NEWS-TIMESWHIDBEY

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011 | Vol. 120, No. 98 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | 75¢

Justin Burnett / Whidbey News-Times

Hundreds of islanders enjoy the annual tree lighting ceremony in downtown Oak Harbor Saturday.

By JUSTIN BURNETTStaff reporter

An estimated 500 people braved Old Man Winter’s chill to attend the eighth annual tree lighting cer-emony in downtown Oak Harbor Saturday.

It was a frosty evening with tem-peratures dipping into the high 30s but it didn’t seem to cool the holiday mood on SE Pioneer Way. Whether grinning over the rim of a prized cup of hot cocoa, taking a frigid carriage ride or craning their necks for a glimpse of Santa Claus, people seemed to be having a good time everywhere you looked.

“We come every year to the tree lighting,” said David Paul, an associ-ate dean at Skagit Valley College. “It’s a nice event.”

Paul was there with his wife and four children and typified the many families in attendance. While many came to watch the tree lighting itself, that magical moment when the cedar on the corner of Dock Street is alight with holiday warmth and cheer, Santa Claus was also a big hit.

Downtown, where all the lights are bright

Rebecca Olson/Whidbey News-Times

Travis and Stephanie Ellison hold their new son, Izaak. After four wash-ings, Travis still wears the sweatshirt Izaak was delivered in.

By REBECCA OLSONStaff reporter

The first place Izaak Ellison saw after birth was the inside of his parents’ 2009 Jetta TDI. He just couldn’t wait until Stephanie and Travis Ellison made it to the hospi-tal to come into the world.

“He was delivered just past Sidney Street going 100 miles per hour,” said his father, Travis.

“It was the craziest experience of my life,” said his mother, Stephanie.

Izaak was born Saturday, Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m. He wasn’t due until Dec. 2.

The Tuesday before, doctors had given Stephanie a shot to stop her labor. The doctor told Stephanie that the goal was to have the baby after Thanksgiving.

But Izaak had other plans.The morning of Nov. 12, Stephanie

said she awakened at 7 o’clock feel-ing unwell and went to take a show-

er to help her feel better. When a shower didn’t help, she woke Travis so he could take her to the hospital. He left to get coffee and Stephanie got back in the shower.

“I felt really uncomfortable and didn’t quite know what was going on,” Stephanie said.

A friend who was caring for their 6-and-one-half-year-old son, Kaiden, came by the home just before Stephanie’s water broke. She found herself unable to walk so the friend carried her to the car. She didn’t remember much of the drive.

“I was in the zone,” Stephanie said.

Travis sped from their home on Oak Harbor Street south toward Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville, flashing the lights at other cars and trying to get to the hospital as quickly as he could.

Near Rolling Hills, Travis said he

Whidbey woman gives birth in speeding car

SEE LIGHTS, A11

SEE BIRTH, A4

By JESSIE STENSLANDStaff reporter

Investigators are searching for three people who may have been involved in a recent series of bur-glaries on North Whidbey.

Detectives at both the Oak Harbor Police Department and the Island County Sheriff’s Office sent out alerts Monday asking the public for help in finding two men and a woman accused of possessing prop-erty stolen from homes in the city

3 burglary suspects sought

SEE BURGLARY, A4

Sports: Wolves lose at home. A9

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The following items were selected from reports made to the Oak Harbor Police Department:

SUNDAY, DEC. 4At 11:14 p.m., a caller

reported hearing three gun-shots near the intersection of NE O’Leary Street and NE Eighth Avenue.

At 2:07 p.m., a caller re-ported a vehicle ablaze at a SE Pioneer Way location.

At 3:48 a.m., a Goldfinch Street resident reported her husband punched her in the face.

At 12:50 a.m., a caller reported a bonfire burning in the front yard of a NE Seventh Avenue location. The caller could also hear screaming and arguing at the location.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3At 11:06 a.m., a SW

Downfield Way resident reported her dog has been going crazy.

At 8:16 p.m., a caller re-ported a man and woman fighting at a NW Crosby Avenue location.

At 5:37 p.m., a caller re-ported seeing a man bleed-ing from the head. The man said his wife hit him.

At 12:47 p.m., a caller reported needing help re-moving a transient who was sleeping in the men’s rest-room at the library.

At 11:23 a.m., a SW Sun-nyside Avenue resident re-ported his vehicle had been egged.

At 10:54 a.m., a caller reported someone threw a water balloon filled with paint thinner at his car.

At 2:36 a.m., a caller re-ported a man became upset and punched her car after she gave him a ride home.

At 1:39 a.m., a caller re-ported an assault at a SE Bayshore Drive location.

FRIDAY, DEC. 2At 4:36 p.m., a SW Kim-

ball Drive resident reported a man came to her home trying to sell books and magazines.

At 2:30 p.m., a caller reported a hit-and-run acci-dent on SE Pioneer Way.

At 1:52 p.m., a SE Eighth Avenue resident reported someone vandalized his car.

At 10:45 a.m., a SE Ely Street resident reported someone destroyed a mail-box and post.

At 10:34 a.m., a Ridgeway Drive resident reported gas stolen from the shed.

At 9:05 a.m., a caller re-ported two students fighting at the high school.

THURSDAY, DEC. 1At 7:31 p.m., a caller re-

ported someone broke into a home on Highway 20.

At 5:45 p.m., a caller inquired whether it’s legal for an 18-year-old to date a 14-year-old without parental permission.

At 4:51 p.m., a caller re-ported finding an envelope stuffed with money at a Highway 20 location.

At 2:54 p.m., a SE Pasek Street resident reported someone may have broken into his home. He wants an officer to come and take fin-gerprints off a jug he found.

At 12:35 p.m., a NW Hel-ler Street resident reported his son’s medication is miss-ing.

At 7:24 a.m., a caller re-ported a car accident at the intersection of NE Midway Boulevard and NE Seventh Avenue.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30At 8:30 p.m., a caller re-

ported a man appeared to have a rifle in his backpack. He was walking near the intersection of Highway 20 and E. Whidbey Avenue.

At 7:36 p.m., a caller re-ported her SUV had been spray painted while it was parked in a Highway 20 parking lot.

At 5:03 p.m., a N. Oak Harbor Street resident reported a suspicious man knocked on the door and asked if she wanted her car-pet cleaned.

At 4:48 p.m., a caller re-ported a tri-colored boxer dog running loose in the area of NE Kettle Street.

At 1:51 p.m., a caller re-ported a vacuum salesman walking through the SE Jens-en Street neighborhood.

At 8:45 a.m., a caller re-ported an assault took place on a school bus.

At 8:05 a.m., a Highway 20 resident reported her son called her a “bitch” and then punched her car on his way to school.

TUESDAY, NOV. 29At 5:01 p.m., a caller re-

ported two people were standing near the entrance of a SW Barlow Street business and asking for money to buy liquor.

At 4:59 p.m., a SW Kalama Loop resident reported com-ing home to find things in his room re-arranged and his computer monitor was missing.

At 1 p.m., a caller report-ed a car accident at a SE Bar-rington Drive location.

At 12:15 p.m., a NW Cros-by Avenue resident reported a person came to the door offering services. She didn’t give him any money but he did give her “the creeps.”

At 11:06 a.m., a SE Eighth Avenue resident reported she loaned her car to friends a month ago and they are re-fusing to return the vehicle.

At 4:54 a.m., a Scenic Heights Road resident re-ported she believes there is a man in the back of her house.

NATHAN WHALENStaff reporter

A late November wind storm has left Port of Coupeville lead-ers scrambling to make repairs.

The storm that buf-feted Central Whidbey Island the last weekend of November ripped the brackets loose from one of the two 40-foot-long fuel piers located at the Coupeville Wharf. Fortunately, port staff noticed the damage before the float could drift away.

Jim Patton, executive director for the Port of Coupeville, said employ-ees were able to beach the float on the shore next to the pier and the port’s office on Front Street.

“I don’t have a cost on what it will take to repair it,” Patton said Friday afternoon. The brack-ets on the wayward fuel pier need to be replaced

before being re-attached out at the Coupeville Wharf. He hopes to have a new bracket that is more suitable for the conditions of Penn Cove installed by the end of the week.

The damaged pier leaves only one float serving boaters who come to Coupeville for refueling. While December is a slow sea-son for boaters visiting Whidbey, it is used by boats owned by Penn Cove Shellfish.

Patton said the com-pany’s smaller vessels can use the remaining pier. As for the larger ones, he said it will have to be determined if there is enough room on the pier for them.

If not, the larger ves-sels would have to go to the nearest fuel facility in Oak Harbor to refill.

Fuel float’s escape from wharf foiled

ISLAND SCANNER

By JUSTIN BURNETTStaff reporter

Island County Commissioner Angie Homola, a Democrat, will seek reelection in 2012 but her bid for the District 2 seat will not go uncontested.

On Monday, just two weeks after she declared her candidacy, Oak Harbor City Councilman Jim Campbell announced his intention to challenge Homola for the position as a leading Republican candidate.

