Sports
Meeker clinches; two tracksters chase after state bid
Island Scene
Spring fling in art; 39 artists, 12 studios on tour PAGE 9
PAGE 16
Guest Column
Devil’s in the details to bring Ferries reservation system online, but it ain’t rocket science PAGE 7
Journal
The 75¢ Wednesday, May 28, 2014 Vol. 107 Issue 22
of the San Juan Islands
www.sanjuanjournal.com
Celebs converge on golf classic
Hold on twist for tax breaks
NW celebrities add luster, spirit to annual fundraising event
By Colleen Smith Armstrong Editor/Publisher
By Scott Rasmussen Journal editor
If you’ve wondered what the best way is to “Get Jesse,” King 5 New’s tenacious consumer reporter, Jesse Jones, here’s a hint: driver, putter and barbecued salmon dinner. The combi- Jesse Jones nation seems to work well for the San Juan Celebrity Golf Classic. For the second year in a row, Jones will be on hand and competing along with two dozen other Pacific Northwest celebrities, and local golfers, for bragging rights, or to escape Jason Gesser with dignity in tact, as part of the 28th Annual Islanders Bank San Juan Celebrity Golf Classic, May 30-31, at San Juan Golf & Country Club. The Classic, San Juan Island’s See CLASSIC, Page 5
Journal photo /Scott Rasmussen
Leader of the pack, former Army pilot, William Wallace, middle, who celebrated his 94th birthday, May 19, along with son Gary, left, grandson Mark, right and daughter Krista, above, center, holds a replica of the first plane he flew.
Building castles in the sky One man’s determination sets a course that others will follow By Scott Rasmussen Journal editor
Call it luck. Call it fate. Call it being in the right place at the wrong time. In any event, William Wallace is not among the hundreds of thousands of U.S. military men, and women, that we pay tribute to on Memorial Day, those who died in the line of duty. But just barely. The former Army pilot and decorated WWII veteran celebrated birthday No. 94 exactly one week before Memorial Day, on May 19, in the company of his children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, only because he managed to survive being shot down not just once, but twice, and lived to tell about it. He doesn’t spend much time thinking about it nowadays.
“Like everything else, the military National Mohas nument Est. 2 its ups and 013 downs,” Wallace said. “I’ve got a knack for putting things I don’t like out of my mind, so I don’t have many downs.” As harrowing as those deathdefying combat missions must have been (he crashed during a training flight back in the states as well), Wallace’s life is more than a survival story. It’s a tale of determination, of overcoming the odds to fulfill a dream, and of blazing a trail that the next generation, See SKY, Page 4
2011 Special Award; Second Place: General Excellence from the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association
The county council heard from impassioned supporters of the farmland conservation program during its regular meeting on Orcas last week. “I used to think this program was for wealthy landowners who wanted a tax break,” said audience member Bob Gamble, who also serves on the planning commission. “But I’ve seen the people who come through on these applications, and they are long-time farm owners. I’ve changed my opinion.” The public hearing was for an See BREAKS, Page 5
2013 GUID
E TO OUTD OOR ADVE IN THE SA NTURE N JUAN ISL ANDS
Sales deadline
2014 Parks & Trails guide publishes the week of July 1st in the Journal, Sounder & Weekly. Sales Deadline: Tuesday, June 17, 2014. For more information call the Journal 378-5696.