CRR November-December 2013 by Columbia River Reader

CRREADER.COM • November 25, 2013 –January 10, 2014 • COMPLIMENTARY Helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region at home and on the road.

LOCAL LIGHTS page 22

CHRISTMAS SHIPS page 23

SPECIAL FOOD page 5, 12, 29

OUT•AND•ABOUT HOLDING THE FORT IN VANCOUVER

page 24

CLAMS: THEY WON’T DIG THEMSELVES! page 26

page 35

COLUMBIA RIVER

dining guide

HOLIDAY PLEASURES

Eat, drink and be merry

Longview Library Foundation Reports Successful Year The Library Foundation is responsible for up to one-third of the Library’s new book purchases, along with other catalogue material each year.

The Library Foundation supports Children’s Reading Programs

Art at the Koth Gallery

We bring famous authors like Ivan Doig and the lecturers for Northwest Voices to speak in Longview.

We purchased computers to use in job searches.

We partnered with Longview’s two Rotary Clubs to sponsor the Adult Reading Program.

Thank You, Donors, 2012 & 2013 In progress: The Otteraan Room, a new children’s hands-on play/ learning center coming soon

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

Skip Dunlap

Foundation President

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 and mail your check to:

Longview Library Foundation, 1600 Louisiana St., Longview, WA 98632 Name___________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ City and State ____________________________________________ Phone___________________ Email___________________________ Title of the book I’d like to donate_____________________________ The name of the person I’d like to honor: _______________________ ________________________________________________________ Please use my $________donation for this purpose: ______________

___________________________________________________ Every $25 donation can buy a book. Questions? Check out our website or leave us a message at 360-200-9147. 2 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

$5,000-$10,000 Jane and Thomas Pence, in memory of Royce and Shirley Pence $1,000-$4,999 Barb and Rick Wollenberg $250-$999 Bob and Barrie Altenhof (in memory of Molly Altenhof) Altrusa, Anderson and Anderson Advisory llc Anne Bennett and David Swanson (in memory of Jean Bennett ) Colleagues of Anne Bennett (in memory of Jean Bennett) Skip & Barb Dunlap, Carolyn Hail, Margaret and Tom Hickey, Joan & Jerry Landau, Sue Piper, Longview Noon and Early Edition Rotary Clubs $100-$249 Roy & Sandy Bays, Barbara Bishop, Jan Marie & Gerald Calbaum, David & Debbie Campbell, Stuart & Cynthia Dall, John Daniels, Karen Dennis, Don & Judy Fuller (in memory of Marion Otteraaen), Ben & Laura Hubbard (in memory of Jeremy Hubbard), Tom & Allison Hutchinson, Estate of Carol D. Johnson, Trudy Kennedy, Gordon Matlock, Sue Maxey, Roger & Shannon Martinell (in memory of Marisa Bauer), Katie & Gary Penner, Pete & Karen Pickett, Robert & Elaine Theriault, Edith Uthmann (in memory of Doris Primus Gretz), Dennis Weber, Leonard & Joanne Workman Up to $99 Shirley Bailey, Marjorie Berry, John Bryant, Stephanie & Gary Bucher, Patrick Carrico, Elizabeth Evans (in memory of Susie Ramsay), Alan Engstrom, Stan & Sharon Fouch (in memory of Royce Pence), Adele Gowdy, Irene & Byron Hanson, Sue Hinshaw & Jim Hennig, Howard & Velma Hopkins, Lewis Lanham, Joan Lemiex, Charles Lincoln, Bonnie Long, Bob & Suzanne Martinson, Randall & Frances McEwen, Margaret Miller, Sandra Mitchell-Griffith, Marlene Norman, Steve & Erin Moon, Linda Nelson (in memory of Doris Primus Gretz), Kay Opgrande, Charlotte Persons, Cathy Prynne, Alan Rose, Rosemary Powelson & Dale Bailey (in memory of Ellen McCaughey), George Raiter & Judi Bartholomew, Chris & Angie Skaugset, Jan & Diane Searing (in memory of Daylon Beck), Arleen Sternberg, Judy St. Jean, Mary Van Sickle, Larry Vining, Marjorie Westman-Field, Betty Walker, William Wechner (in memory of Virginia Wechner), Maureen Wingler, Mary & Barney Wheeler, Harvey Williamson And anonymous donors at various levels.

t is always lovely to get away, and later, lovely to return home. The decision to combine Nov. and Dec. issues this year into a double Holiday issue gave the Piper family a rare window of opportunity for a “preholiday” holiday in Europe during the last half of October.

Sue’s Views

Our good friend and CRR’s “Man in the Kitchen” Paul Thompson joined us, flying from Seattle to Frankfurt. And by happy coincidence, Longview residents Vince and Karen Penta were going to be in Paris at the same time we would be. We met up with them several times, for drinks, dinner and general frivolity. It was a wonderful, relaxing, memorable trip. Except for losing Paul. From Frankfurt, Paul, long an independent traveller, set off on his own. Perry and I went by train to Geneva by way of Uberlingen, Germany, where we visited Gottfried Eichler, leaving Ned there to visit more with his longtime friend (see story, page 46). Four days later — on Saturday at 5pm — we were all to meet in Paris, where we had a charming, phone-free apartment reserved. Perry and I arrived first, then Ned. From neighborhood shops, I gathered

Cheers! Home for the Holidays. champagne, fromage (cheese) foie gras (paté) and pain (bread, a baguette), in preparation for our reunion party, to begin once Paul arrived. Starting at 5pm we took turns waiting and watching from our tiny, third floor balcony overlooking Rue de Clichy, ON THE COVER “Bowl of Cheer”

Publisher/Editor: Susan P. Piper Columnists and contributors: Ron Baldwin Dr. Bob Blackwood Debi Borgstrom Lois Brudi Nancy Chennault Chas Dean Erin Hart Ashley Helenberg Suzanne Martinson Michael O. Perry Ned Piper Perry Piper Mark Plotkin Alan Rose Randy Sanders Greg Smith Dr. Terry Tack Paul Thompson Chuck Wyckoff Production Staff: Production Manager/Photographer: Perry E. Piper Accounting Assistant: Lois Sturdivant Editorial & Proofreading Assistants Kathleen Packard, Sue Lane, Michael Perry, Marilyn Perry, Ned Piper Advertising Reps Ned Piper, Sue Lane, Debi Borgstrom 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.A. (plus $1.98 sales tax if mailed to Washington addresses)

Hand-painted glass ornaments and photo by Jennifer Johanson, winner of the Reader’s Holiday Cover Art Contest. To purchase ornaments, call 360-4313885.

just down from Place de Clichy (which had a Metro station, bus stops and lots of taxis) and also in the general vicinity of Avenue de Clichy. The street names were a bit confusing.

What kind of friends would do that? Would there be any other choice?

We waited. And waited. At 7pm we left a note on the door on the ground floor, went to dinner, came back (note was gone, but still no sign of Paul), checking email regularly (no word). By bedtime, I had slipped into my pajamas and Major Worry mode.

During that sleepless night, I searched the Internet for possible services through the American Embassy relating to missing persons in Paris.

Where is he? Was he mugged? Is he sick? Did he forget the date? Why isn’t he emailing us? If he doesn’t show up, what will we do? How can we enjoy our scheduled activities, not knowing if Paul is OK? Will we go to the Moulin Rouge without him? To the Galleries Lafayette fashion show? To the French Cooking class? All without Paul? And when would we call his daughter in Chicago? Hello, Sonya? I don’t know how to tell you this, but we’ve lost your dad in Europe.

Of course, it worked out. After hours waiting on the wrong curb, tossing pebbles at the wrong window, Paul ended up staying in a hotel two doors down from our apartment. Only the next morning could he finally email us. Ned went out and found him sipping espresso at the plaza. Champagne is so good on a Sunday morning in Paris! It’s perfect for any celebration . . . with long lost friends, at family reunions, and for special occasions of any sort. It’s good to be home for the holidays. My best wishes for a joyous season.

At the end of our vacation, would we fly back to the U.S., without him?

Sue Piper

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

In this Issue

Quips & Quotes ~ Letters to the Editor

Photo by Dave Vorse

Cooking with the Farmer’s Daughter: Holiday cooking

Ship on the Columbia River

8-9

Cover to Cover: Top 10 Bestsellers/ Local Books

Rox’s Pretzel Salad

Miss Manners

Reader Readers’ Holiday Recipes

Astronomy: Comet ISON

My Slant: Dr. Terry Tack on Gifts better than Gadgets

Biz Buzz

Northwest Gardener: Poinsettias

Snowy Evening in Castle Rock Christmas Ships, Inc.

Photo by Suzanne & Bob Martinson

Cover Design by 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.

CRREADER.COM To access the Columbia River Dining Guide and Archive (complete back issues from January 2013), highlight “Features,” then select “Archive” or “Dining Guide.” Selected new articles will be posted monthly in “Articles.”

20 Dr. Munchie’s Shopping Trip 22-23 Community parades & lights, Christmas Festivals, and Ships 24

Out & About ~ Holding the Fort at Vancouver

Out & About ~ The Clams Won’t Dig Themselves!

Man in the Kitchen: French Zucchini

Holiday Nostalgia: Santa’s Elves Hard at Work

Columbia River Dining Guide

Let the People Drink Wine ~ 2013’s Top 5 Wash/Ore Wines

Where Do You Read the Reader?

Winter Travel: Turn your back on the rain

Lower Columbia Informer

45 Movie Reviews 46

The Spectator

Port Talk: What’s Up Under the Bridge

Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 3

Letter to the Editor It’s OK to be fat. So you’re fat. Just be fat and shut up about it. ~Roseanne Barr

5 Years Ago Favorites re-run in memory of Jean Carnine Bruner

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand, and for a talk beside the fire, it is the time for home. Music hath charms that soothe the ~ Edith Sitwell, English poet and critic savage beast. ~ Shakespeare Peace – that is the other name for ~Kathleen Norris, novelist A clear conscience is a continued home. Christmas. ~ Benjamin Franklin There is nothing like staying home for ~Jane Austen When you give what you can real comfort. and give it with joy, we don’t just This is my religion. There is no need renew the American tradition of for temples, no need for complicated giving, we also renew ourselves. philosophy. Our own brain, our own ~Bill Clinton heart is our temple, the philosophy is I will honor Christmas in my heart kindness. ~The Dalai Lama and try to keep it all the year. The four stages of Santa Claus: ~Charles Dickens you believe in Santa, you don’t This is the time to speak the word of b e l i e v e i n S a n t a , y o u A R E appreciation. ~Grenville Kleiser Santa, you look like Santa. ~from We rarely repent of having eaten too Christmas Memories by Charlie Jones ~Ruth Ann Schabaker little. ~Thomas Jefferson

~ Farewell ~

Hard to throw away CRR We love your paper! I’m always left with a satisfied feeling after reading it, having gained some very useful and interesting information. It’s hard to throw them away and I usually end up tearing out pages to file for later. Keep up the good writings.

Photo by Dave Kovac

In fond memory of Bob, the Dog 1999–2013

Leanne Bates Clatskanie, Ore. Editor’s note: We appreciate knowing some of CRR’s pages survive. Now (since Jan 2013) that each issue is available online, perhaps there will be less clipping and saving. But there is the matter of an index, and of course many of us still enjoy holding paper in our hands, even prefering it over digital material.

Whose many years of faithful companionship enriched the life of his owner, Victoria Findlay, and whose regular appearances on the pages of CRR warmed the hearts of readers. We will miss you, Bob.

ADVERTISING

Advertising reps

Columbia River Reader P.O. Box 1643, Rainier, OR 97048 www.CRReader.com Publisher@CRReader.com General inquiries 360-749-1021 or 503-556-1295

Washington: Ned Piper 360-749-2632 or nedpiper@ comcast.net Sue Lane 360-261-0658 or suzolds@gmail.com Oregon: Debi Borgstrom 503-728-4248

CRR Print Submission Guidelines 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 have learned the hard way not to 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.

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.” However, 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. The arts, entertainment, educational and recreational opportunities and community cultural events will receive listing priority. See submission details, page 33. Businesses and organizations wishing to promote their particular products or services are invited to purchase advertising.

Rest in peace.

Columbia River Reader Publisher, staff & readers

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4 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

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time of the year. We like to think of it as a vegetable, because pumpkin is a squash, after all.

COOKING WITH THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER

The holidays: memories multiply

On the family farm, we also have the dessert masquerading as a salad. My sister, Roxann, comes clean in describing her recipe for Strawberry Pretzel Salad — “in real life, a dessert.” Quiz your clan about its crunchy crust. Nine out of ten will chorus “Nuts!”

Story by Suzanne Martinson Photos by Bob & Suzanne Martinson

e’ve slept away the “extra” hour we gained from Daylight Savings Time. Let the season of freewheeling food and fulfilling festivities begin. In my farm family, the holiday pileup began when my father had to hurry home from his treasured deer-hunting camp for my birth on Nov. 25, which is, if you’re counting, precisely one month before Christmas. Where’s the cake? Sometimes my birthday fell on Thanksgiving, and Dad’s obsession with bagging a buck never wavered. I remember sitting at the “kids table,” staring out the kitchen window, waiting and wondering whether Dad would make it. Not for cake or candles. A Turkey Day celebration was Pumpkin Pie and, later, when the farm prospered, also Pecan Pie. This year Thanksgiving, always the fourth Thursday of November, arrives

Nov. 28, which is also the first day of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Some are calling the merger of two lovely festivals of food “Thanksgivukkah.” Over a 42-day period, give or take, our American holiday season thrums to a dogged drummer. What starts with turkey will end with the New Year’s countdown to 2014 for some revelers, Twelfth Night for others.

Nope, pretzels. Rox’s salad is sneakier than the one once served at our Pittsburgh church potluck: salad greens and — hold your breath — sliced Snickers!

Though snow people are few in Columbia River Reader country,

For my husband, Ace, and pumpkins and squashes are plentiful throughout the holiday me, there’s a value-added season. One pretty one went into Pumpkin Dessert, its top celebration. Our wedding crunchy with walnuts (look closely: even the whipped topping anniversary is Dec. 2. Thirty- has a smile). Recipe, page 6. six years ago we planned a “That’d be Nov. 32,” Ace said. And two-fer so my Michigan parents could that’s the way we remember it. eat turkey — and salmon — and see In subsequent years, in the crush of us married in the Pacific Northwest. buying, wrapping and shipping gifts Counting on our fingers for the Saturday to Michigan, Ace suggested skipping after Thanksgiving, we hit upon our our anniversary (he abhors shopping) wedding date. and moving on to “the main event.” Counting our church’s four Sundays of Advent (wondrous), but not Black Friday (horrendous), that makes nine cooking occasions, including two Eves — Christmas and New Year’s. That’s one tall order. But enough about me and math.

Margaret Scott, Chaplain PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center, Longview, WA

the Spirit of Healing is Unwavering Compassion

nwavering compassion. Genuine kindness. Dedication. That’s how our friends and colleagues describe our promise at PeaceHealth. We call it The Spirit of Healing.

The Spirit of Healing means we treat you like family. Like a person, not a patient. We hold your hand through fear and joy. We are committed to caring for you because this is our place. Our community. Our mission.

I follow tradition in many things, but one should be outlawed: pumpkin pie that goes MIA after Thanksgiving. My goal is for every restaurant and cook to offer pumpkin in perpetuity. That’s why a delight called simply Pumpkin Dessert is a cinch for my table. It’s a 9-by-13inch pan of holiday joy that satisfies any

Nuts to you and me A third recipe is one I always bring out at holiday time when Altrusa Club of Longview-Kelso stages its annual pecan sale. The Sugar Pecans recipe came from the late Polly Mendlin. I recently spotted Polly’s name, along with many other movers and shakers, in the blue-covered Altrusa yearbook of 1985-1986. Oh, the memories to be uncovered when Ace cleans out his office closet! I am an old-new member of the community service club — literacy is my special passion. I was first recruited by Daily News comrade Agnes Staggs. After retiring and returning to the Lower Columbia area some seven years ago, I reenlisted with the encouragement of Ruth Clark and Judy Kirby. I just couldn’t stay away from Altrusa’s Elephant Ear wagon at Go 4th and the projects it supports. Ringing bells for the Salvation Army. Supporting artists and craftsmen. Books for school libraries. Concerts and plays. Family. Friends. Community. That’s what holidays are about. We’re going to need an extra day. Recipes, cont page 6 Suzanne Martinson, a retired newspaper food editor and regular contributor to CRR, tests—and eats — all her recipes in her Lexington home. Reach her at acesmartins@ comcast.net.

The Spirit of Healing is our promise to you. Because we believe in healing the mind, body and spirit. Every time. Every touch. Hear stories of our healing spirit at PeaceHealth.org

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 5

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Farmer’s Daughter cont from page 5

Rox’s Pretzel Salad

(in real life a dessert) Delicious with either strawberries or raspberries — real red for holidays. Bottom layer: 3 tablespoons sugar 3/4 cup butter 2-1/2 cups pretzels, coarsely crushed Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the crushed pretzels (we put the pretzels in a freezer bag and crushed with a rolling pin). Press into a 9-by-13-inch pan. Bake 10 minutes in a 350-degree oven. Cool well. Middle layer: 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup sugar Small carton Cool Whip, thawed Cream cream cheese and sugar; fold in Cool Whip. Pour over bottom layer when really cool. Top layer: 6-ounce package strawberry or raspberry gelatin 2 cups boiling water 2 10-ounce packages frozen strawberries Cool Whip Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add frozen strawberries, which will thaw and set gelatin. Frost top with with Cool Whip (or serve the topping on the side later). Refrigerate. Cut into squares for serving.

You call it dessert, we count it as salad. Roxann’s Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a delicious treat anytime of the year.

