Here’s a thought…
“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.”
HEATHER FRENCH HENRY
Letter to Editor | Why we should all support Jennifer Swanson for Council
||| FROM SOOZ STAHL ||| Jennifer Swanson is an amazing community advocate who is well-versed in the history of our beautiful islands. In my many interactions with her, she has always been warm, welcoming, responsive and thoughtful. I'm very grateful to know her and was thrilled to learn that she's running
The room knew it | Katherine for Council
||| FROM ED ANDREWS ||| On July 15, the League of Women Voters held their Voter Forum in the heart of District 3, Lopez Island. In true Lopez fashion, it felt like the entire island was there, including an amazing contingent from Orcas. Okay, it wasn’t the entire island, but
Help inspire the next generation of scientists
||| FROM INGRID MATTSON for ORCAS ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY ||| Established in 2023, the Ken Gibbs Fund for Youth Science Education provides lasting support for science education at the Orcas Island Public Library. Funded entirely through community generosity, the endowment makes it possible to offer inspiring science programs, purchase educational
WSF Weekly Report
||| FROM JOHN VEZINA for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from John With my boss Steve on a well-deserved break, I’m using this space to share gratitude for colleagues – many of whom you never see – in this five-minute video. I hope you share not only my appreciation
Letter to Editor | Tiger Construction partially demolishes local beloved memorial garden
||| FROM MAURICE AUSTIN ||| While improvements to the Orcas Island High School parking lot proceed apace, it was nonetheless frustrating to see the much-beloved grape plant chopped down and several fence posts removed. This could have been planned. Why wasn’t it? Indeed, Tiger Construction seems to care less not
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Larsen releases statement on Trump’s election speech
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “The President’s speech tonight should be about lowering costs and creating jobs. Instead, he will continue spreading lies about American elections. The truth is simple: Donald Trump lost the
Exchange Update | Styrofoam, swap meet, beach cleanup, more
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING SERVICE ||| Styrofoam Recycling Update In last month’s newsletter, we shared our mission to keep Styrofoam out of the landfill by using a Styrofoam densifier. This month, a team from The Exchange took a fact-finding trip to Whidbey Island to see a densifier in operation at
League of Women Voters of Washington launches “Four Questions” video series
Featuring Washington Supreme Court candidates ||| FROM AMY PELOFF for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| SEATTLE — With five of the nine seats on the Washington State Supreme Court on the ballot this year, the League of Women Voters of Washington has launched a new online resource to help voters
Genealogy Group to hold open meeting
||| FROM KATHI CISKOWSKI for ORCAS ISLAND GENEALOGY GROUP ||| The Orcas Island Genealogy Group is having an open meeting on Tuesday, July 21 from noon to 2 in the community room of the Orcas Island Public Library. There are two topics that will be discussed and hopefully information can
Stitched Stories | A quilters showcase at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Discover a beautiful display of local artistry this July and August at Orcas Senior Center! Visit weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to explore a vibrant collection of handcrafted quilts created by talented quilters in our community. Each quilt reflects
Larsen votes No on Republican amendment to limit funds for humanitarian efforts
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “I voted “no” on a Republican amendment that would have prohibited any diplomatic, humanitarian, development or security funding related to Israel. I support Israel’s right to exist and to
News Brief | Gray whale deaths near record levels in WA
||| FROM KREM 2 NEWS via YOUTUBE |||
No jury duty for July 20-31
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JULY 20-31, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday July 20th through Friday July 17, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
Early Bird Passes available for Friday Harbor Film Festival
||| FROM FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Mark your calendars — Friday Harbor Film Festival returns to San Juan Island this October, opening the evening of October 22 and running through October 25 with powerful documentaries, filmmaker conversations, and island community. Early Bird Passes are on sale now through August
Thor Hanson book signing scheduled for Market Garden
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Join award-winning conservation biologist and local author, Thor Hanson for an engaging talk and signing of his most recent bestselling book, Close to Home, The Wonders of Nature Just Outside Your Door. His book offers a hands-on natural history for any local patch of
