Support Solar Energy — Locally
-- from the San Juan Islands Conservation District-- The San Juan Islands Conservation District would like to present OPALCO's Community Solar Project. The project opened for member participation on March 21st and, to date, we have about 85% of the units committed. However, we may not have heard from you,
3% Thursday for the Food Bank
-- from the Orcas Island Food Bank -- Even if you are not a member of the Orcas Island Food Co-op you may still shop there, and 3% of any purchase you make on Thursday, April 19 will be contributed to the Orcas Island Food Bank! The Food Bank Board
Reminder – Property Taxes Due April 30
-- from San Juan County Communications -- San Juan County Treasurer, Rhonda Pederson would like to remind county property owners that the first installment of property taxes and personal property taxes are due April 30. Property tax payments must be federally post marked by April 30, or may be paid
Letter to Editor | Vote Yes to Re-shape Our Ideal Health Care
-- from Vincent Shu, MD -- Through many years, I have been privileged to converse and speak to people from whom I have learned the art of listening. This has helped me to be aware of "life's whispers." I have read numerous comments published on the Public Hospital District (PHD)
Guest Opinion: Choose Your Future
-- from Natalie Menacho for Plan Ahead San Juans -- Planning Commission continues Vision Statement Deliberations The Planning Commission is working hard to crowdsource resident ideas about the future of San Juan County. Even if you have commented previously, please read the current draft of the Vision Statement and make
April Poetry | When I Was Small
When I Was Small by Jens Kruse When I was small my grandfather would take me by the hand and walk with me for hours through his beloved city, Hamburg. I liked his calloused hand, his steady stride, but mostly I liked his voice. As he walked He would tell
Yes on I-1631: Support Clean Air and Clean Energy
-- by Rosalinda Guillen, executive director of Community to Community Development; and Ander Russell, Clean Water program manager for RE Sources for Sustainable Communities -- The work of protecting people and the planet is a roller coaster of wins and losses. Lately, we are playing a lot of defense against
Letter to Editor | How to Convey Gratitude to EMTs?
-- from Sigrid Mather -- “Thank you” doesn’t adequately convey my gratitude to our community EMTs who so consistently and professionally answer our calls for help. Over the years they have responded to my 911 calls quickly, always allaying my fears with calm and reassurance. I’ve not found an adequate
Verdi’s Heart-wrenching Luisa Miller Streams Live
Sunday April 22, 1 p.m., Orcas Center -- from Margie Doyle for Orcas Center -- Luisa Miller a precursor to La Traviata, singing of hypocrisy and tragic love Verdi’s heart-wrenching Luisa Miller centers on the bond between a father and his daughter as they stand together against a hostile world. Soprano
Letter to Editor | Diane Boteler Uniquely Qualified for Hospital Board
-- from Catherine Pederson -- Dr. Diane Boteler brings over 20 years of experience serving medical needs on Orcas Island. She is uniquely qualified to assess the needs of both patients and medical providers in our isolated – not always readily accessible – island location. We are neither suburban nor
April Poetry | Raptor
Raptor by Jill McCabe Johnson Today in a flutter of leaves a sharp-shinned hawk balanced with one leg tucked under his freckle-feathered chest on a fence post at the edge of our garden. To get a closer look I crawled through the living room and onto the porch crept to
Experts on Veteran Benefits Coming to Orcas
Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Orcas School Cafeteria & Library -- from Meg Massey for Orcas Community Resource Center -- The team at the Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC) welcomes all veterans in the islands of San Juan County to the Veteran’s Assistance Event to be held
Celebrate Earth Day at the Great Islands Clean-Up
Sunday, April 22, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., All Islands -- from Pete Moe for Orcas Recycling -- Hundreds of volunteers throughout the San Juan Islands will gather on Sunday, April, 22, 2018 to celebrate Earth Day and participate in the Great Islands Clean-Up. In its 5th year, the Great
Letter to Editor | Step Up to Vote for Art Lange
-- from Tony Ghazel -- This month we are asked to approve a Public Hospital District (PHD) for Orcas Island, and, to elect five commissioners to be responsible to the tax payers for its implementation and governance. A PHD is new to the Orcas community so it is going to
Sheriff’s Report | April 4 – 10, 2018
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- April 4, 2018 18-002214 Vicious Animal 07:27:27 A Friday Harbor Deputy responded to a report of an animal problem on San Juan Island. The Deputy spoke with the witnesses, obtained statements, and issued a Dog at Large infraction to the dog's owner. 18-002220
April Poetry | Mystery
Mystery by Nancy Reas When I was young I couldn't stand not knowing the answers to life, to death. There must be a knowable answer. Now I am comfortable almost with Mystery. I do not need to understand God the universe the whys and hows and what ifs. I only need
