Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
Tuning out the pandemic | Slapdash March by Orcas Island Community Band
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. SLAPDASH MARCH | Orcas Island Community Band If you have local music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com. Keep ’em coming! Your
Sheriff’s Report | April 15-21, 2020
-- from San Juan County Sheriff’s Office -- Wednesday, April 15, 2020 20-002651 Traffic Hazard 10:27:17 04/15/20 An Orcas Deputy was dispatched to a traffic hazard near Eastsound. There was a person found directing traffic for the company when the Deputy arrived. 20-002658 Unwanted Person 13:26:34 04/15/20 An Orcas Deputy
Working Washington Small Business Grant program gets additional $5 million infusion
$10 million now available to address some of estimated 25,000 applications from businesses up to 10 employees -- from Washington State Department of Commerce -- OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced a doubling of funds available to very small businesses impacted by COVID-19 through the Working
Recap of COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of 11:59 p.m. on April 22, there are 12,753 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of 259 cases in the last 24 hours. Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Statewide response updates Epidemiological data summary: Our epidemiological data suggest that COVID-19 activity peaked in Washington
Inslee announces plan to allow construction projects previously underway to be completed
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee, in consultation with the state’s construction industry, announced a plan today to allow current construction projects to be completed. The recommendations were informed by workers, contractors, health and safety experts, and local government officials, for safe construction standards. “I
Islanders tackle coronavirus in new poster series
-- from Brendan Cowan for Department of Emergency Management -- A beautiful series of posters has been released celebrating those in the islands working on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. Anyone in the community who wants to print and hang these should feel free. Clicking on this image
WSF weekly update | Sustainability action plan
-- from Washington State Ferries -- With Earth Day marking one year into our two-year Sustainability Action Plan, I wanted to provide an update on where we are with our goals and actions for greener ferries and terminals. Data from a vessel noise study we conducted in October is being used
Funding opportunity for arts organizations
-- from Washington State Arts Commission -- The Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) is now accepting applications from non-profit and fiscally sponsored arts groups and organizations that are facing financial hardship due to economic impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,
HOT TOPIC #19 | Why covering our faces matters so much
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders -- from Brenda Cowan for Department of Emergency Management -- On April 5, following guidance from the Centers For Disease Control and the Washington State Department of Health, we asked islanders to cover their faces when in
Pandemic poetry | The Weighing by Jane Hirshfield
THE WEIGHINGby Jane Hirshfield The heart’s reasonsseen clearly,even the hardestwill carryits whip-marks and sadnessand must be forgiven. As the drought-starvedeland forgivesthe drought-starved lionwho finally takes her,enters willingly thenthe life she cannot refuse,and is lion, is fed,and does not remember the other. So few grains of happinessmeasured against all the darkand
New Poll: Washingtonians more concerned about public health than economy
-- from Crosscut -- 76% of voters believe the pandemic restrictions are working, and 61% are concerned about lifting them too soon SEATTLE—A majority of Washingtonians are more concerned about the coronavirus’s threat to public health than to the economy, according to results from a new Crosscut/Elway Poll focused on coronavirus
Local t-shirts go viral in support of Senior Centers
-- from Lena Kassa for Orcas Senior Center -- Local T-Shirts Go Viral! Let's stick together while staying apart! Show your support for us against the virus with a custom-made shirt from https://loea.shop/separatetogether/. In these uncertain times of isolation and social distancing, we must be proactive if we are to remain
Inslee extends 20 proclamations relating to COVID-19
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of 20 proclamations today in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The extensions were approved by the state Legislature. "It's important that we work together to continue the state's efforts at mitigating challenges facing all
Pandemic poetry | Perhaps the World Ends Here by Joy Harjo
Perhaps the World Ends Here Joy Harjo The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live. The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on. We chase chickens or dogs
HOT TOPIC #18 | How to access mental health resources
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders -- from Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management -- YOU ARE NOT ALONE! It is a time of so much stress and worry. Now more than ever, in this time of social distancing and withso many unknowns
Letter to Editor | Quarantine and the virus
-- from Walt Corbin -- Of all the communities that could shelter from the virus is Orcas and the other islands. I have been delayed getting back home because of the virus but I was astounded to hear that daily dozens of workers on the OPAL project and the renovation
