Winter is kind of a funny thing around here. There’s snow, cold temperatures (or FREEZING as we saw last week), and even a little bit of sunshine to brighten the day. We here in the basin should know by now that winter can never seem to make up its mind. But yet there is beauty in all of this chaos, from the unstable weather the crowded stores. There is the calm in the decorating of the tree, the angel hung with care. The carefully wrapped presents, decorated with ribbons so bright and a shiny red bow. The delightful sweetness of that first Christmas cookies fresh out of the oven, sprinkled with sugar and a little bit of love. This edition, we have the opportunity to take a break from the holiday with a little bit of reading. Within these pages you will find tips on how to relax, some scenic views from around the Basin, and even some ideas for how to make the loved ones in your life happy this holiday season. We are pleased to bring a new writer into our folds, as Registered Nurse Shelley Trumbly discusses the effects of stress, and how to conquer it this holiday season. Travel to the calm places of the county with beautiful photography from Chuck Collins. Build a unique holiday treat with our local guide to holiday shopping. Cook up some yummy treats that even your kids can make with little help, and enjoy a walk through Memory Lane with Nesya Lev. Pamper yourself with some skin and face care that is all natural and good for you. And holidays aside, look towards the future with Tracy’s homesteading advice on choosing the best type of milk for your family. Follow the exciting new tradition of the Burger Babes of the Basin, as the traveling costume is greeting with joy and merriment wherever it goes. In addition, considering our recent arctic temperatures, read up on our advice on how to fix the pesky frozen pipes, and how to avoid them entirely. Stay safe if you’re traveling, stay sane when you’re with family. And most important, remember the childhood memories of Christmas – the good ones. Because though the holidays may seem crazy and kooky sometimes, it really is a winter wonderland out there - and you can’t afford to miss it.
Snowballs at Christmas Capturing Klamath Beauty with Chuck Collins You need to relax, with Shelley Trumbly, R.N. Away in the Manger: the Story of Raw Milk Celebrate Bacon Baskets The Burger Babes of the Basin Baby it’s Cold Outside: Get those pipes unthawed! The Doctor is in For Christmas
Some cut their own tree, plowing through feet of snow to find the perfect one – Griswold-style. Others bake for weeks, sharing their secret recipes with the next generation. For the holiday season there much to do, goodies to wrap, and family to spend time with. We asked a few of our readers to share their special holiday memories.
My dad likes to buy my mom a really nice necklace every year. Instead of wrapping it, he has the store put a bow on the jewelry box and he puts it deep inside the tree in an attempt to tempt Mom to open it before Christmas. She never has. But, he's been trying for over 40 years.
Santa's secret cocoa . . . . yes it is a complicated recipe, and it has always been tradition to serve it after Thanksgiving through Christmas day. It is the best cocoa in the world. Must be shaken, and special sprinkles colored shipped cream is a must. No one has ever figured out all the ingredients. Passed down by an elf from the Jolly Ol' Man himself.
We love to eat truffles, The cake (yes that is what it’s called..lol) and I love my mother in laws potato chowder on Christmas Eve. And My grandmother’s cheesecake, but I’m not giving that recipe out!
My dad was very intent on the setting! The wise men had to be a certain, calculated mathematical distance from the manger, or else it wasn’t historically accurate. We had a big tree that was always decorated. But we rarely had presents. In fact, each year, we chose a family with 5+ kids and treated them to presents and a lavish dinner with the works. I’ll never forget his generousity around the holidays. He hated the commercialism, so this was his way of celebrating – but giving to others.
My mother used to bake up a storm. Everything from pinwheels and sugar cookies, to peppermint candy canes and smooth caramels. Dinner was always a great treat, with traditional ham and three cheese potatoes. I still wish I could cook like she did.
Two years ago my family started watching the Doctor Who Christmas Special. Now we have a big party with fish fingers and – my favorite – mom’s custard, and sugar cookies shaped like daleks and the T.A.R.D.I.S. Now it’s not really Christmas until we get to see the Doctor save the day.
Think about how often you’ve had the most picture-perfect moment, poised your camera and clicked—then been disappointed because the result was nothing like what you were actually seeing. Meet Chuck Collins, capturing Klamath’s beauty one shutter click at a time.
Sometimes a picture just grabs your attention and touches your soul, but when this happens time and time again you begin to notice the artist as well as the artwork. The artist we’ve recently noticed is part-time photographer Chuck Collins, whose pictures have silently and steadily gained a large Internet following and fan base. “What is it,” you ask, “that sets his pictures apart from the other artists’?” Chuck Collins has the uncanny ability to capture a moment or an expression in an explosion of breathtaking color and precision so clear that God himself can only be thinking, “Good job, Chuck! That how I want people to remember it.” We believe Collins’ work has a fingerprint, a signature-style all its own, making his work easily distinguishable from other photographic images that are circulating the Internet. When you see Chuck’s pictures you may find yourself holding your breath just a split second longer because the blues are bluer, deeper and purer than you could ever imagine. The yellows are bright, like gold or sunshine, or some kind of angelic realm being unfolded before you. The oranges are vivid and fiery and playful, the reds are distinct, genuine and noble. His pictures make you wish you had been there. His pictures make you believe that you are there. Your mind’s eye has you standing, looking, listening and feeling everything that is happening in the scene. Your ears strain to hear the sounds of nature and your body’s memory is sparked to experience the captured season.
is exactly
Have you ever wished you could look at the world through someone else’s eyes? When you view Chuck’s visual illustrations that is exactly what you are doing. “It’s like being in a different world,” says Chuck. “I like going out by myself because then I can really focus. It is interesting how my eyeballs become the viewfinder.” The reason Collins’ graphics are so tangible is because he actively seeks them out. Living near Hogsback Mountain in Klamath Falls, OR, Collins can often be found hiking up behind his home to greet a shimmering sunrise or to bid farewell to a blazing sunset with his camera at his eyes. “It’s different every time. You can never get the same shot because the lighting is always changing,” explains Collins. Interestingly, although his photos are known for the brilliant colors they capture, two of Chuck’s personal favorites are black and white shots he took. One is a picture of Crater Lake, where the sun setting behind him casts interesting shadows on the lake. The other, a thought-provoking, heart-rending photograph depicts a homeless boy sleeping on the hard ground in Portland, OR. Ironically, Collins captured this shot while chaperoning a youth group from Klamath Falls.
