We hope you can join us AT Deception Pass State Park on the first day of the new year, at 10 a.m., for a hike starting at the Cornet Bay Retreat Center and going out to North Beach. The return trip can go directly back to the retreat center, where the Deception Pass Foundation will have warm drinks and snacks waiting for everyone, or for those with legs that want to wander farther, we will have a side trip up to the top of Goose Rock.
 
Interpreter Jessy Osterloh will share stories along the way, and yours truly will add comic relief, usually by tripping somewhere.  Bring your outdoor clothes, adventurous spirits, and camera gadgets. And a GPS in case we get lost.
 
The Cornet Bay Retreat Center (Environmental Learning Center) is on the north side of Cornet Bay road, east of Highway 20 about a quarter mile.
 
Happy new year!

It might be blustery and cold outside but we will be warm and toasty inside the Depot this Saturday, January 11, 9am-2pm.  Your favorite farmers, bakers and artisans will be coming available to you as their products are ready for market.  This Week, we are bringing you our first market of the season on Saturday and we'll have so much local food!  Yes, there actually is produce available in January. :)  

You'll find... several varieties of potatoes, leeks, carrots, beets, salad mix, braising mix, onions, chard, kale, chard, winter squash, mushrooms, cheese, honey, jams, fresh baked breads and sweet treats, granola, coffee, swedish pancakes, mexican food, smoked salmon & lox, hot sauce, items for your home, soap, art, handcrafted clothing, printing and so, so much more.  Treat yourself to a 15 minute massage and bring your knives and garden tools for sharpening, too!

The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) will convene the public meeting on January 30, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Brodniak Hall on the high school campus.

At the public meeting, the Board will consider and vote on the final investigation report into the April 2, 2010, explosion and fire that fatally injured seven employees. The CSB’s investigation found that at the time of the incident a bank of heat exchangers was being brought online in the refinery’s naphtha hydrotreater unit when another heat exchanger in a parallel bank catastrophically failed, spewing highly flammable hydrogen and naphtha which ignited. Seven Tesoro workers who were nearby, assisting with the heat exchanger startup, were fatally burned. The accident at Tesoro was the most deadly U.S. refinery incident since the 2005 explosion at BP Texas City that killed 15 workers and injured 180 others.

At the meeting, CSB staff will present to the Board the results of the investigation findings and safety recommendations.

February 10th Community Tour. Please join the Port of Anacortes as we tour West Yachts, located in the Cap Sante Marina at 4:00 pm, 1019 Q Ave. Suite “D”. Come see their new location, tour vessels in the Marina and learn about a Port of Anacortes tenant.

Padilla Bay: A National Jewel in our Own Backyard: A finger on the Pulse of the Salish Sea

The Salish Sea dominates our region's culture, landscape and economy.  In 1980 Padilla Bay was selected to be part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System with a mission to provide research, monitoring, education and stewardship of this estuary.  Join us to hear Glen "Alex" Alexander, Reserve Education Coordinator,  talk about the functions and values of the waters around Fidalgo Island.  You will be amazed and gain a greater understanding and appreciation for this beautiful and ecologically significant place where we live.

Friday, February 21st, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Northwest Educational Service District Building, 1601 R Ave., Anacortes.  Lectures are free and open to the public. Sponsored by Friends of Skagit Beaches, http://skagitbeaches.org 

Beekeeping Made Easy - Saturdays, March 1-29, 12:30-3:30
Sixth-generation beekeepers Brian Bray and brothers cover all you need to know about beekeeping, from the basics to the harvest. At the library, open and free to all.

Beekeeping Made Easy - Saturdays, March 1-29, 12:30-3:30
Sixth-generation beekeepers Brian Bray and brothers cover all you need to know about beekeeping, from the basics to the harvest. At the library, open and free to all.

Salish Sea Oceanography and Marine Ecosystem Stressors:  Partners in a Changing Marine Landscape

Chemical, physical and geological processes operating in the Salish Sea create a biologically rich and productive ecosystem. These processes combine with Environmental stressors such as ocean acidification and low oxygen levels to make the Salish Sea a bellwether for climate change. Please Join Dr. M. Brady Olson, Marine Scientist at WWU, Shannon Pt. Marine Center to explore the details! Friday, March 14, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Northwest Educational Service District Building, 1601 R Ave., Anacortes.  Lectures are free and open to the public. Sponsored by Friends of Skagit Beaches, http://skagitbeaches.org   For more information contact Matt Kerschbaum, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Beekeeping Made Easy - Saturdays, March 1-29, 12:30-3:30
Sixth-generation beekeepers Brian Bray and brothers cover all you need to know about beekeeping, from the basics to the harvest. At the library, open and free to all.

