Hey, its: Friday, October 17

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Orcas Today: October 17th-19th

Orcas Island Film Festival
October 15th-19th at Various Locations
Now in its 11th year, the Orcas Island Film Festival celebrates and promotes the art of cinema as a catalyst for connection, creativity, and cultural understanding. OIFF is dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, inspiring critical thought, and bringing communities together through the transformative power of storytelling.

Kids Storytime at the Orcas Island Library
October 17th from 11:00am-12:00pm
Join Jenny for storytime in our kids section!

Art with Carla at the Orcas Senior Center
Fridays from 1:00-3:00pm
Led by experienced artist Carla Stanley, this lighthearted class focuses on the creative process with a strong belief in your artistic potential, regardless of skill level. The class is $10 (or $8 for OSC members). Contact Carla at 360.317.5652 or onlyonorcas@gmail.com to secure your spot. Uncover your artistic potential and join creative Fridays at Orcas Senior Center!

Needlework Circle at The Orcas Senior Center
Fridays from 2:00-6:00pm
Join this weekly gathering for knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and all needleworkers at Orcas Senior Center, every Friday at 2pm. Come hang out—no project required! Whether you haven’t knitted in years, want to learn to crochet, or just want to relax and chat, you’ll find a wonderful selection of donated yarn, needles, books, and plenty of friendly advice. For more information, contact Edy Hansen at edy@orcasseniors.org or 206.413.6167

Teen Event: Spooky Movie Fridays
October 17th from 4:00-5:45pm at the Orcas Library
Get in the Halloween spirit with a different spooky (but teen-friendly!) movie every Friday. Popcorn provided!

Orcas Island Fall Farmers Market
October 18th from 10:00am-2:00pm at the OISD Cafeteria
The 2025 Fall Farmers Market promises to be better than ever! Now through November, you can head over to the Orcas Island School Cafeteria every Saturday and support your favorite vendors, farmers, and food growers, and catch some amazing musical talent from the stage. Featuring live music by Summer Barbone.

Completely Arbortrary – Tree Podcast & Treevia
October 19th from 4:00-7:00pm at the Orcas Library
This weekly podcast is a scientific look at trees and how they affect and are affected by everything, hosted by master arborist and environmental educator Casey Clapp and his tree-curious friend and musical artist Alex Crowson. Each episode features a tree from around the world and a discussion about its unique position in culture, ecology, and history. These discussions can range from urban forestry and evolutionary biology to folk mythology and popular culture. The hard science is framed in plenty of silliness, with a casual tone, games and parody songs, and the titular arbitrary numerical rating of the tree at the end of each episode.

Get out and Hike

Cascade Lake Loop – Easy

2.7 miles. Slight elevation gain and loss With panoramic views of Cascade Lake and the surrounding hills, this trail is the perfect introduction to the beauty and grandeur of Moran State Park. Parking is available at the Day Use Area, by the South End Campground, or at the western boundary off Rosario Road. The loop is a family-friendly hike with wide, easily marked trails and numerous lookouts for photo shoots or for just taking a break. The trail runs by each Lake Campground and campers can enjoy daily walks to different sections of the lake. A classic style wood bridge crosses a quiet lagoon on the western side of the lake; a popular spot for swimming and fishing. Trails to Sunrise Rock and Cascade Creek join this trail at the South End Campground; pack a backpack lunch and explore the verdant interior of the San Juans’ largest park. The Cascade Lake Loop is open year-round to hikers only.

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A Bite Of Orcas

New Leaf Cafe – By Simon

On the 40th floor of Heron Tower in London, England, there’s a restaurant called Duck and Waffle. I find the symbolism of being so high up as to be above the competition apt in this situation. As one can imagine there is really only one thing that you can order when dining at Duck and Waffle, and regardless of the time of day it’s always on the menu, the Duck and Waffle. In reviewing the meals of my life I find few that can compare to the meal I had on my visit there. That experience redefined my understanding of sweet-and-savory and began my obsession with the perfect duck confit. Beyond the food, the company (a friend of my cousin who I had not met before and have not seen since), the views, and the moment in time when it took place has burned this experience in my mind and has since become one of the highest numbers on my critical-review-yardstick to which all future meals must be measured against. This however is not the meal I will be discussing in this review. The following review will mark the first non-dinner meal we have reviewed. Since this restaurant doesn’t serve dinner and instead has opted—for whatever reason—to serve…

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