Good Life Northwest

Goodbye Rhododenron Part 2 -- more photos of the ferry boat M/V RHODODENDRON, including vintage postcards

2012-01-27T00:15:00.000-08:00

Behind every news story, the personal stories full of human emotion and memories wait to be discovered, and I heard and sensed some of those this week. The response to my previous blog post about the fate of the historic Washington State ferry M/V Rhododendron, still coming to me in the form of e-mails, phone calls, and in person, made me decide to share more of my photos of this beloved boat. But as a bonus, I also want to share some vintage postcard images sent to me by Steve Pickens, the man behind the website Evergreen Fleet, mentioned in my original post, and author of "Ferries of Puget Sound." He is helping to preserve our local maritime history, an effort for which we should all be grateful.

Postcard of M/V Rhododendron from the 1950s, courtesy of Steve Pickens

Pickens, a native of western Washington, was born in Seattle and grew up on the Kitsap peninsula. "Ferries have always been a part of my life," he told me in an e-mail. "I got interested in ferries through the Kalakala, first getting into her history and then branching out from there."

He became involved, conducting tours on Kalakala and serving as a volunteer archivist, for a time. "I had really been previously interested in the old Atlantic liners, but the interest turned a little more local after the Kalakala came home," he said.

Vintage postcard of M/V Rhododendron courtesy of Steve Pickens

I asked Pickens how long his site, Evergreen Fleet, has existed and how he came across all his fascinating material.

"The website has been around over a decade now. A lot of my research came from books on the subject to a certain point. The final 'what happened to' a lot of the old retirees involved sending FOIA requests to the Coast Guard or emailing the last known company/owner of said vessel."

Vintage postcard image courtesy of Steve Pickens

"People have been incredibly generous sharing their personal memories and photos in many cases.," Pickens said. "There's a certain fondness for the old boats--particularly the old wooden ferries. I'd have to say the San Mateo and Vashon are, hands down, the most fondly remembered."

And now for a few taken from the Tacoma side.

April evening 2009, off Point Defiance
Copyright 2012 by Candace Brown May not be used without permission.

The following four photos were taken at Point Defiance on a cool, misty morning in the otherwise hot July of 2008. Please see the blog post they relate to: Breath of Life: Marine Air in the Morning.

I've never met Steve Pickens but I can tell that, like so many of us, he loves our rich maritime history and out maritime environment too. Please be sure to look at Evergreen Fleet. You'll be glad you did.

Thank you for joining me on this little two-part tribute to the Washington State Ferry Rhododendron. And many thanks to Steve Pickens for sharing the postcard images of life on Puget Sound.

All text and photos in this post, with the exception of those provided by Steve Pickens, are copyrighted by Candace Brown and cannot be used without permission. See Evergreen Fleet concerning the postcard images.

Copyright 2012 Candace Brown

Goodbye, Rhododendron — Historic Washington State Ferry's last day on the run between Vashon Island and Point Defiance (video included)

2012-01-24T19:49:00.000-08:00

When I awoke to a downpour this morning, I thought about Monday's remarkable sunshine and the odd way it arrived just in time for an event that was both sad and largely ignored. My husband and I appreciated the meager warmth as we leaned against a railing on the Point Defiance waterfront and watched history being made. We witnessed the 64-year-old ferry Rhododendron making its last run between the Talequah landing on Vashon Island and Point Defiance in Tacoma, before being retired. On a rainy day, it would have felt even more depressing to say goodbye.

View of Chetzemoka from North Tacoma

We had been in Tacoma's Proctor District and headed north from there to go down to the Point Defiance Park because I wanted to take some photos in the sunshine. But as we reached the bluff, we saw how opportune our decision had been. There was the replacement ferry, M/V Chetzemoka, sailing past Maury Island in a spot where no ferry belonged. Until we saw it, we didn't realize the day had come, the day the Rhododendron would sail off forever. We headed straight for a vantage point above the ferry landing. By the time we arrived, the new ferry was pulling in.

The Chetzemoka approaches the ferry landing at Point Defiance

Built at Todd Shipyard in Seattle at the cost of $79.4 million, the Chetzemoka caused all kinds of fanfare when it arrived in Port Townsend to serve the Port Townsend/Coupeville run . That was only a little over a year ago. (You can read about the whole expensive and probably misguided saga in this article from the Port Townsend Leader.) This ferry was meant for Port Townsend and named for a Native American leader from that area. The passenger cabin even features artwork portraying historic Port Townsend. Now we have it here in Tacoma, and they don't.

Maybe I'll get used to the Chetzemoka, but it might take a long time. Right now, it doesn't feel like it belongs here. With a gross tonnage of 4,623 and horsepower of 6,000—compared to the Rhododendron's gross tonnage of 937 and horsepower of 2,172— it will obviously use far, far more fuel for the 1.5 mile, 10-minute trip. How much shorter does a 10-minute trip need to be? And so what if it has a galley? Who has time to buy food and consume it during this short trip? Here is a comparison of the two vessels: M/V Rhododendron and M/V Chetzemoka

The Rhododendron heads for the Point Defiance dock with the Chetzemoka waiting in the background.

After what seemed like some kind of test, the Chetzemoka pulled out, heading toward the passage on Vashon's west side, then made a surprisingly quick maneuver, turning around and positioning itself for another approach to the dock, even as the older boat headed for Point Defiance. At that moment, I felt the sadness of what was happening. It seemed like the 64-year-old Rhododendron, still beautiful—and in the opinion of many, still repairable—was leaving a long marriage against her will. And out there in the water, her much younger replacement watched and waited impatiently, to move in. Here is a video of the Rhododendron's arrival.

Leaning against that railing, surrounded by things I love—the gulls, the smell of the salt water, sounds of boats and waves, the sight of Vashon Island— I thought about change and how many endings life brings. Ships, like people and places, can be taken for granted, there one day and then gone forever. I've seen many ferries come and go and I treasure childhood memories of some of the older ones. Even though the Rhododendron showed up on the Vashon-Point Defiance run many years after my childhood, I've come to know it well. And my husband had worked on this ferry when it was in the dry dock. He loved it. Now it was leaving.

M/V Rhododendron at the Point Defiance ferry landing.

I know my husband and I weren't the only ones who cared. I am sure the officers and crew did, along with the islanders who depended on and loved this vessel. I know that last Sunday a group of folks from Vashon took a farewell ride, described here in the Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber. But where was the press on Monday? Did the people sitting in Anthony's seaside restaurant pay attention?

It seems that too often people quickly lose interest in the things that are part of our local history and every day lives—and in this case our maritime heritage—just because they are old. Why must we always replace things with something newer and always far more expensive? Old buildings and old ships seem to lose their lustre in some people's eyes. Not mine or my husband's. He had worked doing repairs on the Rhododendron in the past.

So for all of you who will miss this great old ferry as much as we will, no matter how few your numbers, here's a gift. I discovered a wonderful website called "Evergreen Fleet" and on this page, ou can hear the Rhododendron's whistle blow once again, lest you should forget.

Ice Storm Art: A Winter Garden Tour

2012-01-20T10:19:00.000-08:00

Here on Good Life Northwest, I've shown photos of my Tacoma garden in every season, but never any like these. To anyone watching me yesterday, I must have looked crazy, hunched down next to my plants with a camera in hand, one I tried to protect from frozen rain. I can still hear the crunch of my boots through the crust of ice over what had started as 8-9" of snow but had condensed into a treacherous mess. That sound is preferable to the sound of breaking branches. We lost three huge tree limbs and can't tell yet what damage might be done to our shrubs. But at least we didn't lose power, like so many others, an estimated 230 thousand across the state, according to Puget Sound Energy.

I hope you aren't one of them. I want to be able share with you these images of the beauty that can be found on even the most miserable day, if you take the time and have the inclination to notice. So pour another cup of coffee, feel gratitude for the roof over your head and all the other things we too often take for granted, and enjoy the show.

Don't worry. The feeder was thawed and refilled immediately after taking this photo.

All photos and text copyrighted 2012 Candace J. Brown

Snowy Day Diversion: Amazing High Definition Videos of Hummingbirds

2012-01-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

Here in my little home office in Tacoma, Washington, I'm trying to get some writing done, but the view out the window makes me feel as excited as a six-year-old. SNOW! One moment it's falling straight and the next it's like a blizzard, blowing horizontally. And it couldn't contrast more with what I'm about to share with you.

I am reminded of the day in January 2009, now three years ago, when I wrote a blog post called Hummingbirds at Home Through a Northwest Winter. I won't repeat it here, but I do have a delightful surprise to offer on this most wintry day.

I just discovered a whole channel of high definition videos of hummingbirds. You can reach it through this link. (If the screen appears black, just scroll down.)

Close your eyes for a moment as you click on this example. If you, too, are living where it is snowing today, you are about to experience summer again.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird Eating From My Hand (Part One) from Russ Thompson on Vimeo.

