Here’s a thought…
“The politician wants men to know how to die courageously; the poet wants men to live courageously.”
SALVATORE QUASIMODO
Sen. Ranker Reflects on Special Session Education Challenges
-- from Aaron Wasser -- This afternoon [Thursday, July 9, 2015], after six months in Olympia, we finally finished our work… for now. I will provide a more detailed summary later of what got done this year and what did not, but I wanted to provide you with this outline
MacKaye Harbor Water District Special 3-day Candidate Filing Period
-- from San Juan County Elections Office -- On June 29th, the San Juan County Council adopted a resolution to call for an election for the formation of MacKaye Harbor Water District [Lopez Island] and to also call for a special filing period for the election of three commissioners to
Young Local Musicians to Perform in Portugal
-- from Kristen Wilson -- Three young Orcas Island musicians – Paris Wilson (violin), Emy Carter (violin), and Lisa Carter (piano) – are part of a 13-piece youth orchestra from the Seattle-to-Bellingham area who will be performing at The Lisbon International Youth Music Festival in Lisbon, Portugal, this month. The
Larsen Votes Against Flawed Federal Education Bill
-- from the office of U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen -- Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, voted [July 8, 2015] against a Republican Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) bill, H.R. 5, that takes funding away from low-income schools and districts and lowers standards designed to improve outcomes for all students. While
Guest Column: Just How Clean are Electric Vehicles?
-- by Tom Owens -- Last month, I wrote an opinion piece in OrcasIssues that tried to describe the impact (CO2 production) of new electric loads (including EV’s) here in the San Juans. To understand this, we must know what type of fuel is used by the plant meeting the
State Funds Road Projects on Orcas
Stormwater and Public Works road funds for Prune Alley also receive state money -- by Margie Doyle -- Parked cars increase traffic danger on Orcas Road by the ferry landing In addition to the $1.4M granted to Orcas Island Public Library for its expansion project, the Washington State
State Senate Agrees on Student Testing Requirement
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Statement from Inslee on the Senate student testing agreement “Today’s [July 8, 2015] announcement from Senate leaders about an agreement on student testing is great news and allows the Legislature to move forward on wrapping up its work for this year.
Brown Bag Concert with Abreu-Hurwicz
Wednesday, July 15, 12-12:30 pm at Emmanuel Episcopal Church -- from Sharon Abreu -- For our Brown Bag Concert at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, we're sharing our glorious half-hour with good friend and excellent baritone Bill Felber. I'll be singing a duet with Bill, a solo (with Ron Myers on piano),
Ferry Runs Aground at Coupeville
-- from KOMO.com -- Dive teams work to repair the damaged M/V Kennewick ferry that ran aground on July 8, 2015. (Photo courtesy: Washington State Ferries) One of the state ferry system's newest vessels ran aground Wednesday morning while docking at Coupeville, shutting down all service on the
KindlingsFest 2015 – Joy: The Art of Living
-- from Meredith Griffith -- On July 21-24 Orcas Islanders are invited to attend KindlingsFest 2015, a celebration of art and ideas where they meet with the spiritual. The theme this year is "Joy: The Art of Living." “C.S. Lewis writes that ‘The serious business of heaven is joy,’ ”
Business Spotlight: Paul and Cathy Vierthaler Invent Paxis Backpacks
-- by Margie Doyle -- Paul and Cathy Vierthaler with the Paxis patented swing arm backpack Long-time islanders Paul and Cathy Vierthaler -- excavator, bookkeeper, entrepreneurs and business-builders and parents of two adult sons -- are avid day-hikers. One day on a hike, Paul expressed the recurring frustration
Deer Harbor Planning Review Committee Agenda
Wednesday, July 8 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at Deer Harbor Community Club --from Pamela Kyle -- 1. Chair call to Order 2. Minutes from previous meeting 3. Recognize public attendees and speakers 4. Old Business a. Fire station conference room usage - status W. Heinmiller b. Deer Harbor 5
Orcas Man’s Cause of Death Determined
-- from Robert W. Bishop DVM, F-ABMDI, Island County Coroner -- (The body of David Fleischmann, a long-time, well-known waiter from Rosario Resort and the Madrona Restaurant, was discovered June 24 on Whidbey Island. The following report is from the Island County Coroner.) David Fleischmann, a 66-year old man from Orcas Island, was
Donate Auction Items Now for Kaleidoscope
-- from Vala Ross for Kaleidoscope -- Donate auction items now for Annual Kaleidoscope event Kaleidoscope Preschool and Child Care Center is gearing up for the 11th Annual Island Grown, Island Raised Dinner Auction. On Saturday, September 12, this fun event will be hosted at Maple Rock Farm.
Shakespeare’s Cymbeline at Doe Bay Resort
Wednesday, July 8 at 8 pm at Doe Bay Doe Bay Resort and Retreat and Island Stage Left present: Shakespeare’s Cymbeline, this Wednesday, July 8 at 8 pm at the Doe Bay Garden Stage in the upper field. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy this annual FREE event!
Music in the Park this Sunday
The Crow Valley String Band, photo taken some years ago. Come see how accomplished they've grown! -- from Marc Cohen -- Music in the Park on July 12, from 5 to 7 pm on the Village Green, will feature local bands Crow Valley String Band and Local Folk. The Crow Valley Family
