CRR Nov-Dec 2014 by Columbia River Reader

CRREADER.COM • November 25, 2014 – January 10, 2015 • COMPLIMENTARY Helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region at home and on the road.

s y a d i l o H y

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COLUMBIA RIVER

dining guide

LONGVIEW LIBRARY FOUNDATION

invites you to join and support

“Longview Public Library is a community gem! Our family cherishes the Longview Public Library, especially its children’s program. Ever since they were a few months old, our children, Robbie and Katie, regularly visited the library — first attending the baby story time, then the preschool story times, family literacy nights, and summer reading program. Now teenagers, the library is one of their favorite places to go--still! When surrounded by books, kids grow up reading. Katie can always be found with a book. ‘If I don’t have a book with me,’ she says, ‘I’m bored!’ Thank you, Longview Public Library, for helping us raise two capable readers!” ~ Sally Bartlett

Internal Medicine & Preventative Care Open Every Day for Your Convenience Holidays & Weekends Included Neal R.Kirkpatrick, MD, FACP, FACC

Richard A. Kirkpatrick, M.D., FACP

Welcome our newest providers

Kendra Preilipper

David B. Kirkpatrick, MA, MMSc, PA-C

Vlad Bogin, MD, FACP

Physician Assistant, Women’s Health and Internal Medicine

and

Zach Migel Bryan Whetton, BA, PA-C

Karen L. Joiner, MSN, ARNP

Physician Assistant Internal Medicine

Charles Houchin, MCHS, RRT, PA-C

We Accept Most Insurance Plans

Extended clinic hours:

Carol Sayles, MSN, ARNP

Mon-Fri, 8am to 8pm Sat, 9am to 1pm Sun, Noon to 4pm 1706 Washington Way, Longview

ON THE CIVIC CENTER

www.kirkpatrickfamilycare.com

Kirkpatrick Foot & Ankle 360-575-9161 783 Commerce Ave. Suite 120

Leanne Williams, MSN, ARNP

25 Word Tanka in Gratitude for the Foundation’s Support for Youth Services Early Learning Space is Burgeoning Honoraria bring Authors, OMSI, Mariachi and Magicians Summer Reading Books grow collections Teens are safer, Bathtubs invite, Rugs educate Flat Screen promotes everything we are doing! ~ Jan E.V.W. Hanson Children & Youth Librarian

Yin Guang Shi, a Buddhist monk from China, visits the library at least three times per week. Last year a friend suggested he meet Elizabeth Partridge, the Library Literacy Coordinator. “She was so wonderful to me — always friendly and helpful,” Yin Guang said, He now has many new friends and also new responsibilities. While receiving lessons in English, he also instructs lessons in Chinese and meditation. He enjoys the library and is always eager to help others learn or improve their Chinese speaking skills. “I really like it here,” he says.

~ Sam Wardle

Foundation President

Podiatric Surgery

To make any size tax-deductible donation to the Library Foundation, visit longviewlibraryfoundation.org and click the “Donate” button to donate either by PayPal or credit card. Or pick up our brochure in the library and complete a donation form or use the form below. Mail your check to: Longview Library Foundation, 1600 Louisiana St., Longview, WA 98632

• Diabetic Foot Care

Name___________________________________________________________________

• American Board of

• Ingrown Toenails • Heel & Arch Pain Mark Rawson, DPM, Podiatrist

“The past few years I have enjoyed taking part in the library’s adult ‘Fire it Up!’ winter reading program. The requirements are easy for me as a busy mom — just read a book and write about it. To have my book report drawn to win prizes has been icing on the cake! As a youngster I did not have access to checking out books at a library. I lived outside the service area and the fee was too steep for my big family. Since I’ve married and lived in Longview, I’ve taken full advantage of the library. Family Movie Nights, Reading Programs, Storytimes and much more. My five kids have all come with me to enjoy the library since they were in baby carriers. We are known for bringing a big basket to check out our limit every few weeks. ~ Betsy Ward

To help continue our mission, we invite you to join the Foundation and help support our library!

360-423-9580 Bev Search, RN, FNP, MA, ARNP

Without the Foundation and, ultimately, the generous donations of its members, the library would be unable to provide many of the newest programs and services that we do. ~ Chris Skaugset Library Director

• Foot Surgery • Fungal Conditions

Address _________________________________________________________________ City and State ____________________________________________________________ Phone___________________ Email___________________________________________ Please use my $__________________donation where it will best serve.

BOTH BUSINESSES UNDER SAME OWNERSHIP 2 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

Visit our website or leave us a message at 360-200-9147.

ere we are, once again on the cusp of the holiday whirl, that lovely time of year of sparkle and cheer. It’s time for making plans to connect with family and friends, both old and new. For many, the holidays also promise time for needed rest and peaceful reflection (also a good time to write haiku, see page 10). We hope you will enjoy this issue and find many useful ideas for fun outings, great gifts, delicious food — and also food for thought — this season. Downtown Walkabout Please mark your calendar for Dec. 4 for Columbia River Reader’s Open House and Downtown Walkabout. It’s First Thursday and the galleries will be open late as usual, along with an assortment of CRR advertisers staying open late, just for YOU! Take a guided, lighted walking tour to see the new sculptures Longview Outdoor Gallery has placed along Commerce Avenue. You’ll hear the stories behind the artwork. And while you make the loop downtown, why not grab a bite at one of the growing number of restaurants, cafés and brewpubs? Downtown Longview is getting livelier. Invite your friends and meet Downtown —make a night of it!

Sue’s Views

Remember the food banks During this season of parties, celebration and abundance, I hope everyone who can will make a generous donation to their local food bank. This is a time to count our blessings, and remember our friends and neighbors who may be struggling, just to get by.

Columnists and contributors: Dr. Bob Blackwood Nancy Chennault Melanee Evans Amy Fischer Suzanne Martinson Scott McRae Laurel Murphy Michael Perry Ned Piper Perry Piper Alan Rose Kari Rushmer Paul Thompson Production Staff: Production Manager/Photographer: Perry E. Piper Accounting/Editorial Assistant: Lois Sturdivant Editorial & Proofreading Assistants Kathleen Packard, Sue Lane, Michael Perry, Marilyn Perry Advertising Representatives Ned Piper, Manager (360-749-2632) Sue Lane (360-261-0658 Columbia River Reader P.O. Box 1643 • Rainier, OR 97048 Website: www.CRReader.com E-mail: publisher@crreader.com Phone: 360-749-1021 Subscriptions $26 per year inside U.S. (plus $2.08 sales tax mailed to Washington addresses).

Sue Piper

GIFT SUGGESTIONS FROM A LITTLE BIRD • Cowlitz Black Bear tickets • Locally-made gifts, goodies art, soap • Locally-made wine and fresh roasted coffee • Columbia Theatre - Stageworks Northwest tickets • See’s chocolates • Piano lessons • Local books • Gift Certificates from local cafés • A donation to your local food bank in recipient’s honor • A mail subscription to Columbia River Reader • Other ideas in ads throughout this issue and in Columbia River Gift Guide, page 43

Many locations will feature live music, and you’ll get samples and giveaways at the various shops. At the end, drop in at CRR’s office for some holiday cheer and the prize drawings. Visit all 18 locations and you could also win $200 cash! See full details on page 13.

In this Issue

Bullfinch on a Branch © sidorenko5ja - Fotolia.com

Cover Design by

HOPE of Rainier

Columbia River Reader . . . helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region at home and on the road.

ON THE COVER Publisher/Editor: Susan P. Piper

Columbia-Pacific Food Bank 474 Milton Way St. Helens, OR 97051

Canned food donations are always welcome, but our 404 East “A” St. mostly-volunteer run food pantries also need cash to Rainier, OR 97048 pay their operating expenses and to supplement food Turning Point donations with purchases directly through USDA PO Box 773 channels. The food banks can buy food at prices Clatskanie, OR 97016 lower than most individuals can, so they usually get a bigger bang for your buck if you simply send a check. Please do! May your holiday be warm, merry and bright.

A time of merriment, good cheer and sharing

Lower Columbia CAP Food Warehouse 1526 Commerce Longview WA 98632

Letter to the Editor

My Slant: Re-discover the wonder of Christmas

6-7

Local Books / Book Review ~ Orphan Train / Bestsellers List

Holiday raditions: Punch and Gingerbread

Miss Manners / CRR’s 6th Annual Haiku Fest

Downtown Longview Walkabout Dec. 4

Downtown Longview Streetscape Progress Report

Biz Buzz

Portland Art Museum: Passionate Pursuit

Northwest Gardener ~ Make your own fresh green wreath

Cooking with the Farmer’s Daughter ~ Christmas Cookies

Lewis & Clark Wintering Over / Fort Clatsop Ranger Programs

Local Christmas Lights & Festivals

Christmas Ships

CRREADER.COM

Man in the Kitchen’s Moveable Feast: The Javanese Dinner

Access the current issue, Dining Guide and Columbia River Reader Past Issue Archives (from January 2013), under “Features, Selected new articles will be posted monthly in “Articles.”

Where Do You Read the Reader?

Columbia River Reader is published monthly, with 13,500 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 is allowed without express written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, not necessarily to the Reader.

32-33 Outings & Events Calendar / Portland Holiday Lights 34

Movie Reviews / Blackwood on Watching Flicks

Lower Columbia Informer ~ (D)Rifting back to reality

Columbia River Dining Guide

Columbia River Gift Guide

The Spectator ~ Thankful for the holidays

What’s Up Under the Bridge ~ Port of Longview

Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 3

Letters to the Editor

Unique electronics & gifts for that hard-to-shop-for person

Just 10 minutes from downtown Longview

Complete computer service and repair 107 First St, Rainier, Oregon Phone: 503-556-8117 M–F 10–6 contact_us@mpcdsi.com Sat 10 – 3

Unknown travel companions We were so surprised to see the pictures of members of the Kalal family reading CRR in Lucca, Italy. We also were in Lucca last May and from the background I imagine our apartment was just a few blocks away. We have not had the pleasure of meeting these people, but obviously they have great

taste in vacation locations! If it had been Florence, Rome, or Venice it wouldn’t have been so surprising but the small town of Lucca isn’t a wellknown travel destination. Beverly Coryell Longview, Wash. & Nick Rotello Kelso, Wash.

www.mpcdsi.com

Columbia River Reader Print Submission Guidelines

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doTerra Essential Oils, WA Pediatrics • Women’s Health NAET/ Allergy Elimination Pain Relief • Anxiety Digestive/IBS • Sciatica Neck / Shoulder Pain Motor Vehicle Accidents Carpal Tunnel • Sinusitis Headaches / Migraines Sports Injuries Chinese Herbal Medicine

Letters to the Editor (up to 200 words) 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 may be considered for publication unless the writer specifies otherwise. We do not publish letters endorsing candidates or promoting only one side of controversial issues. Name and phone number of writer must be included; anonymous submissions will not be considered. Political Endorsements As a monthly publication serving readers in three counties, two states and beyond, we cannot print endorsements or criticism of political candidates as Letters to the Editor

Unsolicited submissions may be considered, provided they are consistent with the publication’s purpose—to help readers “discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region, at home and on the road.” 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. Deadline: 30th of the month. See other submission details, page 28. Businesses and organizations wishing to promote their particular products or services are invited to purchase advertising.

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

360-577-8989 Niechelle Guzman, L.Ac. and Nancy Goodwin, L.Ac.

This holiday season ... give the gift of music

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Piano Lessons A great investment in yourself or as a gift

To our constituents in Washington’s 19th District:

Martin E. Kauble Longview, WA

Thank you for your confidence and support. We look forward to continuing working together to build better communities.

360-423-3072

(www.kaublepianostudio.com)

technique • theory • performance

Dean Takko Brian Blake Your State Representatives Committed to helping you find

Paid for by Dean Takko for State Representative Committee and The Committe to Elect Brian Blake

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year!

4 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

Bill Maxwell

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SIMPLIFY THE HOLIDAYS

My Slant

How to re-discover the magic and wonder of Christmas

Story and photos by Kari Rushmer

hen you’re a child, things just happen. Folded socks reappear in your drawer, sandwiches made just the way you like them materialize in your lunch bag, and you never worry about using the last roll of toilet paper because a new one will magically appear the next time you need it. Christmas miracles are no stretch for a child’s imagination because, after all, magic happens all the time. A child never has to “psyche themselves up” for Christmas, nor will you ever hear a child say that they are “just trying to get through the holidays.” Only in adulthood do we drown the wonder and magic under the weight of obligation and expectation. Only grownups trade those never-ending, pins-and-needles moments of twinkly anticipation for budgeted events, orchestrated festivities, and lists that need to be crossed off. Annually, I fall victim to my own idealized version of the holidays,

py p a H ays! id l o H

Breakfast and Lunch available all day! Open Wed – Sunday 7am – 3pm

Right across from the Kelso train station

mentally pieced together from a world of magazine covers and Pinterest projects, mixed with a smattering of Hallmark movie sentiment. There are so many good things to do and have and be, that I often lose sight of the best things. Clearly, the solution can’t be found in the technicolor pages of the toy catalog. It’s not waiting in stores that begin blaring canned Christmas music before Thanksgiving begins. So, at the risk of adding to anyone’s burden with yet another set of solutions, here is an incomplete list (because I find that lists give a soothing sense of order to my muddled world) of ideas for simplifying the holidays and rediscovering the magic.

1 – Go green. No, this is not a reference to our new Washington laws. It’s about getting outside in this beautiful northwest landscape. As the weather deteriorates, we tend to hibernate. Why not pay a visit to a local tree farm this year? Sure, a fancy pre-lit artificial tree is convenient, but a trip to the tree farm supports the local economy, is environmentally friendly, and all that fresh air and green is sure to be healthful! After all, green is known to be a soothing, restful color associated with harmonious feelings that diffuse anxiety (again, not a reference). Every year, my family bundles up and invests a good hour or two trudging up and down rows of carefully cropped evergreens in pursuit of the elusive

Join us for Christmas at

Longview Presbyterian Church Due to grief, loss or other life situations, some of us are not expecting a holly, jolly Christmas this year.

Blue Christmas

Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ GroundsforOpportunity

360-703-3020 413 S. Pacific Avenue • Kelso

A candlelight service reflecting the longing, healing and comfort of the season for those who are hurting.

7:00pm Thursday, Dec. 18

Dec. 7 • 9:30am Castle Rock Men’s Ensemble in worship – join us Dec. 24 • 7:30pm Christmas Eve Service

We invite you to worship with us every Sunday at 9:30am

Child care will be provided.

3808 Pennsylvania Street • www.longviewpresbychurch.net • 360-577-8951

“perfect Christmas tree.” In reality, the trees are all pretty much the same, the cocoa we sip from styrofoam cups is usually clumpy and scalds our tongues. It often rains. Yet those hours overflow with the joy of lively debate and shouted discoveries, lungsful of cold, fresh air, and an often-taken-forgranted sense of togetherness. Go find a local tree farm, and spend far more time than you require selecting the “perfect” tree. 2 – Unschedule your time. We’re often told that kids need oodles of unscheduled, unimpeded, imaginative play time. I would argue that adults need the same. The holidays can be an interminable procession of parties, parades, and programs. Yet, the days are fleeting. We don’t need to fill every moment. Sometimes, like a child who derives hours of joy from a cardboard box while the fancy, must-have toy sits in the corner, our greatest memory-making moments are much simpler than what we expected or planned. If you ask my kids what their favorite Christmas tradition is, they will shout in unison, “sleeping under the tree!” Every December 22nd, the five of us camp out on the living room floor under the tree in a tangle of sleeping bags, fuzzy blankets and brand-new Christmas pajamas. For the parents, it’s a mostly sleepless night involving a hard floor and sweaty, little shifting bodies. For the kids, it’s pure, whispery, giggly gold. It’s uninterrupted playtime with your favorite people. Clear your schedule and allow lots of time to do nothing at all with the people you love. 3 – Simplify gift giving. At some point during the holiday season, you will find me sitting in the warm glow of the television watching the pilot episode of Little House on the Prairie. My favorite moment comes on Christmas Day when a knock at the Ingalls’ door reveals the frozen form cont page 6

Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 5

Simplify Christmas

from page 5

of Mr. Edwards, who miraculously survived an impossible trek through a Minnesota winter storm, hell-bent on his benevolent Christmas mission.

In the quiet glow of flickering candlelight, we take a breath, soaking in the true miracle of the season – a tiny cry in the night, an infant creator King born in the humblest of circumstances, a disproportionate gift of mercy. At the end of the service we gather, young and old, in a candlelit circle, this family of our hearts, and share words of gratitude from the past year. Everything stops, glitz and commercialism fade away, and life is a miracle again.

I still walk the fine line between Christmastime joy and dread. As with so much of the rest of the year, I struggle with Mr. Edwards arrives with a frozen beard and Christmas gifts. the desire to be and do everything, and the need to lay aside Moments later, sitting in front of a my Martha Stewart-like ideals and crackling fire, with steam rising from lofty expectations. In the harsh light his ice-caked long johns, he weaves of day, I know that someone has to a tale of having crossed paths with change the toilet paper roll, fold Santa, then presents a bundle of small the socks and cut the crusts off the gifts to three little girls with shining sandwiches. After all, things don’t eyes. It is at this point in the program just happen. that I begin blubbering at the TV and It’s always been the people who love shouting to my unsuspecting kids, us that fill life with its little miracles. “Why can’t you be happy with a Besides, life isn’t so much about what sweet potato and a tin cup like Mary you’re doing, as who you’re doing it and Laura?!!!” with. Go out and be that little miracle In reality, the expectations are more for someone else and experience the mine than theirs. After a particularly true blessing of Christmas. ridiculous Christmas in which my ••• oldest daughter, only two years old at the time, opened so many gifts she Kari Rushmer is actually got tired of it and gave up, we a local homeschool made the decision to buy exactly four mom, wife, writer, gifts for each child. To keep it simple, business owner, partwe have a theme: “something to wear, time bookkeeper, and something to share, something to read full-time housekeeper and something to play with”. who wishes she could learn to practice what I’m embarrassed to say that I was she preaches. All she incredibly nervous the first year I wants for Christmas implemented this idea, thinking that is a clean house, a happy family and a somehow my choice was going to be hot Zojo’s latte. both stingy and disappointing. No one batted an eye. There has never been anything less than total excitement where gifts were concerned, and instead my children have focused on the joy of giving, rather than the burden of expectations. 4 – Do what fills your heart. For my husband and me, this means every evening of December 24th we bustle three children, who are positively vibrating with excitement (and sugar), into the car and off to the Christmas Eve service at our small church. For one hour, the breakneck forward momentum of Christmas is arrested.

