MOL ALL A
INCLUDES COLTON & MULINO
COMMUNITY ADVANTAGE
Molalla Community Advantage Magazine
FEB/MAR 2025
Published by
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
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Angie Helvey Lucas Holmgren
Robert Matsumura Dennis McNabb
Peter Murphy Edward Novak
Malia Riggs Kelly Romo
Gretchen Van Lente Ty Walker
Justin Woomer Kerry Yu
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MJ Media Productions Andrew Sambuceto
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TASTE OF THE TOWN Chepitas Mexican Restaurant
GREAT FOOD GREAT PEOPLE
HOURS
Wed & Thu: 8:30am - 8:00pm
Friday: 8:30am - 8:30pm
Saturday: 8:00am - 8:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am - 7:00pm
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Press Start for Fun!
Local arcade offers retro gaming and old fashioned fun
By Dennis McNabb, Active Media
It might be difficult to imagine now but in the late 70s and early 80s arcade gaming was one of the hottest trends on the market. At the height of its popularity in 1982, a whopping 13,000 arcades could be found dotting our country’s landscape (as opposed to just over 5,000 now). After only five short years, however, several emerging factors negatively impacted the industry and led to the Video Game Crash of 1983. Massive closures brought an end to the “Golden Era.” That said, arcades never entirely disappeared and there have even been a handful of resurgences over the years. While it is highly unlikely that the industry’s popularity will ever reach such heights as it did in its heyday, retro gaming arcades are proving to draw especially enthusiastic crowds eager to sink their quarters into those nostalgic games they grew up on. In the Molalla area, there is no one more prepared to deliver that old-school charm than High Score Arcade!
Owners Corinne and Kurt Thomas just opened up to the public back in August of 2024 and they absolutely live for the unadulterated joy they witness on people’s faces as they walk through their doors and “reconnect” with their favorite classic games. Kurt is a retired Army veteran with a penchant for purchasing old electronic devices and restoring them to sell. Arcade games were just one of the many items he enjoyed working on but after recognizing a scarcity in the local market for an entertainment venue that the whole family could enjoy, the seed of an idea was planted. He and Corinne discussed the idea of opening a video arcade, and after garnering support
from the rest of their family (who staff the arcade alongside Kurt and Corinne), the seed sprouted and High Score Arcade became a reality.
This is not your average “small-town” arcade either! Boasting an evolving selection of over 90 games, there is literally something here for every gamer. Classics like Tron, Zaxxon, DigDug, and Pac-Man sit comfortably nestled in between pinball machines, coin pushers, cranes, Skee-Ball and many more. They have a delicious snack bar that serves a delightful mixture of tasty treats and also acts as a redemption counter (for ticket games). They also serve beer, wine, and a
broad selection of mixed drinks! If you can’t find what you want to eat inside, the Cadillac Grille is parked just outside. A fantastic, locally-owned food truck, they offer a wider selection of mouth-watering dishes.
This endeavor is still in its infancy! Corinne and Kurt are incredibly excited to expand their square footage, add more games, add more entertainment, and add more fun, as business allows. They are already reserving the space for hosting birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, sporting event parties, and more. In the near future, they plan to have gaming tournaments, movie nights, and live music nights, but the sky is the limit! They are enthusiastic, warm, and welcoming people, so it’s only a matter of time before this business is a predominant
fixture on the Molalla landscape. Keep abreast of their ongoing developments by following them on Facebook.
Great food, great atmosphere, and great entertainment – what else could you ask for? With a 5-star rating on
Google, there is literally no place quite like High Score Arcade for a day of good, old-fashioned, wholesome, family fun!
High Score Arcade is located at 210 N. Molalla Ave.
