Willamette Valley Life Magazine

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PLACES TO GO...PEOPLE TO SEE...THINGS TO DO

Volume 2 Issue 1/Winter 2011 (Display until April 1, 2011) WillametteValleyLife.com

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Betty Grapple’s Bliss Page 6

The Eyes Have It Page 14

PHOTO BY GUS FREDERICK

Winter 2011 • Willamette Valley Life

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Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2011

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

Happy New Year and happy first anniversary!

2010 was a blur. It’s hard for me to believe, but, as of this issue, Willamette Valley Life Magazine is one year old.

First off, I want to thank all of the advertisers who took a chance with this new endeavor and, for a very large part, helped to launch this publication. We literally could not have done it without you.

My sincere thanks also goes to our editor, Jessica Gardner, for the superb job she has done in helping to assure that each issue is ready for prime time.

Many thanks to all the writers and photographers that have contributed their talent in helping us present the Willamette Valley in the most creative way possible.

I would also like to single out and thank writer and wine enthusiast Ryan Reichert who agreed to write about Willamette Valley wine before the first issue had even come out. He knows more about wine than anyone I know, and his contribution to this publication has been invaluable.

Since it’s the beginning of the new year, I thought it would be nice to get together a sort of “bucket list” of places that you should resolve to see in 2011.

From the UFO festival in McMinnville to the Eugene Celebration, we tried to pick something for everyone. You can check out

MEET THE PRESS:

the list on page 10 of this issue.

As a kid in central Texas, I used to love watching the old roller derby shows on TV. Is it so wrong that I loved watching the smack downs, hair pulling and bodies flying over the guard rails? It was great theater, if nothing else, and then it just kind of faded in popularity with the years. Meet Lisa Howard, aka “Betty Grapple,” who plays the position blocker for Cherry City Derby Girls in Salem. Writer Jay Shenai takes us on a behind the scenes look at the lady behind her alter ego.

Rachel Rossman is a superbly talented Willamette Valley artist who specializes in painting pet portraits. In an article written

by Emily Grosvenor, you’ll learn how some of Rachel’s artwork is spreading beyond the Valley and into some very well known Hollywood homes.

And finally…all the rest of the regulars are here: finance expert Ken Gardner offers some helpful advice to any readers who have recently lost their job; our restaurant detective Bon Mangez gives a report on his recent dining experience at Silver Creek Grill in Silverton; and finally, we chose the city of Corvallis as this issue’s Daycation destination.

Thanks for picking up this issue of Willamette Valley Life Magazine. If you get time, drop me a line and let me know what you think about our publication and what you might like to see in future issues.

Crendo Photography is a husband and wife team providing portrait, event and business photography to Salem and beyond.

Their studio features dramatic windows and is located in suite 305 on the third floor of the historic Reed Opera House downtown.

Salem native Gus Frederick works as a Multimedia Specialist for the Oregon Office of Private Health Partnerships.

His background includes working as a graphic artist, animationist, filmmaker and

photographer. A longtime Mars enthusiast, he continues to be fascinated with many of the geologic analogs to the Red Planet he has seen in his native Northwest, most notably lava tube caves and similar volcanic features. He has participated in both the Mars Global Surveyor and current Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter public target programs and has had several of his targets imaged by these Martian cameras.

He currently lives in Silverton, Oregon with his cat and extensive 78 rpm record collection.

Ken Gardner writes for life, financial liberty and the pursuit of member happiness.

He has worked in the financial industry for over 10 years and does not have perfect credit…but he’s getting there.

Emily Grosvenor is a reporter and essayist whose profiles of people and places have been published by Salon.com, Publishers Weekly, Edible Portland and others. She teaches feature writing at the

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jessica Gardner ART DIRECTION Hill Design Studios ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Chalene Hill CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Lorne Brown, Casey Campbell, Crendo Photography, Gus Frederick, Ken Gardner, Emily Grosvenor, Randy Hill, Ryan Reichert, Jay Shenai ADVERTISING SALES L. Andrew Brown Concept Marketing PHONE 503.507.1228 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 17264, Salem, Oregon 97305 EMAIL: publisher@willamettevalleylife.com

publisher@willamettevalleylife.com

Copyright 2011 by Willamette Valley LIfe Magazine ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.

willamettevalleylife.com

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

Casey Campbell does freelance photography throughout the Willamette Valley with an emphasis on theater production stills and sports photography. After working as a photojournalist for four years at the Gazette-Times in Corvallis, he is now based in Tualatin and spends much of his photography time as the league photographer for the Sick Town Derby Dames roller derby team from Albany/Corvallis and as the primary photographer for Bag & Baggage Productions, a theater company in Hillsboro.

PUBLISHERS/EDITORS Randy and Dawn Hill

University of Oregon and keeps a hyperlocal blog, Desperately Seeking Salem.

Ryan Reichert is originally from Northeast Ohio and relocated to the Willamette Valley to further his career in the wine industry.

He has received both his Intermediate and Advanced certifications from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, and is also a certified French wine enthusiast and Spanish Wine Educator. Ryan strives to learn all he can about wine and to share his passion with everyone. Ryan authors a new site focusing on the white wines of the Pacific Northwest.

Visit www.nwwhites.com.

Jay Shenai is a freelance writer who lives in the midWillamette Valley.

He followed the Cherry City Derby Girls during the build-up to their debut bout in late 2009 and discovered that the impact of roller derby on its skaters often runs deeper than their bruises.

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twitter.com/willamettemag Winter 2011 • Willamette Valley Life

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David Barajas

Willamette Jazz Festival

Day 1 - Truffle Dog training seminar

6th Annual Oregon Truffle Festival

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When: February 4-5, 2011 Where: 900 State Street, Salem, Oregon Contact info: 503.370.6255; willamette. edu/events/jazzfestival

All Hits, All Night

Chef Rocky Maselli preparing the Pheasant and Ham croquettes with fried Oregon black truffle for Friday evening’s La Récréation feast.

truffle fanciers and truffle experts from all over the world (including Italy, France, New Zealand and Canada) in three days of gourmet celebration, educational seminars, hands (and tongues)-on truffle experiences and technical research seminars.

