Images Cowlitz County, WA: 2009

2009 | IMAGESCOWLITZCOUNTY.COM | VIDEO VIGNETTES TM

OF COWLITZ COUNTY, WASHINGTON

TOTEM POLES TO TULIPS Residents delight in diversity of attractions

NEW MOVERS, NEW SHAKERS Young professionals liven up business scene

Standing Ovation Rose Center adds to performing arts community nity SPONSORED BY THE KELSO LONGVIEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND COWLITZ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

2009 EDITION | VOLUME 4 TM

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OF COWLITZ COUNTY, WASHINGTON CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 18

STANDING OVATION Rose Center is raising the curtain on its inaugural classes and performances just as the lights temporarily go dark at Columbia Theatre.

22 EAT, DRINK, CHILL Several local restaurateurs exceed diners’ expectations with distinctive salmon dishes and sophisticated local vintages.

30 SUITED D TO A TEE Golf courses urses here are way above par – and d that’s a good thing.

34 NEW MOVERS, NEW SHAKERS The Lower wer Columbia Professionals group is livening up the local business s scene.

26 APPOINTMENTS WORTH KEEPING Downtown Longview provides onestop shopping for home furnishings.

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TOTEM POLES TO TULIPS From bustling shopping streets to quiet country roads, the county’s five communities are impressively diverse.

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Working Together: The Voices of Business – Facilitating Growth Through Leadership & Action

Site Location Permit and Process Facilitation Incentives

Networking and New Business Contacts

Policy Development

Business Advocacy on Legislative and Government Issues

Demographics

Business and Community Information

Industrial Revenue Bonds

Referrals and Marketing Opportunities

Washington Manufacturing Services

Business Seminars, Workshops and Counseling Services

Foreign Trade Zone HUB Zone Certification Strong and Influential Membership U.S. Bank Building 1452 Hudson St., Ste. 208 Longview, WA 98632 (360) 423-9921 www.cowlitzedc.com

1563 Olympia Way Longview, WA 98632 (360) 423-8400 www.kelsolongviewchamber.org

Cowlitz Economic Development Council and Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce an

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48 O F COWLITZ CO U NT Y, WA S H I N GTO N

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COW COWLITZ COUNTY BUSINESS BUS 44 C Currents of Prosperity Cowlitz County’s three ports drive a burgeoning water-based economy.

47 A Wind-Wind Situation 48 Biz Briefs 52 Chamber/CEDC Report 53 Economic Profile

D E PA R TM E NT S 10 Almanac: a colorful sampling

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of Cowlitz County’s culture

36 Image Gallery 39 Portfolio: people, places and events that define Cowlitz County

57 Education 59 Sports & Recreation 61 Arts & Culture

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63 Health & Wellness 65 Community Profile: facts, stats and important numbers to know ON THE COVER Photo by Todd Bennett The Rose Center for the Arts

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This magazine is printed entirely or in part on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

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What’s Online More lists, links and tips for fo orr newcomers o new n OF COWLITZ COUNT Y SENIOR EDITOR LISA BATTLES COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITOR SARAH B. GILLIAM ONLINE CONTENT MANAGER MATT BIGELOW EDITORIAL ASSISTANT JESSY YANCEY STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DANNY BONVISSUTO, SHARON H. FITZGERALD, ANNE GILLEM, LAURA HILL, DAN MARKHAM, JOE MORRIS, JESSICA MOZO DATABASE PROJECT MANAGER YANCEY TURTURICE DATA MANAGER RANETTA SMITH SENIOR INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER ELIZABETH WEST SALES SUPPORT MANAGER SARA SARTIN SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN M CCORD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, KYLE KEENER, JESSE KNISH PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT ANNE WHITLOW CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR SHAWN DANIEL PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS ASST. PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR HAZEL RISNER PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS MELISSA HOOVER, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, VIKKI WILLIAMS GRAPHIC DESIGN JESSICA BRAGONIER, ERICA HINES, ALISON HUNTER, JANINE MARYLAND, AMY NELSON, MARCUS SNYDER, CANDICE SWEET WEB PROJECT MANAGERS ANDY HARTLEY, YAMEL RUIZ WEB DESIGN RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN TWILA ALLEN AD TRAFFIC MARCIA BANASIK, SARAH MILLER, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./SALES TODD POTTER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING SYBIL STEWART V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS MANAGING EDITORS/BUSINESS MAURICE FLIESS BILL McMEEKIN MANAGING EDITOR/COMMUNITY KIM MADLOM MANAGING EDITOR/TRAVEL SUSAN CHAPPELL PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, RICHIE FITZPATRICK, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY WALDRIP COMMUNITY PROMOTION DIRECTOR CINDY COMPERRY DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH IT SYSTEMS DIRECTOR MATT LOCKE IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE SALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR RACHEL MATHEIS SALES COORDINATOR JENNIFER ALEXANDER EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORT KRISTY DUNCAN

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VIDEO 1 INSIDE LOOK Join us on a virtual tour of Cowlitz County through the lenses of our award-winning photographers at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

INSTANT LINKS Read the entire magazine online using our ActiveMagazine™ technology and link instantly to community businesses and services.

VIDEO 2 COWLITZ COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM Enjoy a glimpse of the exhibits at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

VIDEO 3 CEDAR CREEK GRIST MILL See Woodland’s historic Cedar Creek Grist Mill, a grain-grinding mill originally built in 1876, at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

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CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

Images of Cowlitz County is published annually

by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 1563 Olympia Way • Longview, WA 98632 Phone: (360) 423-8400 • Fax: (360) 423-0432 www.kelsolongviewchamber.org Cowlitz Economic Development Council 1452 Hudson St. Ste 208 • Longview, WA 98632 Phone: (360) 423-9921 • Fax: (360) 423-1923 www.cowlitzedc.org VISIT COWLITZ COUNTY ONLINE AT IMAGESCOWLITZCOUNTY.COM ©Copyright 2008 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

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COWLITZ CO U NT Y

GARDENING IN WASHINGTON Images of cornucopias spilling beauty and variety come to mind when we visualize gardens in Washington. Find out more at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

SERVING IT UP FRESH IN THE NORTHWEST Known for its natural beauty, the Pacific Northwest also has spectacular cuisine. Whether you’re talking seafood or local wines, fresh ingredients are key. Get a taste of regional cuisine at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

A B O U T T H I S M AG A Z I N E Images of Cowlitz County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is sponsored by the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce and Cowlitz Economic Development Council. In print and online, Images gives readers a taste of what makes Cowlitz County tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.”

– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

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This Place Is a Palace It is billed as the Taj Mahal of the Northwest.

Empress Palace in Woodland is a 14,000-square-foot mansion built in a French-Italian Renaissance style.

The impressive structure is relatively new, having opened in the last five years.

The Empress is rented primarily as a site for weddings and other special occasions, and it even hosts a European Christmas tour.

Professional designers and florists decorate all of the rooms used for special occasions.

Pow, Bang, KaBOOM! No, it’s not a scene from a Batman movie.

The city of Longview competed in 2007 for a $25,000 playground grant from the KaBOOM! National Campaign for Play.

And Longview won.

It beat out several larger cities such as Atlanta, Phoenix and San Francisco thanks to a three-minute video created by the Longview Parks and Recreation Department.

The video features a superhero named Kaptain KaBOOM and her canine sidekick, Boomer, and showed the city’s need and enthusiasm for a new play space for kids.

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SEE MORE ONLINE | Enjoy a visit to the Cowlitz County Historical Museum at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

Cowlitz County From Footpath to Freeway Curious? If you want to learn about Cowlitz County from its earliest days, check out the local history museum.

The Cowlitz County Historical Museum in Kelso has several permanent exhibits that include American Indian artifacts as well as re-creations of a logger’s bunkhouse, general store, steamboat dock and railroad depot. There is also an 1884 log cabin that was built and lived in by an early Toutle River settler.

Another popular attraction at the facility is an extensive photograph collection. Historians, researchers and anyone wishing to learn more about how Cowlitz County evolved into its present state can utilize the museum.

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Almanac

Fast Facts Q The Columbia River Mercantile Building was constructed in 1923, and its current owners have restored the structure to its original appearance.

Today, it is home to several retail shops and a café.

Q The legend of Bigfoot lives on in the densely wooded areas near Yale and Cougar.

Q More than 500,000 tourists visit nearby Mount St. Helens each year.

SEE VIDEO ONLINE | See more of Woodland’s historic Cedar Creek Grist Mill at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

Thanks a Mill The Cedar Creek Grist Mill in Woodland is a National Historic Landmark that dates back to 1876.

Today, it is the only grain-grinding mill in Washington that has maintained its original structural integrity. The mill still grinds with stones and is water powered, and visitors can take a tour to learn how this interesting landmark still works today.

Huge pulleys and belts turn the stones to make products such as flour and corn meal that can be purchased by the public. There are also recipes on its Web site, www.cedarcreekgristmill.com, for breads and desserts that can be made using ingredients from the mill.

Q Cowlitz County is quickly becoming known for quality wines that are produced here.

Q The abundant waterways throughout the Cowlitz County region provide ample opportunities for fishing and recreation.

Plants, Pigs and More The Cowlitz County Farmer’s Market sells much more than just tomatoes and apples.

Vendors on site sell everything from ornamental grasses to beeswax candles to saucer gardens. You can even purchase hormone-free chickens and pigs.

The market is at the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds and is open Saturdays from April through October, and Tuesdays from May through October. In addition, the market also sets up shop in downtown Longview on Wednesdays from May through October.

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SEE MORE ONLINE | For more Fast Facts about Cowlitz County, visit imagescowlitzcounty.com.

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PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Almanac

Cowlitz County At A Glance POPULATION (2007 ESTIMATE) Cowlitz County: 97,800; Longview: 35,710; Kelso: 11,840 LOCATION The Kelso-Longview area is a scenic corner of southwest Washington, situated at the confluence of three rivers and with a backdrop of green forests and white-capped mountains.

BEGINNINGS Cowlitz County was officially established in 1854, and its current county seat, Kelso, was designated in 1922. The county takes its name from the Cowlitz Indian tribe.

You Are Very Welcome Cowlitz County businesses are dedicated to making sure that visitors get the red-carpet treatment.

Seattle-based Destination Development is a company that accepted a task of creating a branding strategy for Kelso and Longview. One of its ideas to improve the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tourism-friendly factor is to train front-line employees to be more welcoming and accommodating when interacting with visitors.

Thanks to this recommendation, employees throughout the county have been brushing up on their local history and knowledge about area attractions, so they can tell visitors about the many fun and interesting things to do here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 1563 Olympia Way Longview, WA 98632 Phone: (360) 423-8400 Fax: (360) 423-0432 www.kelsolongviewchamber.org Cowlitz Economic Development Council 1452 Hudson St., Suite 208 P.O. Box 1278 Longview, WA 98632 Phone: (360) 423-9921 Fax: (360) 423-1923 www.cowlitzedc.com

Cowlitz County

411 504

Mount St. Helens

Castle Rock 4

Kelso

Longview COWLITZ

Developing Situation Longview is now home to a Small Business Development Center.

