GiveOrcas
December 2nd-11th
Make an impact in our community and support local nonprofits this holiday season with meaningful gifts of $10 or more. The Orcas Island Community Foundation hosts a collective giving campaign twice a year with GiveOrcas. During these campaigns, OICF solicits applications from local nonprofits to share specific funding needs and then helps the organization reach out to the community for funding. GiveOrcas grants are generously supplemented with funds from the OICF Community Endowment Fund and their Partners in Philanthropy. This holiday season, OICF is also teaming up with the Orcas Chamber of Commerce as part of the Holiday Shop Local Passport contest. If you donate to GiveOrcas, visit the OICF or Chamber offices and get a special stamp for your center square. Every completed passport gets an entry in the shop local raffle. If your center square is stamped indicating a donation to GiveOrcas, you’ll double your entry! It’s the perfect way to Give Local and Shop Local. For more info, visit giveorcas.org
Watercolors Class at Orcas Senior Center
December 2nd from 9:30-11:00am
Dive into the soothing and expressive world of watercolor painting with instructor Robbie Walker! This beginner-friendly class meets on Mondays from 9:30 to 11am starting September 8. With years of experience in drawing and watercolor techniques, Robbie will gently guide you through the essentials, helping you build confidence and discover your artistic voice. Participants are kindly requested to contribute a nominal fee of $10 per session. Please bring your own basic supplies. For more details regarding required materials and specific class information, feel free to reach out to Robbie directly. You can contact Robbie at 360.376.7714 or via email at robbielouwalker@orcasonline.com
Chair Yoga at Orcas Senior Center
December 2nd from 10:00-10:45am
Join the Senior Center 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, enabling participants to explore balance poses without the concern of falling. Susie Frank, an Orcas resident of over 30 years, brings her expertise, having practiced yoga since 2009. While Susie suggests a $15 donation per class, no one will be turned away due to financial constraints. For inquiries, reach out to Susie directly at 360.298.4484 or sissooz@yahoo.com.
Tech Tuesday
Tuesdays from 12:00-1:00pm at the Orcas Library
Rick Boucher from Orcas Online is available at the library every Tuesday from noon-1pm to answer all manner of computer, phone and tech questions. Not by appointment, drop in only.
Feldenkrais Classes at Orcas Senior Center
December 2nd at 11:00am
Discover the power of mindful movement with Andrea Preiss, an experienced physical therapist, Feldenkrais practitioner, and therapeutic eurythmist. Join her for a gentle, seated movement class every Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Orcas Senior Center. These sessions blend Feldenkrais and eurythmy techniques to support mobility, balance, stability, and even vision—ideal for all fitness levels. Please wear comfortable clothing and non-slip shoes. Each class is $15. Andrea has nearly 40 years of experience and received her certification in Germany in 1982. Questions? Contact Andrea at sound-movement@hotmail.com or 206-383-7705. Learn more about her work at www.sound-movement.org.
Orcas Island Food Bank
Tuesdays from 12:00-6:30pm next door the Orcas Community Church
11:00am-12:00pm is Golden Hour for ages 65+!
Community Lunch at Orcas Island Community Church
Tuesdays from 12:00-1:30pm
Come enjoy a free meal with friends and neighbors, old and new. Interested in providing a meal or volunteering? Contact us! All are welcome.
Ukulele Lessons
Tuesday/Thursday from 12:00-1:00pm at the Orcas Senior Center
If you’re a beginner looking to dive into the world of ukulele playing, join Kathy Collister’s twice-weekly beginners’ ukulele class on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 1 pm.
Weekly Meditation Sessions at Orcas Senior Center
December 2nd at 1:00pm
Julia Summers leads a weekly meditation group at Orcas Senior Center on Tuesdays at 1 pm. Regardless of prior experience, Julia extends a warm invitation to all, emphasizing inclusivity by operating the sessions on a donation basis. With open hearts, she embraces everyone, cultivating a community dedicated to the profound journey of self-discovery and tranquility. For more information, contact Julia at spirithouseojai@gmail.com. All are welcome!
Auditions for How to Eat Like a Child
December 2nd at 3:30pm at Orcas Center
Orcas Center is producing an all-kids musical theater show that will run in early spring. Auditions for “How to Eat like a Child” are on December 2nd, and callbacks are Friday, December 5th at 3:30pm with a movement component.The show is a comedic crash course on the essential skills of childhood through teen years. Through 23 hilarious lessons, children teach the audience the joys and sorrows of being a kid. The cast age range is 8 to 17. There are group musical numbers, solo songs, and speaking parts (scenes, joke telling, and monologues) for those who prefer lines. A total of 15 roles will be filled. The first all-cast rehearsal is December 12th but regular rehearsals won’t begin until January. Show dates are March 20-22 and 27-29 in the Black Box. There is a sliding scale production fee of $50, $100, and $150 for those who are cast. To fill out an audition form, visit www.orcascenter.org.
Teen Book Club: Read Between the Lines
December 2nd at 3:30pm at the Orcas Library
Sign up at orcaslibrary.org/teen-reads to get your monthly Book Box, filled with the book + some themed treats! Boxes ready for checkout the first week of the month.
GiveOrcas Holiday Party
December 2nd from 4:00-6:00pm at Odd Fellows Hall
All are welcome to mix, mingle, craft, and learn about the nonprofit organizations featured in this year’s campaign, which runs December 2–11 at GiveOrcas.org. Enjoy light refreshments, kids’ art activities, games, music, and plenty of holiday cheer. This event is a chance to see how GiveOrcas brings the community together to support 33 local nonprofits providing vital social services—including food access, housing, healthcare, and education—as well as arts, environmental, and animal welfare programs.
Tech Safety Night
December 2nd at 5:30pm at the Funhouse
Join The FunHouse for a free in-person parent night, Top 5 Tips for Parenting in the Smartphone Years. Register HERE. This practical, no-guilt session is designed for parents who want to raise tech-healthy kids. You’ll walk away with actionable tools you can use right away, including the popular Family Tech Agreement.
Trivia Tuesdays at Island Hoppin’ Brewery
Tuesdays at 5:30pm
No fee to enter. Teams up to 5. Bring your friends and your thinking cap as Duncan will test the limits of your knowledge!
Knit Night with Salish Sea Yarn Co.
December 2nd from 6:00-7:00pm at the Orcas Library
Expert knitter, creative artist, and local business owner Katie Gaible is hosting FREE knit nights for folks 12+. Some materials will be provided. If you’ve ever wanted to learn to knit or need an excuse to get out of the house Tuesday evenings, join a friendly group of folks at the library.
18+ Pick-Up Basketball
Tuesdays from 7:30-9:30pm at the Orcas Island High School Gym
New and experienced players are invited to join a team. Indoor shoes are required. Pay $5 for a one-time drop-in, or pay $30 for a 6 month all-access pass that allows you to drop-in to any adult sport, including soccer, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee. Buy your Drop-in Pass Here.
