Like many good stories, that get lost in the retelling, I feel inadequate to prepare you for the profound horror lurking beyond your doorstep. Many backed down at the last minute preferring to “wait in the car” tooling with their smartphones or Gameboy devices. The brave ventured deeper and are thus disturbed at night by horrible flashbacks.

On entry you’re greeted by the gatekeeper. This is will be your last chance to turn back and it’ll also be the last gentle face you’ll see…forever!

Evil Clown

  Immediately follows the clown. Watch out for this clown. He is not just another Bozo in a clown suit but rather a pure manifestation of evil. He knows how to make you afraid. I know it’s just a costume; yet, there’s something awful unnerving about this character!

…and there were these pale little girls drifting aimlessly about with glazed eyes aglow. The short one dragged a six inch dagger across the throat of a mummy looking thing. Its lifeless form folded to the earth dissipating into a stack of wind driven cinder. A foul stench filled the air . Her eyes glowed with iridescent joy.

She moved to a paying customer…a house-manger quickly snatched her into a side room. They’d been having problems with this one “overacting” all evening I later heard.

…and then there was this woman eyeing me. Whatever you do, don’t stare her down. She thrives on the effects of retinal burn in and lingering night visions.

Be it positional or absolute, this one wheels power. “Who are you with?” she sneered. Obviously, not rendering an appropriate response, she twitched her head slightly right, nodded and two headless ghouls tossed me out into the cold rainy streets of the night.

 Take your chance on this place. Be forewarned this is not a kid’s rubberized playground. Here demons fall and mighty men snap. But I feel you want to learn the hard-way and taste fear for yourself.

Frightville XI! Prepare YOURSELF now for the thrill of a lifetime. Be prepared for lots of big FUN and realistic adventure.

Stars Friday, October 21 at 7:00pm – October 31 at 10:00pm

Location:

Boys & Girls Club of Oak Harbor / Roller Barn

Boys & Girls Club of Oak Harbor Washington

More Info

Visit Facebook or contact them at (360) 675-6534 for more details…if you dare!

There are countless opportunities for R&R on Whidbey Island and Ebey’s Battery lookout point is only one of them. These shots were taken a stone’s throw of Ebey’s Gun Battery 248 in Fort Ebey’s State Park. A 3 mile trail in Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve enables one to get a good workout while enjoying the beauty of the park.

Solitude

The Glider

You’ll meet and greet many personalities along the trail. You can be rushed and hurried or just relax and enjoy life. It’s all good. By the way… make sure you have a Discovery Pass so you won’t get a parking fine. See you soon.

Usually, I spend Sunday afternoons with the family. Last Sunday I strolled the neighborhood in search of adventure. Glad I left my couch. I now have a higher vision of what’s going on down on main street. Mayor Slowik and his supporters were flipping burgers, giving grand tours and updates about the controversial Pioneer Project.

Out with the old in...

Out with the old and in with the new. Against a seeming troubled sky, Mayor Slowik points to the gnarl of power lines that will soon be no more.

Mayor Slowik explains how the City plans to weave new designs into the older fabric thus making Pioneer, less of a drive-thru experience type, but more of a people friendly environment. Park benches, trees, art and even a figurine of a mermaid will heighten visitor’s Pioneer experience.

Martha Yount Speaks

Martha Yount asked a good question. “If it takes 2 hours to recharge an electric car…where will it park?”  Mayor Slowik stated two electrically rechargers will be placed across the street and visitors will have plenty of time to shop Whidbey. 

The Social

The Food

A Gathering of Friends

Christine An Inspired Supporter

The A Team Supporters

Surveying new old ideas, exploration, discovery…isn’t that what life is about? I think I’ll leave my couch more often to see what’s going on in my own backyard. Perhaps I’ll have less time to grumble about change.

Surveying Ideas

A space ship crashed here but of course the government denied it. They didn’t try to confiscate my camera or anything. They just looked at me funny.

Whidbey Dreaming

Jenne Farm

A perfect door knocker. My son reminded me to reduce, reuse, recycle. I’m glad we still agree on the important things.

Keeping it simple

 Sunlight is a good thing-especially on Whidbey Island where it’s here for today and gone tomorrow. Our summer is almost gone but we had some great moments.