And here is another video about Rufus hummingbirds from the Northwest ending up in Ohio during the winter. If your feeders are still out, like mine, please remember to keep them thawed. You can read some great suggestions in the comments on my original blog post, here. Many thanks to all the readers who shared their ideas on feeding hummingbirds during these cold months.

Keep cozy, and thanks for visiting Good Life Northwest.

Winter Hummingbird from Wildlife Matters on Vimeo.

Casey MacGill's Blue 4 Trio Revives Happiness Along With Vintage Music

2012-01-11T14:36:00.000-08:00

Just before five o'clock on a rainy Sunday evening, people of all ages crowd into the warm, aromatic atmosphere of a restaurant called Tutta Bella on Stone Way in Seattle, as anticipation builds. Do they anticipate the outstanding gourmet pizza? Well, partly. But already, band groupies fidget, giggle, chatter, and get as close as they can to a group of musicians, members of Casey MacGill's Blue 4 Trio, who are busy setting things up to play and sing three-part harmony on tunes written before World War II.

L to R: Mike Daugherty (drums), Matt Weiner (bass), Casey MacGill (leader, piano, ukelele, and trumpet)
Photo by Chris Lee, courtesy of the Blue 4 Trio

The band is popular as far away as Europe and was just featured in an excellent KSPS television documentary called "Rumrunners' Paradise," about the Prohibition years in Washington State. But in this particular venue, many of the fans share an interesting characteristic; they're very short. Some can barely see over the bass drum, behind which drummer Mike Daugherty—wearing a vintage suit and bow tie—patiently listens to endless questions from the crowd of wiggly little fans ranging from about two to six years old. Short on height but long on enthusiam, they will all demostrate wild dance improvisations the second the music begins.

"Audiences tend to feel good after they hear our music," leader Casey MacGill says in a video on the band's website. That's an understatement I feel compelled to correct. People feel unexplainably happy, optimistic and lighthearted, like things have never been better. In spite of the name, there is nothing "blue" about this band and the unseen (but not unheard) fourth member is that living, pulsing life force called "swing." Casey MacGill's piano playing transports you to a 1930s speakeasy. He uses ukelele and trumpet too, with equal skill. Bass player Matt Weiner plucks and bows the low notes and sings the high ones while Mike Daugherty keeps perfect time and pitch.

Together, they create as much fun as a Prohibition era party before a raid by the cops. That's why the people behind "Rumrunners' Paradise" wisely chose the Blue 4 Trio to provide authentic music and flavor for their documentary, filmed in the old Masonic Temple in downtown Spokane, Washington, the perfect setting in MacGill's view.

"The room made a good backdrop for the music and subject matter of the film," he said. "We were called to do a two-day shoot. The first day was about 12 hours, a big schedule to get through of songs to record. The second day was filming and lasted 6-8 hours. It was a challenge and a lot of fun."

You can watch the documentary here.

Back at Tutta Bella, one tune ends, and before the next begins,a little girl—whose grandparents weren't even born when Shirley Temple sang "At the Codfish Ball"—runs up to the band and requests the tune. Other favorites among the younger set are "Potato Chips" and "Jeepers Creepers." Like all the parents who bring their kids to Tutta Bella on Sunday nights, hers can rest assured that the lyrics will all be suitable for young children. And so on it goes, as yet another generation discovers the music of America's great "Jazz Age."

If you haven't discovered Casey MacGill's Blue 4 Trio, let me introduce you. Here's the way to get happy:

2012-01-11T08:45:00.001-08:00

To Have the New Year You Envision, Visualize Islands

2011-12-31T00:07:00.000-08:00

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Hawaii, or any other place on this watery planet where you have come to understand the feelings associated with islands, please keep reading. Images of islands can help you move on in life in a positive way. With the new year at hand, now is a good time to try a visualization technique I just learned from an inspiring life coach who lives in New York. Her newest of several blogs might make 2012 your best year ever, and I'll be sharing it with you.

But first, picture the following scene:

The ferry rumbles at the dock, ready to depart. The horn blows and chains clank against steel as the deck hands pull them along. Below the vessel's open end, churning water whips up a froth of foam while above, seagulls circle, their cries like voices you've always known. Then a shift occurs in both the vibrations and the sounds. The boat begins to move out of the slip. In mere seconds, the gap between you and the land widens. First it's just a couple of feet, then before you know it, a couple hundred. The island recedes, back, back, back, until it strikes you that you have truly left it behind, and you are headed for a different place. To islanders, it can feel like leaving one world for another.

If you use the image of an island to represent the old year just finished, leaving it behind can be good, or at least in the case of certain aspects of that year. Just ask Lorna Sass. This acclaimed cookbook author, writer, and so much more, has earned a new title, having become certified as a "Transformational Life Coach." One of the best things about my past year was the opportunity to get to know more about her and read her work. She gave me a lot to think about on New Year's Day, with her blog "Lorna Sass: Reflections of a Life Coach," more specifically, a post called "A New Year: Letting Go and Creating Space For What's New." I can relate to what she says all the better because it has to do with islands.

I could write all day about Lorna Sass* and the gifts she has already given mankind because of her passion for better living through knowledge of good nutrition, edible gardening, and food preparation. She has been called "The Queen of Pressure Cooking" and won the James Beard Award, among other honors. In addition to cookbooks, she has written articles and more, served as a consultant, lectured, and probably done a million other things of note in life made rich by travel, precious relationships, and a love of nature, photography, and jazz. Now, as a life coach, she will keep on giving through her inspiring insights. Read more about her at the end of this post.

If you have ever lived on an island anywhere in the world, but especially if you were born on one and then moved away, you know how it feels to leave it behind. Some islanders want to stay forever. Some want to stay away forever. But I suspect all islanders have, at some point, felt that almost visceral sense of separation from the unique kind of home an island is, from the strange combination of familiarity, comfort, discomfort, security, inclusiveness and isolation. Brief and confusing sensations of nostalgia, regret, love of place and people, trepidation and liberation all swirl together like the water and foam stirred up at the dock when that boat leaves, and the umbilical cord is cut.

But if the image of an island represented the year past and the ferry ride represented a trip to a different island, one called "The New Year," imagine the possibilities. You own the power to decide how much of life on the old island you would like to leave behind, for good, and what you want to carry across the water with you to your new island, to enhance your fresh start.

That idea is the basis of the visualization techniques I've learned from Lorna Sass, so inadequately described here. Please be sure to read "A New Year: Letting Go and Creating Space For What's New." Whether you're an islander or not, you'll be glad you did. And whether you're ready or not, the boat is leaving. So don't miss it. You never know what you might find on that new island.

Happy New Year, dear readers. I thank you for sharing a measure of your daily lives with me as I share my thoughts and stories about life in Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest. I wish all of you the best of everything in the months ahead, but especially good health, happiness, peace, prosperity, and most of all, love.

Thank you for reading Good Life Northwest.

Candace

*More about Lorna Sass

Winner of the James Beard Award, Healthy Focus category

Queen of Pressure Cooking

www.lornasass.com

BLOGS: Huffington Post Green Pages

www.pressurecookingwithlornasass.wordpress.com

www.lornasassatlarge.wordpress.com

Lorna Sass: Reflections of a Life Coach

Why not step into a larger life in 2012?

Coaching for Transformation

Live Boldly and Have More Fun!

FB Life Coach Fan Page: Please "like" me at http://tinyurl.com/d7dmgqn

Danish Ghosts of Christmas Past

2011-12-27T10:32:00.000-08:00

If you had looked through a window of our Tacoma home on Christmas day, it might have appeared that only three of us sat down for the holiday dinner this year. But appearances can decieve. Along with the company of my husband and his sister, I could feel the presence of some unseen, most welcome, delightful—and delighted—guests: the ghosts of our Danish ancestors.

In fact, we had invited them with thoughts and family legends. Or perhaps the powerful allure of pickled herring, lingonberries, and other Danish delights drew them forth. In any case, I hope they show up again next year.

This Christmas my husband and I decided to introduce a new dinner menu into the sweet nostalgia of our typical American baby boomer traditions and memories. We did so to honor our shared Danish heritage and his Danish mother. She died this past September, well into her nineties and far too frail to navigate all the stairs in our home to enjoy a traditional dinner that might have been served in the Old Country. But I am quite sure she easily found her place in the empty chair to witness our feast in spirit.

The appetizers included pickled herring, excellent blue cheese, and the best salami I’ve ever had, all from Denmark of course, purchased by my sister-in-law at Scandinavian Specialties in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. We served these delicacies with amazing, flaky but non-crumbling 27-layer rye crackers from the island of Bornholm. It is part of Denmark but closer to Sweden. Members of my husband's family lived there for years, operating a watch shop, and the relatives we correspond with still keep a summer home on the island, about two hours from Copenhagen by boat.

For the main course, we served pork loin with its center pierced lengthwise and then stuffed with prunes and pieces of apple, alternating. The stuffed meat was browned in a heavy pan in hot butter and oil, then oven braised in white wine and cream, the latter being reduced and thickened for the gravy, with a bit of black current jam added in place of red current jelly we didn’t have.

