Today’s front page. Top stories: 9-year-old dies in Christmas windstorm; new Langley mayor outlines priorities.

Today’s front page. Top stories: Homeowner battles burglar inside home; group starts project offering teens a safe ride home; kids’ letters to Santa.

Today’s front page. Top stories: Man accused of stabbing parents is fit to stand trial; federal judge sides with Island County in lawsuit filed by former sheriff’s deputy; students at South Whidbey Elementary School get taste of broadcasting with daily podcasts.

Today’s front page. Top stories: Man jumps from ferry Cathlamet; Langley search for new city attorney will take months; Senior Services of Island County looks ahead to changing population.

Today’s front page. Top stories: One dies in Central Whidbey plane crash; push underway to make needed improvements at Deer Lagoon Grange Hall; toxicology report indicates teen driver was impaired.

By Mark Morrison for USA WEEKEND

Could Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron ever have ended up as desperate and distressed as the character she plays in her new movie, “Young Adult”? “God no,” she says. “Not with my mom. No way.”

Here is what Theron’s mother, Gerta, taught her about what every child needs from their parents to become a healthy adult in the real world: Don’t be best friends with your kids. “The job of a parent is to do the ugly work sometimes and say, `No, that’s not how life works.’ Kids need to learn boundaries.”

Teach kids to be respectful. “They need to understand manners and how the world around them works.”

A sense of self is the greatest thing a parent can give a child. “Everything my mother taught me came from a place of, ‘Understand who you are.’ She always encouraged me to find my own way in the world. That sense of self is what is missing in a lot of young girls today. It’s heartbreaking. Because that’s what a child wants, whether they know it or not.”

Find the full story with Charlize Theron inside USA WEEKEND Magazine in today’s edition of the South Whidbey Record.

Today’s front page. Top stories: Langley steps back from automatic contract extension for beleaguered city attorney; council-approved cut in mayor’s pay won’t take effect until 2016.

Today’s front page. Top stories: School board to reconsider LMS closing; Langley looks at contract extension for embattled city attorney.

Today’s front page. Top stories: Teachers and school district officials protest upcoming budget cuts; teen driver enters not-guilty plea in deadly car crash.

During the board meeting, commissioners will consider a consultant contract for $542,631 with OTAK, Inc. for work on a new  county road that will stretch from Race Road to Houston Road.

The board will also vote on a contract with Consolidated Food Management to provide food services for the Island County Juvenile Detention. The 12-month contract is for $37,259.

Commissioners will also make appointments to the Noxious Weed Control Board and the Marine Resources Committee, and vote on a resolution proclaiming Dec. 7 as “Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.”

The board meets in the commissioners’ hearing room in the County Annex Building, 1 NE Sixth St., Coupeville.

The Island County Canvassing Board meets today at 4 p.m. and Tuesday at 9 a.m. to go over the final ballots that may need counting for the 2011 General Election.

The results of the November election will be certified as official on Tuesday, Nov. 29. The last tally of uncounted ballots is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The board of commissioners of the Port of South Whidbey will hold a brief special meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29.

Port officials are expected to take final action on the 2012 budget and also consider the bid results for the electrical maintenance project for the Langley Marina.

The board will meet in the port office conference room, located at 1804 Scott Road in Freeland.

Officials from Washington State Ferries will visit Whidbey Island on Tuesday as part of a series of community meetings this month and next.

Topics include an update on new vessels, upcoming terminal construction projects, and the governor’s Connecting Washington Task Force.

The meeting for Whidbey ferry riders is 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland.

A later meeting to talk about the Coupeville (Keystone)-Port Townsend route will be held as a joint meeting with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5 at the Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., Port Townsend.

The South Whidbey School Board will welcome its two newest members at the board meeting this week.

The school board will have a business meeting and executive session on Wednesday, Nov. 30 in the board room at the Primary Campus. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

New board members Linda Racicot and Damian Greene will take their oath of office, along with returning Board Member Steve Scoles.

Following the installation of new members, the board will pick its new chairman or chairwoman, as well fill out other representative positions.

Dan Poolman, the school district’s business director, will give an update on enrollment and report on the district’s financial situation.

The college information night for high school students that was rescheduled earlier this month is back on schedule for Wednesday.

“Focus on Your Future” is 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30 in Room 107 at South Whidbey High School.

College-bound ninth- and 10th-grade students and their parents can hear from SWHS counselors about what students can be doing now to prepare for and enhance their chances when applying to colleges.

Other options will also be discussed, including community college, technical and career schools, and military service.

The SBA Small Business Development Center will present a free workshop on planning and financing a business on Thursday in Oak Harbor.

The workshop is from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at WorkSource Whidbey, 31975 Highway 20.

Organizers note that businesses that fail often lack the planning skills that bring success. Crafting a business plan is the cornerstone of any new or existing business, and a good plan guides, directs and ensures that a business goes in the desired direction.

The workshop will also go over a variety of financing options and will provide a reality check for those considering a new or expanded business venture.

To register, call 360-675-5966.

Today’s front page. Top stories: Sorrow, forgiveness at memorial for third crash victim; Langley Police Department staffing to stay at reduced level in 2012; community rallies to help firefighter pay medical bills.

Today: Rain. Temperature falling to around 43 by 5 p.m. North wind at 5 mph becoming east. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Tonight: Showers likely, mainly before 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 44. West northwest wind at 7 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thanksgiving: Rain after 10 a.m. High near 46. Windy, with a south southeast wind between 20 and 30 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Thursday night: Showers, mainly before 4 a.m. Low around 40. South southwest wind around 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45. South wind between 3 and 10 mph.

Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

Saturday: Rain likely. Cloudy and breezy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday night: Rain likely. Cloudy and breezy, with a low around 43.

Sunday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 48.

Sunday night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 38.

Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

Monday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37.

Tuesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.

And here’s last week’s weather roundup from across Whidbey, courtesy of Jackie Vannice from the WSU Extension/Island County.

Nov. 14-Nov. 20
Hi Temp         Low Temp         Wind mph     Rainfall     YTD Rain     Last Year

Fawn Run in Coupeville
42                        31             (not reported)     0.46               20.60         18.38
Fort Casey
51                        28             (not reported      0.29               17.75         15.41
Greenbank
51                        27             29                      0.42                18.29         14.11
West Beach
49                        28             (not reported)    0.54                17.94         17.97
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
51                       24             53                       0.24                17.53         18.90
Crockett Lake
51                       24             37                       0.27                18.67         16.92

Today’s front page. Top stories: Community mourns death of Robert Knight, one of three young men killed in a car crash near Clinton earlier this month; kids at South Whidbey Elementary School talk turkey.

Today’s front page. Top stories: Remembering those lost in last weekend’s tragic crash in Clinton.

Pick up today’s South Whidbey Record for your copy of USA WEEKEND.

The cover story: The Doctors get personal. For Thanksgiving, USA WEEKEND’s health experts, The Doctors, share their personal gratitude.