When: January 28-30, 2011 Where: Eugene Contact info: 503.296.5929 oregontrufflefestival.com

Corvallis Community Theatre - Comedy of Errors Shakespeare’s popular comedy of mixups, madness, and mirth featuring an old man in search of his sons, an unhappy wife, angry merchants, a quack doctor, an abbess and a lady of the evening.

When: Feb. 25, 26, 27* and March 3, 4, 5, 6* (* Matinees) Time: 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Where: Majestic Theatre, 115 SW 2nd St., Corvallis, OR 97333 Contact info: 541.738.7469 4

Denver trumpeter, Ron Miles

Elton John: David Barajas

he 6th Annual Oregon Truffle Festival will be held in and around Eugene Oregon over three brisk winter days from January 28-30, 2011.

Created to celebrate the magnificent Oregon truffles as they reach the peak of ripeness in their native soil, it is the first festival of its kind in North America, dedicated to sharing the experience of the chefs, foragers and fans of Oregon’s wild truffles, from their hidden source in the forest to their glory on the table.

Between January 28 and 30, 2011, the 6th annual Oregon Truffle Festival will bring together Old World and New World truffle chefs, truffle hunters, truffle eaters—even truffle growers—in a one-ofa-kind celebration of all things truffle.

As the first truffle festival in the Englishspeaking world, the Oregon Truffle Festival offers a culinary experience that simply cannot be found anywhere else.

This is an international event that joins

February 4-11, The Willamette Jazz Festival will feature Denver trumpeter, Ron Miles. Ron Miles’ resume includes time with Bill Frisell, Charlie Hunter, Don Byron, the Ellington Orchestra and Fred Hess Boulder Creative Music Ensemble.

Besides being solicited all over the world for his unique sound, Ron is a staple of the Denver jazz scene, and his recent releases as band leader show off his skills as a composer and arranger, as well as being a phenomenally gifted trumpeter (Bill Milkowski).

For thirty years, the Willamette Jazz Festival has brought the leading names in jazz to the Salem area for a weekend of world-class jazz performance and education. Renowned for its educational focus and artistic vision, the festival offers northwest jazz students from all levels of ability and experience the chance to learn from the finest jazz educators from across the country.

Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2011

Elton John and his band will appear in concert for the first time ever in Eugene, at the University of Oregon’s New Matthew Knight Arena, performing their “Greatest Hits Live” concert, featuring number one chart hits and classic album tracks from throughout Elton’s incredible five-decade career.

When: 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 17, 2011.

Where: New Matthew Knight Arena, 2727 Leo Harris Parkway, Eugene, OR. Contact info: 541.346.4461 matthewknightarena.com/event/93/eltonjohn

Tie Dye & Tofu:

How Mainstream Eugene Became a Counterculture Haven What makes Eugene, Eugene? This exhibit addresses the change in Eugene occurring 1967 through the mid 70s. It features the people and events, the politics and issues, and the fashion and music of the time.

Where: Lane County Historical Society and Museum, 740 W 13th Ave, Eugene, OR 9740. 541.682.4242.

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Photo by Lorne Brown

8 - Tyee’s 17th Annual January Crab & Vintage Wine Debut - Enjoy Tyee Estate Wines paired with fresh Newport Oregon crab and oysters, salads, artisan bread, delicious side dishes and decadent chocolate torte. Tickets: $68 includes food, wine and gratuity At Valley’s Adair Clubhouse, North of Corvallis. Please Call Tyee Wine Cellars for Reservations. 541.753.8754. tyeewine.com.

Broadway Commons introduces “Alliance Concept” in Salem

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n the corner of Broadway Street North and Gaines Street in Salem is the four story, multipurpose Broadway Commons building. A mixed use development concept, it indirectly came out of Salem’s Urban Redevelopment Campaign. The ambitious project sprang to life when Salem Alliance Church decided to acquire additional adjoining property to facilitate a new vision for growth and community involvement. It’s an example of how a city, a medical clinic, environmental enthusiasts and others in government and ministry—all with a vision for the future, from different backgrounds and with different agendas— were able to work together on a project to benefit the Salem community.

The approach isn’t unheard of and, in fact, has been successful in more progressive communities across the nation.

It’s also an echo of an older concept from less prosperous decades when building usage was combined to maximize efficiency, minimize travel and conserve energy by sharing walls, floors and ceilings with other occupants.

The “alliance concept” takes it to a whole new level. “This is a new way of doing business and a new way of reaching our community,” says Robb Childs, Executive Pastor for Salem Alliance Church. Since the church’s

beginnings in 1921, Salem Alliance has set a goal of reaching out to those who are impoverished, hurting and in need—and doing it in a way that fosters dignity with vital services and affordable education.

Thus far, the Commons has hosted 1,600 individual meeting events, conferences and bookings since early September of 2010.

This new multipurpose building has Salem’s largest up-scale coffee shop, a prayer room, educational class space, conference areas, meeting rooms, and is available for use by non-profit and community organizations. In addition, the building leases space to Salem Free Medical Clinic and Salem Pastoral Counseling Center. The coffee shop alone has two levels and lots of nooks and crannies meant to replicate a “large and hopefully warm home environment.” The coffee shop also aims to become “the” place to meet others for both business and personal networking.

•Broadway Commons – the Entire Facility •Broadway Coffee House – the Coffee Shop •Life Center Ministries – affordable Community Education For a complete list of classes, volunteer opportunities and facility usage, go to SalemAlliance.org.

—Lorne Brown

A reader responds to last issue’s, “Best Valley Breakfasts” article...

