Here’s a thought…
“It wasn’t a Blue Wave; it was an American Tsunami!”
Christmas Trees: A Renewable Resource
From Helen Venada Waste Reduction and Hazardous Waste Coordinator San Juan County Solid Waste Division, Public Works Department The County Public Works Department is sponsoring a Christmas tree collection program this year. Trees will be chipped for mulch for use at a public project and not sent to a landfill. Help us reduce
Orcas School Board Accepts Grants Totalling $480K
At their regular meeting last night, the Orcas Island School District (OISD) board voted to accept local and federal grants to assist the English Language Learning (ELL) program, and library technology. The board also voted to accept $460,000 from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to repair
Community Conversations with Candidates for Orcas Center Director Position
Reception to honor outgoing Director Barbara Courtney on Jan. 28 As part of its process to select a new Executive/Artistic Director, the Orcas Center Board of Trustees will host “conversations with the community” for each of the three final candidates. The community conversations will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and
Attorney General Backtracks on New Ferry Fare Increase
By Chris Grygiel Seattle Post Intelligencer The state attorney general's office says ferry fare increases approved last month are legal, despite the passage of a Tim Eyman initiative that requires the Legislature to pass fee increases. Earlier this week, Attorney General Rob McKenna's attorneys said in a non-binding, informal opinion
Gene Nery, Orcas Choral Society & Mannheim Steamroller Together on YouTube
For those who missed Gene Nery's performance of "Above the Northern Lights" at the 2009 Holiday Concerts of the Orcas Choral Society, there is now the opportunity to see Nery perform with the choir on YouTube. Mannheim Steamroller recorded the music, written by Chip Davis, founder of the
Best Wishes for the Holidays and New Year: A Poem
Messenger By Mary Oliver My work is loving the world. Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird— equal seekers of sweetness. Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums. Here the clam deep in the speckled sand. Are my boots old? Is my coat torn? Am I no longer young, and
New Poetry Class Starts January 4
A new poetry class, "Awakening the Poet Within," will begin on January 4, 2011. The poetry writing class will meet for eight sessions from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Library. The instructor is JoEllen Moldoff. She says, "In the words of Dorianne Laux, poet and author of The Poet’s
Orcas Park & Rec District to Make Another Try
The Orcas Island Park and Rec. District commissioners, at a special meeting held on Dec. 17, voted in favor of presenting a reduced levy on 2011’s February 8th ballot of 9 cents per $1,000 of appraised property value. Jim Bredouw, OIPRD commissioner said, After many hours of discussion that ranged
Missed the Full Moon-Solstice-Lunar Eclipse? Here’s Photos
If, like us, you missed the first time in nearly 400 years that there was a lunar eclipse during a full moon on the night of winter solstice, you can still view photographs that give an idea of the total darkness of those moments. To to this link from Crosscut:
Brace Yourselves: Cold November Temperatures Contribute to Higher Energy Bills
For five days in November, San Juan County experienced a cold snap—with an average daily temperature of only 25 degrees—and OPALCO members are going to notice the difference on their power bills that go out at the end of the month. “When temperatures drop below 50 degrees,” explained OPALCO System
State Attorney General Says Ferry Fare Hikes Must Have OK of Legislature
AG issues 'informal opinion' that Ferry and other highway tolls must go through the Legislature From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer By Chris Grygiel Attorney General Rob McKenna's office has sided with Tim Eyman, saying late Monday that the Transportation Commission can't raise ferry fares or impose or raise tolls without a
Hallelujah! All Invited to Sing Along to the “Messiah” Tonight
Have you seen the video circulating on YouTube of the "spontaneous" sing-along to the "Hallelujah" chorus that's been heating up the internet these days? You can take part in a similar, quasi-spontaneous community sing along of Handel’s “Messiah” on Tuesday evening December 21 at 6:15 p.m. in the
Update on Santa’s Workshop at Wood’s Cove
Ginny Lu Wood, owner of Wood's Cove, invites the public to "Recycle, Regift, Give Back" to the "Santa's Workshop Sale/" "Santa's workshop, located in the shoe department at Wood's Cove, has been hopping! The workshop is taking in items donated/recycled through December 31st. Gifts are priced appropriately for everyone. "We anticipate a
Fire Closes Orcas Spa & Athletics until Dec. 23
Orcas Spa and Athletics announced that it will be closed until Dec 23rd at the earliest following the fire this morning in the men's locker room. Current conditions in the building are not conducive for exercise. Normal operation will resume following air ventilation and smoke damage repairs. The owners thank
BC and County Join in Asking Federal Gov’ts for Oil Spill Protection
By Stan Matthews, County Communications Program Manager The Islands Trust [of British Columbia] and San Juan County Councils are asking their respective federal governments to begin working together immediately to improve oil spill protection for the Salish Sea, the inland sea that includes Washington’s Puget Sound and British
Gifts of All Kinds Exchanged Island-wide This Week
Tuesday, December 21 Community sing along of Handel’s “Messiah” on Tuesday evening December 21 at 6:15 p.m. in the Community Church. Sing the “Messiah” this season in an informal group setting with a Messiah sing-along open to the entire community. Bring your score if you have one, or there will
