEEN SMITH ARMSTRONG Editor/Associate Publisher
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Shop locally: Unique, affordable, convenient ... there are a lot of reasons to buy your gifts right here at home. Plus, you support our island’s economy. Spending $100 locally keeps $68 circulating in our community, according to the Andersonville Study of Retail Economics. Spending $100 on the mainland keeps $0 in our community. Many island shops are offering great deals and sales this season to encourage local shoppers to darken their doorways.
Get into the holiday spirit: From concerts to plays, Orcas is having a banner year of holiday offerings. Upcoming musical events include a carolers singalong with Orcas Brass, Orcas Community Band holiday performance and Susan Osborn’s annual Christmas concerts at Victorian Valley Chapel. The Actors’ Theater is producing “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of ‘A Christmas Carol.’” Emmanuel Church and Orcas Community Church are offering holiday events as well. For details on these happenings, see page nine through 11.
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Donate to the food bank: The Orcas Island Food Bank needs canned meats, peanut butter, soups, jelly, cold cereal, canned vegetables and fruit, vegetable oil, and prepared box mixes. Through the end of December the following real estate offices are drop-off spots: Cherie L. Lindholm Real Estate; Offshore Properties LLC; Orcas Island Realty LLC; T Williams Realty; Windermere Real Estate. Items can be left at the food bank during its hours: Tuesdays, 12:30 to 2 p.m. and Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Food can also be left in drop boxes at the Orcas Senior Center, Orcas Post Office, Deer Harbor Post Office and Key Bank. For more information, visit www.orcasislandfoodbank.org.
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Buy a holiday wreath or tree: Orcas Montessori School’s holiday fundraiser features hand-made, noble fir wreaths decorated with blue-berried juniper, yellow-tipped incense cedar, pinecones and a red velvet bow. The 24-inch wreaths are $25 and the 36-inch ones are $35 each. Go to Orcas Montessori School, visit www.orcasmontessori.org or call 376-5868. Wreaths will be sold at Island Market on Nov. 19, along with ready-to-bake apple crisps. Salmonberry School’s Annual Christmas Tree Sale is at the corner of Henry Lane and North Beach Road, 3-5:30 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, or by appointment (376-4454). The trees are harvested from small family farms located in the Skagit Valley and Snohomish. They will also have Orcas grown “wild crafted” and live trees for sale.
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Pick a tag from the Giving Tree: The Giving Tree at Island Market is providing Christmas gifts for local children who may otherwise go without. Due to the economy, the number of tags has increased. Stop by the tree to pick up a tag by this Friday and help out an island child in need. There are three gifts per tag, so consider going in with a friend to divvy up the items. To donate money for gifts, call the Orcas Family Resource Center at 376-3184.
from community members. The foundation’s mission is clear: come up with a feasible, measurable and sustainable approach to meet urgent needs on Orcas Island. This initiative is in addition to the foundation’s annual grants distributions, and the budget has not yet been determined. Based on the foundation’s understanding of local philanthropists, said Bee, “If we present donors with clear, achievable goals, we think the pool will grow.” An 18 month-long Community Needs Assessment concluded last year surveyed about 50 islanders, and indicates access to care as a top concern. Now OICF wants to delve deeper. “We just know we don’t know enough,” said Bee. She asked attendees at the brainstorming session to suggest what kinds of information are needed; ways to gather it; and ways the foundation could potentially “move the dial,” increasing access to health care in each attendee’s area of expertise. A major topic that arose was coordination of services, executive director Hilary Canty told
SEE HEALTH, PAGE 6
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