Here’s a thought…
“The United States has the military power to do whatever it wants in the world. The Catholic Church had better take its side.”
ELBRIDGE COLBY
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.
News Brief | Seven dead gray whales signal trouble in Washington waters
||| FROM KREM-TV SPOKANE ||| In the waters near La Conner, one gray whale is still alive. This time of year typically marks the beginning of gray whale strandings in Washington. But in 2026, the numbers are already ahead of schedule and rising quickly. At the center of that pattern
SeaDoc Society hires new scientist, expanding its impact
||| FROM JUSTIN COX for SEADOC SOCIETY ||| The SeaDoc Society has hired a new full-time veterinary translational scientist, who will join the team on Orcas Island starting this summer. Dr. Michelle Barbieri Lino Dr. Michelle Barbieri Lino, who interned with SeaDoc as a veterinary student back in
Letter to Editor | Please support Prop. 1 to continue meal program
||| FROM LYNNETTE WOOD ||| Last year, 15,889 meals were prepared and delivered or served through the Orcas Senior Center—nearly 46% more than in 2019. This dramatic increase reflects the growing needs of our aging island population. The meal program is administered by the Whatcom Council on Aging (WCOA), which
Random sites celebrating Earth Day Month and ART26ORCAS gallery openings
||| FROM JOHN RAYMOND BERRY ||| John Raymond Berry Neonatura Luminescent Paintings April 11 - July 31 Commencing at Orcas Public Library A generous portion of proceeds will be shared with the long awaited Center for Creative Repair / Orcas Makers Center - helmed by community artist and respected activist
TEDxOrcasIslandLive | All of us
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Join Orcas Center for a screening of a set of the latest TED Talks from TED2026, Saturday, April 17, 7-9 p.m. on Center Stage. We’ll be sharing the videos and hosting a brief conversation afterwards. Come enjoy this evening of learning
Telemann Paris Quartets coming to Salish Sea music fest
||| FROM JEFFREY COHAN for SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| The Salish Sea Early Music Festival presents a unique opportunity to hear four of Telemann's brilliant Paris Quartets on period instruments with violinist David Greenberg, harpsichordist Elisabeth Wright, viola da gambist Susie Napper and baroque flutist Jeffrey Cohan on
Letter to Editor | Vote Yes on levy lid lift, for all of us
||| FROM LENA KASSA ||| I work at the Orcas Senior Center, where every day I witness what it means to age on this island: the resilience, the deep roots, the quiet courage it takes to ask for help, and the difference it makes when that help is there. That
San Juan County launches new program to support islanders in recovery
Opioid Addiction Recovery Support (OARS) is available to anyone in active treatment or recovery from a diagnosed opioid use disorder ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is launching a new pilot program designed to provide direct financial support to islanders engaged in active treatment for or
Is this the secret bunker being built under the new ballroom?
||| FROM THE UNITED FRONT |||
50 years of Orca Survey | A letter to our community
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Fifty years ago today, in the waters of the Salish Sea, a young scientist named Dr. Ken Balcomb had his first encounter with the Southern Resident killer whales. That moment sparked a lifelong commitment - one that would grow into a study spanning
OPALCO member appreciation event will celebrate local power
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for OPALCO ||| Get ready for the OPALCO Annual Member Festival on May 8 at 3 pm., when Lopez Center for Community and the Arts will be transformed into a hub of fun, freebies and festivities for the whole family. From swag giveaways to an EV
Leadership San Juan Islands celebrates graduation of Cohort XVII
April 24, 2026 | San Juan Islands, WA ||| FROM GRETCHEN KRAMPF for LEADERSHIP SAN JUAN ISLANDS ||| Leadership San Juan Islands proudly announces the graduation of Cohort XVII on April 24, 2026, marking another milestone in its mission to cultivate informed, connected, and engaged leaders across the islands. We
Permitting with the County | How to use the SmartGov System
Using the online SmartGov portal, you can apply for, renew, and view the status of permits, as well as schedule inspections and make secure payments ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Department of Community Development (DCD) processes permits for building and land use projects, residential and
At Artworks | Rugs series brings textile traditions into focus
||| FROM B.J. ARNOLD for THE ARTWORKS ||| The Rugs series marks a natural evolution from Avi’s earlier Luli paintings, where patterned textiles first appeared as a backdrop. Now, the rugs themselves take center stage—rendered as 30-inch square paintings that invite close attention and reflection. Rooted in personal history, the
Maddy Sonshine designs dance for choral concert, senior project
||| FROM LYNN BAKER for ORCAS CHORAL SOCIETY ||| Where do dance, high school, and choral music come together? Orcas Island! This spring’s Orcas Choral Society concert will be enhanced by Maddy Sonshine, Orcas Island High School senior. Every Orcas Island High School senior does a senior project. For hers,
