Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
How to write a letter to an elected official
-- from David Turnoy -- Things to do: Use Proper Salutation: Dear County Council Members Hughes, Stephens, and Watson.State your purpose: Calling for a moratorium on vacation rental permits while this subject is being studied, or another specific action.Make your letter personal: Relate actual effects of vacation rentals on your
Work Group: Moving forward on short term vacation rentals
-- from The Vacation Rental Work Group -- Over 100 people attended the October 23 community meeting on vacation rentals held in the school cafeteria. The meeting focused primarily on how to move forward in addressing the issue of unlimited vacation rental growth. At the September 25 community meeting a
Kruse Reviews | This America: The Case for the Nation
-- book review by Jens Kruse -- In May of 2019, a mere eight months after the publication of her monumental history of the United States, These Truths (which I recently reviewed in this space: orcasissues.com/kruse-reviews-these-truths-by-jill-lepore/), Jill Lepore followed up with This America. The Case for the Nation. If you
WSF protects orca through publicly-available app
-- from Tara Lee for Governor Inslee's Office -- While protecting Southern Resident orcas will require a variety of tools and approaches, Washington State Ferries plans to contribute by bringing tech out on the water. One of the newest tools is an online system through WSF that exchanges real-time information
Letter to Editor | Thanks to all our Orca Recovery Day volunteers
-- from Tanja Williamson for San Juan County Land Bank -- We want to thank everyone who came out and celebrated Orca Recovery Day with us last Saturday. Our October 19 celebrations spanned two islands, with approximately 50 volunteers coming together to support natural areas and the endangered Southern Resident
Letter to Editor | Support local agriculture with YES vote on Prop. 2
-- from Lerner Limbach -- As a long-time islander, and a current property owner, I strongly support Proposition 2, which provides much needed stability to many important island programs. I cannot imagine San Juan County without the programs that this proposition funds and I want to urge you to consider
There’s so much more to aging than meets the eye
-- from Rosie Kuhn -- My friend Daisy, who worked in hospice for many years, shared with me that most people make the greatest spiritual advancement in the last few weeks of their lives. I find that fascinating! In the book Oneness, I recently read... "Many feel a reluctance to step into
Community conversation on zero waste coming up soon
Hosted by Orcas Food Co-op and the Exchange/ORS Sunday, November 3, 1 - 4 p.m.Odd Fellows Hall -- from Sarah Benson for Orcas Food Co-op -- Join the Orcas Food Co-op and ORS/Exchange for a community conversation on what we can do to co-create a zero waste culture of empowerment
Letter to Editor | Mia is the one we have been waiting for
-- from Sadie Bailey -- Qualifications, problem solving and "can-do" attitude are great selling points in a Public servant. Both candidates for Seat 4 have made great accomplishments in their respective fields and lives. But it's the HOW of attaining and using life skills that is more important to me.
Flamenco song, dance, music comes to the Grange
Wednesday, October 30, 7:30 p.m., Orcas Grange -- from Savannah Fuentes -- Seattle-based Flamenco dancer Savannah Fuentes brings her latest show, Sky, An Evening of Flamenco, to the San Juan Island Grange October 29 and the Orcas Island Grange October 30. Joining Savannah will be singer/percussionist, direct from Spain, Diego Amador jr.
Letter to Editor | Ayers works to keep community informed
-- from Jim & Betsy Nelson -- We are writing to support Greg Ayers for Port Commissioner. Greg will be an effective leader of our Port. He is dedicated to sharing information and listening to the community—he has taken advantage of opportunities to share his thoughts on the Port, the
After-school art class will start up next month
-- from Brooke Bruland for Orcas Island Park and Rec -- We are offering an after-school art class with Ms. Brook! Don't miss this opportunity! Ms. Brook's After School Art class will be on Wednesdays starting 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11 and 12/18 from 2-4 p.m. for ages 5-8. No
Orcasional Musings | Water? Electricity? Oh, and gold!
||| ORCASIONAL MUSINGS BY STEVE HENIGSON ||| In 1946, my family moved from the rural south shore of Long Island into hyper-urban New York City. One of the things that sticks most strongly in my mind from that move is that we had to buy new clocks! While the rural
Sheriff’s Report | October 16 – 22, 2019
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- Wednesday, October 16, 201919-008791 Boating Problem 11:18:35 10/16/19Sheriff's office personnel were called to assist a vessel dragging anchor in gale conditions. The vessel was successfully secured and the owner contacted. 19-008798 Animal at Large 14:54:25 10/16/19A Lopez Island Deputy euthanized an injured
County provides clarity on levy rates
-- from San Juan County Communications -- Ballot Proposition No. 2 is asking the voters to continue an existing levy lid lift first approved by voters in 2009 and renewed in 2014. The current voter approved levy lid lift costs property owners 16 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in
Letter to Editor | Is this levy lift still necessary in today’s economy?
-- from Lovel and Boyd Pratt -- We usually fill out our ballots as soon as they arrive in the mail. However, we need more information before we can vote on Proposition 2. We completely support the programs funded by Proposition 2’s levy lid lift. In 2009, during the great