We served it with a relish of lingonberries and a side of boiled baby red potatoes tossed with real Danish butter (oh my!) and fresh parsley. Some of that same creamy butter melted over a bowl of ruby red beets to mingle with fresh grated ginger root. A traditional cucumber salad added a crisp and refreshing contrast to the richness of the meal. Before being seasoned with dill and served with tiny shrimp, the sliced cucumbers had been chilled in a vinegar and sugar brine for 24 hrs.

Dessert, (not shown) simply had to be the traditional rice pudding. I cooked the rice in milk and a little sugar, instead of water, and then stirred in vanilla, slivered almonds, and quite a lot of sherry, before folding in plenty of whipped heavy cream. Served in my grandparent’s ruby glass dishes (a gift from their 1912 wedding) it looked especially festive with raspberry sauce topping each portion.

Among the cookies on the platter, only the spritz were of a typical Scandinavian type, but Danes know how to keep an open mind. We had no aquavit on hand, but the refrigerator did hold some Danish Elephant brand beer we forgot to drink, probably because we felt overwhelmed by all that food before us, food we seemed genetically programmed to enjoy.

And one of the nicest aspects of the whole thing was that each person’s meal came in at slightly under 50,000 calories! Imagine that.

My Danish great-grandfather worked hard as a blacksmith, walked long distances well into old age and I'm sure he and a good relationship with bacon, butter, and cream. He lived to be 97. I don't want to push my luck, but I do share the pleasure he found in life, and in real Danish butter.

As the old year ends and the new year begins in this world filled with war, pollution, toxic chemicals, and other things to fear, remember to not let fear rule your life. Do the best you can toward bringing about a better tomorrow, against all odds. That's what our ancestors did when they bravely crossed the sea and faced many difficulties and dangers to have a new life in Americans, just like others still do today. No matter where your own ancestors came from, honor them and try to live with the same degree of courage, imagination, gratitude, and joy.

Next year, invite the ghosts of Christmas past into your hearts and homes. And thank them. They left you much more than some family recipes. They left you the example of their strong character. They left you a proud heritage and a country that values equality, mutual respect, and the idea that many different cultures have contributed to the America we all share. At least I hope it still does.

Dance Adds to Holiday Joy, Even in Troubled Times

2011-12-14T14:21:00.000-08:00

I made the mistake of listening to the news while driving the other day, and there went my "holly jolly" mood, melted like a snowflake on the exhaust pipe of a garbage truck. But not for long. This won't be the first Christmas with our country at war, or the economy in shambles, and tragedy and illness take no holidays. So what can we do when we feel so powerless to do anything?

It's simple: Make the conscious choice to be happy.

Look at these folks participating in the Killer Diller Weekend of swing dancing that took place in Seattle recently. The Northwest's tap dancer extraordinaire, Tim Hickey (wearing a dark suit and hat) isn't doing tap in this video, but he invites you to join in the fun right at the beginning when he looks at the camera and lifts his hat. Then watch for him to appear again on the left side of the screen with his swing dance talents on display. The band is Casey MacGill and his High Five.

Did you know that during the Great Depression a frenzy of dancing swept the nation? Right here in the Pacific Northwest, right now, opportunities to watch or participate in dance abound. As part of my campaign to encourage readers to BUY AMERICAN and BUY LOCAL when it comes to their Christmas shopping, what could be better than tickets to a live performance or a certificate for dance lessons? These gifts enrich lives and bring lasting joy. With that in mind, I offer some excellent suggestions for enjoying dance this holiday season, and beyond.

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Toys with Clara & Drosselmeyer Gregory Peloquin, Dave Evans, Amy Dusek, Allison Zakharov,
Anastasia Suave, Lauren Trodahl Photo by Maks Zakharov

Dance Theatre Northwest, Melanie Kirk-Stauffer, Artistic Director Presents

The Nutcracker

at Mount Tahoma High School Auditorium on Saturday, December 17th at 2:30 & 7:00 PM and on Sunday, December 18th at 4:00 PM. Tickets are available

on line at www.dancetheatrenorthwest.org

or by calling 253-778-6534. Mount Tahoma is located at 4634 South 74^th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409. Parking is free and the theatre is handicapped accessible.

ADMISSION: $21-$26 Adult $11-$13 Senior (over 60) ~ Child ~ Student

Dream Passes $45 Adult & $25 Seniors ~

Military Discounts and Group Rates also available

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photo courtesy of Tim "Taps" Hickey, shown here

Old Time Holiday Show

at the KIRKLAND PERFORMANCE CENTER

350 Kirkland Ave • Kirkland, WA 98033

December 16, 7:00PM

December 17, 2:00PM, 7:00PM

December 18, 2:00PM

Tim Hickey and many other talented musicians and performers have a delightful evening planned for you. Enjoy a classic variety show with live music, singing, dancing, and more, all with a holiday theme. This annual favorite sells out quickly so order tickets here.

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DANCE THEATRE NORTHWEST offers lessons in ballet, tap, and jazz dancing

HERE ARE TWO OTHER WONDERFUL PLACES TO LEARN TO DANCE, BOTH IN HISTORIC BUILDINGS:

THE CENTURY BALLROOM in Seattle

THE ABBEY BALLROOM in Tacoma

But there are so many more. Naturally, Good Life Northwest has just the link you need, a directory of all of them. Washington Dance Studios Directory

Now switch off the news, turn on the music, and start dancing!

Tacoma Shop Owner Sets Example for the Nation

2011-12-07T21:11:00.000-08:00

Today, the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the beginning of our country's involvement in World War II, we ought to be thinking about the strength of our nation. It is not what it used to be. If you are one of the millions of Americans joining the movement to help rebuild our economy and create job, by buying holiday gifts made only in the U.S.A., you should know about The Pacific Northwest Shop in Tacoma's Proctor Business District, whether or not you live in the area. This bustling business on the corner of 27th and Proctor could make you believe in prosperity again.

The last time I stopped in to do a little shopping, in addition to plenty of customers, owner Bill Evans had stacks of packages as high as his counter ready to ship to destinations all across the country, or possibly the world. "That's just from today," he told me. And the day was far from over.

This business success couldn't happen to a nicer guy. But the best part is that what is good for Evans, is also good for many others here in the Pacific Northwest. His sales certainly impact the 250 or so regional artists, artisans, small scale food producers, authors, vintners, and those who run cottage industries, all of whom supply his wares, and all of whom he knows personally.

He hopes they, in turn, will spend their profits locally. Keeping money circulating in the Northwest economy puts a smile on his face, and mine too, especially when I find the perfect gift. That could be homemade soap, food items, art glass, books, pottery, jewelry, smoked salmon, Washinton State wine, or any of countless other high quality products he sells. You can see them all on his website, here.

Just as ABC News reported in a story this week, (watch the video here,) people all over the country are taking this Buy American movement seriously, with tangible results: newly created jobs. If we start to realize the impact of our choices and our collective power as millions of consumers, maybe things will turn around. We're a nation of strong, smart people, and change will come thanks to grassroots efforts. Let's all make it a point to buy American goods, thereby creating American jobs. It all starts in your own home town. Evans does his part with enthusiasm.

Long before "Buy American" became a slogan and a cause, Evans actively advocated not only this idea, but also the "Buy Local" movement. But no matter what your motives, the goods he sells offer enough reason to shop there, regardless of where you live. In addition to the brisk mail order business he does through his website, where orders over $100 ship free, local shoppers can make their selections and have him ship the package for them.

So, does Evans have a trade secret? How does the Pacific Northwest Shop do so well in today's economy? The answer is simple, and it's no secret. In fact, he flaunts his philosophy to the world.

"Hey, did you see my sign in the window?" he asked me. Since I'd approached the building from the east, I had not, but I went outside and around the corner and there on the side facing 27th I saw the reasons for his success spelled out, along with the attitude of gratitude that attracts so many customers to his store.

It says, "THANKS FOR SUPPORTING OUR SMALL, FAMILY-OWNED, INDEPENDENT BUSINESS. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!"

You're welcome. And here's my thanks to retailers like Bill Evans and all of you who are choosing to BUY AMERICAN AND BUY LOCAL. I can't think of a better way to show your patriotism.

Vashon Island Art Studio Tour Continues Dec. 10-11

2011-12-01T10:13:00.000-08:00

We all hope to have meaningful holidays, but beyond religious and cultural meaning, how about making your purchases more meaningful too? Your support of local artists, artisans, food producers, craftspeople, and the shop owners who sell their wares helps not only your home town but also our nation's economy. And you end up with better merchandise.

Welcome to the first in a series of posts about ways to BUY AMERICAN AND BUY LOCAL when selecting gifts this year.

Pottery pitcher and tumblers by Liz Lewis, who also provided the photo.

