Columbia Theatre’s Fall Season offers a delightful feast

The Columbia Theatre, crown jewel of Southwest Washington, is celebrating a Fall to remember with a variety of music and entertainment. The intimate 800 seat historic venue has recently undergone an $11.6 million renovation and stands as the largest performing arts venue in Southwest Washington.
For information about all of the Columbia’s events call the Box Office (M-F, 11:30 – 5:30) at 360-575-8499 or 888-575-8499 for ticket information or order online at www.columbiatheatre.com.

Animal Funnies with Popovich Comedy Pet Show: Nov. 8th
Don’t miss this hilarious Comedy Pet Show featuring The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater with Cats, Dogs and Clowns.
Tuesday, November 8th @ 7pm. Tickets are $16.50-$26.50. Call the box office to reserve your seat for this family friendly and sure to entertain event!

Symphony, Swing, and String Quartets in November…
* November also kicks off with the Southwest Washington Symphony’s Pops Concert featuring “Bach to Beatles” on Sunday, November 9 at 3:00 p.m. The concert will feature J. S. Bach’s Orchestral Suite #4, J.C. Bach’s Overture to Artaserse, Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto in E Flat, and Bruce Healy’s Beatles medley Love is All You Need.

* Celebrate the life and times of America’s Greatest generation on Tuesday, November 11th at 7:30 p.m. when In The Mood—the 1940’s musical review visits the Columbia stage with a 13-piece Big Band, 6 singers and a high energy Swing-Dance couple. It’s the music that moved a nation and helped win a war!

* On Sunday, November 16th at 3:00 p.m. the Longview-Kelso Community Concerts Series opens  its new season with Carpe Diem String Quartet performing classical string quartet repertoire with a twist—a collective musical passion that has lead them down the paths of Gypsy, tango, folk, pop, rock, and jazz-inspired music.

* Jazz at its absolute finest…
The Miles Davis Experience: From Birth of the Cool to Kind of Blue 1949-1959 a Blue Note Collaboration comes to the Columbia on Sunday, November 30th at 3:00 p.m.  Featuring Ambrose Akinmusire,  winner of the 2007 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition.  Joining Akinmusire onstage will be Samuel Harris (Piano)  Harish Raghavan (Bass) Justin Brown ( Walter Smith III (Tenor Sax)and Donald Lacy (Narrator).
This musical event pays tribute to jazz innovator and legend Miles Davis with live performance, archival images, film and recordings. The multimedia experience traces Miles’ most notable tracks from 1949 through his Blue Note years, culminating in his masterpiece Kind of Blue. Recapture the period, sound, historical and cultural context of this critical period of American history through the lens of jazz music and its most iconic innovator.  It is a linear walk through the iconic 50’s Jazz scene with a world-class jazz quintet against a multi-media backdrop. Sponsor: KMHD Jazz Radio 89.1 FM

