Here’s a thought…
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.”
MARK TWAIN
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
High levels of hospital occupancy likely to continue through fall 2021
Declines in trends indicate effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations, masking ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA -- The latest COVID-19 modeling and surveillance situation report from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) shows case counts, hospital admissions and hospital occupancy have declined, yet these levels remain high. Hospitals across the state are
Sun Days on Orcas | Urgent
||| SUN DAYS ON ORCAS by LEVI KULPER ||| Hello. My name is Levi and I am 11 years old. My mom let me write the column this week. I want to say something that I actually don't think many adults will listen to. A lot of people are used
It’s October, and the high winds will predictably blow — Sunday into Monday
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| The National Weather Service is calling for strong winds in the islands Sunday and Monday. Winds are forecast to be strongest at the south end of San Juan and Lopez Islands, with possible gusts to 60mph, and perhaps as high as 70mph.
Port of Orcas meeting coming up on Monday
||| FROM JEANNIE SHARPE for PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas will convene in a regularly scheduled meeting to discuss budget issues on Monday, October 25, at 5 p.m. via ZOOM. Agenda here.
New caregiver brings collaboration and integrative medicine to Orcas Clinic
||| FROM LAURA MORONEY for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Rachael Cleghorn, PA-C ANACORTES, Washington -- Island Hospital welcomed Rachael Cleghorn, PA-C to its Island Primary Care - Orcas Clinic on October 4. Cleghorn, who received her Master of Clinical Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Barry University, FL,
SJC Comprehensive Plan 2036 Update: Studios and open houses popping up
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Please participate in the San Juan County Department of Community Development’s Pop-up Studio and Open House events regarding the 2036 Comprehensive Plan update. These events are intended to provide an opportunity for County residents to learn about the work that has been done
High wind watch in the offing beginning Sunday morning
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| Headline High Wind Watch Description * What, Southeast Wind of 40 MPH with Gusts to 60 MPH Are Possible. * Where, San Juan County, Western Whatcom County, Western Skagit County, Admiralty Inlet Area, Western Strait of Juan De Fuca, North Coast and Central Coast.
Midnight Mutterings | More on plastic…
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| It was surprising to me to experience the in-person response to my earlier post on laundry detergent. You (well a few of you) found the information on TruEarth Laundry Detergent (one of the brands that comes in the mail in a light cardboard
Inslee and Murray on establishing solutions for salmon recovery in Columbia River Basin
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Today U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee issued the following joint statement on next steps as they pursue a joint federal-state process to establish a comprehensive solution for salmon recovery in the Columbia River Basin. “Saving our salmon is
