Spokane CDA Woman magazine by Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living

July/August 2014 | Issue 16

spokanecdawoman.com

Travel: Woodinville, Washington A Wine Lovers Destination

Fat Shredding

Treat Recipes

n o d l e h S a n i h At

Terminal Illness,

Forever Love

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July/August 2014

contents

Inside

features

Girl Power: Heather Hodson found a love for catching a fish on the fly. After a life-changing event in 2012, she began taking fly fishing classes and soon afterward created Spokane Women on the Fly to give Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area women, whether new or experienced, a chance to connect with other women fly fishers.

on the

cover

Role Model: In the dynamic and complex energy industry, Heather Rosentrater has made a marked impact. Over her 18-year career at Avista Utilities, she has earned the role of director of engineering and systems operations and is responsible for multi-million dollar projects for some of the organization’s most crucial initiatives.

Relationships: Sheldon Maul had been fighting for his life after being diagnosed with stage four osteosarcoma at age 18. A friend from high school, Athina Brown, reached out to him, offering to bring over a movie and hang out. A love kindled their first evening together, and they soon realized they were soul mates. In spite of a devastating terminal prognosis several months later, Sheldon and Athina, along with their supportive families, planned a wedding—and a life, no matter how long or short—together.

Family: Scoliosis; Oral Health for Moms/Babies; Family Health; Early Childhood Development

ON THE COVER: On the Cover: Photography:

Sheldon and Athina Maul Mickie McClure

Sheldon Maul and Athina Brown said “I do” to each other a week after Sheldon’s terminal prognosis. In spite of the heartache, they were all smiles during their May 18, 2014 wedding. With a short time left in Sheldon’s life, they are spending every precious moment together, as best friends, as husband and wife, as soul mates.

Find Spokane CDA Woman magazine on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SpokaneCDAWoman

July_August 2014

Vol. 3 Issue 4

July/August 2014

Editorial

Editor | Stephanie Regalado editor@spokanecdawoman.com

Art Direction | Graphics Art Director/Lead Graphic Designer Kristi Somday | kristi@spokanecda.com Traffic Manager/Graphic Designer Camille Mackie | camille@spokanecda.com

Photographers

Diane Maehl Photography, Cheryl-Anne Millsap, Mickie McClure

Contributors

Kate Armstrong, Emily Easley, Cynthia Fine, Dennis Held, Julie Humphreys, Cheryl-Anne Millsap, Kristin Monasmith, Susan Joseph Nielson, Rachel Sandall

Sales | Marketing

Senior Account Managers Cindy Guthrie | cindy@spokanecda.com Jeff Richardson | jrichardson@spokanecda.com Account Managers Debra J Smith | debra@bozzimedia.com Monte Tareski | monte@bozzimedia.com

at Arbor Crest

Operations

Operations and Finance Manager Kim Morin | kim@spokanecda.com

4705 N Fruit Hill Rd, Spokane WA

Circulation Manager and Accounts Receivable Theresa Berglund | theresa@spokanecda.com

Publisher & CEO | Vincent Bozzi vince@spokanecda.com

Co-Publisher | Emily Guevarra Bozzi emily@spokanecda.com

Friday

July 25

5:00pm-10:00pm

TICKETS: BozziEvents.eventbrite.com where spokane get gets en engaged.

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Spokane CDA Woman is published bi-monthly by Bozzi Media. 104 S Freya | Ste 209 | Spokane WA 99202-4866 Phone: 509.533.5350 | Fax: 509.535.3542 All contents ÂŠ 2014. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Neither Bozzi Media nor Spokane CDA Woman assumes responsibility for errors in content, photos or advertisements.

