Community Calendar

This hike is about 1.25 miles and is for seniors and adults. What treasures await in this lovely, hidden meadow? Enjoy a hike to this unique and secret spot off of the beaten path. Meet at the base of Mount Erie on Ray Auld Drive. 

Many downtown Anacorters art galleries and other businesses are open on the first Friday of each month from 6-9pm. 

Psych-pop defenders The Gift Machine are playing a show supporting their new record New Tangles (out via PIAPTK) at Kennelly Keys on March 1^st with Enduro, and Low Hums.

“Husband and wife co-vocalists Dave and Andrea Matthies are producing some of the best indie rock I’ve heard in a while." - San Diego City Beat - #5 Album Of 2018

Initially founded as an outlet for the solo work of songwriter Dave Matthies, the band soon mutated organically into a near-collective of Washington luminaries. “I ran KNW-YR-OWN Records with Bret Lunsford (Beat Happening, D+) in Anacortes, WA,” explains Matthies, “and was collaborating with Karl Blau, Phil Elverum (Microphones/Mount Eerie), Nate Ashley and others.” Matthies released four full lengths through KNW-YR-OWN. Concurrently, Matthies ran a recording studio called Vibe Control, recording and producing myriad releases, including the first Maldives record and Karl Blau’s Beneath Waves (K Records), and worked with Mount Eerie, Laura Veirs, the Murder City Devils and many more.

"The gift machine recalls a lo-fi Beatles or Velvet Underground in a laid-back mood. Dreamy stuff." - KEXP

In 2006 Matthies moved to California, where he met now-wife and band member Andrea Gruber Matthies (drums / vocals). In 2009, they releasedGoodbye/Goodluck. In addition to Mr. and Ms. Matthies, Alanna Cassidy (bass) and Matt Lawson (guitar and keys), New Tangles features appearances by Blau, John and Jozette Vineyard (The Polyphonic Spree), and Brandon Lawhorne (Thee Sick Balloons).  It was produced, recorded, and mixed by the Matthies, and mastered at Abbey Road in London, England by Frank Arkwright (Arcade Fire, The Smiths, Belle and Sebastian, etc). 

Cascadia Groove will be playing at The Conway Muse on Saturday, March 2 at 7 PM upstairs in the big room with our new light showand a guest singer.

Cascadia Groove is an inspiringly upbeat Danceable Groove Jazz ensemble whose members are: 

Gary Tobin, Guitar;  Paul Sherman, Bass;  Alex Sheldon, Drums; Terry Nelson, Keys;  Keith Stone, Sax...  all world-class musicians.  Get ready for energetic music throughout a tour of Blues, R&B, Jazz, World-beat, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and more with performances that get your foot tapping, blood pumping, and wanting to Move To The Music!

Cascadia Groove sets feature 50%(+) outstanding original material by Gary Tobin in the style of The Yellowjackets, Jeff Lorber, The Rippingtons, Joe Sample, George Benson, Norman Brown (to name a few)... along with Jazz/Afro-Cuban/Latin interpretations of Pop and R&B covers by Michael Jackson, Chaka Kahn, Earth Wind & Fire, Toto, and many more.  

Add it all together and it's an event overflowing with positive uplifting music.  What's more, Cascadia Groove often combines the music with a visual element using timed projected images and lighting resulting in a show that is extraordinarily fun, infectious, and memorable.  Audiences simply love this group.

Anacortes Family Medicine is offering a colon cancer screening that can detect hidden blood which can be a symptom of growths within the colon. Pick-up a stool sample kit on Tuesday, March 5, between 9 and 11 a.m. at Anacortes Family Medicine, 2511 M Ave. Suite B, Anacortes. You must be present to pick-up a kit.  

If you have insurance (other than Medicare or Medicaid), please bring your insurance card. If your insurance doesn’t cover the cost of the screening, your cost will be $10. Call 360-299-1309 for questions.

Drop in with your mobile devices or laptops for hands-on help with downloading library ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music and more; learning computer basics; trying new software or internet applications; signing up for Microsoft IT Academy; and any other tech questions. Tuesdays starting September 4, 10:00-12:00 noon at the library.

Tim Boyer will present the epic migrations on a few of the forty-two common shorebirds found in Washington. The migration of Bar-tailed Godwits, Pacific Golden-Plovers, and Sanderling will be discussed.  Tim will talk about where they migrate, why they migrate and how they are able to travel so far.  These global migrants require global conservation and climate change solutions.  In an effort to understand their remarkable journeys we need to look beyond the North American borders and see where shorebirds spend most of their lives. Wednesday, March 6^th 7:00 pm at the library.

