Here’s a thought…
“If you don’t vote you don’t exist. It is the only place where we’re all equal, the voting booth.”
GLORIA STEINEM
First Cider and Mead Fest a Sweet Success
Updated May 20 Wines and ciders made with honey and fruit as the fermenting agents, rather than sugar, were the popular "sip of choice" at the first "Cider and Mead Festival" last Saturday. Proceeds from the event will go to the Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria committee, which
Crossroads Questions US Aid to Afghanistan
Dr. Andrew Wilder presents a Crossroads lecture this Sunday, May 22, at 2 pm at the Orcas Center. The topic is Afghanistan: Understanding the Relationship between Aid and Security. Dr. Wilder discusses his research exploring issues relating to state-building, reconstruction and stabilization efforts in Afghanistan, followed by a
Park & Rec District: Taking Care of Business
By Krista Bouchey At the public meeting of the Orcas Park and Rec District (OIPRD) on Thursday, May 12, the five commissioners discussed various aspects of beginning official operations. The commissioners discussed options for interim funding. They have considered taking a loan from Cashmere Bank, which loans to taxing districts.
Fire Department: On Task, On Time, Within Budget
By Ken Brown The Orcas Island Fire District (OIFD) Board of Fire Commissioners met Tuesday, May 10. Rick Anda, District Financial Officer, commented that the budget reflects $335,000, going into this next round of property tax collection. Discussion then moved to the acquisition and continued construction of Fire Stations #22
June 7 Hearing on Rule Changes for Ferry Advisory Committee
From Ingrid Gabriel, County Council Clerk NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the San Juan County Council will conduct a public hearing for the purpose of receiving testimony on a proposed Ordinance Regarding Changes to the Ferry Advisory Committee, Amending SJCC Section 2.44.010, 2.44.020, 2.44.30, 2.44.040, 2.44.050. 2.44.060 and 2.44.080. The
Come Dance With the Stars May 28!
Orcas Dance, an Orcas non-profit will host a Community dance with live music at Orcas Center on May 28. Music will be performed by Gene Nery and Martin Lund, and Lynn Richards will give a dance lesson at 8:15. Dance organizer Steve Emmes says, "Let us help you lose
Carolyn Cruso – She Weaves a Musical Web
At Orcas Center May 21 Freshly back from a rousingly successful Mid-west tour, our local dulcimer/multi-instrumentalist songstress Carolyn Cruso, plays the OffCenter Stage at the Orcas Center on Saturday, May 21 at 7:30pm. Cruso weaves a web with her lyrical hammered dulcimer compositions, intricate guitar playing, and poetic
Summer Spanish Program at Montessori School
Preschoolers and kindergarteners will dance, cook, and learn Spanish language at the Montessori School Spanish Program this summer. The students will develop Spanish speaking and comprehension skills utilizing an active and fun method called Total Physical Response (TPR). TPR is a method based on how we all learned our first
Chef Debaste Cooks for Kids on May 19
By Madie Murray The Farm to Cafeteria Program is pleased to present Steve Debaste as our May Celebrity Chef preparing and serving a delicious lunch on Thursday May 19 in our public school cafeteria. The menu will include fresh taco salads made with organic beef from Coffelt Farm
Pies, Pies and More Pies! Target: 90 Pies!
By Dixie Walmsey The theme of this year's July 2nd annual Community Parade is "Celebrating the Arts"! What better way to celebrate the art of community, than creating a tasty pie to be sold to benefit our small but wonderful Orcas Island Historical Museum? The Pie Booth is our Museum's
The Week Ahead: Down to the Nitty Gritty & Food for Thought
Monday, May 16 "Best Available Science" Critical Areas Ordinance Workshop, from 8:30 to 4 p.m. at the County Legislative Building in Friday Harbor. Indian Island Marine Health Observatory community outreach, starting at 10:30 a.m. at the beach in front of Outlook Inn in Eastsound. Special Meeting with Orcas Park &
Orcas Leads the County in Hazardous Waste Collection
By Helen Venada, San Juan County Hazardous Waste Coordinator Thank you to our islands’ community for another year of successful hazardous waste collections! It was especially helpful that several participants, followed the tips for preparing for a hazardous waste event and sorted out potentially-reusable items and solidified their latex paints
The Grand Scenic Highway as Envisioned by Moran
Hint: it's not Mt. Baker Road By Tom Welch The San Juan Islander newspaper reported in 1910 on plans developed by Robert Moran and a nationally-prominent ‘good roads expert’ named Samuel C. Lancaster to build a ‘Grand Scenic Highway’ on Orcas Island from Doe Bay to Deer Harbor. The proposed
More Days for Input on Critical Areas June 13-14
Council will Talk CAO with Scientists, Planners and Public June 13-14 By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The San Juan County Council has scheduled two additional workshops on updates to the County’s Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) – the set of regulations designed to preserve areas vital to ecological functions
Best Available Science at SJ County Council Meetings Available Online Too!
By Barbara Keller Some of you have been both interested in and concerned about the San Juan County Council workshop meetings coming up on Monday, May 16 (starting at 8:30 a.m.) and continuing on Tuesday, May 17 on "Best Available Science." There will be a lot of interesting information circulated and
Kaleidoscope Expansion Close to Completion
By Amber Paulson, Kaleidoscope Director It’s reassuring when the parents within our local community are able to work to make ends meet, and it’s about to become a more likely reality for many. Kaleidoscope’s building expansion is right on track financially, and close to the finish line constructively. They have
