Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
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.
End-of-year reflections and gratitude from OISD superintendent
||| FROM ERIC WEBB for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| As we wrap up the 2024–25 school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable progress we've made together. This year has been filled with growth, creativity, and perseverance. Across every grade level, our students have
Trump is undermining U.S. science. Here’s why that’s dangerous
Science has played a crucial role in making the United States great and powerful. ||| FROM THE WASHINGTON POST ||| The Trump administration’s reckless assaults on U.S. science are endangering the nation. If allowed to continue, they will lead to the destruction of a grand but politically vulnerable edifice that
Actors Theater offering free lights & sound workshop
||| FROM LYNDA SANDERS for ACTORS THEATER OF ORCAS ISLAND ||| Have you noticed how much the sound and lighting in a movie adds to the effect? The same thing happens in our stage plays. If you’ve ever wanted to build and operate the lights and sound for a theater
Iran has been at war with us for 46 years
"America can't do a damn thing against us" ||| FROM FRONT PAGE MAGAZINE ||| “America can’t do a damn thing against us,” Ayatollah Khomeini bragged while holding our hostages. The Carter administration had undermined the Shah’s government in favor of the Islamists who seized power and then prevented the embassy’s
