The magic of Washington’s 2011 Midsummer Renaissance Faire still hangs in the air as memories of Equestrian virtuosity and traveling mages linger.

The following short video clips are an effort to capture some of the mood of this huge venue after a rough start discovering the mike was off. The crowds were friendly and in good humor. The event was very well organized and clean. It was fantasy family entertainment at its best.

Traveling Mage

The Magic is in those who believe

The Washington 2011 Midsummer Renaissance Faire had hundreds of costumed performers to entertain the tens of thousands of visitors. Sir Edward describes his years of participation and knighthood. His daughter, Lady Jessica, accompanies him.

8-13-11 WA Renassaince Faire Sir Edward interview

This charming magician (Mathew Vanzee, traveling mage, vanzeemagicDOTcom) had a warm demeanor and affinity for the children in his audience. They were, in fact, spellbound! The magic wasn’t bad either.

8-13-11 WA Renassaince Faire Mathew Vanzee Magic Show

The magic show (19 short clips) can be imagined by clicking on the following:

1/19, 2/19, 3/19, 4/19, 5/19, 6/19, 7/19, 8/19, 9/19, 10/19, 11/19, 12/19, 13/19,

14/19, 15/19, 16/19, 17/19, 18/19, 19/19.

After an incredibly stunning performance by acrobats on these animals, the crowd admires the horse and rider.

8-13-11 WA Renassaince Faire crowd admires/loves Performer & Horse

One of the festival’s fairy princesses graciously answers questions (after a rough start with the mike) about fairyland and its inhabitants. Many young fairies in training were seen, wings aflutter.

8-13-11 WA Renassaince Faire interview w/fairy princess

The Pirate Captain explains their use of deck cannons to terrorize merchant ships into submission rather than destruction…tightly packed wadding being preferable to poundage for its fearsome report.

8-13-11 WA Renassaince Faire Pirate Guns 1/3

The Pirate’s demo (3 short clips) can be seen by clicking on the following:

1/3, 2/3, 3/3.

The Queen’s companion/courtesan cheers the crowd and roots for Her Majesty’s favorite in the tournament.

8-13-11 WA Renassaince Faire Queen’s Courtesan

Gandalf the White, the powerful famous wizard of Middle Earth is in attendance and graciously answers questions from the curious.

8-13-11 WA Renassaince Faire interview w/Gandalf the White

Knave/Rogue Harley LeQuinn charms children with the attribution of his condition to magic beans he was given by a friend named Jack. But, instead of following Jack’s instructions to plant them, Harley claims he ate them. He then confides the truth of the matter is he was stretched on the rack for alleged crimes, but only his lower limbs since half the charges were dismissed.

8-13-11 WA Renassaince Faire knave Harley LeQuinn interview

Firefox Leather & Furs vendor/owner Nisa Bacher is based in Edmonds, WA, but says she maintains no storefront or web presence for her designs/creations, though a rudimentary start appears to be underway. (catsreachDOTorg/firefox) She invites customers to call (425)787-9797 (by appointment only) to be measured and outfitted…or catch her in her booth at one of the festivals where her artistic creations can be seen. They are truly marvelous, attractive, and well made for either gender.

8-13-11 WA Renassaince Faire vendor Firefox Leather & Furs

Custom leather hat maker Victor More’ [sic?] was swamped with customers. He replaced his display of 3-corner and broad brimmed Cavalier hats over 4 times in 1 day. They ranged from $110 – $130. Victor normally prefers to cut the leather on an existing hat to the customer’s size, but will craft a custom hat from scratch upon request. He states he does not maintain a website for his business. He is based out of Seattle and can be reached at fangsbyvictor@juno.com or (206)459-9220. His creations were outstanding constructed out of heavy weight quality leather, hat decor of your choosing, and attention to detail. His demeanor was professionally affable, unlike that of a much larger competitor based in Watsonville, Calif. (headnhome hats)

8-13-11 WA Renassaince Faire custom leather hat maker Victor More’

The Washington 2011 Midsummer Renaissance Faire had hundreds of costumed performers to entertain the tens of thousands of visitors including this company of pike men which were very effective in ground combat until advances in firearms technology made them obsolete. Today, foxholes, minefields, and trenches might be considered their tactical equivalent. They served as a bulwark against cavalry and advancing infantry alike.

