May 19, 2012

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Q&A with The Sugar Cube’s Kate LaRosee

Kate LaRosee - Owner, Sugarist, Esthetician at the Sugar Cube

VENUE – What is sugaring?

Kate LaRosee – Sugaring is an ancient form of hair removal that uses all natural ingredients and is actually good for the skin.

VM – How is it different from waxing?

KL – Here are some examples:

  • Sugar paste is completely water soluble so no more ruined clothes, and no oils or solvents to clean the skin.
  • Sugar is applied at room temperature as opposed to wax which is heated so there is zero chance of burning.
  • Sugar only sticks to hair and dead skin cells, it will not stick to live skin cells making it a great option for those with sensitive skin or eczema.
  • Sugar paste is pulled in the direction of hair growth (opposite of wax) resulting in less breakage and fewer ingrown hairs.
  • Completely sanitary as one ball of sugar paste will complete a service and is discarded.
  • Sugaring does not utilize strips as with soft wax. Only a gloved hand is used producing less waste making it a “greener” choice.

VM – Does sugaring work for all types of hair?

KL – Yes! We sugar from brow to toe getting everything from peach fuzz to more coarse body hair. No matter your age or ethnicity
sugaring can work for you.

VM – What length does the hair have to be for sugaring to work?

KL – About a quarter of an inch is great to begin with. As you have further treatments, the hair can be as short as 1/8th of an inch.

VM – Does it hurt?

KL – It will always be less painful than waxing because sugar is not heated and will not adhere to live skin cells. However, the first time is always the worst as large roots (bulbs) resulting from shaving have to be removed. Once these have been removed the new bulb that grows to produce the replacement hair is smaller and therefore easier to remove. With repetitive treatments the hair grows back much finer & fairer, until eventually the hair diminishes completely.

VM – What kind of results can I expect?

KM – On your first visit you can expect the area to be thoroughly hair free, clean, and undamaged producing results that last an average of 3 weeks, however, hair has three stages of growth so it may take up to three visits to get results that can last up to 6 weeks.

VM – Are you certified?

KL – I am a Washington State licensed esthetician, certified and specializing in sugaring. I trained at the Greenwood Academy in Seattle, Washington. Since, I have perfected my technique by performing over 3,000 sugaring services, specializing in Brazilians and bikinis at the premier dedicated sugaring studio in Seattle.

Filed Under: 2011-08 August 2011, Health & Fitness

Tom Seward: The Old Hotel Art Gallery Featured Artist for August

The Old Hotel Art Gallery, is pleased to have Wildlife acrylic artist, Tom Seward from Coulee City, WA as this months featured artist. Tom’s work is breath taking in the detail and accuracy of each of his canvas paintings. Tom is able to capture the inner spirit of each of the fish, birds of prey, even the landscapes or any other subject that he paints.

Tom moved to Coulee City from Illinois and has concentrated on developing his skills as a painter. Tom says, “At first, it was difficult for me to see the natural art potential in the Northwest, because of the rich, fertile landscapes of Illinois and Kentucky as compared to the wide open spaces of the high desert with its barren areas and canyons. Now, I enjoy this scenery and I have learned to paint it and the particular desert light.”

For the last 30 years, Tom has been making fishing lures for Bass, Walleye and Salmon. Some of these are still sold commercially. He has also been a taxidermist since high school days. With these two vocations he is seeing the fish and wildlife up close to see every detail and accuracy that the lay person would overlook. “I like textures and details so this shows up in much of my work. I research everything to be accurate but adjust paintings with the consideration of basic art principles and the freedom to change in a composition”, said Tom.

Tom’s work is an absolute necessity to see, whether you are a lover of nature or not. His attention to detail has brought his paintings alive and well worth a trip to The Old Hotel this month.

 

Filed Under: 2011-08 August 2011, Visual Arts

Farm Rescue: farmers find help when it is needed most

Bill Gross – FCAD 2011 Honorary Farmer of the Year

From the cockpit of a Boeing 747 with UPS Airlines, Captain Bill Gross has seen the world. Being an airline pilot since 1989, the view from his front window was coupled with a vision to do something more. Something that would help out people. But what?

