Here’s a thought…
“It wasn’t a Blue Wave; it was an American Tsunami!”
Help The Exchange to Rise Again from the Ashes
Join the team to rebuild the Exchange from its ashes -- come to the Redesign meetings, starting on Sunday, June 2. Also, The Exchange Phoenix Fund has been established at the Community Foundation to rebuild The Exchange with increased capacity to better serve our community. (More information below). (Artwork by
Guest Column: Tar Sand Drilling Equipment Truck Took Out the Skagit River I-5 Bridge
By Chom Graecen The Alberta Tar Sands are directly connected to the I-5 Skagit River bridge disaster. Calgary-based Mullen Trucking was hauling housing (a huge box) for oil drilling equipment to Vancouver, Washington. This is one of the ports where drilling rigs are offloaded for a "Heavy Haul" on enormous
Letter to the Editor: Brann Cabin Bake-Off Thank Yous
First place Bake-Off winner, Shaun Hubbard Thank you to all who came and enjoyed the homemade pie, music and a spectacular sunset Wednesday night, May 22, at San Juan County Park’s 2nd Annual Brann Cabin Bake-Off. The Parks department would like to give a special “thank you” to
Great Food, Fun and Funding for OIEF
Guests enjoying "A Woodland Feast" at the Four Winds Camp Lodge By Madie Murray A host of hard-working volunteers and students all pulled together for the Education Foundation’s Food for Thought Benefit and created a truly fantastic evening at Four Winds Camp during the Memorial Day weekend. Remarks
Statement from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Special Session Progress
From Governor Jay Inslee's Office “I asked lawmakers to make real progress this week on a key budget issue — making a technical fix to our estate tax law to keep existing revenues for the Education Legacy Trust Fund. “Time is of the essence on this issue. If the Legislature
Community Band Concert Coming June 1!
The Community Band at the Music Advocacy Guild's school music benefit concert in March By Karen Key Speck The Orcas Island Community Band in its 23rd year is proud to be the longest established band in the San Juan Islands. It’s a fun-loving group which has strong friendships among
Orcas Island Seed Library Launches
Photographed from left to right are the Orcas Island Seed Library organizers: Learner Limbach, Cathleen McCluskey, Audrey Neddermann, and Emmett Adam. Self-service seed exchange now open in the Orcas Island Public Library By Cathleen McCluskey FoodMasters launched its newest program, the Orcas Island Seed Library, to the public
Editorial: Want Civility? Get Involved!
By Margie Doyle I heard from many islanders, and I too felt, that the innuendos, exaggerations and half-truths of the last County Council election discouraged them from engaging in the government's political process. Government is the single largest employer in this county; in other words, if we see government as
CANCELED: James Lee Stanley Returns to Orcas
James Lee Stanley will entertain at Odd Fellows Hall on Friday, June 14. Photo courtesy of Duff Ferguson. Update: the June 14 James Lee Stanley Concert has been canceled From Sharon Abreu I met James Lee Stanley playing at a folk music festival in New Jersey. Three weeks
Letter to the Editor: Mt. Baker Road Project a “Disgrace”
Dear Commissioners, A few weeks ago I called Frank Mulcahy your head of the Public Works Department to express my concern and outrage over the surface being torn off of the Mt Baker and North Beach Road interchange weeks before necessary. From the many thank you's I received from my
Guest Column: How Are We Doing?
A quarterly review of County Finances by County Auditor F. Milene Henley First quarter 2013 San Juan County Auditor, F. Milene Henley A question I hear a lot is “Why doesn’t the County run itself more like a business?” Having wondered that myself at one point, I
¿Qué Hay Dentro? The Joy of Reading!
Montessori kids read in English and in Spanish! From Orcas Montessori School Each week at Orcas Montessori School, the children head home holding large, brightly colored envelopes. Inside each envelope there awaits hours of enjoyment, a shared experience between parents and their children, and the beginning of a
Guest Column: Educating an Old Goat
"Uncle" Harry Patton, Olga raconteur By Harry Patton Time to have a good laugh at Dad. Shows how far behind I am in state-of-the-art kids magic electronic thingys. Was in the Lower Tavern having lunch. At the bar was a young guy and his girl friend. In front
Artworks Features Encaustics by Holm
Marilee Holm From the Orcas Island Artworks Encaustic paintings by Marilee Whitehouse Holm will be on exhibit at the Orcas Island Artworks through the month of June. “The encaustic material is so beautiful, I feel the wax does some of the work for me,” Marilee says. She applies
Islands’ Ferry Meeting in June
From David Moseley, Secretary for Ferries, Washington State Department of Transportation Twice annually, WSF hosts a series of community meetings throughout our service area to discuss current ferry system issues. Input can also be given through the Ferry Advisory Committees. The meeting for the San Juan Islands will be Wednesday,
Letter to the Editor: Come Help Design the New Exchange
On behalf of the Exchange Board I would like to thank Fred Klein, David Kau, and everyone else who has agreed to participate in the "Create A New Exchange" project. We are thrilled that the community would make such a significant effort. This process of consensus design, championed by Mr.
