Hey, its: Thursday, October 16

What's Going On Today?

Orcas Today: Thursday, October 16th

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.

Spirit of Drumming Group
October 16th at 1:30pm at Orcas Senior Center
Discover the joy of drumming with the Spirit of Drumming Group at Orcas Senior Center on Thursdays! This beginner-friendly group focuses on exploring the elements of drumming. There’s no cost to participate—just bring a drum and join the fun! Everyone is welcome! For more information, text Ezekiel Barr at 360.376.3033.

CommuniTEA Night at Wildflower Apothecary
Thursdays from 5:00-8:00pm
Join us at Wildflower Apothecary every Thursday from 5-8pm for CommuniTEA night! We will have a weekly herbal tea offering by donation. You’re welcome to bring instruments, crafts, songs, & stories to connect with your island community & our herbal allies.

Orcas Alcoholics Anonymous Weekly Meeting
Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 at Benson Hall
Emmanuel Episcopal is hosting a weekly Al-Anon meeting with Zoom option for those unable to attend in person. Zoom: Meeting ID: 873 8608 8448 Passcode: 881858

Yoga Class with Susie Frank
Thursdays at 5:30pm at the Orcas Senior Center
This slow-paced session focuses on foundational yoga poses, conscious breathing, and supported postures designed to ease stress and improve flexibility, strength, and balance. The class is ideal for beginners or anyone seeking a more mindful, accessible practice. Props are used to ensure safety and comfort. Participants are encouraged to bring a mat, blanket, and bolster or pillow if available; a limited number of extras will be provided. The class is led by Susie Frank, a long-time Orcas Island resident and certified instructor who has practiced yoga since 2009. A sliding scale donation of $10 to $20 is suggested. For more information, contact Susie at 360.298.4484 or sissooz@yahoo.com.

Open Mic at Doe Bay Cafe

Thursdays at 6:30pm
Doors open at 5:00pm, music at 6:30pm!

Get out and Hike

Cascade Creek Trail – Easy to Challenging

One of the best paths through the wooded southern section of Moran State Park runs along Cascade Creek, the stream that helps feed Cascade Falls. Traditionally starting at the South Campground of Cascade Lake, the Creek Trail winds through some of the oldest growth on Orcas and brings hikers past many man-made and natural landmarks including the south entrance bridge and the Lower Falls. Hikers can opt to enjoy themselves by the Falls, or continue the trail into the woods and meadows that hem the Creek up to the spillway at Mountain Lake. This trail features some switchbacks, but otherwise is quite easy to handle and a wonderful chance to see undisturbed natural growth and wildlife in the heart of Moran State Park.

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A Bite Of Orcas

Matthew’s Smokehouse and Deli – By Simon

A Brief Overview Southern cooking, at its essence, is comfort. Comfort for both body and soul, and a place for people to come together in an environment, created as much by the food as anything else, and share experiences. Fueled by salt and fat, southern cooking is not a tame cuisine and takes a skilled and sure hand to wield it well. A chef must walk the path of authentic southern cooking lest they move towards unflattering imitation, slathered in store-bought barbecue sauce, reliant on little more than sugar to mask the clear lack of flavor. It is unexpected then, at least to me, to find something so outlandish as a Southern-style smokehouse located here on Orcas Island, especially in the building that once housed what was perhaps “just another American-Italian semi-fine-dining restaurant”. While I came away from my meal somewhat conflicted, certain things were never in doubt. Clarity, however, eludes me when examining the intricacies of the ownership of the establishment. Despite this fact…

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