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
Join in on this Senior Center Meeting of the Minds
Meeting of the Minds: “What Makes our Islands so Rich with Marine Life and Biodiversity?” presented by Jess Newley - Wednesday, February 16 at 1 p.m. by Zoom ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Jess Newley Jess Newley, Community Science and Education Manager for Friends of
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
||| OCCAM'S RAZOR by S. C. WATSON ||| [EDITOR'S NOTE: Apologies to Mr. Watson. This formatting is hopefully temporary as we play catch-up to the internet.]
Put Socrates Café on your to-do list
Orcas Socrates Café @ Orcas Senior Center by Zoom: Sunday, February 13, 4-6pm ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Orcas Senior Center continues to virtually host the Orcas Socrates Café from 4-6 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month. It’s an opportunity to engage in an open discussion on
Senate unanimously passes Lovelett bill to conserve and restore kelp forests
Now on to the House ||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE DEMOCRATS ||| OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Senate unanimously approved legislation to conserve and restore the plants that are the foundation of our marine ecosystems and key in our fight against ocean acidification. Senate Bill 5619, known as the Kelp
Letter to Editor | I feel a need for apologies to Ray’s Pharmacy for last week’s demonstration
||| FROM VELMA DOTY ||| Apologies to Rays Pharmacy and all others who were recipients of last weeks “protest.“ Not on behalf of the group BUT because some on our island who chose that behavior I am writing this. Orcas has always had a reputation for its intermingling of people
Guitar virtuoso JIJI to play at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Coming to Orcas Center’s Main Stage on Saturday, February 19 is guitarist JIJI. Applauded by the Calgary Herald as “…talented, sensitive…brilliant,” JIJI is an adventurous artist known for her virtuosic performances that feature a diverse selection of music, ranging from traditional and
EGC announces OPALCO board candidates; Nominations by petition due Feb. 18
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| The volunteer member Elections & Governance Committee (EGC) has completed their nominations process and selected a slate of candidates for the 2022 OPALCO Board of Directors election. There are three open positions one in District 1 (San Juan, Brown,
Guest Opinion | Former OIFR Commissioner says Fire Department allegations are serious
||| FROM AMANDA MONTAGUE ||| The recent articles posted by Mia Kartinger on the dysfunction in OIFR leadership elicited some uninformed and unfortunate comments that need to be responded to. I could not agree more with Henry and Carol, and also want to thank Mia for the thankless role of
Larsen: Postal Service Reform Act ensures USPS can continue to deliver for NW WA
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported the Postal Service Reform Act, bipartisan legislation that ensures the United States Postal Service (USPS) remains independent and financially viable while continuing to provide high-quality service to Northwest Washington communities. The bill passed the
Healthcare career training offered by EDC and Cornerstone
||| FROM MICHELANGELO (MICKEY) VON DASSOW for SJC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| The Economic Development Council (EDC) of San Juan County, in partnership with Cornerstone Healthcare Training, invites County residents to receive free Home Care Aide (HCA) training. Students will receive free training and financial support for costs of the
Newest COVID numbers from State Health Dept.
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 1,382,782 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 6.* There have been 11,099 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. Data notes: *Effective Jan. 24, DOH will update the COVID-19 data dashboard on
Be on the watch: Great Backyard Bird Count will soon celebrate its 25th anniversary
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY LAND BANK ||| My co-worker recently shared a picture of the first red currant flower he's seen this year. (above) It was a joy to receive that photo as it reminded me that spring is around the corner. So this morning, whilst enjoying my first cup
Green aluminum? Complex deal seeks to restart last smelter in PNW
||| FROM NW PUBLIC BROADCASTING ||| REPRINT AT REQUEST OF ORCASONIAN READER A complex deal is taking shape to revive the Pacific Northwest’s last remaining aluminum smelter. Alcoa idled its Intalco Works smelter near Ferndale, Washington, a year-and-a-half ago and laid off virtually all the workers there. The plan to
Additional free COVID at-home test kits are available locally while supplies last
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| San Juan County Health and Community Services has been able to secure an additional 3,000+ at-home COVID test kits and will be making them available to islanders at no charge. Thanks to the support of the local non-profits and businesses
WA Legislature reaches deal on multi-year transportation package
||| FROM CINDY WOLF, SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER ||| I just got this text from Rep. Ramel. He, Rep. Lekanoff and Senator Lovelett have been pushing hard for the ferry funding in this package. It is just exciting to see them so close to passing this thing FINALLY! We have
Inslee lauds legislators’ ‘Move Ahead Washington’ transportation proposal
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today after legislators unveiled a new state transportation funding proposal. “The Move Ahead Washington proposal will provide major benefits to communities all across our state. As our state continues to grow, we need to make sure
