Here’s a thought…
“I don’t know why we are here, but I’m pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves.”
LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN
Lead pollution from small planes threatens human health, EPA finds
Agency takes first step toward regulations aimed at reducing exposure to a dangerous neurotoxin, a potential health benefit for people who live near smaller airports ||| FROM THE WASHINGTON POST ||| The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday announced it has determined that lead emitted from airplanes is a danger to
A Washington island county is trying a 32-hour workweek
||| FROM MARKETPLACE.ORG ||| AT REQUEST OF OCASONIAN READER From the driver’s seat of a yellow school bus with Orcas Island School District on the side, Matthew Steward is training for his newest side hustle: substitute bus driver in the San Juans, a series of lush, forested islands in Washington
Guest Opinion | We should work together in favor of OIFR
||| FROM SADIE BAILEY ||| The new Fire Chief and current BOFC are campaigning hard for the exact same permanent Levy Lid Lift that got rejected by the voters in the primary by at least 2/3 of us. There are signs up everywhere, mailed brochures, town hall meetings. There’s lots
Mariachi Herencia de Mexico coming to Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center is excited to welcome Mariachi Herencia de México on Thursday, October 26 at 7 p.m. with a fantastic evening celebrating Mexican music and culture. The historic tradition of mariachi music has its roots of origin in cities such as Guadalajara
Author to read from, discuss her remote British Columbia fishing lodge experience
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The inspiring story of how an urban woman came to own and operate a remote fishing lodge nestled deep in the British Columbia wilderness. When Caroll Simpson fell in love with a cabin located on pristine Babine Lake in BC, many miles
Montessori holiday wreaths are coming back this season
||| FROM URSULA PAMATIAN for ORCAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL ||| After taking a break for a year due to some unexpected events, we are thrilled to announce that Orcas Montessori School is back and ready for our 29th annual holiday wreath sale! But wait, there's more! This sale is not just
Letter to Editor | My support for Fire Commission is with Kate Hansen
||| FROM TISH KNAPP ||| My husband, Gene Knapp, served as prosecutor, on the Land Bank, and councilman in this county. He was known for his integrity, his ability to listen and his adherence to the law. He was respected by even those who disagreed with him. I see these
Looking to the future with outgoing Health Commissioner Marie Michnich
||| FROM GRAY GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Marie Michnich. Photo Ayn Gailey. In 2012, Marie Michnich and her husband bought a piece of land on Judd Cove and spent the following years building their house and living part-time on Orcas. In 2019, they decided
Letter to Editor | I support Brian Ehrmantraut for Fire Commissioner
||| FROM JACK HART ||| I urge your vote for Brian Ehrmantraut for position 2 on the Orcas Island Fire Commission (SJC Fire Protection District No. 2). Brian would bring to the commission his experience with Orcas Fire both as an EMT and volunteer firefighter. But more important right now
Letter to Editor | I support Brian Ehrmantraut for Fire Commissioner
||| FROM DAVID TURNOY ||| I am writing to endorse Brian Ehrmantraut for Fire Commissioner. As Brian well knows from personal experience, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is essential to the health and safety of our community. He says that he owes his own life to them rescuing him when
The oldest Puget Sound orca: L25 may be approaching 100
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| She is still out there: cruising miles uncounted, leading her family to fish. L25 is the world’s oldest known living wild orca, the uncontested reigning matriarch of the southern resident orcas that frequent Puget Sound. She ascended to that post after the death of J2,
In Memoriam | John Francis O’Brien III, 1943 -2023
||| FROM WENDY O'BRIEN ||| John Francis O’Brien III John Francis O’Brien III died peacefully in his sleep on September 6, 2023 at his home on Orcas Island, Washington. He was born February 14, 1943 in New London, Connecticut. He was an accomplished musician, cyclist, carpenter, storyteller, and
2023 General Election ballots have been mailed
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| All registered San Juan County voters will receive ballots for this election. San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2 (Orcas Island Fire & Rescue) is running a property tax levy. This levy is the primary funding source for fire and emergency
Garden Club reminds us that Fall is definitely here
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Hello everyone! Fall is definitely here as our gardens breathe a sigh of relief with cooler temperatures and the return of rain. Leaves are changing colors, the moss is turning beautiful shades of green, and the morning dew is rehydrating the plants. We
Letter to Editor | No does not mean no to our Fire Commissioners
||| FROM JOHN ERLY ||| Seventy-five percent of the Orcas Island voters said "no" to a levy a few months ago. The Commissioners have placed it on the ballot again. It costs the taxpayers money to have it on the ballot. Per the County Elections office, it's a little over
Letter to Editor | In support of Brian Ehrmantraut for Fire Commission
||| FROM JUSTIN PAULSEN ||| When your ballot arrives in the coming days, you have the opportunity to make a positive, meaningful change for Orcas Island Fire and Rescue. By electing Brian Ehrmantraut on the Board of Fire Commissioners, we will bring a long-time, respected member of our community to
