The last week in February: celebrate Mardi Gras, Music and thrilling Drama

Sunday, Feb. 22
“Rumi: Mystic and Poet” –  Unitarian Fellowship at 11 a.m at the Westsound Community Hall. Suzan Chamberlayne will give biographical background information on Rumi, Anji Ringzin will recite Rumi’s poetry; and Werener Kundig will lead a Dance of Univeraal Peace. www.orcasislanduu.org

Suzadilly soccer, free for all ages at Buck Park field, 2 p.m.

Chiara String Trio – Orcas Center will present one performance only of the Chiara String Trio joined by a rising star, Soyeon Lee. 7:30 p.m.Cost: $24, $16 (members), $10 (students).For more information or to purchase tickets, go to OrcasCenter.org or call or 376-2281 ext 1.

Monday, February 23
Tuck and Patti will stop here at the Orcas Center at 7:30 p.m. while on their Northwest tour. Tickets are available at Darvill’s Bookstore and at the door and are $15. Call Orcas Center @ 376-2281

Solution Method Orientation – River Malcolm will teach an introductory class in the Solution Method, an educational program developed at University of California San Francisco, to rewire the emotional brain to favor joy over stress. 4:30 pm. at the Orcas Island Library Community Room. Also see the Solution
Call or email River at 376-4548 or river@orcasonline.com for details.

Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting 5:30 p.m. at Orcas Library.

Tuesday, Feb. 24
Memoir group meets from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Library. All are welcome. Moderated by JoEllen Moldoff. 376-4985

Wednesday, February 25

Join County Council Members Richard Fralick, District 4, Orcas West, Gene Knapp, District 5, Orcas East and County Administrator Pete Rose for a Town Hall Meeting. An open questions and answers forum will follow a short
informational presentation on current County issues. 4 to 6 p.m at Eastsound Fire Hall, For information, contact the Clerk of the County Council at (360) 378-2898.

Sustainable Orcas Island has their monthly meeting at the Library from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Agenda items include discussion of a Sustainability Fair in May.

The Grammy-award winning Klezmatics have brought the traditional folk music of Eastern European Jewish peoples into the 21st century, incorporating high-energy eclectic musical influences such as gospel, punk, and Arab, African, and Balkan rhythms. Cost: $24, $16 (members), $10 (students). 376-2281 or www.orcascenter.org

Thursday, Feb. 26
Orcas Island School District board meeting 5:30 p.m. at the school library. Bond committee to be formed.

Relay for Life Kickoff Event – Kick-Off the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event with food, fun, and prizes at the Orcas Island School Cafeteria from 6:30 pm to 8 p.m. Contact Noelle Benepe @ 360-201-2714 or Dyan Holmes @ 360-317-6992 or 360-376-3006

Friday, Feb. 27
“The Case for Planned Giving” will be presented by Joe Cohen of the Orcas Island Community Foundation from 9 to 11am at the Eastsound Fire Hall. The presentation will help clarify for all participants the critical importance of ‘Securing the financial future of your organization through Planning Giving and Endowment.’ Call 376-6423 to register.

Mariachi Huenachi band of over two dozen young musicians, twice named Grand Champion in the national Mariachi Spectacular competition, will perform the traditional mariachi tunes of Mexico. Mariachi Huenachi is based at Wenatchee High School. A Fiesta for all! Cost: $5. 7:30 p.m. at the Orcas Center, Call 376-2281 x1 or visit www.OrcasCenter.org.

“Wait Until Dark” tense thriller presented by the Actors Theater at the Grange, 7:30 p.m. Tickets at Darvills and at the door.

The Orcas Island American Legion Post (Voyle B. Martin #93) will hold its 30th Annual Fishing Derby this weekend on Saturday, Feb. 28 and Sunday, March 1.

The legion will also hold its annual membership drive on Saturday, Feb. 28, beginning at noon.
Membership Coordinator Leila Elliff will be on hand with members of each unit (Post, Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion) to answer any questions about ongoing projects.

Sign up is Friday night and the weigh-in of the fish ends at 6:30 both Saturday and Sunday nights. The community is invited to visit the American Legion and check on the status of the fishing derby.

The public is welcome to attend the dinners in the main hall. Friday is burger night (burgers, cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, pasta salad, potato salad, and chips for $7) On Saturday, Feb. 28 they will be serving spaghetti dinner, which includes French bread, green salad, and delicious homemade cake for $8.
Sunday is chili night for $7.

After the 6:30 weigh-in deadline on Sunday evening, the cash prizes will be announced — $1,100 for first prize, $500 for second prize, and two “blind draw” prizes of $250 each for the fisherman bringing in the catch closest to the random-weight draws.

WOMEN’S WELLNESS WEEKEND (Friday, February 27 – Sunday, March 1)
Presented by YMCA Camp Orkila, this camp Orkila tradition includes: hula hooping, lots of crafts, kayaking, professional massage (extra charge), giant swing, meals, yoga, belly dancing, archery, salsa dancing and much, much more!! Day rate for locals is $55 for Saturday. Weekend rate (overnight) is $135 – 189. Group rates are available. We will need to cancel this weekend tradition if we do not get enough women to attend, so please register today! 376-2678, or 206-382-5009.

Saturday, Feb. 28
“Wait Until Dark” tense thriller presented by the Actors Theater at the Grange, 7:30 p.m. Tickets at Darvills and at the door.

Sunday, March 1

Music Advocacy Group Benefit Concert at Middle School Gym. The 12th Annual Music Advocacy Group Benefit Concert: “MUSIC,
MUSIC, and MUSIC!” at 3 p.m. MAG is a nonprofit community group whose purpose is to raise funds to supplement the public school music programs. This annual concert is the primary fundraiser of the year. The concert is free and open to all, but donations are gratefully accepted. In the past, donations have enabled instrument and music software purchases, other equipment and
teaching aids, as well as direct funding for teacher hours.
This year there will be performances by The Orcas Choral Society, Island Sinfonia and the Community Band. The 5th and 6th grade strings and choir will also perform. Afterwards there will be a reception in the cafeteria to thank and celebrate all the performers. Please support this joyful celebration of music by many of the Island’s best performers!

“Wait Until Dark” tense thriller presented by the Actors Theater at the Grange, 7:30 p.m. Tickets at Darvills and at the door.