If you’re like me, you know (or have known) someone with cancer. It’s a terrible, hopeless feeling to learn that someone you love has been diagnosed with this potentially devastating illness.

Well, now you can do something to help those fighting cancer: support the Harmony Hill Retreat Center by entering to play in their fundraising tournament on Friday, September 26th, at the Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club.

Harmony Hill Retreat Center is the only retreat center in the Northwest which specializes in helping those with cancer. Harmony Hill, which is in the middle of a major gifts campaign, has received a capital grant of $250,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with the promise of an additional $500,000 gift if they raise an additional $1.3 million by the end of this year, December 31st. All funds raised by this golf tournament will go towards meeting that $1.3 million goal.

Your entry fee for this tournament (which will go to help Harmony Hill) is $85, plus $30 for cart reservation. This includes 18 holes of golf, with a 19th hole dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the Nordstrom Great Hall at Harmony Hill. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, and play begins at noon.

If you’d like to skip the golf and just attend the dinner, the cost is $15. Raffle tickets will be sold for prizes, including rounds of golf with cart, wine tastings, and even a one-hour massage!

You can get more information or register for this event through Thursday, September 25th by contacting Jolene at 360.898.2363 or jolene@harmonyhill.org. But hurry, because spots are limited, and you won’t want to miss this opportunity to help a great cause (and have a great time doing it)!

Next Monday, September 22nd, officially marks the beginning of Autumn, and what better way to celebrate the “dog days of summer” than with a dog show?

The Gig Harbor Kennel Club will hold its annual all-breed dog show at the Mason County Fairgrounds in Shelton on Saturday, September 20th. You can find more information at the Gig Harbor Kennel Club website.

Other events of interest around the Peninsula this weekend:

Thursday, 9/18, 12-1 p.m., at the Silverdale Beach Hotel: Packard Car Club of America

Friday, 9/19, 6:30-9 p.m., at the Collective Visions Art Gallery in Bremerton: the Virginia Klemens Blues Band. Enjoy singer/songwriter/guitarist Virginia Klemens in style, surrounded by wonderful art by local Northwest artists. Tickets: $16 in advance/$18 at the door. Call 360-377-8327 for more information.

Saturday, 9/20, in Silverdale: The Memory Walk will increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and raise funds to support research and other programs provided by the Alzheimer’s Association. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the 3.2 mile walk begins at 10 a.m. There will be a live band, food, prizes, and more! You can visit the website for the Western and Central Washington Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for more information.

There’s lots of fun to be had in the area this weekend:

On Friday, September 12, 8 p.m., the Little Creek Casino on Highway 101 outside of Shelton will host “the father of rock and roll” Chuck Berry in concert. Put on your dancing shoes and don’t forget to “Johnny B. Good!”

On Saturday, September 13th, Sanderson Field in Shelton will host a free community celebration in honor of its 60th anniversary. The event begins at 9 a.m. with the arrival of historic military and classic aircraft. Kids aged 7-18 can go for free airplane rides, courtesy of the national EAA Young Eagles program. Classic cars and dragsters, a Seafood Chowder cook-off, live music, and a kids’ zone with free bouncy houses/slides, face painting, fishing booth, and more make this a great family event.

Also on Saturday, September 13th, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., the town of Union (just down the road from Alderbrook Properties) will hold its 3rd annual community salmon bake at the Union Fire Hall. If you buy tickets in advance, you can get a discount: $12.50 for adults ($15 at the door) and $5 for kids over 5 years old ($7.50 at the door). Kids age 5 and under are free. What’s the rest of the menu, you ask? Let’s see … scalloped potatoes, corn on the cob, creamy coleslaw, corn bread, apple or blackberry pie with ice cream, and coffee, tea or lemonade … even if you don’t like salmon, you could still get a pretty good meal out of the deal!

And all weekend long, the Bremerton Community Theater (BCT) is presenting their production, “Shakespeare in Hollywood.” Here’s a synopsis from their website:

“Oberon and Puck from A Midsummer Night’s Dream magically find themselves in Hollywood, California in 1935 on the set of the famous Warner Brothers film A Midsummer Night’s Dream. When director Max Reinhardt finds himself in need of two actors to replace his lead roles in the film - Oberon and Puck - guess who gets cast as themselves?”

Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and it will play weekends through September 28th. Get your tickets now, before they’re all gone!

If you’ve been paying attention to local events over the last few weeks, you probably heard the inspiring story of Jason Pipoly and his attempt to swim 40 miles in Hood Canal over Labor Day weekend. You can read about his adventure at the Reuters website, and see a short YouTube video  here, but I thought it might be a good idea to hear from the man himself, and get his perspective in his own words. So here is the short email conversation we had after his valiant attempt:

1. What motivates you to do these swims?

There are several different reasons why I do these swims. Here are the reasons, and they are not in any order of importance. First it keeps me in shape. When I got out of the hospital, I was very weak and very insecure about being in a wheelchair. However, once I started swimming I began to get stronger and more secure about myself. My daily activities began to get easier, and as things got easier, my confidence grew. To be honest, when I first thought about swimming the English Channel, I thought it would be easy and I would get rich doing it. Now what motivates me is the desire to try to inspire others, to give others hope.

2. Do you have any plans to repeat this attempt and try to make the full 40 miles?

The plan we had to accomplish the 40 mile swim down the Hood Canal was a good plan.  We did our home work, but we were just expecting the water to be a lot warmer then it was. I think the swim is very doable in warmer water. I do not want to say that I would not be back to the Hood Canal, because the swim was a beautiful experience. Swimming in mountains down a salt water fjord where there are seals and salmon running was awesome. It just turned into an extreme event — but an awesome adventure — with the water temperature. 

3. What is your next venture after Hood Canal?

I think the next plan I have is to first get a full time teaching position in San Antonio.  Right now I am a substitute teacher. The next swim I want to plan is an English Channel double (42 miles). The water is a lot warmer in the English Channel.  My dream is to do the swim for a fund raiser. If I can get good weather, I believe I can make an English Channel double. Plus there is a very experienced boat captain and that makes a big difference. 

4. Do you have anything you’d like to say to area residents?
 
I would like to tell Bill Gates and his wife to keep up the good work. He has inspired me giving away money like they do. Plus, they have found Big Foot, so all of you are not crazy! Last, there are two things that make up a place — the environment and the people.  Both are so beautiful up there. The people made me feel like I was a local. The environment is as inviting as it gets. Mountains and water … what more do you want? 

You know, I couldn’t agree more!

Jason Pipoly at Catalina, CA                                     Jason Pipoly at age 9 after attempting to swim the English Channel

Although the calendar says it’s still summer for a few more weeks, school started today for students in the North Mason School District, which means that summer is essentially over. There’s a slight chill in the air, leaves are just beginning to turn, the days are getting shorter, and the bright sunshine of summer (yes, we had some!) is changing to the softer quality of light that fall brings to Washington State.

There’s something about the changing of the seasons – the rhythm of life – that reassures me. It reminds me that not everything is negotiable. Some things just simply are. We can rail against them, ignore them, or embrace them … it makes no difference. The seasons change; time marches on, taking us along for the ride.

Of course, we’re not victims. We can make choices about how we respond to the non-negotiables of life, like the changing of the seasons. And if you’re feeling sad about the end of summer, one of the best ways to cope is by keeping active and doing things you enjoy. Here are some ideas based on what’s going on this weekend on the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas:

On Friday, 9/5, at 7 pm, the Admiral Theatre in Bremerton kicks off its 2008-2009 season of independent films with “The Namesake,” a story of first generation Indian immigrants to the US and their children. Admission: $7

On Saturday, 9/6, at 6 pm, the Kitsap Destruction Derby Association will hold the Kitsap Krash V. Visit their website for more information.

Also on Saturday, 9/6, from 8 am to 4 pm, the Kitsap Square Dance Association will hold its Car and Motorcycle Show with Swap Meet in the Square Dance Hall, 6800 Old Belfair Hwy in Gorst.

This time of year also marks the beginning of many other opportunities: dance classes, art classes, books clubs, writers’ groups, art exhibits, auditions for theater, music, and dance groups, and more. You can find an extensive list of local opportunities at the Port Orchard Independent website. Check it out and find something fun to do, or something new to learn. I think you’ll be glad you did!

Do you enjoy a good mystery?  If so, you won’t want to miss the 3rd Annual Murder Mystery Weekend in Port Orchard on September 6th and 7th.
 