Start the month of December in a delightful way with the Vashon Island Art Studio Tour, only a short ferry ride from either Seattle or Tacoma. Held every May and December, the self-guided tour takes place from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday this weekend and next, Dec. 3 - 4, and Dec. 10 - 11. It includes dozens of different studios to visit, some with more than one artist, selling things you would never find at a mall. Each one contains the essence of another human being's creative vision and interpretation of their world and its beauty.

Two views of a handmade bell by Gordon Barnett

Meet and speak with these artists. In some cases you will see them at work. Ask questions. When you can tell the recipients all about where their gifts came from, how, and by whom, they were made, those gifts become even more special.

I asked a few questions myself, of island potter Liz Lewis, who is promoting and participating in the tour.

"This Holiday Tour will be the biggest ever!" she said. "The Tour has been a regular event on Vashon for over 30 years, morphing from a potters' tour, to the Barnworks watercolor show, and then the combining of resources to produce an art tour that includes whoever is making art and wants to be involved. On Vashon, that's a lot of artists!" Indeed. You can take a look at an interactive map and links to individual artists on the event's website, here.

Lewis told me that the twice-a-year tours provide the framework for her production cycles, meaning she has a great selection to offer customers. "I love to present my pottery for sale directly from my studio," she said. "For one thing, it is direct and personal. And for another, it gives me great motivation to hose down the studio! I try to be available to do wheel demos during the Tour which makes the process come to life for visitors."

Print by Mary Margaret Briggs

Vashon Island, less than 14 miles long and about three miles wide, remains a rural and peaceful place just minutes from the urban lifestyle of the mainland, the kind of place where a creative person can find the quiet and inspiration they seek. That might be why its population of not much over 10,000 people includes 1,500 individuals who dedicate their lives to the arts, in one form or another. You will find the quality and sophistication of their work equal to anything a big city can offer.

If you don't live nearby, you can plan your visit as a weekend getaway. Stay at one of several B&Bs, found through the link below. Hungry? No problem. The island offers many distinctive eateries that offer healthy, delicious food.

On behalf of all the artists, Lewis extended a welcoming invitation: "It is a fun excursion to come over to the island with a carload of friends to tour the many unique art studios, talk to the artists, and do some shopping." I never need an excuse to visit Vashon, but the Vashon Island Art Studio Tour would make a good one. Remember, the link gives you access to the sites of individual artists and views of their work.

Other helpful links--
Ferry Schedule: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries
Dining and Lodging on Vashon Island: http://vashonchamber.com/dining_lodging.htm

Copyright 2011 Candace J. Brown All photos courtesy of the artists and not to be used without their permission.

Another Sell Out Predicted for Vintage Fashion Show

2011-11-27T20:18:00.001-08:00

Lorraine O'Neal knows there is truth in the old saying, "Be careful what you wish for." At 8 p.m. on Dec. 3, this Seattle swing dancer and vintage fashion expert will step up to the microphone in front of another packed house, even though she never imagined she would become a public speaker. But O'Neal's knowledge of her subject, along with natural charm, will carry her through as she addresses an eager audience at Seattle's historic Washington Hall, assembled for her 4th Annual Seattle Vintage Fashion Runway Show and Lecture. It features authentic men's and women's fashions from the 1920s through the 1950s.

This event, of her own creation, threatens to outgrow its venue and the logistics would overwhelm most people. But O'Neal tries to focus on what needs to be done instead of the shocking reality of how the little idea she had just a few years ago roared into a life of its own with as much gusto as the applause. The show sold out quickly in 2010 and surely will again, as one of the many delightful components of the Killer Diller Weekend swing dance festival, Dec. 2-4, organized by the Savoy Swing Club. It's also a history lesson.

Photo by Bobby Bonsey www.bobbybonsey.com

Photo by Jared Lux www.jaredlux.com

Not long ago, I met with O'Neal for coffee and conversation and to give her a gift. With a fun sense of fashion that never quits, she showed up in a bright red hand knit A-line dress from the '70s that seemed made for her tall, slender frame. She set it off with patterned hosiery, and a white beret, causing a stranger to come over to our table just to say how great she looked.

Photo by Bobby Bonsey www.bobbybonsey.com

My gift, which thrilled her, was a darling 1930s era lady's fitted suit with designer detailing, one of my own finds from an estate sale here in the Tacoma area. After hanging in a closet for decades, it will be modeled in the show. I'm trying to connect with the owner's family to let them know that their grandmother's spirit will walk again, on the runway. What she gave me in return was a serious case of her contagious enthusiasm and a new respect what it takes to do this. Later, I find out how the whole thing began.

Photo by Bobby Bonsey www.bobbybonsey.com

"I started to get into vintage fashion when I started swing dancing in 1997," O'Neal told me, "but I definitely came from a fashionista family." Having entered the world of swing dancing, she found it populated by people who share a fascination with the past. "You get interested in the history of the time period, the history of the music, the history of the dance, and the history of the clothing. I started collecting the shoes and outfits of the ‘20s, ‘30s, and ‘40s."

Photo by Jared Lux www.jaredlux.com

About five years ago, O'Neal organized a vintage fashion PowerPoint presentation of styles from the 1920s through the 1940s. "I defined each era’s fashion," she said. "I talked about what was going on in the world and how that might have affected clothing in the time period, how the styles differentiated from the other eras, and how to find them in a vintage store." She gave an example; knowing when zippers first appeared in clothing helps in determining the age of a garment.

Photo by Bobby Bonsey www.bobbybonsey.com

Photo by Bobby Bensey www.bobbybensey.com

Photo by Bobby Bonsey www.bobbybonsey.com

Order your tickets now, before it's too late, and join me in congratulating Lorraine O'Neal on her great success, as you can see others doing below.

Lorraine O'Neal enjoys the appreciation of guests at a past show. Photo by Bobby Bonsey

If you've ever had an interest in swing dancing, look into this fun scene. Here in Tacoma we have the Abbey Ballroom and Studio 6 Ballroom offering lessons. Here's some video of last year's Killer Diller Weekend, followed by more information on both the festival and fashion show:

Killer DillerWeekend Dec 2 - Dec 4, 2011 -- a weekend focused on the lifestyle, dance, and music of the jazz era, with classes in swing dancing and jazz music. Each evening features live jazz music, dancing, and performances.

TICKETS: Purchase tickets at Brown Paper Tickets. $12 tickets. Seating is limited.

Event: Vintage Fashion Show #135800
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/135800

WHEN: Dec 3rd, 8:00 – 9:00pm

WHERE: The Washington Hall, 153 14th Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98122 Central District, Seattle

MORE INFO: Join this Event on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136218499316&index=1

If you would like more information about this event, OR WOULD LIKE TO BOOK A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION, please contact Lorraine O’Neal at e-mail address: sweetlindylorraine@yahoo.com or 206.257.3815

November Photo Tour of Point Defiance Park

2011-11-25T12:05:00.001-08:00

Here in Tacoma on what some call "Black Friday," the clouds shared the sky with November sunshine, giving us a nice break from the rain. If you've had enough of shopping, traffic, and rushing to catch some elusive bargain, remember that in the background of our lives nature moves at its own perfect pace, whether or not you notice. But shouldn't you?

Come along for a breath of fresh air and some serenity through today's photo tour of our beloved local treasure: Point Defiance. Even though many readers know this place, those who don't live around here might enjoy the journey. We'll start out at the ferry landing and take a walk along the waterfront, then back up through the woods. (Video included.)

Let's wander over to the boat house, just past Anthony's restaurant. It's a great place to enjoy all the action, especially during salmon season, when proud fishermen return with their catch. You can also watch the ferry on its way to Vashon Island and observe seagulls and other birds up close.

This video is best watched on YouTube. Just click on the YouTube logo.

No James Bond action in this video, but it offers what we too rarely take the time to do, and that is to pause long enough in our busy lives to quietly and patiently observe nature, in this case the behavior of seagulls. If you are reading this far from your Northwest home, here's a chance to watch them again and hear their haunting cries.

A long paved walkway tucked under the hill on the point's northern tip makes a lovely place to wander. Shady in the summer and sometimes downright cold in winter, it can be busy or bare. On this day, I enjoyed the solitude.

Bare tree trunks clustered here offer their own beauty.

This must be some kind of lichen.

We are approaching Owen Beach.

During the summer, Owen beach swarms with people, dogs, and cars. I like it best in the off season.

These old steps lead uphill from the beach to the road above.

Watch out for cars in the summer, but by November you might have the place to yourself.

The canopy of trees changes with the season. Few leaves remain.

Ferns grow on tree trunks in the moist, shady environment of a Northwest forest.

Even the deer feel safe from traffic.

I followed them through the playground and then they disappeard over the fence.

The flower gardens have been put to bed for the winter and signs tells us that new plantings of bulbs hide deep under the mulch and soil, awaiting spring. However, even these plants now gone to seed offer their own beauty and remind us of the way nature's cycles go on without regard for mankind's folly.

As we officially enter the holiday season, I wish you happiness and peace.