Editor's letter photo by Diane Maehl

Shining a Light of Compassion into the Darkest of Human Places

he music swirled through the cool night air, in the evening of one of the most perfect weather days in Spokane. Attendees and their joy danced to the rhythm of the backyard music life, we become a multitude of little and big, festival tunes as beer and wine swirled to the light and dark blips. The man at the backyard rims of glasses, happily held. It was the kind festival resolved to hate himself for the rest of night that makes you smile at everyone of his time, placing his focus on one of the you see and everything you hear. The kind of many of his “pieces.” Society’s “lock them night that makes you breathe in a little deeper, up and throw away the key” methodologies hold on to the sweetness, stretch out time a don’t honor the complexities little longer. of humans, the value of a A man that had been proudly Compassion is not a life. Our inclination is to cast sharing his carved wooden art relationship between the aside the lives of those we creations with the crowd settled healer and the wounded. don’t understand or that don’t in next to me. As we chatted, he explained that he had been It’s a relationship between align with our value systems. That inclination encourages homeless for many years, but equals. Only when we people to cast themselves had recently found a job and an know our own darkness aside. Extending compassion is apartment with a shop, which well can we be present sharing in moments of equality allowed him to begin creating— and selling—his art again. It with the darkness of others. and worthiness with others, two values all humans long for. felt good, he said, to rebuild his Compassion becomes real The man and I parted, but life after many troubled years when we recognize our he returned a short time later with the law, primarily drugwith a different set of tears in related offenses. But there was shared humanity. his eyes. “No one has ever been a bigger offense, he confessed. ~ Pema Chodron so compassionate toward me,” One that haunted him, although he said. “I am a good man, but he had paid his dues, had done that’s hard for people to see after they know his time. The horribleness of the crime could what I’ve done.” I placed my hand on his not be alleviated no matter the amount of shoulder, smiled, and said I believed he was a distance traveled, or the time elapsed, he said. good man. “You have a lot of life left to live He entertained my curiosities and and you are worthy of leading a good one,” eventually shared the story, which was a I said. “As soon as you begin to believe it, hard one to hear. I witnessed his pain and you’ll have it.” how he allowed it to define much of who he This is our magazine, WE are Spokane was. The spark that had been present in his CDA Woman. Together, we can help each eyes as he shared his artwork was no longer other become the best that we can be. Find me visible through the tears that welled in its on Facebook in order to stay connected, and place. It was difficult to hear an offense so to share more stories—short and long—of the dark from the perpetrator’s perspective, and adventures in womanhood. be witness—from a place of compassion—to the turmoil he lives in. Even the shortest blips in time become part of our story, the light and the dark aspects are pieces that collectively, not Stephanie Regalado individually, define who we are. We are editor@spokanecdawoman.com complex, diverse, and as we travel through

July_August 2014

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Van Gogh and Merlot : Modern-Day Nomads : Summer Sweet Treats : Outdoor Movies : Coach Alba App

Up Front

Painting

Wine

A Tasteful Masterpiece

Wine and art pair nicely with Van Gogh and Merlot

By Susan Joseph Nielsen

hen I first heard about the Van Gogh and Merlot (VGM) events I was really excited to learn more about becoming a “casual painting artist,” because seriously, who wouldn’t be a bit intrigued about learning to paint while drinking wine and enjoying delicious appetizers? The format for the class involves a simple demonstration by one or more VGM instructors who walk participants through the project one section at a time—from a blank canvas to the finished painting. >>

July_August 2014

Up Front

VGM is a three year old locally owned business that was created for the benefit of Spokane, says owner Ulysses Mireles. VGM’s mission is “to create a social experience, in which individuals participate, share, and express themselves artistically; ultimately leaving the individual, group and community inspired to perpetuate their own artistic expression.” Originally from the San Antonio, Texas, area, Ulysses moved to Spokane and set about the concept of a social painting business. “I got the idea for the business while I was trying to meet people in the area and get out of the house during the winter months,” says Ulysses. He believed Spokane could benefit from increasing the availability of art in the area while uncovering local talent. Class sizes range from five to thirty in a variety of settings and venues including private parties. A VGM event typically lasts two to three hours. The price for an event includes all the materials needed to participate such as brushes, canvas, apron, easels and paint. Collaborating with local businesses that host the event is beneficial for everyone. The drinks and snacks are the participants’ responsibility and may be included in the cost of the class depending on the venue. Locations and selected images are listed on the VGM website and Facebook event pages. I have attended three VGM events in the past few months and had a blast at each venue. Three hours later, I walked away with my own very distinctive (amateur) painting and a supreme sense of accomplishment. I have all three paintings displayed on easels in my home with a plan to frame and display them in a more permanent fashion. They are definitely a conversation starter. For more information, visit www. vangoghandmerlot.com and “Like” their Facebook page for events and venue locations.

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Professional Opportunities that Help You Travel the World Modern-Day Nomads

first began in 2006, when Tiffany Owens traded a former, lengthy media career to become a successful, roving property caretaking team with her husband, David—and hasn’t looked back since. Their various jobs and travels took them cross-country, from midcoast Maine to San Juan Island, Washington, and many places in between. Modern-Day Nomads is a destination for travelers who are multi-skilled, techsavvy, American creative professionals who prefer a “locationless living” lifestyle or want to utilize their wide array of talents to travel the world. Tiffany brings a daily offering of top, meaningful work-to-travel opportunities—many with housing—in the industries of property caretaking, media/design, photography/video, hightech, adventure/recreation, education, culinary/F&B/hospitality, transportation, green/ecological, farm/food artisan and humanitarian industries, as well as arts and literary residencies, workexchange, study programs, travel information and inspiration for globetrekking American creative professionals in the U.S. and abroad. “Initially, I chose journalism as a

means of exposure to new places, people and experiences," she says. "But more and more, I found myself earning the typical dot-com living by sitting at a desk and staring at a computer screen for long hours. I’ve never been much of an armchair traveler; to me, life is much more exciting ‘out in the fringes of the world,’ experiencing everything firsthand. Our multi-faceted, respective skill sets made us a great team and this has been a perfect fit for all of the things we want to do: see the world, meet interesting people, learn new skills, earn a decent wage, and seek inspiration for new creative endeavors—kind of a ‘Room of One’s Own’ with a modern, globetrotting twist." Tiffany is living as a Modern-Day Nomad in her “hometown” of Portland, Oregon. In 2012, she redesigned what had formerly been their professional caretaking website to its current incarnation as a community resource for other like-minded travelers to find their next dream job. When you're ready to embark on your new journey, visit www.moderndaynomads.com.

