There is something that needs looking into regarding people’s freedom, especially on Orcas Island, to play live music, and dance.
On Saturday night, Oct. 3, I’d just left a great birthday party at Odds Hall, for two island guys. One turned 60, the other is in his 30’s or 40’s. Bruce Harvie and band were playing great music, and it was an enlivened feel-good island gathering. Kids were there in the beginning.<
At approsimately 10:30 I saw a police car pull up. One officer got out and informed those in earshot, that a neighbor just complained about the “noise”.
There may also be some new ordinance that states there is no live music played loudly, or not even live music? Also, we were told to keep our voices down. The policeman said something like, “If the live music didn’t stop, and he got a complaint, there would be a $50. fine.
A second time, I believe a $150. fine.
A third, $200.
Can you perhaps imagine, good folks having a celebration (on Orcas at Odds Hall), getting hauled off for disturbing the peace?
I don’t get the mindset that allows guns to kill and calls it “(the) politics (of war)”, but not allow music and dancing; that apparently disturbs some people.
I think Orcas Islanders need to know what happened, and get the facts. Oddfellows Hall has been in existence for ages, The Hall for many years and Parties are a part of community and life.
Also, the officer said something like, a Permit must be obtained, to have a party or music.
He was, “just telling us the law”.
The knock of fascism, hit vividly right here at home tonight. When I got home at 11:15, I hope the Band continued to play.
That was the plan. This dictatorial seed can’t be allowed to grow.
Susan Slapin
Long live music. Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…
It’s about learning to dance in the rain.
Long live music. Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…\
It’s about learning to dance in the rain.
Long live music. Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…
It’s about learning to dance in the rain.
I don’t understand this. the Oddfellows hall has always been used for music and dancing. Someone living near it must have knows that noise from the hall, especially on the weekends is something that they will have to be able to accept. Like if you were to move near the airport, you would know that there will be a certain amount of disturbance from the planes.
I have never heard of a complaint there before and I am sorry that it might have put a damper on the party.
Hannah
I don’t understand this. the Oddfellows hall has always been used for music and dancing. Someone living near it must have knows that noise from the hall, especially on the weekends is something that they will have to be able to accept. Like if you were to move near the airport, you would know that there will be a certain amount of disturbance from the planes.\
\
I have never heard of a complaint there before and I am sorry that it might have put a damper on the party.\
Hannah
I don’t understand this. the Oddfellows hall has always been used for music and dancing. Someone living near it must have knows that noise from the hall, especially on the weekends is something that they will have to be able to accept. Like if you were to move near the airport, you would know that there will be a certain amount of disturbance from the planes.
I have never heard of a complaint there before and I am sorry that it might have put a damper on the party.
Hannah
It’s pretty much a golden rule thing. I don’t live near the Oddfellows Hall, but there are houses that have been in that neighborhood for just as long or longer as it has and even blocks away you can hear a live band rocking out. There is an unwritten rule in most communities (and a written one in many) that you turn down the music after 10PM so that people can sleep. It’s been the norm in every place I’ve ever lived, urban and rural. There are run of the mill laws in most places that say how many decibels of noise (be it a dog, a band, or a bandsaw) constitute a nuisance. What if they wanted to play loud music at 4am? Would that be okay, too… since it’s music? I think most people would say no and that’s how these laws get made, by people coming together and asking, what’s best for all of us? Most folks want to be able have quiet from about 10pm to 8am. And if the Odds want to rock into the night, they could be good neighbors and sound proof their place for starters. That’s what a lot of venues in Seattle do.
It’s pretty much a golden rule thing. I don’t live near the Oddfellows Hall, but there are houses that have been in that neighborhood for just as long or longer as it has and even blocks away you can hear a live band rocking out. There is an unwritten rule in most communities (and a written one in many) that you turn down the music after 10PM so that people can sleep. It’s been the norm in every place I’ve ever lived, urban and rural. There are run of the mill laws in most places that say how many decibels of noise (be it a dog, a band, or a bandsaw) constitute a nuisance. What if they wanted to play loud music at 4am? Would that be okay, too… since it’s music? I think most people would say no and that’s how these laws get made, by people coming together and asking, what’s best for all of us? Most folks want to be able have quiet from about 10pm to 8am. And if the Odds want to rock into the night, they could be good neighbors and sound proof their place for starters. That’s what a lot of venues in Seattle do.
It’s pretty much a golden rule thing. I don’t live near the Oddfellows Hall, but there are houses that have been in that neighborhood for just as long or longer as it has and even blocks away you can hear a live band rocking out. There is an unwritten rule in most communities (and a written one in many) that you turn down the music after 10PM so that people can sleep. It’s been the norm in every place I’ve ever lived, urban and rural. There are run of the mill laws in most places that say how many decibels of noise (be it a dog, a band, or a bandsaw) constitute a nuisance. What if they wanted to play loud music at 4am? Would that be okay, too… since it’s music? I think most people would say no and that’s how these laws get made, by people coming together and asking, what’s best for all of us? Most folks want to be able have quiet from about 10pm to 8am. And if the Odds want to rock into the night, they could be good neighbors and sound proof their place for starters. That’s what a lot of venues in Seattle do.