He also enjoys exploring his surroundings and shooting pictures at the many pristine lakes, farmlands or populated wildlife refuges around the Klamath Basin. Driving home recently, Chuck took a detour and the result was a group of phenomenal illustrations and hauntingly beautiful visuals of mysterious, deteriorating buildings and farm equipment. “I was just looking and went down this road I’d never been down before,” says Chuck. “I like to shoot at different angles. Often I get down low to the ground so the picture has depth.” Inspiration can be found in various contexts and Collins finds much of his at home in the Basin and surrounding areas. “I was born and raised here,” he states. “My goal is to highlight Klamath County through these images and to let people know how beautiful it really is here.” Collins enjoys shooting the tranquil and ever-changing landscapes because when he is behind the lens he can enjoy the peace and solitude of this rural region. As a devoted husband and family man, Collins appreciates this reprieve from his day job, where he serves as a Sergeant at the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office. When asked what he enjoys the most about his photographic ventures, Collins replies with a quote from Karl Lagerfeld, “What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” Not only is Collins capable of capturing a visual moment, but judging by his action shots, animal shots and most recently house fire shots, Collins is capable of capturing emotions and feelings that are raw and real. He is not afraid to get cuts and scrapes as he seeks moving and inspirational images. The vivid clarity and color in Chuck’s pictures is what gives them their signature look and their primal appeal. Unlike the rest of us who enjoy our digital cameras, Chuck does not film in jpeg mode. He shoots all of his pictures in the raw format. In this format there are 20 mega pixels in every color, giving him the ability to capture color that is almost true to its natural form.
“You are never going to be able to capture everything that your eye sees,” explains Collins, who works with a high-powered digital camera. “I also use tools in Lightroom to take my raw image and bring it to exactly where the color was when I saw it.” Although not a newcomer to photography, Collins, who is self-taught, is taking online courses in basic portrait photography. “It is teaching me a lot of things I wouldn’t have thought of,” he says about the portrait class. As the proud father of a US Marine, it is his dream to be chosen as one of the official photographers who capture the tender moments of homecoming in Seattle when our servicemen return to American soil after deployment to the Middle East. Chuck’s interest in photography began when he was a teenager at Lost River High School in Merrill. There, his sports photos were published in the Lost River Star. Collins took a hiatus from photography to pursue his other love, Becky. They were married and had four children and life was very busy for this active family. Now with two of the children grown and out of the house, Chuck has more time to focus on his photography again. A humble man, Chuck Collins doesn’t speak much about the success of his work, but his amazing efforts have not gone unnoticed or unrewarded. The Basin Business Review used Collins’ pictures on various covers 5 times this year. He won 1st place for Winter Wings in Landscapes and placed 1st in the Herald and News Pet Photography Contest. His pictures were used for the 2013, Klamath County Tax Assessors Manual, Klamath Life has featured several of his pictures,
and the picture he took of a friend’s daughter’s culinary school project helped her score 1st place on her dessert. Although he hasn’t sold any of his pictures yet, Collins has donated several to charitable causes. One photograph, at a cause very near and dear to his heart, a benefit auction for a Siskiyou County Deputy, was sold to the highest bidder for over $300. Collins has posted his best pictures on View Bug where he received over 500 peer recognitions and 7 awards, including the Curator’s award. It is quite an accomplishment to receive honors and recognition at View Bug which features the work of over 200,000 photographers and more than 3 million photos. His images have the power to feel like they were taken just for you. So where does he go from here? In five years when Collins retires, he will be able to pursue his passion for photography full-time if he chooses to do so. For now, he will sneak in a photo here and a photo there to keep his followers enchanted and captivated by the beauty that surrounds them. Good photographers are everywhere. Great photographers are born with a drive and passion that can only be explained as the secrets of the darkroom running through their veins. Whether their graphic images are produced on celluloid or uploaded to the computer, it really doesn’t change this truth. This passion is a gift Chuck Collins has and we are privileged to be privy to his extraordinary talents. You are invited to visit and like his new Facebook page: Photography by Chuck Collins. Don’t be surprised. You might find yourself drawn to visit it again and again. But, that’s okay. It will be open 24/7 for your enjoyment. So, excuse us for now. We hope to be spying on Collins as he braves the cold dark night to photograph some incredible nightscapes. We can’t wait to see where he goes from here. (You can view the photos and all the awards Collins received on View Bug.)
PROTECTING YOUR SKIN
Hello my name is Shelley. Beyond the brick and mortar of a store, a community has many businesses that have real people, servicing your every need, but their storefront is virtual. In many ways they are like the connection we had with the Fuller brushman in the 50's. Only today these business people are also very knowledgeable in their products.
I want to welcome you to my Jordan Essentials business. Jordan Essentials is an American made body, skincare, and mineral make-up line. The products are made from healthy ingredients and are infused with luscious botanicals as well as skin firming, and anti-aging Silica Elastomers. They are Paraben and SLS free! The mineral make-up is simply stunning. Made from pure, natural minerals with no added talc. It wears well and is long lasting. The mineral make-up will create a beautiful "flawless" finish that enhances your skin and provides a radiant glow! There are also products for men, children and babies.
My hope is that you will embrace Jordan Essentials healthy, botanical skincare as much as I do. Whether you are shopping as a customer, wanting to host a skincare or make-up class or looking for your own business opportunity, I am here to guide and assist you.
Jordan Essentials is an American owned company with American Made products! We have real skin care solutions for real families! Jordan Essentials began in 2000 as Country Bunny Bath and Body. Our original vision was to help women make a good part time or lucrative full time income while keeping their faith and family a priority. Many things have changed since we began this journey but our mission never has. We have served over 9000 consultants in all 50 states Guam and US Virgin Islands! The American dream is still alive and well at Jordan Essentials. My hope is that you will embrace Jordan Essential's botanical, healthy skin care products in any way we can serve you. That might be as a customer, hostess or even as a team member. We are seeing lives improved all across America! You can be confident that you are part of a company that is woman owned who understands women's needs for a home based business. You can also be confident that your products are made with care and quality. Everyone at Jordan Essentials thanks you for your support and we value you as part of the Jordan Essentials family. Mission Statement We are on a mission to bring the highest quality products and spa experience to homes all across America. We believe our products are more than skin care; we care about the whole person's wellbeing. We have Real Skin Care Solutions For Real Families. Vision Statement: We believe that earning an income is essential to helping individuals and families not only survive in today's economy but also thrive. Jordan Essentials sees itself as a household name known for bringing the spa experience home to you with high quality products and a direct sales opportunity second to none. Value Statement: We believe that inside every one of our Consultants there is a greatness that leads to a successful lifestyle. We believe that God expects us to keep our faith and family in focus while we provide high quality products and opportunities. We believe that improving lives is the most rewarding career in the world. Core Values We are committed to excellence in all we do. We strive to exceed expectations. We are distinctive in the quality of products, programs for Consultants, customers, Hostesses, and our heritage. We celebrate with rewards and recognition. We nurture dreams that become a reality.
Shelley has created a virtual storefront and information center about not just the great products from Jordan Essentials, but fantastic tips and resources about skin care and healthy living in her weekly BLOG. You can access Shelley's web page and blog at www.anessentialyou.com
Shelley would love to not only help you in these areas, but also to show you ways create your own ecommerce business. Check out the great deals elsewhere in this issue on Jordan Essentials. And if you are military family, there is a very special offer just for you. But hurry that offer ends Dec 31st. Contact Shelley through her web page or by e-mail at shelley.trumble@gmail.com
Welcome back author Nesya Lev as she shares with us memories of the holidays at home with these delicious and easy to make treats the whole family will love.
Holidays are filled with tradition. Turkeys, hams, sweet potatoes...even enchiladas! They are all a part of what many people eat during this time. For me and my family, however, tradition is not just butterball turkeys with meat practically melting off the bone. Our tradition is also a sweet, creamy concoction my mother dubbed "snowballs." My mother would whip together these infamous snowballs every year for her Christmas gift to her father, even if store-bought presents were given. Around the same time that I started learning how to make magic with turkey, I was also being taught how roll these sweet, wintery snowballs. The grocery store strips for the candy were often quick and to the point. The ingredients were all on the baking supplies aisle, except the cream cheese. Those eight ounces were picked up in the dairy section. First thing on the list was enough powdered sugar to ensure the five cups needed was met. Next was about a 14oz bag of coconut. Then there was one bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Although, over the years that was sometimes peanut butter or butter scotch chips, even white chocolate chips for when the inspiration called for a white out. Finally, the baking aisle produced some vanilla. At this point I was ready to get home and make candy! To this day, I can remember my mother's smile at my eagerness to learn something new. At home, the candy process began with a clean counter. I would get the bowl out for my mom while she grabbed the electric hand mixer. I would unwrap the cheese, dumping it in the bottom of the bowl. When my mom turned on the electric mixer, I held the bowl so that it wouldn't go flying off the counter. Every so often she would pause the mixer while I began to shake in a little powdered sugar. The key to this step, and the key to avoiding powdered sugar covering your face like white powder covered wigs of old, is to add in only a bit of sugar at a time. Somehow sugar would still poof out, and that is when my mom would kiss a nose or lick a finger, laughing right along with me. Once the sugar was smoothly blended in, we would measure out one tablespoon of vanilla and mix that in as well. Next came the chocolate chips!! While the recipe called for half a bag of chips, it was always a guessing game on how many we actually used. Like seasoning something to taste, we put in what we felt. For example, this year when I made it with my own kids we put nearly an entire bag of dark chocolate chips in. After we folded in the chips, the messy part was next in the lineup.
My mom would use a regular spoon to scoop the gooey mixture from the bowl. She would drop it into the bowl of coconut. I got the pleasure of using my fingers to roll the glob around, forming a semi-circular ball while coating in coconut. The balls would then be stacked on a plate in an attempt to build a snowballcovered tree, but weight decreed that they remained a mound. My mom and I finished the deal by licking clean our fingers and covering a tray with foil, putting it in the freezer to harden. After a few hours the snowballs would be removed. Outside of the ones that were made for my Grandfather, we would eat a few. Despite hibernating in the freezer, they could be bitten into. The cold did not matter because, as the sugar cream cheese mixture hit my tongue, it began to melt. The chocolate chips would soften enough to chew while the coconut was full of texture. Unlike the potato chip that once you popped you could not stop, we stopped after one or two. The taste was so rich, satisfaction was shortly reached.
The memories of my mom and cooking and throwing things together, however, would live on each time I reproduced tradition; no matter if it was time to replicate "Gobble, Gobble," or to create "Snowballs at Christmas."
8 oz. cream cheese 5 cups powdered sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla 6 oz. chocolate chips (or more to taste, even mix chip flavors) shaved nuts if desired 14 oz. coconut
Directions: Beat cream cheese with hand mixer (easier if cream cheese sits outside fridge for a little bit). Slowly mix in powdered sugar a little at a time. Once it is well blended, add in vanilla and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips (and shaved nuts if desired). Use spoon to scoop out mix about the size of a golf ball, maybe smaller, and roll around in coconut. Set on a plate. Repeat process until mix is gone. Set in freezer for a few hours to harden up.
Ring in the Christmas cheer with the gift of salted heavenly goodness - whether you like your bacon Chocolate covered, sprinkled over pop corn or potato chips, mixed into gravy and even in mints, these local basket ideas can be the perfect unique gift for that bacon lover in your life.
Bacon Bard here, Baconites! It’s time of the year when we worry about getting that special gift for the special someone. Why not make a bacon basket? The goodies for this unique treat can be collected from local businesses right here in the basin. In order to build your bacon basket, first decide if it will be perishable or non-perishable. If you choose a perishable basket with raw or cooked bacon, you’ll need to prepare shortly before gift-giving time. Don’t forget, the FDA recommends leaving meat and cheese substances out of the fridge for now more than 2 hours to prevent nasty spoiling. Heavy in sodium but preservative free, this is one of the healthier options.
For a perishable basket, what goes good with bacon besides cheese? For this basket, take a trip to Dick Howards’s Meats and pick up a few pounds of a variety of raw bacon. Try combining pepper bacon, traditional bacon, and beef bacon for a variety. Or for the healthy consumer, also try turkey bacon or even bacon flavored tofurkey, which can now be purchased at Leap of Taste coffee shop. Then hog – er, hop – over to locally owned Grocery Outlet for a wide selection of important cheeses at an affordable cost. We suggest a nice rich white cheddar or a softly smoked gouda. Wrap it up in a basket with a bow, and you’re good to go!
