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
Coronavirus case count shows nine new cases in San Juan county
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Since the last update on Friday September 24, there have been nine new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current total case count is now 309. Of these nine new cases, initial investigations indicate that six appear to
Statewide COVID-19 response updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Statewide Response Updates Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 584,023 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 29. There have been 7,726 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics,
Navy releases Record of Decision for NW training environmental impact statement
||| FROM JULIANNE STANFORD for NAVY REGION NORTHWEST ||| SILVERDALE, Wash — The Department of the Navy announced today its decision to implement its Preferred Alternative, Alternative 1, to continue training and testing activities at sea and in associated airspace within the Study Area as described in the Northwest Training
Last Master Gardener clinic set for Wednesday at Driftwood Nursery
||| FROM DIANNE MACONDRAY for SJ MASTER GARDENERS ||| As the main growing season here on the islands winds down, be sure and visit the San Juan Master Gardeners at their last clinic at Driftwood Nursery in Eastsound on Wednesday, October 6 from 11 a.m.. - 1 p.m. Bring your
‘Occam’s Razor’ | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson. Celebrating one year!
WSF Weekly Report | House testimony, retirement, underwater camera, and a ferry-tale wedding
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Remarks to U.S. House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit I had the privilege of speaking about our ferry system to the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Highways and Transit on Tuesday during a hearing titled “Examining the Role of Ferries
Something is brewing at Friday afternoon’s Makers Stroll
And that's just the start of this Makers three-day weekend ||| FROM SAN JUAN MAKERS GUILD ||| Something's brewing in Eastsound on Orcas with Makers Stroll on Friday afternoon, October 1, and Farm Tours island wide on Orcas, October 2-3. Taste local fruit and veggie magic at The Barnacle, Girl
Orcas Montessori School welcomes new Head of School
||| FROM ARTHUR DE HAAN for ORCAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL ||| As you may have heard, Teresa Chocano will be retiring towards the end of the year. This is not a goodbye yet as Teresa will help with the transition. I do want to take this opportunity to thank Teresa for
Council adds indoor residential tennis courts to work plan
||| BY STEVE BERNHEIM, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| Planning Staff Priorities At its Tuesday meeting, September 28, the San Juan County Council agreed that the County’s planning staff should add draft rules allowing private indoor tennis courts in the “Rural Farm Forest” zone to its list of priorities. Former County Councilperson
Qigong returns in weekly 15-minute Zoom workouts with Joan Roulac
Beginning Wednesday October 6 at 9 a.m. ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Quiet the mind and strengthen the body with Joan Roulac’s Jump Start in 15 Qigong series. These quick 15-minute sessions will gently loosen tense muscles, strengthen the immune, build better balance, and increase energy. The Jump Start in 15 series fee is $40 and will begin Wednesday, October 6 at 9am via Zoom and weekly thereafter.
Not fully vaccinated? Perfect opportunity coming up
||| FROM KYRA KINNAMAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT || Appointments are available, with pre-registration required, for Pfizer and J&J vaccines. San Juan Island: Tuesday October 5 Orcas Island: Wednesday, October 6 Lopez Island: Thursday, October 7 Pre-registration is required. Go to www.sjccovid.com to register.
Orcas Senior Center drive-through senior BBQ served many
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| On Thursday, September 23, the Nutrition Program partners—Orcas Senior Center, San Juan County, and Whatcom Council on Aging—hosted a “Drive Through Senior BBQ” for Orcas Island seniors at Orcas Senior Center (OSC). Meals on Wheels and More Director, Julie Meyers noted,
Feeling disconnected, detached? Local organizations need your help
||| FROM HILARY CANTY for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| One of the harder aspects of these pandemic days is the feeling of isolation. Being masked and distanced has taken a toll. A great way to combat that feeling is to find new ways to safely reconnect. Many of our
Good News | Washington’s plastic bag ban goes into effect Oct. 1
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Following a delay due to Covid-19, the Washington Plastic Bag Ban (RCW 70A.530) will go into effect statewide on October 1, 2021. This means that retailers and restaurants throughout the state will be prohibited from providing single-use plastic carryout bags. As Washington prepares
School District taps facilitator to identify district priorities
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| What is the process for a Strategic Plan? The district has engaged the services of an independent facilitator, Dr. Spencer Welch, to work with OISD stakeholders on identifying their priorities for the district. Welch will then share his insights with the OISD School
Latest state update on COVID data
||| FROM STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 579,684 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 27. In all, there have been 7,591 deaths in Washington due to COVID-19. For the most recent data on cases by county, demographics,
