Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
Great Expectations Dashed the First Year
By Elsie McFarland In September, 2003, after years of traffic-clogged drives from Portland to visit family on Orcas, I signed papers on a nice little Orcas Island house. It was perfect. Two grown children, three grandchildren, and moi—grandma—all nicely situated on an idyllic island. We all lived happily ever after.
Meetings Planned for Water and Land Use Elements of the County Comp Plan
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager San Juan County will conduct a series of meetings from September 14th to September 30th to gather public input on proposed amendments to the County’s Comprehensive plan. The Comprehensive Plan document does not contain rules or regulations, but sets out principles with which
"Brilliant Traces" a passionate performance
A review by Lin McNulty To say this play has traces of brilliance is not only redundant, but also the epitome of understatement. What I saw on opening night is a cosmic convergence of quirky characters, masterful Orcas actors, and a stunning set. The script is written to tug at
Ferry crew union comes to agreement on Coast Guard regulations
David Moseley, Ferries Division Secretary for the Washington State Department on Transportation, announced on Sept. 4, "I am pleased that on Thursday evening we were able to achieve agreement with our union partners on new crewing schedules that comply with the U.S. Coast Guard requirement to discontinue the use of
Diamond Hill Fire on Friday Sept. 4
Ken Speck, photographer, reported this afternoon, "Pat Muffett and I flew over Diamond Hill off Dolphin Bay Rd and took these of a fire. The fire dept couldn't find the fire at first, and we kept circling until they got there. Real close to the house and scary."
Hunting and Gathering for Writers at Writer's Roundtable Sept. 12
The Writer's Roundtable will meet again on Saturday, September 12. Join fellow writers for this month's presentation"Laying in Food for the Winter: Hunting and Gathering Techniques for Writers,"by Judith Miller. Judith Miller writes creative non-fiction, is a communications and editorial consultant, and teaches legal writing. She is also a long-time
Writers Festival's Second Year Promises a Literary Double-Header
Registration for workshops extended to Sept. 7 In its second year the Orcas Island Writers Festival, headed up by Barbara Lewis, plans a double-header — in terms of literary events. The Writers Festival, which concentrates on honing the writer’s craft, rather than publishing or marketing, will run
Enigmatic "Ulysses" to be Topic of Fadem's Class
Richard Fadem will offer a class on James Joyce's Ulysses, beginning Wednesday, September 16th, at Emmanuel Parish Hall from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The fee is $20. The class will use the Modern Library Edition, available at Darvill's. Ulysses is, according to its publisher, "one of the most influential novels of
County, Union Reach Agreement on Voluntary Furloughs
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager San Juan County and Local 1849 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which represents approximately 58 percent of the County’s workforce, have agreed on a policy offering employees the option to take voluntary furlough days to help reduce
Montessori Bake Sale on Friday
By Cathy Faulkner Cinnamon Rolls, Cookies, Pie - it could only be an Orcas Montessori School Bake Sale. Stop by the Island Market entrance this Friday, September 4th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and grab a tasty treat (or two) for the long holiday weekend. Our “Grounds for Growth” coffee
“Medication in Motion” Is T’ai Chi for You?
Contributed by Joan Roulac T’ai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice of simple, quiet movements. Regular practice cultivates, circulates, and balances the internal Vital Force known as chi energy. T’ai Chi is often described as meditation in motion, but it might well be called “medication in motion,” according to Harvard
Eastsound Planning meeting today at 3
Eastsound Planning and Review Committee (EPRC) will meet from 3:00 to 4:30 pm Orcas Senior Center. Acting Chair Bob Connell has noted that it is likely there will not be a quorum at this session. On the agenda are public comment and additions to the agenda; review of the August
Island Cup Against Friday Harbor this Saturday at Orcas
The Mighty Vikings will take the field Saturday at 12:30 p.m. against their island rivals, the Friday Harbor Wolverines. Front Row - left to right - Head Coach Dennis Dahl, Elijah Jones, Micah Jones, Josh Griffin, Allan Coe, Tyler Nigretto, Aubrey Schermerhorn, Assistant Coach Scott Harris. Second Row
Great Expectation: A Common Community Vision
By Walt Corbin While stationed at Ft Lewis in 1954-55, I traveled the ferry to Vancouver Island through the San Juan Island. There was a long log boom in tow and the islands were like forested jewels to me. I vowed when I retired, the San Juans would be my
Island Grown, Island Raised — Dinner Benefit for Kaleidoscope Sept. 12
The 5th annual gourmet dinner, wine tasting and auction to benefit Kaleidoscope Preschool and Child Care Center will take place on Saturday, Sept. 12. The dinner has grown each year, and last year, $15,000 was raised by the dinner/auction. “It’s absolutely our largest fundraiser of the year,” say
Ranker hears first-hand from area teachers
From State Senator Kevin Ranker's office Area teachers got a chance to let lawmakers know what they think of state education reform plans during a recent meeting in Anacortes. Sen. Kevin Ranker of San Juan Island joined two lawmakers who oversee the Senate education committee and about 50