8-13-11 WA Renassaince Faire Pike Men demo anti-cavalry battle tactics

Astounding Horse Acrobatics

Kelly’s farm is a relatively close venue near Bonney Lake where the annual Washington Renaissance Faire is now held during 3 August weekends. In addition to jousting, pirate antics, dueling, pike company demonstrations, fairies, horse acrobatics, knights, sword duels, queens, courtiers, musketeers, clergymen, maids, ladies, knaves, satyrs, strumpets, princesses, paupers, peasants, minstrels, jesters, forest bandits, wizards, magicians, jugglers, clowns, vintage seamstresses and hat makers–all in period costumes, many faire patrons arrive in costume as well. This influx of 80,000 visitors could have been sited in northern Mason County as recently as a couple of years ago but for the maladroit handling of the venture by local county officials and its entrepreneurial proponent, leading to a chapter 7 bankruptcy when permission for the lease-purchase option secured 250 acres proposed development was denied. The economic boost such an event, et ux, would have provided to the County is undeniable.

WA Midsummer Renaissance Faire PROMO

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Each year the Skokomish tribe gathers to honor its elders and heritage. This year, a ‘chum run’ (a mini-marathon) was held with prizes to those who entered. A 1st Elk ceremony to honor these magnificent animals sustaining the tribe for countless generations was performed to bless the cornucopia of food gathered from the Skokomish traditional lands shared with all who attended this cultural event.

Corn to be Roasted in an Open Pit of Heated Rocks

The generous mountain of food graciously prepared by tribal members to share with all consisted of servings of elk, venison, salmon, creamed turkey, chicken, ham, oysters, Hood Canal spotted shrimp, cabbage, watermelon, beef pasta, potato salad, beverages, turkey breast, bread rolls, sauces & gravy, pies, cakes, berry cobbler, cupcakes, and desserts of every description.

Hood Canal Spotted Shrimp

These Shrimp were Firm, Fresh, and Tasty...no sauce needed

Spotted Shrimp unique to Local Waters

The rest of Mason County may look like the aftermath of the Pied Piper due to its high incidence of retirees, but the Skokomish had an abundance of healthy beautiful children at this gathering in its well maintained park.

Swinging on a Star

Oh to be on Sugar Mountain, w/the barkers & the colored balloons...

Skokomish Mother keeps up w/her Daughter

Assorted Gifts for the Elders

Each year, the tribe gives its elders an assortment of gifts such as T-shirts, jams, honey, teas, potpourris, and traditionally decorated blankets for its eldest members.

Native American wearing Traditional Northwest hat

Tribal Elder Wearing Traditional Northwest Hat

Skokomish Boy w/Younger Brother

Young Man at Skokomish Elders Picnic

The ‘chum run’ mini-marathon participants got an early start about 1 hour before the 1st Elk blessing and ceremony. The ‘chum run’ is a mini-marathon arranged as part of the Skokomish Tribe’s annual 1st Elk & Elders picnic. All runners are given prizes.

8-20-11 Skokomish Chum Run

Master of Ceremonies announces presentations

Hunters gather before Blessing of the Elk and Prayer Ceremony

The Skokomish Tribe conducts their annual 1st Elk Ceremony at the picnic to honor the Elders and their heritage.

8-20-11 Skokomish 1st Elk Ceremony

A Skokomish Tribal Elder offers a prayer to bless the Elk, invoking its spirit, at their annual 1st Elk Ceremony and Elders picnic.

8-20-11 Skokomish 1st Elk Ceremony Prayer

A Skokomish Tribal Elder offers a short explanation of the blessing and prayer for the 1st Elk ceremony, invoking its spirit, at their annual 1st Elk Ceremony and Elders picnic.