Campbell has had his eye on the seat for more than a year but only made his decision recently. He said bickering among the politi-cally divided county board members is out of control and he believes he can help restore the peace.

“To be perfectly honest, I think it’s time to introduce a little sanity to that crowd,” Campbell said.

The board of commission-ers, a body that makes policy decisions that affect resi-dents in rural Island County,

has three members. Each position is partisan, carries a four-year term and pays $78,496 a year. The District 2 seat held by Homola encom-passes all of the greater Oak Harbor area.

Homola, 52, is an archi-tect with prior experience as a carpenter and machinist. She was elected in 2008 after narrowly defeating longtime Republican Commissioner Mac McDowell by a margin of 62 votes. She made pub-lic her plans to seek a sec-ond term in late November with a news release to the media.

Although Homola has served during what she called the county’s most prolonged financial crisis in history, she said the past three years have been both productive and rewarding. She is particularly proud that the steps taken by the board to balance the budget have earned the county a AA bond rating.

“That’s unprecedented,” she said.

She went on to say mea-surable progress has been made in job retention and cre-ation, technology upgrades, energy cost savings, county departmental consolidation and program efficiencies.

She counts advances in government transparen-cy as another big victory. Commissioner meetings are now taped and Homola encouraged the public to

watch them online, saying it will show that partisan squabbles aren’t as bad as they are made out to be.

Time and again, efforts have been made to reach across the table and resolve things collaboratively, she said. The disagreements have been blown out of pro-portion largely because the board consists of women rather than men, she said.

“If you put three women together and have a debate, it’s a cat fight,” Homola said. “If you put three men togeth-er and have a debate, it’s a debate.”

If elected to another term, Homola said her top priority will be to secure a financial model that balances revenue shortfalls with mandated services. She also plans to tackle elements of the com-prehensive plan that address low-income housing, fish and wildlife, agriculture and stormwater.

Campbell, 76, is in the middle of his second term on the city council. He moved to Oak Harbor in 2000 after retiring from a long career with Lockheed Martin. His last posi-tion was in Helensburgh, Scotland, as the company’s liaison between the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy for the Trident Missile Program.

He began thinking about county politics before Kelly Emerson, a Tea Party Republican, unseated Democratic Commissioner John Dean in 2010. At the time, the board was in sore need of political diversity, Campbell said.

“Before Kelly, there were three Democrats there,” he said. “That’s dangerous.”

Campbell is not so happy about the way the county’s financial struggles have been addressed, saying the bud-gets of first responders were cut too deeply. He believes protection services for the

public are a top priority, and the budgets of affected departments need a bigger slice of the pie, he said.

Over the past four years, the county has cut millions from its general fund to make up for revenue short-falls. No departments were spared and there is arguably very little fat, if any, left to trim.

When asked where the money to supplement law enforcement and legal department budgets would come from, Campbell admit-ted he didn’t know. However, he said he was sure that over time the funds could be identified.

Last year, Campbell was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He said regular test-ing has shown that it is well under control and described his health as “excellent.” He does not believe it will be a problem if he’s elected.

“I’ve got all the energy I need,” Campbell said.

So far, no others have confirmed a run for the District 2 seat, though sev-eral have expressed interest. Oak Harbor School Board member David Sherman and Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce Director Jill Johnson-Pfeiffer are both considering the idea.

Page A3

C H R I S T M A S W E E K

EARLYHOLIDAYDEADLINES

For the Sat. December 24th Issue:SALES DEADLINE: WED., DEC. 21 - 2 PM

LEGAL DEADLINE: WED., DEC. 21 - NOON

For the Weds. December 28th Issue:SALES DEADLINE: THURS., DEC. 22 - 2 PM

LEGAL DEADLINE: THURS., DEC. 22 - NOON

Our offi ce will be closedon Monday, December 26th for the Christmas holiday.

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Conservation district chooses supervisorThe Whidbey Island

Conser vation District supervisors appointed Antonia Palkovic to fill a mid-term vacancy for an elected supervisor posi-tion at their regular meet-ing on Oct. 27.

This position runs until May 2012. Palkovic grew up in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Both sets of her grand-parents were Midwestern

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After completing her bachelor’s degree in political science in South Africa, Palkovic taught English in South Korea before returning to the U.S. to follow her dream of farming.

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saw “a lump” in Stephanie’s sweatpants. They wrapped the newborn in Travis’ sweat-shirt.

When they got to the hos-pital, Travis hurried inside and told the people at the desk that his wife had just delivered their son in the car. They were shocked, Travis said.

When hospital staff tried to take the baby from Stephanie, she said they couldn’t because he was still attached, Travis said.

Their doctor showed up 10 minutes later and Travis cut the umbilical cord.

Izaak was born slightly jaundiced and remained in an incubator for two and one-half days but was pro-nounced healthy. He weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and mea-sured 18 inches at birth.

Izaak’s name means “laughing one” in Hebrew.

“He seems to fit his name because in the car, he was

quiet after he was born,” Travis said, adding that they kept calling him Izaak and he responded well.

“We wanted a unique name for him so that’s why it’s spelled differently,” Stephanie said.

When Kaiden visited the hospital, he asked to hold his new brother.

“It was the cutest thing. He started singing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,’” Travis said. Before Kaiden arrived, Izaak had been fidgety but when Kaiden took him, “he quit crying, opened his eyes and started smiling,” Travis said.

Now, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” calms Izaak and it’s Kaiden’s favorite song to sing to him, Travis said.

“It was a completely life-changing experience to have my wife deliver the baby by herself in the front seat of the car,” Travis said.

When people hear their story, “Maybe it’ll make sense to people why there was a crazy car driving down the road,” Stephanie said with a laugh.

and county.Law enforcement officials on

Whidbey Island have been warning residents about an increase in burglar-ies, particularly worrisome daytime break-ins, over the last few months. A few burglaries were reported just over the last weekend. The arrest of the three suspects from two sepa-rate cases, however, could help police break up the criminal enterprises.

“Some of this is intertwined and we’re sorting out who the players are,” said Detective Sgt. Teri Gardner with the Oak Harbor Police.

In the Island County case, depu-ties are looking for 25-year-old Justin Arnold of Oak Harbor. Arnold is want-ed on four warrants out of District Court that total $52,000. The cases include an assault, driving under the influence and two other driving-relat-ed charges.

But in addition, detectives have probable cause to arrest Arnold on suspicion of stolen property and traf-ficking in stolen property.

“One of Arnold’s accomplices in the trafficking charge is cooperating with the investigation and we are anticipat-ing more arrests in the near future,” the sheriff’s office reported.

Arnold is 6 feet tall and weighs 175 pounds. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact the sheriff’s office via the ICOM dis-patch center at 679-9567. The sheriff’s office also cautions that anyone found harboring Arnold could face criminal charges as well.

In the Oak Harbor case, officers are looking for 28-year-old Daniel Foroe and 30-year-old Crystal Quistorf. They are both wanted on $5,000 arrest war-rants in drug-related cases.

Oak Harbor Police recently searched an Oak Harbor home and two cars that were “associated with Foroe and Quistorf,” the alert states. Officers recovered property from recent burglaries that occurred in the city and the county.

According to Detective Ron Hofkamp, investigators obtained infor-

mation from the couple’s associates that added up to probable cause for the arrest of both Foroe and Quistorf on suspicion of possession of stolen property and felon in possession of a firearm.

Foroe is described as a white male who’s 6-foot-4. Quistorf is a white woman and about 5-foot-7.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Foroe and Quistorf is also asked to contact the Oak Harbor Police Department via ICOM dispatch.

The Oak Harbor Police Department sent out a community alert just last week to again warn residents to be watchful due to “a rash of recent bur-glaries.” The burglaries have occurred in all different areas of the city and out-side city limits on North Whidbey. The burglars have been focusing on jewelry — likely due to the high value of gold — as well as electronics and guns.

Since October, the police have received more than 30 burglary com-plaints, but more could have occurred and not been reported. Most of the burglaries have been committed dur-ing the daytime or while people were on vacation.

“One of the methods of operation the burglars are using is to park their vehicle down the street so no one can associate a vehicle with the crime, and then knock on doors looking for a residence with no one at home. If the door is answered, a fake excuse is presented to the resident, i.e., ask-

ing if the resident wants to hire for services such as carpet cleaning, lawn care or household repairs. If there is no answer at the door, a quick way of entering the home is located via unlocked door, unlocked window, unlocked car in the driveway with a garage door opener left in it,” the alert states.

The police suggest that residents who are going on vacation should store valuable items with family, friends or in a safe deposit box. They also recommend that people keep a record of serial numbers of valuable possessions and photographs of items such as jewelry, art, and any unique items of value.

BURGLARYCONTINUED FROM A1

Crystal Quistorf Daniel Foroe

Justin Arnold

Island County Commissioners: Monday, Dec. 12, 2 p.m., ●Commissioners’ Hearing Room, County Annex Building.

