Camas Community Advantage Magazine February 2024

CAMAS FEB/MAR 2024

COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE

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Camas Community Advantage Magazine FEBRUARY/MARCH 2024

Published by

Active Media Publishing Group PO Box 672, Aurora, OR 97002 info@ActiveMediaUSA.com 503.825.2111 ADMINISTRATION Matthew Nelson, Publisher Catrina Nelson, CFO Tara Weidman, Executive Assistant

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PRODUCTION Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director Donovan Darling, Content Manager Kate Astle, Copyeditor Kaity VanHoose, Social Media Manager Hilary Berg, Graphic Designer Sean Carver, Graphic Designer Dani DeGraw, Graphic Designer Brittany Jungenberg, Graphic Designer Morgan King, Graphic Designer Shawn Schmidt, Graphic Designer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Patti Jo Brooks Olive Gallagher Angie Helvey Lucas Holmgren Robert Matsumura Dennis McNabb Edward Novak Kelly Romo Gretchen Van Lente Ty Walker Alice Williams Kerry Yu CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Laurel Bice Carly Carpenter Tyler Francke Angie Helvey Malaina Kinne Lisa Kuhlman Kara Langley Tayler Lundquist Andrew Sambuceto Henry Schifter Hayley Starkey Brittney Waterman ADVERTISING SPECIALISTS Don Ormsby Bill Kistler Stephanie Baker Peggy Jacobs David Long Chris O’Brien John Zobrist Brad Marti Shelley Zeman Tina Toney Darren Dwyer Lynnette Scott

BUSINESS FEATURE Northwest Breeze

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HISTORY The History of Chocolate

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SEASONAL

HOLIDAY FUN

Valentine’s Day Weirder than you think!

St.Valentine

in 496 AD Pope Gelasius outlawed the pagan festival of “Lupercalian” and renamed it The Feast of Saint Valentine, to alentine’s Day incites cliché images of roses, cartoon be celebrated on the 14th of February.

Cupids, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate and mushy Fast forward to the late 15th century, when the word romantic comedies. While these days we harmlessly “Valentine” was used to describe a lover in poems and songs celebrate with candy, expensive jewelry and candlelit dinners, the of the day, such as this translated line by French poet Charles origin of the holiday isn’t as cute or d’Orléans: “I’m already wearied by love, my very marketable as you would think. As far sweet Valentine.” Later in the 1840s, Esther A. as we know, the history of Valentine’s Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” Day dates back hundreds of years to sold the first mass-produced valentines in America, pagan rituals in ancient Greece and elaborate creations with lace, ribbons, and colorful the Roman Empire to greeting cards pictures. Her early valentines pioneered the in the 19th century. commercial tradition of buying and gifting fancy In ancient Rome, when Emperor cards to loved ones on Valentine’s Day. According Claudius II decided single men made to current data, an estimated one billion Valentine’s better soldiers than married men, he Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day outlawed marriage for young men. the second largest card-sending holiday of the year.

Valentine, a priest, realized how Over the centuries, Valentine’s Day has been a unjust this was of the Emperor, so in religious celebration, a ritual full of violence and defiance of the Emperor he performed warding off evil spirits, poor health and infertility, marriages in secret. Eventually and is now a sappy his rebellion was discovered by commercial holiday. The authorities and he was sadly executed, mysterious and complex later recognized as a martyr and St. origins of this holiday Valentine. The life of a saint, am I allows the meaning of right? As the story goes, he left his daughter a note signed Valentine’s Day to be “Your Valentine.” truly whatever you want The modern holiday is celebrated on the same day every it to be. You can skip the year, February 14 (so don’t forget!), but the ancient Romans celebrations completely, and Greeks had celebrations this time of year even before buy yourself some St. Valentine. Unlike Valentine’s Day, however, the Roman chocolate, wine and Greek god Pan holiday Lupercalia was a bloody, violent, and (ahem) sexual flowers and find a good celebration full of animal sacrifice and random matchmaking romantic comedy to watch with pizza. Or you can express your and coupling in the hopes of warding off evil spirits and love (and platonic love!) and appreciation for the people in your infertility. The Festival of the Arcadian Lykaia, held on February life, whether they’re spouses, family or friends.

15th in ancient Greece, celebrated the god Pan’s founding of Some of us love Valentine’s Day, and some of us love to hate his temple, a day when the city was cleansed of evil spirits and it. If you’re wondering what to do on Valentine’s Day, just know people’s souls were purified, bringing health and fertility. As that there are no rules: It’s a new era, and you can celebrate the often happened when many pagan festivals were renamed, day of love however you want, even if it’s just through self-love.

