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
Montessori launches holiday bazaar and wreath sale
||| FROM BRIDGET WRIGHT for ORCAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL ||| The Orcas Montessori Annual Wreath Sale is officially open! We’re excited to help you fulfill all your holiday greenery needs with beautiful, handcrafted wreaths, garlands, and
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is genuine, helpful, generous
||| FROM CHLOE MASON ||| I have known Jennifer Swanson for the better part of two decades. When I think of her, I think of her generosity and helpfulness the most. I have worked with
WSF Weekly Report | WSF receives national recognition; end of DST; winter schedule Nov 1
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve I’m proud to share that Washington State Ferries has been named a 2026 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and
Library features photos by Andrea Cohen
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| For the month of November, The Orcas Island Library’s ‘Art in the Library’ series will feature photographs by Andrea Cohen. Andrea’s background is as an artist,
San Juan Fire employment opportunity as Logistics Director
||| FROM SAN JUAN FIRE DISTRICT NO. 3 ||| San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 3 is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Logistics Director, a full-time exempt administrative leadership position reporting directly to
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is the clearly superior Council candidate
||| FROM MIMI GARDNER GATES ||| Jennifer Swanson is clearly the superior candidate in the San Juan County Council election. Her experience is directly relevant to the goals of the SJC Council. The school district
Orcas Garden Club presents ‘why plant names change’
Botanical nomenclature, biology, the beauty of plants ||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Wednesday, November 11th, 10 am (at the Orcas Center or by Zoom) COME AT 9:30 AM (just before the program) for
Wild Fish Conservancy serves notice of intent to sue over Alaska fisheries catching threatened, endangered Pacific Northwest Chinook without federal oversight
||| FROM EMMA HALVERSON for WILD FISH CONSERVANCY ||| SEATTLE, Washington—Nearly nine out of ten Chinook salmon caught in commercial fisheries along the South Alaska Peninsula in 2024 and 2025 originated outside Alaska, according to
County Marine Facility Update | Council reviews aging infrastructure
Marine facilities are part of the County’s essential public transportation system, and the County anticipates significant challenges maintaining these facilities in the coming years ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During this week’s meeting,
Grannie’s Holiday Sale coming to Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Mark your calendars—Grannie’s Holiday Sale is back at Orcas Senior Center on Saturday, November 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! Browse a wide array of
Jennifer Swanson is ready for the work
||| FROM JENNIFER SWANSON, COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATE ||| Jennifer Swanson Since February, I’ve been on the campaign trail, meeting people across our island county. I’ve been blown away by the passion residents have
Jury Duty: Excused for November 2-6
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: NOVEMBER 2-6, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning November 2nd, are excused. Thank you.
LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Council, October 27, 2026
||| FROM LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS SAN JUAN ||| The San Juan County Council convened at the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Center. After presentation by Facilities Director Greg Sawyer, the Council voted to set
CWR encounter with J Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 12:06 PM ObservEnd: 01:41 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Pods: J IDsEncountered: J27, J31, J39, J56 LocationDescr: Sombrio Point EncSummary: Mark left
Council approves ‘home fund’ funding for three affordable housing projects
In total, the Council awarded $3,734,596 in REET funding and $310,000 in sales tax funding. The County has now awarded approximately $19 million in grants for affordable housing projects across the islands through the Home
Letter to Editor | Why I changed my vote to Sean O’Donnell
||| FROM COLIN WILLIAMS ||| At a recent community lunch, the conversation turned, as it does this time of year, to the election. Doug McDonald mentioned that his nephew is Judge Sean O'Donnell, a candidate