Also inside, cook like a celeb. Beyonce, Ellen, Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Aniston share favorite recipes.

In other stories, discover the latest facts behind several common, costly diabetes myths. And in “Who’s News,” Emily Deschanel of “Bones” welcomes a bundle of joy, on screen and off. Meet the newest co-host of “The Talk”: Aisha Tyler. And does Daniel Radcliffe prefer Hollywood or Broadway?

Today: Showers. High near 44. South southwest wind around 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Tonight: Rain showers before 4 a.m., then rain and snow showers likely. Low around 36. South wind between 8 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday: Rain and snow showers likely before 10 a.m., then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Northwest wind between 3 and 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday night: A 30-percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. North northwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Calm wind.

Saturday night: A 30-percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Sunday: A 30-percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.

Sunday night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 40.

Monday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47.

Monday night: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 44.

Tuesday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 48.

Tuesday night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 43.

Wednesday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 48.

And here’s last week’s weather roundup from across Whidbey, courtesy of Jackie Vannice from the WSU Extension/Island County.

Nov. 11-Nov. 17
Hi Temp         Low Temp         Wind mph     Rainfall     YTD Rain     Last Year

Fawn Run in Coupeville
50                           32             (not reported)     1.04         20.14         16.93

Greenbank
52                           37                   22                 0.57         17.87         12.74

Fort Casey
59                           37             (not reported)     0.63         17.46         14.31

West Beach
58                           32             (not reported)     0.40         17.40         16.52

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
60                           36                    48               0.76          17.29         17.76

Crockett Lake
58                           34                    31               0.54          18.40         16.92

Today’s front page.
Top stories: Three killed in Clinton crash, hundreds come out for candlelight vigil; Freeland Water and Sewer District repeals controversial LID resolution.

Commissioners for the Freeland Water and Sewer District will meet tonight, their first meeting after last week’s election where two of the three members were voted out of office.
The meeting is 5:45 p.m. at the Freeland Library.
According to the agenda, the board will consider repealing the resolution that called for the formation of a local improvement district, or LID. The controversial LID would have assessed Freeland property owners for most of the costs of a new $40 million sewer project.

Langley’s Planning Advisory Board will meet this afternoon to hold a public hearing on a broad array of new building regulations, including changes to height standards for accessory dwelling units, modifications to height limits in the Wharf Street overlay, and rules on mixed-use development and electric vehicle charging stations.
The hearing is 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14 at Langley City Hall.
Information on the proposed amendments is at www.langleywa.org.

Langley’s Design Review Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 at city hall.
The board will consider a request for a new sign at Useless Bay Coffee Company, and new signage for the Animal Hospital by the Sea, the new business that is located next to city hall on Second Street in the old Langley Clinic building.

State Rep. Barbara Bailey will hold a telephone town hall to talk about the Washington state budget and the economy at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15.

The board of commissioners for the South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District will talk about the update of the district’s comprehensive plan and a final hearing on the budget.
The meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 at park district headquarters at 5475 Maxwelton Road.

Judith Gorman, the co-founder and co-director with her husband Perry McClellan of the Veterans Resource Center in Freeland, will be the guest speaker at the Old Goats- Fully Informed Voters lunch on Friday, Nov. 18
The lunch is from noon to 2 p.m. at Useless Bay Golf & Country Club. Lunch is $13.50.
To RSVP, call Reece or Rufus Rose at 579-5880 or email roseteam@whidbey.com.

The 10th Legislative District Democrats will meet at San Remo Restaurant in Oak Harbor at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19.

Also this week, OutCast Productions will hold auditions for “Election Day” at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14.

The Clinton Progressive Association will hold its annual membership meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at Clinton Community Hall.
The meeting will also include a potluck and party, with door prizes from local restaurants, food and drink, and music from the Cranberry Bog Blue Grass Band.
The gathering is from 6 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, call 341-2257 or 341-2044.

Counselors at the high school will present “Focus on Your Future” for freshman and sophomore students and parents to detail life after high school.
“Focus on Your Future” is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17.

Today’s front page. Top stories: Passage of I-1183 leaves questions on Whidbey; county canvassing board reviews bungled ballots; Amy Walker’s star is rising.

Today: Mostly sunny, high near 56. South wind between 7 and 13 mph.

Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 45. South southwest wind between 8 and 17 mph.

Veterans Day: Rain, mainly after 10 a.m. High near 49. Breezy, with a south wind between 22 and 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Friday night: Showers likely, mainly before 10 p.m. Cloudy, with a low around 42. Windy, with a west northwest wind between 22 and 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Saturday: Rain likely. Cloudy, high near 46. West wind 6 to 14 mph becoming south. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Saturday night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 43. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Sunday: A 30-percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 49.

Sunday night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 44.

Monday: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 47.

Monday night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 41.

Tuesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.

Tuesday night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 41.

Wednesday: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 45.

And here’s last week’s weather roundup from across Whidbey, courtesy of Jackie Vannice from the WSU Extension/Island County.

Oct. 31-Nov. 6

Hi Temp         Lo Temp         Wind mph     Rainfall      YTD         Rain Last Year

Crockett Lake
57                       30                     24               0.35         17.86         16.42

Fawn Run in Coupeville
50                       32             (not reported)     0.44         19.10         16.43

West Beach
56                       34             (not reported)     0.31         17.00         15.80

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
56                       28                   41                 0.17         16.53         17.29

The printing of the Record was intentionally delayed Tuesday night so the newsroom could include the initial results of the 2011 General Election in today’s edition.

The late printing of the newspaper prevented the delivery of the newspapers to Whidbey Island last night. We apologize for any inconvenience to our readers.

Today’s front page. Top stories: Opponents of $40 million Freeland sewer project win in a landslide; R. Bruce Allen and Jim Sundberg prevail in Langley City Council races;  Langley settles employee lawsuit; Langley’s new mayor wants a pay cut.

The city’s legal counsel has been working recently on the unresolved Frank Sullivan lawsuit, however.

Sullivan is the former public works employee who claimed he was fired last December because of his age.

The executive session has been scheduled for 4 p.m.

The Langley City Council meets tonight to hold its first hearing on the 2012 budget.

Also on the agenda, a discussion of the Port of South Whidbey’s plans to renovate the Langley Marina.

The meeting is at 5:30 p.m. at city hall. Agenda here.

The Island County Planning Commission holds a public workshop on the county’s update to its Shoreline Master Program on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

The meeting will include a presentation on the draft shoreline inventory and characterization report and there will be a discussion of draft preliminary shoreline environment designations.

The Whidbey Environmental Action Network is rallying people to attend the meeting to press the nine points the organization made in a letter sent by WEAN, the Whidbey Camano Land Trust and Whidbey Audubon.