Just Wing It
Family-owned downtown spot for wings & authentic Mexican cuisine
By Angie Helvey, Active Media
When you arrive at Casa De Caldos & Wingman and take in the aroma of fresh, hot chicken wings, authentic Mexican food and views of homemade tortillas handcrafted behind the counter, you know you’ve hit the jackpot. Molalla is growing daily and developing a bustling downtown full of locally owned shops and eateries. Casa De Caldos & Wingman joined the community in August 2023 and has already earned a following for what locals call the best tacos in the city.
Jessica Salazar and her family own the sister restaurants that began as separate entities and now operate under the same roof. Casa De Caldos opened in Woodburn in 2018 and served chicken wings from their Wingman food truck, but after shutting down the latter during the pandemic, they reemerged and opened a new location in Molalla that includes both businesses. “It’s two different restaurants put together,” Jessica explains. “We weren’t sure how it would work, but everybody really likes it so far.” Casa De Caldos in Woodburn is also still going strong, serving Mexican food minus the food truck. Jessica’s brother-in-law Gali Salazar is the face of Casa, especially in Woodburn. “He’s super friendly, and people look for him when they come in.”
The chicken wings at Casa are big and meaty, cooked until crispy, and either dredged in the housemade dry rubs or delectable sauces handcrafted by Jessica’s husband, Geovanny Salazar. “The sauces are all made from scratch. He spent two years perfecting his sauces in our home kitchen before we opened the food truck,” Jessica says. Bone-in or boneless wings are served in various quantities that are customizable to your appetite, and the sauces and rubs range from spicy, like the pineapple chipotle or mango habanero — with chunks of real fruit — to mild, like the garlic parmesan or maple bacon. Ranch or bleu cheese dressings are available for dipping.
The Casa De Caldos menu is where you’ll find mouthwatering authentic Mexican dishes, including several delicious soups perfect for warming your belly on a cold day. “My motherin-law Maricela and her whole family are from Oaxaca, so they’re all authentic Oaxacan recipes,” Jessica says. “The mole is very popular; it’s a little spicy and not too sweet.” Offerings include a mole plate, mole taco, mole burrito and enmoladas, which are corn tortillas in mole stuffed with shredded chicken and topped with cheese and sour cream.
Tacos come with your choice of meat, including lengua — cow tongue — a treasured delicacy in Mexico. The soups are rich and full of flavor, with varieties like caldo de res,
which is hearty beef stew; chilate de pollo, a spicy chicken stew, chicken tortilla; and Menudo, which features cow stomach with hominy, served with cilantro, onions and lime. The restaurant opens at 10 a.m. and fittingly offers a classic breakfast platter with pancakes, eggs, bacon and toast, or a loaded breakfast burrito.
The two eateries are housed in a cozy space with counter service, plenty of seating and big-screen TVs on the wall. Customers love the opportunity to see the magic happening in the kitchen. “We make homemade flour and corn tortillas by hand,” Jessica says. “Everything is from scratch. People always comment on how cool it is to watch behind the counter.” That includes homemade Agua Frescas to pair with your meal, like horchata or flavors of seasonal fresh fruit.
Casa De Caldos & Wingman is truly a family-run operation; most employees are family members, creating a casual, friendly vibe you can sense when you walk in the door. They’re still relatively new to Molalla, but they’ve received excellent feedback from the community. “We wanted to bring something new,” Jessica says. “With our whole kitchen
open for viewing and the authenticity of our cuisine, it’s a completely different experience.”
Casa De Caldos & Wingman is located at 160 Leroy Ave in Molalla. Please give them a call at 503-829-6292, or follow them on social media for more information.
You People (2023)
A fresh and modern rom-com that hilariously and awkwardly navigates the cultural clash between two families, the movie follows Ezra (Jonah Hill), who’s Jewish, and Amira (Lauren London), who’s Black and Muslim. While they’re deeply in love they struggle to bring their families together — a task that proves to be heartfelt, relatable, and funny. Ezra and Amira’s relationship, which portrays a love that feels tender and real, is challenged not by their own doubts but by the prejudices and misunderstandings of their families, played brilliantly by Eddie Murphy and Julia LouisDreyfus. This familial tug-of-war adds a layer of complexity to the movie, and suggests that love is shaped and tested by what we can’t control. For Valentine’s Day viewers, You People serves as both a cautionary tale and a celebration of the enduring power of love, with all its imperfections. Rated R for strong language and mature themes.
