Here’s a thought…
“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”
THOMAS PYNCHON
Kwiaht study finds tick population is prevalent on Orcas Island
||| FROM RUSSEL BARSH for KWIAHT ||| We are coming to the end of this year’s peak tick “questing” season, when female ticks actively seek new hosts for blood meals to power their growth and egg production. Kwiaht has received 115 ticks from islanders countywide since February; a little over
Look what Economic Development Council is up to
||| FROM SAN JUAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| Join the EDC and EFACWA for a lively discussion May 11 from 10 a.m. - noon, with renowned author Jim Foley, and learn more about exporting your business's goods and services. Contact our office to learn more: info@sanjuansedc.org, (360) 378-2906. Update on
Statement from U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen on the SCOTUS draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| BELLINGHAM – U.S. Rep Rick Larsen released the following statement today on the draft U.S. Supreme Court Decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: “As someone who will always stand strong for the reproductive rights of all women and who has been consistently endorsed
Video shows a new calf in K Pod off Oregon coast, its first calf in more than a decade
'Any new calf is really valuable and really, really great for the population' ||| FROM CBC NEWS ||| Biologists and whale-watching enthusiasts are celebrating what appears to be a new orca calf in a southern resident pod that researchers say has been shrinking in recent years. New video, taken by John
Orcas School District issues a COVID warning due to case increase
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT || Dear OISD Families, As of today, WED 5/4/22, we know of 11 positive cases on the OISD campus. Our OISD healthcare team is doing all they can to mitigate the spread. We need your help. Please see the health advisory below from SJC Public
State electeds ask congressional leaders to pass SAFE Banking Act
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| In case you missed it: On Monday, Gov. Jay Inslee, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti sent a letter to the House and Senate leaders encouraging passage of the Secure And Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2022. The
Healing Arts Center is part of the GiveOrcas campaign
||| FROM CHRISTOPHER EVANS for HEALING ARTS CENTER ||| The Healing Arts Center is proud to announce our participation in OICF’s GiveOrcas spring catalog, running from May 2 - May 16. This year, our project is one of seven that have been identified as a “critical need” for the community.
Fecal pollution restricts shellfish harvest in some neighboring counties
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has completed the annual water quality evaluation of the state’s commercial shellfish growing areas. Unfortunately, high fecal bacteria levels will lead to harvest restrictions in four of Washington’s 115 shellfish growing areas. An additional 19
Council sets hearing to remove Planning Commissioner
||| BY STEVE BERNHEIM, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| At its last meeting on April 15, the Planning Commission reviewed and revised a number of draft goals and policies proposed to be included in the Water Resources element of the County’s comprehensive plan, which was intended to govern the planning period from
Garden bounty to be featured in next Orcas Center arts exhibit
||| FROM KATHY YOUNGREN for ORCAS CENTER VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE ||| For the upcoming art exhibit at Orcas Center, the Visual Arts Committee is seeking images , both realistic and abstract, of the beauty and bounty of our gardens and fields, everything from single blossoms, to bouquets in vases, to
Important opportunity for local Democrats
||| FROM DAVID TURNOY for SAN JUAN COUNTY DEMOCRATS ||| A lot of folks have relocated to the islands the last couple of years, and you may not be aware that we have a very progressive and active county Democrats organization. Our platform, which you can find HERE, reflects our
Letter to Editor | Open letter to Cindy Wolf, San Juan County Council
||| FROM BRUCE WILSON ||| Dear Council-member Wolf, While there may be parts of this situation I’m not privy to I want to give you my opinion based on the information you supplied. I was alerted of your proposal to replace Steve Smith from the SJI planning commission for alleged misstatement
Walk the labyrinth at Emmanuel Gardens on World Labyrinth Day
||| FROM NANCY AYER for EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH ||| Saturday, May 7, World Labyrinth Day, is an annual event sponsored by the Labyrinth Society as a worldwide action to “walk as one at 1:00” local time to create a rolling wave of peaceful energy across the globe. Every year on
OCPA expanding Orcas community-grown food network
||| FROM MATTHEW GILBERT for ORCAS COMMUNITY PARTICIPATORY AGRICULTURE | Since 2014, Orcas Community Participatory Agriculture (OCPA) has empowered islanders to be the creators of the food that nourishes them. The OCPA team has been working to deepen community connections, grow nutrient-dense produce, and contribute to island resiliency through shared
Island Primary Care–Orcas to host 5k walk/run and health fair
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND HEALTH ||| Join Island Primary Care – Orcas for a 5k walk/run and health fair. Activities include 5k walk/run, blood pressure checks, chair massages, games and refreshments. Visit with other Orcas Island community partners at this free event. Join us Saturday, June 4, from
Women’s self-defense class chosen for Senior Project
||| FROM ALECIA TALBOT ||| My name is Alecia Talbot and I am a senior at Orcas Island High School. For my senior project I will be providing a women's self defense class for the students at Orcas Island High school and community members! It is a two-day class -