By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer

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COMMUNITY

RUSSELL BRENT

Prepping the Future Consulting restaurateur leads by example

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By Olive Gallagher, Contributing Writer

here are some individuals who see a need and step up and create a solution. But there are others we don’t always hear about, who, upon recognizing a need, just step up quietly and say, “How can I help?” Russell Brent is that kind of man. Born in the small town of Apalachin, New York, Russell graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 1985 with a BS in Hotel Management along with, as he put it, an additional degree in “frisbee and beer.”

During those college years, Russell worked as an intern in several quality chain restaurants.

Upon graduation, he remembered what his Dad had lovingly advised him when he was fourteen and had voiced his dream to be a professional freestyle skier, “I’m rich, you’re poor, so get a job!” That advice led him to start washing dishes and, after graduating in 1985, he worked for various chain restaurants as general manager and eventually joined El Torito in San Jose as a regional training manager. That position promoted him to Sacramento and then to Oregon.

Married by then with two children, he moved across the river to Washington and eventually left corporate life, which had proved to be unfulfilling. After years of experience working for other restaurant companies, he established the Mill Creek Pub on Nov. 11, 2011 (11/11/11). He offered a menu that focused on comfort foods like hamburgers, steaks and what became a house favorite, his macaroni and cheese, a dish he still today creates occasionally whenever hired as a personal chef.

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When COVID hit in 2020, the world turned upside down for the restaurant industry. At that time, Russell was a Board Member of the Washington Hospitality Association and over the years had built many lasting and meaningful relationships in the community. He recognized a lack of communication among his fellow restaurateurs, and felt that instead of competing with one another, they now needed to unite against a common enemy to their survival: COVID. The group initially focused on supporting mom-and-pop establishments. Russell personally committed to paying his employees, even if that meant incurring debt. The group recognized that to be effective and see real change, they needed the support of elected officials. Russell used his gift of connecting people to include mayors, legislators and senators.

Eventually, they were able to open up a direct channel to the governor. By late summer of 2020, they had over 100 people on the call to the governor’s office, and today, even though the worst has passed, the monthly call still has 30 or 40 on the line.

Today, Russell consults with those in the industry. If someone wants to enter this career, he tries to talk them out of it, but if they insist, he helps them! He offers “Prep Cook Bootcamp,” a four-day immersion course for those trying to enter or re-enter the industry.

Russell is also a ServeSafe Certified Instructor/Proctor who helps leaders in the industry serve food safely.

For more information, contact Russell at 503-3121704 or russellebrent@ gmail.com.

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COMMUNITY

ROCKSOLID COMMUNITY TEEN CENTER

Lucky Charms Teen center fundraiser set for March 9

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skills, effective study habits, nutritional awareness, cultural enrichment, sports, the arts and community service.

The program has had a tremendous positive impact over the years on the community and the youth it serves. Executive Director Marcy Sprecher, who started with Rocksolid in 2006, still receives texts, calls, even visits and offers to volunteer from the former teens she has mentored. For her, the work “keeps me young and fills my heart!”

Of course, nonprofit organizations like Rocksolid rely on donations and fundraisers to support the important work they do, and on March 9, 2024, they will be hosting their annual Lucky Shamrock Auction at the Ilani Casino & Resort in Ridgefield, in addition to a free-to-register online silent auction running March 7–11. Those attending the live auction will also be treated to a live dinner event. The items up for bid are all donations from Rocksolid’s dedicated supporters, including unique travel and vacation experiences and baskets filled with assorted items. The auction’s main event will be a one-of-a-kind piece of art: a sculpture titled “Brave Glory” by the master sculptor Lorenzo

By Edward Novak, Contributing Writer Photos by Brent Venneri Photography

arents today might notice that there aren’t as many opportunities for their children to get involved in after-school activities as they had at the same age. Many extracurricular activities have been cut over the years or moved online due to budget concerns. There are fewer and fewer ways for children to build positive connections, learn important life skills and grow as individuals outside of school hours, particularly for teens.

Operating out of Bethel Lutheran Church in Brush Prairie, the Rocksolid Community Teen Center has been working to change that since 2002. Their mission is “to provide a safe place for the youth of our community and to foster their relationships with one another and with caring adults for the purposes of encouraging them to become ‘rock-solid’ persons.” They do this by providing a place for kids in the fifth to 12th grades to engage in fun after-school activities.

For an annual cost of just $20 per year, students from the Battle Ground and Hockinson school districts, as well as home-schooled youths in Clark County who can arrange transport, can attend the program. Rocksolid activities teach kids important life skills, such as business and leadership

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Ghiglieri, donated by the Foundation Michelangelo Treasure Investment Corporation in Battle Ground.

The Lucky Shamrock Auction is by far Rocksolid’s largest and most important fundraiser every year, and they are hoping to raise the bar even higher than the impressive $170,000 they received in 2023. The program is funded entirely through grants, fundraising events like this and donations from their generous supporters.

Tickets for the auction are $100 each or $1,000 for a table of ten. They can be purchased on Rocksolid’s website, rocksolid-teen. com, where information can also be found about donating to or volunteering with the program. They can also be reached by phone at 360-885-2181.

