Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Are you ready for our first annual all-island NaNoWriMo writing sprint?
||| FROM LAEL WATSON ||| Have you ever spoken the words: “Someday I’ll write a novel...”? Well, someday is now! Join us for an Unforgettable Evening of Literary Inspiration, Mentorship, and Creativity. Get ready to unleash your inner author, Islanders! Orcas Island Public Library is excited to host "The First
WA ferry fleet loses a Seattle-to-Bremerton boat; strain continues
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| Washington’s ferry system hit a low point over the weekend as yet another boat had to be taken out of service, leaving the fleet with just 14 working ships out of 21 owned by the state. As Monday arrived, agency officials continued their struggle
Barron Heating AC Electrical & Plumbing gives heat pumps to NW Washington families
||| FROM BRAD BARRON for BARRON HEATING ||| A family of four lost almost everything they owned in a 2021 flood. A 38-year-old father is battling Stage 4 esophageal cancer that has moved to his liver. A family living in an aging mobile home is relying on space heaters during
Flotsam & Jetsam | Looks fine at a distance — until you get up close
||| FLOTSAM & JETSAM BY MAURICE AUSTIN ||| My father loved antique cars so much that he restored several Ford Model A specimens from the frame up. (One afternoon, we even drove little more than a frame around the neighborhood, with a milk crate bungeed to the frame for a
Building For the Next Generation: County explores development of new public services center
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| As San Juan County celebrates its 150th anniversary as an organization, this milestone brings the responsibility to prepare for the next 150 years of providing the services, programs, and community assets that islanders deserve. This fall, San Juan County begins exploring how to invest in
Assessor sends 2023 change of value notices
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Assessor’s Office mailed the 2023 Change of Value Notices on October 27, 2023. If your appraised value did not change from the prior year, you will not receive a Change of Value Notice. Tax rates will be provided by February 2024. 2023
Managing tourism at core of destination plan controversy
||| FROM THE SALISH CURRENT ||| San Juan County’s Draft Destination Management Plan (DMP) became the target of anonymous opposition from “concerned citizens” last week when a postcard was mailed to all San Juan County postal patrons urging them to tell the county council to reject the plan. The glossy
Auditions coming up for two Orcas Center productions
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center is gearing up for 2024 with two fantastic plays slated for the Main Stage. Auditions will be held November 6 and 7 from 6pm-9pm for both She Kills Monsters, written by Qui Nguyen and directed by Jamey Morarity; and Into
Whale Museum online auction now taking donations
||| FROM TATE THOMSON for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum will be having an online auction from November 22 through December 6 to raise funds that will impact all of the museum’s work. There’s already an exciting array of items and experiences secured for the auction, but there’s
Port meeting is tomorrow at 5 p.m.
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS PORT COMMISSION ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting on Monday, October 30th at 5:00 p.m. This meeting will include held over agenda items from the Regular meeting, as well as the 2024 Budget Hearing. The draft budget
There’s movement afoot at Senior Center with Andrea, Pam, Joan
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Feldenkrais/Eurythmy Class @ Orcas Senior Center: Tuesdays in November at 11 am Andrea Preiss, Feldenkrais Practitioner and therapeutic eurythmist, invites you to join a movement class at Orcas Senior Center in November, on Tuesdays at 11 am. Mainly in sitting position, the
Letter to Editor | Kate Hansen – What Orcas Fire needs
||| FROM JOHN HOWLIND ||| As a retired EMS Chief and Operations Battalion Chief for Orange County Fire, I know what it takes to have a successful, efficient and effective fire/EMS program. To be successful, all aspects of the operations need effective, strong, and competent leadership matched with appropriate resources.
Whale of a Show coming up soon: A tradition of talent and “triumphant joy”
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| This November, there will be a flurry of activity behind the thick velvet curtains on Center Stage at Orcas Center. Children will be tuning their instruments, doing last-minute rehearsals of choreography, warming their vocal cords, and calming their nerves. Many hours of
Community Church Fall Carnival returns
||| FROM CAROL KULMINSKI for COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| Come on over to trick-or-treating at the Orcas Island Community Church's Fall Carnival on Tuesday, October 31 from 5-7 pm. Candy, popcorn, cotton candy and hot dogs! Visit each decorated car in the parking lot, play a game, win a prize and
Letter to Editor | I’ll be voting YES on the Fire Dept levy
||| FROM STEVE SCHAEFER ||| We currently enjoy outstanding EMS and fire services, much of it provided by volunteers, who deserve the continued support provided by good equipment and staffing. I’d hate to see our Fire Department follow the same path of misery as our ferry system due to lack
Notice to Eastsound Water User members
||| FROM CLYDE DUKE for EASTSOUND WATER USERS ASSOCIATION ||| On Tuesday of this week your Association was served with a lawsuit filed by Steve Smith and Tenar Hall. The lawsuit is seeking, in part, the release of both member contact information (names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, etc.) as well
