Dallas Community Advantage Magazine June 2023

The Concrete Advantage.

THIS PATIO WAS BUILT BY A HOMEOWNER!

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

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Louie Louie!

Portland band contributes to Rock and Roll History

By Robert Matsumura, Contributing Writer

There’s something about the song “Louie Louie” by the Kingsmen that to this day gets people on their feet and out on the dance floor. So impactful is the song, in fact, that it’s been honored for its influence on the history of rock and roll, and earned recognition in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, “Rolling Stone” magazine, and the National Endowment of the Arts. Were you aware, however, that this famous song, and the band that performed it, are from Portland, Oregon?

The Kingsmen formed in Portland, Oregon in 1959. As teenagers, they performed at high school parties, dances and supermarket openings, covering popular music on the radio. In time, the Kingsmen developed into one of the top bands in the Portland area, but it wasn’t until 1963 that they actually produced their first recording. The song “Louie Louie,” and an instrumental piece, “Haunted Castle,” were produced on a tape which the Kingsmen used for an audition on a cruise ship. The entire recording session cost $36. Although they failed to land the gig, Jerry Dennon, a Seattle record producer, pressed a few hundred copies on his regional label, Jerden. Although Northwest music fans knew “Louie Louie” as released by Richard Berry (1956) and the Wailers (1961), the song wasn’t familiar in other regions. Eventually, the Kingsmen’s version reached the East Coast and earned air time on a couple of Boston radio stations, generating a massive response from listeners. Dennon subsequently negotiated a deal with New York’s Wand label for mass production and distribution of the song. Wand held up their end of

the bargain, and “Louie Louie” exploded in several markets, skyrocketing up the charts.

As the song’s popularity began to wane, a controversy regarding the lyrics arose. The record was banned from sales and airplay in certain states in response to teens nationwide believing the lyrics contained obscene words. As one might expect, this only stimulated interest in the song, to the extent that the FBI investigated the band, tracking them across the country for over a year. They ultimately deemed the recording “unintelligible.” Wand reissued “Louie Louie” in 1964 (and in 1965 and 1966) where the record reached #2 in Billboard and #1 in Cashbox. The Kingsmen’s first LP resulted from a live recording in 1963 at The Chase, a teen nightclub in Milwaukee, Oregon. “Money,” their second Wand single, came from this live LP. At one point, the Kingsmen had two singles and three LPs on the charts simultaneously.

In 1965, the Kingsmen set 56 consecutive attendance records in colleges, ballrooms, arenas, state fairs and community dances, and became the #1 touring band in the U.S. They appeared in concert and on television with British acts such as The Rolling Stones, The Zombies, The Kinks and others. North American bands such as The Righteous Brothers, The Beach Boys, The Four Seasons, The Isley Brothers, The Guess Who, and The Byrds also featured them. The Kingsmen appeared on top TV music shows including “Shindig,” “Hullabaloo,” “American Bandstand,” and even the beach party movie “How to Stuff a Wild Bikini.”

So, the next time you hear “Louie Louie” playing on the radio or at an event, know that this legendary rock and roll classic, and the band that made it popular, originated right here in Oregon!

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.

A Slice of Heaven

Family-run business puts community first

And staying local goes beyond the ownership, because in either store you’ll find managers Barb (from Dallas) and Josh (from Salem), who met as teens while working at Papa Murphy’s 14 years ago. What began as teenage romance turned to marriage, and they’re a team who’s incredibly dedicated to delicious food and managing a successful business. “I love making pizza,” Barb said. Josh agreed and added, “For me, it’s been about the people.”

By Dennis McNabb, Staff Writer

Photos by Laurel Bice

Take ‘N’ Bake pizza is really the best of both worlds. All the benefits — dough from scratch, fresh vegetables, blockshredded 100% mozzarella cheese — baked piping hot in your own home. Pizza parlors can be noisy and uncomfortable. Delivery pizza can be rubbery and lukewarm. Frozen pizza isn’t even in the same ballpark. Take ‘N’ Bake is the only way to go when it comes to great pizza, and Papa Murphy’s is the best in the business.

In 1994, two highly successful Take ‘N’ Bake chains merged: Papa Aldo’s, founded in Hillsboro in 1981, and Murphy’s, founded in Petaluma, California in 1984. Together they formed Papa Murphy’s and have since won numerous accolades and become the largest Take ‘N’ Bake pizza brand in the country. Their core mission is simple: Take the hard work out of mealtime so you can focus on family and friends. It’s easy to understand why this has proven to be such a winning formula.

