360 February 28, 2013 by Skagit Publishing

THIS WEEKEND: 27TH ANNUAL PENN COVE MUSSELFEST Page 5

A trail-building partnership PAGE 3

Skagit Valley Herald Thursday February 28, 2013

Oscars

Reviews

‘Jack the Giant Slayer’

Adult moviegoers were the big winners this year

Music: Michael Bolton, Atoms for Peace Video Game: “Tomb Raider”

A smart, thrilling, fun twist on a children’s classic – and it puts the fright into “fee-fi-fo-fum”

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Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E2 - Thursday, February 28, 2013

NEW ON DVD THIS WEEK “The Client List: The Complete First Season”: Jennifer Love Hewitt plays a woman who goes to work at a Texas massage parlor, a job that the single mom takes out of necessity when her husband leaves her. The series is the continuation of the 2010 made-for-cable movie that earned Hewitt a Golden Globe nomination. Hewitt is likable enough as the central figure, and she gets good acting support from Cybill Shepherd and Loretta Devine. All three actors are comfortable with the subject matter and soap-opera elements of the story. “Phineas & Ferb: Perry Files Animal Agents”: A fun animated series that follows Perry the Platypus — better known as Agent P — as he and his fellow creatures battle the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz. As if the two hours of adventures wasn’t enough, the DVD comes with a spy kit. “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”: Geraldine McEwan (“Agatha Christie’s Marple”) shines in the British series based on the novel by Muriel Spark. Miss Brodie is devoted to her students at the Marcia Blaine School for Girls in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has made it her mission to give them an appreciation for art and culture. She also pushes them to be as independent as she is, much to the dismay of the headmistress. It is a beautiful and masterfully acted production. “Africa”: The latest massive project from the Discovery Channel and the BBC offers a stunning look at the continent in this six-part series. It’s narrated by Sir David Attenborough. The series offers a magnificently photographed glimpse at Africa’s extremes from animal life to climate. It took four years to capture the images, which include the last great gathering place of the rhinoceros, chimps hunting for honey in the Congo and lizards hunting for flies on the backs of sleeping lions. “Rocko’s Modern Life: The Complete Series”: The adventures of the wallaby and his offbeat friends has both a refreshing design and witty writing. This is a series any lover of animation should own. The DVD set includes all 52 madcap original episodes that originally aired on Nickelodeon. “Girls Against Boys”: Tormented college student reaches her breaking point. “Holy Motors”: Leos Carax blends monster movie with musical. “How to Survive a Plague”: Documentary on the battle against AIDS. “Sins”: The wages of sin are deadly

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: MARCH 5 The Bay - Lionsgate The Intouchables - Sony/ Weinstein Playing for Keeps - Sony Red Dawn - Fox Wreck-It Ralph - Disney Gun Hill Road - Virgil

This Weekend / Page 5

MARCH 12 The First Time - Sony Life of Pi - Fox Smashed - Sony MARCH 19 Rust and Bone - Sony Bachelorette - Anchor Bay MARCH 22 This Is 40 - Universal MARCH 26 The Collection - Lionsgate Killing Them Softly - Anchor Bay Parental Guidance - Fox n McClatchy-Tribune News Service

in the thriller starring Danny Glover. “Scooby-Doo: Mask of the Blue Falcon”: The gang faces a super villain. “The Bill Engvall Show: The Second & Third Seasons”: Cable comedy starring Jennifer Lawrence. “Chasing Mavericks”: Real story of Jay Moriarty’s efforts to surf the Mavericks. “Escape Fire: The Fight to Rescue Healthcare”: A documentary that looks at the problems in the health care system. “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Season Two, Volume One”: Young warriors continue to fight evil forces. “Night Court: The Complete Eighth Season”: Legal TV comedy starring Harry Anderson. “Chicken with Plums”: Adaptation of the graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi. “My Lucky Elephant”: An orphan boy’s best friend is an elephant. “Garrow’s Law: The Complete Collection”: William Garrow (Andrew Buchan) is a lawyer who defends the downtrodden in 18th-century England. “A Simple Life”: A man realizes what a nanny and maid in his home means to him. “Joshua Tree”: A car runner (Dolph Lundgren) faces danger after a failed heist. n Rick Bentley, The Fresno Bee

Check out the annual Penn Cove Musselfest in Coupeville

Inside

SUBMISSIONS Email features@skagitpublishing.com vrichardson@skagitpublishing. com (recreation items) Phone 360-416-2135 Hand-deliver 1215 Anderson Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274

Travel............................................6-7 Get Involved.................................... 8 On Stage........................................ 10 Tuning Up..................................... 11 Music, Game Reviews..............12-13 Hot Ticket...................................... 14 Roger Ebert.................................... 16 At the Lincoln Theatre.................. 17 Movie Listings, Mini-Reviews...... 17 Out & About.............................18-19 ON THE COVER Members of the Mount Vernon Trail Builders and SWITMO combined efforts Saturday, Jan. 26, to complete a connector trail on the northeast side of Little Mountain. Scott Terrell / Skagit Valley Herald

Mailing address P.O. Box 578 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 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, February 28, 2013 - E3

