Here’s a thought…
“It wasn’t a Blue Wave; it was an American Tsunami!”
A serious fundraising request from theOrcasonian
||| FROM LIN MCNULTY, EDITOR ||| I am beginning to panic as the webhost for theOrcasonian is constantly reminding me that we are in need of an expensive (by Orcasonian standards) website uprade in order to remain accessible for readers. While monthly donations are appreciated from subscribers, along with
WSF updates vehicle restrictions at Orcas Island terminal
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| During a recent inspection, engineers found cracks in the steel under the transfer span, the part of the slip that raises and lowers to meet up with the ferry to allow vehicles to drive on and off. Repairs are expected to take up to
CWR comes across J Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 09:35 AM ObservEnd: 12:26 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Pods: J IDsEncountered: J19, J26, J36, J38, J39, J40, J41, J42, J44, J47, J51, J53, J62, J63 LocationDescr: Sherigham Point EncSummary: Mark left Victoria harbour at 0830 to take advantage of great weather in the Juan de Fuca and complete a
The Island Gardener for November ~ 2026
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Leadership Smoothie Welcome to another flavorful smoothie! You'll hear not only from the presidents but also other leaders within the club. They'll share their personal stories, values, perspectives or updates. We don't know what to expect but like a smoothie, these messages will
San Juan County’s Linnea Anderson recognized nationally for juvenile justice
As Superior Court Services Director for San Juan County, Linnea has championed approaches that emphasize early intervention, diversion, youth and family engagement, community partnerships, and opportunities for young people to grow and succeed. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Director of Superior Court Services, Linnea Anderson,
Orcas Island ferry service disruption | Oversized vehicles currently prohibited
Vehicle restrictions are now in place at the Orcas Island ferry terminal. Washington State Ferries does not yet have a definitive timeline for completing repairs or lifting the restrictions ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County has been notified by Washington State Ferries (WSF) that a routine
Community Dodgeball is back
||| FROM SUSAN STOLTZ ||| The Orcas Island Education Foundation and Orcas Park and Rec invite the whole community to an evening of all-ages Dodgeball at the High School Gym. Friday November 27th from 7 - 9:30ish. Holiday attire STRONGLY encouraged — there will be a PRIZES for the
Vehicle restrictions implemented at Orcas Island Ferry Terminal following structural inspection
||| FROM CAREY ESKRIDGE for ORCAS ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ||| Washington State Ferries (WSF) has implemented immediate vehicle restrictions at the Orcas Island ferry terminal following the discovery of cracks in the steel beneath the terminal's transfer span during an engineering inspection. Effective immediately and until further notice, only
Guest Opinion | What is ‘sport?’
||| FROM TENAR HALL ||| While we are debating the right of Trans People to exist as themselves in sports, we should ask ourselves, “What is Sport?” To illustrate what Sport is to me, I’m going to share a speech I wrote years ago for my rowing team, Martha’s Moms
‘Tis the season and Olga Symphony is coming back to celebrate
||| FROM DAVE ZOELLER for OLGA SYMPHONY ||| It all began in 1984 at the Olga Potluck. A band of musicians who had been jamming together for some time played their first public performance. When a member of the happy audience asked the name of the group, they realized they
Notice of special meeting of Town Council
||| FROM TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council will hold a special meetings on November 12, 2026 and December 10, 2026, to participate in a Comprehensive Plan work session from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The special meetings will take place in Council
News Brief | Why Americans choose to live on this isolated island
||| FROM YOUTUBE ||| Out in Washington’s San Juan Islands is Orcas Island, a place where eccentric people without cell phones live alongside billionaires, musicians, artists, and others who have chosen a simpler way of life. They come from very different worlds, but share a desire to live away from
I’m Not the Church Lady | Karma and Grace walk into a bar…
Turns Out, They’re in Cahoots! ||| I'M NOT THE CHURCH LADY by ROSIE KUHN ||| Karma says, “I wish they’d stop making me the bad guy!” Grace replies, “Tell me about it. I wish they’d stop making me the good guy!” Well, there’s something to think about! I don’t know
Curriculum of Place | Cohort 2 applications now open
||| FROM JAIME BEECHUM and CAITLIN LECK for ISLAND ALLIES OF INDIGENOUS LIFEWAYS ||| Island Allies of Indigenous Lifeways, Family Tides Farm, and Northwest Indian College are pleased to announce that applications are now open for Curriculum of Place Cohort 2. This year-long learning journey is designed to deepen participants'
Warren Miller’s ‘Days Off’ to show at Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Winter is calling! Orcas Center will screen Warren Miller's "Days Off" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, on its Center Stage. The film celebrates the days people step away from everyday life and head for the mountains. It features world-class skiing
Orcas Christian School connects with Walla Walla Academy through music
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Orcas Christian School (OCS) students had an opportunity to experience education through music and collaboration when Walla Walla Valley Academy’s (WWVA) praise band visited Orcas Island on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 5-6. The two private Christian schools connected through music, giving students an opportunity