“My husband is a breakfast fan and the bigger the breakfast, the better. Shirley Mae’s on the highway between Albany and Lebanon is one of his favorites. Definitely not fast food...pancakes are platter size. My husband actually makes it through only one! Atmosphere is friendly—great little “local” joint.”

15 - Robert Briggs - Between the Cracks: Beat Poetry - Part of The Arts Center and OSU’s Between the Cracks Forum series. The Arts Center is at 700 SW Madison Avenue in Corvallis, OR. 7:00 p.m. Free to students with ID, $10 adults, $5 Arts Center members. theartscenter.net.

15 - Art and Wine Walk in McMinnville - On the third Saturday of every month, downtown McMinnville is host to the year-round Third Saturday Art & Wine Walk in Historic Downtown McMinnville. The mood is relaxed and inviting with merchants hosting area wineries and local artists from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. While wineries pour tastes in downtown shops, artists display and sometimes demonstrate their work with both wine and art available for purchase. downtownmcminnville.com.

18 - Yamandu Costa - Yamandu Costa is one of the great geniuses in the rich history of Brazilian music. Recognized as the best living seven-string guitar player in the world, he has worked with many of the finest musicians in Brazil including Antonia Carlos Jobim and Baden Powell. Rice Auditorium, Western Oregon University in Monmouth. 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $29 in advance, $31 at the door, $11 for students. wou.edu.

28-30 - Oregon Truffle Festival - The 6th Annual Oregon Truffle Festival will be held in Eugene, OR. January 28-30, 2011. Created to celebrate the magnificent Oregon truffles as they reach the peak of ripeness in their native soil, it is the first festival of its kind in North America, dedicated to sharing the experience of the chefs, foragers and fans of Oregon’s wild truffles, from their hidden source in the forest to their glory on the table. oregontrufflefestival.com.

28-29 - Oregon Wine, Food and Brew Festival - First taste of the new year! Thirty-five wineries, craft brew and micro breweries, fine foods, culinary delights, fine arts, quality commercial exhibitors and great entertainment. Oregon State Fairgrounds, Americraft Cookware Center, Salem, OR. Friday, January 28 - 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday, January 29 - Noon to 10:00 p.m. oregonwinefoodbrewfest.com.

FEBRUARY February 1 - March 31 - Tie Dye & Tofu: How Mainstream Eugene Became a Counterculture Haven - What makes Eugene, Eugene? This exhibit addresses the change in Eugene occurring 1967 through the mid 70s. It features the people and events, the politics and issues, and the fashion and music of the time. Lane County Historical Society and Museum, 740 W 13th Ave, Eugene, OR., 97402. 541.682.4242.

13 - Valentine’s Day Pops Concert and Dance - Spend a romantic evening at the beautiful Mission Mill Museum with your Valentine! Arrive at 6:30 for a complimentary dance lesson, and after enjoying a performance of pop tunes like “St. Louis Blues” and “Someone to Watch Over Me,” dance the night away to the Salem Big Band! Spinning Room, Mission Mill Museum, 1313 Mill St SE, Salem. 7 p.m. salemchamberorchestra.org.

18-20 - Yard, Garden & Patio Show - Enjoy patio party beverage gardens, outdoor cooking classes and backyard games for all ages. Experience the Display Gardens, free garden seminars and demonstrations, and the remarkable green market. Come for the fun and prepare to be inspired! Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. Portland, OR. 97232. ygpshow.com.

MARCH 6, 13, 20, 27 - Crossroads International Film Festival 2011 - Darkside Cinema, 215 SW 4th Street, Corvallis, OR. oregonstate.edu/international/crossroads.

10-13 - 32nd Annual Lane County Home & Garden Show - Featuring over 300 exhibits with products and services for your home and yard. Hourly home and garden seminars, prize drawings and local grower plant sales. Thurs - Fri 5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.; Sun 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Free admission w/canned food donation.

Lane Events Center, 796 W 13th Ave, Eugene, OR, 97402. 541.484.9247.

26-27 - Eugene Roadster Show - Lane Event Center, Lane County Fairgrounds, 796 West 13th Avenue, Eugene, OR, 97402. 541.689.6824. roadstershows.com.

30 - Ensemble Galilei - Music of the Celtic Isles - The spirit of the ancient music of the Celtic Isles is resurrected by Ensemble Galilei. Combining classical and folk instrumentation and incorporating a high level of improvisation, the all-woman, Washington, D.C.-based band creates a sound that seamlessly blends the old world and modern influences. 7:30 p.m., Rice Auditorium, Western Oregon University, 345 N. Monmouth Ave., Monmouth, OR., 97361. wou.edu.

Visit our online calendar at WillametteValleyLife.com

— Carol Brown, via email Winter 2011 • Willamette Valley Life

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E X P L O R I N G T H E W I L L A M E T T E VA L L E Y

Betty Grapple’s Roots In early 2009, roller derby returned to Salem after a decades-long hiatus, on the tail end of a cultural movement that revived the sport nationwide in the early 2000s. In recent years, the derby phenomenon has resulted in leagues forming across the country as well as a reality series and last year’s movie, Whip It. For league founder Ryan Rogers, derby was the perfect start-up venture for Salem.

“Roller derby has a spirit and an energy that is, in my opinion, a sport matched by none,” he said.

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Photo by Crendo Photography

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or a moment, Lisa Howard looks peaceful. At Clockworks Café in downtown Salem, she sits curled up in a couch, her pumps resting on the floor by her purse. It’s this moment, every Tuesday afternoon for roughly three hours, that the 31-year-old single mother of three gets for herself in any given week. And even then, she is using the time to work.

Along with a coffee and pastry, her laptop is open on the armrest, struggling to save homework files for a class she’s enrolled in at Chemeketa Community College.

A part-time human resources manager in Monmouth, Howard has been enduring a grueling daily schedule for years— juggling childcare, work and study—that affords little time for things like rest.

“I run on three to four hours of sleep per night,” she says. “I’m late for almost everything; I hate it.”

