Here’s a thought…
“Reality whistles a different tune underwater.”
TOM ROBBINS
Want to sign this petition to end public fireworks on Orcas Island?
||| FROM THOM CARNEVALE ||| We, the undersigned, respectfully call upon our local leaders and event organizers to end public fireworks displays. While fireworks have long been associated with festivities, the significant harm they cause to animals, the environment, and public resources can no longer be ignored. The explosive noise and
Acting classes this summer at Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Acting class with Paula Russell begins Sunday, July 19, from 1 to 3:30 at Orcas Center. It runs every Sunday through Aug. 30, and is for ages 18-100+ with all levels of experience. The workshop is for everyone interested in exploring
Letter to Editor | Why I support Jennifer Swanson for County Council
||| FROM SOOZ STAHL ||| I've gotten to know Jennifer Swanson through operating the Shaw Island post office for the past two years. Shaw didn't have a designated postal worker when USPS hired me for the role, and mail delivery was sporadic and unreliable. I had been working at the
I’m Not the Church Lady | Recovering my willingness to not already know
The invitation to wonder is where real conversation begins ||| I'M NOT THE CHURCH LADY by ROSIE KUHN ||| A friend called the other day. He said, “Rosie, you are so brilliant. You could charge four times what you currently charge, and I guarantee more people would be knocking on
Letter to Editor | Thank you from Orcas Island Garden Club
||| FROM EVANGELINE O'SULLIVAN for ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Our hearts are joyful after another wonderful Garden Tour event this past June, 2026. On behalf of the Orcas Island Garden Club, we are delivering a wholehearted thank you to our wonderful garden community and supporters. Thank you to the generous
Sister island ukulele jam at Doe Bay
||| FROM MARCY MONTGOMERY ||| Hawaiian guest musician Maka Gallinger is featured on Tuesday, July 21st, for a fun class and jam at Doe Bay Resort on Orcas Island. This island-to-island music exchange brings a beloved Hawaiian singer and ukulele player to Doe Bay Resort for a friendly ‘Kanakapila’ jam
Midnight Mutterings | The shed
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| Time goes so fast and moving house goes so slowly. (I use the term ‘moving house’ in the literal sense here. I wrote two weeks ago about my efforts to move an existing house from the place it was built and lived in
Larsen statement on Trump’s refusal to sign legislation to make housing more affordable
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “People across Northwest Washington are frustrated and angry that finding an affordable place to rent or buy has become so difficult. They are working hard, doing everything right
Waste Tire Disposal | San Juan County wants to hear from you
Resident input needed on possible waste tire collection event ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Do you have old tires you'd like to dispose of? Let the County know! San Juan County's Solid Waste Program is assessing the waste tire disposal needs of local residents in an effort to
WSF Weekly Report | Walk-ons for World Cup; 390,000 customers for July 4th
||| FROM JOHN VEZINA for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from John With Seattle’s six FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches behind us, I’m proud of how my colleagues worked to plan and manage the increased demand we saw on match days. Daily ridership was up from last year on
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.
Parrot Kindergarten screening free on July 17 on San Juan, Lopez
||| FROM ELLEN ROBERTS & KAREN PALMER for FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| What does it mean to truly communicate? It's a question we rarely pause to ask and one that Parrot Kindergarten, the 2025 FHFF Audience Choice Winner for Best “Things to Consider” Feature Film at the Friday Harbor
2027 San Juan County budget development process | A message from Council Member Justin Paulsen
Conversations to balance the 2027 budget will continue throughout summer and fall months. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| On June 30th, the County Council completed an initial step in what is a multi-step process aimed at reaching a balanced budget for 2027. This process involved gathering information from
New to Medicare? Here’s what you need to know
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Will you be turning 65, retiring, or qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits for 24 months in the next year? Then you will be eligible to join Medicare. Enrollment is not automatic for most people, so you'll probably need to enroll
Friday Harbor to host UW football team scavenger hunt
||| FROM JENNIFER KREMBS for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| All 104 members of the University of Washington football team will arrive in Friday Harbor Saturday, July 18, 2026, for a town-wide scavenger hunt. The community is invited to join the Mayor and Town Council at 10:30 a.m. in Sunken
CWR encounter #46 • Bigg’s Killer Whales
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 04:35 PM ObservEnd: 05:10 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit Other Observers: TAR, AKC, NAZ, LLK Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T124A, T124A1A, T124A4, T124A4A, T124A6, T124A7 LocationDescr: North of Flattop Island EncSummary: After leaving the T46Bs and
