CRREADER.COM • Vol. XVI, No. 4 • July 15 – August 15, 2019 • COMPLIMENTARY Helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region at home and on the road
SQUIRREL TALES
Essay by Robert Michael Pyle
BLAZING SADDLES BAKED BEANS
People+Place
Horseplay Equestrians on the River
page 32
COLUMBIA RIVER
dining guide
the n i o j . club.. me Welco o ld! e f to th
CRR COLLECTORS CLUB
EVENTS • BOOKS • SUBSCRIPTIONS We’ve recently added two wonderful new CRR series and reprised our popular historical chronicle, Michael Perry’s “Dispatch from the Discovery Trail.” Adding writer and filmmaker Hal Calbom, creator of “People+Place,” and renowned naturalist Robert Michael Pyle to our stable of monthly contributors prompted many of you to ask:
“Can we subscribe to the Reader and not miss a single issue?” We’re listening! We’ve responded to your suggestions and are introducing a bonus: a line of CRR-published and distributed books. Welcome to our latest innovation: the CRR Collectors Club. We’re not just celebrating the Columbia River lifestyle and good reads — we’re collectible!
LEWIS AND CLARK REVOLUTIONIZED
What really — truly — happened during those final wind-blown, rain-soaked thirty days of the Lewis and Clark Expedition? Southwest Washington author and explorer Rex Ziak revolutionized historical scholarship by providing the answers: day by day and week by week. We’re delighted to offer In Full View, and Rex’s other two books, one with an extraordinary fold-out map, as our inaugural offerings from CRR Collectors Club.
IN FULL VIEW Rex Ziak
Announcing a special subscription program which includes a host of other benefits to membership, including special events and author access, book signings and readings, as well as the convenience and efficiency of monthly home delivery.
ENJOY THESE CRR REGULAR FEATURES $29.95
A true and accurate account of Lewis and Clark’s arrival at the Pacific Ocean, and their search for a winter camp along the lower Columbia River.
EYEWITNESS TO ASTORIA Gabriel Franchére
THE READER COMES HOME!
$21.95
The newly edited and annotated by Rex Ziak version of Franchére’s 1820 journal, Narrative of a Voyage to the Northwest Coast of America in the Years 1811, 1812, 1813 and 1814, or The First American Settlement on the Pacific.
Alan Rose Books • Miss Manners Civilized Life • Marc Roland Wine Alice Slusher Northwest Gardening • Tracy Beard Out and About Ted Gruber and Greg Johnson Astronomy Debra Tweedy Quips & Quotes • Tiffany Dickinson Happenings Perry Piper Lower Columbia Informer • Ned Piper The Spectator Dr. Bob Blackwood Movies • Columbia River Dining Guide CRR Readers Where Do You Read the Reader?
CRR EXCLUSIVES AND CONTINUING SERIES People + Place
Hal Calbom’s photos and interviews
The Natural World
Bob Pyle’s essays and commentary
Lewis and Clark
Michael Perry’s Dispatch from the Discovery Trail
Annual subscription: 11 issues $55. Order by mail using the form below or via credit card or PayPal on our website www.crreader.com. Questions? Call 360-636-3097.
CRR Press 1333 14th Ave. Longview, WA 98632
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DOWN AND UP Rex Ziak
$18.95
A unique fold-out guide mapping day-by-day Lewis and Clark’s journey from the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean and back. All book orders to include shipping and handling charge. All book and subscription orders to include, if applicable, Washington State sales tax. 2 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
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I
t never surprisesbut always pleases me when common threads show up during the production process — weaving the tapestry, so to speak — to create each issue of CRR. I’d forgotten that Tracy Beard’s scheduled Out & About story this month would be on horseback riding in the Columbia Gorge. And who knew that this episode of Dispatch from the Discovery Trail would focus on Lewis and Clark’s desperate need for horses to help them cross the Rockies? The timing of our People+Place feature on Susan Wellington and the Oregon Equestrian Trails folks was a coincidence, too, a happy accident. It’s an equine convergence! Welcome to CRR’s first “horse issue.” In honor of this and our local county fairs and rodeos being in full swing, not to mention barbecue season, I’ve renamed one of my signature dishes “Blazing Saddles Baked Beans.” (This is intended as a high-minded tribute to the classic movie and not a lowminded reference to the effect of too many legumes.) And I’m sharing the recipe, adapted (secretly) years ago from one I came across in The Joy of Cooking. It is ultra simple but always prompts compliments and second helpings.
Publisher/Editor: Susan P. Piper Columnists and contributors: Tracy Beard Dr. Bob Blackwood Hal Calbom Alice Dietz Joseph Govednik Ted Gruber Jim LeMonds Michael Perry Judi Fouch Peters Ned Piper Perry Piper Robert Michael Pyle Marc Roland Alan Rose Alice Slusher Greg Smith Debra Tweedy Janice Youra Production/Graphics Manager: Perry E. Piper Editorial/Proofreading Assistants: Merrilee Bauman Tiffany Dickinson Michael & Marilyn Perry Ed Phillips & Laurel Murphy Debra Tweedy
Sue’s Views
Combine all items except bacon and and place in casserole or crockery pot. Lay bacon strips, overlapping, to cover top of bean mixture. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 2 hours or longer, covering with a lid if beans begin to dry out or bacon burns beyond a light char.
of CRR. You wouldn’t want to ruin your good tablecloth. Especially if, by chance, it’s Grandma’s tapestry.
Warps and wefts, hoofs and goofs
Keep them warm on the way to your block party or family reunion by wrapping the pot in back issues
ON THE COVER Members of the Columbia County Chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails and their horses romp along the Columbia River at Diblee Point Beach near Rainier.
See story, pg. 19
Photo by Hal Calbom Blazing Saddles Baked Beans: Recipe above,
Cover Design by
Columbia River Reader is published monthly, with 15,000 copies distributed free in the Lower Columbia region. Entire contents copyrighted by Columbia River Reader. No reproduction of any kind allowed without express written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, not necessarily to the Reader.
Advertising Manager: Ned Piper, 360-749-2632
Submission guidelines: page 28.
Columbia River Reader, llc 1333 14th Ave • Longview, WA 98632 P.O. Box 1643 • Rainier, OR 97048 Office Hours: M-W-F • 11–3* *Other times by chance or appointment
Ned Piper 360-749-2632.
Website: www.CRReader.com E-mail: publisher@crreader.com Phone: 360-749-1021
Blazing Saddles Baked Beans
Makes about 12 servings. 5 - 15-oz. cans plain pork & beans, drained 1 /3 cup brown sugar 1 /3 cup molasses 2 /3 cup ketchup 1 med. onion, chopped 1 /2 green pepper, seeded and chopped 3 stalks celery, chopped Tabasco sauce (a few drops or lots more) 1 /2 lb. sliced bacon, cut into 3-inch strips
General Ad info: page 15
CRREADER.COM Visit our website for the current issue and archive of past issues from 2013.
Subscriptions $55 per year inside U.S. (plus $4.40 sales tax for subscriptions mailed to Washington addresses). See form, page 2.
By the way, a tapestry is probably not the best metaphor for CRR. Tapestry is a form of textile art, traditionally woven by hand on a loom, in which all the warp (crosswise) threads are hidden in the completed work, unlike regular cloth weaving where both the warp and the weft threads are visible.
If the “warp threads” represent mistakes, not all of ours are hidden in the completed work. Thanks to the sharp-eyed readers and others who report our typos and mis-speaks. We love knowing you are reading this closely! Please see last issue corrections, page 4. I hope you are having a fun summer, with plenty of time to “horse around!”
Sue Piper
Columbia River Reader . . . helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region at home and on the road.
In this Issue 2 4 7 9 10 11 13 15 16 17 18 19-22 23 23 26 27 28-29 30 30 31 32 33 34 34 37 38 38
CRR Collectors Club Miss Manners Dispatch from the Discovery Trail ~ A Critical Time Me & My Piano ~ by Judi Fouch Peters Biz Buzz Medical Matters Roland on Wine ~ All about AVA’s Northwest Gardening ~ Mind the Gap Out & About ~ Squirrel Fest Museum Magic ~ Bring the Whole Herd! Quips & Quotes People + Place ~ Happy Trails: Susan Wellington People+Place Recommended Books Essay by Robert Michael Pyle: Squirrel Tales Besides CRR, What Are You Reading? Cover to Cover ~ Bestsellers List / Book Review Outings & Events Calendar / Farmers Markets Lower Columbia Informer : Greetings from South America Mt. St. Helens Club Hikes Movies by Dr. Bob Blackwood Lower Columbia Dining Guide Astronomy ~ The Sky Report Out & About: Equestrian Explorations in the Gorge Provisions Along the Trail: Twisted Summer Pasta Salad Where Do You Read the Reader? The Spectator ~ On the 18th on the 18th Plugged In to Cowlitz PUD: It Is Your Power Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 3
Civilized Living
By Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am an adult who is not on any social media. My theory is, if you love me, you’ll call me. I don’t feel the need to see what everyone is doing 24 hours a day. With that being said, I have friends who feel they have to check their phones during dinner “with the girls.” I sat the other night with three grown women continually checking their phones, showing me pictures of people I don’t know or care about. I go to dinner with friends to be with them, not their phones. Apparently it showed on my face, because one of the girls called me the next day to see if I was OK. I did not say anything; I know I should. I realize that they feel social media is important to keeping up with people, but there is a place and time. GENTLE READER: One friend did call you when she saw that you were upset. Of course you should have told her — instead of Miss Manners — why. You should tell all of them. It is not insulting to say, “Well, I really would like to be with you. Can we have a no-phones meal where we can talk without interruptions?” DEAR MISS MANNERS: Should one place money inside when giving a gift of a wallet or purse? GENTLE READER: No. Even if Miss Manners did not already object to cash gifts, she notes that it is preferable to make a present look new, rather than lived-in. And to avoid leaving the recipient with the fear that he has picked your pocket. DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a widower, dating a woman who is also widowed, for the past year. Our relationship is casual for the time being, but may grow into something more down the road. We only see each other about twice a month because of distance and family obligations. She has been invited to her grandniece’s wedding and asked if I would be her plus-one. Now, I have never met the bride or her family. Am I under any obligation, as a plus-one, to give a gift to the bride and groom? GENTLE READER: Presents are not, strictly speaking, mandatory, but when they are given, the general custom is: one
invitation, one gift. Your date’s present is therefore sufficient to cover you both, although you might wish to ascertain — discreetly — if her attachment to you is sufficiently strong to motivate her to append your name on the card. This is best done indirectly, by telling the lady that, as you do not yet know the bride or bridegroom, you would like to contribute to her present, relying on her knowledge of what the recipients would appreciate.
Letter to the Editor / Corrections Correction The Reader overlooked identifying Kris Lange, of Castle R o c k , Wash., the employee s h o w n with Kevin Moehnke in last month’s People+Place feature. Moehnke’s company, Mountain Log Homes, provided materials or worked on parts of the cabin and picnic structures pictured in the article; they are located at McMenamin’s Kalama Harbor Lodge and adjacent Park operated by the Port of Kalama.
Love this section! Difficult to govern a nation of 246 cheeses. Charles deGaulle. You have him living to 1946 but he lived to 1970, dying at 79. Roger Amundson Rose Valley, Wash. Editor’s note: Mr. Amundson refers to an item in last month’s Quips & Quotes. “How can anyone be expected to govern a country with 246 cheeses?” ~ Charles deGaulle, French army officer and President of France, 18901946.” Actually, deGaulle died in 1970. We appreciate readers alerting us to needed corrections. We aim for perfection, but are not there yet.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was invited to a bridal shower for my daughter’s friend, given by her mother. The couple is having a small destination wedding, to which we are not invited. The invitation asks for “gift cards only.” I know there are several things that are rude in this situation, but my problem is about responding to rudeness with rudeness. I feel that it would be a personal snub to the bride to skip the event just because it’s tacky. I’m sure that if I told my friends I was not attending for those reasons, they would look at me like I was the rude one. GENTLE READER: And you would be. Why would you want to be rude, when you find rudeness offensive? Miss Manners does not require you to attend this shakedown — oops, shower. You need only decline politely. It is not necessary for you to supply any reasons: just “I’m so sorry, but I won’t be able to attend,” along with your best wishes to the bride. But it is necessary to restrain yourself from broadcasting the real reason cont page 11 to anyone else.
Your Columbia River Reader
Read it. Enjoy it. Share it. Recycle it.
Glass Reminder
Glass only Accepted at Facility - Since Jan 1, 2019 Please bring your glass bottles and jars directly to Waste Control for recycling
Since 2014, the collected curbside recyclable material is no longer sorted, but baled and shipped to various markets, both locally and overseas. It was discovered that a lot of the glass breaks during the baling process, thereby introducing a new contaminant to the baled materials. Broken glass reduces the value of the material the City receives for its curbside material. Please do not place your recyclables in plastic bags
Columbia River Reader is printed with environmentally-sensitive soy-based inks on paper manufactured in the Pacific Northwest utilizing the highest percentage of “post-consumer waste” recycled content available on the market.
4 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
Place directly into your BROWN recycling container
Most plastic bags are a solid color, preventing sorters from seeing the contents. Used needles or other hazardous materials are sometimes found; for safety reasons, such bags are not opened up.
In an effort to serve you better, the City has compiled common information that residents often request, plus created an easy way for you to communicate with us.
Recycling Rule of Thumb:
Got a question? Just Ask Longview!
Reuse or donate if possible, but... When in doubt — throw it out!
- Check out the new and improved -
www.longviewrecycles.com
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Lewis & Clark
A Critical Time for the Expedition: Must get horses! ~ Sacajawea helps
A
fter wasting 12 days trying to get Captain Lewis’ experimental iron boat to float after portaging around the Great Falls in present-day Montana, the journey resumed on July 14, 1805. A week later Lewis saw smoke that he hoped meant Indians were nearby. When Sacajawea began to recognize familiar landmarks, everyone was encouraged. On July 27th, the expedition reached the headwaters of the Missouri at Three Forks, west of present-day Bozeman, Montana. This was where Sacajawea had been taken captive five years earlier, but there was no sign of her people.
Lewis & Clark Encore We are pleased to present
Installment #15 of Michael Perry’s popular 33-month series which began with CRR’s April 15, 2004 inaugural issue. “Dispatch from the Discovery Trail” helped define and shape Columbia River Reader in its early years during the Bicentennial Commemoration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Each installment covered their travels during the corresponding month 200 years prior. We are repeating the series for the enjoyment of both longtime and more recent readers.
AGENT SPOTLIGHT ~
T
Finally, on August 11th, they saw a lone Indian on horseback, the first Indian seen since leaving Fort Mandan four months earlier. Lewis tried to approach, but the Indian turned and galloped away. On August 12, 1805, after traveling 3,000 miles since leaving St. Louis 20 months earlier, the Corps of Discovery had reached the Continental Divide Michael Perry enjoys local history and travel. His popular 33-installment Lewis & Clark series appeared in CRR’s early years and began its second “encore” appearance in April 2018.
