Here’s a thought…
“We are not an endangered species ourselves yet, but this is not for lack of trying.”
DOUGLAS ADAMS
The Exchange Update | March 2026
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING (THE EXCHANGE) Drifting Dock Highlights Growing Microplastic Risk Last month, residents of Orcas Island responded to an incident involving a drifting dock with deteriorating plastic-wrapped styrofoam floats. The floats were breaking apart and spreading around the beach and into the next cove. The incident sheds light
All-kid production to open at Orcas Center is a hilarious musical romp for all ages
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center is producing an all-kids musical theater show, “How to Eat like a Child.” It’s a comedic crash course on the essential skills of childhood through teen years. Through 23 hilarious lessons, children teach the audience the joys and sorrows
Get your Washington State boating education card
On-Line U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Safety Classes ||| FROM PAMELA CHELGREN-KOTERBA for U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY ||| Bellingham, Wash. – The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Bellingham and San Juan Islands Flotilla offers boaters four opportunities to take an online Washington State Basic Boater Education Course. The course is for
Non-stop nonprofits
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| We’re in the midst of reviewing Spring GiveOrcas applications, and I’m again astounded by the innovation, care, and grit demonstrated by dozens of nonprofits that are seeking support to make good things happen around the island. We can count on
Letter to Editor | Renewing drivers licenses at the Senior Center
||| FROM ANTHONY SURUDA ||| Kudos to the Orcas Island Senior Center and the Washington State Division of Licensing for arranging issue and renewal of drivers licenses at the Senior Center on March 12. This was a big relief for those of us who would otherwise have to travel off
WSF Weekly Report | Visiting Staten Island crew; developing future leaders
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Two years ago this week I stepped into the role of leading Washington State Ferries. It has been one of the most challenging and meaningful chapters of my career. When I started, our system was still recovering
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.
Guest Opinion | Another Eastsound Water essay
||| FROM THOMAS OWENS ||| A Path Forward Eastsound Water’s ongoing turmoil is multi-faceted involving both tense Board-Membership interactions and instability in internal operation. While these two elements of the Association’s crisis are certainly intertwined, it is instructive to examine them separately to begin to visualize a path forward for
Larsen invites students to participate in 2026 Congressional Art Competition
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) is inviting high school students who live or attend school in Washington’s Second Congressional District to showcase their artistic talents in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. “I am encouraging the many gifted young artists in Northwest Washington to submit their artwork
County Council travels to Orcas Island for upcoming March 24 meeting
The meeting will be held at the Orcas Island Fire Station meeting room ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Council will hold its regularly scheduled March 24 meeting on Orcas Island. The public is invited to join the three councilmembers and County staff at the meeting
Ladies of Laughter coming to Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Ladies of Laughter® is an organization and national competition dedicated to providing a platform for female comedians to showcase their unique humor, jumpstart their careers, and promote women in the comedy industry. Often referred to as a "career builder for women
March Turtleback march returns on March 21
Celebrate the Equinox and 20 years of conservation hiking up and over Turtleback Mountain ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Turtleback Mountain Preserve turns 20 this year and we're celebrating with an “Up and Over” hike Saturday, March 21! Join staff for a walk, north to south, and learn
In Memoriam | Janet McBride Wells, 1930 – 2025
||| FROM ROBERT HERRUP ||| Jan Wells ended her earthly journey in her Eastsound home of nearly 44 years at the age of 95. Janet McBride Wells, April 7, 1930 - July 9, 2025 Shortly after the birth in Toronto, Canada of Janet Mary McBride, the second daughter
CWR logs encounter with inbound J Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:55 AM ObservEnd: 03:00 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Katie Jones Pods: J IDsEncountered: J16, J19, J22, J26, J27, J31, J35, J36, J37, J38, J39, J40, J41, J42, J44, J45, J46, J47, J49, J51, J53,
Did you know? San Juan County processes passport applications at the Courthouse
Weekly appointments and online tools make it easy to update your information here in San Juan County ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Clerk’s Office is a sub-agent for the Seattle Passport Agency. This means that your local Clerk’s Office can process applications for new
Jurors excused March 16-20
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: MARCH 16-20, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the jury term beginning Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th, 2026, are excused. Thank you!
