CRR Holiday 2018

CRREADER.COM • November 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019 • COMPLIMENTARY Helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region at home and on the road

DOWNTOWN LONGVIEW HOLIDAY WALKABOUT page 11

GREAT GIFTS FROM & FOR THE GARDEN

page 17

People+Place

TOASTS TIMBERLINE LODGE page 21

page 33

COLUMBIA RIVER

dining guide

WARM

WISHES!

Holiday Hospitality

2 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

“

They” say history repeats itself. Maybe it does. This month’s People+Place features Timberline Lodge and working with Hal Calbom on this story brought back some old memories of Mt. Hood.

I tried to learn to ski there many years ago. A group from my workplace went together a few times. The good skiers “taught” us novices. If they’d been real ski instructors, I might have demanded my money back. Because in short order, I fell, barreling down a slope that was way beyond my skill level.

Thinking back on the incident, I smile, recalling Abi Groskopf ’s words, “Gravity always wins.” She was referring to the sediment coming down from Mt. St. Helens in our July People+Place feature. But in my case, it was on that ski slope where gravity won. Out of control and gaining speed, I crashed, tumbling dramatically and breaking my left ankle.

Publisher/Editor: Susan P. Piper Columnists and contributors: Tracy Beard Dr. Bob Blackwood Hal Calbom Tiffany Dickinson Alice Dietz Ted Gruber Jim LeMonds Suzanne Martinson Gary Meyers Michael Perry Ned Piper Perry Piper Robert Michael Pyle Marc Roland David Rorden Alan Rose Alice Slusher Greg Smith Debra Tweedy Production Manager/ Photographer: Perry E. Piper Editorial/Proofreading Assistants: Merrilee Bauman Lois Sturdivant Michael Perry Marilyn Perry Debra Tweedy Advertising Manager: Ned Piper, 360-749-2632 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 Website: www.CRReader.com E-mail: publisher@crreader.com Phone: 360-749-1021 Subscriptions $28 per year inside U.S. (plus $2.34 sales tax for subscriptions mailed to Washington addresses).

Sue’s Views

Barreling down the mountain, and the stairs Thank You to our advertisers, readers, contributors, suppliers and friends for a wonderful year. The publisher/editor and staff wish you all a

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

ON THE COVER Kim Nylund with Bruno, the “patron St. Bernard” at Timberline Lodge.

Photos by Hal Calbom. story, page 21. Timberline Lodge photo courtesy of Timberline Lodge.

Cover Design by Columbia River Reader is published monthly, with 15,00 copies distributed free throughout the Lower Columbia region in SW Washington and NW Oregon. 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.

Reader submission guidelines: page 34.

For ad info: Ned Piper 360-749-2632.

CRREADER.COM Visit our website for access to the current issue and the archive of past Columbia River Reader issues (from January 2013),

The ski patrol came and hauled me off the mountain. Where was Bruno, Timberline Lodge’s patron St. Bernard, when I needed him?

So maybe history does repeats itself, because I — not so much beyond my skill level, but not being cautious enough, evidently — stumbled on our stairs at home just before going to press with this issue and tumbled down half a flight, breaking my RIGHT ankle.

Years ago, I managed with crutches.

This time, I have one of those “knee scooters,” which is a godsend, because crutches take a certain upper body strength I don’t have anymore.

Losing your independence and mobility makes you appreciate them and realize how much for granted we take simple things.

November is Caregiver Appreciation Month and boy, do I appreciate mine!

Ned is only a few days into the job, but he is amazingly kind and patient, moving heaven and earth to help me get around! I want to publicly thank him — and caregivers everywhere — for their dedication, patience and compassion. It is not an easy job.

I hope I can go on the Friends of Galileo’s Solstice Solar System Lantern Walk at Lake Sacajawea (see page 19).

I’ll be the one zipping along on my scooter, with a cask of brandy hanging around my neck. Maybe I’ll see you along the path!

Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season. Count your blessings and don’t take anything for granted! Cheers!

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

5

Letters to the Editor

5

Quips & Quotes

7

Dispatch from the Discovery Trail ~ A Long, Tough Winter

11

Downtown Longview Holiday Walkabout

12

Counting Birds

13

Medical Matters

15

Miss Manners

17

Northwest Gardening ~Gift Ideas

18

Spectacular Sides for the Perfect Holiday Meal

19

Out & About: Castle Rock’s Festival of Lights

21-24 People + Place ~ Timberline Lodge: Kim Nylund 25

People+Place Top Five Books

26

Essay by Robert Michael Pyle: Taking their Names in Vain

28

Besides CRR, What Are You Reading?

29

Cover to Cover ~ Bestsellers List / Book Review

31

Roland on Wine: Thank-full

33

Lower Columbia Dining Guide

34-35 Outings & Events Calendar 36

Astronomy ~ Night Sky Report

36

Mount St. Helens Club Hike Schedule

37

Astronomy / Gifts to Put Stars in their Eyes

39

Lower Columbia Informer ~ TV Upgrde? Think Twice!

41

Cooking with the Farmer’s Daughter

43 HaikuFest 2019 44

Movies by Dr. Bob Blackwood

45

Where Do You Read the Reader?

46

The Spectator ~ Appreciating our P+P Partners

46

Plugged In to Cowlitz PUD

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 3

Curbside Recycling Change Glass No Longer Accepted - As of Jan 1, 2019 Please place your glass bottle and jars in your green garbage container or you may bring them directly to Waste Control for recycling It was discovered that during the collection and processing of the curbside recycling materials, most of the glass would be crushed during the baling process. Broken glass is a huge contamination concern and has a direct impact to Longview’s market prices. By removing glass from the curbside program, it will reduce contamination and provide for a better marketable material which will in turn, benefit the ratepayers of Longview.

Plastics Still Accepted

Please do not place your recyclables in plastic bags

Plastics 1 and 2 Only

Place directly into your BROWN recycling container

No need to remove paper labels or crush plastic

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.

Got a question? Just Ask Longview!

Recycling Rule of Thumb: Reuse or donate if possible, but...

When in doubt — throw it out!

www.longviewrecycles.com 4 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

Q

Spruce up in time for the holidays!

We’ll make your home company-ready

Letter to the Editor

UIPS & QUOTES

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I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived. One must never, for whatever reason, turn one’s back on life. ~Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady, author, public speaker, 1884-1962 Oh, it’s a long, long while From May to December, But the days grow short When you reach September.

When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame, One hasn’t got time for the waiting game. ~ Maxwell Anderson, American playwright and lyricist, “September Song,” 1888-1959

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Your Columbia River Reader

Read it.

Enjoy it.

Share it.

Recycle it.

Columbia River Reader is printed with environmentally-sensitive soybased inks on paper manufactured in the Pacific Northwest utilizing the highest percentage of “post-consumer waste” recycled content available on the market.

If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down. ~ Mary Pickford, American actress, 1893-1979

Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know of no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us. ~ Voltaire, French writer and philosopher, 1694-1778 I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death. ~ Thomas Paine, English-born American political activist and revolutionary, 17371809 Let every man sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean. ~ Goethe, German writer and statesman, 1749-1832 Debra Tweedy was born and raised in Longview and has lived on four continents. Recently retired, 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 said.

Joseph Govednik to take museum into the next generation Just read Hal Calbom’s excellent article about Joseph. He has indeed embraced our museum’s opportunities and the community itself. Joseph is following our Director of 31 years, David Freece, who did a great job during that time. Hal’s article does a very good job of illustrating that Joseph has the knowledge, motivation, creativity, and energy to take the museum into the next generation. Thank you for showing this to any of your readers who may not have already met him.

Jim Elliot Longview, Wash.

Editor’s Note: Jim is the office manager and digital media guru at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum. Both he and Hal Calbom are R.A. Long High School graduates. Museum director Joseph Govednik was featured in Hal’s October 15 “People+Place” story.

CHEERS!

Grab a bite, share a libation ... let’s celebrate the holidays!

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Happy Holidays from the owners and employees of Goble Tavern • Evergreen Pub & Cafe Luigi’s Pizza • Alston Pub & Grub.

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 5

Longview Orthopedic Associates The Sports Medicine Specialists The staff at Longview Orthopedic Associates understands athletes. That’s why LOA features rapid appointment scheduling and MRI and physical therapy services on site for your convenience.

Several LOA physicians have sub-specialty training and certification in sports medicine

and have provided services to college and professional sports teams in Seattle and Los Angeles.

If you suffer a sports-related injury, you can count on Bill Turner, Jon Kretzler, Peter Kung, A.J. Lauder, Jake McLeod, and Tony Lin to get you back in the action as quickly as possible.

We welcome Kaiser patients with a referral! www.longvieworthopedics.com

360.501.3400

6 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

Lewis & Clark

A Long, Tough Winter at Fort Mandan

O

n October 31, 1804, Captain Lewis wrote, “The river being very low and the season so far advanced that it frequently shuts up with ice in this climate we determined to spend the Winter in this neighbourhood.”

After six months of travel up the Missouri River, the Corps of Discovery found themselves in the ideal location to make camp. If their progress had been better, they might have kept going past the five Mandan and Hidatsu Indian villages near the

Lewis & Clark Encore We are pleased to present

Installment #8 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.

mouth of the Knife River, 60 miles north of presentday Bismarck, North Dakota.

Doing so might well have been disastrous.

Since other potential sites lacked an adequate supply of wood, the Corps decided to build their winter quarters downstream from the first Mandan village. Winter arrived in full force, just two weeks after the Corps decided to stop. Ice began to form on the Missouri River, and temperatures as low as 45 degrees below zero soon became a serious problem.

Interior of a Mandan lodge, an Aquatint engraving with hand coloring; Karl Bodmer, 1834.

The interior of the lodge was spacious, tolerably light and clean. The outer wall of the lodge was formed by a ring of a dozen or more posts, four or five feet in height, with beams resting in the notch at the top of each post. At the center of the lodge was a small circular fire pit.

About 1,000 Mandan Indians were living in two villages in 1804, but an estimated 10,000 Mandans had lived

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.

in nine villages just 50 years earlier.

Smallpox, introduced by white traders, had decimated their numbers, and the powerful Teton Sioux had forced them to abandon their settlements and move upriver where they merged with the Hidatsu (Minnetaree) tribe for security.

Early Day Farmers Market Other Indian tribes living on the Great Plains were nomadic and lived off the land. The Mandans lived in permanent houses and grew more corn, beans, and squash than they

O

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needed. The Mandan and Hidatsu villages had become a major trading center that was visited by fur traders from Canada and St. Louis, along with several tribes from across the northern plains. Because of this, Lewis and Clark would learn a lot about what lay ahead on their journey to the Pacific Ocean as they gathered information while waiting for winter to pass.

How Cold is it?

Nobody was prepared for the winter ahead. Most of the men were from Virginia where snow is not unusual, but they had never seen weather like they were going to experience the next three months. By midNovember, they had abandoned their thin canvas tents and moved into the wood structures under construction.

On December 8th, Clark wrote, “a verry Cold morning, the Thermometer Stood at 12 d. below 0 which is 44 d. below the freesing point.” Four days later it was 38 degrees below zero, but

by December 14th it had warmed up to where “the Murckerey Stood at 0.”

Then, at sunrise on December 17th, it was 45 degrees below zero and at “about 8 oClock PM the thermometer fell to 74 d. below the freesing pointe.”

Fort Mandan consisted of eight cabins inside an 18-foot tall stockade. The cabins were 14 feet square and each had a stone fireplace. The cracks in the walls were filled with mud to keep cont page 8

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 7

Lewis & Clark from page 7

This oil painting shows how a Mandan Village looked 25-years after Lewis & Clark visited.

George Catlin, The Last Race, 1832 (Smithsonian American Art Museum).

drafts out. A loft in each cabin was raised 7 feet off the floor and covered with grass and clay to provide warm sleeping quarters. Temperatures were below zero on 16 mornings in December, with just one day where temperatures were above freezing when the men awoke! It was so cold the men could only work an hour at a time and Fort Mandan was not completed until Christmas Day. Turn up the Heat The Indians had learned how to cope with the extremely cold temperatures by building dome-shaped earth lodges with a vent at the top. A fire in the center kept the room quite warm. Their lodges were large enough for several families (10 to 15 people), and during extremely cold periods the Indians brought their horses inside.

Besides shelter, food was a critical need. Meat was reasonably plentiful, and the Indians had dried fruits and vegetables. But was there enough corn to supply their own needs plus the Expedition members? Big White, the chief of the lower Mandan village, told Lewis and Clark, “if we eat you shall eat, if we Starve you must Starve also.” Here again, we see proof Indians played a major role in the success of the Expedition.

While the fort was being built, half the men went hunting. Several hunters injured their hips by slipping in the snow while packing the meat back to the fort. Others suffered serious frostbite. Despite snow a foot deep, they succeeded in killing more than 30 buffalo, enough to last until February.

8 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

It must have been a lonely Christmas at Fort Mandan, so far from home and family. Each member of the party fired off three volleys of gunshots on Christmas morning. Clark issued two glasses of brandy to each man and allowed the cannons to be fired when the flag was raised. A third glass was issued later that morning, followed by a Christmas dinner that was “the Best to eat that could be had,” according to John Ordway.

Joseph Whitehorse wrote “The men then prepared one of the Rooms, and commenced dancing, we having with us Two Violins & plenty of Musicans in our party.” Clark said the celebration “Continued until 9 oClock P,M, when the frolick ended &c.”

A Toast to the New Year A week later, Patrick Gass wrote, “Two shot were fired from this swivel [cannon], followed by a round of small arms, to welcome the New year. Captain Lewis then gave each a glass of good old whiskey, and a short time after another was given

by Captain Clarke.”

The men were allowed to go to one of the Mandan villages to dance. Clark wrote, “I ordered my black Servent to Dance which amused the Croud verry much, and Some what astonished them, that So large a man Should be active &c. &.” One of the “frenchmen danced on his head.” A third round of whisky was issued later that day.

While the men wore several layers of clothing and stuffed fur into their clothing and buckskin moccasins, some still suffered from mild frostbite.

Several men suffered more severe cont. page 9

from page 8

frostbite and were treated by Captain Lewis. And, several Indians also received treatment. Typically, Lewis placed the frostbitten foot or hand

into a bowl of cold water (this was the wrong thing to do, but was standard practice of the day).

Nobody from the Expedition lost so much as a toe, but some Indians were

not so fortunate. On January 10th Clark wrote, “last night was excessively Cold – the murkery this morning Stood at 40 d. below 0 which is 72 d. below the freesing point… Indians of the lower Villages turned out to hunt for a man & a boy who had not returned from the hunt yesterday, and borrowed a Slay to bring them in expecting to find them frosed to death…” the 13 year old boy was found and brought “to the fort with his feet frozed, having Stayed out all night without fire, with no other Covering

than a Small Robe, goat skin leagens & a pr. Buffalow Skin mockersons.”

Lewis attempted to save his toes, but on January 27th he “took of the Toes of one foot” and four days later he “Sawed off the boys toes” on his other foot. Other journal entries tell of men who “got their faces frost bit So that the skin came off.”

It would be a long, tough winter. In the next Dispatch, we’ll learn about Sacajawea.

