Methow Valley News Sept. 15 issue

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County’s best Fiesta!

ALMANAC

September 6 – 13 Mazama Winthrop Twisp River

High 78 79 81

Low 41 39 39

Okanogan County Fair calls on residents to pick the winners

Precip. .38” .42” .35”

Scattered showers this last full week of summer. Highs in the 70s, lows in the 40s, as the Harvest Moon approaches.

Full moon September 22

Folk dancing, traditional food, art and more at Fiesta Latina this Sunday

COMMUNITY Page B6

ARTS & CULTURE Page A7

Methow Valley News

PUBLISHED WEEKLY SINCE 1903

TWISP, WASHINGTON

VOL. 108 NO. 18

75¢

SEPTEMBER 15, 2010

Auto Rallye brings style to town Twisp mayor

Boosman resigns

Photos by Marcy Stamper

$400 a month stipend is not enough for the work required, he says

By Ann McCreary Nine months after taking office, Twisp Mayor Bill Boosman says he can no longer continue in the job unless the Town Council approves a significant increase in the amount he is paid.

In a letter sent to the town council last week, Boosman said he intends to resign by the end of September, saying he “would prefer that the Council provide adequate funding so Bill Boosman that I could continue in the position. I have no doubt that than 20 hours a week on town such a move would more than issues. “That’s not something pay for itself.” that I’m going to be able to susThe mayor’s position re- tain long-term, without having ceives a stipend of $400 a adverse personal and family month. Boosman says that effects. My personal preference doesn’t come close to compen- is to seek the support to meet sating him for the time he puts town (and citizen) needs.” into the job.

In response to Boosman’s “It has been my experience, resignation letter, the counas Mayor cil called of Twisp, a special that the meeting needs of Friday the Town (Sept. 10) are sigto disnificantly cuss the greater ~ Twisp Mayor Bill Boosman issue. Afthan the ter nearfunding ly three for the position. This has meant hours spent in executive sesthat my service to the Town has sion, the council considered come at great personal expense motions to increase Boosman’s to my family and myself,” pay, but took no action.

Boosman said in his letter sent Council member Soo Inglast Tuesday (Sept. 7) to town Moody asked Boosman at the council members. meeting to clarify whether he Boosman began telling the wanted more assistance in his council members last spring work as mayor, or whether he that his duties as mayor were wanted more money. taking up a significant amount “There are times when of his time, and asking the he talks about assistance, and council to consider a pay in- times when he talks about crease. In May he wrote in a compensation. They are two mayor’s report to the council different things. He was asking that he had been working more See MAYOR on Page A3

“I can’t continue at this rate and I’ve been telling the council that since May.”

Proud owner Ted Parnell, top left, poses next to his 1931 Model A Ford, which he has driven down the Oregon and California coasts twice from his home in Yakima. “It does fine on a long trip,” he said. “People wave and give the thumbs up.” Top right, a detail of

Low power users question new PUD rates

By Marcy Stamper PUD customers who use very little electricity and those with more than one meter have expressed concern about the district’s new rates, which include a minimum energy charge for the lowest power consumers.

The Okanogan County Public Utility District adopted new rates effective July 1 that maintain the $10 base rate and 4.4-cent-perkilowatt-hour charge for residential customers. A higher rate of 5.6 cents per kWh has been imposed for use exceeding 2,000 kWh per month (2,000 is the average use), according to PUD general manager John Grubich.

In addition, the district added a minimum energy charge of $15 a month, which allows for 300 kWh. Under this billing structure, any customers using 300 kWh or more in a month pay only for the power they use, but those using less than 300 pay the $15.

Several ratepayers brought their concerns

about the new rates to a district board meeting last month, including a Brewster resident who contended that the minimum energy charge discourages conservation and penalizes low users.

Others complained that they were hit with an extra charge for having multiple meters, for example, to monitor a well at some distance from the house.

Several seasonal residents in the Methow said they had not noticed a significant change in their bill.

Letters to the editor of area newspapers also criticized the PUD for hitting customers with added expenses during difficult economic times, for penalizing those who conserve energy, and for coming on the heels of the completion of the PUD’s new headquarters in Okanogan and the district’s financial contributions to local schools.

Some commercial customers whose usage triggers large demand charges once or twice a year have also See PUD on Page A2

the Ford’s rear end. Above, judge Dwain Hutson (in blue) checks out a 1939 Ford truck belonging to Chris Carter of Twisp. “It’s a Methow truck,” said Carter, who rescued the rig from a field three years ago and got it running again.

Methow students surpass peers on state tests in most subjects Results will help tailor teaching plans

of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

This district looks at individual test results along with other information throughout the school year to arrive at an effective learning plan for each student, according to Methow Valley superintendent Mark Wenzel. Among the areas of focus are listing the concepts and skills students learn at each grade level and building on previous knowledge. Teachers aim to communicate learning goals to students and help them assess their own progress. They also use professional days to share successful teaching strategies, said Wenzel.

Educators tend to look at a group of students as they progress through the system, rather than comparing one year’s fourth or eighth graders to the next, said

By Marcy Stamper Wenzel. “One of the things we’ve seen is that most students improve as they move through the system,” he said.

Most Methow Valley students perMethow eighth graders also did conformed better than their peers across sistently better than their statewide peers, Washington on a battery of new tests with 80 percent meeting the standard in administered in the spring, according to reading, 74 percent in math, and 69 percent results just released by the state superinin science, all 10 to 20 percentage points tendent. above the statewide scores.

Last year’s sophomores at Liberty Performance of Methow seventh gradBell did particularly well, with 97 percent ers in reading, writing and math was about meeting the state standard in reading (comthe same as others across the state, with pared to 82 percent of their peers across 64 percent showing proficiency the state) and 91 percent in in reading, 74 percent in writing writing (the same as others and 52 percent in math. in the state).

Sixth graders outpaced their Math and science proved A flea jumps about 3 inches with each hop. The dog Washington classmates, with 85 more challenging for most is 2 feet long. About how many hops will it take the percent meeting the standard in students, both locally and flea to jump from the tip of the dog’s nose to the tip reading (compared to 65 percent across the state. Fifty-three of the tail? statewide) and 79 percent in percent of Liberty Bell sophomath (compared to 52 percent mores met the standard for statewide). math (compared to 44 percent Local fifth graders had more statewide) and 71 percent of trouble on the exam, coming in them did in science (compared close or below their statewide to 48 percent statewide). peers in reading (71 percent Scores on the exams met standard, compared to indicate whether students 70 percent in the state), math meet state learning standards, (59 percent versus 54 percent) which generally requires and science (27 percent versus a score of 60 to 65 percent, Show your work using words, numbers, or pictures. according to the state Office See TESTS on Page A3

Sample fourth-grade math question

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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Methow Valley News

Prescribed burning set to start in district

WDFW roundtable addresses wildlife, budget issues

By Mike Maltais The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife called up its heavy hitters as the road team traveled to Brewster last Wednesday, Sept. 8, to host a public roundtable discussion for Okanogan county residents.

The locals fielded a pretty fair home team of their own as more than 50 sportsmen, landowners and elected officials showed up to engage the issues of fishing, hunting and resource management with the WDFW staff.

During a two-hour discussion that included a presentation on various enforcement efforts, WDFW director Phil Anderson, fresh from a budgetary meeting with Gov. Chris Gregoire earlier in the day, delivered an address that focused primarily on the fiscal challenges the agency is facing now and in the 2011-2013 biennium.

Anderson painted a sobering picture of the revenue deficits facing the state in general and WDFW in particular. For biennium 2009-2011, WDFW’s budget was cut by $35 million and Anderson projected that the 2011-2013 biennium will take away $20 million more, while the state faces a $3 billion shortfall of its own.

Anderson said he believes his department is at a “critical turning point” and reminded the audience that during the last legislative session, proposals were floated to combine WDFW with the Department of Natural Resources or merge the agency’s enforcement arm in with the Washington State Patrol. He predicted that the upcoming January legislative session will visit similar proposals again.

Anderson said the department controls about 900,000 acres across the state with about 700 access sites that WDFW also maintains at no cost to users. One of the revenue possibilities WDFW is considering is an optional Vehicle Use Permit

to distribute the costs of keeping up these access sites to all users, not just sportsmen.

A question from the audience asked why, with the revenue outlook so dire, does WDFW acquire working ranches, like The Golden Doe, south of Twisp, purchased for $2.9 million, when it strains department funds to maintain such properties?

Dennis Beich, director for WDFW’s Region 2 in Ephrata, explained that some state and federal funds “are earmarked specifically for protecting critical habitat and can’t be used for other purposes.”

Okanogan County Commissioner Bud Hover took the floor in response to a discussion about WDFW property acquisitions within the county to clarify the commissioners’ position regarding advance notice of future purchases.

Hover said the commissioners have requested that WDFW bring them into the loop earlier, while target properties are being evaluated.

Methow resident Phil Lund, a former Western Washington steelhead guide, expressed his concern over the special steelhead season that opened Sept. 8 on the Methow River. Lund said the fish will hold just upstream from the mouth, making the fishery too vulnerable to sport fishermen.

He encouraged the department to close the special season, allow the steelhead to work upriver, and reopen the fishery later, perhaps around Oct. 15.

WDFW fish program manager Jeff Korth, also from the Ephrata office, replied that the goal of the Methow steelhead fishery is protection and enhancement of returning native steelhead, and that was also the driving motive behind enforcement of special gear restrictions to reduce the chances of injuring native fish.

Other questions from the diverse audience addressed conservation easements, water shortages, noxious weeds and buck-doe deer ratios.

Photo by Ann McCreary

Landing zone A Caterpillar driven by Mark Bakken of Lloyd Construction breaks up the pavement on the Twisp Municipal Airport runway as a $500,000 airport improvement project gets underway. The airport was closed to traffic on Sept. 6 as work began on the project, which will widen the runway from 40 feet to 60 feet to meet federal safety standards. A

grant from the state Department of Transportation Aviation Department is funding the project. The Twisp Airport Improvement Club, made up of pilots who use the airport, is providing a 5-percent match worth $25,000 through donated labor and materials. The project is expected to be completed by the first week of October.

Following a moist summer and recent rains, the Methow Valley Ranger District is preparing for some early fall prescribed burning between now and the end of October as weather permits.

Areas of the district with prescribed burn units include: Little Bridge Creek (Twisp River drainage, 10 miles west of Twisp); Leecher Mountain (six miles east of Carlton); Fawn Creek (seven miles west of Winthrop); Goat Creek and Lucky Jim Bluff (three miles east of Mazama); Eightmile Creek (10 miles northwest of Winthrop); Benson Creek (seven miles northeast of Carlton); Loup Loup Summit area (10 miles east of Twisp); and McFarland Creek (three miles west of Methow).

Not all units will be burned this fall.

County will wait to address climate change

By Marcy Stamper Okanogan County will not have an official policy on climate change in its comp plan, although the subject may be addressed through a resolution.

The county commissioners, at one of their August work sessions, opted to keep the comprehensive plan uncluttered and not to include any optional elements.

While the state does not require that cities and counties address climate change in planning or other documents, recent laws and some guidelines still under development suggest that having a policy may become more important in grant applications and in the environmental review of private and public developments.

State agencies that provide capital funds for infrastructure or economic development must take into account whether the entity receiving the funds has adopted policies to reduce greenhouse-gas emis-

sions, according to Joyce Phillips, senior planner at the state Department of Commerce, who specializes in climate change.

These policies would be among the criteria used in scoring applications for competitive grants, she said.

Okanogan County planning director Perry Huston prepared a memo with three options for the county commissioners to consider at their work session: • no mention of climate change in the comp plan; • including a policy on climate change that “finds the climate change model that predicts world disaster due to global warming from man-made causes to be without sufficient universally accepted science-based support” for it to influence land-use planning, but that would advocate the use of cleaner and renewable energy sources where possible; and • including a policy dismissing climate change because of the lack of suffi-

cient scientific support and rejecting efforts by the federal agencies to assume authority over local land-use planning.

Following a discussion between commissioners Bud Hover and Mary Lou Peterson, the commissioners elected to handle any potential policies on climate change through a resolution.

Jurisdictions around the state have taken different approaches to climate change, ranging from issuing a separate plan on sustainability and energy standards, to adding a section to a comprehensive plan, to incorporating goals in their transportation plans, said Phillips.

Others have taken no action or point to existing policies or infrastructure such as a trail system.

Huston is working on a new draft of the comp plan incorporating the commissioners’ recommendations, which is anticipated within the next month and will be the subject of public hearings.

Jim DeTro Commissioner for Common Sense Congratulations to

Amanda Emerson 2009 Omak Stampede Queen

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I will be a Commissioner that Listens to, and Works for, All of the people of Okanogan County to Preserve our Rural Lifestyle & Values

Jim DeTro

Call 509-322-6326 or visit www.jimdetro.com Endorsed by the Okanogan County Republican Party Paid by Committee to Elect Jim DeTro, Okanogan County Commissioner Dist #3 Republican - 70 Crumbacher Rd. Tonasket WA 98855

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Methow Valley News

TESTS 34 percent). While the majority of students did not meet the science standard, almost half came within 20 points of meeting it, said Wenzel.

Fourth graders were also about the same as their Washington classmates in all subject areas, with 67 percent meeting standard in reading, 62 percent in writing and 53 percent in math.

Third graders outpaced their peers, with 80 percent proficient in reading and 83 percent in math (compared to 73 percent and 62 percent statewide).

Results on the new exams for local students did not follow a consistent pattern when compared with scores on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, which was replaced by the two new exams, the Measurements of Student Progress (for third through eighth graders) and the High School Proficiency Exam. In reading, Methow 10th graders improved, while fifth and seventh graders showed an annual decline over the past three school years. All three grades declined in math over the same time period.

To address the math gap locally, the district has instituted enhanced math instruction, with 90 minutes a day for all elementary school students, combining core skills and individualized work, and a second math class for high school students who are below standard, said Wenzel.

Writing scores remained fairly constant for fourth, seventh and 10th graders. Science scores have improved each year for eighth and 10th graders, but fifth-grade scores took a big

PUD expressed concerns, according to the minutes of the board meeting.

Rates for commercial and industrial accounts were shifted so that companies pay less per kWh but pay a new demand charge for peak use, which was designed to encourage these accounts to keep their power use more constant, said Grubich when the rates were presented in the spring.

The new rates came out of a detailed cost-of-service analysis that showed that residential customers

Wednesday, September 15, 2010 From Page A1 plunge this year after showing some improvement in the 2008-09 school year, dropping by more than half.

While comparison with students in the same grade across the state may provide an indication of how Methow Valley students are doing, the tests measure students’ performance against a set of learning standards and not against their peers, according to OSPI. Passing the reading and writing portions of the High School Proficiency Exam (or a state-approved alternative) is required for graduation. Starting next spring, high school students must pass end-of-course exams for algebra and geometry to earn a diploma. The class of 2013 will be required to show proficiency on a comprehensive math exam and in science.

Virtually all students in third through 10th grade (only ninth graders get a year off from standardized tests) took the statewide exams last spring. Methow sixth, eighth and 10th graders joined almost 90,000 other students in taking the test online. Feedback about the computerized testing was positive, according to OSPI. All Washington students will take reading and math tests online in 2012.

Writing and science will be phased in more gradually.

Parents and guardians may view their child’s test booklets. Information is available on the OSPI website at www.k12.wa.us/assessment/StateTesting or by calling (360) 725-6348. Test results are also available on the website.

From Page A1 and those billed for street lights typically pay less than it costs the PUD to provide them with power, while commercial and industrial customers tend to pay more than their share of the fixed costs, said Grubich.

PUD staffers are reviewing the impact of the rates on customers with more than one meter and will make a recommendation to the board by the end of September, said Grubich at the August meeting.

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MAYOR

From Page A1

for compensation,” Ing-Moody said left in his term. That would tie up funds that could be used to hire a new in an interview this week.

The mayor ’s responsibilities administrator, Ing-Moody said.

“Money allocated to the mayor include overseeing personnel, including hiring and firing, and overseeing presupposes the ability…to hire an implementation of policies that are set administrator,” Ing-Moody said.

