Here’s a thought…
“The politician wants men to know how to die courageously; the poet wants men to live courageously.”
SALVATORE QUASIMODO
Letter to the Editor: Thanks for Helping to Get Big Money Out of Politics
-- by David Turnoy -- It looks like we've made it onto the state ballot. I am referring to I-735, the proposed initiative that would overturn the Supreme Court case of Citizens United so that corporations are no longer "people" and money is no longer "speech". The minimum number of
County Council Approves Eastsound Subarea Plan
-- by Margie Doyle -- On Tuesday, Dec. 15, the San Juan County Council voted to approve the Eastsound Subarea Plan update, and to move it into the San Juan County Uniform Development Code (UDC). Councilman Rick Hughes noted that two proposed map amendments were not adopted in the plan:
Another New Baby in J Pod
-- from the Center for Whale Research -- New whale in J pod. Photo by Dave Eliffrit Another new Baby in J Pod!! Designated J54 – sex unknown. Mother is J28, a twenty-two year old female Southern Resident Killer Whale in the Pacific Northwest. The mother had a
Funhouse Seeks Mentors
-- from Rebecca DeMeritt -- The Funhouse Commons is actively seeking caring people, teens or adults, for traditional one-on-one mentoring. The Funhouse also welcomes “skill” mentors for children or teens, “group” mentors for small class skill-building, and project-based mentors. Tutors for one-on-one tutoring or to help during our after-school homework club are also
Community Church to Hold Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Thursday, December 24, 6 p.m., Community Church -- from Dick Staub -- Orcas Island Community Church invites you to celebrate the joyful anticipation of Christmas Eve with us on Christmas Eve December 24 with a quiet candlelight service. This island tradition is a wonderful gathering of islanders into the warmth
Montessori Has a Wreath for Your Home
-- from Teresa Chocano -- Orcas Montessori School's 21st annual wreath sale is in full swing. Thank you to everyone who has supported our school by purchasing wreaths! We still have many wreaths awaiting good homes. All wreaths are now discounted: only $20 for a 24" wreath and $30 for a 36"
Letter to the Editor: Salmonberry Thanks Artisans Faire
-- from the Salmonberry School Board of Directors -- The Salmonberry School would like to extend a Warm and Heartfelt "Thank-you" for the very generous donation from this years Artisan Faire vendors. As we continue our efforts to pay off the "Bridge Loan" needed to complete the purchase of our
Give Blood with the Lions Club
Thursday, Dec. 17 from Noon - 6 pm, Eastsound Fire Hall --from Leif for Lions Club -- This coming Thursday, Orcas Island will help provide about 16% of the 800 Units of blood needed just on that day, December 17th, by patients in the Pacific Northwest. Come help your Lions
OCS Holiday Music Concert at Random Howse
Saturday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Random Howse -- from Beth Smith for OCS -- Orcas Christian School students prepare for Saturday concert at Random Howse In March, high school students from Orcas Christian School (OCS) will travel to the northern-most area of the Philippines to conduct
Salmon Recovery Grants Awarded In San Juan County
Salmon Recovery Projects Awarded More Than $44 Million in Grants Statewide -- from Susan Zemek, State Recreation and Conservation Office -- The Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the Puget Sound Partnership [on December 9] announced the award of $44.3 million in grants to organizations around the state for projects that
Almost Classical “Home for the Holidays”
Darvill’s on Tuesday, December 22 at 2 p.m., and Random Howse on Tuesday, December 29, 5 p.m. -- from Kristen Wilson -- During their upcoming Holiday breaks from school, the Orcas Island trio Almost Classical will appear at Darvill’s Bookstore in Eastsound on December 22 and at Random Howse on
Shoreline Master Plan Discussion and Decision Pushed Into 2016
Public Comments Accepted at Dec. 15 Public Hearing -- by Margie Doyle -- At the Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC) meeting on Thursday, Dec. 3, County Councilman Rick Hughes announced the postponement of the Shoreline Master Program update hearings until January 2016. The decision to postpone council discussion sessions and
Sharon Abreu to Lead Songs in “Healing of the Nations” Service
-- from Sharon Abreu -- This Wednesday, Dec. 16 on Lopez, Sharon Abreu will be leading the songs for the "Healing of the Nations" service at Center Church, 312 David Bay Road at 5 pm. The service lasts about an hour. Those traveling from Orcas Island can catch the 7:30
Guest Opinion: Shoreline Regulations Must Be Clear and Enforceable
-- from Janet Alderton -- Dear Councilors Stephens, Jarman, and Hughes, Please adopt fair and effective regulations. To be effective, our county regulations must be clear and enforceable. Complex regulations are both unfair and unenforceable. Complex regulations are unfair because they favor people who have the resources to hire experts
Together We Thrive! Numbers from the Holiday Festival of the Arts
--from Arron Redford, Orcas Senior Center Manager -- We are delighted to be able to announce the success of our 2015 Holiday Festival of Arts. Sale proceeds this year added up to over $5,500 (and counting) which meets our goal for the year and surpasses sales of 2014! We have
Council Hears from Public, Decides on Three Map Changes in ESAP
-- by Margie Doyle -- On Friday, Dec. 11, the County Council met in Eastsound for the deferred public hearing on the Eastsound Subarea Plan (ESAP) and decided to act on three of the five map amendments proposed in the update. The decision about two additional contested map amendments to
