Here’s a thought…
“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”
THOMAS PYNCHON
Learn About Advance Medical Forms in Case of EMS Response
Wednesday, September 26, 1 p.m., Orcas Senior Center -- from Sara Boyle for Orcas Senior Center -- Do you know which form(s) would be important for you to have completed in case EMS is called for you? Join us at the Orcas Senior Center for the answers to these and
Piper’s Perspective: Spending Time With Her Mentor
-- from Trillium Swanson -- Caitlin Leck and fourth-grader Piper Shaepe have been a part of the Funhouse Mentor Program since 2016. This September, Caitlin sat down with Piper to hear her perspective on what it’s been like to hang out together so far. This is what Piper shared: “We
San Juan County Cooperatives Celebrate National Cooperative Month
-- from Suzanne Olson for OPALCO -- Co-op members understand the power of the vote – it’s in our DNA. With Americans holding more than 350 million co-op memberships and rural electric cooperatives serving 75% of our country’s land mass: we have the power! OPALCO, the Orcas Food Co-op and
“A Peaceful Mind Through Flowers”
by Joan Stamm Hawthorne in Chinese Jug The Saga Goryu School of Ikebana (Japanese flower design) will present their first flower show in the small conference room at the Orcas Library on Friday, September 21st (10:00 to 5:00) and on Saturday, September 22nd (10:00 to Noon). All are welcome!
Health Care Commission Hears Survey Summary, Pushes to Meet Budget Deadline
-- by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues reporter -- The Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) commissioners received an in-person briefing on results of the recent survey of community health care preferences from Steve Smith of Madrona Voices, which did the survey. The commissioners also made progress on agreements with Orcas
Sheriff Krebs Updates Vehicular Accident/Fatality
-- from Sheriff Ron Krebs -- On Sept 7th Rachel Gibson was pronounced dead at Harborview Medical Center. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating this as a vehicular homicide. This is a sad and tragic loss of life that was 100% avoidable If you witness someone who is
Guest Opinion: Yes for Homes Referendum Funds Housing
-- by Marc Cohen and Eleanor Hoague -- We all agree: Orcas is a wonderful island, a place to relax and get away from it all, a combination of culture and nature, day-to-day living and extraordinary events. We are lucky to live here. A whole host of people are the
Health Survey Deadline Extended to Sep 27
-- from Steve Smith -- The Orcas Island Health Care District commissioners have asked Madrona Voices to help them discover what the community would like regarding easier clinic access, acute care services, and what is and is not working with existing health care on-island. The deadline for the survey has
Letter to Editor | Keep Your Eyes Off Your Phone While Driving
-- from John Clancy -- I have the great fortune to be able to walk from my house to my job in Eastsound. Thus, I see a lot of traffic and am disturbed to report that I see people of all ages staring at their phones while driving. Life is
The Surprising Economic Power of Food Banks
The Orcas Island Food Bank Board felt the following article outlining the significance of Food Banks on their local economy would be of interest to our community. It was published in the summer issue for Window Magazine, a publication of Western Washington University and written by the editor, Mary Gallagher. Food
Letter to the Editor: Power Helps with Legal Issues
-- by Don Hall, Decatur Island -- Nick helped us with a difficult legal issue a few years ago and his guidance led both sides to a fair and equitable solution. We also appreciate his concern about our quality of life on the islands. He is running for Prosecutor to confront
Site Preparation to Start at April’s Grove
-- from OPAL Community Land Trust -- 45 affordable rentals in townhouses will be available through OPAL at April's Grove Site preparation will soon begin for April’s Grove, OPAL’s neighborhood of 45 new rental residences on North Beach Road. Located across from Children’s House and the Funhouse Commons,
County Council on Orcas Focuses on Preview of Transportation Improvement Plans
-- by Margie Doyle -- [metaslider id="62464"] County Council members and staff came to Orcas on Sept. 11 for a four-hour meeting dominated by the review of Public Works on Orcas in anticipation of the 6-year Transportation Improvement Plan this fall. Those programs were explained by County Engineer Colin Huntermer and
Agreement to Boost Salmon Returning to Pacific Northwest Waters
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced [September 17] that representatives from the United States and Canada have agreed to recommend their governments approve new coast-wide fishing agreements under the Pacific Salmon Treaty. The agreement outlines each nation’s fishery management plans for chinook, coho and chum
Poetry: Harper Knows
Harper Knows -- by Jens Kruse -- Harper, our granddaughter, three years old, told her father, that houses shouldn’t be too big, because “you don’t want to break the sky.” How did Harper know, that big houses use lots of energy, emit lots of carbon dioxide, help warm our planet,
Letter to the Editor: Gaylord’s Commitment to Community Proven
-- by Norm Stamper -- As a police officer for 34 years, the first 28 in San Diego, the last six (1994 – 2000) as Seattle’s police chief, I am honored to endorse Randy Gaylord for reelection as our Prosecuting Attorney. I have known Randy for as long as I’ve