RECREATION

A TRAIL TALE

Groups join forces to aid Little Mountain By VINCE RICHARDSON Staff Writer

MOUNT VERNON — When it comes to building trails, there is strength in numbers. So when two prolific trailbuilding groups — Mount Vernon Trail Builders along with the Skagit, Whatcom, Island Trail Maintenance Organization (SWITMO) — joined forces on a soggy Saturday in January upon the flanks of Little Mountain, there was no doubt a substantial stretch of pathway was going to be carved from the forest. “It was a damn good time,” said SWITMO member Duane Melcher. “There was a lot of mud and it was really wet, but we got a lot of work done on that trail and had a great time doing it.” While SWITMO is focused primarily on maintaining stretches of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, which runs from the Continental Divide to the Pacific Ocean hikeable, the Mount Vernon Trail Builders concentrate on the ever-expanding, multi-use trail system slowly dissecting Mount Vernon’s Little Mountain. And while SWITMO’s efforts take place solely during the spring and summer months, from April through October, Mount Vernon Trail Builders’ efforts are pretty much year-round, except for August. They can

n Online: For more information on the Mount Vernon Trail Builders, visit mount vernontrailbuilders.com. Visit switmo.org to find out more about the Skagit, Whatcom, Island Trail Maintenance Organization.

be found on the mountain every second and fourth Saturday. So getting together to lend each other a hand was a natural fit. And when the time comes — and the weather improves — members of the Mount Vernon Trail Builders will return the favor. “We plan on doing more things like this,” said Mount Vernon Trail Builders member Jim Taylor. “SWITMO is our first featured group of 2013. And it just worked out well. “Our building sessions are opposite of theirs. They don’t build in the winter time. And actually, we have some members building with SWITMO as well. Those folks come to both sessions. By building a relationship with them, the better chance we all have of attaining both our goals.” Taylor said the Mount Vernon Trail Builders have plenty to offer SWITMO. “Really, our outreach is pretty big,” he said. “We tend to get a lot of people of varying ages. Not only do we get the hikers, we also get the mountain bikers. Those are two big communities. “SWITMO is made up of

Photos by Scott Terrell / Skagit Valley Herald

Members of the Mount Vernon Trail Builders and SWITMO combined efforts on Saturday, Jan. 26, to complete a connector trail on the east side of Little Mountain. are more of a maintenance organization. The trails they primarily deal with are already there. Ours, we are building them. “I think they were a little surprised about how much we do. We really dig in and get a lot done. What we have in common is a lot of good, hardworking people.” The two groups gathered at the trailhead of the newest Little Mountain path, affectionately called the Cairn Trail, a connector that Matt Hixson (from left), Lynn Postler and Walt links the Nature Trail to the Shostak load rocks while trail building Jan. 26. well-established La-Z-Boy a much more mature group. groups were joined by a Boy Trail, which twists its way Mutually, we can certainly Scouts of America troop as up the mountain’s northeast help each other. They bring well as members of the local side before spilling out on its an awful lot of experience mountain biking club. summit. with them.” “We are a building orga“They are highly associOn this day, the two nization,” Taylor said. “They ated with the city of Mount

Vernon, which is a great situation to have,” Melcher said. Taylor said the newest trail was just a bit sloppy, with water taking the path of least resistance — in this case the trail’s tread. “You could see the water rushing down,” said Taylor. “It was our job to make it a part of a more sustainable trail system.” Melcher said he’s looking forward to seeing members of the Mount Vernon Trail Builders again this building season. “They will definitely return the favor,” he said. “They’ll be at the Cook Road park and ride (SWITMO meeting spot) sometime this year. That will be fun.”

E4 - Thursday, February 28, 2013

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

MOVIES

OSCARS MAY PAVE WAY FOR MORE MOVIES AIMED AT GROWN-UPS By DANIEL MILLER Los Angeles Times

The big winners at this year’s Academy Awards: adult moviegoers. For years, the studios have fixated on young men in their teens and 20s, serving up big-budget popcorn movies populated with dazzling visual effects, comic book heroes and highvoltage action sequences. They’ve also made films geared to win awards, but oftentimes those pictures bring prestige without huge financial returns. At the Oscars on Sunday night, however, six of the nine best picture nominees earned more than $100 million at the domestic box office. That could lead Hollywood to green-light more projects aimed at sophisticated audiences, filmmakers and studio executives say. “I think an adult audience is really rising up,” said “Django Unchained” director Quentin Tarantino backstage after winning the Oscar for best original screenplay. “That we’re not (just) making movies for teenagers anymore is kind of cool.” Although there were no blockbusters along the lines of “Titanic” or “Avatar” among the Oscar-nominated films, the lesson from the just-concluded awards season seems to be that people ages 40 and older will go to the movies when they’ve got something to see. This year’s slate of best picture nominees included “Lincoln,” “Les Miserables” and “Silver Linings Playbook,” all of which resonated with older filmgoers. The winner, “Argo” was seen