Tara Lundin!
ara Lundin grew up in Portland, Oregon, and raised her family there until moving to Cowlitz County in 2006. Before deciding to begin a career as a full time real estate agent in 2007 she did bookkeeping for trucking companies and worked as a full time human resources assistant for a major retail chain.
Since joining the Windermere Team in 2009, she has also worked as a licensed assistant to Sue Lantz. In 2015, Tara and her family moved to Lewis County. Now that her children
are grown, she is listing and selling real estate full time again.
What Tara enjoys most about being a real estate agent is working with people. She has applied her customer service, time management and organizational skills from past experiences to her career today, helping clients achieve their goals of home ownership. Thank you, Tara, for being part of our Windermere Team. Kelso/Longview • 360-636-4663 209 W. Main St, Suite 200 • Kelso, WA
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(the border between Idaho and Montana). There they found a spring believed to be the highest source of water flowing into the Missouri River. They crossed over a ridge and Lewis drank from a stream he assumed, incorrectly, to be the headwaters of the Columbia River.
clothing with the Indians, and went so far as to give them their rifles with instructions to shoot them if it was a trap. Lewis told Cameahwait one of their people, Sacajawea, was with Clark. He also told about York, Clark’s black slave. The Indians were eager to see such a man.
Its not going to be easy! Lewis then went ahead to look for the hoped for one-day portage route between the Missouri and Columbia River drainages. Upon reaching the 7373-foot summit of Lemhi Pass, east of present-day Salmon, Idaho, Lewis “discovered immence ranges of high mountains still to the West of us with their tops partially covered with snow.” He could see there was no Northwest Passage or easy walk to the Columbia River.
Family Reunion Lewis was relieved when Clark and the rest of the party arrived on August 17th. Sacajawea recognized one of the girls as having been captured with her five years earlier at Three Forks, near present-day Bozeman, Montana. The other girl, Jumping Fish, had escaped while being taken to the Mandan Indian villages in North Dakota where Sacajawea was sold to Charbonneau. Even more amazing was the discovery that Chief Cameahwait was Sacajawea’s brother! While Sacajawea had shown no emotion as they neared her homeland, she was very excited when she found both her friend and her brother. Lewis wrote, “she jumped up, ran & embraced him, & threw her blanket over him and cried profusely.”
Lewis realized the fate of the Expedition now rested on their finding the Shoshone Indians and obtaining horses to continue the journey over the mountains and to the Columbia River’s watershed. The previous day, Lewis had seen the first Indian since leaving Fort Mandan four months earlier. Two days later, contact was made with two Shoshone Indians. Lewis gave them a few gifts and, using sign language, convinced them to take him to the rest of their tribe. They soon met 60 warriors on horseback; after seeing the gifts, they welcomed Lewis and his small party. Lewis only had three men with him, so the Shoshone could have easily killed them if they wanted. Chief Cameahwait held a celebration that night. I’d prefer medium-rare The next day, in order to give Captain Clark and the rest of the men time to catch up, Lewis and his men went hunting with some of the Indians. When word came back to camp that Drouillard had killed a deer, the Indians raced off on horses. Lewis wrote that by the time he arrived, “Each Indian had a piece of some discription and all eating most ravenously. Some were eating kidnies, the melt [spleen] and liver, blood running from the corners of their mouths.” Meat was very scarce and the Indians had been living off berries and fish, so they devoured the whole deer without bothering to cook it. Trust but verify? When Lewis told of more white men coming upriver, the Indians became suspicious. They feared an ambush by the Blackfeet Indians. To reduce their anxiety, Lewis and his men exchanged
Sacajawea was the only member of the party who could speak the Shoshone language, but it still took four people to converse – Captains Lewis or Clark would speak to Private Francois Labiche, who would translate it into French for Charbonneau to translate into Hidatsa for Sacajawea to translate into Shoshone. Thus, Sacajawea was the key to obtaining horses from the Shoshone Indians. Lewis was encouraged by the fact there were between 400 and 700 horses grazing around the camp. The survival of the Corps would depend on being able to obtain some of those horses. Next month we will begin the journey across the Rocky Mountains. •••
Original • Local • Organic All about the good life For those who like the crinkle and holding it in their hands! Satisfaction guaranteed or DOUBLE your money back Nice on the nightstand Covers suitable for framing
Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 7
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ME AND MY
Reader Submission
PIANO* *or other instrument By Judi Fouch Peters
P
iano has been an important part of my life since I was 6 years old. I started classical piano lessons in Kelso, Wash., from Verna Foley. After five years, I took two years of popularstyle piano from Don Schaupp, also of Kelso. I had two other piano teachers, briefly, both from Korten’s music store, Billy Tipton and Don Bean. Many times in my early classical years I wanted to stop taking lessons. I pounded the keys really hard, thinking my parents would give in and let me quit. They didn’t! I’m thankful.
At age 17 and a junior at Kelso High School, I started playing old-time music with a violinist every other Saturday night at the Kelso Eagles’ “Over 40 Dance Club.” They paid me $5 per gig and after several years made me an honorary member of the dance club.
Judi Peters at the same baby grand piano, then and now.
After my marriage, one of our moves took us to Cottage Grove, Ore., where — at age 28 — I played old-time music with a group at a senior center once a week for five years. Next, we moved to Klamath I started playing the 8:30am service at Falls, where I also played old-time music Gloria Dei Lutheran in Kelso at age 14. at a nursing home. There, a resident My parents didn’t go to church every named Martin Biehn came to the piano Sunday, so my dad taught me to drive and started singing. He recognized those and I started driving from Mt. Brynion old familiar tunes. The nurses were to Gloria Dei without a driver’s license. amazed. “Do you realize Martin cannot My best birthday ever was the day I talk because of a stroke?” they asked. “But turned 16 and got my driver’s license when you play he can sing!” and was “legal!”
Another move brought us to Longview, where we still reside. Our home contains four musical instruments: The baby grand my parents bought from Korten’s in 1946, which I played on for all my lessons and inherited in later years, along with an electronic piano, an electronic keyboard, and a full-size church organ. I use them all! My mother suffered dementia and was in a local nursing home for a few years. I took her organ there and played old-time music for her and other residents who enjoyed hearing songs from yesteryear. After she died, we donated my mother’s organ to the nursing home.
Since 1979 I have played the organ, piano and keyboard at Stella Lutheran Chapel in Longview. About a year ago, then-interim pastor Elton Zerby (a retired Lutheran pastor, of Kelso) came to the organ one Sunday before church and asked, “Do you think I’ll ever be able to retire?” I told him I didn’t know, but I was still playing the organ for church at age 78 and Pastor Zerby was much younger than I! I saved an article about a lady who was still playing the church organ at age 100 when she decided to retire and gave it to Pastor Zerby to read. You could say, “Me And My Piano” has been a very rewarding and important part of my life. I hope I can still be tickling the ivories when I’m 100! ••• Describe your experience with your musical instrument in 500 words or less and mail to CRR, 1333 14th Ave., Longview, WA 98632, or email to publisher@crreader.com. Note “Me and My Piano” in the subject line and if possible attach or include a current mugshot and/or photo of you with your instrument. Editing services included.
REAL ESTATE TIPS by Mike Wallin
M
Five Myths Too Many Home Sellers Believe
ore than half of today’s home sellers are first-timers, according to Zillow’s 2018 Consumer Housing Trends Report. That’s a lot of home sellers who may not understand the pitfalls awaiting them. To sell your home during your preferred timeline and for the most money: • Fully understand the selling process, from the paperwork to marketing methods • Choose the right real estate agent • Divorce yourself from your emotions • Don’t buy into myths
1. Zillow’s “Zestimates” are accurate. Zillow. com, an online real estate aggregator, turns 13 years old this year. From the beginning, consumers have misunderstood the site’s limitations in home valuation. 2. Real estate agents are all alike. This is the
myth that leads real estate consumers to choose the first agent they speak with, a very common practice, according to studies performed by the National Association of Realtors.
3. Videos are an important aspect of home marketing. While 88 percent of home buyers use
online websites to search for homes, according to a National Association of Realtors survey, only 26 percent say they visited an online video site.
4. I don’t need to replace the appliances, I’ll just give the buyer a credit so he can do it himself.
If you plan on including your appliances in the sale of your home, and they need replacing, do so before the home goes on the market.
5. I don’t need to clean and/or stage the garage. While you will hear a lot about how bathrooms and kitchens “sell homes,” it’s the garage that nearly half of home buyers say is their hot button, according to research from Zolo.com.
https://mikewallin.com/real-estate-blog/5-myths-too-many-home-sellers-believe/
Mike Wallin
Five Star Broker, REALTOR
Highest Rated Locally 360-560-3636 CELL michaelkwallin@gmail.com 1140-11th Ave., Longview, WA By appointment only
To read the full article log onto
www.mikewallin.com
Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 9
Biz Buzz What’s Happening Around the River Biz Buzz notes news in local business and professional circles. As space allows, we will include news of innovations, improvements, new ventures and significant employee milestones of interest to readers. Please phone (360)636-1143 or (503)556-1295 to share the local buzz. Cowlitz AmeriCorps Network is Highlander Place, an Enlivant looking for new members to serve fullcommunity, recently named Maggie time starting Aug. 5 for 11-month terms Anderson its new Community Relations in nonprofits, public agencies, and faithManager, responsible for coordinating based groups, working to fight illiteracy, all community improve health services, help homeless outreach activities Veterans, help children and adults with and events for developmental disabilities, develop atseniors, their risk youth, aid non-English speaking families and families, and more. Adults of all ages professionals. “We and backgrounds may serve others look to Maggie while earning an education award, to to promote our Maggie Anderson attend college; for those 55 or older, it is chief core values possible to transfer the education award of compassion, humility, integrity, to a child or grandchild for college; or excellence, and fun while working with pay for an existing college loan. During the management team and community their term of service, members also referral partners,” said Executive receive a modest living allowance. Director Jennifer Hendrickson in Candidates may pick up the prea press release. Anderson grew up application questionnaire at the in Longview and graduated from LifeWorks office, 906 New York Mark Morris High School. For more St., Longview, Wash., or download information about Highlander Place it at www.lifeworkswa.org. Return Senior Living and/or to schedule a visit, completed forms 8:30am–4:30pm, contact 360-636-2319 or visit www. Monday – Friday. For more information enlivant.com to learn more. call 360-577-5859.
,
10 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
Miss Manners
MEDICAL MATTERS
from page 4
DEAR MISS MANNERS: When we invited our neighbors over for a cookout, one neighbor took an ear of corn and spun it around on top of a stick of butter that was in the butter dish on the table. I have never seen anything like this in my life. Even my kids were shocked. Although it looks to be very efficient, this cannot be acceptable etiquette, can it? GENTLE READER: To mess around in communal dishes? No. Your children are right to be shocked. Miss Manners joins their “Ewwww!” DEAR MISS MANNERS: When two acquaintances passed away, neither had a published obituary anywhere. Not on social media, not at any funeral home website, not in a newspaper, nor any information sent by mail. It made me sad that the story of their lives would go unmarked, but it also made it impossible to send flowers to any service or make a donation of their choosing. Has this become too expensive? Or are obituaries just an old-fashioned custom? GENTLE READER: Death rituals are changing, but what Miss Manners mostly sees is the opposite of your experience: celebratory parties; collections of flowers, balloons and teddy bears; even the re-staging of a favorite activity of the deceased, such as a sporting event. She sympathized back when it was felt that the standard clergy-directed tradition was not personal enough. Speakers were added who could speak about the person’s life, with varying success. Some are skillful in evoking examples of important qualities and charming foibles. Others prefer to talk about how much their late friend admired them. But all this began to turn into entertainment, and now often evolves into celebrations where mourning is supposed to be banished in favor of appreciation. Light memories are part of grieving, but they are not sufficient, especially when the loss is fresh. Miss Manners doesn’t wonder that the bereaved are confused, and may not be up to orchestrating such events. However, ritual is of great importance and comfort when dealing with overwhelming emotion. Without a focus point, there is no outlet to express grief or offer sympathy. What is needed is a combination of the personal, where the individual’s contributions and qualities are recognized, and the traditional, in which the inevitable tragedy of death is acknowledged. There may be amusing moments, but the occasion must be recognized as serious and difficult. What is unbearable is the thought that someone can leave life without a trace. ••• Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@ gmail.com; or via USPS to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
We’re so glad the fireworks are over! ~Ginger
Victoria Findlay’s dog
~Smokey Man in the Kitchen’s cat
Longview Ortho adds hand specialist
L
ongview Orthopedic Associates has added hand specialist Michael Wheatly, MD, to the staff to help deal with a backlog of hand-wrist cases. Dr. Wheatley began seeing patients in May. Kathleen Lappe, LOA’s clinic manager, said that Dr. Wheatley will be at LOA several times a month. He will perform hand procedures at Pacific Surgical Center, the outpatient facility located at 625 9th Avenue at Pacific Surgical Institute, which is also home to Longview Ortho. “I was interested in working at LOA because of the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Lauder,” Wheatley said of A.J. Lauder, who is one of the Pacific Northwest’s foremost hand surgeons.
School before completing a hand surgery fellowship at Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) in Portland. He received Added Qualification in Surgery of the Hand from the American Board of Surgery in 2005. He has worked as a hand surgeon at Shriners Hospital, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, OHSU, and Portland Veterans Administration Medical Center, as well as Memorial Hospital (Colorado Springs, Colorado). He is a member of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, the Oregon Society of Plastic Surgery, and the Reed Dingman Plastic Surgery Society. For more information, contact Longview Orthopedic Associates at 360.501.3400. ••• Former R.A. Long High School English teacher Jim LeMonds is a writer, editor, and marketer who rides his mountain bike whenever he gets the chance. He lives in Castle Rock, Wash. His published books are South of Seattle and Deadfall.
“Thus far, I’ve been very impressed by the helpful, efficient staff,” Wheatley said. Dr. Wheatley completed his undergraduate work in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Michigan. He then earned his medical degree at the University of Michigan Medical
Visit
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Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 11
Theatre
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Courage is a historical tragedy based on true events in Cowlitz County in 189192, when Sheriff Ben Holmes arrests Robert Day for murder and ultimately hangs him. During the eight months of confinement, the men become friends and help each other find the courage to face the worst day of their lives. It explores themes of friendship, family, war, vigilante justice, and overcoming fears. Courage was a finalist in the 2018 Ashland New Plays Festival. An audio version is on the ANPF’s Play4Keeps.org podcast site. The workshop is presented by Theatre 33, a new play development company operating in partnership with Willamette University, with the mission to help Oregon and Northwest playwrights develop their scripts. Performances are in the Putnam Studio Theatre on the second floor of the Pelton Theatre, 900 State St., on the Willamette campus in Salem. Park in the Matthews parking lot located off of 12th Street between Bellevue and State street.
ion about For more informat ase call our ple s, ing current open
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12 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
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Rainier resident Leslie Slape will present her debut play, The Harder Courage, in a developmental workshop Aug. 7-11 in Salem, Ore.
ation at our Pick up an applic es Office: Human Resourc Avenue 1700 South 13th Kelso, WA 98626.