Say Anything (1989)
Few movies capture the essence of young love quite like Say Anything. Cameron Crowe’s cult classic is the perfect combination of passion, vulnerability, and grand romantic gestures. Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) is the prototypical lovestruck dreamer, chasing after Diane Court (Ione Skye), the class valedictorian with a complicated family life. What makes this movie so enduringly romantic is its simplicity: love here isn’t flashy but genuine. Lloyd’s now iconic boombox scene — a serenade to Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” — is pure movie magic and an example of the grand romantic gestures of the past. The movie’s ’80s vibe, with its mixtapes, payphones, and heartfelt rebelliousness, adds a certain nostalgic charm, perfect for those reminiscing about first loves. As a Valentine’s treat, Say Anything reminds us that love is about persistence, honesty, and embracing imperfection, even in a perfectly imperfect world. Rated PG-13 for mature themes.
Elemental (2023)
Pixar’s Elemental is a whimsical love story set in Element City, where fire, water, air, and earth coexist but rarely mix. The movie shines as a celebration of love’s ability to transcend differences. Ember, an obviously “fiery” and passionate character, meets Wade, a gentle, free-flowing water elemental, and their connection grows in spite of social rules and personal hesitancy. Their, ahem, “chemistry,” is both touching and playful, and a play on how opposites attract. Pixar’s hallmark storytelling and gorgeous animation bring the relationship to life, from awkward beginnings to heartfelt resolution. Ember and Wade’s journey is a reminder that true love isn’t about finding someone identical to you — it’s about embracing what makes you different. Perfect for kids and the young at heart, Elemental is a Valentine’s Day treat. Rated PG.
Stream these movies where available, or rent from your local movie store, library or rental kiosk.
Ingredients
8 ounces spaghetti
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
* Kosher salt and black pepper
1 shallot, halved and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 jar (6.3-ounce) sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 chicken bouillon cube (0.4-ounce)
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
Directions
In large pot, cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons oil
in large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and black pepper on both sides. Cook undisturbed until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Cook other side until golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Remove to plate. Add 1 tablespoon oil and shallot to same skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender. Add garlic, stirring continuously, until fragrant. Add broth and scrape up browned bits. Add tomatoes, bouillon, cream, oregano, red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir until cube dissolves. Bring sauce to a boil; reduce to a simmer over medium-low heat. Nestle chicken in sauce. Cook until sauce thickens slightly and chicken registers at 165ºF, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and basil. Serve with spaghetti.
What’s in a Heart?
Why candy hearts remain a cultural icon
By Donovan Darling, Active Media
Necco wafers, candy hearts, Sweethearts, conversation hearts. The candy goes by many names, with silly messages and a chalky consistency. The notorious candy hearts have a strange history that harkens back to a Civil War-era pharmacy and America’s first candy machine. The story begins in 1847, with a pharmacist named Oliver Chase, who invented a machine to produce lozenges. Back then, apothecary lozenges were popular for sore throats and other illnesses. But 175+ years ago, the process to make a lozenge was labor-intensive: pulverizing medicine and sugar paste by hand with a mortar and pestle, kneading dough, then rolling and cutting out little discs. Considered the first candy machine, Oliver invented a lozenge cutter to simplify the process and smartly shifted from making medicine to making candy, founding Chase and Company, which later became New England Confectionery Company, or Necco!
