Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
Editorial: Appreciating and protecting an island lifestyle
I’m not much of a beer drinker, but during the hot, hot weather even we on Orcas have been experiencing, I deeply relished downing a cold one on my deck at the end of a hot, draining day this week. It kind of crystallized some feelings about the tremendous luxury
Dave Zoeller returns from Ladakh and "The Great Tibetan Marathon"
Just back from “The Great Tibetan Marathon” at Ladakh, the northernmost province of India, bordered by China and Pakistan, Dave Zoeller, otherwise known as Z, is still digesting the experience. His journey to Ladakh was ignited by the opportunity to run a marathon there, which he successfully
Council to decide upon Mental Health Tax expenditures
If the San Juan County Council approves, county school districts will be contracted to utilize the county mental health tax revenue in the following amounts: Orcas Island -- $42,750 annually for the next two years; Lopez Island -- $29,750 annually for the next two years; San Juan Island -- $52,500
Special Town Hall scheduled for Aug. 6
Orcas County Council Members Richard Fralick, District 4, Orcas West, Gene Knapp, District 5, Orcas East, have issued an invitation to a Special Public Meeting to be held Thursday, Aug. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall. County Administrator Pete Rose and County Auditor Milene Henley
Harry Patton — Naval Fighter Pilot, Reservist Commander and Olga Raconteur
Harry Patton tells a good story, and he’s lived a life full of them — from flying fighter planes in World War II, making missile defense films, escorting the Secretary of Defense as he decided to ax the Dynosaur project, conducting bombing raids to Waldron and Lummi
Deer Harbor Plan Review Committee Public Meetings
from the County Development and Planning Department Now and until further notice, the recently constituted Deer Harbor Plan Review Committee will commence holding regular public meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, between 3:45 and 5:45 pm at the Deer Harbor Community Club, located at 4319 Deer Harbor Road,
"Our Vast Landscapes" – Local Artists Display at Orcas Center
Show opens with reception this Friday Island artists Bill Trogdon, Anne Pedersen, Pam Jenkins and Gail Johannes describe their process Summer brings forth our island surroundings in full, glorious color. Fields are golden, trees are green and skies are blue – perfect for an artist’s canvas. That
Orcas drive for life-giving blood on July 30
Orcas Islanders will have the opportunity to give blood this Thursday, July 30 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall. The drive is sponsored by the Puget Sound Blood Center, which reports, “When people need blood for surgery, trauma care, cancer treatment or hundreds of other reasons,
Orcastrazz brings Music to the Park Aug. 2
San Juan County Parks Department continues its Music In the Park summer series in the Stage on the Green in Eastsound with the popular swing band Orcatrazz on Sunday August 2. Showtime is 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the concert is free to all. “Bring your chairs and blankets and
FAA demands neighbors’ access plan from Port of Orcas
They don’t know exactly what they want, but they’ll tell you when you give it to them. That appears to be the position of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the “Through-the-Fence Arrangements” (TTFA) that have plagued Port Commissioners off and on for years, according to Bea von Tobel, port
Photo contest builds up to Island Photographic Festival
The first ever “Island Photographic Festival” is set for Sept. 17-19. The theme of the festival will be “A Celebration of Nature Photography.” “The key is ‘fun’ ‘engaging’ and ‘educational,’” says event organizer Alex Huppenthal, a frequent Orcas Island visitor who “formally moved to the island” this summer. Preliminary plans
Contact a homesick Jordan Griffin in Sacramento
By Rachel Meenach Jordan Griffin sustained a spinal cord injury from a snowboarding accident on Orcas Island last December. He shattered vertebrae C6 in his neck and has been diagnosed with Incomplete Quadriplegia. Rachel Meenach is Jordan's mother. July 26 -- We have officially been at Shriners for a week
School district in robust shape for now, directors cautious about future
Orcas Island School District Board directors expressed cautious optimism as they accepted the budget for the 2009-2010 school year at their meeting on July 23. The budget reflects the [intlink id=”3540″ type=”post”]personnel added back into staffing[/intlink] that were listed on the consent agenda. Finance Manager Ben Thomas told the
St. Agnes Day Market at Emmanuel Church
Joyce Burghardt serves tea with Karen Blinn inside the Emmanuel Church Parish Hall during the annual St. Agnes Day Market on July 25. The tea service and bake sale were part of the annual fundraiser, with items for sale on the church lawn.
Letter to the Editor: Replace fire commissioners for better representation
I saw a bumper sticker, "If you don't exercise your rights, you will lose them." We pay taxes for services such as fire protection, and we have elected commissioners to oversee the funded services, and we have public meetings to be aware of how things are going. The fire and
Letter to the Editor: Approve voter initiative to create recreation district
Dear Community Members, In these tough economic times the Orcas Island Recreation Program has been able to survive with county support, user fees, grants and donations. The county has now officially cut off our funding although they will continue to provide office space, insurance, computers and administrative support. As members
