Here’s a thought…
“It wasn’t a Blue Wave; it was an American Tsunami!”
The Gift of a New Year: Desiderata
Desiderata Go placidly amid the noise and haste, remembering what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have
The Island's Jumping with New Year's Celebrations
Thursday, December 31 New Year's Eve Events Emmanuel Episcopal Candlelit Labyrinth Walk 4 to 6:30 p.m. Kaleidoscope Childcare offers Overnight Childcare from 6 p.m. on December 31 to 10 a.m. on January 1. The overnight will include dinner, New Year’s projects, slumber party & continental breakfast. Cost is
Immediate House-Sitting Position Sought
Lilli Rana Pavonis, Orcas Island cosmetologist, is seeking an immediate house-sitting position or rental opportunity. She has a dog and cat and is available immediately. She may be reached at 360-622-6121 or at lillirana@hotmail.com.
Farewell 2009 with the Wild Geese
Wild Geese By Mary Oliver You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees For one hundred miles through the desert repenting. You only have to let the soft animal Of your body love what it loves Tell me about despair, yours, and
Orcas Schools Receive $150,000 for Energy Improvements
The Orcas Island School District (OISD) was notified last week that they will receive $150,000 in a grant to provide for energy efficiency improvements to schools. The award was made by the State Office of Public Instruction, and the grant program is funded by the State Legislature. The Office
Vote counting equipment testing on January 5
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager Logic and Accuracy Tests for vote counting equipment which will be used to tally mail-in ballots for the February 9 Special Election are scheduled for January 5. The tests will take place at 10 a.m. in the Elections Office located at 55 Second
Sea View Theater To Remain Open — Video Store to Close
The oldest single-owner business in Eastsound will remain open, thanks to John Mount’s decision to take the Sea View Theater off the market. That’s the good news. However, the adjoining video store will close in two days, at the start of 2010, as a result of declining video
"Environmental Songster" Dana Lyons plays New Years Eve at the Doe Bay Café
World famous environmental songster Dana Lyons will rock in the New Year starting at 10 p.m. at the Doe Bay Café. The event will also be a release party for his new CD, “Three Legged Coyote.” The evening kicks off with an exciting Pizza Night Open Mic
Letter to the Editor: Montessori Wreaths Help Provide Tuition
Everyone at Orcas Montessori School would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to the community. Our 15th annual holiday wreath sale is winding down and we are grateful for each and every purchase as well as the generous monetary donations received. All the proceeds from the wreath sale go
Alternative Education Abounds at Orcas Public Schools with OASIS
Updated Dec. 29 at 9:30 p.m. The Orcas Alternative Student-Initiated Studies (OASIS) program has blossomed this year, with about 100 students enrolled in the Orcas Island School District’s K-8 program, and an additional two dozen in OASIS High School. The OASIS High School staff, led by Marta Branch, includes
The Gift of Poetry: "Daily" by a poet and a neighbor
The wife of a neighbor couple who are going through treatment for his leukemia, now facing a bone marrow transplant, writes: Going through this makes us treasure deeply the incredible gifts that "normal" life holds... how beautiful it is just to have a meal together or be able to tend
Septic Repair Funds Granted by State with Boost from Federal Stimulus
Updated Dec. 31 at 9:30 a.m. San Juan County's revolving loan program for the proper repair of failing on-site septic systems has received $300,000 in the final intended use plan from the state water pollution fund. This time the fund was augmented by funds appropriated by Congress under the American
West Beach Resorts to Donate Portion of Mid-week Business to Non-profits
Tim Hance, Director of Events for West Beach Resort, Inc. recently announced that West Beach Resort will extend its fall promotion benefiting non-profits as the “2010 Orcas Island Winter Non Profit Promotion.” "Given the amazing response we had to our Fall Non-Profit Promotion," Hance says, "We encourage you to invite
Bird Identification Class at Orcas Library in February
By Nita Couchman, Orcas Public Librarian A six-week course called Introduction to Birding Orcas Island will be offered by Kim Middleton at the Orcas Island Public Library on Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm, from February 4, 2010 to March 11, 2010. The course will involve five classroom sessions and
Tap Away the Blocks to Successful Resolutions
Nancy Southern, MSW and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Specialist, is offering a free workshop to "eliminate the unconscious barriers to success that will sabotage your best efforts every time." “Do you make the same resolutions every year only to fall short of your goal?” asks Southern. This one-time workshop introduces
The Gift of Poetry: The Blessing of the Old Woman, the Tulip, and the Dog
The Blessing of the Old Woman, the Tulip, and the Dog By Alicia Suskin Ostriker To be blessed said the old woman is to live and work so hard God's love washes right through you like milk through a cow To be blessed said the dark red tulip is to
