Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Island Stewards | Ferries, foundations, transportation, taxes, and taking care
||| FROM ISLAND STEWARDS ||| The light is long, the market lines are longer, and the wildflowers are giving it their all—the island feels both stretched and in bloom. We’re grateful you’re here, holding the thread and showing up. To everyone who completed the surveys before June 15: Thank You! Your
Empty The Tanks! | Heartbreaking news as young orca Kamea dies at SeaWorld San Antonio
||| FROM WORLD ANIMAL NEWS ||| We are deeply saddened to report that Kamea, an 11-year-old orca at SeaWorld San Antonio, has died. As the youngest orca in SeaWorld’s care, Kamea’s life was marked not by freedom, but by confinement, spent entirely in captivity, far from her ocean home. According
Art Opening at Orcas Center | Zoe Osenbach
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center’s Visual Arts Committee (VAC) is pleased to present the next Art Opening, Friday, June 27 from 5:30pm – 7pm with featured artist, Zoe Osenbach in the lobby, and a community show, “Botanicals and Blooms” in the Madrona Room. Zoe
Senior Center offers hearing services, grief support, Feldenkrais, and Art
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Monthly Hearing Services Stacie Nordrum, Au.D., CCC-A, from Island Hearing Healthcare, provides hearing care at Orcas Senior Center every first Thursday of the month. To secure your slot, it is advisable to schedule your appointment well in advance, as availability fills
Earth’s Secret Hydrogen Jackpot | Enough clean power for 170,000 years
||| FROM SCI-TECH DAILY ||| Scientists from the University of Oxford, Durham University, and the University of Toronto have identified the key geological ingredients needed to find natural clean hydrogen beneath the Earth’s surface. This natural hydrogen is produced by the Earth over millions of years and can accumulate underground
Crescent Beach Preserve forest work on Orcas Island to begin in July
||| FROM PETER GUILLOZET for SAN JUAN COUNTY CONSERVATION LAND BANK ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank is advancing plans for a forest thinning and fuels reduction project on Crescent Beach Preserve. The effort is a collaboration between the Land Bank and Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to
Larsen tours Tacoma ICE facility and meets with Lelo Juarez
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| TACOMA, WA – Yesterday, Representative Rick Larsen toured the privately-run ICE detention facility in Tacoma and met with Lelo Juarez, and today he released the following statement: "During my tour of the privately-run ICE detention facility in Tacoma, I saw the
Higher fares on the horizon for Washington State Ferries
A state transportation panel proposed 3% hikes this year and next, while lawmakers and the governor boosted a surcharge to build boats and added a credit card fee. ||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE STANDARD ||| Travel on a Washington state ferry will cost more this fall and even more next spring.
Port Commission will meet on Monday
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, June 23rd at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.
As the Paradigm Shifts | I did all the right spiritual stuff and still feel like crap: WTF?!
||| AS THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE KUHN ||| When spirituality seems like the consolation prize for not becoming somebody special. Is “becoming spiritual” a consolation prize? Are we settling for less when we give up on the pursuit of being somebody special? For me, like for a lot of
Sheriff’s Report | June 11 – 17, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 25-003522 Suspicious Person/Circumstance 12:05:32 06/11/25 A Friday Harbor middle school employee reported an older woman making comments to the students that seemed inappropriate. After investigating and talking with the woman, it was determined no crime had been committed. 25-003527
Whatcom County announces significant rise in ferry fares to Lummi Island
||| FROM THE BELLINGHAM HERALD ||| Fares for the Lummi Island ferry will be rising sharply because of increased costs, under an order from Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu. In his order, Sidhu said there is not enough money in revenue, reserves and forecast revenue at the current rate to
LWVSJ Observer Corps | Board of Health April 18, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| Three members had excused absences, Geffen, Ruby and Davies. There were no reports for most committees. The North Sound Behavioral Health Organization head Jan Rose will be holding a meeting in the county July 23-25 with state representatives. The county
No jury duty for June 23-27
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JUNE 23-27, 2025 All jurors summonsed for jury duty beginning Monday June 23 through Friday June 27 are excused. Thank you.
Whale Museum announces new junior marine scientist camp for kids
||| FROM CONOR AGNEW for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum is launching a new Junior Marine Scientist Camp for kids! This multi-day camp will take place on August 7, 8, 9 and 10, and will give kids a chance to learn about whales, seals, sea lions, and salmon through
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.