Dec. 2 • Cassava 1333 BROADWAY LONGVIEW

6 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

BOOKS by Local Authors The following books (e-books excepted) are by local authors and most will be available for purchase at Pacific Northwest Gift Gallery, 1316 Mt. St. Helens Way NE, Castle Rock. Many are also available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

NON-FICTION Not Your Mother’s Book on Working for a Living Pat Nelson, editor Publishing Syndicate, $16.95 What happens on the job does not stay on the job in this anthology of humorous true stories co-edited by Dahlynn and Ken McKowen (former co-editors for Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Woodland writer Pat Nelson. Available as print or e-book from your favorite online bookseller.

POETRY Sunshine in My Suitcase: Travels with a Poet Carolyn Caines $11.88 at lulu.com $11.25 at Amazon Ever thought how great it would be to bring home sunshine in your suitcase after a vacation? Even as travel photos evoke memories of places you have been, so do lines of poetry. Go parasailing in Hawaii, eat reindeer stew in Finland, and climb the Eiffel Tower with this poet. Evolution of the Genus Iris: Poems Robert Michael Pyle Lost Horse Press, $18.00 Iris draws from “deep knowledge of the ecology of the earth, life patterns of a wide variety of living forms, careful attention to detail, passion and energy and commitment to humanity” (Pattiann Rogers). “In poem after wonderful poem he offers the natural promise of beauty and renewal.” (Henry Hughes)

FICTION Book of Hours: The Beguilement of Brother Alphaios Steve Anderson Lucky Bat Books $16.95 Paperback; e-book $6.95 through Amazon, B&N. History, mystery and monks. An unwelcome guest in a cold and dour monastery, Brother Alphaios becomes beguiled both by Jeremiah—an audacious fifteenth-century illuminator—and the characters he encounters in a vast, modern city. Reflective and experiential, he makes his own bold statement—one final touch with his finest sable brush. The Translation of Max Pam Deane $11.95 Paperback at Amazon $2.99 e-book for Kindle, Nook & Kobo The Translation of Max is about a mother’s struggle to help her son through the trauma of schizophrenia. Although not strictly autobiographical, Maggie’s story parallels the author’s during an eightyear journey to bring Max back to the world of reason. It offers insight and hope to others facing similar problems. The Caves of Lavar Carlin Lohrey $3.99 e-book at Amazon Cara, a young woman from the godfearing Hill People Tribe is captured by Wolf, a brutal caveman. Tangles with ferocious wild animals and barbaric raiders add peril. A dog and a wild horse challenge her abilities and medicinal plants prove vital. No Substitute for Maturity Carolyn J. Rose $8.96 paperback; $0.99 e-book available at Amazon, B&N, and Kobo. The third in the Subbing isn’t for Sissies series finds substitute teacher Barbara Reed and her spoiled dog Cheese Puff dealing with politics, protests, and murder.

Cover to Cover Brought to you by Book Sense and Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, for week ending Nov. 12, 2014, based on reporting from the independent bookstores of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. For the Book Sense store nearest you, visit www.booksense.com

Top 10 Bestsellers PAPERBACK FICTION

PAPERBACK NON-FICTION

HARDCOVER FICTION

HARDCOVER NON-FICTION

1. Gone Girl Gillian Flynn, Broadway, $15 2. The Martian Andy Weir, Broadway, $15 3. Orphan Train Christina Baker Kline, Morrow, $14.99 4. The Rosie Project Graeme Simsion, S&S, $15.99 5. Americanah Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Anchor, $15.95 6. Still Life With Bread Crumbs Anna Quindlen, Random House, $16, 7. The Luminaries Eleanor Catton, Back Bay, $18 8. Hild Nicola Griffith, Picador USA, $18 9. The Signature of All Things Elizabeth Gilbert, Penguin, $17 10. Where’d You Go, Bernadette Maria Semple, Back Bay, $14.99

1. The Boys in the Boat Daniel James Brown, Penguin, $17 2. Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand, Random House, $16 3. Wild Cheryl Strayed, Vintage, $15.95 4. This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage Ann Patchett, Harper Perennial, $15.99 5. Really Important Stuff My Dog Has Taught Me Cynthia L. Copeland, Workman, $12.95 6. Orange Is the New Black Piper Kerman, Spiegel & Grau, $16 7. All That the Rain Promises and More David Arora, Ten Speed Press, $17.99 8. Quiet Susan Cain, Broadway, $16 9. Bad Feminist Roxane Gay, Harper Perennial, $15.99 10. Behind the Beautiful Forevers Katherine Boo, Random House, $16

1. The Slow Regard of Silent Things Patrick Rothfuss, DAW, $18.95, 2. All the Light We Cannot See Anthony Doerr, Scribner, $27, 3. Blue Horses Mary Oliver, Penguin Press, $24.95 4. Falling from Horses Molly Gloss, Houghton Mifflin, $25 5. The Burning Room Michael Connelly, Little Brown, $28 6. The Peripheral William Gibson, Putnam Adult, $28.95 7. A Sudden Light Garth Stein, S&S, $26.95 8. The Goldfinch Donna Tartt, Little Brown, $30 9. Lila Marilynne Robinson, FSG, $26 10. Gray Mountain John Grisham, Doubleday, $28.95

1. Yes Please Amy Poehler, Dey Street, $28.99 2. Being Mortal Atul Gawande, Metropolitan, $26 3. Make It Ahead Ina Garten, Clarkson Potter, $35 4. What If? Randall Munroe, Houghton Mifflin, $24 5. Not That Kind of Girl Lena Dunham, Random House, $28 6. Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book Diane Muldrow, Golden Books, $9.99 7. Plenty More Yotam Ottolenghi, Ten Speed Press, $35 8. This Changes Everything Naomi Klein, S&S, $30 9. As You Wish Cary Elwes, Touchstone, $26 10. Astoria Peter Stark, Ecco, $27.99

MASS MARKET

CHILDREN’S INTEREST

1. Gone Girl Gillian Flynn, Broadway, $9.99 2. The Name of the Wind Patrick Rothfuss, DAW, $8.99 3. A Game of Thrones George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $9.99 4. A Dance With Dragons George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $9.99 5. Outlander Diana Gabaldon, Dell, $9.99 6. Dragonfly in Amber Diana Gabaldon, Dell, $9.99 7. The Wise Man’s Fear Patrick Rothfuss, DAW, $9.99 8. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou, Ballantine, $6.99 9. Slaughterhouse-Five Kurt Vonnegut, Laurel Leaf, $7.99 10. Voyager Diana Gabaldon, Dell, $9.99

1. Minecraft: Construction Handbook Scholastic, $7.99 2. Minecraft: Combat Handbook Scholastic, $7.99 3. The Giver Lois Lowry, Harcourt, $9.99 4. Wonder R.J. Palacio, Knopf, $16.99 5. Minecraft: Essential Handbook Scholastic, $7.99 6. Counting by 7s Holly Goldberg Sloan, Puffin, $8.99 7. The Fault in Our Stars John Green, Speak, $12.99 8. Sisters Raina Telgemeier, Graphix, $10.99 9. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Sherman Alexie, Ellen Forney (Illus.), Little Brown, $15 10. Paper Towns John Green, Speak, $9.99

CLIP AND SAVE for easy reference at your bookstore or when browsing at your local library, bookshop, e-book source or book-loving friend’s shelf.

BOOK REVIEW

Two tales on parallel tracks

Orphan Train By Christina Baker Kline Harper Collins Publishers $14.99 Paperback

“So is it just human nature to believe that things happen for a reason—to find some shred of meaning even in the worst experiences?” Molly asks when Vivian reads some of these stories aloud. “It certainly helps,” Vivian says.

ccording to Janet, Lori and Camille at Longview’s Paperbacks Galore, I am the last remaining person in Cowlitz County to read this novel by Christina Baker Kline. They insist that they have been recommending it to me Alan Rose, author of Tales of Tokyo, The Legacy of Emily Hargraves and The Unforgiven organizes the monthly WordFest gatherings. He can be reached a t w w w. a l a n rose.com, at www.Facebook.com/Alan. Rose.Author, and www.Facebook.com/ WordFestNW.

~ from Orphan Train

for months. Orphan Train has been very popular, they said; Orphan Train’s been selected by several local book groups, they said; I would probably enjoy reading and reviewing Orphan Train, they said they said. (I have no recollection of this, so it’s their word against mine.) Then, a few weeks ago, I read an interview by Kline about a little known episode in our history when, between 1854 and 1929, more than 200,000 orphaned or abandoned children on the East Coast were put on trains and sent across the country, stopping at towns along the way for people to “adopt” them. In her research,

By Alan Rose

Kline interviewed a number of these children, now in their nineties, and read the personal accounts of many others. She shaped these stories into a novel.

go through these boxes one last time. They hold articles from her past. And it becomes clear to the reader that Vivian was once an orphan child named Niamh.

Fascinated, I immediately rushed into Paperbacks Galore—“Hey, have you guys ever heard of a novel called Orphan Train?” (Eye rolls.)

This is not giving away any big surprises. It’s pretty clear early on. And you can also predict that Vivian and Molly are going to help each other in their personal healings. Still, reading their stories is like riding trains for many of us: the enjoyment comes in the experience itself as much as arriving at your destination.

I can see why this book that they purportedly recommended is so popular. It opens in 1928, as Niamh, a 9-year-old Irish girl orphaned in New York City is sent to the Children’s Society. In time, she and a trainload of other children travel through the Midwest, where at each stop, they are looked over by prospective parents wanting (first choice) a baby, (second choice) a strong boy to work their farms as free labor, and then (three) the other children like Niamh. Running parallel to Niamh’s story is Molly’s. It’s now 2011, and as a troubled Native American teenager who is also an orphan, she is assigned 50 community service hours for her most recent run-in with the law. She works off her hours for a wealthy, 91-year-old woman named Vivian Daly who wants to clean out her attic of boxes. It becomes clear to Molly that what Vivian really wants is to

•••

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GIFT GALLERY 1316-A Mount St. Helens Way NE Castle Rock, WA 98611

I-5 Exit 49 360-274-8583

Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 7

Holiday Traditions SOCIAL NOURISHMENT IN A WI-FI WORLD

Gingerbread is special and life is good

By Laurel Murphy

y mother did not have a sweet tooth; desserts were rare. Her idea of dessert was Jell-O with canned fruit cocktail. “That’s not dessert, that’s a salad,” we would wail. When she got tired of our sniveling, she would make my favorite: gingerbread (from a box) with lemon sauce (from scratch). Spicy, moist cake with tart-sweet sauce; life was good. Historically, gingerbread has always been special.

Punch

Its not bread In 2000 BC, wealthy Greeks were eating spiced honey cakes from Rhodes. Europeans produced similar cakes when 11th century crusaders brought back ginger and other spices from the Middle East. By the 15th century, English cakes made with breadcrumbs, sugar and spices were called “gingerbras,” the French word for preserved ginger. Over time, “bras” became “bread.”

“And I had one penny in the world, thou should’st have it to buy gingerbread.”

By Melanee Evans

ou’ve arrived at a festive bash, and your eyes sweep the crowd for friendly conversation. A few people are schmoozing on sofas, but most are mingling merrily around the buffet table. Through the throng, you spot something you haven’t seen since you were a kid at Grandma’s New Year’s party: the crystal punch bowl, sparkling as if to invite you to dip its ladle into the fruity and fragrant beverage.

No longer languishing in Grandma’s attic or abandoned on yard sale

tables, the traditional punch bowl is making a comeback, and for good reason. Besides flowing with tangy flavors and robust aromas, this happy basin allows cont page 9

~ William Shakespeare Love’s Labours Lost

cont page 9

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Punch

cont from page 8

its partakers the kind of old-fashioned social nourishment that is often lacking in our wi-fi world. A communal gathering place, the punch bowl beckons friends and strangers alike to share face-to-face conversation about life, and even the punch itself. Because instead of a sipping a customized beverage for one, partygoers get to enjoy the same flavors together. “This divine drink,” as poet Samuel Coleridge declared of punch, dates back to the early 1600s when traders of the East Indian Company either mixed spices of India with a known English refreshment, or invented something on their own with available ingredients. Kindled by the English Enlightenment, punch had its heyday in the 18th century, when kings and queens, poets and explorers alike, supped from a common bowl. It typically contained five ingredients, possibly taken from the Hindi “pãnch,” which means five, and included lemon or lime juice, water, spice, sugar, and liquor.

A Christmas Carol. At the end of the story, a reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge and his employee Bob Cratchit, share a moment together. “A Merry Christmas, Bob!” said Scrooge with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on his back. “A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you for many a year! I’ll raise your salary, and endeavor to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon over a bowl of smoking Bishop*, Bob!” With the two gentlemen no longer divided by age, social rank, or politics, this hot spiced bowl becomes symbolic of Scrooge’s transformation and Cratchit’s forgiveness. It also brings two of the most unlikely people together as equals and friends. The revival of the simple punch bowl might well serve its highest calling today, standing as an iconic symbol of harmony in our otherwise discordant world, and inviting us to partake in the sweetness of acknowledging our shared humanity. *Note about Smoking Bishop: This “clerical drink” is hot, spiced wine, similar

Many people’s first literary recollection of punch quite possibly lies within the final pages of Dickens’ beloved classic,

Gingerbread cont from page 8

In 17th century Germany and France, only bakers’ guilds were allowed to bake gingerbread, except during Christmas and Easter. The best-known guild, the Lebkuchner, was located in Nuremberg, Germany. The quality of the lebkuchen gingerbread was so high that it was used as currency. Why the houses Gingerbread was often baked in elaborate molds. Cut into shapes, decorated and tied with ribbon, it was so popular during the Middle Ages that many festivals were known as “gingerbread fairs.” Queen Elizabeth I introduced the first gingerbread men when she presented dignitaries with their gingerbread likeness. After the publication of the Grimm Brothers’ tale of Hansel and Gretel, German bakers offered elaborate gingerbread houses. These houses became popular during Christmas and German immigrants brought the tradition to the United States.

to wassail — something like a hot sangria, scented with oranges and infused with sweet red wine or port. Note: This article was originally published in CRR’s December 2009 issue. We present it again by popular demand and in hopes many readers will get out their punchbowl — or borrow their neighbor’s — and invite a crowd. Don’t forget to invite your neighbor.

Melanee Evans reads passages from “A Christmas Carol” aloud each season to her family and friends. She serves her holiday punch from the prettiest bowl she can find.

••• In honor of Charles Dickens’ respect for the Temperance Movement, we present these two classic, non-alcoholic punch recipes. Pass the ladle and enjoy!

PUNCH RECIPES Classic Wassail Punch (serves 12) 2 quarts apple cider 2 cups orange juice 1/4 -1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice 12 whole cloves 4 cinnamon sticks 1 pinch ground ginger 1 pinch ground nutmeg In a slow cooker or a large pot over low heat, combine cider and juices. Add seasonings. Bring to a simmer. If using a slow cooker, allow to simmer all day for a spiced aroma. Add red hot candies or clove studded orange slices for a festive look. Serve hot.

Now It’s Everywhere In America, gingerbread usually means two types of cookies–Middle European honeybased cookies or English molasses shortbreads. The cookies can range from thin and crisp to puffy and soft. They can be plain or elaborately shaped and decorated. Gingerbread can also be the spicy cake I loved as a child.

Berry Yummy Party Punch (serves 40) 3 pkgs (3 oz) berry flavored gelatin mix 2 cups sugar 13 cups boiling water 2 46-oz cans pineapple juice 16 oz bottled lemon juice concentrate 4 liters ginger ale, chilled In large bowl, dissolve gelatin and sugar in boiling water. Stir in pineapple juice and lemon juice concentrate. Divide into three gallon-sized freezer bags, or six quart- sized bags, and freeze until solid. Place gelatin mixture in punch bowl about 4 hours before serving and add ginger ale.

Gingerbread Houses ~ Like to bake and build, or admire what others can bake and build? For details about the Gingerbread House Contest in Longview, and the subsequent Gingerbread Village to be displayed on Dec. 6, see page 24

There is no “standard” gingerbread spice mix. In Germany, one traditional mixture uses nine spices. We use a “gingerbread spice mix” in other products such as coffee drinks, cocoa, candy, tea, ale, ice cream, energy bars, soap, candles, etc to invoke a holiday taste and scent. We have many gingerbread products available in our communities. Buy some and repeat after me: “Life is good.” ••• Kalama resident Laurel Murphy is an active community volunteer — especially in the area of the arts — and a regular contributor to CRR. See her other stories in this issue on pages 14 and 43.

Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 9

Winter Amusement

Civilized Life

Miss Manners By Judith Martin

OK to apologize via text? Reacting to a troubling remark; guests bringing food 1. DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it ever good manners to apologize for a wrongdoing via a text message? Maybe I am set in my ways, but I think a personal phone call would have been more sincere. GENTLE READER: How wrong? In the example you have in mind, did the offender break your bathroom glass or wreck your car?

3. DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I have invited a few friends over for Thanksgiving dinner. I was asked by some guests how many turkeys would I be preparing, and also was told how they prepared their stuffing and how much they like it that way!

The apology scale goes from texting, at the bottom, to calling, to hand-writing a letter, to wailing, to holding a weepy press conference.

After I said I might make a ham (for another friend who does not like turkey), I was told I should make a roast beef instead! I was flabbergasted on their comments from preparation to what I should make!

Miss Manners regrets that there is no such thing as a sincerity detector test, so the rule is the greater the wrongdoing, the more labor-intensive the apology.

In the past when I have invited this couple, not once have they ever offered to bring a dish to pass nor any other way to help, nor a hostess gift or thank-you card.

2. DEAR MISS MANNERS: At a church supper, I clearly heard an acquaintance say that all suicide is because of self-pity.

Am I in the right to be upset? I feel very frustrated to have someone tell me what and how to do something with my own Thanksgiving dinner. My husband and I are thinking about doing a family dinner only now, as I am too afraid I’ll get argumentative if these guests comment on something!