The center helps businesses that employ fewer than 500 people, with the ultimate goal of helping these companies grow. Programs available include no-fee business counseling and low-cost workforce training opportunities.

The Longview center is on the campus of Lower Columbia College.

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Kalama OREGON

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503

Woodland

50 500

Vanc Vancouver 140

SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Take a virtual tour of Cowlitz County at imagescowlitzcounty.com, courtesy of our award-winning photographers.

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Totem Poles RESIDENTS DELIGHT IN DIVERSITY OF ATTRACTIONS

STORY BY LAURA HILL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

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rom bustling shopping streets to quiet country roads, downtown sidewalk cafes to hiking trails in the shadow of Mount St. Helens, Cowlitz County’s five communities are impressively diverse.

Longview is the largest municipality with a population of 35,710. Dedicated in 1923 and incorporated the following year, the city was a planned community created by R.A. Long of the Long-Bell Lumber Company in an effort to provide a familyfriendly environment that would attract and retain workers for his new mill on the Columbia River, which was the largest in the world at that time. Longview still prides itself on these

Woodland’s Loves Street Playhouse dates back to 1940.

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industrial beginnings.

“We’re a blue-collar, hardworking town, very supportive of manufacturing,” says Longview City Manager Bob Gregory.

“We have a lot of community pride. People really help each other out here.”

The city enjoys a thriving cultural life, highlighted by performances at the Columbia Theatre, exhibits at the public library and a busy calendar of events at other venues and at parks throughout town. Longview residents put a premium on the city’s recreational offerings, especially Lake Sacajawea Park with its biking and walking trails and stunning gardens.

The city’s center is a National Historic District.

Kelso, the county seat, takes its name from the Scottish hometown of founder Peter Crawford. Its Celtic heritage is a source of pride, says Kelso City Manager Paul Brachvogel, as the traditional Scottish games, food and music at its annual Highlander Festival attest. The small town of approximately 12,000 residents also is known for its excellent recreational offerings.

The new Stan Rister baseball stadium in popular Tam O’Shanter Park is home to the city’s celebrated Babe Ruth League and hosts regional and national baseball events.

Both the county’s largest cities are working hard to define their strengths and address any areas that call for improvement.

Each city spent $10,000 in 2008 for a professional assessment of its needs and a plan for unique branding to help focus its marketing efforts.

For the assessment, anonymous representatives of Destination Development in Seattle visited both cities and issued a report detailing problems and plusses.

“It was one of those ‘duh’ moments,” says Gregory of the resulting presentation. “But it’s been a really creative stimulus COWLITZ CO U NT Y

to

Tulips to get some of these things done. People said we can either sit here and sulk or we can get something done.”

The resulting communitywide cleanup was the beginning of a long-term effort that will address signage, beautification and other downtown development initiatives, he said.

Developing a brand for Kelso, says Brachvogel, may involve capitalizing on the city’s Scottish heritage, drawing attention to downtown façade improvements and showcasing the current f lurry of retail and residential development that is happening on the south side of town.

“Things are going to change in Kelso so much in the next two or three years that people won’t even recognize it,” Brachvogel says.

Each of Cowlitz County’s three smaller towns has its own unique qualities, as well.

Kalama, on the Columbia River, has a population of nearly 1,800 and is a haven for water sports enthusiasts and fishermen who prize Chinook, steelhead and sturgeon.

The name comes from the nearby Kalama River, in turn named Kalama’s 140-foot-tall totem pole was carved by the late Don Smith.

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for an early settler, John Kalama. A native Hawaiian, Kalama’s heritage is still celebrated in its annual Days of Discovery. One of the area’s largest antiques-shopping districts, Kalama also is home to the world’s tallest [140 feet] one-piece totem pole.

Nature sets the tone for Woodland, a growing agriculturally oriented community with a population of approximately 5,000 people. Visitors and residents alike enjoy its annual Lilac Festival at the famed Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, a National Historic Site, and an annual Tulip Festival, hosted by Holland America Bulb Farms.

The city’s 85-acre Horseshoe Lake is home to the Woodland Moose Kids Fishing Derby, hydroplane racing, the city’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, and a summer’s worth of fishing, swimming, walking and picnicking.

Various theater and music productions are presented at the Loves Street Playhouse, a restored church building built in 1940. Yet another attraction is the Cedar Creek Grist Mill, which was constructed in 1876 and still produces flour and cornmeal the old-fashioned way during tours and special events.

The city of Castle Rock is named for its 190-foot tall, castleshaped rock, a landmark for the Cowlitz Indians and early traders, which is still remarkable today. The city is known as the Gateway to Mount St. Helens, and its Castle Rock Exhibit Hall/Visitor’s Information Center offers art and exhibits inspired by the awe-inspiring peak. A vibrant community, Castle Rock’s historic downtown is a favorite with visitors, who enjoy its shopping, dining and antiquing choices.

“Even though we’re in the city, we feel country,” says Barbara Larsen, mayor of Castle Rock. Its population of 2,100 has stayed much the same over the decades, she says, and townspeople are happy to preserve its cozy feel.

Mark Your Calendars CHECK OUT THESE SIGNATURE EVENTS

KELSO: Kelso Highlander Festival in September WOODLAND: Woodland Tulip Festival in April and Woodland Planter’s Days in July LONGVIEW: International Festival in May and Go Fourth Festival in July CASTLE ROCK: Castle Rock Fair and Mountain Mania Festival, both in July KALAMA: Kalama Days of Discovery in August

Dedicated in 2003, the Weyerhaeuser Centennial Bridge leads to Lake Sacajawea Park’s Japanese garden.

Above: Pets are welcome at Lake Sacajawea Park.

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SEE MORE ONLINE | See more of Lake Sacajawea Park at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

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Standing

Ovations VENUE RENOVATIONS, OPENINGS ENHANCE PERFORMING ARTS COMMUNITY

STORY BY JOE MORRIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

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The Wollenberg Auditorium at the new Rose Center for the Arts seats 525 people. Right: The Rose Center for the Arts at Lower Columbia College was designed by award-winning Portland firm Opsis Architecture.

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n the theater world, sometimes timing is everything.

That’s definitely the case in Cowlitz County, where Lower Columbia College’s Rose Center is raising the curtain on its inaugural classes and performances just as the lights temporarily go dark across town at the venerable Columbia Theatre.

The $24.6 million Rose will house LCC’s drama and music departments, as well as a gallery for its art students.

The 54,500-square-foot building stands on the site of the college’s former fine arts building. Visitors to the new center are greeted by a 10-by-40-foot mural titled Where Water Comes Together with Other Water by Portland artist Lucinda Parker. The center also features high-end touches such as fir and cherry paneling, thanks to a $1 million COWLITZ CO U NT Y

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A mural titled Where Water Comes Together With Other Water by artist Lucinda Parker greets visitors to the Rose Center for the Arts at Lower Columbia College. Left: The historic Columbia Theatre in Longview opened in 1925.

donation by June Rose in honor of her late husband, Stanley.

The Rose’s main auditorium holds 525 and will be used primarily for musical performances and as a lecture hall for classes. The facility also houses a smaller theater that seats 125. A recording studio and rehearsal rooms round out the center’s offerings on the musical side.

Although LCC officials are quick to point out that the Rose serves foremost as an instructional venue, it also is intended to be an anchor to the area’s growing cultural scene, tying into events at the Columbia and other venues as often as is practical.

“With this facility, the college can help to play a role in the community’s vision of developing a regionally recognized arts presence,” says Jim McLaughlin, LCC president. “The center complements what already exists in the community, and we now have a fabulous venue to showcase our consistently outstanding COWLITZ CO U NT Y

drama, music and forensics programs.”

The Rose’s opening eases concerns at the Columbia that the area’s cultural arts organizations might be left out in the cold during the historic theatre’s one-year hiatus. Not only will local arts patrons continue to enjoy their favorite organizations and performers at the Rose Center and other facilities during the interim, they’ll soon reap the benefits of a $12.6 million, top-to-bottom overhaul at the Columbia, says executive director Gian Paul Morelli, who adds that the enhancements will be felt rather than seen, for the most part.

“Much of what we’re doing is dealing with audience comfort,” he says. “When you’ve got an 85-year-old theater, you have to spend $2 million on the heating and ventilation system. It’s things like that, plus new, wider seating, that are the major changes.”

Lighting fixtures, including the chandeliers, will be restored, and a new ticket office, renovated stage area,

orchestra pit and dressing rooms also are on the bill.

“Everything from the flow of air, to the restrooms, to seating, to the technical aspects of the performance, lighting and sound, will be enhanced,” Morelli says.

The Columbia Theatre’s four performing arts partners – the Southwest Washington Symphony, Longview Stageworks, Columbia River Chamber Orchestra and the Longview-Kelso Community Concert Association – will be fending for themselves during the renovation. Depending on how schedules play out, some will go to the Rose, while others will stage their events in area schools.

“One of our main focuses is the community, and everything we’re doing will make us even more of a community arts resource,” Morelli says. “When we reopen in 2010 there’s going to be a collective intake of air as everyone is very much wowed.”

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Eat, Drink,

Chill

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SALMON AND WINE ELEVATE LOCAL FLAVOR CONCEPT

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Metro Bar and Grill in Longview has an extensive selection of beverages.

Left: For a true taste of Cowlitz County, try the stuffed salmon roulade with a glass of locally produced wine at JT’s Steak and Fishouse.

STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

I

n a state known for its abundant fishing and award-winning wines, several local restaurateurs exceed diners’ expectations with distinctive salmon dishes and sophisticated local vintages.

In fact, Teri Ramsbottom says the sockeye salmon entrees at JT’s Steak & Fishouse are the best that anyone will ever taste.

She is the owner of this upscale Longview restaurant, and her husband, John, is executive chef. Ramsbottom says John makes all of the sauces and salad dressings at JT’s, and his mariCOWLITZ CO U NT Y

nated wild Alaskan salmon creation is just incredible.

“A lot of executives from the mills, as well as St. John Medical Center, entertain many visitors to this area – including businesspeople from Japan and Holland for the mills – and these visitors often order our salmon selections,” she says.

“In addition, we also have the largest collection of Washington wines of any restaurant in this region. The business executives really enjoy the local wines.”

Scott Klemetsrud agrees that local wines are popular within the Cowlitz County restaurant scene. Klemetsrud is I M AG E S C O W L I T ZC O U N T Y. C O M

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Metro Bar and Grill, a popular newcomer to Longview’s dining scene, stocks mostly Northwest wines.

owner of Metro Bar & Grill, which stocks 80 percent Northwest wines.