•••

My sincere thanks A reconstructed 40-foot diameter Mandan earthen lodge. The lodge was created by laying a matting, fabricated from willow sticks and bark, over a framework of posts and beams. A layer of dried prairie grass was spread over the matting, with an outer covering of thick sod.

National Park Service photo.

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ServiceMaster by JTS–Longview, WA www.servicemasterjts.com Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 9

Welcome to Historic Downtown Longview!

See ad, pg 31

See ad, pg 14

See ad, pg 32

See ad, pg 46 From your friends at Commerce Corner Collectibles:

Best Local Coffee Roaster & Café

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

~ Best Baristas, too!

See ad, pg 32

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Store Hours: Mon-Fri: 11am - 5:30pm Sat: 11am - 4pm 1300 Broadway • Longview, WA

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1335 14th Avenue M-F • 7am–4pm Sat-Sun 9am–4pm

Entry forms due Nov. 30. For all information visit Facebook (Gingerbread Haus) and longviewdowntowners.com.

Info & Forms also available at CRR office.

We’re fundraising this Holiday with

AUXILIARY

HOLIDAY EVENTS DOWNTOWN

DEC 1: GINGERBREAD HAUS CONTEST

Selection of boxed chocolates, bars & novelties available now.

Columbia River Reader office • M-W-F • 11- 3 1333 - 14th Ave., Longview, Wash.

Also available at Broadway Gallery. info: 360-425-0430

View at Teague’s 12–7pm

DEC 1: HOLIDAY PARADE DOWNTOWN TO CIVIC CENTER PARK 5pm (see ad, page 48)

DEC 6: CRR’s DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY WALKABOUT 4-7pm (info, facing page)

DEC 7: JINGLE ALL THE WAY 6pm Family Fun Run see ad, page 2

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10 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

See ad, pg 30

McThread’s

See ad, pg 40

Explore the Longview Outdoor Gallery

Unique sculptures on display along the sidewalks of Downtown Longview, both sides of Commerce Ave.

See ad, pg 20

The Broadway Gallery See ad, page 18

See ad, pg 16

Holiday Walkabout

WALKABOUT CHECKLIST: Visit the following shops in any order. Locate the Walkabout “prop” and get your form stamped/initialed by each shop owner. Turn in your completed form at Mill City Grill 5:30– 7:00pm and enjoy complimentary beverages. Prize Drawing at 7:05pm.

Need not be present to win.

ASHES & EMBERS 1036 14th Avenue

THE SOAP FACTORY 1227 Commerce

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4:00PM START With your Walkabout Checklist (at right) in hand, start early enough to mix and mingle... Grab a bite along the way and make See ad, pg 25 the circuit of shops staying open late. Enjoy samples, discounts, gifts and giveaways. Look around and locate the Walkabout “prop,” and get your Checklist stamped at each stop.

COMMERCE CORNER COLLECTIBLES 1300 Broadway

BROADWAY GALLERY 1418 Commerce

By 7:05pm Turn in your completed Checklist after 5:30pm at Mill City Grill. Enjoy free coffee or sparkling cider there, 5:30–7pm.

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Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 11

Calling all bird counters Join the longest-running citizen science project in history

By Tiffany Dickinson

C

hristmas birds are calling.

Not those Christmas Birds — the Christmas Bird Count.

Everyone is welcome, Lords and Ladies included.

Virtually anyone can join the Audubon Annual Christmas Count.

Bird enthusiasts, nature lovers, science buffs, families, and almost anyone else will enjoy being part of the longestrunning citizen science project in history.

For one day, participants count all the birds they see or hear within a 15-mile diameter area. Local groups choose which day between December 14 and January 5 to participate. According to Susan Setterberg of the Sauvie Island/ Ridgefield circle, there are eight circles in the Columbia River area from Goldendale to Astoria.

Portland native Tiffany Dickinson is a nurse-turned homeschooling momturned children’s writer. She was recently published in Newsworthy, the newsletter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. We welcome her to the pages of CRR, aimed at readers who are children at heart.

If you live within one of the designated circles, you can count birds in your own backyard. Other participants must drive or walk along a preselected route. Birders can participate in more than one count on different days if they wish. The Willapa Hills chapter sponsors three local Christmas Bird Counts. This year’s dates are: Leadbetter Point (Dec 15), Wahkiakum (Dec 28), and CowlitzColumbia (Jan 1, 2019).

Setterberg, who has participated in the Count for 25 years, says, “Frequently traveling around the holidays, I would find a Christmas Count Circle wherever I was and join a local group.

It was a great way to see birds I wasn’t familiar with, meet new birders and find great new birding hot spots.”

“I’ve been doing this for 40 years,” said Bob Reistroffer, of the Willapa Hills Audubon Society. “I like it because the findings are open to everyone and it helps us know what’s happening around us.”

How it began On Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman began a new holiday tradition, hoping to replace the traditional Christmas bird hunt.

This is the 119th year for the bird counting census in the Western

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Hemisphere performed by volunteer birdwatchers and administered by the National Audubon Society.

Nearly 80,000 counters participate annually, tallying as many as 60 million birds at more than 2,500 locations. On average, more than 100 bird species are observed in the Lower Columbia region for the Christmas Count.

Information gathered provides valuable data about the migration, condition, effects of changing land use, and numbers of bird species around the country and in many other parts of the Western Hemisphere.

This information contributes to one of only two large existing pools of data notifying ornithologists and conservation biologists about what conservation action is required to protect birds.

The Lower Columbia area provides habitat for several threatened and endangered bird species, including the Aleutian Canada goose, northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and brown pelican. The western snowy plover, proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act, historically used coastal portions of the area.

The lower Columbia River is also one of the most important areas in the Pacific Flyway for migrating shorebirds, with peak counts in the estuary of almost 150,000 birds and substantial numbers using other areas along the river up to Sauvie Island and the Willamette Valley.

To participate, go to the Audubon Society website and click on the Christmas Bird Count link. Find the map with circles for each participating area – nationwide and internationally.

Click on the circle you are interested in for the local leaders’ contact information. Each participant must

register with a compiler for their findings to count in this important research. The earlier you register, the better, because that lets the leaders know how many will participate and allows them to pair up new bird watchers with experienced ones. cont page 13

THE AUDUBON ANNUAL CHRISTMAS COUNT Who to contact to get involved.

Where to find more information Audubon Society at www.audubon.org Audubon’s free bird app www.christmascount.org IbirdPro app Sibley Field Guide app Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America Counting Birds: The Idea that Helped Save Our Feathered Friends (children’s picture book) by Heidi Stemple How can you protect birds in your own backyard?

Keep cats inside or have them wear a bell.

Go easy on fall yard care: allow some leaves to lie.

Use safe pesticides.

What if you can’t take part this time? The Backyard Bird Count is coming up in February.

Holiday Bazaar & Toy Drive Saturday, December 8, 2018 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Prestige Senior Living Monticello Park 605 Broadway St. Longview, WA 98632

Spread some cheer at Monticello Park by attending our Giving Hope Holiday Bazaar & Toy Drive to benefit The Community House of Longview.

Shop local vendors, bring unused toys, and dine – all to help local children have a wonderful holiday season!

For more information or to reserve a spot in the Bazaar, call (360)575-1778.

12 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

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from page 12

When involving children in observing birds, Reistroffer suggests starting small, pointing out different birds. Ask children what they observe and encourage questions .

“There are lots of ways children can participate in a CBC,” Setterberg said. “If you’re lucky enough to live within a circle, you can start with a feeder watch in your own backyard. You can pick the amount of time you want to watch, and weather isn’t a factor. It’s a good way to have the youngest participants learn about the birds around them.”

“I’m a backyard birdwatcher, and listener,” said Longview resident Mindy Boucher, a long-time birdwatcher. “I’m learning to identify them by sound. They’re all so distinctive.

Our kids are grown, and they send us pictures of birds they see. They just became more observant by listening to us talk about them.”

So, step outside this Christmas. You may even see a partridge, a couple of turtle doves, and some swans. But when the piper starts piping, it’s time to get inside for wassail or nog. Happy hunting! I mean, happy birding!

•••

MEDICAL MATTERS

Pacific Surgical Center Part of Trend to Reduce Costs

L

ongview’s Pacific Surgical Center is part of a national trend toward shifting surgeries out of hospital settings to ambulatory surgery centers, a move that has the potential to save employers and consumers billions of dollars, according to a study by Healthcare Bluebook.

Commercial payers save $38 billion annually when patients receive care in ASCs, the study found.

Patients could save another $41 billion if they have their surgeries performed in ASCs rather than in outpatient hospital facilities. Most importantly, the savings require no sacrifice in quality of care.

Hospitals tend to charge more for surgeries in their outpatient departments than ASCs because of higher overhead in some cases and negotiating leverage with commercial payers in others.

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Knowledge of the price disparity could allow employers and insurers to design plans to encourage the use of ASCs. This is especially important in an era of high-deductible plans that make consumers pay more outof-pocket for care.

Pacific Surgical Center has been at the forefront of the effort to publicize costs. Using a strategy known as “transparent pricing,” PSC provides potential patients with an online total for a variety of surgical procedures. The price includes all fees for the facility, surgeon, and anesthesiologist.

Peter Kung, MD, of Longview Orthopedic Associates, frequently performs outpatient procedures at PSC. He said that transparent pricing means patients know what to expect from day-one. “Somebo dy might have the same service at a hospital or another facility, but

there can be a night-and-day difference in terms of the bill they get, depending on where the treatment is done. This has nothing to do with the actual quality of care; it’s the same procedure in both places.”

Pacific Surgical Center is located at 625 9th Avenue. Prices for procedures performed at PSC can be found online at http://www. pacificsurgicalwa.com/pricing/.

Call 360.442.7900 for more information.

•••

Former R.A. Long High School English teacher Jim LeMonds is a semi-retired 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.

Jessica Baker Real Estate Broker

Cowlitz County 4th generation

(360) 431-6744 jessicabaker@cbbain.com 796 Commerce Ave Longview, Wa 98632 Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 13

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Civilized Living instruct your children to take a long, sad Dickensian pause, look up from their plates and say, “Are we allowed to eat this?”

By Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My sister invited my kids and me for dinner at her house. She baked two types of bread: one with raisins and one plain.

We all sat down at the dinner table and she set down both loaves of bread. Her

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children started eating from the one with raisins, then my children started eating from the plain one. When she saw them doing that, she immediately forbade it.

She told them to eat from the raisin one because it had already been eaten into.

They responded that they don’t like raisins. She responded, “Eat around them.” Could you imagine any reason that would justify a host forbidding her guests to eat food that she herself served them? One would think the reason she baked two types of bread was so that her guests would have an option. Apparently they didn’t — or at least my kids didn’t.

GENTLE READER: Next time you attend dinner with your relatives, Miss Manners recommends that you

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DEAR MISS MANNERS: After cutting and eating a steak, is it proper to pick up the bone and glean the rest of the meat?

The meat next to the bone is really good.

GENTLE READER: And, like many of life’s sensual treats, is best enjoyed in privacy.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was taught to always remove my hat when entering someone’s house, a restaurant or the like.

I am always surprised, if not annoyed, when I see grown men sitting in a nice restaurant with their baseball caps on, sometimes even backwards. Is the custom of removing one’s hat still valid, or has it fallen by the wayside?

GENTLE READER: It is still valid.

However, some people’s manners have fallen by the wayside.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am in trouble. I made a mistake. I was deeply surprised to see that a colleague served Thanksgiving dinner to her guests using aluminum pans, paper plates, paper napkins and plastic flatware. I posted a reaction to the photos of her dinner.

She is now angry and calls me a hater.

This has stuck in her craw, because she keeps texting me. I suggested to her, and to others, that the holidays should be the time when we clear out china closets and use our very best china, stemware, flatware, etc. to serve our guests.

I admit I am biased. Growing up, my mother used the best of everything she had for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

I follow her standard. It is a matter of

hospitality, and demonstrates to your family and friends that you went over and above the usual because they are special.

Apparently, my mother’s standards are no more. I know I was wrong to criticize.

Should I apologize?

GENTLE READER: Is that all your mother taught you about the meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas? “Use the good china”?

Yes, you must apologize, publicly and profusely, for having publicly humiliated someone who showed hospitality. Even so, Miss Manners doubts that she, or anyone who saw your posting, will ever invite you again.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I love going to the movies. I love watching films on the big screen, and I understand that attending a show with an audience is part of the fun of cinema.

I also find myself getting annoyed with other patrons in the movie theater who feel compelled to be loud or rowdy during the show. I don’t attend midnight movies or teenage horror flicks or anything, where that kind of thing would be expected.

Is there a polite way to ask someone to keep it down? I try a stern look, and on occasion I’ve moved seats. How much noise made by someone in a movie theater is too much noise? My mom tells me that I’m being sensitive and that I should just ignore the people around me, but I have a hard time doing that.

GENTLE READER: When you speak of the pleasure of sharing a movie with an audience, Miss Manners believes that you refer to the collective laughter or gasps cont page 32

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North Coast Chorale to perform “Sing of Mary” program

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The North Coast Chorale invites you to come and celebrate the life of Mary through music in their program, “Sing of Mary.”

As a poor unmarried teenager of Jewish lineage, Mary represents the marginalized in our society, as she was in her own time.

Her exceptional faith in God gave her hope, and this message has been depicted by composers throughout the centuries.

The North Coast Chorale attempts to interpret the story of Mary and the mystery of the birth of Christ, through the music of Bach, Schumann, Rachmaninoff, Rutter, Lauridsen and our own Cannon Beach composer, Stanly Glarum.

The concert if sponsored by North Coast Chorale, Astoria, OR. Friday, December 7, 7pm and Sunday, December 9, 3 pm, at the Clatsop Community College Performing Arts Center, 16th and Franklin St., Astoria. For more information, contact Denise Reed, 503338-8403.

In Longview, Fri-Sat-Sun, Nov 30-Dec.1-2, 4–9pm Hundreds of nativity displays from the community. Musical performances by local artists each hour. Free admission. Children welcome. Allow at least 20 minutes to view the displays. 900 11th Ave, Longview. Hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Northwest Gardening has a friend who loves dinosaurs, and she found a plastic dinosaur figure at the thrift store, cut an opening on its body, and made an arrangement for a Secret Santa gift! The sky’s the limit.

GIFT IDEAS

By Alice Slusher

Plant seeds of hope and friendship, reap ongoing harvest of love

M

y favorite gifts to give and receive have always been those made at home, or assembled with love and imagination on the part of the giver. If you have a favorite gardener, or just love to putter in your own garden, here are some easy but lovely ideas for Christmas gifts this year.

Make a wreath!

Find willow, wire, or grape vine forms, and use greens from your garden to decorate it. Any shrub with a glossy leaf that stays green all winter is suitable, such as holly, false holly, euonymus, boxwood, cotoneaster, and Kinnikinnik. Of course any conifer greens such as hemlock, fir, leyland cypress, and pine are always great for making wreaths.

Attach them to

the forms with wire, and don’t forget to add a wire loop on the back for hanging. Add a raffia bow or two and you’ve got a lovely gift fit for anyone on your list!

