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
Bats by Moonlight
Thursday, July 2, from 8:30 to 10:30 pm at Judd Cove Preserve, Orcas Island -- from the San Juan County Land Bank -- Mysterious nocturnal bats -- learn about them on this nature walk Learn about island bat’s distinguishing features and natural history, as well as questions being
School Bond Job in Final Stretch
-- by Margie Doyle -- Believe it or not, we're nearly done! The Orcas School Bond project, managed by Liz LeRoy and contracted by Tiger Construction, has made quick work of the $11.9 M campus remodel. Now, barely one year after starting the "shovel work," a tour of
Orcas Island Gardens on Tour
Five beautiful gardens at the Orcas Island Garden Club tours this weekend The 2015 Annual Garden Tour Weekend is Saturday and Sunday June 27 and 28, from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. The annual Garden Tour is the highlight of the Garden Club year. Visitors from all over
Orcas Fire and Rescue Reports on Turtleback Fire
-- from Mik Preysz, OIFR Chief -- OIFR responded to a Wildland Fire, Sunday June 21 at 3:12 p.m. in the area of 1550 Crow Valley Rd. Access was through 350’ of steep terrain covered by thick vegetation with an abundance of trees, making access very difficult. The area affected
Emmanuel Episcopal Parish to Guide Visitors to Church
-- from the Rev. Berto Gándara-Perea -- Emmanuel Episcopal Church, on Main Street Eastsound, will open its doors for visitors every Saturday during the summer from 10am until 2pm. During that time a group of volunteer docents will be available to guide the visitors in appreciating this beautiful church and
Hike, Restore, and Explore Patos Island on July 24
-- from the Friends of the San Juans -- Patos Island, photo by Marcia deChadenedes Take a trip out to beautiful Patos Island with Friends of the San Juans and the Bureau of Land Management on Friday, July 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patos is full
Letter to the Editor: Choose Other than Violence
-- by Andy Wickstrand, Olga -- I wept when I heard of the Charleston church shooting. Wept for the senseless loss of life. Wept for how we as a nation have become numb to these never-ending tragedies. And wept precisely for the frustration so many of us feel for seemingly
Ranker Speaks to New State Budget Proposal
-- statement by Senator Kevin Ranker -- “I am proud to support the budget released today by the House Democrats. It is truly a good faith compromise. I have worked for weeks with my colleagues in the House and am impressed with the proposal we now have before us. It
Brush Fire on Turtleback Mountain Preserve
-- from Tanja Williamson for the County Land Bank -- Illegal campfire on Turtleback Mountain threatens Land Bank/public property On Sunday afternoon, June21, 2015, the Orcas Island Fire Department responded to an isolated brush fire on the north side of the Land Bank’s Turtleback Mountain Preserve. The fire,
Editorial: In the Face of Tragedy, We Can Do More
-- by Margie Doyle -- The candlelit service for the Charleston a tragedy. All photos by Julie KaiKekapei Three things happened this week, after many years a-brewing; three things that inspire, challenge and comfort me. I guess the tiny little bit of me that's an engineer likes the
Solstice Parade Celebrates All Things Absurd
[metaslider id=37626] See the slideshow! There was a baton twirler, dancing girls, fairy children, odd fellows, ladies in green, flower pots, bubblecycles, digeridoos, man-sized crows and every kind of absurdity at the Annual Solstice Parade on Saturday. And of course there was the venerable, all-embracing Sun, the Dove of Peace,
Guest Opinion: Who’s Behind the Recycling “Industry”?
-- by Pete Moe, Director, Orcas Recycling Services/The Exchange Most of us believe that recycling is our civic and environmental duty. And certainly, as the system is designed now, it is. But if you dig deeper into recycling, you very quickly come upon this controversial concept: “Extended Producer Responsibility”. Extended
Community Labyrinth Walk Series
-- from Nancy Ayer -- Emmanuel's labyrinth Emmanuel Episcopal Church Parish invites all to a series of events this summer centered around the labyrinth in the lawn between the parish hall and the historic church. The labyrinth is a tool that can enhance your spiritual practice regardless of
The Exchange Works with Oregon Counterparts
-- by Margie Doyle -- Orcas Recycling Services/The Exchange Board with the CARTM board and county officials and staffs from San Juan and Tillamook Counties. Photo courtesy of Ron Glasset The board of directors of Orcas Recycling Services(ORS)/The Exchange, a historic island non-profit that took over operations of
Guest Column: Assessing the Big Picture that is Rental Housing
-- by Susan Bradford -- First of all, let me thank Steve Mckenna ( see orcasissues.com/guest-opinion-moratorium-on-vacation-rentals-needed-immediately ) for opening this discussion. It has obviously sparked a lot of thought-provoking comments. I would like to weigh in as one who has recently been directly affected by this situation. I have lived
Business Spotlight: Jeff Bossler’s Art and Hard Work a Super Combo
-- by Margie Doyle -- Jeff Bossler, Orcas landscaper, government activist, artist, photographer and international explorer, has now added internet marketer to his resume. Jeff Bossler wearing his other hat, as landscaper and weed-eater After years of raising children, building a house, landscape gardening, public service and hard work,
