Orcas Life: A Blog
Orcas Artist Brook Meinhardt Art Opening
March 5th, 2011
Painter and illustrator Brook Meinhardt, an Orcas Island resident for the past five years, was featured in her first solo show at the Orcas Center last evening, Friday, March 4. On a chilly evening in Eastsound, Orcas Islanders – young and old – turned out to show their support for one of the island’s creative forces. The moment you entered the Orcas Center gallery one was taken by the number of images Brook had assembled for the show. Ranging from her unique cardboard ‘art scenes’ to drawing and paintings, it was an impressive lineup.
Margie Doyle’s OrcasIssues blog recently had a wonderful overview of Brook’s background. A few of the highlights are found here:
Brook was born and raised in New York City, and studied art at The School of Visual Arts, and Cooper Union. Growing up in Manhattan the daughter of two architects, Meinhardt grew up surrounded by art. Her Harvard-trained father worked for Richard Meier, and a Frank Stella hung in their living room. Her father took her to see Claus Oldenburg, James Rosenquist, Louise Nevelson, and Louise Bourgeois shows in SOHO when she was a child. She has always been surrounded and inspired by structure, form and function. Her paintings, drawings and portraits, some 3-D constructions made from cardboard, have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, TIME magazine, and The Wall Street Journal amongst many others. She’s also done commercial illustration work for companies like The Gap, MTV, Pottery Barn, Old Navy, Barney’s New York, and Sephora.
Brook’s website can be found at www.BrookMeinhardt.com. Orcas Island is lucky to have her artistic talents.
Arts, Events, Orcas Center, Uncategorized
Knoxville, Tennessee finds Country Wisdom on Orcas Island
March 1st, 2011
Ida Hughs call Knoville home
Ina Hughs owns Knoxville. According to KnoxNews.com, Ina spent 30 years as a newspaper columnist, focusing on issues involving human rights, children, women’s concerns, religion and the environment. She now lives in a cabin on a cove off of the Tennessee River, and says her real success comes from making readers think or laugh or to have something to discuss at the dinner table.
Her blog posting about a recent visit to Orcas Island reveals a bit about Ms. Hughs. As she notes,
“I’ve just gotten back from a three-week vacation on Orcas Island off the coast of Washington. The very first day I went to the delightful library there and got a visitors’ card. I stopped counting at 13 books I read cover to cover between walks along the blustery coastline and forages into the chowder bars and pottery studios on the island.”
Islanders know we have an amazing library. Oh yes, we also have pottery studios and art galleries galore. Artists seem to be attracted to islands … or, at least, our island. Phil H. and his staff at the library cater to islanders, but visitors from Tennessee also appreciate it.
And did Orcas Island provide Ina anything else? Yes it did. A skill she perfected during her visit is one we all practice, especially during winter. She enjoys practicing her skills at fire building. It’s not easy. Orcas Island has a winter season, and islanders love building fires. Small fires. Wood stoves and fireplaces. We practice during January and February, much like Ina did…
“One of the skills I practiced out on Orcas Island was building fires. We never turned on the heat, but lived by the light – and heat – of a wood stove. I am at heart a pyromaniac. Not seriously, but I pride myself on expertise in campfires, wood stove fires, fireplace fires and small carefully tended s’more fires, for which I am famous as a grandmother.”
A final note to Ina Hughs: Thank you for visiting Orcas Island. Come back. Read more. Light more fires.
Blog
Seattle blogger falls in love with Orcas Island!
February 26th, 2011
Walk With Me: Orcas Island
Being a Chamber of Commerce, it’s only natural that we love hearing about folks who enjoy their visits to the island. And with search engines constantly looking for “Orcas” topics, we run across a great many. But this one really stood out!
Shoni writes her Walk With Me blog as a young mother and wife living in Seattle. A recent blog update lovingly tells of a visit to Orcas Island in February, and the happiness — she calls it Her Slice of Heaven – she found exploring the island. Summer can be a tad hectic for visitors and islanders alike, but Shoni loves the natural beauty of the winter months, from Moran State Park, to the serenity of a nearby beach.
She actually describes the island better than we can: “I can easily imagine a retreat to the island where I get a room with a view, take lots of books to read, go on walks, write, and just relax. But if you need a bit more excitement on your vacations, there are whale watching expeditions, kayak tours, trails for hiking and bicycling, lakes for fishing and other recreational activities, and dinner cruises.”
Shoni, we are glad you and your family discovered Orcas Island. Please come back and enjoy it whenever you want!
Pottery goes round ‘n round on Orcas Island
February 26th, 2011
Orcas Island (and all the San Juan Islands) are known for their wealth of artists. From painters to potters, and everything in-between, the island life seems to lend itself to creative people doing creative things. When you visit the island, you will soon find yourself running into a multitude of shops and galleries, each with a slightly unique set of artistic offerings.
Although islanders know all about this, we sometimes wonder if others on the mainland appreciate it. It was with great glee that I spotted a terrific Seattle Times article online about Syd Exton and her Orcas Island Pottery this morning. Writer Alan Berner’s piece is appropriately titled, “Life is a whirl for Orcas glaze queen.” As the article notes, Syd (in this case, a female Syd) has been around clay and pottery her whole life, learning when she was very young from her mother, Trudy Erwin (owner of nearby Right Place Pottery). Syd may get dirty with all that clay, but Orcas Island is the better for it!
Arts
Orcas Island Soon to be Invaded … by Runners!
