Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
Earth Machine composters available
Last week, Composting Workshops were held on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands, with Janet Hall of Island Co. WSU Extension. Earth Machine Composters were offered at a reduced rate of $26.93; they normally retail for $160. These can be used for yard waste as well as food
Little League Tryouts and Registration for kids of all ages March 21
"Play ball!" Many think that's the final phrase of the National Anthem, and the season to see youngsters out on the fields playing the national sport, begins this weekend with Tryouts and Registration for Orcas Island Little League on the fields behind the High School. Players should turn out on
Appear on stage at 2009 Play Fest
Contributed by Louise Carnachan Ever sit in the theater watching a movie or a play and think, “I can do that!” ? The 2009 Play Fest, sponsored by Actors Theater of Orcas Island, has seven wonderful plays written by Orcas playwrights and we are seeking 17 actors, of both genders
Skill Center may add training to Orcas School District — be sure to complete survey
Orcas Island School District has joined San Juan Island and Lopez school districts in conducting an ongoing Skills Center Study and Survey. In addition to influencing the kinds of vocational classes which might become available to our kids, each completed survey shows our interest in the program and increases the
Fadem's class and the Episode of the Madeleine
"Blooming snowdrops, skyrocketing daffodils, and Fadem redux - surely spring is in the air!" says Judith Miller of Richard Fadem's class this spring on Swann's Way, the first volume of Marcel Proust's Remembrance of Things Past. For the most part the class will rely on the translation by Moncrieff-Kilmartin (in
$360,000 in grants from County for lodging applications
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Director Last week, San Juan County issued a “request for proposals” (RFP) for projects qualifying for funding by the County’s excise tax on lodging. This year approximately $360,000 will be available to fund grants for purposes including building or improving tourism facilities, staging
The week ahead: Vernal Equinox is March 20
Janice Richardson of Dragonfly Gardens writes, "Spring officially begins on the Vernal (Latin for bloom) Equinox (equal night and day) when the sun is directly over the equator. According to the 2009 astrological calender, this will occur on March 20 at 04:47 Pacific Daylight Time." Sunday, March 15 Babysitting Clinic
Fishing Bay Open House draws a crowd
Friday the 13th brought hordes of interested islanders to the Fishing Bay Open House, the new 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. From 3 to 7 p.m. an ongoing
Chamber's Business Essentials looks at Customer Service
The Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce continues their "Business Essentials" series, this week, discussing "Customer Service in Challenging Times," featuring Michael Rivkin, co-owner of Crow Valley Pottery, who also serves as a consultant to the hospitality industry. As usual, the presentation will be Wednesday morning, March 18 from 7:45 to
Super Green: OPALCO's EnergySmart Program and Island Market
After three years of upgrades through OPALCO's Commercial Lighting and EnergySmart Programs, Island Market is now "one of the most energy efficient grocery stores in the Northwest," according to Mark Larson of Portland Energy Conservation, Inc. Larson is the Field Energy Analyst Manager for the EnergySmart Program. "Island
County ax falls to cut 2 of 3 permit coordinators
On March 10, the San Juan County Community Development and Planning Department (CDPD) Director Ron Henrickson reported that his department will lay off two of its three permit coordinators effective March 24, due to a significant drop in permit revenues. “We regret this is necessary. It is extremely difficult to
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!
Choral Society performs Fauré "Requiem" March 14 and 15
The Orcas Choral Society presents the "Requiem" by Gabriel Fauré on Sat. March 14 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, March 15 at 3 p.m. at the Orcas Island Community Church. Directed by Catherine Pederson, the group of 50 singers will open the concert with the 16th century hymn, "All
Artsmith Literary Salon this Saturday features novelist and open mic
Jill McCabe Johnson and Charles Toxey of Artsmith, the Orcas Island non-profit in support of artists, writers and scholars, invite the public to their Literary Salon featuring novelist Ann Pancake this Saturday evening. Pancake is the author of "Strange as this Weather Has Been," a compelling story that illustrates the
April Poetry Workshop with Alice Derry still has slots open
April is National Poetry Month, and once again JoEllen Moldoff is accelerating her efforts to bring poetry to Orcas Islanders. Moldoff is organizing a display of poems by Orcas Poets in the Library. If you would like to submit two poems, please either email them to moldoff@rockisland.com or bring hard
What's up with the goody boxes from OPALCO?
This week, many Orcas Islanders have found “goody boxes” on their doorstep from OPALCO. Suzanne Olson, Communications specialist at OPALCO, explained these brown box Energy Efficiency Kits. OPALCO sent out the kits from Niagara Conservation Co. to more than 6,000 members who live full-time in OPALCO’s service territory. The