8-20-11 Skokomish 1st Elk Ceremony background explanation

An Elder enjoys the camaraderie and traditions

Skokomish Native beams

Traditional headdress & drum

Ceremonial Drumming Log

Audio Visual/Production Artist & Visitor from Arizona

Hugs of Reassurance before 1st Elk Ceremonial Procession

Ceremonial Procession & Hunters honor Elk spirit

Thanks and Reverence for Nature's Bounty

1st Elk arrives for Blessing

1st Elk Offering shared with community

Skokomish Native Heritage & Culture Honored in Ceremony and Prayer

An Embarrassment of Riches

"Are You from The Journal?" --J. Snetzler--

Role Model for Skokomish Girls

1st Elk Prayer Song Blessing

Crowd Observes Prayer-Song Blessing

Skokomish 1st Elk Banquet & Elders Picnic

Father & Daughter

Family, Friends, Food, Heritage

Playground at the Skokomish Tribal Park

Skokomish Elder Veteran

Winner of Raffle for Squirt Boat/Kayak

Eldest Woman Honored w/Blanket Gift

Native Elder Pleased w/Her Blanket, Recognition

Warm Friends, Memories for Ms. Margaret Paz, an Apache, 91 yo

Elder Woman leaves after Pleasant Meal, Memories

Eldest Male Honored w/Blanket Gift

Elders Invited to Speak to Tribe

8-20-11 Interview w/Lummi Tribal Elder

‘Jerri’, a Lummi tribal elder, describes a bit about herself and the nature of the gathering (1st Elk Ceremony & honoring of the elders) where this interview was conducted.

Retired Shelton police officer and Mason County Commissioner Jerry Lingle was found dead this afternoon having apparently died in his bed sometime this morning of natural causes according to preliminary reports. Mr. Lingle was well liked in the community, having lived here much of his life. Recently elected as Commissioner, he assumed office in 2011 and was a leading proponent for better mental health care in Mason County.

Commssioner Jerry Lingle

The incestuous pattern of cronyism, graft, corruption, favoritism and excess at the Pork is a long standing difficult problem in Mason County for citizens to control even with Commissioner Jack Miles on their side. The bilking of taxpayers traditionally involves local municipalities (including the Pork), County Commissioners, City of Shelton, and the politicians who hand over public funds to the EDC (as well as frequently sit on its board of directors, e.g. Mayor Tarrant) without any oversight or requirement in law for competitive/open bidding for professional services which may or may not have genuinely been rendered. Of course the politicians responsible for the largess are rewarded with campaign funds donated by EDC (a PRIVATE corporation) employees–a circular arrangement…your dime, their funding:

DETAILS on How the EDC Scam works 

City Administration's plans for your neighborhood

Simpson (aka: Green Diamond) has been receiving a 90+% tax break on its real estate holdings under Washington’s Commercial Timberland legislated incentives passed in the 1930’s since that time. This is a gift from the taxpayers to the company who declared in bold headlines not too long ago (boasting of record profits) MOVE OVER AND LET THE BIG DOG EAT! That headline came only months after the privately held corporation succeeded in getting its real estate tax liability for its operations/holdings in Shelton Harbor reduced by about 50% whining it deserved the reduction because the market for its products had been so dismal.

More recently, Simpson has requested yet another permit extension of 5 years for their existing out of compliance hog fuel boiler incinerator located in downtown Shelton. Adding insult to injury, they’re also requesting the green light to build yet another even larger (2x) incinerator downtown…as if Shelton wasn’t visibly filthy enough already. But is the existing and proposed increase in industrial blight (the same company that brought us our very own Love Canal in the form of incredibly high levels of Dioxin contamination in Oakland Bay & Shelton Harbor) combined with the myriad tax breaks and incentives it already receives enough for the Big Dog’s appetite? Apparently not.

Simpson has now suckered the Trust for Public Lands (a national non-profit conservation group now partnering with ‘Green’ Diamond) to secure public and private funding to buy conservation easements on tens of thousands of acres it owns in Mason County–rewarding it at public expense yet again for destroying the environment, public health, the community, and quality of our lives with little or no impact on how it does business whatsoever and no appreciable benefit(s) to area residents.

Recall the GMA (Growth Management Act) already restricts unfettered development of acreage such as Simpson’s outside designated growth areas, such as Shelton, Belfair, and Allen. Add to that recollection the huge sums of tax dollars Simpson avoided paying plus the fact that were they to develop any of said acreage in the current down real estate market, they’d be required to pay back taxes for the full value of the acreage for 10 years! Now the Big Dog wants us to move over yet again so it can have its cake and eat it too.