Pumpkin Dessert (see photo, page 5)

This was a favorite dessert at our Pittsburgh church’s dinner theaters. It keeps the spirit of pumpkin alive all year. Crust: 1 box yellow or white cake mix (reserve 1 cup for topping) 1 stick butter 1 egg Combine ingredients and mix well with fork. Spread in a greased 9-by-13-inch pan. Pumpkin Dessert Filling: 1 large can pumpkin (29 ounces) 3 large eggs 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 2/3 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon salt

cont page 7

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cont from page 7

1-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon each of allspice, ginger and nutmeg In a large bowl, combine filling ingredients. Mix well with electric mixer and then spoon over cake-mix crust. Topping: 1 cup reserved cake mix 1/2 stick cold butter 1/2 cup sugar Chopped walnuts (if desired) Crumble ingredients together and sprinkle over cake. Bake at 350º for 50 to 60 minutes. Let cool and top with whipped cream if desired. ~ McKnight Players

COOL WHIP?? Really?

“What’s whipped cream?” she asked.

As a girl who grew up on a dairy farm, Cool Whip makes my list for a Food Not Found in Nature. Generally, my first rule of cooking is to avoid anything whose ingredient label is too long (and/or print too tiny) to read without bifocals.

“It’s cow’s cream that’s been whipped,” I said.

Cool Whip qualifies. That said, sometimes there are desserts that whipping cream just can’t do as well. Real whipped cream loves to separate, Cool Whip seems ironclad. Many people don’t know the difference, as I learned from a young reporter who looked up from the recipe she was proofreading.

“What’s it for?” “People put it in desserts, on top of cakes or sundaes.”

As an historic nod to Fancy, my beautiful Guernsey cow, when I must use Cool Whip I use “extra creamy,” which means that milk is at least mentioned on the label among the many chemicals.

~ Suzanne Martinson

“Oh, you mean Cool Whip!”

Back to Basics: Recycling 101 What’s your recycling IQ? - Tin & Aluminum

Sugar Pecans

Put these in an air-tight holiday tin and pass the pecans as a hostess — and host — gift. Unbeaten whites of 2 eggs 1 tablespoon water 3/4 cup sugar Pinch of salt 2 tablespoons cinnamon (or less) Mix all ingredients except for pecans. Stir in pecans to coat thoroughly. Lift out individually. Nothing spells thoughtful guest — or Lay out on well-greased cookie sheets. We host — better than a tin of fresh pecans used parchment paper, which works well. Bake at 325º for 8 to 20 minutes. Store or seasoned with cinnamon. check often. ~ Altrusan Polly Mendlin

Which, if any, of these items are recyclable? Check page 11 to find out!

For more information, visit our new website:

www.longviewrecycles.com

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

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Happy Holidays from the owners and employees of Goble Tavern • Evergreen Pub & Cafe Luigi’s Pizza • Alston Pub & Grub. Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 7

Books by Local Authors The following books (e-books excepted) are by local authors and most will be available for purchase at Gyros Gyros, 1338 Commerce Avenue, lower level, in Longview and at Pacific Northwest Gift Gallery, 1316 Mt. St. Helens Way NE, Castle Rock. Many are also available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

FICTION Path to Peril H.D. Duman Tate Publishing Softcover $27.99, ebook $6.99 First in a series, this book deals with the United States going down a path toward civil war. Society is bifurcating because of multiculturalism and idealism. Congress and the President are out of control and out of reach, as terrorists plot to cyber attack the country’s infrastructure. Is democracy going up in flames? If We Get There Jon Gosch Amazon, $9.89 Cash and Charley are young brothers in search of a better life. Leaving Washington with only their small motorcycles, they embark upon an audacious crossing of the continent. Besieged by the grueling realities of the road, the brothers learn that the path less traveled is not always by choice. Holding Woman and Other Stories of Acceptable Madness Kelley Jacquez Bilingual Press, $16 El Nido, NM is a place of addled brains, self-sabotage and small-town secrets. The darkly comic misadventures of the residents become amusing anecdotes of rural life, but also the challenges everyone faces: the struggle to find self-worth, the courage to hope, and the acceptance of life on its own terms. The Misfortune of the Emerald Thief Cynthia L. Moyer Winged Cat Creations, softcover $12.95, ebook $4.99 The River siblings, Denim the Bubble Ranger and Ravenna the Time Bender, discover they are the next Keepers of the Emerald Cave, the secret energy source the people of the Pacific Northwest are unaware of, but depend on every day. (Middle-grade fantasy.)

Stolen Spring: Kidnappings, murder, and mochas on the Oregon Coast Cynthia L. Moyer Winged Cat Creations, softcover $13.50, ebook $4.99 It’s bad enough that the first-born grandsons of Alder Bay’s coffee club are disappearing one by one, but when one of their grandmas is found murdered, reporter Elliot Lake knows evil has dripped its way into his sleepy little coastal town. (Adult mystery with humor) The Unforgiven Alan Rose Bold Strokes Books, ebook $4.99 To save his third marriage, Peter Braddock enters therapy and begins to recover his lost memories of when he was a boy at church camp. Eventually, he will come to the conclusion that he was molested by Father Scott, the camp director. But he’s wrong; the truth is far worse. ‘Til Summer’s End Janet Bray Rubert AuthorHouse, softcover $19.95, ebook $3.99 After she announces her pregnancy, her husband retreats into silence--their perfect marriage arrangement over. Sarah remains until the doctoral acceptance letter arrives. While in Ghana for her dissertation, this sorta-single mom becomes mysteriously ill. Will Geology Professor Mark Kingsley rescue her and accept the child he never knew?

NON-FICTION Salmon, People and Place: A Biologist’s Search for Salmon Recovery Jim Lichatowich OSU Press, $22.95 In his latest book, Jim Lichatowich tells a story about the salmon’s decline and says there is a chance for recovery through real stewardship. He presents a new story to guide salmon management and to build a healthy relationship between salmon, people and place.

8 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

Not Your Mother’s Book… On Being a Parent Pat Nelson Publishing Syndicate, $16.95 An anthology of humorous, edgy true stories, Not Your Mother’s Book… On Being a Parent was co-created by Pat Nelson and Publishing Syndicate owners Dahlynn and Ken McKowen. The McKowens co-authored Chicken Soup for the Soul books for 10 years and became acquainted with Nelson’s work through her story submissions. A Tangled Bank: Writings from Orion Robert Michael Pyle OSU Press, $18.95 Bob Pyle’s “Tangled Bank” column appeared in 52 consecutive issues of Orion and Orion Afield magazines between 1997 and 2008. Each essay in this collection explores Charles Darwin’s contention that the elements of such a bank, and by extension all the living world, are endlessly interesting and ever evolving. Images of America: Longview Dennis Weber, with Sue Maxey and Karen Dennis A r c a d i a Publishing. $21.95 (available at Cowlitz County Historical Museum, Kelso.) Former Longview mayor and current Cowlitz County Commissioner Weber has written a fresh, new pictorial history of Longview in cooperation with retired librarians Sue Maxey and Karen Dennis. They studied more than 500 digital images from the Cowlitz County Historical Museum and the Longview Public Library to compile this collection.

Hub Perdue; Clown Prince of the Mound John Simpson McFarland Press, $35 This is the biography of a Tennessee pitcher whose career spanned the entire Deadball Era (1900-1923), including five full seasons in the majors. Possessing a quick wit, Perdue’s contemporaries called him “the Gallatin Squash,” and those closest to the spitballer claim that he possessed great potential but clowned his way right out of professional baseball.

POETRY A String of Perils… poems of hurt and hope Carolyn Caines Lulu.com, $12 Life comes with its perils: family drama, physical trauma, betrayal, pain, and plain trouble. Just as it takes time to form a pearl, finding hope and healing from the pain of life is a process. Here are poems to encourage you as you experience the making of your precious pearls. My Substitute Life Carolyn Caines Lulu.com, $12 After a full career as a classroom teacher, Caines began My Substitute Life. This volume of poetry is a collection of humorous insights and reflections on being a substitute teacher in the Kelso School District. Included are indexes of teachers and schools where poems were inspired. The Family that Never Threw Anything Away Irene Martin, $8.95 I r e n e M a r t i n ’s newest book is her first published book of poetry, and a departure from her usual non-fiction which has focused on the subjects she is intimately familiar with: Columbia River salmon and salmon fishing, history, and spirituality.

Cover to Cover Brought to you by Book Sense and Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, for week ending November 17, 2013, 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

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1. Dear Life Alice Munro, Vintage, $15.95 2. The Orchardist Amanda Coplin, Harper Perennial, $15.99 3. The Round House Louise Erdrich, Harper Perennial, $15.99 4. Beautiful Ruins Jess Walter, Harper Perennial, $15.99, 5. Where’d You Go, Bernadette Maria Semple, Back Bay, $14.99 6. Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore Robin Sloan, Picador, $15 7. Flight Behavior Barbara Kingsolver, Harper Perennial, $16.99 8. Blasphemy Sherman Alexie, Grove Press, $17 9. The Dinner Herman Koch, Hogarth, $14 10. The Light Between Oceans M.L. Stedman, Scribner, $16

1. Wild Cheryl Strayed, Vintage, $15.95 2. Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher Timothy Egan, Mariner, $15.95 3. Hyperbole and a Half Allie Brosh, Touchstone, $17.99 4. Quiet Susan Cain, Broadway, $16 5. The World Until Yesterday Jared Diamond, Penguin, $18 6. Orange Is the New Black Piper Kerman, Spiegel & Grau, $16 7. Unlikely Loves Jennifer S. Holland, Workman, $13.95 8. Must-See Birds of the Pacific Northwest Sarah Swanson, Max Smith, Timber Press, $19.95 9. Proof of Heaven Eben Alexander, M.D., S&S, $15.99 10. All That the Rain Promises and More David Arora, Ten Speed Press, $17.99

1. Dog Songs Mary Oliver, Penguin Press, $26.95 2. The Goldfinch Donna Tartt, Little Brown, $30, 3. The Luminaries Eleanor Catton, Little Brown, $27 4. Aimless Love Billy Collins, Random House, $26 5. The Valley of Amazement Amy Tan, Ecco, $29.99 6. Sycamore Row John Grisham, Doubleday, $28.95 7. S. J.J. Abrams, Doug Dorst, Mulholland, $35 8. The Signature of All Things Elizabeth Gilbert, Viking, $28.95 9. Hild Nicola Griffith, FSG, $27 10. The Circle Dave Eggers, Knopf, $27.95

1. Things That Matter Charles Krauthammer, Crown Forum, $28 2. I Am Malala Malala Yousafzai, Little Brown, $26 3. The Boys in the Boat Daniel James Brown, Viking, $28.95 4. David and Goliath Malcolm Gladwell, Little Brown, $29 5. Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book Diane Muldrow, Golden Books, $9.99 6. Double Down Mark Halperin, John Heilemann, Penguin Press, $29.95 7. Stitches Anne Lamott, Riverhead, $17.95 8. The Bully Pulpit Doris Kearns Goodwin, S&S, $40 9. This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage Ann Patchett, Harper, $27.99 10. Shake Carli Davidson, Harper Design, $17.99

MASS MARKET 1. Ender’s Game Orson Scott Card, Tor, $7.99 2. A Dance With Dragons George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $9.99 3. Speaker for the Dead Orson Scott Card, Tor, $7.99 4. The Name of the Wind Patrick Rothfuss, DAW, $8.99 5. The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger, Little Brown, $6.99 6. A Game of Thrones George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $9.99 7. 2312 Kim Stanley Robinson, Orbit, $10, 8. The Racketeer John Grisham, Dell, $9.99 9. A Storm of Swords George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $9.99 10. The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien, Del Rey, $8.99

1. The Book Thief Markus Zusak, Knopf, $12.99 2. The Fault in Our Stars John Green, Dutton, $17.99 3. Star Wars: Jedi Academy Jeffrey Brown, Scholastic, $12.99 4. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Ransom Riggs, Quirk, $10.99 5. Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures Kate DiCamillo, K.G. Campbell (Illus.), Candlewick, $17.99 6. Looking for Alaska John Green, Speak, $9.99 7. Frog Trouble . . . and Eleven Other Pretty Serious Songs Sandra Boynton, Workman, $16.95 8. Wonder R.J. Palacio, Knopf, $15.99 9. Spirit Animals: Wild Born Brandon Mull, Scholastic, $12.99 10. Fortunately, the Milk Neil Gaiman, Skottie Young (Illus.), Harper, $14.99

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.

WordFest: Giving the soul a platform

he elderly woman came forward to read. Small and frail, she was helped to a chair by her daughter. She was going to read a poem, she announced. It was her poem, but her husband’s words, stitched together from the love letters he had written to her while fighting overseas in World War II. He had died during the past year. She began reading in the soft, dreamy voice with which she must have read and re-read those letters many times. I couldn’t speak to the technical proficiency of the poem; only know that there was not a dry eye in the house (sometimes the cliché just fits too well not to use.) I remember an older gentleman from Rainier reading his memoir about growing up as a youth during the Depression. There was nothing particularly dramatic or extraordinary in his story, yet I was mesmerized by his voice. Seasoned to age-perfect pitch, it could have been the collective voice for his generation.

Over the years there have been such moments of grace as different people brought to WordFest offerings from their lives, presented as fiction, or nonfiction, or sometimes as love poems. Some have used humor, like Ed Putka’s tales of growing up in his family’s Polish neighborhood back in Cleveland, or his hilarious parody on the gun rights/control issue, where he proposed an ordinance that would require everyone in Kalama to carry a fishing pole, lest the day come “when only fish will have fishing poles.” If David Sedaris isn’t available, Ed Putka will do nicely as a stand-in. Over time you begin to realize that these are more than just poems and stories. They are voices from the soul, some more polished than others, each in some ways unique and in some ways universal, and arising from this deep need to be shared. Although we never intended it when we started WordFest, these monthly gatherings have provided a platform

By Alan Rose

where the soul can find its voice and affirm I was here. This is what I saw. This is what I learned. This is what I leave. ••• Note: WordFest is a gathering of readers and writers who meet on the first Tuesday of each month. The events are free and open to the public. Ed Putka, along with naturalist Robert Michael Pyle and novelist Cynthia Moyer, will be reading at the next WordFest on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

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Alan Rose, author of Tales of Tokyo and The Legacy of Emily Hargraves and The Unforgiven, organizes the monthly WordFest gatherings. He can be reached at www.alan-rose.com, at www.Facebook.com/Alan. Rose.Author, and www.Facebook.com/WordFestNW.

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Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 9

Miss Manners Holiday conversations, pesky texting and solo engagements By Judith Martin DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is proper holiday dinner conversation when the age ranges and marital statuses are mixed?

the meaning of life, but not at a family holiday dinner. That’s when families bond through announcements, questions and observation.

I am a single aunt who is outgoing, not introverted at all, but when I go to my sister’s house for a holiday dinner, I feel excluded from the table conversation, as does my widowed mother. It’s all about the kids — and the kids are loud. When I try to introduce a topic, it doesn’t stick. It always seems that family units are just not interested in anyone but themselves and their lives.

You should be grateful that the children are rambunctious. It at least distracts the adults from demanding to know why you are single.

What is proper, and what can I do besides not attending? All my single friends have similar experiences. GENTLE READER: You could probably get a football conversation going among those slumped around the television set. And if you helped dish up in the kitchen, you could get an earful about those who aren’t helping. And don’t tell Miss Manners that there isn’t a rousing conversation at the table about what foods are evil, and how stuffed everyone feels. Under other circumstances, it may be possible to talk with some of these people about books or the economy or

What you and your mother should be doing is quietly asking less offensive questions of individuals, just to show an interest in how they are getting along. It would be especially nice to do so of any child who happens to be left out of the play. DEAR MISS MANNERS: I don’t know what to do. We gather for family holiday meals with extended family. Some members spend their time texting under the table and not making any effort to interact with anyone around them. I don’t want to cause a family feud. I think it is important to speak to those around you and to be engaged in the event. These are young adults. What happened to bringing topics to the table and being prepared to share? By the way, not all of the young adults do this, just some. It is extremely uncomfortable to be sitting next to someone who is actively ignoring you.

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GENTLE READER: Nor should you. Remember the children’s table? You could set one up for those who do not intend to participate in adult society. Better yet, Miss Manners recommends passing a nicely decorated Thanksgiving basket before dinner, in which to collect all electronic devices. It would be a good deed for people who would otherwise be having Thanksgiving dinner with those whom your guests are texting. DEAR MISS MANNERS: Since I am better able to afford an engagement ring than my boyfriend, would it be all right for me to buy myself my own ring? And since he does not approve of that idea, would it be all right for me to help pay for it? GENTLE READER: Does the gentleman approve of becoming engaged? Miss Manners suggests settling that point first. But even if you have not conjured this entire idea by yourself, Miss Manners warns you that the symbolism of an engagement ring of which one party disapproves is not good. You do know, don’t you, that it is possible to become engaged without a ring? You can also buy yourself whatever jewelry you want and can afford. But to buy yourself a ring and pass it off as a sentimental pledge from someone who had nothing to do with it suggests, symbolically, that you can do quite nicely without him. 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.

Original • Local Compiled with care All about the good life Fit for any coffee table Good for freezer-defrosting, too Skip the L-o-o-o-n-nn-g-g-g-g lines at the traditional donation centers this Holiday Season. Receive your 2013 tax deduction when cleaning your closets and clearing the clutter. We need your fabulous stuff! Long-time and new customers who donate between December 1, 2013 and January 30, 2014, receive a one-time 30 percent discount throughout the store. We appreciate you thinking of us first. Happy Holidays from The Red Hat. Helping Cowlitz County Families, Women and Children since 2002.

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a B s i c o s: Recycling 101 t k c a B Let’s break it down

Longview accepts only clean items Recycling Rule of Thumb: When in doubt — throw it out!

