Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
Guest Column: Courageous Work of Women Continues
-- by Cindy Wolf -- As evening falls this Solstice, the lights in the village windows remind me that islands of warmth and camaraderie are that much more precious when the world feels cold and dark. The increasingly hostile rhetoric coming from the White House and contempt for democracy shown
GiveOrcas Campaign Finishes With Amazing Success
-- from Kate Long for Orcas Island Community Foundation -- Congratulations to the 22 nonprofits featured in this year’s GiveOrcas Holiday Catalog, an online donation forum hosted by the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF). “This was amazing. I never dreamed we would do this well,” said one nonprofit representative. 334
Yakima Running on Reduced Capacity and No Galley Today
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Due to a shortage of Coast Guard documented crew, the M/V Yakima will be reduced to a 300 passenger capacity and the galley will be closed for the rest of the day. Affected sailings can be viewed at the online schedule: https://www.wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/ScheduleDetailByRoute.aspx?schedrouteid=1751 The Yakima
Madrona Point Insurance Welcomes New Team Member
-- from Michele Wiley for Madrona Point Insurance -- Judi, Alexis, Becky and I/Michele want to introduce our newest member to the Madrona Point Insusrance team, Whitney Robichaux, who relocated to Orcas Island from New Orleans. Whit studied nursing and spent years in the service industry, also secured her insurance
Find the Generosity That Resides in Your Heart
-- by Rosie Kuhn -- Isn’t it great – the holiday season is here again. AHHHHHHHHHHH!! I actually started writing this piece a year ago but found I hadn’t enough experience with my subject to write about it. So, these past twelve months, I’ve been playing with the experience of
Environmental Groups Appeal Permit Decision on Petrochemical Expansion Proposal in Salish Sea
-- from Alex Ramel for Stand.earth -- On Thursday, December 14, six local and regional environmental organizations filed an appeal of the Skagit County Hearing Examiner’s of the Shoreline Substantial Development Permit for the Andeavor (formerly Tesoro) Anacortes Refinery petrochemical expansion project. Last week, the Hearing Examiner approved the permit, despite
Friends of San Juans Appeals Shoreline Master Program to State Board
-- from Stephanie Buffum for Friends of the San Juans -- Today, the Friends of the San Juans (Friends) appealed San Juan County’s recently updated Shoreline Master Program (SMP) to the Washington Growth Management Hearings Board. The SMP is the primary tool for protecting the fragile marine ecosystem that depends on
Welcome to New School Board Members
-- from Orcas Island School District -- Photo by Greg White. Please join us in welcoming our newly elected School Board Directors (from left to right ) John Fleming, Josh Culp and Diane Boerstler. Here they are being sworn in to office by Superintendent, Eric Webb at last
Annual Jazzin’ With the Classics for Christmas Upcoming
Saturday, December 30, 3 p.m., Emmanuel Episcopal Church -- from Jeffrey Cohan for Salish Sea Early Music Festival -- Music at Emmanuel presents the eleventh annual Yuletide Baroque: Jazzin' with the Classics for Christmas, featuring jazz flutist, pianist and clarinetist Martin Lund, classical flutist Jeffrey Cohan and virtuoso vibraphone player Tom
“A Child’s Christmas in Wales” Reading Returns
Sunday, December 24, 3:30 p.m., Odd Fellows Hall -- from Suzanne Olson for Unitarian Universalist Fellowship -- Continuing a beloved island tradition, Howard Barbour will read Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales" - and do all the voices - on Sunday, December 24th at 3:30 p.m. at the Odd
WSF Announces Holiday Schedule
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Happy holidays from Washington State Ferries! The Anacortes/San Juan Islands routes will operate on a weekend holiday schedule on Monday, December 25 and January 1. Please note that the eastbound 2:20 p.m. inter-island vessel departing Friday Harbor and the westbound inter-island vessel departing Lopez
NAS Whidbey Island SAR Transports Lopez Heart Patient
-- from Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island -- A Search and Rescue (SAR) team of seven from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island conducted a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) from Lopez Island Airport, Lopez Island, Wash., to the Skagit Valley Hospital in Mt. Vernon on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. The SAR
Bell-Ringers for Orcas Family Health Center
-- -- from Ken Speck OFHC Board President, reprinted from Dec. 2, 2017 -- In wet and cold December weather, this loyal bell-ringer gathers funds for Orcas Family Health Center Last month, Orcas Family Health Center (OFHC) began a fundraising campaign to raise $175,000 by November 27, 2017
Coupon Book Arrives Just in Time For Gifting
-- from Susan Anderson for Children's House -- Orcas Island Children’s House is selling coupon books, featuring more than $500 in discounts offered by local businesses. Go Orcas! includes nearly 75 coupons (valid until June 2018) featuring savings across the island. Priced at $20 each, the coupon book pays for
Letter to Editor | Orcas Recycling Looks Forward With Gratitude
-- from Board and Staff of ORS & The Exchange -- Almost five years ago our collective heart sank when the quirky but beloved Exchange burned to the ground. Today, Orcas Recycling Services (ORS) would like to thank you. A beautiful new Exchange reuse facility has re-opened on the original spot
Business Spotlight: From Homebrew Contests to BoatHouse CiderWorks
--by Sam Gailey -- Libby Garcia proudly hosts BoatHouse Ciderworks The inspiration behind Libby Garcia’s BoatHouse Ciderworks—located by the Orcas Island ferry landing—came from her grandparents’ boathouse in Obstruction Pass. After noticing her grandparents’ trees were growing lush with apples, Libby decided to make hard cider in the