Following a closed-door executive by the council. With the loss in recent months of Twisp’s three major depart- session to discuss the salary issue that ment heads – police, public works and lasted until after 11 p.m. on Friday, the clerk/treasurer – the administrative council came back into regular session burden on the mayor has increased. and council member Hans Smith offered several motions In recent t o i n c re a s e months, the Boosman’s salTwisp Council ary “because has indicated of his personal an interest in the concept of circumstances hiring a profes~ Twisp council member and an inordisional adminisTom Gehring nate amount of trator to manwork.” age the town’s Smith said increasing administrative workload. he proposed the motions because by Based on a staffing proposal law the council can discuss salaries recently created for the council’s con- and performance in executive session, sideration, a part-time administrator but cannot take official action in execuwould be paid $25,480 per year. Boos- tive session. “I felt compelled to raise man said that is the amount he asked motions I didn’t necessarily feel good about,” Smith said. “I didn’t see any the council to consider paying him.

“The function I’ve been doing is other way to see the issue resolved” a part-time administrator,” Boosman with the legal constraints under which said this week in an interview. “I feel the council was operating. like I’m well qualified to deal with He began by offering a motion those issues.” that the council increase the mayor’s Council member Tom Gehring pay to $2,000 per month. There was said he felt council members “were no second, and after some discussion, all leaning toward an increased role Smith withdrew the motion. of a part-time management posi“I made another motion – this time tion” that would be filled by hiring a decreased compensation to $1,500. We part-time town administrator. “That had a discussion, no second, and I withwould alleviate a lot of the pressures drew the motion,” Smith said. Smith that a mayor is going to take on,” made another motion with $1,200 as Gehring said. compensation with the same result.

“I see the light at the end of the A final motion by Clint Estes to set tunnel. I wish Bill would too,” Geh- compensation at $1,000 also was withring said. drawn because it was not seconded by Boosman said he favors the idea another council member.

At that point, council member of hiring an administrator, a process that he estimated would take three Gehring said he felt the public should months. “In the long term that’s have the ability to comment on the probably a good idea. It would raise question of increasing the mayor’s the level of professionalism. But,” he compensation before the council actadded, “that’s three months away. I ed, and the council adjourned without can’t continue at this rate and I’ve been a decision after 11:30 p.m. telling the council that since May.” Boosman said this week that Before meeting on Friday the he agrees with the need for public council obtained a legal opinion that discussion. “I’m totally behind that indicated any increase in the mayor’s and that’s why I’ve given notice well salary could not be given on a tem- ahead to give us time to have that porary basis, but would need to be kind of conversation. I would feel maintained through the end of the uncomfortable if the council gave this mayor’s term. Boosman has 15 months kind of raise without public input,”

“The mayor’s position has always been philanthropic in nature.”

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Boosman said.

“The council said they don’t want to lose me but don’t want to make the commitment to have me stay,” he said.

Elected last year by a 21-vote margin against John Lomison, Boosman said he realized soon after taking office in January that the job was going to take more time than he anticipated.

“I initially felt it would take five hours a week,” Boosman said. He said he found “a lot of issues have piled up” in previous administrations. He cited ongoing concerns about acquiring water rights for the town, development of the industrial park, personnel issues, and compliance with state and federal regulations as examples.

The job of mayor “is pretty close to a half-time position,” Boosman said.

“I would be uncomfortable doing the minimal amount. I feel it difficult to ignore problems that exist.”

Boosman is currently working to complete his bachelor’s degree through a distance-learning program, and said his workload as mayor is interfering with his studies. “If I take a full-time job I won’t have the time to do the (mayor) job right,” he said. “The impacts on my family are too high without adequate compensation.”

“In the mayor’s position,” council member Gehring said, “you need to very conscious of what you allocate your time toward, what are the hot fires to be put out.” He added, “The mayor’s position has always been philanthropic in nature, the pay is a means to hold the mayors accountable for their actions or lack of action.”

Ing-Moody said the $400 monthly stipend paid to the mayor, like the $40 monthly stipend paid to council members, “are never truly reflective of the energy and time it takes to serve well. Your intention is to get a good job done at the end of your term. It’s not about whether you’re duly compensated.”

When Boosman’s resignation becomes effective at the end of the month, the council will choose one of the four sitting council members to serve until the next election, in November 2011. The council is down to four members following the resignation of Tom Mulgrew earlier this month. The town has begun advertising to fill that vacant council seat.

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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Opinion Editorial

The extinction of silence Last week’s newspaper contained an interesting letter regarding noise pollution. This is an issue that isn’t a common one in the Opinion section, especially in rural areas like the Methow. But in today’s world, even in a relatively isolated valley like ours, the subject of noise, silence and people’s rights will only become more prevalent.

I recently read an intriguing interview of Joyce, Wash., resident Gordon Hempton in the September issue of the magazine, The Sun. Hempton is an acoustic ecologist and has traveled the world recording nature, searching areas for silence and working to reduce noise pollution as in trying to limit air traffic over places – especially national parks – like the Olympics.

In the beginning of the interview, Hempton refers to the Methow and the natural balance of sounds: “I think of Campbell Lake in Pipestone Canyon near Winthrop, Washington, for example, which is a natural amphitheater.

The lake and surrounding hills amplify sound like a stereo speaker… That is the “silence” that is the presence of everything.”

To Hempton, “the world has become dangerously loud.” His advice in reducing noise and finding silence is simple: Be aware, protect your hearing and, lastly, “speak out for your right to quiet.”

This last recommendation can be tricky. Advocacy for quiet in a noisy world can be a bit daunting. It can be difficult to promote, and difficult to convince others of the importance of silence, especially, as in the case of the Twisp motocross track, if the noise is a product of another person’s or group’s activity. Judgments then come into play whether the activity warrants the noise impacts.

As the noise pollution letter writers pointed out last week, there are ordinances regarding noise, yet the enforcement of these rules is generally a low priority. The irony here, as Hempton might point out, is that in a community or world of shared resources, “one of the most shared is the acoustic environment – even more so than the visual environment.”

Hempton and other advocates for quiet obviously are more aware of and appreciative of the need for reducing noise and protecting silence. The more the rest of us can work toward being aware of the importance of silence, the more likely it will be preserved.

Sound crazy? Think about it sometime when you are in a quiet place.

– Paul Butler

Notable quotable “The day will come when man will have to fight noise as inexorably as cholera and the plague.” ~ Nobel Prize winning bacteriologist Robert Koch, 1905

This public forum is open to all who would like to comment on issues of importance to the Methow Valley community. We encourage letter writers to be civil and respectful in their comments, elevating the quality of the public debate. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited for libel, grammar and taste. Send to: Methow Valley News, P.O. Box 97, Twisp, WA 98856, or FAX: 509-997-3277, or e-mail: editor@methowvalleynews.com, or drop by the office, 101 N. Glover St. in Twisp.

Methow Valley News PUBLISHED WEEKLY SINCE 1903 101 N. Glover St., P.O. Box 97, Twisp, WA 98856 Telephone: (509) 997-7011 FAX: (509) 997-3277 E-mail: editor@methowvalleynews.com Homepage: www.methowvalleynews.com Paul Butler, PUBLISHER John Hanron, EDITOR Sue Misao, ARTS EDITOR Carol Stull, REPORTER Marcy Stamper, REPORTER Ann McCreary, REPORTER MIke Maltais SPORTS

Marilyn Bardin, OFFICE MANAGER Robin Doggett, AD SALES MANAGER Callie Fink, AD SALES Janet Mehus, OFFICE ASSISTANT Dana Sphar, AD DESIGN/PRODUCTION Linda Day, AD DESIGN Jay Humling, DISTRIBUTION CONTRIBUTORS

Bill Biddle, Erik Brooks, Tania Gonzalez Ortega, Sally Gracie, Patrick Hannigan, Jim & Jane Hutson, Rosalie Hutson, Ashley Lodato, Patrick McGann, Sam Owen, Bob Spiwak, Amy Stork, Solveig Torvik, Dave Ward, E.A. Weymuller Display advertising deadline for this newspaper is on the Friday previous to publication at 5 p.m. Classified advertising deadline is Monday at noon. The deadline for news items is Monday at noon.

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THE METHOW VALLEY NEWS (USPS Publication No. 343480) is published weekly by Methow Valley Publishing, LLC, 101 N. Glover St., Twisp, WA 98856. Subscription rates: $30 inside Okanogan County, $40 outside of Okanogan County and $50 outside of Washington State per year (in advance). Periodical class postage paid at Twisp, Washington, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE METHOW VALLEY NEWS, P.O. Box 97, Twisp, WA 98856.

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Box 97: Letters to the editor

Methow Valley News

Tania Gonzalez Ortega

Find someplace else An open letter to some of the archery deer hunters at Harts Pass over Labor Day weekend.

To the hunters (?) who camped on Forest Spur 205: Are you the same folks who camped there in 2008 and left a complete deer carcass minus the head and backstraps? And/or the ones who, in 2009, left a gut pile immediately adjacent to the stream? This year you “forgot” a full five-gallon bucket of trash, a fire under the tree canopy still burning and many, many piles of toilet paper (plus ??) scattered throughout the woods around the campsite (were you marking your territory?). You also left your garbage in the stream where you washed your pots, pans and dishes, along with not one but two bottles of dish detergent.

The group camped on Forest Spur 210 wasn’t quite as bad as their neighbors, but they also left a fire burning and quite a bit of litter around their camp. They did attempt to put out the fire, but were not successful and left anyway.

The alleged hunters at Deer Park, over in Whatcom County, really deserve a special place in Hunter’s Hell. They drove their vehicles through a once-pretty meadow (to collect firewood?), left 10-foot long metal pipes attached to tree branches, hacked at living trees, and left about two gallons worth of burned cans in the fire pit. They also left behind a plastic privy, full but unburied. The absolute worst was the fire pit itself. It took us at least 10 trips to the nearby stream over 45 minutes with a five-gallon bucket to quench the fire. The water we poured on the fire kept boiling away from the heat of the rocks and soil deep in the ground. Very little of the water we poured on the coals managed to leave the fire pit.

If you recognize yourself in any of the above, please do us a great favor and find someplace else to trash – oops, hunt – next year, or even better stay home!

Regretfully, Bill and Patti Karro Harts Pass Catmpground hosts Winthrop

Editor, San Francisco has a population of 809,000 people and they own a gold bridge that is 8,981 feet or 1.7 miles long. This equals approximately .011 feet per person.

Winthrop has a population of 450 people and they own three bridges with approximately 450 feet of span, which equates to about one foot of bridge per resident. Do we really need another bridge?

I’m aware that many people in the state of Washington think and vote like those in San Francisco. I’m OK with that, but the Methow Valley and its people here are unique and diverse with their environmental concerns.

We hear so much talk about expanded powerlines, larger airports and more affordable housing. They’re all good issues with a myriad of solutions.

If the town of Winthrop wishes to spend our tax dollars on more east/west egress across the Methow River, I have my own solution. Why not route the river underground, pave over it, and “put up another parking lot”?

Remember, the government doesn’t have any of their own money, they just have yours. Please, not another bridge.

Bob Hart Twisp/Winthrop

The will of the locals

Electrocution

Editor, Re: your editorial “Don’t tolerate the intolerable” (MVNews, Sept. 8) As the rest of America, including my hometown, has found it necessary to opine on the “Cordoba House / Park 51” issue here in New York City, I thought it necessary to interject the opinion of a long-time resident on this controversial debate.

In discussing this topic with other residents (friends, family, colleagues) I have found several differing opinions, as expected, regarding the rights and the wisdom of building an interfaith community center (it’s not a mosque) at this location. However, when asked if this development should be a national issue or contained to a local debate, the opinion is overwhelmingly for the latter. The building of this center had been limited to local news stories until others from outside the city decided it was in their best interest to leverage the debate for selfpromotional purposes. What is missing from the debate is the simple fact that New York City residents pay, in addition to state and federal taxes, a city tax. This point should singularly determine who has the “right” to an opinion on this subject.

To be clear, this location is not on “hallowed ground.” There are no memorials on the sidewalk; no reflecting pools for which to contemplate the disaster. The New York Dolls strip club property, one block north of the center, is no more holy or hallowed than it was on Sept. 10th, 2001. To be clear, this controversy is not about “radical Islam” but about special interests, politicians, and pundits seizing an opportunity to push their agendas by inflating a small local story.

Let those of us who live here determine the fate of this institution. If the majority of residents wish to have the center relocated, then that is the will of the people: the people who pay additional taxes to live in a city they love.

Jim Floyd Brooklyn, NY

Editor, I’m feeling a bit “shocked” about OCEC electrical rates and new proposals. Here’s why. I have two rentals in the Methow. This year I used $3.94 of electricity for the month of May. The furnace was on for one day in my yearly rental. I was charged $64 for that eight hours, then I was charged $40 for the month’s base charge, for a total of $104, or over three times the charge of last year’s May, were I used $2.54 of electricity with a base charge of $29 for a total of $31.54.

Secondly, I used less electricity in my nightly rental this year and its charges went up 100 percent in May. So, is a three times increase in my electrical bill with no apparent increase on the supply side seem like it’s fair?

I’ll use 2008 as a base example. In 2009 I decreased my electrical usage but was charged 25 percent more than 2008. Now, the latest OCEC alternative of $40 base charge and $.08 per kWh would increase my bill to over 48 percent more than 2008 in 2010-2011.

Something just doesn’t seem right about the new rates that OCEC has levied on its small business and residential customers. I am not the only one complaining, and I have been talking to the co-op management.

Webster’s dictionary says that a “cooperative store” is a retail store owned by and managed for the customerconsumer. Also, that “cooperative” means the combination of persons for the purpose of joint benefit.

To whose benefit are these new rates? The average consumer? These new rates do not even promote conservation.

OCEC and its (our) board need to do one of two things: go back to the old system that most of the state uses, or figure out a more fair one.

Letting this drag on, even after the

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Not another bridge

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overwhelming vote of no confidence at the co-op meeting last year, is not benefiting the community, who are the real “owners”.

John Willett Mazama/Kitsap

No more ping-ponging Editor, I would like to express thanks to Paul Taylor, Pat Leigh and Ron Perrow for the time, effort, and commitment they have put forward toward making constructive changes to the Okanogan County Electric Co-op. At the very least, opening a dialog with the directors that were not up for election this year, for us (the sheep), is encouraging. Eliminating the gag rule shows a move to transparency for better communication with us, the confused members.

Comparing rate structures invoked by other similar co-ops in the state sounds like a reasonable avenue to take in evaluating what is done here.

Unfortunately, the aristocratic attitude displayed by the disparaging comments made by two of the directors toward the membership makes it appear as though it may be difficult to work with the “old guard.” Their experience and knowledge to deal with future challenges may be invaluable. Let’s hope the board’s dialog is constructive among its own members, and to general members alike for a wellmanaged co-operative. I assume there is nothing to hide.

The ping-ponging of rates around, up and down, during the past year certainly reflects on the “old guard” board members as being “let’s try this for a while and see how it works” philosophy rather than we are the thoughtful leaders that know what’s best for the sheep.

And thanks, Paul, for delaying the decision to spend more money on devices which could be irrelevant by the time they arrived. Or are we just facing more pingponging of rates in the near future (after the next election)?

Buddy Thomas Twisp

Explore peace Dear Ed, We already have a Veterans for Peace group here in the valley. Well, now we have a group that is meeting bi-monthly for the entire year, just to discuss, analyze and learn about universal and inner peace.

It’s a bold and wonderful move of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. And it’s free to all comers!

I can’t think of a more appropriate locality to have such a convocation of minds. A lot of people have moved here in order to fulfill some level of serenity and deep satisfaction with life. Here is a marvelous chance to explore what peace means to you.

The UUF has just sponsored this past week’s weekend-long workshop with Jamal Rahman of the Interfaith Community Church in Seattle. This eloquent and inspiring speaker kicked off the year. Next Sunday, Dr. Gerald Sparling will continue by leading a group discussion: Exploring Aspects of Peace.

I’m really jazzed by the topic of peace because I have recently experienced a personal confrontation that required recognizing that the other guy may have been wrong and may have behaved badly but isn’t inherently a bad guy. Identifying with the other guy is the first step in the peacemaking process.

