Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
Auditor answers pressing questions, concerns regarding upcoming General Election
||| FROM MILENE HENLEY, SAN JUAN COUNTY AUDITOR ||| It’s that time again, Islanders! With the 2021 General Election just around the corner, and the heightened focus on our electoral process, your Elections Team wanted to take a moment to share some frequently asked questions. Q: When will my ballot
Statewide COVID-19 updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Statewide Response Updates Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 544,899 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 13. In all, there have been 7,037 deaths in Washington due to COVID-19. For the most recent data on
SUNY prof to speak about gardens and climate change at Library event
||| FROM CAROL DAPOGNY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Orcas Island Library presents a hybrid speaker event with Barbara Bentley (Professor Emeritus, Dept. of Ecology and Evolution, SUNY Stony Brook) on the Library’s south lawn and by Zoom meeting on September 16 at 6 p.m. Barbara Bentley will speak about
In Memoriam | John Anthony Mazzarella, June 13, 1933 – February 9, 2021
||| FROM ANNETTE MAZZARELLA ||| John Anthony Mazzarella. John Anthony Mazzarella was born the first of three sons to Eleanor Fiorito Mazzarella and Anthony Mazzarella in Queens, New York. Although he lived most of his life in Seattle and on Orcas Island, he never left his New York
Washington to destroy third murder hornet nest in battle to save bees
||| FROM THE GUARDIAN ||| A third Asian giant hornet nest was discovered in Washington state, a day after entomologists discovered a second. 'They give me the willies': scientist who vacuumed murder hornets braces for fight The Washington state agriculture department tweeted on Saturday that it planned to eradicate the nest
U.S.C.G. Auxiliary offers upcoming online Boating Safety Education Card
||| FROM CHUCK DALLDORF for U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY ||| BELLINGHAM, WASH. – This fall, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Bellingham and San Juan Islands Flotilla is providing boaters online, Washington State Basic Boater Education Course. All Washington state residents must carry a Boater Education Card while on the water
Long-time island doctor looks ahead to retirement, exploration of the world
Retirement celebration has been postponed due to COVID concerns ||| BY LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR ||| Although I attended high school with David Shinstrom, I didn't know him. It was a large enrollment back in the 60s; he was a sophomore and I a senior, and probably neither of us
Island Hospital works toward 100% vaccinated workforce
||| FROM LAURA MORONEY for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| ANACORTES, Washington – In response to recent State and Federal vaccination mandates for healthcare workers, Island Hospital’s leadership team announced a goal of achieving a 100% vaccinated workforce. While the overwhelming majority of employed staff and privileged providers of Island Hospital are already
Farmers Market announces informal Harvest Celebration, raffles
||| FROM ERICA LYONS for ORCAS FARMERS MARKET ||| Orcas Island Farmers Market proudly announces an informal Harvest Celebration on Saturday, September 25 - and there will be some surprises! Live music on the Village Green Stage and three Harvest Baskets will be raffled off to three lucky winners! These giant
Firefighters union announces ‘Vote of No Confidence’ in Fire Chief Williams
||| FROM INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS (IAFF) LOCAL 3911 ||| International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 3911 announces a Vote of No Confidence in Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR) Chief Scott Williams. Concerns regarding Mr. Williams’ competence and integrity for the job of Chief have been known without resolute
State’s heating program for low-income households now includes cooling options
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ||| This past June, Washington confronted a smothering heat dome that ended up being the deadliest weather event in Washington history. It contributed to 125 heat-related deaths and nearly 450 excess deaths, such as strokes and heart attacks brought on by heat stress. Unsurprisingly, researchers found that people
State has behavioral health resources available for back to school
New THINK Toolbox among resources to help address behavioral health impacts ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA -- As we see students and educators head back into the classroom and restart the in-person learning routine, the Department of Health (DOH) is providing behavioral health tips and resources for navigating
County Council to discuss Docket 21-0003, buildout/impact request
||| FROM JOE SYMONS for KEEPSANJUANSWILD.ORG ||| Tuesday 14 September! Please write the Council with your support for a buildout/impact component to the county's Comprehensive Plan 82 of you wrote letters to the Planning Commission in support of the Docket request—Thank You! If you are one of those, please re-submit your letter
EDC will be resuming their weekly business resilience calls
||| FROM VICTORIA COMPTON for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| The EDC has resumed their weekly Business Resilience Call, as a means to bring legislators and business resilience experts together with local business owners, managers, and community leaders. The first meeting this fall will be held online via Zoom, on Thursday,
Dental Van coming back to the Islands
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Mobile Dental Access Van will be coming back to Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Island in late September/ early October 2021. Lopez Island September 20-21 Orcas Island September 22-25 San Juan Island October 6-9 The van offers full dental care with X-rays,
This Saturday | Open house at Orcas Center
Orcas Center Open House Saturday, September 18, 1-4 p.m. ||| FROM ORCAS CENTER ||| Over the past year and a half, as Orcas Center has been closed, we have been busy at work renovating our spaces, doing some serious deep cleaning, and refreshing our entire facility. The Center is looking
