Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Nearly 300K people expected on Washington ferries over Thanksgiving week
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| SEATTLE — Travelers riding on Washington State Ferries (WSF) Thanksgiving week can expect long lines and possible last-minute schedule changes. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said nearly 300,000 people are expected aboard Washington ferries from Wednesday through Saturday. The Edmonds/Kingston route will be
Rebirth of a beach with big impact
||| ELISE COPE for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| In a remarkable effort to return a beach to its natural state, a comprehensive restoration project was successfully completed this past month on Shaw Island. Situated on the western edge of Broken Point, this revitalized beach is re-joining a vast
NaNoWriMo writing sprint Part 2 coming up at the Library
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) writing sprint is back by popular demand. Bring your pencils, notebooks, laptops and ideas. Thursday, November 30th, 6pm - 10 pm, at the Orcas Island Public Library. Join other writers on the last day of November
And away we go!
||| FROM HILARY CANTY ||| The Holiday Give Orcas campaign opens this Monday, November 20th and runs through December 6th. There are 18 great programs seeking funding in this cycle. I hope you received a guide in the mail this week. If not, you can check out the opportunities at www.giveorcas.org. We will
San Juan County responds to public’s feedback on Destination Management Plan
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County would like to acknowledge the public response to the Preliminary Draft San Juan Islands Destination Management Plan (SDMP) and thank those community members who have taken the time to submit feedback, ask questions, and engage in the conversation about the
Guest Opinion | Why is San Juan County not talking about ecological overshoot?
||| FROM ELISABETH ROBSON ||| Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what life here in San Juan County might look like as life-as-we-know-it crumbles with the ongoing and ever-increasing impacts of ecological breakdown. As the average time between U.S. billion-dollar disasters decreases, from 82 days in the 1980’s to
Montessori’s festive wreaths are back to kick off the season
||| FROM URSULA PAMATIAN for MONTESSORI SCHOOL ||| Get into the holiday spirit with Orcas Montessori School's festive wreaths! You can find them for sale for $40 now at Cons Pit Stop, Ray's Pharmacy, Lum Farm, and the Co-op. By purchasing one, you'll be supporting local early childhood education. Don't
Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project is a looming environmental disaster
||| FROM THE SALISH CURRENT ||| It was in 1984 I first became aware of the port on Roberts Bank in the south arm of the Fraser estuary, when we moved to a small farm in East Ladner. Back then it was only a coal port (what is now Westshore
Sheriff’s Office investigating hunting accident on Lopez
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating a hunting accident on Lopez Island that occurred over the weekend. On Saturday, November 18, the San Juan County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a hunting accident. Deputies worked all weekend to
Two educational opportunities from Island Health at Senior Center
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Island Health will be providing two health education opportunities, in-person on Orcas Island on Thursday, November 30. At 1:00 PM - Move Your Way Learn the most up-to-date recommendations and guidelines for staying physically active as you age! Different types of exercise and
Join Rosedanie and other Orcas Islanders in bringing food security to Haitians
||| FROM BRUCE WILSON & MARY JANE ELGIN ||| In the midst of Haiti's turbulent landscape, marked by persistent unrest and acute food shortages, Helping Hands Noramise emerges not just as a ray of hope, but as a vital lifeline for those in dire need. Our mission transcends mere
Handmade Craft Market coming to Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Visual Arts Committee (VAC) of Orcas Center is excited to host a Handmade Craft Market on November 25 (Small Business Saturday) from 11am - 4pm in the Madrona Room and Lobby. Featuring local artists Natalie Menacho, Silver Natives Jewelry, Meg Massey,
First-ever showcase of multi-island student artwork coming up
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Student artists from San Juan, Lopez, Shaw, and Orcas Island showcase their work in the first inter-island showcase presented by The San Juan Arts Council along with the Visual Arts Committee (VAC) of Orcas Center. This traveling art show features painting, photography,
Orcas Island’s annual holiday fundraising campaign, GIVE ORCAS, opens Nov 20
||| FROM TERA ANDAYA for COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| Give meaningful gifts this year that will ripple throughout the community. HOLIDAY GIVE ORCAS is back for a remarkable 10th anniversary on Orcas Island! This community-driven fundraising campaign raises critical funds for programs and resources serving Orcas Island. GIVE ORCAS is an
Will Makah Tribal gray whale hunts soon restart?
The Makah Indian Tribe has requested authorization to hunt gray whales, a tradition secured by the 1855 Treaty of Neah Bay. ||| FROM NOAA FISHERIES ||| The Makah Indian Tribe has requested authorization to hunt eastern North Pacific gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus). The right to take whales at usual and accustomed grounds
In English / Spanish | Open enrollment is here through Washington Healthplanfinder
||| FROM MEGAN EHRMANTRAUT for ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CTR. ||| Starting Nov. 1, all Washingtonians, regardless of immigration status, can shop health and dental plans through Washington Healthplanfinder. Learn more about health care options for immigrants here: https://www.wahealthplanfinder.org/.../immigrants.html Enroll by December 15 for your health and dental plans to start
