PIRATES ON STAGE Drama Dock takes on a musical favorite. Page 15
A VASHON FOURTH From seashore to skyline, scenes from a packed day. Page 12
NEWS | New Mukai board takes steps to repair farmhouse. [3] SCHOOLS | Fundraising allows district to avoid cuts. [4] SPORTS | Popular race returns for festival weekend. [14]
BEACHCOMBER VASHON-MAURY ISLAND
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2012
Vol. 57, No. 28
www.vashonbeachcomber.com
75¢
Sheriff’s office threatens to end holiday hydro race Participants say they hope to make the race legal for next year By NATALIE JOHNSON Staff Writer
After receiving a flood of complaints about hydroplanes that race around the Island on the Fourth of July, the sheriff’s office says it will put a stop to the annual event next year unless those involved obtain the proper permit and adhere to marine regulations. “All we’re asking is for them to follow the same rules that everyone else in the county does,” said Sgt. James Knauss, supervisor of the King County Sheriff’s Office’s marine unit. “It’s a cool event that needs to come into the current world of permitting and safety.” Those involved in the race this year say they’ve yet to be contacted by the sheriff ’s office, but they’re open to applying for a permit. They
do, however, have concerns about the insurance requirements and noise and safety regulations that may come along with a permit. “If it’s feasible to continue this in a legal manner, I’m all for it,” said Chris Van Buskirk, a longtime hydroplane racer who ran a boat this year. Van Buskirk said the event was permitted and insured decades ago but worries that meeting the requirements of a permit may be more difficult and costly now. “If they make this a huge thing, that changes everything,” he said. “It almost becomes out of reach for something small, and that is a way for the opposition to get what they want.” Larry Fuller, another longtime racer, agreed. “It’s not like we’re trying to be renegades,” he said. “We’re trying to continue a tradition and have fun. … If they want to have a conversation with people, let’s sit down and talk.” Hydroplanes have been circumnavigating the Island at dawn — first SEE HYDROPLANES, 19
Rik Forschmiedt Photo/RiksImages.com
Ty Christophersen steers his hydroplane toward the start of the annual Fourth of July hydroplane race last week. Christophersen and other participants say they’re willing to apply for a marine event permit.
Thai restaurant poised to open
With publishing world in an upheaval, a small press finds its own path By SUSAN RIEMER Staff Writer
Island author Jeanie Davies Okimoto’s children’s book, “Blumpoe the Grumpoe Meets Arnold the Cat,” was about to be made into a TV show in 1990 when Okimoto received word that her publisher would not be reprinting it. The Boston-based Little, Brown and Co. had just been purchased by Time Warner, which was about to issue Madonna’s now infamous book “Sex,” replete with its explicit photos and faux metal cover. Okimoto learned the company was marshaling its resources — even reserving floor space
in the warehouse in support the book’s anticipated sales — and thus not taking on projects it otherwise might have. With the first printing of Okimoto’s book sold out, it seemed fans of Blumpoe the Grumpoe would only be able to watch him on television. But Okimoto had a different vision. “I was disappointed,” she said, “so I decided to do it myself.” Now, more than two decades later, Okimoto is in the midst of her third year at the helm of her own small publishing company, Endicott and Hugh Books, which has released three books this year, including
Owner’s former eatery won praise in Seattle By LESLIE BROWN Staff Writer
Jeanie Davies Okimoto “The Weird World Rolls On,” a book of poetry that features the work of Okimoto’s brother, Roger Davies, whose work she has long wanted to publish, and several poets from Vashon. A reading in recognition of the book’s release will be held on July 18. Okimoto notes that her business — a small, independent press, according to publishing vernacular — is one of many that have SEE PUBLISHER, 9
Three monks in saffroncolored robes chanted a blessing at the new Thai restaurant on Vashon last week while, in the kitchen, another drama quietly played out: The state health inspector was making a final walkthrough, ensuring the small eatery was up to snuff. The restaurant did, indeed, pass the inspection. And based on the smiles on everyone’s faces after the blessing, it, too, was a success. And now, after months of anticipation, May Kitchen + Bar is days away from opening its doors to the public. The new restaurant will
have several invitation-only dinners this week, working out any glitches in the process. It will likely open to the public on Sunday or Monday, ready, the owner and manager believe, for a steady stream of Islanders hungry for Thai food. “The key is in the prep,” said Rod Moore, the manager. “Thai food cooks fast, as long as the prep’s done.” May Chaleoy, the owner, an ebullient Thai woman with hair down to her waist, smiled. “I think I can handle it,” she said. Indeed, Chaleoy comes to her Vashon effort with considerable experience in Thai cooking. After managing a popular Thai eatery in Fremont for two years, she opened a restaurant in Wallingford in 2004 — a business she eventually owned with two other part-
ners. Called simply May, the restaurant garnered considerable praise from Seattle restaurant critics over the years. In 2008, Seattle Magazine named it one of Seattle’s 10 best restaurants — an honor no Thai restaurant, up to that point, had received. Chaleoy came to Vashon two years ago at the invitation of a friend, Tom Schwaegler, helping him manage his property. He’s now a partner in her new business, an undertaking that has taken more than a year to come to fruition. The process has been time-consuming, in part, because of remodeling difficulties, from plumbing challenges to a roof that leaked, both Moore and Chaleoy said. But it’s also SEE RESTAURANT, 13