Here’s a thought…
“Neither the evil nor the good in our history determines who we are. It is what we do now. If we do not say something ourselves about this horror, we allow ourselves to be changed.”
TIMOTHY SNYDER
Through the Garden Gate, treasures you will find
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| A visit to someone else’s garden brings joy, inspiration and the opportunity to learn. I hope you have the opportunity to visit our garden tour this year. It’s a chance to consider different gardening styles, plant combinations and gain insight from other gardeners. Throughout your wanderings,
Larsen releases statement on World Cup 2026 travel
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Representative Rick Larsen, Co-Chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, released the following statement about the impact of President Trump’s travel ban on World Cup 2026: “I want World Cup 2026 to be a showcase of great soccer, and
Vacation Bible School at Orcas Island Community Church
||| FROM ALICIA WIGFIELD for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| We’re excited for VBS 2025: True North – Trusting Jesus in a Wild World! When: July 7–10, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Where: Orcas Island Community Church Registration forms are available in the Office, foyer, or Family Center. Please return the
Date Updated | Brasil in Motion brings Afro-Brazilian dance and music to Village Green
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center is thrilled to present Brasil in Motion, an award-winning Brazilian arts organization based in Seattle, in a vibrant outdoor performance on the Village Green Sunday, June 22 at 5pm. This free event is part of Orcas Center’s Summer Concert Series,
Justice Department says Trump can cancel national monuments that protect landscapes
||| FROM NPR ||| BILLINGS, Mont. — Lawyers for President Donald Trump's administration say he has the authority to abolish national monuments meant to protect historical and archaeological sites across broad landscapes, including two in California created by his predecessor at the request of Native American tribes. A Justice Department
New Report | Biofuels policy, a mainstay of American agriculture, has been a failure for the climate
||| FROM INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS ||| The American Midwest is home to some of the richest, most productive farmland in the world, enabling its transformation into a vast corn- and soy-producing machine—a conversion spurred largely by decades-long policies that support the production of biofuels. But a new report takes a
No Kings Day on Lopez
||| FROM RHEA MILLER ||| More than 350 people marched on No Kings Day on Lopez, Island, which is about 10% of the island population. It was a joyous, peaceful event sponsored by Indivisible Lopez Island. People were relieved and grateful that so many others had their same concerns about
Campaigners mount coordinated protests across Europe against ‘touristification’
Protesters take to streets in a dozen cities to march against an industry they say is wrecking communities ||| FROM THE GUARDIAN ||| Campaigners in at least a dozen tourist hotspots across southern Europe have taken to the streets to protest against “touristification.” It is the most widespread joint action
Humpback whale bubble rings may be an attempt to communicate with us
||| FROM SCIENCE ALERT ||| Humpback whales caught blowing giant bubble rings underwater may have been attempting some kind of communication with their audience of human onlookers, a new study suggests. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are known for blowing spiral bubble nets to hunt with, but not all bubbles have
Larsen introduces bipartisan ESTUARIES Act to reauthorize EPA’s national estuary program
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02), Shomari C. Figures (AL-02), Brian Mast (FL-21), Mike Haridopolos (FL-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and Nick LaLota (NY-01) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Enhancing Science, Treatment, and Upkeep of America’s Resilient and Important Estuarine Systems (ESTUARIES Act),
Larsen releases statement on today’s peaceful demonstrations against the Trump administration
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| EVERETT, WA. – Today Representative Rick Larsen released the following statement to those demonstrating peacefully against the Trump administration: “Today, people all across Northwest Washington state are gathering to demonstrate peacefully against the excesses and corruption of the Trump administration. “Excesses like the
Washington State ferry sways back and forth in large wake from Navy ship
||| FROM KOMO-TV SEATTLE ||| EDMONDS, Wash. — A Washington State ferry appeared to rock back and forth significantly in a video captured during a voyage in Edmonds Tuesday. ;Washington State Ferries (WSF) confirmed the incident to KOMO News after speaking to the captain. The major swell came from a
Midnight Mutterings | Breaking up?
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| Looks like Donny and Elon are having some serious differences. Five months ago you couldn’t see a streak of light between them. At least I couldn’t, even if they are (?were) The Odd Couple. Each brought something essential to the relationship, and for
Sheriff’s Report | June 4 – 10, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4 25-003338 Theft 10:18:02 06/04/25 A Friday Harbor resident reported his mail being taken. This is an ongoing issue and a report was made. 25-003356 Suspicious Person/Circumstance 22:36:36 06/04/25 San Juan Island Deputies observed suspicious activity at the Friday Harbor
Focus on the good stuff
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The school year is coming to a close, marking a shift in seasons and exciting transitions ahead. On behalf of the OICF Board of Trustees, I’d like to congratulate the Orcas Island graduating Class of 2025! It's been quite remarkable
Larsen releases statement on Israel striking Iran
|||. FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen released the following statement: "The recent targeted Israeli attack on Iran was not indiscriminate or random. Israel has a right to self-defense and, with Trump administration's faltering efforts at negotiations with Iran, the country
