Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
News Brief | 14 wildfires continue to burn across state
||| FROM SEATTLE TIMES ||| "14 large wildfires burn across Washington as crews face rugged terrain, shifting weather" Originally reported by Seattle Times "State officials report 1,602 total fires in 2025, with 122,301 acres scorched as of Saturday, according to the Department of Natural Resources." Read the full article
Event | Island water at risk?
Local Experts Show How to Secure Our Future ||| FROM STEPHANIE PRIMA for SAN JUAN ISLAND GRANGE ||| Islanders from across the county are invited to join a free public panel on Thursday, September 19, 2025 at the San Juan Island Grange Hall. As summers grow hotter and drier, and
FH Film Fest | Hvaldimir screening, story of a Beluga Whale
||| FROM ELLEN ROBERTS and KAREN PALMER for FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Hvaldimir Screening FREE on September 12 at SJI Library and Lopez Island Library Bring your family and friends to enjoy the intriguing story of a beluga whale that was alleged to be a Russian military asset and
There is something especially for you at Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Chair Yoga: Enhancing Balance and Wellbeing for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Join us for Chair Yoga, a soothing practice tailored for seniors and those with disabilities, held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. This gentle technique incorporates the
OTILLO Swimrun returns to Orcas
||| FROM LARS FINANGER for OTILLO SWIM RUN ||| OTILLO Swimrun returns to Orcas Island on Sunday, September 14th for the 7th edition of the unique and grueling multisport event. The unique endurance race starts and finishes at the Rosario Resort offering easy access to the island's vast network of
Guest Opinion | Bear Gulch fire immigration arrests
||| FROM WAYNE FOURNIER, THURSTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER ||| Thurston County Commissioner Wayne Fournier, a longtime firefighter, issued a statement Wednesday concerning the recent immigration arrests at the Bear Gulch Fire: "What happened at the Bear Gulch Fire was not routine, and we should not pretend it was. I have spent
Auditions for ‘Kids Got Talent’ coming up at Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Auditions for Orcas Center’s youth talent show will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. on Center Stage. Bring your talent and show us your act! Your performance can incorporate anything from song and dance to skits
Common questions about Mammograms
NOTE: new web address! ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Worried about discomfort? Cost? Time? You’re not alone. Many women delay their mammograms because of fear or confusion. But here’s the truth: modern mammograms are fast, low-discomfort, and highly accurate. At Orcas Senior Center this September 22-24, 2025,
Midnight Mutterings | Snails
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| A few days ago I invited myself to join a neighbor (you know who you are) who was walking her dog on Obstruction Pass Rd. As we passed the county dock heading east up the hill, I saw a tiny yellow snail a
Helping student athletes stay in the game
||| SUBMITTED BY THE ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE TEAM || Thanks to a strong partnership between the Resource Center and the Orcas Island Booster Club, the Athletic Assistance Program ensures no student-athlete is sidelined due to financial barriers. For families juggling rising expenses, it’s a game-changer! During the 24-25 school year,
Sheriff’s Report | August 27 – September 2, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27 25-005849 Court Order Violation 08:21:31 08/27/25 A San Juan Deputy took a third-party report of a potential court order violation. The incident is still under investigation. 25-005860 Fraud 12:46:06 08/27/25 A Lopez Deputy responded to a report of fraudulent
Public Health Hot Topic | COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV immunizations in 2025
Answering the top questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, insurance coverage, and preparing for the 2025-2026 respiratory illness season. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| We’ve been watching federal and state updates on immunization recommendations closely and are coming to you with an overview of what we know and what
Sharpen your pencils
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| Whether you have kids back in school or not, September brings a shift on Orcas Island, with fewer visitors and lake days, and the opportunity to reconnect locally and plan for the cooler months ahead. It’s hard to believe a
Soroptimists offer their yearly $4000 award to woman who is primary family support
||| FROM BARBARA SHARP for SOROPTIMISTS INTERNATIONAL OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| Soroptimists International of Friday Harbor has a yearly award of $4000 for a woman who is the primary support for her family; who is enrolled in a vocational training or other educational program; and who has financial need. This
Buy it, move it | This home on port property could be yours
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| Offers are being accepted for a home located at 197 Aviator Drive, Eastsound, WA 98245, currently Port of Orcas property. Importantly, a condition of the sale is the home must be moved off Port of Orcas property within 120 days of
WSF Weekly Report | Improved service; increased Labor Day traffic; legislative staff visit
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve For the past few years, the number one thing our riders have been asking us is to improve service. I understand that frustration and am encouraged by numbers from last week that show real progress. From Aug.
