Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Escaping the ash | Recalling a volcanic journey
-- by Lin McNulty, Orcas Issues Editor -- We awakened that Sunday morning, May 18, 1980 in Portland. We were there celebrating our wedding anniversary and just the day before, my husband and I had been on the slopes of Mount St. Helens, camera in hand. We entered into the
Let’s talk: EDC invites all residents of San Juan County to a weekly Community Forum
-- from Victoria Compton for Economic Development Council -- The EDC invites interested residents of San Juan County to join in a weekly San Juan Islands Community Forum starting Wednesday, May 20, from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom video conference. The event will be presented in partnership with San Juan County government and
Pandemic poetry | When by John O’Donnell
When John O’Donnell And when this ends we will emerge, shylyand then all at once, dazed, longhaired as we embraceloved ones the shadow spared, and weep for thoseit gathered in its shroud. A kind of rapture, this longed-forlaying on of hands, high cries as we nuzzle, leaning into kiss, and
Ferry ridership up slightly, but remains way down compared to last year
-- from Amy Scanlon for Washington State Ferries -- Sunny, warm weather and Mother’s Day contributed to a big boost in ridership last weekend. Still, the number we are carrying remains way down. We’re currently at half our usual traffic volume for this time of year. The governor’s “Stay Home, Stay
Report: Distancing measures remain critical as COVID-19 transmission persists
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Camp Murray, WA — A new statewide report shows COVID-19 transmission is persisting in western Washington and slowly increasing in eastern Washington. The measure of how many new infections a single COVID-19 case will produce – known as the effective reproductive number – has not changed
Checking in with Community Foundation update
-- from the Orcas Island Community Foundation -- Here is some information you may want to know about. You may receive this from different sources. GIVING HELPS EVERYONE To date, generous donors have given $ $764,765 to the Emergency Community Response Fund at OICF. This fund has granted $ 596,050 to island programs
Plans underway for celebrating OHS graduation night in COVID-19 era
-- from Kate Long -- Photo credit: Islands' Sounder In collaboration with the Orcas Island High School, we wanted to update the community on plans for the beloved annual graduation celebration for the OIHS class of 2020. We are heartbroken to not be helping our seniors through the traditional events
Board of Health and County Council meet again to attempt to address reopening
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter -- The May 15 special meeting of the San Juan County Board of Health was called so that the Board of Health and County Council could review the letter of request for a variance from the Governor’s phased opening approach that Public Health
Kruse Reviews | Nemesis
-- Book review by Jens Kruse -- Philip Roth published Nemesis in the fall of 2010. In 2012 he announced that he would stop writing novels. In 2018 he died. So this is Roth’s last novel, and we are fortunate to have it, especially in our currentsituation, because it tells
Pandemic poetry | In perpetual spring by Amy Gerstler
In Perpetual Springby Amy Gerstler Gardens are also good placesto sulk. You pass beds ofspiky voodoo liliesand trip over the rootsof a sweet gum tree,in search of medievalplants whose leaves,when they drop offturn into birdsif they fall on land,and colored carp if theyplop into water. Suddenly the archetypalhuman desire for
Aging Like a Guru | You are here in no-man’s land
-- by Rosie Kuhn -- One of the greatest challenges for anyone immersed in their aging process is being with whatis. What is may not feel normal -- as in the way life used to feel; as in there doesn’t seem to be any particular trajectory of your life, in this moment. There
Port seeks dependable, organized administrative professional
-- from Mia Kartiganer for Port of Orcas -- The Port of Orcas is seeking an administrative professional with extensiveexperience in special taxing district operations, budget and reporting,accounts payable/receivable, and payroll using SJC EDEN. Must prepareand distribute agendas, reports, resolutions, and supporting documents;transcribe and post minutes; maintain all district records,
Tuning out the pandemic | A String of Pearls, Orcatrazz
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. A STRING OF PEARLS | Orcatrazz If you have music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com.
Fire Commission to meet via Zoom for Monday’s session
-- from Kim Kimple for Orcas Island Fire & Rescue -- Regular Meeting Agenda San Juan County Fire Protection District #2 Monday – May 18, 2020 5:30 p.m.Online / by phone via ZOOM: Dial # (253) 215-8782 / Meeting ID: 893 3722 7211 / Passcode: 434680 NOTE: WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES IN
Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of May 14, there are 17,951 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of 178 cases in the last 24 hours.Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Statewide Response Updates Briefing schedule: Washington State COVID-19 Joint Information Center telebriefings will continue to happen on
Inslee extends COVID-19 proclamation aimed at protecting domestic violence victims
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of Proclamation 20-45 today, strengthening emergency protection for domestic violence victims amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The proclamation extension was previously denied by Republicans, with House Republican Leader Wilcox only agreeing to extend the proclamation by a day,