This year’s festivities include a Pirate Ball, a Dinghy Derby race, pirate look-alike contests for adults, children, and pets, and of course, the requisite food, music, and children’s activities. And of course, there’s the mystery of “Who killed the Cap’n?” to solve!

We’re past the “half-price” deadline for the Mystery Clue Packet, but the full price is still quite a good deal: just $5 for kids under 12, $10 for adults, and $20 for families of 3 or more. Tickets for the Pirate Ball cost $15 each, and include a meal and live music, as well as other pirate-y fun.

Here’s the schedule for this 2-day event:

Registration:  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
Clue gathering & Murder Solving:  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
MarketFaire:  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm, Parking lot near Waterfront Park Gazebo
Dinghy Derby Race:  Saturday, 12:30-1:30 pm, Sidney Circle near Library
Adults Costume Contest: Saturday, 2 pm, Waterfront Park Gazebo
Strolling Pirate Musicians on Saturday
Little Buccaneers Pirate Crafts: Saturday & Sunday, 1-5 pm, at the Library
Coroner’s Report: Saturday, 4 pm, Waterfront Park Gazebo
Pirate Ball: Saturday, 6 pm, at Moon Dogs Too
Kids’ Costume Contest: Sunday, 12:30 pm, Waterfront Park Gazebo
Pet Costume Contest:  Sunday, after kids contest at the Waterfront Park Gazebo
Pirate Story Time: Sunday, 1:30-2:30 pm, at the Library
Reveal: Sunday, 4 pm, Waterfront Park Gazebo

You can find more details at the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce website.

There’s a lot going on this weekend on the peninsulas, so if you’re looking for something to do, read on!

Theler Wetlands Guided Bird Walk, Friday, 8/29, 9-11 a.m.: Dress for the weather and come prepared to enjoy our feathered friends on this guided tour which leaves from the Theler Exhibit Center. For more information, visit the Theler Community Center website or call 360-275-4898.

Bremerton Blackberry Festival, Saturday, 8/30 – Monday, 9/1: Stroll along the Louis Mentor Boardwalk and enjoy over 100 booths with wares ranging from arts and crafts to delicious food items. Entertainment for young and old provided on two stages, along with a car show, fun run, chalk art competition, bike race, fly-in and more!  For more information, visit the Blackberry Festival website or call the Bremerton Main Stream Association at 360-377-3041.

3-on-3 Silverdale Shootout, Saturday, 8/30 – Sunday, 8/31: Enjoy recreational and competitive basketball tournaments, as well as activities for the whole family. Get more information at the website or call the Silverdale Beach Hotel at 360-698-1000.

Olympic Art Festival, Saturday, 8/30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: The Olympic Art Gallery in Quilcene (40 Washington Street/Hwy 101) will host artists exhibiting their work and doing demonstrations. This quarterly art festival aims to support local artists and provide fine art and great prices. You can find more information at their website or by calling the art gallery at 360-765-0200.

Mini Van Destruction Derby, Saturday, 8/30, 6 p.m.: The Kitsap Destruction Derby presents a special Mini Van Derby in Bremerton. Gates open at 4 p.m. General admission is $10, with discounts available for seniors, children, students, and military. Get more information at the Kitsap Destruction Derby Association website.

With all these diverse events, there’s truly something for everyone!

Local area residents have a treat in store this coming weekend, with the first annual summer musical presented by Anna’s Bay: Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This production, which includes the Anna’s Bay Chorale, the Mosquito Fleet, the Hood Canal Youth Choirs and the Shelton High School Choir, will begin on Friday, August 29th at 8 p.m. in the Shelton High School Auditorium, with a second performance running at 8 p.m. on Saturday, August 30th. Tickets cost $15 ($10 for members of Anna’s Bay Center for Music), a real bargain for live musical theater!

I’ve blogged about Anna’s Bay events before, but maybe you’re still wondering what the Anna’s Bay Center for Music is all about. I think their website says it wonderfully:

“The Anna’s Bay Center for Music is many things, but most of all, it is a community of people who believe in the power of music to enrich and strengthen community. Part community music school, part professional performing arts organization, our mission is music that brings people into harmony with themselves and each other. Our flagship programs make participatory live music experiences available to as many as possible …”

You can learn more about the Anna’s Bay Center for Music at their website, including a calendar of their 08/09 season schedule, which includes several community sing-along events as well as concerts which will both engage and inspire you.