John Dodge, a reporter for The Olympian, published an article in that newspaper on 8-17-11 titled “Forest Planned for 18,000 Acres”. Actually the number of acres is much larger than that figure, but the hits to the taxpayer just keep on coming as the Big Dog eats residents out of their homes while leaving huge piles of the results for them to eat/breathe. The details of Mr. Dodge’s article outlining this banquet for the Big Dog can be seen by clicking on the following link:

Big Dog continues eating its cake, polluting, and double dipping

Shelton residents are on the verge of losing all they gained in recently defeating Adage & biomassacre proponents. By failing to pay sufficient attention to local political machinations, and now by casting incredibly few ballots in the primary, candidates who stonewall voters (or side with corporate special interests outright) when asked their position on environmental protection as well as community health and quality of life are poised to assume office as Mayor of Shelton (Dawn Pannell) and Port of Shelton Commissioner (Dick Taylor).

Voters sit on hands, return few primary ballots 1/3

Voters sit on hands, return few primary ballots 2/3

Voters sit on hands, return few primary ballots 3/3

This voter ennui and lack of perspicacity will cost residents dearly in terms of increased pollution in our streams, bays, and estuaries as well as our air quality. Residents have not a single friend with respect to these issues sitting as a Mason County Commissioner NOW!

A peek at the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission’s online database (e.g. who contributed how much and to whom) tells the story. The same special interest groups that were heavily backing Adage and Tim Sheldon are now backing Dick Taylor and Dawn Pannell. Most recently the usual 2 Pork Commissioners resolved during their last meeting to commend/encourage Simpson in its efforts to continue an out of compliance existing incinerator and add yet another one to downtown Shelton. They also voted to sign/partner onto a 2.25 million dollar debt to purchase the Washington State Port Association an office building in Olympia without much study of the cost/benefit ratio or anticipated expenses due to cost of operation, earthquake retrofitting, building obsolescence, assessment of systems such as the building’s air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, handicap access compliance, roof integrity, foundation, and bathrooms…all on the public’s dime, of course.

Now with the substantial prospect of yet another septuagenarian being elected to the Pork and Dawn Pannell’s intransigence in responding BEFORE an election as to her position on important matters of public policy [An attorney (City) who can’t distinguish between a candidate for judge from one for City Commissioner/Mayor needs to go back to law school. A candidate (Pannell) who accepts such bad legal advice as a cover to stonewall inquiring citizens demonstrates her incompetence to hold office!] like Simpson’s request for permitting yet another downtown incinerator, it looks like the lack of concern for social justice is going to bite residents on the backside. Poor residents worked very hard in tandem with their wealthier neighbors outside city limits to defeat the Adage project proposed for THEIR backyard. A similar reciprocal concerted effort on behalf of Shelton residents is notably lacking.  Worse yet, the ONE local elected official (Jack Miles) who resolutely stood shoulder to shoulder with area residents when every other local official was turning a deaf ear to their pleas received only 25% of the relative handful of votes cast while his opponent, Dick Taylor, received 52% despite Mr. Taylor being a virtual clone for Commissioners Jay Hupp and Tom Walitner, who have contributed heavily to Mr. Taylor’s campaign.

Sometimes people get the government they deserve. The money spent on lawyers, recall petitions, lawsuits against the Pork and Adage, and all the countless hours of hard work look to be sliding down into the abyss. If voter ennui allows Dawn Pannell and Dick Taylor into office, all the hand wringing and coughing through smoggy tears by residents won’t get them a cup of coffee. In politics, timing is everything. Too many voters remain asleep at the wheel. Special business interests are poised to take advantage of the opportunity to continue the graft, corruption, favoritism, and cronyism that has long been rampant in Mason County/Shelton.

Dedrick studies election results

Note to Pork of Shelton: In this clip, a Clarkston City Councilman is abused by the Mayor and Police, receives $65,000 from City in damages settlement.

LINK to Fighting City Hall

Asian Security Uses Profiling Techniques

Mason County Commissioner Jerry Lingle (who has a hearing problem when it comes to listening to constituents) justly criticized the practice of jailing our mentally ill because of the lack of local constructive alternatives. Now saddled by a Prosecutor who sees himself as the Rudy Giuliani of Mason County, the community can ill afford to ignore this bedsore afflicting its backside.

