CRR October 2009

www.crreader.com

Oct 15 – Nov 14, 2009 • COMPLIMENTARY Helping you discover and enjoy the good life in the Columbia River region at home and on the road.

Grab yo shovels!ur

?

What really happened in 1924

CLAM TID COMIES pag NG e6

OUT•AND•ABOUT

Ape Cave ~ page 17 Suzanne Martinson on travel ~ page 24 October 31 Haiku deadline ~ page 4

page 2

The Reader hits the road MAN HEN

KITC

Also inside...

in the

Mushrooms side by side for soup page 17

AND MORE!

BIGFOOT at Mt St. Helens page 19

page 10

COLUMBIA RIVER

dining guide Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 1

Y o u onl y t h i n k you ’v e seen it

H E L E NS MT ST

Friday. Oct 30

10:30 am depart Kelso Red Lion 8 pm return

Autumn Escapade MT. ST. HELENS

and Environs

• Deluxe coach transportation • Expert guide/eruption eyewitness commentary • Lunch at Fire Mountain Grill • Visits to Johnston Ridge Observatory and Mt. St. Helens Forest Learning Center • Possible Bigfoot sightings • Winetasting & Buffet Supper at Eco-Park’s Backwoods Café with mini logging demo & live music • Souvenir photo • Prizes $

79 per person

Seating is limited; sign up now!

Send check payable to: Columbia River Reader PO Box 1643, Rainier, OR 97048 Questions: 360-636-1143 or Publisher@CRReader.com

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Dedicated to Exceptional Medicine and Compassionate Care

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(360) 414-2000 An affirmative action, equal opportunity employer

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2 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

Note: Updated fonts in order to post this issue to web

F

ollowing Jean Bruner’s advice some time back, I now make it a point to celebrate my birthday in small ways during the entire month, not just on the one official day. October is “my” month and I feel I was very lucky to be born at the absolute best time of the year!

Sue’s Views

With its mellowing weather, golden crunchy leaves, back-to-school rituals, pumpkins and cornstalks on porches, marching bands on football fields and fireplace season starting up, I find Fall to be the most utterly delicious season.

On my birthday, my family and a few friends orchestrated a festive Sunday evening, surrounding me with good humor, warm wishes and lots of laughter. There were even balloons!

And I received some very nice gifts, including an iPod, hip waders for clam digging and a new cookbook.

Building on what my mother taught me, I began learning to cook at Monticello Junior High School during the regime of Pearl Heidenreich, the very strident home economics teacher who taught us girls to cook oatmeal, eat (begrudgingly) grapefruit without sugar and make cream puffs.

Later, as a young single woman, I enrolled in a “gourmet cooking” non-credit class at Lower Columbia

Columnists and contributors: Ron Baldwin David Bell Dr. Bob Blackwood Jean Carnine Bruner Nancy Chennault Becky Frazier Sandi Hulden Suzanne Martinson John L. Perry Michael Perry Perry Piper Ned Piper Shirley Smith Paul Thompson

Columbia River Reader P.O. Box 1643 Rainier, OR 97048 Website: www.CRReader.com Howard Meharg, Webmaster E-mail: publisher@crreader.com Phone: Longview (360) 636-1143 Rainier (503) 556-1295 FAX (360) 636-2196 Subscriptions $20 per year inside U.S.A. (plus $1.54 sales tax if mailed to Washington addresses) Opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, not the Reader.

So imagine my pleasure in receiving Julia Child’s masterpiece for my birthday. Especially since I’d heard all her cookbooks are in short supply at bookstores in the wake of renewed interest triggered when the new Meryl Streep movie came out.

I suppose there are some people who would think it excessive to go to the same movie four times within just a few weeks. Each time I saw Julie & Julia, however, I enjoyed it anew and my desire to cook again was rekindled.

Whirling my whisk again.

College. Over subsequent years, I subscribed to a cookbook-of-themonth club, wore out my first copy of The Joy of Cooking and had lots of trials and errors — and fun — in the two rotating-host dinner groups Ned and I belonged to.

On the cover Original Mt. St. Helens, Bigfoot and bus artwork by Lila Adams.

Publisher/Editor: Susan P. Piper,

But I never owned a copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking. And, frankly, since taking on CRR, I’ve been too busy to cook as I once did.

In fact, I’ve gotten almost completely out of the habit. And I’ve missed it.

Vickie Wyckoff digs a clam near Grayland, Wash. Photo by John Perry.

Cover design by:

Perry’s FiveFingers® footware by Vibram. See story, page 33.

Columbia River Reader is published monthly, with 13,500 copies distributed free throughout the Lower Columbia region in Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon.

Entire contents copyrighted

by Columbia River Reader. No reproduction of any kind is allowed without express written permission of the publisher.

A travelogue, comedy, love story and great food movie, it reminded me of my early cooking “discoveries” and the enjoyment I’ve always found in the kitchen. Streep’s rendition of Julia Child is brilliant, along with Stanley Tucci’s delightful Paul Child. If this movie doesn’t win

some Oscars, I’ll eat my hat . . . or Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon. Join the Publisher on CRR’s I have no Autumn Escapade aspirations Details, opposite page to do as Julie Powell did, cooking my way recipeby-recipe through Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Even if I did, it would take me a lot longer than a year and I’m sure I would skip the aspic chapter.

But this is the perfect time to begin whirling my whisk again. Especially at harvest time, nothing compares to convivial activity in a warm and fragrant kitchen or a gathering of kindred spirits around a sumptuous dinner table aglow with candles — sharing the bounty of the Earth, the fruit of the vine and the gifts of good company.

Happy Autumn! Happy October!

Bon Appetit!

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

4 5 5 6 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 26 28 31 32 33 33 34

Quips & Quotes Cover to Cover: Top 10 Bestsellers Book Review by Becky Frazier Hook, Line & Sinker: Fryer in the hole!

Biz Buzz Columbia River Dining Guide On Ethics by Randy Cohen Theatre & Life: Of Mice and Men commentary Autumn Haiku Contest deadline approaches At Home with Sandi Hulden Northwest Gardener: Vermi-composting Man in the Kitchen: Mushrooms, side by side Out & About: Exploring Ape Cave A Civil War Memorial in Washington State?

The Great Ape Hunt of 1924 Going My Way? Bing Crosby tracks in Spokane Where Do You Read the Reader?

Calendar of Events Movie Review by Dr. Bob Blackwood: Surrogates My Slant: The ubiquitous blackberry Going Green Light: Put a genie on your wall Lower Columbia Informer: Tribal terrain treading Music Scene Around the River The Spectator: Golf balls, bottles and books Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 3

Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you, and scorn in Contributed by the one ahead.

Jean Carnine ~ Mac McCleary, Financial Expert Bruner Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.

~ Alfred Hitchcock I don’t need no bodyguard.

~ Jimmy Hoffa God himself couldn’t sink this ship.

~ Deckhand on the Titanic If you can find something to laugh at these days, you’re not paying attention.

~ Groucho Marx If work was a good thing, the rich would have it all and not let you do it.

~ Elmore Leonard America is a land where a citizen will cross the ocean to fight for democracy and won’t cross the street to vote in a national election.

~ Bill Vaughn, Journalist You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.

~ Franklin P. Jones, Humorist

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are.

~ Kurt Cobain The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friend. If they are okay, then it’s you.

~ Rita Mae Brown A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small parcel.

~ John Ruskin Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

~ Winston Churchill In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these. ~ Paul Harvey, Radio Commentator

Longview resident Jean Carnine Bruner says, “Stop chasing rainbows, learn to dance in the rain.” She helps distribute CRR every month and can be seen around town, usually smiling. Reach her at 360-578-3834.

Columbia River Reader Submission Guidelines Letters to the Editor (up to 200 words) and Reader Viewpoints (up to 350 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.

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. Name and phone number of writer must be included; anonymous submissions will not be considered.

Outings & Events calendar (free listing): Events must be open to the public. The arts, entertainment, educational and recreational opportunities and community cultural events will receive priority.

See Submission details, page 29, Businesses and organizations wishing to promote their particular products or services are invited to purchase advertising.

CONTACT US

ADVERTISING

Columbia River Reader P.O. Box 1643 Rainier, OR 97048 Website: www.CRReader.com E-mail: Publisher@CRReader.com FAX: 360-636-2196

Longview-Kelso: Ned Piper 360-749-2632 Rainier/Clatskanie/Cathlamet Debi Borgstrom 503-728-4248 Scappoose/St. Helens: Call 360-636-1143 or 503-556-1295

4 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

Letter to the Editor CRR’s quality noted I truly wish to compliment you on the quality of your publication!

Both my husband and I worked at the Oregonian for 42 and 25 years, respectively, so we’re very familiar with putting together a newspaper!

Roberta Mills Columbia City, Oregon Editor’s Note: Roberta Mills is Chairperson of the Public Relations and Building/Grounds Committees of the Caples House Museum in Columbia City, Oregon. She wishes to direct readers’ attention to the Columbia River Arts Fair & Tea scheduled for Nov. 14 at the Caples House Museum and the Columbia City Community Hall. See details, page 27.

Photo by Dave Kovac

Maybe I could read better if I could get me a pair of those single vision glasses!

~ Bob the Dog

Fall Special FREE SINGLEVISION LENSES $100 Value

with purchase of any frame

PLUS 5% of your purchase donated to the school or community organization of your choice

thru 11/30/09

CRR’s Autumn Haiku Contest Deadline: October 31

Exams $69

1339 Commerce - In the Merk

360-425-4647

To enter, send a maximum of 3 entries per person, via e-mail to publisher@CRReader.com (please indicate “Haiku Contest” on subject line) or U.S. mail to CRR Haiku, PO Box 1643, Rainier, OR 97048 To be eligible to win, entries must adhere to the 5-7-5 syllable rule.

Please do not send art work.

(Save that for future contests to be announced.)

Entries must be postmarked or sent electronically by Oct. 31, 2009. Winners will be published in the November 15 issue.

BESTSELLING CHRISTIAN BOOKS FICTION

1. The Missing, Lewis 2. Take Two, Kingsbury 3. A Cousin’s Prayer, Brunstetter 4. Fireproof Wilson/Kendrick 2. Take One, Kingsbury 6. Redeeming Love Rivers 7. The Knight, James 8. The Hope of Refuge, Woodsmall 9. A Surrendured Heart, Peterson 10. The Secret, Lewis

NON-FICTION

Oct 2009

1. The Love Dare, Kendrick/Kendrick 2. Crazy Love, Chan 3. Love Dare IM. Leather, Kendrick 4. 90 Minutes in Heaven, Piper 5. Fearless Ron, More 6. Game Plan for Life, Gibbs 7. Pwer of Prayibg for Your Adult Children, Omartian 8. 5 Love Languages, Chapman 9. Captivating, Eldridge, Eldridge 10. Praying the Names of God, Spangler

The Treasure House Your Christian Store • Enriching Your Faith 1252 Commerce Avenue • Longview, WA

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Cover to Cover Brought to you by Book Sense and Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, for week ending Sunday, Sept. 27, 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 1.

The Lost Symbol 1. My Life in France Julia 1. The Guernsey Literary and Dan Brown, Doubleday, $29.95 Potato Peel Pie Society Mary Ann Child, Anchor, $15 2. An Echo in the Bone 2. Three Cups of Tea Shaffer, Annie Barrows, Dial, $14 Diana Gabaldon, Delacorte, $30 Greg Mortenson, David Oliver 2. Olive Kitteridge Elizabeth 3. The Help Relin, Penguin, $15 Strout, Random House, $14 3. The Art of Racing in the Rain 3. The Omnivore’s Dilemma Kathryn Stockett, Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam, $24.95 Michael Pollan, Penguin, $16 Garth Stein, Harper, $14.99 4. War Dances 4. Alex & Me 4. The Girl With the Dragon Sherman Alexie, Grove, $23 Irene M. Pepperberg, Harper, Tattoo Stieg Larsson, 5. The Girl Who Played $13.99 Vintage, $14.95 With Fire Stieg Larsson, 5. Julie & Julia 5. The Elegance of the HedgeKnopf, $25.95 Julie Powell, Back Bay, $14.99 hog Muriel Barbery, Europa 6. The Year of the Flood 6. Glenn Beck’s Common Editions, $15 Sense Glenn Beck, Thresh- Margaret Atwood, Nan A. 6. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle Talese, $26.95 old Editions, $11.99 David Wroblewski, Ecco, $16.99 7. South of Broad 7. In Defense of Food 7. The Time Traveler’s Wife Pat Conroy, Nan A. Talese, Audrey Niffenegger, Harvest, $14.95 Michael Pollan, Penguin, $15 $29.95 8. When You Are Engulfed 8. Say You’re One of Them in Flames David Sedaris, Back 8. A Gate at the Stairs Uwem Akpan, Back Bay, $14.99 Lorrie Moore, Knopf, $25.95 Bay, $15.99 9. Pride and Prejudice and 9. That Old Cape Magic 9. Animal, Vegetable, Zombies Seth Grahame-Smith, Richard Russo, Knopf, $25.95 Miracle Barbara and CaJane Austen, Quirk, $12.95 mille Kingsolver, Steven Hopp, 10. Blood’s A Rover 10. Out Stealing Horses James Ellroy, Knopf, $28.95 Harper Perennial, $14.95 Per Petterson, Picador, $14 10. Eat, Pray, Love Elizabeth Gilbert, Penguin, $15

HARDCOVER NON-FICTION 1. True Compass Edward M. Kennedy, Twelve, $35 2. Where Men Win Glory Jon Krakauer, Doubleday, $27.95 3. The Healing of America T.R. Reid, Penguin Press, $25.95 4. Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume I Julia Child, et al., Knopf, $40 5. The Case for God Karen Armstrong, Knopf, $27.95 6. Strength in What Remains Tracy Kidder, Random House, $26 7. Arguing With Idiots Glenn Beck, Threshold Editions, $29.99 8. Half the Sky Nicholas D. Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn, Knopf, $27.95 9. The Greatest Show on Earth Richard Dawkins, Free Press, $30 10. Born to Run Christopher McDougall, Knopf, $24.95

MASS MARKET

CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATED

1. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Stieg Larsson, Vintage, $7.99 2. Dead Until Dark Charlaine Harris, Ace, $7.99 3. The Associate John Grisham, Dell, $9.99 4. My Life in France Julia Child, Anchor, $7.99 5. Julie & Julia Julie Powell, Little Brown, $7.99 6. Club Dead Charlaine Harris, Ace, $7.99 7. Scarpetta Patricia Cornwell, Berkley, $9.99 8. The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger, Warner, $6.99 9. Dead to the World Charlaine Harris, Ace, $7.99 10. The Brass Verdict Michael Connelly, Grand Central, $9.99

1. Where the Wild Things Are Maurice Sendak, Harper, $17.95 2. Waddle! Rufus Butler Seder, Workman, $12.95 3. Skippyjon Jones, Lost in Spice Judith Byron Schachner, Dutton, $16.99 4. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs Judi Barrett, Ron Barrett (Illus.), S&S, $6.99 5. Goodnight Moon Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd (Illus.), Harper, $8.99 6. Gallop! Rufus Butler Seder, Workman, $12.95 7. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle, Putnam, $10.99 8. Where Do I Sleep?: A Pacific Northwest Lullaby Jennifer Blomgren, Andrea Gabriel (Illus.), Sasquatch, $10.95 9. Skippyjon Jones Judith Schachner, Puffin, $6.99 10. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Bill Martin, Eric Carle (Illus.), Holt, $7.95

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

Book Review

By Becky Frazier St. Helens resident Becky Frazier is a retired teacher and avid reader.