From 1994-1996, Gross experienced mission trips to Romania and Croatia to help rebuild houses, supported by the University Presbyterian Church of Seattle. Being in this mission fi eld turned his vision towards home. Home in the fi elds. Farm fi elds.

Gross was the youngest of fi ve in a family with roots in agriculture. The family farm in Cleveland, North Dakota still raises 3000 acres of crop and a healthy herd of Hereford cattle. Gross and his siblings wanted to stay on the farm, yet were encouraged by their mother, because of fi nances at the time, to seek college and other potential careers. Gross and his siblings all moved away from the family farm, knowing they were welcome to come back if they so desired.

The deep roots of farming never leave a person, though, and one day when on an International flight the co-pilot asked Captain Gross, “What will you do when you retire?” Gross thought for a moment and replied, “I am going to buy a big John Deere tractor and help farm families plant crop.”

It was all coming to him. From a bird’s eye view, flying back and forth across our nation, Gross kept looking at the farms below. The changing demographics of rural America – fewer farms being passed down from generation to generation, less children per family, fewer neighbors, more complexities – troubled him. And always in the back of his mind, he remembered his father’s concern about what would happen to their farm should anything debilitating happen?

The sight of abandoned farms and rural towns drying up tugged on Gross’s farm roots. He thought seriously about what he could possibly do to help once he retired from flying?

In the fall of 2005, while dining with a college roommate and Army Chaplain, the subject came up, again. “When I retire….”, Gross shared his vision. His friend responded, “What is stopping you from doing it now?” Gross couldn’t come up with an answer. On his 45 minute drive home that evening it fl ashed before his eyes. He knew at that moment the “someday this, someday that … someday is TODAY.”

So, he rolled up his sleeves and went to work. Gross understood one of the biggest financial drains on a family is an unexpected medical injury or illness and, of course, a natural disaster. It is even more pronounced on a farm where a family’s livelihood depends on the ability to plant or harvest a crop. So, his mission in the field was born. Founded in 2005, Farm Rescue was formed as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Sponsors were obtained and a database of volunteers to get work done began.

On April 11, 2006 Farm Rescue helped its fi rst of 140 farm families (to date) in North Dakota, South Dakota, western Minnesota and eastern Montana, by bridging a crises and giving the family a chance to continue their livelihood. Do they give money to the farmers? No. They do, however, provide the necessary equipment (supplied by RDO Equipment Company) and the labor (provided by volunteers) to plant or harvest crop…free of charge.

Farm Rescue is growing. Other states are being considered. Now with over 250 sponsors, public donation and a data base of over 1,000 dedicated volunteers, the Farm Rescue board of directors (nine of them) take their position seriously, reviewing applications to determine where to move equipment and deploy volunteers next.

The vision Bill Gross saw in his mind (and heart) may have taken years to come into fruition, however, with a clearer view (at 40,000 feet) of what his mission was to be and a successful growing operation going on below, Bill Gross demonstrates the traits of a true farmer. Never give up. Always have hope. Work hard. Help each other.

Want to help?

If you would like to learn how you can help financially, please know all donations are tax deductible.

If you would like information on how you can become a volunteer, please contact us.

If you would like to apply for Farm Rescue assistance, please contact (701) 252-2017 or go online and complete an application. All information is kept confidential.

farmrescue.org

Filed Under: 2011-08 August 2011, Community

Deutschesfest

Gemutlichkelt - the spirit of comradeship and good times Welcome to the 41st Deutschesfest in Odessa, Washington

September 16, 17 and 18

Authentic German music plays its way into your ears, sausage and strudel tease your appetite, and the fun, excitement, and friendliness capture your heart. This four day event is more than just a festival, it’s an experience! Every third full weekend in September, the small community of Odessa attracts thousands of visitors and adventurers to its famous Deutschesfest. Sporting an authentic local German Band – The Oom Pas & Mas, Germanfood, crafts, and many exciting events, Odessa has made a name for itself by taking pride in its German Heritage. All the preparation for Deutschesfest is done by volunteers throughout the town.

