The Writer’s Roundtable on Saturday, July 12 will feature a special presentation by Orcas writer Jill Johnson on “The Universal Language of Justice in Fiction.”
Orcas Island resident Damien Stark will swim the ferry route for 19.5 miles from Anacortes to Friday Harbor on July 26 and 27 because he believes “There is no greater joy than … not the swimming itself, but the ability to use swimming in order to help someone else.” This has been what he calls his personal mantra as he swims almost every other day, all year long, in East Sound, and this is how “Swimming The Crossing for Breast Cancer” began.
Bowling, rocket stoves, sculpture, pottery and nature walks are some of the programs offered through Orcas Island Recreation Program this week.
As reported earlier this spring, the Eastsound Off-Leash Dog Park needs to move from its temporary home near the Orcas Animal Protection Society shelter, because the land on which the current Dog Park is now located is for sale.
The Orcas Animal Protection Society will offer low cost spaying/neutering for dogs and cats of Orcas Island residents. The minimal fee of $1 for cats and $5 for dogs is made possible by a grant from the Orcas Island Community Foundation through its Partners in Philanthropy program.
Recently published research funded by the UC Davis SeaDoc Society suggests that growth in gray whale populations may have unexpected benefits for other marine animals in trouble, such as diving sea ducks.
Democratic Party Nominee for the 40th District Senate, Kevin Ranker, has gained endorsements from NARAL, SEIU 925 and 775. 40th LD party chair Tom Pasma, and 40th LD Vice Chairs Roni Beall, also endorsed Ranker.
Vehicle capacity was added to the San Juan Islands route when the 144-car Kaleetan replaced the 90-car Sealth beginning Friday, July 4, a few days earlier than previously announced. The vessel switch helped accommodate heavy traffic on this popular recreational route for the Fourth of July weekend, and the route is scheduled to keep a 144-car vessel and remain above normal capacity for the rest of the summer. The 188-car Walla Walla will replace the Kaleetan on the Seattle/Bremerton route.
Public Works road crews began spraying sealant on 22 miles of the most-traveled roads on Orcas over a four-day period beginning July 7. It is part of a program to “fog seal” all roads that handle more than 1000 autos per day.
State oil spill prevention will mark a historic first as the tug Hunter begins stand-by rescue tug duty at Neah Bay July 1 on a year’s contract.
A BarnFest celebration will be held on Saturday, July 26 from 2 to 6 p.m., at the 100-year-old Nordstrom Barn in Crow Valley, 285 Nordstrom Lane. The event will benefit restoration of the Nordstrom Barn and preservation of the Orcas Island Historical Museum log cabins.
On July 4, at 8:15 p.m., the Orcas Island Fire Department was called to the area of Orcas Road and Dolphin Bay Road.
