Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Holiday on the Green returns to Eastsound Village Green on December 6
||| FROM CAREY ESKRIDGE for CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ||| The Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce invites the community to kick off the season at the annual Holiday on the Green Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 6 from 4–7 p.m. on the Eastsound Village Green. This beloved island tradition will
OPALCO launches opt-in Renewable Energy Survey to gather member input
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is inviting all members to participate in a newly launched Renewable Energy Survey designed to gather community insight on future energy programs, priorities, and opportunities. As OPALCO continues planning for a resilient, sustainable energy
Council opts for one-year budget
The preliminary budget proposes cuts to staffing, possible changes to County services, and other reductions across department operating expenses. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| This fall, the County has worked to reduce the originally projected $6.6M deficit in the 2026–27 status quo biennial budget. The deficit could have
Severe Weather Shelter now open at dark, 7 days a week
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH |||
Meet Cory Harrington | New housing specialist, with lived experience
||| FROM MEGAN METCALF for ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| Raised on Orcas Island, Cory Harrington has lived through nearly every form of island housing—employee housing, living aboard a boat, bus life, building a cabin on his parents' property, and ultimately developing raw land for creative housing solutions. Now, as
Orcas artist-blacksmith debuts new works featuring totemic sculptures, handcrafted masks
||| FROM B.J. ARNOLD for ORCAS ARTWORKS ||| Orcas Artworks is pleased to feature artist Steve Gropp during the month of December. The gallery is open daily from 10-4, closing January 1, 2025 for a brief winter break. "I have been a full-time professional Artist Blacksmith here on Orcas since
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council December 1- 2, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| At a public hearing, the county council reviewed the updates to the 2026 and the Six- Year Capital Improvement Plans. The 2026 plan includes environmental stewardship projects like solid waste, culvert replacements, stormwater improvements and creek, beach and wetland restoration
Letter to Editor | Odd Fellows hall Thanksgiving dinner gratitude
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND ODD FELLOWS ||| The Community Thanksgiving dinner at the Odd Fellows Hall was a great success! The Hall was filled with community members and guests to the island. We would like to thank all the organizers and everyone who contributed towards the potluck deliciousness! Special thanks
Jurors excused for December 8 – 12
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: December 8-12, 2025 All jurors summonsed for the week beginning Monday, December 8th through Friday, December 12th 2025, are excused. Thank you.
Despite the speed at which it is progressing, AI is getting far too little discussion in Congress
||| FROM THE GUARDIAN by BERNIE SANDERS ||| There is a very real fear that, in the not-so-distant future, a super-intelligent AI could replace humans in controlling the planet. "My staff and I will soon be presenting a very specific set of recommendations to Congress as to how we can
News Brief | DOJ demands info on all state voters, sues WA secretary of state
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| The U.S. Department of Justice sued Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs on Tuesday over his refusal to turn over a trove of personal information about every registered voter in the state. Hobbs refused in a Sept. 23 letter to DOJ, citing state law
Orcas Montessori School hosts annual wreath sale & Holiday Bazaar
||| FROM BRIDGET WRIGHT for ORCAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL ||| Our annual Wreath Sale is officially open! We’re excited to help you fulfill all your holiday greenery needs with beautiful, handcrafted wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces, perfect for bringing festive cheer to your home. Orders are open now, and wreaths will be
Wild salmon and steelhead in Columbia River Basin are collapsing; endangered orcas that depend on them are starving
Feds concede new management plan is inadequate ||| FROM EMMA HELVERSON for WILD FISH CONSERVANCY ||| Wild salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin are collapsing, and endangered orcas that depend on them are starving — yet the federal government continues to fund hatchery operations that fuel their decline.
Health Care District & Island Health sign 10 year+ contract renewal for Island Primary Care – Orcas clinic operations
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| As healthcare organizations across the country struggle with unprecedented uncertainty in operations and finances, the Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) Board is happy to report an important step in long-term stability for our island community. Island Health and OIHCD have executed
GiveOrcas is now here
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for GIVEORCAS ||| Giving season is officially here, and we hope you consider giving local with GiveOrcas! The annual holiday collective giving campaign is now open and runs through Thursday, December 11 at www.giveorcas.org. Today is also Giving Tuesday, a world-wide celebration of generosity. Every gift
Larsen releases statement on Trump administration changes to immigration processes
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U .S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after the Trump administration announced changes to immigration processes: “Refugees and humanitarian nonprofits that support refugees should not be punished because of the actions of one violent person.
