360: Arts - Entertainment - Recreation by Adams MultiMedia

A festival celebrating art, music and culture PAGE 3

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday August 2, 2012

Recreation

Reviews

Roger Ebert

Class teaches kids how to survive in the wilderness

Music: Passion Pit, Gloriana Video Games: ‘Ferrari Racing Legends’

‘Total Recall’ remake well-crafted, but misses Arnold’s emotional touch

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PAGES 6-7

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E2 - Thursday, August 2, 2012

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “Hatfields & McCoys:” This first scripted series from the History Channel has picked up 16 Emmy nominations, including nods for stars Kevin Costner, Bill Paxton and Mare Winningham. Costner plays Anse, patriarch of the Hatfields, who is better known as Devil. Hatfield and Randall McCoy, played by Bill Paxton, lived only a few miles from each other on either side of the Kentucky-West Virginia border. They served together during the Civil War and that’s where the first seeds of the long-running feud were sewn. Although they don’t have a lot of scenes together, some of the best moments are when Costner and Paxton share the screen. The two veteran actors show a deep understanding of their roles as men who both hate and admire each other. The miniseries has a few slow moments, but it is a compelling story of how hatred can grow over generations. The DVD includes the original version before it was cut for television. “ATM”: This film shows that there are scarier things than a low bank balance. In what is essentially a four-person play, three young executives — played by Alice Eve, Josh Peck and Brian Geraghty — find themselves trapped at an isolated ATM on a sub-zero night. They can’t leave because there’s an ominous figure lurking outside the door. Director David Brooks does his best to build and sustain the terror but the chills fade near the halfway point. He does get a lot of mileage out of Peck’s character, who is so obnoxious that you wish the other two would toss him out into the cold. The film is saved in the end by a clever bit of writing by Chris Sparling that offers a couple of interesting twists on the story. “LOL”: Miley Cyrus plays a teen dealing with high school romance and friendship. “The Kent Chronicles”: Includes three miniseries based on John Jakes novels. “Marilyn in Manhattan”: Documentary about Marilyn Monroe’s secret move to New York. “Alice: The Complete First Season”: Linda Lavin stars in the TV comedy set in a diner. “Marvel Blade: The Complete Series”: Animated series featuring Harold Perrineau as the voice of Blade. “Mystery Science Theater 3000 XXIV”: It includes “Fugitive Alien,” “Star Force: Fugitive Alien II,” “The Sword and the Dragon” and “Samson vs.

YOUR ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION GUIDE TO WHAT’S GOING ON IN SKAGIT COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS

Upcoming movie releases Following is a partial schedule of coming movies on DVD. Release dates are subject to change: AUG. 7 Blue Like Jazz - Lionsgate Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax - Universal

This Weekend / Page 5

AUG. 14 Stallone 3-Film Collector’s Set - Lionsgate Breathless - Anchor Bay The Raid: Redemption - Sony AUG. 21 The Dictator - Paramount Chimpanzee - Disney A Separation - Sony AUG. 28 Battleship - Universal The Five-Year Engagement - Universal The Pirates! Band of Misfits - Sony Think Like a Man - Sony SEPT. 4 Piranha 3DD - Anchor Bay Safe - Lionsgate SEPT. 11 Girl In Progress -- Lionsgate What to Expect When You’re Expecting - Lionsgate Snow White and the Huntsman - Universal

Check out the fourth annual Classic Car Show on Sunday in Burlington

Inside

SEPT. 18 The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - Fox The Cabin in the Woods - Lionsgate Strings - House Lights

Phone 360-416-2135

n McClatchy-Tribune News Service

the Vampire Women.” “La Grande Illusion”: A trio planning to escape from a POW camp are moved to an impenetrable fortress. “Scalene”: Director Zack Parker asks viewers to decide the truth for themselves in this thriller. “Total Recall: Mind-Bending Edition”: Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a man who faces an identity crisis. “Going For Gold — The ’48 Games”: An unlikely pair become sculling partners six weeks before the 1948 Summer Olympics. “We the Party:” A look at contemporary youth culture. “Federal Men”: ABC-TV series from the ’50s that features true government stories of fraud and deception. “Last Days Here”: Chronicle of cult rock legend Bobby Liebling. “The Weight of the Nation”: Documentary on the obesity problem in America. n Rick Bentley, McClatchy Newspapers

SUBMISSIONS Email features@skagitpublishing.com vrichardson@skagitpublishing. com (recreation items)

Hand-deliver 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274 Mailing address P.O. Box 578 Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Music, Game Reviews..................6-7 Travel............................................8-9 On Stage........................................ 10 Tuning Up..................................... 11 Get Involved.................................. 12 At the Lincoln Theatre.................. 14 Hot Tickets.................................... 14 Roger Ebert.................................... 16 Movie Mini-Reviews..................... 17 Out & About.............................18-19

