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
OPAL to Hold Public Meeting on Affordable Housing
Tuesday, June 23 at 6 - 8 p.m. at the Senior Center -- from OPAL Community Land Trust -- Join OPAL Community Land Trust for an honest conversation about the potential for affordable rental housing on Orcas Island. We need your input! How much, for what price? What sizes and
Larsen Votes Against More War Intelligence Funding
"Congress Can Do Better In Taking ‘Intelligent’ Approach to National Security" Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today [June 16] called on Congress to support the vital work of the U.S. intelligence community with responsible, long-term budgeting. Larsen voted against the Fiscal Year 2016 Intelligence Authorization Act (H.R.2596), which circumvents sequester spending
Eight Islanders to be Honored for Environmental Stewardship
Saturday, June 20 at 2 p.m. by the Stewardship Network booths at the Village Green in Eastsound Bishop Craig Anderson and Pierrette Guimond of Orcas Island among the honorees -- from the Stewardship Network of the San Juans-- Eight “Good Steward” awards will be presented at the Orcas Solstice Celebration on
This Just In: Notice of Repair Work in Eastsound
June 15 thru 25 San Juan County has awarded a contract to Orcas Excavators to perform some Road repair work on North Beach Rd in two areas and also at the Orcas Senior Center; 1) In the Village Green Park area from A Street south approximately 200 ft. 2) North
Estate Sale to Benefit St. Francis Parish
-- from Velma Doty -- St. Francis Catholic Church is hosting an estate sale at the Eldon property at 227 Pinneo Road. Hours are Friday, June 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Profits from sale items will go to the
Love Letters Beyond the Veil Review
-- by Norm Stamper -- Amontaine Aurore, Seattle playwright and actor, has done it again. Back in 2012, Aurore brought her hilarious and stirring one-woman play, Free Desiree to the Black Box at Orcas Center. [Last Saturday night] she returned to the big stage at the Orcas Center with the
Support Schools through Education Foundation’s Annual Event
-- from Janet Brownell -- For over thirty years, the Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) has been working to bring “excellence in education” to our public schools. This can only happen with the generous support of donors. In this school year, our donors have made an impact in classrooms K-12.
Guest Opinion: Salutatorian Salutes Classmates
-- Graduation Speech by Hannah Brunner-Gaydos -- Good afternoon and welcome. You know, I’ve wanted to give this speech since about 4th grade and I’ve always imagined I would use these three minutes to impart some sort of wisdom to all of you. But when I sat down to write
Guest Opinion: Moratorium on Vacation Rentals Needed Immediately
-- by Steve Mckenna -- Affordable housing has long been a recognized problem in the Islands where land values and cost of construction are high. OPAL, Homes for Islanders and other organizations are doing good work and have had some success in helping to alleviate the lack of housing but
Baccalaureate Service for Orcas Graduates
-- by Meredith Griffith -- Graduating Seniors Celebrate their Baccalaureate Service. Last week 19 high school seniors on the brink of graduation gathered to celebrate their journeys at an interfaith, community-wide Baccalaureate service held at Orcas Island Community Church. Mikaela Hansen and Melanie Flint, on guitar and ukulele,
Samish Sails to San Juans
The Samish sails the Salish Sea, photo courtesy of Bill Pike Festivities and speeches marked the first official sailing of the new M/V Samish on her inaugural route, leaving Anacortes on the 6 a.m. trip to Lopez, Shaw and Orcas. County Councilman Rick Hughes said, "It's a true
Washed Up Out of the Blue
-- by Lin McNulty -- [metaslider id=37502] "Ewwwwwwwwwwww. What is this?" That was what first attracted the attention of an Orkila staff member as she saw campers on the beach poking at something with a stick. It was a "sea monster" that washed up on the shore at Camp Orkila.
Orcas Teens About to Embark on Camping Adventure
-- from Meredith Griffith -- As the graduation hubbub subsides and school lets out for the summer, over 50 island teens are looking forward to hopping a bus bound for Camp Chelan, the annual youth adventure organized by Orcas Island Community Church. “Camp Chelan is awesome,” says leader Lisa Bronn.
Chama Anderson Recovering from Serious Accident
-- from Justin Paulsen -- As many have heard, Chama Anderson, the founder of the Orcas Lady Vikings Soccer Team and the only coach in the history of Orcas Island to lead a team to a State Championship, was injured in an auto accident on June 10th. Chama's spirit and
Memorial Services for Larry Lindberg this Sunday
Larry Lindberg's life and spirit will be celebrated on Father’s Day, June 21, from 2-4 p.m. at Orcas Center. All who would like to remember and honor him are welcome. Larry passed away on Feb. 23, 2015 "reluctantly, but peacefully, at his home on Orcas Island with his family present
Orcas High School Graduates Begin a New Era
-- by Margie Doyle -- Two by two, Orcas High School graduates greet each other before mounting the stage for Commencement Exercises Amazing. They did it again. Orcas Island High School graduated 25 Seniors at Commencement on Saturday in a gym filled with families, friends and well-wishers. School