Here’s where the story gets really interesting. Legend tells us that Union soldiers during the Civil War carried Necco wafers, known as “hub wafers,” and Oliver Chase might have been inspired by the love letters these soldiers carried. Historians also suggest that perhaps Daniel Chase, Oliver’s brother, was inspired by the growing popularity of Esther Howland’s Valentine’s Day cards which began selling in the mid-1800s. A third and more likely explanation is that the candy wafers were inspired by the oddly named cockle, a popular candy shaped like a scallop seashell which contained a “motto” printed on a thin roll of paper stuffed inside. Daniel may have cleverly improved upon this design, printing the messages directly onto candy by using a felt roller pad wetted with red vegetable coloring.
However, Daniel’s “conversation candies” or “motto lozenges” weren’t heart-shaped until later in 1902. Until that time their candy was sold in a simple disc shape, but eventually they were sold in shapes like baseballs, watches and horseshoes. When the candy hearts were introduced they were hugely successful, and over the next 100 years other smaller companies began selling similar candies. In 1990, Necco acquired Stark Candy Company and became the “leading manufacturer in conversation hearts.” Today, the company claims to manufacture nearly 100,000 pounds of Sweethearts every day and approximately 8 billion candy hearts each year.
But what is a candy heart exactly? Necco offers classic Sweethearts, as well as chocolate, sugar-free, “dazzled,” and “color your own” varieties. According
to their website: “Manufacturers combine sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch, flavors, gums and colors into a mixing machine to create a dough, which then goes into a machine that presses it flat, stamps it with sayings and cuts it into hearts. After 30 minutes in a “drying tunnel,” the six different heart flavors are mixed together and packaged.” I guess they’re not made out of chalk!
Daniel Chase’s original printed lozenges were larger and therefore included longer phrases, like “HOW LONG SHALL I HAVE TO WAIT? PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE” and “WHY IS A STYLISH GIRL LIKE YOU A THRIFTY HOUSEKEEPER?” Obviously, times have changed! There were also weddingthemed sayings, such as “MARRIED IN WHITE, YOU HAVE CHOSEN RIGHT,” “MARRIED IN SATIN, LOVE WILL NOT BE LASTING.” Previous sayings like the deeply dated “FAX ME” and “GROOVY” have been discontinued. The more timeless messages like “BE MINE” and “KISS ME” you may be more familiar with. Whatever your feelings on candy hearts, they’re a fun and fascinating little piece of American history.
Burrito Bliss
Family-owned spot serves Mexican food made with love
By Angie Helvey, Active Media
Photos by Brittany Jungenberg, Active Media
When Adriana Mendoza began working at Muchas Gracias in 2002, she never dreamed she’d eventually be running a business of her own in the same building. “It was a blessing from God himself!” she says. Nowadays, she and her family have transformed the former franchise into Chepitas Mexican Restaurant, a local favorite for mouth-watering authentic and homemade dishes that will transport your taste buds straight south of the border. Welcome to your friendly neighborhood Mexican restaurant!
Adriana and her husband, Gerardo, moved to Molalla in 1995. The couple both worked at Muchas Gracias and, in 2014, had the chance to purchase the franchise location. “It was such a great blessing for us to own a business in a town we love so much,” she says. Adriana and Gerardo are the heart of Chepitas, infusing their food with love and always dedicated to creating a warm and welcoming experience for their guests. Their hard work and passion shine through in every aspect. In 2021, Adriana was told changes were being made to the business model, so she branched out, renamed it Chepitas, and completely revised the menu, enhancing some of the Muchas Gracias favorites and adding plenty of scratch-made dishes of their own!
Chepitas Mexican Restaurant specializes in homemade Mexican food packed with flavor and made with love. With a delicious selection of giant burritos, enchiladas, tamales, tortas, quesadillas, nachos and more, there’s something for every appetite. The Ranchero Burrito is a customer favorite, loaded with sizzling carne asada, fried potatoes, plenty of cheese and fresh pico de gallo. The Mendozas are always adding new items, like quesabirria tacos, enfrijoladas and the chicken mole burrito. “Our mole is homemade from scratch!” Adriana says. “My husband Gerardo is from Oaxaca and adds his unique spices to make it 100% authentic.”
