Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Guest Opinion| Orcas Island’s coronavirus future?
-- from Michael Riordan -- Image: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Thanks to a vigorous response to the coronavirus outbreak by the county health department led by Public Health Officer Frank James, M.D., San Juan County has thus far been spared the worst effects of the pandemic sweeping
Pandemic poetry | The River Cannot Go Back by Kahlil Gibran
The River Cannot Go Backby Kahlil Gibran [Listen to Audio!] It is said that before entering the seaa river trembles with fear.She looks back at the path she has traveled,from the peaks of the mountains,the long winding road crossing forests and villages.And in front of her,she sees an ocean so
Volunteers create ‘wear your mask’ signs to share with everyone, everywhere
Community volunteers are helping to get the word out to encourage all citizens and tourists to wear face masks, which is mandatory in San Juan County on June 1. To support our beloved merchants, volunteers at St. Ode Press and the Orcas Island Community Foundation have designed signs that can
Physical Therapy staff issues guidelines for June re-opening
-- from Andrew Stephens and Scott Heisinger for Orcas Island Physical Therapy -- We hope that you, your family and friends have remained safe andhealthy during this coronavirus outbreak. It is hard to think that it hasbeen over two months since we temporarily closed the clinic. At thattime, we interrupted
Superintendent, staff consider options for safely reopening school in the fall
-- from Eric Webb, Orcas Schools Superintendent -- As we approach the first of June, a lot of attention has turned to what school might look like in September. I continue to meet with OSPI, Washington superintendents, and our district ESD on a weekly basis as we contemplate this and
Library Board will discuss lobby remodel, curbside pickup in Wednesday meet
-- from Janet Marlow for Orcas Island Library -- Notice of Special Library Board Meeting TeleconferenceWednesday, May 272:00 p.m. Call-in information: 1-888-740-4219; participant code 474083# Agenda Welcome & IntroductionsReview Proposals for Lobby RemodelingCurbside Pickup at the LibraryOtherAdjournment
Health District considers how to evaluate proposals for single Orcas clinic
-- by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues reporter -- The commissioners of the Orcas Island Health Care District discussed two major topics at their May 19 meeting: Responses to their request for proposals (RFP) for a medical provider to reshape the delivery of the island’s health care. The RFP, released May
Kindergarteners, time to register for school in the Fall
-- from Orcas Island School District -- Spring is in full swing and Orcas Island Elementary welcomes Kindergarteners for the 2020-2021 school year! For parents planning to enroll their child, please note they must be 5 years old before September 1, 2020. Up to date immunizations are also required before
Letter to Editor | This pandemic is a portal
-- from Michael Johnson -- As an early Phase 2 of the health crisis re-opening begins setting in we find ourselves as a community and as a society contemplating what normalcy means to us. We can see that the same "powers that be" that were ramping things up before the health crisis
One of the earliest Memorial Day ceremonies was held by freed slaves
At the close of the Civil War, freed slaves in Charleston honored fallen Union soldiers -- from History.com -- Memorial Day was born out of necessity. After the American Civil War, a battered United States was faced with the task of burying and honoring the 600,000 to 800,000 Union and Confederate soldiers
Phase 2, masks, and other updates from Orcas Chamber of Commerce
-- from Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce -- Moving from Phase 1 to Phase 2. San Juan County applied for and received approval on Saturday, May 23 from the State to move into Phase 2 of the Governor's Safe Start plan. What does that mean for Orcas Island and the County? Please
Center for Whale Research back on the water with a new encounter
-- from Center for Whale Research -- Jane Cogan called Dave in the late afternoon to relay a report of a group of whales that was heading west in Spieden Channel. Dave made a couple of phone calls and checked the wind forecast before heading to Snug Harbor. One of
Orcas Island High School will celebrate graduates of Class of 2020
-- from Kyle Freeman for Orcas School District -- For this year’s graduating class, the COVID-19 outbreak has meant the cancellation of our traditional graduation celebrations and ceremonies. However, we are committed to ensuring that the Orcas Island High School class of 2020 is celebrated and honored as only our
Inslee letter requests extension of National Guard mission
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- In case you missed it: Gov. Jay Inslee sent a letter today to the Trump administration requesting an extension of authority and additional funding for Washington National Guard employment in support of COVID-19 pandemic emergency response operations through July 31, 2020. The letter reads, in part:
Letter to Editor | Choosing a future: Stakes couldn’t be higher
-- from Tom Eversole -- We humans crave certainty, however nature, disease and health don’t work that way. CDC recommendations change with new information, and medicos work from the best information they have at the time. Long term, it is not helpful to frame safety guidance changes for political advantage. Short
School Board will Zoom-meet at upcoming session
Thursday, May 28, 5 p.m., via Zoom -- from Orcas Island School Board -- JOIN VIA ZOOM LINK 5 p.m. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR MEETING – VIA ZOOM. Approve AgendaApprove Consent Agenda ADMINISTRATORS’ REPORT Capital Projects- Liz LeRoyBusiness Report - Keith WhitakerSuperintendent Update - Eric WebbBoard’s running
