Kicking off the season of generosity & light
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| As the daylight hours get shorter, I find myself looking for new sources of light. Light in the literal sense, with cozy fires and candles, or the metaphorical, with seasonal gatherings, gratitude, and giving back to our community. Here are two
Leadership San Juan Islands celebrates its 20th year
||| FROM GRETCHEN KRAMPF for LEADERSHIP SAN JUAN ISLANDS ||| The board of Leadership San Juan Islands is recognizing its 20th Year by hosting November Alumni Gatherings and announcing Class XVII will begin in late 2025. More than 240 alumni have participated in our countywide program, designed to educate and
UPDATE: Sea wall repairs temporarily close MacKaye Harbor dock and boat ramp
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Environmental Stewardship Department is conducting repairs on a sea wall near the MacKaye Harbor dock area on Lopez Island. Construction was initially scheduled for October 29, however, crews discovered surf smelt on the beach shortly before construction began. This discovery
Letter to Editor | Thanks to all who made Halloween Dance a fun night
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ORCAS ODD FELLOWS ||| On behalf of the Orcas Island Odd Fellows, thank you to everyone who participated in the annual Halloween Dance at the Odd Fellows Hall. Great fun was had by all. We’re thankful to all who attended; it was a really fun
WSF Weekly Report | Morocco conference; 2 rescues; high school trades; readying for Standard Time; Happy Halloween
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve This week, I went to Morocco to attend the 48th Annual Interferry Conference, a global event that’s an important investment in our system’s future. As a public agency, we’re judicious with taxpayer money for travel. But this conference
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.
Letter to Editor | Paulsen showcases dedication to our county
||| FROM ATHENA MOORE ||| I am Athena Moore, a senior at Spring Street International School and a resident of Orcas Island since 2018. As a student pilot with the Airhawks Flying Club, an employee at Island Market, and an active member of our community theater, I am proud to
Letter to Editor | Hughes champions diversity, inclusion
||| FROM KEVIN CARTER ||| As a long-time Orcas Island resident and Vice President of Strategy and Assessments at The Winters Group—a firm specializing in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice—I have worked closely with Rick Hughes over the past several years. During that time, I have witnessed Rick’s unwavering dedication
Lions Club announces $25,000 matching grant for Senior Center renovation
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| The Orcas Island Lions Club is proud to announce the establishment of a $25,000 matching grant through the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) to support the Orcas Senior Center’s (OSC) renovation project. This grant is available for the month of November,
Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, and South Dakota
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| This year, we have seen the devastating repercussions of the far-right's attacks on reproductive freedom. An untold number of patients have had to seek care under duress, cobble together money for out-of-state travel, go without the care they need, and, in
Free Nutrition Class on Gut Health
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Mark your calendar for Wednesday, November 6 at 1 pm, and learn about the power of gut health with Ursula Neal. With a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and 27 years of experience, Ursula, a graduate of Bastyr University’s Didactic Program in
Hops on the Rock Orcas Island Beer Festival, November 9
||| FROM RICK HUGHES for HOPS ON THE ROCK ||| From a humble gathering of friends and breweries in 2017, Hops on the Rock has blossomed into the premier Destination Beer Festival on the West Coast. This iconic block party continues to grow and now includes an exciting lineup of
Letter to Editor | Candidates: Bring each other up, not down
||| FROM AYN GAILEY ||| Months ago I was asked by elected officials and island leaders to run for County Council. They had donors ready to support me, and my favorite graphic designer willing to work for free. I said no. I did so for the same reason that I will
Health Care District meeting
||| FROM ORCAS HEALTH CARE DISTRICT BOARD ||| The Orcas Island Health Care District Board will hold the Public Budget and Levy Hearing on Tuesday, November 12th from 5:30 - 7:30 PM in the Orcas Island Community Foundation meeting room, Suite 4 - 33 Ulner Street, Eastsound. The agenda will be posted within 24 hours
Barbara Evans featured artist for November at Library
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Barbara Evans is the featured artist for the month of November in the Orcas Island Library’s Art in the Library series. Barbara is exhibiting her images of trees in a wide variety of media, including oils, pastels, graphite and needlepoint. She
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council October 28 & 29, 2024
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| The county climate coordinator updated the Council on climate action planning including the newly required climate element for the next comprehensive plan update. The climate element will lay out goals and policies and the Climate Action Plan will have strategies and actions.