Here’s a thought…
“Trump is a poor person’s idea of a rich man, a weak person’s idea of a strong man, and a stupid person’s idea of a smart man.”
Attributed to MICHAEL MOORE
The Exchange Update: March 2025
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING/THE EXCHANGE ||| How “Tiny Orcas Island” is Helping Change the World Former ORS/The Exchange Board Member, Toby Cooper, recently wrote an article published by the Salish Current on how the city of Bellingham is exploring the use of our crushed glass in their sidewalks. Read the
Amadeus film coming to Orcas Center
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| AMADEUS, the 1984 film about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, won eight Academy Awards. For good reason. Best Picture, as well as Best Actor, Director, Screenplay, and more. This brilliantly crafted film tells the partially true, partially imagined story of Mozart and his
Governor Ferguson throws environmentalists under the bus
||| FROM OLYMPIC PENINSULA ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS ||| Governor Ferguson has had his first major controversy, over a relatively little known agency called the Fish and Wildlife Commission. While this commission is small and not well known, it is crucial in setting the direction for the department of Fish and Wildlife.
2025 will be an above average year for Columbia River salmon, says NOAA report
||| FROM THE COLUMBIAN ||| The number of salmon returning to the Columbia and Snake rivers this year is expected to beat the 10-year average return. That’s according to a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The positive projections for this year are a rare piece of
Spring sailing schedule starts Sunday
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Our spring sailing schedule starts this Sunday, March. 23 and lasts through June 14. We’ll begin a new spring schedule for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route this year, following a collaborative schedule update process with the community. The first round of schedule updates was
The Whale Museum welcomes new executive director
||| FROM CONOR AGNEW for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| Mike and Jeanne Kuperberg The Whale Museum is pleased to welcome Dr. Mike Kuperberg as our new executive director. Dr. Kuperberg will be bringing his decades of scientific and administrative expertise to lead The Whale Museum into an exciting
Get ready for Orca Action Month 2025
||| FROM REIN ATTEMANN for WASHINGTON CONSERVATION ACTION ||| It’s that time again! June is Orca Action Month in the Pacific Northwest, and the Orca Salmon Alliance is looking forward to all kinds of activities throughout the region. Orca Action Month (a.k.a Orca Month) is an annual series of events
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council March 18, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| In public comment a San Juan Island resident said a school bus sign was needed on Beaverton Valley Road coming from town and the speed limit should be lowered to 25 until past the business park for the safety of
OCS guitar class strikes a chord at St. Patrick’s Day parade
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| In a vibrant display of talent and enthusiasm, the Orcas Christian School (OCS) guitar class, led by their dedicated teacher, Mr. Rivera, participated in the St. Patrick's Day parade Monday. The students showcased their musical skills, captivating the audience with their lively performance. The
San Juan County establishes interim inter-island transportation services as RFP process continues
If the interisland ferry is out of service, Outer Island Excursions will provide foot passenger transportation between the islands. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| As San Juan County works through the 11 proposals received for emergency transportation services as part of its Request for Proposals (RFP) process, the
San Juan County’s affordable housing Spring roundup
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Home Fund is now in its seventh year of existence since voters approved it back in 2018. This program contributes funding towards the creation and preservation of affordable housing funded by a Real Estate Excise tax (REET), and a 1/10th
Jurors excused for March 24-28
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: MARCH 24-28, 2025 For the jury period beginning Monday, March 24th through Friday March 28th, all jurors are excused.
Russel Barsh Kwiaht Talk at Odd Fellows Hall
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ORCAS ODD FELLOWS HALL ||| Russel Barsh Russel Barsh, director of Kwiáht, a nonprofit conservation biology laboratory in and for the San Juan Islands of Washington State, will be offering a talk at the Odd Fellows Hall on Sunday, March 23 from 3:00-4:30. He will speak
Drop-in peer grief support group at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join us for a supportive, non-judgmental space to process grief and mourning with the Drop-In Peer Grief Support Group Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. at Orcas Senior Center. This group is designed to help normalize your feelings, facilitate healing, and provide understanding.
County announces trail funding to be used on Land Bank’s Beaverton Marsh Preserve
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During today’s meeting, Council reviewed the most recent iteration of the ‘Trail Project’ for which the County received $5.2 million in federal funding in 2023. After a brief recap of all explored routes and options, Council supported the most recent plan to use
Ferry Alert: Ana/SJs – Temporary vehicle reductions on Wednesday, March 19
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Starting with the 3:05 p.m. sailing out of Anacortes, the 124-vehicle Issaquah will replace the 144-vehicle Samish for the rest of the service day on Wednesday, March 19. The Samish will go out of service for the day as we complete necessary maintenance. This