One of the sweetest ways to say ”I love you” is with decadent milk chocolate. Kick it up a notch with chocolate covered bacon. Throw in some berry bites and cheesecake pops for the win. from the It’s a Chocolate Thing holiday store, located at 2725 S. 6th St (in the old Papa John’s location. ) Click on the link above for store hours and info.
Sponsored by
Running out of time for the holidays? Pick up this premade boxed boar holiday basket prepared by MM Designs, showcased and on sale now at Michele’s Simply Sweet, 1654 Mitchell Street. This unique compilation features items not found in the basin, such as gummy, bacon mints, bacon dice game, and even bacon colored cooking utensils. You’ll be a big hit with this under the tree by giving the gift of bacon and keeping your money local, so make sure and get one because supplies are limited – and one of a kind!
One of the most exclusive bacon baskets can be prepared with locally brewed (Rogue Valley) ales, such the Voodoo Donuts Maple Bacon ale, sold here in the basin only at Portland Market. East Side Liquor also sells the Polish brand Bakon vodka, which makes an excellent Bloody Mary. Build this adult theme bacon basket with a light beer with a strong taste that compliments the salty sweet taste of bacon, as these beers cut through the saltiness and delicious fattiness of the bacon very well. The Republic of Bacon also recommends moderately dark beers, like porters, that are very nice when paired with sweeter bacon, like bacon that has been cured with maple syrup or candied with brown sugar. Pale lagers are a particularly excellent choice, such as a pilsner or a Kölsch. These beers have bright flavors and a distinct, slightly bitter hoppiness to them that brings out the natural sweetness of bacon just perfectly. The holidays are closing in fast, so get your booty down to the Michele’s Simply Sweet, Dick Howard’s, Grocery Outlet, Portland Street Market or East Side Liquor to starting building this bundle of pork goodies today. Whether you choose the fresh locally cut bacon and cheese, the traditional boxed companion, or the intoxicating flavors of vodka or beer, make the holiday comes trust for a bacon lover in your family. --BB
Sponsored by
Elizabeth Cisneros of El Palacio has worked hard for fundraising efforts in bringing in around $1000 in honor of long time friend, Steven Padilla Jr., who passed away unexpectedly last week.
Local homesteader and long time contributor to this publication Tracy Fields has written many articles for us on raising chickens, fending off deer, hay bale gardening, and the story of bees. Recently, Tracy’s farm family invested in milking goats, and explains the pros and cons of raw milk.
As a small scale homesteader, I have realized that we have become a little more self sufficient by providing our own milk. Last spring we purchased a milk goat. My family really wanted a milk cow, but the price of a good milk cow is pretty steep for a small farm family. Depending on the breed of goat, and your milk consumption, one goat could easily keep up with your family’s needs. A lot of people have the misconception that goat’s milk tastes “funny.” Depending on what goat eats (just like a cow) your milk actually tastes better than cow’s milk. Goat’s milk is a bit sweeter and has more nutrients than cow’s milk; there are no known allergies to goat’s milk. People who are lactose intolerant in most cases easily digest goat’s milk. It does not contain as much lactose as cow’s milk, digests much quicker. Also, goats require less space than cows and do not require as much food as a cow, so they are easier to handle and are financially easier to obtain. The virtues of fresh raw milk are simply undeniable! You will hear so many different things about raw milk, The good. The bad. And the ugly. Personally, I think that raw milk is the only way to go. In the rest of this article, I will try to cover the good, the bad, and the ugly about raw milk. . While researching this article I found several studies and other articles on the pros and cons of raw milk. Almost all of them claimed to be unbiased. But after reading each one of them I quickly learned that they are not unbiased, each one showed very slanted views. Depending on the author’s beliefs on raw milk, the article was biased towards how they felt. I will not lie to you, I am biased. I believe in the virtues of raw milk but I think that each person needs to decide for themselves and do their own research. Be aware that there really
the
Goat’s and and
isn’t an unbiased view out there and look at all sides thoroughly before making any decisions. Most milk consumption in the United States is in the form of pasteurized and homogenized cow milk. In most other countries the leading form of milk comes in the form of goats milk, the only country that really promotes pasteurization is the United States via the FDA. Studies have shown that pasteurization are known factors in the following health issues: Allergies, tooth decay, colic in babies, arthritis, heart disease and even cancer. Many studies show that the best milk is raw milk and the greatest milk is goats milk. The Journal of American Medicine states that “Goats milk is the most complete food known.” Raw goats milk is simply loaded with vitamins, minerals, trace elements, electrolytes, enzymes, proteins and fatty acids. One interesting fact is that goat’s milk is digested in 20 minutes. It can take up to 24 hours to digest cow’s milk. Goats milk does not contain the complex protein that initiates allergic reactions. It has also been stated that goat’s milk helps to boost the immune system and helps to alkalize the digestive system. Goat’s milk also does not produce mucus and does not worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma. Raw goats milk soothes the digestive tract and for people who have conditions such as diarrhea, bloating, asthma, and digestive irritability may well be suffering from an allergic reaction to cow’s milk. Goat’s milk does not trigger these reactions. There is a never ending debate on the pros and the cons of consuming raw milk of any kind. Our government seems to be waging a war against the sell and distribution of raw milk and raw milk products. Several states have banned the sale of raw milk. In the state of Oregon you can sell raw milk but you cannot advertise the sale of raw milk. The FDA claims that raw milk is “unsafe” “dangerous” “unhealthy” “bacteria laden” Most illnesses attributed to the consumption of raw milk have been forms of E Coli and salmonella and is caused by unsanitary milking practices and not by the milk itself. The pathogens do not reside in the milk as milk comes out of the udder sterilized and free from pathogens. Proponents of raw milk state that pasteurized milk is “unhealthy” and “known to cause allergies”.
This is one statement that both sides seem to agree on, although the wording is different depending on which side of the fence you are on. The pasteurization process destroys the natural enzymes and nutrients that our bodies utilize to remain healthy as well as destroying bad pathogens. Before we go any further let me explain what raw milk is and what pasteurization and homogenization is. Homogenization is a naturally occurring process in a goat. “Raw” or “unpasteurized milk” refers to a dairy product that has received no heat treatment to destroy pathogens or spoilage organisms John M. Leedom, professor at USC states: “Milk and milk productsparticularly those that are unpasteurized- are potentially hazardous; even pasteurized products have been implicated in outbreaks. Contamination may occur after pasteurization, and no process works perfectly 100% of the time.”
