Wilsonville Lifestyle Magazine June 2023

PO Box 672, Aurora, OR 97002 info@ActiveMediaUSA.com

503.825.2111

ADMINISTRATION

Matthew Nelson, Publisher

Catrina Nelson, CFO

Tara Weidman, Executive Assistant

Donovan Darling, Content Manager

PRODUCTION

Jeremy Okai Davis, Art Director

Hilary Berg, Sr. Graphic Designer

Brittany Jungenberg, Sr. Graphic Designer

Morgan King, Sr. Graphic Designer

Shawn Schmidt, Sr. Graphic Designer

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

David Bates Patti Jo Brooks

Tyler Francke Olive Gallagher

Angie Helvey Robert Matsumura

Dennis McNabb Kelly Romo

Alice Wiliams

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Laurel Bice Carly Carpenter

Tyler Francke Angie Helvey

Malaina Kinne Lisa Kuhlman

Kara Langley Tayler Lundquist

Andrew Sambuceto Henry Schifter

Hayley Starkey Brittney Waterman

ADVERTISING SPECIALISTS

Don Ormsby Bill Kistler

Stephanie Baker Jim Belan

Peggy Jacobs David Long

Chris O’Brien John Zobrist

Brad Marti Shelley Zeman

Tina Toney Darren Dwyer

Ashley Berotte Mary Kay Wiens

Looking to reach local consumers?

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

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Bright, Open Villebois Home

With a bright, open concept, this Villebois home has what you are looking for! An inviting entryway with high ceilings greets you upon entrance, with a full bedroom and bathroom on the main. The living/dining rooms and kitchen design are perfect for entertaining. Stainless steel appliances, butler’s pantry, marble backsplash, and upgraded quartz countertops are among the kitchen features. Custom built-ins and a gas fireplace are highlights of the Great Room, with a sliding door leading directly into the oversized back yard. Large loft upstairs allows space for an additional workspace, hobby area, or whatever your desire. Master suite on the upper level provides privacy, with a soaking tub for your relaxation. Huge backyard is a blank canvas for you to make your own. Bosch kitchen appliances, gutter guards, and custom blinds throughout the home add to the charm. Near all that Villebois has to offer, all this home is missing is you!

Wilsonville Stats Corner

Jaimy Beltran

Licensed Oregon Broker / Owner Beltran Properties Group

Mommy-Era Advice

Hacks for maternal skincare survival (Part 2)

Like I mentioned in my May article, my husband and I have officially welcomed our sixth son into our family! In the story, I started to address the motherhood era of skincare and makeup with the first of seven tips.

To recap, the first three hacks are essential. No. 1. Micellar Water: Use this product as a quick and easy way to cleanse your face. No. 2. Tinted SPF: Combining your foundation and sunscreen via a tinted SPF can save you time while protecting your skin. No.

3. Wash Your Face Earlier in the Evening: No need to explain this important advice that will allow you more ease at the end of your day. Now, onto the final four tips for newborn mothers. Here we go!

Mom Skincare Hack No. 4 — Tinted Brow Gel

As someone who makes eyebrows look good for a living, I know how much of a difference grooming your eyebrows makes on your overall appearance. A quick easy hack instead of filling them in with a pencil is using a tinted brow gel like the high-def brow gel from RevitaLash. You can easily swipe this on, kind of like mascara for your brows. It gives light color and definition, giving you a lifted look that helps frame your face. Yes!

Mom Skincare Hack No. 5 — Pink Undertone Concealer

If you have dark circles from sleep deprivation, like I am all too familiar with, then investing in a good concealer — preferably with a pink undertone to cancel out darkness — will be your new best friend. Depending on your skin tone, a pink undertone concealer may not be your main concealer, but a pink undertone concealer corrects darkness, so start with that. I use the dual camouflage concealer from Glo in beige, which has a pink undertone.

Mom Skincare Hack No. 6 — Feel-Good Skincare

This is my version of “filling my mom cup,” and maybe it will work for you, too. I use products that work but — heck — look pretty on my counter, too. I also use my skincare time as a time to intentionally lift myself up mentally while physically caring for myself as well. By using self-affirmations — “Wow, I got through that today; I’m so proud of me,” or “You’re doing the best you can” — combined with a little “you time” in front of the mirror can make a major difference in taking care of yourself.