The UUF meets the first and third Sunday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Community School in Winthrop.

Carolanne Steinebach Twisp

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Methow Valley News

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

More Opinion

The only path to God Dear John, Re your editorial in the Sept. 8 edition “Don’t tolerate the intolerant.” I respect the right of every individual to worship as they please; however, with regard to the closing statement of your editorial, I feel compelled to draw your attention to the words of Jesus Christ contained in your New Testament, John chapter 14, verse 6, Jesus answered this question posed by Thomas, one of his disciples: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Surely you regard Jesus as a good man… not given to telling lies and making ridiculous claims. Why would he ever say such a thing if it weren’t true?

Peter, another disciple, spoke these words when he was brought before the Sanhedrin, having been jailed for his faith: Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name [the name of Jesus] under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Faith in Jesus, for our salvation and eternal life is the only path to God, the Creator of the universe.

Respectfully submitted, Marilyn J. Bardin Twisp

Please slow down Dear Editor, Please slow down! I am writing to remind drivers in the Methow Valley to slow down.

Our beloved marmalade cat, TT, was hit and killed by a car yesterday on Wolf Creek Road. While I do not know the specific details of our cat/family member’s demise, I witness on a daily basis cars speeding well above the speed limit with no regard for those (adults, children – both locals and tourists alike, pets, wildlife, etc.) using our roads on foot or bicycle in the Methow Valley.

Please, please slow down (drive under the speed limit and with caution) for your safety and the safety of others. Thank you.

Robin Anne Ellis Winthrop

Tremendous success Dear John: On Saturday, Aug. 28, Cindy Button and the Aero Methow staff invited some of us from the University of Washington School of Medicine to participate in a continuing education course at their facility in Twisp. This is the second consecutive year that Cindy has organized such training, which profits not only the people Aero Methow serves in the Methow Valley, but also is a boon for those of us at Harborview, who often wind up taking care of severely injured patients airlifted to Seattle. Cooperation, mutual understanding and respect profit everyone, most importantly the sick and injured.

Cindy and the Aero Methow staff are talented, committed professionals dedicated to providing your readers with the best possible

My Turn

emergency management and care in transfer, often in extremely trying circumstances. When Dr. Henry helped Mike Copass set up the first statewide emergency management transfer system years ago, he could not have imagined the tremendous success his daughter would help to make of the project. The citizens of the Methow Valley are fortunate to have these splendid professionals to take care of them in moments of crisis, and the faculty members who have participated in the educational conferences are grateful for the invitation to be included.

Richard Rapport, MD Department of Neurological Surgery University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle

Violations of the Pasayten The Methow Valley Ranger District has failed for decades to manage commercial pack-stock outfitters in the Pasayten Wilderness according to the Wilderness Act, the Okanogan National Forest Plan and overall Forest Service guidelines and regulations.

The Environmental Impact Statement for Stock Outfitters is an opportunity for it to correct this sorry record. Failing that, the EIS is the best opportunity for people who care about wilderness ethics and the rule of law to attempt to influence the Forest Service.

To see that something is terribly wrong with the MVRD’s management of commercial stock users who take large groups of people and animals into the Pasayten, you only need to look at the condition of the camps these outfitters use.

The Okanogan Forest Plan has certain standards by which it, supposedly, protects wilderness values, one being that no camp contain more than 400 square feet of “barren core” (trampled ground). Yet every single basecamp used by commercial horse/mule outfitters vastly exceeds this standard, the worst being many tens of thousands of square feet. The Forest Plan has other standards that are Birch Berman also being violated in outfitters’ camps, including the number of dead trees due to tying of livestock.

The problems extend to the individual performance of many of these outfitters. For example, one outfitter was found by a Forest Service employee to have a camp in which feces and used toilet paper were visible throughout the campsite.

Another was identified in a specific Forest Service document as being in danger of having his permit revoked due to extensive operating violations. A third was finally given an unsatisfactory rating on his year-end performance evaluatiton after years of operating problems.

The terms of an outfitter’s permit state that renewal of the permit is based on activity “consistent with the applicable forest… plan,” yet despite the fact that all the outfitters’ basecamps are grossly out of compliance with the ONF plan, the MVRD has been blindly renewing the permits for decades.

The Pasayten was established under the authority of the Wilderness Act and this law is very clear in its intent: To protect specially designated areas where “the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man,” where “the imprint of man’s work is substantially unnoticeable.”

The Wilderness Act does allow for commercial activity in designated wilderness areas, but only as secondary to its basic purpose. The MVRD has allowed the outfitters to pressure it to reverse these priorities, and has acquiesced as the outfitters have developed a business model based on widespread violations of law and regulations.

The adverse impacts of outfitter use are also visible in areas where three or more trails exist immediately beside each other, each trail eroded one to three feet; overgrazed meadows; dusty (or muddy after a rain), beaten-down trails; and damaged riparian areas. None of this should be happening in an area that the law says should be “untrammeled.”

The primary cause of these adverse impacts is the excessive number of animals used for commercial purposes. The Pasayten (and Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness) allow the largest party size of any wilderness area in the state – 12 people and 18 head of stock. The managers of every other wilderness know that this is too high a number to still keep it untrammeled. Yet even this very large party size is not sufficient for local outfitters.

Great time fiddling Dear Editor, My family and I attend the North Cascades Fiddle Contest every year, and have since the very first (except two years ago when my wife was in labor). I just wanted to let you know what a great time we have had, and how much we look forward to this at the end of every summer.

The Methow Valley now holds a special place in so many of our memories, I am sure we will be coming back for many years to come! We appreciate you being a part of the sponsorship of the contest – thank you!

Trevor Gage and family Puyallup

Thanks to helpers Editor, In recent months, the Twisp Public Development Authority has continued to receive incredible support from people in our community as we all move ahead to realize the vision of our newly adopted master plan for TwispWorks.

We’d like at this point to recognize a number of folks who have recently stepped up, offering time, energy and special skills.

They include Dwight Filer (for countless hours of donated plumbing services), Ed Welch (for plowing up the asphalt in the heat of summer and preparing the soil for a demonstration garden), Aaron and Baynard Buzzard (for removing the asphalt), Bob Lloyd (for enabling disposal of the asphalt), Raleigh Bowden, Ed Welch and others (for the backbreaking work of picking rocks and planting the demonstration garden), Jerry Palm (for his assistance with installation of Bernie Hosey’s sculpture), and Steve Seward (for his generous donation of legal services).

Especially gratifying is the fact that, in most cases, these folks offered their time and expertise without our even asking. They simply saw the need and said, “Here’s what I can do to help!”

On behalf of the all of us at TwispWorks, and of our whole community, which will benefit by your efforts - thank you!!

Maggie Coon and Mark Wolf-Armstrong Co-directors Twisp PDA

Contact your U.S. representatives Sen. Patty Murray (D) Washington, D.C., office: 173 Russell Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-2621 D.C. toll-free: (866) 481-9186 Fax: (202) 224-0238 website and e-mail access: http://murray.senate.gov

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Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) Washington, D.C., office: 511 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: (202) 224-3441 Fax: (202) 228-0514 State office toll free: 1-888-648-7328 website and e-mail access: http://cantwell.senate.gov

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R)

Washington, D.C., office: 1323 Longworth House Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2006 Fax: (202) 225-3392 website and e-mail access: http://mcmorrisrodgers.house.gov/

Contact your state reps Sen. Linda Evans Parlette (R) 12th Legislative District P.O. Box 40412 316 Legislative Building Olympia, WA 98504-0412 Telephone: (360) 786-7622 Fax: (360) 786-1266 e-mail: parlette_li@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Mike Armstrong (R) 12th Legislative District P.O. Box 40600 426-A Legislative Building Olympia, WA 98504-0600 Telephone: (360) 786-7832 www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/ armstrong/

Thank You For Buying My Lamb!

Alyssa Button

Rep. Cary Condotta (R) 12th Legislative District P.O. Box 40600 122B Legislative Building Olympia, WA 98504-0600 Telephone: (360) 786-7954 www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/ condotta/ TOLL-FREE HOTLINE FOR ALL LEGISLATORS: 1-800-562-6000

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They circumvent this limit by running additional packstrings to support a given group, and as long as the two (or three!) packstrings are not traveling together, the MVRD acquiesces to this as well. The quantity of stuff hauled in by all these packstrings makes a mockery of the concept of minimal impact camping, which the FS preaches to outfitters as well as the public, but which it utterly fails to define and enforce.

There is relevant litigation. This was a case in California in which the Forest Service was sued for failing to manage commercial stock users according to the Wilderness Act. One of the court rulings in this case was that stock outfitters can have a major adverse impact on wilderness and therefore the FS must abide by the National Environmental Protection Act and do an Environmental Impact Statement before issuing commercial use permits to these outfitters. As a result of this ruling, the MVRD was obligated to do its own EIS for local outfitters.

Many of the adverse impacts of commercial pack-stock outfitting in the Pasayten were documented from 1998 to 2000 by a private citizen.

(One of her reports is expected to be accessible on the website of Wilderness Watch, under "Wild Issues" by the end of the month) A coalition of groups and individuals coalesced around her work in order to have the issues addressed, but we were either stonewalled or ignored at every level of the Forest Service. The EIS changes the playing field since it is an aspect of the National Environmental Protection Act and this law requires the Forest Service to address issues raised by the public. So although the FS might still make bad decisions, it cannot simply ignore citizens’ concerns.

Another aspect of the Pasayten story is the misinformation presented by many of these outfitters regarding their operations in the Pasayten and an accompanying pattern of harassment toward anyone who challenges their version.

For instance: Two outfitters have been quoted in the pages of this newspaper assuring the public that outfitters operate acceptably, but the record – easily substantiated by observing conditions on the ground and by existing documentation in the MVRD’s own files – proves this is not the case. The private citizen mentioned above was attacked personally, physically and legally in an effort to suppress her exposure of outfitter violations. Documentation in MVRD files shows that one particular outfitter was involved in at least three separate incidents of harassment of other people, including FS employees, who might expose his adverse impacts. A previous district ranger was so concerned about these outfitters that at one special meeting she had the town police chief present, armed and in uniform.

The violations of the Pasayten are succinctly summed up by two comments from the MVRD’s own employees, written long ago but as applicable today as they were then. “The impacts that are tolerated are severe” (1994). “More than once I’ve heard comments about the spinelessness of the Forest Service” (1990).

A healthy democracy involves the open debate of issues, not misinformation and manipulation in order to serve one’s narrow selfinterest. As long as so many people put private gain above the common good, our country’s decline will continue.

Birch Berman ran his own stock outfitting service, Backcountry Burro Treks, in the Pasayten Wilderness for 25 years.

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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Methow Valley News

Agriculture

The Root Cellaring Project

Farmers Market, town find common ground

Keeping veggies bound for needy fresh through the winter

By Ann McCreary A new Root Cellaring Project beginning this fall aims to provide fresh produce throughout winter to local families in financial need.

The project brings together local farmers to provide root vegetables and storable fruit for winter storage in the cellar of the Methow Valley Inn, to be distributed to families in coming months through The Cove food bank and Room One. The Root Cellaring Project is led by Kelleigh McMillan, director of Red Shed, a Room One program that has provided fresh produce during the summer months to local underserved families for the past four years.

The idea for the project grew from a conversation last spring between McMillan and Raleigh Bowden, the Methow Valley Inn’s new owner. Bowden told McMillan that the inn has a large basement that could serve as a root cellar, and the two women began brainstorming about storing produce to expand the Red Shed food distribution beyond the summer months.

Red Shed serves about 75 to 100 families each week during the growing season of June through October, McMillan said. “There’s obviously a need. We’re looking to extend that season,” she said.

The Root Cellaring Project is a collaboration of Room One’s Red Shed program, the Methow Valley Inn, The Cove Food Bank, and local farmers.

“Everyone has the same goal of getting fresh food to families that need it,” McMillan said.

The public has an opportunity to participate in the project through a workshop, called Root Cellaring 101, to be offered on Oct. 2. The workshop will be taught by Tess Hoke, owner of Local 98856, and will provide an introduction to root cellaring, including when to harvest produce, requirements for a successful root cellar, and how to prepare and store fruits and vegetables for winter.

The workshop will be held at Local 98856 from 9-11 a.m., and tuition is $45. A portion of the tuition, $25, will go to the Root Cellaring Project to purchase vegetables and fruit from local farmers to store and deliver to families.

McMillan encouraged local farmers last spring to grow some additional fall crops to stock the root cellar this fall. Money raised for the Root Cellaring Project will be used to purchase the crops in bulk.

“The idea is to try to use local dollars to buy food from local farmers and continue giving to families,” McMillan said.

Bowden said she expects to begin stocking the Methow Valley Inn’s 1,000-square-foot basement next month with potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, pears and apples. They will be distributed each week to local families through The Cove food bank and Room One. Bowden said donations of fruits and vegetables this year would help launch the project, which is being carried out by volunteers during its first season. The project organizers are exploring grants and other means of future funding.

This year is viewed as a pilot project, McMillan said, with the goal of getting the Methow Valley Inn’s cold

By Ann McCreary An agreement governing how the Farmers Market uses the Twisp Commons park has been approved by the Twisp Town Council.

The memorandum of agreement between the town and the market was developed over the summer to clarify what activities will be allowed to take place in the Commons while the market is in session.

“The town has worked really hard at getting to this conclusion.

We’re really appreciative of what they’ve done,” said Bob Elk, cochairman of the Farmers Market.

The agreement, approved by the Twisp council Aug. 24, gives the market “management control” of the Commons Park during the Saturday market, and stipulates that the market will provide access to public seating and play areas in the park.

Elk said any vendor or organization that wants to sell at the park must apply to the Farmers Market board for permission, and will be expected to comply with the market guidelines. The Farmers Market provides the opportunity for people to sell local wares and agricultural products.

Photo by Sue Misao

Farmer Nancy Daniels-Hubert of Twisp, here in her own root cellar, is one of the volunteers for the Root Cellaring Project, which seeks to develop a central root cellar at the Methow Valley Inn to keep produce for distribution through The Cove and Room One. storage space up and running, securing root cellar equipment and purchasing produce, and getting systems in place for storing harvested food during the winter. Project volunteers will also evaluate the quality of stored produce, coordinate distribution of the food and collaborate with TwispWorks to develop a plan that will sustain the project in the future.

Project organizers have a long-term goal of moving the Root Cellaring Project to TwispWorks, which has large space formerly used by the Forest Service as a tree cooler, where seedling trees were stored before planting.

Organizers have submitted a proposal outlining their plans to the Public Development Authority that manages the TwispWorks property.

“The long-term vision,” the project proposal stated, “is to create new jobs, pay farmers for their produce, develop markets outside the valley through this collaboration, expand the workshop education model to bring in regional/national expertise…. Ultimately, this project could serve as a model for other rural farming communities.”

Except for the products of a few long-time vendors who are grandfathered in, the products sold at the market are all locally made or produced, Elk said.

“The Methow Valley farmers market is a non-profit organization itself, operating successfully and creating this great bond for the valley,” Elk said.

The need for an agreement drew attention earlier this summer when a local church proposed selling hamburgers and hotdogs as a fundraiser in the Commons during the market, and was turned down by the market’s directors, who viewed the sales as undercutting the vendors at the market.

Because the market had expanded onto the town’s park property this summer, an agreement was needed to clarify who would make decisions about activities in the park while the market is in session.

The agreement between the town and the market gives the market jurisdiction over what groups or individuals will be able to sell in the Commons during market hours.

The memorandum of agreement will be reviewed each spring by both the town and the market.

Planting fall garlic class offered at Local 98856 Fall is the best time for planting garlic in the Methow Valley, and a class offered Sept. 25 at Local 98856 will give gardeners and farmers the information they need to produce a good garlic crop.

Tess Hoke, owner of Local 98856, will provide information on site selection, soil preparation and timing of planting the fall garlic crop. Hoke will demonstrate how to pop and plant cloves, and share tips on tending

Get into

Ag.

young garlic plants in the garden.