Jerry Lingle has proposed yet another tax increase for local businesses to shoulder, a 1/10% sales tax increase. Expenditures for a study of the proposal passed easily as Commissioner Linda Ring-Erickson nodded her assent.

At first glance, compassion wells up when witnessing the travails of our ailing neighbors. But Wait!…is this tax increase truly advisable in a business environment where ever more local shops are closing their doors forever? Can those remaining shoulder ever increasing tax burdens? Will this simply discourage shopping locally? Will consumers continue to look to the internet and nearby communities as alternatives to a locally induced poor shopping experience? Most importantly of all, does this proposal lend itself to the ongoing abuse and fraud perpetrated by public leaches and welfare queens feigning disability or an incapacity to support themselves? And will this tax cure a single mentally ill patient? Moreover, why should those with one ailment be more entitled to County subsidized health care than another?

If mental illness were a contagious ‘social disease’ (some would argue it is!), then the logic of passing out whatever curative aids are at hand at public expense along with the condoms and flu shots is understandable. Otherwise, why not subsidize all health care necessities for County residents? Is diabetes, cancer, or a heart condition somehow less deserving? It’s not like our jail doesn’t exacerbate or provide inadequate care for those conditions! Judges have one alternative for defendants at their disposal NOW: They can order home detention…the advantage being area businesses/consumers wouldn’t be footing the bill! Mason County doesn’t have the resources to serve as a substitute for Washington State’s failing Basic Health Care plan. If this argument is unpersuasive, then why is Mason General Hospital such a mess?–would you want YOUR loved ones undergoing a critical operation there?? We can’t afford it–so STOP asking!

Planned assaults on mountain peaks, livestock, and mailboxes?

Chinese Visa Application w/Mental Illness as listed disqualifying factor

Visas are required of foreign nationals visiting Shanghai…even those fraudulently receiving Social Security Disability (a program soon to go broke) on the pretext of being mentally so severely afflicted as to preclude gainful employment. So is the Chinese government admitting mentally ill tourists or is the Social Security Disability program a patsy? And why should Mason County go down the same path, enabling this kind of fraud, when even the federal Social Security Disability system and Washington State’s Basic Health Insurance program are collapsing under the weight of applications? The material question is simple enough: Were you lying then?…or are you lying now? When filling out the Social Security Disability application form (and periodic updates), you WANTED them to believe the responses?…just like you wanted the Chinese Consulate/Embassy Visa Officer to believe them?…and for Uncle Sam (when issuing the monthly stipend) to believe you now? And as an expert on such nuances as eligibility for cash benefits under Social Security’s Disability program, our naive elected officials should take a fraudster’s advice on expanding the opportunities for miscreants to defraud the health care/social safety net systems?

Consider The Following

An 8-11-11 article (HEALTH TAX PRESENTATIONS APPROACH by Natalie Johnson) appearing in the Shelton-Mason County Journal contained the following excerpt:

The mason County Dept. of Health announced the formation of a community task force to determine whether the county should adopt a 1/10%  mental health sales tax.

The tax would fund mental health programs in the county.

…

The task force includes citizens from throughout the county, including Commissioner Jerry Lingle, Douglas Sayan, SHAWNIE WHELAN, Tom Davis, Jeannie Gruber, Tom Haugen, Kim Klint, Debra Nielsen, Laura Porter and Patti Sells.

Given that Shawnie Whelan/Vedder receives (at 40+ years of age) lifetime SS Disability payments supposedly because she is so mentally ill (schizo-affective disorder) that she can’t possibly find gainful employment, work, or support herself, isn’t selecting her to serve on an advisory committee a bit like turning the asylum over to the inmates? Moreover, this self serving posture is a transparently obnoxious fraud! Anyone who is even faintly acquainted with Ms. Vedder/Whelan KNOWS she is a local homeowner, w/over ~$4,000+ in savings, capable married mother raising 2 minor children who engages in photojournalism, community activism, perennial TESC classes, vacations in Shanghai, multiple legal actions as a pro se litigant, carefully planned assaults on mountain peaks as well as (strongly suspected) livestock and at least one mailbox (pictures & circumstances can be found on this site). She purchases expensive camera gear for herself and daughter, 4×4 vehicles for her mountain treks, tickets for foreign vacations, a home in the local community, and college classes in photograpy, etc. for herself. Is this an example of the kind of *NEED* demanding a 1/10% sales tax increase on all Mason County businesses/consumers?

