News-Times Whidbey
SPORTS: Golfers swing to victory. A9
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012 | Vol. 113, No. 30 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢
Board may put damper on fireworks By JUSTIN BURNETT Staff reporter
Runners scamper across the Deception Pass Bridge.
Marathon Weekend
The Whidbey Island Marathon takes place Sunday, April 15. The full marathon begins at 7:15 a.m. north of Deception Pass Bridge. The half marathon begins at 8 a.m. at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor. Shuttles will begin taking participants to the marathon start line at 5:40 a.m. Shuttles will pick up participants at Windjammer Park, Coachman Inn, Best Western Candlewood Suites and Auld Holland Inn. The last shuttle leaves at 6:25 a.m. There is no shuttle service to the half-marathon, but shuttles will take participants back afterwards. The post-event celebration is at 10 a.m. Half marathon awards are at 11 a.m. and marathon awards are at 11:30 a.m. The 5K Fun Run/Walk is scheduled for today, April 14, beginning at 9 a.m. at Flintstone Park. Participants should pick up their packets at the free Expo today, April 14 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at North Whidbey Middle School. More than 30 vendors will show their wares and hand out goodies to all. Packet pick-up for all registered participants will be held at the Expo, along with registration for any new marathon or half marathon participants. For registration and other information, visit www.whidbeyislandmarathon.com.
Road closures Roads that will be closed for the Whidbey Island Marathon will include the following: Deception Pass Bridge and a section of Highway 20, from Rosario Road to Ducken Road, will be closed from 7:10 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 15. Beeksma Drive to Pioneer Way to Bayshore Drive to Midway Boulevard to Whidbey Avenue to Regatta to Torpedo Road will be closed from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Sunday, April 15. Scenic Heights Road from Highway 20 to Miller Road will be closed from 9 a.m. to noon, with local access only on Sunday, April 15.
Justin Burnett / Whidbey News-Times
Seattle resident Alton Swiderski, 3, takes a ride on Coupeville farmer Wilbur Purdue’s tractor on the opening day of the Coupeville Farmers Market Saturday, April 7. Market officials said the day was an extraordinary success, thanks to the sunshine and great participation.
Fresh pickins’ available at Coupeville Farmers Market By NATHAN WHALEN Staff reporter
Lovers of fresh and natural food are in heaven as the farmers market season has arrived on Whidbey Island. The Coupeville Farmers Market began last week and continues today and every Saturday through the middle of October, while others start later this month or in May. Coupeville Farmers Market manager Peg Tennant said 20 to 30 vendors are presently on hand to sell spinach, arugula, potatoes and other vegetables along with the arts, crafts and fresh food that make the market a popular way to spend a sunny and cool Saturday. Several Whidbey farms, including Prairie Bottom Farm near Coupeville, Pam’s Place Produce near Langley and the Farmer Training Center at the Greenbank
Markets on Whidbey open soon The Coupeville Farmers Market is one of a number of markets that take place up and down Whidbey Island during the summer. Most of those markets open for business in the next couple of weeks. They take place at the following locations: • Oak Harbor Public Market: Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 17 through Oct. 11 in the woods next to the chamber building on Highway 20. • Greenbank Farmers Market: Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 13 through Sept. 30 at the Greenbank Farm on Highway 525. • Bayview Farmers Market: Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28 through Oct. 27, at Bayview Corner. • South Whidbey Tilth: Sundays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29 through Oct. 28 at 2812 Thompson Road off Highway 525.
Farm, already have fresh produce to sell despite the early April start date. Some of the farmers installed hoop houses and green houses on their property so they have something to sell at the start of the market season. In addition to the fresh-picked produce, starter plants and a vari-
ety of arts and crafts were being sold to the people taking advantage of the warm weather to see the first offerings of the season. One business owner is selling both plants and crafts. Tom Carsten of M and T Carsten had a See market, A4
In response to a handful of citizen complaints, the Island County commissioners are taking a closer look at existing firework rules and contemplating a few new restrictions. While no formal proposal is yet on the table, the board is looking to address a discrepancy between current county and state laws concerning the times and days they can be sold and discharged. Local ordinances allow the discharge and sale of fireworks from noon on June 28 to noon on July 6. State rules have a similar schedule but it ends on July 5 and is slightly more restrictive with the specification of allowed hours. Generally, both sales and discharge are required to cease at various times in the evening depending on the day. However, the board may go one step further. During the board’s work session Wednesday, Commissioner Angie Homola said fireworks complaints are a regular headache for the county and this year is no exception. While some people want an outright ban, others have a legitimate right to want to celebrate the nation’s birthday, she said. She was optimistic a compromise could be found. “You could have plenty of fireworks that aren’t disruptive and enjoy our nation’s birthday,” Homola said. “I think we can find a happy medium here,” she said. The commissioner said she would like to look at reducing the allowed time frame even further than the present state rules while also considering the existing regulations concerning the kinds of fireworks that can be sold. But it’s not an idea that sparked popularity among local law enforcement. Island County Sheriff Mark Brown, who was asked to comment at the meeting, expressed hesitancy about regulations that go further See Fireworks, A7