Hummingbirds at Home Through a Northwest Winter

2011-11-21T00:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Readers,

I am republishing this blog post because after two years, I'm still getting comments on this useful and timely information.

My friend Chris sat up in her bed and pointed out the window. “Look quick,” she said. “There he is again.”

I turned to see a hummingbird at her feeder. No big deal, except for the fact that he appeared on a cold, snowy day in the middle of winter in Tacoma, Washington. Chris just came home from the hospital after hip replacement surgery. Her many visitors help alleviate the boredom and frustration of being stuck in bed, but none of her usual guests seem to perk her up as much as this little fellow. It pleased me to see her look so excited.

Before the surgery, a hummingbird surprised Chris near a hardy fuchsia bush where a few tough blooms still remained, so she hung the up the feeder again, after haven taken it down for the winter. Many people believe feeding hummingbirds in the late fall and winter creates an unnatural situation that discourages them from migrating to warmer climates and could cost them their lives. I’m no expert on this subject, but since I’d seen them in my yard too I decided to do a little investigating. I learned a lot.

First of all, here in the Pacific Northwest it is common for hummingbirds to spend the winter, especially Anna’s hummingbirds. They seem quite tolerant of cold temperatures. Some scientists believe the practice by homeowners of feeding them nectar during these months has actually allowed this very successful species to expand their territory because of this adaptation. Experts see no harm in keeping the feeders up. When very low temperatures mean the nectar in the feeder could freeze, some people hang heat lamps close by or have several rotating feeders so they can replace a frozen one with a warmer one from indoors, as needed.

The use of commercial food is discouraged because it contains dyes and sometimes preservatives that could be harmful. Homemade sugar water solution works fine and the normal ratio of one part sugar to four parts of water is recommended by most experts, or only slightly stronger. They need the water it contains too, not just the sugar. I also learned that hummingbirds don’t live on flower nectar alone and eat a lot of insects even in the winter. Avoiding pesticides remains as important as ever.

But what about shelter? Once the leaves have fallen from deciduous tress where they’d normally nest, hummingbirds often find shelter in evergreens. Here in the northwest we have plenty of those. Maybe you have these little winter visitors right in your own backyard without even knowing it. Putting out some nectar now might make it much easier for them to get through this cold season. And remember that any effort spent will come back to you in the form of hours of enjoyment watching them. It also helps to keep us in touch with nature during months when we stay indoors much more.

If you happen to be confined to the house, or even to your bed, remember how the world of nature still holds many delights if you just think about them and keep your eyes open. The thought of crocus bulbs waiting in cold soil under a blanket of snow can remind us that even during the bleakest days of winter we can be assured that spring and better times will come again. So does the thought of hummingbirds hiding in my trees. Just as my friend Chris is helping her hummingbird to survive, he is helping to cheer her every day.

Note: The photo used in this blog post was taken by Janet Allen and shared with me through her generosity and the help of Anne Marie Johnson and Pat Leonard of Cornell University's Project Feederwatch.

Here are some great links if you want more information on this subject:

Project Feederwatch (co-sponsored by Cornell University and Audubon)
National Audubon Society
Birds and Blooms Magazine
Suite 101
Garden Web

You might also be interested in a book called Peterson's Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America, by Sheri Williamson

Dance Theatre Northwest Offers FREE Performance

2011-11-17T10:19:00.001-08:00

Before the big Thanksgiving dinner, Black Friday, the parties, the gift wrapping, mailing, shopping, and all the other fun and frantic activities of the holiday season, take an evening to do something nice for yourself. This Saturday, Nov. 19, enjoy a FREE ballet performance at Narrows Glen, located at 8201 Sixth Ave., in Tacoma, just south of the Narrows Bridge. Even the parking is free.

Once again, Dance Theatre Northwest and Narrows Glen retirement community invite the public to a FREE Holiday Show at 7 p.m. The performance will be preceded by a reception for family members and guests at 6:30 p.m., so come early to relax, visit, and look around. Narrows Glen is an elegant Tacoma senior community, offering independent living, assisted living and memory care. But anyone is welcome to come to this performance, and that means you.

This year, the program includes excerpts from "The Nutcracker" and features the talents of the company's acclaimed dancers, Katie Neumann, Chhay Mam, and Vadne Domeika, with Artistic Director Melanie Kirk-Stauffer narrating. Last winter, I had the good fortune to see the DTN production of this classic, which will return to the Mount Tahoma High School auditorium this Dec. 17-18. (Order tickets here.) I loved it, and hope to go again. If you've never seen "The Nutcracker" or want a sneak peek at DTN's version, here is your chance.

Melanie Kirk-Stauffer is the kind of person I like to write about on Good Life Northwest, because everything she does contributes to the good life in our community. In addition to this complimentary annual event, she brings additional free performance to schools and other venues. Please support Dance Theatre Northwest so this meaningful outreach can continue to enrich lives through the art of dance.
Questions? Call Dance Theatre Northwest at (253) 778-6534 or Narrows Glen at (253) 564-4770.

Here is a map to Narrows Glen:

View Larger Map

Today's Intensely Blue Sky

2011-11-15T16:28:00.001-08:00

I wonder if many other people in Tacoma noticed the deep blue of the sky on this cold November day. I took a break from working and wandered outside for some fresh air in the early afternoon. When I looked up, toward the east and facing away from the sun, the intensity of the sky's blue amazed me.

Of course I grabbed my camera. Now, at 4:30 p.m., as the sun drops behind the trees and both the dark and the chill deepen, I send you my little gift of this afternoon's glory, minus the relative warmth. It will probably freeze again tonight.

I hope you enjoy these photos, which I swear to you have not been altered in any way. They are straight out of my camera.

GOOD LIFE NORTHWEST Meets GOOD LIFE BREWING COMPANY-- a "hoppy" little story

2011-11-09T10:31:00.000-08:00

The idea that one good thing leads to another proved to be true last week, when my friend Margi Legowik, an artist and former resident of Tacoma, sent me this email after reading my latest post on Good Life Northwest:

"Hi Candace. I am sitting in the Good Life brew pub in Bend enjoying a pulled pork panini and a pint, checking my email. Clearly this is a place for you to visit!"

Photo by Justin Moore www.dangersoup.squarespace.com

I loved this coincidence and immediately sent an e-mail to the Good Life Brewing Company and introduced myself, mentioning my friend's message and how she thought we ought to become acquainted, since I write the Good Life Northwest blog. Before long, I'd heard back from Ty Barnett, one of the three partners behind a business that has beer lovers excited, even though it's only four months old.

"We’re in Portland right now," Barnett said. "We’re on the North Coast. We’re in some places in Eugene, and here in Bend, at other establishments and restaurants all over town. So we have quite a few outlets and we’re going to begin bottling in 22 0z. bottles in early December."

Photo by Justin Moore www.dangersoup.squarespace.com

Just as in the case of a few good bands I know, this all started in a garage.

For those readers unfamiliar with the Pacific Northwest, Bend is located in Central Oregon, a sunny play land of outdoor recreation choices. Barnett moved there back in 2002, "...to go to the mountain, be a ski bum, and go to college," he says. Eventually he got a job in the restaurant business. Even though he didn't spend his childhood in Bend, Barnett says he and his friend and business partner Head Brewer Curt Plants "grew up" there. By that he means, "We turned 21 and started drinking good beer. We didn’t drink macro beers. We liked the good stuff." So they decided to try brewing their own.

Here's Barnett's story:

"As we started to home brew we liked it more and more and we thought that would make a career someday. If we were ever to be able to open a little bar and put a little brewery in it, that would be the life. My friend decided he was going to do it regardless. He enrolled in brewing school in Chicago. He studied in Munich Germany and came back and got a job as assistant brewer for Rogue Ales in Newport.

"He definitely has the talent to make good beers. We knew it at the home brew level but as soon as he started brewing for Rogue, our 'test batches' as we call them, starting getting really good, really tasty. We started giving them out to people. And we gave them to the right guy and he said, 'You guys should really think about opening something because this is the best beer I’ve ever had and you brew it in your garage.'

"We ended up giving it to some people who really know beer and they absolutely agreed. And one of them ended up being our third business partner, Pratt Rather. He was actually one of the founding members of SweetWater BrewingCompany in 1996, in Atlanta, Georgia, and also helped found Everybody’s Brewing Company in White Salmon, WA, which is just across from Hood River. So he had definitely been in the beer business for some time and knew a lot of the people. He knew how it worked and helped guide us through how you open a brewery."

Photo by Justin Moore www.dangersoup.squarespace.com

But what about the name? I wouldn't be writing this if not for the words "Good Life" in their moniker. Barnett explains:

"Our motto was always going to be 'Good Beer for Good Life – Bend, Oregon.' We live pretty well down here. We have every outdoor recreation addiction that you could be a part of as well as really good beer. We wanted to provide good beer for whatever somebody’s 'good life' is. A few months into it, right before we opened, we decided we were going to be Good Life Brewing Company. We felt that it fit Bend, and it fit our personalities.

