Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
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.
Interactive program guide online for Friday Harbor Film Festival
||| FROM ELLEN ROBERTS for FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| The new 2025 FHFF program guide is now ready for viewing at fhff.org/programguides. Each year they publish a comprehensive 60-page guide that brings you closer to the heart of the festival. FHFF is thrilled to introduce the fully interactive online
Letter to Editor | Justin Paulsen is right leader for SJC future
||| FROM ED ANDREWS ||| I believe that Justin Paulsen is the right person with the right experience to represent us— our friends and neighbors of this little group of islands in the Salish. Governance is fundamentally about caring for people in a way that upholds their rights, promotes their
‘Thank you’ from Woman in the Woods
||| FROM MICHELL ("MITCH") MARSHALL for WOMAN IN THE WOODS ||| Sadly, Woman in the Woods Productions has decided to end our operations, after seven years of bringing first rate artistic productions to the Orcas Island Community. We are very proud of the type of events we have been able
Letter to Editor | SJI Grange says ‘yes’ to Land Bank renewal
||| FROM ROGER ELLISON for SAN JUAN ISLAND GRANGE ||| San Juan Island Grange enthusiastically endorses a yes vote to renew the Land Bank. Starting our own farm has been a dream of the Grange for quite some time, and we are grateful to the Land Bank for helping us
Reminder: Ferry Riders Opinion Group survey still open
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Customers are encouraged to participate in the current Ferry Riders Opinion Group survey to share your thoughts on all things Washington State Ferries. The survey is hosted by the Washington State Transportation Commission to hear feedback and suggestions directly from ferry riders. Those looking
Medicare open enrollment begins October 15
What You Need to Know for 2025 ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Starting October 15, Medicare beneficiaries can select new Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans for 2025. Notices have already been sent by some insurance companies, informing recipients if their plans will not
Letter to Editor | Paulsen perceives the call, and answers
||| FROM THOMAS BRIDGE ||| The story of Community Water Taxi Group (CWT) is intertwined with Justin Paulsen. Simply put, without Justin, CWT would never have happened. The recent success of a $1,500,000 emergency transportation grant from Governor Inslee to the County, would not have happened. On Saturday morning Aug
The Whale Museum’s Virtual Gear Down Workshop for Marine Naturalists
||| FROM TATE THOMSON for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| Register now for The Whale Museum’s Virtual Gear Down Workshop on November 15 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This year’s theme is: All Rivers Lead to Whales. The workshop will be entirely virtual through Zoom. Invited Presenters include: Madison Rose Bristol, Water
Update | Pegi Groundwater being honored
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| The Orcas Senior Center is deeply moved by the outpouring of appreciation for Pegi Groundwater and her many years of dedicated service as the volunteer coordinator for SHIBA. While we would love for everyone to join in celebrating Pegi on Sunday,
Great WA ShakeOut
Test your earthquake preparedness on October 17 ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| While earthquakes in the islands are rare, San Juan County is smack in the middle of some of the highest risk quake country anywhere. Being prepared for the eventual catastrophic earthquake is a
Updates from The Exchange
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING SERVICES/THE EXCHANGE ||| Hazardous Waste Cleanup This Saturday - Oct 12th Don’t miss the Household Hazardous Waste Collection event this Saturday, Oct. 12th from 10am-2pm. We will not be accepting any liquid fuel or paint during this event. Learn more about our Hazardous Waste Collection Events. We
Call for Artisans: Handmade Craft Market
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Visual Arts Committee (VAC) of Orcas Center is excited to host a Handmade Craft Market on November 30 (Small Business Saturday) from 11am-4pm. This market is for handmade goods made by artisans on Orcas Island. Interested in being a vendor? Applications
Letter to Editor | Consider a No vote for the Land Bank
San Juan County: The Next Nantucket? ||| FROM LISA CROSBY GUARD ||| I’ve long been drawn to Nantucket, often compared to Friday Harbor, where I’ve lived as a native islander and farmer. My family has lived in the San Juans for over seven generations. In September 2022, a trip to
Letter to Editor | Reauthorize SJC Land Bank
||| FROM TODD KADEN ||| I am writing in support of reauthorization of the San Juan County Conservation Area REET. As most know, the local County Conservation Land Bank provides stewardship for a select number of land parcels. These are truly local treasures. Some are made available for low-impact, public
Workshop: Grant Writing for Farmers
October 23 helps San Juan County farmers learn tools for effective grant writing ||| FROM REBECCA MOORE for WSU EXTENSION ||| Join a free virtual farm grant writing workshop hosted by WSU San Juan Extension on October 23rd, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. This workshop will feature a presentation by
