There are so many ways to listen to music to soothe your soul. And there are almost as many places to eat and soothe your tummy. But if you really want to participate in the scene there are also people who can invest your money to save your life.

For the last 10 days we have struggled to keep up with all the stuff happening and then there are the Olympics.

Bobby Winstead and Jack Dwyer brought a third musician with them to Marrowstone Vineyards and played for an appreciative crowd at one of the best venues on the peninsula. The combination of an enjoyable evening of music, socializing, and good wine at Marrowstone is unmatched.

A week later we went to the Port Gamble Theater with Steve and Fran Gross to see a delightful presentation of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” The musical is based on the book of the same name written in 1964 by Ian Fleming of James Bond movies fame. A large theatrical troop had clearly spent many hours rehearsing the musical as well as putting together innovative sets.

The following day we went to the always tasty Ludlow Maintenance Commission (LMC) annual BBQ at the Beach Club, where LMC staff, board members and groupies cooked hamburgers, dished out baked beans, and stocked cookies and drinks. There were lots of people, lots of sunshine and lots of food. It was neat to see neighbors we regularly see and others we see but once a year.

An information table was set up to showcase the LMC program raising money to fund accessibility improvements at the Beach Club. The objective is to make changes that would make it easier for folks to get in and out of the building and thus be able to better use the amenities like the pool, the gym, the meeting rooms, the coffee pot, etc.

I would suggest a large donation on your part to help those who might have received a new hip or had some back surgery and others. I confess I know one of those people very well because I see him in the mirror when I can stand it. Send your donations to the LMC at the Beach Club.

On a recent Saturday evening, the John L. Scott real estate office  in Port Ludlow sponsored a free outdoor concert in the plaza adjacent to El Molcajete and That Peeza Place, complete with a beer garden. The band was HD Fusion, an incredibly talented group of jazz, funk and blues musicians. It began in 1986 when pianist Mike Dullum met Tony Handy, a professional drummer/bassist. Their experience and professionalism was obvious.

A few days later Rick Smith, local Edward Jones financial advisor, provided free ice cream at a well-attended community gathering at the marina. He also arranged for a food truck selling sandwiches.

We recently saw a presentation from the Jefferson Healthcare Foundation aimed at raising money for a linear accelerator for the hospital in Port Townsend. One of the charts in the presentation listed ten different cancers this machine will address, plus there was an additional line item stating “Other Indications,” whatever that might be.

This is a machine that until recently was only available in Seattle. Yep, you had to negotiate the bridge and the ferry. Now there are machines in Poulsbo and Silverdale so you only have to negotiate the bridge. It will be nice to get one of these machines in Port Townsend. Contact Carla Caldwell at the foundation if you can support this important acquisition for this community.

The wineries from FairWinds to Marrowstone to Port Townsend can give you a musical respite in addition to a light “buzz.” The restaurants can sell you fuel for your bodies. Rick Smith can help you save your money. Carla Caldwell can help you invest in something to save your life.

You just put in five minutes reading this column and you found out all you need to know. Well, just one more thing: BJ had a birthday last week and I join with Erma Bombeck in warning her to never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week!

ned@ptleader.com