Living TC Summer 2015

LOCAL SUNSET VIEW HIKES  REFRESHING SUMMER COCKTAILS

Life on the water three rivers, endless summer activities

Mid-Columbia Symphony goes platinum It’s All in the Details chic home décor store opens

Robert V. Taylor

author, speaker and president of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation

Summer 2015 1

S u m m e r 2015

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welcome

to Living TC

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Living TC, a quarterly publication that reflects the lifestyle of the Tri-Cities, where we believe adventure meets intellect. When many people think “Eastern Washington” they think desert, wind… and not much else.

We beg to differ.

With so much positive change on the horizon, there’s no better time than now to call the Tri-Cities home.

Major development projects like the Tri-Cities airport expansion, the proposed year-round market in Richland and the Port of Kennewick’s planned wine village all add to the excitement of our evolving community.

Living TC features local content from local writers and photographers. From arts and entertainment to recreation and relaxation, and from home and garden to food and drink, Living TC seeks to cover all areas of life in Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and West Richland.

Our content is unique and our advertisers are special, and so are our readers— simply meaning Living TC is not a magazine that can be purchased in line at the grocery store. We have chosen to directly mail this publication to the demographic we think is best suited to respond to our content and advertisements.

Our hope is to touch on topics that are near and dear to you, our readers, and showcase what makes living here so wonderful. Whether you’re enjoying a sunset hike to the top of Red Mountain or a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon from a local winery, there is ample opportunity to stop and appreciate what makes us, us.

We welcome your feedback and story ideas. Reach out to me directly, or find Living TC online at facebook.com/livingtcmagazine.

Enjoy,

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Editor

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in this issue LIFE ON THE WATER | p8 three rivers, endless summer activities

FEATURED HOME | p14 modern desert oasis on the river

NOW OPEN: IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS | p20 stylish home décor from a local homebuilder

EXPLORE TC: RED MOUNTAIN | p22

A modern desert retreat p14

what to do, see and taste

FRESH AIR: SUNSET HIKES | p24 local hikes offering stunning views at sundown

UMAMI | p28 the latest trend in creating savory dishes

REFRESHING SUMMER COCKTAILS | p30 local bartenders share crisp summer drinks

FOOD WITH A VIEW | p34 restaurants and wineries with patio views

SOCIAL OASIS | p36 how to organize a hectic social calendar this summer

Sunset hikes p24

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: LAURA GABLE | p38 plein air artist paints regional landscapes

DOWNTOWN KENNEWICK ART WALK | p40 monthly showcase of local artists

MID-COLUMBIA SYMPHONY | p42 celebrating its platinum anniversary

ROBERT V. TAYLOR | p44 author, speaker and president of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation

EVENT CALENDAR | p46 can’t miss events of the summer

Social oasis p36

summer 2015 Publisher Gregg McConnell Editor Libby Campbell Advertising Director Sean Flaherty Design Team Misty Baker, Sara Nelson Design Sales Team Carol Perkins, Cody Rettinghouse, John Rollins, Bob Watson, Paige Watson Cover Photo Andrew Jansen, Tri-City Herald Cover Model Samantha Brown, Miss Tri-Cities 2014 Contributors Rich Breshears Deb Brumley Kevin Cole Jennifer Colton-Jones Carolyn Henderson Ashlie Martin Renee Pottle Elsie Puig Sydnie Roberts Brenda Sartoris Darin Warnick Heather Weagant

333 West Canal Drive Kennewick, WA 99336 For Editorial Info: Libby Campbell libby@livingtc.com For Advertising Info: Sean Flaherty sean@livingtc.com facebook.com/livingtcmagazine

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The life aquatic: Tri-Cities offers plenty of water recreation and fun in the sun Story by Jennifer Colton-Jones

The Outrigger Canoe Club has been practicing and racing on the Columbia River for 17 years.

Jennifer Colton-Jones

Where three rivers meet under sunshine filled skies, the water beckons year-round. That unquestionable attraction has made life in the Tri-Cities life on the water.

Three cities and three rivers flow together here, and that confluence brings with it ample opportunities for community, industry and recreation.

From paddleboarding on the Yakima to pontoon boating on the Snake, fishing on the Columbia to kayaking between the three, the rivers of the Tri-Cities have something for everyone. ”The rivers are the lifeblood of the Tri-Cities region,” said Kris Watkins, Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention

Bureau president and CEO. ”When you have 300 plus days of sun and you have the river, outdoor recreation – and specifically water recreation – plays a large part of our lifestyle.”

Rivers define the city borders and the history of the region, and Kennewick, Pasco and Richland have each embraced the aquatic lifestyle. With parks that border river banks, more than 20 miles of paved riverfront trails, free boat launches

and both established and hidden fishing hideaways, watersports have defined the Tri-Cities lifestyle. ”We’re inherently drawn to the water,” Watkins said. ”It’s just a natural gathering place for people. It really has contributed greatly to the quality of life in our region.”

Each river has its own identity and its own activities, but all encompass the spirit of the Tri-Cities and its people. Read on for a snippet of

photo by Darin Warnick

photo by Jennifer Colton-Jones

activities and information on each the Yakima, Snake and Columbia rivers in this area.

Yakima The smallest of the Tri-Cities three waterways, the Yakima River spotlights the gentle beauty of the region. A Washington river – the longest contained entirely within the state boundaries – the Yakima’s rippling waters, canyons and meandering course invite kayaks, small boats, rafts and wildlife viewing.

for a short trip through the rapids or the full 30-mile Tapteal Water Trail, the Yakima was made for kayaks.

Personal kayaks are welcome, but multiple local companies also offer rentals and tours along the Yakima River.

Columbia Kayak Adventures, for example, offers numerous three to five hour tours, and most center

(left) The Columbia Basin Sailing Club holds a series of races each year on the Snake River near Charbonneau Park. (above) Several local businesses offer paddleboard rentals at hourly or daily rates.

the lower Yakima River. In addition to tours, the company also offers courses in fundamental basics and advanced skills development.

This month, Columbia River Rentals is also expanding into kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Renters will park at Chamna Natural Preserve before being shuttled to a launch site higher up the river.

For three to four hours, renters will kayak down the Yakima and disembark back at the park, where personal vehicles will be waiting.

“We’re inherently drawn to the water. It’s just a natural gathering place for people.”

Great blue heron, beaver, deer and osprey all reside along the banks of the river, and the natural silence of motorless watercraft can give visitors an up-close view. Whether in the mood 10

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on the Yakima River or the Yakima Delta in the Columbia. The tours cost $50 to $60 per person and include sunrise wildlife viewing on the Yakima Delta and hidden islands on

For a different sort of Yakima River experience, Falls Creek Outdoors offers personalized jet boating

tours and fly casting lessons. For an added price, the company will add a hot gourmet lunch to a half-day or full-day tour, and all trips include narratives on the history, geology and wildlife of the region, free of charge.

Snake Twisting its way through the Pacific Northwest, the Snake River offers marinas and ports for boats of many shapes and sizes in line with its most popular activity: boating. From personal sail boats to luxury house boats, boating reigns on the Snake River.

The wind and water of the Snake River and Lake Sacajawea have made Charbonneau Park the favorite launch site of the Columbia Basin Sailing Club. A Tri-Cities based group of sail boat pilots and crew members, the club hosts fun sails, socials and races throughout the year. ”If you’ve ever wondered how to make those windy days more enjoyable, think that winning a race might be fun or like hiking out with friends, the Columbia Sailing Club might be the right choice,” club member Jeff Bartlett said. ”The club’s website is a great resource for information and surfing the photo galleries.”

The club hosts sail boat races during the spring, summer and fall seasons, as well as fun sails, socials and family activities. Racing members compete in regional regattas, from Vancouver Lake to Lake Chelan, and host the annual Desert Regatta– one of the largest multi-class regattas in the Pacific Northwest – at Charbonneau Park, right here in the Tri-Cities.

In addition to bringing together sail boat owners, club members also take on crew members interested in learning more about boat ownership or just enjoying the experience from the water instead of the shore.

For a faster-paced experience, Richland based Columbia River Journeys has earned a reputation for jet boat tours of the Columbia and Lower Snake Rivers, including the Hanford Reach National Monument. Tours are available for individuals, schools and large or small groups. The 3 ½ hour Snake

Boat Race Weekend:

July 24-26 2015 marks a special milestone for the Tri-City Water Follies— hydroplanes have been racing on the mighty Columbia for 50 years this summer. In honor of the milestone, the Tri-Cities will host the 2015 APBA Gold Cup during boat race weekend July 24 through July 26 at Columbia Park in Kennewick.

Previously held in Detroit since 1990, the Gold Cup is the oldest active trophy in motorsports, dating back to 1904.

Action will start Friday afternoon, when racing teams can register a time trial speed during ”Fast Lap Friday.”

