Here’s a thought…
“There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything; both ways save us from thinking.”
ALFRED KORZYBSKI
2016 Parks, Trails & Natural Areas Plan Comments Open
-- from San Juan County Communications -- The Parks, Trails and Natural Areas Plan (PTNA) provides direction for the development, management and acquisition of parks, trails, non-motorized transportation facilities, and natural areas for the Parks & Fair Department, Land Bank, Public Works, and Community Development Departments of the County. We
Calling All Singers
-- from Lynn Baker -- The Orcas Choral Society kicks off its fall season 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 6, with a family picnic on the Orcas Center lawn. It's a potluck, of course. We’ll have barbeques going for your meat of choice. Interim director Marianne Lewis will give us a
Yellow Island Burn Was Controlled, Necessary
-- by Lin McNulty -- Smoke emanating from a Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) controlled burn on Yellow Island caught the attention of many islanders on Saturday as the haze wafted its way near Orcas. Winds on Saturday were measured at 16 - 22 mph from the NOAA Weather station on Saturna
Martin Lund’s Jazz Festival: The Man Brings the Music to the Island
-- by Margie Doyle -- Martin Lund, founder of the Orcas Island Jazz Festival Martin Lund, jazzman extraordinaire, considers himself a "musical chef." He delights in exploring genres and talents of all kinds, and now for the second year, he's organized a Labor Day Weekend Jazz Festival. The
Dorn: Court Must Rule on McCleary Quickly
-- from Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction -- State Superintendent Randy Dorn filed a brief with the Supreme Court. Below is a statement on the brief. On Monday I filed a brief in the McCleary v. Washington case. In July the state Supreme Court asked all parties in the
Update on Library Expansion and Levy Lid Lift
Library construction of a new wing continues with pouring the concrete slab for its foundation or "footprint" -- from Phil Heikkinen, Director, Orcas Island Public Library-- Construction of the Orcas Island Public Library Expansion began on July 12, 2016. Detailed information regarding the expansion and still photographs are
NAS Whidbey Island SAR Rescues Hikers on Olympic Peninsula
-- from Mike Welding -- A Search and Rescue (SAR) team of five from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island conducted a rescue mission at 3,500 feet on Mt. Ellinor in the Olympic Mountain Range in Washington on Saturday, August 27, 2016. SAR also conducted a rescue on Thursday, August
Be a Good Sport. Volunteer with Park & Rec
-- from Kim Ihlenfeldt -- Park and Rec is looking for volunteers to support our fall community programs. We are especially in need of soccer coaches, which include two weekly after-school practices and games on Saturday mornings. We will provide coaching assistance and training for you so no experience is necessary.
Save the Date for This Birthday Bash
Tickets Available Noon - 3 p.m., Island Market -- from Linda Peth -- Save the date. Saturday September 24 Carl Burger and David Roseberry invite you to celebrate their Birthdays “0-70 at the Speed of Life” at the Orcas Island Grange. Festivities begin at 6pm with food, beverage and lively
Allegations Against Elementary Teacher Resolved
-- from Eric Webb, Superintendent, Orcas Island School District -- The district utilized the law firm of Patterson Buchanan Fobes & Leitch Inc. and an outside investigator to conduct a thorough and extensive investigation into the alleged allegations involving the [elemenatry grade] teacher. The teacher in question was placed on
Gov. Inslee to Meet with County Council on San Juan Island
-- from Ingrid Gabriel, County Council Clerk-- Notice of the SJC Council Attending a Public Meeting Members of the San Juan County Council will be attending a meeting with Governor Jay Inslee on Saturday, September 3rd beginning at approximately 9 a.m. at the Mt. Grant Land Bank property, San Juan
Learn to Dance the East Coast Swing
Monday, September 5, 7 - 9 p.m., Odd Fellows Hall -- from Bill Gincig -- Local instructors are again offering their community dance class on Monday, September 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall. We will be teaching East Coast Swing. Instruction will being promptly at
Fire Commissioners Acknowledge Improper Procedure
-- from Barbara G. Bedell, Chair, Board of Fire Commissioners -- The Board of Fire Commissioners, in reviewing the August 22 special meeting and the subsequent public discussions, admits that the procedures to accept the resignation of Commissioner Jim Coffin and the appointment of Tamara DiCaprio to fill his position were not
Fire Risk Status “HIGH” – Only Recreational Fires Allowed
-- from Robert Low, SJC Fire Marshal -- Due to current fuel conditions and the long range weather forecast, San Juan County has changed its fire risk status from “EXTREME” to “HIGH. This will limit burning to recreational fires only.
Flotsam & Jetsam | The Joys of Boating
— a semi-regular humor column by Maurice Austin — There are few things in life as enjoyable as boat ownership. Between the keel and the tip of the VHF antennae, such an abundance of learning opportunities, each pricier than the next! Last year, after cutting off and replacing the rusted
Superintendent Looks Forward to New School Year
-- from Superintendent Eric Webb -- Fall is in the air, and September is rapidly approaching. I love September……….. the first day of school is on the horizon, and the learning and fun will once again commence. Looking Ahead 2016-17 Professional Learning Communities will continue to be a primary focus
