Here’s a thought…
“We are not an endangered species ourselves yet, but this is not for lack of trying.”
DOUGLAS ADAMS
Two male killer whales encountered in the fog
Encounter #4 • Bigg's Killer Whales ||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 12:20 PM ObservEnd: 01:21 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Other Observers: Rachelle Hayden Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T049A2, T087 LocationDescr: Kelp Reef EncSummary: Mark and Rachelle left Victoria Harbour on
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.
Here’s your opportunity to take State Basic Boater course
||| FROM U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY ||| The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Bellingham and San Juan Islands Flotilla offers boaters four opportunities to take an online, Washington State Basic Boater Education Course. The course is for anyone wishing to learn safe boating skills and qualify for a Boater Education Card,
Support Bill HB 2395 — shared moorage
||| FROM THE ONBUOY CREW ||| An integral part of OnBuoy’s mission is to reduce anchor damage through shared moorage. We just received an update on a legislative proposal we have been spearheading, which aims to reduce anchor damage and encourage better stewardship of Washington’s nearshore environments. The bill, HB
Marking the 53rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Today marks the 53rd anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. In 1973, the Supreme Court established the legal right to abortion. This decision marked a crucial moment in the fight for reproductive rights, recognizing autonomy
Louis XIV to visit Orcas Island on January 26
||| FROM JEFFREY COHEN for SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| Louis XIV joins us on Monday, January 26 at at 5:00 PM as we journey to a musical soirée in 1713, designed to conjure up a wealth of pleasant reminiscences of our favorite ballets, operas and chamber music from
Port Commission meeting scheduled
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, January 26th at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.
Feeling a ‘holiday debt hangover?’ Start the year with a clean slate
||| FROM RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The holidays are a wonderful time for connection and celebration, but they can often leave us with a financial hangover once the decorations come down. If you're feeling the weight of holiday spending or struggling to manage debt, the Resource Center is here
No jurors needed January 26-30
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JANUARY 26-30, 2026 For the jury term beginning Monday, January 26 through Friday January 30th, 2026 all jurors are excused. Thank you!
Larsen releases statement on Trump’s announcement of Greenland framework
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after Presidents Trump announced a “framework of a future deal” on Greenland with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte: "If the President’s announcement of a future deal on Greenland results
Free tooth extraction clinic coming up
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF DR. TRIPLETT ||| Dr. Triplett’s dental office at 445 Madrona Street in Eastsound has reserved Wednesday February 4 for free tooth extractions for our Orcas, Shaw, and Waldron residents in financial need. Services are limited to both routine and surgical extractions (including wisdom teeth). To
HB 2489 | Shelter, not penalties act
||| FROM AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION ||| Washington HB 2489 aims to establish statewide standards for local governments regarding the enforcement of laws regulating public space for life-sustaining activities, particularly in the context of homelessness. The bill prohibits local governments from enforcing anti-camping laws unless they can demonstrate that adequate
Free virtual book launch event for ‘The Evolution of Cetacean Societies’
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| We’re excited to invite you to a FREE virtual event for the book launch of The Evolution of Cetacean Societies: Uncovering the Social Complexity of Whales and Dolphins. On Saturday, February 7th, we’re hosting an online webinar so viewers around the world can
County discusses upcoming road maintenance on Shaw Island
The County plans to undertake standard road maintenance throughout the spring of 2026, including clearing ditches, cleaning and replacing culverts, and managing roadside vegetation. This will set the stage for chip sealing Shaw roads in 2027. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| To kick off the new year, San Juan
Spring schedule reservations to be available February 10
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Vehicle reservations for the spring 2026 schedule (March 22 through June 13) will be available at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10. We’ve moved out the reservations release by two weeks to finalize the spring schedule. To ensure a smooth and fair experience during this
Experience the soulful sounds of Stephanie Anne Johnson coming to Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Pacific Northwest Americana songwriter and performer Stephanie Anne Johnson’s (they/them) voice is like a prayer. It’s the kind of sound that makes you feel renewed, refreshed, and in love with the higher spirits of the planet. It’s a sound you can