The recommendations are:

“1. Key terms and definitions should be consistent and clear with regard to the county’s park land habitat and classification system.
2. Allow acquisition of important habitat lands not suitable for recreation and do not prohibit the use of conservation easements to acquire appropriate lands.
3. If lands with significant conservation values are transferred out of county ownership, they should go to an appropriate resource entity and the legal deed transferring the property should include appropriate language assuring the long-term protection of the conservation values.
4. Add a policy that states that recreation will not result in significant degradation of habitat, including cumulative degradation.
5. Add the need for wildlife corridors to key urbanizing and narrow areas of Whidbey Island.
6. County roads that end on the water should be formally signed to indicate public access, unless health, safety, or environmental concerns exist.
7. Table 12 (Habitat and Recreation Evaluation by Site) should be eliminated because it is confusing and incomplete and, because of this, will cause great controversy.
8. The Capital Facilities Plan (Table 14) should be revised to ensure that likely future acquisition or development proposals will receive credit in Washington State’s grant programs.
9. Certain properties should be reclassified on Maps C 1-4 from “Natural Recreation Area” to ‘Conservation Area.’”

The workshop begins at 9 a.m. Nov. 8 in the commissioners’ hearing room the County Annex Building at 1 NE Sixth St., Coupeville.

Copies of the shoreline planning documents and further information about the update process can be found at http://www.islandcounty.net/planning/shorelines.htm.

The Langley Civil Service Commission meets at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Commissioners will discuss rules and regulations and procedures for examination and appointment of a permanent chief of police. Randy Heston has been acting police chief since Bob Herzberg’s retirement earlier this year.

The meeting will be held at city hall.

Election Day! The Record will be watching returns as they come in Tuesday night, with results to be posted online as soon as possible.

There’s a lot on the ballot. Two contested council races are on the ballot in Langley, and there are two positions on the board of commissioners for the Freeland Water and Sewer District that voters will fill, as well as a seat on the board for the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District.

The board of commissioners for the Port of South Whidbey will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 in the meeting room at the South Whidbey Parks and Rec District building at 5475 Maxwelton Road.

The original agenda include a closed-door executive session to discuss staff salaries, but the agenda was changed after the Record complained that the executive session would violate the state’s Open Meetings Act, which requires that any talk of staff salaries must be discussed in a session open to the public.

The board may still meet in executive session, but the talk will be limited to “staff performance,” according to a revised agenda released by the port.

The regular business meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. On the agenda: the port’s 2012 budget and the setting of the property tax levy for next year.

At Wednesday’s work session for Island County Commissioners, officials will talk about clarifying what the county will pay for when reimbursing travel expenses for employees; there are currently conflicting views of what will be reimbursed when it comes to light refreshments and beverages.

Officials will also discuss the auditor’s request for a staff position to help with the 2012 election.

Also on the agenda, a sheriff’s office item about licensing requirements for pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers. Both need county licenses in order to operate.

The existing regulations also require pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers (those who sell used merchandise of any kind) to provide the county with a weekly list of all loans and purchases.

The work session starts at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9 in the commissioners’ hearing room in the County Annex Building, 1 NE Sixth St., Coupeville.

WEAN holds its annual meeting followed by a potluck later from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Unitarian Universalist meeting hall on Highway 525 north of Freeland.

Today’s front page. Top stories: Most voters have yet to cast ballots in Tuesday’s mail-in election; Langley city budget for 2012 is larger, but pays for fewer workers at city hall; Langley student wins on “The Price is Right.”

The cover story is on the hottest new healer, Vitamin D. Learn how to get your daily dose of this crucial nutrient.

Also inside, an amazing true story for Veterans Day. After 65 years, fate returns a Navy man’s identity bracelet to his daughter.

In other stories, get the upside of aging, and learn why life after 70 is better than you may imagine. There’s also an article about Anderson Cooper, with six things you don’t know about the host of TV’s “Anderson.”

And in “Who’s News,” TV’s “The Killing” returns to AMC. Acting runs in the family for Amber Tamblyn of “House,” and country star Carrie Underwood stars in a few new roles.

Today’s front page. Top story: Peggy Sue Thomas enters not guilty plea on first-degree murder charge; candidates for Freeland Water and Sewer District differ on board’s next steps.

The “right track” view is up 5 percentage points from 10 days ago, and is the highest since July of this year, according to IBOPE Zogby.

That said, it’s still only 22 percent.

Pres. Obama’s job approval remains below a majority — at 43 percent in today’s poll — but it is up 2 percentage points. The percentage saying he deserves re-election is 38 percent.

The Zogby interactive poll was conducted from Oct. 28-31.

On Oct 21, 72 percent said the nation was on the wrong track and 17 percent said the U.S. was headed in the right direction. The “wrong track” number has fallen to 69 percent.

IBOPE Zogby conducted an online survey of 2,144 voters. The margin of error is +/- 2.2 percentage points.

The verdict: We will be eating candy in the office for weeks to come.

Everyone reported fewer kids this year than last who were out trick-or-treating, from the very south end of Whidbey (Scatchet Head) through Central Whidbey to the North End.

What’s up with that? It’s not like we were handing out popcorn balls.

Here’s the sad, sad roundup.

Kathy Reed, Whidbey Crosswind editor: About 20 to 30 kids, probably closer to 20.  “It was really lame,” she said. She gave out top-drawer treats, too: Starbursts, Milky Way bars, Reese’s peanut butter cups. Last year, she had more than 150 kids stop by for treats at her North Whidbey home.

Rebecca Olson, News-Times reporter: Zero kids at her place on Central Whidbey. They missed out on Almond Joys, Hershey chocolates, Kit Kat bars, Reese’s.

Nathan Whalen, News-Times reporter: Not a single trick-or-treater for Nathan’s Hershey bars.

Jim Waller, News-Times sports editor: One trick-or-treater stopped by for Reese’s.

Patricia Duff, Record A&E editor: About 30 children came by her Central Whidbey home. She passed out Airheads, Twizzlers and Mike and Ike candies.

Brian Kelly, Record editor: Zero goblins, ghosts. No witches or warlocks, princesses or pirates, either. Zero kids. The big bowl at the Kelly household in Scatchet Head had Milk Duds, Almond Joys, Snickers, Baby Ruth bars, Starbursts, Tootsie Rolls and Reese’s (Note: I ate the last one before 7 p.m.).

In Island County, the “Yes on 1183” campaign said today that county government and the cities of Langley, Coupeville and Oak Harbor would get more than $1.6 million in new revenue if the measure is passed.

Campaign officials cited an estimate from the Washington State Office of Financial Management, and said I-1183 will general more than $400 million in new revenues for local and state services over the next six years.

The campaign said Island County would receive more than $812,300 over the next six years if I-1183 is passed; Langley would get more than $36,000; Coupeville, more than $63,900; and Oak Harbor, more than $764,400.

I-1183 supporters said the OFM estimate is conservative, and represents revenues that are above and beyond what the current state system distributes to cities and counties across Washington.

The Washington State Republican Party also sent out an “urgent” email this morning to stoke support for the proposal.

