March, get outta town! The week ahead March 29 – April 5

Sunday, March 29

Ride the WSF ferry to Sidney. Leaves Orcas at 8:40 a.m., with a quick turnaround in Sidney, returning via the 11:40 a.m. sailing to Friday Harbor, arriving at approximately 1:30 p.m. where passengers can disembark, go through Customs, and walk-on the 2:15 p.m. ferry to Orcas, arriving at approximately 3 p.m.Monday, March 30
County Council meets on Orcas Island 10 a.m., beginning with a field trip including a tour of the  Orcas Transfer Station, the Country Corner LAMIRD, Judd Cove and Crescent Beach, with the option of touring the Village Green Swale Trail during lunch recess.

The walk-on cost of the round-trip is $32. Passengers will need to present government issued photo ID, such as a drivers’ license as proof of identity, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport.

Monday, March 30

County Council meets on Orcas Island. Field trips begin at 10 a.m. at the

• Tour of Orcas Transfer Station – Jon Shannon
• Country Corner LAMIRD
• Judd Cove / Crescent Beach – Lincoln Bormann
• Village Green (Swale Trail) – optional tour during lunch recess

At 12:30 p.m. the Council will begin a work session at the Eastsound Fire Station.  Discussion of the Preliminary Draft Cell Phone Ordinance – Patty Miller, Cell Phone Task Force. A discussion of the Farmers’ Market permitting and grant will follow. Adjournment is scheduled for approximately 3:45 p.m.

Country Corners LAMIRD hearing 7 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall.

Tuesday March 31
Continued hearing on affordable housing and the ordinance changing County Comp Plan at the County Council chambers in Friday Harbor. Hearing scheduled at 10:20 a.m. Emails can be sent to the council at annl@sanjuanco.com.

Wednesday April 1

Orcas Island Rowing Association presents Adventure Along the Archipelago. Steve and Mary Gropp will present a slide show of their kayaking and rowing adventures along the coasts of British Columbia, SE Alaska, Newfoundland & Labrador in the 1980s. These voyages covered more than 5,000 miles, and were done on the slimmest of budgets, with the most basic of equipment.

All proceeds will go to the Orcas Island Rowing Association High School Crew team, to help pay for off-island regatta costs. Cost: $5 minimum donation to OIRA.  Location: Orcas Senior Center at 7 p.m. Contact Steve Gropp @ 376-4730 or email gropp@orcasonline.com.

Thursday, April 2

David Aramaki, college funding counselor will be available Thursday, and again Friday, April 3rd from 8:30 AM to 1 PM for half-hour, individual advisory sessions. Call the Funhouse at 376-7177 to schedule.

Eastsound Planning Review Committee meeting 3 p.m. at the Senior Center.

Friday, April 3
First in the Funhouse’s “Get Off the Rock” college counseling series. David Aramaki will give a presentation on funding alternatives, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Funhouse. Arakami will also be available from 8:30AM to 1PM for half-hour, individual advisory sessions. Call 376-7177 to schedule.

One World, One Tribe, One Rhythm with EarthTribe Percussion’s Michael Goude at the Odd Fellows Hall. There will be percussion instruments there, or bring your own. Donations at the door. Refreshments available. Bring the whole family!

River Malcolm invites you to help celebrate publication of her new book, Magic Carpet: Selected Poems, Poetry Reading and Book Signing at Darvill’s Bookstore – 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Saturday, April 4
Rosario Mansion open for public tours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christopher Peacock will give a historic and musical presentation at 5 p.m. $5 admission, for more information, call 376-2222.

Farm Walk at Coffelts, The walk is limited to 20 who register in advance by calling the Orcas Island Recreation Program at 376-5339. The walk is geared for children ages 6 with a limited amount of adults. The cost is $10. Please carpool if possible.

Folk Music at the Grange – The Wanderers, (Carl Allen and Bill Murlin) and Tom Rawson return to the Orcas Grange for a fun evening of folk music.  Bill and Carl have been performing traditional folk music around the Northwest for almost 50 years, and have become authorities on the life and music of Woody Guthrie. Tom mixes guitar and banjo with fun songs and thought-provoking ballads; he’ll have you singing along. 7:30 p.m.  Admission is $12.  Information: 376-3613.

Sunday, April 5

Ethnobotany and Edibles workshop on San Juan Island. Join leading ethnobotanist Mac Smith, Fiona Norris from the San Juan Nature Institute, and Kathleen Foley from the San Juan Preservation Trust for an informative hike on an amazing parcel of SJ Preservation Trust-protected land on the westside of San Juan Island.

Beginning at 12 Noon with a brief introductory session at the San Juan Preservation Trust office in Friday Harbor, participants will head out for our hike where Mr. Smith will be discussing the traditional uses of native plants.
Laurie Paul from Friday Harbor’s Market Chef restaurant will finish out the day with some wild edibles for us to sample.  Participant limit is 25.

Meet at the SJPT Friday Harbor office (468 Argyle Street in the restored Churchill House) at 12 noon. The day will end at 5 p.m. so returning ferries can be met. Please bring your own sack lunch/water and sturdy walking shoes.  Course fee is $45. Checks can be made payable to the San Juan Nature Institute, PO Box 3110 Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For further information, email kathleenf@sjpt.org or call 378-2461, or contact Fiona at science@sjnature.org to make your reservation.