February 22, 2012

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Toad the Wet Sprocket at Basin Summer Sounds

Named in honor of a sketch by the Monty Python comedy troupe, this 4-piece band of Santa Barbara, CA high school cronies came to be known as Toad the Wet Sprocket in 1986. To this day, their mellow, melodic folk-pop sound made them one of the most successful alternative rock bands of the early 1990s.

Singer Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss spent time honing their skills in area bars. Then, in 1988, they entered a nearby studio and came out with their debut LP, Bread and Circus. Recorded in just 8 days and for a cost of $650, this inaugural recording was originally sold in Santa Barbara area record stores as a home-made cassette. While the band was recording their second album, Pale (16 days & $6,000) they caught the attention of the LA offices of Columbia Records. After agreeing to the band’s request to reissue Bread and Circus only in its original form — without any alterations or remixes – Columbia Records signed Toad the Wet Sprocket.

Then in 1991, Toad the Wet Sprocket’s commercial breakthrough came as the single “All I Want” (which had nearly been left off the 1991 album Fear) became a Top 20 hit. Gavin’s airplay reports also listed it as number one. After “Fear” was certified platinum, another single from the LP, “Walk on the Ocean,” also became a successful track for the band. They played over 300 shows on the Fear tour, a two-year marathon ending in throat surgery for Phillips’ overused pipes.

Three years later, Toad returned with Dulcinea, generating yet another Top 40 hit (not to mention a six week run as number one on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks) with the single “Fall Down.” Dulcinea then also sold enough copies to reward Toad with another platinum certification.

1995 brought In Light Syrup, a collection of unreleased material, B-Sides and movie soundtrack songs. Featuring “Good Intentions,” another hit single that’s also been featured on the platinum selling Friends TV show soundtrack, In Light Syrup recently became certified gold.

Coil, Toad the Wet Sprocket’s fifth proper LP, followed in 1997. Then in July, 1998, the group parted ways. Even so, in 1999, PS (A Toad Retrospective) was released. In 2004, Columbia/Legacy released Toad’s live CD Welcome Home, Live from the Arlington Theater.

Since 2006, the band has played to enthusiastic crowds of all ages across the country, proving that great music truly is timeless.

July 16th, 9pm – 2011 Basin Summer Sounds, Ephrata, WA

Filed Under: 2011-06 June 2011, Events

The Art of Setting Your Room Apart

Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware and other major home catalogs have done such a great job making quality design a little more accessible to the average homeowner, but what exactly is it that makes us drool over each page as soon as it arrives in the mail? I can guarantee you, it is not the furniture. Their cream slipcovered collection is coveted by many, but really could be exchanged for photography purposes with an Ikea $399 special. Truly if you are honest with yourself as you assess the pages, it is the design elements that make a room truly spectacular. The architecture and found objects make each room ( or set) unique and truly drool worthy. If you take the Restoration Hardware sofa and place it in the middle of plain spec home room and……well…..you will have the same thing as half of America. There is only an illusion that you are getting something special. While the quality is a high to mid-range, are you truly pleased with how the room came together?

What is it that makes these rooms different from the average Joe? Great thought is put into every detail of the set designs for these catalogs. Layers are created with the architecture really being what sets the room apart. When I remember my favorite pages of these catalogs, it is not any one product that comes to mind. It is the plank wood floors and the pestered walls, or the farm like beams in the ceiling. These items can make a $200 chandelier look like a million.

Another aspect of layering these rooms comes with using found or antique items that are not readily accessible. Designers scour the countryside to find a one of a kind piece that add haracter to the space. These items are unique not only in the way they are used, but in that you usually will not find them on your neighbors’ mantel or on the shelf of TJ Max. Vintage and found objects have a time worn appeal and an authentic ironic beauty versus the mass manufactured look that is everywhere else.

