Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council, December 15, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| The council heard about a study of the environmental impact of vessels in the county. Aerial surveys of county waters of 16 popular mooring locations from May to September counted 10,196 boats outside marinas, peaking in July and August. Boats
Larsen celebrates wins for Washington State in Coast Guard Authorization Act
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U .S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act (CGAA) as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act: “The Coast Guard Authorization Act invests
Whale Museum’s Marine Naturalist Training Program opens registration for 2026
||| FROM CONOR AGNEW for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum has opened registration for the 2026 spring and summer sessions of the Marine Naturalist Training Program! This course includes an in-depth treatment of the ecology and conservation of local marine species, presented by highly-trained local naturalists,environmental educators, and
This time it’s the wind
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Seattle WA 109 PM PST Wed Dec 17 2025 San Juan County-Foothills and Valleys of Pierce and Southern King Counties-Foothills and Valleys of Thurston and Lewis Counties- Lowlands of Western Whatcom County-Lowlands of Western Skagit and Northwestern
Regional healthcare leaders, elected officials convene for 2nd in series of strategic roundtables in NW WA
||| FROM AMY DRURY for PEACEHEALTH ||| Bellingham, Wash. – On Monday, Dec. 8 a diverse group of healthcare leaders and elected officials and their representatives from across Northwest Washington gathered for the second in a series of high-impact roundtables focused on advancing regional health priorities. The event is a
Victory for affordable housing | Council approves development agreement for Argyle project
The project is situated on San Juan County-owned land and is estimated to provide 35-40 units of affordable rental housing. In addition to providing land for the project, the County has also committed $1.79 million to the project. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| At the December 9 Council
News Brief | America by Mid-Century and what climate change will do
||| FROM THE ATLANTIC ||| Many places may become uninhabitable. Many people may be on their own. We would do well today to study the ways that climate change has already reshaped the American landscape. Over the next 30 years or so, the changes to American life might be short
2026 dog licenses now on sale
New ‘Celebrity Dog’ announced in support of dog licenses available December 11th ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Auditor’s office is ready for the 2026 dog licensing season! Each year, the department has the pleasure of recognizing a ‘Celebrity Dog’. This year our office is
There’s No Place Like Loam | You don’t prune heritage trees. You keep them company
||| THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE LOAM by ALEX TAMAYO-WOLF ||| Sarah Lefton called from Once in a Blue Moon Farm about pruning their heritage orchard. I drove out on a clear day on Orcas Island—cool, bright, restrained. The sun wasn’t warming anything yet. It was just showing what was there.
Improv classes for all ages begin in January at Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Kyle Duncan Graham and Orcas Center are offering a series of improv classes starting this January. Sign up at www.orcascenter.org; click on events and classes and then classes. For all sessions, wear close-toed shoes and bring a bottle of water. The
Ferry Alert| Ana/SJs alternate schedule through 12/22
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| The Tillikum is currently operating as the #3 vessel, due to the Kaleetan being out of service. Beginning Saturday, Dec. 20, the Salish will operate as the #3 vessel, and the Tillikum will move to the #4 vessel interisland position. This change allows the
Increased rains increase threat of landslides
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Seattle WA 116 PM PST Tue Dec 16 2025 San Juan County-Cascades of Whatcom and Skagit Counties- Cascades of Snohomish and Northern King Counties- Cascades of Southern King County- Cascades of Pierce and Lewis Counties- Foothills and Valleys
Health Care District in special board meeting tomorrow
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The Board Meeting Public Packet is available below. Agenda 02. 2025_11_18 OIHCD Claims Payment Request.pdf 03. 2025_12_02 OIHCD Claims Payment Request.pdf 04. 2025_12_16 OIHCD Claims Payment Request.pdf 05. OIHCD Financial Report Oct 2025.pdf 06. OIHCD Financial Report November 2025.pdf 07. 2025.12.12 -
News Brief | Food and fossil fuel production causes $5bn of environmental damage every hour
||| FROM THE GUARDIAN ||| The Global Environment Outlook (GEO) report, which is produced by 200 researchers for the UN Environment Programme, said the climate crisis, destruction of nature and pollution could no longer be seen as simply environmental crises. The science is good. The solutions are known. What is
Celebration of Life for Linda Peth
||| FROM KELLY PETH ||| Celebration of Life for Linda Peth will be held from Noon to 3 pm on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Orcas Island Odd Fellows Hall, 112 Haven Rd, Eastsound, WA 98245. SEE ALSO
Holiday Fun | Secret Santa book exchange at Orcas Library
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Join us on Saturday, December 20 at 3:00 PM for a cozy winter gathering filled with stories, surprises, and holiday cheer! Bring a wrapped book you love (or think someone else will!) and trade it anonymously with fellow readers. New twist:
