Here’s a thought…
“Reality whistles a different tune underwater.”
TOM ROBBINS
Letter to Editor: Thank You OIFR Responders
-- from Art Lange -- I have seen many letters to the editor expressing thanks for what OIFR responders did to help the person writing or someone close to them. As a reader of these letters, I always found them to be thoughtful and gracious and well said. I have discovered that
Les Pêcheurs de Perles to Stream
Sunday, January 17, 1 p.m., Orcas Center — from Artha Kass for Orcas Center — Orcas Center’s jam-packed and rich January – August 2016 Season kicks off on Sunday, January 17 at 1 p.m. with the Met: Live in HD’s new production of Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles (The Pearl Fishers). It features
LWV Looks at Money in Politics
-- from the League of Women Voters of the San Juans -- The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will discuss the hot topic, "Money in Politics" on Monday, January 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the San Juan Island Library. The public is welcome.
Uncle Harry’s 2016 Predictions
---Via ‘Honest Harry’ Patton, Raconteur—Wordsmith—Humorist -- Harry Patton on a formal occasion Having contemplated Orcas Issues' recent list of 2016 Predictions, it is felt that some significant ones have not yet been addressed; ones that occasionally have a bearing, or are of interest in some way, to each
Orcas Medical Foundation Addresses Fleming Resignation
-- from Orcas Medical Foundation Board -- As most islanders know by now, Orcas Medical Center (OMC) will be losing a valued physician. Dr. Camille Fleming has resigned her OMC/Island Hospital position as of January 21 and accepted an offer from a larger mainland facility. We, as members of the Orcas Medical Foundation (OMF)
Thor Hansen’s Seeds Wins Booksellers Award
-- from Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association -- Thor Hansen of San Juan Island is among the the authors who won the 2016 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Awards for his book The Triumph of Seeds: How Grains, Nuts, Kernels, Pulses, and Pips Conquered the Plant Kingdom and Shaped Human History. Seeds is
Ranna McNeil in Statewide Art Competition
-- from Ranna McNeil -- "A River of Stars - Constellation #1" cast crystal by Ranna McNeil Pacific Northwest artist Ranna McNeil of Deer Harbor, Washington, has been chosen for inclusion in the 2016 CVG Show in Bremerton’s Collective Visions Gallery. The annual CVG Show is one of the
Business Spotlight: Mia’s Café Expands Space, Services
-- by Margie Doyle -- Mia Kartiganer and server Eros Belliveau at the new, expanded Mia's Café in the Our House building Mia Kartiganer, proprietress of Mia's, having successfully navigated from Eastsound Square to the Our House building on North Beach Road last year, now plans to shake things
Orcas Voices: The Dental Van Answers Needs
-- by Sally Buchanan -- In 2012 the Whatcom Coalition for Healthy Communities issued a report detailing the needs and experiences of people living in poverty in Whatcom, Island, and San Juan Counties. Among the key findings was the need for affordable dental care for adults. That report reflected the
Celebration of Life: Edwin (Eddy) Valenzuela
Saturday, January 16 (his birthday) at Random Howse from 3:30-6:30 -- from Clyde & April Duke - Eddy passed away surrounded by family and friends on November 27, 2015 after battling Multiple Myeloma cancer for seven years. He was a strong man who fought it till the very end. He will
OPALCO Board to Meet on Lopez
Thursday, January 21, 8:15 a.m., Lopez Fire Station -- from Bev Madden, OPALCO -- The OPALCO Board of Directors will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at the Lopez Fire Hall Thursday, January 21. The meeting will begin at 8:15 a.m. All members are welcome to attend. For more information, visit
Guest Column: Council, Don’t Rush Salish Sea Protections in SMP
-- by Janet Alderton -- An open letter to Councilors Rick Hughes, Bob Jarman, and Jamie Stephens, I talked with Councilor Hughes this last week. He and I hope that the proposed language in the Shoreline Master Program Goals and Policies that removes a prohibition on cross-Sound underwater oil pipelines
Build It and They Will Come — and Watch
-- from the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) -- Dana Louis creating her art installation at San Juan Islands Museum of Art in Friday Harbor The community is invited to watch Dana Lynn Louis create her installation "As Above, So Below" in the glass Atrium Space
Park and Rec Levy Part of February Election
-- from County documents -- Orcas Island Park and Recreation District (OIPRD) will be on the Feb. 9th 2016 ballot for a new 6-year levy. This levy will replace the current levy allotment beginning in 2017. The budget and assumptions used to develop the levy numbers can be found at
Guest Opinion: OPALCO’s Rate Hikes Signal Bottomless Pit
--by Alex MacLeod -- As 2016 begins, and yet another OPALCO rate hike kicks in, it is worth looking back at 2015 to see how OPALCO’s go-it-alone Internet business is doing. For starters, Rock Island Communications has blown through nearly $5 million of what was to be a three-year, $7.5
County Council Special Meetings this Week
-- from Ingrid Gabriel -- Jan 11, 2016 - Monday - 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM Location: Legislative Hearing Room, 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor, WA Agenda topics include discussion of the Shoreline Master Program. SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETINGS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the San Juan County
