Camas Community Advantage Magazine June 2023

503.825.2111

ADMINISTRATION

Matthew Nelson, Publisher

Catrina Nelson, CFO

Tara Weidman, Executive Assistant

Donovan Darling, Content Manager

PRODUCTION

Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director

Hilary Berg, Sr. Graphic Designer

Brittany Jungenberg, Sr. Graphic Designer

Morgan King, Sr. Graphic Designer

Shawn Schmidt, Sr. Graphic Designer

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

David Bates Patti Jo Brooks

Tyler Francke Olive Gallagher

Angie Helvey Robert Matsumura

Dennis McNabb Kelly Romo

Alice Wiliams

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 Jim Belan

Peggy Jacobs David Long

Chris O’Brien John Zobrist

Brad Marti Shelley Zeman

Tina Toney Darren Dwyer

Ashley Berotte Mary Kay Wiens

Looking to reach local consumers?

We Specialize in direct-mail products: community magazine advertising, mailing inserts, postcards and more. For more information, call 503.825.2111 or email info@ActiveMediaUSA.com

JUNE/JULY 2023

BUSINESS FEATURE Northwest Breeze

A Taste of Japan

Sharing history & culture one dish at a time

fail within the first year, so for Fujiya Ramen survival seemed to be an almost insurmountable challenge. But survive, they did! Thanks to hard work, dedication, a superior product and the support of their community, they have even thrived.

Owner, Summer ShuHui Xu, could not be more thrilled or more grateful for the support. He has worked tirelessly to provide the best dishes possible, even listening to customers’ input regarding flavor profiles, levels of spiciness and more. These are authentic Japanese dishes that he serves with slight modifications to appeal more to an American palette. It’s difficult sometimes to find that perfect balance yet it would seem he’s found his mark.

The key to the whole dish, according to Summer, is the broth, and it took months of study and trial-and-error for him to perfect it. The process involved, as he describes it, is quite intricate and extensive. Requiring over 8 hours of cook-time and utilizing upwards of 40 pounds of very specific pork bones to produce just one pot of broth, this is the “magic ingredient” that sets them above the competition. Although the same level of care is given to every aspect of their menu. Only the freshest and highest-quality ingredients are used!

Favorite local dishes include: Spicy Miso Ramen (a pork and miso combination with homemade spice sauce, topped with pork belly, corn, green onion, egg and fish cake), Garlic Tonkotsu (garlic-flavored pork broth with pork belly, topped with egg, bean sprouts, green onion and nori), and Chashu Don Rice Bowl (pork Chashu, with unagi sauces, and spicy mayo sauce, prepared fresh and served to order!). Tan Tan Ramen is a specialty dish that cannot be found anywhere else! It is served non-traditionally as dry noodles (with no broth, just sesame

By Dennis McNabb, Staff Writer

Photos by Shonda Feather

Instant (ramen) noodles were invented by Momofuku Ando in 1958, and in a Japanese poll were named the greatest Japanese invention of the 20th Century. Ramen’s popularity exploded in the 1980s to become a Japanese cultural icon, and to this day it’s still one of the country’s most beloved foods. Astoundingly, there are more than 24,000 ramen shops located across Japan—which, for the sake of perspective, is more than McDonald’s and Burger King have combined across all of America. Sharing a piece of that rich history and culture with us here locally is Fujiya Ramen.

Locally-owned and -operated, Fujiya Ramen opened in 2019, one month prior to the pandemic spreading across the globe. Established businesses everywhere began closing down, never to reopen. Even without the pandemic, 60% of all new restaurants

oil, and topped with ground pork, egg, fishcake and onion). All of their appetizers are extremely popular, as are their Japanese Ramune Sodas! Ramune Sodas are a fun and unique treat which come in a bottle that is corked with a marble. The marble drops into the soda after it’s opened and bounces around while consumed. It’s a terrific little gimmick that makes it fun to drink, especially for the kids!

Ramen is a historically significant Japanese dish prepared with the utmost care at Fujiya Ramen. If you are looking for something delicious and perhaps a little different than your average fare, look no further!

