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.

Elementary School Needs Funding (matching or otherwise) to Fix Utilities

Work was completed this month at the Orcas Island High School for the energy conservation upgrades provided by the State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction grant awarded earlier in the year. Now the Orcas School Board must decide how to “match” the awarded grant funds to pay the $150,000 costs.

“This changeover to more efficient [energy] will save us money in [heat] and water costs and have also earned us an energy incentive through OPALCO,” said Orcas Island School District Superintendent Barbara Kline.

Weather-stripping, motion-sensitive lights and water-saving fixtures have been installed. The heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) system has been retooled.

Unlike the high school, more extensive repair and renovation to the utility systems in the elementary school will require more extensive funding.

The district had applied for a grant to the State Department of Commerce for $1.5 million for HVAC and plumbing replacements in the elementary school. But Orcas did not get that grant “largely due to our inability to do a three-to-one match for the grant funds,” said District Superintendent Barbara Kline late last month.

Lieutenant Alden and the Active, circa 1852

By Tom Welch

The United States Exploring Expedition, commanded by Charles Wilkes, was the first government expression of interest in the San Juan Islands. Surveying the islands in 1841, Wilkes and the Expedition (also known as the U.S. Ex Ex) named many of our local features and landmarks. Shaw, Blakely, Decatur, Waldron, and other Islands were named in honor of heroes of the War of 1812 by Wilkes. He also named Mount Constitution for one of the successful U.S. Navy vessels in that war. Lieutenant James Alden was a member of the Expedition, on board the ‘Porpoise’, and was later active in our area in another capacity.

In 1855 James Alden was Captain of the U.S. Survey and Revenue Vessel ‘Active’, engaged in survey work for the Joint U.S.-British Boundary Commission. The ‘Active’ was a wooden-paddle steamer, converted from a schooner-rigged vessel purchased from a commercial west coast firm and refitted at Mare Island.

The Eastsound Planning and Review Committee (EPRC) holds its monthly meetings on the first Thursday of the month. This Thursday, Sept. 2, it will change locations to meet at the Eastsound Fire Hall from 3 to 5 p.m.

The agenda calls for filling empty positions, updates from County Council Members Gene Knapp and/or Richard Fralick, solid waste, Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) update, Road Transfer to Public Works, and new issues.

Chair Gulliver Rankin described the EPRC goals to create better communication with the County Council on:

• 2009/2010 priorities;
• Pending ordinances affecting Eastsound

A request to change the Uniform Development Code (UDC) to remove the airport overlay zone from the Gerard Property will be presented by Francine Shaw.

John Campbell and Lisa Byers will address the EPRC on affordable housing with the goal of understanding the context and issues of housing in Eastsound in developing a housing element.

EPRC Member Audrey Moreland will give an update on the “Streetscape” plan for Eastsound; EPRC Member Patty Miller will give an update on the “A” Street to Main Street and Mount Property stormwater treatment project.

Finally the EPRC will review 2010 priorities in light of county budget constraints and refocus on one priority.

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!

There will be a Herstory class: Women’s Perspectives in History for six weeks av ailable for girls and boys ages 9-14.

Students will learn about women in the past, while creating projects and presentations. Reading will include
interesting historical fiction and non-fiction.

The class begins September 23, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00-12:00 at the Reddick Room by the OPAL office at the corner of Enchanted Forest and Lover’s Lane. The instructor is  Didier Gincig, former classroom teacher and recreation program director.

Call or e-mail for questions or registration: 298-0362 or 376-6053; didier@earthball.com.

The San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Office would like to remind everyone that our local schools will soon be back in session.  Here are some safety tips offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help keep your children safe:

Schools will be welcoming students back to the classrooms in the coming weeks. FEMA has tips to offer for help to keep your student safe as they travel to and from school.

On the School Bus

If your child’s school bus has lap/shoulder seat belts, make sure your child uses one at all times when in the bus.

Children should:

• wait for the bus to stop before approaching it.
• not move around on the bus.
• check to see that no other traffic is coming before crossing the street to enter the bus.
• make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver.

In the Car

• All passengers should wear a seat belt and/or an age- and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat.
• Children should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly (usually when the child reaches about 4′ 9″ in height and is between 8 to 12 years of age).
• All children under 13 years of age should ride in the rear seat of vehicles.  If you must drive more children than can fit in the rear seat (when carpooling, for example), move the front-seat passenger’s seat as far back as possible and have the child ride in a booster seat if the seat belts do not fit properly without it.

Riding the Bicycle

When it comes to bike riding, remind your children to:

• Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.
• Ride on the right, in the same direction as auto traffic.
• Use appropriate hand signals.
• Respect stop signs.
• Wear bright colored clothing to increase visibility.
• Know the “rules of the road.”
• Make sure your child’s walk to school is on a safe route.
• Be realistic about your child’s pedestrian skills.  Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision.

Walking to School

Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.

By Madie Murray

Mia Kartiganer, September Farm to Cafeteria Celebrity Chef

The Farm to Cafeteria sponsored Celebrity Chef Lunch days start September 16 with Mia Kartiganer of Mia’s Cafe serving Mia’s Lasagna with Veggie’s and Fruit Dessert to all having lunch in the school cafeteria that day.   Friends and family of K-12 students, teachers and administrators are all invited and encouraged to have lunch with their kids.

Mia will be followed by Anne Garfield of Rose’s in October, Lisa Nakamura of Alium in November, Madden of The Quilted Pig at Rosario in December, Charles Dalton of The Kitchen in January, Geddes Martin of Ship Bay in February, Bobby Olmsted of Cafe Olga in March, David Mowry of Country Corner in April and Christina Orchid of Red Rabbit Farm in April.

These incredible chefs dedicate several hours of their time prior to the day of their lunch working with the cafeteria staff developing the menu and preparing the fresh local items that will be served.  Then, on the day of the lunch, they are again working hand-in-hand with the cafeteria staff to cook and personally serve the lunch to 300+ students, parents and teachers.   It is a win/win event where local, well-known chefs and community “foodies” have the opportunity to personally interface with the cafeteria staff, our public school students, teachers, administrators, parents and all who come to lunch that day.

Celebrity Chef lunches began in November of 2009 with Charles Dalton of The Kitchen being the first.  Since then it has become one of the Farm to Cafeteria stellar events.   Any Island amateur or professional chef wishing to participate in our Celebrity Chef lunches are encouraged to do so by calling the Farm to Cafeteria Coordinator Bruce Orchid at 376-2608.  The months of May and possibly early June 2011 are currently open.

Compassionate Communication:  Eight Week Series Beginning Monday September 13^th

The Orcas Island Public Library will be offering a course on “Compassionate Communication” led by Rena Patty, beginning Monday, September 13^th through Monday November 29^th, from 6-8pm.

Nonviolent Communication (NVC), also called Compassionate Communication, is based on historical principles of nonviolence — the natural state of compassion when no violence is present in the heart. With NVC we learn to hear our own deeper needs and those of others. Through its emphasis on deep listening—to ourselves as well as others—NVC helps us discover the depth of our own compassion.  NVC can be seen as both a spiritual practice that helps us see our common humanity, using our power in a way that honors everyone’s needs, and a concrete set of skills which help us create life-serving families and communities.  NVC creates a path for healing and reconciliation in its many applications, ranging from intimate relationships, work settings, health care, and social services.

This Compassionate Communication eight-week course will cover the basics of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), including learning to clarify what we are observing, what emotions we are feeling, what values we want to live by, and what we want to ask of ourselves and others.  The course will be highly interactive, with opportunity throughout each class for personal engagement and integration of new skills; optional homework with feedback will provide opportunity each week to integrate new skills into life outside of class.  There is a $70 course fee (no one turned away for lack of funds).

Nancy Southern, who holds a Masters’ Degree in Social Work and is a Personal Energy Management Coach, will offer a four-week class beginning Sept. 9 about self-sabotage behaviors.

Southern, says, “Do you have one or more self-sabotaging habits that limit your ability to have meaningful relationships, be successful in your business, solve everyday problems or realize your dreams?   Self-sabotage is usually caused by one or more of the four universal addictive patterns as defined by Angeles Arrien, PhD.:

1) Addiction to Intensity
2) Addiction to Perfection
3) Addiction to the Need to Know
4) Addiction to What’s Not Working

During this 4-week series you will zero in on which ones are holding you back and systematically reduce or dissolve their influence in various aspects of your life.

For a sample of a tapping session for the universal Addiction to Perfection, listen to an audio recording with Nancy Southern in a recent teleclass: happytapping.net/NS_Teleclass_August11_2010.mp3

Class dates are Thursdays, September 9, 16, 23, 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Deer Harbor (Directions provided when you enroll.)

Cost for the class is $150, which includes a private 1 hour session valued at $95) To register, call 360-376-4288 or email nancy@happytapping.net.

The Big Leaf Maple, planted in 1905, just needs better nutrition, arborists find

It now appears that all that’s wrong with the venerable old maple tree in front of Nellie Milton (Orcas Island) Elementary School is that it’s over-loved and thirsty!

Indicates that years of happy feet treading the ground around the 105-year-old maple have compacted the soil so thoroughly that water can’t seep down to its roots.

Plans call to loosen the soil around the tree and perhaps shelter it from “smother-love” with a fence.

A report from Olaf  Ribeiro, Ph.D. Certified Plan Pathologist and Arborist, conducted August 6 this year, concludes that the Big Leaf Maple’s “twig dieback and [poor] foilage coloration is probably… a result of dry soil conditions and/or nutrient imbalances.”

Decay previously noted on the south stem “appears to have calloused over at the presented time. ” The report finds “no signs of insects, fungus infections, sap flow…stress fracturaures…strucutral problems.. or decay. ”

However, soil examination showed that excessive amounts of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron and zinc inhibit the uptake of nutrients copper, iron, zinc, boron, calcium, magnesium. The pH is also high.

Orcas Island School District (OISD) continues to see enrollment figures climb to over 700 students, and on Thursday, Aug. 26, the OISD Board of Directors voted to approve teacher and administrative hiring to serve those students and their families.

Superintendent/High School Principal Barbara Kline told the board that enrollment was particularly high in the K-8 grades of the Orcas Alternative Student-Initiated Studies/Alternative Learning Experience (OASIS/ALE). “OASIS teachers (some of whom have been RIF’d [Reduction in Force, or laid off]), have been working this summer to be sure that all of the OASIS students have learning plans in place. This will allow us to count them all on September 1.”

“We will need to bring back the staff that we had last year and also to add more staff, particularly in OASIS. To serve this many students, we also need to add support staff to OASIS and to help with administrative tasks.”

Kline said that a minimum of seven additional teachers is needed.

Business Manager Keith brought up that there is a wide divergence of salary amounts among the low and high range of salaries.

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.

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.

Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager for the Port of Orcas, announced on Friday, Aug. 27 that geotechnical work will be performed at the Orcas Island Airport during the first full week of September.

“Some of the work requires an overnight closure of the airport on Wednesday, September 8 from 7:30 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Thursday, September 9.

“The runway, taxiway, REILS, VASI and PAPI will be turned off for the overnight work.  The beacon and helipad will remain lighted.  The helipad will be operational.

“On September 9 (Thursday), portions of the taxiway will be closed off.  Patrons may backtaxi on the runway to a crossover for access.

“On September 10 (Friday), men and equipment will remain on the operating surface to finish work on the south apron and any other work needing completion.

“A NOTAM will be issued on Monday September 6 with this same information.

“Please let me know if you have any questions. ” VonTobel may be reached at 376-5285.

By Stan Matthews
County Communications Program Manager

The County Council will review the results of the public opinion survey on solid waste services and solutions on Monday, August 30, beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Council’s hearing room in Friday Harbor. The survey report is available online through a link on San Juan County Council’s agenda page at: www.sanjuanco.com/council/displayAgenda.

“The objective of this project was to characterize county residents’ attitudes, beliefs, and values about solid waste management through a transparent, inclusive process allowing any interested resident to participate,” said Nina Rook, of Marketing Resources who designed and conducted the survey on behalf of the county.

Four thousand of the 9,000 households in the county were randomly selected to receive a survey questionnaire in the mail. A total of 1052  (26.3%) of this core group responded, and their answers and comments provided a substantial base for statistical analysis.  The results are shown in the report both county-wide and in comparisons between islands.

The report to be presented at Monday’s workshop charts community-desired services, consideration of different organizational structures, attitudes towards paying for services, and support of different budget options.

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.

The Orcas Island Community Foundation will hold its annual Report to the Community Luncheon on Wednesday, September 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Rosario Resort Discovery House. This year’s theme is The Impact of Giving, a celebration of $2 million of grants made over the past 15 years. The entire community is invited to celebrate, as this is truly a community-wide accomplishment, honoring the tradition of islanders taking care of each other.

The Community Foundation was founded in 1995 with the mission of fostering philanthropy to preserve and enhance the quality of life on Orcas. Their mission is carried out in a variety of ways:

• Donor Advised Funds — There are 21 families and groups that have Donor Advised Funds with the Foundation. Donors contribute funds to OICF, receive a tax receipt, and then advise the Foundation Board on how to distribute the funds.  Donor Advised Funds have contributed over $1,219,000 in grants to nonprofits over the past 15 years. What a remarkable gift to our community!

Program  safely disposes of excess prescription drugs

By Marta Nielson
Orcas Island Prevention Partnership Community Coalition Director

The “Medication Take Back” monthly program continues next Wednesday, September 1st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ray’s Pharmacy located in “Templin’s Square” at 68 North Beach Road in  Eastsound

The Take Back Program initiative was begun with a partnership between the San Juan Sheriff’s Office and the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition.  Ray’s Pharmacy on Orcas, Friday Harbor Drug and the Lopez Pharmacy are all joining in to help with this important program that addresses the need to have a safe way to dispose of excess prescription drugs.  The Lopez Island Prevention Coalition and Orcas Island Prevention Partnership are also helping to get the word out and encourage all Islanders to take part.

Take Back Programs are beginning nationwide to offer a safe place for citizens to dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications.  The problems surrounding the disposal of prescription drugs is two fold.  These chemicals are highly toxic to the environment when flushed or washed down the drain, but, if kept at home beyond their prescribed usage time, they can fall into the wrong hands.