Here’s a thought…
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
ANNIE DILLARD
WE-Bike rebate program | You may qualify for help purchasing a NEW E Bike!
Let's get riding ||| FROM VICKI LEIMBACK for WILDLIFE CYCLES ||| Program: Washington State Department of Transportation – WE-Bike e-bike rebate program Application window: March 30, 2026 → March 29, 2027 Selection method: Random monthly drawings starting April 13, 2026 Eligibility: Must live in Washington State Age 16 or older Only one application needed for the whole year Rebate
How sweet! Check out this art installation at Library
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Sweet Shop is an art installation celebrating books, reading, and public libraries. Growing up in Oakland, California, Rachel Brumer looked forward to her weekly weekend bike ride over to her library to check out books for the week. On the
Larsen demands ICE accountability; votes to fund FEMA, U.S. Coast Guard, TSA
||| FROM THE OFFICE O U .S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “I am proud to have voted for bipartisan legislation to pay FEMA staff, Coasties, TSA agents, CISA experts and other DHS employees who do important work to protect our country. The
CWR Biggs encounter #2
||| FROM THE CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 11:36 AM ObservEnd: 12:27 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T049A2, T051 LocationDescr: Parry Bay EncSummary: Mark headed out after a report, and within a few minutes, he was able to confirm that
CWR Biggs encounter #1
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 11:36 AM ObservEnd: 12:27 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T049A2, T051 LocationDescr: Parry Bay EncSummary: Mark headed out after a report, and within a few minutes, he was able to confirm that it
Larsen fights for lower costs, supports farmers
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “Republicans are doing nothing in this Farm Bill to lower food prices for families, lower costs for farmers or lower tariffs for small businesses. This bill also does nothing to address the sky-high fertilizer and fuel costs caused by Trump’s illegal
OPAL welcomes four new board members
Annual Meeting and Election Results ||| FROM QASIM ALI DINO for OPAL COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ||| OPAL Community Land Trust warmly welcomes four new members of the Board of Trustees, who were elected by unanimous vote of the members in attendance at OPAL’s 36th Annual Meeting on April 23. The newest
Capital Planning | What’s next for county buildings and facilities?
A review of significant updates, anticipated projects for 2026, and future planning efforts ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During the April 20 Council meeting, County leadership discussed long-term plans for capital projects throughout the organization. Aged buildings, dispersed offices, and seismic deficiencies require diligent planning and creative solutions that
WSF fare changes coming up on May 1
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Starting this Friday, May 1, there will be changes to our fares and multi-ride pass expiration: Passenger and vehicle ticket prices will increase by an average of 3%. The Washington State Transportation Commission approved these changes last summer. A 35% peak season surcharge
No jurors required for May 4-8
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: MAY 4-8, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday May 4th through Friday May 8th, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
Health Dept. confirms all SJC shellfish growing areas meet public health water quality standards
An annual review finds no downgrades or risks to classifications ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has completed its annual review of shellfish growing area classifications and confirmed that all growing areas in San Juan County continue to meet the state’s stringent
Celebrate World Labyrinth Day at Emmanuel
Three islands, one path ||| FROM NANCY AYER ||| WORLD LABYRINTH DAY SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026 - EMMANUEL LABYRINTH AVAILABLE ALL DAY - Lopez, Orcas, San Juan Join all of us as we walk in community with pilgrims from all faiths and spiritualities in a worldwide meditation on PEACE. Come walk
Registration open for WSF Community Meetings, Tuesday, May 26
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| We’re hosting two online community meetings on Tuesday, May 26. This is a great chance to share feedback and ask us questions. We’ll cover topics including the upcoming FIFA World Cup, an updated pet policy, new vessel construction, and our Service Contingency Plan. Both meetings will cover the same topics, and most
Story-sharing event for LGBTQ+ islanders at Orcas Library
||| FROM PARKER PAVITT for ORCAS ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUMS ||| Orcas Island Historical Museums invites you to a story-sharing event for LGBTQ+ islanders from 6-8pm on May 28th at the Public Library. During this casual after-hours event, mingle for an evening of community and collaboration over a shared meal hosted
Go Fund Me account launched for West Side Kitchen
||| FROM ANDRE NORRIS for GO FUND ME ||| A popular Orcas Island lunch spot is at risk of closing as its owner faces mounting financial challenges. The West Side Kitchen has been hit by unexpected setbacks, including the sudden arrival of owner Andi’s son, staffing losses, and repeated closures
News Brief | Targeted hunts were supposed to curb ‘Zombie Deer Disease.’ Now what?
||| FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES ||| Over two decades, Illinois has been one of a number of states that have set up culling campaigns to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease, a strange illness that one expert likened to a “disease from outer space.” First discovered in wild
