Here’s a thought…
“The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings — and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”
NO KINGS DAY
Free concert this Sunday | Rafe Pearlman and Friends
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center is thrilled to announce a special performance featuring Rafe Pearlman & Friends alongside Micaela Kingslight on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 5:00 PM on the Village Green. This free event is part of Orcas Center’s Summer Concert Series and is
Lori Fast works on display at Orcas Library
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| July’s Library art exhibit is a tribute to Island artist Lori Fast, who passed away in December 2024 after a years-long battle with cancer. For years, Lori was part of a small, close-knit group of islanders who met weekly for afternoons
Have a garden question? Ask an Orcas Master Gardener
Now at the Market Garden Nursery ||| FROM JULIA TURNEY and JAY LUCAS for ORCAS MASTER GARDENERS ||| Do you have a question about your soil, have a problem with your fruit tree, or are thinking about starting a garden? Is something bugging your plants, or you are curious about
Fires reported to OIFR for first week of July 2025
||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Between July 1 and July 4, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue responded to five fire calls, including two structure fires in Olga. The first structure fire began at approximately midnight on the 1st, and the second structure fire began
Ferry Talk | Governor Ferguson to host Orcas Island public meeting
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOV. FERGUSON ||| The governor is visiting Orcas Island on Monday, July 14, and he will be hosting a public meeting at noon at Orcas Center. We invite the public to come and share their experiences and feedback about Washington State Ferries with the governor
Reports of ICE detaining male on San Juan
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE via FACEBOOK ||| Reports of ICE being present at the Sandpiper Apartments at 250 Tucker Ave this morning, detaining one individual, and taking them away started coming in around 7:50 am. The call notes report that a silver SUV (later found to possibly
Noam Chomsky | How much time is left until the end of Trump
||| BY NOAM CHOMSKY ||| Discover the powerful message behind “How Much Time Is Left Until the End of Trump,” a thought-provoking speech that explores the rise and eventual decline of one of the most influential political figures in modern history. This speech dives into the inevitability of change, the
Weedkiller ingredient widely used in US can damage organs and gut bacteria, research shows
Diquat is banned in the UK, EU, China and other countries. The US has resisted calls to regulate it ||| FROM THE GUARDIAN ||| The herbicide ingredient used to replace glyphosate in Roundup and other weedkiller products can kill gut bacteria and damage organs in multiple ways, new research shows.
Act now to save killer whales, urges new report
Rising marine noise as shipping increases is one key cause of the dangerous decline in the southern resident killer whale population. ||| FROM THE TYEE ||| In March, nearly three dozen scientists gathered over three days in Vancouver with a single focus — to evaluate the state of the southern
WCK serves families and first responders after historic Texas floods
||| FROM WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN ||| Historic flooding has devastated communities across central Texas, submerging homes, stranding families, and prompting widespread evacuations. Intense rain caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in 45 minutes. Within hours of rescue operations beginning, World Central Kitchen was on the scene. Our team
Beach cleanup at Eastsound Waterfront Park
Join the Fun, Protect the Shoreline ||| FROM JESSICA ARDIS ||| On Saturday, July 19th, community members and visitors alike are invited to roll up their sleeves for a good cause: protecting Orcas Island’s beloved beaches from microplastic pollution. The cleanup will take place from 11am to 1pm at Eastsound
Experience ‘Portraits in Pencil’ by local artist Mick Stevens
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| This summer, make time to visit the Orcas Senior Center, open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 7 through August 30, to explore Portraits in Pencil—a captivating art exhibition featuring the work of longtime Orcas Island resident
Getting ready for Medicare?
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Is 2025 your year for joining Medicare? Medicare enrollment is not automatic for most people, so you’ll probably need to enroll with Social Security. Then you’ll have to decide what type of Medicare coverage you want. To make an informed decision
The largest bald eagle nest ever found in Washington State
||| FROM NEWSBREAK ||| In the majestic wilderness of Washington State, a remarkable discovery has captured the attention of bird enthusiasts and scientists alike. The largest bald eagle nest ever recorded in the state has not only set a new benchmark for ornithological records but has also sparked a broader
Chair yoga, meditation, ukulele, inspirational aging — all at Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Chair Yoga: Enhancing Balance and Wellbeing Join us for Chair Yoga, a soothing practice tailored for seniors and those with disabilities, held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. This gentle technique incorporates the use of a chair for support,
It was never about the fence
In celebration of Independence Day, a reflection on our country’s foundational document and what it should mean to us today. ||| FROM HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT ||| There’s a story they used to tell out in the country — about an old man and a fence. The man had built it
