28 FUN Facts about the “Evergreen” State – WA

Here are 28 fun facts about the state of Washington:
1. It is America’s coffee capital, with more coffee bean roasters per capita than any other state.
2. “The Wave”, a popular fan cheer for the past 25 years, was started by Husky fans at the University of Washington.
3. Adam Morrison, a Washington State native and Gonzaga University basketball star, led the NCAA Division I in scoring last season.
4. The state is the nation’s largest exporter, representing $34 billion and 5 percent of all U.S. exports: forest products, aerospace products, apples, tulips, hops, mint, wheat and several other quality food products.
5. Leading innovators — Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Starbucks’ Howard Schultz, wireless pioneers the McCaw family, and the Boeing family — live in Washington State.
6. Washington State is America’s gateway to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C.
7. Washington leads the country in technology industry employment.
8. Grand Coulee Dam, the largest concrete structure in North America, is in Washington State.
9. Washington’s residents are educated; it’s the state with most residents holding high school diplomas. Seattle leads the country in residents with more college degrees per capita.
10. Father’s Day was founded here in 1910.
11. The state is home to the world’s largest private car collection featuring over 3,000 vehicles.
12. Washington is home to the larg est land mollusk in North America, a foraging banana slug that grows up to 9 inches long.
13. In Washington, a Seahawk is an athlete, not a bird. The closest thing to a Seahawk is an osprey hawk.
14. Washington’s entrepreneurial climate has made it the leading state for both startup and gazelles, or fast growing young companies.
15. Washington, the 42nd state in the union, is the only state named for a president
16. Seattle gets less rainfall annually than Atlanta, Boston, New York, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Miami, with 37 inches.
17. Seattle has the highest concentration of aerospace jobs in the world, led by Boeing’s 50,000 workers.
18. Our homegrown musicians include Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Kenny G, The Wailers, Pat Boone, Bing Crosby, Quincy Jones, among others.
19. Petrified wood is the state’s gem, and there’s a petrified forest here that’s considered the most unusual fossil forest in the world.
20. Washington State defines innovation. Some of the leading employers include Microsoft, Amazon.Com, Nordstrom, Boeing, Costco and Starbuck’s.
21. Washington has hosted the World’s Fair twice: 1962 in Seattle and 1974 in Spokane.
22. Washington produces 70 percent of the nation’s hops used to brew beer. Co incidentally, to overcome beer breath, the majority of the nation’s mint is also grown in the state.
23. The longest accessible beach is Long Beach, WA
24. ‘Tales from the Far Side’ cartoonist Gary Larson is a Washington native and still lives in the Seattle area.
25. It is America’s raspberry capital, harvesting more than 57 million pounds of raspberries each year.
26. Washington’s Hells Canyon is the deepest River Gorge in North America, deeper than the Grand Canyon at over 5,500 feet deep.
27. Seattle sells more sunglasses per capita than any other major city in the nation.
28. The cleanest air in the nation is found in a Washington community, Bellingham, according to the EPA and American Lung Association.

Reading Quote

‘Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.’
~Edmund Burke

Artsy Events and Activities

First Thursday Activities
Thursday, April 7
*Broadway Gallery, 1418 Commerce, Longview www.the-broadway-gallery.com/
Mitzi Christensen (paintings), Sandy Brown (pottery), Sharon Kelly (paintings), Gayle Kiser (pottery). Reception 5:30–7:30pm. Music by John Kramer.

*Longview Public Library Koth Gallery, 1600 Louisiana, Longview www.longviewlibrary.org/ For the Love of Art showing mixed media art. Open until 8pm.

*Lord & McCord Artworks, 1416 Commerce, Longview www.lindamccord.com Chuck Lafrenz exhibiting China Painting. Chuck will talk about her art process at 6pm. Reception 5–7pm. Live music.

*Teague’s Interiors, 1267 Commerce, Longview www.teaguesinteriors.com “Trinity” Arts of Faith, an invitational show. Reception 5-7pm”

*The Bistro, 1329 Commerce Avenue, Longview www.thebistrobuzz.com/ Wine tasting. Live music. Door prizes. Reservations recommended.
Hours: 5-8pm.

