Here’s a thought…
“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.”
HEATHER FRENCH HENRY
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
Letter to Editor | Greg Ayers has my endorsement for Port
-- from Rex Chadwell -- I endorse Greg Ayers for Port Commissioner. Our airport and other ports are a vital part of our island community. Ayers brings to the table a lifetime of experience, both in knowledge and hands-on experience, which is a rare combination. One can look to his
Your ultimate guide to Orcas Center’s Rocky Horror Show
October 31 - November 9, Orcas Center -- from Bethany Marie for Orcas Center -- The Rocky Horror Show is the only true audience partici-(SAY IT!)-pation show. People yell back lines at the stage, dress up in costume, sing and dance in the seats, and throw props at various times
County explains new assessed values and levy rates
-- from San Juan County Communications -- Assessed values are higher this year for many properties, but higher assessed values do not necessarily mean an equal increase in taxes. Taxing districts are limited to a 1% increase in their budgets, with some exceptions, so higher assessed values usually result in
Vacation rental working group enters action phase
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter -- At Wednesday night’s public meeting of the Vacation Rentals Working Group, chair Yonatan Aldort announced that representatives will attend the November 5 County Council meeting and recommend that the Council establish an immediate county wide moratorium on issuing vacation rental permits. This
Health District: 2020 budget draft, FQHC designation, LifeWise presentation
-- by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues reporter -- A long meeting on October 15 offered a lot of information for the commissioners of the Orcas Island Health Care District. The meeting began with a telephone discussion with consultants concerning the advantages of Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike status, and
Preservation Trust director tapped for elite group
-- from Craig Canine for San Juan Preservation Trust -- Angela Anderson, Executive Director of the San Juan Preservation Trust, has been tapped to join the Land Trust Leadership Council, an elite group of nationally recognized leaders in the land trust field. “As an exceptional land trust executive director, you
Letter to Editor | Guimond is faithful, rational
-- from Walt Corbin -- It is a fault in our society that most of us don’t get involved with local issues unless we perceived we are getting gored. Adding to that is the fact, many are just stressed out making a living. But we need citizens to act as
Emmanuel’s Halloween labyrinth walk tradition continues
Thursday, October 31, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Emmanuel Episcopal Church -- from Karen Blinn for Emmanuel Episcopal Church -- All children 1-100 years are invited to walk the pumpkin-lined labyrinth to reach the Great Pumpkin at the center where they will receive a pumpkin stamp on their hands and are
World’s best performers come to Orcas Center screen
November 2 - 3 & 8 - 9, Orcas Center -- from Bethany Marie for Orcas Center -- This November’s on-screen lineup at Orcas Center includes a host of offerings from The Metropolitan Opera, Stratford Theatre, and National Theatre Live. Filmed live in HD, these on-screen events feature a diverse
Letter to Editor | We need to take a look at these new ESWD assessments
-- from Becky Flint -- Those of us that grew up in Eastsound when there were open sewer ditches that ran to the beaches have an extra respect and appreciation for the Eastsound Sewer & Water District (ESWD) although I am sure the folks that currently live, work and visit
Water system operators near course completion
-- from Paul Kamin for Eastsound Water Users Association -- There is a shortage of water system operators nationwide as a large number of today’s operators are nearing retirement age. Orcas Island is certainly experiencing this shortage. Eastsound Water has attempted to address this issue by offering a free training
Donations welcome as Olga Store approaches Nov. 30 deadline
-- from Friends of the Olga Store -- https://vimeo.com/366659792 At this point, we have raised over half of the funds needed to buy and renovate The Olga Store! We have from now through November 30 to match a generous $200,000 Grant! Every dollar you PLEDGE will be matched, and once
