Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
Guest Opinion: Land Bank’s Preservation and Easement Update for Erickson Property
By Amanda Azous, Land Bank Commission Chair and Lincoln Bormann, Land Bank Director The Land Bank’s Proposed Historic Preservation and Conservation Easement on the Erickson Property in Friday Harbor Given the continued discussion over this project, we wanted to update the community on the process and clarify some of the
Coming Chamber Music Festival Program Brings Families into the View
Updated August 4 at 4:30 p.m. The Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival, now in its 13th year, has always been known as “a family affair,” starting with the marriage of its Founder and Artistic Director, Aloysia Friedmann to Pianist and Artistic Advisor Jon Kimura (Jackie) Parker the day
Editorial Column: Let’s Get Out of First Gear
Reprinted from March 9, 2010 by request As I drove past Chinook Elementary School in southwestern Washington State last weekend, I suddenly remembered the wet night that my gentle Dad burst angrily through the front door, rain dripping from his 1950s hat. “What’s the matter Dad?” My college-age
Low-income Seniors and Disabled Qualify for Bond ‘Tax’ Exemption
(Editor’s note: Originally posted March 9, 2010) Those interested in obtaining help in applying for this exemption can contact Jane Heisinger at the Orcas Island Senior Center (376-2677), who will set up appointments with the Orcas Island School District Budget Advisory Committee members). From the San Juan County website, www.sanjuanco.com
Marine Committee to Hear about Tribal Resources and Services Restoration
The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee will hold their bi-weekly meeting on August 4 at Islanders Bank in Friday Harbor, beginning at 8:30 a.m. with Citizen Input. The agenda calls for a report from the NW Straits Commission, information on a potential early pay back for supplemental request of
Interested Citizens Needed for County Advisory Boards
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. The following is a list of current vacancies: Agricultural Resources Committee - (2) Positions Board of Health – (2), At Large #2
Special Meeting of Park & Rec District August 4
The Orcas Island Park and Recreation District (OIPRD) will hold a Special Meeting at the Eastsound Fire Station on Wednesday August 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. On the agenda will be the budget proposition for the November general election ballot. The OIPRD was formed by voter approval last
Vote Counting Equipment Test on August 13
By Stan Matthews Country Communications Program Manager The Elections Office will begin processing returned ballots for the August 17 Primary on August 6. A Logic and Accuracy Test for vote counting equipment which will be used to tally mail-in ballots for the Primary is scheduled for August 13. The test
Letter to the Editor: Observations About Quality Education
Dear Editor, I want to make a few observations about the school bond election coming up soon and hope the school board and the educators on our island will take heed. First, I will vote approval because I am a firm believer in public education and trust the administrators of
Letter to the Editor: Look at Big Picture When Voting on Bond
The Vote “Yes” committee is admirably well organized and energetic, but we take issue with their signs that say to vote “yes” for Orcas schools. In addition to the public school, there is the Orcas Christian School, the Salmonberry School and the Montessori school. Parents and community members work hard
Letter to the Editor: Bond Not Viable for Community at this Time
We’ve had three children graduate from the Orcas Island School District. Although we have always voted for the Maintenance and Operations Levies for the public school and have supported the school in many other ways we plan on voting “NO” for the school bond. We believe that the current plan
Tribute to George Shangrow, Car Crash Victim
George Shangrow died in a head-on car collision on Saturday, July 31, on his way to the Meathow Valley Chamber Music Festival, where he was scheduled to be a guest lecturer. He was planning to return to Orcas Island for the Music Lovers' Seminars at the Oras Island
Letter to the Editor: Reasons to Vote for Jeff Asher
Updated Aug. 4 at 10:30 p.m. In response to the continued negative campaigning by S. Vierthaler and others: Gentlemen, It really is quite simple. If the people of this county want accountability from their Sheriff’s Department in the form of quarterly reports to the County Council and through a Citizens’
Darvill’s Book Club Reads New Work of Survival and Hope in Urban Nature Perserve
Tale of urban survivalists based on real-life events Darvill's book group will discuss My Abandonment by Peter Rock on August 9 from 5:30 to 7 p. m. at Mia's Cafe. The discussion will be led by Jean Spalti and Linda Slone. A thirteen-year-old girl and her father live in Forest Park,
Getting Along Famously, with Actors Theater of Orcas
By Kathi Ciskowski Getting Along Famously, written by Michael Jacobs and directed by Doug Bechtel, is an apt title for a play that focuses on long term relationships between very different kinds of celebrities, including an imaginary/literary one. The Actors Theater of Orcas Island is presenting this
Five Bells Brass Quintet at the Emmanuel Brown Bag Concert
The noon Brown Bag Concert at Emmanuel Church on Wednesday, August 4, will feature the music of the Five Bells Brass Quintet. This popular group was formed in 2006 for the purpose of reading and preparing challenging music in a collaborative environment. The players include Tom Jeffries and