Beekeeping Made Easy - Saturdays, March 1-29, 12:30-3:30
Sixth-generation beekeepers Brian Bray and brothers cover all you need to know about beekeeping, from the basics to the harvest. At the library, open and free to all.

Beekeeping Made Easy - Saturdays, March 1-29, 12:30-3:30
Sixth-generation beekeepers Brian Bray and brothers cover all you need to know about beekeeping, from the basics to the harvest. At the library, open and free to all.

Date: Saturday, April 5th
Time: 8:30am to 3:30pm
Location: Fidalgo Bay RV Resort, 701 Fidalgo Bay Rd, Anacortes

The Academy is a day of learning for everyone. Keynote address by Dr. Kelley on Deep Ocean Vents.  Then choose three workshop sessions from nine fascinating topics including From Cannibals to Cult Leaders and Beyond – A Natural and Unnatural History of Vendovi Island and Wasting Syndrome in Sea Stars along the West Coast of North America. Teachers – 4.5 clock hours available. Sponsored by Friends of Skagit Beaches. Questions? – contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or find full schedule and register ($25) at www.fidalgoacademy2014.eventbrite.com

Come enjoy the sunshine with your local favorites at the Farmers Market this Saturday.  We will be tucked inside and out at the Depot, so come on in and join us!  Also, enjoy a beautiful gallery show hosted by our friends at the Anacortes Arts Festival.  9am - 2pm

Big Beaver Pond Hike for All Ages:  Join the Friends of the Forest on Saturday, April 12^th from 10 am until noon.  Experience the seasonal awakening and immerse in the rich world of this yellow pond lily filled swamp. Magenta Salmon Berry bloom and Skunk cabbage will illuminate. Wood ducks, Pacific wren, frogs, and Raven are sure to serenade. Learn about the community of beaver that created and maintain our network of wetlands in the Little Cranberry Lake watershed. Meet at the old city dump gate at 37^th and A Ave. 

Little Cranberry Lake Hike for All Ages:  Join the Friends of the Forest on Saturday, April 26^th from 10am until noon. We’ll start the spring wildflower season with a hike all the way around Little Cranberry Lake. The trail is rugged in places as it hugs the shore. Rocky meadows will be awash in wildflower color, while native berry shrubs will be loaded with fertile bloom and the buzz of friendly bumblebees. Explore some of the richest habitat in our forest. This is the place where deep forest, swamp, rocky meadow, lake, and bog islands converge.  Take Georgia south off of Oakes and follow to the gravel road that leads to the Little Cranberry Lake parking lot. 

Local muralist and historian Bill Mitchell is hosting a 30th anniversary party at the Depot featuring a dozen of the murals he has been working on repainting over the past several weeks. The party, from 6 - 9 pm, will also feature a slideshow on the history of the Anacortes Mural Project, which Bill and other started on May 2, 1984. Cake will be served. 611 R Ave., Gallery at the Depot.

Trail Tales Interpretive Walk: Early Anacortes Maritime Scene
Date: Sunday, May 4
Time 2:00 PM
Location: Cap Sante Marina - 11th and R Avenue by the flagpoles
Additional Information: www.skagitbeaches.org
Join Trail Tales Docents for a short “Journey of Discovery” walk. Our one-hour
walk will take us ½ mile on a level paved walkway around the marina to the Rotary
Park Gazebo. Along the way you will learn about Anacortes’ rich marine history
and the changes that have taken place along the waterfront.