Not only am I a mental health professional, but I have a personal history of suicidal feelings of my own. This woman’s remark was cruel and downright evil. Of course, I couldn’t say anything in that setting, and she was also sitting directly across a large, full table from me. So although I ended up saying nothing, and that was several months ago, it still bothers me. Should I still respond in some way? If so, how? I’m sure she didn’t know I overheard the remark. I’m sure that, by now, she has forgotten she said it. Is there anything I can do to advocate for people who are hurting from depression, or should I just chalk it up to ignorance and forget it? GENTLE READER: There is not much you can do about it now, since the comment was made months ago and not addressed to you. If something similar happens to you, Miss Manners suggests quietly saying, “I assume you’ve been fortunate enough not to encounter this situation.” Leave it at that. There are more effective ways to channel your desire to be an advocate than embarrassing individuals, which rarely works.

GENTLE READER: Perhaps you can explain to Miss Manners why you have continued to invite thankless people to Thanksgiving dinner. It seems singularly inappropriate. In any case, the time to argue — quietly and politely — is at the first instance of interference. You should say: “I’ll try to plan a menu that pleases everyone, but I’m not taking individual orders. I hope you will join us anyway.”

CRR announces 6th Annual Haiku Fest A

By Gary Meyers Haiku Contest originator and Chief Judge

email access may send their entries by fter six previous CRR-sponsored USPS to G. Meyers, 3045 Ala Napuaa haiku events, we think that our Place #1406, Honolulu, HI 96818. readers are sufficiently familiar with the origins of the genre. There are no fees. So without further Prizes and a post-Fest ado, we are proud to To start our poets-in-waiting event have yet to be announce our 2015 on their fateful journey, I determined. Additional Haiku Fest. Entries offer a previous pop entry: information will be in will be accepted until the January 2015 issue. midnight on January Haiku is no sweat 20th, 2015. Results will All entries become the Frog jumps into placid be announced in our property of CRR. pond February issue. As always, our esteemed Splish, splash, ripples, The categories will be judges eagerly await poem done. ”traditional,” “pop,” the onerous task before and “Pacific Northwest them. (Editor’s note: (nature-based).” Ha! Just how “onerous” would it be to stroll up the We encourage schoolbeach to a nice restaurant in Honolulu for age students and young adults to dinner with friends, while reading haiku?) participate. Last year’s enthusiastic input from local classrooms lessened my fears that poetry is dead or dying, unable to compete with texting and twittering. While we recognize that contemporary haiku often deviates from the original structure, nevertheless, we will consider only submissions that follow the traditional three-line, seventeensyllable format. Each participant may submit a maximum of five entries. The preferred method for submission is email addressed to ggmeyers3899@ aol.com (please insert “haiku entry” in the subject line). Readers not having

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HOLIDAY GREETINGS! “Thank You” to our advertisers,

4. DEAR MISS MANNERS: It’s my third marriage. Should I have my dad walk me down the aisle?

contributors, readers, suppliers

GENTLE READER: If he doesn’t plead exhaustion from the first two trips.

The publisher/editor and staff

Miss Manners reminds you that the guests will be aware that his previous attempts to give you away were unsuccessful. But the custom is now so far removed from its original meaning of a bride’s leaving the guardianship of her father for that of a husband that it hardly seems to matter. cont page 37

10 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

and friends for a wonderful year. wish you all a

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

HO HO HOspice Thrift Shop Think thrift store for holiday décor. Visit us for the ugliest sweaters in town!

1239 Commerce Ave. In the Downtown Longview Vintage District Mon – Fri 10 – 5 • Sat 11 – 4

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Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 11

Visit Downtown Longview ~ a great place to shop, explore, relax & celebrate! For an extra dash of spice...

Longview’s oldest Organic & Fair Trade roaster

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360-636-7220 General selection of boxed chocolates & novelties in stock. Or place special orders by Dec. 5 for Dec.15 delivery.

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Columbia River Reader office 1333 - 14th Ave. Longview, Wash. Mon-Wed-Fri • 11- 3pm Info: 360-261-0658.

See ad, pag 45

See ad, page 20

See ad, page 24 See ad, page 30 See ad, page 20

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The Broadway Gallery See ad, page 22

See what’s going on in Downtown Longview! www.MyLDP.org Updated weekly

See ad, page 38

See ad, page 11 See ad, page 18

12 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

FREE

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DEC 4 4 –7:30pm

Clip this form and take it with you.

rab your friends and head for the Downtown Walkabout on December’s First Thursday in Longview. Galleries will be open and aglow, along with these CRR advertisers. They’re staying open late, just for you! Enjoy a bite or a beverage as you circulate. Live music at some locations.

rom 4–7:30pm you’ll find samples, give-aways or gifts at all of these CRR advertiser locations AND a party at the end!

nce you’ve visited 4 or more shops in each “Zone” for a total of 12, join us at CRR’s office to enter the MULTI- PRIZE DRAWING and enjoy REFRESHMENTS and LIVE MUSIC! Visit all 18 locations to qualify for the Special Drawing to win

$200 CASH

Visit 4 or more in each of the three zones (total of 12 shops) and get your form stamped to be eligible for the multi-prize drawing. Visit ALL 18 to qualify for the $200 Cash Grand Prize. Finish your Walkabout and bring form to CRR’s office by 7:30pm to enter both drawings. Drawings at 8 pm. Need not be present to win.

ZONE 1

ZONE 2

Zojo Coffee

1331 14th Avenue

Loving Promises 1429 Commerce

Elam’s

McThread’s Lord & McCord

1206 Broadway

Adena’s Delights

1208 Broadway

Bowers Down

1338 Commerce

1413 Commerce

Lite Weights for Women 1150 Vandercook Way

Boadway Gallery 1418 Commerce

Banda’s

Broderick Gallery

1318 Commerce

Curves

1313 Commerce

Teague’s

1267 Commerce

1414 Commerce

ZONE 3 Pet Works

Soap Factory

1257 Commerce

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Estetica

Hospice Thrift Shop

1146 Commerce

1239 Commerce

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Guse’s Coffee 1208 Commerce

1333 – 14th Ave • Longview

Located behind The Merk, next to ZoJo Coffee in Downtown Longview.

Farm Dog Bakery 1217 14th Avenue

Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 13

10 Things to Observe as

You Visit Loved Ones

• Spoiled food in fridge • Poor grooming, personal hygiene • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed • Diminished driving skills, near misses • Difficulty walking; unsteady; recent falls • Mishandled or missed medications • Personality changes; irritability; sudden mood changes • Unopened mail; past due bills; mishandled finances • Poor housekeeping; home maintenance; unsafe conditions • Depression; forgetfulness

Watch for these warning signs to see if your elderly loved one is in need of assistance and extra care. If someone seems to need help, don’t be afraid to speak up and reach out.

For more information, please call Crawford House at 360-636-2319.

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The End is Near

New streetscape shaping up By Laurel A. Murphy

AUSTIN’S

114 Corduroy Road • Kelso

Downtown Longview

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have heard a lot of complaints about the Longview Streetscape Project. People usually mention the one-way traffic or lack of parking and sidewalks. (The construction workers receive universal praise.) Only one person has groused about the final product. He is sure that “the end result looks like it will be close to what it was….” and the project is a waste of money. So, what is the end result? The Plan The Longview Downtown Streetscape Plan covers the entire downtown core focusing on Commerce Avenue from Vandercook Way to Hemlock Street. The plan creates standards for pedestrian enhancements and four street types: Primary Retail, Secondary Retail, Gateway Street, and Boulevard. Each street type has design guidelines for sidewalk materials, pedestrian enhancements, furnishings, public art, street lighting, street trees and landscape. The design guidelines were developed with input from the public, businesses, and city officials. The Project The current construction covers the three blocks of Commence from Broadway to Vandercook and is classified as a Primary Retail Street.

lcgsgen@yahoo.com • rootsweb.ancestry.com/~walcolgs Longview Library helper available every Wednesday 1-3pm.

Sidewalks The project adds bulb-outs at intersections to calm auto traffic and reduce the distance that pedestrians have to walk to cross the street. These areas are covered with brown concrete pavers. The brown pavers are

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“Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better” ~ Richard Hooker also used at the mid-block crossings. These areas have been expanded to create mini-plazas for raingardens, benches and public art. Permeable tan pavers are used in a 6-foot area that separates pedestrians from parked cars (Finishing Zone) to mitigate stormwater impacts and give tree roots better access to air and water. The Pedestrian Zone is paved with standard scored concrete; it is costeffective, clean and durable. Furnishings Furnishings will be classic black, all-metal. Backless benches will be located along the Finishing Zone; the mid-block plazas will have benches with backs. Lighted bollards will illuminate the mid-block crossing. Hoop-style bike racks, vandalresistant waste containers, decorative tree grates, permanent bases for public art and additional acorn lights will also enhance the Finishing Zone.

cont page 15

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If only I had a hat, I’d be a cat under a hat. The hat, on a cat... Is that a haiku?

~ Smokey

Man in the Kitchen’s cat.

Also Downtown: 1331 14th Avenue

360.442.4111

Streetscape cont from page 14

Street Trees The city has numerous criteria for street trees: size, shape, low maintenance, minimal fruit and seed drop, seasonal interest and non-aggressive root systems. The Plan described two tree types:

Downtown Longview Stormwater Mitigation and Landscaping The Downtown has plenty of polluted stormwater run-off that must be managed. I have already mentioned the use of permeable paving materials. The project designed the curbs and modified the existing storm inlets

•Canopy trees – medium-sized shade trees with seasonal color to be located at intersections and mid-block crossings

so that stormwater flows into the landscaping — small raingardens located at intersections and midblock. The gardens filter pollutants, slow runoff and reduce pressure on sewer infrastructure. A total of eight raingardens will be installed in each block; red-osier dogwoods and day lilies will be planted in the intersection and boxwoods and blue dart rush in the mid-block gardens. Rain and the Timeline Amy Blain, project engineer, is optimistic that the project will be completed by the end of the year. But that optimism is weather dependent. I wrote about the “unknowns” last month that have delayed this construction project. Since then, I have learned about railroad ties under the crosswalks at Broadway, abandoned conduits, street under the sidewalk around the plaza, voids under the street at Maple and various pipes from private roof drains and sump pump systems that have to be integrated into the project. And then there were the 17 days of rain starting in mid-October. But rain did not bring progress to a complete halt.

•Columnar trees – small to mediumsized, upright deciduous trees, with minimal potential to block views of the storefronts, planted in the Furnishing Zone A total of 26 trees will be planted on each block – 12 canopy trees and 14 columnar trees. The city chose the Bowhall Maple (45’ high x 15’ wide, red flowers, fall color) and Paperbark Maple (30’ x 25’, fall color, filtered shade) as the canopy trees and the Capital Pear (30’ x 10’, showy white flowers, very small pome-type fruit, fall color) as the columnar tree. An outlet is installed at the base of each tree for string lights.

Above two photos: Raingardens are shallow depressions filled with plants that tolerate periodic flooding.

The 1400 block is nearly finished. Sidewalks are poured, pavers are down, art bases installed, trees and raingardens planted. The sidewalks and curbing have been removed from the two remaining blocks and the sidewalk on the east side of the 1500 block has been poured. The furnishings are in town with the exception of the light poles that will not ship until the first week of December. You can already see that Downtown Longview is “is not what it was.” I hope that grumbling gentleman will take a look. •••

The Longview Outdoor Gallery has counted the ballots community members cast for their favorite sculpture in the latest (second) round of sculptures placed on loan in Downtown Longview. “Hound Dog,” by Dan Klennert, again proved to be the public’s most popular People’s Voice artist. “Hound Dog” will join Klennert’s sculpture, “See Horse,” winner of the first round of sculptures placed on loan in Downtown Longview. Klennert lives in Elbe, Wash. Since the age of 6, in Crookston, Maine, he has been drawing and collecting “found” cont page 16

Longview Outdoor Gallery

invites you to a

Lighted, Guided Walking Tour

Bowhall Maple

Kalama resident Laurel Murphy once worked for the EMCON offices in Anchorage Alaska, and Kelso, Wash., where her favorite projects were environmental audits of pulp mills and writing the oil spill contingency plan for Alyeska after the Exxon Valdez disaster. She still has her hard hat and steel-toed boots.

Paperbark Maple

New dog in town

Above (and inset): Capitol Pear

Thurs., Dec 4

Hear the stories behind the sculptures Tours form at Broadway Gallery 1418 Commerce Longview 4pm, 5:15pm, 6:30pm Dress for the weather

Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 15

Hound Dog cont from page 15

metal. As a young adult, working for Ditch Witch of Washington, he learned to weld and practiced on broken gears from his workplace. He then combined the two things he loved — “scrounging metal” (better known as recycling these days) and art into works of art. He loves preserving older pieces of metal that contain some history, and giving new life to the tools and scrap metal that made America what it is today.

“I got my inspiration for this piece from the pump handles which I use to represent the front legs,” Klennert explained. “I ask you please to not only look at what I have created, also look at what I have used to create them.” He maintains a four-acre sculpture park at the base of Mount Rainier where people from all over the world view his works. “Every one that visits leaves with a smile on their face.” LOG will purchase “Hound Dog” and donate it to the City’s permanent collection located along Commerce

David Hughey Wears Two Hats

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David is a licensed Life and Health Agent in Washington & Oregon.

Avenue, currently undergoing beautification via the City’s Streetscape project. This purchase is possible thanks to financial support of many, including contributors to the September 18th Give More/24 fundraiser sponsored by the Community Foundation of Southwest Washington. LOG raised more than $7,000 in the event. LOG’s mission is to provide a rotating exhibit of outdoor sculptures and to acquire new pieces for the city of Longview’s permanent art collection. •••

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Biz Buzz What’s Happening Around the River

Rutherglen Mansion Casually elegant dining with a warm ambience

Biz Buzz notes news in local business and professional circles. As space allows, we will include news of innovations, improvements, new ventures and significant employee milestones of interest to readers. Please email publisher@crreader.com to share the local buzz. The Lending Network, a Certified Community Development Financial Institution, located in Chehalis, Washington, has named Susan Hoosier its new executive director. Hoosier recently worked as a commercial loan officer with Red Canoe Credit Union and from 2007 to 2011 served as the director of the Small Business Development Center in Susan Hoosier L o n g v i e w, Washington. Hoosier also served as director of the Northwest Regional Minnesota Small Business Development Center and manager of a revolving loan fund operated by a regional economic development commission in Northern Minnesota. The Lending Network serves businesses in Cowlitz, Lewis and Thurston Counties and was established to lend money to businesses that might not otherwise have the ability to fully finance a project, or that need more flexible terms to make a business project financially sound. Hoosier resides in Longview, Washington. Tim Gregory, Weatherization Field Technician with Lower Columbia Community Action Program (CAP), received his Quality Control Inspector certification, making him one of about 20 Tim Gregory inspectors in the state and the only certified Building Quality Control Inspector in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties. Gregory will conduct the final inspections of all weatherization projects in the two-county area. The certification required 85+ hours of training in Bellingham, one of only six training centers in the United States. Over the past year CAP’s Energy & Housing Department has weatherized 66 low income families’ homes. Families who qualify for the federal program have their homes inspected by CAP’s field

technicians. Once the inspection is completed, CAP works with contractors to complete the repairs. “The savings vary from home to home, but on average people will see their utility bills reduced by about one-third once their homes are weatherized,” said Gregory. “This is a significant savings for the family, but it’s also a savings for the whole community when any families’ usage is reduced.” Washington State is ranked sixth in the nation for its weatherization work. Between 2008 and 2012, Washington’s Weatherization Assistance Program helped more than 25,000 low income households.

• Fine Family Dining Fri-Sat • Sunday Brunch Buffet 10–2 • Special Events, Banquets, Parties, Reunions & Weddings ~ any day of the week!

Your headquarters for special group events!

Sunday • 10am – 2pm Fri – Sat • 5pm ‘til . . .

themansion@rutherglenmansion.com 360-425-5816 420 Rutherglen Rd, Longview, WA • Off Ocean Beach Hwy at 38th Ave

Join the CEDC to participate in the economic health of our region. Recent groundbreaking ceremony at Longview’s Streetscape Improvement Project.

