Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Holiday Tea coming up at Orcas Library — including a Santa visit
Join us for one of the island’s most enduring holiday traditions. ||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Saturday, December 6th • 1–4pm Orcas Island Public Library The Holiday Tea returns with live music, delicious treats, and warm drinks for all ages. Enjoy the festive atmosphere, reconnect with
News Brief | Lummi Nation declares disaster after invasive crab arrives
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| The appearance of the European green crab is a serious threat to their treaty fishing rights. The crabs threaten hatchery operations, Tribal shellfish harvests and may have larger impacts if the infestation spreads. READ FULL ARTICLE
Midnight Mutterings | Thinking about Japan
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| Almost a half century ago, when I was living in Seattle with my family, the house next door was bought by a Japanese couple who were working at the University of Washington. I never actually met them as they never lived in that
Sheriff’s Report | November 19 – 25, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 25-007965 Domestic Dispute or Assault 08:08:22 11/19/25 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a domestic incident in the Eastsound area. The Deputy learned that it was a verbal argument, and that no crime was committed. The Deputy provided the
Encounter with Bigg’s in Puget Sound
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:45 AM ObservEnd: 02:02 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Monika Wieland Shields, Jason Shields, Rachel John, Amanda Colbert Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T46E, T46F, and T122 LocationDescr: Port Susan and Possession Sound
Guest Opinion | Success in the climate change battle looks like this…
"…Flogging a very dead horse…" ||| FROM DANIEL GOTTLIEB ||| From Yahoo: “…Commodities strategists at Wall Street’s top investment banks expect 2026 and 2027 to be tough years for the oil industry. And that’s after a nearly 20% decline in oil prices this year. Under a base case set by
Home for the Holidays concert with Crow Valley String Band
||| FROM RACHEL BISHOP for CROW VALLEY STRING BAND ||| The Crow Valley String Band with the Litch Brothers Duo invite you to join them and special guests, for their annual Home for the Holidays concert at the Orcas Grange on Friday December 19th and Saturday December 20th at 7pm.
Orcas Island School Board has a vacancy
||| FROM SUZANNA SMITH for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island School District Board of Education is accepting applications for a School Director to fulfill an unexpired term for Position # 5 (At-Large). This position expires on 11/30/2027. To be eligible for appointment, applicants must be registered voters
Latest from Lekanoff | Celebrating native heritage & building a stronger Washington
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| As we enter the final stretch of the year and prepare for the upcoming legislative session, I am reflecting with deep gratitude on the people, partnerships, and shared responsibilities that guide our work. November is Native American Heritage Month — a
LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Council November 25, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| In public access time the Friends of the San Juans regarding the Comp Plan proposed water and sewer rules for farmer worker housing; no vacation rentals on rural resource land; infill be done before expanding the Eastsound Urban Growth Area
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
From giving thanks to giving local
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| As I prepare to gather with family for Thanksgiving, I have profound gratitude for the simple, powerful act of neighbors helping neighbors. On our small island, I've witnessed countless moments of quiet generosity—a ride to a medical appointment, a warm
Holiday Tree Sale at Lum Farm
||| FROM MANDY TROXEL for LUM FARM ||| The Lum Farm Tree Sale is about to begin! Bring your friends and family to pick out a tree, say hello to the critters in the self-guided farm walk, and enjoy some hot apple cider. There will be hundreds of trees in
Friends of Rural Public Transportation comments on SJCs’ Comprehensive Plan transportation element
||| FROM COLIN WILLIAMS ||| Dear Planning Commission Members, I'm Colin Williams from the Deer Harbor hamlet on Orcas Island. I have spent perhaps 20 'adult years' and part of adolescence in the Orcas Island community over a 35 year span. I believe this does give myself a unique and
‘The Share Table’ collaboration cultivates healthy eating, community in San Juan County
The collaboration between San Juan County WSU Extension Master Gardeners, San Juan County Health & Community Services, and the Friday Harbor Food Bank, completed its inaugural season and served hundreds of community members. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| A successful new partnership, "The Share Table," is helping clients
Orcas bands Vexing Left and Wild Child in concert
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas band Vexing Left is lined up for a full concert at Orcas Center. The new multigenerational trio of Vexing Left consists of sax, bass, drums and vocals that play with sparse, simple dynamics between heavy this and jazz that. Improvisational