Driving to Vernonia George Byron Wright C3 Publications, September 2009 $14.95, 220 pages E d m u n d thinks he has the good life. He’s been married to Sylvia for 27 years, has two children, a son and a daughter, and he’s been the distribution manager at the Singleton Wholesale Foods for 22 years. So when everything falls apart, he doesn’t know how to deal with it.

First Sylvia goes on her yearly visit to her sister in Seattle, and decides not to return. His children take Sylvia’s side. And then his store is bought out by a large chain and they bring in their own distribution manager.

Suddenly he has no wife, no job, distant children, and he’s living in a small apartment in North Portland.

When his sister visits and demands to know, “What are you doing?

Where’s your drive? Your pride? “, he realizes there is something he can do. But it’s not get a job, like she expects. He remembers his mentor, Richard Vickerman, whom everyone called Dick Vic, from when he first started working at a grocery store as a teenager. Somehow, he needs to reconnect with him. Dick will be able to tell him what to do with his life.

Finding Richard is more difficult than he thought. He finally locates Richard’s daughter, but she hasn’t heard from him in years. Edmund’s search eventually takes him to Vernonia, where he finds Richard living with an older woman that no one seems to know much about.

Richard has COPD and is in failing health. Plus, he refuses to see Edmund. Or at least that’s what the woman tells him.

But Edmund has his drive back and he’s not going to give up until he gets to talk to Richard, no matter what it takes. At the same time, he’s not sure how to handle the changes he’s going through. “My life has taken on momentum that has been missing for months, and I’m not quite sure how to react to it. I now have a list in my head of things to do and people to see, or not…I’m like a man walking on ice.”

This is the story of a man beaten down who slowly regains his selfrespect and is ready for the second half of his life. It is well written with memorable characters, including his apartment neighbor, Felix, who can’t understand why Edmund is so set on finding Richard, Glenda, the owner of a nursery where Edmund begins to work part time, and Andrea, Dick’s long estranged daughter.

The author, George Byron Wright, has written three previous novels, set in different cities in Oregon where he grew up: Baker City 1948, Tillamook 1952, and Roseburg 1959. He and his wife Betsy live in Portland, Oregon.

SPECIAL EVENT Wright will read from his work at the St. Helens Book Shop on Oct 15 at 7 p.m. For info, call 503-397-4917.

•••

20% OFF NEW & SPECIAL ORDER BOOKS Large Selec tio of Us n ed Books

Hardback & Paperback

360-423-9006 1044-14th Ave Plaza Longview

The Graveyard Book

by Neil Gaiman

Published by Harper Collins $17.99

Invitation from LCC’s Salal Review: Send up to five original, unpublished poems or two stories or essays before Nov 4 for possible publication in Salal #10. Submissions may be typed or computer printed. Poems should be single-spaced; stories and essays should be double-spaced. Send as email attachment (MS Word or Rich Text format) to: salal@lowercolumbia.edu or U.S. mail, with a self-addressed, stamped reply envelope, to The Salal Review, LCC, P.O. Box 3010, Longview, WA 98632. Include name, address, phone, and e-mail address plus biographical note and describing your connection to the Lower Columbia area. Inquiries: e-mail salal@lowercolumbia.edu, visit http://lowercolumbia.edu/salal or call Joseph Green: 360-442-2632.

sted ages 8-13) Kids Party (sugge ok theme The Graveyard Bo pm 30 Oct 27 • 6–8: 2149 Columbia Blvd St. Helens

M-F 9-6 • Sat 9-5 • Sun 12-4 503-397-4917 www.sthelensbookshop.com

Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 5

Hook, Line & Sinker

Northwest Outdoors

Grab your buckets, boots and shovels ~ it’s clam-digging time!

Fryer in the hole!

Story & Photos

by John L. Perry

O

ne of my favorite childhood memories is of sitting down to a meal of clam fritters at my Aunt Gertie’s house in Raymond after a morning of razor clam digging. Aunt Gertie and Uncle Pete were avid clammers and razor clam digging was a favorite recreational pastime. She sure knew how to cook ‘em. Yum!

Photos, from top: The clam-laden beach at Grayland, Wash., just south of the Gray’s Harbor/Pacific County line; clam-cleaning station at Chuck and Vickie Wyckoff’s Westport home; Vickie Wyckoff with her first clam of the dig in April 2009.

Digging razor clams (Siliqua patula) on northwest Oregon and southwest Washington ocean beaches has long been a popular outdoor family activity. Liberal nine-month-long harvest seasons of years past have been reduced (in Washington) to just 15 to 35 days annually due to dramatic increases in the number of harvesters, a devastating clam disease, addition of Tribal harvest allocations and naturally-occurring marine toxins.

Youth Division 1st Place ButCyann recent digging7,opportunities on Lillevold, Longview, Wash.

Long Beach and Twin Harbors beaches Her brother Sage at Lake Sacajawea show razor clams are more than

11” specimens are found. Razor clams are remarkably meaty and considered by many to have the best flavor and texture of any clam.

They are harvested with a narrow, curved shovel or clam gun (4” or 5” diameter pipe or tube which lifts the sand around a clam through suction).

The digger walks the wet sand surface cont. page 7

holding their own. Clam digging is as good or better than ever with abundant, large clams available.

South of the Columbia River, Oregon still maintains a 9-1/2 month season with 24/7 digging allowed.

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6 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

Razor clams primarily inhabit sandy ocean beaches in the intertidal zone (+3 feet to –2 feet) and the sea floor out to half a mile offshore. A razor clam with a 6” shell is considered large, although in Alaska, where many beaches are rarely harvested,

Longview native John Perry is a retired forester now living in Brownsville, Oregon.

during low tide looking for “show.”

Show can be a small dimple or depression in the sand, a “doughnut” (a dimple surrounded by slightly raised sand), or a “keyhole” (a small, round open hole in the sand).

When a show is found it means there is a clam below and the shovel or clam gun is used to dig it out. Razor clams cannot travel horizontally but can rapidly move vertically so diggers must be quick.

Both states require diggers to keep the first 15 clams dug with no sorting or

high-grading allowed because small or damaged razor clams rarely survive “dig and release.”

Two naturally-occurring marine toxins, Domoic acid (from specific diatoms) and Paralytic Shellfish Poison (from certain dinoflagellates) if they occur in high concentrations can render razor clams and other shellfish unsafe to eat. Razor clams are carefully monitored bi-monthly in winter and weekly during warmer months for the presence of these toxins. Clamming is suspended if significant amounts are detected.

Visit Rainier!

The friendly waterfront town

INDOOR SATURDAY MARKET OPEN MAY - DEC. `TIL 3:00

Oregon Produce Oregon Berries Bakery • Espresso Gourmet Foods • Plants Fountains & Garden Decor Quality Artists & Craftsmen For Vendor Information

call Sue Drummond 503-556-1220 or Jan Moon 503-556-9484 www.rainiermarinamarket.com

cont. page 10

Customers say, “The food is better than ever before!”

Homestyle Cooking

G New Menu, New Decor G Fun, Friendly & Happy Crew G Breakfast, Lunch & Daily Dinner Specials G Lottery Room NOW OPEN!

G Great Food at Fair Prices G Fresh Cookies & Pies baked on the premises G Microbrews, Wine & Spirits G Prime Rib ~ Fri & Sat Starts at 5pm

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In Rainier, pick up your copy of the Reader all month long at: • Cornerstone • Rainier Hardware • Kandee’s Koffee drive-thru • Rainier Marina Market • Jiu Chang • El Tapatio

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Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 7

Biz Buzz What’s Happening Around the River Biz Buzz notes news in local business and professional circles. As space allows, we will include news of innovations, improvements, new ventures and significant employee milestones of interest to readers. Please phone (360)636-1143 or (503)556-1295 to share the local buzz.

Josiah “Sy” Johnson is the new Chief Executive Officer and Chief Mission Officer of PeaceHealth’s Lower Columbia Region. Johnson, formerly the Region’s Chief Operating Officer, has served as interim CEO since April 2009. He began his career at PeaceHealth in May 2002 as Chief Financial Officer of the Lower Columbia Region. During his tenure as CFO, Johnson oversaw a transformation of PeaceHealth’s financial results. “I am very proud of our accomplishments in setting PeaceHealth St. John Medical Josiah “Sy” Johnson Center on solid financial footing,” Johnson said in a press release. “Through the collaboration, hard work and careful planning of our team of dedicated caregivers, we have seen our hospital and medical group grow in incredible ways to meet the health care needs of our community . . . (we have) attracted talented new physicians, upgraded our technology, and expanded and modernized our facility. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for PeaceHealth to enhance local healthcare.” Johnson is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a BS in Business Administration, and is a current candidate for a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Wyoming. He is a licensed CPA, and early in his career worked for KPMG Peat Marwick in Seattle and then Arthur Andersen in Seattle and in Arizona.

Sy is a board member of the Cowlitz Family Health Center, and a member of both the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

market their business,” as well as interact with local government and community leaders and the newspaper’s readers. “It gives you quite a bit of exposure to a broad variety of folks, which I find to be very exciting and very fun.”

After 30 years in commercial flooring, Scappoose resident Steve Knebel will open his new business, Oregon Indoor Organics, Nov. 2 at 109-B East “A” Street in Rainier, Oregon. His will be the only indoor organic gardening supplier located between North Vancouver and Olympia and Portland and the coast.

“More and more people are wanting organic vegetables 365 days a year,” he said. “Everybody is getting into the green mode.” He expects to have tomatoes growing in the shop’s front window in December and will help customers make cost-effective choices based on energy costs and lighting and growing options. Nationally, the indoor organic gardening supply industry grew 40% last year, he noted. His shop will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 10–6; the phone number is 503-556-5565. Helping people grow indoors or in greenhouses feels like a natural calling to Knebel.

“I’ve always enjoyed growing things,” he said. “It’s a fun hobby.”

Rick Parrish

Rick Parrish, 43, who is moving here from Racine, Wisconsin, with his wife, Jan Parrish, and their son Troy, 10. He graduated from Bothell High School and earned a degree in accounting at Central Washington State University. His first job was as a sales representative for The Seattle Times, followed by a two-year stint at The Idaho Statesman and, most recently, as publisher for The Journal Times in Racine. Parrish said working in the newspaper business offers the best of all worlds. “You get to deal with the business community and help them

Locally-made Items

Homer Bread Kettle Corn • Caponata Vintage Roasted Coffee Honey & BBQ Sauces EBT 804 Westside Highway • Kelso, WA 360-577-0017

•••

The Daily News in Longview recently welcomed its new publisher,

Wholesale Boxes Available Open 7 Days a week Year Round New Crop of Honeycrisp Apples 98¢/lb or $20/box Large Selection of Apples Pumpkins - 20¢/lb Kraut Cabbage for making Sauerkraut

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Call us for a Market Analysis on your home and property

DIKE LAND FARM

Large barn/loafing shed. Lots of pasture, room for your animals and garden on 7.7 acres.

Home features double kitchen, woodstove, 5 bdr. Beaver Dike Road, Clatskanie. $263,500

Live in the single wide while you build

your new home. Just 2 miles to the bridge, pasture, new well. 3.24 Acres. Wonderly Rd., Rainer.

REDUCED $140,000

8 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

BRING YOUR HORSES

NEAT

One-level 4-bdr 2 bath. New to this 7.3 acres with a 4-bdr 30-year comp roof and gutters.

2 bath home and 42’x48’ pole Wood stove insert. Fresh paint. barn. Garden area. Fenced Picture perfect. One mile to Waupasture. Tide Creek Rd, Rainier. na mill. Connelle Dr, Westport

$275,000

SHARP

$175.000

Cathedral ceiling. 3 bdr 2 CRAFTSMAN STYLE bath with upgraded cabinets.

1920s era on 10+ acres. Lots of Double garage with wood flower gardens.

Approx. 7 acres stove. New windows upstairs. of 16-year-old Reprod.

End of Nice quiet neighborhood. Alder Hall Rd., Clatskanie.

Lane, Rainier. $279,000 $179,000

Hook, Line & Sinker

Long Beach Clam Digs

cont. from page 7

Little lead time Because of the concerns about these toxins and other harvest constraints listed above, Washington’s razor clam digging openings are announced with very little lead time, often only a few days. As of press time, openings have been announced, subject to toxicology reports (see sidebar, this page). The entire Oregon Coast is open year-round (except Clatsop County beaches from Tillamook Head north to the Columbia River which are closed July 15 through Sept. 30). Razor clams can be found intermittently on beaches all the

Fri, Oct 16 5:50 pm (–0.5 feet) Sat, Oct 17 6:38 pm (–0.8 feet) Sun, Oct 18 7:23 pm (–1.1 feet) Wed, Nov 4 7:33 pm (-1.3 feet) Fri, Nov 6 9:07 pm, (-0.9 feet) Sat, Nov 7 9:59 pm (-0.5 feet) Sat, Nov 14 4:34 pm (-0.3 feet) Sun, Nov 15 5:21 pm (-0.7 feet) Mon, Nov 16 6:05 pm (–0.9 feet) Mon, Nov 16 6:05 pm (-0.9 feet)

Harvest regulations are the same in Oregon as in Washington: 15 razor clams per day, each digger must have his own container and must keep the first 15 clams dug.

Both states require adult clam diggers to have a license.

Washington’s annual clam license costs Westport resident Chuck Wyckoff capturing a clam. $8.21 (resident) or $14.24 (non-resident); a 3-day license way to California but the largest is $4.93 (res. and non-res.). The issuer populations and best digging prospects adds a $2 dealer fee. Kids 14 and under occur from Seaside north. need no license.

In Oregon, an annual shellfish license costs $6.50 (resident) or $16.50 (nonres.); a three day license is $9. Kids 13 and under clam for free.

After digging your 15 clams, they need to be shelled with the nasty bits removed from the innards. What remains, clean white meat, is some of the best seafood available which can be enjoyed fried, frittered, or in a chowder.

For more info: Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife http:// wdfw.wa.gov/ Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife http://www. dfw.state.or.us/ Oregon Shellfish Info Hotline (marine toxin alerts) 1-800-448-2474 •••

Visit Historic Riverfront St. Helens Catering Discover treasures as you shop, dine, browse antiques & treasures and sip espresso DIRECTIONS: Turn east off Hwy 30 at Columbia Blvd and continue approx 1.3 miles; turn right at S. 1st Street into Old Town.

The oblong commercial area along Hwy 30 and within the one-way “loop” formed by Columbia Blvd. and St. Helens Street east of Hwy 30 is known as the Houlton Shopping District.

Be a guest at your own event!

503-366-9099 or 800-330-9099 201 S. First Street, St. Helens

wildcurrant@ados.net wildcurrantcatering.com

Houlton Shopping District Don’s Rental & Party Peddler

St. Helens: next to the Safeway complex.

Scappoose: at the corner of Hwy 30 & Prairie Street

Espressos, specialty coffee blends, Italian sodas, baked goodies & daily specials! www.logcabincoffee.com

FOR ALL YOUR LAST-MINUTE HALLOWEEN NEEDS Reserve now for Turkey Day ~ it’s just around the corner!

