Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
"Creative Juice" Writing & Communication Workshop
On Friday evening and all-day Saturday, Feb. 25 and 26, Susan Zwinger will offer "Creative Juice:A Workshop in Creative Writing and Communication." Zwinger is a popular teacher, published writer, illustrator and naturalist. She will again be offering a workshop on Orcas Island, to be held at the home of Winnie
County Flu Update: Good News Comes With Caution
County Health Officer to speak on Orcas this Friday By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager In an email to the County’s Medical providers this week, San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James delivered good news with a word of caution. “Influenza activity is at a low level.
League of Women Voters Holds Open House Feb. 13 for Potential New Members
Contributed by Marian O'Brien The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will be hosting an Open House in Friday Harbor on February 13. The purpose of the meeting will be to celebrate the 90th Anniversity of the LWV, for members to invite potential new members to meet in
Self-Hypnosis Classes at the Library on Tuesdays
Experts say that self-hypnosis can be used to harness the imagination, your creativity, and the subconscious mind, empowering a person to create life changes. " Empowerment through Self-Hypnosis" will be taught by Virginia Erhardt, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist certified in clinical hypnosis. This class will continue at the Orcas Island
Deadline is February 8 for 2010 ADU Permit Lottery Entries
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The deadline for submitting construction or conversion applications for detached Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), popularly called “guest houses,” is the close of the business day on February 8, 2010. The number of ADU permits available each year is based on a formula
Orcas’ Own Five Bells Quintet Performs a Lively International Program
As part of its Spotlight in the OffCenter series, Orcas Center presents the Five Bells Quintet on Sunday, February 7 at 2 pm. The ensemble will perform memorable melodies and exciting rhythms that will be enjoyable for both the audience and the players. Five Bells brass quintet
Got your ballot? If not, call right away
Doris Schaller, San Juan County Elections Supervisor, wrote in response to concerns that ballots were not received in the mail with the following: "The ballots for the February 9 Special Election were mailed on January 21. If someone has not received their ballot they need to contact the Elections Office
Video Records Replace Detailed Council Minutes
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager After being satisfied that online video of Council meetings is reliable and convenient for citizens to access, the San Juan County Council has directed its clerk to start keeping official “action” minutes rather than detailed minutes of Council discussions. The new format for
Growth Board Upholds Comp Plan’s Housing and Land Use Elements
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board has ruled that last year’s revisions to the housing and land use elements of the County’s Comprehensive Plan “make adequate provisions for existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community” as required by
In-person Registration Replaces Lottery for Swim Lessons
Orcas Rec will no longer be using the lottery system for swimming sign-ups. Orcas Rec will host the next swimming session Feb 22nd-March 18th. Priority will go to participants in the previous session, so limited spots are available. The first chance to register will be in-person on Feb
Jim Biddick Offers Tax Help at the Senior Center
The Orcas Senior Center is once again offering tax preparation services to low and moderate income tax payers. Because of an operational change with AARP there is a charge of $4 for the service this year. The money goes to cover the costs of the program and anything above the
Tracker Dogs’ NW Mission: Saving Killer Whales
Contributed by the SeaDoc Society We all can picture tracker dogs saving earthquake victims in Haiti, but saving killer whales? Get real! On the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. Katherine Ayres, a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Washington's Center for Conservation Biology will explain
School Finances Hold Steady as Board Considers New Business Manager
At the Jan. 28 regular school board meeting, Business Manager Ben Thomas reported that the Orcas Island School District continues to have a healthy fund reserve. The year-to-date fund balance is about $285,000; last year at this time the amount was $203,474. Much of the district’s financial health is
Will the Groundhog See His Shadow? and other events this week
Monday, Feb. 1 Norm Stamper, author of Breaking Rank, and Jennifer Brennock read at Doe Bay Cafe's Artsmith Salon, beginning at 7 p.m. Stamper seved in law enforcement since 1966 and as chief of the Seattle Police Department for six years. Stamper has a doctorate in Leadership and Human Behavior
Senator Ranker Proposes Farm Internship Bill
Farmers come out in force in support of Sen. Ranker’s farm internship bill Dylan Johnson said he has learned more about farming during his short time as an intern at Synergy Farm in Friday Harbor than he could during a lifetime in the classroom. Senator Kevin Ranker, San
Harry Manx Performs at Orcas Center Feb. 4
The second event of the Orcas Center 2010 Season features the Orcas debut of Harry Manx, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist on Thursday, February 4. Harry Manx has been called the "Mysticssippi" blues man because his original hybrid sound blends Eastern and Western influences. Born on the Isle of