Thanksgiving Traditions

I love Thanksgiving. I love the smell of turkey, the taste of yams and pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time and giving thanks is a good practice for us all. Thanksgiving is one of the six major holidays in the USA and I love celebrating it.
We all know, or think we know the story of the first Thanksgiving feast. We have all heard or read about it in school. The Plymouth Colony settlers were having a rough time, almost half died during their first winter. That spring the survivors were helped by Squanto (a native American and former English slave) to plant food and survive. In fall they had a successful harvest and declared a time for Thanksgiving. They invited neighboring Native American tribes to join them in their celebration and they had a wonderful time. My understanding is that the Native Americans actually supplied most of the food. The food consisted of fish, clams, lobster, mussels, venison, berries, fruit, pumpkin, squash, onions, maize, beans, grains, ducks, geese, swans and possibly wild turkey.  I say “possibly” because history gives no specific mention of wild turkey during this feast. Pilgrims called all wild fowl “turkey.” America’s first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days. Our families Thanksgiving celebration lasts about four days, which is about how long turkey leftovers seem to last in our house.
Thanksgiving is not just an American tradition. A day of thanksgiving is celebrated in Canada, Germany, Liberia, Norfolk Island, the Netherlands, and a number of Asian countries.
Our Canadian neighbors celebrate Thanksgiving on the 2nd Monday of October (the same day as our Columbus Day celebration). According to the Wikipedia, the origins of Canadian Thanksgiving predate our US Thanksgiving. Their Thanksgiving can be traced to an explorer Martin Frobisher (sounds like a made up name). Frobisher was trying to find a northern passageway to the Pacific. He never found a passageway, but he did find his way back home. In 1578, Frobisher held a formal ceremony in Newfoundland to give thanks for surviving the cold and making it back in one piece and not ending up like Henry Hudson or other less fortunate explorers. Canadian Thanksgiving can also be traced to early French settlers in the 17th century who loved to throw harvest parties. Later on Irish, Scottish and German immigrants would also add their own traditions. In Wikipedia, it also says the US aspects of Thanksgiving (such as turkey) were incorporated when British loyalists began to flee from the US to Canada during the American Revolution.
The Jews have celebrated Thanksgiving for about 3000 years. They call their Thanksgiving Sukkoth. A Sukkoth is a three-sided hut or tabernacle that the Jews allegedly took with them during their 40 years in the wilderness. Sukkoth is their harvest festival known as the Feast of Tabernacles. This festival lasts for about eight or nine days, (A much longer span of time than my turkey leftovers last). During this time the Jews gave thanks to God for all their many blessings.
The Ancient Greeks had a harvest festival called Thesmosphoria in honor of their God of Agriculture. They would hold a feast and have a fun celebration.
The Romans celebrated Cerelia, dedicated to Ceres, their Goddess of Grain. It was held in October each year, with feasts, music, parades, and games as a celebration of thanksgiving for their harvest.
In Ancient Egypt harvest took place in spring. The Egyptians celebrated their festival in honor of their God of vegetation and fertility. They would also celebrate with feasting, music, dancing and sports.
We too celebrate with sports and that is why football on Thanksgiving Day is an integral part of our American culture.
Giving thanks is a good practice for us all. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to give thanks to our creator, not just for harvest but also for the blessings that we as Americans enjoy.
I love Thanksgiving and I wish you all a good and happy Thanksgiving as well.

Thanksgiving Riddles

Here are some Thanksgiving Riddles to practice and learn for next month!! Try them out on some friends, and tell us what you think!

Turkey day riddles
1. If the Pilgrims were alive today, what would they be most famous for?
2. Why can’t you take turkeys to church?
3. What’s the best dance to do on thanksgiving?
4. What do you get when you cross a turkey with an octopus?
5. What kind of music did the Pilgrims like?
6. What side of the turkey has the most feathers?
7. Why did the police arrest the turkey?
8. Where did the first corn come from?
9. Why did the Indian chief wear so many feathers?
10. What happened to the Pilgrim who was shot by an Indian?
11. How did the Mayflower show that it liked America?
12. What’s the key to a great Thanksgiving dinner?
13. Why did they let the turkey join the band?
14. How can you make a turkey float?

Turkey day answers
1-Their age.
2-Because they use fowl language.
3-The turkey trot.
4-Lots of drumsticks.
5-The Plymouth Rock.
6-The outside.
7-For fowl play.
8-The stalk brought it.
9-To keep his wigwam.
10-He had an arrow escape.
11-It hugged the shore.
12-The turKEY.
13-Because he had the drumsticks.
14-You need two scoops of ice cream, some root beer, and a turkey.

First Thursday Activities Thurs. Nov. 3rd

*Broadway Gallery
1418 Commerce, Longview
www.the-broadway-gallery.com
Scott McRae (paintings), Marisa Mercure (tiles), Don Quackenbush (stained glass) and Jane Gerdon (felting).
Reception 5:30-7:30pm.
Music by Dave Mongeau.
Door Prizes.

*The Gift Cottage
1414 Commerce, Longview
Local artists and gourmet food.
Door prizes. Open until 7pm.

