Here’s a thought…
“The future is already here. It’s just not evenly distributed yet.”
WILLIAM GIBSON
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.
Surge in oil tanker traffic threatens Salish Sea, Southern Resident Orcas, and shoreline communities
||| FROM LOVEL PRATT for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| Friends of the San Juans is raising urgent concerns over a dramatic increase in oil tanker traffic in the Salish Sea driven by expanding Canadian tar sands pipeline projects and new proposals to fast-track oil export infrastructure to Canada’s
Biggs encounter logged by Center for Whale Research
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 12:40 PM ObservEnd: 01:50 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson, Joe Zelwietro Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T049C LocationDescr: South of Sheringham Point EncSummary: Mark and Joe departed Victoria early in the day to complete a survey of
Here’s what’s happening at Senior Center in July
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Orcas Senior Center offers a variety of ongoing classes, social groups, wellness activities, and creative programs throughout the month. All programs are open to everyone, regardless of age, and new participants are always welcome. A full calendar with dates and times
Island Health issues community statement on physician transition
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HOSPITAL DISTRICT ||| As a Hospital District, we want to share appreciation of the community members and patients of Dr. Simpson-Manske who have shared comments in a variety of ways. During our Public Hospital District Board Meeting on Wednesday June 24th, we had 16 community members
No jurors needed June 29 – July 3
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JUNE 29 - JULY 3, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday June 29 through Friday July 3, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
Larsen votes to make housing more affordable in Northwest Washington
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to make housing more affordable in Northwest Washington and across the United States (the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act). “Too many families in Northwest Washington struggle to
County to test vote counting equipment in July
Testing will take place on July 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Elections Office will be holding a “Logic and Accuracy” test of ballot tabulating equipment used for the County’s August 4, 2026, Primary election. The test is scheduled for July
Larsen introduces bipartisan legislation to support Point Roberts and pene-exclave communities
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Representative Pete Stauber (MN-08) to introduce the Ensuring Exclave Communities are Listened to and their Voices are Examined (EXCLAVE) Act. “People in Point Roberts must cross the U.S.-Canada border to go to work, attend school, receive medical care and access veterinary services,” said Rep. Larsen. “These residents deserve to be heard when new regulations will impact their
June 24 Council meeting live stream experiencing technical difficulties
The meeting is still accessible to anyone attending in person. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Today’s 9:00am San Juan County Council Special meeting is experiencing technical difficulties with the live-stream feature. The team is working to troubleshoot the issue. The meeting is still accessible to those attending in
Orcas Health Care District board to meet tomorrow
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island Health Care District will hold a regularly scheduled board meeting on Wednesday, June 24th from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Orcas Island Library, 500 Rose Street, Eastsound. The Board Meeting Public Packet is available below. To join
Have a garden question? Ask an Orcas Master Gardener
Wednesday June 24th at the Market Garden Nursery ||| FROM JULIA TURNEY for ORCAS MASTER GARDENERS ||| Do you have a question about your soil, have a problem with your fruit tree, or are thinking about starting a garden? Is something bugging your plants, or you are curious about identifying
Resource Center seeks volunteers for financial literacy programs
||| FROM ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center is recruiting volunteers for its upcoming season of Financial Literacy programming, inviting community members to help fellow islanders build skills, confidence, and stability around money. This fall marks the return of Orcas Money Smart, the Resource Center’s flagship
Orcas Fire seeks to fill immediate commissioner vacancy
||| FROM CHAD KIMPLE for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| The Board of Fire Commissioners of San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2 is immediately seeking candidates to fill the unexpired term for Seat #5. The seat must be filled within 90 days; however, the Board desires to
Community called to action after European Green Crab detected on Orcas
||| FROM JESS NEWLEY for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| A European green crab molt was recently discovered at Crescent Beach by Amy Sprenger’s middle school science class. The finding marks another important detection in ongoing efforts to monitor for the highly invasive species in the San Juan Islands.
I’m Not the Church Lady | Time for hammacking
When there’s no way out, can I stop trying to leave? ||| I'M NOT THE CHURCH LADY from ROSIE KUHN ||| Whether I chose it or not, life presents me with passages I cannot bypass. I’m again in the midst of a purging, flushing, detox moment. The ache and anguish
