Images Cowlitz County, WA: 2010

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2010 | IMAGESCOWLITZCOUNTY.COM ®

What’s s e Online Video peek at the bustling Port of Longview

COWLITZ COUNTY, WASHINGTON

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ENROLLING RIGHT ALONG LCC sees increase in student population

Natural Selections

SOMETHING’S ALWAYS BREWING

Outdoor enthusiasts find mountain of opportunities

Caffeine scene buzzes with unusual options

SPONSORED BY THE KELSO LONGVIEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND COWLITZ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

?fd\ `j n_\i\ k_\ _\Xik `j% You’ll find it in Southwest Washington.

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Foreign Trade Zone HUB Zone Certification Strong and Influential Membership U.S. Bank Building 1452 Hudson St., Ste. 208 Longview, WA 98632 (360) 423-9921 www.cowlitzedc.com

1563 Olympia Way Longview, WA 98632 (360) 423-8400 www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Cowlitz Economic Development Council aand Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce

34 2010 EDITION | VOLUME 5 ®

COWLITZ COUNTY, WASHINGTON CO NTE NT S

COWLITZ BUSINESS

F E AT U R E S

34 Open for Business

10 NATURAL SELECTIONS From rippling streams to lush forests, the natural beauty of Cowlitz County is a lure for those seeking the solace and fun of the great outdoors.

14 BUILDING A GALLERY WITHOUT WALLS A wealth of public art enriches everyday life throughout local communities.

Industries benefit from a superior transportation and energy infrastructure.

36 Biz Briefs 38 Chamber Report 39 Economic Profile

D E PA R TM E NT S 8 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Cowlitz County culture

18 SOMETHING’S ALWAYS BREWING The caffeine scene bustles with many unusual options for residents who are truly passionate about their coffee.

26 Image Gallery 28 Portfolio: people, places and events that define Cowlitz County

41 Health & Wellness 42 Arts & Culture

22 ENROLLING RIGHT ALONG Lower Columbia College sees the largest student population increase in its history.

45 Sports & Recreation 47 Education 49 Community Profile: facts, stats and important numbers to know All or part of this magazine is printed on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

ON THE COVER Cedar Creek Photo by Todd Bennett

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PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

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COWLITZ COUNT Y, WASHINGTON SENIOR EDITOR LISA BATTLES COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS SUSAN CHAPPELL, JESSY YANCEY STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SHARON H. FITZGERALD, ANNE GILLEM, GRETA SHARP DATA MANAGER CHANDRA BRADSHAW SENIOR INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER ELIZABETH WEST SALES SUPPORT MANAGER CINDY HALL SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN McCORD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, J. KYLE KEENER PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT MANAGER ANNE WHITLOW CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS MELISSA BRACEWELL, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS LEAD DESIGNER JESSICA MANNER GRAPHIC DESIGN ERICA HINES, ALISON HUNTER, JANINE MARYLAND, AMY NELSON, MARCUS SNYDER WEB IMPLEMENTATION DIRECTOR ANDY HARTLEY WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR FRANCO SCARAMUZZA WEB CONTENT MANAGER JOHN HOOD WEB PROJECT MANAGER YAMEL RUIZ WEB DESIGN CARL SCHULZ WEB PRODUCTION JENNIFER GRAVES COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN TWILA ALLEN AD TRAFFIC MARCIA MILLAR, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY

CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./SALES TODD POTTER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS V.P./CUSTOM PUBLISHING KIM NEWSOM MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS BILL McMEEKIN MANAGING EDITOR/COMMUNITY KIM MADLOM PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY SIMPSON DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR YANCEY TURTURICE IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE SALES SUPPORT RACHAEL GOLDSBERRY SALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR RACHEL MATHEIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORT KRISTY DUNCAN OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP

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PICTURE PERFECT We’ve added even more of our prize-winning photography to the online gallery. To see these photos, click on Photo Gallery.

RELOCATION Considering a move to this community? We can help. Use our Relocation Tools to discover tips, including how to make your move green, advice about moving pets and help with booking movers.

VIDEOS In our Interactive section, watch quick videos by our editors and photographers featuring people, places and events.

CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

Images Cowlitz County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce and Cowlitz Economic Development Council and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 1563 Olympia Way • Longview, WA 98632 Phone: (360) 423-8400 • Fax: (360) 423-0432 www.kelsolongviewchamber.org Cowlitz Economic Development Council 1452 Hudson St., Suite 208 • Longview, WA 98632 Phone: (360) 423-9921 • Fax: (360) 423-1923 www.cowlitzedc.com VISIT IMAGES COWLITZ COUNTY ONLINE AT IMAGESCOWLITZCOUNTY.COM ©Copyright 2009 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member

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Go online to learn even more about: • Schools • Health care • Utilities • Parks • Taxes

LOCAL FLAVOR From the simple to the sublime, the delicious offerings here are guaranteed to satisfy every appetite.

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE Images gives readers a taste of what makes Cowlitz County tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

Custom Publishing Council

Member Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce and Cowlitz Economic Development Council

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FACTS & STATS

“Find the good – and praise it.”

– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

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Almanac

Find Old Favorites in Kalama Looking for an unusual gift or a rare item for your antiques collection? Your chances of finding them are great in Kalama, which boasts more than 200 antique dealers, along with artists, restaurants and specialty shops. The tiny town’s vibrant Main Street is where most of the variety may be found. Summer is an especially memorable time in the downtown district, as locals and visitors gather the first weekend of each month from June to October for the Saturday Market and Antique Street Fair. Business owners and antique dealers run specials on fair days‚ and as many as 15 out-of-town vendors participate each month. To kick off the season, hundreds gather each June for the Kalama Artwalk & Saturday Market, which features a weekend filled with local art displays, live music and fresh produce.

Fountain of Youth The business scene in Cowlitz County has gotten a shot of energy, thanks to a united front created by young professional leaders. Lower Columbia Professionals, an initiative affiliated with the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce, formed in summer 2007. Its mission is to promote and encourage the next generation of business and its professionals through community involvement, networking and education.

Enjoy a Wee Bit o’ Scotland People converge to celebrate all things Scottish and Celtic in Kelso each September during the Kelso Highlander Festival in Tam O’Shanter Park. The weekend’s activities include a fun run/walk 15K road race, a silent auction to help support the festival, a highland dance competition, highland team games, a piping competition and more musical entertainment. On Sunday, two Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan worship services are held, the Kelso Rotary Club sponsors a duck race, and a golf tournament is held at Three Rivers Golf Course.

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Splendid Sounds for Every Season The Southwest Washington Symphony enters its 43rd season in 2009-10. Besides its Fall Pops and Winter Classical concerts, the symphony also performs pops music at Lake Sacajawea as part of the July 4 Go Fourth celebration. Youth education also is important to the organization. Besides performing annual fall concerts for area fourth- and fifth-grade students, the symphony holds an annual youth contest. The winner receives a scholarship and the chance to perform as a featured soloist.