However, her days are made all the more hectic by the double life that she’s been leading for the past two years. At night, when the fishnet stockings are pulled over her legs and the skates are laced up, she becomes Betty Grapple, seductress and enforcer for Salem’s own roller derby league, the Cherry City Derby Girls.

She spends roughly three days a week skating as the sassy, smack-down blocker for the Dolls of Anarchy, one of the league’s four teams. She enjoys the sultry and aggressive aspects of roller derby.

“It gives me a chance to be tough, but to be sexy at the same time—to be really feminine,” she said.

Despite the added burden of skate practice and league organizing, it’s a sacrifice she’s willing to make—to have the feeling she gets when she’s gliding around the oval track on her quad skates.

“It’s chaos out there,” Howard said, “but I feel control. I feel the tension of all my crazy life melt away.”

And it may have started as idle fantasy, but derby has left an impact on her that has carried over into her real life, far more than the bumps and bruises she bears and dishes out.

“Through derby, I really found myself again,” Howard said. “I found that I have gifts, and I have things to offer people. I have good ideas, and I have worth. Again.”

Once a regular attraction along the lines of professional wrestling, with playto-the-rafters fighting and gesturing to the crowds, derby was retooled for the new millennium. Gone are the theatrics, replaced by area women, scandalously named and suggestively dressed, who adopt sexy alter-egos while competing viciously according to the rules of flattrack roller derby.

Aside from the punk imagery and exhibitionism, for women above college age, derby represents an extremely rare opportunity: the ability to be a part of a team that competes and bonds over shared exhaustion and struggle.

Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2011

It was that opportunity that most appealed to Howard, then recently divorced from her second husband. At the time, she and her three children, then ages 5, 4 and 2, were sleeping in a friend’s studio apartment, sharing a twin bed and wondering about her next step. For her, derby represented a chance to rediscover an active, athletic youth that seemed beyond reach. A track athlete, cheerleader and snowboarder in high school, she had given it all up to be a mother and wife, abandoning her own needs and interests for those of her family.

Howard had dropped most of her hobbies and lost most of her own friends

because there was never any time for them. Over the course of years, she hadn’t even paid attention to the change in her personality and in her body.

“One day I just looked in the mirror and wondered where I went. It wasn’t the me that I had always been,” she said. “I didn’t feel pretty anymore.”

Living on her own again, Howard had begun taking stock of her own life when derby arrived. At her lowest point she was 70 pounds overweight. Howard was going to work in sweatshirts, baggy jeans and “whatever I could grab out of the laundry basket” when a friend suggested she go to a springtime interest meeting for the new league.

She was hesitant to go, out of fear of rejection, but eventually fear gave way to a new-found sense of possibility.

“I had finally decided that I was going to do something for me.”

“I know this is going to be hard,” she told herself, “but I deserve this.”

And it’s been love ever since. Through derby, she has lost several dress sizes and gained a new-found sense of confidence, as well as a large gathering of new friends.

“Through derby, I really found myself again,” Howard said. “I found that I have gifts, and I have things to offer people. I have good ideas, and I have worth. Again.”

Any doubts about her new hobby went away with the Cherry City Derby Girls’ first public bout in late October 2009.

Hundreds turned out to watch at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, with a line around the Pavilion for tickets. Posters of skaters, including Betty Grapple, hung on the walls. And when she hit her first opponent, sending her flying off the track, she felt empowered and adored.

“The crowd went nuts and it was so loud,” she said. “It was awesome.”

Into The Turn She Comes Today, Betty Grapple still thunders down the track in Cherry City bouts smashing all comers. But off the track, Lisa Howard is facing a more formidable opponent these days, one that millions of Americans are facing in the economic crisis. And all around are the other bruises from her struggle to make ends meet.

Her laptop is borrowed from her father and out-of-date. The keys in her purse belong to her mother—Howard’s own car was repossessed last fall. Her hours

Inset Photo by Casey Campbell

Betty Grapple’s Bliss: Finding zen on and off the flat-track

Photo by Casey Campbell

were scaled back at her job of 13 years; she now works on-call roughly 20 hours a week. Howard filed for bankruptcy in early October.

But like Grapple, she is undeterred.

There are lessons from her time on the flat-track that Howard said have helped her cope and adapt to the adversity. For one, she’s learned to focus on the journey, rather than be discouraged by the distance.

Since losing hours at work, she has been finishing her undergraduate studies in hopes of getting into nursing school and a new career. The requirements are daunting, but she is unafraid.

“I want to prove that I can do this,” she said.

She has also learned to trust teammates, both on the track and off. Always going it alone in her life, she has learned now to ask for help. As the old adage goes, it takes a village to raise a child.

“I’ve got a damn good village,” she said.

As 2011 arrives, Howard plans to continue her balancing act as a mother, a student and derby pin-up princess. And she has advice for others trying to make a change in their lives: Don’t be afraid to take the first step.

“If you just take that first step, you’ll be amazed at how easy the next ones come.”

For a moment, Lisa Howard looks peaceful, but she’s moving at a furious pace. Kind of like roller skating—it only looks effortless.

Jay Shenai is a freelance writer who lives in the mid-Willamette Valley. He followed the Cherry City Derby Girls during the build-up to their debut bout in late 2009 and discovered that the impact of roller derby on its skaters often runs deeper than their bruises.

Winter 2011 • Willamette Valley Life

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O U T

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Destination: Corvallis

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anked #48 on the “100 Best Places in the USA to Live and Launch a Business” by Fortune Small Business in 2008, Corvallis is a thriving city and home to Oregon State University. Located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Corvallis has had its share of notable residents over the years, including: animator, writer and director Brad Bird (The Incredibles, The Iron Giant, Ratatouille); Linus Pauling, who received the 1954 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and 1962 Nobel Peace Prize; and film composer Deane Ogden. With a long list of parks, festivals, hiking/biking trails, restaurants and wineries, Corvallis is an excellent Daycation destination.

