Here’s a thought…
“The politician wants men to know how to die courageously; the poet wants men to live courageously.”
SALVATORE QUASIMODO
Electronic Attack Squadron Returns from Middle East Combat
-- from Mike Welding, Public Affairs Officer, Whidbey Naval Air Station -- Sailors from Electronic Attack Squadron 137 (VAQ-137) “Rooks” return home this weekend after successfully completing a nine-month combat deployment aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The Rooks set sail from Naval Station Norfolk on March 11, 2015
Guest Editorial: Gov. Inslee’s Response to Refugees FROM War and Terror
-- from Washington State Governor Jay Inslee in the New York Times -- For the last week, a growing number of governors, representatives, senators and presidential candidates have demanded that America slam shut our borders to refugees who are fleeing unspeakable horrors at the hands of the Islamic State. On
Midsummer Night’s Dream Adult Auditions Coming
Sunday, Nov. 22 at noon to 2 p.m. at Orcas Center -- from Jake Perrine --- “The course of true love never did run smooth!" Local director/teacher Jake Perrine (Butterfly Effect, Christmas Carol, Moulin Rouge, Across the Universe) will be auditioning adult men and women on NOVEMBER 22nd in the
Fire Commissioners Appoint Preysz as Permanent Chief
-- from Barbara G. Bedell, Chair, Board of Fire Commissioners -- At its regular meeting on November 19, the Board of Fire Commissioners for San Juan County Fire Protection District #2 appointed Acting Chief Miklos Preysz as Permanent Chief of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue. Minor contractual details will be addressed at
Ranker Re-elected to Key Ways & Means Leadership Role
-- from Rick Manugian for Senator Ranker -- Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, will retain his position as the number-two Democrat on the powerful Senate Ways & Means Committee that controls the vast majority of state spending. “I am honored to have been selected by my colleagues to serve in this
PeaceHealth Peace Island Recognized for Excellence in Rural Health
-- from Lori Polevoi, senior communication specialist for PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center -- PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor has received recognition for overall excellence in all four hospital performance categories assessed by the National Organization of State Office of Rural Health (NOSORH), using data from public data sources. This
In Memoriam: Russell “Rusty” Lee Post Jr., January 7, 1937 – November 14, 2015
-- from Keri Lago -- On November 14th, 2015, Russell Lee Post Jr., known fondly as “Rusty”, passed away peacefully with his wife, Debbie, and four children by his side. He was born in 1937 in New York City. Rusty lived on Orcas Island, WA for over 20 years and
Inslee Declares State of Emergency
[Editor's Note: As the rest of our state recovers from the recent storm that caused widespread flooding and wind damage, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, on Wednesday evening, issued a State of Emergency for the entire state. The heavy rain and high winds across the state were responsible for power outages (even here on Orcas),
Student Study Finds Endocrine Disrupters in Local Waters
-- from Russel Barsh, Kwiat, Corrected Nov. 24. at 10 a.m. -- Scientists have expressed increasing concern over the accumulation of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) such as dioxins and PCBs in the planet’s rivers, lakes, and the oceans. At high levels in food EDCs can cause developmental defects in children. But long before
Sunrise Volunteers to Hear from ORS/The Exchange’s Pete Moe
Friday, Nov. 20 at 7 a.m. at Island Skillet -- from Chris White -- This Friday at 7 a.m. will be the monthly gathering of Sunrise Volunteers at the Island Skillet with Pete Moe as our featured speaker. As usual Orcas Island Lions will sponsor free coffee to the attendees.
Internet Explorer Issues – Problem Fixed!
Problem: Internet Explorer kept crashing and restarting Latest update 1:50pm: I've found the software our site uses that caused the problems with Windows Update and have removed it. The only casualty is the Like Us on Facebook box in the sidebar. Everything else should be back to normal! If you
Eastsound Water Users Update
Purdue Water Levels and NEW SMART METERS! -- by Paul Kamin, Manager, EWUA -- Summer has long since passed. With it, so have most peoples’ concerns about the drought of 2015. This is “out of sight, out of mind.” Purdue Lake photographed Nov. 6, 2015 by Paul Kamin
Artists from All San Juan Islands at New Show Opening
IMA Islands Artists’ Registry Show Opens Saturday, Nov. 21 in Friday Harbor -- from Diane Martindale -- "Loose Ends" by BJ Arnold will be exhibited along with other works by artists from all county islands Nov. 21, 2015 through Jan. 11, 2016 (Featured photograph, "Ancient Lesson" by JoEllen
The Olga Symphony Rides Again!
-- from Dave Z Zoeller -- Q: Where can one go to see a symphony consisting of fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, string bass, concertina, ukulele, dobro, kazoo and saw, and, on occasion, has been known to include a tap dance or power tool rhythm section? A: Why, the annual Olga
Women’s Scholarship Opportunity from Soroptimists
- Open to women on all county islands -- from Friday Harbor Soroptimists -- Soroptimist Club offers educational scholarship to all women of San Juan Islands. Apply now! Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor (SIFRI) is offering a $2,000.00 “Educational Opportunity Award.” This award helps women to overcome financial
Letter to the Editor: Hold Spending Down, OPALCO
-- from John and Susan Fleischer -- Recently, OPALCO sent out an e-mail about the energy future, Rock Island, and the low income needs assessment. In this e-mail, OPALCO appears to support a "go faster" approach to Rock Island expenditures for the sake of "return on investment". This may be