Pasteurized” refers to the heating of milk or milk products to a certain temperatu re for a specific period of time. The purpose of pasteurization is to destroy disease causing and spoilage organisms. “Homogenized” or “Homogenization” is a process that breaks the fat globules in milk into smaller particles which prevents the cream layer from separating and floating to the top of the milk. Most conventional pasteurization techniques also include homogenization.
The major difference between raw and pasteurized milk is the fact that the heat treatment during pasteurization destroys pathogens that may have entered the raw milk either from the animal (unlikely) or during the milking process (likely). Both raw and pasteurized milk can become contaminated during bottling, shipment, and storage. Pasteurization only destroys pathogens that are present before the process. Unsanitary conditions after the process can reintroduce pathogens.
One argument the raw milk advocates voice is that the pasteurization process also destroys the “good” bacteria as well as the pathogens. Live microorganisms in raw milk (probiotics) are also destroyed in the process. These probiotics aid in improved digestion. The heating of goat’s milk is also the leading factor in the “goaty” taste that people complain about in goat’s milk. Raw goat’s milk does not have that “goaty” flavor. Unpasteurized goats milk is sweet (depending on what the goat has been eating) and is better tasting than cow milk. Usually milk is sterile when it exits the mammary gland so most bacteria either good or bad is introduced after the milking process. Safe milking procedures are critical in keeping pathogens from entering the milk. It is worth stating that there is very limited research on the benefits and/or the dangers of drinking raw milk. Please bear in mind that just because the government issues “studies” and “opinions” that there are still people who have opinions behind those studies and opinions. I feel safer having our health in my hands than in the hands of some factory worker who may or may not have washed his hands before he went to work with E-Coli on his hands. There are many personal opinions from people who have credentials in everything and anything on both sides of the issue. There are studies that really prove nothing; there are facts and figures on both sides. Personally, for me, and my family, the benefits of raw goat’s milk far outweigh the supposed dangers. As long as sanitary milking procedures are followed I am confident that my family is safe.
Join Shelley Trumbly, R.N, B.S.N, C.L.N.C, as she discusses stress around the holidays, including causes and some ways to help unwind from the pressures of the season.
I LOVE December, and the holiday season. It is such a time of joy, and excitement and celebration. Unfortunately the joy, excitement and celebration can also bring along stress. Most of us live lives already busy, and packed full of day to day activities. Our lives are already filled with stress, and now we just added to it.
Some would argue that stress is our biggest health concern right now. Given the fact that it has been linked to heart disease, depression, bowel and digestive problems, insomnia and many other illnesses, it appears to be true. In fact CBS reported a small study that examined the role of stress in seizures, and they found that people are often misdiagnosed with Epilepsy, when learning relaxation and coping techniques may be a better solution. Learning how to manage your stress level can have a huge impact on your health. So, how do we do that? It appears relaxation is one of the best ways to cope and manage the stress. Sometimes we know what to do, we just do not do it. In our fast paced, high stress lifestyles relaxation is thought of as a luxury or self indulgence. It needs to become an intentional, scheduled part of your day. It is such a valuable part of your health, and it is something we can all do.
Relaxation is perhaps the single most important key to health and well-being. It is the antidote to stress which is known, as stated above, to contribute to the development of disease. When we relax, our body has an opportunity to unwind.
THE BENEFITS OF RELAXATION HAVE BEEN WELL RESEARCHED AND SOME OF THESE ARE SUMMARIZED BELOW:
gives the heart a rest by slowing the heart rate reduces blood pressure slows the rate of breathing, which reduces the need for oxygen increases blood flow to the muscles decreases muscle tension
SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF RELAXATION INCLUDE:
more energy better sleep ( your body does it's healing during sleep) enhanced immunity increased concentration better problem-solving abilities greater efficiency decrease in depression decrease pain, often allowing reduction in pain medication
I encourage you, this holiday season schedule some relaxation time at minimum once per week.
CONSIDER INCORPORATING THE FOLLOWING RELAXATION TECHNIQUES INTO YOUR BUSY DAY:
Find a comfortable chair, and sit quietly with your eyes closed 20 minutes Read a positive and motivating book Take a walk with the family Soaking in a nice bath Get it scheduled on your calendar and then make it a part of your life!
Do it for your health. You will enjoy the holidays and season so much more when you, yourself, are refreshed.
The coffee crew regulars at Keno Grill never knew what to expect when they walked in and found owner Debi Neely, dressed as a cheeseburger! This strange behavior all began about 40 miles up Hwy 140 at the Lake of The Woods Marina this fall. Marcy Cartwright, cook at the restaurant, started this tradition' Learn how this simple costume has spawned The "Burger Babes", bringing the community of local restaurateurs, waitresses and burger aficionados together.
Local restaurant owners & managers are suiting up in the name of the "mighty burger" in the basin. The morning that Cliff, Craig, Leon, Frank, and Don stopped into their favorite joint, Keno Grill, to enjoy some fresh hot coffee, they never expected to be greeted by Debi Neely, dressed as a succulent burger. They enjoyed coffee time and the company of the diligent owners, and vowed to follow the Burger Babe wherever she went.
BURGER BABES!!!! Me, wearing the traveling Burger! Hanging out with the Coffee Club, Cliff, Craig, Leon, Frank and Don.... Okay Tracy you're up!! - Debi Neely, Keno Grill
Marcy Cartwright, Lake of the Woods Resort and Marina Restaurant, had a dilemma. While working in the kitchen, her daughter was waiting tables in the front. Marcy thought long and hard about how to make her daughter’s experience memorable. During a trip to the seasonal Spirit Halloween store, Marcy had an idea. She would get her daughter to wear a costume for the holiday season. Although they almost decided on a hot dog outfit, the burger really called to Marcy. Shocked, her daughter refused to wear it – so Marcy did, instead. At first, her daughter was too scared to come out from the back, her mortification adding to Marcy’s delight.
