Here’s a thought…
“If you don’t vote you don’t exist. It is the only place where we’re all equal, the voting booth.”
GLORIA STEINEM
Guest Opinion: Economic Threat to Moran Park
By John C. Jackson Many State Parks are dear places to us and other citizens around the state.As an example, Moran State Park is one of the great accomplishments of the recovery plan in the 1930s to find jobs for victims of the great depression. There are beautiful picnic and
Lions and Senior Center Join to Provide Tax Help
Jim Biddick is once again offering tax service to low and moderate income islanders at the Senior Center on Tuesdays starting Feb 7 and continuing through April 17. The tax deadline has been extended to April 17 this year because of a Government holiday on April 16. To make an
Moana Kutsche Serves on Charter Review Commission
Commission meets Saturday, Jan. 21 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orcas Hotel Moana Kutsche, one of Orcas Island’s elected County Charter Review Commissioners, says of her fellow islanders, “We’re pretty darned independent and we like local control.” That’s her explanation for why San Juan
Orcas School District Closed on Thursday
OISD Board meeting re-scheduled for Tuesday, January 24 at 5pm in the School Library For news of other closures, go to orcasissues.com/orcas-closed-on-thursday Orcas Island School District Superintendent Barbara Kline announced on Wednesday afternoon, January 18: Due to icy conditions on many of the side roads used by families and staff
OPALCO Braves the Cold to Keep Power Going
When temperatures drop, our Co-op’s demand for power goes up as we all use our electric heat and stay indoors for longer periods. This increased demand was the cause of a brief outage on Orcas Island on Wednesday; the load causeda breaker to fail in the Eastsound substation.
World Premier of Opera Pastiche: Enchanted Island
Sunday, January 22 at 1 p.m. at Orcas Center Stage On-screen In one extraordinary new work, lovers of Baroque opera have it all: the world’s best singers, glorious music of the Baroque masters and a story drawn from Shakespeare. In The Enchanted Island, the lovers from Shakespeare’s A
“Receiving Joyfulness: An Interactive, Exploratory Experience”
Sunday, Jan. 22 at 11 a.m. at the West Sound Community Hall. The Orcas Island Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is hosting a special service this Sunday, January 22 at the West Sound Community Hall beginning at 11 am. The Rev. Amanda Aikman will present an hour-long session on "Joyfulness" that is
More Weather Cancellations — Back to Normal on Friday?
With the snow, wind and cold temperatures, cooler heads have decided to cancel meetings this week. Look for notices of re-scheduling in days to come. Wednesday, Jan. 18 Orcas Island Schools Closed. Orcas Island Garden Club Meeting at 10 a.m. canceled. Thursday, Jan. 19 Orcas Food Bank will be closed.
Harry Patton Reports from Olga
Updated Jan. 18 at 12:30 p.m. By Harry Patton Hi, gang, I'm still hangin' in there! This is just to advise of my status. At this moment in time I'm doin' okay. I'm warm in my cabin, sleeping well, and sufficient food. Propane and wall heaters are doing okay. But I'm
Letter to the Editor: Buffer Laws Concern You
To the Editor, I have been mulling over the non-conforming designation issue that is part of the proposed San Juan County’s rewrite of the Critical Areas Ordinance. The County is planning on extending a new regulatory overlay called a “buffer” around the islands wetlands and streams and along the
Wednesday Garden Club Meeting Canceled
Gardeners remember Hurlwyn Lutz' contributions By Sue Lewis Due to the unpredictability of our weather, we have decided to reschedule our speaker, Debbie Hatch, and cancel the meeting for tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan 18. It’s interesting to note that the snow levels are different all over the island! However, if temperatures
State Park Layoffs Coming
Impact on Moran Park to be Determined From The Olympian By Jordan Schrader The state Parks and Recreation Commission ... says 83 of the state’s 189 full-time park rangers stand to lose their current jobs. Sixteen of 76 construction and maintenance workers also will go, the agency says. Plus, the
Low-Tide Night Walk Sure to Expose Nudibranchs
Sunday January 22, 8 p.m. at East Sound Beach in front of the Outlook Inn The BeachWatchers/Kwiaht/Marine Health Observatory are planning for the winter low-tide night walk which is fast approaching: Sunday January 22, beginning at 8 p.m.. Kwiaht founder Russel Barsh says, "Headlamps, cameras, and warm clothes
Charter Review Commission Holds Public Meetings
Saturday, Jan. 21 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orcas Hotel Moana Kutsche, elected Charter Review Commissioner for Orcas Island, announces that the Charter Review Commission started its work on January 7, with representatives from ferry-served islands meeting in Friday Harbor. Gordy Peterson was elected chair of the
Orcas Island Taxi Can Get You Thru the Snow
Orcas Island Taxi Service will drive anywhere on Orcas in the snow! Eric has been driving up and down Buck Mountain and would be happy to service islanders in need. Our van is 4 wheel drive and equipped for this winter weather. Call 360-376-TAXI(8294), toll free 1-800-942-1926 Orcas Island Taxi Service Eric Whitehead
Want to Know About Bats? Ask an Orcas Student
by Anne Ford McGrath The students in Anne Ford McGrath’s and Lorena Stankevich’s first and second grade classes studied bats this past Fall. The student’s visited Moran State Park’s new bat house and learned about our local bat colony in the San Juan Islands. With donations and help
