Here’s a thought…
“Before we work on artificial intelligence, why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?”
READER BOARD
Letter to Editor | A heartfelt thanks for passing this school levy
||| FROM ERIC WEBB for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOLS ||| I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Orcas Island Community for your overwhelming support of our Technology Capital Projects Levy. You have proven time and time again that you are dedicated to OISD and the children of
Help the Senior Center clean-up for spring
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Are you itching to get outside in this beautiful spring weather and socialize safely? Orcas Senior Center will have the perfect opportunity for you on Sunday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We need help cleaning up our grounds,
Guest Opinion | If not now, when? What COVID-19 teaches us about the future of tourism
||| FROM AMY NESLER for SAN JUANS VISITORS BUREAU ||| Since May 2 - 8 is National Travel and Tourism Week, this is the perfect opportunity to restart the dialogue about the future of the San Juan Islands' experience economy: tourism. Nobody in the world anticipated this vast, COVID-19 health
COVID-19 vaccine distribution update from State Department of Health
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is thrilled to share the state surpassed another remarkable vaccine milestone this week. More than 5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Washington. Thanks to the hard work happening across the state, we are
Orcas Senior Center to hold district committee elections this summer due to court order
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| The April 23, 2021 issue of the Sounder featured an article entitled "Judge mandates new elections for senior center directors." The article was submitted by James P. Grifo, the attorney of record for the plaintiffs in this case. To be clear,
Recap of recent COVID-19 news, updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 369,481 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on April 26. There have been 5,462 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more,
Pianist Ron Myers to stream Orcas Center performance
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center is pleased to present island legend, pianist Ron Myers, through their free streaming events series on Friday, May 7 at 7 p.m. To watch, go to www.OrcasCenter.org on the day and time of the performance. Ron Myers began private classical
Totem Pole journey to D.C. has scheduled stopovers in the San Juans
||| FROM STEPHANIE BUFFUM ||| A totem pole carved at the Lummi Nation from a 400-year-old red cedar will begin a cross-country journey next month, evoking an urgent call to protect sacred lands and waters of Indigenous people. The journey called the Red Road to DC, will culminate in early
First ballot count is in, with School District support at 68%
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, EDITOR ||| Results from today's special election have been posted on the website of the San Juan County Auditor's Office. With a county-wide voter turnout rate of 36.28%, and only 600 ballots remaining to be counted, it appears the Orcas Island Orcas Island School Dist #137
Walk-up vaccine clinic on San Juan Island is offering single dose J&J vaccine
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| There will be a walk-up COVID vaccine clinic on San Juan Island for those 18 or older on Wednesday April 28 from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Location is the old InterIsland Medical Center in Friday Harbor (550 Spring Street).
OPALCO invites you to this upcoming virtual Solar Town Hall workshop series
||| FROM ORCAS POWER & LIGHT ||| Interested in solar? Our Solar Town Hall is the first in a series of co-op workshops designed to help members prepare their homes and businesses to meet the challenges of the transition away from fossil fuels. The Island Way campaign launched in early 2021 to help
Orcas Island High School has been ranked ninth in the state by U.S. News & World Report
||| FROM U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT ||| Washington, D.C. – U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in education rankings, today unveiled the 2021 Best High Schools. The new edition ranks more than 17,800 public high schools throughout the country, measuring how well schools serve students from various social and
Public hearing scheduled to consider Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County will conduct a public hearing on May 4, 2021, beginning on or after 9:15 a.m., to consider projects proposed for funding under the Community Development Block Grant. The Council will hear comments on proposals presented, and consider choosing a project
Walk the Emmanuel Labyrinth on Saturday as we join a worldwide moving meditation
||| FROM NANCY AYER ||| May 1 is World Labyrinth Day, according to The Labyrinth Society, in collaboration with Veriditas, Legacy Labyrinth Project and the Australian Labyrinth Network. We invite you to join our community in a labyrinth walk and celebration on Saturday May 1 at the community labyrinth in
Need a vaccine? Free walk-up clinic today at Orcas Center
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| There will be a free, no registration walk-up COVID vaccine clinic today. 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Orcas Center. Note: if you are able to register in advance, please do so here – but it is not required. This is for
Fair Market Series, opening soon at Fairgrounds, seeks local vendors
||| FROM JENNIFER ALLEN for SAN JUAN COUNTY FAIR ||| Calling all vendors for the new Fair Market Series at the San Juan County Fairgrounds! The Markets will be held on Saturdays throughout the summer. As part of the 2021 Virtual San Juan County Fair “Lettuce Entertain Ewe” the fairgrounds
