Here’s a thought…
“I am so convinced of the advantages of looking at mankind instead of reading about them, and of the bitter effects of staying at home with all the narrow prejudices of an islander, that I think there should be a law amongst us to set our young men abroad for a term among the few allies our wars have left us.”
LORD BYRON
Letter to Editor | I strongly support McVeigh for County Council
||| FROM EMILY GEYMAN ||| As Superintendent of Schools in Friday Harbor for two years, Kari demonstrated the very attributes that a Council member needs: ability to listen to and work with others, creativity in evolving solutions to complicated situations, fairness and support to employees. She also has experience, in
How Native nations forced federal investment in salmon reintroduction
Work above the Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams has proven that salmon will return home, pressuring the government to uphold obligations to Upper Columbia United Tribes. With further litigation on hold, the federal government has committed more than $200 million for salmon reintroduction efforts led by Native nations |||
Squirt guns and ‘go home’ signs: Barcelona residents take aim at tourists
||| FROM THE STRAITS TIMES ||| LONDON/ZARAGOZA, Spain - For the past few months, tourists in certain areas of Spain have found fewer welcome mats and more hostility. Anti-tourism graffiti loops across buildings, and tens of thousands of people have protested this year against unsustainable mass tourism. Over the weekend in
Green invasion hits Orcas Island’s Cascade Lake
||| FROM TOBY COOPER for THE SALISH CURRENT ||| Eurasian watermilfoil — a fast-growing, non-native aquatic plant that threatens the natural freshwater ecosystems, human recreation and domestic water infrastructure — has infested Orcas Island’s Cascade Lake, prompting the Washington State Parks authority to seek permits for control. The popular lake
OrcAsian American Storytelling
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY ||| Please join us at the Orcas Island Public Library as we welcome Nancy Wang and Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo of Eth-Noh-Tec, world renowned storytellers bringing nine other Asian American storytellers to Orcas to share their tales of pan-Asia and of Asian America. Tuesday July 16,
Town seeking applicants for open position on Friday Harbor Planning Commission
||| FROM JENNIFER KREMBS for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| The Town of Friday Harbor is accepting applications for open positions on the Planning Commission. Commissioners are volunteers who consider the policies of the Town Council as expressed in the Town Code, the community, and the growth and development of
Cultivating Success | Growing future farmers
Learn how to develop a sustainable small farm ||| FROM REBECCA MOORE for WSU EXTENSION | SAN JUAN COUNTY ||| Interested in farming? Not sure how to begin? Do you dream of beginning or expanding your own small farm? The Cultivating Success™ series of courses combines workshop and farmer-direct learning
County takes multi-step approach to improve Dept. of Community Development services
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Council has approved a series of steps in an effort to improve services from the Department of Community Development (DCD). The County will begin contracting out services in the land use division, and hire an additional code enforcement officer,
Thank you Gala goers and art lovers
||| FROM ART FOR ORCAS KIDS ||| Your unwavering support and commitment have been instrumental in making our first Gala & Art Auction possible. Thanks to you, Art for Orcas Kids (A*OK) gathered an impressive group of art lovers, supporters and bidders, and everyone walked away with a unique, one-of-a-kind
Master Gardener Clinic
||| FROM DIANNE MACONDRAY for SJC MASTER GARDENERS ||| The Master Gardeners of San Juan County are here to help with science based answers to your plant questions. There will be another Plant Answer Clinic outside the entrance to the Orcas Island Library on Wednesday, July 10th from noon to
Letter to Editor | Awaiting an apology from EWUA’s Nigretto
||| FROM CAROL ANN ANDERSON ||| Recently, Teri Nigretto falsely accused me and Ron Claus of violating the law in an email to all EWUA members, on the EWUA website, in the Islands Sounder, and in the Orcasonian. Publishing and falsely accusing someone of a crime opens Teri Nigretto and
Islanders launch campaign to renew Land Bank’s funding
||| FROM SANDI FRIEL for RENEW OUR LAND BANK COMMITTEE ||| Left to right: Former Land Bank Commissioners Christa Campbell and Sandi Friel are co-leading the campaign to “Renew Our Land Bank.” Photo taken at the Land Bank’s Deer Harbor Waterfront Preserve. A team of 50 islanders is
Wash Fed Bank Summer Art Show
||| FROM DEBRA BABCOCK ||| The Muse Speaks, Debra Lee Babcock, 2024 WaFd Bank in Eastsound is pleased to announce that the featured artist for July and August this year is Orcas Island writer & painter Debra Lee Babcock of Art and Word Studio. Debra received a BFA
Whale Museum’s summer lecture series continues
||| FROM TATE THOMSON for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum is continuing its Summer Lecture Series with Everybody Loves a Pooping Whale: what poop can tell us about the health of the Southern Resident killer whales. Join us on July 24 at 7 p.m. at The Whale Museum
Letter to Editor | O’Day is a great mediator
||| FROM NANCY FUSARE ||| I am writing in support of my friend Stephanie O’Day. I have known her for 30+ years, as both a friend, fellow volunteer and as an employee. Stephanie is very reasonable and fair and always tries to find the middle ground in any dispute. She
Letter to Editor | O’Day has specific experience for tasks ahead
||| FROM LISA DES JARDINS ||| I have known and been friends with Stephanie O’Day since she moved to the island 33 years ago. She has been immersed in living, working, and volunteering on San Juan Island the entire time and, in my estimation, is a true Islander. As an