Fresh, daily-made, and convenient are among the reasons Bob and Leah Ann Parken opened their Dallas and Monmouth franchises. Recently they moved their Monmouth location into a larger, better building. “It’s been a big change,” Bob and Leah Ann said. They’ve run their franchise stores for 11+ years, and they are deeply rooted in the local communities. Since 2011, both franchises have been owned and operated by Bob and Leah Ann, who love to live and work locally.

Monmouth Papa Murphy’s is located right next to Roth’s, and their drive-up window has been convenient for grocery-getters and a great feature for business. If you enjoy the experience of watching your pizza being hand-made from scratch in store, that’s an option too! They also feature a Market Place cooler stocked with pre-made cookie dough or salads, a popular option for a quick lunch. And the Dallas store also features a smaller “Grab-and-Go” cooler.

Let’s talk about the food! Every day they chop and prep 30+ ingredients and daily-make the dough from scratch—no freezers on site! Pizzas are available in Thin, Original, Fresh Pan (thick), Stuffed, Keto (crustless), and Gluten-Free crust. A cool menu item they have is the Mini Murph Pepperoni or Cheese, a make-at-home mini pizza kit! They also offer fresh side Salads, from scratch 5-Cheese Bread, desserts, and 2-liter sodas. When you’re hungry and ready to order online from Papa Murphy’s, it’s easy to use for both pickup and delivery orders at order.papamurphys.com.

Although Papa Murphy’s is a nationwide chain they are not all corporately-owned, and many franchisees are small “mom and pop” teams who live in and care passionately for their communities. Bob and Leah Ann are incredibly generous and dedicated members of the community, donating time, effort, and money to support the communities they serve. They work closely with local schools and sport clubs (like Dallas Kids Inc,) to help raise funds. And they work with The Giving Table, donating 10-15 pizzas per store for weeks per year to local food-insecure families and foster kids in the community. This is the key difference between corporate-owned chain restaurants and locally-owned “mom and pop” restaurants like these–Bob and Leah Ann live in, work in, and support their local community!

Dallas and Monmouth Papa Murphy’s are locally-owned and -operated! They’re a family business invested in their communities. Their pizza is fresh and delicious, made from scratch every day, and offered in more versions than you’d even think possible! For pizza and much more, give them a call, check out their website, or stop in today.

Papa Murphy’s Dallas is located at 244 E Ellendale Ave Suite 103 in Dallas. You can reach them at (503) 623-9900. Papa Murphy’s Monmouth is located at 1473 Monmouth Independence Hwy in Monmouth. You can reach them at (503) 838-4111. Order online at papamurphys.com/order/.

Zucchini, Artichoke Hearts, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Mixed Onions, Herb & Cheese Blend, Mozzarella, Creamy Garlic

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.

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

American Graffiti (1979) Luca (2021)

“Stand by for justice!” Directed and co-written by George Lucas and produced by Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather), “American Graffiti” was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. Set in 1962 in central California, with all its hot rods and small-town nostalgia, the movie stars Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Mackenzie Phillips, Paul LeMat, among many others. The story follows a group of high school students at the end of summer–some are going away to college (or so they think) and some are destined to be townies, while others are more focused on street racing, love, or underage drinking. My favorite thing about this movie is how otherworldly it is–you really feel pulled into the bygone era, with the slang, music, fashion, and culture–it’s a total experience. The fact that it’s a perfect slice of life–a day in the life of California teens in the 60s–is the cherry on top. Rated PG due to its age, but with mature themes, fighting, drag racing, and language, I’d call this PG-13 for older kids and adults.

“That’s called phantom tail. You’ll get used to it. “Luca” is utter eye candy, a gorgeous summer film that washes over you with all its colors. Taking place in a fictional 50s Italian Riviera, with director Enrico Casarosa drawing from his very own childhood, “Luca” feels like a summer period-piece: it’s classic, warm, relaxed, tropical, and yet somehow boundless, stretching like the blue-green sea. The movie is a coming-of-age story following the title character, Luca, a boy sea-monster who wants nothing more than to visit and explore the human village of Portorosso. Luca and his best friend, Alberto, also a sea-monster, befriend a kind human named Giulia, and proceed to have that unforgettable summer you can only experience as a kid. Interestingly enough, like “Brave” and “Frozen,” there’s no love interest! But there is bromance (aka friendship), and it’s wonderful to watch. There’s also Vespas, bicycle races, fishing, swimming, and all kinds of meditation on identity and accepting who you are. Rated PG for rude humor and brief violence, it’s great for the whole family!

Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead (1991)

“I’m right on top of that, Rose.”

