May 17th, 2012, by Margie Doyle
Sunday, May 27, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Liberty Garden ( across the street from the Eastsound Saturday Market)
From Learner Limbach, FoodMasters
Come spend an inspiring and informative day of hands-on learning about home mushroom cultivation.
This year you will get to create a bulk substrate of Pearl Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) & Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) mycila.
Each participant will walk away with their own substrate to grow at home (your choice of either Shitake or Oyster) and all the knowledge to do so!
As this class is likely to fill up, I am asking that people pre-register. Please contact me if you would like to register for the class.
If time permits, we will have a short demonstration of how to use Myco remediation to deal with potential contaminants on your land.
Cost is $35. Limited scholarships and/or trade opportunities are available by inquiry at foodmasters.orcas@gmail.com
May 17th, 2012 |
May 16th, 2012, by Margie Doyle
Joan Roulac will teach an eight-week T’ai Chi Chih series beginning June 4 at the Orcas Senior Center. This series introduces a late-afternoon class.
T’ai Chi is an ancient flowing Chinese practice that cultivates, stimulates, and balances our vital life force energy so effectively that Harvard Health Letter refers to T’ai Chi movement as “medication in motion.”
A free T’ai Chi Chih introductory class will be offered Monday June 4th at 11 a.m. in the Lundeen Room.
“Students have many different reasons for exploring my classes,” says Roulac, who has been teaching T’ai Chi Chih for 25 years. “Every one wants the same four things: Better Balance, Strength, Flexibility & Peace of Mind.
“Students love receiving many essential benefits from this simple daily practice including more abundant:
- flow
- peace
- vitality
- balance
- strength
- flexibility
- tranquility
- happiness”
The 8-Week Summer Series runs:
Mondays June 4 ~ July 23
11:00am ~ Level 1 ~ Fee $90
1:30pm ~ Level 2 ~ Fee $90
5:30pm ~ Level 1&2 ~ Fee $126
To contact Roulac, call 376.6336 + chiworks4me@gmail.com
May 16th, 2012 |
May 16th, 2012, by Margie Doyle
Wednesday, May 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the Orcas Senior Center
Want to feel good about the youngsters of today? Come to the Senior Center when you’re hungry tonight for dinner!
The Orcas Fur and Feathers 4-H Club will serve their annual dinner tonight, under the direction of Kathy Thompson, for the enjoyment of the public.
The menu calls for a creamy corn soup, local green salad with yummy garnishes, roast chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh vegetables and a rhubarb dessert.
The cost is $5 for kids and seniors and $10 for adults.
May 16th, 2012 |
May 15th, 2012, by Martin Taylor
A lighter moment during practice on Saturday
By Martin Taylor
Orcas Island junior rowing club is very close to the end of another season — just one more practice then they are off to NW Regionals on Vancouver Lake, Vancouver, Wash. on Thursday.
This event is very exciting –three days of intense racing against the best junior rowers in the Northwest, many of them with hopes of medaling and if they come in the top two in varsity events qualifying for Nationals three weeks later in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Despite being the smallest club attending the regatta, Orcas has high hopes of sending one or two crews to Nationals.
So please share the excitement with us. Send us good wishes. Stop us in the street or at the market.
Follow their blog for live updates from the course throughout NW Regionals. They will be very busy. Probably burnt to a crisp from the sun and the adrenaline. But we will keep up the news from the event at the club’s web site.
Wish them luck and share the excitement!
May 15th, 2012 |
May 14th, 2012, by Madie Murray
Esther Doss with her watercolor, pen and ink “Mermaid” currently showing at the Student Art Show at Orcas Center.
…as well as brisket, a band and a bus!
By Madie Murray
Some of the finest art comes from young minds and hearts, and the Food for Thought Benefit on May 26 will have some of the best available for you to own.
This year, the Orcas Island Education Foundation’s major fundraiser for our public schools is a “Picnic By The Sea” at Four Winds Camp. Tickets are only $40 per person or $75 per couple. Enjoy great barbequed brisket, hamburgers, veggie options, all the delicious sides, and desserts. Beer, wine and lemonade will be available and toe-tapping music provided by the incomparable JP and the OK Rhythm Boys.
Your ticket includes free childcare at the Camp during the picnic if you need it, and a free ride! If you don’t want to drive, a school bus will be waiting for you in front of the school at 5:30 p.m. so you don’t have to spend gas to get there…just leave the driving to us! The event starts at 6 and the bus will take you back to the school on or before 9 p.m.
Emma Minnis artfully creates a porcelain fish mobile
“We wanted to make it as easy, affordable and fun as possible this year,” says OIEF President, Janet Brownell. “We also want everyone to see what amazing things our public school students create.”
Many of the student creations available to purchase with donations to OIEF are currently being shown at the Orcas Center in the Student Art Exhibit. Also, noted Island artists are contributing their time working with several classrooms to create ocean-inspired artifacts for the event. There will be paddle raises to benefit school programs.
