Here’s a thought…
“The propagandist’s purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.”
ALDOUS HUXLEY
‘Extremely rare’ white orca spotted in the wild
||| FROM NEWSWEEK ||| A "beautiful" and "extremely rare" light-colored orca has been spotted in waters off the coast of Japan. As seen in images captured by a local sightseeing company, the male orca lacks the distinctive black markings that are characteristic of killer whales. Instead, the orca appears pale,
Review: Local author pens new book
||| FROM JENS KRUSE ||| It is a pleasure to review a book by a fellow islander, Michael Hurwicz’s Leonid Hurwicz: Intelligent Designer: How War and the Great Depression Inspired a Nobel Economist (Cherry Orchard Books: Boston, 2023), published on May 9. At the beginning of his “Epilogue,” Hurwicz says:
Deadline to file for Port Commissioner is Friday
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for PORT OF ORCAS || The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioner’s has two seats open in the 2023 November General Election. Those interested in filing for candidacy can find more information HERE. The deadline to file for candidacy is Friday, May 15th at 4:00 p.m.
Kindergarten transition turns 15
||| BY MEGAN EHRMANTRAUT for ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| Carrying on a 15 year tradition, the Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC) was excited to host Orcas’ annual Kindergarten Transition event celebrating kids who are making the big leap to kindergarten in the fall. All preschool children, regardless of which
Floating Ukulele Jam time is fast approaching
||| FROM ANITA ORNE for JP AND THE OK RHYTHM BOYS ||| It’s Floating Ukulele Jam time again! Grab your uke, your voice, a song or two to share, and your friends and relations and join us on the interisland ferry on the traditional Third Thursday of the month –
POP UP Tour at Turtleback Mountain Preserve Garry Oak area
||| FROM TANJA WILLIAMSON for SJC LAND BANK ||| The weather and the wildflowers are at PEAK fun! Orcas Preserve Steward, Peter Guillozet, will host a pop up tour THIS WED. Attached is a flyer for for the tour. Event link: https://sjclandbank.org/event/evening-tour-of-garry-oak-restoration-area-turtleback-mountain-preserve/ If you think it’s something you’d like to share with
Gardening questions, plant problems addressed at Driftwood Nursery next week
||| FROM DIANNE MACONDRAY for WSU MASTER GARDENERS ||| Please join us at Lorna’s Driftwood Nursery on Wednesday, May 24th. from 11:00 - 1:00 with your gardening questions, plant problems and plant and insect identification needs. The WSU Master Gardeners of San Juan County will be there to help you.
Crime fiction fan? Don’t miss this library event
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Do you like to read crime fiction? Or are you an inspiring crime fiction writer? Please join the Orcas Island Public Library on Saturday, May 20, at 4 p.m. for A Nicer Kind of Murder: The Evolution of Crime Fiction. What does
Would you like to provide customer feedback on possible ferry fare changes?
||| FROM STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ||| The Washington State Transportation Commission is looking for customer feedback on possible ferry fare changes that would be implemented starting this fall. As part of the two-year state budget cycle, the state Legislature sets the requirement for how much revenue must be generated from
Salish Sea Chronicles | Constant change: SRKW, Biggs, Humpback whales
||| SALISH SEA CHRONICLES by NATE AVERNA ||| As a kid, I can remember watching our Southern Resident orca almost exclusively. Humpback whales did not frequent the Salish Sea after decades of population decline from whaling. Mammal eating orca (Biggs orca) seldom visited our local waterway due to the seal
Senior Center offering art classes, Meeting of the Minds, speech pathology
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Art with Carla – Fridays, 1-3 p.m. Are you interested in exploring your artistic side? Art with Carla, Fridays, 1-3 p.m. at Orcas Senior Center, is lighthearted fun, structured around process, with an emphasis on you CAN do it! Folks of
Fire Commission to hold regular meeting on Monday
||| FROM KAT BARNARD for ORCAS FIRE COMMISSIONERS ||| The Board of Fire Commissioners will hold a REGULAR MEETING on Monday, May 15, at 3:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the Fire Hall, 45 Lavender Ln, Eastsound, WA. The Zoom call can be accessed on the Resolution 2023-07 2023-05-15 Board Packet.
PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center achieves re-designation as Level IV Trauma Center
||| FROM ANNE WILLIAMS for PEACEHEALTH PEACE ISLAND MEDICAL CENTER ||| PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center has achieved re-designation as a Level IV Trauma Center following a review by the Washington State Department of Health. The re-designation demonstrates PeaceHealth Peace Island's commitment to providing the highest possible level of care
‘What Dreams May Come’ – Last three possibilities to see this potent, powerful performance
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Rock on the Rock’s first production since 2019, “What Dreams May Come” has been described as “Potent”, “Powerful,” and “A high-quality unique personal performance”. Exploring the collective consciousness and many colors of the events of the past few years, What Dreams May
Remote Boating Safety Class: Last one for 2023
||| FROM U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY BELLINGHAM ||| Bellingham, Wash. – The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Bellingham and San Juan Islands Flotilla is offering an opportunity for boaters to take an online, Washington State Basic Boater Education Course. The course for anyone wishing to learn safe boating skills and qualify
Candidates being sought for Odd Fellows Hall manager position
||| FROM LERNER LIMBACH for ORCAS FOOD CO-OP ||| The Odd Fellows Hall, located on beautiful Madrona Point in Eastsound, has been a natural community gathering place since it was built in 1891. The Hall is host to a variety of classes, dances, wedding receptions, art fairs, fundraisers, birthday parties
