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
Building Community Resilience | Supporting islanders through uncertain times
||| FROM MEGAN METCALF for ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| Communities nationwide — including here on Orcas — are bracing for potential devastating disruptions as the government shutdown extends beyond October 31st. At stake are
Supporting food access on Orcas Island
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| As the government shutdown continues, OICF has been in close communication with partners to mobilize resources and coordinate support as federal funding for critical programs
News Brief | Judge rules emergency funds must be used for SNAP benefits
||| FROM NPR.ORG ||| The Agriculture Department must use emergency funds to keep SNAP going. ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY NPR.ORG Resuming payments at some point can still avoid irreparable harm to SNAP recipients. Read full article
Happy Halloween | A treat from Rep. Lekanoff
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| Happy Halloween! As we trade candy corn for committee hearings and pumpkins for policy, I’m reminded that the real magic of this season comes from working
Wind advisory in effect until 10PM
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Seattle WA 934 AM PDT Fri Oct 31 2025 San Juan County-Lowlands of Western Whatcom County-Port Townsend Area-Island County- Including Friday Harbor,
Join the Land Bank Commission, guide conservation in the islands
Looking to Get Involved? ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Land Bank is looking for two engaged community members to fill at-large positions on the Land Bank Commission. The Commission holds regular, monthly
High winds expected to impact ferry service until Saturday afternoon
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| All ferry passengers should be prepared for possible service disruptions starting later today through Saturday afternoon due to high winds. Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes: With stronger
WSF Weekly Update | Boats. Communities. Trust. Halloween. Daylight Savings Time
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve When I think about what Washington State Ferries truly represents, I keep coming back to three simple words: Boats Communities Trust. Our
Update on SNAP and WIC services from the Orcas Island Food Bank
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND FOOD BANK ||| We want to let you know that we’re aware of potential disruptions in federal nutrition programs—specifically the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program—that could temporarily
Join new DCD director and councilmember Paulsen at Orcas land-use meeting
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Throughout the fall, County staff and officials, including the County’s new Director of Community Development, have attended land-use committee meetings. The Lopez meeting occurred on October 28, and
OICC Severe Weather Shelter | Volunteers needed
||| FROM ALICIA WIGFIELD for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| As the colder months approach, the Severe Weather Shelter at Orcas Island Community Church is preparing to open its doors once again — offering a
How do YOU want to plan for sea level rise in San Juan County?
Join Community Workshops this Dec. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| What happens to roads, homes, and the shoreline when the sea rises? San Juan County is kicking off the second round of community
Jury Duty | Check to see if you need to report, Nov. 3-21
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: November 3-21, 2025 For the jury period beginning Monday, November 3rd through Friday, November 21st, jurors in groups 1 through 8 are required to report for jury duty
Federal Shutdown Update | Food access planning underway
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| This week, partner agencies across San Juan County have come together to prepare for the possible stoppage of SNAP food benefits scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. Local
New calf in the Bigg’s population
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 12:40 PM ObservEnd: 01:40 AM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Rachel John Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T36A, T36A1,
Watch ‘The Snake and the Whale’ free through Sunday – and take action
A Must Watch ||| FROM FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| We’re pleased to share a special opportunity from Executive Producer Scott Levy, who has requested that The Snake and the Whale be made available free to view online now
