Here’s a thought…
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
ANNIE DILLARD
Midnight Mutterings | Bullies
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I’ve been been reading the recent words of Michael Luttig and Laurence Tribe, and thinking about a time decades ago when I was in graduate school in California. Our little family lived in student housing for several years. In our court there was
Letter to Editor | No new ferries anytime soon?
||| FROM DAVID TURNOY ||| The governor and legislature are quite aware of the need for new ferries, and accordingly money has been budgeted for this. The goal is to produce new ferries that greatly reduce pollution by being hybrid electric. Especially with the way the ferries have operated (or
Gong & Sound Bath meditation journey awaits at Odd Fellows
||| FROM KRISTI MOSELEY for MYSTIC HEART ||| Refresh and renew! Kristi Moseley of Mystic Heart is offering a Gong & Sound Bath Meditation Journey, Tuesday September 5th at 6PM at Odd Fellows Hall in Eastsound. Kristi will share an intentional soundscape of crystal singing bowls and artisan gongs to
Summer rolls along on Orcas Island
||| FROM HILARY CANTY ||| We are quickly rolling through Summer! My garden has been mighty happy! Jami Mitchell has been promoted to the role of Human Services Manager for San Juan County. Jami has served as the Senior Service Specialist for Orcas for the past 8 years. In the
Wildlife enthusiasts: Bat and snake presentations coming to Moran
||| FROM CHRISTIAN OLDHAM for KWIAHT ||| Kwiaht invites all wildlife enthusiasts to Moran State Park for two (free) upcoming programs! Sunday, August 27: Snakes for All Ages 1pm - 3pm at Cascade Lake Day Use Join Kwiaht herpetologist Christian Oldham for an opportunity to learn about (and meet!) some
2023 Lodging Grant applications due by September 29
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is pleased to announce the 2023 Lodging Tax Grant Application is now live. Applications are due by September 29, 2023 at 5:00pm. San Juan County has established a tourism facilities program, funded by a portion of the revenue collected under the State
WSF Weekly Report | Chelan mishap, Seattle/Bainbridge work, new flagpole at Bainbridge
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Chelan damaged after likely hitting Shaw Island shore It’s believed Chelan hit the northern shoreline of Shaw Island Sunday night. The boat was sailing into the eastern entrance of narrow Wasp Passage on its way to Friday Harbor when the incident occurred. There were
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.
Whaddaya say we dream big?
||| FROM HILARY CANTY for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| It has been said that the only requirement for a dream is a safe place to rest your head. I would like to think that is a possibility for all who call Orcas home. But we know the island has
Conservation Land Bank announces special meeting to discuss Watmough Bay Preserve addition
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission seeks input regarding future plans for the Watmough Bay Preserve Addition (formerly the Higgins property) located on Lopez Island. The meeting will be held in person at the Lopez Island Family Resource Center and available
Auditions at Grange next week for ‘Women Playing Hamlet’
||| FROM DOUG BECHTEL for ACTORS THEATER ||| The Actors Theater will hold auditions next week for the play "Women Playing Hamlet" which will be presented at the Grange the second and third weekends this November. Here is how this play is described: "Hamlet's a challenge for any actor, but
San Juan County Land Bank announces 2023 fall native wildflower sale
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Salish Seeds Project announces its annual Fall Native Wildflower Sale, with more plants to choose from than ever. Buyers can reserve plants online September 12 – 17 and pick them up on Saturday, September 30 at locations on San Juan, Orcas, Lopez,
Fire Commissioners officially appoint Holly vanSchaick as our new Fire Chief
||| FROM KAT BARNARD for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Holly vanSchaick is the new Fire Chief for Orcas Island Fire & Rescue Holly vanSchaick is the new Fire Chief for Orcas Island Fire & Rescue. The Board of Fire Commissioners appointed Chief vanSchaick at the Regular
An open letter to the San Juan County community about wildfire risk and preparedness in the islands
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN, et. al, for SJC DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Fellow islanders, Following the catastrophic Maui fires earlier this month, there has been an understandably heightened level of concern about fire risk in the San Juan Islands. This includes what steps we can take to protect ourselves
Eastsound Water Users Association response
||| FROM EASTSOUND WATER USERS ASSOCIATION ||| You may have received an email from a former EWUA Board Director, Mr. Steve Smith, dated August 20, 2023. Mr. Smith has also posted a communication in The Orcasonian and perhaps other social media networks. The letter contains numerous false and misleading accusations
Letter to Editor | Very embarrassed person who opened his mouth without the facts
||| FROM JOHN ERLY ||| I have been very vocal about letting the new Fire Commissioners choice the next Chief. What I didn’t know was that in 2021, the board interviewed numerous candidates for the position. I also didn’t know that the Chief at the time had informed the board