Bilongo began as an instrumental quintet in 2014, playing Latin jazz in the local clubs in Bellingham. In 2016, Bilongo added vocalist Sabrina Gomez and the band’s repertoire expanded to include salsa and other traditional styles from Latin America (in addition to Latin jazz). 

Sunday, March 9^th 2-3:30 pm at the library

Free memory screenings will be held on Tuesday, March 12 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy at Island Hospital, 1015 25^th St., Anacortes. Do you have difficulty paying attention or keeping up in conversation, staying on topic, or remembering names?  If so, our Speech Language Pathologists can help identify the nature of your difficulty and provide strategies to help you improve.  Appointments required. Please register online at www.islandhospital.org/calendar or call 360-299-4204.

Drop in with your mobile devices or laptops for hands-on help with downloading library ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music and more; learning computer basics; trying new software or internet applications; signing up for Microsoft IT Academy; and any other tech questions. Tuesdays starting September 4, 10:00-12:00 noon at the library.

Extra! Extra! The Early Years of Anacortes Newspapers, the new exhibit at the Anacortes Museum, calls attention to the role of newspapers and journalists on Fidalgo and Guemes islands. It also celebrates the new online availability of the first 40 years of Anacortes newspapers. These are made available by a joint effort of the Anacortes American, Anacortes Museum and the Washington State Library, with support from the Anacortes Museum Foundation and the Skagit Community Foundation

The newspaper-focused exhibit opens with a reception on March 13, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Anacortes Museum’s Carnegie Gallery, 1305 8th Street, Anacortes. March 13, 2019 happens to be the 140th anniversary of the founding of Anacortes. At the exhibit, you will see old newspapers, photographs, printing equipment and more. Read all about the lives and work of early Anacortes writers Douglass Allmond, Sophie Walsh, Charlie Gant, and their successors like Wallie Funk and all the rest whose news is now history.

A Tribute to the Queen of Country

Join us for an evening featuring talented singer Elizabeth Stierle, accompanied by her husband Paul as she performs a tribute to Patsy Cline.   Wednesday, March 13^th 7:00 pm at the library

Puget Sound Mussel Monitoring: Long-term Active Biological Monitoring of Nearshore Contaminants: Toxic contaminants are entering the nearshore food web of the Puget Sound, especially along shorelines adjacent to highly urbanized areas. Jennifer Lanksbury, wildlife biologist, WDFW, will discuss how mussels are being studied as pollutant monitors through very successful collaborative efforts among conservation groups, citizen science volunteers and government partners. She will share the results of two rounds of mussel monitoring specifically in the Puget Sound. Friday, March 15, 2019. 7:00-8:30 p.m. NW Ed. Services Dist. Bldg., 1601 R Ave., Anacortes, WA.  7:00–8:30pm. The lecture is free and open to all ages. Sponsored by Friends of Skagit Beaches. For more information about this and other upcoming Lecture Series topics please visit www.skagitbeaches.org

On a recent walk along trail 218, I discovered a very large patch of non-native invasive ivy, along with some holly trees, that need tackling with a large group of volunteers.  Trust me, there will be plenty of ivy to spread the cheer.  I have not seen a patch of ivy like this one in a long time in the ACFL.  Let’s meet at the Whistle Lake parking lot off Whistle Lake Rd.  From there we have a short 7 minute hike to the ivy.  It’s a little wet at the site, so if you have rubber boots please bring them.  If not, there is still ivy and holly outside the wet area.  Thank you!

The historic Felicity Ann, a vessel made famous by Ann Davison, the first woman to sail solo across the Atlantic in 1953.  Learn more about Felicity Ann’s stops along the way, including her journey across the country and finally ending up at the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. Saturday, March 16^th 3:00 pm at the library

Donate blood with Bloodworks Northwest on Monday, March 18 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. (closed 11-11:45 p.m.) in the Fidalgo/Burrows Rooms at Island Hospital, 1211 24^th St. Anacortes.

To schedule an appointment, visit schedule.bloodworksnw.org and use sponsor code 2298, or call 1-800-398-7888.

Learn about a variety of breastfeeding topics at a class on Monday, March 18 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Island Hospital, 1211 24^th St., Anacortes. The cost is $25 (covered by Apple Health). Visit www.islandhospital.org/calendar or call 360-299-4204 to register.

Drop in with your mobile devices or laptops for hands-on help with downloading library ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music and more; learning computer basics; trying new software or internet applications; signing up for Microsoft IT Academy; and any other tech questions. Tuesdays starting September 4, 10:00-12:00 noon at the library.