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Roland on Wine
All about AVA’s Start your ‘flavor discovery’ this summer!
I
By Marc Roland
’m sure you have heard the term AVA thrown around in conversations with your wine friends or in a tasting room somewhere. Should you pay attention, or is it wine snob talk that should be ignored? American Viniculture Areas (AVA) are defined as designated wine grape-growing regions in the United States, distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), United States Department of the Treasury. Sound straightforward? It isn’t. For those who set out to create one, it takes years to do the research and document why an area is special and
deserves a designation. The research includes things like soil types, altitude, weather, temperature, wind, and location. And more importantly, how does all this translate into the taste of the wine produced? That is harder to prove, but in my experience there are noticeable differences you can learn to recognize. The greatest motivation for growers to seek an AVA designation is prestige and the increased value of the product. AVA designate wines must have 85 percent of the grapes grown in the AVA and must be made and finished within the state they are grown. This is a plus for consumers because it is a seal of authenticity that the grapes
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were indeed grown in the stated region and that the claims of distinct and unique flavors of the region are indeed worth the higher prices. Many readers may be unaware that wineries may be getting grapes from, for example, California, and then finishing them in Washington and Oregon. I know of several wineries around here that do just that. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with this practice but, in this case, they cannot state on the label that they are Washington state wines. So check the label. Ask your tasting room personnel where the grapes are from. You can’t assume it is local wine. Here is an example of how AVA status can help you appreciate wine more. I have stated in the past that most wines consumed in the United states are corporate wines crafted for the American palate, a bit sweet and smooth with no distinct or interesting characteristics. Again, not bad, but not great. Fine for the after-work wind-down. But if you want to really up your wine drinking game, grab a bottle of wine that says Walla Walla Valley, Yakima Valley, Rattlesnake Hills, Horse Heaven Hills, or Red Longview resident and former Kelso teacher Marc Roland started making wine in 2008 in his garage. He and his wife, Nancy, now operate Roland Wines at 1106 Florida Street in Longview’s new “barrel district.” For wine tasting hours, call 360-846-7304.
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Mountain. Now you’re getting a wine that will speak to you about the place it is grown. There are 14 AVAs in Washington and 18 in Oregon, which have all proven that they are wines of distinction. In Washington, AVAs are kind of confusing because there are sub AVAs nestled into larger AVAs. Take, for example, the Columbia Valley. The Columbia Valley contains the American Viticultural Regions of Red Mountain, Yakima and Walla Walla Valley, Wahluke Slope, Rattlesnake Hills, Horse Heaven Hills, Snipes Mountain, Lake Chelan, Naches Heights and Ancient Lakes, within its borders. With the exception of Lewis-Clark Valley, Puget Sound, and Columbia Gorge, all other growing regions in Washington are sub-appellations of the Columbia Valley, which comprise 90% of all grapes grown in the state. If a bottle of wine says Columbia Valley, it could be made with grapes from all or any one the the sub-appellations. This means that to really learn about the unique taste of regions, you will need to find bottles that are more specific to a sub-region. For you and me, it would take a lifetime to discover and learn what makes each AVA special, but it is worth a try. As an experiment, let’s compare a wine from the Rattlesnake Hills with a wine from, say, Horse Heaven Hills. Find a bottle of Rattlesnake Red from Portieus Winery, Zillah, Wash., and a bottle of Red from Chateau Ste. Michelle from Horse Heaven Hills. Both available at Fred Meyer. Portieus Rattlesnake Red (Rattlesnake Hills AVA) The vineyards of the Rattlesnake Hills are located at a higher elevation with warm days. This climate allows the grapes to fully ripen while retaining a crisp acidity. This gives the wines good balance of structure and fruitforward flavor. Chateau Ste. Michelle (Horse Heaven Hills AVA) Lower elevations and hotter days produce cooked fruit aromas and flavors of plum and black cherry and cassis, with a bit less acidity.
R SENIO
R CARE
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The best way to start your discovery of the flavors of Washington wines is to visit the different AVA’s this summer. Talk to the winemakers and taste their wines. Soon you will become a knowledgable participant in the AVA conversation. •••
Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 13
WE HAVE STAINLESS STEEL CHIMNEY CAPS
Coming in for a landing with baked beans in my briefcase!
14 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
Northwest Gardening
resistant, and is almost as durable as grass for walking on. In fact, with time and patience, this plant could easily be used as a lawn alternative.
Mind the gap
Create a charming garden path Creeping Thyme Illustration from a painting by Swedish botanist C. A. M. Lindman (1856–1928), taken from his book Bilder ur Nordens Flora.
A
s I trudged up the hill from my flower garden to the house one afternoon, it occurred to me that I was wearing a path in the lawn. And suddenly, a new landscaping project was born! My husband was just so thrilled. Not. But I love wandering garden paths or patios made from pavers, bricks, or flagstone, and I could envision — with a little planning — a lovely, welcoming pathway to my flowers. But wait! Why settle for just a hardscape path, when I could soften it with some soft, green, traffic-tolerant groundcover between the pavers? (Big sigh from my long-suffering husband as I shared my vision…) I did a lot of research and talking with nurseries before narrowing down my
list to three possibilities which met my four criteria: 1) Low-growing, ranging from flat to about 2 inches; 2) A vigorous grower but not invasive—I don’t want it growing over my pavers; 3) Must be “stompable” and able to withstand frequent foot traffic; 4) Should be able to grow in full sun to part shade. MY SHORT LIST: Creeping speedwells (Veronica repens) Some are blue-flowered, but the golden creeping speedwell “Sunshine” is the clear winner. Its bright gold foliage and white flowers create a striking and unusual contrast of colors between the pavers. They lose their leaves in the winter but come back like golden sunshine the
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AD DEADLINES Aug15 Issue: July 25 Sept 15 Issue: Aug 26 Free Calendar Listing Submission Guidelines: page 28
By Alice Slusher
next year. It isn’t particularly drought tolerant. Laurentia “Blue Star Creeper” (Isotoma fluviatilis) has tiny green leaves forming a dense mat covered with pale blue flowers in the spring. I’m told it often doesn’t lose its leaves in our climate. It’s really rugged and doesn’t mind being walked on. It’s slower growing, though, and may take a year to fill in the spaces. It also needs weekly watering. Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) There are a lot of hardworking creeping thymes available; they have tiny leaves and are only a couple of inches tall. All of the thymes smell wonderful when you walk on them, and there’s the added bonus of harvesting some as a cooking herb. “Elfin” thyme is a slow spreader but forms low, thick, matted ground-level mounds of soft gray-green leaves. It’s also covered with tiny, lovely lavender flowers in early summer that attract pollinators. Bonus points: Elfin is drought and deer Kalama resident Alice Slusher volunteers with WSU Extension Service Plant & Insect Clinic. Drop by 9–12 Mon-Wed-Fri. at 1946 3rd Ave., Longview, with your specimen, call 360577-3014, ext. 8, or send question via cowlitzmastergardener@gmail.com.
You’ve probably guess by now that my clear winner is Elfin creeping thyme. It has everything I want. Here’s how to get started Observe where you have or would like to have your path. If you have a lot of weeds, deal with that first. Ideally, you should have at least a 2-3 inch gap between the pavers and loose fertile topsoil at least 6 inches deep. Those little plants need room to spread out and for the roots to grow. Since I’m starting a new walkway, I can easily modify it to suit my needs. If you have an existing path, it will be more of a challenge. The sand or soil in existing walkways is often hard and compacted, and you’ll need to dig out and replace the gaps with topsoil. Buy a few flats of your favorite groundcover. Cut apart 3-inch chunks of plants with good roots and plant in the soil about 6-9 inches apart. To keep the weeds out, cover the bare soil areas with a light mulch to keep the weeds at bay. Be sure to water them in well and keep them moist while they are taking root this summer and fall. By next spring they should be growing well, and they’ll only need occasional watering during the summer and intermittent “haircuts” if they spread where you don’t want them to grow. That’s all there is to it. My resignedbut-patient husband is at his desk, plotting out my new walkway on graph paper. I can’t wait to get started! •••
Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 15
SQUIRREL FEST
Nutty Fun
Self-proclaimed ‘giant kid’ schemes all year creating August 17th kids’ activities Columbia River Reader “I’ve been a schemer ever players will receive squirrel since I heard about Squirrel figurines, acorn pendants, Fest,” said Longview and iron-on squirrel patches resident and massage as prizes. therapist Jeni Quiriconi. It Quiriconi “schemes” all year was a new community event between Squirrel Fests to being planned in the spring come up with new ideas. “It of 2011. As a volunteer makes me feel like I’m really Chamber of Commerce a part of Longview — the Jeri Quiriconi Ambassador, she asked, community that accepted me “How can I help?” and was assigned to with open arms.” Moving around a lot help the children’s activity coordinator. during her growing up years, Quiriconi The next year, that person quit. said she was “from everywhere… and “So I just took over,” Quiriconi said. nowhere. She stepped into the role, “because “Longview is the home town that I I’m a giant kid myself. I’m not fond of wasn’t born in.” children themselves, but I like them to have a good time ... and I love ••• squirrels!” Squirrel Fest takes place Aug. 17 in Longview’s Historic Civic Circle. It is Growing up as a “military kid,” organized by Longview Rotary and will Quiriconi said fun opportunities were feature Art in the Park, live music and a often out of reach because of finances. beer garden. And kids’ activities, 10–3. The already-unique Squirrel Fest event Watch for more details in next month’s is made more so, Quiriconi said, by CRR. everything for kids being provided for free… face painting, carnival-style games, the circus activities, and even veggie pizzas, made on site by Lower Columbia School Gardens students. This is thanks to sponsors, donors and volunteers, she noted. Squirrel Fest kids’ activities run 10am–3pm in the northwest quadrant of R.A.Long Park on Longview’s Civic Circle, between the Monticello Hotel and the Library. Squirrel Fest improves every year, Quiriconi said. A good addition has been Circus Cascadia, a non-profit organization in Portland that comes to town and teaches circus skills to kids, including juggling, hula hooping, stilts and even walking on a small tightwire. The first show is a performance by only Circus Cascadia staff; in the second show, kids are invited to participate. New to Squirrel Fest this year is the Squirrel Ninja obstacle course Quiriconi designed to build kids’ confidence. It replaces a previous activity using hay bales and a 75-foot tree-to-tree cable, which was deemed by safety authorities an amusement park-style ride, triggering “a whole new set of rules,” she recalled. “They took away my zip line, so I had to come up with something else.” “Creativity is my hobby,” she said, and she enjoys scouting for and gathering squirrel novelties. This year, game
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16 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
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MUSEUM MAGIC By Joseph Govednik Cowlitz County Historical Museum Director
Bring the Whole Herd!
T
he Cowlitz County Historical Museum (CCHM) will host programming at the historic Bush Cabin at the County Fairgrounds July 24-27 from 11am-7pm. The theme for this year is “Fun for the Whole Herd,” and the cabin will be set up with pioneer farm-themed activities and atmosphere. Every year the CCHM offers activities at the Bush Cabin, with popular events including the kid’s pie-eating contest (July 24 at 1pm), butter churning (July 25 in the morning), kids crafts, toys, and the ever-popular stilts. The Bush Cabin was built around 1863 near what is today Hazel Dell, north of Longview. Edger Bush, eldest son of D.W. Bush, lived in the one room cabin with his wife Catherine Moore Stock and their seven children. In 1953, Stuart Bush (Edger’s son), then CCHM president, gifted the cabin to the
museum. The cabin was dismantled log-by-log, relocated to the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds, and reassembled as part of visitor enrichment and education at the Fairgrounds. The cabin is managed by the CCHM. The CCHM first opened in 1953 and has grown into a premier county museum over the decades. First operating on the 3rd floor of the County Administration Annex, the museum expanded and relocated to its present location at 405 Allen Street in 1979. In the last 40 years, the museum has undergone two major permanent exhibits redevelopments (1989 and 2016), and a building expansion, nearly doubling the square footage in 2003. The museum is open TuesdaysSaturdays, 10-4pm (closed during the Cowlitz County Fair (come see us at the Bush Cabin) and admission is free.
The reconstructed Bush Cabin will be open to visitors during the Cowlitz County Fair, July 24-27, 11am–7pm. To: Centralia, Olympia Mt. Rainier Yakima (north, then east) Tacoma/Seattle
Raymond/ South Bend
Oysterville •
Chinook
•
Grays River
Cathlamet 4
Astoria Birkenfeld
Mount St. Helens
Skamokawa
WestportPuget Island FERRYk
101
101
Pacific Ocean
• Woodland Tourist Center I-5 Exit 21 Park & Ride lot, 900 Goerig St., 360-225-9552
Castle Rock
• Naselle
Warrenton •
Seaside
• Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce Kelso Visitor Center I-5 Exit 39 105 Minor Road, Kelso • 360-577-8058
504
Long Beach
Columbia River
Washington
Vader
Ocean Park •
Ilwaco
VISITOR CENTERS
FREE Maps • Brochures Directions • Information
Vernonia
Longview
Ape Cave •
Kelso
Clatskanie Rainier
Woodland
503
Columbia City St Helens
• Ridgefield
rnelius NW Co ad o R s Pas
To: Salem Silverton Eugene Ashland
Sauvie Island
Vancouver 12
Portland
• Naselle, WA Appelo Archives Center 1056 SR 4, Naselle, WA. 360-484-7103.
Local in
for
Points o mation f In Recre terest Special ation Dinin Events Arts & Eg ~ Lodging ntertain ment
• Pacific County Museum & Visitor Center Hwy 101, South Bend, WA 360-875-5224 • Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau 3914 Pacific Way (corner Hwy 101/Hwy 103) Long Beach, WA. 360-642-2400 • 800-451-2542 • South Columbia County Chamber Columbia Blvd/Hwy 30, St. Helens, OR • 503-397-0685 • Astoria-Warrenton Chamber/Ore Welcome Ctr 111 W. Marine Dr., Astoria 503-325-6311 or 800-875-6807
Col Gorge Interp Ctr Skamania Lodge Bonneville Dam
Troutdale Crown Point
97
Goldendale
• Seaside, OR 989 Broadway, 503-738-3097; 888-306-2326
•Yacolt
Scappoose•
Oregon
Cougar •
Kalama
• Wahkiakum Chamber 102 Main St, Cathlamet • 360-795-9996 • Castle Rock Visitor Center Exit 49, west side of I-5, 890 Huntington Ave. N. Open M-F 11–3.
Maryhill Museum
Stevenson Hood River Cascade Locks Bridge of the Gods
The Dalles
To: Walla Walla Kennewick, WA Lewiston, ID
Map suggests only approximate positions and relative distances. Consult a real map for more precise details. We are not cartographers.
Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 17
Summer greetings from
Thank You
P+P Partner Circle members for supporting excellent journalism and spotlighting worthy community organizations and programs.