Up Front Fat Shredding Sweet Summer Treats (All Under 200 Calories!) There is nothing better in the summer than a guilt-free sweet treat to help cool you off. Simple, quick, low calorie and healthy smoothies are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth a n d h e l p y o u s l i m d o w n . D r. I a n S m i t h , c o - h o s t o f T h e D o c t o r s and creator of Super SHRED: The Big Results Diet, offers t h r e e g r e a t r e c i p e s t h a t h i t t h e s p o t a n d b e a t t h e h e a t .

Classic Blueberry Mango Smoothie

Fruit Power Smoothie

Green Power Machine

Total Time: 5 minutes Servings: 2

Total Time: 5 minutes Servings: 4

Total Time: 5 minutes Servings: 2

> 1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries > 1 cup mango chunks > ¼ cup vanilla soy milk, almond milk, skim milk, or water > 1 cup plain yogurt > ¼ cup ice chips, optional

> 1 cup strawberries > ½ cup blueberries > 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced > 1 banana, peeled and chopped > 1 cup ice cubes > 1 8-ounce container peach yogurt > ½ cup orange juice (not from concentrate)

> ½ cup apple, peeled, cored, and chopped > 4 kale leaves chopped > ½ cup chopped mango > 6 romaine leaves chopped > ¼ cup fresh parsley sprigs > 1 inch fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped > 1 cup of water

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and puree until smooth. Refrigerate until drink is desired temperature. If you want to drink immediately, simply add ¼ cup ice chips to the ingredients.

DIY Face Mask

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and puree until smooth. Refrigerate until drink is desired temperature.

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and puree until smooth. Refrigerate until drink is desired temperature. And what to do with all that leftover pulp? Here’s a recipe for a DIY organic mask, you can make with the leftover pulp. It will cost less than a spa facial and doesn’t include chemicals that could be harsh on your skin.

> Cucumber Pulp > Carrot Pulp > Green Juice > Coconut Oil > Granulated Sugar > Natural Bentonite Clay In a small bowl, mix about a tablespoon each of the carrot and cucumber pulp with a tablespoon of the oil and of the clay. Add the juice as necessary to get a thick consistency and then add your granulated sugar (for a natural exfoliating facial mask). You want the mixture to be moist enough to stay on your skin but not so wet that it falls right off. Play around with it until you’re happy with how it feels. Leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wipe off with a paper towel to remove the pulp, then wash off with water.

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July_August 2014

Spokane Women on the I

f you would like to find a group of women to fly fish with in the Inland Northwest, beginner or experienced, Women on the Fly (SWOTF) is the perfect group for you. The idea behind SWOTF is to give the women of the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area, whether new or experienced, an opportunity to connect with other women fly fishers. Heather Hodson found a love for catching a fish on the fly. “I am by no stretch of the imagination an expert at fly fishing,

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but I do love to get outside, learn the art of fly fishing and share my 'fish tales' with others. 2012 was a life changing year for me and I decided that I needed to be independent when I went fishing," she says. "I bought a few fly fishing books and signed up for the ‘Beginner Fly Fishing’ class at Silverbow Fly Shop. It was one of the best classes I have taken. I had some minimal experience fishing with my dad and a few buddies and the class solidified so many things. Like what a mayfly is!”

Left: Spokane Women on the Fly are all smiles during a recent group outing. Right: Heather Hodson practicing the Kiss-N-Release method of the sport.

Heather enjoys fishing with the guys, but she wanted to create a group for women to network with, to find other women to fish with. “This is not to be confused with a ‘women’s only club,’ but more of a place for women to connect on an informal level and share their fly fishing experiences," she says. A Facebook page, Spokane Women on the Fly, has been created with pictures and posted events. Heather is always updating the spokanewomenonthefly.com website, as well. SWOTF has been working with Silverbow Fly Shop, creat-

ing “Women’s Only” Fly Fishing Classes at the shop. These classes include gear selection, knots, where to fish, what to look for, entomology, and casting. You can find more information on available classes by visiting silverbowflyshop.com. Heather is passionate about encouraging people to use the Kiss-N-Release method of fly fishing. “All too often am I asked why I don’t keep the fish I’m catching,” she says. “People don’t understand that I release the fish because I want others to have the opportunity to catch the fish again. I have a love and respect for a beautiful trout. Therefore, I kiss them, thank them for letting me catch them and then I send them back on their way. “Fly fishing can be intimidating and I want to make it seem easy and fun. It’s exciting to see that women are interested in this type of group and I really look forward to seeing what happens with SWOTF in the future.” www.spokanewomenonthefly.com

