Here’s a thought…
“The only control or “guardrails” that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT.”
TRUMP
Preparing for a resilient future
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| As Orcas Islanders prepare for fall, shorter days, harvesting buckets upon buckets of apples, and unpredictable weather, many nonprofit organizations are launching fall programs and events, and are working to raise awareness and support for the needs of the community.
Call to Artists | Community show: Six X Six
Art intake on October 22; Art Opening on October 23 ||| FROM MARJORIE TAYLOR for ORCAS CENTER VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE ||| The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center announces a new community show -- “Six x Six” – to open on October 23. For this show, we will be filling
Community budget with county council chair Justin Paulsen scheduled Sept. 23 on San Juan
The San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 Representative will hold a meeting with the community to discuss the County budget and related fiscal challenges at the San Juan Island Library Meeting Room from 6:00-7:30 p.m. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Council Chair and
Build Financial Confidence | Space still available in Orcas Money Smart
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| There is still time to register for Orcas Money Smart, a practical 7-month financial education program from Orcas Community Resource Center that helps community members build financial confidence and make informed decisions about saving, spending, borrowing, and protecting their money. Now in
Kwiaht launches arsenic testing and action project
||| FROM RUSSEL BARSH for KWIAHT ||| Islands conservation laboratory Kwiaht is seeking participants in a study of the extent of arsenic contamination in island wells, and actions to reduce adverse health effects Islanders may be at increased risk of colon cancer due to the widespread presence of small amounts
Call to artists | ‘Of the Water’ community show at Orcas Center
Art intake on September 23; Art Opening on September 25 ||| FROM MARJORIE TAYLOR for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center announces a new community show -- “Of the Water” – to open on September 25. For this show, the VAC welcomes artists to contribute pieces
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is most qualified candidate
||| FROM CAROLE DAVIS ||| I was very pleased to learn that Jennifer Swanson was running for our county council. I cannot imagine a more qualified candidate. I have known Jennifer for more than 20 years. She is smart, informed, well organized, articulate, and responsible. She has a wonderful way
WSF Weekly Report | Classroom on the water; fall schedule starts Sunday
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve As our ferries age, I’m consistently impressed by the work of our chief engineers, assistant engineers, oilers and wipers. They work closely with our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility and Capital Planning and Construction teams to keep our
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.
The Clinic and Beyond | How OIHCD supports care across Orcas Island
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The Health Care District's financial support of Island Primary Care – Orcas ensures that more than 3,800 residents access primary, same-day, after-hours, and visiting specialty care right here on Orcas. The clinic is staffed by doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical
Coming to Orcas Center | Kids Got Talent show
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center’s annual youth talent show will highlight the island's youngest performers who will sing and dance, do skits or play an instrument. The show is on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m., and
Portraits in Pencil | An exhibition by Mick Stevens at Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Every pencil stroke tells a story. This September and October, Orcas Senior Center hosts Portraits in Pencil, a captivating exhibition featuring the work of longtime Orcas Island resident and accomplished artist Mick Stevens. Creating art since 1973, Mick brings decades of
No jury duty for you, Sept. 21-25
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: SEPTEMBER 21-25, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning September 21st, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
Letter to Editor | In support of candidate Jennifer Swanson
||| FROM JOANNE COLMAN WESTER ||| Taking time to listen and asking thoughtful questions are the two superpowers of County Council candidate Jennifer Swanson. I am writing to support Jennifer’s candidacy for the district 3 County Council position. I have known Jennifer for over 20 years—first as a parent and
Letter to Editor | Why we’re voting for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council District 3
||| FROM LOVEL AND BOYD PRATT ||| We proudly endorse Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council District 3 this November. Katherine has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to our island communities through her work in healthcare, food security, ferry advocacy, and countless volunteer efforts. For example, as president of
The Exchange Update | September 2026
||| FROM THE EXCHANGE ORCAS RECYCLING SERVICES ||| Secure Your Load for Safer Roads As we head into the Fall Great Islands Cleanup, we’d like to remind everyone to properly secure trash in or on your vehicles, prior to transporting. Washington state law RCW 46.61.655 requires every vehicle driven or
