2011-03 March 2011 – Venue Magazine Online

Nature Beyond Beauty

Royal City High School student receives Regional Award

Two talented Royal High School students had winning entries at the 38th Annual ESD 105 Regional High School Art Show, held at Allied Arts of Yakima Valley’s Peggy Lewis Gallery in Yakima. Royal High School art teacher, Michael Holmes, submitted seven quality art pieces for this annual event. Margarita Rodriquez, a 10th grader at Royal High School, received the Regional Award for her ceramic sculpture titled “Nature Beyond Beauty.” Her artwork will advance to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) High School Art Show later this spring after being chosen among the 105 entries in this year’s regional show. Gabriela Sabalsa, an 11th grader at Royal High School received the ESD 105 Board Choice Award for her colored pencil artwork titled “Guardian.” Her entry was selected to be purchased for a cash award of $250 by the ESD 105 Board of Directors. Gabriela’s artwork will join 22 other pieces in a collection of past years’ student art on permanent display at the ESD 105 Conference Center in Yakima.

The 2011 regional show of paintings, drawings, photography, and sculptures included works by 95 students of 18 teachers from 14 regional high schools.

Filed Under: 2011-03 March 2011, Visual Arts

A VENUE Interview: Lt. Col. Jim and Maj. Angela O’Connell

Jim is the Detachment Commander at Grant County International Airport.His wife, Major Angela O’Connell, is the air wing’s Deputy Chief of Public Affairs (PA).

Given the temporary re-location of the 92 Air Refueling Wing from Fairchild AFB, to Grant County International Airport I asked a retired Air Force pilot to interview the Detachment Commander and his wife about their lives and what the move means for them. As you will soon see, they have a very unique relationship.

VENUE Magazine: Welcome, and welcome specifically to Moses Lake. Jim, I understand you are originally from Spokane so you are familiar with Eastern Washington.

Jim: Yes, I grew up in Spokane where I went to St. John Vianney and Gonzaga Prep.

Angela: We’re lucky that Jim is from Spokane because we have an amazing support system here.

VM: How did you two meet?

Angela: Fairchild AFB was my first duty assignment as a maintenance officer. Jim was already stationed here and we met each other at a Halloween party.

VM: How would you describe being a married military couple? Rewarding? Difficult? Would you recommend it to others? All the above?

Jim: It depends; Angela has been able to flex greatly to accommodate my career. Some couples to do not have that ability. It can be difficult, but I have a great partner.

Angela: Being married in the military is difficult but rewarding. It is nice to have the common ground but deployments and time commitments can make it difficult. I think each couple needs to look at their priorities and see if they are able to flex for each other. Unfortunately, there will be times of competing interests and someone has got to give for the other. It is no different than any other marriage, it takes work.

VM: Do you have any children?

Angela: Yes, we have three children. They are 10, 8 and 6 years old.

VM: I can see where you would need a support system particularly since Jim now temporarily resides in Moses Lake while you and the children reside in Spokane. With that in mind, how difficult is it that both of you work for the ARW?

Jim: Not too difficult. The hardest part is juggling our commitments with childcare availability.

Angela: I have been in the AF Reserves for the last nine years but only recently began work as a civil service employee (Dec 2010). It has been an adjustment with me working but not difficult. Again, that support system really helps.

VM: Angela, I understand you separated from the active-duty Air Force when your commitment was up but continued on in the Air Force Reserves as a Major. Why did you make that decision?

Angela: I separated because we were in career fields (Pilot, Public Affairs) that would have made it difficult to be together. I grew up an Air Force “brat” and know what it is like moving and having a parent gone for extended periods of time. We did not want our children to contend with the possibility of having both of us gone and having to deal with being passed around to family members to compensate for that. It was difficult enough for me and I had a stay-at-home mom as stability. I wanted our kids to have some stability, as well.

VM: You two have a very unique relationship. How would each of you describe your personalities?

Jim: I enjoy being with my wife and kids. I spend a lot of time on the road so I have always been focused on family and friends.

Angela: Wow, tough question. I think I am outgoing and flexible. I am always excited about opportunities that may be coming. Having been an Air Force “brat,” I have moved and lived in several countries which is an amazing adventure. I truly have been blessed.

VM: When you do find time what do you enjoy beyond your careers? Sports, hobbies…?

Jim: I enjoy reading (history), studying genealogy and sports.

Angela: I enjoy cooking, riding bikes, playing games with the kids.

VM: What are your mid- (within the Air Force) and long-term goals (after the military) as an individual and as a couple?