Northwest Whistle Lake Hike For Adults:  Join the Friends of the Forest on Friday, May 9^th from 10 am until noon. Lush Spring growth will be at peak as we hike in to Whistle Lake. Do you know thimbleberry, huckleberry, salmonberry, elderberry, Oregon grape, salal? Do you know the difference between our native blackberry and Himalayan blackberry? The glimmer of the clearest lake on Fidalgo will be your lesson’s reward. Bring a friend! Meet at the Whistle Lake Parking lot at the end of Whistle Lake Road.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

Sugarloaf Wildflowers Hike for All Ages:  Join the Friends of the Forest on Saturday, May 10^th from 10am until noon. This is the ultimate wildflower hike of the year. We will savor the climb through alternating forest and rocky bald meadow, learning each flower as we go. From blue camas lily to red Indian paintbrush, come and see the bounty of color this little mountain has to offer. The views from the summit are not to be missed. Meet at the Southern trailhead halfway up the Mount Erie view road. The trip up and back is one mile, and quite steep in places.  

How to Use Skagit Transit, Wed., May 14, 7pm. At the library.
Master transit rider Louise Edens shares her insights on how to get where you want to go without driving a car. She explains how to take advantage of our public transportation resources, how to make connections to other locales, and how to save money in the process.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

Small Boat Gathering Will Bring Enthusiasts from Near and Far

The Pull and Be Damned-Small Boat Messabout will be held, Saturday May 17, 10am to 4pm, at Seafarer’s Park in Anacortes.

This is an opportunity for small boat enthusiasts to gather, share and have fun on the water. Bring your own boat if you have one. Come meet all sorts of small craft and their owners. Vessels attending will include gigs, whitehalls, kayaks, skin-on-frame boats, various sailing craft and more!

Trail Tales Interpretive Walk: Native and Introduced Plants along Fidalgo Bay
& Their Animal Companions
Date: Sunday, May 18
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Fidalgo Bay Resort - 4701 Fidalgo Bay Rd.
Additional Information: www.skagitbeaches.org
If you have wondered about the flora and fauna along the shore of the Tommy
Thompson Trail, join Trail Tales docents for some plant identification and
interesting facts about the animals that use the plants. Some of the plants are native,
others introduced by Coast Salish people and Europeans. The walk is suitable for
children and history buffs, Anacortes residents and visitors alike.

The Library will be closed today.

March Point Heron Cam Celebration at the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Wednesday, May 21, 2014 — 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

10441 Bayview-Edison Road - Mount Vernon, WA 98273-9668 (map)

Join Skagit Land Trust at the Padilla Bay Reserve to celebrate the Eye on the Heronry and thank all of the funders, volunteers, and partners that have made this unique wildlife educational resource possible. There will be cake! Questions? Call (360) 428-7878 or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Learn more about the March Point Heronry.

The Shelburne Escape Line. Wed., May 21, 7pm. At the library.
Réanne Hemingway-Douglass discusses her new book, The Shelburne Escape Line: Secret Rescues of Allied Aviators by the French Resistance, Britain’s Royal Navy & London’s MI-9, a true story of heroism in WWII Occupied France.

Computer Learning Lab: Email Basics Thurs., May 22, 10:30am-12:30pm Registration required; 360/293-1910 x21 For those having limited or no experience with electronic mail, you will learn how to create an email account, send and receive messages, and add attachments. Computers are provided or you may bring your own laptop. Registration is required; enrollment is limited. At the library.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

The Library will be closed today for the second Monday in a row.

Trail Tales Lunch & Learn: Cap Sante Waterfront – Cleaning Up the
Neighborhood
Date: Wednesday, May 28
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Cap Sante Marina - 11th and R Avenue by the flagpoles
Additional Information: www.skagitbeaches.org
Take a lunch break with our Trail Tales docents and join one of our new Lunch &
Learn interpretive walks. This walk will visit three cleanup sites around the Cap
Sante boat basin to learn about the history of these sites and their environmental
restoration under a partnership between the Port of Anacortes and Dept. of
Ecology’s Toxics Cleanup Program. Bring a brown bag lunch to enjoy while we
discuss the largest cleanup site, which is now a beautiful park on the shore of
Fidalgo Bay. Representatives of Ecology and the Port will join this walk to share
their perspectives. These three cleanup sites are all part of the Dept. of Ecology’s
Anacortes Baywide Cleanup.

More Anacortes History & Mysteries. Wed., May 28, 7pm. At the library
Museum educator Bret Lunsford offers a sequel to last year’s popular presentation of little-known, sometimes surprising stories and photos from Anacortes history. Bret discusses a “new” batch of fun facts, artifacts, and curiosities at this entertaining slideshow.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

Whistle Morning Hike for All Ages:  Join the Friends of the Forest on Saturday, May 31^st From 10am to 1 pm. Whistle Lake territory is worth the extra time it takes. We will hike all the way around the coldest, deepest jewel of the forest. Meet at the Whistle Lake parking lot. 

