Living TC Summer 2018

 GARDENING OR FOOD PRESERVING WOES FINDING YOUR COMMUNITY

STRIDES THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP CENTER Unlocking Human Potential with Horses

SILVIES VALLEY RANCH

Eastern Oregon’s Luxurious Western Retreat

OPEN NOW Village at Southridge Summer 2018

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PERSONAL | TRUSTED | CARE

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Strides Therapeutic Horsemanship Center

in this issue THE VILLAGE AT SOUTHRIDGE | p6

Silvies Valley Ranch

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Catering to the 55-and-over crowd

STRIDES THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP CENTER | p10 Unlocking human potential with horses

SILVIES VALLEY RANCH | p14 Eastern Oregon’s Luxurious Western Retreat

GARDENING OR FOOD PRESERVING WOES | p16 The master gardeners and preservers

Master Gardeners & Preservers

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FINDING YOUR COMMUNITY | p18 Making of a grass-roots movement

ARTIST: RACHELLE MOORE | p20 Turning magic into reality

SUMMER EVENTS CALENDAR | p22

Artist: Rachelle Moore

20 S u mme r 2018

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STAYCATION TRI-CITIES

ENTERTAINMENT

FOOD 4

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EVENTS

SPORTS

BREWERIES

WINERIES

summer 2018 Editor Ruth Paul Magazine/Inside Sales Manager Carol Perkins Design Team Jonathan Hooley Sara Nelson Design On the Cover Therapy horse Cyclone with volunteer Brinley Palmer.

Contributors Jennifer Colton-Jones Teona Golding Carolyn Henderson Renee Pottle Jackie Sharpe Ravella Alicia Walters

333 West Canal Drive Kennewick, WA 99336

For Advertising Info: carol@livingtc.com 509-582-1438 facebook.com/livingtcmagazine

S u mme r 2018

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now open

The Village at Southridge

Retirees can find comfort, community, safety and other amenities catering to the 55-and-over crowd.

The Tieton is 1,900 square feet and has two bedrooms. Homeowners may add a casita that provides an extra bedroom.

Story and photos by Jackie Sharpe-Ravella THE TRI-CITIES IS A GROWING COMMUNITY ATTRACTING MORE RETIREES TO ITS GREAT WEATHER, GOLF courses, wine industry, Columbia River, cost of living and housing prices.

That’s what led Donal McIntosh and his partners to launch the 53-acre Village at Southridge, a 55-and-over active, adult lifestyle community nestled in Kennewick.

500 new residents age 50 and older through 2022, “It’s not hard to figure out why there is so much demand,” said McIntosh, Southridge’s senior residential specialist.

Based on projections by the Tri-Cities Washington That demand is clear at Southridge, where 95 percent Economic Development Council that the area will see of the homes in phase one are spoken for, and phase Pulled pork sandwhich, provided by Eli Stanfield for Porter’s Real Barbecue 6

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Three of The Village’s floor plans -- the Columbia, Tucannon and Tieton -- have optional casitas, an attached studio between 320 and 384 square feet for an extra $29,000 to $34,500.

two already has 26 of the 46 lots reserved.

Construction on phase two will begin in the fall.

The development, which has been in the

works since 2015, has five single-level homes designed by Farrell Faber and Associates in California and Dream View

Design in Kennewick. The base price range starts at $300,000-$425,000 for two bedrooms with a den or three bedrooms,

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The Columbia is about 1,500 square feet and includes three bedrooms and a covered patio.

and two to three bathrooms. Homes are between 1,486 and 2,400 square feet, a very appealing size for people wanting to downsize.

Homes also include several interior features with upgrades available. Included in the exterior is a covered rear patio or finished court yard, vinyl fencing and front and back landscaping (not including flower beds).

Southridge is a gated community, making residents feel safe when they travel.

Homeowner dues not to exceed $250 will cover lawn services, community club membership, an off-leash dog park, pickleball courts and common areas to include the community garden.

The first phase of the community club will be completed by the end of 2019. It will include meeting rooms, fireside lounge, wine bar and kitchen and seating for 50. The community club’s second building will follow and include a pool, fitness center and outdoor spa. The annex is an add-on to the first building and will provide additional sit-down seating for 50. It will be constructed as needed.

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Home buyers are offered the services of interior designer Laurie Mendenhall, who helps select flooring and cabinets.

The first Village at Southridge occupants are Jeff and Judy Beck. They came to the area from Michigan two years ago wanting to be near their kids.

“We love our new home,” said Judy. She enjoys her waterfall in the backyard.

Retired couple Mary and Larry Zilar are also making The Village at Southridge their new home.