Open 7 days a week 2274 columbia boulevard saint helens | 503-397-0585 www.donsrental.com

Exceptional Food & Libations 343 1st Street • St Helens

503-366-0877

Mon - Thu 11 am - 9 pm Fri & Sat 11 am - 10 pm Sunday 4 pm - 9 pm

El Tapatio Mexican CoupSoeen Apdag& e7 Restaurant Authentic Jalisco Cuisine

ST HELENS 2105 Columbia Blvd (503) 397-1465

Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 9

St Helens

COLUMBIA RIVER

Clatskanie

dining guide

Conestoga Restaurant and Lounge

85 No. Nehalem (turn right at the light coming into town from the east) Flame-grilled steaks & burgers. 503-728-3702

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

Fultano’s Pizza

Goble Tavern

Family style with unique pizza offerings, hot grill items & more! 503-728-2922

70255 Columbia River Hwy. (Milepost 31, Hwy. 30) Food, beer & wine + full bar, Live music See ad page 33 503-556-4090

Hump’s Hwy. 30 (2nd Stop light heading west) Family dining, full bar. See ad page 11 503-728-2626

Columbia Tavern

467 Columbia Blvd.

Burgers, sandwiches & snacks See ad page 33 503-397-3700

Griddle 4610 Ocean Beach Hwy. 360-501-4848 Family Mexican grill & cantina. Open every day.

Large groups welcome.

The Masthead Restaurant 1210 Ocean Beach Hwy. Fish & Chips, burgers and more.

360-577-7972

1338 Commerce Avenue Breakfast, lunch, Friday dinners. 360-353-3370

The Original Sub Shop

1141 15th Street 10 am-9 pm, Mon-Sat Order ahead - Sub platters for meetings, family gatherings & holiday parties. 360-636-4494

Longview JT’s 1203 14th Ave Fine dining, Happy Hour Specials, fresh NW cuisine.

See ad page 18 360-577-0717

Ixtapa 640 E Columbia River Hwy Suite A. See ad page 34 503-728-3344

Country Folks Deli

Rainier

1329 Commerce Ave. Opens at 10 for lunch.

360-425-2837

El Tapatio

Toppers Restaurant Rutherglen Mansion

420 Rutherglen Rd. (off Ocean Beach Hwy. At 38th Ave.) Open for dinner Tues – Sat, Wednesday wine tasting, Sunday brunch 360-4255816 See ad page 28.

The Bistro (Alley Entrance)

117 West “A” Street Authentic Jalisco cuisine from scratch. Full bar.

Riverfront dining.

See ads pages 7, 31 503-556-8323

1329 Commerce Ave. Fine dining, wine tastings See ad page 35 360-425-2837

Ginger’s Restaurant (located at the Monticello Hotel) Traditional breakfast, lunch & dinner – homestyle Sunday dinners. Full bar (‘23 Club).

See ad page 30 360-425-9900

Evergreen Pub & Cafe

115-117 East 1st Street Burgers, halibut, prime rib, full bar.

See ad page 7 503-556-9935

Cornerstone Cafe´

102 East “A” Street Microbrews, wines & spirits Prime Rib Friday & Sat. See ad page 7. 503-556-8772

Stuffy’s II 804 Ocean Beach Hwy. Now serving cocktails along with steaks & Prime Rib for dinner.

360-423-6356

The Brit’s English Tea Shoppe

1427 Commerce Avenue Tea, pastries and scones, lunch, British fare See ad page 25 360-575-8090

848 15th St. Come enjoy homestyle cooking at its best! Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

360-577-9955

GYROS GYROS OF KELSO

Gyros, tabouleh, hummus - all your Mediterranean favorites.

In Three Rivers Mall Food Court 360-423-7290.

See ad, page 28 Backstage Cafe´ 216 So. Pacific Ave. Appetizers, pizza, pasta, desserts, wine tastings See ad page 360-414-9451

Hidden

Training: Oregon Culinary Institute

“It’s the shoulder,” he explained, “it’s all meat —not hooves, lips

and tongues. We stress safety and satisfaction.”

SPECIAL Chicken Fried Pile-On $6.50

Served daily ‘til 2 pm

Mattox buys from Fulton Butchery in Portland, which happens to also house the USDA Inspector’s office and by far exceeds USDA standards, he said. “You can have a nice juicy patty (at Cornerstone) and (safely) have it rare.”

10 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

TeKila Willie’s Saloon

2098 Old Portland Rd Open 11am, serving lunch & dinner.

See ad page 31 503-366-5753

Scappoose

River Dining

Mark’s

Johnson Landing Road Arrive . . . relax . . . enjoy www.marksonthechannel.com 503-543-8765

Dine out ~ You deserve it!

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

If someone were passing through Rainier, never to pass this way again, and was going to eat at the Cornerstone, what would you suggest they order?

“I want them to have the Chicken Fried Pile-On,” Maddox said.

“You can have this any day of the week ‘til 2 pm.”

Restaurant: Cornerstone Café 102 East “A” Street, Rainier, Oregon Prime Rib Special Fri and Sat evenings Microbrews, wines and spirits.

503-556-9935

What’s special about your restaurant?

“We go out of our way to buy very good cuts of meat,” said chef Dusty Mattox of Rainier’s Cornerstone Café. “We use no ground beef, only ground chuck.”

343 1st Street Steak and pasta, full bar See ad page 9 503-366-0877

Ixtapa 33452 Havlik Rd (in the Fred Meyer shopping center) See ad page 35 503-543-3017

Kelso

Meet Cornerstone’s Dusty Maddox Featured Chef

Dockside

The dish starts with a bed of home fries with grilled onions and peppers, seasoned with kosher salt and cracked pepper, then a just-under 5-ounce chicken fried steak, breaded and deep fried . . . and on top, scrambled eggs with Tillamook cheddar cheese, covered with country gravy.

Try the Chicken Fried Pile-On. And tell Dusty you read about it — and him — in the Reader!

ON ETHICS

by Randy Cohen

©2008 Universal Press Syndicate

A teacher’s dilemma Q: I volunteer as a Sunday-school teacher at my Catholic church. While I consider myself Catholic and understand Catholic beliefs, I do not agree with all that the church teaches. When a student asks me about a topic on which the church and I differ, may I reply with my own beliefs in addition to the official doctrine? -- B.J., Washington Your church asked you to teach a class in Catholic doctrine, not one in B.J.’s views of Catholic doctrine, a reasonable, if personally inhibiting, request. But to give students a real understanding of both this doctrine and the state of the modern church, you may — you should — provide some context. It is a matter of fact, and not a trivial one, that many Catholics differ with their church on all sorts of things.

(For example, Catholic Americans practice contraception at about the same rate as non-Catholics, official church policy notwithstanding.)

To note that opinions differ within

your religious community would be to convey something objectively true, pertinent to the discussion and informative for the students. You would not be offering your personal views, which are beside the point in this setting. Indeed, a Jew or a Muslim, a Hindu or an atheist, could honorably teach this class using these guidelines, giving the students a rich understanding of the subject without broaching the teacher’s personal beliefs.

UPDATE: B.J. presents church doctrine “their way” then tells his students that some Catholics feel different and discusses how. He urges his students to think about these things and discuss them with their parents.

Q: I locked my bicycle to a fence outside my building a few times over two weeks.

One morning, it was gone. My landlady had the police remove it, claiming she tried to alert the owner by letting the air out of the tires. She left no note. At the

prudent approach. Transportation Alternatives wrote in a recent issue of its magazine that, upon receiving a complaint, the police put a note on the bike “alerting the owner that the bike will be removed after 10 days.” The assumption is that if the bike belongs to someone, its owner will see the notice and remove the bike; if it’s abandoned, the police will then remove it. In your case, the police should have acted similarly.

Conflicts like this could be reduced if the city provided sufficient spots for cyclists to lock their bikes. Happily, the Department of Transportation is installing many more bike racks around town.

UPDATE: The cyclist asked her landlady to replace the bike locks; the landlady refused.

••• Readers can direct their questions and comments by e-mail to ethicist@ nytimes.com. This column originates in The New York Times Magazine.

precinct, an officer said she told them the bike had been there for three months.

Fortunately, I reclaimed it undamaged.

Unfortunately, the police cut the locks: Replacement costs are $150. Should my landlady cover that? -- Name Withheld, New York I don’t understand how flattening the tires says, “Please move your bicycle,” but then I have trouble with nonverbal languages like the raised eyebrow, the crisp uppercut and the hula.

You are not entitled to store your bike on your landlady’s private property.

She has the legal right to ask the police to haul it off to bike jail. But ethics take a less sanguine view of her conduct. Your landlady made no meaningful effort to contact you and, if your account is accurate — hers might differ — she filed what amounts to a false police report. She should do more than contribute to your bill; she should replace the locks, apologize and maybe sew some new curtains for your apartment, to expiate her misconduct. Or do some sort of dance that would communicate remorse (to erudite Hawaiians, if not to me).

There is no citywide policy covering situations like yours, according to the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, but Manhattan’s Ninth Precinct has adopted a

In Clatskanie, pick up your copy of the Reader all month long at: • Flowers N Fluff drive-thru • Latte Da drive-thru • Chevron station • Clatskanie Post Office • Sporty’s • Hump’s

Piercing Arrow rivate chool

PS

Taking 2 years & older as long as potty trained

DEPRESSION RECOVERY STEW From lunch ‘til closing everyday Stew & Crackers . . . . . . . . . $499 Salad, Bread & Stew . . . . . $899 - Includes refills of stew -

Open 7 a.m. until 9:30 –10 p.m.

BANQUETS • SPECIAL EVENTS • CATERING Clatskanie, Oregon

503-728-2626

Major Credit CardsAccepted

Open Enrollment: K - 12TH GRADE ~ New Location ~ 330 S. Nehalem Clatskanie, OR 97016

503-728-3783

The Flippin House, home of Clatskanie’s senior center.

Space for rent for special events.

Tours by appointment.

R

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Serving Clatskanie, Rainier, St. Helen’s & Scappoose OR Come to The Castle for lunch!

M-F • 12 Noon • $5 Adults Seniors (60+) suggested donation $4 620 SW Tichenor, Clatskanie, Ore. Call for info/directions • 503-728-3608 www.clatskaniecastle.com

Homes List With Us

~ CALL ~

503-728-0161

Land Buy With Us

Shop online at www.arkrealestate.org Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 11

Theatre & Life

Stunning theatre piece coming to Longview

By Paul W. Thompson Retired Speech and Drama Professor, Wright College, Chicago

A

powerful drama is about to play on the Columbia Theatre stage. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck and produced by the Barter Theatre of Abingdon, Virginia, will be performed at 3pm on Sunday, November 1. It’s a simple story about two friends trying to survive, working as farm labor ers during the Depression. Lennie is mentally retarded and depends on George to do his thinking and be his guardian. They both dream of having their own small farm some day with chickens and rabbits. Lennie likes George to repeat the story again and again, especially the part about the rabbits and his being able to pet them. Lennie likes to pet furry animals. They hire on at a new farm as the story begins. Lennie had a few problems at the last one.

made into a classic movie with Henry Fonda, presented a broader view of the plight of the vegetable and fruit workers. Many were driven west in the aftermath of the Oklahoma dust bowl, following the dream of jobs and prosperity in California.

Passion.

Leadership.

A sustainable Longview and a higher quality of life…

By Gian Paul Morelli, Executive Director Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, Longview

M

y first exposure to John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men was a performance at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis in 1972. It was directed by Len Cariou. This timeless American masterpiece by one of the finest theatre companies in the world left me spellbound. The final moments of the play seared themselves into my mind and altered the way in which I have viewed the world ever since.

I have seen the movie. I read the novella. Strangely enough, neither of these has the same impact that is found in the immediacy of the live stage play. You know these people and can readily imagine yourself swept up into their lives.

“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men, gang aft agley,” according to poet Robert Burns, and so they do with our two heroes.

That George and Lennie are friends speaks to the need we all have to connect, to protect, to dream. In the end, George’s decision is both tragic and noble. You will be left ennobled by the experience.

This is a stunning piece of theatre. Don’t miss it.

•••

••• Wine tasting on Wednesdays 5–8 pm $20/person (incl tax) • Generous wine samples • Lavish gourmet buffet of fresh fruits & veggies, cheeses, sushi, pasta and desserts • Live music • Casual elegance

More than any other writer, John Steinbeck captured the struggle of the common man during hard times in the West. His other masterpiece of the period, The Grapes of Wrath,

Vision.

What Price Friendship?

Now offering off-site catering

Thursday ~ Pasta Night Friday ~ Fish Night CATCH OF THE DAY

Rutherglen Mansion 360-425-5816 • THE BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH! 10–2 Dinner ~ Tues thru Sat • 5 pm ‘til late

Weddings • Special Events • Fine Dining • Reunions Off Ocean Beach Hwy at 38th Ave • 420 Rutherglen Rd • Longview, WA

Lower taxes and less burdensome regulations Economic development Traffic and transit solutions Public safety Enhanced parks and recreation As a small business owner, a REALTOR, and someone who has been active in our community, Mike has the experience that matters the most to be an effective advocate on the City Council.

PO Box 2191 Longview, WA 98632

12 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

Farmers’ Markets Cowlitz Community Farmers Market Tues and Sats • 9 – 2 thru October 7th Ave, Cowlitz Expo Ctr, Longview Info: John Raupp Jrshamrockhill3@aol.com www.cowlitzfarmersmarket.com Rainier Marina Market Saturdays • 9–3 into Dec. 115 E. “A” St, Rainier, Ore Info: Sue Drummond, 503-556-1220 www.rainiermarinamarket.com See ad, page 7.

Puget Island: Two Islands Farm Market * Fridays 3 –7 pm thru Oct At 59 West Birnie Slough Rd, Cathlamet, Wash.

Info: 360-849-4492 or 849-4145 www. stockhousesfarm.com

MONDAY NIGHT

Football Specials

TUESDAY~ LADIES NIGHT Every Sunday Starting at 7pm

TEXAS Hold-Em

KID KARAOKE

Saturday & Sunday • 4–7pm

ADULT KARAOKE

LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday & Thursday 8pm to Close

Friday and Saturday

2098 Old Portland Rd • St Helens

503-366-5753

RE-ELECT

Mary Jane

Melink

Balanced & Experienced Leadership

Longview City Council Paid for by: Mary Jane Melink for Longview City Council

Furnaces, heat pumps & air conditioners

Mitsubishi Ductless Heatpumps $1,500 PUD Rebate • $1,500 Stimulus Tax Credit Available LIMITED TIME ONLY Call now for your free in-home estimate

Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 13

Down to Earth

At Home with Sandi Hulden

F

Haiku Contest Deadline: Oct 31 (see page 4)

Awesome Autumn

rom meadows to hills to mountain the common daffodil’s passes, we’re surrounded by fiery is narcissus. foliage and fragrant air. Each Jonquil is day is a colorful surprise, due to the a type of interplay of chlorophyll, temperature, daffodil daylight and moisture. Tawny stalks with myriad stand as if in inspirational salute scented blooms to this season. The chill is a signal on one stem. to engage in simple Mums are pleasures . . . reading available in scads of “Everything in a cozy spot, baking harvest hues. Porch cookies, taking a nap, true and great prettiness doesn’t get watching squirrels or a grows in silence. any easier. flock of geese, enjoying one last bike ride or a Without silence When the lawn is short walk. Autumn heavy-laden with leaves, we fall short staggers the senses, for use a mower to shred of reality and sure! And it’s OK to use them. This creates a all the orange I want. naturally recylced mulch cannot plumb useful around plants for As the garden prepares for the depths of protection, which will its resting period, you’ll being.” break down nicely later have moments to ponder on. ~ Ladislaus Boros the next growing season.

