Dallas Community Advantage Magazine April 2023

DALL AS

INCLUDES RICKREALL

COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE

MEET THE ARTIST

HISTORY

POP CULTURE

The Incredible Hulk

Producer Ron Nevison

Actor Bill Bixby

Everyone wants their outdoor spaces to be an extension of their home. As your local family-owned supplier of pavers and wall block, we look forward to helping you make your dream a reality.

o One in 3 people over the age of 60 have hearing loss.

o Occurrences of dementia are 2 times higher in individuals with a mild hearing loss , 3 times higher in individuals with a moderate hearing loss and 5 times higher in individuals with severe hearing loss.

o Hearing loss is a major contributor to misunderstandings and broken relationships.

o Most people with hearing loss can be helped significantly with hearing aids.

o It is a common misunderstanding that current hearing aid technology can cancel background noise. It is more accurate to say that current technology can greatly help hearing in noise as it is better at managing the noise ... keeping it in the background.

Ron Nevison

Legendary Music Producer and Sound Engineer

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

With a career spanning nearly 5 decades, he is one of the most distinguished record producers/audio engineers to ever spin the knobs. And he lives right here in the Pacific Northwest!

From a young age, Ron Nevison had an innate fascination with both music and electronics, a fortuitous combination he would soon learn. He was the kid in school who had his nose perpetually buried between the pages of Popular Electronics and was constantly frequenting Radio Shack for parts to build radios. While he initially sang in the school choir and a variety of doo-wop bands, hoping to break into the business as a performer, his first gig was with Festival Group Sound, traveling with bands on tour, driving truck, hauling gear, etc. Recognized for his strong work ethic, organizational skills, and extensive knowledge of electronics, however, he was quickly moved over to the arena of sound mixing where his strengths could be better utilized.

Over the course of just a few years, Ron earned a reputation for being one of the prominent “sound men” in the business, making some of the biggest acts of the time (Jefferson Airplane, Traffic, and Derek and the Dominos) sound absolutely incredible live. That said, while he was in high demand, his ultimate goal was to work in the studio. An auspicious meeting

with Chris Blackwell, founding owner of Island Records, secured an opportunity for him, and a month later Ron was living in London. His first job as a sound engineer was working on The Who’s seminal double album, “Quadrophenia”. It was a massive undertaking: a year-long project that required extensive use of sound effects (which all had to be collected manually at the time) and a trial-by-fire learning experience for Ron. But it was one of the most memorable of his career. Ron stated that Pete Townsend was a brilliant and generous man, and a real mentor for the fledgling engineer.

Over the next 4 decades, Ron earned his place among the upper echelon of recording engineers and producers by working with some of music’s most popular acts while putting out some of their best-selling albums. Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, The Rolling Stones, Heart, Chicago, Meat Loaf, Ozzy Osbourne, KISS, Europe; the list goes on and on. Highlights of his career include many of the record industry’s highest distinctions, including being recognized by Billboard Magazine as one of their “Top-5 Producers of the Year” four separate times, garnering countless Grammynominated and winning hit singles and albums, and producing a host of Multi-Platinum and Gold-selling albums.

And he’s still at it! These days Ron can still be hired to produce and engineer albums through SoundBetter, the world’s leading music production marketplace. Interested in working with one of the all-time greats for your next musical project? Hop on SoundBetter.com and check out Ron’s profile. He’s local. He’s one of the coolest, most low-key, easy-going guys you’ll ever meet, and he has a track record that’s hard to beat!

Roger Daltrey, Keith Moon and & Ron Nevison Rampart Studios, 1973

Ron Nevison

KISS “Crazy Nights”, 1987

The Who “Quadrophenia”, 1973 UFO “Strangers in the Night”, 1979

Ozzy Osbourne “The Ultimate Sin”, 1986

Hamblin’s Nursery

By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer

Make your neighbors jealous this year by embellishing your yard with hanging baskets, bedding plants, and vegetable starts from Hamblin’s Nursery.

There’s nothing quite like a gorgeous hanging basket to beautify the facade of your home or business. But let’s be honest, not all baskets are created equal. Many big-box stores and nurseries throughout the Valley simply don’t have the passion or expertise to give those flowering plants what they truly need to flourish in our climate. With rising costs on everything, including plants, it’s vital to be selective in where we choose to purchase them from. And there’s no better place than Hamblin’s Nursery in Dallas, Oregon.

