Here’s a thought…
“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”
THOMAS PYNCHON
SJC Planning Commission Begins the Year by Discussing VRs, Agriculture, Pot Growing, and Tourism
-- by Matthew Gilbert, Orcas Issues reporter -- On February 15 the San Juan County Planning Commission met for the first time in four months and got right to it by extending Tim Blanchard’s position as Chair for another two years and approving the minutes from their October 2018 meeting.
Rep. Jeff Morris: Making Life Decisions More Affordable
How will you pay for long-term care? -- from Rep. Jeff Morris -- More than 10,000 people in the US turn 65 every day, according to the federal Department of Health and Human Services, and the department anticipates our elderly population will grow from 13 percent today to 20 percent
Let’s Talk About Race at Orcas Library
Wednesday, February 27, 6 p.m., Orcas Library -- from Mary Pugh for Orcas Library -- Racism thrives in silence. It’s when we stop talking to one another about our beliefs that prejudices go unchallenged, and the gap between us widens. Yet race is one of the most difficult topics to
Calling All Tree-Loving, Bunny-Hugging, Dirt Worshipers
-- from Amy Nesler for San Juan Island Visitors Bureau -- Don’t forget -- it’s award season here in the San Juans! The Oscars have nothing on the Finnies. Know someone who deserves to walk the stewardship red carpet? Nominate them for a Good Steward Award! Since 2008, the Good
Last Week to Get Early Bird Tickets for April’s Lit Fest
-- from Paula Treneer for Orcas Island Lit Fest -- This is the last week you can benefit from early bird pricing for weekend passes to the Lit Fest, April 5-7. You'll get access to two days of amazing panel discussions and on-stage interviews with an incredible lineup of prize-winning
Guest Opinion | It’s Supposed To Be the Choice of OPALCO Members
-- from Alex MacLeod -- The decision last week by the OPALCO Board to disqualify Dwight Lewis’ board candidacy in the upcoming election stabs at the heart of what it means to be a cooperative. Dwight has lived on Lopez since 1974 and has more than 40 years of OPALCO
Orcas Women’s Coalition Will Celebrate International Women’s Day — You’re Invited
Friday, March 8, 4 p.m., Emmanuel Parish Hall -- from Cindy Wolf for Orcas Women's Coalition -- Orcas Women's Coalition is hosting an International Women's Day Celebration on Friday March 8 starting at 4 p.m. at the Emmanuel Parish Hall. Come check out what women in your community are doing
Monthly Orcas Veggie Potlucks Continue
First Sundays, Mar 3 and Apr 7, 6 p.m., Odd Fellows First Sundays, Mar 3 and Apr 7, 6 p.m., Odd Fellows — from Lili Hein — This monthly gathering on the first Sunday of every month celebrates a compassionate, healthy and sustainable plant-based lifestyle. Join in on the lively conversation,
NEB Says Trans Mountain is in Public Interest, Despite Threat to Resident Orcas
-- from iPolitics.ca -- Although the [Canadian] National Energy Board acknowledges the Trans Mountain expansion project will have “significant adverse environmental effects” on critically endangered Southern resident killer whales and produce considerable greenhouse gas emissions, it said [February 22] that it’s in Canadian public interest and should be approved. On
Playground and Ferries Come to Eastsound Planners Focus
from Craig Canine At the February 7 meeting of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC), all seven committee members were present (Yonatan Aldort, Terry Gillespie, Paul Kamin (co-chair), Margaret Payne (co-chair), Leith Templin, Charles Toxey, Brian Wiese). County Council member Rick Hughes was scheduled to provide a county update during
Week in Review for Washington Legislative Bills
-- from Office of the Governor -- The governor's 100 percent clean energy bill is now ready for a vote in both chambers after it moved through fiscal committee earlier this week. The bill continues to gain public awareness. College students organized a tour to travel the state and gather support for the 100 percent
Could this Tool Save Washington’s Shellfish?
-- from Crosscut.com -- Washington’s waters are under threat from a villain you can’t see. This computer model is giving oyster farmers a lifeline as they seek to adapt to one of the biggest marine crises of our era. Washington is home to thousands of marine species. Salmon, crabs and bivalve shellfish like
Flamenco Dancer to Perform on Grange Stage
Thursday, February 28, 7:30 p.m., Orcas Grange -- from Linda Peth -- Seattle-based Flamenco dancer Savannah Fuentes brings her latest show, “Luz, an evening of Flamenco,” to the San Juan Islands on Feb.27 and 28. Fuentes will be joined by two Spanish flamenco artists: acclaimed Spanish-Romani guitarist Pedro Cortes and
Superintendent Gives Us a Peek at Work Underway on School Gym
-- from Eric Webb, Orcas School District Superintendent -- In an effort to keep our community informed of the progress of the current construction projects, I will record a short update on each Friday of the week’s activities.
Shaw Attorney Lynn Bahrych Joins SJIMA Board
-- from Diane Martindale for San Juan Islands Museum of Art -- Environmental attorney Lynn Bahrych of Shaw Island has joined the board of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) in Friday Harbor. Impressed by how SJIMA’s exhibitions have reflected sensitivity to the issues and values of conservation
San Juan County Homeless Count Holds Steady
-- from San Juan County Communications -- The 2019 San Juan County “Point-In Time” (PIT) Homeless Count identified 149 people who have no stable place to live, an increase from the 2018 count of 120 but similar to the 2017 count of 154. Of the 149 people identified as having