One of my desert island movies, “Don’t Tell Mom” is a cult classic you might have never heard of. Released in 1991 and starring Christina Applegate, Keith Coogan, Joanna Cassidy, David Duchovny, and others, it’s like a twisted take on “Home Alone,” where five siblings are left alone all summer when their mom goes to Australia and their evil babysitter dies. What follows is a more mature if still ridiculous story of kids left alone–Sue Ellen, the eldest daughter, finagles her way into a fashion career to provide for the family, and Kenny, the eldest son, watches Julia Child and becomes a homemaker and cares for his younger siblings. As their lies become more twisted and their fake life becomes more elaborate, everything peaks during a fashion event hosted at their home. It’s dark, hilarious, sweet, coming-of-age, and a great peek into 90s culture. Rated PG-13 for language and mature themes, reserve this for the older kids and adults.

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

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.

Grappling for Greatness

Dallas’ first-ever girls wrestling state champ

Polly’s state finals match-up in the 105-pound division was actually a rematch of the district finals a few weeks earlier — which she’d lost. In the district meet, Sienna Caruso of Crater High School had managed to best Polly with her expertise in leg riding — a highly effective and often tricky-todefend-against move. “That made me motivated,” Polly says. “I was upset that I lost, and I did my homework so she wouldn’t beat me that same way again.”

When the rematch came in the state championships, Polly was ready. “I have a teammate, Lorenzo Ramiro, who is really good at leg riding and he’s heavier than me,” she says. “So, we just worked on that in practice, over and over again, and I got pretty good at defending against leg riding. By the time she faced me, she couldn’t get me with that anymore.”

By Tyler Francke, Contributing Writer

Going an entire year without winning a single match might discourage most student-athletes when they’re first starting out in a new sport. But Dallas High School sophomore and newly crowned 5A girls wrestling state champion Polly Olliff is not most student-athletes.

When she first started wrestling in fifth grade, not only was she new to the sport but there were no other girls for her to wrestle on opposing teams. So, she wrestled boys — with predictable results.

“My first year, I didn’t win a single match,” Polly recalls. Instead of getting discouraged, the losses only motivated her to work hard and get better. “In the sixth grade, I started winning,” she continues. “And in eighth grade, I got really good.”

Polly, who also plays tennis and runs cross country, was inspired to try out wrestling by her younger brother, who has been participating in the sport since third grade. “It looked like fun,” she says simply.

At Dallas High School, her fellow athletes didn’t initially take kindly to girls joining the wrestling squad. Girls had come out for wrestling in the past, but as a general rule, quit before the season ended.

“They were a bit cold to us, saying, ‘Why join if you’re just going to quit?’” Polly recalls. “I just kind of ignored them and kept doing my own thing. And I proved myself to them and we were totally cool the next year. I think that helped pave a pathway for new girls to come.” The success Polly experienced this season certainly won’t hurt.

Polly became Dallas’ first-ever state champ in girls wrestling and its first state champion in any sport for many years. “It felt amazing,” she recalls. “I was kind of shocked at first, kind of in awe. It wasn’t until later in the day that I could catch my breath and realize I had done something really important. It was pretty exciting.”

More good news came in April, when the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) announced that girls wrestling would become an officially sanctioned high school sport in the state. “It’s about time,” Polly says with a laugh. “I think it’s important for girls to learn how to defend themselves, and it teaches you hard work, which is an important skill for life, career and school, not just athletics.”

Next year, Polly says she hopes to work hard, stay in shape and work to grow her school’s girls wrestling program. And, of course, she has a title to defend.

Mighty House

Quality carpet cleaning guaranteed

with two beautiful young kids of his own now, and he loves running a business that allows him to make a living while still balancing time with his family. In addition, each day is a new adventure bringing fresh challenges and variety to his work. Especially with living in the Northwest, where we can have such inclement weather, researching and discovering new ways to get all manner of dirt, sap and ground-in plant particles out of your carpets can be quite a challenge to overcome.

Perhaps Josh’s most impressive quality, beyond his diligence and commitment to quality service, is his charming and friendly demeanor. “One of the most important aspects of this business is customer service,” he said. “I’m going into peoples’ homes. I can clean their carpets better than anyone in town but if I’m not personable — if I’m not giving them the best customer service they’ve ever had, I don’t get called back”. Josh’s friendly persona is not simply an act he puts on for the job, however. He genuinely is a really nice guy, and his main concern is doing the best job possible to clean your carpets and making you feel comfortable having him in your home on top of it.

What sets Josh apart from other carpet cleaners, you may be asking? Well, besides the fact that he’s going to be your new best friend, Josh has set up his business in such a way as to virtually guarantee your satisfaction. First of all, he has taken all the guess-work out of his pricing. He has a very straightforward and simple cost structure with NO HIDDEN FEES! You know exactly what you will be paying before he even arrives at your house, and his prices are both affordable and competitive.