Mom Skincare Hack No. 7 — Cream Eyeshadow Stick

When I want a bit more, but I’m short on time, I love using cream stay shadow sticks from Glo Skin Beauty. Swing by the spa and let me show you. You swipe them on, quickly blend, (no skill required; I promise), and you look like you spent a lot longer on your eyeshadow than you did. A lot easier and faster than powder. Be sure to share any of your own mom skincare or makeup advice for a chance to be featured on our Instagram page: @divine_complexions.

CHRISTINE LEWY Licensed Esthetician • Owner of Divine Complexions Spa Award-Winning West Coast GloSkinBeauty Makeup Artist • NW Regional YUMI Lashes Educator

At The Human Bean

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.

ksallee@healthmarkets.com

HealthMarketsInsuranceAgency,Inc.islicensed asaninsuranceagencyinall50statesandthe DistrictofColumbia.Notallagentsarelicensedto sellallproducts.Serviceandproductavailability variesbystate.Nocostorobligationtoenroll.

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.

The Spare Room

Andrea Bartz THRILLER

After giving everything up for a man who just called off their wedding, Kelly Doyle finds herself stranded in Philadelphia. When her childhood best friend offers her guest room during lockdown, Kelly jumps at the chance to reconnect. Quickly, Kelly falls in love with her hosts and they welcome her into an open marriage. But the deeper Kelly becomes entangled, the more she suspects they have done this before … and the last guest disappeared.

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women

Lisa See HISTORICAL NOVEL

The granddaughter of one of the only female doctors in China, Yunxian is taught all about women’s illnesses, alongside her best friend Meiling, a midwifein-training. When Yunxian becomes a wife in an arranged marriage, Yunxian is forbidden from speaking to Meiling or helping the household women. Determined to break away from tradition, Yunxian goes on to treat women from every level of society in this historical novel based on a true story from the Ming Dynasty.

11am–4pm

Paving to Perfection

Portland’s premier paving company since 1984

So, Keith answered the call by hiring a professional to come in and reorganize their entire operating system, and he couldn’t be happier! They now have a very clear organizational structure with set goals, a list of core values, and a five star review process which includes customers to keep themselves on track. In the past when important decisions needed to be made, particularly when it came to spending large amounts of money on new equipment, they often floundered, caught up in a vicious circular pattern of second guessing themselves. Now, it’s simply a matter of considering how the decision fits into their core values. If it’s in line, then the decision is made, period. There’s no longer that lingering doubt or that emotional component. It’s cut and dry, and it has streamlined their operations in ways he never thought possible!

Keith has always prided himself and K & L Industries on the fact that once they have been hired to do a job, they do it right every time, and the first time! Their reputation has been built on that guarantee, and they’ve never had to work exceptionally hard at selling the business because it sells itself. Check out any job they’ve done around town and you will be an instant believer. They are just shy of 40 years now leading the industry, and there is almost nothing that they can’t accomplish.

By Dennis McNabb, Staff Writer

Photos by Andrew Sambuceto

For those of you who regularly read our magazine, you may recall an article we ran back in 2020 about K & L Industries and their captivating owner/founder Keith Callaway. Nearly 3 years later here we are again, and if we presented Keith as a man who embodied all of the finest characteristics of a business owner — someone with honesty, integrity, and empathy — then the intervening years have only made him more so. Returning to our pages with his business restructured, reorganized and revitalized, Keith has positioned K & L Industries to be the Portland Metro Area’s premier paving company through 2084 and beyond!

Since then, Keith and his son/partner, Keith Jr., have hired a consultant to come in and evaluate their operations. The problem was that they had been growing exponentially — certainly not a bad problem to have — but they had reached a point where they were struggling to keep up. Since Keith has always been such a conscientious man who holds himself and his business accountable to such a high standard, he refused to allow their customer service to suffer simply because they were finally getting the business they’d worked so hard to achieve. Intuitively, he also understood that the influx of new business would soon fade away if they couldn’t continue to earn it.

They do all aspects of commercial and residential paving: new paving, maintenance, repair, sealcoating, and milling (asphalt grinding). They do it with the best equipment run by a terrific team focused on providing customers with the best value for their money. All this and they’re still a locally-owned family business. Keith’s wife (known affectionately as the “company mom”) and his eldest son also work there but the whole team is considered family. And this is not Keith “posturing” for this article. He means it! Check out for yourself on their Facebook page and listen to the testimonials. They’re amazing!

