Here’s a thought…
“It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.”
MARK TWAIN
Montessori launches holiday bazaar and wreath sale
||| FROM BRIDGET WRIGHT for ORCAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL ||| The Orcas Montessori Annual Wreath Sale is officially open! We’re excited to help you fulfill all your holiday greenery needs with beautiful, handcrafted wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces, perfect for bringing festive cheer to your home. Orders are open now, and wreaths
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is genuine, helpful, generous
||| FROM CHLOE MASON ||| I have known Jennifer Swanson for the better part of two decades. When I think of her, I think of her generosity and helpfulness the most. I have worked with her in several capacities and also consider her a dear friend— I admire her immensely.
WSF Weekly Report | WSF receives national recognition; end of DST; winter schedule Nov 1
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve I’m proud to share that Washington State Ferries has been named a 2026 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. This national recognition highlights the work
Library features photos by Andrea Cohen
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| For the month of November, The Orcas Island Library’s ‘Art in the Library’ series will feature photographs by Andrea Cohen. Andrea’s background is as an artist, art therapist and art teacher, but this exhibit, entitled The Lives of Mannequins is a
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.
San Juan Fire employment opportunity as Logistics Director
||| FROM SAN JUAN FIRE DISTRICT NO. 3 ||| San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 3 is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Logistics Director, a full-time exempt administrative leadership position reporting directly to the Fire Chief. Position Details • Position: Logistics Director • Department: Administration • Reports To:
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is the clearly superior Council candidate
||| FROM MIMI GARDNER GATES ||| Jennifer Swanson is clearly the superior candidate in the San Juan County Council election. Her experience is directly relevant to the goals of the SJC Council. The school district budgets she developed and managed as superintendent and oversaw as a school board member are similar to
Orcas Garden Club presents ‘why plant names change’
Botanical nomenclature, biology, the beauty of plants ||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Wednesday, November 11th, 10 am (at the Orcas Center or by Zoom) COME AT 9:30 AM (just before the program) for social time, and remember to bring something for the Sharing Table! Please join the Orcas
Wild Fish Conservancy serves notice of intent to sue over Alaska fisheries catching threatened, endangered Pacific Northwest Chinook without federal oversight
||| FROM EMMA HALVERSON for WILD FISH CONSERVANCY ||| SEATTLE, Washington—Nearly nine out of ten Chinook salmon caught in commercial fisheries along the South Alaska Peninsula in 2024 and 2025 originated outside Alaska, according to research from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). Yet these fisheries operate without
County Marine Facility Update | Council reviews aging infrastructure
Marine facilities are part of the County’s essential public transportation system, and the County anticipates significant challenges maintaining these facilities in the coming years ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During this week’s meeting, the San Juan County Council reviewed the conditions of the County’s marine facilities and the
Grannie’s Holiday Sale coming to Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Mark your calendars—Grannie’s Holiday Sale is back at Orcas Senior Center on Saturday, November 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! Browse a wide array of festive décor, holiday treasures, and unique creations from local artisans. It’s the perfect place to
Jennifer Swanson is ready for the work
||| FROM JENNIFER SWANSON, COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATE ||| Jennifer Swanson Since February, I’ve been on the campaign trail, meeting people across our island county. I’ve been blown away by the passion residents have for this place and their commitment to its future. In conversation after conversation, I’ve been
Jury Duty: Excused for November 2-6
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: NOVEMBER 2-6, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning November 2nd, are excused. Thank you.
LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Council, October 27, 2026
||| FROM LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS SAN JUAN ||| The San Juan County Council convened at the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Center. After presentation by Facilities Director Greg Sawyer, the Council voted to set a public hearing for November 24, 2026, at 9:15 a.m., to consider a Resolution Authorizing
CWR encounter with J Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 12:06 PM ObservEnd: 01:41 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Pods: J IDsEncountered: J27, J31, J39, J56 LocationDescr: Sombrio Point EncSummary: Mark left Victoria on Mike 1 at 0830 and headed west out on the Juan de Fuca
Council approves ‘home fund’ funding for three affordable housing projects
In total, the Council awarded $3,734,596 in REET funding and $310,000 in sales tax funding. The County has now awarded approximately $19 million in grants for affordable housing projects across the islands through the Home Fund since 2019 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| This week, San Juan County
