Here’s a thought…
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
League of Women Voters urges voters: Know your ballot
||| FROM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| Seattle, WA — New and infrequent voters may find themselves overwhelmed by the array of issues and candidates on their November 5th General Election ballot. The League of Women Voters is here to help. LWV of Washington President Mary Coltrane and Civic
Letter to Editor | O’Day is, hands-down, the better candidate
||| FROM NICHOLAS POWER ||| Given our choices, Stephanie O'Day is the hands-down better candidate to serve on San Juan County Council. As a practicing attorney, I can attest that the County's regulatory appurati -- are in most cases -- entirely dysfunctional. Stephanie knows where these problems lie and
WSF Weekly Report | Recognizing our life-saving heroes; visitors from Tasmania
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve As a seafarer, I’ve participated in several search and rescue operations during my time working aboard ships. There’s an unspoken bond among us; when someone is in distress, we instinctively drop everything to offer our assistance. This
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.
Interactive program guide online for Friday Harbor Film Festival
||| FROM ELLEN ROBERTS for FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| The new 2025 FHFF program guide is now ready for viewing at fhff.org/programguides. Each year they publish a comprehensive 60-page guide that brings you closer to the heart of the festival. FHFF is thrilled to introduce the fully interactive online
Letter to Editor | Justin Paulsen is right leader for SJC future
||| FROM ED ANDREWS ||| I believe that Justin Paulsen is the right person with the right experience to represent us— our friends and neighbors of this little group of islands in the Salish. Governance is fundamentally about caring for people in a way that upholds their rights, promotes their
‘Thank you’ from Woman in the Woods
||| FROM MICHELL ("MITCH") MARSHALL for WOMAN IN THE WOODS ||| Sadly, Woman in the Woods Productions has decided to end our operations, after seven years of bringing first rate artistic productions to the Orcas Island Community. We are very proud of the type of events we have been able
Letter to Editor | SJI Grange says ‘yes’ to Land Bank renewal
||| FROM ROGER ELLISON for SAN JUAN ISLAND GRANGE ||| San Juan Island Grange enthusiastically endorses a yes vote to renew the Land Bank. Starting our own farm has been a dream of the Grange for quite some time, and we are grateful to the Land Bank for helping us
Reminder: Ferry Riders Opinion Group survey still open
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Customers are encouraged to participate in the current Ferry Riders Opinion Group survey to share your thoughts on all things Washington State Ferries. The survey is hosted by the Washington State Transportation Commission to hear feedback and suggestions directly from ferry riders. Those looking
Medicare open enrollment begins October 15
What You Need to Know for 2025 ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Starting October 15, Medicare beneficiaries can select new Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans for 2025. Notices have already been sent by some insurance companies, informing recipients if their plans will not
Letter to Editor | Paulsen perceives the call, and answers
||| FROM THOMAS BRIDGE ||| The story of Community Water Taxi Group (CWT) is intertwined with Justin Paulsen. Simply put, without Justin, CWT would never have happened. The recent success of a $1,500,000 emergency transportation grant from Governor Inslee to the County, would not have happened. On Saturday morning Aug
The Whale Museum’s Virtual Gear Down Workshop for Marine Naturalists
||| FROM TATE THOMSON for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| Register now for The Whale Museum’s Virtual Gear Down Workshop on November 15 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This year’s theme is: All Rivers Lead to Whales. The workshop will be entirely virtual through Zoom. Invited Presenters include: Madison Rose Bristol, Water
Update | Pegi Groundwater being honored
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| The Orcas Senior Center is deeply moved by the outpouring of appreciation for Pegi Groundwater and her many years of dedicated service as the volunteer coordinator for SHIBA. While we would love for everyone to join in celebrating Pegi on Sunday,
Great WA ShakeOut
Test your earthquake preparedness on October 17 ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| While earthquakes in the islands are rare, San Juan County is smack in the middle of some of the highest risk quake country anywhere. Being prepared for the eventual catastrophic earthquake is a
Updates from The Exchange
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING SERVICES/THE EXCHANGE ||| Hazardous Waste Cleanup This Saturday - Oct 12th Don’t miss the Household Hazardous Waste Collection event this Saturday, Oct. 12th from 10am-2pm. We will not be accepting any liquid fuel or paint during this event. Learn more about our Hazardous Waste Collection Events. We
Call for Artisans: Handmade Craft Market
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Visual Arts Committee (VAC) of Orcas Center is excited to host a Handmade Craft Market on November 30 (Small Business Saturday) from 11am-4pm. This market is for handmade goods made by artisans on Orcas Island. Interested in being a vendor? Applications