Preliminary race heats start Saturday and end Sunday. The ”winner take all” final heat is also Sunday. Besides bragging rights, the winning team will take home the HAPO Gold Cup and the coveted parking spot under Bernie Little’s famous tree for the 2016 race.

There’s plenty of excitement off the water too. There will be a Kids Zone near the Playground of Dreams, autograph sessions with hydroplane drivers and helicopter rides taking off near the Columbia Park driving range.

Last year’s hydroplane racers showed off their skills in front of 60,000 spectators, and this year organizers expect even more.

In between all the action on the river and on the shore, don’t forget to look to the skies for the HAPO Over the River Air Show featuring the Patriots Jet Demonstration Team.

For more information go to www.waterfollies.com.

photo by Tri-City Herald

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River to Ice Harbor Dam tour, for example, covers the history of the Lewis and Clark expedition, a stop at the Sacajawea Interpretive Center and discussion of Kennewick Man. That tour costs $80 for adults and $70 for children age 4 to 11 and requires a minimum of 15 passengers.

For anyone looking for the freedom of the water without a guided tour or boat ownership, the water lifestyle has motivated multiple boat rental companies in the Tri-Cities. River Ranch Houseboats rents wakeboard boats and pontoon boats, but is best known for its luxury 59-foot houseboats.

The 1,600 square foot houseboats are available at daily, weekend or weekly rates and include a full kitchen, flat screen TV, two bathrooms and sleep up to 12 adults.

A minimum stay of three nights is generally required for standard reservations, which range in price from $2,400 to $3,800.

However, one-day rentals are available at a premium cost of $1,200. The Snake is the perfect spot for houseboats, as the large vessels are not allowed on the Columbia River.

Keeping in line with its fellow Tri-Cities rivers, the Snake is also known for fishing.

Many guided fishing services have trips on the Snake River, and most offer customized fishing trips. Although personal equipment is allowed, some guided services also provide all necessary fishing tackle and gear. All fishermen must have a valid fishing license.

Photo by Sara Nelson

Columbia On a Saturday morning, Tri-Cities parks along the Columbia River are full of life.

Boaters, swimmers, fishermen, photographers and hikers line the waterfront to enjoy the area’s grandest river. As one of the larger rivers in the area – and the 12th largest in the country – the Columbia has more than its fair share of watersports and experiences.

Unlike the Snake and Yakima Rivers, the Columbia River is on the roster of Portland Spirit Cruises. The Oregon-based company brings its Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler

through town multiple times a year. The expansive vessel holds up to 200 guests, and special event rentals are available.

Local companies also offer boat rentals and tours along the Columbia: Falls Creek Outdoors offers small-group party barge tours, Columbia River Journeys delivers jet boat tours and Columbia River Rentals offers 24-foot pontoon boats.

To meet community demand, Columbia River Journeys is also launching four additional party pontoon boats this summer, as well as adding fishing boats to the fleet. Columbia River Rentals also rents kayaks – single or double – at a daily rate, as does Greenies in Richland. Greenies also offers daily and hourly rentals of traditional kayaks, Mirage Drive kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

Columbia Kayak Adventures, which also provides kayak rentals and tours on the Columbia, has a list of ”Places to Paddle” on its website, many of them around the Yakima Delta and Bateman Island.

Photo by Darin Warnick

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For a competitive edge, contact the TriCities Outrigger Canoe Club. For 17 years, this club has practiced and raced on the Columbia River, attending a half dozen long distance races each year. Club members highlight the camaraderie, teamwork and exercise as benefits of the sport and a high

energy, high fun way to experience life on the water. The outrigger paddling season lasts April through October.

According to the Tri-City Riders, the Columbia River provides some of the best conditions in the world for wakeboarding. Wakeboarding – a combination of surfing, water skiing and snowboarding – involves a rider towed behind a motorboat. The Tri-City Riders have hosted competitions in Tri-Cities for the sport, including the annual Wake the Desert. Sundown Sports and Marine offers equipment and information about wakeboarding in the region.

For a unique perspective on the Columbia River and its hidden secrets, try scuba diving. For more information, contact the Atomic Ducks Diving Club or stores like UnderSea Adventures in Kennewick. For experienced divers, Atomic Ducks Diving Club hosts at least one dive trip or event each month and regular dives at Howard Amon Park. For the basics, equipment rentals or advanced guided tours, UnderSea Adventures offers training, certification and trip dives for various levels and experiences.

Above the surface, fishing on the Columbia means chinook, coho, steelhead and sturgeon of all sizes. Guided fishing opportunities include Tri-City Guide Service, JB Guide Services, Going Fishing Guide Service and Hooked on Fishing.

Photo by Sara Nelson

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(This page) This sleek home on the river in Pasco was featured in the 2012 Parade of Homes. (opposite) The enclosed pool area offers views of the Columbia River and Badger Mountain.

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A modern desert retreat Story by Ashlie Martin | Photos by Rich Breshears When you envision your dream home, what do you see? How does it make you feel? Are there certain features that are must haves for you?

For Dr. Jean You, her dream home is the one she built with Aaron Magula of Dream Builders, LLC. A chronic pain specialist originally from Houston, You landed in the Tri-Cities 12 years ago after

completing her medical residency in Little Rock, Ark. She was recruited

by Kadlec Regional Medical Center

to relocate to the area and start her own practice.

Owning her own practice means long days, every day of the week.

Though very busy, she somehow still finds the time to take up golf lessons, go skiing with her two

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children, take her three dogs for walks by the river and plan an upcoming cocktail party at her dream home: a massive, modern house overlooking the Columbia River. She shared a vision for the home with her builder, Aaron Magula. ”I went to all of Aaron’s homes during the 2010 and 2011 Parade of Homes tour,” You said. After seeing his houses on display both years, she knew she had to contact him to build her home. ”Our styles were exactly the same, so I just told him to build his dream home,” she said. And that’s exactly what he did.

They both knew this house was going to be worthy of being featured during the Parade of Homes, but in order to make the 2012 deadline to participate, Magula had less than six months to plan, design and build the stunning home. At that time, there weren’t many lots available in town; open lots were mostly outside Kennewick, Richland and Pasco city limits. You wanted a home that had a river view, but still had that city feel.

(left) The guest bathroom includes a vessel sink, lighted vanity and steam shower. (opposite) The award-winning kitchen design is open to the dining and living rooms. (below) The innovative semi-open design of You’s master bedroom and bathroom creates a spa-like retreat.

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”We were lucky when we found this lot,” she said of her riverfront Pasco lot located on Sunset Lane. Once they found the land, the design process was simple: build Magula’s dream home. ”Jean would come in, say ‘Looks good’, and I wouldn’t see her for another week,” he said with a chuckle. ”She was the perfect client.” With a six month deadline quickly approaching, You’s new home started to come to life. With five bedrooms, four bathrooms and 6,078 square feet, it was a masterpiece in the making.

You and Magula both wanted to make sure the house was a product of green building, meaning they used processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient.

Beautiful, bold artwork greets you as you enter through the extra tall, modern front

doors and enter the open living room, and a soothing stone water feature adds a relaxing vibe to the grand home. The open living room is accented by an impressive bio thermal fireplace that emits only carbon dioxide

”Now that I have heated floors, I could never not have them,” You said with a laugh.

Not only do the solar panels heat the floors, but they also heat the gorgeous enclosed infinity pool.

“Our styles were exactly the same, so I just told him to build his dream home.”

NanaWall doors fold open from the living room onto the patio and pool area, creating a view that is like something out of a movie.

It’s as though you are immediately taken to your own 3,000 square foot private oasis.

The infinity pool, spa and outdoor BBQ grill are encompassed by a remote controlled, custom made pergola with commercial doors and windows. With the push of a button, the pergola’s ceiling opens up and allows the sun to come through, creating an outdoor feel.

and steam. You’s master bedroom upstairs also has one of the sleek fireplaces.

In addition to the two environmentally friendly fireplaces, there are solar panels on the roof of the house that actually heat the floors.

”It’s custom made, and no one else has anything like it in the Tri-Cities,” Magula said.

Though it looks seamless to the home’s S u m m e r 2015

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(above) The unique light fixtures illuminate the staircase in the three-level home. (left) The living room features an environmentally-friendly bio thermal fireplace.

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design, the custom made pergola wasn’t initially part of the blueprint. ”The wind would get so bad here, and it was bringing so much debris into the pool and next to the house,” You said. The project took three months, but the outcome is nothing short of impressive.

Even though You put most of her trust into Magula’s expertise and didn’t have many objections during the planning, designing and building process, she did have a few special requests.

One of which was a custom addition to the award winning kitchen: a steamer, induction and gas oven all in one. ”I don’t cook much,” she said, ”I just liked the look of it.” Magula

”It’s custom made, and no one else has anything like it in the Tri-Cities.” added, ”She said that’s what she wanted, and we all looked at her and said that’s actually a really good idea.”

