Here’s a thought…
“It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.”
MARK TWAIN
Guest Opinion: Sen. Ranker’s Statement on Today’s Supreme Court Order
-- from Aaron Wasser, Senator Rankin's Office -- I was not surprised by today’s decision. The issue at the very heart of the McCleary Decision is that the state, not local school districts, must pay for teacher salaries. While we made positive steps in other areas of education funding, we
State Supreme Court Fines State $100K a Day in McCleary Decision
-- by Lin McNulty -- The Washington Constitution imposes only one "paramount duty" upon the State: "to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex." (WASH. CONST. art. IX, § 1.) So begins
Guest Opinion: Court Allows Harmful “Growler” Jet Operations
Court’s Decision Ignores Serious Health Impacts -- from Cate Andrews, Citizens of the Ebey's Reserve -- Citizens claiming to be harmed by the Navy’s low-level flight operations expressed disappointment, but not surprise at U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Zilly’s denial of their Motion for an Injunction. The Citizens of the Ebey’s Reserve
Chamber of Commerce Welcomes I’m Sara Brown Photography
–by Cara Russell-- [metaslider id=38598] It was a wonderful summer evening to formally introduce Sara Brown (and her camera) to the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce and the community. On Wednesday, August 11th from 5-8PM, Sara, of “I’m Sara Brown Photography”, mingled about in the sunny and breezy evening on
OPALCO Board to Meet in Friday Harbor
August 20, 8:45 a.m., OPALCO Friday Harbor Office -- from Bev Madan -- The OPALCO Board of Directors will hold its regular monthly meeting August 20 at the Friday Harbor OPALCO office, 1034 Guard Street. The meeting will begin at 8:45 a.m.; members are welcome to attend. Contact Bev Madan at 376-3549
Cliff Mass to Speak on “Why Is the Northwest So Warm?”
Thursday August 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Island Community Church -- from Michael Riordan for Orcas Currents-- Cliff Mass to speak at Orcas Currents on Aug. 20 Is the current warm spell, now lasting almost two years, due to variability of the weather, or is it evidence of
Guest Column: Larsen Works for Voting Rights
-- from State Representative Rick Larsen-- This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), a groundbreaking civil rights law to prohibit racial discrimination in voting. The Act has broken down barriers for millions of people in our country to more fully participate in our democracy. But
Orcas Film Festival Announces Feature Film Winners
-- from the Orcas Island Film Festival -- The 2015 Orcas Film Festival has announced awards totallng $7,500 to the following Independent Film Makers: Lacey Leavitt - "Escape" - Seattle, WA Cali Bagby - "The Ghost In Red" - Orcas Island, WA Milla Prince - "The Commute" - Lopez Island,
4-H Report: The County Fair Has It All
-- by Katelyn Minnis, 4-H Trailblazers-- Katelynn Minnis with the Orcas Trailblazers at the County Fair, Augl 12-15 The public sees the San Juan County Fair as four days of fun and excitement while the participants of fair prepare themselves for a week long adventure. From the rides
Breaking News: Court of Appeals Says Critical Area Regulations are Valid
2012 Ordinances Upheld -- from Randall Gaylord -- On Monday August 10, three judges at the Court of Appeals upheld the County’s four critical areas ordinance that was started in 2006 and adopted in 2012. The thirty-page court decision doesn’t make for light reading, but the subject is among the
Free Art in the Garden Event Thursday
All of the garden is a pallet! -- by Madie Murray -- Spending time in a garden doesn't always have to be weeding and watering. This Thursday, the 13th the garden gate will be opened to all those who would like to just observe, appreciate and draw or
Guest Column: Indian Island Sea Stars Recovering
-- by Russel Barsh, Kwiaht Director -- Juve Ochre blue reticulum Local sea stars appear to be recovering from last year’s epidemic Seastar Wasting Syndrome (SWS), according to Kwiaht researchers monitoring marine life at Indian Island and Fishing Bay. Kwiaht is sponsor of the six-year-old Indian Island Marine
Get Your Booty to the Boot Sale
Come to the Orcas Highlands Boot Sale this Sunday at the Mailboxes below the Highlands -- from Judith Leraas-Cook-- The Highlands residents will be conducting their version of the British 'boot sale' on Sunday, August 16---that is, they will be selling lightly-used items from the 'boots' of their
Notice of Eastsound Subarea Plan Update Public Hearing
Friday, August 21 at 10 a.m., Orcas American Legion Hall -- from Lynda Guernsey -- Notice of Public Hearing for an Eastsound Subarea Plan Update Adding Eastsound Development Regulations to San Juan County Code Title 18, and Repealing San Juan County Code Chapter 16.55, Amending the Comprehensive Plan Official Map, Adding
Editorial: Is Freeing Lolita the Right Thing To Do?
-- by Lin McNulty -- Photo: Miami Herald Animal rights activists gathered on Sunday at Miami, Florida's Seaquarium where our own Pacific Northwest orca, Lolita, has been held in captivity for 43 years. Animal rights groups seeking the release of Lolita, a killer whale in captivity since 1970,
Learn about Labyrinthian Paths
Saturday, August 15, 11-12 Noon, Emmanuel Parish Hall Inside Labyrinth -- from Emmanuel Episcopal Parish -- Regardless of your faith or tradition, the labyrinth can be an effective tool to process events and experiences in your lives. It can be used for personal, psychological and spiritual transformation. A labyrinth is
