Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Burn permits now open in San Juan County
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Effective October 6, 2025, the San Juan County fire danger level has been downgraded to the LOW level. As such, residential burn permits are now open and available to purchase. Residential burn permits are valid from time of purchase until May 31st, 2026.
No jurors needed for October 13-17
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: OCTOBER 13-17, 2025 All jurors summonsed for the week beginning Monday, October 13th through Friday, October 17th are excused. Thank you.
Assessor sends 2025 ‘Change of Value’ notices
‘Change of Value Notice’ is Not a Tax Bill ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Assessor’s Office is mailing the 2025 Change of Value Notices today - October 6, 2025. Changes reflect market sales between January 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025, with an assessment date of January
In Memoriam | D. D. Glaze, 1935 – 2025
||| FROM MICHEL VEKVED ||| Please take a moment to celebrate the life of Dorothy Davis “DD” Glaze, March 16, 1935 - September 15, 2025 D D Glaze Bill Glaze 1934-1999 Gwendolyn Glaze Crawford 1957-2014 Alan Glaze 1960-2010 Survived by her grandsons Corey and David Crawford “Thank you
Orcas Island Education Foundation announces annual fundraiser
'An Evening at the Lodge' ||| FROM JANET BROWNELL for ORCAS ISLAND EDUCATION FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) invites the community to its highly anticipated annual fundraiser, “An Evening at the Lodge,” Saturday, November 8, at the Four Winds Camp Lodge. The festivities will commence at 5:00
Tumble playgroup at Odd Fellows Hall
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ODD FELLOWS HALL ||| Weekly Tuesday Tumble Playgroup begins October 7 at the Odd Fellows Hall from 4:00-6:00. This is an open space experiential group for young children and parents to engage in play and tumbling type experiences that foster coordination and body awareness. It
Council sets priorities for 20206-27 biennial budget amidst funding challenges
San Juan County will continue to seek ways to balance the budget that prioritize mandatory and essential functions, while not disproportionally decreasing services to the community. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During the September 23 and 30 meetings, the County Council discussed strategies for balancing and preparing the 2026-27
OIFR seeks community properties for firefighter training
||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR) is looking for properties and structures to use for firefighter training. Whether you have a new construction project, an old building scheduled for demolition, or even an open field, we can use it
News Brief | Orcas islander Jas Ikeda remains in an Israeli prison
||| FROM KING-5 TV||| "Israeli naval forces recently captured over 400 activists, including at least 22 Americans, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea” ORIGINALLY FROM KING-5 TV "When you have somebody in a small community who steps out and does something like this, I think people see it as
No jurors needed for October 6-10
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: OCTOBER 6-10, 2025 All jurors summonsed for the week beginning Monday, October 6th through Friday, October 10th are excused.
No Place Like Loam | A strawberry tree grows in Seattle: Rediscovering an ancient evergreen
Why this overlooked Mediterranean native belongs in Pacific Northwest landscapes ||| NO PLACE LIKE LOAM by ALEX TAMAYO-WOLF ||| The strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo, never seems in step with its neighbors. While other trees surrender their leaves and settle into rest, it carries two seasons at once. Last year’s fruit
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.
OPALCO renewable energy community meetings recap
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| A few weeks ago, the OPALCO team held a series of community meetings about local, renewable energy. The meetings were held at all three major islands to engage co-op members on the energy future of San Juan County. At
Conservation Land Bank acquires 225-acre school trust land parcel on Blakely Island
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| On September 18, the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank received a 225-acre parcel on Blakely Island from the Washington Department of Natural Resources. The property is located on the island’s eastern edge and has shoreline frontage on Rosario Strait. It is one
J36 and J Pod documented off San Juan Island
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 12:52 PM ObservEnd: 03:25 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Rachel John, Taylor Redmond Pods: Southern Resident: J Pod IDsEncountered: J16, J26, J27, J31, J36, J37, J38, J40, J42, J45, J49, J53, J56, J59,
Winter Artisan Market accepting applications for artists, artisans
||| FROM PARKER PAVITT for WINTER ARTISAN MARKET ||| The annual Winter Artisans Market at the Odd Fellows Hall invites applications from artists and artisans for this traditional gathering of island creatives and community supporters. This year's Market will be held on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th at
