The Mother of All Weeks Ahead

Tuesday, May 8

Free health screening offered by the Orcas Island Lions Club and the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight and Hearing.From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Open to all the public. The tests available on the van include screening and checks for: Blood Pressure, Hearing, Vision (using a Snellen eye chart), Glaucoma, and Diabetes. It only takes about 15 minutes for all five tests.For more information, contact khiller333@yahoo.com

Orcas Island Public Library Board meets from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Public Library. Call 376-4985 for more information.

Island Island Marine Health Observatory Field Research Invertebrate surveys – 11:30 am Join local scientists and community volunteers at Eastsound Waterfront Park. Everyone is welcome. For more information about volunteer opportunities, call Marcia Spees 376-4084. The low tide windows allowing access to the island last about two hours. Meet at the tide pools around the island. Wear appropriate footwear (wet sand, gravel, shallow water), and come on down to the beach! To learn more about the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory, go to  www.Indianisland.info.

Leap Into Spring Poetry Workshop, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Friends of the Library board meeting at 3:30 p.m. at the Public Library. Call 376-4985

Island Island Marine Health Observatory Field Research Upland survey (birds, botany) – Noon Join local scientists and community volunteers at Eastsound Waterfront Park. Everyone is welcome. For more information about volunteer opportunities, call Marcia Spees 376-4084. The low tide windows allowing access to the island last about two hours. Meet at the tide pools around the island. Wear appropriate footwear (wet sand, gravel, shallow water), and come on down to the beach! To learn more about the Indian Island Marine Health Observatory, go to  www.Indianisland.info.

San Juan Islands Visitor Bureau Luncheon and Annual Membership Meeting  at the Outlook Inn, 12:30 p.m. Waiting list only,

Deer Harbor Plan Review Committee 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. at the Deer Harbor Community Center. Call 376-3199 for more information. Public is welcome. 

Thursday, May 10

Orcas Island Park & Recreation District  meets from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Station.

Cancer Support Group 5 pm; Fireside Room, Orcas Island Community Church. This is a no cost, confidential support group for anyone touched by cancer whether personally, as family member, friend, caregiver or in any other capacity. Call Bogdan or Carol @ 376-4198.

Port of Orcas Commissioners meeting 6 p.m. at the Airport conference room.  Call 376-5285 for more information.

Open Mike and Pizza Night at the Doe Bay Café Join island visitors and residents to share music, spoken word, and other performances, at 7:30 p.m. Each month a local non-profit receives $1 from each pizza sold.  May supports San Juan Preservation Trust!  Please come out to buy a pizza, enjoy the entertainment, and support a worthy cause!  The Café is open from 5 – 10 pm and Open Mic begins at 7:30 pm.  Call 376-8059 or see www.doebay.com

Friday, May 11 

Taming Technology “Is This Thing On?” computer basics at 10:30am in the Community Meeting Room of the Public Library. 376-4985.

Keary Taylor reads from her new book What I Didn’t Say  at the Orcas Island High School Commons at 6 p.m.

Orcas Island’s American Legion Steak Dinner with all the trimmings plus dessert. The dinner is open to the public and the cost is $18.00/ $10.00 for kids ten and under. This event is sponsored by the Sons of the American Legion, from 6 to 9 p.m. Proceeds go to support veteran services and the SAL’s “Shoes for Kids” project which benefits island children. The American Legion is located at 793 Crescent Beach Drive, just east of Crescent Beach outside of Eastsound. Contact George Spees @ 376-4084 or geobsjr@centurylink.ne

Deer Harbor Community Potluck at 6:30 p.m. at the Deer Harbor Community Center. Join us for our monthly community potluck, 6:30 pm, the second Friday of every month, year round. Please bring a dish to share, your place setting, and beverage. Call 376-5404.

7th annual Festival of Plays, at 7:30 p.m. at the Grange. This family-friendly event is $5 for adults and children. Tickets are available at Darvill’s, on the web at www.orcasactors.com and at the door. For additional information call Ron Herman, (831) 234-4960. 7:30 p.m. at the Grange.

Saturday, May 12

Orcas Island Cider and Mead Festival, 11 am – 4 pm @ the Eastsound Village Green the Farm to Cafeteria Program will once again be offering samplings of the finest Northwest ciders and meads! To add an Island twist, several Orcas home brews will be judged by the professionals for the coveted “Orcas Best of the Fest” award.Three bands featuring Island musicians including the infamous Bruce Harvey and the Sandfleas will be entertaining the crowd on the stage. Anyone 21 and over will be able to enter the tasting tent for a minimum $5 contribution to the Orcas Island Farm to Cafeteria Program which, along with co-organizers Ray’s General Store and Pharmacy and the Northwest Cider Association, helps produce the event.Check out the web site at www.orcasislandciderfest.org

Salmonberry School Spring Dinner and Auction at the Emmanuel Episcopal Parish Hall, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.  To purchase tickets and arrange childcare for the evening, go to: salmonberry_school_spring_dinner_and_auction

“Water Music: Rivers, Oceans and Tears” The Orcas Choral Society’s spring program. With repertoire ranging from folk songs to deep classical, the music will tell of waters that divide us, waters that are the source of life, and waters that represent life’s passages 7:30 p.m. at the Orcas Center. Tickets: $15, $5 students. Visit www.orcaschoralsociety.org. Tickets at 376-2281 or www.orcascenter.org.

7th annual Festival of Plays, at 7:30 p.m. at the Grange. This family-friendly event is $5 for adults and children. Tickets are available at Darvill’s, on the web at www.orcasactors.com and at the door. For additional information call Ron Herman, (831) 234-4960. 7:30 p.m. at the Grange.

Sunday, May 13

Orcas Angels Accepting Donations  for a Benefit Yard Sale on Saturday May 19th at Country Corner. Currently accepting softly used donations (no clothing please) on Sundays from 8am to noon or call Lori to make an appointment at 472-0626. All money raised at this event will be put back into the community of Orcas Island to help those in need.

Moran State Park Outdoor Classroom Workshop 10 am – 5 pm. Register by May 7 San Juan Nature Institute and Kwiaht with the collaboration of Friends of Moran State Park will hold a one day workshop in Moran State Park. The workshop is designed to introduce teachers, home school teachers and leaders of scouting groups to the opportunities to use the State Park as an outdoor classroom to enhance the teaching of plant sciences. Registration can be made via www.sjnature.org or by calling 378-3646. Please register by May 7 to enable us to make final arrangements. To learn more about the organizations involved please visit www.sjnature.org and www.kwiaht.org.

“Water Music: Rivers, Oceans and Tears” The Orcas Choral Society’s spring program. With repertoire ranging from folk songs to deep classical, the music will tell of waters that divide us, waters that are the source of life, and waters that represent life’s passages 2 p.m. at the Orcas Center. Tickets: $15, $5 students.  Tickets at 376-2281 or www.orcascenter.org.

7th annual Festival of Plays, at 7:30 p.m. at the Grange. This family-friendly event is $5 for adults and children. Tickets are available at Darvill’s, on the web at www.orcasactors.com and at the door. For additional information call Ron Herman, (831) 234-4960. 7:30 p.m. at the Grange.