Here’s a thought…
“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.”
HEATHER FRENCH HENRY
It’s Not Your Grandma’s Weight Watchers Anymore
Monday, Jan. 4 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Funhouse -- by Carol Kulminski-- Weight Watchers has knocked it out of the park with their new "Beyond the Scale" program for sustainable weight loss! It is no longer “your Grandma’s weight loss program”, but is appealing to younger people
Artsmith’s Writer Island Coming in February
Register now and apply for scholarships for "Dive Deep with Ana Maria Spagna & Melissa Hart" -- from Jill Johnson for Artsmith -- Does your current writing project need time, guidance, and inspiration for you to delve into unexplored depths? Do the distractions of home prevent you from immersing yourself
OPALCO Electric Bills to Increase by 5% in January
Line item to fund Energy Assistance Program -- from Suzanne Olson for OPALCO -- Beginning in January, our electric bills will go up 5% and there will be a couple of new line items. The board-approved rate increase for 2016 will be spread equally across the facilities and energy charges
Jazzin’ with the Classics for Christmas
Monday, Dec. 28 at 3 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Parish -- from Jeffrey Cohan -- Jeffrey Cohan brings vocalist, vibes, pianist and flutist to "Jazzin' with the Classics" on Dec. 28 What do the Beach Boys, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Olivia Newton-John, Bill Frisell, Frank Zappa, Mannheim Steamroller,
Christmas on Ellis Island
-- by Brianna Nofil, atlasobscura.com -- Children at Ellis Island in the early 1900s, displaying their Christmas gifts. (Photo: AP Images) In 1931, Sam Lee traveled 7,000 miles from his native China to begin a new life in New York City. On the grueling journey, Lee acquired a strange
Forecast Indicates Cold Weather; Local Shelter to be Open
This Wed, Thurs, and Fri, arrive 6-9 p.m., Orcas Island Community Church -- from Janine Heimerich Armstrong -- NOAA forecasts 28, 36, and 25 degree nights this Wed, Thurs, and Fri so the shelter will be open those nights. The churches here on Orcas have gotten together to provide this overnight Severe
People’s Choice Awards Announced at Islands Museum of Art
--from Diane Martindale for Islands Museum of Art -- (Click through to see slideshow of artists and work) [metaslider id=40609] Congratulations to the five winners of San Juan Islands Museum of Art’s 2015 People’s Choice Awards! The winners are Mary Bacon for Oh, Rats! (mixed media); Maria Michaelson for Ceramic
Editorial Column: In Defense of the Much-Maligned Fruit Cake
-- by Margie Doyle-- Reprinted upon request Fruitcakes -- everybody has an opinion about them. I remember the horrible dark concoctions, mis-named "cake" that arrived on Christmases past. Morbidly dense and heavy, they were nibbled at by adults; I suspect it was for the hint of liquor in them. Children
Marion Slater Passes, 1926-2015
-- from Ed Sutton -- An older friend of long acquaintance passed on Monday, December 21. Marion Slater, a former resident of Orcas and owner of BayHead Marina with her late husband, Dick, lived in Anacortes after he died. Marion was born on April 23, 1926, and was raised in
County Settles Public Records Lawsuit
Prosecutor Randy Gaylord removed as Defendant in the Public Records Suit --by Margie Doyle-- Defendant San Juan County and Plaintiff Sheryl Albritton reached an agreement last month which terminates the lawsuit filed in October in Skagit County Superior Court entitled Albritton v. San Juan County and Randall Gaylord. Separate Stipulations
A Poem for the Solstice
-- by Domenic Verbano -- Soul-Stance: Dead of winter, Least of light. In these times we see ourselves laid bare, in dreariness, we behold our light filled chalice; so dim, so thin, nearly empty? How can this be? Collectively, we are almost devoid of light; humankind, can you see? What
Matthew Laslo’s New Magic Show for the Holidays
--by Margie Doyle -- Matthew Laslo Matthew Laslo’s introduces "Magic Now," a new magic show for the holidays on Dec. 26th & 27th at 7:30pm at Sea View Theatre. Matthew, 15, is a local, award-winning magician who performs both close-up "sleight-of-hand" tricks and grand "illusions," such as sawing
Orcas Angels Bring Computer Hardware
-- by Ed Sutton -- Orcas Angels combine with schools to help graduating seniors acquire Tech for Success Within the Orcas Island community, there are several service groups that regularly reach out to neighbors with an assisting hand. One of those groups is the Orcas Angels. Formed about eight
Guest Opinion: We’ve Been Climbing the Wrong Wall
-- by Joe Symons -- When I recently wrote to a colleague “if America is really going to face the future, it will require of its citizens knowledge of conservation ecology, mythology and story telling/ creating, imagination and something on transformation economics (from growth to steady state). Science is a
Count Changed Ferry Schedule into Holiday Plans
-- from Elizabeth Kosa, Chief of Staff, WSDOT/Ferries Division -- From left to right: WSDOT Chief Financial Officer Amy Arnis and Secretary Peterson are treated to an engine room tour by Chief Engineer Mike Fleetwood and engine staff. Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the blue
Guest Column: Unclear Language Obscures Pipeline/SMP Update
-- from Janet Alderton -- Dear Councilors Stephens, Jarman, and Hughes, I do not understand why one is not allowed to comment on the changes made to: https://sanjuanco.com/CDP/docs/SMP/2015-08-26_PC_Staff_and_CC_SMP_Draft-GPs_No6_final_edit_pn_and_cm_reviewed.pdf This document is found at San Juan County's SMP Update website. It is titled "Shoreline Master Program Update San Juan County" on