I heartily recommend Winterizing tools is sedum Autumn Joy. It’s vital. Tidy up the yard. a perennial, is drought-tolerant, and Roll up hoses, protect outside faucets. produces a lovely deep-rose flower Fall is an especially palpable head that’s stunning and stalwart. I’ve “sensory season,” evoking thoughts four large plants around my yard, two of homegrown, homemade, heartfelt. are in pots. They’ve never failed me.

Now, enjoy that hot cocoa — with Get your spring bulbs planted soon. marshmallows, of course!

Here’s an idea: interplant winter www.gogreenonline.com hardy pansies with bulbs and you’ll This website for the noble Earthhave nearly continuous flowers. FYI, saver offers a checklist of green resources so everyone can easily develop greener habits.

Safe driving is in your hands.

Driving can be frustrating at times, especially when you feel threatened or annoyed by another driver. It’s really important to keep a cool head and steady hands on the wheel.

You can do more to protect yourself, your passengers and other drivers by avoiding aggressive drivers—or taking it down a notch yourself.

Driving too fast is the number one threat on the roads. AAA reports that aggressive driving can double your chance of being involved in a collision. So if you notice someone else speeding, tailgating, weaving among cars, honking excessively, yelling and gesturing, don’t aggravate them. It’s best to avoid eye contact and make room for the driver to get by, then call 9-1-1. If you see a crash, stop safely nearby and act as a witness.

There are also a few ways all of us as drivers can keep from annoying others. Try to drive close to the speed limit and don’t block passing lanes. Don’t tailgate, yell, gesture or speed up when someone is trying to merge or pass.

Only use one parking space.

Columbia 9-1-1 reminds all of you—our friends and neighbors throughout the county—to take safe driving into your own hands. Buckle up, stay calm, drive close to the speed limit and don’t drink and drive. And if you’re ever in a traffic emergency, call 9-1-1 right away because every second counts.

Your Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District, serving all of our communities since 1991.

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

••• Sandi Hulden lives in Kelso. She says she is “ feelin’ the Fall” and hopes you are, too.

NOW OPEN!

FARM FRESH

Hours: Monday - Sunday, 9am to 7pm 851 California Way • Longview • (360) 425-0091 14 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

OPENING NOVEMBER 2nd Indoor Organic Gardening All your needs to grow 365 days a year

Greenhouses • Composting Barrels • Fertilizer Lighting Equipment • Potting Soil “THE place for indoor organic growing supplies ...”

Oregon Indoor Organics 109B East A St • Rainier, OR 503-556-5565

Northwest Gardener

Vermicomposting

Story & Photos by Nancy Chennault

Nature’s garbage disposal

T

is the season of goblins, ghouls and gooey worms …. EEEE--YYEWWWW! ….. go ahead and cringe, but before you shield your eyes or flee the room, take a moment to review the procedures and benefits of having worms as family. Well, maybe not family, but how about pets?

“Vermi-composting system” is the scientific name for the cultivation of worms, red wigglers (Eisenia foetida), in a “bin” or “condo.” This process gives the homeowner a process for disposing of a multitude of household waste items. This “garbage” is then quickly turned into rich humus — humus that includes the nutritious, organic ingredients gardens need to grow healthy plants. It’s the perfect symbiotic relationship.

My husband Jim and I have had a worm bin for 10 years and the amount of kitchen scraps and garden debris it has consumed is staggering. The 50 gallon worm bin was filled to the brim countless times for four and a half years before we dug out the incredibly gooey mass of fresh, earthscented compost. We decided to see how long we could continue to fill the bin and still see the level drop. We just kept adding material to it and it would always be ready to accept more after just a few days. It was amazing to see how efficiently thousands of twoinch worms voraciously consumed everything we tossed into the bin.

Finally, in the fifth summer, Jim used the compost for hills of pumpkins.

Using only the worm compost as fertilizer, the Big Max pumpkins more than lived up to their name.

His and Hers The worms c rawl in . . . th Ours is a two-worm-bin family. Jim has been using e worms c r a w l o u a stackable “condo” (see photo), for about 4 years. t . . . the w orms play pinochle on y Our original 50-gallon plastic tub, with its generous our snout capacity for garden trimmings, weeds, paper plates T h is li tt le d it ty, su n g b y and dirt clods, occupies a spot against the north g ra n d m o th er generations of s to foundation of the house. The bin, although old and children, is fro m The Hearse Son T h e fir st pr inted version w g. faded, is my favorite because I can toss in everything as a passage in Alonzo the Bra th e ba from six-foot banana leaves to banana peels, (see lla d ve and Fair Im ogene, which included in Th photo) and the zealous population of red worms are w as e Monk, publis hed in 1796. romantic gothic more than happy to be of service. I got my original T h is novel by Matth ew Gregory Le was banned at worms from local Master Gardener Mara Williams, wis the time becau se of its “explic nature.” To read also known as the “worm lady.” While sharing it all of the stanza s and follow th memories of the late fascinating ev e olution of this childhood nurs nature enthusiast and rhyme go to: w er y w w.mamalisa.co conversationalist, m/blog/the-orig the-worms-craw inlin-the-wormsRuth Deery, Mara told crawl-out/ me that my worms were descendants of some that Ruth had given her many years before. I was pleased to be able instructions for how to begin your to carry on the tradition as so many adventure into worm composting. others have done because of Ruth’s You will reap the benefits of yet generous spirit. another way to garden “green.” At Worms Eat My Garbage: How to Set first glance they may appear to be Up and Maintain a Worm Composting a revolting Halloween “trick” but System by Mary Appelhof (published soon you will have plenty of red 1997) is a wigglers to share with neighbors and reliable source family, making a seasonal “treat” for of information any gardener during fall harvest and a n d cleanup.

Nancy Chennault and her husband, Jim ••• Chennault, grow and evaluate new plant introductions to help growers and retail garden centers choose the best plants for Pacific Northwest gardeners.

Photos, counter-clockwise from top: Available at garden centers worm “condos” can also be ordered from The Greenhouse Catalog store www.greenhousecatalog.com. They come with initial bedding material and can be placed on a work bench in a garage and are set up for vermi-“fine dining.”

The household scraps (see photo) should be chopped small and egg shells crushed. Jim prefers the condo for his coffee grounds. The resulting “compost tea” is an elixir of potent nutrients (and caffeine!) and can be used for houseplants, containers or in the garden.

Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 15

Northwest Foods

W

Man in the Mushrooms side Kitchen sideforbysoup

hat started out as a simple hunt for Chanterelle mushrooms around Forks became a near-scientific comparison of the flavors of common and elite mushrooms.

Forks, Washington, is legendary for the number of Chanterelle mushrooms to be found all over the place.

Mushroom buyers are set up downtown ready to purchase the crop from commercial mushshroom hunters. I decided to get in on it. I drove the 70 miles to Forks, then up Forest Service Road 29 a few miles into the

Taste test caps off fall hunt

mountains, looking several places before finding a few of the prized orange-colored mushrooms here and there. It may have been too high an elevation for this early in the Chanterelle season. I found about a pound of fresh, young ones, however, before heading back to Sequim.

Story and Photo

by Paul Thompson

However safe I feel about my wild mushroom harvest, I always like to get a second opinion. My neighbors, Larry and Shirley Wessel, are my stand-by safety net. Once my ‘shrooms passed the Wessel test, I left a few for their morning omelet and went home to cook.

I decided to compare the taste of my Chanterelles with the common white mushrooms and higher-end Shitake mushrooms, just to see what all the fuss is about. As a tasting medium I chose mushroom soup and prepared three portions using identical recipes and the three varieties of fresh mushrooms.

Joan Gisler

TOLBY For Kelso School Board Position 2

Advocating for Children!

16 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

I became a food scientist, even making sure the mixing spoon was washed between soup stirrings. My neighbor, Joe Sauve, became my independent judge. We both agreed that all three soups were delicious, worthy of any fine restaurant menu. However, Joe and I chose the Chanterelle soup as the most flavorful, followed by the Shitake then white mushroom soup. Even third place was excellent.

then cover, and reduce heat to low for 5 minutes. Add them to the strained stock and heat. Combine egg yolk and cream. Add hot stock one spoonful at a time to the yolk-cream mixture, while stirring until you’ve added about 1/2 cup. Then slowly add the yolk-cream mixture back into the hot stock while stirring. Stir in half of the parsely, heat and serve, adding the remaining parsley as garnish.

Here’s the recipe, which I used for about 2-1/2 cups. It doubles and triples easily:

Chanterelles are commonly found all over Western Washington under fir forest cover after fall rains and until frost. Mycology organizations often sponsor identification hikes, a good place to start. If you go on your own, be sure to get a safety check before eating your bounty.

Cream of Mushroom Soup 1 /2 lb fresh mushrooms 2 Tbl chopped onions 6 Tbl butter 1-1/2 Tbl flour 1 14-oz can chicken stock 1 /4 cup cream 1 egg yolk 2 tsp. chopped Italian parsley Cook the onions in 3 Tbl. butter over medium-low heat about 5 minutes. Add flour and continue cooking another 3 minutes, while stirring. Add the chicken stock and mushroom stems and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Strain the stock. Slice the mushroom caps and saute in 3 Tbl. butter for 2 minutes,

••• Paul Thompson grew up in Longview, Wash., and later moved to Oak Park, Illinois. Now retired, he lives in Sequim, Wash., where he designs scenery for local community theatre. He is currently designing the set for “Cabaret.” He enjoys golf, cooking, fishing and clam digging.

OUT•AND•ABOUT If You Go

2,000-year old lava tube offers cool Fall trek

Ape Cave and Ape Cave Trail #239

Exploring Ape Cave

Driving directions: From I-5 south, take Exit 21 (Woodland) to Hwy 503 east and USFS Road 90 approximately 35.7 miles. Turn north (left) onto USFS Road 83, proceed 2 miles. Follow signs, turn left onto USFS Road 8303, proceed 0.2 miles to Trail of Two Forests.

Story by John Perry Photos by Perry Piper jaunt to Ape Cave is an interesting outing any time of year, but can make an especially fun fall family adventure.

Discovered by a logger in 1947 when his truck fell in, and named and first explored by members of a local outdoor group called the Mount St. Helens Apes, Ape Cave is the longest intact lava tube in the continental United States at just over 13,000 feet long.

A

Watch for Bigfoot It’s located in the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, about two miles north of Swift Creek Dam on the Lewis River. Not too far away is Ape Canyon, site of a legendary “Bigfoot” attack in 1924 on a log cabin occupied by five men (see story, page 19).

Lava tubes are formed when lava from a volcanic eruption develops a surface crust which cools and thickens to form a solid roof.

Beneath the crust, the still-liquid lava is insulated, remains molten, and continues flowing downhill in a defined channel until the supply from above is exhausted. As the eruption ceases, liquid lava flowing

•Lower Cave 3/4 mile (one way) •Upper Cave 1-1/2 mile (one way) •Ape Cave Trail 1 mile (one way on surface) Wear warm clothes, sturdy shoes and have at least three sources of good light (minimum of one per person).

Temperature inside Ape Cave is a constant 42 degrees year-round and it can be breezy and damp.

A $5 recreation parking pass is required; use payment box at parking area. Maps and more information available online and at Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument office in Amboy, 360-449-7800 and Gifford Pinchot National Forest office in Vancouver 360-891-5000 Entrance to Ape Cave, the longest intact lava tube in the continental United States. through the undersurface channel continues until it is empty, leaving a hollow tube.

of low-viscosity, fluid basaltic lava to produce a major flow leaving the lava tube known today as Ape Cave.

Not typical in the Northwest Most Pacific Northwest volcanoes produce explosive ash eruptions which don’t form lava tubes, but a unique event (for Mt. St. Helens) 2,000 years ago on the mountain’s south side produced the right kind

Lava tubes can be up to 50 feet in diameter, are circular in cross section, and are found 3–50 feet below the surface.

To: Toledo Tenino Centralia, Olympia Mt. Rainier Tacoma/Seattle

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• Columbia River Dining Guide ~ page 10 • Civil War Memorial ~ page 18 • Bing Crosby in Spokane ~ page 21 • Galleries, concerts & plays ~ page 26 • Living history, recreation ~ page 27 • Live Music Scene ~ page 33

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Ape Cave offers two different subterranean routes of exploration cont. page 21

More fun outings

• Kelso Visitors Center I-5 Exit 39 105 Minor Road, Kelso • 360-577-8058 • Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce 1560 Olympia Way, Longview • 360-423-8400 • Castle Rock Exhibit Hall I-5 Exit 48 or 49 Follow signs to 147 Front Ave NW. 360-274-6603 • Woodland Tourist Center I-5 Exit 21 Park & Ride lot, 900 Goerig St., 360-225-9552 • Wahkiakum Chamber 102 Main St, Cathlamet • 360-795-9996 Points • Long Beach Peninsula Visitors of In Recrea terest Bureau 3914 Pacific Way (corner S p ecia tion of Hwy 101/Hwy 103, Long Beach Dinin l Events 360-642-2400 • 800-451-2542 Arts & g ~ Lodging Enterta • South Columbia County Chamber inment Columbia Blvd/Hwy 30, St. Helens, OR 503-397-0685 • Seaside, OR 989 Broadway • 503-738-3097 • 888-306-2326 • Astoria-Warrenton Chamber/Ore Welcome Ctr 111 W. Marine Dr., Astoria 503-325-6311 or 800-875-6807

Local info

rmation 97

Goldendale

Maryhill Museum

St Helens • Ridgefield Vancouver Scappoose

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To: Salem Silverton Eugene Ashland

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Stevenson Bonneville Dam

Hood River Cascade Locks Bridge of the Gods

The Dalles

To: Walla Walla Kennewick, WA Lewiston, ID

Locator Map sponsored by Cowlitz County Tourism Bureau. Please consult a road map for specific routes and driving distances.

Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 17

OUT•AND•ABOUT

Roadside curiosity reveals remnants of the past

Story & Photos by Michael Perry

W

hen returning from Canada in 2002, Wa s h i n g t o n S t a t e Representative Hans Dunshee (D– Snohomish) objected to a stone monument he saw in Peace Arch State Park at Blaine. It was the Jefferson Davis Highway marker, located where Highway 99 crossed the border, placed with State approval by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1940.

Dunshee, who introduced legislation to rename the highway after a black Union soldier who later settled in

A Civil War memorial in Washington State?

