Here’s a thought…
“The future is already here. It’s just not evenly distributed yet.”
WILLIAM GIBSON
Island Market posts new shopping precautions
Hours changing, enforcing six-foot rule, hand washing setup -- from Island Market -- Effective immediately: Store hours are 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. until further notice.Mandatory 6 feet distance rule in effect for all people inside the store.We encourage you to only come to the store for essentials and ask you to team up
Letter to Editor | Sounding the tourist/visitor alarm
-- from Evan Wagoner -- The following is an open letter to my home, Orcas Island, in San Juan County, in Washington State. I’m writing this as our first confirmed COVID-19 case was just announced on Orcas. Written with love. Please share if you are moved to. Dear Neighbors, Over the past
Orcas Food Co-op closes doors, moves to curbside pickup, home delivery
-- from Learner Limbach for Orcas Food Co-op -- We are officially closing Orcas Food Co-op’s doors to the public, effective tomorrow, Monday, March 23rd, and moving to 100% curbside pickup and delivery. A form for placing orders is live on the homepage of our website. You may also e-mail homedelivery@orcasfood.coop or call
Easter eggs to stay hidden for this year
-- from Steve Schaefer, Orcas Island Lions Club -- As most people would expect, the Orcas Island Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt, previously scheduled for April 11, has been cancelled. This event normally serves about 125 kids and their families and is held at Moran State Park the Saturday morning
Webb outlines steps being taken by public school to keep moving forward
-- from Eric Webb for Orcas Island School District -- Dear Students, Parents, Staff, & Community, Over the past week, Orcas Island School District has been working diligently to move all operations to remote status. Going forward, we will have a limited presence on campus as we continue to (1)
Chamber of Commerce urges visitors to postpone Orcas Island travel
-- from Lance Evans, Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce -- The safety of our Orcas island community is our highest priority. In light of growing concerns about COVID-19, the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce is encouraging visitors to postpone their travel plans to the island to limit the potential spread
Planning Commission briefing was held via Skype
-- by Steve Bernheim, Orcas Issues reporter -- As a COVID precaution, the San Juan County Planning Commission met via Skype on March 20 to hear staff briefings on 1) the transportation and 2) rural land elements of the still-evolving draft Comprehensive Plan, and 3) to receive staff briefing on
Letter to Editor | Time to restrict non-resident access
-- from Joe Symons -- Please take immediate action to restrict non-resident access to SJC for a minimum of 90 days and make the resolution renewable. Every day matters. No point in closing the barn door after the horses are gone.You were elected as leaders. This is a critical opportunity
Garden Club suspends remaining activities for the season
A garden is a friend you can visit any time -- from Nita Couchman for Orcas Garden Club -- For the safety of everyone in this uncertain and ever changing time with the COVID-19 virus, the Garden Club Board has decided to suspend all Garden Club activities for the remainder
Co-op making changes to offer curbside pickup, home delivery
-- from Learner Limbach for Orcas Food Co-op -- Dear Orcas Island Community - Starting March 23, Orcas Food Co-op will be making changes to our operations all with the intention of making your life easier -- and all of us safer. To that end, we are creating a new
Inslee statement on federal major disaster declaration
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- The White House today approved a request by Gov. Jay Inslee to declare a major disaster in Washington state. Inslee asked for the declaration in a letter to President Trump on Friday to unlock a host of additional federal assistance programs
OPALCO members, we’re here for you
-- from Foster Hildreth, OPALCO General Manager -- I wanted to reach out and let you know that your Co-op is doing all we can to help our members during these challenging times. OPALCO's Board of Directors decided [Thursday] to suspend all late fees and disconnects during the COVID-19 crisis.
Tuning out the pandemic — with tunes
How about a little rhubarb? -- from Mandy Troxel -- If you have local music you would like to share with your fellow Orcasians, send an .mp3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com. More to come.
WSF call center to operate with limited service
No credit card purchases over the phone -- from Washington State Ferries -- The WSF call center will operate with limited service beginning Monday, March 23, when agents will begin working remotely based on COVID-19 health recommendations. However, agents will not have the ability to take credit card numbers over
Act as though you are contagious
-- Submitted by a reader for everyone you know and don't know -- We don’t want to contribute to corona-fatigue so if you are already aware that you should act as though you are contagious, feel free to skip the rest of the message. This is important to understand - from a
Pandemic Poetry | Shoulders by Naomi Shihab Nye
Shoulders Naomi Shihab Nye A man crosses the street in rain,stepping gently, looking two times north and south,because his son is asleep on his shoulder.No car must splash him.No car drive too near to his shadow.This man carries the world's most sensitive cargobut he's not marked.Nowhere does his jacket say
