Here’s a thought…
“Bullets cannot be recalled. They cannot be uninvented. But they can be taken out of the gun.”
MARTIN AMIS
The Art of Stillness | Christian Carlson at Crow Valley Gallery
||| FROM AYN GAILEY for HALO ||| “Place has become a pendulum swing for me between life in the Skagit Valley and life on Orcas Island — one busy showing artists at Perry + Carlson Gallery [in Mt. Vernon] and one very quiet. Always between them is the Sea and
Local fire districts now issue burn permits; Available as of Oct. 12
Residents can apply for burn permits via their local fire district. There is no change in cost, and permits can be obtained quickly and easily online ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Beginning this 2026-2027 burn season, the local fire districts will be processing all burn permits for residents.
Letter to Editor | We support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council
||| FROM JANICE AND PHILIP EKSTROM ||| For many years Jennifer has been at the center of making the Shaw community run smoothly. She serves effectively as a leader on local and county boards, a careful and patient listener, respectful of others' opinions. We are eager to see her courtesy, wisdom and
Getting to Know Katherine | What I bring to the table
||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL ||| First and most importantly, I bring to the County Council a deep love for these islands and the people who live here. I’m running for County Council to improve the lives of everyone who lives here — especially those
‘The Poet’s Pier’ short film in FHFF has local interest
||| FROM SHARON ABREU ||| I'm excited to let you know that Michael and I (and my fiddle tune "Olga and Buck Bay) are featured in a short film that will be shown in the Friday Harbor Film Festival at 10:30 am on Sunday, Oct. 25. I hope you can
Orcas Christian School students give back during annual service day
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Orcas Christian School embraces several longstanding traditions, including an annual service day that connects students with the community. On Friday, Oct. 9, students participated in several service projects around Eastsound, putting their Christian values into action by serving others. The school’s vision is to
San Juan County resident camping reservations open early January
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Resident camping reservation program will continue to be offered online in 2027 and will open in early January. On Wednesday, January 6, at 9:00 am through Friday, January 8 at 4:00 pm, reservations will be available online to San
Jon Stewart interviews former Anthropic, OpenAI researcher
||| FROM THE DAILY SHOW ||| Jacob Coxon, a former Anthropic and OpenAI researcher who spoke out about the dangers of artificial intelligence, opens up to Jon Stewart about the grim reality of the tech industry— from malicious hacks to potential biological attacks. The two discuss the future, AI-led utopia
Letter to Editor | Wholehearted support for Jennifer Swanson
||| FROM JENNIFER WOODBRIDGE ||| Jennifer Swanson has my wholehearted support for the San Juan County Council, District 3. Jennifer brings an exceptional and effective combination of thoroughness, thoughtfulness, practicality and kindness. She has the rare ability to bring together people with divergent points of view. She’s a pleasure to
County employee union endorses Katherine Bryant Ingman
||| FROM AFSCME LOCAL 1849 ||| Members of AFSCME Local 1849, the union representing San Juan County employees, have endorsed Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council and Heather Lee for County Auditor. The endorsements follow the candidates’ clear commitments to transparent leadership and to the workforce that keep county services
Antidote dance party gets wicked this Halloween at Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH-SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| On Friday, October 30, Orcas Center transforms for a night of dark beats, wild costumes and serious dancing. From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., come lose yourself in the music and celebrate Halloween the Antidote way. Come dressed as your strangest, spookiest,
Levy Information | Orcas Island Park and Rec public info session
||| FROM KIM IHLENFELDT for ORCAS ISLAND PARK & RECREATION DISTRICT ||| Orcas Island Park and Recreation District will hold a public information session about the upcoming levy on Monday, October 19th at 5:30 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Station, 45 Lavender Lane. Join OIPRD staff for a presentation about
I’m Not the Church Lady | Listening for where life is inviting us to participate
Some people’s presence just makes me giggle with delight ||| I'M NOT THE CHURCH LADY by ROSIE KUHN ||| The quality of presence speaks volumes about a person. That’s my experience of Pastor Justus Kubais, whom I met through a Zoom meeting about 18 months ago. It was like awakening
Health Care District to hold special board meeting on Monday
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island Health Care District will hold a Special Board Meeting on Monday, October 19th, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Orcas Island Community Foundation, 33 Urner Street, Suite 4, Eastsound. The public meeting packet is available below. The meeting
Letter to the Editor | Decatur’s open-space decision deserves countywide attention
||| FROM AMY LOVELESS-WHITNEY ||| San Juan County's October 1 approval relocating recorded open space for OPALCO's proposed Decatur solar expansion raises questions that matter throughout our islands. The County acknowledges that portions of the replacement open space overlap land already protected by a Native Growth Area covenant. It maintains
Letter to Editor | I want to recommend Jennifer Swanson for County Council District 3
||| FROM ANN MEEHAN-MCNEILL ||| I've worked with Jennifer through Shaw Islanders Inc, where she's been the Recording Secretary for the Shaw Inc board for the last three years. She's steady, organized and easy to work with. She keeps things on track and communicates clearly, which makes a big difference