“We want to have fun at this time in our life and like the idea of a gated community and clubhouse,” said Mary. In addition, they love the quality-built units, crawl space, on-demand water heater efficiency and lawn care.

The Village at Southridge is a partnership between Scott Espedal, a land development consultant; McIntosh, who has 22 years of marketing experience in senior housing development; and Randy Mendenhall, owner of Heritage Professional Landscaping in Kennewick.

McIntosh and his wife, Donna, and Espedal and his wife, Lori, are also homeowners in the development.

This was not McIntosh’s first development in the Tri-Cities. While living in Seattle, he was responsible for land acquisition and development of The Village at Canyon Lakes in Kennewick.

The draw to the Southridge area included not only evidence of this up-and-coming area, but also convenient shopping, big box stores, a hospital, restaurants and a new movie theater soon to come.

Another option for homeowners in The Village is the casita, an attached studio at 320-384 square feet, that is perfect for overnight guests, an office or craft room.

The additional cost for the casita starts at $29,000 for an open space studio to $34,500 for a bathroom and two rooms (only available with the Columbia, Tucannon and Tieton homes).

Jeff and Judy Beck moved to The Village at Southridge from Michigan in order to be near their kids.

Mendenhall makes the process fun and less stressful.

In addition, The Village at Southridge is an Age In Place community, with over 16 acres dedicated to assisted living, dementia care and rental cottages, similar to the lifestyle options available at The Village at Canyon Lakes.

For more information, visit www.villageatsouthridge.com or contact Cheryl Baumgartner at (509) 727-2379 or Chris Manolopoulos at (509) 521-2001 with Retter & Company Sotheby’s International Realty.

Jackie Sharpe-Ravella is a freelance writer and photographer; www.jackiesharpeimages.com.

A bonus feature offered to home buyers courtesy of the development team is assistance with interior design. Interior designer Laurie Mendenhall helps buyers select flooring, cabinets and lighting fixtures from a list of great floor options. This can be a challenging part of home buying, but S u mme r 2018

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nonprofit

Unlocking human potential with horses

Therapy horse Cyclone with volunteer Brinley Palmer.

Strides Therapeutic Horsemanship Center is changing lives -- of all ages Story By Alicia Walters – @whenintricities Photos By Keely Bowen of Pieta Elegante, www.pietaelegante.com STRIDES HAD MY HEART FROM THE MOMENT I SET FOOT ON THE BEAUTIFUL RANCH ON HONEYSUCKLE Road in Pasco. It is a very special place, where volunteers and therapy horses work together to make a big difference in the lives of individuals facing overwhelming physical and mental challenges. There is great power in these beautiful animals because they are uniquely adapted to be especially sensitive to and therapeutic for their riders.

Strides came about because Jennifer Casey, a doctor of physical therapy, wanted a better way to help one of her pediatric clients with autism. Jennifer teamed with Jill 10

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McCary, an autism intervention specialist, and a horse named Scribbles. “I could talk forever about Strides and tell story after

story of how this organization is changing lives,” McCary says.

Strides is now the home of 15 horses who work alongside an industrious and passionate Board of Directors, two PATH-certified instructors (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International), four therapists (including one hippotheraphy clinical specialist), as well as more than 40 trained community volunteers. Four of Strides’ horses were rescued from going to slaughter, and four were rescued from neglect.

Visitors to Strides can expect to be moved by these gentle giants. There is a special, quiet feeling among the horses here. When I walked out to meet them, I felt like I had several horses looking at me and reading me. They are service animals with big hearts. They are trained specifically to be especially resilient to human interaction.

“We throw every curve ball at them in their training. These are highly experienced horses,” McCary says.

Strides Therapeutic Horsemanship Center

Hippotherapy patient "Peter," who is wheelchair-bound, was diagnosed with a neurological disorder that causes inflammation of the spinal cord several years ago. This disorder interrupts nerve messages, which leads to paralysis.

works as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization. Among their services are assisted activities and therapies for children

and adults with special needs. They offer adaptive riding, hippotherapy and private lessons. They are a PATH-accredited center

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Savannah, one of Melissa Rojas’ adaptive riding students.

Savannah’s oldest brother was Stride's very first client; he was the reason Strides was founded. She is riding Cyclone at the end-of-the-year rider showcase in October.

rider took the mic and shared how her experience with Strides has changed her life for the better. Everyone was inspired by her ability to convey in words her love for the program and her therapy horse. We are so fortunate to have this wonderful organization so close to our Tri-Cities community.

Riders are both young and elderly with a wide range of physical and mental challenges.