U.S. in 2012 were franchises. “We will always be mired in sequels and remakes,” said film marketing veteran Russell Schwartz. “Studio folks are still adhering to the mantra of taking care of what their corporate parents want.” Although any real shift in executives’ choices may take a couple of years to become apparent because of the laborious moviemaking process, insiders are already eyeing which upcoming 2013 releases Ben Affleck accepts the award for best picture could be both critical and for “Argo,” as the cast and crew look on during box-office successes. Among the Oscars on Sunday in Los Angeles. those are DreamWorks Chris Pizzello / Invision via AP Studios’ “The Fifth Estate,” director Bill Condon’s film David Sadava and by many as a throwback to Columbia Pictures, the Sony about WikiLeaks; Sony PicPictures Entertainment unit Dianne Sundby, friends in the kind of movies made tures’ “Monuments Men,” that released “Zero Dark their early 60s, made sure in the 1970s, with director a World War II thriller that they saw several of this Ben Affleck citing “All the Thirty.” That best picture George Clooney will star nominee has grossed $91.6 year’s nominated movies — in and direct; and Martin President’s Men” as an million in the U.S. including “Argo,” “Lincoln” Scorsese’s “The Wolf of inspiration. According to a study by and “Zero Dark Thirty” — “It does encourage the Wall Street,” starring Leonthe Motion Picture Assn. of before Sunday’s Oscar show. ardo DiCaprio and distribnext opportunity to take America, in 2011 there were “To have that many mov- uted by Paramount Pictures. that leap of faith,” said ies like that in one year is Fox Filmed Entertainment 3.1 million people ages 50 But executives caution to 59 who saw a film once a kind of remarkable,” said Chairman Jim Gianoputhat blindly following a month or more, up slightly Sadava, a biology research- trend when choosing which los, discussing his studio’s er who lives in the San Fer- movies to make isn’t wise. “Life of Pi,” a financial and from a year earlier. And nando Valley. creative risk that won four although the study found “If you base it on movthat the number of frequent “The ‘Die Hard’ sequel, ies that are popular now, Oscars and has grossed moviegoers ages 40 to 49 ‘Twilight’ movies — they nearly $600 million worldyou are going to get your are not my thing. We are wide. “When you have this declined over the same heart broken,” said Stacey kind of assembly of incred- period, those in the 25-to-39 too old,” said Sadava, add- Snider, co-chairman of age group rose significantly, ing that compared with ible filmmaking talent, it DreamWorks. Her compato 9.7 million from 7.7 mil- most years, the recent inspires you to take creny made “Lincoln,” which lion a year earlier. holiday season featured ative risks.” has grossed $178.6 million With roughly 76 million more films that piqued his The success of many of domestically and won two Americans born during the interest. the nominated films was Oscars. “If we were trendbaby boom years of 1946 to Still, popcorn fare isn’t driven by adults, an audifollowers or made movies 1964, this group — a large going away. Every studio ence segment that has a because they felt du jour, is betting on sequels in the we never would have made long history of going to the swath of whom are now empty nesters with more next year, including “The movies. ‘The Help,’ we never would Hangover III” from Warner have made ‘Lincoln.’” Older moviegoers “are a leisure time — could be Bros., Universal Pictures’ very reliable segment of the further tapped by studios Ted Mundorff, chief “Fast & Furious 6,” and audience that typically still to great gain. But not if executive of Landmark they don’t make the kind of “Iron Man 3” from Walt has a fairly high incidence Theatres, said he hopes that movies that compel older Disney Co. The strategy of moviegoing — it is part this Oscar season was not adults to leave the comfort makes sense: Eight of the of their social fabric,” said an anomaly. top 10 grossing films in the Doug Belgrad, president of of their living rooms. “The studios are smart,”

he said. “They say, ‘What does business, and let’s make another film that can attract the same audience.’ What you always fear from a studio is that we get ‘Lincoln 9’ and eventually ‘Lincoln 12.’” Studio executives say that they would be inclined to take more risks on adult fare if costs can be kept down. Donna Langley, co-chairman of Universal, said that a movie like her studio’s “Les Miserables,” which cost $61 million to produce — a relatively moderate budget for a stardriven musical — made sense economically. The film, the winner of three Oscars, has taken in $146.7 million domestically. “Both studios and creators are saying, ‘Look, we don’t want to forego this genre,’” Langley said. “It becomes a question of rolling up our sleeves and looking at the financial model.” Adam Goodman, president of the Paramount Film Group, said that in years past, his studio would have made a movie like the Oscar-nominated “Flight,” which cost the company just $30 million, but the budget would have been two or three times higher. “We know the audience is there for that kind of movie,” he said. “The challenge is to adjust the budgets.” Helping the studios shoulder the risk are independent financial partners such as producers Megan Ellison, who bankrolled the $45 million-budget “Zero Dark Thirty,” and Graham King, who put up half the money to make “Argo,” which cost $44.5 million.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, February 28, 2013 - E5

THIS WEEKENDin the area ART WALK EVENT Jennifer Bowman will be the featured artist from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 1, at Chandler’s Square Retirement Community, 1300 O Ave., Anacortes. The public is invited to see Bowman’s 360-degree mural depicting Anacortes vistas and the works by many of the artists in residence at Chandler’s Square. Free. 360-531-2979

“GO FIGURE!” The show featuring the contemporary and traditional clay work by members of Cascade Clay Artists will open with a reception during the First Friday Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 1, and continue through March 30 at Allied Arts of Whatcom County gallery, 1418 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham. Artworks on display include intricately carved and crafted pieces in a wide variety of shape, style and color. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. 360-676-8548 or www.alliedarts.org

MUSIC AND DANCING The Shelter Bay Chorus

Penn Cove Musselfest The 27th annual event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 2-3, along the historic Coupeville waterfront. Enjoy chowder tasting, cooking demonstrations, boat rides, live music, mussel-eating competitions and more fun for all ages.

