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
Citizens Group Requests Full Buildout Analysis of Potential County Development
-- by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues' reporter -- A group called Plan Ahead San Juans hosted a community meeting on Friday, Feb. 2, at the Orcas school cafeteria to raise questions about the update currently under way to San Juan County’s Comprehensive Plan (CP). Approximately 60 people attended, among them
Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce Announces 2018 Visitor Guide
-- from Lance Evans for Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce -- The Orcas Island (WA) Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that its ‘2018 Visitor Guide & Business Directory’ is underway! Chamber members have until March 1 to get their listing in the fact-filled guide, with a $15 discount
Whale Museum Education Department Volunteer Open House
-- from Tracie Merrill for Whale Museum -- The Whale Museum (TWM) is holding two more open houses for anyone interested in volunteering with TWM’s Education Department. The open house events will be held on the following dates and times: Monday, February 12 10:00 am-11:00 am Wednesday, March 7 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
Mount Grant Preserve Grows to Almost 250 Acres
-- from San Juan County Land Bank -- On the heels of the Zylstra Lake acquisition, the San Juan County Land Bank was able to secure and additional 60+ acres adjacent to Mount Grant Preserve. “Mount Grant is one of the most fascinating projects I have worked on since becoming
Olga Valentines Potluck This Saturday
Saturday, February 10, 5:30 p.m., Olga Community Center -- from Lorna Rhodes -- Bring your sweetheart to the Olga Valentines Potluck, Saturday, February 10 at the Olga Community Center. Social hour begins at 5:30 and we sit down for dinner at 6 p.m. A bright and beautiful new quilt will be
Doe Bay Supports Salmonberry
Thursday nights, 7:30 p.m., Doe Bay Café -- from Doe Bay Music -- Join island visitors and residents to share music, spoken word, and other performances on the night when we come together in that ancient ritual of community and communion. The Café is open from 5-10 p.m. and Open
Wildlife Disease Topic of Upcoming Gaydos Lecture
Tuesday, February 13, 7 p.m., Camp Orkila -- from Justin Cox for SeaDoc Society -- Bottlenose dolphin by Joe Gaydos, SeaDoc Society Several years ago, a virus swept through bottlenose dolphin populations on the Atlantic coast killing about half of the inshore population. If a similar disease outbreak
Salmonberry Students’ Field Trip Opens Doors of Understanding
-- from Paul Freedman for Salmonberry School -- In an overnight field trip to “open a door of understanding” according to one fourth grader, Salmonberry School’s 4-6th grade class punctuated their year-long multicultural studies with a perspective-altering inter-faith field trip which the students will remember for many years to come.
Letter to Editor | Drastic Situation May Result Should We Fail
-- from Steven Jung -- I write in support of the forthcoming ballot initiative to create a Public Hospital District. Also on the ballot will be the election of five commissioners to implement a sustainable program of primary, after hours, and urgent medical care on Orcas Island. I believe the many
LWV Washington Legislative Update Calls to Action
-- from the League of Women Voters of Washington www.lwvwa.org -- This Week's Alert! If you do nothing else, here is the most important action you can take: Support Equal Pay: Now, and for Our Daughters' Futures We all know that women are still paid less than men in virtually
Tax Help at Orcas Senior Center
-- from Jim Biddick -- Jim Biddick (Lions Club) and John Carl (Kiwanis Club) will be available to assist with taxes at the Orcas Senior Center on Wednesday February 7 through April 11 from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. The tax service is for low to moderate income taxpayers (
Tech Talk — Scam Calls
-- by the Tech Talk Team, David Johnson and Lisa Steckley -- As a regular feature in Orcas Issues, this column will explore and simplify the mysterious and frustrating world of technology that sometimes seems like it has taken over our lives. From computers to phones, tv’s to routers, software
State Cancels Atlantic Salmon Farm Lease
-- from KOMO News -- Aerial images from Air 4 show a broken net pet. Thousands of farmed Atlantic salmon have been pulled from Puget Sound. KOMO file photo. The state has canceled the lease for a Cypress Island salmon farm where thousands of fish were accidentally released
First Annual Grilled Cheese Showdown Nigh
Wednesday, February 14, 5:30 p.m., Orcas School Cafeteria -- from Janet Brownell -- The Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) invites you to the First Annual Grilled Cheese Showdown. Yes, you read correctly grilled cheese. This family-friendly fundraiser takes place on Wednesday, February 14 starting at 5:30 in the public school
The Met’s Gorgeous Romantic Comedy L’Elisir d’Amore Streams at Orcas Center
Sunday, February 11, 1 p.m., Orcas Center -- from Susannah Weaver for Orcas Center -- Orcas Center presents the New York Met’s new production of Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore streaming Live in HD on Sunday, February 11 at 1 p.m. Come and see this stirring love story and hilarious comedy with
Free Days at The Whale Museum
-- from The Whale Museum -- “We love our Community! We love our Museum! We want to get the two of you together.” We are inviting everyone to “Free Days” at The Whale Museum. Admission fees will be waived through February 10 - 14, daily hours 10 a.m. until 4