Customers frequently comment about Hamblin’s, “Why are their plants so much healthier than everyone else’s?” And, “How do they get their leaves to be such a vibrant green?” While the explanation is not simple, the answer is: Owners John and Calene Hamblin have put in countless hours of research and trial and error to ensure their quality. The whole operation began back in 2000 and was born of a passion for agriculture. Not confident that people would make the drive—before earning the stellar reputation they enjoy today—they grew the plants at home and drove them to Saturday Market in Salem. It didn’t take long, though, before the word spread.

Each year, the demand grew. John kept working, trying different combinations to find the best flowers for the local

climate. He also discovered the best bloom fertilizer (which he sells) especially formulated for the specific plants they sell. And now, 23 years later, the business is flourishing. Expanding from eight greenhouses in 2017, they currently have a whopping 26, all built by John himself, and they’re still growing. They no longer participate in the Saturday Market—all plants are sold from the retail outlet on their property—but people are more than happy to make the drive since the quality of their plants are genuinely unmatched.

Even more incredible is the fact that their prices are 40% to 50% cheaper than most of the competition. Their biggest sellers, 12-inch hanging baskets, are priced at only $26—or $24 each when you buy five or more. In a single season, they will sell upwards of 90,000 plants—roughly 8,000 hanging plants and the rest are individuals. But beware, it’s first come first served, and once they’re gone their season is over. One year, it only took 36 days to sell out of every single plant.

So, if you’re looking for a pop of color to brighten your yard, look no further than Hamblin’s Nursery. Their season opens April 14th and inventory goes quickly. Mark your calendars. You don’t want to miss out.

Find them online at hamblinsnursery.com or on Facebook for more information. Hamblin’s is located at 4550 Kings Valley Hwy, just four short miles south of Dallas.

Hanging baskets to “leaf” you speechless

Only 4 Miles South Of Dallas

“It’s Worth The Drive!”

4550 Kings Valley Hwy Dallas

503-508-4374

Hamblin’s NURSERY

Hanging Baskets · Annuals · Vegetable Starts

Nursery Hours

Open 7 days a week during growing season 9am - 6pm

12” Hanging Baskets

100s of Varieties Grows all season

Growing Season

Open middle of April until all plants are sold. Call for current season.

What our Customers are Saying

“

Every spring, I eagerly anticipate the arrival of my hanging basket from Hamblin’s Nursery. The vibrant splashes of color blend perfectly, making my front porch bright and beautiful all throughout the spring and summer.” Jane

“

Emmons

My son surprised me on Mother’s Day with a Hamblin’s Nursery hanging basket. I love their flowers with their colorful and long-lasting blooms. Neighbors often stop to ask me where I got the basket. I tell them Hamblin’s Nursery, the best place for quality flowers.” Kathy Edell

BILL BIXBY The INCREDIBLE HULK & MORE

By David Grove, Contributing Writer

Although actor Bill Bixby certainly played many different types of characters throughout his nearly 32-year television acting career, the essential Bill Bixby television persona is that of an everyman who makes the fantastical seem plausible.

Bill’s career breakthrough in Hollywood came in 1962 when he landed a starring role in the science-fiction television sitcom “My Favorite Martian,” which aired on CBS between 1963 and 1966 over three seasons. In “My Favorite Martian,” Bill plays Tim O’Hara, an eager young newspaper reporter who, in the show’s pilot episode, discovers a crashed spaceship and its Martian pilot, a Mars-based anthropologist played by Ray Walston. “Growing up in the 1960s, I was a big fan of “My Favorite Martian,” and a lot of the show’s appeal, for me, had to do with the impact that Bill made as an everyman,” says magician David Copperfield. “We dreamed, and experienced a sense of awe and wonder, through Bill’s eyes. As an actor, Bill was the man who experienced, and observed, crazy and impossible things. He was relatable. Bill played us.”