Strides makes it a point to focus on the riders’ current abilities and build on those. It is amazing how placing a rider on a horse can help him or her achieve his goals. For example, one young rider was unable to swallow new foods. But while sitting on top of his therapy horse, he

Therapy horse Pete, left, with therapeutic riding instructor Melissa Rojas and Odie, right. Rojas is the primary TRI at Strides for adaptive riding lessons. Odie's registered name is DRR In Living Color.

Odie is a pinto national show horse under autism intervention specialist Jill McCary's guidance. As a baby, he loved to jump the irrigation pipes in the pasture.

and their mission is to demonstrate the highest levels of inclusion, compassion and caring.

I had the opportunity to attend the Strides Masquerade Gala last February at the Stone Ridge Event Center. At the event, one 12

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was willing to try to swallow new foods that he would never have tried at home.

“We have children that don’t speak and then we hear their first words while they are sitting on the back of a horse,” McCary says.

Strides can help riders who are dealing with various challenges, from trisomy 21, autism, sensory processing disorders, brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, spinal cord injury, stroke, developmental delays and others. Strides works with parents, caregivers, physicians and therapists to design custom lessons to fit the needs of individual riders.

“Strides truly is the best thing that ever happened to my daughter!” says Cheyenne, a rider’s mother. “Within just a few short months of working with these wonderful horses, my daughter – who couldn’t even push herself up off the floor from a belly- or back-laying position (at age 2), was pushing herself up, crawling and cruising furniture!

By the start of the next year’s season, she was walking!”

To participate in Strides’ Adaptive Riding

Program, individuals or their family members need to complete an application form, which includes an annual doctor’s assessment and release. The form can be printed from Strides’ website and mailed in. For more information, visit: stridestherapeutichorsemanshipcenter.org/ new-rider-check-list.

Strides strives to keep its rates as affordable as possible for riders while still providing quality service. There is a $50 initial evaluation. Six weeks of group lessons costs $200, and six weeks of private lessons costs $300.

Please keep in mind that rates are subject to change to allow Strides to continue providing an exceptional experience to their riders.

The Board of Directors is so appreciative of all Strides volunteers, who collectively spend countless hours feeding horses, changing water troughs and cleaning pens to ensure the horses receive the highest quality care, as well volunteers’ work in the arena. What is gained are smiles on both the riders’ faces as well as volunteers’.

Strides is truly a place where joy is shared in abundance.

“People often say how much we are helping our riders, but what they overlook is how profoundly our riders are helping us,” McCary says.

The minimum age to volunteer is age 10 (with parental supervision); potential volunteers 18 years or older will require a background check. Volunteers will attend orientation and receive all necessary job specific training. Strides asks that volunteers maintain a consistent schedule for a minimum of three months. Other responsibilities include leading the horse, caring for the horse, maintaining the facility, organizing special events and assisting in the office.

To request to volunteer, send an email to strides@stridestherapeutichorsemanshipcenter.org.

Horses and Heroes needs you This summer, Strides is introducing its new program, “Horses and Heroes,” which will serve our local veterans, law enforcement, firefighters and EMS responders who have suffered physical injury or trauma while in the line of duty.

The instructor is a former armed service member and former cop.

Fundraising for this program will come from the generous support of the community. Strides needs approximately $150-200 per rider in this program.

Donations are secure through the Strides website, and the donation button is at the upper right. Visit here to make a tax-deductible donation: stridestherapeutichorsemanshipcenter.org.

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explore

Silvies Valley Ranch: Eastern Oregon’s Luxurious Western Retreat Story By Teona Golding TUCKED AWAY IN EASTERN OREGON, THE RETREAT & LINKS AT SILVIES VALLEY RANCH MARRIES A luxurious eco-resort with an authentic working cattle ranch to provide travelers a relaxing and historic experience.

Sited 260 miles south of the Tri-Cities between Bend and Boise, it’s not too far for an extended weekend.

Featuring state-of-the-art golf courses, ranch tours, spa amenities, gourmet restaurants, and high-end, boutique-style lodging, it offers each guest an opportunity for a personal and exclusive experience.

Starting in the 1800s, the rich land first attracted beaver trappers, then several owners over the past 200 years—many of them neither native to Oregon nor ranchers. In 2007, its habitat began to be restored when the Campbells, a family with deep pioneer roots in Eastern Oregon, founded Silvies Valley Ranch. It was their dream to restore the land and then invite guests to 14

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relish the unique beauty of the Silvies Valley.

Today, guests are offered a wide variety of experiences and amenities. Perhaps the most popular is golf.

Dan Hixon, a former golf pro and more recently an award-winning Northwest golf course architect, spent several summers walking the property and designing what now are four unique courses.

The Hankins and Craddock courses offer two reversible 18-hole layouts and are among a handful of the design in the world, Hixon said.

