Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Orcas Online delivers holiday cheer with free speed upgrades
||| FROM RON CLAUS for ORCAS ONLINE ||| Orcas Online, the island's dedicated high-speed wireless internet provider, is spreading holiday cheer this season by announcing that all of its service plans will receive significant speed upgrades at no additional cost to subscribers. "This is our way of saying thank you
Island Health currently finalizing a contract with Ambetter
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Are you an Orcas Island or San Juan County resident who seeks care at Island Primary Care - Orcas and purchases insurance through the State Exchange? San Juan County/Orcas Island Patients can go ahead and enroll in Ambetter; a contract with Island
CWR logs two encounters with J Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:42 AM ObservEnd: 03:15 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Katie Jones Pods: J IDsEncountered: J16, J19, J22, J26, J31, J35, J36, J37, J38, J39, J41, J44, J46, J47, J49, J56, J57, J59 LocationDescr: Admiralty Inlet
Bring a drum, join the fun at Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Experience the Joy of Drumming! Discover the joy of drumming with the Spirit of Drumming Group at Orcas Senior Center Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.! This beginner-friendly group focuses on exploring the elements of drumming. There’s no cost to participate—just bring a
Lopez author releases new novel about Southern Resident Killer Whales
||| FROM GENE HELFMAN ||| I’ve done it, a sequel to Beyond the Human Realm. Meet In the Realm of the Whales, a novel of transformation, tragedy, and triumph. Beyond the Human Realm explored the life of Makai, a captive male orca released into the wild, and the people and
Children’s Holiday Craft Fair coming to Library
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Sunday, December 7th, 2025 • 12–2pm 500 Rose Street, Eastsound, WA Kick off the season by supporting our island’s youngest makers! At the 12th Annual Children’s Holiday Craft Fair, kids ages 6–18 will be selling their own handmade, naturally crafted creations—everything
German magician returns with holiday magic special at Odd Fellows Hall
Local performer brings family-friendly show to historic venue between Christmas and New Year ||| FROM HENRY 'OZ ||| After his November performance at Sea View Theatre (135 guests, 4.95/5 stars from 21 reviews), professional magician Henry 'Oz - The German Magician returns with a special holiday show at Odd Fellows
Color, imagination artwork at Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Make time this November and December to visit the Orcas Senior Center, open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and enjoy the vibrant artistry of local talent Chanda McKeaver. A resident of Orcas Island since 2001, Chanda showcases
Holiday Tea coming up at Orcas Library — including a Santa visit
Join us for one of the island’s most enduring holiday traditions. ||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Saturday, December 6th • 1–4pm Orcas Island Public Library The Holiday Tea returns with live music, delicious treats, and warm drinks for all ages. Enjoy the festive atmosphere, reconnect with
News Brief | Lummi Nation declares disaster after invasive crab arrives
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| The appearance of the European green crab is a serious threat to their treaty fishing rights. The crabs threaten hatchery operations, Tribal shellfish harvests and may have larger impacts if the infestation spreads. READ FULL ARTICLE
Midnight Mutterings | Thinking about Japan
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| Almost a half century ago, when I was living in Seattle with my family, the house next door was bought by a Japanese couple who were working at the University of Washington. I never actually met them as they never lived in that
Sheriff’s Report | November 19 – 25, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 25-007965 Domestic Dispute or Assault 08:08:22 11/19/25 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a domestic incident in the Eastsound area. The Deputy learned that it was a verbal argument, and that no crime was committed. The Deputy provided the
Encounter with Bigg’s in Puget Sound
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:45 AM ObservEnd: 02:02 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Monika Wieland Shields, Jason Shields, Rachel John, Amanda Colbert Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T46E, T46F, and T122 LocationDescr: Port Susan and Possession Sound
Guest Opinion | Success in the climate change battle looks like this…
"…Flogging a very dead horse…" ||| FROM DANIEL GOTTLIEB ||| From Yahoo: “…Commodities strategists at Wall Street’s top investment banks expect 2026 and 2027 to be tough years for the oil industry. And that’s after a nearly 20% decline in oil prices this year. Under a base case set by
Home for the Holidays concert with Crow Valley String Band
||| FROM RACHEL BISHOP for CROW VALLEY STRING BAND ||| The Crow Valley String Band with the Litch Brothers Duo invite you to join them and special guests, for their annual Home for the Holidays concert at the Orcas Grange on Friday December 19th and Saturday December 20th at 7pm.
Orcas Island School Board has a vacancy
||| FROM SUZANNA SMITH for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island School District Board of Education is accepting applications for a School Director to fulfill an unexpired term for Position # 5 (At-Large). This position expires on 11/30/2027. To be eligible for appointment, applicants must be registered voters
