Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
HOT TOPIC #13 | Checking in on our current situation
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders -- from Brendan Cowan for Department of Emergency Management -- We want to check in with the islands, share thoughts, and help with general expectation setting. Obviously this has been an incredibly challenging time, and clearly there’s
Inslee, Department of Commerce announce support for small businesses
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee today announced additional steps to help mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19. “We know this isn’t everything we need to recover. We know we have a long economic recovery ahead of us," Inslee said. "The work ahead remains intense, and
Eastsound Water announces financial assistance programs
-- from Paul Kamin for Eastsound Water -- In response to the COVID 19 virus and its impact on ourcommunity, Eastsound Water has developed several initiativesto help support our members and customers, while anticipating the financial impacts on the water system. Eastsound Water has created a Service Fee Deferral Program
Pandemic Poetry | from the Victorious Ones by Chris Nealon
from The Victorious Ones Chris Nealon Then came fire It wasn’t yet a new world, or the end of the old one But water, money, feeling overspilled their banks There was finally something real to be afraid of There was finally no reason to fear Even animals approached us as
County Health Officer updates Council
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter -- At Tuesday’s County Council meeting, County Health Officer Dr. Frank James said that in his view it is likely that economic activity in the County will be able to return to some level of normalcy by early July. He also cautioned that
School Board to discuss budget, interview candidate in Thursday session
-- from Orcas Island School Board -- Thursday, APRIL 9, 5 p.m., ZOOM Link -- from Orcas Island School Board -- A Special School Board Meeting to discuss budget and interview School Board candidate. AGENDA 5 p.m. CALL TO ORDER - SPECIAL Mtg.- via ZOOM Approve the Agenda.Interview School Board
Tuning out the pandemic | Black Ball Ferry by Olga Symphony
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. BLACK BALL FERRY | Olga Symphony If you have music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com.
Delivering soon? Local health centers extend birthing assurance
-- from Deanna Ellefson for PeaceHealth -- To ensure a safe delivery and provide mothers and their families with the best birth experience possible, PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Childbirth Center in Bellingham and the Birth Center at Island Hospital in Anacortes are balancing new visitor restrictions and social distancing
Letter to Editor | Social justice as disease prevention
-- from Tom Eversole -- Corona Virus is a wakeup call to issues influencing our health, economy, society, and government. Stopping COVID-19 spread depends on social distancing, but many don’t have that option. People make choices within the choices they have, so addressing economic and social injustice is sound disease
Inslee extends school closures for the rest of the 2019-20 school year
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal today announced the extension of school closures for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. The order keeps both public and private schools closed in accordance with the governor's original order on March 13. The
Pandemic Poetry | Instructions on Not Giving Up by Ada Limón
Instructions on Not Giving Up Ada Limón More than the fuchsia funnels breaking outof the crabapple tree, more than the neighbor’salmost obscene display of cherry limbs shovingtheir cotton candy-colored blossoms to the slatesky of Spring rains, it’s the greening of the treesthat really gets to me. When all the shock
Feeding the people is Food Bank’s prime directive
The Food Bank is now open for distribution two days a week - Tuesdays and Fridays - from 3-6 p.m. -- from Orcas Island Food Bank -- More than 220 community members--the most ever--received food Friday afternoon from the Food Bank. Every family received food according to their family size,
Pandemic Poetry | In April by Rainer Maria Rilke
In April Rainer Maria Rilke Again the woods are odorous, the lark Lifts on upsoaring wings the heaven gray That hung above the tree-tops, veiled and dark, Where branches bare disclosed the empty day. After long rainy afternoons an hour Comes with its shafts of golden light and flings Them
Lum family announces COVID infection
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter -- Amy and Eric Lum are the owners of Lum Farm LLC, which is located on the historic Coffelt Farm Preserve and also incorporates several neighboring pastures. They released the following announcement yesterday (April 5). We appreciate their agreeing to also share this information
Fire Chief: We couldn’t ask for a better community to serve
-- from Orcas Island Fire & Rescue -- https://youtu.be/dY0DLd3sqgc
Tuning out the pandemic | Empty Pockets by Sharon Abreu & Mike Hurwicz
-- from your community -- Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. Sharon Abreu & Mike Hurwicz If you have music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com.