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The History of Chocolate Ancient, delicious and divine

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

W

hen we hear the word “chocolate,” most of us picture a bar, ice cream, baked goods, or a confection of some type. Typically eating chocolate, not drinking it, and a sweet taste is usually associated with chocolate rather than a savory one.

However, for approximately 90% of chocolate’s extensive history, it was primarily a beverage, and sugar didn’t figure into the equation at all.

While the terminology can be a bit puzzling, most contemporary experts refer to “cacao” as the plant or its beans prior to processing, while the term “chocolate” refers to a product made from the beans. “Cocoa” is the term for chocolate in powdered form, though across the Atlantic, the British frequently use the word “cacao.”

“Chocolate” has been traced by etymologists back to the Aztec word “xocoatl,” which described a bitter beverage brewed from cacao beans. The Latin name for the cacao tree,

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Theobroma cacao, translates to “food of the gods.” Historians today estimate that chocolate has been around for at least 2000 years, but recent research suggests it may be even older.

Although it’s difficult to establish an exact date for the origin of chocolate, it’s evident that it was valued from the very beginning. For many centuries in premodern Latin America, cacao beans were actually used as currency. A single bean could buy one tamale, while 100 beans could be traded for a good turkey hen, as noted in a 16th-century Aztec document.

Both the Mayans and Aztecs considered the cacao bean magical and sometimes divine.

It was commonly a part of sacred rituals of birth, death, and marriage.

It wasn’t until Europeans discovered the Americas and became familiar with the native cuisine that chocolate made its entrance on the world stage. According to legend, the Aztec king Montezuma welcomed the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortes with a feast that included drinking chocolate. Although chocolate didn’t initially agree with the European palate, once it was mixed with honey or sugar, it rapidly grew in popularity throughout Spain.

By the 17th century, Europeans had embraced chocolate as a glamorous drink, reputed to possess medicinal, nutritious, and even aphrodisiac properties — rumors suggest that Casanova was a

big fan of chocolate. But it remained primarily a drink of the upper class until the invention of the steam engine revolutionized chocolate production, resulting in chocolate becoming available in mass quantities to society at large.

It was in 1828 when a Dutch chemist devised a method to create powdered chocolate by filtering out approximately half the natural fat (cacao butter) from chocolate liquor, pulverizing what remained and introducing a mixture of alkaline salts to negate the bitter taste.

This product, known as “Dutch cocoa,” eventually led to the development of solid chocolate.

Joseph Fry, in 1847, is credited with the creation of the world’s first chocolate bar. Fry discovered that by adding melted cacao butter back into Dutch cocoa, the result was a moldable chocolate paste. Within 20 years of Fry’s discovery, the now famous company Cadbury was selling boxes of chocolate candy in Britain. Soon thereafter, another recognizable name, Nestle, pioneered the creation of milk chocolate in Switzerland.

During the Revolutionary War in America, chocolate was so valued that it was included in soldiers’ rations in lieu of wages. Most of us today wouldn’t likely settle for payment in chocolate over dollars, but that doesn’t mean the

humble cacao bean isn’t a potent force in the economy. In the U.S. alone, chocolate is a four billion dollar industry, and the average American consumes at least half a pound per month.

In recent times, a chocolate revolution has swept across the globe, marked by a burgeoning interest in high-quality, artisanal chocolates and sustainable, efficient cacao farming and harvesting techniques. Due to this shift in consumer tastes, large corporations like Hershey’s have developed artisanal chocolate lines by acquiring smaller premium chocolate producers, and independent chocolatiers have proliferated as well.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, artisanal chocolate has exploded in recent years. One of the first chocolatiers on the Portland scene was Moonstruck; though recently sold to a larger company, Moonstruck helped establish a market for gourmet chocolate in the city. Currently, there are a plethora of artisanal chocolatiers in the local area. Missionary Chocolates in Northeast Portland, founded by a doctor with a passion for chocolate, produces delicious dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan chocolate and non-allergenic truffles.

A Yen for Chocolate was founded and is operated by Cristina Yen, a chocolatier who has brought her multicultural experiences from around the globe to Northwest Portland, where she handcrafts mouthwatering chocolate creations for a growing clientele. Named in honor of the Wildwood Trail in Portland’s Washington Park, Wildwood Chocolate sources the finest ingredients and crafts masterfully blended ingredients such as cardamom, honey and berries with chocolate to create award-winning confections.

So, the next time your sweet tooth has a hankering for chocolate, know that this wonderful treat has a history stretching back to indigenous peoples of South and Central America, and that the tasty chocolate morsels available in your local supermarket are the result of centuries of trial, error, and innovation. And if you wish to sample the cutting-edge creations of local chocolatiers, be sure to visit some of the artisanal producers featured above, or the myriad of other producers in our country’s continually evolving chocolate landscape.

