Here’s a thought…
“I am so convinced of the advantages of looking at mankind instead of reading about them, and of the bitter effects of staying at home with all the narrow prejudices of an islander, that I think there should be a law amongst us to set our young men abroad for a term among the few allies our wars have left us.”
LORD BYRON
Spring GiveOrcas grant campaign fully funded a full week before deadline
||| FROM MEGAN NEAL for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Community Foundation’s 2021 Spring GiveOrcas grant campaign was fully funded last week with a week to spare! 255 donors contributed to the 24 proposals, funding a total of $231,031. Because of the generosity of those donors, local
Schedule your preventive health screening coming up at Senior Center
Life Line Screening at Orcas Senior Center: Thursday, June 10, 2021 ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| There is a simple, convenient way for you to get preventive health screenings and learn your risk for stroke, heart disease and other chronic conditions. These painless screenings go beyond
Commerce awards $234 million in fourth round of Working Washington small business relief and recovery grants
Over 20% of the 11,697 grantees say they will use funds to reopen ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ||| OLYMPIA, WA --- The Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded an additional $234 million in Working Washington relief and recovery grants to 11,697 small businesses impacted by the pandemic.
WWU team launches innovative approach to help curb climate change
||| FROM SALISH CURRENT ||| We hear a lot about the evils of carbon. However, carbon got its evil reputation because of what humans do with it. We dig it, pump it, burn it and toss it into our atmosphere. Our oceans, trees and soils are doing their best to
EDC has a virtual trove of training, grants available to islanders
||| FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| Join the EDC for a FREE course in Sustainability Management Join the EDC for a FREE course in Sustainability Management and receive certification as a Sustainability Professional. $549/person course cost has been covered by a generous grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce!
Upcoming Island Hospital classes, workshops
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Nutrition for Healthy Pregnancy with Island Hospital Learn essential tips for ensuring proper nutrition during each stage of your pregnancy, from conception to the first post-partum meal. Join a Registered Dietitian for this free, online event on Wednesday, May 26 from 6
Virtual Vineyard set to explore the taste of Mexico
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| “the virtual vineyard” by Zoom – Taste of Mexico by Orcas Senior Center and Doe Bay Wine Company: Sunday, May 23, 5:00pm Join Michel Vekved, Orcas Senior Center and Cole Sisson, Doe Bay Wine Company, as we traverse through regions of
Fire Commissioners are set to meet on Monday
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS FIRE & RESCUE ||| Regular Meeting Agenda San Juan County Fire Protection District #2 Monday – May 17th, 2021 5:30 p.m. Online / by phone via ZOOM: Dial # (253) 215-8782 / Meeting ID: 897 0629 0325/ Passcode: 402314 Call to Order / Welcome
Fabled yacht Norwester goes adrift in Salish Sea
||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLANDER.COM ||| The demise of the 89-year-old 70-ft wooden hulled Norwester is still playing out three weeks after she was grounded on a reef in the San Juan Islands. The yacht went aground near Stuart Island on the westerly side of Prevost Harbor on April 17, 2021.
WA governor, senators say ‘not so fast’ to Snake River dams removal plan
||| FROM SEATTLE TIMES ||| Washington state’s U.S. senators and its governor have joined forces against a proposal from U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Lower Snake River and replace their benefits as part of a multi-trillion dollar infrastructure bill being crafted by the
Most recent statewide COVID-19 news and updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 386,903 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on May 12. There have been 5,626 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more,
State health officials link yogurt to multi-county E. coli outbreak
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – During the ongoing investigation into an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has identified a likely link to PCC Community Market brand yogurt produced by Pure Eire Dairy. Pure Eire Dairy is working with the state Department of Agriculture
New healthy eating website, Daniel’s Plate, launched by Orcas resident
||| FROM GIGI CARTER for DANIEL'S PLATE ||| Daniel's Plate is curated by Gigi Carter and Sersie Blue, two entrepreneurial Black women united by their devotion to healthy living who have committed themselves to change the way we see food. By sharing their knowledge of nutrition and faith, these friends who are
Inslee announces statewide reopening date of June 30 and short-term statewide move to Phase 3
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee ... announced that the state is moving toward a statewide June 30 reopening date and that all counties in Washington will move to Phase 3 of the Healthy WA: Roadmap to Recovery reopening plan effective May 18 until June
Health Care District announces upcoming regular Board meeting
||| FROM ANNE PRESSON for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The next meeting of the Orcas Island Health Care District is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18, from 5 - 7 p.m. The meeting will convene on ZOOM, as follows: Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84600470629?pwd=YS9ZeWpRM2lqeEMyZjBza2dlZUJBUT09 Dial by phone: +1 253 215 8782
Museum puts out a call for surveyor, navigator tools for upcoming exhibition
||| FROM ANTOINETTE BOTSFORD ||| The historical museum, under the direction of new Executive Director Nancy Stillger, is putting together a chronological exhibition of historical and artistic maps depicting the San Juan Islands, focusing on Orcas. Ancillary to the maps will be supportive displays of surveyor’s and navigator’s tools. Anyone
