Here’s a thought…
“No one, I mean no one, has the right to sit in judgment of who’s American enough.”
MICHELLE OBAMA
OPALCO to host community meetings
OPALCO is planning now for what our energy future will be like in the next 25 years. OPALCO wants co-op members to get involved! ||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| OPALCO is hosting a series of community meetings about renewable energy and our shared energy future.
WSF Weekly Report | Labor Day; sea level rise; new director of marine operations
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from John As we head into Labor Day weekend, I thank our employees for their hard work and dedication. There’s a lot of pressure to keep our customers moving during our busiest stretch of the year. Their commitment to service, showing up
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.
Let’s grow something new together
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Community Foundation is embarking on an exciting strategic planning process to guide our work over the coming years, and we need your input to make it meaningful and impactful for our entire community. As neighbors, business owners,
San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Orcas Island project updates
The Land Bank is preparing to implement projects at Judd Cove and Turtleback Mountain Preserves during the month of September. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The grant-funded Judd Cove Shoreline Restoration Project is scheduled to begin September 4th and will require closure of the shoreline portion of the
County & agency partners work to develop tools to manage human/wildlife interactions
The County will work with stakeholders to define common messaging, identify strategies to manage wildlife/human interactions, and educate the public. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| In an effort to manage interactions between island wildlife and the public, the County is hosting a series of community conversations. Pulling together
County Council passes on purchase of Decatur Island property
The Council found that the property is not suitable for the County’s intended use and moved to terminate the Purchase and Sale Agreement under its contingency provisions. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During this week’s meeting, the County Council discussed the potential purchase of a Decatur Island property
Orcas Island Community Band | A history of community
||| FROM KAREN KEY for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY BAND ||| The Orcas Island Community Band (OICB) is a 501c3 non-profit all-volunteer organization comprised of approximately thirty Orcas Island and occasionally neighboring-island men and women dedicated to making a unique musical and cultural contribution to our community. Membership in the OICB
Orcas Center Audition Notice | Grease
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| It’s not just the word, it’s happening! That’s right, Grease is rolling into Orcas Center this spring! Join an excited, fun, and dedicated cast in revving up this classic musical in 2026! Auditions are open to all performers ages 18 and up,
Jurors for 9/2 – 9/12 are excused. Jurors for 9/8 – 9/12 need to call in
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: SEPTEMBER 2-12, 2025 All jurors summonsed for jury duty beginning September 2 through Friday September 12, are excused. Jurors summonsed for the week of September 8-12 must call or check the website beginning the afternoon of Thursday September 4th to
News Brief | Parasite discovered in Yukon River salmon
||| FROM SCIENCE ADVISOR ||| "As salmon in Alaska plummet, scientists home in on a killer" Originally reported by Science Advisor Chinook in the Yukon River appear to be particularly vulnerable to a common parasite—and warming waters may be abetting the infection Read the full article
Music of Woody Guthrie coming to Odd Fellows Hall
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ODD FELLOWS ||| Woody Guthrie in the Pacific Northwest: That Ribbon of Highway Sunday, August 31 2:00 Odd Fellows Hall Folksinger and activist Woody Guthrie composed 26 songs in 30 days while riding along the Columbia River and touring the Grand Coulee Dam Project in
County seeks provider to administer Opioid Addiction Recovery Supports Program
Providers with relevant experience are invited to submit responses by October 6, 2025 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Department of Health & Community Services invites agencies or organizations to review our Request for Proposal to administer the Opioid Addiction Recovery Supports (OARS) program. All RFP
Flotsam & Jetsam | Of beavers and bears, OH MY!
||| FLOTSAM & JETSAM by MAURICE AUSTIN ||| Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that
News Brief | Can AI teach us to speak ‘whale?’
||| FROM BUSINESS INSIDER ||| "Scientists are closer than ever to deciphering the secret language of sperm whales. AI could be the key." Originally reported by Business Insider Whales are highly intelligent, social creatures, so it makes sense that their songs and clicks are probably more than just random sounds.
Learn how to develop a sustainable small farm
||| FROM REBECCA MOORE for SAN JUAN COUNTY EXTENSION ||| Interested in farming? Not sure how to begin? Do you dream of beginning or expanding your own small farm? The Cultivating Success™ series of courses combines workshop and farmer-direct learning experiences to help foster the success of new and existing
