CRREADER.COM • – January 10 – February 14, 2015 • COMPLIMENTARY Helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region at home and on the road.
Winter warmth page 28
COLUMBIA RIVER
dining guide
HAIKU FEST DEADLINE JAN. 20 VALENTINE FOOD & GIFTS
page 21
pages 13, 14, 18
JEKYLL & HYDE AT THE COLUMBIA THEATRE
page 16
O
n Dec. 12th, R.A. Long High School hosted its “United for Change – Make the Change Day Seminar” in the gym. In addition to 100 RAL students, 17 students from Woodland, Castle Rock, Kalama, Kelso, Mark Morris and Wahkiakum High Schools participated. They will soon be experiencing their own “Make the Change” Days at their schools. “Make the Change Day” helps students break down walls that limit them, and opens them up to positivity, possibility and hope. Since its presentation to local school administrations, businesses and community members, the United for Change program has really taken off. Mark Morris High School leadership teacher Travis Ruhter (pictured at far right in photo) founded the program, which has three phases: Make the Change Day Seminar, Be the Change Weekend Retreat, and Live the Change Mentorship Follow-up.
Make the Change! students and schools in our community as possible. The goal is to reinforce our schools’ efforts to increase self esteem, empathy and leadership, and decrease the need to act out negatively.
Big thanks to supporters of this program, including: The Paul Family, ICWUC Local 747 C, Express Employment Professionals, Axiall, Fibre Federal Credit United Way of Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties is proud to partner with Ruhter to Union, Millennium Bulk Terminals, expand the program and bring it to as many Emerald Performance Materials, CowlitzWahkiakum Central Labor Council, Kelso Rotary, Cowlitz Electric, FISH and our local community high schools. Contributions may be made to support this program under United Way’s health and wellness initiative. For information, contact United Way at 360-423-5320. 1338 Commerce • Suite 201 • Longview, WA 98632
2 / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / Columbia River Reader
P
eople may complain about the rain, try to escape the cold, or count the days to get through the long dark nights. But in so many ways, Winter is a lovely season of the year. For one thing, it’s a time of beautiful, striking visual contrasts: a tree’s bare branches against a bleak sky; sparkling stars suspended in an overhead sea of ink on a cold, still night; a white camellia blossom nestled among dark green foliage. And there are other pleasures — including ( for some of us) the possibility of snow! Winter holidays, comfort food, and snow sports (for some) add major bright spots. Yes, it’s cold, but a piping hot beverage enjoyed in front of a crackling fire will help offset the chill. Even if you don’t have a fireplace or woodstove at home, candles can serve as a proxy and provide a similar warm glow, as you sip your Irish coffee or Russian tea. You might find this is a good time to write down your thoughts. Haiku Fest CRR’s HaikuFest is an annual tradition we can all enjoy (see page 9). Consider going for a walk and noticing the natural world, up close. Then take a
Publisher/Editor: Susan P. Piper Columnists and contributors: Dr. Bob Blackwood Nancy Chennault Amy Fischer Sara Freeman, PhD Suzanne Martinson Gary Meyers Ned Piper Perry Piper Alan Rose Greg Smith Shirley Smith Jane Still Lois Sturdivant Paul Thompson Production Staff: Production Manager/Photographer: Perry E. Piper Accounting/Editorial Assistant: Lois Sturdivant Editorial & Proofreading Assistants Kathleen Packard, Sue Lane, Michael Perry, Marilyn Perry Advertising Representatives Ned Piper, Manager 360-749-2632 Sue Lane 360-261-0658 Columbia River Reader, LLC P.O. Box 1643 • Rainier, OR 97048 Website: www.CRReader.com E-mail: publisher@crreader.com Phone: 360-749-1021 Subscriptions $26 per year inside U.S. (plus $2.08 sales tax mailed to Washington addresses).
Sue’s Views
Warm winter pleasures few moments — perhaps the fire-lit ambience and a hot drink in hand will inspire your Winter haiku. It’s an interesting exercise, condensing a moment down to 17 syllables. You may be surprised. The submission deadline is Jan. 20.
A movie to watch again and again In Groundhog Day, one of my family’s all-time favorite movies — which I am sure we’ve watched at least 15 times — Phil Connors (played by Bill Murray) awakens to the clock radio playing Sonny and Cher singing I Got You, Babe. The DJ shouts “Rise and shine, campers, and don’t forget your booties ‘cause it’s cooooold out there today.”
Murray’s cynicism and irritability evolve to an awakening. His vanity and impatience dissolve and he softens, eventually opening his heart and coming to embrace what is good — in other people, in the little town of Punxsutawney, in himself and even in Winter. One of his (many) filmed “live” reports from Gobbler’s Knob reveals his change of heart:
In the story, a disgruntled and frustrated Phil is trapped in a loop, living the same day — Groundhog Day — over and over. He is an ego-centric TV weatherman sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the festivities on Gobbler’s Knob.
When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.
Here, thousands of people make the trek on Feb. 2 to hear Punxsutawney’s celebrated groundhog predict the length of winter. If the groundhog sees his shadow when he emerges from his burrow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather; no shadow foretells an early spring.
CRREADER.COM Access the current issue, Dining Guide and Columbia River Reader Past Issue Archives (from January 2013), under “Features, Selected new articles will be posted monthly in “Articles.”
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
Winter Lantern © Eugenia Smirnova - Fotolia.com
Columbia River Reader is published monthly, with 14,000 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.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
To me, the movie serves as a metaphor about contrasting attitudes, as
ON THE COVER Cover Design by
May we all enjoy a lustrous winter, however long it may be, and may it be filled with love.
4
Letter to the Editor
5
Local Books / Book Review ~ A Sudden Light / Bestsellers List
6
Astronomy: Winter Sky Glories
7
Miss Manners
9
CRR’s 6th Annual Haiku Fest
11
My Slant: Small Comforts Mean a Lot
13
Northwest Gardener ~ Plant a Kiss
14
Cooking with the Farmer’s Daughter ~ Heart to Heart
15
Drawn to the Flame
16
Jekyll & Hyde at the Columbia Theatre
18
Man in the Kitchen’s Favorite Roasted Chicken
19
Where Do You Read the Reader?
22-23 Outings & Events Calendar 24
Movie Reviews ~ The Gambler, Miss Meadows, The Imitation Game
25
Lower Columbia Informer ~ The Spin on Vinyl
27
Snowbird Diversion: MIM in Scottsdale
28
Columbia River Dining Guide
30
The Spectator ~ Hello, it’s nice to read you
30
What’s Up Under the Bridge ~ Port of Longview Columbia River Reader / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / 3
Letters to the Editor
Internal Medicine & Preventative Care Open Every Day for Your Convenience
My daughter, Karen, and I toured London, doing all the tourist sites...
Holidays & Weekends Included Neal R.Kirkpatrick, MD, FACP, FACC
Richard A. Kirkpatrick, M.D., FACP
Welcome our newest providers
Kendra Preilipper
David B. Kirkpatrick, MA, MMSc, PA-C
Words bring Friends together My trip to England in September was the result of playing Words with Friends on my iPad. I was randomly partnered with a lady in Newark, England with the “Internet name” of June Daisy.” After playing the game, exchanging letters and pictures for a while, I wanted to meet her; thus, the trip. When she met me at the airport, she was holding a bouquet of daisies to help me recognize her.
Vlad Bogin, MD, FACP
and
Zach Migel Bryan Whetton, BA, PA-C
Letters to the Editor (up to 200 words) are welcome. Longer pieces, or excerpts thereof, in response to previously-published articles, may be printed at the discretion of the publisher and subject to editing and space limitations. Items sent to CRR may be considered for publication unless the writer specifies otherwise. We do not publish letters endorsing candidates or promoting only one side of controversial issues. Name and phone number of writer must be included; anonymous submissions will not be considered.
Karen L. Joiner, MSN, ARNP
We Accept Most Insurance Plans
Extended clinic hours:
Editor’s note: See photo on page 19, (Where Do You Read the Reader?) of Ms. Morris at Buckingham Palace after watching the changing of the guard and touring the State rooms at the Palace.
Unsolicited submissions may be considered, provided they are consistent with the publication’s purpose—to help readers “discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region, at home and on the road.” Advance contact with the editor is recommended. Information of general interest submitted by readers may be used as background or incorporated in future articles. Outings & Events calendar (free listing): Events must be open to the public. Non-profit organizations and the arts, entertainment, educational and recreational opportunities and community cultural events will receive listing priority. Deadline: 30th of the month. See other submission details, page 22. Businesses and organizations wishing to promote their particular products or services are invited to purchase advertising.
doTerra Essential Oils, WA Pediatrics • Women’s Health NAET/ Allergy Elimination Pain Relief • Anxiety Digestive/IBS • Sciatica Neck / Shoulder Pain Motor Vehicle Accidents Carpal Tunnel • Sinusitis Headaches / Migraines Sports Injuries Chinese Herbal Medicine
Physician Assistant Internal Medicine
Charles Houchin, MCHS, RRT, PA-C
Anna Jeanne (“AJ”) Morris Longview, Wash.
Columbia River Reader Print Submission Guidelines
Political Endorsements As a monthly publication serving readers in three counties, two states and beyond, we cannot print endorsements or criticism of political candidates as Letters to the Editor
Physician Assistant, Women’s Health and Internal Medicine
But spending time in rural England, meeting my “Words” friend’s husband and friends in home settings and visiting the very old villages while riding in a horse-drawn carriage was wonderful and made an interesting trip.