Washington was quoted in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in an article on March 12, 2002: “It’s morally wrong to have a Jefferson Davis memorial in this state. He was the leader of an insurgency that killed half a million Americans, and he tried to perpetuate

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Driving directions From I-5 southbound: Take Exit 14 (Ridgefield/WA-501exit); Turn left on Pioneer St and cross I-5; Follow S 65th and S 5th 1.5 miles to NE 10th (Old Pacific Highway); Turn right and go 1.1 miles to NE Carty Road; Turn right onto NE Carty and cross I-5; turn right on NW Maple Crest Road. Look for flagpoles on your left.

slavery.” Dunshee’s bill passed in the House, but died in the Senate. However, the monument soon disappeared.

In 1939, a similar stone marker had been placed in Vancouver, Washington, where Highway 99 crossed the Columbia River to Portland (see photo). In 1998, Vancouver city officials removed the monument and, in 2002, relocated it to the museum grounds, only to remove it again in 2006, having agreed to store it for six months and then deliver it anywhere the Sons of Confederate Veterans wanted. The Oregon division commander, Brent Jacobs, purchased land near Ridgefield on the west side of Interstate 5, near the Carty Road overpass, to create a private memorial site. He later obtained the marker from the Blaine Peach Arch site. Both the Vancouver and Blaine monuments are now located in Jefferson Davis Park, privately owned and maintained, but open to the public.

Efforts to honor a Confederacy hero began when plans for the transcontinental Lincoln Highway were announced in 1912. Named highways were common prior to 1925, but became confusing as more automobiles took to the roads.

In 1925, state and federal highway officials created a system of numbers for major highways that eliminated the need for highway names. It is unclear why Washington State allowed Highway 99 to be dedicated to Jefferson Davis 15 years later. The Jefferson Davis Highway once stretched from Washington, D. C., to Florida, then west to San Diego and north to Canada.

Some people have tried to justify the honor by saying that while Davis was Secretary of War between 1852 and 1857 — before the Civil War — he obtained appropriations and ordered surveys for wagon roads and railroads to the Pacific Northwest. Similar markers were placed in California even though they had a state law banning the naming of highways for individuals. No markers were ever placed in Oregon.

•••

See local arts season listings, page 27 18 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

Following his popular column “Dispatch from the Discovery Trail,” Kelso resident and local history buff Michael Perry highlights sites and events significant in the Western expansion following Lewis and Clark’s Expedition. He enjoys bicycling and collecting historical memorabilia.

Local Folklore

The story behind the

Great Ape Hunt

of 1924 Story and Photos by Michael Perry

Legend? Hoax? Mis-identification? Or does Bigfoot ~ aka Sasquatch ~ really wander the forests of the Pacific Northwest?

D

r. Munchie called me soon after September’s Columbia River Reader hit the streets. He had seen the announcement about CRR’s upcoming bus excursion to Mt. St. Helens (see ad, page 2) and wanted to know if I could snag him a free ticket.

Typical! Dr. Munchie has more money than he’ll ever need, but is always looking for a free lunch.

He told me he’d driven his 1962 Winnebago to the east side of the volcano this summer to live off the land. While picking huckleberries, he had a Bigfoot “close encounter.” After reading there have been reports of recent sightings, he hoped the CRR bus trip would give him a chance to tell his story to a captive audience.

Bats in the belfry or mountain apes in the family tree?

Is this just an old man’s wild imagination? Maybe, but reports of the attack were published in area newspapers at the time. Even if you don’t believe in Bigfoot, it’s an interesting tale.

Gold fever Sometime around 1918, a group of five men from the Kelso

Skeletons in our closets?

Readers may not know CRR’s publisher/editor/janitor and I are related to one of the men who reported being attacked by mountain apes in 1924. Here is Fred Beck in 1966 at age 78. courtesy photo the story as it was told to family Fred Beck holds the 30-30 Winchester rifle he shot members years ago by our great at the ape-like creatures. Above, the back cover uncle, Fred Beck. of the booklet published in 1967 telling his story, “I Fought the Ape Men of Mt. St. Helens.” Top photo: Ape Canyon looking east with Mt. Adams in the distance.

area began prospecting for gold around Mt. St. Helens, in the Muddy River drainage on the mountain’s east side, north of Cougar. The group included 36year old Fred Beck, Marion Smith (Beck’s 58-year old fatherin-law), Leroy Smith (Smith’s 19-year old son), Gabe Lefever ( p r o b a b l y S m i t h ’s cousin or nephew), Ape Canyon near Mt. St. Helens and John Peterson.

Fred Beck and Marion Smith filed a While prospecting, the Location Notice for their mine, the men occasionally saw large Vander White, on September 2, 1922. footprints by creek beds, but By summer of 1924, after receiving a didn’t give them much thought. positive assay result for an ore sample In 1922, they found a promising vein showing a value of $2,000 a ton, the of gold at the upper end of the deep men were well on their way to striking gorge now known as Ape Canyon. it rich, or so they hoped. cont page 23

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Ambience Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 19

OUT•AND•ABOUT

The Student Center and statue of Bing Crosby on the campus of Gonzaga University

Going my way?

Exploring during Spokane visit leads to surprising Bing Crosby memorabilia Story & Photos by Shirley Smith

weekends in the summer. At least the beautiful St. Aloyisius Church was open, so I visited it and was sitting in a pew admiring the magnificent altar of white marble when a gentleman came in the side door.

We chatted for a moment as I explained my plight and he introduced himself as the church custodian. He said he wasn’t very busy and would be happy to show me around. What luck!

M

y class reunion at Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane this summer was a “must go” for me and although I won’t say how many years we were celebrating, there sure were a lot of old people there. The schedule included a Friday night buffet and Saturday evening formal dinner so I had two days free to visit the area, along with visiting my son and his wife and my three grandsons, ages 17,16, and 13.

by the University onto the campus and which used as Gonzaga’s Crosby Alumni House.

Later I toured the Davenport Hotel, site of my class reunion. The words “magnificent, “elegant” and “lovely”

First, we toured the church and admired the organ that Bing played while singing for anyone who would listen. The ceiling tiles of shining white were a gift from Mr. Crosby. Then we went to the student center. Just to the left of the front door was a bronze statue of Crosby himself, complete with pipe, golf clubs and the familiar time-worn hat. Inside was a room devoted to his memorabilia.

Checking out my trusty Mobile Guide, I spotted under the “What to See and Do” column an item on the Gonzaga University campus that said the Crosby Student Center was worth a visit.

Growing up in Spokane, we all greatly admired “Der Bingo” and I had fond memories of his records being played by my mother, a big fan.

I arrived on campus about 10 o’clock on Saturday morning only to discover Bing Crosby’s childhood home, now Gonzaga University’s Crosby Alumni that almost everything was closed on House.

• Lodging • Weddings • Retreats

We saw the Academy Award Oscar he won for playing Father O’Malley in Going M y Wa y. T h e r e really was a Father O’Malley at St. Aloyisius, who was one of Bing’s golfing buddies. We saw all his gold and silver records, trophies and certificates on display. In one corner was the piano he learned to play on; it was kept tuned as long as he was alive.

Bing Crosby: what a legend! Next we walked across the campus, with its abundant trees, flowers, fountains and several Rodin statues, to visit Bings’ childhood home, since moved

Davenport Hotel (courtesy photo)

came to mind as I saw how everything had been restored to the original condition that founder Louis Davenport created for the hotel’s 1914 opening. It was closed from 1987 until 2002.

Walt and Karen Worthy bought the hotel for $6.5 million and put in $38 million of their own money to restore everything and update the rooms and structure. The Palm Court Restaurant has Crab Louis on the menu, which in Louis Davenport’s day sold for $.75. The price has gone up a bit.

If you have a chance to visit Spokane, these are only two of the many things to see and do in the heart of the Inland Empire. Visit www.visitspokane.com and you will see that the Spokane experience has something for everyone.

•••

Check our Website for Specials!

20 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

Bowl of Poppies by Irene Harrison, featured artist in window exhibit in The Merk, Broadway and Commerce, Longview and at First Thursday Reception, Museo at the Merk (details, page 25).

Longview resident Shirley Smith is a retired travel agent. She enjoys exploring the Northwest and socializing with friends.

Ape Cave

cont. from page 17

inside, plus an above-ground trail connecting the main and upper entrances.

The lower cave is a relatively easy 3/4-mile hike that t a k e s a n h o u r, round trip. It is the easier and more popular route, with its fairly level mudflow covered floor and unique features such as the lava ball wedged in the ceiling. Upper cave is for the more adventurous. This challenging hike is 1.5 miles long, climbs over large rock piles, scales an 8-foot lava fall, and takes 2.5 to 3 hours.

•••

Looking back toward the entrance from inside the mouth of Ape Cave, an ancient lava tube formed during an eruption of Mt. St. Helens.

NMAL Delivers Clinical Lab Work for Local ARNP For Nurse Practitioner Maria Magnuson, it’s all about providing the best possible care for her patients at the Lower Columbia Women’s Clinic in Longview. And Northwest Medical Analytic Laboratory plays a key role in supporting her efforts when patients need clinical lab work.

“I appreciate the fact that I can get immediate access to the pathologists if I have any questions about a patient’s clinical lab test,” Magnuson said.

“The support that Northwest Medical provides is outstanding, and I’m very happy with the turnaround time.”

Testing is completed in 10 minutes or less, and results are returned to physicians within 24 hours.

In addition to handling referrals from physicians, NMAL also offers testing without an appointment or referral for thyroid, PSA, testosterone, cholesterol, ProTime, iron, rubella, STD, mononucleosis, blood sugar, and pregnancy testing.

Two locations to serve you. Walk-ins welcome.

Pacific Surgical Institute 625 9th Avenue, Suite 210 Longview, WA 98632 360.442.7931

929 Fir Street Longview, WA 98632 360.425.7915 www.nmalabs.com Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 21

COMING SOON!

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Diana Loback and her son Riley Loback in India this summer at an architectural site “just downstream” from the Taj Mahal, where “very tight”security regulations prohibited their taking along a copy of the July Columbia River Reader. Readers: send a photo showing where YOU read the Reader (high-resolution JPEG, 2 MB max file size, to Publisher@CRReader.com. We will publish the farthest away or most unique locations.

Pacific Surgical Institute Offers Affordable, Quality Care

Pacific Surgical Institute (PSI) is a stateof-the-art medical facility that houses eight service providers – Longview Orthopedic Associates, Longview Urology, Pacific Surgical Center, Washington Plastic Surgery, Pacific Imaging Center, Northwest Medical Analytic Laboratory, Longview Physical & Sports Therapy, Flourish Skin & Laser, and Columbia Cardiology.

The specialized services of PSI’s medical and surgical specialists are sought by patients from Vancouver to Astoria.

Our mission is to provide patients with excellent, affordable care and superior service - all at one convenient location.

Christopher Chung, M.D. of Washington Plastic Surgery

in hospitals. You Unique access to affordable outpatient know you’ll be surgical care in good hands, Pacific Surgical because Pacific Institute is home Surgical Center has to Pacific Surgical a 98 percent patient Center (PSC), the satisfaction rate. only outpatient Patient convenience surgery center in a top priority the area that handles PSI was designed orthopedic, urologic, with patient gastro-intestinal, convenience in ENT, gynecologic, mind. Pacific podiatric, plastic Imaging Center Pacific Imaging Center utilizes a nationallysurgery, and general renowned radiology group to assess patient scans provides high-field surgery procedures.

MRIs that assist patients’ doctors with diagnosis. Northwest A number of area surgeons – including Medical Analytic Laboratory takes care those at Longview Orthopedic Associates, of a complete range of clinical lab work Longview Urology, and Washington and handles pre-surgery analysis for Plastic Surgery – utilize PSC to perform patients who have procedures scheduled procedures that do not require an overnight at the surgery center. Longview Physical stay. & Sports Therapy While quality is delivers comprehensive always our primary rehabilitative services to concern, the cost of patients recovering from outpatient surgeries can procedures or existing range from 30 to 50 conditions. percent less than similar procedures performed

Learn more about us online at www.longviewpsi.com.

Washington Plastic Surgery and Flourish Skin & Laser feature a complete range of services, including body contouring, facial rejuvenation, breast enhancement, laser treatment, and skin-care.

Multiple services at one site means less driving time and less hassle for you. Our building is modern and comfortable, and we have plenty of convenient parking near the facility. We always do our best to reduce extra travel by scheduling according to your convenience, not ours.

Pacific Surgical Institute • 625 9th Avenue • Longview, WA 98632 • 360.442.7900 22 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

Longview Urology staff is friendly and efficient

Apemen of Mt. St. Helens

cont from page 19

The mineshaft was at the bottom of the narrow canyon and the only way to get to it was by ropes from a ledge near the top of the north wall, at the base of Pumice Butte.

Their log cabin located there had a sturdy roof to withstand the heavy snow loads. The nearest drinking water came from a spring about 100 yards from the cabin, down a slight draw.

During the next three hours, the mountain apes attacked the cabin and tried to break down the door, while the men inside fired their guns through the roof, walls, and door. They were afraid for their lives!

On the evening of July 11, 1924, Beck and Smith went down to get water from the spring. They each carried a gun. To their surprise, they saw Ape Canyon looking east from the east slope of Mt. St. Helens. a tall hairy creature It was too dark to leave that night. standing by a pine tree on the opposite but the frightened men agreed to pack side of the canyon, about 100 yards up and head home the next morning; away. Smith fired three times and was They barricaded the cabin door, ate sure he hit the creature in the head and went to bed. Their only light each time. But it turned and ran upright came from lanterns and the fireplace along the edge of the canyon; Beck shot since there were no windows in the three rounds as it disappeared. The two cabin. About midnight, the men men returned to the cabin and told were awakened by a tremendous their partners the animal was about thud against the cabin wall. The seven feet tall with blackish-brown filling material had been knocked hair, weighing upwards of 500 pounds.

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loose from between two logs and fell onto Smith. The men grabbed their guns upon hearing a great commotion outside the cabin — footsteps on the roof, trampling over a pile of shakes, and rocks hitting the cabin and even coming down the chimney. When Smith looked through the crack in the wall, he saw three creatures in the moonlight.

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Twist of fate When a hairy arm reached in through the opening in the wall and grabbed an axe by the handle, Beck swiftly rotated the axe head so it caught on the logs before being pulled through the gap. At the same time Smith fired a shot, barely missing Beck’s hand. The attack finally ended about 3 am.

Portland’s Oregonian arrived in town to interview Smith. Articles appeared in area newspapers over the next few days.

The Great Ape Hunt of 1924 Within days, many people headed to the mountain to look for Bigfoot. Beck went back to the cabin just once, with a couple of reporters and a detective from Portland. They found 19-inch long tracks and the ransacked cabin, but no trace of the creature he had shot a week earlier.

In the Oregonian interview, Smith said he believed the apes lived in a cave close to the cabin and he thought he knew where it was located. However, it wasn’t until 1947 that a logger, Lawrence Johnson, discovered what we now call Ape Caves, located further down the mountain. There is no evidence that anyone or any thing ever lived in them.

The gold mine was abandoned after the attack; none of the men were willing to return.

Beck didn’t give an interview until 1960, but he delighted in telling the story to family members whenever he got the chance. In 1967, his son, Ronald Beck, wrote a 22-page booklet titled I Fought The Apemen of Mt. St. Helens, based on what his 79-year old father remembered.

