Here’s a thought…
“And, frankly, I would like to make the U.S.-Canada relationship boring again.”
RICK LARSEN
Letter to the Editor: Orcas’ Quality School Deserves Investment
To the editor- Our family chose to stay on Orcas in part because of the quality of the school. Our son Ry will graduate from OIHS this year, having attended since Kindergarten.. Over the years, we have had some great successes and a few challenges, but the overall experience has
Crossroads to Initiate New Seminar Series
By Tom Evans and Michael Riordan The popular Crossroads Lecture Series will soon have a new companion, called the CrossCurrents Seminar Series. These seminars will typically occur on weekday evenings and address more specialized topics in more intimate gatherings than the lectures. We aim to showcase the San Juan Islands’
Letter to the Editor: In Support of Proposition 1
We have seen a flurry of opinion pieces telling us to reject any change to our Home Rule Charter. I support the changes recommended by the Charter Review Commission, and want to focus here on Proposition 1. Every voter in San Juan County should have an equal voice in
County Administrator Pro Tem Comments on Preliminary 2013 Budget
By Robert Jean, County Administrator Pro Tem Thanks in large part to the voters of San Juan County, for their approval in August 2012 of the Public Safety Sales Tax, along with other budget balancing measures, the County has achieved its budget stabilization goal for 2013, and at least
Camp Orkila’s Fall Festival and Haunted Hay Ride
Kids fly on the zipline at Camp Orkila, part of the Fall Festival on Oct. 20 From YMCA Camp Orkila Camp Orkila’s Fall Festival and Haunted Hay Ride are on Saturday, October 20th! Our Fall Festival will be from 1:00-5:30pm. We’ll have hot dogs, face painting, archery, climbing
Letter to the Editor: Scott Lancaster Has Proven to be Conscientious Official
Island West Residents and Friends, This year's election is approaching soon, and all of us will be faced with some important decisions. One is our choice for our next county council member. I have thought about this often. My choice and my vote will be for Scott Lancaster. I have
Letter to the Editor: Reject Props 1 & 2 for the Good of All
What Works Best For The Good of All? 1) Representation – Isn’t it better to actually know your representative? Voting for someone you know, because they live in your community versus having everyone select representatives that they have never met or may have only met during a campaign function? Proposition
Guest Opinion: Proposition 3 Ensures Open Public Subcommittee Meetings
By Moana Kutsche You have probably read a great deal about proposed Charter amendments 1 and 2, but not much about the third proposal. Proposition 3 will ensure better transparency in county government by requiring that all County Council meetings, and all subcommittee meetings, must be properly noticed and open
Recreational Fires Again OK in County
Steve Marler, County Fire Marshal Because of the change in weather, the Governor has modified the outdoor burn ban that was expected to last until Monday, October 15. As of 8:00 AM Saturday morning, recreational fires will again be allowed throughout San Juan County. Recreational fires are essentially “campfires”. They
Islanders Bank Starts Drive for the Food Bank
By Madie Murray Islanders Bank held its first fund and food drive for the Orcas Island Food Bank last year and decided to repeat it again with the goal of surpassing last year’s impressive results when literally a carload of groceries were purchased with coins and bills collected, and $200
Election Forum Today at the Senior Center
Saturday, Oct. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Orcas Senior Center in Eastsound The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will hold a candidate, charter proposition, and initiative forum tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 13. Ballots will be mailed to county voters next week from the County Elections
February Elections if Proposition One Passes
By Milene Henley, County Auditor “What Will Happen IF….” The Charter Review Commission has proposed a significant change in the structure of county government. If adopted, Proposition #1 would return the county from six district-elected Council members to three Council members elected county-wide. As supervisor of elections, my interest in
Children’s House to Hold Wine Pairing and Live Auction
Join Children’s House for an evening of frivolity. Children’s House is sponsoring a Wine Pairing and Live Auction event, 4-7 p.m. Saturday, November 3 at Emmanuel Episcopal Parish. Tickets are available for $50 per person and proceeds benefit the early learning center’s toddler and preschool program. A complete list of
Writing Effective Coal Terminal Scoping Letters
By Chom Graecen The Scoping Process for Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point is now in full swing. Yes, we Orcas and SJ residents, have concerns about the potential impacts of our surrounding waters becoming one of the world’s leading “highways” to ship coal and tar sands oil to Asia.
My, Oh My! Islander Pursues Dream Job
Merrick Parnell in the press box at Dahl Field, the home of the Vikings. by Lin McNulty Graduating from Orcas Christian School in 2008, Merrick Parnell knew he wanted a job in the field of sports. He had been a fan of sportscasters such as Dave Niehaus, the
Writers’ Gym: New Creative Writing Class
Writers' Gym is for writers of all skill levels to keep their wordsmith skills flexible. The class will include readings, discussion, prompts, exercises, and peer feedback. Every writer will produce new work. The workout begins Oct. 31 through Nov. 28, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to noon at the Orcas Island Public
