Artist Harold Cohen will begin the 2010-2011 Crossroads Lecture Series

The Orcas Crossroads Lecture Series announces its 2010-11 season of lecture events.  Now in its fourth season, Crossroads offers diverse topics, of local and global relevance, explored by expert speakers of some renown.  All lectures will be held at Orcas Center and followed by a question and answer period and a public reception with the speaker.

The series begins with acclaimed visual artist Harold Cohen, exploring the topic Computers, Cognition and Creativity in the Visual Arts on Sunday, September 26 at 2 p.m.  Cohen has developed a computer program, named Aaron, to create art.

Art by Harold Cohen

The second fall lecture is by Louis E. Wolcher, on Sunday, October 10 at 2 p.m.  Author and  Professor of Law at the University of Washington, Wolcher’s topic is The Meaning of Justice in the World Today.

A nationally recognized authority on ecosystem management, Gloria Flora will speak on the topic From Depletion to Sustainability on Friday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m.

Richard Fadem will offer a literature class this fall focusing on the novel Daniel Deronda, by George Eliot. The class will meet on Thursdays, 10:00-12:30 at the Senior Center, from September 30th until November 18^th.  The Oxford World Classics edition, available at Darvill’s, will be used for the class.

Registration will begin after Labor Day at the Senior Center. The fee for this class is $25, payable by check to Ruthie Newman at the first class. As always, any surplus will be donated to the high school’s college scholarship or English program.

According to Richard Fadem: “George Eliot is a great English writer and in the 19th century second as a novelist only to Dickens. But as a novelist she is very nearly unique because she is first of all an intellectual who happens also to be a superb imaginative writer. Her thought as much as her imagination permeates her fiction.  She read widely in philosophy, history, and of course literature and she possessed a brilliant mind.

“Everything George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) has written is exceptional in its intelligence and understanding.

Jumpstart! Classes: Hybrid Forms with Nance Van Winckel   panels and evening event  still open

The Orcas Island Writers Festival is fast approaching — it’s third annual festival will take place September 17-19, 2010. The Festival was born in 2008, the brainchild of writer Barbara Lewis, as “a way to enrich and connect readers and writers through classes, lectures, workshops, and the natural beauty of Orcas Island,” says Lewis, who continues as the Festival Director.

It is distinguished among writers festivals as one that focuses on the art and craft of writing, rather than the process and techniques of publishing. “Our festival creates an environment for focus and energy, designed to bring the writer – whether a novice writer or experienced author – to deeper, more effective, and more fulfilling expression,” says Lewis

Festival events will again take place in Eastsound venues. This year the Writers Festival  faculty is from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, which Poets and Writers Magazine called the top low-residency writing program in the country. David Jauss and Sue Silverman teach the workshops (which had one opening as of this week)  and Nance Van Winckel, will again teach the Jumpstart!

Jeff Berryman, author of "Arthur, the Begetting," comes to Orcas next weekend

Seattle playwright, actor and published author Jeff Berryman will visit Orcas to attend the closing night performance of his play, Arthur: The Begetting on September 12th at the Grange.  Mr Berryman will be available after the performance to answer questions about the play and playwriting.

Berryman continues work his Arthur cycle: Arthur: The Begetting, and Arthur: The Hunt, the first two plays in the projected seven-play project, have both been professionally produced in Seattle, and, Arthur: The Begetting was featured as part of the Jean Cocteau Theatre’s New Classics Series in New York.

His other plays include The Catacombs of Texas, The Carrolls of Queen Anne, The Crèche Collector, The Question of Bethlehem, When Comes the Way, Postmodern Art, and The Little Guy.

The Orcas Island Camera Club (OICC) show this year is called “Orcas Eyes.” This third annual OICC show is at Orcas Center and runs through September.

The show is an opportunity for the club to share their work with the community.  Images will be shown throughout the lobby and Madrona room.

There will be an opening reception starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday September 3rd at Orcas Center. The reception is a party and a chance to meet some of the photographers and enjoy the images in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. You can catch the show through the end of September during normal Orcas Center open hours and during live performances at the center. See www.orcascenter.org for open hours, performance schedules and to order tickets for live performances.

