Bite of Orcas: This weekend’s food event benefits Wolf Hollow, a non-profit that cares for sick and injured wildlife
Published 6:33 pm Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Whether you are a foodie or just really like to eat, the Bite of Orcas is a premier spot to nibble on island delicacies.
Among the offerings at this year’s event are zesty tomato bisque, butternut squash ravioli, sushi, “scallibut” cakes, spicy sausage, tacos, ice cream, pies, and mini cupcakes.
The 16th Annual Bite of Orcas is on Saturday, May 28 on the Village Green from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bite offers a wide sampling of cuisine – at a price that is hard to beat. Tickets are sold in $1 units and can be used at any of the participating restaurants underneath the big white tent in the Village Green.
The food may be tiny, but the contribution is not. Proceeds from the event go to Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, a non-profit organization that has been rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, providing public education, and conducting non-invasive research for nearly 30 years.
Fifteen island food purveyors are contributing delicacies (and donating 33 percent of their profits) to the Bite of Orcas: Allium/Lily, Cafe Olga, Chiladas (opening soon where Bilbo’s was located), Chimayo, Deer Harbor Inn, Doe Bay Cafe, Luna’s, Madrona Bar and Grill, Mia’s, New Leaf Cafe, Passionate for Pies, Rosario/The Mansion, Inn at Ship Bay, Sugar Baby Cakes, and TeeJay’s Cafe.
This is the first year that Jami Plummer has participated with her business Sugar Baby Cakes. She’ll be making cake pops and several flavors of mini cupcakes: vanilla bean with rhubarb buttercream, devil’s food with salted caramel, and pink velvet with strawberry cream frosting.
“It feels amazing to be a part of the fantastic food community that we have here, and give to a great cause,” she said.
Mia Kartiganer, owner of Mia’s restaurant in Eastsound, says she has not finalized the menu but that “people can expect some soup, salad, and cookie action of some sort.”
About Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabiliation
Wolf Hollow is located on San Juan Island, but serves all of San Juan and Skagit County. The organization cares for injured, orphaned, or sick native wild animals and releases them back into the wild. It also conducts education and non-invasive research. On the 40-acre property, there are 40 animal enclosures, including an eagle flight enclosure, seal pools, a deer enclosure, and a songbird aviary.
“We keep the animals as wild as possible with minimal human contact,” said education coordinator Shona Aitken. “We get such a range of animals, we have to be multi-purpose.”
Wolf Hollow recently installed several new seal pools and has received a donation of chain-link fencing. The non-profit is applying for a grant to lay down concrete, so the fencing can double the size of a mammal enclosure.
The animals in their care are constantly changing. Some are with Wolf Hollow for only a few days while others need care for several months. Right now, the facility is home to a great horned owl, barn owl nestlings, two bald eagles, a saw whet owl, a thrush, and three infant grey squirrels.
In 2010, Wolf Hollow treated 677 animals, the majority of which were impacted by humans.
“Some of the most common reasons they come to us are: being attacked by cats, hit by cars, nests destroyed by people doing yard work, flying into windows, attacked by dogs – a lot of human-related things,” Aitken said.
The animals are cared for at the facility on San Juan, but trained volunteers on the other islands respond to calls, assess the nature of each animal’s problem and, when necessary, capture it and arrange for its transport to the center.
Money from the Bite of Orcas will go towards the care of animals, money that is particularly needed this time of year.
“This is baby season, so it’s our busiest and most expensive time of year,” Aitken said. “We get otter pups, fawns, goslings, ducklings, owlets – you name it. The money will go towards food and medication for a lot of little babies.”
Annual Pet Parade will feature furry, winged, and hoofed animals
On Saturday, May 28, the 21st Annual Pet Parade will be taking over the streets of Eastsound. Kaleidoscope is at it again, preparing for the island’s furry friends parade.
Starting location is School Road at 10 a.m. for judging. The parade will start at 11 a.m. and end at the Eastsound Village Green. Slight changes to the route were made this year in order to accommodate the island’s hoofed animals. The 4-H club, Orcas Trailblazers, and the 2011 Children’s House Mayoral Candidates will be joining the fun.
Island businesses have sponsored 16 categories for prizes. Call Kaleidoscope at 376-2484 with questions.
Animal Protection garage sale
The Orcas Animal Shelter has accumulated an incredible amount of pet items through donations. On Sunday, May 29, it is hosting a garage sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 84A Hope Lane. Not only will they have animal related items, but there will be offerings from volunteers’ homes. Items will not be priced. Folks can contribute whatever they like to support the shelter.
