Here’s a thought…
“If you don’t vote you don’t exist. It is the only place where we’re all equal, the voting booth.”
GLORIA STEINEM
New T’ai Chi Series Starts Jan. 9
Joan Roulac, with 25 years experience teaching T’ai Chi Chih, launches a new Winter Series on Monday, Jan. 9 at the Orcas Senior Center. On the first day, she offers "a gift to the community -- a one-hour free introductory practice class." Joan says, "Experience better balance when you join
A New Year’s Eve Poem: Washing Doorknobs
Washing Doorknobs By Jane Hirshfield The glass doorknobs turn no differently. But every December I polish them with vinegar water and cotton. Another year ends. This one, I ate Kyoto pickles and touched, in Xi' an, a stone turtle's face cold as stone, as turtle. I could not read the
Hearty Souls! Take the Plunge Tomorrow Morning at 11!
"Frozen in Time" is the theme for the annual Polar Bear Plunge at Cascade Lake at 11 a.m. on New Years Day. Plan on doing the Orcas Island Rowing Club’s 15th annual Plunge. This year there is a pancake breakfast and hot drinks served immediately after the event.
Orcas “Community Council” Invites All to Jan. 8 Meeting
By Gretchen Krampf The Orcas Community Council will meet at the West Sound Community Center on Sunday, January 8, from 4:30-6 p.m. The community meeting is an opportunity for dialogue of what is on the hearts and minds of community members in the model offered by PeerSpirit, a process shared by
Charter Commission to Begin Review of County Government
Saturday, Jan. 7, at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers, 55 Second Street, Friday Harbor From Stan Matthews County Website and Communications Manager The agenda for the County Charter Review Commission’s initial meeting on Saturday, Jan. 7 follows. Richard Ward, serving as temporary Chair, will conduct the meeting until the
Improv Theater for Adults at Funhouse Commons
Play Games, Let Loose, Have Fun! at Improvisational Theater for Adults (and interested teens - Ages 16+). Inexperienced and seasoned players alike are welcome to attend the classes conducted by Samara Shaw, who has 20+ years background in theater arts and education -- dance, voice and improvisation. She has experience
Bristlecones Are All That Remain of the Ancient Tree “Prometheus”
By Leonard Miller Contributed by Bill Garloch from sonic.net Wheeler Peak, on Nevada’s eastern border with Utah, reaches an altitude of 13,063 feet (3981m) with a spectacular glacial cirque on its northeast side. Highpoint of the Snake Range, Wheeler Peak cycles through five life zones, from the
“Theatrically Daring” New Faust Comes to Orcas
Sunday, Jan. 8 at 1 p.m. at Orcas Center Begin the New Year at the Met when Faust by Gounod is shown "Live in High Definition (HD)" to Orcas Island audiences. Three of opera’s biggest stars –Jonas Kaufmann, René Pape, and Marina Poplavskaya—take the lead roles in a new
Upcoming Events at Agave Restaurant!
By Kathy Lunde Thursday night is the last Trivia game of the year at Agave! We will have a special 2011 game, come join the fun! If you can't make it this Thursday, we'll be back the following week with a new assortment of questions to get your 2012 brain
War in Iraq Ends: What Kind of Welcome Do Returning Vets Face?
Thursday, Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. at the Orcas Island Library The Welcome, A Healing Journey for War Vets and Their Families was made in 2008 at a gathering of war veterans from the conflicts in Vietnam, Iraq (1991 and 2002-present) and Afghanistan. The process depicted in the
FREE Taxi Rides in Eastsound for New Years Eve
Call 376-TAXI For New Years Eve, Saturday, Dec. 31, Orcas Island Taxi will offer free taxi rides around Eastsound. Owners Karen Plunkett and Eric Whitehead will offer half off on other point-to-point rates on the island, with a food bank donation. Please call them at 360-376-TAXI(8294) and Be Safe and Sound on
Sea Monster Spotted on Crescent Beach
by Lin McNulty Facebook was all a-twitter this morning with the posting of a photo of a frightening, wayward sea monster spotted on Crescent Beach. Islander Jeff Rodenberger, on a routine morning walk, spotted the creature and was able to snap this rare photograph. There was no doubt
Sustainable Orcas Island to Meet Weds. Dec. 28
Sustainable Orcas Island (SOI) members have expressed interest in meeting tomorrow, the last Wednesday of the month, the group's regular meeting date. Although SOI organizer Phil Heikkinen projects that the group may be small, he says, "sometimes that can lead to a productive, in-depth discussion. Morgan Meadows would like to
For Auld Lang Syne — Where Will You Be New Year’s Eve?
New Year's Eve Rosario New Year's Eve Dance Ring in 2012 at the Beachhouse on the Cascade Bay waterfront. Local island favorites Gene Nery and Martin Lund will lead their four-piece band through a wide variety of musical favorites to ring in 2012. Party includes late night snacks and New
Growing Jobs: From Cantor & Chef to Cheerleader, Coach & Counselor
Cara Cohn finds new work finding jobs for disabled islanders. Cara Cohn's story is familiar on Orcas Island: she came here and was instantly attached to lving on the island. Like many others' stories, it is also complex: undertaking whatever she can do to stay here, she has
A Winter Poem: Shoveling Snow With Buddha
Shoveling Snow With Buddha Billy Collins In the usual iconography of the temple or the local Wok you would never see him doing such a thing, tossing the dry snow over a mountain of his bare, round shoulder, his hair tied in a knot, a model of concentration. Sitting is
