Here’s a thought…
“The future is already here. It’s just not evenly distributed yet.”
WILLIAM GIBSON
Complete your census return today
-- from Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter -- Looking for something worthwhile to do during these ‘stay at home’ days? This is an ideal time to complete your 2020 Census return. The US Census is conducted every ten years, going all the way back to the first national Census in
HOT TOPIC #6 | Distancing not from, but for
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders — from Brendan Cowan for SJC Department of Emergency Services — This is the second in a series of articles by Nathan Kessler-Jeffrey that aim to take the abstract concept of social distancing and make it real
Community Emergency Fund receives, distributes donated funds
-- from Hilary Canty for Orcas Island Community Foundation -- This community is showing up! So far 101 friends and neighbors have donated $192,000 to the Community Emergency Response Fund (CERF). REMARKABLE! Thank you, Team Orcas! The CERF advisory team (Lisa Byers, OPAL, Erin O’Dell, OCRC, Brian Moss, Orcas Community
Exchange provides free art projects kits for kids
-- from The Exchange -- If you have OISD kids at home between the ages of 5 and 18, Art for Orcas Kids (AOK) is offering free weekly age appropriate art packs during this period of social distancing. Brook Meinhardt is organizing the effort. Meinhardt, teaching artist, New York City
Pandemic Poetry | The Peace of All Things by Wendell Berry
The Peace of All Things by Wendell Berry When despair for the world grows in meand I wake in the night at the least soundin fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,I go and lie down where the wood drakerests in his beauty on the water,
Inslee provides construction guidance and signs proclamations for UI rules, healthcare payments
-- from Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced new measures to combat COVID-19 today and released additional guidance for construction in his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. The governor’s guidance on construction states: “In general, commercial and residential construction is not authorized under the proclamation because construction is not
San Juan County Health Officer issues new order to prevent spread of COVID-19
Includes restrictions on travel and lodging -- from San Juan County Communications -- Today, Wednesday March 25, 2020, San Juan County Health Officer, Dr. Frank James, MD, issued an immediate order to restrict non-essential travel to San Juan County, control contact with playgrounds and playground equipment, and limit transient accommodations
Hearts and Hands scales up at Orcas Senior Center
-- from Lena Kassa for Orcas Senior Center -- For 14 years, non-profit Orcas Senior Center volunteers have provided in-home companionship visits to seniors and disabled adults on Orcas Island. Now, with self-isolation and quarantine imposed by COVID-19, we are all finding ourselves suddenly house bound; and many of us
State Parks offers fun (and educational) at-home activities for junior rangers
-- from Washington State Parks -- Now that Gov. Inslee has issued the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order to help combat the spread of COVID-19, many parents or guardians are wondering how to keep their young ones busy and engaged. Washington State Parks wants to help. Parks staff have created a variety
School Board meeting to be held via Zoom
Thursday, March 26, 5 p.m., via Zoom -- from Orcas Island School District -- Please be advised that in keeping with efforts to remain socially distant, OISD School Board meetings will be held electronically until the public health emergency is over. At this time there will be no Public Comments
Food Bank announces new hours, procedures for anyone who needs food
Open TUESDAYS and FRIDAYS from 3 to 6 p.m. -- from Orcas Island Food Bank -- The Orcas Food Bank has changed its open hours. Starting March 30 we will be open TUESDAYS and FRIDAYS from 3 to 6 p.m. Islanders needing food assistance may come twice per week to
Inslee signs additional measures to help mitigate COVID impacts
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced new measures today to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19. They address impacts on public meetings and public records access; notary services; Liquor and Cannabis Board late payment waivers; and updates to Utilities and Transportation Commission Ratepayer Assistance. “As life
Moran State Park closed; still OK to drive through
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter – In accordance with the ‘stay at home’ order issued on Monday by Governor Jay Inslee, Moran State Park is closed until April 30. The closure began on Wednesday morning, March 25. The closure does not affect through traffic on Olga Road, according
Pandemic Poetry | Lockdown by Richard Hendrick
Lockdown by Richard Hendrick Yes there is fear. Yes there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying. Yes there is sickness. Yes there is even death. But, They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise You can hear the birds again. They say that after just a
Orcas residents put sewing machines to work in support of health care workers
-- from Heather Wallace for The Exchange -- The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing shortages of personal-protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers and hospice caregivers on Orcas Island. Some island residents have banded together and are actively working to help create solutions. When an email plea from Debra O’Conner of
COVID-19 update from San Juan County
-- from Brendan Cowan, SJC Department of Emergency Management -- Second confirmed positive case on Orcas Island: A close household contact of the first positive case has also tested positive for COVID-19. This positive result was anticipated by San Juan County Public Health Staff and close contact tracing was completed