“We feature a lot of wine from Capstone Cellars, a local winery here in Longview,” he says. “Our restaurant stocks their merlots and chardonnays, and we even hosted a wine-tasting for Capstone in May 2008. Their wines are doing very well here.”

As for salmon dishes, Klemetsrud says Metro Bar & Grill also has specialty entrees that patrons savor.

“We use a wild king salmon for our salmon bracciola, which is stuffed with scallops, sea bass, spinach and basil,” he says. “I could eat that particular entrée every day except that we have so many other great dishes to try.”

Metro Bar & Grill purchases almost all of its salmon from Ocean Beauty in Astoria, a company known for getting fresh seafood to stores and restaurants as quickly as possible.

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“It’s amazing how many people in this area are salmon eaters, even at lunchtime,” Klemetsrud says. “That’s why our menu also features items such as smoked salmon appetizers along with several salmon salads.”

The same holds true at Country Folks Deli & Bistro Brew Pub, a lunch and dinner restaurant whose popular lunchtime dishes include a woodroasted salmon sandwich on freshly baked bread. The restaurant offers a fine dining experience Wednesday through Saturday in its back dining room, and chef Bryan Burt’s innovative menu often includes the fish in more refined presentations, such as salmon Wellington. The restaurant also has extensive wine offerings, many of which are created locally.

Meanwhile, Rutherglen Mansion is a bed-and-breakfast and restaurant that offers menu choices such as pan-fried

salmon seasoned with sea salt, smoked paprika and butter.

“I also hit that dish with capers juice and tomatoes at the very end, and serve it with risotto and broccolini,” says Travis Fitch, executive chef. “Then for Sunday brunches, I prepare a cedar plank salmon dish that is cooked in the oven on cedar planks to give it a smoky taste. I also broil a lot of salmon for Caesar salads that many customers like, and I also prepare a baked salmon topped with crab, asparagus and béarnaise sauce.”

As for their wine selection, Fitch says Rutherglen Mansion also likes to stay stocked with as many in-state selections as possible.

“The mansion even hosts a wine tasting every Wednesday,” he says.

“Different regional wines are showcased each week, and the event gets more and more popular all the time.”

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Appointments Worth

Keeping DOWNTOWN LONGVIEW PROVIDES ONE-STOP SHOPPING FOR HOME FURNISHINGS STORY BY ANNE GILLEM | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

T

he first steps to turning a house into a home in Cowlitz County start with a stroll down Commerce Avenue in Longview to shop for furniture, accessories and distinctive works of art.

At Teague’s Interiors, Elam’s Home Furnishings and Wood Furnishings Inc., all located on Commerce and all locally owned, the task of selecting comfortable furnishings and complementary décor is pleasurable and easy.

Located in a 1924 former drugstore, Teague’s Interiors is full of nooks and crannies and has beautiful mahogany woodwork that provide a stunning backdrop for furniture, fabrics, light fixtures and original artwork, says owner Wendy Kosloski.

Teague’s, open since 1988, offers full design services and recently added an 800-square-foot art gallery on the mezzanine.

“We feature over 15 area artists, including wood turners and four jewelry designers,” Kosloski says. “We also have wearable art and hand-pieced designs, knitted designs, silk scarves and purses.”

Photographs are displayed in the gallery, and Kosloski and

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Teague’s Interiors offers many unusual home décor items, such as these embroidered pillows and sculpture, at left.

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her mother and partner, Shirley Bailey, are among the painters whose original work is highlighted.

“My mom taught me how to draw and paint when I was a child,” Kosloski says. “She worked in commercial interior design, and I free-lanced in fine art and design. It was natural for us [to work together]. It’s sort of our lifestyle.”

Teague’s, named for an ancestor, has 2,000 square feet to showcase furnishings, including a line of Amish furniture and a contemporary line.

What sets Teague’s apart is “our ability to work with what the customer has … and put things together that have

function and style,” Kosloski says.

Teague’s, located at 1267 Commerce Ave., is open Mondays through Saturdays. The first Thursday of the month, Teague’s extends its hours to 7 p.m. for an artist showcase.

Just up the street at Elam’s Home Furnishings, the customer is king, says owner Paul Elam.

“We have very good customer service,” says Elam, who has been in the furniture business for 21 years and at his present location four years. “We take care of the customer and any problems.”

Elam’s provides delivery, setup and placement of furniture and removal of old pieces. Covering 30,000 square feet, including on-site warehouse space, Elam’s is the only area store that carries La-Z-Boy furniture, says the owner, whose two sons work with him.

Elam’s, located at 1413 Commerce Ave., carries furniture for home offices, living and dining rooms and bedrooms. The store is open Mondays through Saturdays.

At Wood Furnishings Inc., the name says it all.

Dave Wood, part owner, says the 19,000-square-foot store “specializes in wood furniture for pretty much every room – dining room, bedroom and home office.

“Our specialty is wood furniture. Most furniture stores have over 50 percent of their floor space dedicated to upholstered furniture. Then there are wood specialty stores, and that’s the category we fall into.”

Wood Furnishings, at 1445 Commerce Ave., also carries mattresses and unfinished furniture. The store is open seven days a week.

Teague’s Interiors has developed a large inventory of artistic touches for the home. Above: Elam’s Home Furnishings carries national furniture lines, as well as a variety of smaller, decorative pieces for the home. Right: Elam’s stocks furniture for living and dining rooms, bedrooms and home offices and is the area’s only carrier of La-Z-Boy furniture.

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Suited to a

Tee

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LUSH LANDSCAPE AND COURSE AMENITIES ADD UP TO GREAT GOLFING EXPERIENCES STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

G

olf courses in Cowlitz County are way above par – and that’s a good thing.

Venues not only are kept in great shape all year long, but the courses in this region also have other amenities to help make their patrons that much more comfortable. For example, Lewis River Golf Course features a riverside restaurant that even has an outdoor fire pit.

“The restaurant has a large patio that we use for outdoor dining and banquet events, with seating for up to 400 people,” says Darrin Nash, PGA golf

professional at the Woodland course.

“It’s a beautiful setting with a great view of the Lewis River.”

Also beautiful is the golf course itself, nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. It features tree-lined fairways of large firs and maples along with a few ponds and several greenside bunkers.

“The course is always in fantastic shape thanks to our superintendent Terry Vanderstoep and his staff,” Nash says. “As for playing Lewis River, you better hit it straight here because the fairways are quite narrow.”

Another quality golfing destination

is Longview Country Club, which opened in 1926 and features a challenging par-70 layout for its private member ship. It includes bluegrass fairways and greens, and is considered one of the nicest golf courses in the entire Northwest.

Meanwhile, Mint Valley Golf Course in Longview is not only one of the finest public settings in the state, but it also serves incredible hamburgers. The Mint Valley Burger has become legendary at the clubhouse restaurant.

As for the course, it has several water hazards, tall trees and well-bunkered

Opened in 1926, Longview Country Club imparts a sense of history to its private membership. Above: A spacious clubhouse and riverside restaurant enhance the overall experience at Lewis River Golf Course in Woodland.

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greens that are fast and in excellent condition. Besides the 18-hole layout, Mint Valley has a six-hole, par-3 pitchand-putt course for golfers looking to improve their short game.

In Kelso, Three Rivers Golf Course has also garnered stellar reviews for its well-manicured terrain. It provides a true 18-hole challenge as a par-72, 6,700-yard public venue, and golfers are

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actually playing on a bit of history whenever they tee it up.

“When Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, the Cowlitz River became clogged with mud and ash, so the Army Corps of Engineers dumped much of the dredge spoils on land that would eventually become this golf course,” says Chris Smith, head golf professional and general manager of Three Rivers.

“Then people found out that grass could grow great on the dredging, and today this course has lush green grass all year round.”

Three Rivers, which opened in 1982, is named for its proximity to the Cowlitz, Coweeman and Columbia rivers. The course is owned by the Kelso Longview Elks Lodge No. 1482.

“We offer greens fees around $30 yet

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look like a golf course that should charge $50 and up,” Smith says. “Three Rivers is a true golfing jewel of Cowlitz County and the entire Pacific Northwest.”

Visitors to the Lewis River Golf Course enjoy the restaurant’s outdoor fire pit and river views.

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Meet the New

Movers

Members of the Lower Columbia Professionals meet to discuss upcoming group events and initiatives.

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Shakers & YOUNG PROFESSIONALS’ ORGANIZATION LIVENS UP BUSINESS SCENE STORY BY JOE MORRIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

W

ho says awkward social situations have to and education, the LCP has launched a scholarship fund and be all bad? If it hadn’t been for one, the is raising money to award three $1,000 scholarships in Lower Columbia Professionals might never June 2009. At the same time, the LCP is raising cash and have been launched. awareness for the Humane Society of Cowlitz County and The organization, an initiative for young professionals in other organizations. affiliation with the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce, Tying the professional community together for such got its start when a young chamber member noticed that worthwhile goals while having a little fun along the way keeps people weren’t exactly mixing at one of the group’s mixers.

LCP co-chair Carey Mackey, a marketing representative for “I noticed that at the after-hours events people were kind of Cascade Title Co., plugged in. standing around and looking at each “We’ve got some new and fresh other, and were having a hard time ideas and are open to so much,” Mackey “We’ve got some new getting out of their bubble,” says LCP says. “And from the beginning it’s and fresh ideas and are just snowballed, to the point where chairman Russ Chittock, owner of the Russ Chittock Agency. “I wondered we’re seeing between 60 and 80 people open to so much.” what would happen if we created games every month.”

CAREY MACKEY and got some different things going.”

Fibre Federal Credit Union’s Erik LCP CO-CHAIR After looking at other chambers’ Guttormsen says that the peer-group programs, a committee was formed aspect of LCP has a strong appeal, but and the LCP began to take shape in summer 2007. The idea it also provides opportunities to improve the community. was a natural – not just to serve the chamber’s younger “I asked to help with the committee because I wanted to be members, but also to reenergize the entire organization. involved; I have stayed with the committee because of the “We had wanted to find a way to draw the attention and enthusiasm I have seen and the fun events we have helped energy of the younger business community,” says Norma host,” Guttormsen says. “My favorite thing so far, though, is Davey, program director. “This group offers a link between the idea of providing scholarships to young people in our area the already established businesspeople in our area with those going off to college or to LCC, and to encourage them to who are just beginning, and they bring creative, innovative become business people and professionals in our area.” ideas to help move the chamber forward.”

That sums up the group’s marching orders, Chittock says.

The LCP has had at least one event a month, including “We want to be able to give back to the community, so nights dedicated to playing cards and board games, mystery- everybody jumped on the scholarship fund,” he says. “But themed events and more. If it’s a fun way to get people talking we want to have fun, and we want to help people get out of to one another, the LCP has done it or is planning to do it. their bubble, to build relationships with other businesspeople In keeping with its other goals of community involvement much faster.”

