Doe Bay is Open Again- 365 Days a Year

In the e-mail which probably brought you here, I mentioned that we just refurbished the Doe Bay spa. The water will always be hot, clean and bubbling! The sauna will be hot and the shower refreshing, in a good way. This time of year, the stream next to the spa is flowing full blast and it is a winter paradise as you can see below.

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Spring Break Family Weeks at Doe Bay

March 27th to April 9th

Kids stay and EAT free

Won't it be great to have a little extra time with your kids over Spring Break. You could take your kids to see Avatar again and then spend way too much eating factory produced food at a restaurant that has Factory in the name. Or you could come up to Doe Bay and teach them that we used to not have cell phones or 250 channels on cable. We have several special events planned for families along with the regular options of spa visits, massage and yoga. We will have kid-friendly yoga classes, special cafe meals. Call Jami at the Front desk for details, options and reservations.

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THE FOOD AT THE DOE BAY CAFE

I think that there must be others who have been slow to come around to the idea that feeding the American people is one of those areas, not best left to American business. I read Rachel Carson's Silent Spring in the 60's, but I remember my Mom saying that, as a Minnesota farm girl, the pre-pesticide era wasn't too great. I am a believer in free enterprise and believe that business will figure out ways to solve problems better than any other system. I believed a tomato from West Texas that looked just like one from Westsound (on Orcas), but was 5 cents cheaper, was a better deal. It might work once or twice but it will never taste as good or be as healthy.

Read Michael Pollan. Watch Food Inc.! But what can you do? There are of course many things, but one is to eat at the Doe Bay Cafe. Our culinary staff are fanatics about freshness; fanatics about organic and when in doubt they make it from scratch. NO SYSCO trucks are allowed on the property! We know where our food comes from, because most of it grows on our property!

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Music at Doe Bay

Music has always been a big part of my life. The picture above was taken in 1967. The drummer is my cousin and the guitarist is Ricky Novito (RIP). Music is a huge part of Doe Bay. I could put any one of dozens of videos up for you to watch but this one of Kelli singing on the cafe stage last summer is a favorite. We have music every Thursday night when the microphone is open to all. We have a band most Friday nights. And we have Doe Bay Fest. If you are a musician and want to come and play at open mic or a Friday night gig, please write to me.

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Volunteers at the Doe Bay Garden

Doe Bay hosts WWOOF volunteers all year round to work in our organic garden, learning organic gardening techniques and to participate in our Seed-to-Table program where what we grow in the Doe Bay Garden is what we all eat in the Doe Bay Cafe. Our WWOOF guests live at Doe Bay and get free room and board in exchange for their efforts. The program has been a huge success. If you are interested, please write to Heather, the Doe Bay Garden Manager.

Thank you for reading my ramblings. When you come to Doe Bay, ask if Joe is around and please introduce yourself to me.

Joe
The Proprietor
Joe@DoeBay.com

Post-script - Even many of our regular guests don't know about Retreat House so check it out by clicking here. It is one of the best places at Doe Bay because you can gather a group of 5 to 20 in a huge house next to the garden. So, we are offering a Retreat House special –30% discount off any night of the week in February or March, excluding holidays. (2 night minimum applies). Just mention this newsletter special when you check in.

You are the first to know that the Third Annual Doe Bay Fest is scheduled for the weekend of Friday the 13th of August!

You are the first to know that we expect over 200 bands to apply to play and that DBF is considered one of the coolest gatherings to play in the Northwest!

If you would like to volunteer to assist with DB Fest or would like your band to perform, please write Joe@DoeBay.com.

Also, readers of the newsletter will be the first to be offered Doe Bay Fest tickets. THE FESTIVAL WILL SELL OUT!

Watch for our '10 logo soon!

Doe Bay in the wintertime? YES! The winter is the quiet time on the islands. You'll find much more space on the island's trails and more time to get the local scoop on things to do. You'll glory in the rugged beauty of storm-watching or you can take advantage of a placid sunny day in the rainshadow. Winter in the San Juans is a perfect time to curl up with a project to complete using our wifi network or to recharge with a soak in our much quieter tubs.

Music in the Cafe

Homeless Bruce Harvie and his All Star Band

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Friday February 5th @7PM
The Solvents
http://www.myspace.com/thesolvents

The Doe Bay Cafe Host The Solvents. They Hail from Port Townsend, Wa, and their music lends itself to the unknown, the poignant and the haunting. Self described as indie rock with elements of folk and pop, The Solvents are comprised of Bramson and Emily Madden. Bramson on guitar and Emily on violin

www.myspace.com/thesolvents
solventsrockband.blogspot.com/

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Friday February 12th at 7PM

Returning to the Doe Bay Cafe

Be Careful

The Chinese New Years Show!