Carol Sayles, MSN, ARNP
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BOTH BUSINESSES UNDER SAME OWNERSHIP 4 / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / Columbia River Reader
Everyone deserves 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
Cover to Cover Brought to you by Book Sense and Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, for week ending Dec 28, 2014, based on reporting from the independent bookstores of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. For the Book Sense store nearest you, visit www.booksense.com
Top 10 Bestsellers PAPERBACK FICTION
PAPERBACK NON-FICTION
HARDCOVER FICTION
HARDCOVER NON-FICTION
1. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry Gabrielle Zevin, Algonquin, $14.95 2. The Martian Andy Weir, Broadway, $15 3. Hild Nicola Griffith, Picador USA, $18 4. Gone Girl Gillian Flynn, Broadway, $15 5. The Strange Library Haruki Murakami, Knopf, $18 6. The Rosie Project Graeme Simsion, S&S, $15.99 7. The Signature of All Things Elizabeth Gilbert, Penguin, $17 8. Orphan Train Christina Baker Kline, Morrow, $14.99 9. Americanah Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Anchor, $15.95 10. A Tale for the Time Being Ruth Ozeki, Penguin, $16
1. The Boys in the Boat Daniel James Brown, Penguin, $17 2. Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand, Random House, $16 3. Wild Cheryl Strayed, Vintage, $15.95 4. Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls David Sedaris, Back Bay, $17 5. Quiet Susan Cain, Broadway, $16 6. WTF, Evolution?! Mara Grunbaum, Workman, $12.95 7. Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher Timothy Egan, Mariner, $15.95 8. Really Important Stuff My Dog Has Taught Me Cynthia L. Copeland, Workman, $12.95 9. The Year of Reading Dangerously Andy Miller, Harper Perennial, $14.99 10. The Pacific Northwest Garden Tour Donald Olson, Timber Press, $24.95
1. The Goldfinch Donna Tartt, Little Brown, $30 2. Blue Horses Mary Oliver, Penguin Press, $24.95 3. Lila Marilynne Robinson, FSG, $26 4. All the Light We Cannot See Anthony Doerr, Scribner, $27 5. Gray Mountain John Grisham, Doubleday, $28.95 6. The World of Ice & Fire George R.R. Martin, et al., Bantam, $50 7. Redeployment Phil Klay, Penguin Press, $26.95 8. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage Haruki Murakami, Knopf, $25.95 9. A Sudden Light Garth Stein, S&S, $26.95 10. The Bone Clocks David Mitchell, Random House, $30
1. Yes Please Amy Poehler, Dey Street, $28.99 2. Being Mortal Atul Gawande, Metropolitan, $26 3. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up Marie Kondo, Ten Speed Press, $16.99 4. Plenty More Yotam Ottolenghi, Ten Speed Press, $35 5. Small Victories Anne Lamott, Riverhead, $22.95 6. What If? Randall Munroe, Houghton Mifflin, $24 7. The Portlandia Cookbook: Cook Like a Local Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein, Clarkson Potter, $24.95 8. Everything I Need to Know I Learned From a Little Golden Book Diane Muldrow, Golden Books, $9.99 9. Not That Kind of Girl Lena Dunham, Random House, $28 10. A Boat, a Whale & a Walrus: Menus and Stories Renee Erickson, Jess Thomson, Sasquatch Books, $40
MASS MARKET
CHILDREN’S INTEREST
1. The Name of the Wind Patrick Rothfuss, DAW, $8.99 2. A Game of Thrones George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $9.99 3. American Sniper Chris Kyle, Scott McEwen, Harper, $9.99 4. Gone Girl Gillian Flynn, Broadway, $9.99 5. Outlander Diana Gabaldon, Dell, $9.99 6. The Wise Man’s Fear Patrick Rothfuss, DAW, $9.99 7. The Official Scrabble Players Dictionary, Fifth Edition Merriam-Webster, $8.50, 8. A Clash of Kings George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $9.99 9. A Dance With Dragons George R.R. Martin, Bantam, $9.99 10. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Douglas Adams, Del Rey, $7.99
1. The Fault in Our Stars John Green, Speak, $12.99 2. Sisters Raina Telgemeier, Graphix, $10.99 3. Minecraft: Construction Handbook Scholastic, $7.99 4. Minecraft: Combat Handbook Scholastic, $7.99 5. Wonder R.J. Palacio, Knopf, $16.99 6. The Book Thief Markus Zusak, Knopf, $12.99 7. If I Stay Gayle Forman, Speak, $10.99 8. Brown Girl Dreaming Jacqueline Woodson, Nancy Paulsen Books, $16.99 9. Unbroken (Young Adult Adaptation) Laura Hillenbrand, Delacorte Press, $19.99 10. Smile Raina Telgemeier, Graphix, $10.99
CLIP AND SAVE for easy reference at your bookstore or when browsing at your local library, bookshop, e-book source or book-loving friend’s shelf.
BOOK REVIEW
Hazards of family history
A Sudden Light By Garth Stein Simon & Schuster $26.95
O
,
ne should e n t e r o n e ’ s family history cautiously, for those lists of largely faceless names and dates from generations past were once living and breathing human beings who, like us, had hopes and goals, lusts and fears, desires and disappointments. And, like us, they had their secrets. Garth Stein, Seattle author of the bestselling The Art of Racing in the Rain, has written a very different book, a dark mystery that explores one family’s history and how the past continues to play out in its present. Trevor Riddell is an unhappy adolescent (which, I realize, is being redundant). He’s currently unhappy with his parents
Growing up in rural Connecticut, I had been told the name Riddell meant something to people in the Northwest. My paternal great-great-grandfather was someone of significance, my mother explained to me. Elijah Riddell had accumulated a tremendous fortune in the forest industry, a fortune that was later lost by those who succeeded him. My forefathers had literally changed the face of America—with axes and twoman saws and diesel donkeys to buck the fallen, with mills to pulp the corpses and scatter the ashes, they carved out a place in history for us all. And that place, I was told, was cursed.
By Alan Rose
The purpose of the trip is for Jones and his younger sister, the bright and sexy Serena, to convince their father Samuel to sell the land. Jones, recently bankrupted, needs the money, as does Serena. But Samuel, who appears to be suffering from Alzheimer’s, refuses to sell. As his father and aunt work to gain control of the estate, Trevor explores Riddell (riddle?) House, finding hidden passages, secret staircases, and concealed chambers that become metaphors for his family’s history and its secrets.
who are taking a time out from their marriage; unhappy with his mother for not being with him, and unhappy with his father, Jones, “for simply being.”
And there are plenty of secrets: about Trevor’s great-great grandfather, Elijah Riddell, the patriarch and architect of this unhappy family history. A rapacious, greedy timber baron, he would feel right at home in this century as a member of the One Percent.
He has been pressed into accompanying Jones to the family’s crumbling estate on Puget Sound. Once magnificent, Riddell House is now crumbling from time and rot, but the land it sits on is worth millions.
There are secrets, too, about his son Benjamin, Trevor’s great-grand uncle, an early environmentalist inspired by the conservation efforts of John Muir, and who died mysteriously in his early twenties.
~ from A Sudden Light
Alan Rose, author of Tales of Tokyo, 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.
Then there is the secret of how Jones’ mother died, and why Samuel still
hears her dancing upstairs. And why has it taken Jones 23 years to return home to his father and sister? The deeper we look into the past, the more it appears as complex and as complicated as the present. Technologically, we continue to advance at an exponential rate. Unfortunately, these immense technological advances, generation after generation, do not necessarily translate into moral and spiritual advances, and the issues and traits our ancestors wrestled with are those we still wrestle with today. •••
Feb. 3 • Cassava 1333 BROADWAY LONGVIEW
Columbia River Reader / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / 5
Astronomy is Looking Up
Winter sky glories: Orion, Pleiades, even a comet! By Greg Smith
W
inter is now fully upon us and the night sky shows it. The great constellation Orion is up by 7pm and will reign as the brightest and most well known winter sky design. Its two brightest stars — the bright blue/white giant star Rigel in the lower right corner and Betelgeuse, the The beautiful Pleiades, aka Seven Sisters are a mere 450 light years away from Earth. super red giant star up in the top left corner — stand out in the clear night sky. The three stars of its “belt” and “sword” hanging from the middle of the three belt stars are its most eye catching features. The jewel of the sword is the beautiful M42, the fuzz ball as seen without optical aide. Use a pair of binoculars on M42 and you will see a tiny group of stars in the middle of a cloud of haze. Use a telescope and see a host of other stars are there, as well. The central group of four stars will turn into a small trapezoid shape formation. These four giant hot stars are sending their bright energy into the cloud, hollowing it out. This haze is being pushed by the high energy light and making the dusty haze condense into new stars and possible new planets. How dense is this haze? Cigarette smoke is very dense by comparison and the particles that make up cigarette smoke are larger, too. So “flying” through a nebula cloud would be a non-event to the traveler. Seven Sisters To the upper left and nearly above the top of Orion is a small dipper-shaped group of stars, The Pleiades, also known from antiquity as the Seven Sisters, and quite easily seen. This small cluster of stars is estimated at only 450 light years from us. These are very beautiful when viewed through binoculars. With a telescope you can get right inside the cluster. If viewing is just right, you will see the glow of the interstellar dust that the Pleiades reside in. I personally have been able to view it only once and it was gorgeous.
Consider all of the conditions before you drive this winter. Winter weather in Oregon can make driving downright hazardous at times. But weather isn’t the only condition that leads to challenging winter driving. Here are a few things to consider before you hit the road. • Weather conditions. Check a weather website, such as www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sectors/pacnorthwest. php, for driving conditions to help you decide when and if to hit the road, cross the mountains or go into the city. • Road conditions. Oregon Department of Transportation continually updates www.tripcheck.org with road and weather conditions, construction zones and camera views.
Gemini and the Beehive There are two bright stars to the northeast of Orion. These are Castor and Pollex, of the constellation Gemini. Castor, the more northerly and slightly fainter, is actually a system of several stars. A mid-sized amateur telescope will separate the two brightest of this star group. Further to the northeast, sweep your binoculars on your way to Jupiter; you will find a swarm of Greg Smith is an active member of Friends of Galileo, an amateur astronomy club. Visitors are welcome at the group’s monthly meetings in Longview; telescope ownership is not required. For information about meetings or special viewing events, call Chuck Ring, 360-636-2294.
stars known as M44, also known as the Beehive. It does resemble a swarm of bees. When I first saw this swarm of stars I was dumbfounded and did not know at the time I was seeing an open star cluster. Every year since then I have made it a habit to marvel at this group of stars.
Look for Comet Lovejoy A comet that rising along the western sides of the constellations Orion and Taurus the Bull. This is comet Lovejoy C/2014/Q2. In a dark sky, this could still be a naked eye object. At the time of this issue’s publication, the comet should be just west of the small star cluster known as The Pleiades, mentioned above. Binoculars will be your best bet for locating the comet. If you have a small telescope, you should then be able to find the comet after your binocular sighting. cont page 7
• Your car’s condition. How are your tires? Do you have chains? You should also be prepared with emergency supplies, a full tank of gas and a charged cell phone so you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency. • Your own condition. Have you had enough rest? Or a few drinks? Honestly assess your own ability to drive safely before you get behind the wheel in winter’s more challenging driving conditions.
Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District When Seconds Count. Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District • P.O. Box 998 - St. Helens, OR 97051 Administrative Office: (503) 397-7255 • Non-emergency Dispatch: (503) 397-1521, 1-800-696-7795 www.columbia911.com
6 / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / Columbia River Reader
Astronomy
cont from page 6
What’s in a name? Let me clue you in on the naming convention used by astronomers for these new comets. The name Lovejoy is the name of the person who discovered it. In this case it was discovered by Terry Lovejoy of Brisbane, Australia, a well known amateur comet hunter who has found five other comets. The Q2 is a date format. The Q represents the last half of August and the 2 indicates the second comet found in that time
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period. If the comet has a P in front of the name it means that it is a periodic comet. A periodic comet is one that is known to come back regularly. The famous Halley’s Comet has a name of Halley 1P/1682/Q1. It is the first periodic comet discovered so the 1P is used. 1682 the year found and Q1, the first half of August and the first comet of that time slot. Generally long term comets or non periodic comets just have a ‘C’ in the name. Thus Lovejoy C/2014/Q2 is a comet found by astronomer Lovejoy that is nonperiodic discovered in 2014 in the last half of August and is the second comet found in that time frame. There is a method to the shorthand that astronomers use in naming comets. The naming of asteroids, planets and moons of planets has a whole different system. It is methodical, but a bit odd as well. The naming of features on planets and moons has a related system but that is another story. I’ll get into those in future articles. And, remember: Every Day is a Star filled Day; Every Night is a Starry Night •••
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Miss Manners By Judith Martin
Things we need to know but have nobody else to ask 1. DEAR MISS MANNERS: Which is more rude? To look at a text while engaged in an important conversation? Or to leave the text until the conversation is done?
who have never heard of selfless hospitality. Miss Manners hopes that you will take the opportunity to explain it to them. It would be a nice custom to revive.
GENTLE READER: The former. It is more difficult to convince people who are right in front of you that you don’t see them than it is to have failed to see a text message the instant it was sent.
3. DEAR MISS MANNERS: My boyfriend and I are having a disagreement over whether to make an exception regarding children attending a birthday party we are having at a winery.
2. DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I recently discovered a beautiful farmstead not far from where we live that is used as a venue for weddings and similar events. We would love to host a party for friends there, but don’t have a particular event we are celebrating. I would enjoy the planning and bringing people together. But what do you call a party that is not a birthday, anniversary, shower, wedding, retirement, holiday or fundraiser? I’ve never received an invitation to a gala just for fun, and I’m interested in your suggestions for what to call such an event and how to proceed with invitations. I have no expectations for our guests except that they RSVP and come with good intentions. GENTLE READER: Just for fun? You mean that it will not be a party in your own honor, and that you are not even expecting, much less demanding, presents?