Next, tape the foam to the container and start arranging your greens. Think of a triangle shape, fairly symmetrical, but not equal, and start poking your cut branches into the wet foam from the outside of your container, working inward. Step back and look at your creation so far, then add your special touches, whether berries, an interesting seed head (like a poppy), curly willow stem, pine cones, or a delicate leafless branch. A flower or other showy item can be your focal point, and place it slightly off of center. You can also add a bow or candle for a finishing touch, or just let the lush beauty of the greens shine through.

Try your hand at making a holiday arrangement Scrounge around in your garden again for some of those evergreen shrub or conifer branches. Don’t be afraid to experiment with shades of green and different textured leaves. Often the simplest designs work best. Look through some magazines or online for ideas, then head to the craft store for some “wet” floral foam. Choose your container — it can be anything that appeals to you: a cup, basket, bowl, etc. Or be outrageously creative. A friend of mine made an arrangement in an old hardhat for a friend who works in construction. My daughter

Kalama resident Alice Slusher volunteers with WSU Extension Service Plant & Insect Clinic. Drop by 9am–12noon Mon-Wed-Fri. at 1946 3rd Ave., Longview, with your specimen, call 360-577-3014, ext. 8, or send question via cowlitzmastergardener@gmail.com.

Pot trio Buy a set of three brightly colored flower pots, and fill with seed packets, dried lavender or other herbs, homemade jams or other kitchen gifts, a pair of garden gloves, a gift certificate from their favorite nursery or seed catalog, subscription to a gardening magazine — you get the idea. Decorate nested pots with sprigs of holly or boxwood from your back yard. It will be so pretty that you won’t want to wrap it!

Or give a ready-to-plant gift of a terra cotta pot and saucer, complete with soil mix, plant label, and seed packet. One of the best ideas I’ve seen this year is microgreens. Everyone is familiar with growing ever-popular sprouts in a mason jar, which are eaten seed, sprout, and root. Microgreens, also called “vegetable confetti,” are even yummier and very easy to grow.

Microgreens: vegetable confetti Basically, any kind of small organic vegetable seed can be sown, grown, and the tiny greens are ready for harvest about three weeks after planting. To box up a gift, you’ll need a couple of shallow dishes such as pie pans or those black plastic take-out containers. Bag up some growing medium; you’ll need about 2 inches of seed-starter soil mix (found in the garden section

of stores) in each container. Add your choice of seed packets — you can buy a microgreens seed mix, or purchase individual organic seeds such as lettuce, radicchio, broccoli, cauliflower, radish, sunflower, cabbage, and chia. My absolute favorite is sunflower—the tiny greens taste like sunshine to me!

The seeds should be sprinkled on the moistened soil and covered with a small amount of soil. Keep moist and covered with clear plastic until they sprout. Move to a south-facing window and keep the baby greens misted so they don’t wither. Snip the microgreens when they are about 2 inches tall and add to salads and sandwiches.

For lovers of learning And one last idea: If you have a loved one who might enjoy becoming a Master Gardener, offer them a “scholarship” for the new WSU Cowlitz County Master Gardener Training Course beginning in January 2019. That’s more than 90 hours of stimulating horticultural learning at a very reasonable cost. Contact Gary Fredricks at the WSU Extension for more information: 360-577-3014 Ext.3.

In this season of warmth and giving, plant seeds of hope and friendship, and reap the never-ending harvest of love!

•••

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 17

Spectacular Sides

Holiday Foods Story and photos by Tracy Beard

Compliment the main course with special ‘companions’

I

n my mind, the word “sides” conjures up images of sidekicks. I picture movie and comic book dynamic duos where the Lone Ranger rides through the Wild West with Tonto, Batman fights villains with Robin, and Sherlock Holmes solves impossible mysteries with his assistant Dr. Watson.

Sidekicks champion main characters and add humor, drama and continuity to a storyline. Side dishes support the main entree by adding flavor, diversity and cohesiveness.

and creamy dauphinois gratin. Thinly sliced potatoes are layered in a small crock with milk or cream and baked until tender. The dish originates from the southeastern region of France, and many chefs and home cooks incorporate onions, garlic and cheese into their recipes.

For the dinner, he mixed half storebought polenta with half of his homemade variety. He cooked the grain with five parts liquid (half water and half heavy cream) to one part mixed polenta. It cooked for one hour at a good boil and then simmered until done. To finish, Chef Aaron added fresh grilled corn removed from the cob and a touch of chèvre cheese. He seasoned the mix with salt and pepper and added a few splashes of reserved sherry vinegar to brighten the dish.

Tracy’s Not-So-Humble Carrots

Tracy’s Not So Humble Carrots Best Breakfast/Brunch Blend Serves 4 The Fleur-de-Lys Mansion in St. 1 pound carrots Louis, Missouri, affords luxury 2 Tablespoons olive oil accommodations, easy access to city 3/4 cups water sights and decadent breakfasts for Salt and pepper guests.

Owners Gary and Jerilyn Sadler Scrumptious Smokehouse Sides The holidays are here, and it’s time to 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar have made their 19th century home Hop-N-Grape in Longview, Washington, ask yourself if your lamb should lie next 1/4 cup Canola or vegetable oil a haven for travelers. Jerilyn makes features hickory-smoked pork, ribs, to scalloped potatoes or fried broccoli.

2 Tablespoons chopped parsley a killer breakfast. I chicken and brisket, Will your family enjoy the turkey thoroughly enjoyed and also offers an with sausage stuffing or something Peel all the carrots. Use a mandolin her french toast, assortment of new like spicy sweet potato pancakes? and thinly slice one half of one carrot.

Banana Foster style, delectable sides.

Vegetarians, will your guests prefer Heat the canola oil to 350 degrees but the pièce de My husband Steve roasted acorn squash with butter, and fry the carrot slices until they are résistance was her and I stopped in to brown sugar, amaretto and toasted crisp. Remove carrots from the oil and candied bacon. She check out three of walnuts, or might they prefer Tracy’s place onto a paper towel. Sprinkle lays the bacon on their most popular Not So Humble Carrots alongside your with salt and set them aside. a baking rack with offerings: the tasty legendary lentil loaf?

Chop one cup of carrots. Place in a a tray underneath, red potato salad with blender with 3/4 cups water. Puree.

My 2018 travels have taken me both and then sprinkles bacon; inventive Place the puree in a saucepan and near and far. Here are some of the each piece with a and delicious collard cook it down until thickened. Add incredible side dishes I have sampled.

Bananas Foster style French toast little bit of brown green rolls (made salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

Preeminent Palate Pleaser sugar and black by mixing smoked Place balsamic vinegar in a small The Baumanière is one of the most pepper, then roasts it for 30 minutes collard greens with smoked tomato and saucepan. Cook on medium, serene and beautiful places I have until brown and crisp but still a bit onion and placing them into eggroll continually stirring until it is a thick visited. Nestled between the mountains chewy. This salty, sweet and spicy wrappers, which were then deep fried). and syrup consistency. in Les Baux de bite was the ideal The rolls were served with Abram’s Provence, France, complement to the sauce, a mix of hoisin, soy and rooster Toss remaining carrots in olive oil, the property boasts French toast. sauce (similar to sriracha); and our sprinkle with salt and roast in the an indulgent spa, favorite and the local number one oven at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes Intensified stunning chateau, ordered side, the pepperjack mac and until fork tender.

Ingredient high-end shop, and cheese. The spiral pasta, cooked al dente Spread carrot puree onto a platter. Lay Executive Chef two restaurants — and then tossed in a pepper jack cheese cooked carrots on top of the puree.

Aaron Bedard at L’Oustau and Cabro sauce, was creamy and luscious with just Sprinkle carrots with balsamic syrup, the Stephanie Inn d’Or. the right amount of spice. carrot chips, and parsley. in Cannon Beach, My friend Connie Oregon, serves Start planning your holiday meals. cont page 20 and I dined on the up an incredible Whatever your favorite entrée, highlight patio by the pool on interpretation of it with some spectacular sides.

Dauphinois Gratin a bright sunny day in polenta. At the July. We savored several courses during restaurant at the Inn during one of our lunch; and soon became quite full. their sojourn events, Chef Aaron However, when the dauphinois gratin revealed his polenta recipe. Fresh arrived with the lamb, not one bite of corn was shucked off the cob and the scrumptious potato dish remained. dehydrated for two days. Next, Chef Aaron ground the corn into the same L’Oustau de Baumanière is a twoAgate & Carnelian Necklace texture as the store-bought product, star Michelin restaurant. Owner and “Beads are my palette & jewelry is my art” Bob’s Red Mill polenta.

Mary Fortner-Smith, Gallery Member Executive Chef Jean-André Charial pairs his signature dish of milk-fed leg Every First Thursday New Art, Music and Nibbles of lamb with an incredibly savory, rich

Tracy Beard writes about luxury and adventure travel, outdoor activities, spas, fine dining, and traditional and trendy libations for regional, national and international magazines and about local “Out & About” topics for Columbia River Reader. Formerly of Longview, she now lives in Vancouver, Wash.

18 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

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Holiday Lights

Castle Rock’s Festival of Lights to brighten the town on Dec. 8

T

ake a break from the hustle and bustle of the winter holidays to create family memories at the 9th Annual Castle Rock Festival of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 8th,when downtown Castle Rock is transformed into a Winter Wonderland.

Thousands of holiday lights, a themed storefront display competition, a parade, and tree lighting make for a charming celebration of the season.

Take free pictures with Santa beginning at 2pm inside Fiber Federal Credit Union (202 Front Ave SW). At 5:30pm the holiday parade will head down Front Street SW, then turn onto Cowlitz

Street W. The parade will finish on Cowlitz Street near the Post Office, with tree lighting and caroling. Several streets will be closed (to vehicles) and lined with game booths, food and drink vendors, warming barrels, and other fun activities throughout the day. The city will be abuzz with the holiday spirit, so don’t miss it!

Additional information, including a map and schedule, are available on the Facebook event page (CRFoL2018) or at the Castle Rock Visitor Center.

Solar System Lantern Walk at the Lake

T

ired of the dark already? Help light up the longest night of the year! Join Friends of Galileo astronomy club for Longview’s first-ever, free, familyfriendly Solstice Solar System Lantern Walk, 7–9pm on Friday, December 21.

In 2001, the club gave to the City of Longview a model solar system, which includes 10 granite markers placed at to-scale intervals alongside a 1.64mile section of the path on the west side of Lake Sacajawea. The markers show the relative sizes and distances of the Sun and planets.

Gather at the path on the south end of Lake Sacajawea (roughly between Burger King and YMCA) and walk from the Sun to Pluto. Help brighten up the dark and celebrate the Winter Solstice, which marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year.

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/120319288852042/ Web site: https://www.friendsofgalileo.com/solstice.html To: Centralia, Olympia Mt. Rainier Yakima (north, then east) Tacoma/Seattle

Raymond/ South Bend

Oysterville •

Chinook

Mount St. Helens

Skamokawa

•

Grays River

Cathlamet 4

101

Birkenfeld

WestportPuget Island FERRYk

101

Astoria

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

FREE Maps • Brochures Directions • Information

Vader

Ocean Park •

Ilwaco

VISITOR CENTERS

Longview

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Kelso

Clatskanie Rainier

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503

Columbia City St Helens

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Scappoose• rnelius NW Co ad o Pass R

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

Vernonia

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 / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 19

Enjoy one of the highest rated park in Washington State!

Spectacular Sides cont from page 18

Steam the sweet potato until soft. Let potatoes sit for one hour in a colander to dry.

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Whisk the sauce ingredients together and set aside.

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Melt butter in a frying pan. Make flat cakes 2 inches in diameter and just under 1/2 inch thick. Fry the cakes in the butter for about 6 minutes on each side until they are brown and crispy. Place on paper towels to drain and serve with the sauce.

•••

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Mix the sweet potatoes with everything except the butter. It should be sticky.

/4 tsp.sugar 1 Tbl. lemon juice 1 Tbl. chopped cilantro Salt and pepper to taste 1

Spicy Sweet Potato Pancakes My version, adapted from Plenty (a cookbook). Serves 4 2-1/4 pounds peeled jewel yams or sweet potatoes, cut into chunks 2 tsp. soy sauce 3 /4 C. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. salt 1 /2 tsp sugar 3 Tbl. sliced green onion 1 /2 tsp. serrano or jalapeño chili (more if you like things spicy) Butter for frying

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20 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

CRR AD DEADLINE Jan 10 issue: Dec 26 Feb. 15: Jan 25

For info or to reserve your space, contact Ned Piper, 360-749-2632 or nedpiper@gmail.com

A monthly feature written and photographed

by Southwest Washington native and Emmy Award-winning journalist

Hal Calbom

Production Notes Words and Pictures: Three Basics

Roll out the red carpet: Kim Nylund The British humor magazine Punch once ran a cartoon picturing a huge St. Bernard and four little Bernards, each with an appropriately sized cask round its neck. Intones the tweedy owner, “Of course I only breed them for the brandy.”

Hal Calbom

These days everybody’s telling a story, especially on social media, and usually these are stories combining words and pictures. For us working photojournalists that’s created increasing interest in the process itself, our craft.

I’ve probably written and produced and delivered to audiences thousands of words and pictures stories. On the airwaves, on the printed page, to live audiences. And every day I still face the same two challenges: How do you make it true, and how do you make it “stick.”

It’s more than just getting it right, it’s writing it right. The truth can be dull, contradictory, and complex. And the “sticky” story can be oversimplified, sensational, misleading and utterly false.

So, culled from years in the newsroom, and decades on the deadline, here are three basics: 1. Put a Fish in a Fish Story. Be literal. If the subject is fish, talk about fish, show them fish — even if the heart of your story is actually new regulations enacted by a state commission at a boring meeting. Lead-ins and headlines often fail to deliver what they’ve promised.

2. Put Your Best Stuff Up Front. In this age of short attention spans, don’t “bury the lead.” We read and prioritize from top to bottom. Don’t hold back the good stuff, lay it out clearly and quickly. Lead with the punch, not the jab.

3. Kids, Dogs and Trains. Photogs: you never go wrong shooting the Big Three. Not only do we all love them, we can generalize liberally about the past, present and future, all while watching cute kids, cuddly dogs, and powerful machinery in motion.

Oh, and by the way, this is the deeplyburied lead into this month’s cover subject, Mt. Hood’s patron St. Bernard, Bruno.

•••

people+ place

Originally bred in the St. Bernard passes in the Swiss-Italian Alps, these huge, hearty helpmates have suffered all the brandy jokes (and in fact alcohol is a less than ideal tonic for dehydrated avalanche victims) and experienced countless cartoon send-ups showing them, weaving and wobbly, nipping from their own casks.

With the holidays approaching and snowflakes in the air, it seemed appropriate to set this story straight, paying a warm visit to Timberline Lodge’s very own Bruno, and his owner Kim Nylund, Timberline’s ski area sales manager.

KN: They’re rescue animals. Fantastic diggers. They smell people under the snow and dig them out.

HC: Not brandy butlers?

KN: Hardly. Alcohol actually lowers the body temperature. What’s amazing is that because they worked in families, and in twos or threes, they virtually self-trained over all those years they

worked in the Alps. And when they’d dig up a victim, one of the dogs would stay with the person, lie on them to keep them warm, not leave them, while the other dog or dogs went back to the monastery for help.

