Willamette Valley Life Magazine

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Volume 3 Issue 1/Winter 2012 (Display until April 1, 2012) WillametteValleyLife.com

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Plus: Finding Hope at the End of a Brush The Sweet Taste of Success

Valley Floor Fall Calendar Valley Notes Your Money The Vine Bon Mangez Winter 2012 • Willamette Valley Life

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Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2012

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

Happy New Year - Happy Anniversary Happy New Year! It seems like 2011 arrived out of nowhere, and then it was gone lickety-split!

It’s even harder to believe that this issue of Willamette Valley Life marks our second anniversary. It’s been quite the adventure and we have really enjoyed bringing all of the wonderful places and personalities to you via this publication. The Willamette Valley is overflowing with so many great destinations to explore and interesting people to read about, I don’t think we’ll ever run out of story ideas.

The magazine continues to grow and expand into all corners of the valley. Readers can now pick up Willamette Valley Life at an increasing number of locations. To find one in your area, visit our website at willamettevalleylife.com.

This issue is bursting at the seams with some excellent winter reading material. Writer Tami Richards came across a wonderful story about Dr. George Norek who not only teaches and practices Shodo calligraphy, but has found a way to deal with some significant health issues through the practice of his art.

Rachel Bucci wrote a great piece about “Smokin’ Mike” Buyes, a Willamette Valley bricklayer-turned-entrepreneur who took his passion for smoking seafood and turned it into a business. [Editor’s note: Sadly, at press time, we found out that Mike’s son, Cpl. Adam J. Buyes, was killed in Afghanistan. Our sincere condolences go out to the entire Buyes family.]

Winter is here and several of our readers have shared some of their favorite photos of the Willamette Valley in winters past. You can see their cool creations on page 6. We also came up with a list of Valley museums that you can escape to when cabin fever strikes during the cold winter.

Money guru Ken Gardner is back in this issue with some great ideas about what to do with your tax return dollars, and wine-meister Ryan Reichart shares his tips on getting the most out of your favorite Oregon sparkling wine.

As always, thanks for picking up Willamette Valley Life and please support our advertisers who help to bring issue after issue to you.

MEET THE PRESS:

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

From her home base in Salem, writer Rachel Bucci travels frequently throughout the Northwest.

Depending on the whims of her family, you might find her crabbing at Siletz Bay, browsing a museum, or picking cherries in the Columbia Gorge.

When she’s not working up an appetite, she’s likely sating it at a local restaurant. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including NYTimes.com, AAA VIA, Brain World, Moms Like Me, Oregon Humanities magazine, The Oregonian, Preservation, and 1859 Magazine. Visit her online at rachelbucci.com.

Jessica Gardner loves the outdoors, enjoys a good cabernet every now and then, and wishes she could fly away in Doctor Who’s TARDIS one day.

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.

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. nwwhites.com.

Tami Richards is a native of Salem. An avid bibliophile, she has a keen interest in the people of the community, both past and present, local and far-reaching.

She enjoys the Willamette Valley for all the obvious reasons, but her favorite aspect is taking advantage of all the rivers and streams—day-hiking along them, smelling that amazing fresh scent, and searching for waterfalls to photograph.

CONTENTS

RANDY HILL: Morning Fog at Oregon Garden

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DEPAR TMENT S

FEATURE

4 Valley Floor 8 People & Places 12 Valley Notes 14 Daycation

Winter in the Valley

16 The Vine

The Willamette Valley is a photographer’s paradise. Where else can you find tulip fields, rivers, mountain vistas, waterfalls and orchards within just a few short miles? With the arrival of winter, the valley adorns itself with a beauty all its own. A few of our readers share some of their favorite winter photos in the valley.

17 Bon Mangez 18 Your Money ON THE COVER Winter in the Valley Photo by Diana Dettwyler

PUBLISHERS/EDITORS Randy and Dawn Hill

EMAIL publisher@willamettevalleylife.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jessica Gardner

WEBSITE willamettevalleylife.com

ART DIRECTION Hill Design Studios

Willamette Valley Life Magazine is published quarterly. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Willamette Valley Life Magazine. This publication cannot be reproduced in any form without written consent from Willamette Valley Life Magazine.

Although we have made every effort to insure the accuracy of the information in this publication, due to the passage of time and the anomalies inherent in the publishing process, we cannot be responsible for errors or incorrect information. Please contact the individual establishments to confirm information.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Dusty Blues, Rachel Bucci, Bill Coberly, Diana Dettwyler, Gus Frederick, Jessica Gardner, Ken Gardner, Randy Hill, Bon Mangez, Ryan Reichert, Tami Richards, Linda Trunnell ADVERTISING SALES L. Andrew Brown/Concept Marketing Randy Hill PHONE 503.507.1228 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 17264 Salem, Oregon 97305

25,000 copies printed and distributed throughout the Willamette Valley.

