Sounder’s Nina Laramore says goodbye
I have loved my job with the Islands’ Sounder. I have loved everything about it. I have enjoyed getting to know the Orcas community and writing about all the interesting people and things that I never knew about before. I have learned a lot about Orcas that my many years of summers here had never given me a chance to know.
The entire staff has been a joy to work with during the past year. I will miss them all.
Family circumstances make it impossible for me to continue to work for the Sounder. It is the hardest decision I have ever had to make, but it is the only one I can make at this time.
My deepest thanks to the Orcas community for being so generous with their time to share with me their passions, interests and jobs.
Nina Laramore
Olga
“Imagine” all the people
I fell in love with the beauty of Orcas Island. It is, however, the people who keep me in love. This is a special island populated by hard working, talented people. Their easy willingness to give of their time and energy always amazes.
Twelve host committees; 20 event sponsors, 11 supporting gifts; 36 welcome, appetizer service and reception; 36 dinner production and service; 18 auction committees, host coordinators, photographers, pamphlet makers, accountants; 40 auction donors; 25 promotional photograph, creative mentoring, art, marketing; 14 stage production, ushers; many landscaping; many more set up, tear down, clean up.
Last but not least, 170 paying guests, auction participants, aisle dancers.
You (some, of course, in multiple categories) “Coming Together” for the benefit of Orcas Center on July 18, 2009 made a substantial difference.
“Imagine!” Thank you all.
Special thanks to DD Glaze, Gwen Crawford, Mary Russell and Ron Rebman – first impressions matter. Very special thanks to Juliana Capdeville, who planned the menu, gathered the resources (both ingredients and people), innovated, then executed an unforgettable sit-down dinner for 170.
Kudos to Candace Ver Brugghen whose vision, push and work and work and work made the auction and its results possible.
And, to our all-around-all-year volunteer Velma Doty, who came early to set up on the 18 and left only after the last dish was washed on the 19, Orcas Center is fortunate to have a volunteer as dedicated.
Nanae N. Fralick
“Imagine” Event Director
Orcas Center Board
CAO is step in right direction
As a child and frequent passenger on the San Juan Island’s mail boat “Osage” in the 1940’s, I soon became convinced the San Juans were the most beautiful, resource-rich and fragile spot in the world. Later, during 10 years as a commercial salmon fisherman, I profited economically. However, I also observed insensitive development on the marine environment: houses and bulkheads too close to forage fish (the primary food source of salmon, which in turn comprises more than 90 percent of the southern resident orcas’ diet) spawning beaches, and meager buffers between residential development and the marine environment (allowing chemical runoff from fertilizers and other products to drain directly into sensitive marine habitat).
Wild salmon are the linchpin that holds our remarkably precious eco-system together, and indirectly, our economy. They are our guarantor of clean water, air and soil and a host of other life-giving organisms. The “Four H’s” of impacts on salmon: Hydro, Harvest, Hatcheries and most relevant to us, Habitat, will shape the recovery of wild Chinook and Coho salmon.
“Best Science” has shown incontrovertibly that our remaining healthy San Juan shorelines can play a significant role in salmon recovery. However, with our current rate of unstrategic development we will lose the San Juans. The question is, do we really want to leave a legacy of seemingly pretty islands surrounded by a dead zone of sterile, fishless and lifeless sea or do we want to preserve and re-build a healthy, vibrant and wonder-filled eco-system that results in increased property values, a sustainable economic resource, orcas for our grandchildren and a renewed sense of reverence for the gift of the natural world?
The proposed Critical Areas Ordinance, although perhaps needing strengthening, moves us in the right direction. Property rights are relative rights and are related to the health and welfare of the broader community in all of its dimensions and with that comes responsibility. If you love the San Juans, please support CAO now.
George Lawson
Lopez Island
Protection of critical areas
Thirty years ago, the waters around the San Juan Islands teemed with waterfowl, salmon, rockfish, and Ling cod. The fish and waterfowl fed on the locally spawned forage fish. Now the birds and the larger fish are almost gone. There is little left for them and for the orcas to eat.
Fifty-foot shoreline setbacks have not protected our sensitive forage fish spawning beaches and the eelgrass and kelp habitats that shelter the young fish. Near eradication of major eelgrass beds has occurred in Westcott and Garrison Bays. Significant eelgrass declines have occurred in Blind, Mitchell, and Nelson Bays.