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Image Gallery

Rushing waters at the Cedar Creek Grist Mill in Woodland

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

Lumberman’s Bank Clock in downtown Longview

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Portfolio

It’s All Downhill From Here LONGVIEW TEEN HALEY HANSELER COMPETES IN 2008 JUNIOR OLYMPICS

S

Haley Hanseler placed 10th in her age group at the 2008 Junior Olympics in Bogus Basin, Idaho.

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TODD BENNETT

ome teenage girls idolize singers or movie stars, but 14-year-old Haley Hanseler isn’t your typical teenage girl.

Her list of heroes includes names like Julia Mancuso, Lindsey Vonn and Phil and Steve Mahre – all world-class alpine ski racing champions. That’s because, ever since she was four years old, Haley has spent her winters on the slopes of Oregon’s Mount Hood, either training for or competing in alpine ski races.

Lately the young athlete, who lives in Longview and starts her freshman year at Mark Morris High School this fall, has been traveling even further from home. In March 2008, she was among 170 elite 13- and 14-year-old racers from nine Western states to compete in the Junior Olympics in Bogus Basin, Idaho.

Hanseler seems to take the experience in stride.

“It was really fun,” she says. “It was my first time so I didn’t know what to expect. It was actually easier than I expected, and I did pretty well – I got 10th place in my age group.”

By Pacific Northwest Ski Association rules, skiers under age 13 may not race in the downhill category, due to the straighter courses and high speeds.

Until this year, Haley had raced solely in the slalom and giant slalom categories. But in February 2008, she competed in her first downhill race and took first place in her age group. Her speed was clocked at 65 mph.

“It didn’t really feel that fast because I was focusing on where I needed to be,” she explains. “It felt kind of slow actually. When my dad told me I was going 65 mph, I didn’t believe him.”

Haley’s father also was a Junior Olympian and now coaches Mount Hood Academy, his daughter’s ski team.

When she isn’t skiing, Haley plays soccer on a travel team, which keeps her in tip-top shape all year.

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Portfolio

Compassionate Care at Home

Y

TODD BENNETT

ears ago, while he was still in graduate school, Greg Pang recognized the growing trend toward in-home medical care, especially for terminally ill patients, and decided to change his career path from hospital administra-

tion to home health and hospice.

In 2005, with 20 years experience under his belt, Pang became the executive director of Community Home Health and Hospice, which was founded in Longview in 1977 by Lorraine Berndt.

The nonprofit, community-supported health-care agency provides home health and private nursing care, in-home hospice care, and bereavement services to four counties – Cowlitz, Clark and Wahkiakum in Washington and Columbia County in Oregon.

Additionally, it maintains a 12-bed hospice-care center and a community day-care facility in Cowlitz County.

“Hospice neither hastens nor delays death,” Pang says of the agency’s primary mission. “Our goal is to keep patients and their families comfortable during their final days.

“The community day care is our newest innovation,” he adds, noting that the agency has attracted four new staff members thanks to the availability of childcare.

A number of annual fundraising events contribute to what Pang describes as “overwhelming” community support for CHHH. Brew and Bites takes place at the Cowlitz County Expo Center in October and features microbrew and wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction.

It drew more than 500 attendees in 2007. In November, Frank’s European Cellar hosts the My Favorite Things wine and cheese tasting to benefit CHHH’s Children’s Bereavement Program.

Extreme Machine events held at the Cowlitz County Expo Center – the Mud Bog in May and Demolition Derby in July – also donate proceeds to the agency.

In addition to his role as CHHH’s executive director, Pang belongs to the Longview Rotary Club and the Home Care Association of Washington and serves on the board of directors of the Washington State Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

He and his family moved to Longview from Puyallup.

“It was a great move for us,” Pang says. “We love it here.”

Greg Pang became the executive director of Community Home Health and Hospice in 2005.

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A State-of-the-Art Sawmill W operations in 13 countries and manages 22 million acres of timberland. Its 2007 revenues totaled $16.3 billion. While the company enjoys global status, it also values local involvement.

“We employ about 1,800 people in the Cowlitz County area,” Karnofski says. “We have a 700-acre site here in Longview, and we own 435,000 acres of timberland in Cowlitz County.

Through the Weyerhaeuser Foundation, we provide about $200,000 a year in grants to community activities.

“We want newcomers to know we are a large employer in the area, and and interested in supporting the community. We also have a significant commitment to the environment.”

Founded in 1900, Weyerhaeuser has been a pioneer in re-forestation since the 1940s. When the 1980 eruption of nearby Mount St. Helens left 68,000 previously forested acres bare, the company planted 18.4 million trees on the ash-covered site. Those trees will be ready for harvest in 2020.

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eyerhaeuser, the world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of lumber products, has added a state-ofthe-art sawmill to its facilities in Longview. The new operation, St. Helens iLevel Lumber Manufacturing, has been up and running since June 2008.

The sawmill joins a log storage yard, NORPAC Newsprint Manufacturing, Longview Liquid Packaging and an existing lumber finishing operation at Weyerhaeuser’s 700-acre Longview site.

The new sawmill will replace Green Mountain, the Weyerhaeuser mill in Toutle. Region Services Manager Mike Karnofski says the new mill represents a substantial upgrade.

“The old sawmill was built in the 1980s,” he explains. “And now there is better, newer technology. We have more computer controls and more automation.”

Furthermore, locating the sawmill on the same site where lumber is finished improves efficiency.

“We cut and process lumber for the [residential] construction industry. We already had the drying kiln and planer/ sorter here, so it made sense to have the sawmill here too,” Karnofski says.

Weyerhaeuser maintains offices or

Weyerhaeuser recently opened a new lumber mill in Longview at its existing lumber-finishing operation.

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Portfolio

Mr. Verrill Goes to Washington arry Verrill may be a newcomer to Longview, but he’s an old hand at public television management. Verrill, who has enjoyed a career in public access television since 1981, assumed Kelso Longview Television’s executive directorship on Oct. 1, 2007.

A native of Canada, Verrill managed the public access station in Collingwood, Ontario, for 15 years. Most recently, he served the last four years as the mobile production coordinator for Speak Up Tampa Bay, a public station in Tampa, Fla., prior to accepting the position at KLTV and moving to Longview last year.

Verrill says the hospitality of people in Longview and Cowlitz County have made him and and his wife, Sheelagh, already feel at home.

“Oh, it’s a great city,” Verrill says.

“This is going to be a great place to live.

The people are wonderful; the weather is great. We really like it.”

As for his work at the public,

educational and governmental access station, the executive director’s responsibility is, in short, “the money,” Verrill says. “My job is to ensure we use it wisely.”

KLTV has served the county for more than 34 years and cablecasts its programs to the community. For Comcast subscribers, public programming may be found on channel 11, while education programming runs on channel 28 and government programming may be viewed on channel 29.

In addition, the KLTV staff works with nonprofit organizations and residents to help them learn how to use its production equipment to create their own original programming.

And soon, thanks to a major renovation project, those residents will see dramatic facility improvements at the station, which is located on the corner of Vandercook Way and 12th Avenue in Longview.

“It’s a pretty exciting time,” Verrill

Phone: (888) 522-1130 Fax: (360) 788-2310 www.cngc.com

says. “We’re putting in new windows and putting new siding on the building.

The cost is about $80,000, so this is a big deal. We are excited to get this work done and have a beautiful-looking facility.”

Despite his extensive experience that would make him an asset to outlets throughout the television industry, Verrill remains passionate about public access organizations and the contributions they make to society.

“What we do is good for people, and it’s good for our community,” he says. “What I like best about it is that, when I go to work, I have no idea what I’m going to be doing or who I’m going to get to hang out with. It’s different every day.”

Verrill also is a Rotarian, and he enjoys a good game of golf.

“There are very nice golf courses in Longview, so I’m looking forward to playing,” he says. “Golf will definitely be a hobby of mine.”

PHOTOS BY TODD BENNETT

B

KLTV Executive Director Barry Verrill moved from Tampa to take his current position in October 2007.

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Just Your Cup of Tea and More

F

or a charming place to savor breakfast, do lunch, or simply visit with a friend over tea served in delicate china cups, stop by The Brits on Commerce Avenue in Longview.

In March 2008, the popular restaurant changed hands, yet loyal patrons needn’t worry whether they’ll continue to get the same traditional British cuisine and delightful tea-room atmosphere that has made The Brits a local favorite. New owner Alice Fox-Dietz is well acquainted with the way things are done around here.

“I worked for [The Brits’ previous owner] Joy [Harris] since I was 16,” she says. “So I’m pretty comfortable here.”

The 24-year-old businesswoman, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband, Douglas, is a Kelso native.

She earned a degree in community development while attending Evergreen State College in Olympia and spent some time traveling around Europe before coming back to her roots, ultimately purchasing The Brits from her former employer.

So, other than ownership, not much has changed.

“The atmosphere is very quaint and cozy,” Fox-Dietz says. “We have traditional British fare, including pastries, fresh homemade scones, shepherd’s pie and crumpets. And we specialize in High Tea, which is by reservation only.

It’s very traditional with the three-tier tray and finger foods.”

On the tables, crisp, fresh linens and fine English china contribute to what Fox-Dietz says is the best dining experience in Longview.

“Our goal is to make a memory for people,” she explains.

Additionally, The Brits grocery section carries imported British teas, candies, marmalade and canned goods. It also sells genuine English bone china.

Fox-Dietz says future goals for the restaurant include dealing exclusively with other local businesses – from local food suppliers and distributors to a local Internet provider.

– Stories by Carol Cowan COWLITZ CO U NT Y

The Brits restaurant is a local favorite for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

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Business

Currents of

Prosperity COWLITZ COUNTY’S THREE PORTS DRIVE A BURGEONING WATER-BASED ECONOMY

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Brian Hogg operates a crane at the Port of Longview. Left: A dredge moves along the Columbia River near the Port of Kalama. The dredging project is nearly complete and will deepen the river’s navigation channel by three feet.

STORY BY SHARON H. FITZGERALD PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

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n addition to traditional transportation modes such as Interstate 5, bustling railways, regional airstrips and nearby Portland International Airport, Cowlitz County boasts another logistical plus – the Columbia River and three busy ports to take advantage of access to the Pacific Ocean. Now a good thing’s getting even better.

The Cowlitz County ports of Longview, Kalama and Woodland have joined

forces with Vancouver and Portland ports to deepen the Columbia River’s navigation channel from 40 to 43 feet.

Those three feet “mean thousands of tons of cargo,” says Ken O’Hollaren, Port of Longview executive director.

“This will allow vessels to more fully load cargo. To the extent they become more efficient, those savings are realized by the shippers and all the consumers of products that they handle, and it makes

the river system competitive. That’s really the key here,” O’Hallaren says.

The dredging project, handled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is more than halfway complete.

