Nature has established a rhythm through the millennia of our planet’s existence. It’s a rhythm that, for the sake of our children’s children, society cannot continue to ignore.
— “Caring for Our Natural Resources,” a special section produced by the San Juan Nature Institute and the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee, is included in mail subscriber copies of this week’s Jourtnal.
Ballots for the Aug. 19 primary election go out in the mail in 16 days, on Aug. 1. If you aren’t registered to vote, do so.
The sea surface can be a barrier, keeping us from “seeing,” in the way we would “see” in a forest or meadow. We started the Spring Street Aquarium in order to reveal the abundant nature to be found under that surface.
I want to let you know about a health care service now available to San Juan Island residents.
On May 1, Skagit Hospice in Mount Vernon activated a Medicare-certified hospice program on San Juan Island with the plan that these services will extend to other islands when the program meets its goals.
The man was in full stride, his head a mop of curly hair, his face a study in determination, his chest pulling in a lungful of air, the muscles in his left leg taut with strength.
San Juan County needs to make a priority of enforcement of its development regulations.
A review of 19 dock permits by the San Juan Initiative Policy Group found that of 19 dock permits issued by the county, half of the completed docks did not match conditions of their permits. And eight dock floats were, on average, 52 feet larger than allowed.
You’ve probably heard of the Washington State Department of Ecology’s “Litter and It Will Hurt” campaign. It’s a clever slogan. But, when it comes to one particular type of litter here in San Juan County, perhaps the slogan should be “Don’t Be An Ash!”.
I have often been prompted to write concerning the Border Patrol actions at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal; others have already expressed excellent points of view over the past four months.
The San Juan Hospital District Commission approved on June 18 a letter of intent that clears the way for the district and PeaceHealth to explore in more depth the feasibility of a new integrated medical center on San Juan Island.
In our June 25 editorial, we recommended the commission approve the letter of intent and explore with more depth the unanswered questions regarding the medical center. But we also urged the commission to keep the process open. That’s why we’re disturbed by the fact that the commission adopted the letter of intent without public discussion.
How many more people will be inspired by this public art that tells Terry Fox and Steve Fonyo’s stories? What force for change might this be? How many of us might be inspired to look beyond our own perceived limitations and reach to exceed our grasp?
When we began the Friday Harbor High School biodiesel project three weeks ago, we had no idea all the little things it would entail.
They didn’t see it, all those who deserved to. It simply took too long and they were unable to wait.
A lot of questions need to be answered about the feasibility of an integrated medical center on San Juan Island. We encourage the San Juan Hospital District Commission, which oversees Inter Island Medical Center and San Juan EMS, to approve the letter of intent that will allow a study that will answer those questions.
Step by step, we are working to restore the health of Puget Sound, the rivers and our Pacific coast.
It isn’t every organization that receives a $100 million matching grant from the Gates Foundation. Then again, Rotary International isn’t just any organization.
Shortage of local candidates? That’s so last year. You’re going to have to study for the Aug. 19 and Nov. 4 elections. And that’s a good thing — a field of candidates results in a discussion of ideas and issues. Campaigns and candidate forums allow us to get to know those vying for the opportunity to make decisions on our behalf.
The San Juan County Veterans Advisory Board announces the availability of the county Veterans Assistance Fund.
Representatives of Iran, Iraq and Israel sat next to each other in the room.
This was not the United Nations, although you might have left wishing it was. And it wasn’t a meeting of tourism and convention bureaus.
This was Friday Harbor Elementary School’s Cultural Fair, May 28.
Financial news Monday morning was bleak: The Dow was down 3.13 percent, the Nasdaq 2.96 percent, the S&P 3.09 percent. A CNN/Opinion Research Poll released Monday showed that 78 percent of respondents believe the state of the nation’s economy is poor or very poor. In a USA TODAY poll, 54 percent of those surveyed said their standard of living is no better today than five years ago.
But on Saturday in a small town on a small island in the Pacific Northwest, residents were reaping big dividends from investments they’ve made — in education.
Only $17.85. Right now, if every island resident contributed that much to the Save Our Schools campaign, school funding and programs would be restored to current levels.
San Juan Island residents are nearing a remarkable goal: Raising $600,000 to erase a school district budget shortfall and restore all school programs to their current levels.
It’s again time to watch whales in the San Juan Islands.
May and June are the two months with the most number of days of orca sightings in Haro Strait off the west side of San Juan Island. J, K and L pods are the resident orcas of this area and, while they don’t migrate to some other area for the winter, they are more widely dispersed then.
It is not surprising that every summer the Stranding Network receives hundreds of calls from shoreline residents and visitors who find stranded seal pups. It can be very difficult to leave a beached pup alone, but that could be the pup’s only chance for survival.
Since the war for independence from Great Britain 232 years ago, almost 1.5 million Americans have died in wars and skirmishes: the American Revolution, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Iraq War.
Make sure your Friday evening is free so you can come to a gala of local musical entertainment, poetry, improv and maybe even a clarinet solo Friday beginning at 7 p.m. in the Grange Hall.
So-called exempt wells could potentially run our rivers dry. Our rivers are connected to the ground waters and what affects one affects the other.
Love of country compels me to write.
We enter the sixth year since the United States, under the presidency of George W. Bush and with the majority support of Congress (Washington’s Patty Murray and Rick Larsen excepted), launched an unprovoked, preemptive and illegal attack upon the independent nation of Iraq. The justification for the invasion given by President Bush and other administration officials was that Iraq possessed and was developing weapons of mass destruction, although the international weapons inspectors in Iraq had no evidence to support this assertion.
From the "Oh, That Explains It" Department: So, you're paying more at the pump — as of Friday at The Big Store, regular cost $4.27 a gallon, plus cost $4.39, premium cost $4.49, diesel cost $5.08.
We have to search for words that appropriately express our gratitude to the donors who have given so much to help our local schools through this financial crisis. As of Friday, six donors had given $285,000 to help make up some of the school district’s projected budget shortfall, and islanders contacted by phone in Thursday’s phone-a-thon had pledged $55,000 more.
The new and improved SanJuanJournal.com launched on April 30.
