State Health Dept says to plan for wildfire smoke, poor air quality
-- from Washington State Department of Health -- As summer and dry weather approaches, officials at the Washington State Department of Health are urging everyone in Washington to prepare for smoky days with unhealthy air quality. What people can do now: Identify air quality reports for your area. The Washington Smoke
Letter to Editor | Sr. Lucy gave inspiring talk last week
-- from Sally O'Brien -- Have you ever spent time with someone who clearly operates at a different level than you? They simply don’t see the everyday barriers as, well, barriers? That is what I felt when I listened to Sister Lucy Kurien last week at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in
GiveOrcas Campaign celebrates 600+ donors
-- from Kate Long for Orcas Island Community Foundation -- The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) capped the 2019 GiveOrcas Campaign with a festive celebration at Emmanuel Parish Hall on Wednesday, May 22. There was a great deal to celebrate as over 600 donors contributed and $237,000 was raised to
Free concert in meadow at Doe Bay Resort this weekend
Sunday, May 26, 3 p.m., Doe Bay Resort -- from Judy Whiting -- A beautiful sound on a magnificent day helped draw a nice crowd to Doe Bay Resort in 2018. This year should be even better. The concert is free and open go the public, a gift from Doe
Stand and Sway presents concerts, music workshop on Orcas
Friday, June 7, 6 p.m., Darvills Saturday, June 8, 7:30 p.m., Orcas Grange -- from Mandy Troxel -- Beth Wood and Ara Lee are both phenomenal artists at the top of their game, true muses who will be treating islanders to many of their manifestations over the weekend of June
Funhouse Commons seeking folks to work with kids this summer
-- from Liz Doane for Funhouse Commons -- Funhouse Commons is looking for high energy, dependable people who are excited to work with elementary age children this summer. The Funhouse summer program is a mix of structured and unstructured time for children in a safe, nurturing environment. Our hours are
Port Commission will meet in closed executive session
Thursday, May 23, 4:30 p.m., Port Office -- from Anthony Simpson for Orcas Port Commission -- EXECUTIVE SESSIONThe commission will meet in executive session to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment AND to review the performance of a public employee for a time not to exceed ____
OIHCD on communicating with the community
Part 3 of 3 — from Anne Presson for Orcas Island Healthcare District — In the final article of our three-part series on the Orcas Island Healthcare District (OIHCD) -who we are, what we do and how we impact the community – we outline the various ways you can engage
New Measles cases in state; so far, so good in San Juan County, but …
-- from San Juan County Communications -- Washington State is experiencing a second measles outbreak within five months, with six new cases confirmed in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties since May 9. This is separate from the previous outbreak that happened earlier this year, which was largely contained to the
Library seeking a vendor for coffee / refreshments
Six-month pilot project -- from Martin Arnold for Orcas Library -- The Orcas Island Library (OIPL) is exploring the concept of providing a coffee / refreshment service in or around the Library building. The Library invites interested parties to submit vendor proposals. Details may be found at www.orcaslibrary.org/docs/RFP-Coffee.pdf. Please email
Comp Plan update: A stretched staff dealing with many masters
-- by Matthew Gilbert, Orcas Issues reporter -- The update of the Comprehensive Plan (CP) continues to gain momentum as new data accumulates, issues become more real, and the public starts waking up to what’s at stake. Indeed, the longest session of 2019 took place last week, a likely harbinger
Kaleidoscope’s 29th Annual Pet Parade gets underway
Saturday, May 25, 11 a.m., Eastsound -- from Vala Ross for Kaleidoscope -- In tradition of Memorial Day celebrations on Orcas Island, Kaleidoscope Preschool and Child Care Center would like the community to join us on Saturday, May 25 for our 29th Annual Pet Parade. Locals and visitors are sure
Salish wool weaving exhibit at Orcas Center in June
-- from Kathy Youngren for Visual Arts Committee -- The Visual Arts Committee at Orcas Center is honored to host members of the Squamish Nation of B.C., Canada for the art exhibit in the month of June. The main focus will be the Salish Wool Weaving tradition which has been reclaimed
If you have been randomly selected to participate in Eastsound income survey, county requests that you please do
-- from Christine Coray for San Juan County Public Works -- We are continuing the income survey of Eastsound households to determine the median income. Kevin Light of Madrona Voices has been to most of the households that were randomly selected for the survey. We have received about half of
March on Tuesday to say ‘stop the bans’
Tuesday, May 21, 5 p.m., North Beach/Mt. Baker Road to Village Green -- from Cindy Wolf for Orcas Women's Coalition -- This Tuesday, May 21st at noon local time (but we are going to do it at 5 p.m. so more working people and students can show up) at statehouses,
Letter to Editor | Obtrusive technology taking us over
-- from Joseph Murphy -- A few years before the Doty's relinquished the space that is now theOrcas Food Coop, a sign went up in front of the cash register station. Itdepicted a primitive version of the now ubiquitous 'cell phone''circumscribed by red circle and slash. The universal sign ofapprobation,