Let’s Get Moving, People There’s a local group that wants nothing more than for you to feel your best and live well. The Healthy Lifestyles Coalition’s Cowlitz on the Move project is specifically aimed at encouraging residents to exercise, eat nutritious foods and – if it applies – stop smoking. The coalition is a group of more than 30 organizations in Cowlitz County that formed in 2005 through the support of the Cowlitz County Health Department and Pathways 2020. The group provides a variety of resources for those seeking to improve their health and quality of life, including detailed information on area recreational opportunities, on its Web site, www.cowlitzonthemove.org.

Cowlitz County At A Glance POPULATION (2008 ESTIMATE) Cowlitz County: 101,254 Longview: 36,562 Kelso: 12,188 LOCATION The Kelso-Longview area is a scenic corner of southwest Washington, situated at the confluence of three rivers with a backdrop of green forests and white-capped mountains. BEGINNINGS Cowlitz County was officially established in 1854, and its current county seat, Kelso, was designated in 1922. The county takes its name from the Cowlitz Indian tribe.

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Longview COWL ITZ Kalama OREGON

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Woodland

FOR MORE INFORMATION Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 1563 Olympia Way Longview, WA 98632 Phone: (360) 423-8400, Fax: (360) 423-0432 www.kelsolongviewchamber.org Cowlitz Economic Development Council 1452 Hudson St., Suite 208 P.O. Box 1278 Longview, WA 98632 Phone: (360) 423-9921, Fax: (360) 423-1923 www.cowlitzedc.com

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What’s Online e Take a virtual tour of Cowlitz County, courtesy of our awardwinning photographers, at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

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Cedar Creek in Woodland

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Natural Selections OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS FIND MOUNTAIN OF OPTIONS

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STORY BY SHARON H. FITZGERALD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

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rom rippling streams and crystal lakes to the towering presence of Mount St. Helens, the beauty of Cowlitz County is a lure for those seeking the solace and the fun offered by the great outdoors, adding a fresh dimension to everything from camping to golfing. “I’m the typical Pacific Northwesterner [who enjoys] fishing, hunting, hiking and horseback riding,” says Mark Smith, developer, owner and operator of 90-acre Eco Park Resort on the North Fork Toutle River in the shadow of Mount St. Helens. Smith’s resilient spirit is also that of a

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typical Pacific Northwesterner; his family lost their Spirit Lake Resort in the 1980 eruption, yet he returned to the mountain a dozen years later to launch a small tour company. Eco Park Resort, which he opened in 1996, features log cabins, yurts, wall tents and campsites for its guests, with propane and solar panels providing the little power used. “We don’t have – nor do we promote – electronic devices,” Smith says. Anglers are in heaven in Cowlitz County, Smith says, with rainbow and cutthroat trout abundant in Coldwater Lake; largemouth bass, crappie and

bluegill in Silver Lake; and salmon and steelhead trout in the Toutle River. Wildlife watchers get their fill, too. “There’s a lot of geese, elk, deer. I took a ride this morning and saw two raccoons running up a tree right next to me,” Smith says. “It’s kind of neat to see that. It’s a communing-with-nature experience.” Eco Park is just one of many rustic options, public and private, available for overnight stays in natural surroundings. The 475-acre Seaquest State Park, just east of Castle Rock, offers 55 tent spaces, 33 utility spaces for recreational vehicles and five yurts. The park boasts more

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than a mile of shoreline on the shallow wetland Silver Lake, one mile of wetland trail and six miles of woodland trail for hiking and bicycling. Hikers find that the scenic trails throughout Cowlitz County range from easy to challenging. And those trails are easier to find, thanks to a map published in May 2009 by Cowlitz on the Move and several other sponsors. “It’s the first map that we’re aware of for all of Cowlitz County that not only shows the trail locations, but talks about what kind of experience you can have on the trail in terms of surface, the views

that you’ll have and parking. It’s really meant to encourage both tourists and local residents to get up and be more physically active,” says Paul Youmans, co-facilitator of Cowlitz on the Move, a community coalition designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, especially exercise. The initiative is a spin-off of Pathways 2020, an overarching publicprivate partnership designed to improve public health countywide. Youmans is Pathways 2020’s director. The map features 14 trails and two trails under construction. Called “Our

Own Little Sanctuary” on the map, Lake Sacajawea in Longview has four trail-loop options surrounding the water. Under way is the Cooks Ferry Trail between Lexington and Castle Rock along the Columbia River. In addition to the 2.5 miles of standard trail with picturesque views and fishing access, there’s a secluded beach walk, too.

Outdoor lovers enjoy Lewis River Golf Course and Lake Sacajawea.

What’s Online e Take virtual stroll around Lake Sacajawea by visiting the video gallery at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

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Building a

Gallery

Without Walls WEALTH OF PUBLIC ART ENRICHES EVERYDAY LIFE

STORY BY CAROL COWAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

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esidents of Cowlitz County all share ownership of a dog named Fetch. You can always find Fetch in Lake Sacajawea Park, surrounded by children who pet, hug and even try to ride the dog as if it were a horse. Despite all the attention, Fetch never barks or bites. That’s because the dog is a cast bronze sculpture, and it is just one of many pieces of public art on display in the Kelso and Longview area. “We started with that one piece, and it grew from there,” says Rich Bemm, director of parks and recreation for the city of Longview. “People have really embraced it, and kids love the dog. In fact, they’ve rubbed its nose so much, it’s become shiny.”

The park also is home to a carved wood totem pole, a carved granite piece titled Japanese Figure and a cast bronze sculpture of Sacajawea, the Shoshone Indian woman who explored the West with Lewis and Clark in the early 1800s. Additional sculptures can be found throughout the two neighboring cities. For instance, Handstand Boy frolics outside the Parks and Recreation Administration building; a cat reads Cat in the Hat over the shoulder of a girl on a bench in front of the Longview Public Library; and a girl presents a flower to town founder, Robert A. Long, in Thank You, Mr. Long in downtown Longview. Otters Bert and Ernie and a watchful owl called the Sun River Sentinel guard the ends of the Allen Street Bridge in Kelso; and at

The Longview Pioneer Lions Club donated this wooden totem pole, which is located on an island in Lake Sacajawea.

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the Kelso train station, a lone figure sits on a steamer trunk, waiting for a ride. Bemm says this kind of touchable public art truly enhances the quality of life in the area. What’s more, sculpture is only part of the cities’ art package. Stained glass, paintings, murals, woodblocks, bas-relief and paper cuttings decorate the walls of St. John Medical Center, Lower Columbia College and many area businesses. The college has a campus art walk that includes the gallery at its new Rose Center for the Arts. The lobby of the Monticello Hotel displays a collection titled Conquerors of the Trail, a series of 46 oil paintings that were commissioned by Long in the early 1900s. In addition, Broadway Gallery and Teague’s Interiors both feature rotating

exhibits of works by regional artists. With such a rich collection of art both indoors and out, Longview’s Parks and Recreation department decided to put together a downloadable brochure that maps out all of the artworks to be found in the area – from murals and framed calligraphy to historical reliefs and totem poles. The driving and walking art tour encompasses approximately six miles of the city. For the brochure, go to www.ci.longview.wa.us, select the Living section and choose Culture from that menu. On that page, you’ll find the link for Discover Public Art. “We get comments all the time on how much people enjoy the pieces,” Bemm says. “They feel it adds a dimension to the city, and it’s something they can share with their kids that will teach them to appreciate art.”

