The week ahead culminates in Independence Day celebrations

Sunday, June 28

Orcas in Bloom Garden Tour from noon – 5 pm. Six beautiful gardens to experience.  Tickets are $20 and for sale at Driftwood Nursery, Darvill’s Bookstore, Smith & Speed Mercantile and at the Farmer’s Market at the Master Gardener booth. For further information, go to: www.orcasislandgardenclub.org

The Born Learning Trail will be having an official brief opening ceremony at 1 p.m. Participants will meet at the junction of School Rd, Prune Alley and Main St. After the opening ceremonies, Trail organizers will guide people down the trail toward North Beach, stopping for snow cones at the Senior Center.

Summer volleyball – outdoors! Weekly drop-in volleyball in Eastsound Waterfront Park at 2 p.m.  To register for a 4-person team, with Wednesday games, call Orcas Rec at 376-5339, or call Hank Date at 376-5376.

Free “tapping” workshop to learn relief from persistent fatigue or pain, facilitated by Nancy Southern, MSW. Easy-to-learn technique promises to add vitality and peace of mind to everyday life. From 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Deer Harbor, call for directions. 360-376-4288 or email nancy@happytapping.net

“Waiting For MacArthur” World War II drama. Final show. The playwright, Paullette MacDougal, will be in attendance. 7:30 p.m. at the Grange. Tickets are $10 and are available at Darvill’s or at the door. The intense emotional nature of this play make it unsuitable for younger children. For additional information, contact Doug Bechtel at 317-5601 or doug@orcasactors.com.

Tuesday, June 30

Guest Chefs benefit Children’s House Cooking in the Barn series of guest lectures. 4-7 p.m. $100 per class. Call 376-4474 or go to www.OICH.org for further information.

School budget/board workshop, 5 p.m. at School Library. 376-2284

Wednesday, July 1

First Brown Bag Concert on the season. Noon. These half-hour concerts are held every Wednesday during July and August from 12 to 12:30 pm at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.  Concerts are free but donations are accepted.  This Wednesday’s concert will feature organist Marianne Lewis. Contact 376-6579.

Donor Motivation Program for Non-Profits 5-6:30 p.m. at the Outlook Inn. The Orcas Island Community Foundation invites non-profit board members, executive directors, staff and donors to this program presented on two different dates by Joe Cohen. He will explain planned giving and its significant benefits for both donors and philanthropic causes. No charge. Contact OICF at 376-OICF or hilary@oicf.us.

Thursday, July 2

Turtleback Mountain Nature Hike 1:15 to 3:30 p.m. Join Kathleen Foley of the San Juan Preservation Trust for a walk on Turtleback Mountain. For beginners or experience hikers, this is a great way to learn about the natural history of the area. Walking shoes, sunscreen and a bottle of water are essential. Meet at the South Side Parking Lot on Wild Rose Lane off of Deer Harbor Road at 1:15 pm. This walk is in collaboration with the Orcas Island Recreation Program and San Juan Nature Institute. The cost is $15. Call Orcas Rec at 376-5339 to register

EPRC Report to the Public on the Village Green 4 to 6 p.m. Representatives from various community agencies and organizations will give 3-minute presentations.

Orcas Cemetery District (Woodlawn Cemetery) meeting 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the library.

Friday, July 3

Bake Sale for Salmonberry School 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Island Market. Stop by early for the best selection.  All items are baked with care by the families of Salmonberry school, and all money raised will go to the school’s scholarship fund. Call Eliza Morris at 376-4219.

“Tons of Art” – Sculpture Art Show to run through the month of July at the Orcas Center. Opening Reception at 5:30 p.m.

Theater Camp Performance “Mask” at 6:30 p.m. $8. Young participants form with original , hand-crafted masks.

Dragonfly Dance, 8 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall.

Saturday, July 4 Independence Day

The Orcas Island Fire Department Pancake Breakfast at the Eastsound Fire Station..From 7 am to 11 am, with adults at $7 and kids (12 & under) only $5.

Orcas Island Historical Day Celebration, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Eastsound Village Green! Admission is FREE. Vendor and Traditional Craft Demonstrator spaces are still available for reservation — please call 376-4849 immediately to reserve, or pick up a form at the Orcas Historical Museum. This annual event benefits the Orcas Island Historical Museum exhibits and programs. 376-4849.

Chamber of Commerce Community Parade – Note start time moved back to 12:30 p.m. Entrants will register between 10:30 am – 11:30 am at Dr. Triplett’s office (445 Madrona St.)  Entrants are asked to sign-in by 11:30 am at the latest.  Call Chamber office at 376-2273.

The Orcas Lions Club will hold its 34^th annual Salmon BBQ at the American Legion Club in Eastsound from 1 to 7 p.m. The Lions will once again be serving ‘wild salmon’ cooked on site. The charge will be $17 for adults, $8 for children or a child’s hotdog dinner for $5. Dessert will be available at additional cost.  Reserved tickets are available at Kay’s Antiques, Cherie Lindholm Real Estate, Island Hardware, and Windermere Real Estate. Tickets will also be available at the parade on July 4^th. Carla Weston at 376-4829 or Mike Jonas at 376-5246

Fireworks above Eastsound at 10 p.m.  Curt Tronsdal has provided the barge for the fireworks. Enjoy the Orcas Community Band at Eastsound Waterfront park just prior to the show.

Sunday, July 5

Seaweed Ramble with Waldron Island resident Ryan Drum. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.The walk will go north from Camp Orkila on a beautiful beach at the intertidal zone on low tide to discover the many uses and benefits of seaweed, including medicinal, nutrition, how to harvest and preserve, therapeutic, and historical uses. Bring a lunch to enjoy on the beach and to add to the seaweed that will be sampled. For ages 9 to adult (young children require adult supervision). The cost is $25. Meet at Camp Orkila Parking Lot – call Orcas Rec to register at 376-5339.