Here’s a thought…
“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”
THOMAS PYNCHON
Leadership San Juan Islands celebrates graduation of Cohort XVII
April 24, 2026 | San Juan Islands, WA ||| FROM GRETCHEN KRAMPF for LEADERSHIP SAN JUAN ISLANDS ||| Leadership San Juan Islands proudly announces the graduation of Cohort XVII on April 24, 2026, marking another milestone in its mission to cultivate informed, connected, and engaged leaders across the islands. We
Permitting with the County | How to use the SmartGov System
Using the online SmartGov portal, you can apply for, renew, and view the status of permits, as well as schedule inspections and make secure payments ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Department of Community Development (DCD) processes permits for building and land use projects, residential and
At Artworks | Rugs series brings textile traditions into focus
||| FROM B.J. ARNOLD for THE ARTWORKS ||| The Rugs series marks a natural evolution from Avi’s earlier Luli paintings, where patterned textiles first appeared as a backdrop. Now, the rugs themselves take center stage—rendered as 30-inch square paintings that invite close attention and reflection. Rooted in personal history, the
Maddy Sonshine designs dance for choral concert, senior project
||| FROM LYNN BAKER for ORCAS CHORAL SOCIETY ||| Where do dance, high school, and choral music come together? Orcas Island! This spring’s Orcas Choral Society concert will be enhanced by Maddy Sonshine, Orcas Island High School senior. Every Orcas Island High School senior does a senior project. For hers,
No jurors needed April 13-17
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: APRIL 13-17, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday April 13th through Friday April 17th, 2026, are excused.
Earthrise | The Strait of Hormuz and San Juan County’s Energy Moment
Stopping the burn is a marathon, not a sprint ||| EARTHRISE BY JAY KIMBALL ||| As war rages in the Strait of Hormuz, one wonders if we are watching an important nail in the coffin of our collective global oil addiction. March record heat waves throughout the west and an
Larsen condemns Trump’s unhinged and violent comments
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Democratic Leadership in the following statement: “Donald Trump is completely unhinged. His statement threatening to eradicate an entire civilization shocks the conscience and requires a
OPAL Community Land Trust annual meeting coming up April 23
Guest Speaker: Raymond Faber on modular building ||| FROM QASIM ALI DINO for OPAL COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ||| OPAL Community Land Trust warmly invites all community members to attend its 2026 Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 23, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at Emmanuel Episcopal Parish Hall. Light refreshments will
The Arrogant Ape: A Review
"What if cooperation were the means by which evolutionary 'success' was measured and achieved, or qualities like longevity, resilience, and the ability to sustain thriving interspecies communities?" ||| A BOOK REVIEW by ELISABETH ROBSON ||| One of the implicit assumptions embedded in modern culture is that humans are the most
The Moat and the Ferry Run | Imagining public transit for Orcas Island
||| FROM COLIN WILLIAMS ||| Framing Transportation We face real environmental challenges, and transportation is a contributing factor towards the issues we face here on our islands. Transportation can also be a barrier to equity. I believe one of the best ways to address both our environmental issues and equity
Harry Smith presentation at Odd Fellows Hall
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ODD FELLOWS HALL ||| A presentation about Harry Smith by Bret Lunsford and Phil Elverum will take place at the Odd Fellows Hall on Wednesday, April 8 at the Odd Fellows Hall at 7:00. Harry Smith was an artist, filmmaker, mystic, and collector who was an important
Discover Yellow Island with Orcas Garden Club
||| FROM ORCAS GARDEN CLUB ||| REGISTER TODAY Orcas Island Garden Club P.O. Box 452 Eastsound, WA 98245 oigc376@gmail.com www.orcasislandgardenclub.org Orcas Island Garden Club | P. O. Box 452 | Eastsound, WA 98245 US
San Juan County brings mobile passport services to Lopez Island on April 22
Appointments are recommended, so make yours today by calling: 360-378-2163 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| As a convenience to the Lopez Island community, the San Juan County Clerk’s Office is hosting a “Passport Day” to accept passport applications. Join County staff at the Lopez Island Library on Wednesday,
News Brief | Gray whale, seen 20 miles inland, dies in WA’s Willapa River
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| A young gray whale that amazed and confounded onlookers for days this week after winding up 20 miles inland in a Southwest Washington river has died. The whale first appeared in the North Fork of the Willapa River on April 1. Although whales occasionally
Letter to Editor | The pandemic is not following a script
||| FROM ELISABETH ROBSON ||| One of the most dangerous ideas shaping our response to COVID is also one of the oldest in philosophy. The philosopher Karl Popper called it historicism: the belief that history unfolds according to predictable patterns. It is a comforting idea. If history follows a script,
Letter to Editor | Passing San Juan County’s levy lid lift is critical to aging well in the islands
||| FROM JAMI MITCHELL ||| Please understand that I am writing this letter as a private citizen, not as part of my work or in any way affiliated with my employer. It is important to me to personally express my strong support for the upcoming San Juan County general fund
