This Weekend: Goodbye Winter! Welcome Spring !

Friday, March 16

U.S. Congressman Rick Larsen Community Meeting,  2 pm – 3 pm at the Outlook Inn. You are invited to attend a community meeting with Congressman Rick Larsen on Friday afternoon.  Larsen represents the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Orcas Island.  He will be providing a quick update on the issues he faces in Washington, D.C.  There will also be time for questions & answers from those in attendance.   Contact the Chamber @ 360-376-2273

Pub Night at the Orcas Hotel Come enjoy island favorites Martin Lund and Gene Nery who will be playing this Friday night at the Orcas Hotel, starting at 6 p.m.  Call 376-4300.

“Red Tails” on-screen at the Seaview Theater 7:30 p.m.  To help win the World War II, the Pentagon brass has no choice but to consider the untested African-American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program. Just as the young Tuskegee men are about to be shut down and shipped back home, they are given the ultimate chance to show their courage. These intrepid young airmen take to the skies to fight for their country – and the fate of the free world. Starring: Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding, Jr.  Rated: PG- Call 376-5724.

Scottish Gaelic Music at Doe Bay Café  Dale & Judith Cummings  perform with the Celtic group Crònan, and Judith (Gaelic song, harp, fiddle, whistles, Cape Breton step‐dance) is a Scottish Gaelic speaker and winner of the Gold Medal for Traditional Singing at the Royal Scottish National Mod in 2000.  Dale Cummings (Gaelic and Scots song, guitar, Irish flute) is the winner of the Silver Pendant in Gaelic Singing at the 2003 Royal Scottish National Mod. Call 360-376-8059 for dinner reservations.    Make a night of it:  Guests with dinner reservations in the Café will get free day use passes to the spa (for use that day only)!  To make dinner reservations, please call the Café at 360-376-8059.

Saturday, March 17

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.  The parade march will assemble in the Island Market parking lot at 11:30 a.m. The Parade starts at noon  and goes north up North Beach Road. Wear green, get cookies from Wildflour Bakery and charms and pinch somebody! Music and revelry follows at the Lower Tavern. Call Tony Lee @ 376-2099.

Spring Swap Meet Celebrate Second Hand – Buy, Sell or Trade! Noon to 4 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall. If you are interested in a vendor table contact Kim at 376-4278.

“Red Tails” on-screen at the Seaview Theater 7:30 p.m.  To help win the World War II, the Pentagon brass has no choice but to consider the untested African-American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program. Just as the young Tuskegee men are about to be shut down and shipped back home, they are given the ultimate chance to show their courage. These intrepid young airmen take to the skies to fight for their country – and the fate of the free world. Starring: Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding, Jr.  Rated: PG- Call 376-5724.

Sunday, March 18

Key Club Bake Sale Orcas Island High School service club, Key Club, will sell baked goods at Island Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The funds raised will go towards their half of the cost of a park bench in the park at the corner of North Beach Road and High School Road. Key Club is partnering with its parent organization, Kiwanis Service Club, to install the bench. Kiwanis Treasurer Bill Westlake says, “The new bench will really finish the park and encourage future membership in the club.” The baked goods will be for sale by free-will donation.

Food Masters Presents “Growing Dry Beans, Grains and Other Winter Storage Crops In Your Backyard” with Krista Rome, founder of Bellingham’s Backyard Beans and Grains Project: backyardbeansandgrains.com, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at  the Odd Fellows Hall. Participants are asked to bring a dish for the Potluck Lunch. A $20 donation is requested, contact Learner Limbach foodmasters.orcas@gmail.com or 376-4048 for work trade options.

 Miss Representation will be screening at 2 p.m at the Odd Fellows. This documentary exposes how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America, and challenges the media’s limited and disparaging portrayals of women and girls. The presentation and discussion will be facilitated by Anita Castle and Julie Hagn. Event is sponsored by Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS), Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, Mia’s and The Funhouse.

Crossroads Lecture: The Future of the Book University of Pennsylvania professor, Stephen Kobrin, will speak on the ways the digital revolution changes the way information is encoded and transmitted, how books are published and how readers acquire them. 2 pm at Orcas Center. Kobrin will speculate about the future of both publishing and book distribution. Tickets are $10 and available at Darvill’s Bookstore, online at www.orcascrossroads.org or at the door. Some complimentary tickets are available in advance at the Senior Center.

Shakespeare Event for Kids, from 2 – 3 pm at Darvill’s Bookstore. This event promises reading, acting, fun and treats! Hosted by Audrey, Lynne, & Jane Alden.  376-2135.

History Matinee: Storytelling with Cal McLachlan,  3 pm at the Orcas Senior Center. Orcas Island Historical Museum features storytelling by Deer Harbor native Cal McLachlan, born in 1926 on his family’s Pole Pass property, and taught at Anacortes Junior High School for 30+ years. Finger food and refreshments served. Admission:  donation at the door. Call 376-4849.