HC: Wow. Does Bruno still have these instincts?

KN: Well, he digs here, and finds all kinds of things under the snow. But St. Bernards haven’t been used as rescue dogs for generations.

HC: But he’s still working!

KN: Oh, yeah. He’s a celebrity around here.

HC: Does he have an agent?

KN: Yeah, you’re looking at her. The guests just love him.

He goes hiking with guests, With weddings he does a lot of photo shoots. He hangs out in my office, and we have a baby

NICE TO MEET YOU Kim Nylund resides

Rhododendron, Oregon occupation

Ski Area Sales Manager at Timberline, Mt. Hood from

Washington State known for

Having fun reading

John Grisham’s Camino Island for fun

Gardening, camping, hiking, snowboarding, crafting and, at the top of the list: time with family and friends. recommends

Any book by Bodie and Brock Thoene.

gate on the door. So people can see him, and then they want to pet him and talk to him, so we’ll bring him out.

We don’t really parade him around, but we just end up running into all kinds of people who want to interact with him.

Today, like Timberline Lodge itself, Bruno’s business is hospitality.

With 70 rooms, first class food and beverage service, and one of the world’s great locations, Timberline has become a Northwest destination location since its resurrection in the late fifties by the Kohnstamm family. Timberline is publicly owned but privately operated. Although intended to accommodate skiers, the Lodge hosts nearly two million visitors year-round, three-fourths of them coming for the scene, not just the skiing. cont page 20

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 21

HC: Besides taking care of Bruno, what do you do here?

KN: I manage the lodging and corporate accounts and the groups that come in.

HC: More groups than individuals?

Day trippers?

KN: Pretty much. We’re very busy with groups the whole ski season, and beyond. If there’s a group of fifteen or more we make sure everything is prearranged for them, from equipment rentals to lift tickets to meals.

People

“ ... it’s so beautiful here. It can be magical. ”

~ Kim Nylund

KN: Well, some of it is the desire to learn to ski or snowboard, or do it better. But more of it is the historic lodge, that it’s so beautiful here. It can be magical.

HC: A change of scene?

KN: It’s transformational. It’s a place that’s so incredibly invigorating. People say they find it a very motivational place, if you bring your company up

HC: Is there a typical group?

KN: It’s a huge range. You might have somebody’s birthday or bachelor party. Lots of schools come every year. Physics classes come every year, universities come every year. Or it might be corporate events, where they want to do team building, and they send all their people up. Or it might be a company that just happens to have a lot of skiers and snowboarders, so they come here to get the corporate discount and the red carpet treatment.

here, or your Christmas party, or an annual thing for employees.

Something new, something different, something creative.

HC: Where do most groups and guests come from?

KN In the summer you’ll see a huge majority of international.

Because they can ski here and they can’t a lot of other places.

HC: Why come here and not the convention center in downtown Portland?

HC: Why’s that?

KN: We have the glacier here, which retains snow all year round, so we’re one of the rare summer ski spots. A a lot of teams will come here, train here. We have the US Olympic Team coming here, and many individual Olympians come as well.

HC: What drew you to working here?

KN: I’m a snowboarder. I’d just started snowboarding, one of our boys had talked us into learning how. We loved cont page 24

People + Place toasts Oregon’s historic Timberline Lodge See you at the STAR

OF Wonder GALA

Dec. 8 at the Cowlitz Regional Conference Center benefiting the Cardiology Program For information or tickets, call 360-414-7900

.

Terry and LeAnna Kiggins and Sue Lantz appreciate the work of

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+ Place

I’

t s a timeless monument to a very modern ethic: stone, iron, and timber all refashioned, re-purposed, and re-cycled.

Timberline is a mountain lodge and resort hotel, a four-story structure with seventy guest rooms, a mile up the slopes of Oregon’s Mt. Hood.

Ground-level exterior walls are heavy rubble masonry, with huge timbers supporting massive beams and fixtures. The central headhouse section is a hexagon, 60 feet in diameter, built around a stone chimney stack 92 feet high.

Guests, and lounging St. Bernards, are drawn inevitably to the six huge fireplaces, three on each of the first two floors. Guest and resort amenities are in two wings flanking the headhouse.

The Works Progress Administration built Timberline Lodge between 1936 and 1938, a Roosevelt New Deal Project that recycled so very much more than its raw materials.

It reclaimed human lives and spirits as well. The Lodge and its furnishings preserved the craftsmanship, the artisanship, and the very hearts and souls of the half-starved, jobless men and women who built it.

LABORS of LOVE Saving people, and the economy, in the 1930s

“Those men actually came up here, lived up here, made the best money they’d ever made, sent money back to their families,” comments Timberline’s Kim Nylund, “I saw a doorknob today that I’d never noticed, never seen before. It had a little animal head on it, and was made out of the same iron. Even today, when we opened the fireplace screen, those chains are refurbished, they were the chains on the tires that brought the men up here.”

By Hal Calbom

Eighty percent of the $700,000 in Lodge building costs paid for labor. Skilled building trade workers received 90 cents an hour; unskilled laborers received 50 cents an hour.

Jobs were rotated to provide work for as many of the unemployed as possible. Reported the WPA’s Federal Writer’s project, “Pick and shovel wielders, stonecutters, carpenters, steam-fitters, painters, wood-carvers, cabinet makers, metal workers, leather-toolers, seamstresses, weavers, architects, authors, artists, actors, musicians and landscape planners each contributed to the project.”

Heavy timber and stone were local. Women hand-wove draperies, upholstery and bedspreads. Hooked rugs were made from old Civilian Conservation Corps blankets. Discarded cedar utility poles became newel posts with their crowns hand-carved into bears, birds, and seals. Fireplace screens were fashioned from tire chains; andirons and other iron work was forged from old railroad track.

Please be generous in donating to the Salvation Army’s “Holiday Kettles” this season. Donations of toys and clothing for kids, especially for teenagers, may also be made at the Christmas Center (former Macy’s location at the Kelso Three Rivers Mall, opening Dec. 4

Timberline itself has undergone regeneration.

At first an uneasy marriage of public ownership and private operation, four groups tried and failed to turn a profit with the place until Richard Kohnstamm, “the man who saved Timberline,” took over in the fifties. By then skiing as family recreation had begun to take off, and the investment of federal money, reclaimed materials, and laborer’s love and artistry finally flourished.

•••

Please join us in supporting the humanitarian work of Accepting food/clothing donations Mon-Wed-Fri, 11:30am – 2:30pm at 1222 Baltimore St., Longview, Wash. Phone: 360-577-0662.

Bring Christmas gifts for children to the St. Francis Circle at St. Rose Church, 2571 Nichols Blvd., Longview, or to St. Vincent dePaul on Baltimore Street.

The Evans Kelly Family One of Longview’s pioneer families.

Proud sponsor of People+Place

Proud sponsor of People+Place Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 23

People + Place

cont from page 22

MT. HOOD: IF YOU GO

this place, out of all our options, had a cabin up near here, and the whole family, except for my husband, are now snowboarders.

Directions to Timberline: From Portland, I-84 E to Exit 16 238th Dr/Wood Village, Right onto 238th Dr (becomes 242nd Dr), 3 miles. Left onto Burnside (turns into US26 E/Mt Hood Hwy). Follow US-26 E to the Timberline Rd, 40 miles. Pass through towns of Sandy, Welches, and Government Camp. Left onto Timberline Rd, 6 miles.

HC: He’s a skier?

KN: Yea, he’s on the Dark Side. We’re the Light Side.

Timberline Lodge & Ski Area

www.timberlinelodge.com General info: 503-272-3311 Ski Area Guest Services: 503-272-3158 Dining Options: Cascade Dining Room, Blue Ox Bar, Ram’s Head Bar & Restaurant, Wy’East Cafe, Y’Bar,

Timberline is super famously friendly.

Many of the staff are local, and the relative isolation of the Lodge makes it truly as much a destination as a day trip. Slopes are gentle, and the hospitality — 70 rooms which are booked mostly year round — has become the main attraction. Cuisine is Northwest, seasonal, and artisanal. There is a determined push to offer off-season recreation, specifically a network of mountain biking trails and a bike rental facility, to attract four seasons of visitors.

OTHER SKIING AT MT. HOOD Mt. Hood Meadows 35 miles south of Hood River. 85 runs for all skill levels.

Summit Near Government Camp. Mt. Hood’s oldest resort (1927), three trails, two lifts, and gentle slopes for beginners.

Mt. Hood Ski Bowl Walking distance from Government Camp. Offers night skiing, Three tubing runs.

Snow Bunny 1.5 miles east of Timberline Rd./Hwy 26 junction. Premium snow play area: tubing and sledding on a 25-30 foot slope.

Fun at Ape Cave

HC: I’m intrigued that despite being a “ski resort” you still get three quarters of your visitors in the so-called “off seasons.”

The heart and soul of this place is the people here — we really are a family: staff, visitors and Bruno, of course.

KN: Well, some would argue the scenery is even more spectacular in bright sun and balmy weather.

The Lodge itself is endlessly interesting to people, a kind of living history lesson. There’s tons of hiking. You can circle all the way around Mt. Hood, heading out to canyons and waterfalls. And the Pacific Crest Trail goes through our property, so those hikers also come through. They pick up

HC: Any plans for the Big Guy?

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.

packages they’ve mailed to themselves, get a hot shower, — we have a special shower for them. And a lot of them even stay the night if we’re not too busy.

HC: What’s the future look like here?

KN: It’s the hospitality that carries Timberline. So we’ll keep pushing ourselves as a destination resort, not just a ski area. There is growing awareness of a lot of cool stuff to do around the mountain, not just on it. There are rivers you can swim and fish in. An hour away you’ve got Hood River, where you can learn to kite surf and appreciate craft beer. Between us and them is what’s called the “Fruit Loop” with a lot of wine tasting and fresh fruit, pick your own fruit, or stop at a stand.

HC: Thanks for your hospitality, and happy holidays!

KN: Same to you!

•••

HC: And the mountain biking?

KN: You know it actually took us several years to get Forest Service permitting and approvals to do bike paths, but we’re ready to go. Next summer will be our opening for that.

HC: And you’ll get a more balanced business?

KN: Yes. We’re especially excited that we won’t lose so many of our day lodge employees in the off season; they can run the bike park.

Clothing Drive for Community House on Broadway To help, please drop off donations of good condition used or new coats, stocking caps, glove and shoes at Weatherguard, 1128 12th Ave., Longview, M-F, 9–5,

by Dec. 20.

Proud sponsor of People+Place

KN: Just more celebrity events. He does have a running mate, Heidi, and the two of them stay very, very busy.

Weddings, reunions, photo ops.

360-577-7200

24 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

WALK AND KNOCK

sharing food with those in need in our community

Millennium salutes the efforts of local service clubs, including Early Edition Rotary and Pioneer Lions in this community-supported food drive.

Please place you donations of nonperishable food items on your porch by 9am, Saturday, Dec. 1.

Proud sponsor of People+Place

people+ place

See story page 21

KIM NYLAND’S

Top Five Recommended Books 1.Timberline Lodge: A Love Story

by Jon Tullis. All about the love and history of this beautiful and iconic lodge, its people, R.L. Kohnstamm, and the craftsmen who built it.

2.Timberline Lodge: The History, Art and Craft of an American Icon by Sarah Munro Baker. The building of Timberline Lodge, all done by hand, and the craftsmen who put their heart and soul into making this historic lodge what it remains to this day...an icon of the state of Oregon and not only a ski resort, but a “museum,” as well. A peek in to the past that we can visit and enjoy every day.

3. Images of America Mt. Hood National Forest by Cheryl Hill. A wonderful historical walk through the area with images showing the gradual evolution of the area and Timberline and its surrounding landmarks “then and now.”

Thank You

P+P Partner Circle members for supporting excellent journalism while spotlighting worthy community organizations and programs.

people+ place For information about joining the Circle, call Ned or Sue Piper

Thanks to all our local Rotarians, who collectively strengthen the fabric of goodwill in our community and help make life better, here and around the world.

Rotary Relays • Freedom Flags Literacy Projects • Squirrel Fest Catlin Spray Park • Scholarships • Tour de Blast

Proud sponsor of People+Place

4. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. About a German boy and blind French girl whose stories tug at your heart and how their lives intertwine with a surprising ending.

5. Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. Lifechanging book based on study of the Bible and seven scriptural realities.

Senator Maria Cantwell dips her toes in the Pacific Northwest to give words of encouragement for NORPAC employees to keep fighting and keep up the good work!

As Cantwell heads back home she is determined to spread the word about our story.

Our small town – Longview, Washington – is making noise and making a difference one day at a time!

Proud sponsor of People+Place Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 25

The Natural World

Taking their Names in Vain

Y Dr. Jeffrey Tack

Dr. Kristi Poe Dr. Terence Tack

Your Vision – Our Mission.

LONGVIEW 820 Ocean Beach Hwy, #100 • 360-636-2020 WOODLAND 500 Columbia Street, Suite A • 360-225-1010 CATHLAMET 180 3rd Ave • 360-795-3223

By Dr. Robert Michael Pyle

ou’re so sluggish!” Thus spake my lively mate one recent morning, when my late-night reading and early a.m. torpidity conspired to bring about yet another tardy departure for the city. Of course she was right, and her frustration was righteous. Nor was her metaphor inappropriate. Like our damp land’s wondrous banana slugs, I function on average at a more deliberate pace than her pet rabbit, though I (like the slugs) am actually capable of a speedier slither now and then. On the whole I was not offended by the comparison.

People have always described one another’s traits in terms borrowed from the bestiary: sly as a fox, quiet as a mouse, blind as a bat, slow as a turtle (is that slower or faster than a slug, I wonder?). Meddlesome or raucous or clever as a jay or a crow or a magpie.

We’ve got hawks and doves, WASPS and crabs, shrews and moles. Animal similes that anthropomorphize animals and zoomorphize people

have been used and used and will be used again to portray our own species’ qualities. Never mind whether the attributions fit. Are eagles actually brave? Owls truly wise? Geese really stupid?

When such name-calling is meant as an insult, it may carry an ironic compliment. Calling your uncle a turkey, you have in mind a butterball of an inbred, domestic version gobbling inanely as it bumbles about the barnyard brainlessly, and the likeness might not be inapt. But when I saw a sleek, bronze-backed, Crayola-tailed wild turkey pacing cannily beside the Blue Ridge last fall, the insult lost its punch. As all hunters of wild turkeys know, there is nothing bumbling or dumb about their quarry. I think too of the three-toed sloth I once watched in all its slo-mo elegance, negotiating the canopy of a Costa Rican rainforest.

Here was an organism so exquisitely suited to its domain that it scarcely needed to move, supporting an cont page 27

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26 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

from page 26

endemic flora and fauna in its dense, lichened, gray-green coat. Yet to most, the word “sloth” evokes nothing more than one lazy louse.

Our animal pejoratives begin gently enough, such as catty and bird-brained, but then deteriorate through dirty rat and hairy ape and on to louse, skunk, hog, and horse’s ass, peaking out at just plain “animal.” Before long we’re in the territory of genuine slurs— women as bitches, chauvinist men and police as pigs, anyone in the wrong tribe as running dogs—never mind that we consider all three categories honorable when describing Lassie, Porky, or Old Yeller. Slander is bad wherever it occurs, but to co-opt animal names in its service leaves me doubly uncomfortable; not because of the nasty animal attributes such names are meant to imply about the people thus anointed, but because of the nasty human traits with which they tar the innocent creatures concerned.