360.423.9921 • www.cowlitzedc.com Recycle or donate electronics Local communities face twin challenges: helping local charities and other not-forprofit service organizations satisfy their technology needs, and safely recycling old electronic devices. MPC Digital Solutions’ Technology Donation Program helps to overcome both challenges. Individuals, businesses, and organizations can bring their donations to MPC Digital Solutions, in Rainier, Oregon, or call to have it picked up for free. This includes computers, monitors, TVs, printers, or anything that has a power cord. MPC Digital Solutions will evaluate the items to see if they are still useable, explained company president Mike Leiker. “If it’s in good useable condition we’ll match it with a need and donate it to that local organization. If it isn’t useable we’ll safely recycle it according to the E-cycle programs for both Oregon and Washington.” Those wishing to donate their electronics and organizations looking to satisfy a technology need may visit MPC Digital Solutions’ dedicated page on their website www. mpcdsi.com. Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 17

Portland Art Museum THE ARLENE AND HAROLD SCHNITZER COLLECTION AND LEGACY

If You Go

in Passionate Pursuit W

Story by Scott McRae • Images courtesy of Portland Art Museum

hen I thought about going to the Portland Art Museum to see this collection of works, I imagined it would be a small room with only a few samples from Arlene and Harold Schnitzer’s assortment of art. Instead, the collection not only filled the main lobby, but spilled into another room often used for other exhibitions. I was surprised to see so many works from not only Native American art, Asian art, and silver, but also Northwest art. To be honest, I was a little overwhelmed at first. I could hear my art instructors from college say: “Where is the focus of the show? Where is the unifying theme?” And so I looked for it. After some thought and examining the art closely, three concepts came to mind. I concluded that what these collectors were most interested in were humans, things connected to humans, and how beautiful our environment can be if only we used our imaginations. There are more than 115 works in this exhibit and each piece is creative to the max.

to pop up, while maintaining their outlines around their heads and bodies. An obvious reason that many of the paintings and sculptures reminded me of the figure is that they depict actual figures. One sculpture caught my eye that was figurative: a very Sherrie Wolf, Tulips with Concert of Birds; Reference: Frans Snyder, simplified seated 1579–1657, 2008, Acrylic on canvas, Oil on canvas, Collection of Arlene and Harold Schnitzer. figure that still maintained the overall shape of the marble it was carved from, but its polished surface could be “felt” even if I could not touch the sculpture. There were several paintings by the famous Michele Russo, but these pieces show figures in playful ways. Like so many paintings and sculptures in this show,

In Passionate Pursuit: The Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Collection and Legacy through January 11, 2015 Portland Art Museum 1219 SW Park Ave., Portland T,W, Sat, Sun 10–8; Th-Fri, 10–8. $15 Adults, $12 Seniors/Students; 17 and under free. 503-226-2821 This exhibit explores the richly diverse collection of Arlene and the late Harold Schnitzer, their promised gift to the community, and their profound impact they, as role models and philanthropists, have had on cultural patronage in Portland. For more than half a century, the Schnitzers have collected Northwest art, Asian art, silver, and Native American art. This exhibition will allow visitors a rare opportunity to see more than 115 works from this internationally recognized collection of one of the region’s most legendary philanthropic couples.

they are large, which help the viewer feel they are a part of the picture and three dimensional art. There are many abstract paintings in the show that serve as the backdrop for the more clearly depicted figures in the show. What happens when the subjects (which are really ourselves) are no longer in the picture? What is left behind? The Schnitzers must have believed that our creative influence cont page 19

SLIP Club

Shortly after having this epiphany I saw a work named Control by Michael Brophey and my theory was cemented in my mind. This work depicted a man standing Russo, The Juggler, 1993, Acrylic on in a landscape painting, but he Michele canvas, Collection of Arlene and Harold Schnitzer. was painting the sky which was also the actual sky in the picture. I An artist named Viola Frey shows believe that the Schnitzers are most colorful cartoon like figures moving attracted to art that shows mankind right toward the viewer. It is as if being proactive about making beauty just seeing a cartoon in a newspaper happen in their environment. This was not good enough, they needed painting depicts creativity in action.

Holiday Pottery Sale Stunning work Affordable prices Unique gifts

Saturday Dec. 6

A Year in Paint Celeste Bergin Quin Sweetman

10am–5pm Lower Columbia College, Longview

Two outstanding Portland artists Showing through Jan. 9

Give the Gift of Art Tues – Sat • 10am - 5pm

or by appointment

Custom Framing

503-703-5188 1318 Commerce Avenue Longview, Wash.

18 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

Blazing hot pots glow as the Raku kiln is opened

Main Bldg Room 104 Entry doors across from Rose Center main entrance

all seeming to miss their “master” who left the picture for a while, but is sure to return. A more somber piece that gave me the same idea of what is left behind from the absence of people or figures in a work is by Morris Graves and is called Memorial Day Wildflower Bouquet in the Cemetery of an Abandoned Western Mining Town. Even though the piece is more somber than Lucinda Parker, Rumpus Jump, 1982, Acrylic on canvas, others in the collection, Collection of Arlene and Harold Schnitzer. it has a kind of beauty, despite its use of black and burnt umber which give remains. The painting in the show the piece a more serious look. that best illustrated this idea for me was Sherrie Wolf’s Tulips with I highly recommend this show, as it Concert of Birds (opposite page, top has something for everyone. I saw the photo). In this painting, there are many show as a celebration of the figure, birds and outstretched what is connected to the figure, the tulips and active environment the figure occupies and clouds in the sky influences, and what the world looks like when a person steps out from the center of attention. But really, the Local artist Scott beauty of this show is that you can McRae teaches painting classes come to your own conclusion. at Broadway Gallery.

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Lessons at the Karla Dudley Piano Studio, Longview For info or to purchase package: 360-577-1366 or kcpiano@comcast,net

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• Gifts • Holiday Décor • Fresh Floral • Northwest Gourmet Foods

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Mon - Sat 10am–6:30pm 1414 Commerce Avenue Longview, Washington www.BandasBouquets.com

CENTERPIECES

With coupon presented at time of purchase, in shop only. Good thru 12/31/14.

Now Booking Banquet Space A Touch of New York on Broadway 1206 Broadway, Longview Between Commerce & 12th Ave. Open Tues-Thurs 11–5 • Fri 12–6

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1204 Broadway • Longview • lordandmccords@gmail.com 20 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

•HOLIDAY PARTIES •SPECIAL EVENTS •BIRTHDAYS •MEETINGS Enjoy our twist on American Comfort Food

MON–SAT

NOT your run-of-the-mill restaurant!

11am–9pm Family Dining 3pm– Late Breakroom Bar 1260 Commerce Ave • 360.703.3904 • www.millcitygrill.com

DECK THE HALLS

Northwest Gardener

Tables, mantles & more!

Make a centerpiece from your own yard clippings

Story and photos by Nancy Chennault

estive greenery for your winter table may be just out your back door. Between rainstorms, dash out to your garden with pruners in hand. As you snip branches and twigs and clip a tip here and there, you are not only accomplishing some necessary shaping of your shrubs, you are gathering the ingredients for an elegant addition to your holiday décor. Building a centerpiece with fresh greens is as easy as 1-2-3-4-5.

Step 1

Step1 Place the oasis block firmly into your

container. It should be a tight fit. Trim any overhang to keep it from dripping outside of the dish onto your table. Be sure the oasis is at least a half inch above the rim of the container. Insert the candleholders and add the candles, leaving the candles wrapped so they stay clean. Conifers (plants with needles) are the premier choice for a natural centerpiece. Cut some true fir (Abies species), such as noble, Fraser, balsam or Korean as the foundation. These fragrant evergreens will give structure to your creation. Douglas fir, (Pseudotsuga), does not have the “body” of the true firs, however it can be used.

Step 2 Decide the finished

Step 2

Step 4

When completely dry, begin to add decorative touches. Cones, ornaments and ribbons that have had a wire pick attached can be inserted into the centerpiece.

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED These are available at garden centers, home improvement and craft stores. A waterproof dish A brick of “oasis” soaked in lukewarm water until saturated A knife to cut the Oasis A preservative spray This provides a wax coating that keeps the needles from loosing moisture. Candle holders and candles Wired picks and assorted seasonal decorations.

size of your centerpiece and then cut two pieces of equal length for the ends and two pieces of equal length for the width. Strip the needles from the freshly cut stem and poke them in so they point slightly downward. Your finished product should just brush the table and be no longer or wider than these first four pieces.

Continue to add the fir and other sturdy conifer stems, such as pine, cypress and cedar. Try to stick the stems where you want them the first time. Sticking and removing will jeopardize the integrity of the oasis and it will fall apart. Collect assorted textures and colors from the shrubs in your garden and use them to create a pattern of color most pleasing to you. Many broadleaf evergreens, such as boxwoods, as well as deciduous trees with delicate branching such as Japanese maples, make interesting additions. Keep the height in proportion to the finished size, keeping in mind the height of the candles and the view of those sitting at the table.

Step 3

thoroughly with the preservative. This procedure will assure that the centerpiece will last well into January. Maintain moisture by watering it regularly.

Check the centerpiece on all sides and angles to make sure there are no holes. You should not be able to see any oasis or the container. Place on newspaper and spray

Step 5 Extend the season for your centerpiece by removing the Christmas decorations and add party favors for your New Year’s Eve celebration. You can then easily transition to January with snowflakes. Your handcrafted centerpiece makes a perfect hostess gift for the holidays. Or turn it into a special present by listing the shrubs and trees that are represented, tuck in a gift certificate to a favorite nursery and you have a thoughtful, personal gift for the gardener on your list.

Step 3

Step 4

As you continue to add ornamental shrubs and trees to your landscape, be sure to keep holiday decorations in mind. Your expanded pallet of color and texture will not only be pleasant in the garden, it will provide opportunities to add beauty to your indoor living space as well. •••

Longtime local gardening maven Nancy Chennault and husband Jim Chennault operate The Gardens @ Sandy Bend in Castle Rock.

Step 5

Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 21

COOKING WITH THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER

Not well enough,” said Ace.

Dip into Biscotti

Cookie cutters are the big reveal of family values. No cookie platter at our house is complete without a cowboy and a horse, bucking or otherwise. There’s a dog bone. A cat. We have stars in three sizes, two trees, a hen and two distinctive cows — one dairy, the other beef. Jesus was born in a stable, after all.

Two cookies to create; one cut-out traditional, the and Photos other crispy by Story Suzanne Martinson

n the family farm in Michigan, we baked them every year: ChristmasCookies. In our kitchen, the name was one word. Our industrious German neighbors to the south worked expansive farms and made many kinds of cookies in large enough quantities to collapse a dining table with all the leaves let out.

The Broadway Gallery

Visit our Gallery for your Holiday Shopping Items start under $10

There used to be one small horsefly in the holiday-cookie ointment. Brother, those babies stuck to the bread board! By the time I’d sifted enough flour onto the board and cut the shapes, they looked more like scary amoebas than Santa.

Later, when we moved to the Pacific Northwest, a Scandinavian baker told me that their magic number for a cookie platter was seven kinds. Seven! We w e r e s a t i s f i e d w i t h o n e . ChristmasCookies. Mixed in the white glass bowl of the Sunbeam Mixmaster. Rolled out on a bread board with a wooden rolling pin. Cut

Come in and enjoy our Holiday Art and Refreshments • Watch for our Studio Clearance Sale the week of January 12th • We are open during construction. Free extra parking and an entrance behind gallery on 12th Avenue 360-577-0544

10am - 5:30pm • Mon - Sat

1418 Commerce Longview, WA Across from Elam’s Home Furnishings

out. Baked. Frosted. (The mixer’s small bowl was for butter frosting.) Sprinkled with colored sugar. The recipe was simple: Butter (no substitutions). Flour. Sugar. Vanilla (from the Watkins farm-to-farm salesman). Baking powder. Salt. One egg, fresh from Gram’s chicken coop. Aside from the occasional cull — a broken-legged reindeer, a topless tree (today, my husband, Ace, is happy to dispose of these) — each cookie was frosted and went into the basement freezer, salted away in flimsy cardboard dress boxes from the department store, piece of waxed paper separating, say, chickens from reindeer.

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Lela Gundfossen’s recipe uses powdered sugar, not granulated. Maybe chilling the dough and buying a sock for my rolling pin also helped. The flour still flies, though. One of my favorite cutters is a pig with wings, as in, “I’ll clean up the kitchen — when pigs fly.”

“But I hid them!” I said.

u q i o L r r S e i n i a R OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! tore Call for times or check us out on Facebook!

They didn’t.

I learned to bury my own cookies in an avalanche of freezer food, but they were never safe from either Ace or our daughter, Jessica.

Mixers • Lottery & Cigarettes • Drive a little...Save a lot!

TASTINGS on most weekends!

Live and learn. When I worked across the Columbia River at the Gresham, Ore., Outlook, a gifted hard-candy maker took me aside. “Here’s my recipe for Christmas cookies,” she said, slipping me a 3-by-5-inch index card. “They won’t stick.”

75928 Rockcrest

M-Th: 10 - 7 Located on the Oregon side of Lewis & Clark F - Sat: 10 - 7:30 Bridge. Head toward Rainier, turn left at 1st light. Sun: 11 - 4 We are on the “right” side of Rockcrest.

Twice-baked, beloved Over the years, I’ve added other recipes, including the Italian cookie known as biscotti, a crisp cookie meant for dipping and sturdy enough to last the season. This year, I decided to try another of Lou Seibert Pappas’ wonderful recipes from Biscotti (Chronicle Books), a small, square book that taught me how to create the cookie. Biscotti has a double meaning. Bis translates to “more than once” and cotto means cooking in Italian. “Bravo biscotti!” her book begins. “These tantalizing twice-baked Italian cookies are the new darling of confections.” That was in 1992, and the cookie she called “subtly sweet and ultra crispy”

22 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

cont page 36

OUT • AND • ABOUT

Wintering Over

he cold snap we all experienced in mid-November made me think about the miserable winter the Corps of Discovery spent after finally reaching the Pacific Ocean in 1805. Food, clothing, shelter, Christmas gifts and even the opportunity for the occasional nip of “ardent spirits” are basic comforts most of us take for granted and enjoy this time of year. But the Lewis and Clark Expedition had a very different experience. The wet Northwest winter had set in by November 7, 1805, when Captain Clark wrote his famous words: “Ocian in View! O! the joy.” For the next three weeks, the Corps of Discovery was pinned down by high waves as a continuous series of storms pounded the north shore of the Columbia River. On November 12th, Clark wrote, “It would be distressing to a feeling person to see our situation at this time, all wet and cold with our bedding etc. also wet… Our situation is dangerous.”

The Corps of Discovery’s Christmas

Fort Clatsop, the replica of Lewis and Clark’s winter home, 1805-6. Photos courtesy of Lewis & Clark Historical Park.

101

Chinook

cont. page 40

Washington

VISITORS CENTERS FREE Maps • Brochures Directions • Information

• Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce Kelso Visitors Center I-5 Exit 39 105 Minor Road, Kelso • 360-577-8058

101

Mount St. Helens

Skamokawa

• Grays River

Cathlamet 4 WestportPuget Island FERRYk

Astoria

Pacific Ocean

Directions: Take Oregon’s Highway 30 west to Astoria. Go through Astoria, then south on Highway 101. Take the first left, Marlin Ave., after crossing the Youngs Bay Bridge (you will come to a new stop light, third one after the bridge, just south of Fred Meyer). Take Marlin Ave. to Alternate (Business) 101, turn left, follow the signs to the park. Turn right onto Fort Clatsop Road. The entrance will be on the left.

504

• Naselle

Historical Demonstration Flintlocks: Tools of Survival Historical Demonstration Flintlocks: Tools of Survival The Star Spangled Banner

The park will be closed on Christmas Day (December 25) then open daily from 9–5. Admission $3, ages 15 and under free. Lewis & Clark National Historic Park. Phone: 503- 861-2471.

The fort was completed in two weeks and the men moved in on Christmas Eve, but there were no sugar plums dancing in their heads. Clark wrote that the fleas “torment us in such a manner as to deprive us of half the

Castle Rock

Warrenton •

Seaside

10:30 -12:30 1:30 2:00 – 3:00 3:30 4:30

Winlock

Long Beach

Columbia River

Daily programs at Fort Clatsop Dec. 26, 2014 – Jan 1, 2015.

To the other side A decision was made to cross to the south side of the Columbia and spend the winter there since local Indians said elk were plentiful. Work on Fort Clatsop began December 7. During construction, it rained every day – along with snow and hail. Lightning and gale-force winds added to the dismal conditions. Clark described December 16th as, “Certainly one of the worst days that ever was!”

Ocean Park •

Ilwaco

Winter Ranger Programs bring history to life

Their clothing was rotten and some men were nearly naked. The hunting parties found little or no food – no berries, no salmon, and no deer or elk – just a few ducks.

To: Centralia, Olympia Mt. Rainier Yakima (north, then east) Tacoma/Seattle

Oysterville •

By Michael Perry

Birkenfeld

Kelso

Clatskanie Rainier

Woodland

• South Columbia County Chamber Columbia Blvd/Hwy 30, St. Helens, OR • 503-397-0685

503

• Ridgefield

Scappoose• rnelius NW Co ad o R Pass

To: Salem Silverton Eugene Ashland

Sauvie Island

Vancouver 12

Portland

for

Points o mation f In Recre terest Special ation Dinin Events Arts & Eg ~ Lodging ntertain ment

• Astoria-Warrenton Chamber/Ore Welcome Ctr 111 W. Marine Dr., Astoria 503-325-6311 or 800-875-6807

•Yacolt

St Helens

Local in

• Seaside, OR 989 Broadway 503-738-3097 or 888-306-2326

Columbia City

Vernonia

Oregon

• Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau 3914 Pacific Way (corner Hwy 101/Hwy 103) Long Beach, WA. 360-642-2400 • 800-451-2542

Cougar •

Kalama

• Wahkiakum Chamber 102 Main St, Cathlamet • 360-795-9996 • Appelo Archives Center 1056 SR 4 Naselle, WA. 360-484-7103.

Ape Cave •

Longview

• Woodland Tourist Center I-5 Exit 21 Park & Ride lot, 900 Goerig St., 360-225-9552

Col Gorge Interp Ctr Skamania Lodge Bonneville Dam

Troutdale Crown Point

Goldendale 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. We are not cartographers.

Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 23

OUT • AND • ABOUT Community Holiday Celebrations

Parades, lights & Christmas festivities

Festival of Nativities

Thurs,–Sun, Dec. 4–7 • 4–9pm More than 600 nativity displays. Live music by local artists Free admission. Children welcome. Allow at least 20 minutes. 900 11th Ave, Longview. Hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Tree Lighting at Kelso Train Station Friday, Dec. 5 6–8pm. 501 S. First St., Kelso, Wash. Downtown Longview Parade & Tree Lighting, Saturday, Dec 6 5pm parade along Commerce and Broadway, ending at R.A.Long Park on the Civic Circle (in front of Monticello Hotel). The lights will be turned on after Santa arrives. Gingerbread Village at Broadway Gallery Saturday, Dec. 6 Free public viewing 12:30–7pm. Fourth Annual Gingerbread Haus Contest: Entry forms (available at www. MYLDP.org) must be submitted by Dec. 3 to the Broadway Gallery and completed houses dropped off at Broadway Gallery on Dec. 6, 10am– 12 noon.

Journey to Bethlehem Dec 11-14 Thurs, Friday 6-9pm, Sat, Sunday 5-9pm. Doors open 1 hour early. Seventh Day Adventist Church, 77 Solomon Rd, Lexington (2.3 miles north of Kelso on West Side Highway) Free admission. 20-25-minute outdoor walk, dress accordingly. Info: journeyadventist. com

Southwest Washington Symphony Christmas Concerts

The Spirit of Christmas Courtesy photos, previous events in Vernonia in Castle Rock All-day activities, including story-telling, carolers, lighted parade at 5:30pm, tree lighting follows. Details: Vernonia Spirit of Christmas on Facebook, or call 503-701-5928. Rainier Tree Lighting Celebration and Caroling Sun., Dec. 7 at Rainier City Hall. Bring the family and enjoy sharing the holiday spirit with friends and neighbors. Caroling begins at 5pm on the steps of the City Hall, with hot cocoa and cookies served after Santa magically lights up the City tree. 106 W. “B” Street.

