Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
Chamber Music Festival's 'In Music' Residency Wows Islanders
Contributed by Victoria Parker, Executive Director, Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival Violinist Monique Mead’s presence was a burst of spring energy on Orcas Island during the week of March 22-26. The Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival (OICMF) Spring 2010 IM: In Music Musician-in-Residence for Orcas Public School, island
A Weekend of Sun, Song, Science and Poetry
Friday, March 26 Orcas Golf Team -- all 18 members -- plays Friday Harbor at the San Juan Country Club at 2:30 p.m. Rollerskating at the Old Gym -- the final rollerskating night for this year. The theme will be "Beach" and/or "Hawaiian. Break out the Hawaiian shirts, leis, or even
Letter to the Editor: Census Will Help Seniors & Others
Probably most people on the island have received and (hopefully completed) their census form and mailed it in. Unfortunately, some people, especially senior citizens are reluctant to divulge any information to the government, no matter what information it is collecting. Please, I encourage every one on the island to complete
Come to the Moran Park Annual Cleanup April 3
Friends of Moran will host the Annual Park Clean Up on Saturday, April 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Friends say: "We’ll meet at the Park Shelter behind the new Kokanee Fish Hatchery Building at 10am for coffee and morning treats. Rangers will provide instructions and tools, but
Kids Invited to Display Poems at Public Library
Contributed by Nita Couchman, Orcas Island Children's Librarian In honor of National Poetry Month, young poets, from ages 7 to 18 years, are invited to submit their poems for display in the Orcas Island Library during the month of April. Completed poems should be submitted to Nita Couchman at Orcas
Henley Announces Re-election Plans
Milene Henley has announced her intent to seek re-election as San Juan County Auditor. Auditor is a county-wide position with responsibilities for financial reporting, election administration, vehicle and vessel licensing, and recording land and other documents within the county. Henley was elected to her first term as Auditor in November
A New Face in the School Garden
Contributed by Madie Murray Meet Chelsea Cates. Chelsea came to the Volunteer Faire held by OICF recently where she made it very clear she wanted to get involved in the Farm to Cafeteria Program. Her passion is the soil. No small wonder she lept at the chance to join
Chamber Mixer Introduces New President
Michele Marshall, Office Cupboard owner, is the new President of the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce. On Wednesday, March 24, she was introduced to Chamber members at the "Business at Sunset Mixer" held at the Outlook Inn. Appetizers were provided by the New Leaf Cafe. Michele spoke briefly, telling of
Orcas High School Wins State Award for Graduation Rates & Overall Excellence
Randy I. Dorn, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, recently announced that Orcas Island High School is a recipient of the 2009 Washington Achievement Award. The Washington Achievement Award was created by the State’s Office of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education to celebrate top-performing schools and to recognize
Letter to the Editor: Give Your Opinion on School Site Council Surveys
To date, over 70 parents, guardians and community members have taken one of the School Site Council's surveys. There are different surveys geared to parents/guardians, community members, teachers and others, all anonymous and all designed to aid the school district in its school improvement process. If you haven't yet taken
Letter to the Editor: Fill Out Census For Increased Gov't Funding
It takes less than ten minutes and could make you $3,900! That sounds like a good return for your time! We are a family of 6 as of April 1 so my 10 minutes could bring $23,400 into our community from federal dollars! WOW! Who wouldn’t want that? Another way
A New Crop of Babysitters — At Your Service
Recent graduates who completed the Babysitting clinic offered by Margie Sabine through the Orcas Recreation Program are ready to be of service. The five hour course on March 21 provided youth with lessons about safety, basic childcare, responsibilities, safe play and emergency action skills. Other topics included interviewing
Birding, Distraction, Genealogy, "A Homemade Life" and Poetry All Coming This Way
Contributed by Kathy Stribling of the Orcas Island Public Library The Orcas Library will be hosting new classes and events during the months of March and April. Kim Middleton’s Intermediate Birding Class resumes Thursday, March 18th and continues to April 22. Class time is 1:00 to 4:00pm. Class size is
Rena Patty to Lead “Compassionate Communication” Course
Rena Patty will lead an 8-week course in “Compassionate Communication,” beginning March 31. The classes will be Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m., beginning March 31through April 21; then one week off on April 28, and resuming again from May 5 through May 26. The group will meet at the home
Auditions for Seven Plays at Playfest Today
Playfest '10 is the fifth annual presentation of short plays written by playwrights living on Orcas Island. Seven plays were selected for this year's playfest. They are: After by Anita Leigh Holladay directed by Patty Monaco After and After by Sandy Thompson directed by Bev Leyman Clear! by Ron Herman directed by
Weather Spotters Training Offered in April
The National Weather Service will train new and veteran spotters on how to look for and report significant event-driven weather events. Training includes video demonstrations. Spotters are needed, particularly in the out of town and waterfront parts of the San Juan Islands. Training will be offered in West Sound, Orcas