July_August 2014

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Did you know that Americans spend $40 billion a year on weight-loss programs and products? I am acutely aware of that fact since I’m sure I’ve contributed at least $75,000 of that so far in my lifetime. Really. I actually added it up lest you think I’m joking, although since I’m a journalist my math skills leave something to be desired. I’m sure it’s in the ballpark though. I believe that I have been to every weightloss program at least once that has existed since 1964. I use 1964 as my base year because that would put me at ten years old when I started trying to lose weight. I remember telling my mother that I was fat and her reply was always, “You’re not fat. You’re just solid.” She was only 4-feet 11-inches and not a bit over 110 pounds—even after seven kids. I gained 90 pounds with my first pregnancy. And I didn’t lose it before I got pregnant with my second (and last) child. I only gained about 30 pounds with the second pregnancy, although when you start at 200 pounds it’s just not going to be a good outcome. The first time I lost weight was with the Dr. Stillman Quick Weight Loss Diet. I ate hot dogs by the handful, chicken and burgers, steak and eggs and to my surprise, I lost weight! But the minute I added carbs back to my diet I started to gain it all back. Then I found the You-Name-It-Weight-LossCenter-of-the-Day . . . and lost again. We weighed in once a week. I went from the scales to McDonald’s for a quarter pounder with cheese or three, with fries, and made it through until the next week on the memory of those splurges. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve joined Weight Watchers. I should have gotten the “shoulda, coulda, woulda” award. They love to give you awards at Weight Watchers. I’ve had many meals with Jenny, you know . . . Craig; I’ve fasted with and without diet

pills; been through the LA Weight Loss Tour and paid good money after bad for every other program you can name. I even tried the one where you inject pregnancy hormones to trick your body into I’m not sure what. I never did understand how that was supposed to work. I gained ten pounds on that one. I believe I’ve also read every diet book ever published including the caveman diet, get rid of carbs diet, get rid of everything but soup diet and even two others titled Fat Is a Feminist Issue, and Fat and Furious. Feminist or angry fat is just as hard to lose as happy and misogynist fat. Fat is fat is fat. I’ve even read several books you may not have heard of such as Get Rid of the Fathead, Get Rid of the Fat and Eat Right For Someone Else’s Blood Type—The Co-Dependent Diet. OK, I just made up those last two. My point—and I mostly certainly have one— is that there is no easy, simple answer for losing weight. Even Dr. Oz, host of The Dr. Oz Show, was called on the carpet before Congress recently about the promotion of weight loss products on his show. Crying out loud, the man has a new weight loss “miracle” every other week on that show. Did you run out and buy the green coffee beans and the raspberry ketones when you heard about it? Yep, me too. Finally, last August I decided to go under the proverbial knife. I was in a vicious cycle of fat, no energy, more fat, less energy, more fat, on the couch, more fat. You get the idea. So I had weight loss surgery and now I only have one third of my stomach left. And I lost about 60 pounds very quickly. It fell off like butter. Funny I’d use a food analogy right? Today I feel better. I have way more energy. I am back to walking and biking and wanting to have sex again in this lifetime. The moral? I’ve finally learned why I overate. Food tastes good, so I ate lots of it. Now I can’t eat lots and I’m better off for it. I hope. I still have to watch what I eat and be accountable, which will always be hard for me. Oh, and I have a lot of books I’d like to sell. Call me if you’re in the market for a diet book. Maybe you’re co-dependent? Sholanda is a local essayist, witness to humor, levity and general comicality and witticisms. If you have a fun or funny, joyful or joking, even flippant and facetious story to share, please send them to the editor.

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Riding a Bike is as Easy As . . .

Ten reasons to get back on a bicycle By Kate Armstrong

The savvy citizen realizes that there are many benefits to being bimodal beyond just looking fly in an aerodynamic helmet and bright yellow spandex. If you are like me and haven’t been on a bike since you were twelve years old, now is the time to consider adopting the versatile activity again.

1. It torches calories.

By spending an hour on a bicycle, a 155 pound woman, on average, can burn around 280 calories with a leisurely ride (> 10 mph). That same woman can burn around 560 if she makes it a moderate pace (approximately 12 – 13 mph). And let’s not discount stationary bikes—the same woman can burn about 500 with a moderate pace, even while in place.

2. Easy to implement.

Yes, riding a bike does entail having access to an actual bike. But bikes can be acquired in a number of ways— buying from a local store, order online, find used on Craigslist, borrow from a neighbor/friend, rent. But “easy to implement” also means “into your lifestyle.” Once you acquire a bike, you don’t have to start training for weeks before you hop on. You don’t have to lose weight before you are “ready to use it,” nor do you have to have special clothing (although some would recommend it would help). All you have to do is climb on, look both ways (and then look again) and begin to pedal. Start with a short jaunt to the convenience store and back home. Whaddya know . . . you’re riding a bike.

3. Better than a walk/run. In

some respects, cycling is actually a little bit better for your joints than walking or running—it is far lower impact and engages the muscles in the legs without as much force coming down on the knees. So long as you keep your legs pumping on your bike, it ends up being a smoother, lower risk form of cardio you’ll appreciate, especially if you have a previous sports or fitness-related injury.

4. Every muscle. If you’re feeling moti-

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vated, find a small hill—one that you estimate will take about ten minutes for you to ascend. Try to conquer this hill at least two or three times, spending roughly half the time pedaling while standing. This will engage your core and triceps as you stabilize yourself over the bike.

