Here’s a thought…
“Once a man has tasted freedom he will never be content to be a slave. That is why I believe that this frightfulness we see everywhere today is only temporary. Tomorrow will be better for as long as America keeps alive the ideals of freedom and a better life.”
WALT DISNEY
Coastal flood advisory
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Seattle WA 1006 AM PST Sat Dec 6 2025 San Juan County-Lowlands of Western Whatcom County- Lowlands of Western Skagit and Northwestern Snohomish Counties- 1006 AM PST Sat Dec 6 2025 ...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM
As the Paradigm Shifts | Dang it! There is love
What happens when I stop whining long enough to see what’s real? ||| AS THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE KUHN ||| A while ago, in the middle of one of my self-pity parties — wailing on about not being loved, all alone — something unexpected happened. A quiet part of
Sheriff’s Report | November 26 – December 1, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 25-008132 Unwanted Person 11:16:38 11/26/25 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to an unwanted person incident at a business in downtown Eastsound. The business owner wanted the person trespassed from the property. Subsequently the person was served a trespass notice.
Give Orcas | Every gift matters
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| A heartfelt thank you to the 500+ community members who have given gifts that matter this week! As of this morning, we are nearly a third of the way to our collective giving goal of $371,391. CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR UNIQUE
‘Counting Orca’ free screening from Center for Whale Research
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| We’re excited to invite you to a FREE global virtual screening of 'Counting Orca’ on December 10th! To make the event accessible to viewers around the world, we’re hosting two online screenings. You’re welcome to join whichever time works best for you. Screening
SJIMA annual artists’ registry show will dazzle
||| FROM BARBARA MARRETT for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART ||| Join us from December 12, 2025, through February 23, 2026, for the annual Artists’ Registry Show. This much-anticipated event brings together artists from throughout San Juan County, offering a unique opportunity to experience the diverse creative talents within
Letter to Editor | Regarding OPALCO rate hike
||| FROM ALLAN ROSATO and DARCEY MILLER ||| We are writing out of concern regarding OPALCO’s recently-announced plan to raise the fixed monthly service access charge for residential members. While this may appear to simplify the rate structure, it has a very real and very unequal impact on the people
WSF Weekly Report | Thanksgiving ridership up; technology partners selected to power new ferries; become a FROG
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve November was a strong month for Washington State Ferries. By every metric, our service is improving, and people are noticing. I’m hearing that from customers, community leaders, and partners across the region. I’m proud to share that we completed 99.2%
Council adopts legislative priorities for 2026 | Infrastructure, transportation, affordable housing
This legislative agenda is focused on specific legislative actions that will enable the Council to more efficiently and effectively provide critical services to San Juan County residents. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| In anticipation of the 2026 Legislative Session of the Washington State Legislature and the United States
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.
Medicare open enrollment ends December 7
Volunteers will host a drop-in enrollment event on Saturday, December 6, from 12 to 2 p.m. at Orcas Senior Center. ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Sunday, December 7 is the last day to make changes to your Medicare drug and Advantage plans for 2026. If your
Lopez Park and Recreation District Commissioner No. 5 recount completed
The recount was conducted by hand tally and the recounted results matched the initially certified results. Candidate Christopher "Kit" Ledbetter is ahead of candidate Dan Post by a single vote, consistent with the original tally. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County was notified by the Office
Coastal flood advisory in effect from 4am to 10am Saturday
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Seattle WA 145 PM PST Thu Dec 4 2025 San Juan County-Lowlands of Western Whatcom County- Lowlands of Western Skagit and Northwestern Snohomish Counties- 145 PM PST Thu Dec 4 2025 ...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4
Step aside, Olga Red Gravenstein! The next generation of unique Orcas Island apples is ready for takeoff!
Novel Apples for Orcas! ||| FROM RUSSELL BARSH for KWIAHT ||| For the past five years, Kwiaht botanist Madrona Murphy has been relocating, mapping, and sampling fruits and (for genetic analysis) leaves from orchards planted more than a century ago, with financial support from the Orcas Island Community Foundation and
‘On Screen’ series brings epic performances from The Met: Live in HD and National Theatre Live
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH for ORCAS CENTER ||| The gold standard in opera and live theatre comes to Orcas Island with this season’s On Screen series. Running from now until June, you can view a diverse sampling of the world’s best performers at the height of their careers in productions from
Children’s Holiday Craft Fair at the Library! | ¡Feria de manualidades navideñas para niños en la biblioteca!
||| FROM JENNY DEGROOT for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Please join us for the 12th Annual Children's Holiday Craft Fair on Sunday, December 7th from noon – 2 pm at Orcas Island Public Library. Orcas Island children, ages 6 to 18 years, will be selling original, handmade items priced from
