Here’s a thought…
The Gift of Poetry: The Weight of Nothing
The Weight of Nothing Anonymous "Tell me the weight of a snowflake," a coal-mouse asked a wild dove. "Nothing more than nothing," was the answer. "In that case I must tell you a marvelous story,"
Letter to the Editor: Snowy nights at Victorian Valley Chapel Remembered
I lived on Orcas for a few years. Reading "Silent Night in Victorian Valley" brought me back to those (sometimes) snowy nights at the chapel. To listen to Susan. To be with friends. To be part of “…the atmosphere
The Gift of Poetry: Shoveling Snow With Buddha
Shoveling Snow With Buddha By Billy Collins In the usual iconography of the temple or the local Wok you would never see him doing such a thing, tossing the dry snow over a mountain of
The Gift of Poetry: At the Choral Concert
At the Choral Concert By Tim Nolan The high school kids are so beautiful in their lavender blouses and crisp white shirts. They open their mouths to sing with that far-off stare they
Letter to the Editor: Silent Night in Victorian Valley
For the twelve years that we have owned Victorian Valley Chapel we have listened to cars arrive for three nights at this time of year, their headlights giving guidance to those walking down for Susan
Letter to the Editor: Thanks for Family Literacy Month Help
Family Literacy Month We would like to thank everyone who helped make Family Literacy Month on Orcas a huge success. Because of your collaboration, more than 50 families participated in and benefited from fun educational
Letter to the Editor: Let Your Voice Be Heard on Bond Measure
You may already know that the school district plans to put a bond proposal on the February ballot. As of now, the bond proposal is currently estimated to cost about $25 million, with the funds
Editorial: Nitty-gritty Sustainability meets Orcas Island Government as School Bond Approaches
Disclosure: Margie Doyle, Orcas Issues Editor, is a part-time employee of the Orcas Island School District. All of the facts below are part of the public record. Big government is us. Every schoolteacher and employee,
Guest Opinion: Orcas Rec Needs a Swimming Santa
By Linda Sheridan Orcas Rec Coordinator As our last week of swimming lessons finish up it is my job to decide if Orcas Rec can afford to host another session of lessons. Although we have
Letter to the Editor: Thanks Santa! and your Missus!
We’d like to send a special thanks to Santa and Mrs. Claus for another wonderful holiday season! The two jolly friends visited the Children’s House Annual Holiday party on December 9 and made many children
President Obama's Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech
Ordinarily, OrcasIssues concentrates on local news, view and issues only.But it is rare and historic in our lifetime that an American President receives the Nobel Peace Prize, initiated by the Norwegian inventor of dyanmite. Here
Letter to the Editor: PTSA Book Fair/Reading Night Success
In these times of chronic state underfunding of our public schools, especially including our school libraries, we here on Orcas have yet another example of how fortunate we are to live in such a caring
Letter to the Editor: Land Bank Thanks Volunteers
To the Editor: On behalf of the Land Bank Commission I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who have helped to make this a year of accomplishment for the San
Guest Opinion: How to Recognize and Deal with an Influenza-like Illness (swine flu)
By John Manning Director of the San Juan County Department of Health and Community Services San Juan County school students have experienced a significant outbreak of influenza-like illness (ILI) this school year, quite likely due
Sad Day at Courthouse
From the San Juan County Prosecutor's Office The sudden death of Judge John Linde was felt hard at the San Juan County Prosecutor’s Office reported Prosecuting Attorney Randall K. Gaylord. “The legal community is small