By describing insufferable hangers-on as leeches, ciphers and sycophants as toadies, craven cowards as chickens, and liars as snakes in the grass, it is the animals we really slur. Through no fault of their own, critters end up in the kind of company we’d prefer to avoid.

When the first U.S.-Iraq war was underway, I noted that a well-known John Bircher’s billboard along 1-5 concluded its slogan of the week by labeling Saddam Hussein “a human worm.” The worst aspersion that farmer could think to cast was the name of Charles Darwin’s darling: “It may be doubted,” Darwin wrote, “whether there are many other animals which have played so important a part in the history of the world.” During the second invasion, an interviewee on the National Public Radio program “Fresh Air” referred to Saddam as “a lying snake,” and once caught, he became “a rat in a hole.” But this sort of infamy by association cuts both ways. As momentum built for George W.’s Iraqi adventure, a San Francisco columnist described the administration as “vile power-mad slugs and lizards...snakes and pit vipers.” The writer went on to admonish his readers that “The world does not consist of simpleminded and reductive good/evil polarities, but, rather, is a living organism, interconnected and breathing and dying and renewing in constant flux.” But what manner of Gaia is this, where all sorts of creeping, crawling creatures are fit only to characterize our dictators and demagogues?

When the worst thing you can think to say about someone—who may in fact be quite vile—is that he or she is an animal of some kind (never mind whatever mix of precisely evolved, adaptive, miraculous traits that creature in fact possesses), then biophobia is in full bloom. And biophobia, however unthinking, has its consequences. This sort of negative taxonomy sets us up to do some real damage, for as soon as we derogate life forms by tying them to

Original • Local All about the good life Spreading good cheer It’s a beautiful world Don’t we all enjoy holding a crinkly newspaper in our hands?!

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.

Photo by David Lee Myers

This is the seventh 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.

our own worst side, it becomes easy to objectify and even obliterate the subject of the insult. An internet commentator recently referred to George W. Bush as “the Smirking Chimp.” How does such a put-down affect our attitude and responsibility toward actual chimpanzees suffering from habitat loss and the bush-meat trade in Africa?

I am always baffled by folks who claim to love the Lord and all His works, and then go on to damn any endangered species they see as goring their own ox. Yet surely the knowing annihilation of any product of the Creation—by any creation myth, Darwinian, Judeo-Christian, Algonquian, Aboriginal—is deeply, shamefully sinful. Could it be that by dragging animals down to our own level, we can justify treating them just as badly as we treat one another, and even worse? After all, we place people in jails, and slavery has an ancient pedigree, so should it surprise us when we confine elephants and leopards in cages, turn asses and camels into beasts of burden, and cattle and sheep into vehicles of meat? Medical and nuclear military “experiments” on humans and all manner of torture have much in common with vivisection and other laboratory abuse of rats, rabbits, dogs, and primates. And why, having eliminated numberless tribes and nations of indigenous

people outright, should we scruple to prevent the extinction of entire runs of salmon or herds of caribou?

Who is going to mourn the loss of endangered suckers and bullheads in the Colorado River, when we use those words for people we find beneath contempt? The fact is, when we zoomorphize people, we make it all the easier to behave inhumanely toward the objects of comparison, both humans and others.

Zora Neal Hurston once explained the African-American penchant for Uncle Remus-type animal stories by saying that “we throw the cloak of our shortcomings over the monkey.”

She had that right. And there is nothing new about this practice— you’ll find it in the Bible, you’ll spot instances in Shakespeare, and you’ll certainly see it throughout both Eastern and Western fables, not to mention on billboards and talk shows and all through the common parlance in the market, mall, and chat room.

Oh, yeah, we’ll always be scared as a rabbit, hungry as a hyena, horny as a horn-toad. But the next time it occurs to you to put people down royally by calling them creatures, consider this: how would the snake feel about it?

How about the weasel?

I can appreciate these creatures’ plight.

After all, I know what it’s like to have one’s name taken in vain, having grown up with my particular surname.

I’m just glad it isn’t plural, and that my grandfather had the good sense to change the “i” to a “y.” Still, when conversation comes ‘round to piles of things, I’d like to say fine, stick with your piles of books, peaches, leaves, and compost, all good company; but when it comes to scat, can’t we please say “heaps” or “mounds?” You’d know how I feel if your name was a collective noun. By comparison, “sluggish” is a treat. Only I wonder: do the slugs appreciate the likeness?

•••

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 27

BESIDES COLUMBIA RIVER READER...

What are you reading?

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•••

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.

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Cover to Cover

Top 10 Bestsellers PAPERBACK FICTION 1. Less Andrew Sean Greer, Back Bay, $15.99 2. The Tattooist of Auschwitz Heather Morris, Harper, $16.99 3. Hope Never Dies Andrew Shaffer, Quirk Books, $14.99 4. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine Gail Honeyman, Penguin, $16 5. Crazy Rich Asians Kevin Kwan, Anchor, $16 6. Pachinko Min Jin Lee, Grand Central, $15.99 7. All the Light We Cannot See Anthony Doerr, Scribner, $17 8. A Man Called Ove: A Novel Fredrik Backman, Washington Square Press, $16 9. Norse Mythology Neil Gaiman, Norton, $15.95 10. Paris in the Present Tense Mark Helprin, Overlook Press, $17.95

PAPERBACK NON-FICTION

HARDCOVER FICTION

1. Sapiens 1. Unsheltered Yuval Noah Harari, Harper Barbara Kingsolver, Harper, Perennial, $22.99 $29.99 2. My Own Words 2. Past Tense Ruth Bader Ginsburg, S&S, $18 Lee Child, Delacorte Press, $28.99 3. White Fragility 3. The Reckoning Robin DiAngelo, Beacon Press, John Grisham, Doubleday, $29.95, $16 4. Nine Perfect Strangers 4. Killers of the Flower Liane Moriarty, Flatiron Books, Moon $28.99, David Grann, Vintage, $16.95 5. The Witch Elm 5. Code Girls Tana French, Viking, $28 Liza Mundy, Hachette, $16.99 6. The Colors of All the Cattle 6. American Wolf Alexander McCall Smith, Nate Blakeslee, Broadway, $16 Pantheon, $25.95 7. How to Love 7. Killing Commendatore Thich Nhat Hanh, Parallax Haruki Murakami, Knopf, $30 Press, $9.95 8. The Clockmaker’s Daughter 8. Call Them by Their True Kate Morton, Atria, $28 Names: American Crises 9. The Travelling Cat (and Essays) Chronicles Rebecca Solnit, Haymarket Hiro Arikawa, Berkley, $20 Books, $15.95 10. Where the Crawdads Sing 9. The River of Delia Owens, Putnam, $26 Consciousness Oliver Sacks, Vintage, $16.95 10. You Are a Badass Jen Sincero, Running Press, $16

HARDCOVER NON-FICTION 1. Almost Everything: Notes on Hope Anne Lamott, Riverhead, $20 2. Educated Tara Westover, Random House, $28 3. Whose Boat Is This Boat?: Comments That Don’t Help in the Aftermath of a Hurricane The Staff of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, S&S, $14.99 4. The Library Book Susan Orlean, S&S, $28 5. Fear: Trump in the White House Bob Woodward, S&S, $30 6. Dare to Lead Brené Brown, Random House, $28 7. Leadership: In Turbulent Times Doris Kearns Goodwin, S&S, $30 8. Girl, Wash Your Face Rachel Hollis, Thomas Nelson, $22.99, 9. Brief Answers to the Big Questions Stephen Hawking, Bantam, $25 10. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking Samin Nosrat, Wendy Macnaughton (Illus.), S&S, $35

Brought to you by Book Sense and Pacific Northwest Booksellers Assn, for week ending Nov. 11, 2018, 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 MASS MARKET CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATED 1. The Wonky Donkey 1. Outlander Craig Smith, Katz Cowley (Illus.), Diana Gabaldon, Dell, $9.99 Scholastic, $7.99 2. Good Omens 2. The Snowy Nap Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Jan Brett, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books HarperTorch, $7.99 3. The Name of the Wind for Young Readers, $18.99 Patrick Rothfuss, DAW, $9.99 3. Goodnight Moon Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd 4. Dune (Illus.), Harper, $8.99, Frank Herbert, Ace, $9.99, 4. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom 5. Origin Bill Martin, John Archambault, Lois Dan Brown, Anchor, $9.99 Ehlert (Illus.), Little Simon, $7.99 6. 1984 5. We Don’t Eat Our Classmates George Orwell, Signet, $9.99 Ryan T. Higgins, Disney/Hyperion, 7. Ready Player One $17.99 Ernest Cline, Broadway, $9.99 6. Blueberries for Sal 8. Foundation Robert McCloskey, Puffin, $7.99 Isaac Asimov, Spectra, $7.99 7. Pat the Bunny 9. The Left Hand of DarkDorothy Kunhardt, Golden, $9.99 ness 8. The Thankful Book Ursula K. Le Guin, Ace, $9.99 Todd Parr, LB Kids, $7.99 10. The Official Scrabble 9. Dragons Love Tacos Players Dictionary Adam Rubin, Daniel Salmieri (Illus.), Merriam-Webster, $8.50 Dial, $16.99 10. Little Blue Truck Alice Schertle, Jill McElmurry (Illus.), HMH Books for Young Readers, $7.99

BOOK REVIEW

Yes, Things are Bad. But oh, so much better.

By Alan Rose

This is the book that both Bill Gates and Barack Obama have been recommending. It’s not simply a marshaling of data showing how human life on earth has steadily improved; it argues for a “fact-based” way of seeing the world.

Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World—and Why Things Are Better Than You Think

By Hans Rosling Flatiron Books $27.99 Fun Fact: In 1800, the average life expectancy for a human on this planet was 31 years; in 2017, it was 72 years.

If you’re one of the many people who believe that the state of the world is getting worse with each news cycle, this book might be for you—Unless you’re one of the many people who actually take some glee in talking about how bad things are. Then skip this book.

Alan Rose, author of The Legacy of Emily H a r g r a v e s , Ta l e s 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.

Hans Rosling, who died in 2017, was a medical doctor serving in some of the poorest countries in the world. He was also a professor of international health, co-founder of Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) in Sweden, and adviser to the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Fun Fact: In 1950, the worldwide infant mortality rate was 15 percent; in 2016, it was 3 percent.

He presents data in a visually friendly format made for the statistics-averse person, and offers ways for us to understand “facts” and put them in context. In 2016, there were 10 commercial airline accidents ending in passengers’ deaths—which is alarming, especially if you were on one of the planes; but it was 10 out of 40 million commercial flights.

Enlivened with anecdotes from his own experiences of working on the front lines where people struggle daily to survive, he identifies those “mega misconceptions” that we hold about the so-called developing world, world population, terrorism and violence,

Educating girls has proven to be one

of the world’s best-ever ideas. When women are educated, all kinds of wonderful things happen in societies.

The workforce becomes diversified and able to make better decisions and solve more problems. Educated mothers decide to have fewer children and more children survive. More energy and time is invested in each child’s education. It’s a virtuous cycle of change. ~ from Factfulness

and examines the “instincts” that give us a distorted lens through which to view the world, such as a binary UsThem way of thinking, or the fear instinct (Really, fear seems to sell better than sex.)

He argues that we can admit both, that things are bad and they’re so much better, and use this as a call to further positive action.

Finally, at the end of his life, Rosling makes a plea for dialogue and for mutual understanding in a time of extreme divisiveness: “I have been wrong about the world so many times.

Sometimes, coming up against reality is what helps me see my mistakes, but often it is talking to, and trying to understand, someone with different ideas.”

With this book, Hans Rosling left us a humane and sane legacy.

•••

Fun Fact: In 1997, 42 percent of the populations of both India and China lived in extreme poverty. By 2017, the percentage in India had dropped to 12 percent; in China, it had dropped to 0.7 percent.

He emphasizes that to acknowledge, even celebrate, this progress is not to ignore the immense suffering of people who yet live in extreme poverty or of those caught up in the horrors of war.

Dec. 4 • Cassava 1333 Broadway Longview

www.alan-rose.com

SECOND TUESDAY

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 29

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GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

1110 Commerce Ave. Longview

30 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

1329 Commerce Ave • In the heart of Downtown Longview

Roland on Wine

Thank(full) for the cycle of life Keep your glass half full, fill up on the other

By Marc Roland things you are thankful for

S

ome people look at the world and see a glass half full. Others see it half empty. I always welcome a glass half full especially when it comes to wine. If you fill a wine glass to the brim you are missing out on at least half the pleasure in drinking wine because then you can’t stick your nose in it! And speaking of full, have you ever noticed the word thankful contains the word “full?”

I love this time of year. I don’t know why. It may have to do with a feeling of completion—the end of harvest with its reminders that with the bounty comes a period of rest — rest for the land and rest for the soul. My busy harvest season leaves little time to think about anything other than getting the grapes in and tucked away in barrels. But with Thanksgiving Day and the joy of the

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 360846-7304.

Let us help you furnish your home for the holidays!

coming celebrations, religious or not, one thing remains: The cycle of life continues.

Life is full of surprises. What I really mean is life is full of joy, grief, elation, disappointment, uncertainty, and routine. But if I have learned one thing, it is that our attitude towards it makes all the difference. If we were totally honest, it is all of life’s challenges that makes life interesting.

We could not have moments of elation if we had no moments of pain. Why do we spend so much of our time avoiding pain and complaining when things seem to be going wrong? I would suggest we would be much happier if we expressed thankfulness more.

I am grate(full) to live in the Pacific Northwest. My friend Amy makes hats that celebrate Washington state with all kinds of images, with symbols of love and friendship. You should check them out! (facebook.com/ hankorange).

None of us could have imagined that Washington would become the wine and beer mecca it is now. Nationally, we are ranked #1 in hop production and #2 in grape production. The word “grateful” means appreciation of benefits received. It is related to the word “grace.” We receive so much

from the abundance of our natural resources every day. We live in a place where we can grow our own food, fish our magnificent waterways, cut our own wood, and play in our own backyards. It has nothing to do with us, the terroir of Washington gives it up naturally. And if we can’t get it free, it is available at a fraction of the cost that others pay, if they can even find it.

Did you know that Lower Columbia School Gardens (lowercolumbiaschoolgardens.org) has a vegetable and plant sale all through the growing season? Eighteen school gardens where you and your kids can get food for little or no cost.

Nancy and I used to go to Napa Valley for wine tasting, but now rarely. Why? We have more than 800 wineries in Washington. Mind blowing!

I would suggest you check out my favorite Southwest Washington winery, Burnt Bridge Cellars in Vancouver. They make outstanding wine, as good as any around. Housed in an old auto shop with lots of history, this would make a good quick stop and introduction into the urban winery scene. Don’t forget to have lunch at La Bottega (labottegafoods. com) just down the street. Nice café atmosphere with delicious food and a great Italian wine list.

