Contributed
INSIDE
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The Utah Ballroom Dance Company is coming to town. Read more on page 6.
Letter to editor
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Author reads new work
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Upcoming events
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www.islandsweekly.com 360-468-4242 • 800-654-6142
✓OTE YES FOR
OUR LOPEZ SCHOOL We live in a visionary and nurturing community. Let’s pull together again as we continue to build on our legacy of commitment to our children, our school, and our community. Vote Yes! - Tommer, Terri, Rudy, & Audrey Roush
Paid for by Yes For Lopez, 1937 Bakerview Rd., 98261 info@yesforlopez.org www.yesforlopez.org • www.lopezislandschool.org
The
Islands’ eekly W
VOLUME 36, NUMBER 16 • April 16, 2013
Dump volunteers make a difference By Lorna Reese Special to the Weekly
A child clutches a “new” toy; an islander patiently comes up with the perfect inventory of parts for a new project; cyclists soaked to the skin find ponchos; an island chef takes home a beautiful stainless steel stockpot and gorgeous maple chopping block. These are the kind of sights that delight Micki Ryan, who set up the volunteer program and serves as volunteer coordinator for the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District. Ryan also puts in time every Wednesday at the Take It or Leave It. Currently, 75-plus Lopezians have volunteered at the dump; the goal is 100. “They love what they’re doing,” says Ryan, “especially the recycling helpers. We have several couples and
Lopez Center
families and all ages from teens to 80s. One volunteer doesn’t even live here full time. Every single one of them is more waste-savvy than I am. But I’m learning!” Each volunteer signs up at lopezsolidwaste.org to put in at least one two-hour shift a month. Even with 75 volunteers – plus LSWDD and Solid Waste Alternatives Program board and members – more volunteers are needed to prevent some shifts being understaffed or volunteers having to work second shifts. The first couple of weeks were challenging for volunteers and for donors, Ryan confesses, as everyone needed to get re-accustomed to recycling and especially to a more managed Take it or Leave It. Volunteers now sort through donations to be sure they’re suitable for TIOLI, so visitors will find a
Dance Tribute: Cinemagic
Sunday, April 21st 7:30 pm A ballroom Dance Tribute to the Music of the Silver Screen
To Our Lopez Friends, Neighbors and Property Owners!
•
Should we let our school spend $28,000 a year per student, when Orcas and Friday Harbor schools are half this amount, and Spring Street School on San Juan is asking only $12,400 next year for what most consider an outstanding education? an atrium, bigger weight room, “certified” kitchen and •otherWillconstruction sought by the bond proposal improve our
Fun for the entire family! Riser Seating, Adults/$15 Youth/$8
Tickets available at PSR, Blossom Org. Grocery, Lopez Book Shop, LCCA office and www.lopezcenter.org Presented by Utah Ballroom Dance Co.
Contributed photo/ Micki Ryan
Three generations of Noreens – Alifaire, Linda and Kirstie. cleaner, more organized site and better quality items on the shelves. Neil Hanson and Ona Blue continue together, as they have for years, to put in volunteer hours every week sorting, cleaning and arranging items for “shoppers’” comfort. However, the cleaned-up, revitalized TIOLI is just one aspect of transformation at the dump. Changes in recycling have been major, too. Hanson, facility manager and one of two paid employees, has worked there for 22 years. During this time, he developed a vision for achieving Zero Waste by diverting materials from the landfill by re-use, repurposing and recy-
cling. Hanson is constantly researching new receivers or buyers for Lopez reclaimable waste. This effort extends to TIOLI as well, where visitors will now see large bins added for fiber reclamation -- clothing, textiles, shoes and belts that cannot be re-used. With the creation of the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District, the Lopez Dump has become a true community-wide project, according to Sarah Eppenbach, chairwoman of the SWAP board. She sees this reflected in the level of commitment from the 75-plus volunteers working outdoors rain or shine. “Volunteer commitment See dump, page 8
LOPEZ CITIZENS FOR SAFE TECHNOLOGY PRESENTS A Venue for Education & Conversation: SUNDAY April 21st/ 7pm/ Lopez Library
FILM: “RESONANCE-Beings of Frequency“
(Just released in 2013), this documentary from the UK reveals the harm we are doing by existing in an ocean of Man-made wireless technology. This documentary can also be viewed online at http://vimeo.com/54189727
students’ less-than-excellent test scores?
• Do you want the Lopez School property tax to rise by 77%? • The Federal Reserve Bank expects to keep interest rates at record lows until at least 2015. Should we allow the Lopez School Board to rush us into over-spending by having us believe that interest rates will increase next month, before a more conservative bond proposal can be put on the ballot?
you support the restrictions placed upon the $1,000,000 •StateCangrants attached as an incentive to approve the bond? backers of this initiative expecting to benefit •fromArethisprominent renovation project through contracts? • Vote for moderation in educational finance! Vote NO on the bond levy and let’s request a more reasonable version. Paid for by Lopez School Facts Committee, 856 Shark Reef Road, Lopez, WA. 98261, nolopezbond@gmail.com
THE LOPEZ SUMMER WORKSHOPS 2013 BROCHURE IS IN THE MAIL! We have lots of fabulous workshops this summer including soccer, sailing, swimming & creative arts. NEW FOR 2013: ONLINE REGISTRATION!
Visit our website at www.lifrc.org soon to register as some classes can fill early. For more information call the LIFRC at 468-4117.