Here’s a thought…
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.”
MARK TWAIN
New report: Staggering staff turnover rate emphasizes urgent need to support child care workforce
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ||| Washington’s Child Care Collaborative Task Force releases strategy that builds on historic Fair Start for Kids Act investments, calls for focus on growing the child care workforce. OLYMPIA, WA – Washington state’s Child Care Collaborative Task Force released a comprehensive new strategy that emphasizes the
Larsen votes to restore critical protections of the Voting Rights Act
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported legislation to restore critical protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) and keep the promise of democracy for all Americans. H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act prevents states and localities with a recent
Funhouse is hiring helpers for after-school programs
||| FROM FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| We are seeking program staff to help with our after-school programs this fall. Funhouse programs are a mix of structured and unstructured time for children in a safe, nurturing environment -- that we all create together! Staff will conduct activities and games as well as
Testing remains critical tool in fight against COVID-19
Over the counter tests can now help state track positive cases ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – As the Delta variant spreads throughout every region in Washington, demand for COVID-19 testing increases. With that, many people are turning to various over-the-counter, at-home tests when they have symptoms or
You’re not too late, but Museum’s WOWZA raffle will end Sept. 4
||| FROM CAROL KULMINSKI for ORCAS MUSEUMS ||| The Orcas Island Historical Society’s WOWZA raffle with prizes totaling over $12,000 ends September 4 on the Village Green. Tickets will continue to be available at the Museum and the Chamber of Commerce during all open hours. In addition, tickets will be
Library Board will meet with special agenda
||| FROM JANET MARLOW for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY DISTRICT ||| ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY DISTRICT Special Board Meeting Agenda August 26, 2021 – 1:00 P.M. Zoom Meeting ID 849 8666 7534; Passcode 256953 Join Zoom Meeting Welcome & Introductions Additions or Modifications to the Agenda Executive Session for the purpose of
Rep. Larsen statement on current situation in Afghanistan
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the below statement on the current situation in Afghanistan: “Since August 1, the United States has evacuated 58,700 U.S. citizens and Afghan nationals
Are we prepared for fire season? What OPALCO has been up to
||| FROM SUZANNE OLSON for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT ||| Are we prepared for fire season? OPALCO has a strong commitment to keeping its power lines clear of trees and brush in order to 1) keep field crews and co-op members safe, 2) reduce power outages and 3) prevent damage
SJ Grange is holding a County Charter amendment discussion online
||| FROM KAT ROSE ||| Did you know that out of 39 counties in the state of Washington, only seven have a Home Rule Charter including San Juan County? The County Charter is like our constitution and specifies how our county conducts its business. Every 10 years our county reviews
Inslee statement on today’s Pfizer-BioNTech approval by FDA
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today following the Food & Drug Administration's approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the prevention of disease from COVID. “The Food and Drug Administration’s full authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine today is a great milestone in our
Island Hospital launches Tele-ICU program
||| FROM LAURA MORONEY for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| This week Island Hospital is launching a new tele-ICU program that provides around-the-clock support for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). In addition to receiving exceptional bedside care, the tele-ICU program adds an extra layer of expert care for the most
In Haiti’s remote villages, grassroots help is urgently needed
||| FROM BRUCE WILSON||| Local Orcas Island resident and Helping Hands Noramise Director, Rosedanie Cadet, will be traveling to southern Haiti this September. She will collaborate with several other charity groups to aid in the rebuilding of schools/gardens affected by the recent earthquake and storms. Her group will be flown
Let’s celebrate Moran centennial with musical ‘weapons of mass delight’
||| FROM TOM RAWSON ||| On Thursday, August 26. I’m bringing my arsenal of WMD (Weapons of Mass Delight—banjo and other very happy noisemakers) to Cascade Lake. I'm teaming up with Irthlingz Duo (Sharon Abreu and Michael Hurwicz) to help celebrate the Centennial of Moran State Park. We’ll be singing
REMINDER: Free COVID vaccine clinics this week
Pre-register online, although walk-ins welcome. ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Sign-ups are looking good, but there are still spaces available. Walk-ups also welcome. For anyone waiting for full FDA approval of the vaccine before receiving their shot, that approval has now been granted for the
Letter to Editor | Crisis of loneliness
||| FROM LEARNER LIMBACH ||| I want to say something about loneliness. I'm someone who can do well being alone for long periods of time, and often. I'm generally happy for the opportunity to zero in on the things I'm working on without distractions. This is part of who I am
Climate Eyes | Will salmon return to Orcas Island? Are we too dried out?
||| CLIMATE EYES BY STEVE BERNHEIM, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| Washington wildfires emerged as a substantial consequence of the climate emergency in July, following on the heat dome that brought record high temperatures to the region in June. Though San Juan County experienced none of the fires, it suffered the