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That you have never heard of such a thing makes Miss Manners weep. Has society so thoroughly embraced the selfie event, complete with gift registry, that true social life has disappeared? If so, thank you for reinventing it. Your guests will be puzzled at first, but may discover how pleasant it is to attend an event where the focus is on their enjoying themselves, rather than celebrating their hosts. In the dim past, when socializing was done just for fun, the name of the event was an indication of the degree of formality. “Gala” is a term associated with fundraisers, so Miss Manners suggests your simply calling it a party. You will still be besieged by guests asking, “What should I bring?” and “Where are you registered?” by others
We have sent invitations indicating “no children allowed,” but a niece of his said that she and her husband would not be able to attend because they could not find a baby sitter. The party is for my boyfriend, and he says he would like them to attend so he wants to tell them that it is fine to bring the kids. I have disagreed because it will open up a big can of worms -- her brother will then want to bring his kids, as well as other relatives wanting to bring theirs. He says we will not “announce” that his niece is bringing hers, and if her brother asks to bring his children as well, he again will make an exception. When I asked if my sister could bring her child, his reply was no, as my sister had already RSVP’d and had not asked to bring her daughter. Please help. His niece’s children are 3 and 6 years old. The others would be around the same age, if not younger. GENTLE READER: If you think you have an etiquette problem now, consider what could happen if you let toddlers loose in a winery. Are you even certain that the venue will allow it? If not, there is your solution. Regardless, Miss Manners agrees that it is indeed rude and unfair to show guests who did find baby sitters that your rule applied to them, but not to more favored guests. Either do not allow children — for their own safety — or change the venue. Surely no one wants to experience the result of mixing angry friends with alcohol. cont page 26
Columbia River Reader / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / 7
Visit Downtown Longview ~ a great place to shop, explore, relax & celebrate! See what’s going on in Downtown Longview! www.MyLDP.org Updated weekly
Op uction constr
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Local Handcrafted Gifts See ad, page 16
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Tues & Thurs 9:00-5:00 Wed & Fri 9:00-3:00 Sat 10:30-2:00 See ad, page 12
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Winter Amusement
January 20th deadline nears in CRR’s 6th HaikuFest
By Gary Meyers CRR Haiku Contest founder & Chief Judge
But when writing, do as we say ~ not as we do We can only fall on our pen, admit our proofreading gaff, and thank you, our esteemed readers, for your understanding.
T
he #1 rule when announcing a HaikuFest is, if you include a sample haiku to guide the readers, be sure the haiku satisfies the basic rules for submission. Imagine our embarrassment when we discovered too late that our sample haiku (Holiday issue, Nov 25) inadvertently contained 19 syllables instead of 17! Basho might have said, “Even a monkey falls from the tree sometimes.” But that’s Basho.
The rules for this year’s HaikuFest remain unchanged: three lines of five syllables, seven syllables, five syllables. The categories are “Traditional (generally nature-based),” “Pop” (anything goes), and “Northwestoriented.” You may write more! In our announcement in November, we stated that entries would be limited to three per poet, either a single category or a mix of categories. The judges have meanwhile reconsidered
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To start our poets-in-waiting on their fateful journey, I offer a previous pop entry:
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and say they can handle up to five entries per poet — and the more poets, the merrier! There are no fees. The final date for submissions is midnight, January 20, 2015. Winners will be named in our February 2015 issue. Students are encouraged to participate. The judges will consider in a separate category those entries by young poets 12 and under if they are so identified. How to enter The preferred method for submission is by email sent directly to ggmeyers3899@aol.com (please insert “haiku entry” in the subject line). Readers without email access may send their entries by USPS to G. Meyers, 3045 Ala Napuaa Place #1406, Honolulu, HI 96818.
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Prizes will be awarded, along with the publishing of winning haikus in CRR’s February issue. There could even be a party for entrants! Grist for the mill? To get you thinking, I offer the paraphrased words of American journalist, author, and dramatist, Gene Fowler: “Haiku is easy –
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Stare at blank paper until blood droplets gather.” We have many beautiful haiku (from previous contests), none of which are marred by blood stains. The difficulty might be overstated. Good luck to all! •••
Gary Meyers grew up in Longview, Wash., and following careers with the US Marine Corps and Northwest Airlines, he now enjoys his retired life in Honolulu. Pictured here at a previous year’s HaikuFest judging, Gary is not actually wearing his pajamas, but the official Haiku Founder/Chief Judge garb.
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Documentary to show life in Longview’s Highlands neighborhood
C
owlitz AmeriCorps Network will be partnering with the Highlands Neighborhood Association on Martin Luther King Day, January 19, 2015 to record a documentary on life in the Highlands, then and now. Along with making the documentary, the Cowlitz AmeriCorps Network will be doing service projects in the Highlands, such as cleaning walkways, adding finishing touches on
the Community Center and various activities with the children of the Highlands neighborhood. The public is invited from 2 – 4pm at 292 - 21st Ave., Longview, Washington, to help commemorate the Highland documentary and to allow the kids to make their own memories with their artwork to be proudly hung outside and in.
Don’t forget your pets when you plan your emergency kit! ~ Smokey
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My Slant
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Small comforts mean a lot
By Jane Still
M
y children are totally clueless when it comes to emergency preparedness and Christmas. Whether they think so or not, however, emergencies do happen. So does Christmas.
The worst Christmas present I ever received — and believe me I have gotten some doozies — was a Zombie Apocalypse Kit. It was gifted to me by my children! It
Tips for the Uninitiated Survivalist FOOD Look in your cupboards for food you already eat. Don’t forget to rotate perishables every six months Canned fruit, meat, vegetables Peanut Butter Crackers Protein bars Nuts Cereal One gallon of water per person BASIC MEDICAL Bandaids / Hand sanitizer Feminine hygiene products Toothpaste & toothbrush Gauze and medical tape Antibiotic & pain med Prescription medicines Latex gloves Scissors / Tweezers Emergency First Aid guide MISC Change of clothes Two pair of socks Extra pair of shoes Pocket knife Utensils for eating Can opener Blanket Rain poncho and/or black garbage bags Tube tent or plastic and duct tape to build shelter Whistle for each family member Paper and pencil in case you need to leave a note for someone Game of cards Map of the area
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included a book, The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks, a toy shot gun, real shotgun shells, and a huge, sawtooth meat cleaver. The meat cleaver might actually have come in handy on the odd chance that I managed to scare a deer with the fake shotgun, or if I could knock it out by throwing shot gun shells at its head. I would actually have been able to cut it up, except that my oldest son smashed the meat cleaver the instant he slammed it down on a coconut he was trying to open. And why did my children so lovingly dote on me that year, you may ask? My three sons all live far enough away from home that I occasionally worry about what would happen to them if an emergency should occur. None of them has a drop of extra food or supplies. Because I want them to survive, I sent them each a case of MRE’s ( meals ready to eat) a case of water packets and a note. Happy Birthday. To be used only in case of emergency. They all received their packages the same day. I got three calls. Jason: “Mom, what the heck is this! Do you not realize that I have NO ROOM?” Garret: “Mom, why the heck did you send me water packets? A couple of gallons of water would have been way cheaper.” Adam: “Mom, that package was HUGE! I almost couldn’t get it in my car. What am I supposed to do with it?” I tried to validate my actions and share the glory with my husband. After all, he thought it was a good idea, too. It obviously didn’t penetrate their minds. I was blessed with all the credit, or the blame in this case My children thought their gift to me was hilarious. I failed to see the humor.
One day, when an emergency crashes in on them and they come racing home, I may just stand at the door waving my duct-taped, saw-toothed, meat cleaver, and scream at them like a crazed zombie. So remember, the day of preparation is over when the emergency occurs. If you have not yet prepared for an emergency, begin now. Start with simple items you probably already have in your home. Gather them together in a backpack. Small comforts mean a lot and you may not have time to do more than grab your pack and run. Don’t forget to put a kit together for your car. Emergency’s don’t always happen when we are at home. For more detailed information there are many websites available. Here are three you may find helpful: •www.ready.gov/build-a-kit •www.utah.gov/beready/family/ documents/72-hourchecklistpdf.pdf •www.rei.com/EmergencyPreparedness ••• Kelso resident and frequent CRR contributor Jane Stilll is the author of Crazy Daze of Motherhood. Visit her blog: http://janeisfeldstill.blogspot.com/
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Northwest Gardener
PLANT A KISS
Watch your love ‘grow’ with Valentine garden gifts Story and photos by Nancy Chennault Below-freezing temperatures may halt the camellia’s flower display temporarily, but don’t despair. Right behind the frozen flower are more buds which will be opening soon.
A perennial favorite is the rising-inpopularity Heuchera cultivars (Coral Bells). These evergreen plants are developed for their interesting foliage. A beacon of light for a winter garden, Heuchera Citronelle glows in the late winter sun. A newer variety from famed plant breeder Thierry Delabroye of France, radiates romance.
V
alentine’s Day was first associated with romantic love and outward expressions of that love by royalty in the 10 th through 13th centuries. In 18th Century England, Valentine’s Day evolved into an occasion when couples expressed their love with gifts of flowers, candy and greeting cards. Candy and flowers ….. roses and chocolates these traditionally most gifted items for your sweetheart — unlike your professed love — are not long lasting. Beautiful? Yes, but not permanent. In the gardener’s world, a “perennial” refers to a plant that comes back year after year. Could 2015 be your year to include a gift of perennial love? What better way to say I Love You on February 14th than with a plant, tree or shrub that will grow and mature over time? Eye candy Blossoms are, of course, a big part of flowers for the occasion, and local nurseries offer several choices in blooming shrubs. Winter camellias in bud, and bloom, are a colorful choice (see photos). Blossoms begin to open in December and will continue blooming all winter long. Choose a site with protection from hot summer sun and good
Camellia sasanqua varieties bloom all winter.
drainage. Be sure to plant these where you will enjoy the blossoms through the winter months. Don’t overlook the hardy Hellebores (below). Known for generations as “Christmas Rose” or “Lenten Rose,” the newer European cultivars have been developed to be heartily blooming now. Pink, cream and several variations of white greet the garden visitor with cheerful, nodding blossoms during the darkest days of winter.
Hydrangeas (at right) will be deciduous and dormant in nurseries and garden centers in February. However, florist shops offer blooming hydrangea plants. They have been encouraged to bloom this time of year by manipulation of the light and temperatures in greenhouses. These hardy plants will transition to the garden quite nicely if you wait until late spring to plant. Romance flourishes! Gifts for the garden are gifts from the heart. Roses are still an option, of course. New 2015 shipments of roses arrive at local nurseries just in time for Valentine’s Day. Creative romantics may want to celebrate the strength of the relationship by giving structural plants such as an ornamental tree.
Having lost all its leaves for winter hardiness, the terminal buds on landscape hydrangeas may swell during periods of mild temperatures. TIP: Except for the removal of old blossoms, don’t prune hydrangea shrubs in the garden until mid-March.
Acer palmatum (“Sangu Kaku”), often called Coral Bark (at left), has delicate branches that turn scarlet red with winter cold. For cut flower lovers, forsythia, flowering cherry or plum will provide armloads of late winter blossoms for fragrant arrangements indoors or out for years to come.
Hellebore ‘Jacob’ from the Gold Collection developed in Germany by plant hybridizer Heuger is just one of more than a dozen cultivars available locally.
Framed against the winter sky, the filigree branches of the Coral Bark Maple are breathtaking in February.
