Here’s a thought…
“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”
THOMAS PYNCHON
‘Come Stand in my Shoes’ this weekend at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| This Friday and Saturday! COME STAND IN MY SHOES November 19th - 20th Dance returns to the Orcas Center Main Stage with The Orcas Dance Collective! Directed and Choreographed by Tiffany Loney Presented through Orcas Dance Collective Featuring Junior Dance Collective and
Rep. Larsen supports House passage of Build Back Better Act
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported House-passage of the Build Back Better Act (BBB), historic legislation that creates millions of well-paying union jobs, drives long-term economic recovery and growth, and enables Northwest Washington communities to combat the climate change crisis.
Newest COVID numbers from State Health
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 669,378 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 17. There have been 9,086 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent number of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
Updated Salish Sea vessel traffic projections released
||| FROM KATIE FLEMING for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| The recently updated Salish Sea Vessel Traffic Projections (Nov. 2021) provided by Friends of the San Juans shows that at least a 25% increase in large, ocean-going commercial vessel traffic could occur if all of the proposed new and
Inslee amends emergency proclamation due to severe weather damage
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Today Gov. Jay Inslee amended his Severe Weather Damage emergency proclamation 21-18, which declared a state of emergency in 14 counties on Nov. 15, due to severe weather damage. The amendments allow the Department of Social and Health Services to make emergency
Drink wine at home at upcoming Senior Center, Doe Bay Wine virtual vineyard
“the virtual vineyard” Thanksgiving favorites by Orcas Senior Center and Doe Bay Wine Sunday, November 21, 5 p.m. by Zoom ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join Cole Sisson at “the virtual vineyard,” on Sunday, November 21 at 5pm by Zoom as he guides us through tasting
Another step toward zero waste
||| FROM HEATHER WALLACE for ORCAS RECYCLING SERVICES ||| Orcas Recycling Services (ORS) moved closer to its mission of “creating a zero waste community…” on November 3rd. About 40 invited guests–donors, contractors, public servants, and ORS staff–gathered to dedicate the new glass crusher. Jim “Duff” Duffield, president of ORS Board
WSF weekly update indicates service restorations begin on Anacortes/San Juans run
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Four-boat Anacortes/San Juan Islands trial service marks beginning of gradual service restoration Starting tomorrow, Nov. 19, a fourth boat will be added on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route to operate a full fall schedule on a trial basis. With new hires
‘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.
Emergency services continue east of the Point Lawrence divide
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| With the area east of Doe Bay Resort cut off due to road washout from the recent storm, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue was able to dispatch an additional medic with the help of a San Juan County Sheriff’s
Orcas Island soccer team advances in State finals
||| FROM KATE LONG for ORCAS ISLAND BOOSTER CLUB ||| OI Soccer will compete on November 19 & 20 at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner, WA for the final four championships! Send a good luck message to the team using this form. The first game is against rival Friday Harbor at
San Juan County Land Bank will meet tomorrow
||| FROM TANJA WILLIAMSON for SAN JUAN COUNTY LAND BANK ||| The San Juan County Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting on November 19, from 8:30am-11:30am via Zoom. The public is invited to attend. Click HERE to download the agenda (includes ZOOM link)** and meeting materials, including the
We return to normal four-boat ferry schedule tomorrow
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| The Anacortes/San Juan Islands route will return to four-boat service and operate on its usual Fall Schedule starting Friday, Nov. 19. Customers are encouraged to check the four-boat “Anacortes/San Juan Islands” sailing schedule, which will be listed as inactive until it takes effect on Nov.
Crow Valley Road will be closed westbound at least a week
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Due to erosion having caused cavities beneath the roadbed, Crow Valley Road will be closed to west-bound traffic (traffic heading away from Eastsound towards Island Hardware) between Orcas Road (Fowler’s Corner) and West Beach Road (Island Hardware). East-bound traffic is
School Library suffers water damage from our storm
||| FROM ERIC WEBB for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| Dear Students, Families, Staff, & Community, I’m sure you would agree that the sun was a welcome sight for all [yesterday}! Please know our hearts go out to those struggling with the aftermath of [our] heavy rains. We here at
Latest numbers from State Health Department
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 666,016 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 15. There have been 9,029 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent number of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