Online events calendar To list your event on our website, visit goskagit.com and look for the Events Calendar on the home page HAVE A STORY IDEA? w For arts and entertainment, contact Features Editor Craig Parrish at 360-416-2135 or features@skagitpublishing.com w For recreation, contact staff writer Vince Richardson at 360-416-2181 or vrichardson@ skagitpublishing.com TO ADVERTISE 360-424-3251

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, August 2, 2012 - E3

COMMUNITY

Art, music, culture – what more could you ask? Anacortes Arts Festival When 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Aug. 3-4; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug 5 Where Downtown Anacortes Information 360-293-6211, www.anacortes artsfestival.com

Skagit Valley Herald staff

n Arts at the Port, a waterfront spot showcasing more than 80 contemporary One of the summer’s most comprefine art exhibitions at the north end of the hensive presentations of art, music and festival in the historic Port Transit Shed culture takes center stage Friday through Event Center. Sunday, Aug. 3-5, at the 51st annual Anan A culinary art collection with more cortes Arts Festival. than 30 food vendors. The list of attractions is impressive and Music will be featured on two stages, perhaps daunting, but that’s why visitors with acts scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. and patrons have three days to at least each day. The Main Stage will be on Third get a taste of all that’s offered. Street behind the beer garden, and the On the docket: KPLU Stage will occupy a new location n More than 250 artisans, whose on Eighth Street, near the wine garden, booths will stretch on Commercial Avewhich will feature products from three nue from Fourth Street to 10th Street. local wineries.

Submitted photos

Among the musical acts scheduled to perform: Pearl Django, Susan Carr Ensemble, Brothers of the Baladi, The Bad Apples, Little Bill & The Blue Notes and The Jefferson Rose Band. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, visitors can see creativity in action at Experience Art, which will be set up north of the Culinary Art food court. Artists will demonstrate plein air painting, weaving and spinning, portrait painting, glass blowing, wood turning and chain saw carving, among other pursuits. Activities for kids will be part of the mix as well at the Youth Discovery Area.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E4 - Thursday, August 2, 2012

RECREATION

An adventure in wilderness survival Kids learn the basics in weeklong class By VINCE RICHARDSON Staff Writer

BOWMAN BAY — Andrea Emde of Mount Vernon and Jon Eilers of Sedro-Woolley had their hands full as instructors on this, the final day of the Academic Adventures Kids Wilderness Survival Class in July. As the rain poured, 15 students between the ages of 8 and 13 hastily tried to start a fire. It wasn’t going to be easy; then again, surviving in a wilderness situation never is. That was precisely what the class had been learning over the previous week — acquiring the outdoor skills necessary to survive if lost, stranded or simply caught by nightfall, from Emde, who recently graduated from Washington State University with a degree in biology and a minor in anthropology. “We’ve covered a lot of ground,” Emde said. “We’ve built different types of shelters, purified water, identified edible plants, went for hikes. Just the basic stuff you’d need to survive.” Andrew Rice started Academic Adventures in 2000. The academy provides high-quality programming focused on marine and forest experiential natural adventures.

Outdoors adventures Sophie McCracken of Anacortes is a 9-year-old fourth-grader at Island

Photos by Frank Varga / Skagit Valley Herald

Jon Eilers of Sedro-Woolley, one of the instructors in the Academic Adventures Kids Wilderness Survival Class and a recent graduate of Pacific Union College in Napa Valley, Calif., shows campers how to start a fire on a small stove. “It was scary,” the sixthgrader said. “I had just wandered away from my group. The thing I learned View Elementary School. She signed up for the class is that I should have stayed in one place. It would have because, “I like the outdoors and my family does a made it easier for them to find me. I will definitely lot of camping.” remember to ‘S.T.O.P.’ I “I’ve learned a lot,” she said. “I really liked the stuff will use that.” Eilers is a recent graduwe’ve done. It was fun to ate of Pacific Union Colgo hiking and make shellege in Napa Valley, Calif. ters. Now I know what to This is the biology major’s do when I get lost.” Her 11-year-old brother, second year as an instrucWill, said he’d been lost in tor. “It’s been a lot of fun,” the great outdoors before. n On the Web: Academics AndAdventures.org

he said. “It’s great to see these kids strive to learn. Then they end up showing you different things.” The academy also covers basic first aid, a little orienteering and the S.T.O.P principle. “The first thing we taught them is if they get lost is ‘S.T.O.P.’,” Eilers said. “It stands for ‘stop, think, observe and plan.’ They’ve done a good job grasping all of it.” Andrew Knapp (left) of Anacortes uses magnesium

to start a fire while Harrison Keating of Oak Harbor

See CLASS, Page E13 watches.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, August 2, 2012 - E5

THIS WEEKEND in the area STANWOOD-CAMANO COMMUNITY FAIR The annual fair will take place from 9 a.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday, Aug. 3-5, at 6431 Pioneer Highway, Stanwood. Check out exhibits of livestock, arts and crafts, garden produce and homemaking skills, vendors, carnival games and rides, food, live music and more. $10 adults, $7 seniors and children, $20 season pass. Buy an all-day carnival pass for $20 until Aug. 2; then $28. www.stanwoodcamanofair.org

