Gorge Local West Community Advantage Magazine June 2023

Stamp of Approval

Stamped concrete and outdoor living done right

By Kelly Romo, Contributing Writer

More homeowners and businesses are turning to stamped concrete for durability and ease of maintenance in outdoor environments. It lasts longer than synthetic or wood decking and isn’t prone to sinking and shifting like pavers. It is extremely versatile and functions well on a patio, driveway or walkway. It’s the perfect solution for a customized look that enhances your property’s aesthetic and natural beauty.

Stamp the Earth Concrete owner John Frazer has been in business for more than 11 years. Born and raised in the Gorge, he learned his techniques from Allen Boucher, owner of ArtForm Concrete — one of the first contractors to do decorative concrete in the Gorge. John can create patterns, textures and colors in any design you can imagine, and build stunning water features, retaining walls and countertops.

John uses special stamps on the surface of fresh concrete. The designs, textures and colors can take on the look of stone, slate, brick, flagstone or even wood. He will work with you to choose the perfect custom look to enhance your property.

Stamped concrete is also easy to maintain. Blowing and rinsing with a hose is usually enough to keep a stamped concrete patio or driveway clean. The product is very durable and can withstand a wide range of weather conditions. Keeping it sealed and avoiding ice melt chemicals — they will burn off the top layer — will ensure the long life of the product.

When John is not working, he is hiking and exploring the waterfalls and the natural beauty of the Gorge or volunteering for Senior Services. He also does fun weekend projects with his 14-year-old son to teach him decorative concrete techniques and how to use all the tools of the trade.

Discover John’s work on his website at stamptheearth.com or Facebook.com/stamptheearth.

Stamp the Earth serves the greater Columbia Gorge area. Contact John at 503-730-4629 or john@stamptheearth.com for a free, no-obligation consultation, where you can learn about the beautiful styles and custom shades of concrete that will add beauty and value to your property — just in time for summer.

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.

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

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.

Insuring Your Peace of Mind

Expert team simplifies health insurance

By Alice Williams, Contributing Writer

For those of you who have been auto-renewed for your health insurance in the last three years because of the pandemic, you need to take action to keep your health insurance. Saldivar Insurance, a partner agent, has received a grant from the State of Oregon based on its demonstrated ties to the community, its ability to reach underserved populations, and its capacity to serve consumers whether they are eligible for HealthCare.gov plans or other programs, such as the Oregon Health Plan or Medicare. This grant allows them to help, for free, those who need to take action to prevent disruption of their health insurance coverage.

Renewing or picking a health insurance plan is a complicated process. Most of us only have to think about health insurance enrollment once a year. The Saldivar Insurance group are individuals who bring their unique talents together to create a championship-like team who tackle insurance enrollment every day. They make finding the most acceptable plan look easy. They start by asking questions about your life and help you decipher what your specific needs are. “We don’t recommend a plan. Instead, we educate you on your plan options, so when you land on one, you will know exactly why,” says Shanon Saldivar.

Your first step is to log in or create an account at ohp.oregon. gov. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date with the State of Oregon so you get the important messages about keeping your benefits. Once you get your renewal or denial of renewal, Saldivar Insurance is here to help you. You can contact them over the phone, online or by calling to meet in person.

Saldivar Insurance educates consumers about insurance both in schools and in businesses. And each member of the team has strong ties to the community in which they serve.

Shanon Salvidar’s career in the insurance industry started in 2002. She has volunteer experience serving as a board member

of One Community Health, a member of the State of Oregon Sustainable Health Care Cost Growth Target Implementation Committee, a vice chair of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace Advisory Committee, a steering committee member of The Next Door of the Columbia Gorge and an Urban Renewal Committee member. In addition, she was a chaperone with Distinguished Young Women.

Rosa Castro has been in the insurance world since the spring of 2020. Before this, she was the patient resource counselor for a local hospital association for 10 years. Many skills she mastered in that role translate well to the health insurance industry. In addition, Rosa is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Maddy Bradford joined the insurance industry in 2020. She graduated

in June 2020 from Eastern Oregon University with a bachelor’s in Business Administration. She was born and raised in The Dalles and gives back to her community by coaching a local softball team.

Ginger Cimmiyotti Wagenblast works with Saldivar Insurance during open enrollment and has been in the

insurance industry since 2005. She ran her own health insurance program in the beginning days of the Affordable Care Act.

Karla Najera joined the Saldivar team in 2023. She is a graduate of The Dalles High School. Her voice, most likely the first of the team you will hear, projects competence and confidence.

In addition to individual health insurance and Medicare coverage, Saldivar Insurance can help you obtain long-term, life, and group health insurance. They look forward to hearing from you.

Saldivar Insurance is located at 515A E 2nd Street in The Dalles. Please give them a call at (541) 506-3773 or visit their website at saldivar-insurance.com.