English novelist Charles Kingsley once said, “There is something very wonderful about music. Words are wonderful enough; but music is even more wonderful. It speaks not to our thoughts as words do; it speaks through our hearts and spirits, to the very core and root of our souls. Music soothes us, stirs us up, it puts noble feelings in us, it can make us cringe; and it can melt us to tears; and yet we have no idea how. It is a language by itself, just as perfect in its ways as speech, as words, just as divine, just as blessed.”

Spend a little time this weekend enjoying the language of music, and support your community musicians at the same time. Sounds like a win-win to me!

Looking for some interesting things to do this weekend? Check out these local events:

Start your weekend early! Pack a picnic basket and blanket, head on down to the Evergreen Rotary Park’s Amphitheatre in Bremerton TONIGHT (Thursday, 8/21) and enjoy “Shakespeare in the Park: The Tempest.” The show, presented by the Changing Scene Theatre Northwest and directed by Derek Niegemann, begins at 6 p.m. And if you can’t make it tonight, don’t worry. You can catch it next Thursday (8/28) instead! Call 360-473-5425 for more information.

If theatre (or Shakespeare) isn’t your thing, then you might want to head to the Kitsap County Fair & Stampede instead. It runs from August 20th (yesterday) through Sunday, August 24th at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds in Bremerton. Enjoy carnival rides and games, a rodeo, a free concert by Emerson Drive (we already missed the free concert by Three Dog Night), a Wild West show, juggling, hypnosis, a petting farm, racing pigs, tractor pull races, a beard and mustache contest, educated parrots (?!?), and even karaoke! You can get all the details at the Kitsap County Fair & Stampede web page.

History buffs and those who enjoy documentary films won’t want to miss seeing the film “Mystery U-Boat of  World War I,” showing at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport on Saturday at 2 p.m. Watch as the Deep Sea Detectives explore the site of the sunken German submarine UB-107 and the surprise discovered there. And did I mention that it’s FREE?

On a side note, you may see hordes of bicyclists on the roads of Puget Sound, because this weekend is the 5th Annual Ride Around Puget Sound, supporting statewide bicycle advocacy and education. It’s a 1 or 2 day ride of 170 miles (which is impressive, because I think it would take me at least a week to get that far!) So keep an eye out for those bicyclists and let’s share the roads with them!

Here’s a round-up of some fun things to do this weekend …

Thursday, 8/14, 6 p.m., Music in the Park: Shelton’s outdoor summer concert series at the Shelton Post Office Park in downtown Shelton will feature the band Reincarnation of Rock and Roll this week. Relax and enjoy some “oldies but goodies” from Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, and others. Dress for the weather and come prepared to sit on the lawn. You can find more information here and here.

Saturday, 8/16, 12-3 p.m., Harmony Hill SummerFest & Open House: If you’re a supporter of Harmony Hill, you won’t want to miss their SummerFest and Open House, with tours, light refreshments, a Storytelling Gathering and a garden Q&A session with gardening expert Ann Lovejoy. Admission is free. You can find more information at the Harmony Hill web site.

Saturday, 8/16, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Shelton Art Festival: Come to the Shelton Civic Center and enjoy photography, ceramics, jewelry, wood sculpture, quilts, paintings, fiber arts, poetry, and knits.

Saturday, 8/16 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., 2nd annual Wetlands Festival: Theler Community Center will is sponsoring this festival, with a chili cook-off, tons of vendors, the Belfair Farmers Market, and a special performance by The Voetberg Family starting at 4 pm! Take a walk in the wetlands, enjoy some chili and an amazing concert!

Saturday, 8/16, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Salmon Fest: This festival, which includes a salmon BBQ, salmon exhibits, live performances, fine arts, and a “Kids of All Ages” zone, takes place in Shelton, WA, at the Little Creek Casino Resort parking lot. For more information, call Leslie at 360-432-3838.

Saturday and Sunday, August 16-17, Salmon Derby: The 8th annual Hood Canal Salmon Derby offers prizes of $500, $750, and $1000 for first through third place winners. Tickets cost $25. There’s also a FREE kids derby with one $100 first place prize. Get more info at the website for the South Sound Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers.

Now you know there are no excuses for sitting inside and staring at the walls this weekend. Get out there and have some fun!