Tin & Aluminum Mixed Paper Next month:

If an item is reusable, please consider donating or reusing it before throwing it into the garbage. Place recyclables loose in the recycle can, not bagged. Most plastic bags are a solid color, preventing sorters from seeing the contents. Used needles or other hazardous materials are sometimes found; for safety reasons, such bags are not opened up.

Items Not Acceptable

Acceptable Items

• Propane cylinders, beach or lawn chairs, pots, pans or other scrap metal, contaminated foil, and motor oil or other automotive fluid cans.

• Aluminum, steel and tin cans (including drink, food, even pet food) and clean aluminum foil.

In an effort to serve you better, the City has compiled common information that residents often request, plus created an easy way for you to communicate with us. Got a question?

Just Ask Longview!

Empty contents and rinse lightly. Labels may stay on. Place the lids inside the cans - this is a safety feature for the crews sorting your recyclables.

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Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 11

Holiday Foods

Reader readers share favorite holiday recipes

livery e d r fo w o n r e d r O by the holidays!

From Chas Dean, Longview nglish Trifle is a favorite dessert of mine, and can be made with any fruit throughout the year (there are any number of variations). It’s a great way to use old cake that one normally would think of throwing out. This is an easy “make ahead” dessert, especially for the busy holiday season.

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I traditionally serve trifle along with wassail (sung about in the Christmas carol “Here We Come A-Wassailing,” (recipe, page 42) on Twelfth Night — January 5th this year — when friends gather at my home to celebrate the last day of Christmas. Many think that Christmas is over after December

25th. However, this is really just the first day of Christmas (you’ve heard the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”). Twelfth Night is essentially “little Christmas Eve,” the night before “Little Christmas” on January 6th, also known as Epiphany — the day when the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child is celebrated in the western Christian Church calendar. In many homes observing this tradition, one major gift is given to the children on Christmas and Little Christmas, with a small gift (a piece of candy, etc.) given at the breakfast table on each of the 12 days of Christmas.

cont on page 13

Back to Basics: Recycling 101 What’s your recycling IQ? - Mixed Paper

Pizza Boxes • Tissues • Paper Plates Which, if any, of these items are recyclable? Check page 42 to find out!

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Holiday Foods

English Trifle 1 – 1 ½ lbs. Sponge or Pound Cake (broken into bite size pieces)— best if cake is a day or few days old. May use jelly rolls in place of the cake. Custard (see recipe below) Fruit jam or jelly (to be authentically English use fruit flavored Jello) 36 ounces fresh or frozen fruit of choice (I prefer mixed berries) 2 pints whipped cream Sweet sherry and / or Madeira to sprinkle on the cake (optional) Note: If the flavor of Sherry or Madeira is desired but not the alcohol, bake

your own cake and substitute 4 ounces of sherry or Madeira for some of the liquid. Toasted almonds and/or fresh mint sprigs for garnish (optional) Custard: 2 cups whole milk 2 cups heavy cream 1 vanilla bean pod at this point or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (added to egg yolks below) Scald the above ingredients just to the point when bubbles start to appear. Combine 6 egg yolks, beaten with 1 cup sugar and 2 Tbl. cornstarch. Pour warmed milk and cream into egg yolk mixture

to temper eggs. Combine and cook over boiling water (in a clean double boiler). Stir constantly until thickened, coating the back of spoon (about 10 minutes). Caution: do not allow custard to boil or it will break. If this happens, remove from heat immediately add 2 tablespoons warm water and a pat of unsalted butter or 1/3 cup warm cream (of half & half); then whisk vigorously. Cover with plastic wrap touching custard surface and cool. Assemble Trifle in a standard size trifle bowl (8–10 inches wide by 5–6 inches deep) in three layers, each using one-third of each of the cake, custard and fruit: 1. Cake layer Sprinkle cake with sherry and / or Madeira (optional). (If the flavor of Sherry or Madeira is desired but not the alcohol, One may bake their own cake and substitute 4 ounces of Sherry or Madeira for some of the liquid.) Spread a layer of jam or jelly or pour unset liquid gelatin (Jello) over the cake. 2. Fresh or frozen fruit layer (reserve a bit for garnish) 3. Custard layer (mix a little whipped cream into the custard, if desired) Repeat this layering process until the trifle dish is filled (three layers, each with cake, custard and fruit). Top with whipped cream. Garnish with fruit, toasted almonds, fresh mint sprigs etc. Chill assembled Trifle for at least 4 hours before serving. It is best made a day ahead. Serves 10–12 .

From Lois Brudi, Longview This recipe has always been called by my family “Frozen Pumpkin Pie,” however another name would be better to differentiate it from a store bought frozen pie. It’s more of a pumpkin ice cream type of pie. My son-in-law will not eat the usual pumpkin pie, but he loves this one. FROZEN PUMPKIN PIE: 1 baked pie crust 1-¼ cups canned pumpkin 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup whipping cream Combine sugar, pumpkin, spice and salt in mixing bowl. In a large mixing bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff. Fold in pumpkin mixture. Pour into baked pie shell and freeze 2 hours or more. Take out of freezer and let stand 10-15 minutes before serving. This is very rich and creamy, so serve small slices.

This was sent to me for our family cookbook by my daughter who lives in Saudi Arabia. I’ve had many requests for this easy recipe. CINDY’S CHEESE BALL 1 8-oz pkg cream cheese, softened 2 Tbl sour cream or yogurt 2 tsp curry powder 1/3 cup peanuts, chopped 1/3 cup white raisins, chopped 1/3 cup green onion, chopped 1 jar chutney

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As part of Windermere’s long-standing commitment to help those in need, our offices throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington will be collecting coats and blankets NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 20. We invite you to join us in the effort. Help us share the warmth this winter by bringing new or gently used coats and blankets. Kelso/Longview 209 W. Main St, Ste 200 Kelso, WA 360-636-4663 Cathlamet 102 Main St, Ste 200 Cathlamet, WA 360-795-0552

Mix together first six ingredients at least one day ahead or up to four days in advance. Form into ball and refrigerate. When ready to serve spread chutney over top at the last minute. Serve with crackers.

More Reader reader holiday recipes, page 42

REAL ESTATE Mon- Fri: 8:30–5:30 www.windermere.com Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 13

Starry Nights

Comet ISON not the Great Comet of 2013 But the sparkling winter sky still offers a show

he former hype about Comet ISON is not living up to expectations. However, in the two weeks prior to Thanksgiving some things have changed. ISON has suddenly brightened to naked eye viewing. Scientists believe cracks have appeard in the comet’s icy core and it is releasing more gases and dusts. A chart from Sky and Telescope magazine (at right) shows the estimated position of the comet on various days in early to mid-December. At this point you still need a dark place to view it. Viewing from town is “iffy” at best, unless the comet really explodes in brightness. Astrophotographers have imaged the comet’s tail to be as long as seven or more full moon widths in length. The comet’s tail is a lot dimmer than the comet itself. Binoculars will give the best view of the comet. In town, it would have to go to magnitude 4, as bright as Mars, to be visible. On Thanksgiving Day, the comet will go behind the sun. Our solar observing scopes in space will be the ones to see if the comet breaks up or not. If it breaks up, we will then have quite a show. Winter Sky Rises Jupiter is beginning its winter reign of the sky. It will be rising in the eastern sky around 6:30pm. Jupiter will be the brightest “star” in the sky all winter long. Any clear night and a pair of binoculars will show you the planet Greg Smith is active in Friends of Galileo, an amateur astronomy club which meets monthly in Longview. For information, call Chuck Ring, 360636-2296.

By Greg Smith

From Sky & Telescope magazine: Comet ISON now seems unlikely to put on a spectacular naked-eye display in the dawn during December. But no one knows for sure.Comet ISON should at its best in early December 2013, climbing up the eastern dawn sky as it fades following its solar swing by. The comet symbols are probably very exaggerated; they’re to show the area of sky to examine; bring binoculars. The chart is drawn for skywatchers near 40° north latitude (Denver, New York, Madrid) but will do for most north temperate latitudes. The 10° scale is about the width of your fist held at arm’s length.” Comet ISON will always be very far away from earth. The Comet is not coming through the solar system in line with the planets. It is coming from an angle that is “above” the planetary plane and will depart “below” it. We will only be able to see it when it is close to the sun in the morning. Evening views do not seem to be in the offering on this comet. We will just have to wait for another comet to come by to give us the treat of a night sky beauty like the comet Hale-Bopp in 1997. ~ Greg Smith and the four largest moons. If you are able to watch on consecutive nights, you will see the moons change place night to night. If you want to, you can draw a picture of the moons on one night and then on each consecutive night draw another. You will see how they move. This is what Galileo did when he discovered the moons of Jupiter. The star cluster of the Pleiades is out and visible by 6pm in the eastern sky. It looks like a tiny dipper. A look through binoculars will show that there are many stars in this group. The great constellation of Orion is beginning dominance of the winter

sky, as well. It is east of the Pleiades and rises about 5:30pm. The Full Moon will rise at 5:45pm on the 17th and will be just below the Pleiades. After 6:45 another bright star rises and is “down” east of the Pleiades, it is Aldebaran, the Eye of the Bull, in the constellation Taurus. The very bright star northeast of the Pleiades is the star Capella in the Constellation Auriga, the Charioteer. If you know where the Andromeda Galaxy is found, it is now virtually straight overhead. Now that you know more about the wonderful winter sky and the bright stars that will inhabit it all winter

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www.pennyparviagency.com 14 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

Used by permission. For more info visit skyandtelescope.com

long, take every chance to use a clear winter night to enjoy the night sky; we do not get very many of them at this time of year. And always take a pair of binoculars with you when you go out to look at the night sky. You will see far more than you could imagine. Every day is a star-filled day and every night is a starry night. •••

My Slant

Giving a gift to outlast a gadget

Writing personal memoir leaves legacy of love

ere we are, heading full tilt into another Christmas season. The fall colors have come and gone, gardens are all wrapped up, apple pies made and consumed, firewood stashed in the shed. Ready for winter, but actually being ready for Christmas is another story. One of the events, usually the main show of the holidays, is the gift giving thing. It should be the portal for great joy, but certainly can be a source of angst. In fact, it usually is, isn’t it? My wife and I have lost all four of our parents (and I have lost a very cool step father) to the infirmities and disease that age inevitably brings our way. It makes me think, actually, as well it should. What to give? We not only have kids, but kids-inlaw and a quiver full of grandkids. Several years ago when pondering the question “What can I give my _____” (fill in the blank) that they a) want; b) need; or c) don’t already have...?” I contemplated what my parents had told me about their early Christmas memories. My dad grew up on a farm on the Kansas plains, my mom was a townie from Nebraska. Born during World War I, their impressionable teen years flowered during the Depression and the Dust Bowl. Dad had many a story about those years: growing produce by

“

...it was the letter I saved — that handwritten note to a grandson written from winter on the Kansas farm... ~ Terry Tack

Longview native Te r r y Ta c k , who practices optometry with his son at Longview Eye and vision, enjoys hiking, camping, wildlife-watching and overall marveling at the wonders of Creation.

”

the wagonloads which they could not sell because no one had any money, sheets over the windows, thick dust sifting into the house pounded by relentless wind, eating dinner at the farm table with Dust Bowl grime sifting into their food. It was a tough existence, but he and his siblings and parents all survived. My mom, on the other hand, grew up in a fatherless home. I never knew much about that part of the story, just that he had left them. Gone. Flat gone in the depths of the Depression. My grandmother took in laundry and cleaned houses to support her three kids and herself. Mom had one handme-down dress (it was pink) and one pair of shoes (black patent leather). I only realized the depth of her pain

By Dr. Terry Tack

Courtesy Photo.

years later when I was a teen and we were notified that her dad had died. Barely a mention, not a tear and no discussion. From survival to opulence When Christmas morning arrived on the Kansas farm, gifts were meager but the giving was generous. They made stuff for each other, bought a piece of fruit, filled the stocking with peanuts, almonds and small trinkets. Once in a while, a toy. It depended on the sorghum crop and when it rained. My mom could not or would not remember any of the Christmases. Seriously. There were no gifts. There was nothing extra. Survival was just plain tough enough. Quite a contrast to the relative opulence we showered on our youngsters and now our grandyoungsters.

My farm grampa used to send a letter to each of us kids on Christmas and our birthdays, and folded up inside would be a “George Washington,” as he called it. It wasn’t the simple dollar bill or what we spent it on that I remembered, it was the letter I saved — that handwritten note to a grandson written from winter on the Kansas farm that remains, even to this day. Certainly, if I scratch my head I can remember some of the stuff my parents gave me for Christmas: a bike, toy train, a basketball. All stuff I wanted and thought I needed, and of course it has all been consumed by time. Some of this kind of giving is great and fun, of course. The excitement of Christmas cont. page 45

Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 15

Biz Buzz

the years and all the new customers who have found us and continue to make us successful.”

What’s Happening Around the River

Biz Buzz notes news in local business and professional circles. As space allows, we will include news of innovations, improvements, new ventures and significant employee milestones of interest to readers. Please email publisher@crreader.com to share the local buzz. Amy Hannahs, co-owner of Flourish Skin & Laser, attended the Cutera Clinical Forum in Las Vegas, Nevada, in late October. She learned advanced t e c h n i q u e s in laser hair removal, vascular treatment, and skin rejuvenation treatment from industry experts. Cutera is one of the Amy Hannahs leading aesthetic manufacturers in the United States. “It was a very positive experience because the information we received focused on the most up-to-date laser technologies available today,” Hannahs said. “I’m looking forward to incorporating what I’ve learned into our practice.” Hannahs and co-owner Mary Nielsen have more than 25

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years of combined advanced aesthetic experience in skin care, Botox, fillers, lasers, and chemical peels. “We’re committed to providing services comparable to what you would expect to find in much larger cities,” Hannahs said. Flourish is located at 625 9th Avenue at Pacific Surgical Institute. Learn more at www. flourishlaser.com. Farm Dog Bakery recently moved to its new home located at 1217 14th Avenue Longview, Wash. A grand opening is planned for Tuesday, December 17 during store hours (9am-4:30pm). Pet owners may bring their pets for a holiday picture, and will receive a free keepsake ornament, picture frame or magnet. “Bring your furry friends for a photo and enjoy some refreshments yourself,” said manager Angela Kalista. “We would like to thank all of you who have supported Farm Dog Bakery over

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Swedish Medical Center, in Seattle, recently announced that Johnny Delashaw, M.D. will join Swedish Neuroscience Institute as a staff neurosurgeon, joining a team of world-renowned neurosurgeons and neurologists dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and research of brain, spine and central nervous system ailments. D r. D e l a s h a w graduated from Mark Morris High School in Longview, and later received his medical degree from the University of Dr. Johnny Delashaw Washington School of Medicine and his Bachelor of Science in biology with honors and distinction from Stanford University. Dr. Delashaw specializes in skull base, pituitary, spinal and cerebrovascular surgery and has performed thousands of procedures throughout his career. His expertise is a strong fit with Swedish Neuroscience Institute’s existing surgery and treatment services. “ D r. J o h n n y D e l a s h a w i s a n outstanding new addition to our team and we’re excited to have him join us,” said Dr. Marc Mayberg, executive director of the Swedish Neuroscience Institute. “His skills add valuable depth and expertise to our staff. In addition, he brings a strong academic background which complements our ongoing research and teaching programs. ” Dr. Delashaw comes to Swedish following his position as chief of neurological surgery for UC Irvine Health, where he developed a national surgical referral network for cranial disease and helped establish a facility for quality treatment of spine problems.

He also served as Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine. “The atmosphere at Swedish Neuroscience Institute is unlike any other in the country,” Dr. Delashaw said. “SNI gives me an opportunity to change the way neurosurgery is performed here in the United States and the world. I’m looking forward to complementing what is already an excellent staff.” Dr. Delashaw will practice out of the Swedish Cherry Hill campus at 550 17th Ave., Suite 500, Seattle, Wash., as well as his clinic in Longview, Wash., located at Kirkpatrick Family Care at 783 Commerce Ave #300. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Delashaw, call 206-320-2800. Pacific Imaging Center Upgrades MRI Capabilities Pacific Imaging Center completed a significant upgrade to its MRI scanner recently. The result is increased gradient strength and resolution equal to or greater than that provided by any MRI scanner in the Tri-County area. “The obvious difference is that we will now have the ability to do an increased number of complex vascular studies,” said Jack Berry, Director of Imaging Services at PIC. The upgrade Jack Berry added 16-channel capabilities with higher contrast ranges to PIC’s scanner. The benefit to patients and physicians will be scans with greater resolution, which translates into more precise and accurate assessments. “Every physician I’ve talked with is excited about the upgrade,” said Berry, who spoke with area healthcare providers in advance to educate cont next page

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16 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

503-397-3211

Call before you go . . . Some say the French ignore Estate Planning as they hope to spend it all. If that’s not your plan, call today.

“I make house calls”

THE LAW OFFICE OF

Vincent L. (Vince) Penta, P.S. 1561 11th Ave. Longview

360-423-7175

Biz Buzz

Macy’s, JCPenney, Target, Red Lobster, Azteca, Pier 1 Imports, Famous Footwear and many more national and regional stores. Excitement is building since the recent announcement of a new 12-screen state-of-the-art Regal Cinema coming soon to Three Rivers Mall.

cont from page 16

them about the changes. “They’re also happy just to have us back in operation. Pacific Imaging Center is located at 625 9th Avenue at Pacific Surgical Institute. PIC accepts all insurance carriers, By Karla C. Dudley including Kaiser. Call 360-501-3444 for more information.