The Port of Woodland is garnering an additional advantage from the dredging: hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of sand. Erica Rainford, the port’s executive director, says the sand is being deposited on two port properties

Port Directory PORT OF LONGVIEW Executive Director: Ken O’Hollaren 10 Port Way Longview, WA 98632-7739 (360) 425-3305

PORT OF KALAMA Executive Director: Lanny Cawley 380 West Marine Drive Kalama, WA 98625 (360) 673-2325

PORT OF WOODLAND Executive Director: Erica L. Rainford 141 Davidson Ave. Woodland, WA 98674 (360) 225-6555

www.portoflongview.com

www.portofkalama.com

www.portofwoodland.com

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Business

to be sold for profit.

Located near the Clark County line, the Port of Woodland offers easy access to the interstate and owns a rail spur, two benefits that are luring industry. Its Down River Industrial Park is full, with nine tenants. Now open for business is the new Schurman Way Industrial Park, while Guild Industrial Parks I and II are in the design phase.

The Port of Longview is adjacent to Weyerhaeuser, one of Cowlitz County’s largest employers, as well as operations for industrial giants such as North American Pipe and Steel and BrownStrauss Steel. O’Hollaren says the port’s people are one reason why its industrial park is nearly full and customers return again and again.

“We have a highly efficient and productive labor force, both in terms of our cargo-handling crew as well as

our maintenance and construction workforce. They have a reputation throughout the West Coast for productivity and efficiency,” O’Hollaren says.

During 2008, the port will complete its eighth marine terminal, this one dedicated to grain exports.

With three marine terminals, the Port of Kalama has shovel-ready sites available in the Kalama River Industrial Park. One 30,000-square-foot building is ready for occupancy, and another 40,000-square-foot facility will be complete by fall 2008. Mindi Linquist, the port’s marketing and government relations manager, says 945 people already are employed by the port’s tenants. More jobs are being created

by Cameron Family Glass Packaging, which broke ground in 2007 for its $109 million facility.

Plans are under way for an expansion

that will accommodate recreational amenities and additional business development at the Port of Kalama.

“We’ve just acquired land on the east side of I-5, and we’re looking to start developing that within the year,” Linquist adds. The site will be developed to include “a very high-end” business park, she says. The Kalama Fairgrounds and some Little League fields will be relocated there, as well.

The Port of Kalama prides itself on its recreational opportunities and operates a 222-slip marina. A new park was dedicated in early summer 2008, with sand volleyball courts, basketball and tennis courts, picnic shelters and horseshoe pits.

“We have beach access to the Columbia River,” Linquist says. “It’s open to the public, anyone can come, and there’s no charge.”

SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Learn more about the Port of Longview at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

The historic Lewis and Clark Bridge extends across the Columbia River near the bustling Port of Longview.

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COWLITZ CO U NT Y

TODD BENNETT

The White Creek Wind Project in Klickitat County began operation in November 2007, generating electricity for customers of Cowlitz County Public Utility District, as well as for three other public utilities.

A Wind-Wind Situation UTILITY DISTRICT TURNS TO TURBINES

F

or the Cowlitz County Public Utility District, the answer is indeed blowin’ in the wind. In November 2007, 89 giant wind turbines towering over grazing lands and wheat fields in the Columbia River Gorge started spinning and thus generating electricity for customers of Cowlitz PUD and three other public utilities.

Dubbed the White Creek Wind Project, the initiative is the largest public power wind-generation project in the United States. It’s expected to power an estimated 38,000 residences annually.

“There’s been great customer interest, and we’ve tried to do our best through our newsletter and speaking to our local organizations to keep our customers informed of our investment in the project,” says Cowlitz PUD spokesman Dave Andrew.

In 2006, voters statewide set standards for the use of non-hydro renewable energy sources. By 2012, at least 3 percent of a utility’s power must be from

COWLITZ CO U NT Y

renewable sources and 15 percent by 2020. Andrew says the White Creek Wind Project is helping Cowlitz PUD meet that goal, and further wind generation may be in the offing.

“There is a second phase being discussed. There has been some testing done at an adjacent property for a smaller second project, and I think there’s a good possibility of that,” Andrew says.

Financing for the White Creek Wind Project is “a pretty interesting piece of this puzzle,” Andrew adds.

“As public utilities, we cannot utilize the federal tax credits that the federal government makes available on renewable energy projects. In a very innovative financing plan, the four utilities sold the wind project to private investors in late 2006. They, in turn, did take advantage of the federal tax credits, and then we’re buying electricity from them for 20 years.”

The deal was the first of its kind and resulted in lower wholesale costs for the project. The utilities have the option to buy the project back in 10 years.

Such innovative solutions help keep Cowlitz PUD’s power costs among the lowest 5 percent in the nation.

Its residential rate is 5.12 cents per kilowatt hour, while the national average is well above 10 cents.

– Sharon H. Fitzgerald

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Business | Biz Briefs

PHOTOS BY TODD BENNETT

PUMPED UP ABOUT ETHANOL The Wilcox family has been delivering fuel to Washington and Oregon for more than 50 years. Now, the family business is giving local residents another option to standard petroleum.

Wilcox and Flegel Oil opened the state’s first all-biodiesel station at 416 Oregon Way in Longview. The station offers three grades of ethanol, including E85, which is 85 percent ethanol. Four other Wilcox and Flegel stations in the region are also offering ethanol options at the pump.

“It’s renewable and produced in the United States, so it seems to support our economy more than imported oil,” says Steve Wilcox, the second-generation president of Wilcox and Flegel.

The introduction of ethanol options to the area, Wilcox hopes, will spark increased demand for the product.

“As more stations are available, more flex-fuel vehicles will be purchased,” he says.

The family business has changed considerably since his father, Steve Wilcox Jr., and Art Flegel were providing area residents with heating fuel in the early 1950s. Today, the company employs more than 300 people at locations throughout the Pacific Northwest.

SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Take a peek inside the new Montgomery House Bed and Breakfast at imagescowlitzcounty.com.

The Montgomery House Bed and Breakfast opened in Kalama in March 2008.

FLIP TURNS INTO B&B Eric and Juliana Montgomery were halfway through the renovation of the Craftsman home they purchased in 2006 when their lives and their perspective changed. They scrapped the idea of restoring then selling the home.

“It was kind of hard to give it up,” says Juliana Montgomery, who had become pregnant during the renovation.

“We were falling in love with the place.”

A year later in March 2008, Montgomery House Bed and Breakfast opened at 180 S. First St. in Kalama.

The home contains three guest bed48

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rooms, including one with a huge bathroom and view of the Columbia River and two others with a shared bath. The common area features an art gallery, befitting the Montgomerys’ desire to use the facility as an event venue.

Moreover, the Montgomerys have gone to great lengths to make their inn eco-friendly, with a focus on recycling, organic foods and use of non-toxic materials.

“We’re trying to care for our environment and our guests as much as possible,” Juliana Montgomery says.

ALL IN FUN AT ALL ABOUT ME There’s only one item Rachael Doss insists her customer’s leave her gift boutique with – a smile.

“People are moving too fast,” she says.

“We don’t make time for laughter.”

She hopes a visit to All About Me can change that. The “girly store,” as she calls it, offers a bevy of hard-to-find, fun and whimsical items. Her stock includes Trollbeads, a line of Danish jewelry not previously found elsewhere in the Northwest, Garlic Lady items, Salt City Candles and “tons of handbags.”

Much of the merchandise in the 1,000-square-foot store at 2777 N. First St. in Kalama is produced locally, including clocks by Michelle Allen of Battleground.

The store’s name derives from the owner’s desire to see the smiles last well past the time they exit the building.

“It’s not so painful when you look in your check register and see it’s All About Me,” Doss says.

All About Me is open Tuesdays through Sundays.

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FEEDING THE NEED Rick Pettit was a fish biologist whose only experience with feed stores was as a customer.

But when he was looking for a career change, he found feed fit the bill.

He bought an existing feed store in 2005 and immediately set about remaking the business into Remnant Farms Feed & Supply. He expanded the store, located at 1501 Guild Road in Woodland, nearly doubling its size, while making significant changes to the inventory.

“We started as a small feed store and morphed into a small pet supply superstore,” says Pettit, who operates the business with his wife, Jo Anne.

Though his career as a biologist didn’t give him much retail experience, it did prove fruitful in other ways. He’s able to pick up the relevant information on pet nutrition quickly and convey that to his customers. His selection steers away from lower-quality pet food.

“We help people find better foods for their pets so the pets can have better lives,” Pettit says.

Remnant Farms Feed & Supply is open Mondays through Saturdays with abbreviated hours on Sunday.

PIZZA FOR PETE’S SAKE The Pete is back in Papa Pete’s Pizza.

Papa Pete’s has been a local institution since 1974, delivering its original pizza recipe to hungry residents at three area locations. The pizza place’s founders, Joann and Pete Peterson, sold the business to outside interests in 1999.

In 2007, the Petersons’ children, Tami Rupley, Keli Coscia and Chris Peterson, opted to buy the chain back.

“It was just the perfect time,” says

Chris Peterson. “It was time to bring it back in the family and see to it the product is as good as it should be.”

The siblings have made a few changes since returning to the family business, including reintroducing the recipes created by the original Papa Pete.

“We’ve gotten a tremendous amount of response from our clientele about the improvements and the consistency,” Peterson says.

Peterson oversees operations at the original store in Castle Rock, while his sisters do the same at the operations in Longview and Ridgefield.

– Dan Markham

Save Money.

Smell the Flowers.

Looking for ways to save money on gas and help the environment? The EPA wants to share some smart driving tips that could give you more miles per gallon of gas and reduce air pollution. Tips like making sure your tires are properly inflated and replacing your air filter regularly. And where possible, accelerate and brake slowly. Be aware of your speed ... did you know that for every 5 miles you go over 65 mph, you’re spending about 20 cents more per gallon of gas? If you’re shopping for a new car, choose the cleanest, most efficient vehicle that meets your needs. If we each adopt just one of these tips, we’d get more miles for our money and it would be a little easier to smell the flowers. For more tips and to compare cleaner, more efficient vehicles, visit

www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.

Animals greet visitors to Remnant Farms Feed & Supply in Woodland.

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TODD BENNETT

CEDC President Ted Sprague, left, and Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rick Winsman at the U.S. Bank building in Longview

A United Front for Progress CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND CEDC WORK TOGETHER FOR COMMUNITY

I

t’s smooth sailing for businesses in Cowlitz County, thanks to the efficient cooperation between the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce and the Cowlitz Economic Development Council.

For years, the two entities have partnered to recruit and retain business and industry, sharing knowledge, expertise and inspiration to capitalize on economic development efforts.

“When I was asked to run this chamber, one of the first people I turned to was [CEDC president] Ted Sprague,” says Kelso Longview Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Winsman. “We aren’t in competition with each other – we’re working on obverse sides of the same coin.”

