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
WA State age- and dementia-friendly survey
||| FROM DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ||| Washington state is taking meaningful steps to become more age- and dementia-friendly — and we need your help to ensure every voice is heard. DSHS is
Midnight Mutterings | The right to be fat
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I have been reading a bit about Kate Manne, an Australian-born, Cornell philosophy professor, who, among her published books, writes about ‘fat phobia.’ and the prejudice against people
Sheriff’s Report | November 5 – 11, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 25-007666 Malicious Mischief 14:08:06 11/05/25 A Lopez Deputy responded to a report of vandalized outdoor property at a local church. The vandalizer was captured
ICE wants Washington tribes to detain immigrants for them
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| As the Trump administration searches for more space to detain immigrants, it is approaching Washington tribes to see if they will participate. The Nisqually Tribal Council said in a
EDC invites input from islanders on health insurance
||| FROM VICTORIA COMPTON for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| The EDC invites San Juan County business owners, workers, and residents to participate in a survey regarding proposed changes to Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance
Coming together for food access + GiveOrcas ahead
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| Over the past two weeks, we were able to mobilize resources to mitigate local impacts of the Government Shutdown, ensuring that Orcas residents who did
A note of thanks to the community
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND PRIDE ||| Hi Orcas Island, Thank you - for everything. This year’s Pride Fest celebrations were the biggest they have EVER been, and it was all thanks to people like YOU!
WSF Weekly Update | Chimacum crew rescues boater; tribal canoes at Coleman Dock; hiring fair in Tacoma
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Last week, our 11-member Executive Team met for two days to focus on how we can deliver better service for the people
News Brief | NOAA cuts back on West Coast seismic data used for alerts
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ended a contract with the Alaska Earthquake Center that helped maintain some seismic stations and transmit data in real time. Alaska state seismologist
Larsen votes No on legislation to drive up health care costs
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Larsen released the following statement after voting no on Republican legislation to drive up health care costs: “This resolution to
San Juan County partners with Mill to launch pilot program for home food recycling
New pilot will offer convenient options for households without space or time for traditional composting at home. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is partnering with Mill, a leader in smart
Letter to Editor | Odd Fellows wood raffle fundraiser a success
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ORCAS ISLAND ODD FELLOWS ||| The Odd Fellows annual wood raffle fundraiser was generously supported by our community and will benefit graduating high school students with awards based on community
Athletic Assistance Fund | Leveling the playing field
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM||| This year more than 20 Orcas Island student-athletes have laced up cleats, tied their running shoes, and hit the field—thanks to the Athletic Assistance Fund. A collaborative effort
OICF to host holiday party to kickoff GiveOrcas campaign
||| FROM KIM WEST ACTKINSON for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) is inviting the community to a Holiday Party at Odd Fellows Hall on Tuesday, December 2 from 4-6pm.
EV charging station installed; recycling tips; a way to recycle plastic film
||| FROM PETE MOE for ORCAS RECYCLING/THE EXCHANGE ||| New EV Charging Stations at The Exchange Thanks to a local grant and some hard work by Bruce Benton, we can now offer complimentary EV charging
Salish Seeds Project in final steps of seed processing
"Cleaning” seed is complete, soon to be packaged and put in cold, dry storage ||| FROM CONSERVATION LAND BANK COMMISSION ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold a regular monthly meeting