Here’s a thought…
“We are so vain that we even care for the opinion of those we don’t care for.”
MARIE VON EBNER-ESCHENBACH
News Brief | About those Spokane wildfires on Monday
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| Three wildfires are burning the edges of Spokane, the second-largest city in Washington, after they surged over the weekend. Hundreds of structures have been damaged and tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes. All three of the wildfires — the Old
Larsen joins entire WA delegation in requesting expedited emergency declaration for devastating wildfires in Spokane
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson’s request last night for an expedited Emergency Declaration for the devastating wildfires sweeping through
Oregon singer/songwriter Alice Di Micele in concert Odd Fellows Hall
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ORCAS ODD FELLOWS ||| Oregon singer/songwriter Alice Di Micele Concert brings her soulful blend of earthiness and groove to Orcas Island at the Odd Fellows Hall on Friday, August 7 at 7:00pm. Praised by Bonnie Raitt for her “earthiness & groove,” DiMicele delivers music that is heartfelt, funky, and
Scam Alert! Fake emails seeking payment for permit fees
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Over the last several weeks, the San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD) has received reports of scammers sending fake invoices with San Juan County logos, specifically impersonating DCD and the County’s Hearing Examiner. Some of these scams are very sophisticated, using
Town Council in special meeting August 6
||| FROM JENNIFER KREMBS for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council and the Planning Commission will hold a joint special meeting after the regular business meeting on August 6, 2026, to participate in an AWC/RMSA mandatory training for elected and appointed officials regarding
15th Annual Orcas Artist Studio Tour this coming weekend
||| FROM ZOE OSENBACH for ORCAS ARTIST STUDIO TOUR ||| Explore beautiful Orcas Island on a 3-day studio tour with 35 island artists! August 7 through 9, 11am – 5pm. Follow the signs for a unique glimpse into the vibrant artist community on our beautiful island. This free, self-guided tour
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council regular meeting July 28, 2026
||| FROM BARBARA SHARP for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| Council approved a letter to the community regarding recent hate speech and another to Governor Ferguson regarding increased risk of shipping accidents and spills from new oil transportation projects, with copies to be sent to other concerned parties. Council held
Orcas Island Artworks features new photography by Robert Dash
||| FROM B.J. ARNOLD for ORCAS ISLAND ARTWORKS ||| Robert Dash's new work explores lives beneath the Salish Sea. He'll showcase his underwater imagery of Salish Sea marine life. Dash’s work celebrates art and science, showing natural patterns and textures while exploring themes of conservation and biodiversity. His work has
I’m Not the Church Lady | Becoming available
Why do I assume I haven't been heard when I may be the one not listening? ||| I'M NOT THE CHURCH LADY from ROSIE KUHN ||| "I wish my guides would talk to me." "They do." "No they don't." "How do you know?" "Because they're not telling me what I
Library’s exhibiting artist for the month of August is Ayn Gailey
||| FROM ANDREA COHAN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| This collection of Ayn’s work, entitled Roots and Remembrance, explores grief not as separation, but as an enduring bond. Layering heirloom photographs of the artist’s mother in Taiwan with contemporary photographs of the family and landscapes she left behind, the works
Building community and connection
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| On Wednesday evening, as the sun set over Turtleback and the full moon rose over Mount Constitution, dozens of community members gathered in support of the Pea Patch Community Campus. We shared stories and cheese served atop a canoe, sang
Larsen seeks answers at Ferndale ICE facility
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “The President’s cruel immigration agenda has angered many of my constituents and struck fear in families around the region. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has been at the top
Voters urged to use ballot drop boxes as mail postmark delays put ballots at risk
||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN CAMPAIGN FOR SJC COUNCIL ||| With the August 4th primary just days away, Katherine Bryant Ingman's campaign is urging San Juan County voters who haven't yet returned their ballots to use an official ballot drop box rather than the mail. Recent changes in how USPS processes mail
Council to resume 2027 budget and organization discussions at August 3 meeting
Council will continue its 2027 budget discussions while focusing on potential revenue options and organizational restructuring to help erase a $4 million budget gap. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is preparing for one of its toughest budget years in recent memory. Rising costs, capped property
OPALCO hosts leadership chats
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| In July the OPALCO leadership team hosted an open house with co-op members. About 20 islanders gathered with some of the OPALCO board and leadership team to discuss a wide variety of topics. Members had thoughtful comments on OPALCO
WSF Weekly Report | Recovering from busy weekend; Navy band on board; paddleboarder rescue
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve You may have noticed an increase in crew-related sailing cancellations over the past few weeks after a relatively long period of improved stability. I know how frustrating these disruptions can be, especially during the busy summer travel