Customers loved it! Most of the regulars tipped better, and tips came flying out of pockets for the newcomers. And best of all, travelers were left with the memorable photographic moment of taking a picture with the cook in the costume. Marcy challenged Debi from Keno Grill to wear it, knowing Debi would try to resist, but agreed anyway. Debi insisted Tracy Fields of Starv’n Marv’n’s Family Restaurant also sport the vivid outfit, but only if Debi posted a picture online for the whole world to see. With the picture posted, the attire changed hands to Upper Deck Restaurant, at the Airport. Marcy only asked that each volunteer leave their signature and a small note, inscribed on the inner lining of the costume, as a tribute to this effort. And that is how the "Burger Babes" of the Basin began.
“A lot of my customers thought that I had lost a bet. It made for a great story and they all really enjoyed it. They all asked that I keep them updated on where the burger goes. I had a lot of fun wearing the Burger Babe costume, I hope everyone else is too. I had a couple of people who were traveling through who wanted their pictures with the Starv'n Marv'n Burger Babe.” – Tracy Fields, Manager, Starv’n Marv’n Family Restaurant
“And the burger babe saga continues Upper Deck rockin' the burger..... where will it's travels take us next? Come on out and say hi to our burger babe and get $1.00 off any burger! Open till 3pm. See you soon — at Klamath Falls Airport.” Denise Currant, Upper Deck
We are brave enough to sport the burger babe costume at C&D next week! - Kari HullGildersleeve, C&D Burger
Join Elizabeth Darby Bass, spiritual leader at Sabbath Streams Ministries, as she explains a brief History on the Celebration of Chanukah, Another holiday usually celebrated during the Christmas season. The Chanukah tradition dates back centuries, and is an important annual celebration to not only Jewish culture but to many Christians as well.
In the years following the destruction of Jerusalem and the first temple, the Jewish nation was ruled by many different groups. The Babylonian Empire, that had destroyed the first temple and had taken many of the people into captivity was overcome by the Persians. During the reign of the Persian king Cyrus, the temple, and the city of Jerusalem were both rebuilt and religious life in Israel was reestablished. But the reign of Cyrus was did not last. Alexander the Great rose up against him, conquering the known world. During his reign, assimilation to the Greek lifestyle was encouraged and enforced throughout most of the kingdom, but leniency was granted to Israel and the people there continued in their unique practices of worship and lifestyle, led by the priests and the council of elders (Sanhedrin) set up by the prophet Ezra. When Alexander the Great died, his kingdom was divided and fighting over the territories became brutal. When Antiochus IV Epiphanes gained control, he made many changes for the people in all of his provinces, mandating the worship of Greek gods and outlawing the worship of any other gods. This was especially grievous for the nation of Israel. It became a capital offense to honor Sabbath, circumcise a son, celebrate any of the new moons or festivals, keep a kosher diet or to study Torah. Those caught participating in any of these things suffered cruel and agonizing deaths. During this time, altars were set up to Zeus in many towns. A statue of Zeus was erected in the Temple at Jerusalem, and a swine was sacrificed on the holy altar. Throughout Israel, the soldiers sacrificed swine to Zeus and forced the local priests and people to eat from that sacrifice. In one town, a priest named Mattathias refused. Not only did he refuse, but he and his sons rose up in battle. Many joined him and the armies of Antiochus IV began to suffer defeat. As the war continued, Mattathias died. His son Judah replaced him as the leader in the rebellion. Judah and his men had so many strategic victories that he earned the nickname The Hammer, which in Aramaic is Maccabee. The armies of Antiochus IV were professional warriors. They fought hard against the rebellion. Their reinforcements came in riding elephants and using weapons the little band of the Maccabees had never seen before. And yet, this band of shepherds and farmers, using guerrilla warfare with homemade spears and knives, succeeded in driving back the armies of the occupiers.
Within two years they were able to drive their enemy out of Jerusalem. When the city was secured, they set about cleansing the temple, desiring to reestablish worship once again. Chanukah is the Hebrew word for dedication. The festival, as it has emerged today, is a remembrance of the dedication of the temple and the miracle of the oil of dedication. Each night, in the participating homes, candles or flames are lit in a special nine branch menorah as a memorial. This menorah, called a chanukiah, has one branch for each night that the oil lasted and one branch for the shamash, or servant light which is used to light all the others. As you watch you will see each night a flame is added to the menorah until the last night when all branches are lit. As we light these lights in our homes and in our windows, we are remembering a miracle. But it it is not just a remembering of the miracle of oil. It is also a remembering of the miracle of faith. At a time when assimilation would have been easy, when keeping the faith and the customs of that faith was deadly, there was a group of men who refused to take the easy way out. They stood up and fought for their faith and their people. They successfully protected the Jewish heritage that is enjoyed still today. Against all odds they preserved their people. In this season of Christmas, seen by many as the celebration of birth of the Light of the World, remember that there is another celebration of light: The celebration of the light of dedication, Chanukah.
Much of the history of this is
recorded in the books of the Maccabees, found in the Apocrypha. But in these books an important part of the story is left out. In fact, the part of the story that we celebrate at Chanukah is not recorded in most of the early histories of this time period. This is the story of the miracle of the oil. According the Talmud, a collection of the oral traditions of Judaism, when the priests cleansed the temple, they were only able to find one cruise of oil suitable for use in the menorah, the seven branched lamp that sat in the holy place. This one cruise would only last for one night, but it took eight days to produce the consecrated oil that would be needed to refill the lamp to keep the flames burning. As an act of faith and worship, they filled the menorah and kindled the light. The flames in the menorah lit up the holy place, a sacrifice of praise was made, and the process to consecrate more oil was begun. No one expected the flame to last. But it did. In the Talmud it is written that the flames lit with the one cruise of oil continued to burn for the full eight days required for new oil to be consecrated and ready to refill the lamp. Thus the eight days of Chanukah were begun.
Shelley.Trumbly@gmail.com
The world has been taken by storm recently with the British hit show Doctor Who, which just celebrated 50 years on the air a few weeks ago. Christmas marks the start of the 12th Doctor’s era. One of the biggest (and youngest) fans told us a little about what he thought about the Christmas Special‌ and how Doctor Who has changed his life.
