The
INSIDE Guest column
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3
Backhoe fundraiser
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5 Noel McKeehan photo
Garden Tour
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8
www.islandsweekly.com 360-468-4242 • 800-654-6142
Dog park for Lopez? By Anna Haefele Special to the Weekly
Tall spring grasses wave gently in the breeze, vibrant during a moment of bright spring sunshine. The air is rich with the scent of Nootka roses, and quite warm for a May afternoon. The serenity of the environment serves as an ideal backdrop for the energy of the four dogs in attendance, who all wrestle, gnaw on one another, and compete for possession of a bucket lid, which, for the time being, is serving as a fris-
bee. It’s pastoral bliss. It’s also the proposed location of Lopez Off-Leash Area, envisioned as a haven and gathering place for Lopez’s canine residents and the people who love them. “For such a small community, Lopez has everything, usually the best of everything, but we don’t have a dog park,” said Lopez resident Steve Atkins. “Not only should we have a dog park, but our dog park should be the nicest park. Nicer than the one in Anacortes.” LOLA, which is incorporated as a nonprofit, is the brainchild and “pet” project of Emily Metcalf and Atkins, who serve on the board of
Tues. & Fri. 9–3 Phone: 4748
C rowfoot farm
Congratulations! 2013 Graduates! Lopez Island Fire & EMS Want to thank our Graduating Student Volunteers Nia Bartolucci Solomon Bill James Brant Breton Carter Eryn Dye Joe O’Bryant Jaise Poole
Michael Reeve Chase Schober Samantha Swanson Patience Taylor Risto Turunen Andrew Zoerb
For Their Time and Dedication To Serve the Lopez Community
Islands’ eekly W
VOLUME 36, NUMBER 23 • June 4, 2013
directors with Duane and Audrey Bordvick, Kathleen McGibbon, Jennifer Johnson, David Lawrence, and Jane Albrecht (notable for her work with Lopez Animal Protection Society,). Ron Metcalf, who donated the piece of Fisherman Bay Road land for the dog park, is a strong supporter of LOLA’s efforts. When asked what he sees as the primary reasons for developing an off-leash area on Lopez, Atkins responded with several points: “You know, plenty of people do let their dogs just run loose, Contributed photo / Anna Haefele but you’re not really supLeft to right: Emily Metcalf, Ron Metcalf, Steve Atkins, Kathleen McGibbon and David Lawrence. posed to, and not everyone can do that... Dogs need socialization, and not everylic with the hope that it will is a foundational aspect of a timeline and beginning one can safely do that in become a valuable commu- LOLA, and is carried even to formalize their cause. their yard. And, you know, nity space and social venue. into their fundraising philos- Should the plan move as something to do, it’s actuIn a sit-down interview ophy. LOLA’s mission state- forward, construction is ally really sweet.” with Atkins, this fundamen- ment asserts that if plans intended to commence next With the current protal goal was reiterated when for the dog park should summer. While the eventual posed setting, it’s hard to fall through, all donated goal is to add a shelter and imagine a nicer locafunds will be given to dog-friendly landscaping fixtion for anything. Lopez Animal Protection tures, the initial installation Fortunately, preserving LOLA “Chili Contest” Society. should be fairly basic. the area’s beauty is high While the dream of LOLA will be hosting their Fundraiser on the list of LOLA’s an off-leash park has first fundraiser, a chili congoals. June 9, 8 p.m., at the Galley existed for Atkins and test, at The Galley on June “The valley there is Full on Idle will be playing live Metcalf for quite some 9 at 8 p.m. Full on Idle will gorgeous,” said Atkins. music. Entry is by donation ($10 time, the genesis of be playing live music. Entry “For all kinds of reasons, recommended) and all donations LOLA as an organiza- is by donation ($10 recomwe want the area to stay are tax-deductible. tion was somewhat sud- mended) and all donations pastoral and attractive.” den. The impetus came are tax-deductible. LOLA’s board of direcFor more info, contact: around Christmas when tors say they are also LOLA the land became availconcerned with doing P.O. Box 846 he stated “[a dog park] is able. At that point, Atkins right by the community. Email: lopezislanddoga really important part of a and Emily Metcalf realized Therefore, the park will be they needed to get seri- park@gmail.com community.” completely open to the pubCommunity-mindedness ous about putting together
Remembering Bill McKinney Betty Lou and family invite you to come and share your Bill stories.
Saturday, June 15 2:00 PM Flat Point, Lopez Island Car pool if possible