Here’s a thought…
“I am so convinced of the advantages of looking at mankind instead of reading about them, and of the bitter effects of staying at home with all the narrow prejudices of an islander, that I think there should be a law amongst us to set our young men abroad for a term among the few allies our wars have left us.”
LORD BYRON
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;
Center for Whale Research | Outer coast encounter with SRKW members
|||FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| ObservBegin: 01:07 PM ObservEnd: 02:31 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Other Observers: Gary Sutton, Tasli Shaw, Machi Yoshida Pods: J, K, L IDsEncountered: J31, J39, L55, L109, L119, L126, K12, K22, K33, K37 LocationDescr: Everest/North East of Swiftsure Bank EncSummary: Mark and
As the Paradigm Shifts | What could I possibly offer?
||| AS THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE KUHN ||| There is a weightedness of grace at the core of being present. There is an ache in the question, “What could I possibly offer?” that becomes the very threshold that ignites the alchemy of wholeness. Moments—gut-wrenching, soul-breaking moments—when someone comes to me
Sheriff’s Report | August 20 – 26, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20 25-005645 Trespassing 13:31:01 08/20/25 A San Juan Deputy received a report of trespassing. A witness who reportedly saw the suspect on the property refused to provide a statement to the Deputy. 25-005650 Fraud 15:20:39 08/20/25 An Orcas Island Deputy