January 29th, 2011
The Orcas Island 50k and 25k is taking place in Moran State Park on Saturday, February 5. Invaded may be too strong a word, but there will be some serious trail runners coming to the island. Nearly 500 runners and their families will start arriving on Friday, and making their way to Camp Moran in the Park. Race director James Varner has put on this trail race (previously known as ‘Fat Ass’) for several years, and is in charge of many more in the region. His blog is a great source of information about this race.
Trail Running in Moran State Park
For the first time in race history, the businesses of Orcas Island are going out of their way to offer some pretty amazing deals to those taking part in the race. Here’s a rundown …
Services
• $10 off a massage with Outback Massage. Phone: 360-472-1267.
Lodging
• 20% off rates for runners & families. 2 night minimum. Beach Haven Resort. Phone: 376-2288; www.beach-haven.com
• Orcas Suites at Rosario offering special room rate of $79 (plus tax) or King Studio @ $99. Phone: 376-6262; www.orcassuites.com
• Dancing Deer Vacation Home is right near Moran, and is offering 10% off all stated rates. Phone: 206-861-1220; www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/17836.html
Activities, Location, Moran State Park, Race
The New York Times loves the San Juan Islands
January 10th, 2011
Orcas Hotel on Orcas Island
The New York Times recent article, “The 41 Places to Go in 2011,” describes those places they’ve determined readers need to visit this year. And the Times is covering the world. As they note, in the article … “From the beaches of Mexico to the wilds of Kurdistan, the places on this year’s list take you to the end of the world and back.” And what ‘Place’ is listed as #2? How about Washington State’s San Juan Islands!
From an islander’s perspective, it’s always interesting to see what captures the imagination of a travel writer. Writer Sara Dickerman made an easy choice by highlighting an Orcas Island restaurant, Allium. Chef Lisa Nakamura has successfully established a Northwest dining destination … in the same location as restaurateur Christina Orchid’s Christina’s (long an Orcas Island dining destination).
The natural beauty of the San Juan Islands – and certainly Orcas Island – is perhaps the leading reason people choose to visit. As Dickerman points out, protection of the land is paramount for many islanders. Each island in the San Juan’s has a unique feel to it … and a visit is really the only way to experience the rich differences between the major islands: Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. Isn’t that reason enough to plan your trip now?
Food, Uncategorized
An Airstream and Orcas Life = True Bliss!
January 4th, 2011
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s refreshing to find people who have discovered yet one more way to relax, slow down, and enjoy their family time.
Monica Bennett’s family is one lucky group – for they have discovered how to enjoy Orcas Island in a very unique way. Take a look at Monica’s terrific blog and you will agree that her family is doing something right!
As she notes on the blog, they are “exploring America in our Airstream and cooking delicious meals with ingredients from local markets and farms found along our way.” They couldn’t have picked a better spot than Orcas Island to make that wish come true! Come back soon!
Enjoy the Fall Festival at Camp Orkila – an Orcas Island tradition
October 16th, 2010
Happy Orkila Campers
FALL FESTIVAL AT CAMP ORKILA
(Monday, October 18 from 3 pm – 5 pm)
On Monday, October 18th, Camp Orkila will celebrate fall by opening camp to the community for the annual Fall Festival. From 3 to 5 p.m., come visit us at the Big Red Barn for climbing the wall, bow and arrow practice at the archery range, pumpkin carving, face painting, cider pressing, hay rides and other fun games! We will be serving hot dogs and hot apple cider. The School of the Salish Sea will also be offering crafts, activities, and light snacks geared towards younger children and their parents at this time. Please follow signs to their location in Tracy Strong Village at Camp Orkila. Please arrive at camp through the main entrance on Mount Baker Road and follow signs to parking areas. Happy Halloween from everyone at Camp Orkila! We can’t wait to see you all on Monday!
Business Planning & Finance Workshop on Orcas Island
October 16th, 2010
Small Business Center
WORKSHOP ON BUSINESS PLANNING & FINANCING
(Monday, October 18 from 9 am – 12:30 pm) Outlook Inn
The San Juan County Economic Development Council will present a FREE half-day workshop for small businesses and entrepreneurs on Orcas, Monday, October 18, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The business and financing workshop course material will be presented by James McCafferty, director of the Skagit/San Juan Islands Small Business Development Center, and a management consultant for over 10 years. As part of the workshop, McCafferty will cover business financing, discuss a variety of financing options and will provide a reality check for those considering a new or expanded business venture. He will be available for one-on-one consultation after the workshop. Participants in the workshop will leave with the resources and support they need to create a business plan including a realistic financial plan. In addition, McCafferty will cover current federal and Washington State tax incentive programs for small businesses.
Advance registration recommended.
INFORMATION: Call 378-2906 or visit www.sanjuansedc.org/classes.htm
Local Food Security – A Potluck and Presentation
October 16th, 2010
LOCAL FOOD SECURITY – A POTLUCK AND PRESENTATION
(Saturday, October 16, from 5 pm- 10 pm at Odd Fellows Hall in Eastsound)
Join Sustainable Orcas Island in celebrating World Food Day, and in support of local food security.Tom Wagner will speak about saving seeds and breeding plants. Tom is a 5th-generation farmer who is recognized internationally as a local food expert, seed saver, and plant breeder. (See his blog at http://tater-mater.blogspot.com/.) We invite people to contribute to the potluck with food that has at least one locally grown ingredient. Set-up begins at 5, the potluck at 5:30, and the program at 7 pm. Sponsored by the Orcas Island Public Library.
INFORMATION: Contact Phil Heikkinen at 376-4985 or pheikkinen@orcaslibrary.org
Food