Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
This week’s orca survey blog looks back at legendary superpod encounter from 1976
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| On June 6, Center for Whale Research (CWR) staff participated in the Orca Salmon Alliance’s Orca Action Month Kick-off Event hosted at CWR’s ORCA SURVEY Outreach & Education Center in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. The four-hour Zoom event featured presentations by CWR’s
Updates on statewide response, data, metrics, etc.
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 411,858 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on June 21. There have been 5,843 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
Coalition to End Homelessness forms on Orcas, looks for community partners
||| FROM HILARY CANTY for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Coalition to End Homelessness is a consortium of San Juan County government, public and private agencies, nonprofit and faith-based organizations working in collaboration to provide people who experience chronic homelessness on Orcas. The Coalition provides safe shelter,and
There’s a new location for Garden C on this weekend’s Garden Club tour
||| FROM ORCAS GARDEN CLUB ||| Due to unexpected circumstances, we have had to find a substitute garden for GARDEN C. Sara’s Garden at Outlook Inn (171 Main Street, Eastsound, WA) is the new GARDEN C, substituting for Catiya Gainor’s Garden in Olga/Doe Bay. Sara’s Garden (Garden C) will be
Job announcement for Assistant Chief opening at Orcas Fire & Rescue
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 2, dba. Orcas Island Fire & Rescue ||| Job Announcement Assistant Chief Applications Open: June 16, 2021 Applications Close: July 7, 2021 FIRST REVIEW begins July 12, 2021. THE PROPOSED HIRING DATE IS August 25, 2021. San Juan County Fire District 2 is
An anniversary? A birthday? It was definitely a celebration at Moran State Park last weekend
||| BY MINOR LILE, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| Did you know that … The land that we now think of as Moran State Park was brought into the State park system on June 18, 1921, making this year the 100th anniversary (or is it a birthday?) of this well-loved park. That
New sculpture at Orcas Center, thanks to OHS graduate Thian Armenia
||| FROM DIMITRI STANKEVICH, ORCAS CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ||| Image courtesy of Michael Armenia Thian Armenia graduated Orcas Island High School this year, and for his Senior Project, he wanted to gift the community with a sculpture donated to the Orcas Center - where he has spent a
Health Department: More COVID-19 vaccination needed to keep virus in check
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – The latest COVID-19 modeling and surveillance situation report from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continues to show promising signs in decreased disease activity. The report also highlights the need for additional vaccination and continued preventive efforts (like wearing masks if unvaccinated) as
Best time to become a Museum member? A members only ice cream social this weekend
||| FROM CAROL KULMINSKI for ORCAS ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUMS ||| Sunday, June 27, 2-4 p.m., the Orcas Island Historical Museums are hosting their Annual Meeting with an ice cream social for members or those who would like to become members. This is a great time to become a member and
Inslee rescinds three proclamations related to COVID-19
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOV. JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that three proclamations related to the COVID-19 pandemic would be rescinded. These changes are made in anticipation of the June 30 reopening date, and while we remain in a state of emergency - it is expected
Campaign manager makes pitch for his mayoral candidate
||| FROM OWEN NEAL, AGE 6 ||| Everybody on Orcas Island, My name is Owen Neal. I am in first grade. I am running Ricky for Mayor. He is a bearded dragon. He has a good personality. He is funny. He is special. He is snuggly. He is mysterious. And
Agenda now posted for next Port Commissioners meeting
||| FROM JEANNIE SHARPE for PORT OF ORCAS ||| It is getting very busy here at the airport and just a quick reminder to check out FlightRadar24 (free website) for any low flight concerns and reporting, or just give me a call or email. I am trying my best to
Funhouse Latinx mentor program wraps up with leadership workshop
||| FROM TRILLIUM SWANSON for FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| On June 26, The Funhouse Commons’ La Cima Latinx Mentor Program will culminate its first year of programming with a day-long leadership workshop for Latinx students from San Juan, Lopez and Orcas Island. This day is an opportunity for participants to connect
Mona Evans updates accessibility signage for National Honor Society project
||| FROM DIMITRI STANKEVICH, ORCAS CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ||| Mona Evans replaces Orcas Center's accessibility signage with father Chris Evans. As part of her volunteer project for the National Honor Society, Mona Evans is contacting local businesses in the community to update their Accessibility signage. She came to
Getting from here to there via ferry could be difficult rest of the day
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| The Yakima’s remaining sailings for Monday will be cancelled due to crewing shortages. This affects the following sailings: Westbound 5:15 p.m. Anacortes to Lopez 7:25 p.m. Anacortes to Shaw and Orcas 8:20 p.m. Shaw to Orcas Eastbound 6:20 p.m. Lopez to Anacortes 8:20 p.m.
This year’s Chamber Music Festival is both live, livestreamed; Tickets on sale Wednesday, June 23
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 23 2021 Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival August 6 – 21 ||| FROM LINDA SLONE for ORCAS ISLAND CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| Clarinet! Horn! Bassoon! Double Bass! Return of the Montrose Trio! Kostov & Valkov! And of course, plenty of violins, violas, cellos and