For the less adventurous, a gift certificate from your sweetheart’s favorite garden shop, tucked into a greeting card smothered in hearts and flowers, will surely please. With so many “living” choices for Valentine’s Day, the gardener in your life will be touched by your personal declaration of your growing love. •••
Longtime local gardening maven Nancy Chennault and husband Jim Chennault operate The Gardens @ Sandy Bend in Castle Rock. Columbia River Reader / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / 13
COOKING WITH THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER
Heart to heart
An easy-to-create Valentine’s Day dinner
I
By Suzanne Martinson
f there’s a grander Valentine’s Day gesture than a homecooked meal, I don’t know what it could be.
This year — I can’t believe it’s 2015 — the holiday for lovers (and the greeting card companies) lands square on Saturday night, thus piling up the restaurant reservations and making staying-in a loving alternative, especially with a simple menu like this: Sweethearts’ Dinner Green Salad London Broil Baked Potato Garlicky French Bread Tin Roof Sundaes • Coffee The great joy of this menu is that labor is low and flavor is high. Flank steak, the toughest cut of beef, used to be inexpensive, but then creative cooks learned how best to prepare it, the prices went up, and butchers no longer handed it across the counter for their customers’ dogs. This delicious flank steak marinates overnight, and the Russet potatoes may be scrubbed ahead of time for the next day. Bagged salad greens from the supermarket are allegedly ready to eat, but I like to run them through my salad spinner, then refrigerate
with paper towels between the layers to crisp until dinnertime. Additions are optional: red peppers, croutons, green onions, marinated artichoke hearts. Toss with a favorite prepared dressing or shake up a simple classic: 3 parts olive oil to 1 part balsamic or red wine vinegar. If your best friend likes his or her baked potato steamed, either cook in the microwave (10 or 15 minutes) or wrap the potatoes in aluminum foil to bake, usually about an hour. For a crispier peel, roast in the oven. Sour cream and chives are nice, but nothing says lovin’ like a simple blob of butter. The first garlic my farm family had in the house came with the discovery of garlic bread. Our method was to slice the French bread and spread the slices with butter (not margarine — ours was a dairy farm, after all) mixed with minced garlic. Then wrap the bread in aluminum foil and pop in the oven until warm. My family, ice cream lovers all, never left the table without dessert, and a retro favorite of ours would be easy to make. To create a Tin Roof: put a dollop of chocolate syrup in the bottom of the sundae dish, then layer French vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup (Hershey’s is traditional) and peanuts, either dry-roasted or with
the traditional brown skins. A red maraschino cherry on top couldn’t hurt, especially if your lover loves cherries. As for ambience, a single red carnation and a candle is a double whammy in my book. No need to think of breakfast or bowl games after a Valentine’s meal like this.
Mix ingredients for marinade. Marinate flank steak for 4 to 6 hours, turning at least once. (The easiest way is to put the steak and marinade in a large plastic bag, seal tightly and refrigerate, turning it occasionally. You can do this the night before.) Broil 3 to 5 minutes on each side. To serve, cut across the grain into 1/4- to 1 /2-inch slices. London broil is best served medium rare (the ends will be medium). Wine suggestion: Traditionally, red meat is served with red wine. More of a cook than a connoisseur of wine, I suggest the 2012 Red Blend gleefully named “Hot to Trot” from the Columbia Valley. It was made by 14 Hands Winery, the one with the happy horses on the label. By the way, a hand is the way a horse’s height is measured. Each hand equals 4 inches. A 14-hand horse is practically a pony.
Linda and Rick’s London Broil This recipe comes from longtime friends Rick Carns and Linda Wilson, whose mother often served in Cashmere, Wash., where Linda grew up. One interesting aspect is that fresh ginger is not required. Leftover flank steak, known as London Broil, makes a delicious topping for Sunday’s salad.
••• Lexington (a Kelso,Wash. suburb), resident and retired food editor Suzanne Martinson, an unrelenting romantic, may share the Valentine cooking chores this year with her husband, Ace.
1 flank steak 1 /4 cup soy sauce (we use lower salt) 3 /4 cup canola, vegetable or olive oil 1-1/2 teaspoons dry ground ginger 3 green onions, washed and chopped 3 tablespoons honey 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tablespoons vinegar
Valentine’s Day February 14 Order early!
Our flowers & gifts ~ simply the best 360-423-0450
www.JansenFlowers.com 1052 Washington Way, Longview M-F: 8am–6pm • Sat 8am–5pm • Sun 10am–4pm 14 / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / Columbia River Reader
The Broadway Gallery ~~~~~~~ Local Art
ANNUAL STUDIO CLEARANCE SALE! Great Bargains on Original Artwork January 12 ~ January 24 360-577-0544 • Monday - Saturday 10am - 5:30pm www.the-broadway-gallery.com • See us on Facebook 1418 Commerce Longview, WA Across from Elam’s Home Furnishings
OUT • AND • ABOUT Photo: © flucas- Fotolia.com
Drawn to the Flame Communal fire, cooking and curfews ... and winter snuggling on the couch By Lois Sturdivant
A
s Pacific Northwest residents, we tend to think that if the sun is shining, we must be outside doing something. The arrival of summer sun comes with an “obligation” to make the most of a few months of long warm days. Then comes the rain, the short days — what some call the “drear.” Finally, we feel we have license to relax, take to the couch reading a book or watching a movie. And on a dark, rainy night, with hot beverage in hand, what could be better than snuggling up in front of a fire?
Controlling the power of fire revolutionized human life. Archaeologists believe that cooking
Humans are drawn to fire — its warmth, beauty and power — with seemingly conflicting emotions of fear and fascination. Carbon-dated ashes reveal that mankind and fire began their relationship more than a million years ago. Our prehistoric ancestors gathered around a centrally-located communal fire as a place for social interaction, which contributed to the development of spoken language.
Columbia River
• Naselle Chinook
101
Mount St. Helens
Skamokawa
• Grays River
Cathlamet 4 WestportPuget Island FERRYk
Astoria
Pacific Ocean
VISITORS CENTERS
FREE Maps • Brochures Directions • Information
504
101
On a cold, dark night.
• Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce Kelso Visitors Center I-5 Exit 39 105 Minor Road, Kelso • 360-577-8058
Castle Rock
Warrenton •
Seaside
Washington
Winlock
Long Beach
Warms my body and my soul
Photo by Lois Sturdivant
Ocean Park •
Ilwaco
from the French phrase couvre-feu, meaning “cover the fire.” This was a nightly ritual of raking coals together and covering to preserve the fire until morning. Artifacts from the Middle
Human aren’t the only ones drawn to fire.
To: Centralia, Olympia Mt. Rainier Yakima (north, then east) Tacoma/Seattle
Oysterville •
with fire originated in Africa about 60,000 years ago. Being able to cook meat before consuming it made for Photo: ©Robert Creigh - Fotolia.com healthier eating and increased longevity by killing harmful Ages include “curfews” made of bacteria in raw meat. Cooking also perforated sheet brass. A community allowed for the preservation of food was notified of the curfew time by to be used later when food sources someone beating a drum or ringing were scarce. a bell. cont page 20 Farming and night life Large, controlled fires could improve soil fertility and clear land Lois Sturdivant has been a key player in Columbia River Reader since its beginnings in for cultivation, allowing for the 2004. In the spirit of the HaikuFest currently development of agriculture. Fire also underway, she enabled human activities to extend wrote a haiku beyond nightfall, once people could about fire: leave their homes after dark using fire Fire, fire, in a torch or, later, in lanterns. burning bright The English word “curfew” came
From the communal fire, families ignited their individual home fires built in a cave, teepee or other primitive shelter, usually with a hole for the smoke to escape. Chimneys as we know them did not enter the picture until the 14th century.
Birkenfeld
Kelso
Clatskanie Rainier
Woodland
• South Columbia County Chamber Columbia Blvd/Hwy 30, St. Helens, OR • 503-397-0685
503
• Ridgefield
Scappoose• rnelius NW Co ad Pass Ro
To: Salem Silverton Eugene Ashland
Sauvie Island
Vancouver 12
Portland
Col Gorge Interp Ctr Skamania Lodge Bonneville Dam
Troutdale Crown Point
for
Points o mation f In Recre terest Special ation Dinin Events Arts & Eg ~ Lodging ntertain ment
97
• Astoria-Warrenton Chamber/Ore Welcome Ctr 111 W. Marine Dr., Astoria 503-325-6311 or 800-875-6807
•Yacolt
St Helens
Local in
• Seaside, OR 989 Broadway 503-738-3097 or 888-306-2326
Columbia City
Vernonia
Oregon
• Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau 3914 Pacific Way (corner Hwy 101/Hwy 103) Long Beach, WA. 360-642-2400 • 800-451-2542
Cougar •
Kalama
• Wahkiakum Chamber 102 Main St, Cathlamet • 360-795-9996 • Appelo Archives Center 1056 SR 4 Naselle, WA. 360-484-7103.
Ape Cave •
Longview
• Woodland Tourist Center I-5 Exit 21 Park & Ride lot, 900 Goerig St., 360-225-9552
Goldendale Maryhill Museum
Stevenson Hood River Cascade Locks Bridge of the Gods
The Dalles
To: Walla Walla Kennewick, WA Lewiston, ID
Map suggests only approximate positions and relative distances. We are not cartographers.
Columbia River Reader / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / 15
OUT • AND • ABOUT
Jekyll & Hyde lurk at the McThread’ s Wearable Art Boutique Specializing in one-of-a-kind fashions and jewelry
Columbia Theatre
Story by Sara Freeman, PhD
Photography by Nick Tremmel
Popular road show captures cultural quandaries in tangle of good and evil
R
Opening Reception
Featured Artist
THURSDAY th Feb 5 5:30–7:30 pm
Alessa Beringer Fiber art
Refreshments.
obert Louis Stevenson published The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 1886. A hundred years later, Frank Wildhorn, Steve Cuden, and Leslie Bricusse turned it into a stage musical that gained steam as it moved from the Alley Theatre in Texas to Broadway in the late 1990s. After several revivals and national and international tours, the show is more popular than when it first opened on Broadway and the tour that comes to Longview’s Columbia Theatre on January 23 is propelled by a pop score, bold stage design, and high emotion. Adaptations usually reflect the concerns of the moment they’re created, even more than the context of the source material. But in the case of Jekyll and Hyde, Stevenson’s gothic
1206 Broadway, Longview Open Tues–Th 11am–5pm Friday 12–6m
360-261-2373
www.mcthreadswearableart.com
novella spoke to emerging modern anxiety about identity, genetics, insanity, and sexual deviancy in a way that fit late Victorian England,
yet has never stopped compelling contemporary audiences who continue to fret about psychological, social, and cont page 17
RESTAURANT
The Bistro
LOVE is in the air! Make your Valentine’s reservations now! We will be offering a special menu Saturday, Feb. 14, 5 –10pm Live music, specialty cocktails. Reservations required! Call 360-442-4150.
The Bistro can accommodate groups with up to 100 guests.
Email thebistrobuzz.com for details.
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 16 / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / Columbia River Reader
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libidinal normalcy through every wave of insight from Freud to Masters and Johnson to the Prozac revolution. At Tacoma Little Theatre in 2012, I saw a non-musical adaptation of Jekyll and Hyde by contemporary playwright Jeffrey Hatcher. It quickly got at the way the story of Dr. Jekyll’s experiment on himself (that produces the monstrous Mr. Hyde) depicts our universal concerns about our “true selves” and our complicated desires.
