Here’s a thought…
Letter to the Editor: An Orcas Island Response to the Tragedy at Newtown
Dear Fellow Orcas Islanders, I write this open letter as an individual, as a concerned citizen of Orcas whoʼs lived here for the past 26 years, and as a grandfather of three Orcas children whoʼve
Letter to the Editor: Byers is Competent, Receptive & Committed
Dear Editor, For the past 6 ½ years, I have served on the board of OPAL Community Land Trust, the organization for which Lisa Byers has been Executive Director for 17 years. Based on those
Editorial: Predictions 2013 — Watch the Year Unfold!
By Margie Doyle 1) Orcas Islanders will continue their support of recycling resources by working with Orcas Recycling Services/The Exchange and local businesses to reduce waste and make a long-term disposal/recycle facilitywith compost building, metals
Letter to the Editor: County Needs “Bridge Builders” Between Islands
We islanders sometimes boast that having no bridges makes these real islands. We kind of like that. But there’s one case where bridges are good. It’s the collaborative kind we need between nonprofits and businesses,
Guest Column: Save Energy with Alternatives Available Now
By Joe Symons Let’s do the math. A 500 megawatt coal fire power plant does not run flat out 24/7. It is rated by a capacity factor, which is roughly .75, which means that overall
Letter to the Editor: Byers Promotes Dynamic Sense of Community
When we first discovered the San Juan Islands, we – like many others – were primarily attracted to their natural beauty. But after living here for over 12 years, what keeps us so attached to
Guest Column: Fire Department Changes on the Horizon
By Fire Chief/CEO Kevin O’Brien Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is currently undergoing significant organizational change. The following article is written to explain our changes. OIFR is a contemporary and complex public business. Compliance with
You Know You’re From Orcas When…
You know more people who own boats than air conditioners. You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash. You know more than ten ways to order coffee. You know the names of
Genetically Engineered Salmon…One Step Closer to Your Plate
This undated 2010 handout photo provided by AquaBounty Technologies shows two same-age salmon, a genetically modified salmon, rear, and a non-genetically modified salmon, foreground. By Madie Murray To me, this is very scary.
Guest Column: Community Foundation 2012, the Stitching in the Quilt
By Hilary Canty, OICF Executive Director 2012 was a year of great accomplishment for our local community foundation. Nearly $600,000 in grants were distributed by the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) over the past
Guest Column: a Homily on the Newtown Tragedy
By Susan McBain This Catholic homily for the 3rd Sunday in Advent was sent to me by a friend. The shootings at Newtown on Friday come down like a knife slicing this season of Advent
Letter to the Editor: Legislators Face a Moral Obligation to Act
We must do something. Here is a copy of the letter I sent to all Washington’s representatives: In January 2011, I wrote you a letter conveying my deep concerns about the use of assault rifles
Guest Column: Speaking to Children about Connecticut
By Kyle Freeman, Orcas Island School District Principal, Elementary, OASIS and Middle Schools As we all struggle to deal with the tragic events that took place today in Connecticut we would like to offer the following advice
Editorial Column: Conversation and Action with the Good Hunter
By Margie Doyle It’s ironic that our extended family in the Seattle Bellevue area rarely comes to visit us on Orcas Island — the drive, the ferry, they say in making their regrets. And
Letter to the Editor: Invitation to Witness Birth of the Shift
Dear Friends, You're invited to a special event next Saturday, Dec. 22 aboard the San Juan Islands Inter-Island Ferry! Some of you know that last year I took a course online called the "Agents of