Cathlamet Realty West
DEBI TRULL • FALON HOVEN • DAVID NELSON
Join us in Cathlamet! JULY 19-21 BALD EAGLE DAYS
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people+ place For information about joining the Circle, call Ned or Sue Piper
“Sleep better...Live healthier!” We have appreciated serving and giving great health care to our patients in Longview and look forward to serving our patients in our expanded Chehalis location. 1123 S. Market Blvd., Chehalis, WA • 360-807-4131
38th Annual
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Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence. ~Robert Frost, American poet, 18741963
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A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, American writer and philosopher, 1803-1882
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~Anne Frank, German-born DutchJewish diarist, 1929-1945
I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than a success at something you hate. ~George Burns, American comedian and actor, 1896-1996 Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, a charm to sadness, and life to everything. ~Plato, ancient Greek philosopher, 428-348 BC
Longview native Debra Tweedy has lived on four continents. She and her husband decided to return to her hometown and bought a house facing Lake Sacajawea.“We came back because of the Lake and the Longview Public Library,” she says.
18 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
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A monthly feature written and photographed by Southwest Washington native and Emmy Award-winning journalist
Hal Calbom
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people+ place
Happy Trails: Susan Wellington
Money in the Banks
There’s not a conifer in sight. The scene is riverine. The horses munch on the abundant grass, their owners on grilled hot dogs and potato salad.
Hal Calbom
After spending the day traipsing along the Columbia’s banks with an enthusiastic posse of Oregon equestrians, some reflections... The great river is forever the same. It’s wonderful, majestic, and powerful, but it’s still basically a river. It’s the banks of the Columbia that change and vary so much. Some of this is natural. Most of it is us. We carve and re-carve pathways and portages beneath the towering cliffsides. We industrialize and recreate and consume and conserve. We make a religion of “multi-use,” piling up sandy dredge spoils and dubbing them parks. We offer locks and ladders for ships and fish wending their way upstream. We remain relentlessly utilitarian: irrigating and electrifying our potato fields and server farms. The character of the river comes less from what’s in it or on it than what’s astride it — its habitats and history: roads and rails, explorers, hunters, fishermen and horsemen. I read recently that the oldest, longestcontinually-occupied place in the entire continent of North America — the entire continent, no less — is, or was, the Columbia’s very own Celilo Falls. People lived and gathered at Celilo for 15,000 years, continuously, until The Dalles Dam drowned it in 1957.
The banks dividing Cowlitz and Columbia Counties are rich with broadleaf — cottonwood, alder, willow, birch, dogwood — in dense, artful groupings we know as “stands.” Their leaves and limbs blow perpetually in the breeze, dappling the ground below, whispering and rustling. It’s an equestrian kind of place. Walking the sandy soil on the riverbank offers conditioning and builds equine leg strength. The terrain is level, with few obstacles, the river itself invites refreshment and play. Coats shine in the impressionist light, gaits are easy and attitudes companionable. Three horses and their riders amble up the well-worn dirt road amidst all this sun and shadow. For Susan Wellington, who’s been on horses since she was six years old, it’s paradise. S W: I a m t h e F i e l d S e r v i c e Representative for the Columbia County chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails. I’m elected as liason to work with various officials and agencies, in this case mostly the Columbia County Parks Department. HC: Sounds pretty hifalutin’ for a cowgirl. SW: Well, land use is important business, and we want to promote the trails and the environment for horses as much as possible, and promote ridership and horse camping. But yes, I’d rather be on horseback!
more than five miles of equestrian trails, plenty of parking for our horse trailers, picnic tables and sanitary facilities. The park is maintained by the County on land leased from the State Bureau of Lands. HC: What are the particular needs of horse campers? SW: We endorse most of the same best practices as regular campers in terms of leaving campsites pristine
HC: Describe where we are right now. SW: Dibblee Point County Park is about a mile downriver from Rainier, Oregon. It has
Gloria and Bob Rice, of Yankton, Oregon.
NICE TO MEET YOU Susan Wellington resides
In the country near the Yankton Store, outside of St. Helens, Ore. occupation
Retired from a “checkered” career from
The desert in Southern California known for
Causing adventures reading
Whole Heart, Whole Horse by Mark Rashid for fun
Horses, horses, horses recommends
Horses
and observing burning laws, hours, use fees, and so on. For overnighting with horses ideally you have a good source of water, and a couple of corrals for the animals. They need exercise and room after being trailered here. Right now Camp Wilkerson offers the only public equestrian camping in Columbia County. There are six sites cont page 20
Let’s give our somewhat mixed thanks then for these grand banks. When you think “river” think eco-system, that colossal drainage area, those thousands of tributaries and towns. No single physical feature of our natural environment has been so useful to us — for transportation, habitation, nutrition — as our river systems. William Blake said, “Without man, nature is barren.” For better or worse, our river is more than a watercourse. It’s wildlife, it’s people, it’s machinery, and this month it’s horses, scrabbling along these grand banks. It’s us. •••
Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 19
People
cont. from page 19
dedicated to equestrian use, complete with four-horse corrals, water at each site, fire rings, restrooms with showers. and miles of equestrian trails. HC: So Dibblee Point is mainly day use right now? SW: Yes, and the proximity to the river makes it a fabulous site. We’re trying to let people know we’re interested in putting these kind of amenities on this county property. This park is located on 200 acres the county owns, and some state land as well. It can be an overall improvement for the county — this area used to have a lot of illegal dumping and other bad behaviors, off-roaders tearing it up, but now the county has a permanent host here to help oversee use of the park and make it more user friendly. HC: Well, you have lots of water! SW: My horse thinks the Columbia could be a good source of a bath. She was ready to lie down right there.
“ I look around and I know I’m in paradise. I have green g
pasture... apples for the horses to eat later in the fall. This
We’d shown up at noon, after winding our way downstream from Rainier to a modest park set on a few miles of riverbank below the mighty Lewis and Clark Bridge. There are cars and horse trailers, porta-potties, picnic tables and a friendly collection of Oregon Equestrians. Camera and tape recorder in hand, we record the rituals of unloading the animals, saddling them up, acclimating to the site, the pre-game meal. The story presents itself: how truly remarkable it is to celebrate a relationship with the natural environment with these powerful, beautiful animals. HC: This is physically demanding. These are big animals. SW: I have a special three-stage process even to mount up. That saddle will just turn right off her back, so I have a step system to get me up. I had a stroke in 2011 and it affected my left side. And I’ve had two knees replaced and a shoulder repaired from a horse accident. I’m coming off a really serious incident with a runaway horse. I don’t remember exactly what happened, but woke up in the helicopter being transported away from the accident. HC: And you stay with it! SW: You do not do this job lightly! But it’s a lifetime relationship. Like a family. HC: Have horses been part of your entire life? SW: The first horses I was on were probably retired farm horses, I was six years old or so. I’m third generation native Californian, but sometimes in certain company we don’t mention that. I was born and raised in the Coachella Valley, a desert area between Palm Springs and the Salton Sea. It was an agricultural area. My grandfather moved to the desert in the 1920s to homestead desert land, and ended up becoming a date farmer; he helped bring the first dates into the country from Arabia, and pioneered the date culture. He was president of the water district, a pretty significant post in the desert. All the farm and ranch work relied on horses. In high school we moved to Modesto, and it was not until I was out of college and taught school for a couple of years that I got a horse of my own. HC: I like the vision of the retired farm horse and the little girl… same dream today? SW: Oh yes. Right now we have two Icelandic Horses. I have Sonata from Rhythm Hill, the one I’m riding today, who’s 16 years old. The Icelandic naming system gives the horse an individual name and then names the farm where they’re from. Both of my horses were born in the United States from stock imported from Iceland.
People + Place hits the Oregon VISION: To see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.
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community and our famous collection of squirrel bridges! Sat., Aug 17, Longview’s Civic Center. Thanks, volunteers and sponsors, for making this free event possible. Read about Jeri Quiricon, the “schemer” of Kids’ Activities at Squirrel Fest, page 16.
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grass around me, horses out in the ~Susan Wellington s is paradise.
”
HC: Why Icelandic horses?
livestock had the right of way, on county roads, at least. Right now I can ride down my driveway, which is a quarter mile long, turn right and go up a neighbor’s driveway and end up at Bob Rice’s house. Generally we have to ride on county property or get permission from individual property owners to ride on their land.
SW: They’re an elite breed, smaller than our normal horses, but not “ponies” per se. They have five distinct gaits, two more than the usual three — walk, trot and gallop. HC: Do you keep your horses on your own land? How much land do you need?
HC: Is there less and less “free range” land to ride in?
HC: What are the rules of the road? Where can you ride? Can you ride out your front door?
SW: Well there’s no decrease in automobiles, for sure. The county is currently in negotiations to open up the St. Helens Tree Farm for users, as well as bicycles and motorized vehicles which would have their own areas where they could zoom around.
SW: In California, where I lived previously, the rule always was the
HC: Are there conflicts with bikers or hikers? I once reported on a controversy in the Pasayten Wilderness where they proposed putting “diapers” on horses to keep poop off the trail.
SW: You can get by with around an acre for the horse or horses but you need more for the house. I grow grass but not feed. It’s pasture, but I don’t cut it for hay or storage.
SW: No, we get along great with hikers. The people riding mountain bikes fast down the trail do not like a lump in the trail where a horse pooped. They never will, because that is challenging to their skills. So there will always be some conflict. Hopefully it won’t come to diapering. We try to be conscientious and have our horses step off the trail when it’s possible but most horses don’t give you that clue. HC: Is it all walking or do you gallop and trot? SW: Generally we go at a walk. The Icelandics have a special gait called tölting. It’s an extremely smooth gait. They say you can hold a pint of ale on a tölting Icelandic and never spill a drop. HC: Sounds like my kind of mount. cont. page 22 The Columbia County Chapter is part of the statewide non-profit Oregon Equestrian Trails, soon to celebrate 50 years establishing trails and horse camps around the state to benefit all users and to educate on trail and back country use. The Chapter meets on the second Wednesday each month at the Moose Lodge, 57317 Old Portland Rd (near Bennett Rd.), Warren, Ore., at 7pm. Everyone interested in the OET mission is welcome. For more info, contact Susan Wellington, 971-757-0973, or Susanleewellington@yahoo.com.
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People + Place SW: We have 12 chapters in the state, and we actually have a few members from across the big bridge here so we’re not picky about the membership and who joins. HC: How many people in the Columbia County chapter? SW: We have maybe 45 members here in the county, down from about 80. Our group is getting a little older and there is an age where equestrian activities become challenging because of the physical demands. HC: What is this place to you, personally? SW: We have a lot of forest riding inland, in Camp Wilkerson towards Vernonia. This place is really, really special because it is year-round. It gets some mud, but not much and it’s a really good conditioning place because it has variety in the ground and the sand. It’s not technically challenging and there is the water to play in. And it’s just become available to us, because of the county leasing the state lands property in the last few years. HC: What’s the ideal horse camping day? How much time on the horse?
from page 21
The horses have a presence and a grace seemingly as old as history itself. They are calm and stoical but dominate the gathering. The un-trailering and saddling and the bits between the teeth and even the mounting up are at their service, not ours. How many of us, or our ancestors, grew up with horses? On farms and ranches familiar with four-footed friends? How many urbanites witnessed horses hauling carts and produce and people through teeming cities when automobiles were a mere dream? How many fought all those wars charging on thoroughbreds to likely death or hauling cannon and supplies endless miles in the muck and mire? How many hunted the buffalo and transported the explorers and exploiters? And, now, how many are left? Hal Calbom is an independent film producer, educator, and writer. A third-generation Longview native, he attended RA Long High School and Harvard College and currently lives in Seattle. He began his media career as a broadcast journalist with the Seattle NBC affiliate, KING Television, as a producer and news anchor.
SW: Right now if I was on a horse for four hours, I’d be pushing my luck. In the past, when I was in condition, I did a five-day trip across the Mojave Desert, and did 12 to 25 miles a day. But that was provisioned, and we had people carrying our tents and food. HC: And your gear? I look at equestrian life as involving a lot of pretty cool gear? I notice you have a pretty snazzy, red horse trailer. SW: Yes, I admit it. I’d read all the stories over the years and the rich people all had horse trailers and rigs that matched. You were rich you could have ones that matched. And I looked around and I had a horse and a horse trailer and a truck that matched — I must be rich! HC: Are you glad you migrated north from California those years ago? SW: I love it here, and the horses love it here. I look around and I know I’m in paradise. I have green grass around me, horses out in the pasture, apple trees dappling my horses from the shade and sun, apples for the horses to eat later in the fall. This is paradise. HC: Thanks for letting us spend this day with you. SW: You’re welcome. We’re always looking for more people to join us! •••
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Proud sponsor of People+Place 22 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
The Natural World
people + place
Story begins. p.19
SUSAN WELLINGTON’S
Top 3 Books
1. A New Earth: Awakening Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle My human relationships got a lot better when I got my thinking patterns straightened out.
2. Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse by Mark Rashid A unique approach to horsemanship that really honors the unique creature a horse is.
3. Great Meetings, Great Results by Pam Plumb and Dee Kelsey Helps me build collaborations that result in trails for everyone.
Squirrel Tales
I
t was Harrison Cady, not Thornton Burgess, who put the topcoat on Old Mr. Toad, the trousers on Buster Bear, and the crooked stovepipe hat on Sammy Jay. I’d always thought the author of the famous Bedtime Stories and Mother West Wind tales had imagined his animal characters thus clothed. But an exhibition of Cady’s original drawings at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History set me straight. Cady thought Burgess’s animals would be more appealing to children if dressed in human accouterments. Apparently it worked; the Bedtime Stories became enormously popular during the first half of the twentieth century. Thornton W. Burgess (1874-1965) had a special genius for creating characters—Paddy the Beaver, Jimmy Skunk, Bob White, Little Joe Otter, and the rest—who spoke and acted like people while behaving true to their animal natures, in their rightful habitats: the Green Meadow, the Smiling Pool, the Briar Patch, the Laughing Brook. More children discovered natural history through Burgess’s wonderful stories and Cady’s enchanting drawings than in any number of field guides or textbooks. I was one of these. Between the ages of five and ten I wore out every Burgess book in the Aurora, Colorado, public library. My very first title, the only one I owned myself, was Chatterer the Red Squirrel, published in 1915. So began a lifetime’s love affair with squirrels. Over the years, from Chatterer to the western gray squirrel I watched on the way to a train this morning, I’ve learned that not everyone holds squirrels in equal affection. To many, a squirrel is a squirrel and by any other name is still just a squirrel. Some consider them “rats with bushy tails.” And it’s true, they can get into your attic and make a racket and a shambles. They are also capable of ravaging birdfeeders worse than jays, though their brilliant acrobatics to defeat “squirrel-proof” feeders are surely worth the price of a bag or two of the best black sunflower seeds. But sentiments toward squirrels vary as much as the animals themselves. Classified as everything from game animals to furbearers, invasive pests to endangered species, North American rodents of the family Sciuridae are a multitude, in Walt Whitman’s sense of the word.
