Here’s a thought…
“Nothing limits intelligence more than ignorance; nothing fosters ignorance more than one’s own opinions; nothing strengthens opinions more than refusing to look at reality.”
SHERI S. TEPPER
Letter to the Editor: Vote often for Eastsound Mayor
In 1873, the Territorial Legislation of Washington sent Governor Stevens a bill creating the County of San Juan out of 172 islands in Washington Sound. Friday Harbor was designated as the County Seat, and three county commissioners were selected. The population then was approximately 554 people and as of the
Students Demonstrate Lessons in Dance and Drama
Contributed by Barbara Courtney May is Arts Education Month, as proclaimed by the San Juan County Council, the Board of the Orcas Island Public School District, and Orcas Center. The general public will have the opportunity to see demonstrations of the dance instruction their students have enjoyed this year through
Weekend events will keep you hopping
Friday, May 15 County Planning Commission meets at the Orcas Island Senior Center at 10 a.m. Agenda includes a report from the EPRC and an Open Space application. Artsmith Poetry reading and spoken word open mic with poet Peter Ludwin at 7:30 p.m. at Kangaroo House Bed and
Didier Gincig to leave Orcas Rec after 13 Years
Didier Gincig, who has headed the popular Orcas Island Recreation program for 13 of its 16 years of existence, has announced that he will be leaving the program this year. "I love Orcas Rec, and I love working with children and their families," he said, "but after 13
Swine Flu Update – Relax, but Not Too Much
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The Washington Department of Health (DOH) announced Monday, May 11, that it has deactivated its Emergency Operations Center which has been overseeing the statewide response to Swine Flu. The Public Health Lab will continue to run tests and produce daily situation reports this
Is your prescription good for you?
The lecture series Crossroads: Ideas for a New Century will conclude its 2008-09 season on Saturday, May 23, 7:30 p.m. at Orcas Center. Russ Altman, Professor of Bioengineering, Genetics and Medicine at Stanford University, will speak on Personalized Medicine: Prescribing the Right Drugs Based on Your Genes. The current process
KindlingsFest 2009: "A place for warm hearts, active minds and hungry souls"
Pastor Dick Staub of the Orcas Island Community Church brought KindlingsFest to Orcas Island for the first time last summer. "KindlingsFest is a celebration of Art and Ideas as they intersect with the spiritual," says Staub, whose career before coming to Orcas Island in 2007 has included hosting a radio
"Born Learning" signs to be added to North Beach trail
Orcas Family Connections and the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) will soon launch the “Orcas Born Learning Trail” to promote early childhood learning and family fun. The Born Learning Trail is a series of learning activities that any adult can play with young children. Based on the
Letter to the Editor: Adams supports OPALCO teamwork in conserving and developing energy
Dear Editor, These are inspiring times. Significant change is afoot. For some of us this gives pause: in what do we anchor the future? Increasingly many are turning to local sources. For local and reliable OPALCO is a proven source. This small co-op is a shining star. Accessibility to the
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