In the email, Washington State Republican Party chairman Kirby Wilbur said “The No on I-1183 campaign has been playing fast and loose with the facts on I-1183. Actually, its been a campaign full of half truths and distortions meant to scare you into voting no.”

Wilbur said the initiative would remove the 53-percent markup currently in place to fund state liquor stores and enforcement, and would replace it with a 27 percent tax. Net revenue to the state would increase since Washington would no longer run government liquor stores.

“Unlike what the no campaign has been saying, this isn’t a tax increase. It is simply smarter government,” Wilbur wrote.

He also noted that mini-marts and convenience stores will not be able to sell liquor if voters approve I-1183.

Today: Patchy fog before 11 a.m. today. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Light and variable wind.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind at 9 mph becoming southeast.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a south southeast wind between 14 and 23 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Wednesday night: Showers, mainly before 11 p.m. Low around 42. South wind between 11 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Thursday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. South southeast wind between 9 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Saturday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47.

Saturday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47.

Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

And here’s last week’s weather roundup from across Whidbey, courtesy of Jackie Vannice from the WSU Extension/Island County.

Oct. 24-Oct. 30
Hi Temp         Low Temp         Wind mph     Rainfall YTD Rain     Last Year

Crockett Lake
56                      33                        28                     0.19        17.51               16.03

Fort Casey
59                      38                   (not reported)        0.30        16.83               13.49

Fawn Run in Coupeville
52                      43                   (not reported)        0.21        18.66               16.09

West Beach
56                      38                   (not reported)        0.28        16.69               15.07

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
58                      32                          43                   0.42        16.36               16.65

Today, the Washington Poll released its 2011 survey of registered voters across the state, with opinions on Initiative 1125 (transportation tolls) and Initiative 1183 (privatization of alcohol sales).

On I-1183, 50.3 percent said they would vote yes or were leaning toward a “yes” vote, with 42.8 percent against the measure. The poll of 938 voters found 6.9 percent undecided.

The breakdown
Yes – certain: 41.1 percent
Yes – could change: 6.7 percent
Undecided – lean yes: 2.5 percent

Undecided: 6.9 percent

Undecided – lean no: 2.2 percent
No – could change: 4.9 percent
No – certain: 35.6 percent

Conservatives said they were more likely to vote “yes” (60 percent) than liberals (43 percent) or moderates (47 percent).

Men were more likely to vote “yes” (54 percent) than women (46 percent).

Puget Sound voters are also more likely to be in the “yes” camp (52 percent) than voters in Eastern Washington (47 percent).

On I-1125, Tim Eyman’s latest transportation-themed initiative, the poll was almost evenly split, with 41.4 percent of respondents saying there would vote “yes” or are leaning that way, and 40 percent voicing a “no” vote or leaning that way.

Of 938 registered voters polled, 18.7 percent were undecided.

In the 2012 race for Washington state governor, Republican Rob McKenna had the preference of 43.9 percent of those polled, while Democrat Jay Inslee was at 38.4 percent. Undecideds make up 17.6 of those polled.

Inslee received 45 percent support from those polled in Puget Sound, while McKenna garnered 51 percent support in Eastern Washington.

In next year’s presidential race, President Barack Obama outpolled Republican Rick Perry 54 percent – 40 percent.
Against Mitt Romney, the spread in the poll was Obama, 50.2 percent, Romney, 40.7 percent.

Respondents also said they trusted Obama/Democrats to improve the economy more than the Republicans, but not by much (41 percent to 37 percent).

The most important issue in the November 2011 election was the economy/recession (26 percent), followed by jobs/unemployment (16 percent) and I-1183, the alcohol initiative (16 percent).

On general policy issues, the healthcare reform bill got a 47-percent disapproval rating (37 percent approved); the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was favored by 67 percent (24 percent did not approve); and the legalization of marijuana was favored by 48 percent, and disapproved by 42 percent of those polled.

The survey was administered at the University of Washington Center for Survey Research in the Department of Political Science, and directed by Matt Barreto, an associate professor of political science. The field survey was conducted Oct. 10-30 with voters from across Washington, by both telephone land lines and cell phones. The overall margin of error is plus or minus 3 percent.

Herman Cain and 9-9-9

A majority of voters don’t like presidential candidate Herman Cain’s “9-9-9″ tax reform plan, according to a new IBOPE Zogby poll.

The Republican front-runner’s 9-9-9 plan would set both personal and business tax rates at 9 percent, and also add a 9 percent national sales tax.

According to the poll — conducted from Oct. 18-21 — 51 percent disapprove of the plan, and 48 percent said it would raise their taxes.

The poll also shows Cain’s proposal to be much more popular with Republican voters, with 63 percent approving the plan.
Republicans were split on how the plan would personally impact them, with 34 percent saying it would reduce their total taxes and 32 percent saying their taxes would increase.

Democrats both overwhelmingly disapprove of the proposal (73 percent) and believe they would pay more in taxes (76 percent).

Independent voters are more likely to disapprove of the 9-9-9 plan, than approve (49 percent-43 percent). Independents also believe it would raise their total taxes by a significant margin (49 percent-20 percent).

The actual survey question: Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain is proposing a change in the federal tax code to replace current personal income and business tax rates with a flat 9 percent rate on both, and to also have a 9 percent national sales tax. Do you approve or disapprove of this plan Cain calls “9-9-9″?

IBOPE Zogby International conducted an online survey of 2,067 voters.  The margin of error is +/- 2.2 percentage points.

Businesses say “yes” to I-1125, I-1183

The National Federation of Independent Business also released results of its recent poll of half of its 8,000 Washington state members this month.

The poll found 76 percent support for I-1125 and an almost equal amount of support (75 percent) for I-1183.

The actual numbers for both measures
I-1125
Yes: 76 percent
No: 14 percent
Undecided: 10 percent

I-1183
Yes: 75 percent
No: 21 percent:
Undecided: 4 percent

On I-1183, NFIB’s Washington State Director Patrick Connor said, “NFIB members see through the opponents’ bogus claims and understand what this initiative is really about – getting the state out of the liquor business.”

“It makes no sense for the state to promote and sell liquor on the one hand while trying to police its use on the other. I-1183 allows state government to focus on enforcement, while permitting grocery and specialty stores to responsibly sell liquor the same way they have done with beer and wine for generations.”

Connor said the NFIB polled the 3,724 Washington state NFIB members for whom it had a valid fax number. The ballot was sent out Sept. 29, and due on Oct. 7.

They received 247 responses, for 6.6-percent response rate.

Freeland’s future is in the spotlight Monday as the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board holds a hearing today on the city of Oak Harbor’s challenge to Freeland’s urban growth area.

The dispute started earlier this year, when Oak Harbor Mayor Jim Slowik complained that Island County was planning on funneling too much growth to Freeland at the expense of Oak Harbor. Oak Harbor is challenging Freeland’s designation as a “non-municipal urban growth area,” or NMUGA. As an NMUGA, Freeland would absorb much of the growth expected on South Whidbey in the years to come.

