Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
Letter to the Editor: Silent Night in Victorian Valley
For the twelve years that we have owned Victorian Valley Chapel we have listened to cars arrive for three nights at this time of year, their headlights giving guidance to those walking down for Susan Osborn's Christmas concerts. This year, a busy schedule has kept Susan from coming to the
The Practice of Poetry: Reading, Conversation, Writing
For the first three Tuesdays in January and February, JoEllen Moldoff will coordinate a class for poets, from beginners to experienced, who want to learn more about the craft of poetry and to write new poems. "The Practice of Poetry: Reading, Conversation, Writing," will take place from 1 to 3
"A Christmas Carol" for the FunHouse Plays at Orcas Center
Updated Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. The cast and crew for the farewell performances of A Christmas Carol opened this years' run of the play on Wednesday, Dec. 16. As promised, Jim Bredouw, who, with Deborah Sparks adapted Dickens' tale for an Orcas Island production benefiting the FunHouse,
San Juan County Changes Health Insurance Carriers
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager San Juan County is notifying health care providers that as of January 1, 2010, the County is changing insurance carriers for the health insurance provided by the County to its employees and their dependents. The health insurance plan currently covers 541 people, so
County's Response to Affordable Housing Petition: All Requirements Met
In a pre-hearing brief prepared by San Juan County responding to [intlink id=”hearings-board-to-review-campbells-housing-element-petition-today-in-eastsound” type=”post”]John Campbell’s petition[/intlink], (see previous story), County attorneys cite instances of case law setting precedents for their arguments, state statutes and administrative law. The County notes that “Fred Klein was granted intervenor status which limits his
Hearings Board to Review Campbell's Housing Element Petition Today in Eastsound
The Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board will hear arguments on behalf of and in response to a petition filed by John Campbell today, December 16 at 10 a.m. in the Eastsound Fire Hall. Petitioner John Campbell, who filed the document on Nov. 11, 2009, said this month, “The
Allan Spaulding Battling Cancer — Fund Established at Islanders Bank
Allan Spaulding is battling a rare type of cancer. This has put a tremendous financial strain on his family. Friends have established an account at a local bank for those who would like to contribute. Donations can be made to: Islanders Bank-Orcas Branch P.O. Box 699 Eastsound, WA 98245 Attn: Kathy
Council Selects a new Hearing Examiner
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The San Juan County Council voted Tuesday to select Seattle Attorney Phil A. Olbrechts as the County’s Hearing Examiner, replacing William Nielsen – who has served as Hearing Examiner since 2006. Olbrechts currently serves as the Hearing Examiner for seven municipalities in Washington
Basic Food Assistance Applications at Library on Wednesday
A representative from the Lopez Island Family Resource Center will be at the Orcas public library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16. Those who need assistance filling out the basic food application and processing them into the state's Social and Health Services (DSHS) are welcome. For
Letter to the Editor: Thanks for Family Literacy Month Help
Family Literacy Month We would like to thank everyone who helped make Family Literacy Month on Orcas a huge success. Because of your collaboration, more than 50 families participated in and benefited from fun educational activities that promote family literacy and community participation. Thanks to: Margie Doyle, Deborah Sparks, Antoinette
No Recalled Vaccine in San Juan County
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager San Juan County Health and Community Services (HCS) Director John Manning confirmed this morning that no H1N1 vaccine involved in a non‑safety related recall had been shipped to San Juan County. The manufacturer’s recall, which involved vaccine for young children (6 months to
Ferry system recommends starting reservation system in San Juans
WSF has recommended that a reservation system on the San Juans’ route be implemented as early as 2012. Previously, 2015 had been considered the earliest possible start date for a reservation system on the San Juans’ run. After speaking to Department of Transportation’s Ferry Secretary David Moseley, Ed
Letter to the Editor: Let Your Voice Be Heard on Bond Measure
You may already know that the school district plans to put a bond proposal on the February ballot. As of now, the bond proposal is currently estimated to cost about $25 million, with the funds raised projected to be used to build a new Career Technical Education (CTE) building, a new
Shark Reef Deadline for Writers and Artists Dec. 31
The deadline for submitting writing and/or visual art to SHARK REEF’s spring 2010 issue is December 31, 2009. The online publication welcome submissions from anyone who lives in the islands or has ever visited here. In a message from the magazine's editors, they state, "SHARK REEF endeavors to give voice
Editorial: Nitty-gritty Sustainability meets Orcas Island Government as School Bond Approaches
Disclosure: Margie Doyle, Orcas Issues Editor, is a part-time employee of the Orcas Island School District. All of the facts below are part of the public record. Big government is us. Every schoolteacher and employee, every Fire Department official, every library employee, every Port and Cemetery employee, every board member
Tap Away Those Blues and Blahs
Master Social Worker and Emotional Freedom Technique Specialist Nancy Southern is holding a free "tapping" workshop this Thursday at the Orcas Public Library in Eastsound. Southern says: Have you got a case of the winter blahs, holiday blues or you can’t seem to get into the spirit of the season?