“Our school is facing the most severe cutbacks created by the lack of government funding it has ever had to endure. OIEF is committed to maintaining the excellent programs our schools offer, and the funds we raise at this event is a huge part of our committed dollars to make it happen,” says Brownell.
• Tickets may be purchased online at www.oief.org/events.html, at Darvill’s or at the Elementary School office.
• To reserve your seat on the bus, contact Cathy Ferran at 376-1500.
• For childcare, contact Michelle Reed at 376-8815.
May 14th, 2012 |
May 14th, 2012, by Margie Doyle
From the San Juan Islands Conservation District
Soil Challenge: Two Categories!
1) Spring 2012 – Follow-up Testing
This category of testing is limited to those who submitted samples to be tested in the Fall of 2011 and showed deficient fertility. Limit one test per landowner. Only 20 tests in total for this category for the Spring testing will be sent to the lab.
Cost is $5 per test for shipping and handling. The San Juan Islands Conservation District (SJICD) will provide cost share for the additional $34. We have limited funds for this category so first in, first served! The Test Request Form may be downloaded from our website – www.sanjuanislandscd.org.
2) Spring 2012 – New Testing
Testing for those who DID NOT TEST in the of Fall 2011. Limit one test per landowner. Cost is $39 per test. The normal cost is $59 for this test and agronomist recommendations. Our original Fall testing deal was not offered by the lab this time and this is the best deal we could get! The Test Request Form may be downloaded from our website – www.sanjuanislandscd.org.
The Challenge
- Have you ever tested your soil?
- Have you made changes since last fall?
- How fertile is your soil now?
- How does it compare with previous tests?
- Other landowners?
The only way to know if you are managing your soil well is to begin with a soil test. Results are emailed to you and the best improved results will be posted at the San Juan County Fair!
How to Participate:
- Soil samples must be taken between May 15th – June 21st.
- Re-tests should be from the same area testing in Fall 2011.
- New tests should be from an area of interest that is in production or will be this year-for example, a pasture, a market garden, or an orchard.
- Drop-off samples, test request form & check at the San Juan Islands Conservation District, 540 Guard Street, Friday Harbor, WA or WSU Extension Office, 221 Weber Way, #LL, Friday Harbor.
Make checks made payable to San Juan Islands Conservation District. All samples will be sent to AgSource Cooperative Services Laboratory. The same lab will be used for all tests. Results will be emailed and presented at the 2012 San Juan County Fair in August.
Deadline for Spring Soil Sample Submissions – June 21.
Sponsored by AgSource Cooperative Services Laboratory, Umatilla, Ore., The San Juan Islands Conservation District, Friday Harbor, Washington State University, San Juan County Extension.
For more information, call 360-378-6621 or visit the office at 540 Guard Street, #150 in Friday Harbor, check our web site at www.sanjuanislandscd.org or email us at info@sanjuanislandscd.org
May 14th, 2012 |
May 14th, 2012, by Lin
by Lesley Liddle
Lesley Liddle is a certified service and pet dog trainer. First Mate Lulu is a Corgi/Red Heeler with spots like a baby harbor seal; Crewman Leonard is a Chihuahua/Doxie with tall ears like a rabbit. Both dogs have very short legs and were originally found in California shelters. Lesley has average legs and can be found on Orcas Island.
I agree with Caesar that a well grounded dog must know his place in the family hierarchy, but I’m not certain that it must always be beneath all human members. It just depends on the dog and the situation.
I have a story to tell that supports my thinking. When my brother and I were very small we lived next door to a doctor who owned a pair of unaltered adult male german shepherds named Baron and Bart. They were always free and visited us daily. My mother explained to us that Baron and Bart were older and very wise. We were always to respect them. We therefore both considered them our elders and came to love them deeply. The two dogs met us after school and played what we thought was “football”, with them tackling us and us chasing them all over the yard depending on which team got the ball. They knew how to settle us down when we got too wild but they never hurt us. Sometimes they just sat with us and we talked. Baron and Bart were gentle but firm teachers and companions; Baron was Bart’s father and he was our master teacher. The dogs kept us in our yard and I suppose mother used them as babysitters. When the doctor came home in the evening they immediately left to greet him.
Sometimes it is appropriate for a wise dog to look after a small child in a protective sense, and that dog has an elevated status. I am thinking about the dog that learns to stand fast and keep an autistic child from bolting, or a guide dog that stops his blind partner from hitting a low hanging beam or the assistance dog who wakes the parents of a child having a seizure. These dogs are mature and have learned to monitor and take charge in certain situations, even to disobey their human companion if necessary. There are many documented stories of dogs who have been capable of thinking on their own at critical times and acting with great heroism. These are not dogs that should or need to be at the bottom of our pecking order. My brother and I learned to love, respect and value our wise canine companions. We learned to be very grateful for their watchful, devoted presence, and we learned never to treat a dog in a disrespectful or humiliating way.
May 14th, 2012 |
May 14th, 2012, by Margie Doyle
From San Juan County Department of Emergency Management
Learn about the assessments of wildfire risk and the wildland urban interface of San Juan County. Discuss YOUR priorities for how our community can best mitigate these risks.