Found objects do not necessarily have to cost a pretty penny. I have always delighted in found objects-whether its branches, rocks, seashells or a great find at an antique shop. I would rather set out a basket of seashells or sugar pinecones than cheap plastic baubles that are generic and have no meaning. Each piece has a story behind it living lots of lives before coming my way. Each piece has a memory for me, taking me back to a place where I found it and who I was with. This to me is a meaningful way to decorate, making it a little more personal. This is the art of living.

Filed Under: 2011-06 June 2011

A Gourd is What You Make It

A unique festival celebrating a new genre of art

Does anyone really know what “family” a gourd is from? Depends on who you ask…some say pumpkin family, others say cucumber family, but the artists who use gourds as their medium doesn’t care as long as they can get a gourd that is dry, firm and the thicker the better!

Gourds have been around for as long as history takes us back. They were used for tools, bowls and the insides were scraped for food, although that is not recommended in today’s time. Artists are always looking for something new and exciting and when they discovered they could carve, burn, cut and paint on a gourd, a whole new genre opened up to them.

While gourd art is popular across the US, it is still a relatively new form of art for the Pacific Northwest. Art galleries in places like Arizona, New Mexico, Texas is filled with gourd art that sell for thousands of dollars.

In 1937 the Gourd Society of America was started by Mr. Sterling Pool of Rockport, Mass. In 1970 the name was changed to The American Gourd Society and now has over 4,000 members. The various states can become “chapters” and within those “chapters” gourd patches are formed and are welcome to everyone.

Some changes have occurred within the state chapter. Myrna has stepped down as her term is over, making way for a new President; Stacy Annon. Stacy is in charge of the upcoming festival and is putting her personal touch on this big endeavor!

Vendors, which include not only artists selling their own gourd creations, but commercial vendors that will have everything you can imagine you would need to work on a gourd and then some. Gourd Farmers will be on hand to sell raw gourds ready for the artists touch to turn them into spectacular pieces of art for someone to cherish for many years to come. Demonstrations will go on throughout the weekend and accomplished Artists will be on hand to answer any questions you may have when it comes to working on gourds. (There is a safety factor when it comes to working on gourds that is important for anyone interested to safely open up a raw gourd).

In addition to the classes and vendor booths there is an array of entertainment lined up that will be performing on both the indoor and outdoor stage. Food vendors will be on hand and there will be seating indoors if someone wishes to get out of the sun.

There will be a competition and art show. There will be a panel of 9 Master Judges that are coming in from across the US and they will follow strict American Gourd Society guidelines.

On Saturday, those that come in and view the gourd art will be able to vote for their favorite piece.. The award will be presented at the Saturday night dinner, which is available to the first 100 signups.

Festival hours are Saturday 9am till 5pm and Sunday 9am till 4pm.
Admissionis $5 for one day arm band or you can purchase a two day band for$8.
Kids under 12 are FREE.
All information about the festival is on their website: www.wagourdsociety.org

Filed Under: 2011-06 June 2011, Events

Are We There Yet?

Patience has been a widely used word in our early summer season. I have come to think of our waiting (and waiting) for sunny weather, to be the equivalent of an athlete warming up for a vigorous exercise. An athletic warm-up is designed for stretching and developing flexibility. So is patience. An athletic warm-up is designed to clear the mind, increase focus, build concentration and increase positive energy. So is patience.

And as with all good things, patience is a choice. With that thought in mind, I cleared my mind, focused my thoughts and went to places known in summers past creating positive imagery of a sunny world defined. With a smile I reminisced of things awaited for. Dangling tired feet in cool lake water on a warm summer evening; floating on an air mattress eating sunflower seeds and leaving a trail behind; launching the family canoe for a gentle glide; playing a game of volleyball on the grass; savoring an outdoor barbecue and conversation as the sun dissapears over the horizon; listening to music under the night skies; enjoying the energy of community festivals and events prepared for the enjoyment of friends and family.

Can you feel the sunshine?

Be patient! Pushing against the natural pace and flow of things we can not control is unproductive and can ultimately sabotage your enjoyment of anything. Instead, warm up to the fact our season is…warming up and serving up a phlethora of sunny activities.

Once the sun shows its magnificence you will feel engaged, enriched and alive and ready to swing your arms….and free your mind.

Enjoy!

Melea Johnson, Publisher

Filed Under: 2011-06 June 2011, Publisher Notes

Michael and Jordan Hamilton

A Family Business Where the Business is Family

The Michael’s family, from left to right: Jordan, Melissa, Mikey, Kathy, Chuck, Dana, Mike

It might seem, especially in smaller towns, that a multi-business owning family may be trying to estab- lish a commercial ‘empire’. Empires require Emperors and subjects…yet nothing is further from the truth when looking at the Hamilton’s of Moses Lake. Their busi- nesses include Michael’s on the Lake, Elements, Michael’s Market & Bistro and the adjoining kitchen store and Tempo.

With all the details of overseeing a number of businesses and their involvement in many catering activities, you may wonder if the Hamilton’s ever get time for themselves to pursue hobbies or other interests. Both Michael and Jordan answer yes…though there is never enough time. What they do find time for each week is to still have a sit down, family dinner together, maintaining that this is much more than just a ‘family business’ partnership.

Savvy business folk, yes…but something more is pres- ent that make the Hamilton’s businesses thrive; the people they employ. ‘Employees’ seems to be less than descriptive enough, as the Hamilton’s truly feel that all of their 70+ staff members are more like part of their extended family. A biological family can be diverse and have many differences, but at the end of the day a good family is always there for each other.

All of their talented staff are encouraged to share new ideas and suggest changes, as Mike Hamilton puts it, “Things (in this business) are always changing and you can’t just sit and keep doing the same thing, you need to learn to change quickly and not be afraid”. The changes are evident in tangible ways such as the many diverse menu items that prove they are always looking for excellence, and yet they still retain some of the long standing offerings that make them local favorites.

The giving attitude that the entire Hamilton family has is reflected by the staff at all of their businesses. Generously participating in serving the community for a number of years through such events as the recent Relay for Life, they know that the individuals and families in the community are what make them a success, so you must ‘give back’. They have and continue to support the Moses Lake Cancer Foundation, Boys and Girls Club, Spring Festival, Moses Lake Christian School, and the City Wide Clean Up to mention a few.

Casting the spotlight on just a few of their key staff mebers, it highlights a long and successful history of growth in the Hamilton family’s businesses. “Mikey” started with Michael’s as a 15 year old dishwasher. Through his hard work and decades of dedication, he is now the Assistant General Manager and oversees both the restaurant and bistro.

Chuck had worked for the Hamilton’s many years back at the iconic Moses Lake establishment, Barney Googles, and now has almost 2 decades under his belt. Currently holding the position of Kitchen Manager at Michael’s on the Lake, his quality work is shown every time a plate hits a table.

Dana, (who same may remember from Dana’s Café), has over 35 years of experience in the business both with the Hamilton’s and on her own. Now the Manager at Michael’s Market and Bistro, Mike and Jordan both say her experience and dedication are invaluable. Of note also is Kathy, who worked at Michael’s before the Hamilton’s owned it and even before Mikey, and now serves as Floor Manager help- ing all the service come together so smoothly.

And let’s not forget Melissa, who brings a decade and more of experience working in the kitchen store business from the ‘Home Stretch’, and who now manages the kitchen store located in the bistro. She has added much to their success at the new location.

Mike Hamilton stresses that it is the combination of all the ‘employees’ combined years of experience and constantly bringing new ideas to the table that make all the businesses a success, and hopefully make for a pleasant experience to all patrons, local and visitor alike. More than just a team, more like a ‘functional family’, it is daily striving for excellence in the many minute details by the entire staff that makes this all work.

For everything the Hamilton’s may get out of their businesses, they believe that giving back to the community is the primary way to make this town a better place to work and live for all families. As summer sets in (finally!), make time to visit one of the locations, perhaps watch a sunset off the deck at Michael’s while enjoying something refreshing or savory, and reflect on the many good things we have and what we as individuals can give back to our community. And welcome to the family!

Filed Under: 2011-06 June 2011, Food & Wine, People