Here’s a thought…
“Neither the evil nor the good in our history determines who we are. It is what we do now. If we do not say something ourselves about this horror, we allow ourselves to be changed.”
TIMOTHY SNYDER
Letter to Editor | Our postal service is an appreciated lifeline
||| FROM BEV LEYMAN ||| The Eastsound Postal service is outstanding. Last night after dark, the mail carrier delivered a long-awaited package to our home that was sent regular mail not overnight delivery. We did not make any special request about it at the post office. This year, in addition
Recapping recent COVID-19 news, updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 120,011 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on November 9. There have been 2,482 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
Even during shutdown, OISD students find a way to thank our Veterans
||| FROM TEACHERS, STAFF, STUDENTS OF ORCAS SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island School District was not able to hold our annual Veteran's Day assembly and Veteran's breakfast, as we have done for the past several years, due to COVID-19, but we wanted our community to know that especially in
Inslee extends 27 proclamations relating to COVID-19
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of 27 proclamations today in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. A November 9 letter from the Legislature extended the following proclamations until December 7, 2020. 20-15.9: Department of Licensing (20-15.8) 20-20.9: Department of Revenue - Relief from Penalties,
A blast from the past encountered on early morning jaunt through Eastsound
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, EDITOR ||| Anyone else surprised by the appearance of the old Washington Federal Savings sign at the intersection of North Beach Road and Main Street this morning? An alert reader snapped this photo and emailed it to theOrcasonian with the following comment: "Seeing the old Washington
Health officials call for renewed efforts as COVID-19 activity becomes extremely concerning statewide
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19 transmission, which shows disease transmission is happening at an accelerated pace across the entire state. Report findings include: Disease is spreading rapidly across Washington. The best estimates of the
Second talk about developing a makerspace system in San Juan County this Friday
||| FROM MICKEY VON DASSOW for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| I want to invite you to the second talk in our series about developing a makerspace system in San Juan County. It will be this coming Friday from noon to 1PM. We will be hearing from Marcy Montgomery and Stephen
Hot Topic #34 | Youth sports: Guidance for staying healthy
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN, DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| As anyone who has interacted with island kids of late can tell you, COVID is taking a toll on the mental and physical health of our children. While that’s true for all of us, many younger islanders are really struggling. Opportunities
Inslee appoints representatives to multi-state COVID vaccine workgroup
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that Dr. Ed Marcuse and Dr. John Dunn will represent Washington in the multi-state COVID Vaccine Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. Inslee announced the Western state workgroup in October in coordination with California, Oregon and Nevada. "I have no
Orcas Island Library is now open for browsing (20 people, 20 minutes rule applies)
||| FROM PHIL HEIKKINEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| We are happy to invite library users back into the building, after almost eight long months of closure, so that they can browse our collections, use our copier/printer, and even read newspapers and magazines. People can reserve or checkout materials as
Poem for this day: The Greeter
||| BY BRUCE HANNA ||| "The GREETER!” — joy is stronger than fear of “the other” (the surprising onetime largess of conservative Laguna Beach) Southern Cal. beaches in the ‘50s Beach Boys Rte. 1, South Coast Highway Orange County… Disneyland… REPUBLICAN stronghold sybarite heaven’s self indulgent luxury not yet constricted
Events and updates for SJC businesses
||| FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| Makerspaces In San Juan County Join us to learn about the San Juan Makers Guild's asset mapping efforts and meet neighbors interested makerspaces, fablabs, and community labs on November 13th at noon-1 on Zoom.This continues our series of events to support entrepreneurship, education, and
Application deadline extended for Leadership San Juans
||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN for LEADERSHIP SAN JUAN ISLANDS ||| The due date for Leadership San Juans 2021 Applications has been extended two weeks, to Friday November 20, 2020. This coming year's cohort will begin as a ZOOM experience, opening up to in-person as circumstances allow. We feel we
Calling all heroes virtual fall fun run
||| FROM THERESA BOUCHER ||| Maarta Vandenberg Sanders is a lovely woman who grew up on Orcas Island and most recently worked at Washington Federal Bank. Locals will remember her infectious smile and high spirits. She’s married to the love of her life, Zach Sanders, and has a blossoming family.
Four new COVID cases in San Juan County: One on Lopez, three on San Juan
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN, DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Four new positive COVID test results have been reported for San Juan County. Three of these cases are on San Juan Island, and one is on Lopez. Though investigations are ongoing, early results suggest that these cases are not related. After
Planning Commission mulls resource lands, clusters, urban growth
Public Calls for Vision Revision ||| BY STEVE BERNHEIM, ORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| The San Juan County Planning Commission met October 16 to receive a briefing from the County’s Community Development staff on the state of the County’s draft comprehensive plan for the period 2016-2036, this session addressing so-called “resource lands”