Jim: Being in the Air Force is a great experience. I have always wanted to fly and to get to do that for a living has been rewarding. I continue to strive to be a better officer and leader. Longterm, I am not sure what that will bring. Who knows! I will probably retire and Angela will continue as the Deputy Chief of PA . Right now, I am focused on my Air Force career.

Angela: We made it through two assignments together on active duty. The Air Force is good at trying to keep spouses together. The AF Reserves have offered me amazing flexibility to continue to serve my country while moving with Jim to various assignments to include England and Australia. I am a firm believer in doing your job well. My mid-term goal is to excel in the position I was hired for because I have been given a great opportunity to show the taxpayers the amazing things our Airmen accomplish daily.

Filed Under: 2011-03 March 2011, People

A Soil-Full Message

Healthy soil equal healthy plants, healthy plants equal healthy food, healthy food equal healthy people, healthy people equal healthy relationships, healthy relationships equal a healthy society. This is what I express when I am talking to people about the importance that soil plays in the web of life and in our society. Soil is the main medium for growing most of the plants we use in our daily diet. The vitality and health of our soil is of paramount importance in preserving and enhancing our food system. The human race lives precariously; dependent upon the top six inches of soil for without it, we would have a very ‘fishy’ diet. It is estimated that since the arrival of Europeans on the North American continent we have lost somewhere between 25 to 30 percent of our topsoil. That’s a fairly significant number given the fact it’s only been several hundred yeas since we begin aggressively farming on this continent. Societies throughout time have had trouble understanding and taking the steps necessary to preserve their topsoil, because the effects are not immediate. In the Columbia Basin we are blessed with an abundance of good mineral rich soils, but, here too there is erosion and soil loss, and remember we have only been farming here for a very short time. The earth does replenish and make soils from rock, but that process takes a long time. Stewarding and protecting our soil is something vital to the sustainability of our localities and to our future.

Another important consideration is the health of the Soil. How many minerals are in the soil? Are those minerals balanced so they are available to the Plants? Is there a healthy active microbiology in the soil? What is the organic matter content? Organic and more ecologically aware farmers are becoming more conscious about building healthy soils with good microbiological activity, balanced mineral ratios, and higher organic matter content which are necessary to produce plants with greater nutrient content. “Nutrient density” is a term used commonly now, suggesting that not only are certain foods better for optimum health, but, also, that how those foods were grown enhances their nutrient density and mineral- vitamin content. Nutrient density comes from the soil in which the food is grown. Building healthy soils through the addition of organic matter in the form of manures, composts, green manures (green plants incorporated into the soil) and other sources of carbon are very important. Soil can be depleted. This happens when nutrients are removed through continuous annual production farming.

Without replenishment the vitality and mineral content of the soil is extracted. Much of modern agriculture is based on this model of extraction from the soil, with very little returned back into the land. This has led to lower nutrition values in our food, and a devitalized food system. It cannot be maintained forever.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt stated that, “ A nation that destroys its Soil, destroys itself”. I believe that we can do better. We can begin to have greater appreciation for soil as life- sustaining medium. As a society we can begin to emphasize the importance of healthy soils and healthy food grown from them. Knowing where our food comes from and how that food is grown is important. How a farmer stewards the land is of vital importance, too. It makes common sense that the more we build the fertility of our soils, the more vitality our food will have!

Charles E. Kellogg in the USDA Yearbook of Agriculture circa 1938 probably said it better than I can when he noted, “Essentially, all life depends upon the soil.…there can be no life without soil, and no soil without life, they have evolved together.”

Filed Under: 2011-03 March 2011

Emotion: the most essential design ingredient

As a design element “emotion” is rarely discussed. But in reality it is the emotion that a space invokes that makes for a truly great interior. While great interiors achieve all aspects of design that equate to attractiveness (such as color, good use of lines, shapes and textures) it is creating emotion in the space that is the mark of something grand. I believe that if people would allow themselves the freedom, feelings are the easiest aspect of design to accomplish.

Creating emotion in ones space is a lot like dreaming. It is giving yourself permission to do things differently and expose yourself for others to see, even if what others see is a little less than perfect. So many times I have seen clients persuaded into a plan much less than their ideal by friend’s innocent comments. They decide on something safe and in the end the design was less inspiring and did not speak to them as it should have. In my opinion design is an investment in YOU and should tell a story of who you are. I know this will take some people out of the box, but imaging the freedom.

Here are a few tips for those of you thinking of making some changes to your existing space.

Develop a vision:

First and foremost, begin with a goal and plan in mind. Clip magazine photos to discover the similarities of what is attracting you. There will usually be some type of link or connection between the photos.

Avoid having too many people in the decision making process. Remember that it is your surroundings and your investment. Select a few key people or a professional that you respect for advice. It is essential that one person take the lead, otherwise you will end up with a miss-mash of ideas and a more drawn out and painful process.