“The course looks completely different playing from the north verses the south. It is great fun and a challenging

course,” he explained. Only using one footprint, a two-way course was the more eco-friendly option, and the land was appropriate for it. Less natural vegetation was cleared and large wildlife corridors were preserved.

Featuring water on every hole and completely powered by rooftop solar panels, a 9-hole, par-3 mountain meadow course called Chief Egan, is entirely off the electrical grid. Water is gravity fed by a spring a mile northwest of the course.

Perhaps Silvies’ most distinctive course is McVeigh’s Gauntlet. Designed to provide a fun experience, caddies on this course are of the four-legged variety: Silvies Ranch-bred, professionally trained goats.

Able to carry golf balls, tees, a few clubs and refreshments, these caddies are easily lured to follow golfers by offering them a handful of peanuts. The course was carved into a razor back, providing golfers with beautiful vistas over the hilly terrain.

Golf is just one of many experiences offered. Covering 140,000 acres, the valley is home to a variety of native wildlife and vegetation—14,000 acres of ponderosa pine forest, 6,000 acres of mountain meadows, 20 miles of the Silvies River and many creeks and drainages. Guests can hike, bike, fish, get a look at a working cattle ranch, or tour the goat facilities. Local businesses benefit from the offerings at the ranch, providing a variety of special excursions and tours.

Guests can take guided hiking or biking tours to explore this piece of the great American West that not long ago was inhabited by Native Americans. Bike trails vary in difficulty, able to test the most advanced cyclists or to provide a leisurely ramble through the property.

Three shooting ranges offer diverse experiences. The Rifleman Range highlights a variety of firearms, offering Western-style offhand shooting. The Sharp Shooter Range offers long-range buffalo hunter-style shooting. And guests can visit the Pistolero Range to take pistol shooting classes.

For those whose inner cowboys need to be freed, there is horseback riding alongside real cowboys on an authentic cattle drive and a chance to learn firsthand the

sustainable practices that have set Silvies’ livestock operation apart. Silvies regularly choses the less profitable option in exchange for healthier and more sustainable livestock.

log cabin with luxury. Locally made furniture and drapes, custom wood and metal work, and native patterns have been combined to seamlessly continue the western, yet plush, feel.

The resulting grass-fed cattle are smaller than the industry average, and less intensive grazing practices help preserve the land.

The result is a leaner, tastier cut of meat called Silvies “Heritage Naked Beef.” The cattle are given no hormones, antibiotics or chemically treated water, and are not fattened on alfalfa, corn or other grain.

In July, Silvies plans to open a conference center designed to attract smaller, family or corporate groups seeking a more exclusive experience. The center will feature saunas, a fitness room, climbing wall, lap pool and a spa with luxury services.

At the goat facilities, guests meet the Silvies-bred “American Range Goat.”

Visitors can play with the kids or watch as they are herded across the grasslands. The development of the American Range Goat is a high priority. Goats can eat both invasive weeds and woody shrubs, foraging on fare that otherwise can degrade rangeland and increase risk of wildfires. The aim is to produce a goat that helps improve the land and appeal to the palate. Silvies Valley Ranch certified organic chevon and “Heritage Naked Beef” both are served at the resort.

After a day in pioneer country, guests can relax in one of two distinct lodging options. The luxury boutique cabins boast two bedrooms, a living room and kitchen. Guests can settle into the private hot tub on the patio, nestle near the fireplace, or enjoy the view of the lake to unwind. The ranch house guest rooms offer configurations to accommodate all group sizes. Both options beautifully combine

“The feel is that you have your own personal, private, exclusive experience. You are able to enjoy a western-themed experience that is very much your own; amenities are beautiful, the food is wonderful. We hope people realize it is something unique and different and it is in their backyard,” said Colby Marshall, vice president of livestock and guest services.

The Retreat & Links at Silvies Valley Ranch is one of its kind. The Ranch is committed to sustainable restoration and innovative ranching practices. With cutting-edge golf, high-end amenities, exemplary green practices, and a rich history, “we hope we have created something through golf and the whole retreat that will draw travelers from all over the world,” said Hixon.

For a list of vacation packages and prices, visit silvies.us

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local

Got gardening or food preserving woes?

Filling the larder with home canned goods.

Courtesy Debi Lee

Let the masters help you -- the master gardeners and preservers, that is Story By Renee Pottle ARE YOUR LOVELY ROSES CRAWLING WITH APHIDS? ARE EXCESS cucumbers piling up, begging to be preserved? Are your tomato plants turning yellow and wilting? If so, you are in luck. Two volunteer programs are thriving here in the Tri-Cities, ready to help with your gardening and preserving needs.

master gardeners for 28 years, and both enjoy the master gardener community.

