Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
WSF Weekly Update | Chimacum crew rescues boater; tribal canoes at Coleman Dock; hiring fair in Tacoma
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Last week, our 11-member Executive Team met for two days to focus on how we can deliver better service for the people who depend on us every day. With six new members and others in new roles
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.
News Brief | NOAA cuts back on West Coast seismic data used for alerts
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ended a contract with the Alaska Earthquake Center that helped maintain some seismic stations and transmit data in real time. Alaska state seismologist and director of the center, Michael West, warned that the termination of this contract, which
Larsen votes No on legislation to drive up health care costs
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Larsen released the following statement after voting no on Republican legislation to drive up health care costs: “This resolution to the government shutdown allows health care costs to skyrocket for 26,000 people I represent and
San Juan County partners with Mill to launch pilot program for home food recycling
New pilot will offer convenient options for households without space or time for traditional composting at home. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is partnering with Mill, a leader in smart home food recycling technology, to help island residents turn everyday kitchen scraps into a compostable
Letter to Editor | Odd Fellows wood raffle fundraiser a success
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ORCAS ISLAND ODD FELLOWS ||| The Odd Fellows annual wood raffle fundraiser was generously supported by our community and will benefit graduating high school students with awards based on community involvement, kindness to others, and other connecting values that the Odd Fellows support. Thank you
County issues Proclamation recognizing veterans and military families month
There are an estimated 2,500 veterans who call the San Juan Islands home. In an effort to take care of those who have taken care of us, San Juan County has established a Veterans Advisory Board and a Veterans Assistance Fund. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During the
Athletic Assistance Fund | Leveling the playing field
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM||| This year more than 20 Orcas Island student-athletes have laced up cleats, tied their running shoes, and hit the field—thanks to the Athletic Assistance Fund. A collaborative effort between the Orcas Community Resource Center and the Booster Club, this fund was created to
OICF to host holiday party to kickoff GiveOrcas campaign
||| FROM KIM WEST ACTKINSON for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) is inviting the community to a Holiday Party at Odd Fellows Hall on Tuesday, December 2 from 4-6pm. The event kicks off the holiday season and the Holiday GiveOrcas community giving campaign. All
EV charging station installed; recycling tips; a way to recycle plastic film
||| FROM PETE MOE for ORCAS RECYCLING/THE EXCHANGE ||| New EV Charging Stations at The Exchange Thanks to a local grant and some hard work by Bruce Benton, we can now offer complimentary EV charging stations to active shoppers at The Exchange. Parking is not reserved for EVs, and cars
Salish Seeds Project in final steps of seed processing
"Cleaning” seed is complete, soon to be packaged and put in cold, dry storage ||| FROM CONSERVATION LAND BANK COMMISSION ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold a regular monthly meeting on November 14, 2025 from 8am – 11am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public
Community Dodgeball is back | Come play with us
||| FROM SUSAN STOLZ for ORCAS ISLAND EDUCATION FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Education Foundation and Orcas Park and Rec invite the whole community to an evening of all-ages Dodgeball at the High School Gym. Friday November 28th from 7 - 9:30ish. Holiday attire STRONGLY encouraged — there will be
‘Here Comes the Sun’ visual art coming to Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center welcomes visual art of all mediums, including painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, and ceramic art, for the community show "Here Comes the Sun." The opening night is on Friday, Nov. 21 from 5:30 to 7
OPALCO member survey coming up
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| OPALCO has been engaging with members this year about our shared energy future and the future of renewables in San Juan County. Regionally and throughout the entire country, industry experts are seeing an increase in demand for energy but
Jurors excused. November 17-21
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: November 17-21, 2025 All Jurors summoned for the jury period beginning Monday, November 17th through Friday, November 21st, are excused. Thank you.
A Community Conversation on Island Transportation
Colin Williams The following letter, originally sent to Island Rides and local transportation officials, raises questions about Orcas Island's transportation future that deserve community-wide discussion. Rather than keeping this conversation limited to government agencies and nonprofits, Friends of Rural Public Transportation has chosen to share these thoughts publicly—inviting all of