Your only local

Comfort Studio

When I become thankful, it always leads to joy(full)ness, a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Try this experiment and pay attention to the people around you. Do they appear to be happy? This is the great plague of American life right now. Not politics, not drugs, but unhappiness. So how do we become happy? Become thankful which leads to joy. John Lennon writes, “you may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one”. The simplicity of thankfulness may draw the label of “dreamer,” but what’s wrong with that?

The holidays are full of opportunities to be with family and friends. These times can be stress(full), but do they have to be? What are you ‘full’ of?

Really, what will you choose to be full of during times of cerebration? How about following my lead by expressing something you are thankful for every day, and tell it to someone in your life. For example, when uncle Bill tells you his opinion on an issue of the day, you could say, “thank you for your opinion,” and then say something like, “one of the things I appreciate about you is (fill in the blank).” You will feel joy(full) that it is possible to rise above our differences or potentially-divisive comments.

One last thing. It is the season for cheer(full)ness. Look around you and witness the love. The faces of your family and friends. The beauty that surrounds us. Life. I can’t think of a better way to encourage this than sparkling wine. There is no other beverage that says cerebration more eloquently than bubbly! Always start a special occasion with this neglected drink. It aways opens up conversation and good feeling among friends. And don’t forget the toast—the perfect opportunity to affirm the good things in life.

Not to seem self-righteous, but avoid an open bar of booze. If you are hosting, get control of the vibe and focus on the enjoyment of your guests.

Open with bubbles or one cocktail to get the flow going, serve wine with the meal, with an after-dinner drink later on. Keep the bar clear of help-yourself drinks, and keep lots of water and non-alcoholic drinks at hand. Offer your guests sparkling water and juice between courses.

Keep your glass half full and fill up on the thing that you are thankful for... a recipe for happiness.

1413 Commerce Ave. Longview M-F 9:30–5:30 • Sat 10 - 5 Closed Sundays

360-575-9804

Cheers!

•••

www.elamshf.com • Financing Available Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 31

Miss Manners

from page 15

indicating that everyone is having the same experience. What you are experiencing, instead, is the distraction by people who are having their own, unrelated fun, whether with one another or through their devices.

As you have noticed, that is not much fun for others present. Many people have noticed this, and it must be one of the reasons that movie theaters are declining.

Watching at home has made it possible to assemble others who want to observe the same standard — whether rowdiness, silence or something in between.

Miss Manners doubts that your mother really wants to desensitize you to the need for considerate manners in public places. Rather, she seems to be warning you that the situation is hopeless, as you cannot take on a crowd, and the usher who used to deal with disturbances is nowhere in sight.

Get your holiday look!

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wner)

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Weddings & Events Holiday Parties Workshops

Flowers for all your celebrations!

Complimemntary Consultations

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How many servings of fresh fruits and vegetables are you getting?

5 a day? 5 a week?

We are serving up organic juices and smoothies made fresh to order. No added sugar.

If you’re in a hurry, call it in.

360-261-7142

raw juice bar

Located in Triangle Shopping Center between Ross and Lane Bryant, Longview

RawJuiceBar 32 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

Miss Manners recommends a discussion with your mother, in which you both defend your sensitivity to public rudeness and, if you share her residence, request a movie-streaming account that will enable you to enjoy films with likeminded people.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have decided to treat myself to an occasional manicure and pedicure. I am having no luck in finding a salon where the persons doing my nails do not chat away in a foreign language with fellow employees while working on my nails.

The foreign language aspect is rude in itself. Also, I want the full attention of the person cutting, clipping, sanding and polishing my nails. Any advice?

GENTLE READER: Rethink pampering yourself with a transaction that involves people outside your limited circle.

While Miss Manners has sympathy for wanting service industry workers — especially ones wielding sharp objects — to pay attention, demanding that they cease all conversation is unreasonable. This might be why you are having trouble finding establishments that will oblige.

Rather than being annoyed, try pleasantly asking the nail technicians to translate so that you may contribute to the conversation — and even learn something about their culture. Miss Manners has a feeling that this will produce the desired silence much more effectively than admonishment.

••• Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www. missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Candles Incense Books Tarrot Stones Charms Wands Sage Jewelry Journals 1036 14th Ave.

Across from Goodwill, next to Paperbacks Galore.

PH 360-703-5793

M-S • 10 – 8

Women’s contemporary clothing, accessories and more...for her M–F 11–5:30 Sat 11–4

GIFT CERTIFICATES

1262 Commerce • Longview, WA • 360-353-3533

Clatskanie Fultano’s Pizza 770 E. Columbia River Hwy Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more!

M-Sat 11am–10pm; Sun 11am–9pm.

Summer Hours starting May1–Sept 30: M-Sat 11–11; Sun 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 5.

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 46.

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 16.

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.

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

Toutle/Mt St Helens 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 Sat-Sun, 11am–5pm. 360-274-5217.

St. Helens, Oregon 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 17.

Sunshine Pizza & Catering 2124 Columbia Blvd.

Hot pizza, cool salad bar. Beer & wine.

503-397-3211 See ad, page 38.

Scappoose

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. See ad, page 13.

Evergreen Pub & Café 115-117 East 1st Street Burgers, halibut, prime rib, full bar.

503-556-9935. See ad, page 5.

Goble Tavern 70255 Columbia River Hwy. (Milepost 31, Hwy. 30) Food, beer & wine + full bar, Live entertainment. 503-556-4090.

See ad page 5.

Luigi’s Pizza 117 East 1st Street, Rainier 503-556-4213 Pizza, spaghetti, burgers, beer & wine.

See ad, page 5.

Country Folks Deli 1329 Commerce Ave., Longview. Serving lunch and dinner. Sandwiches, soups, salads. Open M-Sat 11am. 360-425-2837.

See ad, page 30.

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 30.

Hop N Grape 924 15th Ave., Longview M–Th 11am–8pm; Fri & Sat 11am–9pm; Sun 11am–7pm. BBQ meat slow-cooked on site. Pulled pork, chicken brisket, ribs, turkey, salmon. World-famous mac & cheese. 360-577-1541 See ad page 14.

Masthead Castaways 1124 Washington Way, Longview.

Famous fish & chips, gourmet burgers, Chowders. 13 beers on tap.

360-232-8500. See ad, page 14.

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; Sun 11am–9pm. Full bar service ‘til 10pm Fri & Sat. Deliveries in Scappoose. 503-543-5100.

Roland Wines 1106 Florida St., Longview. Authentic Italian wood-fired pizza, wine, and beer.

Casual ambience. 5–9pm Wed-Sat. (Harvest Hours thru Oct: Fri-Sat 5–9pm) See ad, page 38.

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 Teri’s 3225 Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview.

Lunch and dinner. Fine dining, with specials, fresh NW cuisine. Happy Hour.

Full bar. Mon–Sat open 11am. Closed Sundays. 360-577-0717.

Fresh-roasted coffee, snack and pastries. 1335 14th Ave., M-F 7am–4pm, Sat-Sun 9am–4pm.

360-232-8642 See ad, page 10.

To advertise in Columbia River Dining Guide, call 360-749-2632

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.

Woodland The Oak Tree 1020 Atlantic Ave., Woodland. Full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Fresh from scratch cooking. Great happy hour menu. Sun 7am–9pm, M-Th 8am–9pm, Fri-Sat 7am–10pm. 360-841-8567

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 33

Outings & Events

Performing & Fine Arts Music, Art, Theatre, Literary 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 different 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 • Dec. 6 Broadway Gallery Enjoy refreshments and meet the month’s featured artists.

Reception, 5:30-7:30pm.

Music: by Dennis Harris www.the-broadway-gallery.com 1418 Commerce Ave. Downtown Longview, Wash.

Across the River Cowlitz County Historical Museum 405 Allen St, Kelso, Wash.

7pm Program: No program this month. See us at the Winter Festival, Dec. 2. Details, facing page, Calendar listing.

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 Jan 10 – Feb 17:

by Dec 26 for Jan 10 issue.

Events occurring: Feb 15 – March 20:

by Jan. 25 for Feb 15 issue.

Calendar submissions are considered for inclusion, subject to lead time, general relevance to readers, and space limitations. See Submission Guidelines, above.

34 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

Broadway Galler y Artists co-op.

Classes for all ages, workshops and paint parties. Featured Artists: Nov: Guest artist Pat Brame (pottery) and Dean Woods (watercolor); Dec: Guest Artists Barbara Conyne (ceramic sculpture), Daniela Nyberg (crochet), and Gallery member Quentin Robbins (paintings).

Gallery hours: Mon-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10–4. 1418 Commerce, Longview, Wash.

360-577-0544. www.the-broadway-gallery. com. Currently calling for New Artists for Gallery Membership. See’s candy available, benefits SWW Symphony Auxiliary.

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: 360-795-3007 or email fos1894@ gmail.com.

Teague’s Galler y Celebrating St. Nicholas. Dec. 8, 2–4pm, Open House feturing iconography. 1267 Commerce, Longview, Wash. Info: 360-636-0712.

The Alcove Galler y Presented by Community Arts Workshop, with volunteer instructors and a variety of arts and crafts materials available. Free.

Located in the CAP building,1526 Commerce, Longview, Wash. Open Mon–Thurs 12–3:30pm. For more info: 360-425-3430 x 306, or email capartsworkshop@gmail.com.

Koth Gallery, Longview Public Library Nov: Longview Public Library Art Show.; Dec: Christmas Quilters. 1600 Louisiana Street, Longview, Wash. Mon-Wed 10am8pm, Thurs-Sat 10am-5pm. Info: Daniel, 360-442-5307.

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.

Friends of the Longview Library FLASH 1-day book sale Wed, Nov. 28, 10am– 7:30pm. Books, audio books, CDs, DVDs, VHS, puzzles, games, holiday table. Good deals for all! Shop for gifts! Info: Barb LaChine 360-577-0956.

Community Festival of Nativities Nov 30-Dec 2. Come share in the joy of Christmas with of hundreds of community nativities and musical performances by local artists. See info, page 16.

“Sing of Mary” Dec. 7, 7pm and Dec. 9, 3pm. North Coast Chorale Winter Concert. Clatsop Community College Performing Arts Center, 16th and Franklin St., Astoria, Ore. See story, page 16.

Michael Allen Harrison Holiday Concert Wed, Dec 10, 6 pm. Community Hall, 1850 Second Street, Columbia City.

Concert tickets $20, may be purchased in advance by contacting City Hall, or at the door. Some food and drinks (including wine and beer) will be available for sale.

Benefits maintenance and upkeep of the 92-year old Columbia City Community Hall. Info: City Hall 503-397-4010 or colcity@columbia-city.org.

Mount St. Helens Club

HIKES on page 36

Outings & Events

Recreation, Outdoors Gardening, History, Pets, Self-Help Cowlitz County Museum Open TuesSat 10am–4pm. 405 Allen St, Kelso, Wash. www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/museum.

Info: 360-577-3119.

org Currently accepting holiday crafters for this event. To sign up or for more information call the offic, 360-795-3007 or email fos1894@gmail.com.

Wahkiakum County Historical Society Museum Logging, fishing and cultural displays. Open 1-4pm, Th-Sun. 65 River St, Cathlamet, Wash. For info 360-7953954.

The Artisan Guild of Mt St Helens Artisan Holiday Fairé Thursday, Nov. 29 and Friday, Nov 30, 9am–5 pm at Cassava’s, corner of 14th and Broadway, Longview. Monetary donations, cat and kitten food, and new or useable towels will also be collected to benefit the Humane Society of Cowlitz County.

Appelo Archives Center Historic exhibits, Naselle-Grays River area.

1056 State Route 4, Naselle. T-Fri 10–4, Sat 10–2, or by appt. 360-484-7103. appeloarchives.org.

Longview Bridge Club Weekly duplicate bridge games Mon 10:30am, Thurs 6:30pm, Kelso Senior Center, 106 NW 8th Ave. New players welcome. For info or help finding a partner: Rich Carle, 360-425-0981 or rhcarle@msn.com.

Friends of Skamokawa’s Annual Christmas & Holiday Open House “Deck the Hall” Thurs-Sun, 12-4pm through Dec 17. River Life Interpretive Center-Central School-Redmen Hall, 1394 W. State Route 4, Skamokawa Wash. Lovely gift shopping event with a wide range of unique items for all tastes.

Info: 360-795-3007 or fos1894@gmail. com. Website: www.friendsofskamokawa.

Winter Festival Dec 2, 12–4pm. Free family open house. Celebrate a Bavarian Christmas with Nutcracker exhibits on loan from the Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth, Wash. Cowlitz County Historical Museum, 403 Allen St., Kelso, Wash.

Castle Rock Festival of Lights Dec. 8, Castle Rock, Wash. See story, page 19.

Prime Rib Holiday Dinner Dec. 15, 2pm. $15. All welcome. Get tickets early.

Rainier Senior Center, 48 W. 7th, Rainier, Ore. Benefits Meals on Wheels and nutrition programs. Info: 503-556-3889.

Solstice Solar System Lantern Walk Dec. 21, 7–9pm, starting at south end of Lake Sacajawea. Sponsored by Friends of Galileo astronomy club.

See details, page 19.

Sunday, Dec. 2 3:00 pm Tickets: Adults $25 Seniors/Students $20 Children $18 Info: Elsa, 503-728-3403

Birkenfeld Theatre • Clatskanie Cultural Center • 75 S. Nehalem, Clatskanie, Ore. Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 35

SKY REPORT / FRIENDS OF GALILEO

Nov 25–January 10 Saturn exits the stage, Mars shines high in the sky...and meets up with Neptune

By Ted Gruber Evening Sky

This month, Saturn makes its final appearance in the evening sky until next summer. Look for the ringed planet low in the southwest as darkness falls through mid-December. If you’re having difficulty finding Saturn, wait until the evening of December 8, when the crescent moon appears just to its west.

Although Mars is now considerably dimmer than it was during its summer peak, the red planet currently lies much higher in the evening sky, making it a favorable target for binocular or telescope viewing. Mars is visible in the southern sky at twilight until setting in the west-southwest around 11:00pm.

On the evening of December 14, the first quarter moon passes just 4° south of Mars.

While I normally include only nakedeye objects in the sky reports, I’m going to make an exception this time because of a unique viewing opportunity.

Distant Neptune makes a planetary conjunction with Mars in the early morning hours of December 7. To see the outermost planet with binoculars or a telescope, first find Mars. Then to locate Neptune, look for a faint blue “star” immediately east-northeast of Mars on the evening of December 6, or immediately southwest of Mars the next night.

Morning Sky

Venus rises in the southeastern sky around 4:00am and remains visible until fading into the morning light.

Just as it was in the evening sky this past summer, Venus is the brightest object in the morning sky other than the moon. The crescent moon passes just 4° north of Venus the morning of December 3.

Mercury returns to the morning sky at the end of November. The innermost planet appears higher in the southeastern sky each morning through mid-December, when it reaches its peak altitude about 10° above the horizon about 45 minutes before sunrise. Thereafter, Mercury dips a little lower each morning but remains visible through early January.

The morning of December 5 presents a good chance to see Mercury, when the thin crescent moon passes about 2° north of the tiny planet.

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.

After dominating the evening sky this past summer, Jupiter returns to the morning sky in early December. The giant planet is the brightest object in the southeastern sky after Venus.

