Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Odd Fellows annual Firewood Raffle
Submitted by the Odd Fellows.
Art show opening on Friday, Oct. 23: ‘The Art of Expression’
The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center announces the opening of a new show on Oct. 23, 5:30-7 p.m., featuring works from “Art with Carla,” a weekly event at the Orcas Island Senior Center. Wonderful art is the result when community members come together to express themselves. “The Art of Expression” will be on display to Nov. 18. Meet Stanley and the artists, enjoy live entertainment, complimentary refreshments and a wine bar at the opening.
A night of improv with island friends
“Orcas Improv: Last Thursday Night” is the place for improvised comedy on the island, held on the last Thursday of every month. The next event is Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. in the Black Box. Improv groups and players borne from the classes and Monday evening Improv Jams (Whalewreck) at Orcas Center perform fully improvised bits, made up, on the spot, based on audience suggestions and stories and transformed right before your eyes and ears. From food items to scientific subjects, we’ll take you
Annual Halloween Dance at Odd Fellows Hall
Submitted by Odd Fellows Hall.
OIHM starts reading club: ‘Cabin on the Island’
Submitted by the Orcas Island Historical Museums.
Antidote dance party gets wicked this Halloween
On Friday, Oct. 30, Orcas Center transforms for a night of dark beats, wild costumes and serious dancing. From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., come lose yourself in the music and celebrate Halloween the Antidote way.
Katherine Bryant Ingman gets things done | Letter
District Three deserves a Councilmember who District Three voters chose. That’s Katherine Bryant Ingman. Between Katherine and Jennifer Swanson, primary voters of District Three voted 61% to 39% for Katherine. There are differences between the two candidates.
Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
I am grateful that we have two well-qualified candidates running for County Council in San Juan County. Thanks to both for making the effort. It is great to have options!
Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
Katherine Bryant Ingman has the vision, strength of leadership and proven negotiating skills to take care of business for the people of San Juan County. She has proven problem solving ability and a collaborative leadership style needed to address the current issues facing San Juan County. I admire her practical understanding for what resources are needed to solve complex long-term problems.
Jennifer builds community through service and hard work | Letter
I have known Jennifer for 20 years. She is a thoughtful, inclusive leader who brings people with diverse opinions together to find solutions.
Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
I am pleased to share my strong support for Katherine Bryant Ingman. I worked closely with Katherine during the pandemic as we strengthened hunger relief systems across San Juan County. Throughout that challenging time, I witnessed her ability to balance immediate needs with long-term solutions. She brought clarity, creativity, and a steady hand to complex challenges, contributing to our community’s access to food with consistency and dignity.
As of October 12: Burn permits issued by local Fire Districts
Beginning this 2026-2027 burn season, the local fire districts will be processing all burn permits for residents. Formerly accessed through the County website, burn permits are now managed through each island’s fire district and are available on their respective websites. Why is the County no longer issuing burn permits? In order to streamline the response […]
Town seeking applicants for open positions on Friday Harbor Arts Commission.
The Town of Friday Harbor is accepting applications for open positions on the Friday Harbor Arts Commission (FHAC). Commissioners are volunteers who consider the interests of the Town Council, community, and local artists when advising the council on the selection and placement of public art. Meetings are held at 4 p.m. the second Tuesday of […]
How about a night of improv with island friends?
Orcas Improv: Last Thursday Night is the place for improvised comedy on the island, held on the last Thursday of every month. The next event is Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Black Box. Improv groups and players borne from the classes and Monday evening Improv Jams (Whalewreck) at Orcas Center perform fully improvised bits, made up, on-the-spot, based on audience suggestions and stories and transformed right before your eyes […]
Inspired by the women running for office
It’s easy to get lost in the drama that emerges during elections in small communities. Even without pots intentionally stirred, there’s an inherent mess that comes from running against your former boss, or current boss (gulp!), who may or may not be less easy to work with on the other side of the campaign.
The Art of Stillness | Christian Carlson at Crow Valley Gallery
“Place has become a pendulum swing for me between life in the Skagit Valley and life on Orcas Island — one busy showing artists at Perry + Carlson Gallery [in Mt. Vernon] and one very quiet. Always between them is the Sea and I spend time there too, usually alone. Often there is a sense for me that words don’t easily capture and this is what I try to paint.” For painter, former architect, […]
Local fire districts now issue burn permits; Available as of Oct. 12
Residents can apply for burn permits via their local fire district. There is no change in cost, and permits can be obtained quickly and easily online Beginning this 2026-2027 burn season, the local fire districts will be processing all burn permits for residents. Formerly accessed through the County website, burn permits are now managed through each island’s fire district and are available on their respective websites. Why is the County no longer issu
Letter to Editor | We support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council
For many years Jennifer has been at the center of making the Shaw community run smoothly. She serves effectively as a leader on local and county boards, a careful and patient listener, respectful of others’ opinions. We are eager to see her courtesy, wisdom and energy at work serving the entire county, and support her for San Juan County Council position 3.
Getting to Know Katherine | What I bring to the table
First and most importantly, I bring to the County Council a deep love for these islands and the people who live here. I’m running for County Council to improve the lives of everyone who lives here — especially those of us most impacted by the challenges and uncertainties that we face. I know how knowledgeable, creative, resourceful, and resilient we are. I’ve seen first-hand the power of coalition-building in […]
‘The Poet’s Pier’ short film in FHFF has local interest
I’m excited to let you know that Michael and I (and my fiddle tune “Olga and Buck Bay) are featured in a short film that will be shown in the Friday Harbor Film Festival at 10:30 am on Sunday, Oct. 25. I hope you can come see it! The film was made by our friend Mara Miksch and it focuses on the Olga dock on Orcas Island. We will be at the screening and of […]
How to help the Sears family after fire destroys home
GoFundMe set up by Marianne A Bryan for the Sears Family of San Juan Island. For the Sears family, this fundraiser is one way for our community to come alongside them after a fire destroyed their home. The Sears family are my husband’s cousins, and they live on the same small peninsula on San Juan Island. […]
Jeremy Nash: Heads Up Friday Harbor, Utility Rates!
The Town of Friday Harbor is getting ready to raise utility rates again. At Thursday’s Town Council meeting, staff proposed 2027 increases of 7.5 percent for water, 3 percent for sewer, 4.5 percent for refuse and 25 percent for stormwater. For an in-town single family residence, the Town’s example would take the basic monthly charges […]
October 25: Sharon Abreu’s Olga and Buck Bay featured in short film at Friday Harbor Film Fest
Michael and I (and my fiddle tune “Olga and Buck Bay) are featured in a short film that will be shown in the Friday Harbor Film Festival at 10:30 am on Sunday, Oct. 25. I hope you can come see it! The film was made by our friend Mara Miksch and it focuses on the […]
January 6-8: San Juan County Resident Camping Reservations Open
San Juan County Resident camping reservation program will continue to be offered online in 2027 and will open in early January. On Wednesday, January 6, at 9:00 am through Friday, January 8 at 4:00 pm, reservations will be available online to San Juan County residents. These three days are an opportunity for residents to reserve […]