Hoke will also discuss timing and methods of harvest and storage. Several varieties of locally grown garlic seed will be available for purchase at the class.

Class will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. and cost is $15 per person. Reservations are required. Call 997-0978 to register, or e-mail local@methownet. com.

Third issue of the month.

Health Care Directory

Service & Health Directories ~ Deadline for ad placement & changes is Friday at 5 pm for insertion in the next Wednesday’s paper.

Directory ads are $8 per column inch. Additional charges may apply for color. To have your service listed please call 997-7011.

AA MEETINGS Twisp: 509-997-0356 • 509-923-9130 Sun, Mon, & Tues: 6:30pm at Masonic Lodge Wed: 7pm at Calvary Chapel Winthrop: 509-996-8174 Thurs: 7pm at the Friendship Church Fri: 7pm at the OK Co-op Bldg.

Sat: 7pm at the Forest Svc. Bldg.

Methow: Sat: 9am at Tim’s Cafe Al-anon Twisp: 509.997.0356 Sun: 5:00pm at the Masonic Hall

THE SUPPORT CENTER

- Children welcome - Oral surgery - Implants & dentures

Ask us about the ideal orthodontic option and how you can improve your smile.

Call us for a FREE Invisalign Consultation

Peter Dickinson, MS, PT, SCS Board Certified Specialist

Lisa Sawyer, PT Colleen Ryan, DPT Tedra Acheson, PTA

Blackbird Clinic

PLLC

509.996.8234

Naturopathic & Nutritional Medicine

www.winthroppt.com “At the Winthrop Bridge”

Dr. Andrea Black

Kristen Klein, ARNP, FNP

911

Naturopathic Physician POB 1039/214 Pine St. Okanogan, WA 98840

509-422-3700

www.BlackbirdClinic.com

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Aero Methow Rescue Office: 997-4013

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Methow Valley News

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Arts & Culture

Methow Arts will provide All are welcome to Fiesta the art of wax and paper Latina on Sunday (Sept.19) at flower making. Castellanoz a participatory art booth for all is a recipient of the National ages, at which artist Sarah FoxPearrygin Lake State Park.

The Latino cultural cele- Endowment for the Arts’ Skutley will lead a masquerade ball mask-makbration runs from ing activity using 12:30 to 4 p.m., feathers, sequins, w i t h re g i o n a l beads, paint and musicians, folk more. dancers, tradiAnd the food. tional food, art Av a i l a b l e f o r demonstrations purchase will be and a hands-on art traditional food booth for kids. from Carlos 1800 At 1 p.m., BerMexican Grill & rinche Norteño, Cantina out of conjunto norteño Winthrop.

(Mexican folk enFor wheelsemble) from the chair or other Okanogan Valley special accommowill perform. At dations, call the 2 p.m., Los Bailapark at 996-2370 dores del Sol, folkin advance of the lore dancers from Photo courtesy of Los Bailadores del Sol the Yakima Valley Folklore dancers Los Bailadores del Sol from Yakima event. For hearing-impaired or will perform, and will perform in the Fiesta Latina. speech-impaired at 3 p.m., Mariachi Estrella de México, mariachi prestigious National Heritage accommodations, call 1-800band from the Wenatchee Val- Fellowship, which recognizes 833-6388, also in advance of lifetime achievement of artistic the event. ley, will take the stage.

For other information, call Eva Castellanoz, nation- excellence and contributions ally recognized Smithsonian to our nation’s traditional arts Laura Fine at (509) 429-6808 or Rick Lewis at 996-2370. folk artist, will demonstrate heritage.

Learn the art of ancient crafting Saskatoon Circle, a five-day primitive and traditional living skills gathering, will begin Thursday, Sept. 23, at Skalitude Retreat Center in Carlton.

Dozens of instructors will be on hand to teach classes in tanning, raw hide, basketry, medicinal plants, felting, friction fire, cordage, pottery, primitive shelters, wild edibles, moccasin making, cattail craft, tracking, bindcraft and knotting, animal processing, footwear, bucksin bags and more.

A children’s program will also be available.

Saskatoon emphasizes basic living skills, while focusing on ancient crafts, community connection and co-existence with the land.

In addition to classes, participants will enjoy camping

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Photo courtesy of Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus

OVOC is looking for a few good musicians.

Singers and players wanted The Okanogan Valley Orchestra and Chorus is gearing up for their 2010-2011 concert season, and searching for musicians.

Anyone who can sing or play an instrument is invited to join the orchestra or chorus.

Specific instruments needed are cello, bass, flute, trumpet, trombone, clarinet

and percussion.

The chorus is in need of vocalists of all ranges.

The chorus practices under the direction of Don Pearce every Monday at 7 p.m. The orchestra practices every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. under the direction of Terry Hunt. All practices are in the Omak High School band room.

Musicians learning strings may be interested in Second Strings, a program that challenges and encourages growth for music students, under the direction of Roz Nau. This season’s concert dates are Oct. 16, Dec. 11, Feb. 5 and March 12.

For information, call (509) 322-5854.

Luc and the Lovingtons tour with Jason Mraz

Photo courtesy of Saskatoon Circle

Hide-tanning is one of the many primitive skills folks will learn at Saskatoon Circle. (ask about indoor lodging), organic meals, storytelling, circle times (including a special drum and dance circle on Saturday night), a barter circle (bring handmade stuff to

trade), and evening fires.

Basic cost is $185 per adult, with variations.

See www.saksatooncircle. com for more information, or call 997-9077.

Luc and the Lovingtons are about to hit the road with GrammyAward winning songwriter Jason Mraz.

The band’s connection with Mraz began when the latter heard the Lovingtons’ “Freedom Song,” recorded with children living in a Baton Rouge shelter during Hurricane Katrina. Mraz contacted bandleader Luc Reynaud, asking permission to record the song.

The two musicians shared a common goal of using their music

to promote social and humanitarian causes.

On a recent California tour, the Lovingtons hooked up with Mraz, who attended their San Diego show and invited them to perform at six of his upcoming concerts across the U.S. In addition to Reynaud on vocals and guitar, the Lovingtons are Jacob Shaw on keyboards, Loren Boley on drums, Soleil Kelley on electric guitar, and Felipe Canete on percussion. Four of the five bandmates are from the Methow Valley.

Photo by Sue Misao

Luc Reynaud of Luc and the Lovingtons

presents an

Tuesday , September 28

Join us for an interactive three-course Italian wine pairing dinner with Executive Chef J. Russell Bradshaw, CEC and Wine Director Don Elsing. Start with passed hors d’ oeuvres and a Campari and soda.

Each guest will participate in making a 3 course dinner while the chef demonstrates. $45/person + gratuity & tax. Includes a glass of wine with each course.

6 PM. Reservations required. Please call Don Elsing,

(509) 996-4770

Winthrop, WA ~ www.sunmountainlodge.com

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Page A8

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Methow Valley News

What’s Happening

Meetings and weekly things

Wednesday 9/15

EAGLES AUXILIARY: Meeting at Eagles Hall. 996-

3869. 7pm

FAMILY PLANNING CLINIC: Room One, 315 S.

Lincoln, Twisp. Info: 997-2050 or (800) 660-1624.

2:30-5pm QUILTING CLASS: Make a table runner using a precut kit at the Quilting Hive, 309 Hwy 20. $20 includes supplies. 997-7020. 6-9pm LBHS BOOSTER CLUB: Meeting at LBHS library.

996-3766. 7pm AA: Alcoholics Anonymous meets at the Calvary Church, Twisp. 997-0356. 7pm WINTHROP TOWN COUNCIL: At the Winthrop Barn Hen House. 996-2320. 7pm

Thursday 9/16

EMERGENCY PLANNING: Annual Okanogan

Photo courtesy of Mariachi Estrella de Mexico

Fiesta Latina!

Mariachi music, folk dancing, Mexican food, artists and hands-on art projects are part of the free entertainment at Pearrygin Lake State Park on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 19).

Wednesday Sept. 15

CAR & TRUCK SHOW: Cars, trucks and motorcycles, shop talk, bench race and more at the Winthrop park. (509) 429-4233. 6-9pm AWANA: Registration at Calvary Baptist Church (age group 3 years through 6th grade).

997-8312. 7pm KARAOKE: Sing your favorite songs at the Branding Iron in Twisp. Free. 997-0040. 9pm1am

Thursday Sept. 16

PEBBLE MOSAICS: Four-week class begins with Larry and Linda McWhirter making pebble mosaics. $115. 997-2787. 5-7pm BOOK LAUNCH: Danbert Nobacon reads from his new book, 3 Dead Princes: An Anarchist Fairy Tale, and performs music at Twisp River Pub. Slide show accompanies. Free. 9976822. 7pm THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE: Performance of Love Letters starring Jack Bannon and Ellen Travolta, and dessert buffet at the Merc Playhouse, Twisp. $25. 997-7529. 7:30pm

Friday Sept. 17

FABRIC PAINTING: Two-day watercolor class begins at 309 Hwy 20, Twisp. $40. 9977020.

OPEN MIC: Hosted by Rivertown Ramblers at the Old Schoolhouse Brewery, Winthrop. Free.

996-3183. 7pm THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE: Performance of Love Letters, starring Jack Bannon and Ellen Travolta, and dessert buffet at the Merc Playhouse, Twisp. $25. 997-7529. 7:30pm KARAOKE: Sing your favorite songs at the Branding Iron in Twisp. Free. 997-0040. 9pm1am DJ MUSIC: Noah Ashford spins the tunes at Mick and Miki’s Red Cedar Bar, Twisp. Free.

997-6425. 9pm-1am

Saturday Sept. 18

FARMERS MARKET: Local vendors, farmers and crafters in the MV Community Center parking lot. 9am-noon

ZUCCINI RACE: Bring your vegetable with an axle through it to the Farmers Market in Twisp. 11am-noon COMEDY: Performance by comedian Debbie Wooten ($10-$15 at 8pm) and dinner ($12 at 6pm) at the Eagles Hall, Twisp. 997-8133.

SINGER SONGWRITER: Olivia De La Cruz performs acoustic folk music at the Old Schoolhouse Brewery, Winthrop. Free. 9963183. 7pm HIP HOP: Sunz of Sound and Mr. Chapman perform hip hop and reggae at East 20 Pizza, Winthrop. Free. 996-3996. 7:30pm LIVE MUSIC: Honey and the Killer Beez perform at BJ’s Branding Iron in Twisp. Free.

997-0040. 9pm-1am

Sunday Sept. 19

ARTISAN MARKET: Local vendors, farmers and artisans in the Winthrop park. 3419102. 10am-2pm FIESTA LATINA: Music, dancing and food at Pearrygin Lake State Park. Free. (509) 4296808. 12:30-4pm LUC & THE LOVINGTONS: Performance at the Twisp River Pub to raise money to send the band on a tour with Jason Mraz. 997-6822.

Monday Sept. 20

MIDDLE METHOW: Landowners forum on the middle Methow River hosted by Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation, Yakama Nation, Upper Columbia Habitat Restoration Project and Bureau of Reclamation. Meets at Twisp Valley Grange. 997-0640 Ext. 267. 6:30pm

Wednesday Sept. 22

KARAOKE: Sing your favorite songs at the Branding Iron in Twisp. Free. 997-0040. 9pm1am

Thursday Sept. 23

PIPESTONE ORCHESTRA: Strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion players’ first meeting at MV Community Center, Twisp. 9979355. 6:30-9pm

Sept. 23-27

SASKATOON: Primitive and traditional living skills gathering at Skalitude Retreat Center, Carlton. $80-$185. 997-9077.

Friday Sept. 24

FUNK/HIP HOP: Eclectic Approach performs at the Old Schoolhouse Brewery, Winthrop.

Free. 996-3183. 7pm GREENLAND: Artist Maria Coryell-Martin presents “High Latitudes, Art and Science in the Arctic” slide show and display from her expedition to Greenland. Confluence Gallery, Twisp.

Free. 997-2787. 7:30pm DJ MUSIC: Noah Ashford spins the tunes at Mick and Miki’s Red Cedar Bar, Twisp. Free.

997-6425. 9pm-1am

Wednesday Sept. 22

County Local Emergency Planning Committee meets at the Sheriff’s office conference room, 123 Fifth Ave. N., Okanogan. (509) 422-7200. 10am-noon SPINNERS & WEAVERS: Meet at 137 Old Twisp Highway. 997-5666. 1pm FOOD BANK: “More than just food” at The Cove, 128 Glover St., Twisp. 997-0227. 1-4pm METHOW WATERSHED: Council meeting at the Riverbank building, Twisp. 997-4081. 5pm WASHINGTON PILOTS: Meeting and stories about flights to Alaska at Koala Street Grill, Omak. Anyone interested in flying is welcome. (509) 422-0678. 6:30pm NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION: Meets at Room One, Twisp. 997-2050. 7-9pm NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Meets at Horseshoe Mobile Home clubhouse, 305 Magers, Twisp. 9977275. 7pm VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS DISTRICT 6: Training and meetings at local fire halls. 997-2981. 7pm AA: Alcoholics Anonymous meets at the Friendship Church, Twisp. 996-8174. 7pm NA: Narcotics Anonymous meets at Horseshoe Mobile Home clubhouse, 305 Magers, Twisp. 997-0158. 7pm

Friday 9/17

WATERCOLOR: Open studio with Patty Yates at

Confluence Gallery, Twisp. Drop-ins welcome. $10.

997-2787. 9:30am-1pm DOCTOR: Free health care to uninsured people 18 and under at The Country Clinic, Winthrop. Appointment: 996-8180.

FREESTYLE DANCE: Heart-centered dance at The Studio, Twisp. $5. 997-7337. 5:30-7pm BINGO: Play at the Eagles Hall, Twisp. 997-8133.

6pm AA: Alcoholics Anonymous meets in the Electric Co-op building, 93 W. Chewuch, Winthrop. 996-8174. 7pm NA: Narcotics Anonymous meeting at Twisp Masonic Hall. 997-0158. 7pm

Saturday 9/18

OKANOGAN COUNTY DEMOCRATS: Meets at Sun

Valley Restaurant on Highway 97, Okanogan. (509) 422-5531. Noon AA: Alcoholics Anonymous meets in the Forest Service building, Winthrop. 996-8174. 7pm

Sunday 9/19

KARAOKE: Sing your favorite songs at the Branding Iron in Twisp. Free. 997-0040.

9pm-1am

BREAST CANCER: Support group meets in Room

Saturday Sept. 25

Twisp. 997-0356.6:30pm

RAPTOR FESTIVAL: View raptors from Pateros Memorial Park as they migrate south.

Reserve a field trip shuttle to Chelan Ridge Raptor Migration Site (above Black Canyon) (509) 731-4790. 8am-4pm FARMERS MARKET: Local vendors, farmers and crafters in the MV Community Center parking lot. 9am-noon PLEIN AIR: Watercolor class with Maria Coryell-Martin at Chickadee Trailhead, Sun Mountain. $100. 997-2787. 10am-3pm CIDER SQUEEZE: Methow Conservancy celebrates harvest season at Sabold’s house, Winthrop. 996-2870. 2-4pm ARTISTS’ RECEPTION: Opening reception for “Nature Always Wins” by artists Jason Sobottka, Stephen Filla and Tori Karpenko at Confluence Gallery, Twisp. 997-2787. 4-8pm TWISP ART WALK: View art and meet artists in downtown Twisp. 997-2787. 5-8pm FUNK/HIP HOP: Eclectic Approach performs at the Old Schoolhouse Brewery, Winthrop.

Free. 996-3183. 7pm

One, Twisp. Drop-ins welcome. 997-2819. 3-5pm

NA: Narcotics Anonymous meets at Horseshoe Mobile

Home clubhouse, 305 Magers, Twisp. 997-0158. 4pm

AA: Alcoholics Anonymous meets at the Masonic Hall,

Monday 9/20

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: Open meeting, 123

Fifth Ave. N., Okanogan. (509) 422-7100. 9am-5pm

SPEAK FRENCH: Revive your or improve your

French in the Twisp PDA boardroom. 997-6242.

4:30-5:30pm AA: Alcoholics Anonymous meets at the Masonic Hall, Twisp. 997-0356.6:30pm

Tuesday 9/21

TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly at MV United Meth-

odist Church, between Twisp and Winthrop. 997-0102.