OICC is a thriving club full of enthusiastic photographers running the gamut from beginner to veteran professionals and academics. It is a place where photographers can get together to share their passion. If you are interested in photography and would like to meet others of a like mind go to one of the OICC meetings.

Monday, August 30

Orcas Island Library Board of Trustees Executive Board meeting from 9:30  to 12:30 p.m. in the library conference room. There will be an open meeting from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.

Tuesday, August 31

Wednesday, September 1

“Medication Take Back” monthly program  from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ray’s Pharmacy in Eastsound

Thursday, September 2

Eastsound Planning Review Committee monthly meeting 3 p.m. at the Senior Center.

Friday, September 3

“Orcas Eyes” Photography opening at Orcas Center. Meet the artists and tour the exhibit at the opening reception at 5:30 p.m.

Actors Theater production of Arthur, the Begetting opens at the Grange. Plays this Friday and Saturday and next weekend through Sept. 12. All performances will be at 7:30 pm at the Grange. Due to some minor violence and mild sexual references this play may not be suitable for very young children. Tickets are $10 and are available at Darvill’s Book Store, on-line at www.orcasactors.com or at the door. For additional information contact Doug Bechtel at 317-5601.

Saturday, September 4

“Arty Party” Benefit and Silent Auction to benefit Dorothy Austin will be held  from 6 to 10 p.m.

Crowd-waving preceded the dancing as the Orcas Rec benefit concert began at the Village Green on Saturday

Updated Aug. 30

The “Cherry Cherry Band” regaled Orcas Islanders with a Neil Diamond-style concert on the Stage at the Village Green on Saturday late afternoon.

While many concert-goers brought their own chairs, most were up and swaying, rocking, dancing or jumping to the music.

The band came from Seattle at no charge, in order that the Orcas Rec program could derive the most benefit from the donations. Linda Sheridan, Orcas Rec Coordinator, was pleased with the turnout and the donations, which totaled around $1,000.

"Acrobatic" father-son dancing at the "Cherry Cherry Band" benefit for Orcas Rec

Along with lead singer Steve Kelly leading Neil Diamond favorites “Sweet Caroline,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “I Am, I Said,” the band played rock-era and funk favorites, “Under the Boardwalk,” and “Play that Funky Music, White Boy.” Couples slow-danced to the Boys Town anthem, “He Ain’t Heavy — He’s My Brother.”

A craft table was set up to make necklaces and other adornments, while kids tripped barefoot through the crowd, tossed balls around, climbed over each other, nibbled on ice cones, pizza and other treats provided by local vendors, (also to benefit Orcas Rec), or occasionally circulated with donation canisters during the show.

An “Arty Party” Benefit and Silent Auction will be held Saturday, September 4th, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Odd Fellows Hall, Eastsound. The event was organized to help raise funds for further breast cancer treatment for Dorothy Austin – artist, longtime art patron and environmentalist, and mom to Pearl.

The many artists who have contributed work for the Silent Auction include: Pete Welty, Kandis Susol, Susan Slapin, Laura Sindell, Buster Simpson, Susie Shipman, Penny Sharp, Laurel Rust, Joan Rorabaugh, David Ridgway, River Jim Rorabaugh, Tom Rierden, Maria Papademetriou, Susan Osborn, Orcas Island Pottery, Lana Hickman, James Hardman, Marguerite Greening, Ron Glassett, Carol McKinstry, Kate Geddes, Scott Gianola, Peter Fisher, Spirit Eagle, David Densmore, Joe Ciskowski, Margarette Brand, Sadie Bailey, Carol Anderson, and more.

The auction will also include gift certificates for goods, food, and services offered by Eastsound merchants and other generous community members, including: Chimayo Restaurant, Faraways Boutique, Jack and Jan Helsell, Driftwood Nursery, Mia’s Cafe, Ellen Helsell, Kandis Susol, Crescent Beach Kayaks, Crescent Beach Computers, Kim Secunda, Lisa’s Pies and Cakes, Michael Mitchell, Luann Pamatian,  Samara Shaw, Bradley and Julia Dobos, Christopher Evans, Dr. Stephen Bailey, and more.