Come down to 19215 SE 34th St. Suite 100 in Camas and enjoy Fujiya Ramen today! Give them a ring at (360) 597-3098 or check out their menu at fujiyaramencamaswa.com.

Our Philosophy

1. Accurate Diagnosis

At joint and arthritis pain relief, before any sort of treatment will be administered, you will have one of our specialists perform a thorough examination and possibly diagnostic imaging to determine the underlying cause of the patient’s problem.

2. Accurate Treatment

Our treatment options are all based on the 3 phases of healing. Every injury heals in 3 phases. By utilizing the 3 phases of healing, we can properly determine the treatment that will yield the best outcome for each patient individually.

3. Accurate Execution

After receiving an accurate diagnosis and accurate treatment all that matters is an accurate execution. At Joint and Arthritis Pain relief we utilize advanced imaging techniques to insure a precise delivery during each procedure.

A Life of Giving

Holt Homes HR manager focuses on family, community and her love of horses

newspaper in Battle Ground, starting in sales and eventually becoming publisher. Those positions allowed Laura to become involved in the community and make lasting, valued relationships while connecting people and managing staff. Changing her career path, she joined Tapani Inc., a construction company in Battle Ground, and quickly realized her passion lay in working with employees, health benefits and wellness. That prompted a move to the HR department at Holt Homes, where she is now responsible for benefits and wellness, confirming what she had suspected: “this is my passion, my place of joy where I’m able to contribute ideas and provide support to others.”

By Olive Gallagher, Contributing Writer

Finding the path to a life filled with joyful giving is not a simple task. Yet, Laura Venneri has quietly walked that road to find her place in the world today. Born and raised outside Oregon City, Laura graduated from Gladstone High School never realizing then that the man she would eventually marry not only went to that same school, but that their fathers, a policeman (Laura’s) and a fireman (her husband Brett’s) for Clackamas County, had initially known each other for years!

Growing up, Laura watched as her dad would bring home neglected children at the end of a long day on the beat, clean them up and feed them a good meal before delivering them to protective services. She has fond memories of holidays when her entire family would collect microwave ovens and bunk beds along with other “everyday” items she thought everyone surely had and deliver them to families in need. She remembers feeling shocked to discover everyone didn’t have the things she took for granted.

A good student, Laura earned a BS in marketing and communications from Southern Oregon University and began her insurance career at Regence BlueCross BlueShield where she worked for 11 years. She then spent 13 years at The Reflector

The Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce was Laura’s first connection to the community, and she served over nine years as a member, board member and eventually vice president. Married with two children and a firefighter husband, the family had no choice but to embrace Laura’s love of horses. Soon the entire family was supporting the 4-H horse group and high school equestrian team her daughter Ashley had joined. Their son, Tyler, now a medic in the Army, opened the door to the family volunteering at Junior ROTC events. Then Laura volunteered for Rocksolid Teen Center, Harvest Days Parade and Cruise, Battle Ground Citizen of the Year committee, and Clark County Equine Foundation. A horse owner, Laura, to this day, remains passionate about supporting horse-centric organizations and causes.

Laura is also proud of the work that Holt Homes does for the community, from their monthly contributions of food and backpacks to Share, allowing employees on company time to volunteer monthly at Rocksolid, building planter boxes for a women’s shelter, or hosting a Bring Your Child to Work Day event where kids get to build projects instead of just watching.

For more information on these programs, please contact Laura at 360-892-0514 or laura@holthomes.com.

LEFT: Laura Venneri (middle) rides with her husband, Brett, and her daughter, Ashley. ABOVE: Laura and Brett stand proud with their son, Tyler, now a medic in the Army.

Laura Venneri

All That Jazz

A local treasure celebrating her 10th year of bringing the best jazz in the city to Langdon’s Grill in Aurora!

BY DENNIS MCNABB, STAFF WRITER

Rebecca Hardiman is a unique and singular talent. Growing up on a steady diet of jazz standards courtesy of her father, she gained a genuine appreciation for the genre at a young age. By the time she reached high school, she discovered she had an innate talent for singing in that style, and began honing her skills in the jazz choir. Straight out of high school, she auditioned and was selected out of over 100 applicants to enter the prestigious Soundsation Vocal Jazz program at Edmonds College in Washington. That’s where she got her first taste of life on the road, touring Europe and performing at a host of different festivals and venues.

