Here’s a thought…
“The true civilization is where every man gives to every other every right that he claims for himself.”
ROBERT GREEN INGERSOLL
Letter to Editor | Drop box is best to ensure your ballot is counted
||| FROM JENNIFER SWANSON ||| I’ve been hearing a lot of discussion and confusion about the threats to mail-in voting. People were especially disturbed to hear about the number of ballots that were rejected in Washington’s recent primary because they were “late,” even though they were mailed days before election
Voter registration day next week at the Library
||| FROM KAREN MENG for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Orcas Island Public Library will host a voter registration day activity on Tuesday September 15th 3:30 - 5pm. Join us to write letters to newly registered voters and postcards aimed at increasing turnout for key elections. This is strictly non-partisan;
Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Program update process
San Juan County is seeking your comments on its proposed updates to the Critical Area Ordinance (CAO) protections and the Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The goal is to complete the regulation updates before the end of the year. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is seeking
WSF Weekly Report | 378,000 Labor Day riders | One more community meeting coming up
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve While many of us took some time off over Labor Day weekend, hundreds of people across our system were hard at work safely moving more than 378,000 riders from Thursday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 7. As the unofficial end
No jurors needed Sept 14-18
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: SEPTEMBER 14-18, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning September 14th, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
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.
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,