CLASSIC CAR SHOW

GRAPE ESCAPE Sample local wines, craft beers, artisan foods, music, grape stomping and more from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Juntunen Gardens, 18091 Burkland Road, Mount Vernon. Proceeds will benefit Skagit Habitat for Humanity, Hospice of the Northwest and Seattle Children’s Hospital. Tickets: $50, includes admission, food and beverage scrip and a commemorative glass. 360-428-5972 or info@cceventplanning.com

FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY WALK In conjunction with the opening night of the Anacortes Arts Festival, several galleries and other venues will host receptions from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, along Commercial Avenue in downtown Anacortes. Check out a wide variety of art and fine crafts, including paintings and prints, pastels, sculptures, fiber arts, glass, ceramics, wood, photography, jewelry and more. 360-293-6938

IN CONCERT w The Tiptons will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, in the Cap Sante Marina Summer Concert Series at Seafarers’ Memorial Park in Anacortes. 360-293-3134 or www.portofanacortes.com w Hank Nelson and Bob and Mike Antone will share music and stories from the Northwest timber communities at the American Roots Concert Series at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the West Beach amphitheater at Deception Pass State Park. If it is raining, the concert will be moved to the East Cranberry Lake picnic shelter. Discover Pass required for park admission. 360-675-3767

DRAYTON HARBOR DAYS The annual festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 4-5, at the Blaine Marina, 235 Marine Drive, Blaine. The tall ship Hawaiian Chieftain will offer tours and sails through the weekend. Saturday events include the 5K Run to the Border, a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. at the community center, a pirate costume contest, the West Marine Community Sailing Regatta, and the George Raft Race featuring homemade rafts built from recycled, floatable materials. Both days will feature live music, arts and crafts booths from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., boat displays, kids’ activities, rides on the historic Plover Ferry and more. 360-332-4544 or www.blainechamber.com

Home Depot and the Classic Outlaws Car Club will present the fourth annual Classic Car Show from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, at Home Depot, 2001 Market Place Drive, Burlington. Trophies, raffles, goody bags, music, food and vendor booths. Dash plaques for the first 100 cars. $10 entry per vehicle. 360-202-9597 or www.classicoutlaws.com

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E6 - Thursday, August 2, 2012

REVIEWS MUSIC CDS Compiled from news services

Passion Pit “Gossamer”

From their achingly hip EP “Chunk of Change” to their 2010 follow-up “Manners,” anticipation has been turbo-charged for another pitch-perfect, electro-pop album from Passion Pit. And their latest, “Gossamer,” hits all the right notes. The band keeps exploring the themes of hipster life — intoxication, love lost and hopelessness sung in their beautiful, uncontrived manner. Opening track and first single “Take A Walk” is a rousing festival anthem that you could easily imagine a beer-tinged audience chanting its chorus. “I’ll Be Alright” blasts with a weighty beat and “Mirrored Sea” sounds like a definite dance-floor hit. Then there’s the electro synth-heavy “Cry Like a Ghost,” which muses on excessive drinking. Overall, the Massachusetts-based band has a created an album that is melodically upbeat and lyrically melancholy. And it works. CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: “Love Is Greed” questions young love with lamenting strings. n Sian Watson, Associated Press

The Gaslight Anthem

“Handwritten” The Gaslight Anthem has always occupied this unsettling space between the earnestness of Bruce Springsteen’s lyricism and the musical passion of harder-edged bands like Jawbox. The former is no surprise, given the quartet’s New Jersey roots and the latter — well, this is a band that bounds back and forth across the line between punk and folk with no apologies. Nor should it. On its fourth studio album, the appropriately titled “Handwritten,” Gaslight

Anthem offers up plenty of material that is rich in texture and layered in its subtexts about love, longing and losing that careens from composed whispers to impassioned pleas. In a way, the 11 tracks — starting with the sublime “45” — evoke the band’s prior recordings of stories blending hope, redemption, memories and regret. But there’s a more adult air infusing the 11 songs. The Gaslight Anthem has fashioned a sturdy major label debut that more than pays homage to their upbringing while, at the same time, shows off a maturity gleaned from so much time playing on the road and a cohesion that is remarkable. CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: The splintering and howling title track is like a scornful letter about love and loss yet with a U-turn that transforms it from a clichéd story about couples meeting later in life to something grander and, at its core, hopeful. n Matt Moore, Associated Press

The Alchemist “Russian Roulette”

The Alchemist (real name Alan Maman) possesses a star-studded hip-hop resume going back to the early ’90s. He has worked as a DJ/producer with Cypress Hill, Mobb Deep, Ghostface Killah, Eminem and Linkin Park. He also has released several solo albums and mixtapes, some instrumental, some featuring him rapping alongside guests. On “Russian Roulette,” the Alchemist leaves the rapping to younger guys — Danny Brown, Fashawn, Action Bronson, Mr. MFN Exquire, among a dozen others — who often boast of violent exploits in tracks with titles such as “Decisions Over Veal Orloff” and “Oleg’s Flight.” It’s the backing tracks that surprise, though. Inspired by a recent trip to the former Soviet Union, the Alchemist builds Russian Roulette’s tracks from a kaleidoscopic range of sources — Russian songs, jazz and soundtrack samples, bits of dialogue from movies and interviews, old-

school hip-hop beats — often overlapping them within each of the album’s 30 brief, phantasmagoric tracks. It’s dizzying, trippy and impressive. n Steve Klinge, The Philadelphia Inquirer