Dazzling audiences and fellow musicians everywhere she performed, she was then recruited to join the prestigious Bostonbased vocal jazz group, The Ritz. There she began her professional career, recorded her first CD entitled “The Ritz,” and met her future husband, Ray Hardiman (the group’s keyboard player). It was an incredible and enlightening experience for them both, but playing in a touring band while simultaneously working full-time jobs was unsustainable as a long-term way of life.

In 1990, they moved from the East Coast back to Rebecca’s home state of Oregon. They continued playing with a variety of local bands—most notably, the vocal jazz group Euphoria which Rebecca

not only formed, but also played in for over a decade. Entertaining and inspiring audiences all over the Northwest, they were a cornerstone of the festival circuit, but it was all familiar territory for Rebecca. She was and always had been a part of a larger group. It was time to break out on her own, and that’s when her star truly began to shine.

In March of 2013, Ray began playing Friday nights at Langdon’s Grill. Shortly thereafter, Rebecca joined him, and over the succeeding months they developed a rabid following. Now, exactly 10 years later, Rebecca, Ray, and Whitney Moulton–their incredible bass player who is an equally incredible human being and integral part of the group–are one of the most popular and renowned jazz house bands in the Portland Metro Area. And their home is right here in Aurora! While their regular band consists of Rebecca, Ray, and Whitney, they also attract a host of guest musicians from all over the Northwest. Everyone who is anyone on the Portland jazz scene jumps at the chance to play with this “little band” out in Aurora.

So, listen up folks! Next time you and the spouse are looking for a fantastic Friday date night, including great food, great atmosphere, and the best entertainment in the city, look no further than Langdon’s Grill. Every Friday night between 6-8 PM, Rebecca, Ray, and Whitney hit the stage, and they will absolutely transport you to another world! Come celebrate 10 years of excellence!

Check out her website at RebeccaHardiman.com for more information and access to her incredible recordings.

place on Sept. 24 at Esther Short Park. Everyone is welcome. Lori and her team will be there enthusiastically walking while cheering on others.

Two friends of Lori’s, Richard and Mar Meyerhoefer, owners of Emanar Cellars in Battle Ground, will also be joining in on the cause. Richard’s mother, Joan, was also sadly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s after living alone and being highly selfsufficient all the way into her mid-80s. Over the years, Richard, Mar, and Lori learned of each other’s mutual plights and have come together in support of one another. Not only will Emanar Cellars be a sponsor of Lori’s team, they will also be creating a weekly opportunity for other community members to contribute as well. Beginning with a big kick-off event on May 2 and continuing every “Timeless Tuesday” thereafter — 10% of that day’s proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Making Every Step Count

Community takes action for nonprofit

By Dennis McNabb, Staff Writer

Every time your heart is broken, a doorway cracks open to a world full of new beginnings, new opportunities.”

— Patti Roberts

Live long enough, and there isn’t a person among us who hasn’t been touched in one way or another by illness; that’s life. We all have grief to manage, but there are certain diagnoses that can be particularly heartbreaking. Alzheimer’s arguably tops the list. It’s a terrible disease that robs us of our very essence and is as difficult on survivors as it is on the patients. And yet, it’s in our attitudes — how we choose to conduct ourselves in the face of adversity — that opportunity is found. We can wallow in self-pity or we can take charge of our own fates, we can find purpose. We can partner up with the Alzheimer’s Association and make a difference!

That’s what Lori Lindberg has done. On the surface, she is just one of us: an “ordinary” member of the local community whose mother, Violet, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 14 years ago. Instead of thinking only how it has affected her life, however, Lori has made the courageous choice to stand up and take action, to do the extraordinary. She has contacted the Alzheimer’s Association, signed up for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and is now raising money for the cause. She is making a difference! This walk is a huge event, the Association’s biggest annual fundraiser and is held in more than 600 communities nationwide. Locally, this year’s walk will take

In case you are unaware, Emanar Cellars is an adorably cozy little wine bar boasting a wide range of delicious and authentic Spanish wines and tapas, as well as fantastic local live music every Friday and Saturday night. Richard and Mar, like Lori, are two of the nicest people you will ever meet, and their business, from the quality of the food and drink to the service and ambience, is an extension of that. Come down to Emanar Cellars any Wednesday through Saturday and discover what is sure to be your new favorite wine bar. Come down any Tuesday (after May 2) and enjoy it while also indirectly donating to an increasingly urgent and important cause.