By Dr. Robert Michael Pyle
Robert Michael Pyle is a naturalist and writer residing along Gray’s River in Wahkiakum County for many years. His twenty-two books include the Northwest classics Wintergreen, Sky Time in Gray’s River, and Where Bigfoot Walks, as well as The Thunder Tree, Chasing Monarchs, and Mariposa Road, a flight of butterfly books, and two collections of poems. His newest titles are Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest and Magdalena Mountain: a novel, released in August 2018. Photo by David Lee Myers From Chatterer, I graduated to watching big, brushy eastern gray squirrels in my grandmother’s Denver garden. Grammy fed them peanuts, and we looked on enthralled from her breakfast nook as they nabbed the nuts and scatted up to the high wires of telephone lines, their els over the city. Because our raw young suburb was still almost treeless, we had no squirrels at home in Aurora. So I ranted till I received a muchcoveted, life-sized plastic model of an eastern gray squirrel. You had to sprinkle a fuzzy powder over a skim of airplane glue to create its pelage. I wasn’t very good at models—my B-32 and USS Forrestal were a mess, and the squirrel came out worse. It’s a wonder, having made that fur, that I didn’t end up a glue sniffer. Still, I loved my scabrous squirrel. Along with Chip ‘n’ Dale comics, it furnished my sciurid fix between visits to Gram’s house. I did not yet know that those Denver yard-squirrels were no more native to Colorado than we were. The arrival of eastern gray and fox squirrels in western cities followed white settlement, irrigation, and the planting of eastern hardwoods as ornamental and shade trees. Their invasion traces the classic pattern of an adaptive species happy to live alongside humans, opportunistically following the progress of civilization across the landscape. The eastern gray (Sciurus carolinensis) and the bigger, rustier fox (S. niger) seldom share territory, but divvy up the turf like rival gangs. Frank Richardson, my University of Washington mammalogy professor, discerned for
This is the 14th in a series of selected essays to appear in Columbia River Reader. These were originally published in Orion Afield or Orion Magazine in the author’s column, “The Tangled Bank” and, subsequently, in the book of the same name published by Oregon State University Press in 2012.
example that eastern grays occupied the university’s main campus, while foxes held forth in the arboretum across Seattle’s Montlake Ship Canal. A melanic population of eastern grays thrives in Vancouver, BC. Fox squirrels throng Missoula, Montana, as common as skateboarders. In honor of their city’s abundant eastern grays, the good people of Longview, Washington, have erected both a giant wooden statue of a squirrel clutching an acorn and a squirrel overpass above a busy street, modeled after the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and dubbed the “Nutty Narrows.” See editor’s note, end of story. Most conservationists believe that these successful colonists have, like the white people who brought them, displaced the natives. Chatterer was a red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), first cousin to the western Douglas squirrel (T. douglasii), common among Douglas-firs. Both species are often called chickarees for their piercing scolds and churrs. Generally, when eastern gray and fox squirrels show up, chickarees split. In Britain, the lovely russet, tassel-eared European red squirrel (T. vulgaris) has likewise dropped out as the coarser American grays have come in, like a reciprocal gift for starlings. It turns out, however, just as many Burgess stories do, that the actual plot may not be what it seems. Some cont page 24
Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 23
Squirrel Tales from page 23
ecologists now question whether the alien squirrels are really responsible for driving out the reds. People commonly assume that European cabbage butterflies have excluded native mustard and checkered whites. But as Tufts biologist Francie Chew has shown, the cabbage white adapted
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superbly to anthropogenic conditions, while native white butterflies found such human-mediated habitats no longer suitable for survival. Such an effect may apply to squirrels as well: eastern gray and fox squirrels followed the folks, while chickarees fled with the retreating wild. Thus the wildly adaptive squirrels have become a conspicuous symbol for our own modifications to nature.
Along with Chatterer, the Burgess cast includes a gray squirrel, too. Happy Jack is bigger and brasher than Chatterer, but equally likable. Burgess’s readers, many of whom were concentrated in the populous American Northeast, would have been familiar with both: Chatterer the chickaree in the piney woods, and Happy Jack the gray in the farm country and towns. But over
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time rural conditions retreated, and the balance of power shifted. As development grew beyond all bounds, the descendents of Happy Jack outadapted Chatterer’s kind. Perhaps anticipating such changes, Burgess founded the Green Meadow Club for land conservation and the Bedtime Stories Club for wildlife protection, and late in life, he received a special gold medal from the Boston Museum of Science for “leading children down the path to the wide wonderful world of the outdoors.” What higher honor? Still, the landscape changed and S. carolinensis became the generic American squirrel that most people picture today. As with squirrels, so it goes among our own species: we trade Main Street for Wal-Mart, the greasy spoon and truck stop for Wendy’s and Shari’s, the mom and pop for the Kum & Go. Today, homogeneity rules among both strip malls and squirrels. Yet regional squirrel species do retain their strongholds, even now, in the wilder precincts. In the Rockies live the splendid charcoal Abert’s squirrels with their great fluffy ear tufts. Along the north rim of the Grand Canyon, the striking Kaibab squirrel haunts the pinewoods, flashing its white tail over its black pelage. I’ll never forget the abundance of western gray squirrels (S. griseus) I encountered daily as a rangernaturalist in Sequoia National Park. The biggest and showiest American squirrel, with its ashen pelt and huge silvery plume, stands more than a foot tall when reaching for an acorn; but the western gray is also the slowest, and I grieved at the number of flat ones plastered to Sierra roads. This species still thrives in California and Oregon,
even in towns if they have plenty of oaks; but it dwindles to a seldom-seen gray ghost up in Washington. Species usually thin out near the edges of their ranges—edges that we erode daily. I actually live in something of a squirrel nirvana. Our pioneer farmstead and its old hardwoods have been found by both eastern gray and fox squirrels--one of each. Appalled, my wildlife manager friends urge me to shoot them immediately. Unless squirrels have learned to bud, these singletons represent little threat. They will pass; in the meantime, along with Townsend’s chipmunks, flying squirrels, and native chickarees, they make of our place the most squirreldiverse spot in the state. I shall enjoy them while they last. In the meantime, happily, here amid the hemlocks of home, our native chickarees continue to hunch in their classic squirrel poses, tails curled over their backs like pelted punctuation marks, gnawing spruce cones and black walnuts. I often hear them chattering, and sometimes, when the light is right, I think I can see their little red vests. Note: The gray and the fox have, indeed, passed from our precincts, most likely recycled as redtail, raven, or owl. •••
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Editor’s note: Since the 1963 installation of the original “Nutty Narrows” squirrel bridge in Longview, six more have been added. An eighth, designed last year by Cowlitz PUD featuring “squirrel power” has not yet been hung. Rumor has it that there are unresolved disputes with the squirrels’ union. Watch for info about 2019 Squirrel Fest (to be held Aug 17 in Longview’s Civic Circle) and a Squirrel Bridge map in the August CRR.
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BESIDES COLUMBIA RIVER READER...
What are you reading? Monthly feature coordinated by Alan Rose This month’s article by Janice Youra
A
fter reading Michelle Obama’s account of her life, I can’t help but admire her. Early on she was motivated to challenge herself, first setting learning goals at school, and later for acceptance to a toprated college. She would settle for nothing less. Michelle grew up in Chicago and her parents encouraged her in her goals.
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These goals took on a new focus after Barack Obama was elected President and she found her purpose as First Lady. The book is laid out in four sections: Becoming, Becoming Us, Becoming More, and the Epilogue. It is informative, showing what life is like for a President and especially for a First Lady, on an intimate daily basis, describing her duties, travels, race issues, and other demands on her. She gave speeches all over the country. She met with world dignitaries. And in her leadership role, she focused on ways to help the less fortunate and to make their lives better. Janice Youra lives in Clatskanie with her husband of 60 years. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Janice completed graduate work in piano, organ and harpsichord, and has enjoyed a career of teaching and performing the piano.
She had a special concern for children and young women trying to make it in positions traditionally dominated by men. She wanted to help young people realize their possibilities and achieve their goals. Setting an example for the nation, she developed a large garden at the White House to encourage healthful eating habits. She developed exercise programs and educational excursions for youngsters. And always her own children came first as she guided Malia and Sasha in their personal development. Michelle Obama consistently endeavored to make this country better and to help people in all walks of life. Her book is very enjoyable and I highly recommend it. •••
ATTENTION, READERS
Read a good book lately? To be mini-interviewed by CRR Book Reviewer Alan Rose for a future “What Are You Reading?” spotlight, please contact him at alan@alanrose.com or the publisher/ editor at publisher@ crreader.com.
Music lasts a lifetime! Piano Lessons A great investment in yourself or as a gift
Martin E. Kauble Longview, WA
360-423-3072
(www.kaublepianostudio.com)
technique • theory • performance 26 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
Cover to Cover Brought to you by Book Sense and Pacific Northwest Booksellers Assn, for week ending June 30, 2019, based on reporting from the independent bookstores of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. For the Book Sense store nearest you, visit www.booksense.com
Top 10 Bestsellers PAPERBACK FICTION
PAPERBACK NON-FICTION
1. The Overstory Richard Powers, Norton, $18.95 2. A Gentleman in Moscow Amor Towles, Penguin, $17 3. There There Tommy Orange, Vintage, $16 4. Little Fires Everywhere Celeste Ng, Penguin, $17 5. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine Gail Honeyman, Penguin, $16 6. Washington Black Esi Edugyan, Vintage, $16.95 7. The Word Is Murder Anthony Horowitz, Harper Perennial, $16.99 8. Kingdom of the Blind Louise Penny, Minotaur, $16.99 9. The Immortalists Chloe Benjamin, Putnam, $16 10. Before We Were Yours Lisa Wingate, Ballantine, $17
1. Calypso David Sedaris, Back Bay, $17.99 2. The Mueller Report The Washington Post, Scribner, $15 3. Born a Crime Trevor Noah, Spiegel & Grau, $18 4. Sapiens Yuval Noah Harari, Harper Perennial, $22.99 5. White Fragility Robin DiAngelo, Beacon Press, $16 6. How to Change Your Mind Michael Pollan, Penguin, $18 7. Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer, Milkweed Editions, $18 8. You Are a Badass Jen Sincero, Running Press, $16 9. The Soul of an Octopus Sy Montgomery, Atria, $16 10. Killers of the Flower Moon David Grann, Vintage, $16.95
BOOK REVIEW By Alan Rose
Exhalation Ted Chiang Alfred A. Knopf $25.95
R
eading a Ted Chiang story can be the intellectual equivalent of staring up into a starry night sky: One is overcome by the vastness, mystery and majesty of existence. His stories are considered “speculative fiction,” which is often equated with science fiction; but the category is broader, involving tales that are highly imaginative, usually futuristic,
Alan Rose, author of The Legacy of Emily Hargraves, Tales of Tokyo, and The Unforgiven, organizes the monthly WordFest events and hosts the KLTV program “Book Chat.” For other book reviews, author interviews, and notes on writing and reading, visit www.alan-rose.com.
HARDCOVER FICTION 1. Where the Crawdads Sing Delia Owens, Putnam, $26 2. City of Girls Elizabeth Gilbert, Riverhead Books, $28 3. Big Sky Kate Atkinson, Little Brown, $28 4. Fall; or, Dodge in Hell Neal Stephenson, Morrow, $35 5. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous Ocean Vuong, Penguin Press, $26, 6. Exhalation: Stories Ted Chiang, Knopf, $25.95 7. Circe Madeline Miller, Little Brown, $27 8. Evvie Drake Starts Over Linda Holmes, Ballantine, $26 9. Normal People Sally Rooney, Hogarth, $26 10. Fleishman Is in Trouble Taffy Brodesser-Akner, Random House, $27
HARDCOVER NON-FICTION
MASS MARKET
1. Educated Tara Westover, Random House, $28 2. The Pioneers David McCullough, S&S, $30 3. Becoming Michelle Obama, Crown, $32.50 4. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat Samin Nosrat, Wendy MacNaughton (Illus.), S&S, $35 5. The Moment of Lift Melinda Gates, Flatiron Books, $26.99 6. The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck Mark Manson, Harper, $24.99 7. The Second Mountain David Brooks, Random House, $28 8. Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered Karen Kilgariff, Georgia Hardstark, Forge, $24.99 9. Everything Is F*cked Mark Manson, Harper, $26.99 10. Women Rowing North Mary Pipher, Bloomsbury, $27
CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATED
1. The Name of the Wind Patrick Rothfuss, DAW, $9.99 2. The Mueller Report Robert S. Mueller, et al., Melville House, $9.99 3. Good Omens Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Morrow, $9.99 4. Dune Frank Herbert, Ace, $9.99 5. American Gods Neil Gaiman, Morrow, $9.99 6. The Reckoning John Grisham, Dell, $9.99 7. The Eye of the World Robert Jordan, Tor, $9.99 8. Outlander Diana Gabaldon, Dell, $9.99 9. 1984 George Orwell, Signet, $9.99 10. Mistborn: The Final Empire Brandon Sanderson, Tor, $8.99
1. Goodnight Moon Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd (Illus.), Harper, $8.99 2. Love You, Baby Stephan Lomp, Workman, $5.95 3. Where the Wild Things Are Maurice Sendak, Harper, $18.95 4. Dragons Love Tacos Adam Rubin, Daniel Salmieri (Illus.), Dial, $16.99 5. Pat the Bunny Dorothy Kunhardt, Golden Books, $9.99 6. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Dr. Seuss, Random House, $18.99 7. Big Red Barn Margaret Wise Brown, Felicia Bond (Illus.), Balzer + Bray, $8.99 8. Jamberry Bruce Degen, HarperFestival, $8.99 9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle, Putnam, $10.99 10. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Bill Martin, Eric Carle (Illus.), Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), $8.99
Stories that stretch the mind frequently set in other worlds, or a variation of our own, where the implausible becomes plausible. (Margaret Atwood called it science fiction without Martians.) Chiang is a master of this genre and has won multiple Hugo, Nebula and Locus (science fiction and fantasy) awards. His novella, “The Story of Your Life,” was the basis for the 2016 Academy Award-nominated film, Arrival. In his stories, technology and human consciousness meet and mesh, often with startling results. In one story, a popular device—imagine a new app for your Smartphone—predicts everything you’re going to do before you do it. The amusement fades as people realize what it means. It “spreads like a cognitive plague…the disabling thought is one that we’ve all encountered: the idea that free will doesn’t exist. It just wasn’t harmful until you believed it.” In another story, a lifelogging software (“Remem”) captures every moment of one’s life. This “memory prosthesis” is integrated into one’s thought processes (think police body-cameras in your brain)—“We will be replacing our malleable organic memories with perfect digital archives.” The result
People are made of stories. Our memories are not the impartial
accumulation of every second we’ve lived; they’re like the narrative that we assembled out of selected moments. Which is why, even when we’ve experienced the same events as other individuals, we never constructed identical narratives…Each of us noticed the details that caught our attention and remembered what was important to us, and the narratives we built shaped our personalities in turn. ~ from Exhalation
was, a woman trapped in a spiral of doubt because her paraself voted for a different candidate than she did.” Think about it: What if, in a parallel world, “you” voted for the other guy in 2016! Chiang ends the title story with a valediction that is worthy of all his work: “Contemplate the marvel that is existence, and rejoice that you are able to do so. I feel I have the right to tell you this because, as I am inscribing these words, I am doing the same.” •••
is that people become “cognitive cyborgs, effectively incapable of misremembering anything; digital video stored on error-corrected silicon will take over the role once filled by our fallible temporal lobes. What might it be like to have a perfect memory?” Or, Chiang wonders, will it be the end of memory? The implications of his ideas can be funny, sad, frightening, or enlightening, such as in the story where people have lives in parallel worlds, resulting in “a man obsessively worried that his paraself was having more fun than he
No meeting in August
Sept 10 • Cassava 1333 Broadway Longview
SECOND TUESDAY
www.alan-rose.com
Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 27
Outings & Events
Performing & Fine Arts Music, Art, Theatre, Literary Broadway Gallery Artists co-op. Classes for all ages, workshops, paint parties. Featured guest artists, July: Krista Mead (water color paintings), James Lichatowich (animal wood carvings; Aug: Art show “At the Beach.” Community members welcome. Entry info at Gallery and online. Hours: M-F 10-5:30, Sat 10–4. 1418 Commerce, Longview, Wash. 360-577-0544. www.the-broadway-gallery.com.