5. All-over toning. If you’ve ever admired

someone with killer legs, chances are that they are a cyclist. After all, the quads, glutes, and calves are what make the wheels go round. But holding the handlebar sculpts your upper body too, giving you balanced tone. Try taking a more aggressive stance with your arms and see results almost immediately.

6. Heart.

It’s been stated again and again, heart disease is the number-one killer of women, and the two top risk factors are high blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. In a recent study, researchers had women ride at moderate to high intensity three times a week for at least half an hour. After a year, they’d lowered their blood pressure and LDL, as well as increased their fitness level.

7. Energy boost. A recent study found

that bike riding improved energy levels by 20 percent and decreased fatigue by 65 percent. This type of activity triggers your brain to release the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is linked to energy. However, there’s no need to start training for the Tour de France. Participants who pedaled at a low to moderate pace three times a week fought fatigue best.

8. Environment. In addition to helping

reduce your own carbon footprint, you’ll actually get to enjoy your environment a little bit more. Being in the outdoors can significantly affect your mood. Also, you’ll be surprised what local attractions or even shops or restaurants you never noticed before when you’re out for a ride.

9. Cost savings.

The estimated cost of just a 10-mile roundtrip to work is $10, including gas, insurance, maintenance, and other expenses. By working a standard full-time job with a two week vacation, that’s $2,500 minimum in transportation fees. Suddenly, a bike isn’t looking all that bad, now is it?

10. It’s just fun–plain and sim-

ple. The moment a kid realizes they’re actually rid-

ing a bike themselves (no parent holding the seat, no training wheels) is always a moment of elation and can be a defining childhood moment. Often, our lives are so filled with stressors in our daily activities that we forget to factor in joy. So, hop on that seat, grab those handlebars and secure your helmet. Then, smile and try to recapture the wonderment and freedom from your childhood. Toot your horn and just . . . ride. In addition to her full-time job in Corporate America, Kate Armstrong is a licensed fitness instructor, producing annual Zumba Fitness events in Spokane. www.ZMeDance.com.

save date October

th Lincoln Center

Best of the City July_August 2014

Travel woodinville

Woodinville,Washington

Story and photo by Cheryl-Anne Millsap

here are things that only get better with time. Love, friendship, and wine, for example. Lucky for us there is a place nearby to celebrate all three. Wood-

inville, the small Northwest town just 30 minutes from Seattle, has grown into a true destination for Washington wine lovers. With more than 100 wineries, most within walk-

ing distance from one another, it’s easy to get away for a day or two of good company and tasting fine wines.

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Best of the Vine

Most of the grapes used by Woodinville wineries are grown in vineyards in Eastern Washington’s fertile Columbia Valley and visitors will find a wide variety of tasting experiences. Each winery, from the grand Chateau Ste. Michelle to the park-like acreage surrounding JM Cellars to the up-and-coming boutique wineries in the warehouse district, has a unique story and it’s not unusual to find the winemaker in the house, pouring in the tasting room or happily talking with guests. Dine Out

The Barking Frog at the Willows Lodge is worth a visit even if you aren’t staying at the lodge. Influenced by the flavors of the Pacific Northwest, with a creative focus on American regional cuisine, The Barking Frog should be on every Woodinville visitor’s to-try list. My brunch of huckleberry pancakes and dungeoness crab eggs benedict was memorable and enough to bring me back soon. Two more of my favorite eateries are located just a few doors apart on one of Woodinville’s main streets. The Commons Kitchen and Bar is my

choice for breakfast and lunch and an excellent place to relax over cocktails and appetizers. Purple Cafe and Wine Bar is an excellent choice for a memorable meal. The food is delicious and the menu is deliciously creative. Sweet Dreams

You can’t do better than the plush rooms and exquisite gardens at Willows Lodge and Spa. The rooms are spacious and the beds are luxurious. (I hopped in the big jetted tub every chance I got and broke my previous record for the number of bubble baths taken in one weekend.) Conveniently located in the heart of the wine-tasting district and within walking distance of the Chateau St. Michel amphitheater’s summer concerts, it’s an idyllic spot for a getaway. Note: accommodations in Woodinville are somewhat limited. If you visit during an event or a busy time of the year you might look at nearby Bothell. I’ve stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn at Bothell and had a great experience. Pamper Yourself

Several times each year I try to make time to undo the damage that stress, sun and too little sleep do to my skin and psyche. At the Woodinville Lodge Spa I opted for the Intraceutical Oxygen Facial (the choice of movie stars) and it was an incredible experience. I looked better and felt better and came away better educated about my own skin. Nature’s Aromatherapy at Woodinville Lavender Fields in July and August

During July and August the grounds at Woodinville Lavender bloom in a field of purple. This year, in a partnership with the Willows Lodge, guests can participate in a special lavender package. With transportation to and from the nearby lavender farm, guests can participate in the annual lavender harvest, bundling, hauling and hanging the harvested lavender and return to an end-of-the-day lavender bath. They’ll also sample unique homegrown treats including lavender ice cream and tea. For more information on this unique package check out Packages and Specials at www. willowslodge.com. Cheryl-Anne Millsap is a Spokane-based travel journalist and can be reached at catmillsap@ gmail.com.