Sat, Dec. 13, 7pm and Sun, Dec. 14, 3pm. Longview Community Church 2323 Washington Way, Longview, Wash. Free admission. Free will offering for charities. Come early and stay late for great shopping and restaurant specials. Check out the decorated storefronts and see all the lights throughout town. For a complete schedule: visit https://www.facebook. com/CastleRockFestivalOfLights

Castle Rock Festival of Lights Saturday, Dec 13 Feel the warmth of a hometown Christmas with festive holiday displays and thousands of lights beginning December 1st. All month there will be opportunities to shop for specials, dine on tasty treats and stroll the cheerful streets in downtown Castle Rock. On Saturday, December 13th, beginning at 4:30pm: Free pictures with Santa for kids of all ages at 147 Front Avenue (Visitor Information Point).

Give the Gift of Wellness this Holiday Season

Gift Cards and Gift Sets from Estetica Make a Great Gift! Stop in this holiday season and get a nicely-packaged gift card or purchase a printable gift certificate online at www.esteticaspa.com.

5:30pm: Parade from Red Canoe Credit Union along Front Avenue through downtown and leading to the big tree in front of the Post Office on Cowlitz Street. 6:00pm Official Tree Lighting, raffles, caroling and entertainment. 24 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

www.esteticaspa.com 1146 COMMERCE AVE LONGVIEW

360-577-6956

very year, spectators delight in watching the Christmas Ship Parade on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in Portland, Oregon, and nearby points. Both fleets, averaging 55–60 boats total, will be out every night (except Dec. 7) beginning Dec. 5 through December 21. The fleet will do a special performance in Camas, Washington, on Dec. 6. Christmas Ships is a non-profit organization and the fleet is all volunteer; not all the boats make it out every night. The parade is made possible by the donations hotels and restaurants along the route make to help pay for the event insurance. Skippers pay their own fuel costs and receive no money from the donations.

OUT • AND • ABOUT

Christmas Ships on the Columbia Skippers offer nautical and nice light show Saturday, Dec. 13 St. Helens and Columbia City 6:00pm - Columbia Fleet assembles at the St. Helens City Docks and heads downriver to Columbia City, and weather/river conditions permitting crosses to the Washington side and the RV Park, then returns to St. Helens City Docks. The fleet is out about two hours. Ships remain overnight at St. Helens City Docks and leave Sunday for the trip up Multnomah Channel. Outdoor Viewing Locations •Columbia Courthouse above the St. Helens City Docks •Columbia View Park (south of courthouse parking lot) •Sand Island - Access by boat only •Caples House Museum, 1925 First St, Columbia City. 6:30pm cookies, cider and hot chocolate; Christmas carol singing. Cash donations welcome •Pixie Park, Columbia City.

Sunday, Dec. 14 Multnomah Channel, Scappoose to the Willamette River • 4:30pm Both the Columbia and Willamette Fleets are together tonight! They meet in the afternoon at Coon Island and leave for Scappoose, arriving approximately 5pm, then continue up the Multnomah Channel to the Willamette River. This is a long night and arrival at the Willamette River is usually between 8 and 9pm. It is not possible to give a closer time frame due to weather conditions, debris in the river, and other conditions beyond the control of the fleet. Restaurant along the route Mark’s on the Channel 34326 Johnson’s Landing Rd Scappoose, OR • 503-543-8765 Outdoor viewing locations: •Coon Island [boat access only] •McCuddy’s Landing, Scappoose (formerly Brown’s Landing) •Hadley’s Landing, Sauvie Island

Photos courtesy of Christmas Ships, Inc.

•Along Hwy. 30. •Sauvie Island: Take the Sauvie Island Bridge across from Hwy. 30 and head north on Sauvie Island Road. Turn left on Ferry St to boat launch area. For more info or announcements about weather-related cancellations or schedule changes, visit www. christmasships.org •••

Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 25

Thank You for your business this year!

s e h s i m H W r o d l i a y Wa Ask Teri about catering your home dinner party

360-577-0717 formerly JT’s

3225 Ocean Beach Hwy 26 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

We’ll bring the food and do the work– you relax and have fun with your guests! m ‘til 8pve n e p E O tmas Chris M-Th 7am–9pm • Fri 7am–10pm Sat 11am–10pm • Closed Sunday

MAN IN THE KITCHEN’S MOVEABLE FEAST

Retro buffet makes crowd-pleasing holiday meal

Story by Paul Thompson • Photo by Perry Piper

t a cocktail party recently, I engaged in a conversation with a fellow guest. When he discovered I was the Man in the Kitchen, he was anxious to describe Javanese food after having just returned from Indonesia. I think he wanted to be in my column, once he learned I’m writing for a newspaper. He gave me his name three times. Our conversation sparked my interest in learning more about Javanese food, which sounded unique and exotic. I remember macramé, mood rings and fondue. But I had never heard of the so-called Javanese Dinner, which my friends told me was popular during the 1970s. I guess I wasn’t invited to those parties. When they tried to

describe the Javanese Dinner to me, I must admit it sounded kind of weird, but I was game to try it as a kind of “moveable feast.” For those who don’t already know about it, I can now recommend the Javanese Dinner as a fun way to feed any size crowd without much fuss ahead of time in the kitchen. Maybe you will want to stage one — again, or for the first time – this holiday season. The food items need little preparation and are unpretentious. But they add up to be a pretty tasty stack. It starts with Chinese noodles, chicken and rice, with a combination of other foods and condiments piled on to create an interesting twist, reminiscent of the flavors of Javanese food. cont page 28

RESTAURANT

The Bistro

Make your Holiday party reservations now! The Bistro can accommodate groups with up to 100 guests. Email thebistrobuzz.com for details. We will be open New Year’s Eve from 5–9pm. Limited seating available. Call 360-442-4150 for reservations.

THE

Paella

JAVANESE DINNER Serves about 12 2 to 3 (3-ounce) cans chow mein noodles 6 to 8 cups steamed rice 3 pounds cooked shredded chicken Chicken gravy (3 cans cream of chicken soup and 1 can milk) or Sauce Bechamel, recipe below 1 medium white onion, chopped 3 to 4 stalks celery, diced 1 (15-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained 4 medium tomatoes, diced 1 red or yellow pepper, chopped

Curry sauce (2 cans cream of mushroom soup, 1 can chicken broth, 1 /2 can white wine and 2 tsp. curry, blended and heated) 1 pound sharp cheddar cheese, grated 1 cup golden raisins 1 cup slivered almonds 2 cups grated coconut Add chicken to chicken gravy (or Sauce Bechamel) and heat thoroughly. Arrange all the listed ingredients in separate serving bowls in the order shown. Provide dinner plates for the guests, who serve themselves, piling on the items to create their individual “stacks.” Encourage them not to skip any items (See sidebar, page 28).

‘Tis the Season If you have family and friends coming to visit and they need a place to stay, book your room for the holidays. Enjoy our complimentary hot breakfast, indoor heated pool and spa.

Love is in the air this February! Join us for Saint Valentine’s dinner Saturday, February 14th. Special menu, live music. Reservations are required! Call 360-442-4150.

Live music Thurs-Fri-Sat

1329 Commerce Ave. Downtown Longview Tues–Sat 5 pm ‘til . . . ?

Make your dinner reservations online at thebistrobuzz.com or call 360.425.2837

Clatskanie River Inn 503 728 9000 • 600 E Columbia River Hwy visit us online at www.clatskanieriverinn.com

Sauce Bechamel 2 Tbl. butter 2 C. condensed milk Salt & pepper 4 Tbl. cornstarch 2 C. chicken stock, well seasoned 2 4-oz. cans sliced mushrooms Melt butter, blend in corn starch and slowly add milk and chicken broth. Stir over medium heat until bubbly. Add mushrooms. •••

Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 27

Javanese Dinner cont from page 27

A quick online search and a spin of my globe refreshed my memory. Java is the fourth largest island in Indonesia and home to an impressive 143 million people . This is more than half of the entire Indonesian population. Java is south of the equator in the middle of the South China Sea. If you decide to plan a Javanese Dinner, I would recommend the host be responsible for preparing the chicken, gravy and curry sauce. Everyone else is each assigned to bring one or two of the remaining items,

prepared at home and presented in a serving bowl ready for the buffet table. This saves a lot of mess and time in the kitchen, because the food arrives ready to serve, all easily kept “on hold” to accommodate latecomers or a leisurely period to share holiday cheer prior to dinner.

But don’t give away all the credit to your helpful friends. Offer a “signature” item of your own to crown the event, maybe a spectacular beverage and a festive dessert.

The Javanese Dinner sidesteps the usual problems that arise with “potluck” gatherings. The host has control of the offerings, avoiding repetitions and your least favorite items. And, having control, you are ready to present a superior bill of fare, with a little help from your friends.

Paul Thompson taught speech and drama at Wright College, Chicago, then retired and and built his own house in Sequim, Washington. After 10 years, he returned to his hometown of Longview, where he enjoys movies, golf, and good food.

28 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

•••

Arrange the Javanese Dinner food items in this order with labels noting the suggested serving size: Chow mein noodles: One heap, not too big Rice: A good pile of it Chicken & Gravy: Enough to cover Onion: One spoonful Celery: Another spoonful Pineapple: Another spoonful Tomatoes: Another spoonful Peppers: Another spoonful Curry Sauce: Enough to cover Cheese: Sprinkle this all over Raisins: A few of these Almonds: A few of these Coconut: Top it all with this

Where do you read

THE READER?

South of the Panama Canal

Gary Grover, Longview; Vicki McDonald, Kalama; Millie Leard and Dianna Grover, both of Longview; in Cartagena, Columbia.

Placing Chistmas order Mariah Roseman of

Longview, in North Pole, Alaska, visiting her grandma Patty, along with “Santa.”

WHERE DO YOU READ THE READER?

Dancing a jig

John and Gail Lewis, of Scappoose, Oregon, at Bunratty Castle, County Clair, Ireland, this summer.

Send your photo reading the Reader (high-resolution JPEG} to Publisher@ CRReader.com. If sending a cell phone photo, choose the largest file size up to 2 MB. Include name and city of residence. Thank you for your participation and patience. Keep those photos coming!

Fishermen’s paradise

Joe Murphy of Longview, Pat Murphy of Simi, Calif, Gene Santman of Castle Rock, and Mike Murphy, of Placerville, Calif., on their annual fishing trip in Petersburg, Alaska.

Kissing Travelers? Marilyn Herold (white vest) and Glenna McNelly (holding CRR) with fellow tourists in Ireland this summer at the Blarney Castle. “The stone to kiss is at the top of the castle! And there are 150 steps to climb in a very narrow passage. Tourism is second only to agriculture as Ireland’s top resource and most of their tourists are Americans researching their heritage ... Ireland’s history goes very far back, more than some other European countries. Their love for flowers and gardening shows. The island never gets too cold or hot. Of course, it is green but it does not rain all the time. We had only three rainy days in two weeks.” ~ Marilyn Herold Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 29

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12/1 - Apple and iPhone 12/8 - Google and Android 12/15 - Using Facebook 1/5 - Organizing digital photos SKILLED • PATIENT • KIND

360-270-0608 perrypiper@hotmail.com PERRY PIPER PRODUCTIONS a division of

Mondays • 10am • $5 per session includes coffee & cookies. Please pre-register by calling.

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30 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

Home Brew Supplies Bulk Grains, Extracts and Hops Over 800 Varieties of Beer Over 700 Kinds of Wine 14 Tap Handles & Growlers Filled BBQ Restaurant – Meats Slow-Smoked on Site

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Christmas Trees

Tree-cutting in the Gifford Pinchot: Everything you need to know Christmas tree cutting permits are now available at Gifford Pinchot National Forest offices and many local vendors. Forest Service personal use permits cost $5.00 each (cash, check or credit card) and there is a limit of five permits per household. Permits are valid for one-time use only. Permit purchasers will receive a map of cutting areas and an information sheet with special instructions for cutting Christmas trees on the national forest.

Winter weather in the forest can change rapidly. Most forest roads are not maintained for winter driving. Traction devices and a shovel are recommended, as is extra food, drinking water, winter clothing, blankets, a flashlight, and first aid kit. Remember to bring a tool to cut your tree and rope or cord to secure it to your vehicle. Tree cutting and travel may take longer than anticipated, so let a friend or family member know where you’re going, get an early start, and leave the woods well before dark.

Let Kent keep you rollin’!

For info on current road status and closures visit http://www.fs.usda. gov/recmain/giffordpinchot/ recreation#cond For info on successful tree harvesting please visit our website at http://www. fs.usda.gov/detail/giffordpinchot/passespermits/?cid=fsbdev3_005072

Vendor Locations (Call for hours of operation and information), all in Washington:

Visitors can purchase Christmas tree permits at the following Gifford Pinchot National Forest offices and vendor locations:

Stevenson Main St. Convenience Store (open 24 hours) 509-427-5653

• Gifford Pinchot National Forest Headquarters 10600 NE 51st Circle, Vancouver, Wash.Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8am–12 noon, 1–4:30pm. 360-891-5001. •Mt. Adams Ranger District 2455 Highway 141, Trout Lake, WA 98650

Fair rates • Honest work

KENT’S CUSTOM DIESEL, INC FOR ALL YOUR DIESEL REPAIRS BIG RIGS, MOTORHOMES, PICKUPS TRAILER REPAIR ALL WELDING & FABRICATION 2405 TALLEY WAY • KELSO, WA

Ph: 360-575-8884 FAX: 360-575-9835

ROPAN

ELL P ALSO S

Trout Lake Little Mountain (True Value) Hardware 509-395-2773 Carson Wind River Market 509-427-5565 Home Valley Home Valley Store 509-427-4015

Randle Fischer’s Market 360-497-5355 Packwood Blanton’s Market 360- 494-6101 Ashford Ashford General Store 360-569-2377 Elbe Elbe Grocery 360-569-2766 Amboy Amboy Market 360-247-5421

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am–12 noon, 1–4:30pm. 509-395-3400.

Amboy Chelatchie Prairie General Store 360-247-5529

• Cowlitz Valley Ranger District 10024 US Hwy 12 – PO Box 670, Randle, Wash. Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8am–12 noon, 1–4:30pm. 360-497-1100

Cougar Lakeside Country Store 360-238-5202

•Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. 42218 NE Yale Bridge Rd., Amboy, Wash. Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8am–12 noon, 1–4:30pm. 360-449-7800.

Kalama Kalama Spirits and Tobacco 360- 673-4991

Cougar Cougar Store 360-238-5228

All Forest Service offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day.

Longview Orthopedic Associates Leads the Way in Joint Replacement Procedures More than 40 million Americans have been diagnosed with arthritis. This crippling disease can cause stiffness, swelling and severe joint pain, leading to a loss of motion and mobility. The good news is that innovative

Bruce Blackstone, MD

Bill Turner, MD

designs, gentler surgical techniques, and advancements in pain management have significantly reduced post-surgery down-time and rehabilitation. When it comes to joint replacement procedures, no one in the area is

Jon Kretzler, MD

Eric Hansen, MD

more experienced than the surgeons at Longview Orthopedic Associates. If you suffer from hip, shoulder, ankle or knee pain, call 360.501.3400 today to schedule an evaluation.

Peter Kung, MD

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Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 31

Outings & Events

Performing & Fine Arts Music, Art, Theatre, Literary

Upcoming Productions

Christmas Party Musical Revue Dec 12 – 28 New Year’s Eve Party at Tapas Dec 31 – Jan 1 The Lion in Winter Feb 13– Mar 1 Little Women the Musical May 1 – 31 Junior Summer Production July 18 – 27

stageworksnorthwest.org 1433 Commerce Ave, Longview

Live Music Scene around the River For music schedule, go online or call the restaurant or bar

The Bistro 1329 Commerce Ave, Longview 360-425-2837 • Music Thurs 6–9; Fridays 6–10, Sats 6–9 thebistrobuzz.com The Birk Pub & Eatery 11139 Hwy 202, Birkenfeld, Ore 503-755-2722 • thebirk.com Cassava 1333 Broadway, Longview 360-425-7700 Live music first Friday. Check Facebook. Flowers ‘n’ Fluff 45 E. Col River Hwy, Clatskanie, Ore. 503-728-4222 Live Music Friday evenings clatskanieflowersnfluff@gmail.com Goble Tavern 70255 Col. River Hwy, Rainier 503-556-4090 • gobletavern.com The Mansion 420 Rutherglen Rd, Longview 360-425-5816. rutherglenmansion.com Fri 5-7 pm Winetasting Buffet $25 Porky’s Public House 561 Industrial Way, Longview 360-636-1616 facebook.com/pages/Porkys-CafeLounge/11041404898298

To find where your favorites are playing: Raeann raeannphillips.com phillipspettitr@facebook.com Avi avimuzo.com avimuzo@facebook.com Fred Carter FredCarterLive@facebook.com or www.fredcarterlive.com

To list your music venue here, call Ned Piper, 360-749-2632

FIRST THURSDAY Dec 4, 2014 and Jan 8, 2015 Downtown Longview Broadway Gallery Artists reception, 5:30-7:30 pm. Dec 4 Music by Keith Hinyard Jan 8 Music by Jack “T-Picker” Bowman 1418 Commerce Ave. www.the-broadway-gallery.com Broderick Gallery Artists reception 5–8 pm 1318 Commerce Ave. 503-703-5188 www.broderickgallery.com Longview Outdoor Gallery 1200-1300 blocks, Commerce Ave. Free lighted, guided sculpture tours by LOG board member, 4pm, 5:30, 6:15pm. Meet at Broadway Gallery. McThread’s Wearable Art /Lord & McCord ArtWorks Dec. 4 Artist’s Reception 5:30–7:30pm. Debbie Willhite’s quilted jackets 1204/1206 Broadway 360-261-2373 mcthreadswearableart.com Teague’s Gallery 1267 Commerce Ave. 360-636-0712 Open House, local music. Across the Cowlitz River: Cowlitz County Museum Jan 8 (no program Dec 4) 7pm 405 Allen Street, Kelso, Wash. “Stories from our 2014 Collections”

HOW TO PUBLICIZE YOUR EVENT IN CRR List your non-commercial community event’s basic info (name of event, sponsor, date & time, location, brief description and contact info) and email 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 Deadline: Submissions received by the 30th of each month will be considered for inclusion in Outings & Events listings in the next issue (published the 15th of the month, Feb thru Oct; Nov 25 and Jan 10.) subject to lead time, general relevance to readers, and space limitations.