Alzheimer’s is a fatal form of dementia characterized by severe and relatively rapid cognitive decline. Whether we know someone who suffers from it, or we know someone who knows someone, it has unfortunately become increasingly prevalent in the last few decades. Just since 2000, deaths from the disease have increased roughly 145%, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It has become the seventh leading cause of death

Want

LEFT: Walk to End Alzheimer’s. ABOVE: Emanar Cellars, Battle Ground.

in the U.S., and it’s not only affecting the older population. While it is still most common in adults over 65, recent studies have shown that as much as 10% of cases are early-onset and have affected people who are barely into their 30s. More troubling still is the fact that the medical community has hypotheses but

no definitive answers as to causation. Is it genetic? Is it lifestyle related? They just don’t know.

What we do know is that we are not alone. The nationally renowned and respected Alzheimer’s Association has local chapters in every region, and they are here to assist in any and every way possible. They are an incredible resource for information as well as a nonprofit world leader in funding research to help discover a cure. I had the pleasure of meeting with Jen Osojnicki, a local representative of the Association here in Oregon and Southwest Washington, and found her to be not only warm, sincere and sympathetic, but also incredibly well-informed. She was proud to share their mission: end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing

quality care and support. Through many initiatives (since its inception in 1980), it has become the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. If you are a patient or a caregiver seeking help, there is no better resource.

This is your opportunity, folks. Participate in the walk or support these amazing people who live and work in our community. Lori, Richard, and Mar are the best of us, doing what they can to make a difference.

Please consider joining the cause: Sign up for The Walk to End Alzheimer’s yourself at: www.alz.org/walk, donate to Lori and/or her team via the code on the opposite page or come down to Emanar Cellars on Tuesdays.Emanar Cellars is located at 1113 S.E. Rasmussen Blvd. in Battle Ground. Visit emanarcellars.com or call 360-513-2448.

Lori Lindberg and her mother, Violet.

Matt Groening Oregon Cartoonist

Once-struggling artist succeeds with worldwide hit “The Simpsons”

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

“D’oh!”

This simple catchphrase of Homer Simpson’s from the hit TV show “The Simpsons” is so famous that it’s been listed number six on TV Land’s 100 Greatest Television Catchphrases. The state of Oregon has contributed its share of inventions to the global community, from athletic shoes to more prosaic items such as the Tater Tot™ and Phillips screw. Perhaps the zaniest, however, are the creations of cartoonist Matt Groening.

Born in Portland, Oregon in 1954, Matt Groening (pronounced gray-ning) grew up in the City of Roses in a neighborhood near Washington Park. After attending Ainsworth Elementary School and Lincoln High School, Groening spent his college years up north in Washington at Evergreen State College in Olympia, which during the ’70s the cartoonist describes as “a hippie college, with no grades or required classes, that drew every weirdo in the Northwest.” At Evergreen, Groening served as editor of the campus newspaper, The Cooper Point Journal, for which he also contributed articles and drew comics. Inspired from a young age to draw cartoons, Groening has cited Disney classics such as “101 Dalmatians” to Monty Python and the works of Charles M. Schultz as influential in his development. At Evergreen, he was befriended by fellow cartoonist Lynda Barry who had impressed him by writing a letter to one of Groening’s favorite authors, Joseph Heller, and she actually received a response. Groening has credited Barry as being one of his biggest inspirations.

After graduating from Evergreen with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism in 1977,

Matt moved to Los Angeles to pursue writing. After enduring a “series of lousy jobs,” including bussing tables at a nursing home, landscape work at a sewage treatment plant, chauffeuring, ghost writing for a retired Western director and working as a sales clerk at Hollywood Licorice Pizza record store, he began sketching out cartoons based upon his experiences of living in L.A. This self-published comic book titled “Life in Hell” was partially inspired by a chapter in Walter Kauffman’s book “Critique of Religion and Philosophy,” titled “How to Go to Hell.” After distributing his “Life in Hell” comics from the book section at Licorice Pizza, he sold his first comic to avantgarde “Wet” magazine in 1978.

