Shop at the co-op, help the Funhouse

The Funhouse Commons is the chosen recipient of the Orcas Food Co-op’s January 3 percent Community Shopping Day Program. Three percent of sales made on Jan. 19 will be donated in support of Funhouse youth programs.

There are even more ways islanders can help: look for the “Coins for Community” box designated for the Funhouse located at the co-op register all month and consider rounding up your purchase amount to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to the Funhouse. The Funhouse thanks the Orcas Food Co-op and the Orcas community for this amazing opportunity and support.

Deadline for new ED extended

The Board of Trustees of the Orcas Center is seeking applications for the position of executive director. The deadline for applications has been extended to Feb. 1. The ED is the chief operating officer of the center, responsible for all activities including financial management, donor development and fundraising, staff and volunteer supervision, facility management, and public and board relations. The full position description and the application procedure and timing are available at www.orcascenter.org/jobs/ or may be picked up at the center’s administrative office, 917 Mount Baker Road, Eastsound. Questions may be directed to the Interim Executive Director, Margie Doyle, at 376-2281.

Kids make quilt

The Orcas Island Elementary School students, staff and community members came together to create a quilt that is currently on display in the school’s library. Each child and contributor chose a fabric to represent the spine of a book. The quilt was presented at Susan Stolmeier’s retirement from her position as reading teacher in the elementary.

Women’s Business Boot Camp

Women entrepreneurs are invited to attend the San Juan County Economic Development Council’s Women’s Business Boot Camp, a half-day workshop specifically designed to tune up existing businesses and to start new ones on Jan. 19 on Orcas Island. The workshop features speakers from the Small Business Administration, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries and the EDC. It is from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Eastsound. Reservations are required. The cost is $40 which includes lunch. Visit www.sanjuansedc.org/bootcamp.

Art show

The art show at Orcas Center is not to be missed. On display from Jan. 4 through Jan. 31, it features fine art pieces by Orcas Island artists, Mary Jane Elgin, Andrea Hendrick, Marilee Holm, Ann Jones, Heidi Lindberg, Pat Littlewood, Janis Matox, Ruthie Newman and Kathleen Youngren. All of the artists are members of Orcas Center’s Visual Arts Committee.

Celebrate MLK

Sharon Abreu and Michael Hurwicz host the annual gathering at Emmanuel Parish Hall to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to honor King’s life and legacy as a civil rights and peace activist. Bring a song, poem, thought, short story, or short reading from one of Dr. King’s speeches to share. Abreu and Hurwicz will sing and lead all who wish to participate in singing. Refreshments will be provided. Admission is free. Donations are welcome and will benefit the Orcas Island Food Bank, Emmanuel Parish Community Dinner Kitchen and the “Kids and Canoes” project. This event is co-sponsored by Emmanuel Episcopal.

Learn about greens

Is your new year resolution to get thin and/or eat healthier? Hosted by the Orcas Island Garden Club, Chris Benedict from Whatcom County Extension, Washington State University will be at the Orcas Center on Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. to explain growing baby lettuce and greens year round in the Pacific Northwest.

Watch Seahawks

Seahawks vs. Falcons, NFL playoff game, will be live on the big screen at the Sea View Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 14. Admission is free. Kickoff is at 1:35 p.m. and doors open at 12:30 p.m. The outdoor grill will be serving hamburgers, hot dogs and sausages.

Science and Spirituality

Michael Dowd is a former pastor, bestselling author and eco-theologian, whose work has been featured in many national and international publications. He will speak on Thursday, Jan. 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Parish Hall. His great joy in life is sharing a science-based message of inspiration about our sacred responsibility to future generations: Science and spirituality are not enemies; indeed, they must work together if humanity is to survive the 21st century. Email ben@backtolife.org for more information.