OUT • AND • ABOUT
In that production, “Mr. Hyde” was played by four actors (two men and two women). All four were always onstage as Mr. Hyde. Sometimes the four acted in unison, sometimes one Hyde took the lead, but all were clearly part of Dr. Jekyll and Dr. Jekyll definitely contained some of all of us. On stage today, I think the
If You Go
Jekyll & Hyde
Friday, Jan. 23, 7:30pm Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts 1231Vandercook Way, Longview Tickets $25-40 Online www.columbiatheatre.com or Box Office, 360-575-8499, open Monday-Friday, 11:30am to 5:30 pm. The kiosk is open two hours before each performance for Will Call pick-up and ticket purchases. story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde has replaced the story of Dr. Faustus as the one that best captures our culture’s quandaries about insanity, science, human ingenuity, and the tangle of good and evil.
The musical’s book and lyrics take good and evil as the basic framework of ideas, echoing Faustus, but the show’s staging and costume design are all about sex and the contrasts of poverty and wealth. Dr. Jekyll begins the play visiting his father in an insane asylum. His path takes him between a swanky engagement party for him and Emma Carew and the brothel in a red light district, where his bachelor party takes place and where he becomes enchanted by a prostitute with a heart of gold. cont page 25
Sara Freeman grew up in Longview, attending RALong High School where she fell in love with theatre under the guidance of the late Dana Brown. She earned her bachelor’s degree from University of Puget Sound and her master’s and doctorate from University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is Associate Professor of Theatre at University of Puget Sound and lives in Tacoma with her two daughters and husband Wade Hicks.
Columbia River Reader / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / 17
MAN IN THE KITCHEN CLASSICS
Golden, roasted chicken
By Paul Thompson
Succulent, satisfying dish easy to cook, always a hit
T
here are thousands of recipes for chicken found throughout the world. Many include complex sauces and unique cooking techniques. I rely heavily on chicken for lunches and dinners, especially while traveling in foreign countries. It is easily identified on menus, often as pollo roti (chicken roasted). I’ll avoid menu items I don’t understand clearly. Tripe, stomach lining, was a clear loser once and put me on my current avoidance track. Tried and true My favorite method of preparing chicken is to roast it. It remains so juicy, with a crisp and tasty skin. I stuff the cavity of the chicken with thyme, rosemary, garlic cloves and sage, if available. I’ll also poke some of these herbs under the skin of the breasts. Coat the chicken, inside and out with olive oil, rub it with the zest from a lemon, salt and pepper it. Quarter the lemon, squeeze the juice over the chicken and throw the spent quarters into the cavity. Truss* the chicken, place it on a rack and into a 450-degree oven. After 20 minutes, reduce the heat to 350 degrees and let it cook for about another hour, or until the breast temperature reaches 165 degrees. Being a bit lazy, sometimes I skip the thermometer and roast the chicken until the legs move easily. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving and serving. Squeeze another quartered lemon over the bird just before serving. Another reward from roasting a chicken is during the next day or two when you have leftovers for sandwiches and your own pot pies. Don’t toss the juices rendered from the roasted chick. They will make a great gravy, and it’s so easy. Gravy from Roasted Chicken 4 Tablespoons of rendered oil 4 Tablespoons flour 4 cups chicken stock Salt and pepper to taste Heat a roux of the flour and oil, stirring them together over medium heat until bubbly. Slowly add the chicken stock while heating and stirring. When thickened, serve over the sliced chicken and other menu items, liked mashed potatoes. Paul Thompson grew up in Longview and returned after he retired. He became CRR’s Man in the Kitchen in 2004.
© bit24 - Fotolia
* Trussing involves tying the chicken snugly with kitchen twine so that the wings and legs stay close to the body. This makes the chicken more compact which helps it cook evenly. Trussing a chicken also helps prevent the tips of the wings and legs from burning, and makes the cooked chicken look more attractive when you serve it. See basic cookbook or search online for more info.
Photo by Perry Piper
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18 / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / Columbia River Reader
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Where do you read
THE READER?
Queen for a day Anna Jeanne (AJ) Morris at Buckingham Palace, London. See her Letter to the Editor, page 4, for details about how the trip came about.
WHERE DO YOU READ THE READER?
At the Mall but not shopping Lifelong friends from Kelso Joan EwingBogan and JoAnn Rutherford-Matz tour the Washington, D.C., area near Joan’s home. The two had fun touring and catching up once again.
They made a new friend Nancy McCoy and Kristi Davis at Roloi Clock Tower in Rhodes Town, Greece.
Send your photo reading the Reader (high-resolution JPEG} to Publisher@ CRReader.com. If sending a cell phone photo, choose the largest file size up to 2 MB. Include name and city of residence. Thank you for your participation and patience. Keep those photos coming!
At Pigeon’s Rock Marc Gilchrist, Longview, Wash., in the Lebanese neighborhood of Raouché with the Mediterranean Sea and Pigeon’s Rock (wrapped in a “Peace” banner) in the background.
On top of the world Joe Brozman of Longview, at the 360 restaurant on top of the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada. Photo by S. Piche
Columbia River Reader / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / 19
Drawn to the Flame from page 15
Today’s “home fire” may not burn in a traditional fireplace. Openflame fireplaces were once routinely included in new home construction, but now seem to be less common, partly due to concerns about air quality and other environmental issues. In some areas of the country,
open wood-burning fireplaces have even been banned! Many homeowners have retrofitted former wood-burning fireplaces to accommodate pellet burning inserts, gas or electric hearths, or even banks of candles placed within a firebox (see photo, page 15). Don’t feel guilty about enjoying some down time during the winter. Since the Winter Solstice on December 21st, each day is getting longer, slowly but steadily moving towards Summer. Soon enough we’ll again be feeling the pressure to be outside, drawn by another fire — the Sun. ••• For those who have no firebox to retrofit or upon whom a fire’s ambience is lost, fire apps are available for smartphones — just imagine! No chopping or stacking wood, no pitch or spiders in the house and no carbon footprint to worry about.
History performer to spotlight Civl War era women in vignettes
L
ewis and Clark National Historical Park, Fort Clatsop is pleased to announce its next In Their Footsteps free speaker series event, “I Am Always on the Women’s Side – Vignettes of the Civil War,” by Karen Haas on Sunday, January 18 at 1pm. Haas is a story teller, music teacher, curator, tour guide, and living history performer. For this program, she researched diaries, letters, and songs written by women impacted by the American Civil War. Her engaging presentation introduces six historic women from all sides and walks of life during this challenging time. The audience will “meet” these women striving to survive in a time of violence, turmoil, and societal change. This third Sunday monthly forum is sponsored by the Lewis & Clark National Park Association and the park. These programs are free and are held in the Netul River Room at the Fort Clatsop Visitor Center. For more information, call the park at 503-8612471. Follow the park on its website, www.nps. gov/lewi or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ LewisandClarkNationalHistoricalPark.
20 / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / Columbia River Reader
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Columbia River Reader / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / 21
Outings & Events
Performing & Fine Arts Music, Art, Theatre, Literary
Stageworks NW Theatre proudly presents
The Lion in Winter Feb 13– Mar 1 Little Women: The Musical May 1 – 31 FIRST THURSDAY Feb. 5, 2015 Downtown Longview For tickets and more info visit stageworksnorthwest.org
360-636-4488
1433 Commerce Ave, Longview
Live Music Scene around the River For music schedule, go online or call the restaurant or bar
The Bistro 1329 Commerce Ave, Longview 360-425-2837 • Music Thurs 6–9; Fridays 6–10, Sats 6–9 thebistrobuzz.com The Birk Pub & Eatery 11139 Hwy 202, Birkenfeld, Ore 503-755-2722 • thebirk.com Cassava 1333 Broadway, Longview 360-425-7700 Live music first Friday. Check Facebook. Flowers ‘n’ Fluff 45 E. Col River Hwy, Clatskanie, Ore. 503-728-4222 Live Music Friday evenings clatskanieflowersnfluff@gmail.com Goble Tavern 70255 Col. River Hwy, Rainier 503-556-4090 • gobletavern.com The Mansion 420 Rutherglen Rd, Longview 360-425-5816. rutherglenmansion.com Fri 5-7 pm Winetasting Buffet $25 Porky’s Public House 561 Industrial Way, Longview 360-636-1616 facebook.com/pages/Porkys-CafeLounge/11041404898298
To find where your favorites are playing:
Broadway Gallery Artists reception, 5:30-7:30 pm. Music by Joe Green 1418 Commerce Ave. www.the-broadway-gallery.com Broderick Gallery Artists reception 5–8 pm 1318 Commerce Ave. 503-703-5188 www.broderickgallery.com Longview Outdoor Gallery 1200-1300 blocks, Commerce Ave. Free lighted, guided sculpture tours by LOG board member. Meet at Broadway Gallery, 6pm. McThread’s Wearable Art /Lord & McCord ArtWorks Artist’s Reception 5:30–7:30pm. Alessa Beringer 1204/1206 Broadway 360-261-2373 mcthreadswearableart.com Teague’s Gallery 1267 Commerce Ave. 360-636-0712 Open House ‘til 8pm. Across the Cowlitz River: Cowlitz County Museum Feb 5 7pm Presentation by Carolyn Caines and Maila Cadd: Finnish settlers who settled on Columbia Heights. 405 Allen Street, Kelso, Wash. 360-577-3119
HOW TO PUBLICIZE YOUR EVENT IN CRR
FredCarterLive@facebook.com or www.fredcarterlive.com
To list your music venue here, call Ned Piper, 360-749-2632
Koth Gallery Sacajawea Handweavers Guild: fabrics, textiles on display through January. Mon, Tues, Thurs 10-8, Wed 10-5, Fri 10-6, Sat 12-5. Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana, Longview, Wash. 360-4425300. McThreads Wearable Art/Lord and McCord ArtWorks Featured artist Alessa Beringer (fiber art). Opening Reception Feb, 5, 5:30–7:30pm. Open Tues-Thurs 11-5, Fri 12-6pm. 1206 Broadway, Longview, Wash. 360-261-2373 or mcthreadswearableart.com. Tsuga Gallery Fine arts and crafts by more than 30 area artists. Thurs-Sat 11–5, Sun 12–4. 70 Main Street, Cathlamet, Wash. 360-795-0725. LCC Gallery at the Rose Center Exhibits: Kendra Larson and Heather Goodwind, through Jan. 29. Gallery hours: Mon-Tues 10am-6pm, Wed-Fri 10am-4pm. Lower Columbia College, 15th & Washington Way, Longview, Wash. 360-442-2510. Jekyll & Hyde Friday Jan. 23, 7:30pm. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash Tickets $25-$40. At the box office, 360-5758499 or www.columbiatheatre.com Blues Night at the Columbia Norman Sylvester Band featuring LaRhonda Steele. Sat., Jan. 31, 7:30pm. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts. 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash. Tickets $25. At the box office, 360-575-8499 or www. columbiatheatre.com An Acoustic Evening with Collin Raye Sat., Feb. 7, 7:30pm. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts. 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash. Tickets $25-$40. At the box office, 360-575-8499 or www. columbiatheatre.com
SWW Symphony Winter Concert Sun., Feb. 8, 3pm. Featuring pianist Grant Mack. Reception following. LCC Rose Center for the Arts, 1600 Maple St., Longview, Wash. Tickets $20 adults, $5 students, swwasymphony.org or call Merry Lloyd, 360783-6165. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Tues, Feb. 10, 7:30pm. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts. 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash. Tickets $25–35. At the box office, 360-575-8499 or www. columbiatheatre.com The Lion in Winter Feb. 13–Mar. 1. Stageworks Northwest, 1433 Commerce Ave., Longview, Wash.. See ad, page 17. Mickey Guyton Sat., Feb. 14, 7:00pm. Cookin’ Country’s New Faces of Nashville. Presented by KUKN(105.5FM) at Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash. Tickets $15 advance, $20 at door. Available at Bob’s Sporting Goods, Longview, or KUKN.com.
