Here’s a thought…
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.”
MARK TWAIN
Midnight Mutterings | Huh?
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I had planned to write about something much different, something academic that happened a half century ago in California that has repercussions today, that is still controversial and has ties to what is going on socially, politically and personally to each of us.
Sheriff’s Report | December 4 – 10, 2024
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 24-007707 Agency Assistance 09:00:04 12/04/24 A Detective on San Juan Island responded to an agency assist. The incident was investigated and found no probable cause for a crime. The incident was documented. 24-007712 Trespassing 12:32:47 12/04/24 A San Juan
Wind, coastal flooding in forecast for tonight / tomorrow
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Seattle WA 157 PM PST Fri Dec 13 2024 San Juan County-Western Whatcom County-Western Skagit County- Everett and Vicinity-Admiralty Inlet Area-Central Coast- Including the cities of Port Townsend, Burlington, Everett, Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon, Marysville, Bellingham, Lynnwood, Friday
Medical Assistants: A guided path to helping others
||| FROM GRAY GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| From left to right: Kailley, Bridget, Mary, Alenna, Gabi, Syann, & Noah. Medical Assistant Kailley describes her work at Island Primary Care - Orcas as the “most challenging and rewarding career [she] could have ever fathomed pursuing.” Kailley is
Last week, I asked: How far can we go together?
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| You, our amazing and generous Orcas Island community of friends, neighbors, kids, leaders, superheroes…answered the call by donating an incredible $278,303. OICF rounded out our shared goal by contributing $6,000, for a total of $284,303! Together, we fully funded 30 grant requests, empowering
OPALCO Board passes 2025 budget and rates
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| The 2025 OPALCO annual budget was approved at the November 20 board meeting including a 6% rate increase for all members. This works out to an increase of approximately $11/month for the average San Juan County residence. The budget
County seeks to address flooding, sightlines, congestion with Douglas/Bailer Hill Rd project
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Public Works Department is preparing to advertise to bid the Douglas/Bailer Hill Road Improvements Project this month. The County expects to evaluate bids at the end of January and determine if the project can move forward. In the event the County is
Washington State poised to set precedent as first government in the world to successfully remove and permanently ban commercial net pen aquaculture
||| FROM EMMA HELVERSON for WILD FISH CONSERVANCY ||| Washington State recently garnered international attention for its successful removal of all polluting and hazardous commercial net pens from Puget Sound. Now, the state is on the verge of adopting a statute that would prohibit this commercial industry from ever returning
WSF Weekly Report | Onboard memorials, boat fire in Elliott Bay, (rein)deer games
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve This year, nearly 200 families have trusted us as hosts of memorial services for their loved ones. It is a great honor to provide this opportunity for Washingtonians to say goodbye amid the beauty of the waterways
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Litch Bros., Crow Valley String Band return for holiday concerts
||| FROM RACHEL BISHOP for CROW VALLEY STRING BAND ||| Come and join the Crow Valley String Band, the Litch Brothers and friends for their annual Home for the Holidays Concert. Bring friends and family for a cozy evening at the Grange with bluegrass and folk music, seasonal tunes and
Santa & Mrs. Claus Santa Ship arrival date updated
Lions Santa Ship December 15, 2024 – 1:00 pm Orcas Ferry Landing ||| FROM ORCAS LIONS CLUB ||| In parts of the world, Santa arrives by sleigh, slides down chimneys or walks through front doors. But for people living in small island communities in the Pacific Northwest, access to the
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council December 9, 2024
||| FROM LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OBSERVER CORPS ||| During public access time eight people from Lopez spoke about the negotiations of a new interlocal agreement between the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District and the County. Most of the speakers supported renewing the current agreement without change, while several requested another
SJC postpones OPALCO’s hearing for proposed Bailer Hill solar project in favor of additional info
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Department of Community Development (DCD) is postponing the public hearing examiner meeting (previously scheduled for Dec. 18) for OPALCO’s Bailer Hill micro-grid and battery installation project while waiting for additional information. The future hearing examiner meeting date is to be
Christmas at Emmanuel Church calendar
||| FROM EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH |||
Balance Class Inspired by Feldenkrais Method
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join Andrea Preiss, a seasoned Feldenkrais practitioner and therapeutic eurythmist, for a relaxing movement class at Orcas Senior Center, Tuesdays at 11 am (No class December 10, 24, and 31). Emphasizing a seated position, these subtle exercises rooted in the Feldenkrais
