Here’s a thought…
“Neither the evil nor the good in our history determines who we are. It is what we do now. If we do not say something ourselves about this horror, we allow ourselves to be changed.”
TIMOTHY SNYDER
Threads of Inspiration | A quilting exhibition at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Visit Orcas Senior Center this September and October for a colorful celebration of local quilting talent! Stop by any weekday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to view a stunning collection of handcrafted quilts, each one a unique expression of creativity
Whale Museum announces new Salish Sea Explorer Kit Program
||| FROM CONOR AGNEW for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum and The Salish Sea School are partnering to launch new, exciting take-home kits for educators, parents, and community organizers! These new Salish Sea Explorer Kits will be available through both organizations, and deliver three unique, hands-on experiences that
News Brief | Trump sending troops to Portland, Oregon
||| FROM SEATTLE TIMES ||| "The White House did not immediately respond to a request for details on Trump’s announcement, such as a timeline for the deployment or what troops would be involved." ORIGINALLY FROM SEATTLE TIMES He made the announcement on social media, writing that he was directing the
Rep. Larsen | Democrats holding fast to avoid a health care crisis
Republicans would rather see a government shutdown than bargain on restoring health care coverage. ||| FROM U.S. REP RICK LARSEN ||| At a time when families are already struggling with high prices and a weak job market, Republicans in Congress are doubling down on a health care crisis of their
Strum along with the Legacy Ukulele Ensemble and Peter Luongo
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| On Friday, October 17 at 5:30 p.m., Orcas Senior Center welcomes the internationally acclaimed Legacy Ukulele Ensemble from Langley, BC, led by master teacher Peter Luongo, for a lively and inspiring performance. Known for his dynamic teaching style and ability to
As the Paradigm Shifts | Knitting as a metaphor for how I do life (or want to do life)
||| AS THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE KUHN ||| Among the many ways I create in the world, one of my go-to’s is knitting. I usually have at least one or two projects on my needles at a time, with a few more gestating in my imagination. A Support
Sheriff’s Report | September 17 – 23, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 25-006410 Wanted Person 12:46:37 09/17/25 A Friday Harbor female was arrested on her San Juan County arrest warrant for failure to appear for a hit and run from an earlier case. She was arrested and booked into the jail.
Systemwide WSF community meetings rescheduled to Tuesday, Oct. 14
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| We’ve rescheduled our upcoming virtual community meetings to Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. WSF staff will answer questions and provide updates on the latest at Washington State Ferries. Registration is required. To learn more and register, visit: https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries/about-us/community-participation.
Grand re-opening of two Orcas Island preserves
Thank you for your patience during our temporary closures! ||| FROM CONSERVATION LAND BANK ||| The Conservation Land Bank is glad to announce the re-opening of Crescent Beach and Turtleback Mountain preserves this week, and to share our appreciation for your patience during these temporary closures. The trail through Crescent
Orcas Christian kicks off this year’s first Week of Worship
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN STUDENT LULA S. ||| Last week, Orcas Christian School (OCS) held its first Week of Worship of the year, an annual event where guest speakers share messages of faith with students. This year, a duo of college students from Walla Walla University spoke about their personal
Guest Opinion | Should Orcas Island (and SJC communities) have public transit?
||| FROM COLIN WILLIAMS ||| I believe we should explore creating a public transit system for our island community. I'd love to hear your thoughts and have a constructive discussion about this possibility. My Proposal: A Summer Transit Pilot I suggest we start with a pilot program during our busiest
Latest from Lekanoff | Strengthening schools, infrastructure, indigenous voices
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| As we welcome the turning of the seasons, I’m reminded how resilience lives in the everyday work of our communities. From harvest fields to salmon streams, from classrooms to council meetings, I see neighbors showing up for one another, adapting to
WSF Weekly Report | 500,000 more riders than last summer; online meetings rescheduled; system-wide kudo
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Our busy summer sailing season wrapped up Saturday. We carried almost 500,000 more riders than last summer, thanks in part to offering the most service during this peak travel period in years. We added sailings on three
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.
Grant funded Community Health Project Manager role – accepting applications until September 30
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) has received grant funds from the North Sound Accountable Community of Health to support the development of a San Juan County Community Health Network. As part of that grant funding, which ends September 30th, 2026, the Health
Check out this unique blend of literature and lore about the San Juan Islands
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Immerse yourself in a unique blend of literature and lore about the San Juan Islands this Saturday, September 27, at 6 pm at the Orcas Island Public Library. Curated story collections explore the rich and diverse legacies of the San Juan
