Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
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.
Community Church opens severe weather shelter for the season
||| FROM CAROL KULMINSKI for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| Orcas Island Community Church (OICC) announces the opening of the Severe Weather Shelter, providing essential support for those in need during the coldest months of the year. The shelter will operate from November 15 through March 15 and will be
Learn about island history as a Cemetery Commissioner
||| FROM LEITH TEMPLIN for SJC CEMETERY DISTRICT #3 Do you like to learn about Island History? Maybe you would like to be considered to be a SJC Cemetery Dist #3 Commissioner. There are three commissioners that oversee the Mt. Baker and Woodlawn Cemeteries on Orcas. We meet once a
Estate Planning workshop
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join Phil George from Safe Harbor Legal Solutions on Wednesday, November 20 at 1 pm at Orcas Senior Center for a comprehensive discussion on achieving four critical objectives when estate planning: Avoid running out of money due to uncovered long-term care
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council November 12, 2024
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| Department heads introduced new staff members: a courthouse facilitator who will help people navigate legal processes and three recent additions to the Assessor’s Office. During public access, five residents spoke in support of the Cultural Access Initiative. Two residents spoke in
Voters give a big Yes on Land Bank renewal
||| FROM CHRISTA CAMPBELL and SANDI FRIEL for RENEW OUR LAND BANK COMMITTEE ||| In a huge win for protecting San Juan County’s critical resources and the public’s access to natural areas, County residents voted overwhelmingly, by a two-to-one margin, to continue supporting our Conservation Land Bank program through 2038.
Welcome to Medicare
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Is 2025 your year for joining Medicare? Medicare enrollment is not automatic for most people, so you’ll probably need to enroll with Social Security. Then you’ll have to decide what type of Medicare coverage you want. To make an informed decision
Flocking Swans Holiday Mercantile: Makers, artists, foodies, community flock to Turtlehead Farm
Beloved holiday mercantile experience, Flocking Swans, lands December 7 and 8 at historic Turtlehead Farm ||| FROM FLOCKING SWANS ||| From the creators of Solstice Mercantile, welcome FLOCKING SWANS; a truly unique holiday market experience back for a compelling fourth year! Now with a new name and a new location -
A heartfelt thank you | Embracing community and unity
||| FROM JUSTIN PAULSEN, SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL-PERSON ELECT ||| In light of the recent update of ballot returns from the San Juan County Elections Office, I am deeply honored to be able to officially step forward as Councilperson-elect for San Juan County, District 2. I am truly grateful for
Community Dodgeball – IT’S BACK!!
||| FROM SUSAN STOLZ for EDUCATION FOUNDATION and PARK & REC ||| 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 29th from 7 - 9:30ish. Holiday attire STRONGLY encouraged —
2024 assessment change of value notices mailed
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Assessor’s Office mailed the 2024 Change of Value Notices on November 12, 2024. Changes reflect market sales between January 1, 2023 and April 30, 2024 with an assessment date of January 1, 2024. Properties with new construction are valued
County seeks consultant to update critical areas ordinance
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Department of Community Development invites qualified consultants to review our Request for Proposal (RFP) to update SJC’s Best Available Science and Critical Areas Ordinance in accordance with the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). All RFP submittals are due Friday,
County publishes one-year check-in report for 32-hour work week
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County and representatives from the Local 1849 Union are pleased to present a comprehensive report of the 32-hour work week (32HWW) initiative at the one-year check-in. Survey results and department findings are available on the County’s Engage website. The results lay the groundwork for
Letter to Editor | To my dear team members
||| FROM STEPHANIE O'DAY ||| Thank you so much for your love and support through this difficult campaign. Each and every one of you worked hard towards our goal of making some changes in government to be more supportive of the working families who are the engine we need to
Join the Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC)
||| FROM JASON BRADSHAW for EASTSOUND PLANNING REVIEW COMMITTEE ||| Are you passionate about shaping the future of Eastsound? The Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC) is seeking dedicated community members from Orcas Island to join this vital committee. The EPRC advises the San Juan County Planning Department, Planning Commission, and
Audition Notice | Puffs
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center is holding auditions for ages 14 and older for “Puffs” – The Harry Potter spoof, November 20-21, with a preliminary read-through on November 19. About the show: Puffs is a theatrical spoof of a certain story about a certain wizard