Oak Harbor Arts Commission: Monday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m., ●City Hall, 865 SE Barrington Dr.

Whidbey General Hospital Board: Monday, Dec. 12, 6 ●p.m., Conference Room A, Whidbey General Hospital, Coupeville.

Oak Harbor Marina Committee: Monday, Dec. 12, 7 ●p.m., City Hall, 865 SE Barrington Dr.

Coupeville School Board: Monday, Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m. ●Coupeville Elementary School library.

Oak Harbor School Board: Monday, Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m., ●Administrative Service Center, 350 S. Oak Harbor St.

Coupeville Town Council: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m., ●Commissioners’ Hearing Room County Annex Building.

North Whidbey Fire and Rescue: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 7 ●p.m. fire district headquarters on Midway Boulevard.

YOUR GOVERNMENT

BIRTHCONTINUED FROM A1

The Oak Harbor School Board will hold a pub-lic forum about athletics and after-school activities Monday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the district office.

Sports and activities, such as band and choir performanc-es, debate, clubs and the after-school late bus are all funded through federal Impact Aid, which has declined over the last few years, with another reduction of $500,000 pro-jected this year. The school board is looking for a per-manent solution for funding activities that might reverse the cutbacks adopted over the last three years

Board takes on athletics

Page A5

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By JESSIE STENSLANDStaff reporter

An assault charge was dismissed Monday against a 55-year-old former Oak Harbor man who has now been named as “a person of interest” in his mother’s disappearance.

Raymond Willey was due to appear in Island County Superior Court for a hearing in a second-degree assault case. He was accused of stabbing an acquaintance in the head multiple times after becoming upset with his mother last February, court documents alleged.

About six months after the alleged assault, Willey’s moth-er mysteriously disappeared from the North Whidbey

home she shared with him. Betty Tews, 81, hasn’t been seen since June 21. She had previously obtained protec-tion orders against Willey and had accused him of putting a gun to her head, according to documents she filed in court.

Detective Ed Wallace with the Island County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that Willey is considered “a per-son of interest” in Tews’ dis-appearance.

On Monday, Island County Deputy Prosecutor David Carman asked Judge Vickie Churchill to dismiss the case, citing a lack of evi-dence. The judge agreed.

Afterward, Carman explained that prosecutors

felt that they couldn’t prove the case against Willey.

“After investigating the case and speaking to wit-nesses, we were not able to disprove Mr. Willey’s version of events beyond a reason-able doubt,” Carman said.

The alleged victim, Oak Harbor resident Mitchell Rowley, accepted a ride from Willey on Feb. 18. Rowley claimed that Willey pulled over while driving and spoke on a cell phone with his mother, who had recently kicked him out of her home. The phone call allegedly enraged Willey, the police reports indicate.

After the phone call, Willey suddenly turned on Rowley and started stabbing him in

the head and face with a pocket knife, according to the report by Detective Tony Slowik.

Willey then drove Rowley to the Whidbey General Hospital community clinic on NE Goldie Street and dropped him off. He was transported to Whidbey General Hospital for immedi-ate treatment. Slowik wrote that the wounds were mostly superficial, but three or four lacerations required stitches.

In contrast, Willey claimed that Rowley was already injured when he picked him up and he just brought him to the clinic for help.

Because of problems iden-tified in the case, Carman explained that prosecutors entered into an agreement

with Willey in May. Under the agreement, prosecutors committed to dismissing the case in six months if Willey abided by certain conditions that largely focused on pre-venting Willey from having contact with the victim.

Carman said Willey com-plied with the conditions, so prosecutors did as they had promised and dismissed the case. He said Willey didn’t vio-late the conditions and faced no consequences by failing to appear in court.

Willey’s current where-abouts are unknown. Investigators believe he may be living in California, where he was arrested on suspicion of DUI a few months ago, accord-ing to court documents.

Willey meets conditions, assault charge dropped

Ben Bess is busy putting up his Christmas lights and he wants oth-ers to join the effort and map it out for the community.

Bess, who lives at 330 E. Sleeper Road, said, “It takes me three weeks to get everything ready.” He expected to have them up no later than the second week of December.

Next door to Bess is Lloyd Phillips, who also has joined the holiday decoration craze. Nearby, Greg Benninghall has a nice show on Wilson Road, off Fakkema Road, according to Bess.

Another display well worth the trip

is by Navy housing off Reservation Road, by the big water tower.

“It started with one house and everyone else joined the party,” said Bess, describing his neigh-borhood north of Oak Harbor and east of Highway 20.

Bess would like to see a list and perhaps a map of excep-tional Christmas light displays on North and Central Whidbey. Locations may be emailed to the Whidbey News-Times at jlarsen@whideynewstimes.com. If enough are reported, the paper will run a list and perhaps a map before Christmas.

The Whidbey Island Almanac, published annually by the Whidbey News-Times and South Whidbey Record, will be distributed in early 2011.

To have your club or orga-nization listed in the 2012 version of the Almanac, email your meeting dates and con-tact information to jlarsen@whidbeynewstimes.com. If you are satisfied with your list-ing in the 2011 Almanac, no action is required.

For information on advertis-ing contact Le Anne Mozes at lmozes@soundpublising.com.

Almanac is

Family, friends and caregivers of persons affected by Alzheimer’s dis-ease and related dementias, gathered for a tender evening of sharing Nov. 13 during the National Commemorative Candle Lighting Ceremony.

This national event is sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, and this is the third year HomePlace of Oak Harbor has hosted the ceremony. Participants were each given a yel-low rose signifying the admiration and appreciation HomePlace has for family and professional caregivers.

Mike Thelen provided guitar music and dedicated the song, “Every Long Journey,” to the residents, their fami-lies, friends and staff at HomePlace.

Oak Harbor High School Wildcats girls basketball team Senior Captain Dominique Jackson, and Junior Captain Ciera Wiser, assisted with the event, and each lit a candle to honor Coach Pat Summit, ladies basketball coach from the University of Tennessee, who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Family members signed their loved ones into the Alzheimer’s Foundation online “Book of Remembrance.” Anyone may go online at www.candlelighting.org to list their loved one’s name or view the list. For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and HomePlace Special Care Center, call 360-279-2555 or visit www.homeplaceoakharbor.com.

WRITE TO US: The News-Times welcomes letters from its readers. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Letters should be typewritten and not exceed 250 words. They must be signed and include a daytime phone number.

Send items to P.O. Box 1200, Coupeville WA 98239, or email jlarsen@whidbeynewsgroup.com.

Page A6 WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM

OPINIONWhidbey

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I am a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. I am the Mission Delivery chairperson for Relay for Life Whidbey Island. Since this community gives through the Relay For Life, I feel it is important that our island community knows where the money is going. Periodically I will be submitting letters to keep you informed.

It is important that our island community knows about all the programs and information that is available to them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or a loved one has been diag-nosed with cancer, do you know what you need? Not sure where to start? The ACS has information that can help you understand cancer. Go to www.cancer.

org or call 1-800-ACS-2345.Whether you know what

you need, be it definition for a strange word you heard at the doctor’s office, a wig, more information on a loved one’s treatment options or you’re not sure where to start, call on us. Our exten-sively trained specialists help thousands of callers find answers. You’ll always find support on the other end of the line and someone who will stay on the phone as long as you need.

Nicki OldhamOak Harbor

The Whidbey News-Times editorial Nov. 8 criticizes commissioners Homola and Price Johnson for choosing Price Johnson to be the commission chair

next year. The public com-ments orchestrated by the Tea Party Republicans at the Nov. 21 board meeting make it pretty clear that they will try to make the case that Emerson was treated unfairly. In spite of all the noise, commissioners Price Johnson and Homola made a sound decision.

The editorial argues that Commissioner Emerson was entitled to serve as chair next year. But Emerson’s record over the last year shows that she doesn’t measure up to the job. Although I often dis-agreed with the policies of former Republican commis-sioners MacDowell, Shelton, Byrd and Bakke, they were devoted public servants who worked hard and believed they were doing the right thing. Commissioner Emerson has not met even that standard of profession-

alism. And, frankly, she just hasn’t made much of an effort.

Emerson’s lawsuit against the county and her unre-solved regulatory issues (building without a permit) are justifications enough to disqualify her from taking over the chair’s job. But the clincher is that Emerson has repeatedly demonstrated contempt for the govern-ment that she represents and the taxpayers who pay her salary. Although it might have been politically shrewd for commissioners Homola and Price Johnson to let her take the chair’s seat and make a fool of herself, it would have been irrespon-sible for them to do so.

They are completely jus-tified in transferring the role to Commissioner Price Johnson.

Duane FulghamClinton

IN OUR OPINION

Hopefully, the Oak Harbor City Council last night decided not to interfere with the powers of the new mayor, Scott Dudley. Councilman Rick Almberg’s recent motion to freeze all hiring and firing for six-months was not well thought out, and would stick the council’s collec-tive nose where it doesn’t belong.

