Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Bunny vs. Polar Bear
||| FROM HILARY CANTY ||| The Battle of the Ages is this Saturday at Moran State Park, when the Polar Bear takes on the Easter Bunny! Well, not quite. But the Lions are hosting their Egg Hunt starting at 10 and the Orcas Island Rowing Association is having their Polar
Update on Port of Orcas happenings
||| FROM ROBERT HAMILTON, PORT OF ORCAS COMMISSIONER ||| This is an update on happenings at the Orcas Airport. First, I am sad to announce that Kim Kimple is leaving her position as Port Manager on April 1st, 2024. Kim has done an incredible job as Manager and brought a
WSF Weekly Report | Recruiting high school students for future in ferry crews
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve We’ve been thinking creatively over the last few years to address the well-documented crew shortages. We’re purposefully building a pipeline from “middle school to the pilothouse.” This encompasses both internal programs we’ve established to help our crew
San Juan County Health Officer announces departure after more than 30 years of service
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Dr. Frank James Dr. Frank James, Health Officer of San Juan County, announced his resignation after 31 years of service to San Juan County at the March Board of Health meeting. Not only has Dr. James served as the County Health Officer,
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.
‘Start by Believing Day’
Join Superior Court Services in celebrating ‘Start by Believing Day’ supporting survivors of abuse ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County's Superior Court Services Department joins the global campaign, Start by Believing, encouraging community conversations to raise awareness, reduce unconscious bias, and provide resources to help improve outcomes
Embracing Change, Empowering Community | Orcas Island Food Bank’s new mission
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND FOOD BANK COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| For years, the Orcas Island Food Bank’s slogan has been “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” That’s still on the sign above our door — we view it as central to the Orcas way of life. Our new slogan, though, is more specific to
Planet vs. Plastics! The Great Islands Clean-up is on Saturday, April 20
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Embark on a mission to protect our islands in the battle against plastics! Join your fellow islanders for the 2024 Spring Great Islands Clean-up on Saturday, April 20. Participants of all ages can register to clean up trash on a designated beach or
Geyman releases new book, Corporate Power and Oligarchy
How Our Democracy Can Prevail Over Authoritarianism and Fascism ||| FROM EMILY GEYMAN ||| Today's national politics are highly polarized, with one of our two major political parties dysfunctional with internal conflicts and public confidence in government and the Supreme Court in decline. The electorate has become increasingly diverse, with
Orcas Island School District announces exciting career opportunities
||| FROM MALLORY BALCOMB for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| Orcas Island School District (OISD) is thrilled to announce multiple openings for dynamic individuals to join our dedicated team of educators and professionals. Committed to fostering a nurturing and enriching educational environment, OISD invites qualified candidates to apply for these
Earth Day workshops
||| FROM PARKER PAVITT for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MAKERS GUILD ||| Orcas loves a parade and we are excited to host Earth Day Celebrations April 19-20 in Eastsound. The Procession of the Species parade on Earth Day is hosting two free workshops at the Funhouse. Come make props or a headdress
Upcoming training burns scheduled on San Juan Island
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County's Fire Marshal is pleased to share upcoming scheduled training burns as local fire and rescue teams prepare for the summer season. Sunday, March 31st, 2024: San Juan Fire & Rescue will be holding a Wildland training burn for the education of
The Funhouse Science Fair is back
||| FROM NICOLE SPINOGATTI for FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| Join us at the Funhouse Commons for our 20th Science Fair, happening on Saturday, April 27th, from 12-4 PM! This incredible journey began in 2001, aimed at celebrating and inspiring the marvels of discovery achieved by young scientific minds. After a
‘Baby Saturdays’ are back at Lum Farm
||| FROM MANDI TROXEL for LUM FARM ||| Lum Farm at Coffelt Farm Preserve invites you to celebrate Spring with our newest crop of babies! A much-adored and adorable yearly tradition, “Baby Saturdays” will be March 30th and April 6th from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm., Islanders (and visitors) of
Letter to the Editor | Fire levy has my support
||| FROM TONI KNUDSON ||| I am writing to express my support for the proposed Orcas Island Fire Levy. The proposition of a five-year temporary levy, which adds .24/1000 onto the current .53/1000 expiring levy, strikes me as a sensible approach to address the funding needs of the OIFR. What
LWVSJ Observer Corps: County Council March 26, 2024
||| FROM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OBSERVER CORPS ||| Council member Fuller was an excused absence being in Washington DC. During public access time Economic Development Council Director Victoria Compton thanked the council for their support and for the $65k in core funding restored in the budget. The Council approved delaying
