Science Camp

There will be a science camp for children ages 7-14 at the public school cafeteria on July 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Carol Rost will lead the children in having fun with science experiments, using different kinds of materials including everyday things found at home such as baking soda and vinegar to make volcanoes. Children will also go outside to do experiments, explore, discover, and more. The cost is $50. Registration information is available online at www.orcasrec.org or those interested can pick up a registration form at the public library. Call 376-5339 for further information.

Chess games for young and older at the Public Library

Chess players of all levels and ages ten and up are invited to play chess on Friday, July 25 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be pre-teen, teen, and adult categories. Bring your chess board if possible. The cost is $10. Call 376-5339 to register or show up on the day of the tournament. Sponsored by the Orcas Island Recreation Program.

Travel + Leisure names San Juan Islands in Top 5

Travel + Leisure magazine announced its 2008 World’s Best Awards on July 10, ranking the San Juan Islands #4 on its list of Top 5 Islands in the Continental U.S. and Canada. This is the second consecutive year for this #4 ranking to be achieved by the San Juans in this annual awards program. Noteworthy is that there is only a three percentage point spread between the first and the fourth ranked destinations. The rankings (in order) are: Cape Breton Island, Vancouver Island, Mount Desert Island, the San Juan Islands, and Cumberland Island. The magazine’s website also presents the annual survey online: www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2008/results.cfm?cat=islandsusca