A wide choice of combination plates is also on the menu, with options like chile relleno, chimichangas, and fajitas with your choice of shrimp, steak or chicken. Gigantic breakfast burritos stuffed with combinations of flavorful meats, potatoes, cheese
and eggs are served all day. A kid’s menu is available for smaller appetites. For dessert, customers can indulge in housemade creations like their delicious rice pudding, cream cheese flan, chocoflan, churros, tamales de elote and chimi cheesecake, which is cheesecake encased in a flour tortilla, deep-fried until golden, drizzled with strawberry and chocolate syrup, topped off with powdered sugar and whipped cream!
An authentic Mexican feast always pairs well with an icy beverage, and Chepitas has it all, from bottled Jarritos and fresh fruit smoothies to agua frescas like horchata, jamaica, tamarindo, melón, and pina colada. For a sweet and spicy treat, try the mangonada, a mango puree with bits of mango infused with chamoy sauce and sprinkled with Tajin. The restaurant also offers many bottled beers, including Corona, Modelo, Pacifico, Bohemia and more!
The Mendoza family is proud to be part of the Molalla community. “We’ve lived in Molalla for over 30 years and have seen the city grow so much,” Adriana says. She and
Gerardo spend most of their time at the restaurant, and their children, Adonnys, Daniel, Adamaris and Gerardo Junior (Lalo), help out in any way they can, including giving their parents welldeserved vacation time! “They have their own careers now, but they started out working with us at the restaurant as soon as they were old enough.” The family enjoys seeing their crowd of
regular customers, some of whom have been coming since the beginning. “Our regulars still come around to recognize the hard work my husband and I have put in over the years. The kids joined us when we took over in 2014, so everyone knows them well, too!”
Whether you’re looking for a casual dinner, a date night or a quiet meal at home, the restaurant features a cozy dining area with covered outdoor seating when the weather is nice, in addition to online ordering for pick-up or delivery through Doordash and Ubereats. The location even has a drive-through for the ultimate convenience! So next time you’re craving a hot, authentic Mexican feast, visit Chepitas Mexican Restaurant for friendly faces and a culinary experience like no other.
Chepitas Mexican Restaurant is located at 112 Robbins Street in Molalla.
Legal Clarity on Unhoused Policies
Supreme Court reverses limits on anti-camping laws
By Reif & Hunsaker, P.C.
Of the many decisions made by the United States Supreme Court in 2024, the case “City of Grants Pass v. Johnson” was among the most significant from the perspective of city government and homelessness. A copy of the opinion can be found here: https://www. supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-175_19m2.pdf. It is a “light” 74 pages long (with 35 pages in the Opinion of the Court and 39 pages of a concurrence by Justice Thomas and dissent by Justices Sotomayor joined by Justices Kagan and Jackson).
Supreme Court cases normally take quite some time to work their way through the court system. Grants Pass v. Johnson is no exception. This case really began in 2009 when, in an attempt to address issues related to homeless camps in the city, Grants Pass passed an ordinance prohibiting camping “in or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, lane, public right of way, park, bench, or any other publicly-owned property or under any bridge or viaduct...” Punishments for violating the ordinance included fines and imprisonment for multiple violations.
In 2018, Gloria Johnson (representing herself and a class of similarly situated individuals) sued the City of Grants Pass in the US District Court arguing that the city ordinance amounted to “cruel and unusual punishment” under the 8th Amendment to the United States Constitution because the ordinance
criminalized acts that were inextricably linked to the status of “involuntary” homelessness. Johnson relied upon the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Matin v. Boise which held that a similar “no camping” ordinance in Boise, ID did violate the 8th Amendment. Based upon Martin, the District Court entered an injunction prohibiting Grants Pass from enforcing the ordinance. Grants Pass appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. A divided panel of the 9th Circuit affirmed the District Court’s injunction and Grants Pass filed a Writ of Certiorari (an appeal/petition for consideration) to the United States Supreme Court. Amici Curiae (sometimes known as “friends of the court”) briefs were filed by dozens of cities, counties, and chambers of commerce supporting Grants Pass as well as by various homeless advocacy groups supporting Johnson and the application of the 8th Amendment.