You also requested a home theater. The end result is a cozy, inviting private theater complete with frosted panel doors that open up to several rows of home theater chairs, an oversized projector screen and dimmed theater lighting.

INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNED

”I could just sit and watch Netflix all day!” she laughed. ”It’s the one thing, if I ever moved out of this house, that I would have to take with me.”

During the Parade of Homes, You’s home had quite the foot traffic and many rave reviews. She hosted Chefs on Parade, an annual event during the Parade of Homes that allows local chefs and restaurants to feature their food for sampling. That event inspired her to start planning her own parties. ”I had so much fun,” she said. ”If this party that I’m [currently] planning goes well, I think there will be more!”

Although Magula didn’t receive any of the coveted awards given during the Parade of Homes, he was given a National Sub Zero Wolf Award for ‘Best Kitchen’.

CONTEMPORARY LIVING SPACES

”After being able to see all the different styles of houses around the world and then receiving a national award, it meant a lot,” he said. ”There are so many great things about this house; it’s truly one of a kind.”

RAISING THE BAR FOR MODERN STYLE AND DESIGN

509.947.3554 www.dreambuildershomes.com S u m m e r 2015

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Now Open:

It’s All in the Details

Story and photos by Libby Campbell Dreaming of home décor from stores like Pottery Barn or West Elm without having to make the trek to Seattle? Thanks to homebuilder Gretl Crawford’s latest venture, you’re in luck.

It’s All in the Details opened its doors in May, and customer response has been nothing short of incredible. ”It’s been fabulous,” Crawford said. ”We’ve had fantastic response and great sales. It’s

exciting for me to see that people are so excited.”

Crawford, who owns Gretl Crawford Homes, specializes in custom built homes with a designer’s touch.

After earning a degree in interior design, she spent time working at a floor covering store and doing freelance design work before working for a local home builder. It wasn’t long until she rolled up her sleeves and started building custom homes herself.

She would do occasional interior design for clients along the way, but disliked having to head to bigger cities to find quality furniture and décor. Having her own store to offer customers her signature style of décor was just a matter of timing. ”It was hard without a store or product lines to be able to source those things for clients, especially in an affordable way,” she said.

It’s All in the Details brings those sought after, unique pieces straight to the Tri-Cities.

With 5,000 square feet of retail space, shoppers could spend hours browsing furniture, light fixtures, wall art, rugs, clothing, jewelry, cards and countless decorative accessories.

There are bigger furniture staples such as couches, coffee tables, end tables and bookshelves, and with a constantly rotating inventory, the variety in styles is endless. ”I truly think there is something for everyone,” Crawford said.

The apparel section offers trendy crop tops, long flowing maxi dresses, beautiful printed scarves and much more. It has so far turned out to be a favorite section among customers. ”Apparel has been the top seller so far,” said Jan Przybylski, a designer at Gretl Crawford Homes who was also a huge help in opening the retail store. ”It’s very fairly

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While some of the high quality furniture pieces are priced accordingly, most of the inventory is affordable for almost any budget.

Crawford hopes to fill the additional retail space in the building with a nice restaurant, wine bar or coffee shop. There is also another 6,700 square foot building in the same parking lot with space for a restaurant and three other retail spaces.

Shoppers can browse It’s All in the Details from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

priced and very different from what you’ll see in the mall.”

There are various themed areas set up around the store, and almost everything

displayed is for sale. Crawford said they are purposely not ordering a lot of the same product in order to keep the inventory fresh.

They look for merchandise that is unique, or as she puts it: ”things that have a story to it.”

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1943 Columbia Park Trail, Richland, WA 99352 S u m m e r 2015

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A Guide to Red Mountain Story and photos by Brenda Sartoris The old adage that ”size matters” is not true when it comes to the Red Mountain AVA, or American Viticultural Area. Designated an AVA in 2001, at approximately 4,000 acres it’s the smallest one in Washington state, but the grapes grown in its soil produce some of the finest wines in the U.S. The name Red Mountain comes from the color the mountain takes on as the cheat grass on its slopes matures in the spring and summer months, but the name is appropriate also for the wines produced there: more than 90 percent of the wines are reds – cabernets, merlots and malbecs to name a few. It’s no wonder, then, that wine tours and wine tastings are fast becoming a major tourist attraction for the Tri-Cities.

Sip There are only 15 wineries physically located on the mountain itself, which lies between West Richland and Benton City, although other wineries in nearby AVAs – the Yakima Valley, the Columbia Valley and Walla Walla – also rely on grapes from the mountain’s vineyards. The proximity of the Red Mountain wineries to one another makes wine touring convenient – many of them lie along Sunset Road, accessible via West Van Giesen Street (Hwy. 224) from Richland or from I-82 (exit 96) via Benton City.

Wine tasting is the premier attraction. Although in the ‘80s and ‘90s tasting rooms tended to be very

basic, located in garages or the daylight basements of the owners’ residences, today there are several which can be described as grand. Among the more elaborate are Terra Blanca, at 34715 DeMoss Road, and Kiona at 44612 N. Sunset Road. Each has a large tasting room and a spacious terrace with expansive views of the vineyards below, as well as facilities for group events.

Most of the tasting rooms are open on weekends, with longer hours over the summer months; they will also open at other times by appointment. Both Terra Blanca and Kiona are open seven days a week during warmer months (usually May-October). Visitors normally pay a $5 to $7 fee for a vertical or horizontal tasting of anywhere from three to six wines. That fee may be refunded if they purchase a bottle or two of wine. Dining venues are also available. On weekends, for example, Terra Blanca offers a luncheon menu of salads, sandwiches and pizza. At Kiona, visitors are free to bring picnic lunches and dine on the terrace overlooking a broad expanse of vineyards.

Explore Although wine is certainly the major Red Mountain attraction, it’s not the only one.

The many trails among the vineyards and up the side of the mountain are open to horseback riding, both solo or in groups.

Red Mountain Trails, LLC, offers 30-minute or hour-long trail rides starting and ending at Kiona Winery. Riders can ”rent a horse” for a tour that wanders among the vineyards along trails that provide panoramic views of the Yakima Valley and the Horse (top) Kiona Vineyards was the first vineyard planted on Red Mountain in 1975. (left) Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard was started in 1992.

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Heaven Hills, or riders can bring their own horse.

Red Mountain Trails also offers wine tasting by wagon for those wine aficionados who prefer a ”designated driver.” A red wagon drawn by two draft horses meanders through the vineyards at a leisurely pace, stopping at various wineries for tastings.

Hiking is another outdoor activity available for those not entirely focused on wine. For a detailed description of a breathtaking Red Mountain hike, see the story and photos on page 24.

West Richland and Red Mountain lies RV Village Resort near the intersection of Van Giesen and Ruppert Road.

On the mountain itself, Tapteil Winery (20206 E. 583 PR NE) has two guest houses on its property: Spilya Guesthouse, which can accommodate six people, with three bedrooms and two baths; and Bella Luna, which offers two bedrooms, each with its own bath. These are not

bed-and-breakfasts, but whole houses, air-conditioned and with full kitchens.

And the hotels in Richland, along George Washington Way (Red Lion), Bradley Boulevard (Hampton Inn; Shilo), and Columbia Point Drive (Marriott) provide easy access to Red Mountain via I-82.

Red Mountain Trails offers guided horseback riding tours through wine country.

Stay For those who enjoy camping, there are two campgrounds in Benton City: Beach RV Park and Campground and Elm Grove RV Park. Beach RV Park, as its name suggests, has access to the Yakima River for those who like fishing and boating. And between

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Sunset hikes

offer spectacular views Story and photos by Heather Weagant Sunsets often add a splash of color to the horizon for us desert dwellers.

As we draw closer to those peak summer months, much of the desert color seems to fade into a sea of brown. Averaging more than 300 days of Tri-City sun each year, there are ample opportunities to catch beams of color from exceptional vantage points around town.

You don’t have to travel far to access spectacular views. Whether you are a beginning hiker seeking simple adventure or a seasoned outdoorsman looking to catch a unique sight, our area offers plenty of opportunities to fulfill anyone’s adventurous side.

Long mountain hikes tend to limit your time to daylight hours, so take advantage of these local trails to catch generous views without leaving town.

There are a number of accessible hills within the Tri-Cities region.

Twin Sisters Located only 20 miles out of Pasco, Twin Sisters along State Route 24

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offers some of the most stunning landscapes and viewpoints with very little effort.

Candy Mountain

730 offers simple desert trails with impressive Columbia River views. A large informational sign off the side of the highway marks the trailhead below the large basalt formations. As you make your way up the hillside, you’ll quickly come to a trail on your left that will lead you up to the center of the Twin Sisters. From here you will be treated to some of the greatest views your feet can offer.