From left: Monticello Hotel’s Conquerors of the Trail, a series by Joe Knowles; Helping Hands by artist Jim Demetro

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Something’s Always

BREWING

CAFFEINE SCENE BUSTLES WITH MANY UNUSUAL OPTIONS STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

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t was 22 years ago when avid coffee aficionado Ken Guse called a friend in Eugene who had built a remarkable coffee roaster. That friend immediately got to work on constructing another big coffee roaster, which Guse eventually purchased and trucked back home to Longview. He’s been using that same roaster for more than two decades to keep his coffee shop in downtown Longview buzzing. “Back when I purchased my roaster, there was no such thing as fresh ground coffee in Longview,” says Guse, owner of Guse’s (pronounced Goo-ZAYZ) Gourmet Coffee, which is located on Commerce Avenue. “But having the freshest coffee imaginable is the reason why I started my business, and I continue to roast coffee beans each and every day for my customers.” Guse purchases green coffee beans in 155-pound sacks and then roasts them at

Right: Some of the regular customers at Guse’s Gourmet Coffee are pictured in the shop’s mural, which is a reproduction of an old photo of Longview’s founding fathers.

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What’s Online e Check out a few local coffee hot spots by visiting the video gallery at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

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Clockwise from left: Bags of whole bean coffee prior to being roasted at Guse’s Gourmet Coffee; the drink offerings on the menu at Coffee Cabin in Castle Rock; coffee cups for the regulars at Guse’s

450 degrees in the back portion of his shop. Then, he packages the beans and then retails them the same day. “When you open any random can of coffee that you purchase at the grocery store, the first pot of coffee tastes wonderful but then each subsequent pot tastes less and less desirable,” Guse says. “That’s because when you hear that whoosh and the coffee smell first comes out from the can, all of the coffee freshness goes right by your face. That’s why fresh roasting is really where it’s at for true coffee devotees.” The Guse’s Gourmet Coffee line of products includes Columbian, Costa Rican, Guatemalan, Mexican, Ethiopian and Kenyan blends. “The Pacific Northwest is known for its excellent coffee,” Guse says. “My store is just one of many such successful businesses that exist in Cowlitz County.” That statement is so true. Other thriving coffee businesses in Longview include Common Ground, Espresso Express, Hava Java, Intermission, Kaffeine Café Espresso and Quiver & Shake. Meanwhile, Kelso also has its share of coffee house hotspots, including Jitters and Coffee Cabin, while Coffee Cabin also has another store in Castle Rock. Among the newest coffee shops here is Kwik-E-Kup, which opened in January 2009 on First Avenue in Longview. “The reason why my business might stand out from the rest is that I feature the very popular Batdorf & Bronson brand – I have the only coffee store in Longview carrying that brand of premium roasted coffee,” says Janice Bates, who owns Kwik-E-Kup along with her daughter, Denise James. “We also have other specialty drinks such as steamers, chai teas, smoothies, Italian sodas, Big Train mochas and hot apple cider with caramel.” Bates agrees that Cowlitz County residents can be passionate about their coffee choices. “I open my business at 6 a.m. because customers are already clamoring for their first brew at that early hour of the morning,” Bates says. “I wonder if coffee is the most popular beverage among the adult population in Cowlitz County? My guess is that it is.” COWLITZ CO U NT Y

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Enrolling

Right Along LCC SEES INCREASE IN STUDENT POPULATION

STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

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ower Columbia College was founded in 1934, during the economic turmoil of the Great Depression. But despite tough times, LCC officials back then realized they needed to help their community by providing students with opportunities to earn educations that could lead to future in-demand careers. As a result, students by the hundreds enrolled to take courses at LCC when the college first opened. “And now, during these current tough economic times in 2009, LCC is experiencing the largest student enrollment in our history,” says Dr. James McLaughlin, president of Lower Columbia College. “We have 3,000 full-time students and 2,000 part-time students taking COWLITZ CO U NT Y

a variety of classes. Again, LCC is helping students intelligently prepare for the future, with our commitment to the community being just as strong as it was in 1934.” That commitment today continues with the college’s recent announcement that it will construct a new LCC Health and Science Center on campus. Funding for the project was approved by the Washington Legislature, and plans are currently in the design phase. “There continues to be a strong demand in the health-care industry for nurses. We graduate 125 nurses every year and have been doing so for 50 years,” McLaughlin says. “Construction of the health and science center will begin in July 2011 to house our excellent

What’s s e Online Read more articles about Cowlitz County’s diverse learning environments by going online to imagescowlitzcounty.com and clicking on “education.”

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“Again, LCC is helping students intelligently prepare for the future.” nursing program, as well as provide new labs and classrooms for all of our science programs.” The new construction project comes on the heels of LCC opening its Rose Center for the Arts in June 2008. The performing arts complex includes a 500-seat Wollenberg Auditorium, an intimate Center Stage Theatre & Lecture Hall, an art gallery, band and orchestra rehearsal space, classrooms and meeting rooms. In addition, the lobby floor features an advanced radiant heating system to reduce heating and cooling costs, while terrazzo floor tiles add to the beauty of the space. It features a colorful, 40-by-10 mural by artist Lucinda Parker. The mural is titled Where Water Comes Together With Other Water and represents the confluence of five rivers located within the Cowlitz County region. “The lobby is also one of the most beautiful gathering spots and meeting spaces in all of Cowlitz County,” McLaughlin says. “All of us at LCC are very proud of the Rose Center, with good reason.” Lower Columbia College is also proud of a commitment it has made toward workforce training, and nearly 50 percent of the 5,000 students at LCC are enrolled in some kind of workforce training curriculum. “I serve on the board of directors for the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council, which coordinates academic programs for high-demand, highpaying career fields in which students can pursue degrees,” McLaughlin says. “LCC has built up a tremendous reputation as a college where it’s a smart move for any student to attend. That’s probably why 35 percent of high school graduates in this region attend LCC in their freshman college year. Lower Columbia College is here to help any student gain valuable classroom knowledge, which is especially important these days when economic times are tough.”

Lower Columbia College

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Image Gallery

A seagull perches atop the historic Monticello Hotel in Longview.

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

What’s Online e Visit imagescowlitzcounty.com to see more award-winning photography highlighting the places and people in Cowlitz County.