Working with contractors can be challenging, but Keith Callaway and K & L Industries are the real deal. With a sterling reputation and a “new” corporate structure which has improved an organization that was already at the top of their game, there is no one who does it better. In 2022, for the second year in a row, they won a coveted spot on forconstructionpros.com’s list of best construction contractors to work for in the country! They are in the Top 75 in the country for Residential and Commercial Paving, and Top 75 for Pavement Maintenance. They are also a “2nd Chance” employer, “Best Contractor to Work For” the last 2 years, and someone who appreciates and supports their local community!

Contact K & L Industries at 503-266-1130 or check them out online at kandlindustries.com. Experience for yourself how they are “transforming lives one shovel at a time.”

Finding His Fleet

Meet Tyler Chang, manager of commercial vehicles at Dick’s Canby Ford

been an expert when it comes to RAM trucks, and I’ve gotten to know Ford’s lineup extremely well in the last six months or so. We’re lucky to have work truck options for our fleet customers; although I’d say Ford is the most popular of the two brands”

Tyler’s jump into commercial vehicles was seamless as he’s always prided himself in repeat customers and providing a great customer service experience, which is key when working with business owners who have slightly different needs than your average car buyer.

“If a business has a truck down for maintenance, they’re losing out on opportunities, which means money. It’s a different equation than someone just looking for a daily driver, and sometimes the stakes are a little higher.” Tyler says. “And once they know Dick’s Canby Ford has a trustworthy team for their work truck needs, it creates a loyalty that lasts a lifetime. You become the go-to dealership, a place that can help you out in a pinch.”

Tyler Chang is the fleet manager for Dick’s Auto Group and can be found most days working out of Dick’s Canby Ford, providing commercial vehicle options to businesses around the Portland Metro area and beyond.

Tyler began his career in the automotive industry at Dick’s Country Dodge in Hillsboro as a sales representative and, although we lost him to a competitor for a couple years, he’s been back with Dick’s Auto Group since spring of 2022.

Tyler lives in Vancouver with his wife, Paige, and two young children who happen to occupy a lot of his free time outside of work, but while he’s with us during the day, the goal is to build the top fleet department in the area.

“There’s something very rewarding about leading a department where the sky is the limit,” Tyler says. “As long as we have trucks and take care of our customers, we’ll continue to grow and grow — a very exciting opportunity”

Whatever your vehicle needs — fleet or otherwise — contact

Chocolate Ganache Sauce

¼ cup heavy cream

2 ounces finely chopped chocolate

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

Churros

Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside and bursting with flavor

SERVINGS: 18

Ingredients

½ cup granulated sugar

¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup water

¼ cup unsalted butter, cubed

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour (scoop and level)

1 large egg

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

* vegetable oil, for frying

Directions

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

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!

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.

$13.00 $5.99

A Different Kind of Art Gallery

Class Schedule

Chalk Art Workshop

June 10th, 1pm to 3pm • Class fee: $50 per person

Ages 10 and up (must know how to write in cursive). Come learn about chalk art, a fun and budgetfriendly artform, from a local, experienced artist. This two-hour class is designed for anyone who is interested in beginning to learn chalk art. Instructor, Emra Nation will teach you her tried and true tips and tricks to create unique designs that are perfect for home décor, special events, or as a gift.

In this class, you’ll learn some of the basic chalk design elements:

• How to draw banners

• How to create shadows

Art Supplies

Quilling Kit: Flower Sampler

Flowers! Flowers! and more Flowers! Learn to make a beautiful rainbow assortment of flowers with our adorable Sampler paper packs! It only takes a few of our Sampler packs of quilling paper to make over 30 different flowers. It’s a fun kit full of possibilities! Kit includes easy-to-follow instructions, pictures and three Sampler packs (8” in length paper strips).

Razzle Dazzle Mini Gem ArtCheery Cactus

Includes Cheery Cactus artwork, 1 gem tray, 1 wax pencil, and 6 gem packs. Suitable for ages 8 and up.

Paint by Numbers - Campervan Traveling Around TheWorld

• Basics in lettering

• How to draw beautiful (and easy) flowers and leaves

Session One: Under Water Wonders

Class fee: $100 Per Child, For all 3 Classes

For all 3 Classes: 11am to 12:30 pm.

Wednesday June 21st

Pigment alcohol inks to make a sea turtle

Wednesday June 28th

Acrylic fluid pouring on 2 coasters and whale

Wednesday July 12th

Acrylic painting on a tropical fish

Join Sheryl and make an adorable gnome scene using alcohol inks, a highly pigmented medium used for painting. Learn different ways to create patterns and designs with these inks and incorporate them into a whimsical piece of art (6-by-6-inch) to display. All materials and tools will be provided. *An adult must accompany minors.