The weekend will also include the third annual “Mussels in the Kettles” Mountain Bike Poker Ride and the Spring Art Tour featuring artists’ studios from Greenbank to Oak Harbor. Free admission. 360-678-5434 or www.thepenncovemussel festival.com

will present Skagit Swings, an 18-piece big band featuring the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and more, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Shelter Bay Clubhouse in La Conner. $15, snacks included. 360-466-3805

COIN SHOW The Stanwood Coin Club will hold its 52nd annual Coin Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Stanwood Senior and Community Center, 7430 276th St. NW, Stanwood. Check out displays, free hourly drawings, refreshments, a raffle of gold and silver coins and more. Several dealers will be on hand to buy and sell coins and offer free appraisals. The show will be located in the downstairs cafeteria, accessible from the back of the building or by elevator from the front. Free admission.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E6 - Thursday, February 28, 2013

TRAVEL

Laid-back beach, lost in time, in Zipolite, Mexico dot the Pacific in Mexico’s Southern state of Oaxaca. Stretching from Puerto ZIPOLITE, Mexico — Escondido to Huatulco, the “You’re going to like it here region is sometimes called in Zipolite,” Daniel Weiner, the Oaxaca Riviera. the owner of Brisa Marina The hippie crowd discovhotel, said with a wry smile ered Zipolite in the 1960s as he handed me the keys and since then it has slowly to my quarters. “You’re not evolved into an offbeat going to want to leave in five tourist spot popular with a days.” certain kind of visitor. Its A few lazy days later, pristine beach stretches 1.2 I began to realize why so miles between two high cliffs many guests rent their rooms at either end, and the crowd by the month. Whether it’s is fairly evenly split between the laid-back vibe or the middle-class Mexicans and tranquil setting, Zipolite has free-wheeling liberals from a way of making people stay across the globe. Old hippies, longer than expected. young adventure-seekers, A sleepy town with one and locals all mingle with a main street and no ATMs, flower-child type harmony. Zipolite (pronounced ZEEIt feels light years away poe-LEE-tay) is one of many from the areas of Mexico tiny coastal pueblos that that tourists now avoid due to drug violence. Not only has the U.S. State Department spared Oaxaca from its travel warnings about Mexico, but Zipolite in particular seems lost in time, a place where visitors think nothing of leaving their belongings unattended on the beach backpackers sleep in Gallery Walks and hammocks strung along the coast. Zipolite also has a few claims to fame. The climactic March 1 beach scenes in the Mexican blockbuster movie “Y 6 - 9 pm Tu Mama Tambien” were filmed here. And it’s gained notoriety as one of Mexico’s Anne Martin McCool Gallery few nude beaches, although the majority of sunbathers remain clothed. (Farther Burton Jewelers east, past an outcropping of rocks, is the cove known Scott Milo Gallery as “Playa de Amor” where nudity is more openly pracThe Majestic Inn and Spa ticed.) Mike Bolli, a retiree from Apothecary Spa Vancouver, British Colum(2 nd floor Majestic Inn) bia, says he has been visiting the area for 10 years without www.anacortesart.com “accident, issue or injury.” “I have only ever met the By JODY KURASH Associated Press

Photos by Jody Kurash / AP

TOP: Visitors bathe in the surf along the beach in Zipolite, Mexico. LEFT: A lone swimmer wades into the surf.

If you go

and/or exchange U.S. dollars or euros. Lodging: Brisa Marina Zipolite, Mexico: Beach town in Oaxaca on the Pacif- offers oceanfront rooms with balconies and hamic, www.puertoangel.net/ mocks as well as less zipolite/zipolite_en.html Getting there: The closest expensive courtyard options. Guests can also airports are Puerto Esconrelax on the large beachdido, an hour’s drive west, or Huatulco, an hour south. front ramada (shaded outdoor area). Nightly rates You can take a bus or taxi range from 200-650 pesos from either airport. The ($16-$51) depending on the closest bus station is in season, www.brisamarina. Pochutla, 20 minutes away org. A spiritual retreat, by taxi or shuttle. Shambhala, offers lodging Money: The closest ATM on the hill at the western is in nearby Puerto Angel, end of the beach, http:// 10 minutes by taxi. The shambhalavision.tripod. nearest bank is in Potchutla. Most hotels will accept com/id2.html.

First Friday

nicest and friendliest eclectic mix of locals and visitors — it’s a great throwback to the ’60s,” Bolli said. “So it’s all good and safe from my viewpoint.” Zipolite has no high-rise hotels. Many of the beachfront structures are thatchedroof palapas, umbrellashaped huts with no walls. Brisa Marina itself started off as a wooden structure with a palm roof, but after a major fire in 2001 that destroyed 23 buildings, Weiner rebuilt it with cement. Visitors expecting a party-

all-night Cancun-like atmosphere with fishbowl-sized margaritas and waitresses in bikinis passing out shots of tequila will be disappointed. There is a night life here, but it’s nothing like that. Instead, folks gather on the beach in an end-of-day ritual to watch the brilliant sunsets. Many restaurants and bars offer live music and entertainment. And the only paved road in town turns into a carnival-like scene at night, with artists and jewelry makers selling their wares, while musicians, jugglers and

fire dancers perform for tips in the street. “Zipolite after six is awesome,” Bolli said, “with all the dreadlocked kids hoping to sell their creations along with a great choice of different restaurants. It’s not overcrowded but you can find a crowd if you want.” Some of the most interesting diversions can found at Posada Mexico, an oceanfront restaurant. One night I watched a Cirque du Soleillike acrobatic performance and another night I rocked out to Cainn Cruz, an amazing child guitar prodigy who brought the house down

with his covers of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. Adding to the groovy ambience is Shambhala, a spiritual retreat perched high on a hill in a bucolic setting. Tourists are welcome to hike up the resort’s stair pathway where a meditation point sits atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific. Shambhala advertises the “Loma de Meditacion” as a sacred location where visitors may experience a higher consciousness and oneness with nature. The center rents rustic cabins and hosts visiting artists and healers.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, February 28, 2013 - E7

TRAVEL

Jody Kurash / AP

Visitors relax at beachfront tables at the Posada Mexico restaurant in Zipolite. The name Zipolite is said to derive from indigenous languages. Some sources say it means “bumpy place,” a reference to the local hills, and other sources translate it as “beach of the dead,” a reference to strong ocean currents. The beach has volunteer lifeguards and areas with dangerous currents are marked with red flags.

