Here’s a thought…
“It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.”
MARK TWAIN
Letter to Editor | This Hallowe’en, don’t ‘boo,’ vote
||| FROM STEVE BERNHEIM ||| In August, voter turnout in San Juan County was 46%, the lowest mid-term primary election turnout in twenty years. Fewer than 7,000 county residents cast primary ballots out of more than 15,000 registered. Recent mid-term Primary Elections: The highest recent mid-term primary election turnout was
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson will serve us well
||| FROM KAREN VEDDER ||| Who among us isn’t sick to death of the daily gut punch of the news? Who among us doesn’t envision a world where our elected leaders listen to each other and their constituents and work cooperatively together to solve the problems facing us? Locally, I think we’re
Final chapter of the Love & Relationships Book Club at Darvillls
||| FROM AYN GAILEY for DARVILLS BOOKSTORE ||| A heartfelt thank-you to all the wonderful women and four brave men who joined us for a year of love, happily-ever-afters (and not-so-happily-ever-afters) at the first-ever Darvill’s Love & Relationships Book Club. What began as a little literary experiment brought new friendships, meaningful
Rick Larsen | October in Northwest Washington
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| From conversations with local food providers about growing demand for assistance to fighting for good-paying jobs and lower prescription drug costs, October has been a month focused on the issues that matter to people across Northwest Washington. I want to
Midnight Mutterings | A poem crept in
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| A Poem Crept In At 3:45 AM, a poem slipped into my room, Tapped on my forehead. I’m here. she said. I’m sleeping. I mumbled. Limited time offer, said the poem. Louder now. Did you not read the sign on my door? I
Resource Center invites islanders to help identify unmet legal needs
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| A housing dispute, a confusing medical bill, a family breakup, or questions about a parenting plan can leave someone unsure where to turn. On Orcas Island, the cost of legal help – and the challenge of traveling off island to get it
Fire District 3 introduces new fee structure for false alarms
||| FROM AMY TAYLOR for SAN JUAN ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| San Juan Island Fire & Rescue hopes a new fee structure governing fire alarms will reduce the number of false alarms they respond to each year. Effective November 1, 2026, alarm system users with multiple false alarms within
The Creeks Beneath the Fields | Part 1 of 5
First of a five part journalism series by the San Juan Islands Conservation District on steams and wetlands in the islands, and what people can do to restore them ||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLAND CONSERVATION DISTRICT ||| On summer mornings in the San Juan Islands, the freshwater world can feel
Montessori launches holiday bazaar and wreath sale
||| FROM BRIDGET WRIGHT for ORCAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL ||| The Orcas Montessori Annual Wreath Sale is officially open! We’re excited to help you fulfill all your holiday greenery needs with beautiful, handcrafted wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces, perfect for bringing festive cheer to your home. Orders are open now, and wreaths
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is genuine, helpful, generous
||| FROM CHLOE MASON ||| I have known Jennifer Swanson for the better part of two decades. When I think of her, I think of her generosity and helpfulness the most. I have worked with her in several capacities and also consider her a dear friend— I admire her immensely.
WSF Weekly Report | WSF receives national recognition; end of DST; winter schedule Nov 1
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve I’m proud to share that Washington State Ferries has been named a 2026 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. This national recognition highlights the work
Library features photos by Andrea Cohen
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| For the month of November, The Orcas Island Library’s ‘Art in the Library’ series will feature photographs by Andrea Cohen. Andrea’s background is as an artist, art therapist and art teacher, but this exhibit, entitled The Lives of Mannequins is a
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.
San Juan Fire employment opportunity as Logistics Director
||| FROM SAN JUAN FIRE DISTRICT NO. 3 ||| San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 3 is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Logistics Director, a full-time exempt administrative leadership position reporting directly to the Fire Chief. Position Details • Position: Logistics Director • Department: Administration • Reports To:
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is the clearly superior Council candidate
||| FROM MIMI GARDNER GATES ||| Jennifer Swanson is clearly the superior candidate in the San Juan County Council election. Her experience is directly relevant to the goals of the SJC Council. The school district budgets she developed and managed as superintendent and oversaw as a school board member are similar to
Orcas Garden Club presents ‘why plant names change’
Botanical nomenclature, biology, the beauty of plants ||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Wednesday, November 11th, 10 am (at the Orcas Center or by Zoom) COME AT 9:30 AM (just before the program) for social time, and remember to bring something for the Sharing Table! Please join the Orcas
