Three New Baby Orca!

New Baby J-45 with Mother Samish (J-14)
photo credit: Ken Balcomb Center For Whale Research

What a great birthday present! This year what we thought were two new Orca calves turned out to be three! Two of them in J-pod and so far all looking healthy and active. That is very good news especially with the recent loss of seven whales missing and assumed dead. This does not solve the problem the whales are facing of a diminished food supply but is a hopeful sign.

Check out OrcaCam on the Center For Whale Research website
Link to: The Whale Museum

Late Snow ~ February 26

Fir Bough Out My Bedroom Window

I watched the fat rain come down last night but sure did not expect to find a snowy morning. Not that I mind. I have a peaceful association in the reflected light off the snow that brightens an overcast winter day.

An excerpt from The Four Seasons of the Year
by the first American Poet, Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672)

Moist snowie February is my last,

I care not how the winter time doth haste,

In Pisces now the golden Sun doth shine,

And Northward still approaches to the Line,

The Rivers 'gin to ope, the snows to melt,

And some warm glances from his face are felt;

Which is increased by the lengthen'd day,

Until by's heat, he drive all cold away

Volunteers of America

There is a big call out for volunteers these days. President Obama is asking us to give service time to our communities. Whenever I hear a call out for volunteers I hear the voice of Grace Slick on the Woodstock Album when she says "Good Morning people! Now you will hear morning maniac music, believe me..." and then Jefferson Airplane blasts into Volunteers of America...

Jefferson Airplane - Volunteers of America

Look what's happening out in the streets
Got a revolution Got to revolution
Hey I'm dancing down the streets
Got a revolution Got to revolution
Ain't it amazing all the people I meet
Got a revolution Got to revolution
One generation got old
One generation got soul
This generation got no destination to hold
Pick up the cry
Hey now it's time for you and me
Got a revolution Got to revolution
Come on now we're marching to the sea
Got a revolution Got to revolution
Who will take it from you
We will and who are we
We are volunteers of America

Wish Upon A Star (If You Can Still See One)

There are some people with businesses in town who would like to leave lit-up signs on all night in Friday Harbor. Currently this is against our Town Ordinance. Leaving lights on all night is not only an irresponsible waste of resources but would be a blight to our night sky. Please attend this evening's public hearing and let town council know that this is an unacceptable proposal.

Starry Night ~ Vincent Van Gogh

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Town of Friday Harbor, Washington will hold a PUBLIC HEARING to consider revisions to Title 14 of Friday Harbor Municipal Code regarding sign regulations at 5:35 PM, February 19, 2009 at Town Hall, 60 Second Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Proposed revisions are to allow signs to be illuminated after businesses are closed.

No More Falsehoods or Derision

Princess of Cups ~ Druid Craft Tarot

A reader asks...

Anita: When you say the 1000 day countdown starts today, does that mean that the Age of Aquarius won't really be here for another three years?

Me: That's right Anita. As I understand it we have made it through the cusp period between the Piscean Age and the Age of Aquarius and are now in the "Dawning" of the Age of Aquarius. The Age of Aquarius starts officially in 2012, or in 1,000 days minus a few now. See the countdown widgit in my right-hand column. This is of course in sync with the Myan calendar running out. So we are into the transition which they say will cause some tumult but by 2036 things should be really groovy.

Anita: I heard a "anti-snarking" story on NPR this morning, maybe the no more derision part is already starting.

Me: Right again, I think we are all going to have to do our part. I know that with Bush no longer in the White House I do feel quite a bit less snarky already.

The Dawning of the Age of Aquarius Starts Now!

The moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter is aligned with Mars. You know what that means. It is officially the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. Come this morning, February 14, 2009 at dawn the moon in Libra enters the seventh house, the house of relationships, and Jupiter and Mars are aligned in Aquarius in the twelfth house, the house of spiritual transformation.

The official 1,000 day countdown to the Age of Aquarius begins today. To usher in the Aquarian Age with a fitting mantra link to: Meditation for an Invincible Spirit in the Aquarian Age.

AQUARIUS

Johanofsweden

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
The age of Aquarius
Aquarius!
Aquarius!

Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation
Aquarius!
Aquarius!

Valentine's Day Concert on Lopez

Cindy Kallet & Grey Larsen

Feb. 14th, 7:30 PM at the Lopez Island Grange Hall, $10
Unique Tapestry of Contemporary Folk and World Music

What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than to take your sweetie to a Home on the Grange concert on Lopez Island. I hear from my friend Sue DuMond on Lopez that Cindy Kallet & Grey Larsen will be playing. Here is what Sue has to say...

"Cindy Kallet and Grey Larsen, each well known and loved for their decades of music making have joined musical forces in a new duo. Cindy is a superb singer, guitarist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Grey is one of America's finest players of the Irish flute and tin whistle, as well as an accomplished singer and concertina, fiddle, piano and harmonium player. As composers each has contributed to the unique tapestry of contemporary folk and world music as it exists and flourishes in America today. Together, they weave songs and tunes of vibrant color and rich texture.More info: link to: Home on the Grange, or call: 468-2753.

Lopez Grange Hall