Video of orcas stranded in algae-infested pools triggers fresh concerns
||| FROM SCIENCE ALERT ||| A video posted online of two orcas circling in an algae-infested pool in southern France has brought a fresh wave of worldwide concern for cetaceans Wikie, 24, and her 11-year-old calf Keijo. France has been struggling to find a new home for mother and son
Guest Opinion | Thinking bigger picture on electricity
||| FROM ELISABETH ROBSON ||| The message we as a community have received recently from OPALCO is that we are in trouble related to electricity supply meeting demand on the Northwest Grid. Recent articles in The Orcasonian and The Seattle Times have made clear that a cold snap in January
Long-term islanders offer long-term islanders a long-term island home
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR ||| Following three months of desperate house hunting on Orcas Island, long-term islanders have offered long-term islanders a much-needed long-term island rental home. When we were notified that our landlord had passed, and her children wanted to sell our home of 15 years, we
Letter to Editor | Odd Fellows thank you to community
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ODD FELLOWS ||| The Odd Fellows would like to extend gratitude to our generous community for your support of our quest to upgrade sound and lights at the Odd Fellows Hall. Thanks to the success of the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) Spring GiveOrcas Campaign, we will
Art opening honors sacred history of Madrona Point
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Visual Arts Committee (VAC) of Orcas Center is proud to announce a special art exhibition from Peter Fisher, opening on Friday, May 23 at 5:30pm, celebrating the cultural, spiritual, and natural significance of Madrona Point. Presented in honor of the
County announces 2025 Home Fund notice of funds available
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Health & Community Services (HCS) has released a Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) for the 2025 funding round for the Home Fund program. Applications will be accepted starting June 2, 2025, with responses being due no later than July 15,
Weingath funeral mass on Thursday
||| FROM VELMA DOTY ||| Funeral Mass for Ann and Larry Weingath this Thursday May 22 St Francis Catholic church .There will be a simple reception prior to the 5 o’clock Mass outside at the church 3:30 -430.
Rug sale coming to Odd Fellows
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ODD FELLOWS HALL ||| Rug Sale at the Odd Fellows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 23-May 25, 10 am to 7 pm. These beautiful rugs are from many places in the world and are for sale for a fraction of its value. Come see
Auditions upcoming for Actors Theater of Orcas Island
||| FROM LYNDA SANDERS for ACTORS THEATER OF ORCAS ISLAND ||| The Actors’ Theater of Orcas Island announces open auditions for the production of the mystery-thriller DEATH TRAP, written by Ira Levin (The Boys from Brazil, The Stepford Wives, Rosemary’s Baby) and directed by Robert Hall. Sidney Bruhl, once renowned
Celebrate Spring GiveOrcas with community ice cream social
Thursday, May 22 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Emmanuel Parish Hall & Labyrinth in Eastsound ||| FROM LYNN WHITE for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) invites all community members to come together in celebration of collective giving, nonprofit organizations, and youth leadership. Join
Look what’s coming up at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Discover Your Artistic Talent: Watercolors Class for Beginners Immerse yourself in the captivating world of watercolor painting Mondays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Robbie Walker, an experienced instructor with years of expertise in drawing and watercolors, will guide you through the
Salish Sea Early Music Festival | Wednesday with Frederick the Great
||| FROM JEFFREY COHAN for SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL || Please join us next Wednesday at the Orcas Adventist Fellowship Church for a flute concerto composed by the king himself, who was an enthusiastic flutist and composer and performed almost nightly for concerts at his court, alongside concerti for both
Recording of Rep. Larsen’s Skagit County town hall
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Following up from the Monday night town hall – below are clips of all of Rep. Larsen’s responses to questions and the recording of the full event: Israel and Palestine Fighting for Medicaid Supporting Refugees and Immigrants Protecting the Environment
Systemwide WSF community meetings May 21 & 22
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES||| As we expand service for the busy summer season, we will host two virtual community meetings next week on Wednesday, May 21 at noon and Thursday, May 22 at 6 p.m. At the meetings, we’ll provide updates and answer questions on the latest at Washington
Escaping the ash | Recalling a volcanic journey
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR ||| We awakened that Sunday morning, May 18, 1980 in Portland. We were there celebrating our wedding anniversary and, just the day before, my husband and I had been on the slopes of Mount St. Helens, camera in hand. We entered into the Red
Port meeting on Monday
||| FROM PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, May 19th at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.