The planning committee would like to provide the opportunity for meaningful discussions among community members and local, state, and federal government representatives regarding their priorities for local fire protection and land management.
Public input is being sought to better understand the vulnerability of County residents, businesses, and resources to wildfire. The purpose of this plan is to promote awareness of the countywide wildland fire hazard and propose workable solutions to reduce the wildfire risk.
- Shaw Island – May 21st 5:30 pm at the Community Center
- Friday Harbor – May 22nd 5:30 pm at 1011 Mullis street
- Waldron Island – May 23rd 11:00am at the Post Office
- Orcas Island – May 23rd 5:30 pm at 45 Lavender Lane, Eastsound (Meet & Greet 4 pm – 5 pm)
- Lopez Island – May 24th 5:30 pm at 2228 Fisherman Bay Road
These public meetings will address the Community Wildfire Protection Plan and Wildfire Risk Assessment being developed for San Juan County. The planning committee is working on:
- Mapping the Wildland Urban Interface in San Juan County.
- Improving public awareness and educating the public about wildfire risk.
- Evaluating strategies for landowners to lessen wildfire potential.
- Addressing areas of inadequate fire protection.Recommending risk mitigation projects.
These meetings are open to the public and will include slideshow presentations by wildfire specialists and local personnel working to develop these plans.
For more information on the Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the Wildfire Risk Assessment, contact your local Fire Department or Brad Tucker with Northwest Management, Inc. at (208) 883-4488 ext. 123
May 14th, 2012 |
May 14th, 2012, by Leonie Van Gelder
By Leonie Van Gelder
Nawang Khechog, Grammy nominated Tibetan Musician will be gifting the Orcas community with a free concert at Indralaya on Saturday, June 2, 2012.
Nawang will also be facilitating a workshop called “Awakening Kindness May 31-June 3 at Indralaya. For more information, please contact Indralaya at indralaya@indralaya.org or 360-376-4526, or www.indralaya.org
May 14th, 2012 |
May 13th, 2012, by Margie Doyle
Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
“If you would like to know how some of your space exploration tax dollars are being spent and what we are learning from those endeavors,” take advantage of a National Air and Space Administration (NASA) presentation by one of NASA’s Space Ambassadors, Ward Yohe. He will make his presentation on May 18-19 at Doe Bay. He says, “Some of the imagery I have to share is fantastic… and I always make time for questions.
“I have not encountered an upper age limit for people who are eager to learn about space, regardless of background, profession, and interests.”
Doe Bay has invited a middle school group (taught by Phil Carter) to come out for the Friday presentation, as they are studying space this term.
Since 2005, Ward Yohe has been a certified volunteer NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Solar System Ambassador (SSA). This is a public outreach program designed to increase awareness of our Solar System and the many robotic and human missions we are using to conduct exploration.
Doe Bay’s Jamie Mitchell says, “What an incredible opportunity to host this guy!”
Yohe says: “There are always new and exciting photos and information to share as we continually explore our Solar System. A taste of new information I will have to share includes:
- New images and data are being received from the Messenger spacecraft orbiting Mercury.
- The STEREO mission has given us a complete 3D view of a solar flare on its 93 million mile journey from the Sun to the Earth.
- The Mars Opportunity rover has reached Endeavour crater after a long cross-desert journey… effectively starting an entirely new Martian mission;
- The DAWN spacecraft has gone into orbit around the giant asteroid Vesta using an advanced ion propulsion system;
- The Juno spacecraft is on its multi-million mile journey to Jupiter;
- Twin GRAIL spacecraft are on their way to our own Moon;
- The Curiosity Mars Science Laboratory Rover is being prepared for launch;
- The Kepler space telescope has discovered over 1,000 planets orbiting other stars;
- The space shuttle completed building the International Space Station (ISS);
- US Astronauts are in orbit around the earth right now working with other countries conducting research on the ISS;
- A private American company, Space X, will soon launch its first cargo flight to the ISS in a space ship that will be able to carry humans in the near future;
- NASA is building and testing it’s next crewed deep space vehicle and rocket that will carry humans far beyond low Earth orbit;
- New photos and data continue to pour in from the Cassini mission orbiting Saturn nearly a billion miles away;
- The Voyager 2 spacecraft has left our Solar System and continues to send data on its 3+ decade mission.
Teachers should know that the presentation encompasses state Science Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs or “eelers”). Yohe says, “While there is not enough time for a deep conversation on all of these topics, one can not discuss the makeup and exploration of the Solar System without covering the structure of matter, energy transfer, systems, applications, physics, earth and space science, evolution, energy and research, etc.
The presentations will be held at the Doe Bay Resort Yoga Studio at 107 Doe Bay Road.
For more information about the SSA program go to http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/
May 13th, 2012 |
Frank and Jan Loudin 
Terrel Kaplan 
Carol Owens 
Harry Patton 
Bill G. 
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Correction on contact for child care – Please contact Barbara Skotte at 376-3930. Thanks!