Here’s a thought…
“It wasn’t a Blue Wave; it was an American Tsunami!”
Prevention coalition sends kids to Orkila for leadership training
On April 3, the 5th and 6th grade classes will attend a Prevention Teach-In at Camp Orkila. They will be joined with students from Lopez and San Juan Islands and community activists to develop qualities of self-esteem and leadership. Orcas Island Prevention Partnership (OIPP) Director Marta Nielson, who coordinated the
Mental Health Sales Tax goes into effect today
Merchants in San Juan County will collect an additional 1/10th of 1% tax on sales beginning April 1. The increase will bring the total sales tax rate collected in the County to 7.8%. The Washington Department of Revenue says that it will send notices of the new tax rate
Report Shows Dramatic Increase in Homelessness Here
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager A state-mandated count of homeless persons in San Juan County identified 73 homeless County residents, compared to only 26 homeless individuals found in the same survey last year and 28 in 2007. The number of individuals identified “unsheltered” more than doubled from
April is Poetry Month – send in your favorites
In celebration of April as Poetry Month, we’ll be posting a poem each day. Please send us your favorites, and we’ll make every attempt to post your selection, along with any comments you care to add. The first poem is “A New Poet” by Linda Pastan. This poem was
Marine Resources Committe to discuss rock fish, critical areas ordinance and desalinization
The San Juan Marine Resources Committee will meet from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1 in Friday Harbor. At this meeting, a presentation will be given by Anne Beaudreau, a researcher who will share her plans for a post doctoral research project to improve understanding of how
School board meeting projects 440 enrollment for next year
When the Orcas Island School District (OISD) board met last Thursday, March 26, they decided by consensus to project enrollment at 440 for the 2009-2010 school year. Board member Keith Whitaker said, "I think we're on the low side of where we'll end up." That would be a good thing
Turn Point Lighthouse exhibit at the Senior Center during April
An informative exhibit on Stuart Island’s Turn Point Lighthouse will grace the walls of the Lundeen Room at Orcas Senior Center during April. Built in 1893 and designed by the architect Carl Leick, the sturdy Queen Anne/late Victorian building and its adjoining museum will be open to the boating
Food Bank moves to Community Church
The Orcas Food Bank is moving to more central space in Eastsound, in the south side of the Orcas Island Community Church, 176 Madrona Street. Tuesday, April 7, 12:30-2 PM, will be the twenty-year-old group's first day in the new location. The church, in response to food bank board members'
Vessel construction put on fast track ahead of terminal improvements
The Senate Transportation Committee passed a budget bill on March 30 that took several positive steps for ferry commuters, avoiding any cuts in service, limiting fare increases to 2.5 percent and focusing on vessel construction rather than terminal construction. During the hearing,Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island, and Sen.
The Onions Are Coming!
OIEF is sponsoring the Orcas Island performance of a Seattle-based high school singing group known as “The Onions.” The group includes16 girls and boys aged 15-18. The music they sing runs the gamut from jazz standards, to Motown hits and on to more contemporary pop music by bands like Cold
Postal Service offers free class at Eastsound
The U.S. Postal Service plans a free class to help large, small and home-based business owners get their products in the hands of their customers sooner, cheaper and more securely. .A free class on all the things the postal service has to offer will be held at 2 p.m. April
Poets Showcase comes to Orcas Center April 11
An evening of poetry by Orcas Island poets takes place on Saturday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Orcas Center. The event, which premiered last year, brings local poets to the Black Box to recite some of their work. Last year, the event was sold out. This year, the
Kids to visit lambs, calves, chickens and piglets at Coffelt Farm Apr. 4
Orcas Island Recreation program will again lead a spring walk at the Coffelt Farm, from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 4. Visit lambs, meet Jersey cows, stop by the pig yard and hen house, browse the garden, gaze into the workshop, wander through the woods and
Funding Your Student’s Education at The Funhouse’s “Get Off The Rock” College Counseling Event
The first part of the Funhouse's annual "Get of the Rock" College Counseling event is happening this week! "Funding Your Student's Education" Thursday, April 2nd at 6:30PM at the Funhouse: David Aramaki, Financial Advisor and Financial Education Specialist from Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. of Seattle will discuss financial aid strategies,
March, get outta town! The week ahead March 29 – April 5
Sunday, March 29 Ride the WSF ferry to Sidney. Leaves Orcas at 8:40 a.m., with a quick turnaround in Sidney, returning via the 11:40 a.m. sailing to Friday Harbor, arriving at approximately 1:30 p.m. where passengers can disembark, go through Customs, and walk-on the 2:15 p.m. ferry to Orcas, arriving at
Shayo moves from permitting dept. to code enforcement officer
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager Community Development and Planning Department Director Ron Henrickson has appointed Allen Shayo to the position of County Code Enforcement officer. “We believe that Allen will do an outstanding job. In the two years he has been with the County as a permit coordinator,