The power of the mayor to hire and fire employees, particularly department heads, is clear. Abridging that power would likely require a change in the city charter, or perhaps state law that governs how cities can operate.

Almberg described his motion to consider the hiring and firing freeze as based on fiscal prudence. In fact, it’s pretty clear he fears Dudley, who seldom went along with the council’s in crowd on major issues, will start lopping off heads as soon as his mayoral term begins in January.

Such fears are groundless. True, Dudley has promised to review the performance of all department heads over several months, but he hasn’t pledged to fire anyone. We would prefer that Dudley assure all department heads that a new day starts in January, under new leadership, and everyone will begin with a fresh ledger. Let bygones be bygones. But the people of Oak Harbor elected Dudley, not us, and he needs a team he can work with for the next four years. If he feels after a thorough review that a department head should go, that’s his prerogative as mayor. He’ll ultimately answer to the voters for what-ever he does.

Almberg’s futile motion to rein in the powers of the mayor was also ill-timed, sparking political tensions and hard feelings when the council and mayor should be assuring the citizens that they will all work together in good faith to successfully address the city’s problems.

The city budget is under stress due to the continu-ing recession, the Pioneer Way project’s ultimate cost remains unknown due to the Native American remains issue, and nobody yet knows where to put the new waste-water treatment plant or how Oak Harbor can afford it without substantial outside help. This will require a focused, open approach with the new mayor, council and staff on the same page. Trying to subvert the mayor’s powers even before he takes office is exactly the wrong way to begin.

Leave the mayor alone

Published each Wednesday and Saturday from the office of The Whidbey News-Times107 S. Main St, Ste E101 ~ P.O. Box 1200 ~ Coupeville, WA 98239

(360) 675-6611 ~ (360) 679-2695 faxOn the Internet at www.whidbeynewstimes.com

IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT AND SUBSCRIPTION RATESThe Whidbey News-Times (ISSN 1060-7161) is published semi-weekly by Sound

Publishing on Wednesdays and Saturdays for $19 for 3 months, $29 for 6 months, $45 per year and $75 for 2 years delivered by carrier in island county from North Whidbey Island to Greenbank; $20 for 3 months, $32 for 6 months, $52 per year and $94 for 2 years delivered by in county mail from Greenbank to Clinton; $35 for 3 months, $65 for 6 months, $105 per year mailed out of county. Payment in advance is required. It is published by The Whidbey News-Times PO Box 1200, Coupeville, WA 98239. Periodicals rate postage paid at Coupe-ville, WA and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Whidbey News-Times, PO Box 1200, Coupeville, WA 98239. Copyright © 2011, Sound Publishing

..................................................................................................... Marcia Van Dyke.............................................................................................. Jim Larsen

......................................................................................... Jessie StenslandReporters ...................................Nathan Whalen, Justin Burnett, Jim Waller, Rebecca Olson

................................................................................. Connie Ross .................................................................................. Lee Ann Mozes

........................................................................................................Gail Rognan ................................................................................. Ginny Tomasko

......................................................................Michelle Wolfensparger ..................................................................................... Barb Lyter, Leslie Vance

......................................................................................Lynette Reeff ..................................................................................Diane Smothers

THE WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES

READER INFORMATION:ADMINISTRATIVE: The Whidbey News-Times is a publication of Sound Publishing, and is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, the National Newspaper Association and Suburban Newspapers of America. Advertising rates are available at the News-Times office. While the News-Times endeavors to ac-cept only reliable advertisements, it shall not be responsible to the public for advertisements nor are the views expressed in those advertisements necessarily those of the Whidbey News-Times. The right to decline or discontinue any ad without explanation is reserved. DEADLINES: Display Ads–4p.m. Friday and 4p.m. Wednesday; Legals – Noon Friday & Noon Wednesday; Classified Ads – 4:30 p.m. Monday and 4:30 p.m. Thursday; Community News – Noon Friday and Noon Wednesday; Letters to Editor – Noon Monday and Noon Wednesday.

We’reindependently audited!

Page A7

By REBECCA OLSONStaff reporter

Colorful crows holding the letter “C” now fly across the entrance to the chil-dren’s section of the Oak Harbor Library, accompa-nied by gulls with a “G” and urchins with a “U” in an art installation meant to pro-mote early literacy skills.

A grand opening celebra-tion took place at the library on Friday, Dec. 2. The art was installed over eight hours on Nov. 11.

“I like the idea of learning through art,” said the art-ist, Celia Marie Baker. She was chosen by the library art committee from a num-ber of artists who applied for the project. The project was funded through a grant from the Sno-Isle Libraries

Foundation.“We felt that Celia’s vision

of this was engaging without talking down to children. It makes literacy something people can experience with-out shoving it down their throat,” said Oak Harbor Library children’s librarian Jane Lopez-Santillana, add-ing that “her drawings were very, very enticing.”

Baker, of Snohomish, painted a woodland scene and a sea and shore scene incorporating local wildlife, complete with individually cut wooden animals that she and her husband, Seth, assembled “like a jigsaw puzzle,” Baker said.

The colorful art promotes reading skills because each animal holds the first letter of its name, such as “D” for

ducks.“Kids like finding animals

they know and finding the letter that goes with the ani-mal -- kind of an ‘I spy’ inter-active piece,” Baker said.

Older children can exam-ine the scientific names of the animals listed on the art.

“It’s really an opportunity for parents to interact with kids,” said managing librar-ian Mary Campbell, adding that she sees children look-ing at the art and talking with their parents about it.

“It really augments the kinds of events we have for children at the library,” Campbell said. The library teaches skills to get children ready to read through pro-grams like Ready Readers. The art teaches letter iden-tification, which promotes early literacy, Campbell said.

“Having fun at the library will really help them be suc-cessful at school and later in life,” Campbell said.

“The most important part is that people will just enjoy it,” Lopez-Santillana said.

Baker has illustrated a number of children’s books and creates private home art.

“This is my first time doing a public piece. That was a really fun experience for me,” Baker said.

To research wildlife native to Whidbey Island, librarians put Baker in con-tact with local naturalists, including the Audubon Society and authors of wild-life books.

“It was really cool just

talking to them and hear-ing their passion about local wildlife,” Baker said.

The ties to Whidbey Island give the art a time-less element, said Lopez-Santillana, adding that she

hopes children enjoying the art now will grow up to bring their own children to see it.

“I have this feeling it’ll be one of those timeless land-marks,” Lopez-Santillana

said.“I would really love to do

more work like this. It was so challenging and so fun and it was new. I was so blessed to be able to do it,” Baker said.

Elli Gadd, 7 and one-half months old, gets excited about learning early literacy skills from a new art installation at the Oak Harbor Library. Every Wednesday, Elli and her mom, Bree, attend Ready Readers, a library program teaching skills for getting ready to read.

Artist Celia Marie Baker created an art installation promoting early literacy skills for the Oak Harbor Library.

In light of the many inci-dents at the intersection of Ebey Road and NW Broadway across Highway 20 illustrated tragically by the loss of two Coupeville residents trying to live their lives and have a nice walk, I propose the following as a solution:

Install a lit and marked crosswalk across the high-way at that location and install one across the Highway 20 and across Race Road where commuters and travelers do the “suicide race” across the highway to switch to Island

Transit routes 1 and 6.I have done it many times;

my wife does it every day sometimes in the dark as a commuter. I would like to keep her around for someone to argue with. I used to go to work on I-405 to and from a Redmond software company. A crosswalk that crosses NE 70th street between 116th Ave. NE and 122nd Ave. NE by Bridal Trails features approach warnings posi-tioned to allow ample time for motor and pedal driven entities to slow and become aware of possible pedestrians. It is well marked, and features yellow lights strung over the roadway, a traffic light and, if memory serves me correctly (this may be a little draco-nian to some), a pedestrian or bicycle rider can press a button (child height) that turns on a red flashing light and klaxon. The lights and

warning klaxon time down a certain number of seconds to allow a pedestrian plenty of time to walk across the highway safely.

I was taught at a very young age to walk at night with light clothing and reflec-tors of some design. I was also taught to carry some form of illumination, and today when I walk my dogs they wear harnesses with reflective tape just for this purpose.

And please look both ways and try not to race death while crossing the road.

How about installing a bus shelter at the Northbound 1 bus perhaps directly across from the Southbound 1 and 6 shelter. That would eliminate the need for installing an unlit crosswalk on Race Road as I proposed above.

Roland ShaakCoupeville

I live in Redmond and travel often to Oak Harbor to visit my mother and broth-er, who live in the condos across Bayshore from the Element nightclub. This let-ter is in response to “61 Reasons to be Thankful” in your Nov. 23 paper, specifi-cally item 25.

I found this item mean-spirited, belittling the condo residents (“whiney neigh-bors”) who continue to object to the noise and dis-ruption created by patrons of Element night club. Most nights when I sleep at my mother’s home, I am awak-ened by shouting and car noise around closing time. The residents deal with this on a nightly basis.

