Here’s a thought…
“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.”
HEATHER FRENCH HENRY
Larsen Calls For U.S. To Accept 100,000 Syrian Refugees
Call to action comes as Pope Francis addresses Congress -- from the office of U.S. Representative Rick Larsen -- The United States has the capacity to take in more Syrian refugees, and it should play a leadership role in helping alleviate the global refugee crisis, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, said
Day-long Simulcast with Inspirational Speaker
Saturday, Oct. 3 at Orcas Island Community Church -- from Meredith Griffith -- Are you living the life you were born to live? All women of our islands community, you are invited to come hear dynamic Christian storyteller and bestselling author Beth Moore via simulcast on Saturday, October 3. Free
Big Steps Now in Library Expansion Project
-- by Cara Russell -- on the left, Liz LeRoy, Library Expansion Project Manager, discusses some of the details at the Library Open House on Sept. 22. Orcas Islanders weighed in enthusiastically on design plans for the Public Library Expansion project at two Open House sessions on Tuesday,
It’s Harvest Season – Come to the Seed-Saving Workshop
-- from Sustainable Orcas Island -- Come to the Orcas Island Library in Eastsound this Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm for a hands-on seed cleaning workshop with Katie Wilkins. We will practice threshing and winnowing seeds to get them ready for storage, and discuss seed growing
Inslee and Bipartisan Governors Sign Clean Energy and Economic Development Accords
-- from the office of Washington State Governor Jay Inslee -- [On Sept. 22] Gov. Jay Inslee, along with four other U.S. governors, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and six Chinese governors and leaders to discuss opportunities for collaboration on clean energy technology and economic development. American and Chinese
Late Breaking News: Public Library Closed on Thursday, Sept. 24
-- from Phil Heikkinen, Orcas Public Library Director -- The Library will be closed all day on Thursday, September 24 for staff training. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
State Opens Licensing for Medical and Recreational Pot Markets
--by Jordan Schrader for the Bellingham Herald -- State regulators hope to have some new marijuana stores licensed by the start of next year as they prepare to merge the medical and recreational markets. The state Liquor and Cannabis Board plans to accept applications for pot stores starting Oct. 12
Guest Column: A Life Examined, a Day of Atonement on Yom Kippur
-- by David Kobrin -- This year the Jewish holy day, Yom Kippur, begins Tuesday, September 22nd at sunset, and continues through sunset on Wednesday, September 23rd. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. Within the Jewish tradition, the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are a time
Larsen Applauds Grants for Homeless Veterans
-- from the office of U.S. Representative Rick Larsen -- Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, [on Sept. 21] applauded federal grants for two Pacific Northwest organizations in support of their work to prevent homelessness among veterans. Catholic Community Services of Western Washington received $776,000 and the Opportunity Council received $704,000 through
Kids’ Pioneer Clubs This Fall
--by Meredith Griffith -- Island kids from four years through sixth grade are invited to attend weekly Pioneer Clubs at Orcas Island Community Church this school year. Clubs will be divided by age into Skippers (ages four and five); Scooters (kindergarten); Voyagers (first and second grade); Pathfinders (third and fourth
County Council Places Review of Proposed Greenhouse Regulations on Hold
-- from the San Juan County Council -- San Juan County Council Chairman Bob Jarman announced today that he will not calendar any further Council review of the proposed greenhouse regulations until the Dept. of Community Development has had an opportunity to reevaluate the draft regulations, and take into consideration
Poem: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
-- by Linda Pastan -- A tree beside the synagogue atones of all its leaves. Within the ram’s horn blows and sins come tumbling down to rest among old cigarettes and handkerchiefs. My sins are dried and brittle now as any leaves and barely keep me warm. I have atoned
Entry Forms Now Available for the Trashion Fashion Show
-- from Linda Peth for the Orcas Grange -- Trashion Fashion Show entry forms are now available on the Orcas Island Bulletin Boards at the Post Office, in Templin's (Ray's) Square, on the south side of Island Market, Country Corner Laundromat, and Deer Harbor Marina. Contact the Grange e-mail orcasislandgrange@gmail.com
Guest Column: Bringing the City to the Woods
-- by a 20-something naturalist-- Last month marked the end to my third year out here on Orcas. These past three years have been a formative transition for me from the proverbial adolescence to adulthood and I express the deepest gratitude for all of those who have honored and assisted
Guest Column: Celebrating International Day of Peace
-- by Sharon Abreu -- On this International Peace Day, I'm thinking about all those who have lost their lives in violence in the U.S. and around the world, and those who will lose their lives today as a result of violent conflict. And I'm pondering what it is to
The Concerto Project for Young Adults with Autism Launches Much-Needed Transition Program in Pacific Northwest
-- from The Concerto Project (concertoproject.org) -- The Concerto Project (www.concertoproject.org) launches campaign to purchase Mount Baker Farm and begin two-year program for young adults with autism The Concerto Project was begun in 2013 to create a much-needed living and learning residential transition program in the Pacific Northwest.
