Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
Thoughts from Eric Webb following yesterday’s school shooting in Texas
||| FROM ERIC WEBB, ORCAS SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ||| Students, Families, Staff and Community, Today, our deepest sympathies are with those in Texas who suffered an unthinkable act of violence yesterday. Please be reassured that the safety and security of our students and staff are always at the forefront of our
Statement from Washington State Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ||| OLYMPIA, WA --- “Once again we find ourselves grieving from the loss of innocent lives to a senseless act of gun violence. While mass shootings blare from the headlines across the country, we must recognize that an average of two deaths per day
Guest Opinion | Don’t forget to breathe; construction upheaval is only for one season
||| FROM CINDY WOLF, SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER ||| This Spring the news from the bigger world has been rough and our own political sphere has been contentious. It is difficult to avoid the vortex of despair. Sometimes we find ourselves putting a lot of emotional energy into small stuff
Breaking News: Canoe Journey event no longer open to the public
||| FROM DAVID TURNOY ||| Due the incidence of Covid positive tests among several of the staff at Camp Orkila, the canoe journey events tonight are not open to the public. Sorry, but please don't come to Camp Orkila today. As of now, storytelling is still on for Thursday.
County makes it official: Vacation rental permits are limited
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Council voted unanimously (3-0) on May 17 to limit the number of vacation rental permits on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Island, as well as on outer islands. Vacation rental permits are limited per island as follows: San Juan
Guest Opinion | About those trees at The Longhouse…
||| FROM PEGEEN WHITE ||| This weekend I spent several hours gathering signatures for a petition to save the trees at The Longhouse, a donated apartment building for low-income seniors and the disabled. I have lived in many places in my lifetime, but I have never found a community more
Lummi canoe journey Is underway
||| BY EDEE KULPER, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| The Lummi Gathering of the Eagles Canoe Journey began Sunday, as the canoeists paddled from Anacortes to Lopez Island. On Monday, they paddled from Lopez to San Juan Island. Today, they will paddle to Orcas Island, landing at Camp Orkila at 4 p.m.,
Washington part of multi-state Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter
||| FROM STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ||| OLYMPIA -- Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is working with local and federal public health partners to investigate a case of Salmonella that is likely linked to consuming contaminated Jif® brand peanut butter products. The Whitman County resident, who was not hospitalized, has a confirmed case
Live music is being added to the fun of Farmers Market
||| FROM ERICA LYONS for ORCAS ISLAND FARMERS MARKET ||| The Orcas Island Farmers Market is thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting program: Music In The Market 2022! We have been working diligently to fill our Saturday market calendar with talented and beloved local musicians during the day.
Eastsound Water Users receives praise from State Office of Drinking Water
||| FROM STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ||| Eastsound Water Users Association: Building Efficiencies in Operations Every water system consists of source water, equipment, and people. Each system is unique in its operations and management. A year and a half ago, Dan Burke assumed the general managership at Eastsound Water Users Association
Funhouse kids explore expression through creative play, movement
||| FROM EMILIE GINCIG for FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| Turning the Wheel Productions, a national non profit arts and education organization, visited with The Funhouse kids last month to offer a week long afterschool arts program culminating in a performance. Their mission is dedicated to making body-based creative expression and play accessible
Orcas Center issues call for auditions
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Call for Auditions for The Cake, written by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Melinda Milligan at the Orcas Center Black Box, Monday, June 6 and Tuesday, June 7 from 6-8 p.m. Callbacks at the Orcas Center, Center Stage, Tuesday, June 14 at 6
Some changes to note for this week’s Canoe Journey schedule of activities
||| FROM DAVID TURNOY ||| There have been a number of changes to the schedule for the canoe journey. Here is the most up-to-date information I have. This schedule includes only the events open to the public. Wednesday, May 25 4:00 Victory Paddle and Landing at Camp Orkila (public welcome,
Letter to Editor | On behalf of Longhouse trees
||| FROM B. SADIE BAILEY ||| I'm writing because I was told that you three are the only people who can postpone or stop any tree removal on the Prune Alley Road Project. The low income seniors and disabled residents of Longhouse Apartments don't own the building. They had no
In Memoriam | Richard Fadem
||| FROM ALEX MACLEOD ||| Richard Fadem, who retired to Orcas Island after a distinguished career as an English literature professor only to resume teaching literature seminars that enriched and inspired the lives of dozens, if not hundreds, of Orcas, San Juan and Shaw islanders over the next decade-plus, died
Prune Alley construction update for week of May 23
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| 4-day work week is anticipated, with the site open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Sewer Switch over, new sewer line and service connections south of A Street will be activated and existing line decommissioned. Site demolition is planned, activities may include