Why would the community or local businesses want to ante up for those who engaged in this kind of waste, fraud, & abuse (including due process, perjured testimony)?  The Social Security system is already on the Congressional chopping block due, at least in part, to massive instances of waste, fraud, and abuse which no entitlement system can long endure. Now Mason County wants to follow down the same path?

One silver thread, as a public safety and compassion issue, in this dark cloud might consist of using the information gained through the program by law enforcement to ensure the mentally ill (e.g. Ms. Vedder) do NOT possess firearms! The severely mentally ill should not possess firearms, serve on juries, or be giving advice to our elected officials. If the severity of their mental illness warrants lifetime disability payments because their judgment is so impaired they can’t be expected to do so much as wash cars/dishes or flip burgers, then they’re too impaired to be counseling elected officials. The fact at least one has been selected to do so calls into question whether Mr. Jerry Lingle, or whoever accepted her for the advisory committee, is out of touch with what goes on in this community.

If we can’t keep the inmates in the asylum, we should at least object to their running it! Ms. Vedder can’t have it both ways: Either she’s too mentally ill to work and have her judgment trusted, OR her judgment and abilities are credible, hence she’s as able to work as the next poor schmuck who struggles to pay their taxes and keep the lights on. i.e. Was she lying to the Social Security administration by feigning disability so severe to prevent gainful employment due to impaired judgment associated with schizo-affective disorder, or is she lying to officials/sponsors/judges NOW by pretending to be rational, capable, competent, coherent, and credible? Failing a finding of such credibility, why should the business community support a proposal orchestrated by such scofflaws?

Officer Krupke [Lingle], you’re really a square; 
These kooks don’t need a judge, they needs an analyst’s care! 
It’s just their neurosis that oughta be curbed. 
They’re psychologic’ly disturbed! 

ACTION 
We’re disturbed! 

KOOKS: 
We’re disturbed, we’re disturbed, 
We’re the most disturbed, 
Like we’re psychologic’ly disturbed. 

DIESEL: (Spoken, as Judge) In the opinion on this court, this kook is depraved on account she ain’t had a normal home. 

ACTION: (Spoken) Hey, I’m depraved on account I’m deprived. 

DIESEL: So take her to a headshrinker. 

ACTION (Sings) 
My father is a bastard, 
My ma’s an S.O.B. 
My grandpa’s always plastered, 
My grandma pushes tea. 
My sister wears a mustache, 
My brother wears a dress. 
Goodness gracious, that’s why I’m a mess! 

A-RAB: (As Psychiatrist) Yes! 
Officer Krupke, you’re really a slob. 
This girl don’t need a doctor, just a good honest job. 
Society’s played her a terrible trick, 
And sociologic’ly she’s sick! 

ACTION 
I am sick! 

ALL 
We are sick, we are sick, 
We are sick, sick, sick, 
Like we’re sociologically sick! 

A-RAB: In my opinion, this kook don’t need to have her head shrunk at all. Juvenile/Adult delinquency is purely a social disease! 

ACTION: Hey, I got a social disease! 

A-RAB: So take her to a social worker! 

ACTION 
Dear kindly social worker, 
They say go earn a buck. 
Like be a soda jerker, 
Which means like be a schmuck. 
It’s not I’m anti-social, 
I’m only anti-work. 
Gloryosky! That’s why I’m berserk! 

BABY JOHN: (As Female Social Worker) 
Eek! 
Officer Krupke, you’ve done it again. 
This woman don’t need a job, she needs a year in the pen. 
It ain’t just a question of misunderstood; 
Deep down inside her, she’s no good! 

ACTION 
I’m no good! 

ALL 
We’re no good, we’re no good! 
We’re no earthly good, 
Like the best of us is no damn good! 

DIESEL (As Judge) 
The trouble is she’s crazy. 

Officer Krupke [Lingle], you’ve done it again…these kooks don’t need a job…they BELONG IN THE PEN!” –w/apologies to West Side Story–