Do not fall for design fads:

Fads are called just that because they come and they go. You will tire of them quickly. Always create an environment for you, your customers or your family. One that speaks to who you are. The rule applies to everything including your color selections, furniture, as well as smaller items. With so many beautiful things to choose from why not select things that bring a smile to your face every time you see them.

Create an inspiration board:

This is a service that we offer our clients and one you can use at home to keep you on the right track. In order to bring your vision together, it is essential to see how all the colors and textures you have chosen work together. Use fabric swatches, tiles, photos, paint chips and sketches and attach them to a piece of black foam board.

Pick your best colors:

It is a well known fact that color stirs our emotions. They change our moods and touch our hearts. Pick colors that you like and do not work with the latest fashionable colors, just because they are currently in style. Select color combinations that are pleasing to your eye and add just a splash of the most recent color craze. Remember what feel you are looking for. Whether it is warm, passionate, sensual, relaxing, soothing, spacious, hip or sophisticated, color and the use of it has the power to convey emotion.

While on a trip to the Seattle Design Center a year or so ago my client and I were impressed with the new wall treatments in the lobby. Though not my personal style, I could see the quality and workmanship and thought that the vivid colors brought a fresh outlook to a gloomy time in our countries economy. I was shocked to learn that many designers had an adverse reaction to the change, some with tears and others with letters of protest. How could this be??? Isn’t it our job as designers to see the beauty in all things if they are articulated well? To me design is a form of living art, evolving as we grow and change. And in the end if your prefer Picasso or Michelangelo, could we say that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder?

Filed Under: 2011-03 March 2011

What Can ‘You’ do for “Y.O.U.” to Help ‘Them’?

Building Dreams with Cindy Carpenter

In a world where there is so much focus is on ‘I’, or ‘me me me’ with many people, it is so refreshing to find something where the focus is on you. Y.O.U., in this particular instance, refers to Youth Outdoors Unlimited (www.youthoutdoorsunlimitedwa.com). Their plainly stated mission is thus; A Central Washington based, non-profit corporation organized to take youth who have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness and/or disability, and who have a DREAM to hunt or fish, on their own outdoor adventure.

The birth of this idea began gestating in part because Cindy Carpenter loves to teach; it has been a fulfilling role of hers for years as she has worked with the Jr. Golf program as golf pro at Moses Pointe, but she also found out you are never too old to learn new things. Her husband Joe found in her an ardent pupil when he introduced her to fishing a few years back. She was, to use an intentional pun, hooked instantly. The joys of angling soon began to be foremost in her enjoyment of things…that was until the deer hunting bug was introduced.

This new passion to hunt for bigger game through the art of the bow was enticing with its high level of training and intensity of tracking skills it entails. She could understand why people become so ‘all involved’ with this, such as her husband and brother-inlaw who have been big game hunters for decades. Through some off-season networking with hunting friends, Cindy came across an organization called ‘A Hunt Above,’ a Mississippi-based group that provides what Y.O.U. WA is trying to emulate. Through contact with the founders of that group, it kindled in Carpenter the desire to do the same…at least, why not try?

It is not just about the catch or harvesting of the creatures, but what Cindy sees as this entire social network unlike any other group. There is a very special type of camaraderie that is flung back and forth across frosty mornings in a duck blind, in a boat on a glass smooth lake, or around a fire at deer camp. It is in fact these scenarios that started the seed germinating in the minds of a core group of locals. Cindy loves golf, there is no doubt about that, but she says there is nothing to compare with the thrill of the hunt or fishing for that beautiful keeper. It is this thrill and excitement that she so hopes to share with a growing number of special young ones from our area.

Cindy’s energetic excitement is contagious, and can only be an asset when dealing with those children with special circumstances or limited time that may not be able to pursue these activities on their own. Similar organizations have existed for years, “Make a Wish” for instance, but what about one centered on the unique hunting and fishing that Central Washington has in spades? After researching to see whether anything like this already existed in the region, she called in some of her hunting/fishing friends and got the ball rolling. As balls roll, this one was heavy and on a steep downhill slope. The momentum it gained was nothing short of, for lack of enough words in the English language, “Miraculous.”

The initial response from some land owners who are usually very protective of letting hunters on their acreage was enough to make Carpenter and Co. take notice. Many farmers in the Wilson Creek-area welcomed with open arms the opportunity to open their best hunting land to the group when they got their charges lined up. Through word –of-mouth it spread like wildfire; the local Bass and Walleye clubs eagerly vied for the opportunities to help, and several professional hunters got on board quickly, as well.