Steve Braun Memorial Triathlon will be held on Sunday September 5^th. This is the 12 annual triathlon in memory of Steve Braun, island athlete, “and since the County is closing Orcas Rec Nov 1^st it could be the last,” says Linda Sheridan, Orcas Recreation Program Coordinator.

The pre-race talk starts at 8:30 a.m.  and the race begins around 9 a.m. Participants can do one of the three legs — swimming, biking or running — of the race and/or participate as a team. The race is a .4 mile swim in Cascade Lake, a 17 mile bike out to Doe Bay and back, and a 3.5 mile run around Cascade Lake.

Cost for the race is $45 pre-registration for triathletes; $35 individuals (1 or 2 events or team member); $30 under 18
After September 3^rd, add $10 late fee.

The course is a .4 mile swim in Cascade Lake, a 17-ile bike ride, and a 3.5 mile trail run.Individuals can participate in one, two, or three parts of the triathlon or  can participate as a team.

Entry forms are available at the Orcas Rec.

The Orcas Island Public Library will be offering some wonderful classes for islanders this coming fall.

• Beginning in September, Rena Patty will be teaching an eight week course, “Compassionate Communication”.
• Kathi Ciskowski will lead “My Back Pages, Getting Started in Genealogy and Family History”, focusing on using the Orcas Library’s Database, Ancestry.com.
• In October, Kim Middleton will be back with her very popular Intermediate Birding Course, this time focusing on “Over-wintering and Backyard Birds”.
• Also in October, Jane Alden will begin a course on  Shakespeare’s play “Antony and Cleopatra”.

Other classes will be announced as they are scheduled.  Individual information will be available in the coming weeks and all classes are held at the library.

For more information please phone Kathy Lunde, 376-4985, or visit the library to sign up.

Friday, Aug 27

Music Lovers Seminars: Quintessential Quintets 10 a.m. to noon at St. Francis Catholic Church. Tickets $30 for both Thursday and Friday. 376-6636.

Quintessential Quintets concert with the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. 7:30 p.m. at the Orcas Center, followed by a Nightcap Reception. Order online at www.oicmf.org or call OICMF office 376-6636.

Journey Stories film: Ken Burns’ documentary film, Horatio’s Drive: America’s First Road Trip… at 6:30 pm at the West  Sound Community Hall. Admission is free. (This film will also be shown on Thursday, Aug. 26)

Carolyn Cruso and Grace McCune perform together at the Madrona Bar & Grill from 9-midnight.

Saturday, August 28

Kathryn Thurman will read from "A Garden for Pig" on Saturday, Aug. 28

Orcas Island Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eastsound Village Green.

Orcas Center Golf Tournament –  a fun, fundraiser at the Island golf course.  This year’s event will have something for everyone – serious golfers can start in the morning and play 9 or 18 holes.  Then, for less (and non-) serious golfers, we have an afternoon of fun golfing including T-ball and Marshmallow holes over 9 holes.  The Lower Tavern is providing Burgers and Brew for all participating golfers.

Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival Founder and Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann and Artistic Advisor Jon Kimura Parker, at the inaugural festival in 1998.

The Quintessential Quintets concerts will bring to a close the 2010 Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival season. In the performances on Friday, Aug. 27 and Saturday, Aug. 28, the talents of classical guitarists Eliot Fisk and his wife Zaira Meneses, of the Miró Quartet, and of Chamber Festival musicians – violinists Chee-Yun and Martin Chalifour, cellist Toby Saks, violist Aloysia Friedmann and pianist John Kimura Parker will be employed.

At a talk given to Music Lovers Seminar attendees this week, classical guitarist Eliot Fisk said, “I’m in complete awe of what’s been created at the Orcas Chamber Music Festival. We’ve been to many music festivals, and we’ve never experienced anything like the seamless organization, but also the humanity, warmth and generosity we’ve found here. It’s not just important for the art of music, but in the bigger picture.

