Here’s a thought…
“If you put fences around people, you get sheep. Give people the room they need.”
WILLIAM L. MCKNIGHT
Island Expressions art show at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Visit Orcas Senior Center (OSC) from March 3 through April 25, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to experience Island Expressions—a vibrant showcase featuring three talented local artists: John Ehrmantraut, Marj Franke, and Barbara Wixom. John Ehrmantraut, known for
A treasure hunt awaits at return of Grannie’s Attic 2.0
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Mark your calendar for the exciting return of Grannie’s Attic 2.0 at Orcas Senior Center on Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.! This community-favorite event is better than ever, featuring artisan booths alongside household items, vintage finds, tools,
Annual student art exhibit April 25 – May 19, 2025
||| FROM D.N. KINSEY for ART FOR ORCAS KIDS ||| To celebrate art and creativity, this year's Annual Student Art Exhibit will be on display at the Orcas Center from April 25 – May 19, 2025. This exhibit showcases artwork from A*OK classes (Kindergarten through 8th grade) and features select
Public invited to comment on WDFW recommendation to protect rare butterfly species
||| FROM TAYLOR COTTEN for FISH & WILDLIFE ||| OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public input on a draft status report for the island marble butterfly that includes a recommendation to classify the butterfly as an endangered species in Washington. The public comment
Legal tools for farm succession: Securing your farm’s future
Free Virtual Workshop – April 9, 2025, 12:00–1:00 PM ||| FROM REBECCA MOORE for WSU EXTENSION | SAN JUAN COUNTY ||| San Juan County farmers can gain essential legal insights for farm succession planning by attending a free virtual workshop hosted by WSU San Juan Extension on April 9 from
The Whale Museum opens registration for its 2025 Gear Up Workshop
||| FROM CONOR AGNEW for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum has opened public registration for its 2025 Gear Up workshop! This year’s virtual workshop will take place on April 17 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM PST, and will help biologists, enthusiasts, and other stakeholders gear up for
Orcas Island athletes shine at Mt. Vernon meet despite weather forecast surprise
||| FROM DARRELL KIRK for ORCAS ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL ||| Orcas Island High School's track and field team competed in their second meet of the season on Wednesday at Mt. Vernon High School, where athletes who had prepared for extreme weather were instead greeted by unexpected sunshine. The Vikings team,
Rep. Ramel | Keeping Washington strong. Proposed budgets are live
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. ALEX RAMEL ||| Thank you to everyone who joined our telephone town hall and our community town hall earlier this month! I appreciate you taking the time to attend, call in, listen, and engage in a meaningful discussion on the issues that matter most
OPALCO files draft license application with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| OPALCO filed a Draft License Application with the Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC) today for a 10-year pilot project license for OPALCO’s proposed Rosario Strait Tidal Energy Project. In June 2024, OPALCO was awarded a grant by the Department of
Sheriff’s Report | March 19 – 25, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ||| WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 25-001515 Fraud 12:16:50 03/19/25 An Orcas Island Deputy authored a report to help a local citizen with bank fraud. The citizen was a victim of check fraud and did receive their money back. The incident was documented. 25-001517 Trespassing
County 4-H teen delegates excel at Know Your Government Conference
||| SAN JUAN COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM ||| San Juan County 4-H teen delegates spent Presidents Day weekend in Olympia, WA, at the annual 4-H Know Your Government (KYG) Conference. KYG is a comprehensive civic education program with a four-year rotating curriculum: the Legislative System, the Judicial System, Elections and Party
Fun, free Rotary Spelling Bee is back
||| FROM BARBARA MARRETT for SJI ROTARY CLUB ||| The Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands invites the community to attend its 19th Annual Spelling Bee at 3 PM, April 3, at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church, 425 Spring Street. Watch the excitement as 3rd-8th graders from both the Orcas
What is the price of eggs at the Food Bank?
Eggs are always available at the Food Bank ||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND FOOD BANK COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE ||| According to the USDA, the national average price of a dozen large eggs was $8.15 on March 4, 2025, up from an average $4.95 per dozen in the month of January, largely because
Library exhibit | Remembering a talented photographer
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Derk Jager was known to many photographers on the island through his participation in the Orcas Camera Club, photographing performances at the Orcas Center and working with other artists here and in Seattle. Sadly, Derk passed away in May 2024. Two
Spring conditions
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Community Foundation’s primary goal is to build and strengthen our community by encouraging and supporting local philanthropy. We strive to simplify charitable giving for individuals and simplify fundraising and management of reserves for nonprofits. Many community members
WSF Weekly Report | Career day; new ferry bid openings; puzzles
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve As more of our employees reach retirement age, we must make maritime jobs easier to access for our next generation of workers. Today, we hosted our third annual career day at our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility. It