32 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

Broadway Gallery Artists co-op Nov: Janet Ellis (glass), Kay Crawford (pastels), Trudy Woods (pottery), Debby Neely (printmaking), Scott McRae (painting). December: Marie Wise (painting) Peggy Bird (mosaics) January: Janis Newton (paintings & sculpture) Jim Misener (sculpture). Gingerbread House contest Sat, Dec 6 entry deadline Thurs Dec 4 Entries must be delivered 10am-noon on Dec. 6 and will be on display through Mon evening Dec 8. Studio Sale Jan 12-18. Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5:30. 1418 Commerce, Longview, Wash. Open during streetscape construction. Parking lot off 12th Ave., back entrance. 360-577-0544. Broderick Gallery “A Year in Paint” by Portland artists Celeste Bergin, Quin Sweetman, through Jan. 9. Tues-Sat, 10am– 5pm or by appointment. 1318 Commerce, Longview, Wash. Info: 503-703-5188. www. broderickgallery.com Koth Gallery Christmas Quilts Dec. 1–31. Mon, Tues, Thurs 10-8, Wed 10-5, Fri 10-6, Sat 12-5. Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana, Longview, Wash. 360-442-5300. McThreads Wearable Art/Lord and McCord ArtWorks Dec. 1–30 Holiday Gifts. Jan 1–30 Alessa Beringer (fiber art) and Linda McCord (acrylics). Opening Reception Jan. 8, 5:30–7:30pm. Open Tues-Thurs 11-5, Fri 12-6pm. 1206 Broadway, Longview, Wash. 360-261-2373 or mcthreadswearableart.com. Tsuga Gallery Fine arts and crafts by more than 30 area artists. Thurs-Sat 11–5, Sun 12–4. 70 Main Street, Cathlamet, Wash. 360-795-0725. Sherlock Holmes, the Final Adventure LCC Center Stage. Nov 19-22,28-29, Dec 4-6. LCC Rose Center. $8 general admission, $7 non-LCC students and seniors, LCC students free. Scenes from the Louvre LCC Symphonic Band Concert. Fri, Dec. 5, 7:30pm. Tickets available at LCC bookstore $8 adults, seniors 55 & older $7; 16 & under free. Rose Center for the Arts, 1600 Maple St., Longview, Wash.

Scrooged in Astoria Melodramatic adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Dec 5–21. Fri-Sat, 7pm, Sun 2pm. ASOC Playhouse, 129 West Bond St., Astoria, Ore. Tickets: $8–15; special $5 Fridays. Available at www. astorstreetoprycompany.com A Christmas Concert Columbia River Handbells. Sun., Dec. 7, 3pm. St Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Free will offering. 22nd Avenue and Louisiana, Longview, Wash. LCC Jazz Ensemble Concert Tuesday Dec. 9, 7:30pm. Rose Center for the Arts. Tickets available at LCC bookstore. $8 adults, seniors 55 & older $7, 16 & under free. 1600 Maple Street Longview Wash. Cricket Countr y Christmas Musical Thurs.,Dec 11, 7pm Rehearsal $5. Sat, Dec. 13, 6:30pm Dinner & Show $15. Castle Rock United Methodist Church. 241 First Avenue SW, Castle Rock, Wash. Info: Barbara Rutherford 360-274-4969 or 360-749-4959 email chasbarb1@hotmail.com Carols from Around the World LCC Choir Concert, Friday, Dec. 12, 7:30pm, Rose Center for the Arts, 1600 Maple Street, Longview, Wash. Tickets available at LCC bookstore $8 adults, senior 55 & older $7. 16 & under free. Celtic Bough Christmas in the Celtic Lands Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts Friday Dec. 12, 7:30pm. Tickets $25-$35. At the box office: 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash. Info: 360-575-8499 or www. columbiatheatre.com Christmas Concerts Southwest Symphony Columbia River Handbells and Choir Sat, Dec. 13, 7pm; Sun, Dec. 14, 3pm. Free. Longview Community Church 2323 Washington Way, Longview, Wash. LCC Gallery at the Rose Center Exhibits: Becky Knold through Dec. 4; Kendra Larson and Heather Goodwind, Jan. 7–29. Opening Reception, Jan. 6, 4–6pm. Gallery hours: Mon-Tues 10am-6pm, Wed-Fri 10am-4pm. Lower Columbia College, 15th & Washington Way, Longview, Wash. 360-442-2510.

Outings & Events

Recreation, Outdoors, Gardening History, Pets, Self-Help Cowlitz County Museum Open House: Celebrate Winter Holidays on a Train. Sat., Dec. 6, 10–4. Museum open Tues-Sat 10 am–4 pm. 405 Allen St, Kelso, Wash. www. cowlitzwa.us/museum. Info: 360-577-3119. Wahkiakum County Historical Society Museum Extensive logging, fishing and cultural displays. Open 1-4pm, Thurs-Sun. 65 River Street, Cathlamet, Wash. For info 360-795-3954. Coffee Hour/Tech Support Sessions Every Monday, 10-11am. Free beginner level help with Mac and Android smart phones, tablets, etc. Longview. Limited space. Pre-registration required. Presented by Perry Piper. Info/ registration: 360-270-0608. Deck the Hall Annual Open House Redmen Hall, 1394 W. S-R 4, Skamokawa, Wash. FriSun, Nov 28, 29,30, 12– 4pm. Book signing and discussion by Robert Pyle, live music by local musicians, the Johnson Park Artists displaying their holiday specials, delicious food, and special treasures from local artists and artisans. The Open House continues 12–4 pm, Thur–Sun on the following two weekends, with the final day for shopping on Dec 14. Hosted by Friends of Skamokawa, who say “You can fill your entire gift list from our special selections!” R Square D Dance Club Fall/Winter schedule: 2nd Fri, 4th Sat, 7:30pm for plus, 8-10pm for Mainstream with rounds. Lessons begin Oct 16 at 7pm. Kelso Senior Center, 106 NW 8th Ave, Kelso, Wash. Info: 360-414-5855 or www.r-square-d.info. Artisan Guild of Mt St Helens Holiday Sale Thurs-Fri Dec 4-5 10–5. Wide variety of creative gifts. Donations of cat food for Humane Society wanted. Cassavas, 14th Ave and Broadway, Longview, Wash Info: Kevlyn 360-431-9802 or theartisanguild@yahoo.com

Christmas Bazaar at the Rose Valley Grange Sat, Dec 6, 10–4. Call Carol at 360-423-5373 or Charlotte at 360-423-6891 to reserve tables ,$10. Sale benefits Emergency Support Shelter. 1520 Rose Valley Road, Kelso, Wash Christmas Bazaar at Rainier Senior Center Sat ,Dec 6, 9–4,d Sun, Dec 7, 11–4. Handmade items. Food available 4–7. West 7th Street, Rainier, Ore. Info: Jan Rich 503556-2762. Jingle All the Way Fun 5K Run Walk Dec. 20. Historic Downtown Longview. See ad, page 36.

Jefferson’s Bible” by Junius Rochester. “In Their Footsteps” Sunday speaker series program. Dec. 21, 1pm, Free. Netul Room,

Fort Clatsop Visitor Center (near Astoria). Presented by Lewis and Clark National Park Assoc. Info: 503-861-2471 or visit online: nps.gov/lewi/index.htm. Columbian Toastmasters Village Inn, 535 S. Columbia Highway, St. Helens. 12:05– 1:05pm Thursdays. Increase your confidence, interview/presentation/leadership skills, Toastmasters is a nonprofit with a proven program. Info: Natasha Parvey, 850-3777867 or natashaparvey@gmail.com, or visit http://6421.toastmastersclubs.org/ Longview Social Club Local activities several times each month, geared for anyone ages 18– 35. Check Facebook: “LongviewWA Social Club” for details or call Perry, 360-270-0608.

December 4th Downtown Longview Don’t miss Columbia River Reader’s

OPEN HOUSE & DOWNTOWN WALKABOUT VISIT THE SHOPS GIVEAWAYS • SAMPLES FOOD • PRIZES • MUSIC Make a night of it! Details, page 13. Longview Outdoor Gallery invites you to Lighted, Guided Walking Tours

Hear the stories behind the sculptures Tours form at Broadway Gallery 1418 Commerce December 4 4pm, 5:15pm, 6:30pm

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portland holiday light displays

Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto One of the area’s most popular attractions, this is a “must-do” activity featuring ecumenical lighting and music with 150 groups performing in The Grotto’s 500-seat chapel (performances are at 5:15, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 pm). The Catholic shrine is decked out in Christmas lights to enjoy as you walk through the 62-acre gardens. A petting zoo and living-history theater program make this popular with both young and old. Gates are open 5 - 9:30 pm through Dec. 30 (grounds close at 10 pm), Closed Christmas Day. NE 82nd Ave and Sandy Blvd., Portland. $10 adults, $9 seniors, $5 children (3-12). 503-261-2400 or www.thegrotto.org/concert.html for schedule of musical groups. Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show A 20-minute drive through 250 dazzling light displays, 25 vehicle arches and 40 fully animated scenes. This is the 21st year of the largest holiday light show west of the Mississippi. Drive through a 200-foot tunnel of lights that will transport over 100,000 people to distant and magical lands. Sun–Th, 5–9 pm; 5–11 pm weekends Nov. 27–Dec. 28. Portland International Raceway, 1940 N. Victory Blvd in Delta Park (Exit 306B off I-5). $18 per car or 8-passenger van, $30–$45 for a bus. 503-232-3000 or www.globaleventsgrouppdx.com/wonderland/general.html Miracle of a Million Lights The Queen Ann Victorian Mansion is located near Portland International Raceway. Built in 1880, the 5,500 sq. ft. mansion is decorated with more than two million twinkling lights. Every tree, bush, gazebo and walkway is awash with colored lights. The mansion, fully decorated with Victorian Christmas decorations, is also open for tours by guides dressed in period dress. Enjoy hot chocolate, apple cider and gingerbread cookies while listening to live musical performances. 1441 N McClellan St., Portland. Dec. 13–23, 6 –10 pm nightly. $6 adults, $3 for seniors and students. 503-283-3224 Zoolights and Train Ride A favorite place to take the kids. The Oregon Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with nearly a million lights. Ride on the decorated Zoo Train through the lighted displays, or just walk through 200 lighted animated animals and displays. Music programs and puppet shows are also part of the celebration. Sun – Th, 5–8 pm, 5–8:30 pm on weekends through Dec. 31 (you can stay one hour after gates close). $10 adults, $8.50 seniors, $7.00 ages 3-11 (prices include train ride – deduct $1.50 without train). 503-226-1561 or www.oregonzoo.org/events/zoolights.

Dress for the weather

GET A PLAN. Call me today.

Terry Barnes Grambo

For more info on community tree lightings, holiday parades, nativity &musical festivites, and Christmas Ships on the Columbia See page 24-25

Christmas Ship Parade For 60 years, people have lined the banks of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers to watch the fleet of 60 boats that are decorated and lit from stem to stern. The ships sail nightly Dec. 5 – 21. Many people plan ahead and reserve a riverview table at one of the waterfront restaurants and enjoy the parade while having dinner. Free, visit www.christmasships.org for exact parade route each night. See page 25. Peacock Lane This Christmas tradition started in the 1920s. Homeowners go all out to decorate their property in thousands of lights, nativity scenes, replicas of Santa and his reindeer, and Frosty too. Most people wait in long lines to drive their cars through the neighborhood (headlights turned off, please!), but it is much more enjoyable to park the car and walk or ride in a horse-drawn carriage through this magical land of twinkling lights. From Dec. 15, the lights stay on until about 11 pm nightly through Dec 31 (midnight on Dec. 24 and 31). Peacock Lane is located one block east of SE 39th Ave, between Stark and Belmont, Portland. Free. Christmas Tree at Pioneer Square This 75-foot tree in the heart of Portland is a longtime Christmas tradition. SW Sixth and Broadway. Tree lighting 5:30pm, Nov. 28. Free

360-423-1962

Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 33

Movies

ST. VINCENT • JOHN WICK • NIGHTCRAWLER

Two entertaining films and a nightmare

By Dr. Bob Blackwood

A neighbor & babysitter (Bill Murray) entertains and amuses the boy-nextdoor (Jaeden Lieberher) in a neighborhood bar in “St. Vincent.” Photo: Weinstin Co.

n Theodore Melfi’s “St. Vincent,” Bill Murray plays an unmarried Vietnam vet who is fond of alcohol and has a pregnant Russian “girlfriend” (Naomi Watts) whom he can afford. Watts is so convincing in her character that I didn’t recognize her until halfway through the film. In any case, Vincent’s life is simple and satisfying to him. His new next-door neighbor (Melissa McCarthy), however, has a mess. She is living with her young son (a very talented Jaeden Lieberher) and starting a new job before her divorce is final. She needs a babysitter. For $12 an hour, she gets the best Vincent can give her son. Vincent doesn’t change his life, but the youngster sure asks intelligent Oregon’s best questions—which Vincent usually insulated units avoids.

avid Leitch & Chad Stahelski’s “John Wick” doesn’t have any real laughs, just a sardonic snicker or two. Wick (Keanu Reeves), “The man whom you send to kill the Boogeyman,” left his Russian mob boss (Michael Nyqvist) five years ago and, recently, Wick’s wife died. He acquired the cutest puppy in the world; he loves it. The mob boss’s stupid son steals his car, beats Wick up and kills his puppy. The son is stupid; the father is not. He immediately tries to deal with Wick.

In “Nightcrawler,” Jake Gyllenhaal is a denizen of the L.A. nights seeking photos of bloodstained events for profit at any cost to anyone. Photo: Open Road Films

Wick has a solution. Kill every stupid mobster who walked into his house. Kill anyone who tries to stop him. And he proceeds to work on that goal for most of the film. I think it is fair to state that it seems only Sam Peckinpah’s “The Wild Bunch” used up more gunpowder than this film (excluding war films, of course).

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I thought Melissa McCarthy, who usually looks like a train-wreck, was looking her best and acting as a concerned, though challenged mother with a husband who doesn’t want to settle their divorce. You sympathized with her. In his cranky way, Vincent sympathizes too. He handles people as only Vincent can. What’s wrong with a happy ending for a change? I like an audience that laughs during a comedy. Kelso’s

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John Wick (Keanu Reeves) walks away from his enemies in “John Wick.” Photo: Lionsgate

Wick is death on two feet. He gets hurt; he gets out of it all somehow. And, perhaps to some readers’ amazement, Reeves makes you believe he can do it. He is a real THE BAG LADIES action star. His dramatic YARN SHOP interaction with other actors is acceptable, but, man, does he show what a determined individual with the right equipment can do. It is Special orders the action hit of the Fall, welcome. and allegedly he did 90% of his stunts. To be fair, Free Knitting Lessons however, Nyqvist almost GIFT CERTIFICATES steals the show with his Tues - Sat 10am - 4pm perceptive and ironic 265 W. Columbia River Hwy comments. Across from the Shell station & Mini-Mart

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34 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

riter-director Dan Gilroy (“The Bourne Legacy”) has created “Nightcrawler.” Jake Gyllenhaal plays Lou Bloom, a loner who haunts (and that’s the appropriate verb) the L.A. road system at night to get videotape and photos of bloody victims of car accidents, criminal assaults, and every other horror you can imagine. Bloom rushes to his favorite TV station where the night editor (Rene Russo) pays him more and more as the weeks pass. In the world where “If it bleeds, it leads,” Bloom delivers the goods, one way or another, legally or …. Gyllenhaal has tapered down to skin, bone and claws. His blue eyes are as cold as the Atlantic Ocean on D-Day, for much the same reason. I’m not fond of most contemporary “horror” films; they always seem to be pandering to the lowest possible emotions in the least intellectual way. This film slowly shocks you, as Gyllenhaal reveals his morbid taste, his hatred for all mankind, and his well-developed “pay and play” argument for getting his night editor to share something besides her budget with him. If you say, “I don’t want to see a film about a creep,” just remember, how many of them have you worked for or with? If Gyllenhaal is not nominated for an Oscar for this performance, I would be surprised. Riz Ahmed, as Lou’s much abused partner in Lou’s night cruising, downplays his role, but he convinces the audience that even a guy who’s really down on his luck can’t stand a monster. Gyllenhaal is a beautiful monster. See him; don’t be him.

Blackwood on watching flicks

the LowerColumbia

Informer By Perry Piper

’ve been spending money at the movies every week since I was eight. I moved to Albuquerque from Chicago for three reasons: milder weather, a laid-back metro population of about 850,000, and the third largest number of movie theater seats per capita in the USA. (I understand there is soon to be a new 12-screen Regal Cinema at Kelso’s Three Rivers Mall — great!) Most of the time, I go to the 16-screen Regal at the Cottonwood Mall in north Albuquerque. It is very clean, and the staff is bright. I also go to the very small Guild Theater for independent and foreign films.

(D)Rifting back to reality

irtual reality, or VR, has been a popular cultural term since the 1980s when films like TRON were made before even celebrities had personal computers. Virtual reality is to the video game as film was to the novel. TRON featured computer designers being digitized into another dimension inside of a computer.

When do I see films? Usually they have premiers on Thursday for films just being released. You pay the same, but the audiences are usually much smaller than the Friday or Saturday night crowds.

VR puts a screen over the user’s eyes to simulate a full 3D environment, complete with natural head tracking as opposed to a button the user presses to move the camera like in a video game. When a certain level of technical specifications is met, a unique feeling known as “presence” is achieved.

If I go during the week-end proper, I attend the earliest screenings possible. If it is a “youth-oriented” flick, I see it at a Thursday premier. I have difficulties with a large crowd of young folks, a few of whom think the movies are a TV experience meriting undue comments. OK, I whisper to my wife at times, but not loudly; I mostly scribble in my notebook.