Master gardeners

Every weekday between May and October, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., people can drop by a clinic staffed by master gardeners who can provide advice for any gardening query.

They have formed long-lasting friendships through shared interests in horticulture.

You might get to talk with people like Walt Allen, a tree expert who also grows Japanese maple and dogwood trees to sell at the annual Master Gardeners spring plant sale.

Or Jeri Schmidt, who specializes in identifying and caring for perennial plants. Allen and Schmidt have been

The clinic is held at the Extension office, which is located in the Benton Franklin Health District Building, 7102 W. Okanogan Place, Ste. 102, Kennewick. Or you may call (509) 735-3551.

Master gardeners are trained volunteer citizen scientists who provide horticultural education and assistance. The program, part of the WSU Extension, was born in Washington state in 1973 and has since spread worldwide. Master gardeners can help you choose appropriate plants for our growing environment, identify the mystery bug eating your lawn and share expertise about why your trees are turning yellow.

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“It’s the people who make the program,” says Allen.

“People I met in Master Gardeners are now my best friends,” Schmidt says.

In addition to the clinic, master gardeners build community gardens

and offer classes at the Demonstration Garden located on Union Street in Kennewick. This summer’s classes include house plant hints, solving garden problems and seed saving.

Master food preservers The Master Food Preserver program also started in Washington state, in 1976. Master food preservers are trained volunteers who help educate the community about safe food preservation practices. There are now programs nationwide, but one of the most vital programs is here in the Tri-Cities.

Master food preservers are the people to help you answer these types of questions: “How do I turn fresh, local berries into jam?”

“Is my family salsa recipe safe to can?”

“My freezer died. Is the food still good to eat?” They provide expertise about how to dehydrate or freeze your garden bounty, how to safely pickle asparagus and how to preserve meat and fish.

Tamara Millage of Connell travels to the Tri-Cities each year to update her food preservation skills. She is currently the only

master food preserver in north Franklin County and shares her expertise by answering questions about food safety at the Connell library. Her advice to new food preservation enthusiasts? “Start small and find a canning mentor, someone who knows safe food practices.” Someone like a master food preserver.

Debi Lee of Richland became a master food preserver to make sure that her canning process was correct. Lee has a special interest in preserving fish. She shares her food preservation knowledge at the county fair, local clinics and canning parties or by holding full-day classes.

preserver instructor. Master food preservers are ready to help you with up-to-date information.

So call or drop by the local Extension office any weekday during business hours for free advice to get rid of pesky insects, heal sickly tomato plants and safely turn excess cucumbers into pickles. Soon you’ll have a flourishing garden, thriving trees and flowers and a shelf of safely preserved local foods. Thanks to the masters.

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

“We are here to help,” she says. “We want you to succeed and want more ambassadors for food safety out there.”

Even if you are a long-time canner, it’s best to call on a master food preserver before preserving the harvest. Food safety recommendations change over the years.

“A sealed jar is not necessarily a safe jar,” says Lizann Powers-Hammond, local extension agent and longtime master food

A master gardener working in the Extension office’s Demonstration Garden on Union Street in Kennewick.

Courtesy Benton County Extension Master Gardener Program

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non-profit non-profit

The making of a grass-roots movement

Story By Jennifer Colton-Jones LIVING IN A PLACE DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN YOU FEEL LIKE A PART OF that place, and unearthing the connections to plant those roots isn’t always easy.

is our community bringing us all together,” she said. “We want people to know you’re welcome here.”

The seed of this idea grew into an event and then a movement, and now “Finding Your Community” is establishing its own roots in the Tri-Cities.

They felt inspired and saw a need, but none of the three co-founders had any experience running major events: Their backgrounds were in chemical engineering, science and child development. They had a budget of zero dollars and a halfbaked plan to bring people together.

As the event grew, they quickly learned that hosting a public event required insurance and permits and more than just inviting people over. The trio hooked up with Fuse, which agreed to sponsor their debut event, and the movement caught steam. They set up an email address – findingyourcommunity@gmail. com – and then a Facebook page.

Artist Laura Turo donated the logo, and soon businesses were signing

This need to connect emerged from an unlikely source: the 2016 election season. Shelley Prange says she wanted to get groups to take positive action in the community to combat the negative divisiveness. That inspired a huddle, a meet-and-greet that brought a group of about 20 strangers together, and that huddle brought together Prange, Nancy Isern and Philippa Sonnichsen. The three women recognized a need within the need, and together they founded Finding Your Community, 18

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a grass-roots movement designed to reveal the diverse and vibrant community of the Tri-Cities.

They started with an idea for a potluck in a park to bring a few groups together to connect with each other.