Weiner, who has a deep tan, a working uniform of board shorts and flip-flops, and a crusty, carefree sense of humor, splits his time between California and Zipolite. He’s owned his hotel since 1997 and estimates that about 50 percent of his guests are repeat customers. “This gets us through

Local travel TRAVELOGUE: Whatcom Museum’s Old

City Hall, 121 Prospect St., Bellingham, offers the following events: “Peruvian Passages”: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 7. Students from Explorations Academy will share experiences and images from their volunteer experience at a high mountain orphanage near Cusco, Peru, including a trek into Machu Picchu, colonial architecture in Arequipa, exploring the “Poor Man’s Galapagos” of Islas Ballestas and more. “K2, Monarch of China’s Karakorum Mountain Range”: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 21. Follow this 18-day trek to K-2, rising 28,251 feet above the Chinese/ Pakistan border. Surrounded by the immense Khartoum mountains, with its glaciers and perpetual snowfields, 15 adventurers climbed a 16,000-foot pass and across ice-fringed streams to reach the rarely visited North Face. All events: $3 suggested donation, free for museum members. 360-778-8930 or www.whatcommuseum.org.

swine flu times, protests, drug war scares, etc.,” he said. “People come back knowing we are OK, and they tell their friends too.” And sometimes they have a hard time leaving. As Weiner predicted, after a few days in Zipolite, I called the airline to change my flight. I had to stay another week.

flying regulations. Make a reservation at 360-848-2090. TRAVEL SEMINARS: The AAA office, 1600 E. College Way, Suite A, Mount Vernon, is offering the following events (RSVP: 360-848-2090): “Down Under Answers”: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. Learn about travel options to Australia, New Zealand and more. “World Tours”: 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 10. Learn about world travel opportunities with Tauck Tours. “River Cruises”: 6 p.m. Thursday, May 16.

SHORT TRIPS: Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation offers travel opportunities for ages 12 and older (adult supervision required for ages 18 and younger). For information or to register, call 360-336-6215. Next up: Bellevue Botanical Garden and Washington Park Arboretum: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 19, departing from and returning to Hillcrest Park, Mount Vernon. Enjoy a docent-led tour of the botanical garden’s 53 acres of cultivated gardens, restored woodlands and natural wetlands. PACK LIKE A PRO: 3 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, AAA office, 1600 E. After a no-host lunch, check out the seasonal flora and fauna of the arboretum’s College Way, Suite A, Mount Vernon. AAA store manager Kathleen Collum will share 230 acres on the shores of Lake Washington. Both tours include walking up to tips on how to make the most of your packing space and fill you in on the latest one mile and uneven surfaces. $61-$63. travel accessories to help comply with Register by April 12.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

E8 - Thursday, February 28, 2013

GET INVOLVED ART

potbellied pigs, hamsters, rats, parakeets, cockatiels, chicken hens or roosters. A winner selected from each age group — 5-8, 9-12 and 13-16 — will be introduced during the April 6 evening auction, where the top 20 drawings will be featured as framed centerpieces and auctioned. Send or deliver drawings by March 1 to Ellie, Humane Society, 18841 Kelleher Road, Burlington, WA 98233, or call 360-757-0445.

The play will run May 3-19. 360-424-5144 or www.alta theatre.com.