The Ruling
The Supreme Court determined (i) that the 8th Amendment was intended to prohibit certain types of punishment that were deemed to be cruel or unusual not whether particular activities can be criminalized; (ii) that the Grants Pass ordinance criminalized behavior not status; (iii) that answers to questions such as what constitutes “involuntary” homelessness or when a shelter is “practically available” are not found in the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause; and (iv) that 8th Amendment does not support making a handful of federal judges the arbiters for the solution to homelessness. The injunction entered by the US District Court prohibiting the City of Grants Pass from enforcing its “anti-camping” ordinance was reversed.
The effect of this decision is that various governmental entities (states, counties, and cities) are permitted to impose and enforce “no camping” laws.
The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information and content in this article is for general informational purposes only.
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Feasts of Fat Tuesday
Pagan festivals evolved into global celebration
By Robert Matsumura, Active Media
Few celebrations capture the spirit of indulgence and revelry quite like Mardi Gras. Famous for its dazzling parades, vibrant costumes and festive atmosphere, this iconic event draws millions of visitors to New Orleans every year. But while New Orleans seems to be the hub of all things Mardi Gras, in truth, its origins are steeped in centuries-old traditions that span continents and cultures.
Tracing the roots of Mardi Gras takes us back to the ancient pagan festivals of Europe, particularly those focused on the arrival of spring, such as Saturnalia in Rome, and Lupercalia in ancient Italy. Featuring feasting, costumes, and public processions, these celebrations were a way to cast off the doldrums of winter and welcome the renewal of life. With the rise of Christianity, these pagan celebrations were integrated into, and reinterpreted by, the Church. Mardi Gras — which translates to “Fat Tuesday” in French — emerged as the final day of indulgence before the solemn 40-day season of Lent. With Lent being a time of fasting and discipline, Fat Tuesday was that last great blowout — a time to enjoy rich foods and pleasures one last time before a long period of abstinence.
At the heart of the Mardi Gras festivities is the krewe system, “Krewe” being an organization or social club that organizes and participates in Mardi Gras parades and festivities. Each krewe has its own theme, traditions, and membership requirements, contributing to the diversity and vibrancy of the celebrations. The first krewe was the Mystick Krewe of Comus in 1857, where elaborate floats, thematic parades, and nightime revelry were first introduced.
Beyond New Orleans, Mardi Gras is celebrated globally under various names and traditions. In Brazil, Rio’s Carnival dazzles with samba parades, glittering costumes, and massive street parties reflecting Brazil’s cultural fusion of African, European, and Indigenous influences. Venice’s Carnival is synonymous with opulent masked balls and intricate costumes evoking the city’s Renaissance history. Germany’s Fasching or Karneval features parades, comedic performances, and masquerades, with Cologne hosting one of the country’s largest celebrations.
Mardi Gras arrived in North America via French explorers. On March 3, 1699, Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and JeanBaptiste Le Moyne de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans and dubbed the site “Pointe du Mardi Gras” in honor of the holiday. By the early 18th century, French settlers in Mobile (modern-day Alabama) and New Orleans had established Mardi Gras traditions, featuring parades, masked balls, and feasts.
Traditional Mardi Gras foods also capture the spirit of indulgence and cultural richness. King cake, a sweet pastry decorated in the holiday’s iconic colors of purple, green, and gold, often contains a hidden figurine symbolizing luck. Whoever finds it is tasked with hosting the next party. Jambalaya, gumbo, and crawfish boils showcase the Creole and Cajun culinary heritage of Louisiana, blending French, Spanish, African, and Native American influences. Beignets, deep-fried pastries dusted with powdered sugar, are also a beloved sweet treat.