The Michael Des Barres Band “Carnaby Street”

Michael Des Barres describes his new album as “authentic rock ‘n’ roll, based in American blues, R&B … threechord, unabashed rocking music.” That pretty much nails it. The real treat here is how well the British musician and actor and his four-man band grasp those rock ‘n’ roll basics, stirring echoes of the Stones and the Faces (with the rasp in his voice, the 64-year-old Des Barres sometimes brings to mind Rod Stewart). “You’re My Pain Killer” begins the album on a slow burn, and “Please Stay” is a pleading, gospel-inflected ballad that sounds like a lost Stax classic. Mostly, though, “Carnaby Street” is glorious, pedal-to-the-metal riff-rocking, played with swagger and panache and — beginning with Des Barres himself and his thoroughly unpretentious, hook-heavy songs — plenty of heart. n Nick Cristiano, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Branford Marsalis Quartet

“Four MFs Playin’ Tunes”

as cold. But a couple of ballads and the bonus track cracked it open for me. I went back and thought Branford’s jazz imperial but worth the time. “Brews” is Monkish in the extreme, full of querulous angles, while “The Mighty Sword” goes boppish with a hint of Latin and “Teo” comes full of swagger, courtesy of a jaunty beat from Faulkner, who was a high schooler here when Marsalis took him on in 2009. Faulkner has made quantum leaps since then. n Karl Stark, The Philadelphia Inquirer

Gloriana

“A Thousand Miles Left Behind” Nashville trio Gloriana, rebounding from the departure of fourth member Cheyenne Kimball, manage to make their sparkling musical arrangements and sweet harmonies come across more engagingly than ever on their second album, “A Thousand Miles Left Behind.” Still working an acoustic-based string sound made contemporary through rhythms and musical accents, Rachel Reinert and brothers Mike and Tom Gossin prove that losing Kimball’s instrumental virtuosity doesn’t slow down their musical growth. However, another new development does hamper their forward movement. Group members co-wrote all 11 songs after contributing only one song to their 2009 self-titled debut. The step proves a bigger challenge than they can handle. Their potential as songwriters comes through on the album’s best cuts, including “(Kissed You) Good Night,” written by Tom Gossin and Josh Kear — and Gloriana’s first top 10 country hit. Mike Gossin’s “Turn My World Around” and Reinert’s “Where My Heart Belongs” also connect by conveying real emotions. But the autobiographical nature of several lyrics — such as “Sunset Lovin’” and “Go On … Miss Me” — fails to transform intimate experiences into universal themes. The trio’s sound is golden, but some of the songs need more polish.

The final track of “Four MFs Playin’ Tunes” is “Treat It Gentle,” just a fabulous, New Orleans-influenced tune with dark changes and a beautiful vibe. That it comes at the end as a bonus track is odd because it helps humanize this heady session. On first hearing, this quartet set, with pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Justin Faulkner, comes off n Michael McCall, Associated Press

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, August 2, 2012 - E7

REVIEWS VIDEO GAMES Chris Campbell, Scripps Howard News Service

‘Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance’

reboot and others. I wish I could explain why you run into them, but the plot resembles something close to narrative spaghetti, so it’s best you just play along and ignore the dialogue. You control two characters named Sora Platform: 3DS and Riku, and their individual missions are Genre: Action divided up in a jarring manner. You’ll be Publisher: humming along, beating up baddies as Sora, Square Enix when suddenly you “drop” (hence the conESRB Rating: E, for Everyone fusing title) into Riku’s adventure. The ranGrade: 3 stars (out of 5) domness of it makes for interesting, though at times confusing, action as you must reasA few things are clear from the outset: You need to really enjoy Disney characters; sess where you are and what your mission is. you need to have played a few of the previ- But this allows for quick playing on the go, ous “Kingdom Hearts” games; and “Dream and bouncing from levels designed like the movies “Fantasia,” “Pinocchio” and “Tron” Drop Distance” is a wretched title that certainly keeps you on your toes. makes no sense. Now, this does not mean The game lacks depth, and the boss batit’s a bad game, but it does mean there are tles need more drama. The game provides a few bars to hurdle to get the most out of fun, but asks that you bring a lot of Disney this 3DS game. knowledge to the experience. Those possessYou will be overwhelmed by Disney characters, from Mickey to Goofy (my longing that knowledge and appreciation will time personal favorite) to more modern-day feel this game’s warm embrace, while others characters like those from the “Tron” movie may feel shunned and out of the loop.