Copyright 2012 by Willamette Valley LIfe Magazine

One year subscriptions are $16. Send check or money order to Subscriptions: P.O. Box 17264, Salem, OR 97305. Make payable to “Willamette Valley Life.”

Winter 2012 • Willamette Valley Life

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Compiled and Edited By Jessica Gardner

Stitches & Bloom For those that want to improve their quilting skills, two different two-day workshops are offered prior to the show, from January 23-26. There are special packages for workshop attendees that include room and meals—a great way to relax and meet others that are passionate about quilting.

The show also offers a special Sneak Peek on January 26 for those who want to mingle with other quilt lovers before the show begins. Attendees will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and music while taking in beautiful quilts and shopping the vendors before the show opens to the general public. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Where: The Oregon Garden, 879 W. Main St., Silverton, Oregon When: January 27-28, 2012 Contact: oregongarden.org/Quilt-Show.htm

Wine & Food Classic S

tart your spring by awakening your taste buds with a trip to the McMinnville Wine and Food Classic. Celebrating its 19th year, this food and wine event will be held March 9-11 at the Evergreen Space Museum in the heart of Oregon wine country. Visitors will enjoy watching some of the best chefs in the Northwest demonstrate their skills. After sampling some of the superb cuisine, visit with winemakers and vintners and learn the intricacies of their trade. You can purchase wine by the taste, glass, bottle or case.

On Friday, the first 1,000 attendees will receive a free wine glass to commemorate their visit. Live music as well as fine arts and crafts round out this not to be missed event.

General admission includes entrance to the Evergreen Space Museum; live music; wine tasting classes; and access to 160 of the area’s premier wine, food and art vendors.

Where: Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, 500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville, Oregon When: March 9-11, 2012 Contact: sipclassic.org

Hot Buttered Rum

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oming to the WOW Hall on March 14 is the phenomenal acoustic string band Hot Buttered Rum. Years of constant touring has transformed the group into a plugged-in, percussive powerhouse that has been wowing critics and fans alike. With a mix of rock, jazz, country and world music, the band’s songwriting and stage chemistry is bringing the group new fans across the map.

Where: WOW Hall, 291 West 8th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401 When: March 14, 2012 at 8:00 p.m.

Contact: wowhall.org 4

Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2012

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eed a few new sweet gift ideas for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day? We searched the Willamette Valley far and wide and came up with these local candy artists.

The painted truffles we found at Ladybug Chocolates in Canby not only taste heavenly, but they also qualify as top rate eye candy. Ladybug Chocolates uses premium Guittard chocolate and quality nuts, fruits, oils, spices and liqueurs to hand craft these little gems. ladybugchocolates.com Ken Hoyt with Willamette Valley Confectionery uses local butter, cream and hazelnuts to create his delicious Oregon Hazelnut Toffee. No preservatives are added and the packaging is biodegradable. etsy.com/shop/WillametteValley The Brigittine Monks in Amity have apparently used their connections to create some of the most heavenly fudge you’ll ever taste. Founded in 1370 and dedicated to a life of prayer and work, they are completely self-supporting. You can learn more about their world-class fudge and way of life at brigittine.org.

If just saying the words “Dark Chocolate Honey Caramels with French Sea Salt” drives you into a drooling candy coma, wait until you try them. You can find this little treasure and others for your chocoholic loved one at Honest Chocolates. They have two stores to choose from—one in McMinnville and the other in Newberg—or you can order online at honestchocolates.com.

KLCC Microbrew Festival B

efore chowing down on chocolates this Valentine’s, head over to the KLCC Microbrew Festival and enjoy a variety of beers from over 50 breweries.

Held February 10-11, the festival—for those 21 years and older—is a fundraiser to benefit KLCC, which serves western and central Oregon with a blend of NPR news, local and regional news, and a variety of music not found elsewhere on the dial.

In addition to the delicious brews, visitors can peruse thousands of records and CDs for sale. Both nights feature live music from 7:30-10:45 p.m. Karen Lovely kicks off Friday’s performance and the Ty Curtis Band headlines Saturday evening This year’s festival also welcomes the return of the Home Brew Competition. The Best-of-Show winner will get to be “brewer for a day” and brew their winning recipe at Falling Sky Brewing. See KLLC’s website for registration and competition details.

PHOTO BY DUSTYBLUES.COM

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he Oregon Garden will host The Stitches in Bloom Quilt Show this January 27-28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This event features hundreds of quilts, vendors, workshops and lectures.

Internationally-recognized featured artist, Velda Newman, will be giving lectures each day during the show. The entrance fee includes admission to the stunning gardens and other features.