The Westcott Bay task force concluded that fertilizers and pesticides leaching from lawns and gardens, as well as leakage from faulty septic systems and sedimentation from upstream tree and shrub removal, together, were likely causes of the widespread eelgrass destruction in Westcott and Garrison Bays.
The destruction of these and other forage fish spawning grounds resulted in an 88% decrease in the country’s herring spawn from 1989 to 2004. If the Westcott Bay/Garrison Bay eradication is included, it is a more than 95% decrease.
John Evans maintains that a 100’ setback helps salmon 5% and hurts landowners 40%. His numbers are reversed. Unless we immediately protect the few remaining, vital spawning grounds, we will help landowners 5% and eliminate the fish, waterfowl, and Orcas by 90%. The CAO setbacks, which do not affect existing houses, will probably affect less than 2% of shoreline property owners
County Council and Planning Commission members, you can bow before a small, vocal minority of landowners (most of whom do not own properties in question), and watch further disintegration of the marine food chain….or you can protect our heritage in the waters around our islands.
You cannot do both.
Janet Alderton
Deer Harbor
Orcas Rec to be on ballot
In these tough economic times the Orcas Island Recreation Program has been able to survive with county support, user fees, grants and donations. The county has now officially cut off our funding although they will continue to provide office space, insurance, computers and administrative support. As members of the Orcas Rec Advisory Committee we have been determined to create a meaningful and economically sound program. However, without county funding, this 16-year-old program is now at risk. We have concluded that asking the voters to approve an Orcas Parks and Rec district in November is our best course to sustain the existence of this vital program. Over the past few weeks 690 of your signatures have been collected in support of this concept and as of July 23, enough signatures have been approved to get the “Orcas Parks & Recreation” district on the ballot! We look forward to your support in November.
In the meantime, to keep the program viable, Orcas Rec will be sending out our annual fundraising letter very soon, hosting a fundraising dinner at Lulu’s in the fall, as well as having an all island, all-star musical extravaganza at the Orcas Center September 11 and 12. Please feel free to contact the Orcas Rec office (376-5339) with donation questions or any member of the Advisory Committee with questions about the November ballot initiative. We look forward to your continued support in this time of transition.
Bob Phalan, Bob Eagan, Vicki Vander May, Joe Gaydos, Emilie Gincig, Valerie Harris, Kevin O’Brien
Thank you for Storyfest support
We’re about to launch the Third Orcas Storyfest Aug. 4-8 and wanted to applaud the generosity of Orcas Islanders!
We have islanders donating housing, multiple volunteer hours, food, meals, airplane rides, museum tours, whale watching, kayaking, boating, and venues. And funding from Friends of the Orcas Library!
Yeah!
We want to thank Ginni Stern, Naomi Aldort, Cordela Kirchgessner and Dinisio Peterson, Eclipse Charters, Leo Lambiel, EarthBall Eric, Jeff Zbornik, Biplane Ride, Kate Franklet, Dr. Shinstrom, Barbara Born, Carlene and Dan Kim, Mary Ann Slabaugh, Leslie Seamonds, Bilbos, Cafe Olga, The Kitchen, Lower Tavern, Roses, Safeway, Island Market, the Sounder, Orcas Center, The Funhouse, The Senior Center, Orcas Library, and Stage on the Green.
We are so grateful! The community spirit on Orcas Island makes us so proud and we feel so honored to be a part of the outstanding community here.
Oh, and any others who wish to play with us, there is lots of opportunity left to share your kindness and generosity. You can still contact us at 376-8705.
Look for the flyers, the Sounder and sandwich boards for the full schedule.
Nancy and Robert
Eth-Noh-Tec
Response to Dunlap’s street vendors letter
Those “shop keepers” who are struggling to survive each year have a lot of heart and a lot of courage. They also have rent, electric, telephone, insurance, and medical payments. They have inventory and advertising bills to pay. Some must pay for employees and the taxes and insurances that come with them. They have county, state, and federal taxes and fees to pay and in many cases accountants, bookkeepers, and attorneys. These “shop keepers” have to come up with the furnishings, office supplies, and electronics necessary to run their shops. Many of them have secured startup loans for their businesses by mortgaging their homes. Everyday these courageous “shop keepers” put their hearts and well-being on the line in hopes that they will survive another day and are still there next year. They have hopes, dreams, and problems just like the rest of us, and have put their hearts into their businesses and this community. They were not just “lucky,” Mr. Dunlap, they have worked hard and have sacrificed much for the right to be “shop keepers.” Most of them have given a great deal of money and time back to this community. They have heart, and they deserve our full support. “Shop keepers” have to pay their entire expenses year round. Street vendors show up on the best days, disrupt their business, then stay home when it rains and on cold winter days. “Shop keepers” do not have that luxury sir, so let’s have a heart for them, Eastsound.
