Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Montessori launches holiday bazaar and wreath sale
The Orcas Montessori Annual Wreath Sale is officially open! We’re excited to help you fulfill all your holiday greenery needs with beautiful, handcrafted wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces, perfect for bringing festive cheer to your home. Orders are open now, and wreaths will be available for pickup just after Thanksgiving. You can place your order by calling 360-376-5350, emailing info@orcasmontessori.org, or visiting www.orcasmontessori.
Library features photos by Andrea Cohen
For the month of November, The Orcas Island Library’s ‘Art in the Library’ series will feature photographs by Andrea Cohen. Andrea’s background is as an artist, art therapist and art teacher, but this exhibit, entitled The Lives of Mannequins is a group of color photographs taken during recent travels. “Artists see with artist’s eyes, even when they’re not making art,” she comments. “In the markets and bazaars of Morocco, Bulgaria and […]
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Orcas Garden Club presents ‘why plant names change’
Botanical nomenclature, biology, the beauty of plants Wednesday, November 11th, 10 am (at the Orcas Center or by Zoom) COME AT 9:30 AM (just before the program) for social time, and remember to bring something for the Sharing Table! Please join the Orcas Island Garden Club on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, as we welcome Linda Ann Vorobik. In this presentation, Linda Ann includes beautiful landscapes, wildflower closeups, and botanical watercolors of the plant
Grannie’s Holiday Sale coming to Orcas Senior Center
Mark your calendars—Grannie’s Holiday Sale is back at Orcas Senior Center on Saturday, November 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! Browse a wide array of festive décor, holiday treasures, and unique creations from local artisans. It’s the perfect place to find special gifts and seasonal inspiration. Get Involved Sign up to volunteer by contacting Edy Hansen at 206-413-6157 or edy@orcasseniors.org.
Letter to Editor | Who is being represented?
I would like to know whom the selection committee for the artisans holiday fare would have been for this year. Why? Could you please advise. Yes, your letter said and I paraphrase: “received 45 entrants, and please try again and maybe you will qualify, and thank you,” etc. How is this responsible to a community member in the least? One that has built up the Makers Guild significantly, and produced significantly exceptional events […]
Guitar virtuosos Frank Vignola and Pasquale Grasso at Orcas Center
Two of today’s most acclaimed jazz guitarists will share the stage at Orcas Center on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. Frank Vignola has been the go-to guitarist for an extraordinary range of artists, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Tommy Emmanuel, Lionel Hampton, and both the Boston Pops and New York Pops. Guitar legend Les Paul named him one of his five most admired guitarists for the Wall Street Journal. Vignola […]
Annual Halloween Dance coming to Odd Fellows Hall
Get your costumes ready and join us for a Halloween night at Odd Fellows Hall! Our Annual Halloween Dance returns on October 31 from 8:30 PM to midnight, with live music from The Studs, dancing, costumes, and plenty of Halloween spirit. Come dressed to impress, amuse, frighten, bewilder, or delight! Costume prizes will be awarded at intermission, so creativity is highly encouraged. More than just a great night out, the Halloween Dance is […]
BELONGING: Five writers, five perspectives, one universal question at Library
What does it mean to belong? To a place, a community, a family—or simply to ourselves? Join the Orcas Island Public Library on Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. for Belonging, an evening of readings and conversation exploring one of the most universal—and deeply personal—aspects of the human experience. Through five distinct voices and perspectives, writers A. Molotkov, Chrys Buckley, Gail Folkins, John Fadely, and Veronica Kornberg explore the m
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
November highlights from Orcas Senior Center
Orcas Senior Center offers a variety of ongoing classes, social groups, wellness activities, and creative programs throughout the month. All programs are open to everyone, regardless of age, and new participants are always welcome. A full calendar with dates and times is available at www.orcasseniors.org/calendar-of-events. This Month at the Senior Center: Fitness & Wellness: Chair yoga, Feldenkrais Arts & Creativity: Art with Carla, quilting, ne
How about a night of improv with island friends?
