Here’s a thought…
“We are not an endangered species ourselves yet, but this is not for lack of trying.”
DOUGLAS ADAMS
Larsen releases statement on government funding package
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2026 funding package before the House of Representatives: “These bills provide full-year funding for jobs, education, health care and national security priorities along with
Guest Speaker | The Constitution, the Supreme Court and the Executive Branch
Where are we today? ||| FROM INDIVISIBLE SAN JUAN ISLANDS ||| Indivisible San Juan Islands (ISJI) is pleased to announce our upcoming Guest Speaker, Garrett Epps. Professor Epps, a nationally renowned Constitutional scholar, law professor, podcaster, and journalist, formerly with The Atlantic and now with the Washington Monthly, will provide
Mid-Sale Reminder | SJC Master Gardeners native plant sale still open for online orders
Orders placed online will be available for pickup on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at convenient locations on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Master Gardeners remind island residents that the 2026 Native Plant Sale is in full swing, with
Join us for the first ever Floating Valentine’s Ukulele Jam
Thursday, February 12 ||| FROM ANITA ORNE for FLOATING UKULELE JAM ||| Bring your uke, your voice, your loved ones, friends, and relations and maybe a love song or two to share (or just come enjoy the ride). And let’s wear red! It will be lovely. Boat departs Friday Harbor
Noxious Weeds | Does winter mean ‘time for a break’ or is it an opportunity?
Use this winter to get ahead of your weeds before the growing season hits. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| While winter conditions slow plant growth and may encourage us to stay indoors, this might be the best season to get on top of your noxious weeds. Consider the
Unscripted and Unleashed | Improv with Brian James O’Connell
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Improv isn’t just for the stage, it’s for every facet of your artistic life! Join Brian James O’Connell — actor, writer, director, producer, and creator of the ALL IMPROV guidebook and curriculum — as he guides you through a three-day workshop
Jennifer Swanson announces County Council candidacy
||| FROM THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT JENNIFER SWANSON ||| Jennifer Swanson is excited to announce her candidacy for the San Juan County Council, District 3. A longtime resident of Shaw Island, Jennifer lives in District 3 with her husband and is the mother of two college-aged children. Public service has
Guest Opinion | OPALCO and the double entendre
||| FROM RIKKI SWIN ||| I'd like to respond to the OPALCO criticism of my column regarding our high rates: Quoting OPALCO: " Krista from OPALCO here. This article is so rife with misinformation it’s hard to know where to start. You can disagree with OPALCO and some of our methodology,
Library display | See what Dave Kosiur has snapped around Orcas
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Photographer Dave Kosiur’s work will be on display at the Orcas Island Library during the month of February. Dave’s exhibit, entitled The Little Things, is a departure from his usual landscape photography. In this work, he has focused, with a touch
Salish Sea Early Music returns in concert
||| FROM JEFFREY COHAN FOR SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| Very special guests Ukrainian Olena Zhukova, coming directly from Kyiv. Canadian viola da gambist Susie Napper, and Canadian player of pardessus de viole Mélisande Corriveau, both coming from Montreal, will join baroque flutist Jeffrey Cohan in presenting France and
Two art exhibit openings in February at Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center’s Visual Arts Committee (VAC) presents two shows that will open on Friday, Feb. 13, and be on display through March 18. All are invited to a reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to meet the artists, mingle and enjoy
Look at what’s coming up at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Experience the Joy of Drumming Discover the joy of drumming with the Spirit of Drumming Group at Orcas Senior Center Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.! This beginner-friendly group focuses on exploring the elements of drumming. There’s no cost to participate—just bring a
Join the Ferry Riders Opinion Group
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| The Washington State Transportation Commission is inviting ferry riders and the public to join the Ferry Riders’ Opinion Group, or FROG. This group gives you a chance to share your ferry experiences and provide feedback that directly helps shape our service, operations, and fares. The commission uses
CWR | A sunny encounter with Bigg’s
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:50 AM ObservEnd: 11:30 AM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Katie Jones Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T34A, T34A2, T34B, T37, T37B, T37B1, and T37B3 LocationDescr: Satellite Channel EncSummary: After receiving a report of a large
Letter to Editor | Renewable energy done right
Powering our future without sacrificing our lands ||| FROM EVA SCHULTE for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| The Town of Friday Harbor approved an important proposal from the Port of Friday Harbor last week for a Marina Solar Parking Canopy project, which has the dual benefit of soaking up
In Memoriam | David Schmillen, 1947-2025
||| FROM INGRID MATTSON ||| David Schmillen, born September 14, 1947, passed away December 29, 2025. He was a member of our Orcas Island community beginning in the early 1970s and was always a character, literally. In 1971 he performed in the Orcas Players Man Who Came to Dinner and
