Lolita Update #142
Penn Cove Orca Capture Anniversary Commemoration August 8th, 2015

Dear Friends of Lolita~

Coupeville, Whidbey Island, WA - In memory of the nearly 40 Southern Resident orcas captured in Washington State, and the 13 orcas killed during the captures, and in honor of Lolita, or Tokitae, the sole survivor, Orca Network is sponsoring several events to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the 1970 Penn Cove Orca capture on Saturday, August 8th.

From 11 am till 4 pm a free event is planned at the Coupeville Rec Hall and the Coupeville Town Wharf, including historical and educational displays, videos and popcorn, Tokitae press-on tattoos and kids' activities.

Performing at 11 am are Nolan Murray and Bruce Coughlan of the Whiskey Minstrels with their original song Bring Lolita Home. Books, DVD’s, whale and Lolita related merchandise from the Langley Whale Center will also be available for purchase.

A Waterside Salmon Ceremony with Samish elders Rosie Cayou and Bill Bailey will be held from the Coupeville Wharf at 3 pm, to honor all the orcas captured in Penn Cove. Langley Mayor Fred McCarthy will present a key to the City of Langley and the Salish Sea for Lolita, to be sent and delivered to the Miami Seaquarium Sept. 24th, the date of her arrival in that city in 1970. Vern Olsen from the Shifty Sailors will perform Lolita Come Home and singer Jim Marcotte will perform his Better Days, honoring Lolita.

From 4-8 pm we will meet at the Coupeville Rec Hall for food, drink, displays and a silent auction. We will hear from John Hargrove, author of NY Times Best Seller Beneath the Surface, Seattle author David Neiwert (Of Orcas and Men) and Freeland author Sandra Pollard (Puget Sound Whales for Sale), who will read from their books and be available for Q & A and book signings.

Special musical guests are the Derik Nelson Family Band, featuring their lovely song Lolita, and the accompanying musical video filmed near Penn Cove.

Howard Garrett of Orca Network will give an update on efforts to bring Lolita home to her family in Washington State, including news of Lolita recently being listed under the Endangered Species Act as a member of the endangered Southern Resident Orcas and the resulting suit vs. the Seaquarium filed July 20.

Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Admission is $25 for the evening event.

Reserve a ticket to the evening event HERE.

For more information and updates about these events, go to OrcaNetwork.org or contact Orca Network at info@orcanetwork.org or call (360) 331-3543. To contribute to the Retire Lolita campaign please click HERE.

Much is going on to help bring Lolita home and to inform and advocate for her and her family Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to help Orca Network continue this work. Thank you!