Here’s a thought…
“There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything; both ways save us from thinking.”
ALFRED KORZYBSKI
Meeting: Will the Olga Store become the Olga Post Office?
-- by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues reporter -- Representatives of the USPS Relocation Team spoke to an audience of more than 150 on July 11 to present options for keeping a post office in Olga and to learn about the community’s wishes. USPS will not be signing a new long-term
Letter to Editor | Navy takes environmental stewardship seriously
-- from Christopher “Scotty” Gray, Rear Admiral, Commander, Navy Region Northwest -- Recent allegations challenging the Navy’s operation of the Growler EA-18G aircraft have created a great deal of public interest in the Navy’s operations in the Pacific Northwest, and I would like to discuss a few key facts regarding
Orcas Road now open for traffic — at 25 mph — while project wraps up
-- from Shannon Wilbur for San Juan County Public Works -- SJC chip sealing the west lane of Orcas Road on July 15. The pilot car is leading traffic in the east lane. Orcas Road is open to traffic! It has been chip sealed and the detour has been removed
Film Fest brings Summer Film Series Under the Stars
Sunday, July 21, dusk, Village Green Aretha Franklin’s belated Amazing Grace may be the greatest movie about gospel music ever made. And that is how Orcas Island Film Festival kicks off their free, Summer Film Series Under the Stars this Sunday, July 21 at the Eastsound Village Green. In January
Salmon and recovery efforts grow through natural shoreline restoration, land-based whale watching
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's office -- Gov. Jay Inslee toured three projects in Northern Washington Wednesday to see how state agencies, tribes, local governments and nonprofits are carrying out recent legislation to aid orca and salmon recovery. He visited a restored fish passageway in Arlington called Edgecomb Creek that
Letter to Editor | AG lawsuit against Navy is a political spectacle, not a just cause
-- from Christine Cribb, Executive Director, Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce -- The mission of The Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce is to serve and promote the business interests of greater Whidbey Island. We cannot imagine a more worthy cause than supporting the mission of Naval Air Station Whidbey
What to check, do, know before you vote in upcoming August primary
-- from Mark Mayer for Our Revolution San Juan County -- Washington’s Primary Election is just around the corner on August 6, 2019. Are you ready to make your voice heard? DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION You’ve done the first part: registered to vote. But have you checked your voter registration
Group proposes sanctuary in San Juan Islands to retire captive orcas
‘Empty all the tanks’ and bring them home -- from Seattle Times -- Lolita the orca was captured from the Puget Sound region in 1970 and became the star attraction at Miami Seaquarium. (Harley Soltes / The Seattle Times, 1994) In the region that brought the world its first live
Islanders may need to find a new way to game the WSF reservation system
Are we caught between a dock and a hard spot? -- by Lin McNulty, Orcas Issues Managing Editor -- What if you're not sure when you need that return ferry from the mainland because you don't know how long that doctor appointment might take, especially if they want to do
State AG sues Navy over impact of expanded Growler operations
Navy’s decision to expand its operations on Whidbey Island failed to adequately analyze human health, environmental and historic impacts -- from Attorney General Ferguson's office -- Attorney General Bob Ferguson [July 9 2019] filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Navy over the Navy’s expansion of its Growler airfield operations on
Alert | Ferries are running on time
-- from Washington State Ferries -- "All vessels on the Anacortes/San Juan Island/Sidney route are back on schedule." That's an alert we don't get to see very often.
Letter to Editor | Library has no role in advertised meeting
-- from Phil Heikkinen, Library Director -- Some of you may have received a post card within the past few days about two upcoming presentations about “MASA Medical Transport Solutions.” I believe this mailing was intended for people who are retired/60+/Medicare-eligible, though am not sure. These presentations were shown as
Orcas Fire & Rescue welcomes eight new firefighters after 16-week academy training
-- from Kim Kimple for Orcas Fire & Rescue -- Pictured (from left to right) are new Orcas Island Firefighters: Micki Nichols, Locket Goodrich, Brittney Maruska, La Ren Rossie, Will Marlow, and Kimberley Kimple. Not pictured are Alison Dantzler, Kasey Jo Weigley, and Betsy Wilson (EMT). Orcas Island Fire and
Olga Daze again offers up a full day of quirky activities, including parade with no spectators
Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m., Olga -- from Lorna Rhodes -- Don’t miss Olga Daze! Festivities in Olga begin in front of the Community Center at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 20. The day will be better than ever this year, with something for everyone. Come for breakfast at the
Music on the Green? It’s JP and the OK Rhythm Boys
Sunday, July 21, 5 - 7 p.m., Village Green -- from Anita Orne for JP and the OK Rhythm Boys -- Pack up your picnic dinner, put on your toe-tappingest boots, bring your family, friends, neighbors, or grab a stranger and come join JP and the OK Rhythm Boys for
Next week’s Brown Bag concert series will feature classical guitarist
Wednesday, July 24, Noon, Emmanuel Episcopal Church -- from Jeffry Steele -- Jeffry Steele took up classical guitar as a teen, studying with Jack Pitt, Phillip de Fremery, and David Starobin. In his first career as teacher and performer on guitar in the Boston area, he was reviewed as “a