Submission Guidelines Letters to the Editor (up to 200 words) relevant to the publication’s purpose — helping readers discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region, at home and on the road — are welcome. Longer pieces, or excerpts thereof, in response to previously-published articles, may be printed at the discretion of the publisher and subject to editing and space limitations. Items sent to CRR will be considered for publication unless the writer specifies otherwise. Writer’s name and phone number must be included; anonymous submissions will not be considered. Political Endorsements CRR is a monthly publication serving readers in several towns, three counties, two states and beyond and does not publish Letters to the Editor that are endorsements or criticisms of political candidates or controversial issues. (Paid ad space is available.)
FIRST THURSDAY • August 1 Broadway Gallery Community Art Show “At the Beach,” featuring 35 local gallery members’ works in various media. Enjoy refreshments and acoustic & vocals by John S. Crocker (original music and old favorites). Reception, 5:30-7:30pm. www.the-broadway-gallery.com 1418 Commerce Ave. Downtown Longview, Wash.
Unsolicited submissions may be considered, provided they are consistent with the publication’s purpose. Advance contact with the editor is recommended. Information of general interest submitted by readers may be used as background or incorporated in future articles. Outings & Events calendar (free listing): Events must be open to the public. Non-profit organizations and the arts, entertainment, educational and recreational opportunities and community cultural events will receive listing priority. Fundraisers must be sanctioned/sponsored by the benefiting non-profit organization. Businesses and organizations wishing to promote their particular products or services are invited to purchase advertising (contact info, page 3).
HOW TO PUBLICIZE YOUR NON-PROFIT EVENT IN CRR Send your noncommercial community event’s basic info (name of event, sponsor, date & time, location, brief description and contact info) to publisher@ crreader.com Or mail or hand-deliver (in person or via mail slot) to: Columbia River Reader 1333-14th Ave Longview, WA 98632
Submission Deadlines Events occurring: Aug 15– Sept 20: by July 25 for Aug 15 issue. Sept 15 – Oct 20: by Aug 25 for Sept 15 issue. Calendar submissions are considered for inclusion, subject to lead time, general relevance to readers, and space limitations. See Submission Guidelines, above. 28 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
Tsuga Gallery Fine arts and crafts by area artists. Thurs-Sat 11–5. 70 Main Street, Cathlamet, Wash. 360-795-0725. Redmen Hall History and art. 1394 SR-4, Skamokawa, Wash. Thurs-Sun, 12-4pm. Info: 360795-3007 or email fos1894@gmail.com. Ilwaco Art Walk First Fridays, 4–7pm. Ilwaco Harbour Village, Port of Ilwaco. Watercolor Workshop Third Saturday each month, 9am–2pm, $50 includes supplies. Pacific Fine Art, 333 3rd St., Raymond, Wash. Info: 360-934-5632. Clatskanie Bloom Gallery Artwork from the lower Columbia River region. Wed-Sat, 11-4. 289 N. Nehalem St. Clatskanie, Oregon. Info: 503-308-9143. Clatskaniebloom@gmail.com. clatskaniebloom.com Community Arts Workshop/Alcove Gallery Free instruction and materials. Mon–Thurs, 1–3pm. Mon: water color; Tues: paper crafts, beginning paper quilling, drawing, intro. to music; first Wed. of month: Native American arts, 2nd Wed: collage, 3rd & 4th Wed: random acts of creativity; Thurs: fiber arts, step-by-step painting. Exhibit through July 31: Scott McRae, paintings. Located in the CAP building,1526 Commerce, Longview, Wash. Open Mon–Thurs 12–3:30pm. Info: 360-425-3430 x 306, or email capartsworkshop@gmail.com. Cowlitz Valley Old Time Music Association Music jam night with open mic, 7–9pm, 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays, Catlin Grange, 205 Shawnee, Kelso, Wash. Primary instruments: guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, piano, accordion. Traditional country and/or bluegrass. Dance floor open. Info: Archie Beyl, 360-636-3835. Art in the Park Artists and fine crafters are invited to participate Sat, Aug 17 event in conjunction with Squirrel Fest, the Longview Civic Circle. Application deadline: Aug. 1., form available at Broadway Gallery, 1418 Commerce Ave, Longview or online, columbianartists. org. Info: Mary 206-940-9885 or maf43@comcast.net. Concerts at the Lake Thursdays, 6–8pm, Martin’s Dock, Lake Sacajawea, Longview, Wash. July 18: Tayla Lynn (classic country performed by Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter); July 25: Prom Date Mixtape (80s tribute); Aug 1: Moving in Stereo (Car’s tribute); Aug 8: Cherry Cherry (Neil Diamond tribute); Aug 15: Soul Siren (NW party band). Info: 360-442-5400, concertsatthelake.com. Picnics OK, food available, no alcohol. Movies at the Lake July 26: Goonies; Aug. 2: Spiderman into the Spiderverse; Aug 9: Ralph Breaks the Internet; Aug. 16: Mary Poppins Returns. Martin’s Dock, Lake Sacajawea. Activities 7pm, movies at dusk. Free. Info: 360-442-5400. www.mylongview.com. Hot Summer Nights & Movies in the Park Fridays thru Aug. 9. Horseshoe Lake, Woodland,Wash. 6pm live bands; family-friendly movies at dusk. Bring blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy big screen entertainment. Free. Presented by City of Woodland. 13 Nights on the River Thursdays, thru Aug. 22. Free summer concert series (suggested donation $2 per person). Open air market 4pm, music 4–6pm. Happy Hour and Main Stage, 6:30pm. 275 The Strand Street, St. Helens, Ore. (Columbia View Park, Riverfront Olde Town). . Fenced area for purchased beverages and food. Waikiki Beach Concerts Cape Disappointment State Park, 244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco, Wash. Saturdays thru Aug. 24, 7–8:30pm. Free with Wash. State Discover Pass. Musicians from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Situated in an outdoor amphitheater with spectacular scenery. 360-642-3029. Free Summer Concerts at Westin Ampitheater McMenamin’s Harbor Lodge, Kalama,Wash., every Wednesday. July 17-Jason Eddy; Mount St. Helens Club July 24-Billy D & the Hoodoos; July see page 30 31-Garcia Birthday Band; Aug 7-Jacob Westfall; Aug. 14Will West.
HIKES
Outings & Events
Recreation, Outdoors Gardening, History, Pets, Self-Help Cowlitz County Museum Open Tues-Sat 10am–4pm. 405 Allen St, Kelso, Wash. www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/museum. Info: 360577-3119. R Square D Square Dance Club dances 2nd and 4th Wednesday. Dance times: 7–8pm Plus with advanced rounds, 8– 9:30pm Mainstream with rounds. 106 NW 8th Ave, Kelso, Wash., by the Rotary spray park at intersection of OB Hwy (SR4) and W. Main, Kelso/Longview. More info www.r-square-d.info, or call Annie Tietze, 360-414-5855. Lower Columbia School Gardens Produce Sale Wed, July 17, 24, 31, Aug 21, 28, 10am-1pm; Aug 7, 14, 5:30-7:30. Bring home fresh-picked vegetables, fruits & flowers grown by students. Northlake Gardens, 2210 Olympic Way, Longview, Wash. Info: lcschoolschoolgardens.org or 360-431-6725. Squirrel Fest Aug. 17. Go nuts at this squirrel-centric event in a town known for its overhead squirrel crossings. Longview Civic Center, Longview, Wash. Info: lvsquirrelfest.com. Columbia County Fair & R odeo July 17-21. St Helens, Ore. Info: columbiacountyfairgrounds.com. Castle Rock Fair July 18-20. Parade, vendors, youth activities, music & more. Fairgrounds, Castle Rock, Wash. Info: castlerockfair.com. Cowlitz County Fair and Rodeo July 24-27. Cowlitz County Fairgrounds, Longview Wash. Info: cowlitzcountyfair. com.
Clark County Fair Aug 2-11. Clark County Fairgrounds, Ridgefield, Wash. Info: clarkcofair.com. Dogapawlooza Aug 3-4, 11am–4pm. Cowlitz County Fairgrounds, Longview, Wash. Info: doug@thedogzone.net.
WSU/OSU Extension Services Events & Classes Columbia County: 503-397-3462 The Secret to Perfect Pickles Aug 6, 5:30–8pm; Making Herb-Infused Jelly Aug 13, 5:30–8pm; The Science and Art of Canning Salsas Aug 27, 5:30–8pm. Each session $20 per person. From Hunt to Home: Butchering and Processing Wild Game Sept 21, 9 am– 1 pm. $40. Held at Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District, 35285 Millard Road, St. Helens Ore. Register online: http://bit.ly/ColumbiaFoodPreservation Drying Fruits, Vegetables and Meats Aug. 20, 5:30–8pm. $20. Held at OSU Extension Service Office, 505 N. Columbia River Highway, St. Helens, Ore. Online registration same as above. Cowlitz County: 360-577-3014, Ex. 0 Garden Superheroes July 20, 11am, Kalama Library Floral Design Class for Kids July 22, 6pm Floral Bldg/Demo Garden Cowlitz County Fair, July 24–27. Visit WSU Ext booth at Cowlitz Community Farmer’s Market (Saturday), Cowlitz Expo Center Visit WSU Ext. booth Aug 10, 9am–2pm, Second Saturday Market, 155 Elm St., Kalama. .
Community / Farmers Markets Astoria Sunday Market
Sundays • 10–3 thru Oct 13 Downtown on 12th, just off Hwy 30, Astoria, Ore. • 503-325-1010 www.astoriasundaymarket.com
Castle Rock Farmers Market
Sundays • 12-4 thru Sept. Spanning the block between Cowlitz and A Streets, downtown Castle Rock.
Clatskanie Farmers’ Market
Saturdays • 10–2 thru Sept. Copes Park. From Hwy 30, turn north on Nehalem, east on Lillich. Music, a food cart, children’s activities each week. SNAP, FDNP accepted. New vendors welcome; find application at clatskaniefarmersmarket.com Info: 971-506-7432 Darro Breshears-Routon clatskaniefmvendorcoordinator@gmail.com
Columbia-Pacific Farmers Market Fridays •12–5pm Thru Sept 27 Downtown Long Beach, Wash. www.longbeachwa.gov info: cpfmmallory@gmail.com Info: 360-224-3921
CRR gladly lists community-based Farmers Markets selling local produce in the Lower Columbia region. Send information to publisher@crreader.com. Please indicate “Farmers’ Market listing” on the subject line.
Cowlitz Community Farmers Market 9–2, Tues thru Sept; Sat thru October 1900 7th Ave, Cowlitz Expo Center, Longview, Wash. www.cowlitzfarmersmarkets.com Info: Laurie Kochis 360-957-7023 lauriekochis@msn.com
Ilwaco Saturday Market
Saturdays • 10–4 thru Sept 28 Arts/crafts, housewares, cut flowers, foods. Weekly entertainment. Port of Ilwaco, Ilwaco, Wash. www.portofilwaco.com Info: Cyd Kertson 360-214-4964 cydsatmkt.cyd@gmail.com
Elochoman Marina Farmers Market
Fridays thru Sept 27 • 4–7pm 500 2nd St,, Cathlamet, Wash. cathlametmarina.org Info: Mackenzie Jones, Mgr: 360-849-9401
Scappoose Community Club Farmers Market
Saturdays, thru Sept 28 • 9–2 Behind City Hall next to Heritage Park, 2nd St., Scappoose, Ore. www.scappoosefarmermarket.com Info: Bill Blank 503-730-7429 email: scappoosefm@gmail.com Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 29
the Lower Columbia
Informer by Perry Piper
Greetings from South America LASERENA, CHILE--- I’ve set a new travel time record at 26 hours from Portland to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, after several flights, layovers and a shuttle. Luckily, I had my new Soylent food bars at 100 calories each to keep the rumbles at bay in between flight meals. We saw a beautiful red sunrise while on the plane and through the clouds we could look directly at it safely. I saw this as a good omen of things to come. Checking into my hostel and seeing my good friend Constanza for the first time in two years, I was glad to relax over a traditional Chilean meal.
Clarification from last month’s Windows 7 and Linux article via reader feedback: Windows 7 is still safe until Jan 14, 2020, with free system updates, but it’s a good idea to find an alternative before then. My article was meant to help our audience with the most clear path rather than instilling complacency. Prior Windows users can also upgrade to Windows 8 safely, which will last until a 2023 phaseout, although I still recommend taking a longer-term solution by going with Windows 10, getting a new Mac lasting about 10 years or using Linux, being free forever and able to run on any hardware, even at the 15+ years old range! Mac and Linux have programs similar to everything you’re used to and will accept .word, etc files from your Windows machine. Business users should make sure to check the compatibility of their special programs to see what system they are going to work with. Windows users can also pay to upgrade their license to Windows 10 and don’t need to buy a whole new computer. That part of my column was misleading and a mistake on my part.
Every dish seems to come with some traditional bread, oil and vinaigrette of excellent quality. I tried the local Austral beer, which tasted a bit like Heineken, alongside a large beef dish with sliced potatoes and spaghetti underneath. I continued eating those leftovers over the next two days!
Perry and his friend, Constanza, hiking in Mars Valley.