Don Pencil
Orcas Island
Clothing drive a success
Thank you to the hundreds who donated. The Salvation Army’s recent summer clothing drive on Orcas Island was a tremendous success. It far exceeded our expectations.
Hundreds of islanders generously donated numerous wearable clothes, many freshly washed and ironed, together with shoes and household items. On behalf of those we serve, our heartfelt thanks.
We also wish to express our appreciation to Island Market for providing a parking site for our collection truck and to David and Lina McPeake, who coordinated this event in enlisting volunteers from the Lions and Kiwanis clubs to accept donations: George Garrels, Bud McKee, Jerry Rivas, Bill Hagen, Toby Hiller, and Larry Garvin. It was a team effort.
Thank you for partnering in our Salvation Army clothing drive and meeting the needs of our neighbors on Orcas Island and throughout Washington.
Bob Bearchell
Salvation Army, Community Relations
Orcas Island
A glorious Fourth of July
The Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone involved in this year’s Fourth of July festivities for making them such a success! The parade attracted one of the largest crowds in years and wouldn’t have been possible without all the creative businesses, organizations and individuals who make up the parade entrants. Ken and Karen Speck provided the parade’s entertaining commentary. A core group of volunteers (you know who you are) assisted the Chamber once again in helping organize the day’s activities. Later that evening fireworks lit up Eastsound, again to a large crowd at Eastsound Waterfront Park. We thank Curt Tronsdal for providing the barge needed for the fireworks display. Throughout the day, the Community Band provided the musical accompaniment we’ve come to love – our thanks to each and every member. San Juan County Sheriff and Public Works departments are always there during the parade and fireworks to provide services many of us take for granted.
The Chamber faced additional costs this year, and we thank all of you who helped us with your donations. Island Market continues to be very supportive of the Chamber in allowing us to display our Fireworks Fundraising cans each year. You can still help the Chamber with your tax-deductible donation to the Orcas Island Community Foundation! We were an approved (but not funded) grant applicant this year meaning your donation to help support this community event is still possible. Contact the Chamber office to learn more.
We look forward to even bigger and better festivities next year!
Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce Board Members & Staff
To all of our friends on Orcas
We cannot begin to thank everyone who has sent so much love and prayers out to us. From the moment this stroke happened, we both had a “hand to hold,” a “shoulder to lean on” and a kind voice that said, “just hold on.” The words “thank you” do not seem near enough of what we should be saying, but it’s hard to express such deeply felt gratitude to so many of you.
Roger has said the word “Orcas.” That is my goal, to bring him home to the place that means so much and matters most to him. Your continued prayers are appreciated and again all we can say to you now is God Bless you all and thank you so much.
Roger and Beverly Weinel
Orcas Island
Thank you for John Baker fundraiser
July 10 was a night to remember. The stars were shining, the band was playing, the people were beautiful and we raised funds to help the John Baker family. They would like to send their sincerest thanks to all who helped make this benefit possible. There were many people involved, but a special thanks to Gordon Koenig for chairing the event, as well as to Erin McCarthy, Patty Monaco, Sarah McCulloch and the many others who donated their flowers, time, talents and energy to make the Discovery House a beautiful place. Thanks also goes to the many wonderful folks who donated desserts. What a magnificent selection we had! (By the way, if you are missing a plate, please give me a call.)
And to my pals in Orcatrazz, you have my deepest gratitude for giving your time to play that night.
To the many vendors who contributed, what can we say? Again, thank you.
The generosity shown by those here has been overwhelming and appreciated more than we can express. As John progresses through his journey with cancer, it gives him great comfort to know that he has had so much love and support coming from his many island friends. He misses you all.
Beth Baker
Orcas Island