The event had three goals: forge common ground in improving the community, connect community action groups to each other and let residents of the Tri-Cities know what they can do to create a community they want to be a part of.

Isern said they decided early on they would keep it open to anyone, inviting Republicans and Democrats, those who were religious and those who were not.

“It’s really important to us that this

up for booths, and volunteers were coming on board.

“It is amazing how when you say you’re going to do something to bring the community together, how many people step up and say, ‘I’d like to help,’” Prange said.

They scheduled the event for September, planning for good weather and keeping their fingers crossed. The event welcomed everyone – as long as they agreed to a code of conduct to be respectful of others and to work for positive messages, connections and changes. The organizers watched the sign-up list grow steadily. It started slow but then snowballed as more and more groups heard the whisper campaign. But without a crystal ball, no one knew wildfires would clog the September skies with smog and poor air quality, and they rescheduled for Sept. 24. Some groups couldn’t make it on the new date; others that couldn’t attend originally jumped on board.

“Even the night before the event, we were getting emails from people asking if they could come. We told them, ‘Sure. Bring a table and some chairs,’” Prange said.

“A lot of people I know ended up volunteering and checking out an agency that they might not have been aware of,” Prange said. “We were pleasantly surprised to learn how diverse the opportunities were, and it really connected with a lot of people.

I think a lot of people live in communities where on the surface it looks like there’s not a lot going on, but there really are.”

The number and scope of the participating groups surprised the organizers as well, despite having a combined 36 years in the Tri-Cities.

“I’ve learned so much in the last year,” Prange said. “From the outside, they look like three distinct towns you drive through on the way to Portland or Spokane, but there’s a lot going on here. You have to look for it – and know where to look – but it’s here.”

Now that they’ve been able to catch their breath, the organizers say they’re looking at how to move forward. They’re planning a full Finding Your Community event again this year – this time in October – and

compiling a large list of groups and organizations in the communities. They’re looking at starting a website and deciding how best to continue the momentum and help area residents find their part of the community.

“What makes a difference between people being here for a job and people wanting to stay is opportunity and being involved,” Prange said. “Everyone wants to feel like they belong in a community. I think we’ve only scratched the surface.”

More than 60 groups – from the Allied Arts Association to ministry groups to historical societies to the Fun, Fit and Over Fifty Club – ended up with tables in the park under the cheery yellow balloons, and Sonnichsen said that from the beginning, the groups had the right tone.

“One group would get organized, then they’d see another group and go over and help them set up,” she said. “It made you feel really good.”

Attendees and volunteers drifted between the tables, finding out about groups and opportunities and needs – and says others were already asking to sign up for the 2018 event, stopping by the registration table.

Once the groups began talking, trends emerged. Groups felt stove-piped – isolated and unaware of what other groups were doing. Groups made connections with sister organizations or groups in different fields that had some overlapping goals or activities. They also found individuals in people who wanted to be connected but didn’t know where to start. At least one organization doubled its membership through the Finding Your Community event.

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artist

Turning magic into reality The fanciful jewelry of Rachelle Moore

Fine silver, sterling silver, freshwater pearl and natural Nevada turquoise pendant necklace, $250 Blue tanzanite earrings, $85

Fine silver and natural sapphire rose cut cabochon ring, $312

Sterling silver, fine silver and natural agate geode earrings, $125

Sterling silver, natural chalcedony and moss agate earrings, $50

Story By Carolyn Henderson Photos courtesy of Rachelle Moore CHILDREN’S STORIES AREN’T JUST FOR CHILDREN. INDEED, IT IS THE WISE ADULT WHO REMEMBERS these stories and incorporates their magic into the prosaic world of grown-ups.

“As a child, I spent numerous hours reading marvelous stories such as ‘Treasure Island,’ ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ and C.S. Lewis books, among others,” says Rachelle Moore, a jewelry artist who integrates the fantastic – and the fantastical – into her original designs.

“My favorite book of the Chronicles of Narnia was ‘The Magician’s Nephew.’ I am fascinated by the idea of magical jewelry that creates a link to somewhere else.”

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And while the Kennewick artist’s necklaces, earrings and bracelets do not possess the ability to physically transport the wearer to different worlds and dimensions, they do capture the sights and sensations of the unusual, the unique, the distinctive – even the elfin. Each creation is one of a kind, and frequent commissions challenge Moore to fashion pieces that fit the dreams and aspirations of the wearer as much as they adorn his or her visage. This isn’t necessarily easy to do.

“I remember a recent commission for a bronze sculptured and carved dragon necklace with many rubies and sapphires,” Moore recalls. “I wound myself up wondering if the customer would like the character of the dragon as I created the layers, and the dragon came to life.