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‘Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends’

Take a moment and let that sink in. At first glance it’s merely a linear path to completion. But with race challenges that are rather difficult, you are forced to replay certain missions time and again until you Platforms: Xbox complete them. You have no other choice 360, PlayStation 3 aside from turning off the game and dreamGenre: Driving Publisher: Atari ing of what lies beyond that mission. ESRB Rating: The visuals transport you to the eras of E, for Everyone these cars. Single-cockpit rides from the Grade: 1.5 stars early days of the company to the classic Ferrari that I remember from watching Inevitably, a video “Magnum, P.I.” are all available — if you game comes along and vexes you to the can unlock them. core. You question the logic behind certain And this gets me to the buried lead: I quit decisions and wonder if the people behind the game. I stumbled into the one challenge those decisions ever envisioned their bestthat I couldn’t win, and with no open-world laid plans backfiring in stupendous fashion. format or alternative to skip it and replay it What begins as a single-player campaign later, I was adrift. I replayed earlier missions through the Ferrari automotive catalog can repeatedly to access the next car or track, turn into a disaster because of one mighty but I finally reached my limit. Perhaps other flaw: Every car and track is locked upon gamers and racing aficionados will succeed the start, so the only way to see new cars, in every single challenge offered, but this new tracks and new races is to complete the singular focus puts a governor on a driving challenge in front of you. game that shouldn’t have one.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E8 - Thursday, August 2, 2012

TRAVEL

The other side of San Fran Bay

DISCOVER OAKLAND

Contact info Gondola Servizio: www.gondolaservizio.com or 510-663-6603. Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill: www.thelake chalet.com or 510-2085253. Grand Lake Theater: www.renaissancerialto. com or 510-452-3556. Children’s Fairyland: fairyland.org or 510-4522259. Fox Theater: www.thefoxoakland.com or 510-302-2250. Paramont Theater: www.paramounttheater. com or 510-465-6400. Yoshi’s Oakland Jazz Club and Restaurant: www.yoshis.com/oakland or 510-238-9200. Chabot Space & Science Center: www.chabotspace.org or 510-336-7300. Plum Restaurant: www.plumoakland.com or 510-444-7586. Camino Restaurant: www.caminorestaurant. com or 510-547-5035. Fentons Creamery & Restaurant: www.fentons creamery.com or 510658-7000. Potomac: www.usspo tomac.org or 510-6271215. Dashe Cellars: 510452-1800. Linden Street Brewery: www.lindenbeer.com or 510-812-1264.

A gondola makes its way past the skyline along Lake Merritt in Oakland. Eric Risberg / AP

the area or are just contemplating a quick stopover during a visit to that other OAKLAND, Calif — It’s city by the bay, Oakland has a lot to offer, from not easy being Oakland, elegant neighborhoods and existing in the shadow of beautiful parks to a thrivglamorous San Francisco. ing food and arts scene. Not But this is no ugly stepsisto mention lighter crowds ter of a city. and generally balmier It’s true Oakland has some big-city blues, includ- weather than the big city. Getting here from San ing a perennial struggle Francisco is as simple as with crime; this is one of driving east across the Bay those places where you want to stay aware of your Bridge or catching the Richmond or Pittsburg/ surroundings. Bay Point Bay Area Rapid But whether you live in By MICHELLE LOCKE For The Associated Press

Transit trains to the 12th or 19th Street stations that put you in the heart of Oakland. What to do? Here are few things to consider. GET INTO A GONDOLA: Row, row, row your boat is one way to go, but wouldn’t it be more relaxing to have someone else do the heavy lifting? You can take a gondola — yes, gondola — ride from the Lake Chalet restaurant on Lake Merritt, which serves as a relaxing oasis near downtown. Also at the lake are

paddle or other boat rentals, restaurants and cafes, a jogging path and a bird sanctuary (watch where you step). Catch a movie at the Grand Lake Theater at the top of the lake, home to a mighty Wurlitzer that plays before selected shows. Or, if you have small children in tow, take in the mild thrills of Children’s Fairyland, an amusement park for the pint-sized set. SEE STARS: Catch a musical act at the renovated Fox Theater; see a

classic movie amid the old-time glamour of the Paramount Theater; settle in for some cool jazz at Yoshi’s Oakland; or go for a different type of stellar experience with a visit to the Chabot Space & Science Center set in the hills above the city. STICK A FORK IN IT: For a restaurant with a casual vibe, try Plum and adjoining Plum Bar in the Uptown neighborhood. Reclaimed wooden tables and benches and an open

kitchen set the mood here with the focus on local products. Another option is Camino, not far from the Grand Lake Theater, where local specialties are cooked in a wood-fired oven right in the dining room. For a chilly treat, visit Fenton’s Creamery, a hometown favorite that just may look familiar. It was featured in the movie “Up” made by Pixar, headquartered just across the border from Oakland in Emeryville.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, August 2, 2012 - E9

TRAVEL Local travel

ABOVE: President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Floating White House,” the USS Potomac, is shown at Jack London Square. RIGHT: A woman makes her way into President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s bedroom aboard the USS Potomac.

