Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
Orcas community to usher long-time, local doctor into retirement at upcoming celebration
||| FROM AAIMEE JOHNSON ||| Join us to celebrate nearly 30 years of commitment to healthcare on Orcas Island as Dr. David C. Shinstrom, Dr. Dave to most, hangs up his stethoscope in retirement. Dr. Dave is hoping many of you can attend so he can express his appreciation for the
Inslee declares wildfire state of emergency, limited burn ban
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today declared a statewide state of emergency relating to the growing risk of wildfires, including a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30, 2021. "Washington is facing a historic drought and we have already experienced record-breaking
Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms with The Horsenecks to perform live on Village Green
Summer Concerts on The Village Green continue July 10 with Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms, and The Horsenecks ||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Summer Concerts on The Village Green, a joint venture between Orcas Center and Doe Bay, continue July 10 with Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms,
Funhouse virtual fundraiser looks through rose-colored glasses to brighter future
||| FROM FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| Join us in looking through rose-colored glasses to the brighter future we know we are capable of creating for our island youth. While this past year has been full of ups and downs and new adjustments, we have been so thankful to be able to
Trades info and how to get your business back on track
||| FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| Sustainable Youth Trades Kids can do fun, free, real-world projects and learn how trades careers support sustainability. Projects are geared towards middle school ages. Register soon! Deadline for the first two projects is July 5th, 2021. We thank the Conservation District, OPALCO, and Rainshadow Solar
CWR encounters K Pod in Rosario Strait/Haro Strait
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| On June 29th, Jared Towers forwarded a photo to us that he had received of a group of killer whales heading east in Johnstone Strait around 1400. One whale had an open saddle and looked like it was probably K22. This, of course,
As American as apple pie? Can America save its national dish?
Americans invented the dessert we call pie. Why are we letting it die? ||| FROM WASHINGTON POST ||| I grew up in a home in which pie was spoken fluently. As a child, I assumed that pie appeared on everyone’s table, as it did year-round on mine. Looking back, I
Inslee issues final utility moratorium extension
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee [Friday] issued an extension of the utility moratorium proclamation, which will now expire on September 30, 2021. This will be the final extension of the proclamation and the extension will align with the end date of the tenancy preservation
First-ever Latinx Youth Leadership Summit met recently on Lopez Island
||| FROM TRILLIUM SWANSON for FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| On Saturday, June 26, 23 youth 12-18 years old from Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands joined together outside at Lopez Public School for a day of boisterous activities, discussion, and friendship. Participants were engaged in activities that stretched their teamwork and
Researchers discover yessotoxins to be a culprit behind summer mass shellfish mortality events
||| FROM WASHINGTON SEA GRANT ||| In a new paper, scientists outline how certain algae species could have killed off oysters and clams in summer mortality events that have occurred since the 1930s. Back in the summers of 2018 and 2019, the shellfish industry in Washington state was rocked by
Inslee updates Washington Ready proclamation, rescinds agricultural worker proclamation
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee [yesterday] amended Proclamation 20-25, Washington Ready (formerly known as “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery”) to update the statewide guidance and requirements for moving forward. The order reflects the general rules for moving forward after June 30, 2021,
Statewide COVID response updates from State Department of Health
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 415,179 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on June 30. There have been 5,938 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
WSF weekly update includes warning about crab pots in ferry lanes
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Fourth of July holiday ferry travel If your Independence Day weekend travel plans include a ride on our ferries, double check our sailing schedules as many routes are operating on timetables different from Fourth of July weekends prior to the pandemic. In addition, be aware
Inslee issues proclamation that clarifies higher-ed vaccination requirements
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Today, Gov. Jay Inslee updated the existing emergency order addressing institutions of higher education, Proclamation 20-12.3. The updates clarify the requirements for fully vaccinated campuses and for campuses that are not fully vaccinated. The order goes into effect on July 1, 2021, and will
WSDOT’s multimodal mobility analysis reporting moves to an interactive, online dashboard
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ||| OLYMPIA – People use the transportation system in different ways and to better understand how, the Washington State Department of Transportation is shifting its analysis from a print publication to a fully interactive, online dashboard. WSDOT’s recently released Multimodal Mobility Dashboard delivers annual performance data
Larsen: Bold, FDR-like investment in infrastructure creates well-paying jobs, fights climate change
House Passes Aggressive and Progressive INVEST in America Act, 221-201 ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN (WA-02) ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) applauded House passage of the INVEST in America Act, an historic investment in the nation’s roads, bridges, highways, transit, rail and water infrastructure. The
