Here’s a thought…
“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.”
HEATHER FRENCH HENRY
Want to sign this petition to end public fireworks on Orcas Island?
||| FROM THOM CARNEVALE ||| We, the undersigned, respectfully call upon our local leaders and event organizers to end public fireworks displays. While fireworks have long been associated with festivities, the significant harm they cause to animals, the environment, and public resources can no longer be ignored. The explosive noise and
Exchange Update | Styrofoam, swap meet, beach cleanup, more
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING SERVICE ||| Styrofoam Recycling Update In last month’s newsletter, we shared our mission to keep Styrofoam out of the landfill by using a Styrofoam densifier. This month, a team from The Exchange took a fact-finding trip to Whidbey Island to see a densifier in operation at
League of Women Voters of Washington launches “Four Questions” video series
Featuring Washington Supreme Court candidates ||| FROM AMY PELOFF for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| SEATTLE — With five of the nine seats on the Washington State Supreme Court on the ballot this year, the League of Women Voters of Washington has launched a new online resource to help voters
Genealogy Group to hold open meeting
||| FROM KATHI CISKOWSKI for ORCAS ISLAND GENEALOGY GROUP ||| The Orcas Island Genealogy Group is having an open meeting on Tuesday, July 21 from noon to 2 in the community room of the Orcas Island Public Library. There are two topics that will be discussed and hopefully information can
Stitched Stories | A quilters showcase at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Discover a beautiful display of local artistry this July and August at Orcas Senior Center! Visit weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to explore a vibrant collection of handcrafted quilts created by talented quilters in our community. Each quilt reflects
Larsen votes No on Republican amendment to limit funds for humanitarian efforts
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “I voted “no” on a Republican amendment that would have prohibited any diplomatic, humanitarian, development or security funding related to Israel. I support Israel’s right to exist and to
News Brief | Gray whale deaths near record levels in WA
||| FROM KREM 2 NEWS via YOUTUBE |||
No jury duty for July 20-31
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JULY 20-31, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday July 20th through Friday July 17, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
Early Bird Passes available for Friday Harbor Film Festival
||| FROM FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Mark your calendars — Friday Harbor Film Festival returns to San Juan Island this October, opening the evening of October 22 and running through October 25 with powerful documentaries, filmmaker conversations, and island community. Early Bird Passes are on sale now through August
Thor Hanson book signing scheduled for Market Garden
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Join award-winning conservation biologist and local author, Thor Hanson for an engaging talk and signing of his most recent bestselling book, Close to Home, The Wonders of Nature Just Outside Your Door. His book offers a hands-on natural history for any local patch of
Leadership San Juan Islands recruiting for next class
||| FROM LEADERSHIP SAN JAN ISLANDS ||| Leadership San Juan Islands (LSJI) has begun recruiting for Class XVIII, running from December 2026 through May 2027. Information and the application are available on the website. https://lsji.org/ ZOOM link for July 16- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9711929268?omn=87661620425 Our twelve-day flagship program will include three overnight retreats
Olga Daze announces musical lineup
Olga Daze kicks off this Saturday, July 18, at 10:00 am ||| FROM SUSAN GORDON BENTLEY for OLGA DAZE ||| We’re pleased to announce a fantastic musical lineup arranged by Clint McCune. Starting with Speeces Pieces opening at 10:00am, music will be performed throughout the day until close at 2:00pm.
Poetry Gardens contest deadline July 31, 2026
||| FROM DENICE KULSETH for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| Poems must be submitted by Friday July 31, 2026, to be entered in the Friday Harbor Poetry Gardens Contest sponsored by the Town of Friday Harbor and the Friday Harbor Arts Commission. Entry is free and open to San Juan
Land Bank July 2026 meeting and agenda
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting Friday, June 17. The meeting is scheduled from 8:45am – 11:10am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the Mullis Community Senior Center on San Juan Island,
Welcome to Orcas Island Health Care District monthly newsletter
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| One of the most important things a health district can do is make sure the people it serves have access to clear, reliable information about their health care — what's available, how to use it, and what's coming. We are happy to introduce
Ready for Medicare?
||| FROM PEGI GROUNDWATER ||| Will you be turning 65, retiring or qualified for Social Security Disability Benefits for 24 months in the next year? Then you will be eligible to join Medicare. Enrollment in Medicare is not automatic for most people, so you’ll probably need to enroll. There is
‘You Can’t Hide’ show for two nights at Orcas Center
Comedian Casey Skinner performs and leads workshop ||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center's summer of comedy continues with another hilarious show for two nights of laughs. You Can't Hide follows comedian Casey Skinner and his true story of accidentally landing in "the most dangerous hotel
