Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
Free healthcare career training offered by EDC and Cornerstone
||| FROM MICHELANGELO (MICKEY) VON DASSOW for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| Those seeking to enter health care careers, obtain side income while helping their neighbors, or boost personal care business are invited to get free Home Care Aide (HCA) training through a program offered by the Economic Development Council (EDC)
Whatcom County Council vote changes the future of industry at Cherry Point
||| FROM BELLINGHAM HERALD ||| Whatcom County Council unanimously approved a series of Comprehensive Plan amendments for the Cherry Point industrial zone, adding tougher environmental and development rules for the region that’s home to two of Washington state’s five oil refineries. Tuesday’s vote was hailed by environmental groups as a
Tourists | Again, we’re not the only island feeling overrun
||| FROM SFGATE.COM ||| [Reprint at request of an Orcasonian reader.} “We are not Disneyland. People live here,” says Kai Duponte, a Native Hawaiian who was born and raised on Maui, responding to the unprecedented numbers of tourists to the island. “Although no one wants to stop tourism altogether, when
Inslee rescinds three proclamations related to the COVID-19 pandemic
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today rescinded two COVID-19 emergency proclamations and gave advance notice of the rescission of a third emergency proclamation. Proclamation 20-20 Proclamation 20-20 waived/suspended statutes related to tax penalties, fees, interest, and due dates in order to provide tax
ADVISORY: Inslee and agency leaders to discuss digital inclusion to connect people to social safety net
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee will meet with state agency leaders on Wednesday, July 28, to hear about how state agencies are working toward ensuring digital equity and digital inclusion. This meeting will include hearing from community partners and listening to customer experiences
COVID-19 cases are increasing across the state
Vaccination rates not increasing fast enough to control the virus ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – The latest COVID-19 modeling and surveillance situation report from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) shows a new surge: cases are increasing in the state as the Delta variant becomes more widespread. As
Congressman Rick Larsen speaks out on Capitol Police testimony
||| FROM REP. RICK LARSEN ||| “On January 6, violent domestic terrorists stormed the Capitol building, attacked law enforcement and threatened the exercise of our democracy. Today, the House January 6th Committee hears sobering testimony from members of the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department who bravely defended
Orcas Community Church | Saturday night interview with a pastor and a rock star
||| FROM BRIAN MOSS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| On Saturday, July 31st at 7:00 pm, you are invited to an evening with David Taylor at Orcas Island Community Church. David will share a film interview on the Psalms that he did with Pastor Eugene Peterson, author of The Message translation of
Chamber Music Fest releases additional in-person tickets
||| FROM ANITA ORNE for CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| After careful consideration of the latest COVID-19 figures and local, state, and federal regulations, we are thrilled to announce the release of additional seats for all concerts of the 24th Festival Season of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival, August 6
COVID, climate, and calamity
||| FROM PATRICK SHEPLER ||| There are essentially three stories on the National News networks these days: (1) COVID is coming back with a vengeance. primarily among the unvaccinated; (2) The Olympics, minus fans, plus COVID; And (3) the horrific western state Megafires. There is no doubt that wildfire danger
Sheriff gives peek into how department, community may be impacted by new state laws
||| FROM SHERIFF RON KREBS, SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF ||| San Juan County Sheriff Ron Krebs As of 12:01 a.m. on July 26, the State of Washington enacted a group of laws aimed at “police reform.” These laws are aimed at enhancing accountability, training, and transparency among law
With upcoming virtual County Fair, there are a variety of in-person activities
||| FROM CARLENE BALCOMB-BARTOK for SAN JUAN COUNTY FAIR || SJC Fairgrounds is hosting a variety of in person activities this August leading up to and during the Virtual Fair. Saturday Aug. 14 9-2 Fair Market & Plant Sale 6-9 Fair Summer Music Series in partnership with Going Left Music
Medicare online class presentation is coming up on Thursday
Online presentation Thursday, July 29, 2 p.m. ||| FROM PEGI GROUNDWATER, SHIBA VOLUNTEER ||| Will you be joining Medicare this year? If so, there’s a lot for you to learn. Medicare has its own vocabulary and rules. There are deadlines you must meet and penalties (some lasting a lifetime) for
As fuel at airport runs out, as COVID cases increase, Orcas Fly-In has been cancelled
||| FROM JEANNIE SHARPE for ORCAS AIRPORT ||| As of late last week I was told the local EAA Chapter is cancelling the Orcas Fly-In due to new COVID cases on the island. I am sure we will still have many campers as usual. Also, as of this morning we
SJC joins regional effort to curb rising infection rates | Masks recommended indoors for all
||| FROM KYRA KINNAMAN for SJC HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES ||| As a part of a regional effort to curb the rising infection rates in Washington, San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James recommends that islanders mask up when entering an indoor public space, including businesses, whether vaccinated or
‘Very saddened’: Toa, the orphaned baby orca that enthralled New Zealand, is buried
Orca cared for by hundreds of volunteers and experts in bitter cold after becoming separated from its pod two weeks ago ||| FROM THE GUARDIAN ||| An orphaned baby orca that captured the hearts of people across New Zealand has been farewelled at a special ceremony and taken away for burial,