Valley Sweets For Your Sweetie

Where: Lane Events Center, 796 W. 13th Ave, Eugene, Oregon When: February 10-11, 2012 Contact: klcc.org

W I N T E R

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January, February, March JANUARY Tuesday Irish Dance Class – Salem. Weekly Irish ceili and set dancing class—lively forms of social dance similar to contra and square dancing. Great fun; excellent exercise; no partner or experience is necessary. 503.383.9297. ceiliofthevalley.org.

10 – Connie Fritz Memorial Concerto Competition – Salem. Enjoy performances of the finalists of Salem Chamber Orchestra’s 6th annual Connie Fritz Memorial Concerto Competition.

503.480.1128. salemchamberorchestra.org.

13-14 – Oregon Wine, Food & Brew Festival – Salem. The Oregon Wine Food & Brew Festival features over 35 Oregon wineries, Oregon craft and microbrew, culinary delights, and art from the Pacific Northwest. Oregon State Fairgrounds. 541.497.7481 or 866.904.6165. oregonwinefoodbrewfest.com.

20-22 – Good Earth Home, Garden & Living Show – Eugene. America’s first sustainable home and garden show. Over 250 exhibits exclusively marketing sustainable, healthy, natural and earth-friendly products, services and businesses. Enjoy local music, healthy and organic foods, and over 65 ecoseminars. 541.484.9247. eugenehomeshow.com.

21 – Distinguished Artist Series Master Class with Arnaldo Cohen – Salem. Brazilian-born pianist Arnaldo Cohen has a reputation for astonishing his audiences with the musical authority and blistering virtuosity of his performances. 503.370.6255. willamette.edu.

22 – Eugene Symphony presents Disney in Concert – Eugene. Disney in Concert debuts with the Eugene Symphony bringing timeless music for fans of all ages. Movie scores performed by Broadway soloists including songs from Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and Pirates of the Caribbean.

541.682.5000. eugenesymphony.org.

27-28 – The Oregon Garden’s Stitches in Bloom Quilt Show – Silverton. The Oregon Garden’s Stitches in Bloom Quilt Show features hundreds of handmade quilts along with vendors, workshops and lectures. 503.874.8100 or 877.674.2733. oregongarden.org/event-quilt-show.htm.

FEBRUARY 1 – Shen Yun – Eugene. Classical China is brought to life in this brilliant dance with vivid, dynamic backdrops, all set to mesmerizing orchestral compositions. Discover the glory of a fantastically rich culture. 541.682.5000. shenyun2012.com.

4 – Dramatic Vignettes for Your Garden in Winter – Silverton. Join landscape designer Carol Lindsay and The Oregon Garden to find out how to spruce up your garden and create year-round drama and interest. oregongarden.org.

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10-11 – KLCC Microbrew Festival – Eugene. Microbrew tasting featuring 50 breweries and over 100 beers from the West Coast and beyond. Enjoy live music and collaboration brews. Benefits KLCC 89.7 FM. 541.463.6030. klcc.org/News.asp?NewsID=156.

10-12 – The Big O Roller Derby Tournament – Eugene. There’s no crying in baseball or roller derby, so join the Emerald City Roller Girls as they host 16 other roller derby leagues in their first ever tournament. thebigotournament.com.

11 – Puttin’ on the Ritz – Salem. In its seventeenth year, this event has become a sell-out event popular with both the Willamette and Salem community. You will not want to miss this delightful evening which includes a delicious dinner and dancing to the music of the Kemtones Little Big Band and Willamette Singers vocal jazz choir. 503.871.6127. willamette.edu.

12 – The Four Seasons “Winter” – Salem. Salem Chamber Orchestra presents Vivaldi’s “Winter” concerto from The Four Seasons with Anthea Kreston, violinist. Also on the program is Beethoven’s Symphony No 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 55. Conducted by Benjamin Simon. 503.581.4325. salemchamberorchestra.org.

17-18 – Wurstfest – Mount Angel. “Meat up” with all your friends and family at the 4th annual Wurstfest, presented by the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce. Vendors will be offering a variety of German sausages, beer, chocolates and more. 503.586.8126. mtangelwurstfest.com.

MARCH 8 – Emanuel Ax Plays Brahms – Eugene. Two hundred and twenty years after its inception, Mozart’s final masterpiece, Requiem, will shine on the two hundred musicians who bring this powerful piece to life. The Symphony is joined by seven-time Grammy winner Emanuel Ax. 541.682.5000. eugenesymphony.org.

8-11 – The 33rd Annual Lane County Home & Garden Show – Eugene. 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. 541.484.9247. eugenehomeshow.com.