“In the end, my customer loved the piece, and I have seen her wearing it so many times.”

Moore, whose day job is that of nurse, finds her dual passions of artistry and caring for others to be complementary. As with an item of jewelry, each patient receives her full attention, time, energy and dedication, with the result that, at the end of the day, she feels that she has made a positive contribution.

“I take home a sense of connection and peace in knowing I worked hard to make a positive difference in another human’s life while they were in a challenging part of their life.

“Having art to make on my days off is a welcome change of pace and a different kind of challenge.”

In some ways, Moore’s own childhood resembles a storybook tale of its own: raised in the mountains with a brother and sister, surrounded by horses that the family raised, Moore spent hours wandering through the woods, later capturing her mind’s images on paper in watercolor and pencil. She began crafting earrings and beaded hair pins and accessories as a teenager, selling them at The Book and Game Company in Walla Walla as a means of paying her way through college.

“They were surprisingly very popular and

helped me to pay my bills and earn enough to buy my first car,” Moore says. “That morphed into custom hair accessories and earrings for wedding and events, and I just

kept growing and learning more, little by little, and moving into higher-end gemstones and metals.”

Moore now works with an array of precious and semi-precious gemstones and metals, explaining that while the differentiation between “precious” and “semi-precious” is fluid, theoretically depending upon the rarity or scarceness of an item, she pays less attention to a stone’s classification than to its beauty and sparkle. She particularly loves what she calls the “random sparkle in different colors” of moss aquamarine, opal and rutilated quartz.

This love of sparkle and shine is the inspiration behind the business name for her art, Corvidae Fine Art, which pays homage to the family of birds that includes ravens and magpies, which are all attracted to shiny things. Enthralled by these birds, with their elegance and intelligence, Moore sees the creation of jewelry as a natural outcome of her appreciation for nature, form, function, beauty and those timeless children’s stories – in many of which, as the avid reader knows, birds and other creatures of the world come to play.

“Where do I not get an idea of what to make?” Moore says when asked how she is inspired, as an adult now, to her next project. “I read a lot or listen to audiobooks, go to art museums and look at the ancient jewelry, watch television shows and movies, and I think of new ideas daily.

“I also like to spend time in nature, hiking in the mountains or spending time with my horses, and I am constantly finding inspiration in a lovely view, the fine detailed veins of a leaf, or the fickle patter the wind makes

in my horse’s mane.”

July 6 - August 17

August 28 - October 26

89 Lee Blvd, Richland, WA 99352 galleryatthepark.org

Smile

SUMMER

August 21 - 26

Annual Juried Show

You Can Afford to

HOURSshe In short, she continues the journey ONLY began as a child.

Sun 1-5

May 22 - July 1

New Horizons: Wood Turners

Rachelle Moore says her work as a nurse and a jewelry artist both help her “make a positive difference in another human’s life.”

Children’s Workshop Show Tom Hausken (509) 943-9815

Hours: Tues-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10-5

DENTURES 4 U AND CHRISTIAN DENTURES

5219 W. Clearwater, Suite 17 Kennewick, WA 99336

509-374-1660 S u mme r 2018

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2018 Summer Events Calendar

Photo by Brandon Lange, marketing and events for Kennewick

My Garden Over Floweth at the Market at the Parkway in Richland.

Photo by Oliver Blue Photography

J & S Dreamland Express

Market at the Parkway

Through September, 1-5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Columbia Park near the Playground of Dreams, Kennewick Admission $1 per ride; www.horseheavenhillskiwanis.org Named in honor is Trooper Jim Saunders, who was killed in the line of duty in 1999.

The train was the brainchild of longtime Tri-citian Ken Johanning. Each year, more than 10,000 riders enjoy trips through the park aboard the J & S Express.

Through October, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, The Parkway, Richland Admission is free; www.richlandwafarmersmarket.com Farm-fresh produce, eggs, bread, smoothies and pastries as well as locally made artisan goods. Come enjoy the atmosphere of a wonderful outdoor market, including food trucks and live music. Some vendors are cash only.

Pasco Farmers Market Saturdays through October, and Wednesdays through September, 8 a.m.noon, corner of South 4th Avenue and West Columbia Street, Pasco.

Admission is free; www.downtownpasco. com/pfm Direct, farm-fresh products, local vendors, hand-crafted goods and prepared food and beverages. The Pasco Farmers Market is a place to celebrate the diversity of our community through live music, entertainment and events.

Live @ 5 Concert Series Through July 26, 5 p.m Thursdays, John Dam Plaza, Richland Admission is free; www.facebook.com/ TCLiveAt5 Family-friendly event with food, vendor booths, 21-and-up beer and wine garden, a children’s area with a bounce house and games. Local and regional band lineup includes Shades, Groove Principal, Fallout, Badlandz, Voo Doo Alley, Black Rose Concept, Stompin Ground, Colorblind and Nerve Centr.

