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 to revise Critical Areas Ordinance Aug. 25
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager A planned Council workshop on efforts to revise the County’s Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. on August 25th. The site has tentatively been set as the San Juan Island Community Theatre. In June, a public meeting on San
Levy Lid Lift on property taxes to be discussed July 22
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The San Juan County Council has scheduled a special council session for Wednesday July 22 to consider putting a proposal to increase the County’s property tax on the November, 2009 ballot. Currently, under state law, the County must win voter approval for a
Coast Guard decision means overnite SJ schedules can continue
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager It appears that Washington State Ferries will be able to avoid drastic reductions in morning sailings from the San Juans this fall, thanks to a decision announced Monday by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has notified Washington State Ferries that it
County Public Service Offices' Hours to Change
By Stan MatthewsCounty Communications Program Manager Beginning on Monday July 20, the offices of the County Auditor, Treasurer and Assessor will be open for counter service and phone service to the public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. That is a change from the 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. hours
OPAL acquires grant to purchase Lavender Hollow apartments
From OPAL Community Land Trust OPAL Community Land Trust has been awarded a grant of $1,504,729 from the Washington State Housing Trust Fund for the purchase and remodeling of the Lavender Hollow apartments. OPAL now begins the process of finalizing acquisition of the 19-year old development with 22 apartments on
Distler elected Vice-chair of State Transportation Commission
In a recent statement issued by the State Transportation Commission, it was announced that Member Bob Distler, who is from Orcas Island, will serve as Vice-chair of the Washington State Transportation Commission.The new Chair is Carol Moser from Richland. Commission members elect new officers every year; their terms become effective
Kids Learn of the Sea Around Us at Scavenger Hunt on Indian Island
A Scavenger Hunt on Indian Island will be the scene on Tuesday, morning, July 21, as children ages 6-12 explore the beach surrounding the island. San Juan Nature Institute and Orcas Island Recreation Program will collaborate to offer the Scavenger Hunt around Indian Island. The fun will begin
Kids' Whale Watching Trip on Thursday
A Whale Watch Trip with reduced prices for kids age 7 to 17 will set out from Deer Harbor Marina on Thursday morning, July 16. The three-hour trip, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., is an educational guided trip with an experienced captain and naturalist. Those making the trip will
Imagine—A Beatles Era Party to Benefit Orcas Center
Orcas Center summer special event includes second Abbey Road - LIVE performance on Sunday evening On Saturday, July 18, Orcas Center will host a special event that features delicious dining, camaraderie, dancing, bidding and the music of the Fab Four, all with a backdrop reminiscent of the 60s.
County office hours may be reduced
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager If the Council approves, many County offices will provide “counter service” and other public services for fewer hours per day. County Administrator Pete Rose says that the step is proposed in light of workforce cutbacks, to give County workers additional time to take
Soccer Clinic for Younger Kids to Benefit High School Soccer Teams
Chama Anderson, high school girls soccer coach, and Matt Stolmeier, boys soccer coach, will be offering a three-day soccer clinic for kids from grades 3 through 8 next Monday-Wednesday, July 20-22 from 9 a.m. to noon at Buck Park. Members of the high school boys and girls soccer team will
"Love Letters" a lifetime friendship told in letters
Beginning July 24, DD Glaze and Fred Whitridge will take to the stage in an Actors Theater of Orcas Island production of A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters. Director Doug Bechtel says the play is like an afternoon in an attic, reading from a freshly-discovered box of old letters.
Senator Ranker's new office to hold Open House
Following his first session in Olympia, Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island, has hired a new legislative assistant, Ann Larson, and opened a district office in Anacortes. “After a long 105-day session in Olympia, I was eager to get back home to the 40th district and get to work for our
Didier Gincig: Orcas Rec affects kids well into the future
After 15 years, Didier Gincig, coordinator of the Orcas Island Recreation Program (Orcas Rec) says he takes pride that "I've been able, all these years, to get along well with the community -- children and adults -- and establish a network of collaboration. "We've created opportunities for kids
Letter to the Editor: Planning changes require new vigilance
I have noted with dismay that one of the problem-solving tactics of the San Juan County Council to the current budget crisis is the truncation and division of the current County Development and Planning Department (SJC CDP0. John Manning, currently overloaded Human Services head, will do part of the work
OPALCO Fuel Mix Report: 95% Greenhouse Gas Free
Orcas Power & Light Cooperative received its 2008 fuel mix report from Washington State Community Trade and Economic Development. The fuel mix shows some changes from the previous year—a little more wind, a little less hydro—and represents a product that is 95% greenhouse gas free. The fuel mix is the