When people from Odessa travel outside the area and someone asks where they are from, 9 out of 10 times the response will be that“Deutschesfest place”.  The Fest is known throughout the Pacific Northwest. It’s the biggest show in the Big Bend region, surpassing all other celebrations and festivals in the number of visitors it attracts compared to the size of the town, drawing up to 20,000 visitors.

Motor homes begin streaming into town a week ahead of the event to find choice parking spots near the Biergarten, the center of entertainment during the three-day festival, held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with pre-fest activities on Thursday evening. About 700 RVs are parked all over town, many of them on grassy Finney Field, the Odessa school’s playfield. Senior citizens arrive by the busloads from Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Wenatchee. Many visitors pitch tents in tree-shaded Reiman Park, while a few who have reserved a year in advance are lucky enough to find motel accommodations or park their RV at Odessa Golf Course.

It is put on by the descendants of the German Russians who settled in Odessa area at the beginning of the 20th Century. These industrious immigrants transformed the then desolate Odessa area into one of the world’s richest grain-growing regions. Hard work wasn’t all they knew. They had an appreciation for worldly delights–good food and drink, music and dancing. This has been handed down through the generations to give Odessa a very special ambiance, which abounds at Deutschesfest. In German it’s called gemutlichkelt– the spirit of comradeship and good times.

Sponsored by the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, Deutschesfestis a celebration of these rich and colorful traditions, which have never been lost. About 80 percent of Odessa’s inhabitants are of German Russian descent. They have maintained much of the culture of their forebears, which includes not only an appreciation of food but also a love for music and entertainment.

Deutschesfest, is an event not duplicated elsewhere in the Inland Northwest. In addition to German food and music, the festival features a parade, arts and crafts exhibits, a “youth garden” with games/activities for kids throughout the day (which is where the Jr High Dance is held Saturday night—the HS Dance is at the school), sports events, including a major 5K and 10K fun run, and the big attraction–the Biergarten and entertainment.

Food– traditional German cuisine– is the very heart and soul of Deutschesfest. A wide variety of delicacies are offered at the food circus, known as the Festplatz, in the center of downtown Odessa. Everything from homemade kraut ranza to strudel can be savored at the colorful chalets, the food booths sponsored by civic, fraternal, church and School groups. Vendors are spread throughout town (and any interest in being a vendor is welcome…just contact the Chamber).

The Fest is Odessa’s happy time. Not only does the Biergarten hop, but the streets are alive with revelers, and the Oom Pas and Mas German band, a feature since the first Fest in 1971, with some of the original members still performing. Entertainment can also be found on the outdoor stage at the Festplatz, as well as at the Odessa Historical Museum. Those who like to listen and dance to other than polkas and waltzes have the choice of several bands, which alternately take the stage at the Biergarten to provide old time rock and roll of the 1950s and 60s, rock later than 60s…we have that, too, country rock, big-band era music…and even more.

deutschesfest.com

History Lesson

Deutschesfest began in small way in 1971. No one was certain how many visitors would be on hand for the first celebration on Friday of that year. By Saturday, however, the food booths were sold out. The Biergarten was out of beer. Even Odessa’s taverns ran out of beer. The Fest organizer’s had to run to the neighboring towns of Ritzville, Wilbur and Moses Lake to gather up all the beer they could buy, to serve the Saturday crowd.

The only thing they didn’t move was factory made pickles. No one was interested in the food unless it was made in Odessa. And every year since the pickles are homemade by a committee, following a recipe handed down for decades from the first immigrants who settled Odessa. In later years, the art of making sauerkraut was added. Today, neither product is left by Monday morning.

Filed Under: 2011-08 August 2011

2011 Farmer of the Year

Damon Calloway and Family are Honored in Quincy, Washington

Front row, left to right: Cassi Calloway, Amanda Calloway, Rebecca Calloway, Trenten Calloway, Jackson Calloway. Back row, left to right: Ross Calloway, Damon Calloway, Mel Calloway, Rex Calloway.

Farmer Consumer Awareness Days committee of business owners and fellow farmers select and acknowledge Damon Calloway as 2011 Farmer of the Year.

Nothing but sagebrush in Quincy” was what Damon Calloway’s father reported to his family when he visited the Quincy Valley from Oklahoma in1949, but never-the-less, he moved his family of six children to Quincy in May of 1952, and established an 80 acre farm in the exact spot where the extended family still lives today at 16488 Road 7 NW.

Life then was a bit difficult for a couple of years until water arrived in Quincy in 1954 from the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. The Calloway’s were fortunate to be among the first to get water access to their farm.With a lot of hard work for almost 60 years, Damon,with the help of his two industrious sons, managed to develop the initial 80 acres his father purchased into close to 2000 acres growing potatoes, wheat, alfalfa, and corn.

Damon is now semi-retired, but maintains an active role in the process of managing the complexities of farming with his fully employed sons, Ross and Rexand their entire families.

Damon is honored and proud to be representing the farmers of Quincy Valley as “Farmer of the Year.”

Congratulations from VENUE Magazine!

Filed Under: 2011-08 August 2011, Community

Pass the Potatoes, Please

In 1981, a local farmer, Dennis Higashiyama, was working on histractor and listening to America’s favorite radio host, Paul Harvey, have a conversation about the necessity of farming and farmers. The woman in this conversation expressed her opinion by saying, “I don’t understand why we need farmers, don’t they know we can just go to the grocery store and buy what we need?”

Local farmers were outraged. In our region we live in a world of agriculture and are familiar with the faces of the hardworking families who bring food to our table (and our stores), however, this conversation illustrated clearly how farmers and consumers had drifted apart–leaving many people with little or no understanding about how food actually arrives on their grocery shelves.

Because of this, on the second weekend in September, every year, theQuincy Valley community prepares a unique celebration called QuincyFarmer-Consumer Awareness Days (FCAD), which educates the consumeron the farm to market process.

For farmers, FCAD is an opportunity to show the fruits of their laborand demonstrate the tools and techniques used in their work. For the public, the event has tours of area processing plants and farms, displays of farm equipment, informational and commodity booths, and a farmers market. The event profiles our local farm families, our abundant farmlands and the businesses that are determined to stay on the cutting edge to provide the very best food possible.

So, the next time you say, “Pass the potatoes, please,” remember the dedicated farmers at the heart of our rural communities. We at VENUE Magazine encourage you to bring your whole family to the QuincyFarmer Consumer Awareness Day(s) Celebration and get acquainted with our local people who bring us fresh foods from the earth.

To them, we say thank you!

quincywashington.us

Filed Under: 2011-08 August 2011, Community

Sunrise at 5:44am

It goes without saying the portion of this fine earth we call home is largely agricultural and livestock based and life on the farm or ranch is shared in conversation with a large part of our population. There is a sense of pride and credibility in the conversations about growing up on a farm or ranch. And if you listen, you will find that most of these families would trade nothing for the lessons learned – lessons that produce strength of character and solid foundations for generations to come.

Being the daughter of Mel Updegrave, I have shared many a chuckle with local farmers and ranchers recalling stories about my dad and then my sharing stories with them of treasured momentsas a child under his watch. My dad was a friend to the farmer/rancher spending his life energy making sure water was reaching the crop and sustaining the livestock. Nothing was taken for granted. Hard work was the way of each day. Doing whatever it took to get a job done was away of life. Never give up. Ever.

This lifestyle rings true with the farming families in all our region, each strategically watching the progression of the crop in the field and preparing for harvest…physically, mentally and with high hopes for the reward of pure dedication. Ranching families tending to the new livestock being born and added to their herds, working round the clock keeping watch so no harm comes to them.

These hardworking people feed us. It is not easy. Farming and ranching demands a high degree of sagacious business savvy to keep up with technology, the market, the climate, government…the constant challenge of new demands and daily unknowns, etc., etc.

It requires gumption, to say the least.

If you listen closely to their family stories, however, you will hear the appreciation of complete beauty in their surroundings and peace in the silence of a still early sunrise. The beginning of another new day. A day to be glad they have.

Filed Under: 2011-08 August 2011, Publisher Notes