A few months ago I was

awakened by an especially loud, closer group involved in a fight. Condo residents observing this fight saw a person knocked against the side of my car, parked in the condo lot next to the street. In the morning I called the police to make a report as daylight clearly showed that the side of my car had been pushed in from the impact the night before.

The repair for this dam-age cost $900, and I paid the $500 deductible. I would much rather have done something else with that $500! It is my understand-ing that Element clears its parking lot after closing –- bully for them! But people just go across the street. The patrons of Element are disturbing residents who should be able to sleep through the night, urinating in their bushes and damag-

ing property. Is this really the image of

Oak Harbor that you want visitors like me to carry home?

Sue WilleyRedmond

It’s a beautiful, winterish day on Whidbey Island! Crisp chill, warm sun, slight breeze and shining Mount Baker added to a delightful stroll this afternoon through some of the neat shops in the very fes-tive Harborside Village mall in downtown Oak Harbor. The highlight for Patty and me was eating lunch at Cafe Bella. What a tasty surprise! A great value for delicious Italian cui-sine. Homemade pasta, bread and sauces. Try it!

David CohickOak Harbor

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Page A8 WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM

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Helen Bonham

Helen Bonham, 92, passed away Nov. 19, 2011, at Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville.

Helen was born Jan. 13, 1919, in Bellingham, the youngest (ninth) child of Joseph an Harriet (Grey) Cary. She married Glenn Bonham on Jan. 7, 1989 and since then, they lived in Bellingham, Ferndale and Oak Harbor.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Bonham, and her six broth-ers and two sisters.

She is survived by two adult children by a previ-ous marriage, Gary Benson of Boulder, Colo., and Cori

(Benson) Siggens of Oak Harbor; six grandchildren, Terri Willis of Longmont, Colo., Ronald Benson of San Francisco, Keith Benson of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kenneth Benson of Langmont, Colo., Annette Jacobs of Gig Harbor, and Stuart Bridges of Bonney Lake; also 12 great-grand-children, Kendra Rood, Christopher Fudge, Taylor Fudge, Joshua Fudge, Madelyn Stankiewicz, Ethan Stankiewicz, Kathry Benson, Brigitte Benson, Liam Benson, Fiona Benson, Naomi Benson and Dashiell Benson; and one great-great-granddaughter, Aubriana Rood.

She was always interested in watching football. When she was a child, her older brothers would playfully toss her into the air. Once she told her mother that she had to play football outside with her brothers because she was the football! She enjoyed her church family and espe-cially her Bible study group. Her other interests included knitting, quilting, gardening, reading and traveling.

A memorial srvice will be held at 2 pm. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Whidbey Presbyterian Church, 1148 SE Eighth Ave. in Oak Harbor. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Guide Dogs for the Blind or to Help House of Oak Harbor.

Marian Merrill

Marian Merrill went to be with her Lord and Savior Nov. 22, 2011, one week before her 92nd birthday. She passed away peacefully with her fam-ily in attendance at Emerald Heights in Redmond, Wash. She was born on Maui, Hawaii, on Nov. 29, 1919, to Charles and Kathryn Savage, the last of their four children.

Marian, with her mother and sister Kae, moved from Maui to the San Francisco Bay area in November, 1937. She attended junior college and secretarial school and worked in the Hawaii build-ing at the 1939 World’s Fair on Treasure Island.

She met Navy Ensign David Merrill on a blind date on New Year’s Eve, 1941, and after a whirlwind courtship they became engaged two

months later, before he left for the war in the Pacific. He returned a lieutenant in December, 1943 and they were married in the Navy Chapel on Treasure Island on Dec. 17. After a brief hon-eymoon, Dave returned to sea and his naval career while Marian resumed life in San Francisco.

Their five children were born in various locations as they moved about the coun-try: San Francisco, Marilyn (1944) and Greg (1946); Bellingham, Cindy(1949); Carmel Valley, Calif., San Diego and Honolulu, Pam (1953), Norfolk, Va. Lynn (1955), San Diego, Arlington, Va., Yokosuka, Japan, and San Diego where he retired from the Navy as a captain in 1972.

They moved to Whidbey Island, first building a home and settling in Coupeville. In 1986 they moved to Oak Harbor. In 1994 they moved for the last time to the Emerald Heights Retirement Community in Redmond. They enjoyed the musical productions, plays, and vari-ous activities in the Seattle area and worldwide traveling for the past 17 years.

Marian was a warm, pas-sionate and soft spoken lady who was always willing to get involved in service orga-nizations and projects wher-ever she was. She served as a Red Cross volunteer

in pediatric clinics in Navy hospitals for 27 years. She was a past member of the Coupeville United Methodist Church, a current member of the Redmond Presbyterian Church, and belonged to the Overlake Service League and P.E.O. She was manager of the volunteer staffed coffee shop at Emerald Heights for ten years, and developed the popular “Emerald Chino.” She led the volunteers that assisted with memorial ser-vices for many years. She always lived with the spirit of “Aloha.”

Marian is survived by her husband, David Merrill; daughter Marilyn Freeman of Berkeley, Calif.; son Gregory (Marilou) of Bethesda, Md.; daughters Cynthia of Shoreline, Pamela of Westminster, Colo., and Lynn Dimoff (Jordan) of Purcellville, Va.; as well as six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held in the Emerald Room at Emerald Heights, Redmond, on Tuesday, Dec. 6. The family suggests memorials to the Evergreen Hospice Center, The Center for the Church and Global AIDS, or Redmond Presbyterian Church. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor where friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest register.

OBITUARIES

Helen Bonham

Marian Merrill

Whidbey Threshold Singers honor the ancient tradition of women singing at the bedside of those who are ill or dying.

They sing by invita-tion only, in groups of two or three, bringing comfort and peace to those in need. Family members or caregiv-ers are invited to participate by listening or sometimes singing with us.

Songs include rounds, chants and lullabies, many of which were composed particularly for bedside sing-ing. They are not associated with any church or religious group, yet feel their songs can uplift people of many dif-ferent spiritual orientations.

Singing is free of charge. If you or someone you know would like to receive our gift of song, please contact Linda Edling on North Whidbey, 678-1073, or Christa Straub on South Whidbey, 331-7633.

New singers are always welcome. If you can carry a tune, have the time to commit to regular rehearsals every Tuesday and love singing in service, call one of the above numbers.

Find an exciting book for even the hardest person on your list through the Gift Book Gala, presented at the Oak Harbor Library on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m.

This reader’s advisory ser-vice was created by Kara Fox and Jane Lopez-Santillana to help people discover books that make good gifts. The gala includes a mix of fiction and nonfiction titles published in 2011 for adults, teens and children that are available in local bookstores and at the library.

Copies of the list are avail-able at Whidbey libraries.

“What better gift than the pleasure of receiving the perfect book? And this list includes something for each and every person on your holi-day list,” said Lopez-Santillana in a press release.

Call 675-5115.

Page A9

Call us at (360) 675-6611, or email scores to sports@whidbeynewstimes.com.

GAME OF THE WEEK Coupeville hosts Archbishop Murphy in girls basket-ball Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m.

SPORTSWhidbey

The Oak Harbor High School wrestling team opened the season with two wins -- one by a comeback, one by a rout -- at Glacier Peak Friday, Dec. 2.

The Wildcats trailed 13-0 before roaring back twice for a 42-29 win over Arlington. In the second match of the double dual, Oak Harbor thumped Monroe 66-9.

Jeremy Vester (113 pounds) led the way for the Wildcats with pins in both matches. Josh Crebbin (152), Collin Higingbotham (182), Jahleel Vester (120), Hunter Vail (220) and Cody Fakkema (126) also won twice.

Against Arlington, a decision by Crebbin and a pin from David Payne (160) cut the Eagle lead to 13-9. Three matches later, Arlington still led 23-12.

Pins by Vail and Jackson Constant (285) gave the ‘Cats their first lead, 24-23.

Arlington led again after Oak Harbor for-

feited the next match (106), but pins by the Vester brothers and a forfeit for Fakkema sealed the win.

Coach Mike Crebbin said practice inten-sity dropped off the week prior to the match and “it was good for Arlington to come out and give us the proverbial punch in the mouth.”

He added, “It woke the kids up…We responded with intensity and controlled aggression.”

The mauling of Monroe started with a trio of falls, and Oak Harbor collected seven overall: Mark Johnston (138), Nate Stanford (145), Crebbin, Justin Everett (170), Higingbotham, Jeremy Vester and Fakkema.

Oak Harbor travels to Marysville-Pilchuck tomorrow, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m.

By JIM WALLERSports editor

A season-opening home double header Friday, Dec. 2, against Meridian was double trouble for the Coupeville High School basketball teams.

The Trojan boys combined an aggressive defense with a strong half-court offense to top Coupeville 75-33. On the girls side, poor shooting and poor ball handling by the Wolves equaled a 48-25 loss.

The Wolves open Cascade Conference play Friday, Dec. 9, with Archbishop Murphy at 7 p.m. The girls are home while the boys travel to Everett.