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Relationships connect

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terminal prognosis, endless love

The love story of

Athina Sheldon By Julie Humphreys | photos by

the news

came especially hard that day The first evening they hung out lasted until three in the morning. even though the young man Non-stop talking as two souls connected forming a bond so strong had processed the possibility he may die many times. When you are it defied logic. Just ten months later when Sheldon left the hospital 20 years old and have been battling a most knowing there was nothing more doctors wicked, vile cancer for more than a year, could do, he, his parents, the young woman there is plenty of time to contemplate death. who just wanted to “hang out” with him, Athina’s Journaling Still, Sheldon Maul had fought hard and and her parents planned a wedding in one June 7, 2014 expected to beat his cancer. He put more week. into the battle than he had put into anything Athina Brown always did everything to in his life. the limit; it was all or nothing, black or I fear lying in bed and letting my thoughts “I fought like hell and with a good white. That she ended up falling in love consume me. It’s like as soon as darkness hits the attitude,” he says. with and marrying someone who was sky my mind no longer has the strength to hold When doctors came to his bedside that terminally ill was just what she did. back any of my dark thoughts. I find comfort May afternoon 2014 and told him his cancer “Sheldon and I had talked about getting lying next to Sheldon and it’s comforting to was now inoperable and he had only weeks married. We were so much more than to live, the young fighter was crushed. boyfriend/girlfriend,” Athina says. Sheldon reach out and feel the warmth of his skin on He agonized—how can this be after the wonders if his illness contributed to that my fingertips. That’s something I’ve taken for latest round of chemotherapy lasting 14 deep connection. “But we just felt very granted my whole life, just holding someone continuous days, after radiation, after eight secure in what we had and we knew we physically because you never know when you surgeries, after earlier being declared cancer wouldn’t find that in anyone else.” might no longer get to. It’s something we free, and after all the heartache and hope? Sheldon’s father asked the couple if sometimes don’t think about, but why would Sheldon broke down along with his dad and they thought they would get married if mom, Mark and Val Wilkerson, who were Sheldon weren’t ill. Their response was we? It’s colder in our room than usual, which is by his side. “yes,” so both sets of parents gave them the nice because we get to be snuggled up under big “I started sobbing,” he says. “We all go ahead and the blessing they needed to blankets with each other, relying on one another’s cried. It was really, really sad knowing I had move forward. There was no more time to body heat for another source of comfort. I find fought so hard and I didn’t win. That I had consider the pros, the cons, the implications it relaxing knowing I’m lying next to Sheldon. gone through so much pain and suffering or the sheer sanity of a marriage in this with my surgeries. It felt like it was all for situation; the cancer was back, time was My head is on his chest listening to his heart and nothing.” running out. I start mimicking his breathing patterns . . . long Soon, very soon, Sheldon would see “I have never seen a love between two deep breathes in, and powerful exhaling. I can lay very clearly, it was not all for nothing. She people that has happened under such dire my mind to rest tonight. was 19 and met him freshman year in high circumstances,” says Sheldon’s mom, Val. school. They hadn’t seen each other for “It has been an amazing process to watch years but she heard he was sick with cancer, and be a part of. Not that there haven’t been so she contacted him in the way 19 year olds do, via Facebook. She some bumps along the road, but we worked them out for the sake of sent him a message saying she hoped he was doing okay and if he each other. That Athina gave him something normal that other young ever wanted to hang out she would bring over a movie. people dream of—a wedding and a wife—is so beautiful.”

July_August 2014

Relationships connect

Mark and Val Wilkerson are co-owners of EMVY Cellars. They recently released their first Syrah wine and named it “Sheldon’s Shield” in honor of their son. The wine is for sale at their winery, Marketplace Wineries, located at Pacific and Browne in Spokane.

When Sheldon Maul was diagnosed with cancer on March 25 of 2013, Eastern Washington University basketball coach Jim Hayford was just one community member who wanted to do something for this teenager with a terminal diagnosis. He, along with Sheldon’s dad, was able to arrange for Sheldon to attend the championship game of the NCAA basketball tournament in Atlanta just a few weeks later on April 8. For a sports enthusiast like Sheldon attending the game was golden. And the trip even got better. The following morning, April 9, Sheldon, the gold enthusiast, was honored to watch a practice round at the Masters at Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia. Washington Trust Bank made the transportation possible, one of many examples or organizations and individuals coming together to make life a little brighter for a young man who is a light to many. Sheldon was in between rounds of chemotherapy at the time but was able to enjoy this trip of a lifetime with his father. In Athina’s words, “He was over the moon about it!”