"Whether your 'good life' is at the golf course, at the top of the mountain, climbing, or just in the backyard in the hammock, whatever you really love and enjoy doing, we wanted to provide the beer to enhance the enjoyment."

Photo by Justin Moore www.dangersoup.squarespace.com

Confident of the appeal of their product, Good Life Brewing Company held back nothing when they opened on June 15, 2011. They leased an adequately large facility in Bend to set themselves up with a production capacity of 60,000 barrels per year, a goal they hope to reach in 10-15 years. If they do, they estimate their future rank as the fourth largest brewery in the region.

"We’re set up to put beer in the kegs and bottles and send them all over the Northwest," Barnett said. "So we're not just based in Bend. We’re basically going to be sending beer your way, hopefully in a year or so. Right now, we’re just concentrating on Oregon and getting our beer to all that want it here."

What about the beer itself? What makes it so special?

Barnett describes the Good Life difference this way: "A lot of beers have been really bitter, maybe overly bitter, in the Northwest, for a few years. People have been not turned away, but it’s not really what they’re looking for. What we did was make beers that taste good and smell good, but have just enough bitterness to let you know it’s a beer.

So far, they offer four choices:

Mountain Rescue Dry Hop Pale Ale - The company's flagship beer is a dry hop classic American pale ale. Barnett says it is, "basically malty but a little bit more flavor and aroma than a standard pale, because of the aging process we do. We age the beer in the fermenter on hops. We make a nice hop tea out of the beer, so it gets this huge aroma.

IPA - "It has a hop bitterness to it, standard for that style. There’s an international rating unit for how bitter a beer is, called IBUs, and it’s basically one to 100, 1 being not bitter and 100 being very bitter and that beer is about 40, below the middle of the road for bitterness so it has a bite but it has more flavor of hops than it does bitterness of hops."

Oatmeal Stout - just released. "About 7.5 % alcohol by volume. Nice robust, roasted malt flavor with a little bit of coffee and chocolate back notes. That’s going to be a really great beer," says Barnett.

Single Hop Pale Wheat Ale - "There's only one hop in the beer to give it all its flavor.

I have an invitation to visit my friend Margi, and if I do, I'll be sure to also visit the tasting room of Good Life Brewing Company. It's small but mighty. With only 40 seats, it packs in a crowd for the great beer, English and German style food, and its thriving live music scene. You can also take a tour of the brewery.

See what happens when you keep a positive vibe? Focusing on the GOOD things in your life attracts more GOOD things. Thanks Margi and Ty, for making this fun connection between Tacoma and Bend, and best of luck to the young but ambitious Good Life Brewing Company. Maybe I will show up there for lunch someday. That pulled pork panini sounds GOOD too.

Note: I also enjoyed discovering the outstanding photography of Justin Moore. If you want to take a virtual tour of Central Oregon, and other places, visit the "Places" page of his website by clicking here.

Photo by Justin Moore www.dangersoup.squarespace.com

You Might Want to Tweet About This Contest

2011-10-31T11:08:00.000-07:00

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him bending over the bath. I'd never seen anything so big. . .

Northern Saw-whet Owl chicks by Nick Saunders, a finalist in the spring 2011 photo contest

. . . among all the birds that have visited my Tacoma backyard. (You thought I meant, WHAT?!) But as I stood at the kitchen sink, looking out the window, there on the edge of the birdbath stood a feathered guest about 20" long, so big that out of the corner of my eye I could have mistaken it for a cat. At first, I didn't recognize this new visitor as a Peregrine Falcon, since he had his back facing me, bent over with his light underside exposed. I grabbed my bird book, and as he moved about I confirmed the identity.

The task of identifying him would prove easier than convincing people that I really did make this rare sighting. If only I'd had my camera. In addition to obtaining photographic evidence, I might have won the WeLoveBirds.org Winter 2011 Photo Contest. I still could, if he returns, and so could you if such a lucky photo op comes your way.

Birding enthusiasts love WeLoveBirds.org, an online community created through the combined efforts of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Even if you have no intention of entering the contest, make your day a bit brighter by visiting the site for a look at some of the 42,000 photos already submitted by members. From among the ten best, all of whom will be eligible for prizes, some lucky photographer will win a pair of Endeavor 8.5 x 45 binoculars by Vanguard.

Yesterday I saw a Steller's Jay with a peanut in his beak, deliberately push it down into the dirt to bury it. Then he looked around, picked up a leaf, and put the leaf right over the spot where the peanut was hidden. I'm not making this stuff up. Really. (sigh)

Just wait. I have my camera handy now, ready for anything, no matter how big, in the fascinating world of nature right in my own backyard.

Another Dispatch From the Garden -- More Fall Photos

2011-10-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

The title of an old song from 1934, "What a Difference a Day Made," says it all when it comes to my Tacoma garden this time of year. Remember the photo of those gorgeous red leaves shown at the top of my previous blog post? Well here they are today. By the way, the common name of this plant is "Star Magnolia," covered with shaggy white blooms in the spring and red leaves in the fall. The dramatic difference between these photos reminds us that we should enjoy all our autumn leaves while we can. They will soon be on the ground.

The good news from the garden is that the possible early frost or hard rain I feared would destroy my blooms never arrived, which means I have more photos to share. I had forgotten to show you those dainty darlings, the hardy cyclamens, now floating like tiny lavender ballerinas above their variegated leaves. Here is some information about them from Ed Hume, the Northwest's most beloved garden expert.

The roses continue to open, as do the mums. It isn't over yet. In fact, even as I write this I see the sky clearing off and the autumn sun brightening every color in my landscape. Who knows what the next few days will bring? Not even the weather forecasts can be sure. But you can be sure of one thing; this day is a day in your life. Are you living it to the fullest and noticing the beauty of your surroundings? I hope so.

The Garden in October

2011-10-25T11:39:00.000-07:00

Brrrrrr. I love the Thirties when it comes to the jazz and antique cars, but I'm not so sure I'm ready for the thirties on my outdoor thermometer. By late afternoon yesterday I could feel the chill that would come in the night. I'm starting to sense with each passing day, as I watch leaves fall and see the hydrangeas fade into shades of mauve, that time is short for this most glorious part of autumn. Already I begin to think of kettles of soup, knitting wool hats, and preparing for the holidays.

But this week, my husband and I spent some happy hours in our Tacoma garden, trimming and weeding, and saying goodbye to the blooms we've nurtured through a too-short summer that turned into fall. Today I want to share some photos taken that day. I know I will return to look at them in a few weeks, when November wind and rain have stripped the trees bare and my plants lie in repose under blankets of mulch. Enjoy!

SAVE YOUR SEAT NOW, FOR "SAVING AIMEE"

2011-10-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

It's a good thing my husband drove us home to Tacoma from Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre Thursday night, because my mind was not on the road. It took me the whole trip and part of today, to absorb and analyze my impressions of the new musical "Saving Aimee." It's an aural and visual feast, the result of a rich combination of talents both on and off stage. But in addition to great music, acting, and humor, it also gives you plenty to think about.

I'd been curious to see how the story of controversial female evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944), would translate into a musical. The production satisfied my curiosity in surprising ways, and it introduced me to an influential character from history, one I didn't know about. By now, she's almost forgotten. But not for long.

"Saving Aimee" tells how McPherson came from a humble background only to acquire fame, fortune, and a huge following, as the first evangelist preacher to move religion into the Hollywood arena, turning it into show business. She designed the template future televangelists would follow. A strong, dynamic, and fascinating public figure, McPherson seemed the embodiment of contradiction. She was a true believer who, it was claimed, healed the sick, and she definitely gave much of her wealth to the poor and disenfranchised. And yet she also left an apparently loving husband, and could not have had much time for her two children during her rise to stardom.

McPherson founded the Foursquare Church, a Pentecostal denomination now having a presence in about 140 countries around the globe. The grand Angeles Temple she designed and opened in Los Angeles held 5,300 people and would fill to capacity, leaving others waiting to get inside. Her religious services equalled theatrical productions, complete with all the drama, costumes, scenery, music and props (including live animals) that exemplified the glamour of Hollywood at the time. To serve the needs of this extravaganza, she wrote 13 opera and 175 songs. McPherson broke new ground as the first woman to preach over the airwaves and started her own radio show as well as the L.I.F.E. Bible College.

McPherson became a media sensation for her dramatic preaching, faith healing, romantic life, and the controversy surrounding her claim of being kidnapped, when she disappeared for about a month in 1926. Many people thought she fabricated this story to cover rumors of an affair. She also became addicted to prescription drugs and suffered a nervous breakdown. This musical portrays McPherson sympathetically, as a victim of the press. But anecdotes from those who knew her, or lived during those time, offer views of a complex personality with moral strengths and weaknesses.