8:30-10am METHOW RESTORATION: Council meeting open to the public at the Riverbank building, 206 Glover, Twisp.

997-0038. 9am COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: Open meeting, Okanogan County Admin. Bldg., 123 Fifth Ave. N., Okanogan. (509) 422-7100. 9am-5pm TWISPWORKS: Tour the site in Twisp. 997-3300.

11am HEALTHY STEPS: Classes in therapeutic exercise, with instructor Nancy Farr at Twisp Valley Grange.

996-2017. Noon-1pm BUDGETING: Workshop at Community Action in Okanogan to help you manage your money and fix your credit. Free. 1-877-641-0101. 1-3pm QUILTERS: Open studio, 309 Highway 20, Twisp.

Free. 997-7020. 5-9pm AA: Alcoholics Anonymous meets at the Masonic Hall, Twisp. 997-0356.6:30pm

Winter is coming!

Submit your event for the 2010-11 Winter Guide Calendar to sue@methowvalleynews.com by Oct. 22.

(Events between Nov. 10 and spring)

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THE DIRT DOCTOR

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125 min R TS AR ST IDAY FR

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Complete Excavation Service

509-996-2033 Locally owned and operated since 1995 MEMBER: BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU • WA LIC. #DOUGHE1003JN

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Methow Valley News

Sports and

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Section

B

Recreation

Lions turn back Pioneers, place fourth at Bridgeport

By Mike Maltais The Omak Pioneers girls’ varsity volleyball team rolled into town last Tuesday, Sept. 7, and tried to stake their claim on Liberty Bell territory, but a determined Mountain Lions squad finally sent the claim jumpers packing.

In a tough back-and-forth struggle that required all five games to decide, the Liberty Bell girls finally overcame a tough-serving Omak squad to win three of five matches in the nonleague contest.

In the five closely contested matchups Liberty Bell edged out the Pioneers in the first game only to have Omak rally to take game two.

The Lions regained the momentum to win the third game and the Pioneers returned the favor by winning game four. The fifth and deciding game went to Liberty Bell.

“I was using a lot of different combinations of players depending on how much of the game I felt like we could give away,” said second-year coach Kim Frey. “So, at this point in the season, if it’s a non-league game, I try to get our players court time so I wasn’t necessarily putting in our strongest string all the time, but when we put our big hitters in we were dominating the

game,” she added.

Amber Reggiatore was the Lions’ highscoring hitter and Ari Watson led the blocking.

Frey also got good performances from servers Natalie Rodriguez, Paige Stevie and Nicole Labanauskas.

Omak’s No. 1 server “was just clobbering us,” observed Frey, noting the special power or wobble some servers can put on a ball that gives defenders problems with their passing.

Following that exposure, the girls worked on passing in preparation for last Saturday’s (Sept.

11) tournament in Bridgeport.

The Bridgeport invite brought eight teams together and gave Frey an opportunity to scout upcoming league opponents Manson, Pateros, Waterville and Bridgeport. The Lions ended up taking fourth in the tourney beating fifth-place Manson 26-25 and 25-21. They gave up losses to second-place Pateros 19-25, 25-17, 8-15 and third-place winner Waterville 19-25 and 16-25.

The Mountain Lions were scheduled to meet up with Waterville again Tuesday (Sept.14) at Waterville. On Thursday (Sept. 16), Liberty Bell hosts Bridgeport at 5 p.m. and will play the Waterville Shockers Saturday (Sept. 18) on the LBHS home court. That game gets underway at 11 a.m.

Lions compete at Silverwood

By Mike Maltais The Liberty Bell cross-country varsity traveled four-and-a-half hours cross-state last Saturday (Sept. 11) for a first-time visit to the Silverwood Coaster Classic in Silverwood, Idaho.

The big draw event attracted 36 schools up to 5A in size, so while it made placing in the top finishers a remote prospect for the Mountain Lions, it did give the local runners “a chance to see where we’re at,” according to coach Craig Herlihy.

Silverwood’s theme park is the added incentive that attracts more than 1,000 cross-country athletes to the Classic every year. In addition to the exposure to high levels of competition, participants also receive reduced-cost access to Silverwood’s recreational diversions.

Six Liberty Bell runners – including senior Brita Ness, the only girl on the team – entered the 3.1-mile varsity cross-country event held near the theme park complex and five finished the event. “Placing wasn’t our goal,’ said Herlihy.

“This was a warmup for us.”

Freshman Liam Daily clocked the best time

of the Lion runners completing the course in 18 minutes, nine seconds. Fellow freshman Clancy Mitchell was close behind Daily for the first mile before he had to pull out of the race with leg cramps. Since team-scoring rules required that five boys finish the race, Liberty Bell did not receive a team ranking.

Sophomore Taylor Woodruff finished second among Liberty Bell runners in 20:28, followed by senior Colton Skelton and sophomore Nolan Jensen in a near dead heat at 21:33 and 21:33.5 respectively. Ness crossed the line at 24:12.

Even though the winning time of 15:40 was more than three minutes faster than Daily’s time, Herlihy was pleased with his team’s performance. “All but one of our runners posted faster times than last year.” he noted.

Herlihy added that he has gained two new members of the cross-country team this season, freshmen Jake Pennock and April Oak, neither of whom had the requisite practice time to compete at Silverwood.

The team will next compete Saturday (Sept. 18) among 17 teams at the Moses Lake Invitational.

Photo courtesy of Ali Rose

Strung out In what is believed to be the first Tyrolean traverse between the North and South Early Winters spires, Wyatt Southworth of Mazama makes his way across the chasm, about 400 feet above the ground, Sept. 3. Southworth and climbing partner Ali Rose of Scotland fixed anchors atop each spire, then set up the traverse, about 70 yards long. “I timidly went first, seeing as it was my idea,” said Southworth.

“The wind created an audible humming in the rope that reverberated through my harness. Then, I slid off into space.”

Rose was next, also going from the north spire to the south spire – uphill – and a contingent of four climbing buddies followed, going from the south spire to the north. “It was the most exciting thing I have done in a long time,” said Southworth.

Restructured NCW 2B league unveils more teams, less travel

By Mike Maltais The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association reshuffled the game board for Washington high school sports earlier this year and when the pieces were reassembled, NCW 2B teams in general and Liberty Bell High School in particular emerged to some advantage.

The realignment means LBHS teams will have to travel less and

NCW 2B teams will gain more exposure to state finals competition.

The NCW 2B league expanded from 10 to 13 teams, split into North and South divisions. It picked up three schools – Brewster, Lake Roosevelt and Warden – from previous 1A standings, and a fourth, Pateros, from 1B. The only loss was LaSalle that moved up from 2B to 1A competition.

Dependent upon the sport and which schools field teams, Riverside

Christian will also cross over into the NCW 2B as needed to balance league play.

So far, the shakeout for NCW 2B footballs looks like this: Northern Division – Liberty Bell, Oroville, Brewster, Manson, Entiat, Bridgeport and Pateros. Southern Division – Soap Lake, Waterville, Kittitas, Warden, Lake Roosevelt and White Swan.

The volleyball alignment is similar to football with the exception of

Waterville, which jumps to the North Division and Entiat, which migrates to the South Division to join Riverside Christian, brought in to balance the league for volleyball play.

LBHS activities director Mike Wilson outlined how the new alignments will benefit his athletes. “In the past, the burden of travel was weighed against the fringe schools like Liberty Bell over the more centralized schools,” Wilson said. “With the

two divisions in place the centralized schools will have to share more equitably in travel requirements.”

The bonus for NCW 2B schools in general, Wilson noted, “is that the new alignment makes District 6 the largest 2B district in the state. That means at least four of the 16 teams going to State will be from our district,” The alignment for spring sports remains a work in progress.

Young soccer squad working to stay focused

By Mike Maltais The Liberty Bell girls’ varsity soccer team has three nonleague games under their belts and one more to go against Chelan to power them toward their first conference game against Oroville next week.

Coach Mike Wilson’s young team has already seen the backs of Concrete, Omak and Okanogan – winning one game and losing two – and was on the pitch to play Chelan at press time Tuesday (Sept. 14).

The previous Tuesday, Sept.

7, the Mountain Lions hosted a tough Okanogan team deep with senior starters. While the Lions lost the match 5-1, Wilson said the results were better than he anticipated since he fielded a team where six of his 11 starters were freshmen or younger.

Liberty Bell striker Jackie O’Keefe leaps The Lions have only one se- over a Concrete barrier in pursuit of the nior and two juniors on the team ball near the opponents’ goal. In the backthis year, “and none of the three ground, eighth-grade striker Delilah Cupp have played soccer before,” to the game as well,” he added.

Wilson said. “The remaining 12 While Wilson was pleased with his players on the squad are sophomores or younger and two of those are new team’s performance against Okanogan,

Wilson’s opinion, because his team didn’t play with the focus and intensity to win. “We were tied 2-2 eight minutes into the second half,” Wilson said, “and then the wheels came off. In the next 13 minutes we gave up three goals.”

Following the Omak experience, “we had a long discussion” in Wilson’s words, about effort and focus. “You play like you practice,” Wilson said, and by the time Concrete arrived at the LBHS field Saturday (Sept.

11) the Lions’ afterburners were smokin’. Sophomore Sage Abate scored on a penalty kick 39 minutes into the first 40-minute half to put the Lions up 1-0. At the 63-minute mark in the second half, sophomore Jackie O’Keefe scored on an assist by eighthgrade striker Delilah Cupp to put Photo by Mike Maltais moves in to assist. At the 63-minute mark the game out of reach 2-0. That of the second half, the O’Keefe-Cupp duo was no surprise to the coach. teamed up to score Liberty Bell’s second “We outshot Concrete 14 to five on goals,” Wilson said. goal of the game and a 2-0 shutout.

The Mountain Lions travel the game against Omak two days later to Oroville Tuesday (Sept. 21) was a different story. They gave away for their first league game. Play gets the 5-2 loss against the Pioneers, in underway at 5 p.m.

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This week in sports Wednesday, Sept. 15 Hunting: High buck hunt through Sept. 25 (check regs) Thursday, Sept. 16 Volleyball: Bridgeport @ LBHS 5pm Friday, Sept. 17 Football: LBHS @ Bridgeport 7pm Saturday, Sept. 18 XC running: LBHS @ Moses Lake Invite 3:30pm Volleyball: Waterville @ LBHS 11am Tuesday, Sept. 21 Soccer: LBHS @ Oroville 5pm Volleyball: LBHS @ Oroville 5pm

Got sports? call Mike at 997-7011

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Methow Valley News

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Page B2

More Sports

Soap Lake slips past Mountain Lions 40-7

Sports briefs Equestrians score at Yelm

By Mike Maltais SoapLakebrought an effective running offense with a strong passing quarterback to their non-league game against the Liberty Bell Mountain Lions last Friday evening (Sept. 10).

The Eagles took advantage of some holes in the Lions’ defense to capitalize on several running and passing plays for touchdowns and twopoint conversions.

While the game ended in a 40-7 score in favor of Soap Lake, a number of wellexecuted plays by coach Rick McCauley’s young team gave Photo by Mike Maltais notice that the Moun- Liberty Bell running back Cesar Dominguez car- gained about a yard on the play but the Lions tain Lions have made ries the ball on a third-and-goal attempt late in ended up turning the ball over to the Eagles on progress since their the fourth quarter against Soap Lake. Dominguez Soap Lake’s four-yard line. season opener against Concrete. Positions from quarterback to then doubled as place-kicker and put the line. The Eagles kept the ball on the turf running back, along with defense and pigskin through the uprights for the extra and relied on their ground game to run tackles, had their spotlight moments that point to make the score 40-7, out the clock. illuminated the team’s improvement.

Following the game the coach had speLate in the fourth quarter, Liberty Bell Soap Lake built a steady lead in the threatened again after a 20-yard keeper by cial praise for lineman Peter Sonnichsen’s first two quarters into a 26-0 halftime score Dennis, combined with a 15-yard penalty defensive play. “He had five tackles for a on their running and passing offense. A against Soap Lake, put the ball deep into loss.” McCauley said of the 6-foot, 23550-yard pass play in the third quarter Eagles’ territory. With the ball inside the pound senior. “We were playing with a with a two-point conversion increased it 10-yard line, senior Scott Sprague carried three-man front and he was tearing up his to 34-0. Late in the third quarter the Lions the snap for a short first down gain. An whole side of the line and then tackling answered with a sprint by freshman run- incomplete pass on second down was fol- the guy with the ball.” ning back Cesar Dominguez, who took lowed by a third-and-goal run by DominThe Lions will meet the Brideport a pitchout from senior quarterback Josh guez that gained about a yard. A fourth- Mustangs Friday (Sept. 17) at Bridgeport Dennis around the right end for a 35-yard down pass attempt from Dennis to Justin for their first league game. Kickoff is at gain. On the next play, junior Jonathan McMillan failed to connect and Soap Lake 7 p.m.

McMillan carried the ball into the end took possession on zone on a 15-yard scoring run. McMillan its own four-yard

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The best local news, sports coverage, arts event information & more.

- Annual Subscription Rates Inside Okanogan County: $30 Outside Okanogan County: $40 Outside WA State: $50 Senior discounts available Published weekly since 1903 PO Box 97, Twisp, WA 98856 (509) 997-7011 www.methowvalleynews.com

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Competing in the highest level equestrian event offered in the Northwest, two local riders made good account of their appearance at Yelm earlier this month.

Tulie Budiselich of Twisp and Kameron Smith of Winthrop were among 280 riders who took part in dressage, show jumping and cross-country Sept. 3-5 at the 240-acre Aspen Farms Event near Yelm.

Budiselich, 14, in her first competition on the 7-year-old thoroughbred, Forest, guided the gelding to a fourth place in the junior novice division. Smith, 16, rode to a seventh place in junior beginner novice on Buttons, an Appaloosa/ thoroughbred/Percheron mare owned by Methow Valley Riding Unlimited.

Hunt bucks, birds, bobcats September is the kick-off month for several big- and small-game hunting seasons throughout the region.

Early archery deer season got underway on Sept. 1 and continues through Sept. 24, followed by the early muzzleloader deer season that begins Sept. 25. The 10-day high buck hunt in the region’s wilderness areas is coming up Sept. 15 and will continue through Sept. 25.

Forest grouse – blue, ruffed and spruce varieties – were also fair game as of Sept. 1 as were mourning doves.

The season for small game including bobcat, fox, hare, rabbit and raccoon had a Sept. 1 opener statewide as well.

Young hunters who want to give bird hunting a shot will get their chance during a special youth-only bird-hunting season Sept. 25-26. Shotgunners under the age of 16, accompanied by a non-hunting adult at least 18 years of age, can hunt for ducks, geese, partridge, pheasant and quail.

Farm-raised rooster pheasants will be released prior to the two-day season at selected sites. More details are available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/pub.php?id=00884

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Methow Valley News

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Page B3

News of Record

District Court John Andy Neuneker Jr., 32, from Carlton pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault.

He was sentenced to 180 days with 178 suspended and fined a total of $833.

Okanogan County Sheriff

neighbor’s property saw a light on, maybe flashlights, or maybe a car, or maybe someone night hunting.

Sept. 9 THREATS: A woman in Winthrop received a letter that seemed like a death threat.

Sept. 10

Sept. 7 CLEAN: Report of landlords cleaning out a trailer in Winthrop, including possessions belonging to the late resident.

ROCKS: Report of rocks on Highway 20 in Twisp.

TAMPER: A woman in Twisp reported someone tampered with her vehicle two years ago.

BURGLARY: Someone stole a riding mower, chainsaw and push mower from a storage shed in Twisp. The lock was torn off the door.

Sept. 8 HIT-AND-RUN: There was a hit-and-run near the post office in Twisp.

SIGNS: Someone damaged four “No Hunting” signs at a location in Winthrop.

BURN: People were burning things illegally on the East County Road near Winthrop.

LIGHTS: A person keeping an eye on a

Compiled by Sue Misao

ledge, watching.

HARASS: A person was using Facebook to threaten to assault another person.