If you’re looking to give yourself more of a workout, Candy Mountain offers 360 degree views of the Columbia Basin. Make the climb just before sunset and you’ll be centered between spectacular pastel hues blanketing the land below. Begin at the trailhead off Hershey Lane in Candy Mountain Estates. The trail begins as a dirt road and quickly turns into a narrow path heading up the hill.

Take this hike in the evening and you’ll be able to catch the sun setting beyond the gorge, leaving the surrounding hills glowing in orange. This hike is roughly only a mile roundtrip with a slight elevation gain of 200 feet. Don’t be fooled by its simplicity because Twin Sisters

With desert wildflowers in full bloom and the sweet smell of sagebrush filling the air, this hike indulges all of your senses. The trail is steep as you head straight up the hillside without any switchbacks. You will gain nearly 800 feet in the short ¾ mile trip, but the views will be

worth it. As the sun drops behind Rattlesnake, you’ll be treated with bright orange and pinks reflecting off the nearby desert brush. With any luck, a few clouds will grace the sky and add to the effect. As you make your way back down the mountain, catch sunlit views across the entire Tri-Cities.

Red Mountain Red Mountain is another area peak that offers really spectacular sunset views. The trailhead is located up Foxhill Drive off Ruppert Road in West Richland. This is a much longer hike, topping out at just over four miles roundtrip and an elevation gain of nearly 1,200

feet. However, you will get the hardest part out of the way right off the bat with a steep climb in the first quarter of a mile. Once that first hill is reached, the trail flattens out and the grade is far less steep as you reach the summit.

Once on top, you will be in awe with views that seemingly go on forever. Watch the sun fade behind Rattlesnake Mountain and cast its rays onto Mount Rainer and Mount

Adams, which stick out on the horizon. The world appears to be at a standstill as waves of sunlight touch down on the vineyards and orchards below you.

Putting forth a small amount of effort at the beginning of these hikes allows for plenty of relaxation once you have reached the top. Bring a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses to find peace as you watch the sky change color all around

The Tri-Cities region is home to several hikes that offer great vantage points for sunset views. Sunset across the desert landscape offers a magnitude of color. Looking west beyond Wallula Gap from Twin Sisters.

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you. Take in the fresh desert air while you enjoy the tranquil silence high above the hustle and bustle below.

you still have enough sunlight to make it down the trail without losing visibility.

These hikes have wonderfully laid out trails and stunning views, yet tend to take a backseat to nearby Badger Mountain, a favorite hike amongst locals with its steep incline and panoramic views. Take advantage of these other hiking locations and beat the crowds while taking in more exclusive views.

Please note that these are desert hikes and with the desert comes wildlife. It is important to be aware

The wonderful thing about these local hikes is that once the sun has set and the colors have dissipated, (top) The sun sinks down behind Rattlesnake Mountain offering colorful views from Candy Mountain. (below) Balsamroot and a setting sun on top of Red Mountain.

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that this is rattlesnake territory, so take precautions when hiking any trail within our region, and always be watchful of your surroundings.

Happy trails!

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What makes a meal truly memorable?

It’s all in umami Story and photos by Renee Pottle Think back to the best restaurant meal you ever had. What was it that made your tongue sing? Was it the dish itself? Probably not, otherwise every plate of fettuccine Alfredo would taste like the delicate version found in Boston’s Little Italy district. Was it the wine? Maybe, but a glass of the same wine last week just wasn’t the same. Perhaps it was the ingredients’ quality? Possibly, but even gourmet ingredients don’t always turn into the remarkable meal you remember. Why? It’s all in umami.

Umami is now recognized as the fifth taste, in addition to sweet, salty, sour and bitter.

Umami has been described as a meaty or savory quality. It is associated with glutamate and MSG, but umami is about more than shaking MSG on your meal and expecting great flavor to ensue. Umami is about combining flavors to create satiety and fullness. Perhaps it can be best understood as the essence of a perfect meal.

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When a dish is just right, when it seems to be harboring some secret ingredient, you have a meal rich in umami.

Umami restaurant meals Restaurant entrées that include aged beef, anchovies, sun-dried tomatoes, shiitake mushrooms, aged cheese, olives or soy sauce are all rich in umami. Mature or

long-aged wines and fortified sherry and Marsala are also rich in umami and can be the perfect finishing touch to an otherwise everyday meal.

Umami enhancing meals don’t have to be fancy. Pepperoni pizza is a perfect balance of sweet, salty and umami provided by the pepperoni, ripe tomato sauce and a Parmesan cheese finish. But umami is also why a pizza topped only with a bland mozzarella will never completely satisfy, no matter how much cheese is loaded on that pie. It lacks umami.

(left) Grilled umami-rich ribeye steak with sautéed mushrooms. Served with steamed vegetables. (below) Butternut squash ravioli topped with an umami-rich hazelnut-Marsala sauce and shredded Parmesan cheese.

Be careful not to overload umami Like anything else, too much of a good thing can backfire. Serving a high umami aged beef and mushroom dish with a high umami Cabernet Sauvignon will make the wine taste bitter. A fruity Cabernet Sauvignon, however, will perfectly balance the high umami dish. Despite the white-wine-withfish rule, a crisp Pinot Noir will better enhance umami rich grilled salmon than a buttery umami Chardonnay.

Umami meals at home We can easily make our home cooked creations umami rich by following these tips: Stewing: Combining meats and vegetables in a long cooking stew, ragout or mélange releases the amino acids, increasing the amount of umami.

The main lesson of umami is to aim for flavor-balanced meals. Sadly, we have become used to dishes that are full of fat or salt or sugar and not much else.

We keep eating, searching for a flavor satisfaction that just doesn’t happen. Even though our grandparents probably never heard of umami, they understood its effect on a meal. They knew that a cheese rind added to cooking soup increased flavor, that pickles were the finishing touch to an otherwise boring meal, that long, slow cooking improved the end-of-the-season potatoes, carrots and turnips and that a cup

of red wine in homemade red sauce added a brightness no amount of salt could lend.

So, what is the secret behind Little Italy’s fettuccini Alfredo? Probably a balance of real cream and umami rich Parmesan, served with a slightly acidic wine that cuts through the richness, enhancing the essence of a perfect meal.

Renee Pottle writes about food, nutrition and gardening from her home in Kennewick.

Condiments: Add umami boosting condiments like fermented soy sauce, miso, kombu, ketchup, dried mushrooms and wine to home cooked meals.

Meatless: Add nutritional yeast, wine and combinations of high umami vegetables like tomatoes, squashes, peas and mushrooms to boost umami in meatless meals. (left) Even vegetarian pizza can provide umami. Homemade pizza with roasted tomato sauce, olives, mushrooms and aged Parmesan and Havarti cheeses.

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Bottoms up:

Glittery infusions, a

twist on gin, Caribbean concoctions are must-try

cocktails this summer Story and photos by Elsie Puig Forget piña coladas and getting caught in the rain. This summer is all about knockout twists on favorite summer cocktails. Tri-Cities’ most creative bartenders recommend their favorite cocktails to try this summer – from glittery infusions and citrusy Caribbean concoctions to an herbal boost on gin.

The Rum Barrel Cedar’s Restaurant Ask anyone on Clover Island what their favorite island cocktail is and they are bound to point you to Cedar’s Restaurant for their popular Rum Barrel. Although the drink is offered year-round, this fruity tropical concoction is the perfect cocktail to enjoy on a warm summer night sitting on Cedar's open-air deck. ”We’ve been serving this for decades. We started carrying it in the mid-eighties, and it actually used to come in half gallon or 64-ounce barrels, until the liquor board made us stop selling those in the late ‘90s,” said Dave Mitcham, owner and manager at Cedar’s. Although the Rum Barrel is a timeless classic, Cedar’s secret recipe means the citrusy libation can never be replicated.

Cedar’s special Rum Barrel is mingled with two different premium rums, an anise liqueur, freshly pressed citrus juices, a splash of Sierra Mist and soda water and a dash of almond extract. That is all Mitcham is willing to share. The result is a spirituous celebration of 30

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The Rum Barrel Ingredients: Two cups ice 1 oz. pineapple juice 1 oz. orange juice 1 oz. blackberry liqueur 1 oz. banana liqueur 1 oz. light rum 1 oz. dark rum or aged rum Splash of grenadine

To Mix: • Fill your blender with ice • Add all of the liquid ingredients • Blend the contents until smooth • Pour into a glass, and garnish with an orange slice, cherry and pineapple wedge.

Viniq Cadillac Margarita Ingredients: 1 shot of 1800 Tequila 1 shot of Patron Citronge Orange Liqueur Sour Lime Juice A splash of 7UP To Mix: • Muddle the limes in a mixing glass • Add all of the liquid ingredients • Blend the contents until smooth • Pour into a glass • Lightly float Viniq on top • Garnish with lime, orange and mint leaves

rum and citrus that is both simple and complex. Try your own at home by following the recipe to the left.