In the NBC television series “The Magician,” which aired between 1973 and 1974 for one season, Bill plays Anthony (Tony) Blake, a famous jet-setting stage illusionist who uses his performing skills to solve crimes. Bill himself

was a competent amateur magician. “I think that Bill was underrated as a performer, both as an actor and as a magician,” says Copperfield, who appeared alongside Bill in Copperfield’s 1979 CBS television special, “The Magic of David Copperfield II,” which Bill hosted. “I think that Bill was better than most, if not all, actors who performed magic on television. Bill was cool. He very much acted like, and certainly looked like, a real magician. Again, I found Bill to be so believable and relatable. With “The Magician,” I believed that Bill, playing a magician, knew what he was doing.”

Of course Bill is best remembered–largely due to the proliferation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe–for the Marvel Comics-based television series “The Incredible Hulk,” which aired on CBS between 1977 and 1982 over five seasons.

In “The Incredible Hulk,” Bill plays Dr. David Banner, a brilliant scientist who becomes a fugitive after a cell-altering process causes him to transform into the show’s titular monstrous green being, played by Lou Ferrigno, whenever Banner experiences great anger or stress. “[Bill] was my first, and only, choice for David Banner,” said Kenneth Johnson, the show’s creator and executive producer. “The network [was] very happy that I convinced Bill to come aboard. He was just terrific as David Banner.”

Following the end of the series, Bill and Ferrigno reprised their roles from the series in the 1988 NBC made-fortelevision film “The Incredible Hulk Returns,” followed by the films “The Trial of the Incredible Hulk” (1989) and “The Death of the Incredible Hulk,” both of which were directed by Bill. “Bill took me under his wing and taught me a lot,” said Ferrigno. “He was the first star [whom] I ever met. Bill was very genuine, quick, witty. I remember being so proud when Bill said to me: ‘Your character has connected with the public.’”

Born and raised in the bustling city of San Francisco, California, actor Bill Bixby, best remembered for the television series “The Incredible Hulk,” nonetheless discovered and fell in love with the outdoor lifestyle at an early age.

Throughout his childhood and teenage years, Bill spent many summers vacationing with his parents in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, specifically within the range’s Cisco Grove region, where Bill’s mother’s family owned an acreage

compound. Between 1955 and 1957, Bill spent much of his summers working as a bellhop and fledgling entertainment organizer at the Jackson Lake Lodge in remote northwestern Wyoming.

In July 1971, as a wedding present to his first wife, actress Brenda Benet, Bill purchased 110 acres of land alongside the beautiful McKenzie River in Lane County, Oregon. Bill’s ranch, which was known as the Hidden Valley Ranch, served as his primary vacation home and sanctuary throughout the rest of his career and life.

Whenever Bill visited Oregon, he stayed at the property’s main house, which could accommodate four people and offered a clear view of the surrounding McKenzie River Valley. Off to the west, there was Finn Creek, which ran behind the property’s barn and slaughter house.

To manage the property, the land and ranch, Bill selected his beloved maternal aunt, Ellen Hayes, who lived in Oregon until her death in 1997, and her husband, Ernest Hayes, who died in Oregon in 1986. “They [Ellen and Ernest] did a fair job of buying and registering cattle and maintaining the buildings and land,” said Ellen’s son, John Schubert, who died in June 2022. “Financially, the ranch wasn’t profitable, self-sufficient, nor would I say that it was a money pit. Bill loved the ranch. He needed someone to manage the ranch, and he was very happy with how [Ernest] and Mom took care of the property while Bill was in California.”

Diagnosed with cancer, Bill made his last visit to the beautiful Hidden Valley Ranch in Oregon, where he celebrated Christmas with family, including his Aunt Ellen and mother Jane. Bill died on November 21, 1993, in California, at the age of 59.