Part of my curiosity about how this character's story would come across had to do with religion. "Saving Aimee" is not out to save souls, although I'm not saying it's impossible that someone eager to be saved might not have been affected that way. Certainly the cleverly designed stage set that features tall staircases running up each side and culminates in a towering pulpit, and the brilliant spotlight that makes "Sister Aimee's" white gown take on a heavenly glow, could send shivers down the spines of the repentant. Instead of preaching though, the musical examines what drives us, human frailty, and the complicated nature of many peoples' lives. It presents those aspects of organized religion that can totally captivate some of us and make others of us squirm. Set in a time of extremes, with a fragile affluence that would soon crash along with the stock market, it felt relevant to the economically, politically, and theologically divided America we live in today.

The show comes along as yet another totally new musical produced by The 5th Avenue Theatre, one of ten in the past 11 years, four of which have gone on to Broadway and two of which won Tony Awards. Pretty impressive. No wonder Seattle, along with New York and Chicago, ranks among the top three cities in America for musical theater. The enthusiastic crowd that night seemed to prove the point of The 5th's mission to offer Seattle audiences only the highest quality productions. This one brings together a fine bunch of songs powerfully delivered, characters you'll always remember, and a set designed with mulitple functions that allowed scenes to flow smoothly from one to another. Let's hear it for the stage and lighting crews. Sometimes the action moved right out into, or came from the audience. At one point, a huge golden cloth billows out over the seats for a dramatic effect you'll have to see in context to understand.

Well-known TV personality, Kathie Lee Gifford, wrote the book, lyrics, and some of the music for "Saving Aimee." She says she was inspired by, and eventually obsessed by, the life story of McPherson, referring to her as "the most famous woman you've never heard of." With music by composers David Pomeranz and David Friedman, plus inspired direction from the theater's own Executive Director and Artistic Director David Armstrong, it certainly comes with great credentials. Quite a number of seats on Thursday's opening night were occupied by people from New York's musical theater scene, as were some of the roles.

I can't offer enough praise for actress Carolee Carmello, who played Aimee. She has appeared in ten Broadway shows, a number of Off-Broadway shows, television productions, touring productions, and more and it's easy to see why. In my opinion, she nailed it. Her strong singing voice, charisma, and fine acting abilities brought the character to life.

Other members of the cast with Broadway experience were Ed Watts (as Robert Semple and David Hutton) and Roz Ryan (as Emma Jo.) Exceptional local talent included Judy Kaye (as Minnie, Aimee's mother), Brandon O'Neill (as McPherson and Ormiston), Ed Dixon (as Aimee's father James and preacher Brother Bob), Charles Leggett ( as Asa Keyes) plus the 14 members of the ensemble. All did outstanding jobs. I saw some familiar faces and expect to watch the careers of many of these artists continue to advance within the field of creative energy this theater generates. But their talent is only part of the reason the audience rose for a standing ovation at the end. I applauded the orchestra, choreography, stage sets, lighting, costumes, hair and makeup, and everyone else who contributed too. As always, they each added layers of rich emotion and realistic texture to the experience.

Whether or not "Saving Aimee" represented McPherson accurately, or the way you personally think it should have, you still feel the power of this grand old theater and those who call it home. What overwhelmed me, and what I still pondered as I went to bed about 1 a.m., was how to adequately describe the magic that results when the creative efforts of so many, many people, on and off the stage, combine in perfect harmony.

For those of you who might view the arts as less than vital to the health of a society, please open your eyes. Give yourself the opportunity to discover this fine example of teamwork, where the contributions of all matter equally, and where everyone believes in giving their best effort toward a common goal. That kind of energy and focus contains a power that makes magic happen, whether in a show or a society. We need creative people to solve all kinds of problems. Art nurtures creativity.

No place ever felt like a more perfect setting for magic than The 5th Avenue Theatre. When I had the opportunity to interview David Armstrong a few months ago, he said to me, "The magic of the show happens where the energy of the audience and the energy of the performers meet. You just feel completely drawn in and you can lose yourself entirely in the experience on the stage." Give it a try. Feel uplifted.

"Saving Aimee" closes on October 29, so don't miss your chance to see the West Coast debut of a show people will be talking about. You can order tickets here: BOX OFFICE

Congratulations to everyone involved.

English Country Dance Brings Barnes and Noble Author Event to Life

2011-10-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

England during the lifetime of the author Jane Austen (1775-1817) might seem as distant as a dream, but you can experience a sense of her world this weekend by driving a short distance from Tacoma or elsewhere in Western Washington. Come celebrate the romance of the era through an author event featuring a live dance performance by Nonesuch, a Seattle area English Country Dance ensemble.

On Saturday October 22, at 2 p.m., the Barnes and Noble book store at Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood (link has directions) will sponsor a release and signing of "Jane Austen Made Me Do It" which happens to be written by one of Barnes and Noble's own booksellers named Laurel Ann Nattress. With a self-explanatory subtitle of "Original Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart," it sounds intriguing. If you just can't wait, I offer this link so you can order it right now.

Quoting from the Barnes and Noble website, the biographical information for Ms. Nattress reads as follows: "A life-long acolyte of Jane Austen, Laurel Ann Nattress is the author/editor of Austenprose.com, a blog devoted to the oeuvre of her favorite author and the many books and movies that she has inspired. Nattress is a lifetime member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and a regular contributor to the PBS blog Remotely Connected."

The dance ensemble's Artistic Director Victoria Bestock said, "We are 14 dancers and three musicians who perform English Country Dance. We willl be in costume and have live music and will do about a 20-25 minute performance of dances Jane Austen would have done." Following that performance, the members of Nonesuch will involve the audience in a 40-45 minute lesson, teaching the basics of their specialty through a dance Bestock says is "very easy."

She also mentioned that many people attending the event are planning to come in costume and added, "It will be a leap back into an era we've all read about." Why not take the leap? You can return home with a new interest and a great new book to read.

For more information on English Country Dance and other folk dance events in the Pacific Northwest, please follow this link: http://seattledance.org/english/ Prepare to be swept away into refinement and romance through literature, music, and motion.

Elliott Bay Brewing Company Offers a Flavorful Fall

2011-10-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

The blazing maples in my Tacoma backyard mean fall has arrived, and to me that might signal the winding down of another year, but not to those in the business of brewing craft beers. In fact, this is the perfect time to celebrate the seasonal delights, and you can't do any better than Elliott Bay Brewing Company. With locations in both Burien and West Seattle, they have doubled your opportunity to enjoy some exceptional beer, brewed on site, along with equally exceptional food, freshly made with the best ingredients. At Elliott Bay, both the food and drink offerings feature locally sourced and organic choices.

Organic beer? You bet. The base malt for all of Elliott Bay Brewing Company's house beers starts with 100% organic barley, and these brewers were the first in King County to produce USDA Certified Organic beer. The range of organic beers they offer exceeds that of any other brewery in the state of Washington.

In a recent interview, I asked one of the owners, Todd Carden, if he could pick a favorite beer. "I tend to like IPA styles the most," he said, "hoppy beers ranging from every day IPA to the big double Imperials. But I also enjoy trekking with beers through the seasons. When it’s winter, I want to taste those winter beers. It’s always refreshing."

And it's refreshing just to try something new now and then. Last week, I had lunch with some friends at the Burien location and for the first time, I tried the Organic Coffee Stout. Wow! The coffee flavor really came through. In other words, if you're typical of people in the Northwest, who love both coffee and craft beers, it's an interesting combination. But don't take my word for it; try it yourself, or select from all these choices, including this fun offering of the season: MASHING PUMPKIN ALE.

Want something to eat with that? Here you can download the tempting regular menus for both the West Seattle and Burien locations. And here are the October Food Specials for West Seattle and Burien. For lunch with my friends, I kept it simple, ordering the Smoked Turkey, Bacon, and Swiss Sandwich, which could have easily fed two. But I shamelessly ate the whole thing because I simply could not stop. My friends had the Imperial Ruben and the No Doubt Stout BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich. My husband relished The Cuban. We all went away happy.

But we won't be away for long. It's the time for fall flavors now, but each month brings new reasons to return.

"After all these years," Carden said, "when we start to approach November and all of a sudden you see all those winter beers coming out, you go, 'Ah, what a great time of year.'"

'Tis a happy man who can make a living while living his bliss. Carden, his business partner Brent Norton, and head brewer Doug Hindman, all know that kind of happiness. "I love the craft aspect of what we’re doing," Carden said.

The creative challenge must take into consideration such factors as how weather affects the hops crop, the sugar content, and yeast, a wild organism. "It takes somebody at our level, who knows what they’re doing, who can be adaptive to many changing things," he added.

Speaking of "changing things," the leaves may change, and so will the seasons, and even the seasonal beers. But one thing never changes, and that is the craftsmanship, creativity, and sense of fun that goes into everything brewed by Elliott Bay Brewing Company.

No matter what is going on in the world, remember to appreciate every day and enjoy the simple pleasures, like an occasional lunch out for some great pub food and a craft beer, shared with friends. Life is really very good. Just ask Todd Carden.

