Here’s a thought…
“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”
THOMAS PYNCHON
Special Day Celebrates National Park System’s 102nd Birthday
-- from Toni Droscher for Washington State Parks -- To celebrate the National Park System’s 102nd birthday, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is offering free entrance to state parks on Saturday, Aug. 25. Day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass to visit state parks by vehicle. “The National
State Grants Boost Ranks of Boatbuilding Students
-- from Rick Manugian, Senate Democratic Communications -- [metaslider id="61682"] There’s no better time to be on the water than in August, during the hottest days of summer. There’s also no better time to be studying boatbuilding and renovating historic vessels in Washington state. Thanks to grants from the state’s Heritage
Letter to Editor | Every Tree Matters
-- from Domenic Verbano -- Why is it that humanity can’t seem to shift our society to deal with the looming reality that we are irreparably destroying this planet by our culture and lifestyle? The Lifeforce of this world, itself, cannot take much more abuse. It is time to save
First Election Results
-- by Margie Doyle -- Initial results of the August 7, 2018 Primary were reported at 8:04 p.m. on August 7 by the San Juan County Department of Elections. Of 13,074 registered voters, 4,555 ballots have been counted. There are an estimated 2,000 ballots left to count For County Prosecutor,
County Councilman Hughes to Meet with Public
Saturday Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. at Enzo's -- by Margie Doyle -- San Juan County Councilman Rick Hughes, who lives on Orcas Island, will be at Enzo's again on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. to talk with anyone who'd like to speak directly with him. When Rick Hughes
Research and Oral Histories are Basis for Spooky Tales
-- from Carol Kulminski -- Antoinette Botsford While both the Pioneer and Crow Valley School museums are filling with off-island visitors, it is our hope that locals will find their way into one of the museums before this intriguing program ends in August. Nancy Reas, a resident of
Nominate a Good Steward for a Finnie Award
-- Amy M. Nesler for San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau -- Don’t forget -- it’s award season here in the San Juans. The Oscars have nothing on the Finnies. Know someone who deserves to walk the stewardship red carpet? Nominate them for a Good Steward Award! Since 2008, the Good
Found Explosive Device Neutralized on Turtleback
-- from Sheriff Ron Krebs -- On Monday, August 6, at approximately 10:30 a.m. an Orcas Island resident reported a suspicious item on a Turtleback Mountain trail. Photographs and a description of the item were sent to the Washington State Patrol Bomb Squad who then responded to Orcas Island to
Joint Planning-Council Meet Considers Shorelines, Transportation, Economic and Population Forecasts
Aug. 17 Joint County Council and Planning Commission Meeting -- from San Juan County Council and Planning staff - - On August 17, 2018, there will be a special joint Planning Commission and County Council public hearing and meeting. The public hearing will be on a draft ordinance to comply
Madrona Voices Releases Airport Survey Results
-- from Steve Smith for Madrona Voices -- Madrona Voices released a survey about the Port of Orcas Master Plan on July 30, 2018. As of August 5, 2018, we have received 594 responses. The demographics of those responding to the survey closely match those who responded to our public
Primary Election – This One Matters Too
-- from Milene Henley, San Juan County Auditor -- "On Election Day, August 7, the ballot boxes will be open until 8 p.m., but the post offices close early in the afternoon." This year’s primary election is generating a lot of questions. That’s not unusual; election cycles are long –
Whale Museum Will Review 2017 Vessel Slowdown Trial
Monday, August 13, 7 p.m., The Whale Museum -- from Jenny L. Atkinson for The Whale Museum -- On August 13, Krista Trounce, Project Manager for the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, and Dr. Jason Wood, Manager of SMRU Consulting North America Offices
Sex Ed Class (OWL) Offered for Adults
-- from Suzanne Olson -- Our Whole Lives (OWL) program is now being offered for adults. OWL is a holistic sex ed class that provides facts as well as opportunities to clarify values, improve communication and interpersonal skills. Most adults have participated in some kind of sex ed but how
Contract Awarded for Ferry Landing Improvements
-- from San Juan County Public Works -- San Juan County Public Works is pleased to announce Mike Carlson Enterprises, Inc., has been awarded the contract for construction of the Orcas Landing Marine Facility Improvements capital project. The project entails construction of block retaining walls, ADA pedestrian ramp with hand
News of Mourning Mom, Tahlequah, Reaches NY Times
-- from New York Times -- Among the many quirks of human nature, one that has always struck me as particularly worthwhile is the tendency to project our own feelings onto other animals. This seems to me like a fast route to empathy, a way to bring us closer to
OPALCO Community Solar is Energized
-- from Orcas Power and Light -- OPALCO’s community solar project on Decatur Island. OPALCO’s first big community solar project is complete and energized! On July 31, 2018, the 504KW-DC array began producing power. The 272 OPALCO members who invested in the project will begin to see credits
