Here’s a thought…
“If you put fences around people, you get sheep. Give people the room they need.”
WILLIAM L. MCKNIGHT
Guest Opinion | Safeguarding democratic norms in uncertain times
||| FROM DARRELL KIRK ||| As the Trump administration continues to settle into power, many islanders have expressed concerns about America's democratic foundations. Some political scientists have revived discussions of Ernst Fraenkel's concept of the "dual state" – where democratic institutions exist alongside parallel power structures that operate outside normal
Immerse yourself in a whimsical world while supporting the arts on Orcas
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Orcas Centers Board of Trustees is thrilled to announce, “Eat, Drink, and Be Giving” a Mad-Hatter fundraising dinner on May 3, starting at 4pm. Attendees will be transported to a fantastical world inspired by Lewis Carroll’s timeless tale, while enjoying a
In Memoriam | In loving memory of Ingrid Genevieve McClinton
||| FROM MARLACE HUGHES ||| With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Ingrid Genevieve McClinton, who peacefully passed away in her home on Orcas Island, Washington, surrounded by her closest family and loved ones. Ingrid Genevieve McClinton Born in Mobile, Alabama, Ingrid felt deeply connected to her
FAQs: Emergency interisland passenger-only transportation services
If the interisland ferry is out of service, Outer Island Excursions will provide foot passenger transportation between the islands. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Council has established an interim system for emergency interisland passenger-only water taxi service. By contracting with an Orcas Island business,
Microplastics may be stoking antibiotic resistance: Study
||| FROM THE HILL ||| The microscopic shards of plastic found in every corner of the planet may be exacerbating antibiotic resistance, a new study has found. Bacteria exposed to these ubiquitous fragments, known as “microplastics,” became resistant to multiple types of antibiotics commonly used to treat infections, researchers showed
Porcelain War to screen on Lopez, San Juan Friday evening
||| FROM ELLEN ROBERTS for FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Friday Harbor Film Festival is delighted to welcome Lopez islanders to our simultaneous screening of Porcelain War on Friday, March 28 at 7 pm. at both the San Juan Island Library and the Lopez Island Library. Now nominated for an
Share your original song at upcoming/ongoing Library group
||| FROM GORDON KOENIG for SONGWRITER CIRCLE ||| Got an original song you’d like to share? Come on down to the Orcas Island Library Community Room for the Songwriter Circle starting April 3rd at 7pm. No critiques unless you want them. Join us on the 1st Thursday of each month.
Upcoming Senior Center classes
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER |||| Start Your Artistic Journey with Drawing for Beginners Join us for an engaging Drawing for Beginners class, held every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Orcas Senior Center. Led by the talented Robbie Walker, an experienced instructor in drawing and watercolors, this
Letter to Editor | Life diminished
||| FROM MARIE MICHNICH ||| More than a decade ago, when we first came to enjoy the natural beauty of Orcas Island, I discovered a sweet little source of mental and physical well-being. A beautiful woman named Joyce Burghardt, well into her 90s, taught a water aerobics class at the
Island Hearing services at Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Stacie Nordrum, Au.D., CCC-A, from Island Hearing Healthcare, provides hearing care at Orcas Senior Center every first Thursday of the month (third Thursday in April). To secure your slot, it is advisable to schedule your appointment well in advance, as availability
Silent protest to again take to Eastsound streets
||| FROM EDEE KULPER || Silent Protest next Saturday the 29th at 12:00 in Eastsound where Brown Bear, Ladybug, and Island Thyme meet. This just may be the biggest one yet. Spread the word to let our neighbors in Canada and the nations around the world know that we are
Vanya from National Theatre Live at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The acclaimed production of Vanya from National Theatre Live featuring Andrew Scott (Fleabag, Sherlock), is coming to the Orcas Center Screen on Friday, March 28 at 7pm. Directed by Sam Yates, this version of Vanya offers a fresh, intimate take on the
Reminder | Spring WSF schedule starts tomorrow
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Our spring sailing schedule starts this Sunday, March. 23 and lasts through June 14. We’ll begin a new spring schedule for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route this year, following a collaborative schedule update process with the community. The first round of schedule updates was
Island athletes brave elements in first track meet of the season
||| FROM DARRELL KIRK for ORCAS ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL ||| LA CONNER, WASHINGTON - Despite high winds and late afternoon rain, athletes from Orcas Island High School made their first league track and field meet of the season yesterday at a multi-school meet hosted by La Conner High School. The
Port of Orcas meeting on Monday
||| FROM PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, March 24th at 5:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.
Orcas Community Resource Center hosts free Health & Wellness Fair
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center invites island residents to attend their upcoming Health & Wellness Fair, a free community-wide event connecting neighbors with essential health resources, wellness services, and support for a healthier life. The fair will take place on Tuesday, April