History

After Joseph C. Avery settled a land claim at the mouth of the Marys River in 1845, he opened a store on the site and named the new community Marysville. In 1853, the legislative assembly changed the city’s name to Corvallis, from the Latin phrase cor vallis, meaning “heart of the valley.” Before Salem was selected as the permanent state capital, Corvallis served as the capital of the Oregon Territory in 1855.

Entertainment

DaVinci Days - “A celebration of art, science, and technology.” The three-day sensory experience is inspired by the Renaissance man himself, Leonardo da Vinci. Highlights of the festival include human-powered all terrain vehicle race, music, street performers and the latest in science and technology breakthroughs. davincidays.org Corvallis Fall Festival -The area’s largest art celebration, features regionally known artists, continuous musical entertainment, a variety of children’s activities and a large Food Court with local wines to sample. corvallisfallfestival.org Corvallis Farmers Market - Spend the day listening to music; browsing booths filled with home-made jam, honey, breads and baked goods; or perusing unique crafts. April 18 through November 21: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Located on 1st and Jackson, on the north end of the Riverfront in Corvallis. April 22 through November 25: Wednesdays 3:00 p.m.7:00 p.m. Located on 2nd and B St., south Riverfront, just north of the skateboard park. locallygrown.org

Art

Alley Art - Take a self guided tour of public art along Madison Avenue, from 8

Above: Benton County Courthouse Left: Downtown Corvallis, Oregon circa 1920 Inset: The Whiteside Theater was built in 1922

by Charles and Samuel Whiteside.

the riverfront to Central Park. You’ll find an amazing collection of sculptures, silk-screen prints, enamel on metal, reproductions of poems, photographs and more.

While you’re at it, don’t miss the Arts Center at 700 SW Madison Avenue. The center hosts arts collaborations, readings, performances, and educational and enrichment activities. Also notable is its ArtsCare program for cancer, dialysis and other patients in the regional health care system. theartscenter.net Art In The Valley - A comprehensive gallery featuring some of the finest artwork in the area with a wide assortment of original arts and crafts, including: paintings, original prints, pottery, calligraphy, stained glass and sculpture— at affordable prices. 209 SW Second St., Corvallis, Oregon, 97333. 541.752.0811.

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. artinthevalley.net

Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2011

The Corvallis Community Theater introduces plays and musicals throughout the year. Originally held in a large, wooden barn on Hwy 34 (“Valley Barn Players”) in the 1950s, the historic Majestic Theater now hosts the events. corvalliscommunitytheater.org

Explore

Marys Peak Viewpoint - At 4,097 feet, it is the highest point in Oregon’s Coast Range and the most prominent peak to the west of Corvallis. On a clear day, from the top of the peak, you can see both the Pacific Ocean to the west and many of the Cascade peaks to the east. There are also several areas of historical, botanical and geological interest.

Directions: Follow Highway 34 west from Philomath for 10 miles then turn north from Highway 34 onto Marys Peak Road. In 5.5 miles you will reach Conner’s Camp, the Lower East Ridge trailhead location. Meadow Edge Trail is

located 3.3 miles beyond Conner’s Camp at the Marys Peak campground. The upper trail head from East Ridge and North Ridge is located at the end of Marys Peak Road, 0.5 miles beyond the Marys Peak campground. www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/ recreation/tripplanning/maryspeak/ index.shtml Soap Creek Schoolhouse - Built in 1935 during The Great Depression, Soap Creek Schoolhouse is a well-preserved example of a one room schoolhouse that is just north of Corvallis. Visit soapcreekschoolhouse.org for more information and directions.

—Randy Hill

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4210 River Rd., Keizer, OR 97303 Winter 2011 • Willamette Valley Life

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The

Bucket List W

RESOLVE TO SEE THESE 12 WILLAMETTE VALLEY DESTINATIONS IN 2011

BY RANDY HILL

When you live in an area long enough, you start taking things for granted. You may promise yourself you’re going to get around to doing something someday, but things get in the way and “someday” slips by.

The beginning of a new year is the traditional time to renew vows to get things done, so why should this year be any different? In 2011, why not make a resolution to see some of the most unique destinations that the Willamette Valley has to offer? Here’s our top 12 list for both the resident and the visitor:

1) Abiqua Falls

2) Great Oregon Steam-Up

Located just outside of the town of Scotts Mills is the spectacular, but little-known hiking destination of Abiqua Falls. Though the actual hike is only a half mile out and a half mile back, it’s not an easy hike. Be prepared to work up a little sweat. portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Abiqua_Falls_Hike

Held annually in July and August at the Powerland Museum in Brooks, Oregon, is the Great Oregon Steam-Up. This is an event for the entire family and one you won’t soon forget. Collectors of steam powered engines and tractors from around the state bring in these lovingly cared for relics from Oregon’s past. It’s hard to

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3 imagine from our vantage point in the 21st century (with our air-conditioned tractors with stereos) how much effort was involved in operating these steam-powered behemoths. antiquepowerland.com

3) UFO Festival

PHOTO BY GUS FREDERICK

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Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2011

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It all started in nearby Dayton, Oregon, on May 8, 1950, with one of the most famous UFO photos ever taken by farmer Paul Trent. The photo ran on the front page of the June 9, 1950, edition of the News-Register in McMinnville, and the rest is UFO history. To celebrate this out of the world

event, McMennamin’s Hotel Oregon hosts an annual festival dedicated to all things alien. May 13-14, 2011 ufofest.com

4) Gallon House Bridge Built in 1916, Gallon House Bridge is just one of over 50 covered bridges here in Oregon. The 84-foot long bridge spans Abiqua Creek just outside of Silverton, Oregon. It got its name during prohibition when it was a gathering place for bootleggers. web.oregon.com/covered_bridges/bridges/gallon.cfm

