First of all, a HUGE thanks to Lily Jaquith for stepping in to write last week’s “Artfully Edmonds” while I was away on the babysitting on the best “work” vacation ever—with Twist Vinyasa Yoga’s teacher training retreat to Breitenbush Hot Springs in Oregon. Breitenbush is truly a special place on this planet, and I recommend the highly affordable resort to any artist looking to recharge and return to a clear mental state.

Breitenbush is inspirational not only because of what it offers to guests, but because of how it came to be. In 1972, a hippie-cum-oil heir bought the defunct health resort, originally built in the roaring ‘20s, and sent out a call to like-minded individuals interested in living in an intentional community while they worked to restore the hot springs and open it up to the public. With a team that grew from only two to about 30 young people with varying degrees of experience, they restored all 60 cabins and the lodge, diverted a portion of the river to create an electrical grid, converted the direct current electricity to AC, installed a septic system to serve over 300 guests, and even bought a geothermal well-driller and nearly killed themselves trying to bring up the 330°F water to heat radiators on the earth’s surface.

Forty years later, Breitenbush is thriving. The community members today still stick to the founder’s principles of consensus-based decision making, equally shared labor, and preparing only organic, vegetarian (and, might I add, delicious) food. To see a vision realized in such a successful and lasting way should be an inspiration to everyone. In Edmonds, as we embark on a revision of our community’s cultural plan, I think the qualities that made Bretienbush possible are important to remember: that we have the power to create our own community; that with hard work, collaboration and compromise, we can make big things happen on a tiny budget; and that we are the only people responsible for the present and future of our town.

Secondly, I have to plug my own events based out of the bookshop this month. If you haven’t seen Waldo of “Where’s Waldo” book fame around town yet this July, then you’re not looking hard enough! Last year, Candlewick Press wanted to mark Waldo’s 25th birthday by celebrating local commerce, and signed on 250 independent bookstores nationwide to hold Waldo scavenger hunts through their communities. The Where’s Waldo in Edmonds? event was so popular, we decided to bring it back this year! Kids of all ages are wandering in and out of shops in Edmonds looking for Waldo (and other local treasures) for their chance to win prizes, including a grand prize of a boxed set of Waldo books and $30 gift certificate to the Edmonds Bookshop. Since my return from paradise, I have been caught up in a whirlwind of all things Waldo, making arrangements for the Waldo Pub Crawl and birthday party that will cap off our month-long scavenger hunt.

The Pub Crawl takes place the night of July 27. We will start with Waldo trivia and beery goody bags at the bookshop at 8:30 p.m., then embark on a photo scavenger hunt with different activities at each of the four bars we’ll visit. Register your team ahead of time for $15, or individually for $5 and we’ll set you up with team members the night of. Registration is FREE if you complete the Waldo scavenger hunt through town prior to the 27th! Pick up your map and checklist at the bookshop. Grand prize that goes to the team that completes the scavenger hunt and all challenges first: A late-night meal from Dick’s Drive-In!

Contact where.is.that.dang.waldo@gmail.com with questions and to register. 21+ only, and don’t forget to wear your stripes!

Waldo’s birthday party is more fun for all ages! Games, prizes, and sweet treats from 4-6 p.m. at Edmonds Bookshop (111 5th Ave. S.) on Wednesday, July 31. We will hold the grand prize and grand prize runners-up drawings at 5; no need to be present to win, but plenty of other prizes will be awarded only to people at the party.

Call to Poets! Coming up at the August Art Walk: Poets in the Alleys! Any wordsmith interested in reading a short selection on Aug. 15 between 5-8 p.m. should contact me at brewster.juliet@gmail.com

Alright that’s enough about me, what else is going on in Edmonds this week?

Three free outdoor concerts!

Tuesday, July 23 at noon, stop by Hazel Miller Plaza to hear Folk Voice Band perform Scandinavian, Balkan, and international folk music on a variety of instruments. Though Tuesday’s concert will feature only the core duo of the Folk Voice Band, the lively group is also available for full dance band performances.

Songwriter Terry Holder and her musical partner will perform Thursday evening in Hazel Miller Plaza starting at 5:00.

Gypsy Soul will play next Sunday, July 28 in City Park at 3 p.m. Cilette Swann and Roman Morykit have been writing and recording together since 1991, when they met and fell in love in Morykit’s native Scotland. The married couple’s latest album is a rediscovery of some of their favorite rock songs, including covers of U2, Stevie Wonder, and John Denver.

Shakespeare in the Park: Seattle Shakespeare Company and Wooden O present “The Tempest,” Shakespeare’s most fantastic play, in City Park Sunday, July 21 from 3-4:30 p.m.

The Five Corners Roundabout Artwork Proposals are in, and three finalists have been selected to present their designs to the selection committee. The committee includes a representative of the Edmonds Arts Commission, an owner of a Five Corners business, an arts professional, a member of the City engineering staff, and an unbiased community member. The artists — Chris Rench, Julie Berger and Stuart Nakamura will give 30-minute presentations in favor of their designs beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 25. The meeting, which will take place in the Plaza Room at 650 Main St., is open to the public. Comments will be taken and considered by the selection committee following the third presentation. The committee’s final recommendation will be approved first by the EAC, and then by City Council in a public hearing.

The Cascade Symphony will hold auditions for regular and substitute positions in violin, viola, cello, and bass sections, as well as for 3rd horn. Auditions take place the evening of Aug. 19 at Mountlake Terrace High School. More information, including audition excerpts, may be found on the Auditions page of the Symphony’s website.

Lily mentioned ArtSplash 2013, happening this weekend at Artworks at 201 2nd Ave. South all day July 20th and 21st. Be sure to stop in on your way to the beach!

– By Juliet Brewster

Artfully Edmonds columnist Juliet Brewster, an Edmonds native and Edmonds-Woodway High School graduate, has a degree in literature from Bennington College. To have your arts happening listed, email her at brewster.juliet@gmail.com.