Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
Weekly COVID-19 new cases update: Orcas 4, Lopez 3, San Juan 2
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Note: Current positive case numbers are available online at the County Case Data Dashboard. As indicated on that page, these numbers are only updated after case confirmation is complete, usually daily. It is possible that other information sources in community
Letter to Editor | A gigantic MLK Day of Service thank you
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| A great, big, gigantic thank you to YMCA Camp Orkila, Funhouse Commons, and all of the fabulous volunteers who helped nine seniors on MLK Day of Service! Volunteers across Orcas helped clean up storm debris, clean gutters, and stack firewood. Terri
Upcoming Island Hospital classes, screening
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Swallow Screening at Island Hospital Concerned about your swallow? Determine if you might have a swallowing disorder at a free screening on Tuesday, February 16 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Clinic at Island Hospital, 1015
Letter to Editor | Extraordinary talent on Orcas
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Seniors Have Talent went virtual, if not viral, on Saturday, January 30, thanks to the heartfelt collaboration of Orcas Senior Center, Orcas Center, and our incredibly talented community! We were reminded not only how much talent resides on this small island
A plea to the community on travel, new variants, keeping safe: DON’T TRAVEL, DON’T HOST
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| As was seen in the islands over the holidays and throughout this crisis, island residents traveling off-island or hosting guests from off-island is far and away the most likely source of COVID transmission in San Juan County. As most are
Strengthening Community: Latinx-focused peer-to-peer mentoring at The Funhouse
||| FROM NICOLE SPINOGATTI for FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| This fall, Funhouse Commons partnered with Equity Institute, an organization whose mission is “to impart leadership and life skills to Latinx youth,” to create a bilingual youth empowerment peer mentor program within Orcas Island Middle and High Schools. 8 high school mentors
County’s Mark Tompkins addresses our most pressing COVID-19 vaccine questions
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| San Juan County Health & Community Services Director Mark Tompkins is featured in a recent video Q&A addressing the COVID-19 vaccine topic: https://youtu.be/8KjZ5_em9Ls Thank you.
Join the treasure hunt! We’re looking for Orange Jelly Fungus on Orcas Island
||| FROM RUSSEL BARSH for KWIAHT ||| KWIAHT's Ten Treasures project, supported by more than 30 individual donors through the Orcas Island Community Foundation, will highlight a unique local plant, animal, or other organism twice a month, with clues about where to look for it on Orcas, and a map
Recap of recent COVID-19 news and updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 300,018 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on February 1. There have been 4,316 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's
With COVID-19 vaccine supply limited, PeaceHealth is contacting eligible patients
||| FROM DEANNA ELLEFSON for PEACE HEALTH ||| Although the state of Washington recently expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, the demand for vaccine continues to exceed the number of doses the state has made available for eligible groups. As we receive vaccine, PeaceHealth is reaching out to patients whose health record
Prune Alley construction: What to expect
||| FROM JESSE DOUGLAS SEITZ, PROJECT MANAGER ||| What to expect during construction: Traffic control, including lane and entire block closures, detours, flaggers and limited access. The road will be pulverized with heavy machinery in multiple phases. Trenching to remove and replace the entire stormwater conveyance system including manholes, catch
Community Foundation announces call for 2021 spring GiveOrcas grant program
||| FROM KATE LONG for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| OICF is excited to announce a call for proposals for the 2021 spring GiveOrcas grant program. Nonprofits serving Orcas Island are invited to apply now through March 5th, 2021 to be included. Applications will be vetted by the OICF Community
Health Officer has guidance regarding school reopening
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James recently released up to date guidance to local school district leadership to better guide and support their decision making about the reopening of schools. The full text of that letter is available
Letter to Editor | Actual vaccination process, needle in arm, was a breeze
||| FROM HARVEY HIMELFARB ||| I am one of the fortunate few who managed to get an appointment for my first COVID-19 Vaccination last Friday, January 29 at the Orcas Center. I write to express my appreciation to the San Juan County Department of Health Professionals, the Orcas Fire and
It’s finally back-to-school time for these grade schoolers
||| FROM ERIC WEBB, ORCAS SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ||| It is with great joy that we welcomed our remaining third graders on campus this morning for their first day of in-person learning in over nine months! Students and Mrs. Johnston preparing for the day OISD’s plans have remained steadfast in our
Letter to Editor | Seniors Have Talent was great fun
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG ||| Seniors Have Talent was great fun! It was a successful collaboration between the Senior Center and the Orcas Center. Thanks to everyone who was involved in the show! We have received such strong feedback from people who enjoyed the show. I think we were successful
