Here’s a thought…
“America is and always has been an argument — it’s an experiment.”
DAVID W. BLIGHT
‘Island Kids Explain’ videos win Destination Marketing’s best new idea award
-- from Amy M. Nesler for San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau -- https://youtu.be/hNYf3jUeh8E It is a truth universally acknowledged that there is nothing cuter than videos featuring kids (except maybe baby animals). Kids talking about the environment? Even sweeter! "Island Kids Explain" is an educational video series created by the San
CNN takes a look at PNW dam problem
-- from CNN -- Fewer and fewer salmon are able to navigate the waters leading inland from the Pacific Ocean due to dams and higher water temperatures. CNN's Bill Weir reports. https://youtu.be/CnQ1SBLbtBI
Letter to Editor | Port of Orcas mission
-- from Gregory and Heather Oaksen -- The Washington State Legislature established the Port District Act in 1911 creating public port districts.The Port of Seattle became the first autonomous municipal corporation in the nation and since then over 75 public port districts have been created by Washington state voters. The
Here’s some food for thought: OIEF annual fundraiser
Sunday, November 3, 5 - 8 p.m., Orcas Center -- from Janet Brownell for Orcas Island Education Foundation -- The Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) invites you to its annual “Food for Thought” fundraiser. This dinner/auction/fun takes place on Sunday, November 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Madrona
Learn how, where to preserve local history
Monday October 28, 11:30 a.m., Orcas Library -- from Mary Pugh for Orcas Island Library -- Do you have an interest in Orcas Island history? Are you curious about a pioneering Orcas Island family’s history? Or a desire to preserve the local history of long-time island businesses like Templin’s General
Next Great Decisions discussion: Refugees, global migration
Monday, October 28, 6 p.m., Orcas Library -- from Mary Pugh for Orcas Island Library -- Today, no countries have open borders. Every state in today’s global system has its own laws and policies about who is permitted to cross its borders, and how they will do so. Who determines
New funding secured for cleaner, greener ferries
Largest ferries in the state will be converted to hybrid electric propulsion -- from Washington State Ferries -- Washington State Ferries is moving forward with converting its three Jumbo Mark II class ferries, the largest in the fleet, from diesel to hybrid electric propulsion. In early October, the trustee administering the nationwide
Letter to Editor | vonTobel has unequaled Port experience
-- from Eric Gourley -- With the November election coming up in the next few weeks, I would like to endorse Bea vonTobel for Port Commissioner. Bea has served as the Airport Manager for 13 years and has invaluable experience much needed on the Commission. Some of the candidates running
West Beach construction remains underway, and on schedule
-- from Jacob Heinen for San Juan County Public Works -- The MSE (mechanically-stabilized earth) wall has been built up from elevation 22 to 37—only seven feet to go! The wall has now bridged the two sides of the culvert, connecting what had been a bisected construction site. On Friday
Honoring our shared vision: VR conversations move forward
Wednesday, October 23, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Orcas School Cafeteria -- from Island Stewards -- For the last few months the all-volunteer Vacation Rental Work Group has been engaging the Orcas Island community to address the issue of short-term vacation rentals and their associated impacts. In past meetings we have
Guest Opinion | Will Medicare for All save Americans money?
-- from David Turnoy -- In the most recent Democratic Presidential Debate, now that Elizabeth Warren is a frontrunner, a few of the lower-polling candidates decided to try to make a name for themselves by attacking Warren over the cost of Medicare for All and how to pay for it.
About that Life Flight mailing we all recently received
-- from Orcas Island Fire & Rescue -- Orcas Island Fire and Rescue understands that Life Flight has expanded their operations and is advertising their resource for air medical transport in San Juan County. We have been informed that Life Flight has a reciprocal agreement with AirLift Northwest and encourage
Time flew by and now flu season has flown in again
-- from Aaimee Johnson for Orcas Family Health Center -- Influenza (Flu) Season is soon approaching. The Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov) recommends getting your flu shot starting now for the 2019-2020 flu season. Orcas Family Health Center would like you to be protected from influenza for as long as
Plan ahead, mail property taxes before October 31 deadline
-- from San Juan County Communications -- San Juan County Treasurer Rhonda Pederson would like to remind county property owners that the second installment of property taxes and personal property taxes are due October 31. If you mail, MAIL EARLY – all San Juan County mail goes to Seattle for
School Board will meet in regular session
Thursday, October 24, 5 p.m., Orcas School Library -- from Orcas Island School District -- Notice of a regular School Board meeting,Thursday, October 24, 2019 AGENDA 5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING - School Library. 1. Approve Agenda 2. Approve Consent Agenda PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS 3. Members of the
Letter to Editor | My choices for Port Commission
-- from Susan Malins -- I’ve been attending Port of Orcas Commission meetings for the past 18 months, carefully reading all related public documents and requesting public records. Just as with the ORS/The Exchange public effort (where I was on the Board for seven years), the Port of Orcas Master
