Here’s a thought…
“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”
THOMAS PYNCHON
WSU Extension Course on New Food Safety Regs
-- from Angie Freeman Shephard for WSU Extension -- You may have heard about a new federal regulation impacting produce farms that is focusing on food safety. If you have questions, you’re not alone. Come learn about the new produce safety rule, criteria for farms to be exempt from compliance with the
Orcas Health Care District: More Answers, More Questions
-- by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues Reporter -- The commissioners of the Orcas Health Care District continued “making sausage” at a good clip at their regular weekly meeting on May 22. They made decisions on what short-term funding to pursue for the district’s startup expenses and on what firms to
Burn Season is Still Open
-- from San Juan County Communications -- Burn season is currently open until the end of May. However, depending on fuel conditions and weather forecasts, San Juan County may extend the burn season into June for residential burn permits only. The Fire Marshal will send a notice to the listserv
Additional Ferry Sailings on Memorial Day
-- from Washington State Ferries -- The Anacortes/San Juans' route will operate on a holiday schedule on Monday, May 28, with the following additional sailings: * 1:55 pm Anacortes to Orcas island * 3:15 pm Orcas Island to Anacortes * 10:30 pm Friday Harbor to Orcas Island to Lopez Island
Parent Education Night – Safe Sexuality Education and Abuse Prevention
-- from Lorena Stankevich, Orcas Island Elementary School -- SAFE San Juans and Orcas Island Elementary are working together to provide an informative night for parents of elementary age children on Monday, June 4th at 5:30 pm. It will be at the Orcas Island School Cafeteria and childcare will be
“Dancing On A Whim” Coming to Orcas Center
Friday - Saturday, May 25 - 26, 6:35 p.m., Orcas Center -- from Margie Doyle for Orcas Center -- Orcas Center presents the Island Inspiration All-Stars, "Dancing On A Whim." This phenomenal dance group brings an exciting and eclectic display of movement from all around the world. Brought to you
GiveOrcas Wraps Up Successful Campaign
-- from Hilary Canty for Orcas Community Foundation -- The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) distributed $234,000 to 20 programs serving the island community at the GiveOrcas Grant Awards Celebration on Wednesday May 23rd. The 2018 GiveOrcas campaign funded 82% of the requested $278,866 grants. Donations came from 377 Partners
June Orcas Center Art Show: Surface Dwellers
Reception: Friday, June 1, 5:30 - 7 p.m., Orcas Center -- from Kathleen Youngren -- Three very talented local artists, Mary Jane Elgin, Sharon Ho, and Bruce Wilson are working together to present one of the most exciting shows of this year. Mary Jane Elgin, ceramic artist and teacher, focuses
Half-million People to Ride a Ferry This Holiday Weekend
-- from Washington State Ferries -- About 500,000 people are expected to hop aboard a ferry during the next five days (May 24 – 28). That means more than two times the population of the city of Spokane will be sailing around the Sound this Memorial Day weekend, the first
Guest Opinion: Council Asked to Appeal 30,000- gallon Propane Tank in Seaview Neighborhood
-- by Rick Fant -- Following is the written statement of Rick Fant's public presentation to the County Council on May 21, 2018: Inter-Island Propane Conditional Use Permit (CUP) [allowing] installation of 30,000 Gal propane tank • Rick Fant: representing a majority of owners on Aeroview Lane [and Seaview Street]
Yakima on Predictable Delay Schedule
-- from Washington State Ferries -- The M/V Yakima continues to operate at a reduced speed due to propeller damage sustained on April 22, resulting in accumulated delays throughout the day. • Daily: delays are estimated to run upwards of 30 minutes or more by late morning •
Orcas Currents Brings Chris Jordan’s New Film Albatross to Orcas Center
Thursday, May 31, 7 p.m., Orcas Center -- from Michael Riordan for Orcas Currents -- On Thursday evening, May 31, photographer and director Chris Jordan will return to Orcas Island for a showing of his new film Albatross, which he previewed here two years ago in a memorable Orcas Currents
Letter to Editor: School to Drop Montessori Classes?
-- from the MAPS Coalition (Montessori Advocates for Public Schools) -- If you haven’t heard, the public elementary school is planning to phase out its Montessori program — effective immediately. That means they will not let any of our island’s first graders into the program for next year (or, if
Auditor Seeks Writers of Argument Against Lopez School Measure
-- from Milene Henley, San Juan County Auditor -- In order to ensure an informed electorate, and in accordance with state law, every district that places a measure on a ballot is responsible for appointing committees to write voters’ guide arguments both for and against the proposition. If a district
SJIMA Scheduling Free Family Arts Days for Summer
-- from Diane Martindale for San Juan Islands Museum of Art -- Children and families create fun-tastic works with local artists at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art. Family Arts Days are a summertime island tradition, where local artists teach island crafts in a fresh outdoor setting. Materials will
Groups Challenge Army Corps of Engineers’ Refusal to Protect Puget Sound Shorelines
-- from Katie Fleming for Friends of the San Juans -- A lawsuit filed [May 21, 2018] against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) charges that the agency has refused to assert its Clean Water Act jurisdiction over most shoreline armoring in Puget Sound, and that endangered species and
