Here’s a thought…
“When is the time we all get to eat cake? I don’t want to miss it!”
ANONYMOUS
Easter is online at Orcas Island Community Church
-- from Brian Moss for Orcas Island Community Church -- Orcas Island Community Church invites you to join us this Easter weekend. Even though we will not be meeting in person, we invite you to join us for our worship services online. On Friday, we will stream a Good Friday
What will we take with us?
-- from Susan Shannon -- Collectively, we are all trodding towards a destination which we really can’t define -- life will not be the same, possibly ever, in our lifetimes. The ripples of changes will be felt maybe forever. Some will help create a new normal. Some will change into
Sheriff, Prosecutor announce new enforcement tools for COVID-19 health orders
-- from Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management -- While a majority of San Juan County residents have been doing all they can to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, there are reports of individuals or businesses choosing to ignore the recent orders from the Governor and the
Letter to Editor | What about our property taxes?
-- from Peg Manning -- As the deadline for payment of property taxes approaches, it would be helpful for property owners to know what sources of relief exist for those who have lost their incomes during this national emergency and how the use of existing programs might affect qualification for
Tuning out the pandemic | There’s a Revolution in my Head by Bruce Harvie
-- from your community -- Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. THERE'S A REVOLUTION IN MY HEAD | Bruce Harvie If you have music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com.
Pandemic Poetry | ‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers
"Hope" is the thing with feathers Emily Dickinson “Hope” is the thing with feathers -That perches in the soul -And sings the tune without the words -And never stops - at all - And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -And sore must be the storm -That could
Guest Opinion | How do we hold 2020 elections?
-- from Hedrick Smith -- Okay, America, how do we hold the 2020 elections under the threat of the coronavirus?Wisconsin’s answer was to bull ahead with the old system for its primary election on Tuesday, pushed by Republican leaders of the state legislature who said it would cause chaos and
Stay home, see art; virtual art walk coming up
Dozens of artists and retail businesses on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Island will use social media to open their doors and studios virtually on April 16, 4 - 8 p.m. -- from Shannon Borg -- The first “Third Thursday” San Juan County Virtual Art Walk will take place on Thursday,
WSF reducing service between Anacortes/San Juans
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Washington State Ferries is temporarily reducing service on the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route beginning on Friday, April 10, due to the M/V Samish being out of service due to needed rudder repairs. Until further notice, the route will operate on a three-boat schedule instead
HOT TOPIC #14 | A light-hearted look at caring for your introvert/extrovert significant other
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders -- Department of Emergency Management -- Disclaimer: Authors Courtney and Nathan Kessler-Jeffrey are in no way relationship experts. They are not therapists. They have BEEN to a lot of therapy. (They find it’s an essential part of
Letter to Editor | I hold a vacation rental permit; where’s my COVID rules?
-- from Joe Symons -- I attach here a transcript of some remarks made at the 3/31/20 council meeting. Transcript by Michael Johnson: Bill Watson-- "I'm aware that DCD, our permit department is generating a mail blast to go out to all the vacation rental permit holders. Do you know the
WSF honors frontline workers with joyful, nightly ferry whistles
-- from Amy Scarton, Assistant Secretary, WSDOT/Ferries Division -- Making a joyful noise nightly for frontline workers As part of a community and worldwide movement to make a joyful noise in appreciation of workers on the front line of the COVID-19 response, all our ferries underway at 8 p.m. are sounding their
Tune in tonight for virtual reading of play by local author
Thursday, April 9, 7 p.m., ZOOM -- from Bethany Marie for Orcas Center -- Join us for a virtual reading of this original musical by local author Shannon Borg! Local actors will voice the script while accompanied by slides of concept pictures by the author. Audience feedback welcome after the reading! Topic: Manifest
COVID-19 crisis increases gratitude for greenspace and highlights need to leash dogs
-- from Tanja Williamson for San Juan County Land Bank -- Land Bank Preserves remain open despite other public land closures because we believe people need access to nature close to home, especially when nothing else in life seems normal. Early evidence suggests that dogs don’t spread COVID-19. However, current
State Commerce offering Working Washington small business grants
-- from Victoria Compton for Economic Development Council -- The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering a new Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant (WWSBEG) program to assist small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses which qualify for the grant program and are located within San Juan County
Letter to Editor | Open letter to Health District Board
-- from Spirit Eagle -- Dear Orcas Island Health Care District Board Members, In this time of the COVID-19 epidemic it behooves you to employ Dr. Vincent Shu, M.D. to help combat the spread of COVID-19 on Orcas Island. I am amazed that the board has yet to take the