A bust of Robert Long at R.A. Long Park

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Portfolio

Hulda Would Be Proud Today LILAC SOCIETY PROUDLY CARRIES ON LEGACY ESTABLISHED BY GARDENS’ FOUNDER

What’s Online e Peer around Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens by visiting the video gallery at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

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he colors of purple, pink and lavender abound at Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens in Woodland. The spacious gardens are actually on the site of an 1889 Victorian farmhouse, and the attraction is named in honor of Hulda Klager, the German homemaker who lived there and started the gardens in the early 1900s. By 1915, she had registered seven lilac varieties and opened her garden to people who could visit and view the blooms. Klager ultimately began selling the plants and lived to be 97 years old, supporting herself with the lilac sales most of her life. In the mid-1970s, the property was scheduled for demolition until a group of concerned citizens formed the Hulda Klager Lilac Society in 1976. They purchased and restored the property and also secured designations of the house and gardens as a state and national historic site. Today, the gardens are open year round to the public, and a huge variety of lilac hybrids are on display. In fact, the Lilac Society maintains 80 varieties of lilacs on the grounds. The flowers are sold at a number of special events throughout the year, with the most notable being an annual Lilac Festival that lasts for 23 days each April and May. During the festival, visitors pay a $2 gate fee to tour the historic farmhouse, wander through the gardens and purchase lilac plants. Officials with the lilac society say that the peak times to purchase the most vibrant flowers include the three weeks and four weekends prior to Mother’s Day. The society also enjoys dressing up the property and illuminating the gardens during the first two weekends of December. COWLITZ CO U NT Y

History Is Always on the Menu he Monticello Hotel was a big part of the Roaring Twenties when it first opened in Cowlitz County, and the facility is still a popular dining and events destination for residents and overnight guests today. The epitome of luxury and relaxation, the hotel has been a landmark site in Southwest Washington since 1923. The spacious, multi-story destination remains a mix of historical ambience and modern convenience. The hotel is known not only for its hospitality to visitors but one of its newer features, Ginger’s restaurant, is a favored pick for dining among residents, as well. The restaurant offers full breakfast, lunch and dinner service along with daily lunch specials. Located just a few blocks from Lower Columbia College and is only a short walk from downtown Longview. The Monticello also is a recommended stop for those who appreciate art, as the hotel’s lobby contains 46 oil paintings commissioned by Longview founder Robert A. Long in the early 1900s. The hotel also features banquet facilities. The main banquet area can accommodate up to 350 guests for weddings, receptions, banquets and meetings, and the ballroom offers elevated seating, a dance floor and a stage for bands, DJs, awards or other presentations, performances or speaking engagements. Meanwhile, the Fireside Room is ideal for a business or individual event and is suitable for up to 60 guests. The Monticello also has a private Rose Room that can also accommodate 60 guests, a LaRiviere Room for up to 40 people, and a Parkview Dining Room that comfortably accommodates 20 to 25 guests.

TODD BENNETT

T

Aaron R. Dawson, CPA

Jennifer D. Dawson, CPA

George H. Opsahl, Jr., CPA

5BY 1MBOOJOH BOE 1SFQBSBUJPO t #VTJOFTT $POTVMUJOH 'JOBODJBM 4UBUFNFOUT t #PPLLFFQJOH 4FSWJDFT &TUBUF BOE 3FUJSFNFOU 1MBOOJOH t .BOBHFNFOU "EWJTPSZ 4FSWJDFT Aaron R. Dawson, CPA Jennifer D. Dawson, CPA Susan E. Ellsworth, CPA Michael G. Woods, CPA Debbie M. Ralston, EA

George H. Opsahl, Jr., CPA Terry H. Shepp, CPA Richard R. Moffett, CPA Teri Elworthy, CPA James R. Gates, EA

(360) 425-2000 Rib-eye served at Ginger’s, a popular dining destination located within the historic Monticello Hotel in Longview

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UI "WF 4UF " t -POHWJFX 8" & NBJM JOGP!PQTBIMDP DPN t XXX PQTBIMDP DPN

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Portfolio

Is That a Logger’s Bunkhouse?

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istory buffs, rejoice. The Cowlitz County Historical Museum on Allen Street in Kelso has become an important resource for understanding the industrial and cultural dynamics of this part of the Pacific Northwest. The museum building was expanded in 2003 and underwent $1 million in improvements. It has several permanent exhibits that include American Indian artifacts as well as re-creations of a general store, steamboat dock and railroad depot. There is also an 1884 log cabin that was inhabited by an early Toutle River settler. Another popular attraction at the facility is an extensive photograph collection, which helps historians and researchers who want to learn more about how Cowlitz County evolved into its present state. The museum also houses a variety of temporary exhibits that have a broader scope than local history. For those seeking mementos of the visit, there is a large gift shop on site with items that include books, 550-piece historical jigsaw puzzle sets and a 140piece log play set made from real wood. The Cowlitz County Historical Society also published hundreds of historic photographs in a 2006 book titled Cowlitz County: Then and Now. The pictures and text detail the changes that have occurred in the county over the past two centuries. Cowlitz County Historical Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What’s Online e Glimpse into the Cowlitz County Historical Museum by visiting the video gallery at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

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Just Playing a Round Is Encouraged G

TODD BENNETT

olfing is an especially satisfying experience here, thanks to a variety of venues offering spectacular views and quality amenities. Among the top of these destinations is Lewis River Golf Course, which is nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains and features tree-lined fair ways of large firs and maples, along with a few ponds and several greenside bunkers. The fairways are a true test of golf because they are quite narrow, and the course is always in good shape thanks to the expert grounds-keeping crew. The facility also features a riverside restaurant and can host banquet events with seating for up to 400 people. Another top pick is the scenic Longview Country Club, which opened in 1926. It features a challenging par-70 layout for its private membership and includes bluegrass fairways and greens. Meanwhile, Mint Valley Golf Course in Longview is not only one of the finest public settings for golf in the state, but it also serves incredible hamburgers. The Mint Valley Burger has become legendary at the clubhouse restaurant. The course at Mint Valley has several water hazards, tall trees and well-bunkered greens that are fast and in excellent condition. Besides the 18-hole layout, Mint Valley has a six-hole, par 3 pitch-and-putt course for golfers looking to improve their short game. In Kelso, Three Rivers Golf Course has also garnered stellar reviews for its well-manicured terrain. It provides a true 18-hole challenge as a par 72, 6,700-yard public venue, and golfers are actually playing on a bit of history whenever they tee it up. When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, the Cowlitz River became clogged with mud and ash, so the Army Corps of Engineers dumped much of the dredge spoils on land that would eventually become Three Rivers Golf Course. Then people found out that grass could grow great on the dredging, and today this course has lush green grass all year round.

Golfers enjoy a game at Longview Country Club, which opened in 1926.

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SWANSON BARK & WOOD PRODUCTS

Yard & Garden Supply Headquarters

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240 Tennant Way Longview, WA 98632 www.swansonbark.com

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Garden Accessories, Pots & More!