$24.95 To

Kids Acrylic Painting Class, “The Colorful Wave”

June 29th, 12pm to 2pm Class fee: $30.00 Per Child

Join Angela Hawes in painting “The Colorful Wave.” No experience necessary as Angela will take you through the painting Step by Step. Included with ticket price is everything needed to create your own acrylic painting on a 8”x10” canvas the same night.

IT’S PEAK SEASON NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!

BELTRAN PROPERTIES GROUP at eXp Realty

By Dennis McNabb, Staff Writer

If you are interested in capturing the most equity possible, now is the time to act, during peak season and while interest rates are still relatively low!

As most of us are aware, especially here in the Northwest, the real estate market tends to ebb and flow with the seasons. Spring and summer bring warmer, drier weather and increased movement. Fall and winter bring the opposite, as people go into hibernation mode. Although the market did buck that trend for a couple of years (due to unusually low inventory and interest rates), things have finally and inevitably adjusted back to “normal.” That said, it’s still a fantastic time to get into the market and likely the best time in terms of capturing the most equity.

WHY NOW?

Really, it’s all a matter of perspective. For those comparing the current market to what it was at its peak a year ago, things may look less than favorable. Statistically speaking, interest rates have doubled from the 3s to the 6s. Both new listings and pending sales have decreased 30% from this time last year. The average sale price on homes has dropped 5% during the same period, while the median sales price dropped 3.7%. Days on market (referring to how long it takes a home to sell) has gone up by 26 days in that time. Seeing these numbers, we can’t be blamed for feeling insecure, but again, it’s a matter of perspective. In the greater scheme of things, the market is actually in a much better position than on average.

If we don’t compare the latest statistics to a year ago, but instead to what they were just prior to 2020 (when we went into that unprecedented market boom), we get a much more accurate and optimistic impression of things. Foremost? Interest rates, which, according to mortgagereports.com, averaged 7.75% over the last 50 years (since 1971). In the 1980s, they were in the high teens! So being in the sixth percentile now, we are still below the long-term average.

Likewise, following the traditional seasonality of the market, new listings have gone up 1.5%, just since last month, and pending sales have risen 4%. The average sales price on homes has gone up 3.7% since last month while the median price has gone up 1.0%. And days on market have gone down a whopping 10 days in the last 30!

SO, WHAT DOES ALL THAT MEAN?

It means that the market is actually in very good shape right now, and likely in the best shape it will be for the foreseeable future. It means that, while conditions are not as auspicious as they were during the bubble a year ago, they are still far better than “average” (which is where the market is trending). So now is the time to act! We can still capitalize on the bubble while the air is slowly escaping. That’s not to say that the market is going into a decline, only that, if we are at all interested in buying or selling, there is no time like the present.

Inventory is still on the lower side of average. So, as sellers, you still have opportunities for bidding wars provided you price appropriately. Pricing is key right now, as well as preparation. Getting your home “market ready” is the only way to move it quickly and to receive top dollar. Deferred maintenance must be addressed. Whether you have pending repairs, outdated fixtures, or just normal wear and tear that’s showing, pay them attention. Buyers are taking advantage of the fact they have more leverage now than they did a year ago, and maintenance must be taken into consideration.

Of course, the central component to any successful real estate transaction is choosing the right agent. Your agent is your advocate, your partner, in what may be the most significant purchase/sale you’ll ever make. As such, this person should not only understand you as an individual, your specific needs and desires, but they should also know the local market. What are its particular advantages? What are its challenges? It’s not enough to simply comprehend the business. They must be able to provide you with a proven track record of success.

If you’re looking at agents in the Wilsonville area, there is no one better or more qualified than Jaimy Beltran with Beltran Properties at eXp Realty. Even amongst the top agents in the greater Portland metro area (an elite club to which Jaimy has belonged for the past 10 years), he stands alone in his

commitment to his clients. He has the backing of an entire network of like-minded individuals who span the entire country (through eXp Realty), and access to a fantastic group of local professionals he can employ to assist with your process, be it doing repairs or staging your home for sale..

Don’t hesitate, folks! Market conditions are likely as good as they’re going to get.

Call Jaimy Beltran today at 503-502-3330 and let him help you capture that equity!