Here’s a thought…
“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
No School Again for Wednesday
-- from Eric Webb, Orcas Schools Superintendent -- Due to inclement weather and unsafe road conditions, all OISD schools locate on Orcas Island will be closed Wednesday, February 13 and all school events are cancelled. Crews have been working nonstop to clear the roads, and their efforts are greatly appreciated.
Port Sets Agenda for Upcoming Meeting
February 14, 4:30 p.m., Airport Meeting Room -- from Tony Simpson for Orcas Port Commission -- Orcas Port Commission will hold a meeting on Thursday, February 14 at 4:30 p.m. Among items on the agenda is swearing in a new Port Commissioner. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 7, 2019 APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS NEW BUSINESS 1. Swear-In new commissioner2. TBD UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. TBD NEXT
Cancellation: Community Dinner
-- from Thomas Roosma -- Because of the snowy weather and roads, the February 12, Community Dinner at Orcas Christian School has been cancelled. We hope to see all of you for our March Community Dinner on March 12, from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. It will be a Mexican meal.
Postponed: Cupid’s Closet Food & Flea Market
Saturday, February 23, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., West Sound Community Club -- from Margot Shaw -- Come to West Sound, Saturday, Feb. 23 (re-scheduled date) for a warm comfort food Lunch and yummy Baked Goods. Browse the Vendor tables laden with flea market bargains, plants, handy household gadgets, jewelry, carefully crafted creations. and find that perfect item that even you
Cancellation: Open Mic at the Grange
-- from Mandy Troxel -- Open Mic at the Grange Cancelled: Due to the winter weather, the Orcas Grange Open Mic has been cancelled for February. Stay cozy, learn some new songs (or dance or poetry), and bring them to the next Open Mic on March 19.
Letter to Editor | Immigration Nabs Local Resident
-- from Eleanor Hoague -- On January 29, a well-known member of our Orcas and Lopez communities was detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) following a routine marine safety stop. Jesus Coro (or “Chucho”, as he is known) was on his way to work on Trump Island (yes, there
Food Bank Open Tuesday Despite Weather
--from Madie Murray -- The Food Bank is open today 12:30 to 2 p.m., today fully stocked and ready to happily serve its clients as usual. We think many clients may think it isn't because of the inclement weather.
Letter to Editor | Salmonberry Thanks Energy Efficiency Project Supporters
-- from Tina Whitman for Salmonberry School -- Salmonberry School’s faculty, staff, students and families would like to thank everyone who supported our recent energy efficiency upgrades. Over the winter break, ductless heat pumps were installed in the kindergarten, primary and intermediate classrooms, reducing our carbon footprint, lowering heating costs
Orcas Band Students Venture Out for a Night at the Opera
-- from Sharon Ho for Music Advocacy Group -- Orcas High School Band students enjoyed an unforgettable night at the opera on January 26. A dozen excited student musicians, accompanied by Band Director Darren Dix and parent chaperones, made the trip to watch Seattle Opera’s last-night performance of Il Trovatore, Verdi’s masterpiece of
Letter to Editor | Council Doesn’t Always Do What We Would Like
-- from Richard Grout -- I’d like to respond to your recent Guest Opinion entitled “County Councilors’ Votes Muddy Their Public Reputations.” The author asserts that our county council members, as part of a three county body charged with selecting a qualified person to replace our Democratic state senator, failed
Comp Plan: How Does San Juan County Define “Quality of Life”?
--by Matthew Gilbert, Orcas Issues reporter -- The Preamble of the Vision Statement to the San Juan County Comprehensive Plan reads as follows: “WE THE PEOPLE, citizens of San Juan County, value our healthy natural environment, vibrant and diverse community, self-sufficiency, interdependence, privacy, personal freedom, independence, and stewardship of our
Guest Column: Thanks to Neighbors for Cigars in the Snow
-- from Harry Patton -- Harry Patton, surrounded by Christmas Presences from the Orcas Christian School in 2015 Family and friends,Just to let you know that Dad is ready for hellish Storm 2. Chris and Vicki Brems put their numbers in my Cell in case of an emergency. Predicted Bellingham/Orcas,
Winter Weather’s Impact on Water Lines
-- from Paul Kamin, Eastsound Water -- This week Eastsound Water has had dozens of call from folks with frozen pipes. It’s been several years since we’ve had these types of temperatures. Historically the water system sees a significant spike in water demand AFTER THE THAW COMES. Water expands about 9% when
Weather Alert: Orcas Fire and Rescue Business Office Closed
-- from Jim Schuh for Orcas Fire and Rescue -- UPDATE TUES. FEB 12: Due to snow and ice conditions, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue’s business office will be closed today Feb. 11 [and Feb 12] while we concentrate our resources on emergency operations and response. The station is staffed,
County Prepares Workshops for Comp Plan Update
-- from Adam Zack, Planner III, Department of San Juan Community Development -- The varied perspectives from the Comp Plan workshops [held between September and November 2018] at Lopez, Orcas, San Juan, Shaw and Waldron island communities and what is important to you about the future will be helpful as
Are Sea Stars Simply Wasting Away?
-- from Russel Barsh, KWIAHT Director -- A recent paper from the Harvell lab at Cornell University has attracted international media attention by claiming that the West Coast population of Sunflower Stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides) has declined dramatically in the past few years, presumably due to a warming ocean and wasting