AUXILIARY
We’re Fundraising with
General selection of boxed chocolates & novelties in stock. Or place special orders by Feb. 4 for Feb. 12 delivery.
Columbia River Reader office 1333 - 14th Ave. Longview, Wash. Mon-Wed-Fri • 11- 3pm Info: 360-261-0658.
Or mail or hand-deliver (in person or via mail slot) to: Columbia River Reader 1333-14th Ave Longview, WA 98632
phillipspettitr@facebook.com
avimuzo@facebook.com Fred Carter
Broderick Gallery New Year Gallery Artists. Tues-Sat, 10am–5pm or by appointment. 1318 Commerce, Longview, Wash. Info: 503-703-5188. www.broderickgallery.com
Recess Monkey Sun., Feb. 8, 2pm. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts Rainy Month Series. 1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, Wash. Tickets $5, family of six $25. At the box office, 360-575-8499 or www. columbiatheatre.com
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
Raeann raeannphillips.com Avi avimuzo.com
Broadway Gallery Artists co-op January: Janis Newton (paintings & sculpture) Jim Misener (sculpture). Feb: Hilaire Couture (paintings); Mary Fortner (jewelry; new gallery members’ work. Studio Sale Jan 12-18. Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5:30. 1418 Commerce, Longview, Wash. Open during streetscape construction. Parking lot off 12th Ave., back entrance. 360-577-0544.
Deadline: Submissions for events occuring Feb. 15– March 25 and received by Jan. 31 will be considered for inclusion in Outings & Events listings in the Feb 15 issue. For events occuring March 15 – April 25, deadline is Feb. 28. All submissions subject to lead time, general relevance to readers, and space limitations.
22 / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / Columbia River Reader
Auditions for K-12 students January 19 at 3:30 Clatskanie Mid/High School. More than 50 local students in the play.
Performances (all tickets $5)
Fri, Jan 23, 7:30pm • Sat, Jan 24 3pm At Donavon Wooley Performing Arts Center, Clatskanie Mid/High School • 471 BelAir Dr, Clatskanie, Ore • For general info call Elsa at 503-728-3403 Sponsors: City of Clatskanie’s Scout Lake fund, PGA and Clatskanie Kiwanis.
Outings & Events
Recreation, Outdoors, Gardening History, Pets, Self-Help Cowlitz County Museum “Badges, Bandits & Booze,” special exhibit curated by Sheriff Deputy Darren Ullmann, includes a moonshine still, an early “lie detector,” hand cuffs, and many other tools of the trade. Also, many pictures on display from the early days to current times. Museum open Tues-Sat 10 am–4 pm. 405 Allen St, Kelso, Wash. www. cowlitzwa.us/museum. Info: 360-577-3119. Wahkiakum County Historical Society Museum Extensive logging, fishing and cultural displays. Open 1-4pm, Thurs-Sun. 65 River Street, Cathlamet, Wash. For info 360-795-3954. “I Always on the Women’s Side: Vignettes of the Civil War” by Karen Haas. Sun., Jan 18, 1pm. Fort Clatsop Visitor Center (near Astoria, Ore.), Netul Room. Free admission. In Their Footsteps Speaker Series. Presented by Lewis and Clark National Park Assn. Info: 503-861-2471 or visit online: nps.gov/lewi/ index.htm. Super Bowl Saturday Soup Dinner Sat., Jan 31. Silent auction for ceramic bowls, mugs, etc., created at Glazes, Gifts & Giggles, Rainier. Event sponsored by Rainier United Methodist Church. Proceeds benefit HOPE of Rainier. Info or to volunteer to help: Lisa Soule, 503-728-4228 or 1980soules@gmail. com. Clues to Finding Females Cindy Webb. Feb. 12, 7pm. Lower Columbia Genealogical Society, meeting held at Somerset Retirement Apts., 2025 Tibbets Dr., Longview, Wash. Genealogical helper available every
Wednesday 1-3pm, Longview Public Library. Info: lcgsgen@yahoo.com; rootsweb.ancestry. com/~walcolgs Valentine’s Dinner Sat., Feb. 14. 5:30pm and 7:30pm seatings. Filet mignon with crab, Pistachio-crusted chicken, or Pasta Bolognaise. Grounds for Opportunity, 413 S. Pacific Ave., Kelso. $30 per person. Tickets at the café or CAP, 1526 Commerce, Longview. Benefits Meals on Wheels. Info: 360-4253430. Coffee Hour/Tech Support Sessions Mondays, 10-11am, in Longview. Beginner level help with Mac and Android smart phones, tablets, etc. See scheduled topics, page 25. Limited space. Pre-registration required. $5 fee. Presented by Perry Piper. Info/registration: 360-270-0608. R Square D Dance Club Fall/Winter schedule: 2nd Fri, 4th Sat, 7:30pm for plus, 8-10pm for Mainstream with rounds. Lessons begin Oct 16 at 7pm. Kelso Senior Center, 106 NW 8th Ave, Kelso, Wash. Info: 360-414-5855 or www.r-square-d.info. Columbian Toastmasters Village Inn, 535 S. Columbia Highway, St. Helens. 12:05– 1:05pm Thursdays. Increase your confidence, interview/presentation/leadership skills, Toastmasters is a nonprofit with a proven program. Info: Natasha Parvey, 850-3777867 or natashaparvey@gmail.com, or visit http://6421.toastmastersclubs.org/ Longview Social Club Local activities several times each month, geared for anyone ages 18– 35. Check Facebook: “LongviewWA Social Club” for details or call Perry, 360-270-0608.
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Columbia River Reader / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / 23
Movies
THE GAMBLER • MISS MEADOWS • THE IMITATION GAME
Sex, violence and the preservation of European civilization as we know it By Dr. Bob Blackwood
W
hen Karel Reisz’s “The Gambler” came out in 1974 with James Caan in the lead, the New York Times attacked it savagely; the Chicago critics were mixed. I gave it a good review in a small Chicago publication. Now, in 2015, some critics are praising Reisz’s “The Gambler,” which I feel was overdue, and dumping on Rupert Wyatt’s “The Gambler” (MPAA: R), an adaptation o f R e i s z ’s film. Frankly, Wyatt did a pretty good job. We see a college In Rupert Wyatt’s “The Gambler,” the sometimes-affluent Professor Jim Bennett p r o f e s s o r (Mark Wahlberg) flirts with bankruptcy and physical assault at the casino tables ( M a r k and the backrooms while the charming Amy Phillips (Brie Larson) wonders why. Wa h l b e r g ) Photo: Paramount Pictures from a wealthy family who has a compulsion to gamble to the point of loss far too many times. We get a few hints about his motivation, but not enough. The visual impact and the supporting cast—George Kennedy, Jessica Lange and Brie Larson— function fine. I think Wyatt’s film was enjoyable, but I would rather see Reisz’s version one more time.
I
caught Karen Leigh Hopkins’ “Miss Meadows” (TV-14), starring Katie Holmes, on pay-TV. She plays a very prim and attractive schoolteacher who draws the amorous attention of the local sheriff (James Badge Dale). Yet, trouble seems to follow this 1950ish-garbed teacher — man-trouble. She can handle it, however. Boy, can she! She trusts in God but also in the .25 caliber automatic in her purse.
Prim and trim schoolteacher Miss Meadows (Katie Holmes) is a wonderful teacher but an avowed vigilante in Karen Leigh Hopkins’ “Miss Meadows.” Her students and the sheriff love her, but some sexists will not.
Well, that’s up to you, but it was a good change-of-pace from Henry Koster’s “Good Morning, Miss Dove” (1955), in which Jennifer Jones was more “proper” than some of the nuns who brought me into line.
T
Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) examines the first electronic computer which he and his staff created to crack the German Enigma code in WWII in Morten Tyldum’s “The Imitation Game.” Photo: The Weinstin Co.
wo films about British geniuses are making the rounds: James Marsh’s “The Theory of Everything,” with Eddie Redmayne as cosmologist Stephen Hawking, and Morten Tyldum’s “The Imitation Game” (MPAA-PG 13) with Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, the father of computers. “The Theory of Everything” is basically a domestic drama about a genius and his family; cosmology in itself does not lend itself to a movie audience. In contrast, Turing’s computer and staff cracked the German Enigma machine and shortened WWII by an estimated two years. Turing did it with his computer and staff, and every book about World War II emphasizes the importance of this achievement.
Well, is the film enjoyable? Yes. We see and feel the incredible stresses the men and women are under to get the job done. For example, the mores of 1940s England prohibited men and women from working together. Keira Knightley’s character, a brilliant mathematician, had to work as a “secretary,” usually in another room
from the men. And of course, gay men were taboo, though Turing was gay. Eventually, he committed suicide at 41 after being caught and punished with chemical castration. Bless us all. ••• Dr. Bob Blackwood, professor emeritus of English at the City Colleges of Chicago, is the author of: From the Silent Era to “The Sopranos: Italian American Gangsters in Trend-Setting Films and Television Shows (2006) and co-author with Dr. John Flynn of Future Prime: The Top Ten Science Fiction Films (2006) and has been reviewing films since the late 1960s for a variety of publications. He and his wife, Diane, are planning a visit to Longview in 2015 on their way to an Inside Passage cruise. He says he is the only guy in Albuquerque who wants to go to Alaska.
Photo: Entertainment One Films
Holmes’ character is interesting. You may start cheering for her as she faces various creeps.
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24 / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / Columbia River Reader
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Informer By Perry Piper
The spin on vinyl
I
was very surprised to hear that 2014 saw the highest number of vinyl music sales since 1993! Why would people be picking up older formats of music instead of modern day digital downloads or streaming subscriptions? Could there be something to it or is this just another hipster fad? Lovers of vinyl report a warmer, fuller sound and, like printed book lovers, enjoy “feeling” the music with their hands before dropping the needle to initiate playback. They also claim — citing physics thresholds — that analog is technically better quality than digital and CDs. But is it possible? The verdict Sorry to disappoint nostalgists. The rise of vinyl is nothing more than wishful thinking. There is no actual improvement in quality. In fact, the warm sound is really distortion. If people prefer this sound, however,
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modulation tools included on music players can easily alter the sound of digital to match. The only reasons to pick up vinyl is if you are a collector, since musical catalog support is lacking and I couldn’t find many favorite artists’ vinyls for under $100 on global online markets. This amount would pay for almost an entire year of streaming 25 million tracks on most of the popular services! At the usual $20-30 range for vinyls, asking even that much for an album in the face of high quality streaming is just bonkers. Let’s not forget the cheapest and highest rated record player I could find is another $100. To even attempt the alleged high quality format, you’ll need the very best equipment. Sure, the art looks awesome on the giant, 12-inch album covers and you get to have guests over to point in admiration at your collection on the shelf. But why does that matter in an era of social media with infinite and easy playlist and artist sharing? You can blow up the art or lyrics on your flat screen or smartphone and wirelessly share it to everyone in the room. You can’t really show off your vinyl collection when you go on vacation or even walk a block away to the neighbor’s house.
