LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
I’m not ready
I
don’t know about you, but I’m not ready for summer to be over. There are so many things I’ve put off because something else got in the way. I only made it to the beach once this summer. And the hammock on the back deck? I think I took a swing once or twice. I’m trying not to beat myself up over it, but in the land where the sun doesn’t shine nearly long enough throughout the year, I should probably be arrested. For all of you who ended up in the same boat as me, this issue has some great ideas to help ease you slowly into the next season. We are excited about the first annual “Best in the Valley” awards! I put the word out in the last issue of Willamette Valley Life, and the results are published on page 6. Some of my favorite places made the list as well as a few places I’ve never heard of. That’s the beauty of
MEET THE PRESS:
these polls—you get to learn about new business establishments that you might not otherwise have come across. I’ve already made a list of must visit restaurants from the poll results. The Willamette Valley is world famous for its wineries, but craft breweries are on the rise here in the land of grapes and hops. Writer Meredith Russell took on the “gruelingly tough” job of visiting a variety of breweries and craft beer makers for this issue, and gives us the run down on what she found on page 8. Did I mention that I was not ready for summer to end? Fortunately for all of us, writer Tami Richards had a line on a story about hula hoop enthusiast and performer Camille Farrell, who founded an organization of fellow hoopers called Hoop Tribe. I imagine a performance by these folks would be a blast to watch, especially since the thought of trying it myself gives me a hernia. We round out this issue with a daycation trip to Albany; more financial wisdom
As the summer winds down and fall moves in, get out of the house. Enjoy the sunshine we have left and the beautiful fall leaves that are popping up everywhere. from moolah-master Ken Gardner; a restaurant review from our favorite Willamette Valley foodie Bon Mangez; oenophile Ryan Reichert sings the praises of Riesling wines; and finally, Willamette Valley Life Associate Editor, Jessica Gardner, fills us in on where to go, who to see and what to do on the Valley Floor. As the summer winds down and fall moves in, get out of the house. Enjoy the sunshine we have left and the beautiful fall leaves that are popping up everywhere. See you in the New Year with our second anniversary issue!
PUBLISHERS/EDITORS Randy and Dawn Hill ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jessica Gardner ART DIRECTION Hill Design Studios CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Omar Elwafaii, Jessica Gardner, Ken Gardner, Kathy Hawthorne, Randy Hill, Bon Mangez, Ryan Reichert, Tami Richards, Meredith Russell, Pete Slenning ADVERTISING SALES L. Andrew Brown/Concept Marketing Randy Hill PHONE 503.507.1228 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 17264, Salem, Oregon 97305 EMAIL: publisher@willamettevalleylife.com Copyright 2011 by Willamette Valley LIfe Magazine ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.
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THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Meredith Russell is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in work with young children and families. She is a freelance writer on parenting, family life and health. She transplanted herself from the East Coast to Salem fifteen year ago.
Cover photo: Fall is in the Air, Kathy Hawthorne Fall 2011 • Willamette Valley Life
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