COWLITZ CO U NT Y

Portfolio

Great Place To Veg Out S

ure, there are plenty of tomatoes, apples and gourds to be found at the various farmers’ markets in Cowlitz County. But there are also vendors on site who sell products such as hormonefree chickens and beeswax candles. The largest market in the county – Cowlitz Community Farmer’s Market – is open Saturdays from April through October at the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds. It also operates every Tuesday from May through October. Shoppers at Cowlitz Community Farmer’s Market can find everything from ornamental grasses to baby pigs along with the usual produce, plants, homemade crafts and artwork. Other items include fresh seafood, jewelry and unusual food products, such as Mama Nano’s Caponata. Meanwhile, additional markets in the area include the Kelso Bridge Market as well as the Kalama Saturday Market and Antique Street Fair. The newest addition to the market lineup in Cowlitz County is the Longview Saturday Market, which takes place in downtown Longview on Saturdays from Mother’s Day weekend through the first weekend in October. It began in 2007 and has experienced great success during its first three years. Nearly 100 different vendors participate at the Longview Saturday Market during its spring and summer run, and vendors sell what they have produced or created themselves. One of the interesting booths features a group of Russian women selling Russian food that they cook from scratch on site. Another vendor owns a mining company and builds what he mines into furniture. There is also a children’s craft area and an entertainment stage that hosts everything from live orchestras to hot dog eating contests. – Stories by Kevin Litwin COWLITZ CO U NT Y

the future … TODAY! Longview Public Schools: Helping all learners be successful Partnering with the community for a strong tomorrow

(360) 575-7000 • www.longviewschools.com

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Business

Open for

Business INDUSTRIES BENEFIT FROM SUPERIOR TRANSPORTATION AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

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COWLITZ CO U NT Y

STORY BY GRETA SHARP | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

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ith numerous transportation advantages and some of the lowest energy rates in the nation, Cowlitz County economic development officials have powerful tools in attracting new industry and ensuring ease of commerce for those in place. “Industrial clients want to go where they are appreciated and can be successful,” says Ted Sprague, president of the Cowlitz Economic Development Council. “The environment created here is absolutely set up that way. Transportation is very important, and we’re able to say, ‘Freeway access? We’ve got it. Rail access? We’ve got it. River access? We’ve got it.’ ” Interstate 5 is the main surface transportation artery, running conveniently north to south through the county. “The closer you are to an interstate, the easier it is to locate companies because it’s so important to shipping products out and bringing the input you need to the plant,” Sprague says. Another logistical advantage is the proximity to the Columbia River, providing access to the Pacific Ocean. The Ports of Longview, Kalama and Woodland recently joined with the Ports of Vancouver and Portland to deepen the river’s navigation channel from 40 to 43 feet. Thanks to this improvement, the Port of Longview attracted a new grain elevator. “It’s a $200 million capital investment and the first new grain elevator in the Western U.S. in 28 years,” Sprague says. It also represents two years of construction with several hundred workers, as well as 50 ongoing jobs. In terms of rail service, Cowlitz County’s ports are dually served by Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads. Cowlitz County Public Utility District plays an important role in business recruitment by providing commercial and industrial service

that is inexpensive, reliable and high quality, Sprague says. “All of these things are conducive to business,” Sprague continues. “Our PUD does a great job with residential clients, but really works hand-in-hand with industrial clients.” Most of the industrial clients are served by a double loop electrical feed: one substation backed up by another. PUD also offers business rates that are 30 percent below the national average, and its large industrial rates are as low as half the national rate. In fact, many high-energy-consumption clients chose to locate in the area because of its competitive energy costs. In order to assist new business and industry, Cowlitz PUD developed rate incentives and assistance in constructing substations for these clients who are larger consumers of energy. “It allows us to do even better than our already competitive rates,” says Brian Skeahan, general manager. “It’s intended to help businesses get off the launching pad.” Energy conservation and cleaner sources of power are also important to the district. Cowlitz PUD is installing smart meters, with the goal of every customer having an automated meter by 2011. For businesses, having the real-time data from the meters will allow them to better conserve energy and control costs. The district also has developed the 205megawatt Wind Creek Wind Project, completed in 2007. The project consists of 89 energygenerating wind turbines in the Columbia River Gorge. The second phase, the Harvest Wind Project, will add 43 more turbines by the end of 2009, generating another 100 megawatts of power. The Wind Creek turbines and blades were shipped through the Port of Longview, increasing revenue and helping to diversify its business base, Skeahan says.

What’s s e Online Learn more about the Port of Longview in the video gallery at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

Cowlitz County’s three ports – the Port of Kalama, at left, the Port of Longview and the Port of Woodland – are key parts of the area’s strong transportation and logistics infrastructure.

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Business

Biz Briefs BUSINESSES – BOTH LARGE AND SMALL – THAT HELP DEFINE COWLITZ COUNTY’S ECONOMIC CLIMATE

Scorecard BUSINESS AT A GLANCE

$938,408 Retail sales ($1,000)

$9,914 Retail sales per capita

$112,475 Accommodations and food service sales ($1,000)

5,922 Total number of firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

CAPSTONE CELLARS Biz: winery Buzz: Capstone Cellars was established in Longview in 2003 by Roy and Sandy Bays and Joel and Cathleen McNelly. The winery crafts small lots of premium, complex wines of distinction, sourcing high-quality fruit from the nearby Yakima Valley and using fine oak barrels. Its newest offering is the 2006 Unicus, a blend composed of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. www.capstonecellars.com 36

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COWLITZ CO U NT Y

Where Business Lives

SUZLON ENERGY LTD. Biz: wind turbine company Buzz: Suzlon Energy Limited is the fifth-leading supplier of wind turbines in the world. Based in India, Suzlon is an important client at the Port of Longview, through which it imports wind turbine components. The Cowlitz Economic Development Council worked to secure a boundary modification to the port’s Foreign Trade Zone to allow them to increase their imports. www.suzlon.com THE PRO SHOP Biz: snow and water sports equipment Buzz: The Pro Shop in Longview has been offering snow and water sports equipment and boats to customers in southwest Washington for more than 30 years. The shop carries top brands and specializes in custom rigging. It is known for superior customer service and its knowledgeable staff. The Pro Shop also offers an online store featuring new and used boats. www.teamproshop.com LONGVIEW FIBRE PAPER AND PACKAGING INC. Biz: specialty paper and containers Buzz: Longview Fibre opened in Longview in 1927. Today, its manufacturing facilities here collectively are considered to be one of the largest papermaking complexes in North America. The company has a network of seven efficient converting plants producing quality containers. www.longviewfibre.com THE BROADWAY GALLERY Biz: art gallery Buzz: The Broadway Gallery is a downtown Longview destination where works by approximately 50 local and regional artists are on display for sale. Works range from paintings to jewelry to unusual handcrafted paper goods. The gallery also offers adult and children’s art classes in a wide variety of media. www.the-broadway-gallery.com COWLITZ CO U NT Y

The Kalama River Industrial Park vi>ÌÕÀiÃÊÇxÊ>VÀiÃÊ Ü Ì Ê ÌÃÊÌ >ÌÊ>ÀiÊ v i`Ê> `Ê«Ài >`i`Ê Ü Ì ÊÕÌ Ì iÃÊ Ê« >Vi°

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TODD BENNETT

Business | Chamber Report

CEDC President Ted Sprague, left, and Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce President Rick Winsman

Working Double Time CEDC AND CHAMBER CLOSELY COORDINATE TO GROW AND SUPPORT BUSINESS BASE

T

he spirit of cooperation is alive and well in Cowlitz County. The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce and the Cowlitz Economic Development Council have partnered on projects for the past four years, working to increase the presence of business and industry in the area, as well as provide optimal operating conditions for existing enterprises. Together, their efforts and expertise pay off for businesses large and small. “We look at each other as collaborators,” says Ted Sprague, president of the Cowlitz Economic Development Council. “We both see the big picture. There is a division of labor that makes a lot of sense.” “We both realize we can’t be everything to everyone,” says Rick Winsman, president and CEO of the 800-member chamber. The chamber focuses its efforts on commercial and retail businesses. “We spend our time working with small businesses,” Winsman explains. “Small businesses represent 75 percent of all new jobs created.” 38

