Here’s a thought…
“Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some, and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.”
ROBERT FULGHUM
What I Truly Want for Christmas
-- by Lin McNullty -- I am way past the stage in life where I need to "get" something for Christmas. Anything additional just adds to the clutter in my small seaside cottage. I have everything I need. Yet, there remains one potentially really big thing that I would like
Break-in Suspect Recognized, Turns Himself In
-- from the Sheriff's Office -- On Sunday, December 22, 2013 at about 10:20 p.m. a home invasion robbery was reported in the Rosario area on Orcas Island. The victims reported that a masked man forced entry into their home while armed with an assault rifle and demanded money. The
Lucky to Be Alive: Take It from a Dog
-- from Wendy E. Shepard -- Lucky, a San Juan Island dog, is the subject of this love story Lucky to be Alive: A Love Story is based on the true story of Lucky, a Border Collie, who roamed free in San Juan Valley for ten years
Helping Make Christmas for Orcas Families In Need
Family Connections Works Tirelessly Behind the Scenes – by Cara Russell – An Orcas Island Santa's workshop at Orcas Family Connections. Photo: Cara Russell It’s just one week before Christmas, and Erin O’Dell, head of Orcas Family Connections (OFC), along with Amber Paulsen of Orcas Island Trailblazers, have
Community Foundation Helps Community Giving
-- from Hilary Canty -- OICF'S holiday gift catalog for 2013. New for 2013, the Community Foundation has created an online gifts catalog to benefit important programs in our island community. You can support programs that strengthen the arts our island’s children environmental and outdoor programs health and
County Offices Holiday Schedule
San Juan County’s office will be closed on Christmas Day, December 25, and New Year’s Day, January 1. On all other days during this holiday season, county services will be available on their regular schedule with the following exceptions: 1. The District Court office will be open regular business hours 8:30am
Guest Column: It Ain’t Pixie Dust
-- from Barbara Bentley -- Don’t be placated by BNSF assertion that they can “control” coal dust from open-car trains bringing coal from Wyoming to Bellingham (cited on Orcas Issues in a recent extract of a longer article by Floyd McKay). Well, they may be able to reduce the “escape”
Sheriff’s Office Inspects Suspicious Package
-- from the San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- On Sunday, December 22, 2013 about 8 a.m. a US Customs and Border Protection officer discovered a suspicious item outside the CBP office located at the Port of Friday Harbor. The Sheriff’s Office was notified, and in turn the Washington State
Library Board Work Meeting on Sunday
Sunday, Dec. 22, from noon to 2 p.m. The Orcas Island Library Board will meet in the Library community room to plan the timeline for public relations and to discuss the call for design proposals. This is an open meeting.
Holiday Ferry Schedule
Operating on Normal Schedule -- from Washington State Ferries -- Washington State Ferries advises that the Anacortes / San Juan will operate on their regular weekday schedule on Christmas Day, December 25, and the regular weekday schedule on New Years Day, January 1, 2014. Reminder: The current schedule runs through
Unitarian Universalist Service: Candlelight and Dylan Thomas
-- from Susan McBain -- Join us on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. (note different time) for our annual Candlelight Service. Howard Barbour will again delight us with his reading of Dylan Thomas’s “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.” We will end by lighting candles and singing Christmas carols. Children
Mr. and Mrs. Claus Give Ultimate Gift
-- from Paul Losleben, Orcas Island Lions Club -- Shown here with Santa and Mrs. Claus are Paul Losleben, Lions Club organizer of the blood drive, and Kim Rose at the registration desk. To the delight of everyone, there were two unexpected visitors at the December 19 blood
Coal Dust Problem? Got It Covered
-- by Floyd McKay, Crosscut.com -- Shipping terminals and mining companies hoping to ship coal to Asia from the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana gained some political and public-relations traction this week with a ruling by the Surface Transportation Board a railroad can require its coal customers to
School Board Decides on Search Firm, New Officers
Bond construction phasing, enrollment, and energy grant discussed in regular meeting (updated Dec. 22 at 10 a.m.) -- by Margie Doyle -- The Orcas Island School District (OISD) Board decided on Thursday, Dec. 19, to engage the services of McPherson & Jacobsen in its search for a new district superintendent.
Carolers Bring Joy in the Frigid Weather
-- from Harry Patton -- 92-year old Harry Patton enjoys the Christmas spirit from Orcas Christian School students during the below-freezing cold spell last week. Harry is pleased: On a very cold day, the Orcas Christian School sent a group of student carolers way out to Harry’s wilderness
Special Fire Comission Meeting Cancelled
Friday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. at Eastsound Fire Hall Canceled Due to Snow -- from Lindsay Schirmer -- A Special Meeting of the Orcas Fire and Rescue Commission will be held on Friday, Dec. 20. The Fire Commissioners are Barbara Bedell, Chair; Clyde Duke and Jim Coffin. Agenda: Old
