Here’s a thought…
“When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can’t eat money.”
ALANIS OBOMSAWIN
Portions of CAO “Best Available Science” Synthesis Now Online
Additional Chapters to be Posted as Available By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The San Juan County Community Development & Planning Department announced today that it has begun posting portions of the second draft of the San Juan County Best Available Science (BAS) Synthesis on the County’s Critical Areas
Gates Foundation Grant Awarded to OICF
By Hilary Canty, Executive Director, Orcas Island Community Foundation The Gates Foundation reached out again to Community Foundations to provide support to nonprofits. This year, the funding is directed towards capacity building programs to help nonprofits achieve their missions more effectively. Of the 26 Washington State Community Foundations invited to apply
Ranker Explains the Budget and Effect of Loopholes
(This article is a continuation of Senator Kevin [intlink id="12078" type="post"]Ranker's Report[/intlink] from the Legislature) Senate and House Budget Comparison The reductions proposed by the state Senate cut very deep.For a full comparison of the Senate and House budget proposals, click here: 2011_Budget_Comparison . We are faced with a stark
Letter to the Editor: EPRC Needs Pro-Environmental or Neutral Members
The EPRC [Eastsound Planning Review Committee] has been hi-jacked by development interests and Councilman Richard Fralick with adverse results affecting Eastsound and Orcas Residents. This line up is heavily weighted in favor of development with little, if any, representation for environmental concerns, or neutral citizens with no monetary or philosophical
Ranker’s Report: Senate Budget Cuts Demand a Look at Unpaid Taxes and Loopholes
Dear neighbors, Last week the Senate released its Operating Budget proposal. With no new federal funds, no new revenue sources and no ability to close tax loopholes, our hand has been forced to construct an all-cuts budget that reduces the state budget by over $5 billion. The Senate’s approach however,
Big Quilt Show Comes to Orcas Center
A large exhibit of abstract quilts by Gwen Marston, internationally known, quiltmaker, teacher and author, will be shown at Orcas Center May 6 – 31. Since 1981 Marston has had 19 solo exhibits, and participated in many group shows. She maintains a busy teaching and lecture schedule both
Easter Sunday at Lighthouse Christian Center
The Lighthouse Christian Center will hold Easter Services April 24th at the Senior Center starting at 10 a.m. There will be contemporary music, a special presentation from the Children’s Church about their service projects, and Easter Brunch following the service. Everyone is invited to come and celebrate Easter Sunday with
Letter to the Editor: Best Available Science Process Flawed
Dear County Council, Administrator and Planning Staff, You are required to adopt Best Available Science (BAS) that is factual, substantive, local and relevant. We appreciate the actions Council and Staff are taking to avoid personal liability and County liability. However, it is evident that the obligation to give a proper amount of
Japanese Flower Arranging (Ikebana): New Season Begins
The Saturday Ikebana Class at Emmanuel’s Old Parish Hall will begin its new season April 30th and continue twice a month throughout spring, summer and early fall. Beginners are welcome, and no previous experience is necessary. Cost is $15 per session. The class is taught by Joan D.
Seder Poem: Yet We Desire It Above All
Julia Hartwig, born in Poland in 1921, wrote this "reflection on freedom and its mixed blessings. It seems especially apt as Jews gather this evening for the first Seder of Passover, a ritual retelling of the story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt." YET WE
Cultivating Everyday Peace Within at Orcas Women’s Retreat this Summer
By Dr. Rosie Kuhn As spirit beings our essential nature is Peace. This being so, what has us be anything but peace; what elements of our daily lives disrupt the peace that we are? The Wonderful Women’s Orcas Island Retreat brings us into a moment when we can experience the
Regatta Report: Orcas Teams Win the Regionals
Varsity Team to go on to nationals May 7-8 By Burke Thomas, Regatta Chair Fourteen schools and over 150 sailors made the trek to Orcas Island to participate in the 2011 NWISA Doublehanded District Championships April 15-17, hosted by NWISA, Sail Orcas and the Orcas High School Sailing
Lifestories: Unraveling Our Own Life’s Journey in the Company of Other Curious Travelers
Kathi Ciskowski and Polly Sanford to teach workshop April 29-30 Each one of us has a life that unfolds in an individual and unique way…and that is what makes us who we are in the world. Yet, when we look at our life stories we begin to see
Letter to the Editor: School Suspends “Pennies for Peace” Efforts
Dear students, families, Orcas Island Business Owners, and Community Members; In recent days the validity of author Greg Mortenson’s book Three Cups of Tea and the spending practices of the Pennies for Peace program have been questioned on the television show 60 Minutes. As part of our Project Based Learning
The Lions’ Easter Egg Hunt Starts a Springboard of Service
Orcas Island Lions Club continue its mission for health and vision year-round By Jim Biddick April 23 is our annual Easter Egg Hunt. The hunt will take place at Moran State Park at the picnic shelter. It will start at 10 a.m. and the way the kids go it will
Count of Homeless in San Juan County Shows Increase
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager This year’s Count of Homeless Persons identified 110 people in San Juan County. 42 of those people, including many children and disabled, were classified as unsheltered - living in tents, cars, boats (not equipped with facilities for living aboard) or staying in motels
