Here’s a thought…
“If you put fences around people, you get sheep. Give people the room they need.”
WILLIAM L. MCKNIGHT
Letter to Editor | Don’t let the Trump administration open the deep sea to mining
Your action is needed by September 5, 2025 ||| FROM ELISABETH ROBSON ||| Most of Earth remains unexplored. The deep sea—home to extraordinary creatures we are only just beginning to discover—may hold answers to questions about life itself. Yet the Trump Administration has quietly set in motion a plan to
Cultivating Success, Growing Future Farmers | Learn how to develop a sustainable small farm
We invite you to participate in our Whole Farm Planning Course focused on Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching that will be held on Mondays, 6:00pm to 8:00pm, September 22 through November 3. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Interested in farming? Not sure how to begin? Do you dream
Call for Designers | Recycled material fashion show
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Designers are invited to participate in a fashion event to take place on the opening night of a community show for visual art made from recycled materials (10/24 to 11/20). Showcase your fashions made from recycled, upcycled, unconventional or discarded materials. Deadline
News Brief | 100 dolphins go surfing in California
||| FROM KLTA LOS ANGELES ||| "Rare moment caught on video of 100 dolphins riding boat’s wake in Orange County" Originally reported by KTLA LOS ANGELES A massive pod of dolphins put on a stunning display for whale watchers off the Newport Beach coast this week, creating a scene that
Music of Bob Dylan coming to Odd Fellows Hall
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ORCAS ODD FELLOWS ||| The Music and History of America's Most Influential Songwriter: Bob Dylan Odd Fellows Hall Monday, September 1 @ 7:00pm Musician and historian Joel Underwood delivers a performance featuring the music and history of Bob Dylan. Come sing along with a dozen Dylan
Free lecture & seminar | Growing old growth: Relationships that define the future of our forests
Learn about growing old-growth forests with Tal Engel of WolfTree Integrative Forest Rehabilitation ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| It is often said that “time heals all wounds.” But what if, for our second and third-growth Douglas-fir forests, time alone may not be enough? What does it actually take
New islander launches book
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY ||| Orcas Island Public Library and Darvill’s Bookstore are proud to present a special book launch for At Last, the latest novel by New York Times bestselling author Marisa Silver. Silver is an acclaimed contemporary novelist whose works include At Last;
Center for Whale Research | Outer coast encounter with SRKW members
|||FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| ObservBegin: 01:07 PM ObservEnd: 02:31 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Other Observers: Gary Sutton, Tasli Shaw, Machi Yoshida Pods: J, K, L IDsEncountered: J31, J39, L55, L109, L119, L126, K12, K22, K33, K37 LocationDescr: Everest/North East of Swiftsure Bank EncSummary: Mark and
As the Paradigm Shifts | What could I possibly offer?
||| AS THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE KUHN ||| There is a weightedness of grace at the core of being present. There is an ache in the question, “What could I possibly offer?” that becomes the very threshold that ignites the alchemy of wholeness. Moments—gut-wrenching, soul-breaking moments—when someone comes to me
Sheriff’s Report | August 20 – 26, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20 25-005645 Trespassing 13:31:01 08/20/25 A San Juan Deputy received a report of trespassing. A witness who reportedly saw the suspect on the property refused to provide a statement to the Deputy. 25-005650 Fraud 15:20:39 08/20/25 An Orcas Island Deputy
County partners with WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to address unconfirmed cougar sightings
As we head into the Labor Day weekend, the public is encouraged to remain vigilant and review best wildlife encounter practices. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Over the past few weeks, there have been several unverified reports of a suspected cougar on San Juan Island. San Juan County
SJC Monthly News Digest – August 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Good News for Permit Review Times & Director Recruitment: DCD Leadership Provides Summer Update During the August 19 Council meeting, staff from the Department of Community Development (DCD) provided a summer progress update, following the April 2025, January 2025, October 2024, and July
It’s another Fantastic Friday from Rep. Debra Lekanoff
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| As the warmth of summer lingers across the 40th District - from the tides of the San Juan Islands to the forests of Whatcom and the fields of Skagit - I am grateful for the privilege of serving you every single
OPALCO to host community meetings
OPALCO is planning now for what our energy future will be like in the next 25 years. OPALCO wants co-op members to get involved! ||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| OPALCO is hosting a series of community meetings about renewable energy and our shared energy future.
WSF Weekly Report | Labor Day; sea level rise; new director of marine operations
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from John As we head into Labor Day weekend, I thank our employees for their hard work and dedication. There’s a lot of pressure to keep our customers moving during our busiest stretch of the year. Their commitment to service, showing up
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.
