Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
In Memoriam | Carole Ann (Weinel) Sygitowicz 1954-2025
||| FROM MARCIA SPEES ||| It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Carole Ann Sygitowicz (nee Cannon). Carole was born on December 24, 1954 in Bellingham, Washington to June and Jim Cannon. She grew her wings to be with the angels on July 10, 2025. Carole
Effective immediately, San Juan County’s fire danger is upgraded to VERY HIGH
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| At this level recreational, residential, or commercial fires are not allowed, including charcoal. This means that campfires, even in a fire ring or bowl that is no more than three feet in diameter, are no longer permitted. Residential fires of yard debris are
OIFR responds to two wildland fires on Sunday
||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| In the afternoon of Sunday, July 20 Orcas Fire and Rescue responded to an initial wildland fire happening off Point Lawrence Road in Doe Bay. This fire, which has been fully extinguished, was likely caused from an unattended campfire.
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council July 15, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| During public comment Friends of the San Juans and one Decatur resident raised concerns about the proposed property acquisition at the Decatur marine facility. The Roche Harbor general manager spoke in favor of their masterplan amendment. After a public hearing
6 subjects that are no longer taught in schools
||| FROM INTERESTING FACTS ||| Think back to your school days: Are you nostalgic for flipping through a dusty library card catalog or clacking away on a typewriter? Some subjects you remember from those days are probably things of the past, although the finer points of how schools have changed
Have a garden question? Ask an Orcas Master Gardener
Now at the Market Garden Nursery ||| FROM JULIA TURNEY for ORCAS MASTER GARDENERS ||| Do you have a question about your soil, have a problem with your fruit tree, or are thinking about starting a garden? Is something bugging your plants, or you are curious about identifying a plant
LWVSJ Observer Corps | Board of Health July 16, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| The North Sound Behavioral Health Organization has paused their CEO search. The organization got an access-to-care grant in the latest public health funding round. They are exploring creating a Medicaid billing function to help improve access for providers in areas
Always something happening at Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Discover your artistic side Unleash your creativity at Art with Carla Fridays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Orcas Senior Center. Led by experienced artist Carla Stanley, this lighthearted class focuses on the creative process with a strong belief in your
Conservation groups sue over aquaculture pollution of Columbia River
||| FROM EMMA HELVERSON for WILD FISH CONSERVANCY ||| Portland, OR – [Earlier this month], Center for Food Safety (CFS) and Wild Fish Conservancy (WFC) filed a lawsuit against Pacific Seafood Aquaculture, LLC, for multiple violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) at three commercial net pen aquacaulture facilities on the Columbia River raising
Letter to Editor | You can’t make this stuff up
||| FROM BOB DISTLER ||| Early this morning, thanking us for our patience while the newer, faster and larger Sealth served our interisland route: Ana/SJs - Update: The Tillikum Returns as Interisland Vessel After successful maintenance, repairs, and inspections, the Tillikum has returned to the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route . The Tillikum has replaced the Sealth as the
Jeffry Steele to perform 8-string guitar in concert
||| FROM JEFFRY STEELE ||| Jeffry Steele performs Suite de las Horas: an original work for 8-string guitar with electronic enhancements Wednesday, 7/30/25 at noon Emmanuel Episcopal Church 242 Main St, Eastsound Part of the Music at Emmanuel series Free will donation to benefit the Emmanuel Music Scholarship Fund Jeffry Steele
New pastor to lead Orcas Island Adventist Fellowship
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| The Orcas Island Adventist Fellowship has announced that a new pastor will be joining the congregation this year. André Luis Rodrigues will assume leadership of the church and also take on responsibilities at Orcas Christian School. He previously served as a missionary on the island of
Art opening | Celebrating the Orcas Artist Studio Tour
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Visual Arts Committee (VAC) of Orcas Center, and the Orcas Artist Studio Tour are excited to present the Studio Tour Art Opening on Friday, July 25 from 5:30-7pm in the Madrona Room. Join us in the Madrona Room and Orcas Center
As the Paradigm Shifts | I’m nothing like them. So how am I like them?
A midnight reckoning, a sacred stinging and the grace of seeing me as I am ||| AS THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE KUHN ||| So often—through my training, through my struggles with people—the question turns in my direction: How am I like them? My first, reactive response? “I’m nothing like
Sheriff’s Report | July 9 – 16, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JULY 9 25-004341 Accident-NonInj 10:11:21 07/09/25 A pickup in the ferry lane was struck on the mirror by another truck in the next lane as it was being passed. The mirror was damaged by the passing truck. 25-004346 Civil Problem 12:31:53
SJI Indivisible Group creates special message in the sand
In honor of John Lewis for Good Trouble ||| FROM INDIVISIBLE SAN JUANS ||| Nearly 90 islanders gathered today in honor of John Lewis for Good Trouble Lives On National Event as part of Indivisible National and other movements. Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of nonviolent
