Here’s a thought…
“No one, I mean no one, has the right to sit in judgment of who’s American enough.”
MICHELLE OBAMA
No Christmas Ship again this year, but what a history it has
||| FROM LYNN WEBER/ROOCHVARG ||| Child looking for Santa, Christmas Ship visit, Deer Harbor, Orcas Island, 1983 Journal of the San Juan Islands, December 14, 1983, p. B-7, Courtesy San Juan Historical Museum On December 23, 1951, children in the San Juan Islands, who have little opportunity
OPALCO Board nominations are open
||| FROM ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| OPALCO nominations for board candidates are now open. You can help shape our energy future! There are three positions open: one position in District 1 (San Juan, Brown, Henry, Pearl and Spieden islands), one position in District 3 (Lopez, Decatur, Center and Charles
Guest Opinion | How to understand the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution
||| FROM DAVID KOBRIN ||| As a historian I’m interested in how the basic meaning of words important in our nation’s history have changed over time. The Declaration of Independence provides an example. It says: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” (Emphasis added)
Over 16? Y’all better be getting your COVID booster shot
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are now available for teens ages 16 and 17. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) expanded booster dose eligibility to include everyone 16 and older following guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug
Letter to Editor | Heartfelt thanks to all who are helping in aftermath of Sunday’s house fire
||| FROM ELLEN WICKHAM ||| On behalf of myself, and my son Thomas Bredahl, I want to give deep and heart-felt thanks to all the organizations and individuals who have helped in the aftermath of Sunday's fire on Teal Lane. For those who may not know, in the early morning
Sheriff’s Report | December 1 – 7, 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1 21-010328 Malicious Mischief 09:15:36 12/01/21 A Lopez Island Deputy was called about vandalism to a watercraft. A report was taken. 21-010331 Fraud 09:52:38 12/01/21 A San Juan Deputy responded to a report of fraud. The incident was documented. There
Latest update on COVID numbers from the state
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 693,335 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 8. There have been 9,535 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent number of cases by county, demographics, and more,
Get your booster! San Juan County’s weekly case count is up
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Since the last update on Friday December 3, there have been 13 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 450. There are approximately two unvaccinated close contacts of positive cases currently in quarantine
Meeting of the Minds | “Wild Plants of the Field, Forest, and Sea: Medicinal Plants of the San Juans”
||| FROM LENA KASS for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Kristy Bredin Join herbalist Kristy Bredin as she discusses regional plants with remedial uses found in the field, forest, and sea of the San Juan Islands. Kristy is passionate about exploring the natural world and working with local medicinal
WSF Weekly Report | Reservations, rescue, roundtables, & raves
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Vehicle reservations reopen Friday, Dec. 17 We’re nearly three weeks into trialing a return to a full four-boat fall schedule on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands route and while it hasn’t been perfect, we’ve been able to reliably crew well over 90%
‘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.
Be on the lookout today for possible high winds
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| * What, South winds 35 to 45 MPH with Gusts Up to 60 MPH Possible. * Where, San Juan County, Western Whatcom County, Western Skagit County, Admiralty Inlet Area, North Coast and Central Coast. * When, from Friday Evening Through Saturday Morning. * Impacts,
Socrates Cafe continues with upcoming session
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Orcas Senior Center continues to virtually host the Orcas Socrates Café from 4-6 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month. It’s an opportunity to engage in an open discussion on philosophical perspectives. This is not a book club, but rather
Turtleback Mountain and Turtlehead Preserves upcoming Zoom presentation on forest health, resiliency
Orcas Socrates Café @ Orcas Senior Center by Zoom: Sunday, December 12, 4-6pm ||| FROM TANJA WILLIAMSON for CONSERVATION LAND BANK and PRESERVATION TRUST ||| The Conservation Land Bank and the Preservation Trust recently completed a forest assessment at Turtleback and Turtlehead Preserves. The resulting report (click here to view
“Home for the Holidays” returns to Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Crow Valley String Band, Brograss and friends invite you to join them for their annual “Home for the Holidays” show. Although it was fun streaming from the living room last year, they are so excited to return to the Orcas Center
County Council has extended VR Moratorium for six more months
||| BY MATTHEW GILBERT, theORCASONIAN OP-ED REPORTER ||| Another large and passionate group of islanders weighed in on whether to extend/expand or end the VR moratorium and cap-setting resolution that was extended for six months on July 12 and is set to expire on January 12, 2022. Although many who
