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
OPALCO Bills Going Up in January
-- from Suzanne Olson for OPALCO -- When OPALCO members open their bills in January, they will be, on average, $9.50 higher. OPALCO is raising rates as a necessary part of providing power to our 20-island archipelago. This increase is driven by the loan expense (capitalization) for the submarine cable
The Holy Dark: Thoughts on the Winter Solstice
–by Margie Doyle, reprinted upon request — Going through these wild and windy and sad days, it can be harder than usual to bear the slings and arrows of daily fortune (or misfortune). We feel tired and ineffectual and yet are in the season that pushes us to be
Letter to Editor | Music Room To Be Constructed in 2019
At the school board meeting on Tuesday evening, December 18, board members decisively elected to construct the long-awaited Multi-purpose/Music Room, which was on the Alternate list of the recent re-bid for the 2017 Bond Construction. The completion of the music wing has the support of many in our music-loving Orcas
Walk Out of Old Year, Into New at Emmanuel Labyrinth
Monday, December 31, 4 - 6 p.m., Emmanuel Parish Hall -- from Anita Holladay -- Emmanuel Episcopal Church will open its Parish Hall on Monday, December 31, from 4 until 6 p.m., for an indoor Labyrinth Walk. Though the outdoor stone labyrinth is open at all times, the indoor Labyrinth
School Approves Building of Music Room – Awards Construction Project
-- by Kimberley Kimple, Orcas Issues reporter -- The second opening of bids for the next phase of 2017 Bond and Levy Construction projects was the order of business in the first of two school board meetings Tuesday. When all bids came in over budget during the first submittal in
Conservation Groups May Sue Feds Over Endangered Orca
-- from KOMO-TV News -- SEATTLE (AP) — The federal government is violating the Endangered Species Act by failing to consider how salmon fishing off the West Coast is affecting endangered killer whales, two conservation groups said Tuesday as they threatened a lawsuit. The Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity and
Poem: Timber Monologue
-- by Margie Doyle -- Reprinted upon request for all the trees that have been felled this autumn. The trees are saying “Look — look at me The wind and rain And weight of winter Make me sturdy and spiny to touch I stand tall and watch All you human
Guest Opinion | There Are How Many Vacation Rental Permits?
-- from Joe Symons -- I’m starting a series of commentaries on the future of our archipelago given that San Juan County (SJC) is crafting an update to its Comprehensive Plan as required by the Growth Management Act. These commentaries complement a book of essays (free!) available at https://doebay.net/cpupdate/pathlessibook.pdf The commentary
Ferry Delayed 90 Minutes
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Due to a lack of qualified crew, the M/V Yakima's 4:30 pm sailing from Anacortes to Lopez and Friday Harbor is delayed an estimated 90 minutes. This also delays the Friday Harbor 6:25 pm return to Lopez and Anacortes and other departures. Updates will
Community Long-Term Care Options Task Force Forming
-- from Community Long-Term Care Options Task Force -- To address the crisis created by the closure of the Life Care Center of the San Juan Islands, the Community Long-Term Options Task Force was created. Immediate Need: We are asking for donations and looking for passionate people who have shared their
Crow Valley String Band “Home for Christmas” at Orcas Center
Friday, December 21, 7:30 p.m., Orcas Center We are excited to let you know about a concert we are doing at the ORCAS CENTER on FRIDAY DECEMBER 21 at 7.30 p.m. We are calling it “Home for Christmas” and it is a blend of American Folk and a traditional English
County Council to Meet Lekanoff for Discussion
Thursday, December 20, 12:30 p.m., County Legislative Office -- from Ingrid Gabriel for San Juan County Council -- Please take notice that members of the San Juan County Council are meeting with State Representative-Elect Debra Lekanoff (40th District) on Thursday, December 20 at approximately 12:30 p.m. at the County Legislative Office,
Port’s Dec. 13 Meeting Re-scheduled for Dec. 19
Lack of quorum for regular meeting necessitates re-scheduling The Port of Orcas Regular Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 13, could not be held for lack of a quorum of the tax district’s commissioners. In attendance were Commissioners Brian Ehrmantraut and Greg Sawyer. Absent were commissioners Dwight Guss, Steve Hopkins, and
Port Reschedules, Meeting Tomorrow
Wednesday, December 19, 4:30 p.m., Airport Conference Room -- from Anthony Simpson, Port of Orcas -- Due to lack of quorum, the Port of Orcas has rescheduled its regular meeting for tomorrow, Wednesday, December 19 at 4:30 p.m. in the Airport Conference Room. No agenda has been released.
New Member Sworn In to Board of Fire Commissioners
-- by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues reporter -- At the December 17 regular meeting of the Orcas Board of Fire Commissioners (BOFC)—which may have broken the record for brevity, 30 minutes—Rick Christmas was sworn in as the newest commissioner. Christmas replaces Barbara Bedell, who resigned in the fall for health
Updated: Thursday Will Bring More High Winds
-- from National Weather Service -- ...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM PST THURSDAY... * WIND...SOUTH TO SOUTHEAST WIND 25 TO 40 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH. * SOME AFFECTED LOCATIONS...FERNDALE, BELLINGHAM, SANDY POINT, ANACORTES, FRIDAY HARBOR, SEATTLE, BELLEVUE, TACOMA, EVERETT, AND
