Keystone ferry takes credit cards
Beginning Monday, Nov. 19 ferry patrons can pay with credit cards at the Keystone and Port Townsend ticket booths.
“Our customers have requested this service for some time,” said Jim Long, director of information technology for Washington State Ferries. The credit card pilot program was initiated earlier this fall at Anacortes, where the test has been described as highly successful.
Ferry users beginning Nov. 19 can present the Keystone or Port Townsend ticket taker with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. However, cards that require personal identification numbers will not be accepted. Long said the pilot project will continue until Dec. 3, and then be evaluated. If all goes well, credit cards may adopted system-wide early next year.

Holidays get county approval
Even the political process has its moments of levity — especially when it comes to declaring annual holidays.
On Monday, the Island County Board of Commissioners performed the uniquely uncontroversial act of approving all legal holidays for the year 2002, as outlined in the Revised Code of Washington, Chapter 1.16.
By unanimous vote, Christmas will occur once again on Dec. 25. Furthermore, the entire day of Tuesday, Jan. 1, will be designated as New Year’s Day, per tradition. And Thanksgiving, of course, will be celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 28, to be immediately followed by the festive if somewhat overfed Day After Thanksgiving.
All other national holidays — from Independence, Memorial and Veteran’s days to the collective observance of Martin Luther King’s birthday on Monday, Jan. 21 — will fall on their recognized slots in the calendar.
As it is with the country, so it is with Island County, thanks to the smooth functioning of local government. Now that the holidays are official, county employees can plan accordingly.

State senator enters hospital
State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, was hospitalized Saturday after suffering an allergic reaction to a non-prescription drug.
Spokesperson Kate Sandboe said the senator was with her daughter in Bellingham when the reaction occurred.
On Monday Haugen was described as “recovering,” and she was expected to remain at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham for several more days. People concerned about the senator’s condition are asked not to call the hospital. Anyone wishing to leave a message may call Kristen LeMieux, at 360-661-7373.

Revitalized city planned
Harbor Pride, the group that is working toward revitalization of Oak Harbor, is seeking the participation of community members to contribute ideas, efforts and talents for its Oak Harbor Revitalization Project.
The group is hosting an event on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at Kasteel’s, 33575 Hwy 20 in Oak Harbor, as a gathering for interested community members to meet and begin the exchange of ideas and to learn more about the goals of Harbor Pride. Hors d’oeuvres and musical entertainment by Herb Day & Friends will be provided.

Park fees cut for Veterans Day
Washington State Parks, in a show of “national unity, hope and healing,” in the aftermath of Sept. 11, is waiving selected fees on Veterans Day Weekend.
The agency is waiving all state park boat launch fees for the Veterans Day weekend Nov. 10, 11 and 12, and is waiving camping and boat moorage fees for the night of Sunday, Nov. 11. On Whidbey Island, the fee waivers will be in effect where applicable at Deception Pass, Fort Ebey, Fort Casey and South Whidbey state parks.
Admission fees will be waived all weekend long for the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument’s Visitor Center.
“We’re encouraging folks to get out to their state parks on Veterans Day weekend and enjoy a hike or a picnic or camping with friends and family,” said Cleve Pinnix, State Parks director.