Alpinist shares tales of the Eiger at library
John Harlin III successfully climbed the Eiger in the Alps 40 years after the mountain claimed the life of his famous father.
Harlin has written “The Eiger Obsession: Facing the Mountain that Killed My Father,” and will speak and show slides at the San Juan Island Library on July 27 at 7 p.m.
Harlin is the editor of The American Alpine Journal and he has remarkable photographs of his climbing experiences. A crew also made the film, “The Alps” documenting the achievement on the Eiger.
Thanks to Griffin Bay Books, copies of Harlin’s book and of the DVD “The Alps” will be available for purchase and signing. Learn about the sport of mountain climbing, organizing an expedition, the equipment used, and Harlin’s personal journey and its effect on his family.
“The Eiger Obsession” is free and open to all ages and is co-sponsored by Griffin Bay Books.
Auditions for fall play ‘Rumors’ next week
Auditions are scheduled July 22 and 23 for Neil Simon’s hilarious play, “Rumors,” directed by San Juan Island’s own Andrew V. McLaglen.
Simon, America’s premier comic playwright, delights audiences with this out-and-out funny offering. When Chris and Ken Gorman arrive at a 10-year anniversary party for the deputy mayor of New York, they find things are a little askew. The host of the party is injured, his wife is missing and the servants are nowhere to be found. Hardly the type of affair they are used to attending.
Roles for four couples (from early 30s to late 50s) as well as two policemen (or women) are needed for eight performances on the San Juan Community Theatre’s Whittier Stage, Oct. 3-18:
n Chris Gorman (female), tense lawyer trying to kick the cigarette habit.
n Ken Gorman, lawyer protecting his friend, Charley.
n Claire Ganz, acid-tongued socialite.
n Lenny Ganz, short-tempered accountant.
n Cookie Cuzack, loopy yet amiable TV cooking show host.
n Ernie Cuzack, laid-back, clueless psychologist.
n Cassie Cooper, high-maintenance trophy wife.
n Glen Cooper, self-protective aspiring state senator.
n Officer Welch, no-nonsense police officer.
n Officer Pudney, Welch’s partner.
The auditions are at 7 p.m. at PARC, 70 Saltspring Drive off Beaverton Valley Road. Perusal scripts are available at SJCT’s box office with a $10 deposit.
Island writers: listen up and dip your pens
The annual San Juan County Fair presents its annual Written Word contest, but really needs writers to submit things for the event.
If you write poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction, children’s stories, young adult fiction, or want to write about “The San Juan County Fair — The Heart of the Islands,” here is your chance.
There is no fair book, but check out the online version at www.sanjuancountyfair.org for specific details on lots, categories and rules.
Entries are due today, but organizers may make an exception for you.
For answers to questions, e-mail the Written Word at writtenword2008@gmail.com.E-mail your entry as a Word document attachment.
You may also snail-mail your entry to: San Juan County Fair, Written Word, P.O. Box 1094, Friday Harbor, WA. 98250
CATS’ Attic Treasures Sale Saturday
As the saying goes, “One person’s trash is another’s treasures.” And on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be island treasures galore inside the San Juan Community Theatre’s lobby at 100 Second St.
The Community Arts Theatre Society (CATS) is holding its annual Attic Treasures sale benefiting the Theatre’s ongoing maintenance and facility costs. Items up for sale will include furniture, appliances, kitchen items, knack-knacks and much more.
People interested in donating items may drop them off at the theater between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Friday. (Clothing, broken articles and TV or stereo equipment will not be accepted.)
For more information or to receive assistance in getting donations to the theater, call 378-3211, ext. 32, and a CATS member will return your call.
Whale Museum hosts land-based wildlife tours
Join The Whale Museum’s trained naturalist on a three-hour Land Based Wildlife Tour of San Juan Island.
The tour begins with a drive out to the west side of San Juan Island, stopping at historic American Camp, then continues with intertidal exploration at Cattle Point and a hike to the lighthouse for beautiful views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait.
The tour also stops at Lime Kiln Point State Park, the nation’s only whale-watch park. Explore the old lime kiln and take a chance on viewing the killer whales if they happen to be in the area. Your naturalist guide will also talk about the research that takes place at the park by visiting biologists. If time permits, a stop at historic English Camp for a short hike will be included.
Participants should bring cameras and binoculars, as only a limited number of binoculars are available on the tour. Wear sturdy shoes for hiking and bring a light jacket. Water and snacks are included.
Thanks to underwriting from NOAA, the land-based tours are free to the public but must be scheduled in advance. Tours take place most Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and begin at the museum (located at 62 First St. North in Friday Harbor). Contact The Whale Museum at 378-4710 ext. 23 or stop in to register. Visit www.whalemuseum.org.
Ament’s Creative Arts Day Camp begin Monday
Now in their 23rd year, Bill and Rita Ament offer their popular summer day camps for children ages 3-12.
In the beauty of the San Juan Islands, their “fun in the sun” bilingual camps feature arts and crafts, dance, drama, swimming, games, exploration, music, song, and learning about American Indian traditions.
The Aments offer three camps this year: Three Shining Stars (July 21-24), Four Leaping Deer (Aug. 4-7), and Five Happy Rainbows (Aug. 25-28).
Each four-day outdoor experience — Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — is open for enrollment. Scholarships are available. Call 378-9628 or visit www.amentsummercamp.com.
Friends hold annual book sale at FHES
The Friends of the San Juan Island Library’s 29th annual Summer Book Sale on July 25 and 26.
The sale will be held at Friday Harbor Elementary School, 95 Grover St. There will be a Friends members-only sale on July 25, 6-8 p.m. Memberships may be purchased at the door. The book sale continues for the general public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 26.
The Summer Book Sale is the largest sale of the year for the Friends of the San Juan Library and the sale inventory consists of most of the hardback and paperback books, CDs, videos, DVDs, and audiotapes donated to the organization by the public over the preceding 12 months. Included in the sale will be best sellers, fiction, non-fiction, reference books, music CDs, books on tape, videos, DVDs, coffee-table books and more.
‘Wags to Riches’ July 27 at the McDowells’
Friday Harbor’s animal shelter will host a major fund raiser, the fourth annual “Wags to Riches,” on July 27, 4-8 p.m.
The event will be held at the home of Bob and Lissa McDowell, 398 Hannah Road.
This year’s event will feature an exhibition by Wish-n-Wells, a canine agility group, live music performed by the Kubatana Marimba Band, and silent and live auctions. There will also be a gourmet dinner and spirits put on by the staff and volunteers of the shelter.
Proceeds from the event will fund the shelter’s operating expenses, as well as some much needed capital improvements. The shelter receives no tax dollars, and depends entirely on contributions from the community.
Tickets for the event are $75 per person and are available at the shelter, 378-2158.
