Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
The Artworks featured artist for May
BJ Arnold presents her newest series 'Spring Abstraction' ||| FROM BJ ARNOLD for THE ARTWORKS ||| I love the energy and promise of spring. Every spring I am inspired to attempt to capture the emerging awaking of nature surrounding me. I am, once again, enticed to sketch the budding plants
Farewell, But Not Goodbye | Open house celebration for Dimitri Stankevich
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Dimitri Stankevich The Orcas Center Board of Trustees is hosting a special farewell Open House to honor Executive Director, Dimitri Stankevich, who is stepping down after six years of dedicated service to Orcas Center. Community members, supporters, artists, and
Conservation Land Bank opening Watmough Head trail on Lopez
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Saturday, May 3, join commissioners and staff from the Land Bank and Bureau of Land Management as we celebrate opening the new trail from Watmough Bay to Watmough Head. The ¾ mile hike to the point at Watmough Head is rich with scenic
WSF Weekly Report | Online community meetings; fare setting process; boating season opens
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Seeing my colleagues in action every day reminds me that the strength of our ferry system lies in the people who make it work. Their skill, commitment and teamwork are what keep us moving forward and delivering
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.
Guest Opinion | Reflections of a new American on the state of our government
||| FROM PAUL KING ||| As a recent U.S. citizen, my journey to citizenship was marked by hope, aspiration, and a deep admiration for the principles this country was built upon. America, for me, has always been synonymous with opportunity, freedom, and democratic ideals—the notion that each of us has
Help make history for Orcas track & field
A Senior Project by Forest Frausto — Supporting generations of Viking athletes ||| FROM FOREST FRAUSTO ||| In 2020 the school track was installed and in 2022 I helped start Orcas Island’s first track and field team. Helping start this team, seeing it flourish, and watching my classmates run track
Getting ready for Medicare
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Is 2025 your year for joining Medicare? Medicare enrollment is not automatic for most people, so you’ll probably need to enroll with Social Security. Then you’ll have to decide what type of Medicare coverage you want. To make an informed decision
Wildfire Awareness Month in the San Juans
Island Readiness Event with WA DNR, Fire Depts., Conservation Dist., and More ||| FROM ANGIE REQUENA for WILDFIRE READY ||| Date: Saturday, May 10 Time: 1:00-3:00pm PST |*Media check-in begins at 12:45pm Location: Orcas Island Fire and Rescue, Eastsound| 45 Lavender Lane, Eastsound, WA Livestream: Starting at 1:00pm Click here
Systemwide WSF community meetings, May 21-22
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| As we expand service for the busy summer season, we will host two virtual community meetings in May to provide updates and answer questions on the latest at Washington State Ferries. Both meetings will cover the same topics. Registration is required. To learn more
Health & Community Services launches redesigned website to enhance user experience
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Health & Community Services is proud to announce the launch of its redesigned website, aimed at providing a more intuitive, user-friendly experience for all community members. The updated site structure introduces clearly defined categories that make it easier than ever
Island Stewards | Thank you for showing up
||| FROM ISLAND STEWARDS ||| Let's Keep the Momentum Going Big thanks to everyone who showed up, spoke up, or cheered us on during the last County Planning meeting. You made it count. Transportation concerns were raised—and heard loud and clear. Friends of San Juan came ready, offering solid ideas
Annual OPALCO member festival a huge success
Madsen, Silverstein, Whitfield Win Seats in OPALCO 2025 Board Election ||| FROM JOHANNA LANGE for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| On Thursday April 24, at the OPALCO Business Annual Meeting, Rick Fant of the OPALCO Election and Governance Committee announced the results of the 2025 Board Election. In District
SJC Monthly News Digest – April 2025
This column is part of a series detailing San Juan County’s recent news. Follow along each month to learn about important County projects, Council initiatives, department updates, and more. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Launches Pilot Project to Provide Marine Transportation Services San Juan County
Climate and Sustainability Advisory Committee seeks two new members
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is accepting applications for volunteer positions from two districts on its Climate and Sustainability Advisory Committee. District 3 (Lopez, Shaw, Decatur, Center, Canoe) - 4-year term District 2 (Orcas, Waldron, Blakely, Obstruction, Crane) – 3-year term The Climate and Sustainability Advisory
Letter to Editor | The patient died: a parable
||| FROM BILL APPEL ||| At a faraway hospital at which that faraway region’s foremost medical specialists were on call, a comatose patient was brought in through its busy emergency entrance. The patient had been found unresponsive in the mid-afternoon shade of a city park, and brought in as a