Lou Ferrigno & Bill Bixby in The Incredible Hulk November 4, 1977 –May 12, 1982

Bill Bixby & Ray Walston in My Favorite Martian September 29, 1963 – May 1, 1966

Bill Bixby as Tony Blake in The Magician March 17, 1973 – April 15, 1974

LOU FERRIGNO/BILL BIXBY

From 1978-1982, The Hulk series aired on CBS starring Bill Bixby as Dr. David Bruce Banner and Lou Ferrigno as The Hulk. Dr. Banner is a widowed physician-scientist presumed dead who travels the U.S. with fake identities, trying to earn money to cure or pacify his dark secret while helping others in need. Interestingly, the series premiered with a 2 hour made-for-TV pilot movie, which aired on November 4, 1977. The TV series, whose adventure and excitement got rave reviews unlike the pilot movie, pioneered the quote: “Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” In 1988, New World Television purchased the film rights from MCA/Universal and produced three TV movies: The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988), The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989), and The Death of the Incredible Hulk (1990), the latter two directed by Bill Bixby. The TV series and TV movies, while lesser known among Marvel buffs, remain cult classics and were genesis to the later movies to come.

EDWARD NORTON

The Incredible Hulk (2008) is a standalone movie by Universal Studios. While not as iconic or prolific as Mark Ruffalo, this movie rebooted The Hulk for the New Millennium after almost 20 years since the last Hulk movie with Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. Here, the origin story comes right away–a scientist struck by gamma rays, causing super size and strength–followed by Bruce Banner (Ed Norton) running from the U.S. Army and General Ross, as well as the government agency S.H.I.E.L.D. Culminating in a showdown with Abomination (Tim Roth), The Hulk seeks refuge to understand how his two personalities work together (or don’t). While the plot is lean, this Hulk movie is fun, exciting, and well worth a watch. Rated PG-13.

MARK RUFFALO

Mark’s film credit as The Hulk is widespread, starting with The Avengers (2012) and spanning 10+ years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including all Avengers movies, Thor:Ragnarok (2017), She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022) TV show, and countless cameos. It’s no wonder Mark Ruffalo is the face of Bruce Banner and The Hulk these days. What’s refreshing is the much-needed humor that Mark brings to this role, yet he also brings a seriousness and fear surrounding the appearance of The Hulk. In these movie, Bruce Banner is a genius physicist whose fascinating story unfolds over 5 films, which presents a challenge because you can’t watch his story all at once, as there is no standalone Hulk movie in the current MCU due to Universal still owning solo movie rights. At one point in his story, The Hulk leaves Earth to go live on another planet entirely. At another, Bruce and Hulk form a collective being named Smart Hulk, sharing mind and body. If you’ve never seen the modern MCU, or if you’re ready for a rewatch, you’re in for a treat. Rated PG-13.

Incredible Hulk #1 was printed in May 1962 by Marvel Comics, created by legendary comic creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Interestingly, The Hulk was at first gray, but due to printing issues was changed to green. Over 6+ decades there have been almost countless movies and comics with appearances by The Strongest One There Is. The Hulk has come a long way since 1962. The Hulk is intellectual property jointly-owned by Disney/Marvel and Universal Pictures.

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

Enjoy the Outdoors No Matter the Weather!

By Colton Womack, Contributing Writer

Oregon is a state best known for its scenic landscape, and with it comes a thorough experience of the four seasons. It’s important to be able to enjoy the outdoors no matter the weather, and better yet if it’s from the comfort of your own patio – whether it be a family get-together, a barbecue, or simply a private retreat. This was a need felt strongly by the good people at Crown Patio Covers, a business locally owned by a husband and wife team born and raised in Oregon.

They graduated from Oregon State University in 2004. With a passion for business ownership, and wanting to have a positive impact on their local community, the patio cover business was a perfect fit. It also gave them the opportunity to show their two kids, ages 8 and 10, what it looks like to work hard and meet the needs of others. They built an all-star team from the best people in the industry, made up of folks with up to 15 years of experience, and sought to fill a niche that wasn’t being served in their community: high quality, affordable patio covers to expand outdoor living spaces.

What separates Crown Patio Covers is their culture and the quality of their products. Offering services from North Salem all the way up to Vancouver, they cover the wider Portland Metro area. Using aluminum framing, double-layered acrylic paneling, and with a hefty snow load, these patio covers won’t yellow, brittle or break –unlike the poly-carbonate of their competitors! With complete UV protection, and a variety of transparency options, the customer is able to tailor how much light comes through so they can enjoy the beauty of the open sky while still having shelter.

