No more hibernating — the weekend's full of fun!

Friday, March 13

Grand Opening of Fishing Bay Corner – home for Windermere Real Estate, Nest Flowers and Gifts, Orcas Book Exchange, and the Gudgell Office at the corner of Main St. and Haven Rd.3 to 7 p.m. Visit with island neighbors, enjoy refreshments and check out the new digs! Now located there:. Architect: Stoltz/Kau Architects, contractor: Newland Construction, landscaping: All Seasons Gardening.
Contact Susan at 360-507-5444 or susan@gudgellproperties.com or Mariah @ 376-8000 or mariah@orcas-island.com

“Reassessing U.W. – Russian Relations in the Obama Administration” Crossroads lecture at 7:30 p.m. in the Orcas Center. Speaker Stephen Hanson, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Ellison Center for Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies, University of Washington discusses how the election of Barack Obama affected changes in U.S. policy toward Russia, Eurasia, and Europe. (Rescheduled from March 20.)

Hanson will survey the main achievements and mistakes of U.S. policy toward the former communist world since the fall of the Berlin wall nearly twenty years ago.  Is a new Cold War in the offing, or can the new administration find a path toward more cooperation with the Russian Federation? Call 376-4985

Saturday, March 14

Little League Sign-ups begins at Island Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tryout date: Saturday, March 21. Parents and Businesses: To make Little League a success, we need your help and  involvement! Call Pat Hunt @ 376-2810 or email her at pat.hunt1@verizon.net

First annual Orcas Invitational Girls Basketball Tournament
The Orcas Juniors will be hosting the tournament, beginning at noon. Eight 4th and 5th grade teams from Orcas Island, Bellingham, Sedro Woolley, and Friday Harbor will be competing in a one day tournament. Games will be held at Orcas High School Gym and Middle School Gym. Preliminary round games will start at 12:00 noon and the championship game is scheduled for 4:15 pm. Come show your support for the Jr. Vikings.Games are free! For information, call Carol Rost at 376-3977.

Plein Air Poetry at the library from 1 to 3 p.m. Inspired by the “Plein Air Poets of San Luis Obispo County” and their collection. Poems for Endangered Places, River Malcolm will facilitate  a Writers Roundtable on plein air poetry.

This will be an opportunity for writers to explore how our connections to the natural world nourish and replenish our writing voices.

Orcas Montessori St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Auction beginning at 5 p.m. Contact Teresa Chocano at 376-5350 or teresa@orcasmontessori.org

Olga Community St. Patrick’s Potluck. Social hour at 5:30, dinner at 6:30, program with librarian Phil Heikkinen at 7:30 p.m.

Artsmith Reading with novelist Ann Pancake and open mic, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Kangaroo House on North Beach Road in Eastsound. 376-2175.

Fauré “Requiem” with the Orcas Choral Society 7:30 p.m. at the Orcas Island Community Church with Marianne Lewis performing on the organ.  Donations accepted.

Sunday, March 15

Babysitting Clinic for grades 6 and up. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orcas Fire Hall.  Margie Sabine will provide the basics of babysitting presented by the Red Cross. Each participant will receive a babysitting certificate and be placed on a community babysitters list if they wish. Participants are encouraged to bring ideas for games, recipes, and fun activities for babysitting.The cost is $20 and space is limited to 16 kids. Sponsored by Orcas Island Recreation Program. Call 376-5339 to register.

Little League baseball sign-ups from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the Island Market. Parents and Businesses: To make Little League a success, we need your help and involvement! Call Pat Hunt @ 376-2810 or email her at pat.hunt1@verizon.net

Fauré  “Requiem” with the Orcas Choral Society 3 p.m. at the Orcas Island Community Church with Marianne Lewis performing on the organ.  Donations accepted.

Hank Cramer sings Sea Shanties and Celtic Ballads. At the Orcas Grange at 7 p.m. $12.