Here’s a thought…
“The future is already here. It’s just not evenly distributed yet.”
WILLIAM GIBSON
State’s Oldest Ferry, Our Evergreen State, Sold
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Washington State Ferries announced [Wednesday, March 1, 2017] the sale of its oldest ferry, Evergreen State. The 63-year-old ferry sold for $300,000 to Jones Broadcasting, LLC. The new owners plan to use it for active ferry service in the protected waters of the southern
Lions Club Meets for Lunch Next Wednesday
Wednesday, March 8 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., Senior Center -- from Steve Schaefer -- Orcas Lions Club is meeting for lunch on Wednesday, Mar. 8, 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., at the Senior Center Multipurpose Room. Visitors are welcome Winter Schedule: 2nd Wednesdays at 11:45 a.m. at the Senior Center multipurpose
Guest Opinion | Media the Enemy of Which “People”
-- from David Kobrin -- On Feb. 17 the President tweeted: “The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People!” At first I was astonished. How could any segment of the media be the enemy of the
Local Photographers to Exhibit at Senior Center
Sunday, March 5, 2 - 4 p.m., Orcas Senior Center -- from Suzan Chamberlayne -- For all of March and the first half of April, the walls of the Lundeen Room at the Orcas Senior Center will be treated to a fabulous exhibit of photographic work by a group of
The Island Is Alive With the Sound of Music
Sunday March 5, 3 p.m., Old School Gym -- from Sharon Ho -- Keeping music education in public school classrooms in today’s school budget climate is as challenging today as it was 20 years ago. That the Orcas Island School District has managed this since 1997 is even more of
Ranker Outdoor Early Learning Pilot Passes Senate
-- from Dave Pringle, Senate Democratic Communications -- A bill introduced by Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, passed the state Senate [Tuesday] with bipartisan support. “This bill will help children get outside at an early age, letting them learn and thrive outdoors while preparing for their future,” Ranker said. “We're
Forest Stewardship Classes Upcoming
Saturdays, March 11- April 8, 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Skagit Valley College Community Room -- from San Juan Islands Conservation District -- Your Land. Your Trees. Your Goals. This comprehensive university-based forestry class will help you get the most out of the land you love. Whether you have just a few
Guest Opinion | Comp Plan? What’s That? Who Cares?
-- by Joe Symons -- I am not working on the Comp Plan because it brings me joy. The motivation for this work is love: love of these precious islands and a strong impulse for stewardship instead of exploitation. There is hardly anything more boring and dry than a comp
Workshop on How to Mindfully Mind Your Business
Wednesday, March 8, 10 - 11 a.m., San Juan Library -- from Victoria Compton -- The San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a free workshop on the topic of mindfulness in business, on Wednesday, Mar. 8 from 10-11 a.m. on San Juan Island. Advance registration is required. Mindfulness
Sign Up Now for Refuse to Use Challenge
-- from Pete Moe, Orcas Recycling/Exchange -- Time is running out to sign up for #Refusetouseorcas. March 1st is the deadline to join ORS/The Exchange and the SeaDoc Society in the Refuse To Use Challenge. Promise not use any single-use coffee cups or water bottles in 2017, and instead use
Snowmageddon Does Not Stop Orcas Fire & Rescue
-- from Marla Johns -- A sudden and strong winter snow storm will stop everyone in their tracks ... everyone except Orcas Island Fire & Rescue. In spite of the rapid accumulation of snow yesterday, staff and volunteers of OIFR responded and found solutions to difficult transport situations, complicated by
Guest Opinion | Landslide Votes Enough to Run Bond Again
-- from Randall K. Gaylord -- Dear School Board: Please submit the capital facilities bond proposal to the voters again in the next election, without change. Conventional thinking is to make a modification to a proposal before resubmitting it, but in this case that’s not necessary. Here’s why. You have gathered
Speak Up Now to Establish Whale Protection Zone
-- from Stephanie Buffum -- [On] March 1, our local San Juan County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) wants to hear from citizens about whether it should facilitate a community conversation about a proposed whale protection zone. We need to show up and tell them – Yes. If you can’t attend
Ribbon Will Soon Be Cut for New Deer Harbor Bridge
Tuesday, March 7, 2 p.m., Deer Harbor Bridge -- from John Van Lund -- Ribbon cutting and speeches will take place at the bridge site. This is an outdoor event, so please dress accordingly. 2:00 Introduction - Brian Vincent/San Juan County 2:05 - 2:15 Speakers: (2-3 min/ea) Rick Hughes/San Juan
Flotsam & Jetsam | It’s Still Pretty, I Suppose
— a semi-regular humor column by Maurice Austin — Back in November, when we had that first really good gully-washer of the season, I remember chatting with a couple islanders about the coming winter, and both of them mentioned something about the almanac, and that it predicted it would be
Ranker on Immigration Rights, Outdoor Preschool, Education
-- from Dave Pringle, Senator Ranker's Office -- The Washington State Senate holds a Pro Forma Session, Jan. 27, 2017. Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, released this statement [Monday]: Protecting Immigrants' Rights Our values tell us to cherish and accept all people and protect the most vulnerable in