Photos: Festival of Giving activities last year: left, a children’s choir performs outside of Macy’s; Tapestry women’s tap dance ensemble performs. Photos courtesy of Three Rivers Mall

The third annual Festival Festival of Giving 2012 of Giving, a charitable event held at and hosted by Three Rivers Mall, will take place Sunday, December 8th from 6–9 pm. The event helps schools, churches and other non-profit community groups raise needed funds through active ticket selling where the groups keep 100% of the ticket sales. Many non-profit groups can’t afford to hold a gala or major auction, noted mall manager Linda DeLimbo in a press release, and Festival of Giving gives them the opportunity to raise money without the cost of hosting their own event. Festival of Giving is a community gala with local entertainment, cash and prize giveaways, great holiday deals from stores and restaurants and a free Santa photo. In the past two years Festival of Giving has helped more than35 local charities raise funds for their non-profit activities. For information, visit www. threeriversmall.com or call Happy New Year! the Mall Management Offices at 360.577.5218. Three Join the CEDC to participate in the Rivers Mall retailers include

•••

2014 ~

economic health of our region.

The good life, even in winter??

Readers & Writers: Submit your original essay, up to 500 words in length, with reflections on how YOU enjoy the good life around the Columbia River in the winter. We will select several to publish. The writers of published entries will be invited along on a CRR Sunday afternoon Winter Waterfall Tour in January. Everyone on the bus excursion, which includes a box lunch, beverages and prizes, will be part of a story to run in Feb. 2014. Submission deadline: Dec. 31, 2013. Mail to CRR, POBox 1643, Rainier, OR 97048 or Email to publisher@crreader.com. Please note “Winter Essay” in the subject line and include your name and city of residence.

A joint CEDC/Kelso Longview Chamber Economic Summit Photo courtesy of Mr. C’s

HOLIDAY GREETINGS! 360.423.9921 • www.cowlitzedc.com

GET A PLAN. Call me today. Whether you’re just starting to work or have been for years . . . you deserve to retire with dignity.

“Thank You” to our advertisers, readers, contributors, suppliers and friends, for a wonderful year. The publisher/editor and staff wish you all

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Financial Network • Member FINRA/SIPC

Terry Barnes Grambo Financial Advisor

Located in the Historic Monticello Hotel 1405 17th Ave, Suite 208, Longview WA grambot@financialnetwork.com • www.terrybarnesgrambo.com

360-423-1962

Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 17

Let Kent keep you rollin’! 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 98626 Ph: 360-575-8884 • FAX: 360-575-9835

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Watershed’s most popular style. Polyurethane coated on nylon. Very flexible and durable. In stock in green and safety orange. Corded collar jacket (PUJ) and bib overalls (PUO). Per piece $51.50 Green, $57.00 Safety Orange

Super “tough” raingear by NASCO USA made The rigging man’s favorite. Black poly/nylon $72.99 each

Big & tall sizes available in most rain gear— priced slightly higher

SCRUSHER BOOT CLEANER Cleans all boots, shoes and sneakers.Designed for year-round outdoor use. $29.95

Thank you for your business in 2013

Merry Christmas!

Fully stocked parts & service department

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Stop in and pick up your FREE Mini self-stick calendar.

18 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

Limited quantity available

NORTH STAR GLOVE Since 1910 TACOMA, Wash Top: Mighty Champ Leather/ Cotton Glove Easy-on Gauntlet Cuff #1962 S-M-L-XL, $14.75

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Northwest Gardener

Contemporary Poinsettias

Story by Nancy Chennault • Courtesy photos

Trending a holiday icon

Al’s Garden Center and Greenhouses growing range in Hubbard, Ore., shown here just before shipping season begins.

to color well with short days. These oliday poinsettias (poin·set·tia were developed and patented in 1965. or poin-seta) have been the Poinsettia varieties are now superior most recognized botanical to the old “Annette Hegg” cultivars symbol of Christmas since Paul Ecke, that were grown in the mid-80s (photo, Jr. began the promotion of the red below left). bracted plant in 1963. The future of the favorite Christmas In the 1990s, international “flower” was launched See Nancy’s tips breeders perfected the with Paul Ecke Ranch techniques developed in the being the solitary source on “Poinsettia 1920s and began to develop Care,” page 33 of all varieties. new cultivars. Today, the selection each Pacific Northwest holiday season expands to greenhouses grew the Annette Hegg include a multitude of eclectic cultivars because of their tendency choices. However, approximately 75 percent of all poinsettia grown are red. White and pink colors traditionally combined to make up the remainder of Red, White and Pink poinsettias dominate Fessler Nursery the crop. greenhouse space in Woodburn, Oregon.

The young Chennault family (from left: Jim, Jay then 7, Tony, then 9, and Nancy) with crop of Annette Hegg poinsettias in November 1985. Photo by Charles Gay.

It was just a matter of time before horticultural companies joined the fervor of holiday marketing. In 2006, painted poinsettias made their way from Europe to the United States. Dyes were developed that would

Recycling is Our Way of Life

not shorten the life of a white poinsettia and the sparkles and glitter caught the eye of trendsetting decorators. Growers across the country began to paint and Poinsettia Strawberries N Cream, ship the tinted plants that were in high developed by Paul Ecke Ranch. demand. Because there was no limit to the color range, poinsettias could be displayed for autumn holidays and through the New Year (below). Meanwhile, hybridizing of new cultivars of poinsettias continued at a furious pace. The breeders began to take a serious look at plants that may have been cast aside as undesirable because of their speckled bracts and mottled appearance. Unstable genetics create these colors and patterns and advancements in breeding have made it possible to reproduce them (above). T h e N O V E LT Y c a t e g o r y o f poinsettias has pushed the fad of painted poinsettias to the background, according to Craig Yoshida of Ball Horticulture. Now the consumer can enjoy the vibrant colors and unusual patterns without the paint, he said. Novelty poinsettias have replaced painted in the marketplace.

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Using Fantasy Colors, a line of spray dyes from Fred C. Gloeckner & Co. Inc, former sales rep Craig Yoshida created poinsettias for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Longtime local gardener Nancy Chennault and her husband, Jim Chennault, operate The Gardens @ Sandy Bend in Castle Rock. They grow veggies to feed the body and flowers to feed the soul.

Whichever your style, be it traditional or trendy, you will be able to find the perfect poinsettias at local retailers. Pause and take a moment to enjoy their distinctive characteristics, remembering their colorful history. Then choose a few to add to your seasonal décor and enjoy throughout the season. Happy Holidays! •••

Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 19

Local Gift Guide

Dr. Munchie shops CRR territory for special Christmas gifts Story & Photos by Michael O.Perry selection of candy, but also with lots of Christmas decorations and ornaments, along with s p o r t related g i f t s . D r. M bought several boxes of truffles and some U of O beer mugs.

In 2012, we were all worried when Dr. Munchie disappeared from the radar for a couple of months. It turned out he’d gone to Hawaii to visit an old girlfriend. He likes the beach life and now only returns to the Lower Columbia region a few times a year.

ost long-time Reader readers know about Dr. Munchie. He is an unofficial staff member of the publication, having been part of the package when Randy Sanders sold Columbia River Reader to my sister in 2004. While Dr. M has never actually written an article, he has been involved with many columns. I’ve often bought him lunch in order to access his memory for an article I was writing. But, lately he has become more reclusive.

So, I was surprised to get a call from Dr. M in mid-November. He was in Scappoose, inviting me, for the first time ever, to be his guest for lunch. I knew something big was happening! He told me he plans to propose to his lady friend, and had come home to tie up loose ends and do some Christmas shopping.

Next, we went to Grace’s Rivertown Antiques, also in St. Helens. This delightful shop is full of tastefully displayed treasures from the past. They have lots of fresh wreaths, centerpieces, and garlands, too. And, as you would expect, we saw lots of collectibles such as tea settings, fine china, porcelain bells, figurines and vases, decorative tin containers, etc. I had to pry Dr. M out of there – everything he saw brought back memories of his younger days.

Dr. M asked me to take him around to some local businesses that might have unusual gifts for his (hopefully) soonto-be extended family in Hawaii. We hopped into my Mini Cooper and made the rounds. Our first stop was Bertucci’s in St. Helens, a popular shop known for its delicious

We headed for Clatskanie so Dr. M could visit some friends. Since he is a frugal man, we stopped at Discounts & Deals. The store has lots of Christmas ornaments and decorations

This holiday season ...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

give the gift of music

Piano Lessons A great investment in yourself or as a gift Martin E. Kauble Longview, WA

360-423-3072

(www.kaublepianostudio.com)

technique • theory • performance

and lots of attractive bargains, too. At Bag Ladies Yarn Shop, Dr. M revealed he has been a “closet knitter” and was jazzed by the shop’s selection of yarn. They also sell college football-themed handwoven 100% wool bags for $70. The WSU Cougars bag was eye-catching. We went next door to Sporty’s and were both impressed by all the gunrelated merchandise. They had just received a pink AK-47 ($950) that will certainly be on some lady’s wish list. However, my eye was more drawn by the commemorative Lewis & Clark pocket knife, made by Schrade, in an interesting wood box with an attractive Lewis & Clark medallion ($75). Maybe Santa will bring me one. Before leaving Clatskanie, we stopped at Flowers & Fluff (Dr. M needed some coffee). and perused the nice selection of wines, along with a lot of Christmas ornaments and decorations and a good selection of necklaces, knit scarves and hats. Cowlitz River Rigging in Longview, has log splitters, pressure washers, chain saws, leaf blowers, weed eaters, etc., as you might expect, but they also stock an impressive selection of outdoor clothing and boots. I noticed several books about logging in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Brix Logging Story In The Woods of Washington and Oregon was tempting; any retired logger would love that book. McThreads Wearable Ar t Boutique (on Broadway) offers one-of-a-kind fashions, cards and jewelry made by nine local artists. The selection of lace tops and openknit sweaters was beautiful. cont page 34

20 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

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Open House Dec 6th • 3-7pm

Rod Murray, Principal Broker 503-936-5294

Holiday Spirits • Appetizers Coffee, Cake & Punch

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wishing you the merriest of holidays! black friday gift with purchase

11/29 | 7am - 9am | center court redemption station receive a holiday goody bag with mall receipts of $75 or more dated 11/29/13. while supplies last.

santa’s arrival

11/29 | 11am | food court entrance meet & greet santa. special treats and surprises

“uh oh here comes christmas” 11/29, 11/30 & 12/7 | 1pm | center court performances by rising star productions

you have been good all year. time to shop.

holiday storybook readings

11/30 | 2pm | christmas elves & 12/14 & 12/22 | 1pm | christmas elves hot cocoa and cookies served. sponsored by kelso public library

holiday storybook readings

a simple wish princess | 12/7 | 1pm | near kelso library hot cocoa and cookies served. sponsored by kelso public library

festival of giving

12/8 | 6pm - 9pm | mall wide. purchase a ticket to support local charieties and treat yourself to a free santa photo, opportunity for a chance to win $4000 in gift cards, store prizes and one time store discounts. 100% of proceeds benefit local non-profits. all events subject to change without notice.

Over 40 specialty shops & eateries including macy’s & jcpenney. (360) 577-5218 threeriversmall.com |

THR-3212-A97D-AD1 10x6-125 CRR HOLIDAY AD.indd 1

10/23/132013 12:01 PM Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, / 21

Holiday Celebrations

Community parades, lights & Christmas festivities Tree Lighting at the Kelso Train Depot Fri, Dec. 6, 6pm. Activities and prizes for children, pictures with Santa. 501 S. First St., Kelso, Wash. Downtown Longview Parade & Tree Lighting Sat., Dec. 7. 5pm parade along Commerce and Broadway, ending at R.A.Long Park on the Civic Circle (in front of Monticello Hotel). Rainier Tree Lighting Celebration Sunday, Dec. 8, 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. Register your home or business for the Festival of Lights decorating contest at City Hall by Dec. 12.

Castle Rock Festival of Lights • Dec 14 • Starts at 4pm Throughout December, the glow coming from north Cowlitz County could only be the 4th Annual Castle Rock Festival of Lights. Buildings along the revitalized downtown streets will be outlined with hundreds of strings of miniature lights. Area businesses, including those “uptown” on the east side of I-5 are competing for “Best Decorated” storefront. Lamp posts and trees are decked out in red and white. Students and volunteers created more than 100 baskets of greenery and cedar garlands; businesssponsored planters and pots, decorated by volunteers, are bursting with colorful ribbons and bows. The community celebration is Saturday, Dec. 14, with free photos of kids with Santa 4pm, parade at 5pm, followed by tree lighting, but activities and contests take place all month long. See details on the Castle Rock Festival of Lights Facebook page or pick up a schedule at local businesses. For information on business participation or to volunteer, contact Stephanie Misner at 360-601-5054.

Christmas tree: courtesy photo; Top photo by Dave Vorse.

RESTAURANT & WINE CLUB

The Bistro

Make your Holiday party reservations now! The Bistro can accommodate groups with up to 100 guests. Email Trina at thebistrobuzz.com for details. We will be open New Year’s Eve from 5–9pm. Limited seating available. Call 360-442-4150 for reservations. Love is in the air this February! Join us for Saint Valentine’s dinner Friday, February 14th and Saturday, February 15th. Special menu, live music and complimentary Champagne or sparkling cider. 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

22 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

OUT • AND • ABOUT

Christmas Ships on the Columbia E

Festival of Nativities

very year, spectators delight in watching the Christmas Ship Parade on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in Portland, Oregon, and nearby points.

Fri,–Sun, Dec. 6-8 • 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.

Both fleets, averaging 55–60 boats total, will be out every night (except Dec. 9) beginning Nov. 30 through December 21. The fleet will do a special performance in Camas, Washington, on Dec. 1st. Christmas Ships is a nonprofit organization and the fleet is all volunteer; not all the boats make it out every night.

Journey to Bethlehem

The parade is possible by the donations made by Hotels and restaurants along the route donate to help pay for the event insurance. Skippers pay their own fuel costs and receives no money from the donations.

Dec 6-9 Thurs, Friday 6-9pm, Sat, Sunday 5-9pm. Doors open 30 minutes early. Seventh Day Adventist Church, 77 Solomon Rd, Lexington (2.3 miles north of Kelso on West Side Highway) Free admission. Info: journeyadventist.com

Saturday, Dec. 7 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.

Southwest Washington Symphony Christmas Concerts

Sat, Dec 21, 7pm and Sun, Dec 22, 3pm. Longview Community Church 2323 Washington Way, Longview, Wash. Free admission. Free will offering for charities.

Castle Rock

• Naselle 101

Chinook

Cathlamet 4

101

Pacific Ocean

WestportPuget Island FERRYk

Astoria

Birkenfeld

Ape Cave •

Longview Kelso

Clatskanie

Cougar •

Kalama

Rainier

Woodland

503

•Yacolt Vernonia

Oregon

Outdoor viewing locations: •Coon Island [boat access only] •McCuddy’s Landing, Scappoose (formerly Brown’s Landing) •Hadley’s Landing, Sauvie Island •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 •••

VISITORS CENTERS FREE Maps • Brochures Directions • Information

Mount St. Helens

Skamokawa

• Grays River

Warrenton •

Seaside

Washington 504

Long Beach

Columbia River

Photos courtesy of Christmas Ships, Inc.

Winlock

Ocean Park •

Ilwaco

Restaurant along the route Mark’s on the Channel 34326 Johnson’s Landing Rd Scappoose, OR • 503-543-8765

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.

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

Oysterville •

Sunday, Dec. 8 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.

• Kelso Visitors Center I-5 Exit 39 105 N. Minor Road, Kelso • 360-577-8058 • Castle Rock Exhibit Hall I-5 Exit 48 or 49 Follow signs to 147 Front Ave NW. 360-274-6603 • Woodland Tourist Center I-5 Exit 21 Park & Ride lot, 900 Goerig St., 360-225-9552 • Wahkiakum Chamber 102 Main St, Local in Cathlamet • 360-795-9996 for Points o mation • Appelo Archives Center 1056 SR 4 f In Recreat terest Naselle, WA. 360-484-7103. Special ion • Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau Dinin Events 3914 Pacific Way (corner Hwy 101/Hwy 103) Arts & Eg ~ Lodging ntertain Long Beach, WA. 360-642-2400 • 800-451-2542 ment • South Columbia County Chamber Columbia Blvd/Hwy 30, St. Helens, OR • 503-397-0685 • Seaside, OR 989 Broadway 503-738-3097 or 888-306-2326 • Astoria-Warrenton Chamber/Ore Welcome Ctr 111 W. Marine Dr., Astoria 503-325-6311 or 800-875-6807

Goldendale

Maryhill Museum

St Helens • Ridgefield Vancouver Scappoose

rnelius NW Co ad o R s s a P

To: Salem Silverton Eugene Ashland

Portland

Stevenson Bonneville Dam

Hood River Cascade Locks Bridge of the Gods

The Dalles

To: Walla Walla Kennewick, WA Lewiston, ID

Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 23

OUT • AND • ABOUT

Holding down the Fort in Vancouver Story & Photos by Erin Hart

y favorite thing about my 3rd grade field trip to Fort Vancouver was getting to buy a tube of brightlycolored seed beads in the “Indian Trading House.” I also remember feeling it was very strange to drive up to a log-walled fort just after driving through downtown Vancouver – as though I were visiting some sort of Northwest history theme park built to entertain school kids because we didn’t have anything to equate all that history on the east coast. My adult eyes, however, were pleasantly surprised to discover a different level of historical interest on our recent visit to Fort Vancouver. Originally the base of the area’s commercial fur-trading enterprise operated by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 1800s, the National Park Service reconstructed the Fort buildings in 1948 to “preserve the historical features of the area for the benefit of the people of the United States.”