Whidbey Island Dreamin'

Empty Nest

Roller Derby Girls Schuffle for Position

Saturday, the Whidbey Island Rollergirls  and  Rainy City Roller Dolls battled it out the whole evening at Skagit Valley Skate. The Whidbey Island Rollergirls maintained a comfortable lead throughout the bout but during the last few minutes Rainy City Roller Dolls turned up the heat but the Whidbey Island Rollergirls sweated out a tight 89 to 88 victory.

Even with best protective gear, they get hurt out there.  They do go down…often with a loud thud and ear piercing squeak as skin drags across the hardwood floor. This one dropped only inches from the camera. Even so those bumps, bruises and busted extremities are well deserved badges of honor gained during combat.

No shame or sense of defeat, when you go down, just get back up and make the competition pay big-time.

The rollergirls demonstrate the camaraderie needed to bring their team to a victory. It’s not always size but zeal, strategy and teamwork.

Plotting for position

In reality, they are all winners. As moms return to work and family, they all realize Saturday evening at Skagit Skate was all in fun.

Home Girl Victory

To say, to market to market to hear a thumb piano and a pair of Maranka gourds with seeds is like saying flying to Hawaii just to get wet, is to miss the whole emotional experience. In the hands of talented pros, the Mbira (thumb piano) and Hosho (Maranka gourds), are given life. July 4^th weekend at Bayview Farmers Market flowed with life as high-energy Zimbabwean traditional and Afro-pop music filled the air. Mbira dzeMuninga had even the feeblest of hips swaying and hopeful hands yielding reaching skyward in praise.

Zimbabwean Musicians

Martha, Jacob , Tonderai Ndava and Paul Mataruse were at the top of their game this weekend. Even though it was record heat for Whidbey locals, the group wasn’t fazed. The more they sweat the better their performance. In a burst of inspiration Martha sprung forth in dance.

Rhytm Mistress Martha Thom

Martha Thom at Dance

Martha Thom Going Vertical

Martha, a seasoned movement instructor, demonstrates the explosive vertical thrust required to get benchwarmers on their feet and grooving.

Dana grooving with the group

Finale of Friends, guest and students

Be wise; set your clocks now to experience transformative rhythm of Mbira dzeMuninga. Track them online and become part of this informative interactive transcultural transformative groove.

To learn more about the Mbira visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbira

To learn more about the group follow this link: http://www.dzemuninga.com/html/members.html

While the inner sanctuary of the Elk’s Lodge was adorned with red, white and blue flags and streamers, promotional branded ink pens and notepads, many lesser encouraged were hungry for practical solutions to these dry economic times. We were all ears at Thursday’s Chamber Luncheon as Dennis Long, CEO of Bank of the Pacific gave us An Economic Update, from a banker’s perspective. Not only were we filled with economic hope, Bank of the Pacific graciously picked up the meal tab!

All Ears On Deck!

On a full stomach, we explored spaghetti curves and other statistical analytical methods while struggling to grapple with the economic mysteries of the age. Indeed, a heavy topic after a heavy noonday meal but the faithful fought the battle and were blissed through hope.

The Curve Explained

Spaghetti Curve

Questions Abound

Wayne Locke With Answers

Wayne Locke president of the local National Association of REALTORS, and professional clown, wasn’t clowning when he spoke of new standards to go into effect July 1^st for homeowners appealing the eviction process.

One solution presented by Dennis: Find jobs for the adult children who have returned home, encourage them to take a mortgage and the economy will improve. At that moment I couldn’t think how this theory related to me personally however later at the farmers market a client mentioned that her unemployed son had just returned home after a gnarly divorce.

After sharing my newly acquired economic recovery theory, she gently patted me on the shoulder and recommend that I attend the needs of a prospective customer. (The theory sounded so encouraging during the luncheon.)

The Hopeful

The Winner

Speaking of hope, at the Chamber raffle there be both winners and hopefuls. Actually, we all were winners for walked away with a full belly, and hope and knowledge of a new day. Oh yeah…at least it wasn’t raining!

Tuesday and Thursday 6 pm, at the Oak Harbor Roller Barn, marks practice time for the fresh meat (or aspiring rollers girls) of the Whidbey Island Roller Girls. Newbies grunt, groan and massage muscle groups not used since birth. Only the best rise (literally off their can) and push onward to represent the team. As you tell from the agonizing expressions becoming the cream of the crop is not an easy task.

suffering shadows on the wall

These suffering shadows are reflections of suffering owners. Individually these ladies are roughened and toughened and are made ready to perform as a team.

Sweat and Mo! Sweat!

