Together with myself, Donna Riordan and other interested parties, Michael Riordan is establishing a separate organization called Orcas Currents, which will provide the community with free public lectures, seminars and workshops led by national, regional and local authorities, focusing on science, technology and culture. Its inaugural season will begin in March 2015. As a part of this change, Michael Riordan has resigned as Chair and as a member of the Crossroads Board of Directors. Crossroads will continue sponsoring afternoon and evening lectures by nationally and internationally acclaimed speakers on a variety of topics.

Orcas Crossroads and Orcas Currents will co-host an April 25 lecture with the SeaDoc Society, to be presented by Jane Lubchenco of Oregon State University, a world-renowned marine ecologist. From 2009 to 2012, she served as Undersecretary of Commerce in the Obama Administration, directing the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

I believe the community will be well served by these organizations as they bring us quality speakers on a variety of topics of interest to fellow islanders. I look forward to joining you at one of their events.

Gregory M. Ayers

Orcas Island