Here’s a thought…
“No one, I mean no one, has the right to sit in judgment of who’s American enough.”
MICHELLE OBAMA
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 -
PeaceHealth tightening COVID-19 protocols, visitation in San Juan, Whatcom facilities
||| FROM ANNE WILLIAMS for PEACEHEALTH ||| With COVID-19 transmission rates in San Juan County significantly increasing, PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center and the adjacent PeaceHealth Medical Group clinic will be scaling back the number of visitors permitted inside our facilities. Effective this Tuesday, May 3, only one visitor OR
All are welcome at Celebrate Recovery’s Cinco de Mayo dinner
||| FROM CAROL KULMINSKI for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m., Celebrate Recovery is hosting a special Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Orcas Island Community Church. This is a great opportunity to join a dinner/fiesta party with wonderful food, music and fellowship. Everyone is
Judge Carolyn Jewett announces her re-election campaign
||| FROM CAROLYN JEWETT, DISTRICT COURT JUDGE ||| San Juan County District Court Judge Carolyn Jewett has announced that she is running for re-election. She has served as District Court Judge since January of 2019. Carolyn Jewett “During my first term, I gained a lot of experience figuring
Get your tickets now for May 22 OIEF barbecue
||| FROM JANET BROWNELL for ORCAS ISLAND EDUCATION FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) is throwing a barbecue and you are all invited! This family friendly event will be Sunday, May 22 from 2p to 5p at the Orcas Winery. There will be activities for kids provided by