Visitors to Oakland can catch a musical act at the renovated Fox Theater

Photos by Eric Risberg / AP

SOAK IN A LITTLE HISTORY: The USS Potomac, a Coast Guard cutter that became FDR’s “Floating White House,” had a rough time of it after Roosevelt’s death. After passing through the hands of a number of owners, it was seized in San Francisco in connection with drug smuggling and sank after being impounded.

Left to rot on an estuary, the ship was rescued in the nick of time from becoming scrap and was painstakingly restored. You can take a dockside tour, join one of the cruises scheduled throughout the year or even charter the vessel yourself for a very special event. HIT THE (URBAN) WINE SCENE: Visit wine country,

minus the country. Oakland is home to a number of urban wineries, many of them scattered along decidedly unromantic Fourth Street. You won’t find vistas of sweeping greenery here but you may encounter some enthusiastic vintners and interesting wines. Of note, Dashe Cellars, producer of some standout zinfandels.

2nd annual Skagit Blues Festival At The Conway Muse - On the Starlight Stage

TOMMY CASTRO

and The PAINKILLERS The Mark DuFresne Band

Sunday, August 19th at 5pm www.ConwayMuse.com

Exit 221 on I-5

$25. at www.BrownPaperTickets.com

LONELY PLANET FAVE: One of the world’s biggest travel guidebook publishers, Lonely Planet, happens to have its U.S. headquarters in Oakland. And where do these world travelers go for fun after work when they don’t want to stray too far from the office? The Linden Street Brewery, an Oakland microbrewery with a taproom.

$15-$20. Pay by Aug. 3. Granville Island, British Columbia: Tuesday, Aug. 28. WILDLIFE TOURS: The Whale Museum in Friday Har- Artful shopping. Passport bor will offer free land-based or enhanced driver’s license required. $30-$35. Pay by wildlife tours of San Juan Aug. 16. Island from 2 to 5 p.m. Fridays, Aug. 10, 24 and 31. A Japanese Botanical Gartrained and certified natural- den at the University of ist will escort you via shuttle Washington: Tuesday, Sept. to the west side of San Juan 11. Check out the City People’s Garden Store, near the Island, where you will have Arboretum, continue on to the opportunity to see killer whales, if present, and learn the Japanese Garden at the UW Arboretum, then dine out about the biology, social nearby. $21-$26. structure, culture, endan “New Day Northwest” and gered status and threats of the Southern Resident killer studio tour: Monday, Sept. 17. Be part of the studio whales. You may also see Dall’s and harbor porpoises, audience for the TV show. $16-$21. Pay by Sept. 6. seals, sea lions, humpback WWU Planetarium, Bellingwhales, minke whales, bald ham: Tuesday, Oct. 16. Enjoy eagles and various species a special showing on Indian of seabirds. Reservations required: 360-378-4710, ext. star lore, then off to lunch and shopping. $22-$27. Pay 23, or stop by the museum, by Oct. 1. 62 First St. www.whalemus Seattle Luau Cruise: Thurseum.org. day, Oct. 18. Enjoy a luau WHATCOM MUSEUM HIS- feast. $52-$57. Pay by Sept. TORY SUNSET CRUISE: 6 to 25. 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through Dickens Carolers Lunch Cruise: Tuesday, Dec. 11. Aug. 30, departing from Enjoy a holiday feast accomSqualicum Harbor, 2621 S. panied by Christmas carolHarbor Loop Drive, Bellingham. Brian Griffin will lead an ers. $52-$57. Pay by Nov. informative evening on board 26. the 110-foot tour boat Island SHORT TRIPS: Mount VerCaper. Bring binoculars, non Parks and Recreation warm layers and a picnic offers several travel opportudinner. $35, $30 museum members. 360-778-8963 or nities. For information or to register, call 360-336-6215. www.whatcommuseum.org. DAY TRIPS: Camano Center is offering several trips for seniors and others, departing from and returning to Camano Center, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island. 360-387-0222 or www.camanocenter.org. Pike Place Market: Thursday, Aug. 16. Enjoy latesummer produce, flowers and everything else Seattle’s famous market has to offer.

PASSPORT APPLICATIONS: The Anacortes Public Library accepts U.S. passport applications from noon to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays at 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Passport forms and information on fees and how to apply are available online at http://travel.state.gov or pick up an application and passport guide at the library.

12 TH ANNUAL LA CONNER CLASSIC BOAT & CAR SHOW Saturday, August 11, 2012 / 10am-4pm Food Vendors • DJ Heidi • Swap Meet La Conner Marine South Basin/Third Street & S. Basin Road

Admission $3 - Children under 12 years FREE www.LaconnerChamber.com • 888.642.9284

E10 Thursday, August 2, 2012

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area August 2-12 Thursday.2

Sunday.5

THEATER

“Julius Caesar”: Shakespeare Northwest, 6:30 p.m., Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheater, 19299 Rexville Grange Road, Mount Vernon. $12. Bring lawn chairs. www.shakesnw.org.

