Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
Washington’s new coronavirus vaccine dashboard will offer new window into progress
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with Microsoft AI for Health, is proud to announce vaccine data is now available on our dashboard, an addition that will help us share progress being made statewide as we endeavor to get COVID-19 vaccine
Guest Opinion | Can Biden activate the political center?
||| FROM HEDRICK SMITH ||| Washington – The battle cry ”Go Big, Joe! Go Big!” echoed among Democrats after their underdog candidates scored stunning upset victories in Georgia, picking up two vital senate seats earlier this month. And with his $1.9 trillion corona relief plan, Joe Biden has indeed decided
Musical Fairy Tales: Sharing and caring from home in 2021
||| FROM JEFFREY COLEMAN for SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| 2021 Salish Sea Early Music Festival Musical Fairy Tales ~ Sharing and Caring from Home in 2021 ~ + + + Giovanni Bassano: Solos, Diminutions and Trios + + + Giovanni Bassano (c. 1560-1617) was alongside his mentor Girolamo
Inslee announces state plan for widespread vaccine distribution and administration
||| FROM OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today announced an updated statewide vaccine distribution and administration plan to increase the number of Washingtonians vaccinated and establish infrastructure capable of mass vaccinations in the coming months. With the expanded vaccine distribution system, the state set a goal
Dr. Russell releases statement regarding his future plans
||| FROM DAVID RUSSELL, M.D. ||| After much thought and consideration, I have chosen not to sign with Island Hospital when they take over management of the Orcas Medical Center in April. I plan on taking some time off but I am exploring the possibility of reopening my private practice
San Juan County begins vaccines Jan. 20 as Governor announces move to COVID-19 Phase 1b Tier 1
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| On Monday January 18, Governor Inslee and the Washington State Department of Health have opened vaccine eligibility to Phase 1b Tier 1. San Juan County will begin delivering Phase 1b Tier 1 immunizations on Wednesday January 20 More detailed information
Want a clear sign that the sacrifice we islanders are making to fight COVID is paying off?
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| At the moment, San Juan County has the lowest rate of total cases per 100,000 people of any County in the contiguous United States. The only Counties with lower rates are the most remote areas of both Hawaii and Alaska.
Biden expected to cancel Keystone XL pipeline permit on first day
||| FROM NEW YORK TIMES ||| President-elect Joe Biden is expected to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline permit on his first day in office, quickly reversing his predecessor’s approval of a project to move oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, according to a person familiar with Biden’s plans
Library Board sets agenda for upcoming meeting
||| FROM JANET MARLOW for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY DISTRICT ||| Board Meeting Agenda January 22, 2021 – 2 p.m. Zoom Meeting ID 893 3977 0272; Passcode 508164 Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89339770272?pwd=WjZuWk9IcFRQR0hVdiswdXdQMStrQT09 Welcome & Introductions Additions or Modifications to the Agenda Officer Election, Committee Assignments, and Calendar Officer Election Committee Assignments 2021
Legislative Update: Clean fuels, capital gains legislation get hearings
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| The 2021 legislative session kicked off Monday. Legislators met in person in Olympia Monday to vote on new rules allowing for remote hearings and voting. Legislators heard a variety of bills remotely this week, including several governor request bills. The Senate Ways &
Is it happening? Planning Commission visions climate change
||| BY STEVE BERNHEIM, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| The lack of attention to climate change in San Juan County’s draft 20-year comprehensive “Land Use and Rural” plan erupted like a Pineapple Express in the middle of Friday morning’s Planning Commission meeting devoted to preserving community character against traditional and visible threats
“Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” reopening plan takes effect
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Washington is now in the first phase of the state's new reopening plan, "Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery", which took effect Monday. The plan follows metrics in health systems across eight regions of the state, and each region's ability to move to the next phase of reopening
Orcas Family Health continues to conduct COVID-19 testing. Donations requested to help the effort
||| FROM AAIMEE JOHNSON for ORCAS FAMILY HEALTH CENTER ||| After nine mobile SARS-COVID-19 testing events, Orcas Family Health Center (OFHC) has provided 293 rapid tests to Orcas residents and their family members. Overall, the events have gone very well. Community members coming to be tested have expressed appreciation and
Roadmap to recovery update: All regions staying in Phase 1 for now
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Friday, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced that based on Governor Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery plan, all eight (8) regions in Washington will remain in Phase 1 until at least Monday, January 25, 2021. As
ICYMI: U.S. Small Business Administration announces re-opening of federal Paycheck Protection Program loans to small lenders this week
Businesses can begin preparing to apply now; program will open to all lenders next week; information sessions for businesses offered by Washington Small Business Development Center ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ||| Olympia – The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and Department of Commerce are reminding Washington’s
“Virtual vineyard” in the offing from Senior Center, Doe Bay Wine
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| “the virtual vineyard” by Orcas Senior Center & Doe Bay Wine Company by Zoom: Sunday, January 24, 5 p.m. Join Orcas Senior Center and Doe Bay Wine Company’s Cole Sisson and special guest, in “the virtual vineyard” for a fun and