Viniq Cadillac Margarita R.F. McDougall’s If you’re looking to shimmer up your summer, Jillian Erickson, bar supervisor and all-star mixologist at R.F. McDougall’s, is your woman. She is the type of bartender that is not afraid to shake things up a little, and that is exactly what she did with the Viniq Cadillac Margarita - a glittery twist to a classic summer drink.

The grape-infused margarita comes mixed with Viniq, a delicious combination of premium vodka, moscato, fruit flavors and edible glitter. ”It’s a refreshing drink perfect for a summer day, and the margarita is probably one of the most ordered cocktails in the summer,” said Erickson. And if the shimmer is not enough, the glass comes rimmed with vivid pink hibiscus salt, a staple in Guatemalan cooking, which adds a salty, tangy flavor to the margarita. ”It’s really unique, we’re probably one of the only bars that will carry the hibiscus salt,” said Erickson.

Mint Huckleberry Mule Ingredients: 2 oz. of huckleberry vodka 4 to 6 oz. of ginger beer 2 sprigs of mint leaves Lime wedge Ice To Mix: • Muddle lime and mint in shaker then add vodka and ginger beer • Pour vodka and ginger beer into shaker, close and gently shake • Squeeze lime juice into ice-filled glass and drop wedge in, then strain drink from shaker • Pour over ice in a copper mug • Garnish with mint leaves and lime wedge

Mint Huckleberry Mule Amendment XXI Russia may not be known for its tropical summer nights, but it is known for its vodka. Combine vodka with ginger beer and you’ve got a zesty, effervescent drink that is ideal for summer.

Amendment XXI’s signature Mint Huckleberry Mule is a Pacific Northwest twist on the classic drink. Traditionally also known as the Vodka Buck, the cocktail was originally created at the Cock N’ Bull in Los Angeles in the 1940s during Cold War tensions between

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the U.S. and U.S.S.R. The drink became an instant hit in 1950s cocktail culture. ”It is a crisp, refreshing cocktail that is easy to drink,” said Lauren Whitworth, bartender at Amendment XXI, ”but the main ingredient is really the authentic copper mug it’s served in which helps emulsify the ingredients.”

Cucumber Basil Press Twig’s Bistro and Martini Bar The classic combination of gin and elderflower liqueur gets a healthy herbal boost with the Cucumber Basil Press. Add a little soda water and lemon-lime soda and you’ve got the perfect warm-weather drink. The result is a deliciously mellow and crisp cocktail with subtle notes of herbs and citrus. Its distinct green color makes you think you’re laying on your lawn catching some sunrays.

Cucumber Basil Press Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounce of gin 1 ounce of St. Germaine elderflower liqueur 3 to 4 cucumber slices A splash of soda water A splash of 7UP To Mix: • In a shaker, muddle the basil and cucumber • Pour and mix in gin and elderflower liqueur • Shake well and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice • Pour in the club soda • Top with splash of 7UP • Garnish with cucumber wheel

”It’s a refreshing drink with a lot of flavor, but it’s not sugary. It’s the kind of drink you can enjoy while sitting on the patio in the summer,” said Todd McClean, bar supervisor and experienced spirits connoisseur at Twig’s Bistro and Martini Bar.

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A multidisciplinary approach to care Nurse Navigation Access to clinical trials Adherence to national guidelines of care Timely treatment and improved outcomes Prevention, early detection and education

Over twenty area physicians specializing in breast cancer have joined our medical team to create a nationally accredited Breast Center of Excellence. Together, we are providing the best approach to Breast Cancer treatment. We are your Tri-Cities Cancer Center.

For more information, please call our Nurse Navigator: (509) 737-3418 7350 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick | tccancer.org 32

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A different kind of community: Affinity at Southridge offers a brand new kind of lifestyle that was specifically designed for people 55 and over.

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Food with a view Story by Deb Brumley

It’s hard to deny the unique beauty of the Mid-Columbia, from its sagebrush covered hillsides and rolling vineyards to the rippling waves of the Columbia River. Luckily for those who live here, several restaurants and wineries offer patrons relaxing places to sit back with good company, great food and wonderful views.

Cedars Reservations are still du jour at Cedars Restaurant on Clover Island in Kennewick, as is the attentive, personalized service. The popular Friday night 12-ounce Prime Rib steaks are thick-cut mid-west grown beef, the seafood fresh, the wines local and the signature salad bar and Rum Barrel libation flows. Co-owner since 2006, Dave Mitcham stakes a claim to the grandchildren of his first generation patrons simply because he can – these kids’ parents were kids when he opened the doors to Cedars nearly 40 years ago as its general manager.

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Every comfortable seat at Cedars, indoors and out, faces the blue of the Columbia River, with the exception of seating by the stone fireplace – popular during chilly months. Patrons of Cedars can access the landmark steak and fresh seafood eatery by car or by boat. Two hundred feet of boat moorage is available next to the restaurant for diners coming in off the Columbia, and a week’s free boat moorage is open to the public behind Cedars, courtesy of the Port of Kennewick. Surrounding Cedars are new art pieces, outdoor activity trails, a lighthouse and historic downtown Kennewick is a stone’s throw away.

3 Eyed Fish

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Cedars fills up early and often during the 300 plus days of Tri-Cities sunshine. Walkins are welcome, but it’s best to arrive early or make a reservation. Private parties, special occasions and business groups are welcome.

3 Eyed Fish Now in its third year of business, 3 Eyed Fish Wine Bar dispenses after work cheer, cold libations and solid dining choices to diners and revelers who prefer lighter fare, fast service and diverse entertainment choices.

Conveniently located just two minutes off the I-82 north and southbound corridors, the anchor tenant in the Queensgate Village, 3 Eyed Fish, tongue-in-cheek named for fish living in suspect Hanford waters, is a

locally-owned landmark. The cheery pour house has developed a solid following borne of foot traffic guests and commuter-travelers. Seating is ample indoors and outside on the rooftop and main floor patios.

Musicians, primarily local, perform each Friday and Saturday night.

The wine bar and eatery’s People’s Choice Awards win was earned not from its relaxing atmosphere, food and drink, but from the regular line up of locally sourced live musicians and events. For more information on their special events, visit their website at www.3eyedfishwinebar.com.

Craft beers and hard ciders, along with 3 Eyed Fish signature and other Washington wines, are available. Sixteen wines are held and poured from the wine preservation system. Renowned winemaker Charlie Hoppes creates the popular red and white house wines which are showcased with dessert pairings. 3 Eyed Fish’s menu is changed up regularly, introducing tempting tapas, robust planks and soups, Chef Polly’s choice sandwiches, a varietal of salads and handmade sweet courses. Happy Hour recurs 3 to 6 p.m. daily and 9 p.m. to close each Saturday.

Barnard Griffin

During the summer the front lawn of 3 Eyed Fish is home to their farmers’ market.

The restaurant, which is normally closed Sundays, is open in tandem with the market.

The sense of connection and energy converge when guests pass into the main entryway of Barnard Griffin Wine Bar and Eatery, Wine Shop and db Studio & Gallery on Tulip Avenue in Richland. Connection is the intermingling of conversations between the winery staff and their wine and food guests, between staff and the art aficionados and the students participating in the onsite glass fusing classes.

a vivacious tasting room but a choice of aesthetically pleasing, casual and comfortable dining spaces, indoors or out.

The quiet food revolution is underway in the Eatery, touting local just-picked asparagus or touches of Cougar Gold cheeses, or perhaps freshly made New York cheesecake drizzled with rum reduction sauce. The Eatery offers Friday and Saturday night prime rib specials with live music, trivia events on Tuesdays and master farmer information sessions concurrent with a food market. Additionally, three types of happy hours are offered throughout the week.

Visitors will be hard-pressed, and may need to return more than once, to experience all that Barnard Griffin has to offer.

Convergence is the happy marriage of three reputable same-family businesses, whereby visitors are able to at once experience a visit to world class wine producer’s lair, a premier glass art gallery with space shared for community artists and not only

Barnard Griffin

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Social Oasis:

Balancing a social life in busy summer months Story and photos by Sydnie Roberts Your boat is back in the water, the pool is open or perhaps the kids are home for break; either way, summer is here! This season is about to fly by in a whirlwind of graduations, fireworks and vacations. You want to create some quality time with friends and family, but at your own pace. Contending with everyone’s packed agendas for summer can make it difficult to meet up, as we all try to take advantage of the next three months. In order to maximize your enjoyment and minimize your stress this year, here are some helpful tips on how to take control of your schedule and create the ultimate social oasis for you and your circle.