At a subsequent job for the alternative newspaper, the Los Angeles Reader, Groening convinced the editor to run his comic strip on a regular basis.

“Life in Hell” (1984) became a hit almost immediately. Groening’s then girlfriend, Deborah Callahan, who worked with Groening at the Reader, helped the cartoonist publish his first book, “Love is Hell,” which

was based on relationships. It was an underground success, selling 22,000 copies in its first two printings. The subsequent “Work is Hell” (1985) was also a hit. By the time his “Hell” series had run its course, “Life in Hell” had been carried in 250 weekly newspapers and anthologized in a series of books which included “School is Hell,” “Childhood is Hell,” “The Big Book of Hell,” and “The Huge Book of Hell.”

The stage was now set for Groening’s next big move. The success of Groening’s “Hell” series caught the attention of Hollywood director/producer James L. Brooks. In 1985, Brooks contacted Groening and began exploring working together on a production for television. What emerged from this creative union was the Simpson family, which Groening conceived while waiting in the lobby of Brooks’ office. He had originally intended to adapt the “Life in Hell” characters for television, but fearing the loss of ownership rights, he chose to move in a different direction.

The Simpson family was named after members of Groening’s own family — Homer the portly father (and in honor of the Greek poet), Marge (Margaret) the slender wife, and three children —

Bart the bratty son, Lisa the bright middle child, and Maggie (Margaret) the baby. Instead of naming the son after himself, which he felt was too obvious, he selected the name Bart which was an anagram of Brat.

“The Simpsons” originally premiered as a short cartoon on “The Tracey Ullman Show” in 1987. By 1989, however, “The Tracey Ullman Show” was on its way out, but “The Simpsons” had proved so popular that Fox (which aired the show) decided to produce an entire half hour program dedicated to Homer and his dysfunctional yet relatable family. In 1989, “The Simpsons” debuted on Fox on a weekly basis, and to Groening and Fox’s surprise the show became a smash hit. Groening’s goal of creating a show that offered the audience an alternative to what he termed “mainstream trash” took the world by storm. Considered by many to be one of the smartest shows on television due to Groening’s sharp satirical wit and complex characters, “The Simpsons” has won over 20 Emmy awards and now stands as the longest-running primetime

scripted show and longest-running animated series in American television history. Many of the characters and locales on “The Simpsons” were inspired by Groening’s Oregon roots. Springfield, the town where The Simpsons reside, has been revealed by the cartoonist in an interview with “Smithsonian Magazine,” to indeed be a reference to Springfield, Oregon near Eugene. Groening liked the fact that Springfield was such a generic name that audiences across the country could identify with it. As a tribute to its “Simpsons” connection, murals have been created at locales across Eugene-Springfield by a number of local artists. While many fans believe that Sideshow Bob Terwilliger was a reference to Terwilliger Boulevard, Groening has revealed that the character was actually inspired by Dr. Terwilliker from the film “The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T.” Other names from the show, however, were derived from Portland street names such as Lovejoy, Flanders, Kearney, Powell, and Quimby. Chief Wiggum drew his name from Groening’s mother’s maiden name. Although Groening went on to create other inventive shows such as “Futurama,” an animated comedy series about life in the year 3000, “Krusty the Clown,” a Simpsons spinoff, and “Disenchantment,” a fantasy-comedy series for Netflix, none of these projects were nearly as popular or culturally relevant as “The Simpsons.”

If you happen to be a fan of Matt Groening and were ever curious about the inspirations for his zany creations which have literally shaped contemporary culture, look no further than right here in the Pacific Northwest. You may very well be driving on a street or through a town that gave birth to some of your favorite cartoon characters!