Carpenter had to get serious on the organizational end of things, and with help from the Dano Law firm, J. Newhouse Co. and others an amazingly fast approval of their 501(C) status was approved and the board members began to fall into place. Even the normally rigid WA Department of Fish and Game has been very helpful in making this venture more than just a possibility. On a case by case basis they will consider waiving certain rules to accommodate the kids.

The Y.O.U. website, though still in a state of being polished, is the best source for the forms and guidelines that dictate who is eligible, and the finer details that are required for each hunting/angling dream experience to become a reality. They are not extensive or burdensome, and the hope is that with the help already offered and the upcoming fund raising efforts, it will be easy for the families and affected children to connect to the outdoor experience they are looking for.

Y.O.U. has taken the necessary steps to be fully insured, and they are taking extensive measures to ensure that all of the hunters and anglers that will be working with the kids meet the highest standards and are fully informed about their needs. The main thing that all involved want for these children is for them to be able to forget, for at least one day, that they are sick, or different and to connect with those that do not have those limitations. The first and foremost choice in any decision involving the kids and the activities they are undertake is their safety!

Perhaps through a fortunate series of events, Moses Lake is home to a very special person who will be the first to experience what Y.O.U. has to offer. Spencer Kimbro has previously been given local press coverage because of his indomitable spirit and drive, though confined to a wheelchair and experiencing a dozen other physical ravages of the Spinabifida with which he was born. He is not only one of most deserving candidates, but is more than happy to serve as the poster child to carry this organization forward.

Y.O.U. will be holding their first fundraiser on March 31st at Sporty’s Steakhouse. Tickets can be purchased in advance by
contacting Cindy Carpenter (cindy@askcindycarpenter.com) or Sporty’s, and even if you can’t attend, tax deductible donations can be made through J.R. Newhouse Co., c/o Chris Newhouse, 528 W. Broadway, Moses Lake. Make checks payable to “Youth Outdoors Unlimited.” Donations of organizational equipment are also needed and greatly appreciated, and already a number of local business have stepped up…still, more is required to keep a 501(C) charity up and running for the long term. (Forms are available online.)

Keep up to date with the schedule of events and the experiences of the children that are being given these opportunities via the Y.O.U. website.

Quotes from community members:

Robin Kimbro – Spencer’s mother.

It is hard to really convey how excited we all are, not just Spencer. It is so heartwarming to see that Y.O.U. is not just a few local people helping one or two kids, but is actually part of something that is, and will be, much bigger. We hope the entire community, which has many outdoorsmen here in Central WA, will get behind this in a big way. Spencer is already talking about what he can do to help mentor the succeeding kids who will be enjoying the experience.

Jennifer Newhouse – Coordinator for ‘Parent to Parent’.

Parent to Parent is a program that offers emotional support and information about disabilities and community resources to parents who have a youth with a disability, illness and/or special health care needs. It helps all involved to learn to bridge that gap for those of us who sometimes don’t know what to say or how to say it. She was asked by Cindy to act as an educator and liaison between the sponsored children and the professionals that will be working with them in the field who may not know all the terminology or specifics in dealing with the special needs children, and to help raise community awareness.

Chris Newhouse – Y.O.U. Treasurer.

Having worked with a number of other organizations that try to provide special events and occasions to children, though much less specialized or involved as Y.O.U, it is very exciting to see something like this come out of our own locality. The experiences for these kids will be so great they will carry it with them for the rest of their lives, and it is nice just to have a share in making a difference to these ones.

Don Sell – Y.O.U. Secretary.

Don was there at deer camp just last year when this concept was brought up in general conversation. Now as things have rocketed skyward and he is part of a diversified board of directors, he sees this as what it takes to make it happen. With a love of hunting and the outdoors, Don is excited that he can help these kids experience the thrill that those without these special circumstances may take for granted.

Joe Carpenter – Master Hunter and Field Guide for Y.O.U.

Having been an avid hunter for decades, he feels this is such an awesome opportunity for him to be able to share the love of what he does every chance he gets with these great kids. As the husband of Cindy he feels responsible for nurturing the fire within her, and is behind her endeavors with Y.O.U. 100%. Joe has helped get the local clubs and groups involved, but adds that more help and support is always welcome and it should eventually overwhelm the number of kids they are slated to help.

Curt Carpenter – Master Hunter and Field Guide for Y.O.U.

There are a number of things that the title “Master Hunter” allows and requires, but Curt can’t think of anything more exciting or rewarding than to use these skills and contacts to work with the kids that Y.O.U. hopes to reach. Along with his brother Joe, they will bring decades of safe experience to enrich the lives of these children. They have a great kid in Spencer to start with, and he looks forward to a long line of others that he can be with to experience that once in a lifetime feel of the first hunt.