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 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

Mijitas – By Simon

On a cold and rainy night, there are few places better to be on Orcas Island than in the dining room at Mijitas. You would be among good company as it is the go-to for many (if not most) locals. This is likely due to its prime positioning at the intersection of price, quality, service, and atmosphere. The experience of Mijits begins before you even open the door. Pass through their courtyard, and into the dining room. It is one of the most thematic restaurants on Orcas, thematic restaurants being a particular peeve of mine, due to their general reliance on cultural tropes and culinary cliches. Mijitas, however, embraces its south of the border heritage tastefully and embellishes its outdoor seating area and indoor dining room with flares of Mexicana that subtly remind one where they are. Mijitas offers a well-developed…

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