Become the host of summer! Utilize your resources through email calendars and social media to make a standing invitation to a weekly or monthly gathering. For example, a cookout every Sunday-- it’s easily hosted at your home and can accommodate a range of guests depending on turnout.

This plan is beneficial to both you and your

Busy summer schedules shouldn’t keep you from relaxing with friends and family.

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guests because it can be attended at the last minute or planned for in advance around vacations and other obligations. As host, you are able to catch up and enjoy time with more people with some flexibility, thanks to the causal recurrence. The same rule can be applied to more structured entertainment. Finding it hard to get everyone

together for golf? Host a golf tour – choose a different local course each month and make a tee time. Send the standing invites out with the date, location and time to your golf buddies, and you can adjust accordingly based on participation.

The key to hosting the season and still staying relaxed is in some simple prep.

You are essentially creating an experience for your closest friends and family. You want to be able to enjoy it with them, so eliminate the work. You can make tee times and reservations quickly online and over the phone for golf, dinners and wine tours.

For the home hosted events, like the before

favorites. A trip to Costco and the local farmers’ market goes a long way, and you can mix up each gathering by serving a different local wine or microbrew. Set the scene in the backyard with some casual class. Café lights, fragrant flowers and a fire pit table create an inviting retreat.

Plan classic but simple menus, stock up, make necessary reservations and send out the recurring invitations in advance.

Scheduling activities such as golf tee times in advance can help you keep track of your social calendar.

mentioned Sunday cookout, get what you need in advance to have on hand. Keep it easy, so if it turns out to be just you and your spouse one weekend and the entire

Home Owner’s Association the next, you have it covered. Hot dogs and hamburgers can be a backup staple, but salmon steaks and pulled pork are always crowd

So break out your smartphone or tablet, pull up your calendar and make a plan. Don’t overbook yourself, but think about the diversity of your social circle. Family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, couples or kids; the list may contain a lot of possibility. Consider your own style of socializing as well as those you wish to engage with. Have fun with it but keep it manageable. You will be surprised how appreciative friends and family will be to have some flexibility!

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Painting the Great Outdoors –

Bugs and All The Artwork of Kennewick painter Laura Gable Story by Carolyn Henderson Considering how Laura Gable spends many of her days, it’s a good thing she lives in a dry, temperate climate. The fine artist, whose subject matter focuses primarily on still life and landscape work, loves to paint en plein air, a French term meaning out in the open.

Think of the U.S. Postal Service and its commitment despite rain, snow, sleet, wind or even too much sun.

Now, replace the carrier bag full of letters with an unwieldy portable easel, paints, brushes, canvas, something to sit on and possibly an umbrella, and you’re looking at a plein air painter. ”I used to keep regular hours at my gallery (in downtown Kennewick) when I first opened, running it like a store/gallery, but I’ve moved to a ‘by chance or by appointment’ mindset for the space,” Gable says. ”This approach allows me to create in the field with the work I love, without being tied down to set studio hours.”

For this reason, she adds, a particularly inviting day will effect its siren call, coaxing her from the interior spaces and into the great outdoors.

And there is a lot of the great outdoors to paint. ”I’ve painted at the train station in Dayton on a crisp fall day; painted Mount Hood from Panorama Point; Frenchman Coulee up by Quincy; the mountains of Leavenworth; Walla Walla at the Whitman Mission, Bennington Lakes and Rooks Park; Benton City up by 38

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Artist Laura Gable Photo by Elsie Puig

Sleeping Dog Wines; the Yakima River Canyon near Umtanum River; Dry Falls near Soap Lake; Palouse Falls; and Steamboat Rock with Banks Lake in its most gorgeous cerulean blue, almost phthalo tones,” Gable lists off a travelogue of noted Pacific Northwest landscapes, all of which she has spent a significant time viewing, painting, absorbing and capturing – in every type of weather.

The unique beauty of the Pacific Northwest, she adds, is alluring to clients from all over the United States, even those residing in that purported apogee of all that encompasses landscape art, the American Southwest.

Visionary by Laura Gable

”I have a collector in Tucson who bought a local scene which included a large amount of stormy clouds,” Gable says. ”She liked it because it looked like their skies during the monsoon season.” One wonders

Artichoke Blossoms

what resulted, on that day, from those particular clouds.

But rain isn’t such a major factor, especially in this area, to destroy the day or the painting. There are other, more insidious enemies to the plein air painter, even though they are very, very small. Gable recalls a recent outing with two members from the Plein Air Washington group, in which the three found the perfect spot at the Umtanum River Canyon.

Under a pedestrian bridge, on a rocky surface right next to the water’s edge, Gable encountered a dynamic view, ”hillsides a sueded soft amber green, and getting there early morning we saw a subtle light shift toward even more interesting shadow patterns.”

The only fly in the ointment were actual flying bugs, miniscule water creatures emanating from that water so close to that perfect rocky surface, and, as flying bugs do, they landed: on the canvas and panel substrates, within the wet paint. A crisp breeze, while welcome for its cooling effect upon the artists, was not so welcome to their day’s work. ”Masses of the things embedded into the paint. I came home and

Bright Foliage

picked out about 20; the rest are buried under the paint adding to the texture,” Gable said.

book form, incorporating pages, words, spines and lettering within the final composition.

”My friend, fellow artist Melanie Thompson, said that we were painting mixed media that day – oil paint and bugs.”

It is at these times that art lovers and collectors will find Gable inside her studio, at the gallery, where she’s ready to connect and talk about what she does. For this reason, she makes a point of participating in the Art Walk on the first Thursday of every month, to the point of tidying up a working studio so that it doesn’t look so intensely – read messily – worked in (”Trying to explain a ‘working studio’ has never been easy,” Gable observes).

Originally an accountant who went into the profession because her practical father, despite encouraging her artistic abilities, also wanted his daughter to enjoy a more secure income, Gable eventually departed from the world of ”left brain jobs,” for a second career in graphic design before turning to professional fine art in 2001. Like most artists who transfer from commercial to fine art, Gable is eclectic in her skills, able to work with various styles, mediums and subject matter, and comfortable with interchanging among them all.

In addition to oil, her preferred medium, Gable paints in watercolor and acrylic, and while plein air landscape is a consuming passion, the artist also treasures time in the studio, working on more leisurely created landscapes, exploring florals and still life and creating Book Art, a process that involves recycling existing paintings or demos into

Because ultimately, Gable points out, it is the art that matters. ”I love beautiful art and want that aesthetic to come through, with the beauty of nature and a melodious movement being the things I try to capture,” she says. ”I like the art to have soul … to contain spirit.”

Carolyn Henderson is a freelance writer who co-owns Steve Henderson Fine Art with her husband, Steve Henderson. She publishes a column, Commonsense Christianity, at the online spiritual site, BeliefNet, as well as her lifestyle blog at www.ThisWomanWrites. com. She may be reached at Carolyn@ SteveHendersonFineArt.com.

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Downtown Kennewick Art Walk celebrates local creativity Story and photos by Elsie Puig On one of those beautiful sunny spring evenings in the Tri-Cities, with the sun casting its final glimmer over Auburn Street in Historic Downtown Kennewick, a small cross section of the local arts community sees passersby trickle into their studios.

It’s First Thursday Art Walk, a signature event put on by local artists themselves, and it’s a sign of a downtown making advances towards a cultural renaissance. The Art Walk is a self-guided tour of galleries and artist studios. It usually starts at 5:00 p.m. at the intersection of Auburn Street and Kennewick Avenue and lasts until about 9:00 p.m.

The tour takes visitors through mixed media art galleries, book arts and letterpress, plein air artists, galleries featuring contemporary art and even the ancient art of weaving.

The Art Walk is enhanced by public art installations that line the streets of downtown. ”It really is an interesting event,” said Laura Gable, one of the participating artists.

How it all started Fifteen years ago there wasn’t much to this corner of Kennewick other than a sleepy little downtown lined with oft-empty storefronts. What there was, however, was a passionate group of small business owners and artists hoping to turn downtown into a thriving commercial and cultural hub. Then, transplanted artist 40

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Deborah Watkins Laura Gable’s studio

Deborah Watkins did a six-year stint in Portland and came back with the burning desire to nurture the local arts community. ”I was gallery director at a small gallery on 4th and Morrison in Portland, and that is when First Thursday just began there and we were all part of that,” she remembered. ”I thought ‘This is kind of cool,’ and when I came back I said ‘Let’s do it here.’”

In 2004, she set First Thursday Art Walk in motion. Today the walk is a lively display of the work Tri-Cities’ artists have to offer the world.

Watkins’ artist studio on Auburn

Street feels like a step back in time to a 19th century letterpress-printing studio. Her creativity shows through book arts, mixed media, encaustic paintings, kinetic hangings, calligraphy and letterpress printing. She combines her love of storytelling and love of art to create handcrafted books and whimsical sculptures. ”I love art, I have been an artist all my life,” she said. ”It started with collecting poems. I love words and how they look, so I took calligraphy classes and book making classes, and this is how my art all came together. These books became a

repository for all the things that I loved.”

