Here’s a thought…
“America is and always has been an argument — it’s an experiment.”
DAVID W. BLIGHT
Orcas Christian School hosts Asian food fundraiser for Belize mission trip
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL STAFF ||| On Sunday, Jan. 26, middle and high school students at Orcas Christian School (OCS) gathered to host an Asian food fundraiser at the school’s cafeteria to support an upcoming mission trip to Belize. The event stemmed from OCS teacher Kyler Morgan's idea, and
Historic Washington Elwha ferry sold for $100K, will be repurposed into floating office
||| FROM KOMO TV NEWS ||| The historic ferry Elwha, a staple of Washington State Ferries since 1968, has been sold to Everett Ship Repair for $100,000. The ferry will be repurposed into a floating office and warehouse space at the shipyard, the Washington State Department of Transportation said in
Adrift | Punxsutawney Phil takes a look around, says ‘no,’ and goes back inside
||| ADRIFT by LIN MCNULTY, EDITOR ||| It's another Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Philadelphia and the beloved groundhog came out of his comfy shelter, took a look around, and immediately returned to his burrow. Lore says Punxsutawney Phil will forecast the next six weeks of weather by his annual determination
High School artists exhibit at Orcas Library
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY||| For the month of February, the Orcas Island Library’s ‘Art in the Library’ exhibit will feature the work of the Orcas Island High School art students. This vibrant display will feature a diverse range of work from the first semester of the
Bruce Pavitt in conversation at Orcas Library
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Bruce Pavitt is a cultural icon and founder of Seattle’s Sub Pop, the record label that first discovered Nirvana, Soundgarden and Mudhoney. Few people have influenced music & popular culture as much as Bruce Pavitt. As founder of Sub Pop fanzine &
Virtual WSF public meetings coming up
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| We’re hosting systemwide virtual public meetings on Wednesday, Feb. 12 and Thursday, Feb. 13. WSF staff will answer questions and provide updates on the latest at Washington State Ferries. Registration is required. To learn more and register, visit: https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries/about-us/community-participation
Call for fiber artists at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center’s Visual Arts Committee (VAC) is seeking fiber artists for the next Community Art Show: Textile and Fiber Arts Installation Day: Wednesday, February 12 from 10:15am-12pm Art Opening: Friday, February 14 from 5:30-7pm On Display: February 14 – March 19 Pickup:
Create your own Valentine’s Day potpourri at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Embrace the spirit of love at a delightful hands-on potpourri workshop on Monday, February 10, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Orcas Senior Center. Join local artisan Andrea Cohen to craft your own aromatic Valentine’s blend using dried botanicals and
Trump’s “Fork in the Road” offer to Federal workers
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. SENATOR PATTY MURRAY ||| I wanted to reach out with some information about the Trump administration’s “Fork in the Road” offer, which claims to give federal workers the option of a “deferred resignation” that would allegedly allow workers to “retain all pay and benefits
Letter to Editor | A GiveOrcas thank you from Music Advocacy Group
||| FROM SHARON HO for MUSIC ADVOCACY GROUP ||| Thank you to the Orcas Island community for supporting Music Advocacy Group’s Holiday GiveOrcas grant request! With your generous support, we raised $14,200 (and then some!) to purchase new instruments and equipment for the Orcas Island School District music program. A
Jury Duty | February 3-14, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| All jurors that were summoned for the two week jury period beginning Monday, February 3rd, are excused. Jurors summoned for the one week period beginning February 10th need to check back next Thursday afternoon for instructions.
Letter to Editor | I can now access Library’s public bathrooms
But nowhere else in the Village ||| FROM SHERRY GEE TRONVIG ||| Here’s a grateful kudo to Ingrid Mattson, director of the Orcas Island library. Because of Ingrid, we folks who live with disabilities, the elderly, and young children, can now easily access the public bathrooms at the library! Surely,
Community Church severe weather shelter is opening
||| FROM CAROL KULMINSKI for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| Tonight and throughout the week, the Severe Weather Shelter at the Orcas Island Community Church on 176 Madrona St will be open. To confirm each night, you can call 360-376-6422, ext.3 to verify if it is open or closed that
Kenmore Air and Puyallup Tribe expand partnership with international service
||| FROM PUYALLUP TRIBE ||| PUYALLUP RESERVATION, Tacoma, Wash.—Kenmore Air, in collaboration with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, is excited to announce the extension of their seasonal seaplane flight service between Tacoma’s Ruston Way and Victoria, BC’s Inner Harbour. The service, which will run from May 15 through Sept. 15, offers
Garden Club: Preserve walk and backyard bird count
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| DIG IN Member Event: Preserve Walk and Backyard Bird Count Friday, February 14th, 9 a.m. North Short Preserve (located near the northwest corner of Orcas Island) Spend your Valentine's Day exploring one of the most recent Land Bank's preserves while showing your love
Sheriff’s Report | January 22 – 28, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22 25-000422 Suspicious Person/Circumstance 16:06:09 01/22/25 A Lopez Deputy responded to a report of a politically charged paper printout being left at the end of a Lopez residents’ driveway. The incident was documented. 25-000424 Weapon Safekeeping 16:16:15 01/22/25 Lopez Island