More than just a party, Mardi Gras is a living tapestry of history, culture, and community. From its ancient origins to its modern expressions, it lives on as a celebration of joy, resilience and creativity. Whether you’re catching beads in New Orleans or dancing at a samba parade in Rio, Mardi Gras draws everyone into its timeless revelry. And as the locals say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler” — let the good times roll!
How an ancient festival inspired a modern tradition
By Robert Matsumura, Active Media
On February 14th each year, millions of people around the world exchange cards, chocolates and flowers, and express their love. While Valentine’s Day is indeed a cherished tradition, its origins are less widely understood. What is the true story behind this day dedicated to romance? Was there really a Saint Valentine? To answer these questions requires a journey back to Europe during the days of the Roman Empire when Christianity was still struggling to gain a foothold in the West.
The Mysterious Saint Valentine
The origins of Valentine’s Day are shrouded in mystery, with at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus recognized by the Catholic Church. One widely accepted legend involves Valentine of Rome, a Christian priest in third-century Rome. According to this tradition, Emperor Claudius II banned marriages for young men, believing that single men made better soldiers. Valentine, a Christian priest, defied the emperor by performing marriages in secret for young couples in love. When his actions were discovered, Valentine was arrested and eventually executed on February 14th about 270 AD. Over the centuries, Valentine became a symbol of romantic devotion and his martyrdom was
associated with the holiday bearing his name. However, other accounts suggest that Valentine of Terni was imprisoned for helping Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. While jailed, he is said to have fallen in love with the jailer’s daughter and performed a miracle by curing her of blindness. Legend has it that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” a phrase that has become iconic. Whether fact or folklore, these tales all emphasize Valentine’s courage, faith, and commitment to love. After much debate over the centuries, a scholarly study was published on the subject in 1966 by priest and scholar Padre Augustino Amore, which concluded that the only martyred Valentine was Valentine of Terni. According to the study, Bishop Valentine of Terni was the only Saint Valentine to be included in all the oldest martyrologies. In further support of this, in 1927, laborers on a road project in the vicinity of the saint’s supposed burial place actually discovered fragments from a Christian martyr’s tomb, thus supporting his existence.
Pagan Roots and Christian Influence
Far before Valentine’s Day was officially established, mid-February was associated with fertility and love in ancient Rome. Celebrated from February 13th to 15th, the pagan festival of Lupercalia was a raucous
affair involving sacrifices, feasting, and ritual matchmaking.
One notable tradition involved the names of young women being placed in a jar from which men drew at random, forming temporary romantic partnerships — or sometimes lifelong bonds.
With the rise of Christianity, the Church moved to replace pagan practices with Christian observances. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14th as the Feast of Saint Valentine, thus effectively Christianizing the festivities. This initiative marked the beginning of Valentine’s Day as a religious celebration, though centuries would pass before the holiday became fully associated with romantic love.
Commercial Valentine’s Day
The 18th and 19th centuries saw Valentine’s Day explode in popularity among the general public.
Fueled by advances in printing technology and the development of the postal service, celebration of the holiday really took off. Affordable, massproduced Valentine’s cards became widely available featuring a plethora of sentimental verses, elaborate designs, and romantic imagery.
Courtly Love and Medieval Traditions
It was in the Middle Ages when the romantic aspect of Valentine’s Day really gained traction. By this time, Saint Valentine was already regarded as a patron of love, fueled to a great extent by the poet Geoffrey Chaucer. In his 14th-century poem “Parlement of Foules,” Chaucer linked Valentine’s Day to the pairing of birds in early spring, a metaphor for courtship and love.
The exchange of love notes and tokens flourished during this period and became a common practice among the nobility. The first recorded Valentine’s note dates back to 1415, when Charles, Duke of Orléans, composed a heartfelt poem to his wife while a prisoner in the Tower of London. His words are preserved to this day in the British Library, serving as a testament to enduring love.