Friday.3 THEATER

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: Shakespeare Northwest, 6:30 p.m., Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheater, 19299 Rexville Grange Road, Mount Vernon. $12. Bring lawn chairs. www.shakesnw. org.

Monday-Wednesday.6-8

Shakespeare Northwest IRONMAN performance: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Touring Show and “Julius Caesar”: 1 p.m., Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheater, 19299 Rexville Grange Road, Mount Vernon. $30. Bring lawn chairs. www.shakesnw.org. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: 8:15 p.m., Island Stage Left, 1062 Wold Road, Friday Harbor. Free. Donations appreciated. www.islandstageleft.org. Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Nile”: 8 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $18. 360-2936829 or www.acttheatre.com. “Make ’em Laugh”: musical comedy, 7:30 p.m., RiverBelle Theatre, The Old Town Grainery, 100 E. Montgomery, Mount Vernon. $40 dinner and show; $30 dessert buffet and show. Reservations required: 360-336-3012 or www.riverbelle dinnertheatre.com.

THURSDAY.2,9 “JULIUS CAESAR” Shakespeare Northwest, 6:30 p.m., Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheater, 19299 Rexville Grange Road, Mount Vernon. $12. Bring lawn chairs. www.shakesnw.org.

Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Nile”: 2 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $18. 360-2936829 or www.acttheatre.com.

Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Nile”: 8 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $18. 360-2936829 or www.acttheatre.com.

THEATER

THURSDAY.2

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: 8:15 p.m., Island Stage Left, 1062 Wold Road, Friday Harbor. Free. Donations appreciated. www.islandstageleft.org.

Saturday.4

TUNING UP Playing at area venues August 2-9

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: Shakespeare Northwest, 2 p.m., RexvilleBlackrock Amphitheater, 19299 Rexville Grange Road, Mount Vernon. $12. Bring lawn chairs. www.shakesnw.org.

“Make ’em Laugh”: musical comedy, 2 p.m., RiverBelle Theatre, The Old Town Grainery, 100 E. Montgomery, Mount Vernon. $20, $18 seniors. Reservations required: 360-336-3012 or www.riverbelle dinnertheatre.com.

“Make ’em Laugh”: musical comedy, 7:30 p.m., RiverBelle Theatre, The Old Town Grainery, 100 E. Montgomery, Mount Vernon. $40 dinner and show; $30 dessert buffet and show. Reservations required: 360-336-3012 or www.riverbelle dinnertheatre.com.

Thursday, August 2, 2012 E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

No events submitted

Thursday.9 THEATER

Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Nile”: 7:30 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $18. 360293-6829 or www.acttheatre.com. “Julius Caesar”: Shakespeare Northwest, 6:30 p.m., Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheater, 19299 Rexville Grange Road, Mount Vernon. $12. Bring lawn chairs. www.shakesnw.org. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: Stone Town Theatre Works, 7:30 p.m., The Carrot & Stick Community Farm, 4104 Y Road, Bellingham. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. $10. 360-201-5922 or www.stonetowntheatreworks.com.

Friday.10 MUSIC

The Haynie Opry: Matt Audette and the Circle of Friends Band, 7 p.m., 3344 Haynie Road, Blaine. $10. 360-366-3321 or www.thehaynieopry.com.

THEATER

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: Shakespeare Northwest, 6:30 p.m., Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheater, 19299 Rexville Grange Road, Mount Vernon. $12. Bring lawn chairs. www.shakesnw.org.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: 8:15 p.m., Island Stage Left, 1062 Wold Road, Friday Harbor. Free. Donations appreciated. www.islandstageleft.org. Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Nile”: 8 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $18. 360-2936829 or www.acttheatre.com. “Make ’em Laugh”: musical comedy, 7:30 p.m., RiverBelle Theatre, The Old Town Grainery, 100 E. Montgomery, Mount Vernon. $40 dinner and show; $30 dessert buffet and show. Reservations required: 360-336-3012 or www.riverbelle dinnertheatre.com. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: Stone Town Theatre Works, 7:30 p.m., The Carrot & Stick Community Farm, 4104 Y Road, Bellingham. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. $10. 360-201-5922 or www.stonetowntheatreworks.com.

Saturday.11 MUSIC

The Haynie Opry Southern Gospel Matinee: 3 p.m., 3344 Haynie Road, Blaine. $5. 360-366-3321 or www.the haynieopry.com. The Haynie Opry: featuring a tribute show to Johnny Cash at San Quentin, 7 p.m., 3344 Haynie Road, Blaine. $10. 360366-3321 or www.thehaynieopry.com.

THEATER

Sunday.12

Spoonshine Duo: 6 to 9 p.m., Seeds Bistro and Bar, 623 Morris St., La Conner. 360-466-3280. Nathan James and the Rhythm Scratchers: 8 to 11 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. No cover. 360-588-1720. Swil Kanim: 7 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. No cover. 360-445-3000.

Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Nile”: 2 p.m., Anacortes Community Theatre, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. $18. 360-2936829 or www.acttheatre.com. “Make ’em Laugh”: musical comedy, 2 p.m., RiverBelle Theatre, The Old Town Grainery, 100 E. Montgomery, Mount Vernon. $20, $18 seniors. Reservations required: 360-336-3012 or www.riverbelle dinnertheatre.com.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY.3-5

PIONEER HIGHWAY 9 p.m. to midnight, Cyndy’s Broiler, 27021 102nd Ave NW, Stanwood. No cover. 360-629-4800 or www.cyndys broiler.com.

17th annual Mount Baker R&B Festival

FRIDAY.3 Austin Jenckes (Americana, Southern rock, alternative country): 7 p.m., Eagle Haven Winery, 8243 Sims Road, Sedro-Woolley. Bring a chair or blanket for seating. $8 cover. 360-856-6248 or www. eaglehavenwinery.com.

The Sardines: 8 p.m. to midnight, Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360-422-6411.

Larry and His Flask: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5. 360-778-1067.

The Tiptons: 7 p.m., Seafarers’ Memorial Park, Anacortes. Free. 360-293-3134 or www. portofanacortes.com.

The Jangles: 9 p.m. to midnight, Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. No cover. 360-588-1720.

Pioneer Highway (rock): 9 p.m. to midnight, Cyndy’s Broiler, 27021 102nd Ave NW, Stanwood. No cover. 360-629-4800 or www. cyndysbroiler.com.

Reilly & Maloney: 7 p.m., Downey House, 18772 Best Road, Mount Vernon. $15-$20 suggested donation. Bring chairs or blankets for seating. www.reilly andmaloney.com.

Red Jacket Mine: 9:30 p.m., Brown Lantern Ale House, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. No cover. 360-293-2544. R Factor 5: 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956 or www.anacortesH2O. com.

COCO MONTOYA Deming Log Show Fairgrounds, 3295 Cedarville Road, Bellingham. Tickets at Avalon Music, Bellingham, 360-676-9573; Hugo Helmer Music, Burlington, 360-757-0270; or www.bakerblues.com. Info: 360-383-0850.

SATURDAY.4 The Sardines: 8 p.m. to midnight, Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360-422-6411. Mark DuFresne Band: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-7666266.

THEATER

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”: 8:15 p.m., Island Stage Left, 1062 Wold Road, Friday Harbor. Free. Donations appreciated. www.islandstageleft.org.

FRIDAY.3

Ron Hendee Band: 9 p.m. to midnight, Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. No cover. 360-588-1720.

Spoonshine Duo: 7 p.m., Skagit River Brewery, 404 S. Third St., Mount Vernon. 360-336-2884.

Bullet Creek (country): 9 p.m. to midnight, Cyndy’s R Factor 5: 9:30 p.m. Broiler, 27021 102nd to 12:30 a.m., H2O, Ave. NW, Stanwood. No 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956 cover. 360-629-4800 or or www.anacortesH2O. www.cyndysbroiler.com. com.

SUNDAY.5 Gary B’s Church of the Blues (blues, classic rock): 6 to 10 p.m., Castle Tavern, 708 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-8552263.

Scratch Daddy (blues, rock): 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Bullpen Sports Bar & Grill, 701 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-5884508. SKA Fest: Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Nigel Mustafa and The Skablins, 7:30 p.m., Seafarers’ Memorial Park, Anacortes. $15-$20. 424-3031848.

Variety Show: Vino Armani & Miss Fanny Fondue, with The Provocateurs: 10 p.m. to midnight, Redlight, 1017 N. State St., Bellingham. $5. www.redlightwine andcoffee.com. Los Pinguos (tango): 8 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $7. 360-4453000.

WEDNESDAY.8 Bow Diddlers: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360766-6266.

The Tiptons: 7 p.m., Riverfront Park, 1001 River Road, SedroWoolley. Free. 425303-1848 or www.sno homishartist guild.org.

Ben Starner (piano): 6 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. No cover. 360445-3000.

Murder By Death, Girl Guts: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $13. 360-778-1067.

Johnny Biz Live: 3 p.m., Brown Lantern Ale House, 412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. No cover. 360-293-2544. Leatherhorn, Lord Dying, Sons of Huns, Billions and Billions: 10 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $5. 360-7781067.

Whidstock Festival of Music: noon to 11 p.m., 971 Sandypoint Road, Langley. $35, free for ages 12 and younger. Includes music and dinner. 206-718-0721 or www.whidstock.com.

THURSDAY.9 Stilly River Boys: 9 p.m. to midnight, Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. No cover. 360588-1720.

Jesse Lege, Joel Savoy & and The Cajun Country Revival: 7 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10. 360-445-3000.

Trish Hatley Quartet: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. No cover. 360588-1720.

Fidalgo Swing: 6 to 9 p.m., Seeds Bistro and Bar, 623 Morris St., La Conner. No cover. 360466-3280.

Black Breath, Dog Shredder: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $10. 360-778-1067.

Amara Grace, Phil Nakano: 7 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. 360445-3000.

Subdued Stringband Jamboree: Aug. 9-11, Deming Log Show Fairgrounds. Prices, details: www. stringband jamboree. com.