Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Larsen releases statement on Senate vote on Canadian tariffs
||| 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 voted 50-46 to strike down tariffs on Canada yesterday evening: “When the President stokes tensions with our Canadian neighbors, families in Northwest Washington state pay
Join new DCD director and councilmember Paulsen at Orcas land-use meeting
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Throughout the fall, County staff and officials, including the County’s new Director of Community Development, have attended land-use committee meetings. The Lopez meeting occurred on October 28, and the Orcas meeting has been re-scheduled for December 4 at the Orcas Island Library. This
OICC Severe Weather Shelter | Volunteers needed
||| FROM ALICIA WIGFIELD for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| As the colder months approach, the Severe Weather Shelter at Orcas Island Community Church is preparing to open its doors once again — offering a safe, warm place for those in need during dangerously cold nights. We’re looking for volunteers
How do YOU want to plan for sea level rise in San Juan County?
Join Community Workshops this Dec. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| What happens to roads, homes, and the shoreline when the sea rises? San Juan County is kicking off the second round of community workshops dedicated to sea level rise, focusing on specific island roads and infrastructure that are
Jury Duty | Check to see if you need to report, Nov. 3-21
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: November 3-21, 2025 For the jury period beginning Monday, November 3rd through Friday, November 21st, jurors in groups 1 through 8 are required to report for jury duty on Wednesday, November 5th at 8:30 am in the Lobby of the County Courthouse in
Federal Shutdown Update | Food access planning underway
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| This week, partner agencies across San Juan County have come together to prepare for the possible stoppage of SNAP food benefits scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. Local Food Banks and Pantries, Resource Centers, Community Foundations, and San Juan County public health staff
New calf in the Bigg’s population
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 12:40 PM ObservEnd: 01:40 AM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Rachel John Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T36A, T36A1, T36A1A, T36A2, T36A2A, T36A3, T36A5, T38C, T38E, T65A, T65A4, and T65A6 LocationDescr: Sucia Island EncSummary:
Watch ‘The Snake and the Whale’ free through Sunday – and take action
A Must Watch ||| FROM FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| We’re pleased to share a special opportunity from Executive Producer Scott Levy, who has requested that The Snake and the Whale be made available free to view online now through Sunday, November 2 (midnight). This powerful documentary—screened at FHFF 2025—dives deep into the critical
Inter-island vessel, Tillikum, out of service most of the day Friday, Oct. 31
This is due to crewing shortages. The vessel will start sailing on Friday, Oct. 31 with the 5:40 p.m. eastbound sailing out of Friday Harbor. ||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| The #4 inter-island vessel, Tillikum, will be out of service most of the day Friday, Oct. 31. This is
Salmonberry School | Celebrating light and community
||| FROM PAUL FREEDMAN for SALMONBERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL ||| In this season of shortening days, light becomes precious. Children are rising for school before the sun, and often returning home in darkness as well. In addition to making space for the traditional American seasonal holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas,
Stockpiling Hope | From scarcity to solidarity – Updated
||| FROM ELISABETH GODBOIS for SAN JUAN PREPARE ||| Join San Juan Islands PREPARE and special guests for a community conversation about transforming our approach to disaster preparedness—from guarding limited supplies to creating abundance through cooperation. This event, on Wednesday, November 12 at 5 p.m. at San Juan Island Grange,
Schoolhouse Concerts come to Deer Harbor
||| FROM ANITA ORNE for JP & THE OK RHYTHM BOYS The Deer Harbor Community Club is thrilled to announce the first in an ongoing series of “Schoolhouse Concerts”! On Saturday November 1 st at 7pm, join JP & the OK Rhythm Boys as they perform in Deer Harbor’s historic
This is Actually Good | Squash Au Gratin
||| THIS IS ACTUALLY GOOD by RACHEL FACTOR ||| Yesterday two kabocha squash mysteriously showed up on my doorstep. This put me into creative overdrive as my squash horizons suddenly needed to be broadened. I've already made soup this season and how many pumpkin/squash soups can you really eat? And
Successful prescribed burn completed at Odlin County Park
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Parks and Fair completed a successful prescribed burn at Odlin County Park on October 23, 2025, providing training opportunities for WA State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and San Juan County Fire District 4 (Lopez). Project Background In the
Letter to Editor | In support of the November 4, 2025 school levies
||| FROM THE MUSIC ADVOCACY GROUP ||| The Music Advocacy Group (MAG) supports both Orcas Island School District (OISD) levies on the ballot this November 4. Strong schools are the foundation of a healthy, thriving community. These levies are essential to keeping our schools vibrant, well-rounded, and fully equipped to
Fire-smart landscaping for Western Washington with Marlene Finley
LEARN FROM HOME GARDENER AND FOREST EXPERT! Wednesday, November 12th, 10 am (at the Orcas Center or by Zoom) ||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| The Orcas Island Garden Club presents Fire-Smart Landscaping for Western Washington by Marlene Finley Please join the Orcas Island Garden Club on Wednesday, November 12th