*Cowlitz County Historical Museum, 405 Allen St, Kelso www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/museum/ “Cowlitz Tribe” History, current status and future plans will be presented by representatives of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Program begins at 7pm; museum open until 9pm.
Activities
March 25-April 1: Columbian Artists Association 35th Annual Judged/Juried Spring Show. Featured artist is Sharon Kelley. Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm; Fri 10am-3:30pm. Reception: March 25, Noon-5pm. LCC Rose Center for the Arts, 15th Ave & Washington, Longview Wash. Info: Irene 360-575-9751; www.columbianartists.org.
April 1-3: 20th Annual Spring Art Show and Sale. Peninsula Arts Assoc. of Long Beach. 10-5. World Kite Museum, 303 Sid Snyder Dr., Long Beach, Wash. Info: 360-642-1375.
April 3: Music is Magic-children’s artist Greta Pedersen. CTPA Rainy Months Series for families with young children. 2pm. $5. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook, Longview, Wash. Info: 360-575-8499 or www.columbiatheatre.com.
April 6: Terri Clark – country singer. 7:30. Tickets: $15 in advance from Bob’s Sporting Goods or $20 at the door. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook, Longview, Wash.
April 8: Young Artists Concert Southwest Washington Symphony. 7:30pm. $20 Adult, $15 Senior, $5 Student. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook, Longview, Wash. Info: 360-575-8499

ers, magicians, etc invited to compete. Sponsored by Kiwanis of Kelso. 3pm. $25 entry; $10 admission. Kelso Theatre Pub, 214 S. Pacific St., Kelso, Wash. Info: 360-957-2515.
April 14-May 6: Art Faculty Biennial. Reception Apr 14, 5-7pm. Mon, Tues, Fri 10-4; Wed, Thurs 10-7. LCC Gallery at the Rose Center Lower Columbia College, 15th & Washington, Longview, Wash. Info: lowercolumbia.edu/community/art-and-entertainment/the-art-gallery/.
April 16: The Fab Four-the ultimate tribute. 7:30pm. $25-$45. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook, Longview, Wash. Info: 360-575-8499 or www.columbiatheatre.com.
April 16: Gianluca Luisi-Bosendorfer Piano Concert. 7:30pm. Wollenberg Auditorium, LCC Rose Center for the Arts, 15th Ave & Washington, Longview Wash. Info: lowercolumbia.edu/community/art-and-entertainment/music/
April 23: Kalama Word Catcher-writing workshops. Benefit for the Kalama Public Library. 9-6. $15/class; $25/2 classes. Kalama Community Building, 126 N. 2nd St, Kalama, Wash. Info: Mary Putka 360-673-5310.
April 23, 30, May 1: Peter Pan – the musical. Longview Stageworks. 7:30, Sun. 2pm. $20-35. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1231 Vandercook, Longview, Wash. Info: www.longviewstageworks.com/

Opportunities
Open Auditions: Center Stage Spring Play “The Adding Machine.” Open to all LCC students, staff and members of the community. April 4, 6-9pm. LCC Center for the Arts-Center Stage Theatre and Green Room. Info: Don Correll 442-2682.
Call for Artists: West Gallery of Spokane, Wash invites artists to enter a Juried Exhibition to be held at the gallery during August. Prizes for Pottery and Painting. Deadline: May 20. Prospectus and entry forms available at www.avenuewestgallery.org.
Call for Artists: Longview Outdoor Gallery Task Force seeking artists to display an outdoor sculpture for display/sale for two years. Deadline: April 20. Info: LongviewOutdoorGallery@gmail.com.

Classes
Cool April Days-watercolor workshop with Carol Boudreau. April 15-17; 9am-4pm. Registration Deadline: April 8. Alder Ridge Studio, 565 Diebert Road, Longview, Wash. Info: 360-425-0142.

