Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
County Council again rejects call for VR moratorium
-- by Matthew Gilbert, Orcas Issues reporter -- Nearly 40 people packed the County Council chambers and an adjacent room for the Commissioner’s regularly scheduled meeting on November 5. Most hailed from Orcas, their purpose to advocate for a vacation rental (VR) moratorium that was the culminating takeaway of three
DOWL statement on cancelled public Port meeting
-- from J. Garcia for DOWL -- The November 13, 2019 meeting has been cancelled. DOWL will attend the January 2020 Port Commission meeting via phone and present an update to the Commissioners. The Port of Orcas website and Master Plan page has been updated with Chapter 4 Alternatives for
NAS Whidbey SAR conducts MEDEVAC from Orcas Island
-- from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station -- A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island conducted a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) from Orcas Island in the early morning hours of November 6, 2019. The SAR crew responded to a call to transport a 47-year-old male
Editorial | Chasing down a [non-]story
-- by Lin McNulty, Editor, Orcas Issues -- It seemed it could be a story for the ages when it captured the curiosity of this Editor on September 15 when San Juan County Public Works sent us a press release for the latest update on West Beach Road construction. Hidden
Armistice Day service to be joined by local musicians
Sunday, November 10, 11:30 a.m., Benson Hall, Emmanuel Episcopal Church -- from Suzanne Olson -- Please join us for a service on Armistice Day led by Sharon Abreu and Mike Hurwicz with music on Sunday, November 10 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church's Benson Hall, at 11:30 a.m. Some food for thought: "Armistice Day
Senior Center will host Senior Money Project
Wednesday, November 13, 1 - 2 p.m., Orcas Senior Center -- from Lena Kassa for Orcas Senior Center -- Orcas Senior Center is excited to host The Senior Money Project created by CENTS (Consumer Education and Training Services) on Wednesday, November 13, 1 - 3 p.m. People are swindled out
Give your Medicare insurance a check-up
Friday, November 15 & 22, 1 - 4 p.m., Orcas Library -- from Pegi Groundwater -- Friday, November 15 and November 22, between 1 and 4 SHIBA volunteers will be at the library to help Orcas residents review their Medicare options to see if they need to make any changes
A wild evening of dance with “The Roasted Nut Too” coming up at Orcas Center
November 21-23 at Orcas Center -- from Bethany Marie for Orcas Center -- Kicking off Orcas Center’s holiday offerings this November 21-23 is The Roasted Nut Too – an original dance performance by The Island Inspiration All-Stars sure to bring festive light to these ever-colder nights. The Roasted Nut Too
Learn how to do Medicare right from the start
Wednesday, November 13, 2 pm., Orcas Library -- from Pegi Groundwater -- Are you eligible for Medicare this year? If so, there’s a lot for you to learn. Medicare has its own vocabulary and, rules. There are deadlines you must meet and penalties (some lasting a lifetime) for not doing
Governor Inslee has a statement on I-976 results
'This vote means there will be adverse impacts on our state transportation system' -- from Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement on the results of Initiative 976 from yesterday's general election. “It is clear that the majority of voters objected to current car tab levels. It
EPRC will review VR permit applications in upcoming meeting
Thursday, November 7, 3 - 6 p.m., Eastsound Fire Station -- from Colin Maycock, for Department of Community Development -- The Eastsound Plan Review Committee will address the following items during a regularly scheduled meeting tomorrow. The agenda includes approval of vacation permit applications. 3:00 pm Welcome and Introductions3:05 pm
Letter to Editor | Gratitude to Odd Fellows contributors
-- from Didier Gincig for Odd Fellows Lodge -- Thank you to everyone who bought a wood raffle (or solar) ticket in October to raise funds for Odd Fellows scholarship awards to graduating high school students. You're all winners! The Halloween Dance at the Odd Fellows Hall, also a fundraiser for scholarships
Vote count, so far, shows close Port race
-- from Lin McNulty, Editor, Orcas Issues -- With just over half of the ballots counted, it's too soon to call winners in the Orcas Port Commission race on Orcas. The next ballot count is tonight at 8 p.m. The count was last updated on Tuesday, November 6 at 8:04
Comments being collected concerning County Code correction
-- from San Juan County Communications -- A SEPA nonproject action is proposed to amend County Code by adopting an ordinance correcting five code inconsistencies and inaccuracies. The issues to be fixed are a result of changes in the law or irregularities in past code adoption processes. The proposed amendments
Garden Club guest to present horticultural explorations, contemplations for 21st century
Wednesday, November 13, 10 a.m., Orcas Center -- from Nita Couchman for Orcas Island Garden Club -- The Orcas Island Garden Club welcomes Jenny Harris, horticulturalist, plant nerd and planting designer, on Wednesday, November 13 at 10 a.m. at the Orcas Center’s Madrona Room. Jenny will speak about horticultural explorations of
Lahari hires new Door to Door program coordinator
Orcas Door to Door to focus on community outreach and growth. -- from Dennis King for Lahari -- Orcas Door to Door, a Lahari ‘Aging on Orcas’ program, has recently hired a community specialist as the new program coordinator. Sara Pelfrey has recently moved here, from the Portland, OR area,