9-11 – The McMinnville Wine & Food Classic (Sip!) – McMinnville. This weekend event features over 100 booths showcasing the state’s wine industry, gourmet foods, art and music. Enjoy superb cuisine, fine art and crafts, guest chef demonstrations, live music, and wine tasting from some of the best wineries and vineyards in Oregon. sipclassic.org.

17 – A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration with Kevin Burke, Cal Scott and Friends – Salem. The historic Elsinore Theatre presents an unforgettable evening of Irish and Celtic music featuring Burke, one of the world’s leading Irish Fiddlers, and Scott, known for his work with Trail Band.

503.375.3574. elsinoretheatre.com/events.

27-29 – The 7th Annual Oregon Truffle Festival – Eugene. 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. oregontrufflefestival.com.

31-April 1 – North Willamette Wine Trail Weekend – Various Wineries in the North Willamette Valley. Spend a weekend exploring wine country. Journey to 24 neighboring wineries and experience a weekend full of wine, culinary samples, education and fun. northwillamettevintners.org.

Winter 2012 • Willamette Valley Life

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Winter

IN THE VALLEY The Willamette Valley is a photographer’s paradise. Where else can you find tulip fields, rivers, mountain vistas, waterfalls and orchards within just a few short miles? With the arrival of winter, the valley adorns itself with a beauty all its own. A few of our

GUS FREDERICK: Dear Food

DIANA DETTWYLER

readers share some of their favorite winter photos of the valley.

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Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2012

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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

Finding Hope at the End of a Brush

As Dr. Norek commenced the creation of the beautiful symbols for peace, love and happiness on paper, I began to wonder if the traditional Chinese written language had, in fact, drawn images of what the intangibles of life actually look like.

Though Chinese characters number from 50-60,000 formations, Dr. Norek says that there are about 3,000 that are useful today, and that a person can get by with knowledge of 1,500. Even though the spoken language of China has hundreds of dialects, presenting a problem in verbal communication, the written language is a more universal and, therefore, practical form of communication.

In 2006 Dr. Norek developed rheumatoid arthritis, an ailment which caused his fingers to swell. Though this forced him to retire from medicine, it did not cause him to stop practicing his art.

Through his dedication and perseverance, Dr. Norek found that it was his Shodo—his “mindfulness, awareness and focus”—that 8

PHOTO BY TAMI RICHARDS

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t age 67, Dr. George Norek is undergoing his second round of chemotherapy treatments for a rare form of lymphoma at the same Corvallis clinic where he practiced medicine for thirty-two years. During his last treatments he could be seen in the Cancer Center painting Chinese characters with an ink-dipped brush on thin strips of smooth paper. Today, these figures are framed at the Center, boasting such encouragement as “hope,” “victory” and “courage.”

Dr. Norek teaches and practices Shodo calligraphy for many reasons, not the least of them being the meditative state that is reached while practicing the discipline of forming the Chinese characters.

When I recently sat down with Dr. Norek, in a basement classroom at the Corvallis Arts Center, he began our meeting with a joke about his “unartisticness,” setting the tone for a lighthearted yet informative discussion of the “the way of Oriental calligraphy.” In 1981 he found himself wanting to learn to be artistic. Without the aid of teachers, Dr. Norek decided to learn to write Chinese characters, reasoning that with so few people around with the knowledge of Chinese writing, no one would know if he screwed up or not (another joke).

moved his ink-dipped brush over the paper to form the expressions. It is by the way of the martial artist’s discipline, training, study and practice that the doctor has learned to meditate beyond disease and suffering.

Teaching his self-designed courses to graduate students at the OSU aging symposium, and also holding overflowing workshops at the senior center, Albany Cancer Center, the Samaritan Regional Cancer Center, and at Corvallis ArtsCare classes, Dr. Norek has had a hand in instilling the notion that art is important in helping the mind cope with life’s stresses.

Despite illness and disease, his passion for character making has not lessened over the years. In fact, it seems that these factors have strengthened his resolve that “failure is not an option,” which is a series of characters that he worked on while undergoing his first series of chemotherapy treatments in 2010.

During the demonstration that the good doctor was kind enough to bestow upon me, he removed the four treasures of Shodo calligraphy from his bag: brush, paper, ink stick and the ink stone. (For our session, Dr. Norek decided to waive the ink stone in favor of more easily transportable and “user-friendly” plastic plate.) After adding about an eighth of a teaspoon of water onto the plastic plate,

Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2012

Dr. Norek rubbed the hardened stick of ink, made of pine soot and glue, in a circular motion through the water—twenty times around in one direction, then twenty times around in the opposite direction— creating a watery black ink on the plastic dish.