Be Careful is a potent northwest homebrew all original constantly inventive. Drawing inspiration from all over. They defy genre and concentrate on having FUN!!

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Friday February 19th 7PM

Shenandoah Davis

"With a voice like an old timey fiddle, she adds on contrapuntal guitar, piano and xylophone parts to round out the subtle symphony. In addition to collaborating with Seattle's Grand Hallway and Jack Wilson, she has shared stages with Sera Cahoone, The Lisps, Ian Cooke, The Maldives, and Paper Bird, and has been featured in The Stranger, Setlist, and Sound Magazine.

www.myspace.com/missshenandoah

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Artsmith Salon Series is Happening every Monday night!

Join Artsmith and the Doe Bay Cafe for a weekly Salon series featuring guest writers from around the country. The Cafe features special tapas/small plates and wine specials on these special Monday evenings throughout the winter/spring. Following the guest author, local writers and Doe Bay guests have an opportunity to read their own works each week in a special Writer's Open Mic. All lovers of food, wine and words are welcome! Reading begins at 7pm. Reserve a table for dinner by calling 360-376-8059.

February 1 - Norm Stamper, author of Breaking Rank, at Doe Bay Resort Cafe. (I know I am sending this too late for you to see our friend Norm. He is an Orcas Island neighbor and one of the more interesting people you will meet, so don't miss the next time we can entice him to come visit.

February 8 -Taos, NM poet Amalio Madueno. The evening begins at 7 pm.

There is a Writers' open mic at every salon.

Also of note, Judith Roche, a Seattle poet whose third book Wisdom of the Body (2007) won the American Book Award, will be offering a 3-hour workshop on Sunday March 28 in the Otter Lodge at Doe Bay Resort. For more information or to register, please email renekeep@yahoo.com.

Artsmith Salon Special – Join us for the Salon on Monday evening and stay for FREE! With two paid nights, add on Monday to your stay for FREE!!!

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VALENTINE'S DAY

FALL IN LOVE OR FALL IN LOVE AGAIN

AT DOE BAY

FEBRUARY 14, 2010

CALL (360) 376-2291 for Reservations or go to www.DoeBay.com

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Master Improvisation Retreat Feb 19-28!

Master Improvisation Retreat surrounded by the beauty of Doe Bay on Orcas Island, this program offers a protective environment for creative growth through improvisation. Working in ensemble and individually with master improvisers Matt Smith and Rebecca Stockley, participants are immersed in daily sessions in a variety of improvisation disciplines. With two scheduled performances, participants explore and generate new structures for presentation. There are 2 additional Open Mic opportunities at the Doe Bay Cafe. Who: 14 improvisers What: Improv Workshop: 9 days of improvisation, performance, and reflection. Where: Doe Bay on Orcas Island When: From dinner Friday February 19th to the afternoon of Sunday, February 28th. Facilitators: Matt Smith and Rebecca Stockley Cost: $1,350 (Includes tuition, accommodation and food - for basic housing – private and double accommodations available at your expense) To apply for the Master Improvisation Retreat send request for application to matt@matt-smith.net. Enrollment pending interview. Study and improvise with seasoned improv professionals for 9 days. If you’re ready for a breakthrough in your: Life, Creativity, Performance, or Work, this is the workshop for you.

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“Visions of a Water Rat: Boats & Nature in the Islands”

A multi-projector slide show by Peter Fromm
Sunday February 21st, 7pm, Doe Bay Café

Peter Fromm designed and built his boat “Gallery” based on photographs of a 1878 Seattle boat with the same name. The “Gallery” is docked on Orcas Island and is a year-round gallery displaying the photographs of Peter Fromm. Fromm is a third generation photographer and still uses 35mm and 120 film cameras for his work. He has been in the San Juan Islands since 1975 and boasts a gorgeous and artful collection of thousands of Island shots from over the years. Come to Doe Bay for his special presentation “Visions of a Water Rat” and discover some of Fromm’s most captivating works. Check out www.frommphotos.com and then come check out Peter’s live presentation here at Doe Bay!

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Saint Patrick's DAY

GREEN BEER AND IRISH CHEER

AT DOE BAY

March 17, 2010

CALL 360 376-2291

The Sweet Spot yurt at Doe Bay. The yurt is a simple portable structure most often used by nomads in Central Asia. Photo by Kathryn Brady

Thanks to Cameron, we now have beautiful and detailed photos of every place to stay at Doe Bay. Just click on this link to get to the map. Then click on any site and you will see the photos.

CLICK HERE TO SEE

DOE BAY MAP

Save the World - Come to Doe Bay!

Asia's crowded and Europe's too old
Africa is far too hot
And Canada's too cold
And South America stole our name
Let's Go To Doe Bay

~ Randy Newman

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