In much of South America, wild dogs roam free in the streets, San Pedro included. Constanza has a nice relationship with one of her friend’s dogs, Cholito, who comes running when she whistles. The dog will walk across town to her office and wait for her there to be walked back home at the
end of the day. The US safety guidelines say to stay clear of such animals though, so petting with the back side of the hand is about as far as one should take things, otherwise making sure to wash your hands as soon as possible before touching your face or eating. San Pedro de Atacama is in northern Chile and seems to be full of peaceful, happy people, at a population just shy of 4,000. Constanza dropped her wallet and within a few hours, someone found and returned it to the police station lost-and-found with all the money with inside! We’ve gone Mt. St. Helens Club on several hikes This friendly club welcomes newcomers. including the Typical street in San Pedro, de Atacama, For more info please call the hike leader or visit mtsthelensclub.org. Moon and Mars Chile. RT(round trip) distances are from Longview.E=easy, M=moderate, Valleys (as well as S=strenuous, e.g.=elevation gain. relaxing in the hot springs north of town near Guatin). The Mars, also called Death Valley, was my favorite place I visited, Wed, July 17 Lake Sacajawea (E) Walk Wed, July 31 Ape Canyon (M/S) Drive getting close to unusual orangeish cliffs with white streaks and Wed, Aug 14 Gnat Creek Campground around the whole lake (3+ miles) or 140 mi. RT to the Ape Cave trailhead Trail (E) Drive 50 mi. RT Hike 3+ mi. with many curves.
TAKE A
The only thing in this region I missed was ALMA — a large millimeter array and astronomical facility to the east. I didn’t know it required booking three months ahead! It’s the largest in the world and the machines are four stories tall! I didn’t feel so bad though, because the other Americans returning from the tour said they didn’t actually get to see the telescopes up close and recommended I watch a documentary instead. The Atacama desert is great for astronomy and has a meteorite museum as well, letting us test the rocks with magnets to see which had metal deposits. The space rocks glimmered silver and seemed heavy for their size. cont page 38 30 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
walk half the lake (1+ mile). Leaders: Trudy and Ed, 360-414-1160.
Wed, July 24 Millersylvania State Park (E) Drive 100 mi. RT Hike 4+ mi. around park perimeter trail with little or no e.g. Leader: John R, 360-431-1122. Sat, July 27 Vista Ridge to Eden Park (M) Drive 240 mi. RT Hike 7.6 mi. RT with 1,500 ft. e.g. The scenery on this loop is some of the finest on Mt. Hood. Leader: Dan, 360-355-6241.
HIKE
on the south side of Mt. St. Helens. Hike 6 mi. RT with 1,200 ft. e.g. mostly in the shade of trees. Great views of Mt. St. Helens and Muddy Creek. Leader: Bill D, 503-260-6712. Wed, Aug 7 Orenco Woods Nature Park (M) Drive 110 mi. RT Hike 5 mi. RT with 190 ft. e.g. on a very scenic nature trail to Orchard Park and back. Leader: Bruce, 360-425-0256. Sat, Aug 10 White River Buried Forest (M/S) Drive 200 mi. RT Hike 9 mi. with 1,600 ft. e.g. through large trees to an excellent view of Mt. Hood and White River Canyon. Leader: Bruce 360-425-0256.
less than 100 ft. e.g. thru trees to hatchery and back. Leader: John R, 360-431-1122.
Thurs, Aug 15 Moonlight Kayak Paddle on Silver Lake (E/M) Drive 60 mi. RT Launch boats and do a 3–4 hour kayak paddle on Silver Lake. Bring your PFD and a headlamp. Leader: Bill D, 503260-6712. Sat, Aug 17 Sheep Canyon Loop (M) Drive 120 mi. RT Hike 7 mi. with 1,300 ft. e.g. Nice variety of old-growth forest, timberline, lahars, and flowers on west side of Mt. St. Helens. Leader: George W, 360-562-0001.
Blackwood on Movies
‘Late Night’ and ‘Anna’ By Dr. Bob Blackwood
W
e have here two films about two women in the world—one an assassin who is terribly attractive and another, a good-enough looking lass who works as a joke-smith for a late night woman TV talk show host.
Let’s start with Mindy Kaling as Molly in “Late Night,” who is the fresh face and the only woman in the large writing staff of the only late-night woman host. Katherine Newbury, a star whose light is dimming, is played very well by Emma Thompson. Newbury knows she has problems, but she does not know how to get out of them. Can Molly save the day? Well, not right away. She needs to know how to deal with her male opponents—the other writers. It takes her awhile, but she is intelligent and quick to learn. Of course she does have one problem. Her boss, Newbury, is the largest problem. She blames the men writers and is quite willing to blame the new woman writer even more. Kaling shows real talent both as an actor and as the writer of this film. Soon, we see that Molly can bring new life to the show and help get away from the usual problems of a show that has become rather stale after many years of success. Even the monster, Newbury, eventually sees the new young lady as a woman who can get a laugh from a tough audience unlike the mob of male hacks in the writers’ room. Will you like this film? I can’t guarantee it, but if you like to watch late night television and wonder how stars manage to survive in it, a look at the people who write their copy might Emma Thompson plays a late-night television host who is charming open your eyes a bit. to the public and lethal to her writers in “Late Night.” My wife and I both enjoyed the film, and she is a tougher late night critic than I. So it goes. By the way, John Lithgow, as the star’s aging husband, gave a wonderful performance despite a very limited role. “Anna,” by the French director and writer Luc Besson, is being attacked by a number of critics on the ground that it is just another hard-boiled Luc Besson film; I don’t quite get that one. Should he have tried to make a Woody Allen film? Besson deals with tough situations, usually. In this film, his main character, Anna (Sasha Luss) is a tough lady from a hard environment. When a rich Frenchman, who sells weapons to anyone who can afford them, decides to take on the lovely Anna as his girl Dr. Bob Blackwood, professor emeritus of the City Colleges of Chicago, co-authored with Dr. John Flynn the book, Everything I Know about Life I Learned from James Bond. Mr. Blackwood lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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Sasha Luss plays a woman who has been turned into a killer for the KGB in “Anna.”
toy, Anna decides to reply to him with a bullet in his head. Oh boy, why didn’t she just say “no.” Surprise, she turns out to be a well-trained lady from the KGB. Yes, the lady knows what she is doing, thanks to the extensive tutelage she has received from Olga (Helen Mirren as her cool and commanding boss). Anna passes the fast track of the East European set as a gorgeous model, who has a thing with another gorgeous gal (Lera Abova) and even a CIA dude (Cillian Murphy). She still finds time to knock off the occasional victim, and we are certainly glad to see her do it. After all, if she was just another model we would be mostly concerned whether she could find the right Parisian agent. I enjoyed the film. Some folks apparently did not, claiming that this sort of thing
was old stuff on Besson’s part. I can only say in Besson’s support that he did a pretty good job. If you didn’t like his previous action films, well, I’d like to know who didn’t. I sure liked his early film “La Femme Nikita.” I think he is allowed to do action films if he feels like it. I like to see his work. If this film is not quite as good as some of the others, well, I think it beats a number of other action films that I have avoided reviewing. I say give the man a chance. He has made a number of good films. If you don’t like this one, I’m sure the next one will be better. If you find “Anna” to be totally lacking in value, I will be surprised. Best wishes to you and yours in your choices of films. •••
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Clatskanie Fultano’s Pizza 770 E. Columbia River Hwy Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more! Sun-Thurs 11am–9pm. Fri-Sat 11am–10pm. 503-728-2922
Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant 640 E. Columbia River Hwy Fine Mexican cuisine. Daily specials. The best margarita in town. Daily drink specials. Sports bar. M-Th 11am–9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-728-3344
Rainier Alston Pub & Grub 25196 Alston Rd., Rainier 503-556-4213 11 beers on tap, cocktails. Open daily 11am. 503-556-9753 See ad, page 12.
COLUMBIA RIVER
dining guide
Longview 716 Triangle Shopping Center. 18 rotating craft brews, pub fare. M-W 12 noon –9pm, Th-Sat 12 noon-11pm, Sun 12 Noon-8pm. 360-232-8283. Follow us on Untappd .
1260 Commerce Ave. Serving lunch & dinner Mon–Sat 11am–10pm. Full bar, banquet space, American comfort food. 360-703-3904. www.millcitygrill.com. See ad, page 8.
Evergreen Pub & Café 115-117 East 1st Street Burgers, halibut, prime rib, full bar. 503-556-9935. See ad, page 12. Goble Tavern 70255 Columbia River Hwy. (Milepost 31, Hwy. 30) Food, beer & wine + full bar, Live entertainment. 503-556-4090. See ad page 12.
Luigi’s Pizza 117 East 1st Street, Rainier 503-556-4213 Pizza, spaghetti, burgers, beer & wine. See ad, page 12.
Fire Mountain Grill 9440 Spirit Lake Hwy, Milepost 19. Lunch & Dinner: Burgers, sandwiches, salads, steaks seafood, chicken & dumplings, housemade cobblers and infamous Bigfoot Burger. Riverside dining. Open 10am–8pm daily. 360-274-5217.
St. Helens, Oregon
The Original Pietrio’s Pizzeria Homestyle cooking from the 1960s-1970. All natural ingredients. Beer and wine available. Open Wed. thru Sun, 7am–8pm. 1140 15th Ave., Longview. See ad, page 9.
The Carriage Restaurant & Lounge
Full breakfast, lunch and dinner 6am– 9pm. Full bar in lounge, open 6am. Three happy hours daily (8–10am, 12– 2pm, 5–7pm). Group meeting room, free use with $150 food/drink purchases. 1334 12th Ave. 360-425-8545.
614 Commerce Ave., Longview. 18 varieties of pizza. Salad bar, Lunch buffet all-you-can-eat. Beer & wine. Mon-Fri open 11am, Sat-Sun 12 Noon. 360-353-3512.
Country Folks Deli 1329 Commerce Ave., Longview. Serving lunch and dinner. Sandwiches, soups, salads. Open M-Sat 11am. 360-425-2837.
Freddy’s Just for the Halibut. Cod, halibut & tuna fish and chips, oysters & clams., award-winning clam chowder. Prime rib every Thurs. Beer and wine. M-W 10–8, Th-Sat 10–9, Sun 11–8. 1110 Commerce 360-414-3288. See ad, page 25.
Hop N Grape 924 15th Ave., Longview M–Th 11am–8pm; Fri & Sat 11am– 9pm; Sun 11am–7pm. BBQ meat slowcooked on site. Pulled pork, chicken brisket, ribs, turkey, salmon. Worldfamous mac & cheese. 360-577-1541 See ad page 8.
Masthead Castaways 1124 Washington Way, Longview. Famous fish & chips, gourmet burgers, Chowders. 13 beers on tap. Extra parking in back. 360-232-8500.
32 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
Sunshine Pizza & Catering 2124 Columbia Blvd. Hot pizza, cool salad bar. Beer & wine. 503-397-3211 See ad, page 12.
Scappoose Porky’s Public House 561 Industrial Way, Longview Slow-roasted prime rib Fri & Sat, flat iron steaks, 1/3-lb burgers, fish & chips. 33 draft beers. Full bar. Family-friendly, weekly jazz and acoustic dinner hour sets on Weds. 360-636-1616. See ad, page 9.
Conestoga Pub Cornerstone Café 102 East “A” Street Microbrews, wines & spirits Prime rib Friday & Sat. Open M-F 6am–8pm; Sat-Sun 7am–8pm. 503-556-8772.
Toutle/Mt St Helens
Red Kitchen 848 15th Ave., Longview. Cocktails, taps, vino. Traditional diner fare, breakfast, lunch, dinner. Sandwiches, burgers, funky comfort food, incl. Bacon Gouda Mac n Cheese, shepherd’s pie, healthy options. Full service bar, incl 12 taps. 7am–10pm, M-F, 8am–10pm Sat-Sun.
Fultano’s Pizza 51511 SE 2nd. Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more! “Best pizza around!” Sun–Th 11am–9pm; Fri-Sat 11am– 10pm. Full bar service ‘til 10pm Fri & Sat. Deliveries in Scappoose. 503-5435100.
Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant
33452 Havlik Rd. Fine Mexican cuisine. Daily specials. The best margarita in town. Daily drink specials. M-Th 11am–9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-543-3017
Warren Roland Wines 1106 Florida St., Longview. Authentic Italian wood-fired pizza, wine, and beer. Casual ambience. 5–9pm Wed-Sat. See ad, page 26.
Warren Country Inn 56575 Columbia River Hwy. Fine family dining. Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Fri Prime Rib special, Taco Tuesday. Full bar. M-Th 8am–9:30pm, Fri-Sat 8am–10:30pm, Sun 9am–9pm. Karaoke Fri & Sat.503-410-5479.
Teri’s 3225 Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview. Lunch and dinner. Burgers, steak, seafood, pasta, specials, fresh NW cuisine. Happy Hour. Full bar. Sun-Mon 3–8pm. Tues–Sat 11:30am–9pm.. 360577-0717.
Castle Rock Parker’s Restaurant & Brewery 1300 Mt. St. Helens Way. I-5 Exit 49. Lunch, Dinner. Burgers, hand-cut steak; seafood and pasta. Restaurant opens 11am, Lounge 12 Noon. Closed Monday. 360-967-2333
To advertise in Columbia River Dining Guide, call 360-749-2632
Astronomy / Friends of Galileo
SKY REPORT July 15 – August 18 Early summer treat: A planetary conjunction By Ted Gruber Evening Sky The next month provides some great opportunities to view Jupiter and Saturn, the two largest planets in our solar system. In mid-July, Jupiter is visible in the southern sky as darkness falls until it sets in the southwest just before 3:00am. The largest planet will be the brightest object in the night sky other than the moon. By midAugust, you’ll find Jupiter slightly more southwest and setting about two hours earlier. On the evening of August 9, the moon passes 2° north of Jupiter. Look for Saturn in the southeastern sky in mid-July, again as darkness falls. The ringed planet is fainter than Jupiter and remains visible until setting in the southwest around 5:00am, and around 3:00am by mid-August. On the night of July 15-16, the full moon passes just 0.2° south of Saturn. Morning Sky August offers a good chance to see Mercury, our smallest planet. Mercury rises in the east-northeast about an hour before sunrise on August 1. The innermost planet rises a little earlier each day through August 10, when it rises about 90 minutes before sunrise. Thereafter Mercury begins rising a little later each day, but it should still be visible each morning through the third week in August. Perseids Meteor Shower The annual Perseids meteor shower is active from July 17 through August 24, peaking the night of August 13. This popular shower often produces rates of over 100 meteors per hour at the peak, but unfortunately a nearly full moon will drown out all but the brightest meteors this year. Still, a good number of Perseids can typically be seen starting about a week before the peak until a couple days after. The meteors are called Perseids because they appear to radiate from a point in the constellation Perseus in the east-northeast sky. Sidewalk Astronomy The local Friends of Galileo astronomy club will host a public sidewalk observing session the evening of Friday, August 9 (weather permitting). Join us starting around 9:00pm in the parking lot outside Starbucks at 808 Ocean Beach Highway in Longview. Several club members will have telescopes set up to observe the moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and possibly some deep sky objects. If skies are overcast or it’s raining on August 9, we’ll try again the next night, again weather permitting. Please check the calendar on the club’s website www. friendsofgalileo.com/calendar for last minute details to confirm the event isn’t cancelled. ••• Kelso resident Ted Gruber makes a regular report to fellow members of Friends of Galileo, a familyfriendly astronomy club which meets monthly in Longview. For info about FOG, visit friendsofgalileo.com.