Orcas Improv: Last Thursday Night is the place for improvised comedy on the island, held on the last Thursday of every month. The next event is Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Black Box. Improv groups and players borne from the classes and Monday evening Improv Jams (Whalewreck) at Orcas Center perform fully improvised bits, made up, on-the-spot, based on audience suggestions and stories and transformed right before your eyes […]
The Art of Stillness | Christian Carlson at Crow Valley Gallery
“Place has become a pendulum swing for me between life in the Skagit Valley and life on Orcas Island — one busy showing artists at Perry + Carlson Gallery [in Mt. Vernon] and one very quiet. Always between them is the Sea and I spend time there too, usually alone. Often there is a sense for me that words don’t easily capture and this is what I try to paint.” For painter, former architect, […]
‘The Poet’s Pier’ short film in FHFF has local interest
I’m excited to let you know that Michael and I (and my fiddle tune “Olga and Buck Bay) are featured in a short film that will be shown in the Friday Harbor Film Festival at 10:30 am on Sunday, Oct. 25. I hope you can come see it! The film was made by our friend Mara Miksch and it focuses on the Olga dock on Orcas Island. We will be at the screening and of […]
Antidote dance party gets wicked this Halloween at Orcas Center
On Friday, October 30, Orcas Center transforms for a night of dark beats, wild costumes and serious dancing. From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., come lose yourself in the music and celebrate Halloween the Antidote way. Come dressed as your strangest, spookiest, most unhinged self. Expect a night of electronic music, dancing and Halloween mayhem. Details: $10 minimum donation; 18+; Cash bar available for guests 21+. Valid ID required. And if you’re […]
I’m Not the Church Lady | Listening for where life is inviting us to participate
Some people’s presence just makes me giggle with delight The quality of presence speaks volumes about a person. That’s my experience of Pastor Justus Kubais, whom I met through a Zoom meeting about 18 months ago. It was like awakening to a deeper realization that people all over the world radiate something that goes far beyond the roles they fill. People like Justus make me want to be a better […]
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Orcas Center holding auditions for The Lightning Thief
Orcas Center will hold open auditions Nov. 4 and 5 for its spring production of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Auditions are free and open to teens ages 12 and up and adults. The show is directed by Katie Zwilling, with music direction by Johanna Lange and choreography by Tiffany Loney. It runs April 30 through May 9, 2027. To sign up, visit www.orcascenter.org. All auditions take place in the Black […]
Can you spell F-U-N? The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns
Calling all word nerds, spelling enthusiasts, and brave souls willing to face the dictionary! The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns on Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. at the Orcas Center, promising an evening of friendly competition, community spirit, plenty of laughs, and perhaps a few spectacular spelling mishaps! Hosted by the Orcas Island Public Library, this beloved annual event brings islanders together for a lively celebratio
C Street Brass returns to the islands for two free community concerts
C Street Brass will return to the San Juan Islands October 26 and 27 as part of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s Musicians-in-Residence program. Known for their energetic performances and wide-ranging musical style, the ensemble moves comfortably between traditional chamber music, jazz, and popular music, creating concerts that are engaging and accessible to audiences of all ages. During their island visit, C Stree
Orcas Center art show opening | “The Art of Expression”
The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center announces the opening of a new show on October 23 (5:30 to 7:00 pm) featuring works from “Art with Carla” – a weekly event at the Orcas Island Senior Center. Wonderful art is the result when community members come together to express themselves in an environment with no rules, no right or wrong. This show, entitled “The Art of Expression” is an exhibit of curated […]
A very special night of drumming with TAIKOPROJECT at Orcas Center
TAIKOPROJECT celebrates 25 years of taiko creativity and innovation with a new concert production entitled “25.” Featuring new compositions and choreography and stunning costumes by acclaimed designer Sueko Oshimoto, “25” will take audiences on a thundering roller coaster of the senses on Saturday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. at Orcas Center. Taiko is a dynamic Japanese percussion art that uses large hollow wooden drums to create thunderous, earth-shaking
One-act play | Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative
“Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative” is a searing, 60-minute, one-act play about prodigal rebellion and fleeting moments of redemption, written by and starring David M. Proctor. He will perform on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m., Orcas Center. Matt, a long-haul trucker, hits the road to find himself and the freedom he craves — only to become imprisoned over time in a steel cell on 18 wheels. Clarence remains at home, […]
Orcas filmmaker Ken Kwapis on the strange, improbable story of The Shaggs
The prophecy said famous. It never said why For four decades, director Ken Kwapis has moved between some of Hollywood’s best-known films and television series, directing He’s Just Not That Into You, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and A Walk in the Woods, and seminal episodes of The Office, Freaks and Geeks, Parks and Recreation, and more. But it was an obscure record by three sisters from rural New […]