Here’s a thought…
“The future is already here. It’s just not evenly distributed yet.”
WILLIAM GIBSON
Newest numbers from state’s health department
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 1,423,990 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 27.* There have been 11,866 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. Data notes *Effective Jan. 24, 2022, DOH updates the COVID-19 data dashboard on
Community Church will show Mission Aviation Fellowship film, ‘Ends of the Earth’
||| FROM CAROL KULMINSKI for ORCAS COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| Orcas Island Community Church will present the film Ends of the Earth on Saturday, March 5, at 6:30 p.m. This documentary explores faith, passion, and how hope emerges from tragedy. Imagine flying over breath-taking landscapes only to land on an airstrip
Powdered infant formula recall expands following reports of bacterial infections
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Abbott Nutrition has expanded its voluntary recall of certain powdered infant formulas produced at the company’s manufacturing facility in Sturgis, Michigan, because of possible Cronobacter contamination. Parents and caregivers should not feed their babies recalled Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered formulas. Recalled powdered infant formulas include
Center for Whale Research announces J Pod has a new calf
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| On March 1, we welcomed the meteorological first day of spring and a new calf in J Pod! We received word that J Pod was nearby (off Landbank, San Juan Island), and there was possibly a new addition to the Southern Resident orca
Coming this Friday | ART UNLOCKED art opening and reception
Art Opening and Reception ART UNLOCKED: Pandemic Productions Friday, March 4th: 5:30-7pm Madrona Room and Lobby ||| FROM ORCAS CENTER ||| The Visual Arts committee of Orcas Center is pleased to announce the first Art Opening of 2022: ART UNLOCKED – PANDEMIC PRODUCTIONS. The Artist Reception will be held on
OCRC strives to keep lights on and homes warm for islanders
||| FROM MEGAN EHRMANTRAUT for COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| Each year, over 100 households rely on the Orcas Community Resource Center and our partnership with local and federal agencies to keep their lights on and homes warm. Programs include OPALCO’s Project Pal, the Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program
Wanted | Past, present, and new Kiwanis members
||| FROM VELMA DOTY for ORCAS KIWANIS ||| If you have been a Kiwanis member somewhere else you know how important Kiwanis is. Orcas Kiwanis welcomes your support. We meet on the 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month at noon at OICF building, 33 Urner St, Eastsound If you
School district revising mask requirements
||| FROM ERIC WEBB, ORCAS SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ||| Dear Students, Families, Staff, & Community, COVID cases across the state are on the decline, and indoor mask requirements for the state will end on March 11, 2022 as announced yesterday by Governor Jay Inslee. Once the statewide requirement is lifted on March 12, masks
Lolita the orca may be moving, Miami-Dade mayor says
||| FROM LOCAL10.COM ||| MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Lolita, the ailing orca at the Miami Seaquarium, could be on the move soon, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava exclusively told Local 10 News. On Monday morning, Sky 10 flew over Lolita’s tank. The 56-year-old killer whale also known as Tokitae or
County Home Fund helps create more affordable housing
||| SUBMITTED BY SAN JUAN CO. HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE ||| A local program, the San Juan County Home Fund, is playing a significant role in addressing the County’s severe shortage of affordable housing. In 2018, voters approved a 0.5% real estate excise tax (REET) specifically to help fund affordable housing.
Governors Newsom, Brown, and Inslee announce updated health guidance
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| With declining case rates and hospitalizations across the west, California, Oregon and Washington are moving together to update their masking guidance. After 11:59 p.m. on March 11, California, Oregon and Washington will be adopting new indoor mask policies and move from
Friends of San Juans welcomes new legal director, staff attorney
||| FROM SHANNON DAVIS for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| James McCubbin, an experienced land-use attorney, joins the Friends staff on March 1st. Friends of the San Juans is thrilled to welcome James McCubbin, our new Legal Director and Staff Attorney, to our team. For 20 years,
Funhouse opens Stepping Up! program for registration
Stepping Up will be held Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from March 14-June 9 ||| FROM LIZ DOANE for FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| Spring is on the way, and we can't wait to get outside and play! Registration is now open for our spring session of Stepping Up! (la información en español
Art Unlocked to finally arrive at Orcas Center
||| FROM KATHY YOUNGREN for ORCAS CENTER VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE ||| Art Opening with a display of all local art presented by the visual Arts Committee at Orcas Center, Friday, March 4. Lots of beautiful art , all by local artists on display at Orcas Center. Please come, support our local
Upcoming classes from Island Health
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND HEALTH ||| Nutrition for Healthy Pregnancy with Island Health Learn essential tips for ensuring proper nutrition during each stage of your pregnancy, from conception to the first post-partum meal. Join a Registered Dietitian for this free, online event on Thursday, March 10 from 6-6:45
Poetry | A Black History Month tribute
||| POSTED AT REQUEST OF ORCASONIAN READER ||| Still I Rise MAYA ANGELOU Maya Angelou You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are
