Here’s a thought…
“The belief in the possibility of a short decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of human illusions.”
ROBERT LYND
Hot Topic #38: Diseases in the headlines: Monkeypox virus (MPV) and Polio
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| COVID-19 is not the only disease making national headlines, so we thought it was a good time to bring back our Hot Topic series. There is a lot of information to sift through out there, so we’ve done our best to compile everything
Tourism Management Plan grinds toward reality checks
||| BY MATTHEW GILBERT, theORCASONIAN OP-ED REPORTER ||| On August 23, Kendra Smith, Director of Environmental Stewardship, updated the County Council on the progress of the Sustainable Tourism Management Plan (STMP). The vision and the goals have passed initial scrutiny, and the consultants and project managers are now in the
OI Health Care District (OIHCD) strategic planning continues
||| FROM TOM EVERSOLE, OIHCD INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT ||| At its August 23 meeting, the OIHCD Board received an update on new needs assessment data. Ms. Jody Carona of Health Facilities Planning and Design summarized findings from focus groups (listening sessions) designed for Spanish speakers and individuals with children. Four more
Makers Fair at Pelindaba is opportunity to come out and show your support
||| FROM SAN JUAN MAKERS GUILD ||| The FULL BLOOM Makers Fair at Pelindaba is an opportunity to come out and show your support for the Island Makers who provide such valuable cultural and culinary joy to our lives. Over 50 Makers are now involved in the event and will
Amid housing crises vacation towns limit short-term rentals
||| FROM AP NEWS ||| STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — In the Colorado ski town of Steamboat Springs, motels line the freeway, once filled with tourists eager to pitch down the slopes or bathe in the local hot springs. Now residents like Marc McDonald, who keep the town humming by
Orcas Island Jazz Festival opens next weekend at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Orcas Island Jazz Festival (OIJF), lights up Orcas Center every Labor Day weekend to celebrate and share the music of jazz. This year, join us in person or on the free livestream for three fantastic nights of live music! Friday, September
After-hours access to Island Health-Orcas clinic has improved
|||FROM TOM EVERSOLE for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| With support from Orcas Island Health Care District, Island Health has made considerable improvements in access to after-hours care. Here’s the information you need to know: How-To Guide: After-Hours Care If you’re experiencing a life-threatening event, such as a heart attack
Alchemy Art Center is hosting artist talk series
||| FROM GLENN HENDRICK for ALCHEMY ART CENTER ||| Alchemy Art Center, in partnership with the San Juan Islands Museum of Art, is hosting an artist talk series featuring visiting and local artists. Talks take place in the upstairs workshop area of the SJIMA (located at 540 Spring St) from
Guest Opinion | Ferry service is continually becoming more unreliable
||| FROM ALEX MACLEOD ||| I don’t know about you, but it sure seems like ferry service in the islands just keeps getting worse. That’s also the assessment of Jim Corenman, the longtime chair of the county’s Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC), who summarized it in a note to me recently
These Orcas kids love summer camp at Funhouse Commons
||| FROM EMILIE GINCIG for FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| Summer Camp at The Funhouse has been super amazing! Each day the building has been full of smiling children playing games and running through sprinklers. “The best thing about summer camp is having fun,” said Funhouse kid Ember. Thea enjoyed playing basketball, Maggie liked
Ticks widespread in islands but diseases rare, study finds
||| FROM RUSSEL BARSH for KWIAHT ||| The chance of finding a tick on yourself or one of your pets in San Juan County is greater than previously believed, but only about ten percent of island ticks are infected with pathogens that can cause you harm. Those are the findings
FHFF film explores conflict between oil companies and native peoples
||| FROM ELLEN ROBERTS for FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL || Yasuni Man, Friday Harbor Film Festival’s next offering in The Director Series, focuses on the conflict between oil companies and native Waorani people in South America. In the depths of South America, where the Andes, the Amazon and the Equator
SJIMA is bringing personal stories of everyday life in Kabul to Orcas Center
||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART ||| Discover what is it like to live in Afghanistan. On Sunday, August 28 from 5-7 at the Orcas Center, the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) features a very special conversation with award-winning photographer, James Longley. In
Save the Date | Orcas Island Historical Museums annual fundraiser is back
||| FROM NANCY STILLGER for ORCAS ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUMS ||| After having to cancel for the last few years due to COVID, the museum looks forward to hosting its annual gala again. Mark your calendars for Saturday October 1 from 5 – 8 p.m. The event will be in Madrona
FULL BLOOM: All-islands makers summer fair coming up August 27
A summer day out with island artisans, music & food ||| FROM SHANNON BORG for SAN JUAN MAKERS GUILD ||| The fragrant fields will be in full bloom and lined with white tents and colorful banners inviting guests to stroll the Makers Fair and join in the celebration at a
Health Care District to convene meeting
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The Agenda and Materials (Board Packet) for the August 23, 2022 Board meeting of the Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) will be posted August 22. You can access the agenda and meeting materials HERE. Commissioners will receive new