*Lord & McCord Art Works,
1416 Commerce, Longview
www.lindamccord.com
Pam Vawter (watercolor paintings); holiday preview of gifts and decorations by the gallery artists.
Reception 5:30–7:30pm.

*Teague’s Mezzanine Gallery
1267 Commerce, Longview
www.teaguesinteriors.com
Mary Ann Dawkins (Giclee prints on canvas), Jacquilene Tufts (glass mosaics) and Shirley’s “Faces.”
Reception 5:30-7pm.

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

*Cowlitz Cty Historical Museum
405 Allen St, Kelso
www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/museum/
Cowlitz Indian Tribal spiritual leader Roy Wilson will speak on Cowlitz Indian Culture: What Has Changed, What Remains “
Program begins at 7pm; museum open until 9pm.

* The New Earth Gallery
Located in The Merk, Suite 204 on mezzanine level, Longview
4 to 6 pm.
Featuring vintage Asian Art, pottery, jewelry, water colors by Mary Miyakawa and photographs by Edward Miyakawa.
‘Sushi’ refreshments. Each month there will be a featured Asian artist and art from a specific Asian country or region.

Do you have arts events and activities going on? Do you know a business that would like to be listed?
Please submit all information to: editor@valleybugler.com
Please include your name, telephone number and eMail address in case we have questions, thank you!

Castle Rock Seniors

Submitted by Georgia Cox

The Castle Rock Senior Center is excited to present their Calendar of Activities for November 2011!
Every Monday: Our infamous Cinnamon Rolls and coffee will be served to the public from 10am to NOON. Suggested donation is only $1.50!
Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday: Get that heart rate up and get healthy with the exercise classes from 9:30am to 10:30am!
Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday: “Write your Life Story” will meet at the center at 1pm – 3pm.
Every Wednesday: CAP offers Nutrition Meals for Seniors at the Center at NOON. Suggested donation is $2.50, but PLEASE call #274-7502 or #274-8145 (by Monday) for reservations.
Paper Tole classes are held from 1pm – 3pm for projects.
Every Thursday: Fun Quilting projects will take place from 12pm to 3pm and Pinochle games are played in the Center later at 7pm and is open to all who are interested, so bring your game!
Every Friday: Another CAP Nutrition meal! CAP offers Nutrition Meals for Seniors at the Center at NOON. Suggested donation is $2.50, but PLEASE call #274-7502 or #274-8145 (by Wednesday) for reservations.
Every Saturday: (Except November 5th) The Center will be open on Saturdays and BINGO will be from 1pm – 3pm.
Saturday, November 5th: “Christmas in November” sale will take place with items and baked goods offered. Come join in the fun from 9am – 3pm.
Tuesday, November 8th: Program and potluck lunch with dynamic speaker, Diane Craft of Koelsch Senior Communities. Diane will speak on the subject “Dementia” at 11am, followed by the potluck lunch at noon – highly recommended!
Friday, November 11th: AARP Driving class will be given at the Center from 9am – 4pm by instructor, Myron Nelson. Call 274-7502 for more information.
November 14th – 18th: Rest Area Coffee stop (North Bound) will take place from 8am – 8pm.
Thursday, November 17th: Commodities will be distributed from 10am – 1pm. You must have a valid punch card.
Saturday, November 19th: A Special BINGO Game will be played from 1pm – 3pm.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Senior Center will be closed on Thursday, November 24th through Sunday, November 28th for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

SHOP LOCAL AND WIN! is back!

