Here’s a thought…
“Before we work on artificial intelligence, why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?”
READER BOARD
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
Come see the ‘friendship fish’ mosaic at SJI Sculpture Park
||| FROM KRISTEN ARNIM for SJI SCULPTURE PARK ||| The Friendship Fish mosaic was designed by San Juan Island artist and Alchemy Art Center Co-Director Maria Michaelson, and was created under the direction of Maria and Alchemy Art Center staff by hundreds of visitors of all ages to the
Midnight Mutterings | Time to brumate?
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| Weather’s getting cooler, daylight is scarcer and we’re all planning ahead for even colder weather to come. We might stock up on firewood, find our candles in case of a power outage and check to see what the moth larvae left of our
Wooly Winter Pop Up begins next week at Lum Farm
||| FROM MANDY TROXEL for LUM FARM ||| The Lum Farm Tree Sale is about to begin! Noble, Frasier and Douglas Fir trees from 2 ft. to 10 ft. will be available. Tree sale hours are Thursday through Sunday, 11am - 5pm at 1071 Crow Valley Rd. while supplies last.
Sheriff’s Report | November 8 – 13, 2023
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 23-008777 Accident-NonInj 10:23:39 11/08/23 Two vehicle were involved in a minor collision. Information was exchanged and a report was done. No infractions were issued. 23-008779 Theft 10:41:27 11/08/23 A Deputy on Orcas Island took a stolen property complaint. 23-008781
San Juan County Sheriff’s Office accredited for highest professional standards of policing
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office has successfully completed a rigorous accreditation program that certifies it is operating under best practices and standards for law enforcement. The program is administered by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) and involves an