5) Mt. Angel Oktoberfest Get out your lederhosen and get ready to polka! This year’s festival, held September 15-18 in Mt. Angel, will feature arts and crafts, Alpine food booths, Biergarten and top polka bands from Germany and the U.S. oktoberfest.org

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6) Living Rock Studios Howard Taylor began creating this roadside work of art just outside of Brownsville, Oregon, during the 1960s after a series of strokes and a heart attack. Taylor, along with his wife Faye, built Living Rock Studios out of rocks that he had collected over the years he worked as a surveyor. Original artwork by Taylor created from stone and paint are featured throughout the gallery. livingrockstudios.org

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7) The Oregon Garden One of the most popular tourist attractions in the Willamette Valley, The Oregon Garden boasts 20 specialty gardens, ponds, waterfalls and fountains scattered throughout 80 acres of land just outside of Silverton, Oregon. Don’t miss the Gordon House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. oregongarden.org

8) Aurora, Oregon Originally founded as a religious community in 1856 by Dr. William Keil, who named the town after his daughter, Aurora is now known as Oregon’s Antique Capital. auroracolony.com

9) Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm Located just outside of Woodburn, Oregon, Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm is probably one the most photographed places in the Valley.

And why not? Acres of tulips, with mind blowing colors stretching as far as the eye can see, just begs to be photographed.

The 26th annual Tulip Fest is coming up March 25th through May 1st. woodenshoe.com

10) Eola Hill Bike Oregon Wine Country Every Sunday morning in August you’ll find cyclists gathering at Eola Hills Wine

7 Cellars in Rickreall for the annual “Bike Oregon Wine Country.” The event is open to all levels of riders (ride options of 30 to 70 miles) and is followed by a BBQ at Eola Hills at the end of the ride. eolahillswinery.com

11) Mt. Angel Abbey Located just outside of Mt. Angel, Oregon, on a 300 foot bluff, Mt. Angel Abbey and Seminary was built in 1883 by Swiss Benedictine monks. The library features a priceless collection of illuminated manuscripts and rare hand printed books. Don’t stop there. Head over to the Mt. Angel Abbey museum to view some mighty strange “collectobelia” (as one monk calls it) in the form of taxidermied animals, ships in bottles—and the world’s largest hair ball. mountangelabbey.org

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12) Eugene Celebration Held annually in Eugene, Oregon, the celebration features bands from throughout the Pacific Northwest, a film festival and parades. Don’t miss the crowning of the “Slug Queen.” eugenecelebration.com

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Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2011

W I L L A M E T T E

V A L L E Y

W I N E

2010: A year discovering the Willamette Valley

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y first year in the Willamette Valley has been filled with exploration. Meeting new people, tasting new wines and traveling around the valley has been the perfect way to spend weekends and days off. So with the year having come to an end, before we get too far into 2011, I wanted to share some of my favorite wine country finds with you.

This list, while certainly not allinclusive, offers a wide variety of experiences. From small producers to places that might surprise you, each of these choices has something unique to offer. The most important thing, however, is the high level of hospitality offered— the people make each of these stops truly memorable. As we begin the new year, take some time to get out and explore the Willamette Valley wine regions and check out some of these great producers.

Seven of Hearts Wine & Honest Chocolates

This was one of my very first encounters with Oregon wines after arriving in the Willamette Valley. At this Main Street tasting room, in Carlton, you’ll meet proprietor and winemaker Byron Dooley and taste both his labels, Seven of Hearts and Luminous Hills.

Byron’s chocolatier wife, Dana, also has her central kitchen in the same space for her local business, Honest Chocolates. The Dooleys are endearingly quirky and are incredibly passionate about their products, which really shows in the quality. You won’t regret a visit for this duo’s wine and chocolate. (sevenofheartswine.com and honestchocolates.com)

Torii Mor Winery

I had wanted to visit Torii Mor to try some of their white wines for my website Northwest Whites. Somewhat off the beaten path in the Dundee Hills AVA, you’ll find an absolute sense of peace at their tasting room. The wines we sampled, in their Japanese-inspired tasting room, were good, and I was really taken by the simple and relaxing setting, enjoying the garden

that surrounds the building. You’ll also find a remarkable view from the top of the winery’s estate vineyard, just beyond the tasting room. (toriimorwinery.com)

The Carlton Winemaker’s Studio - Ayoub & Retour Pinot Noirs

I really like what they’re doing at the CWMS and send people there regularly to experience a variety of producers in one location. Wine director Jeff Woodard, cellar master JP Pierce and the rest of the staff have made every tasting here a delight. Two of my absolute favorite labels that you’ll find are Ayoub and Retour.

The former, produced by Mohomad “Mo” Ayoub, is sourced from a small vineyard in the Dundee Hills and really shines with complexity. Mo also produces a second label called Memoirs and has just released his first Chardonnay. Retour, on the other hand, is a collaboration between Lindsay Woodard and Eric Hamacher (who also has his own label at the studio). The bottle is striking with a rolled metal plate in place of the label, and the juice inside is beyond good. (ayoubwines.com and retourwines.com)

Colene Clemens Vineyards

One of the newest wineries in the Chehalemt Mountain AVA, it’s worth the trip out Dopp Road to check out the wines being poured, currently two Pinot Noirs. Steve Goff, formerly of Beaux Frères, is leading the viticulture and wine making while Mark Bosko (of DDO and Press Wine Bar) expertly manages the tasting room at the newly opened estate winery. The first vintage released is 2008, and both the Estate and Estate Reserve Pinot Noirs are very good. I think these are two of the best buys for high end Pinot Noir in the valley with both bottles coming in under $50. And don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to curl up in front of the large fireplace in the elegant lodge-like tasting room. (coleneclemens.com)

Sip 47 Wine Route

There are some wineries that are “further out” by most standards. And while these three are certainly off the main roads, they—and a