It’s that time of year again – Holiday Shopping Season! This will be the fourth season of the Shop Local & Win campaign: November 25, 2011 – January 6, 2012
Goal: To encourage shopping local during the holiday season
How does it work?
Shoppers bring in receipts for any amount and dated from 11/25/2011 – 1/6/2012
For every receipt from a business that isn’t yet a Chamber member, they would receive a ticket into the weekly prize drawing
For every receipt from a Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce Member company they will receive five tickets to be entered into the weekly prize drawing.
Prize drawing live on our weekly radio show, Your Chamber Connection, Every Wednesday 3:00-4:00 pm, AM 1400.
Opportunity for you:
Donate 1 to 10 prizes for the drawings and have your business announced throughout the campaign as a sponsor! – It’s that easy!
Thank you to our current prize sponsors:
Banda’s Bouquets, Copies Today Speedy Litho, Cowlitz River Rigging, Edward Jones Nick Lemiere, Elder Options, Esteem Salon, Exclaim Media, Farm Dog Bakery, Global Images Graphic Design & Marketing, Heritage Bank, Highlander Cycling, Hospice Thrift Shoppe (CHHH), Koelsch Senior Communities, Knotty Wares, Lemondrop Photography, Mama Nano’s, Mike Wallin Realtor Prudential NW Properties, OmOriginals Marketing, Parr’s Cars & RV’s. Payton’s Produce, PSA Health Care, Red Lion Hotel & Conference Center, Twin City Bank, Valley Bugler, Zojo’s Coffee Roasting, Mr.C’s Photography, and Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts.
If you are a local business and interested in donating for the Shop Local & Win campaign, contact the Kelso Longview Chamber at 360.423.8400. (Prizes must be collected by November 4, 2011.)
The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce is a business organization with member companies representing businesses in Cowlitz County.

Veterans Day: Welcome Home!

Again and always, we remember.The steely-eyed Color Guard snaps to attention and steps out briskly to lead a parade, or to begin a program.
There are speeches, bands and events honoring those who answered our nation’s call in all wars. And we remember them all.
Our memories are long. We remember those who fought in the bloody trenches of France in World War 1, and we won’t forget the aviators who brought victory to the skies for the first time.
When the guns fell silent at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, we hoped never to see another such war.
But Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7th, 1941, and we were propelled into another World War. Our young warriors were dispatched to places like Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, and to snowbound Bastogne and the Ardennes. When guns fell silent this time, the entire world fell to its knees in gratitude and thanks.
We remember those who answered the call after a thundering horde swarmed across the 38th parallel into South Korea and the horrors of winter many spent at a hellhole called Frozen Chosin.
We think of the valiant warriors who stalked the rice paddies in Vietnam, hot and exhausted in the Iron Triangle.
We remember and honor those who fought in the Persian Gulf and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
To those who have come back to us, we say a hearty “Welcome Home” and we thank God for their blessings.
Special Veterans Day wishes to: Oscar Myre III, Walter Pike and Matthew Koslowski. We love you.

Castle Rock Festival of Lights! Kicks off on December 1st

Come celebrate a true Northwest Christmas and enjoy the second annual Castle Rock Festival of Lights. This month long celebration kicks off December 1st, when local business flip the switch and light up the night with Holiday Decorations.
Don’t miss your opportunity to vote for the best decorated business. Ballots will be accepted December 1st to the 23rd. Check with local businesses for commemorative Festival of Lights ornaments.
The main event will be held on December 13. Kids can get a free picture with Santa and some sweet treats. Come sample delicious, locally made cookies and grab a toasty cup of cocoa or coffee.
Be forewarned- Santa may be joined by his furry, big-footed friend!
At 6:30 we will hold the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Cowlitz Street, next to the Post Office. Afterwards, sway to the music as we carol around Cowlitz Street.
The event is 100% volunteer powered, and was conceived to promote holiday shopping and the downtown businesses. The night is sure to be entertaining, en-LIGHT-ening, and exciting. Don’t miss out!
12-13-2011 Schedule:
6:00pm- Holiday Music in the Downtown
6:30pm- Tree Lighting Ceremony, followed by caroling (on Cowlitz Street next to the Post Office)
6:45- Free pictures with Santa (CR Exhibit Hall- 147 Front Avenue)

