Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
Library features works of Jessie McConville
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Orcas Library is exhibiting the work of artist Jessie McConville in the month of January. Jessie has titled her show Always Something, because, she says, “there is always something to be grateful for, to learn, to experience, to contribute to, and to
Chair yoga, ukulele, fidget quilts at Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Ukulele Kanikipila: Join the Musical Fun Experience the joy of making music at Ukulele Kanikipila, Hawaiian for "play music," Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m. at Orcas Senior Center. This gathering is open to everyone with an interest in playing music
Orcas student, Thurmond Russell earns silver medal in Bach Festival International
||| FROM MICHELE RUSSELL ||| Thurmond Russell, age 17, competed in the 2025 Bach Festival International in October, earning a silver medal for his age group in the Historically Informed Peformance Category. He chose to play Johann Sebastion Bach’s Toccata in E minor (BWV 914), a piece written fairly early
Rep. Alex Ramel | When D.C. pulls back, WA steps up
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. ALEX RAMEL ||| Ahead of the 2026 legislative session, my colleagues and I are staying focused on what matters most to our community: affordability, a fair tax system, and holding the line against federal rollbacks. Your continued engagement is essential to ensuring we effectively
Join in Women’s March | Walking Out for America
||| FROM BETH HELSTIEN ||| Please join me in the Women's March Walking Out for America on Tuesday, January 20 at 2 PM at the San Juan County Courthouse. Join a short "walkout" (as in "strike") from work, school or other commitments to say you oppose fascism and support democracy.
Community lunch marks one year anniversary
||| FROM HILARY CANTY for COMMUNITY LUNCH ||| The Community Lunch will be celebrating a year of shared meals on Tuesday January 20th. Every Tuesday for the past year, a home cooked meal has been provided to the community from 12-1:30 downstairs in the Community Church. Thanks to the many
CWR logs first encounter with K47
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 01:13 PM ObservEnd: 02:26 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Other Observers: George Hamilton Pods: K IDsEncountered: K14, K20, K27, K35, K36, K37, K42, K43, K45, K47 LocationDescr: Hein Bank EncSummary: Mark and George were getting ready to
WSF online community meetings coming up
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| We’re hosting two online community meetings on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. This is your chance to share feedback and ask us questions. Each meeting will start with a short presentation that looks back at 2025 and previews our 2026
Art classes for kids this winter
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Do YOU see genius? Learn about what you're capable of creatively with an art class series at Orcas Center. Brook Meinhardt teaches art in the public school and is the creator of Cardboard Camp. She is also the artist who created
2026 Salish Sea Early Music Festival on Orcas Island
||| FROM JEFFREY COHEN for SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| The 2026 Salish Sea Early Music Festival presents its 15th festival on Orcas Island, consisting this year of 8 diverse programs from the mid-1500's through three hundred years of chamber music to the time of Beethoven, with prominent early
Sheriff’s Report | December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 25-008836 Kidnapping 17:19:51 12/31/25 Deputies on San Juan Island responded to a call connected to a welfare check. The individual was contacted, and it was determined that they did not need any assistance. 25-008840 Weapons Offense 17:36:54 12/31/25 Orcas
Latest from Lekanoff | First Fantastic Friday – Legislative Preview
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| Happy first Fantastic Friday of the new year! I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe, healthy, and grounded as we step into 2026 together. As we prepare for the upcoming legislative session, I want to be transparent
Protecting the environment and local law enforcement big winners in Larsen-backed bills
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after voting yes on a package of three Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) spending bills. The package passed the House with bipartisan support on a 397-28 vote and now heads to the Senate for consideration. “I am glad that this legislative
Community meeting on Shaw to discuss future of public works road maintenance
There will be an opportunity for questions, answers, and a discussion. All are welcome to join online ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| To kick off the new year, San Juan County officials will host a community meeting on Shaw Island to discuss upcoming Public Works Road Maintenance projects
Tonight | Stand in solidarity with Minneapolis
A candlelight vigil in memory of Renee Nicole Good ||| FROM INDIVISIBLE SAN JUANS ||| These are some dark and tumultuous times, accelerating under our current administration. Tonight, January 9, at 5:30pm, at the Courthouse Lawn, we stand in solidarity with Minneapolis and offer a candlelight vigil in memory of Renee Nicole
Orcas Senior Center renovation progress
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Changes are afoot at Orcas Senior Center! Our new Living Room is a cozy spot for reading, relaxing, and socializing, complete with a game table. A dedicated Game Room is now being considered. We’d love to hear what you think! Since