Friends and family gather for a community event in support of Sheldon as his “tricked out truck” is unveiled. Sheldon says it was absolutely the right decision. “It’s a great feeling that we are together forever no matter if I’m here or not.” “Yes, I couldn’t imagine it any other way,” says Athina. “It was the best choice of my life. It’s a great honor to be married to him.” Sheldon had always been a high-energy boy, then teenager, constantly on the move. Val says he never wasted a day in his life. He loved sports, he snow skied, jet-skied, and golfed. After he graduated from Freeman High School, he went to Spokane Community College to play golf. But in the spring of his freshman year at college, Sheldon experienced some lower back pain. He and his family assumed it was sports related. Some thought it was perhaps a pinched nerve, maybe the sciatic nerve. A visit to the doctor on March 25, 2013, resulted in a diagnosis too unbelievable to comprehend and certainly a diagnosis no healthy 18 year old would expect. Sheldon’s back pain was caused by osteosarcoma, bone cancer in his pelvis. The cancer had already moved to his lungs, stage four, or end stage. The next day Sheldon had a port installed in his chest for chemotherapy and other treatments that would continue for the next year and three months. Osteosarcoma is the typical malignant bone tumor in teenagers and young people. It’s generally found around the knee and has a high survival rate. There are about 1,500 cases in the U.S. each year. Sheldon’s case was unusual in that the cancer was in his pelvis, which only happens in less than 100 of those 1,500 cases. The survival rate with bone cancer in the pelvis is also less than bone cancer in the knee area, around 50 percent for

5 years. Since Sheldon’s cancer had already metastasized to his lungs, his survival rate dropped to 25 percent. Dr. Ernest Conrad III, an orthopedic tumor surgeon at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington Hospital in Seattle, was Sheldon’s surgeon who worked with Sheldon’s chief doctor in Spokane, oncologist Dr. Judy Felgenhauer. Dr. Conrad became a personal friend of the family during the long months of treatments when Sheldon lived at the hospital and his parents in nearby housing. On July 31, 2013, Sheldon underwent his first surgery. Doctors removed half of his pelvic bone and replaced it with a cadaver bone, and also removed several vertebrae and his sacrum and replaced those with titanium. Dr. Conrad says Sheldon did well with his initial treatments. “He has more personality and more toughness than most,” says Dr. Conrad. “His family was sophisticated in that they understood the medical scenario and were willing to pursue risky but reasonably aggressive treatment to give Sheldon a better chance of survival. That helped ensure Sheldon a good initial response to treatment.” But then there were relapses and more treatments including lung surgery to remove nodules in his lungs. All the while Val was exhausting every resource to ensure they were doing enough and getting the right treatments to give her son his best chance of survival.

“We went around the world. Sheldon’s case was reviewed by the German tumor board, which meets to consider the most complicated cases across the world. We would not accept that he was terminal. We were trying to save his life,” she says. Back in Spokane the community was rallying around Sheldon. Friends and family created a page for Sheldon on a website called Caring Bridge where cancer survivors share their stories. To date Sheldon’s page has more than 40,000 visitors (www. caringbridge.org/visit/sheldonmaul/mystory). A family friend created a shield drawing and the “Sheldon’s Shield” logo was born. More friends rallied, printing t-shirts and creating car stickers carrying the shield. And as they did, Sheldon was quietly witnessing to them. “He is the rock,” says Sheldon’s father, Mark. “His strength comes from his steadiness. From a very young age he was strong and balanced emotionally.” His family says he’s an old soul. Sheldon agrees. “I saw things different from other kids my age. I would feel years older, which was difficult at times. I always got these feelings that I would have a big struggle in my life, I didn’t know what it would be but I knew it would have an impact.” What an impact, particularly in these last few months since that May afternoon when Sheldon went home to live out his life with loved ones. He’s still not giving up. He got a tattoo in June with a Greek inscription meaning, “Bring it!” He married that young lady he fell in love with the first night they hung out. And he drove his truck. By now he had lost the use of his legs and had to have hand controls installed. But he and his bride Athina and their golden retriever Chappie (Chappie is Dr. Conrad’s nickname) rode around in his tricked out truck. They laughed and had fun and were grateful to the local Wishing Star Foundation for helping Sheldon create his dream truck. Wishing Star took Sheldon’s 2010 Toyota Tacoma and installed a custom front bumper, a new air intake system for the motor, a new stereo, and eventually a mechanical lift to help raise Sheldon up in his wheelchair in order to get into the pickup, allowing for sweet times in a sweet ride. At the time of this writing, Sheldon has already lived longer than doctors said he would. The seven weeks since his terminal prognosis have been tough, in spite of the good times and all of the love. Hospice is at his home regularly and his treatments are long and painful. Both families are around

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Left: Sheldon and Athina during their May 18, 2014 wedding, just one week after receiving Sheldon’s terminal prognosis. Clothing | Handbags | Jewelry | Accessories

Below: Sheldon’s mom, Val, lovingly helps her son prepare for the big day. Bottom: Sheldon’s family (L-R) Suzanne (sister), parents Val and Mark Wilkerson, Slade (brother), Athina and Sheldon.