Calling all Entrepreneurs & Small Business Owners! Promote and grow your business by networking with others. Booths are available ($35-$55). This event is open to the public---there will be door prizes and the first 50 people to arrive will receive 2 FREE raffle tickets! Like us on facebook: www.facebook.com/empressnet

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

TRAIL TALES WALK: The Ships Came Sailing In – A Historical Look at the Vessels & Cargo of Fidalgo Bay

Date: June 7
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Cap Sante Marina – 11th & R Ave. by the flagpoles

How did a good size mud puddle in the 1890's become the exciting marina we see today? Travel through time from the early day fishing fleets to our modern marina with 900+ slips and learn about pleasure crafts and commercial workboats of all makes and sizes. Trail Tales interpretive walks are free and open to the public. For more info visit TRAIL TALES at www.skagitbeaches.org/trail-tales-home.html  

FAMILY & FRIENDS DOCK WALK: Belly Biology - Who Lives Under the Boat Docks?

Date: June 7
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: Cap Sante Marina – 11th & R Ave. by the flagpoles

Ever see an animal with no eyeballs? Ever taste the salty Salish Sea? Discover how crabs, barnacles and jellies grow up and meet the plants that make most of the air we breathe! Bring your belly and your curiosity as we explore the plants and animals that live under the docks in our own backyard! Please note that an adult must accompany all children. Trail Tales interpretive walks are free and open to the public. For more info visit TRAIL TALES at www.skagitbeaches.org/trail-tales-home.html  

TRAIL TALES WALK: Cap Sante Boat Basin – How Boating Shaped the Marina’s History & Business

Date: June 8
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Cap Sante Marina – 11th & R Ave. by the flagpoles

What do the old growth trees of Skagit County, Salish Sea Salmon fishing areas and Bearing Sea cod fisheries have in common? They all took advantage of the deep-water port historically located in Anacortes and helped make it the town it is today. Join us on this walk through the Cap Sante Marina to learn about its rich and fascinating history. Trail Tales interpretive walks are free and open to the public. For more info visit TRAIL TALES at www.skagitbeaches.org/trail-tales-home.html 

Milk Carton Derby race at Cap Sante Marina.

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH
Beginning Conversational Spanish
Mondays, June 9-July 14, 3-5pm at the library
Terry Kelly offers his popular conversational Spanish class for beginners.

Mercy Ship: Giving Hope and Healing
Wed., June 11, 7pm at the library. Free.
Dr. Ronald Pinson, volunteer, explains how the Mercy Ships organization provides free medical care to the poor and improves medical services in underserved areas of Africa.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

The 10th annual Bark in the Park dog festival will be held from 10am to 3pm at Storvik Park. The first 200 dots receive doggie goodie bags and bandanas. Admission is $5 donation per dot, plus a $5 donation for each contest engry. Proceeds venefit the Anacortes Dog Park.

All in the Same Boat:  Anacortes in the Great Depression

You are invited to an Opening Reception for the exhibit
2-4 p.m. Saturday, June 14 at the Anacortes Museum, 1305 8th Street

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH
Beginning Conversational Spanish
Mondays, June 9-July 14, 3-5pm at the library
Terry Kelly offers his popular conversational Spanish class for beginners.

Heart Lake Old growth Loop Hike for Adults: Join the Friends of the Forest on Friday, June 20th from 10am until noon. It’s time for a visit with our elders on the south shore of Heart Lake. Orange trumpet honeysuckle and Ocean spray will be blooming as we slow to the ancient rhythm of our old growth forest.  Meet at the base of Mount Erie on Ray Auld Drive.  

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH
Beginning Conversational Spanish
Mondays, June 9-July 14, 3-5pm at the library
Terry Kelly offers his popular conversational Spanish class for beginners.

Counciman Ryan Walters will hold a Ward 1 Community Meeting at the Library.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

FIDALGO BAY FAMILY DISCOVERY WALK

Date: June 29
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Fidalgo Bay Resort – 4701 Fidalgo Bay Rd.