Next to her studio is Laura Gable, a locally renowned plein air artist inspired by many of the Mid-Columbia’s scenic landscapes.

Her work is vibrant in its use of color, yet evokes a sense of serenity. One of her series ”Stillness That Moves” is a still life collection featuring the area’s beloved wine grapes, gourds and honeycrisps.

Nurturing the arts During the Art Walk businesses like Zinful Panini and Wine Bar, The Blank Canvas and You & I Framing double as art galleries.

On this particular evening, Zinful hosted the Cyber Art 509 collaborative with works by artists like Greg Ashby, Ed David and Patrick Fleming.

You & I Framing specializes in fine art framing and is lined wall-to-wall with young, up-and-coming contemporary artists. ”I really love featuring art from young amateur artists; it’s super fun to see their work,” said Brooke Yount, owner at You & I Framing. ”Part of the reason we decided to bring our framing business here is because there already was a budding eclectic artsy community in historic downtown.”

The Blank Canvas, located in the old JCPenney building, functions as an art gallery, event center and healing room. One of the collaborators in the space is Cindy Rutherford, who has made it her mission to expand the arts in the community.

You & I Framing

Another unique stop on the Art Walk trail is Weave Your ‘art Out, a weaving studio featuring colorful wall hangings and rugs.

Visitors can experience the ancient art of weaving and see antique weaving looms on display. ”Art Walk is really all about the opportunity to see original art, meet the artists who make the work, see the new creations, and it changes every month. We’re just busy making art,” Watkins said.

The participating businesses are lined with balloons so visitors can identify them.

Visitors can also pick up a map at various locations or online.

For more information on First Thursday Art Walk visit www.facebook.com/ kennewickartwalk.

”I think the arts community here is really progressing. I started doing the Blank Canvas here about five years ago, and I try to bring in new artists every time,” said Rutherford.

Pam Sharp was one of the artists on display at the Blank Canvas. She has only been living in the Tri-Cities seven months, and has already made herself known to local artists.

Her traditional watercolor is highly inspired by wildlife. Her subtle yet bold watercolor strokes make the wildlife come alive on paper.

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Mid-Columbia Symphony:

from nuclear fusion to musical perfection

By Deb Brumley The Mid-Columbia Symphony and Orchestra formed 70 years ago from a deep desire of local musicians to come together to create a musical community. This type of formation would be the expected one for most start-up community symphonies: musicians seeking musicians to share their passion and practice their gift. Many of those Mid-Columbia Symphony (MCS) pioneers producing the sweet notes of Handel and Beethoven by night were contributing by day as workers producing radioactive arms race materials as Manhattan Project workers on the Hanford nuclear reservation.

The Manhattan Project, an incipient World War II national effort to collectively create the first atomic weapon, was parsed into differentiating projects throughout the United States. The Richland Hanford delegation was charged with building complex nuclear processing plants and producing uranium fuel rods which would later be fed into the Hiroshima bomb.

Courtesy of Mid-Columbia Symphony

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The Hanford community, rising quickly in late 1943, employed at its pre- and post-World War II peak, more than 51,000 employees.

Although many area employees’ original intentions were to earn the healthy federal wage through the pre-war project then return home, many didn’t. Following World War II, the Hanford work transitioned to complex nuclear clean-up. Hanford

workers became homesteaders of the Tri-Cities area; the homesteaders established enduring roots, which in turn formed permanent micro communities such as the Mid-Columbia Symphony.

Recently retired Mid-Columbia Concertmaster and Principal Violinist Donna Endres and husband Bill are two of the thousands of late Manhattan Project era settlers.

The Endres relocated to the TriCities area in the late 1950s from California for a Hanford opportunity for Bill, now retired.

Donna Endres, a violinist who joined the MCS in 1956, serves as one of the MCS pioneers and an enduring icon of the 70-piece symphony.

Endres began her musical career at age 6 in Englewood, Calif. and performed in all but two MCS concerts during her 58-year tenure. One absence was due to the imminent delivery of their oldest son. Even a three-car pile-up in 1972 didn’t deter Endres from her music; she was picked up by a colleague at the Keene Road crash site where three cars were totaled, including hers.

Bill took his mother in law to the hospital for treatment and Endres reported to the symphony on time.

Endres has known and worked with most of the MCS Conductors. She has trained many area musicians, including the current Concertmaster and Principal Violinst, Mary K. French. Over the span of nearly 60 years in the Tri-Cities music world, Endres has prepared and mentored

hundreds of area youth musicians, including her daughter Julie, a flutist, who won two MCS youth competitions. Endres’ dedication to the symphony embodies the intensity and dedication of all who perform in the five to seven community concerts each year.

Nicholas L. Wallin, former WSU professor and current music department chair and professor of music at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Ill., is in his seventh year as the MCS Conductor. The maestro’s first impression of the MCS was being moved by the level of community passion and patronage of music and the professionalism of the symphony musicians. These qualities enticed Wallin to apply for and accept the maestro position.

Wallin’s passion for learning has extended to the expansion of musical outreach for youth in the Tri-Cities area. The Mid-Columbia Youth Symphony has a robust and growing presence in the Pasco School District, where the numbers of new fifth grade musicians is at an all-time high. According to Marie Norwood, MCS business manager, the MCS plans to expand into the balance of the Tri-Cities area schools, offering musical opportunity to all Mid-Columbia students.

The Mid-Columbia Youth Symphony, under the direction of Assistant Conductor Adrienne Shields, offers access, training and performance opportunities to Tri-City area young musicians. The Youth Symphony seats, like the principal orchestra seats, are earned through

Bill and Donna Endres

MCS performance spaces vary and are often shared with other regional artistic talent.

To celebrate its current 70th Platinum Season, the MCS has established a $70,000 fundraising goal.

Funding is targeted in part to regular Wallin explained this way, “When I programming and to had my audition concert, “The musicians have a com- support specific longI was impressed by the community support, the mitment to performing at their term goals, of which, a MCS permanent home is board involvement and top level. We strive to play a highest on the list. the strong history of the

wide range of repertoire.”

From the unlikely roots ensemble in the Tri-Cities. of nuclear fission through The orchestra is a fully auditions. The Youth Symphony seven decades of musical perfecprofessional Symphony Orchestra holds regularly scheduled concerts tion, tradition and excellence, the with seated musicians from the throughout the year.

Mid-Columbia Symphony’s platinum Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, Yakima and season, and plans for continued MCS frequently collaborates with the west side. The musicians have growth, are golden. a commitment to performing at their other area performing arts groups, such as Mid-Columbia Ballet and top level. We strive to play a wideMid-Columbia Mastersingers. The range of repertoire. As an educator,

Symphony and Orchestra 2015.

Courtesy of Mid-Columbia Symphony.

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ROBERT V. TAYLOR

Author, public speaker and president of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation Story by Kevin Cole Photos by Sara Nelson The story Robert V. Taylor tells begins with an observation: “Life is not a straight path. It’s full of surprising invitations…”

Growing up in South Africa – about as far as you can get from Benton County without leaving the planet – then spending years in New York and Seattle, Taylor will tell you that he’s never really far from home because the whole world is his home. Yet, when traveling, he looks forward to coming back to the large farm near Benton City that has been his landing place – his oasis – for the last six years.

It’s quiet here, he says. He can think. He can write.

He can recharge. And that's what he does when he's not traveling and speaking on subjects ranging from spirituality to social issues, public policy and politics.

The Very Reverend Robert V. Taylor is no stranger to controversy. He does not seek it, but will not duck it either. And though much of his life is about bringing people of differing views together, it was a decision not to compromise on apartheid that changed the direction of his life.

In 1980, Taylor completed work on a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rhodes University in Cape Town and was ordered to enlist in the army for two years of mandatory service. The South African army at that time was used as a national police force to enforce racial segregation, and Taylor was unwilling to be a part of that.

There were only two alternatives to induction: leave the country or life imprisonment. Leaving the country seemed a financial impossibility to Taylor, so he began to consider what life imprisonment would mean. He discussed that with his philosophy professor from Rhodes, who suggested that he speak about 44

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his decision to the head of South Africa’s Anglican Church – Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

After a long conversation, Tutu said, “We are going to get you out of South Africa.

You have nine days. Go home and wait for my phone call." Shortly after, Taylor was on a plane to New York, courtesy of Tutu’s compassion and connections.

to help people explore what it meant to be a good and compassionate person and make a difference, and to bring people from different traditions and political viewpoints together.”

“We sold our house in Seattle but kept an apartment there. I thought I’d be running back to Seattle all the time. In fact what I find is that I go to Seattle very seldom. I love being here. It gives me quiet space to write.