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My Garden Over Floweth tie-dye pillow class July, My Garden Over Floweth, 33526 W. State Route 14, Paterson; details TBA www.mygardenoverfloweth.com/calendar Details of this tie-dye pillow class, as well as other events, will be posted at the flower farm’s online calendar.

Sunsets at Southridge Through August, the 1st, 3rd and 5th Fridays of each month, 5:30-8 p.m., Southridge Sports and Events Complex www.facebook.com/SunsetatSouthridge Sponsored by Retter & Company Sotheby’s International Realty and Toyota of Tri-Cities.

Enjoy eats from 13 Bones Urban BBQ, Doggie Style Gourmet, Fast and Curryous, Fresh Out of the Box, Frost Me Sweet Mobile Cupcakes, Dovetail Joint Mobile Kitchen, Brubbins, We Ice, Don Taco, Jiggy’s Bacon Burgers and more.

Historic Downtown Kennewick Farmers Market June 7-Oct. 18, 4-7 p.m. Thursdays, 124 W. Kennewick Ave. www.facebook.com/ kennwewickfarmersmarket Lots of local produce, food trucks, frozen

Thunder on the Island concert series Courtesy Clover Island Inn

treats and friendly neighbors along this historic route in Downtown Kennewick.

Grab a bite, get your groceries and peruse the local shops.

Thunder on the Island Concert Series June 13-Aug. 15, Wednesdays, gates open at 5 p.m.; 21-and-up bar area 6-9 p.m., Clover Island Inn, Kennewick Admission is free; www.cloverislandinn. com/events-at-your-kennewick-hotel Family-friendly, outdoor concert series overlooking the Columbia River. Band lineup: Shades, Stompin Ground, Groove Principal, Blue Tattoo and Rail, No Direction, Edge of Blue, Junkyard Jane, Cody Beebe and the Crooks with Austin Jenckes, Black Rose Concept and Fallout.

10th Annual Three Rivers Senior Life Show June 13, 10 a.m., Toyota Center, Kennewick Admission is free; www.yourtoyotacenter.com/events This show is for seniors who want to live life to the fullest. It’s a one-stop shop for living a safer, happier and healthier lifestyle.

There will be vendor booths, entertainment, refreshments and more.

Cool Desert Nights June 21-24, Richland Uptown Shopping Center Schedule: www.cooldesertnights.com/schedule Celebrating its 25th anniversary: a classic car, street rod and motorcycle event with car cruises, street dances, show n’ shines, games, activities, a pancake breakfast, kids zone, judging, awards, autocross and more.

MCMT Present “West Side Story” June 22, 23, 29, 29 and 30, 7:30 p.m., Columbia Park Bandshell, Kennewick

Tickets available at www.mcmt.show For the first time in 30 years, Mid-Columbia Musical Theatre will perform “West Side Story,� the revolutionary musical that premiered in New York in 1957. It has been performed over half a million times and been translated into several languages.

68th Annual Art in the Park July 27-28, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Howard Amon Park, Richland For more information, www.galleryatthepark.org/general-information Allied Arts Association presents more than 200 artists and artisans, arts and crafts, live entertainment, park performances, wonderful food and more for the whole family.

53rd Annual Water Follies air show and hydroplane races Photo by Chris Denslow

53rd Annual Water Follies July 27-29, Lampson Pits along Columbia Park Trail, Kennewick For more information, www.waterfollies.com General admission passes for the hydroplane races and air show available at area Albertsons and Safeway stores beginning July 5. All passes available at the Tri-City Water Follies Office, 621 Cum, Ste. A, Kennewick, (509) 783-4675.

Sugar Ray with Opening Band Colorblind Aug. 12, gates open at 5 p.m., Clover Island, Kennewick General admission $45, room packages $225 per couple; www.brownpapertickets. com/event/3392274 Outdoor concert overlooking the Columbia River. Ages 21 and up.

My Garden Over Floweth at the Market at the Parkway in Richland.

Photo by Oliver Blue Photography

Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo Aug. 21-25, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. TuesdayFriday; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday, Benton County Fairgrounds, Kennewick Admission and tickets; www.bentonfranklinfair.com Summer concert series, entertainment and attractions, food and beverages, grand parade, exhibits, market stock, rodeo and so much more.

Photo by Brandon Lange, marketing and events for Kennewick S u mme r 2018

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The Art of American Craftsmanship Make it yours

TRI-CITIES • 1895 Fowler St. • 783-7471 www.ennisfurniture.com