Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
Council Bans Styrofoam Take-Out Food Containers — Effective Earth Day 2010
By Stan Matthews Country Communications Program Manager On Jan. 5, the San Juan County Council adopted an Ordinance banning food service businesses from using Styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) containers for take-out or eat-in packaging. The ordinance mirrors an ordinance passed last year by the Town of Friday Harbor and will take
Auditions for Orcas Center's "Gypsy" this Weekend
Orcas Center will again produce a community musical this spring: Gypsy will be performed April 22-24, 29, 30 and May 1, 2010. The production will be directed by Deborah Sparks, with musical direction by Joe Babcock and choreography by Susan Babcock. Auditions for Gypsy will take place this weekend: Children
Calling All Orcas Idol Singers! Get Ready for Orcas Idol –Season 5
This much awaited, must see, sell out event of the year is scheduled for Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at the Orcas Center at 6:30 pm. Our talented local performers (individuals or duos) return for this island hit show, which is a lighthearted feel good version of American Idol.
Open House Scheduled on Orcas Island Road, Trails & Drainage Improvements
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The San Juan County Public Works Department is holding an Informational Open House Thursday, January 14, 2010, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Eastsound Fire Hall on Orcas Island, to present the Mount Baker Road and Spruce, Alder and Hemlock Streets projects.
Writers Roundtable Talk on Writers' Ticks this Sat.
"Eliminate Fleas and Ticks!" is the topic for this month's Writer's Roundtable from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Library on Jan. 9. All are welcome to the monthly event, facilitated this month by Jennifer Brennock, who says, "We all have our own ticks- cliches or common words, over-formalized dialogue perhaps-
Council Seeks Solid Waste, Recycling and Transfer Station Funding Solutions
"The county's solid waste program does not break even by any stretch of the imagination," Orcas Council member Richard Fralick said recently. It could be argued that success breeds failure. When we reduce the amount of trash we create, we also decrease income for the county’s solid waste system. “It’s
E-cycle: Island Businesses Recycle Electronics
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager It’s almost a year since Washington State began one of the most successful recycling programs for waste electronics. Manufacturers who sell televisions, monitors, computers and laptops in our state cover the full cost of the program. By the end of November, almost 36
Doe Bay Resort Closes to Catch a Breath: Reopening Jan. 15 with Yuni in Taxco
Doe Bay Resort and Retreat is closed temporarily while the resort does some major spa maintenance, upgrading the soaking tubs, deep cleaning and giving some of the staff a chance to catch their breath. There will be a Grand Re-opening on January 15th featuring the band "Yuni in Taxco" at
Voters and Would-Be Voters: Register Now for February Election
January 11 is the deadline for mail-in, online or transfer registrations. Forms may be picked up at the Public Library, or can be filled in online at www.vote.wa.gov, where voters can also update their mailing addresses. Voter registration status can be confirmed and checked online here as well. New, never-before-registered
Guest Opinion: Cell Towers Subject of Jan. 15 Meeting
By Antoinette Botsford Let me start out by saying that I’m not sure I wholly understand what is happening, but according to what I’ve been learning, troubles are afoot regarding the potential for installing cell towers where they may become obstructions and eyesores, thereby affecting property values. Worse still, the
T’ai Chi Mondays at the Senior Center
Knees Hurt? Joan Roulac has faithfully been offering T'ai Chi Mondays for the last seven years in the Lundeen Room at the Orcas Senior Center. She says, “It is my real passion and commitment to help our island seniors thrive and overcome the numerous stressful challenges aging offers.” Certified to teach T'ai Chi Chih 24
Residents-only Reservations for County Parks Starts Again This Month
Contributed by San Juan County Parks & Recreation In 2010, County Parks is renewing its “residents only” opportunity to pre-reserve campsites at county parks. This year, the popular County Parks program offers residents a chance to make their prime-time summer camping reservations between January 15th & February 26th. This offer
Mary Jane Ceramics Offers Ceramics Classes for Adults and Art Classes for Kids
Adult ceramics classes will be taught Wednesday evenings beginning January 6 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Aesthetica, on Main Street in Eastsound. Students will receive basic and advanced instruction in hand building techniques. No previous experience is necessary, just the desire to learn and have fun. All pieces will
Come out of hibernation for this week's activities
Sunday, January 3 Tap Away the Blocks to Successful Resolutions, 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Orcas Library. Free. To register, call Nancy Southern at 376-4288 or email nancy@happytapping.net Free Movie at Doe Bay Cafe at 7 p.m., free popcorn and 1/2 price bottles of wine. For this Sunday's featured
Guest Opinion: The Holidays on Orcas & the Zen of the Three Stooges
By S. Jaen Black They’re over again. How did you fare?? What IS it about the holidays, ultimately, that transforms people into holly jolly this, that’s or the other?? Why not pretend Santa’s real?? All these questions have been in the forefront of my mind for a few weeks now,
Hippies Take the Plunge at the Polar Bear Dip
At 11 a.m. sharp on New Year's Day, a motley gathering shed their blankets, towel and hats to reveal tie-dye T-shirts and other hippie garb to run headlong into the grey churning waters of Cascade Lake. Within seconds, all but three plungers were headed back to the warmth