MUSIC

and Wednesdays, March 11-27, at the Anacortes CALL TO ARTISTS: SKAGIT VALLEY MUSIC Marina. The Coast GuardUnited General Hospital’s CLUB: The club welcomes and state-approved course Fine Art Committee seeks performers, listeners and FREE ADULT ACTING qualifies attendees for the uplifting, healing art by guests at 1:45 p.m. today, CLASS: Anacortes ComWashington Boater Educalocal artists for display in Feb. 28, at Vasa Hall, 1805 tion Card and for insurmunity Theatre is prethe hospital’s Gallery Hall. Cleveland St., Mount Ver- ance discounts. Boaters senting a series of acting Artwork, in any medium, non. Come and sing, play classes for adults from 10 age 50 and younger were can be for sale, with a pora.m. to noon the third Sat- an instrument or just enjoy required to have the card tion of the proceeds going the music. Free. For inforurday each month, at 918 Jan. 1. toward the purchase of a M Ave., Anacortes. Classes mation, call Marsha PederTopics include boatpermanent art collection. will include scripted scenes son at 360-757-4906. handling, navigation rules, Contact Patsy Prutzman and a variety of acting aids to navigation, GPS, by email: patsyprutzman@ SECOND FRIDAY DRUM safety, adverse conditions, games, with a different gmail.com. CIRCLE: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, emergencies, communicatopic each month: March March 8, Unity Church, 16: rehearsal; April 20: tions, knots and more. $55, POETRY CONTEST: ART CLASSES: Dakota developing character; May 704 W. Division St., Mount $65 for two sharing a book. The WinterStomp Farms 18: stage presence; June 15: Vernon. Shake off the Art offers a variety of art For more information or and Food Poetry Contest energy of the week through to register, contact George performance. Each class classes and workshops at is accepting entries from drumming, songs, chants. 17873 Highway 536, Mount will be independent; you Johnson at 360-588-8125 residents of northwest Love offering donation. For or email georgeandsandy@ Vernon. 360-416-6556, ext. don’t have to commit to Washington through today, 5, or www.dakotaartcenter. every session. Information: information, email skagit comcast.net. Feb. 28. Three winners will com. shaman@gmail.com. 360-293-4373 or www.act receive a gift card to the theatre.com. ANACORTES SALMON Skagit Valley Food Co-op OPEN MIC: All ages, 7 INTRO TO ILLUSTRADERBY: Tickets are on and the opportunity to read TION ART CLASSES: p.m. Thursdays, The Soup sale for the seventh annual DANCE their poem on the radio Bowl at Common Ground, Anacortes Salmon Derby, Burlington Parks and RecCANCELLED: Contra during “Skagit By Hand” 351 Pease Road, Burlingreation offers a series of set for March 30-31. The Dance, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saton “Skagit Talks,” which ton. Sign-ups begin at 6 art classes for ages 8 to 14. derby will feature $25,000 urday, March 2, Depot will air at 5 p.m. Thursday, Instructor Max Elam will p.m. All ages are welcome in guaranteed purse money Arts Center, 611 R Ave., March 14, on KSVR 91.7 to perform or come to introduce young artists to and thousands more in Anacortes. 360-755-3969 or FM and KSVU 90.1 FM. watch and listen. Free. For a variety of styles and art merchandise prizes, with www.skagitcontra.org. Submissions should information, contact Tobie mediums. Each four-session special prize categories be original, unpublished Ann at 425-870-6784. class costs $45. Supplies are for women, youths and CREATIVE MOVEMENT work on the theme “Gerincluded. To register, call active military. $60 entry DANCE CLASS: Ages 4 to minate.” Limit: one poem OPEN MIC: 9 p.m. to 360-755-9649 fee, includes free launch6, 4 to 4:50 p.m. Mondays, per person, no more than midnight Wednesdays, First ing at Cap Sante Marina, March 4-25, Hillcrest Park Street Cabaret & Speakthree single-spaced, singleBASIC CARTOONING three night’s moorage, free Skylight Room, 1717 S. sided pages long. The easy, 612 S. First St., Mount FOR KIDS: 4 to 6 p.m. TuesFriday night fishing film 13th St., Mount Vernon. author retains copyright Vernon. 360-336-3012 or days, March 5-26, Burlingfestival, Saturday night This ballet-based class on the poem, but grants www.riverbelledinner ton Parks and Recreation no-host social and Sunday will focus on coordinaWinterStomp the right theatre.com. Center, 900 E. Fairhaven barbecue lunch; limited to tion, skipping, leaping and to read poems on the air, Ave., Burlington. Kids 1,000 tickets. Proceeds will jumping with continual publish them online and in ages 7 to 12 will learn basic BLUEGRASS, COUNTRY benefit scholarships for change of music rhythms. a potential anthology. Sub- drawing skills step by step. JAM: The Skagit County students pursuing careers $40-$42. Register with mit poems c/o Jodie Buller New popular cartoon charBluegrass and Country in fishery management and Mount Vernon Parks and by email at cooproom@ Music Association invites acters will be introduced related science. Recreation, 360-336-6215. gmail.com. musicians and listeners to each week. $40, includes Tickets can be purchased its monthly jam, set for 1 supplies. 360-755-9649. at: Ace Hardware in AnaBEGINNING BALLET & to 4 p.m. Sunday, March ART CLASSES cortes and Friday Harbor; TAP: Ages 7 to 9, 5 to 6 3, at Cascade Middle AUDITIONS BLACK CAT CONTEST: p.m. Mondays, March 4-25, School, 201 N. Township St., Holiday Sports in Burlington; LFS in Bellingham and Kids can enter the Black “DRIVING MISS DAISY”: Hillcrest Park Skylight Sedro-Woolley. Play along other locations. For inforCat Drawing Contest by Room, 1717 S. 13th St., Alger Lookout Thespian or just enjoy the tunes. mation, visit www.anacortMarch 1 as part of the Association will hold audi- Mount Vernon. The class Free admission, donations essalmonderby.com. 18th annual Black Cat tions at 6:30 p.m. Saturday will provide focus and accepted. 360-856-1058. Auction in April to bendetail for ballet and tap and 3 p.m. Sunday, March CAMANO WINTER efit the Humane Society 16-17, at Alger Community movements, with a focus on RECREATION WALK: Friends of Camano of Skagit Valley. Children coordination and fun. Tap Church, 1475 Silver Run ages 5 to 16 can draw an BOATING COURSE: U.S. Island Parks will lead a Lane, Alger. Parts are avail- shoes are not required. $40animal or bird the shelter Power Squadron will offer guided community walk at $42. Register with Mount able for one older white has offered for adoption, America’s Boating Course 9:50 a.m. Saturday, March lady, one African-American Vernon Parks and Recreation. 360-336-6215. such as dogs, cats, rabbits, man and one white man. from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays 2, at Camano Ridge For-

est Preserve. Meet at the Camano Multipurpose Center (blue building), 141 E. Camano Drive, Camano Island. The trail has a 200-foot elevation gain in the first half-mile, with level trails on top. The approximately two-hour 3.3-mile roundtrip will take place rain or shine. Wear appropriate clothes and sturdy shoes or boots. No dogs. Trail booklets and maps will be available for a $1 suggested donation. 360-387-0889, 360-387-4000 or friendsofcamanoisland parks.org.