ACCIDENT: A car hit some corrals and a bale feeder on Balky Hill Road, then drove away.

LOUD: A loud party on Wolf Creek Road was, as previously stated, loud.

a roof to set up a bugging device to eavesdrop on someone else in Twisp.

Sept. 13 RACE: A Camaro was accused of racing up and down the Twisp Airport runway.

STALKING: A woman in Twisp said a man was stalking her.

SUSPICIOUS: A dark-colored pickup drove very slowly, late at night, with no lights on, through the trailer park in Twisp.

ITEMS: Someone was taking items from the home of a person who died, before the will was presented.

ACCIDENT: A motorcyclist received lacerations after being hit by a running horse on Last Chance Road in Winthrop.

THREATS: A man in Winthrop received a threatening phone message from his ex-stepdaughter in retaliation for an article he sent to her mother.

Sept. 13

Sept. 11

MORE COPS PLEASE: Extra patrols were sent to, or requested by, a motel in Twisp.

BAD CHECK: Someone wrote one in Winthrop.

Sept. 8

Sept. 10

DOG: A dog in Winthrop bit the next door neighbor.

TRANSPORT: A person in Methow needed transportation to the hospital.

THEFT: A thief entered someone’s property and stole a faucet while the owner of the faucet was in the hospital.

DEATH: A person on Gold Creek Road died.

Sept. 14 FOLLOWED: A woman in Twisp said a man followed her from out of state.

Twisp Police Department

Winthrop Marshal’s Office

Sept. 7

Sept. 8

FRAUD, TRAFFIC HAZARD, HARASSMENT: It all happened in or near Twisp.

Sept. 12

Sept. 9

ACCIDENT: An unoccupied vehicle was seen on its side on Wolf Creek Road and Highway 20 in Winthrop.

SUSPICIOUS: A woman on Lost River Road reported several males sitting on a

MISCHIEF: Someone did something mischievious at the Twisp park.

Sept. 12 BUGS: Someone was accused of climbing

BURGLARY: An office in Winthrop was entered through a locked, and now damaged, door.

Sept. 11 LOST: A brown checkbook was lost in Mazama. Also two pens.

DEER: A deer became injured on Highway 20 in Winthrop.

Service Directory

Service & Health Directories ~ Deadline for ad placement & changes is Friday at 5 pm for insertion in the next Wednesday’s paper.

Directory ads are $8 per column inch. Additional charges may apply for color. To have your service listed please call 997-7011.

ATTORNEYS

CONTRACTORS

EXCAVATION, cont.

IRRIGATION

PEST CONTROL

ROOFING, cont.

WATER WELL SERVICES

SMALL ENGINE REPAIR

TWISP FEED & RENTAL AUTO PARTS/TOWING

Beaver Creek Well Services, LLC Professional Service Since 1998

New water system installations Solar/generator alternatives Irrigation pumps & meters Pump & system repairs Well testing Jim & Jake Whipple

ROAD BUILDING / GRADING / GRAVEL EXCAVATOR / BACKHOE / DOZER ROCK WALLS / TOP SOIL / SAND SEPTIC / WATER & MORE

509-997-6394

PROPANE SALES

“WE DIG IT!”

509-997-2219 • 800-253-0269 BEAVECW940R2

#MCHUGEI036KL

SHULL’S TOWING

www.hiltonconstruction.com

“We buy wrecked cars”

TWISP FEED & RENTAL

Auto Wrecking • New & Used Parts Hours: M-F 8am-5:30pm; Sat 9am-1pm

Brewster

WELL DRILLING

FEED DEALERS

1-800-822-5761

All your excavation & construction needs.

996-2884 cell 509-322-3032

Feed, Seed, Ranching, Fencing & Garden supplies Rental Equipment & Small Engine Repair

TREE SERVICE

Over 20 years local experience

PALM*GL125P6

www.palmconstructioninc.com

997-3621

Corner of Highway 20 & 2nd Ave., Twisp

GARBAGE COLLECTION

Full Service Garbage Collection

BUILDING DESIGN

Reasonable rates, flexible pickup schedules GRAVEL & SAND

ALL

YOUR BUILDING NEEDS Boom Truck

Boom Truck Services Available Brian Baseler, General Contractor

509-923-2477 Lic. #BYROCI*01OJE

Watch

ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED FREE on site estimates #WHISTWD920D5

Caretaking, Security, Cleaning/ windows Landscape / handyman

997-8862

Owner/Operator, Rick Bynum 509-997-0650 Cell: 509-322-4970

Licen./Bonded/Insured

For All Your Concrete Needs

MVM QUALITY DRILLING

996-2435

casconcrete@methownet.com

RECYCLING

STORAGE

Horizon Flats, Winthrop EXCAVATION

THE DIRT DOCTOR

WE DELIVER North Valley Lumber

996-2264 www.nvlumber.com Horizon Flats, Winthrop

32 years well drilling experience in the Methow Valley

996- 2883

Specializing in Concrete

BUILDING SUPPLIES

Well Drilling

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

House

BYRO CONSTRUCTION • Foundations • Slabs • Daylight Basements • Retaining walls • & More

Whistle’s

Complete Excavation Service 509-996-2033

WATER WELLS & PUMPS AIR ROTARY DRILLING PROMPT, HONEST & PROFESSIONAL

HEATING & COOLING

GEOLOGIC SITE ANALYSIS

STOVES

Quadra-Fire • Vermont Castings Dovre • Pads & Pipes

Longest Continuous Service in North Central Washington

Cascade Pipe

Owned & Operated by: Marshall & Charles Miller Lic#: MVMQUDLO33MM

Twisp Mon-Sat 8-5:30 997-0720

TAXES

PATEROS SHOP (7-8:30am)

923-2073

ROOFING

Locally owned and operated since 1995

TOLL FREE (888) 682-1010

MEMBER: BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU • WA LIC. #DOUGHE1003JN

BREWSTER OFFICE

689-0909

ALL VALLEY INSULATION, LLC Office (509) 422-0295 Cell (509) 429-0417 Installed Insulation & Garage Doors

CHELAN OFFICE - 682-1122

B & B Excavating, Inc. Backhoe Dozer Dump Truck Excavator

www.mvmqualitydrilling.com

997-0082 Lic. #BBEXCI*000PL

Serving the Methow Valley for Over 25 Years

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Page B4

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Methow Valley News

Classifieds CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING - 997-7011 E-MAIL TO frontdesk@methowvalleynews.com All classifieds to be prepaid.

Weekly: $6.75 for 15 words or less. $8.75 with email or web site address.

20 cents for each additional word.

Deadline: Monday, Noon. CLASSIFIED SPECIAL: Buy 3 weeks and get 4th week free. No refunds or changes please.

Classified display ads: $10.00 per column inch. Deadline: Friday, 5 p.m.

Deadline for LEGAL NOTICES: Friday, 5 p.m.

Directory FOR SALE ................................10 YARD SALE ..........................14 FARM EQUIPMENT ..............15 AUCTIONS ............................16 REAL ESTATE ..........................20 MOBILE/MFD. HOMES ........22 FOR RENT ............................24 WANTED TO RENT ..............25 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ..30 EMPLOYMENT .........................31 WORK WANTED ..................32 SERVICES ............................34 CARS & TRUCKS .....................40 RVS .......................................42 ANIMALS ..................................50 LIVESTOCK ..........................52 HORSES ...............................54 PETS .....................................56 MISCELLANEOUS ...................70 WANTED ...................................75 THANK YOU .............................80 COMMUNITY EVENTS .............83 PERSONALS ............................85 FREE .........................................90 LOST & FOUND........................95

10.................................FOR SALE

PELLET STOVE. Quadra Fire-Mt. Vernon. 60,000 BTU. Cost $4,500.

Now with thermostat & accessories - $1,200. 509.997.4904.

21 LUNDGREN RANCH raised beef steroid and hormone free. Half or whole, also individual cuts will be available at the ranch in June. All USDA inspected. 5-lb boxes of hamburger patties ready now. Our family has been ranching in the Methow Valley since 1956 raising quality beef. Call 509.341.4178 or 509.996.3494.

20 LASER PRINTER, Lexmark E322 monochrome (for PC), cable, manual. $50.00, 509.997.7011, ask for Marilyn.

5tf MRR BUILDING MATERIALS (new and used). Open May 1 through Oct. 31, 10am to 4pm, Thurs. and Sat. 104 Wagner St. (first street to the west, south end of bridge, Hwy 20, Twisp. Donate, Buy, Become Inspired. It’s all here.

For more info, call 509.997.5643 or go to www.methowresourcerecovery.org .

18 ATTENTION GARDENERS/ Landscapers: Topsoil, manure, 50/50 “mixed”, sand, gravel, road material and excavating services. Eagle Excavating, licensed and bonded/Hank Rogers 509.997.6302.

20 14............................ YARD SALES

MOVING SALE. Sat. only, 9-5.

Household items, furniture, dishes, clothes, sports equipment. 628 Bigelow, Twisp.

18

14................... YARD SALE. Cont.

MOVING SALE. 20 years of stuff – all must go. Tools, yard equip., baby things, furniture, too much to list. 221 Squaw Crk. Rd., below town of Methow. Fri.-Sun., 8-?

18 MOVING SALE. One day only, Sat., Sep. 18, 9-2. Cheery sofa, blue glider & ottoman, dining table/6 chairs, freestanding closet & storage units, etc. 302 Methow St., Twisp.

18

24.............. REAL ESTATE, Con’t.

24.................... FOR RENT, Con’t.

24............. EMPLOYMENT, Con’t.

STATEWIDE ADS, Cont.

H I S T O R I C WAT E R F R O N T Ranch. 64 acres near Twisp. 1,500 feet of creek front. Restored farmhouse, large barn and outbuildings. Excellent water rights and soils, year-round pond. Peaceful.

Sustainable. Irreplaceable. Please s e e w e b s i t e : w w w. o l d s c h o o l houseranch.com for more information. 509.997.0819.

10tf

BY OWNER APPROX. 4.8 wooded acres, large upper building site developed with power, well, septic system, with phone service available. Full hook-up RV site. Backs to USFS land, road maintained by county. $97,750. More photos and info. available. Cell 509.679.8873.

13tf

3BR 2BA HOME, on Burgar St., Twisp. Great for family, looking for long-term rental, great neighborhood, large garden space, all appliances, wood/baseboard heat, recent remodel.

No smoking, pets negotiable, references required. Avail. now - $750/month, plus damage deposit. Call or e-mail for details and photos: greerg5@comcast. net - 206.795.1564.

18 OFFICE SPACE available in Winthrop commercial area. 300 sq ft. w/ ½ bath - $250/mo., utilities included. 1st month rent free. Call 360.378.4802.

18 WINTHROP 3BR 2BA. D/W, W/D, electric & propane heat, pets negotiable - $750/mo., avail. Sep. 1. 509.341.4018.

18

OKANOGAN COUNTY Electric Cooperative Inc has an immediate job opening for a clerical staff person. Previous office experience and computer knowledge a requirement. Must be able to multi-task and have good communication skills. Please submit resume to Office Manager, Okanogan County Electric Co-op Inc, PO Box 69 Winthrop WA 98862 or drop off resume at 93 West Chewuch Rd, Winthrop WA. EOE. 18 WANTED: WAITPERSON experienced in fine dining service. Call John at Tappi. 509.997.3345. 19 NANNY WANTED. Childcare experience (toddler) preferred.

CPR trained (or willing to obtain), professional references, non-smoker. 20 hrs/wk, pay DOQ. 509.996.3339.

19

Supplies Won’t Last! 1-866-339-7449 MISC FOR SALE FASTER INTERNET! No access to cable/DSL? Get connected with High Speed Satellite Internet. Call now for a limited time offer from WildBlue -- 1877-369-2553 NEW Norwood SAWMILLS- LumberMate-Pro handles logs 34” diameter, mills boards 28” wide. Automated quick-cycle-sawing increases efficiency up to 40%! www.NorwoodSawmills. com/300N 1-800-661-7746 Ext 300N

20.......................... REAL ESTATE

34.................................SERVICES

PUBLISHER'S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777.

The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

CALL ME! Tree service, rigging, falling, topping, on-site chipping, 60’ bucket truck available.

Dennis Jones, 509.997.2007, 449.1022 cell.

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MOST AFFORDABLE riverfront access. 1 ac. W. Chewuch Rvr views. 200 yd. path to 300+ ft. of riverfront private beach.

Screamin’ deal! $89,000 terms.

Anne Eckmann, Agent, Blue Sky Real Estate. 509.421.7127. 21 FSBO: (2) DOUBLE residential lots on Marble St. in Twisp. Close to proposed river trail. Sewer on site, water avail. $55,000 and $59,000. 509.997.1011.

21 11,000 SQ. FT. double lot in Twisp on Twisp Avenue. $52,500. Water and sewer on site. 509.997.2424.

19 10 ACRES N.WINTHROP, high bank river frontage, prime location.

Well and power. 509.422.0516.

20 W. CHEWUCH RIVERFRONT. Beautiful riverfront lot w/750 sq.ft. yurt and bathhouse. All utilities are in, and wireless - $289,000. Call 509.996.4400 or www.kristindevin.com/yurt. html .

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EDUCATION-INSTRUCTION ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from home. *Medical, *Business, *Paralegal, *Accounting, *Criminal Justice.

Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial aid if qualified.

Call 866-483-4429; www.CenturaOnline.com EVENTS-FESTIVALS ANNOUNCE your festival for only pennies. Four weeks to 2.7 million readers statewide for about $1,000. Call this newspaper or 1 (206) 634-3838 for more details.

FINANCIAL LOCAL PRIVATE INVESTOR loans money on real estate equity. I loan on houses, raw land, commercial property and property development.

Call Eric at (800) 563-3005. www.fossmortgage.com HELP WANTED WARM, CARING HOST FAMILIES needed for high school exchange students. Volunteer today! Call 1 (866) GO-AFICE or visit afice.org.

30 ...BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES 24................................ FOR RENT

FOR LEASE: (2) 550 sq ft offices/ shops - $600 month each, on Hwy 20, Twisp. New energy efficient building, great visible location, great parking and signage. Each has handicap bathroom, individual heat pumps for heating and cooling. 509.668.0908.

21 2BR 2BA WITH LOFT in Edelweiss. All appliances, community pool, close to bike/ski trails, pristine condition - $800/mo.

509.996.9897, cvrv@centurytel. net .

18 BEAUTIFUL VIEW! Brand new! On the river in Winthrop. 2 office spaces now available with high-speed internet, fiber optics, plus common kitchenette and conference room. Chewuch Professional Bldg., 509.996.2820.

3tf PRIME LOCATION, TWISP! Cascade Center next to NCNB, office space for rent. Two units left - from $200/mo.Call Andy at 509.997.3262.

7tf HOMES FOR RENT. 3BR 1BA w/garage in Twisp - $650-675/mo.

Twisp PDA, 509.997.3300.

18 HOUSE FOR RENT. W. Chewuch.

2BR on sunny sm. acreage. 1BR in loft. Peaceful, artistic - $680, 1st/ last/dep. 509.996.9969.

20 EDELWEISS CHALET, 3 bedroom, W/D, Wood and Elect. Heat, Storage, $ 750 no dogs/smoking, 360.779.8008.

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FOR SALE. THE Outdoorsman in Winthrop. Hunting, fishing, camping and gift supply store.

Great location and great lease.

All reasonable offers considered.

509.996.2649.

19 DAILY BUSINESS in Twisp. Office products, art supplies and copy services for the Methow Valley. $170k + inventory. As part of the business purchase the Twisp building is available by lease or sale. Call 509.996.3493 to speak with Jerome or Kim. 33 31......................... EMPLOYMENT

C O N F L U E N C E G A L L E RY, Twisp, seeks Administrative Assistant with strong computer skills.

Part time, temporary, Oct. thru’ May. Details at www.confluencegallery.com .

18 ADMIN ASSISTANT: Part time (3 days min) office support for John L. Scott - Methow Valley. Strong customer service skills, computer and Microsoft applications, QuickBooks, and internet required.

Immediate availability is a must.

