Lopez Island had another interesting and tumultuous year; once again Lopezians outdid themselves supporting the arts, the community, and hospice, as well as weathering a stormy election. Though the economic situation is becoming more serious world-wide, Lopezians have also managed to bond together, harnessing good will, volunteer spirit, and a can-do attitude to help one another on many different levels.

At the beginning of 2008, this outgoing spirit was embodied by the Lopez School Spanish Club, which visited Nicaragua on a service trip in early February. The club helped to install a septic system for a community-owned spinning plant as well as providing assistance with the transport of pumice to make cinder blocks for building the plant. Locally, students helped themselves. The Lopez School Choir hosted a Winter Arts Night to raise funds for its organization. In a similar vein, Lopez student Robin Hall conducted a survey for a class project that was aimed at discerning the feasibility of a public bus service on Lopez to cut down on greenhouse emissions. Lopez school students also hosted a winter carnival as a fundraiser for IslandWood, while the French Club visited Quebec, Canada, for a cultural exchange of ideas and language.

The first in the series of Evening Meals was served at the school on January 31, featuring locally grown produce and meat, offered at an economical price, and aimed at supporting the community so that people who might not be able to afford a meal out could partake and be supported in a community setting. In keeping with a focus on food, the community, farmland, and the economic impact of high fuel costs, The Real Dirt on Farmer John was shown at the Community Center in early June as well. Barbara Brownstein gave a well-received talk on the economics of genetics, and discussed genetic manipulation of food crops and cloning, as well as the mechanics of designer drugs.

In transportation, the Hiyak replaced the Evergreen State while the Evergreen went in for repairs, and free parking was offered at the Anacortes terminal with a shuttle provided to the village to try and handle the Fourth of July traffic to the island.

A new prevention program offered by DVSAS (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services) called Family Options, and aimed at breaking the cycle of intergenerational violence and preventing domestic violence and child abuse, was introduced at the end of January.

Islanders outdid themselves with their generosity on several fronts. At the end of February, the United Way exceeded their target goal for the year for the San Juan Islands, hospice care in the San Juans received a much-needed financial boost from an established Mt. Vernon project, and the Friends of Woodmen Hall raised money auctioning furniture, jewelry, and artwork. A Fashion Show and Tea was organized to support Lopez Island Hospice and Home Support at the end of April, and the Lopez Community Land Trust volunteers helped several Westview apartment women establish and protect a small garden for flowers and vegetables. The Enchanted Quilters raised money to support Lopez Senior Services, a charity casino night was held to benefit the Lopez Island Hospice and Home Support, the American Hiking Society joined forces with the Bureau of Land Management to clean up island locales, the Lopez Island Thrift Shop hosted an Asian Fusion dinner to raise money for its new building, and an evening of music to benefit Iraqi children was held in early August. An auction of fabulous feasts for Fadilla, a Thai student whose education is being sponsored by the Lopez community, was a great success in September. The island is blessed with creative ways to support one another and there seems to be no lack of compassion amongst our community. Pointing this up, in early October, the League of Volunteers Enterprises was started as a clearinghouse to assist people with volunteer opportunities (email adriangcameron@gmail.com).

This year saw the Lopez Housing Options finished and the first set of residents moved into their new digs; Shark Reef, the Lopez publication, went online and celebrated ten years of life with a local writers’ read in early April; the Fire Department Chief, Rob Miesen, moved on, and a new Fire Chief arrived at the end of July, Jim Ghiglione.

Man’s best friend also figured prominently on the island. The Summit Assistance program provided canines for hearing and therapy and a request was made by that organization for trained dogs for the program in mid-March. And on a lighter note, a local chihuahua chased a championship racing title and placed third at the Diego Padres baseball game at PETCO field.

The library, historical society, musicians and artists of Lopez Island also left their mark in 2008. The Lopez Library welcomed author Deb Caletti early in the year, and renowned poet Nancy Pagh appeared as well at the Lopez Library on September 16. George and Anne Willis, tireless contributors of gorgeous photos to the Islands Weekly, released their first book, “Under the Rainbow.” Another local author, Jan Crossen, released her final book in a trilogy about Fetal Alcohol Disorder based on her experiences with her adopted son and his struggle with the disorder. The Lopez Island Historical Society put on a “Big Event” auction and dinner to raise money for its programs, and one of the youngest artists on Lopez, Ellen Fisher, and the oldest artist, Hildegarde Goss, held their art show at Colin Goode’s gallery. The 12th annual studio tour took place over the Labor Day weekend, featuring 25 studios and 32 artists on Lopez Island. In mid-February, Home on the Grange, a concert event featuring different artists, became a monthly series and Fiddler on the Roof began its run at the Lopez Community Center in early March, despite illness among the ranks.

The Annual Lopez Fourth of July Salmon Barbecue was held to raise funds for the fireworks display, KLOI radio put on a live pledge drive for its fall membership drive, and the Land Trust, in mid-August, unveiled its first finished buildings at their open house in their fourth finished Land Trust project.

At the end of September, the San Juan County Council approved a water franchise on Lopez Island, and at the end of October the county administrator’s budget proposal cut 13.3 million dollars that will affect every county department with a reduction or elimination of government services. In mid-December, Washington state representatives came and visited Odlin South, which is currently owned by the Dept of Natural Resources. DNR may be selling the property soon and the reps were visiting in the hopes of requesting funds from the state legislature to purchase and preserve it.

It was an election year as well, and republicans and democrats met on five different islands to debate the candidates for the presidency. Caucus results showed that Obama and McCain prevailed locally.

Local couple Pat Torpie and Nancy Bingham celebrated ten years of supporting education and better health care in Guatemala, and Lopez kayakers circumnavigated Vancouver Island with disabled athletes. The Lopez Union Cemetery continued with its renovations, the Lopez Island Conservation Corps helped with trails and the eradication of weeds, and Stephen and Chris Carter started a puppeteering series called “Puppets on the Rock.” The year wound down in December, with the new Fire Chief Jim Ghiglione making a plea for more volunteer fire fighters for Lopez Island. KLOI disc jockey Gary Alexander’s jazz show on Fridays was highlighted and the Lopez Island Booster Club asked for support as it explained its mission to the community…to assist Lopez School’s athletic clubs and organizations.

Here’s to the great community spirit of the islands as we enter 2009, a year just ripe with opportunity.