Photo courtesy of UCSB Arts & Lectures

Southwest Washington

9212 N.E. Hwy. 99, Ste. 110, Vancouver 360.903.1071

sherrie@vancouverfitness.us

www.vancouverfitness.us

Vancouver Fitness Studio is celebrating its fifth anniversary this May! We opened a brand-new studio in the fall of 2021, and we are home to Vancouver Jazzercise, a dance-based total body workout, offering 25 classes a week. We have a spacious 1,900-square-foot dance floor, childcare room, air conditioning, handheld weights and mats, and a fabulous team of instructors! We also provide rental space to other local groups, such as VanCity Ballroom, Eternal Arts Kung Fu and the Ke Kukui Foundation. I have been teaching Jazzercise for almost 18 years and became the owner of Vancouver Fitness Studio May 1, 2018. I love what I do, and I love helping my customers reach their fitness goals while having a great time! My motto is “You’re only one workout away from a good mood!” I also really enjoy having a space that is available for my community to use and appreciate as well.

hollie4health@gmail.com

It is a pleasure to greet you! I’m Hollie Williams, retired Fred Meyer pharmacist turned wellness coach and one-year owner of B.G. Nutrition. My mentor, Kim Frahm, opened 11 years ago with a mission to provide healthy meals, safe energy, fitness, coaching and, most of all, love and support to our community. As a part of the team here for over four years, I’ve come to love and embrace that mission and will continue it for years to come. I truly enjoy interacting and serving our customers and providing a place for friends to gather and visit over nutritious shakes, teas and energy drinks. Additionally, our nutrition club hosts free workouts and body transformation challenges, a pleasant workspace with free Wi-Fi, a space for others to build their own Herbalife business, and just an overall positive, upbeat atmosphere.

8221 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave., Vancouver 360-258-1506

tristarfamilychiropractic@gmail.com

A busy mom of three, I was inspired to move across the country to Vancouver in 2015 to fulfill my dream of opening my own practice and being a part of a community. Little did I know I’d be the only Spanishspeaking chiropractor in Southwest Washington at that time. Thanks to our community, my new practice flourished. With 30-plus years of experience in the healthcare field, ranging from mental health, physical rehabilitation hospitals, working with individuals with special needs, athletes, and the elderly, I offer specialized “health-CARE” to all of my patients. I am the proud owner of Tristar Wellness Partners, LLC, including the award-winning Tristar Family Chiropractic & Scoliosis Center, housing over 10 women-owned healthcare businesses under one roof. We are truly #onebuildingfullofhealing because of our amazing community, that we cherish so much!

Women in Business

Heather Renner RENNERS REAL ESTATE, LLC OF KELLER WILLIAMS

2211 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver 360.921.7803

heather@rennersrealestate.com

www.RennersRealEstate.com

Natalie Fairchild PACIFIC PERKS COFFEE, LLC

9014 N.E. St. John’s Rd., Ste. 111, Vancouver 360.558.0099

natalie@pacificperkscoffee.com

www.pacificperkscoffee.com

Tiffany Richardson

NORMITA’S MEXICAN CUISINE

24415 N.E. 10th Ave., Ridgefield

818.272.5987

normitasmexicancuiseine@gmail.com

www.normitasmexicansuisine.com

With nearly two decades of experience in the real estate industry and 24-plus years of sales and marketing expertise, I bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to help buyers and sellers achieve their goals. My commitment to staying current with market trends and changes ensures that I can provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to my clients. I approach every transaction with honesty, integrity and a focus on building strong relationships with all parties involved. My community involvement extends beyond my professional work, as I have served on the board for various organizations and been recognized for my contributions to the community. In my free time, I love exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest and enjoying the outdoors. As a Realtor, I am passionate about helping my clients find their dream home and making the buying and selling process as stress-free as possible.

I’m Natalie Fairchild, Pacific Perks’ founder and chief “inspirational” officer! We created Pacific Perks with the idea of developing a flatfee mobile café that specializes in providing everyone we serve with a fun and surprising food-and-drink experience, all while we promote your business, reward your team, or celebrate life’s most treasured events! Every drink we serve, every sundae we scoop, and every waffle we press is fresh and made to order, right there in front of your guests. We’re proud to be able to create a personalized café experience for families and organizations in the Pacific Northwest. Hosting a graduation party? Wedding brunch? Presenting at a trade show? Having an employee or customer appreciation event? Hosting a golf tournament? Pacific Perks can help you make it its very best!

