Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
The oldest Puget Sound orca: L25 may be approaching 100
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| She is still out there: cruising miles uncounted, leading her family to fish. L25 is the world’s oldest known living wild orca, the uncontested reigning matriarch of the southern resident orcas that frequent Puget Sound. She ascended to that post after the death of J2,
In Memoriam | John Francis O’Brien III, 1943 -2023
||| FROM WENDY O'BRIEN ||| John Francis O’Brien III John Francis O’Brien III died peacefully in his sleep on September 6, 2023 at his home on Orcas Island, Washington. He was born February 14, 1943 in New London, Connecticut. He was an accomplished musician, cyclist, carpenter, storyteller, and
2023 General Election ballots have been mailed
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| All registered San Juan County voters will receive ballots for this election. San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2 (Orcas Island Fire & Rescue) is running a property tax levy. This levy is the primary funding source for fire and emergency
Garden Club reminds us that Fall is definitely here
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Hello everyone! Fall is definitely here as our gardens breathe a sigh of relief with cooler temperatures and the return of rain. Leaves are changing colors, the moss is turning beautiful shades of green, and the morning dew is rehydrating the plants. We
Letter to Editor | No does not mean no to our Fire Commissioners
||| FROM JOHN ERLY ||| Seventy-five percent of the Orcas Island voters said "no" to a levy a few months ago. The Commissioners have placed it on the ballot again. It costs the taxpayers money to have it on the ballot. Per the County Elections office, it's a little over
Letter to Editor | In support of Brian Ehrmantraut for Fire Commission
||| FROM JUSTIN PAULSEN ||| When your ballot arrives in the coming days, you have the opportunity to make a positive, meaningful change for Orcas Island Fire and Rescue. By electing Brian Ehrmantraut on the Board of Fire Commissioners, we will bring a long-time, respected member of our community to
How to stop whale deaths from real threats, not lies about wind energy
Protecting whales means busting fossil-fueled myths about wind energy — Right-wing disinformation is the real threat! ||| FROM GREENPEACE ||| Greenpeace offices and activists around the world have worked to protect whales and the oceans they call home for decades. The threats to whales and all marine life have evolved and multiplied — ranging
Schedule your flu shot now with Island Primary Care-Orcas
||| FROM ELLEN FRASER for ORCAS HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Island Primary Care Orcas Schedule your Flu Shot! 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Adults: October 19 October 23 October 30 November 1 Pediatric: Get one during your doctor appointment or at school. Ask staff for details. Appointment Required. Additional dates will
Letter to Editor | I strongly support Brian Ehrmantraut for Fire Commissioner
||| FROM JENS KRUSE ||| With this letter I would like to strongly support Brian Ehrmantraut for Fire Commissioner (Seat #2) in the upcoming November 7th general election. Brian’s candidate statement in the Voters’ Pamphlet details his extensive elected, professional and community service experience. He has also served as an
Letter to Editor | Ehrmantraut is our choice for Fire Commission
||| FROM HANK DATE and HILARY CANTY ||| We hope you will join us in voting for Brian Ehrmantraut for Fire Commissioner position 2 and support the change that will allow OIFR to flourish. As a volunteer, Brian has a hands-on understanding of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue. He also
Why won’t Greenpeace admit that wind turbines may be killing whales?
||| FROM MATTRIDLEY.CO.UK ||| Who cares about whales? Whales might be dying because of sonar surveying, but Greenpeace simply ignores the science that doesn’t suit it. So far last year, 71 whales have washed up dead on the shores of New England and neighbouring states. The rate seems to have
Letter to Editor | In support of Toni Knudson for Fire Commissioner
||| FROM PENNY BUTTKE ||| Toni Knudson was our Building Inspector when we built our house some 20 years ago. She did an excellent job then as I know she will now. She is knowledgeable, hard working, skilled at handling complicated tasks and a good listener. You may know Toni
‘They just come, take a nice selfie … and leave.’ Overtourism returns, but cities are fighting back
||| FROM CNBC ||| REPOST AT REQUEST OF ORCASONIAN READER From overtourism to no tourism — and back again. Many cities have come full circle to worrying about too many tourists rather than too few. The rise of budget airlines, short-term home rentals and cruise ships are part of
Interested in exploring your artistic side?
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Watercolors Class @ Orcas Senior Center – Mondays, 9:30-11am Are you interested in exploring your artistic side? Join a watercolors class for beginners at Orcas Senior Center on Mondays, 9:30-11am. Basic supplies are required to participate and the cost per class
Fire Commission to meet on Monday
||| FROM KAT BARNARD for BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS ||| The SJC Fire Protection District #2 Board of Fire Commissioners invites you to the Regular Meeting on Monday, October 16th, at 3 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall or on Zoom (link in the attachment). Please review the attached agenda and
Once again, it’s floating ukulele time on the ferry
No ukulele required!!! ||| FROM ANITA ORNE ||| Grab your uke if you have one, your voice (whether you have a uke or not, we can always use more singers), a song or two (or more) to share, and your friends and relations and join us on the interisland ferry
