Here’s a thought…
“The United States, despite the fact that we are so big and powerful and militarily capable, we still need our allies and partners.”
JOHN BRENNAN, EX CIA DIRECTOR
CWR documents fantastic encounter with J Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 09:29 AM ObservEnd: 16:28 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Michael Weiss, Darren Croft, Katie Jones Other Observers: Rachel John, Taylor Redmond Pods: Southern Resident: J Pod IDsEncountered: J16, J19, J22, J26, J27, J31, J36, J37, J38, J39, J40, J41,
Artworks October featured artist – Pam Jenkins
||| FROM B.J. ARNOLD for ORCAS ISLAND ARTWORKS ||| The Orcas Island Artworks will be featuring a new, large, pastel painting, “The Giving Tree,” by Pam Jenkins through the month of October. For over 20 years, Pam has been enjoying painting local landscapes, as well as small objects in them.
Council to review 2025 Comp Plan update at series of fall meetings
Council will review recommendations from the Planning Commission, accept public comments, and hold a public hearing, during a series of upcoming meetings. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is updating its Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) as part of its 2025 Growth Management Act Periodic Update. Throughout
Larsen releases statement on government shutdown
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| EVERETT, WA – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement about the government shutdown: “Prices are up, the economy is down, and now Republicans in Congress have shut down the government to double down on the health care crisis
Community leaders to share findings on Orcas Island healthcare needs
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The Orcas Island community is invited to attend a panel discussion titled "Building Better Community Care – Together" on Wednesday, October 8th, 2025, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at the Orcas Island Public Library. This important community event, hosted by the Orcas
Orcas Center is ready to rock and roll
||| FROM JAKE PERRINE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center’s fall season is off to an auspicious start. Dance classes are in full swing, our major fall production opens in November and we’re about to launch our fall fundraising campaign. Thank you to all who attended our Role Out on
Eastsound business seeks new owner
||| FROM DOUG MARSHALL for THE OFFICE CUPBOARD ||| Michell and Doug Marshall hope to find a new owner for The Office Cupboard, which they bought in 2007. Today, the longtime Eastsound business has a well stocked Art Room and a copy center, as well as its traditional selection of
Orcas Island Garden Club presents Growing Anemones, Ranunculus, and Peonies by Anne Long
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| LEARN FROM FLOWER FARMER, EDUCATOR, AND OWNER! Wednesday, October 15th, 10 am (at the Fire Station in Orcas) NEW! Join us for coffee and social time at 9:30 am just before the program. And, please note the different location — and remember to
The Kitchen is coming back to Odd Fellows
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ODD FELLOWS HALL ||| The Kitchen Café is back in the Odd Fellows kitchen for weekly take-out beginning Friday, October 3rd. Featuring fresh, farm-to-table, and Asian-inspired with a Pacific Northwest twist. Call 206.581.1913 to order. Open 4:00-7:00pm.
County seeks proposals for behavioral health peer support program
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Department of Health & Community Services invites local agencies or organizations who utilize peer support in their programs to review our Request for Proposal (RFP). This is a funding opportunity for peer work in San Juan County. All RFP submittals
Islands’ Oil Spill Association to celebrate 40th Anniversary on October 23
||| FROM ISLANDS' OIL SPILL ASSOCIATION ||| For 40 years the Islands' Oil Spill Association (IOSA) has been responding to oil spills large and small across the islands. Help celebrate four decades of local spill response! Join us on October 23rd from 5:30 - 8:30pm at Saltwater Farms in Friday Harbor, Music, food, prizes
Rosario Strait tidal energy project update from OPALCO
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| September 30, 2025 was the last day to make public comments on the Rosario Tidal Energy Project as part of the public process with a pilot Draft License Application (DLA) with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Future funding
Test your earthquake preparedness on October 16
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for SAN JUAN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| While earthquakes in the islands are rare, San Juan County is smack in the middle of some of the highest risk quake country anywhere. Being prepared for the eventual catastrophic earthquake is a basic responsibility of every
ALL ROUTES | Fare changes begin Wednesday, Oct. 1
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Fare changes begin today, Wednesday, Oct. 1 Starting tomorrow Wednesday, Oct. 1, there will be new passenger and vehicle ticket prices. The Washington State Transportation Commission recently approved these changes to meet revenue targets set by the state Legislature. Oct. 1 is also the
Fall is Here | Let’s check your heat sources and smoke & CO detectors
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| With the changing of the seasons comes an opportunity to check in on our household heating units, wood stoves, and fireplaces. This is a great time to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, too. Use these helpful tips
All beaches in San Juan County closed to recreational shellfish harvesting
DOH has closed recreational shellfish harvesting at all beaches due to unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Washington State Department of Health has closed recreational shellfish harvesting at all beaches in San Juan County due to unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish
