Nosh On: The decorator’s debacle
Magazine aspirations mean annual disappointment
Every issue of Martha Stewart magazine that precedes Easter has gorgeous egg-decorating tips involving “common household tools” or some such appealing idea. A couple of years ago, it was electrical tape cutouts. This year, it’s twine or thread or something; I only looked at the pictures. One thing’s for sure, Ms. Stewart must have tons of hard-boiled egg lovers on staff. I mean, if my ability to beautifully decorate an egg is any measurement, these pieces of eggshell art that grace the pages of her magazine every year must be the best among cartons and cartons of egg-art duds.
Nosh On: Oh man, do cinnamon rolls ever deliver
The perfect cinnamon roll is an elusive one. It’s fully cooked, but gooey, bursting with cinnamon and most important, not dry. The dry cinnamon roll is the one that always disappoints. And that disappointment happens way too often. When I was a kid, we occasionally ordered cinnamon rolls at The Bread Board in the Wenatchee Valley Mall. They were good, if I remember correctly. I also remember that my sister strategically ate our shared cinnamon roll, calculating how she’d end up with the center layer, you know, the part that was soft and surrounded by loads of cinnamon suspended in sugar and butter. I’ll give her credit, her method for getting the center part was shrewd. Since we took turns with each layer, she counted, making sure if we alternated layers she’d end up with the center one for herself — she’d even sacrifice a decent mid-layer portion by eating the loathsome outer layer. She’s a smart cookie, and I don’t think she has ever admitted to the scheming.
Nosh On: Summertime and the grilling is easy
Summer has finally arrived. It’s been a long, cold, wet, icky spring, and I’ve been dying to get out and do some real grilling. You know, the kind where you don’t run back into the house between flipping burgers. On the Fourth of July, my husband Brian and I headed up to Lake Chelan to hang out with the family and soak in a little sun. Before we left, though, we went to Costco to stock up on stuff to eat. We must have been hungry, because we ended up with raviolis, chicken, little sweet peppers, Boursin cheese and a few other things. Brian really wanted the Boursin cheese (which you can substitute at home with herbed cream cheese by mixing some herbs and maybe some feta into cream cheese), and I wasn’t going to protest. I love the stuff.
Nosh On: Cheeky dinner
Market-fresh halibut cheeks delight at home as well as in restaurants
Earlier this month, my husband Brian and I made an impromptu trip to Seattle. The motive was to eat oysters during Blueacre Seafood’s “Oyster Happy Hour.” We both happened to have a midweek day off, and we resolved to make the best of it. We got to Seattle, parked our car and headed off in search of fun. We eventually meandered down to Pike Place Market. It’s a very short trip, so we were both pretty excited to get to buy fresh flowers and seafood without worrying that they would wilt or go bad. At one of the many market stalls, we found a pretty and fragrant bouquet of peonies to take home.
Sunny days bring out the big birds
Raptor migration festival shows off Chelan Ridge
PATEROS — With blue skies overhead and a clear view all around, everyone agreed that Saturday was a perfect day for seeing hawks at Chelan Ridge. The ridge is where the Chelan Ridge Raptor Migration Project has counted different species of hawks since 1998, and banded them since 2001. Hawks follow ridges on their migration south, catching updrafts coming off of the ridges to ease their way. Between 2,000 and 3,000 of the birds are typically found during the count season, which runs from late August through late October.
Wings and Wheels reception set for Japanese delegates
EAST WENATCHEE — A reception will be held for six delegates from Misawa, Japan, at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at East Wenatchee City Hall. The delegates will be in town to celebrate the Wings and Wheels Festival Oct. 2-3 at Eastmont Community Park. They will leave East Wenatchee on Oct. 4.
Part of Orondo Street to be closed Thursday
WENATCHEE — Orondo Street, between Columbia and Worthen streets, will be closed between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday. The closure is necessary for paving of a section of road that crosses the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks.
East Wenatchee City Hall offers a bit of hidden green
EAST WENATCHEE — There’s a space of green behind City Hall. It’s a bit of a secret. The little park, which isn’t really considered a park by the city, is leftover from a bygone era.
Wheat farmers help their neighbors on the plateau
MANSFIELD— This year has been a whirlwind ride for wheat farmers on the Waterville Plateau. In September last year, some farmers were on their third seeding into the driest soil they’d seen in years. Hopes weren’t too high. The outlook changed in the spring as heavy rains soaked the region. “You get 6 or 7 inches of rain on it and it turned a crop that looked like it was going to be way below average to an average or better-than-average crop,” noted Kevin Whitehall, manager of Central Washington Grain Growers in Waterville. “Rain makes grain, as the old saying goes.”
Fire crews mopping up Quincy-area fire
QUINCY — Fire crews today continue to patrol the remnants of the Baird Springs Fire, a blaze that burned almost 7,700 acres of grass and sagebrush northwest of Quincy. The 140 people assigned to the fire — 90 percent contained this morning — were planning to demobilize today, said Kay McKellar, fire spokeswoman.
The hunt for berries is a cherished tradition here
WENATCHEE — People who live in North Central Washington know where berries come from: They come from the mountains. They’re one of the many gifts the mountains bestow on the fortunate folks of the foothills. In a good year, huckleberries can be found at varying elevations in July through September. Hiking trips take longer as distracted hikers stop to taste the ripening black globes. For some, an extra hour or two is added to the time it takes to cross the passes. For others, trips are made specifically to seek out the hallowed fruits.
Balloon artist a hit with children at the Chelan County Fair
CASHMERE — A dozen kids snaked around one picnic bench at the Chelan County Fair on Friday rapt with attention. The kids, decked out in tie-dye shirts sat quietly in awe of Jon Clark. Clark was making balloon animals and a few balloon bracelets but no swords, yet. Clark said not only do schools not like the swords, he finds them kind of boring to create.
Air Force cancels Miss Veedol’s ticket to Japan
EAST WENATCHEE — Plans to fly the Miss Veedol to Misawa, Japan, have been put on hold this year. Air Force officials told the Spirit of Wenatchee Committee on Friday that they are unable to accommodate the airlift of the plane to Misawa. Plans had been in place to load the plane onto an Air Force cargo jet to transport it to the Misawa Air Base in time for the annual Misawa Air Show on Sept. 19.
Medical center co-founder was beloved in Wenatchee years after leaving
WENATCHEE — Dr. Lloyd Smith, one of three founders of the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, died Sunday at age 100 in Selma, Calif., where he’d lived since his retirement 35 years ago. Dr. L. Martin Mares and Dr. Don Haug recruited Smith to be a partner in a full-service medical clinic in Wenatchee in the late 1930s. The three opened the clinic on April 1, 1940.
Fall weather signals pear harvesting time
CASHMERE — Those cool mornings over the past couple of weeks can only mean one thing: Fall is on its way. And fall means pears. At Blue Star Growers in Cashmere, the first of this year’s pears, the Starkrimson, went through the packing lines Aug. 12. Growers are wrapping up Bartlett harvest — which started a couple of weeks ago — this week. Pears are usually harvested through October. The cool nights and mornings are what the trees like, said Tim Smith, tree fruit specialist for Washington State University Chelan-Douglas Extension.
Volunteers needed for sprint boat races
EAST WENATCHEE — Those looking for a free ticket to Thunder Swamp sprint boat races just need to sign up ... to volunteer that is. Volunteers are needed to help with setting up the race, checking in teams, vendors and RVs, security and other tasks Thursday through Saturday. Several volunteers have already committed to helping, but more are needed to “cover the bases and cover breaks,” said Dawn Collings, event coordinator for East Wenatchee.
Watch salmon-cooking contest Thursday
LEAVENWORTH — The Wenatchee River Salmon Festival will hold a Salmon Cook-Off at 5 p.m. Thursday during the Leavenworth Community Farmers Market at Lions Club Park. Judges will sample the salmon dishes made by 10 local chefs. Observers will also have the chance to try the different salmon preparations.
Bilingual farm walk on Labor Day
QUINCY — The Mendoza Orchard in Quincy will be the location of a farm walk from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Sept. 6. The farm walk will focus on how Manuel Mendoza’s 60-acre organic apple and cherry orchard works. Included in the tour will be information on Mendoza’s pest-management practices, how to transition to an organic orchard and keep certification and marketing of fruit through warehouses.
Wind gusts over 50 miles per hour recorded in NCW
NCW — A windstorm that blew through North Central Washington on Thursday resulted in the closure of two roads in the Mansfield area. The Washington state Department of Transportation closed Highway 172 through Mansfield and Highway 17 from Coulee City to Highway 174 because of blowing dust and zero visibility Thursday afternoon. The roads were reopened by 8:20 p.m. The peak wind gust in Mansfield reached 43 mph, according to Greg Koch, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Spokane.
East Wenatchee puts bite on dog owners
EAST WENATCHEE — Until Tuesday, failing to register dangerous dogs in East Wenatchee lacked teeth. But the City Council amended the city’s code Tuesday, agreeing unanimously to make failure to register a misdemeanor.
Wenatchee folks find a better social scene on their porch
WENATCHEE — In an era of central air conditioning and online social networking, porches seem to have gone by the wayside. Even so, many who have them take pride in how their porches look and others use them just like their grandparents did: to sit and watch the world go by. “Becky and I just sit here and run our mouths,” said Donna Salsberg on Thursday evening as she sat on the porch of her neighbor Becky Samuelson on Third Street.
Fire near gun club in East Wenatchee
EAST WENATCHEE — Firefighters expected to contain a large brush fire on Badger Mountain by the middle of this afternoon. The fire never threatened any structures and burned only grassland, said Doug Miller, fire marshal for Douglas County Fire District 2. He did not have an estimate of acreage burned.
East Wenatchee sprint boat track almost ready for Sept. 4 opening
EAST WENATCHEE — A crew from Prazer Construction is almost finished constructing the race track for the Sept. 4 Thunder Swamp sprint boat races. “We’ve been working nonstop on this every single day,” said Tricia Prazer, who owns the construction company with her husband, Scott Prazer.
With speed races, it’s all in the family
Patterened horse races show off the fastest riders
WENATCHEE — There was a friendly atmosphere and friendly competition during the Patterned Speed Horse Association’s state finals event Saturday at Appleatchee. Families watched, cheered and chatted in the stands and on camp chairs set next to the arena to watch the fastest horses and riders in the state compete in the speed events.
Fire danger in NCW still high, despite cooler temperatures
NCW —A handful of forest fires are still burning in North Central Washington and have resulted in the closure of some hiking trails. Despite cooler weather, fire danger is still high, according to a news release from Susan Peterson, spokeswoman for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. As of early Saturday morning, the Eightmile Lake Fire, about 13 miles southwest of Leavenworth, was estimated to be 150 acres, according to Peterson. The fire is contained within natural barriers — rocky cliffs on two sides, Eightmile Lake on another and burn from a fire in 1994 on the rest. The fire has resulted in the closure of two trails: Eightmile Lake Trail (Trail 1552) and Eightmile-Trout Lake Trail (Trail 1554) from Eightmile Lake to Windy Pass.
Business and Agriculture briefs
Okanogan pesticide applicator fined, temporarily suspended An Okanogan County man temporarily lost his commercial pesticide applicator license after a violation, according to the Washington State Department of Agriculture. He was among five people in the state fined by the WSDA during the second quarter for pesticide violations. A total of $1,650 in fines were issued by the state.
Ag laborers have weathered the cherry season, experts say
WENATCHEE — Despite a late and small cherry season, prices have been good and the labor market has been steady, according to industry officials. “The Washington cherry crop was down about 40 percent from a year ago and the harvest ended up starting a little bit later than usual, so the need for labor through the course of the season was obviously down from the previous year,” said Kirk Mayer, manager of Washington Growers Clearing House.
Mexico adds apples to restricted list
WENATCHEE — Add apples to the list of Northwest products that are 20 percent more expensive in Mexico. On Wednesday, the Mexican government announced its amended list of U.S. products slapped with tariffs, and it included apples.
Primary ballots must be in by 8 tonight
WENATCHEE — With a heated Chelan County sheriff’s race and 15 people running for U.S. Senator, today’s primary election has voters going to the mailboxes with ballots filled. Ballots must be dropped off at a ballot box by 8 p.m. today or postmarked with today’s date. In Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties between 33 and 35 percent of ballots had been returned as of this morning.
Learn about food preservation in classes
EAST WENATCHEE — Want to hop on the canning bandwagon safely? Check out Washington State University Extension upcoming food preservation classes. The four-class series begins with an Aug. 23 class on pressure canning. Discussion will include how to buy a pressure canner, differences between types of gauges and how to can vegetables and other low-acid foods.
Apple crop expected to be nearly 109 million
WENATCHEE — Based on recently released estimates, the 2010 apple crop looks like it could be a whopper. The Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association and Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association estimate this year’s Washington fresh apple crop to be about 108.8 million boxes. The estimate is almost identical to the record-breaking 2008 crop of 109 million, said Dan Kelly, assistant manager of the Washington Growers Clearing House. He added that on average, the crop estimate can be high or low by 5 percent.
This library is outdoors, and filled with trees
ROCK ISLAND — Washington State University’s Sunrise Orchard is not your average orchard. It’s a research orchard: When trees die, it’s progress. Researchers know to warn others not to try that combination of chemicals again. Trees that produce apples that taste bad are prized, not for the merits of the fruit, but for their genes. A large portion of the orchard, which sits off Highway 28 between Rock Island and Palisades Road, is dedicated to genetic diversity and WSU’s Apple Breeding program.
Agriculture Briefs
Stemilt Growers was awarded a $50,000 grant Monday from USDA Rural Development to research the possibility of creating cherry juice. “We’ve talked about it for several years,” said Brianna Shales, communications specialist for Stemilt Growers. “We’re just getting ready to do a little more research into it and seeing if there’s potential.”
NCW’s most wanted orchard pests
Few people find biting into a piece of fruit and finding a maggot inside a positive thing. In some cases, like that of the cherry fruit fly, entire countries are so turned off by maggoty fruit that fruit from orchards where the pest has been found that season are banned. The ban — called a quarantine — is aimed at preventing infestation in an otherwise insect-free place. Fruit pests are why NCW orchardists wake up early and turn their heads to the skies and check the wind to make sure it’s OK to spray. The pests are also the reason a lot of people in NCW have jobs. From researchers to fieldmen to orchard managers, a big part of orchard work is preventing the bad guys from taking hold.
Grant Road construction begins
EAST WENATCHEE — Construction on the Grant Road overlay project between Georgia and Kentucky avenues began Monday. Delays on other Washington state Department of Transportation projects delayed the Grant Road project and put off the Highway 28 to Georgia Avenue portion of it until next year, according to Don McGahuey, East Wenatchee’s city engineer.
The country might be primitive, but not the food
WENATCHEE — With snow finally off the high peaks, backpackers are heading to the hills. Unless they plan to fish and forage, food can make up most of the weight in a backpack. When you’ve been slogging up steep trails all day, the last thing you want to do is skimp on food. Many people buy freeze-dried meals. They’re not always cheap and not the kind of food eaten at home. Frequent backpackers learn to come up with creative ways to save money and eat well on the trail. Those who want to save come up with creative ways to eat well on the trail, using ingredients and supplies available at the grocery store.
Briefly
The Wenatchee office of the Washington State Department of Revenue is hosting a free workshop for new and small business owners. The workshop will be held from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at Douglas County Fire District 2, 377 Eastmont Ave., in East Wenatchee.
NCW wheat farmers reeling after several storms
WATERVILLE —Just when things were looking up for Douglas County wheat ranchers — prices were high, spring rain gave soils and young stalks moisture — Mother Nature decided to show them who’s the boss. Not that they didn’t know already. That’s the life of a farmer. Summer thunderstorms over the past week have tested the resolve of wheat ranchers. First, a storm on July 31 brought torrential rain across the county and, in some parts, hail. Spotty hail took down wheat stalks right before they were about to be harvested. Rain washed away top soil and made gullies in fallow land only a couple of weeks before seeding for next year’s crop.
Rain helped fight fires over weekend
Investigators say lightning caused them
NCW — Fire investigators say lightning was the cause of fires in Nahahum Canyon near Cashmere and another near Stehekin. Both were helped by rain Saturday, but fire officials say hot, dry weather is expected to increase fire activity today and Tuesday. “We made excellent progress yesterday on all fires,” said Joe Anderson, spokesman for the Wenatchee River Complex. Fire lines have been created along the western and southern edges of Nahahum Canyon, and firefighters are working today to finish a line around the northeast side of the fire. Anderson said the topography of the northeast edge is steeper and more hazardous for firefighters because of rolling rocks.
Rain slows blaze in Stehekin as crews set fire lines
STEHEKIN — Thunderstorms dumping up to an inch of rain and hail here Saturday helped crews push the Rainbow Bridge fire higher up surrounding hillsides.
More than 50 Nahahum Canyon residences under mandatory evacuation
CASHMERE — Authorities ordered the evacuation of 53 Nahahum Canyon residences Friday afternoon as a wildfire burned through brush and scattered timber on steep slopes north of here. The 600-acre blaze, beginning about three miles up Nahahum Canyon, scorched some outbuildings, vehicles and trailers, according to online reports from residents.
Fire burns to Stehekin Valley floor, threatens a dozen homes
STEHEKIN — Fire has burned within a few hundred feet of the Stehekin School and the historical schoolhouse and more firefighters and resources are being ordered to protect homes in the isolated community at the head of Lake Chelan. The Rainbow Bridge Fire near Stehekin grew to about 4,000 acres by midmorning Saturday, burning down to the valley floor and up farther into the Boulder Creek drainage, said fire spokesman Nick Mickel.
Fire near Stehekin now at 4,000 acres, structures threatened
STEHEKIN — The Rainbow Bridge Fire near Stehekin has burned 4,000 acres as of 10:30 a.m. Saturday, officials say. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office issued Level 3 (mandatory) evacuation notices for residences within 3/8 of a mile of the Stehekin School and the historic Stehekin schoolhouse on Friday night.
Nahahum Canyon Fire has burned 600 acres
CASHMERE — The Nahahum Canyon Fire has burned 600 acres, as of Saturday morning, officials say. Authorities ordered the evacuation of some residences Friday afternoon as the wildfire burned through the grassy canyon north of Cashmere.
Growing controversy: Grainy future for ranchers, argue farmers
WATERVILLE — If you learn one thing after talking to Waterville-area wheat grower Tom Stahl, it’s that he’s opposed to genetically modified crops, especially the crop he grows: wheat. Genetically modified crops are altered in a laboratory to improve desired traits, such as drought tolerance, herbicide resistance and higher yield.
Wildfire reported near Stehekin
STEHEKIN — Wildland firefighters are battling a blaze in North Cascades National Park near Stehekin. The fire is burning in the Rainbow and Boulder creek drainages in the Stehekin Valley
Man accidently shot in leg by roommate
WENATCHEE — A man accidentally shot his roommate in the leg with a revolver Wednesday, police say. The man was cleaning the firearm around 3 p.m. Wednesday when it discharged.
City seeks input on development plan
EAST WENATCHEE — East Wenatchee officials want public input on how to use Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The city’s allocation for 2010 is $124,121. The same amount is expected to be granted to the city through 2015. The city must approve a consolidated plan and submit it to HUD by Aug. 13. A plan has been drafted. The federal government requires that the city use the funds to benefit low- and moderate-income residents through housing, community development, economic development, public services or planning.
Kenroy skate park gets rolling
EAST WENATCHEE — Whoosh, whoosh, grunt. Whoosh, whoosh, clatter. Skateboards glide across freshly poured concrete and 20 kids and kids-at-heart watch and wait for their turn to take a go around Kenroy Park’s new skateboarding feature. A block before reaching Kenroy Park, you see them: kids on skateboards, kids toting skateboards. For them, midsummer has brought a new toy and something new to get out and do.
Miss Veedol heads to Misawa
EAST WENATCHEE — The Miss Veedol replica plane will be heading to Misawa, Japan, for 14 months. The public is invited to attend the signing of a contract between the Spirit of Wenatchee Group and the Miss Veedol Executive Committee at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Executive Flight,
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