It’s hard to believe that just a few weeks ago was the 50th anniversary special of Doctor Who. Fifty years, I can’t believe it. That’s, like, really old. The “Day of the Doctor” episode was one of the most epic things I have ever seen, out of all the 84 or so episodes I have watched (and I know because I can do math in my head). My favorite part was when the Doctor said, “No sir, all 13!” and they showed the new Doctor’s eyes. Everyone in my family lost it, screaming, crying, and my uncle even fell to the floor in excitement. For those of you that probably don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry (and those of you that do will get that joke.) Doctor Who is an amazing BBC show that combines science, my favorite subject, with little boring bits of history and some awesome action with aliens. It’s about a funny man in a big blue police box, his time-traveling machine called the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space). When that doctor gets a fatal wound, he doesn’t die – instead he “regenerates.” Mostly it’s just a great idea to use another actor, and keep the story line going. And every new Doctor not only has a new face, but also a new personality. Sometimes he’s angry, like the 9th doctor, and sometimes filled with passion and a little quirky, like 10 (my favorite one, played by David Tennant), and finally, just plain awkward and hilarious, like 11 (Matt Smith). Not sure about 12, Mr. Peter Capaldi, but I looked him up on the Internet and he’s been obsessed with the show since he was like, my age, so I think he’ll be okay. The Doctor travels with companions. Over 50 years, he’s had quite a few. My favorite in the new series is Rose, from the 2005-2007 seasons with the 9th and 10th doctors (but only because River Song was never a companion, because she’s my favorite girl actor on the show). Rose was funny and she liked the doctor a lot. She wasn’t afraid to do action-y stuff or saved the world by looking into the time vortex. Spoilers – you WILL need tissues for Doomsday! Even I cried, and I don’t cry.
Anyways, Christmas is a big deal for Doctor Who fans like me, because it means we haven’t had a new episode in MONTHS (a very long time). Christmas just wouldn’t be complete without the Doctor! So, every year, the Christmas special has become our family’s tradition. We have Doctor Who snacks, like Dalek shaped cookies and Fish fingers (sticks here in America) and my favorite, homemade custard. Here’s a picture of it. My sister dips her fish sticks in the custard like the 11th doctor, and she likes it, but she’s a weirdo. If you haven’t watched any episodes yet, run – not walk, RUN! – to your nearest Netflix and watch all 7 seasons – and if you want, there’s some in black and white from 1963-1989 as well, and my mom really likes those. You will love the doctor and his adventures, and laugh at his silly companions, and learn a whole bunch about wibbley-wobbley timey wimey stuff. So besides the Christmas Special being a pretty big deal around here, and this just being a really awesome show, I want to tell you some things that I like about the Doctor. Because actually this show will change your life, seriously. The Doctor is a good role model I really like the Doctor because he is very smart and very funny, and sometimes he’d a little awkward. Some people idealize dumb sports players or rappers or people that do bad things. But the Doctor he doesn’t do any of those things. He’s a good person to look up to. Doctor Who makes me feel good about myself The doctor is very smart. Of course, he’s 903 years old. But although he’s been everywhere and seen everything, everyone mostly likes him. This makes me feel good because it’s proof that
even smart and nerdy guys, like me, can have friends and be happy about it. Doctor Who inspires me to be a writer, a scientist, and an archeologist Remember I said there’s boring history stuff? Well, even that is pretty fun. In season 7, episode 3, “Dinosaurs on a Spaceship” you learn about Ancient Egypt, Africa in the early 1900’s, dinosaurs, and even how to be kind to those that have wronged you. I love writing stories about his enemies and how he would fight them. And I wish I could go digging for lost civilizations, it would be epic super fun.
Doctor Who brings my family & friends together The way I see it, it’s not just about togetherness. Cuz any family can sit on the couch and watch a show. Doctor Who is so much more than that. It’s about getting together, eating good food, and spending a long time flexing your brain muscles to understand what’s going on in the show, as well as discussing the most recent episode afterwards. Plus, it’s a good clean show, so the whole family can enjoy it – even my grandma loves this show! This year for Christmas, I am going to ask Santa if he will please talk to the owners of Applebee’s or Wubba’s (the two best places for chicken strips in the whole town!) to play the Doctor Who special on their big TV’s on Christmas Day. I can dream, right?!
So my Christmas wouldn’t be complete without The Doctor and neither would my life. I never thought that a silly man in a box would make me laugh so hard, learn so much, and love so many. So spend some time with this awesome show this holiday, and make your Christmas perfect.
With temperatures in the record lows (reaching -25 in the last week), it’s not a surprise many people in our community have woken up to a trickle in the tub, a sure sign of a frozen pipe. In the scramble to find a plumber – or locate the pipe yourself to repair it – here’s some tips on do’s and don’t’s for the cold season ahead.
Water, like many other liquids, expands when it becomes a solid. Sorry folks, but science wins on this one. It’s hard to beat science. …But you can kick its butt. Freezing pipes can be one of the most frustrating things to experience here in Klamath. With often low temperatures in the winter, pipes can be at risk even if they are located in insulated locations of the house. With temps dipping into the double digit negatives, even geothermal homes aren’t safe from winter’s grasp. As the weather “warms” to the 30’s in the next week weeks, here are some steps you can take to prevent pipes from freezing, or worse, even bursting. Burst pipes can leak thousands of dollars of water, damage home furniture, and just be over all the worse experience imaginable. (brought to you by weather.com): Keep an eye on the weather. If it’s going to be clear and cold, chances are the weather man might be a little off in his prediction. Always plan for colder weather than you thought. Check any pipes that are especially susceptible to cold weather including ones that may be located Pipes are most susceptible to freezing when located: in an outside wall; under a sink on an outside wall or in an unheated crawlspace. Prevent pipes from freezing: Leave every faucet dripping, slightly as a trickle, before you go to bed. The dripping water will keep the water in the pipe from freezing. Open kitchen base cabinet and let room air circulate. Open kitchen base cabinet and place a small portable heater near or in it to heat the pipes Wrap the problem pipe with electrical heat tape. Insulate the problem pipes with foam insulation wrap, especially those that run through unheated spaces. Temper the currently unheated crawlspace by placing a heater in the crawlspace. You just need to elevate the crawlspace temperature to modestly above freezing, about 40°F.