Next morning, when the men decided to lower themselves down to the mine to retrieve some of their equipment and supplies before leaving, Beck saw another ape-like creature standing at the top of the canyon, about 80 yards away. He shot three times, hitting it in A booklet published in 1967 the back each time. The tells Fred Beck’s story. creature toppled over the cliff and fell 400 feet to After reading the book, people often the bottom of the gorge. The men left shake their heads. The final chapter their supplies and scrambled out. explains that the mountain apes Keep this under your hats, boys would never be captured or killed Assuming nobody would believe because they lived in another timethem, Beck urged his companions not space dimension and could appear and to talk about the incident. But when disappear at will. His father may have they reached the Spirit Lake Ranger shared that belief, but friends of Ron Station, Smith told the ranger what Beck said he admitted to adding that had happened. And once back in part. Fred Beck’s booklet is long out Kelso, he went to the Blue Ox Tavern of print, but you can read it on the and spilled the beans to anyone who Internet at www.bigfootencounters. would listen. Soon, a reporter from com/classics/beck.htm.

•••

Ready to conduct your own Ape Hunt?

Start here.

Driving Directions to Ape Canyon Trailhead: Take Exit 21 off I-5 at Woodland, then go east 30 miles on SR-503 to Cougar. Continue on SR-503 Spur 6-1/2 miles, following the signs to Lava Canyon and Ape Cave. Turn left onto FR-83 and go 11 miles to Lava Canyon Trail parking lot - buy a parking permit there and return a quarter-mile to the small paved parking lot on the right, located at the north end of the Muddy River bridge. The roads are paved all the way.

Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 23

My Slant Pack your bags and check them twice. Give your airline boarding pass a familiar pat. Stockpile a bag of cashews.

O

Travel: it’s always something

nce Google became a verb, I knew I was lost.

I reach the belt as both bags disappear into the abyss behind the rubber flaps. The belt stops. The door to the abyss is locked.

Frantic knocking is ignored.

“Just Google it,” is my husband Ace’s answer to everything.

I t ’s a t e c h n o l o g i c a l a g e , but nobody distributed the directions. On my recent twoweek, two-state trip to the Midwest, Ace rented cars from Budget, thinking its Fastbreak system would smooth my way.

By Suzanne Martinson

“It goes around three times, and then it stops,” says the rental guy.

Aren’t they always? I wedge my big suitcase into the hatchback, the other into the back seat. I have Googled the directions to the townhouse where my 3-month-old granddaughter Lucy awaits spoiling. A call to my daughter at work turns up two additional

stops, one for the baby, the other for her. Paper and pen still work for directions.

~

See, I’m not the most clueless traveler to fall off the turnip truck. I have experience. I am a trained journalist.

Once, covering the Pillsbury Bakecont page 28

“And my luggage?’

Arriving in Lansing, I find the Budget counter unattended.

Hot, hungry and hurried, I ask about the “Fastbreak” folk.

“Budget is Avis,” says the woman in the next stall.

Who knew?

Rental car key in hand, I notice in my peripheral vision my 47-pound bag and my carryon spinning away on the luggage carrousel.

He motions toward the ticket counter at the other end of the terminal.

Soon, I push and pull the suitcases toward the car lot. I have the skill of a gymnast falling off a balance beam.

Reaching the lot, I wonder, “Is it a Budget car? Or Avis? Will another buyout occur before I make my getaway?”

I check the license number on the rental agreement. The car is white.

The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elton John, The Eagles, Tom Petty, The Police, Chicago, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Bad Company, Queen, The Steve Miller Band, Jimi Hendrix, The Moody Blues, The Beatles, BTO, Santana, Sly & The Family Stone, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, The Allman Brothers Band, Blind Faith, Cream, Rod Stewart & The Faces, Tower Of Power, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elton John, The Eagles, Tom Petty, The Police, Chicago, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Bad Company, Queen, The Steve Miller Band, Jimi Hendrix, The Moody Blues, The Beatles, BTO, Santana, Sly & The Family Stone, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, The Allman Brothers Band, Blind Faith, Cream, Rod Stewart & The Faces, Tower Of Power, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elton John, The Eagles, Tom Petty, The Police, Chicago, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Bad Company, Queen, The Steve Miller Band, Jimi Hendrix, The Moody Blues, The Beatles, BTO, Santana, Sly & The Family Stone, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, The Allman Brothers Band, Blind Faith, Cream, Rod Stewart & The Faces, Tower Of Power, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elton John, The Eagles, Tom Petty, The Police, Chicago, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Bad Company, Queen, The Steve Miller Band, Jimi Hendrix, The Moody Blues, The Beatles, BTO, Santana, Sly & The Family Stone, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, The Allman Brothers Band, Blind Faith, Cream, Rod Stewart & The Faces, Tower Of Power, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elton John, The Eagles, Tom Petty, The Police, Chicago, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Bad Company, Queen, The Steve Miller Band, Jimi Hendrix, The Moody Blues, The Beatles, BTO, Santana, Sly & The Family Stone, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, The Allman Brothers Band, Blind Faith, Cream, Rod Stewart & The Faces, Tower Of Power, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elton John, The Eagles, Tom Petty, The Police, Chicago, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Bad Company, Queen, The Steve Miller Band, Jimi Hendrix, The Moody Blues, The Beatles, BTO, Santana, Sly & The Family Stone, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, The Allman Brothers Band, Blind Faith, Cream, Rod Stewart & The Faces, Tower Of Power, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elton John, The Eagles, Tom Petty, The Police, Chicago, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Bad Company, Queen, The Steve Miller Band, Jimi Hendrix, The Moody Blues, The Beatles, BTO, Santana, Sly & The Family Stone, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, The Allman Brothers Band, Blind Faith, Cream, Rod Stewart & The Faces, Tower Of Power, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elton John, The Eagles, Tom Petty, The Police, Chicago, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Bad Company, Queen, The Steve Miller Band, Jimi Hendrix, The Moody Blues, The Beatles, BTO, Santana, Sly & The Family Stone, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, The Allman Brothers Band, Blind Faith, Cream, Rod Stewart & The Faces, Tower Of Power, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elton John, The Eagles, Tom Petty, The Police, Chicago, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Bad Company, Queen, The Steve Miller Band, Jimi Hendrix, The Moody Blues, The Beatles, BTO, Santana, Sly & The Family Stone, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, The Allman Brothers Band, Blind Faith, Cream, Rod Stewart & The Faces, Tower Of Power, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elton John, The Eagles, Tom Petty, The Police, Chicago, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, Bad Company, Queen, The Steve Miller Band, Jimi Hendrix, The Moody Blues, The Beatles, BTO, Santana, Sly & The Family Stone, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, The Allman Brothers Band, Blind Faith, Cream, Rod Stewart & The Faces, Tower Of Power, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Fleetwood Mac, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elton John, The Eagles, Tom Petty, The Police, Chicago, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Who

What happened to your favorite songs?

They’re on 101.5 THE WAVE! at 101.5 fm Catch THE WAVE...

It’s your Classic Rock.

24 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

Meet, eat & play in downtown Longview. . . a delightful place to find unique gifts, explore history, dine out, relax and indulge your senses.

Customer Appreciation Days Storewide Savings

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M–F 10 – 6 • Sat 10 – 5

Browse the Long-Bell Reading Room in The Merk

Historical photos Old newspapers Long-Bell magazines

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Thank you, Mr. Long sculpture by James Demetrio at Broadway & Commerce Ave., Longview.

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Downtown rocks on FIRST THURSDAY ~ Nov 5

Many shops and galleries stay open late. Enjoy art exhibit openings, FREE entertainment, refreshments, samplings and giveaways. You’re sure to find the perfect place for a snack, libation or dinner at one of the several delightful eateries downtown, Broadway Gallery, 1418 Commerce Featuring Trudy Woods, pottery, Carol Boudreau, watercolor and acrylic paintings, and Dan and Elsie Noble, porcelain and stoneware. Reception: 5:30 – 7:30. Live Music by Mike Woods and Tim Janke

Longview Public Library Koth Gallery, 1600 Louisiana Book sale; no reception, open until 8 pm.

Museo at the Merk, 1339 Commerce Featuring Irene Harrison. Free charcoal drawing lessons for children given by Scott McRae. Reception 5–7 pm, music by John Henry.

LCC Gallery at the Rose Center, 15th & Washington Way, Longview, open until 7 pm, no reception.

Teague’s Interiors Mezzanine Gallery, 1267 Commerce featuring “Celebrating the Trinity;” paintings, batiks and sculptured originals by Wendy kosloski and Jeff Jolly. No reception, open until 7 pm The Bistro 1329 Commerce Ave., Wine Tasting & Music 5–8 pm.

Cowlitz County Historical Museum - see “The Tie that Binds” program listing, page 27.

For info, call Laurel Murphy, 360-673-3866.

Tea • Pastries • Scones Salads • Sandwiches Soups • British Fare Mon - Fri 11 am – 3 pm

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360-636-2720 Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 25

All performances at Donavon Wooley Performing Arts Center Clatskanie Mid/High School 471 BelAir Dr, Clatskanie, Ore Info: 503-728-3403

www.clatskaniearts.org

Sunday, Oct 25 • 3 pm Come and enjoy one of Oregon’s premier bands sponsored by Mike Arthur Machine Service Tickets $10 Adult • $8 Senior • $5 Children under 12

Outings & Events Performing & Fine Arts Music, Art, Theatre, Literary

Broadway Gallery Artists co-op. Featured in October: Nick Van Horn, specialty rugs; Lee Boone, stone carvings; Beth Bailey, paintings; Audrey Hoffman, mixed media. November: Trudy Woods, pottery; Elsie & Dan Noble, watercolors and pottery; Carol Boudreau, watercolors and acryics. Hours: 10 am-5:30 pm. Mon– Sat. 1418 Commerce, Longview, Wash. 360-577-0544.

Teague’s Mezzanine Gallery: “Trinity,” a showing of faith-based art, through midDec. In the boutique: fashions in “green” bamboo & soy fabrics. 1267 Commerce, Longview, Wash. M-F 10–5:30, Sat 10-3. 360-636-0712.

Columbia Artists Museo at the Merk Broadway-facing window at The Merk, 1339 Commerce, Longview,Wash. Also, Fall show of paintings at Koth Memorial Gallery, Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana St., Longview, Wash. Oct 1–Nov 14.

Downtown Longview First Thursday Nov 5. See Gallery listings, page 25.

Creepy English countryside tale to be staged in Astoria It’s 1911and several young village girls have died under mysterious circumstances. Dr. Seward presides over a psychiatric asylum where his ward, Miss Wilhelmina Murray, is suffering from unusual trances. He sends for Viennese Dr. Helga Van Zandt and Dutch Dr. Abraham Van Helsing to treat her illness. Meanwhile, a young reporter, Jonathan Harker, innocently wanders in, only to be irrevocably smitten with Miss Murray.

But his rival, a charming new village resident from Transylvania, Count Dracula, has other plans for the young woman. Can this band of mortals and the insect-eating sidekicks save the day and prevent the crafty count from achieving his evil designs?

The Passion of Dracula, a tonguein-cheek drama directed by Edward James and featuring local talent, will be presented by the Astor Street Opry Company the week of Halloween. See ad, next page.

Time Magazine called this familyfriendly play, “A delightful romp for sophisticates, children and vampire elitists.” For more information visit www.astorstreetoprycompany.com or call 503-325-6104.

Body Toxic: How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens our Health and Well-Being. Tuesday, Oct 20, Willapa Hills Audubon with Lower Columbia College and Longview Public Library bring Portland investigative journalist and author, Nena Baker, to discuss her book. Writing workshop 3 – 4:30 pm LCC Physical Science Building Room 104. Reading and discussion 7 pm Longview Library Auditorium. Both programs are free and open to all.

Concerted Effort Through Oct. 23 at the Art Gallery, Lower Columbia College.

Exhibit by Lucinda Parker and fellow artists who helped with installation of Parker’s huge mural, “Where Water Comes Together With Other Water,” which dominates the LCC Rose Center’s foyer. Parker, of Portland, Ore., created the work to represent the confluence of five rivers in our region. The mural was included in the Rose Center construction costs, as state law requires that .5 percent of any state facility construction budget be dedicated to art, with purchases and commissions coordinated through the Washington State Art Commission. Info: 360-442-2510 or http://lowercolumbia.edu/gallery.

Skamokawa Local Arts & Crafts Exhibit. Nov 17–22. Noon to 4 pm. Redmen Hall, 1304 SR-4, Skamokawa, Wash. Info: 360-795-8675.

LCC’s Free Community Conversations Lecture Series The Examined Life: The World of Great Ideas

Thursday noon lectures presented in the Wollenberg Auditorium, Rose Center for the Arts at Lower Columbia College, 15th and Washington Way Longview, Wash.

Oct. 15 Courtney Shaw, Ph.D., LCC history instructor “Democracy: Power to the People” Oct. 22 Judge Stephen J. Warning, Cowlitz County Superior Court “The American Criminal Justice System: Crime and Punishment” Oct. 29 John Crook, local architect “Architecture: a Sense of Place” Nov. 5 Carol Pahlke, Ph.D., Longview psychologist,“The Evolution of Psychology” Nov. 12 Peteris Livins, Ph.D., LCC physics instructor “Einstein’s Space and Time: Re-examining the Obvious” Nov. 19 Hazar Jaber, DDS, native of Syria, “The World of Islam” Dec. 3 Jeff Lucas, M.A., LCC mathematics instructor, “Math: Descartes’ Other Contributions” Schedule is subject to change. For latest information, call 360-442-2311 or visit lowercolumbia. edu/conversations.

The Reader can help publicize your events

North Coast Symphonic Band begins 30th season

drawing musicians from as far north as Ocean Park, as far south as Rockaway Beach, and from the Portland Metro area to rehearse with the band, led by principal conductor Larry Johnson of Portland. Johnson, who has music degrees from the University of Puget Sound and the Cleveland Institute of Music, has conducted wind ensemble, band and orchestra at Portland State University, Mount Hood Community College and Lewis and Clark College.

Six concerts are scheduled for the upcoming season, beginning with the season opener on Sunday, November 8 at the Clatsop College Performing Arts Center.

Other concerts are scheduled for January 24, March 13, May 9, July 3 & 4, 2010. For more information about the band and its concert season, please e-mail jlbowler@charter.net or call 503-325-2431.

26 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

CRR welcomes items about non-profit / community / cultural / recreational public events.

Submit info by the 25th of the month for next month’s publication and include event name, date, time, place, cost and contact information, i.e. name and phone number for more info; website is optional.

• E-mail: Publisher@CRReader.com • Fax: (360)636-2196 • Mail: CRR, P.O. Box 1643, Rainier, OR 97048

Performing Arts Reviews Columbia River Reader’s Reviews are posted shortly after openings of locally-produced, multiple-performance plays and concerts of adult groups which perform regularly.

Read them at www.crreader.com Upcoming/current performances: Southwest Washington Symphony Oct. 11

Outings & Events Recreation, Outdoors, Gardening Living History, Pets, Self-help

In their Footsteps Free lecture series. Oct 18, 1 pm. Netul Room, Fort Clatsop Visitor’s Center. “Meriwether Lewis’ Pacific Northwest Legacy Written in A Little Red Book,” by John C. Jackson. Booksigning following presentation. Info: 503-861-2471.

CRR Mt St Helens Escapade Friday, Oct 30. 10:30 am–8 pm. $79 per person.

Lunch, mini-hikes, guided tour, winetasting buffet/show, prizes. Info, page 2.