Listen up! The rocks and mud, eelgrass and shore critters of Fidalgo Bay are calling families to join this walk and hear their stories. Trail Tales docents help guide your discovery of what makes Fidalgo Bay so special on this kid-friendly, family focussed walk. Our path follows a paved, flat trail that is handicapped accessible. Trail Tales interpretive walks are free and open to the public. For more info visit TRAIL TALES at www.skagitbeaches.org/trail-tales-home.html 

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH
Beginning Conversational Spanish
Mondays, June 9-July 14, 3-5pm at the library
Terry Kelly offers his popular conversational Spanish class for beginners.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH
Beginning Conversational Spanish
Mondays, June 9-July 14, 3-5pm at the library
Terry Kelly offers his popular conversational Spanish class for beginners.

TRAIL TALES WALK:  Fidalgo Bay Aquatic Reserve – A Marine Treasure in Our Own Backyard

Date: Thursday, July 10th
Time: 10 am
Location: Fidalgo Bay Resort, 701 Fidalgo Bay Rd, Anacortes

Did you know that two of the state’s seven aquatic reserves, Fidalgo Bay and Cypress Island, are located right here in Skagit County in our own backyard?  Join Trail Tales docents and a DNR Aquatic Reserve Specialist to learn about Fidalgo Bay’s protected marine treasures – it’s habitats and the abundant species.  We’ll walk out to the old train trestle across the bay at low tide to glimpse the valuable eelgrass habitat and learn how the reserve is managed and protected for the benefit of wildlife and for our enjoyment.  Trail Tales interpretive walks are free, public walks along a paved handicapped accessible trail and last about 1.5 hours.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH
Beginning Conversational Spanish
Mondays, June 9-July 14, 3-5pm at the library
Terry Kelly offers his popular conversational Spanish class for beginners.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

TRAIL TALES WALK: Mixing It Up In Fidalgo Bay – The Role of Watersheds in Creating Productive Ecosystems

Date: Sunday, July 27th
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: 34th Street at the Tommy Thompson Trail

Join Trail Tales docents for an informative and visual narrative that seeks to explain how regional watersheds are an integral part of a large, unique and complex marine ecosystem known as the Salish Sea. Our own Fidalgo Bay is an important part of this larger ecosystem.  This highly productive and biologically diverse system is home to many mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates that are critical to the economies and lives of the Pacific Northwest. Trail Tales interpretive walks are free, public walks along a paved handicapped accessible trail and last about 1.5 hours.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

TRAIL TALES WALK: Samish Dept. of Natural Resources – An Overview of Monitoring and Restoration in Fidalgo Bay

Date: Friday, August 8th, Time: 10 am, Location: Fidalgo Bay Resort, 701 Fidalgo Bay Rd, Anacortes

Todd Woodard and Erin Licata from the Samish Indian Nation’s Natural Resources Department will discuss the wide variety of monitoring and restoration projects conducted in Fidalgo Bay. Topics include storm water monitoring, climate change analysis and beach restoration projects. They will also highlight the numerous partnerships working together to preserve and enhance the Fidalgo Bay watershed. Trail Tales interpretive walks are free, public walks along a paved handicapped accessible trail and last about 1.5 hours. 

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

TRAIL TALES MARCH POINT BIKE RIDE: Camas Cultivation to Petroleum Production – How Things Have Changed

 Date: Sunday, August 10th, Time: 2 pm, Location: Fidalgo Bay Resort, 701 Fidalgo Bay Rd, Anacortes

How did March Point get its name?  Join our Trail Tales interpretive bike ride and you’ll learn that and much more.  March Point has a long history – in fact it goes back thousands of years.  Trail Tales docents will share stories about the history of the place and the people who lived there including the peninsula’s original agricultural cultivation by Samish and Swinomish tribes, early pioneer homesteading, life in this community hub during the late 1800s, and the building of the refineries that now dominate the March Point landscape.  We’ll also stop at the site of the old Whitmarsh Landfill and learn about environmental cleanup work that WA Ecology is planning for 2015.  Our ride will take us on a 10-mile loop around March Point returning to the Fidalgo Bay Resort in about 2 hours.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

Self-Publishing/Indie for Print or eBooks
Wed., Sept. 17, 7pm
Armchair ePublishing owners Karla and Tony Locke discuss all the options currently available for the book YOU want to publish. At the Library. Free.

