Here’s a thought…
“The belief in the possibility of a short decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of human illusions.”
ROBERT LYND
As the Paradigm Shifts | I did all the right spiritual stuff and still feel like crap: WTF?!
||| AS THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE KUHN ||| When spirituality seems like the consolation prize for not becoming somebody special. Is “becoming spiritual” a consolation prize? Are we settling for less when we give up on the pursuit of being somebody special? For me, like for a lot of
Sheriff’s Report | June 11 – 17, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 25-003522 Suspicious Person/Circumstance 12:05:32 06/11/25 A Friday Harbor middle school employee reported an older woman making comments to the students that seemed inappropriate. After investigating and talking with the woman, it was determined no crime had been committed. 25-003527
Whatcom County announces significant rise in ferry fares to Lummi Island
||| FROM THE BELLINGHAM HERALD ||| Fares for the Lummi Island ferry will be rising sharply because of increased costs, under an order from Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu. In his order, Sidhu said there is not enough money in revenue, reserves and forecast revenue at the current rate to
LWVSJ Observer Corps | Board of Health April 18, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| Three members had excused absences, Geffen, Ruby and Davies. There were no reports for most committees. The North Sound Behavioral Health Organization head Jan Rose will be holding a meeting in the county July 23-25 with state representatives. The county
No jury duty for June 23-27
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JUNE 23-27, 2025 All jurors summonsed for jury duty beginning Monday June 23 through Friday June 27 are excused. Thank you.
Whale Museum announces new junior marine scientist camp for kids
||| FROM CONOR AGNEW for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum is launching a new Junior Marine Scientist Camp for kids! This multi-day camp will take place on August 7, 8, 9 and 10, and will give kids a chance to learn about whales, seals, sea lions, and salmon through
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.
End-of-year reflections and gratitude from OISD superintendent
||| FROM ERIC WEBB for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| As we wrap up the 2024–25 school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable progress we've made together. This year has been filled with growth, creativity, and perseverance. Across every grade level, our students have
Trump is undermining U.S. science. Here’s why that’s dangerous
Science has played a crucial role in making the United States great and powerful. ||| FROM THE WASHINGTON POST ||| The Trump administration’s reckless assaults on U.S. science are endangering the nation. If allowed to continue, they will lead to the destruction of a grand but politically vulnerable edifice that
Actors Theater offering free lights & sound workshop
||| FROM LYNDA SANDERS for ACTORS THEATER OF ORCAS ISLAND ||| Have you noticed how much the sound and lighting in a movie adds to the effect? The same thing happens in our stage plays. If you’ve ever wanted to build and operate the lights and sound for a theater
Iran has been at war with us for 46 years
"America can't do a damn thing against us" ||| FROM FRONT PAGE MAGAZINE ||| “America can’t do a damn thing against us,” Ayatollah Khomeini bragged while holding our hostages. The Carter administration had undermined the Shah’s government in favor of the Islamists who seized power and then prevented the embassy’s
June 19, 1865
||| FROM U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Juneteenth commemorates the moment enslaved people in Texas received word of the Emancipation Proclamation — two years after it was signed. This holiday is an important opportunity to reflect on the legacy of slavery and to recommit to supporting equality and justice for
The ‘3.5% rule’ | How a small minority can change the world
Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts – and those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change. ||| FROM BBC ||| In 1986, millions of Filipinos took to the streets of Manila in peaceful protest and prayer in
How does the new state budget impact San Juan County funding & programs?
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During the June 3 Council meeting, the County’s Lobbyist Josh Weiss, the County Manager Jessica Hudson, and the Deputy County Manager Tillery Williams, provided information about the potential financial impacts of the State’s newly adopted biennium budget. WA State’s new budget, spanning from
Guest Opinion | A muddle of disharmony
||| FROM STEVE ULVI ||| Opinions about potential solutions for our surprisingly gnarly islands issues are often at odds; from bated breath pleas for environmental preservation everywhere, to deep frustrations about continually restrictive development ordinances and the erosion of private property rights. Broad public agreement through comprehensive planning, streamlining processes
Understanding your Medicare Summary Notices
A crucial tool during Fraud Prevention Month ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| As we observe Fraud Prevention Month, there's no better time to highlight one of the most powerful tools Medicare beneficiaries have in the fight against health care fraud: your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN). These statements, which
