Here’s a thought…
“No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country.”
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE
Actors, Playwrights and Directors Shine in PlayFest
-- a Review by Margie Doyle -- On Opening Night of 2014 PlayFest, the Actors Theater of Orcas Island presented a spectrum of theater experiences that enraptured the audience with its flights of fancy, soul-felt conflicts and bittersweet memories. PlayFest is a theater event, yes, and it is also the
Bus Ride and School Tour for Children Entering Kindergarten
Tuesday, May 6 from 9:00-12:00 -- from Kalie McGinnis, Orcas Family Connections -- All Kindergarten-bound children will have the opportunity to ride to the Public Elementary School in a big yellow school bus. The bus will be making stops at the four preschools on North Beach Road. The first stop
Salish Sea Early Music Festival Presents Simphonie
Saturday, May 3, 7 p.m., Orcas Adventist Fellowship Church -- from Jeffrey Cohan -- The Salish Sea Early Music Festival presents harpsichordist Elisabeth Wright, viola da gambist Susie Napper and baroque flutist Jeffrey Cohan in SIMPHONIE, a program of the most well- known baroque trio sonatas for these instruments by
April Poetry: Poets
In recognition of Poetry Month, and to celebrate our treasure trove of Orcas Island poets, Orcas Issues is pleased and honored to offer daily poetry during April. POETS -- by JoEllen Moldoff -- Thus dance the lonely, achingly beautiful poets— feet tripping the light fantastic. doing the soft-shoe, tap dancing
Fire Strikes Jones Family Farms on Lopez
-- from Jim Ghiglione, Lopez Fire Chief -- At 8:53 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, Lopez Island Fire & EMS personnel were toned out to a structure fire at 1934 Mud Bay Road. The first arriving officer reported a fully involved structure, spreading to two other structures. The report also
Cancer Support Group Meeting
Thursday, May 8 at 5 p.m. at the Community Church By Sue Lewis The Cancer Support Group will meet on Thursday, May 8 at 5:00 pm, in the Fireside Room of Orcas Island Community Church. This is a confidential no-cost group that meets on the second Thursday of each month.
The Invisible Visitor: “The Travel Effect” in the Islands
National Travel & Tourism Week, May 3 – 11 -- from Barbara Marrett, San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau -- Look around you. What would the Islands be without your favorite restaurant – the one you enjoy on special occasions? Without performing arts centers, museums and gorgeous galleries? Without the lookout
Local Contractors to Restore Olga’s Artworks
Strawberry Council Signs on Dotted Line to Begin Restoration -- from Patsy Stephens, Olga Strawberry Council -- The long-awaited restoration/rebuild of the historic Olga Strawberry Barreling Plant, more commonly known as the Artworks, has begun. The Olga Strawberry Council, non-profit owner of the building, is pleased to announce the awarding
Tacoma Deportation Activism Focuses National Attention on Immigration
-- by Rachael Stoeve of crosscut.com -- At 6:30 in the morning on February 24, Maru Mora Villalpando and eight other people locked their arms together and formed a human chain across the driveway of the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, Wash. A cold rain drizzled down as they stood
April Poetry: Studio Time
In recognition of Poetry Month, and to celebrate our treasure trove of Orcas Island poets, Orcas Issues is pleased and honored to offer daily poetry during April. STUDIO TIME -- by Sharon Ho -- Days dull or bright, I fly my kite. In deft hands my whims take flight. Clay
OPALCO Offers Free Wi-Fi at Ferry Landings to Paperless Billing Members
-- from Suzanne Olson -- Beginning Monday, May 5th, OPALCO members can access Wi-Fi at the interisland ferry landings with their SmartHub (eBill) user name and password. OPALCO is able to offer this public service free of charge in exchange for the savings created by paperless billing. Members must be
Letter to the Editor: A Fair and Effective Planning Commission?
-- from Jon Christoffersen, Shaw Island -- Is the recent conversation about the membership of the San Juan County Planning Commission a “Tempest in a Teapot”? Perhaps too many adjectives seeking a cause célèbre? I think not, and this is why: The Planning Commission has nine members, all volunteers, who
LWV – SJs Hold Annual Meeting at Luncheon
The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will hold its Annual Membership Meeting at a luncheon on Monday, May 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the San Juan Island Golf Club. Following the business portion of meeting, Cindy Hansen, Education Coordinator of the Whale Museum in
April Poetry: Traffic Count on Windward Way, Deer Harbor
In recognition of Poetry Month, and to celebrate our treasure trove of Orcas Island poets, Orcas Issues is pleased and honored to offer daily poetry during April. TRAFFIC COUNT ON WINDWARD WAY, DEER HARBOR -- by Sara Williams -- On the sound: One float plane, engine throbbing One skiff, skipper
Sons Planning Dinner for Moms
Saturday, May 3, 5:30–8 p.m., American Legion -- from Marcia Spees -- The community is invited to a pre-Mother’s Day dinner hosted by the Sons of the American Legion. Enjoy a delicious meal of stuffed pork loin, Caesar salad, garlic mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, dinner roll and dessert for only
Bird Column: An Open Door to Wonder and Awe
-- by Carol Owens -- Western goldfinches, ready for breakfast! Favorite hobby? Elegant sport? Elitist science? Maybe all of these, but to most of us, just fun. We hang birdfeeders, or scatter leftover bread crumbs, put a feeder on the window in the kids’ room, and begin the
