Here’s a thought…
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.”
MARK TWAIN
UPDATED: WSF system erroneously showing SJ sailings as cancelled for next several days
UPDATE: The earlier technical issue with the vehicle reservation system has been resolved. Sailings on the Port Townsend/Coupeville and San Juan Islands routes are now being accurately displayed in the reservation system. Thank you again for your patience and understanding. We apologize for any confusion due to the error. There
County sends Prune Alley project out for bids today
Construction start date Spring 2022 ||| FROM JESSE DOUGLAS-SEITZ FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS ||| The project includes pedestrian and accessibility improvements, transportation infrastructure, storm drain infrastructure, water quality improvements, landscaping, lighting, and consideration for other streetscape amenities Illustrative plan looking at North Beach Rd, School Rd, and
Mammogram van coming back to Orcas Senior Center; Get your appointment early
September 20, 21, 22 ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| September is here and that means it is time for Assured Imaging’s mobile mammography screenings at Orcas Senior Center. Annual screenings are recommended for women 40 and over, so if this is you, sign up now. Scheduling
Long ferry lines for vehicles expected Labor Day weekend
Plan for extended waits, possible disrupted sailings from crew shortages ||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| SEATTLE – Pack extra patience if your Labor Day weekend travel plans include a Washington State Ferries ride. In addition to the usual long vehicle boarding lines surrounding holiday weekends, riders should be prepared for
Chamber of Commerce has update about possible WSF cancellations
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ||| You may have heard rumors of the possible cancellations of Washington State Ferries starting either tomorrow (Wednesday) or Friday. There is no definitive word at this time (3:30 pm) as to the likelihood of this happening. Apparently, there is a "crewing issue"
Inslee statement on end of military presence in Afghanistan
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| "The last U.S. personnel departed Afghanistan yesterday, ending our 20-year engagement there. However people feel about this moment, what should resonate and unify us is our respect for the American men and women who gave Afghanistan two decades of opportunity. "We
Enjoyment guaranteed at SJIMA’s Art for Fun
||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE for SJI MUSEUM OF ART ||| Art for Fun is a great way to celebrate a birthday, share a date night, create team building, just enjoy a night out on your own or try your hand at making art. The two-hour, fun-filled art party takes place
Letter to Editor | Help us help you — write to the Governor
||| KATIE SCHMIDT for SAN JUAN BUILDING ASSOCIATION ||| Dear Members of San Juan Community, As many of you know and have experienced firsthand, the effects of COVID continue to plague our community and impact our daily lives. Recently the Governor has implemented a new Washington State Energy Code as
SJI National Historical Park seeks public input on draft accessibility self-evaluation and transition plan
||| FROM CYRUS FORMAN for SJI NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ||| San Juan Island National Historical Park has released its draft Accessibility Self Evaluation and Transition Plan. As part of the planning process, the National Park Service is seeking public comment on the draft plan. The park will host a virtual open house to
Over half a million Washingtonians at risk of having electricity, natural gas or water services shut off
COVID-19 utility moratorium ends Sept. 30; state leaders urge customers who are behind on energy and water bills to contact utilities and make a plan to keep services on ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ||| OLYMPIA, WA -- The emergency proclamation preventing shut-off of water, electricity or natural gas services is
Fall Park & Rec program posted, open for registration
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for PARK & RECREATION DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island Park and Recreation District Fall program list is up and open for registration. We are excited to be back into the full swing of things this season with offerings in soccer, flag football, choir, tennis, running club,
Hedrick Smith speaks with Shaw residents
Hedrick Smith is a Pulitzer Prize-winning former New York Times reporter and Emmy award-winning producer and correspondent, addressed a group on Shaw Island on Saturday, August 28. Hedrick Smith Shaw Island 8.28.21 - SD 480p.mov from Louis Whitford on Vimeo. After serving 26 years with The New York Times from
Letter to Editor | Thanks for lettuce-ing entertain you
||| FROM CARLENE BALCOMB-BARTOK for SAN JUAN COUNTY PARKS & FAIR ||| Please accept our sincere appreciation for all County residents who participated in and enjoyed the 2021 Virtual Fair. Your willingness, flexibility and creativity during these unique times is why the San Juan County Fair was a success! We
Letter to Editor | OIFR extinguishes wildland fire, while department morale plummets
||| FROM PATRICK SHEPLER ||| Thank you, Orcas Fire & Rescue, for the excellent job done on Saturday's wildland fire. Your quick actions led to another successful operation. Now rewind to last Monday night, at the Board of Fire Commissioners (BOFC) meeting, where one commissioner said the board may need
A whimsical poem from Burce Hanna
||| FROM BRUCE HANNA ||| Einstein imagined traveling faster than time on a trolley approaching a large clock Say the trolley was a mile away… several clicks of the minute hand would occur before the trolley got there But if the trolley moved twice as fast… only half the amount
Boat America safety class is upcoming soon. Register now.
||| FROM PENNY MILCZEWSKI for U.S.C.G. AUXILIARY ||| We hope you have had the opportunity to be out on the water. We have one class of Boat America currently pending. It starts Tuesday, September 7. This may be our last class for 2021 Washington State Parks administers the recreational boating
