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
A ferry sunny May Day protest in Friday Harbor
||| FROM STEVE BERNHEIM ||| Last Thursday, May Day May 1, five Orcas Island neighbors boarded the 12:50 pm interisland ferry bound for Friday Harbor, intending to test two hypotheses: 1) whether islanders protesting acts of a deranged lunatic can use the ferries to gather in one place and 2)
‘Worlds of Color” art show at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Visit Orcas Senior Center, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, May 5 through the end of June, to experience Worlds of Color—a vibrant two-person art exhibition featuring local artists Susan Slapin and Gail Anderson-Toombs. Gail, a self-taught
New EMTs at Orcas Fire and Rescue
||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS FIRE & RESCUE ||| Twelve community members (11 from Orcas and 1 from San Juan) have just completed the 2025 OIFR EMT Academy! After three months, including weekday and weekend training, the recruits are now in the process of taking their National Registry exams
Sheriff’s Report | April 23 – 29, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23 25-002277 Vagrancy 13:22:35 04/23/25 Orcas Island Deputies responded to a report of illegal camping. Deputies found two vehicles that appeared to be setting up camp. The individuals were informed that camping was not permitted in the area. One driver
Hawaiʻi Legislature takes historic step toward a visitor ‘green fee’
If passed, the first-of-its-kind fee would raise millions of dollars annually to protect the state’s natural resources and make it more resilient to climate change. ||| FROM HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT ||| In a major win for conservationists, Hawaiʻi is poised after years of debate to finally approve a so-called “green
Midnight Mutterings | Pink smoke
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| Almost two weeks ago, on April 21, 2025, Pope Francis died. I have been touched by his life since he was elected by the Papal Conclave in 2015, after his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI resigned in ill health. Why am I so interested
An evening exploring environmental stewardship
||| FROM ELISE COPE for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| Friends of the San Juans and Salish Current are proud to co-host a special evening with journalist and author Lynda V. Mapes to celebrate her latest book, The Trees Are Speaking. Tuesday, May 13 5:00–7:00 PM (Doors open at
San Juan Islanders gather at each ferry terminal for May Day, International Workers’ Day
||| FROM INDIVISIBLE SAN JUAN ISLAND TEAM ||| On May 1st, Indivisible San Juan Islands, organized an event where islanders from each of the islands organized at their ferry terminals. The local group organized in sync with nationwide movements for International Workers’ Day, a public holiday in most countries. The aim was
The Artworks featured artist for May
BJ Arnold presents her newest series 'Spring Abstraction' ||| FROM BJ ARNOLD for THE ARTWORKS ||| I love the energy and promise of spring. Every spring I am inspired to attempt to capture the emerging awaking of nature surrounding me. I am, once again, enticed to sketch the budding plants
Farewell, But Not Goodbye | Open house celebration for Dimitri Stankevich
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Dimitri Stankevich The Orcas Center Board of Trustees is hosting a special farewell Open House to honor Executive Director, Dimitri Stankevich, who is stepping down after six years of dedicated service to Orcas Center. Community members, supporters, artists, and
Conservation Land Bank opening Watmough Head trail on Lopez
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Saturday, May 3, join commissioners and staff from the Land Bank and Bureau of Land Management as we celebrate opening the new trail from Watmough Bay to Watmough Head. The ¾ mile hike to the point at Watmough Head is rich with scenic
WSF Weekly Report | Online community meetings; fare setting process; boating season opens
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Seeing my colleagues in action every day reminds me that the strength of our ferry system lies in the people who make it work. Their skill, commitment and teamwork are what keep us moving forward and delivering
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.
Guest Opinion | Reflections of a new American on the state of our government
||| FROM PAUL KING ||| As a recent U.S. citizen, my journey to citizenship was marked by hope, aspiration, and a deep admiration for the principles this country was built upon. America, for me, has always been synonymous with opportunity, freedom, and democratic ideals—the notion that each of us has
Help make history for Orcas track & field
A Senior Project by Forest Frausto — Supporting generations of Viking athletes ||| FROM FOREST FRAUSTO ||| In 2020 the school track was installed and in 2022 I helped start Orcas Island’s first track and field team. Helping start this team, seeing it flourish, and watching my classmates run track
Getting ready for Medicare
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Is 2025 your year for joining Medicare? Medicare enrollment is not automatic for most people, so you’ll probably need to enroll with Social Security. Then you’ll have to decide what type of Medicare coverage you want. To make an informed decision