A user truly forgeting they are playing an experience on a computer and actually feels as if they are somewhere else is experiencing presence. Current demos and testimonials suggest this is a fleeting experience, but Oculus hopes that by the time they launch the Rift publicly, presence will be routinely attainable, a “must have” for entertainment fans across the world.

What else should you do to keep abreast of what’s happening in the movies? Get a cheap subscription to Entertainment Weekly. Check out the photos; read the interviews with actors and directors. Then, you can become a film critic in your circle.

Although VR failed decades ago because of being incredibly heavy, low quality and expensive, modern day VR headsets are only about $300 and require nothing more than a desktop PC or smartphone to run. Facebook just purchased the new VR company, Oculus, for $2 billion and Mark Zuckerberg envisions VR becoming a one billion person market within 10 years. The current largest video game market is only about 100 million and thus remains rather niche compared to fans of film and books.

Dr. Bob Blackwood, professor emeritus of English at the City Colleges of Chicago, is the author of: From the Silent Era to “The Sopranos: Italian American Gangsters in Trend-Setting Films and Television Shows (2006) and co-author with Dr. John Flynn of Future Prime: The Top Ten Science Fiction Films (2006) and has been reviewing films since the late 1960s for a variety of publications. He and his wife, Diane, are planning a visit to Longview in 2015 on their way to an Inside Passage cruise. He says he is the only guy in Albuquerque who wants to go to Alaska.

Learn to LOVE your electronic devices!

Streets of gold The next generation will look back at today’s media consumption habits and chuckle that the most luxurious theater still contained just a 2D box we stared at for hours. VR delivers full immersion interactivity (presence). When you suddenly have a threedimensional media sphere 360 degrees all around you, possibilities become infinite.

Business will become even more global. Rather than flying to meet the VIP for an exciting deal or drive to Starbucks, you will talk “face to face” in a New York skyscraper overlooking Central Park.

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While the Oculus Rift has the benefit of limitless PC processing power Rather than choosing between a to deliver presence and unbeatable frustrating online discussion college experiences, standing and walking class and scheduling time to commute applications will be very challenging to the brick-and-mortar school, future since users are still tethered to a PC students could feel as if they are getting base station via thick cabling. Having their education in the best institutions something that works with your phone in the world, surrounded by their on the go nets exciting social and teacher and peers. Actually being at augmented reality applications at home in their bathrobes. the cost of cutting edge performance and battery People wanting to take a life which sets a limit on dream vacation without Visit crreader. how long you can play taking the time off or com to see a video buying plane tickets can showing CRR friends outside. go anywhere and see A new tomorrow experiencing the anything with the push VR will be making the Oculus Rift of a button. Driving a news over the next two Developer Kit 2. high end yacht or sports years as we get closer car will be possible, not to public release. As once in a lifetime, but a reader of tech product reviews, I once a day if you so choose. Some of have never seen greater anticipation the poorest people in the world will live for a product, especially one whose like kings, see the world and experience developer kit delivers on its promises a life of super luxury. of a truly next-generation and game changing experience. Mobile alternatives Oculus’ five-year goal is to release a ••• single VR product that can be taken Perry Piper lives in Longview and on the go as well as plugged into a works as CRR’s production manager/ powerful PC at home. For now, the big photographer and technical consultant. experiences will be on the Oculus Rift, He enjoys learning about emerging while more casual players might prefer and evolving technologies, including his mobile alternatives such as Samsung’s Segway personal transporter on which Gear VR and Google Cardboard. he can be seen gliding around town. Be sure to wave!

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Pictured on this page are items from Suzanne Martinson’s collection of nostalgic Christmas kitchen items. Suzanne is a former food editor and onetime features editor of The Daily News (Longview). She learned to bake cookies as a 10-yearold 4-H’er in Michigan. She’d never throw any cookie out of bed.

cont from page 22

has become the ubiquitous love child of the best coffee shops. Italians favor them as dipping cookies to dunk in wine, but they are equally at home in the Pacific Northwest with a cup of cappuccino or espresso bought at the drive-through coffee hut. Biscotti requires minimal equipment to make at home. The dough is mixed, formed into logs and baked once. The logs are then sliced diagonally and returned to the oven for a second baking. This cookie is happy to snuggle next to a cup of coffee gelato as a dinner dessert, or provide the culinary climax to an evening with friends and family. They can be a fitting “one for the road” on New Year’s Eve. In glass jars or air-tight tins, handmade biscotti make a memorable host and hostess gift. A tinful of biscotti keeps for weeks. This season, my focus is Swedish Cinnamon Slices. My lame attempt, perhaps, to make amends for never

mastering Ace’s mother’s spritz cookies. I never figured out that cookie gun. Give me a rolling pin and a barnyard of cookie cutters, and I’m good. See if Ace finds their hiding place this year. ••• Christmas Cookies 1 cup butter (no substitutions) 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 /4 teaspoon salt Cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla and egg; beat well. Sift together dry ingredients and add to butter mixture. Stir well. Refrigerate dough for 2 hours or overnight. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough, one-half at a time, cont page 37

36 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

cont from page 37

ChristmasCookies Home on the farm Three tried-and-true tips: •Chill dough like a per fect Northwest winter day, cold but not frozen. •For chewy cookies, roll out fat; for crispy, thin. •Save all sorta-burned cookies for desperate, hungry loved ones. about one-fourth inch thick. Cut dough into favorite shapes. Gather scraps, roll and cut again. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes. The cookies will be tinged brown on the edges. Note: The cookies may be sprinkled with colored sugar before baking or cooled and frosted with butter cream frosting and decorated. ~ Lela Grundfossen Swedish Cinnamon Slices This delicious Scandinavian favorite is subtle, with cinnamon spicing up its crisp-tender texture. 2

/3 cup blanched slivered almonds 1 cup unsalted butter 1 cup light brown sugar, packed 2 eggs 2 tablespoons sour cream 1 /2 teaspoon almond extract 2-3/ 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 /4 teaspoon baking soda 1 /4 teaspoon salt

Place nuts in a shallow pan and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, sour cream and almond extract. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, soda and salt. Add to the creamed mixture, mixing until blended. Fold in nuts. Divide dough in half. On a greased and floured baking sheet pat out into two logs about 1/2-inch high, 1-1/2 inches wide and 15 inches long, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. (Ours were thicker, wider and not as long. The dough is sticky, so flour your hands.) Bake in the middle of a preheated 350-degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the baking sheet to a rack. Let cool for five minutes. Place on a cutting board. With a serrated knife slice diagonally (do not saw) at a 45-degree angle about one-half inch (ours were nearly threefourths inch) thick. Place the slices upright on the baking sheet one-half inch apart and return to a 325-degree oven for 10 minutes longer to dry slightly. Store in a tightly covered container. 1

Makes 3- /2 to 4 dozen Note: 1 tablespoon cinnamon is correct. ~ “Biscotti” by Lou Seibert Pappas

Miss Manners cont from page 10

5. DEAR MISS MANNERS: For the last two years, my husband and I have hosted Thanksgiving at our home (about 16 people total). Every year he asks that no one bring anything, and he always loses out. Everyone wants to bring something, and I don’t mind if they do. He likes having everyone over, just like I do, but he wants to know why we can’t just host the dinner and provide all the food. He does not want to host if people are going to bring food. He doesn’t like a dozen people all in the kitchen trying to prepare food at the same time he is. The problem is that I think my family would rather die than come to someone’s home for a holiday meal and not bring food. His mother hosts Christmas dinner and no one brings anything. How do we tell our guests that we are providing the food, and that they don’t need to bring anything? This is causing us a lot of anxiety and stress. GENTLE READER: This is not the usual Thanksgiving kitchen complaint. Miss Manners is more used to hearing about expensive or complicated menu assignments, failure to comply or live up to expected culinary standards, and unseemly squabbles over who gets the leftovers. There is, after all, historical precedent for Thanksgiving dinner’s being a communal meal. Many people prefer it to be that way. Now, if only everyone also respected the historical precedent for the convivial spirit of the

occasion ... Your husband is not imposing on anyone with his hospitable request to provide for your guests. Does your family think it gracious to defy and annoy him? And you seem to think that his position is odd. But the automatic assumption that every dinner party must be what is now termed “potluck” drives many hosts crazy. Miss Manners has had countless letters about guests who sabotage their hosts’ carefully planned arrangements, which were only intended to please them: They take up kitchen space and equipment, substitute their own food, even dump their offerings on the table. Astoundingly, they do it in the name of politeness. How it can be considered polite to commandeer someone else’s house against his express wishes, they have not explained to Miss Manners’ satisfaction. Please tell your family that if they will die without bringing something, they can bring flowers, candy or a treat, such as wine (the usual one bottle being neither coordinated with the meal nor enough for a dinner party) for the hosts to enjoy later. 7. DEAR MISS MANNERS: How can you politely say “no” when a person gives you a book to read that you have no interest in reading? GENTLE READER: “Thank you so much. I cannot wait to get to it.” ••• 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, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

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Clatskanie Drive-in 150 SE Truehaak Indoor & outdoor seating. Fabulous fast food. Burgers, shakes and MORE! M-Sat 11am –8pm, Sun 12–6pm New ownership. 503-728-3815.

Flowers ‘n’ Fluff Coffee Shop 45 E. Columbia River Hwy Wine Tasting, Dinner & Live Music Fridays 5:30–8:30pm. Unforgettable scones, On-the-go breakfast & lunch. Coffee Shop M-F 5:30am–6:30pm; Sat 7am–6pm; Sun 8am–6pm. 503-728-4222

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. 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. 503-543-3017

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 48. 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

El Tapatio 117 West “A” Street, Rainier Authentic Jalisco cuisine from scratch. Full bar. Karaoke Fri & Sat 9pm–2am Riverview dining. Sun-Thurs 11am–10pm; Fri-Sat 11–11, Bar ‘til 2am. Karaoke. 503-556-8323.

COLUMBIA RIVER

dining guide

Evergreen Pub & Café 115-117 East 1st Street Burgers, halibut, prime rib, full bar. 503-556-9935. See ad, page 48. Goble Tavern 70255 Columbia River Hwy. (Milepost 31, Hwy. 30) Food, beer & wine + full bar, Live music. 503-556-4090. See ad page 48.

Hometown Pizza 109 E. “A” St. Take-and-bake, Delivery, To-Go and dine-in. Lunch Buffet M-F 11–2. Open daily 11am; close M-Th, Sat 9pm, Fri 10pm. 503-556-3700

Luigi’s Pizza 117 East 1st Street, Rainier 503-556-4213 Pizza, spaghetti, burgers, beer & wine. See ad, page 48.

Kelso Grounds for Opportunity 413 S. Pacific Ave. 360-703-3020 Wed–Sun 7am–3pm Breakfast and Lunch available all day.

Longview Bowers Down W-Sat 5–8

Gyros Gyros

M-Tues 11–4, W-Sat 11–5 1338 Commerce Ave., 360-577-5658 Serving Mediterranean fare for lunch and local farm fresh food for dinner. Reservations recommended for dinner. See ad, page 13.

Cassava

1333 Broadway. 360-425-7700 Locally roasted espresso, fine teas, fresh pastries daily, smoothies, beer & wine, homemade soups. Breakfast and lunch.

The Bistro

1329 Commerce Ave., Longview (alley entrance). Fine dining, happy hour specials. wine tastings. Tu-Sat open 5pm. 360-425-2837. See ad page 27.

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 30.

Mary’s Burger & A Shake

4503 Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview. Gourmet burgers, hot dogs & more. M-Sat 11–8, Closed Sun. 360-425-1637.

1210 Ocean Beach Hwy., Longview Fish & chips, burgers, more. Beer & wine. 360-577-7972

1260 Commerce Ave. Family Dining 11–9, Breakroom Bar 11am–midnight. American comfort food. Full bar. 360-703-3904. See ad, page 20.

Morenita Tacos

1045 - 14th Ave. Dine in or take out. All fresh ingredients. Tortas and green sauce are our specialties. Mon-Sat 11:30am–9pm; Sun 11:30am–6pm.. 360-425-1838.

Porky’s Public House 561 Industrial Way, Longview Slow-roasted prime rib Fri & Sat, flat iron steaks, 1/3-lb burgers, fish & chips. 28 draft beers. Full bar. 360-636-1616. See ad, page 8.

Rutherglen Mansion 420 Rutherglen Rd. (off Ocean Beach Hwy. at 38th Ave.), Longview Open for dinner Fri– Sun, Friday wine tasting, Sunday brunch. Full bar. 360-425-5816. See ad page 17.

Country Folks Deli 1329 Commerce Ave., Longview. Opens at 10 for lunch. 360-425-2837

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

Teri’s 3225 Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview. Fine dining, Happy Hour. Full bar. Specials, fresh NW cuisine. 360-577-0717. See ad page 26.

Castle Rock Parker’s Restaurant & Brewery 1300 Mt. St. Helens Way. Exit 49 off I-5. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Burgers, hand-cut steak; seafood and pasta. Restaurant 8am–9pm (‘til 10pm Fri & Sat); Lounge 11am–midnight. 360-967-2333

St. Helens Sunshine Pizza & Catering 2124 Columbia Blvd. Hot pizza, cool salad bar. Beer & wine. 503-397-3211 See ad, page 16.

Bertucci’s

2017 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens Mon–Fri 9–5; Sat 10–4. Breakfast sandwiches, deli sandwiches, espresso, chocolates. See ad, page 16. El Tapatio 2105 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens Authentic Jalisco cuisine from scratch. Full bar. Karaoke Fri & Sat 9pm–2am Sun-Thurs 11am–10pm; Fri-Sat 11–11, Bar til 2am 503-556-8323

Scappoose Fultano’s Pizza 51511 SE 2nd. Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more! “Best pizza around!” M–Th, Sat 11am–10pm; Fri 11am–11pm; Sun 11am–9pm. Full bar service ‘til 11pm Fri & Sat. Deliveries in Scappoose. 503-543-5100

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. 503-728-3344.

Woodland The Oak Tree 1020 Atlantic Ave., Woodland. Full lunch, breakfast 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 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 39

Wintering Over cont from page 23

nights sleep.” Sgt. Patrick Gass wrote, “the ticks, flies and other insects are in abundance, which appears to us very extraordinary at this season of the year, in a latitude so far north.” Christmas at the Fort On December 25th, Clark wrote, “at day light this morning we were awoke by the discharge of the fire arm of all our party & a selute, shout and a song which the whole party joined in under our windows, after which they retired to their rooms, were chearfull all the morning – after brackfast we divided our tobacco… which we gave to the men of the party who used tobacco, and to those who doe not use it we made a present of a handkerchief.” The Expedition had run out of trading goods – everything left would fit in two handkerchiefs! Christmas dinner was pretty meager. Sgt. John Ordway wrote the men “are all in good health which we esteem more than all the ardent spirits in the world. We still have nothing to eat but poore elk meat and no salt to season that with, but still keep in good spirits as we expect this will be the last winter that we have to

pass in this way.” There was no religious service mentioned nor any biblical references in any of the journals.

Captain Lewis’ eulachon sketch made on Feb. 24, 1806. The Corps had obtained some smelt from Chief Comowooll and a dozen members of the Clatsop Indians. Lewis wrote that smelt were “a species of small fish which now begin to run, and are taken in great quantities in the Columbia R. about 40 miles above us by means of skiing or scooping nets. Oh this page I have drawn the likeness of them as large as life... the scales of this little fish are so small and thin that without minute inspection you would suppose they to have none. I find them best when cooked in Indian stile, which is by roasting a number of them together on a wooden spit without any previous preparation whatever.”

Their salt supply had been exhausted a week before Christmas. The lack of salt was a critical problem. Besides being used to hide the taste of spoiled meat, the men needed it to cure meat for the return trip to St. Louis – and to cure animal skins to make clothing. So, on December 28th, five men set out to set up a salt camp where Seaside is now located. Over the next seven weeks they boiled enough seawater to make three bushels (20 gallons) of salt. Their 1806 New Year’s celebration was quite somber. Joseph Whitehouse wrote: “At day break, the men at the fort fired several guns, as a salute to our commanding officers; & in honor of the day.” Their 300-gallon supply of whiskey ran out six months earlier at Great Falls, Montana. Captain Lewis wrote, “our repast of this day tho’ better than that of Christmas, consisted principally in the anticipation of the 1st day of January 1807, when in the bosom of our friends we hope to participate in the mirth and hilarity of the day.” Lewis added, “at present we are content with eating our boiled elk and wappetoe, and solacing our thirst with our only beverage pure water.”

On January 5th, the salt makers brought a sample of blubber from a whale that had washed up on the beach near today’s Cannon Beach. Ordway wrote, “we mix it

with our poor elk meat & find it eats very well.” Clark and 12 men, plus Sacajawea and her husband, Charbonneau, hiked across Tillamook Head to negotiate for some more blubber. At the summit, looking south towards Haystack Rock, Clark wrote, “inoumerable rocks of emence sise out at a distance from the shore and against which the seas brak with great cont page 41

“So, Why Do I Use this New Photo in My Ads?...”

Dear Friend, When I meet people around town, they sometimes say, “Oh, yeah, I know you, you’re Dr. Anik. I’ve seen that photo with you and your cute cute little boys.” Some people who have seen these photos tell me I should show you another one.

Everyone knows that health care costs are going up. Over 45 million Americans no longer have health insurance and those who do have it find that their benefits are reduced. Deductibles are rising, and restrictive HMOs are now common. That’s where we come in. We have a significantly lower fee plan so that more people are able to afford the care they need.