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Quality moves in waves At first, physical media is the best, but soon, digital versions catch up. We see the same thing happening to Bluray movies and the quickly advancing Netflix and other Internet film streaming services. A new Netflix program offers four times better quality before there is even physical media to match! This format is called 4K and you’ll be hearing a lot about it. It’s only a matter of time before each medium is reproduced digitally in a much more faithful manner than it ever could be physically. Only the audiophile community would disagree. Test Yourself Regardless of where vinyl and CD fall on the quality spectrum, most people can’t tell the difference anyway. Go to TIDAL’s website at http://test. tidalhifi.com to see if you can even hear the difference between typical streaming quality MP3 (around 320 Kbps) and full CD lossless (1411 Kbps). Just be sure to use your very best speakers or headphones. The CD’s quality is, supposedly, four times that of the MP3’s. Most people can’t tell the difference. My entire family and I couldn’t either. So why bother with any higher level format? Most of us should stick with streaming. My platform of choice is the 25 million song catalog offered by Google Play Music for $10 per month. The service has a great selection of daily playlists that fit the time of year. Google, above all other competitors that I know of, even lets you upload your purchased music to a private library for playback anytime and anywhere, even if it has have been removed from the main storefront! But if you CAN pass TIDAL’s test, this service is the very best option across quality and convenience for global playback. At $20 a month for the same 25 million songs, it’s a serious steal compared to buying vinyl or CD physically. If vinyls are on the rise again, it is only for a very fringe and nostalgic slice of society. ••• Perry Piper lives in Longview and works as CRR’s production manager/ photographer and technical consultant. He enjoys learning about emerging and evolving technologies, including his Segway personal transporter on which he can be seen gliding around town. Be sure to wave!
Jekyll and Hyde cont from page 17
In the second act, Mr. Hyde tears between these two worlds, as well. The score soars through a lot of power ballads; written in the wake of the success of Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, this is a musical where the songs are pure conduits of emotion, especially Dr. Jekyll’s song “This is the Moment” when he carries out his great experiment and turns into Mr. Hyde. This current production of the musical amps up the rock and roll feel of the show, with cool fog effects and lighting. This follows a 2013 Broadway revival that starred Constantine Maroulis, a singer known for his edgy persona on American Idol and for starring in the Broadway premiere of Rock of Ages. The tour now stars Aleks Knezevich, a performer attending medical school who took time off when he had the opportunity to play the famous fictional doctor and his terrible alter ego. I teach at a university where the president is a scholar of English literature who not only specializes in Victorian novels, but who has also written extensively about The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I owe President Thomas for my sense of how the doubleness of the characters and the tricks of narration make the story such acute social commentary. What I know about stage adaptation is that it makes currents in language and imagery more present and heightens thrills in the plot. Stevenson’s book rewards this theatrical attention. The intertwined self of Jekyll and Hyde and the double truths of the two women he loves hold the stage. When we attend to what they represent, it pushes our hearts and minds. •••
Original • Local Compiled with care All about the good life Fit for any coffee table The cover makes good gift wrap in a pinch, too
Columbia River Reader / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / 25
Miss Manners
cont from page 7
4. DEAR MISS MANNERS: How many strands of pearls is too many? I had always heard that a lady should never wear more than three at one time. Now I see so many starlets and even Michelle Obama wearing five or six or more. It still looks trashy to me. Have times changed? GENTLE READER: Of course times have changed, but what do pearls care? With their innocent look, they don’t have to obey the rules that restrict their flashier peers. Miss Manners supposes it is technically possible to wear too many pearls. But five, seven or even nine strands (in a choker worn on a very long neck) have never been considered trashy. Notice that the possibility of four, six or eight strands was not mentioned. That is because pearls do not lead a totally unrestricted existence. As Miss Manners’ dear grandmother took care to teach her, “A lady does not wear an even number of strands of pearls.” 5. DEAR MISS MANNERS: I (age 69) have been dating a man (age 75) for the past year. Both of us are unsure how to introduce each other in social situations. We introduce each other as, “I would like you to meet my friend (insert name).” Our relationship is exclusive and more than friendship, but we are not engaged. At our age to be introduced as girlfriend or boyfriend sounds ridiculous. How should we introduce each other?
GENTLE READER: Just the way you are doing. Miss Manners assures you that everyone is able to figure out that you are a couple. 6. DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’ve noticed that sometimes a gift is unwanted by a friend or family member, and instead of just giving it away, they return it to me. They always make a point of noting that they need to be honest about not planning on using the gift and so are choosing to return it to me. I do feel hurt that what I chose for someone was incorrect. I, on the other hand, never would do this to anyone. I’ve received many gifts that were not to my taste, but I just say thank you and either keep or donate. It’s the thought that counts, right? Is it more important to be honest or to not hurt anyone’s feelings? GENTLE READER: It is appalling how often these mean the same thing. Miss Manners has noticed that when someone declares an intention to be honest, nastiness is bound to follow. Two things seemed to have escaped such people: Dishonesty is not the only alternative to honesty. There is also the highly underrated virtue of shutting up. When someone prefaces a statement with the declaration of being honest, the implication is that honesty does not characterize that person’s other statements. All that needs to be said about a present that does not please is a hearty thanks. To return it is an insult, as well as an additional burden on the giver to dispose of it.
7. DEAR MISS MANNERS: My girlfriend insists on talking to her phone using a voice-to-text application. She does this to send text messages or to answer social media posts, insisting that it is much easier than typing a text message. My perspective is that it is fine to do that, but very rude to do it in the presence of others. The whole point of texting is to do it discreetly and quietly. What are your thoughts? GENTLE READER: Being seen or heard to be texting is equally rude when in the presence of live people. Miss Manners notes, however, that your girlfriend’s method has the advantage of providing entertainment to those present when her phone repeats back its garbled interpretation of her message. 8. DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it possible to discourage or redirect adult relatives away from the practice of making Christmas lists? I have tried and failed — so far. At the tender age of 53, I am embarrassed to write out a “Dear Santa” letter, especially since my husband and I are lucky enough to be able to buy everything we need and much of what we want. My relatives (siblings, their spouses, my mother) are in similarly good financial condition. However, they exert a great deal of pressure to produce these Christmas lists, which suggests to me that they can’t be bothered coming up with something to wrap up and put under the tree. It’s depressing — are we really such strangers to each other? I would be
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happy to forgo gifts altogether, but that option was not popular with my family. It seems so silly and kind of sad to buy things for people they could easily buy for themselves. It’s not really the end of the world to take a chance on someone even if the present later ends up being re-gifted or sent to charity, is it? GENTLE READER: Like you, Miss Manners has tried and — so far — pretty much failed to discourage people from trashing the ancient custom of exchanging presents and substituting the exchange of shopping lists. What (she keeps asking) is the point? The choice of presents is supposed to produce that warm feeling of knowing that someone else has noticed you and considered how to please you. When that element of thoughtfulness is eliminated, what is left? Of course she knows that the real answer is getting stuff one wants and having other people pay for it. But as a rough reciprocity is required, no one should come out ahead. Some people solve this by making charitable donations in one another’s names, instead, but that, too, is something people should make their own choices about and do themselves, not to mention for which they should get the tax credit. Until we succeed in making people understand the value and meaning of giving presents, Miss Manners suggests that you nudge them toward a minimal amount of thoughtfulness by listing “A book, DVD or CD that you think I might enjoy.” ••• Please send your questions to Miss Manners to her email, dearmissmanners@ gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
It pays to advertise in To join the fun, call 360-749-2632.
Snowbird Diversions
Scottsdale’s magnificent global music museum worth a visit usic is the language of the soul and never has this been better illustrated than at the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix. This magnificent structure opened in 2010 and my travel companion, Ray McDermott, and I recently spent the better part of a day reveling in the many astonishing exhibits. Robert Uldrich, founder and CEO of Target, and his friend, Marc Felix, planned the museum after visiting the MIM in Brussels, Belgium. Although a totally independent organization, the MIM in Arizona is an affiliate partner of the Smithsonian Museum and now houses some 15,000 instruments and artifacts from more than 200 countries. At any time you can enjoy at least 6,000 on display. The exhibits are divided into five regions of the world: Africa and the Middle East; Asia and Oceania; Europe; Latin and South America and the Caribbean; and the United States and Canada. The oldest artifact is a
paigu (hourglass drum) from China – estimated to have been created between 5000 and 4000 B.C.E. The oldest Western instruments are six carillon bells cast in 1659 in Belgium. The sound system is magnificent – Guidesport headphones are available and will provide a sound track for videos at more than 300 sites – every visitor has his own “personal tour guide” through the museum. Each exhibit is designed to represent the instrument and music of every country in the world. They start basically in near prehistoric eras and are shown in the original context with the sound delivered through the high quality headphones. In addition to the hundreds of exhibits, the Educational Department offers a wide range of programs including ones for school group visits, artists in residency programs, lectures and workshops. The newest program is specifically designed for “home schooled” children in the area.
Courtesy photo
M
By Shirley Smith
The Target Gallery compliments the museum’s permanent collections with exciting and informative traveling exhibits and special engagements. The Conservation Lab gives guests a behindthe-scenes glimpse at the maintenance and preservation of the collections. The center also houses a concert hall that seats 300 for the numerous concerts and visiting artists. Of course, there is the usual museum store for cards, posters, T-shirts, and books. MIM is a 501C-3 non-profit that runs on the $18 entry fee and individual memberships, corporate donations, and major funding sources. Located in the north Scottsdale area on East Mayo Blvd, MIM is open daily except Easter and Christmas with plenty of free parking. A loyal group of 575 volunteers help to make it run smoothly for some 200,000 annual visitors.
If you are planning a visit to the Phoenix area this winter, I strongly recommend putting MIM on your “to-do” list. Plan at least four hours by starting in the morning, taking a lunch break at the charming Café Allegro and finish after the rest stop. Personally, I have never been into musical instruments, but this was a grand experience for me. For more information call 480-478-6000 or visit mim.org. •••
Longview resident Shirley Smith is a retired travel agent who enjoys visiting the Phoenix area every winter, often with her companion Ray McDermott.
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Columbia River Reader / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / 27
Clatskanie Drive-in 150 SE Truehaak Indoor & outdoor seating. Fabulous fast food. Burgers, shakes and MORE! M-Sat 11am –8pm, Sun 12–6pm New ownership. 503-728-3815.
Flowers ‘n’ Fluff Coffee Shop 45 E. Columbia River Hwy Wine Tasting, Dinner & Live Music Fridays 5:30–8:30pm. Unforgettable scones, On-the-go breakfast & lunch. Coffee Shop M-F 5:30am–6:30pm; Sat 7am–6pm; Sun 8am–6pm. 503-728-4222
Fultano’s Pizza 770 E. Columbia River Hwy Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more! M-Sat 11am–10pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-728-2922
Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant 640 E. Columbia River Hwy Fine Mexican cuisine. Daily specials. The best margarita in town. Daily drink specials. Sports bar. M-Th 11am–9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-543-3017
Rainier Alston Pub & Grub 25196 Alston Rd., Rainier 503-556-4213 11 beers on tap, cocktails. Open daily 11am. 503-556-9753 See ad, page 7. Conestoga Pub Cornerstone Café 102 East “A” Street Microbrews, wines & spirits Prime rib Friday & Sat. Open M-F 6am–8pm; Sat-Sun 7am–8pm. 503-556-8772
COLUMBIA RIVER
dining guide Cassava
Evergreen Pub & Café 115-117 East 1st Street Burgers, halibut, prime rib, full bar. 503-556-9935. See ad, page 7. Goble Tavern 70255 Columbia River Hwy. (Milepost 31, Hwy. 30) Food, beer & wine + full bar, Live music. 503-556-4090. See ad page 7.
Hometown Pizza 109 E. “A” St. Take-and-bake, Delivery, To-Go and dine-in. Lunch Buffet M-F 11–2. Open daily 11am; close M-Th, Sat 9pm, Fri 10pm. 503-556-3700
1333 Broadway. 360-425-7700 Locally roasted espresso, fine teas, fresh pastries daily, smoothies, beer & wine, homemade soups. Breakfast and lunch.