Typically, the countywide CEDC focuses on recruiting and retaining industrial clients, while the chamber works with small business, commercial and residential development. Clearly, the two areas interface; new companies need housing for their employees, who need convenience to retail and service businesses, etc. And prospective new 52

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industries look at the health of the local chamber as a measure of the area’s general economic viability.

“The benefit is that when organizations are working together, you leverage resources. You don’t duplicate efforts,” says Sprague. “Both organizations get better bang for their buck.”

Recently, representatives of the chamber and the CEDC traveled to Washington, D. C., together to meet with the county’s federal delegation.

They discussed the local impact of pending federal legislation and funding cuts on the local economy, “talking about our needs in Cowlitz County, presenting a united front to say ‘this is our community, this is who we are,’” Sprague says.

Winsman points to the outstanding partnerships both organizations enjoy with other economic development agencies and municipal, county and state officials, resulting in an influx of new business into the county.

Many entities worked together to recruit Woodinville Lumber/TriCounty Truss, as well as Kalama’s Cameron Family Glass Company. The

new plant will be the first glass-bottle manufacturing plant built in North America in 30 years, and will bring almost 100 “good, family-wage” jobs here, Winsman says.

“The CEDC, the chamber, the Port of Kalama, the Governor of Washington, the state legislature and others worked on this together,” Winsman says. “It takes a lot of good people to make things happen.”

In October 2008, the chamber and CEDC will host a small business seminar, in conjunction with the Small Business Agency. And in December they will sponsor an economic summit, bringing together economists and experts in fields such as health care, real estate, business and education for some brainstorming about the next 10 years.

“The broad spectrum of partnerships established here are indicative of a community that understands it is on the cusp of something really great,” says Winsman. “We just have to give it the tipping push and everything will fall into place.”

– Laura Hill COWLITZ CO U NT Y

Business | Economic Profile

COWLITZ COUNTY BUSINESS CLIMATE The economy in Cowlitz County has been timber-based historically, but it has been busy attracting new manufacturing business and building a thriving riverfront industry based on the strength of its ports.

BUSINESS EXPANSION AND RETENTION

DISTANCE TO MAJOR CITIES 145 miles south of Seattle 50 miles north of Portland, Ore.

TARGETED TAX INCENTIVES New and existing manufacturers, research and development firms, and certain high-technology companies in Washington can benefit from several targeted tax incentives.

These incentives are intended to encourage the preservation and creation of family-wage jobs.

New Business Sales/ Use Tax Exemption Warehousing Sales/ Use Tax Exemption

The Cowlitz Economic Development Council has many programs for business expansion. Representatives are experts in their respective subjects and stay abreast of the latest processes and techniques that will position a company for more profits and improved services. For example, these

Company

Site Selection Permit Assistance Washington Manufacturing Services Foreign Trade Zone HUB Zone Certification

Product Service Employees

Weyerhaeuser PeaceHealth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; St. John Medical Center Longview Fibre Co. Longview School District Kelso School District

Wood products

1,850

Health center

1,771

Kraft paper

1,387

Education

881

Education

875

Foster Farms

Chicken processing

730

Lower Columbia College

Community college

618

Contractor

600

J.H. Kelly Cowlitz County

Rural County Manufacturing Sales/ Use Tax Exemption High-Technology Sales/ Use Tax Exemption

Wal-Mart

Rural Area B&O Tax Credits

Kaiser Permanente

Rural County B&O Tax Credit

Fred Meyer

Rural County High-Tech B&O Tax Credits

Currently, CEDC offers assistance with:

MAJOR EMPLOYERS

NORPAC

High-Technology B&O Tax Credits

programs can help a company obtain funding, sell its product/ service to government, or improve its manufacturing process.

Safeway City of Longview

594

Newsprint

442

Grocery stores

399

Government

361

Department store

320

Steel coating

284

HMO

263

Department store

260

Forest products

252

Health services

247

Retirement senior communities

210

Environmental services

130

Chemicals

147

Steelscape

RSG Forest Products Community Home Health & Hospice Koelsch Senior Communities

Government

Rural Enterprise Zone

PNE Corp.

Foreign Trade Zone

Emerald Kalama Chemical

Labor Force Training

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Business | Economic Profile Community Development Block Grant Float Loans

Longview (2007) Population, 35,710

SBA Loans and Loan Guaranties

Building permits, $159,056,207

Rural Washington Loan Fund

Kelso (2005) Population, 11,840

HUD Section 108 Guaranteed Loans

Building permits, $16,025,359

Coastal Loan Fund Washington State Forest Products Revolving Loan Fund Brownfields Redevelopment Loan Fund

COWLITZ COUNTY EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS (2007) 40,810 employed

Loan Packaging Assistance for Certified Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses Child Care Facility Fund USDA Business & Industry Loans Lending Network Loans

3,570 unemployed 44,380 total workforce

AVERAGE MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT AND TOTAL WAGES (2006)

Personal income tax: none

Industry: Employers; Avg. # of Employees; Wages Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, 100; 1,121; $43,641,558

Retail sales and use tax

Mining: 6; 146; $7,164,686

6.5% state tax

Utilities: 3; 41; $3,135,725

Incorporated areas of Cowlitz County (county plus state tax) 7.7% combined

Construction: 297; 2,519; $112,819,715

Industrial Revenue Bonds

TAXES

Unincorporated areas of Cowlitz County (county plus state tax) 7.6% combined Unemployment insurance .50% to 5.42% of first $28,500 wage Workers’ comp – Employers can choose between self-insured and state fund. For state fund information, call (360) 575-6900.

Business and occupational tax (rates per $1,000 of gross sales) Manufactured and wholesale $4.84 Retailing $4.71, Services $15

FACTS/STATISTICS Cowlitz County (2007) Population, 97,800 Real estate sales, $679,466,648 Building permits, $159,056,207

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Health Care & Social Assistance: 183; 4,532; $156,867,553 Arts, Entertainment & Recreation: 25; 517; $8,839,333 Accommodation & Food Services: 206; 2,922; $37,143,516 Other Services, except Public Administration: 800; 1,638; $26,203,268 Government: 72; 5,574; $207,760,687 Totals: 2,788; 37,084; $1,303,411,005

ANNUAL WAGE AND INCOME Cowlitz County average annual wage (2007), $36,140 WA per capita income (2006) $37,423

INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT & WAGES Cowlitz County 2005 Total firms 3,029

Manufacturing: 134; 7,213; $377,405,612

Total employment 36,690

Wholesale/Retail Trade: 402; 5,698; $156,567,234

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Transportation & Warehousing: 87; 1,448; $57,284,251 Information: 27; 463; $17,489,734 Finance, Insurance, Real Estate: 194; 1,385; $46,129,003 Professional & Technical Services: 134; 659; $23,059,466 Management of Companies & Enterprises: 4; 37; $1,200,297 Administrative & Waste Services: 99; 1,060; $18,740,329 Educational Services: 21; 121; $1,959,038

Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 1563 Olympia Way Longview, WA 98632 Phone: (360) 423-8400 Fax: (360) 423-0432 www.kelsolongview chamber.org Cowlitz Economic Development Council 1452 Hudson St. Suite 208 Longview, WA 98632 Phone: (360) 423-9921 Fax: (360) 423-1923 www.cowlitzedc.com

Sources: www.kelsolongview chamber.org, www.census.gov

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Images of Cowlitz County 2009 Ad Proof An Official Publication of the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce and Cowlitz Economic Development Council This ad was sold to you by: Elizabeth West

TO: ADVERTISER NAME – THIS AD WAS ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED AS A COMPOSED FILE. THEREFORE, WE ARE UNABLE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES. PLEASE SIGN YOUR APPROVAL OR SUBMIT NEW MATERIALS FOR THIS YEAR’S AD BY THE DEADLINE. THANK YOU. AD: ADVERTISER COMPANY SIZE: AD SIZE COLOR: COMPOSED AD FROM LAST YEAR THIS AD WAS ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED AS A COMPOSED FILE. THEREFORE, WE ARE UNABLE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES. PLEASE SIGN YOUR APPROVAL OR SUBMIT NEW MATERIALS FOR THIS YEAR’S AD BY THE DEADLINE. THANK YOU.

Proof Due Date:______

Please check phone/fax number, address and other ad content.

The publisher will not be responsible for ANY errors in ads where proofs were not returned by the client. Due to our production schedule, we can only guarantee sending this one proof. PLEASE CHECK A BOX BELOW, SIGN THIS FORM AND FAX BACK TO US AT (615) 771-7636 BY THE DUE DATE.

OK AS SHOWN SIGNATURE

✗ By signing, the customer warrants that it is duly authorized to use any art, illustrations or other copyrighted material, trade marks, trade names, logos, photos or copy in the manner shown.

725 COOL SPRINGS BLVD., SUITE 400 • FRANKLIN, TN 37067 • (615) 771-0080 • FAX: (615) 771-7636 ADS@JNLCOM.COM • WWW.JNLCOM.COM/ADS

STAFF PHOTO

Education

Real World, Here They Come CAREER FAIR GIVES STUDENTS A TASTE OF DOZENS OF FUTURE CAREER OPTIONS

E

very kid dreams about what they want to be when they grow up. Thanks to Cowlitz County’s annual Career Fair at Lower Columbia College, more than 1,000 area high school sophomores get an inside look at their desired careers every spring.

“For most of them, this is their first introduction to the world of work,” says Jenne Psait, career and technical education assistant for Kelso High School and Career Fair coordinator. “It is a wonderful opportunity for them to explore careers they are interested in.”

The Career Fair has been a Cowlitz County tradition for the past 16 years and is a cooperative effort among six area high schools, including Kelso, Kalama, Mark Morris, R.A. Long, Toutle and Three Rivers Christian. The 2008 Career Fair was held in March and featured workshops given by 80 professionals from nearly 60 career fields.

“The students choose three careers they would like to explore and attend three 20-minute presentations on the careers they have chosen,” Psait explains.

“All the presentations include information regarding why the presenter chose their field, the number of years or schooling COWLITZ CO U NT Y

required, pros and cons of the career field, and salary and benefit expectations.”

The experience helps students eliminate jobs they realize don’t fit their interests and find out what it takes to prepare for a career that does. It also satisfies a state requirement for graduation.

“This activity provides students with the opportunity to explore jobs they think they may like to do when they graduate,” Psait says. “Students benefit by receiving a first-hand look at the careers they have chosen. They have the opportunity to ask the presenter questions about their line of work, so they are more able to form an informed opinion regarding the type of career they would like.”

After the career fair, students fill out questionnaires about what they learned and how it enhanced or changed their feelings about different careers.

“Approximately 70 percent of the students came out of the experience very excited about their choices,” Psait says. “Twenty percent felt the same as they did before the career fair, and about 10 percent realized after attending a presentation that a certain career they

had chosen was definitely not for them.”