You know you drink too much coffee if…

You answer the door before people knock.
Juan Valdez named his donkey after you.
You ski uphill.
You get a speeding ticket even when you’re parked.
You speed walk in your sleep.
You haven’t blinked since the last lunar eclipse.
You just completed another sweater and you don’t know how to knit.
You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.
You sleep with your eyes open.
You have to watch videos in fast-forward.
The only time you’re standing still is during an earthquake.
You can take a picture of yourself from ten feet away without using the timer.
You lick your coffeepot clean.
You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug.
You’re the employee of the month at the local coffeehouse and you don’t even work there.
You’ve worn out your third pair of tennis shoes this week.
Your eyes stay open when you sneeze.
You chew on other people’s fingernails.
The nurse needs a scientific calculator to take your pulse.
Your T-shirt says, “Decaffeinated coffee is the devil’s blend.”
You’re so jittery that people use your hands to blend their margaritas.
You can type sixty words per minute… with your feet.
You can jump-start your car without cables.
All your kids are named “Joe”.
You don’t need a hammer to pound nails.
Your only source of nutrition comes from “Sweet & Low.”
You don’t sweat, you percolate.
You buy 1/2 & 1/2 by the barrel.
You’ve worn out the handle on your favorite mug.
You go to AA meetings just for the free coffee.
You walk twenty miles on your treadmill before you realize it’s not plugged in.
You forget to unwrap candy bars before eating them.
You’ve built a miniature city out of little plastic stirrers.
People get dizzy just watching you.
You’ve worn the finish off your coffee table.
The Taster’s Choice couple wants to adopt you.

Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grammy

Frances Wood Thomas • 4/27/1924 – 3/16/2011

By Michelle Myre
This Mother’s Day is a bitter-sweet time this year. Just a few short weeks ago, we lost our dear Grammy Fran to her battle with cancer.
Although we are at peace with the fact that she is no longer in pain and is free with Jesus, it leaves us with a sadness with the intensity in which we all miss her.
This is my gift to her family, a shining remembrance of her life and a testimony of the exuberance in which she lived.
Frances Lucille Wood, born April 27th, 1924, our mother, grandmother, great grammy and friend, joined her husband, George, to dance in the heavens, on March 16th, 2011 in Issaquah Washington.
Fran was very well known in both Pierce & Kitsap Counties as a dedicated and excellent bowler. She loved the bowling alley, and it loved her! She would always take us down to “see the gang” when we visited. I think she just wanted to show off her grandson and his family by the proud look on her face when we walked into the alley.
“Bob, come over here!” she would call to one of her many friends.
“Have you met my grandson yet?” and then the fun and laughter would begin. A few short years ago, we got to brag about her — graduating highschool at the age of 82 is no small feat!
My husband told me a story when we were first dating about his grandma Fran, and how he was “her lump”.
Oscar’s sister, Larae, was being born, and after taking care of little Oscar, it was time for Grandma to go. Three year old Oscar launched himself across the room and attached to her leg, crying “No, Grandma! Don’t go!”
To which she responded, “My my, I seem to have a lump on my leg!”
Grandma Fran had 11 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren, who will all miss her very much.
There are things that we become known for, and Grammy was known for her love of bowling, puzzles and “Mud Pie”. You counted yourself lucky if Grandma came through the door with one of her infamous Mud Pies, and you grabbed a fork immediately so you didn’t miss out.
My husband and I made it a point to learn her Mud Pie receipe, and we have continued the tradition in her honor, training up our kids so they too, can pass down Grammy’s Mud Pie recipe. One special time we all shared in this was in a beach trip, where Grammy came with us and our two girls. Those pictures are precious and filled with smiles and life.
I was blessed to have Grammy wrap me in her sphere, for I lost my own grandmother to cancer at the age of fifteen. How I missed having a grandma, and how overjoyed I was to be wed into a family that gifted me with not one, but two grandmas!!
Such is the cycle of life as we know it. Grammy’s not dead to me, but she lives with the Lord now. She said as much to me with the last words I heard her breathe.
“See you soon”, she managed to get out, as my tears ran down my face, and I clung to her one last time.
Yes, Grammy, we’ll see you soon.

