Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
WSF weekly update
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Service restoration update Our latest Service Restoration Plan Progress Report released this week shows that our Seattle/Bainbridge route has reached 95% reliability over the last three weeks. As a result, I’m happy to report that the run has moved from trial service (Stage 3)
Reminder: Local authors book signing event at Orcas Island Historical Museum
||| FROM NANCY STILLGER for ORCAS ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUM ||| Come to the Orcas Island Historical Museum in Eastsound Saturday, April 30 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. for a book signing and talk by local authors. Authors Edee Kulper, Boyd Pratt, Judi Watson, and Edrie and Terri Vinson will sign
‘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.
Tuberculosis cases on the rise globally and in Washington state
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Washington’s tuberculosis (TB) cases are on the rise, putting state and local public health officials on heightened alert. Widespread disruptions in public health and healthcare services and missed TB diagnoses due to similarities in symptoms between COVID-19 and TB are thought to have contributed
Sheriff: Orcas burglary suspect in jail pending hearing
||| FROM RON KREBS, SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF ||| On April 28, 2022 Orcas Deputies served a search warrant on the residence of an Eastsound man in connection to a string of burglaries happening over the last couple of months. A 34 year old Orcas man was arrested for Burglary
Guest Opinion | Henry Cayou, an indigenous Orcas “pioneer”
||| FROM RUSSEL BARSH ||| In a purportedly celebratory press release earlier this week, the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the latest steps in renaming Harney Channel for Henry Cayou, “a Lummi fisherman.” Ironically, this choice of words diminished Cayou’s importance to the history of San Juan County
Oahu, Hawaii’s most populous island, will now limit Airbnbs and short-term vacation rentals in a big way
||| FROM SFGATE.COM ||| REPRINT AT REQUEST OF ORCASONIAN READER Oahu, Hawaii’s third-biggest island, will now place further restrictions on where Airbnb, Vrbo and other short-term rental properties can be located throughout Honolulu and the island. In a move that has roiled landlords and other short-term rental operators, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi
Larsen announces more than $6.49 Million to lower Washingtonians’ energy costs
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| EVERETT, WA - Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced Washington state will receive more than $6.49 million in federal funds to bring down heating and cooling costs for working families. These investments, secured through last month’s bipartisan government funding legislation Larsen supported, will help
Poetry | An Earth Song by Langston Hughes – 1901-1967
An Earth Song by Langston Hughes - 1901-1967 It's an earth song,— And I've been waiting long for an earth song. It's a spring song,— And I've been waiting long for a spring song. Strong as the shoots of a new plant Strong as the bursting of
“Refugees Welcome”– Washington’s commitment to help people escaping violence, deprivation
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Washington state has a long, bipartisan history of welcoming refugees fleeing war and persecution, even when other states tried to turn them away. In the late 1970s, Governor Dan Evans was one of the first governors in the nation to accept
Join Island Primary Care-Orcas in this June walk, run health fair
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND PRIMARY CARE-ORCAS ||| Island Primary Care – Orcas presents: To the Beach and Back 5k Walk, Run & Health Fair. Health Fair activities will include blood pressure checks, chair massages, games and refreshments. Visit with Orcas community partners at this free event – Orcas Island
40th District Legislators are holding a virtual town hall next week
||| FROM 40TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ||| WHO: State Sen. Liz Lovelett, Reps. Debra Lekanoff and Alex Ramel WHAT: Virtual Town Hall with 40th District residents WHEN: Wednesday, May 4 starting at 5pm WHERE: Streamed live on the Senate and House Democratic Caucus’ social media pages: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenateDemocrats Sen. Lovelett Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenLizLovelett Rep. Lekanoff Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepDebraLekanoff Rep. Ramel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepAlexRamel
Turning creative pursuits into livelihoods: Washington Department of Commerce launches new Creatives Academy
Free, self-directed learning series tailored for creative occupations teaches essential skills to build a successful small business ||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ||| OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington Department of Commerce has launched its new Creatives Academy, the third in a series of self-directed educational academies for small business
Library to host Carolyn Cruso and her hammered dulcimer on South Lawn
||| FROM CAROL DAPOGNY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| This Thursday, April 28th at 6pm on the Library South Lawn (weather permitting) and by Zoom meeting, Carolyn Cruso will regale you with the intricacies of the fascinating hammered dulcimer; an ancient instrument that originated in Persia over 2000 years ago.
Letter to Editor | With warm gratitude to our School Board
||| FROM THE TEACHERS AND STAFF OF ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| When the members of the school board dropped off the thank you cards and the news that everyone at the school would be receiving a $1000 bonus, there was quite a warm buzz around the school buildings. It
Island Sleep Wellness Center adds a new provider
||| FROM LAURA MORONEY for ISLAND HEALTH ||| ANACORTES, WA —JoAnn Eastman, DNP, FNP-BC has joined Island Sleep Wellness Center as a provider. Eastman, who has been at Island Health since 2019, formerly worked as a family provider at Island Primary Care - 24th Street. JoAnn Eastman, DNP, FNP-BC