Island County commissioners’ work session

Island County commissioners will meet in a work session starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2.

The agenda starts with public works, with a discussion on a Wave Broadband franchise to install lines in county rights of way. Also on the agenda, a grant agreement for Barnum Point on Camano Isalnd.

At 10 a.m, the talk moves on to the county planning department for a discussion about changing the definition of “impervious surface,” followed by talk on the maximum review timeframes for permit processing, and also the department’s draft 2012 work plan.

Commissioners will go into a closed session at 11:30 a.m. to talk about collective bargaining, and the workshop will reopen at 1 p.m. for the health department and budget director portions of the meeting.

At 1:45 p.m., there will be a presentation by Cathy d’Almeida on Island County’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Resource Conservation Plan.

According to the inventory, the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions comes from county government comes from its vehicle fleet — 1,745 metric tons of CO2 emissions were estimated in 2010.

Second on the list, county buildings and facilities (1,684 metric tons of CO2 emissions), followed by employees commuting to work (1,099 metric tons).

Total greenhouse gas emissions — residential, commercial, industrial and other categories — in the Island County community totaled 618,177 metric tons of C02 in 2010. The total does not include emissions from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

The work session will be held in the commissioners’ hearing room in the County Annex Building, 1 NE Sixth St., Coupeville.

Budget talk in Freeland

The commissioners for Island County Fire District 3 will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 to talk about the 2012 budget.

The meeting will be held at Fire Station 31, 5535 Cameron Road, Freeland.

Also coming up

All Soul’s Eve, a community event of remembrance, is the Langley Woodmen Cemetery  Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Representatives from Puget Sound Energy are the guests at the next Clinton Chamber of Commerce meeting, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3 at Anchor Books & Coffee.

The Penn Cove Grange hosts the Small Agriculture Producer Caucus at noon Saturday, Nov. 5 at the old pheasant farm at 180 Parker Road, just south of Coupeville.

In sports, the Falcons volleyball team hosts district play, starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 at South Whidbey High School. Matches continue at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at SWHS.

Today’s front page. Top stories; Langley hotels pledge $100K toward marina project; wife of murder victim claims he was abusive.

On the cover: kids’ health. The Doctors share nine proven health strategies every parent should know.

Inside, Kumar goes to the White House. Actor Kal Penn shares his humbling experience.

Also inside, a great recipe for guilt-free cookies. Check out a low-fat biscotti recipe that makes plenty for a holiday party.

And in “Who’s News,” take a peek at the makeup magic behind FX series, “Sons of Anarchy.” There’s also good news for fans of the TV Western, “Justified.” And after 41 years on television, “All My Children” debuts online.

WASHINGTON – What do you say to a journalist who asks your advice on how to avoid his own murder?

Some background before you respond: The question was real, and came during an international discussion about a free press and the First Amendment. It came from a soft-spoken, middle-aged man, a participant in a U.S. State Department-sponsored gathering in Washington, D.C., of some 160 journalists from 105 nations.

“I have heard you speaking today about freedom of the press and the power of writing the truth,” the Pakistani journalist said. In his rural area, he said, “I am free to write what I want, to write the truth … but some day if I write a truthful thing, they will kill me. And they will kill my family. As a journalist, what am I to do? What advice do you have to me?”

The question was a show-stopper. In seconds, there was silence in a room that had been filled with the murmur of translators, the rustle of paper and the clink of glassware.

For a journalist working in America, the question was almost beyond understanding. Our news media certainly have vocal critics. But with few exceptions, the direst threat to journalists here involves canceled subscriptions, lost advertising or angry phone calls.

Those exceptions have included threats of prison, as early as seven years after the First Amendment was ratified in 1791. The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 provided for the prosecution of editors who criticized Congress or the president. Indeed, several editors were jailed for brief periods, until the acts were allowed to expire a few years later.

A journalist reporting for the Associated Press was killed in 1876 with Custer’s troops at Little Big Horn. Many other war correspondents have died reporting in combat. And in 1976, Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles died from injuries suffered when a bomb planted in his car exploded. Bolles was investigating fraudulent land deals involving top state political figures. But nobody went after Bolles’ family.

Not so in the world of international journalism. From Afghanistan and Pakistan to North Africa to Mexico, warlords, dictators, drug cartels and other criminal groups target journalists with violence, trumped-up lawsuits or bogus criminal charges, all aimed at controlling the news and intimidating opposition.

There’s no doubt that our free press can do a better job reporting the news than it does. Multiple surveys say a majority of Americans think “the media” are biased. Many see news media as subservient to liberal ideology or conservative business interests. Even the most ardent defenders of the news media cringe at the astounding amount of television time given to the latest update on Lindsay Lohan’s legal woes or the 24/7 coverage of a sexy murder case.

But the enduring legacy of a free press – 220 years old on Dec. 15 – and the legal bulwark of the First Amendment protect those who bring us the news, silly or serious, every day. And we’re free to read the news from a growing number of possible outlets, choosing the sources we deem credible.

But what advice to give that lone, endangered Pakistani reporter looking to another nation’s First Amendment for inspiration, if not protection? How about: “Survive. Take notes, write down what you see – and wait for the day when you can write without fear.”

For that journalist, and others facing similar threats, it may be a long wait. Thanks to the First Amendment, for Americans it’s the next time they pick up a paper, log on to a news site or turn on the TV.

Gene Policinski is senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center, 1207 18th Ave. S., Nashville, Tenn., 37212. Web: www.firstamendmentcenter.org. E-mail: gpolicinski@fac.org.

Today: A 30 percent chance of rain after 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. South wind between 14 and 16 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. South southwest wind 14 to 17 mph decreasing to between 6 and 9 mph.

Thursday: Patchy fog before 11 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. North northwest wind between 6 and 9 mph.

Thursday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Light wind becoming south southeast between 11 and 14 mph.

Friday: Rain likely, mainly after 11 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 56. Breezy, with a south wind 14 to 17 mph increasing to between 22 and 25 mph. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Friday night: A 50-percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 47.

Saturday: A 40-percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.

Saturday night: Chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Sunday: Chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54.

Sunday night: Chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.

Monday: Chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53.

Monday night: Chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 51.

And here’s last week’s weather roundup from across Whidbey, courtesy of Jackie Vannice from the WSU Extension/Island County.

Oct. 17 to Oct. 23
Hi Temp     Lo Temp     Wind mph     Rainfall YTD     Rain Last Year

Fawn Run in Coupeville
55                   40                   0.58           18.45                   15.74

West Beach
60                   44                   0.61           16.41                   14.79

Fort Casey
61                   42                   0.46           16.53                   13.38

Weather Desk – Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
62                   37                   0.60           15.94                   16.28

Today’s front page. Top stories; sewer rates rise as the top issue at Langley voters’ forum; two candidates are in the running for parks board seat.

Island County commissioners will have a roundtable meeting at 11 a.m. today with elected officials and county department heads.

