The “Go Take a Hike” beach walk, March 10, 10:30 a.m. at Fisherman Bay Spit Preserve kicks off the Lopez Community Trails Network’s new series of guided hikes. From March through September walks explore seven locations including the San Juan Islands and two off-island locations.
Mercure Galant, an early music ensemble, will perform Leclair, Locatelli, Boccherini and a selection of early Italian trio sonatas at Grace Episcopal Church, Friday, March 2, 7 p.m.
Local writers Gretchen Wing of Lopez Island and Jill McCabe Johnson of Orcas Island are among the writers and artists featured in “SHARK REEF Literary Magazine’s Winter 2012 Edition,” online now at sharkreef.org. Submissions to the issue came from the U.S., Europe and Asia.
The Salish Sea Early Music Festival presents “The Bach Family” with Harpsichordist Jan Weinhold of Lübeck, Germany and Baroque Flutist Jeffrey Cohan, Sunday, March 4, 7 p.m. at Grace Church on Lopez, Monday, March 5, 7 p.m. at the Madrona Room in Eastsound, Orcas Island and Tuesday, March 6, 7 p.m. at St. David’s Church on San Juan Island.
Coastal sand dunes stabilized by silver bur sedge form one of the most rare and fragile habitats in the islands — indeed, in all of western Washington- — and one of the most scenic, with large balls of yellow sand verbena flowers that attract a variety of pollinators (and nectar eating but non-pollinating “cheaters”) that range from tiny beetles and ants to wasps and moths.
Like many Lopezians, Mireille Paulson gardens avidly, but the concept of roots stuck in earth means more to her than to most. After a childhood of accidental exile from her family, and a working life of astounding travel mileage, Mireille has made Lopez a place to sink her own roots and grow.
Elephant seals almost completely change their hair coat and the outer layers of skin once a year, usually in the spring or summer. Lopez Elephant Seal Again or LESA was way out of season, she looked disgusting and she smelled about the way she looked. Elephant seals occasionally use San Juan County beaches during molt, but most prefer the warmer climates of Mexico or California. Lolling around in the snow, I suspect she regretted her choice; those southern beaches are much more appealing.
The time exchange initiative is now ready to adopt a name and motto; this will be accomplished through an informal county-wide ballot. A temporary webpage has been set up with the ballot link at: www.VisionOnOrcas.com.
We all remember Valentine’s Day. We eat chocolates and heart-shaped candies, we watch sappy movies, we spend time with our loved ones; some of us eschew those traditions and instead celebrate Singles Awareness Day, eating chocolates and heart-shaped candies, watching sappy movies, and cynically declaring disdain for the commercial exploitation of this holiday.
Lane Langford knew he wanted to play guitar after listening to the Everly Brothers play “By Bye Love” when he was a boy. When his father bought him a guitar he would play at a nearby house that was under construction. At night when the workers left, he crept up the stairway to strum chords and listen to the sounds reverberate throughout the half-built rooms.
Fay W. McBrayer, 80, passed away, Jan. 2, 2012, in Bellevue, Wash.
She was born June 6, 1931, in Birmingham, Alabama. She had been a resident of both Mercer Island and Lopez Island, WA, for the past 20 years.
“A Broken Consort” can be heard 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11 on Lopez at Grace Church.
Music supporters are gathering sponsors, donors and volunteers for the famed Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival opening this August on Lopez in celebration of their Crystal Anniversary.
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