Island County Sheriff and Swinomish Tribal Police are co-hosting a Health and Well-being training for all 1st Responders on March 20-21.

Island County Sheriff Rick Felici and Chief Lou D’Amelio say they and their entire staff take mental health and general well-being seriously. It’s been a wonderful turn of tides that we are finally talking about our own mental health, learning more techniques and tools to help us so that we can not only survive this career, but thrive. And take these tools into the field with us to help the public.

They are targeting the areas of Clallam, Jefferson, Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties.

1st Responder Conferences presents a multi-faceted two-day seminar and networking event for improving the mental health and wellness of our first responders. By discussing the real 21st Century issues that are consistently facing our first responders and their families, our conference will provide awareness, resources and action items to combat PTSD, depression, suicide, addiction, stress, and overall mental health.

When: March 20-21, 2019

Time: 0800-1600
Where: Swinomish Casino and Lodge
12885 Casino Drive
Anacortes, WA 98221

Hosted by the Island County Sheriff's Office & Swinomish Police Department. Co-hosted by Code 4 NW and Blue H.E.L.P.

This hike is approximately 1.15 miles roundtrip with about 25 feet of elevation gain. Greet the first day of spring along trail 101 that runs down the western edge of Little Cranberry Lake. Maybe the sun will rise over the canopy to greet us too! Meet at the Cranberry Lake parking lot at the north end of the lake. (Take Georgia south off of Oakes Ave., then three blocks up, take a right on Little Craberry Road and follow the gravel road to the parking lot.)

Please visit our website for more details or driving directions. 

Naturopathic Physician, Alethea Fleming outlines how changes to your diet and home environment can improve allergy symptoms at a class on Wednesday, March 20 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Island Hospital, 1211 24^th St., Anacortes. Visit www.islandhospital.org/calendar  or call 299-4204 to register.

Anacortes’ Early Newspapers: “Honest, Independent & Aggressive”

This presentation by Bret Lunsford, Anacortes Museum Director focuses on early Anacortes journalists featured in the new exhibit at the Anacortes Museum. Anacortes was founded by a journalist, Amos Bowman, who wrote for Horace Greeley‘s New York Tribune newspaper in the 1850s and followed his boss’ advice to “go west” – he began publishing the Northwest Enterprise here in 1882. From 1890 onward the Anacortes American covered local news, joined at various times by other long forgotten journals. Learn all about the lives and work of early Anacortes writers Douglass Allmond, Sophie Walsh, Charlie Gant, and their successors like Wallie Funk and all the rest whose news is now history. Wednesday, March 20^th 7:00 pm at the library

Island County Sheriff and Swinomish Tribal Police are co-hosting a Health and Well-being training for all 1st Responders on March 20-21.

Island County Sheriff Rick Felici and Chief Lou D’Amelio say they and their entire staff take mental health and general well-being seriously. It’s been a wonderful turn of tides that we are finally talking about our own mental health, learning more techniques and tools to help us so that we can not only survive this career, but thrive. And take these tools into the field with us to help the public.

They are targeting the areas of Clallam, Jefferson, Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties.

1st Responder Conferences presents a multi-faceted two-day seminar and networking event for improving the mental health and wellness of our first responders. By discussing the real 21st Century issues that are consistently facing our first responders and their families, our conference will provide awareness, resources and action items to combat PTSD, depression, suicide, addiction, stress, and overall mental health.

When: March 20-21, 2019

Time: 0800-1600
Where: Swinomish Casino and Lodge
12885 Casino Drive
Anacortes, WA 98221

Hosted by the Island County Sheriff's Office & Swinomish Police Department. Co-hosted by Code 4 NW and Blue H.E.L.P.

This hike is about 1.7 miles roundtrip with about 50 feet of elevation gain. Celebrate our tilt towards the sun and what the spring season means for our forests witha hike along Little Cranberry's pictureesque shoreline havitats. It's our only lake with a near shore trail all the way around it. meet at the Cranberry Lake parking lot north of the lake. 

Please visit our website: www.friendsoftheacfl.org for more details or driving directions. 

What would you do in a mass shooting event? Learn how to stop uncontrolled bleeding until first responders arrive at a free class on Friday, March 22 from 10 a.m. - noon at Island Hospital, Anacortes. Registration required. www.islandhospital.org/calendar or call 360-299-4204.

For the “totally baroque” connoisseur this is your concert! Harpsichord/flute works by one of the most creative and prolific composers of all time will be performed by two skilled collaborating musicians.  Jeffrey Cohan is an area resident with an international reputation as a performer and scholar.  Hans-Jürgen Schnoor hails from Germany.

Sat. Mar 23, 2019