Secondly, Josh is the owner and sole operator of Mighty Clean. There are no other employees working for him. He’s THE guy; the one you will speak to on the phone, and the one you will meet in person when he comes to your house, each and every time. He’s also the guy who takes pride in his business and

By Dennis McNabb, Staff Writer

Just ask Josh Vorderstrasse, owner and operator of Mighty Clean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Service in Yamhill County. He knows this business better than most, which he can attribute to the early start he got back in the seventh grade. His father started the business down in Salem in 1995, and Josh would go to work for his dad during his winter and summer breaks from school. Initially it was just that; a parttime, “helping out Dad” type of venture. Eventually though, Josh came to realize he sincerely enjoyed the work and once he was old enough, decided to branch out independently. He bought himself a van and the requisite equipment and started his own branch of the business servicing the Newberg and McMinnville area.

“What really appealed to me,” Josh says, “was the flexibility in the work and the hours, as well as the personal relationships I’m able to build with my customers.” Josh is a family man

does a superior job without any of the petty shortcuts you might get from some of his competitors. Even if you have a particularly difficult stain or spot, he will do his absolute best to get it clean without nickel-and-diming you for extra

chemicals needed for the job. Josh doesn’t limit himself to just cleaning carpets, by the way. He’s also a pro when it comes to freshening up your upholstery, including couches, loveseats and recliners. As always, these services come at easy and affordable fixed prices. He can do pet treatments, deodorizers, stain guards, deep soil extractions and emergency water extractions. Josh can even venture outside to clean the fabrics in your vehicle, boat or RV! Made a huge sticky mess last time you went through the drive-through? Let Josh come and take care of it for you. He’ll return it to its former glory, or even better.

On the commercial side, Josh can spruce up that dingy old office carpet for you in a jiffy. No office is too big or too small; the pricing structure is just based on square footage in this case (which is 20 cents per square foot). He can also take on any multi-family dwelling such as a condo or apartment complex and has separate specials for those as well.

The bottom line is this: without a doubt, Josh is going to earn your repeated business. He’s going to show up on time, he’s going to win you over with his friendly personality, and he’s going to deliver the best cleaning your carpets and upholstery have ever had. Don’t wait through another season with dingy, dirty carpets.

Call him up at 503-956-6148 to schedule your service today!

Blast from the Past

Family-friendly event features steam power, classic vehicles and much more

By Kelly Romo, Contributing Writer

The ultimate family-friendly event is back! On the weekends of July 29–30, and Aug. 5–6, join Powerland Heritage Park for two weekends of non-stop fun, incredible steam engine demonstrations and activities at Powerland Heritage Park. For more than 50 years, SteamUp has been a cherished tradition in Oregon that draws local families and enthusiasts from all over the country to experience this unique display of vintage machines and their power. These are the machines that helped build Oregon.

Managed entirely by dedicated volunteers, Powerland Heritage Park is a remarkable testament to the power of community and history. The park encompasses more than 62

acres with 14 museums covering everything from classic cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles to steam-powered machinery more than 100 years old.

Among the museum gems, visitors can witness the oldest unrestored school bus in the United States, see the first truck Fred Meyer used to deliver groceries and catch a massive engine that used to power Mount Hood. Visitors can also hop aboard a 1927 double-decker trolley or the Willow Creek Railroad (1/8th scale) for rides.

Beyond the museums and steam engines, the Great Oregon Steam-Up offers demonstrations of wheat threshing, logging and flour milling, as well as a fascinating Swap Meet with more than 100 vendors. Visitors can explore antique and vintage goods, including farm tools, collectible toys and unique home décor items. With so many vendors, there is sure to be something for everyone to discover.

Food vendors are also available on site so visitors can enjoy delicious snacks and meals while exploring all this remarkable event has to offer.

One of the highlights of the Great Oregon Steam-Up is the daily parade at 1 p.m. This parade showcases dozens of steam traction engines, antique tractors and other classic vehicles as they move through the park in a dazzling display of engineering and history.

Visitors can see these magnificent machines up close and even experience the power and thunder of a steam traction engine first hand. This year’s parade will feature machines more than a century old. So make sure to mark your calendars for this unforgettable spectacle!

For young visitors, Powerland Heritage Park offers the Youth Passport Program, a fun and interactive way to engage with the park’s many museums and exhibits. Kids can pick up a passport and lanyard to collect stamps and pins for each exhibit they explore. With up to 14 museums to visit, there is plenty of excitement and discovery for everyone.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event that brings together history enthusiasts from near and far! Visit The Great Oregon Steam-Up this summer!

For more information and the latest on this year’s Great Oregon Steam-Up, visit powerlandheritagepark.com. You can also Like and follow The Great Oregon Steam-Up Facebook page at facebook.com/thegreatoregonsteamup.

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