It was a Thanksgiving love-in
Once again we experienced a Thanksgiving love-in at the Odd Fellows Hall. The smiles, the good cheer and the warmth of the event was overwhelming. It was a Thanksgiving feast to remember. We would like to thank Island Market, Homegrown, West Sound Cafe and the Orcas Village Store who donated the turkeys for this significant happening. Also a special thanks to the middle school builder’s club who made and donated desserts to this event. But most of all, we want to thank the 200 members of our community who made this happen. Thank you and may your holiday season be blessed.
The Odds
What about the homeless
At the food bank recently, a young woman was desperate to find shelter for herself and her two pets. She looked capable, neat and thoroughly nice, but the pets would complicate her problem. As any widow with pets can tell you, pets give warmth, company, amusement and probably make one more stable.
In Seattle, I understand the Public Safety Building is open at night to the homeless. We have governmental buildings here, the huge fire station, which has showers, bathrooms, cooking facilities, heat. The senior center has some of this also. The Orcas Center and sheriffs’ offices have less, but the sheriffs have a room with toys and food for errant animals – our beloved Pluto got jailed once in a while when he’d been out on a toot. I have known people in Seattle who would get themselves arrested on a minor charge in order to get food and shelter.
The churches are doing a super job on the food bank, but are probably pushed pretty much to the limit. I suggested to the young woman that she contact the senior center, the Christian School, the Y Camp, all the resorts, even Domestic Violence (she was not mistreated) because they deal with problems of food and shelter. This woman would probably be a good caregiver and the client might even enjoy her animals.
When we have another wind storm, do any of us want to think of people out in that without shelter?
Mary Gibson Hatten
Orcas Island
Support the United Way drive
As the needs of local families continue to grow, United Way funding is vital to the Lopez Island Family Resource Center and the 30 additional organizations that received United Way dollars. By supporting United Way with a donation, you are: supporting children who need positive role models, assisting to build a family’s future, helping others to become or remain self-sufficient, and personally impacting your entire community in a positive way.
Last year we served 184 families and more than 300 children in our programs, which include the Lopez Kids’ Summer Workshops, the Mentor Program, Readiness to Learn, after school programs, rental, food and energy assistance, and Lopez Fresh. These programs were made possible through the continued support of United Way. Give to United Way and help make a difference to the youth and families on our islands.
Celia Marquis and staff
Lopez Island Family Resource Center
Thank you, Olga Symphony and Friends
I would just like to thank the Olga Symphony and Friends for yet another great start to the holiday season. In our 12 years here, we have only missed one concert and a sad time that was. The talent is always wonderful and we truly appreciate all the the Olga Symphony does for the community.
Kathy, Jim and Chris Walsh
Eastsound
Thank you, land bank volunteers
On behalf of the Land Bank Commission I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who have helped to make this a year of accomplishment for the San Juan County Land Bank. With reduced revenues from excise taxes levied on the purchase of real estate in the county, this year the Land Bank has taken on several projects to open existing preserves to the public utilizing volunteer labor. The total hours contributed has added up to the equivalent of one full-time employee. These dedicated people, too numerous to mention by name, have been instrumental in opening up lands for the enjoyment of those who own them … the citizens of San Juan County.
Contact the Land Bank if you would like to join in a work project and be sure to take the opportunity to enjoy one of the new hiking trails soon.
Nancy H. Jones
Land Bank Commissioner
Thanks for a great Festival of Arts
The Senior Center Advisory Committee would like to say a big “Thank you” to all of the merchants who contributed to the baskets, the visitors who came and enjoyed the variety of wonderful gifts offered, and the merchants who brought all those wonderful gifts. Again, this year’s “Festival of Arts” was a big success, and because of you, the senior center can continue to operate!
Magdalena Verhasselt
Chair
Response to “Our looming energy crisis”
Last week’s story makes several good points with reference to energy efficiency needed to better utilize our national and state energy resources.
My concern is the crisis rhetoric that presages yet another looming disaster for America. Fortunately, there is no energy crisis in America – only a decades-long crisis in developing and implementing a national energy policy and misguided priorities associated with the climate change debate; i.e., the twin goals of eliminating fossil fuels and maintaining low energy costs are mutually exclusive. There is no shortage of generating capacity or fuels, only political roadblocks that prevent the U.S. from building capacity and utilizing centuries of fossil fuel reserves.
The U.S. Energy Information Agency estimates the current energy mix in the U.S. to be as follows: petroleum (37%), natural gas (24%), coal (23%), nuclear electric power (9%), and renewable energy (7%). Within the 7% renewable energy basket, solar is 1%, hydroelectric 34%, geothermal 5%, biomass 53%, and wind 7%. Thus popular but highly subsidized solar energy accounts for 0.07% and wind for 0.49% of the U.S. energy supply. It will take decades before reliable, renewable energy sources become a significant percentage of the U.S. energy mix.
In the meantime, there are several key concepts to the U.S. keeping energy secure, clean and affordable. The first is the concept of diversification. We need all forms of energy and should develop them all. The second is more of an emphasis on domestic resources and their utilization. The U.S. should encourage all domestic energy supplies, including coal, expanded access to oil and gas coming from both conventional and unconventional sources, nuclear power, and all renewables. Government should not pick winners; let the market decide. The third is to promote energy efficiency and storage, and the fourth is that there should be a federal plan for deployment of a more efficient electric grid that enables the diversification of U.S. energy supplies.
Sheridan Johnston, PhD
Eastsound
