Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
You are invited to partake in Yom Kippur Kol Nidre services at Cascade Lake
||| FROM JOHN GOTTMAN ||| The first communal prayer service of Yom Kippur takes place immediately prior to sunset on the evening of Yom Kippur. This service is called Kol Nidre (“All Vows”). These are the first words of a special legal formula that is recited at the beginning of this
‘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.
Inslee announces mask requirement for large outdoor gatherings as COVID-19 wave persists
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday announced a new statewide requirement for masks to be worn at large outdoor gatherings as Washington’s fifth wave of COVID-19 persists. Starting on Monday, the state’s current requirement for indoor facial coverings will be expanded
Tree protections? Planning for growth? Your help is needed by Sept. 14
||| FROM R. BRENT LYLES for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| It's time to spring into action! On the morning of Tuesday, September 14, the County Council will hold a hearing on the 2021 docket. This year's docket includes proposals for new tree-protection standards, stormwater-management standards, and doing an
Camas Club sprouts a new website for island backyard restorationists
||| FROM SHAUN HUBBARD for CAMAS CLUB ||| The recently formed Camas Club has launched a website created for and by islanders to connect with other backyard habitat enthusiasts. It is a place where native habitat aficionados can ask questions, share resources, organize seed swaps, and more. By exchanging information
It takes a village to clean an island
||| FROM HEATHER WALLACE ||| The Great Islands Clean-up is back! In honor of National Public Lands Day, come join your fellow islanders for the 2021 Fall Great Islands Clean-up on September 25. This year’s theme, It Takes a Village to Clean an Island, celebrates the history of the Great
WSF weekly report | New hires, ferry landings from the air, Seattle weekend traffic
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| New engine room employees in training As I’ve mentioned many times recently, the maritime sector, like many industries both locally and internationally, is facing a shortage of experienced employees. We’re one of many marine transportation systems dealing with a staffing shortfall.
Center for Whale Research encounters J Pod out in Boundary Pass
||| FROM THE CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Date: 05-Sep-21 Sequence: 1 Encounter Number: 63 Enc Start Time: 15:26 Enc End Time: 17:56 Vessel: Orcinus Observers: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Charli Grimes Pods or ecotype: J Pod Location: Boundary Pass Begin Lat/Long: 48 46.189 N/123 02.835 W End Lat/Long: 48
Nationally-recognized gardener/author coming to speak at library
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| The Orcas Island Garden Club welcomes Karen Chapman on a virtual (Zoom) presentation called Touchstones: a journey of healing and discovery on Wednesday September 15, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Karen Chapman Karen Chapman is a garden plant specialist and the owner
State Health: Statement on hospital capacity, crisis standards of care
Emphasizing stress, stretch, and support ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Hospital capacity is currently stressed across the state of Washington. The surge in hospitalizations is one that Washington Department of Health (DOH), with its healthcare partners, has been monitoring closely. At this time, partners across Washington have undertaken
Guest Opinion | 2021 Docket request (build-out analysis)
||| FROM JANET ALDERTON ||| I understand that trying to fulfill this docket request would consume vast amounts of staff time and attention, if the goal is to get as close to a perfect analysis as possible. It has been said that the perfect is the enemy of the good. I do
Latest COVID numbers from State Health Dept.
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 525,243 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 6. In all, there have been 6,745 deaths in Washington due to COVID-19. For the most recent data on cases by county,
School Board has a special board meeting coming up
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| Please be advised of an upcoming Special School Board Mtg./Learning Tour of OISD Facilities this Thursday, September 9, at 9:30 a.m. - the meeting will convene in person in The School Library Here is the link to our online platform with detailed Agenda
SHIBA volunteers at the ready to welcome you to Medicare with online presentation
Tuesday, September 14, 1 p.m. ||| FROM PEGI GROUNDWATER for SHIBA ||| Are you joining Medicare this year? If so, there’s a lot of new information for you to understand. Medicare has its own vocabulary and rules. There are deadlines you need to make and penalties (some lasting a lifetime)
Orcas painter judged ‘Best in Show’ in San Fernando Valley CHIAROSCURO exhibition
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR ||| Terry Johnson, Orcas resident and art professor, is the recipient of Best In Show award from the San Fernando Valley Arts and Culture Center's new CHIAROSCURO exhibition. "Since this is a national call, I am pleased to be considered at all let alone
Islands Oil Spill Assoc. offering spill response training this fall
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for ISLANDS OIL SPILL ASSOCIATION ||| The Islands’ Oil Spill Association (IOSA) is offering free oil spill response training for interested islanders in October. Sessions will be held on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Island. This half-day hands-on training is intended to give both new and