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continually. They are more like one family; Sheldon, his parents and his brother Slade and sister Suzanne; and Athina and her parents, Doug and Liz Brown. There are many bittersweet moments and a lot of tears. “I am very comfortable and content with the fact I’m going to Heaven,” Sheldon says. “I have a good relationship with God. In some ways I can’t wait to see what Heaven is like.” Athina is struggling with her faith. “I am angry about Sheldon’s suffering and don’t understand why our prayers are not answered. It’s not right that he is dying. I grew up believing in God and I still stand by that, but my faith is shaken,” she says. “I would do anything to take his place.” A situation difficult for anyone to understand and accept, particularly when you are just 19 and 20 years old. Yet the young couple knows their journey and their story will live on. “I hope people can learn from the way I carried myself,” says Sheldon. “I hope they see you can impact people by just being yourself and doing the right things every day.” “I married my soul mate,” says Athina. “I’m losing my husband, but I gained so much when I made the decision to marry him. I made a lifelong decision, not just for his lifetime but throughout my lifetime, too.”

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July_August 2014

Role model

heather rosentrater By Emily Easley

In the dynamic and complex energy industry, Heather Rosentrater has made a marked impact. Over her 18-year career at Avista Utilities, she has earned the role of director of engineering and systems operations and is responsible for multi-million dollar projects for some of the organization’s most crucial initiatives. Heather understands and appreciates the value of the next generation of leaders. In addition to her day job, Heather works as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, Gonzaga, to train young people in power engineering. Heather also serves on the advisory council for Washington State University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science and on the boards of the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery and the West Valley Education Foundation. In this month’s Role Model profile, we asked Heather to share her inspiring story of success.

SCW: What is your role at Avista?

I currently lead the Engineering and System Operations area of the company and have been working at Avista for almost 18 years. How did you get started? I started at Avista as a student engineer, which gave me invaluable exposure to engineering tasks. I’ve always enjoyed solving problems, so engineering was a great fit. I held several technical positions for the first six years of my career; however, as I received broader exposure to the company through training, education, and mentoring, I recognized that leadership also presented interesting and complex problems to solve and I could possibly have even more influence around serving our customers and employees in that role. I started targeting my development toward leadership and moved into my first formal leadership position, leading the Distribution Engineering Department, eight years ago. It sounds like you’ve had the opportunity to learn about many different parts of Avista. Tell us a little about that. Since my days as a student, almost 18

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years ago, I’ve had the opportunity to experience more than 11 different roles in the company. I’ve learned that for a company like Avista to be successful, we need people with many different interests and talents. We need people who enjoy the challenge of becoming strong subject-matter experts in technical areas and people who have a broad understanding of the different company functions and how they interrelate. What education have you received? I started college at Boston University planning on studying biomedical engineering. Unfortunately, I sometimes get queasy in medical situations and I ended up fainting during our hospital tour mid-way through my first semester. I ended up transferring to Gonzaga University and studying electrical engineering, which has provided an invaluable foundation in the utility industry. Do you continue to learn? I consider myself a continual learner. I have participated in several utility and leadership training courses at Avista and have also taken graduate courses at

Gonzaga University, Washington State University, and Willamette University. How did you become an adjunct professor at Gonzaga? I have received so much value and support from the schools I have attended, so I’ve always felt a calling to give back. I enjoy teaching and find that the best way to learn something is through teaching it. When the opportunity came up to help design a course and teach it as part of Gonzaga’s Transmission and Distribution Program, I couldn’t pass it up. What is your favorite part of teaching? Early on in my career, I had the opportunity to teach at the preapprentice line school Avista supports and fell in love with how rewarding it was to be a part of that moment someone goes from confusion and frustration, to understanding. There is nothing better than being able to explain something in a slightly different way that enables someone to understand it in a way they hadn’t considered before. Who was your role model growing up? I was lucky to have several strong female

role models growing up. My mother was an electronics technician and supported me in building an award-winning robot for my third grade science fair. Both of my parents were very interested in technology and provided opportunities for me to get familiar with technology at a young age, which wasn’t as prevalent as it is now. Your industry is considered to be maledominated. How do you navigate that? I remember when I first started working in the technical field and out of about 150 engineers there were only a few females. I worried that I wouldn’t find a support system. My first few years were so eye opening. I found I had a lot in common with people I didn’t expect to. I found that having an open mind, strong work ethic, and positive attitude were as valuable to my success in the industry as my technical skills. Have you noticed an increase in the number of female employees in the energy sector since you started? I have definitely noticed an increase in general. Overall, about 25 percent of utility industry workers are female, but in the underrepresented areas, such as engineering, females make up a much smaller percentage. At Avista, we are actively identifying opportunities to support and recruit females into these roles. Since I started, we’ve gone from females making up two to three percent of our engineering staff to about ten percent now. To help sustain this growth, I make it a priority to mentor female engineers coming into this industry. My hope is that they will relate to my experiences and gain confidence from that connection. What’s one piece of advice you’d share with young woman looking to go into a technical industry? Have confidence in yourself and your abilities. Young women have so much they can bring to the industry. Also, realize there are a lot of people who want you to succeed in these fields. Leveraging connections to understand how your interests relate is a great way to start.

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