Stories of living here In recent years, the Park Service has cooperated with archaeology programs at area universities to perform digs on the site, which have further informed the realities of life at the Fort through the decades. Not only do the exhibits tell the stories of the lives of the various

s e sh

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$20 1203-14th • Longview Mon–Fri 11–3 • Mon–Sat 4:30–9 • Closed Sundays 24 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

Scarlet and Ruby Hart with Fova, the cat.

inhabitants through time, but the rangers and volunteer guides took great pains to tell us the stories of those who lived there. One particular guide regaled us with stories of Dr. John McLoughlin (the Fort’s first Factor) and his family life as she showed us through the main residence. Although she seemed deeply concerned that my children would duck under the guard ropes – making me wonder how often that happened on her other tours – she had great stories about the daily life at the Fort, and how men and women ate in separate rooms, maintaining social structures in inconvenient ways, even at what was considered “the end of the earth” at that time. The reconstructed Fort bakery used to make large batches of hardtack sea biscuits (also known as

Pilot Bread – you can read about my passionate love for this hiking food in the May 2013 CRR) even had an exhibit of an ancient piece of hardtack… which looked unsurprisingly just as appetizing as a fresh piece. Getting out of the house The Park Service seems to have taken special pains with the Blacksmith’s shop, even keeping a working blacksmith on site during park hours. My girls were fascinated with the female blacksmith, who fired the bellows for my daughters’ thrills, then showed them the various pieces of jewelry she had made and fired herself. While the original blacksmiths focused on nails and farming equipment (all on display in the shop), she told us how she was currently working up the ladder of blacksmithing knowledge in pursuit of her own passion – proving once again that sometimes the best part of getting out of the house is the fascinating people you meet. My girls ran full-tilt across the open, windy parade ground, not as interested in reading all of the signs – but their interest was piqued by displays that we found in the Counting House describing the lives of various children who lived on the Fort in different time

periods. They were also simultaneously terrified and pleased by the open-riser wooden staircase that led up to the top of the fort’s bastion, from which we could see the buildings of downtown Vancouver. They were also deeply concerned about all those pelts that we were allowed to touch in the fur warehouse. We heard the following questions over and over again: Are they real? Did this hurt them? and Why did they do this? If your child is already veering towards vegetarianism, this might not be the building for them. For my girls, the star of the Fort Vancouver experience was “Fova.” Named for the abbreviation given to the park by the NPS, Fova is a very vocal and friendly cat that lives on the park grounds – an “honorary ranger.” Of course, my daughters wondered if perhaps Fova’s distant kitty relations belonged to the children that once inhabited the Fort. (I wondered what he thought of all the pelts in the fur warehouse.) Home as history After leaving the Fort, it’s just a few minutes away to enjoy a Wilbur burger and view of the rolling Columbia from the McMenamin’s restaurant on the waterfront. On the chilly day we visited, I was grateful for my Gore-Tex coat, car heater and lack of need for a beaver-fur hat – as well as the simple pleasure of a fried egg on my burger. I pondered the view that Fort residents must have had of this river, and wondered if they ever spent time thinking of the future children that would find their home to be a piece of history. •••

Costumed interpreter welcomes guests into the Indian Trade Shop NPS Photo Experience live theater and take a lantern-lit journey with a Park Ranger. Peek into the past with costumed interpreters performing historical vignettes of a night at Fort Vancouver. Learn about your urban national park then and now while walking through the Fort’s buildings. Finish your evening by sharing a cup of hot cider with the talented costume interpreters and park rangers!

IF YOU GO

Check out the Fort Vancouver website for info on their hours of operation: http:// www.nps.gov/fova Plan ahead: Sign up for one of the Fort’s famous “Lantern Tours” – an opportunity to tour the Fort by lantern-light with park rangers and “costumed interpreters” giving you historical insight. The following dates are available for the tours: Dec 7th & 21st, Jan 4th & 18th, and Feb 1st & 16th. Call ahead for reservations at 360-816-6230. Cost is $10 for ages 16 and over, $7 for ages 15 and under. Not recommended for children under 10. Getting there: From I-5, take the Mill Plain Blvd exit (Exit 1-C) and head east. Turn south onto Fort Vancouver Way. At the traffic circle, go east on Evergreen Blvd and follow signs to the Fort Vancouver Visitor Center. The reconstructed fort site is south of the visitor center; follow the park road that connects the visitor center parking lot to the fort parking lot. Great Eats: I always take the opportunity to eat at McMenamins when one is nearby. Enjoy the beautiful river views in close proximity to the Fort at McMenamin’s on the Columbia, 1801 S.E. Columbia River Dr.

Erin Hart and her daughters enjoy exploring local attractions. They live in Longview with their daddy/husband Seth Hart.

Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 25

RAZOR CLAMMING

OUT • AND • ABOUT Story by Ron Baldwin • Photos by Sandy Cox

“They’re not gonna dig Themselves!”

mong my earliest memories is one of my father rousing the whole family at 3am from our West Longview home for a trip to Beard’s Hollow, on Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula, in search of Siliqua patula, or the razor clam.

the beaches. Commercial harvests on Washington’s coastal beaches were stopped in 1968 except for what are called “The Spits,” near the mouth of Willapa Bay, while both Oregon and Alaska maintain commercial harvests.

“Come on, get up, they’re not gonna dig themselves.” My brother and I would wipe the sleep from our eyes, get more or less dressed, and pile into the family car loaded with various shovels, nets, burlap sacks and the picnic basket, along with the Mom, Buford the dog and any stray cousin or friend/ hanger-on currently in residence. Off we’d go into the dark of night down Ocean Beach Highway, arriving at the beach before sunrise, bleary eyed, cranky, but instantly awake when we felt the brisk, salty air. Usually Dad would dig out in the surf with my teenaged brother while Mom and I and the dog trod the dry sand. We were looking for the dimples that, with great effort and complaining on my part, would yield a mangled mass of protoplasm with shell fragments attached that I’d display to Mom as a clam. The limit then was 24.

Sport harvest In Oregon, with the construction of the Astoria and South Coast Railroad from Young’s Bay to Seaside in 1890, razor clam digging for sport became popular with wealthy visitors to

Razor clams are just one of the Photo courtesy of Bob’s Sporting Goods. many delicacies of the inter-tidal century. Rules and seasons for areas of the west coast of North commercial harvest began in the America. They range from Alaska’s 1920s with Washington’s license Bering Sea beaches in the North, fee a whopping $1. “Sport” through most of British Columba, harvest was really insignificant to Pismo Beach, California, in the in comparison until rail and Scenes from the Pacific coast during a clam season. South. This is a huge range for a single roads brought hungry visitors to species. Size varies from an average of 4 inches in Oregon and Washington to as much as 11 inches in Alaska. Life Mixers • Lottery & Cigarettes • Drive a little...Save a lot! span averages 5-7 years. History Subsistence harvests of these tasty bivalves began in the foggy past. Native Americans, whose “middens,” or shell refuse piles, are dated back well over 1,000 years, dug them with a stick cut from the Pacific Yew tree. The commercial harvest began near Oregon’s Clatsop beaches in the 1890s with a cannery at the mouth of the Skipanon River. In 1896, the Long Beach (then called North Beach) Peninsula became a major producer. By 1906, one Washington company alone harvested more than 350,000 pounds. One can easily see that the commercial harvest could easily follow that of the native oyster whose number was decimated by the 20th

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the Clatsop beaches. Hotel owners established outfitting and cleaning stations and in 1896 the little line was joined with the Astoria and Columbia River Railroad from Portland. Soon this route became known as the “Daddy Train,” bringing wealthy businessmen to Seaside and Clatsop beaches, where their families summered to escape the heat, and returning them to their labors on Sunday evening. In Washington, the famous “Clamshell Railroad” served the same purpose, bringing visitors to Seaview, Long Beach, and Ocean Park. Razor clamming for sport really took off with the construction of major roads along both banks of the Columbia River in the teens and twenties, connecting the populated central valleys with the coast. Now average families could easily travel to the beaches. During the Great Depression, subsistence clamming returned to the beaches and many who were children of the time remember “having clams for breakfast, lunch and dinner.” Today, thousands of sport diggers swarm the beaches of Oregon and Washington. The NIX bacteria scare of the 1980s and Demoic Acid scares of the 1990s are largely gone and clamming is popular again, with clams regaining near historical populations. Washington and Oregon laws and dig days vary. Oregon maintains an open season excluding only July 15 to Sept. 30 north of Tillamook Head. cont page 27

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26 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

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Clamming

OUT • AND • ABOUT cont from page 26

Washington’s seasons are set by the Department of Fish and Wildlife according to current population and conditions testing. Announcements are made on WDFW websites and are made available to the media, with licenses available through vendors throughout both states. Equipment Razor clams are harvested by two methods: Old hands and commercial diggers prefer the traditional narrow shovel, while others prefer the “clam gun” (where’s the trigger on this thing?) or suction tube, developed in the 1950s for extracting clams from the sand. A net bag or a plastic bucket to hold the catch is necessary and boots or waders are recommended to protect against the possibility of being drenched by the cold Pacific breakers (no guarantee). One thing everyone should have is a tide book. All equipment and advice is available in most area sporting goods outlets. Method Diggers begin by finding the clam’s “show,” or suction hole, and either inserting the “gun” in the sand over it — pulling upward mightily until they can release the suction and a round portion of sand dislodges, hopefully

containing the clam — or digging wildly and then inserting the entire arm into the sand while the next wave renders them wet, cold, and annoyed but again, hopefully, with clam in hand. Like many endeavors, experience can yield an easier, dryer, result and going with an experienced friend/relative can be of considerable value.

IF YOU GO

Outlook The outlook for razor clamming looks bright for The author and Mac The Wonder Dog on a the future with Washington beach. populations on the rise and disease and parasites on the wane. The North Pacific, being an ever-changing, cold and windswept horizon, can change rapidly, however. One thing you can be sure of: If the season is open, the wind is less than hurricane force and breakers are considerably less than 20 feet, you can find me on the beach, in my “secret spot.”

Where to dig: In Washington, the beaches of the Long Beach Peninsula, the Twin Harbors area south of Gray’s Harbor, Copalis and Mocrocks north of Gray’s Harbor, and Kalaloch, north of the Quinault Indian Resevation. In Oregon, the beaches lying between Clatsop Spit in the North and Tillamook Head in the South produce 95% of Oregon’s Razors. This includes Cannon Beach, Seaside, Gearhart, and Ft. Stevens. When to dig: Lowest tides after Sept. 30 occur afternoon. Spring and summer tides are lowest in the morning, so seasons are structured to coincide. Washington seasons are determined by the WDFW and are announced each month prior to low tides. Information is released to media outlets, the best way to find information is online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/ fishing/shellfish/razorclams/ All diggers over the age of 15 are required to have a valid license ($13.00 resident/$20.70 non-resident) available from vendors or through the WDFW at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov Oregon harvest is open year round, all hours on beaches north of Tillamook Head. A license ($7.00 resident/ $20.50 non-resident) is required for all diggers over 14. Licenses are available at http://www.dfw.state. or.us/resources/licenses_regs/ or from vendors. Harvest in both states is prohibited from July 15 to Sept. 30.

Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 27

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MONDAY Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes & gravy and green beans.

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Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve party at Rutherglen Watching the movie “The Great Gatsby” is like looking into your grandmother’s jewelry box…beautiful, gorgeous pieces that sparkle for days, said local actor Ashley Stevens. Stageworks Northwest is creating its own “jewerly box” by throwing a prohibition-era party right here in Longview, she said. Gentlemen, don your bowties, dust off your tux; and ladies, buckle your T-straps and pick out your favorite shade of lipstick. Dress to the nines and drive your Model A to Rutherglen Mansion for New Year’s Eve.

If you go:

Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party Rutherglen Mansion 420 Rutherglen Rd., Longview Costumes required for entry. $35 per person. Tickets available by phone. RSVP to the Mansion, 360-425-5816.

Familiar local talent will perform jazz music of the era. And don’t leave your wallet and purse at home. Photographer Amanda Wilson will be snapping photos with fun props and poses, for purchase. An opulent table centerpiece, compliments of Wendy at Teague’s Interiors, will be auctioned off at evening’s end. The Mansion opens at 5pm for those who wish to dine before the event. The party officially begins at 9pm. Following a midnight champagne toast, dancing continues into the New Year, until 1am, when an award for best costume will be presented. A limited menu and a no-host bar will be available throughout the evening. Tuna Christmas Before Christmas, Stageworks Northwest presents the ever-popular “Tuna Christmas,” December 6 through the 29th; Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Ticket price: $12. Tickets can be purchased at the box office on Commerce Avenue (one hour prior to show time), or online at www.stageworksnorthwest.org. See ad, page 22.

‘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.

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

28 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

Holiday Foods

MAN IN THE KITCHEN By Paul Thompson

hen traveling to interesting places, we often bring home new ideas that enrich our lives. I find myself wanting to recreate special recipes from my dining experiences afar. On my recent visit to Paris, I met Marthe Brohan through a Market Tour/ French Cooking Class, in which we prepared our dinner in her kitchen. The group met at her apartment and were soon walking the paths of the amazing, expansive local fresh outdoor market, looking for dinner ingredients. A former restaurtaeur, Marthe was acquainted with many of the vendors, raising our expectations that she knew her craft, as well. Soon we were back in her kitchen, washing, peeling and slicing veggies while she cut up the guinea hens, small, young chickens about 2 lbs. each. Most whole chickens in our markets weigh 4 to 5 lbs. Together, we also prepared a surprisingly good salad featuring zucchini, a vegetable that’s never been near the top of my “desire to eat” list. After cutting the ends off the small zucchini, we peeled them in broad stripes, leaving about half the peel behind. Using a mandolin, we sliced the zucchini into nickel-size thicknesses, ready for the additional ingredients. This “French Zucchini” is a tasty dish I’ll prepare again. It would be a perfect addition to our holiday tables. Joyeuses fêtes, mes amis.

Zucchini with Lemon Serves 6–8 2 lbs. small zucchini 20 cherry tomatoes, halved 4 oz. pine nuts 2 Tbl. fresh basil, chopped 2 Tbl fresh mint, chopped 7 Tbl extra virgin olive oil 2 Tbl. lemon juice 15 whole black olives Sea salt Freshly ground black pepper Wash and peel the zucchini, leaving strips of peel for “striped” effect. Slice very thinly (about 1/8-inch) with a “mandoline.” In a large bowl, combine lemon juice and olive oil with salt, pepper and all the herbs. Add zucchini and let stand in a cool place for 2 hours, mixing every 30 min. Heat pine nuts in a frying pan until golden brown. Add toasted pine nuts to the zucchini (after the 2 hours), toss gently and serve with French bread and cheese on the side for a complete meal. Don’t forget the French wine! Paul Thompson lives in Longview. He has written for CRR since its first issue, April 2004.

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Northwest Medical Analytic Laboratory Earns Praise Like many local physicians, Dr. Patrick M. Lassen of Longview Urology relies on Northwest Medical Analytic Laboratory to provide quick, accurate test results for his patients.

“Northwest Medical just makes able to get the testing completed and the everything so convenient,” Lassen said. results back to me within hours.”

Patrick Lassen, MD

Northwest Medical Analytic Laboratory Pacific Surgical Institute 625 9th Avenue, Suite 210 Longview, WA 98632 360.442.7931

In addition to handling referrals from physicians, NMAL also accepts patients without a referral or an appointment for thyroid, PSA, testosterone, cholesterol, ProTime, iron, rubella, STD, “Rapid turnaround is also extremely mononucleosis, blood sugar, Hepatitis C important,” Lassen said. “Patients don’t and pregnancy testing. want to have to wait days or weeks for Northwest Medical Analytic Laboratory their results. Because Northwest Medical accepts Medicare payment and virtually is right here in the community, they’re every major insurance carrier. He’s been especially impressed by the clarity and detail of the diagnoses provided by NMAL and appreciates the fact that a pathologist is always available if he has questions.

Northwest Medical Analytic Lab is a subsidiary of Lower Columbia Pathologists.

30 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

Main Laboratory 720 14th Avenue Longview, WA 98632 360.425.7915

Holiday Nostaglia

Santa’s elves, hard at work

Once the rookie, bike shop owner recalls holiday rush in an earlier era

By Mark Plotkin Lead Elf, Canyonview Cyclery

hings have changed now and “the good old days” are behind us. Bicycles now are shipped to regional distribution centers and come to shops by truck, not train. Consumers and technology have changed. Bicycles now are more often a birthday or graduation present and family electronics more typically the “big gift” under the Christmas tree. But I had the pleasure of being part of an era when Santa’s elves worked late into the night getting the presents ready for Christmas delivery. In 1979, I worked my first Christmas at a full service Schwinn bicycle shop, Mission Cyclery, in Mission Vallejo, California. Schwinn bicycles were made in Chicago during this period and were shipped to dealers twice a year. The bicycles were ordered by the train carload and shipped in September for the Christmas season. All in a day’s work I arrived at the shop at 7am one morning and was surprised to see a

large trailer behind my boss’s pickup truck. Off we went to the Dana Point train depot. We pulled in and right in front of us was a single train car. There was a crew from two other shops waiting for us. The door opened and I could not believe my eyes: the car was completely full of bicycle boxes from floor to ceiling. From Rookie to the top of the heap I was the rookie, so everyone egged me on to climb up four rows of bike boxes to start sending down the ones from the fifth. Once I got the first two out and down, I could climb into the “hole” and push all the bikes out to the waiting crews. We unloaded more than five hundred bicycles in an hour. Mission Cyclery was the largest shop, so most of them went to our warehouse. Over the next few weeks, all these bicycles needed to be assembled and stored for Christmas. I remember times when we sold more than 20 bikes a day and did not get any assembled, even with four or five people working. I kept thinking, “How we are going to get all the bikes put together if we sell more in a day than we build or even could build?” The next week, I was introduced to overtime and “bike build nights” after the shop closed. Some days we would close at 6pm and work until midnight assembling the bicycles. One of our mainstays back Mark Plotkin has worked in, managed or owned bike shops for most of the past 35 years, except for a few years when he worked in tourism. He fell in love with bikes around the age of 5 or 6, when he received a bike for his birthday. At age 15, he rode from Oregon to Virginia in the Bike Centennial, completing the ride in 62 days and as the youngest event participant riding unaccompanied by parents. Today, he owns and operates Canyonview Cyclery in Longview.