Colene Clemens Vineyards

number of others in the vicinity— have banded together to create the Sip 47 Wine Route. This “trail” is a perfect detour from the main thoroughfares if you’re looking for something new. (sip47.com) First stop, Patton Valley Vineyards makes excellent Pinot Noir from fruit grown in their estate vineyard which surrounds the winery and tasting room. Jenn Kilfoil will guide you through the Pinot Noir lineup with grace and ease. With a new winemaker on the team— Derek Einberger, formerly of Lemelson—I’m excited to see how the wines continue to evolve. (pattonvalley.com) Just up the road and still in Gaston, Kramer Vineyards offers an almost overwhelming amount of variety and breathtaking views. Wines range from red to white, dry to sweet, and still to sparkling—truly something for every occasion or palate. Trudy and Keith Kramer both contribute to wine making along with their daughter Kim. Let Angelene know what you’re interested in, and they can create an excellent line up specifically to what you like. (kramerwine.com)

Finally, a unique non-wine related stop at SakéOne in Forest Grove is a must whether you’re a wine lover or not. One of the premier American saké producers, the focus is all on water.

While rice plays a vital role in saké making, to craft high quality spirits you need excellent water, which is in abundance in the Pacific Northwest, particularly near Portland. Explore an enormous world of styles and flavors in the tasting room—Tony is one of the most educational and enthusiastic people I’ve met— and be sure to arrive in time for a tour of the Kura daily at 1, 2 and 3pm. (sakeone.com)

Ryan Reichert is originally from Northeast Ohio and relocated to the Willamette Valley to further his career in the wine industry. He has received both his Intermediate and Advanced certifications from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust and is also a certified French wine enthusiast and Spanish Wine Educator. Ryan strives to learn all he can about wine and to share his passion with everyone. Ryan authors a new site focusing on the white wines of the Pacific Northwest.

Visit www.nwwhites.com.

Winter 2011 • Willamette Valley Life

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MU S I C A N D A R T

For artist Rachel Rossman, the eyes have it

“I just get it,” Rossman says about the raw familiarity and closeness her work evokes. “Horses are like a partner; dogs are like a best companion. People are really affected by the animals in their lives.”

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or artist Rachel Rossman, the eyes have it. They are the secret behind the beautifully-rendered portraits she creates of man’s best friends for an increasingly famous clientele. And the eyes are the element that draw you into her watercolor paintings, which vividly capture the riveting relationship between humans and their pets.

“I just get it,” Rossman says about the raw familiarity and closeness her work evokes. “Horses are like a partner; dogs are like a best companion. People are really affected by the animals in their lives.”

This is no small task—transforming the emotion pets evoke in us into a piece of art that can move the masses—but it is one that Rossman has mastered over the past few years as word of her talent for harnessing animal magnetism has spread. In a very short time, Rossman has catapulted from something of a hobby artist—albeit a formally trained one (she studied fine art at Portland State University)—to pet portraitist for celebrities such as actress Mayim Bialek, writer Neil Gaiman and media maven Martha Stewart. And she’s become the goto artist for animal lovers looking for a gift that transcends the humdrum.

In her hands, a Doberman pinscher isn’t a scary barking menace but a soulful and serene best friend. A tuxedo-colored cat becomes a sage master critic with discerning taste. A guinea pig is a fluffy white clown of color and form. And a yawning pup has all of the power of an amped up rock star.

It’s 7:30 p.m. on a crisp Salem evening.

Two cats linger on Rossman’s driveway at the home she shares with her husband and two school-age children. A couple of water dishes are scattered about on the path that leads to her front door. Inside her studio, which she and her husband converted from a formal living room, a plump and aging cat named Birch lounges under a work station.

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Understanding the pull animals have on us comes easily to Rossman, 37, a former competitive equestrian and lifelong animal lover.

When Rossman and her husband started a family, she gave up riding the horse but not the passion. She would often spend two or three days a year photographing horses at equestrian events, only to linger over them for the rest of the year.

Eventually, she began rendering these scenes in watercolor for herself.

Soon, people at the events took notice of what she was doing and she started taking a few commissions and doing a few exhibitions at small galleries along the Oregon Coast.

Pets aren’t everything Rossman paints, but they are the real bread and butter of her portraiture business, which she runs as a sideline to her work as a marketing and communications manager for a local company.

“I get a lot of joy out of painting—this is a business, but it’s not my job,” Rossman said.

Rossman begins with a physical photograph or digital image supplied to her by clients who contact her through her massive twitter presence (she tweets half a dozen times a day) or through her lively blog at www.rachelrossman.com. Then she adjusts the image in Photoshop in order to

Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2011

create the right composition for the sizes she works in—from 5 x 7 inches to 20 x 26 (with prices set to the size).

Afterwards, Rossman sketches the images out lightly on Yupo, a synthetic, tree-free paper that lends itself well to the artist’s fluid, immediate style. She begins to paint by adding layers of watercolor in a way that—let’s just admit it—brings out the inherent cuddle factor of the pets. She generally has four or five pieces going at a time and can churn out commissioned pieces, which take 10 to 15 hours each, in six to eight weeks.

Rossman’s portraits look like the images she works with, but they are so much more. Her dappled backgrounds transform the daily life into a ménage of emotion and affection. And her layers of color make the viewer understand implicitly what a pet owner loves about that particular animal.

The works on Rossman’s desk this evening —a portrait of a smiling 2-year-old girl and two doggy portraits that will be bridesmaids’ gifts—are 95 percent done.

The ears on a brown dog flop at just the right degree; a black lab’s jaw juts out with a regal angle.

“I’ve learned that I’m done before I think they’re done,” Rossman said. “I have to hold back a bit instead of worrying that I might mess with them too much.”

But something is still amiss—it’s the eyes.

Rossman used to paint them first, since they capture who her subject is and what it means for the intended audience. For months now, she has been painting them last—a kind of delayed Christmas for the painter in her who loves the process.

“It’s like the big reveal, when the eyes finally pop open,” Rossman says.

