Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
Community Foundation announces $72,830 in awards to community non-profits
The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) and its Partners in Philanthropy -- Anonymous, Marilyn Anderson, Michael Brennan, Joe Cohen, Martha Farish and Clayton Philbrick, Cynthia and Sam Coleman, Betty Corbett, Phyllis and Bob Henigson, Hull Family Supporting Organization, Masterman Family Fund, The Olga Symphony, and the Wright Janeway Family Fund
High School classes award $5,000 in Youth Grants through Community Foundation
Contributed by Maddy Smith This spring, the senior class at Orcas High School was given $,5000 by the Orcas Island Community Foundation to donate towards local causes. Each year since 2006, the graduating class has been given a lump sum of money and has had the same opportunity to donate.
Prevention Partnership's Mindfulness Forum builds community bridges
The Orcas Island Prevention Partnership (OIPP) coalition's annual meeting on May 17 -- The Mindfulness Forum -- was a banquet of food, awards, entertainment and discussion. The Mindfulness Forum is a community-wide "environmental strategy" adopted by the OIPP coalition in its mission to provide solutions for "a safe
Wine tasting benefit for Louise Sasan
Contributed by Liz Hance A wine tasting event is coming to Orcas! On Saturday evening, June 6th, a wine tasting is being held as a fundraiser for Louise Sasan. All proceeds from this evening will go to financially support her battle against breast cancer. This is a truly unique offering
Can't wait for the weekend: events start today!
Thursday, May 21 Dwight W. Duke's Trials by Fire visual art opening and reception at Christina's Restaurant from 5 to 7 p.m. This new body of work - a departure from his past sculptures and paintings - is created entirely with fire, using strategically placed gunpowder and artillery fuse on paper, canvas,
Something New! Online Filing for San Juan County Candidates
From the San County Auditor's office, Elections Dept. Beginning on Monday, June 1, until 4 p.m. on June 5, candidates who wish to run for office in San Juan County will have the option of filing online. Candidates who file online will not only receive confirmation of their filing, but
Chamber Music Festival tickets a sure thing for the Early Birds
By the 10 a.m. start, 40 community members had secured their place in line for the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival's 2009 Early Bird event. There were a record number of sales throughout the day with telephone and walk-in sales continuing throughout the day. About half of the
Letter to the Editor: in search of 1910 relatives
Katie Morris of Santa Rosa, Calif. is in search of family ancestors who lived on Orcas Island. Whaling Captains, brothers Abel and Albert Douglass in the area from the 1860s. Sister Mary's family, second husband Hiram Crandall and children; George H. Derby, Gibson Derby and Belle Crandall lived on Orcas
Community Foundation awards grants this Friday
The Orcas Island Community Foundation's annual Grants Award Celebration is this Friday, May 22, 3:30 p.m. in the Madrona Room of the Orcas Center. Executive Director of OICF, Hilary Canty says, "We will gather to celebrate the quality programs and hard work nonprofits provide our community and the donors who
Town Hall at the Fire Station this afternoon
All Orcas Islanders are invited to a Town Hall meeting at Eastsound Fire Hall 4-6 p.m. today, Wednesday, May 20. County Council members Gene Knapp and Richard Fralick and County Administrator Peter Rose will be in attendance. The current county budget crisis, siting of the San Juan Island solid waste
Birding by Ear on Orcas May 22
Barb Jensen, San Juan Audubon Society member, plans on a last-minute "Birding by Ear" class on Orcas Island on Friday, May 22. Jensen says, " I plan on doing this class a bit differently than the first class I did on SJ. I've shortened up the lecture portion and will do
Historical Museum Opens the Season with "Hidden Treasures"
Contributed by Andrea Cohen The Orcas Island Historical Museum is kicking off its opening season on Friday, May 22nd with a special new exhibit entitled "Hidden Treasures: Items from the Museum Archive". Since its founding in 1951, the Historical Society has been the repository and caretaker of thousands of donated
Mask-making workshops for adults and children — register now
In cooperation with the Orcas Center, the Olga Strawberry Council is holding two workshops on mask making lead by Diane Trapp, a renowned mask maker and talented instructor of the craft. Diane has been making masks for almost 30 years, and her work is seen in stage productions,
Jordan Griffin update: setbacks on the road to Shriners rehab
By Rachel Meenach, Jordan Griffin's mom Jordan Griffin suffered a spinal chord injury last December while snowboarding on Orcas Island. Since then, he has been in Seattle's Harborview and Children's Hospitals, before coming back to Orcas Island earlier this spring. May 15 Ugh...back to familiar settings once again!
Betsy Louton coordinates Hearts and Hands volunteers
Betsy Louton, the new Hearts and Hands' Volunteer Coordinator, wants people to know what Hearts and Hands is - " a fine, fine example of people taking care of each other on the island." Hearts and Hands pairs volunteers with those in need of limited, on-going help. The
BAC, board and Biz Manager ax school NERCs
The Orcas Island School District board, business manager and Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) took a close look at the non-employee-related costs (NERCs) in the 2009-2010 school budget, and cut an additional $80,000 from them on Thursday, May 14. That still leaves the district facing a projected $419,000 deficit, but OISD board president Janet
