Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Hedrick Smith to present ‘The Outlook for American Democracy’ at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center is honored to host a special presentation by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and author Hedrick Smith, titled The Outlook for American Democracy, on Wednesday, September 10 starting at 5pm This timely, free public event will explore pressing questions about the future
Artwork featured artist for September | Shawna Franklin
||| FROM B.J. ARNOLD for ORCAS ISLAND ARTWORKS ||| Shawna Marie Franklin’s journey, both as a professional kayaker and a celebrated artist, is an inspiring reminder that creativity and nature are inextricably linked, each informing and enriching the other. Her work at The Orcas Island Artworks is a continuation of
See what’s germinating this Fall at the Garden Clunb
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Hello Fellow Garden Friends, We invite you to join us as we kick off another year in the Orcas Island Garden Club—where flowers grow, friendships bloom, and our community thrives! Thanks to those of you who have already signed up - over 40
News Brief | Scientists using drones to tag, monitor sperm whales
||| FROM THE COOL DOWN ||| "Scientists develop incredible new method to follow whales' journeys through the sea: 'This is definitely the future'" Originally reported by the Cool Down "We want to reduce the disturbance to the animal while improving the quality of the data that we collect." Read the
Needlework Circle, Watercolor class at Orcas Senior Circle
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join the Needlework Circle Join our weekly gathering for knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and all needleworkers at Orcas Senior Center, every Friday at 2 p.m. Come hang out—no project required! Whether you haven’t knitted in years, want to learn to crochet, or
Orcas Island Garden Club | The forgotten diversity of island apples
||| FROM PERRI GIBBONS for ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Madrona Murphy Please join the Orcas Island Garden Club on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 when we welcome botanist Madrona Murphy for an exploration of the vast diversity of apples that grow (and have grown) on Orcas Island. Madrona
Letter to Editor | Data Centers invalidate AI rights, AI welfare, AI morality
||| FROM DAVID STEPHEN ||| Whenever there is an announcement of a new data center anywhere, it is equal to AI right, AI peoplehood-neighborhood, AI care, AI welfare and if possible, AI morality. Nothing indicates a better welfare for something than substantial investments — at the cost of anything else.
CWR | Biggs along the coast
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| ObservBegin: 06:15 PM ObservEnd: 06:39 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Other Observers: Gary Sutton, Tasli Shaw, Machi Yoshida Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T109A, T109A4, T109A5, T109A6, T109A7, T109A8 LocationDescr: Observatory Point EncSummary: The Mike 1 crew of Mark and Fin
Threads of Inspiration | A quilting exhibition at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Visit Orcas Senior Center this September and October for a colorful celebration of local quilting talent! Stop by any weekday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to view a stunning collection of handcrafted quilts, each one a unique expression of creativity
Letter to Editor | Don’t let the Trump administration open the deep sea to mining
Your action is needed by September 5, 2025 ||| FROM ELISABETH ROBSON ||| Most of Earth remains unexplored. The deep sea—home to extraordinary creatures we are only just beginning to discover—may hold answers to questions about life itself. Yet the Trump Administration has quietly set in motion a plan to
Cultivating Success, Growing Future Farmers | Learn how to develop a sustainable small farm
We invite you to participate in our Whole Farm Planning Course focused on Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching that will be held on Mondays, 6:00pm to 8:00pm, September 22 through November 3. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Interested in farming? Not sure how to begin? Do you dream
Call for Designers | Recycled material fashion show
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Designers are invited to participate in a fashion event to take place on the opening night of a community show for visual art made from recycled materials (10/24 to 11/20). Showcase your fashions made from recycled, upcycled, unconventional or discarded materials. Deadline
News Brief | 100 dolphins go surfing in California
||| FROM KLTA LOS ANGELES ||| "Rare moment caught on video of 100 dolphins riding boat’s wake in Orange County" Originally reported by KTLA LOS ANGELES A massive pod of dolphins put on a stunning display for whale watchers off the Newport Beach coast this week, creating a scene that
Music of Bob Dylan coming to Odd Fellows Hall
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ORCAS ODD FELLOWS ||| The Music and History of America's Most Influential Songwriter: Bob Dylan Odd Fellows Hall Monday, September 1 @ 7:00pm Musician and historian Joel Underwood delivers a performance featuring the music and history of Bob Dylan. Come sing along with a dozen Dylan
Free lecture & seminar | Growing old growth: Relationships that define the future of our forests
Learn about growing old-growth forests with Tal Engel of WolfTree Integrative Forest Rehabilitation ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| It is often said that “time heals all wounds.” But what if, for our second and third-growth Douglas-fir forests, time alone may not be enough? What does it actually take
New islander launches book
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY ||| Orcas Island Public Library and Darvill’s Bookstore are proud to present a special book launch for At Last, the latest novel by New York Times bestselling author Marisa Silver. Silver is an acclaimed contemporary novelist whose works include At Last;