THEATER THEATER CLASSES: Anacortes Community Theatre’s Class Act School for the Performing Arts is enrolling kids from preschool through 12th grade for winter classes on acting and theater arts. Classes are held at ACT, 918 M Ave., Anacortes. 360-2936829 or www.acttheatre. com/classact. Creative Characters: Preschool age, 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, March 26-May 7 (no class April 2), or 1 to 2 p.m. Fridays, March 29-May 10 (no class April 5). Students will take part in creative dramatic games designed to use their imagination, improve self-confidence and provide social interaction as they create crazy characters, sing and dance. $50.

WORKSHOPS CHARACTER WRITING: Skagit Valley Writers League will host a workshop by Terry Persun on character development at 6:30 p.m. today, Feb. 28, at the Mount Vernon Senior Center, 1401 Cleveland Ave., Mount Vernon. Free, but reservations requested at www.skagitwriters.org, or call Sharon Anderson, 360873-8109.

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

Thursday, February 28, 2013 - E9

E10 Thursday, February 28, 2013

ON STAGE in the Skagit Valley and surrounding area February 28-March 10 Thursday.28

Monday.4

THEATER

No events submitted

“A Rotten Demise”: 1920s murder mystery dinner theater, 7:30 p.m., First Street Cabaret & Speakeasy, 612 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $45 dinner and show, $30 dessert and show. Reservations required: 360-336-3012 or www. riverbelledinnertheatre.com.

Tuesday.5 THEATER

“Shrek The Musical”: 7:30 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham. $20-$69. 360-734-6080 or www.mount bakertheatre.com.

Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theater, Bellingham. $8-$12. 360-650-6146 or www.tickets.wwu.edu.

VARIETY

Betty Desire: 9 p.m. to midnight, First Street Cabaret & Speakeasy, 612 S. First St., Mount Vernon. 360-336-3012 or www.river belledinnertheatre.com.

Friday.1 THEATER

Wednesday.6

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” (musical): 7:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $14. 360-679-2237 or www.whid beyplayhouse.com. “Seussical the Musical”: B-EHS Drama, 7:30 p.m., Burlington-Edison High School, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $5 students, $8 adults. 360-757-4074. Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theater, Bellingham. $8-$12. 360-650-6146 or www.tickets.wwu.edu.

Saturday.2

THEATER

SATURDAY.9

“Shrek The Musical”: 7:30 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St., Bellingham. $20-$69. 360-734-6080 or www.mountbakertheatre.com.

ONYX CHAMBER PLAYERS 7:30 p.m., Maple Hall, 104 Commercial St., La Conner. $15-$17, free for ages 17 and younger. 360-466-2665 or www.laconnerarts.com.

Sunday.3

Thursday.7

MUSIC

COMEDY

Skagit Swings, an 18-piece big band, with the Shelter Bay Chorus: 6:30 p.m., Shelter Bay Clubhouse, La Conner. $15, snacks included. 360-466-3805.

Skagit County Bluegrass and Country Music Association monthly jam: 1 to 4 p.m., Cascade Middle School, 201 N. Township St., Sedro-Woolley. Free; donations accepted. 360856-1058.

THEATER

MUSIC

Thursday, February 28, 2013 E11

Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” (musical): 7:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $14. 360-679-2237 or www.whid beyplayhouse.com.

“Ain’t Misbehavin’” (musical): 2:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $14. 360-679-2237 or www.whid beyplayhouse.com.

“Seussical the Musical”: B-EHS Drama, 7:30 p.m., Burlington-Edison High School, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $5 students, $8 adults. 360-757-4074.

“Seussical the Musical”: B-EHS Drama, 2 p.m., Burlington-Edison High School, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington. $5 students, $8 adults. 360-757-4074.

“A Rotten Demise”: 1920s murder mystery dinner theater, 6:30 p.m., First Street Cabaret & Speakeasy, 612 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $45 dinner and show, $30 dessert and show. Reservations required: 360-336-3012 or www. riverbelledinnertheatre.com. Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 2 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theater, Bellingham. $8-$12. 360-650-6146 or www.tickets.wwu.edu.

Vince Valenzuela: 7 p.m., Concrete Theatre, 45920 Main St., Concrete. Rated R. $15. 360-9410403 or www.concretetheatre.com.

THEATER

Vince “Ain’t Misbehavin’” Valenzuela (musical): 7:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $14. 360-6792237 or www.whidbeyplayhouse.com. “A Rotten Demise”: 1920s murder mystery dinner theater, 7:30 p.m., First Street Cabaret & Speakeasy, 612 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $45 dinner and show, $30 dessert and show. Reservations required: 360-336-3012 or www. riverbelledinnertheatre.com. Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theater, Bellingham. $8-$12. 360-650-6146 or www.tickets.wwu.edu.