As Dr. Norek commenced the creation of the beautiful symbols for peace, love and happiness on paper, I began to wonder if the traditional Chinese written language had, in fact, drawn images of what the intangibles of life actually look like. As he instructed me on the ways of character creation, Dr. Norek explained that during his bouts of insomnia, brought on by the stresses of his cancer treatments, he wakes up at 3 a.m. and devotes time to Shodo calligraphy. After about an hour or so, he gets tired and goes back to bed. Thus, his art has helped him to get the rest that is much needed when battling cancer.

Dr. Norek believes that choosing characters with subliminal benefits is a key element to the success of Shodo calligraphy as a healing art. Words such as “tranquility” and “peace” work like magic as the person picks up the inky brush and begins to concentrate on creating “tranquility” and “peace” on paper, as a reflection of what is being carried through their mind.

After giving me a demonstration of

the creation of his favored art form, Dr. Norek escorted me over to the Samaritan Regional Cancer Center. He proudly showed me fine displays of positivethinking characters, under fine glass frames, on the walls of the chemotherapy recovery station, as well as many rows of patient-created characters in the waiting room of the chemotherapy department itself.

As Dr. Norek undergoes treatments for cancer, we can be thankful that he takes comfort in the arts, and that he disavowed statements to his “unartisticness” and instead embraced action to help him battle disease and suffering. He is a doctor who not only treated the disease as a physician, but he is also active in treating people as persons, helping them to embrace life through art, a testament that is on display on many walls throughout cancer, art, scholastic and senior centers all throughout the region.

Tami Richards is a native of Salem. An avid bibliophile, she has a keen interest in the people of the community, both past and present, local and far-reaching. She enjoys the Willamette Valley for all the obvious reasons, but her favorite aspect is taking advantage of all the rivers and streams—dayhiking along them, smelling that amazing fresh scent, and searching for waterfalls to photograph.

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Winter 2012 • 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

The Sweet Taste of Success: Smokin’ Mike’s Seafood

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t’s been 20 years since Salem resident Mike Buyes arrived home from Alaska with several boxes of fish in tow. He’d just finished a construction job there and carted back the seafood as souvenir. There was just one problem: What on earth was he going to do with it?

The answer—buying a smoker—would spark a new passion and eventually lead Buyes to start his own business, Smokin’ Mike’s Seafood.

With store-bought brines, Buyes began a trial and error process of smoking fish.

Hooked, but not quite happy with the results, he began experimenting with spices and ingredients from his own pantry. His custom brines tasted much better. His son Tyler even got in on the act, creating what would later become a Smokin’ Mike’s best-seller—the sweet garlic heat brine—when he was only 14.

For years, friends and family were happy recipients of Buyes’ fish-smoking adventures. While the idea of turning his new hobby into a full-time job was appealing, Buyes, a bricklayer by trade, says he wasn’t quite ready to take the big leap.

Tyler Buyes (left) and Mike Buyes (right) of Smokin’ Mike’s Seafood

Enter the Oregon Salmon Commission and the Albacore Tuna Commission.

Two years ago, reps from both sampled Buyes’ smoked fish. Declaring it the best they had ever tried, they encouraged him

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Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2012

to get the product to market. When the groups staffed a booth at the World Seafood Market in Boston, they invited Buyes to send along samples. His fish earned rave reviews from everyone who tasted it. The response provided the last push Buyes needed.

“That gave me the inspiration to go and launch the company,” he says.

To do it right, Buyes headed to the Oregon Sea Grant Program in Seaside, which helps small-scale seafood entrepreneurs convert homegrown businesses to large-scale production.

Over two days at the Seaside facility, Buyes smoked numerous batches of fish, upgrading from his Traeger smoker to an industrial version, all the while tasting and testing to ensure product quality and safety.

“I needed to know that if I used a different kind of smoker and processes, was it going to change my product?” says Buyes. To his delight, the opposite was true. “It actually turned out better than in my Traeger. It improved the product.”

Since then, Smokin’ Mike’s Seafood has developed a devoted following, growing primarily through word-of-mouth, and a presence at local farmers’ markets and regional food and wine festivals.

“Everybody who tries it loves it,” says Buyes. “The main reaction we get is Wow! This is really good. Even from people who claim they didn’t like seafood.”

What sets his fish apart from other smoked fish, says Buyes, are the ingredients. All of the albacore tuna and salmon, the two kinds of fish currently offered, are wild, line-caught off the Oregon Coast; none are farm-raised or caught using gill nets. The smoking process is also all-natural with no preservatives, nitrites or MSG. Flavorings are limited to salts, sugars and spices that any home cook

might find in the cupboard. Buyes says his method uses about 50% less salt than most other smoked fish, which lets the sweet taste of the fresh fish shine through. You also won’t find liquid smoke in the mix; the fish is slowly smoked for six to 10 hours over alder and cherry wood.

