Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Get ready for the return of Actors Theater PlayFest!
||| FROM LYNDA SANDERS for ACTORS THEATER OF ORCAS ISLAND ||| After a hiatus, PlayFest is back! Join us for an exciting showcase of original 10-minute plays written, directed, and performed by Orcas Island's very own community members—both seasoned performers and newcomers alike! What’s Happening? Experience a collection of diverse,
Commerce rescinds funding for tidal energy project after tribal objections
Decision to rescind funding respects sovereignty of tribal nations ||| FROM WASHINGTON DEPT. OF COMMERCE ||| OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce has withdrawn funding for a proposed tidal energy research project in response to concerns from multiple tribal nations whose treaty-protected waterways would be affected by
Gardening at the Orcas Christian School to make way for spring planting
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| We're looking for a few enthusiastic volunteers on next Monday, April 7th at 10:00 am to help out a local school garden. We need just one hour of your time to prepare the beds so the students, ages 4 through high school, can proceed
Midnight Mutterings | April 5, 2025
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| When you read this, what happened across the country on April 5, 2025, will already have happened or is, at least, in progress. I am muttering at midnight just before the beginning of April 5, 2025. Molly the Cat is asleep at the
New summer schedule for Anacortes/San Juan Islands Route
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| We’ll begin a new summer schedule for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route on June 15, following a collaborative schedule update process with the community. This is the third new schedule for the route after successfully implementing new winter and spring sailing schedules earlier this
Sheriff’s Report | March 26 – April 1, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 25-001645 Fraud 10:44:36 03/26/25 Orcas Island Deputies contacted a person reporting fraud. Deputies took the report and found the matter to be civil in nature. 25-001646 Theft 13:14:33 03/26/25 A Lopez resident reported the theft of packages from their
Guest Opinion | Death by 1000 cuts
||| FROM BOB THOMAS ||| I am the “against” advocate. My intent has been to bring up points that may not have been covered or add to those that have and encourage islanders to investigate for themselves. Over the past three or so weeks I have attended a number of
WA Reps. send open letter to ICE Director, DHS Secretary re: raid in Bellingham
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), along with Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06), Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) and Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08) have sent the following letter to
Why the big freak out over tariffs?
||| FROM SUBSTACK ||| President Trump insists that stiff tariffs on products from other countries will help U.S. manufacturers, despite the risk of higher prices for consumers and even a recession. Of far less interest in the news media is that increased domestic manufacturing and related activities, such as mining,
Letter to Editor | Question on Health Care initiative
||| FROM JOHN ERLY ||| You must have received your Voting Ballot today. It made me go to the County Assessor page and see what I am paying to support the "Island Health Care District", about .41 cents per thousand. The problem is the assessor says we are a "Hospital
Latest from Lekanoff | Approaching sine die; Heal One WA; Restoring salmon
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| In March, we said goodbye to a giant—a leader whose heart beat for the people of Washington. Speaker Frank Chopp was more than a legislator; he was a force of nature, a warrior for justice, and a man whose footsteps will
Papademetriou is Artworks featured artist for April.
||| FROM BJ ARNOLD for ORCAS ARTWORKS ||| We are pleased to announce that the Artworks Featured Artist for April is Maria Papademetriou. Her exhibition is entitled, "Little Miracles" and will display many intricate iconographic mixed media pieces as well as her noteworthy collage work. The gallery is open from
Kindergarten registration open for 2025-26 school year
||| FROM SUZANNA SMITH for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| Orcas Island Elementary School Kindergarten Registration is open for the 2025-26 School Year! Use this QR code to register: OR GO TO: https://www.q.wa-k12.net/orcasSTS/NewStudentEnrollment/NewGuardianLoginRequest ________________________________________________________________________ Escuela Primeria De La Isla De Orcas La Inscripción Para El Jardín de Niños está
Upcoming Salish Sea Early Music Festival postponed
||| FROM JEFFREY COHAN for SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| Ukrainian harpsichordist Olena Zhukova's visit has been postponed due to extended processing time and uncertainty regarding her visa. We'll be very excited to reschedule, hopefully in June, as soon as we receive approval from USCIS. We'll keep you posted!
WSF Weekly Report | Crew rescues person overboard; Summer reservations; Distracted driver awareness
|||FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve I had a great opportunity to connect with the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society recently, an outstanding organization focused on preserving our region’s rich maritime history and supporting youth maritime training. It was a pleasure to share my
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.