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THE ANGLE

TROUT FISHING

The Grey Ghost Angling for the mysterious winter steelhead

TOP: When steelhead first enter the river, they are bright chrome and full of energy. ABOVE: This female steelhead had feasted in the ocean before returning to the river.

solitary during their feeding phase, they are one of the most mysterious “anadromous” (freshwater born fish with an ocean phase) fish that exist. Chinook and Coho salmon often travel in schools, following the Pacific Coastline and feeding, being intercepted by commercial fishing fleets. They are easier to predict and keep track of. Steelhead tend to swim straight across the ocean, heading into dangerous water with many predators. As a result, only about 1 in 100 steelhead that enter the ocean will return alive to spawn.

Steelhead Are Native to Oregon

E

By Lucas Holmgren, Contributing Writer

very year, the “Grey Ghost” enters the coastal regions of our beloved Pacific Northwest region. Born in the rivers and creeks we pass by daily, they have a unique journey of one to two years in freshwater before migrating to the Pacific Ocean to begin a feeding journey that can last anywhere from six months to six years. These are winter steelhead.

Ocean-Run Rainbow Trout For anglers in the know, ocean-run rainbow trout are considered one of the premier sportfish in the world. Steelhead are the same species as rainbow trout, but they have the predisposition to migrate out of their rivers into giant open water to feed before returning at spawn time. Steelhead and rainbows can spawn together, and produce either resident rainbow or ocean-run steelhead in the same hatch!

This is why you will see trucks parked at boat launches in the dead of winter. With frigid temperatures, rain and snow, winter steelhead return after swimming all the way to places like the coast of Japan, Russia and Alaska. Because they are R14 TO ADVERTISE WITH US, CALL 503.825.2111

I’m sure you’ve seen Portland-area rivers like the Sandy and Clackamas. Although the last several years have been incredibly tough for steelhead numbers, they are still sneaking in through tidewater into these rivers, utilizing the wintertime flows to travel and hold. They are not in feeding mode at this time, although they often strike lures and bait aggressively out of instinct. They use the magnetic polar queues to navigate back to the mouth of their river and then start to use their incredible sense of smell to find the exact area where they were born.

The Oregon Coast has a healthier population of these sneaky ghosts. They are not easy to spot like salmon, nor do they tend to jump or roll at the surface much. Because of this, you may walk a quiet section of a river and never know there are a few large steelhead hiding in a riffle next to you. The only time they expose themselves is when they’re spawning. This is best observed in March, April and May, when most winter steelhead spawn.

The Future These fish are a hallmark of Oregon wildlife, but they need our help! We are at the lowest levels ever counted for these magnificent fish. The more we can do to protect creek and river habitat, protect cold, clean water, and supplement them in smart, scientific ways, the better chance we have at future generations enjoying these mysterious ghosts!

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Southwest Washington Christina Haas La Oie Cajun Cuisine 9811 N.E. 15th Ave., Vancouver 360.609.5786 christinadhaas@gmail.com

Shannon Elmer Fit for All Personal Training 671 E. Stonecreek Dr., La Center 360.600.9824 shannon.fitforall@gmail.com www.fitforallpt.net

Laura Jhaveri & Donna Suomi Killa Bites 510 Pioneer St., Ridgefield 360.635.8650 laura@killabites.com www.killabites.com

Being born in Odessa, Texas, and growing up in Rayne, Louisiana, gave me a real sense of what hospitality means. I learned so much about how to care for people through a warm meal and the joy and laughter around the table. I learned to cook from my mama, papa and daddy. We always made a pot big enough to share, and I still do that today. The dream of owning a business with my husband came true six years ago with the help of both my boys, and lots of family and friends. We love hearing from people that the meal we made makes them think of home. Some of our favorite dishes are jambalaya, etouffée, our beignets and alligator tacos — only on Thursdays. My nephew couldn’t say Christina so he called me Goosetina, which became simply goose, so the name of our cart is goose in French, oie. We proudly use all Mama’s recipes. Join us!

We find fitness for YOUR lifestyle. I have been a fitness trainer for more than 20 years and helped hundreds of people with enjoying fitness virtually one-on-one or group, as well as in person. We also do an accountability program that’s very detailed, including weekly tasks to help you set up healthy habits to lose more body fat or just to stay healthy.

Exercise can also be included in these. One of the most convenient options is an online video membership so you can work out on your time schedule. We have helped many companies with their employees by going in during lunch hours and having 15-minute consultations where an Ultrasound Body Composition is run to give an accurate number of calories their body needs each day. Our goal here is to eat real food, not overtrain your body and feel strong! Hope to hear from you soon!