"NORDIC FESTIVAL" Makes its Debut This Weekend

2011-10-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Do you love lefse, crave krumkake, have a hankering for herring, or long for a longboat? Would you recognize a Hardanger fiddle, or Hardanger embroidery? Rosemaling? Do you like the taste of cardamom, lingon berries, butter and strong coffee? If you happen to be a descendant of any of the thousands of Scandinavian immigrants who settled in the Pacific Northwest starting in the 19th century, you probably know these symbols of Norse culture, along with many more. Even if you lack a singe drop of Scandinavian blood, you can still learn about all of this on Saturday, October 15, 2011, when Tacoma's own Embla Lodge No. 2 of Daughters of Norway presents:

NORDIC FESTIVAL -- A CELEBRATION OF OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE

FREE ADMISSION AND FREE PARKING

TRADITIONAL MUSIC BY NORDIC EXPOSURE AND THE NORMANNA MALE CHORUS PLUS TRADITIONAL DANCING BY THE EMBLA LODGE LEIKARRING DANCERS.

Members of the lodge began working on this event only a few months ago, but thanks to their great teamwork, they put together what will prove to be a delightful day, one you won't want to miss. And they want to stress that this festival celebrates SCANDINAVIAN culture, not just Norwegian.

Vice President Mardy Fairchild offered plenty of good reasons to attend:

"We will have 19 vendors selling a wonderful variety of arts and crafts including artwork, Scandinavian designed wrapping paper, knitted items, wheat weaving, Scandinavian antiques, books, clothing cookbooks,and rosemaling. We will also have food items to choose from including Julekake, Danish Pastries, Lefse, Norwegian cookies, Swedish Meatballs, and Split Pea Soup."

The enthusiastic vendors each donated an item from their inventory to add to the many prizes being awarded throughout the day, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For a map, click here.

photo credit Daughters of Norway website

Now, a little history . . .

Here in the Pacific Northwest, Scandinavian pride has always been strong. The hard working fishermen, shipbuilders, teachers, carpenters, loggers, farmers and other tradesmen and professionals who made this area their home helped to create civilization in the wilderness. Most importantly, they brought their rugged determination, admirable skills and values, and fine personal qualities (to say nothing of great pastry) and contributed all of these to our regional character. But lest you picture only a bunch of hearty men, let me remind you of the equally hard working, proud, and determined WOMEN who came with them. Among those were the visionaries who formed the first of three independent lodges that joined to create the Grand Lodge of the Daughters of Norway a century ago, on February 20, 1908.

The first of these was Valkyrien #1, in Seattle, started in 1905, chartered by the Norwegian men’s Lief Eriksen Lodge #1. The men originally voted to charter the women’s lodge subordinate to their own, but those strong pioneer ladies would have none of that. They wanted, and got, their own organization. Two years later Embla #2 in Tacoma, which is now the largest D.O.N. lodge in the country, was chartered by the local Sons of Norway lodge, and in the same year this was repeated in Spokane with the formation of the Freya #3 lodge.

The aims of the organization are the same now as in the beginning:

"To unite into a sisterhood, women who wish to preserve Norwegian heritage,
to maintain among members a knowledge of the history, culture, and language of Norway, and to build a strong support system and bond of friendship within the sisterhood"

Nordic Heritage Museum
Scandinavian Cultural Center at PLU
Sons of Norway
Cyndi's List (Research your Scandinavian roots)

PLEASE COME ENJOY THE NORDIC FESTIVAL

Mom and the Dionne Quintuplets --

2011-10-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

On a cozy, rainy Monday morning in Tacoma, Washington, when I should have been doing something more constructive, it occurred to me to pick up my mother's diary to see how she spent this day of October 10 back in 1936. I never expected that such a whim would lead to several more hours of investigation.

"All of us kids went to the show 'Country Doctor' this evening. It sure was a swell picture," she wrote on this date, seventy-five years ago. I knew nothing about the movie, so I sat down my cup of tea, opened up my laptop, and started doing some research. The more I learned, the more I realized that my mother had been one of millions of people swept up in a world-wide frenzy that provided an irresistible distraction in the midst of the Great Depression.

The movie "The Country Doctor," as it turned out, was based on the story of Dr. Allan Defoe, the doctor who delivered the famous Dionne quintuplets, the first in the world to survive past infancy. The children themselves also appeared in this and other Hollywood movies. Here is an entertaining review of "The Country Doctor" published in the New York Times in May of 1936, a few months before the movie came to the small town theater in Western Washington, where my mother saw it on that long ago October evening. The reviewer refers to Mr. Dionne, father of many children, as "a rabbity little man."

I mean no disrespect to my mother when I point out that she took part in the national hysteria. She was a good, kind person, who happened to adore babies, in the extreme, all her life. She was, in fact, obsessed with babies. At the time the quintuplets were born, my mother, then in her late teens, no doubt relished thoughts of marriage and babies of her own. So it came as no surprise to me that she would adore the Dionne quintuplets. I never thought too much about finding old yellowed newspaper clippings about them among her things after she died.

Like everyone else, I knew about the Dionne quintuplets, but somehow I remained ignorant of the the whole complex, disturbing, and still contradictory story, until today.

A French Canadian named Oliva Dionne and his wife, Elzire Dionne, lived on a farm in rural Ontario, Canada with their five young children, when Elzire gave birth two months prematurely to five more, on May 28, 1934. The tiny identical baby girls, all from the same egg and each weighing under two pounds, were named Yvonne, Annette, Cécile, Émilie, and Marie. When word got out, they became an overnight, worldwide sensation.

By many accounts, the babies received loving care at home from the beginning, were kept warm and fed on a regular schedule. But by the time they reached the age of four months, government officials in the province of Ontario, influenced by Dr. Defoe and the potential financial consequences of such an oddity, declared the family unable to properly care for the infants and took custody, making them "wards of the King." Against their parents' wishes, the infants were removed from the family home to live in a special hospital built expressly for them, across the street from the farm. From then on, decisions concerning their care were made by Dr. Defoe and other authorities. Exploitation had never before been accepted with such mindless glee and fascination. One of the girls, as an adult, called it a "circus."

Known as "Quintland," the hospital served as the only home the children knew for the first nine years of their lives until their family won back custody in 1943. It has been called Canada's first theme park. The parking lot held 1,000 cars and a gift shop sold souvenirs to the thousands of visitors who came each day (the most frequently quoted figure being 6,000 daily) totaling over three million in the years during which the children lived there. Their staff of attending nurses dressed them up in matching outfits and trotted them out on display two or three times each day, in front of large windows with one-way viewing, screened to obscure the girls' awareness of the curious crowds who fought for position to get a look at them. As adults, the Dionne sisters remembered seeing movement and hearing noises beyond the screen, but didn't realize what was going on. Quintland became an extremely lucrative tourist business for the government, even more important and profitable than the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Along with Dr. Defoe, they appeared in countless advertisements for many products.

A trust fund established for the girls grew rapidly, but by the time they were 18 and could have collected the money, only a fraction of it was left. Many profited from their fame, but probably the province of Ontario most of all. Even the girls' family benefited, in that a 20-room mansion was built for them when the quintuplets returned home, to replace the old farm house, all paid for by the trust fund.

Over the years the father, Oliva Dionne, has been portrayed as everything from a heroic and loving parent who fought for custody to a man who sexually abused and exploited his own children. He was purported to have thought of exhibiting the infants in the United States shortly after they were born, which may have been part of what led to the government taking them away. Doctor Defoe lives on in history as both a savior and an entrepreneur, depending on opinion. Books, documentaries, articles, and even the accounts given by the surviving daughters themselves offer differing viewpoints and interpretations of what happened to them.

Seen by some as valuable objects in an exhibit, having only limited contact with their own family, and kept in relative isolation, these innocent children lost the opportunity for a normal upbringing and home life. But then perhaps the home life offered did not offer much. As adults, their struggles to maintain some privacy never ended. As of this month, October 2011, only two remain alive, now 77 years old. They still receive fan mail from all over the world.

Here are three of them, Yvonne, Annette, and Cécile, being interviewed in conjunction with the 1994 release of a Canadian movie, a fictionalized version of the story, called "Million Dollar Babies":

And here is a look at the movie.

An autobiographical book called Family Secrets told the story in their own words. And this is one of the best, most comprehensive articles I've found: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3683/is_199401/ai_n8716816/

How strange to think that the five babies my mother adored, as much as today's teenage girls adore rock stars, now number only two, two women about the same age Mom was when her own life came to an end, and maybe not so different. As she matured, I like to think my mother looked at the Dionne quintuplets with compassion rather than fascination. But have we as a society learned anything from this story?

With modern communications faster than anything my mother could have imagined, celebrity can occur in mere minutes and go on to make the individuals involved miserable to a degree never experienced before.

My "to do" list gathered some dust today, but I've learned a lot. Right now citizens of our nation, and the world, feel burdened by economic troubles similar to those of the Great Depression. They too, seem to need distraction. But next time you feel tempted to ride the wave of freak show curiosity and voyeurism, please remember the very real human lives involved.