Here’s a thought…
“Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime. Ask the infantry and ask the dead.”
ERNEST HEMINGWAY
The island shaved bald? Why was that?
-- Orcasional Musings by Steve Henigson -- When what we now politically correctly call "settlers of European descent" first descended upon Orcas and settled, the island was thickly covered, shore to shore, with trees. There were firs, hemlocks, maples, oaks, and lots and lots of fragrant, beautiful cedars. But the
Guest Opinion | The fierce urgency of now
-- from Cindy Wolf -- I read the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change October 2018 Update Executive Summary. You should, too. Especially if you hold public office. It basically says we have to stop using Petroleum and get to net zero within 10 years or our children will
Rep. Rick Larsen: It is time to impeach Donald Trump
-- from Congressman Rick Larsen -- It is time to impeach Donald Trump. This is a decision I did not come to lightly. Impeachment transcends party and politics. Exercising this authority is one of the heaviest responsibilities a Member of Congress has. You can read my Op-Ed on impeachment in today’s
Guest Opinion | Restoring salmon runs, not politics, will save southern resident killer whales
-- from Ken Balcomb for Center for Whale Research -- The only real solution for reversal of the downhill trend in Chinook salmon size and abundance, and for the southern resident killer whale population, is to recover the natural wild runs of Chinook and their supporting ecosystems as soon as
Seattle band Gypsy Temple will play at Doe Bay Fest
-- from Chloe Nightingale -- Seattle Alt-Rock princes Gypsy Temple will be playing this year at the Doe Bay Fest, supporting their recent release King Youngblood. Their official set is at 5:15 p.m. on August 9 on the Garden Stage. “The debut from Seattle alt-rock princes Gypsy Temple echoes everything from ‘Californication’-era
Co-op to host film screening, discussion as part of new Community Conversation series
Sunday, July 21, 6 - 8:30 p.m. Odd Fellows Hall -- from Susannah Weaver for Orcas Food Co-op -- Join Orcas Food Co-op in an exploration of co-op models and what co-op member participation can mean. It's free and everyone is welcome. This event is the second of a new
Alpha Home Health debuts services on Orcas Island
Recruiting local nurses, aids -- from Tom Eversole for Orcas Senior Center -- On Tuesday, July 16, Nancy Howk, BSN, RN, Director of Clinical Services for Alpha Home Health explained in-home health services now offered on Orcas Island to a group of 25 interested seniors. She also introduced employee Robin Pilatti, RN,
Orcas Grange members share resolutions passed at state Grange convention
-- from Linda Peth for Orcas Island Grange -- The Orcas Island Grange was represented by Leslie Seaman, Grange Master and Linda Peth, Secretary at the 130th Washington State Grange Convention in Okanogan June 26 - 29. A few examples of issues addressed during the four days of meetings. The
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
