Here’s a thought…
“People will forgive you for being wrong, but they will never forgive you for being right.”
THOMAS SOWELL
Seasonal sheep grazing lease available at Fowler’s Pond
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank is requesting proposals from anyone interested in a short-term seasonal sheep grazing lease on areas of the Fowler’s Pond Preserve Property, on Orcas Island. The grasslands cover approximately 12 acres of the property. Individuals or
Register now for Whale Museum’s Gear Up workshop
||| FROM TATE THOMSON for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| Come join The Whale Museum’s Gear Up Workshop on Friday, April 7 from 10-5 p.m. via Zoom. This workshop’s theme will be Dam! Dams that pose barriers to fish passage, that is. Invited Presenters include: Dr. Lisa Crozier, NOAA, on climate
Work to complete ADA upgrades at Orcas ferry terminal begins
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County (SJC) and the Washington State Ferries (WSF) are eager to announce a public access upgrade for the Orcas Island Ferry Terminal. Thanks to this partnership, the project will provide improved ADA parking and access to the Orcas Ferry Terminal. Construction
‘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.
Building Dept. to be closed next week for training
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During the week of March 20, the Building Department of San Juan County Community Development will be closed. Staff will be offsite for yearly in-service training. The Fire Marshall will also be unavailable during this time period. During this time, there will be
Land Bank monthly meeting on March 17
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY CONSERVATION LAND BANK ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting on March 17, 2023 from 8:30 – 11:15 a.m. via Microsoft Teams. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the San Juan County Fairgrounds
Library Board plans upcoming retreat
||| FROM JANET MARLOW for LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES ||| The Orcas Island Library Board of Trustees will have a Planning Retreat on Monday, March 20, beginning 2:30 p.m. Attendance will be both in person in Maria’s Room at the Library and via Zoom. This is an open public meeting,
San Juan County seeks ferry advisory committee member from San Juan Island
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Council is soliciting volunteers to serve on the San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC). The Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) studies and recommends resolutions on ferry transportation matters as these affect the San Juan Islands. This board consists of five
Double bill of Love, DEAN and Jacob Miller at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Join Portland-based artists Jacob Miller and Love, DEAN for a special co-headline bill of soul, folk and roots music at the Orcas Center on Saturday, March 25! Love, DEAN brings a handcrafted musical mosaic of vintage soul, gospel, and folk. Musicians, singer-songwriters,
SJC Parks will now have access to NARCAN
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Staff at San Juan County Parks are now better equipped to respond to opioid overdoses, thanks to a partnership with the Health & Community Services Department (HCS). Parks staff now have access to Naloxone, better known as NARCAN® Nasal Spray, which is used to
WSF medical preferential loading program’s application process moves online
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ||| Washington State Ferries’ Medical Preferential Loading program will move online next week. Starting Monday, March 20, faxed applications will no longer be accepted, and customers will need to work with their health care providers to submit one online. Once submitted, both the customer
Important legislative update from Orcas Schools Superintendent Eric Webb
||| FROM ERIC WEBB for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| At the Legislative Conference in Olympia, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal talked about the “perfect storm” that will take place if the Legislature does not step up and provide necessary support to school districts. Federal ESSER funds that have “propped up”
Medicare help is available through local SHIBA volunteers
||| FROM PEGI GROUNDWATER for SHIBA ||| Is 2023 the year you join Medicare? Depending on your circumstances you may be enrolled automatically by Social Security or you may need to submit an application. To make an informed decision about your coverage choices, you will need to understand a lot
Community Church to hold youth fundraiser on St. Paddy’s Day
||| FROM CAROL KULMINSKI for ORCAS COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| On March 17, there will be a four course amazing St. Paddy’s Day dinner from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Orcas Community Church. The evening includes music from students, and missions and camp presentations. Tickets are $25 and other donations are gratefully accepted.
Letter to Editor | Who’s who in this homeless count?
||| FROM BEA VON TOBEL ||| Even though I’ve been officially retired for 10 years, my mind continues to ponder life on this island of residence, and has prompted several observation/questions. Some of them may be way out in left field, but because we’ve lived on Orcas for more than
Earthrise | How the Chinese spy balloon can inspire climate action
||| EARTHRISE BY JAY KIMBALL ||| The Chinese spy balloon entered North America on January 28th. Eight days later, it was shot down off the coast of South Carolina. During those eight days, the spy balloon had traveled over 5,000 miles, making its wind-powered way eastward at an average speed
