Here’s a thought…
“It wasn’t a Blue Wave; it was an American Tsunami!”
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?
Christmas Bird Count Needs Nature Lovers this Saturday
By Barbara Jensen The Audubon Christmas Bird Count will take place for the 110th consecutive year this Saturday, Dec. 19. Participating in this great event is a wonderful way to kick off the Holidays. Besides walking around in the snow and climbing over downed trees after a big
The week ahead: Snow May Set the Stage for "A Christmas Carol" and Annual Bird Count
Sunday, Dec. 13 Orcas Choral Society Winter Concert,“Joyous Sounds of Christmas” concerts at 2 p.m. at the Orcas Center. The program of seasonal music features “Magnificat” by John Rutter as well as familiar carols, songs from other times and cultures, caroling with the audience, and a wide variety of instrumental
Free Community Dinners at Emmanuel Church
Emmanuel Church will begin a monthly series of Community Dinner Kitchens on Thursday night, Dec. 17, from 5:30 to 7:30p.m., in the new Parish Hall in Eastsound. There's a strong indication that Santa plans to leave children's toys at this first event, for which Ken Speck plans to bring some
Joe Gaydos, SeaDoc Scientist, appointed to Governor's Science Panel
Joe Gaydos, Regional Director for the SeaDoc Society, has been appointed to the Science Panel for Governor Gregoire's Puget Sound Partnership. The Science Panel provides expertise and advice to the Partnership as they work to create a healthy Puget Sound by the year 2020. The nine member panel is appointed
Public Swine Flu Vaccination Clinics Scheduled
From the County Public Health Department Everyone in San Juan County wanting to receive the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine is now eligible to do so, the Department of Health announced Friday. There are no longer any age group or risk category restrictions. There will be swine flu vaccination clinics
