Here’s a thought…
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.”
MARK TWAIN
Youth acting classes returning to Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Youth Acting classes return to Orcas Center this fall! Acting classes provide children with more than just fun – although that’s certainly a big part of it! Acting teaches kids to adapt to changing situations, work within a group, gain self-confidence, and
Master Gardeners to again diagnose plant disease problems
||| FROM DIANE MACONDRAY for SJC MASTER GARDENERS ||| Gardeners of the San Juans! If you are having disease problems in your gardens as the summer winds down, you are welcome to bring samples to the San Juan County Master Gardeners on August 17 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Monkeypox now has its own state-level hotline
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| The Washington State Department of Health launched a hotline to provide information and answer questions on the Monkeypox virus (MPV) in response to the growing number of cases in the state. All Washingtonians can now call 1-833-829-HELP to discuss MPV risk factors, vaccine
Sheriff’s Report | August 3 – 9, 2022
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3 22-005441 Boating Problem 11:05:15 08/03/22 A Deputy responded to a complaint of two boats moored without a permit at the Roche Harbor County Dock. Infractions were issued for moorage without a permit. 22-005442 Vehicle Prowl 13:15:03 08/03/22 A Deputy
Larsen votes to lower costs for PNW families and seniors, make historic investment to combat climate change
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted to lower the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs for working families and seniors, make a historic down payment to combat climate change and cut the deficit by $300 billion. The Inflation Reduction
Latest State Health Department COVID update
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 1,756,800 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 9. There have been 13,637 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent number of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
Inslee issues directive for monkeypox virus (MPV) plan of action
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today issued Directive 22-18 to expand upon the Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) ongoing efforts to prevent and control the spread of the monkeypox virus (MPV). MPV has spread across several countries, and the U.S. has been tracking MPV
Prune Alley work continues. Might re-open on Labor Day weekend?
||| FROM COLIN HUNTAMER for SJC PUBLIC WORKS ||| Progress Update: Along with roadway paving, concrete work is essentially complete. Next week work will continue on the remaining pedestrian ramps and intersection pavers. The contractor is also beginning to prepare landscaping areas for additional street trees. Big Picture: A road
WSF Weekly Update | Wedding, transportation tour, and another kudo
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Transportation officials tour Colman Dock, Tacoma We hosted 78 members from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) on a tour of our Seattle terminal and aboard Tacoma yesterday. The group is in town for the 2022 AASHTO Committee on Construction Meeting. They began
Fire Commission looking to fill unexpired term on board
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS ISLAND BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS ||| The Orcas Island Board of Fire Commissioners is seeking candidates to fill an unexpired term for Seat #2. The Board will conduct a public process to select a candidate to fill the seat by September 19, 2022. The
‘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.
Get answers to your questions about Monkeypox virus (MPV): Call 1-833-829-HELP
Washington 211 call takers can provide information and answer questions on MPV; assistance is available in 240 languages ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – People across Washington can now call 1-833-829-HELP for the latest information on Monkeypox virus (MPV). This call center is an expansion of DOH’s
Orcas Center puts out call for island baker’s cakes
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center would LOVE your help to make this fall’s production of The Cake a unique celebration of local culinary artists! The Cake is a charming story of a journey to acceptance with the primary location being in a bakery. We’d love
This Sunday, Rhapsody in Blue, more at the Village Green
||| FROM LINDA SLONE for ORCAS ISLAND CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| This Sunday, August 14, at 3 p.m., Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival hosts a FREE “Big Band Extravaganza” Concert on the Village Green. World-renowned pianist Jon Kimura “Jackie” Parker joins trumpeter Jens Lindemann as he leads a full brass orchestra in a new big-band
INSPIRE team coming to Orcas to, well, inspire our cultural creativity
||| FROM SAN JUAN MAKERS GUILD ||| We are fortunate to have the INSPIRE WA team coming to Orcas to help us learn more about upcoming funding opportunities and strategic initiatives that support the Arts in Washington. Rather than many of us taking a ferry to Friday Harbor - they are
Bombshell court victory: Chinook harvest harms Southern Resident Killer Whales and wild chinook recovery
||| FROM EMMA HELVERSON for WILD FISH CONSERVANCY ||| A bombshell ruling from Seattle’s federal Court landed Monday evening calling out the federal government for failing to protect endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs) and wild Chinook by approving unsustainable Chinook harvest at levels that are harming the recovery of
