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
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Orcas Pride and the spirit of inclusivity
||| FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AMANDA SPARKS, OIFB COMMUNICATIONS TEAM, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND STAFF OF ORCAS ISLAND FOOD BANK ||| In the spirit of celebrating diversity and togetherness, we hold a special place in our hearts for the vibrant Orcas Pride Fest and the inclusivity it represents. On June 8th,
Water Users set to defend lawsuit in court next week
||| FROM DAN BURKE for EASTSOUND WATER USERS ||| Next Wednesday we go to court to fight a lawsuit brought forth by Mike Parnell under his Farm to Market, LLC in the SJC Superior Court. Parnell is claiming that the Director’s election last fall was flawed and that as a
Letter to Editor | I find memorable activities at Sr. Center
||| FROM SUZANNE MYERS ||| I have been a member of the Orcas Senior Center for a number of years now. Although not a regular user of the facility I have enjoyed classes and events on occasion. I like to support what they do. My memorable activities over the years
Could a broken WA ferry system help cities grow more sustainably?
||| FROM KUOW NPR NETWORK ||| Unreliable state ferries have left passengers in waterfront communities stranded. Replacement boats are still at least four years away. Meanwhile, county-run fleets of smaller, faster foot-ferries are preparing to expand, with help from the state. And that's making some downtowns better. The ferry route
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council June 25, 2024
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| During public comment several residents of Shaw spoke to the county’s planned purchase of land for a public works facility. Two commenters raised unanswered questions about the project with one opposing the purchase without more information. Friends of the San Juans reminded
SJC Clerk adopts e-filing system to streamline court document filings
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Clerk is pleased to announce an easy, fast, and accessible way to file court documents with the new implementation of eFileWA. The public is invited to trainings in July to learn how to use the new program that will
SCAM ALERT | Do not give out your info on phone
||| FROM ERIC PETER, SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF ||| Fellow community members, The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center has received several calls today from community members claiming that someone claiming to be from the Sheriff’s Office called them attempting to scam them out of money. The reports all
OIFR looking for Fire Commission applicants
||| FROM KAT BARNARD for BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS ||| The Board of Fire Commissioners of San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2 is immediately seeking candidates to fill the unexpired terms for Seats #4 and #5. The seats must be filled within 90 days, however, the Board desires
Chip Long selected as new Port Director
||| FROM ROBERT HAMILTON for PORT OF ORCAS ||| I am pleased to report that the Port of Orcas has hired a new Executive Director. Chip Long will start in this full-time position on July 1, 2024. Chip and his wife Elizabeth have called Orcas Island home for the past five years,
Open letter to community from Chief vanSchaick
||| FROM HOLLY VANSCHAICK ||| Hello Orcas Community, I am writing to you first and foremost as a fond farewell. My time serving with the staff of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue since 2021 has been transformational for me, and I’d like to think I brought meaningful, positive change to
Buck Park playground grand opening
||| FROM TERRI RODGERS for PARK & RECREATION DISTRICT ||| Please join Orcas Island Park and Recreation District on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 11:00 am for the grand opening celebration and dedication of the new Buck Park playground. We have many to thank and will serve burgers, treats, and
State Democrat Environment, Climate Caucus (ECC) adopts resolution recognizing inherent rights of Southern Resident Orca
||| FROM KRISS KEVORKIAN for LEGAL RIGHTS OF THE SALISH SEA ||| Seattle, WA – The inherent rights of Southern Resident Orcas, including the right to “life, liberty, autonomy, free and safe passage, adequate food supply from naturally occurring sources, and freedom from conditions that cause Orcas’ physical emotional, or
Jens Lindemann live on the Village Green stage
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The FREE Summer Concert Series from Orcas Center, Country Corner, OrcaSong Farm, and GiveOrcas / OICF continues in July with Jens Lindemann performing on Sunday, July 7 at 5pm on the Village Green. As the first classical brass soloist to ever receive
SJC Monthly News Digest – June 2024
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| This column is part of a series detailing San Juan County’s recent news. Follow along each month to learn about important County projects, Council initiatives, department updates, and more. All San Juan County Beaches are Closed to Recreational Shellfish Harvesting As of June
Groundbreaking opens a new chapter on United General cancer care
||| FROM ANNE WILLIAMS for PEACEHEALTH ||| SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. – PeaceHealth United General Medical Center caregivers, project partners and generous donors gathered in front of the hospital earlier this month to celebrate the start of a year-long installation of a new, high-precision linear accelerator (LINAC). The symbolic June 11 groundbreaking