Jupiter rises after Mercury through December 21, and before Mercury starting December 22.

If you are interested in the sale of your cedar boughs (branches), we are willing to pay per pound.

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RT(round trip) distances are from Longview.

E=easy, M=moderate, S=strenuous, e.g.=elevation gain.

Wednesday, Nov28 Castle Rock Dike (E) Drive 20 miles RT. Hike 3 miles on paved trail. Optional hike to the top of “The Rock.” Leader: Art 360-425-3140

Wednesday, Dec 19 Lake Sacajawea (E) Walk around the whole lake (3+ miles) or walk half the lake (1+ mile.) with little e.g. Leaders: Trudy & Ed 360-414-1160

Saturday, Dec 1 Chocolate Falls and Beyond (M) Drive 120 miles RT. Hike 7 miles RT with 1,500 ft. e.g. Forest, barren ash meadows and close-up view of Mt. St. Helens. Leader: George W 360-562-0001.

Saturday, Dec 22 Full Moon Snowshoe (SS) (E/M) Drive 60 miles RT. Snowshoe 5 miles RT with 1,000 ft. e.g. off Spirit Lake Hwy. Pack your headlamp in case of clouds. Leader: David 360-577-4218.

Wednesday, Dec 5 Pacific Way Dike Trail (E) Drive 5 mi. RT. Hike 4 miles out and back on a smooth gravel path.Leader: Art 360-425-3140.

Saturday, Jan 5 Hummocks Snowshoe (SS) (E/M) Drive 100 miles RT. Snowshoe 5 miles RT with 500 ft. e.g. in wooded and open terrain. Nice opportunity for beginners or just the thing for cabin fever. Leader: George W 360-562-0001.

Saturday, Dec 15 Hares Canyon Loop (M)Drive 94 miles RT. From Stub Stewart State Park Visitor Center, hike 6.5 miles RT with 500 ft. e.g. above Williams Creek through a quiet forest. Bruce 360-4250256.

36 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

ATTENTION LANDOWNERS!

Wed, Jan 9 Camp Wilkerson Loop (E) Drive 40 miles RT Hike 3.6 mile-loop with 720 ft. e.g. through tall trees around the perimeter. $3 Entrance Fee. Leader: Bruce 360-425-0256

Fully autumn, on the

By Greg Smith cusp of winter

W

e are in the middle of Autumn and heading into the depths of winter. With daylight saving time over, we have the opportunity see the late fall constellation of Taurus and the asterism (a named group of stars that are not a constellation) of the Pleiades rising in the east with Orion not far behind. In fact Orion was fully visible in the northeast by Thanksgiving.

Let’s not forget that autumn has its own set of Zodiac constellations that do not get much attention. This is the time of year when the zodiac gets wet. Its main three constellations are water-themed: Capricorn, the sea goat; Aquarius, the water bearer; and Cetus, the sea monster of the tale of Andromeda and Perseus.

Take Capricorn and Aquarius, for instance (if you are old enough, go ahead and hum a few bars of the song). They are to the east of the “teapot” of Sagittarius in the southern sky. Their stories have nothing to do with Perseus and Andromeda. (By the way, the Age of Aquarius does not start til 2597.)

Capricorn, the sea goat, is really an oddly named constellation about an odd mythical creature; it is also one of the oldest known from antiquity (2100BC) and is named after one of the manifestations of an ancient god of fertility. “Capri” comes from an old name for a goat. The island of Capri was known as the Isle of Goats.

Astronomy

And “corn” is a word for horn, as in unicorn (one horn) and cornucopia (horn of plenty), but to modern eyes it looks more like a deep-hulled boat (a water theme).

Aquarius is known as the water bearer, appropriate for autumn as the return of the rainy season begins in the Pacific Northwest. Aquarius is associated with water, often in reference to flooding. Both Egyptian and Babylonian mythology connect it to floods; Egyptian, with annual flooding of the Nile which was a positive, while the Babylonians associated it with the destructive floods they regularly experienced, and was negatively viewed. In the spring, the “pitcher” that holds the water is seen dipping into the western horizon and pouring out its water; thus the floods.

In Greek mythology, the water bearer was the boy Ganymede who brought water to the Olympian gods. One of the moons of Jupiter is named after him. Remember, back then there cont page 39 Greg Smith is the president of Friends of Galileo, now in its 23rd year. For info, call 360-636-2294.

These gifts will put stars in their eyes Greg’s 2018 List Editor’s note: Of course, the books listed are available online, most notably from Amazon. But please support small businesses and consider ordering your books through local independent booksellers.

Young Children’s Books What Are Stars? By Katie Daynes.

Usborne House, England. A Lift-theFlap Very first questions and answers.

For young children 3+.

Crinkle, Crinkle, Little Star. By Justin Krasner and Emma Yarlett. Workman Publishing. A hardback feel and touch bedtime story book for young children 3+. I bought both for my granddaughter for Christmas.

For older children and adults

A Planisphere is actually the best way to start. A Planisphere and your naked eyes are the true starting point of learning the night sky.

For year round learning

extremely useful when doing serious star gazing with a 4” or larger size telescope. They both are spiral bound so the pages lie flat.

4 . Tu r n L e f t A t O r i o n b y G u y Consolmagno (Vatican Observatory) and Dan M. Davis (Stony Brook University). Cambridge University Press. Lots of detailed illustrations on how to find objects in the sky. Very good descriptions of telescopes and how they work.

5. Night Watch by Terrence Dickerson.

Gives information on telescopes and how to choose one, plus star charts to use with binoculars and telescopes.

(My first one.)

A subscription to Astronomy Magazine or Sky & Telescope Magazine. This will keep you up-to-date on everything that is happening.

6. Apps on phones or tablets are good, too. Make sure you phone or tablet has an accelerometer and gyroscope to use the point-and-look features. (Most do.)

My list of favorite aides in star gazing and enjoying the night sky.

Already have a telescope? Any of the above items and the following:

1. Planisphere - The Night Sky 40° 50° (Large; North Latitude). Here is your map to the night sky. This is the absolute most basic thing a star gazer MUST have. You can’t be without this. $12.00; a smaller version for $7.50.

7. The Year-Round Messier Marathon Field Guide. By Harvard C. Pennington Published by WillmannBell, Inc. This is a hardbound book.

For the Science Geek:

2. Sky & Telescopes Binocular Highlights: 99 Celestial Sights for Binocular Users,

by Gary Seronik. Published by Sky and Telescope Magazine. This is an easy way to see some very interesting deeper sky objects that maybe a telescope would overpower. If you already have binoculars, this is the book to start your journey to the stars.

3. Sky & Telescope’s Pocket Sky Atlas

by Roger W. Sinnott. Published by Sky and Telescope Magazine. I have found this to be an excellent star atlas.

It’s 6.5” X 9”and very handy. There is also a jumbo edition that some say is

8. Astrophysics is Easy! by Mike Inglis.

This is great for understanding how all the science works behind all the discoveries that have been made in astronomy. There is very little math, mostly high school level stuff. The good point is that it goes well with a sky atlas, in telling you which stars in the sky demonstrate what each chapter is explaining.

Binoculars: The best way to start learning the objects of the night sky.

You probably already have a pair, so use those. 7x35 and 7x50 are great. 10x50 is probably best, but you will have to brace yourself to stop the shaking cont page 38

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 37

Astronomy Gifts cont from page 37

of your hands when holding them.

Anything bigger will need a tripod to hold them steady.

Telescopes: Do not buy a cheap one from the department store, unless it has an aperture of 4” or more. Those small telescopes that brag about 500X are false claims. A two-inch wide aperture telescope is only good to 100X. Rule of thumb, 50X per inch of aperture or 2X per millimeter. These will allow you to see the Moon and the

five naked eye planets. Some star clusters and the nebula in Orion, along with double stars, Alcor and Mizar in the handle of the Big Dipper. Reliable brands are, Celestron, Meade and Orion (Telescopes.com.).

A 2” computerized ‘GoTo’ scope can be a fine starting scope too, as it will take you straight to what you are looking for after star alignment.

Only purchase a larger telescope if you truly desire to see the deep sky objects like galaxies and will use it. If you get one, come meet us at the Friends of Galileo Astronomy Club and we will help you get to know how to use it. Look us up on Facebook.

NOT YOUR EVERYDAY ACTIVITY Don’t miss the Winter Solstice Solar System Lantern Walk at Lake Sacajawea!

See details, page 19.

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38 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

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Informer

by Perry Piper

TV upgrade? Think twice!

M

any people will be feasting their eyes on a new TV after this holiday, but is it worth the expense?

Our family recently made the 4K upgrade ourselves and unless you care about the absolute best quality and are willing do several things on a checklist to get the greatest picture, it’s better to stick with what you have or buy a cheap, massive 1080p model on eBay or locally. The counter point is if you can snag an OLED and follow the precautions, it’ll knock your socks off even if you don’t change anything else.

Buyer’s Tips •You probably don’t need new 4K HDMI cables that run audio and video, unless you’re certain they’re older than 2009. Wait to buy new ones until after you get any new gear.

•If upgrading from a 15+ year old TV, you will be amazed by the new clarity, wide color gamut (WCG), brightness and contrast of all content.

•4K, 8K and resolutions beyond are a better fit for VR headsets vs modern flat wall screens.

•Turn off motion enhancements on all but sports content.

•Read multiple source per-movie reviews to see if specific 4K blurays are even worth it.

One plus of the new screens at any size or distance is HDR, or high dynamic range. This means that assuming you have matching content, the higher contrast of the tv can make the white spots appear dramatically brighter than on past sets and the dark spots near if not matching perfect black.

While a cool effect that makes the tv appear more like looking through a window, it’s a somewhat subtle upgrade that I’m not sure is worth paying much for currently.

The big problem with 4K TVs, especially culturally speaking, is that to actually discern a difference in quality, you’re going to have to buy the biggest TV you can afford and sit as close to it as possible. For us, we got a 65 inch OLED on sale and have to sit about three and a half feet away so that it fills our entire frame of view. Most readers will probably gasp at the thought and perhaps even refuse to make such a home viewing change. If the 4K content is of poor quality, you must still sit up to seven feet away, the target distance for watching traditional old fashioned 1080p bluray movies on this size of screen. For example, if you get a larger 80 inch 4K screen, you get the luxury of sitting the more normal five feet away or seven and a half feet away with a 115 inch screen, going with a 4K projector perhaps.

OLED is going to give superior picture in darker rooms for movies or any content that doesn’t have static sports scoreboards, computer screens, news logos or video game icons on the screen for hours while QLED, LCD and LED will be better in brighter viewing areas and is built for infinite

Astronomy

from page 37

was no such thing as light pollution, the constellations were highly visible and were used as reminders for the stories told around fires, learning their history and religions. To us, these stories are just crazy stories about the constellations, but the stories were very serious to them. The constellations also told them when to plant, to harvest and prepare for hard times.

See the galaxy in Andromeda

For those who like to look at amazing stuff in the night sky, now is the time to observe the galaxy in Andromeda (M31). It is high overhead in the sky, and at its best for viewing. Andromeda is at the left end of the great square of Pegasus. Go two stars east and three stars up to find the galaxy. With a dark, clear sky you can see a smudge with only your eyes, a big fuzzy patch of light with binoculars (even from an urban setting) and, with a telescope, you will see a larger haze with a bright center, along with two other small fuzz balls that are companion galaxies.

Star nursery nebula hangs in Orion’s sword It is also the time to start getting familiar with Orion. It will be with us for the next several months. Here is where the star nursery nebula that hangs in Orion’s sword is found, the elusive Horsehead nebula hides out near the far left star of the belt, along with the red giant star Betelgeuse that is getting close to going nova.

hours for these use cases. You can make OLED work with the more risky content, but you should run a screensaver, auto off timer and vary your content types every few hours while running the pixel refresher tool after sessions.

Where 4K TV does shine objectively and to the full effect is in compatible video games, especially on PC, or moderately so on PS4 Pro or the Xbox One X. These titles can output a perfect 4K signal where sitting at three feet nets objective immersive benefits. Even playing a 10 year old PC title like Dead Space in 4K was incredible and made it seem like it was only a few years old.

Another great way to make the 4K upgrade a no brainer is through family photo sharing, since the pictures will be four times sharper than normal and all our cameras these days are 4K, aka 8MP and beyond. The same goes for photo editing or 4K video producers. You can display said content over wifi to the Smart TV’s interface or with something like the Chromecast Ultra 4K dongle, $69.

The other benefit of 4K content can be the sound format Dolby Atmos.

Here, you actually don’t need to buy a new tv, just a new receiver, 4K device like the Xbox One S and a few more speakers. Atmos eliminates the concept of audio channels and will work with as many speakers as you plug in, up to 34 for the home user, including multiple subwoofers and ceiling speakers for 3D object based sound. This might make more sense in the future as well, as the demos I’ve heard are tough to appreciate.

Unless you fall into one of these categories, it’s currently better to save your money. Perhaps use the savings to buy a single new device to enhance your media viewing experience, or get another subscription service like HBO Go or Youtube TV for cheaper live broadcasts.

••• Perry Piper enjoys world travel and keeping up with emerging new technology. He is available for technical consulting and helping people with their computer needs.

Reach him at 360-270-0608.

Diamonds in the sky The Pleiades are a great place to see a star cluster up close. How many stars can you see with the naked eye? How many stars do you see with binoculars? Now you know why it is called a cluster of stars.

By Christmas, the full winter Hexagon is out. It is made up of six bright stars that encircle Orion and Gemini. Starting with Orion’s right foot; white Rigel, then onto Sirius the Dog Star, up toward Procyon the little Dog Star, up to the twins of Pollux and Castor, over to Capella and down to Aldebaran, and closing back to Rigel. This covers a large area of the sky and is a way to learn the main winter constellations and impress your family and friends.

Be on the watch, on a clear night after Thanksgiving, a naked-eye comet will be showing up and will be visible till Christmas.

Our rainy season is upon us, and we should use every opportunity to just enjoy a clear night and watch the progression of the stars.

If you want to know more about stars and planets and how to view them, join us at the Friends of Galileo Astronomy Club. See our webpage for details: www.friendsofgalileo. com.

•••

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 39

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COOKING WITH THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER

Christmas Morning Surprise Frosty in a tack box

By Suzanne Martinson

T

he path we stomped out with our snow boots from our house to Gram and Gramp’s on Christmas Eve didn’t take much effort or time.

“Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!” the snowbanks protested weakly as my white rubber, zipper boots took me home.

As my brother, Jon, and I were growing up, still anticipating the guy in the red suit catapulting down the chimney, Dad didn’t bother asking us about gift suggestions for our mother. He always waited until late afternoon of Christmas Eve before it ever crossed his mind.

The porch lights stayed on at both my grandparents’ and our houses as my family made our way past the big red barn that stood between the homes of three generations of our Michigan farm family. My brother, Jon, and I walked, but it was a bitter cold night, so Dad had driven our Buick station wagon loaded with presents and Mom’s baked beans for the short walk to his parents’ house.

