Here’s a thought…
“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”
THOMAS PYNCHON
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
Washington and B.C. United on Climate Action, Building Sustainable Future, Increased Connectivity
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee and Premier John Horgan met this week to discuss regional issues and promote opportunities for collaboration between British Columbia and Washington state. The two leaders committed to act jointly to fight climate change and protect salmon and orcas in shared waters,
No School Monday
-- from Eric Webb, Superintendent of Orcas Island School District -- Due to inclement weather and unsafe road conditions, all OISD schools located on Orcas Island will be closed Monday, February 11, and all school events are cancelled. Stay warm, safe, and enjoy the Snow Day.
Cupid’s Closet Awaits Your Arrival at Food & Flea Market
Saturday, February 16, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., West Sound Community Club -- from Margot Shaw -- Come to West Sound 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
Orcas Food Co-op Announces $10K Available for this Year’s FARM Fund Grants
-- from Susannah Weaver for Orcas Food Co-op -- The Marshall Strawberry Restoration Project, funded in part by the FARM Fund, brought 220 heritage plants to Orcas Island farmers. Pictured is the crew at Orcas Community Participatory Agriculture. The San Juan County FARM Fund is a grant program started by the Orcas Food Co-op as
Week in Review for Washington Legislative Bills
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- The bill to create a 100 percent clean energy in Washington passed out of House Environment and Energy Committee by a majority vote and is moving on to the next step, as is the clean buildings bill. Rep. Gael Tarleton, primary sponsor of the 100 percent clean
Up Next? Possibility of Some Heavy Snow, Sunday Through Tuesday
-- from National Weather Service -- Winter Storm Watch What: Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5inches possible. Where: Portions of Northwest Washington. When: From Sunday afternoon through late Tuesday night. Additional Details: Travel could be very difficult to impossible. A winter storm watch means there is
Three Troubadours Bringing Hootenanny to Orcas Center
Friday, February 15 , 7:30 p.m., Orcas Center -- from Tom Rawson -- Three of the Northwest's finest folk troubadours are bringing some hootenanny fun to Orcas Island. Carolyn Cruso will regale you with the intricacies of the fascinating hammered dulcimer; an ancient instrument that originated in Persia over 2000