What does a UCLA graduate who speaks English, Spanish and Chinese and a delicious food cart have in common? Me! Although I worked in special education for 14 years and sold another successful business back in Los Angeles, my greatest feat has been being a mom. My growing family decided to move to Battle Ground mid-pandemic and start a small farm. I instantly fell in love with this (now) not so tiny town. Well, me staying at home lasted a few months after sharing my tamales and food with new friends. Small batches turned into large batches. Normita’s dishes are inspired from family and typical Mexican dishes. I am currently grateful for being parked at 3peaks Taproom in Ridgefield, and I hope that I can be back somewhere in Battle Ground for the winter months again. It’s only me in the kitchen, and every dish I make is made with love — the special ingredient.

Clearing the Air

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

By Dennis McNabb, Staff Writer

Photos by Carly Carpenter

Toxic 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

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.

BOREDOM BUSTERS FOR A SUNNY SUMMER!

By Donovan Darling, Staff Writer

Kids and adults alike CAN’T WAIT for summer to roll around every year. But without fail and after a few weeks, the phrases “I’m bored” and “There’s nothing to do!” are inevitable. Here are some fun things to do to BUST that summer boredom before it starts!

Climb a Tree

This might sound weird, but there’s no better way to feel like a kid or literally get into nature. Read a book or see how high you can climb!

Photograph

With modern cameras, almost anyone can take great photos. Look up a photo challenge or list of practice shots, and get out there. It’s actually quite fun!

Take a Hike

Just getting outside in the fresh air is a great way to enjoy summer. Long or short, flat or steep, woods or beach, it doesn’t matter. Bring some snacks and drinks!

Go Camping

Go to a local state or national park, the beach, or even your backyard! If you’re not a big camper (me neither), roast some marshmallows and hotdogs in a fire pit instead.

Make Popsicles

A favorite of mine and actually very easy. You just need a blender, popsicle mold and sticks, frozen fruit and juice, yogurt, and honey or agave nectar. And it’s a healthy and fun way to eat fruit.

Swim

When it’s finally warm enough to swim in the PNW, find a creek, river, lake, or local beach. If you don’t love swimming, at least get your feet wet, collect rocks or shells, or watch the wildlife.

Upcycle

No, not biking. Upcycling is where you take free old junk and make it into art or something useful, like a bathtub becoming a planter box. The possibilities are endless. Look online!

Play a Sport

Anything from yard games like croquet or cornhole, to golf and tennis, sports are great for exercise, endorphins, and vitamin D. And an easy way to socialize and get outside.

Movie Night

Just the family, or invite friends over. Pop some popcorn, bust out the candy and soda. For a real adventure, rent an outdoor projector and watch outside on a white sheet or blank wall.

Chocolate Ganache Sauce

¼ cup heavy cream

2 ounces finely chopped chocolate

 In small saucepan, heat heavy cream on medium-high heat to a boil; turn off heat and add chocolate.  Let sit for about 3 minutes, and then stir until smooth.

Churros

Crisp

SERVINGS: 18

Ingredients

½ cup granulated sugar

¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup water

¼ cup unsalted butter, cubed

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour (scoop and level)

1 large egg

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

* vegetable oil, for frying

Directions

 Whisk together sugar and cinnamon in shallow dish, set aside.  Heat 1½ inches oil in large pot over medium-high heat to 360°F — maintain temperature.  Add water, butter, sugar and salt to large saucepan, bringing to a boil over medium-high heat. Add flour. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, until smooth; transfer to large bowl. Let cool 5 minutes.  Add vanilla and egg to flour mixture; blend with electric mixer until smooth (it will separate at first but keep mixing).  Transfer to 16-inch piping bag fitted with a rounded star tip (no bigger than ½ inch). Carefully pipe mixture (6 inches) into preheated oil, and cut end with clean scissors. Fry until golden, about 2 minutes per side.

 Transfer to paper towels briefly, and then to sugar mixture. Roll to coat. Repeat process (frying no more than 5 at once).  Serve warm with chocolate ganache (see left) or caramel sauce for dipping.