TRAIL TALES WALK: Moving Water Shaping Shores

Date: Wednesday, August 20th, Time: 10 am, Location: 34^th Street at the Tommy Thompson Trail

Every moment of every day the tides and currents around our shorelines are pulsing, pushing, carrying, dropping, feeding, building and destroying the edges of the land. Trail Tales docents lead this walk to share the inner workings of these dynamic processes and how they shape our shorelines. Trail Tales interpretive walks are free, public walks along a paved handicapped accessible trail and last about 1.5 hours.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

Anacortes 6th Annual
Work Boat Races & Pirate Faire 

Saturday August 23rd, 2014 • 11 am - 5 pm

Workboat Races begin at 1pm • 100 Commercial Avenue • Pier 1 

Seafarers’ Memorial Service noon 

601 Seafarers’ Way - Anacortes
Join us as we pay our respects to the men & women 
who’ve lost their lives while working at Sea

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

The staff at the Anacortes Public Library are taking a long weekend. Closed Saturday, Sunday & Monday. So, if you rely on the library on weekends, don't count on it this weekend. Better find somewhere else to go.

The staff at the Anacortes Public Library are taking a long weekend. Closed Saturday, Sunday & Monday. So, if you rely on the library on weekends, don't count on it this weekend. Better find somewhere else to go.

TRAIL TALES WALK: What’s Under Our Feet? The Story of Plates, Glaciers and an Inland Sea

Date: Sunday, August 31, Time: 2 pm, Location: Cap Sante Overlook, 4^th Street then right on V Ave., Anacortes

We stand on ground that used to be at the bottom of the sea floor, or from northern British Columbia, some from the coast of Mexico, and at times exposed mantle of the earth!  If you have wondered about the hills, mountains, rocks and shoreline of Fidalgo Island, come learn how it came to be. Trail Tales interpretive walks are free, public walks along a paved handicapped accessible trail and last about 1.5 hours.

The staff at the Anacortes Public Library are taking a long weekend. Closed Saturday, Sunday & Monday. So, if you rely on the library on weekends, don't count on it this weekend. Better find somewhere else to go.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

Research the History of Your House
Wed., Sept. 10, 7pm
Diane Wilkinson explains how the Anacortes House History & Plaque program encourages Anacortes homeowners to research the history and previous residents of their houses. At the Library. Free.

Enjoy hay rides, a tractor parade, children’s activities, music, demonstrations, an assortment of chugging old engines and much more at the 19^th annual Anacortes Antique Engine and Machinery Show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 at Market Street and T Avenue, behind the W.T. Preston steam-powered sternwheeler. The parade of tractors in downtown Anacortes starts at 11 a.m.

Machinery buffs from across the Northwest haul tons of gas, steam and kerosene-fueled machines – both large and small – that powered the mills, factories and farms of days gone by. There are always plenty of working tractors, boats, trucks, cars and contraptions to check out.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

Downtown Anacortes will be closed to cars so that youc an come out to ride, walk, skage and enjoy the day. Retro Bike ride, Bicycle Concourse ofElegance, minor bike repairs, dedication of USBR 10, BMX and Special Olympics riders, music, healthy lifestyle demos, information displays and more. Downtown restaurants and shopw will be open as usual. Come to experience downtown Anacortes as never before.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

Wednesday Evening Programs
The Improbable Saga of Satko’s Ark
Wed., Oct. 1, 7pm
Through photos, historic audio clips, and excerpts from a radio documentary, historian Michael
Sullivan tells the remarkable story of the Satko family’s odyssey across America and
then to a homestead in Alaska by homemade boat. At the library. Free and open to the public.

Tonight is the monthly First Friday Gallery Walk. Art galleries are open tonight from 6 - 9 pm, many with local artiests available to meet and talk to. More information at their Web site.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

Free workshop Saturday, October 4, 2014, at the Potluck Kitchen Studio, 910 11th St. in Anacortes, at 10:00 a.m.

Fermenting Foods. The process of fermenting is as old as humanity and a great way to preserve your fall harvest. Fermented foods are satisfying to eat, help aid digestion, and help protect against disease. Julianne Ash, a registered nurse with experience in clinical and complementary medicine, will teach the artisanal process of making fermented vegetables, chutney and kombucha. She farms a small piece of land in Bow and has been operating a CSA for 5 Years.