In 2010, Laura Jhaveri quit her career as an engineer and relocated from Texas to the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Akhil, and three girls. A year and a half later, tragedy struck when Akhil was diagnosed with ALS and given two to five years to live. Laura, who needed a job and an identity outside of “caregiver,” started Killa Bites in 2013, enticing Donna Suomi to join her on the now 10-year adventure. The duo provides some of the area’s best packaged treats, custom desserts, cakes and full-meal catering — from formal weddings to casual boxed lunches. Own a culinary business and want to add some products to your line-up? Need treats for corporate gifts or events? Killa Bites also has you covered. Killa Bites always delivers the flavors and quality your guests will love. Yes, they do it all, and it is all totally “killa!”

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Women in Business Jodie Sharp

For 16 years, I’ve been a trusted agent helping my clients with their most significant investment: buying and selling real estate.

I started Jodie Sharp Real Estate after a 30-year land-use planner Windermere Northwest Living career with the City of Vancouver. Born and raised in Clark County, 10710 N.W. Lakeshore Ave., Ste 105, Vancouver I specialize in all phases of real estate — development properties, 360.798.6668 luxury homes, multi-family, first-time home buyers, senior buyers/ jodie@sharprealtygroup.com sellers and equestrian properties. I often limit the number of clients www.sharprealtygroup.com so I cam provide the best possible service. I know the market, stay updated on current prices and have the experience to negotiate for my clients’ best financial outcome. Together with Jessie Cook, my co-agent, we strive to provide excellent customer service and cherish the friendships we have formed along the way.

Amy Price Washington Trust Bank 915 Broadway St., Vancouver 360.833.3004 aprice@watrust.com www.watrust.com

Monique Opdahl Opdahl Chiropractic 105 N. Parkway Ave., Battle Ground 360.666.6001 monique.opdahl@opdahlchiropractic.com www.opdahlchiropractic.net

With more than 27 years’ experience in banking and relationship management, I’ve worked in customer service, account management and branch management roles before becoming a small-business banker. I enjoy getting to know my clients and providing personalized service. I have deep ties to Southwest Washington, and I remain invested and involved with many community and professional organizations. My community involvement includes Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce (Businessperson of the Year 2014); Battle Ground Rotary Club; Battle Ground Rotary Foundation (Board Member); Boy Scouts of America; Cascade Pacific Council; Camp Hope of Southwest Washington (Board Member); Leadership Clark County (Class of 2020); Power Referral Partners (Board Member, Co-Founder); and more.

As the executive director of Opdahl Chiropractic, Massage and Regenerative Medicine, I am proud to lead our team who is committed to providing expert treatment for our patients in Battle Ground, East Vancouver, Gresham, Hazel Dell and Woodland, so they can get back to work and the things they love to do. What a rewarding mission! There really isn’t much better than helping patients overcome pain, teaching them about their body’s healing processes and empowering them with the knowledge to care for their well-being.

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The History of Valentines

Stream these movies where available, or rent from your local movie store, library or rental kiosk.

Valentine’s Day is a strange holiday. Its murky origins are based on the legend of the martyred St. Valentine, who supposedly married Christian couples secretly in the 3rd century, as well as the belief in medieval England and France that “love birds” paired in mid-February, as seen in the writing of Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare. Industrialization then brought mass-produced greeting cards, candy and the holiday hubbub we’ve come to expect. However you celebrate (or don’t), here are a few movies for couples, pals, gals and the whole family to warm your heart.

A League of Their Own (1992)

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

The Princess Bride (1987)

“There’s no crying in baseball!”

Young men have been called to war during WWII and left baseball fields empty everywhere.

In an attempt to save baseball from total financial ruin, an all-female professional baseball league is started in the Midwest by businessman Walter Harvey. Scouts are sent out across the country and find two women in, of all places, the Willamette Valley. Eventually a ragtag team is formed, coached by Team Manager Jerry Dugan, a drunk and former MLB player who’s embarrassed to even be there.

Unsurprisingly, the team unites in the spirit of friendship, womanhood and feminism in an era steeped in patriarchy, even winning over Dugan. Starring a huge cast, including Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell and many more. Rated PG for language and wartime stress.

“You ever take it off any sweet jumps?”

Napoleon Dynamite’s iconic deadpan, off beat humor and ’80s style surprised us all in 2004. The movie takes place in rural Idaho, following awkward and eccentric 16 year-old Napoleon and his close friends, family and his quiet little life. Living with his older brother Kip and grandmother Carlinda, with his less-than-kind Uncle Rico visiting, we get to see Napoleon’s home and school life and hobbies, such as riding bikes, drawing cartoons and working on his dance routine for the school talent show. While seemingly simple and ordinary, it’s very much an understated slice-of-life story, with themes of friendship and love. Starring Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez, Tina Majorino and many more. Rated PG for thematic elements and language.

“Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya.

You killed my father. Prepare to die.” Endlessly quotable, clever and hilarious, this movie is based on the 1973 book by William Goldman.