“We’ve traveled a lot and spent a lot of time outside the U.S. , and we appreciate the uniquely American aspect of this festival.

Lori Fast artwork features the human form. It will be on display through September at the Artworks in Olga

The Orcas Island Artworks features figurative drawings in pastel and charcoal by Lori Fast through the month of September.

A former ballet dancer, Lori’s work captures a sense of movement and the energy of the human body.  Much of her inspiration is drawn from travels across Europe, Russia, Canada and the US, sketching from life to quickly capture a gesture or mood. Since moving to Orcas in 2006, she creates new works daily. “The ever changing beauty of this place constantly ignites my passion for creativity.”

The Artworks is open daily from 10 to 6.

Valerie Buxbaum, playing Igraine, entreats Gaius, played by Freddy Hinkle in Arthur, The Begetting, playing the first two weekend in September

Arthur, The Begetting opens at the Grange Sept. 3

The Actors Theater of Orcas Island announces five performances of Arthur, The Begetting by Seattle playwright and actor, Jeff Berryman. This powerful play is the first in a series of plays retelling the story of King Arthur.

Valerie Buxbaum portrays Igraine, Queen of Dumonia and  furutre mother of King Arthur. The play follows Igraine  from the day of her marriage to Teyrnon, King of Cornwall, played by Zack Knight, to a time twelve years later when Ambrosius, the warlord who has briefly united Britain after the retreat of the Romans, has been murdered. The assailant is unknown and suspicions are flying among the competitors for his vacant throne.

Igraine has visions that convince her that she will have a son (Arthur) who will be the High King who will unite Britain.  Igraine struggles to understand conflicting and unclear visions of who is to be the father of the coming child; besides her husband Teyrnon,  she considers Emrys Powys, played by Indy Zoeller, and Uther Pendragon, played by Evan Buxbaum, who are also vying for the vacant throne.

Zaira Meneses and her husband, Eliot Fisk, will be featured at the Fandango concerts Tuesday and Wednesday nights

Orcas~trations: Fandango! Concerts Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at the Chamber Music Festival

The Orcas~trations: Fandango! concerts of the 2010 Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival,  present a “Wagnerian” type program in terms of length and variety, says OICMF Founder and Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann.  Featured artists Eliot Fisk and Zaira Meneses, as well as the Miró Quartet, have been “extraordinarily generous” in their festival participation this year, so that “at this festival, everyone gets so much music. But because of the variety, it won’t seem long,” says Aloysia.

Eliot Fisk is the last direct pupil of legendary classical guitarist Andrés Segovia, who praised Fisk as “at the top line of our artistic world.”  Fisk also holds all reproduction rights to Segovia’s music, given to him by Segovia’s wife, Emilia. He is one of the world’s greatest classical guitarists and entertainers, and his wife, Zaira Meneses is “a brilliant guitarist in her own right,” says Aloysia.

Closing the Emmanuel Parish Brown Bag concert series at noon on Wednesday, August 25 will be Martin Lund and guests.

Also featured will be Mackie Blackburn and Robin Gropp, who will play their violins. Mackie, who will be a senior this fall at Orcas High School, received the Virgil Cleveland Memorial Scholarship this year, and attended the Seattle Youth Symphony Marrowstone Music Camp in Bellingham. This scholarship is funded by donations at the Brown Bag Concerts.

Martin Lund is a versatile composer, arranger, and musician who plays many instruments including piano, flute, saxophone, clarinet, accordion, in many styles, including classical, jazz, blues, rock and country.  He spent over 20 years in Los Angeles playing a variety of music in radio and television.

Martin is regularly featured in productions at the Orcas Center and every year hosts local musicians in his One World Music concerts, benefiting the Fun House.

The Music Committee of Emmanuel Parish thanks all the artists who have generously contributed their musical talents this summer to the Brown Bag series, making this annual scholarship possible.

Monday, August 23

Music Lovers Seminars: Orcas~trations: Fandango! 10 a.m. to noon at St. Francis Catholic Church. Tickets $30 for both Monday and Tuesday lectures. 376-6636.

