Here’s a thought…
“The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it.”
GEORGE ORWELL
GiveOrcas Approaching Final Countdown for This Year
-- from Hilary Canty, Orcas Community Foundation -- GiveOrcas is in the final countdown. The annual grant program, run through the Orcas Island Community Foundation, will wrap up on May 27. So far, 120 donors have contributed nearly $30,000 towards the proposals in this year’s Grant Catalog. What amazing support for the
Superintendent Eric Webb to Speak to Sunrise Volunteers
Friday, May 20 at 7 a.m. a The Skillet -- from Chris White for the Orcas Lions -- Notice to all Sunrise Volunteers and community members: Mr. Eric Webb, Orcas Island School District Superintendent, will explain how the district will meet its responsibilities when the State of Washington fails to
Kindergarten Bus and School Preview
Tuesday, May 24 from 9 a.m. to noon --from the Orcas Community Resource Center -- Kindergarten teachers help students board the school bus All Kindergarten-bound children will have the opportunity to ride to the Public Elementary School in a big yellow school bus with their preschool teachers. The
Pets and Their People to Parade in Eastsound
Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m., Orcas School -- from Vala Ross -- Animals and their owners will be taking over the streets of Eastsound on Saturday, May 28. That’s right! It’s almost time for the 26th Annual Pet Parade to support Kaleidoscope Preschool and Child Care Center. In long-standing tradition,
Land Bank Welcomes New Commissioner, Marlis Sandwith
-- from San Juan County Land Bank -- The San Juan County Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Marlis Sandwith of Orcas Island to serve as a Land Bank Commissioner, effective immediately. Marlis replaces Matthew Wallrath, who served as the District 2, position 2 Commissioner for two years,
Artsmith Residency Now Offers $50 Travel Stipend
-- from Jill McCabe Johnson -- Beginning in 2017, each artist selected for Artsmith's annual artist residency on Orcas island will receive a $50 honorarium to help offset travel costs. The next residency takes place January 2-9. Five writers, artists, naturalists, and/or scholars selected by our Peer Review Panel will
Fire Commissioners Vote to Continue Chief Search, Maybe Till End of Year
-- by Lin McNulty -- In a surprise, perhaps hesitant, move the Board of Fire Commissioners at their meeting on Monday passed a motion to continue the search for a new Fire Chief for another month. Or six months. Or till the end of the year. "What we need administratively," said
Savory Student Chef Success
2016 Student chef contestants: Kashi Campbell, Theo Vaccarella, Tayla Malo, Alecia Talbot, Makena and Shay Silva -- from Ashley Randall -- On the morning of May 14, six middle school students arrived in the public school’s culinary arts room ready to wow our judges for the 2016 Student
Islanders Take Part in “Break Free” Advocacy
The "Break Free" gathering at Indigenous Day of Action -- by Margie Doyle, updated at 9 p.m. -- [metaslider id=43860] (all photos by Sharon Abreu) Over three dozen regional organizations participated in a three-day event last weekend to promote clean energy and the elimination of fossil fuels and
Body Recovered from Hummel Lake on Lopez
-- from Sheriff Ron Krebs -- On May 11 at approximately 7:00 pm Salvador Gallegos of Lopez Island was in a canoe on Hummel Lake without wearing a life preserver when he capsized and went into the water. Gallegos surfaced a couple of time and then was not seen again.
Hughes Makes It Official
Rick Hughes files for re-election to the County Council position which he has held since Nov. 2012 Rick Hughes officially filed to run for San Juan County Council District #2 at around 8:50 am in Friday Harbor on May 16, 2016. Hughes was first elected to the County
Ferry Advisory Committee to Hold Forum
Monday May 23, 4 - 6 p.m., Council Meeting Room -- from Jim Corenman -- The San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee will be holding a public forum on Monday May 23, 4-6pm in the County Council meeting room at 55 Second St, Friday Harbor. The FAC is a volunteer committee
Summer Fun at Montessori School
-- from Teresa Chocano, Director, Orcas Montessori School -- This summer the Orcas Montessori School will be offering a month long summer program for children 3-7 from July 5-28. We will meet Monday through Thursday mornings from 9-1. Our lead teacher will be Yvonne Post who will be assisted by
Museum Opens History of Orcas Aviation Exhibit
-- by Margie Doyle -- Trudy Irwin, machinist's mate at Glenview Naval Air station, private pilot, and island potter Roy Franklin, with the early aviators' signature leather jacket and helmet and silk scarf On Saturday, May 14, the Orcas Island Historical Museum opened its latest exhibit,
Boat Safety Weekend Coming
-- from Tom Tillman -- The San Juan Island Recreational Boating Safety Group, along with West Sound Marina and the Port of Friday Harbor, will be sponsoring the third annual Boat Safely Fair this next weekend. The event will be held Saturday, May 21 at the West Sound Marina and
Library Board to Discuss Bids for Expansion
-- from Phil Heikkinen, Director, Orcas Island Public Library -- The Orcas Island Public Library Board will hold a special meeting to discuss its current building project, including bids from contractors and related topics. The meeting will take place at 8:30 am on Tuesday, May 17 in the Orcas Island
