Here’s a thought…
“To be clear, we don’t know if A.I. models are conscious. I don’t know. I’m genuinely uncertain.”
CHRISTOPHER OLAH
OPALCO to Accelerate Broadband Expansion
-- from Sharon Kivisto, SanJuanIslander.com -- Thursday, November 21 -- Just like StarTrek's Captain Kirk, the OPALCO Board of Directors set a course and directed staff to make it so. The Board unanimously approved a motion to "accelerate expansion of our local member-owned, robust and reliable high-speed data infrastructure to
Letter to the Editor: Funhouse Commons Thanks Businesses
The Funhouse Commons thanks the many local and off-island businesses that generously supported our organization during 2013. Whether providing a financial gift, service or goods, each business has played a critical role in helping the Funhouse Commons serve the Orcas community through our Teen, Education, Afterschool and Mentor programs. Our
Juan Diaz Graduates OHS and Completes the Set!
-- by Cara Russell – Juan Diaz at his graduation on Nov. 24, 2013 Last June, high school senior Juan P. Diaz Alvarez was not eligible to graduate and walk with the rest of his classmates on graduation day. On Sunday November 24, 2013, Diaz had his long
School Board to Meet on Tuesday
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday, the Orcas Island School District will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 26. The public portion of the meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the School Library. Items on the agenda for discussion include: Buck Park transfer update; Superintendent search process
Guest Column: Fossil Fuel Economy, Climate Change and Energy Inequity
-- by Chom Greacen -- My heart wrenched as I followed the news of the Super Typhoon Haiyan hitting the Philippines. One of the strongest storms on record, Haiyan made Katrina and Sandy look like “weak cousins.” How many more lives and losses will it take for us to stop
“Small Works” Opens at The Gallery
The Gallery features "Small Works" The Gallery announces its new exhibition, "Small Works," for the holiday season. Co-op members at the Gallery on North Beach Road have been working for months on small paintings designed for holiday shoppers. Prices have been kept deliberately low and very affordable in
Island Businesses and Clubs Help the Food Bank
-- by Madie Murray -- There’s a lot happening on behalf of the Orcas Island Food Bank during its annual yearend food drive, and it reminds us, again, how generous and thoughtful our Island community is. Recently, the Orcas Island Lions Club presented Food Bank President, Larry Shaw, with a
LWV Presents Public Health and Religious Influence Forum
-- by Cara Russell -- Last Monday, November 18, the League of Women Voters of the San Juans (LWV-SJ) held a Membership Meeting at the San Juan Island Grange. The two-hour meeting was open to the public, and nearly 100 San Juan County residents attended. The topic under discussion was
Share Thanksgiving With Community at Odd Fellows
-- by Lin McNulty -- Thursday, November 28, 4:30 pm, Odd Fellows Hall: The Community Thanksgiving potluck at Odd Fellows Hall is a popular and long-standing tradition. And everyone is welcome! This is a great community event, and an opportunity to spend time with fellow islanders in honor of the
Orcas Issues Invites You to Go “Cold Turkey”
-- by Margie Doyle, Editor -- Our website upgrade is happening this week! And while the upgrade is in process, we'll all be going "Cold Turkey" without the presence of OrcasIssues.com on the Internet! We'll be unavailable for a period of time on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and Wednesday, Nov. 27,
Fire & Rescue Holds 2 Meetings Tuesday
Orcas Fire & Rescue's Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The meeting is called by the Board of Fire Commissioners -- Barbara Bedell, Chair; Clyde Duke, and Jim Coffin. On the agenda are: Fire District Tax Levy- The current tax levy
Parkinson’s: Way to Go!
— by Ted Grossman — The Tobriners Bang! Was the sound as Frances Tobriner tumbled from the kitchen table to the floor one summer day on Orcas Island. “Bang” again when Frances was serving food to her friends. But this woman who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease
Calling All Woodworkers, Architects, Designers, Contractors…
-- from Joan Fletcher -- Woodworking bowl, an example of the craftsmanship on display at the February woodworkers exhibit The Visual Arts Committee of The Orcas Center will present a woodworking show in February 2014. Bring your furniture, bowls, sculptures, and carvings to display the variety, craftsmanship, and
It’s Countdown Time!
-- from Madie Murray -- When this article was placed (Nov. 23), the Farm to Cafeteria online fundraiser was 73% percent funded with just 7 days left to reach our goal. It’s very easy to make it 100 percent before Thanksgiving! You don’t need to get dressed up to go
Property Valuation Notices In the Mail
— from Charles Zalmanek, County Assessor — Notices of Value for 2013 were mailed on Wednesday, November 21, to 11,078 San Juan County property owners representing a total of 14,020 parcels. No Notices were mailed for approximately 4,000 parcels whose values did not change in value since 2012. This is
OPALCO: the Little Co-op That Could
-- by Margie Doyle -- OPALCO line crew installs an additional microwave radio link as a part of the temporary emergency communication solution. OPALCO contributed photo. A small rural electricity co-op came to the rescue when national telecommunications corporation giant CenturyLink was faced with disaster earlier this month.
