Here’s a thought…
“Art is how we decorate space, music is how we decorate time.”
JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT
Southern Resident orcas have more diverse diet than previously thought, research reveals
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| Southern Resident killer whales, a critically endangered population that frequents the Puget Sound during the summer and fall, have a more varied diet than previously believed, according to new research. Dr. Amy Van Cise, a postdoctoral researcher with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA)
Letter to Editor | In support of Justin Paulsen for county council
||| FROM JIM CONNELL ||| I’m Jim Connell. I was a member of the Orcas Island and San Juan County communities for twenty years until a month ago when I retired to Arizona. I was involved in non-profit work across the county in the areas of addiction recovery and early
Annual Gardening Workshop
||| FROM KATE YTURRI for SJC MASTER GARDENERS ||| Join SJC Master Gardeners for our Annual Gardening Workshop lecture series, held in October over two weeks and presented as Zoom webinars so that gardeners can enjoy the lectures from the comfort of their homes. The series includes 8 one-hour presentations
Eat, Pray, Pollute | On the needed death of tourism
||| FROM COUNTERPUNCH ||| A crowd of 3,000 anti-tourism protesters descended on posh downtown Barcelona last July, their demeanor one of delighted malice. They cordoned off hotels and eateries with hazard tape, as if demarcating a crime scene. They sprayed with water guns the blithe holidaymakers seated in restaurants. Video
OIEF Fundraiser
||| FROM JANET BROWNELL for ORCAS ISLAND EDUCATION FOUNDATION ||| Well – it’s been a while. Like four years (think “Covid intermission”). The Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) will be holding its first fundraiser since 2019 – and we hope you will join us. This dinner/auction takes place on Saturday,
Understanding Fertilizer Use for Garden Soils
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Please join us for our meeting Wednesday, October 16th, when the Orcas Island Garden Club welcomes Craig Cogger to speak about soils and fertilizer use, including organic fertilizers, soil tests and interpretations, published guidance, and calculating fertilizer rates. Craig will present to us
Letter to Editor | Spirit of Land Bank is foresight, generosity
||| FROM KATIE FLEMING and JESSE VISCIGLIA ||| The lands preserved and stewarded by the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank are a cornerstone of what makes our county special. These lands not only safeguard critical ecosystems, such as healthy forests and clean water, but also contribute to the wellbeing
Evening Vinyasa Yoga
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Discover the enriching benefits of Vinyasa yoga with Karol Wilson, DPT, a seasoned physical therapist with 30 years of experience. Held every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 PM at the Orcas Senior Center, these sessions focus on restoring and enhancing strength,
Letter to Editor | We support renewal of Land Bank
||| FROM LISA BYERS, et. al ||| We, the undersigned, represent organizations whose work directly and indirectly benefits from the establishment of the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank (Land Bank) and the renewal of a real estate excise tax (REET). Under Washington state law, it is only because the
County plans next vessel turn-in event
Over 240 gallons of mixed fuels and other hazardous liquids, 22 fire extinguishers, one propane tank, and 443 pounds of marine batteries were safely disposed of rather than ending up in the marine environment ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| September is Emergency Preparedness Month – an opportunity to
Letter to Editor | McVeigh’s experience, commitment is what we need
||| FROM BOYD and LOVEL PRATT ||| We’re delighted that Kari McVeigh is running for SJC Council. Her years of public service, her experience balancing and managing very large budgets and her commitment to inclusive collaboration is just what the council and our community needs. Please join us in voting
Washington ferry prices to rise Tuesday, second increase in two years
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| Starting Tuesday, Washington ferry prices will rise again for the second time in two years to help ensure the state meets revenue requirements laid out in the 2023-2025 transportation budget. Both passenger and vehicle fares will increase by 4.25% on Oct. 1 of this year. Click here to
Whale entangled in rope freed after ‘complex,’ 4-day operation off Canada
||| FROM BRADENTON HERALD ||| A humpback whale “severely” entangled in fishing gear was freed during a complicated, multi-day operation off the coast of Canada. The rescue occurred not far from Prince Rupert — a port city in British Columbia — during the first week of September, Lara Sloan, a
Letter to Editor | Hughes has a passion for helping follow islanders
||| FROM MAX HANSON ||| Whether in office or not, Rick Hughes has a passion for helping his fellow Islanders. He is always willing to listen and eager to connect people who can help each other. It brings him obvious joy to make a mutually beneficial introduction. Rick's experience as
Fall Prevention Tai Ji Quan
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join Karol Wilson, DPT, for a three month fall prevention Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance® class at Orcas Senior Center. Karol, a Doctor of Physical Therapy with 30 years of experience, is excited to introduce this evidence-based program, developed
WSF fare changes begin October 1
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| On Tuesday, Oct. 1, new rates set by the Washington State Transportation Commission to meet legislatively directed farebox recovery goals will go into effect. It’s also the first day with no peak season surcharge for vehicles, which will resume May 1, 2025. Use our online calendar to calculate
