North Beach Road will be a safe zone for children & parents. The event will run from 3 pm – 5:30 pm. Are you a business that wants to take part or would you like to volunteer? Please contact the Chamber at 360-376-2273. Read more...

Join the growing list of businesses taking part ... Windermere Real Estate ... Aeronautical Services ... Con's Pit Stop ... Email us if you want to help!

The Department of Health wants Washington residents to have a fun Halloween while remembering a few key actions you can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Read more...

As many local restaurants are losing their outside seating options due to inclement weather, they received good news from Governor Jay Inslee's office last week. Read more...

Keeping Washington's economy strong: Newly announced federal grant supports Safe Start projects and partnerships aimed at helping Washington state businesses restart, rebuild and become more resilient. Read more...

Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) is a positive change agent that both provides information about islanders needs for all to use and takes a proactive role in addressing those needs. Read newsletter here.

Sunday, October 18, 7pm. Streaming on our homepage: OrcasCenter.org

MEETING OF THE MINDS – NEW SPECIES AND HABITATS IN UNDERGROUND PLACES @ ORCAS SENIOR CENTER BY ZOOM. Wednesday, October 21, 1- 2 pm. Naturalist and caver, Goeff Hoese, will focus on explorations in caves in central Mexico, Belize, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands.To join by Zoom, go to orcasseniors.org. No headlamp required! Attendance is free or with a suggested $5 donation. Read more...

Join us this Thursday, Friday and Saturday to celebrate Olga's 14 year Anniversary with 20% off storewide! (excludes jewelry and consignment) 

We are so happy to still be here all these years later and forever grateful to our customers for all your support! We are practicing safe shopping with a limit of 3 guests at a time, masks required and sanitizer is provided at the door.

We clean any type or size of duvets, quilts, or down comforters. We are also offering private laundry services by the pound. Ask for a discount if you want your laundry done on a weekly basis! AirBnB's: ask for volume pricing for your sheets! We have many happy customers and are looking forward to seeing you. Location is 1286 Mt Baker Road, Ste A5 and A6. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am - 2 pm or by appointment.

The family is taking a personal Fall break and will be closed until October 31st. REOPENING November 1st for the rest of the season. matthewssmokehouse.com

Your pumpkin entries should be dropped off at the hotel on Saturday the 24th. Voting will happen from Oct 25-30th and winners will be announced on October 31st at noon. Winners will receive a $100 gift card. Orcas Hotel Specials available starting daily at 4p - visit orcashotel.com to reserve and schedule your pickup at The Hotel or in Eastsound. 

The Orcas Island Public Library is seeking a new trustee to begin serving a five-year term on Jan. 1, 2021. Review of applications will begin on October 30, 2020. Full announcement at orcaslibrary.org, or contact Phil Heikkinen, Director, at 360-376-4985, pheikkinen@orcaslibrary.org. Read more...

Thanks to a donation from Valerie Anders, the Library is able to share a Smithsonian Institute poster exhibit in the south windows of the library. Read more...

The mobile mammogram screening event at Orcas Senior Center was another resounding success this year! Their Washington Operations Administrator, John Hayner, said they see their biggest attendance for the whole year here on Orcas. Read more...

Saturday, October 17, 12 to 4 pm.

Sons of the American Legion are doing a to go lunch at the Legion Hall - 793 Crescent Beach Drive. “ Gyros “ of lamb or chicken with all the trimmings, plus potato salad and chips for $12. For more information or to pre-order and pick up time, email Scott Wallace at salpost93@gmail.com or call 360-298-2079.

Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival Zoom Session with Monique Mead on Practicing Music, Thursday, October 22 at 7 pm. Free, Registration by October 20 is necessary. Contact Sarah Ogmundson, sarah@oicmf.org, or call OICMF at 360-376-6636.

Local farmers, winemakers, chefs, and filmmakers are bringing all the flavors of fall TO YOU! From virtual wine tastings to cooking and baking tutorials, you can enjoy fall in the San Juans from your own home. Read more...

OICF calls for submissions for our online 2020 GiveOrcas Catalog. Our goal is to partner with organizations and offer donors opportunities to contribute to Orcas programs. Nonprofits serving Orcas can apply now through November 6th to be featured in the 2020 GiveOrcas Holiday Catalog–an island tradition.

This week’s features: Lum Farm (Orcas), Musician Susan Osborne (Orcas),  Artist, John R Berry, painter (Orcas), Midnight’s Farm (Lopez), Wild Berry Farm (San Juan). Winners announced on October 31. Live Auction October 10-31. sjiagguild.com. Read more...

THE ORCAS ISLAND ARTWORKS FEATURES ROSEMARIE ALTBERG Open Wednesday-Sunday 11-5. 360 376-4408.

Saturday, October 31, 3 to 5:30 pm. Please join us on the south lawn of the Library for our annual trick-or-treating for books event. Kids are invited to come in their costumes and choose a book to take home. Ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and others are asked to wear masks and follow social distancing rules of six feet or more. Read Library newsletter here.

The lobby is open by appointment for both banking and art visits; call 360-376-2218 to arrange a time to see Mick’s wonderful portraits. Mick has brought a selection of his charcoal drawings for the show. Click here to read more about the artist.

Indoor/outdoor Bistro (no "table" service). 3 pm -7 pm, Thursday-Sunday. To go: 3 to 5 pm (Thursday-Sunday) Bring a sweater, windows are open for ventilation. 360-376-5886.

All are now welcome to come and eat at the Doe Bay Cafe at our limited outside full service tables, to eat your takeout on our grounds and to shop in the Doe Bay Store. More services are opening every week. Read more...

We need two full or part time clerks NOW! Come join our family and receive health care and a true living wage on Orcas. Work twice as hard as at Big Box Stores … And make twice as much!! This is a career on Orcas. To apply please stop in at the store for an application (21 West Beach Road).

Governor Jay Inslee proclaims October Seafood Month. Consumers have long had access to local Washington seafood through their favorite grocer or farmers’ market, but this October the state is celebrating Seafood Month by recognizing the growing trend to connect residents to those who supply this local bounty. Read more...

Almost seven years ago, Friends of the San Juans began working with Washington State Parks on a salmon recovery project on Sucia Island. After a lot of research, surveys, designs, engineering, and permitting, the on-the-ground work to restore habitat has come to fruition. Read more...

Experience the healing power of nature and be inspired by Washington State with the new feature film, The Dark Divide. Read more...

Support local businesses by purchasing gift cards. Shop Local! Email: OrcasStrong@gmail.com with your information. OrcasStrong Website

Mindy Sonshine’s three kittens occupying her office chair;

Echo, Shadow and Vixen.

Blast Readers, please send us pictures of your pets. Include a caption, their names and your name. We will feature one each week.