Elvis lives? Ultimate Elvis winner, Justin Shandor, brings him to the Columbia Theatre’s stage

7:30pm on Friday the 13th in May will be “interesting” with the re-appearance of “Elvis”, played by the 2010 Ultimate Elvis winner, Justin Shandor.
Impersonating Elvis isn’t something to be taken lightly for Justin, as he had been teased as an “Elvis” look-alike since his early highschool years.
Instead of running from the accusation, Shandor embraced it, and it paid off. Winning $20,000 last year as the 2010 Ultimate Elvis performer squashes any bad feelings the teasing may have caused.
Shandor has been working at bringing Elvis back to life for fans acrosss the country for over ten years.
If you’re an Elvis fan, then you can be sure that you will enjoy the performance and vocal talent that this “Elvis” will bring to Columbia Theatre’s stage on Friday, May 13th at 7:30pm.
Who knows, maybe the King of Graceland himself will ‘grace’ us with a visit?
Preferred seating $35.00
General seating $25.00
1231 Vandercook Way, Longview, WA 98632
Call (360)575-8499 or Toll Free 1-888-575-8499 and online at:
www.columbiatheatre.com

Priorities…

‘If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles.’
~Doug Larson

Highlander Cycling keeps great pace

By Sandy Allen

It’s time to get your bikes out, dust the cobwebs off and get over to Highlander Cycling in Longview, WA for a tune up! (see coupon on back cover)
Owners, Janice & Scott Forbes, have double the square footage of their store to better serve cyclist from all skill levels and paths of life. They recently opened their new digs up after an extensive remodeling experience.
“We now have 8 lines of bicycles and carry something for everyone from the entry level cyclist, to the commuter, to the professional athlete” states Janice Forbes, owner.
They also have a large selection of new Spring/Summer clothing, parts and accessories, kid’s bikes, BMX, road, mountain, comfort, hybrid, racing and specialty bicycles.
On-site Master Mechanics can service any bicycle their knowledgeable sales pros help customers select a bicycle that is just right for their lifestyle and family needs.
Highlander Cycling is also very involved in the community, with Janice and Scott at the helm. Group rides (see info below), sponsorship of a Bike to Work Week in May, which is in conjunction with the National Bike to Work Day, and a Grand Prix Criterium running in August. The Forbes’ are also seriously dedicated to the Longview Downtown area, and help run and promote the Longview Downtown LIVE! events happening in the summertime on Friday evenings.
GROUP RIDES
They are scheduling lots of group rides this season for all types of riding and skill levels. They will be offering many guided trail rides on the local trails, rides around Lake Sacajawea, rides out to Willow grove and rides around town.
Check their website at www.highlander-cycling.com or their Facebook page for updated information on weekly rides and events.
BIKE TO WORK WEEK
Sponsored by Highlander Cycling, and coordinated by Cowlitz on the Move and the local bicycling group, Cowlitz Bikes, is scheduled for May 16 – May 20. You may Register at www.cowlitzonthemove.org.
THE 2nd ANNUAL LONGVIEW GRAND PRIX~ CRITERIUM
This fun day and professional racing event with a race for kids included, is scheduled for August 6th, 2011 at the Longview Civic Center, Longview WA.
This year Highlander Cycling is partnering with the 1st Annual 2011 ‘Squirrel Festival’ in conjunction with the Crit.
The Squirrel Festival is an idea that was developed by the Sandbaggars, of which Pat Sari and Pat Kubin are spearheading, focusing on our famous Nutty Narrows Bridge – and hoping to draw a crowd out on a nice August afternoon! The Squirrel Festival boasts a parade, games, and great food in conjunction with the Longview Grand Prix – partnering together to make this truly a family-friendly event, and is free to the public to enjoy.
(To participate as a sponsor for these events, please contact Janice at
janice@highlander-cycling.com.)
DOWNTOWN LIVE!
“Downtown Live!” will run every Friday night from July 1 through the last Friday night in August.
The 1200 and 1300 blocks of Commerce Avenue will be closed for special events and restaurants and shops will stay open to host the events. Bicycle races for everyone, flash mobs, concerts in the street, pet parades, and more will beckon residents and tourists alike.
The Valley Bugler would like to thank Highlander Cycling for the positive contribution & support it has brought to the City of Longview and surrounding areas, and congratulations on a fantastic new expansion of their business!