The workshop is free, but we need a headcount for materials, so please RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Thanks!

Co-sponsored by Transition Fidalgo & Friends and the Potluck Kitchen Studio to help grow community resilience.

Red Cross CPR/AED First Aid Course
Wednesday, October 8th, 10am - 3pm 
$70.00 (CPR only $50.00)
Anacortes Red Cross Office
2900 T Avenue
Call 360-385-9800 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with contact info to register. Learn life saving skills - 2 year certification upon successful completion of course.

Sar El -- The National Project for Volunteers for Israel
Wed., Oct. 8, 7pm
Local resident Steve McLean volunteered for this non-profit, non-political organization doing useful work in the Holy Land. Sar El is represented in over 30 countries worldwide, with the greatest number of volunteers coming from the U.S. and France. At the library. Free and open to the public.

FILMS WITH FRIENDS

Friends of Skagit Beaches 2014 Environmental Film Series

Join Friends for great films, good company and popcorn! FREE screenings of feature length films, all on issues timely and relevant to those interested in our Puget Sound/Salish Sea waters.  Shorts made by young, local filmakers for Friends of Skagit Beaches’ Trail Tales Program will start each screening. For more information check our calendar at http://skagitbeaches.org

Time:  7 PM

Location: NW Ed. Services Dist. Bldg. 1601 R Ave.,  Anacortes

October 10^th: The Last Ocean.  View trailer at http://www.thelastoceanfilm.com 

October  24^th: Bag It – is your life too plastic?  View trailer at http://www.bagitmovie.com 

November 7^th: Flow.  View trailer at  http://www.flowthefilm.com/trailer 

November  21^st : The Whale – The True Story of Luna. View trailer at http://www.thewhalemovie.com 

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

Barcelona & Carcassonne
Wed., Oct. 15, 7pm
Traveler/photographer Elaine Walker offers a stunning photo tour of Barcelona, including the Gothic Quarter and fanciful Art Nouveau buildings and parks, plus views of the medieval walled city of Carcassonne in southern France. At the library. Free & open to the public.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

Maritime Speaker Series
Modern Day Maritime Piracy
Sat., Oct. 18, 4pm
Author of From The Bridge, Captain Kelly Sweeney describes life and adventures on the high seas as a Master Mariner, including dealing with armed intruders on a ship. This program should appeal to anyone interested in the Tom Hank’s movie “Captain Phillips” and how giant cargo ships are kept secure from pirates. At the library. Free & open to the public.

Mud, Sweat & Bears: 1300 Miles Down the Yukon
Wed., Oct. 22, 7pm
Local kayakers Julie Calhoun and Bill Bailey take you on their journey down the Yukon, from its headwaters in the Yukon Territory to its mouth at the Bering Sea -- seven weeks of unending rain, vast flooding, and run-ins with bears, quicksand, and clouds of fiendish insects. At the library. Free and open to the public.

The Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until Oct. 25, 2014. At the Depot, 7th st & R Ave. 9am - 2pm.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony for Fidalgo Pool'snew fitness center is scheduled for 4 pm Friday, October 24. On Saturday, October 25 an open house for the general public will run from 10:30 am - 2:30 pm and will include free use of the center in celebration. The new 1,900 square foot expansion will replace the combination exercise and weight room on the center's top floor. That current room will continue to be used as a group fitness area. Please come and visit the new fitness room and its new PRECOR equipment! 

Adult Show & Tell
Wed., Oct. 29, 7pm
Personal historian Teru Lundsten invites you to bring a photo, letter, family heirloom, artifact -- anything you treasure -- and tell its story. Or just come to listen. This is an introduction to the field of personal history with an opportunity for sharing a fragment of your own story. At the library. Free & open to the public.

Join Anacortes Downtown Merchants on Halloween for an afternoon of trick or treating in our safe business community. Businesses will be handing out candy to all trick-or-treaters between 2pm and 4pm. There will be a picture booth for participants at the Majestic Inn sponsored by Read Me A Story and The Apothecary Spa.  Festivities will end costume contest at the Majestic Inn & Spa from 4-5pm. There will be treats and prizes for kids under 12 years of age.