Tuesday, August 24

Music Lovers Seminars: Orcas~trations: Fandango! 10 a.m. to noon at St. Francis Catholic Church.

Eastsound Sewer and Water District meeting 4:30 p.m. at the east side of Airport, at end of Cessna Lane.

Orcas Fire District Commissioners meeting 7:30 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall.  Call 376-2331 for more information.

Orcas~trations: Fandango! Concert with the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. 7:30 p.m. at the Orcas Center, followed by a Nightcap Reception. Order online at www.oicmf.org or call OICMF office 376-6636.at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, August 25

Martin Lund and Friends at the final Brown Bag Concert noon at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Eastsound. Free, donations welcome.

Orcas~trations: Fandango! Concert with the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. 5 p.m. at the Orcas Center, followed by a Nightcap Reception. Order online at www.oicmf.org or call OICMF office 376-6636.at 7:30 p.m.

Sustainable Orcas Island meeting 5:30 p.m. at the Public Library.  Call 376-4985 and speak with Phil for more information.

Thursday, August 26

Music Lovers Seminars: Quintessential Quintets 10 a.m.

(Note: Due to some confusion about the dates, this event will be held both Thursday Aug. 26 AND Friday, Aug. 27)

Updated Aug. 23

The Orcas Island Historical Museum presents its final event of the Journey Stories season: a screening of Ken Burns’ documentary film, Horatio’s Drive: America’s First Road Trip… at 6:30 p.m. on both Thursday, August 26 and  Friday, August 27 at the West  Sound Community Hall. Admission is free.

The film chronicles the “simultaneously inspirational and hilarious saga” of Horatio Nelson Jackson, who, inspired by a $50 bet, embarked on the first transcontinental US journey by automobile in 1903. Traveling in a very early vehicle on nonexistent roads, his trip was filled with calamity and adventure, and was a catalyst in spurring on the great era of automobile travel that was to follow.

The story epitomizes the American urge to mobility that is the theme of the Smithsonian’s Journey Stories exhibit, which will finish its stay at the Orcas Island Historical Museum on Sunday, August 29^th. Journey Stories is made possible on Orcas Island by Humanities Washington.

Movie munchies will be served.

For information, call the Museum at 376-4849.

Helping Hands Noramise Director Rosedanie Cadet holds some of the artwork that will be sold at Millie's Antiques and Collectibles this week

Helping Hands Noramise (HHN), via directorRosedanie Cadet, is going to be showing the art of Tambour Creole Collective in Limbé, Haiti beginning Monday, August 23rd and continuing through Sunday, August 29th at Millie’s Antiques And Collectibles adjacent to the Kitchen in Eastsound.

The town of Limbé sits about 22 kilometers away from Haiti’s northern shore. Though it was far from the January earthquake that devastated the southern regions, the town has experienced a major shake-up in the wake of the quake. Towns like Limbé, with a population of roughly 50,000 people, have seen their populations swell by as much as 30 percent, as the sons and daughters who went to find work in Port-au-Prince now return home.  In disaster’s wake, a tenuous balance has been tipped for towns with an already-shaky infrastructure.  Lack of adequate sanitation, clean water, and food were already issues in Limbe before the quake, and the problems are only compounded now.

Last in a series of articles
By Brigid Ehrmantraut

Saturday was the last day of the San Juan County Fair!  Everyone is very tired and pleased with themselves. The main events centered on culmination: the Small Animal Round Robin, 4-H livestock and still-life auctions and the 4-H awards.  The champion chicken race winner was Margot Van Gelder from Orcas!

Small Animal Round Robin was won by:  senior, Mackenzie Brown; intermediate, Brigid Ehrmantraut (yes, me); and junior, Hanna Howard.  The overall high point belt buckle was won by Mackenzie Brown, though all were within a few points of each other.  Past winners Grace Thompson and Kelsey Guyer (both from Orcas) judged this year, as did Lopez poultry expert Tyler Cochran, who is finishing his last year of 4-H.

The livestock auction went well, but without as many bidders as usual or as many entries.  I think that over all however, prices were up from last year. My chicken eggs went for about $150, which seemed about the mean for eggs.