Emily Grosvenor is a reporter and essayist whose profiles of people and places have been published by Salon.com, Publishers Weekly, Edible Portland and others. She teaches feature writing at the University of Oregon and keeps a hyper-local blog, Desperately Seeking Salem.

Winter 2011 • Willamette Valley Life

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F I N A N C E

Down, but not out Trying to live like a hermit won’t work because most people can only keep that up for a short period of time before they “rebel” against themselves. Plus, sitting in the dark at your house won’t get you back to work.

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Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2011

aving recently lost my job, I understand how hard it is to be out of work. For many Oregonians, and Americans for that matter, the aftermath of being let go from a job is devastating. What’s worse is that many times losing a job can lead directly to severe financial problems beyond simply losing an income. To help, I’ve compiled a list of tips that can help ensure that all the hard work you’ve put into setting your financial house in order doesn’t go to waste.

Contact your creditors immediately– I know this one is hard, but being honest about your new situation can help immensely in dealing with adversity. As most of you know, I’m a huge fan of credit unions, so if you’ve been following my advice so far you should already have your loans at one. Call or stop by a branch and talk to a loan officer or branch manager about what options there may be to help.

They may be able to modify the loan terms to lower the payment or skip payments for 60 or 90 days, buying you some time until you can get back to work.

Cut back but don’t turn off – One of the hardest things for me has been what the loss of income has forced me to cut back on. My first instinct is typically to go overboard and turn off any seemingly unnecessary expenses like cable, internet service, cell phone, eating out, etc. The tip is to look at your options and see where you can save money. Trying to live like a hermit won’t work because most people can only keep that up for a short period of time before they “rebel” against themselves. Plus, sitting in the dark at your house won’t get you back to work. You’ll just feel more upset. Spending money wisely is the key here, so take control and be purposeful with your expenses.

Negotiate – Many times when we become unemployed we feel the loss of control and power in situations. Fight this

feeling with all you’ve got! Don’t be afraid to negotiate. For example, did you know that you can negotiate your cable bill? Try it—call up your provider and say that you simply can’t afford to pay such a high cost anymore for your service. Many times you will automatically be rerouted to a special department who can help you further. They may offer you a different package deal, add services for free (creating a better value for the money), or cut the price down right then and there. The lesson is you won’t know until you ask.

Use coupons – If you don’t already, start using coupons. For the longest time I had this weird association with coupons.

I felt by using a coupon that I was telling merchants that I couldn’t afford their product or that people would think I’m not successful. Baloney! Treat coupons like cash, plain and simple. You wouldn’t throw cash away would you? Sites like Groupon. com (Salem was recently added) are an excellent resource for daily deals in your area.

The power of multiplication – My last tip involves tapping into the resources of your family and friends. The idea here is to pool resources in a way that either saves money or gets you more value for what you’re spending. From combining cell phone plans with other family members to sharing a Costco membership, there are numerous ways you can employ the power of multiplication.

On a final note, check out www. suddenlyunemployed.com. The site has a wealth of information and a variety of resources for those who have become unemployed. So chin up, head high and think straight.

Ken Gardner – Ken writes for life, financial liberty, and the pursuit of member happiness. He has worked in the financial industry for over 10 years and does not have perfect credit…but he’s getting there.

Creekside Grill 242 South Water Street, Silverton, Oregon Hello and welcome to another episode! I must be honest, when I started this review I had someplace completely different in mind. But alas, the location wasn’t open on the evening I had free, so it was a roll of the dice, so to speak, to find a fine establishment that served dinner on a Monday evening (which didn’t already occupy a town I had recently visited).

Thankfully, Creekside Grill was not only open, but ready to fill my belly on what was to be a very cold evening.

On to the review!

Creekside Grill, located in the lower level of the Hartman Building, has both traditional booth/table and bar seating (with the bar located in its own room down the hall).

Because I stopped in for dinner during a particularly cold evening, the additional seating outside, with a view of the water, was unavailable. Decoration was minimal and the seating was clean and tidy. The dining room is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Appetizers range from $6.95-8.95. The Crab Cakes ($7.95) were for two, which was slightly disappointing as I could have eaten fifteen more of these delicious delicacies. A heaping portion of Steamer Clams ($9.95) was light and fantastic, other than the overly seasoned garlic toast. Other dinner menu options are soup ($3.75-6.75), main course entrées ($12.95-17.95), a kid’s menu ($4.95-5.95), dessert ($5.95) and drinks. Lunch menu options and portions are also served.

Entrées are served with your choice of rice pilaf (fair, but not bad) or potatoes (tastier than I expected by far) and vegetables (steamed but still crunchy and lightly seasoned). The ribs and flank steak I sampled were well seasoned and scrumptious.

The dinner special of Mahi Mahi, on the other hand, was bland and uninspired. I also tried the delightful Silver Creek salad, which was topped with pears, blue cheese and candied walnuts.

There was some confusion regarding how the flight of martinis worked, but I will give them grace for this as the wait staff did come out and readdress the situation before serving (and possibly creating a bill nightmare). Each cocktail was presented with a little flair, such as the graham-coated rim of Lori’s Lemon Coconut Meringue or star fruit on The Blue Grotto. Normally, these aperitifs are priced anywhere from $6.507.75, but on Mondays all martinis are only $5.

If not for the Mahi Mahi and rice, the rating would have been excellent!

The staff at Creekside Grill were friendly, helpful and checked back with us frequently (although not often enough to be annoying). Hopefully this level of service is maintained during the rush hours.

Winter 2011 • Willamette Valley Life

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VAL L E Y P H O T O S

Cascade Highway Photo by Dickie Adams

With the last of the crop harvested, a lone tractor sits, waiting, on a hill. Taken from Cascade Highway, east of Salem.

-Dickie Adams, Salem, Oregon

Do you have a photo that you have taken that you would like to share with our readers?

Send a hi-resolution photo (300 DPI) to: publisher@willamettevalleylife.com.

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Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2011

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Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2011