Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Update | County awaits funding for infrastructure resiliency work on Lopez Island
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County continues to wait for updates regarding its grant application to engage in sea level rise adaptation and infrastructure resiliency work on Lopez Island. San Juan County and its partners in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Resilience Regional
Master Gardeners to answer plant questions at Orcas Library
||| KATE YTURRI for SJC MASTER GARDENERS ||| As we welcome summer with days spent in our gardens, we have high hopes of success. However, sometimes the weather, insects, disease, or our garden practices betray our dedication. The Master Gardeners of San Juan County are here to help with science
Protect marine ecosystems & island resources; become a Green Boater today
||| FROM JESS NEWLEY for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| Boating season is here, and soon our waters will be buzzing with local and visiting boats. Our amazing group of islands, where boaters find wonder and relaxation, are also where fish and wildlife find food and shelter. To help
Are B.C.’s open-net pen salmon farms closing — or not?
Five years ago, with wild salmon in sharp decline, the federal government promised a transition away from open-net farming. As the clock ticks towards a 2025 deadline, wild salmon advocates worry Ottawa is back-peddling ||| FROM THE NARWHAL ||| The federal government walked back a commitment to close open-net salmon
Rep. Larsen statement on House-passed defense policy bill
Larsen votes “no” on FY25 NDAA, outlines support for bipartisan path forward ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the below statement after voting “no” on the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): “I opposed the NDAA because
Guest Opinion | So, what is it, exactly, that nonprofit Boards are supposed to be doing?
||| FROM ROBERT AUSTIN ||| It’s a well-known fact that we have a lot of nonprofit organizations here on Orcas, and many of us have had experience volunteering to help them with their missions. These might range from sailing to education, raising money for the library to managing our utilities.
Support local renewable energy projects
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT CO-OP ||| Earlier this year OPALCO requested changes to the Comprehensive Plan regarding land use designations and now those changes are being reviewed by the San Juan County Planning Commission. Members can submit comments to the Planning Commission regarding OPALCO’s requests.
Alchemy Art Center & SJC Conservation Land Bank partner for summer series of FREE painting sessions
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County's Conservation Land Bank is excited to partner with Alchemy Art Center for a series of free painting sessions that connect artists with nature. Led by Alchemy Art Center co-directors, Maria Michaelson or Glenn Hendrick, these free, two-hour painting sessions will
Midnight Mutterings | Cognitive disuniformity
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I don’t know a lot about anthropology. I did take an undergraduate class in anthropology and I once took a class taught by Margaret Mead. That was a fluke. My first job was working as a lab tech at Delafield Hospital for Cancer
Dirty Cello to perform live on Village Green stage
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Get ready for cello like you’ve never heard before! On Sunday, June 23 at 5pm, Dirty Cello comes to the Village Green as part of the FREE Summer Concert Series presented by Orcas Center, OrcaSong Farm, Country Corner, and GiveOrcas/OICF. Combine the
Sheriff’s Report | June 5 – 11, 2024
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 24-003222 Malicious Mischief 10:22:08 06/05/24 A Deputy took a call regarding vandalism in Eastsound in which person(s) had spray painted a building. A report was filed. 24-003224 Citizen Assist 10:47:24 06/05/24 A Deputy took a report of an apparent
Community matters
||| FROM HILARY CANTY ||| Living on an island is a unique experience. Most of the time, it feels pretty much like any other small town. That is, until something happens….the power goes out, the ferry breaks down, a storm arises. Suddenly, whatever is needed had better be here already.
WSF Weekly Report | Women in leadership; summer schedule; fighting human trafficking
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Throughout my maritime career, I’ve had the honor of working with many women who have charted new courses and broken barriers in this traditionally male-dominated industry. Women in leadership roles drive innovation, foster inclusivity and create a
Rick Larsen to launch 2024 campaign in Friday Harbor
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Next week, Representative Larsen is launching his 2024 campaign with Kickoff Week - a series of five events, one in each of the 2nd District’s five counties. Please join us at the San Juan County event in Friday Harbor on Saturday,
Almost time to get your Uke on
||| FROM ANITA ORNE for FLOATING UKULELE JAM ||| It’s Floating Ukulele Jam time again! Grab your uke, your voice, a song or two to share, and your friends and relations and join us on the interisland ferry on the traditional Third Thursday of the month – June 20. We’ll
Letter to Editor | Senior Center meets diverse needs of our community
||| FROM JENNIFER HAIRSTON ||| Visiting Orcas Island is magical but staying here long-term means taking calculated risks with transportation, medical services, housing, and something we don’t talk about a lot - isolation. Making new friends as an older adult can seem daunting. But making and keeping connections help combat