Here’s a thought for the complainers, instead of jumping to call the police, be a good neighbor and try walking over in person to the Oddfellows hall and politely ask the band to turn down. My band and I have performed there many times, we’ve only had a couple complaints, and they were delivered in person. We apologized, offered the offended parties something to drink and gladly turned down the volume. No worries, no cops.
Sadly, there’s a growing trend of impersonality that has infected Orcas, using the police to solve neighbor/noise issues. If you have a problem, simply talk to your friends or neighbors, and explain yourself PERSON TO PERSON! Don’t send the stormtroopers to do your bidding, it’s weak, lacks humanity and feeds the fire of mistrust.
And to the guy that wrote the following..”It?s pretty much a golden rule thing” and “It?s been the norm in every place I?ve ever lived, urban and rural.”
Here’s my reply..this is Orcas Island, not the suburbs of Seattle or anywhere else you’ve lived. We make music here, we dance, sing and celebrate life..and yes we do play after 10 pm.
And by the way, nobody here cares what they do in Seattle venues..that’s why we live here.
Here’s a thought for the complainers, instead of jumping to call the police, be a good neighbor and try walking over in person to the Oddfellows hall and politely ask the band to turn down. My band and I have performed there many times, we’ve only had a couple complaints, and they were delivered in person. We apologized, offered the offended parties something to drink and gladly turned down the volume. No worries, no cops.\
\
Sadly, there’s a growing trend of impersonality that has infected Orcas, using the police to solve neighbor/noise issues. If you have a problem, simply talk to your friends or neighbors, and explain yourself PERSON TO PERSON! Don’t send the stormtroopers to do your bidding, it’s weak, lacks humanity and feeds the fire of mistrust.\
\
And to the guy that wrote the following..”It\’92s pretty much a golden rule thing” and “It\’92s been the norm in every place I\’92ve ever lived, urban and rural.”\
\
Here’s my reply..this is Orcas Island, not the suburbs of Seattle or anywhere else you’ve lived. We make music here, we dance, sing and celebrate life..and yes we do play after 10 pm.\
And by the way, nobody here cares what they do in Seattle venues..that’s why we live here.
Here’s a thought for the complainers, instead of jumping to call the police, be a good neighbor and try walking over in person to the Oddfellows hall and politely ask the band to turn down. My band and I have performed there many times, we’ve only had a couple complaints, and they were delivered in person. We apologized, offered the offended parties something to drink and gladly turned down the volume. No worries, no cops.
Sadly, there’s a growing trend of impersonality that has infected Orcas, using the police to solve neighbor/noise issues. If you have a problem, simply talk to your friends or neighbors, and explain yourself PERSON TO PERSON! Don’t send the stormtroopers to do your bidding, it’s weak, lacks humanity and feeds the fire of mistrust.
And to the guy that wrote the following..”It’s pretty much a golden rule thing” and “It’s been the norm in every place I’ve ever lived, urban and rural.”
Here’s my reply..this is Orcas Island, not the suburbs of Seattle or anywhere else you’ve lived. We make music here, we dance, sing and celebrate life..and yes we do play after 10 pm.
And by the way, nobody here cares what they do in Seattle venues..that’s why we live here.
the first fine was going to be $ 150,- and the second doubled , etc.
The second Island guy was turning 35
and what seems unfair is that in a place of intoxication (a bar) music ‘can’ be played.
Does that mean that we should preferably be dancing in places of intoxication ?
Luckily we were able to continue the celebration without being told to: ‘stop dancing’
or it was: ‘the music’, of course ….and in that case we could suggest cordless headphones ?
Modern times need modern sollutions
Fabrice
the first fine was going to be $ 150,- and the second doubled , etc.\
\
The second Island guy was turning 35\
\
and what seems unfair is that in a place of intoxication (a bar) music ‘can’ be played.\
Does that mean that we should preferably be dancing in places of intoxication ?\
\
Luckily we were able to continue the celebration without being told to: ‘stop dancing’\
\
or it was: ‘the music’, of course ….and in that case we could suggest cordless headphones ?\
\
Modern times need modern sollutions\
\
Fabrice
the first fine was going to be $ 150,- and the second doubled , etc.
The second Island guy was turning 35
and what seems unfair is that in a place of intoxication (a bar) music ‘can’ be played.
Does that mean that we should preferably be dancing in places of intoxication ?
Luckily we were able to continue the celebration without being told to: ‘stop dancing’
or it was: ‘the music’, of course ….and in that case we could suggest cordless headphones ?