Cooperation among the six participating high schools has made the career fair much more successful than if individual schools hosted such an event alone, Psait says.

“When a career day was offered by a local school, they were able to choose from only 20 career speakers due to the school size and effort to make it happen,” Psait says. “By using the LCC campus, we have more room and can host way more speakers.”

The majority of presenters at the career fair are from local businesses, which is favorable for Cowlitz County’s future economy.

“It allows them to make contact with students and make them aware of work expectations,” Psait explains. “We’re very excited about the opportunities available for our students. All these contacts that inform them about available careers in our area will possibly help them choose to stay in our community.”

– Jessica Mozo

Lower Columbia College hosts an annual career fair for high schoolers.

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Education

Woodland’s Green Gears Up for Growth NEW SUPERINTENDENT TAKES REINS OF SCHOOL DISTRICT

S

manageable size.

“I’ve always enjoyed working in small to midsize districts,” Green says. “You’re just able to have your hands, your fingerprints, on so many different things. When you don’t have too many layers of administration you really get to know the people and connect not only with the employees but also with the

people in the community. I really wanted the opportunity to be a part of that.”

Green brings a wealth of Washington-based learning with him. He moved to Woodland from the Nine Mile Falls School District and is a graduate of Central Washington University.

He earned a masters degree in educational administration from Western Washington University and obtained superintendent’s credentials from Seattle Pacific University.

Early on, Green realized that while part of Woodland’s charm may be its size, it’s time for the school district to grow.

“That’s our biggest challenge right now,” Green says. “We’ve been steadily and consistently growing year after year, and we’re totally out of room. Now we’re trying to put together and identify a construction package that will be supported by voters so we can do that.”

Even with those challenges ahead, Green says he made the right decision when he took the job.

“Everything here has met and exceeded every expectation I had,” he says. “Woodland is a great place to be, and I’m very glad to be here.”

– Joe Morris

TODD BENNETT

ome educational administrators like to stay above it all, but not Michael Green, who says he is happy to have a hand in everything possible.

Green, who became superintendent of the Woodland School District in July 2007, says he was drawn to the district largely because of its

Woodland School District Superintendent Michael Green

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Sports & Recreation

It’s Time To Get Moving HEALTHY LIFESTYLES COALITION AIMS TO INCREASE RECREATIONAL OFFERINGS

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hen people in Cowlitz County see a need for improvement, they join forces and tackle the task. One such group is involved in the Healthy Lifestyles Coalition’s Cowlitz on the Move project, which aims to improve the overall health of residents by promoting and reducing barriers to exercise, as well as advance the concepts of good nutrition and smoking cessation.

The Healthy Lifestyles Coalition is a group of more than 30 organizations in Cowlitz County that formed in 2005 through the support of the Cowlitz County Health Department and Pathways 2020.

One of the major projects of the coalition’s Cowlitz on the Move project is planning for a Castle Rock-to-Lexington Trail. The trail will help fill a need in the community for more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly pathways and will be designed for walkers, runners, bicyclists and horseback riders.

“The Trails Planning Committee of Cowlitz on the Move envisions one day trails running from Castle Rock all the way to Woodland,” says Paul Youmans, co-facilitator of Cowlitz on the Move and director of Pathways 2020, a group

whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of Cowlitz County. “This is an important part of connecting communities, providing alternate transportation and increasing the health and wellbeing of residents.”

Other activities of Cowlitz on the Move include the Plant an Extra Row campaign. It encourages backyard gardeners to plant an extra row of produce to donate to local food banks. A food policy council is also being formed to examine the local food system and implement new policies.

“The council will gather people from different sectors, such as nutritionists and farmers, and we’ll look at how food is distributed, processed, purchased and protected in our community,” says April Stewart, a health educator for the Cowlitz County Health Department and co-facilitator of Cowlitz on the Move.

“We don’t know where it’s going to take us yet. There are some school nutrition standards that say by 2010, schools will have to take out non-nutritious food items as defined by the USDA. We will touch on food policies in schools as well as having restaurants trained to promote local food.”

Youmans says the proactive, “can-do” attitude among residents here is one of the key reasons why he and his wife chose to move to Cowlitz County.

“The idea of ‘ignore it and it will just go away’ wasn’t part of the community’s vocabulary,” Youmans says. “I believe the health disparities we have in our community will be turned around because of commitment to increasing healthy lifestyles, building trails and recreational areas, and ensuring that everyone has access to healthy foods. It will be a standard for our community and not just a dream.”

Cowlitz on the Move’s Web site, www.cowlitzonthemove.org, is a resource for community members and focuses on local activities and healthy lifestyle resources.

“The hope is that Cowlitz on the Move and projects like the Castle Rock-toLexington Trail will help people become more active, leading to longer healthier lives,” Youmans says. “Being active means, for everyone from babies to senior citizens, to have better self-esteem, be more likely to volunteer and participate in the life of the community, and reduce health-care costs.”

– Jessica Mozo

The Healthy Lifestyles Coalition hopes to increase the number of residents opting for physical activities, such as bike riding, for both recreation and exercise. Above, a rider glides through Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview.

COWLITZ CO U NT Y

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Producing Paper ... and More Making value-added paper and packaging products is the forte of our large Longview operations, which have been a major contributor to the Cowlitz County and region’s economy since the mill’s startup in 1927:

Business Development • Financial Reporting Estate Planning • Computer Consulting Tax Planning and Preparation • Formal Business Plans Management Advisory Services • Bookkeeping George H. Opsahl, Jr., CPA

Terry Hodgkins Shepp, CPA

Richard R. Moffett, CPA

Lucie Camfield, CPA, MBA

Susan E. Ellsworth, CPA

Teri Elworthy, CPA

Michael G. Woods, CPA

Debbie M. Ralston, EA

Lester A. Mischke, CPA, MBT

James R. Gates, EA

Longview Office: (360) 425-2000 959 11th Avenue • Suite A • Longview, WA 98632 Vancouver Office: (360) 737-8007 PO Box 872347 • Vancouver, WA 98687-2347 gopsahl@opsahlco.com www.opsahlco.com

• Employs about 1,300 men and women.

• Payroll nearly $70 million annually.

• Local purchases and taxes paid about $60 million annually.

• Produces containerboard for seven Longview Fibre box plants in West Coast and Intermountain regions for converting into corrugated and solid-fiber containers for packaging a broad mix of products, ranging from foods to computers to appliances.

• A wide array of value-added kraft papers is made at Longview for conversion by other firms into countless end-uses, including retail bags, construction papers, food packaging and many specialty products.

questions

answers

©2002 American Cancer Society, Inc.

8 0 0 . A C S . 2 3 4 5 / c a n c e r. o r g

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Arts & Culture

Art in Everyday Places PUBLIC DISPLAYS ADD DEPTH AND DIMENSION TO RESIDENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE

COWLITZ CO U NT Y

maps out all of the works to be found within Longview and Kelso – from murals and framed works of calligraphy to historical reliefs. The result is a driving and walking tour encompassing approximately six miles of the city.

“We saw the impact outdoor art was having on businesses in town, and we wanted to combine it with the inventory owned by the hospital and college,” Bemm says.

Also spotlighted in the brochure are galleries that exhibit rotating pieces

by regional artists, such as Broadway Gallery and Teague’s Interiors.

While public art in other cities can be controversial or abstract, Bemm describes Cowlitz County’s displays as “calming.”

“We get comments all the time on how much people enjoy the pieces,” Bemm says. “They feel it adds a dimension to the city, and it’s something they can share with their kids and teach them to appreciate art.”

– Danny Bonvissuto

TODD BENNETT

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n Lake Sacajawea Park, a boy throws a ball to a dog. Children pet the dog, hug it and even try to ride it like a horse, but it never barks or bites. It’s a cast bronze sculpture – one of many pieces of public art in the Kelso and Longview area.

“We started with that one piece, and it grew from there,” says Rich Bemm, director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Longview. “Some people wanted to commission a piece as a memorial for their parents, and we talked about what that would be, based on the location in the park. People have really embraced it and kids love the dog.

In fact, they’ve rubbed its nose so much it’s become shiny.”

Fetch now shares the park with Sacajawea, a cast bronze sculpture of the woman who explored the west with Lewis and Clark in the early 1800s, a carved granite piece titled Japanese Figure and a wooden totem pole donated by the Pioneer Lions Club.

“The community has performing arts and galleries, but we didn’t have anything the public could touch,” Bemm says. “We feel it really enhances the quality of life here.”

The park is now just one of many places to interact with art around town. Handstand Boy frolics outside the Parks and Recreation Administration building; a cat reads Cat in the Hat over the shoulder of a girl on a bench in front of the Longview Public Library; and a girl presents a flower to town founder, Robert A. Long, in Thank you, Mr. Long in downtown Longview. At the Kelso train station, a figure sits on a steamer truck, waiting for its ride.

But sculpture is just part of the package. The lobby of the Monticello Hotel is home to 46 oil paintings commissioned by Long in the early 1900s, and Lower Columbia College showcases works made with mediums including paper cutting, acrylic on linen and mixed media.

As the city’s collection grew both inside and outdoors, so did the public’s curiosity. So the parks and recreation department put together a brochure that

Public art offerings at the Longview Library include the outdoor sculpture Story Time, which was created by artist De L’Esprie.

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The Family Health Center

Working for Family Health Center Family Health Center is committed to promoting, encouraging and providing health services in order to improve the quality of life through sound nutrition, education, preventive health care and the empowerment of choice.

Family Health Center has four Locations to Better Serve You Longview Clinic 1057 12th Ave. Longview, WA 98632 (360) 636-3892

Family Planning Nurse 711 Vine St. Kelso, WA 98626 (360) 501-2438

North Beach Clinic 21610 Old Pacific Hwy. Ocean Park, WA 98640 (360) 665-3000 “Providing the quality care your family deserves” Woodland Clinic 1251 Lewis River Rd. Ste. D Woodland, WA 98674 (360) 225-4310

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Cowlitz Family Health Center (FHC) is a private, nonprofit community health service organization.

Peter C. Wagner D.M.D., P.S.

ORTHODONTICS FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS 855 BROADWAY LONGVIEW, WA 98632 (360) 425-2370

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME CONVENIENT PAYMENT PLANS INVISALIGN

COWLITZ CO U NT Y

Health & Wellness

This Doesn’t Hurt a Bit HUGE RENOVATION CONTINUES ON ST. JOHN MEDICAL CENTER PATIENT TOWER

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t is understandable that the staff at St. John Medical Center is looking forward to January 2010. After all, that is when a massive four-year, $46 million renovation to the entire hospital will be completed.

The project began in early 2006 as part of a four-year program to upgrade all eight floors of the St. John patient tower. The renovation is occurring one floor at a time until the final nail is hammered and the final new piece of high-tech equipment is installed around New Year’s Day in 2010.

