Here’s a thought…
“I am so convinced of the advantages of looking at mankind instead of reading about them, and of the bitter effects of staying at home with all the narrow prejudices of an islander, that I think there should be a law amongst us to set our young men abroad for a term among the few allies our wars have left us.”
LORD BYRON
LWVSJ Observer Corps | Board of Health May 22, 2024
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| Some Accountable Communities for Health (ACH) partners will present to the board on their local projects later this year. The ACH is still waiting on details of how the Medicaid waiver will affect care coordination. Mark Thompkins will present at a conference
Master Gardener insect consultations
||| FROM DIANNA MACONDRAY for SJC MASTER GARDENERS ||| Insects can help or hinder your garden. Find out more from your San Juan County Master Gardeners, who will be at the front entrance of the Orcas Island Library on Wednesday May 29th from noon until 2PM. You may submit samples
Island Ways | Vessel speed restrictions gaining traction in Washington DC
Orcas and Nantucket Islands are each roughly the same size and the same distance off their respective coasts. We share the same concerns about the high cost of living, lack of affordable housing, tourist management, ferry problems and environmental degradation. We are living on opposite ends of the country but
Therapeutic Touch Workshop
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS ISLAND SENIOR CENTER ||| Embark on a transformative journey with Sally Blumenthal at a Therapeutic Touch workshop (TT), proudly sponsored by Hospice of the Northwest, offering CEU’s for nurses. Sally Blumenthal Therapeutic Touch, an energetic healing practice, fosters balance and harmony crucial
After chronic decline, feds agree Alaskan Chinook may require protection under Endangered Species Act
||| FROM EMMA HELVERSON for WILD FISH CONSERVANCY ||| Anchorage, AK— Today, NOAA Fisheries (NOAA) announced a somber, yet significant milestone in the effort to protect dwindling Alaskan Chinook, also known as ‘king’ salmon. After reviewing a formal petition to list Alaskan Chinook populations as ‘threatened’ or ‘endangered’, the federal
As the Paradigm Shifts | Be happy for others; it can be contagious
||| AS THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE KUHN ||| As a young adult in my 20s, 30s, and even well into my 40s, I would see people with partners, children, houses, cars—success and fulfillment, in a nutshell, and I would feel resentful. They had what I wanted!!!! ARGGGGG!!! To be
Sheriff’s Report | May 15 – 21, 2024
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 24-002823 Agency Assistance 12:05:19 05/15/24 A San Juan Deputy took a referral from Adult Protective Services regarding a case of fraud. The victim was contacted and found to have incurred no loss in the matter. No suspect information is
Time to celebrate
||| FROM HILARY CANTY ||| Thank you to everyone who attended the Ice Cream Social to celebrate Give Orcas. What a delightful way to cap off the campaign! The Senior Class, represented by Sam Sutton, Jefferson Freeman and Eddie Cunningham, presented the Youth Philanthropy Awards, with $5000 awarded to Mercy
Yoga with Sam
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join Samantha Fisher in a holistic movement practice suitable for all experience levels, prioritizing an attuned connection to your body's inner wisdom. Drawing from her training in Hatha Yoga and Integrated Movement Therapy, Samantha integrates insights from diverse healing modalities and
WSF Weekly Report | High school students learn about ferry work
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve I remember talking to my high school career counselor about my desire to work on ships. She laughed and asked why I would want to do that, then handed me a job poster for one of the
Orcas Pride Fest
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND PRIDE ||| Orcas Island Pride has been busy. We are pleased to announce OIP is officially a WA State nonprofit. After six years of grassroots work and research, it has become clear that this is the most aligned next step in our evolution as an organization.
Watercolor Class
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Explore your artistic potential with Robbie Walker’s watercolors class designed for beginners at Orcas Senior Center! Immerse yourself in the captivating world of watercolor painting every Monday from 9:30 to 11 am. Robbie, an experienced instructor with years of expertise in
Larsen requests more than $42 Million for 15 local projects in FY 2025 spending bill
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) requested a total of $42,399,656 for fifteen local projects in the Fiscal Year 2025 spending bill. Larsen submitted the requests to the House Appropriations Committee as the Committee begins work on legislation to fund the federal
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Larsen: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is building safer streets and roads in Washington State
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) announcement of nearly $65 million in Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant funding for projects aimed at improving road
Letter to Editor | Neighborly giving has a profound impact on our community
||| FROM AMANDA SPARKS & STAFF for ORCAS ISLAND FOOD BANK ||| Amazing news, Orcas Island community! Thanks to your support, our Give Orcas grant request was fully funded in just two and a half days. We are simply overflowing with deep appreciation for each and every one of you.