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The economic development council concentrates on industrial and manufacturing clients. “I believe manufacturing is the core of the economy, and everything grows from that,” Sprague says. Expanding the area’s industrial and manufacturing sector creates somewhat of a snowball effect: More jobs are created and higher wages are paid, so residents can spend more money with local businesses. The CEDC remains focused on further diversifying the local industry mix, which has been based mainly on natural resources such as lumber, pulp and paper. “Our goal is to bring in recessionproof industries to try and balance the economy more,” Sprague says. The collective effort of the two agencies presents an image of a community that has a plan for businesses looking to expand or relocate to the area. “They see a community that is all on the same page and moving in the same direction,” Sprague says. “You don’t see

that everywhere, the spirit of cooperation we have in this community.” In addition to working together directly, the two agencies have a good deal of peripheral involvement, particularly in the area of workforce development. Both participate on the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council, which provides skills assessments and training, then employment with partner businesses. Winsman also points to Lower Columbia College as a leader in workforce education, providing a skilled workforce that is powerful tool in recruiting new business. Sprague and Winsman also serve on the boards of each other’s organizations. “We’re the cheerleaders for the business community. We’re out there in front pointing out the area as a great place to locate businesses and families and have them in a good environment for education and recreation,” Winsman says. “It’s a very engaged community for all the right reasons in all the right areas.” – Greta Sharp COWLITZ CO U NT Y

Business | Economic Profile

COWLITZ COUNTY BUSINESS CLIMATE Cowlitz County is a strategic hub interconnected by interstates and railways and alongside major shipping ports. Affordable, available land and comprehensive tax advantages sustain Cowlitz County’s favorable economic climate, which is supported by the proactive philosophy and economic diplomacy of its people.

Cowlitz Economic Development Council 1452 Hudson St., US Bank Bldg., Suite 208 Longview, WA 98632 (360) 423-9921 www.cowlitzedc.com

INDUSTRIAL SITES Port of Kalama 380 W. Marine Drive Kalama, WA 98625 (360) 673-2325 www.portofkalama.com

TRANSPORTATION Community Urban Bus Service P.O. Box 128 Longview, WA 98632 (360) 442-5663 Kelso-Longview Regional Airport/Molt Taylor Field Kelso, WA 98632 (360) 577-1964 Portland International Airport 7000 N.E. Airport Way Portland, OR 97218 (503) 460-4040 (877) 739-4636

ECONOMIC RESOURCES Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 1563 Olympia Way Longview, WA 98632 (360) 423-8400 www.kelsolongview chamber.org

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Port of Longview 10 Port Way Longview, WA 98632-7739 (360) 425-3305 www.portoflongview.com Port of Woodland 141 Davidson Ave. Woodland, WA 98674 (360) 225-6555 www.portofwoodland.com Mint Farm Industrial Park 1525 Broadway Longview, WA 98632 (360) 442-5004 www.mintfarm.com

MAJOR EMPLOYERS No. of Company Employees PeaceHealth/St John Medical Center

1,874

Weyerhaeuser

1,580

Longview Fibre Co.

1,020

Longview School District

900

Kelso School District

850

Foster Farms

800

J.H. Kelly

600

Cowlitz County

570

Safeway

550

NORPAC

450

Lower Columbia College

400

City of Longview

351

Steelscape

350

Walmart

350

Kaiser Permanente

263

PNE Corporation

253

Fred Meyer

242

RSG Forest Products Community Home Health & Hospice

236 220

MORE EO ONLINE imagescowlitzcounty.com More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

I M AG E S C O W L I T ZC O U N T Y. C O M

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Somerset

Retirement & Assisted Living

(360) 425-1517 2025 Tibbetts

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(360) 423-7302 1200 17th Ave.

Peter C. Wagner D.M.D., P.S.

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NEW PATIENTS WELCOME CONVENIENT PAYMENT PLANS INVISALIGN

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Family Health Center Family Health Center is committed to promoting, encouraging and providing health services in order to improve the quality of life through sound nutrition, education, preventive health care and the empowerment of choice.

Family Health Center has Four Locations to Better Serve You: Longview Clinic 1057 12th Ave. Longview, WA 98632 (360) 636-3892

Woodland Clinic 1251 Lewis River Rd., Ste. D Woodland, WA 98674 (360) 225-4310

North Beach Clinic 21610 Old Pacific Hwy. Ocean Park, WA 98640 (360) 665-3000

Family Planning Nurse 711 Vine St. Kelso, WA 98626 (360) 501-2438

“Providing the quality care your family deserves�

visit our

advertisers Bond Properties www.bondapts.com

Longview Public Schools www.kelso.wednet.edu/redirect.html

Cascade Natural Gas www.cngc.com

Lower Columbia College www.lowercolumbia.edu

Cascade Networks www.cni.net

Onthemark Associates www.onthemarkassociates.com

City of Longview www.ci.longview.wa.us

Opsahl, Shepp & Company www.opsahlco.com

Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts www.columbiatheatre.com

Peace Health www.peacehealth.org

Cowlitz Economic Development Council www.cowlitzedc.com Cowlitz Family Health Center www.cowlitzfamilyhealth.org Cowlitz PUD www.cowlitzpud.org DeFrancisco, Lampitt & Brado PS www.dlbcpas.com Dr. Peter Wagner Fibre Federal Credit www.ďŹ brecu.com Interstate Wood Products www.interstatewoodproductsinc.org

Family Health Center is a private, nonprofit community health service organization.

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Port of Kalama www.portofkalama.com Port of Longview www.portoongview.com Port of Woodland www.portofwoodland.com Red Canoe Credit Union www.redcanoecu.com Red Lion Hotel www.redlion.com Swanson Bark & Wood Products www.swansonbark.com The River Edge Condos www.riveredgecondos.com

Larry Hansen Insurance

US Bank www.usbank.com

Longview Fibre www.longviewďŹ bre.com

Windermere Real Estate www.windermere.com

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TODD BENNETT

Health & Wellness

St. John Medical Center

Making Patient Progress ST. JOHN MEDICAL CENTER TOWER NEARS COMPLETION OF MAJOR RENOVATION

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t was back in 1968 when St. John Medical Center made headline news after opening a sparkling new, eight-story patient tower on its Longview campus. In 2010, get ready for some more big news. The long-standing hospital currently is in the final stages of a four-year, $46 million patient tower renovation, and the project is scheduled for completion in February. “St. John actually first opened in 1924 and has undergone a few expansions and renovations over the years, but it was high time to get more technology and comfort into the patient tower,” says Gary Hall, regional vice president of facility services for St. John Medical Center. “As a result, we concentrated on increasing the size of the patient rooms, plus have added several more upgrades.” Those upgrades include doubling the size of the emergency department, refurbishing an 18-bed critical care unit, and revamping a behavioral health floor. “We have also completed a brand new obstetrics and labor delivery unit with private patient rooms,” Hall says. “Each room is a 21st-century LDRP model, which means that a woman experiences labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care all in the same room.” The tower also will be equipped with three individual floors of medical surgical units, with the seventh floor surgical unit currently being overhauled. Construction work on the seventh floor is the final phase of the four-year project. COWLITZ CO U NT Y