Meridian forced 11 turn-overs in each of the first three quarters (and 37 total) to run to 14-5, 40-16 and 61-27 quar-ter leads.

The Trojans jumped to an 8-0 lead, then Coupeville’s Kole Kellison hit a free throw and a jumper to get the Wolves on the board.

The winners scored all their points in the opening period from the paint by freeing up cutters off high-post screens. It could have been worse for Coupeville, but Meridian missed 10 shots from the key in the first eight minutes.

Meridian started the sec-ond quarter on a 13-2 run to break open the game.

Five free throws and hoops by Kellison and Gavin O’Keefe (a three-pointer) accounted for Coupeville’s second-quar-ter offense, then five different Wolves scored in the third quarter.

In the fourth, Coupeville cut down on the turnovers and finally slowed the Trojan offense.

Kellison, who will miss the remainder of the season because of shoulder surgery, finished with 12 points. Taylor Ebersole and O’Keefe added six each, Aaron Curtin had four, Drew Chan three and Carson Risner two.

Coupeville coach Anthony

Smith, making his CHS debut, said, “My guys didn’t know what to expect; they were a little shell shocked.”

He added, “We played some good minutes in the second half, something to build off of.”

The Wolves hit just six field goals in 25 tries (24 percent) and committed 30 turnovers in the loss.

The Wolves got more points at foul line, 13, than from the field.

The first quarter was the best for Coupeville as it hit three field goals, turned the ball over only four times and trailed by just one, 8-7.

The turnovers began to pile up in the second quarter, but Coupeville was able to stay in the game by hitting nine of 14 free throws in the period.

The Wolves jumped to a 14-10 lead with the help of six straight Katie Smith foul shots. The lead was erased

when Coupeville committed four turnovers in less than a minute. The miscues started a 12-2 run for Meridian, and the Trojans led 22-16 at the break.

Meridian pushed the lead to 11, 32-21, heading into the fourth quarter, where Coupeville’s shooting woes continued.

The lack of a hot hand and 10 fourth-period turnovers thwarted any comeback attempt.

Smith topped the Coupe-ville scorers with 11 points, nine from the line. Cassidi Rosenkrance had eight points, Taya Boonstra two, Jai’Lysa Hoskins two, Lauren Escalle one and Shelby Kulz one.

Coach Jackie Bykonen said, “Overall, I am pleased with more aspects than dis-couraged.”

Play will improve, Bykonen said, because her players “want to get better.”

“There are better vibes this year,” she said. “We don’t have to worry about the drama.”

Double downer: Wolves drop 2

Coupeville’s Gavin O’Keefe shoots a jumper against Meridian.

Kelsey Rankin snared an offensive rebound and scored with two seconds left to lift the Oak Harbor High School girls basketball team to a 42-41 comeback win over visiting Squalicum Monday, Dec. 5.

It was a tale of two halves, and the first belonged to Squalicum.

The Storm went on a 13-0 run that spanned the first two quarters and led 21-6 with 5:35 left in the half; the lead was 10, 27-17, at the break.

Oak Harbor failed to take advantage of Storm mis-takes as Squalicum (0-3) committed 17 first-half turn-overs to Oak Harbor’s 12, but outscored the Wildcats 17-4 in points off turnovers.

The second half was a dif-ferent story as Oak Harbor cashed in on 19 Squalicum turnovers while committing only eight and outscored Squalicum 16-3 on points after turnovers.

The Wildcats scored the

first six points of the second half to get back in the game and trailed 33-27 going into the fourth quarter.

With 5:05 left, Dominique Jackson and Ciera Wiser scored to give the ‘Cats their first lead of the game, 36-35.

Oak Harbor broke a 38-all tie when Wiser scored off a steal from Marissa Lewis.

Squalicum’s Lauren Eckart hit a three from the corner with 50 seconds left to give the Storm a 41-40 lead.

Oak Harbor failed to score on two possessions and was forced to foul with 10 seconds left.

Oak Harbor grabbed the miss and called time out with 5.4 seconds remaining. Annie Leete’s shot was off line, but Rankin outwrestled Squalicum for the rebound and scored to complete the comeback.

Coach Trisha Clayville lauded the play of reserves Rankin and Lewis, who

sparked Oak Harbor. Rankin pulled down five rebounds to go with three points, and Lewis had five steals and four points.

Clayville said her team came out after halftime “ready to play.” She said their mantra is “Don’t give in, don’t give up,” and it was evident in the win.

“Even the kids who didn’t get into the game were into it,” she said. “I’m definitely proud of them tonight.”

Leete scored 12 points and collected three assists; Jackson finished with nine points, five rebounds and six steals; and Wiser had eight points, seven rebounds, three assists and five steals.

Rayan Russell added three points, Jalani Bobo two and Morgan Young one; and Erika Flores dished out three assists.

Oak Harbor (1-1) opens league play at home tonight, Dec. 7, with Shorecrest (2-0) at 7:15 p.m.

OHHS girls comeback for win

The Gallery Golf Course will host its 12 Months of Christmas tournament Sat-urday, Dec. 10, with a shotgun start at 10 a.m.

The entry fee of $25 includes golf, priz-es and a drawing from 2012 annual golf.

The format is a modified four-person scramble.

Registration is still open for the Mount Baker Winter Ride bus.

The first trip of the eight-week pro-gram is Saturday, Jan. 7.

The bus is open to all middle- and high-school students.

Registration forms are available at school offices or online at the Mount Baker website: winterride.mtbaker.us.

For more information, call 675-9586.

Registrations are now being taken for the Snowrider program to Stevens Pass and Mount Baker.

Save $50 by signing up before Dec. 9. Snowrider members also receive a dis-

count on lift tickets.For detailed information, visit www.

swparks.org or call 360-221-5484.

SPORTS IN BRIEF

The AARP Tax-Aide Program seeks volunteer tax counselors to provide free personal income tax assistance and counseling to Whidbey Island’s low and middle income taxpay-ers, with special attention to those age 60 and older.

Volunteers are trained during December and January. Computer skills are required, since most tax returns are filed electroni-cally.

Tax aides are important because older and low-income taxpayers may over-pay their taxes or have to rely on expensive and, for many, unaffordable profes-sional tax preparation ser-vices, according to an AARP press release.

An IRS Taxpayer Usage Study reported that 90 percent of taxpayers have help doing their taxes: 63 percent pay a commercial tax preparer and 27 percent use taxpayer software pro-grams, according to a press release.

AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free, vol-unteer-run tax assistance and preparation service. Last year during the Feb. 1 to April 15 filing season, 900 trained AARP Tax-Aide volunteers prepared tax returns for more than 50,000 people at sites across Washington. The returns from Washington resulted in a net refund of more than $50 million for Washington taxpayers, plus nearly $12 million in Earned Income Tax Credit, and two-thirds of a million in Child Tax Credit, according to a press release.

At Whidbey Island’s three Tax-Aide sites, 750 returns were prepared. Net refunds were almost $378,000, of which over $60,000 was

Earned Income Tax Credit and over $38,000 was Child Tax Credit.

Volunteers need not be an AARP member or a retiree to receive tax preparation assistance. Counselors are expected to work a mini-mum of four hours a week; many work longer if able.

AARP also seeks techni-cal people who have a com-puter hardware or software background. They would not be required to pass the IRS tax certification exam.

AARP also needs client facilitators to greet custom-ers and perform limited initial screenings but who don’t prepare tax returns. If interested, complete an online registration form at www.aarp.org/taxaide, or get information by calling AARP toll free at 888-687-2277.

For information about the Whidbey Island program, contact John Howard, local coordinator, at 678-1117 or 678-7779.

AARP seeks tax aide volunteersPage A10 WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM

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“My name is Hercule Poirot, and I am Belgian, madame, not French.” Josh Dailey, left, portraying detective Hercule Poirot, and North Whidbey Christian High School students perform the Agatha Christie radio drama, “The Case of the Careless Client,” which originally aired Feb. 22, 1945. The drama was part of the school’s annual talent show and dessert auction. Other students and faculty performed comedy sketches, musical numbers and Irish dancing.

JUST CALL ME HERCULE

Arriving by horse-drawn carriage, the big man led the countdown to flip the switch for the tree lighting. He then spent the next three hours at Harborside Village with a legion of children eager to rattle off their Christmas wish lists.

“The line was a block long,” said Ron Apgar, president of the Downtown Merchants Association. “He didn’t leave

until 9:30 p.m., until everyone was seen.”

Santa’s big entrance and the tree lighting kicked off shortly after 6 p.m. but the day’s festivities began hours earlier when association members began offering free goodies to shoppers with Sweets on the Streets.

Later, after the street was closed to traffic, event-goers had the chance to enjoy a musical performance by the Oak Harbor Middle School band, caroling by St. Augustine Catholic Church members, a bake sale benefit-

ing Big Brothers Big Sisters and carriage rides by Pioneer Tree & Landscaping. Free hot cocoa, cider and candy canes were also a well-enjoyed treat.