The commissioners’ regular meeting is at 2 p.m.

Commissioners will set public hearings on increasing the tax levy for the county’s current expense fund — the pot of money that pays for general government services such as the sheriff’s office, planning and parks — and also the county road levy and Conservation Futures levy. Those hearings are  tentatively planned for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 14.

Other items on today’s agenda include a $37,000 contract for food service with Consolidated Food Management at the county jail and juvenile detention center, and a resolution proclaiming Nov. 6-12 as Veterans’ Appreciation Week in Island County.

The meetings are in the commissioners’ hearing room, in the County Annex Building at 1 NE Sixth St., Coupeville.

Agenda here.

Voters’ forum

Langley United Methodist Church plays host to a voters’ forum tonight in Langley.

The lineup of speakers includes Langley council candidates R. Bruce Allen, Thomas Gill and Jim Sundberg, plus unopposed candidates Hal Seligson (Langley City Council), Larry Kwarsick (Langley mayor) and Dennis Gregoire (Port of South Whidbey).

The forum is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 in Fellowship Hall. Oak Harbor attorney Chris Spinner will serve as moderator.

MoveOn Whidbey

MoveOn Whidbey will hold a planning meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Neil’s Clover Patch in Bayview.

Carolyn Tamler organizer said MoveOn is getting behind the Occupy Wall Street movement to add to the growing momentum for change.

The planning meeting will gather ideas for what can be done — both on the south and north ends of Whidbey — to participate in MoveOn’s national day of action against the big banks on Nov. 5.

A carpool for people who live in Coupeville and Oak Harbor who want to come to the meeting is being planned. Questions; call Tamler at 360-222-6820 or email carolyntamler@whidbey.net.

COG meets

The Island County Council of Governments will meet at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26.

The gathering is expected to include elected officials from Island County, the city of Oak Harbor, the city of Langley and the town of Coupeville, and the port districts of South Whidbey and Coupeville.

The meeting is in the commissioners’ hearing room, in the County Annex Building at 1 NE Sixth St., Coupeville.

City by the seashore

Langley’s shoreline advisory committee will host an open house at 10 a.m. Wednesday at city hall to talk about residential shoreline development as work continues on the update to the city’s Shoreline Master Program.

South Whidbey School Board

The South Whidbey School Board holds a business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 in the board room at the Primary School Campus.

Board members will review school improvement plans.

Dan Poolman, the district’s business director, will also give a financial update and enrollment presentation.

Agenda here.

Also this week

Sean Paul DeMerchant will make an appearance in Island County Superior Court today to be arraigned on two counts of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon. DeMerchant is accused of stabbing his parents earlier this month at their Bush Point Terrace home.

Student musicians from across South Whidbey will present their annual Creepy Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 in the Langley Middle School auditorium in a fundraiser for the band program. The seventh/eighth grade band, the LMS Jazz Band and the South Whidbey High School Wind Ensemble will perform spooky hits from the past and groovy tunes for the future. Admission is $5; kids in costumes get in free.

Whidbey Watershed Stewards will welcome back the salmon to the waters of Whidbey with a morning of events at the Maxwelton Outdoor Classroom from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 29. For more information or to RSVP, contact robin@whidbeywatersheds.org or 579-1272.

St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods hosts the eighth annual Whidbey Interfaith Vigil of Peace and Hope, a community interfaith gathering, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at the church. Speakers include the “Interfaith Amigos” from Seattle: Imam Jamal Rahman, Rabbi Ted Falcon and Pastor Don Mackenzie.

In sports, the Falcons play Archbishop Murphy at home Tuesday in volleyball. Junior varsity starts at 5:30 p.m.; varsity at 7 p.m. The football game on Thursday, Oct. 27 is against Lakewood on the road. SWHS plays host to the Northwest District 1 meet for cross country on Saturday, Oct. 29; time TBD. District play in soccer starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30 in Sultan.

Today’s front page. Top stories: Incumbent underdog seeks return to board of Freeland Water and Sewer District; Whidbey (make that Snappy) the wayward turtle is reunited with her family.

Pick up tomorrow’s South Whidbey Record for your copy of USA WEEKEND.

On the cover: holiday movie preview. Join the stars of “Tower Heist,” Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy, for a sneak peek at the hottest holiday movies.

Also inside, is your workout working? Get a simple guide to help you find your perfect workout.

And after you’ve worked up an appetite, get an easy weeknight recipe for a light and tasty tortilla soup.

In “Who’s News,” Katherine Heigl brings a much-loved literary character to life. What’s next for the charismatic James Garner? Plus, meet an 11-year-old girl with an astonishing voice.

Evan Thompson, former Record sports reporter

Former Record sports reporter Evan Thompson was hired as the senior sports reporter at The Observer, the student newspaper of Central Washington University.

After only one month into his studies at CWU, Thompson wrote a feature on the transition for freshmen athletes, and has covered volleyball, football and men’s soccer.

“It’s pretty crazy,” Thompson said. “In the summer before classes, I contacted the editor of The Observer, and he had two guys in mind for the position already.”

Thompson offered to cover games and proposed several story ideas, which led to the paper hiring him a week ago.

“When I heard it, it was just a huge feeling of relief,” he said. “Seeing my name in print in a whole new publication was awesome.”

Thompson graduated from South Whidbey High School in June and covered Falcon spring sports for the Record. He plans to pursue a journalism major.

A chance to sit with a dozen professional journalists in a press box came his way Saturday. Thompson shadowed an Associated Press reporter during the University of Washington football game against Colorado. Having statistics and records readily available to him, in addition to free food, helped spur his dream to become a sports reporter.

“Sports journalism is what I want to do in my life,” he said.

“It was nice because they have all the stats and media booklets laid out for me,” he added.

“Anything you could ever possibly want to know about UW or Colorado, they had.”

The beginning writer was a bit starstruck by some of the Husky greats he saw at Husky Stadium. In addition to the current stars such as Keith Price, Jermaine Kearse and coach Steve Sarkisian, former players were there, too.

“Damon Huard walked by, and that was pretty cool,” Thompson said.

He went onto the field to interview Colorado’s head coach, then walked through the Huskies’ tunnel to the media room to interview Price, Kearse and Sarkisian.

“I felt like I was the youngest guy in the room, which I probably was,” Thompson said.

“I felt like I was in the right place.”

Today’s front page. Top stories: candidates square off for coveted Langley City Council seat; details lacking on accused murderer’s six-state road trip.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 60. North northwest wind around 7 mph. Increasing clouds tonight, with a low around 47. North northwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming south southeast.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. South wind between 8 and 11 mph. At night, a 50-percent chance of rain.

Thursday: Rain likely, and cloudy, with a high near 55. South southeast wind around 8 mph. At night, 30-percent chance of rain, cloudy.

Friday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 54. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Friday night, rain likely.

Saturday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 55. Chance of rain on Saturday night.

Sunday: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55.