What is the recommend temperature for these precautions? Although many places will say any time it’s under freezing (35°F), but plumbers agree that it’s an absolutely necessity with temperatures under 0°F. It’s especially important in the Klamath Basin when stagnation warnings are in effect during the winter months, reports weather.com. On top of freezing temperatures, stagnation alerts means that colder conditions are probable, and dry conditions will accelerate the pipes into freezing solid. Not to worry if you have a frozen pipe. All the heaters in the world are sometimes not enough for Mother Nature’s wrath of -24°F (the low on December 7th this year). So what to do if the pipes freeze? Here’s some helpful advice: Unthawing a frozen pipe behind a wall: Turn up the heat in the house and wait Tear out the wall or ceiling section to get at the frozen section of pipe. Then thaw the pipe as an exposed pipe Use an infrared lamp or lamps to assist in heating the wall section in front of where you think the frozen section is located. Infrared lamps are better than regular heat lamps because they pass through the air without heating it and will direct more energy to warming the wall and frozen pipe. Thawing an Exposed Frozen Pipe Hair Dryer One of the best and safest ways to thaw the pipe is to heat the area with a high power hair dryer. Again, make sure to open the faucet and then heat the pipe working back from the faucet toward the frozen blockage. Also, if the pipe is close to the wall, place a cookie sheet behind the pipe to help radiate heat onto the back side of the pipe. Heat Lamp A heat lamp works well to heat an exposed pipe. You can use an infrared or incandescent heat lamp. As before, if the pipe is close to the wall, use a cookie sheet behind the pipe to help reflect heat onto the pipe. Small Portable Heater If you have one of those small powerful heaters they work great when warming pipes under a kitchen or vanity base cabinet. Direct the heater onto the frozen section of pipe. It will work like a hair dryer on steroids! Electric Pipe Heat Tape Another technique is to use electric heat tape. This is a ribbon type wrap that has electrical heating elements in it. You wrap it around the pipe you want to heat, and plug it into the wall. The temperature is controlled with a thermostat and the heat tape heats the pipe.
Powley Plumbing Inc 515 Market St Klamath Falls (541) 882-0364
Case Plumbing Sewer & Drain 5980 Delaware Ave Klamath Falls (541) 892-8273
Card Plumbing & Heating Co 4820 S 6th St Klamath Falls (541) 882-0288
American Sanitation Inc 7246 Airway Dr Klamath Falls (541) 882-0045
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain 9570 Hill Rd Klamath Falls (541) 884-2000
Plumb It Klamath Falls (541) 331-4549
Pacific Plumbers Corporation 12600 Springlake Rd Klamath Falls (541) 273-8359
Dec 12-15
DEC 13-16
It’s a Wonderful Life Community Musical Watch the heart-warming Christmas classic as a on the grade stage off the Ross Ragland Theater 218 N. 7th St
Free Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus @ the Klamath Falls YMCA Barb Meng of JT Studios is making this service available for families in the community.
DEC 13 Supper with Santa 5:30-7:30pm Come down to the Children's Museum of Klamath Falls to meet Santa and enjoy some yummy treats catered by Starv’n Marv’n’s Family Restaurant. Tickets are $2 per person and seating is limited. Children's Museum 711 East Main St. DEC 13-14 Santa’s Day @ Divas Salon 12-5 pm See Santa and get your picture taken! ($5 for adults, children are free Goodies for sale and raffles going on both days. 1721 Main St DEC 14 Bowl with Santa @ The Epicenter 12pm-2pm Strike down those pins with Santa by your side! $5 per person, includes shoe rental
Photo times are as follows: Friday, 12/13, 10am-1pm and 3-7pm Saturday, 12/14, Noon4pm Sunday, 12/15, 1-4pm Monday, 12/16, 10am1pm and 3-7pm. Barb is asking that parents consider making a donation to the YMCA Community Support Fund, but it is not required. The Community Support Fund allows the Y to continue to offer financial assistance for youth programs and membership. DEC 14 Family Winter Walk to Moor Park 9:30-11:30am Meet at 205 Riverside Drive for a beautiful scenic walk through one of the county’s biggest recreational areas, enjoying the sights and sounds of wildlife along the upper Klamath Lake. DEC 15 FREE Family Photoshoot 10am-6pm
No strings attached. Come get your family pictures taken for no fee, services provided by Moles Photography Yesterday’s Plaza DEC 14 Christmas Craft Workshop 2-4pm Join the last minute elves at the Klamath County Library for some fun homemade crafts for loved ones. Klamath County Library DEC 14 Snowflake Dinner and Dance 6pm Enjoy a hot locally prepared meal and dance the nice away to your favorite tunes VFW, 515 Klamath Ave
DEC 15
DEC 31
Musical Fireside 6pm Enjoy your favorite Christmas holiday music played by local talent. Church of LDS, 6630 Alva
Yesterday’s Plaza New Year’s Eve Party 7pm Enjoy buffet dinner, live DJ, and dancing until the clock strikes 12 in the historic ballroom. Tickets must me purchased in advance. (541) 882-8543
DEC 20-21 Art Extravaganza 11:30-8:30pm Come enjoy this holiday open studio featuring the art of Talitha Etters, enter for door prizes and much more. 137 N Broad St. DEC 31 Lake of the Woods New Years Eve Event 6pm Enjoy the comfy big bonfire by the lodge, and take a trip up to 4-mile Lake for a 20x20 burn pile for snowmobilers Lake of the Wood Resort DEC 31 BullMania Klamath Falls Starting at 5:30pm Yee-haw! Usher in the New Year with a riproarin’ good time. Doors open 5:30pm, VIP w/dinner $35, Pre sale tickets $18, tickets at Door $20, 6 and under are FREE www.bullmaniaklamathfall s.com
DEC 31 New Years Pow Wow 12:00pm-12:00am Grand Entry at noon, fun, games and food until midnight Lena, 541-891-2936 JAN 14 Basin Mediactive AG Expo 12:00pm-8pm Join local farmers (free appreciation lunch for farmers) and other local business for an inside look into the agricultural side of Klamath Rob S. 541-882-8833
JAN 30-31 AND FEB 5-9 Annual Klamath Cattlemen's Association Featuring Bull and Horse Sale, Dog Trials, Ranch Rodeo, Big Loop Contest, Tri Tip BBQ, and Trade Show with local cattle ranchers and business Klamath County Fairgrounds www.klamathbullsale.com FEB 22 Jackpot Rodeo 6pm Klamath County Fairgrounds Event Center Adult $8, kids 6-12 & 65 & over $5 Ed or Danielle 541-5911373 or 541-591-1423