Here’s a thought…
“In politics absurdity is not a handicap.”
NAPOLEON
Inaugural Orcas Island Paddlers Group gathers at Moran State Park
||| FROM DARRELL KIRK for ORCAS ISLAND PADDLERS GROUP ||| WHO: Nearly twenty enthusiastic water lovers gathered for the first-ever meeting of the Orcas Island Paddlers Group on Wednesday evening. Co-organizers Tenar Hall and Darrell Kirk welcomed paddling enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds, including experienced guides and newcomers alike. WHAT: The
San Juan County Courts hold second annual Law Day celebration
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| On May 1, 2025, San Juan County Superior and District Courts invited seventh grade students across the county to participate in their second annual Law Day celebration. Sixty-five students from Friday Harbor and Orcas Island visited the courthouse and participated in a host
OrcasFest | Island-style music and dance ramble coming to Orcas
|||. FROM SAN JUAN MAKERS GUILD for ORCASFEST ||| OrcasFest is a new roots music festival coming to Orcas Island. This island-born celebration of folk and roots music takes place May 29th - June 1st and opens with a high energy evening square dance with headliner musicians on Thursday, May
LWVSJ Observer Corps* | County Council May 12 & 13, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| On May 12, during public comment the OPALCO ED spoke about the importance of siting renewable energy facilities and adequately planning for essential electrical facilities in the utility element of the comp plan. They cancelled the May13 hearing on budget
Jurors excused for May 19 – 23
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: MAY 19-23, 2025 All jurors summonsed for jury duty beginning Monday, May 19th through Friday May 23rd, are excused. Thank you.
A*OK needs your support to bring art to kids
||| FROM THE A*OK TEAM ||| We’re in the final stretch of the GiveOrcas Spring Campaign, and Art for Orcas Kids needs your help to raise the last $7,150 to meet our goal of $12,500—enough to fund two 20-week elementary art classes next school year. Every gift goes directly toward:
Last day to GiveOrcas for Orcas Library
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY ||| Help us enhance Orcas Public Library as a hub for ALL community members by expanding program accessibility. This project will serve the general public, home-bound seniors, the disabled, non-English speakers and more by creating accessible and diverse programming and supporting
Two orcas ‘at risk of death’ after being kept in abandoned theme park for five months
Their tanks are being overwhelmed by green algae ||| FROM LADBIBLE GROUP ||| A pair of killer whales face a fight for survival after being abandoned at a French Riviera tourist attraction. In January of this year, Marineland of Antibes closed its doors due to declining attendance and increased animal
Hazardous Waste Round-Ups: What Lopez and Orcas residents need to know before drop-off day
Guidelines aim to improve safety and efficiency at Lopez and Orcas collection events ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County has two more spring Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) round-up events in the coming month—vital opportunities to safely dispose of flammable, corrosive, or poisonous materials. The Lopez Island
Queer New Year is approaching
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND PRIDE ||| Mark your calendars! Orcas Pride’s Queer New Year is only two weeks away! Keep reading to find out the amazing events we have planned - get your tickets now, while supplies last! Find below a timeline of all the events happening and help us
Madrona Club awards Robin DiGeorgio Grant to severe weather shelter
||| FROM BRIAN MOSS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| Orcas Island Community Church is grateful to announce a $4,000 grant from the Robin DiGeorgio Endowment Fund, stewarded by the Madrona Club of Orcas Island. This generous gift will support the church’s Severe Weather Shelter, which provides emergency overnight shelter
The final hours of GiveOrcas
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for GIVE ORCAS CAMPAIGN ||| This spring’s GiveOrcas campaign has been our largest request yet of the community to support many programs and projects that help our community thrive. We don’t take this lightly. We know it’s a big ask, and we know it’s a busy
Choral Society in concert this weekend
||| FROM ORCAS CHORAL SOCIETY ||| This weekend, Orcas Choral Society will blow the roof off Orcas Center with Glory, Grandeur & Gospel, its joyful, brash and brassy spring concert, Saturday, May 17 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m. Bruce Langford leads the choir in a
County Council approves internal solution to coroner services
The County explored two options – contracted services via an interlocal agreement and in-house staffing – before appointing a staff member to the role. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Over the past few months, San Juan County has been working to establish a new system for coroner services
Island blood drives coming up on June 3rd & 4th
||| FROM BLOODWORKS NW ||| Did you know only 3% of us donate blood each year? Summer blood shortages are real, and you can help save lives in our local hospitals by rolling up your sleeve. To celebrate your blood donation this June, you can enter for a chance to
Systemwide community ferry meetings coming up
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| On Wednesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 22, we will host two virtual community meetings. At the meetings, we'll outline plans for summer service, provide project updates, and invite public input on the Washington State Transportation Commission’s fare proposals. Both meetings will cover the