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then was the Schwinn Varsity. I got to the point where I was one of the fastest and best assemblers at the shop, able to do a Varsity assembly with handle bar wrap in 24 minutes. Mission Cyclery’s warehouse was about a half-mile from the shop and we were back and forth several times a day. Bikes in boxes were brought to the shop and returned, assembled. Hundreds of assembled bikes were lined up, ready for Christmas. When we had sold the bicycles and put them on layaway, we explained that we had bikes in storage and people had to lock in a firm date to pick up the bike. The week before Christmas we went back and forth getting almost 100 bikes ready for each day’s pickups. By mid-day on December 24th, all the bikes were picked up and ready to go under the tree (so to speak). I had been part of a huge organized effort to bring in 500 bicycles and sell, assemble, and deliver them. While it seemed like chaos at times, the shop had been through this many times before and the owner knew it would all work out. But for me, the rookie, it was quite an eye opener. Even the memory is still exciting. Times have changed, but the holidays still bring joy and anticipation. Whatever surprises you find under your tree, have a Merry Christmas. •••

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360-431-6946 Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 31

Live Music Scene around the River To learn which band is playing when and where, go online or call the restaurant or bar

Outings & Events

STAGEWORKS NORTHWEST

Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party At Rutherglen Mansion

Dec. 31 • 9pm–1am • $35 Music, Dancing, Stageworks performers, Photos & More. COSTUME REQUIRED Space is limited. For reservations, call The Mansion, 360-425-5816.

The Bistro 1329 Commerce Ave, Longview 360-425-2837 • Music Thurs 6–9; Fridays 6–10, Sats 6–9 thebistrobuzz.com

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 Wed 5-7 pm Winetasting Buffet $20 Mark’s on the Channel 34326 Johnson Landing Rd Scappoose, OR 503-543-8765 Live music on Saturday nights. marksonthechannel.com Monticello Hotel 23 Club 1405 17th Avenue, Longview 360-425-9900 ”The Original Monticello” Karaoke every Thursday Weekend Music 9 pm–1 am Fireside Lounge

Broadway Galler y Artists co-op. Nov: Dennie Simpson (paintings), Carol Boudreau (watercolors), Leslee Burt and Chris Warren (handwoven baskets), Vicki Brigden (jewelry and wearable fiber). Dec: Jason Berlin (paintings), Carolyn Williams (sculpture). Mon-Sat 10-5:30. 1418 Commerce, Longview, Wash. 360-577-0544. Broderick Galler y Local, regional and international art. Tues-Sat, 10am–5pm or by appointment. 1416 Commerce, Longview, Wash. Info: 503-703-5188. www. broderickgallery.com Koth Gallery Through Nov 30: McClelland Photography Winners; Dec 2–Jan 3 Christmas Quilt Show. Mon, Tues, Thurs 10–8, Wed 10–5, Fri 10–6, Sat 12–5. Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana, Longview, Wash. 360-442-5300.

The Birk Pub & Eatery 11139 Hwy 202, Birkenfeld, Ore 503-755-2722 • thebirk.com Cassava 1333 Broadway, Longview FIRST FRIDAY Dec 6, 8pm • Free • All ages Kurt Lindsay with Jeff Hamilton of Taming Cerebellum

Performing & Fine Arts Music, Art, Theatre, Literary

AUXILIARY

We’re ing ais Fundr ith W AVAILABLE AT Columbia River Reader’s office 1333 - 14th Ave. Longview, Wash. Mon-Wed-Fri • 11- 3pm Info: 360-261-0658 Custom order by

Dec 9 for delivery by Dec 13. For more info on community tree lightings, holiday parades, nativity &musical festivites, and Christmas Ships on the Columbia See page 22

Porky’s Public House 561 Industrial Way, Longview 360-636-1616 facebook.com/pages/Porkys-CafeLounge/11041404898298

To learn when and where your favorite performer or band is playing check these websites: Raeann raeannphillips.com phillipspettitr@facebook.com Avi avimuzo.com avimuzo@facebook.com

To list your music venue here, call Ned Piper, 360-749-2632 32 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

Bullshot Crummond A parady of 1930s B-grade detective movies by LCC Center Stage. Nov 29,30; Dec 5-7. Lower Columbia College Rose Center for the Arts, 15th Ave and Washington Way, Longview, Tickets at LCC Bookstore or at the door. $8 general, $7 seniors or non-LCC students. A Tuna Christmas Dec 6–29. Fri-Sat, 7:30pm; Sundays 2pm. Longview Theatre. Presented by Stageworks Northwest.Tickets $12. See ad, page 22. LCC Gallery at the Rose Center Voyage to Haida Gwaii through Dec 6 . Dec 9: Student Pottery Sale. Gallery hours: Mon-Tues 10-6, Wed-Thurs 10-4. Lower Columbia College, 15th & Washington Way, Longview, Wash. 360-442-2510. Lower Columbia College Symphonic Band Concert Fri, Dec 6, 7:30pm Rose Center for the Performing Arts, Wollenberg Auditorium, Lower Columbia College, 15th Ave & Washington Way, Longview, Wash. Tickets at LCC bookstore or at the door. $8 general audience, $7 seniors 55 and over, under 16 free. Eileen Iversa’ An Nollaig - An Irish Christmas Sun, Dec 8 at 7pm. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash. Tickets: $31.50, $41.50. 360-575-8499.

Jazz Night Tues Dec 10, 7:30pm An evening of classic and big band music, Rose Center for the Performing Arts, Lower Columbia College, 15th & Washington Way, Longview, Wash. Tickets $8 general admission, $7 seniors 55 and over, under 16 free, at LCC bookstore or at the door. Ringing in the Holidays LCC Choir, Fri Dec 13 7:30pm. Rose Center for the Performing Arts, Lower Columbia College, 15th & Washington Way, Longview, Wash. Tickets $8 general audience, $7 seniors 55 and over, under 16 free at LCC bookstore. The Nutcracker by Evergreen Dance Center Fri, Dec 13 and Sat, Dec 14 at 7pm. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash. Tickets $20. Celtic Connections Free public workshop with Craicmore, performers of traditional contemporary Celtic music. 11am Sat., Dec. 14. For students, musicians, history buffs and music lovers. Clatskanie Mid-High School, Clatskanie. See next listing. Craicmore Yuletide Celebration Saturday, Dec 14, 7:30pm. Clatskanie Mid-High School, Clatskanie, Ore. Tickets at the door. Sponsored by Clatskanie Arts Commission. Info clatskaniearts.org. See ad, page 33. Big Horn Brass Holiday Concert Sat, Dec 14, 3pm. LifePoint Church, 305 NE 192nd Ave, Vancouver, Wash. Tickets $25 general admission, $10 students. S o u t h we s t Wa s h i n g t o n S y m p h o ny Christmas Concerts Sat, Dec 21, 7pm and Sun, Dec 22 3pm. Longview Community Church, 2323 Washington Way, Longview, Wash. Free will offering for charities. The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge Thurs Dec 19, Sun Dec 22 at 7:30pm. The Columbia Theatre and Lovestreet Playhouse team up to present this sequel to Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash. Tickets $16.50, $21.50, 360-575-8499. First Thursday Downtown Longview Dec. 5, Jan. 2. See listings,page 33. First Friday Downtown Longview At Cassava (see music listing at left, this page).

Outings & Events

Poinsettia Care

Recreation, Outdoors, Gardening Pets, Self-Help, Living History Winter Artisan Faire Dec 5-6, 10–5, Cassava, 14th and Broadway, Longview, Wash. Handmade Dog Christmas stockings with dog cookies for $2 will benefit The Humane Society. Donations of cat or kitten food and new or usable towels will also be accepted for the Humane Society. Info: Kevlyn, 360431-9802. Christmas in Paris Longview Junior Service League’s Festival of Trees. Free public viewing Dec 5: Seniors 1-3 pm, general public 5-7 pm, Cowlitz Expo Center, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, Wash. Ticketed gala event Dec. 6, info www.longviewjuniorserviceleague.com. 18th Annual Starving Artists Faire Dec 6–8. Fri 7–10pm, Sat, 10am–6pm, Sun, 11am–4pm. Saint Mary’s Star of the Sea Auditorium, 1411 Grand Street Astoria (just up from Downtown...watch for signs). Music, refreshments, arts & crafts for sale. Donation at the door of two cans of food for the Clatsop County Food Bank or St. Vincent De Paul Food Bank along with a $2 suggested contribution for Astor Street Opry Company. Winter Festival Open House Sat Dec 7 10am–4pm. Cowlitz County Museum. Hours Tues-Sat, 10 am–4 pm. 405 Allen St, Kelso, Wash. Call 360-577-3119 for more info. Columbia River Handbells Christmas concert. Sunday, Dec 8, 3pm. St Stephen’s Church, 1428 22nd Ave., Longview, Wash. Freewill offering.

Santa’s Workshop For Kids Tues and Thurs, Dec 10, 12, 17 and 19, 3:30-5pm. Each child can make 3-4 gifts. Cost: $20 per class, $70 for all classes, $17 per child if more than one from a family. The Broadway Gallery, 1418 Commerce, Longview, Wash. Call 360-5770544 for info. Jingle All the Way 5K Sat, Dec 14, 5pm. 5K Run/Walk at Commerce & Broadway, downtown Longview, Wash. Cost $25 w/ shirt, $20 no shirt. $65 family of 4 w/shirts. Registration deadline: Fri, Nov 29 (to get shirt); without shirt available through day of the race. Packet pick-up, Fri, Dec 13, 10am–5pm at the Merk building, Commerce & Broadway. Info: www. kelsolongviewchamber.org. The Rudolph Run Kids Event Fri, Dec 14, 4pm. Backwards run sponsored by the Sandbaggers at Commerce & Broadway, Longview, Wash. Free for kids 9 and under. No registration required. Zumba Gold Jan 6–Feb 27. Dance-based fitness class blending American, Latin and international rhythms, for beginners/older adults. 9–10am or 5–6pm. $60 per session of 12 classes, held at Kalama Community Bldg. Register at Kalama City Hall, 320 N. First St., Kalama or online, www.cityofkalama. com/applications.htm. Info: 360-673-4561.

Gingerbread Haus Contest Put on your thinking cap and apron! Gather your “spatial” friends and edible home décor materials. The Longview Downtown Partners are coordinating this year’s Gingerbread Haus Contest and the time is approaching! Entry forms are available at Kristi’s Custom Cakes or online at longviewdowntowners.org. Completed entry forms are due by Mon., Dec. 2nd and can be dropped off at Kristi’s Custom Cakes or mailed to the address on the form. For display and judging, all creations must be presented at The Merk building on Commerce between 10 am and 12 Noon Saturday, Dec. 7th. Cash prizes will be awarded.

www.clatskaniearts.org

At Donavon Wooley Performing Arts Center, Clatskanie Mid/ High School • 471 BelAir Dr, Clatskanie, Ore • For general info call Elsa at 503-728-3403

by “NW Gardener” see related article, page 19

FIRST THURSDAY

Downtown Longview (and Cowlitz County Museum)

Dec. 5 and Jan 2 Broadway Gallery Artists reception, 5:30-7:30 pm. Music by Dave Mongeau 1418 Commerce www.the-broadway-gallery.com Broderick Gallery Artists reception 5–8 pm 1416 Commerce www.broderickgallery.com Koth Gallery Longview Public Library Open until 8 pm 1600 Louisiana Street Longview Outdoor Gallery New sculptures now installed, 1200-1300 blocks, Commerce Ave. Free guided tour by LOG board member, 6pm; meet at Broadway Gallery. Cowlitz County Museum “New Collections,” Jan. 2. 7 pm. 405 Allen St, Kelso, Wash.

HOW TO PUBLICIZE YOUR EVENTS 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 to: Columbia River Reader 1333-14th Ave Longview, WA 98632 M-W-F • 11–3 or use mail slot Deadline: Submissions received by the 25th of each month will be considered for inclusion in Outings & Events listings in the next issue (published the 15th of the month), subject to timing, general relevance to readers, and space limitations.

Can I get my poinsettia to bloom again? Only with optimum conditions. The plant must experience the gradually decreasing day length beginning in early September. At the same time it needs high light during the day and consistent night temperatures of 65 degrees. Fertility is important during this period, with molybdenum being a key nutritional component. Are poinsettias poisonous? No. Poinsettias aren’t toxic but they are inedible. The white milky sap is irritating to the skin and can burn if it gets into the eyes. Eating a poinsettia bract may cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, an uncomfortable experience but not deadly to either people or pets. How do I keep my poinsettia looking great all through the holiday season? Poinsettias grown and shipped from nearby Northwest growers should be fresh and vigorous when they reach the retailer’s shelf. Being confined in a closed space, such as a climate controlled truck, for too many hours causes exposure to heightened levels of ethane gas, resulting in loss of lower leaves. Avoid buying plants wrapped in a paper or cellophane sleeve covering all but the colorful bracts. Choose plants with full flower buds in the center of clean, bright bracts that are free of bruises and holes. Do not leave in a cold car while you continue shopping. Transport your poinsettia directly home from the garden store and place it where it will be protected from extreme heat or drafts of cold air. Strong indirect light is best, but office lighting is usually sufficient for the duration of the holidays. If it is placed in a “pot cover” or wrapped in decorative foil, remove this or cut some drainage holes so the wrapping does not hold moisture. Water only when dry and make sure no water remains in the bottom of the drain tray, basket or pot after about 30 minutes. Do not water again until it is dry. No fertilizer is necessary. Temperatures in the mid-60s are ideal to maintain bright color.

Rutherglen Mansion Call for holiday schedule

A Celtic Yuletide Celebration

Sponsored by Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce, Columbia County Cultural Coalition and Oregon Cultural Trust

• Wednesday Wine Tasting • Sunday Brunch Buffet • Fine Family Dining Stageworks Northwest Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party Dec 31, 9pm–1am. No-Host Bar, prizes, costumes required. $35 per person. Call for reservations. See story, page 28.

Saturday, Dec.14 7:30 pm

TICKETS $15 Adults • Sr/Student $12 Children $8

Casually elegant dining

Your Headquarters for special occasions! themansion@rutherglenmansion.com

Hours: Sunday • 10am – 3pm Wed – Sat • 5pm ‘til . . . 360-425-5816

420 Rutherglen Rd • Longview, WA • Off Ocean Beach Hwy at 38th Avenue

Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 33

Dr. Munchie’s Shopping Trip cont from page 20

Banda’s Flowers & Gifts recently moved to a larger store on Commerce accommodating a wide selection of flowers, gifts, and collectibles, along with lots of nooks and crannies full of Christmas décor to explore. Don’t miss the food section with all the jams, sauces, bread mixes, pasta, candy, etc. The garden corner was Dr. M’s favorite, but I was intrigued by the 1987 Thomas collector’s edition AM-FM console radio with cassette tape player for just $25. Next door to Banda’s is the Broadway Gallery where you’ll find quilts, scarves and hats, along with pottery, jewelry, and paintings.

Local Gift Guide

Dr. Munchie wanted to get some craft beers and wine before returning to Hawaii (I think he will be drinking them before takeoff). So, we stopped at Longview’s Hop ‘N’ Grape where you can find more than 800 varieties of beer and 700 wines. The store also sells beer and wine making supplies. Sophisticated cork removers ($35 to $60), wine aerators, and fancy glass stoppers caught Dr. M’s eye. Jansen’s Flowers is always a delight to visit during Christmas. They have a huge display of Department 56 Dickens and Snow Village buildings, and now Dept. 56 is making blown glass nutcracker ornaments. Dr. Munchie just had to have the Dept.

56 ceramic replica of Cousin Eddie’s motor home from the movie, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

the list goes on forever. If it is related to hunting or fishing, you will find it at Bob’s!

Dog Zone’s huge variety of dog leashes — in different colors, lengths, and materials — come with several types of hand holds to make it easy to control Bowser. You’ll find toys, anxiety wraps, and even booster seats for the car, plus lots of stocking stuffers for dogs.

We stopped at Canyonview Cyclery to see their modern version of the old Penny-farthing bicycle. Bikes have sure come a long way from the 1940s era fat tire Schwinn’s Dr. M and I learned to ride on. A great gift for a cyclist would be a flashing red LED tail light ($39) or LED head light ($50 to $150); they all have MUCH longer battery life than the older types of lights. The headlight’s brightness can range from 100 to 1,000 lumens, allowing a bicyclist to actually see the road at night.

Swanson’s Bark has a good selection of gnomes and fairy garden accessories, birdfeeders and many wind chimes – the large Music of the Spheres chimes are quite nice, and made in America.

Both Dr. M and I were surprised at the variety of gifts that can be purchased locally. Before heading to the malls in Portland (or online), I encourage you to spend a few hours looking at what your local merchants have in their stores.Buying locally makes good sense.

Bo b ’s i s tru l y an outdoorsman’s paradise. Fishing poles and supplies, depth finders, archery, firearms, gun safes, clam guns, snowshoes, tents, walkie-talkies, freeze-dried food, duck decoys, clothes, boots, maps, gun safes...

Happy shopping! •••

Gifts Collectibles Home Décor Northwest Gourmet Foods

One-stop shopping

for Christmas gifts, décor & centerpieces 1414 Commerce Avenue • Longview, Washington www.BandasBouquets.com • 360-577-3824 • M-Sat 10–5:30 A low-cost loan from Fibre Federal will have you whistling a new tune this holiday season. Apply for yours today. Then deck the halls, trim the tree and stuff the stockings without a bunch of high-rate bills in the new year.

Dress up your home for the holidays 3,000 sq ft of Antiques

#1 in Columbia County Antiques 2012

GREAT GIFTS! 10%–20% off selected items.

