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 condemns Trump administration demolishing key climate regulations
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “Protecting Washington state's environment is a top priority of mine. The Trump administration’s
Spring already?
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| When the world feels loud, it can be hard to quiet the noise around us, be present in the current moment, and refocus on what’s
The Exchange Update | February 2026
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING (THE EXCHANGE) Change to Lightbulb Recycling Program Because of recent changes to a state-funded program, as of March 1, 2026 we will begin charging the public to recycle light bulbs. Tubes
FHFF best explorers & adventures film, Girl Climber, screens free
||| FROM FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Best of the Fest Series continues with another powerful, audience-selected documentary, Girl Climber, that will be shown Friday, February 20 at 7 PM at
Now Available for Comment | First draft of Critical Areas Ordinance regulations update
The County's goal is to adopt an updated CAO by May of 2026 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is updating its critical areas protections, also referred to as the Critical
WSF card payment fee begins March 1
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Starting Sunday, March 1, 2026, a card payment fee of 3% will be applied to all card transactions. Fares, no-show fees, and carpool and vanpool permits will be subject to
Larsen fights to fund FEMA, U.S. Coast Guard, TSA and hold ICE accountable
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after cosponsoring legislation to fully fund the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Coast Guard, the
Orcas Island Artworks Gallery is reopening
||| FROM B.J ARNOLD for ORCAS ISLAND ARTWORKS ||| Orcas Island Artworks is pleased to announce the reopening of its gallery on February 12, following a brief closure for cleaning and updates. The gallery will
Letter to Editor | Did OPALCO think we wouldn’t read the report?
||| FROM DAWNI CUNNINGTON ||| OPALCO is currently attempting to overturn recorded deed restrictions that were already in place when it purchased the Decatur Island property. OPALCO used our money to purchase a 20-acre parcel
Letter to Editor | New issue before Council: Post-purchase revision of recorded protective covenants
||| FROM DAWNI CUNNINGTON ||| There is an old saying: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. In 2018, OPALCO secured approval for its Decatur solar installation under a Provisional
Queer Valentine Day Dance is today
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND PRIDE |||
Orcas Christian School students give back during Community Service Day
||| FROM LILIANNA STANFORD for ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| On Jan. 23, 2026, Orcas Christian School students participated in a campuswide “Service Day,”dedicating their time to community improvement projects across Eastsound. Kindergarten through second-grade students
Building the Team | San Juan County welcomes a new public defender
Garth McCardle stepped into the role the first week of February ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is pleased to welcome a new Public Defender, Garth McCardle, to the team. McCardle
Library friends seeks volunteers and board growth
||| FROM MICHAEL ARMENIA for FRIENDS OF ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Friends of the Orcas Island Library is having a meet and greet this Friday, 12-2 PM in the Library’s Community Meeting Room. Did
Jurors excused for February 17 – 20
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: FEBRUARY 17-20, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the jury term beginning Tuesday, February 17th through Friday, February 20th, 2026, are excused. Thank you!
Letter to Editor | Awash in water bills
||| FROM MICHAEL RIORDAN ||| Is anyone else aghast at their January water bills? Ours came in at just over $100, despite using a piddling (puddling?) 2927 gallons — less than 100 gallons per day
