Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
Sign Code Enforcement Scheduled for Orcas on May 13
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager San Juan County is giving the owners of illegally placed "sandwich board" signs a heads up that their signs will be tagged on Wednesday, May 13 for removal within 7 days. Tagged signs that aren't removed by May 20 will be picked up
Parent Child Playgroup Reunion May 16, 2009
From 1991-2008 many island families participated in a parent/child playgroup facilitated by Kathi Ciskowski. Although the people and venues changed, the basic activity format remained the same for all groups. On Sat., May 16 from 12:30-2 pm at the new Benson Hall on the waterfront in Eastsound, there
Small Fruit Production at the Garden Club May 20
On May 20, the Orcas Island Garden Club program will feature Colleen Burrows from Whatcom County Extension talking about small fruit production. The program begins at 10 a.m. in the Madrona Room of the Orcas Center with a brief business meeting before the presentation. Colleen is the Integrated Pest Management
Artsmith brings poet Peter Ludwin to Kangaroo House
Artsmith is pleased to present a reading and spoken word open mic with poet Peter Ludwin this Friday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Kangaroo House Bed and Breakfast on Orcas Island. Peter's first book, A Guest In All Your Houses, was published this spring by Word Walker Press. For
School makes do with reduced funds; board passes Minimum Education Plan for 2009-2010
With the Legislature's final budget approved by Governor Chris Gregoire last week, the Orcas Island School District (OISD) board reluctantly passed the district's minimum education plan and I-728 allocation plan on May 4. The Minimum Education Plan was described earlier by OISD Superintendent/High School Principal Barbara Kline as "the floor"
Letter to the Editor: Library Landscaping Project Questioned
To: Orcas Island Library Board Dear Trustees, It was brought to my attention recently that the Library Director on behalf of John Ashenhurst the Board's President had applied for a grant from OICF for the proposed edible landscaping project for the amount of $3,055. I was surprised that this was
Free Lunch and Prizes for OPALCO Annual Meeting Attendees
This coming Saturday morning, May 16th, Co-op members and their families will "get on the ferry and ride" to participate in OPALCO's 72nd Annual Meeting. Attendees will be treated to a healthy sack lunch with a fresh sandwich, salad and cookie - and the lunch sack is a reusable, insulated
Canoe Island: Young Artists, Writers, & Scientists Weekend
Children ages 10-14 will spend a weekend June 5-7 (Friday 5 p.m. to Sunday 4 p.m.) doing exciting creative activities on Canoe Island French Camp. Activities will include throwing a ceramic pot on a wheel, landscaping painting, writing a play, preparing photographs and graphics, or writing a newspaper story, poem
Opinion: Putting the Swine Flu in Perspective
by Dr. Frank James, San Juan County Health Official Three or four times each century a new flu bug shows up in the human population and spreads quickly from person to person worldwide. Sometimes these are mild diseases but sometimes they are severe. Over time, people develop resistance to the
Funhouse to close weekdays for maintenance
By Kate Hansen, The Funhouse The Funhouse will be closed for maintenance and repairs for two weeks, May 11th-May 15th and May 18th-22nd. The Funhouse will be OPEN for Teen Nights-which are always free- on Friday and Saturday nights, 6 to 11 p.m. both weekends. On-going classes will also continue
Here comes the sun: the week ahead
Sunday, May 10 The Island Sinfonia is presenting its Mother's Day spring concert at 3 p.m. at the Orcas Center. The program will feature Symphony No. 8 by Franz Schubert and Symphony No. 9 (first movement) by Franz Schubert, and The Quiet City by Aaron Copland. Admission is $10 through
County Wins $2.5 million Grant for Mount Baker Road Project
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The San Juan County Public Works Department reports that the Washington State County Road Administration Board (known as "CRAB") has awarded San Juan County the largest grant it has ever given the county. The Board's $2.5 million grant will fund the reconstruction of
County Development and Plannning drops two more staff
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager Due to a continued downturn in new construction activity San Juan County's Community Development and Planning Department (CD&P) will be reducing two additional staff positions. The employees affected are a Senior Planner and a Department Assistant. Previous staff positions eliminated included a Building
UW's Friday Harbor Labs Open doors on May 16
The University of Washington Friday Harbor Labs will host an Open House on Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Scientists and students will showcase their marine science research, answer questions and provide demonstrations. Visitors will be able to step aboard and tour the Labs' 58' research
File for public office beginning May 15 for November elections
By Stan Matthews County Communication Programs Manager Candidates considering a 2009 run for office in San Juan County can file by mail beginning Friday, May 15. A total of 40 offices will appear on the November 3rd ballot including Friday Harbor Town Mayor and Council seats, and offices in school,
No COLAs for most county elected officials
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager With the County's revenue dropping and contract negotiations still underway with its employees' union, the Citizens Salary Commission voted unanimously Thursday to not provide cost of living adjustments (COLA) for 10 of the County's 14 elected officials for the second half of 2009.
