It's that time of year again, when sea-faring dogs crack open their water-logged wooden chests and pull out their tattered three-corner hats, dust off the time-worn ostrich plumes and put a bit of polish on their hooks.

It's not often that a crowd of scurvy water bandits get to celebrate in style, but thanks to the ingenious and devilishly clever minds of Mark Summers and John Baur of Albany, Sept. 19 is now and forever set as "International Talk Like a Pirate Day."

The Linn County men created the holiday in 1995, after their penchant for nautical nattering inspired them to dedicate an entire day to pirate-speak. But the holiday wasn't really taking off with anyone outside of their inner circle, that is, until they enlisted the help of an internationally recognized humorist to promote their cause.

Enter Capt. Dave Barry of the Good Ship Miami Herald and champion of pirate talk the world over. Summers contacted Barry in 2002 via e-mail, hoping that the humorist would see the merits of an internationally celebrated Talk Like a Pirate Day. Wise and far-seeing man that he is, Barry seized upon the idea and promoted it in his column.

Two years later, the holiday has taken on a life of its own. Summers and Baur have pushed aside most other commitments, including land-lubber jobs, to pursue the pirate lifestyle.

They've just published "Well Blow Me Down: A Guy's Guide to Talking Like a Pirate," which has a forward written by Barry, and they've already released a children's pirate-theme book. They've conducted countless interviews, appeared at numerous events across the country, and continue to work on writing projects.

They've even got a popular Web site, where they sell pirate booty, answer pressing questions about life, love and the open seas, and gather information on Talk Like a Pirate Day events being conducted around the world.

According to the Web site, celebrations are being planned in New Zealand, Calgary, Switzerland, San Diego, Alabama and elsewhere. A church video crew in Bloomington, Minn., plan to videotape church ceremonies while talking like pirates on Sunday, while schoolchildren in the Australian outback celebrated Friday in class. A Pirates of the Caribbean Ball will be held in Canberra (those Australians love their pirates, apparently) today, while an airborne brigade in Baghdad is planning on holding a pirate celebration at headquarters.

Closer to home, the founders of this event are planning two semi-public appearances in full regalia this weekend. They'll be appearing at Riley's in Albany on Saturday night, and The Oregon Trader from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, also in Albany.

Pirates and would-be-pirates are encouraged to hold their own celebrations, with or without costume, during the day on Sunday. For inspiration, see www.talklikeapirate.com.