Saturday’s event has for years served as the launch of the holiday shopping season in downtown. But with all the construction on SE Pioneer

Way, this year’s tree lighting was especially important and the community didn’t disap-point, Apgar said.

“I thought it was just great attendance,” he said. “Thanks everybody.”

Santa, by the way, will be back every weekend to meet and greet kids in downtown Oak Harbor.

Page A11

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LIGHTSCONTINUED FROM A1

Abigail Paul, 6, reacts to the sight of a box of candy canes while at the tree lighting ceremony on SE Pioneer Way Saturday. An estimated 500 people were in attendance.

People react as the tree is lit on the corner of Dock Street and Pioneer Way.

& ARTABOUT

Page A12 WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM

ISLAND LIVINGWhidbey

The Ballet Slipper presents THE NUTCRACKER Sat-urday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Oak Harbor High School. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for ages 18 and under; they’re available at Bay-view Embroidery ‘n Print. Call 360-929-5828.

The Whidbey Playhouse will hold limited performances of A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES Dec. 8 to 18. Shows are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $12 and are available by calling 679-2237.

Penn Cove Productions presents Postcards from Whidbey Island HOLIDAY HOOPLA, a musical, comedy and variety radio show, on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. at the Pacific NorthWest Art School in Coupeville. Tickets are $15 from Anchor Books, Clinton; Book Bay, Freeland; Local Grown and Linds Drug, Coupeville; and Bayleaf, Oak Harbor. Call 206-612-3011.

Penn Cove Gallery will feature artist JOSEPH AL-BERT for December. Watch him demonstrate his Native style art on Thursday, Dec. 15 and Friday, Dec. 16 at the gal-lery, located on Front Street in Coupeville. Call 678-1176.

Raven Rocks presents “LOVE LETTERS,” oil paintings by Marcia Van Doren, through Jan. 2, at the gallery at the Greenbank Farm. Call 360-222-0102.

Tickets are on sale for Whidbey Island Dance The-atre’s THE NUTCRACK-ER, showing Friday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for age 17 and under from 360-341-2221 or WIDT at Ken’s Korner Mall in Clinton.

The Artists of South Whid-bey will hold their HOLIDAY GALLERIA Thursday, Dec. 8, noon to 5 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a re-ception 5 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Clinton Progressive Hall, 6411 Central Ave. Paint-ings, prints, cards and holiday items will be available. Call 360-730-1639.

During December, enjoy the 1891 GACHES MANSION in La Conner decorated for the holidays. Fridays and Saturdays from 3 to 5 p.m., vintage re-cords will play. Award-winning quilts are on display. Admission is $7. Call 360-466-4288.

By REBECCA OLSONStaff reporter

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Coupeville as small-town holiday spirit filled the streets for the annual Greening of Coupeville celebration Saturday evening.

Community members bundled up and gathered along Main and Front streets for the annual parade and tree lighting at Cook’s Corner Park.

With Jack Frost nipping at their noses, the Brimeyer family huddled together under a blanket, the chil-dren prepared to gather as much candy as they could. Children Noah, Teddy, Shaun, Cassie and Leila dis-cussed how much candy would fit in their pockets and the bags they brought.

“It’s just a small-town thing; it’s fun. It’s the small-town feel of Christmas,” their mother, Jennifer Brimeyer, said about the parade.

On Front Street, Tim Krause and his dog, Daisy, eagerly awaited the parade, with Krause in a Santa hat and Daisy attracting many smiles in her shimmery red dress.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Krause said about the festivities, adding that he comes every year.

Linda and John Devitt also attend every year.

“I like that it’s a parade in our little town and they work so hard for it,” Linda said.

Carolers strolled through town singing “Deck the Halls” until the first floats came down Front Street. Frosty the Snowman, the Coupeville Lions Club, the Boys and Girls Club and more marched down the street throwing candy to excited children. Gifts from the Heart Food Bank vol-

unteers even performed a synchro-nized dance with shopping carts.

Santa Claus’ sleigh made a grand finale. Santa Claus, also known as Paul Messner, waved to beaming children and adults.

After the parade, the crowds made their way to Cook’s Corner Park for the lighting of the trees.

Mayor Nancy Conard encouraged the community to shop locally for the holidays, especially that night, as the shops planned to stay open later than usual.

Vern and Karl Olsen and family got the crowd rocking around the

Christmas tree as they led carols. Children slid down the hill by the Anchorage Inn, laughing, and girls linked arms to dance along to the songs. The phrase of the night was “buy local” and the Olsens even managed to insert the phrase into “Silver Bells.”

When it came time to light the trees, the Olsens led a countdown -- “three, two, one!” Then the lights came on, transforming the park into a winter wonderland of multi-colored, festive lights as the crowd sang “O Christmas Tree.” Children and adults flocked to “ooh” and take

photos.Santa Claus made another appear-

ance for photos as community members chatted and headed to the waterfront to watch lighted boats from the Oak Harbor Yacht Club parade across Penn Cove.

Six-year-old Madalynn Georges stepped up for a photo with Santa Claus. After a busy evening of hand-ing out candy canes with St. Mary’s church during the parade, she smiled at Santa Claus and showed him her Santa Claus doll as her parents took photos of the magical Christmas moment.

Coupeville welcomes the holidays

Ella Colwell and Jackie Contreras, and Kiara Contreras and Abby Mulholland in the background, dance to Christmas carols.

Madalynn Georges, 6, shows Santa Claus, also known as Paul Messner, her Santa doll after the Greening of Coupeville parade and tree-lighting.

In the Greening of Coupeville parade, children fling candy from the Prairie Center Red Apple’s float.

WHIDBEY REMEMBERS PEARL HARBOR

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 will hold a Remembrance Cer-emony Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. at the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station Seaplane Base Marina. A reception will im-mediately follow at Simard Hall (Building 12).

LIONS TREE SALE IN PROGRESS

The Oak Harbor Lions Club is holding its annual Christmas tree sale daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Dec. 23 or sold out. The stand is conve-niently located in the park next to the Chamber of Commerce, 32630 Highway 20, Oak Harbor. These are local Noble, Douglas, Grand, Fraser and Nordman Fir trees, cut fresh in Dem-ing, Wash., with sizes from 4-feet to 9-feet tall. Prices will be the same as the last two years. All proceeds sup-port community projects.

HIGH SCHOOL SELLS FOR HOLIDAYS

Oak Harbor High School ASB’s second annual Holiday Bazaar will be held Dec. 7 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the OHHS SUB. Clubs and classes will host activities and sell their wares, from treats to ornaments to jewelry, plus face painting, caroling, silent auctions, a picture booth and food.

PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS HOLIDAY SHOW

The Whidbey Playhouse will hold limited perfor-mances of “A Child’s Christ-mas in Wales” from Dec. 8 to 18. Shows are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Enjoy the lyrical journey through a young Dylan Thomas’ fond-est holiday memories told through poetry and Welsh song. Tickets cost $12 and are available by calling 679-2237. The Whidbey Play-house is located at 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. For information visit www.whidbeyplayhouse.com.

SPECIAL DINNER INCLUDES GIFTS

The Greenbank Progres-sive Club will hold its special

potluck dinner and meeting Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Bakken and Firehouse roads clubhouse in Greenbank. Bring side dishes to go with turkey and ham, which will be furnished. There will be a gift exchange. Bring a wrapped gift labeled either male, female or either if non gender specific. Need ideas? Support a local artist or craftsperson or give some-thing homemade. Numbers will be drawn and gifts will change hands more than once. If you buy something, please keep the amount to under $7. Call 678-4885.

TEENS DISPLAY ARTISTIC SKILLS

Oak Harbor Library will hold an opening reception for their teen art show on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. Vote for People’s Choice and enjoy food catered by Wildcat Catering. The show will also run Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 675-5115.

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE AT HOME DEPOT

Get into the holiday spirit at Christmas Vil-lage, staged this year in the Home Depot parking lot in Oak Harbor. Sit on Santa’s lap, laugh at the Grinch, pet goats, meet Frosty the Snowman, take a hay ride and much more. Hours are Dec. 9, 4 to 7 p.m.; Dec. 10 and 11, noon to 7 p.m.; Dec. 16, 4 to 7 p.m.; Dec. 17 and 18, noon to 7 p.m.; Dec. 19 through 23, 4 to 7 p.m. Admission is free and donations of nonperishable food items welcome. To vol-unteer to set up, visit www.ohchristmasvillage.com.

MEET WHIDBEY’S ‘SINGIN’ SALMON MAN’Wind and Tide Bookshop

is offering an evening with Arnie Deckwa on Dec. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. Deckwa will be talking about his book, “The Singin’ Salmon Man from Cornet Bay” along with cooking and serving samples of his many wonderful Cornet Bay food products. Deckwa’s book tells of his musical Nashville dream that turned into a retail food business; an eve-ning not to miss.