Hall says that once the entire renovation is completed, the hospital will start thinking about adding another tower to the St. John campus. “Our overall goal is to have enough square footage to offer every patient their own private room, but adding another tower is something that will occur quite a ways down the line,” Hall says. “We are just excited right now about the February 2010 completion date for this current project.” Part of the renovation included installing a high-efficiency heating and cooling unit, as well as an all-new electrical system. Those specific upgrades have allowed St. John to qualify for a national Energy Star certification in environmental excellence – the only building that has achieved that status to date in Cowlitz County. St. John Medical Center primarily serves the communities of Longview and Kelso, but also as far north as Chehalis, and south to Woodland and into Oregon to cities such as Rainier and Clatskanie. “We serve hundreds of square miles throughout our surrounding region, with much of that area being rural,” Hall says. “The hospital is classified as a Level III trauma center and is adding more specialties all the time. St. John is advanced in technology, equipment and facilities, and we can compete with any other hospital in the Pacific Northwest in providing top-notch patient care.” – Kevin Litwin I M AG E S C O W L I T ZC O U N T Y. C O M

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Arts & Culture

Poised for Many More Encores LONGVIEW’S HISTORIC COLUMBIA THEATRE UNVEILS MAJOR RENOVATION IN 2010

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t will soon be curtains – and much more – for the Columbia Theatre. The historic entertainment venue in Longview has been in the midst of an $11.6 million renovation for the past couple of years and is set to reopen in February 2010. That’s quite an impressive achievement given the fact that the theater was just days from being demolished in 1980.

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“The Columbia was built in 1925 at the height of the Vaudeville era, but then Vaudeville saw a steady decline as the entertainment industry shifted to radio, silent movies and then talking movies,” says Gian Paul Morelli, executive director of the Columbia Theatre Association for the Performing Arts. “The theater ultimately became a movie house that eventually became outdated, and the owners planned

to demolish the Columbia in 1979.” In fact, a local paper published the headline “Goodbye, Columbia” on June 30, 1979, but a number of concerned citizens conducted a tenacious stall campaign and then a fundraising effort to save the historic landmark. “The citizens managed to delay the demolition for 10 months, but they couldn’t raise enough money to buy the building. So, heavy equipment

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was driven to the parking lot next door in early May 1980 – with the intent to knock down the Columbia within days,” Morelli says. “But suddenly, Mount St. Helens erupted and all available construction equipment was needed to clear the roads leading to the volcano. The timing for the theater being saved by Mount St. Helens almost seemed apocalyptic.” The eruption bought another six months for the theater, during which time the non-profit Columbia Theatre Association for the Performing Arts was established. The association ultimately purchased the facility and has operated it ever since. In 2007, the Columbia sustained significant flooding, so the association decided to refurbish the entire structure. Nearly $6 million was raised privately, while another $6 million was secured through state grants. “When the Columbia reopens in early 2010, it will host about 90 entertainment events a year,” Morelli says. “The renovation primarily will focus on audience comfort, with wider seats and more spacious rows along with many more rest rooms. There will be comfortable seating for 815, and, although it will be outfitted for 21st-century entertainment, the Columbia will certainly retain its old-time charm.” While the renovation continues to move forward, the Columbia Theatre Association is staging its seasonal plays and concerts at the Rose Center on the campus of Lower Columbia College. “For our 2009-2010 season that will run from September to June, we will probably hold two or three shows at the Rose Center and then transfer everything back to the Columbia in February 2010,” Morelli says. “The Rose Center has been great to stage our shows, but we are anxious to return home to the Columbia Theatre once again.” – Kevin Litwin COWLITZ CO U NT Y

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141 Davidson Ave. P.O. Box 87 Woodland, WA 98674

(360) 225-6555 www.portofwoodland.com

s /PEN FOR BUSINESS s 'ROUND BUILDING LEASES s 2AIL ACCESS s 4ERRIFIC LOCATION TO )

Phone: (888) 522-1130 Fax: (360) 788-2310 www.cngc.com

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I M AG E S C O W L I T ZC O U N T Y. C O M

COWLITZ CO U NT Y

Sports & Recreation

Babe Ruth Is Alive and Well YOUTH BASEBALL LEAGUE’S WORLD SERIES RETURNS TO STORY FIELD

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Babe Ruth baseball is for boys ages 16-18. In 1990, Longview hosted the national Babe Ruth World Series, which brought in the top teams of 13-year-olds from across the country. The event was such a marketing and financial success that the city has hosted World Series tournaments in 1997, 2001 and 2004. And in August 2009, again the top 11 teams of 15-year-old boys from across the nation once again traveled to Longview. But besides those 11 teams,

STAFF PHOTO

urrent Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jason Schmidt used to play Babe Ruth baseball in Kelso. And current San Diego Padres manager Bud Black was a former Babe Ruth baseball player in Longview. Babe Ruth baseball has a long history of popularity here, and that popularity seems to increase every year. The league is composed of individual divisions for 13-year-old boys, 14-yearolds and 15-year-olds, and then Senior

Stan Rister Stadium in Kelso’s Tam O’ Shanter Park

COWLITZ CO U NT Y

there was an interesting surprise twist to the 2009 competition. “For 2009, there were eight U.S. regional winners who qualified for the tournament, plus one team apiece from Kelso and Longview, along with another team representing the state of Washington. Plus, we had one team that traveled here from Japan,” says Kirc Roland, co-president of the Longview World Series Committee along with co-president Tony Waadevig. “Having the Japanese team here actually made 2009 an international tournament.” All tourneys in Longview have been played at David Story Field on the campus of Lower Columbia College. As for Roland, he is athletic director at LCC besides his duties on the World Series committee. “The president and administration at LCC have been fantastic in allowing the tournaments to be held at Story Field – they all know what the event means to the economy and overall image of Cowlitz County,” Roland says. “Story Field in Longview is an excellent ballpark, and Kelso also has its own quality Babe Ruth facility at Stan Rister Stadium. However, Rister is simply not large enough to host national tournaments, but it has admirably hosted several regional Babe Ruth tourneys over the years.” Roland adds that having the event here also is rewarding for the community because several of the visiting ballplayers stay with host families during the eight-day tournament. “Many times when the visiting kids leave after the final game is played, tears start to flow because the host families get emotionally attached to the ballplayers and vice versa,” Roland says. “That’s why Cowlitz County has such a good history with the Babe Ruth World Series. The community gets behind it, the volunteers are invaluable on the Longview World Series Committee, and the business community comes through with sponsorships. It has really become a prestigious event that Kelso-Longview is lucky to host every few years or so.” – Kevin Litwin I M AG E S C O W L I T ZC O U N T Y. C O M

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preservation ‌ renovation ‌ transformation!