*Annual Percentage Rate available through 12/31/13. Subject to credit approval. Existing FFCU loans are not eligible for refinancing with this special offer.

315 Strand • Olde Towne St. Helens

Grace’s Rivertown Antiques ~ on the Columbia River Banking made easy 34 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

Open Tues–Sat 11–5 • Sun 12–4

503-397-0798

COLUMBIA RIVER

Clatskanie

dining guide

Clatskanie Drive-in 150 SE Truehaak Indoor & outdoor seating Fabulous fast food. M-Sat 11am –8pm, Sun 12–6pm New ownership. 503-728-3702. See ad, page 40.

Goble Tavern 70255 Columbia River Hwy. (Milepost 31, Hwy. 30) Food, beer & wine + full bar, Live music. 503-556-4090 See ad page 7.

Flowers ‘n’ Fluff Coffee Shop 45 E. Columbia River Hwy Wine Tasting, Dinner & Live Music Fridays 5–8:30pm. Unforgettable scones, On-the-go breakfast & lunch. Coffee Shop M-F 5:30am– 6:30pm; Sat 7am–6pm; Sun 8am–6pm. 503-728-4222 See ad, page 22

Luigi’s Pizza 117 East 1st Street, Rainier 503-556-4213 Pizza, spaghetti, burgers, beer & wine. See ad, page 7.

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 Conestoga Pub Cornerstone Café 102 East “A” Street Microbrews, wines & spirits Prime rib Friday & Sat. 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.

Alston Pub & Grub

25196 Alston Rd., Rainier 503-556-4213 11 beers on tsp, cocktails. Open daily 11am. 503-556-9753 See ad, page 7.

Castle Rock Links on the Corner Ginger’s Restaurant (located in the Monticello Hotel), Longview Traditional breakfast, lunch & dinner – homestyle Sunday dinners. Full bar (‘23 Club). 360-425-9900. See ad page 4.

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

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

Longview Cassava

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

Country Folks Deli 1329 Commerce Ave., Longview. Opens at 10 for lunch. 360-4252837

The Bistro Restaurant & Wine Club

1329 Commerce Ave., Longview (alley entrance). Fine dining, happy hour specials. wine tastings. Wed-Sat opens 5pm. See ad page 22.

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 36.

Karaoke. 503-556-8323. Evergreen Pub & Café 115-117 East 1st Street Burgers, halibut, prime rib, full bar. 503-556-9935 See ad, page 7.

Scappoose

JT’s 1203 14th Ave, Longview Fine dining, Happy Hour. Full bar. Specials, fresh NW cuisine. 360-577-0717. See ad page 24.

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 18.

Rutherglen Mansion 420 Rutherglen Rd. (off Ocean Beach Hwy. at 38th Ave.), Longview Open for dinner Tues – Sat, Wednesday wine tasting, Sunday brunch. Full bar. 360-425-5816. See ad page 33

Bob Paul’s Café

4858 West Side Hwy 5am–8pm, 7 days Fresh soup daily. Burgers, deli, chicken,clam chowder on Fridays breakfast, pizza. Daily lunch & dinner specials. 360-274-8262 See ad, page 28. Parker’s Restaurant & Brewery 1300 Mt. St. Helens Way Exit 49 off I-5. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Home of the Rockin’ Burgers, handcut steak; seafood and pasta. Restaurant 8am–9pm (‘til 10pm Fri & Sat); Lounge 11am– midnight. 360-967-2333

Fultano’s Pizza 51511 SE 2nd. Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more! “Best pizza around!” M–Th, Sat11am–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. 503-543-3017

St. Helens

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

Bertucci’s

2017 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens Mon–Fri 9–5; Sat 10–4. Breakfast sandwiches, deli sandwiches, espresso, chocolates. 503-366-9602. See ad, page 20. 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

Mark’s on the Channel floating restaurant. 34326 Johnson Landing Rd. McCutty’s Marina, South Scappoose. 503-543-8765. Live music Sat nights. Full bar. See ad, page 4.

Woodland

The Oak Tree 1020 Atlantic Ave., Woodland. New ownership. Full lunch, breakfast and dinner menu. Fresh from scratch cooking. Great happy hour menu. Sun-Th 7am–10pm, Fri-Sat 7am-11pm. 360-841-8567

1140 15th Ave., Longview, Wash. American food, meat and potatoes. Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Senior menu. Recently opened. Hours: Wed-Sun, 7am–8pm 360-636-6181

To advertise in Columbia River Dining Guide call 360-749-2632. Dine out when you can ... It’s sociable, it supports our local economy and you might run into Prof. Epicurious or even Dr. Munchie!

Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 35

Holiday Respite Stays

We’ll Care for Your Loved One At Our Premier Senior Living Communities

RESERVE NOW FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Koelsch Senior Communities welcomes your loved one to stay with us in one of our comfortable, caring communities. We provide an apartment and access to all amenities and services offered to our full-time residents. Many guests describe their stay as “home-away-from-home.”

We will work around your schedule!

24 HOUR ON-SITE LICENSED NURSING Call today to schedule a private tour. Canterbury Inn, Assisted Living • (360) 425-7947 Delaware Plaza, Assisted Living • (360) 423-3333 SENIOR COMMUNITIES Canterbury Gardens, Memory Care • (360) 423-2200 S E R V I N G S E N I O R S S I N C E 1 9 5 8 www.koelschseniorcommunities.com

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Hop N Grape Holiday Respite, Columbia River Reader, 1/4 page 4.875 x 6.125” November 2013

Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner 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

21 & Older

360.577.1541 • 924 15th Ave • Longview WA 36 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

Let the People Drink Wine

Fab Five

This year’s top Randy Sanders on wine & the Oregon and good life Washington Story & photo by Randy Sanders wines

ists are popular. Everyone loves a good list. There’s David Letterman’s “Top Ten,” Billboard’s “Top 40 Countdown,” People Magazine’s “Most Beautiful People,” and the “FBI Most Wanted.” All of them would certainly make the “Most Popular List” list, but what about the “Fab Five” list? Ever hear of it? No, not those English pop invaders of the 60’s, that’s Fab Four; I’m talking wine here. Fab Five is the list of Oregon and Washington’s top five wines of the year and it’s a list that you’ll find right here in the Columbia River Reader.

earned 88 points at the Ultimate Wine Challenge meaning “very good” wine that is a “strong recommendation.”

All year long I have to taste a lot of wine, and I mean a lot, just so I can bring you great wines that are balanced with affordability so once the holiday season rolls around you’ll have some great Northwest wines on your holiday table. Like the old saying goes, it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. These fine wines are not in any special order; they are all number one.

Nestled between the Cascade and S i s k i y o u mountains where a lush, fertile soil meets the hilly terrain t h a t ’s v i t a l for drainage, you’ll find Del Rio Vineyards. This Cabernet has earned numerous awards from the West Coast Wine Competitions.

Mercer Sharp Sisters 2010 • $19.99 Mercer Estate, Prosser, Washington 509.786.2097 mercerwine.com twitter@MercerEstates The Mercer family has maintained this fourth generation working farm in the Horse Haven Hills in Washington state since 1886. In 1972, Don and Linda Mercer planted their first vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on land that was then referred to as Block One. Now it’s called Champoux Vineyard. This highly regarded vineyard has grown grapes for wines that have received 100 points four times from famous wine critic Robert Parker. In 2005, Mercer created and offered their very first Mercer Cabernet label and in 2007 their own production facility was built on their farm. Sharp Sisters blends 50% Merlot, 34% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot into a fun, tasty bordeauxstyle that’s great for the weekends when you’re cooking for friends. It’s

Tasting notes: A chunky-cherry and chocolate nose, with a mouthful of dark, concentrated flavors that stay awhile. Food: A flexible wine you may enjoy with steak, gourmet burgers, pasta or salmon. Del Rio Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 • $28.00 Lindsay Cellars, Rogue Valley, Ore. delriovineyards.com

Tasting notes: Nose of Blackberry, blueberry, oak-earthy leather and cedar. A mouth full of big, balanced, juicyjammy flavor that’s smoky and earthy. Food: Pairs well with fine cuts of steak and beef. After dinner enjoy another glass with your favorite cigar. Barbara 2008 • $25.00 Locati Cellars, Walla Walla, Wash. locaticellars.com Bronze medal 2012 SF Chronicle Wine Competition, Silver medal 2012 Finger Lakes Intl’ Wine Competition, Bronze medal 2012 Tri-Cities Wine Fest, 85 points 2012 Wine Enthusiast Magazine. A wine that has some of the same characteristics I found in the great Italian Barberas I fondly remember sipping in the street cafes of Milano. Tasting notes: A common, ruby-red grape of NW Italy, it’s a dial-down from a bold Cabernet. It’s harmonic and fruity on the nose. Just like its big brother, the Italian Piedmonte nose is plum-plush, deep purple, marion-blueblackberry and a mouth with a hint of Torrino chocolate. cont page 41

Armchair Travel

Where do you read

THE READER?

Oh, Canada!

Longview residents Sharon and son Avery Herbert in Saltcoats, Saskatchewan, Canada, where her mother lives.

Good little soldiers

London & Victoria Cornelissen, whose mother, Amanda (Compte) Cornelissen, is originally from the Longview area, graduating from Castle Rock High School in 2003. Theirs is a military family currently stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

WHERE DO YOU READ THE READER?

Race for the Cure

Edith Uthman with the Reader at the start of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “Shelly’s Angels” is the name her team for the Race in honor of Edith’s niece, Shelly, who has breast cancer.

Send a photo showing where YOU read the Reader (highresolution JPEG, 2 MB max) to Publisher@ CRReader.com. Include name and city of residence. Thank you for your participation and patience. Keep those photos coming!

Let them eat cake

Longview resident Vince Penta at Versailles, France, on a day trip during his recent trip to Paris. Photo by Karen Penta.

May your Holidays sparkle

s ’ e i r Vale

inc.

DIAMOND LADY CONCIERGE DIAMOND BROKER

Small world

Longview residents Paul and Nancy Roesch in front of the Celsus Library, at Ephesus,Turkey, on 9/17/13. Surprisingly, the couple they asked to take the photo — Tom and Nancy Adams, of Seattle — are longtime friends of Longview residents Paul and Sue Batzle, unbeknownst to the Roesches when they asked.

It’s Time for a Fall Service Checkup

Superior Air Conditioning, Heating and Service Since 1946 360 501 6700

vdiamondlady.com

1329 Broadway ~ Suite 208 ~Longview

EntekHVAC.com

1-800-633-1354

LICENSED, BONDED, INSURED WA:entek*893we/OR:ccb*4902

Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 37

Winter Travel

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 arizona burros providers Dr. Homayoun Saraf Rebecca L. Becker, MD, ABIM

Vlad Bogin, MD, ABIM

Women’s Health/Gynecology David B. Kirkpatrick, PA-C

and

Leanne Williams, MSN, ARNP

Charles Houchin

Adult Registered Nurse Practitioner

Turn your back on the rain Winter getaway offers burros, tasty food, warm temps

Story and photos by Chuck Wyckoff

ave you ever said to yourself, “this winter I think I will go south and get out of the rain?” Maybe this is your year to make it happen. Imagine the Colorado River, fresh rain-free air, wildlife uncommon to the Northwest, golf, fine dining, and unbelievable sunsets.

Parker Dam, California, is one such winter vacation spot. Temperatures are fairly predictable (71 degrees or so to start…high 80s by mid- to lateMarch), a welcome break from 34 degrees and sideways rain. cont page 39

Merry Christmas Devin Hanson, BS-MEDEX, PA-C

Physician Assistant Internal Medicine

Karen L. Joiner MSN, ARNP Adult Registered Nurse Practitioner

Extended clinic hours: Elena Olsen, MD

Mon-Fri, 8am to 8pm Sat, 9am to 1pm Sun, Noon to 4pm

360-423-9580 1706 Washington Way, Longview Bev Search, RN, FNP, MA

ON THE CIVIC CENTER

www.kirkpatrickfamilycare.com

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

and Happy New Year from Our Family to Yours

Carol Sayles, MSN, ARNP

Adult Registered Nurse Practitioner

We Accept Most Insurance Plans

• American Board of Pediatric Surgery • Diabetic Foot Care • ingrown Toenails • Heel & Arch Pain Mark Rawson, DPM, Podiatrist

• Foot Surgery • Fungal Conditions

BOTH BUSINESSES UNDER SAME OWNERSHIP 38 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

360-577-7200

Burros

cont from page 38

Consider RV resort (Big Bend) operated by the Colorado River Association, one of numerous RV Parks on the Colorado River below Parker Dam. Look at the river, the mountains, and the desert all at once. The view is always wonderful, in almost any direction. The local wild burros, a weekends-only desert bar, golf and good dining are among the local attractions. Driving south via many paths, getting closer and closer to Big Bend, look

forward to seeing the wild burros, which run wild across the desert ‘most any time of day or night. Fortunately, the burro needs water only once a day and usually they come to water near dark but not always. The burros tend to spend the night close to the river. Miners brought these magnificent critters to the area when mining was popular from the mid-1860s to late1960s. Cute, skittish and cautious The miners’ remains (rusty cans, glass bottles, etc.) lie up and down the river, including their helper friends, the burros. The local burros love hard candy. It is suggested that you not feed them. Oh well, let your conscience be your guide. The young burros are cute, skittish, and cautious. We have had these beautiful hay burners rub against our trailer during the night. Just smile and roll over. Damage will not be easy to find.

Photos: Opposite page, Chuck and Vicki Wyckoff gently approach normallyskittish burros. The “church” structure in Parker is made entriely from steel planks welded together. The view from Pirates Bay Marina; Lola’s, a new-on-the-scene eatery serving excellent Southwestern dishes.

Mine shafts are everywhere if you are willing to hike. Some are open, some are shut tightly. One might enjoy entering a mine, and then imagine why the miner did what he did. One will find crystal-like features on cont page 40

Holiday Greetings from Earth‘n’Sun!

LOPI-AVALON Pellet Stoves & Inserts HARMAN Wood Stoves & Inserts QUADRA FIRE FIRE PLACE Gas Stoves & Inserts XTRORDINAIR Chimneys & Accessories High Quality Pellet Fuel Unique Gifts • Fun Things! • Cake Candles

GREEN MOUNTAIN Pellet Grills

503-556-3580

Open Mon – Sat • 222 West B Street • Rainier, Oregon Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 39

Burros

cont from page 39

the walls and ceilings of most of the shafts. It is easy to see what drove the miner to dig. If you like golf, Emerald Canyon Golf Course offers all aspects of the game in the most spectacular manner possible. Emerald Canyon is about six miles north of Parker, Arizona, and straddles Highway 95 North. The greens are awesome and the variety of challenge is “parfect” (haha). Each hole offers unbelievable contrast, from lush green fairways and greens to the true desert landscape and the Colorado River. Make plans about a week ahead for a great tee time, and your wallet will not be severely damaged (about $70). Emerald Canyon offers off peak deals too.

to the scene on the north end of the Parker Strip and serves absolutely fabulous food. For dinner, enjoy Pirates Den, located on the strip in Parker. The eatery has Longview native Chuck Wyckoff and his wife, Vickie Wyckoff, have enjoyed four winters in the Parker area and are adding new memories each year. The couple — both R.A.Long High School graduates, now live in Westport, Washington.He is pictured here digging clams not far from his home.

Is it an oasis? Near Emerald Canyon Golf Course is the exit from asphalt to five miles of dusty, bumpy gravel roads ending at the Desert Bar (Nellie E. Saloon). The drive is truly worth it, the place is open only on weekends, parking attendants are needed because of the popularity. Stalls are laid out, traffic director employees point out your stall, and let the fun begin.

Handy & Strack Clatskanie Mini Storage 503-728-2051 503-369-6503

might be wrong. Be assured that the rattlesnakes of the region are soundly sleeping till April. More imformation on the Desert Bar, Emerald Canyon Golf, and other attractions in the Parker, Arizona, area can be found online. •••

Clatskanie’s favorite spot to grab a bite on the go!

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Fabulouosd! Fast Fo

503-728-3815

150 SE Truehaak on Hwy 30 • Clatskanie, OR

Daily 10am–7pm Sun 11am–6pm

Season’s Greetings

from Nancy and Gloria!

We extend wishes for a Healthy, Happy New Year! SHOP CLATSKANIE FOR ALL YOUR YARN & FRAMING NEEDS

Parker Arizona, the nearest metropolis, offers up good eats, including Lola’s, a mo dest breakfast and lunch diner serving southwest dishes of unbelievable quality. Lola’s is new

The Bag Ladies Yarn Shop

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40 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

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but the backpack itself was the yellow and black hiking pack I used in my first European backpacking trip, just last winter.

By Perry Piper Traveling light

Thankfully, this was the final night of our trip, so the losses weren’t nearly as bad as if this had happened on the first night. Still in a frantic state from the train, we parked half our group with the luggage and went to find the polizei (police).

