Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Orcas Island Jazz Festival celebrates 10 years this Labor Day weekend
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Orcas Island Jazz Festival returns this Labor Day Weekend to celebrate a decade of world-class jazz. Under the artistic direction of Martin Lund and presented by Orcas Center, this beloved event continues its tradition of showcasing top-tier talent across a variety
School District readies for new school year
Our students experience a sense of belonging and will graduate fully equipped to meet life’s challenges - confident and independent life-long learners and passionate in pursuing their dreams and in bettering the lives of others. ||| FROM ERIC WEBB for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| This week’s cooler air and
2025 Fall Native Wildflower Sale
Save the Date – the 2025 online sale goes “live” September 14 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Do you dream of creating wildflower habitat in your backyard? Are you looking for sustainable landscaping to support pollinators and other wildlife? Mark your calendar for the San Juan County Conservation
Meeting Recap | Community members discuss County’s potential purchase of Decatur Island property
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The County’s potential purchase of a Decatur Island property was discussed at a community meeting last week and during today’s August 19 Council meeting. Many community members provided comment during both meetings, providing valuable feedback for the County’s ongoing due diligence period. Background On June
Port of Orcas Monday meeting cancelled; no quorum
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| Commissioner and staff availability has the Monday 8/25 Port of Orcas Regular Meeting short of a quorum, the decision’s been made to suspend our August meeting, resuming September 22nd. As always, any questions or you require Port assistance please reach out
News Brief | ICE seeking gold-detailed SUVS
||| FROM THE WASHINGTON POST ||| “ICE aims to spend millions on decked-out vehicles for D.C. operation” Originally reported by BBC Scotland News Immigration and Customs Enforcement is seeking to spend millions of dollars on SUVs and custom, gold-detailed vehicle wraps emblazoned with the words “DEFEND THE HOMELAND,” according to
Revitalize your body and mind with Tara Plank’s yoga workshop
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join Tara Plank for an energizing LYT Yoga Workshop on Saturday, September 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Orcas Senior Center. This core-focused vinyasa practice, inspired by LYT Yoga and developed by a skilled physical therapist assistant, follows a
This site doesn’t run on magic (sadly)
||| FROM LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR ||| Just a quick note from me, not the usual headlines. This site has always been a labor of love, meant to keep our community informed and connected. I do it because it matters, and I know many of you feel the same. But
Center for Whale Research reports encounters with Bigg’s Killer Whales
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| ObservBegin: 03:25 PM ObservEnd: 04:19 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Katie Jones Other Observers: Taylor Redmond Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T65B, T65B1, T65B2, T65B3, T101, T101A, T101B LocationDescr: Skipjack Island The team was working in the office when
News Briefs | Whale, dolphin strandings being investigated
||| FROM BBC SCOTLAND NEWS ||| "Scientists investigate surge in whale and dolphin strandings" Originally reported by BBC Scotland News There has been an "exponential" increase in marine mammal strandings in waters around Scotland, scientists have found. Read the full article
2025 Rotary Car Show sets records for funds, attendance, and fun
||| FROM BARBARA MERRITT for ROTARY CAR SHOW ||| Under clear skies and warm breezes, the 17th Annual Rotary Car Show drew record crowds and fundraising success at San Juan Vineyard on August 10. Over 500 spectators from across the country enjoyed a stunning line-up of 74 classic and innovative
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue provides corrected property tax impact for November bond measure
OIFR Capital Bond Measure - Updated Financial Information ||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire & Rescue is providing updated financial information for Proposition 1, the $18.5 million general obligation bond measure appearing on the November 2025 ballot. An earlier estimate of the
Good news for permit review times & director recruitment | DCD leadership provides summer update
During the August 19 Council meeting, DCD leadership provided an update in key areas: recruitment of open positions, review of permit timelines, and the status of large projects. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During this week’s Council meeting, staff from the Department of Community Development (DCD) provided a
Call for featured artists at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center’s Visual Arts Committee is now accepting applications for Featured Artists for the upcoming season. Selected artists will have the opportunity to showcase their work in the Center’s lobby gallery, participate in an opening reception, and benefit from Orcas Center’s promotional
News Brief | New WSF ferries to be built in Florida
||| FROM WORK BOAT ||| "Eastern to build as many as three new ferries for WSF" Originally reported by WorkBoat Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Panama City, Fla., announced it has received the Notice to Proceed from Washington State Ferries (WSF) to build two 160-vehicle, hybrid-electric ferries with an option for a
San Juan County awards $815,000 in public facilities assistance funding to local organizations
This year, funding was awarded to four entities to finance public facilities serving economic development purposes. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During today’s meeting, the County Council approved a series of Public Facilities Funding Assistance Program (PFFAP) awards to local applicants. Funded by sales and use tax, this