In the United States, Esther Howland, nicknamed the “Mother of the American Valentine,” played a key role in popularizing Valentine’s cards. Inspired by ornate English designs, Howland began creating and marketing hand-crafted cards during the 1840s. Her efforts contributed to the transformation of Valentine’s Day into a major commercial event, laying the groundwork for the card-exchanging tradition we enjoy to this day.
Modern Valentine’s Day: Love in All Its Forms
In modern times, Valentine’s Day is a global celebration. In the United States, the holiday has extended beyond romantic relationships to include expressions of love and appreciation for friends, family, and even pets. Children exchange cards at school, while workplaces hold themed events to foster camaraderie.
Other countries add their own unique twists to the celebration. In Japan, chocolate takes center stage on Valentine’s Day with women traditionally gifting handmade or store-bought chocolates to men. A month later, on March 14th, men
reciprocate the gesture on White Day, gifting women white chocolate in return. In South Korea, the same two days are celebrated, but a third day is added called Black Day, in which single friends come together to celebrate being single; the name derives from a noodle dish with black sauce. In Finland and Estonia, Valentine’s Day was transformed into Friends Day and includes friends and significant others.
Love in the Digital Age
In the 21st century, technology has taken Valentine’s Day to the next level. Online dating apps help people forge romantic connections, while social media provides platforms for sharing love stories and memories. Virtual gifts and e-cards have also grown in popularity, reflecting the increasingly digital nature of contemporary relationships.
A Winning Combination
Over the centuries Valentine’s Day has evolved from ancient rituals and saintly sacrifices to a global celebration of love and connection. The history of this holiday showcases the universal human desire to express affection and nurture bonds. Whether Valentine’s Day means grand gestures or simple acts of kindness for you, take a moment to reflect on the rich history that has culminated in this yearly celebration of love and good will.
Steelhead-line News
Encouraging signs for 2025 fishing
By Lucas Holmgren, Active Media
Runs of salmon and steelhead are so widely varied: One component can have blockbuster returns, while others will quietly suffer low numbers and closed fisheries. Over the last decade, many headlines and articles speak of high numbers of returning species like sockeye, but often steelhead are holding on by a thread, forcing closure of popular steelhead fisheries. These runs are cyclical, and we seem to be on the bottom end of the lowest cycle for summer and winter returning steelhead.
The 2023 forecast for returning summer steelhead on the Columbia River was only 67,800 adult fish, but total numbers appear to have strongly exceeded that prediction. With an
actual 2023 return of 113,891 summer steelhead, they have outperformed expectations. This is a welcome change, as depleted stocks of summer steelhead result in the loss of multiple fisheries all the way up the Columbia River.
The winter numbers of steelhead are difficult to get exact counts on, as they are primarily coastal and can spawn quickly and leave just as fast. Unlike salmon, steelhead usually do not die in their spawning stream, but will make an effort to swim back downstream and out to the ocean.
An overall increase in abundance of steelhead coast-wide indicates better ocean conditions for steelhead. While Chinook and Coho salmon often follow the coastlines, steelhead exit their freshwater rivers and swim solitarily across open ocean, encountering warmer waters and warm water predators.
The 2024 summer steelhead numbers in the Lower Columbia and Upper Columbia gave hope to steelhead enthusiasts, and for some, catches were excellent. In fact, this author’s brother had his best season ever, fishing the Lower Columbia tributaries for hatchery steelhead. “Hooking a steelhead every single trip in May and June, on multiple rivers, was something I never expected to happen.”
The early season was certainly one for the books! The author took several friends out in May to tangle with ultra-fresh and hard-fighting fish. It certainly was never “easy,” so to speak, but effort was rewarded. Populations of winter steelhead show many encouraging signs, including multiple Washington Coastal rivers opening to fishing for the first time in several years.
“All it takes is one,” and my first “winter run” of the season was a wonderful sign, and close to home. Steelheaders, time to dust off the graphite rods and get moving. 2025 has already shown promise, and with research and technique, you’ll have a chance at the fish that makes the Pacific Northwest so special.