Hike Mount Mitchell in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Free, sponsored by The Mount St. Helens Institute. Space is limited. Oct. 25.

For more information or to reserve your place, please visit: http://www. mshinstitute.org/Sunday%20Hikes. More info: jbennett@mshinstitute.org or 360-891-5107.

Longview, Kelso, Rainier Model Railroad Club Large layout with trains running all day, Rainier Marina Market, Saturday October 17 and Saturday October 24, 10 to 3. Free. 115 East A Street, Rainier, one block off of highway 30, next to the Columbia River Bank of America. For more info call Sue Drummond, 503-556-1220; Jan Moon, 503-556-9484, or visit www.rainiermarinamarket.com International Cat Show & On Safari Bengal Show Oct 30-Nov 1. Holiday Inn at Portland Airport Conference Center, 8439 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland, Ore. Bengal show Oct 30, 4 am–9 pm Admission $2 plus two cans human food. Children under 12 free. Regular admission $3. International Allbreed Show, Oct 31-Nov 1, 9am–5 pm. Admission $3 plus 2 cans human food. Children under 12 free. Regular Admission $5.Info: http:// www.tncc.org Harvest Party Sat., Oct 31, 6–8:30 pm. Free. Columbia County Fairgrounds, St. Helens, Ore. Tractor-pulled hay ride, games, candy, cake walk, music, pizza and snacks, door prizes.http://www.columbiariverfoursquare.com Info: Amanda, justicegenesmom@yahoo.com, 503-366-2837.

Columbia River Arts Fair & Tea Sat, Nov 14, 10–5. Caples House Museum and Columbia City Community Hall, 1925 First St, and 1850 Second St, corner of Second and “I” St, Columbia City, Ore (2 miles north of St Helens). Holiday booths with jewelry, quilts, baskets, pottery, gifts. Photos with Santa. Free. Refreshments, museum tours available. Info: 503-9130770, www.caplesmuseum.com, e-mail: events@capleshouse.com Youth & Family LINK Christmas and Art Bazaar Fri, Nov 6, 10–4. 907 Douglas Ave., Longview, Wash. Presented by the Toutle Ranch Thrift Store.

Proceeds go to the Youth and Family LINK Program

Area Arts Organizations’ 2008-09 Seasons Dana Brown Mainstage Theatre Longview, Wash.

Susan Donahue, Director R.A. Long High School, 2903 Nichols Blvd, Longview.

Info: sdonahue@longview.k12.wa.us or 360-575-7133.

Once Upon a Mattress (student musical) Nov 13, 14, 20, 21 7:30 pm; Nov 22, 3 pm.

Tickets $8 adults; $5 students/seniors.

William Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale (community production) Feb 26, 27, Mar 5, 6, 7:30 pm; Mar 6, 2 pm (understudy performance) All tickets $5 Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker (the play upon which “Hello Dolly” is based) May 14, 15, 21, 22 7:30 pm . All tickets $5

North Coast Symphonic Band Astoria,Oregon Sun, Nov 8; Sun, Jan 24; Sat, Mar 13; Sun, May 9; July 3-4 For locations, ticket prices and other info, call Janet Bowler, 503-325-2431; e-mail jlbowler@charter.net.

Lower Columbia College, Longview, Wash.

Concerts Wollenberg Auditorium, Rose Center for the Arts, Lower Columbia College, Longview, Wash Symphonic Band Concerts Nov 24, Jan 19, 2010 (High School Honor Band); Mar 12, June 11 Director, Gary Nyberg, 360-442-2680.

Choral and Jazz Vocal Ensemble Choral concert Dec 8; Mar 23, June 15 Jazz Choir and Jazz Band Concerts: Nov 17; Mar 16; June 8 Directors: Tina Beveridge and Kurt Harbaugh, 360-442-2681

Rising Star Productions, Longview, Wash.

Jueanne Meyers, Director Performances at Kelso High School Auditorium, Kelso, Wash. Info: 360-749-5212 or www. risingstarproductions.org Seussical the Musical April 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, May 1

Southwest Washington Symphony, Longview, Wash.

Tickets available at Columbia Theatre Box Office. Info, David Taylor 360-560-7001 (Oct 10 and Jan 23 Dress Rehearsal $5 single ticket, $10 family up to 5 people) Fall Pops • Sun, Oct 11 • LCC Rose Center Winter Concert Sun, Jan 24, 2010, 3 pm, Wollenberg Auditorium, LCC Rose Center Spring Concert Fri, Apr 9, 7:30 pm, Columbia Theatre

Clastskanie Arts Commission Clatskanie, Oregon

Info, Elsa Wooley, 503-728-3403 www.clatskaniearts.com

Performances at Clatskanie H.S. Auditorium Oct 3, 2009 Mud Bay Jugglers and The Tune Stranglers Oct 25, Oregon Symphonic Band • 3 pm Dec 11 Evergreen Brass Quintet with Clatskanie MidHigh School Choir, 7:30 pm Jan 15-16 Robinson Crusoe (Missoula Chiodren’s Theater) Jan 15 7:30 pm, Jan 16 3 pm Mar 14 California Guitar Trio, 3 pm

Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, Longview, Wash. 360-575-8499

LCC Center Stage

www.columbiatheatre.com

Nov. 18 - 21; 27, 28; Dec 3 - 5

Shoestring Community Players St. Helens, Oregon

Of Mice and Men Nov 1, 3 pm, Rose Center A Celtic Christmas Dec 20, 3 pm Rose Center The Smothers Brothers Show Feb 4, 2010, dcorrell@lcc.ctc.edu Rose Center for the Arts,Lower Columbia College, 7:30 pm Columbia Theatre Magic that Rocks Mar 25, 7:30 pm Longview, Wash. Curtain: 7:30 pm.

Tickets: $8 gen’l, $7 students and seniors, free to Cabaret April 15, 7:30 pm Jack Benny “Laughter in Bloom” May 15 LCC students/staff 7:30 pm Alice in Wonderland: An Acid Trip Don Correll, Director 360-442-2682

Columbia Chorale of Oregon St Helens, Oregon Director Tuesday Rupp Info, Betsy Galloway 503-543-2915

President Bill Cade, 503-397-3245 www.sscpmusicals.com The Sound of Music July 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17

COWLITZ COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM PROGRAMS

405 Allen Street, Kelso, Wash. Info: 360-577-3119, www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/museum.

Oct 31 • Key Ingredients: America by Food Smithsonian traveling exhibit and “Decades of Dipping” Cowlitz County Historical Museum smelt exhibit; All day: Carved pumpkin contest at 2pm and Cowlitz Farmers’ Market appreciation event at 3pm.

Nov 7 • Aprons: The Tie That Binds A sharing of aprons and memories. Bring your favorite apron – it might win a prize. 7 pm Nov 7 • Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition: Washington’s First World’s Fair.

HistoryLink.org authors Alan J. Stein and Paula Becker share photographs and stories about the 1909 Exposition that brought Seattle and Washington into the national spotlight. 2 pm Nov 12 • Eating in 2010: Everything Old is New Again Old cooking traditions are coming to the modern kitchen. Presented by Suzanne Martinson, 7 pm.

Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 27

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Off in Orlando, I got assigned to stay an extra day to cover a tornado. I rented a car and scrounged up a story, barely making the midnight deadline, only to be awakened by my newspaper editor husband the early riser. He says, “Clinton’s visiting the tornado site. Wake up.”

I scrunch into matted clothes and dash to the hotel parking lot. I walk up and down the long rows of tourist cars, all white. I look into every window for evidence I’d been there. A crumpled Payday candy bar wrapper — my dinner ration — lay on the passenger seat.

The key fit. I am halfway to another story.

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Coffee, I need coffee. I pull into the drive-through of the first burger joint. I hold up the line to ask the coffee guy where the tornado hit and how to get there. He knows. He tells. He has a shortcut.

Like Blanche DuBois, journalists depend on the kindness of strangers.

I’ve never stood that close to a sitting president.

It was the only time I ever needed my Pittsburgh press card. Let the national press cover Bill. My story will be about a couple who’d lost half their 800-743-1109 • 503-221-1100 house. They didn’t want to talk, until I mentioned shop at www.weldsafe.com I was only in town cover the Pillsbury Bake-Off. After the wife and I exchanged a couple of favorite recipes, she told Chet Makinster is an experienced me how they’d hid under their bed, community leader who does his homework clutching the bedsprings, as the and can make tough decisions. tornado sucked the bed across the CHET’S PRIORITIES: room. The tornado stripped off the • Public Safety • Infrastructure spread, never to be seen again.

3030 NW 29th, Portland • Hours: M-F 7-5 10540 Tualatin-Sherwood Rd., Tualatin, OR • Hours: M-F 8-5 7926 NE Killingsworth, Portland • Hours: M-F 7-4 • Sat 8-12

• Economic Development OUR COMMON GOALS: • A lower crime rate • The efficient and responsible use of tax dollars • A clean and productive community for us and future generations

VOTE FOR CHET MAKINSTER Longview City Council, Pos. 6

The sign up period for the PUD’s Senior Discount Rate ends December 1, 2009

28 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

There was plenty more to the story, but you don’t get to go to press if you can’t get there. By rental car.

On my trip last month, I had parked still another rental car in front of my old employer, the Pittsburgh

cont. from page 24 Post-Gazette. No Paydays needed there.

This ride was neon blue. I get out to feed the meter. One quarter. Two, three, four, five. The meter slowly ekes out the minutes.

I might have one more quarter in the car. I click the key chain. The neon blue car door remains locked. Again.

Locked. A third time. A horn blows.

Lights flash. The car in the space in front of me has gone crazy. Also neon blue. I realize my mistake and jump into the bleating car’s driver’s seat. I can’t make it stop.

My friend Bob emerges from the newspaper building, walks toward me, big smile. “I could have found you, Suz — no need for all this.”

“I don’t know how to turn it off. I think it thinks it’s being stolen,” I say. “I checked the glovebox —no manual.”

Bob pushes a button here, a lever there. The car quiets. He returns to the newsroom for more quarters. This time he feeds my meter.

When it comes to rental cars, driver’s manuals are for the future owners, not this poor schlep who can’t find the Stop button for the emergency flasher or the lever to pop the trunk or the button to douse the interior lights.

For that, there is the kindness of strangers and friends.

••• Suzanne Martinson needed two suitcases to travel to Michigan and Pittsburgh — her cont. page 32

Movie Review

Surrogates ~ Why work for a living when you can send in your replicant?

By Dr. Robert Blackwood

P

aul Mostow, who directed Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), made this interesting film, Surrogates, about people in the not-too-distantfuture who moreor-less stay in their residences and direct elegant replicants of themselves at their workplaces, on their vacations and, occasionally, even during the most intimate moments of socializing.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Those few humans who reject replicants have The Prophet, Ving Rhames, as their spokesman. Willis plays a nuanced role as an effective investigator, but a man carrying a marriage with a troubled wife (Rosamund Pike) who literally can’t face him after the death of their son.

Rhames gets to go full-out as the spokesmen for the “Dread” folks. Both actors give fine performances.

For awhile, it is a bit confusing, until you recognize that anyone who looks like a Hollywood I feel the film is an actor in a 1960s or Willis in Surrogates. effective thriller, if 1970s melodrama Bruce Photo by Touchstone Pictures you can accept the ( b e a u t i f u l h a i r, perfect skin, utterly clean clothes) is premise of the graphic novel that is a replicant. Anyone sitting around in the film’s source. If you can, you will go a bathrobe or pajamas, who looks out- through a few turnarounds and will enjoy of-shape and needing a shower, is the a nice ride. It may cause you to think about those friends of yours who seem to owner of the replicant.

Bruce Willis (the replicant has blonde prefer to contact other people via email hair; the owner is bald) plays FBI Agent rather than talk to them face-to-face or Greer who is trying to learn how a even on the phone. killer can destroy both a replicant and the replicant’s owner with the same weapon. Since 98 percent of the human population have replicants (poverty, disease, and crime have been wiped out, courtesy of science fiction), making and maintaining replicants is the major industry in the world. Canter (James Cromwell) is the head of the giant corporation making most of the replicants, yet he has his problems, too.

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I certainly preferred Surrogates to Gamer with Gerard Butler, a film that worked similar themes but was totally devoted to special effects, even to the point of ignoring coherent plot development.

The pyrotechnics overcame character development. Gamer would have benefited from a clearer plot, such as the similar plot of Paul Michael Glaser’s The Running Man (1987). And Surrogates did it all in 88 minutes; good job, Mostow and Willis.

•••

If you see a bearded man with a big hat falling from a boat into a Washington river in mid-October, it may be Dr. Bob Blackwood. One of the fellows in the boat laughing will be Paul Thompson (CRR’s Man in the Kitchen). Blackwood can navigate professionally through the Internet Movie Database, but in a boat?

A retired college professor, Blackwood lives in Chicago and enjoys regular visits to the Pacific Northwest.

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Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 29

VOTE FOR DENNIS WEBER Longview City Council, Pos. 7 • Strong leadership

When then-Mayor Weber called for action, you sent a clear message. The white supremacists left but targeted him on their website.

• Merge law enforcement agencies

Criminals respect no political boundaries. Neither should we when it comes to fighting crime.

• Utility Rate Equity

Our seniors shouldn’t face unfair utility rates as they try to remain in their own homes.

• A Greener Longview

Let’s expand our street tree program, replace asphalt median strips, etc. www.weber4longview.org PO Box 1042 • Longview WA

• Infrastructure Improvements We must push for common-sense solutions to traffic congestion and inadequate rail service.

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Regular Hours: Mon – Fri 9 – 5 • After-hours by arrangement SCAPPOOSE OFFICE ST HELENS OFFICE 503-543-7195 503-397-6993 52698 NE FIRST 445 Port Ave, Ste C Scappoose, OR St Helens, OR email: scapptax1@ados.com email: scapptax2@ados.com

OD

Opsahl, Dawson

&

Company, p.s.

certified public accountants & consultants

Focus on Tax Planning!

October is not too early to start year end tax planning! This year it may be more critical than ever because of the current economic situation and also because of the uncertainty of future changes in the tax laws.

Our website www.opsahlco.com currently contains George Opsahl two new detailed and informative articles: One, titled “Year end planning techniques can maximize tax savings” discusses a number of tax planning options for both businesses and individuals. Utilizing some of these options may help you to pay less tax.

The other, titled “FAQ: What tax breaks are officially ending this year?” lists and describes several tax Aaron Dawson breaks with uncertain futures – uncertain because they are designed to expire at the end of this year, although there is a possibility that some may be extended to future years.

Team members of Opsahl, Dawson and Company routinely schedule year end meetings with our business clients to do year end planning and to resolve issues that are best handled before year end.

Jennifer Dawson If you are interested in a year end meeting with one of our experienced accountants for either your business or for you personally, please contact us.

We look forward to helping you to maximize your tax savings!

Please contact our office to get more details and for additional ways to reduce your tax.