Salary DOE. Call Linda Schmal at 509.996.3360. Email resume to lindaschmal@johnlscott.com . 19

visit us online www.methowvalleynews.com

MVN, pg 4

40..................... CARS & TRUCKS

1994 FORD EXPLORER Sport2 door, 4x4, 5 speed, 6 cyl., P/W, P/L, plus 4 snow tires - $2000 OBO. 509.449.2351.

15tf 44.......................MOTORCYCLES

2006 SUZUKI DR-Z 125. $950.

Helmet, boots, accessories also available. 509.996.2897.

18 STATEWIDE ADS ADOPTION ADOPT -- Adoring couple, Doctor & Lawyer promise your baby unconditional love, laughter & happiness.

Expenses paid. 1-800-933-1975

HELP WANTED -TRUCK DRIVERS REEFER DRIVERS NEEDED? Experienced Drivers and Class A Commercial students welcome! Our incredible Freight network offers plenty of miles!

1-800-277-0212 www.primeinc.com DRIVERS -- Company Drivers Up to 40k First Year. New Team Pay! Up to .48c/mile CDL Training Available.

Regional Locations. (877) 369-7105. www.centraldrivingjobs.net REAL ESTATE 20 ACRE RANCH Foreclosures only $99/mo. $0 Down, $12,900, great deal!

Near Growing El Paso, Texas. Owner Financing, No Credit Checks, Money Back Guarantee. Free Map/Pictures 800-343-9444 ARIZONA big beautiful lots $89/mo. $0 down, $0 interest. Golf Course, Nat’l Parks. 1 hours from Tucson Intl’t Airport. Guaranteed Financing.

No credit check Pre-recorded msg.

(800) 631-8164 code 4044 www.sunsiteslandrush.com

BUILDINGS STEEL ARCH BUILDINGS Huge Savings on some of our Summer Clearance Buildings Selling for Balanced Owed plus Repos. 16x20, 20x24, 25x30, etc.

2.7 Million Prospects.

One Phone Call.

Reach 2.7 million Washington newspaper readers for as low as $1,250 per ad.

IMPACT AD SPECIAL

997-7011 360.659.1300 Learn how it works, call (509)

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Methow Valley News

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Page B5

From Back issues 20 years ago – September 13, 1990

Compiled by Paul Butler

80 years ago – September 12, 1930

The Gas Stream illustration

Absolutely beautiful – is the only way to describe Bob and Doris Allen’s 1918 Cadillac.

They won the trophy for having the Best Antique.

40 years ago – September 17, 1970

Town Of Twisp Needs Dump Between now and October 1st the town of Twisp faces the near impossible task of finding a new garbage disposal site.

The owner of the present site, Bernie Brunson, told the council at last week’s meeting that he has set a fee of $400 a month for the use of his property, if used by rural and town residents.

If only the town uses the dump, the fee would be $200 a month.

The town’s lease with Brunson expired on Sept. 1st.

Mayor Ralph Ferguson and the council explained that the town does not have the money.

100 years ago – September 16, 1910

Editorial

60 years ago – September 14, 1950

The Chesaw News, speaking of the principal issues before the people of Okanogan county in the present campaign, says of county division: “The county at large would doubtless concede to letting the Methow country, which is naturally isolated from us, cut loose, provided they will confine their boundaries to the Methow watershed and leave the Okanogan intact.”

Lines from Mick’s Scrapbook “Who’s the stranger, mother dear?

Look, he knows us – ain’t he queer?”

“Hush, my own, don’t talk so wild – He’s your father, dearest child.”

“He’s my father? No such thing!

Father died away last spring!”

“Father didn’t die, you dub – Father joined the fishing club. but now the season’s over, so he, Has no place to go, you see.

No place left for him to roam – That is why he’s coming home.

Kiss him – he won’t bite you, child – All those fishing guys look wild.”

PUD and state in court over timing of powerline appeal

By Marcy Stamper Hurry up or wait? The PUD is seeking to accelerate the appeals of its condemnation of state land for its Methow transmission line, while the state and an environmental organization want the case to be put on hold until after a Supreme Court ruling.

The Washington Supreme Court has agreed to hear the commissioner of public lands’ argument that the state attorney general must represent him in an appeal of the ruling permitting the PUD’s condemnation of state land for the powerline. Oral arguments are set for Nov. 18 in the Supreme Court.

The Okanogan County Public Utility District is asking that the appeals court speed up the case because state law requires eminent domain proceedings be handled as expeditiously as possible. Moreover, costs resulting from further delay in building the powerline would be “shouldered by the PUD and its ratepayers,” according to the PUD’s motion.

The state “seeks to suspend the schedule for these cases until at least 30 days after the Supreme Court has issued a decision” as to whether commissioner of public lands Peter Goldmark can compel the attorney general to represent him in the appeal, according to its motion. The PUD seeks easements for the transmission line across 12 miles of land managed by the Department of Natural Resources.

Conservation Northwest, which intervened in the case to preserve DNR’s discretion to manage school trust lands, is not only rejecting the district’s request to speed up the hearings but, like the state, is seeking a stay in the appeal until after the Supreme Court ruling.

“DNR is currently unable to pursue its appeal at this time because of an unprecedented disagreement between DNR and the attorney general’s office relating to the attorney general’s statutory and ethical duties to represent DNR in this appeal,” according to the Conservation Northwest motion. “It would be prejudicial to both the State and CNW to allow this appeal to proceed without the State being represented by counsel.”

In its response, the PUD rejects Conservation Northwest’s claim that Goldmark does not have legal representation, since another attorney was engaged to file the Supreme Court lawsuit and the attorney general’s office prepared the motion in this case. The PUD argues that the motions filed by the state and Conservation Northwest are simply one more tactic to delay the powerline.

The PUD has also appealed the Superior Court judge’s original granting of intervenor status to Conservation Northwest in February.

In addition to hearing the motions for an acceleration or stay, the court will consider the timeliness of the PUD’s appeal of Conservation Northwest’s status. The PUD filed the appeal in June, outside the standard 30-day deadline, according to Washington Court of Appeals court clerk/administrator Renee Townsley.

The hearing on whether to accelerate or suspend the appeals, on consolidation and on timeliness was Sept. 8 before Commissioner Joyce J. McCown of the state Court of Appeals, Division 3. The time necessary for a ruling depends on caseload and complexity of the case, but is generally not more than a month, according to Townsley.

Study shows thinning works

trees during wildfires.

The study, conducted by the U.S. Forest A study of the tree survival after the 2006 Service and the University of Washington, found Tripod Fire has concluded that thinning tree that fuel treatment of even a few acres protects stands and removing surface fuels from forest older trees that are desirable for their timber, floors can reduce fire severity and protect older wildlife and carbon-storage value.

Researchers compared untreated stands with treated stands in an area of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest affected by the Tripod Join your Methow friends & neighbors at the Fire, which burned 175,000 Methow Conservancy's annual acres. They found that more than 80 percent of trees in untreated areas were killed in the fire, while in treated areas only 60 percent were killed, and three-quarters of large trees Saturday, September 25th with diameters larger than 2pm to 4pm eight inches survived.

17 Bean Road “The objective of fuel treatments is not to eliminate (off E. County Road) in Winthrop wildfires, but to reduce their intensity in areas,” said Dave Peterson, co-author of the Music a Food a Activities for All Ages study.

Bring a container to take cider home!

The study was published M ethow in the August issue of Canadian Call 996-2870 for more info Conservancy Journal of Forest Research.

By Ann McCreary

You're Invited

Cider Squeeze

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MVN, pg 5

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Page B6

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Methow Valley News

Judging cookies at the fair – dream job for the detail-oriented

By Marcy Stamper Being a judge of baked goods at the county fair sounds like a dream job, and doubtless there is no shortage of people who presume they would bring consummate skill to the task.

“I would consider myself a good candidate for a cookie judge because I’ve eaten a lot of cookies over the past 58 years,” said Twisp resident Kelly Donoghue, who signed up after perusing the goodies in the Home Ec barn last year.

Janis Henry, who spends summers in Conconully, also brought impeccable credentials. “I’m 82 and I’ve been eating all my life,” she said, adding that, with a large family, she had vast experience cooking and baking. Bill Gagne started out life as a baker but was less active in the kitchen

“I hope I’m not tasting pickles just prior to tasting cookies,” he said.

Conconully summer resident Shirley Ballard uses sugarfree applesauce as her refresher.

“Otherwise, by 5 o’clock, you really have a sugar high,” she said.

Donoghue took his responsibility seriously – but with flexibility – reporting for duty at the judges’ table fresh off a flight from Hawaii. “They may throw me a curve and I end up on the pie panel. It’ll be entertaining, at any rate.”

The half-dozen judges who assembled Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 8) were indeed entertained, but the job was more demanding than one might surmise. They shuffled stacks of evaluation forms for different sweets, with sponge, angel and yellow cakes on one

Photo by Marcy Stamper

There were 730 flower entries in the fair this year. until his recent retirement, which affords him time to try out new recipes for the senior center.

Judges employed different methods for cleansing the palate between tastings. Omak resident Ella Houston said she keeps water and dill pickles at the ready to get a fresh start on each sweet, although she conceded, “If it’s really good, you have to try it again.” But Donoghue was not anticipating vinegary palate cleansers.

sheet; muffins on another; and candy and pie on their own forms. All judging had to be completed that day.

After evaluating each characteristic, the judges reached a consensus. Is the aroma delicate and pleasing? Does the angel cake have a tender, velvety crumb? Is the candy characterized by uniform, symmetrical pieces free of large sugar crystals? Are the quick breads free from tunnels?

Twisp residents Larry and

Jayne Schrock contributed their efforts as registrants. For people who had pre-registered, it was fairly straightforward, but some categories were harder to pin down. “There’s an entire category for snickerdoodles,” said Jane, and others for molded, pressed and refrigerator cookies.

By mid-afternoon the Schrocks had checked in about 100 entries, but many more items came in after school and work ended. The biggest categories were doughnuts and cookies (176) and quick breads (94), with another 130 sweets in other divisions.

The Schrocks also oversaw the arrangement of cookies and slices of cake and bread on small Styrofoam trays and assigned a number so the entries were anonymous. All judging at the fair uses the Danish system, where each item is evaluated on its own merits and not compared with the others.

Over in the canning division, the criteria blended science and aesthetics. “You don’t taste anything that’s sealed,” said Erica Bell, a long-time canner who lives near Bridgeport.

Instead, judges verify that the processing time on the label is appropriate for the altitude and the food, using a comprehensive list of elevations for Okanogan and surrounding counties.

Bell said interest in canning has increased as people economize by growing and preserving their own foods. “If you’re poor, you can anything that stands still long enough,” she said.

Bell learned to can from an old-timer from Wyoming who grew up eating bear, but said the process has become simpler. “Today, pressure canners are so good that they no longer explode, spraying glass on the ceiling or in the curtains. And they raise the temperature so high that it kills off the bacteria,” she said.

Canned meats were not hotly contested this year – there was only one entry – but the division had almost 300 entries overall, with the heaviest competition in canned fruit, jams and dried foods.

Unlike the tasters, who sample everything as it comes in, the floriculture panel waits until all the dahlias, marigolds and other blooms have been dropped off before they start judging. They had 730 entries this year.

The fair hires judges for livestock, but most other divisions rely on volunteers. Laurie Morgan, superintendent of the Home Ec barn, said they need many volunteers to make the fair a success. “Anybody in the community can be a judge,” she said, although they look for people with quilting or canning experience for those divisions.

In addition to recruiting judges, Morgan relies on volunteers for displays and paperwork. She also coordinates shifts for people to oversee the barn when the fair is open. “You need judges for everything,” she said. “Some are there till midnight.”

Photo by Marcy Stamper

Kelly Donoghue of Twisp takes his judging responsibility very seriously.

Vroom!

Far away from the cookie judges, Gavin McAuliffe of Twisp imagined riding on one of the tractors on display with old restored farm machinery.

Photo by Mike Maltais

Real Estate PUBLISHER'S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise "any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women

and people securing custody of children under 18.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free telephone number for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

Let the

Methow Valley News help sell your home or property.

Advertise with the source that people rely on when making their property investment choices.

Call the Advertising Dept. today to see how we can help you get the exposure you need!

(509) 997-7011

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MVN, pg 6

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Methow Valley News

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Page B7

Community Obituaries Kenneth (Kenny) Mark Addis

Photo by Sue Misao

All together now....

They may look serious, but local fish expert and singer songwriter Ken Bevis, left, and internationally known traveling musician Dana Lyons, right, got the au-

dience laughing at Confluence Gallery last Friday as they led the audience in a sing-along about cows, or lawn mowers, or maybe it was RVs.

Childbirth education class offered

An eight-week childbirth education class will be offered for pregnant women whose babies are due in November, December or January.

Taught by Blue Bradley, CNM, Adrianne Moore and Nimmi Chandwaney, the

class will cover topics such as hormones, labor, support, interventions, newborn and postpartum basics, breastfeeding, cloth diapers and more.

The first class is Tuesday, Sept.

28, from 6-8 p.m. The series runs through Nov. 16.

Cost is $120, and expectant moms can bring their partners (or anyone they choose) at no extra charge.

For more information or to register, call Blue at 341-4256.

Senior news The rummage room runneth over from all the yard sales and I think everyone is doing their fall house cleaning (except me). So, we are passing on our overstock of goods to you by dropping the price to $1 a bag, and keeping the free pile full.

Also, we have been getting a lot of unusable stuff

(garbage). Please get rid of that yourself; don’t give it to us.

We have two pretty wedding gowns, size 6-7, sealed up and in great condition, for $25 each. What a deal!

There were three birthdays the first of the month that I know of: Howard Brewer, Dorothy Johnson

Senior menu Thur, Sept. 16: Chili with cheese, green salad and tomatoes, corn, chilled pears, corn bread, cookies.

Fri, Sept. 17: Sausage gravy and biscuits, hash browns, mixed vegetables, sliced tomatoes, cherries, frosted cake.

Mon, Sept. 20: Chicken and dumplings, cuke and tomato salad, broccoli cuts, whole wheat bread or roll, fruit cobbler Thur, Sept. 23: Deluxe cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and onion, vegetable pasta salad, melon, frosted cake.

Senior Center lunch prices: Seniors (60 and over): suggested donation: $3.25 All others: $7.50

School menu Mon, Sept. 20: Pancakes with syrup, egg patty, hash browns, fruit, milk.

Tue, Sept. 21: Roasted turkey deli sandwich, ’tater tots, fruit, milk.

Wed, Sept. 22: Chicken patty mozzarella, bread sticks, salad, fruit, milk.

Thur, Sept. 23: Bean soup with ham, seasoned roll, salad, fruit, milk.

Fri, Sept. 24: Tacos, salad, corn, fruit, milk.

and Martha Imes. Happy birthday! Hope you had good celebrations.

The Winter Sale is Oct. 2 (Saturday), and will run through the next Saturday, and then the Halloween Sale will start.

Not much news this week.

Rosalie Hutson

Kenneth (Kenny) Mark was a stand-up comedian and Addis, 81, passed away July a master of ceremonies. After 26, 2010, at home in Twisp, his military service, he worked with family and friends by as a salesman for the Wells and his side. Kenny was born in Wade Ski Shop. He worked for Snyder’s Bakery as a Wenatchee, Jan. 13, driver-salesman for 1929, to Kent and 33 years, and many Evelyn (Amsden) Adpeople came to know dis. He spent his early him as “Buns” and/or childhood in Chelan “Cupcake.” After reand Waterville, then tiring from Snyder’s, moved to Tacoma he drove school bus with his family, where for the Methow Valley he attended Stadium School District. It was High School. He was Kenny Addis his favorite job; he active in sports, club activities and school politics. enjoyed the students and watchHe moved to Wenatchee in ing their sporting events.

While in Chelan, he was 1948, and graduated from supervisor for the Chelan TeenWenatchee High School.

He was the first president age Club. Kenny was member of the Wenatchee Teenage Club and past president of the Lake and its supervisor, before being Chelan Junior Chamber, Golf called into the United States Air Club, and the Lake Chelan Ski Force. After four years, he re- Club. He was a member and ceived an honorable discharge vestryman for the Lake Chelan with the rank of sergeant. While Episcopal Church.