This fantasy-comedy and fairy tale parody follows a sword-wielding farmhand named Westley who must rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup, from the evil Prince Humperdinck. Very much a parable, with The Grandpa reading and explaining the story to The Grandson, most characters are faced with questions of what it means to be a good friend, parent or partner. Westley navigates challenge after challenge of swords, fists and wits to prove his love and loyalty. Starring an iconic cast, including Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, André the Giant and many more.

Rated PG for scary scenes and violence.

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MEET THE ARTIST

CANDACE WILSON

Positivity Through Pottery Candace Wilson, woman at the wheel

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By Kelly Romo, Contributing Writer

n a world that seems to be constantly bombarded with negativity, it’s refreshing to come across someone like Candace Wilson. Candace is a ceramic artist who has made it her mission to spread warmth and happiness through her unique designs.

Her business, Little Bird Pottery, offers an extensive assortment of enchanting creations that will brighten your day.

Born and raised in Aloha, Oregon, Candace Van Beveren Wilson was a creative spirit from the beginning. She graduated with a degree in Applied Design from Southern Oregon University and further extended her knowledge by studying Graphic Design at the University of Oregon. Her professional journey started as a graphic designer specializing in design and packaging. Candace’s affinity for ceramics began back in high school, and is attributed to her teacher, Judy Vogland, who introduced her to the potter’s wheel. Candace continued to explore ceramics in college, alongside painting and drawing. Her passion led her to further her studies in ceramics in Italy and at the School of Arts and Crafts.

For Candace, ceramics were an inevitable choice as a medium of expression. Its versatility is astounding — from delicate pull knobs to intricate tile work and whimsical sculptures, it allows for boundless creativity. Furthermore, opening the kiln is always a moment of awe and wonder. The heat transformation imbues the clay with a life of its own, often revealing surprising and beautiful results that add an element of surprise to the pottery process.

The unique blend of Candace’s design and ceramics experience equipped her with innovative techniques that she applied to clay.

Her work in ceramics mirrors her graphic design experience, where

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she incorporates words, textures, and images into her creations. She transforms her drawings and fonts into rubber stamps, which she then applies to wet clay to craft both usable and whimsical designs — whether wheel-thrown or slab-built.

What sets Candace’s business, Little Bird Pottery, apart is Candace’s message on each of her products. She especially enjoys making garden stakes that feature animals like birds, squirrels, cats, and bunnies, all with an inspiring word on the bottom — words like empathy, kindness, peace, compassion, and healing. Her products remind us that there is still kindness and love in the world and that we should all strive to spread positivity wherever we go.

Candace’s influence and dedication to her craft extends beyond her own studio. She is an active member of several art associations and galleries. She is a part of Local 14, an art group that has been promoting artists since 1967. Her work is also displayed in the Rain Spark Gallery in Lake Oswego, a cooperative gallery that champions a diverse range of artists and their unique crafts. With her commitment to the community, Candace also contributes to Valley Art in Forest Grove, Oregon’s oldest nonprofit art association. These affiliations serve as testament to her passion for ceramics and her desire to share the joy it brings with the wider community.

Candace Wilson’s journey as a ceramic artist is an inspiring one.

She has overcome obstacles and followed her passion to create a business that spreads inspiration and warmth wherever it goes. Little Bird Pottery is a testament to the fact that even small acts of kindness and love can make a difference in the world. We can all learn something from Candace’s message and strive to spread positivity in our own lives, one little bird at a time.

If you’re captivated by Candace’s story and want to see more of her ceramic art, visit her website at www.littlebirdpottery. net. Those residing in or visiting Forest Grove can experience her stunning pieces in person at Valley Art, located at 2022 Main Street.

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BUSINESS FEATURE

NW BREEZE

Clearing the Air Northwest Breeze remains Oregon’s top-rated air duct cleaner

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer Photos by Carly Carpenter oxic pollutants are everywhere, especially in the air we breathe outside and even inside our homes.

Surprisingly, studies have shown that the air inside is two to five times more polluted than the air outside!

And since Americans, on average, spend 90% of our time indoors, our immune systems are constantly at war with our environment. Our homes can accumulate as much as 40 pounds of debris within our HVAC systems every year, and that’s for households with no pets! The Science Advisory Board has actually gone on record stating that indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental risks to public health.

What does all of this mean to homeowners? It means it’s an absolute imperative to follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines and schedule your air ducts to be cleaned at least once every three to five years. And when it comes to the cleaning and maintenance of your HVAC system, there is no one better in the Willamette Valley and Portland area than Google’s top-rated air duct cleaners, Northwest Breeze.

Northwest Breeze absolutely guarantees the work they do, employing the usage of a Negative Air Vacuum, a complex system that uses a compressed-air blower to clear the ducts while a vacuum simultaneously traps the hazardous particles and then releases them outside your home.. Their method is the only one on the market, in fact, which cleans the entire HVAC

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system effectively and without damaging the ducts. Whether cleaning your cold air returns, supply vents, furnace burners, outdoor A/C units and coils, or dryer vents, they use all of the most effective, efficient tools and methods in the industry.