MIDSUMMER MUSINGS
W
elcome to mid-summer. The days and evenings are warm and it is actually fun to be outside when it gets dark. Now that the shortest nights are past and the evenings come earlier, it is time to enjoy the night sky. Even if you are at a campfire, the stars are still visible. As has been stated in another article, Jupiter and Saturn are visible and should be seen with binoculars or a small telescope. The rings of Saturn, however, are best seen in a small telescope, as well as the moons of Jupiter. If lucky, you may even see the hint of stripes on Jupiter. The summer night sky has the globular star cluster in the constellation of Hercules. Located on the ‘western’ side of the main body of Hercules, this ball of stars can be seen with binoculars and is amazing in a telescope. It would be a good idea to have a way of bracing your arms when using binoculars to keep your hands steady in order to see it clearly. A Wall-E Sky? Recently Space X launched a batch of 64 mini-satellites which were seen to fly in formation by ground observers. A number of UFO reports were made by people who saw this formation going overhead. This was even after the reassurances of Elon Musk (same guy who sent the first piece of interplanetary space junk into orbit: his electric car) that they would not be visible to anyone on the ground. In the near future, thousands of these mini-satellites will be orbiting the planet.
Greg Smith is the president of Friends of Galileo, now in its 23rd year. For info about FOG, visit friendsofgalileo. com.
By Greg Smith The American Astronomical Society (AAS) is in conversation with the several satellite manufacturers, expressing concerns about the interference they will have on visual and radio astronomy. What is going to happen to our night sky when all these mini-satellites are launched? Will our skies resemble the scene in the movie “Wall-E” where he is pulled through the smothering cloud of unused satellites? Will the earth have its own ring of manmade space junk? Space junk is already a problem and this will only increase it. The stated purpose of these mini-satellites is to bring the Internet to the whole world; a nice sentiment, but not wholly thought out as to the consequences it will have on other space endeavors. Hover over Mars Now for some positive news on the next mission to Mars. There will be a small helicopter deployed to test the concept of aerial exploration. It will have a small camera attached so the ground controllers can actually see how well it is doing. This will be similar to the ones depicted in the National Geographic series on Mars exploration. The helicopter has been tested in an atmosphere like Mars’ and at 40 percent of Earth’s gravity. How they create a lower gravity on Earth is beyond me. They said the tests were very successful and the helicopter is being fitted to the next Mars rover to be launched next year. Who knows? It might be able to do initial exploration of a new meteor crater — just like the new crater recently discovered; it was formed within the last two years. The “Before” picture is empty, with some very old craters and the “After” picture shows a big dark debris field and the new crater. One of the problems of inhabiting Mars: The atmosphere does not burn up meteors like the Earth’s atmosphere does. Going deep underground seems to be the best way to protect Mars explorers from meteors. Meteor showers on Mars are just as common as they are on Earth, but more of them get through to the ground than here. Enjoy this summer’s meteor showers and think about how they would be on Mars. •••
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Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 33
Saddle Up!
Equestrian Exploration Gorge tours on horseback offer unique adventures
N
Story by Tracy Beard • Photos by Sarah Heany
umerous wonders in the Columbia River Gorge await exploration by visitors. You can investigate the area on foot, by boat, via car and even on horseback. Take an unforgettable horseback ride — through local orchards and vineyards, up to cascading waterfalls and to peaks overlooking spectacular views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams — with Margo Vankat and her team at Double Mountain Horse Ranch, based in Hood River, Oregon. Don’t worry, they offer several different rides for all ages and skill levels (see page 36). For my recent adventure, I met Margo on a back road in Cascade Locks. She arrived with four athletic horses and two riding photographers. The temperature was in the 60s, perfect weather for a day of riding. Margo saddled up the steeds, we chose our horse for the day, and soon we were en route to Dry Creek Falls. Due to her expertise with horses and her stellar ranch management skills, Margo has secured exclusive permits with the U.S. Forest Service, allowing her to guide for-profit riding tours in selected areas of Oregon not otherwise available to the public.
by finding horses in their second or third career. These horses were well-cared-for but have become like forgotten lawn ornaments. Margo often receives messages or emails alerting her to a horse in need. Margo says, “When I rescue a horse, there is something that leads me to pick him or her out. Some of my horses come from divorces, foreclosures, teenagers off to college or elderly people that can no longer care for their trusted steed.” Margo loves her job.
The well-cared-for horses at Double Mountain Horse Ranch are suitable for riders of varied skills. The four horses on our journey were eager to go, unlike horses you find at many riding stables. In the past, I’ve owned several horses and lived in a place where I could ride for miles through the woods and along logging roads behind my house. After moving away, however, I have participated in various trail rides around the world, but none mimicked those incredible experiences of my past — until my ride with Margo. Reese Witherspoon rode here We wandered off the trail and through the forest. We crossed rocky creeks and fallen logs, finally stopping to savor a delicious lunch while sitting in front of Dry Creek Falls. The horses stood quietly as we chatted together and watched the waters cascade down the falls into a majestic pool. The waters then continued down the mountain in the form of a babbling brook that the horses willingly crossed. Margo pointed out where a scene took place in the movie “Wild,” with Reese Witherspoon. Margo’s herd is a combination of horses she selected along with ones she rescued. She scouts for additions to the team
Tracy Beard writes about luxury and adventure travel, fine dining and traditional and trendy libations for regional, national and international magazines and is a regular “Out & About” contributor to Columbia River Reader. She lives in Vancouver, Wash.
By Tracy Beard
PROVISIONS ALONG THE TRAIL A Twisted Summer Pasta Salad 6 ounces fresh or frozen green beans 2 Tbl. butter ½ tsp. herbs de Provence Water ½ Tbl. salt ½ pound dried gemelli pasta 1 Tbl. extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper 3-½ ounces mild goat cheese, crumbled ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts Cook green beans in salted water until crisp-tender, drain and put into an ice bath. Place chopped walnuts in a dry pan and cook on the stovetop until toasted. Set aside. Boil large pot of water with ½ Tbl. salt. Cook gemelli as directed. Drain. Add olive oil and butter to the large pot with the drained gemelli. Add salt, pepper, herbs de Provence, green beans, goat cheese and walnuts, mix until combined. Serve the pasta hot or at room temperature. Serves 3 people.
Photo by Christal Angelique
34 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
“My favorite thing about guiding horseback rides is that it’s a pure gift from my staff and me to others,” she said. “We allow people to unplug and unhook from their routine. I love the magic that happens between the rider and the horse and the fact that I have a portable office out in nature.” Working horses Margo told me about her passion for finding secluded trails with the most incredible views and sharing them with other riders on her trips. She is dedicated and finds joy in giving her horses a “job” that helps provide food, shoes and healthcare for them. She wants riders to experience nature and witness fantastic terrain. Double Mountain Horse Ranch provides a variety of tours, lessons and a kids’ riding camp. Riders on the two-or-more-hour trips are encouraged to bring water, snacks, a camera, sunscreen and a sack lunch to savor while experiencing the great outdoors. Each trip is led by experienced guides and lasts a minimum of 90 minutes. Riders should wear closed-toed shoes and long pants. Hats, boots and helmets are available for use during the ride. Participants can choose from one cont page 36
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Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 35
Gorge horseback rides from page 35
of the following preplanned trips, customize their trip with Margo, or sign up for lessons or camp. “Wild Adventure” takes riders to a waterfall near the Pacific Crest Trail running from Mexico to Canada. “Columbia River Gorge” begins in a meadow on the west side of the Hood River Valley. The trail climbs through the forest along fern grottoes and cascading streams. Weather permitting, riders journey to the Teepee Trail, a private pathway traveled by early Native Americans. It boasts views of the Columbia River Gorge, where Lewis and Clark came out to the Wild West, and showcases a spectacular view at Mitchell Point Overlook. “Oregon” whisks riders to a viewpoint overlooking five awe-inspiring peaks: Mount Defiance, Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount St Helens, and Mount Rainier. Due to the high elevation, this ride is weather dependent; but those lucky enough to experience Mother Nature in a good mood will be blessed with picturesque views and a landscape peppered with wildflowers.
“Fruit Loop/Sunset” takes place later in the day, and the route meanders through orchards and vineyards. Riders have an opportunity to view the sunset and evening stars from a new angle via horseback. “Orchards” explores vineyards and fruit orchards with views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams. Riders 21+ may do a little local wine tasting along the way (extra fees apply).
LAWN MAINTENANCE
Private lessons are available from 1.5 hours and up for all ages and skill levels. The kids’ program is available for a week or just a day and teaches kids about compassion, empathy and overcoming challenges. Youths learn riding and horse care skills while developing an appreciation for the animals and the outdoors. Don your cowboy boots and book a ride this summer to view the gorge from a new perspective, via horseback. Rides range from $90-240. Call Double Mountain Horse Ranch at 541-513-1152 or visit www.ridinginhoodriver. com. •••
36 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019
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Where do you read
THE READER?
Just another day in paradise Joseph Koolle of Longview, Wash., visiting the Kona Joe Coffee Plantation during a week of relaxation and sun in Kona Hawaii.
Searching
Photo by jbb
Reflecting by the pool Nick and Brook
Seaver, of Longview, Wa s h i n g t o n , i n Bordeaux, France, at Miroir d’eau, the world’s largest reflecting pool located on the quay of the Garonde River in front of the Place de la Bourse.
They get around and read and re-read the Reader!
Longview residents Vince and Karen Penta in Milan, Italy (top), in Lugano, Switzerland (middle) and on the restaurant balcony across from Duomo di Milano (bottom).
Searching for their roots
Kelso residents and Sons of Norway members Nancy Harris (left) and Kristen Dahl, searching for their roots in Norway at Bryggen (the Wharf), Bergen, Norway. From there, the two were headed to London and Reykjavik, Iceland.
WHERE DO YOU READ THE READER? Send your photo reading the Reader (high-resolution JPEG) to Publisher@ CRReader.com. Include names and cities of residence. Note: We make it a practice to acknowledge photos received; if you send one and don’t receive an acknowledgment within 5 days, please re-send. If sending a cell phone photo, choose the largest file size up to 2 MB. For best results and facial recognition, position human subjects 5–8 feet from the camera, with the “landmark” object filling the background of the frame. Thank you for your participation and patience; we usually have a small backlog. Keep those photos coming! Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 37
the spectator by ned piper
On the 18th on the 18th
F
or me, beiing on a beautiful golf course is on a par with listening to smooth jazz. It isn’t often that two passions of mine come together into one event, but that is exactly what will happen on Sunday, August 18th, on the 18th green and fairway at the Longview Country Club. The Longview Early Edition Rotary Club will present their first “Jazz on the Green” concert to raise scholarship funds for local high school students. The cost of admission is $20 per person. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and relax to Seattle recording artist saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa and his band. By the way, this is an over21 event. Food and spirits will be available for purchase. Andre Daughtery and his Southern PNW BBQ, will prepare pulled pork, pulled chicken, coleslaw and baked beans (Editor’s note: They may even be as good as Blazing Saddles Baked Beans!). Antidote Taphouse will be pouring red wine, white wine, a cider, and three microbrews. Kona Ice, from Vancouver, will be serving up shaved ice in 50 flavors. This is good, because it’s going to a hot summer evening on the 18th. Tickets are available online at kelsolongviewchamber.org. If you’re not on friendly terms with the computer, give me a call at 360-749-2632 and I will hook you up with tickets.
I found a few of Kashiwa Band’s songs online. While I don’t know what type of music you may appreciate, let me tell you, Ken Kashiwa definitely knows his way around a saxophone. Service clubs in our region all do an amazing amount of good for the communities in the area while providing the citizenry with interesting events to attend. Whether it be car shows, bicycle runs, concerts, festivals honoring squirrels, cardboard boat races, or even fancy auction dinners, it makes living here all the more enjoyable. The Early Edition Rotary plans to make “Jazz on the Green” an annual event. Don’t you want to attend the first one ever? If you haven’t been to the Longview Country Club for a while, I guarantee you will be impressed with how beautiful and manicured the course is. You may even decide to join the Country Club or the Rotary Club — or both.
Lower Columbia Informer from page 30
On July 1st, I flew South to La Sarena, Chile, one of the main towns along the path of totality for a total solar eclipse. Constanza’s cousin Carla met me there for a few days for the eclipse. It was her first time and she was amazed at the spectacle and will try to attend a second Chilean total eclipse occurring next year, as well! Today (July 4), we headed to a nearby town, Coquimbo, to meet her friend and go dancing. On July 5, we’ll take an eight-hour bus trip back to her town, Viña del Mar, near Santiago, Chile, for a few days before we part ways and I head on to Santiago. I bought a special $4 audio splitter so we could watch the new Stranger Things (Season 3) together. Stay tuned for my update next month as I journey onwards to Cordoba, Argentina, and Brazil (map below illustrates my planned trip). •••
It Is Your Power
I
By Alice Dietz
t is the time of year when Cowlitz PUD employees’ schedules are packed, not only with summer activities, but also with volunteering at many of the summer events the utility participates with. It’s not a surprise that typical CRR readers are ones who care about their communities, are involved through volunteering or service clubs and are interested in the goings-on of the agencies that help facilitate the quality of life we all appreciate in this region. We continue to step up our efforts to be a partner in the community by encouraging more volunteerism, outreach, participation in community events and just overall availability to our customers. We invite you to come visit us at Longview Parks and Recreation’s Concerts at the Lake, every Thursday through August 15th. Or join us for our Community BBQ, offering free lunch on August 2nd from 11am–2pm at our main office, 961 12th Ave. Longview. This month we welcomed Steve Taylor, our Director of Regulatory and Regional Affairs who will be reaching out to many community groups. We live in an incredible area with access to clean, renewable hydro and we have a great story to tell about our clean power portfolio, access to low cost electricity and the upcoming legislative challenges our industry will face.
What could be better? Cool jazz, good food and drink, and pleasant company...all in a lovely setting. I hope to see you on the 18th green, on August 18th.
If you are interested in having us attend a meeting, or just want to schedule a time to meet, feel free to give me a call at 360.501.9146 or send me an email: adietz@cowlitzpud.org
••• Longview native Ned Piper enjoys reading, writing, putzing in the yard, watching all manner of TV sports, and schmoozing with CRR advertisers and readers.
PLUGGED IN TO COWLITZ PUD
During his travels, Perry Piper is working remotely for CRR and can refer clients to a technical consultant filling in for him to help with their computer needs. Reach Perry via email (perrypiper@hotmail. com) or text message 360-270-0608.
On a side note: Check out our live feed of the Osprey Cam on our website www.cowlitzpud.org. The two baby Osprey are thriving and learning to fly! ••• Alice Dietz is Communications and Public Relations Manager at Cowlitz PUD. Reach her at adietz@cowlitzpud. org, or 360-501-9146.
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Columbia River Reader /July 15 – August 15, 2019 / 39
40 / Columbia River Reader / July 15 – August 15, 2019