Here’s a thought…
“There are many forms of patriotism and telling the truth is one of them.”
ANDERSON COOPER
News Brief | Marine authorities consider stunning wild orcas to stop yacht attacks
||| FROM SECOM.ES ||| Since 2020, over 500 sailing vessels have reported aggressive encounters with orcas along the Iberian Peninsula. These aren’t random collisions or playful interactions. The attacks show disturbing patterns of coordination and persistence that have baffled scientists and terrified sailors. Captain Maria Santos felt the first jolt
Breathe Deep | All Islands Read returns April 11
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The All Islands Read (AIR) annual community book event returns on Saturday, April 11, at 11:00 a.m., at Emmanuel Episcopal Parish Hall. This free event is a collaboration between Orcas Island Public Library and HALO (Hub for Arts & Literature on
League of Women Voters issues appeal for community volunteer observers
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| Four years ago, the League of Women Voters of San Juans stood up a local Observer Corps. Many local Leagues have one; members attend local public meetings to follow what is happening in local government and to ensure that public
Rep. Lekanoff | Your invitation to upcoming legislative town hall
||| FROM REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| I’m looking forward to spending time with you in Mount Vernon later this month for a community town hall conversation. What: 40th LD Town Hall Who: Senator Liz Lovelett, Representative Alex Ramel, and Rep. Debra Lekanoff (me!) When: Saturday, February 21, from 11:00 a.m. to noon
EGC Announces OPALCO Board Candidates
Nominations by Petition Due March 2 ||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| The volunteer member Elections & Governance Committee (EGC) has completed their nominations process and selected a slate of candidates for the 2026 OPALCO Board of Directors election. There are two open positions; one
Speaker Event Tuesday | Indivisible San Juan Islands
||| FROM INDIVISIBLE SAN JUAN ISLANDS ||| Presidents' Day began as George Washington’s Birthday, a federal holiday created in the 1800s to honor the first president. Washington didn’t make much of his own birthday, unlike the current president's demand for a military parade for his birthday last June. Washington was
EWUA Union Update Notice | Public accountability notes & questions
||| FROM CORY HARRINGTON ||| Eastsound Water (EWUA) recently distributed a member notice regarding staff unionization and collective bargaining negotiations. The notice contains broad assurances about progress, good faith bargaining, and support for the union. However, many members and community stakeholders have raised concerns about transparency, rising legal costs, and
Join Song Circle at Mountain Lake hut
February 21 and March 21, 11 a.m. ||| FROM ELIZA SKY ||| Join this Saturday midday Song Circle at the Mountain Lake Hut. Come sip on bone broth around the fire and sing together! This is a casual event intended to ignite a special harmony that comes over group singing,
CWR enjoys afternoon with the T69s
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 04:15 PM ObservEnd: 04:55 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson, Joe Zelwietro Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T069, T069C, T069E, T069F LocationDescr: Sooke EncSummary: Following up on a report of inbound Bigg’s killer whales approaching Sooke, Mark and
Sound Bath Tuesdays at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join us at Orcas Senior Center every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. for a relaxing sound bath with crystal bowls. Sessions are guided by Andréia Henigson, founder of attune.you, a sound healing practice offering calming, restorative experiences for physical and emotional well‑being. Please
Library launches FREE 7-week ‘Language Exchange’ classes
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY ||| This March, Orcas Island Public Library will offer two welcoming, community-building language classes—one for Spanish speakers learning English, and one for English speakers learning Spanish. The 7-week session is free, designed for adults and students ages 16+, and meets in person
La biblioteca pública de Orcas lanza clases GRATIS de 7 semanas: Inglés & Español
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Este marzo, la Biblioteca Pública de Orcas ofrecerá dos clases de idiomas para fortalecer la comunidad: una para personas hispanohablantes que quieren aprender inglés, y otra para personas inglesablantes que quieren aprender español. El programa durará 8 semanas, es completamente gratis,
Sheriff’s Report | February 4 – 10, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 26-000713 Theft 10:12:19 02/04/26 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a theft incident in the Olga area. The Deputy learned that the reporting party was previously in a long-term relationship with the suspect and the suspect claims that the
Larsen condemns Trump administration demolishing key climate regulations
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “Protecting Washington state's environment is a top priority of mine. The Trump administration’s decision to ignore established science about climate change is reckless, stupid and dangerous,” said Rep.
Spring already?
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| When the world feels loud, it can be hard to quiet the noise around us, be present in the current moment, and refocus on what’s important in the long term. To be clear, sometimes noise is necessary. Like when the
The Exchange Update | February 2026
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING (THE EXCHANGE) Change to Lightbulb Recycling Program Because of recent changes to a state-funded program, as of March 1, 2026 we will begin charging the public to recycle light bulbs. Tubes of any length will be $2.00, and CFL bulbs will cost $1.00. We will also
