Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
Land Bank taking steps to slow spread of COVID-19
-- from Tanja Williamson for San Juan County Land Bank -- Your Conservation Land Bank is taking steps to do its part in slowing the spread of the COVID-19 illness. San Juan County Health and Community Services is monitoring the spread of COVID-19 in the islands. The health and safety
Book Review | A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Dafoe
-- Book review by Jens Kruse -- Daniel Defoe’s 1772 account of the 1665-66 outbreak of the bubonic plague in London makes – shall we say: interesting – reading at our current moment. This Great Plague killed an estimated 100, 000 people, about a quarter of London’s population. Defoe was
Third positive COVID-19 case in county is first on Lopez
Tracing puts known contacts in quarantine for 14 days -- from Brendan Cowan for County Department of Emergency Management -- The third confirmed positive COVID-19 test result in San Juan County was reported to San Juan County public health staff today. This result is the first confirmed positive case on
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
