Here’s a thought…
Friends help Jordan Griffin and Family following Spinal Injury
Since his accident snow-boarding at the Orcas Island golf course in December, 16-year-old Jordan Griffin has already overcome many obstacles on the road to rehabilitation. Jordan has moved from Harborview Hospital to Children’s
There ought to be a law? Get in line before March 1
Docket Call: Public Can Request Changes in Comp Plan, UDC, Maps By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The San Juan County Community Development and Planning Department has issued official notice that it will
Comment deadline on WSF long-range plans extended
Washington State Ferries (WSF) announced an extended public comment period on the draft long-range plan through Monday, Jan. 26. Due to the overwhelming response from communities, we extended the comment period five days to ensure
Bureaucracy: love of privilege
Taken from Václav Havel's speech of February 21, 1990, "A Joint Session of the U.S. Congress," appearing in The Art of the Impossible: Politics as Morality in Practice by Václav Havel. Translated from the Czech
Homes for critters: one last report
With all the stories this week about small creatures taking up residence in human households, consider opening your property to injured or orphaned Orcas Island wildlife that need a safe place to re-enter their own
Warm thoughts (and misgivings) about all creatures great and small
I’m so relieved, but a little worried too. On Sunday, I got word from my neighbors that the furnace in my little house in Indianola, in Kitsap County, was apparently “out.” The house was
Ferry chat: Desperation leads to abuse
Orcas Islander Suzan Chamberlayne recently published the following letter. On an interisland ferry commute, Orcas Island Prevention Partnership Director Marta Nielson and others discussed the content of the letter. These opinions and discussions are what
Environmental Center at Moran Park closing means less revenue
On December 19, 2008, Linda Sheridan of the Environmental Learning Center at Moran State Park, wrote the following:"I wanted to give you an update about Moran Outdoor School, Moran State Park, and the Washington State
Gifts of the 12 Days of Christmas
As Christmas celebrations extend from expressions of spiritual faith to commercial excess, and as the “New Reality” of uncertain income and finances spreads across the land, even to Orcas Island, the spirit of “The Twelve
Freedom of speech seen in Anacortes
Freedom of speech means freedom from fear when differing points of view are expressed. We haven't seen protest marches in the streets in quite a while, but in Anacortes, the turnoff corner to the ferry
Post Office glitch holds mail since September
Back in September, my regular statement from two credit card companies, plus my oil bill, never showed up in my post office box. When I got assessed a late fee in my October billing, I
You said it! Orcas quotes in 2008
January“Our first interest is for public safety and preservation of the land.” Chris Guidotti, Moran State Park Manager on the trails being constructed by extreme bike riders.“To be a resident on Orcas is to immediately
Big stories of 2008
2008 – for just one little year, it was a doozie!Maintaining the level of service of San Juans’ route ferries was an ongoing challenge, with the “Steel electrics” pulled from service, and the FAC chastised
More ferry conversation and grassroots solutions
Many Orcasians, with holiday horror stories of airport strandings and freeway logjams, are returning home on our reliable Washington State Ferries.For all its budget problems, WSF runs safe, clean boats on a reliable schedule. Think
Love principles, a gift from my mother
As we honor this season of peace, light and love, I treasure the simple list of principles for love that guided my mom's life.My mother was an Anglican minister's daughter. As a child, she went
