Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Join in ‘Food for Thought’ Salon
||| FROM GRETCHEN KRAMPF for FOOD FOR THOUGHT ||| "Food for Thought" brings islanders together for a Salon experience. A Salon is a gathering of friends and friends of friends. Mostly, a Salon is good times with humans coming together for conversation and to eat, drink, talk and listen. Salons
Beached bird training session
||| FROM COASTAL OBSERVATION AND SEABIRD SURVEY TEAM ||| Join the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST), and make a difference for the environment! COASST participants collect monthly data on beached carcasses of marine birds to establish the pattern of bird mortality on North Pacific beaches. Data collected helps
WSF Weekly Update | Steve’s been here a year; focus on ferry fares; caught in the headlights
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve This week marks a year since I took over as head of Washington State Ferries – the honor of my professional career. If I had to sum up how I feel in just one word it would
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.
Letter to Editor | Chad Kimple offered Fire Chief position
||| FROM TONI KNUDSON ||| It was decided and announced at a Special Meeting for the Board of Fire Commissioners on March 12, 2025, that Acting Fire Chief Chad Kimple has been offered the position of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Fire Chief. For me, this is exciting news and
Rent stabilization passes House; Senate hearing coming up
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. ALEX RAMEL ||| The urgency for rent stabilization in Washington State cannot be overstated. Skyrocketing rents continue to inflict a devastating impact on our communities, forcing many to make impossible choices between essential needs like food, healthcare, and maintaining stable housing. You’ve been generous
No jury duty March 17 – 21
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: MARCH 17-21, 2025 For the jury period beginning Monday, March 17th through Friday March 21st, all jurors are excused.
2025 ADU lottery application cycle opens April 1 – May 15
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Between April 1 and May 15, San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD) will be accepting Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Lottery applications for detached ADU permits proposed outside of urban growth areas and activity centers. ADU lottery applications for determining eligibility must
Council will meet on Lopez March 25
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Council will hold its regularly scheduled March 25 meeting on Lopez Island. The public is invited to join the three councilmembers and County staff at the meeting at the Lopez Center for the Community beginning at 10:00am. What: San Juan
San Juan County Point in Time unhoused count results
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The 2025 San Juan County “Point-In Time” (PIT) Unhoused Count identified 69 unhoused people who have no stable place to live. This is up from the 59 unhouse people identified in 2024. The Washington State mandated count was conducted on Jan. 30, 2025,
Deer Harbor Charters expands to Brandt’s Landing Marina
||| FROM DEER HARBOR CHARTERS ||| Deer Harbor Charters has expanded their operations on Orcas Island, Wash. to include a new location at Brandt’s Landing Marina in Eastsound at Northbeach in addition to their existing location in Deer Harbor Marina. Since 1988, the locally owned company has offered whale watching,
Guest Opinion | Health Care District temporary levy lid lift — A financial perspective
||| FROM TREY HOLLAND ||| Prior to 2018, it was difficult, if not impossible, to operate a profitable medical office on Orcas Island because of the high percentage of Medicare and Medicaid patients and the low reimbursement rates paid to healthcare providers who treated those patients. Orcas Island Health Care
Rep. Lekanoff to sponsor 2025 Pea Patch capital request town hall
||| FROM SUZANNE OLSON for PEA PATCH COMMUNITY CAMPUS ||| Representative Debra Lekanoff will be on Orcas Island on Saturday, March 15 th from 5:00 – 6:00 pm at the Eastsound Fire Hall to discuss the 2025 legislative session and answer questions. “The 2025 legislative session has presented significant challenges,
Orcas Island churches invite community to Lenten prayer and soup dinners
||| FROM CAROL KULMINSKI for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| As Lent begins—a season of reflection and preparation leading up to Easter—churches around Orcas Island are coming together for evenings of prayer, fellowship, and soup dinners. Beginning next week, all are invited to gather for a time of prayer at
Reminder: Cultural Access Program sales tax effective April 1, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Treasurer’s Office is providing a reminder to the public and local businesses of an upcoming increase to sales tax in San Jaun County. A 1/10th of 1% sales tax will be enacted on April 1, 2025, to support a new Cultural
Contra Dance coming to Odd Fellows
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ODD FELLOWS HALL ||| There will be a Contra Dance on Saturday, March 15 at the Odd Fellows Hall from 7-9pm. Caller, Sherry Nevins and the Electrodes, will walk through each dance. All ages and all skill levels are welcome to wear their best twirling
