How Are We Doing? A Quarterly Review of County Finances
By County Auditor F. Milene Henley Fourth quarter 2012 I’ve often waited in Council Chambers while some room-filling discussion of land use or roads projects or open space programs finishes up. Then when I step up to talk about the County budget, the room clears like a bad wind had
Friends of Moran Plan an Elevating Celebration
By Michel Vekved The Tower at Mount Constitution. Photo courtesy of Martin Taylor To celebrate the Centennial of state parks, Friends of Moran is organizing a photographic birthday event. Martin Taylor will be flying with Brent McDonald around the Summit of Mt. Constitution at 11 am on March
Letter to the Editor: Pratt’s a Proven Leader
I support Lovel Pratt because of her proven record of working for all islanders. Her work for the Lopez solid waste solution was critical. Lovel has a depth of knowledge on the county wide issues which comes from her willingness to listen and her experiences of raising her family in
Buzzer Beater Closes March Madness Game
By Tim Hance This last weekend was a real thriller! Here’s the video that captured a very special moment in the boys’ game: OCSMarchMadness3/3/13. The OCS Saints’ Boys and Girls Basketball Clubs faced off against stiff competition from select mainland teams this past weekend at the Island March Madness Tournament
County’s Transportation Plan Update: Be Part of the Process
Public Meetings on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands The Transportation Element, a vital element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan is being updated with new inventories, levels of service, and goals and policies. SJC code 18.60.200 concurrency regulations are also being updated. Please come to a public meeting to learn
Planning Review Committee Poised to Act on Streetscapes and Sub-area Plans
Thursday, March 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall By Margie Doyle When the Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC) meets tomorrow they will discuss the continued momentum of the Streetscape Plan and the Eastsound Sub-area Plan update. The Streetscape Plan, to develop sidewalks and curbs on
Letter to the Editor: Pratt Defends Council Positions
My opponent in the County Council election, Bob Jarman, recently wrote that my actions on the previous Council lacked “fiscal responsibility and accountability.” While I am pleased that he is on track for recovery from his recent cardiac surgery, he is clearly off-track in his accusations of me. The Facts:
Orcas Student Provides Virtual Visit to Turtlehead Preserve
The view from Turtleback by Will Fisher From the San Juan Preservation Trust Young Orcas Island native Will Fisher has set his sights on a career as a professional photographer and videographer, so his 2012 internship with the San Juan Preservation Trust was a perfect fit. Fisher, 19,
Julie and John Gottman of the Gottman Relationship Institute: Making Love Last
Gottmans to speak on "Making Love Last" Orcas Crossroads Lecture Series will host Julie Gottman Ph.D. and John Gottman Ph.D., who will present – Making Love Last – Sunday, March 10, 2013, 2:00 pm at the Orcas Center. In “Making Love Last,” the Gottmans will explore explore the
Letter to the Editor: Exchange Board Welcomes Ideas
The Exchange Board echoes Jane Alden’s sentiments (comments included in substitute-locale-for-exchange-needed ) –it is really great to know people care so much for the Exchange! It’s also very clear to us that a backlog of stuff is already building up in the community! We are many weeks a way from
Fire and Rescue Wants to Hear from You
Thursday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Eastound Fire Hall From Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (OIFR) One of the most critical issues that Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is currently evaluating is how to address our participation in the public safety grant the Sheriff has secured for a new
Orcas Island Library District Board of Trustees Work Session
Saturday, March 9 at 10 a.m. at the Port of Orcas (Eastsound) Airport The Library Board of Trustees will have a Work Session at the Eastsound Airport Meeting Room, 147 Schoen Lane, Eastsound, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to: develop the process and materials for
Hope for LA Benefit Concert
Saturday, March 16, 7:30 p.m., Orcas Community Church From Cindy Carter If you missed the Orcas Has Talent show, now is your chance for a reprieve. Many of the wonderful performers from that show are donating their talents to help with a project in an impoverished neighborhood in LA. Scott
MAG Concert a “Triumph” for the School Music Programs
The Orcas A Cappellagos, formed by Jules Mann, gave a stunning and sweetly-pitched performance at the School Music Matters concert on March 3. Photo courtesy of Kristin Wilson By Margie Doyle Over 100 musicians and over 300 audience members, music lovers all, jumped to their feet for a
Fishes of the Salish Sea: More Than You Ever Wanted to Know
Tuesday, March 12, 7 p.m., Emmanuel Parish Hall from SeaDoc Society & YMCA Camp Orkila The SeaDoc Society works to protect the health of marine wildlife and their ecosystems through science and education. The irreverent Dr. Milton Love will grace Orcas Island in a booking-signing and lecture with
Letter to the Editor: In response to Mike Carlson
from Lisa Byers In a recent letter to the editor Mike Carlson asked a number of questions about what I believe to be the role of government. Other individuals asked similar questions. I will do my best to address this complex topic in a concise manner. I believe that government
