For 18 years, the Gryphon Trio has gone beyond the preconceived parameters of chamber music.
On Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m., Dr. Jeremy Goldbogen of Cascadia Research will give a presentation on humpback whales. In a feat that makes Olympic distance runners seem like toddlers, humpback whales migrate every six months between their summering grounds in the North Pacific and their wintering grounds in Hawaii or Southern Mexico. It’s quite a journey, even for a whale that is 1.5 times as long as a school bus. Goldbogen will entertain with stories about the singing of male humpbacks, their interesting feeding behaviors and new findings on these whales that, like killer whales, can be identified individually.
A sixth annual play fest will highlight the talents of local writers, actors, directors and stage crews in 2011.
SWISH Youth Basketball League brings together fifth through eighth graders from 11 Washington counties for close to a dozen games over a 10-week period. Orcas Island has been involved with boys and girls SWISH since 1998. The program is run by Skagit Valley Parks and Rec.
Sabina Smith-Moreland began dancing before she was out of diapers.
“She was dancing before she could walk,” said her mom Audrey.
Greg White is orchestrating a twice-a-week lunch hour knitting group for 4th to 6th graders in a quiet corner of the school library, assisted by Poppies Fabric owner Cheryl Jackson, who has been instrumental in gathering donations from generous islanders. White and Jackson hand out supplies, get the kids started, and are there to help if they get stuck or have questions.
Orcas Montessori School recently received an anonymous grant to support burgeoning literacy among the school’s students.
The Orcas Island Junior Rowing Club and other hardy islanders are preparing to begin the new year with a splash at the 14th annual Cascade Lake Polar Bear Plunge.
The students from Point Blank, a high school prevention leadership club, will be at Island Market on Dec. 18 and 19 to pass out Red Ribbons with a message to “Have a Safe and Happy Holidays.”
When you hear and see the Community Band in concert Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2 pm, think about how music affects families. The Community Band, now in its 20th year, boasts musicians who are related either by blood or by marriage – because music unites everyone.
Continuing its December “Shop the Rock” campaign, the Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce is adding a twist to the second part of the promotion that will award $100 to a lucky winner.
Orcasites celebrated the holiday season last weekend with the Tree Lighting on the Green, the Senior Center Holiday Fair, the Deer Harbor Santa Ship, the Odd Fellows Artisan Faire and the American Legion Holiday Fair. Here are some snapshots of the weekend merriment.
JP and the OK Rhythm Boys are offering a celebration of local music on Saturday, Dec. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Darvill’s Bookstore. It is also the release of their new CD, “JP and the OK Rhythm Boys Don’t Sing (much).”
