Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
Guest Opinion: Planning Commission’s Vision Statement Reinforces Protections for Environment
-- by Joe Symons -- My comments refer to the vision statement information presented at https://www.sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/15305/2018-05-30_DCD_Zack_CC_Memo_06-11-18_Mtg_Vision and are directed to relevant parties prior to the joint PC/CC hearing on the Vision scheduled in Friday Harbor next Monday, June 11, at 9am. I support the careful and hard work done by
Community Development Office Will Take a Day Off
Wednesday, June 13 -- from San Juan Community Communications -- Due to increased volume in permitting activity, Department of Community Development will be closed to the public on Wednesday, June 13, for uninterrupted plan review. Please plan accordingly, and thank you for your patience. DCD Homepage
Cancer Survivorship Group To Meet
--by Sue Lewis -- The Cancer Survivorship Group will meet in the Community Church Fireside Room on June 14 at 5:00 pm. We are a monthly, no cost, confidential support group for anyone touched by cancer whether personally, a family member, friend, caregiver or in any other capacity. If you,
Editorial | Orcas Issues Will Leave Facebook
-- by Margie Doyle, Publisher, and Lin McNulty, Managing Editor, updated June 10 at 11:30 a.m. -- Here at Orcas Issues, we try to do the right thing by our readers. In that vein we've decided that removing our presence from Facebook is not only our individual response to Facebook's
Master Gardeners Again On-hand at Farmers Market
-- from Dianne Macondray for Orcas Master Gardeners -- Cabbage worm Bring those hungry bugs and diseased plants to the Master Gardeners this Saturday, June 9th from 10 - 1 at the Farmer’s Market in Eastsound. Please print and fill out the proper form, found at sanjuan.wsu.edu to accompany your sample, which should
Community Foundation Releases Results of Community Prosperity Report
-- from Hilary Canty for Orcas Community Foundation -- The Orcas Island Community Foundation, in partnership with OPAL Community Land Trust and Orcas Community Resource Center, hosted Greg Winter, Executive Director of the Whatcom Opportunity Council, to present the 2018 San Juan County Community Prosperity Report, which features findings from
Tip for Dealing With Swallows Living in Your Eaves
-- from Shona Aitken for Wolf Hollow -- Swallows are wonderful to watch and they eat huge numbers of flying insects, including mosquitoes and other biting insects, so we all benefit from having them around. But they also like to build their nests under the eaves of houses, which can
Governor Releases Statement on Washington Supreme Court’s McCleary Ruling
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee today issued the following statement on the state Supreme Court’s McCleary ruling that the state is fully funding basic education for K-12 and is no longer required to pay daily fines. The ruling comes after the Legislature has committed more
Barcode on Ballots Lawsuit Heard by Appeals Court in Seattle
-- from Tamara Greene for San Juan County Prosecutor’s Office -- On Monday June 4, 2018, the Court of Appeals in Seattle listened to oral arguments in the case over the use of bar codes on ballots. “Every oral argument is short, with the judges very active with questions,” said Prosecuting
Guest Opinion | Does This Really Need to be a Federal Case?
-- from Alex MacLeod -- A couple of weeks ago the county’s Superior Court judge, Kathryn Loring, ruled that the county’s law limiting how long before election day political signs could be posted was most likely unconstitutional and she temporarily barred its enforcement. Loring's ruling came in response to a
Sadie Bailey Art Featured in July Orcas Center Show
-- from Kathy Youngren -- The featured artist for the July show at Orcas Center is B. Sadie Bailey. Sadie’s exciting folk art will fill the lobby but the Visual Arts Committee is soliciting art work for the “Community Art Show” in the Madrona Room. Art of all kinds is
Letter to Editor | Veteran Turn-out Illustrates Local Need
-- from Meg Massey -- Often we wait until November’s Veterans Day to commend the work and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in our country’s armed forces. But on May 19, here on Orcas we had an earlier opportunity to honor local vets. That Saturday morning
Multiple Agencies Respond to Boat Fire
-- from Marla Johns for Orcas Fire & Rescue -- UPDATED June 6 to include additional photos from Department of Emergency Management. Today at approximately 7:30 a.m., Orcas Island Fire and Rescue received a report of a boat on fire in Judd Cove. Response was immediately requested from the United States
Montessori and the School’s Mandate for the Best for All Students
-- by Margie Doyle -- At the School Board meeting on May 24, proponents of the Montessori classroom at Orcas Elementary put forth their arguments for keeping the program to proponents of a school plan that plans to eliminate the classroom, in which teacher Martha Inch serves students from first
County Removes Free Speech Case to Federal Court
-- from Tamara Greene for San Juan County Prosecutor's Office -- A commentary on political signs and a recent court ruling has led to new claims in a lawsuit filed by Nick Power as Plaintiff. The lawsuit names the County and Auditor Milene Henley as defendants. On Monday June 4, 2018,
Canoe Journey: A Discussion on Contemporary Coast Salish Canoe Journeys
Wednesday, June 6, 7 p.m., San Juan Island Library -- from San Juan County Communications -- Sam Barr, Lopezian, Samish tribal member, and canoe skipper for Stillaguamish tribe, will be sharing information on Tribal Canoe Journeys with some perspectives on historical and contemporary practice. He will discuss the importance of