“THE NUTCRACKER” DANCES INTO OHHS

The Ballet Slipper pres-

ents “The Nutcracker” Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Oak Harbor High School. Tick-ets cost $15 for adults and $10 for ages 18 and under; they’re available at Bayview Embroidery ‘n Print on Pio-neer Way. Call 929-5828.

HARBORSIDE SHOPS SIGN UP SANTA

Harborside Mercants on the newly makeover Pioneer Way in downtown Oak Harbor welcome families to come see Santa on a fire truck. Bring a camera; pets are welcome. Santa will be available Dec. 10, 4 to 7 p.m.; Dec. 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Dec. 17, 4 to 7 p.m.; Dec. 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Dec. 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Dec. 22, 4 to 7 p.m.; and Dec. 23, 4 to 7 p.m.

HOLIDAY MARKET IN GREENBANK

The Greenbank Farm Holiday Market is offered Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Looking for that perfect something for a gift? Peruse the collection of items made by local artisans. Stroll through the historic barn decorated in its finest scen-ery and help support the local economy. Bring your camera - Santa will be on site for photos from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

MUSEUM BOOKS SANTA FOR SATURDAYSEvery Saturday and Sun-

day, Dec. 10 through Dec. 19, Santa Claus will be at the Island County Museum from 1 to 4 p.m. greeting kids of all ages and listening to their holiday wishes. Admission to the museum is by donation during those hours for all Santa-believers. Island Coun-ty Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Call 678-3310.

DECEMBER HOLIDAY TEA

American Association of University Women Whidbey Island Branch’s Holiday Tea will be held Dec. 10 from 1:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the Re-gency on Whidbey, 1040 SW Kimball Dr., Oak Harbor. Bring a wrapped holiday or-nament for exchange. Send a reservation check for $20 to AAUW, PO Box 1332, Coupeville, 98239.

HOMES TAKE ON HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Celebrate magical holiday decorations at the third annual Oak Harbor Soropti-mist Christmas Home Tour on Dec. 10 from 4 to 8 p.m. The event features six homes on north Whidbey Island. Each home features

a homemade cookie and recipe card. Tickets are $15 from the Casual House, Rusty Chandelier and Oak Harbor Hallmark or by call-ing Maria at 675-1872.

WORRIED ABOUT HOLIDAY WEIGHT?

Don’t let the holidays weigh you down; learn the emotional freedom tech-nique Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. in the Whidbey General Hospital conference room. Learn about cravings, stress and how to free yourself. Cost is $25. Registration required: call 678-7656 ext. 4005 or 321-7656 ext. 4005.

TAI CHI PROVIDES COMPLETE EXERCISEAn introduction to classi-

cal Tai Chi and Qigong pro-vides exercises for any age, especially those with chron-ic pain or illness. Learn how to improve balance, core strength and reduce stress on Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. in the Whidbey General Hospital conference rooms. Cost is $25. Registration required: call 678-7656 ext. 4005 or 321-7656 ext. 4005.

WHIDBEY AUDUBON GOES TO SWAN LAKESwan Lake is one of seven

Whidbey Island sites on the newly published Birding Trail map. Search for waterfowl, hawks and eagles Dec. 10. Carpools form at 9 a.m. at Windjammer Park. Contact Steve Ellis, 678-2264.

WINTERFEST IN COUPEVILLE

Coupeville Elementary School PTA Winterfest is set for Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at the school, starting with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast served by the Coupeville Lions. Cost is $4 adults and $2 for kids. Also enjoy Santa pictures, storytime with Santa, holiday crafts, games, festive face-painting and Scholastic Book Fair. Children can purchase craft cards, 2 crafts for $3 or 4 crafts for $5, and make delightful gifts for family and friends. To donate to “Spon-sor A Family” that might not otherwise be able to afford to attend, email the PTA at president@coupevillepta.org. Call 360-224-3941.

SUPPORT WHIDBEY YOUTH ART

The Pacific NorthWest Art School will hold its “Deck the Halls” fundraiser to support youth art and other programs on Dec. 11.

Enjoy dinner, a dessert auc-tion, silent and live auctions. Tickets cost $75 by calling 678-3396 or by visiting the school at 15 NW Birch St., Coupeville.

SOMETHING TO DO ON SUNDAYS

Every Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m., listen to live music at Taste for Wine at the Bay-view Corner. Entertainment is free and all ages are wel-come. Dec. 11 features the Muse, Eye and Dragonfly. Call 360-321-0515.

BAYLEAF HOSTS TRUNK SHOW

Cook on Clay Holiday Trunk Show at Bayleaf in Coupeville will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 11. Join Whidbey Island artist/pot-ter Robbie Lobell of Cook on Clay and Beth Kuchynka, owner of Bayleaf Fine Wines and Imported Foods gour-met shop, 101 Northwest Cloveland St., Coupeville. Call 678-6603.

FREE CARDIO AND FUN WITH HORSES

HOPE Therapeutic Riding Center seeks volunteers for winter quarter. To train, at-tend a webinar on Dec. 12

at 6 p.m. and then hands-on training on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. at the north end arena. Sign up at 360-221-7656 or melissa@hope-whidbey.org.

MEDIEVAL ENSEMBLE SINGS HOLIDAY TUNESNoel, a Christmas tour-

ing ensemble in full medieval garb, will perform Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the First Reformed Church, 250 SW Third Ave., Oak Harbor. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for students, from Angelo’s, the Bayleaf, Mr. Music, at the door or www.noelharp.com.

IDIPIC MEETS DOWN THE HALL

IDIPIC presents its next North Whidbey DUI/Un-derage Drinking Prevention panel Dec. 12. It’s open to all, come no later than 6:45 p.m. to assure a seat in Conference Room 137 down the hall from Oak Harbor Library. This is required by local driving instructors for both driver’s ed students and parents. Contact 672-8219 or www.idipic.org.

Page A13

High school bazaar brings cheer for the holidays: The Oak Harbor High School ASB will host its second holiday bazaar Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. See Activities listing for more information.ACTIVITIES

Whidbey

The Christmas touring ensemble Noel will perform in Oak Harbor Monday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a holiday performance by Noel, a Christmas touring ensemble in full medieval garb, at the First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor. Noel will perform an evening of holiday poetry and music featuring harps, strings, flutes and percussion. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for students and are available at Angelo’s, the Bay Leaf and Mr. Music, at the door or at www.noelharp.com. The First Reformed Church is located at 250 SW Third Ave., Oak Harbor. Noel will also perform in La Conner, Lynnwood, Lynden, Kirkland and Bellingham. For information about those performances call 360-305-7136.

DEC. 7WED.

DEC. 8THURS.

DEC. 9FRI.

DEC. 10SAT.

DEC. 11SUN.

DEC. 12MON.

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Advertise your Island Holiday

Bazaars & Events

One price island-wide

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Get a jump on your seasonal bazaar & events through January! Our special section will appear Wednesday and/or Saturday in both the Whidbey News-Times and South

Whidbey Record

Unique Handmade Crafts, Yummy Baked Goods, Stocking Stuffers Galore, Fabulous Book Sale, Warm Beverages & Oh So Much More! Come one, come all to our Christmas Fair!

Holiday Music, fragrant scents & cozy fi replace will put youin a relaxed festive mood!

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Looking for your dream house? Go topnwHomeFinder.com to find the perfect home for sale or rent.

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The opportunity to make a difference is right in front of you.Recycle this paper.

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Find what you need 24 hours a day.

Wednesday, December 07, 2011, Whidbey Classified, PAGE 15

Real Estate for Rent

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Looking for your dream house? Go topnwHomeFinder.com to find the perfect home for sale or rent.

Real Estate for Rent

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MADRONA VALLEY APARTMENTS

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Need extra cash? Place your classified ad today! Call 1-800-388-2527 or Go online 24 hours a day www.nw-ads.com.

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WA Misc. Rentals

Mobile/MFG Homes

Winter Specials!

Lease, Purchase or Rental Options Available Now

APPLICATION FEE

real estaterentals

Commercial Rentals

Office/Commercial

announcements

Announcements

Announcements Announcements

(South Whidbey Fire/EMS)

Island County Fire District #3 reserves the right to re- ject any and/or all bids.

and speak with female staff members

Find what you need 24 hours a day.

legals

Legal Notices

Continued on next page.....

PAGE 16, Whidbey Classified, Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Legal Notices

Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal NoticesContinued from previous page.....

Continued on next page.....

Wednesday, December 07, 2011, Whidbey Classified, PAGE 17

Legal Notices

Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices

stuffAppliances

5 Week Photo Specials Call 1-800-388-2527 formore information. Look online 24 hours a day at nw-ads.com.

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flea marketFlea Market

Flea MarketContinued from previous page.....

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The opportunity to make a difference is right in front of you.Recycle this paper.

PAGE 18, Whidbey Classified, Wednesday, December 07, 2011

wJERRY SMITH CHEVROLETANACORTES

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Get a jump on your seasonal bazaar & events through January! Our special section will appear Wednesday and/or Saturday in both the

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Wednesday, December 07, 2011, Whidbey Classified, PAGE 19

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