Here’s a thought…
“The future is already here. It’s just not evenly distributed yet.”
WILLIAM GIBSON
2021 Charter Review Commission meeting tomorrow
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY NEWS ||| On Thursday January 21st 2021, the Charter Review Commission will hold a Special Meeting from 9:00am - 12:00pm. Click for the Agenda. Click here to join the meeting Join with a video conferencing device 456293222@t.plcm.vc Video Conference ID: 113 777 379 3
Today’s recap of recent COVID-19 news, updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 279,421 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on January 18. There have been 3,940 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's dashboard and
A Bruce Hanna poem for today
life boundaries and transitions a tree witnesses daybreak from Salt Spring Island, Canada we see boundaries — night and day land, sea, and sky — “U.S.” and “Canada” Nature is flow, energy, transition some animals see in the dark humans are mostly water dominion is irrelevant the gradual transitions of
Here’s a great opportunity to support local herbs in the islands
||| FROM KRISTY BREDIN for MERMAID BOTANICALS ||| Many folks in the San Juan Islands have fond memories of encounters with Ryan Drum, beloved naturalist and Waldron resident who has taught classes on herbs and seaweeds in the islands for the past 40 years. Two years ago, at 80, Ryan
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