On June 23, 1984, he marin the service, he traveled with a group of performers entertain- ried Carolee Anne Porter in ing at colleges, service organi- Twisp, where he made his home zations, and nightclubs. Kenny until his death. He loved to fish,

Jim Gerlach On Aug. 24, 2010, the Methow Valley lost a true friend and a believer in maintaining our way of life with the passing of Jim Gerlach.

Jim was born Jan. 8, 1940, in Encinitas, Calif., to parents who were amateur horticulturists and practicing amateur magicians. His early life was filled with weekly in-home magic, and his formative years proved him to be a man of the earth. He was actively involved in FFA, 4-H, sheep raising and gardening. As he grew, he developed a unique interest in architecture and apprenticed with Bruce Goff, who was a contemporary

of Frank Lloyd Wright. One has preservation of water rights only to look at Jim’s home to see and power dispersion.

Jim could at times be his creativity.

Jim was well traveled, stubborn and curmudgeonly, but those who knew having crossed Euhim knew a friend rope and visited many with a heart of gold. countries in the MidHe will be missed dle East. Jim was an on his daily haunts excellent cook, and around the valley. He for years owned and was a good man and ran Riverside Ribs in we who knew him Winthrop. He started are honored to have in the valley with the had him in our lives.

Forest Service, then A memorial potluck with OK’s Cascade, Jim Gerlach will be at Jim’s home all the while doing architectural projects for val- at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept 30. ley homes. He was a staunch Bring any remembrances that advocate for valley safety and you wish.

Bounce back from your money woes Have you received NSF check notices? Do you feel like you’ll never be able to get ahead enough to make a down payment on a house, pay college tuition or build an emergency savings account? If so, you’re not alone – and Community Action wants to help by offering free workshops that include budgeting, credit repair and basic money management education.

“Bounce Back” money management classes will focus on setting up and maintaining a monthly budget; contacting creditors when you can’t pay a bill; disputing a bad credit report; and protecting yourself from predatory lenders.

Classes are free at 424 Second Ave. N., in Okanogan, on Tuesday (Sept. 21) and the following Tuesday, Sept. 28, from 1-3 p.m.

To register or for more information, call (509) 422-4041 or 1-877-641-0101.

Learn how to buy your first home Do you dream of owning a home?

Residents of Okanogan County who would like to become home owners are invited to attend a free seminar designed to help prepare potential buyers for home ownership and to avoid mistakes often made by first-time homebuyers.

Topics covered in this free workshop include: • The steps to homeownership • Owning vs. renting • How much can you afford?

• Selecting a loan program • Down payment and closing costs • How to shop for a lender and real estate professional • Foreclosure prevention and early delinquency intervention • Fair housing and predatory lending The seminar is at Community Action, 424 Second Ave., N., in Okanogan on Saturday, Sept.

25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (509) 422-4041 to register.

Weddings, births, obituaries, bat/bar mitzvahs, engagements, significant anniversaries, 90th birthdays, graduations, family reunions, and that sort of thing: Send it to sue@methowvalleynews.com

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ski and golf, and enjoyed nature with his wife and daughter. He had an exceptional relationship with Carolee and wanted to be with her and share every moment.

He is survived by his wife Carolee (Porter) Addis of Twisp; daughters Jenny Addis of Twisp and Mary Ann (Jim) Bettner of Port Ludlow, Wash.; son Mark Addis of East Wenatchee; granddaughters Jamie Bettner of Delray Beach, Fla., and Kirsten (Ben) Addis Juchmes of Malaga, Wash.; grandsons Jeffrey Bettner of Bremerton and Jonathon (Erin) Bettner of Delray Beach, Fla.; sister Audrey Thomsen of Bonney Lake, Wash.; two great-grandsons; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and a few dear friends. Kenny was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Aero Methow Rescue Service, P.O. Box 66, Twisp, WA 98856 (aeromethow.org).

MVN, pg 7

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Page B8

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Methow Valley News

Valley Life

S TAT E S I D E SLOVENIAN SKI GURU WORKING AT WINDOWWITNESSES WHACK BY WAYWARD OWL. Wi n d o w - 1 , Owl-0.

Bob Spiwak Mark Waechter, ski sharpener for the Slovenian Olympic team, reports that a small owl smacked into the kitchen window on Monday morning about 05:45. “I thought it

was odd for a bird to hit the window [in the dark] and turned on the porch light to make sure the resident bear wasn’t trying to smack his way into the kitchen for breakfast...”

“When it was light I saw a dead bird on the bench just below the window,” says Waechter. He noted a small owl, 6 or 7 inches. He consulted his Audubon field guide and found that it was probably a Northern Pygmy Owl. “Last year a Merlin (small falcon) came to an end in a similar fashion.”

Concluding, Mark states that if anyone wants to see a dead pygmy owl, “Just give me a hoot.” Be careful you don’t get a citation, too, Mark.

Speaking of things bouncing,

Ann Diamond, athletic director of the Mazama Sports Coliseum, mentioned in passing that she was considering a basketball tournament before the weather turns wintry. The huge multi-sport outdoor complex could be used, considering all the little children that now abound up here, for games of shuffle-kid when the surface ices up.

More Brushes with Stardom. A friend sent a column from the Rhode Island Journal written by a fella named Patinkin. The article described in detail how to speak in Rhode Islandese, where the “R” is omitted from the ends of words and frequently from the body as well. You have all heard the expression, “Have-uhd Yaad.” Same

thing, adjoining state.

This column was forwarded to Claire Bunney and Jay Lucas, the latter a native Rhode Islander, and Claire sent a response to the author, noting that her boyfriend was walking through the house looking for his khakis. She suggested the closet, where pants reside, then found she did not understand: Jay was looking for those slender implements most folks call car keys.

Anyhow, Patinkin wrote back to her, stating essentially that he was unabashedly stealing her response to use at a future time.

And that is the current Brush With Staaaa-dum.

In last week’s Labor Day car

count, we made note that for the first time there were no continual streams of vehicles going by the automotive observatory here in West Boesel. Came to find out that there was a cop directing traffic at the main intersection in Winthrop. This is but the second time I have been aware of this phenomenon, and, by golly, it is a good one and long needed. More than a tip of the hat is deserved to the Marshal’s office for instituting this function. Not only does vehicular traffic move more smoothly, so, too, does the pedestrian wanderings at the crosswalks, where many of us have waited for a severe accident, especially when the sun is low in the west. Good work, guys.

The valley thanks you.

The Methow Store The Methow store holds memories That often we recall As we old timers in life’s autumn Just dream about it all.

corner

poets’

It has served the needs of people Throughout its many years.

Some came here with a vision Much stronger than their fears.

It has stood the test of nature When the wind began to blow.

The summer sun and lightning And the winter’s driven snow.

And now it still is standing With a countenance so fair.

‘Tho it has had some changes – A facelift here and there – Us old timers with our memories We can close our eyes and see This store in all her beauty Just like she used to be.

By Harold Otto, step-uncle of the late Wayne Luft Wayne’s comments: “As you drive through the town of Methow, slow down and take a good look at the Methow Store. It has a false front on both ends, and on the highway side, the building front is cut at an angle.

The store building was built in the town of Squaw Creek about 4 miles down river from Methow Town and 2 miles up Squaw Creek, where in the late 1800s a mining boom was on. W.A. Bolinger built the store, and when the mining boom came to an end, he had the store moved to the town site of Methow in 1899, where it has been from that time on. He had a fellow cut it in three sections and skid it to Methow. A fellow by the name of John Truax did the moving for a measly 30 bucks. But in those days, thirty dollars was a lot of dough to a bunch of broke old timers.

When the store was put on its lot, the main highway was on the opposite side of the building. That’s how it got its false front on that end.

In later years the highway changed to its present location and so as not to have to move the building, and to conform to the highway right of way, they just cut off the end of the building at an angle and built a false front on that end.

So next time you’re driving through Methow, take a good look at this building. After all, it’s been there over a hundred years. They have made one improvement to the store building. They put in a side door for the people who don’t know which end is which.”

Wa r n i n g : Reading the Carlton news can be disturbing. I mean I only just started and already I’m disturbed.

Meanwhile, Sue Misao welcome to Carlton, where the coffee is always from today. And happy birthday to all the Virgos, who seem to think being a Virgo is somehow important enough to talk about amongst themselves for insanely large chunks of time until finally some random Sagittarian changes the subject to anything more reality-based. Many Virgos will leave the room at such a

Photo by Sue Misao

Flapper & Dapper Linda and Wayne Mendro helped inaugurate the somewhat open-air dance floor at TwispWorks on Saturday, when Miss Rose and her Rhythm

Percolators performed vintage jazz and the local citizenry dressed the part for an evening of 1930s nostalgia.

I love going to the Okanogan C o u n t y F a i r.

Congratulations to everyone from the valley who participated.

I arrived after noon on opening Sally Gracie day, Thursday, just in time to see the market class “swine” judging in the “Swine (hereafter called “piggies”) Barn.”

The finalists in the class, eight or nine young people, used their canes to keep their piggies in front of the judge, who kept saying things like, “Any one of these animals could win” and “All of these [piggies] are wonderful.” Still, he had to choose – “This was really a hard decision” – as he selected the Grand Champion and Reserve Champion.

Thirteen-year-old Emmett Fink and his piggy Pigger Pie, both of Winthrop, were in the final group.

Bidding was intense at Saturday’s auction when Pigger Pie – and all his 287-pound blue ribbon beauty – was sold to a Winthrop company.

How ever do the kids keep their

piggies so clean?

On to eat a roast beef sandwich at the Okanogan Beef Growers place.

Then I went into the Crafts building and looked through the glass at the baked goods. Judy Brezina of Carlton won three rosettes and five blue ribbons for her entries: Grand Champion and blue for her buttermilk sourdough in the “Best Yeast Bread” category; blue for candied ginger scones; blue for Snickerdoodles; Special Award and blue for Linzer cookies, and Reserve Grand Champion and blue for a rum raisin sour cream walnut apple pie (this recipe also won at the Pateros apple pie event).

Looking at these entries displayed under glass leaves a lot to be desired.

Judy told me that her pigs had a nice apple pie dessert when the fair ended. And the chickens got the bread! Betty Vintin of Twisp won a blue ribbon for her beautiful blue and white quilt (machine-pieced, handquilted) in an original pattern. She was awarded Grand Champion for her “Log Cabin” wall hanging, and blue ribbons for two other hangings, “Flying Geese” and “Quick Trip.”

In the same hall, Tarrie Darwood’s family took several blue ribbons for their flowers, including echinacea, amaranth, strawflower, sunflower, and roses. Caring for the flowers was a family enterprise shared by

her husband Ken, and sons Carter and Rian.

Somehow I skipped the 4-H barn, but general leader of the valley’s 4-H Cascaders, Suellen White, told me that valley kids won lots of ribbons for their vegetables, flowers and baked goodies.

In the Grange building, I found the Twisp Valley Grange showcase, designed to the theme “Planting Hope for the Future.” If you ask my unbiased opinion, our Grange’s display deserved a first, not the third it was awarded. Same thing happened last year!

Outside and over to the feathers and fur, and the sheep and goats.

One little girl’s lamb lay down and wouldn’t budge. Another tiny girl and her tubby little goat were walking on the grass until the goat took off to see the midway. I ran into Ani Black (who lives close to Okanogan but has loads of friends over here). I had just missed her daughter Laila Kent’s winning third in an event with her lamb, Simon, a Suffolk-Hampshire.

This breed appeared to be the favorite this year.

I enjoyed my afternoon at the fair, but next year I hope to see a food vendor from the valley. Maybe Crown S Ranch? Thomson’s Meat?

And more quilts, flowers and baked goods from the other talented people here. Let’s resolve to be there!

suddenly awkward moment, though it was not our intent. Or was it? If you go searching, you will find the Virgos out on the lawn, naming all the other Virgos they know. Why are there so many of you?

The final burst of tourist season brought the usual traffic snarls and beachfront crowds to Carlton last week. All the public benches were full up, so there was nowhere to sit.

If I can’t sit, I’m staying home. The local residents hid in their local cornstalks until they got too weirded out by the local earwigs. Everything is local here. My dog is local. This scar on my left thumb is local. Well it is now, anyway. Local grumpies shooed local wolves toward town to frighten the numerous odd-shaped tourists savoring the final death throes of their summer vacations.

But now it is done with and all the

Virgo conversations have started up again and they probably won’t end until the first frost, when the hunters begin eyeing my front yard, thinking it is wild, unoccupied open space with probably a deer in it.

In America, according to the National Organization for Women, about three women every day are killed by their intimate partners, and, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, nearly five children are killed every day by abuse. I know that’s not very cheery, but it adds up to about 3,000 innocent victims each year. If we gathered them all together in one spot and killed them all on a single day, maybe the entire nation would call that spot “sacred ground” and televise a ceremonial reading of their names, and the vice president would show up and everyone would call them “heroes.”

To make it festive, we could blame it on the Muslims, who just celebrated the end of Ramadan with Eid, which everyone knows is code for IED. But back to Carlton. We are gleeishly anticipating the future: a better, more fabulous impending Carlton with extra fringy stuff around the edges, frilly bits you might say, blue perhaps, to go with the sky, which we like.

Some people take these Methow blue skies for granted, but I’m from California and sometimes the uber blueness here is almost scalding, the way biting into a freshly picked California orange can be. We all have our extraordinary color experiences.

Well, it’s late and I have to get up early in the morning so my dog can have a stick removed from her belly. Don’t ask.

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MVN, pg 8

Kip and Celeste Roberts just returned from a canoe trip on Myrtle Lake, in BC. Kip had done this trip once before, with Dwight Filer and Rick Rozell, so Ashley Lodato he was surprised to see the new improvements made at the put-in: wheeled canoe portage trailers to help with the 1.5-mile portage down to the lake.

It was a windy and rainy trip about half the time; whitecaps on the lake, ominous and omnipresent storm clouds, downpours, thunder, and lightning. Kip says he and Celeste had their lighting-a-fire-with-wet-wood skills tested, but the inclusion of an axe in their camping gear (thanks to Rick for the reminder!) was instrumental in their nightly fire building.

The weather cleared for the last few days of the trip and the Roberts enjoyed the spectacular scenery, moose, and grizzly signs. The winds were finally favorable and they even got to sail down the lake on the last day.

Linda Kimbrell and Linda Robertson had a memorable mother-daughter trip to London and Ireland with Andi Kimbrell and Skye Robertson in late August. Andi had just finished an internship through Boston University in London’s theater district, so the other three flew over to London for four days of seeing shows and sights before embarking on a 12-day trip to the Dingle Peninsula in southwest Ireland. The four women spent a week hiking 90 miles of the Dingle Way, which weaves through sheep farms and along dramatic cliffs looking out toward some islands.

Then everyone else flew home except Skye, who is now studying Eastern European politics at University College London, after attending the American University in Paris for 18 months. Skye plans to host her first houseguests pretty soon: Claire and Mariel LeDuc. After a summer of working long hours at the Mazama Store, the LeDuc sisters will slow the pace a bit with a trip to Europe.

The first event at the TwispWorks last Saturday was filled with guests wearing 1930s-inspired garb. Mark Wenzel in his turquoise pinstripe zoot suit was a sight to behold – sort of David Byrne meets Skye Masterson – as was Linda Mendro in her white flapper dress and feather boa. But if you haven’t ever seen Joanna from Poppy Jo’s in her full fox stole (we’re talking head, paws – the entire fox!) and sleek pheasant cap, well, you need to get out more often.

Mazama: Bob Spiwak 996-2777 or badwater@ centurytel.net •Winthrop: Ashley Lodato 996-3363 or ashleylodato@stanford alumni.org •Twisp: Sally Gracie 997-4364 or sgracie@centurytel.net •Carlton: Sue Misao 9977011 or sue@methow valleynews.com Submit poems for Poets’ Corner to MV News poetry editor Eileen “Sam” Owen, samjohn373 @methownet.com or P.O. Box 1217, Winthrop, WA 98862 Poet’s Corner is published in the 3rd issue of the month