A brief expression of joy

It should be noted, there were fleeting moments of joy….however briefly, but then back to work. Don’t be fooled, this sport is not for the plush at heart. These women train like there’s a real enemy because they have personal goals of being stellar team performers.

Eying for conformaity in the ranks

Brandy eyes for conformity in the ranks as she leads her fresh meat in drill.

Their next match is July 16th in Burlington at the Skagit Skate Deck (behind Fred Meyers). They’ll be battling it out with Rainy City out of Centrailia, WA.

Wanna learn more about the fantastic Whidbey Island Roller Girls?  Whidbey News Times ran an informative article a couple months back. http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/whidbey/wnt/news/116686134.html

Visit Whidbey Island Roller Girls online at:

http://www.whidbeyderby.com

Grilled Tilapia

Last month I spotted a roughened looking fella’ waving a sign, “Will work for food.” Times must be tough to openly beg for food me thought. On another level metaphorically and technically we all work for food. The litmus test: stop working and we will quickly descend to the bottom of the food chain. While cooling my heels at Coronet Bay, I noted a Hispanic family picnicking, grilling and fishing. I kindly asked if I could photograph their grilling tilapia (one of my favorite fish). They agreed and then one thing led to another and I was invited to feast. A mortal with many weaknesses, grilled tilapia topping the list, I accepted the dinner invitation and reciprocated by providing them with family photos. So yes, just like the man on the street, I discovered that I too will work for food.

The 3 Amigos

Originally from Mexico, via Vancouver, WA ., the family moved to Mt. Vernon three years ago. They prefer the bigger city convenience but graciously accept the opportunities of the local economy.

Elvis & Nephew

Angel

Glanced out of the corner of my eye and realized I had some serious competition. As it turns out Angel is an aspiring artist.

Elsa

Elsa, a tenth grader, favorite subject is math; however, she shies away from being labeled “smart.” After being reminded that smart people make the big money, she chimed that she’s going to a camp for the academically gifted soon.

Not wanting this to be a fishy story we feasted on rice, beans,  seasoned grilled beef or  la carne de vaca (meat of the cow), melon and salad. Add the special hot sauce and you’ll quickly realize this is not your dad’s happenstance moment at the grill. Four days later my digestive track still resonates with memories.

As the sun slipped down we grooved, ate, discovered, swapped stories about fulfilled and unfulfilled dreams, family, etc., you know the social stuff that keeps a nation united.

An adventure like this could happen anywhere U.S.A. but for me it happened while working for food here on Whidbey Island. Life is good!

It was boomtown Memorial Day weekend at Ft Nugent Park as players, visitors, and vendors celebrated the 7th Annual Rock On! 3v3 Soccer Tournament. The regular park visitors benefited from all the vendor activity. The robust smell of fried hot dogs, burgers, french fries and pancit drifted heavenly ultimately entertaining angels unaware.

Macy Entertains The Troops

Capturing the agility, speed and talent of young athletes is a storytelling art within itself. Here, Macy demonstrates the fine art of ball control.

Pentagons Practicing Ball Control

Going undercover enabled me to capture the Pentagons practicing their secret weapon: ball levitation. Remember these young men are trained professionals. There is a disclaimer: Don’t try this at home!

On my first newspaper job as a photojournalist, my boss insisted absolutely demanded that I not depend on a motor drive to capture action shots. Know the game and anticipate the next move was his MOA. So I practiced, practiced shooting an action figure right when he made the tag or precisely when she or he made the tie-breaking winning slam-dunk. It’s true film cameras were slower than today’s digital machine guns but if you place reliance on such rapid fire techniques the flash will over heat and shut down or your camera’s buffer will backup thus momentarily freezing the shutter.  A couple of decades later, I still place reliance on an old school standard to capturing fast paced events.

Meanwhile, during break time…life is not all work and no play. A benefit of being self-employed you can drift away and focus on other activities. Elizabeth pulled out a bubble maker and instantly became the Pied Piper of the park.

Pied Piper

Expose for the ambient, the cloud drama eventually became important, set the strobes to fill or to balance the shadows and shoot away. Exposed properly, right out of the camera, 90% of the time you’ll have a winning shot without hours of post-production. Knowing how blindly little kids, and adults, like to romp and play, two wireless speedlites were on mounted on the same light stand to conserve space. The rig proved to be heavy and vulnerable to stray soccer balls but WOW! What a difference external lighting makes. The two strobe setup used on all of these shots enabled me to freeze action and deliver well lit images.

Strobes Be Afraid...Very Afraid!