TUNING UP Playing at area venues February 28-March 7 LOOKING AHEAD FRIDAY.8 “Ain’t Misbehavin’” (musical):

7:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $14. 360-679-2237 or www.whidbeyplay house.com. Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theater, Bellingham. $8-$12. 360-650-6146 or www.tickets.wwu.edu.

SATURDAY.9

“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”: Lyric Light Opera, 7:30 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $19-$45. 360-4167727, ext. 2, or www.mcintyrehall. org. “Ain’t Misbehavin’” (musical): 7:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $14. 360-679-2237 or www.whidbeyplay house.com. Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 7:30 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theater, Bellingham. $8-$12. 360-650-6146 or www.tickets.wwu.edu. Onyx Chamber Players: 7:30 p.m., Maple Hall, 104 Commercial St., La Conner. $15-$17, free for ages 17 and younger. 360-4662665 or www.laconnerarts.com.

THURSDAY.28

SATURDAY.9

Lloyd Jones: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-5881720.

NATHANIEL TALBOT QUARTET 9:30 p.m., Green Frog Acoustic Tavern, 1015 N. State St., Bellingham. 360-961-1438.

Chris Eger Band, Aces Up: 9 p.m., The Underground, 211 E. Chestnut St., Bellingham. $5. 360-738-3701. Today is The Day, Black Tusk, KEN Mode, Fight Amp: 8 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $10-$12. 360778-1067. Nathaniel Talbot Quartet: 9:30 p.m., Green Frog Acoustic Tavern, 1015 N. State St., Bellingham. 360-961-1438. Rattletrap Ruckus: 8 p.m., Redlight, 1017 N. State St., Bellingham. Free. 360-927-1949 or www.redlightbelling ham.com.

SUNDAY.10

“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers”: Lyric Light Opera, 2 p.m., McIntyre Hall, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. $19-$45. 360-4167727, ext. 2, or www.mcintyrehall. org. “Ain’t Misbehavin’” (musical): 2:30 p.m., Whidbey Playhouse, 730 SE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor. $14. 360-679-2237 or www.whidbeyplay house.com. “A Rotten Demise”: 1920s murder mystery dinner theater, 6:30 p.m., First Street Cabaret & Speakeasy, 612 S. First St., Mount Vernon. $45 dinner and show, $30 dessert and show. Reservations required: 360-336-3012 or www.riverbelledinnertheatre.com. Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”: Western Washington University Department of Theatre and Dance, 2 p.m., WWU Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theater, Bellingham. $8-$12. 360-650-6146 or www.tickets.wwu.edu. Jazz at the Library: Brian Cunningham Quartet, 2 to 3 p.m., Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th St., Anacortes. Free. 360293-1910, ext. 30, or www.jazzat thelibrary.com. Carver Audain, Mindmeld: 8 p.m., Western Washington University Performing Arts Center, Room 16, WWU campus, Bellingham. Free. 360-650-3711.

FRIDAY.1 Trainwreck: 9 p.m., Varsity Inn, 112 N. Cherry St., Burlington. No cover. 360-7550165.

Nathaniel Talbot Quartet: 7:30 p.m., Conway Muse, 18444 Spruce/Main, Conway. $10 cover. 360-445-3000.

Jammin’ Jeff: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360-422-6411.

Steve Meyer, Ben Starner (piano): 8 to 10 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.

Snake Oil: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360588-1720.

Black Eyes & Neckties, The Narrows, The Wastelanders, Sugar Sugar Sugar and Dirty Bird Cabaret: 8:30 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. $10$12. 360-778-1067.

SATURDAY.2 Alan Hatley Band: 9 p.m., Longhorn Saloon, 5754 Cains Court, Edison. No cover. 360-766-6330.

Davidson Hart Kingsbery: 8:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.

Mark Dufresne: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-5881720.

Massy Ferguson: 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., H2O, 314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-755-3956.

Jammin’ Jeff: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., Big Lake Bar & Grill, 18247 Highway 9, Mount Vernon. 360-422-6411.

Fichter Trio, Barefeet Band: 7 p.m., Birdsview Brewing Co., 38302 Highway 20, Birdsview. 360-826-3406 or www.birdsviewbrew ingcompany.com.

SUNDAY.3 Gary B’s Church of the Blues (blues, classic rock): 6 to 10 p.m., Castle Tavern, 708 Metcalf St., Sedro-Woolley. 360-855-2263.

Falling Upstairs, Uh Oh, Sunshine: 10 p.m. to midnight, Redlight, 1017 N. State St., Bellingham. Free. 360-927-1949 or www.redlightbelling ham.com.

WEDNESDAY.6 Bow Diddlers: 5:30 p.m., Edison Inn, 5829 Cains Court, Edison. 360-766-6266.

Knut Bell & The Blue Collars: 5 to 9 p.m., Conway Pub & Eatery, 18611 Main St., Conway. 360-445-4733.

The Green, Kingston: 8 p.m., Wild Buffalo, 208 W. Holly St., Bellingham. $12-$14. 360-746-8733.

Savage Jazz: 6 to 9 p.m., Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., Anacortes. 360-588-1720.

Dog Shredder, Rookery, Bright Weapons, The Christopher Nunn Band: 9 p.m., The Shakedown, 1212 N. State St., Bellingham. No cover. 360-778-1067.

THURSDAY.7 Marvin Johnson (blues, jazz): 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Jansen Art Center Piano Lounge, 321 Front St., Lynden. No cover. 360-354-3600.