Here’s a thought…
“I am so convinced of the advantages of looking at mankind instead of reading about them, and of the bitter effects of staying at home with all the narrow prejudices of an islander, that I think there should be a law amongst us to set our young men abroad for a term among the few allies our wars have left us.”
LORD BYRON
Ranker: Busy, Productive Legislative Session
-- from Senator Kevin Ranker (D-40, Orcas Island) -- With Democrats controlling both the Senate and House for the first time in five years, the Legislature finished on time and passed a budget plan that will cut property taxes, fully fund our children's education, dramatically expand mental health programs for
Drop Off Donated Items for A*OK Sale
Friday - Saturday, March 9 - 10, 12 - 3 p.m. -- from Jane Heisinger for A*OK -- A*OK (Art for Orcas Kids) crew has found a place to have people drop off items for their sale which is next week on March 17 at the school cafeteria. This week
It’s Spring – Time to Play Ball
-- from Brooke Bruland for Orcas Park and Rec -- Volunteers needed. The baseball and softball season is upon us with a variety of game opportunities on island, in Friday Harbor, Lopez, and the Skagit area. Practices begin the week of March 26. Games are played on Saturdays April 7 through
PHD Candidates Town Hall Scheduled
Wednesday, March 14, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Eastsound Fire Station -- from Alison Shaw for Coalition for Orcas Health Care -- The Coalition for Orcas Health Care is pleased to announce its fifth Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, March 14, from 5:30-7:00 PM, at the Eastsound Fire Station. This will
Unitarians Gather This Sunday
Sunday, March 11, 11:30 a.m., Benson Hall -- from Suzanne Olson -- Please join the Unitarian Universalists at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 11 at 11:30 a.m. This service is drawn from Barbara Brown Taylor's book An Altar in the World. Taylor, an Episcopal priest and professor of spirituality, writes
Billy Elliot – The Musical Live at Orcas Center
March 15-18 and 22-25, 7:30 p.m., Orcas Center -- from Susannah Weaver for Orcas Center -- The Orcas Center is proud to present Billy Elliot – The Musical beginning on March 15. The award winning show comes to life on Center Stage with an all-island cast directed by Robert Hall.
Senate Passes Orca Whale Protection Act, Oil Transportation Safety Act
-- from Dave Pringle, Senate Democratic Caucus -- The Senate on Saturday passed significant legislation to protect Washington state’s orcas and the marine waters they call home. The two measures are part of the Salish Sea Protection package introduced by Sen. Kevin Ranker. “The Puget Sound resident orca population has
Property Tax Relief Bill Passes Senate, Goes to State House
-- from Washington Senate Democrats -- [On Wednesday, March 7] Senate Democrats passed Senate Bill 6614 to reduce property taxes by nearly $400 million. The state’s revenues are healthy, and middle class families deserve a statewide property tax cut to give households relief from the massive Republican property tax increase
OIFR Responds to Fire at Eastsound Business
-- from Marla Johns for Orcas Fire & Rescue -- At 1:44 p.m., crews from Orcas Island Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a structure fire at 109 North Beach Road. First crews on scene reported finding an active fire, with smoke and flames coming from the window
Letter to the Editor: Bangs on Required Financial Assistance
by Bill Bangs, Orcas PHD Commissioner Candidate A number of people have, quite properly, raised the question of what an Orcas Public Hospital District (PHD) would do to ensure care for all islanders, including the uninsured and underinsured. My position is that any practice or provider would need to satisfy
Transcripts of Public Hospital Commissioner Candidates Available
-- from JoEllen Moldoff for COHC -- The Coalition for Orcas Health Care (COHC) has posted a transcript of the Candidates for PHD Commissioners' statements, and the Q & A from the Town Hall meeting on February 24th on our website https://www.coalitionfororcashealthcare.com/. A hard copy is also available at the
Ranker Salish Sea Protection Bill Heads to House
-- from Senator Kevin Ranker -- The Senate on Saturday passed significant legislation to protect Washington state’s orcas and the marine waters they call home.The two measures are part of my Salish Sea Protection package. The Puget Sound resident orca population has dropped to one of its lowest levels ever. We
Dance/Movement Workshops Today — Performance Thursday Night
Three workshops still open today Meditation Movement class at Emmanuel Parish Hall this morning. Afternoon workshops still open Today Wednesday, March 7 the Utah Repertory Dance Theatre will conduct three more dance/movement classes to the Orcas community. The classes are offered FREE through the efforts of Orcas Center,
Schedule Change: OPALCO Candidate Forum Thursday, March 15 Only
Thursday, March 15, 6 p.m., Odd Fellows Hall -- from Krista Bouchey for OPALCO -- There are two open positions in this year’s OPALCO election and only two candidates. Because this is an uncontested election, OPALCO has scaled back the candidate forums; there will only be one forum: Thursday, March
Get Your Estate in Order With Upcoming Workshop
Wednesday, March 21, 1:15 p.m., Orcas Senior Center -- from Katie Fleming for Friends of the San Juans -- Local attorney Cyrus Field with his son. Local attorney Cyrus Field is presenting a free ‘Estate Planning Workshop’ on March 21 at 1:15 pm at the Orcas Senior Center
Inslee Signs Bill to Ban Bump Stock Devices
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- Bump stocks, the devices that essentially turn a semiautomatic gun into a machine gun, will soon be outlawed in the state of Washington. Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill today prohibiting the sale and use of bump stocks, which are a devastating tool in
