Here’s a thought…
“We are so vain that we even care for the opinion of those we don’t care for.”
MARIE VON EBNER-ESCHENBACH
Letter to Editor | Healthcare Coalition Role Clarified
-- from Dale Heisinger for Coalition for Orcas Healthcare -- When Island Hospital departed Orcas Island, a coalition of citizen volunteers organized an election to allow voters to establish a Public Hospital District (PHD). The goal of the PHD is to ensure access to primary/urgent care for all the members of
Island Aerial Acrobatics “Connected” Coming to Orcas Center
-- from Maria Bullock -- On March 30th & 31st, the final Island Aerial Acrobatics performance, called “Connected,” is scheduled at the Orcas Center. Community support is needed to make this performance a reality. The Island Aerial Acrobatics program, also known as “silks class,” is in its 9th year of
Guest Column: Groups Appeal Anacortes Petrochemical Expansion
-- from Alex Ramel of Stand.earth -- A December 2013 view of the Tesoro refinery across Fidalgo Bay from March Point. (Photo by Dana via Creative Commons License) On Tuesday, February 27, the Board of Skagit County Commissioners heard an appeal made by six local and regional environmental organizations
Legislature Votes to Protect Net Neutrality
-- from Dave Pringle for Senate Democratic Communications -- "Corporations should not control how Washingtonians use the internet or what information they seek. We value free and open access to information," said Sen. Kevin Ranker, prime sponsor of the Senate net neutrality legislation. "In December 2017, President Trump's administration reversed
TechTalk: Use Unique Passwords
-- from Lisa Steckley for 376Tech.com -- One for One Don’t re-use passwords. Rule number 2 to keep the data doors locked. Why? The bad guys know we have a bad habit of re-using passwords. The sites we use those passwords on have a bad habit of getting hacked. The
Doe Bay Open Mic Supports Senior Center in March
-- from Doe Bay Music -- Join island visitors and residents to share music, spoken word, and other performances on the night when we come together in that ancient ritual of community and communion. The Café is open from 5-10 p.m. and Open Mic begins at 7:30 p.m. Come out
Orcas School District Will Hold Open House
Tuesday, March 6, 5:30 p.m., Orcas School Cafeteria -- from Orcas School District -- We welcome you, our community, to join us in the pre-planning and scheduling updates for the Orcas Island School District 2017 Bond and Levy Projects. This Community Open House will take place on March 6, at
Auditor To Conduct Logic, Accuracy Test of Election Equipment
Wednesday, March 14, 11 a.m., County Elections Office -- from Milene Henley, County Auditor -- In the upcoming April 24 Special Election, voters on Orcas Island will decide whether to approve a proposed hospital district. Also on the ballot will be the election of five hospital commissioners, who will take
Senate Democratic Legislation Protects Schools, Strengthens Gun Purchase Regulations
-- from Dave Pringle, Senate Democratic Caucus -- The Washington state Senate Ways & Means Committee heard testimony in a public hearing on a new proposal, Senate Bill 6620, which would enhance school safety and raise the age for purchase of a tactical rifle. "No family should be fearful to
Celebrating Scott Gianola’s Life
Sunday, March 4 at 1 p.m. at Odd Fellows Hall -- from Andrea Cohen -- Scott Gianola -- a celebration of his life will take place at Odd Fellows Hall on Sunday March 4 at 1 p.m. Scott Gianola has left the room. Let us celebrate his life
Guest Opinion | What Are They Hiding?
-- by Michael Riordan -- In a brazen attempt to suppress public access to any existing records of legislators’ activities, the Washington state Senate and House overwhelmingly passed Senate Bill 6617 on Friday, hardly two days after it had been introduced. The Senate passed the measure 41 to 7 after
Candidates Speak Out at Public Hospital District Town Hall
--by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues reporter -- Candidates in the election for Public Hospital District Commissioners, from left, Patty Miller, Richard Fralick, Leif, Art Lange, Diane Boteler, Bill Bangs. Candidates John Dann, Pegi Groundwater and RJ Myers were not present On Feb. 24, seven of the 11 official
Swing Into Spring at Dance Class
Monday, March 5, 7 - 9 p.m., Odd Fellows Hall -- from Bill Gincig -- Local instructors are again offering their community dance class on Monday, March 5, from 7 to 9 pm at the Odd Fellows Hall. We will be teaching East Coast Swing. Instruction will begin promptly at
Learn How to Prepare for a Disaster
Wednesday, March 7, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Seaview Theatre -- from Natalie Menacho for Orcas Women's Coalition -- Let’s gather as a community and learn what steps we can take to prepare our homes, ourselves, and our families. This Disaster Preparedness Event will offer informative presentations by our local experts covering
School Board Will Hold Special Meeting
Thursday, March 1, 5 p.m., Orcas School Library -- from Orcas Island School District -- Notice of a Special (Monthly) Meeting Thursday, March 1, 2018 AGENDA 5:00PM CALL TO ORDER - SPECIAL MEETING- School Library *1. Approve Agenda *2. Approve Consent Agenda PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS 3. Members of the community, parents,
Letter to Editor | UW System is Closed
-- from Coleen O’Brien -- I have been and remain a grateful supporter of forming a Hospital District for Orcas. However, I’ve had cause to be concerned that the policies of UW Medicine, as they stand, are not a good fit for rural health care. It’s bound to be a