Informer

Reflections from Frankfurt

itting on the final train ride home, all you want to do is kick off your storm boots, put your bags away, kick back and enjoy a nice bag of Belgian chocolates. Enjoying the lovely scenery as it whizzes by is a relaxing victory lap of a trip well executed. Aside from a few early hiccups, no travelers in your party got lost, injured or had a bad time. Reflecting on how much you love travelling and being in this new place across the pond, you realize that the final stop is about five minutes out. Rising from your seat, the joy leaks from your very being, like a punctured tire. Doing a triple take from where your backpack was, up and down the aisle and the floor around you, a slow boil begins, telling you something is

very wrong. Compounded by the need to find your bag and get off the train within 60 seconds before it departs, your party members are equally confused and frantically asking other passengers if they’ve seen the bag. Violated Stepping down to the platform should have felt like coming home. Instead, I felt as if I’d been pickpocketed by a date after an enjoyable evening. The backpack wasn’t JUST a backpack. It contained my allotment for the entire trip: clothing, electronics, international chargers, maps, shoes and, most importantly, my toiletries and post-orthodontics dental retainer! I’m not one for sentimental attachment to objects,

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After filling out lengthy paperwork for the official crime report, we checked into the hotel and got some rest before the flight home the following morning. What lessons can I offer those who travel to Western Europe? There seem to be low to zero levels of violent crimes, but you should always keep an eye on your luggage. You hear this your whole life, but just think how easy it would be to steal a bag from a train or a plane when you’re exiting! I recommend putting your bags in the luggage container a bit in front of you so that you can keep an eye on them the whole time. My backpack was stolen about two feet directly above my head and I didn’t even notice it! On the bright side DB Bahn’s lost and found agent later notified me that my bag was found the same day, but (surprise! surprise!) my iPad was missing. I’d wager it was a KIND thief who realized we were travelers, but just wanted the highest value item. What’s funny is that the iPad was running iOS 7, had a password lock and I remotely locked it via iCloud a few days later, so all they really stole was the raw parts. The device was completely useless and couldn’t be “hacked” into. And thanks to my wonderful German friend, Constanze (the daughter of Gottfried “Ike” Eichler, see story page 46), my pack is in the mail and I saved the $100 the local bank wanted me to pay JUST to transfer my money, in addition to the $84 dollars for shipping back to Longview from Germany. Safe travels to all, and happy holidays! ••• Perry Piper lives in Longview and works at CRR as photographer/graphic designer and also as a technical consultant. He serves on the Southwest Washington Symphony Board of Directors.

Randy’s Top 5 cont from page 36

Food: Red meats and wild game. Sangiovese Grosso • $45.00 Cana’s Feast • Carlton, Oregon 503-852-0002 A unique wine that incorporates Italy, Washington and Oregon. The grapes are cloned from the Brunello di Montalcino wines of Tuscany in Italy, then planted in the Red Mountain region of Eastern Washington. Once they have produced fruit, the grapes are brought to their tiny wine facility in Carlton where the process continues. The Brunello di Montalcino vineyard is considered the most ideal vineyard in all of Europe for growing these particular grapes. You are paying a little more than usual for this wine, but you are literally tasting a piece of the Tuscan wine legend in each bottle. Tasting notes: The nose includes a multi-layered dimension of red berries, plum, blackberry along with light hints of violet and vanilla and finishing with a bold aroma of tobacco leaf, coca bean and coffee. The mouth enjoys a velvety texture, tightlygrained tannins and a big, bold finish that lingers. Food: Incredible with stews, game and aged cheeses. Pinot Noir 2011 • $25.00 Evening Land • Dundee, Oregon 503-538-4110 eveninglandvineyards.com A very sophisticated winemaker who boasts locations in Oregon, Burgundy, France, and soon, California. Pinot has become the most important grape grown in Oregon, as well as one of the most difficult. Evening Land has excelled here in the Pacific Northwest, largely due to their vast experience and success in France. This wine has earned 92 points in Wine Spectator. Tasting notes: You’ll experience a fruity, arid, Iris nose that’s zesty with the complexity of blueberry cobbler, rosemary, spices, and cherries. Normally, a true Pinot is a lighter bodied wine but what makes this one so exceptional is its even more delicate-than-usual feel in the mouth. Its smooth, rustic, herbal, clove taste has a nice long range. Food: Great with creamy sauces, fondue, fish and lamb. ••• Randy Sanders is the founder and original publisher of Columbia River Reader. A drummer by profession, he loves music, photography, travel and, of course, wine. He lives in Yankton, a suburb of St. Helens, Oregon.

Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 41

Holiday Foods

Reader Holiday Recipes cont from page 13

Chas Dean’s Wassail Makes 4 quarts; recipe may be doubled 4 cups freshly pressed apple cider 1 cup orange juice 2 pints heavy (winter) ale* 3 cups Port* 4 small apples (peeled and cored) 2 lemons

Combine cardamom, cloves and ginger in a small piece of cheesecloth, and tie closed with twine to form a spice packet. (A tea ball or tea bag may also be used).

1 tsp. ground cardamom 1 tsp. nutmeg 3 small or 1-1/2 large cinnamon sticks 15 whole cloves 1 tsp. grated fresh ginger 4 Tbl. brown sugar 1 Tbl. butter (cold)

In a large stockpot (or crockpot) combine apple cider, orange juice, (plus ale, Port/rum, wine as desired), and the juice of one lemon.

* 2 pints Sherry or Madeira wine and 1 cup rum are often substituted (for

Place cinnamon and nutmeg directly into liquids and stir to infuse nutmeg. Submerge spice packet in stockpot.

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Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Simmer on medium/high (but never boiling) for two hours until hot spices are thoroughly infused and apples have begun to dissolve.

Pack 1 Tbl. of brown sugar and ¼ Tbl. butter into the core of each apple. Place apples in a small baking dish and fill dish with ½-inch of water (to keep apples from burning or sticking to bottom).

Remove spice packet and decant into “Wassail Bowl,” if not using stockpot or crockpot as your Wassail Bowl. Be prepared to reheat until the Wassail Bowl is empty.

When oven is pre-heated bake apples uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until tender and soft, but not mushy. Drain water. Quarter each baked apple (or divide into eighths depending on number of guests).

Garnish the Wassail Bowl by floating thin slices of the remaining lemon on top.

Back to Basics: Recycling 101

Let’s break it down

Longview accepts only clean items Recycling Rule of Thumb: When in doubt — throw it out!

Acceptable Items • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Paper recyclables juice boxes MUST BE CLEAN. milk cartons Remove food, plastic phone books liners or Styrofoam newspaper and inserts packaging from paperboard egg cartons inside the boxes. household paperboard boxes hardback and paperback books Please remove the paper towel and toilet tissue tubes hard cover from junk mail (even window envelopes) hardback books. mail order catalogs and other magazines greeting cards and gift wrapping (no foil) shredded paper (please place a paper bag) CLEAN and EMPTY food and snack boxes

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Stir apples into stockpot (they’ll ultimately float on top and begin to soften, fall apart and add a creamy quality to the liquid.

Serve in small mugs with a sizable piece of apple in each mug. ••• more recipes, page 43

Mixed Paper Review Next month:

Items Not Acceptable Contaminated containers or boxes such as Styrofoam plastic cups, pizza boxes, paper towels, tissues, paper plates and cups, tinfoil type gift wrapping.

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42 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

Holiday Foods

Reader Holiday Recipes cont from page 42

From Debi Borgstrom, Rainier, Ore: Christmas Eve Bomboysies, also known as “Oliebollen,” was also a special treat on New Years Eve, and Queen’s Day in the Netherlands. This recipe comes from my ancesters in northwestern Germany who lived in a town called East Friesland, bordering Holland. Every Christmas Eve we all would want to help make this treat. We could not wait for the end results. This is a memory we all treasure and to this day, we make them.

Bomboysies 2-1/2 cups milk 2 cups raisins 2 pkgs. yeast 1/2 cup candied citrus 1 tsp. sugar 1 cup pared & diced apples 2/3 cup sugar Zest of 1 orange 8 eggs Zest of 1 lemon 1 tsp. salt 6 cups flour 1/4 cup butter Vegetable oil

to dissolve. Let sit 10 minutes. In a very large bowl, mix sugar, salt and flour. Make well in center of mixture. Add well beaten eggs, butter and yeast mixture; stir well. Add raisins, fruit, zests and apples. Cover and let sit until size doubles (approximately 1 hour). Drop dough by tablespoonful (flattened slightly if desired) into hot oil at 350 degrees for about 3 minutes. Drain

on paper, While still warm, shake in a paper bag or covered dish with sugar and cinnamon mixture as you like. Eat while warm. Serves 18, making about 60. •••

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44 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

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Movies

Early winter flick reviews; December release previews

By Dr. Bob Blackwood

lfonso Cuarón’s “Gravity” (MPAA: PG13) with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney—as astronauts with a problem— was the best thriller I’ve seen this year. “Gravity” is also a stretch for Bullock from the comedies she has been doing lately. It would be hard to imagine any other actor doing a better job as an astronaut with the whole world watching her but only herself and the voices from mission command to help her. Clooney is definitely in a backup role in this film, but, as always, he makes his character credible and, in this film, quite likeable and memorable, as well. Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are astronauts in outer space with a big problem in “Gravity.” Photo: Warner Bros.

The director of cinematography, Emmanuel Lubezki, and the production designer, Andy Nicholson, will probably be up for an award for their creative work. I know this film was not shot in outer space, but it would be challenging to prove it to the viewers. Cuarón and Mark Sanger did the editing and kept it tight—about 90 minutes, but 90 minutes that you won’t forget. Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” (MPAA: R) This is a tribute to a true story written by Solomon Northrup (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor), a cultured African-American freeman and violinist who was abducted in Washington, DC, and sold down the river (literally) in the 1850s. The best advice he received was from another slave: Keep your mouth shut and don’t let “them” know you can read.

This is a harsh, realistic film. The “n” word is used often; the brutality is a fact of life and of the times. The atmosphere of fear, distrust, and betrayal surrounding whites and African-Americans was a fact of life. The whip was not a metaphor; it was used often in the film. In a one-hour TV program on the film, the AfricanAmerican director, McQueen, said he thought individuals should be 15 years of age before seeing the film. In later discussion, he suggested 13 years if parent(s) were present. The cast—Ejiofor, Paul Giamatti (as a slaver), Michael Fassbender as Edwin Epps (an in-depth study of a psychotic personality), Lupita Nyong’o was Patsey (young, beautiful, and attacked in every sense of the term), and Alfre Woodard as Mistress Shaw (an African-American woman who has beaten the system)— has a surprise appearance of Brad Pitt as a Canadian architect/ contractor with abolitionist sympathies. The real Solomon Northrup was reunited with his family, wrote a best-seller and spent the rest of his life fighting slavery. The facts of his death are lost in history, apparently due to the abolitionist struggle. I believe the film will be nominated for an Oscar. December Previews: I have seen the trailers, but not these films, though some were screened at film festivals. I will see them all.

From left: Sherpa guides and Ben Stiller, star of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”Photo: Wilson Webb for 20th Century Fox.

David O. Russell, director of “Silver Linings Playbook,” brings us the crime drama “American Hustle” (no MPAA rating as of Nov. 11) opens around Dec. 18. Jennifer Lawrence has top billing as the acerbic,

C h i w e t e l E j i o f o r ’s N o r t h u p i s o p p r e s s e d b y Michael Fassbender’s Epps in “12 Years a Slave.” Photo: Francois Duhamel for Fox Searchlight Pictures.

beautiful wife of Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), conman. Bradley Cooper is a wildcard FBI agent using Rosenfeld to capture a New Jersey political sleazeball, Carmine Polito, played by Jeremy Renner. Joining Rosenfeld is his girlfriend and a slick operator, Sydney Prosser, played by Amy Adams. Ethan and Joel Coen give us both drama and music in “Inside Llewyn Davis” (MPAA: R) which opens around Dec. 20. Oscar Isaac (Davis) is a young musician roaming through Greenwich Village’s folk music scene in 1961. Davis finds a partner named Jim (Justin Timberlake). Carey Mulligan plays Jim’s girl-friend. John Goodman adds humor as a junkie jazz musician. It has some laughs, some satire, and a lot of the Coen Brothers’ best. Ben Stiller’s “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (MPAA: PG) opens on Christmas Day. Based on James Thurber’s humorous story, which was the roots for this film and the 1947 Danny Kaye version, Mitty (played by Stiller) is a daydreamer who dreams of high adventure while working in an office where Kristen Wiig is his love interest. The cinematography by Stuart Dryburgh received high praise after the New York Film Festival. Let’s see how well Stiller can direct comedy; I’d like a laugh on Christmas Day! ••• Dr. Bob Blackwood lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He taught English and film at Wright College (Chicago) with Paul “Man in the Kitchen” Thompson, who taught speech & drama. Both are now retired.

Terry Tack Memoir cont from page 15

morning, the chaos of paper and ribbon, everyone chattering (sometimes yelling) at once. But somewhere in all that over the years, I decided I would, in addition to “stuff,” attempt to give something of myself that would outlast a gadget. Ring the gong of imagination Thus came the quest to establish a presence extending beyond meat and bones, something that would ring the gong of imagination or fantasy, muse or memory. Memoirs are generally written by those of us who know we are closing in our last chapter and have been fortunate enough to dodge most of the fatal dangers and duck the bullets of life that have been launched in our direction. I set out with the intention of writing a quick vignette to give our grandkids a peek into the past and know me as more than a name or a photograph. When I finished the first of the Christmas stories (thinking it would be the only) and wrapped it up, I had sweat bullets, quite frankly. My last attempt at creative writing had been in college and that was no doggone fun and I was not very good at it. On this project, however, I put into practice many of the lessons I learned in class at Kelso High. Remember Miss Hopkins? Sometimes loved. Often revered. Always feared. She taught creative writing, bouncing around class with her fat-heeled, high heeled black shoes, animated, with hands on her hips when she was not waving a finger, her stenciled eyebrows arched high, making sometimes harsh, sometimes complimentary, always valuable, some memorable comments about our work. I was nervous, writing decades later. But the first Christmas story led to the next and then another and then another. Interestingly, each story seemed to have more than a memory. Most had a tweak of a moral, a whisper of a lesson for the next generation. Thankfully, memories of my own failures and faults have kept the moralizing to a minimum. I’ve written recollections of being raised on our farm, the Columbus Day storm, the backpacks into the Cascades, hunting trips to Wyoming and Idaho, the test drive of a BMW that led to crash into a swamp (I’m not kidding), the death of a service pal. Tough times and great times, but all decent fodder for storytelling. So maybe it is not all for them Maybe some of it is for me, but it is a great time of year to dig through the dust in the memory closets and turn it into print. Try it. Your kids and grandkids and maybe even more generations will love it and will certainly appreciate it, down the road. •••

Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition • November-December, 2013 / 45

the spectator by ned piper

Closing the loop, dissolving years

ixty years ago, a bright young German student expressed a desire to experience a year in America. To accomplish his goal, Gottfried Eichler submitted an application to the American Field Service, an organization dedicated to sending students from around the world to other countries for a year abroad. At the same time, Em and Jane Piper of Longview, asked their three children if they would like to host a foreign

exchange student. My sister, Janey, brother Perry and I were excited by the possibility. My parents contacted the American Field Service and the wheels were set in motion. We were pleased with Gottfried’s command of the English language. He was clean cut, had a keen sense of humor and a robust laugh to back it up. My little brother had difficulty saying his name, so he nicknamed him “Ike.” The nickname caught on. R.A. Long High School classmates called him Ike and he still uses Ike to sign his letters to me.

During his year with us, we learned a lot about his native land and he became immersed in American life.

WHAT’S

We have remained in contact over the years. Paul “Man in the Kitchen” Thompson and I visited Ike and his family in the tiny town of Atzenbach, in the Black Forest region of southern Germany when we traveled to Europe in 1960. In fact, I turned 21 in Atzenbach.

UNDER THE BRIDGE?

In later years, my parents visited Ike and his young family several times. Last March, our son Perry and his friend, David Thorson, spent a month “Ike” and Ned in Uberlingen. in Europe. While there, they visited Ike in Uberlingen, a quaint resort town located on the banks of Lake Constance. But I hadn’t seen Ike in more than 50 years. At son Perry’s suggestion, we decided to visit Ike and his dear wife, Renate, on our recent trip to Europe (see Sue’s Views, page 3; Man in the Kitchen, page 29; and Lower Columbia Informer, page 41). I’m so happy we did. Ike hasn’t changed much over the years. He still fills the room with his hearty laugh. I learned why he is in such good shape: He walks daily and works out in a gym several times a week. Every day of my visit, we went for a drive to something he wanted to show me. After parking the car, we’d strike out on a two-mile hike. I was exhausted, doing my best to keep up with a man four years my senior. Gottfried graduated with the R.A. Long class of 1954. Back in Longview, I called to find out if the Class of ’54 is planning a 60-year reunion. They are. Ike is now on a mailing list to receive an invitation. I hope he will return to Longview next summer to attend the reunion. I’m keeping my fingers crossed! ••• Longview native Ned Piper enjoys reading, writing, golfing in fair weather and bowling in foul.

46 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition

By Ashley Helenberg, Port of Longview Communications/Public Affairs Manager

Being heard You can hear a lot going on here at the Port of Longview. We hear the rumble of equipment moving cargo to and from ships from around the world. We hear the bump and squeal of rail cars being shuffled as they’re loaded and unloaded and the consistent sound of trucks coming and going. Those are all sounds we like to hear because they all represent a strong and vibrant port that provides jobs and revenue to our community. And there’s something else we’d like to hear more of: your voice. We hear from the community through our commissioners, city and county officials and directly from you at events and gatherings around town, and we want to make sure you know that your voice and opinions are valued. From local presentations to events, this year the Port has worked harder to communicate the many benefits it brings to the community. Whether you stopped by our booth at the local Home and Garden Show or were a loyal reader of our Port Talk appearing on the next page, we’d love to hear what you thought of the information we offered this year. What’s the best way to get Port information to you? Do you look for us in the paper, or on a news website? What would you like to know that we haven’t talked about this year? Was there something you found particularly interesting? So as the year winds down, we’d simply like to hear more from you. This month the following page is devoted to your voice and we hope you’ll participate. This simple survey information will help us understand how you interact with the Port now, and how you would like to in the future. And you can let us know what you think of our efforts this year. We want to hear from you because we know that as your port, we’re here to facilitate commerce and build a more robust economy in the Longview area. We’re listening. ••• To submit comments about this column please send us a note at info@portoflongview. com

Columbia River Reader â&#x20AC;˘ Special Holiday Edition â&#x20AC;˘ November-December, 2013 / 47

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48 / November-December, 2013 • Columbia River Reader • Special Holiday Edition