Here’s a thought…
“Don’t ask me who’s influenced me. A lion is made up of the lambs he’s digested, and I’ve been reading all my life.”
GIORGOS SEFERIS
Larsen releases statement on government funding package
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2026 funding package before the House of Representatives: “These
Guest Speaker | The Constitution, the Supreme Court and the Executive Branch
Where are we today? ||| FROM INDIVISIBLE SAN JUAN ISLANDS ||| Indivisible San Juan Islands (ISJI) is pleased to announce our upcoming Guest Speaker, Garrett Epps. Professor Epps, a nationally renowned Constitutional scholar, law professor,
Mid-Sale Reminder | SJC Master Gardeners native plant sale still open for online orders
Orders placed online will be available for pickup on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at convenient locations on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Master
Join us for the first ever Floating Valentine’s Ukulele Jam
Thursday, February 12 ||| FROM ANITA ORNE for FLOATING UKULELE JAM ||| Bring your uke, your voice, your loved ones, friends, and relations and maybe a love song or two to share (or just come
Noxious Weeds | Does winter mean ‘time for a break’ or is it an opportunity?
Use this winter to get ahead of your weeds before the growing season hits. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| While winter conditions slow plant growth and may encourage us to stay indoors, this
Unscripted and Unleashed | Improv with Brian James O’Connell
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Improv isn’t just for the stage, it’s for every facet of your artistic life! Join Brian James O’Connell — actor, writer, director, producer, and creator of
Jennifer Swanson announces County Council candidacy
||| FROM THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT JENNIFER SWANSON ||| Jennifer Swanson is excited to announce her candidacy for the San Juan County Council, District 3. A longtime resident of Shaw Island, Jennifer lives in District
Guest Opinion | OPALCO and the double entendre
||| FROM RIKKI SWIN ||| I'd like to respond to the OPALCO criticism of my column regarding our high rates: Quoting OPALCO: " Krista from OPALCO here. This article is so rife with misinformation it’s hard
Library display | See what Dave Kosiur has snapped around Orcas
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Photographer Dave Kosiur’s work will be on display at the Orcas Island Library during the month of February. Dave’s exhibit, entitled The Little Things, is a
Salish Sea Early Music returns in concert
||| FROM JEFFREY COHAN FOR SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| Very special guests Ukrainian Olena Zhukova, coming directly from Kyiv. Canadian viola da gambist Susie Napper, and Canadian player of pardessus de viole Mélisande
Two art exhibit openings in February at Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center’s Visual Arts Committee (VAC) presents two shows that will open on Friday, Feb. 13, and be on display through March 18. All are invited
Look at what’s coming up at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Experience the Joy of Drumming Discover the joy of drumming with the Spirit of Drumming Group at Orcas Senior Center Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.! This beginner-friendly
Join the Ferry Riders Opinion Group
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| The Washington State Transportation Commission is inviting ferry riders and the public to join the Ferry Riders’ Opinion Group, or FROG. This group gives you a chance to share your
CWR | A sunny encounter with Bigg’s
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:50 AM ObservEnd: 11:30 AM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Katie Jones Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T34A, T34A2, T34B, T37,
Letter to Editor | Renewable energy done right
Powering our future without sacrificing our lands ||| FROM EVA SCHULTE for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| The Town of Friday Harbor approved an important proposal from the Port of Friday Harbor last week
In Memoriam | David Schmillen, 1947-2025
||| FROM INGRID MATTSON ||| David Schmillen, born September 14, 1947, passed away December 29, 2025. He was a member of our Orcas Island community beginning in the early 1970s and was always a character,
