OPALCO Board Candidates Announced
-- Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 2015 -- from OPALCO -- Our local member-owned electric cooperative, Orcas Power & Light Co-op, announces the slate of candidates for its Board of Directors. This is each member’s opportunity to influence who sets Co-op policies and rates. Every OPALCO member has the right
Ferry Alert: Early Anacortes-Islands Sailing Canceled
-- from Washington State Ferries -- The 5:35am sailing [on March 21] from Anacortes to all stops [in the San Juan Islands] is cancelled due to operational constraints. We apologize for the inconvenience. Updates will occur when more information becomes available.
Traditional & Original Music A-coming
Saturday, March 28, 7 p.m., House Concert -- from Tom Rawson -- Tom Rawson, folksinger and storyteller from Eastsound, Washington, is the West Coast’s very own version of Pete Seeger. Armed with longneck banjo and other weapons of mass delight, Tom is a master of warmth and wit who loves
Cherry Point Terminal’s EIS and the Affects of Coal Dust
Study funded by Orcas' Research Now impacts findings -- by Floyd McKay for Crosscut.com -- They are so small you can’t see them in the air — but you inhale them, and they can go to your lungs and even your bloodstream. They come from many sources, but among them
Breaking News: Chief Kevin O’Brien Resigns
-- by Lin McNulty -- Orcas Fire and Rescue Chief Kevin O'Brien. File photo. As a complete surprise to the public, OIFR Chief Kevin O'Brien announced his resignation at the regularly scheduled Board of Fire Commissioners meeting on Thursday, March 19. The Board, stated Commissioner Barbara Bedell, was
New Nature Preserve for San Juan Island?
Preservation Trust, Land Bank Take First Steps to Secure “Mount Grant” -- from Bella French, San Juan Preservation Trust -- The San Juan Preservation Trust and the San Juan County Land Bank are collaborating on an exciting land acquisition project on San Juan Island that, if successful, will become an
OPALCO Scholarship Applications Due
OPALCO SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE 3/27. GET $500 + CO-OP LEADERSHIP CAMP. -- from Suzanne Olson -- What do San Juan County high-school scholars say about the Youth Rally and OPALCO’s Scholarship Program? “My sense of the world was changed …” –Brodie Miller, Spring Street School “I made friendships that will
Spring Brunch Supports Meals on Wheels and More
Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Orcas Senior Center -- from Meals on Wheels, Whatcom County -- The community is invited to enjoy a gourmet spring brunch prepared by Chef Christina Orchid at the Orcas Island Senior Center. As part of the nationwide March for Meals campaign, on
Cardboard Camp for Grown Ups
Saturday-Sunday, March 28-29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Cardboard portrait illustration of Sarah Jessica Parker, made by Brook Meinhardt for "Rolling Stone" magazine. Make a cardboard portrait like this one for Clint Eastwood with artist and instructor Brook Meinhardt in a two-day workshop with cardboard ("Ordinary Material — Extraordinary Versatility")
Ballot Equipment Logic and Accuracy Test Scheduled
Wednesday, March 25, 10 a.m., County Elections Office -- from San Juan County Communications -- Voters in the San Juan Island Park and Recreation District will be deciding on a levy for the district in the April 28 Special Election. A "Logic and Accuracy" test of ballot tabulating equipment used
Guest Column: Speaking of Streetlights
-- by Fred Klein -- After reading the recent Orcas Issues article AND the many comments concerning potential “street” lights for Eastsound, I don my flak jacket and suggest that a reasoned discussion of the issue begin with a few facts. I plead that, as a community, we have a
Whidbey Naval Air Flies Out Orcas Man
-- from NAS Whidbey Island -- A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island conducted a Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) late Sunday night for an Orcas Island man suffering from severe abdominal blockage. The SAR crew of five took off at about 9:15 p.m. [on March
ECE Initiative: Orcas Preschools Report Early Successes
-- by Margie Doyle -- The first of many steps in establishing well-qualified preschool education for all Orcas children has been taken through the Early Childhood Education Initiative. In recent interviews, Orcas' preschool directors and some parents talked about the first year of the three-year pilot project, the Early Childhood
Native Plant Sale and Expo — Spring’s Here!
Saturday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to noon -- from Jane Wentworth, Master Gardener Foundation -- The Master Gardener Foundation and the San Juan Islands Conservation District bring you the 2015 Annual Native Plant Sale and Expo. Pre-ordered plants pick-up will be March 21st on San Juan, Lopez and Orcas
Ferry Changes: New Schedule, New Rates, New Ferry
-- from Lynne Griffith, Assistant Secretary WSDOT/Ferries Division -- Plan ahead for the new spring sailing schedule and upcoming fare changes. The spring sailing schedule begins on Sunday, March 22, and annual peak-season fare surcharges go into effect May 1. The spring schedule includes the following changes: Opening of the
CenturyLink Schedules Testing / Possible Disruptions
Thursday, March 19, midnight - 5 a.m. -- from Brian Dalessi -- CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) CenturyLink will perform network switching testing of their radio and fiber facilities in the San Juan Islands. During this testing, CenturyLink customers may experience a brief disruption affecting Internet service. However, 911, inter-island dialing