And here’s last week’s weather roundup from across Whidbey, courtesy of Jackie Vannice from the WSU Extension/Island County.

Oct. 10 to Oct. 16
Temp Hi    Temp Lo    Wind mph     Rainfall YTD    Rain Last Year

Crockett Lake
62    38    26    0.06    16.86    15.67

Fort Casey
63    41   [No wind report]  0.03    16.07    13.23

Greenbank
58    44  [No wind report]   0.09    17.30    12.10

Fawn Run in Coupeville
58    42    [No wind report]   0.03    17.87    15.74

West Beach
62    40   [No wind report]    0.28    15.80    14.74

Weather Desk Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
61    34    35    0.13    15.34    16.22

Outside the excellent Gettysburg National Military Park museum, Abe wonders why everyone is wearing baseball caps. "And what, exactly, is baseball?" he asked.

The newsroom received a welcome report from former Record sports guy Jeff VanDerford, who retired late last year and moved east with his wife, Nancy. Jeff, a big-time Civil War buff, has kept busy with travels north and south to visit historic battlefields and monuments.

Here’s the latest report from Jeff:

“This is why we moved east to Virginia. In size and scope, the battlefields at Gettysburg far surpass the other major sites we’ve visited. Though it rained at the start of our trip in Harper’s Ferry, by Tuesday the clouds parted and the weather was near-perfect.

Nancy found a vacation rental in the heart of downtown (at $35 a night! Amazing), so we walked everywhere, including the Garry Owen Tavern featuring the best Shepherd’s Pie ever — something about gravy granules imported from Ireland. On Friday, there was a Latin street festival and the whole city turned out for some great music and dancing. Between the tourists and the local college, it’s a busy place, especially on weekends.

Guinness on tap and good eats aside, this was all about Civil War history and Gettysburg did not disappoint.

The audio CD driving tour worked, so we were able to stop-and-start at our own pace. Watching the pricy tour buses whiz by, their passengers unable to debark to absorb the sights, made us laugh in a superior fashion. It took three days to do the whole battlefield, another day at the new museum and restored 1880′s Cyclorama and a day at the Eisenhower farm nearby.

The park service has gathered over a million artifacts from the battlefield and displayed them to great effect, the site being the crown jewel of its historical parks system. Restoration and preservation efforts continue, including adding or clearing brush and trees to the landscape so it looks as it did in 1863.

We were happy to see lots of young people listening to park rangers and learning something about their nation’s past, bloody though it was in this instance — Boy Scouts, school groups, kids with their parents and even 50 students from a middle school in Hawaii.

For us, the high points included seeing where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers converge at Harper’s Ferry, Joshua Chamberlain’s stand with the 20th Maine on Little Round Top, the spot where Lee welcomed back his defeated army on the final day, Custer’s ferocious battle with Jeb Stuart at the East Cavalry Field and the Soldier’s Cemetery where Lincoln gave his address. But in truth, it was all good. And the guns, everywhere …

This weekend, we attend the battle of Cedar Creek cavalry re-enactment — one year to the day we arrived in Staunton — before taking the train to D.C. next month. Then back to hibernation as winter descends on the Shenandoah Valley.”

Island County commissioners meet this morning, and will talk about creating a new county road between Race and Houston roads. A $690,000 federal grant is expected to help pay for the project.

Also on today’s agenda, a resolution to create a farm/agricultural advisory committee, and a plan for employees who want to opt-out of the county’s medical insurance.

The board will also host a joint workshop today at 4 p.m. with Coupeville officials to talk about Ebey’s Reserve.

The county commissioners’ work session starts at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, with the public works agenda.

Commissioners will also talk about the idea to use the $5,500 in annual campground fees that are collected at Rhododendron Park Campground used for maintenance and improvements at the campground.

The fees are currently collected and placed in the current expense fund, which pays for general government services.
County parks officials have also been talking about increasing the number of campsites at Rhododendron Park Campground and allowing recreational vehicles at the park.

Later in the work session, at 10:45 a.m., county commissioners will talk about the first draft of the 2012 fee schedule for the planning department, and there will be a report on the discussion of fees with the Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association.

Commissioners will also get an update on the Shoreline Master Program and get a first review of the planning department’s 2012 work program.

Langley City Council

The Langley City Council meets at 3 p.m. today for another workshop on next year’s budget.

There’s not much on the agenda for the 5:30 p.m. council meeting Monday; a presentation on the Langley Library, and a discussion led by Ted Hunter of Sound Law Center, the city’s new hearing examiner.

Agenda here.

2012 Election

Robert “Jeff” Lauderdale, the Republican candidate for District 1 on the Island County board of commissioners, will be South Whidbey Republican Women’s guest speaker at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Useless Bay Golf & Country Club. To reserve lunch, call 579-4062 or 341-2355.

Washington State Ferries

The Washington State Transportation Commission meets Tuesday, Oct. 18 and Wednesday, Oct. 19 in Olympia.

On Tuesday’s agenda, officials with Washington State Ferries will give an update on the WSF marketing program. David Moseley, Assistant Secretary of the Ferries Division, and Marta Coursey, communications director for WSF, will give the overview.

Moseley is also scheduled to give a report on the ferry system’s fuel hedging program.

Later in the meeting, Kathy Scanlan of the Cedar River Group and Michael Hodgins of Berk & Associates will report on the Joint Transportation Committee’s ferry fare media study.

In the newsroom

In Island Life this week, Patricia Duff looks at two music series kicking off their seasons.

The Saratoga Chamber Orchestra breaks out its fifth anniversary season with “Meet the Orchestra!” an evening of Gabrieli, Mendelssohn, Williams and Britten on Oct. 23 and 24. The orchestra will also hold a “musical petting zoo” before each performance. Patrons and their families can get an up-close and personal look at the musical instruments of the orchestra.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island Chamber Music Recital series also gets underway this month Oct. 28 and 29 with island musicians Eileen Soskin, piano, Gloria Ferry Brennan, violin, and James Hinkley, cello, playing the music of Bach, Halvorsen, Beethoven and Arensky.

In the schools

At South Whidbey High School this week, a mandatory senior class meeting will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 to talk about the senior culminating project.

In sports, there will be a pre-season boys basketball team meeting for interested players during lunch on Tuesday, Oct. 18 with Coach Henry Pope.

The Falcons girls soccer team will celebrate Senior Night on Tuesday. The game is against Coupeville and starts at 6 p.m.

The volleyball team is also at home on Tuesday, and will square off against Cedarcrest at 7 p.m.

The Falcons play cross-island rival Coupeville in football Friday. It’s a home game at Waterman Field and starts 7 p.m.

The cross country team has its conference championship meet at Lakewood High School at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The soccer team plays Archbishop Murphy at home at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Today’s front page. Top stories: Candidates for Langley council Jim Sundberg and Robin Adams stress priorities; man accused of stabbing parents had been repeatedly contacted by police prior to attack.

