Here’s a thought…
“When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can’t eat money.”
ALANIS OBOMSAWIN
Letter to Editor | Tiger Construction partially demolishes local beloved memorial garden
||| FROM MAURICE AUSTIN ||| While improvements to the Orcas Island High School parking lot proceed apace, it was nonetheless frustrating to see the much-beloved grape plant chopped down and several fence posts removed. This could have been planned. Why wasn’t it? Indeed, Tiger Construction seems to care less not
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.
Larsen releases statement on Trump’s election speech
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “The President’s speech tonight should be about lowering costs and creating jobs. Instead, he will continue spreading lies about American elections. The truth is simple: Donald Trump lost the
Exchange Update | Styrofoam, swap meet, beach cleanup, more
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING SERVICE ||| Styrofoam Recycling Update In last month’s newsletter, we shared our mission to keep Styrofoam out of the landfill by using a Styrofoam densifier. This month, a team from The Exchange took a fact-finding trip to Whidbey Island to see a densifier in operation at
League of Women Voters of Washington launches “Four Questions” video series
Featuring Washington Supreme Court candidates ||| FROM AMY PELOFF for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| SEATTLE — With five of the nine seats on the Washington State Supreme Court on the ballot this year, the League of Women Voters of Washington has launched a new online resource to help voters
Genealogy Group to hold open meeting
||| FROM KATHI CISKOWSKI for ORCAS ISLAND GENEALOGY GROUP ||| The Orcas Island Genealogy Group is having an open meeting on Tuesday, July 21 from noon to 2 in the community room of the Orcas Island Public Library. There are two topics that will be discussed and hopefully information can
Stitched Stories | A quilters showcase at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Discover a beautiful display of local artistry this July and August at Orcas Senior Center! Visit weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to explore a vibrant collection of handcrafted quilts created by talented quilters in our community. Each quilt reflects
Larsen votes No on Republican amendment to limit funds for humanitarian efforts
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “I voted “no” on a Republican amendment that would have prohibited any diplomatic, humanitarian, development or security funding related to Israel. I support Israel’s right to exist and to
News Brief | Gray whale deaths near record levels in WA
||| FROM KREM 2 NEWS via YOUTUBE |||
No jury duty for July 20-31
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JULY 20-31, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday July 20th through Friday July 17, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
Early Bird Passes available for Friday Harbor Film Festival
||| FROM FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Mark your calendars — Friday Harbor Film Festival returns to San Juan Island this October, opening the evening of October 22 and running through October 25 with powerful documentaries, filmmaker conversations, and island community. Early Bird Passes are on sale now through August
Thor Hanson book signing scheduled for Market Garden
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Join award-winning conservation biologist and local author, Thor Hanson for an engaging talk and signing of his most recent bestselling book, Close to Home, The Wonders of Nature Just Outside Your Door. His book offers a hands-on natural history for any local patch of
Leadership San Juan Islands recruiting for next class
||| FROM LEADERSHIP SAN JAN ISLANDS ||| Leadership San Juan Islands (LSJI) has begun recruiting for Class XVIII, running from December 2026 through May 2027. Information and the application are available on the website. https://lsji.org/ ZOOM link for July 16- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9711929268?omn=87661620425 Our twelve-day flagship program will include three overnight retreats
Olga Daze announces musical lineup
Olga Daze kicks off this Saturday, July 18, at 10:00 am ||| FROM SUSAN GORDON BENTLEY for OLGA DAZE ||| We’re pleased to announce a fantastic musical lineup arranged by Clint McCune. Starting with Speeces Pieces opening at 10:00am, music will be performed throughout the day until close at 2:00pm.
Poetry Gardens contest deadline July 31, 2026
||| FROM DENICE KULSETH for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| Poems must be submitted by Friday July 31, 2026, to be entered in the Friday Harbor Poetry Gardens Contest sponsored by the Town of Friday Harbor and the Friday Harbor Arts Commission. Entry is free and open to San Juan
Land Bank July 2026 meeting and agenda
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting Friday, June 17. The meeting is scheduled from 8:45am – 11:10am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the Mullis Community Senior Center on San Juan Island,