Shop Talk – May 2011

I decided to write about some of the same things I’ve written about before because of its importance.
And it all has to do with postponed maintenance. It just kills me to see a customer have to shell out lots of dollars (even though it keeps my cash flow up) for work that could have easily been prevented by a little PM (Preventive Maintenance).
I can’t stress enough the need to review your owner’s manual at least every 30k miles. All automobile manufacturers have a published 30/60/90k inspection and maintenance schedule listed in the owner’s manual but so many people just don’t think about it or maybe it’s that 30k comes and goes so fast in our hurry, hurry world it just gets pushed to the back burner. Add to that the fact there is no such thing as a service station any more, just quick lubes, that owners are not reminded of needed services. I’ve always maintained that a thorough inspection should be preformed every time the engine is serviced, but few places do that. In addition, because cars last longer and fewer breakdowns occur regularly, the typical automobile doesn’t get into a shop as often as they used to. Hence, what usually happens is what I will relate here.
Timing belt failure is something that should never happen. However, hardly a week goes by that a vehicle isn’t towed in with just such a problem. Roughly half the engines today have what is known as an interference valve train. What this means is if the belt should break, then the valves that are open at the time are hit by the still moving pistons and considerable damage occurs. At the least, numerous valves are bent, and occasionally, the head is also broken. Very expensive! Even though no one likes to cough up 4 to 5 hundred dollars for a timing belt/water pump job every 90 thousand miles or so, it sure beats the heck out of 1500 to 2000 dollars or more! The worst part is they almost never break in the drive way or pushing distance from the repair shop….
Another type of work we get is brake lining worn out and rotors or drums scored beyond repair. All disc brake pads have “squealers” built in that warn the driver of pads needing replaced. However, when you hear the squealer, you have very few miles left in the lining. Just enough time usually to make an appointment for repair. And once the metal makes contact with the rotors, they will be destroyed very quickly. Again, if the vehicle was inspected regularly, this could all be prevented.
A third type of repair we do lots of is automatic transmissions that have failed. The improvements in oils and filters have enabled the engineers to design and build super smooth shifting transmissions but they need regular maintenance. Transmission fluid is like the blood in our bodies, it must be very clean.
In a transmission, contaminants are actually produced as the clutches, bushings, and components work together. If these contaminants aren’t removed via regular flushing, then they begin to cause further wear, which causes more contaminants, and ultimately failure.
Some transmissions now cost several thousand dollars to replace, when a regular service might only cost 150 dollars or so. What really burns me is most of the manufacturers don’t stress the need for this type of service and that is a disservice in my mind. If you want to get a decent return on your automobile investment, I’ve said many times, there isn’t a car made today that shouldn’t get at least 200 to 300 thousand miles before trade in time; it just takes adherence to the PM schedule. Catastrophic repair follows no schedule. So with all that said, get with your favorite mechanic and develop a maintenance schedule that fits your life and makes your car last a loooong time!
Happy Motoring, Ray
Ray Miles owns and operates R&R Motors in Castle Rock, WA. He enjoys hot rods, fishing and trekking in Alaska and chatting with friends. If you have questions for Ray regarding anything car related, give him a buzz via eMail:
randrmotors@yahoo.com

Bugler wins “Healthy Champion” Award

Your community newspaper, The Valley Bugler, was recently awarded with the Healthy Champion Award, presented at the County’s Annual Report Card, Cowlitz Expo Center.
“The positive and uplifting stories published in the Bugler along with the advice and encouragement for healthy lifestyles is an important publication in our community”, wrote Paul Youmans, Pathways 2020 Director and Co-Facilitator of Cowlitz on the Move.
“It’s all very humbling,” stated Mihelle Myre, Publisher.
“We’re just glad to be a part of this great area, and to receive an award like this is very encouraging“.
Publishers Michelle and Oscar Myre, husband and wife team, enjoy living out their “healthy” lifestyle promotions with their three children in Longview, WA.
“God blessed us with some great things in this life – a body and the world we live in are what we can affect the most. It’s important to respect and take care of both those things,” said Oscar Myre IV.

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