It’s a different sense of people’s experience in life and connection to the land, with the earth – and I love it!”

Taylor recalls, "It was culture shock when I arrived in New York City in December of 1980... I remember flying in, being met at JFK and being taken to the apartment where I would spend my first three nights.

We walked through Central Park, down 5th Avenue to a club for writers called the Century Club. My mind was just reeling from the sights and the smells. I can still smell the chestnuts roasting on the street corners...the cauldron of people and their languages, and it was like, 'You sure aren't in South Africa anymore, kid!'"

Taylor enrolled in Manhattan’s Union Theological Seminary, from which he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1984. He began his ecclesiastical career in Westchester County, New York. He served as parish priest at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for 10 years, during which time he took that church and congregation into new areas of ministry: childcare, service to the elderly and reaching out to those affected

by HIV and AIDS, among others.

In the mid-90s, Taylor concluded that his life was now in the United States: “It made no sense for me to keep my South African citizenship. I needed to be a citizen of the country that I lived in. So in 1995, in the Westchester County, New York courthouse, I became a U.S. citizen.”

With his 1999 election to head St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, Taylor became the world's highest-ranking, openly gay Anglican clergyman. He recalls, “It was controversial. The Washington Times wrote an editorial condemning my election. The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke out against it. But I wasn’t elected because I’m gay; I was elected because of the work I’d done

In 2009, Taylor’s father-in-law invited him and his spouse to consider moving from Seattle to Benton County to begin transitioning operation of the family farming business to the next generation. He now calls that an “unexpected invitation to a new adventure."

Technological advances in recent years mean that moving to a rural area hasn’t much changed Taylor's travel plans or availability to the media or audiences - though it does provide an oasis in a busy, noisy world to which he can come home.

During the nine years that Taylor served the Seattle Cathedral, he worked on initiatives aimed at improving communication between those working in the areas of faith, social service and public policy. One series of events collectively known as Seeds of Compassion drew more than 150,000 attendees to interfaith events wherein Taylor hosted dialog between the Dalai Lama and Bishop Tutu.

As founding chair of the Committee to End Homelessness in King County in 2005, Taylor oversaw the coordination of efforts of several dozen foundations, service agencies, corporations and spiritual leaders in the Seattle area to combat homelessness.

Concluding that his vision for the Cathedral and that of its leadership had diverged, he resigned as Dean of St. Mark’s in March of 2008 to focus time and energy on writing and speaking beyond the limitation of a specifically church context.

From the Tri-Cities, Taylor serves the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation as president, board chair and executive committee member. That takes him to New York, where the foundation is headquartered, four or five times a year. He’s also a frequent interview guest and contributor to Fox News, NBC News, the Washington Post and the Huffington Post.

An active personal appearance schedule frequently takes Taylor on the road to speak to collegiate, professional and corporate groups on a wide variety of subjects. He also tours in support of his 2012 book, “A New Way to be Human: 7 Spiritual Pathways to Becoming Fully Alive." The book explores the idea of developing an integrated life of purpose through spirituality, rather than religious tradition.

Robert V. Taylor has two more book projects in progress: "Beyond Limitations: Living the Questions of Courageous Love" and "Reboot Your Life in 21 Days." More of his writing on life and living can be found in his blog “Wake Up for Life!” available online at www. wakeupforlife.com. His personal website is available at www.robertvtaylor.com.

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Summer Events Guided tours of the Reach

Art in the Park

Various dates June – September The Reach Interpretive Center offers guided tours of the Columbia River and Hanford Reach National Monument all summer long.

Jet boat tours, wildflower hikes and winery visits are just a few of the offered activities.

Visit the link below to see a full list of tours. visitthereach.org/2015-tours

July 24-26 Howard Amon Park, Richland photo by Tri-City Herald There is truly something for everybody at the Allied Arts Association’s 65th annual Art in the Park event. Browse artists’ booths Creation Festival 2015 featuring jewelry, home décor, clothing, July 30 – August 1 unique gifts and much more. Proceeds from Creation Fest Northwest, a Christian music the event help raise funds for the Allied festival, will take over the Benton County Arts Association and help them to provide Fairgrounds for a weekend full of big name scholarships for art students. acts, solo artists and motivational speakers. alliedartsrichland.org Last year’s event was expected to draw up to 20,000 people, and with artists like Slide the City Switchfoot, Toby Mac and Lecrae on this July 25 year’s lineup, it’d be no surprise if that Lee Boulevard, Richland number increased. Tickets are available online.

Washington’s first ever Slide the City event creationfest.com/nw takes place during the most action-packed weekend of summer: boat race weekend.

A 1,000 foot long plastic slide will take Stopover Festival featuring over Lee Boulevard in Richland, allowing Mumford & Sons, Foo Fighters and revelers to slip and slide all the way down more the street. The event is open to children 5 August 14 – 15 and over, but anyone under 18 must have Whitman College Athletic Fields, signed parental permission. No need to Walla Walla worry about the drought situation—the water used throughout the day will be Big names in alternative rock are coming to treated and then recycled back for city use. the small town of Walla Walla in August as For more information or to register for the the Stopover Festival makes its way across event visit their site.

America. Only a handful of unique towns are chosen to host the festival each year, slidethecity.com which considers itself ”a bridge between the culture of a music festival and actual culture as lived by real-life people.” Camping is highly encouraged, as is celebrating the culture of Walla Walla. Scheduled performers include Mumford & Sons, Foo Fighters, the Flaming Lips, the Vaccines, Jenny Lewis and many more. Tickets can be purchased online. gentlemenoftheroad.com/stopovers/ walla-walla

Cool Desert Nights June 25 - June 28 Various locations, Richland Start your engines: Cool Desert Nights celebrates its 22nd year of classic cars, street rods and motorcycles. Featuring car cruises, Show N’ Shines, a pancake breakfast, games and activities, autocross and street dances for the 21 and older crowd. cooldesertnights.com

Grand Old Fourth Celebration Pasco The Mid-Columbia’s biggest Independence Day parade begins at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park. At noon watch participants attempt to keep their makeshift boats afloat during the cardboard regatta at Memorial Park. The festivities end with a fireworks display at Gesa Stadium at 10 p.m. pasco-wa.gov/844/ Grand-Old-4th-of-July-Celebration

July 4th 29th Annual River of Fire Festival Columbia Park, Kennewick The day-long event features live entertainment, food vendors, a designated Kid’s Zone, and of course, ends with a grand finale of the largest fireworks display in southeastern Washington beginning at 10 p.m. Admission is $7 per car load.

Tri-City Water Follies July 24-26 Columbia Park, Kennewick, or watch along the river in Pasco See sidebar on page 11 It might be hard to believe that the Tri-City Water Follies has been an integral part of summer in the Mid-Columbia for 50 years.

This year the Tri-Cities plays host to the APBA Gold Cup, the oldest trophy in motorsports. In addition to the action on the water, the Hapo Over the River airshow is another can’t-miss event of the weekend. waterfollies.com 46

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Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo

photo by Tri-City Herald

August 25-29 Fairgrounds, Kennewick Summer’s not complete without a trip to the Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo. From livestock showings and rodeo royalty to deep fried pickles and carnival rides, the fair offers fun for the entire family. Concert performers include Chevelle, Dwight Yoakam, British Export, Gary Allan, Sabrina Carpenter and the Marshall Tucker Band. bentonfranklinfair.com

Tumbleweed Music Festival

Parade of Homes

September 5 – 6 Howard Amon Park, Richland The Three Rivers Folklife Society’s 19th annual Tumbleweed Music Festival takes place Labor Day weekend. The festival revolves around live music on five outdoor stages and also includes an indoor dance stage, arts and crafts vendors and delicious festival food. More than 100 live acts are expected to take the stage, ranging from traditional and contemporary folk music to country, jazz and gospel music.

3rfs.org/tmf.htm

September 12-13, September 16, September 19-20 Wander through some of the area’s most exquisite homes during the Parade of Homes, held every September.

Homebuilders from the area will showcase some of their finest craftsmanship and unique designs in homes located all over the Tri-Cities. tricityparadeofhomes.com/index15. html

Fiery Foods Festival September 12 Downtown Pasco What better way to celebrate the vibrant culture of downtown Pasco than with a trip to the Fiery Foods Festival. Music, food and fun are in store for the multicultural festival.

Shop local vendors, taste great food and enjoy the lively atmosphere. fieryfoodsfestival.com

photo by Sara Nelson

Chefs on Parade September 17-18 Don’t miss out on the popular Chefs on Parade event, which sold out last year.

Local chefs provide samplings of their signature dishes in gourmet kitchens at select Parade of Homes locations. Visit all homes and you can vote for your favorite chef to be given the honor of ”Best Chef on Parade.” Limited tickets are available. hbatc.com/events/chefs-on-parade

photo courtesy of the HBA

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