Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
Have a garden question? Last Orcas Master Gardener event for 2026
Saturday September 12th at the Market Garden Nursery! Last “Ask a Master Gardener“ for 2026 ||| FROM JULIA TURNEY and JAY LUCAS 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
Madrona Institute announces 2026 Request for Proposals for SJI Stewardship Fund Grants
||| FROM EDEN LIGHT for THE MADRONA INSTITUTE ||| The Madrona Institute is pleased to announce the opening of its 2026 Request for Proposals for the San Juan Islands Stewardship Fund, supported by proceeds from the sales of the San Juan Islands Special License Plate. The Stewardship Fund provides small
Litch Brothers return to Grange for concert
||| FROM KAJ LITCH for THE LITCH BROTHERS ||| The Litch Brothers will be playing a concert at the Grange on September 24th and 7pm. Returning from their 1st place win at the Telluride National Bluegrass Band Contest, they are excited to share new music with the island. Tickets are
September at the Library | More art
||| FROM INGRID MATTSON for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The display case at the Orcas Island Library this September features art by Christina (Chris) Frausto. Chris is a renowned artist, curator, and educator whose book-related art spans over 30 years. She has served as curator of art for Ontario International
Airhawks are logging a really busy year
||| FROM ROBERT WAUNCH for AIRHAWKS FLYING CLUB ||| The Airhawks Flying Club has been exceptionally busy this year, especially when Orcas High School started summer break. Airhawks awarded scholarships to four High School students: Sam Delia-Alley, Knox Key, Kia Gilliam and Jack Carson. An additional scholarship from the Orcas
‘Moment of Truth for American Democracy’ with Hedrick Smith
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Hedrick Smith will speak at Orcas Center on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 5 p.m. on "Moment of Truth for American Democracy: What's at Stake in the Midterm Elections?" Smith is releasing a new book in March 2027 called "The Road to
The Island Gardener – September 2026
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Leadership Smoothie Welcome to a brand new season with the garden club! Once again, we are mixing things up! The newsletter will have some familiar favorite series coming back and many new exciting columns we can't wait to share with you. In our
Larsen pushes back against Trump’s USPS mail-in voting rule
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “President Trump’s U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail-in voting rule is an effort to suppress the right to vote. There is no evidence that mail-in ballots result in widespread voter fraud in our elections, no matter what the President claims.
At Senior Center | Getting ready for Medicare
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Is 2026 your year for joining Medicare? Medicare enrollment is not automatic for most people, so you’ll probably need to enroll with Social Security. Then you’ll have to decide what type of Medicare coverage you want. To make an informed decision
Come laugh on September 18 when Rebel with a Clause plays on San Juan, Lopez, and Shaw Islands
||| FROM ELLEN ROBERTS for FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Rebel with a Clause, the docu-comedy that was nominated for the 2025 FHFF Audience Choice Award for "Best Explorers & Adventures" Feature Film, screens on Friday, September 18 at 7 PM, simultaneously at the San Juan Island Library in Friday Harbor,
Wednesday is Knit Night at Orcas Island Library
||| FROM INGRID MATTSON for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Knit Night (including all fibercrafts) is now on Wednesdays at the Orcas Island Library 6-8pm. Katie Johanson (of Salish Sea Yarn) is a skilled knitter who is ready to help you get started with knitting, finally finish that project you started
Community budget with council Chair Justin Paulsen event scheduled Sept. 14 on Orcas
The San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 representative will hold a meeting with the community to discuss the County budget and related fiscal challenges at the Orcas Island Library Community Room from 4:00-5:30 p.m. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Council Chair and District
2026 Assessment Change of Value Notices
The Change of Value Notice is not a tax bill ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Assessor’s Office mailed the 2026 Change of Value Notices on September 8, 2026. Changes reflect market sales between January 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026 with an assessment date of January 1,
Local Poetry | Martyrs for Justice by George Karnikis
||| FROM GEORGE KARNIKIS ||| Martyrs for Justice By George Karnikis Aug 2026 According to Socrates Justice is prerogative to all humans Some search for it quietly. Some give their lives so others can see it. Socrates stood before power with only his questions and his courage. He would not
Larsen joins 167 lawmakers demanding Trump administration halt its Roadless Rule rollback
||| FROM U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined a bipartisan coalition of 167 Members of Congress last Friday in urging the Trump administration to abandon its proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule, a longstanding and successful conservation guardrail protecting 44 million acres of iconic landscapes and National Forest System lands.
Community meeting to provide feedback on new facility siting at Odlin County Park
The public is invited to a community meeting to learn more, ask questions, and provide additional feedback on Odlin County Park project direction ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Parks, Recreation, & Fair Department is seeking to construct a new facility to serve as a