A design consultant will also advise customers on their services and options, even helping to develop custom designs to match their needs. With clear communication and reliable installation, they’ve made sure the process of purchasing with them is a breeze. It’s this customer-first approach that allows Crown Patio Covers to help people spend more time with friends and family in the backyard, and have fewer rainy days spoil the fun!

Give Crown Patio Covers a call at 503-406-9111, or check out their website crownpatiocovers.com for more information.

Repair or Renovation

CJ’s Home Solutions can help with major projects

learning everything possible about residential construction. “Julie is 100% hands on,” says Chris. Together they work all aspects of the business as a team, drawing upon one another’s strengths to provide their clients with the best possible result.

By Patti Jo Brooks, Contributing Writer

Photos By Laurel Bice

Dirt to doorknobs,” and everything in between! Looking to add that fence you’ve been talking about? Or complete the patio job that was started before the pandemic? Maybe you’re dreaming of your own custom-built home. CJ’s Home Solutions, your local residential construction company, will build your project to perfection. No job is too big or too small. Serving the greater Dallas area, CJ’s Home Solutions builds quality first. They are punctual, excellent communicators, and pay great attention to detail. Dallas can count themselves fortunate to have a construction company in their own backyard with the values, skills, and reputation of CJ’s Home Solutions.

An enterprising young company, CJ’s Home Solutions was founded by Chris Dawson and Julie Olson to capitalize on Chris’s 30-plus-years of experience in the construction industry and Julie’s exceptional business knowledge and people skills. Julie, who is relatively new to the construction business, relates, “I’ve been dealing with people my whole life and part of business is dealing with people.” She also provides administrative organization, structure, and discipline to the company culture which plays a huge role in their success. Julie, who also “slings a hammer,” just jumped in and started

“We do what we say we’re going to do. We show up. We call them,” Chris and Julie say when asked what customers appreciate about working with CJ’s Home Solutions. In addition, the company’s standards of workmanship are constantly scrutinized by Julie’s keen eye for attention to detail and evaluated for quality control. It’s important that clients know, “I’m going to have your back,” Julie comments. “Even if that means re-doing something.” Ultimately, every job has to pass her “Would I accept it?” test. Jobs that require more than a twoperson team are handled in a number of qualified ways. Personal contacts who are industry professionals may be called upon; other situations find the use of subcontractors or hiring skilled labor through temp agencies to be the most efficient course of action. Regardless of the source of additional help, CJ’s Home Solutions maintains the position of project manager. “We oversee everything and make sure everything is done to our standards,” Chris promises.

While Julie gains more experience, Chris writes the bids and provides the high-level skills. Both engage with the

customers. Julie acknowledges that “Chris is naturally patient and listens carefully to the client’s input and concerns.” Chris notes that Julie brings her “business savvy” to the partnership; and as Julie puts it, she was the “missing part” in Chris’ past ventures. “There’s really nothing that we can’t do,” they say, though each has their own favorite projects. Julie loves framing and foundation work, while Chris is partial to siding, sheetrock and tile, though he quickly adds, “I like doing everything.” With plenty of happy customers and a healthy referral business, CJ’s Home Solutions should provide Chris and Julie with years of successful projects.

Chris and Julie have both lived in the area for over 20 years. They met on-the-job when Julie came to work for Chris’s brother. Partners in life as well as business, Chris and Julie enjoy a blended family of 8 children and 11

grandchildren between them. Julie’s youngest lives with them, a high school senior who will be headed to college in the fall. The children are all in various

professions outside the construction business. Julie enjoys camping with her children, and Chris likes to get together as much as possible with his as they all live close by.

Looking towards the future, Julie’s goal and dream for CJ’s Home Solutions is to grow and develop the business across the entire Pacific Northwest and California, as well as in the Midwest where she has family. Taking her goal one step at a time, CJ’s Home Solutions will soon be licensed in Washington State. As business grows to the point where employees are needed, Chris has qualified individuals standing by who are ready to join the team when the time comes.

CJ’s Home Solutions invites you to visit their website at cjshomesolutionsllc. com and Yelp page featuring a gallery of 42 photos. Call (541)801-4300 or email cjshsconstruction@gmail.com for info.

We offer a comprehensive safety policy, outstanding communication, and personalized service. Our crew is easy to work with and provides exceptional, long-lasting results.