Here’s a thought…
“To be clear, we don’t know if A.I. models are conscious. I don’t know. I’m genuinely uncertain.”
CHRISTOPHER OLAH
Letter to the Editor: A Reminder from the Food Bank
The Orcas Island Food Bank is truly grateful for the abundant food donations it receives from the community on a regular basis. Every once in a while, however, we are reminded that not everyone is fully aware of what we can and cannot received, so we thought this would be
August: Time for School, Time for Immunizations
From the San Juan County Health Department Preparing for school is full of excitement and the time for new school clothes, school supplies, lunch bags, and back packs. But, it’s also the perfect time to make sure children are up to date on their vaccines. Getting all of the recommended
Highlands “BOOT” Sale
From Jim Hennessey The Orcas Highlands is organizing its first multi-family garage sale. We are calling it a "Boot" sale (like the British) because sellers will open the trunks/boots of their cars and sell what they bring. The Boot Sale will take place one day only - Sunday, August 18
Chamber Music Festival Opens with Superstars!
Tickets Available for Saturday Night, Aug. 10th! Buy now online and click on the orange box Jeffrey Kahane, Joseph Swensen, and Carter Brey The 2013 Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival opens August 9th at Orcas Center with the extraordinary reunion of three superb artists: Festival favorite Jeffrey Kahane,
Learn to be a Watershed Steward
From SeaDoc Society The Puget Sound Partnership is reviving a program called the Citizen Action Training School (CATS), first piloted in the 1980s. The goal is to create a pool of future community leaders who are aware, educated, and active stewards and advocates for their watersheds and the greater Puget
Doe Bay Resort Sign Fire Early Today
Firewise Meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8 From Kevin K. O'Brien, Fire Chief/CEO Orcas Island Fire and Rescue On Wednesday, August 7, at 3:40 a.m., Orcas Firefighters responded to the Doe Bay Resort for the report of a structure fire. On location, responders found a ten-foot by ten-foot lighted sign that
Anacortes-Lopez Sailing Canceled – Sidney Sailing on Schedule
From Washington State Ferries Due to necessary repairs the 6:15 a.m. sailing sailing from Anacortes to Lopez and the 7:15 a.m. sailing from Lopez to Anacortes have been cancelled. Updates will occur as conditions change. Update: 8:30 a.m. Necessary repairs have been made and the Chelan is back in service
Orcas Education Foundation Late Summer Report
School is right around the corner, and the Orcas Island Education Foundation is excited about the 2013-14 year. For the first time in five years, donations to OIEF will not be used to pay for basic educational needs. The school district is financially more stable thanks to increased enrollment in the
Orcas? Still Protected
By Greg Shaw, Berit Anderson, Ashley Walls, and Christina Montilla CrossCut.com The National Oceanic and Atmpospheric Association announced this morning [Aug. 2] that the Northern Resident Orca population, which summers in the Puget Sound, will remain protected under the Endangered Species Act. The decision comes in response to a petition
SeaDoc Loses Volunteer and Friend
from the SeaDoc Society Sadly, our friend Nancy Alboucq passed away earlier in the summer after a short battle with cancer. Nancy was a frequent volunteer in the SeaDoc office and always brightened our days when she came in. She was dedicated to the principles of SeaDoc and was a
Larsen Helps Secure Federal Funding to Protect Puget Sound Killer Whales
from the Office of Representative Rick Larsen Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced that the federal government will spend more than $900,000 to protect Southern Resident Killer whales in the Puget Sound. Larsen actively supported the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife’s application for the grant, including by sending
Last Minute Opportunity to Participate…
from Ingrid R. Gabriel Clerk of the Council Due to interest in providing public comment during the August 6, 2013, 9:15 AM scheduled Public Hearing on the proposed Ordinance Amending the Conservation District Fee Assessment, the Council will receive comment via teleconferencing. To participate, please call the following conference number:
Pete Moe Steps Down to Step Up
by Lin McNulty Pete Moe has been doing double duty at the Funhouse Commons, as well as Orcas Recycling Services. Pete Moe, Executive Director of the Funhouse Commons, announced last night that he will be stepping down from his current position after seven years to become the new
Surprised? Orcas Wins “Favorite Island”
from Shareen Perkins Kenmore Air There we are—everyone's favorite island—from the air. Photo: Kenmore Air We received over 2,300 entries in our "Vote for your favorite Island" promotion, and the winner again this year is Orcas Island! Congratulations to everyone that voted for "The Emerald Isle" - a
Indian Island Naturalists Notebook: Shiner Perch
Shiner Perch have weird parasites! Haemobaphes diceraus Yes, it looks really nasty! And it can be very bad news for a small fish like this young Shiner Perch. Haemobaphes diceraus may look like a red worm, but it is actually a penellid copepod—a group of tiny crustaceans that
Tour Early Orcas Industry at Judd Cove
Saturday, August 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. Explore the Early Lime Industry of the San Juan Islands with Boyd Pratt and Steve Cohan. Boyd Pratt is an architectural historian from San Juan Island. His extensive research coupled with a delightful storytelling style brings to life the fascinating