Dedicated to a true geek Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Long before I embraced the fact that geeks are cool, I was a fan of the Steves and of Apple.
At our first house I cut down a pine tree and replaced it with an apple tree. It was a McIntosh of course. We then built a pond and named our first 2 fish ‘Steve’ and ‘other Steve’. They were affectionately named after Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.
With Steve Jobs at the helm of Apple they have made some amazing products that have shaped the world of computers. I embraced their mantra “think different”.
My first Mac was an 8100 that I bought used from a good friend in college. It (my first Mac) was a year old and so much faster and intuitive than the PC that my dad had bought me months before. The first Mac that Michelle and I purchased together was the original iMac (Bondi Blue).
We’ve enjoyed a few macs over the years, a Grape iMac, The Cube (brilliant machine ahead of it’s time). My first laptop was a titanium Powerbook, I affectionately called it TiBook (Titanium). Somewhere in the mix I picked up a mini, eMac and 3 or so iMacs. Michelle and I currently love our MacBook Pros. Steve was a visionary and a showman. I don’t know how many of his keynote speeches I watched over the Internet. Countless, probably.
Without exception Steve would wear his patented blue jeans and black turtleneck and present the next big thing that would change the computing world. He would sell the future. He would show us brilliantly simple solutions to complex problems.
Whatever he was showing off, he made you want it and feel that you needed it. Steve’s charisma created what has been called the RDF “Reality distortion field”. He had a mesmerizing way to make his passion yours. And being a showman, he truly understood how to do an encore. On special occasions he would finish his presentation, well almost and then he would say, “there is one more thing”.
When he said this, the MacAddicts knew it would be big.
As an innovator not everything they made was a hit. One of my favorite quotes (one that I can’t find anywhere online) is this:
“Good companies make mistakes. Great companies make it right.”
Steve and Apple have been one in the same for so many years. Even after they fired him in 1985, I’ve seen them together. I’ve always appreciated his presence.
Here is a quote that shows what could have been called arrogance (it wasn’t true):
“You know, I’ve got a plan that could rescue Apple. I can’t say any more than that it’s the perfect product and the perfect strategy for Apple. But nobody there will listen to me.” — Fortune, 1995
Well he was right. Steve came back to Apple in 1996 and had an amazing run. Unfortunately, for all us; Steve, his family, and fans Steve lost his battle to cancer this year. He will will be missed. I was looking forward to his next “There is one more thing.”
I hope and believe that Steve will always be in Apple’s DNA. In this way Steve will live on. Let’s finish this quote from Steve that he shared at Stanford when asked to do a commencement speech.
“Do what you believe is great work. The only way to do great work is love what you do.”
Steve Jobs 1955-2011
Oscar Myre IV is one of the geeks at omOriginals Marketing in Longview, who will miss Steve, and all his quirky greatness. You can reach the local geeks: 575.9839

Enter the Community Photo Show

Longview Recreation and the Monticello Camera Club invite all interested photographers to enter their photographs in the upcoming Photo Contest and Show to be held on November 4, 5 & 6 at the McClelland Center, 951 Delaware Street.
Photographers of all ages are welcome to participate. Students, ages 18 and under, will be judged separately.  2 adult divisions include amateur and advanced photographers. Ribbons and prize gift certificates will be awarded.  Categories include:  Still life, plant life, creative, scenic, people, animals, and general interest.
Photos must be entered on Wednesday, November 2nd from 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm at McClelland Center.  Photos must be rigid mounted, and no smaller than 5×7 and no larger than 12 x 18. A string or wire hanger must be attached; framed photos are not accepted.  Entry fees for adults are $5 for each print, or $20 for 5 prints, youth entry fee is $3 for each print. There is a limit of 5 entries per category.
The awards reception will be on Friday, November 5 from 7 to 8:30 pm. Public viewing is also on November 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 pm and on Sunday, November 7 from 1 to 4 pm. There is no charge for the public viewing.
For more information, please contact Longview Recreation at 442.5400.
Photo shown was taken at Long Beach, featuring Chloe and Cora Myre. Photo by Michelle Myre

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