Sure, he had to milk the cows twice a day. Sure, he was still recovering from his two-week deer hunting expedition with his childhood buddies in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. And he didn’t seem to notice the snow filling the drainage ditches up and down our country road as the car radio droned, “If it doesn’t snow on Christmas, how will Santa …”

Now the annual night-beforeChristmas dinner of my father and his four sisters and their families – 12 cousins in all – was over for another year. At our two-story farmhouse it was a fitting prelude to the gift-giving – and arguments — on the way home.

“Time to open our Christmas gifts,” Dad always said, hopeful with anticipation.

“Not until morning, Waldo,” our mother, Ann, always answered. “Santa comes after midnight. You should know that by now.”

Dad let out a deep sigh, more fraught than usual. As any busy farmer should know, Dad didn’t have a leg to stand on. At our house, Mrs. Santa bought all the presents, save one. Hers.

And how will Dad get to the jewelry store before closing time on Christmas Eve? His trusty pick-up has four-wheel drive.

The thing is, when a husband knocks frantically on the jewelry store door just at closing time, on Dec. 24, checkbook in hand, the smart owner lets him in.

That’s how my mother came by a beautiful Bulova wristwatch with a golden band that kept perfect time until the day she died, at 94.

In the present day, when it comes to providing Eleventh Hour Gift Suggestions, that job falls to the baby of the family. Growing up, Roxann was always knee-deep in Christmas.

My sister and her husband, Dutch, are par excellence in the gift-giving department. Their presents arrive

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perfectly wrapped in horse-themed paper. In contrast, mine usually look as if they have been chewed on by a litter of puppies mistakenly left by Mr. Claus, who was obviously distracted by his reindeer pawing on the roof.

When Roxann moved into the grandparents’ 100-year Centennial Farm house, the party went with the territory. Our farm family’s Christmas Eve get-together is always a prelude to the gift-giving and the annual argument at our house.

“Time to open our Christmas gifts,” Dad said, hopeful with anticipation.

“Not until morning,” Mom said with certitude. “Santa comes after midnight. You should know that by now.”

“Maybe he circled the world a different way this year, and got here earlier,” Dad teased. “Maybe he stopped by while we were having dessert with Gram and Gramp.”

Nope. “Not unless you bought all the presents this time,” Mom whispered.

Christmas morning, it was.

When it came to great gifts, I, the eldest, always got what I wanted, too. I was deep into adulthood when I mentioned that fact to my mother.

“We taught you what to want,” she said.

My most memorable gift seemed a mixed blessing at first. When I was 9 years old, I found a beautiful handmade wooden tack box beside the Christmas tree. It had a special green and red pullout tray to hold the brushes, curries and saddle soap. My dad’s craftsmanship was all over it, though I didn’t question its authenticity as a gift from Santa.

“Lefty, go get the ice cream out of the freezer,” Dad said, forgetting all about my Christmas surprise. “I’ll get the strawberry jam out of the freezer.” I had seen it perched on two sawhorses, its varnish drying in the basement next to the freezer, where we kept our 2-1/2-gallon containers of Mooney’s brand of ice cream.

The tack box didn’t arrive empty, either. It was the receptacle for my

RECIPE Most everybody likes bacon!

When it comes to holiday entertaining, no fat, low-fat is no fun. This bacon specialty is an apt appetizer for dinner or an appealing party hors d’oeurve. After all, January will be here before we know it. ~ Suzanne Martinson HOT BACON BITES

1 pound bacon (not thick-sliced) 1 bag Tater Tots Toothpicks 1 jar artichoke hearts, well-drained and cut into quarters.

Jarred cheese sauce, optional Cut bacon slices in half. Wrap each piece of bacon around a Tater Tot. Alternately, the bacon may enwrap a quartered, well-drained artichoke heart, or make some of each.

Before cutting and wrapping, pat artichokes with a paper towel to dry.

Secure each Bacon Bite with a toothpick thrust through the center of the filling, from side to side.

Place “bites” on cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil. (Spray foil with vegetable oil, if desired.)

Bake in preheated 350º oven for 8 minutes, or until bacon is crisp.

Drizzle each Bacon Bite with jarred cheese sauce, if desired. ~Jessica Martinson Burton (Suzanne’s daughter) brother Jon’s gift, yet not one person questioned how Santa had stuffed it into his sack. It was a black and white spotted puppy.

Our mother caught my brother’s excited words on a brand new tape recorder: “Puppy peed. Shame!”

We loved him anyway. My brother named him Frosty. He was the best Christmas gift ever. Not even a singing snowman could compete with Frosty and a tack box.

••• Early in her journalism career, Suzanne Martinson worked as features editor at The (Longview) Daily News. Later, she was food editor at The Pittsburgh Press and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Upon retirement, she returned to the Longview-Kelso area and has contrtibuted to CRR since 2008.

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 41

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42 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

Technology: For Business & Pleasure

HaikuFest 2019

Poets: Sharpen your pencils for the next HaikuFest

C

ould there possibly be CRR readers out there who are not yet aware that we sponsor an annual Haikufest that has a worldwide following? We have tried to shut it down several times but the resultant clamor has made that immigrant caravan south of the border look like a bunch of weekend birdwatchers.

Poets rioting is a terrifying spectacle to behold with indiscriminate slinging of nouns, adjectives and adverbs, dangling participles, and splitting infinitives. Total chaos! (The publisher/editor says that I am given to gross exaggeration. I’ve told her “no” a million times!) So…yielding to the wishes of our readers, we hereby announce our 11th Haikufest.

For those new to haiku, it is a form of Japanese poetry made most famous by Matsuo Basho in the 1600s. Haiku consists of three lines. The first and third lines have five syllables each, the middle lines has seven. Contemporary haiku often deviates from the 17-syllable rule but we adhere to it for sentimental reasons.

Traditional haiku is crafted to create a mental image, a snapshot of a moment in time.

Nature is a common subject. Pop haiku on the other hand covers myriad subjects and is often written in a humorous vein.

So, CRR poets, cast work aside, sharpen your pencils, and start counting syllables.

Here’s the drill Entries for our 11th Haikufest can be either traditional (nature-based is the favorite theme, and we encourage Columbia River region-based verse), pop (anything goes as long as it can pass the “good taste” test), or a combination of each. Each poet may submit up to five unpublished entries. There are no fees. There are also no lavish prizes. But previous winners have always been pleased with what they receive.

To enter The preferred method for submission is by email addressed to haikucenter@aol.com. We will, however, also accept submissions sent by snail mail to G. Meyers, 3045 Ala Napuaa Place #1406, Honolulu, HI 96818. All entries become the property of Columbia River Reader and must be received no later than January 20, 2019. Winners will be announced in the February 15 issue of CRR. ••• Gary Meyers is CRR’s HaikuFest founder and chief judge. He grew up in Longview and, following careers with the US Marines and Northwest Airlines, enjoys retirement in Hawaii. He misses the rain, however, and visits Southwest Washington regularly.

Here are some winners from past Haikufests to get the creative juices flowing: Traditional A great elk trumpets His echoes fill the valley And the herd responds. ~ P. Peterson Under cherry trees Lovers and salarymen Join in revelry.

~ T. Ogino

Pop Would Basho’s name help Improve my chances of winning?

Yes, I have no shame.

~ J. Anderson

Fancy coffee drinks Latte, mocha, espresso Gimme cup o’ joe.

~ J. Zuccarini

to our friends and customers!

1100 Vandercook, Longview • 360-423-3350 • WWW.STIRLINGHONDA.COM Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 43

Blackwood on Movies

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

The Cinematic Musical Masterpiece of the Year?...or Not?

By Dr. Bob Blackwood “Bohemian Rhapsody” is either the best musical picture of the year —with the music of Britain’s rock group Queen, formed in 1970 — or I am going deaf. I don’t think both things can be true, however. The band’s leader, an East Indian living in England born Farrokh Bulsara, took the name Freddy Mercury when he formed the band as the lead vocalist and pianist. He chose Brian May as lead guitar, Roger Taylor on drums and John Deacon on bass guitar. They were played by Gwilym Lee as Brian May, Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor, and Joe Massello as John Deacon.

In the mid-70’s and later, Queen was hot, circling the international rock and roll world. One of their key songs was “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Their largest venue was probably Bob Geldof’s Live Aid concert in London in 1985 which had an international television audience. The band went on about another five years and, eventually, Freddy Mercury died of AIDS in 1991.

Both photos: Rami Malek plays Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

20th Century Fox.

Freddie is played by Rami Malek, an American actor who won a Critics’ Choice Award and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Elliot Alderson in the USA Network television series “Mr. Robot.”

It happens that the music of Queen, which the actors follow intently, is a mixture of different musical forms which made them, in effect, the best performers at the Live Aid concert.

It certainly brought Queen international publicity when they toured the world even before the Live Aid experience.

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.

What was the problem with Freddy which led to the many squabbles that Queen endured during their otherwise triumphant tours? I don’t pretend to know them all, but I know that his longtime female companion, Mary Austin, an early friend, eventually found another man. Freddy’s bisexual lifestyle and frequent choice of different Mark Wahlberg as U.S. agent James Silva in “Mile 22.” STXfilms male companions is undoubtedly a factor in the reason for the unevenness of his emotional life. I remember one of his colleagues noting that dozens of male fans would line up, privately and separately, before Mercury’s dressing WALSTEAD MERTSCHING room after every gig on the road.

Eventually, Freddy Mercury contracted ATTORNEYS AT LAW Attorney Michael Claxton Attorney Brian Brault AIDS, dying at 45.

Licensed in WA & OR LL.M in Taxation The music is great. The story is intense. If you like their music, you

will appreciate the film. But if you want ESTATE PLANNING & ELDER LAW an accurate story of the band, you will Walstead Mertsching provides advice have to find other sources than this film, which shows Freddy almost dying during and a variety of estate planning services, and after the Live Aid Concert in 1985. including: In fact, he lived about six years after • Asset Protection that, some of them on the road with • Community Property Agreements Queen, still at work. rd

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This film, which runs about 2 ¼ hours, moved very smoothly, but it requires a certain amount of appreciation of the fine music which is also quite loud and certainly something special.

•••

• Durable Powers of Attorney • Guardianships • Healthcare Directives/Living Wills • Medicaid and Long-Term Care Issues • Probate • Tax and Retirement Planning • Wills • Will Contests

44 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

CIVIC CIRCLE BUILDING, 3 FLOOR 1700 HUDSON ST., LONGVIEW, WA

360-423-5220 Longview www.walstead.com

Where do you read

THE READER?

A little worse for wear and out of date Clatskanie resident John Lillich found a slightly waterlogged copy of CRR in the Columbia River but still managed to read it.

Completing the loop: On top of the world! Larry and Bev Hanks, of

Kelso, Wash., in Longyearbyen, Norway, the northernmost city in the world, in June 2018. Inset: The two in March 2015 in Ushuaia , Argentina, the southernmost city in the world (published previously).

In Tahiti

Corvallis, Ore. resident Victoria Findlay took the Reader along to read in paradise.

WHERE DO YOU READ THE READER? Finding his roots Glen and Gayle Agren visiting Agren Hill in Peräseinäjoki, Finland, where Glen’s grandfather was raised.

A “group read” in Durnstein, Germany From

left, Jeannie and Charley Russell, residing mostly at Skamokawa Vista Park, Skamokawa, Wash; Terry and Benita Akins, of Seattle, Wash; Sharon and Scott Horner, Puget Island, Wash.

Send your photo reading the Reader (highresolution JPEG) to Publisher@CRReader.com.

If sending a cell phone photo, choose the largest file size up to 2 MB. Include names and cities of residence. Thank you for your participation and patience, as we usually have a small backlog.

Keep those photos coming!

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 45

the spectator by ned piper

I

Appreciating our People+Place sponsors

hope you’ve noticed the ads in the People+Place monthly feature. If you only glanced at them, you may not have noticed that these ads are different than most ads in this or any other print pubication.

Instead of promoting their own businesses, the supporters of the feature I affectionately call “P+P” are promoting their favorite non-profits.

It’s a unique way to “advertise,” one often found on National Public Radio (NPR) and Public Broadcasting (PBS) ptogramming.

“This program was brought to you by the fine folks at ABC Corporation, a company dedicated to the arts.”

You may never know that the ABC

Corporation sells tractor parts, but you do know that they believe the Arts will make your life better.

When Sue and Hal Calbom started the P+P in April 2018, I questioned whether any businesses in our region would agree to buy an ad that didn’t have a mention of the products they make or sell, their coming big saleathon. It’s definitely not the norm for a business to spend money promoting something other than their own business. Who would do that?

A hand-picked circle of companies who want to help CRR give readers the gift of great journalism, celebrating some fascinating people and our beloved, unique region, while also

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boosting programs that help everyone who lives in this place. And they care, not only when the holidays approach, but all year long. To date, our sponsors have spotlighted and promoted 28 different local organizations and good causes.

PLUGGED IN

Every month, I have the honor of calling the sponsor partners to ask what they would like to promote in their spot in the upcoming issue. I’m impressed when one of them will say, “I want to do the PeaceHealth Foundation Board.

I was on their board for several years.”

Or, “We’re going to promote Habitat for Humanity. We donate the roofs on the houses they build for families who couldn’t otherwise afford to buy a house.” Or, “Community House. We’re organizing a clothing drive for them.”

Or “St. Vincent dePaul. This month they’re collecting toys for kids whose parents can’t give them gifts this year.”

By Alice Dietz

We hope our readers will respond to these public service, supportive ads by answering the particular “call to action,” and consider joining the advertiser in helping the worthy, often underpublicized non-profits’ endeavors.

And also to recognize — and appreciate — these companies as the generousspirited community leaders they are. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

••• Longview native Ned Piper enjoys reading, writing, and schmoozing with CRR advertisers and readers.

JANUARY ISSUE COMING OUT JAN 10

Full of...

• Outings • Comfort Food • Winter reflections • HaikuFest last call • Surprises!

Ad Deadline: Dec. 26.

Submission Guidelines, p. 34.

46 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019

to

COWLITZ PUD Veterans honoring Veterans

E

very November, Cowlitz PUD takes time to honor the Utility’s Veterans who make up nearly 16 percent of the PUD’s workforce. We acknowledge each Veteran and give them a gift to show our appreciation for their service. This year, our Veterans decided that rather than receive a gift, they wanted to do something to honor the Veterans in our community. In early October, Cowlitz PUD launched our first annual Veteran’s Day Drive. The employees of Cowlitz PUD donated more than $1,000 worth of socks, toiletries, coats and blankets. Working with the Cowlitz County Veteran’s Services, the PUD organized a lunch at our Operation’s Center on Industrial Way and served lunch to more than 20 local Veterans.

One of our own Veterans, meterman Tony Park, spoke a few words to the crowd. As an Army Veteran, Tony described how he has everything he needs and being able to share fellowship, lunch and the donations with local Veterans in need is more of an honor to him than receiving a gift. He concluded with a few simple words that resonated with the group, “Never Forget.”

Our Veterans deciding that they would like to honor rather than be honored is a wonderful example of the qualities that it takes to be a Veteran.

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” – Arthur Ashe ••• Alice Dietz is Communications and Public Relations Manager at Cowlitz PUD. Reach her at adietz@cowlitzpud.org, or 360-501-9146.

Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • November 25, 2018 – January 9, 2019 / 47

48 / Columbia River Reader / Holiday Edition • Nov 25, 2018 – January 10, 2019