Smokin’ Mike’s produces about 200 pounds of smoked fish each week at an industrial facility in Astoria. While the company has the capacity to produce up to 200 pounds a day, for now Buyes is expanding prudently.

“I prefer slow and steady growth,” he says. “As we add new clients I want to make sure we manage those clients well.”

While the company has been approached to supply large supermarket chains, Buyes says the small-batch approach maintains quality standards and means that the fish is shipped fresh within 3–7 days of production.

“I personally talk to them [clients and customers] and deliver the products,” he says.

This high-touch approach to growth, which extends from smoking to selling, has developed a loyal customer base unfazed by the relatively high price of a gourmet product that retails for between $24 and $26 per pound.

In the coming year, Buyes says he hopes to expand into the Eugene and Corvallis market and is talking to specialty shops throughout the region. He is also exploring the feasibility of creating a local smokehouse that would bring all of the company’s operations to Salem.

Where to buy Smokin’ Mikes Seafood: Buy Smokin’ Mike’s Seafood online at smokinseafood.com.

Also available at: Salem Public Market on Saturdays, year round. Wellspring Market in Woodburn on Saturdays, June–September. Polk County Bounty Market in Dallas on Saturdays, May–September. Smokin’ Mikes also offers, by special order only, halibut, cod and sturgeon.

From her home base in Salem, writer Rachel Bucci travels frequently throughout the Northwest. Depending on the whims of her family, you might find her crabbing at Siletz Bay, browsing a museum, or picking cherries in the Columbia Gorge. When she’s not working up an appetite, she’s likely sating it at a local restaurant. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, including NYTimes.com, AAA VIA, Brain World, Moms Like Me, Oregon Humanities magazine, The Oregonian, Preservation, and 1859 Magazine. Visit her at rachelbucci.com.

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The Planet Knew is the Resistance from the I.C.H.R.R (International Human Recovery and Reform) after the world went under a devastating viral attack called S.I.N. Where is the band based?

After the war much of the globe was divided into sectors. The North American continent, sector 1776868—this is the sector of The Planet Knew.

How long has the band been together?

Three years as of 2052.

Who are the band members?

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Felix; First Lieutenant Dial Tone; Captain Memphis Barker; Captain Thomas Hawk; Ghost.

Do you have any musical influences?

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the human form to inspire and conquer the souls who are infected by the Virus influences us.

You’ve just released your first album—tell our readers about it.

“We all knew this would happen; it was just a matter of when,” the elders and leaders once said. “Humanity has to change to save us all from ourselves; if we do not change we will destroy ourselves with our selfish lives and our pride.” By 2025, humanity imploded, consuming the world in fire.

How can they get your new CD? ThePlanetKnew.com.

Plans for the future?

Resist the I.C.H.R.R and destroy the Virus.

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Winter 2012 • Willamette Valley Life

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O U T

A N D

A B O U T

Destination: Valley Museums

A

hh, wintertime in the valley!

Instead of hiding in your home and wishing for summer, how about getting out of the house and using the time to visit some of the indoor spots that you might miss during the summer sunshine. To help spur your imagination, we’ve come up with a great place to start—Willamette Valley museums. From steam driven tractors to fine art, we’re sure you will find just the right spot to spend a cold winter day.

For more information on Willamette Valley Museums including website links, visit the Oregon Museums Association website at oregonmuseums.org.

Albany Albany Fire Museum Albany Regional Museum Dentzel American Carousel Museum Monteith House Museum Aurora Old Aurora Colony Museum Brooks Antique Caterpillar Machinery Antique Powerland Museums Brooks Depot Museum Northwest Vintage Car & Motorcycle Museum

Mill City Canyon Life Museum Monmouth Jensen Arctic Museum

Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem.

Oregon Electric Railway Museum Pacific Northwest Truck Museum Brownsville Linn County Historical Museum Corvallis The Art Center of Corvallis Cottage Grove Bohemia Gold Mining Museum Cottage Grove Museum Oregon Aviation Historial Society

Dentzel American Carousel Museum, Albany

Creswell Creswell Historical Museum Eugene Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art Lane County Historical Society Maude Kerns Art Center Mount Pisgah Arboretum Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House Science Factory, Children’s Museum & Planetarium Oregon Air & Space Museum University of Oregon Museum of Natural & Cutural History Wayne Morse Ranch Historical Park Grand Ronde Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Yamhill Valley Museum of Anthropology Greenleaf Traveling Children’s Heritage Museum Harrisburg Harrisburg Area Museum Independence Independence Heritage Museum Junction City Junction City Historical Society Keizer Keizer Heritage Museum Lafayette Yamhill County Historical Museum 12

Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2012

Monroe South Benton Communities Historical Association Museum Newberg Hoover-Minthorn House Museum The Parrett Mountain Farm Philomath Benton County Historical Museum Salem A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village Antique Powerland Museums Bush Barn Art Center Salem Art Association Bush House Museum Forest History Center Hallie Ford Museum of Art Historic Deepwood Estate Marion County Historical Society Museum & Archive Oregon African American Museum Oregon Fire Service Museum Oregon State Hospital Museum Prewitt-Allen Archeological Museum Willamette Heritage Center Oakridge Oakridge Pioneer Museum Willamette Fish Hatchery Museum Rickreal Polk County Museum Scio Scio Historical Society & Depot Museum Shedd Shedd Museum/Linn County Historical Society Sherwood Sherwood Heritage Center Silverton Frank Lloyd Wright’s Gordon House The Oregon Garden Silverton Country Museum Springfield Dorris Ranch Living History Filbert Farm Springfield Museum St. Paul Murphy Museum Pioneer Mothers Memorial Cabin Museum Robert Newell House Museum and Butteville School St. Paul Mission Historical Society Stayton Santiam Historical Society & Museum Sublimity Sublimity Community Archives and Museum Sweet Home East Linn Museum Veneta Applegate Pioneer Museum Willamina Willamina Museum of Local History Woodburn The Settlemier House Woodburn Historical Berry Museum

WILLAMETTE VALLEY WINE

Tips For Popping Your Bubbles

O

regon sparkling wines are some of my favorites to enjoy year round. While letting a cork fly through the air followed by a jet of foamy spray to ring in 2012 might have seemed fun, it not only spoils the wine (and your money), but can be dangerous as well! Even after the holidays you can enjoy a glass of sparkling wine with friends. However, be sure to follow these steps to get the most out of your bottle.

Chill out!

Sparkling wine should be very well chilled (about 45ºF) before attempting to open the bottle.

Decreasing the temperature decreases the pressure inside the bottle, which is about the same as what you’ll find in a semi truck tire. This ensures that you’re less likely to have a run away cork that could break something or worse, injure a guest.

Loosen up!

Remove the foil from around the top of your bottle exposing the wire cage keeping the cork in place.

Have a kitchen towel handy and use it to cover the top of the bottle while unscrewing the cage. Six and a half turns will undo the cage, and you should keep your hand over the top of the bottle after it is unhinged— the pressure still might push the cork out sooner than you like.

Twist—don’t pull!

Holding the base of the bottle in one hand, use your other hand over the towel to restrict the cork from pushing out on its own. Point the bottle away from any people, windows, or fragile objects. Begin to twist the bottom of the bottle gently while holding the cork in place. You will feel the pressure trying to push the cork out, but maintain your grip.

Save the bubbles!

The wine maker spent months cultivating the tiny bubbles in your bottle. By allowing a cork to explosively pop, much of the gas built up inside is released, wasting many hours of hard work. As you continue to twist do not let go at the last minute. Wait until you hear a gentle hiss from the bottle indicating that the cork has come out and the least amount of gas has been expelled.

Then, pour and enjoy!

And remember, sparkling wine is good year round, so don’t wait until 2013 to share your next bottle with friends. Here are a few of my favorites from the Willamette Valley: Kramer Vineyards Domaine Kreiger Brut: Kim Kramer has been crafting a beautiful wine from chardonnay and pinot noir grapes grown on the family’s estate. I think this is one of the best-made sparkling wines under $25 in the Willamette Valley. Get a case to share with friends and family. ($24 – kramerwines.com) Argyle Brut Rosé: For something a little more exciting (and pricy), the Argyle rosé is certainly a wine that should not be missed when visiting their tasting room. Bright citrus and red fruit flavors give this wine complexity and brightness, and the color is stunning. ($50 – argylewinery.com) Soter Brut Rosé: The only thing better than Soter’s bubbles is the view from the estate tasting room in the Yamhill Carlton AVA. Make a special appointment for a seated tasting. You won’t forget being greeted at the door with a tall glass of this brilliant sparkling rosé. ($58 – sotervineyards.com) Tualatin Estate Semi-Sparkling Muscat: This wine is on the sweeter side, but is one of my favorites. Served on its own or as part of a cocktail, this is perfect at brunch with friends. You can visit the tasting room located about 40 minutes from Portland in the northern Willamette Valley. ($19 – wvv.com/visit/tualatin_estate/) Ryan Reichert 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 authors a new site focusing on the white wines of the Pacific Northwest. Visit nwwhites.com.

The Gathering Spot

I

Silverton, Oregon

t’s time again for another delicious episode, so hello and welcome! They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, to which I must at once disagree: All the meals are the most important, breakfast just happens to be first. So, to kick off the New Year right, I ventured forth to Silverton to partake in this early meal at The Gathering Spot.

