Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Midnight Mutterings | How circumstance might influence our behavior and ethical choices
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| We are all, I assume, paying attention to the Senate Hearings for the Confirmation of President Trump’s Cabinet. Also, I assume, we are all noting the difference in this year’s hearings as compared to those of President Trump’s choices when he assumed office
Sheriff’s Report | January 15 – 21, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15 25-000246 Prowler 06:56:34 01/15/25 A Lopez Deputy responded to an unfounded complaint of a prowler on a person's property. The caller is nearing 50 unfounded and false complaints to the Sheriff's Office. A report was forwarded to mental health
Resource Center supports mental wellness
||| FROM MEGAN METCALF for ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| As we begin 2025, January—designated as Mental Wellness Month—presents an ideal opportunity to focus on our emotional health. After the holiday season's whirlwind, this natural pause allows us to turn our attention inward. While we often prioritize physical health, nurturing
Getting together to get creative
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| Undoubtedly, this island is full of creatives. Artists and artisans of all kinds, yes, and also so many people who enjoy lifelong learning and getting together to find creative solutions to care for the community. I listened to an
Inspiring Young Minds | Angie Millen’s impact at Orcas Christian School
||| FROM THE STAFF AT ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Angie Millen Angie Millen has been a teacher at Orcas Christian School (OCS) for eight years, working with first through third-grade students. She enjoys teaching younger grades and appreciates the peacefulness, natural beauty, and supportive community that Orcas Island
Global economy could face 50% loss in GDP between 2070 and 2090 from climate shocks, say actuaries
Exclusive: Report by risk experts says previous assessments ignored severe effects of climate crisis ||| FROM THE GUARDIAN ||| The global economy could face 50% loss in gross domestic product (GDP) between 2070 and 2090 from the catastrophic shocks of climate change unless immediate action by political leaders is taken
WSF Weekly Report | Gov. Ferguson cabinet meeting; spring schedule; HS tour
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Last week, I traveled to Olympia to attend Governor Ferguson’s first cabinet meeting. It was a great chance to connect with the governor and his team. I witnessed the genuine care they have for our state, and
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.
SJI Sculpture Park nominated for USA Today’s 10 Best
|||FROM KRISTEN ARNIM for SJI SCULPTURE PARK ||| The San Juan Islands Sculpture Park has been nominated for Best Sculpture Park as part of USA TODAY 10Best’s Readers’ Choice Awards. USA TODAY’s travel experts selected the top 20 sculpture parks in the country, including our very own Sculpture Park! Voting
Climate change, overshoot and the demise of large cities
||| FROM BUILDINGS & CITIES.ORG ||| Cities as fossil-dependent emergent phenomena Modern cities and mega-cities exist because they can. No one planned for a metro London of 15 million people, a Shanghai of 29 million or for Tokyo’s spectacular 41 million — that’s more than the population of Canada, the
Get your Washington state boating education card
||| FROM U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY ||| Bellingham, Wash. – The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Bellingham and San Juan Islands Flotilla offers boaters opportunities to take an online Washington State Basic Boater Education Course. The course is for anyone wishing to learn safe boating skills and qualify for a Boater
Tosca – Met Opera at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Experience the powerful story of Tosca from the Metropolitan Opera – On screen at Orcas Center Tuesday, January 28 at 12pm. Filmed live in HD, these on-screen events offer a diverse sampling of the world’s best performers at the height of their
Purchasing, Selling, Renovating | What’s next for county buildings and facilities?
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Over the last few years, the County has been exploring how to invest in the infrastructure needs of future generations. Aged buildings, dispersed offices, and seismic deficiencies require creative solutions that support County operations and provide for community use. During the 2025 Council
Connect to birds, to nature, and each other this February
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank, in conjunction with San Juan Islands Audubon and Lopez and San Juan Island Libraries, invites nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers and families to join in The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) themed activities this February. The GBBC —
Whale Museum announces workshop on Pacific Northwest Sharks
||| FROM CONOR AGNEW for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| Roses are red, violets are blue, spend Valentine’s Day learning about sharks, and maybe ratfish too! This Valentine’s Day, February 14, The Whale Museum is hosting a virtual workshop on sharks and killer whales. “Love Bites: Sharks in the Pacific Northwest
Supporting California and preparing locally
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| The OPALCO team has been watching the devastation that Southern California is experiencing with the latest bout of wildfires. Our hearts go out to the individuals, families, and businesses that have lost everything in these tragic fires. We are
