Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
WSF Weekly Report | Launch of Congressional Ferry Caucus; water rescue
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve I recently joined federal and state leaders to celebrate the launch of a new bipartisan Congressional Ferry Caucus. We’re lucky to have Washington Rep. Emily Randall as one of its co-chairs. This group will help raise national
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.
New subspecies of killer whales in the Pacific Northwest
||| FROM NOAA ||| In summer 2024, the Taxonomy Committee of the Society of Marine Mammalogy—charged with creating a standard classification and naming of marine mammals—reviewed the recently published research. The committee narrowly fell short of the 2/3 majority needed to officially accept the two taxa as a separate species. Rather, the committee
Introducing Orcas Talks Money
|||. FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center is proud to partner with local financial institutions to launch Orcas Talks Money, a new series of no-cost, practical financial education workshops designed to help islanders take control of their finances—one step at a time. Different from
New parking regulations at Orcas Island Park and Ride
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Attention Orcas Island commuters – new parking regulations are in effect at the Orcas Island Park and Ride near the ferry terminal. New 3-day and 7-day parking limits are now in place. The westerly lot is designated for 3-day parking and the easterly
Reminder | Last week to utilize county’s marine transportation services
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Don’t forget – this is the last week to utilize San Juan County’s Marine Transportation Services Pilot Project. These services include emergency barge and foot-passenger transportation during disruptions to Washington State Ferry (WSF) service as well as travel to and from the mainland
Anatomy of a scam | How Medicare fraud works and how to spot it
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Every year, scammers steal billions from the Medicare program—money meant to support the health and well-being of older adults. These scams don’t just impact the system; they can harm your health, increase the cost of care and insurance, and lead to denied
Orcas Island Garden Club | Garlic scape salt anyone?
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| I got a call from Helen Huber the other day. "Did you know it is garlic scape season?" Unaware and curious, I urged her to share more. The 'ding' of a text message revealed a picture of a whimsical looking curly green allium.
Orcas Senior Center fundraiser | Brunch, bids, and a bird
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Brunch, Bids & a Bird! Let’s Brunch! – A Fundraiser for the Orcas Senior Center Sunday, June 29 | 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM Get ready for a bloomin’ good time at Let’s Brunch!, a lively fundraiser hosted by the Orcas
Cultivate your passion with WSU Extension Master Gardener Program
||| FROM CAITIE BLETHEN for WSU EXTENSION SAN JUAN COUNTY ||| Do you have a passion for plants and insects, a thirst for knowledge, and a commitment to serving your community? If so, becoming a San Juan County WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer may be the perfect opportunity for you! Candidates
Orcas Library Presentation | Snake studies and sharp-tails on San Juan Islands
||| FROM JENNY DeGROOT for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Please join the Orcas Island Public Library on Saturday, June 28 at 1 pm for Snake Studies and Sharp-tails on the San Juan Islands, a presentation by Herpetologist Christian Oldham. Christian is a staff associate with Kwiáht (a non-profit conservation organization
Jurors excused for June 30 – July 3
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JUNE 30 - JULY 3, 2025 All jurors summonsed for jury duty beginning Monday June 30 through Friday July 3, are excused. Thank you.
Health Care District Board to meet on Wednesday
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT BOARD ||| Board Meeting - June 25, 2025 The Orcas Island Health Care District Board will hold a regularly scheduled board meeting on Wednesday, June 25th from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Orcas Island Library, 500 Rose Street, Eastsound. The Board
Bruce Langford choral workshop June 28
||| FROM LYNN BAKER for ORCAS CHORAL SOCIETY ||| If you love to sing, now’s your chance for some fun. Join vocal conductor Bruce Langford Saturday, June 28, 10-noon at Emmanuel’s Parish Hall for a choral workshop. Learn to sound better together and why choral singing is the most popular
County Council to travel to Waldron Island for July 1 meeting
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Council will hold its next regularly scheduled July 1 meeting on Waldron Island. The public is invited to join the three councilmembers and County staff at the meeting at the Waldron Schoolhouse beginning at 10:30am. What: San Juan County
Trump’s federal land sell-off proposal includes 5M acres in Washington
||| FROM KING-TV SEATTLE ||| A sweeping federal budget bill making its way through Congress is sparking outrage among some in Washington state. The proposal, part of what former President Donald Trump is calling his “Big Beautiful Bill,” includes a provision that would open the door to selling off millions of
