Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
Stories on new site show extent of economic crisis revealed by unemployment figures
Socially distanced state unemployment line would stretch all the way from Olympia past San Francisco -- from Sage Wilson for Working Washington -- TODAY we are releasing a new website — ThisIsACrisis.com — where Washington workers are sharing powerful stores about how the coronavirus crisis is affecting their incomes, their health, their lives, and
Spend a dollar, donate a dollar, volunteer an hour
Stimulus checks for local recovery— -- from San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau and San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) -- Since government stimulus checks have started to arrive in bank accounts, many of our most vulnerable islanders have already spent their funds, need to hold onto their checks, or
Tuning out the pandemic | Love Me by Mia Vermillion
-- from your community -- Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. LOVE ME | Mia Vermillion If you have local music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com. Keep ’em coming! Your community loves
Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of 11:59 p.m. on April 20, there are 12,282 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state (14 in San Juan County), an increase of 197 cases in the last 24 hours. Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Recovery plan: Gov. Jay Inslee spoke directly to Washingtonians Tuesday
Inslee, Ferguson issue joint statement on some public officials disregard of “Stay Home, Stay Healthy”
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson released a joint statement today in response to some Washington state officials disregard for the governor's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order. “It is disappointing when elected officials promote illegal activity that puts their
County Council anticipates next phase of Coronavirus response
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter – As with each of County Council meetings for the last several weeks, the April 21 meeting began with a Covid-19 update. This week that update was an exploration of how to approach the process of easing the current Covid-19 restrictions at the
Candidate filing for November 2020 elections begins soon
-- from Milene Henley, San Juan County Auditor -- If you have ever wanted to be an elected official, now is your chance. Candidate filing for positions open for election in 2020 is about to begin. The list of offices available for filing is below. In addition to President (sorry,
Earth Day message from Ken Balcomb, PLUS new Orca gallery photos
-- from Center for Whale Research -- First of all, I hope you are all well and hunkering down in caution for whatever this COVID-19 pandemic brings to our species, Homo sapiens. If and when the scary part is over, I then hope that we live up to our self-proclaimed title sapiens and
Nature Notes | Never underestimate a salmon
-- Contributed by Jenny De Groot, MSc., Speckled Trout Consulting, LLC -- One lesson learned is that you should never underestimate salmon. They find ways to get up waterfalls, slip through nets too small to do so, and apparently, spawn when you never imagined they would. Nearly five months since
SeaDoc Society awards science prize to crab team
For early detection and prevention of invasive European Green Crab -- from Justin Cox for SeaDoc Society -- The European green crab is a damaging invasive species that has wreaked havoc on ecosystems around the world, and recently they’ve found their way into the Salish Sea. Thanks to Washington Sea Grant’s
Inslee announces Washington’s COVID-19 recovery plan
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee spoke directly to Washingtonians Tuesday evening to lay out his vision for the eventual safe return to public life amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Inslee said it is unlikely many restrictions under the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order will be modified before May 4.
Pandemic poetry | No More Ark by Bruce Hanna
“No More Ark” Bruce Hanna 4.18.20 We are all islands now far enough away so the invisible cannot invade us Sheltered in place Social distancing Physically awkward Unsure, even afraid to touch Most of us cannot imagine how this happened or if it is the new reality? Will it
SJIMA sets up online exhibition
Even if we are closed due to COVID virus -- from Diana Martindale for San Juan Islands Museum of Art -- You can visit the current San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) even though we are closed. SJIMA set up this link so you could see a tour of
Book Review | The Story of the First Earth Day
-- from Jan Ehrlichman and Mark Mayer -- The Story of the First Earth Day, 1970How Grassroots Activism Can Change Our WorldPaul N. “Pete” McCloskey, Jr. This short book begins by establishing the historical setting in 1970, describing the status of the Vietnam War, civil rights activism and the lack
Sheltering in place with no shelter nor place
-- from Hilary Canty for Orcas Island Community Foundation -- Imagine if you relied on the library for a warm place to spend the day and connect to the internet, or the Community Resource Center for a cup of coffee and to use a phone, or the State Park for
HOT TOPIC #17 | Helping islanders in need
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders -- from Brendan Cowan for Department of Emergency Management -- Neighbors caring for neighbors is a fundamental part of life in the islands. This has become even more true during the COVID-19 pandemic where community support, especially