“The eight floors are being completely upgraded and we are also adding 14,000 square feet of new space to the hospital,” says Randy Querin, public affairs specialist at St. John Medical Center. “This huge project will eventually produce a new intensive care unit, a brand new and expanded emergency department, brand new medical surgical cardiology floors, a modern in-patient behavioral health unit, and a comfortable obstetrics labor and delivery unit. It’s an exciting time around here right now.”

Part of the renovation process has been to install a high efficiency heating and cooling unit, as well as an all-new electrical system. Those upgrades have allowed St. John to qualify for a national Energy Star certification in environmental excellence.

“St. John is one of only 55 buildings in all of Washington that has qualified for the Energy Star certification, and the only building that has achieved this status in Cowlitz County,” Querin says. “The Energy Star recognition is something we are obviously quite proud of.”

St. John Medical Center in Longview is part of the PeaceHealth System, which oversees six individual hospitals in Washington, Alaska and Oregon. The first bricks at St. John were laid in the 1920s and then the eight-floor tower was constructed in 1968, but no other substantial physical upgrades had taken place since then – until now.

“The tower was state-of-the-art in 1968, but 40 years later it is in need of new technology and freshening,” Querin says.

“The outer shell will still be 1968, but the interior is going to be the very best of 2008 and beyond.”

The medical center primarily serves the communities of Longview and Kelso, but also as far north as Chehalis, and south to Woodland and into Oregon to cities such as Rainier and Clatskanie. The hospital offers almost every service to patients except open-heart surgery, but has an agreement with the Oregon Health & Science University hospital on that matter.

“Whenever an emergency cardiac patient arrives at St. John and needs immediate cardiac catheterization, we call OHSU and within minutes the patient is helicopter-transported to that hospital,” Querin says. “It’s all part of our incredible care for patients, which is what St. John Medical Center is all about.”

– Kevin Litwin

Life is a journey ... travel with friends.

A second generation of ownership serving a second generation Life at Koelsch Senior Communities is gracious and pleasing. Residents enjoy a warm, relaxed lifestyle with all the comforts that truly make this their home. Our communities feature a continuum of care, an excellent menu, access to on-site 24-hour licensed nurses and staff that treats you like family. Your pet is welcome, too!

TODD BENNETT

Call to arrange a complimentary dinner and tour!

St. John Medical Center is proud to be one of only 55 buildings in the state that is Energy Star certified.

COWLITZ CO U NT Y

Canterbury Park Independent Living (360) 501-5100

Canterbury Inn Assisted Living (360) 425-7947

Canterbury Gardens Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care (360) 423-2200

Delaware Plaza Assisted Living (360) 423-3333

www.koelschseniorcommunities.com

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Community Profile

COWLITZ COUNTY SNAPSHOT Cowlitz County offers a small-town lifestyle with the natural beauty of the nearby Cascades and the Columbia and Cowlitz rivers.

MEDIA Newspaper The Daily News, 577-2500

EDUCATION Longview Public Schools 575-7000, 2007-08 Figures

Libraries Longview Public Library 442-5300, 1600 Louisiana St.

Total employees 925 Kelso Public Schools 501-1900, 2007-08 Figures Total enrollment 5,095 Elementary 2,173 Junior high 1,132 High school 1,790 Total employees 875 Higher Education Lower Columbia College 442-2000, 2007 Figures Total enrollment 4,000 Total employees 541

CLIMATE Average Temperatures January Average low, 33 F Average high, 45 F July Average low, 50 F Average high, 87 F 2007 annual precipitation 49.02 inches Elevation 12 to 4,965 feet above sea level

The area code for Cowlitz County is 360.

Senior Center (Longview) 636-0210 Senior Center (Kelso), 577-9587 United Way of Cowlitz County, 423-5320

UTILITIES

U.S. Post Office (Longview), (800) 275-8777

Middle school 1,642 High school 2,214

Parks & Recreation, 442-5400

Kelso Public Library 423-8110, 314 Academy

Total enrollment 7,120 Elementary 3,264

Longview Police Department 442-5800

Cable Comcast (503) 519-2271 Electricity Cowlitz County P.U.D. 423-2210 Gas Cascade Natural Gas Co., 423-7470 Telephone Qwest (residential) (800) 244-1111 Qwest (commercial), 270-4516 Water/Sewer City of Longview, 442-5035 City of Kelso, 578-7915

IMPORTANT NUMBERS C & L Auto Licensing 577-3972 Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Department, 577-3092 Cowlitz County Tourism Bureau, 577-3137 Drivers’ licensing, 577-2235 Kelso Fire Department 578-5217 Kelso Police Department 423-1270 Longview Fire Department 442-5503

U.S. Post Office (Kelso), (800) 275-8777 Work Source (state employment agency), 577-2250

COWLITZ COUNTY PARKS Catlin Cemetery 2-acre historical cemetery and natural area located between Longview and Kelso Coal Creek Boat Launch 2-acre boat launch with a concrete, single-lane ramp on Coal Creek Slough leading to the Columbia River Cougar Wayside Managed as a wayside in cooperation with the Cougar Store and the state department of transportation; includes picnic tables, benches and a cougar statue created by artist Bill Bane and donated by Ken and Eunice Teeter County Line Park 5.5-acre day-use and overnight park on the Columbia River; includes ample parking, electrical hook-ups, picnic sites, fishing platform, trails and open space, restrooms, as well as

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Community Profile

Visit Our Advertisers Cascade Natural Gas www.cngc.com

Larry Hansen Insurance

Longview Fibre Cascade Networks www.cni.net City of Longview www.ci.longview.wa.us

www.longfibre.com

Longview Public Schools

Longview Radiologists City of Woodland www.ci.woodland.wa.us Coldwell Banker – Flaskerud Realty Inc. www.cbflaskerud.com

www.longviewradiology.com

Lower Columbia College www.lowercolumbia.edu

Opsahl, Shepp & Company PS Cowlitz Bank www.cowlitzbank.com

www.opsahlco.com

Pacific Northern Cowlitz County Expo www.co.cowlitz.wa.us

Environmental Corporation www.pnecorp.com

Cowlitz County Title Company www.cowlitztitle.com

PeaceHealth

Look, a tall purple rectangle!

www.peacehealth.org Cowlitz Economic Development Council www.cowlitzedc.com

Port of Kalama www.portofkalama.com

Cowlitz Family Health Center Port of Longview Cowlitz PUD www.cowlitzpud.org

www.portoflongview.com

Port of Woodland DeFrancisco, Lampitt & Brado PS www.dlbcpas.com

www.portofwoodland.com

Dr. Peter Wagner

Red Canoe Credit Union www.redcanoecu.com

Entek Corporation www.entekhvac.com

Red Lion Hotels www.redlion.com

Fibre Federal Credit Union www.fibrecu.com Foster Farms www.fosterfarms.com

Schlecht Construction www.schlecht.com

Swanson Bark & Wood Products Interstate Wood Products Inc. www.interstatewoodproductsinc.org

www.swansonbark.com

US Bank JH Kelly www.jhkelly.com Koelsch Senior Communities www.koelschseniorcommunities.com

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When you talk to your child you build vocabulary, so everyday moments become learning moments. For more tips, visit bornlearning.org.

www.usbank.com

Windermere Real Estate www.windermere.com

COWLITZ CO U NT Y

Community Profile a 20-unit campground with great fishing opportunities Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitors Center 30-acre site with an attractive and spacious visitor building, restaurant, gift shops, meeting rooms, helicopter rides, trails, overlooks, picnicking, parking, restrooms and displays about the volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens Finn Hall Wayside 4-acre wayside with picnic area and open space managed as a cultural and historic area near Woodland on SR-503 Harry Gardner Park 17-acre day-use park on the south fork of the Toutle River off Fiest Road in Castle Rock; has walking trails, roads, picnic tables, benches, fire pits, barbecues, play area with swings, horseshoe pits and beach volleyball

Hog Island Access 10-acre day-use park with primitive boat launch and wayside; includes fishing access to the Cowlitz River Riverside Park 58-acre day-use area and regional park on the Cowlitz River; includes 3 youth baseball fields, 2 soccer fields, 4 restroom buildings, roads, trails and walking pathways, playground equipment, tennis and basketball courts, picnic shelters and tables SRS Viewpoint 5-acre day-use tourist viewpoint of sediment retention dam; has gift shop, interpretive center, restrooms, trails and concessions Willow Grove Park 60-acre regional day-use beach park on the Columbia

River includes playground equipment, beach access, picnic shelters and tables, trails, restrooms, paved parking areas and roadways Woodbrook Park 5-acre neighborhood park with new playground equipment, shelter/gazebo, open space and play areas

FOR MORE INFORMATION Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce 1563 Olympia Way Longview, WA 98632 Phone: 423-8400 Fax: 423-0432 www.kelsolongview chamber.org

Sources: www.kelsolongview chamber.org, www.co.cowlitz.wa.us

Larry L Hansen Anne DeFrancisco MBA CPA James Lampitt CPA Cindy Brado CPA Addie Ashby CPA

1424 14th • P.O. Box 456 • Longview, WA 98632 (360) 423-4520 • Fax (360) 425-9540 cpa@mdlcpa.com • www.dlbcpas.com

Employee Benefits & Insurance Plans Health • Life • Disability Retirement • Medicare Advantage Plans Supplements • Medicare Part D 1339 Commerce Ave., Ste. 310B • Longview, WA 98632 (360) 425-6334 lleehansen@msn.com

Building Solid Relationships For Over 34 Years

Can you imagine … a world without children?

We Can’t.

Call 1-800-996-4100 to help. www.stjude.org

The area code for Cowlitz County is 360.

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Our community’s award-winning, top 100 hospital* provides these and other medical services: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Regional Cancer Center State-of-the-Art Imaging Center Women’s Health Pavilion with Osteoporosis Center Mammography Clinic Birthing Center with Private Rooms Pediatrics Center for Sleep Disorders Collaborative Cardiac Program with Oregon Health Sciences University InMotion Clinic Providing Orthopedic Care, Sports Medicine and More Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services Surgical Services Family Practice and Specialty Clinics with over 23 Specialties and 100 Providers to serve you

St. John also …

Recently received an Energy Star certification from the EPA for being in the top 25% of energy efficient buildings in the nation.

A Better Bricks Award from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) for improvements to energyrelated business practices in Northwest buildings.

Was the only Washington State hospital selected to participate in the innovative national patient care program “Transforming Care at the Bedside,” initiated with a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Institute of Healthcare Improvement.

*St. John Medical Center earned a place in the top 20 of the prestigious “Top 100” list of U.S. hospitals providing value to their community. The Community Value Index list, compiled by Cleverley + Associates, evaluates hospitals across America in three core areas: financial viability and hospital reinvestment, cost structure, and charge structure.

1615 Delaware St. • Longview, WA 98632 • (360) 414-2000 For more information about our services, visit our Web site at www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia