Green Builder Media, an Eastsound, Wash., organization that promotes sustainable construction and "green" building techniques, was featured in the LA Times on Jan. 14 entitled, "Green is a big part of the blueprint for Pacific Palisades house."

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In January, the Doe Bay Cafe is donating one dollar of each pizza sold during its Thursday night Open Mic to the Orcas Island Food Bank. “So gather up the kids and friends and head for Doe Bay Cafe on a Thursday night in January, enjoy one or several of their delicious handmade pizzas made with local organic produce and products and know a local family will be benefiting from it, too,” said food bank board member Madie Murray.

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Islanders: prepare for an influx of athletes at the end of January. What used to be known as the “Fat Ass Race” on Orcas Island is happening again – but over two separate weekends. This year there will be a 25k Race on Saturday, Jan. 28 followed by a 50k Race on Saturday, Feb. 4.

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To all affected by the local real estate and construction industries: the real estate market is improving. We at Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands will end up 2011 a bit ahead of 2010, which was ahead of 2009 by 15 percent. Further, the 4th quarter of 2011 has been very active in both showings and sales. Many of the sales that are taking place will actually close in the first quarter of 2012 so we should be starting off the New Year comparatively well. We are also seeing increases in people making plans to come up and look at property next spring and summer.

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The new edition of “1,000 Places To See Before You Die” lists the San Juan Islands as place number 899. The Friday Harbor House and the Whale Museum made the list at number 900.

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Contributed by Cathleen McCluskey of Organic Seed Alliance. Organic Seed Alliance’s seed saving workshop for gardeners and farmers took place on a frosty fall morning last Monday at Skagit Valley Community College/WSU Extension on San Juan Island. The workshop was designed for folks of all seed saving knowledge levels, along with other organizationally created courses, is presented by OSA staff throughout the year. OSA executive director Micaela Colley presented this basic Seed Saving Workshop 101 course to a captive participatory audience of more than 20 San Juan County farmers and gardeners.

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The holidays bring a season to buy gifts and travel. Unfortunately, those activities also pose a risk to our financial security as identity fraud and theft have become commonplace. Here a few tips to avoid financial fraud.

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OPALCO is gearing up to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2012, and has planned a fun-filled year of events, activities and recognition for the OPALCO co-op family. "The history of bringing power to our rural islands is steeped in the stories of the local people who dedicated their life work to create the electric cooperative, to build the system (eventually) across twenty islands, and to continually maintain and improve the power grid and friendly offices that serve us today," said OPALCO representative Suzanne Olson. "We invite you to join us in celebrating this hard-won success story and to participate in the activities and events designed to honor the co-op family that includes each and every co-op member-owner who invested their time, money and trust over the years."

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Last year American Express designated Nov. 26 “Small Business Saturday,” a day to celebrate and support local, independently-owned small businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and invigorate neighborhoods across the country.

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The San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a free half-day workshop for small businesses and entrepreneurs on Monday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Eastsound fire hall.

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