Here’s a thought…
“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Letter to Editor | Reject charter amendment proposition 1
||| FROM ELISABETH ROBSON ||| I am writing today to urge voters to vote "no" on the proposed language change in the preamble of the San Juan County charter in the Amendment to the Charter Introduction. I am urging a "no" vote specifically because of five words in the Economy
Letter to Editor | In support of proposed amendments from Charter Review Commission
||| FROM KAI SANBURN ||| Community Rights San Juan Islands (CRSJI), a Washington State nonprofit working to protect the Salish Sea, supports the Charter Review Commission’s proposed amendments, particularly Propositions #1 and #3. These Propositions most reflect our mission, which is anchored in securing the health and wellbeing of the
Latest COVID update from State Health Dept.
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 634,113 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 25. There have been 8,511 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent number of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
Artistic achievement of Nola Ahola’s 60-year art career comes to SJIMA
||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART ||| Autumn’s blustery days and chilly air offer the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the many attractions the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) has to offer. Especially one currently on display, Going the Distance featuring the
Global Entrepreneurship Month offers free trainings, support for small businesses in November
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ||| OLYMPIA, WA --- As Washington state turns the corner on the pandemic, record numbers of entrepreneurs are starting their own businesses. Compared to 2020, new business starts are up 19.8% statewide, increasing from 55,539 through October last year to 69,301 new businesses this
School District refines COVID testing policies, aims to keep students in school
||| FROM ERIC WEBB, ORCAS SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ||| Dear Students, Staff, Families, and Community, OISD strives to offer and implement as many mitigating measures as possible to keep our students and staff healthy and safe, all the while refining procedures on how to co-exist with this virus going forward. This
Got questions for the Land Bank? Bring them to this Fall Community Conversation
||| FROM TANJA WILLIAMSON for SJC LAND BANK ||| Join us on Zoom for our second Community Conversation. – we will host a countywide meeting on Wednesday – November 10, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Register here to join the meeting: https://bit.ly/3ntRUAy The online Pol.is dialogue generated great topics and areas
Live performance art coming to SJIMA, featuring Bellingham artist
||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART ||| Bellingham artist, Francie Allen, will be in Friday Harbor Saturday evening, November 6 to present a live dance performance at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art. The performance will be held in the museum’s Atrium to highlight
Experts file court documents supporting a court-ordered immediate breach of Lower Snake River dams
||| FROM STEVEN HAWLEY for NORTHWEST RESOURCE ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT ||| On October 21, 2021 five experts, each with decades of experience as natural resource scientists and managers, provided expert declarations in an amicus brief filed with the Oregon U.S. District Court in the long- running court battle over the impacts
Letter to Editor | We stand behind Shepler for Fire Commissioner
||| CARA and PHIL COHN ||| This November Cara and Phil Cohn are standing behind Patrick Shepler for Fire Commissioner. Patrick has been a dedicated Fire-Medic, offering exemplary support and expertise for more than 15 years here on Orcas. Residents and visitors alike have shared stories of miraculous life saving
Request for Proposals for a housing study due November 19
In the San Juan Islands it is extremely difficult to expand the labor pool in any industry without affordable housing. ||| FROM MARCY MONTGOMERY for SAN JUAN MAKERS GUILD ||| San Juan County has a strong agricultural heritage and a growing appreciation of the significance of local food and regenerative
The Santa Giving Tree is arriving on November 14
It's a whole community thing ||| FROM MIKE PARNELL ||| The Santa Tree program, formerly the Giving Tree, will be providing gifts for local children who may otherwise go without this holiday season. The Santa Tree will be on display at Island Market starting November 14. Donors can choose a
Don’t miss this Portrait in Charcoal workshop coming up at SJIMA
||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART ||| Multi-talented instructor Taylor Bruce is giving a portrait workshop as part of the complete experience of the Go Figure! exhibition at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA). The workshop, A Portrait in Charcoal, will take place
Here’s where the tricks and treats await Halloweeners on Sunday
||| FROM ORCAS CENTER & CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ||| TRICK-OR-TREATING IN EASTSOUND Wear your masks and your costumes for some fun on Sunday, October 31, 3-5 p.m. Eastsound businesses that are taking part will ask children and families to wear their masks, keep appropriate distancing, and not crowd into shops.
This week’s classes from Island Hospital
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Balance Screening at Island Hospital Determine if you are at risk of falling due to balance issues at a free screening on Tuesday, November 2, between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy at Island Hospital, 1015 25th St.,
Letter to Editor | I’m supporting Wes for Fire Commissioner
||| FROM LEITH TEMPLIN ||| I was impressed last week with the presentation and discussions that took place, by Zoom, at the Orcas Island Fire Commission monthly meeting. As a long-standing active community member, I feel very fortunate that we have such a highly qualified commission. I have seen many