You probably know country star Martina McBride best for her music. McBride has a new album, “Eleven,” slated for release this month and is nominated for female vocalist of the year at the CMA Awards on Nov. 9.
In the Oct. 15 issue of USA WEEKEND Magazine, the Southern songbird shares a few things you probably don’t know, including what you might find on her family’s holiday dinner table. Enjoy this delicious pot roast recipe Martina learned from her mom and find the full story in USA WEEKEND by picking up this Saturday’s edition of the South Whidbey Record.

Ingredients:
1 chuck roast or arm roast
3-4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. olive oil
Fresh ground sea salt
Fresh ground pepper
½ onion
1 small green pepper
2-3 cans beef broth
1 can water
Baby carrots or carrots peeled and halved (optional)

If roast is frozen, thaw thoroughly and rub both sides with minced garlic, tucking garlic pieces into random crevices in the roast. Generously salt and pepper each side of roast. Heat olive oil in heavy skillet over moderate heat and brown roast well on both sides.

After roast is browned, place in large, wide pot (such as a Dutch oven). Pour any oil and browned bits from the skillet over roast. Pour two to three cans beef broth (the more beef broth, the more gravy!) and one can of water in pot with roast.

Slice onion and green pepper and layer on top of roast.

Bring to low boil, then turn heat to low, cover and cook for 3 to 4 hours, or as long as it takes until meat is fork-tender all the way through. Be sure and check fairly frequently so that it doesn’t cook away all the liquid. Add liquid as needed.

If desired, add carrots to pan and cook about 20 minutes or until tender. Remove from pan and set aside or keep warm.

When roast is fully cooked and tender, remove onion and green pepper and discard. Remove roast from pan and place on platter.

To make gravy:

Mix warm water, a bit of the broth and enough flour to make a thick liquid. (If your gravy needs to be gluten-free, you can use cornstarch.) Make sure the liquid isn’t too hot when you add the flour or it will cook the flour too fast and make lumps! You want it warm, but not boiling.

Bring broth in pot to a boil. Slowly add flour mixture and whisk, cooking, until liquid thickens to gravy. Salt and pepper to taste.

A San Francisco Chronicle story is here.

A News10 report is here.

Christo Komarnitski, Bulgaria

Demonstrations against corporate greed continue on Wall Street in New York, and in other cities across the country. This Saturday, a group of Whidbey Islanders led by Jeff LaGasse are heading to the Occupy Seattle demonstration.
LaGasse told the Record on Thursday that his Whidbey carpool includes nine people (and a dog), and he’s still being contacted by others interested in attending who are heading over on their own.

Here’s an interesting take of media coverage of the Occupy Wall Street movement:

Depth Needed in News Coverage of Wall Street
By Jesse Laird

Nate Silver’s analysis of news coverage of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations shows how clashes with police have increased media attention to the movement. Silver presented evidence in his New York Times piece [Ot. 7] that after each major confrontation with police American media increased the number of articles devoted to the movement.

For example, when nonviolent Occupy Wall Street protestors were maced, news stories jumped. When more than 700 were arrested in a nonviolent march across the Brooklyn Bridge, the number of news articles surged nearly 400 percent.

Silver’s analysis supports what is already known about the dynamics of nonviolent action, and also supports a long-held perception among members of the American peace community that news outlets are obsessed with violence to the exclusion of other worthy events. However, you would not likely know this from reading about the protests in most major publications.

When nonviolent activists are repressed by force — even when they are breaking the law—public opinion tends to turn in their favor. Nonviolent activists are more likely to be thought of as “reasonable people” than are violent activists, who are perceived as extremist and threat to public safety.  Reasonable people attract allies, sympathy and material support. Extremists attract repression and social isolation.

Gene Sharp, the Harvard scholar of nonviolence, coined this dynamic “political ju-jitsu,” because the force that the opponent uses to squash the movement tends to backfire by attracting more support for that movement.

There are diverse examples of this dynamic. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 Children’s Crusade in Birmingham, Ala. knowingly put unarmed school children out into the streets to face police dogs and fire hoses. The images of that confrontation between a nonviolent community seeking justice and the police were branded upon our national consciousness and led to an expansion of public support for Civil Rights. The injustice of systemic violence against African Americans already existed, but the issue was not thrust into public debate until it was laid naked by violent repression of the nonviolent movement.

A second example: Thousands of mostly working and middle class Christians waged a massive sit-in campaign between 1987 and 1990 to promote an anti-abortion agenda. The campaign culminated in a nationally organized multiyear wave of nonviolent blockades of medical clinics. In 1988 alone there were 188 nonviolent clinic blockades in which more than 11,000 people were voluntarily arrested. The strategic logic was to endure mass arrests to bring attention to the pro-life movement through the media. The approach more or less worked until new laws and legal action by women’s organizations made blockading a medical clinic too costly to bear. Anti-abortion violence increased after the new laws took effect and the movement found itself increasingly isolated.

Public intellectuals in the American peace community have known about these dynamics for years, including the propensity for American media to fixate on violence and confrontation.

Elise Boulding, a founding matriarch of women’s studies and a pioneer in the American peace community, articulated the bias toward violence and confrontation in her seminal work “Cultures of Peace: The Hidden Side of History.” She understood the American fixation with violence to be an expression of a male dominated society. In the case of some movements, this fixation has been exploited to advance public knowledge of key issues. The central deciding factor in how these confrontations are understood by the public, however, is the degree to which the movement expresses and maintains nonviolent discipline.

So far the Wall Street occupation and its satellite demonstrations in hundreds of cities throughout the U.S. and Canada have largely expressed and maintained nonviolent discipline. Small episodes of violence and property destruction have been damaging to the movement as a whole, but they do not fully capture the spirit and intention of the protests. Organic social movements – like churches and political parties – sometimes attract fringe characters, but the presence of these fringe characters and their sometimes-irresponsible behavior do not define the work of thousands of others.

As Robert Borosage has written, what the Occupy movement lacks in measurable policy objectives and talking points it more than makes up for with moral clarity. There is a pervasive sense that the true meaning of the bank bailout, high corporate profits, partisan political paralysis, the mortgage crisis and long-term unemployment is that America has lost its moral direction. As long as these fundamentally moral failures persist, and as long as the Occupy demonstrations remain committed to nonviolent direct action, the movement will likely continue to grow.

What is less certain, however, is whether American mainstream media will take upon themselves the more useful tasks of analyzing these underlying moral failures and of providing a fair hearing to the people most damaged by the economy.

So far, media coverage tends to focus on dramatic encounters and confrontation without going deeper into the underlying causes or dynamics. America needs greater depth of insight by media into the present crisis.

It has happened before that peace and social justice scholars –expert analysts of the present crisis – have informed and deepened public debate through mass media. Given the naked failures of the generals, politicians and economists to understand and explain the world over the past 10 years, it seems like a good time for all media organizations to make space for peace and justice scholars on the front pages and in news reports and analysis.

Jesse Laird is a Portland, Ore. activist who teaches courses in the humanities and studies human rights education.