St. Helens
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 23.
Longview
The Bistro
1329 Commerce Ave., Longview (alley entrance). Fine dining, happy hour specials. wine tastings. Tu-Sat open 5pm. 360-425-2837. See ad page 16.
El Tapatio 117 West “A” Street, Rainier Authentic Jalisco cuisine from scratch. Full bar. Karaoke Fri & Sat 9pm–2am Riverview dining. Sun-Thurs 11am–10pm; Fri-Sat 11–11, Bar ‘til 2am. Karaoke. 503-556-8323.
1210 Ocean Beach Hwy., Longview Fish & chips, burgers, more. Beer & wine. 360-577-7972
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
1260 Commerce Ave. Family Dining 11–9, Breakroom Bar 11am–midnight. American comfort food. Full bar. 360-703-3904. See ad, page 12.
Morenita Tacos
1045 - 14th Ave. Dine in or take out. All fresh ingredients. Tortas and green sauce are our specialties. Mon-Sat 11:30am–9pm; Sun 11:30am–6pm.. 360-425-1838.
Porky’s Public House 561 Industrial Way, Longview Slow-roasted prime rib Fri & Sat, flat iron steaks, 1/3-lb burgers, fish & chips. 31 draft beers. Full bar. 360-636-1616. See ad, page 6.
Bowers Down W-Sat 5–8
To advertise in Columbia River Dining Guide call 360-749-2632.
28 / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / Columbia River Reader
Bertucci’s
Mary’s Burger & A Shake
Gyros Gyros
M-Tues 11–4, W-Sat 11–5 1338 Commerce Ave., 360-577-5658 Serving Mediterranean fare for lunch and local farm fresh food for dinner. Reservations recommended for dinner. See ad, page 8.
Sunshine Pizza & Catering 2124 Columbia Blvd. Hot pizza, cool salad bar. Beer & wine. 503-397-3211 See ad, page 9. 2017 Columbia Blvd., St. Helens Mon–Fri 9–5; Sat 10–4. Breakfast sandwiches, deli sandwiches, espresso, chocolates. See ad, page 16.
Kelso Grounds for Opportunity 413 S. Pacific Ave. 360-703-3020 Wed–Sun 7am–3pm Breakfast and Lunch available all day.
Parker’s Restaurant & Brewery 1300 Mt. St. Helens Way. Exit 49 off I-5. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Burgers, hand-cut steak; seafood and pasta. Restaurant 8am–9pm (‘til 10pm Fri & Sat); Lounge 11am–midnight. 360-967-2333
Country Folks Deli 1329 Commerce Ave., Longview. Opens at 10 for lunch. 360-425-2837
4503 Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview. Gourmet burgers, hot dogs & more. M-Sat 11–8, Closed Sun. 360-425-1637. Luigi’s Pizza 117 East 1st Street, Rainier 503-556-4213 Pizza, spaghetti, burgers, beer & wine. See ad, page 7.
Castle Rock
Scappoose Fultano’s Pizza 51511 SE 2nd. Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more! “Best pizza around!” M–Th, Sat 11am–10pm; Fri 11am–11pm; Sun 11am–9pm. Full bar service ‘til 11pm Fri & Sat. Deliveries in Scappoose. 503-543-5100
Ixtapa Fine Mexican Restaurant
33452 Havlik Rd. Fine Mexican cuisine. Daily specials. The best margarita in town. Daily drink specials. M-Th 11am–9:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am–11:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm. 503-728-3344.
Woodland Rutherglen Mansion 420 Rutherglen Rd. (off Ocean Beach Hwy. at 38th Ave.), Longview Open for dinner Fri– Sun, Friday wine tasting, Sunday brunch. Full bar. 360-425-5816. See ad page 11.
Teri’s 3225 Ocean Beach Hwy, Longview. Fine dining, Happy Hour. Full bar. Specials, fresh NW cuisine. 360-577-0717. See ad page 16.
The Oak Tree 1020 Atlantic Ave., Woodland. Full lunch, breakfast and dinner menu. Fresh from scratch cooking. Great happy hour menu. Sun 7am–9pm, M-Th 8am–9pm, Fri-Sat 7am– 10pm. 360-841-8567
Haikus reflect April’s cover voted CRR’s best of 2014
W
Dr. Jeffrey Tack
riters, staff and friends at CRR’s recent holiday party, having voted April’s cover (featuring original art by Scott McRae) their collective favorite in 2014, split into small groups for a pre-dinner assignment: To collaborate to write a haiku inspired by the image. These were read aloud to the full assemblage. After some creative brainstorming (and review of what, exactly a haiku is) and a few glasses of champagne, each group’s designated haiku reader proudly revealed their work.
Dr. Kristi Poe Dr. Terence Tack
Simply. . . the Best.
April’s was the CRR staff’s favorite cover of 2014.
Book Reading Signing Event
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A portion of the proceeds to benefit Progress Center
Thank you for voting us #1 Eye Care Center in Cowlitz County for the last 5 years. (The Daily News Reader’s Choice Award)
Longview Presbyterian Church 3808 Pennsylvania Street Longview, WA
Here are their “pineapple haikus,” which will not be considered in the current HaikuFest (see page 9). Not that they would win. Light spirit delight Night right wow tonight Grand friends great stories what fun! Hostile crimson fruit Are you angry because you’re just not an apple? Short and sweet, tangy Spiky and yet inviting with rum, warm feeling. Pineapple painting Scott’s artistic talent shines through Yellow, red, orange and blue! Color abundant Brush strokes glowing gracefully Pineapple surprise. We like pineapples We don’t like writing haikus So enjoy your meal.
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the spectator by ned piper
Hello, it’s nice to read you
O
ver the years, I’ve had the honor of meeting several famous authors, writers I admire and whose books have entertained me. Lawrence Block is a New York mystery writer who has publishedmore than 40 novels. About 30 years ago, I learned that Block was signing his books at a Portland bookstore. I drove down, arriving 20 minutes early. Mr. Block was already there. We talked before his other fans arrived. A fascinating man, he discussed how he first got published and encouraged my fledgling writing career. A few years later, the Lower Columbia College Foundation sponsored an
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Longviewborn Lee Quarnstrom candidly recounts his lifetime of adventures starting in the 1950s and 1960s. His memoir is nostalgic, wild, funny and moving.
impressive lineup of celebrities who spoke at the Columbia Theatre. One of those individuals was Anna Quindlen, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who had just published her first novel, One True Thing. Sue and I were invited to attend a reception for Ms. Quindlen at the college. We arrived, got a glass of wine and greeted some friends. Soon, I noticed a woman foraging at the finger food table. Ms. Quindlen was the guest speaker and no one had engaged her in conversation, so I approached her. She was delightful and her presentation at the theatre was insightful and filled with humor, just like her writing. Seattle mystery writer Earl Emerson’s primary character is a fireman. When they say, “Write what you know,” Emerson took that seriously as he was a fireman. He was invited to Longview to talk about writing at a local bookstore. Following his talk everyone was invited to enjoy breakfast at the Commerce Café, where Bowers Down is now located. I had the good fortune of sitting across the table from Mr. Emerson. I asked him how he first got published. His response: “I submitted nine manuscripts that were rejected.” You never know when you meet someone, whether they may become famous. In 2006, I attended
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30 / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / Columbia River Reader
a Northwest Publisher’s event in Portland. The event at the Oregon Convention Center featured five Northwest authors who read from their recently published novels. One of those writers was Cheryl Strayed. She read from her first novel, Torch. I was impressed, so I bought a copy and stood in Cheryl’s line for an autograph. While she was signing it, I asked if she would come to Longview to read at WordFest, our literary salon. We exchanged business cards and a few months later, she indeed read at WordFest. That was before her blockbuster memoir Wild was published and the movie based on her book hit the big screen. Ms. Strayed is a bit too busy these days to read at WordFest. The most famous writer I’ve met was Ken Kesey, author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Kesey also formed an infamous group in the 1960s called The Merry Pranksters. One of the Pranksters happened to be my lifelong friend, Lee Quarnstrom. Lee was born in Longview and spent his first few years here. He now lives in California, where I visit him yearly. We always find lots to talk about. Lee is also a writer. The story of his adventurous life was recently published in his memoir When I was a Dynamiter, or How a Nice Catholic Boy Became a Merry Prankster, a Pornographer and a Bridegroom 7 Times. I would have enjoyed reading it even if Lee and I weren’t old friends. Maybe you would, too (see details, above). ••• To his delight, book lover Ned Piper received four new books recently as holiday gifts: Life with the Lutherans by Garrison Keillor; Last Dance in Havanna by Eugene Robinson; Sixkill, Robert B. Parker’s final Spenser novel; and The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson.
WHAT’S
UP
UNDER THE BRIDGE? By Amy Fischer, Port of Longview Communications/Public Affairs Manager
T
here are many jobs at the Port of Longview, all of them important in some way, but one of the most critical positions is the Business Development Manager. That’s the person in charge of drumming up business for our docks. And it’s a huge responsibility. If the Port didn’t have cargos to handle, no one at the Port would have a reason to be here. Our berths would be empty. Our equipment would sit idle. Our workers would have nothing to do. Big deal, right? Actually, yes — it would be a big deal. The Port of Longview is more than an intercontinental transportation hub — it’s also an economic engine for the community. In 2012, marine cargo movement at the Port generated $1.7 billion of economic activity in the region. If the Port shut down, the ripple effect would affect thousands of people, from the Castle Rock logger in the woods to the tugboat captain to the ships’ chandlers who sell supplies to ships’ crews on the waterfront. Port-related activity employs 10 percent of workers in Cowlitz County. The Port also supports another 9,100 jobs with shippers and other related businesses. It generates in the neighborhood of $5.2 million a year in tax dollars for local schools and infrastructure, plus $444 million for local businesses. If there suddenly were no Port of Longview, many people would be out of work. The spending power they had would vanish, which could affect hairdressers, waitresses, jewelers, car dealerships and the housing market. Companies that do business with the Port would see revenues fall. Certain local services might be cut. Therefore, it’s vital for Port staff to constantly seek new cargos, keep existing customers coming back and set the wheels in motion for all the Port’s activities. Our community’s economic stability depends on it.. ••• Contact Amy at afischer@portoflongview.com or call 360425-3305. Read more about the port at www.portoflongview.com.
Columbia River Reader / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / 31
Patients Deliver Sterling Reviews for Pacific Surgical Center
In 2013, more than 3,000 outpatient surgical procedures were performed at Pacific Surgical Center, and patients were very happy with the results. Of those who returned surveys, 98 percent
were satisfied with the care they received. All procedures at PSC are performed by board certified surgeons, often at a substantial cost-savings.
Here’s what PSC patients are saying: • “I was impressed with everything about Pacific Surgical Center and would definitely use it over a hospital in the future.” – Tim Call, Vancouver • “I loved it. Everything I needed to have done – including the MRI (Pacific Imaging Center), the diagnosis (Longview Orthopedic Associates), and the surgery (Pacific Surgical Center) – was done there, and every person I came in contact with was friendly
360.442.7900 625 9th Ave • Longview, WA 98632
www.longviewpsi.com/psc
32 / January 10 – February 14, 2015 / Columbia River Reader
and good at their job.” – Shannon Imboden, Longview • “From the insurance coordinator at Longview Urology to the nursing staff at PSC, everyone was helpful, friendly, and incredibly efficient. The facility is first rate, and they’re willing to pay to retain people who are experienced and welltrained. I was very impressed to say the least.” – Mark McCrady, Longview • “Every person there and at Pacific Surgical Center went above and beyond to make sure I was taken care of. I don’t think there’s any way I could have been in better hands.” – Doug Harmon, Amboy