Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
School Architects Introduced to the Public This Week
The Orcas Island School District (OISD) Board decided late last month to sign a contract with Mahlum Architectural firm to oversee the design and reconstruction of several of the school district buildings. This week, Mahlum Principal Bud Reifert and Associate Principal David Mount have made the rounds of public meetings
Friends of the Library share their love of books at the Book Lovers Fair on Nov. 1
The Friends of the Library Board will donate a large selection of their best-loved books to the Book Lovers Fair, which kicks-off November as Family Literacy Month. Gold and orange flyers have been announcing The Book Lovers Fair at the Odd Fellows Hall from 5 to 7 p.m.
Community Foundation and Partners to Help Families Get More Support in Difficult Economic Times
By Hilary Canty, OICF Executive Director New funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will help Orcas Island nonprofits address growing and urgent needs The Orcas Island Community Foundation has received a $30,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to increase assistance for local families that are
Odd Fellows Plan Wood Raffle, Monster Movie and Dance on two stages on Halloween
Contributed by Jay Kimball The annual Halloween Dance at the Odd Fellows Hall is this Saturday, October 31st, at 8 pm. All proceeds from the dance go to benefit the Odd Fellows Scholarship fund. The dance will feature Orcas bands The Orcas Horns and Island Roots Collective. The music
Montessori Pie Season is Here
Contributed by Cathy Faulkner Orcas Montessori Pie Sale – Going On Now Orcas Montessori proudly announces the 3rd annual Apple Pie Sale. Orcas Montessori parents have lovingly combined organic ingredients and tasty heirloom apples from the Orcas Montessori orchard for the perfect dessert for any meal. Best of
Port Commissioners Dial Back the Volume on Thru-the-Fence Confrontation
Updated Oct. 29 at 6:50 a.m. On Thursday, Oct. 22, Port of Orcas Commissioners called a special meeting to discuss the Through-the-Fence issue that has troubled the Port District for years, and has reached a new boiling point, with adjoining land owners considering a lawsuit over the matter. The
First Permanent Water Right Purchase in Western Washington to protect Cascade Creek
From Washington Water Trust press release A collaborative agreement to support stream flows in Cascade Creek on Orcas Island will permanently protect the most significant salmon bearing stream in the San Juan Islands. Collaborative partnerships have become the rule for protecting two of Washington’s most precious resources – salmon
Letter to the Editor: Harry Patton Salutes U.S. Navy Day
To: All naval commands--all ships at sea. From: Ensign (Senior Grade) 'Paddles' Patton, C.O. CINCPACORC (Forward Area). Subject: Reinstituting U. S. Navy Day Honors. Priority: FLASH message. Security Classification: DBR - (Destroy Before Reading). This command reminds recipients that Navy Day, always Oct. 27, was instituted some 100 years ago,
Letter to the Editor: Support Ghazel as Hands-on School Board Member
Please join us in voting for Tony Ghazel to continue serving on the Orcas Island School District Board of Directors. Tony has served our children and the school district extremely well these past 5 years. He is experienced, intelligent, detail oriented and dedicated. Tony has participated and led many aspects
County Plans Open Houses for its Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas Plans
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager San Juan County Parks, Public Works, and the Land Bank are partnering with The Trust for Public Land to craft a new plan for the parks, trails, and natural areas of San Juan County. The plan will update the 2005-2010 San Juan County
National Spelling Bee Comes to Orcas — Tip Sessions Scheduled
The Orcas Island School District Parent-Teacher-Student-Association (PTSA) will sponsor Orcas Schools' entry in the National Scripps Spelling Bee. The Spelling Bee is open to students in grades 4 through 8. PTSA President Barb Skotte says, "We'll also be holding, with the help of wonderful adult volunteers, five afterschool study group
Health Officials Set Priorities for H1N1 Vaccinations
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager San Juan County Public Health officials are asking for help in making sure that the available supplies of H1N1 vaccine get to the people who can most benefit from it. The priority groups being sought now are: Pregnant women – please call the
Biotoxins Cause Shellfish Closure in County
From WA. Dept of Health News Release San Juan County is part of a large area of the North Puget Sound which the Washington Department of Health has declared closed to recreational shellfish harvesting. Marine biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) have been detected at dangerously high levels
Letter to the Editor: Sutton a sophisticated and knowledgeable candidate
Dear Editor, I heartily endorse Chris Sutton as a candidate for the School Board. Chris brings considerable experience in technology and business, a great educational background at Orcas High School where he graduated at the top of his class, and at the University of Washington, a deep and abiding commitment to the
Letter to the Editor: Eastsound Planning to look at proposed new Critical Areas Ordinance on Nov. 5
At our next meeting, November 5th at 3 p.m. at the Orcas Senior Center, the Eastsound Planning and Review Committee will be looking at how the proposed new Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), designed to protect our sensitive natural resources, will impact Eastsound. As the islands designated UGA, Eastsound is expected
A Song In Our Hearts… and Tarts!
A Benefit Concert for Orcas Middle & High School Music Program With Sharon Abreu & Friends By Marian O’Brien “I believe that band is not merely an elective, but a course that teaches people how to live together. Literally and metaphorically, music is simply another language, but more. It