Eighteen years ago, while studying as a pre-med student, I developed terrible low back pain. The pain became so intense that I could no longer handle sitting in class. I began standing through 26 hours of classes per week. After considering surgery (that was the only option, according to the surgeon) I decided against it. A friend of mine convinced me to give a chiropractor a try. The chiropractor did an exam, took some X-ray films, and then “adjusted” my spine. The adjustment didn’t hurt, it actually felt good. Within two weeks, my low back pain was gone, my seasonal allergies were much better and I had tons more energy. It worked so well that I changed my major and went to chiropractic school myself. Dr. Darin Shook, my husband and practice partner, became a chiropractor because of the tremendous results he experienced with severe chronic sinus infections. He changed his major to chiropractic mid-way through his studies to become a medical doctor. Simon, our 11-year-old son, received his first chiropractic adjustment the day he was born. Simon never suffered from colic, ear infections, asthma, allergies or any of the other problems that plague most children. He is a healthy, welladjusted boy. Marco is our youngest son. He is 8 years old and possibly the happiest boy I’ve ever met. When Marco was born, he immediately had difficulty regulating his body temperature. The pediatrician kept checking on him, telling us that he would have to remain in the hospital for up to two weeks if his temperature didn’t start regulating itself immediately. His first chiropractic adjust-

Another way to save...studies show that chiropractic care can double your immune capacity, naturally and without drugs. The immune system fights colds, flus, and other sicknesses. So you may not be running off to the doctor as much. Studies show that many people actually pay less for their long-term overall health care expenses if they are seeing a chiropractor.

ment was, therefore, immediately after his birth. Within an hour, his body temperature was normal, and we went home the next day. A few weeks later, Marco was experiencing labored breathing; his pediatrician told us that he had RSV, a condition for which children are usually hospitalized. Marco was adjusted regularly, and a few days later, he had amazingly, completely recovered. Several times a day people thank us for helping them get rid of their health problems. But we really can’t take the credit. Our confession is that we’ve never healed anyone of anything. What we do is perform a specific spinal adjustment to remove interference on the nervous system, and the body responds by healing itself. With chiropractic, we get tremendous results; it’s as simple as that! It’s strange how life is, because now I’m caring for numerous newborns and children (as well as their parents). Also they come to us with their headaches, migraines, neck, arm and shoulder pain, ear infections, asthma, allergies, athletic injuries, and numbness in the limbs...just to name a few.

40 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

Great Care at a Great Fee If you bring in this article by Jan. 10, 2015, you can receive our new patient exam for only $25. That’s for the entire exam that includes neurological, orthopedic and range of motion tests, with X-rays (if necessary)…there are no hidden fees here. This exam could cost you $250 elsewhere. And, further care is very affordable and you’ll be happy to know that our office specializes in family health care. You see, we’re not trying to seduce you to come see us with this low start-up fee, only to then make it up with high fees after that. Further care is very important to consider when making your choice of doctor because higher costs can add up very quickly. “It shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to correct your health!” You should know a little about our qualifications. That’s important so that there’s no misunderstanding about the quality of care. Dr. Darin and I are cum laude graduates of New York Chiropractic College. We’ve been entrusted to take care of 2-hour-old babies to pro athletes who you may know. After practicing in New York for 2 years, we moved our practice to Longview and

have been here for 12 years. We just have lower fees so more people can get the care they need. Dr. Werner has been working with us for 5 years. Having over 20 years experience as a chiropractor and anatomy professor, he is a great source of knowledge and wisdom for our practice members. Dr. John, a martial arts enthusiast and father of 11 (all of whom benefit from getting adjusted regularly), brings to our community an expertise in sports and exercise specific care. Our four wonderful massage therapists, Diane, Kim, Amy and Matt, are trained in Swedish (relaxation), deep tissue and pregnancy-related massages. Our Office Manager, Julianna, and our Chiropractic Assistants, Chelsea, Debbie, Skylar, Whitney and Jill, are really great people. Our office is both friendly and warm and we do our best to make you feel at home. We have a wonderful service at an exceptional fee. Our office is called Advantage Chiropractic & Massage, located at 1312 Vandercook Way in Longview. Our phone number is (360) 425-6620. Please call one of our wonderful assistants today to make an appointment. We can help you get well and stay well. Yours in Health, Dr. Anik St-Martin P.S. When accompanied by the first, I am also offering a second family member this same examination for only $15. Your time is as valuable to you as ours is to us. That’s why we ask that you take advantage of our offer only if you are truly serious about your health. Federal Law excludes Medicare participants from receiving this discount. Customary fees must be charged. We do bill Medicare and work with Medicare patients every day. Worker’s compensation claims and personal injury claims are excluded from receiving this discount. We do bill worker’s compensation and personal injury claims and work with these patients every day.

Wintering Over

cont from page 40

force that gives this coast a most romantic appearance.” Indians had stripped the 105-foot blue whale clean when Clark arrived, but he was able to purchase 300 pounds of blubber and a few gallons of whale oil. Hooked on smelt While at Fort Clatsop, the men killed 131 elk and 20 deer. Most of the meat was extremely lean and thus flavorless. The pounded salmon they obtained from the Indians two months earlier at Celilo Falls was also tasteless. Before obtaining the whale blubber, the best meal the men had was roasted dog. Smelt appeared in February, and the greasy fish were a favorite of the Corps. Lewis wrote, “I think them superior to any fish I ever tasted, even more delicate and lussious than the white fish of the lakes which have heretofore formed my standard of excellence among the fishes.” Most of their spare time was spent preserving meat by smoking and drying, repairing their weapons, and dressing elk and deer skins to make new clothing and moccasins (338 pairs!). All in all, their time at Fort Clatsop was miserable. Everything was wet. They

only had 12 days without rain in four months. It snowed in December, January (8 inches on January 26th) and February. The men became sick due to their poor diet. But everyone looked forward to April 1, 1806 when they began their trip east. Sadly, if they had just waited a few more days to depart, they would have been able to obtain supplies from a trading ship. Surprisingly, only one man died in the 28-month journey, and he died from appendicitis. These men were young and hardy – I doubt many people would survive the journey today! ••• Michael Perry wrote a 33-month series during the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemoration beginning with the April 2004 inaugural issue of CRR. Each month’s column recounted what the Lewis & Clark Expedition had been doing 200 years earlier. Today, eight years after his last “Dispatch from the Discovery Trail,”people still remember the history lessons presented in the series which helped to establish the flavor of this publication.

“Yeah! Come on!” the boys cheered during the Boy Scout Robotics Competition last summer at Camp Cooper, in the mountains near Willamina, Oregon. Later, William beamed proudly as he neared completion of both his canoeing and leatherman merit badges! Scouts William and brother Darian are from the Highlands, an area of great financial need in Longview. United Way has funded their uniform shirts, handbooks, badges, and summer camp fees. Larretta, their mom, is sincerely grateful to both the Boy Scouts of America and United Way. Through these experiences her sons are learning life skills, including teamwork and goal setting. They’re developing a sense of self confidence, leadership skills, and feeling of community. The Boy Scouts and United Way are building our future, important to us all.

Mary had been being abused for years. She needed to escape yet was terrified to leave everything behind. She called us and came with her children for shelter. With advocates she learned about domestic violence and shared her pain. She started looking for work right away. She felt empowered and had hope. Her determination grew and she created a better life for her little family. She found housing and enrolled in school. She and her boys are together, happy and safe. The Emergency Support Shelter is a free, confidential place to find support, safety and shelter for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes. We are available 24/7. If you or someone you know needs help – please call 360-425-1176.

360-423-5320 1338 Commerce • Suite 201 • Longview, WA 98632

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www.longviewrecycles.com 42 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

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Columbia River Gift Guide

The Hunt for the Perfect Present Shoppers can find plenty of local options

hen I was working in Alaska in the early 80s, my best friend was very talented and very, very shy. One evening in mid-December he arrived at my house with half a dozen carefully chosen, new books. These were to be presents and he needed help matching book with recipient. This simple task became an ordeal and, on December 25, he gave all the books to me.

Loving Promises in Longview is a shop full of a variety of items “for an extra dash of spice.” Kim Bennett, daughter of the owner, searched for an item that could appear in a family newspaper. Her recommendation was right on: Kamasutra massage oils and bath gels for “all those stressed out by Christmas.” $15-$20.

Choosing the perfect gift is not a simple task. Gift and giftee must be aligned — like the planets. I needed professional advice. The plan: visit local stores and ask the owner (or employee) to choose a person and then suggest a “perfect” gift from their inventory.

I knew Bead Bugz in Longview carries beads and jewelry. I didn’t know that co-owner K athi Gibbons makes art pieces — whimsical metal hanging sculptures, rain chains and “yard girls” out of recycled materials and beads. These pieces are designed to “make people smile as they walk by the shop,” she said. Doesn’t everybody need a gift that leads to smiling? $25-$60.

“You cannot pick out the perfect yarn, so give a gift certificate,” said Gloria Sweeden, owner of The Bag Ladies Yarn Shop in Clatskanie. And homem a d e s o c k s are “an awesome gift.” I pushed for somet h i n g more specific and she showed me the custom-made felted purses and slippers she makes for Beavers and Ducks fans. 100% wool. $50-$70.

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Longview’s Broadway Galler y is a collective and artist Mar y Kohlschmidt was behind the counter. “The perfect gift is art,” she said and wrote down a beautiful saying about art for me: Art might not be a matter of life or death, but it sure makes the difference between a beautiful journey on the planet and a bland existence!. “But what piece of art for what specific person?” I persisted. She said her 98-year-old mother-in-law has everything she needs but would love a pair of Masami Kusakabe dangling earrings. $30. Banda’s Bouquets owner Lisa Allen says the perfect present is made or purchased locally and should be “ f o r e v e r, ” meaning it should be used all year long. (Meanwhile, I am bedazzled by the beautiful holiday

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ornaments in her Longview shop.) She chooses a resin statute of a deer and forest friends for her sister. $45. My questions at Elam’s H o m e Furnishings a nd Sl e e p Center in Longview set off a conversation between owner Janin Elam and Cindi Adams, her mother-in-law’s cousin, who works there. “Cindi needs a good comfortable recliner” said Janin, “to relax in after a long day at work. And shoping. Cindi said she would love the recliner (but she really wants a dining room set). Five brands, $399$1299. Linda McCord, owner of M c T h re a d ’s We a r a b l e Art Boutique in Longview didn’t hesitate. “Body jewelry f o r m y g r a n d s o n ’s girlfriend.” It is her newest item, made by jewelry designer Ms. Marie. $70. Linda is also making a line of glamorous aprons popular with females of all ages. $40-$50. cont page 44

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Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 43

Gift Guide

cont from page 43

At Teague’s Interiors, Longview, I talked to coowner Shirley Bailey, who showed me a line of new colorful scarves and ponchos. They are both made of a soft fabric that I thought was silk, but is polyester. The scarves have built-in sleeves so they look like tops. (You have to see them.) She said these are perfect for her 30-something granddaughters. $25-$30.

owner Shannon Vaerewyck was selling boxes of truffles, grilling overstuffed sandwiches and talking on the phone. During a brief break, she pointed out the perfect gift for Mom: Nature’s Garden ceramic wind chimes, lanterns, bird feeders, and solar lights (above). $7-$22.

One survey shows 54 percent of Americans over the age of 18 drink coffee every day. Laura Tack, manager of Zojo Coffee’s Ocean Beach branch (they are also located in Downtown Longview), says Zojo has gift cards and various size packages of locally roasted and blended I visited Bertucci’s Chocloate & whole beans for coffee connoisseurs. Sandwich Shop in St. Helens when $13.50 – 14.50/lb.

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The Soap Factory in Longview is known for its deliciously fragrant soaps, but owner Dawn Gregg is also passionate about her handmade and painted Polish P o t t e r y. “People who don’t know about Polish Pottery think it is expensive,” she said, “but people who know think I am giving it away.” All her grandchildren have their special cups. She would give the stoneware to “friends and family who would appreciate its value.” $7-$239.

from a harried retailer during the holiday season. But then she showed me the perfect gift for a toddler grandson: Melissa

At Clatskanie’s Discounts & Deals, owner Chris Dahlgren’s first answer was “the gift of time,” a reasonable answer

Jansen’s Flowers & Gifts coowner Clara R e n i c k immediately thought of her daughter but was flummoxed about a gift because “her tastes

and Doug Classic Toys — games, trains, cars, trucks. $4-$25. She also showed me stocking stuffers for a teenage niece: scarves, lunch bags, socks, bangles. $2-$20.

Gift Guide

cont from page 43

are the exact opposite of me.” But the gift turned out to be a no-brainer. Her daughter collects Department 56 Dickens villages (she has more than 30) and Jensen’s has plenty of new ones. $50-$110; accessories $10-$15. Longview’s Estetica Day Spa offers a number of services: facial, massage, body, and waxing treatments. $10-

and obvious. ”A handgun for my dad because he enjoys shooting.” 15 brands, $ 1 5 0 $2000.

$130. But Jeannine Stewart, front desk coordinator, would give her mother the big Kahuna: the 3- ¼ hour Serenity Bliss Spa Package Experience. “She works hard and has been through a lot.” $185. Young Kass Cloyd in the Service Center at Bob’s Sporting Goods in Longview looked like she wished she worked somewhere else when I asked my simple question. But her response was practical

See us today so your home is ready for the holidays!

Cowlitz River Rigging in Longview was my last stop and I realized that

teenage boys had been neglected. So I asked Betty (she did not want me to use her last name) what was the perfect gift for my 14-year-old grandson. “Romeos,” she said. “What?” I said. “Show me.” Romeos are sturdy, slip-on shoes that “everyone is wearing.” I had not been noticing teenager’s feet (Silly me); good thing I asked an expert. $75.

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Laurel Murphy lives in Kalama. She says she received the perfect present from a son and daughter-in-law. It is a 5-year Q&A journal. Every day a different question; the answers allow her to follow how her life changes (or not) each year.

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Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / 45

the spectator by ned piper

Thankful for the holidays

y the time we finished proofreading the pages for this issue of the Reader, I was in a “Thanksgiving mood.” Besides feeling thankful for our talented writers, loyal advertisers and faithful readers, I am also thankful that we in the Columbia River region have so many holiday activities to enjoy. Take the Christmas Ships, for example, where 50 or 60 Portland area boat owners decorate their crafts and parade them up and down the Columbia and Willamette Rivers for all to see. Two years ago we drove CRR’s bus across the bridge to Columbia City with friends to watch the boats float by, displaying the creativity of their owners. The same night, the people of Columbia City hosted a festive public gathering in the Knapp Center at the Caples House complex, complete with hot chocolate and Christmas carols. See page 25 for more details and a number of excellent viewing locations along the Christmas Ship route. I always enjoy the lighting up of Longview’s R.A.Long Park on the Civic Center. Check page 24 for a few area community lighting ceremonies, parades and special holiday events taking place throughout the region. For an out-of-town outing, we have updated the list of several of Portland’s holiday lighting displays, beginning

holidays (page 5) was her decision to try a new approach to her children’s Christmas gifts. Instead of buying out the town, she settled on simpler gift giving: Four gifts per child — something to wear, something to share, something to read and something to play with. It’s perfect. This is the time of the year when food becomes a focus. You will find a number of enticing recipes in this holiday issue, for punch, cookies and a tantalizing Javanese Dinner. While a few of us tend to overeat during the holidays, many of our neighbors don’t have enough to eat. This problem makes projects like Walk ‘n’ Knock absolutely critical.

with the Christmas Festival of Lights at the Grotto, a longstanding popular attraction. Many people find the experience to be the perfect antidote to holiday stress and commercialism. Another annual event that our family enjoys is the Journey to Bethlehem, presented free by the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Lexington. This realistic 20-minute narrated walk takes you back in time to the day a certain baby was born. A word of caution: dress warmly and be prepared to be amazed. Laurel Murphy’s article, “The Hunt for the Perfect Present,” on page 43, will be of particular help to many readers. While Christmas should not be all about buying gifts, I found Laurel’s strategy of getting gift ideas direct from store owners interesting and unique. For me, the high point of Kari Rushmer’s slant on simplifying the

This is the program that finds hundreds of volunteers going door-to-door throughout the area collecting bags of non-perishable food to fill the coffers at CAP’s Food Warehouse. It happens in the Longview area every year on the first Saturday in December. Many churches, Boy Scouts, businesses and schools groups conduct food drives, too. And how many holiday gatherings have you been invited to that encourage the donation of a can of food for one of the community food banks? It is time to be generous. We should all support our local food bank. You can also just send a check (see page 3). Make a point of it this year. Perhaps this is the “something to share” that Kari wrote about. ••• Ned Piper has served as a Cowlitz PUD Commissioner for 20 years and enjoys the good life in Longview. Admittedly addicted to TV sports, he also enjoys actually playing golf and puttering in the garden.

WHAT’S

UNDER THE BRIDGE? By Amy Fischer, Port of Longview Communications/Public Affairs Manager

t’s a reasonable question: When the Port of Longview has record revenues, why do we continue to collect taxes from property owners in our district? First, some background. State law grants ports the authority to collect up to 45 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value within that port’s district. Our district includes Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock, Toutle and part of Ryderwood. Because property values here are lower than those in many of the 72 other port districts statewide that collect taxes, we impose a higher tax rate. For instance, the Port of Tacoma’s tax rate is 18 cents per $1,000. But due to its district’s broad property tax base, the Port of Tacoma nets $13.1 million annually in taxes to invest in infrastructure. By contrast, even though our port collects the full 45 cents per $1,000, our yearly total tax revenue is only $3.1 million. True, our revenues are rising, largely thanks to our new export grain terminal. But revenues don’t equal profits because our revenues and expenses are directly related. When cargo-handling revenues rise, our expenses rise proportionally because we need to hire labor and run equipment to load or unload a vessel. That means more money flowing into the economy from workers’ paychecks. It means the Port needs to buy more new tires and fuel for its log stackers and cranes. The reverse is also true. If we see a drop in expenses, it means business dropped. Running a port is expensive, and the $3.1 million we receive in taxes amounts to only 7 percent of our annual revenue. We reinvest that money along with our profits on behalf of citizens into projects that will create jobs and stimulate the economy. In the last five years, we’ve invested more than $25 million into land purchases, docks, equipment and facilities to attract new customers. And so, our record revenues are good news for everyone. The better we perform, the bigger the payoff for our community.

46 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader

••• Contact Amy at afischer@portoflongview.com or call 360425-3305. Read more about the port at www.portoflongview.com.

Columbia River Reader / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jan. 10, 2015 / 47

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Happy Holidays from the owners and employees of Goble Tavern • Evergreen Pub & Cafe Luigi’s Pizza • Alston Pub & Grub. 48 / Special Holiday Edition / Nov. 25, 2014 – Jan. 10, 2015 / Columbia River Reader