In addition to all of the health hazards you may be facing due to the air pollution in your home, clogged vents and filters can reduce airflow and cause your HVAC system to work harder just to maintain your ambient temperature. It cuts back on the efficiency and longevity of your system. In order to protect both your family’s health and what is likely your largest investment — your home — start taking regular care of your HVAC system today. It’s time to do your spring cleaning anyway, so there’s no better time than the present. Don’t neglect for another day, one of the most important aspects of that process.

Northwest Breeze is a locally-owned and -operated business with strong ties to the community. Among other things, they are proud participants in the annual PNW Toy Drive for Randall’s Children’s Hospital. Support your family’s health while supporting local businesses. Contact Northwest Breeze today for a free quote.

Call 503-342-1088 or check them out online at nwbreezeor.com for more information.

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COMMUNITY

OREGON BLACK HISTORY SPOTLIGHT: DANIEL DREW

Civil War Soldier Turned Pioneer

duty at Helena, and a cholera outbreak decimated the unit. Drew survived, and was discharged in St. Louis. He quickly returned to Arkansas to enroll in a new Quaker vocational school, and after graduating decided to enter the clergy. In 1871 he became a minister in the Religious Society of Friends, the first Black person known to serve as a Quaker minister.

Prominent civic and religious figure In 1901, Daniel and his wife Laura moved to Oregon. in the Willamette Valley They purchased a home in Southeast Portland within walking distance of the meetinghouse of the

By Oregon Black Pioneers Portland Monthly Meeting. Drew became a aniel Drew was a Civil War prominent speaker at Quaker gatherings in soldier who became a minister Marion and Yamhill counties during the and Chaplain of the Oregon 1910s. He later led Portland’s Sunnyside chapter of the Grand Army of Meeting before becoming the minister at the Republic.

Portland’s Mt. Zion African Methodist Drew was born into slavery in Episcopal church.

Virginia around 1843. When he was After the Civil War, American’s about 18 years old, his enslavers Union veterans created a new moved to Missouri, taking their organization called the Grand Army slaves with them. Daniel attempted of the Republic. Unlike the military, to run away but was caught and the GAR was not segregated, and beaten as punishment. Freedom came Drew became involved in the in 1863, when the Union Army took Oregon chapter. In 1902 Drew took a control of the town and liberated all leadership role in a quest to raise funds the enslaved people there. Motivated for a memorial to war veterans to help defeat the Confederacy and earn at Portland’s Lone Fir Cemetery. He gave wages of his own for the first time, Drew speeches across Portland to raise support, moved to St. Louis to enlist. including a speech titled “The Condition Drew volunteered for the 3rd Arkansas of the Colored Race, Before, During, and Since Infantry’s African division. The unit was the Civil War.” The fundraising effort Daniel Drew dispatched to Helena, Arkansas where they served was a success. in guard duty for the town. Six months later, this Drew remained an active member of the Oregon unit was reorganized as the Army’s 56th Colored Infantry.

GAR the rest of his life, and was named the chaplain of Drew acted as the unit’s drummer, but in summer 1865 he the Oregon chapter in 1919. He closed each of his reports saw combat for the first time. 360 of its members, including with a quote which summarizes his own life well: “Let us Drew, were sent to be at our best at all times, supporting and encouraging in capture Confederate every possible way those things that are just and right.” troops destroying Daniel Drew died in 1923 and was buried in Lone Fir local farms in UnionCemetery not far from the memorial he helped make held Arkansas. possible. He is one of at least 15 Black Civil War veterans 1000 Arkansas and buried in Oregon.

Missouri Confederates met the Union forces, Oregon Black Pioneers is Oregon’s only historical society and an hours-long dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences of battle ended in a stalemate.

African Americans statewide. To learn more, and to support At war’s end, this nonprofit, visit oregonblackpioneers.org.

Private Drew stayed © Oregon Black Pioneers, 2024 on as part of troops assigned to garrison

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HISTORY

HISTORY OF THE TWINKIE

The Twinkie A sweet legacy unwrapped

A

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

spongy, golden cake with creamy white filling: for most of us this description immediately evokes a single word, “Twinkie.” Whether a nostalgic favorite from your childhood or still a go-to favorite at snack time, have you ever wondered where this yummy classic originated?

The story of the Twinkie takes us back to Schiller Park, Illinois, in 1930. Canadian-born baker, James Alexander Dewar, an employee of the Continental Baking Company (later known as Hostess Brands), realized that a number of the company’s machines for creating cream-filled strawberry shortcakes were sitting idle due to strawberries being out of season. With a little ingenuity, Dewar conceived of a new product that substituted banana cream for the traditional vanilla cream and dubbed the new cream-filled cake “Twinkie.”

