Long-time islander Joe Symons has released a new book, “Potholes in Paradise,” that takes a look at Orcas from the 1970s, when he first arrived, on to today, and then into the future.

It looks at the people, the places, and the issues facing the island, celebrating the beauty and community aspects while focusing a weathered eye on the undesirable changes that are coming as surely as that storm on the horizon.

Symons has lived on Orcas Island since 1972. During that time he has spent 20 years as a volunteer firefighter, has served on the boards of several community non-profit organizations, ran a small full-service computer business, started a crystal-glazed pottery studio, wrote a book of essays, designed and built a guest space (the Garden House on Orcas), created OLPC-Orcas to promote the use of XO laptops for Orcas kids in need, and helped write and then challenged San Juan County’s comprehensive plan.

It was while working on the comp plan that “Potholes in Paradise” first began taking shape. Feeling those around him were in denial of how quickly things were (and are) changing and concerned about where he saw things heading, he felt the need for a conversation about growth and the future, issues facing Orcas, as well as most communities around the country and the world. “Potholes” is intended to kickstart this conversation.

The book captures the Orcas that Joe loves, complex though that love affair may be. The book is for “people who love Orcas, people who are curious about Orcas, people who are curious about what it is like to live on an island, or anyone concerned about growth and the environment.”

Illustrated by Anita Orne, an artist, musician, and author, “Potholes in Paradise” is full of lively under-the-hood stories about life in a small town.

The book is available at Darvill’s, Doe Bay Resort, and online at www.doebay.net.