Last of the summer... and what a summer it was! I can't recall in all the 23 years I've lived on the Coast a more beautiful break from school and work. Our little family made the most of it, too. Besides the trip to France - which was amazing - we had a family reunion in the Okanagan, our 13 year old nephew here from Los Angeles for a month of activities both here and in the city, and a week long trip away to Tzoonie Wilderness Camp, where we fished, napped, read books, ate oysters, did crafts and puzzles, kayaked, hiked and generally unhooked from all things digital and electronic.

The high season isn't over yet, either. This weekend is the Salmon Festival in Gibsons Landing, and my parents are coming across the water to take it in - I hear tell from contacts that the salmon are even more beautiful this year so Saturday and Sunday expect to see a lot of people in Lower Gibsons. We're also heading out to the Bonniebrook & Chasters for a fabulous dinner oceanside and hopefully the weather is cooperating for the very fun and nostalgic Starlight Film Night in Winegarden Park for Beachcomber episodes and National Film Board shorts plus some other surprises.

Gibsons and the Coast are also busy from the two-week production schedule for the film "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud" with Zac Effron and Kim Basinger. Many people have landed extras roles - check out Duane Burnett's facebook pages - and Zac is known to make himself available for autographs and pictures at the end of shooting days. Local hotels like The Cedars Inn are host to the movie's production crew, and generally it means a couple of weeks of good revenues around Gibsons. Let's make sure everyone involved with the movie has a great time and has their privacy respected, and perhaps we'll get them (and their contacts) back here to vacation as well.

Finally, we've got another big festival to close out September: the Pender Harbour Jazz Festival, in - you guessed it - Pender Harbour. Painted Boat Resort & Spa is host to a number of events, and Marlene let me know last night there's still a few rooms left for the weekend of the 17th-20th. So if you know someone who would enjoy partaking in fabulous jazz events, waterfront dinners, and a world-class spa, make sure to let them know as the last bookings will go fast.

See you soon!