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LO N G V I E W, WA S H I N G TO N A state-of-the-art showplace for Southwest Washington Re-opening February, 2010 360.423.1011 www.columbiatheatre.com

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I M AG E S C O W L I T ZC O U N T Y. C O M

8 0 0 . A C S . 2 3 4 5 / c a n c e r. o r g

COWLITZ CO U NT Y

Education

Schools Get Resounding ‘Yes’

Producing Paper ... and More

RESIDENTS STRONGLY SUPPORT TAX LEVIES FOR TECHNOLOGY, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS

Making value-added paper and packaging products is the forte of our large Longview operations, which have been a major contributor to the Cowlitz County and region’s economy since the mill’s startup in 1927:

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uperintendent Suzanne Cusick is committed to providing the best education possible for her students in the Longview Public Schools system, and she has plenty of help – inside the classrooms and in the community. Despite tough economic times shared with the rest of the nation, in March 2009 local residents overwhelmingly approved two tax levies that are key to operating the 6,800-student district’s eight elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools, plus the Broadway Learning Center. For Cusick, who assumed her post as superintendent in July 2008, the support is reassuring and vital to ensure the success of LPS students. “What drew me to the job was this unique community – unique in the sense of its deep caring and commitment to children,� says Cusick, who came to Longview from Hillsboro, Ore., where she served as assistant superintendent for student improvement. “I don’t say that lightly. This is a mill town that has had incredible struggles over the past couple of decades. And yet this community continues to give and give and give – as they showed when they passed the levies so resoundingly.� Voters approved a Maintenance and Operations Levy, replacing one expiring in 2009, which will produce revenues of $13.48 million in 2010 and $14.15 million in 2011. Property owners pay $3.01 per $1,000 assessed property valuation for the levy. Funds are used to COWLITZ CO U NT Y

supplement staff expenses not met by state funds, as well as other district costs. The Technology and Capital Projects Levy will yield $1.25 million in 2010 and $1.32 million in 2011. The rate for property owners is $.28 per $1,000 assessed property valuation. The new levy will fund repairs to the HVAC system at Mark Morris High School, updates to the fire alarm system at R.A. Long High School and security upgrades systemwide, Cusick says. The levies are vital to the school system’s economic health, but budget cuts still were necessary, Cusick says. Her first week on the job, she had to begin cutting $2.4 million from the $70 million budget for the 2008-09 school year. For the 2009-10 school year, $5.1 million in additional cuts were necessary. A decline in enrollment of 125 is projected for the 2009-10 school year, which also impacts the budget, Cusick says. She says she’s been grateful that, for the most part, “the school community and the greater community understand that’s what we have to do.� And even though cuts were necessary, the levies prevented even more drastic reductions, she adds. “We’re on a very clear path in terms of instruction,� Cusick says. “We hope, when the economy turns around, to rebuild our staff. We’re looking to the future. I’ve been reminding people I’m still going to be superintendent, and we’ll still be focusing on instruction.� – Anne Gillem

t &NQMPZT BCPVU NFO and women. t 1BZSPMM OFBSMZ million annually. t -PDBM QVSDIBTFT BOE UBYFT QBJE BCPVU NJMMJPO BOOVBMMZ t 1SPEVDFT DPOUBJOFSCPBSE GPS TFWFO -POHWJFX 'JCSF CPY plants in West Coast and Intermountain regions for converting into corrugated and solid-ďŹ ber containers for QBDLBHJOH B CSPBE NJY PG products, ranging from foods to computers to appliances. t " XJEF BSSBZ PG WBMVF BEEFE kraft papers is made at Longview for conversion by other ďŹ rms into countless end-uses, including retail bags, construction papers, food packaging and many specialty products.

I M AG E S C O W L I T ZC O U N T Y. C O M

47

Community Profile

COWLITZ COUNTY SNAPSHOT Cowlitz County is ideally situated between Seattle and Portland, offering residents proximity to two major urban centers along with a rural lifestyle that has year-round opportunities for recreation.

HEALTH CARE St. John Medical Center and PeaceHealth Medical Group, operated by PeaceHealth, has been recognized as one of the top 100 medical centers in the nation. The acute care, not-forprofit community medical center, which was the first Level III-designated trauma center in the state, provides a variety of health care programs and services. For a breakdown of medical services, visit imagescowlitzcounty.com.

For a list of schools and other information, visit imagescowlitzcounty.com.

Cascade Networks Inc. 1324 Vandercook Way Longview, WA 98632 (360) 414-5990

CLIMATE

Comcast Spotlight 1555 Third Ave. Longview, WA 98632 (360) 423-6268

The overall climate is mild year round, and the most snow is seen in January. The rainiest month is December, while July is the sunniest.

33.1 F January Low Temperature

45.4 F January High Temperature

51.4 F

MORE EO ONLINE imagescowlitzcounty.com More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

July Low Temperature

77.4 F July High Temperature

EDUCATION Cowlitz County provides a successful learning atmosphere where educational programs of all types are enhanced continually.

LOCAL UTILITIES Cascade Natural Gas Corp. 1332 Vandercook Way Longview, WA 98632 (888) 522-1130 THIS SECTION IS SPONSORED BY

Luxury Living on the Cowlitz River 4QBDJPVT 'MPPS 1MBOT t (BT 'JSFQMBDFT t )JHI FOE 'JOJTIFT %FDLT XJUI (BT )PPL VQT t )FBU 1VNQT (PSHFPVT $PNNPO "SFBT t 4FDVSFE 1BSLJOH (BSBHF

“Visit us toda d y ... See whyy we’re Longgview’s Prem Pr e ier emie em ier Co Cond ndom omin iniu ium m Co Comm mmun unit ity� it y

(360) 425-1517 3J 3JW JWFS 3PB JWFS 3PB PBE E tt -POHHWJ -POH -P WJFX JFX

COWLITZ CO U NT Y

I M AG E S C O W L I T ZC O U N T Y. C O M

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Ad Index 4 0 B O N D P RO P E RTI E S 4 4 C A S C A D E N AT U R A L GA S 3 1 C A S C A D E N E T WO R K S

4 0 D R . P E T E R WAG N E R 1 FI B R E FED E R A L C R ED IT 4 I N T E R S TAT E WO O D P RO D U C TS

7 C IT Y O F LO N GV I E W 4 6 L A R RY H A N S E N I N S U R A N C E 4 6 CO LU M B I A T H E AT R E FO R TH E P E R FO R M I N G A RTS 2 COW LIT Z ECO N O M I C D E V E LO P M E N T CO U N C I L 4 0 COW LIT Z FA M I LY H E A LT H C E N T E R

47 LO N GV I E W FI B R E 3 3 LO N GV I E W P U B LI C S C H O O L S 6 LOW E R CO LU M B I A CO L L EG E 4 4 O N T H E M A R K A S S O C I AT E S

4 8 COW LIT Z P U D 2 9 O P SA H L , S H EP P & CO M PA N Y 4 6 D E FR A N C I S CO, L A M P IT T & BRADO PS

C 4 P E AC E H E A LT H

Ad Index (cont.) 3 7 P O RT O F K A L A M A 4 3 P O RT O F LO N GV I E W 4 4 P O RT O F WO O D L A N D 3 0 R E D C A N O E C R ED IT U N I O N 4 6 R E D LI O N H OT E L 32 SWA N SO N BA R K & WO O D P RO D U C TS C 3 T H E R I V E R E D G E CO N D O S 32 U S BA N K C 2 W I N D E R M E R E R E A L E S TAT E

questions answers

Š2002 American Cancer Society, Inc.

8 0 0 . A C S . 2 3 4 5 / c a n c e r. o r g

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