As for the name, legend has it that Dewar saw a billboard in town advertising “Twinkle Toe Shoes” and drew inspiration from that. It’s not clear whether the shape of the shoes or simply the name was the driving force behind his decision, but to this day, people the world over know the iconic snack as the Twinkie.

With the onset of World War II, the cream filling inside the Twinkie switched from banana cream to vanilla cream. The change came about due to the rationing of bananas, but vanilla cream proved to be a hit with

customers who preferred it above all other flavored fillings. Over the years, Hostess experimented with alternate cream fillings such as strawberry, and for a short time, re-introduced the original banana flavor, but in the end vanilla cream was always the flavor of choice for Twinkie aficionados.

Despite their hallowed place in lunch boxes across America, Twinkies transcended their role as a mere snack cake to become a part of urban legend and even earned a place in the lexicon of the legal profession. In pop culture, Twinkies have garnered attention for both their perceived longevity of shelf life as well as their lack of nutritional value. According to urban legends, Twinkies have a virtually infinite shelf life with stories claiming that the famous snack cakes could remain unspoiled in their original packaging for periods ranging anywhere from 10 to 100 years.

During the 2012 Super Bowl, Chevy ran a commercial featuring the Silverado in an apocalyptic scenario that alluded to the Twinkie’s extreme durability. In truth, however, a Hostess executive revealed to The New York Times in 2000 that the shelf life of Twinkies was actually relatively short, generally seven to 10 days. Studies later demonstrated that prior to 2012, Twinkies had a maximum shelf life of 26 days. In 2012, additional preservatives were added extending the maximum shelf life to 45 days.

In 1984, the movie “Ghostbusters” introduced the Twinkie to countries across the globe previously unfamiliar with the famous American snack cake. In the movie, the character Egon Spengler uses a Twinkie to demonstrate rising levels of psychokinetic energy in the environment.

He compares the current level of psychokinetic energy in New York City to a Twinkie. He points out that due to the

recent extraordinary increases in the energy that it would result in a Twinkie 35 feet long weighing 600 pounds.

In the legal profession, lawyers in San Francisco argued that their client committed a crime due to depression resulting from a shift in his diet from healthy food to Twinkies and other sugary snacks. This argument became known as the “Twinkie Defense.” Contrary to popular belief, however, the lawyers did not actually assert that the Twinkies caused their client’s actions, but rather that his excessive consumption of Twinkies was symptomatic of his underlying depression.

On the culinary front, Christopher Sell, a Twinkie devotee from England, came up with the notion of freezing the snack cake, battering it and then deep-frying it in oil. Thus was born the

first deep-fried Twinkie. Sell described his new invention: “Something magical occurs when the pastry hits the hot oil.

The creamy white vegetable shortening filling liquefies, impregnating the sponge cake with its luscious vanilla flavor.... The cake itself softens and warms, nearly melting, contrasting with the crisp, deep-fried crust in a buttery and suave way...” In 2002, restaurant owner Clint Mullen introduced the deep-fried Twinkie novelty snack at state fairs. In 2016, Walmart stores even began carrying pre-packaged frozen

versions of the deep-fried Twinkie.

As popular as the Twinkie was, however, trends toward healthier lifestyles and eating habits were taking a toll on the sales of the famous product.

In 2012, after reporting a 20% drop in Twinkie sales from the previous year, Hostess announced its plans to discontinue operations, citing that its customers had migrated to healthier foods. On November 16, 2012, Hostess filed for bankruptcy and Twinkie production at all plants came to a halt.

Not surprisingly, the public outcry at the loss of the Twinkie was tremendous. It wasn’t long before companies were vying for the rights to restore the beloved Twinkie to its fans around the world. Apollo Global Management & Metropoulos & Company won the bidding war for the sum of $410 million.

The joint companies revived the Hostess brand reintroducing Twinkies, Ho Hos and other Hostess products to the market in 2013.

If it seems like today’s Twinkies are smaller than those of your childhood, it’s not your imagination. Just prior to the bankruptcy, Hostess had reduced the size of the Twinkie from a total overall mass of 42.5 grams to 38.5 grams, and the reintroduced Twinkie of 2013 retained this formula. Despite

the slight reduction in size, it’s likely that Twinkie fans around the world are more than happy to compromise a little rather than going without their favorite snack cake altogether.

For its legions of fans around the globe, nothing will ever take the place of the moist, golden cake with vanilla cream filling known as the Twinkie.

Perhaps Time Magazine, after ranking the Twinkie No. 1 on its list of 10 “iconic” junk foods, said it best, stating that “they’ve been a staple in our popular culture, and above all, in our hearts. Often criticized for its lack of any nutritional value whatsoever, the Twinkie has managed to persevere as a cultural and gastronomic icon.”

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