959 - 11th Ave, Suite A, Longview, WA 98632 360-425-2000 • www.opsahlco.com 30 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

Join us for Two Nights of Fun! Before the party ... come try our

NEW MENU ITEMS! Friday, October 30th

CRYSTAL POOL REVIVAL Doors open at 6:00 Dancing 8pm - Midnight Admission: $10.00 “All your friends will be there”

Proceeds will benefit: Community Home Health & Hospice

Saturday, October 31st

MONSTER

BASH

Doors open at 9:00 Admission: $15.00 Music by Raeanne’s Groove Sponsored by Bi-Coastal Media * Complimentary Hors D’ Oeuvres *

“Still the most outrageous party in town”

LOCATED ON THE HISTORIC CIVIC CIRCLE IN LONGVIEW (360) 425-9900 • www.themonticello.net

My Slant

The ubiquitous blackberry: something to brag & blather about

I

discolor, the “Himalayan;” and Rubus lasiniatus or Evergreen, a European escapee from domestic production.

went to the freezer for ice the other day only to discover that I really had no ice. Instead, the freezer was full of big plastic bags of blackberries.

Gallons of blackberries. I guess I got carried away with the black pearls of the Northwest this summer.

Pricks and scratches The “Himalayan” Blackberry is a pest that has taken over valuable native species habitat, but to some the lure of the

By Ron Baldwin purpley black juice is more than enough enticement to brave Along with salmon, the pricks and scratches of those blackberries are woven into the fabric quarter-inch spikes on the brambles. of Northwest life. The three main How the Armenian native came to wild blackberry varieties are Rubus be called Himalaya is anyone’s guess. ursinus, the little wild one, often The berry came to this country in the called Oregon Blackberry; Rubus 1880s as nursery stock. Needless to say, it spread a little. Oregon, Washington and parts of Idaho, California and British Columbia are now overrun.

Prolific vines B o t h Wa s h i n g t o n a n d Oregon classify the Himalaya as a noxious weed. The plants, with their oval leaves in groups of five, can reach 12-15 feet and cover acres, the roots sucking up all the

Come See Our Remodel The Best Mexican food and Margaritas in the area

See Coupon Page 7

Riverfront Dining in Rainier

moisture in the earth beneath and starving native plants of both light and water. Vines can grow 20 feet in a single season and each is capable of producing scores of offspring.

Not nearly as widespread, but also invasive, is the Evergreen or Cutleaf B l a c k b e r r y.

It also is a European import and escapee from cultivation.

This one is also prized for its juice and was cultivated in the U.S. from the 1820s.

Little jewels I’m sure I’m not the only one who froze the abundance this year in anticipation of processing them into decadent delights for the holiday table. Mine are the little wild native type. These little jewels take a long time to fill the bucket but are prized over all the others. The flavor is incomparable and the seeds are small compared to the other wild ones,

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cont. from page 31

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Little wild blackberry patches have declined in recent years as a result of less logging. They usually appear within a year or so after the earth is disturbed and birds attain access, spreading the seeds.

The brambles grow s l o w l y and never attain the stature of the other wild varieties.

Pickers are a secretive lot and not very forthcoming with the location of their favorite spots. It’s Spy-vs-Spy all over again. Hide the vehicle, look with those beady eyes back and forth ‘til all danger of exposure is gone, then dart into the woods with the location safely kept secret from invaders.

It’s best to approach the patch in the early hours before traffic starts or at dusk when no one’s on the roads. That way no one will see except maybe that little black bear I kicked out of my patch in July.

“Whoa! Hey there, Smokey.” Wow, was he surprised!

No one will ever know where my patches are but I like to go to the coffee shop after a morning’s picking, all purple stained and scratched up, braggin’ and blatherin’ about “what a great year for blackberries.” Hahaha.

(I usually don’t mention the flat tire, mosquito bites, bear encounters, or the mighty itch of the briar scratches.)

The perfect pie It takes a lot of determination to pick three gallons of blackberries, but the sacrifice in time and injury is worth it when I parade that golden crusted, perfect pie in front of the whole family and my brothers-in-law — who pretend not to see or care very much, but who dive in as soon as the pan hits the table.

Blackberries have always been at the top of the food chain in my house and I pay absolutely no attention to social conventions when it comes to who gets the last piece. Interlopers should be prepared to nurse fork wounds.

Mon - Th • 11 am - 9:30 pm Fri - Sat • 11 am - 10:30 pm

Authentic Jalisco Cuisine

making them the favorite for what my Aunt Chloe called “Blackberry Pahh” and her famous “Jaiyum.”

RAINIER 117 West “A” St (503) 556-8323

••• Chinook, Wash., resident Ron Baldwin is a sound technician and writer.

Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 31

Going

By David Bell

GREEN Light

W

Put a genie on your wall

hile I was growing up, I remember my Dad turning off the thermostat when we went to bed at night. In the morning I would get up and rush downstairs, flip on the thermostat, and stand over the heating vent in anticipation of the warm air. Well, no longer.

With the advent of electronic programmable thermostats, it is all done for us.

These little wizards can be set to automatically come on just prior to “rise and shine,” set back to economical settings during the day, and then set to either heat or cool the house just before, “It’s dinner time!”

A properly installed and setup a programmable thermostat in your home is one of the easiest ways you can save money on your energy bill. The average American household spends about $2200 a year on energy. Almost half of that goes to heat and cool your home. You can save about $180 a year by properly setting your programmable thermostat and maintaining those settings. Programmable thermostats deliver savings without sacrificing comfort, i.e. shivering, while standing over the heating vent in anticipation of warm air.

Our friends at Energystar.com have put together the following guidelines for maximum effectiveness: Programmable Thermostat Setpoint Times & Temperatures Setting Time Setpoint Temp (Heat) Setpoint Temp (Cool) Wake 6:00 a.m. ≤ 70° F ≥ 78° F Day 8:00 a.m. Setback at least 8° F Setup at least 7° F Evening 6:00 p.m. ≤ 70° F ≥ 78° F Sleep 10:00 p.m. Setback at least 8° F Setup at least 4° F There are 3 basic types of programmable thermostats: the 7-day, 5+2-day, or the 5-1-1-day. The 7 day model gives you the most flexibility as you can program it for each day. The 5+2 day lets you set one schedule for the work week and one for the weekend. The 5-1-1 will set one for the week and one for each day of the weekend. Once you select the type that best suits your needs, it is recommended you call a certified HVAC electrician for installation. You will more than likely recoup your costs within the first year.

Travel (Martinson)

cont. from page 29 carryon was full of cooking utensils for a TV segment to promote The Fallingwater Cookbook.

About The Fallingwater Cookbook Published in 2008, the book evolved from a story Suzanne Martinson wrote about Elsie Henderson for the Pittsburgh Press, where Martinson continued her newspaper career after leaving The

Daily News in Longview. Henderson was the cook and baker for 15 years at Fallingwater, designed by Frank Lloyd Wr i g h t a n d considered the most famous and architecuturally significant private house ever built in America.

The owners, Pittsburgh retail mogul Edgar J . Kauffman and his wife, hosted famous guests there, including writers, painters, industrialists, opera singers and politicians. The book contains recipes and photographs of the Fallingwater landscape, giving an inside look at what life was like there. Martinson retired and returned to the LongviewKelso area four years ago. She is a frequent contributor to Columbia River Reader.

$1,500 Tax Credit on America’s Favorite Fire!

•••

a note on the plastic grocery bag front I recently went to my favorite grocery store and while I was preparing to checkout at the U-Scan checkout, I put my cloth, reusable grocery bag in the bagging area. Much to my surprise, the monitor asked me if I was using my own bags. I happily replied, ‘Why yes I am.’ The computer responded with a 5 cent rebate. Now, 5 cents is not much money (although it will add up), but the fact that this large retailer recognizes and rewards its customers for caring about the environment is huge!

David Bell works as a manufacturing technician at Intel’s plant in Aloha, Oregon. He is interested in geology and enjoys camping and hiking.

All Lopi wood or pellet appliances qualify for the Federal Government’s Bio-Mass stimulus program. You can receive up to $1,500 credit on your Federal Taxes and at the same time support American made products.

222 B St W Rainier, OR 503-556-3580 OR CON87595

32 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

Columbia Tavern

theLowerColumbia

Informer Keeping you posted

Burgers Sandwiches & Snacks “House Specials” Mon–Fri

Pro & College Football Pro Baseball NASCAR Sundays on our 9-foot HD TV Screen NASCAR SUNDAYS

Recession Buster Discount Pricing on All Cocktails Free Pool Sun–Thurs

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Zone 467 Columbia Blvd St. Helens, OR 503-397-3700 Open 11 am to 1:30 am 365 Days a Year

By Perry Piper

I

Tribal terrain treading

t’s about that time of the year to begin running and get into shape again. Ever since cross country in high school, I have enjoyed running for fun. This year marks an interesting discovery in the field of footwear.

I have come across the Vibram FiveFingers (VFFs).

Resembling toe socks, but with more protection, these seemingly goofy shoes claim to offer a more natural running experience.

While normal shoes have extra room and padding, VFFs are tight fitting, like a second skin. Running with

c i r o t s i h e h T

Goble Tavern 70255 Columbia River Hwy Rainier • Oregon Milepost 41 on Hwy 30 LIVE MUSIC • Fri & Sat Jam Sessions - Open Mic Cold Beer • Micro-Brews • Good Food Video Poker • Keno • Scratch-Its • Pool • Darts

Many people cringe at the idea that Chinese woman would have their feet bound. But today we might be doing similar things. The more professional shoes, especially for women, elevate the heel and compress the toes. Inducing this torture on ourselves for years can cause problems.

503-556-4090 NOW OPEN • 11 AM DAILY

Live Music around the River Scene Columbia Tavern 467 Columbia Blvd, St. Helens 503.397.3700 Friday music 8 pm–12:30 am Call for schedule.

Goble Tavern 70255 Col. River Hwy, Rainier 503.556.4090 www.gobletavern.com Oct 16 Bob McGraw Oct 17 Speed Limit Oct 23 TBA Oct 24 Lock, Stock & Barrel Oct 31 Linda Meyers Band (Halloween costume party) Nov 7 Karaoke Night Nov 14 Linda Meyers Band Open mic every Wed night

The Mansion 420 Rutherglen Rd. Longview 360-425-5816 Wed 5-7 pm Wine tasting Buffet $20 incl tax Oct 21 Phoenix Oct 28 Raeanne Nov 4 Avi Nov 11 Marc Carlough

Monticello Hotel 1405 17th Avenue, Longview 360.425.9900 Music 9 pm–1 am 23 Club Oct 16-17 Bruce Maier & the Reruns Oct 23-24 Off the Hook Oct 30 Crystal Pool Revival Oct 31 Halloween Party (see ad, page 30 for details) Nov 6-7 TBA Nov 13-14 TBA Porky’s Cafe & Lounge 561 Industrial Way, Longview 360.636.1616 Oct 17 F-ing Droogs, 800 Octane, Dart Gun & the Vignettes Call for schedule

them feels like I’m going through a void.

I often look around and ponder, “Oh my, I’ve got to put my shoes back on,” but then I realize that I’ve been wearing foot protection the whole time. Each toe is separated into its own pocket in the shoe to prevent blisters and promote natural foot structure. Vibram company spokesman state that we are weakening our feet more all the time by wearing thicker soled shoes. We are, they say, getting further away from the way we were designed to tread the terrain.

Tekila Willie’s Saloon 2098 Old Portland Rd, St Helens 503-366-5753 Oct 16-17 Meagen James Band Oct 23-24 Marquee Oct 30-31 J.R. Sims Band Nov 6-7 Avalon Nov 13-14 Marquee

It’s funny to think of a business person wearing VFFs, but that could actually be trendy and healthy. People who try Vibrams for themselves may find that they prefer VFFs over regular shoes.

Even if we like to be healthy or enjoy new twists in exercise and running, how many of us actually will go out of our way to do so?

I wore my red Sprints (the most versatile model of VFFs) to the movie theater last week and got a few triple takes from other audience members. Even some of my closest friends say my VFFs are hideous. I can only chuckle at such criticisms.

I will enjoy a new way to run and please watch for me as I run at Lake Sacajawea and around Longview in the coming months.

••• Perry Piper attends Lower Columbia College and works part-time for Columbia River Reader. The cover designer since July 2006, he also takes photographs for the publication and does free lance graphic design and image-to-disc preservation.

Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 33

the spectator

I

by ned piper Golf balls, little bottles and books

f you happened to drive by our house recently, you may have thought we were being evicted, given the furniture and other stuff — like my books — in our driveway.

No, son Perry was holding a garage sale in order to raise money for the big-screen TV he wants.

Sue embraced the idea and told Perry he could have the sale proceeds if he’d take charge of organizing it.

She welcomed the opportunity to unload some of the unnecessary items we have accumulated over the years, items stowed in our garage and elsewhere in the house.

I was a bit uneasy about the venture as I’m something of a pack rat. I found it difficult deciding which shirts to pull out of my closet, even though I know in my heart I will never wear most of them again.

Perry had bigger ideas than selling a bunch of shirts for a buck apiece. He offered for sale his computer desk, the love seat in our TV room, his baby stroller (that was even tough for Sue to accept), a couple of bicycles, his old computer and, it seemed to me, nearly anything that wasn’t nailed down.

When it was suggested that I go through my book collection and weed out the volumes I will never read again, I experienced a mild panic attack. I own hundreds of books that I began collecting in college. Of course, I won’t re-read most of them.

Frankly, there isn’t time to read them all, even if that’s all I did.

In the two hours I allocated to selecting books for the chopping block, I found only 25 that I was, reluctantly, willing to give up. Some were duplicates, others were non-

The Community is invited to

A service of remembrance with music by The Columbia Choral Ensemble and other outstanding local musicians Monday, Nov. 2 • 7pm Offered by

ST. STEPHEN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH Corner of 22nd and Louisiana • Longview

C

elebrate those we love, and no longer see, with solemnity and joy. Light a candle, say a prayer; give thanks and let the music bring healing and hope.

Free will offering to benefit Community Home Health & Hospice For more information contact 360-423-5600 or visit www.sslv.org

fiction books given to me by friends. A few were novels by authors I just don’t appreciate. By the end of the day, only three books were sold. Oh well…

While preparing the garage for the sale, Sue uncovered the large corrugated box where I deposit the golf balls I find while golfing at the Longview Country Club. It was partially hidden behind the lawn mower and some other stuff. Sue couldn’t believe how many balls I’ve found in the past two years (Editor’s note: Ha! Or in the previous 20). I’ve not counted them, but there must be more than 1,000 balls in that box. I know she would love to see me get rid of them, but, like I am with my book collection, I can’t see my way clear to unload them. Finding lost balls takes me back to my days as a caddy at the Club. Plus, I delight in giving them to my golfing buddies.

My third collecting “sickness” is bringing home bars of soap and those little bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotion and mouthwash hotels and motels furnish to their guests. I have been known to bag them up and take them to the Emergency Support Shelter (Editor’s note: Or, just fill another drawer). I don’t know why

I’m compelled to collect these items.

It just seems a shame to leave them behind.

I could, I suppose, break the tiny bottle syndrome and maybe even the golf ball fetish.

But I’ve got to have my books.

••• Ned Piper helps in all capacities to produce Columbia River Reader. He serves as a Cowlitz PUD Commissioner and enjoys reading and playing golf.

And collecting golf balls, bars of soap and books.

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34 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

Now in

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TWO

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Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 35

36 / October 15 – November14, 2009 / Columbia River Reader

Columbia River Reader / October 15 – November 14, 2009 / 37