On to the review!

The Gathering Spot is nestled in the center of downtown Silverton on 106 N First Street. Open seven days a week, from 8 a.m.–3 p.m., the café specializes in breakfast and lunch. Local art covers the walls and revolves on a regular basis. The café is divided into two rooms with a pastry case full of freshly baked items temptingly displayed in the main dining area. The back dining room features an area for the kids to play, giving mom and dad a little break so they can enjoy their meal.

Lunch menu items come with your choice of side, and prices range from $8.25 (Caesar Wrap) to $10.50 (Shiitake Steak Sandwich). The Gathering Spot also has a smattering of “small person” sized portions ($6 or less) for guests 12 years old and under. Because I arrived just after opening, I did not have a chance to sample any of these delights, so we will leave lunch to another day.

Breakfast fare is served until 11 a.m. and the prices range from $8.50 (Sourdough Breakfast Sandwich) to $10 (Smoked Salmon Croissant). And again, there are menu items for the tiny folk in your life, all for under $5. Gluten free substitutions were available for $2, and the eggs were noted to be cage-free and naturally nested.

I sampled the Gingerbread Waffles ($9), which were large and topped with maple icing and walnuts; The Gathering Spot Breakfast ($9) with a delicious housemade English muffin and strawberry jam; and the fantastic Savory Breakfast Crepes ($9.25)—yum! The bacon was just as I prefer: thick, chewy, with a bit of crunch. The roasted potatoes were nicely seasoned, and the eggs were cooked to perfection.

It was nice to see that The Gathering Spot’s coffee originates from the Silver Falls Coffee Company, a local coffee roaster. My companion tried the signature White Chocolate Lavendar Mocha and raved about what is now, their new drink addiction.

The staff was friendly, taking care of my every need, and often without any prompting. In all, The Gathering Spot was flavorful and well worth checking out.

The Gathering Spot - 106 North First Street, Silverton, OR 97381. (503) 8744888. gatheringspotcafe.com. 8 a.m.–3 p.m., seven days a week.

Winter 2012 • Willamette Valley Life

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hristmas is over and a new year has begun. Like many people, I create one or two resolutions to follow each year and, like most, I quit after a few weeks. Whether it’s putting more money away for retirement or saving for that dream vacation, we often let short term challenges get in the way of our long term goals. That’s why I try, as much as possible, to think strategically. For example, a financial decision most Americans are faced with every year is what to do with their tax return. For many Americans this sum of money can easily be a temptation to spend needlessly.

I’ve come up with four alternative ideas to put that money to good use.

1 – Emergency Fund Having emergency savings is a must.

With all of the uncertainty in the economy, and credit card debt being the last thing people need, building a savings account is now more important than ever.

Those tax return dollars can be a great start to this end. Some advisors suggest accumulating six months or more of your current monthly expenses. I, for one, haven’t done that, but do suggest you get to three months. The key is to save to that point and then only tap the account if it’s a true emergency. The peace of mind alone is worth every penny saved.

Whether it’s putting more money away for retirement or saving for that dream vacation, we often let short term challenges get in the way of our long term goals. That’s why I try, as much as possible, to think strategically.

2 – Jump Start an IRA Whether you choose a traditional or ROTH IRA, putting money away for retirement is one of the most important things you can do when you receive extra money. A tax return can be the perfect way to get that started or to chunk away 14

Willamette Valley Life • Winter 2012

at your current retirement savings. With tax advantages embedded in both IRA options, they may not be sexy, but they are extremely important in the long run and have the potential to save you thousands if managed properly. Once you begin, be sure to make regular contributions—even $50 a month adds up over time. If you need help, consult with a local advisor at a credit union or ask family or friends who they trust.

Make a commitment to long term saving this year.

3 – Auto Tune-up Another excellent area to invest a tax return in is a tuneup for your car.

Spending money to fix your current car instead of buying a new one every few years can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Cars can be a pitfall if not properly cared for and buying new isn’t always the answer either.

Wayne’s Garage, in Eugene, has a plethora of car maintenance tips on their website waynesgarage.com/tips.html. Check out edmunds.com/repairshops/all/Oregon/allcounty.html for a listing of auto repair shops in your area.

4 – HVAC Checkup Finally, one of the biggest ways home owners can save each year is to get regular checkups on their HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems.

Not only can you save money on your heating and cooling bills each month, you can also qualify for tax credits if you need to replace your current system. More information on tax credits can be found at oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/RES/tax/ HVAC.shtml.

Whether you choose to follow one of these ideas or a few of your own, make sure to think strategically about your money this year. A tax return is a great place to start.

So sit down and map out what your goals are—then go for it! Make 2012 your best financial year ever.

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.

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