Modern times need modern sollutions
Fabrice
Eventough there are clubs that have ‘headphones for all’ Which i heard is funny to see when everyone dances like crazy in silence…..
I was joking about this modern solution…
The Party was Super Fun ! Thanks to the beautiful people dancing and celebrating and i can see that one would turn down ‘noise'(even music) after 10 p.m.
IF.. Someone’s Life is a living hell because of it
I agree with Pat that the personal approach seems nicer(and maybe earplugs can be tried) before calling law enforcement right after 10p.m…..on a saterdaynight full moon birthday celebration
*love*
Eventough there are clubs that have ‘headphones for all’ Which i heard is funny to see when everyone dances like crazy in silence…..\
\
I was joking about this modern solution…\
\
The Party was Super Fun ! Thanks to the beautiful people dancing and celebrating and i can see that one would turn down ‘noise'(even music) after 10 p.m.\
IF.. Someone’s Life is a living hell because of it\
\
I agree with Pat that the personal approach seems nicer(and maybe earplugs can be tried) before calling law enforcement right after 10p.m…..on a saterdaynight full moon birthday celebration\
\
*love*
Eventough there are clubs that have ‘headphones for all’ Which i heard is funny to see when everyone dances like crazy in silence…..
I was joking about this modern solution…
The Party was Super Fun ! Thanks to the beautiful people dancing and celebrating and i can see that one would turn down ‘noise'(even music) after 10 p.m.
IF.. Someone’s Life is a living hell because of it
I agree with Pat that the personal approach seems nicer(and maybe earplugs can be tried) before calling law enforcement right after 10p.m…..on a saterdaynight full moon birthday celebration
*love*
Congested posteriors can be cured…
Congested posteriors can be cured…
Congested posteriors can be cured…
I agree that walking over to a neighbor and asking for them to turn down the music would be a good thing to do. But, if someone is sick in bed, an invalid, 70 yrs old, pregnant, a quarter mile away, etc. I can see how calling the police would seem like a better idea. Now for all we know a 30 year old, able-bodied, mother of 2 called, but it really doesn’t make any difference. There are a few thousand people who live here of all ages and walks of life, and I sincerely doubt that one could accurately speak for our community by saying, “We make music here, we dance, sing and celebrate life..and yes we do play after 10 pm.” I dance and sing and stay up late, too, on occasion. I’ve been here for 24 years and people have infrequently called the police when some one does something particularly loud all of that time. Obviously, since somebody called to report the noise level, a collective “we” is too broad to work. It is unfortunate that someone’s celebration had a big damper put on it. Who knows what other activities had a damper put on them by the noise.
I agree that walking over to a neighbor and asking for them to turn down the music would be a good thing to do. But, if someone is sick in bed, an invalid, 70 yrs old, pregnant, a quarter mile away, etc. I can see how calling the police would seem like a better idea. Now for all we know a 30 year old, able-bodied, mother of 2 called, but it really doesn’t make any difference. There are a few thousand people who live here of all ages and walks of life, and I sincerely doubt that one could accurately speak for our community by saying, “We make music here, we dance, sing and celebrate life..and yes we do play after 10 pm.” I dance and sing and stay up late, too, on occasion. I’ve been here for 24 years and people have infrequently called the police when some one does something particularly loud all of that time. Obviously, since somebody called to report the noise level, a collective “we” is too broad to work. It is unfortunate that someone’s celebration had a big damper put on it. Who knows what other activities had a damper put on them by the noise.
I agree that walking over to a neighbor and asking for them to turn down the music would be a good thing to do. But, if someone is sick in bed, an invalid, 70 yrs old, pregnant, a quarter mile away, etc. I can see how calling the police would seem like a better idea. Now for all we know a 30 year old, able-bodied, mother of 2 called, but it really doesn’t make any difference. There are a few thousand people who live here of all ages and walks of life, and I sincerely doubt that one could accurately speak for our community by saying, “We make music here, we dance, sing and celebrate life..and yes we do play after 10 pm.” I dance and sing and stay up late, too, on occasion. I’ve been here for 24 years and people have infrequently called the police when some one does something particularly loud all of that time. Obviously, since somebody called to report the noise level, a collective “we” is too broad to work. It is unfortunate that someone’s celebration had a big damper put on it. Who knows what other activities had a damper put on them by the noise.
Hi Susan, I believe there has been a long standing policy of parties at the Oddfellows having to stop at 10PM. I believe that is the time quoted to all weddings for instance that hold their receptions there. If so, the police were just doing their job.
Hi Susan, I believe there has been a long standing policy of parties at the Oddfellows having to stop at 10PM. I believe that is the time quoted to all weddings for instance that hold their receptions there. If so, the police were just doing their job.
Hi Susan, I believe there has been a long standing policy of parties at the Oddfellows having to stop at 10PM. I believe that is the time quoted to all weddings for instance that hold their receptions there. If so, the police were just doing their job.