Here’s a thought…
“When you re-read a classic, you do not see more in the book than you did before; you see more in yourself than there was before.”
CLIFTON FADIMAN
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
Here’s the contact information at NAS Whidbey to log noise complaints
||| FROM THOMAS G. MILLS for NAS WHIDBEY ||| There has been an ongoing issue with the email comments line for NAS Whidbey Island operations. Written comments, including noise complaints, can be directed to NAS Whidbey Island’s comment line via email to comments@navy.mil. The comments phone line, at (360) 257-6665,
Advance camping reservations soon available for county residents
||| FROM ALICE HIBBERD for SJC PARKS & FAIR ||| San Juan County Parks & Fair is again offering advance camping reservations for people who reside in San Juan County year-round! Proof of residency is required. Choose from San Juan County Park, San Juan County Fairgrounds (RVs only), Odlin County
Non-profit aims to purchase Shaw General Store
||| FROM SAVE THE SHAW STORE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ||| Imagine the Shaw General Store open seven days a week, year round, managed by the Orcas Food Co-op. Imagine the store property owned by a community non-profit organization, self-supporting through the store, the marina, and other revenue sources on the
Midnight Mutterings | Ruthie and the Supremes
||| BY JACKIE BATES ||| National events this week have been so explosive I have to skip them entirely and return to the past in my fortnightly foray into talking to myself in the dark. For example, on Halloween Day, 2020, which now seems a long time ago, if you
