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
U.S. Rep. Larsen Explains Federal Budget Vote
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the following statement ahead of voting for the budget agreement in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018: “I am voting yes on the budget deal. It tackles important issues facing Washington’s working families such as infrastructure, the opioid crisis and ensuring
Volunteers Make the Difference at The Exchange
-- from John Carl for Orcas Recycling Services -- Exchange volunteer John Gratch When Orcas Recycling Services took control of the new Exchange building, it was just a shell: a big metal building on a concrete slab. There was still lots to be done--namely to finish out the
Comprehensive Plan Vision: Planning Commission Briefing
Friday, Feb. 16 at 8:30 a.m. at the County Council Hearing Room, Friday Harbor At the February 16, 2018, Planning Commission meeting in the County Council hearing room, will take public comment and discuss proposed amendments to the SJC Comprehensive Plan Vision. Proposed amendments were first discussed at the January
Chelan Replaces Elwha During Maintenance
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Beginning Friday, February 9, the 124-car Chelan will replace the 144-car Elwha on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route. Chelan will operate in the #2 vessel position while scheduled maintenance is performed on Elwha’s main engines. Check the online schedule and reservation pages to view affected
Kyle Loring Says Goodbye After Ten Years With Friends
-- from Katie Fleming for Friends of the San Juans -- After ten years of public service as Friends of the San Juans’ staff attorney, Kyle Loring will be leaving the organization in June to pursue other endeavors. Starting this month, Friends will conduct a search for a talented environmental
Senate Passes Ban on Invasive Species Atlantic Salmon Net Pens
-- from Dave Pringle for Senator Ranker's Office -- The Senate today passed Sen. Kevin Ranker's legislation to permanently ban commercial net pens used for farming invasive Atlantic salmon in Washington state waters. "In the months since the escape of hundreds of thousands of invasive Atlantic salmon from the net
Guest Opinion: Western States’ Duty to Revive Democracy
-- by Michael Riordan -- Michael Riordan and Martha Farish exchange opinions at OPALCO annual meeting aboard state ferry By any measure, the Pacific edge of the United States did not vote for Donald Trump in November 2016. We voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton — and thus for
Meet Hospital District Candidates at Town Hall Meeting
Saturday, February 24, 10 - 11:30 a.m., Orcas Senior Center -- from Alison Shaw for Coalition for Orcas Health Care -- The Coalition for Orcas Health Care is pleased to announce its fourth Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, February 24, from 10 - 11:30 a.m., at the Orcas Senior Center,
“Standing Rock Awakens the World”
Sunday, February 11, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Odd Fellows Hall -- from Fran Tatu -- Standing Rock Awakens the World. Photo courtesy the Revolution Club For the better part of 2016, hundreds of thousands of activists, calling themselves "water protectors," traveled to the Standing Rock Lakota Sioux Reservation,
Tom Rawson, Singer-Storyteller at the Orcas Co-op
Sunday, Feb 11 at 11 a.m. at Orcas Coop Commons Tom Rawson will be singing and storytelling at the Orcas Co-op Commons this Sunday Storyteller Tom Rawson, resident of Orcas Island, has been spinning yarns on stage for over three decades. He collects folktales from all over the
Workshop Series for Forest Owners Upcoming
Saturday, February 24, 2018, Orcas Island -- from Cailin Mackenzie for Northwest Natural Resource Group -- [metaslider id="57816"] Northwest Natural Resource Group is offering a workshop series this spring to teach forest owners strategies to reduce woody biomass and improve forest health. This series will cover everything from using thinned woody biomass
Now Accepting 2018 San Juan County Fair Vendors
-- from San Juan County Fair -- Have you or your business ever considered participating in the San Juan County Fair? Reach residents from all over San Juan County and tourists at the largest event in the County---become a vendor. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, please consider
County Will Discuss Visitor Study Results
Monday, February 26, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Orcas Senior Center -- from San Juan Communications -- Local, state, and federal agencies that manage lands or recreation facilities in the San Juan Islands sponsored a study in 2017 to collect better information about use, impacts, visitors, and preferences for management. The
Salish Sea Fest Will Feature Flutes, Harpsichord
Saturday, February 17, 7 p.m., Orcas Adventist Fellowship Church -- from Jeffrey Cohan -- The Salish Sea Early Music Festival presents a flute extravaganza entitled Baroque Flute Trios with internationally celebrated baroque flutists Janet See, Mindy Rosenfeld and Jeffrey Cohan, along with harpsichordist Jonathan Oddie. Trios for three flutes and
Dr. Shu to Address Cancer Survivorship Group
-- by Sue Lewis -- The Cancer Survivorship Group will meet at the Community Church Fireside Room on Thursday, February 8 at 5 p.m. We are a monthly, no cost, confidential support group for anyone touched by cancer, whether personally, as a family member, friend, caregiver or in any other
Candidates for Orcas Hospital District — File Now!
-- from Milene Henley, San Juan County Auditor -- The San Juan County Council has approved, based on petitions submitted last summer, a proposition for the formation of a public hospital district on Orcas Island. The question of formation will go to the voters of Orcas Island in the April
