Here’s a thought…
“I am so convinced of the advantages of looking at mankind instead of reading about them, and of the bitter effects of staying at home with all the narrow prejudices of an islander, that I think there should be a law amongst us to set our young men abroad for a term among the few allies our wars have left us.”
LORD BYRON
Fire safety preparation as heating season approaches
September Fire Safety Reminders from Orcas Island Fire & Rescue ||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| As September marks the transition to cooler weather and the beginning of heating season, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue reminds residents to prepare their homes for the safe use
San Juan County announces beginning of road striping
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Public Works Department is announcing its annual summer road striping schedule beginning on Monday, September 8 and lasting approximately two weeks. Pavement markings, including centerlines, shoulder markings, arrows, and more, are critical features of any safe and effective roadway, and it
County seeks volunteers to review new cultural access material
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Parks, Recreation, and Fair Department is seeking volunteers from local nonprofit organizations whose field of focus is on culture, science, art, and history to participate in a feedback session on the materials for the County’s new Cultural Access Program.
News Brief | Artificial Intelligence systems are thirsty
||| FROM SCIENCE ALERT ||| "AI chugs a bottle of water every time you chat with it." Originally reported by Science Alert "Many people assume AI is inherently harmful, especially given headlines calling out its vast energy and water footprint. Those effects are real, but they're only part of the
Letter to Editor | As I bid farewell…
||| FROM TONI KNUDSON ||| As I write this letter, it is with mixed emotions that I bid farewell to an incredible chapter of my life’s journey. After 17 years of hard work, creating, growth, and dedication, the time has come for me to turn a new page. I wanted
Our Shared Lands Rally September 6
Join the Totem Pole Journey! ||| FROM ALEXANDRA GAYEK for MOUNT BAKER GROUP ||| We're excited to announce the Our Shared Lands rally will now host the first stop on this year's Way of the Masks tour led by Lummi Nation master carver Jewell James. Join us at this special action; support
September art show at Orcas Library
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Orcas Island Library’s Art Show for the month of September features the work of Sally Walker and Ritambhara Tyson, two outstanding pet portraitists who use art to express their love of animals. Sally gravitated toward zoology in college, immediately discovering
Jurors excused: September 8-12
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: SEPTEMBER 8-12, 2025 All jurors summonsed for jury duty beginning September 8th through Friday September 12th, are excused. Thank you.
‘Battle of the Bands’ coming to Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The famed showdown of musical might has returned! The 2025 Battle of Bands makes a jump to the Orcas Center on Saturday, September 13 at 6pm for an event that is bigger than ever! Featuring all local and regional music, on this fateful
Longstanding Orcas businesses sponsor $15,000 community match
||| FROM MEGAN METCALF for RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| In a world where online and off island business are easy to choose, the Orcas community has continued to support locals by choosing to keep their dollars on island. Island Market and Ray’s Pharmacy are two of the longest standing
Fall Festival afoot at Family Tides Farm
||| FROM EMILIE ROBINSON for FAMILY TIDES FARM ||| Family Tides Farm & Northwest Indian College invite you to the fourth annual Fall Festival on Sunday, September 21 st , from 11am-4:00pm, at 6389 Deer Harbor Road. Come enjoy delicious free food and fall treats, arts & crafts for kids
Learn how Washington became the Apple State
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Why do so many apples in the grocery store look the same? And why do so many come from Washington? In this talk, explore how Washington became the top apple producing state in the country, and how, in the process, it
Introducing Salmonberry Community School
||| FROM PAUL FREEDMAN for SALMONBERRY COMMUNITY SCHOOL ||| As Salmonberry School prepares to open its silver gates on Henry Rd in Eastsound for the start of its 25th academic year, it is excited to do so with a new name that reflects its core values. Salmonberry begins year 25
Hedrick Smith to present ‘The Outlook for American Democracy’ at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center is honored to host a special presentation by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and author Hedrick Smith, titled The Outlook for American Democracy, on Wednesday, September 10 starting at 5pm This timely, free public event will explore pressing questions about the future
Artwork featured artist for September | Shawna Franklin
||| FROM B.J. ARNOLD for ORCAS ISLAND ARTWORKS ||| Shawna Marie Franklin’s journey, both as a professional kayaker and a celebrated artist, is an inspiring reminder that creativity and nature are inextricably linked, each informing and enriching the other. Her work at The Orcas Island Artworks is a continuation of
See what’s germinating this Fall at the Garden Clunb
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Hello Fellow Garden Friends, We invite you to join us as we kick off another year in the Orcas Island Garden Club—where flowers grow, friendships bloom, and our community thrives! Thanks to those of you who have already signed up - over 40
