Here’s a thought…
“Reality whistles a different tune underwater.”
TOM ROBBINS
Leadership San Juan Islands Launches 12th Year
-- from Liz Illg -- The Leadership San Juan Islands professional development program launched a new class on January 8, with an orientation day held at the Harrison House Suites in Friday Harbor. Eighteen islanders from Orcas, San Juan, Fidalgo, Whidbey and Lopez make up the 12th Cohort and will meet for
Library Ready to Turn the Page on The Next Chapter
-- from Phil Heikkinen, Orcas Public Library Director -- Sketch of Library from Rose Street, looking south with expansion to the north and west of current building With wonderful participation from the community, Henry Klein Architects, the firm that designed our current library in 1991, has finished the
Ferry Alert: The Yakima Is Back
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Friday, February 19, 2016 12:23 PM: Ana/SJs-Update-Yakima is back on schedule with the 3:05 pm departure from Anacortes. Thursday, 2/18/2016 at 12:51PM: The 144-vehicle Yakima is out of service due to necessary repairs. The 124-vehicle Chelan will replace the Yakima in vessel position #1 for
Our Representatives Report: Jeff Morris Updates
-- from Washington State Representative Jeff Morris -- Here we are almost two-thirds of the way through this short (60-day) session in Olympia. I’m honored to serve you as one of two representatives from the 40th Legislative District, and I wanted to give you an update on what’s happening here
Evaluate Grants for Parks, Trails and Wildlife Habitat
Volunteers Needed -- from Susan Zemek fro Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office -- OLYMPIA – The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is seeking volunteers to evaluate grant proposals that will help decide which parks and trails should be funded and what wildlife habitat should be conserved in
Guest Editorial: Fielding Football Offers Alternatives and Discussions
-- by Justin Paulsen -- The issue of youth (age 6 – 18) football in a topic of major discussion in communities across America. The discussion is notable because of all of the comments raised in response to "Does Football Have a Future on Orcas?". The question as raised in
Sports Report: Vikings Basketball Season Over
-- by Ed Sutton -- All good things come to an end. And so it was for the Orcas Vikings basketball teams. Both the men's team and the Lady Vikings returned to Sedro Wooley on Monday, Feb.16, for the continuation of the District playoffs which lead to the regional round
Donate and Help at the Winter Book Sale
Library Friends Winter Book Sale -- Saturday, February 27th, 10AM to 2PM Public School Cafeteria -- from Leif for the Friends of the Orcas Island Library -- “Massive, End-of-Winter & Pretty-much-Spring-already” -Book Sale. For just a buck or two, sneak out with fresh treasure. Indulge caprice, make a haul of
Letter to the Editor: 17-year-olds Can Caucus in San Juan County, Too!
-- from Diane Martindale -- Mark March 26th on your calendars now for the Democratic caucuses in San Juan County. Attention 17 year olds! If you are turning 18 on or before November 8 you CAN participate in the Democratic caucuses. You can support your candidate and introduce resolutions to
Surfing Meets Conservation in Upcoming Talk
Wednesday, February 24, 7 p.m., Emmanuel Parish Hall -- from Jean M Lyle -- Conservationist Serge Dedina, co-founder and executive director of WILDCOAST, has dedicated his life to protecting the coastline of California and Mexico. Working on both sides of the border, Dedina has been instrumental in preserving more than 1.8 million
Letter to Editor: Big Thanks for Park / Rec Funding
-- from Marcia West -- Asking voters to voluntarily raise their taxes is stressful for everyone. You, and the commissioners asking you to approve the levy, are property owners and we are well aware that a "yes" vote impacts individuals and families, not just organizational operating budgets. The fact that over 70%
Orcas Island Rowing Looks Forward to a Strong Spring Season: Join Them!
-- by Martin Taylor -- Tina showing them the right way to row. Orcas Island Rowing team has already been working out in the pre-dawn, pre-season. The high school and middle school kids have been working out on land at the boathouse 3 days a week before school
Our Representatives Report: Senate Passes Education Bill, BUT…
-- from Rick Manugian, Senator Ranker's Office -- Sen. Kevin Ranker speaking Tuesday on the Senate floor. Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, issued the following statement today following the passage of Senate Bill 6195 regarding the funding of basic education. “This bill is barely better than no bill.
Does Football Have a Future on Orcas?
Wednesday, February 24, 5 p.m., OHS Cafeteria -- from Kim Ihlenfeldt, Program Coordinator, OPR -- Many Islanders with youth in our Park and Rec and School programs have recently received a survey to complete regarding your thoughts on football on Orcas Island. We have received an overwhelming number of responses to
Sunrise Volunteers to Hear from Lahari Director
-- from Chris White -- Dennis King, Director of Lahari Sunrise Volunteers, and those who would like to join the all-volunteer, no-commitment group, are invited to the upcoming sunrise breakfast 7 AM this Friday February 19th at the Island Skillet. Our guest speaker will be the Executive Director
Turning 65? Welcome to Medicare
Thursday, February 18, 1:30 p.m., Orcas Library -- from Pegi Groundwater -- Turning 65 means that you are now eligible for health coverage through Medicare - the government funded insurance program available to people age 65 and older and to persons who have been on Social Security disability for at least 2
